Reports of violence weren’t enough to keep moviegoers away this past weekend from seeing Notorious, the much anticipated biopic of slain Hip-Hop icon The Notorious B.I.G.

 Released figures have confirmed the project grossed $21.5 million in its opening weekend.

This amount placed the film at number four behind My Bloody Valentine 3-D ($21.9 million), Gran Torino ($22.2 million), and Mall Cop ($33.8 million).

However, Notorious with its limited theater release of 1,638 still boasted the best per screen average at $13,126.

Mall Cop, this week’s #1 movie, generated a screen average of $10,751 in 3,144 theaters.

Notorious’ debut makes it the most successful opening weekend for Fox Searchlight, beating out the company’s previously critically acclaimed projects such as Juno and Little Miss Sunshine.

“It’s a very high quality film, and it’s compelling look at a compelling cultural icon who, like many cultural icons, left way too early but left an indelible mark on society,” explained Chris Aronson, senior vice president at 20th Century Fox to the Associated Press. “The estimated three-day gross for Notorious showed it was more popular than expected beyond African-American audiences. We crossed over, which speaks volumes about his impact as a cultural icon.”

At press time figures are being recounted between Notorious and My Bloody Valentine 3-D, which may result in the former rising to the number 3 position.

Newly freed from his previous album deal under Cam’Ron, Def Jam rapper Juelz Santana is looking forward to making up for lost time in 2009.

With four years passing since his 2005 debut What the Game’s Been Missing!, Santana assures fans that they will see the release of his opt-delayed third offering Built To Lose, Born To Win in 2009.

“I am just blessed to be able to finally put out an album,” Santana told AllHipHop.com. “It was just time for me to move on and I am grateful for having my needs met and I’m excited about my album finally coming out this year. The Bird is still flying high. It’s DipSet for life and Skull Gang forever.”

Santana’s newly formed Skull (Street Kids United by Loyalty and Loot) Gang has already secured album deal under Koch Records.

The six man team is hopeful to release their debut album this spring.

Besides his own team, Santana expressed happiness in sharing in the success of close friend Lil Wayne’s chart-topping Tha Carter III.

Through Santana’s spot on “You Ain’t Got Nuthin,” the Harlemite also earned Grammy recognition as a featured artist on the nominated Album of the Year.

“I’m blessed to have been a part of Wayne’s album and I congratulate my brother for all his success,” Santana added.

Last Friday (January 16), Juelz Santana welcomed 300 friends and family members to the opening weekend screening of Notorious.

The event took place at NYC’s Loews/AMC on 3rd Avenue, and drew such celebrities as Maino, Angie Martinez, Miss Info, and DJ Enuff.

Recalling the evening, Santana states that B.I.G. was given a fitting tribute on screen and by those in attendance.

“We had a blast,” Santana exclaimed. “Not only was this my way of paying tribute to B.I.G., but it was also my way of saying thanks to all of the folks who have been supportive of me over the years.”

Juelz Santana’s next mixtape project is set to drop by the end of January.

One person was shot and sustained minor injuries, after gunfire rang out at a Friday night (January 16) showing of the new Notorious B.I.G. biopic Notorious, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The shooting victim, who was identified by authorities early Saturday morning (January 17) as Clive O’Connor, was shot twice in the abdomen.

The 32-year-old underwent surgery after being rushed to Moses Cone Hospital. His medical condition was not immediately available, according to The News and Record.

No suspects were in custody late Friday night. The shooting took place just after 9 p.m. at the Grand 18 at Four Seasons Station in Greensboro.

Moviegoers were waiting to see Notorious as the sound of a gunshot echoed throughout the theater’s lobby.

Police and witnesses who were at the theater at the time of the shooting noted that the movie’s star, Jamal “Gravy” Woolard, was in the Grand 18 at the time of the shooting.

Gravy was living in Charlotte, North Carolina, when he was cast for his role in Notorious.

No details were available in regards to Woolard’s visit, if it had any role in the shooting, or whether there was additional security at the theater.

“We can’t say whether or not this shooting is in direct relationship to the movie Notorious… We just can’t say,” Greensboro police Lt. James Hinson told the News and Record.

Notorious centers on the life and music of B.I.G., who was fatally shot March 9, 1997 after leaving an after party in California. The murder continues to remain unsolved.

Notorious stars Woolard as B.I.G as well as Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, former 3LW member Naturi Naughton, Antonique Smith, and Anthony Mackie.

A spokeswoman for Southern Theaters, the parent company of the Grand 18, stated that the Grand 18 will honor tickets today (January 17) for customers whose movies were interrupted by the shooting Friday.

Despite this, the spokeswoman added that all showings of Notorious at the Grand 18 will be suspended indefinitely.

The memory of the late Notorious B.I.G. will command center stage as rappers Jim Jones and Juelz Santana provide a free screening of the music legend’s new film, Notorious, for fans.

The movie, which opens today (January 16) in theaters, chronicles the life and music of B.I.G., who was gunned down on March 9, 1997 after leaving an after party in California.

The slaying has remained unsolved as the rapper’s mother, Voletta Wallace and wife, Faith Evans, continue to seek justice in the aftermath of the tragedy.

For Jones, B.I.G. emerged as an artist who transcended his genre.

As a result, the Harlem rapper was motivated to provide an opportunity to experience the biopic as well as look at the man behind the music.

“I did it for Hip-Hop,” said Jones, who compared Notorious and its subject to another trailblazer. “It’s as big as Obama’s being the first black president. This is part of our history in the urban community; Biggie was our first Obama.”

Santana echoed Jones’ respect for B.I.G. as he described the screening as “my way of saying thank you to Big.”

“I never got a chance to meet him, so this is me as a Harlem dude saluting a cat from Brooklyn, in a small but meaningful way,” the lyricist stated. “Jim and I figured that so many people in the Hip-Hop community would be going to the see the movie individually; if we can make it so that everyone sees it together, that’s a great thing.”

The Notorious screening marks the beginning of an eventful 2009 for Jones, who will debut his long-awaited film, This is Jim Jones, at this year’s Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Recently retired actor Joaquin Phoenix may be moving his talents into the world of music with a debut Hip-Hop album.

Last October, Phoenix officially announced his retirement from acting, after a 24-year career.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Phoenix’s first Hip-Hop show will commence tonight at an undetermined Las Vegas club.

Chronicling Phoenix’s music aspirations will be friend and To Die For co-star Casey Affleck.

The footage is expected to be compiled for a full length documentary detailing Phoenix’s transition from actor to musician.

Sean “Diddy” Combs is rumored to be the executive producer for Phoenix’s pending debut.

In the last month, Combs has been seen at parties with Phoenix, leading some to believe an unconfirmed album is being worked on.

In December, video surfaced of Phoenix freestyling at a bar in Culver City, California.

Joaquin is the second Phoenix sibling to pursue a career in music.

Older brother River Phoenix played in the rock band Aleka Attic until his untimely death in 1993.

Joaquin Phoenix is most well known for his work in the Academy Award winning film Gladiator, and his Oscar-nominated turn as Johnny Cash in the 2005 film Walk the Line.

His last movie appearance was the 2008 drama Two Lovers, co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw.