Chicago rapper Rhymefest

has addressed comments he made on a mixtape and in a recent issue of U.K. Hip-Hop

magazine Hip-Hop Connection, regarding the U.K. based group, S.A.S.

Rhymefest allegedly made

comments about the group on a mixtape circulating and in the Dec. issue of Hip-Hop

Connection.

The magazine published comments

Rhymefest made about the group stating “those UK rappers who signed with

Damon Dash…they aint even f**king representing the UK!"

“The

mixtape aint dissin nobody,” Rhymefest told AllHipHop.com of the former

allegations. “The Mixtape is giving props and credit to the UK artists

that I appreciate. I had a choice between whether or not to sign with Kanye

West or to sign with Mark Ronson. I signed with a guy who’s from Britain,

Allido Records [Ronson’s label]. One thing that Mark did for me, instead

of giving me like a spinning chain, he took me on a tour around the world.”

Rhymefest explained that

he visited a number or European countries, learning the various Hip-Hop scenes.

He said the road helped

him develop an appreciation and understanding of Hip-Hop music and culture outside

of the United States.

He said that he had a fondness

for UK Hip-Hop in particular, having entered into several battles in the country

and noted various collaborations with UK hip-hop artists.

Of the latter comments published

in Hip-Hop Connection, Rhymefest said he offered his opinion on the UK Hip-Hop

scene in general and that the magazine published his comments about S.A.S. out

of context.

“When

this magazine called Hip-Hop Connection interviewed me, they asked me who do

I like and I started naming artists,” Rhymefest told AllHipHop.com “Then

they asked me what I thought about the group S.A.S. I was like you know they

alright but to me it wasn’t like UK hip-hop. I gave my opinion and by

the time it was published in the magazine it was exaggerated. Like I said something

about S.A.S., but that was not the case. I just gave my opinion.”

Hip-Hop Connection, which

has been published since 1988, denied printing the rapper’s comments out

of context.

“Rhymefest unilaterally

raised the topic of S.A.S. in the interview,” HHC’s Deputy Editor

Phillip Mlynar told AllHipHop.com. “His words were published per verbatim

and in a box-out to the main article – HHC added no editorializing to his words

whatsoever. Since then S.A.S. has been offered their chance to respond to Rhymefest’s

words in the first issue of Hip-Hop Connection in 2006 and the title continues

to support both Rhymefest and S.A.S."

The North London rappers

spoke with AllHipHop.com days after the comments ran in Hip-Hop Connection and

claimed Rhymefest dissed them on a previous mix tape making the rounds.

"Rhymefest has been

told to say what he said because of marketing,” group member Mayhem told

AllHipHop.com. “He doesn’t realize what he says will get him f**ked up

in the UK. This is not a game. When I see him next time, I’m gonna f**k him

up!”

Rhymefest reiterated that

he was giving his overall opinion on various artists in the UK and that he wasn’t

interested in a physical altercation with the group.

“I aint interested

in fighting nobody in the club, I aint interested in going back in forth on

mixtapes,” Rhymefest said. “If you listen to my music, I don’t

make music based on beef. I have nothing but love and respect for the UK Hip-Hop

scene and the states could learn a lot from the brothers over there. They still

breakdancing, they still battle and they are still about having the art of trying

to have substantive lyrics. I appreciate that.”

Rhymefest, who

snagged a Grammy for co-writing “Jesus Walks” with Kanye West, is

preparing to release his debut album Blue Collar.

The album features guest

appearances by Mario, Twista, Common, Q-Tip, the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard

and others, with production handled by DJ Mark Ronson, NO ID, Cool & Dre,

Just Blaze and Kanye West handle production duties on the album, which hits

stores Jan. 24, 2006.

“I don’t think

I can get a foothold in the UK based on beef,” Rhymefest stated. “I

plan to continue using my passport and if somebody approaches me I have to handle

myself appropriately, but I’m not interested in causing any harm to another

black man.”

