Hip-Hop activist, journalist, and community organizer Rosa Clemente has announced intentions to run for vice president of the United States with Green Party presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney.

The announcement comes as the Democrat and Republican parties finalize their conventions and jockey for position in the upcoming November election.

“I am honored and excited to accept this invitation to run with Cynthia McKinney,” Clemente explained to AllHipHop.com. “She is a hero to me and many others across this country and around the world for her courage in standing up to George Bush while the Democratic Party establishment caved.”

Clemente, a New York Westchester County native, was a co-founder of the National Hip-Hop Political Convention in 2003.

The initial meeting drew over 3,000 activists.

Now in 2008, she feels Hip-Hop culture is primed to make an impact in this year’s presidential campaign beyond the standard issues being discussed by the two main parties.

“This campaign is the opportunity the Hip-Hop generation has been working for,” she stated. “This is our time to address the issues affecting our communities: rising unemployment, the high cost of food and housing, a lack of quality public education and access to higher education, the prison-industrial complex, and unaccountable corporate media. These issues are not being addressed by either the Republican or Democratic nominee.”

When asked if the run was simply for media exposure, since the likely winner will be Barack Obama or John McCain, Clemente is adamant that the campaign is simply focused on repairing societal ills.

“I choose to do this, not for me, but for my generation, my community, and my daughter,” Clemente stated firmly. “I don’t see the Green Party as an alternative; I see it as an imperative. I trust that my Vice Presidential run will inspire all people, but especially young people of color, to recognize that we have more than two choices. Together, we can build the future we’ve been wanting.”

M1 of Dead Prez, who previously has stated he didn’t believe in the voting system, has reconsidered now that Clemente has joined the presidential race.

“I’ve never voted in the Presidential election; I’ve never felt strongly enough about a candidate to,” M1 revealed. “Knowing that Rosa Clemente is down with Cynthia McKinney’s run, I feel that now is the greatest opportunity for the Hip-Hop community to put our collective strength and power to the test and vote for someone who represents who we are and what we stand for.”

For more information, visit www.rosaclemente.com and www.runcynthiarun.com

Check out Alana’s interview on Lip Service.

Rapper AZ has teamed with DJ Absolut to release a controversial new mixtape titled N.4.L. (N***az 4 Life.).

In addition to songs such as “Knowledge Freedom,” “Runaway Slave,” “Conspiracy,” “Negro Spiritual,” and “Self Savior,” the mixtape features images of the past, which include a black and white picture of civil rights protestors being violently hosed by firemen on the cover.

N.4.L. also references historical lynchings and makes analogies to today’s rappers by featuring an illustration of AZ hanging on a noose on the inside jacket.

AZ is quick to point out a difference between his album N.4.L. and that of his rhyming partner Nas’ who’s upcoming album is untitled, but was formely titled N***er.

“I’m not doing N.4.L. to be in Nas’ shadow,” AZ told AllHipHop.com. “I was inspired by the message behind the movement. I’m just adding to the concept because the message is so powerful. It’s about our culture and our people. He and I are cut from the same cloth, so I understood where he would have gone with it if the forces hadn’t intervened.”

The controversial title ignited discussion among rap fans as well as those at Nas’ label Def Jam, who later persuaded the rapper to change the title of the release, which is scheduled to hit stores on Tuesday (July 15).

“The title N.4.L. has a dual meaning for me. The first suggests that no matter what you achieve in life, as a black man, even if you become President Of The United States, in someone’s eyes, you’ll always be looked at as a ‘n***a for life,'” the rapper said as he revealed how title pinpoints a gap between generations in regard to the use of the n-word. “I’m from the ’80s era and our experiences with the ‘n’ word are different. Growing up, ‘n***a’ was just our way of communicating and acknowledging each other. You might roll up on someone and say what’s up my n***a. Depending on who is saying it, you may not be offended. Although I understood what my mom and grandparents felt about the word, it’s not the experience of our generation.”

As for whether the mixtape and Nas’ untitled album will result in a collaboration between the two lyricists, AZ confessed that both offerings serve a purpose in bringing both artists’ views to the forefront.

