Miami rapper Pitbull

is preparing to release his sophomore album El Mariel.The

new release is named after the infamous Cuban boatlift that relocated almost 125,000

Cubanos to Florida. According to Pitbull, El Mariel will offer a political perspective

from the rapper, who addresses the current state of his native Cuba, as well as

the war in Iraq.“They

have this misconception about Pit,” the 25-year-old MC said. “They’ll

say, ‘He’s just this Latin rapper, he’s a reggaeton act, he’s crunk.’ They

don’t know what to say about me. [After El Mariel] a lot of folks are gonna

start saying, ‘You gotta watch out for that boy Pit.’"“Some

[Marielitos] yes were criminals, some came from a negative background but you

have those who became politicians, lawyers, judges, and doctors, you name it,”

continued Pitbull, who sees his musical rise as following the example set by those

who arrived in the boatlift. "Now that I got my foot in the door it’s time

to take opportunities like the Marielitos did."El

Mariel is the follow up to Pitbull’s debut album M.I.A.M.I.: Money

Is A Major Issue. The

2004 release, which sold more than 600,000 copies, was the biggest-selling bilingual

hip-hop debut since Cypress Hill’s 1991 self-titled debut, spawning the singles

“Culo,” “D##### Man,” and “Toma.”Although,

El Mariel is slated to hit stores Oct. 17, fans won’t have to wait

long for another Pitbull as the rapper will follow with the release of his first

full-length Spanish only album, Armando.“[Armando]

is an Afro-Cuban based project. A lot of energy and just a different movement,”

explained Pitbull, who revealed the album will contain production from Lil Jon,

Orishas, the Diaz Brothers, Jim Jonsin, Echo from Puerto Rico and Mr. Collipark.

“I

would love for me and Jon to have a number one record on the Latin charts,"

Pitbull said. "It would be me bringing him over just like he brought me over

to his side.” Armando

is scheduled to be released in early 2007.

Cypress Hill’s B-Real,

legendary rapper Kid Frost and Oscar nominated actor Edward James Olmos have teamed

up with Snoop Dogg for his new video for "Vato."Directed

by Phillip Atwell, the video casts Snoop Dogg and B-Real as gang members who come

together as a show of solidarity.In

wake of violence in recent months in L.A., the short cinematic clip also aims

to promote a theme of unity between black and Hispanic people."It’s

about time we start to fight for each other rather than fighting against each

other,” Snoop Dogg said. "I have homies from all cultural backgrounds

and love all of my brothers, black and brown.""Vato,"

produced by Pharrell, is the lead single from Snoop’s highly anticipated

eighth LP The Blue Carpet Treatment which arrives in stores Nov. 21.The

album features production from Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Rick Rock, Pharrell and features

guest appearances by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Ice Cube, The Game, Brandy,

R. Kelly and MC Eight."Vato"

will make its video debut on August 30th on BET’s Access Granted.

Rapper

Eminem has teamed up with Nike to create a limited edition run of the company’s

Air Max series shoe.The

effort will go towards raising money for the lyricist’s Marshall Mathers Foundation

and ninemillion.org.Eminem

will design limited-edition uppers of eight different shoes in the series, from

the Air Max ’87 to Air Max 360. Sixty-four pairs of shoes will be produced before

being numbered and autographed by the rapper and auctioned off over a four-week

period at Nike stores and on eBay, beginning Aug. 31."If

you told me ten years ago that I’d be designing this whole series of Air Max’s,

I never would have believed it," Eminem said. "It’s one of the hottest

lines that Nike ever produced, so I’m honored to make my own contribution. My

only problem was figuring out how to make the shoes different from stuff they’ve

already done: Nike always has the dopest color combos."Led

by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), with founding partners Nike and Microsoft, Ninemillion.org

is a global campaign designed to raise awareness and funds to bring education

and sport programs to the world’s refugee youth.The

Marshall Mathers Foundation is a non-profit corporation set up to provide funds

for organizations working with troubled youth in southeast Michigan."We’re

always looking for new ways to try to raise money and awareness for the foundation,

so when Nike approached us we jumped at the chance," stated Eminem, who was

further drawn into the project after looking at the information on ninemillion.org.

"It made even more sense. Who wouldn’t want to design their own line of Nikes?

And to do it for charity makes it that much better."The

Aug. 31 auction will take place in conjunction with an event at NikeTown London.

