After a seven-year hiatus from touring, pioneering female rap group Salt-N-Pepa are planning to embark on a tour of Australia and Asia.Cheryl “Salt” James-Wray and Sandra “Pepa” Denton are currently booking dates for the tour, which will also feature the group’s DJ, Deidra “Spinderella” Roper.The group will hit the road in late 2009-early 2010, as […]

Fast food chain Taco Bell has countersued rapper 50 Cent in response to a $4 million dollar lawsuit the rapper filed against the company in July.   50 Cent, born Curtis Jackson, sued Taco Bell and the company’s CEO Greg Creed, accusing the corporation of trademark infringement for using his name and likeness during a […]

Hip-Hop star Young Jeezy is calling upon the local community in Atlanta, Georgia, to help him film the video for his single “My President” featuring Nas. Jeezy, who is co-directing the video with Gabriel Hart, is holding a public rally at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta this Sunday (November 23). “My President” is Young Jeezy’s […]

Atlanta authorities are still searching for the killer of James Brown son in law Darren “Chip” Lumar, who was shot to death on a Wednesday (November 5) night in front of his Buckhead home.   According to eyewitness and authorities, the shooting was likely a carefully planned hit.   “I heard three gun shots, pow […]

Rappers Kanye West, Chuck D and Chali 2na are among an eclectic group of entertainers and artists featured on The Spirit of Apollo, a new album from North America/South America (N.A.S.A.).   Created by producer Sam “Squeak E Clean” Spiegel and Brazilian turntablist Ze “DJ Zegon” Gonzales, N.A.S.A. is geared toward bringing entertainers from the […]

Murdercap Records CEO Jerome Almon has accused Canada and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of trying to stifle a pending $900 million dollar lawsuit aimed at exposing Canada’s alleged racial/border profiling of US rappers.   Almon filed the lawsuit in January 2007 with assistance from the Detroit American Civil Liberties Union.   In it, […]

One of two men implicated in the murder of T.I.’s childhood friend Philant Johnson went on trial yesterday (November 18) in Cincinnati facing multiple charges including murder and felonious assault.   Authorities spent almost two years investigating the May 2006 chase and shoot out that left Johnson dead and three other individuals in the Grand […]

Hip-Hop mogul and Translation Consultation + Brand Imaging Founder Steve Stoute was formally inducted into the Advertising Hall of Achievement today (November 18).   The annual Awards luncheon, which was held at Cipriani’s 42nd Street, recognizes individuals under the age of 40, who have had an impact in the advertising industry.   Stoute was inducted […]

Two of the Clipse’ biggest pending projects are one step closer to coming to fruition, the brothers announced today.   First up will the be long-awaited release of their new clothing line, Play Cloths, which is set to hit stores on Friday (November 21).   The new clothing line, which was originally announced in December […]

After a decade-plus of work in Houston’s underground scene, veteran Lil Keke is now prepared to introduce his first attempt at mainstream recognition.   Since signing with Universal Records in March 2007, Keke has been hard at work completing Loved by Few, Hated By Many.   After months of meticulous work, Keke is confident that […]

Revered Staten Island, NY rap collective Wu-Tang Clan is giving shoppers another item to add to their Christmas list with its new Wu-Tang Weathertech boot.   The footwear is the latest product to emerge from Wu-Tang Brand, Ltd’s alliance with popular sportswear brand Fila. The two companies first collaborated in 2007 with the release of […]

CTE CEO Demetrius “Kinky B” Ellerbee, who also doubles as manager for multi-platinum rapper Young Jeezy, is hosting an open talent call seeking female vocalists age 18-25 to audition for a new singing group. The auditions are a serious talent call to find a new group reminiscent of SWV, Total and 702, who will be […]

Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop and pop charts may represent familiar territory for Lil Wayne, but the rapper is breaking new ground on the music magazine’s rock chart with a cover of his hit single “Lollipop.”   The remake, performed by the Nashville, Tennessee based rock band Framing Hanley, currently sits at No. 37 on Billboard’s Modern Rock […]

Essence Magazine has released its list of the 25 Most Influential of 2008 and Hip-Hop artists hold 5 of the top ten spots, with Queen Latifah leading the pack.The list, which recognizes 25 distinguished African-Americans who have made a difference in 2008, features a cross section of politicians, journalists, activists and celebrities, with President-elect Barack […]

Two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J will serve as a co-host for the star-studded 2008 Grammy nomination concert.   The one-hour special will mark the first time that Grammy nominations have been announced live on primetime television.   The show will also serve as a grand opening ceremony for the new Grammy Museum, located at […]

DJ J. Period has become the first Hip-Hop producer commissioned to create the entire video game soundtrack for gaming giant, Activision Publishing Inc.   J. Period produced the entire sample-free soundtrack for Tony Hawk’s Motion, the latest release in skateboarding legend Tony Hawk’s video game franchise.   The 10-song soundtrack to Tony Hawk’s Motion features […]

UK police have been studying gangsta rap slang in hopes to quell a growing narcotics problem, specifically in the kingdom’s prisons.   The decree was issued by concerned officials in the Ministry of Justice, as reports indicate that more than half of England and Wales’ prisoners are jailed on narcotic charges.   Previously, officers were […]

One person was left critically injured while another was arrested, following a triple stabbing at this year’s Urban Music Awards in London.   According to reports, a huge brawl involving up to 30 people broke out at about 10 p.m. Saturday (November 15).   Eyewitnesses recall seeing “blood all over the floor” after the melee, […]

Rapper turned singer T-Pain’s “Can’t Believe It” may have proven to be an effective single with Lil Wayne, but the entertainer is hoping to gain more life out of the song with a Justin Timberlake-assisted remix.   The former ‘NSYNC member’s contribution to the reworked version of “Can’t Believe It” came as a pleasant surprise […]

Rap star Kanye West addressed his most recent encounter with photographers via his blog yesterday (November 15).   In a lengthy entry, West, who was momentarily detained in London Friday morning (November 14), explained his side of the confrontation outside a nightclub in Newcastle in the United Kingdom.   “I am protecting my personal space […]