Rakim, one of the legends of Hip-Hop, has attributed the lack of balance and possible death of Hip-Hop to his hometown of New York.

Rakim made the proclamation about New York in an interview with Jenny Boom Boom of Hot 93.7 in Connecticut.

“There is a certain realm of Hip-Hop [that is missing] and you might have to blame that on New York,” Rakim said. “New York is responsible for bringing that raw, that real gritty Hip-Hop, because we originated it.”

He said there was hope, if the region got back to the staple sound that hit its zenith in the 80’s and 90’s.

“New York and the East Coast, we gotta represent and do our part. And it’s OK for everybody else to do what they do. Then it will be a balance and everybody’ll be happy.”

Nevertheless, the pioneering rap artist remained optimistic about the future for the genre.

“I’m feeling good [and] optimistic and I’m hoping people understand that power that Hip-Hop got. I hope everybody understands the time we in right now, and I hope everybody wanna make some good music and keep Hip-Hop alive.”

Rakim was hard pressed to pinpoint a savior to return rap to the Golden Era, but he said that it could happen through a unified movement.

Click here for the full audio of the Rakim interview with Jenny Boom Boom.

Acclaimed film director and producer John Singleton has released the first exhaustive book chronicling his 18-year journey through the entertainment industry.

John Singleton: Interviews contains introspective interviews, profile stats, and behind the scenes filming information on the director’s entire filmography.

At a mere 23- years old, Singleton shocked the film industry with the South Central, coming of age 1991 classic Boyz N the Hood.

The film earned the young director two Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director.

Further into the 90s and the 2000s, Singleton was instrumental in showing that Hip-Hop artists could be viable in dramatic roles.

The Los Angeles native worked with Ice Cube in Boyz N the Hood and Higher Learning, the late Tupac Shakur in Poetic Justice, Snoop Dogg in the satire Baby Boy, and Andre 3000 in Four Brothers.

While not the first director to portray Hip-Hop stars in his or her films, USA Weekend Magazine editor Craig Barboza argues that Singleton “became the first to translate the politics and passion of the music into an artfully woven story that didn’t speak down to its audience.”

As a producer, Singleton also helped cultivate the well-received films Hustle and Flow and Black Snake Moan.

John Singleton: Interviews is available now in paperback for $22 and unjacketed cloth for $50.

Singleton is currently working with Marvel Studios and Columbia pictures to direct the film adaptation of super-hero Luke Cage.

Golden era Hip-Hop group Lord of the Underground have announced the 22-date Check The Rhyme Tour of Europe, which is slated to kick off February 1, in the Netherlands.

The group will hit major markets during the tour, which stops in the Netherlands, the UK, France, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, as well several stops in major German cities like Vienna and Austria.

The Lords of The Underground consists rappers Do It All and Mr. Funke and DJ Lord.

The Lords are best known for their hit records “Chief Rocka” and “Funky Child.”

Group member “Do It All” Du Kelly is also the founder of Lord Gang Worldwide, which helps guide independent artists within the entertainment industry.

He is also the new host of Doitall Radio, which arist on Streetz 96.5 FM broadcasting in the New Jersey area and on the Internet on www.streetz96.com.

Tour dates are listed below:

1 FEB Effenaar / Eindhoven / Netherlands 2 FEB Indigo / London / Uk 3 FEB TRAVEL DAY >>>>>> 4 FEB Havana /Toulouse / France 5 FEB Tba /Bordeaux / France 6 FEB Transbordeur/ lyon / France 7 FEB Elesee mont mantre /Paris / France 8 FEB tba / Zurich / Switserland 9 FEB tba /Frankfurt / germany 10 FEB Vega /CopenHagen/ Denmark 11 FEB Sticky fingers/ Gothenburg / Sweden 12 FEB tba /Trondheim / Denmark 13 FEB Ra / Oslo / Norway 14 FEB tba/ Helsinki / Finland 15 FEB tba /Stockholm / Sweden 16 FEB tba /Hamburg / germany 17 FEB tba/ Cologne/ Germany 18 FEB tba/ berlin /Germany 19 FEB tba /Prague / CHech republic 20 FEB Backstage/ munich /Germany 21 FEB tba/ Stutgart / Germany 22 FEB tba /Vienna / Austria

DMX appeared in a Phoenix court room today (January 30), where he was sentenced to 90 days in prison.