A suspect has been

arrested for the Nov. 9 slaying of a 30-year-old man in a Homestead, Pennsylvania,

after a screening of 50 Cent’s flick “Get Rich or Die Trying.”

Larue Graves, 30, of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, was arrested at

a hotel outside of Pittsburgh on Nov. 21, where he was registered under an alias.

Police also confiscated a handgun that was in Graves’

possession. Graves is accused of murdering of Shelton L. Flowers of Wilkinsburg,

Pennsylvania.

Graves was on parole from a manslaughter charge in a 1993 gang-related

shooting in Pittsburgh.

The slaying reportedly stemmed from an altercation between the

two men in the Loews Theater restroom.

Although officials initially ordered that “Get Rich or

Die Trying” be removed from showing in the Homestead, Pennsylvania Loews

Theater, police now stated there is no link between the film and the incident.

In related news, 50 Cent may be barred entry into Canada, where officials are

expressing concern over his criminal record and violent incidents involving

the rapper.

Canadian Junior Foreign Minister Dan McTeague has asked Immigration

Minister Joe Volpe to deny 50 Cent permission to enter the country for his Canadian

Tour, which is slated to start in Vancouver on Dec. 3.

Because of 50 Cent’s previous criminal record, he requires

a special ministerial permission to enter Canada.

McTeague noted a surge of violence that his gripped Toronto

and singled out a shooting after 50 Cent performed in the city in 2003.

In that incident, a 24-year-old man was shot several times at

close range by two unidentified assailants as they left the Roc The Mic concert

at Toronto’s Molson Amphitheater.

The shooting took place as fireworks were going off in celebration

of Canada Day. The gunmen were able to escape by blending in with the crowd

in the Molson Amphitheater parking lot.

“This is not a question of censorship. This is a question

of trying to protect impressionable young men," McTeague told the Canadian

Broadcasting Corporation. "There are indeed limits and restrictions on

freedom of expression, particularly if they incite hate or if they are the kind

of activity that is killing our young youths right across Toronto."

50 Cent is not the first rapper to face scrutiny from Canada.

In 2000, the country almost barred Eminem from entering, claiming his lyrics

encouraged violence against women.

In 2003, DMX denied entry due to his criminal record and detained

briefly, forcing him to cancel two concerts.

Recently, Jim Jones’

video to the song “Baby Girl” was banned from airwaves over “Stop

Snitching” T-Shirts worn in the video.

A 14-year-old rapper

who was arrested and then suspended for two years by The Riverside Beaver County

School District in Pennsylvania for posting his battle raps on the internet has

been awarded a $90,000 settlement over his expulsion from school.

Anthony “emceeaccident”

Latour, member of an upcoming rap group Just Business, was handcuffed and arrested

in middle school in April of 2005, after another student rapper’s mother

saw lyrics the two were posting back and forth on the internet.

Latour was charged with terroristic threats over the lyrics

to the rap songs.

The same day Latour was arrested, seven police officers with

a K-9 dog searched his parents home and confiscated $10,000 worth of recording

equipment Latour’s parents had purchased for him.

The rapper spent a week in a juvenile detention facility over

the incident and was eventually expelled for two years because of the violent

lyrics that allegedly threatened other students.

“I live in a small town and they really don’t understand

rap music,” Latour told AllHipHop.com. “I didn’t really know

what was happening, it blindsided me.”

The Pittsburgh chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union

filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Latour in August of 2005, claiming the

school had violated his First Amendment rights.

One of the songs that helped get Latour expelled was titled

“Murder He Wrote,” which lawyers for the ACLU deemed “a third

party narrative song about the incident at columbine [high school in Colorado]

reflecting Anthony’s attempt to imagine what could have been going on

in the heads of the students who perpetuated the tragedy.”

Latour, who said he considers Eminem, Necro and D-Block as his

main influences, said he hails from a small town here people don’t understand

Hip-Hop music.

