Queen Latifah and John Travolta have been cast to star in New Line Cinema’s upcoming remake of the 1988 film, Hairspray The musical, which takes place in 1962, is set to begin production in Baltimore and Toronto, Canada in Sept. and will be directed by Adam Shankman. In the original version, which was a non-musical […]

Rapper Cassidy was released from a Philadelphia prison yesterday (Mar. 2) after serving eight months. The rapper, born Barry Reese, had been incarcerated since June 2005, when he was preparing to release his sophomore album, I’m A Hustla. He was eventually put on trial for his role in the murder of Desmond Hawkins, 22, and […]

Lupe Fiasco is bringing more to the rap game than show-stealing cameos and great lyrics. The 23-year-old product of Chicago’s west side, whose debut album Food and Liquor drops this spring on Atlantic Records, is also pushing street clothes, a radio show and a record label. Fiasco co-founded the label, 1st and 15th, with a […]

Funkmaster Flex and Team Baurtwell recently announced the lineup and tour dates for the 5th Annual Funkmaster Flex Custom Car and Bike Show Tour. The veteran DJ and car enthusiast will make eight stops along the eastern seaboard of the United States, backed by performances from LL Cool J, Juelz Santana, Rev. Run, Pitbull, Jim […]

Houston rapper Paul Wall recently showcased his newly expanded grills collection at BET’s Rip the Runway fashion show. The line, which is offered through Grills by Paul Wall, features new colors and intricate designs, including silver, gold, platinum, pastels, flags and specialty designs. "I just did an all pastel [grill] for Kelis [and] I just […]

Bay Area rapper Mac Minister was arrested yesterday (Mar. 2) in San Francisco for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. FBI agents and local police raided a home in San Francisco’s South of Market district around 7:30 pm and arrested the 35-year-old rapper. Mac Minister, born Andre Dow, was profiled on Fox’s#### television series America’s Most […]

Trina is preparing to release a new DVD titled Trina Live and Uncut, a new concert and DVD that features behind the scenes footage of the Miami, Florida rapper. Included on the DVD is a one hour behind the scenes documentary titled Sex, Money and Jewels, which features Trina shooting videos, recording at the studio […]

Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond is trekking to Haiti today (March 2) to visit underprivileged children from the L’Athletique d’Haiti soccer program and donate 200 pairs of sneakers and soccer balls. Rosemond, who manages rapper the Game, will also lend support to Yele Haiti, a charitable organization founded by rapper/activist Wyclef Jean of the Fugees. "The deplorable […]

Urban clothing moguls Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons recently premiered the latest collection of Baby Phat watches, which expands upon the popular and best-selling "kitty" logo using a variety of Austrian crystal and leather. One of the more popular international collections features the "Hello Kitty" logo in diamond-encrusted watches. "We are gonna sell a lot," […]

Snoop Dogg and the Global Gaming League announced today (March 2) the formation of the Hip-Hop Gaming League, GGL’s newest online video game community where MCs and international gaming champions compete and showcase their skills. Snoop will serve as the league’s first commissioner, ensuring that all matches played online via Xbox Live for the Xbox […]

Busta Rhymes has been sued for assault in Manhattan Supreme Court by a man who claims the rapper and his bodyguard assaulted him for no reason. Melvin Smith, 37, claims Busta Rhymes and co-defendant Troy Green assaulted him without reason. Smith’s lawyer Bruce Regenstreich said his client sought an autograph from rhymes in a sandwich […]

Former Juice Crew members MC Shan and Roxanne Shante are seeking new talent to help reorganize the legendary Hip-Hop group. Formed in the mid 1980s by producer Marley Marl and his label, Cold Chillin’ Records, the original Juice Crew is best known for their classic, “The Symphony.” The original team included Marley Marl, Kool G. […]

Houston rapper Chamillionaire has been tapped as the new face of the spring 2006 tribute advertising campaign for Makaveli Branded, the official clothing line of the late Tupac Shakur. Chamillionaire joins Ludacris, Scarface, DJ Quik, Twista, Chingy, the Disturbin’ Tha Peace crew and Omar Epps in the campaign, which will run in major Hip-Hop publications […]

Hip-Hop activists, recording artists and college students are looking to raise awareness of the physical and emotional destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina through the Katrina on the Ground initiative. The program is a College Student Spring Break initiative that aims to highlight the effects of Katrina and the recovery process in the Gulf region. The goal is […]

Kanye West’s debut performance at the NEC Arena near Solihull in the UK was tainted by a shooting that left two security guards of the venue wounded. West was in town on the final date of his five-date Touch The Sky Tour, which ended with an appearance at the NEC Arena. According to police the […]

Brothers Master P. and Silkk The Shocker were ordered to stand trial for various weapons charges by a Superior Court Judge yesterday (Feb. 27) in Los Angeles. Master P., born Percy Miller and Silkk The Shocker, born Vyshonn Miller, were arrested in Jan. of 2005 after being pulled over by University of California police officers. […]

Rapper Chingy will make his acting debut in the film The System Within, a new film that includes veteran actor Hawthorne James and Bryce Wilson. The movie was written by and stars Tariq Alexander as Tony "Wise" Good, an internationally known model from the inner city who falls from grace and lands in the prison […]

Music producer Timbaland, Violator management co-owner and president Mona Scott, and Roots member ?uestlove are among the panelists scheduled to participate in a Music Biz 101 symposium on April 19. Contestants, who must be currently enrolled in college, are eligible to win an all-expense paid trip to New York City to attend the symposium, and […]

Rapper and entrepreneur Nelly is expanding his Apple Bottom clothing brand to include lingerie, shoes, handbags, plus size clothing, and childrensware. Apple Bottom, which launched in July 2003, is gearing up for a children’s print ad campaign featuring celebrity rappers, including Nelly, Ali from the St. Lunactics, Big Gipp from Goodie Mobb and Jermaine Dupri, […]