(AllHipHop News) Rapper/producer David Banner sat down with AllHipHop.com to explain his motivation behind Gatorade’s commercial “Evolve,” which promotes their new G Series products. Banner and BLACKstreet vocalist Kermit Quinn teamed up create the music for the “Evolve” spot, which was produced and written by David Banner.“What we did was imagine if there were only three people,” David Banner told AllHipHop.com on how the music was created. “One dude with a tuba, you had one dude with the snare and side stick and maybe the kick in the bass and we wanted to act like it was a small band, like a three or four piece band from back in the day,” Banner told AllHipHop.com. The Grammy Award winning producer said that his message in the “Evolve” spot is one that he has been trying to deliver to Hip-Hop fans for years. He expressed a bit of frustration in having to produce a nationally renowned commercial, in order to reach his intended demographic. “The song is saying a lot,” Banner revealed to AllHipHop.com. “I actually am surprised and proud of Gatorade for giving us this opportunity to speak our voice. It’s not their responsibility to support our movement. It’s their responsibility to sell Gatorade. That’s what we have to realize. Unless we make ourselves profitable then our movements don’t mean s**t.”The spot features a montage of older athletic equipment as flashes of champions such as Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams and Boston Celtics Center, Kevin Garnett, Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard, Jamaican track star Usain Bolt and others. The advertisement has been playing during high profile competitions during the NBA Playoffs in addition to the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals.“This is one of the first songs that’s not a rap song that people gave me 100% freedom to write what I felt,” David Banner told AllHipHop.com. “It doesn’t matter to me the medium. That’s what God has blessed me with.  That’s what I tell the young rappers. It doesn’t matter if it’s rapping, if it’s a book, if it’s a movie, a book, by any means necessary.  If you really want to do for your people, then it doesn’t matter the medium.  That’s how the devil fools us.”David Banner is preparing to release a new album with producer 9th Wonder titled Death of A Pop Star. Banner handled the lyrical duties on the album, while 9th Wonder crafted the sound. “I wanted to use this 9th Wonder record to prove that I can spit,” David Banner stated. “Like I didn’t want to produce any records.  This record is about the death of the black contemporary musician.”The full Q&A will run on AllHipHop.com tomorrow.

(AllHipHop News) Former Death Row Records CEO Marion “Suge” Knight  was arrested by police early this morning in Gardena, California. According to reports, Knight was busted around 1:30 am in Gardena, near 147th street and Crenshaw Boulevard. Over six officers surrounded Knight’s Cadillac Escalade, arrested him and took him to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southwest Division. Police were looking to nab him for a previous misdemeanor warrant for  his arrest.Additionally, police were seeking to question Knight for allegedly assaulting Oakland rapper Yukmouth in March.Police claim Knight and ten members of his entourage assaulted Yukmouth and stole $92,000 worth of jewelry in the parking lot of Ralph’s supermarket in the San Fernando Valley. Knight has officially been charged with assault with a deadly weapon involving a firearm. Knight’s bail is set at $65,000 dollars.

(AllHipHop News) Prosecutors gave their closing arguments on Tuesday (May 18th) during the trial of Aubrey Berry, the man accused of gunning down Atlanta rapper Dolla, in Los Angeles last year. D.A. Bobby Grace recalled testimony of witness Jose Molina, a parking attendant at P.F. Chang’s, who witnessed the entire shooting, which took place near the valet section of The Beverly Center.According to Berry, who testified, he shot Dolla out of fear for his own life, because of an earlier assault took place outside an  Atlanta strip club. The two met by chance at the Beverly Center on May 18th, 2009, when Berry allegedly spotted Dolla and shot him four times – three striking Dolla in the back as he attempted to flee the gunfire. Berry testified he had been to Los Angeles at least 20 times, and each time he was armed because of an alleged threat by the Mansfield Crips. Prosecutors claimed Berry was using Los Angeles’ gang problem as a defense to a calculated murder and that the story about the Mansfield’s was a lie. Dolla, born Roderick Burton, was a rising artist who recorded for R&B singer Akon. He was just 21-years-old when he was gunned down. Prosecutors said that the fact that Berry carried his gun often and illegally to Los Angeles, was proof that his intentions were to kill. A jury is expected to decide Berry’s fate. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

Earlier today, an upbeat Lil Wayne called up friend and Nino Brown Story DVD collaborator DJ Scoob Doo to reveal the details on his recent contraband violation at Riker’s Island.