At a May expulsion hearing, the student Latour was battling

admitted he was never threatened and that the two never intended to harm each

other.

In August, attorneys from the ACLU argued that the rapper was

battling and that his lyrics didn’t threaten anyone specifically.

"Anthony’s rap music — by which he flexes his lyrical

muscles — is not a true threat, but is art enjoying full First Amendment protection,”

argued Kim Watterson, a lawyer based in Pittsburgh with the international law

firm Reed Smith, which handled the case on a pro bono basis.

Watterson also called noted Hip-Hop author Bikari Kitwana to

testify on behalf of Latour. Kitwana explained that battle rap can “get

pretty nasty in terms of the language," but was still simply “a verbal

challenge.”

On Monday (Nov. 23), Chief U.S. District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose

ruled the songs were protected by the First Amendment and that they were posted

from his home, not school.

The Riverside Beaver County School District must now pay Latour

and his family $90,000.

The school district has also agreed to write a letter acknowledging

that the 14-year-old did not threaten “the school or the students by way

of his songs."

Latour said he

plans to use the majority of his settlement money to upgrade his home recording

studio.

Rapper/actor Hev (formerly

Heavy D.) will be presented with the NAACP Spirit Award at the The 16th Annual

NAACP Theatre Awards taking place in Feb.

Hev is being awarded for his leading role in the stage play

“Medal of Honor Rag” in addition to his accomplishments in film,

television and music.

“Sometimes when you do things in life, you never know

that people are paying attention,” Hev told AllHipHop.com. “It’s

a wonderful feeling to be looked upon as someone they consider to have made

a contribution to theatre.”

“Medal of Honor Rag” was directed by veteran actor

Delroy Lindo and centers on a depressed Vietnam veteran and his relationship

with a New York psychiatrist.

Fellow rapper/actor Will Smith executive produced the play,

which ran from Jun. 1 – Jul. 11 in Los Angeles.

“I wanna thank Will Smith for believing in me and supporting

me unconditionally,” Hev continued. “It would not have been possible

without him.”

The play also ran from Oct. 13 – Nov. 16 to raise money

for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Previous winners of the award include Danny Glover, Phylicia

Rashad, Art Evans and Fayard Nicholas.

“What an honor to be amongst such great entertainers.

This award is like a dream come true. This is proof that a little boy, who dreams,

can see those dreams turn into reality.”

The 16th Annual

NAACP Theatre Awards is scheduled to take place Feb. 20, 2006 at the Directors

Guild of America Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Noted author, lecturer

and veteran Hip-Hop journalist, Adisa "The Bishop" Banjoko will be releasing

his second book "Lyrical Swords Volume 2: Westside Rebellion" on January

15th.

The book is a collection of essays and interviews about the

social, spiritual and cultural trends inside Hip-Hop and features chapters on

chess and Hip-Hop, martial arts, the prison industrial complex and how Hip-Hop

failed in the last election.

The book also includes interviews with numerous rap acts, including

some that were never before published.

"I’ve always cared deeply about what motivates these artists,"

Banjoko told AllHipHop.com. "I’m giving all Hip-Hop fans across the board,

a real look at the minds of the people who make Hip-Hop."

Some of the artists featured include GZA, Sway, Gangstarr, Run-DMC

and Jam Master Jay, Master P, Nas, RZA, Paris, Afrika Bambataa, Spider Loc,

Dilated Peoples and others.

But Banjoko also noted that his book is about more than just

the artists.

"I’m trying to solve problems with this book, uplift the

young people," he says. "I think that Hip-Hop music was made by and

for young oppressed people and I’m trying to give them the tools they need to

move forward."

For those true fans of Hip-Hop music and culture, Banjoko assures

that "Lyrical Swords Vol.2" is for them.

"Anybody who takes Hip-Hop culture seriously and wants

to see Hip-Hop in its full spectrum, accurately documented, wants to have this

book," Banjoko said.