“The closest thing to us rhyming together for now is the N.4.L. mixtape,” AZ shared. “You’ll get him burning the candle from one end, [and me] burning the candle from the other end, [and] at the end of the day we gotta meet up in the middle. What you didn’t get from Nas, you can get from AZ.”

AZ’s N.4.L. mixtape is slated to be released on Aug. 5.

Queens, New York-based rapper Grafh is set to reap the benefits of a new deal between his recording home, Black Hand Entertainment and Koch Records.

Grafh’s forthcoming album, The Evolution, will be the first project under a new alliance between Williams’ Black Hand Entertainment and Koch.

“Koch Records has been at the forefront of indie music for some time,” Black Hand CEO Chaz William told AllHipHop.com. “This is the perfect climate for what we do at Black Hand as an independent movement.”

The Koch/Black Hand deal is the latest development in the career of Grafh, who caught the attention of music fans as a fixture on the mixtape scene.

Songs from Grafh, who is also Black Hand Entertainment’s President, have been featured on the small screen on HBO’s Entourage, Fox’s Method and Red and BET’s Ultimate Hustler, as well as various video games, including EA Sport’s NFL Streets, Saint’s Row and 25 to Life.

Grafh’s current single, “Like Ohh” recently hit radio nationwide.

“Like Ohh’ is the first in a succession of singles leading up to the release of my first commercial album, The Evolution. It’s the perfect summer street record that recognizes the change in the climate of the music industry,” Grafh said.

Grafh’s The Evolution is slated to hit stores this fall.

A remix to “Like Ohh” featuring Busta Rhymes is set to arrive at radio outlets in the coming weeks.

Reports have circulated over the past few days implicating famed choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson in a nightclub brawl at Missy’s birthday party.

In an exclusive interview, the talented artist cleared up the rumors on her role in the fight that left a waitress injured and her makeup artist Deborah Padilla arrested.

“When I read the paper I was in shock,” Gibson explained to AllHipHop.com. “I was with Missy having a great time and didn’t even know there was a fight. I found out later it was my makeup artist and I got to her the next day.”

Gibson criticizes the venue, Marquee nightclub, for allegedly not providing a safe environment for patrons to enjoy themselves.

“I really find it offensive that they are [allegedly] always doing something to my black sisters and brothers,” Gibson declared. “That club is a little extra in my opinion and it’s disappointing.”

The New York Post reported the fight stemmed from a waitress shoving Deborah Padilla in an attempt to get to rapper Busta Rhymes.

The alleged fight resulted in the waitress filing charges and Padilla being arrested for assault.

Gibson defended her friend’s response to the hostile situation.

“She (the waitress) pushed her and Deborah’s reaction was ‘I’m from Brooklyn, you’re not going to just be pressing up on me and disrespecting me’,” Gibson reasoned. “It was an unfortunate situation but I don’t roll with people who start trouble. She’s an amazing makeup artist and more importantly a strong black woman. It was just a case of someone feeling themselves at a nightclub and getting extra which happens all the time to a lot of us in entertainment.”

Laurie Ann Gibson released her first single earlier this year entitled “Addictive.”

Her Rodney Jerkins produced second single “Not Your Typical Girl” is due out later this year.

Gibson is known from her choreographical work on the Making the Band series and the film Honey.

Reports are circulating that bitterness over a broken promise erupted in violence as The Game and first cousin Robert “Kirky” Kirkwood fought at the funeral for Kirkwood’s sister on July 5.Kirkwood told tmz.com that The Game had promised to pay half of the $14,000 bill to bury his sister. According to Kirkwood, after making the promise, the Compton MC changed his phone number and deliberately began avoiding him.After an unspecified time of no contact, The Game then showed up unexpectedly at the funeral, and Kirkwood became upset as the rapper spoke at the service about family values and kinship.Outside he confronted Game about the unpaid debt, and Kirkwood alleges his cousin punched him in the face.Kirkwood has since filed a police report, and the precinct has confirmed that the altercation was over money. An investigation is ongoing.The Game is prepped to release  his highly anticipated third LP entitled L.A.X. on August 26th , which he has hinted may be his last album.The Game has not commented on the altercation or alleged debt at press time.

The Ozone Awards and Tastemaker’s Only Conference are moving out of Florida for the first time in it’s three year history.