The 38-year-old rapper, who is currently in the Maricopa, Arizona jail, appeared before a Maricopa, County judge in black and white pin stripes, looking noticeably heavier.

The judge sentenced DMX to three months in prison, after Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies raided his Cave Creek, Arizona home last year on suspicion of animal abuse.

Investigators found several malnourished dogs, as well as the charred remains of three others.

Also recovered were guns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.

He was also accused of felony theft, after he gave a fake name and social security numbers to workers treating him at a Scottsdale clinic last April.

As expected, several charges against the rapper were dropped in exchange for his plea of guilty.

The rapper must also serve 18 months supervised probation. The sentencing marks the end of almost a full year of warrants, raids and multiple arrests.

He was eventually apprehended December 9 in the Miami mansion of producer Scott Storch.

Since his incarceration, DMX has been reading the bible each day and is planning a religious themed television show to teach children a positive message.

This weekend’s Super Bowl game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be the only thing promoting a spirit of celebration.

Hip Hop 4 Habitat will cap off more than a week of building homes for needy families by joining forces with the Hip Hop Soda shop to build what it calls the Champion’s house.

The two-week effort, which involves volunteers from the Tampa Bay, Florida Area, provides affordable housing for more than six families.

Construction of the Champion’s house will start at 6 a.m. Sunday (Feb. 1) at Renaissance Hotel Tampa, International Plaza.

A Habitat family will receive the completed home, which will be taken to the home state of the team that wins the Super Bowl.

Other project collaborators include Habitat for Humanity Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties as well as the NFL’s Community Impact Program.

Hip Hop Soda Shop founder Brian Peters expressed his gratitude in working with the organizations as he labeled the collective effort as “a platform for revitalizing the community,”

“We are taking a stance and playing our part in rebuilding this great country of ours,” Peters said via a statement to AllHipHop.com. “This week we represent Hip-Hop in showing the world the contributions we can make in our communities and worldwide.”

The Champion’s house is the second residence involving Hip Hop 4 Habitat.

The organization, whose first home was built last year in Detroit, is dedicated towards partnering with Habitat for Humanity international affiliates in an effort to encourage prominent Hip-Hop artists to use their influence and affluence to serve others and assist in building homes.

Less than 24 hours after being called out 50 Cent’s new diss “Try me,” Rick Ross has begun his own attack against his adversary’s credibility.

Ironically, Rick Ross appeared on Eminem’s Shade45 XM/Sirius satellite station during an appearance on Angela Yee’s “Lip Service” show.

The rapper spoke on the reason for launching the first salvo, “Mafia Music,” and an alleged confrontation at last year’s BET awards.

“It’s nothing that can be personal,” Ross explained. “I seen him at the BET awards. I had different intentions for him, and when I bumped into him he made an expression on his face that disappointed me as a real n*gga. I gave him a pass. [But] it (“Mafia Music”) was just to let n*gga’s know.”

Regarding 50’s rebuttal, Ross accused the Queens native of shaming his region’s legacy of classic diss records.

“I was positive that couldn’t be the response,” quipped an incredulous Ross. “You from New York City, the Mecca of Hip-Hop, and that’s your response?! We’re all gonna act like we didn’t hear that garbage for 48 hours. Go back to the lab and come up with something else.”

On Wednesday (January 28), Ross held a lavish celebration for his 33rd birthday. The rapper first held a private yacht dinner with family and close friends.

Later, Ross ventured to Miami’s Karu and Y nightclub and performed selected songs. Ross also revealed plans to release his third album, Deeper Than Rap, in April.