For those who can’t wait for the official release, you can email

Adisa at [email protected] and you will receive 3 chapters of

the book mailed directly to you.

Also if you buy the book from lyricalswords.com

you will receive a copy of a mix CD by DJ Mike Relm, which mixes in Adisa’s

speech at Harvard with Hip-Hop beats.

Banjoko will be doing a speaking tour to promote the book beginning

at the end of January.

Volume 2 is the

follow up to Banjoko’s highly successful first book "Lyrical Swords: Hip-Hop

and Politics in the Mix" that can be purchased at www.lyricalswords.com

or www.amazon.com.

A Los Angeles radio station KFI 640 AM has launched the “Kill Tookie Hour,” a daily feature on “The John and Ken Show” until Stanley “Tookie” Williams is executed for murder.

The station, which Daveyd.com reports is owned by Clear Channel, started the event on Monday November 21 and it is scheduled to run until December 13, the day the former gang leader is to be put to death.

Area activists have called for a full investigation by the FCC.

"The core and the manner of the on-air remarks, which were extremely distasteful towards Williams and his plight, were extraordinarily disturbing and offensive," said Jasmyne Cannick of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable. "I urge the Federal Communications Commission to examine this incident – particularly in light of other recent, similarly offensive attempts at ‘entertainment’ by KFI 640 AM host John Zeigler, who tried to find humor in the death of attorney Johnny Cochran claiming he was going ‘straight to hell’ for defending a killer [in O.J. Simpson] – and to take any and all actions consistent with applicable FCC rules and regulations."

Cannick theorized that a radio station would “be in a lot of trouble” if it were to launch a “President Bush Must Die” hour. “We must draw that line at some point,” she said.

Concerned citizens convened at the Lucy Florence Coffee House on Wednesday morning in protest of The John and Ken Show, Clear Channel and KFI 640 AM.

Davey D, who attended a press conference regarding the matter, admitted that the community isn’t fully supportive of clemency for Williams, who is credited for co-founding the Crips gang and convicted of murdering four people.

“One of the speakers, an elderly woman named Ms Herod, spoke. She is an advocate for the victims of gang violence. She spoke about the fact that a lot of people in South Central are not in favor of clemency for Tookie, however, she and many others, were disturbed by the circus-like atmosphere and party-like vibe created by Clear Channel regarding Tookie. She broke it down and reminded folks how things were in the days of lynching. She talked about how people celebrated the lynching of Black men and for these guys to go on the radio and act like they were concerned for the ‘hood and victims of gang violence was crazy.”

A judge signed Williams’ death warrant on October 24 and celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx and Daz Dillinger have publicly supported the Nobel Prize nominated author. The former gang leader has renounced his past lifestyle and penned a number of children’s books.

Various rappers and rap

groups in France are facing legal action after being accused by lawmakers of

inciting the country’s riots through their raps.

200 lawmakers signed

a petition on Wednesday (Nov. 23) that was co-signed by 152 Deputies and 49

Senators and presented to Justice Minister Pascal Clement, singling out seven

rappers/groups.

The rap groups

could face legal action and are specifically accused of inciting racism and

hatred. The petitions sponsor, Francois Grosdidier, claims rap music conditions

listeners who could become violent in the future.

"Sexism, racism and

anti-Semitism are no more acceptable in song lyrics than in written or spoken

words," Grosdidier of the ruling centre-right UMP, told AFP. "This

is one of the factors that led to the violence in the suburbs."

Monsieur R’s song

“FranSSe” drew controversy earlier this year in the country and

the complaint singled out the song again, which describes France as “b*tch

who should "treated like a w####".

Monsieur R is already facing

a court date over the song and is charged with "outrage to social decency.”

Other groups targeted in

the petition include Smala, Fabe & Salif, Lunatic, Ministere and Ministere

Amer.

In 1995 French officials

attacked rap group Ministere Amer in court over their song “Sacrifice

de poulet,” from the soundtrack to “La Haine,” a movie that

ironically centers on the lives of three teenagers living in the slums after

a riot has broken out.

