Legendary DJ/MC Kurtis Blow is bringing Hip-Hop to the church and to the small screen with the launch of the new television series Hip-Hop America.

In addition to broadcasting church services, the show will also feature live break-dancing, a youth choir and a surprise guest every week.

The series is produced by the California-based company, The Machine Productions (TMP).

Kurtis Blow, who hosts a youth service at Hood Memorial Church in Harlem, N.Y., assures that the series will be an exciting experience for all ages.

With his Harlem service, the Hip-Hop pioneer aims to attract a diverse group of children, adolescence, grandparents and parents.

Michael Reynolds, TMP CEO and co-founder, described the series as an “exciting opportunity to minister God’s Word to those disenfranchised kids who may only hear it when it is presented within the music of Hip-Hop.”

The family of the late Notorious B.I.G. has requested an expansion to their wrongful-death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles.

According to a 94-page motion, the family contends that Los Angeles Police Department officer Rafael Perez was on duty at the Petersen Automotive Museum the night of the killing.

The motion also referenced a list of incidents the family believes show a pattern linking police to

crimes involving rap stars, including Snoop Dogg and the late Tupac Shakur.

The Wallace family’s attorneys alleged that Vincent Marella, a private attorney defending the city, admitted in a court hearing July 5 that

Perez was in uniform and involved in the rapper’s shooting, the Associated Press reports.

The full transcripts from the hearing, however, show that Marella was only repeating an informant’s allegations.

Perez is not named as a defendant in the new suit. The city remains as the only defendant in the suit.

The request is the latest in long string of events in the aftermath of the still unsolved murder of B.I.G.

The rapper (born Christopher Wallace) was shot and killed in 1997 after leaving a party in Los

Angeles.

The Wallace family’s attorneys claim that officers working for Death Row Records played a role in the killing.

Last summer, U.S. District Judge Florence Marie Cooper declared a mistrial after four days of testimony.

Cooper said an LAPD detective had hidden statements by a jailhouse informant linking the killing to Perez and Mack.

As a result, Cooper ordered the city to pay the family’s attorney fees and costs as sanctions for withholding evidence.

In addition to Perez and Mack, the new suit doesn’t name the other alleged participants which include Death Row owner Marion “Suge” Knight

and the alleged triggerman, Amir Muhammad.

All four men have denied any involvement in the slaying.

Foxy

Brown missed a scheduled court date yesterday to answer charges leveled against

her by a former assistant, who filed complaints accusing the rapper of harassment,

terrorist threats and verbal abuse.Brown

was supposed to appear in a Jersey City Municipal Court yesterday, but missed

the date for unknown reasons. A judge declined to issue an arrest warrant for

Brown because Ellis missed the court date as well, because she went to Hudson

County Superior Court – the wrong courtroom. Ellis,

worked for Brown briefly before quitting in June, also claims that when she tried

to collect back pay, Brown went to Ellis’ place of employment with two other people

and made threats through Ellis’ cellphone. According

to the New York Daily News, the court date has been rescheduled for August 23.

Brown

is still scheduled in court on July 17 to face charges of assaulting two nail

salon employees during a dispute over payment in August 2004.

Hip-Hop artists, Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes, along with other music artist and world class athletes, will be competing for the General Motors 3rd annual Spring Bling Crown tonight (July 11).

The event will take place this year at the Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood.

Snoop and Busta along with others will be presenting new and classic customized cars competing against each other for the “King of Bling” Crown.

Last years “King of Bling” title was taken home by NBA star Corey Maggette for his 2003 Blue Raspberry Cadillac Escalade ESV.

Each participant will initially donate $2,500 to the charity of their choice, and the winner, along with the coveted title, will be given $10,000 to give to the charity of their choice.

G.O.O.D. Music artist Common will also be present performing at the event.

Past participants include, Brian McKnight, Funkmaster Flex, Lawyer Milloy, Dwayne Wade, Public Enemy, Corey Dillon, Musiq Soulchild, Macy Gray, Grand Master Flash and Travis Barker.