Last Thursday (May 13), officials confiscated a charger, MP3 player, and headphones from the rapper’s cell.

The infraction could result in Wayne remaining in prison for the majority of his 1 year sentence, as it constitutes a violation of “good behavior” protocol.

Wayne admitted to the incident, but justified it on the basis that music is a necessity for him.

“Yeah, they tried to bang me with that. But I can’t live without my music, Scoob,” he explained. “You know how it is, man. I needed my music. It’s all good; I had to take my lil slip up. I ain’t trippin’, players f### up.”

The New Orleans emcee didn’t verify whether he’s been reprimanded for the infraction. Normally, inmates are required to face a trial before a corrections officer and a captain to determine whether further punishment is warranted.

“I’m coolin’, I’ll be home soon,” Wayne assured. “It’s Nino Brown; I got the penthouse here at Riker’s. I got my feet up, ya smell me? My team is still holding it down, man. They [are] keeping the flood open. I already know how it go.”

Upon his release, Wayne verified that he and DJ Scoob Doo will complete a third installment of The Nino Brown Story.

The latest Wayne project will be a video release for “Steady Mobbin’.”

(AllHipHop News) Drake has announced he will extend his Away From Home Tour with additional dates in the United States, Canada and Europe. The rapper recently kicked off a second-leg of the tour, with sold out dates in San Francisco (45 minutes), Los Angeles (12 minutes) and Philadelphia (5 minutes), averaging 5,000-7,000 tickets sold per-night. On June 7th, Drake will open for Jay-Z at the MEN Arena in Manchester and at the LG Arena in Birmingham, UK on June 9th. Drake will also hit several European festivals including Hove, Roskilde and Wireless before ending with Drake’s own October’s Very Own (OVO Festival) in Canada.The tour will end with Drake’s own October’s Very Own (OVO Festival) in Canada, whose lineup and location will be confirmed in the next few weeks via Drake’s blog October’s Very Own. The lineup and location of the OVO Festival will be confirmed in the next few weeks via Drake’s blog October’s Very Own. Drake’s debut album Thank Me Later will be released on June 15, 2010. Tour dates are listed below:5/17 Denver, Co @ Ogden Theater5/19 Dallas, TX @ Palladium5/20 Houston, TX @ Verizon Wireless Theatre5/21 Austin, TX @ Stubbs5/23 Memphis, TN @ Cannon Center5/25 Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore5/27 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues5/28 Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s6/3 Providence, RI @ WWKX Hot Night 6/4 Hartford, Conn @ WZMX Hot Jam 6/5 Boston, MA @ WJMN Summer Jam 6/6 New York @ Summer Jam (Hot 97) 6/7 Manchester, UK @ MEN Arena6/9 Birmingham, UK @ LG Arena6/12 St. Louis @ WHHL Super Jam 6/13 Washington, DC @ 930 Club6/16 Philadelphia @ Filmore – TLA Show6/18 Seattle @ KUBE 93 Summer Jam  6/19 Los Angeles @ Power 106 Powerhouse  7/2 Arendal, Norway @ Hove Festival7/3 Roskilde, Denmark @ Roskilde Festival7/4 London, UK @ Wireless Festival7/5 Paris, France @ La Cigale7/7 Amsterdam, Holland @ Paradiso7/8 Liege, Belgium @ Les Ardentes Festival7/9 Kildare, Ireland @ Oxegen Festival7/10 Kinross, Scotland @ T in the Park – Future’s Tent7/12 London, UK @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire7/13 London, UK @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire7/16 Ottawa, ON @ Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest 20107/17 St. John’s, NB @ Harbour Station7/18 Montreal, @ Metropolis7/22 Winnipeg @ Centennial Hall7/23 Saskatoon, SK@ Credit Union Centre7/24 Edmonton @ Edmonton Events Centre7/25 Calgary, AB @ The Big 47/27 Vancouver @ Centre For Performing Arts

