(AllHipHop News) Despite currently serving a 1 year jail sentence in New York, Lil Wayne has been hit with a bench warrant for failing to appear in Arizona to face drug and weapon charges.

The warrant was issued by Superior Court Judge Mark Wayne Reeves this morning due to the superstar rapper not appearing for the court’s final trial management conference. Wayne had previously pleaded not guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia, misconduct with weapons, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, and possession of dangerous drugs.

The case stems from a 2008 arrest when authorities claimed to have found cocaine, ecstasy, and a handgun on Wayne’s tour bus during a routine border check.

Wayne’s attorney James Tilson attempted to have the proposed March trial date delayed for the next 12 months, arguing there’s no feasible way his client can attend while incarcerated in another state.

“Mr. Carter is being detained involuntarily in another jurisdiction,” Tilson told the Yuma Sun. “It does not appear that a trial will be occurring anytime within the next 8 to 12 months.”

Lil Wayne is currently in protective custody to serve out his 1 year sentence in New York City for a guilty plea on attempted criminal possession of a weapon (.40 caliber semi-automatic pistol). He is eligible for release in 8 months due to good behavior.

If Wayne were free, the bench warrant would allow authorities to apprehend and bring him back to the issuing court to face any outstanding charges.

At press time, the prosecutor’s office in Yuma County has raised Lil Wayne’s bond from $10,000 to $150,000. A new trial date has not been decided.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper DMX appeared in a Phoenix, Arizona courtroom today (March 16) to face charges that he violated his probation last week, by using cocaine.

DMX, 39, was sentenced to six months in prison for failing a drug test last June according to prosecutor. He was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. The troubled rapper could be released in as little as six months, since he’s already been accepted by Dr. Drew Pinsky’s Pasadena Recovery Center, although he’s not expected to be featured on the show. DMX has been held without bond in the 4th Avenue jail since last Tuesday (March 9), after he was arrested by probate officers for regularly using the drug over the past nine months.

Simmons had been isolated from other inmates since being incarcerated in a Phoenix jail overseen by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who bills himself the toughest sheriff in America.

Arpaio called for DMX to serve time in prison, because the rapper has been arrested five times in Arizona, on charges ranging from drug possession and identity theft to animal cruelty.

“Rappers seem to go to jail quite frequently,” Arpaio stated. “Why is he treated different, because he’s DMX and made some movies? If he stays in the jail long enough I’ll decide whether or not to put him in the drug prevention education program.”

The rapper spent 90 days in Arpaio’s Phoenix based “Tent City” prison, where inmates are forced to wear pink-stripped prison outfits.

Arpaio himself is under intense scrutiny and faces at least a dozen civil lawsuits for abusing his power against citizens, Hispanics and even Superior Court judges in the state.

Canadian rapper Drake is one of several celebrities featured on a new charity song to raise relief money for Haiti. The track, which is a remix of K’Naan’s song “Wavin’ Flag” and as produced by Bob Ezrin. The song also features Justin Bieber, Kardinall Offishall, Avril Lavigne and others. In related news, Drake recently began shooting the video for his new single “Over” in Los Angeles. According to reports, the clip will be directed by Anthony Mandler. A new restaurant is making headlines in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The Main Ingredient, a café/ale house, is named after Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth’s album of the same name. The restaurant is owned by Matt and Courtney Diamond, two fans of the genre. Most of the music played in the background is from the 1990’s, Hip-Hop’s golden era. The eatery even offers the “Charli 2Na sandwich” on its menu, which also has a light, Hip-Hop theme. Management company Vakseen LLC has landed a production and publishing deal with T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint for TrackSlayerz, two producers the firm handles. Vakseen is owned by A&R exec Otha “Vakseen” Davis III, while TrackSlayerz consists of producers Dexter “INF” Randall and Demetri “Price” Duncan. The deal comes on the heels of the success of T.I.’s “I’m Back,” which was produced by The TrackSlayerz The 21-year-old producers also created the sounds for Jim Jones’ “Pulling Me Back” and Yung Joc’s “Posted at Da Store.” The producers are working on tracks for Grand Hustle artists Young Dro and Yung L.A. Additionally, T.I. has selected three of their tracks for his highlight anticipated come back album, although T.I. has not decided which ones will make the final cut.

(AllHipHop News) Chicago rapper Common will hit the stage at Cal State Northridge next week during the 11th Annual African-American Music Festival.

The festival takes place from March 22nd -27th and is free and open to the public.

