(AllHipHop News) The reunited collective of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will hit the road this month for their official reunion tour, although fans will only see four of the original members. Krayzie, Wish, Layzie and Flesh-N-Bone will tour for the first time together in over a decade, minus original group member Bizzy Bone. Internet rumors credited Bizzy’s absence to everything from a probation violation to a stint in rehab as potential reasons for his non-participation in the tour. Layzie Bone told AllHipHop.com that it was simply a business decision for Bizzy Bone, who opted to remove himself from being involved with the tour, although he is prominently featured on Uni5: The World’s Enemy. “That’s true, he has other obligations and we had a difference of opinion on how much we should get for this tour,” Layzie Bone told AllHipHop.com. “We looked at it like promo tour, he looked at it a little differently, which is cool, because his arrangement doesn’t require him to be there. He’s still a 1/5th member of Bone. We been together for 18 years now. We are all grown men, so we all have different arrangements within the Bone structure. The main thing about it, we don’t ever give up.On March 24hth, the group is slated to launch a 34-date tour in support of their new album, which is due in stores on April 27th. Thousands of fans who attended The Faderfort at 2010’s SXSW concert in Austin, Texas, on Saturday (March 20) caught a glimpse of the reunion, when Krayzie, Wish and Layzie performed an energetic set. Flesh-N-Bone, who served almost 10 years in prison and was released in June 2009,  was also absent from the show, simply because he missed his flight. “Flesh came home really articulate, really rehabilitated. His vocabulary is off the hook,” Layzie Bone told AllHipHop.com. “He came home polished and he got same education when he was in there. Ten years is a long time to be studying, so he came home on polish man.”  Tour dates for Bone’s official reunion tour are listed below: March 24: Minneapolis, Minn. First AvenueMarch 25: Milwaukee, Wis. EaglesMarch 26: Sauget, Ill. Pop’sMarch 27: Chicago, Ill. CongressMarch 28: Cleveland, Ohio HOBMarch 29: Indianapolis, Ind. The VogueMarch 31: Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. SmallsApril 1: Columbus, Ohio NewportApril 2: Buffalo, N.Y. Town BallroomApril 3: Lancaster, Pa. The ChameleonApril 5: Boston, Mass. Middle EastApril 6: New York, N.Y. Irving PlazaApril 7: State College, Pa. MezzanineApril 8: Baltimore, Md. Rams Head LiveApril 9: Wilmington N.C. The RoxApril 10: Charlotte, N.C. Amos SouthendApril 11: Charleston, S.C. The Music FarmApril 13: Athens, Ga. 40 Watt ClubApril 14: Atlanta, Ga. MasqueradeApril 15: Orlando, Fla. FirestoneApril 16: Los Angeles, Calif. Gibson AmphitheatreApril 20: New Orleans, La. HOBApril 21: Dallas, Texas HOBApril 22: Houston, Texas HOBApril 23: San Antonio, Texas ScoutbarApril 24: Austin, Texas Emo’sApril 26: Tulsa, Okla. Cain’s BallroomApril 27: Colombia, Mo. The Blue NoteApril 28: Council Bluffs, Iowa Harrah’sApril 29: Kansas City, Kan. Harrah’sApril 30: Denver, Colo. Gothic Theatre (Englewood)May 1: Albuquerque, N.M. Sunshine TheatreMay 2: Phoenix, Ariz. Celebrity TheatreMay 3: Tuscon, Ariz. Rialto Theatre

(AllHipHop News) Chart topping Hip-Hop group The Black Eyed Peas will headline a concert in South Africa’s biggest black township this June, prior to the World Cup.

BEP, along with singers Alicia Keys and Shakira, will perform in Soweto on June 10th, one day before to the start of the World Cup.

Over 30,000 people are expected to attend the concert, which will also be broadcast across the world in support of the month-long tournament, which is being held in South Africa for the first time. “We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note — of celebration,” FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said in a statement.

African groups like the Parlotones, Tinariwen, Mariam and others will also perform during the concert, which will benefit the World Cup’s 20 Centres for 2010.

The social organization is dedicated to positive change throughout Africa and is raising funds to build 20 facilities across the African continent to provide training, healthcare options and soccer instruction.

(AllHipHop News) South Bronx pioneer KRS-One is scheduled to headline the 2010 International Hip-Hop Festival at Trinity College next month in Connecticut.

The student created festival, which is free and open to the public, is a weekend celebration of Hip-Hop culture throughout the world.

Academic panels, movie screenings, performances, graffiti art and break dancing will all be featured during the International Hip-Hop Festival.

Other rappers/ activists slated to attend include Toni Blackman, former Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. State Department, beat boxer Jaro Cossiga (Czech Republic), Palestinian Hip-Hop group DAM, husband and wife duo The reMINDers and others.Local graffiti artists will be producing murals during the festival, which will also feature a 2-on-2 international break dance battle judged by Trac2, with a $1500 grand prize.

The Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival takes place April 10th and 11th at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.

