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Police have ramped up security in Port Arthur, Texas today (December 13), where veteran UGK member Chad “Pimp C.” Butler will be laid to rest. Thousands of people, including family members, friends and a number of celebrities, will be on hand at the Bob Bowers Civic Center’s “home-going” service for Pimp C., who was found dead of unknown causes in a Los Angeles hotel room on December 4. Cameras, cellphones and any recording equipment are banned from the services at the facility, which holds 2,500 people. Mourners are also being required to wear traditional funeral attire as well.

Organizers have announced that voting has commenced for the 11th Annual Mixtape Awards ceremony being held in 2008. Organizers have announced that the awards show will take place February 21st, at an undisclosed location in New York. Nomination is the first phase in an improved voting process, which organizers say includes submission, nomination, revision, voting and results. The public is being asked to register and nominate their favorite DJ at http://www.themixtapeawardsonline.com in numerous categories. Nominations will close on January 1, 2008. The Mixtape Awards were established by late industry veteran Orpheus “Justo” Faison. Faison was tragically killed in a car accident outside of Richmond, Virgina in May of 2005.

Queensbridge rapper Big Noyd is planning to release a new album titled Illustrious on January 22. The album, which is being released by Koch, is executive produced by M.O.P.’s Lil’ Fame and features guest appearances by Joell Ortiz, Serani, Kria and others. The album’s first single “Things Done Changed” featuring Kira, was recently serviced to radio outlets nationwide. Big Noyd was featured on a number of Mobb Deep records, including the group’s 1993 debut Juvenile Hell and their 1995 breakthrough album, The Infamous. Noyd himself has released several solo albums, including his debut Episodes of a Hustla.

Rapper Blahz of is sponsoring a dance contest in honor of his latest single, “Dunkin Hinez.” Blahz, who hit big in 1995 with the single “Danger,” is asking students at grammar and high schools in New York to submit their own video of the Dunkin Hinez dance. A final winner will be chosen on January 10th to receive the grand prize of $2,000. For more information visit http://www.itsablahzayworld.com.