(AllHipHop News) Brooklyn Bodega, producers of the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (BHF) have announced the 2010 event will take place this July.

Today (March 18), organizers announced that this year’s BHF event will span an entire week, featuring panels, films, theater and independent performances by national and international Hip-Hop talent.

According to West Jackson, the executive director of the BHF, this year’s event will return to the Brooklyn waterfront.

“We have been fortunate enough to host the Festival along the beautiful Brooklyn coast line since our second year [2006],” Jackson told AllHipHop.com. “When the word came down that our home, Empire Fulton Ferry State Park was being closed for renovation we began to work closely with Regina Meyer and the good people at The Brooklyn Bridge Development Corporation. I am excited that not only are we returning to the Tobacco Warehouse for our Main Day, July 10th but have also added Brooklyn Bridge Plaza and New Dock Street. This increased space will allow us to produce two separate stages as well as build a large marketplace for our vendors.”

The dates for the 2010 Brooklyn hip hop Festival are July 5th- 11th, 2010.

More details and performers will be announced over the coming months. A tentative schedule is listed below: (MON. 7/5) Show and Prove – Showcase of independent local, national and international talent. Public Assembly, 70 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

· Bodega Education Initiative (TUES. 7/6) – Day of panel discussions and seminars.

· Hip-Hop Theater (WED. 7/7)

· Classic Hip-Hop Film Night (THURS. 7/8) – Screening of classic Hip-Hop film “Beat Street” as well as shorts from local filmmakers.

· Kickoff Party(FRI. 7/9) – Party to formally welcome Festival goers, past and current artists and community leaders.

· Performance Day (SAT. 7/10) – Culmination of the 2010 programming. Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, New Dock Street and The Tobacco Warehouse – DUMBO, Brooklyn.

· Family Day (SUN. 7/11) – Closing BHF event is a classically, Brooklyn Block party, which focuses on improving the lives of our youth.

(AllHipHop News) Sean “Diddy” Combs is aiming to branch out in the world of sports, with the purchase of The Crystal Palace soccer team.

According to U.K.’s Daily Mirror, Combs is planning to make a £360million bid for the South London Crystal Palace team, which went into bankruptcy January.

Representatives for Comb’s confirmed he has been looking into a number of teams to become involved with, but is interested in Crystal Palace, because of the name.

Combs joins fellow mogul Jay-Z in an attempt to gain a piece of the lucrative soccer market in Europe. In 2005, Jay-Z was looking to purchase a stake in London’s Arsenal Gunners as well as the Chelsea Football Club.

If the deal goes through, Combs will be the first U.S. Hip-Hop mogul to own a stake in a European soccer team.

(AllHipHop News) AllHipHop.com has confirmed that Pharoahe Monch’s upcoming third solo LP W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) has found a home with Duck Down Records. Originally, Monch announced last September that he would be leaving his previous label SRC to distribute W.A.R. through his own imprint, W.A.R. Media. At the time, he cited the overall decline of the music industry as reason to forego a major label deal. But with premier indie label Duck Down, Monch feels he has secured the distribution and creative control needed to make W.A.R. a success. As heard on his last LP Desire (2007), Monch explained he will continue exploring spiritual elements while maintaining the high level lyricism his fans have come to expect since his 1991 debut with Organized Konfusion. “I’m incredibly excited about my upcoming release W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) and my new partnership between my company W.A.R. Media, LLC, and Duck Down Music,” Monch told AllHipHop.com. “This album deals with conflicts and resolutions of the spirit, the soul, the government, and the industry among other things.” Regarding guest spots and production, Pharoahe Monch revealed a balanced mix of past collaborators and new affiliates. “Thus far it features Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, Jean Grae, Styles P, Phonte, Black Thought, with more to come,” he stated. “It also features production from M-Phazes, Marco Polo, Mike Low, Fatin, Lee Stone, Exile and others to be announced. I am working diligently to finish the work for a summer release and I am honored to join forces with the Duck Down family during their 15 year anniversary.” Tomorrow (March 19), fans in Austin, Texas can see Monch as a part of Duck Down’s 15 Year Anniversary Concert at the SXSW Showcase, located at The Scoot Inn on East 4th Street. Doors open at 8PM. Pharoahe Monch’s W.A.R. is targeted for a summer release. Listed below are his upcoming April tour dates with Slaughterhouse. April 3 Saint John, NB Evolution Nightclub April 4 St. John’s, NF Club One April 5 Halifax, NS Paragone Theatre April 7 Ottawa, ON Ritual Nightclub April 8 Toronto, ON Venue TBC April 9 Cornwall, ON Rangatangs Nightclub April 10 Montreal, QC Telus Theatre April 12 Thunder Bay, ON Roxys Nightclub April 13 Winnipeg, MB Pyramid Cabaret April 14 Saskatoon, SK Odeon Events Centre April 15 Calgary, AB The Whiskey Nightclub April 16 Edmonton, AB Starlite Room April 17 Lethbridge, AB Venue TBC April 18 Nelson, BC Spirit Bar April 21 Victoria, BC Element April 22 Vancouver, BC Venue TBC

