(AllHipHop News) Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was nominated for an award for his role in supporting Hip-Hop in the country. Putin has been nominated for the “Event of the Year” Award during the Russian Street Awards being presented by Muz TV, Russia’s rival of MTV. In November of 2009, Putin attended Muz TV’s “Battle for Respect” Hip-Hop contest and presented the winning award to a rapper by the name of Zhigan. Putin lauded the rappers and break dancers who took part in the “Battle for Respect.”“Although rap is kind of rough, it has a social message dealing with the problems of the young,” Putin said while praising graffiti art as “fine and elegant.””I do not think that ‘top-rock’ or ‘down-rock’ break dance technique is compatible with alcohol or drugs,” Putin told the cheering crowd of about 100 rappers/b-boys who chanted “Respect, Vladimir Vladimirovich”.In order to win as the “Event of the Year,” Putin’s appearance must top the break up of Russian Hip-Hop act Tsentr and the Splash 2009 Festival. The awards show will take place in Moscow on April 21st

(AllHipHop News) Comedian Jamie Foxx has teamed with 20th Century Fox Animation to star in his first full-length animated feature film. Foxx will star in Welcome to the Jungle, which is being written by Malcolm Spellman and produced by Foxx and his manager Jamie Rucker King. According to Variety, Foxx is keeping the storyline to the animated pic under wraps, although he will produce and write new music for Welcome to the Jungle.”I’m psyched about ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ because it’s specifically built to utilize Jamie’s talent with voices and as a musician,” Spellman told Variety. A release date for Welcome to the Jungle was not available at press time.

(AllHipHop News) Cleveland Cavaliers star center/rapper Shaquille O’Neal has sent a letter to executives at VH1, demanding that they shut down production of his wife’s reality show, “Basket Ball Wives.”According to lawyers for Shaq, certain episodes of the show violate confidentiality agreements between Shaq and his former wife Shaunie, who are in the process of divorcing. The second episode of the show will reportedly focus on their broken relationship, something Shaq and his lawyers are challenging. Shaq’s lawyer Michael J. Kump demanded that VH1 remove all references of Shaq from the show, or risk violating the court-ordered agreement. Kump stated that Shaunie’s reality series amounted to nothing more than “televised revenge.”While the estranged couple reached a divorce settlement last month, the decision has not been finalized by Florida courts. The new episode of the show is slated to run April 18th. As of press time, VH1 executives have not made a comment. Shaq is still facing a cyber stalking lawsuit filed against him by Orlando, Florida model Vanessa Lopez, who claims the basketball star harassed her after their relationship ended in September of 2009. Lopez claims Shaq spoofed her cellphone in order to gain access to her voicemail without using a password. Shaq, who owns the Deja 34 Hip-Hop label, has denied all charges and labeled the accusations a “fanciful tale that has absolutely no basis in fact or law.”The case is still pending.