Jean Grae Readies Album With Babygrande
New York lyricist Jean Grae has signed with indie Babygrande to release her second LP, Veteran’s Day. “I’m ready, [but] still humble,” She told AllHipHop.com. “I’ll start battling people real soon again.” The underground community received a creative smack in when Grae released Attack of the Attacking Things, her critically acclaimed CD. However, didn’t she […]

Ruff Ryders Cuts Deal With Virgin
Ruff Ryders has inked a deal with Virgin Records where the Yonkers-based company will recruit artists and release future compilations through the union. Still, DMX will remain at Def Jam records and Eve, the Lox, Jadakiss and Styles will stay at their Interscope Records. Drag-On will release his second LP, Hell And Back, on Sept […]

Two Men Arrested In Samuel “Tone” Barnes Robbery
Two men were arrested and charged with breaking into the luxury home of Trackmaster producer Samuel "Tone" Barnes on Sunday. The New York Post reported that Shatiek Daniels, 22, and Leslie Green, 23, both of Staten Island, were arrested and charged with various offenses related to the home invasion, in which Barnes’ wife, children and […]

Eminem And Shady Clothing Hit With Lawsuit
Eminem is fighting a civil lawsuit over the Shady Ltd. name that is featured on his new clothing line. Shady Inc., a small Nevada based company, filed the lawsuit in Nevada federal court, claiming that they have been using the name since for their clothing since late 1999. Shady Inc. did not register the trademark […]

Toronto Rapper D.O. Sets Guinness Book Freestyle Record
Rapper D.O. recently set the Guinness World Record for the "Longest Freestyle Rap," rapping for a stunning 8 hours and 45 minutes. The event took place at the Darknights Nationals, a car show and urban lifestyle event in Canada. Guinness enforced one 15 minute break on the rapper and in order to verify that he […]

Trackmaster Producer Tone Robbed For Almost 100K
The family of Samuel "Tone" Barnes, half of the production duo The Trackmasters, was held a gunpoint by three men, who robbed their Staten Island home and made off with jewelry and other items valued at almost $100,000. Police said that Barnes’ wife, two children and a baby-sitter were held hostage in the home for […]

Nappy Roots Return From Persian Gulf
Nappy Roots recently returned from the Persian Gulf, as part of the USO shows in Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait. The shows were part of Project Salute 2003, the first large entertainment tour of the region since the war with Iraq. "It was an honor to have even been invited to perform for the troops, and […]

Russell Simmons And Stan Lathan Launch Def Filmmakers
Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan are seeking filmmakers to submit their work for consideration for acquisitions and distribution through the newly launched Def Filmmakers Program. Launched by the power duo’s SLMG (Simmons Lathan Media Group), the aim of the program is to identify and nurture aspiring artists for future projects. "There’s just so much talent […]

Security Videotape Presented To Prove Suge’s Innocent
The Department of Correctional facilities would not respond to claims of Suge Knight’s innocence, despite being presented with a security videotape that allegedly shows another man punching a parking valet. The video was shot outside of Hollywood nightclub White Lotus, where Knight was attending a meeting. His attorney, Rose Kogeman, told the Los Angeles Times […]

Eve Still Being Blackmailed?
Rapper Eve confirmed last year that an unknown man was trying to extort her and it seems that the man has made good on his word. Pictures of a nude Eve and another female in a sexual position have hit the Internet, just as the rapper is preparing to star in her own UPN sitcom […]

DJ Seeks Court Order Forcing Ja Rule To Apologize
A South African DJ is seeking a court order to make Ja Rule publicly apologize, after one a man in his entourage smashed a 50 Cent record and threatened to break the DJ’s neck for playing it. Sakhile "DJ Staxx" Xulu set up on stage after a concert in Kingsmead, South Africa on Sunday. He […]

New Online Resource Launched For Budding Artists And Exec’s
Inside The Music Business, the first company to educate upcoming artists and entrepreneurs through the use of the industry ‘power players,’ has launched a Monthly Tip Sheet. "The Monthly Tip sheet is geared towards anyone looking to understand the ins and outs of the music business," said Eric Kline, CEO of Inside The Music Business […]

Ice T To Host New Car Racing Television Show
Ice-T will host a new television show based on the newly formed auto race league, Bad Azz Drivers (B.A.D.). "Ali" executive producer Lee Caplin, racing legend Jay Penske, television producer Andre Jetmir and advertising executive Peter Stranger, have described the show as the WWF of the auto racing world. The events will be hosted on […]

Ahmir “?Love” Thompson Gets Down With Showtime
Root’s group member Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson is making his first foray onto the small screen and has signed on to be Music Supervisor for "Street Time," an original series on Showtime. "As a big fan of Street Time, it’s a thrill to be able to bring my talent to the show," Thompson. "This is the […]

LL Cool J Re-Signs With Def Jam
Veteran rapper LL Cool J has re-signed with Def Jam Records, it was announced today by Def Jam Founder Russell Simmons and Chairman Lyor Cohen. LL, who has been with the label since it was founded by Rick Rubin and Simmons in the early 80’s, had been shopping other deals asking for a purported $20 […]

Documentary On Too Short’s Life On The Way
"Life I$," a documentary on the life of rapper Too Short will be released this month. The documentary is Executive produced by former Tony! Toni! Tone! member D’wayne Wiggins and is being released on his Grass Roots Entertainment imprint. "Life I$ examines Too Short’s early life in Oakland, his rise to fame, his twenty years […]

Tommy Mottola Launches Casablanca Records With Universal
Tommy Mottola has entered into a deal with the Universal Music Group and has launched Casablanca Records. "We are delighted to be in business with Tommy and his dynamic team at Casablanca," Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group said. "For over a decade, he was the heart and soul of Sony’s creative […]

Rocksteady Crew Prepares For 26th Anniversary
The Rock Steady 26th Anniversary celebration is set to kick off in New York on July 24th. The three day event will feature a benefit basketball game, a film festival, an MC battle and the introduction of the first fashion show, the "Punk Rock Rap Fashion Show," with a stage that was designed by acclaimed […]

36 Mafia Debut At #1, Preparing “Choices” Sequel
Three 6 Mafia’s Da Unbreakables landed at #1 on Billboard’s Rap album sales chart and #4 on Billboard’s Top 200 album sales chart. "Man it feels good like a super wet woman," DJ Paul told AllHipHop.com. "I didn’t think that it was gonna do good cause the video aired so late, a week before the […]

Rapper Vishiss Releases New Single
Detroit native, rapper and former star of the canceled UPN show "Platinum," Vishiss recently released a new 12 inch single on his own indie record label, Spit Records. Vishiss, who was introduced to a national audience as VersIS on the television show, explains that he was a rapper long before the television show, falling in […]