(AllHipHop News) Platinum selling R&B crooner Tony Sunshine has announced a new deal which will result in the release of an album, titled Tony Sunshine. Tony Sunshine’s production company 4 Eva Respected Inc., is currently negotiation a distribution deal with Nevada-based label, Vibe Records. The singer has teamed with Darrin Dean, founder of the Ruff Ryders record label to manage 4 Eva Inc.Early reports state that Tony Sunshine has lined up production from T-Pain and Swizz Beatz, who each contributed tracks to the long-over debut from the singer. Tony Sunshine earned a name for himself as the crooning member of Fat Joe’s Terror Squad. He has sang on tracks with Big Pun, P. Diddy, R. Kelly, Ginuwine, Fabolous, CNN and others. The album is currently being mixed by Vibe Records’ President and CEO, Timothy “T.K.” Olphie and Terrance Pender. No release date was available for Tony Sunshine’s debut album.

(AllHipHop News) Thizz Nation rapper J-Hype was the victim of a chain snatching/shooting that resulted in another man being shot by police officers, during a celebration for revered Vallejo rapper, Mac Dre. J-Hype, born Joel Willams, was among the thousands of fans and family members who gathered in North Vallejo Park on Sunday (July 3rd) to celebrate Mac Dre’s birthday, which is on July 5th. Around 9:00 PM, someone in all-black approached J-Hype from behind, shot him twice in the legs and fled with his custom Thizz Nation chain he was wearing. “(After) the first shot, I didn’t know (I was hit) at first, I went for my chain and it broke off, the whole cord,” J-Hype told the Vallejo-Times Herald. “At that point, I turned around and saw a gun in my face.”Police chased a suspect named Ronar Inocencio, who pointed a handgun at police and was shot twice, for brandishing his weapon at officers. J-Hype is an artist on Mac Dre’s Thizz Nation label. He released his latest album About My Thizzness in 2008, which featured Mac Dre, San Quinn, Dubee and others. Mac Dre was gunned down in November of 2004 on a Kansas City interstate highway, after gunmen sprayed the vehicle his was traveling in with bullets, causing the automobile to flip over. His murder set off a chain of violence in Kansas City and around the Bay Area and culminated in the May 2005 shooting deaths of Anthony “Fat Tone” Watkins and Germaine “Cowboy” Atkins in Las Vegas. Ultimately, Bay area rapper Mac Minister and an accomplice named Jason Mathis were convicted of murdering Watkins and Atkins in retaliation for Mac Dre’s murder. “I’m not surprised at the violence, but I’m surprised at the violence towards me, because usually all the fans and all the people who come around, they know if you’re going to do something to somebody, you know who not to do it to,” J-Hype said.

(AllHipHop News) ABC’s Good Morning America has canceled a free outdoor concert for rapper Drake out of security concerns. Drake was supposed to perform on July 16th, as part of Good Morning America’s summer concert series, which has already showcased performances by Alicia Keys, Miley Cyrus and others. According to the New York Daily News, security for the free show in Central Park was not adequate, forcing the NYPD to order the Parks Department to pull the plug on the show. According to representatives for Good Morning America, Drake was never “officially booked” to perform and a replacement has already been found. Last week, Drake confirmed that he was canceled an upcoming July tour of Europe, to support his mother, who is undergoing surgery.

