Ruff Ryders Records has inked a distribution deal with Virgin Records for signing new acts and releasing compilations. The Ruff Ryders’ previous distributor, Interscope, will continue to hold the rights to Eve and Jakakiss’ solo material, according to Billboard. Likewise, DMX and his Bloodline imprint will continue dealing with Island Def Jam as they were […]

Producer/musician Willie Woods filed suit in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis against Nappy Roots and their label Atlantic Records because he alleges the Grammy-nominated rap group hasn’t paid him for work he performed on their song “Po’ Folks.” Woods also alleges he has never appeared as a co-writer or a co-producer of the […]

The Roots are about to embark on a jam-packed, nationwide tour with metaphor monster Skillz (formerly Mad Skillz) and eccentric singer Cody Chestnut. Richmond, VA rapper Skillz said he was excited about performing alongside of the Philadelphia-based band of hip-hop. “Hell yeah, I’m excited. The industry is so shaky now and nobody’s really touring. I’m […]

The lyrics of Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, Goodie Mob and The Geto Boyz are being trumpeted along side John Steinbeck, F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Eliot and others. Students on the verge of dropping out at Los Angeles’ Crenshaw High School are being encouraged to stay in school with classes that allow them to dissect the lyrics […]

Xzibit was rescued Monday at Bondi Beach in Australia after a rip tide carried him out into the Pacific ocean. According to reports, the rapper was out having some fun surfing, when lifeguards saw the rapper having a bit of trouble. Lifeguards set out after the rapper and helped him on a board, getting him […]

Beleaguered crooner R. Kelly was rearrested in Miami, FL and charged with 12 counts of child pornography. These charges are in addition to the 21 counts stemming from an illicit videotape. According to sources, the singer was apprehended at the Grand Bay Hotel and has been booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Arresting […]

According to the Los Angeles times, federal authorities served grand jury subpoenas at Vivendi Universal’s New York offices this week. The agents were seeking records related to royalties, invoices and other information, in an attempt to find financial ties between Murder Inc.’s Irv Gotti and Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, a convicted Queens, New York drug dealer. […]

Hot 97 radio personality Angie Martinez has gone on record admitting to a pregnancy that was speculated for sometime by industry insiders. On Jan. 21, the radio jock-turned-rapper made the announcement live from her radio show. Martinez refused to disclose publicly who the father of her fetus is, but she did state that she was […]

In an exclusive interview with Sway of MTV, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels stressed that, while he is satisfied with the police investigation surrounding Jam Master Jay, he believes that some form of justice will be rendered in the case – even street vigilantism. “You got hope that if the cops don’t catch them, the streets will,” […]

Fans of Run DMC are flocking to Adidas stores in New York City, Santa Monica, California and Tokyo to snatch up a pair of the limited edition Jam Master Jay Ultra Star tribute Adidas sneaker. The shoe, which went on sale today (Jan. 21), to coincide with the Jam Master Jay’s birthday. The shoe is […]

Police pulled the plug on a performance by rapper Trick Daddy, after he shouted obscenities at police officers during a Martin Luther King Jr. parade performance in Miami’s Liberty City yesterday (Jan. 20.) The two mile parade ran along Northwest 54th Street and ended with a festival at Martin Luther King Park on N.W. 62nd […]

Lost Boyz member Mr. Cheeks is preparing to release his second solo album, Back Again. The first single is an R&B styled number, titled "Crush On You," which features crooner/producer Mario Winans. The album features Pete Rock and CL Smooth, who appear on a track titled "Reminisce," which pays homage to fallen souls and rap […]

Likwit Crew member Defari weighed in on the brewing beef between fellow Likwit Crew members Xzibit, J-Ro and Tash. As previously reported, J-Ro has released a 12 inch taking aim at Xzibit, named "Look Out: The X-Homie." "When you stray so far away from the dudes that you came up with, you wonder if he […]

The Black Eyed Peas are preparing to rock the beat at the Sundance Film Festival tonight (Jan. 21) with their unique, multi-directional brand of hip-hop. But the group said the festival is merely the beginning for the group. The trio will be performing live at club Plan B in Park City, Utah Tuesday for festival […]

Last week, authorities seized a number of bank accounts of companies connected to Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. The accounts of a company, Picture Perfect Entertainment, contained almost $500,000 in funds advanced by Irv Gotti’s Murder Inc. label. Picture Perfect was involved in the production of the soundtrack to the Murder Inc. movie "Crime Partners," which McGriff […]

Angie Martinez has responded to the numerous articles that have been published that she would be appearing on a track beside Eminem and 50 Cent dissing The Source co-owner Benzino. Numerous sites (including AllHipHop.com) reported that Martinez would make an appearance on the track "Boston B*tch," which is reportedly being leaked in the next few […]

With his often humorous, but seemingly risky tirades against Ja Rule and Murder Inc, Wu Tang Clan and others – 50 Cent says his approach to rapping is like a real life-threatening action flick. “I think anything that has to do with death is kind of entertaining. In an action film, they’ll jump off a […]