Following Slip-N-Slide
Records’ recent court victory against TVT Records over an unreleased Pitbull
album, the Miami rapper has released a statement about the collection of previously
recorded songs. A United States District Court Magistrate Judge sided with Slip-N-Slide,
ruling that the label can release Pitbull’s Welcome to the 305. "I
want it to be clear that this is not my second album. These are some old tracks
that I recorded soon after I left Luke Records," Pitbull told AllHipHop.com
in a statement. "El Mariel will be my follow-up album to M.I.A.M.I."
The two labels squared off in a Miami court, where Slip-N-Slide owner Ted Lucas
claimed Pitbull signed over all rights to the recordings when he was granted
a release from his contract in 2003 in order to sign with TVT. TVT claimed that
Slip-N-Slide was unjustly benefiting from TVT’s involvement with Pitbull, which
helped turn the rapper into a major recording star.
Grammy-nominated
producer DJ Toomp, along with longtime friend and business associate Bernard
Parks Jr., have joined forces to launch NZone Entertainment, a new label venture.
The duo desired to start their own company after years of crafting hits for
other artists and propelling them to stardom. An Atlanta native, DJ Toomp has
churned out hits for Young Jeezy, Ludacris, 8 Ball & MJG, Stat Quo, and
Boyz N Da Hood, among others. Most recently, Toomp produced T.I.’s "24’s,"
"Motivation," and "U Don’t Know Me" off Urban Legend,
and "What U Know" from the rapper’s forthcoming album King.
Parks is credited as one of the masterminds behind Goodie Mob who contributed
to the rise of Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family. NZone, in conjunction
with DJ Toomp’s production company Zoneboy, is currently focused on launching
the careers of Jack Bona and Suga Suga. The latter artist recently released
the single, "Do It With No Hands," and is touring and working on his
debut album. "I have these eyes and ears and I know what it takes to be
successful in this business and so does Bernard," said Toomp. "We
want to discover a star…We want to win."
Jay-Z and Linkin
Park will perform together at the 48th annual Grammy Awards, taking place on
Wednesday (Feb. 8) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The two acts join previously
announced performers John Legend and Kanye West, Madonna with Gorillaz, and
others. Comedian/actor Dave Chappelle will also introduce an all-star tribute
to Sly and The Family Stone, which will include Maroon5, will.i.am of the Black
Eyed Peas, Robert Randolph, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Joss Stone,
Legend, Ciara, and others. The ceremony will be broadcasted on CBS at 8 p.m.
E.T.
Snoop Dogg will
host "The Rapper’s Challenge Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament," a one-day
event slated to take place in Miami on May 5. Snoop and a variety of celebrity
rappers, actors, and top poker players from across the country will participate
in the event, which will take place on board a Casino Ship at the Port of Miami.
Later in the evening, various rappers will compete for $25,000 in a Monday Night
FightKlub battle. The Entrance fee for the "Rapper’s Challenge" is
$15,000 and includes no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em tournament play, access to the
pre-event Celebrity Registration Party, a Monday Night FightKlub, Uncle Reo’s
BBQ, the After-Party in South Beach, VIP admission to various clubs on South
Beach, and travel expenses (airfare and hotel). Snoop’s Uncle Reo will barbecue
on the top deck. Tickets are available for spectators as well, starting at $2,000,
with an additional $500 fee to play in the Charity Tournament.
