Trina has launched the Diamond Doll Foundation, a new nonprofit, dedicated toward the upliftment of young women in communities across the country. To celebrate the new organization’s founding, Trina will host the 1st Annual Diamond Doll Celebrity Birthday weekend in Miami. On December 2, Trina will play host to women of various backgrounds from South Florida. The day consists of panel discussions, a performance and a scholarship giveaway. “I’ve met so many young girls and everyday life for them is a struggle,” Trina said in a statement. “Everyday life for them is a different day of facing some sort of obstacle that they feel that can’t endure.” Trina said launching the foundation was a milestone in her career. “I see it [the Diamond Doll Foundation] as becoming a family outside of a family; almost like a second home where I can reach out to people to let them know that I understand what they’re going through.” For more information visit www.slipnsliderecords.net.
New Orleans rap crew Sqad Up and their label Money Yung’n Records have inked a deal with Def Jam to release their new CD/DVD combo, We Here Now. The group, former associates of Cash Money Records and Lil’ Wayne, was rewarded with the deal after the success of their 2004 CD/DVD Now or Never, as well as several popular mixtapes including Scared Money Don’t Make Money, Eyes Above Water, We Do Dis and others. “We wanted to embark on this partnership because there is no other group out right now that is as recognizable as Sqad Up,’ said Tyran ‘TyTy’ Smith, VP of A&R Island/Def Jam. “Through their own movement they have been able to brand themselves so well in the industry and the public’s eye that whether separate or together there is no denying who they are and what they stand for as a whole. We look forward to working with Money Yung’n Records and together we plan to take Sqad Up to the next level in ’07.” The group is currently in the studio recording new material for We Here Now, which is due in stores in spring ’07.
Breeding Ground Alumni, Mims has teamed with reggae giants Junior Reid and Cham for a remix to his single "This Is Why I’m Hot (RMX)".” The reworked version of the song was produced by Miami-based production team The Blackout Movement and is the lead single from the rapper’s upcoming UBO/American King debut album Music Is My Savior, which hits stores in early 2007. “As an emcee with Jamaican ancestry it was humbling to have the legendary Junior Reid, an artist who has touched so many people with his music not only say that I’m “next in line” but to touch this track with his talents,” Mims said. Mims tapped director Dale Resteghini [Jim Jones’ “We Fly High] to shoot the video for the single, which will be serviced to outlets nationwide next week. In related news, Mims has also officially chosen Capitol Records as his recording home.
King magazine will celebrate its 5th anniversary with a collectors edition guest edited by Sean “Diddy” Combs. The magazine also announced that former editor-in-chief Datwon Thomas has been promoted to editorial director, while industry veteran and former King executive editor Jermaine Hall has been bumped up to editor-in-chief. “I’m excited about keeping the content of King at a high level,” Hall told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “Women, fashion, music, pop culture and investigative journalism will be covered compellingly.” The December/January ’06 issue features Melyssa Ford, Mya, Trina, Buffie the Body and others. In related news, Ford will star in the upcoming psychological thriller from Lionsgate titled God’s Prayer.