Remy Ma will join

reggae artist Bounty Killer for the return of his annual celebrity charity benefit,

Saddle to the East 2006.Martin

joins Green Lantern, Wayne Marshall, Vybz Kartel, Elephant Man, Wayne Wonder,

Capleton, and other Jamaican artists who are helping to raise money for the nonprofit

organization Upliftment Jamaica."The

fact that Remy Ma is coming all this way to help raise money for the people of

St. Thomas says to me that she is one of those rare entertainers that unselfishly

gives of themselves for the benefit of those less fortunate," stated St.

Thomas native Gary Foster, chairman of Upliftment Jamaica and vice president of

Russell Simmons’ Rush Communications.Upliftment

Jamaica provides health, education and social services for residents of St. Thomas,

one of Jamaica’s most impoverished parishes."We

are all excited about Remy finally coming to perform in Jamaica," Foster

continued. "With her brand of hard-edge sass, and razor sharp lyrical prowess,

her performance at Saddle to the East, one of the biggest stage shows for the

year, is sure to make a lasting impression on the people of Jamaica."Saddle

to the East 2006, which returns after a five-year hiatus, will take place on Aug.

26.

Miami rapper Rick

Ross’ upcoming sold-out concert at a Gainesville, Fla., nightclub has been canceled

due to a shooting at the club on Sunday July 2 that injured five people.The

concert was scheduled to take place at 238 West this Saturday, but the club manager

expressed concerns that additional violence could spill over into the Ross event.Last

weekend, members of Slip-N-Slide artist Plies’ entourage fired shots into a crowd

after the rapper’s performance was cut 15 minutes short to allow Louisiana rapper

Lil’ Boosie to perform. According

to the Gainesville Sun, the shooting left five people with non-life threatening

injuries.Plies

(real name Algernod Lanier Washington) and another man were arrested and charged

with illegal possession of concealed weapons in connection with the shooting.

Two others were arraigned on attempted murder charges. Plies

has since been arraigned in court and released on $50,000 bail.Although

the concert has been cancelled, 238 West will be open this weekend for business.

Additionally,

police have added extra officers to patrol the area and assist with crowd control

in the event that people show up expecting to attend the concert.Ross

is currently putting the finishing touches on his Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam debut Port

of Miami, which arrives in stores Aug. 8 via Def Jam. The new disc features

Young Jeezy, Akon, Mario Winans, and Jay-Z, among others.In

June, Ross received a gold certification and was recognized by the Recording Industry

Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 ring tones of his single

"Hustlin’."

Atlanta rapper

Pastor Troy is preparing to release his next studio album By Choice or By Force

later this month. Troy, who has sold over 1 million records in his career, released

his major-label debut Face Off in 2001. The album was followed by 2002’s

Universal Soldier, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Rap Albums chart.

The first single from By Choice or By Force is "Pop a Few Bottles."

The new album hits stores July 25 on Koch Records and features Rasheeda, Bootleg,

and Criminal Manne, among others.Pharrell

Williams and Prince William are reportedly collaborating on an unknown project

in the near future. The two met during The Audi Polo charity tournament. "I

spoke to William before he played polo," Williams told reporters. "We

spoke about doing something. I can’t say what it is, except it’s going to be big."

Williams added that it was premature to speak on the pair’s venture because "the

paperwork isn’t done," but the Virginia producer added that Prince William

was a hard worker and that the two shared the same views on charitable issues.Sqad

Up has announced a deal with indie label Money Yung’n Records. The group will

release the new album and DVD We Here Now on August 8. Best known for their

dealings with Lil’ Wayne and Cash Money, Sqad Up toured with the New Orleans rapper

but their deal went sour after the label reached an impasse over their contracts.

Shortly afterward, the group signed with Money Yung’n Records. "We saw their

drive and sheer determination to overcome the obstacles that were put in front

of them," said Money Yung’n executive Jay Exclusive. "We knew right

then and there we could work together to take Sqad Up to the next level."

We Here Now features production by Manny Fresh, David Banner and others.Students

in the UK were given a Hip-Hop lesson on the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer, author

of the literary classic The Canterbury Tales. Last week, students visited

New College Nottingham to witness Canadian Hip-Hop artist Baba Brinkman perform

"The Rap Canterbury Tales." Brinkman, who is also a medieval scholar,

taught the course to introduce the young students to Chaucer’s classic novel and

The Miller’s Tale, as well as other works from the world of medieval literature.