A court ruling forced the

group to pay 250,000 francs in fines, but lawmakers were unsuccessful at banning

the CD from stores.

Rappers have expressed their

dismay with the conditions in France since the 1980’s and 1990’s.

The recent riots in France

were set off by the Oct. 27 accidental deaths of two teenagers in Clichy-Sous-Bois.

Zyed Benna, 17, and Traore

Bouna, 15, fled a soccer game and hid in a power substation when they saw police

enter the area and were accidentally electrocuted.

Youths in the neighborhood

accused the police of chasing the teens to their deaths.

The riots were initially

confined around Paris, but then spread to other regions of the Île-de-France

region and throughout France, affecting fifteen of the large urban centers in

the country.

Remy Ma is giving

back to her Bronx, New York community and will give away 600 turkeys and 400

hams today in the Bronx, New York. The female voice of Fat Joe’s Terror

Squad will host the event at Jessica Guzman Medical Center from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Remy’s solo effort There’s Something About Remy coincides

with the passing of Big Pun’s passing on Feb. 7, 2005.

The 33rd Annual American Music Awards took place last night at the Shrine Auditorium

in Los Angeles, California. The evening was hosted by comedian Cedric The Entertainer.

Missy Elliott won Favorite Female Artist in the Hip-Hop category, while 50 Cent

took home top Hip-Hop album. Eminem took home Favorite Male Hip-Hop artist,

Will Smith snagged Favorite Pop/Rock performer and The Black Eyed Peas were

honored with Best Group awards in the Hip-Hop and Pop/Rock categories.

Several current and former

Miami Hurricanes football players are in hot water, after a nine-minute rap

song surfaced featuring the football players demeaning women. The song was recorded

a year ago by “The Seventh Floor Crew,” who took their name from

a student resident hall. "To those who may hear this material, we apologize,"

Athletic Director Paul Dee said in a statement. "Any students whose voices

can be identified will be subject to appropriate discipline and/or counseling."

The matter will be handled internally, as the recording – which was posted

on a student’s blog – was not meant for public distribution.

Montgomery, Alabama duo 334 M.O.B.B. has inked a deal with Def Jam after years

of work in the South. Group members Sawed-Off and Supa Star’s song “Wiked

Church” received airplay in various markets and the group’s mixtape

version of their song “I Aint A Killa” featuring David Banner and

Bone Crusher helped seal the deal. “We don’t want to be pigeonholed as

rappers” group member Supa Star said. “We can do it all, from emceeing,

production and performing, were going to shake things up in the hip-hop game.”

The group has performed with T.I., Outkast, Lil’ Jon and will join Nappy

Roots on an upcoming nationwide tour. 334 M.O.B.B.’s untitled Def Jam

debut is set for a Spring 2006 release.

Warner Music Group has agreed

to a $5 million dollar settlement in regards to a payola probe by New York State

Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. The $5 million dollar settlement will go towards

New York music education and appreciation programs. Spitzer announced that Warner

Music Group agreed to cease giving radio stations incentives in exchange for

airplay. Warner admitted to giving direct bribes to programmers, airfare, and

tickets to concerts, iPods and other incentives to increase airplay.

Judge Edward Korman

delivered a blow to the government’s case yesterday (Nov. 22) when he ruled

that 50 Cent’s May 2000 shooting was irrelevant to the federal money laundering

trial of The Inc.’s Irv and Chris Lorenzo.

The theory that Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff ordered

Ja Rule’s bodyguard to shoot 50 Cent was ruled out of the brothers’ trial,

in which they are accused of laundering millions of drug proceeds for McGriff.

Sources familiar with the case told AllHipHop.com that 50 Cent’s

shooting could come up again – in McGriff’s murder and racketeering

trial – which is slated to start in March of 2006.

