Mobb Deep Talks ‘Blood Money’, G-Unit Collaboration
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 […]

Luke Says He Is Retiring From Rap
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 […]

C-Murder Seeks New Trial
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, Snoop Dogg Heading To South Africa For Stadium Performances
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. […]

Chubbie Baby: Ya Bad Chubbs
B efore the masses get solo albums from Hell Rell, JR Writer, or Jha Jha, the Diplomats expanded their movement with more artists. Luckily, the unit houses one of the strongest mixtape games in the industry. Enter Chubbie Baby a Bronx by-way-of Columbus, Ohio club-owner, rapper, and producer with big plans. Chubbies self-titled mixtapes […]

Hell Rell: Hell on Earth
T he Diplomats have proven themselves to indeed be a movement. However, some criticize that the movement ends after its Three Kings: Camron, Juelz Santana, and Jim Jones. Nobody could disagree more than Hell Rell. Fresh out of jail, Hell Rell has gained endorsements from his own Dip-mates, Star of Star & Buc, and even […]

Lil Jon & TVT Settle Differences, Rapper Working On ‘Crunk Rock’
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 Drops ‘Fabulosity’
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 […]

Howard University Hosts First Hip-Hop Symposium
Howard University Graduate School, in conjunction with the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center and several grad student organizations, will host the Inaugural Hip-Hop and Higher Education Symposium on March 30. The event aims to fuse Hip-Hop into the curriculum of Howard undergraduate and graduate programs. Panelists for the symposium include Lil’ Mo, BET Style host Melyssa Ford […]
Smithsonian To Host Museum’s First Ever On Going Exhibit On Hip-Hop Culture
The Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History is in the process of launching and hosting "Hip-Hop Won’t Stop," the museum’s first-ever on going and evolving exhibit on Hip-Hop culture in the The Smithsonian. Ice T., Russell Simmons, Crazy Legs and others will hold a press conference on Feb. 28 at the New York Hilton, […]
9th Wonder Reconvenes The Crooklyn Dodgers
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 […]

Rick Ross: Brand New Hustle
With rappers being churned out like products on an assembly line, its increasingly difficult for an emerging lyricists to get a fair shake. Somehow, through his hustle, Rick Ross of Miami was able to garner the attention of Jay-Z and Def Jam by way of Slip-N-Slide Records. Rick currently enjoys the popularity of street smash […]

Bossman: New Jack City
The city of Baltimore has almost become synonymous with drugs and crime, but there is more to the Southeastern city than just missing lamppost lights and drugs. There is a whole Hip-Hop scene and sound that has even up until now been unscathed. Home to record executives and athletes, Baltimore is a city begging to […]

Naima Mora: Sheer Elegance
Its every girls dream come true – sashaying down the runway in designer clothes with cameras flashing and admirers screaming your name. Thats just the surface; theres much more inside the world of being a top model. Naima Moras unique style, breathtaking beauty and quiet ambition ultimately won her televisions most coveted title: Americas Next […]

Pharoahe Monch Album On The Way Via New Deal With Steve Rifkind’s New Label
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 Inks Deal For New Watches
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 Claims He’s Unfairly Linked To Officer’s Murder
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 […]

Terrence Howard Inks Deal With 310 Motoring
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 […]

The Dick Swanson Theory Part 1
Artist: RascoTitle: The Dick Swanson Theory Part 1Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Bill “Low-Key” Heinzelman As one half of the Cali Agents, veteran emcee Rasco helped revive a stagnant West Coast underground scene in the late 90’s with his two critically acclaimed albums Time Waits For No Man and The Birth EP. With a distinguishable […]

Wendy Williams Invests In High-End Champagne Company
Radio host Wendy Williams has finalized a deal to become part owner of The House of Georges Vesselle champagne as well as the company’s stateside spokesperson. The nationally syndicated radio personality invested in the company after years of tedious negotiations. "Well, first of all, I know it sounds crazy because I’m a simple Black girl […]