One pair of the Max 1 and the Max 90 will be offered at the event and later posted

for auction on eBay. All eBay auctions will be 00:00 hours on the scheduled days

and run for seven days. It concludes at 23:59 hours the following Monday.Proceeds

will be split equally between the foundation and ninemillion.org.The

following is a schedule and listing of items that will be auctioned:Aug.

31 NikeTown

London Air

Max ’87 1 pair

Air Max ’90 1 pairSept.12

eBay

Air

Max ’87 7 pairs

Air Max ’90 7 pairsSept.

16 NikeTown

Berlin

Air

Max 180 1 pair

Air Max ’93 1 pairSept.

19 eBay

Air

Max 180 7 pairs

Air Max ’93 7 pairsSept.

22 Nike

Store, Paris Air

Max ’95 1 pair

Air Max ’97 1 pairSept.

26 eBay

Air Max ’95 7 pairs

Air Max ’97 7 pairsSept.

28 NikeTown

London Air

Max ’03 1 pair

Air Max ’06 1 pairOct.

3 eBay

Air

Max ’03 7 pairs

Air Max ’06 7 pairs

Rap

City VJ Mad Linx is scheduled to perform and host the U.S. Open’s Annual

Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on August 26.The

pre-tournament celebration for families, named after one of tennis’ most

famous players, is designed to attract scores of families to Flushing Meadows

Park in Queens, N.Y. to show support for tennis and music, while also honoring

the career of the legendary tennis star.The

Queen-bred DJ formerly taught tennis at various country clubs and to city youth

for several years while based in Tampa, Fl."I

have been playing tennis since 1989," Mad Linx said. "I still follow

the players on the circuit as closely as I can and I play every chance I get.

My tennis racket is never far from my reach."The

U.S. Tennis Association and Hess announced that a portion of the proceeds from

the event would benefit the National Junior Tennis League, originally established

by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder in 1969."Not

only does [Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day] celebrate one of tennis’ greatest players,

but it also encourages the next generation of players,” Mad Linx said.The

first round of the 2006 US Open begins on Monday, Aug. 28, at the USTA Billie

Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

Daz Dillinger will

chronicle the history of Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound on the small screen with

his new documentary titled DPG Eulogy. The project, set to debut

on September 1 on Pay-Per-View, Starz, Vongo.com, and Comcast, will highlight

the prolific history of the careers of Daz, Snoop Dogg and the entire Dogg Pound

brand. “I really want the urban community and everyone to really

take a very intimate look at our personal life and struggles to find out not just

about me but as me as an artist,” explained Daz. “I hope that this can

be an inspiration. I love creating so this won’t be the last film that I create."

The documentary includes personal accounts and rare footage from Snoop,

Daz, and the entire DPGC community. In July, Daz announced that the launching

of a new behind-the-scenes DVD magazine titled Tha Dogg Pound DVD. The

DVD will feature footage of Tha Dogg Pound, up and coming artists and issues that

are pertinent to the urban community. Check

local listings for DPG Eulogy air times.

Atlanta’s

V-103 DJ Greg Street has teamed with DJ Kay Slay to create The Champions: North

Meets South, a new compilation album which hit stores August 22.The

album’s first single "Can’t Stop The Reign 2006" features Miami

Heat basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, Papoose and Bun B, with a remix added

featuring Busta Rhymes. The

video was shot in South Beach, Miami.Street

and Kay Slay said their collaboration was an effort to create music for a more

eclectic group of Hip-Hop lovers and to bridge the gap between the northern and

the southern Hip-Hop scenes.“We’re

looking for support of real riders; people who don’t like listening to the same

songs in their CD players as they hear it 100 times a week on the radio,”

Street told AllHipHop.com. “We’re simply asking people to expand their minds.”Street

said the album was something that every Hip-Hop music lover could relate to, and

that it was important for he and Kay Slay to bring together different regions

of Hip-Hop and create songs for the music lover.“It’s

something we did out of respect for all parts of the country,” Street said.

“[It’s] like when you went to a club and you went crazy to Eric B. &

Rakim, Run-DMC, Big Daddy Kane, but at the same time you rocked to DJ Jimi, Luke,

Home Team, MC Thick, Chuck Brown, Madonna, Ice-T, World Class Wreckin’ Crew,

Jonzun Crew, MC Shy D, etc. We’re simply asking people to expand their minds.”Greg

Street’s album, 6 O’clock Vol. 1, went gold in 2001, selling over

100,000 copies with one single released. 26,000 copies of the album were sold

in Atlanta.The

Champions: North Meets South is in stores now on Shaquille O’Neal’s label

Deja34/Koch Records.