(AllHipHop News) Berkeley, California Hip-Hop group The Pack inked a deal with SMC Recordings it was announced today (May 19th). The group hit big in 2006 with the single “Vans,” which has sold over 300,000 copies since its release. The Pack, which consists of Lil Uno, Stunnaman, Lil B and producer Young L, were formerly signed with Too $hort’s Up All Nite imprint, which was distributed by Jive Records. “I tried signing The Pack when ‘Vans’ broke but how could I compete with Too $hort?” said SMC Recording’s Chief Operating Officer Will Bronson.The Pack’s first release under their new deal with SMC will be titled Wolfpack Party, which will also feature The Cataracs.  “The Pack has always been ahead of the curve and with this new album, the songs are stellar, and they’ve truly evolved into stars. We’ve got so much in store for these guys, its incredible,” added SMC CEO Ralph Tashjian.No release date was available for Wolfpack Party, although the single “Wolfpack Party 2010” is available for purchase now. The Pack is also preparing to hit the road on a major outing later this summer.

(AllHipHop News) A custom watch made by superstar rapper Jay-Z sold for over $220,000 during an auction in New York on Monday (May 17th).  Jay-Z attended Audemars Piguet’s “Time to Give” event at the Four Seasons Hotel. A watch he personally designed and sold, was among the celebrity watches sold during the event. The event is making headlines, because Jay-Z reportedly hopped on stage to encourage bidders on a watch signed by Kelsey Grammer. Jay-Z allegedly called the actor “Chelsea” on the stage, landing him in the New York Post’s Page Six section. Toronto rapper Drake has been nominated for seven awards during next month’s MuchMusic Video Awards. Drake led the awards with nominations for International Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, Best Hip-Hop Video and Favorite Artist of the Year, amongst other categories. Second to Drake was Vancouver’s Hedley with six nominations, while third went to teen idol Justin Bieber, who checked in with four nominations. The MuchMusic Awards take place June 20th, in Toronto, just five days after Drake’s album Thank Me Later debut. Others nominated include Miley Cyrus, Adam Lambert and Katy Perry.According to reports, Rick Ross’ highly anticipated album Teflon Don has been pushed back a week. Ross’ Teflon Don will hit stores on July 6th, the same date as Game’s R.E.D. Album. The rapper was originally planning to release the album on June 29th, the same day  as Last Train to Paris, the latest album from Ross’ new manager, Sean “Diddy” Combs. “Super High” featuring Ne-Yo is the first single from the album.

Rasheeda‘s sorority-styled “BedRock Remix” featuring Kandi, Diamond, Lola Monroeand Antonia “Toya” Johnson caught many people off guard after its late April release. For one, it was an unlikely adaptation, but more so, the song debuted Lil Wayne‘s famed-ex-wife-turned-reality-star, Toya rhyming a decent 16. Expect more where that came from. The Tiny & Toya star tells VIBE.com that she’ll be releasing her own original song in the near future. “I’ma try it and test it out. [A mixtape or album] depends on how this one goes by myself,” says Toya. “I always had a little urge to rap, but never really wanted to because sometimes it doesn’t come off lady like. Then of course Wayne is a rapper so I thought people would be like, ‘Oh she’s trying to rap because Wayne rap.’ So I was like let me just play around with something.” Toya points out that her new music venture is just for fun, but was inspired by the reaction to the “BedRock Remix.” “It’s crazy because now that I did a little bit of that song everybody’s been coming to me like, ‘Oh can we hear something else? Your accent is so cute. You sound so cute rapping.’ I’m like wow.” As a platinum-selling rapper, Wayne found his ex’s flow a bit more amusing than impressive. “[Wayne] laughed at me [on the “BedRock remix”]. That’s what men do. They’re never going to tell you you’re good or to keep going with it. You know their slick side.” Toya also explains that her and Wayne rarely if ever, discuss music. They’re relationship revolves strictly around shared 11-year-old daughter, Reginae. The newfound rapper cleared the air about reports stating that an mp3 player had been found within Rikers Island, intended for Wayne. “All of that stuff about MP3s and cell phones… that’s not true. I don’t know where that stuff comes from,” says Toya. “Yes, I did [confirm with him]. He doesn’t know where any of this is coming from. Wayne doesn’t entertain that. [But] he’s doing great.” [For more, click here.]