The chances that 50 Cent will have to testify in that case are

a "near certainty" according to sources, because McGriff is accused

of murdering Queens, New York rapper, Eric “E-Money Bags” Smith

in 2001.

E-Money Bags was allegedly setup to avenge the murder of another

McGriff associate, Colbert “Black Just” Johnson, who E-Money Bags

allegedly shot in the leg during a cocaine related dispute.

Johnson died on the way to the hospital as the bullet struck

an artery in his leg and fatally wounded him.

Sources close to the case stated that Jon Ragin, who is testifying

on behalf of the government during the money laundering trial of the Lorenzo’s,

will also testify for the government during McGriff’s trial in March.

Ragin was a partner with McGriff in Picture Perfect Films, which

prosecutors claim was set up to launder McGriff’s drug money.

During testimony barred from the jury, Ragin testified that

he met McGriff and Robert "Son" Lyons in a Brooklyn garage after 50

Cent was shot. Ragin claimed McGriff admitted to ordering Lyons – who was Ja

Rule’s bodyguard – to shoot 50 Cent.

Sources stated this is almost certain to come up in McGriff’s

murder trial, because of the similarities between the shootings of 50 Cent and

E-Money Bags.

50 Cent was shot in May 2000 when a gunman pulled alongside

of his car and open fire. E-Money Bags was shot 10 times and killed in July

2001 while sitting in his SUV on a Queens street.

The government has charged Dennis “Divine” Crosby,

38, and Nicole Brown, 42, with E-Money Bags’ murder, along with McGriff.

The couple allegedly videotaped the rapper’s movements from

a nearby apartment before he was gunned down.

McGriff is also charged for a drug-related double slaying in

Baltimore, Maryland. In that incident, police found $30,000 in cash in a stash

house allegedly used by McGriff.

They also found large amounts of cocaine and heroin and promotional

items from the "Crime Partners" movie that McGriff allegedly was producing

with Jon Ragin.

Yesterday during testimony to jurors, Ragin stated he routinely

saw bags and shoeboxes of cash delivered to The Inc.’s offices.

He also stated that checks cut from The Inc. were reimbursed

with drug money. When cross-examined, Ragin admitted he never saw the money

changing hands.

Both prosecutors and defense attorneys noted that Irv and Chris

Lorenzo were compulsive gamblers.

According to court records, between September and December of

2000, Chris Lorenzo placed over $1.5 million dollars in bets on college and

professional basketball games, as well as professional football games.

Gerald Shargel, who is representing The Inc. along with Gerald

Lefcourt, said Chris’ gambling addiction was so bad that his only asset

is a small one bedroom apartment in Queens and that “Chris doesn’t

own anything of value.”

Shargel said that Irv – a top-selling producer –

and Chris’ gambling addiction also accounted for the large amounts of

cash frequently seen in the office.

Sources stated

The Inc.’s trial could end as early as next week, now that 50 Cent’s shooting

has been dismissed, preventing a “trial within a trial.”

It could have played out

like another random rap beef, but Houston’s Bun B. and North Carolina’s Little

Brother have no issues with each other. However, there is clarification.

In Bun B.’s recent

interview with AllHipHop.com, he admitted to enjoying LB’s music, but insinuated

that, with The Minstrel Show, they may be making more enemies than

friends down South.

"I wonder who’s a part

of the minstrel show? I know what they mean, but I think a lot of the people

that they think are against them would pull for them," Bun B told AllHipHop.com.

"I really like them and I like their music and I know they are not making

what everybody down South is making right now, but that don’t mean we against

you."

Little Brother lead producer

9th said that he agreed with some of Bun B’s assessments, and that he understands

the misunderstanding of the group’s objective.

"He’s right:

a lot of people don’t understand what we did by doing The Minstrel Show,"

9th confessed. "You can take it a million ways. People say that we’ re

offended [by music out now], people say we’ re scared to say names and I don’

t think that’ s really going to solve the problem. A lot of people don’ t know

what it means, and a lot of people might take it the wrong way. It was never

an attack on a certain type of music. We’ re just telling people to be yourself,

and don’ t mimic what you see on TV."

