Rapper/actor Will Smith will host the first annual "Business of Show Business" movie industry symposium in Washington, DC, which is sponsored by The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The breakfast program kicks off Feb. 6 and is designed to educate policy makers in the United States about the value of the motion picture industry […]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" A popular disc jockey in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area died suddenly last night, at the age of 38. Shawn “Mic Lord” Austin, a personality on Hip-Hop station 103 Jamz, died from unknown causes, according to local reports. Austin was widely known as one-half of the Boodah Brothers, a […]

A jury has found Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff guilty of killing two rivals in 2001. The jury reached a verdict today (Feb. 1) after five days of deliberation and found McGriff guilty of paying $50,000 to gun down rivals Troy Singleton and Eric "E Money Bags" Smith. McGriff was convicted of murder conspiracy and drug dealing […]

A man that shot two security guards during Kanye West’s performance at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Arena in the United Kingdom in Feb. of 2006 has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the shooting. Abidan Raphael, 27, was ejected from the NEC Arena with his girlfriend Joanne Bushell, 22, twice […]

The battle over the name "Diddy" continues, as London-based producer Richard "Diddy" Dearlove has accused Sean "Diddy" Combs of breaching an earlier agreement that stopped Combs from using the moniker in the United Kingdom. According to the Associated Press, Dearlove filed a lawsuit in High Court in London today (Feb. 1) claiming that Combs is […]

A judge halted sales of Notorious B.I.G.’s breakthrough 1994 album “Ready to Die” after a jury decided the title song used part of an Ohio Players tune without permission. The jury Friday awarded $4.2 million in punitive and direct damages to the two music companies that own rights to Ohio Players recordings. The sales ban […]

Anyone wondering whether Wu-Tang Clan rapper/producer RZA will resurrect his rhyming alter ego Bobby Digital for another musical run can rest easy.The lyricist, recently entered the studio to lay down tracks for a new Digital album. RZA, born Robert Diggs, admits to having fun working on the project which is he said was tentatively titled […]

Miami rhymesayer Pitbull is teaming up with popular tequila producer Jose Cuervo to find the next generation of Latino urban music stars. The pair, along with Hip-Hop mogul Chingo Bling and rising star Malverde, have joined forces for the second annual Cuervotón, a nationwide talent search that will spotlight unsigned artists as they submit demos […]

Jadakiss has joined forces with fellow New York rapper Supa Nova Slom to craft “Gangsta Salute,” a new mixtape track devoted to educating youth on the origins of gang culture, designed to unify street gangs. “Gangsta Salute,” produced by Brooklyn-based producer Ntrfied, features Jadakiss and Supa Nova Slom, an emcee and organizer known for his […]

Rapper Juelz Santana was recently tapped to be featured in Nike’s new marketing campaign, "The Second Coming: Our Game, Our Time,” which features NBA basketball stars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Rasheed Wallace, Jermaine O’Neal, Tony Parker, Paul Pierce, Shawn Marion and Chris Paul.The new :60 second montage was produced by Nike, […]

Producer 9th Wonder has departed from North Carolina Hip-Hop group Little Brother. According to published reports, the split between the producer and the remaining group was amicable. The split was due to a nonexistent relationship with Atlantic Records’ A&R and creative differences within the group. Remaining group members Pooh and Phonte are working on their […]

With appearances in various music videos and television shows as well as two best selling ringtones, Katt Williams could qualify as one of the busiest entertainers around. The comedian’s#### HBO stand up special Katt Williams: Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1, recently hit stores on DVD. And now the popular funnyman is preparing a new rap/comedy album […]

After churning out hit for the likes of pop stars Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, super-producer Timbaland is preparing his second solo album, titled Shock Value. The first single from the album, “Give It to Me," features Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, two artists that Timbaland has had worldwide chart success with as a producer. […]

Rap-A-Lot Records CEO James "J. Prince" Prince will be honored Tuesday by the City of Houston with a day of his own. Houston mayor Bill White and City Council Member Ron Green will conduct a city proclamation honoring Prince for more than 20 years of commitment and dedication for giving back to the city. The […]

Rap star Queen Latifah will star opposite Katie Holmes and Diane Keaton in the upcoming heist movie titled Mad Money. The movie centers around three female employees of the Federal Reserve, who plot to steal money that is about to be destroyed. Latifah will play a character named "Liz" in the movie, which is based […]

Music executive Bryan Leach has officially become a person to watch in the music business, with his inclusion on Crain’s New York Business‘ annual 40 Under 40 list.Leach started his career in 1995 as a director of artist development for independent label TVT Records. He transitioned into the label’s artist and repertoire (A&R) department and […]

Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network has announced the 2007 "Get Your Money Right" tour, which will stop in various cities across the country promoting financial literacy.The "Get Your Money Right" tour kicks off on Mar. 3 at The Granville Sawyer Auditorium at Texas Southern University in Houston, TX and will feature a variety of […]

Jay-Z’s push into the world of advertising and marketing continues, as the mogul’s Rocawear company will help soft drink giant Coca-Cola relaunch its Cherry Coke line of soda. According to industry trade publication Brand Week, Jay-Z will help design the can and the television commercials, in addition to appearing at the relaunch of the Cherry […]