Chamillionaire and Paul Wall will launch their highly anticipated reunion tour tonight (March 17) in Austin, Texas.

The pair’s “In Love With My Money” tour kicks off this evening at SXSW and marks the first time the two have toured together in over seven years.

Prior to their amicable split, Chamillionaire and Paul Wall experienced independent success as The Color Changin’ Click (CCC).

The 20-date-tour will also serve as a promotional vehicle for Grammy Award winning rapper Chamillionaire’s latest album Venom, which will land in stores June 22nd on Chamillitary/Universal Republic.

Tour dates are listed below:

3/17 AUSTIN, TX-SXSW

3/21 LOS ANGELES, CA- HOUSE OF BLUES

3/23 FLAGSTAFF, AZ-ORPHEUM THEATRE

3/24 LAS VEGAS, NV- HOUSE OF BLUES

3/25 TUCSON, AZ- DV8

3/26 CHAM IN AUSTIN.-THE SAMMYS HOUSE 4PM (Then fly to PHX)

3/26 PHOENIX, AZ- VENUE OF SCOTTSDALE

3/27 ANAHEIM, CA- THE GROVE

3/28 VENTURA, CA-MAJESTIC THEATRE

3/31 SAN FRANCISCO, CA.-CLUB ENVY

4/1 EUGENE, OR.-THE BLUEPRINT

4/2 BOISE, ID- KNITTING FACTORY

4/3 RENO, NV- KNITTING FACTORY

4/4 PORTLAND, OR- BERPATI’S PAN

4/5 SEATTLE, WA- SHOWBOX

4/6 MISSOULA, MT- KNITTING FACTORY

4/7 BILLINGS, MT- SHRINE AUDITORIUM

4/9 FARGO, ND- THE VENUE

4/10 CHAM IN FAYETTEVILLE AR.

4/18 CHAM IN OHIO-JOHN CARROL UNIV.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper T.I. could end up in court again to defend himself against trademark allegations levied against his Akoo Clothing line.

Akoo International bills itself as the world’s largest social music television network.

The company filed a complaint against T.I. and Akoo in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, claiming trademark infringement.According to the lawsuit, Akoo International has held the trademark for “Akoo” for years. The federally registered trademark is sued by Akoo International, which delivers video programming to over 86 million monthly customers, via the Internet, shopping malls and universities in over 30 states.

Akoo International’s technology allows viewers to interact with programming on large screen, networked HDTV’s, using their mobile phones.

“Akoo has been recognized as a leading social TV platform for connecting brand advertisers with millions of our engaged viewers,” said Akoo CEO Niko Drakoulis. “Our primary obligation and goal is to prevent confusion among our consumers, which is among the most basic objectives of trademark law. At the same time, Akoo has invested nearly a decade of effort and substantial capital to deploy its network and will do everything in its power to protect its brand.”Akoo International claims T.I.’s use of the name Akoo has mislead, deceived and confused consumers and potential clients.