Organizers Julia Beverly, publisher of Ozone Magazine, and Thomas “TJ” Chapman, founder of TJ’s DJ’s, have selected Houston, TX to host the four-day event, set for August 8-11th.

“We always planned to move the show to different cities to expand our audience. Since we held the awards in our home state of Florida the past two years [Orlando and Miami], we decided to switch it up for the 3rd Annual Awards and scouted out several locations before choosing Houston,” Ozone founder and publisher Julia Beverly told AllHipHop.com. “Houston is a great market for Ozone and has one of the most successful independent Hip-Hop scenes in the country, and their own distinctive sound. Whether Houston is in the national spotlight or not, there are dozens of artists who sell records and have built a fan base right in their own backyard. At this year’s Ozone Awards, we definitely plan to show some love to the city and honor some of Texas’ fallen legends.”

The Ozone Awards weekend consists of two days of artist-driven speaking panels and one-on-one workshops via the TJ’s DJ’s Tastemakers Conference, which brings together aspiring artists, DJs, and music professionals with some of the best in their respective fields.

“Just like the past two years, the Ozone Awards weekend is a collaboration with TJ’s DJ’s Tastemakers Music Conference,” Beverly explained. “It is the best place for networking and building relationships with key DJs, artists, music executives, and all-around hustlers. The conference is going to be informative, the parties are going to be crazy, and the award show will feature some classics as well as some new breaking music.”

The weekend also includes a sponsored fashion and invite-only events, culminating in the Awards show itself, which recognizes the top Southern Artists in the game in 20 categories.

The 3rd Annual OZONE Awards, will take place on Monday, August 11 at 7 pm at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.

“Our event has played a key role in introducing acts like Plies, T-Pain, Rick Ross, Lil Boosie & Webbie, Soulja Boy, and Flo Rida to the world,” Beverly stated. The Ozone Awards has also featured established artists like Lil Wayne and Ludacris and classic moments like UGK on stage together after Pimp C’s release [from prison]. With the support that we continue to receive from artists, record labels, and the industry in general, one day the Ozone Awards could be bigger than the Grammys, the BET Awards, and the MTV VMAs combined. No matter how big the show gets our goal is always to be on the cutting edge featuring the hottest new acts & records.”

Producer QD3 has announced plans to release the first ever DVD biopic on the life and career of Lil Wayne.

The embryonic project aims to chronicle Wayne’s family background and what drives his famous work ethic.

“We at Young Money are thrilled to be working with QD3 on production of The Carter,” explained Wayne’s manager Cortez Bryant to AllHipHop.com. “As Weezy’s manager and lifelong friend, I am excited to see Wayne’s story documented with truth and sincerity.”

Directed by Independent Spirit Award winner Adam Lough, the film also features exclusive interviews with Wayne and his close personal friends.

“Not only is Wayne the hottest musician in the business, but his life story reads something like a Hollywood script enabling this film to break boundaries,” Cortez continued. “And there’s no doubt this film will exceed any and all expectations. He’s a f**king rock star!”

QD3, born Quincy Jones III is also the creator of the highly successful Beef series.

Jones agrees that Wayne has achieved the status of an elite artist.

“In my career as a music/film producer I’ve been blessed to have worked with some of the best artists of our time including Tupac, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Ice Cube, and others,” QD3 elaborated. “Lil Wayne is definitely on that same level in that he is a true artist and he’s not afraid to push the envelope on any level which makes him original.”

With only one previous bio to his credit, Tupac Shakur’s Thug Angel, QD3 stressed that Wayne’s importance as an artist inspired him to make another biographical release.

“Our only bio to date is Tupac Shakur-Thug Angel,” he stated. “I think that speaks for the regard we have for Wayne’s position in music history as a classic artist. The goal is to go beyond a standard doc and create a theatrical product that will serve as the definitive documentation of Wayne’s life and career.”

The Carter film is scheduled for release in 2009.

The teaser trailer can viewed at http://qd3.com/?releaseid=776243614

Charges against Snoop Dogg’s wife have been dropped due to lack of evidence, according to published reports. Shante Broadus, 32, was arrested on June 15 in Fullerton, California and charged with suspicion of driving under the influence, apparently from marijuana. The Orange County District Attorney recently rejected the case, due to lack of evidence to prove that she was impaired while operating her vehicle.