(AllHipHop News) Rapper Mac Minister lost his attempt to appeal his life sentence after he was convicted of murdering Kansas City rapper Anthony “Fat Tone Watkins and another man. Police believe Fat Tone and Germaine “Cowboy” Atkins were murdered in Las Vegas in May of 2005, as retaliation for the 2004 killing of Bay Area rap legend, Mac Dre. Mac Minister and Mathis allegedly lured Fat Tone and Cowboy to Las Vegas with the promise of meeting rapper Snoop Dogg. According to police, Fat Tone and Cowboy were seen leaving their hotel with Mac Minister hours before they were murdered.The bodies of Fat Tone and Cowboy were found in a construction area outside of Las Vegas a short time later. Both men suffered multiple gunshot wounds.According to the Associated Press, lawyers for Mac Minister argued that at least 10 errors were made during his trial. The Nevada Supreme Court ruled only two of those errors shouldn’t have been allowed, but said even those had no bearing on the ruling. While it has never been proven, it was suspected that Fat Tone was involved in Mac Dre’s death. Mac Minister’s case received nationwide attention in 2006, when he was featured on America’s Most Wanted, as he attempted to elude capture.

(AllHipHop News) Snoop Dogg’s former bodyguard Monsta Ganjah has signed a deal with popular New Zealand record label Dawn Raid. Now known as Monsta, the rapper was one of several men responsible for protecting Snoop at the height of his feud with former Death Row CEO Marion “Suge” Knight. “In America, as a Polynesian artist, we do not have a lane, and basically they can’t identify us and we’ve always paid attention to our people out here, and Dawn Raid have always been at the forefront of Polynesian entertainment,” the Long Beach bred Monsta told New Zealand’s 3News.  According to sources, Dawn Raid is also attempting to sign legendary rap Samoan rap group Boo Yah Tribe to a deal. Monsta’s EP Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself hits stores next week.Black Sheep member Dres has reunited legendary rap collective Native Tongues on a track featured on his upcoming album The Black Pool of Genius. Dres, Dave (Trugoy), Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest and Mike Gee of the Jungle Brothers are featured on “Birds of A Feature,” which is also the latest single to be released from the album. The track was produced by newcomer Tough Junkie, who also contributed several other tracks The Black Pool of Genius, which is due in stores on June 29th.  Jub Jub, a South African rap star accused of killing four students while drag racing, appeared in court today where his case was postponed. Chaos erupted at a hearing for the rapper today, when the victims’ family members threatened to kill him for mowing down the four children. Thousands of students in Soweto rioted in March, after Jub Jub and another co-defendant were granted bail.  Jub Jub and co-defendant face murder and driving under the influence charges.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper/director Ice Cube has confirmed that he is in the process of bringing the story of pioneering rap group N.W.A. to the big screen. Ice Cube has directed blockbuster’s like Friday, The Players Club, Barbershop and most recently the documentary Straight Outta L.A.He revealed that he is working with Eazy-E’s widow Tomica Woods-Wright and super producer Dr. Dre to bring the N.W.A. movie to theaters. “I think that’s the ultimate when it comes to the tribute with the group and what the group meant to the world,” Ice Cube told AllHipHop.com. “Hopefully we will bring it to the big screen.”Ice Cube shot down reports of an N.W.A. reunion because “everyone has put that legacy to bed” and nixed the idea of a ever collaborating with his former group, Westside Connection. “I aint really thinking in that direction right now. I Am the West, that’s coming out July 13th, so that’s what it’s about right now,” Ice Cube told AllHipHop.com.  Ice Cube continues to have a close relationship with N.W.A. founding member Dr. Dre, who produced N.W.A.‘s landmark 1988 album, Straight Outta Compton.Cube revealed that he recently recorded a track for Dr. Dre’s Detox album. “Dre is a master. What’s cool about working with Dre is he stays the same. Everyone else change and trip, but I remember working with Dre back when we just in the garage. Just the two of us. And he works the same way. Don’t come up with an empty palette, bring a lot of ideas to the plate.” Ice Cube confirmed that Dr. Dre is working hard to complete his album Detox, which will reportedly be released this Fall. “He’s making a great record. I’m on it. I’m proud to be, I can’t wait to get back to L.A. to get back in the studio with him. I’m trying to get a few tracks for my record I Am The West that’s coming out in July.”video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player

Kanye West has joined a musical boycott of Arizona’s new immigration law, which has caused a firestorm of controversy.

Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against The Machine has sparked the protest and the rock rapper furnished a list of musicians that have supported the movement.

West has been joined by Cypress Hill, Conor Oberest, Sonic Youth, Massive Attack, Ozomatli, Rise Against, Pitbull and Tenacious D.

De la Rocha said their boycott of the state was comparable to the legendary boycott of the Montgomery Bus system in the 60’s, which sparked the Civil Rights Movement.

“When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, they arrested her. As a result, people got together and said we are not going to ride the bus until they change the law. It was this courageous action that sparked the Montgomery bus boycott,” a statement read. “What if we got together, signed a collective letter saying, “we’re not going to ride the bus”, saying we are not going to comply. We are not going to play in Arizona. We are going to boycott Arizona?!”

Many groups, organizations and even cities have opted or proposed boycotting Arizona for the immigration law. The city of Los Angeles has approved an economic boycott of Arizona, which will result in about $8 million in lost revenue from contracts. Another $58 million could be affected in other contracts and investments, many of which lie in air travel.

Opponents of the immigration law claim mandate promotes racial profiling and is inherently unconstitutional. It lets officer of the law make personal judgements whether or not there is a “reasonable suspicion” that the person is in the United States illegally.

The law takes affect at the end of July.

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys are engaged to be married and representatives for the singer have confirmed that the couple is expecting their first child.

The announcement was made earlier today and a rep for Keys has confirmed the news to AllHipHop.com.

Gossip writers Jawn Murray and Marc Malkin of E! also made announcements via their social networks.

“Rep confirms Alicia Keys is pregnant! My scoop was 100% correct! Apparently her & Swizz Beatz are engaged too,” Murray said.

Speculation has been high since a series of images appeared to show a “baby bump” on Keys.

Thus far, neither Keys nor Swizz Beatz camps issued any public statement. This is the first child for Keys, who is 29 years old. Swizz Beatz, 31, has two sons from his ex-wife Mashonda.