Brinkman, who holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Medieval and Renaissance

English Literature, explained the origins of the unique course. "’The Rap

Canterbury Tales’ started in 1999 as an experiment, an attempt to adapt Chaucer’s

stories into a rap style to make them accessible," Brinkman said. "Comparing

Chaucer’s poetics to those of rap artists was the subject of my thesis at the

time and this seemed a natural extension. Since then the project has snowballed

into a successful one-man theatrical performance, a series of educational presentations

and workshops, and a CD recording. It is designed to bring the Tales to a wider

popular audience, as well as assist educators to communicate Chaucer’s themes

and narratives easily to students."

DHB Industries Founder/Chairman David H. Brooks was placed on indefinite “administrative leave” Monday (July 10) by the company’s board while DHB is being investigated for state, federal, and internal inquiries.

In a federal lawsuit filed by DHB shareholders, Brooks is cited for “a history of serious securities law violations,” as well as making “false and misleading statements” to boost the stock’s value.

New York Newsday reports that critics were further angered by reports that Brooks spent nearly $10 million on a November 2005 bat mitzvah party for his daughter at Manhattan’s Rainbow Room.

The event included performances by 50 Cent and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.

Brooks will continue to be on leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the company. DHB, a Westbury, N.Y.,-based body armor manufacturer, is at the center of investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn for a possible “pump and dump” scheme by senior executives.

In the meantime, the company has installed DHB president Larry Ellis as acting chief executive and board member William Campbell as chairman, a DHB statement said.

“All of us at DHB are working diligently to address the issues at hand and restore confidence in our company and its leadership,” said, Ellis, a retired four-star general, via a statement. “Collaboratively, with the support of the talented and committed leaders or our organization, it is our goal to restore shareholder value over the long term.”

Authorities began looking more closely at the company after shareholders filed a series of lawsuits when DHB revealed a year ago that its top executives made $200 million when trading in shares. The bulk of the money went to Brooks.

Late last month, the company’s stock was delisted from the American Stock Exchange after missing several filing deadlines for annual and quarterly reports, according to Newsday.

The paper also reports that DHB contracted for a new finance chief and two other executives from the Manhattan-based turnaround firm AlixPartners.

Ice-T, Afrika Bambaataa, Melle Mel, and Scorpio of Furious 5 have confirmed they will not be headlining this year’s UK Hip-Hop Summit, which was due to start tomorrow (July 12).

Organizers also stated that artists were not completely aware that their names and reputations were being used to publicize the event.

A statement on behalf of the artists was released yesterday (July 10), verifying that Bambaataa did not confirm his appearance by signing a contract or agreeing to participate in the event.

A proposal, along with a Summit program, was sent to his management, however there were no replies to confirm the Summit could publicly use his name.

It was also stated that unlike Bambaataa, Ice-T, Melle Mel and Scorpio had allegedly verbally agreed to participate with the main Summit, but no contracts were signed to confirm their attendance.

Although fees and deadlines were supposedly agreed to, Ice-T withdrew from the event as soon as it was apparent that Summit could not meet various financial requirements.

Shortly after, it emerged that no flight ticket reservations were made for the two remaining artists, Melle Mel and Scorpio, who have now also decided to withdraw.

It has also been revealed that although organizers knew about the cancellations, UK and international press such as MTV and CNN were still being contacted to carry out interviews with the artists, knowing that financial obligations were not met.

The artists have expressed regret not meeting fan’s expectations and said they hope to perform in the UK soon.

The organizers of the Summit have issued no response as to whether the Summit will still go ahead.

The event was planned as a five-day affair, including workshops and an evening dedicated to women in Hip-Hop, in addition to the main summit.

No

Limit Records MC Romeo has found a nonmusical direction to take in addition to

acting.The

rapper, son of No Limit head Master P, is developing his basketball skills against

200 of the top high school players at ABCD, the country’s number one basketball

camp. "There

was no pressure on me," said Romeo, who impressed college coaches with his

focus on life, education and basketball. "I use this week as a concert. Instead

of thousands of fans there were thousands of college coaches and NBA scouts and

I used the basketball court as my stage. And I took the opportunity to show the

world that I can hoop for real."Sponsored

by Reebok, the Teaneck, New Jersey-based ABCD camp is an invitation-only basketball

showcase that has produced a host of high-profile players, including Tracy McGrady,