(AllHipHop News) Hollywood actor and Delaware native Ryan Phillippe has revealed that he has ambitions to jump into the business of Hip-Hop. According to an article in Women’s Health magazine, Phillippe has been rapping since he was a child and aims to back a rapper in the future. “I rap really well,” Phillippe told Women’s Health. “I can sound like Lil Wayne or Ludacris. I’m dead serious, I can spit!”Phillippe expounded upon his comments in a recent interview with MTV News, as the actor was promoting his new flick, MacGruber. “I would like to, at some point, produce an artist down the line. It’s always been a passion of mine. I’ve grown up a hip-hop head since I was mad young,” Phillippe said. Phillippe said that he is a longtime fan of Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls, in addition to newer acts like Jay Electronic, Drake, Birdman and others.

(AllHipHop News) The release of rapper The Game’s fourth studio album The R.E.D. Album has been pushed back a week.The album was originally scheduled to be released on June 29, but will now hit store shelves on July 6. Game’s latest project will now arrive in stores the same day as Big Boi’s upcoming solo album, Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. That leaves two major releases still set for June 29th: Diddy’s forthcoming album Last Train To Paris and Paul Wall’s project Heart of A Champion.Game’s latest single “Ain’t No Doubt About It” will be available for purchase on iTunes starting on Tuesday, May 18.R.E.D. features collaborations with Gucci Mane, Timberland, Jim Jones, Nate Dogg, Jadakiss, Akon, Justin Timberlake and Pharrell, as well as production from Dr. Dre, Pharrell, Cool & Dre, Boi-1da, Jim Jonsin and The Neptunes. The album, which is co-executive produced by Pharrell and Dr. Dre, will be released on the Aftermath/Star Trak imprint label of Interscope Records.

(AllHipHop News) Swizz Beatz’ former wife Mashonda Dean filed a lawsuit against the superstar producer in Manhattan Supreme Court, claiming he already owes her $334,000 in missed payments. The lawsuit was filed amidst reports that singer Alicia Keys is pregnant with Swizz’ child. Mashonda’s lawyer called the missed payments “troubling” because Swizz allegedly bought Alicia Keys a seven-carat engagement ring. Additionally, the new couple are expected to move into a $14.5 million penthouse in New York City. “I so much wanted both of us to get on with our lives and maintain our respect for one another, but he now shows that his priorities and sense of responsibility are screwed up,” R&B singer Mashonda told The New York Post. Swizz Beatz denied that he owed Mashonda the money and said that he agreed to pay more than the judge and even his lawyers recommended. “I gave over what the judge was recommending to give. I gave her $700,000 upfront, because I thought $200,000 wasn’t enough for what she wanted to do. I still get spit in my face for it,” Swizz said. Swizz lashed out at his ex-wife, claiming that he was frustrated over Mashonda’s use of the media as their divorce played out. “I’ve been taking blows and punches the whole time. It’s like here we go again,” he said. “She’s very fortunate. She’s sitting here complaining about things people would love to have. You’ve got a new house, you’ve got everything you need . . . buying $10,000 bags and stuff like that. Now instead of focusing on work I have to spend time on this foolishness. Enough is enough already.”Swizz Beatz and Mashonda are due back in court in June.