Rapper DMX has

canceled a planned week-long tour to entertain United States troops in Kuwait

and Iraq.According

to the United Service Organizations, the rapper, born Earl Simmons, was supposed

to depart for the Persian Gulf region on Aug. 22. DMX

delayed his departure until Aug. 23, but failed to appear on time for a flight

to Kuwait. "We

are extremely disappointed that DMX decided not to complete the tour he asked

us to arrange for him," said John Hanson, USO senior vice president for marketing

and communications. "When we announced this tour, troops were extremely excited

about the possibility of seeing a performer they admired. We understand their

disappointment."The

USO said the military worked hard to accommodate the superstar rapper’s travel

requests, due to his popularity among the troops."Typically,

it takes up to 45 days to arrange transportation, housing, production assistance

and country clearances for entertainment tours," Hanson said. "This

tour was put together in just under two weeks, because we know how much service

men and women appreciate his performances. Mr. Simmons let a lot of people down."The

USO is a non-profit charity organization dedicated to the morale, welfare and

extracurricular activities for U.S. military members at home and abroad. 50

Cent, Ludacris, Master P., Lil’ Romeo are among the entertainers that have volunteered

their time for performances in recent years. "We

will continue to provide quality entertainment to the people who defend us daily

around the world in some remote and often dangerous places," said Hanson.

"Fortunately, most performers honor their obligation to perform once they

make the commitment."

No

Limit Records founder and rapper Master P. is taking his new Hip-Hop gospel play

on the road. The

play, titled Uncle Willy’s Family, features Terry Miles as Uncle Willy,

an ex-Vietnam vet who would do anything for his family, even the ones he doesn’t

care too much for. Willy,

who lives with his niece Jacky and her son Chris (Romeo), is forced to deal with

a home full of relatives, who arrive after being forced out of New Orleans after

Hurricane Katrina.Uncle

Willy’s Family is the first play from Master P, who stars in the production

with Romeo, Silk the Shocker and Miles. Marilyn

Harris, Percy Anthony Smith, Iovanna, Erica Pitts and others round out the cast.

According to

Master P. the play, which includes a gospel choir, offers country humor and inspiration.The

play will hit theaters in Meridian, Jackson and Greenwood Mississippi and make

a stop in Beaumont, Texas. Miller

said additional dates were being added in New Orleans, Houston, Baton Rouge, Los

Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York.For

more details, visit www.unclewilly.com.The

following is a list of tour destinations for Uncle Willy’s Family:Sept.

7Temple

TheaterMeridian, MississippiShowtime: 7:30 p.m.Sept.

8 & 9Thalia

Mara HallJackson, MississippiShowtime– 8 p.m. Sept. 8Showtimes–

3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sept. 9Sept.

10Leflore

County Civic CenterGreenwood, MississippiShowtime– 5 p.m.Sept.

16Jefferson

TheaterBeaumont, TexasShowtimes– 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Rapper 50 Cent

joined undefeated welterweight contender Dmitriy "Star of David" Salita

at a benefit for the Tikva Children’s Home at Chelsea Piers in New York. 50 Cent

was present at the event for the non-profit organization, which is dedicated to

caring for abandoned and homeless Jewish children in Odessa, Ukraine. Salita,

who will face off against Francisco Campos Sep. 20, was born in Odessa. It

was announced yesterday (Aug. 23) that Sean "Diddy" Combs and Kim Porter

are expecting their second child. Combs and Porter already have an 8-year-old

son named Christian. Combs also has a 12-year-old son named Justin from a previous

relationship with stylist Misa Hilton. Representatives for Combs said the couple

was "thrilled" about the news. E-40

has teamed with Koch Records to release Big Rich’s new album E-40 Presents

Big Rich – Block Tested, Hood Approved. The album is being released in conjunction

with Big Rich’s label 3 Story Muzik and Street Cred Music Group. E-40 and Big

Rich, who hails from San Francisco’s Fillmore District, have assembled an assortment

of rappers for the album. Hell Rell of The Diplomats, Sheek Louch, J-Hood, Stress

