CBS have given the green light for a full season of the network’s latest hit series, NCIS: Los Angeles, which stars rapper LL Cool J.

NCIS: Los Angeles is the network’s new #1 program of the season, averaging 17.47 million viewers over the past three broadcasts.

In addition to LL Cool J., the series stars Chris O’Donnell, Linda Hunt, Peter Cambor, Adam Jamal Craig and Daniela Ruah.

NCIS: Los Angeles is the second successful TV series that LL Cool J has starred in.

The rapper/actor also starred in In The House, which originally debuted in 1995 on NBC, before switching to UPN where the show aired until in 1999.

In addition to celebrating 25 years since the release of their first album, revered Hip-Hop group De La Soul is in the studio working on a brand new album of material for 2010.

The group’s last official release was an iTunes – only collaboration with Nike titled Are You In?, De La’s first official release in over five years.

According to Dave (Trugoy the Dove), De La Soul’s new album will be released in 2010 and will feature the group’s innovative approach to Hip-Hop music.

While De La Soul hasn’t confirmed a name for the album, the group is kicking around a number titles, including You’re Welcome.

De La Soul’s Are You In is currently available for purchase for $9.99.

Rap pioneers Kid-N-Play will celebrate 20 years this weekend in Atlanta during the 2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards on October 10. Christopher “Kid” Reid and Christopher “Play” Martin will be featured presenters during the awards show, which takes place at The Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. In addition to releasing a number of popular Hip-Hop dance records, the duo helped take rap music mainstream via their House Party series of hit movies, in addition to the comedy flick Class Act. Representatives for the rappers said Kid-N-Play may demonstrate their signature dance movies, The Funky Charleston and the Kid-N-Play Kickstep.

Masta Ace and Ed O.G. have been forced to delay their Arts & Entertainment project, after receiving a cease and desist letter from the A&E television network. The pair released a spoof of “The First 48 Hours” but plans to drop a follow-up video were halted, when the network’s legal eagles claimed the duo was infringing on A&E’s registered trademark for the series. The entire album has been pushed back until November 3, due to issues with the cover artwork. “It’s unfortunate that we got pushed back, but sometimes unexpected things happen,” Masta Ace reasoned. “We both love the A&E Network and watch a lot of the programming. This is only a small setback, we want the Network to be okay with everything before we blast off with this great music.”

Cash Money Records’ hot streak continues with their latest signing, UK based artist Jay Sean. Jay Sean’s latest single “Down” featuring Lil Wayne recently hit #1 on the Top 40 Radio Charts, according to airplay tracking companies MediaBase and BDS. The track marks Cash Money’s first #1 record on Top 40 Radio. “Down” has also sold over 1 million copies since its release two months ago. “Jay Sean’s tremendous success proves the Cash Money creed that great music and great artists know no boundaries,” said Ronald ‘Slim’ Williams, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Cash Money Records. “We congratulate Jay and thank the Universal Republic staff for their hard work in locking down the #1 slot in so many platforms. We’ve only just begun.”

Fabolous recently took to Twitter to clarify his recent Tweets about fellow New York rapper 50 Cent and his recent ThisIs50 Festival, which took place last weekend (October 3) on Governors Island.

“Woke up 2 see my twitter topic of discussion bout da 50 Cent concert was taken out of context. Made what i said look like im hatin or dissin,” Fabolous Tweeted today (October 7).”

Fabolous was referring to the 50 Cent-sponsored ThisIs50 Festival, which featured a number of New York Hip-Hop acts united at one performance, after years of in-fighting amongst the local rap community.

On Tuesday, Fabolous shared his opinion on the concert and blamed 50 Cent for being one of the reason’s the New York Hip-Hop scene was so fragmented.

“It’s interesting to see 50 Cent unite with NY artists when he’s one of the reasons NY hip hop became so isolated & crumbled,” Fabolous Tweeted on Tuesday (October 6). “I wonder if this is a law in the ’50th Law of Power’ book? I guess it was a good show for New York.. But if you asked 50 a few years ago if he ever saw himself on stage with any of them, he would’ve said HELL NO!”

50 Cent reacted to Fabolous‘ statements with a press release on ThisIs50.com, claiming that he was disappointed with Fabolous’ opinion.

“Reading what Fab said about me on Twitter was disappointing. I have extended myself to Fab personally to allow him to expand himself as an international touring artist. I thought we were friends, but that’s cool.”

In his latest series of Tweets, Fabolous went into detail, claiming that he was not trying to feud with the G-Unit general.

“Def wasnt hatin,” Fab Tweeted. “I said if anything it was a good show 4 NY.. And i was invited 2 perform too, BUT i had my own show 2 do at Lincoln U,” the rapper said, shooting down reports that he was not invited to the festival.

Fabolous did not back down from his general opinion and said that he was merely pointing out the facts, based on 50 Cent’s career, which has included feuds with New York rappers like Cam’ron, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, D-Block and others.

“I actually tip my hat 2 50 4 all he has done, but n his help 2 the city theres been some hurt 2 the city.. & i dont/didnt blame him entirely,” Fabolous said.

50 Cent has not issued a statement in regards to Fabolous’ explanation.

In his previous press release about the matter, he offered up some advice from his new book The 50th Law.

“Law #2: Never put too much trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies. Be wary of friends — they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy.”

Within the confines of the current rap scene, Queen Latifah has seen a shift in the landscape, with a noticeable lack of female rhymesayers.

So much so, the veteran entertainer admitted to USA Today how concerned she was about hip-hop’s silent female representation in rap.

“Never in my career do I remember rap being so male-dominated,” Latifah said. “In videos, women are basically shown as the girl you shake the booty with. They’re objectified.”

Although it may seem non-existent, Latifah is quick to say that “there are females out there who can rap, who listen to rap” while advocating the importance of equal representation in the music.

“Missy and Lil’ Kim and the young up-and-coming ones need an opportunity to be heard,” she said. “I think we’re all masculine and feminine, and a society can’t be right if you don’t honor the feminine voice.”

Latifah’s comments come amid her return to rap with her latest album, Persona. The release, which features appearances from Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and Mary J. Blige as well as production from Cool & Dre and The Neptunes, follows the Oscar nominee’s forays into singing with 2004’s The Dana Owens Album and 2007’s Trav’lin’ Light.

Among the songs featured on Persona is “The World,” a song in which Latifah alludes to an incident in which she was molested when she was 5-years-old by a male babysitter.

According to the rapper, the tune provided the perfect outlet to express her feelings regarding the incident.

“It was important for me to write that, to get it off my chest. And to discuss it with a therapist, and tell my parents — which I did, eventually, though it took me about 20 years. And hopefully it will be helpful to someone out there who has gone through a similar situation,” said the rapper, who admitted the incident “left me not knowing how to deal with certain things.”

In support of Persona, which was released in August, Latifah will embark on a month-long concert tour.

The outing, which is scheduled to kick off November 1 in Seattle, will be a welcome experience for the rapper, who expressed her excitement at hitting the road with her new material.

“I know I’ll have so much fun rocking these new songs on stage, and, of course, playing older favorites,” she said.

Outside of music, Latifah will return to the big screen as she appears in the upcoming romantic comedies Valentine’s Day with Jamie Foxx and Jessica Alba and Just Wright with fellow rapper/actor Common.

Both films are slated to hit theaters next year.