(AllHipHop News) A judge is expected to rule on a controversial injunction to ban rapper Big Bad 40 (previously known as 40 Glocc) from the Arbor Terrace Apartments. The San Bernardino District Attorney’s office claims Big Bad 40 is a high ranking member of the Colton City Crips. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence to a judge that allegedly proved the rapper’s membership in the gang, by showing videos, lyrics and even a “C.C.C. tattoo on his chest. “They are using my songs against me. I thought the Constitution of the United States of America which is where I live grants me the first amendment which is freedom speech, I mean that’s what I read,” Big Bad 40 said. Prosecuting attorney Marc Vos denied that he was attempting to prevent Big Bad 40 from exercising his right to free speech, which are protected under the 1st Amendment in the Constitution of the United States of America.  Instead, Vos claimed that 40 was a hardened gang member who was involved in a wild shootout in 1996, although he was never prosecuted for his role in the gun battle. Police now fear that if 40 returns to Arbor Terrace, aka The Zoo, that crime will shoot back up. “White loiters like his gang — in the places they loiter, he trespasses like them — he was caught on surveillance video in their presence,” Vos wrote. “He talks their talk, promotes them, wears the Colton beanie, throws up their hand signs, features them in his rap videos.”Big Bad 40 vehemently denied participating in any illegal activity and said their was no proof of him shooting, stealing or ever committing a crime. “My rights are being violated and somebody is lying on me,” Big Bad 40 complained. “I don’t have any tattoos on my chest and whoever is putting out this wrong information can come over here and take a picture.”Big Bad 40 recently thumbed his nose at prosecutors when he released the single “F**k the Police” and called out the prosecutor in the case, as well as various detectives, by name. 40 believes his taunts have angered prosecutors, who are seeking to prevent him from rapping about his upbringing and his beliefs. “They make things up when I boast and brag and tease them in my music they find ways to punish me for not allowing them to dictate what I can and cannot do for my income and entertainment purposes,” Big Bad 40 said.

(AllHipHop News) Legendary DJ Scratch has revealed to AllHipHop.com that he will change his well known moniker to DJ Jam Master Scratch, with the support of founding Run-DMC member, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels. As DJ Scratch, the veteran turntablist/producer has worked with EPMD, DMX, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes and 50 Cent.  In 1988 Run-DMC helped Scratch gain entry into the music business as the DJ for their “Run’s House World Tour.” In 1988 on the tour, Scratch befriended Jam Master Jay, who recommended him to rap group EPMD. Scratch has been with EPMD ever since, in addition to becoming a world renowned battle DJ and producer. At 8:00 PM, Jam Master Scratch will air footage of DMC proclaiming him the next official “Jam Master.” “I dropped so many tears about this,” Jam Master Scratch told AllHipHop.com. “Me being recognized for my 22 years of work by a king [DMC], is my ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’” Jam Master Jay was gunned down in his Hollis, Queens recording studio on October 30, 2002. The legendary DJ’s murder still remains unsolved. “I will continue to represent JMJ. Only practice makes a real Jam Master,” Jam Master Scratch said, quoting the song “Jam Master Jay,” Run-DMC’s familiar ode to the late DJ. To witness DMC renaming DJ Scratch to Jam Master Scratch, visit www.scratchvision.com.

(AllHipHop.com) Lyrical icon Kool G Rap is preparing a new, untitled album and told AllHipHop.com it has been a long time since he’s been so excited about his music.

“I haven’t been this passionate about s### in a long time, so when someone asks me a question about it I got so much s**t to say, its not just recording a song, this is spilling my f**king guts out there,” the Corona Queens native told AllHipHop.com.

He also said that this looming album would reveal parts of storied life never told before.

“This is G Rap right here, from childhood to adulthood. This is the part that I’ma give the people,” he continued.

Kool G Rap even alluded to losing the passion for Hip-Hop music, even though he is widely regarded as one of the best the genre has offered.

“This is G Rap being excited about even doing this s**t again. There’s been times in my life I lost interest, or even desire to do this s**t. But this, is me.” he said.

Kool G Rap began his career in the late 80’s and is credited with ushering in a new wave of lyricism to Hip-Hop with others like Big Daddy Kane and Rakim. He released seminal albums like Road to the Riches, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Live and Let Die along with DJ Polo. His last work was 2008’s Half a Klip.

(AllHipHop News) The family of legendary rapper Guru has officially announced plans to honor the late Gang Starr founder, who passed away from cancer on April 19th, 2010. Representatives for The Elam Family told AllHipHop.com that a memorial for close friends, family members, close friends and invited guests will take place University of Massachusetts-Boston campus. The Elam Family also announced the launch of an official Guru tribute website, www.gurutributes.com. Additionally, an official concert tribute will be held in the near future. The memorial service for Guru will take place on July 18th, just one day after the rapper’s birthday. “The Elam family remains eternally grateful for the overwhelming expressions of care and love from fans worldwide,” a rep for the family told AllHipHop.com.