Dana Dane Talks New Album, VH1 Documentary
With an album just completed and a special performance at Howard University’s Homecoming last month, Dana Dane gave his thoughts on the recent VH1 tribute to hip-hop and spoke on the future of the industry. Performing their classic hits, hip-hop pioneers Sweet Tee, Special Ed, Whodini, Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio and Busy Bee were […]

Former Member Of Da Youngstas Launches Company
Rapper/Producer Qu’ran Goodman, formerly of Philadelphia rap trio Da Youngstas is preparing to launch his solo career and developing his new production company, Face Off Entertainment under Sony Urban Records. Goodman’s last name should ring bells for Hip-Hop historians. His parents are Lawrence and Ann Goodman, owners of the first Hip-Hop label in Philadelphia, the […]

Shaq Starts Label, Taps, Kayslay, Makes NBA History
Miami Heat basketball star Shaquille O’Neal is financing a new record label, which recently landed a distribution deal with KOCH Records. KOCH will handle the marketing and distribution for the label, DEJA34 Records. Mark Stevens, a long-time friend of Shaq is the CEO, while mixtape king DJ Kayslay has been named head A&R of the […]

Jay-Z’s Friend Arrested For Assaulting R.Kelly
Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith, a longtime friend of rapper/mogul Jay-Z, has been arrested for allegedly pepper-spraying crooner R.Kelly at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 29 during the Best of Both Worlds tour. A press statement, which was released by Kelly’s camp, charges that Smith has been subsequently apprehended and formally charged with misdemeanor assault violations […]

Timbaland Puts Custom Built Studio To Use
Super producer Timbaland recently finished the construction of a 5,000 square foot recording studio, based in his hometown of Virginia Beach, Virgina. Timbaland Studios is the producer’s private full-service audio production facility that was created with his long time engineer, Jimmy Douglas. The state of the art facility was designed specifically to Timbaland’s production needs […]

Jay-Z Talks R. Kelly, Possible Dr. Dre Collaboration
The now retired Jay-Z once again set things straight on “Last Call with Carson Daly” Wednesday night (November 10), addressing rumors that he’s working with Producer Dr. Dre and why he took another chance on the Best of Both Worlds tour with R&B star R. Kelly. According to Jay, after Kelly left Madison Square Garden […]

Doug E. Fresh To Give Keynote Speech At ‘Planet Hip-Hop’
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) will host Planet Hip-Hop 2, an international festival gathering Hip-Hop artists, speakers and members of the Newark community in nine events, including theater, music and spoken word. Planet Hip-Hop 2, which takes place tonight (November 11) through November 14, highlights artists who are involved in their communities through […]

Fabolous Denies Involvement In Assault
Fabolous has responded to accusations from Philadelphia radio host Golden Girl, who charges that the rappers bodyguards physically assaulted her at an annual rap concert on Oct. 31. In a statement, Fabolous denied that he was party to any assault and also informed that he didnt see it as reported. “In regards to the incident […]

Rev Run To Turn 40 In Style
On Sunday November 14th, Reverend Run of Run-DMC will celebrate a milestone in his life, his 40th birthday. The retired rapper-turned Reverend said he will spend the entire day praising the lord. “It really is an important milestone. It’s my 40th, I’m excited because it falls on a Sunday. I can spend all day in […]

Hip-Hop Good To Nelly And Country Star Tim McGraw
Hip-Hop star Nelly has helped country artist Tim McGraw to history, as McGraw has become the first country artist to hold the #1 position on Billboard’s Mainstream Top 40 chart. The duo’s collaboration, “Over and Over” also went from #7 to #1, tying Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey’s record for quickest ascent to #1. The […]

Police Say Rap War Could Be Brewing In The Mid-West
Over a thousand fans, friends and family members of Andre “Mac Dre” Hicks gathered to bid the rapper farewell yesterday (November 9th) in California. The rapper’s music blared from vehicles of the Fairfield church the parking lot, while viewers looked at Mac Dre’s body, which was covered with a plastic shield to prevent people from […]

50 Cent Pleads Not Guilty To Assault Charges
G-Unit rapper 50 Cent pleaded not guilty Monday (November 8) to assault charges following an alleged incident at a summer concert in Springfield, Massachusetts where three women were injured.50 Cent, born Curtis Jackson, reportedly jumped into the crowd at the concert after a spectator threw water at the Queens-bred rapper. A clerk magistrate determined probable […]

U-God, Cuban Link Hook Up With Don King
New tracks by Wu-Tang Clan member U-God and Bronx bred rapper Cuban Link will be featured on a 30 minute preview show produced by Don King, in anticipation of a highly anticipated boxing card this weekend. King is promoting the card this weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York. WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz […]

Aceyalone, Zion-I Compete For MTV Exposure
Hip-Hop underground acts Aceyalone, a founding member of Freestyle Fellowship, and the spiritual Hip-Hop trio Zion-I will compete in "MTV2’s Dew Circuit Breakout," amongst 12 unknown bands battling in a weeklong tournament to gain valuable exposure. Zion-I will appear on "MTV2’s Dew Circuit Breakout," November 22 and Aceyalone on November 24, with MTV2 VJ Jim […]

Murder Inc. Bookkeeper Busted For Money Laundering
Murder Inc. Bookkeeper Cynthia Brent was arrested and indicted Monday (November 8) on money laundering charges, as federal prosecutors continue their investigation into a connection between the rap label and drug dealers. Brent, 39, was charged with laundering over $1 million in drug money and arranging cash deposits to evade federal filing laws, officials said. […]

Pioneers To Detail Plans For The Universal Federation For The Preservation Of Hip-Hop Culture
Hip-Hop pioneers Afrika Bambaataa, GrandMaster Caz, Kurtis Blow and others will announce the establishment of the Universal Federation for the Preservation of Hip-Hop Culture, a nonprofit organization invested in safeguarding Hip-Hop’s evolutionary history. According to the Federation’s Vice President Kenny “Yoda” Syder, also a member of the legendary Crash Crew, artists have consistently toured the […]

Philly DJ Claims Fabolous Bodyguard Body Slammed Her
Power 99 DJ Golden Girl of Philadelphia alleges that she was attacked by the bodyguard of Brooklyn wordsmith Fabolous during the radio station’s yearly Powerhouse 2004 concert. The radio personality, known for her blonde hair, detailed her experience to local NBC 10 News yesterday (Nov. 8). "I was talking to one of the artists, which […]

St. Lunatic Murphy Lee Accused of DWI
Murphy Lee of Nelly’s St. Lunatics was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs after police claim they stumbled on almost 35 grams of marijuana in the rapper’s Mercedes Benz, according to published reports. Police say they found the marijuana after stopping Lee, 22, for an expired license plate Oct. 31 on […]

Lil’ Flip Sued For Copyright Infringement – Again
Lil’ Flip has been hit with a second copyright infringement lawsuit, this time due to alleged unauthorized use of three melodies on his major label debut, Undaground Legend. The latest round of legal wrangling for the Houston, Texas rapper stems from three songs on the CD, “Texas Boys,” “Make Mama Proud” and “What I Been […]

AHH Stray News: Dr. Dre, Fade to Black, The RZA, S.H.I.N.E.
Dr. Dre has restarted his highly anticipated solo album, Detox. The super producer put the project on hold to produce albums for Aftermath artists Eve and Busta Rhymes. According to published reports, the album is slated for a fall 2005 release. Jay-Z’s documentary “Fade to Black” earned $475,648 during its opening week in theaters. The […]