Kobe Bryant, Stephon Marbury, Carmello Anthony and LeBron James. Sonny

Vaccaro, the camp’s founders, believes Romeo has the potential to become a successful

player."Romeo

has the heart of a lion, he’s a team leader, will compete against anybody, and

he is one of the fastest players I’ve seen in a long time," Vaccaro said.Romeo’s

hard work paid off this week as the high school sophomore made the all-star team

and ranked among the top 20 players in the country. The rapper, who hones his

ball skills and shooting daily in addition to lifting weights, averages 20 points

a game and 10 assists.Despite

the temptation to head to the pros, Romeo is set on going to college. According

to Master P, Romeo, who boasts a 3.5 grade point average, turned down a $3 million

movie deal this summer to go to summer school and play AAU basketball.No

matter which path Romeo takes, two things should be a priority, P said."I

don’t care what he wants to be or how much money he makes, I just want him to

get an education and do something in life that he loves to do," he said.Fans

of Romeo’s music shouldn’t expect the lyricist to step away from his musical roots

any time soon. Romeo’s new single, "Shine" is out now. The song is from

the new movie Repos.Romeo’s

new album, God’s Gift is scheduled to hit stores release in November.

Missy Elliott has

joined the all-star lineup of one of Jamaica’s biggest summer reggae festivals,

the 2006 Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest.According

to organizers, Elliott joins fellow hip-hop stars 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo

and songstress Rihanna on the bill, which also features dozens of worldwide reggae

stars. Elliott

and Rihanna will perform at "The Summit," on July 22, the last day of

the 7-day festival.“We

are continuing what has become a trademark of this great event, that is, to present

international stars along with their Jamaican counter parts,” commented executive

producer Johnny Gourzong, of Summerfest Productions. “Missy is a great artist,

a positive role model for young women, and we know she will help to bring out

the crowds. It’s going to be a great night.”The

Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest kicks off on Sunday July 16 with the free "Vibe

Island Beach Party" and the "Reggae on the Runway" fashion show.

The

event will climax on July 22 with performances by Elliott, Rihanna, Damian “Jr.

Gong” Marley, Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Gentleman, Tarrus Riley, Alaine

and Cherine Anderson.The

2006 line-up is listed below:Sunday July 16th – Vibes Island –

Tropical Beach – featuring Kurt Riley, Coppershot, DJ Liquid, Pure Playazz and

Pieces.Monday July 17th – Mad Monday Mobay – Old Hospital Ground

– featuring Firelinks of Hot Monday, Swatch from Passa Passa, Pieces and

Pure Playazz. Wednesday

July 19th – Top Ranking – Pier 1 – with John Holt, Gregory Isaacs, Yellowman,

Admiral Bailey, General Trees, Pinchers, Frankie Paul, Charlie Chaplin, Josey

Wales, Peter Metro, Courtney Melody, Flourgon and Pam Hall with Lloyd Parkes &

The We The People Band.Thursday

July 20th – Stormfront – The Explosive Dancehall Night – Main Venue

– featuring: Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Capleton, Elephant Man, Cham, Chuck Fenda,

Macka Diamond, Wayne Marshall, Busy Signal, Leftside & Esco, Voice Mail, Spice,

Gyptian, Fantan Mojah, Natural Black, Little Hero, Black-er, Conrad, Crystal &

Suga Roy, Danielle, Aidonia, Hit List, X Factor, Merrtial Family and Fire Lion

with Backing Band: Hard Drive Friday

July 21st – Ignition – Main Venue – With 50 Cent & G-Unit, featuring

Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo, Sizzla, Lady SawMase, Mr. Vegas, Richie Spice, Noddy

Virtue, Andy Vernon, Aisha and Jovi Rockwell Saturday

July 22nd – The Summit – Main Venue – featuring Missy Elliott, Damian

“Jr. Gong” Marley, Beres Hammond, Rihanna, Buju Banton, Gentleman, Tarrus

Riley, Alaine and Cherine Anderson

"BET Uncut,"

a music video program from Black Entertainment Television, has been canceled after

a six year run on the entertainment television network.The

show was discontinued by BET executives, according to sources, and the last episode

aired last Friday (July 8) in a finale hosted by rapper/producer Jermaine Dupri.Infamous

for scantily-clad women and sexual themes, "BET Uncut" featured videos

from well-known Hip-Hop and R&B artists that were intended for matureaudiences

only.Because

of its titillating content, the show was rated TV-MA and had been deemed unsuitable

for children under the age of 17.The

show made headlines in 2004 after various African-American women’s groups protested because of the

portrayal of women when Nelly’s "Tip Drill" became a standout video.