of the Federation, San Quinn, TurfTalk and others make cameo appearances. EA Ski

& CMT, Droop E (E-40’s son), Cello Mac, Mal Amazing, D-Clyde, King Cydal and

Rashaad Wiggins handled production duties on the album. E-40 Presents Big Rich

– Block Tested, Hood Approved is due in stores Oct. 3. Sureshot

Recordings and Chris Landry have filed a lawsuit against Miami based Poe Boy Records

and the label’s CEO Elric "E Class" Prince. Landry and Sure Shot Recordings

filed a $2 million dollar lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court, alleging fraudulent

inducement to enter into contract and emotional distress. Sureshot was founded

in 1996 by Chris Landry, who has worked for Profile Records, Franchise Records

& Marketing and Landspeed Records. Poe Boy Entertainment is best known for

releasing "Nookie," a minor hit for female rapper Jacki-O. Poe Boy’s

Elric "E Class" Prince also manages chart-topping Florida rapper, Rick

Ross.

Actor/comedian Bill Cosby went on the offensive against rap music Tuesday (Aug. 22) while encouraging fathers to raise their children.

The 69-year-old author and Grammy-winner, who spent the last five minutes of his speech voicing his displeasure of the content of rap, spoke in front of a standing room only audience at the Heritage United Church of Christ in Northwest Baltimore, the Baltimore Sun reports.

“They put the word ‘n####’ in a song, and we get up and dance to it,” Cosby said.

The two-hour Coppin State University-hosted event dubbed “Fatherhood Works,” was the last stop on the entertainer’s day-long visit to the

city.

In addition to hip-hop, Cosby expressed his views on teenage pregnancy, re-emphasized the importance of a good education and urged

fathers to take a more active role in raising their kids, as he visited three West Baltimore elementary schools and the church.

“This is a great evening because we’re calling on men to come claim their children,” said Cosby, who spoke for 20 minutes before joining a panel to field questions. “And that’s part of being a man. You cannot be a man at all if you haven’t claimed your child. Some of you have three, four, five of them. You have more children than you have jobs.”

The church event also provided an opportunity for Cosby to reject the idea that life was better for black people when the races were segregated.

He also applauded Black Muslims for confronting drug dealers on street corner.

The entertainer’s visit isn’t the first time he has spoken in Baltimore.

Cosby has come to the city at least three other times in the past two years, according to the Sun.

He will return in October to attend a fundraiser at Morgan, said Coppin President Stanley F. Battle.

Despite the warm reception he received in Baltimore, Cosby has come under fire in recent years.

While appearing at a gala in May 2004 Cosby came under fire for criticizing low-income blacks who give their children expensive sneakers instead of books.

“They think they’re hip,” Cosby said. “They can’t read; they can’t write. They’re laughing and giggling, and they’re going nowhere.”

Although some accused Cosby of insensitivity and elitism, the comedian stood his ground and hit the road to promote family values and education.

Foxy

Brown skipped another court hearing today (Aug. 23) on charges filed by a former

colleague.

Brown’s lawyer, Brian J. Neary, told Judge Cynthia D. Jackson that Inga "Foxy

Brown" Marchand would be present to contest the two complaints filed by Rasheeda

Ellis, who did not have a lawyer present. Jackson

told the rapper’s lawyer that Brown was mandated to attend the next session.During

the three-minute session, the judge granted Neary’s request for a probable cause

hearing, which was set for Sept. 26. Neary said Brown has never had an issue with

Rasheeda Ellis, who accuses the rapper of harassment, terrorist threats and verbal

abuse.Ellis,

worked for Brown and quit in June. She claims that when she attempted to collect

back pay from Brown, Brown showed up at her place of employment with two other

people, and threatened through Ellis’ cellphone."Foxy

says she’s never had a problem with this woman," Neary told The Associated

Press.He

described Ellis as a former consultant to Brown’s management company. Neary said

he did not know when and where any incident may have occurred with Ellis, a New

Jersey resident.Brown,

a native and current resident of New York, stated that Jersey City police were

never involved. Brown,

26, also faces charges for allegedly assaulting two nail salon workers in New

York over the cost of a manicure in 2004.