The company also took action to defend their Akoo trademark when T.I.’s clothing line ran a controversial billboard advertisement in Newark, NJ, which was condemned by residents, as well as Mayor Cory Booker.

(AllHipHop News) Atlanta rapper, Waka Flocka Flames was locked up in Georgia last night (March 16) for violating his probation.

Sources told AllHipHop.com the rapper, who is signed to incarcerated rapper Gucci Mane’s label So Icey Ent., was on probation for carrying a shotgun.

He was locked up for leaving the state around 4:00 PM yesterday, which was a violation of his probation. Over the past weeks, Waka Flocka, born Juaquin Malphurs, has been seen in New York, in addition to a controversial appearance in Gary, Indiana, where eight teens were shot after his show at the World of Skates skating rink on March 5th. Sources initially told AllHipHop.com the rapper was supposed to perform at a club in Virginia Beach, VA last night, but was allegedly arrested for smoking marijuana before the show, although this information has not been confirmed.

The rapper is best known for his current hit single “O Let’s Do It”  is due in court this month and will remain incarcerated until his hearing.

(AllHipHop News) Incarcerated rapper Gucci Mane continues to release music despite being locked up in the Fulton County Jail for a year. Gucci and DJ Holiday will release all-new material titled The Burrprint 2, a 24-track mixtape that features appearances by Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled Jim Jones, Yo Gotti, Lil’ Kim Trey Songz, Waka Flocka Flames, OJ Da Juice Man and others.

“Many of my fans know me from the massive amounts of mixtapes I’ve released over the years,” Gucci Mane told AllHipHop.com in a statement released today (March 17).

“The Burrprint 2 mixtape is just something I wanted to put out there as a thank you for all those who have stuck by me through my incarceration, all those who have written letters, this is for you… I will be home soon,” Gucci Mane promised.

The Burrprint 2 was recorded prior to Gucci’s year-long bid for violating his probation, while the opening song on the album “Live From Fulton County Jail,” was recorded over the phone during his incarceration.

“Gucci called me from Fulton County and told me to start recording,” DJ Holiday told AllHipHop.com. “He busted a hot verse right there on the phone and that’s what you hear on the record, with the 1-minute automated warning and all, ‘you have one minute remaining’, it’s so real.”

Gucci Mane is already planning the follow-up to his hit album The State Vs. Radric Davis, with a new album titled The Appeal, which is slated to land in stores this Summer.

(AllHipHop News) Grammy winning producer and artist Mario Winans is confident that another hit record has been created with his new Trina collaboration “Million Dollar Girl.”

Winans wrote and co-produced the track, which also features appearances from Diddy and Keri Hilson. The lead single will precede Trina’s 5th LP Amazin’ (May 4), her first album in over 2 years.

With the song’s video premiering on Monday (March 15), Winans told AllHipHop.com that “Million Dollar Girl” will be the first of a series of chart-toppers from his hand.

“I’m excited about the Trina ‘Million Dollar Girl’ record. It’s a huge smash and the start of a new run I am going on. I’m about to take over!” he boasted.

Winans’ biggest songwriting credit to date is 2002’s Top 5, Billboard-charting “I Need a Girl, Part 1 and 2”. In addition, Winans has received 2 Grammys for his work with Gospel legend CeCe Winans, and over 26 BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) awards for his other songwriting credits.

The singer’s next project will be participating in the Dream Big Artist Showcase Tour. Through June 12, the event will visit 11 cities to select aspiring artists to compete for the chance to sign a production deal with Mario Winans, and the opportunity for a recording contact with Def Jam, Interscope, Bad Boy, or Atlantic.

With each semifinalist receiving marketing, PR, and branding services, Winans lauds the tour as an excellent opportunity for free exposure to important industry contacts.

“This is the perfect opportunity for an artist who wants to get discovered,” Winans explained. “These artists will have a chance to meet industry professionals who will bring them one step closer to reaching their goals and making their dream come true.”

The next tour stop is in Atlanta on March 27 at the Artist Factory (1741 Commerce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30318).

For more information, visit http://www.dreambighustlehard.com/.