Minstrel shows gained popularity

between the 1830’s and 1850’s. The performances consisted of comic skits, dancing

and music performed by whites dressed in outlandish costumes, with their faces

completely blackened by burnt cork or greasepaint.

The shows have been symbolic

of the racism that defined the era.

"The minstrel

show is a very touchy topic," 9th said. "I just wish that the same

fuss would be made—and it wouldn’t be—if our album was named,

I’ve Got 2 Million Guns In My Trunk," 9th said. "Would we

be having this same conversation? No. Not to knock that type of music. There’s

a heaven and a hell, there’s a side to everything—we just aren’t

getting both sides."

9th Wonder said much has

changed in Hip-Hop since the Houston hip-hop pioneer first emerged in the 1990’s

with seminal group UGK.

"[Bun B’ s group] UGK

came out at a time where hip-hop was more balanced," said 9th, a self-professed

fan of Bun B. "You could have a UGK, and A Tribe Called Called Quest, and

a Roots, and a Black Rob. We had a variety of cats to choose from. It’s

all one thing now."

In related news,

9th Wonder said he intends to release a solo opus, The Dream Merchant,

in early 2006.

"Just expect different types of sounds," 9th told AllHipHop.com about

the album, which he said features appearances from Mos Def, Jean Grae, Memphis

Bleek, Saigon, and others. "We’ re just trying to put out good music, and

get a bigger balance back in the game. This is rap music, it’ s not Calculus

class where you need a long formula. It’ s just rap. Some cats will like it,

some won’ t, period."

Tom Green is on the

verge of releasing his debut rap album Prepare For Impact and in support

of his upcoming release, he is planning a tour across Canada.

The comedian/rapper is excited about his album and his opportunity

to tour Canada to promote it.

"What we want to do when we tour across country is we want

to bring some of that silly, fun, madness, circus-like atmosphere to play some

shows around Canada. It’s giving me an excuse to go get on stage and go tour

Canada," he said.

Green’s tour of

Canada will start in January but details of the tour have not yet been released.

The comedian has previously stated his love for Hip-Hop and

was also a founding member of the Canadian group Organized Rhyme.

The group received a Juno nomination for the song "Check

the O.R." off their album Stiffenin Against The Wall which was

released in 1992.

Green’s album will feature production from DJ EZ-Mike (who produced

for the Beasties Boys) and Mike Simpson of the Dust Brothers.

The comedian’s

album Prepare for Impact hits stores December 6th.

The trial of Irv and Chris

“Gotti” Lorenzo on federal money laundering charges continued yesterday

(Nov. 21) opening with Judge Edward Korman hearing evidence about 50 Cent’s

May 2000 shooting.

Prosecutors argued in closed chambers that the May 2000 shooting is related

to The Inc.’s money laundering trial, because it was ordered by Kenneth

“Supreme” McGriff as the brothers allegedly laundered the convicted

cocaine dealer’s drug proceeds.

They also claim to have a message from one of The Inc.’s pagers, claiming

a message was sent shortly after 50 Cent was shot in May 2000 saying “f**k

half a dollar, me and my ni**as kill for fun.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Haran said that on the day 50 Cent was shot, Irv

sent a flurry of messages, allegedly within 30 minutes of the shooting, asking

how many times the rapper had been shot and if he had been killed.

Former McGriff associate Jon Ragin testified yesterday as well, claiming that

McGriff, alleged triggerman Robert “Son” Lyons and Chauncey “God

B.” Milliner met in a Brooklyn garage immediately after the May 2000 attack.

"Supreme said, ‘I got him,’" Ragin told Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn

Pokorny. "I didn’t know who it was he got and Supreme explained he got

50 Cent. He thought 50 Cent was dead. He got shot so many times at close range

and there was so much blood."