Angela

Simmons, daughter of rap pioneer Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons, has hooked

up with Word Up! magazine to launch a new magazine for teens. The

monthly publication, titled Angela’s Rundown, will target youths age

14-18 and cover teen issues, style, music and fashion while offering fashion tips

and in-depth celebrity interviews. Among

those featured in the first issue will be Kimora Lee Simmons, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo

and Bow Wow."It

feels good. I feel empowered. I’m happy with it," Angela Simmons told

AllHipHop.com. "It’s a great opportunity for me. It connects back to

what I like to do, which is fashion and I want to be a fashion designer. So everything

that’s in the magazine is what I love."Angela’s

Rundown is the end result of Angela’s desire to start her own full-fledged

magazine, after distributing a newsletter/mini-version of the publication at her

school. Viewers

got a chance to witness the magazine’s creation on MTV’s show Run’s

House. The first seven issues of the publication will be packaged and sold

with Word Up! as part of an agreement between Angela, Rev. Run and Word

Up! founder Scott Figman.Once

the magazine gains acceptance, it will spin off as it’s own full-fledged publication,

according to Figman. Additionally,

Angela will become the new executive editor of Word Up!, said Figman, who

embraced the opportunity to work with the young businesswoman."Angela

showed me a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of creative ability and the willingness to

work hard and join forces with us. And I was very impressed with her. She’s

going to have a nice long career," Figman said."The

exciting thing about this is she’ll be a teen that owns a teen magazine.

And you don’t see many 18-year-olds who have their own magazine and taking

on all this responsibility," said Rev. Run, who believes the magazine will

fill the void left by recently defunct publication Teen People. "First

of all, I believe that Angela has a mindset that would service her community better

than anyone," Rev. Run said. "I don’t think that there’s anyone

that can talk to teens better than teens, but I don’t think people understood

that…for somebody to invest this type of money into a young kid says a lot about

this kid. In the state of magazines right now, it also says something. So we’re

very excited over here. Me and my brother and the family. It’s just pretty

unbelievable to us that we can have this going on."In

addition to Angela, Rev. Run revealed that her brother Diggy will step into the

world of journalism with his own Word Up! column, titled "Diggy’s

Doin’ It." Despite

pulling double duty as executive editor of Word Up! and publisher of Angela’s

Rundown, Angela is up for the challenge."Yes,

it’s definitely going to be a task, but I know that I have a lot of help

there at the same time," she admitted. "It doesn’t all fall on

me because I have a team there working with me. It probably will be a little bit

of a challenge, but I’m up for it. It’s worth it."The

premier issue of Angela’s Rundown hits newsstands next week. The

creation of Angela’s Rundown comes on the heels of MTV’s recent decision

to renew Run’s House for a third season. Taping

for the new season begins Sept. 26, stated Rev. Run, who added that the new episodes

will be preceded by a Christmas special. "It

was a big deal," Rev. Run told AllHipHop.com about the renewal. "We

jumped up and down because it’s not easy to get this type of show, especially

on MTV, the type of show that we have. It’s like a sore thumb. Everything

else looks totally different from our show on MTV. MTV has one look. Run’s

House has another. So how it fits there is really pretty amazing. It’s

God."

The family of Keith

Bender Jr. filed a lawsuit today (Aug. 22) in Wayne County Circuit County against

the estate of rapper Proof. The

lawsuit, which seeks an undisclosed amount, is seeking damages for a fatal shootout

at the CCC Club on Eight Mile Road on April 11. The

lawsuit alleges Proof was responsible for escalating a fist fight, when the rapper

pulled a gun on Bender and shot him. As

Proof stood over Bender preparing to fire again, a bouncer at the club named Mario

Etheridge – who was also Bender’s cousin – open-fire on Proof, who died from multiple

gunshot wounds later in the evening.Prosecutors

announced they would not press murder charges against Etheridge in May, when prosecutor

Kym Worthy said Etheridge acted lawfully in defending Bender, who died almost

a week after being shot."The

evidence clearly shows that Mario Etheridge acted in lawful self-defense of another

when he shot DeShaun Holton," Worthy said "Once the gunshots started,

everything happened fairly quickly." The

Detroit Free Press reports that Bender, a Desert Storm veteran, was celebrating

news that he had overcome a serious illness when he was shot.