(AllHipHop News) Former Death Row Records artist RBX has weighed in on the affairs of his former record label, which has been in turmoil since being auctioned off in bankruptcy court in January of 2009.

Death Row was purchased by Canadian-based company Wide-Awake Entertainment, after former CEO Marion “Suge” Knight lost a $107 million dollar lawsuit regarding ownership of the company.

Shortly after the label’s purchase, more drama unfolded between the new owners, New Solutions Group and Death Row’s new CEO, Lara Lavi.

Lavi lost a court judgment and was removed from the company as acting CEO in November of 2009.

“I have been watching the three ring circus of these Canadians buying Death Row for the last year or so,” RBX said in a statement. “I just read a crazy article on line where the guy in charge now – some banker Robert Thompson-So and his sidekick John Payne announced to the world they are looking for someone to buy them out because they don’t to be in the Death Row records business any more.”

According to RBX, Lavi has found a new deal with some “heavy hitters on Wall Street.”

He also chastised the new owners for failing to capitalize on the label’s massive catalog, which includes tracks by top selling artists like Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, MC Hammer, RBX himself and others.

Since being purchased, the new Death Row has released several projects, including albums by Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound.

The label also reissued Dr. Dre’s album The Chronic as The Chronic Relit, although Dr. Dre filed a lawsuit against the label over the re-release of the album.

“I just have one thing I have to ask these guys. What tha f–k were you thinking …….seriously? We all had a little bit of hope when this game started but due to the shenanigans, optimism is dwindling. Word on the street in Southern Cal is that Lara Lavi, the woman these guys kicked out of the mix is seriously backed by new heavy hitters on Wall Street. I have received phone calls confirming Lavi has a new deal.”

Representatives for New Solution could not be reached for comment.

A writer for German magazine Neon has been fired for printing a story that claimed Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce Knowles were bound by a “marriage contract.” The magazine admitted to doubting the credibility of a series of articles published by writer Ingo Mocek, who claimed Bey and Jay-Z had a $10 million dollar wedding contract. The article also implied that Beyonce was not enamored with “white music producers.” “We assume that the interview did not take place as claimed,” said the magazine in a statement. “We sincerely apologize to Ms. Knowles and her management for all personal inconvenience that may have arisen due to the publication of this interview.” Interviews with rapper Snoop Dogg and singer Christina Aguilera have now been called into question by Neon as well. According to reports, Mocek was fired over the articles.

(AllHipHop News) Hospitalized rapper Guru has issued another statement regarding his health condition, which doctors recently upgraded to stable.

Guru, born Keith Elam, suffered from a massive heart attack last month and reportedly went into a coma, either before surgery or shortly thereafter.

The rapper was diagnosed as having Anoxia because of his history of having lung problems and asthma. Guru is not in a coma and is resting and recovering.

After numerous inquires about his health, MC Solar, Guru’s partner in the label 7 Grand Records, issued a statement from Guru, who entrusted his partner and longtime friend to act as his spokesman. Solar’s credibility came into question, when Guru’s nephew Justin Nicholas-Elam Ruff claimed that Solar was blocking family members from seeing Guru.

“When a patient is in such critical conditions it is very common that not everyone is allowed to enter the room, especially when Mr. Keith Elam doesn’t want to see certain people,” one of Guru’s doctors said in a statement to AllHipHop.com.

In the press release issued today, representatives for Guru revealed that he and DJ Premier haven’t spoken to each other in over 7 years.”That’s something I don’t want to talk about. I don’t want to talk about the past. The past is the past. It is what it is. It was great, but that was then and this is now.” said Guru.

In regards to his recovery, Solar said that the fans’ support has given him the strength to continue to recover.

“The outpouring of love from around the world has been tremendous,” Solar said. “I’m reading some of the best e-mails, texts and Twitters that come in and Guru enjoys them. I think that’s what has been helping his recovery and what’s got him in there fighting.”

Atlanta-based rap star Ludacris is using his fame to enter a new level of raising awareness of HIV/AIDS.

The rapper, along with actor/comedian/singer Jamie Foxx have teamed up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to promote I know, a recently launched social media effort set up to encourage dialogue about the disease among African-Americans ages 18 to 24. Increased focus on HIV testing as well as condom use and ways to reduce risk of HIV infection such as abstaining from sexcompromise the focus of discussion as well as facts about HIV transmission and ways to reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

Social networking sites Facebook and Twitter will play an active role in the I know effort. The I know Facebook (www.facebook.com/iknow) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/iknow_talkhiv) pages will provide news items and opportunities for users to interact with each other and the CDC about HIV, in addition to links to information about HIV testing and prevention.

Ludacris and Foxx are among a group of celebrities and African-American leaders and organizations who will utilize their Facebook pages and Twitter feeds to increase participation in I know. Text messaging will also be used to provide updates on I know activities, information about HIV testing opportunities, and video messages from celebrities and youth advocates.

As part of the initiative, Foxx and Ludacris will emphasize the importance of talking about HIV via a series of radio and online video public service announcements.