In the video, Nelly, The St. Lunatics and David Banner indulge in sexual folly

with strippers and at the climatic point, Nelly swipes a credit card between a

woman’s buttocks.The

backlash eventually forced the Nelly to cancel a bone marrow drive on Spelman

College, a historically Black women’s college in Atlanta.Fans

of "BET Uncut" have already started an online petition to have the show

put back on the air.

Rapper Beanie Sigel

came out in support of past rhythm and blues artists with a donation to the R&B

Foundation Doc Pomus Financial Assistance Program.Sigel

contributed $3,200 to the cause during the foundation’s Pioneer Award after party.The

Philadelphia MC’s donation prompted producers Andre Harris (Dre) and Vidal Davis

(Vidal) to give $6,400 to the program, raising the total to $9,600."I

never realized who these artists were or the history and importance of their contributions

to music," said Sigel, who was "humbled" by the experience of the

ceremony. "Tonight also showed everyone the impact the work of the R&B

Foundation has on the artists. I could never match anything of the significance

of Berry Gordy’s donation, but I am moved to do something. I also issue a challenge

to all my musical peers to step up and follow our lead."The

Doc Pomus Financial Assistance Program provides emergency financial assistance

to R&B artists of earlier eras for medications, wheelchairs, dental work,

eyeglasses, hearing aids, musical instruments, housing, food needs, funeral and

other expenses.It

is the foundation’s longest running financial assistance program."Mr.

Sigel’s actions were a tremendous surprise," said Kayte Connelly, Foundation

executive director. "The Foundation is very grateful to Mr. Sigel, Mr. Harris

and Mr. Davis for their generosity and the challenge that they issued to their

peers."Doc

Pomus was a legendary songwriter who wrote such hits as The Drifters "Save

The Last Dance For Me", "This Magic Moment," Dion & The Belmonts"A

Teenager In Love," and other hits out of the famous Brill Building in New

York.Contributions

to the Doc Pomus Financial Assistance Program may be sent to: The Rhythm &

Blues Foundation, 100 South Broad Street, Suite 620, Philadelphia, PA 19110. All

donations are tax deductible.

A judge has ordered

a bankruptcy-trustee to take control of Marion "Suge" Knight’s Death

Row Records, ruling that the label has been mismanaged due to accounting practices.Judge

Ellen Carroll ruled Friday (July 7) that the label’s accounting practices were

in "disarray," after noting that Knight testified he hasn’t reviewed

financial statements in almost a decade.Knight’s

attorney Daniel McCarthy denied Caroll’s claims and pointed out that the mogul

had renamed the label Tha Row and was currently negotiating a distribution deal

for the label’s lucrative catalog, which includes hit albums by Tupac Shakur,

Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Tha Dogg Pound and others.Knight

was not present during Friday’s court proceedings. According to his lawyers, Knight

injured himself during a motorcycle accident last Sunday (July 1) and was under

doctors orders to recuperate and also experienced a death in his family.The

mogul is also the subject of a new lawsuit filed by Lydia Harris. Lydia and her

ex-husband Michael "Harry-O" Harris claim that Mr. Harris invested $1.5

million dollars in start up funds for the label, while he was incarcerated in

the Metropolitan Detention Center, where he was awaiting trial in Federal Court

for conspiracy charges. The

Harris’ were awarded a default judgment in the amount of $107 million dollars

after Knight missed numerous court dates to provide information about the labels

financial status.In

April, Knight filed for bankruptcy protection to avoid the State Court from placing

a receiver in Death Row, after Knight missed a number of court dates pertaining

to a lawsuit filed by Michael "Harry-O" Harris and his wife Lydia Harris,

who claim they own 50% of the label.Caroll,

who stated that "it seems apparent there is no one at the helm,” authorized

the new trustee "owners" of Death Row Records to take the assets that

are left from the label and convert them into cash to pay off creditors.According

to reports, the label has assets worth between $1 million and $10 million, but

has more than $100 million in debts.