DMX will perform

for American troops stationed in the Persian Gulf region, as the rapper is preparing

to embark on his first United Service Organization (USO) tour. The event, which

is sponsored by AT&T, brings entertainment to troops stationed througout the

world. Past guests include Master P., Lil’ Romeo, Shinedown and La Mafia. DMX

recently dropped his sixth solo album Year of the Dog…Again, which debuted

at #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable

organization, which relies on donations from the American people and strategic

corporate partners. Ludacris

will have the honor of being the first artist to perform at University of Texas

at Arlington’s new Maverick Stadium. While general admission prices are being

negotiated, students of UTA can catch the rapper on stage for $15. Students were

polled about what performer they would like to see live on campus, with Ludacris

winning almost 400 of the 700 votes completed online. The rapper will earn a reported

$100,000 for his appearance, which takes place Sept. 7. Radio

One, the African-American radio media powerhouse, celebrated it’s 25th anniversary

Thursday evening (Aug. 17) in Washington. Beyonce Knowles, P. Diddy, Jay-Z and

Aretha Franklin were all on hand for the event in the nation’s capital. Smokey

Robinson, Natalie Cole and Beyonce, who performed a three-song set just after

midnight, were among the performers at the elaborate event. Other notables who

joined the anniversary celebration of the African-American focused media company

included Reuban Studdard, Ciara and Janet Jackson. Sean “Diddy” Combs

paid tribute to the legacy of Cathy Hughes, who started the network, which is

a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting African-Americans. The network

has nearly 14 million listeners each week and now includes a television cable

network, TV One.Irv

"Gotti" Lorenzo is finalizing negotiations with Universal Music Group

to become the chief of a new profit-sharing venture with the Universal/Motown

label. According to the New York Times, Universal will advance Gotti almost

$10 million under terms of the deal, which could allow him to eventually purchase

Murder Inc.’s master recordings. The new deal with Universal comes after a massive

federal probe into Murder Inc. Records, which was accused of laundering money

for convicted drug kingpin Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. Gotti was acquitted

of all charges after a highly publicized trial. Ja Rule and Ashanti are still

on the roster and Gotti is currently negotiating with various new artists. “It’s

like a rebirth," Gotti told The New York Times. "It feels like God put

me through hell, showed me a lot of things, showed me who the good people and

bad people are around me, and lined me up to do what I’m put here to do.”

Gotti had been in talks with Warner Music Group, where former Def Jam president/CEO

Lyor Cohen is currently head of North American operations. Gotti told The New

York Times he passed on WMG’s offer, labeling the proposed deal as "extremely

disrespectful."

Flipmode Squad leader

Busta Rhymes will be the subject of a civil lawsuit to be filed this week by a

man who said Rhymes assaulted him on Aug. 12.The

incident occurred after Robert Lebron accidentally spit on the vehicle the lyricist

was riding in."Me

and my friends were walking across the street. I spit on the street and it landed

on a moving car. It was a Maybach. That car stopped, along with two black SUVs,"

the 19-year-old told The New York Times. Soon

Lebron came face to face with Rhymes. "He

asked me, ‘Homie, did you spit on my car?’ I said ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to. We’re

big fans of yours.’ That was the last thing I said," Lebron alleges.After

he fell to the ground upon being hit in the face by a member of Busta Rhymes’

entourage, Lebron recalled the rapper coming over to "finish the job."

"While

I was on the ground, he was kicking me in the face," Lebron said. "I

saw him kick me."Lebron,

a former John Jay College of Criminal Justice student, revealed he was kicked

and punched by Rhymes and his entourage in the middle of Sixth Avenue near 19th

Street. The

group later yanked his Nike sneaker off his feet and tossed them away before leaving

the scene after about two minutes.Lebron,

who suffered a concussion and a split lip, filed a formal criminal complaint on

Saturday (Aug. 19). Later, authorities arrested Rhymes after his concert at Randalls

Island.The

rapper was arraigned Sunday (Aug. 20) on misdemeanor assault and weapons charges.The

incident is the latest brush Busta Rhymes has had with police.While

being held for the alleged assault, Rhymes, 34, was questioned about the still-unsolved

murder of his bodyguard, Israel Ramirez. Authorities

believe the rapper was standing next to Ramirez and witnessed the killing, which

occurred in February at a music-video shoot in Brooklyn.Despite

having him in custody, investigators were unable to get anything out of Rhymes,

who refused to answer questions. Nearly 100 interviews with potential witnesses

have been conducted since the investigation began, deputy police commissioner

Paul J. Browne said. "No

one has come forward as an eyewitness," said Browne, who believes a change

of heart from Rhymes could prompt others to come forward. "Some have acknowledged

being there but didn’t see anything."One

option for authorities would be to subpoena Busta Rhymes. Although

it is possible to subpoena an uncooperative witness to testify, Kenneth M. Taub,

a prosecutor in the Brooklyn district attorney’s office, said the practice was

rare because the witness would then have immunity from prosecution.