Nas’ father Olu Dara was inducted into Mississippi’s Hall of Fame this weekend. The rappers father is a jazz trumpter who released his debut album after his son struck it big in the hip-hop business. Dara, who has been playing with his own band for over 20 years, has appeared on over 50 albums showing […]

Embattled west coast lyricist Ras Kass penned a letter to his fans on his Web site (RasKass-Central.com), addressing his frustration with his recording home, Priority Records, his jail time and his pending albums “Since it’s no mystery where I am now, I do feel the need to clarify what it is I was fighting for, […]

S.W.A.T., the movie that stars rapper LL Cool J, was the hands down winner this weekend for box office sales, raking in $37 million over the weekend. The flick, which is adapted from the hit 1970’s television show, also stars Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell as special weapons and tactic leaders in Los Angeles, […]

Ford Motors has filed a fraud lawsuit against the production company that created the TLC Channel’s "Beyond Tough" television show that was executive produced by Ice-T. Neither Ice-T or TLC are named in the lawsuit, which claims that Teleproductions and it’s owners, Andre and Erik Jetmir accepted a $300,000 check to feature Ford trucks in […]

Grandmaster Flash and legendary soul singer Betty Wright were honored with a Founders Award at the Billboard-American Urban Radio Networks 2003 R&B Awards show this year. Wright accepted her award first, introduced by Miami’s own Trick Daddy, who was by far the best presenter of the evening. Trick bypassed the teleprompters script and introduced Wright […]

Showtime will premiere a six part reality series this fall titled "Interscope Presents: "The Next," which producers say is a reality version of the rap contests in the movie "8 Mile." The show will follow the trials and tribulations of upcoming rappers across America as they pursue their dreams of hip-hop stardom. "The show paints […]

While Ice Cube was once heralded as a gang banging, gun-toting gangsta lyricist, the rapper/actor disclosed that he and his original group N.W.A. often faced real street thug because of their gritty image. “We used to get that all the time man all the time that group (N.W.A.) was a magnet for every tough guy […]

Ice-T has officially launched several of his latest corporate properties. The rapper, his finance Coco, Keith Murray, a number of industry folks and a bevy of scantily clad models were on hand at Privelege Gentleman’s Cabaret in New York to celebrate. At the party Wednesday, Ice displayed his fashion line, Ice Wear, his energy drink, […]

Hip-hop fans who have been savoring for a collaboration between Nas and Rakim since the QB adherent debuted in ’94 with Illmatic, may soon have their collective appetites satisfied. A recent report suggested the two might appear together on a track from Alicia Key’s forthcoming sophomore album. The Grammy-award winning soul singer told MTV News […]

Dirt McGirt, formerly known as the Ol’ Dirty Bastard, will be the next celebrity guest photographer for Playboy Magazine. Dirt snapped the pictures as photographer for a day for the magazine’s website, Playboy.com. He took flicks of Philadelphia native and Play Boy Special Editions model, Stacy Hetrick. According to those present at the shoot, the […]

Lil Kim is taking her time releasing her Hollyhood clothing line, despite having three separate offers on the table. "That’s not something I want to rush into," Kim told AllHipHop.com. "I take serious pride in my clothing. I want to make sure I have the right deal. I kinda held back, because I want it […]

Missy Elliot has dispelled rumors that she snubbed Madonna while filming their new Gap advertisement. Printed reports said that Elliot kept Madonna waiting for almost 45 minutes while she gabbed on her mobile phone. When approached by an impatient Madonna, who tapped on the window of the car Elliot was sitting in, Elliot reportedly blew […]

Charli Baltimore’s The Diary will finally be released this fall, after being pushed back several times. In the meantime, Baltimore said that she will be giving away a free mixtape, titled The Darkhalf Volume 1. "I just completed it, it should drop in the next month or so," Baltimore told AllHipHop.com. "I am giving it […]

Irv Gotti, Nelly, Ja-Rule and The Neptunes were big winners at last night’s BMI Awards, which took place at the Fontainebleau Hilton in Miami. The awards honored the top R&B, rap and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers. Irv Gotti took home his second Urban Songwriter of the Year award, Nelly’s "Hot in Herre" snagged Song […]

The New York Lobbying Commission has suspended an investigation into possible inappropriate activities from Russell Simmons, Benjamin Chavis, and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network stemming from their opposition to the Rockefeller Drug Laws. The protest of the laws culminated in a June 4 rally, which was designed to call for the repeal of the laws […]

In an attempt to broaden the demographic of urban clothing buyers, Russell Simmons announced yesterday plans to launch a new men and women’s line of clothing, Def Jam University, which will feature more affordable prices and be marketed in more mainstream publications. “Phat Farm is growing in volume and more polished every year, however Def […]

The reclusive Q-tip is set to reappear into public consciousness soon with not only a possible A Tribe Called Quest reunion, but with the formation of his own record imprint: Abstract Artworks. The imprint is a deal with Dreamworks Records who Tip—author of Industry Rule 4080—seems to be enthusiastic to work with, at least in […]