“HIV isn’t his problem or her problem. It’s all of our problem,” the rapper stated in his PSA. “The facts are clear. African-Americans, especially young people are being devastated by HIV and AIDS. But there is something we can all do about it. We can and must talk about HIV. So break the silence by having a conversation. Send a text. Update your status. Post this video. Talk about HIV and what we can do to prevent it.” Ludacris’ involvement in the I know project comes amid troubling findings regarding African American youth and HIV. According to the CDC, African-Americans age 13 to 29 years in the United States account for half of all new HIV infections in that age group. Young black gay and bisexual men are especially affected, representing more than half (55 %) of new infections among African-Americans 13-29.For details on Act Against AIDS and I know, visit www.actagainstaids.org.

Incarcerated rapper Max B (Charly Wingate) has been granted an appeal on a robbery and murder conviction last September that sentenced him to 75 years in prison.

Max was found guilty of felony murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, aggravated manslaughter, and armed robbery after his ex-girlfriend Gina Conway testified that he masterminded a 2006 heist that left one man dead.

According to Conway, the rapper and his stepbrother Kelvin Leerdam targeted two men (Allan Plowden and David Taylor) for robbery at a NJ Holiday Inn because they carried around large sums of money.

Taylor was duct-taped, and Plowden was killed instantly execution-style with a shot to the head.

Max B was not present during the crime, but was implicated based on Conway’s testimony. She received 18 years in exchange for her testimony. Leerdam also received a life sentence for his role.

Max’s manager Joli O’Shay released a statement advising that her client is going to exhaust all available options to overturn the verdict.

According to French Montana, a close friend of Max B.’s, the incarcerated rapper is keeping his spirits high. 

“He [is] hanging in there,” French Montana told AllHipHop.com. “You know the judge just gave him a date. He about to give him a date to go back to court, so keep prayers up, that’s all you can do. They try to sabotage rappers. You know it is what it is man. Free Max B!”

Max B has remained active despite his sentence, releasing the mixtape Wave Gang 4 earlier this year.

 AllHipHop.com will post more information as it becomes avaiable.

 

 

 

(AllHipHop News) D12’s Bizarre has confirmed the completion of his third solo LP Friday Nights At St. Andrews on his new label home, AVJ Records.

The new project is Bizarre’s first offering since 2007’s Blue Cheese & Coney Island, which was released on Koch/Shady Records.

The Detroit emcee will now be on the ground floor of fledgling label AVJ Record, based out of Atlanta and also home to Nappy Roots.

“When it comes to unique creativity in music, Bizarre stands out,” says AVJ CEO Shannon Houchins. “With his success with the multi platinum-selling group D12, we felt he would make an incredible addition to our growing roster here at AVJ.”

Bizarre’s new LP derives its name from St. Andrews Hall, formerly known as hotbed in Detroit for avant-garde Hip-Hop.

“When D12 was coming up, St. Andrews was the kind of place that people would literally walk miles to get to and be a part of,” Bizarre explained. “No lie. It’s so special that in a city that is as violent as Detroit is, you could go to St. Andrews and find peace and incredible music. I’ve tried to bring that element to Friday Nights At St. Andrews.”

To complete that objective, Bizarre has enlisted guest spots from Redman, Royce da 5’9, Nipsey Hussle, D12’s Kuniva, Tech N9ne King Gordy, 7 Da General, and Nate Walka.

The official single is “Believer,” with Tech N9ne and Grammy nominated Nate Walka (co-writer of Jamie Foxx’s “Blame It”).

The NorthStarz-produced street single is “Rap’s Finest,” featuring Redman, Royce da 5’9, Kuniva, and 7 Da General.

Friday Nights At St. Andrews will be released on May 18th.

(AllHipHop News) Texas rapper Trae Tha Truth continues with his career, despite a ban on commercial Hip-Hop stations in Houston according to reports.Almost 1,000 people have signed a petition circulating around the Internet requesting that KBXX 97.9 The Box lift the ban on the rapper, which was reportedly enforced after a July 2009 shooting erupted during “Trae Day.”

“I aint into making nobody famous, but at the end of the day you gotta understand one thing. I keep it too thorough for the streets, so people are going to ride or die with me,” Trae Tha Truth told AllHipHop.com. “I’m too real for that, you can’t ban me.”

“Trae Day” took place at Texas Southern University. A variety of celebrity rappers and local politicians attended the event, to honor Trae Tha Truth’s work in the Houston community.

As “Trae Day” was winding down, Albert “A Walk” Mondane and several associates fired into a crowd filled with thousands of teenagers, striking and wounding eight people.

Mondane was eventually charged with engaging in organized crime and sent to the Harris County Jail.

Trae will address the ban on his new mixtape, Can’t Ban Tha Truth, the follow-up to his street album, The Incredible Truth.

Additionally Trae has finished work on his upcoming album Tha Truth which features the single “Incredible,” featuring Lil Wayne and Rick Ross.

A video for “Incredible” will be released next week.