Rapper Chino XL is offering aspiring rappers a chance to be heard, courtesy of his forthcoming album, Poison Pen. Activate, the rapper’s label, and Foundation Chi are sponsoring a contest, which allows fans to write and add their own verses to an interactive mix of one of four bonus tracks on the album. Participants have […]

Busta Rhymes flew to Los Angeles over the weekend to complete the star-studded video to his “Touch It” remix. The filming of the video has put the rapper in the headlines, because of the shooting death of his bodyguard during the portion filmed in New York. Rhymes’ bodyguard Israel Ramirez was shot and killed on […]

Christopher “Play” Martin, one-half of the early rap duo Kid ‘n Play, is releasing Holy Hip-Hop, a new DVD that showcases rappers from the world of gospel music. Martin serves as host, director and producer of the 82-minute DVD, which offers an inside look at artists leading the way in the gospel rap scene. “When […]

An audio tape recorded before the slaying of rapper Busta Rhymes’ bodyguard has surfaced and is reportedly being offered to the media for $50,000. The 53-minute tape has not been given to police or prosecutors. The New York Daily News reported that the tape includes the argument that set off the shooting of Israel Ramirez, […]

The legal wrangling over The Source magazine continued yesterday (Feb. 23) in a New York courtroom. New York Supreme Court Judge Richard B. Lowe III granted co-founders Dave Mays and Ray “Benzino” Scott a temporary restraining order preventing the auction of their stock in the company. The Source’s bank, Textron Financial, is attempting to auction […]

Former Nas associate Lake has signed to Suge Knight’s Death Row Records subsidiary, Death Row East. “I’m the flagship artist [of Death Row East],” Lakey the Kid said on DJ Kay Slay’s Hot 97 radio show today [Feb. 24]. “We doing this for the streets. Death Row is back. The streets is ready, the penitentiary […]

Rapper/actor LL Cool J and actress Gabrielle Union have been tapped to host BET’s annual Rip the Runway fashion special. Busta Rhymes, Three Six Mafia, Steve Harvey, Christina Milian, Anthony Hamilton and Ne-Yo will also be featured in the special, which airs March 23 on BET. The one-hour show will showcase LL Cool J’s new […]

Mobb Deep have a retort for those those fans that thought the group’s G-Unit affiliation would compromise their self-proclaimed "murda musik." The group’s upcoming album, Blood Money, features 50 Cent and many acts like Lloyd Banks, Young Buck and Tony Yayo, but Prodigy and Havoc say their style prevails on the opus. "Basically, to the […]

Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell is planning to retire from Hip-Hop to launch an adult magazine and film company. On the eve of the release of his audio book, Uncle Luke: My Life and Freaky Times, Luke has announced that the three-disc set will be his last release as a recording artist. "I am tired of […]

Incarcerated rapper C-Murder, who was convicted three years ago of second-degree murder, has filed a request with the Louisiana Supreme Court for a new trial. The No Limit rapper, born Corey Miller, was found guilty on Sept. 30, 2003 of killing 16-year-old Steve Thomas. The verdict carries a mandatory life sentence in prison. Thomas died […]

Pharrell Williams and Snoop Dogg will headline the the first People’s Celebration in South Africa in April. The rappers are on the bill with a variety of international artists, including South Africa’s leading performers. Sean Paul, Mario, Rihanna and others will perform to celebrate the success of Premier Foods, South Africa’s largest 100% black-owned company. […]

Lil Jon and TVT Records have put their differences aside and have announced the label will finally release the rapper’s fourth full-length album, Crunk Rock. The Atlanta producer/rapper is in the studio finishing up the album, which is slated to be released later this year. Crunk Rock was delayed because of a contractual dispute between […]

Kimora Lee Simmons’ self-help book for women, Fabulosity: What It Is and How to Get It, hits shelves today. The 272-page book contains 16 laws of success, as well as personal tips and empowering stories to help women from all walks of life succeed. Simmons, president and creative director of Baby Phat, said she aims […]

Producer 9th Wonder intends to remake "Crooklyn Dodgers," a decade-old Hip-Hop classic, as the official lead-single for his solo LP, The Dream Merchant. The contemporary song, simply deemed "Crooklyn Dodgers 3," features Mos Def, Jean Grae and Memphis Bleek with DJ Premier on the turntables. The original Crooklyn Dodgers comprised rappers Buckshot, Masta Ace, Special […]

Pharoahe Monch has joined forces with Loud Records/SRC founder Steve Rifkind to release Monch’s first album since his 1999 debut Internal Affairs, on Rawkus Records. Pharaohe Monch will release his highly anticipated album, Desire, on a new unnamed label Rifkind has founded and runs, after a bidding war which is also distributed by Universal. A […]

Rocawear has inked a deal with watch designer Vestal Group Inc. to create a timepiece collection that will launch at the 2006 Las Vegas MAGIC show this week. Under the deal, the Vestal Group will create and design Rocawear timepiece collections for men and women. The merchandise will have a price range of $95-$395. Founded […]

Rap producer Christopher Hicks was arrested Friday (Feb. 17) in connection to the murder of a California highway patrol officer. Sacramento’s Modesto Bee reported that Hicks unwittingly became linked to the murder suspect, 30-year-old Columbus Junior Allen II. Hicks, a veteran producer who has worked on movie soundtracks, is best known for his collaborations with […]

Actor Terrence Howard has struck a deal with 310 Motoring to become a spokesman for the high end automotive company’s 310 footwear line. The company is planning to launch The Terrence Howard campaign in men’s urban, fashion and lifestyle magazines around the world in markets where the footwear is sold. "I’m thrilled to take on […]