Controversial R&B singer Chris Brown appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom today (April 6), where he pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of aggravated assault and criminal threats.

The 19-year-old singer was charged for his role in the violent beating of his girlfriend and superstar artist Rihanna, during an argument on February 8.

Brown was charged for choking, biting and punching Rihanna, his 21-year-girlfriend.

The R&B singer arrived at the courthouse around 3:30 PT, greeted by reporters and screaming fans.

Brown’s not guilty plea comes as attorney Mark Geragos is seeking to negotiate a plea deal with prosecutors to prevent the teen from being charged with a felony.

He is seeking to avoid having a “strike” on Brown’s record under California’s Three Strikes law.

According to reports, Brown and Rihanna have taken a break from their relationship, yet are still an item.

Brown has been receiving counseling, while Rihanna has been spotted in Los Angeles, New York, Barbados and L.A. since the beating.

According to the Los Angeles D.A., Rihanna, who is currently in Barbados, is still a cooperating witness in the case.

Sources have indicated that she will not testify against Brown.

Brown is due back in court on April 29.

Multi-platinum rapper Ludacris confirmed the addition of fellow Atlanta rapper Lil’ Scrappy to his Disturbing Tha Peace imprint during a performance in their city Sunday night (April 5).

The announcement comes two weeks after rumors surfaced about Scrappy’s departure from Lil’ Jon’s BME Recordings and Warner Brothers Records.

As one of the headliners of the “No1 in the South Got Swagga Like Us” concert, which took place at Atlanta’s Phillips Arena Sunday evening, Luda made the news official to a crowd which had gathered to see him perform alongside Young Jeezy, Plies, Rick Ross and others.

Following the announcement, Ludacris brought Scrappy to the stage to perform his 2006 hit single “Money in the Bank.”

According to DTP CEO Chaka Zulu, the new deal also brings Scrappy’s label, G’s Up, into the DTP family.

Projects stemming from their partnership will be released through Def Jam, DTP’s parent company since inception.

“Its very exciting to partner with an artist like Scrappy,” Chaka told AllHipHop.com. “He has been involved in a major movement in southern Hip-Hop and also has shown he can be an asset as a businessman/ CEO with his G’s Up brand. I am extremely excited about the next moves for Scrappy, as we have signed him to Def Jam. He can stand next to Hip-Hop’s elite and compete. Also he is shooting a movie currently, which will allow his star to continue to get brighter.”

Once filming for his big screen debut is completed, Lil’ Scrappy will embark on a summer tour to promote and set up his next album, The Grustle, due out later this year.

He will also appear on three upcoming DTP this year: Willy Northpole’s The Connect, Playaz Circle’s Flight 360 and Ludacris’s highly anticipated Battle of the Sexes, featuring Shawnna.

First introduced to audiences in 2004 with the single “No Problem,” Scrappy, born Darryl Richardson, was one of the first two acts signed to BME by super producer Lil’ Jon.

The single, from the album The King of Crunk & BME Recordings Present: Trillville & Lil Scrappy, established the young rapper as “the Prince of Crunk” and one of Atlanta’s A-List performers.

Two years later, Scrappy released his official debut album Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live amid much fanfare, as a joint effort between BME and G-Unit Records, with both Lil’ Jon and 50 Cent serving as executive producers.

The album featured appearances by artists from both camps, including Lil’ Jon, Bohagon, Young Buck, Olivia and 50 Cent, as well as production from Ike Dirty, Don Cannon, Bangladesh and Sha Money XL.

Since then, as the BME imprint has faded from the prominence it enjoyed at it’s height in 2005, Scrappy has also remained mostly out of the spotlight, aside from public appearances with longtime girlfriend and former label mate Diamond, and a brief arrest in 2008.

Rapper 50 Cent will has landed a role in the upcoming film Twelve, Variety reports. The movie stars Kiefer Sutherland, Chace Crawford, Emma Roberts and centers around a new York drop-out turned drug dealer. His life takes a turn for the worst when his cousin is murdered on a Harlem playground and his best friend is arrested for the brutal act. Joel Schumacher, who has shot films like A Time To Kill, 8MM and Falling Down, will direct the movie, which begins shooting on April 20 in New York. Interscope co-founder Ted Field is one of the producers of the flick, which is slated to be released in 2010.

After receiving much critical acclaim following 2008’s I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II, Killer Mike has set his talents on a new LP celebrating Atlanta’s rich Hip-Hop history.

Dubbed Underground Atlanta, the project was originally conceived several years ago during MTV’s My Block: Atlanta series, which brought together the city’s Hip-Hop stars for the historic “Great Day in Atlanta” photo.

Amongst colleagues and friends with styles ranging from crunk and snap to trap and pop music, Mike believed he could showcase an album illuminating the complete landscape of Atlanta’s diversity and talent.

“This is an Atlanta record!” Mike exclaimed to AllHipHop.com. “There is not just one type of Atlanta artist featured. This record is the ATL experience, welcome to Atlanta baby, for real!”

Confirmed artists for Underground Atlanta are T.I., Gucci Mane, OJ da Juice Man, Pastor Troy, Princess of Crime Mob, Yung Ralph, Big Kuntry King, Young Dro, Stat Quo, Bobby Creekwater, Da Bill Collector, and Dem Getaway Boyz.

Non-ATL guests include UGK, SL Jones, Scar, and Juvenile.

The bulk of the album’s production will be handled by the DMG Music Group (B-Don, Leno, and Young Ced).

Underground Atlanta will function as a lead-in for Killer Mike’s pending Grand Hustle debut.

Also, the LP allows the Adamsville emcee to give back to the city that’s made him a star.

At press time, Underground Atlanta is tentatively set for a June release.

Sidetracked for years by label disputes that held up scores of material, Brooklyn duo M.O.P. has finally confirmed the release of their first album of new material in 9 years.

Christened The Foundation, the new LP will represent a return to M.O.P.’s 90’s form.

Serving as co-executive producer will be DJ Premier, with additional production from DR Period, Nottz, Buckwild, Red Spider, and Fizzy Womack (Lil Fame).

Now that the long wait is over, the Brownsville natives are thankful to their fans of nearly two decades for their patience and faithfulness to the M.O.P. brand.

To make up for lost time, the duo plan to have The Foundation serve as the first salvo in an ambitious plan to release 3 albums over the next 12 months.

“I told y’all we would outlast both George Bushes,” Billy Danze quipped to AllHipHop.com.

In order to release the new album, the group had to first secure a release from their June 2005 contract with 50 Cent’s G Unit Records.

According to an M.O.P. spokesman, both parties remain on good terms, and an agreement was finalized which will give G Unit Records financial compensation for the new project.

M.O.P. achieved the greatest commercial success on their last major-label album, 2000’s Warriorz.

Helmed by the anthemic singles “Ante Up” and “Cold As Ice,” the LP sold close to one million copies.

At press time, The Foundation is set for release on June 30 through E1, formerly Koch Records.