Ragin even claimed that Lyons wiped gun powder residue off of his hands with

rubbing alcohol after the shooting.

Ragin was a McGriff associate and partner in a business Picture Perfect, which

produced the DVD film “Crime Partners,” which the government claims

was a fake company designed to launder McGriff’s drug proceeds.

Ragin is facing up to 108 months in prison and is cooperating with the government

for a lesser sentence in a massive credit card fraud ring. Ragin is also in

the witness protection program.

Ragin had prior drug convictions and is with running a multi-million dollar

credit card scam through a phony tuxedo rental business.

Attorney’s for The Inc. are attempting to prevent the jurors from hearing

evidence related to 50 Cent’s shooting, claiming it has nothing to do

with money laundering charges.

"With the introduction of contradictory evidence…the trial will

be overwhelmed by an irrelevant sideshow about who shot 50 Cent," the Lorenzo’s

attorney Gerald Lefcourt said in court filings.

Lefcourt and Gerald Shargel have countered the government’s claims that

McGriff ordered the shooting, alleging that the original gunman was Darryl “Hommo”

Baum.

At one point, an aggravated Shargel could be heard yelling from the judge’s

chambers: “Hommo [Baum] did it, Hommo did it, Hommo did it. Even 50 Cent

says it!”

Lefcourt and Shargel portrayed Ragin as a habitual liar who was involved in

prostitution, money laundering and other schemes.

The defense also introduced 50 Cent’s lyrics to “Many

Men,” interviews conducted by 50 Cent in which he named Baum as his shooter

and Ethan Brown’s investigative book, Queens

Reigns Supreme, which hits stores today.

Prosecutors contend that it was safer for 50 Cent to attribute his shooting

to a dead man, because the alleged triggerman, [Lyons], was still alive.

The jury has not been allowed to hear any of this yet, as none of it has been

entered into evidence.

Actual testimony in front of jurors relating to The Inc.’s federal money

laundering trial only lasted about two hours.

Around noon, Judge Edward Korman called recess to attend a funeral.

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When testimony resumed in front of jurors, New York Police Department detective

Anthony Castiglia testified on behalf of the prosecution, attempting to prove

that large sums of money could fit into shoe boxes to be laundered.

Last week, defense attorney’s accused prosecution witness Donnell Nichols

of lying because $70,000 in $5 and $10 dollar bills could not in a shoe box.

Castiglia said he successfully stuffed over $7,000 in $1 dollar bills into

an Adidas shoebox, attempting to prove that large sums of money could have been

laundered in this fashion.

The defense countered, saying no one knew the actual size of the boxes and

therefore an accurate dollar estimate could not be determined.

The prosecution did note that the defendants were more likely to wear sneakers

and Timberland boots, as opposed to dress shoes.

Testimony continues today (Nov. 22).

DJ Green Lantern has found a new recording home with Russell Simmons Music Group after unceremoniously exiting Eminem’s Shady Records earlier this year.

RSMG president Tony Austin said that Green Lantern’s background and ability spoke volumes to the burgeoning company.

“We signed Green Lantern because he’s a prominent figure in the Hip-Hip community,” Austin told AllHipHop.com. “He understands the culture and what it represents. He has produced for some of the biggest name artists in Hip-Hip. He’ll be influential in helping shape and mode new talent at RSMG along with building his own brand and becoming a household name around the globe.”

To date, Green Lantern has crafted hits for the likes of Ludacris, The Lox’s D-Block, Immortal Technique, Akon, Jadakiss and others like Noreaga.

DJ Green Lantern announced his departure from Shady Records in April after DJing for Eminem since 2001. He departed Shady after a phone conversation with rapper Jadakiss was recorded for a street DVD without his knowledge. The New York native made an opinionated comment about 50 Cent and Jadakiss’ rap beef at the time, which appeared to cause tension between the Shady/G-Unit camp.

Austin didn’t indicate if Green’s anticipated album, The Invasion, would be released through RSMG.