The first single, “I’m the Magnificent,” features John Legend and is prepped to hit radio outlets next week.

“I think its going to be one of the biggest albums of the year,” Ross stated. “This is the Rick Ross you haven’t seen or heard and expect some surprises along the way.”

At press time, confirmed guest appearance for Deeper Than Rap include Nas, Usher, Akon, Mary J. Blige, and Usher.

With President Barack Obama as inspiration, Fonzworth Bentley is playing a more active role in the second season of his hit MTV reality show From G’s to Gents.

Bentley’s investment in the series as a co-producer is one that relies on reinforcing its ability to present more options for those on the verge of making important choices.

Viewers will learn more about the G’s this season, as the show takes a deeper look at the men via real-life stories of the participants’ past and present lives up until they experience their first day on the show.

“From Gs to Gents is not just another television show for me and the crew. This is a transformational program whose desire is to help young men expand their choices in life,” Bentley stated. “It was important for me to be a part of the production team so that I can add another layer of support to our mission.”

Created by Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx, From G’s to Gents chronicles the transformation of a group of men who opt to shed their bad boy persona in favor of a better image.

The first season of the series featured 14 G’s who competed for a chance to be invited into the “Gentleman’s Club.”

The upcoming season will include 16 G’s who will be guided through new lessons and challenges that range in style, chivalry, work ethic and philanthropy.

How well and willingly the participants learn the lessons to become a “gentleman” will be shown in each of the show’s 10 one-hour long episodes.

G’s who aren’t successful in becoming gentlemen are eliminated each week and denied membership in to the “Gentleman’s Club.”

The G who masters what he learns will receive $100,000 at the end of the season as well the opportunity to call himself a true gentleman.

He will also join last year’s winner, Creepa, as a member of the Gentleman’s Club.

“President Obama is the ultimate example of the redefinition of ‘Cool,’” Bentley continued. “He’s helping young men see that with an education, having clear goals, confidence and style; they too can reach for the stars. That’s what this movement is all about.”

The new season of From G’s to Gents will kick off with a 90-minute premiere at 10 p.m. ET/PT Feb. 10.

The reality show will follow rapper T.I.’s new series, T.I.’s Road to Redemption: 45 Days to Go.

In the tradition of supplying wacky Super Bowl ads, Cash4Gold.com is purchasing advertising time for a commercial featuring former NBC late night host Ed McMahon and early 90s Hip-Hop star MC Hammer.

Cash4Gold.com is currently recognized as America’s top purchaser of precious metals. The organization sees its profits from buying the platinum, gold, and silver items from the general public.

With Super Bowl XLIII, the company saw a can’t miss opportunity to present their brand to an audience likely looking for alternate ways to supplement their income.

“It’s an American tradition to find entrepreneurial solutions to the most pressing challenges,” explained Cash4Gold President Howard Mofshin explained. “Cash4Gold invented a new way to unlock the value of the stuff that we all have laying around the house, making it easier for hundreds of thousands of people to get by. That’s the key message our spot brings to the Super Bowl audience.”

The ad, titled “One-up,” showcases Hammer and McMahon reviewing Cash4Gold’s service and offering personal gold items for the company’s “Refiner Pouch.”

The stars themselves are no strangers to financial troubles. Hammer, despite selling 30 million records, filed for bankruptcy in 1996 with debts of over $13 million dollars.

In 2008, Ed McMahon faced foreclosure proceedings after a neck injury prevented him from working for over a year.

Now healthy, the retired TV icon and former Publisher’s Clearance House spokesman is ecstatic to be hawking products again.

“Times are tough for everyone, but Cash4Gold is there to help,” McMahon stated. “They provide a safe, guaranteed, and private way to get some extra money when you really need it. I’ve used Cash4Gold before, and that’s why I am happy to spread the word by appearing in their ad.”

The Hammer collaboration marks Ed McMahon’s second Hip-Hop related venture.

Last September, McMahon created a viral rap video for freecreditreport.com, speaking on the dangers of excess and recognizing your financial limits.