Multi-platinum producer Jonathan "J.R." Rotem has entered into a deal with Epic Records and is launching his own record label, Beluga Heights, which will be run out of Rotem’s Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. Rotem, who produced Rihanna’s #1 Billboard single "S.O.S.," Rick Ross’ "Push It" 50 Cent and Olivia’s "Best Friend" and […]

Memphis, Tenn. rap collective Three 6 Mafia recently settled a lawsuit filed by a man who claimed to have been severely beaten while attending a 2003 concert featuring the group. Although details of the financial settlement were not disclosed, the Associated Press reports Ramone Williams received the settlement last month. The payment concludes months of […]

Rap group Cypress Hill has been hit with a lawsuit from music promoters Wavecrest Media in Davidson County Court in Nashville, Tennessee. The lawsuit claims that the rappers refuse to return a $150,000 deposit, after a 2004 September 19 performance that was canceled because of Hurricane Ivan. The chart-topping West coast rap group was booked […]

In a sport that is typically associated with country music, the Pro Bull Riders (PBR) has tapped male country/rap artist Colt Ford to write a new rap anthem that will debut at the VERSUS Invitational Pro Bull Riders Competition. Sponsored by Amp’d Mobile, the competition will be held on January 6-7, 2007 at New York’s […]

Fort Worth rapper Twisted Black was sentenced to life in prison, after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. In July 2006, Twisted Black, born Tommy Burns, was arrested and charged by officers with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Midland, Texas, shortly after signing a deal with New York based independent record label […]

Wyclef Jean has teamed with the United Nations’ World Food Programme agency to present a one-week festival in Haiti aimed at encouraging artistic and cultural development, to boost the economy of the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Jean’s nonprofit organization Yéle Haiti will present The Yéle Fest, which will take place from November. 30 […]

The working condition of two stun guns will be the deciding factor for comedian Katt Williams, who could stand trial on two counts of possession of an illegal weapon in a Kalamazoo, Mich. courtroom. Kalamazoo County District Judge Vincent Westra issued an order to test two stun guns to see if they were in working […]

Houston based rap label Swishahouse was honored Monday (Nov. 27) by the Texas Grammy Chapter in Austin, Texas. The event was hosted by renowned actor Billy Bob Thornton and Grammy Award winning singer Ray Benson. The label, founded by DJ Michael “5000” Watts and business partner G-Dash, was honored for its contributions to Texas music. […]

A group of activists gathered in Los Angeles on Monday (Nov. 27) and called for a boycott of the "n-word" and voiced support for an upcoming NAACP campaign to "just say ‘no’ to the n-word."The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rep. Maxine Waters, comedian Paul Mooney and other African-American leaders held a press conference to encourage people […]

Snoop Dogg was arrested yesterday (Nov. 28) in Burbank, CA, as he was leaving NBC studios after a performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.Snoop, 35, and two associates were pulling out of NBC studios around 6pm, when police stopped their vehicle, armed with a search warrant. All three men were arrested after police […]

Snoop Dogg may be one of the most easy going rappers in Hip-Hop, but the West Coast rhymeslinger exposed a different persona years ago while contemplating the death of his former Death Row Records boss Marion “Suge” Knight. In an upcoming interview with Rolling Stone, Snoop traced the source of his frustration to when Dr. Dre […]

Young Jeezy and his label Corporate Thugz Entertainment are putting local Atlanta high school students to the test by offering a $1,000 scholarship to one lucky winner of an essay contest. The rapper announced the "What Inspires You" Essay contest, in honor of his upcoming sophomore release The Inspiration. High School students in the metro […]

BET viewers will now be able to watch the network’s latest slate of programming, by downloading them on iTunes. Available shows include BET’s new docudrama American Gangster as well as DMX: Soul of a Man, Lil’ Kim: Countdown to Lockdown and Beef: The Series.BET’s latest series American Gangster chronicles the life and times of some […]

G-Unit rapper Spider Loc is preparing a variety of projects as he records upcoming debut album titled West Kept Secret. The album, which is slated for a 2007 release date, features Young Buck, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and 50 Cent, as well as production from Sha Money XL, Scott Storch Hi-Tek and others. While Spider […]

Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons landed in South Africa today (Nov. 27) on a fact-finding mission to learn how the diamond industry can positively affect the lives of black Africans living amongst high poverty, HIV and lack of quality education.Simmons will visit Botswana and South Africa during the fact-finding mission to learn more about the diamond […]

According to reports, SonyBMG is planning to dismantle it’s Sony Urban Music division, with layoffs at the label coming just before the holiday season. Layoffs at the label are scheduled to start some time this week. According to the New York Post some of Sony Urban’s 70 employees will be reassigned to other labels within […]

Rapper Pharrell Williams is in negotiations to take part in a massive concert to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. The charity concert is being planned by Princes William and Harry, and will take place at the new Wembley Stadium on July 1, Princess Diana’s 46th birthday, various London newspapers reported […]

Jay-Z’s latest release Kingdom Come is on pace to move an estimated 850,000 copies the first week in stores, giving the rapper the year’s best selling CD in one week and another #1 album on the Billboard charts. Kingdom Come is expected to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart next week, giving the […]