R&B/pop singer Rihanna has been subpoenaed to testify in the assault case against fellow vocalist Chris Brown.

According to Rihanna’s lawyer Donald Etra, his client was served in person on Tuesday (June 9) in Los Angeles with the order to appear in Superior Court for Brown’s hearing on June 22.

“Rihanna was served at my office by L.A. DA investigators,” Etra told People magazine. “If the preliminary hearing indeed goes forward, she is now legally required to be there, she will be there, and will answer all questions truthfully.”

The upcoming hearing will be an important chapter in the continuing saga surrounding Brown’s alleged assault on Rihanna as it will determine if enough evidence is present to bring the case to trial.

The 20-year-old crooner, who is accused of beating the songbird in February, has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts following the alleged incident.

With her appearance in court, Rihanna will be open to cross examination by Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos.

A plea deal could end the case at anytime, making the hearing unnecessary, People reports.

News of Rihanna’s subpoena comes amid word that Geragos’ bid to delay the preliminary hearing was rejected.

Earlier this month, the attorney filed an appeal to delay the hearing.

Court records reveal the appeal was rejected on Tuesday, with no reason given.

In addition, Geragos’ bid to gain access to police records he deemed crucial to the hearing was separately rejected.

In his appeal, Geragos noted that a state Supreme Court case currently under consideration could affect Brown’s access to the records.

Based on this, the attorney sought to have the hearing delayed.

Two Block Entertainment producers have filed a joint lawsuit against the Atlanta-based label, citing the breach of several contracts and a failure to pay royalties on the label’s part.

The suit was filed in Atlanta by Dee Jay Dana, born Dana Ramey, and Flawda Water, born Lester Purnell, on Tuesday.

The pair claim that Block Entertainment, LLC fraudulently entered both producers into an agreement with EMI April Music by forging their signatures in a 2006 agreement between the companies.

The plaintiffs claim to have each entered into an “In House Producer Agreement” with Block Ent, with Ramey signing his agreement in April 2006, and Purnell following suit in July of the same year.

Under the agreement, both producers were to obtain rights on the music they received as well as royalties on the sale of those recordings.

Both claim they never received what was promised under the contracts, despite having fulfilled their specified duties.

The lawsuit further claims that the “In House Producer agreements” signed by both Ramey and Purnell were instrumental in Block Entertainment securing a deal with EMI April Music, Inc. in July 2006.

The deal also transferred both beatmakers’ rights to EMI, a transfer they claim was made possible because they claim their signatures were forged on the documents.

Furthermore, the two claim that the deal bound them to EMI “for a period that has hindered their ability to continue working as music producers.”

The court documents also bring into question agreements signed by each producer for specific songs produced in 2006 and 2007 for Block Entertainment artists, stating that not only have the producers failed to receive the royalties due for their work, they also failed to receive full advance payment for the recordings.

Ramey produced “New Joc City” and “Flip Flop” for Yung Joc’s 2006 debut.

Between 2006 and 2007, he also produced two songs on Gorilla Zoe’s debut Welcome to the Zoo, including the album’s lead single “Hood Figga,” and the bulk of Boyz N Da Hood’s sophomore effort Back Up n Da Chevy, including the lead single “Everybody Know Me.”

Pursuant to the agreements signed for each song, Ramey was to have received a total of $82,500 in advances, plus the applicable royalties yielded from the sale of those projects.

To date, however, Ramey claims to have only received $41,250, or half of the advances due on each song.

Purnell, who produced the song “I Know” from Welcome to the Zoo, stated he has only received $2500 of the $5000 advance stipulated in his contract, with no royalty payments received.

The two producers have requested a trial by jury and a judgment that would cover their back owed monies and legal fees.

They are also seeking punitive damages against Block Entertainment in connection to the alleged fraud perpetrated in the negations with EMI.

Both Block Entertainment founder and CEO Russell “Block” Spencer and label president Rico Brooks declined AllHipHop.com’s request for comment.

After 5 years as a mainstay on Irv Gotti’s The Inc., R&B singer Lloyd has declared his time with the former powerhouse label has “run its course.”

Although he released his third LP in August 2008, the young crooner feels his career has become stagnant in the wake of The Inc’s separation from parent label Universal Records.

“I’m ready for a change,” Lloyd told AllHipHop.com. “There’s no bad blood. I just feel I need to take more control over my career and get a fresh start. Hopefully Irv can understand my position.”

Lloyd’s announcement comes just one month following the departure of Inc first lady Ashanti, who was granted a contract release after years of distancing herself from the beleaguered label’s legal and professional conflicts.

While his own situation plays out, Lloyd is moving forward with a new mixtape to build anticipation for his fourth studio album.

“We have plans to get in the studio with Jim Jonsin, The Runners, Cool & Dre, Rodney Jerkins, and others,” Lloyd detailed. “In the future, I still hope to work with Irv as a producer as well.”

Lloyd’s manager Henry “Noonie” Lee framed his client’s decision as an essential business necessity to prevent any further career monotony.

“We find ourselves in limbo for the second time in three years,” Lee told AllHipHop.com in a statement. It’s frustrating to know that opportunities to advance Lloyd’s career are out there but we can’t exploit them due to our current situation. Even though Lloyd is appreciative of the opportunity that has been afforded him by The Inc, he feels it’s time for him to move on and seek opportunities that will allow him to build and enhance his brand.”

