(AllHipHop News) Jury selection will start today (September 20th) in the federal cocaine trial against Jamaican superstar reggae singer, Buju Banton. The Grammy-nominated artist is on trial in Federal Court in Tampa, Florida, after he was arrested in December of 2009 for possessing multiple kilos of cocaine.  Buju Banton, Mark Myrie, was arrested on December 10th, 2009, after surveillance camera allegedly caught the singer and associates making a drug transaction. Police claim they found the singer inspecting and in possession of 5 kilos of cocaine and charged him with conspiracy to posses and intent to distribute in addition to possession of a firearm during the course of illegal activity.Buju Banton’s lawyers claims the government entrapped the singer because they used a government informant who pressured him to purchase the cocaine. Buju’s lawyers claim that he met the informant during a flight from Madrid, Spain, to Miami, Florida in July of 2009. The informant then subsequently pursued Buju over the next few months until he allegedly purchased the 5 kilos of cocaine. “In addition to refusing to disclose the identity, the government has refused to identify the prior cases in which he has been involved, the outcomes of those cases, the amount of money he has earned making cases for the government, or even the amount he has been paid (or expects to be paid) in this case,” court papers filed in Buju’s defense read.Buju Banton’s trial comes as the singer prepares his latest album Before the Dawn, which is due in stores on September 30th??Buju Banton has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held in Pinellas County Jail in Tampa, Florida, without bail. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of the charges.

(AllHipHop News) DJ’s and artists in Norfolk Virginia and across the world are mourning the death of WOWI 103 Jamz Program Director/personality DJ Law, who was also a member of the Boodah Brothers with his partner Big B.The pair were co-hosts of the popular syndicated Boodah Brother’s Morning Show, where DJ Law worked since graduating from high school in 1992. In 1993, DJ Law hooked up with his step-brother/manager Big B. and formed Boodah Brothers. Their popular morning show eventually introduced their Boodah Brothers Morning Show. According to a statement released by 103 Jamz, DJ Law, born Lawrence Brown, died of a heart attack early Sunday morning (September 20th). “Kool D.J. Law you will be missed!” tweeted Clipse member Malice. DJ Law is survived by a wife.

(AllHipHop News) Atlanta Georgia rapper Waka Flocka Flame will release his major label debut album on October 5th, when Flockavelli lands in stores on Gucci Mane’s 1017 Bricksquad imprint. According to Waka, fans will be impressed with his latest album, which was produced by 19-year-old Lexus “Lex Lugar” Lewis, the producer behind Rick Ross’ anthems “B.M.F.,” and “MC Hammer.The 17-track release features guest appearances by Pastor Troy, Roscoe Dash, Gudda Gudda, Wale and others. “You’re gonna need some Gatorade or have to get your neck checked after listening to this,” Waka Flocka Flame said. “The whole thing bangs from start to finish.”In addition to his first single “O Let’s Do It” becoming a hit single with a remix video featuring heavyweights like Diddy, Ludacris, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, Waka Flocka has released three street albums, which helped increase his demand in cities in the Southeast. “I started booking paid shows 7 months after I did my first mixtape,” Waka Flocka said.  “That was a crazy time.  It all just took off so fast.” His second single “Hard in the Paint” was filmed on location in Los Angeles’ neighborhood X, also known as The Jungle. According to Waka, he shot in their because he likes “meeting new people.”“I didn’t go there to make a statement,” explained Waka. “I went there because it’s always a place I wanted to go. I like meeting people. They come out to everyone else’s hood, so why not return the favor and show them some love.”  Waka Flocka Flame is slated to perform on this year’s BET Hip-Hop Awards. He’s also nominated in two categories: “Rookie of the Year” and “Best Club Banger” for “O Let’s Do It.”

(AllHipHop News) Jay-Z has inked a deal worth millions of dollars, to perform at a swanky bash to celebrate the opening of the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on New Years Eve. The New York Post reports that lavish party is being planned by party planner Colin Cowie, who has also booked Coldplay’s Chris Martin to perform at the invite-only event. Jay-Z will deliver his own set, as will Chris Martin. The pair will then take to the stage together to thrill the guests with mashup performance of their best known hits. According to the Post, Jay-Z’s wife Beyonce is also in the process of securing a performance in Las Vegas on New Years Eve, so the married couple can celebrate the holiday together. In related news, Jay-Z and Beyonce recently landed in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the “Highest Earning Power Couple,” by raking in over $122 million through June of 2009.

(AllHipHop News) Rising singer Bruno Mars was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend for possession of drugs. According to reports, Mars was busted in a bathroom by security officers at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino early yesterday (September 19th) morning. Police have not released what the singer, born Peter Hernandez, was in possession of. Bruno Mars, who was performing for the Walmart Soundcheck Risers concert series earlier in the evening, was charged with suspected possession of a narcotic and released. Bruno Mars, 23, is a featured singer on B.o.B.’s#### single “Nothin’ On You” and Travie McCoy’s latest smash single, “Billionaire.” His debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans is due in stores October 5th.

(AllHipHop News) Dancehall artist Bounty Killer was arrested last night (September 18th) in Jamaica for allegedly beating a woman in his apartment. According to police, Bounty Killer is facing assault charges for striking the woman, who turned up at a police station badly bruised and bleeding, near the artist’s residence in St. Andrews. “She turned up here sometime after six and said that he used a hammer to beat her up,” said Deputy Superintendent, Altermoth Campbell. Bounty Killer, born Rodney Price, will stand before a judge sometime next week to answer the charges. Just this past April, Bounty Killer was arrested by the Constant Springs Police, for striking his girlfriend. He then allegedly called the woman and threatened her in the presence of the police. All of the charges were dropped against Bounty Killer in that incident, because the woman eventually dropped the charges against the artist. It is unclear if the woman assaulted last night is the same woman who was beat in April of 2010. Bounty Killer is also facing previous charges for possessing a firearm, possession of marijuana and other charges. The dancehall artist has collaborated with a number of rappers and artists, including No Doubt, Mya, Wyclef Jean, Busta Rhymes, Swizz Beatz, Capone-N-Noreaga and others.