The annual event is geared towards middle and high school students and allows the children to learn about the important contributions African-Americans have played in the development of popular music throughout the world. The six-day event features musical workshops, a networking forum, business educational panels and performances by Common and renowned jazz musician Washington Rucker.

“The festival has been an important addition to CSUN’s community outreach in promoting music education regionally,” said Pan-African studies professor Deborah Broadous.

Broadous is the advisor of the African-American Music Association (A2MA), the student group that is organizing the event. “We believe in the power of mentorship and exposing these children to the most successful musicians and executives in the business. We hope to encourage these young people to pursue their dreams,” Broadous added.

Common is expected to appear with former Ernie Singleton, former VP of Urban for MCA, on Thursday (March 25th) at 4:00 PM during the Music Business College Tour and Student Showcase.

The festival will culminate on March 27th with a gospel performance and reception at Calvary Baptist Church of Pacoima.

(AllHipHop News) Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s highly anticipated album Distant Relatives will land in stores on Tuesday, May 18th, label representatives confirmed today (March 16th).

The concept album traces Hip-Hop’s roots in Africa and how it was transported to the American colonies and the Caribbean during slavery, until it was finally exported to the parks and recreational centers in New York city. “Damian and Nas have made a groundbreaking album that combines the depth and vision of these two artists with a seminal musical and cultural thread of multiple generations,” stated Monte Lipman, President and CEO of Universal Republic Records. “We’re thrilled to play a role on what’s certain to be another pivotal album for both artists and one of the more unique collaborative efforts in recent years.”

The 14-track-effort was produced by Damian Marley and features guest appearances by Lil Wayne, K’Naan, Joss Stone, Stephen Marley and Dennis Brown.

Fans will also receive a documentary film with the purchase of Distant Relatives, which also contains performances and public discussions, including portions of an event held with National Geographic Live in Washington, D.C. last December.

Distant Relatives is in stores May 18th. The track listing is below:

1. As We Enter

2. Tribal War (featuring K’NAAN)

3. Strong Will Continue

4. Leaders (featuring Stephen Marley)

5. Wisdom

6. Count Your Blessings

7. Dispear

8. The Promised Land (featuring Dennis Brown)

9. In His Own Words (featuring Stephen Marley)

10. Nah Mean

11. Friends

12. My Generation (featuring Lil Wayne and Joss Stone)

13. Africa Must Wake Up (featuring K’NAAN)

(AllHipHop News) It’s been less than a week since Snoop Dogg won his battle to enter the UK and the rapper is already being courted for one of the country’s biggest and oldest festivals.

Michael Eavis, organizer of the Glastonbury Festival, revealed that he is working hard to bring Snoop Dogg to the festival this year.

According to Eavis, his daughter Emily is a huge fan of Snoop Dogg.

Emily was also responsible for booking Jay-Z into a headlining act in 2008, a move which drew criticism from a few artists, most notably Oasis front man Noel Gallagher.

“She’s a bright girl and she is very keen on Snoop Dogg doing the show, so we want him,” Eavis told the UK’s Sun newspaper. “Her real claim to fame is booking Jay-Z. She came up with the idea, so I phoned his manager. At the end of a 40-minute chat he said Jay-Z would do the show, and the rest is history.”

Snoop Dogg was banned from the UK in 2006, after his entourage became involved in a brawl with airport security, when they were denied access to a first class area of the airport.

The rapper, who was also banned from Australia, won his appeal to enter the UK last week after several appeals during a four-year court battle to re-enter the country.

(AllHipHop News) Popular 80’s singer Eddy Grant has accused the Gorillaz of swiping his music and using it in their new single, “Stylo.”

Grant claims the single, which also features Mos Def and R&B legend Bobby Womack, is a direct rip off his song “Time Warp.” Grant, known for his massive hit “Electric Avenue,” was “outraged” at the use of his composition and felt totally “disrespected” by the Gorillaz.

“My song sits almost note to note with their release and is a blatant rip off. ‘Time Warp’ is a very popular song and has been a staple of the DJ scene for many years and I feel total disrespect from Gorillaz and their management company, especially as they are an established act,” Grant stated.

Grant also lashed out at EMI Publishing, which handles the Gorillaz catalog, in addition to his own compositions, for not catching the sample.

Now, Eddie Grant is seeking nothing less than an apology from the group, in addition to an admission of their guilt in the matter.

“I would like the outcome to be that the band admits that they have lifted my song, that I have a full credit for the song and an apology from the band.”

The Gorillaz new album Plastic Beach debuted at #2 on the UK album chart this week.