At press time, Inc CEO Irv Gotti could not be reached for comment.

 Lloyd is best known for his hit single’s “You” and “Get It Shawty.”

 He released three albums on The Inc: Southside (2004) Street Love (2007) and his most recent, Lessons In Love (2008).

Fans of Royce da 5’9” will get more than an earful of new music as the Detroit lyricist gears up to unleash a slew of material for eager listeners.

Royce’s first release will be the digital only EP The Revival.

The offering will include songs from the rapper’s upcoming album Street Hop as well as a new unreleased track from the group Slaughterhouse.

According to Royce, The Revival will be the first in a series of digital EPs released from the Slaughterhouse camp as Royce and fellow members Joell Ortiz, Crooked I and Joe Budden prepare for the July release of the super group’s self-titled debut album.

“The Revival will give people a chance to see what I’ve been up to and what to expect from the album,” Royce stated. “The month of July will belong to Slaughterhouse with the release of our full length group album and solo EP’s from me followed by Joell, Joey and Crooked. We will show fans why we are the ones to watch.”

In addition to The Revival, a new Slaughterhouse song not featured on the group’s album will be featured on each member’s solo digital EPs throughout July.

The arrival of the Slaughterhouse album and The Revival serve as preparation for Royce’s Street Hop.

The rapper’s fourth album, which will be executive produced by DJ Premier, concludes a lengthy process spanning almost two years.

To further anticipation for his new releases, Royce will spend the summer on the road with Slaughterhouse as part of the Rock the Bells tour.

A new single and video for The Revival is set to debut in the coming weeks.

Royce da 5’9”’s The Revival is slated to be released July 7 to all major digital outlets, while Street Hop hits stores on September 22.

The following is a list of Rock the Bells tour dates featuring Slaughterhouse:

June 27 – Chicago, IL – First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre June 28 – Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre July 5 – Toronto, ONT – Molson Amphitheatre July 12 – Baltimore. MD/DC – Meriweather Post Pavilion July 18 – Boston, MA – Comcast Center July 19 – New York, NY – Jones Beach Amphitheatre August 1 – Vancouver, BC – Deer Lake Park August 2 – Calgary, AB – Shaw Millennium Park August 6 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre August 8 – Los Angeles, CA – Glen Helen Amphitheatre August 9 – San Francisco, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre

Harlem rapper and now convicted murderer Max B has released an official statement regarding his guilty verdict.

Yesterday (June 9) a jury found Max, real name Charly Wingate, guilty on 9 of 11 counts of felony murder and conspiracy charges in the death of David Taylor.

The 29-year old was killed execution style during botched robbery that cooperating witness Gina Conway said was orchestrated by Wingate.

With an official sentencing looming next month, Max expressed thankfulness for the support from friends and fans during the trial, and his desire to move forward with an immediate appeal.

“Thank you to all my fans for the continuous love and support during my trial,” Max explained to AllHipHop.com in a prepared statement. “With the advice of my attorney, family and friends I’ve decided to appeal my conviction, with full belief that I will be found innocent of all charges. This has been a long journey but, I have full faith that there will be a positive outcome and I will be cleared of all erroneous allegations.”

Despite his ex-girlfriend’s testimony, Gina Conway will still serve 18 years in prison for her role in the murder.

Max B and his step-brother co-defendant Kelvin Leerdam will stand before a judge on July 30, where both men face a maximum life sentence.

50 Cent will be the latest celebrity jumping into the fragrance business, via a new partnership with Lighthouse Beauty. The rapper’s first scent is named “Power by 50 Cent” and will be sold exclusively via a partnership with department store chain Macy’s.

Queen Latifah, Wyclef, Aretha Franklin and TLC will headline the Mandela Day Celebration next month in New York. The concert marks the first time the United States has hosted a Mandela Day concert. The event will take place at Madison Square Garden on July 18 and will also feature performances by Cyndi Lauper, Josh Groban and others. The annual event has taken place in a variety of countries over the years, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Norway and Nelson Mandela’s hometown of South Africa. Nelson Mandela served 27 years in prison, for fighting Apartheid in South Africa.

Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons hosted powerful House Speaker Nancy Pelosi yesterday (June 10) in Washington D.C. Simmons’ non-profit Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) teamed with Daphna Ziman’s Children Uniting Nations to host a one-day event titled “Keeping the Promise to Our Children.” The event featured various legislators and entertainers, who were championing a number of issues relevant to today’s youth, including health care, financial literacy, foster care and education. Terrence Howard, Gabrielle Union, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-Louisiana), Rep. Joseph Crowley (D -New York) and others attended. “Intervening in the lives of these young people, giving them a sense of dignity and worth, providing them with more opportunities, therefore, is one of the most important things you can do, not just for them, which is the most important thing, but for the strength of our country,” Pelosi told reporters.

Kanye West’s relationship with video model Amber Rose is officially over, according to reports. For weeks rumors have surfaced that the pair were no longer a couple. A representative for West confirmed the split in today’s New York Post. “They are no longer a couple,” a representative for West stated. Rose and West had been dating since February of 2009. Rose has been in numerous rap videos with rappers like Young Jeezy and Ludacris.