In addition to the

massive success of his debut album, Get Rich or Die Trying and the debut

of G-Unit’s Beg For Mercy, 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks will provide voices

to an upcoming Saturday morning cartoon, "Beaver Street Gang."

"It’s basically

about a bunch of kids at an orphanage hanging out outside," Lloyd Banks

told AllHipHop.com. "It’s like the new age Cosby’s."

50 and Lloyd Banks

join Beanie Sigel and members of the Roc-A-Fella family, who have their own

Saturday morning cartoon in the works as well.

"[The cartoon]

is the whole State Property squad and we do to this day care center everday.

None of us like it there. It’s like jail for us. The whole language is from

the inside [of jail]. We don’t gotta take naps, we gotta take it down. We don’t

eat lunch, we gotta go to chow. We don’t go to yard to play, we gotta go to

rec. It’s gonna be a funny cartoon."

In addition to

the "Beaver Street Gang" cartoon, Banks said that an unnamed video

game surrounding G-Unit will be released next Christmas.

G-Unit’s Beg

For Mercy debuted at number 3 on Billboard’s Pop Chart, moving over 300,000

copies the first week in stores.

Rapper Wordsworth has inked a deal with Halftooth

Records and will drop his highly anticipated solo album.

Wordsworth, who

gained fame from his role in the Lyricist Lounge showcase, said that his decision

to sign with the indie label was based on the owners belief in his music.

“I chose to

go with Halftooth because they believe in me and my music," the Brooklyn

bred rapper said. "It’s hard to find a label that believes in you.

They understand what I’m doing as an artist and that the music I’m

making will have an effect on the world so they support that.”

Halftooth Record’s

President, David Schrager, said that signing Wordsworth would help his upcoming

label, due to the rapper’s knowledge and experience.

"We are very

excited to have Words as part of our family," Schrager said. "Words

is one of the most talented and most respected Hip-Hop artists to date. I’ve

been a fan of Wordsworth since ‘97, and it’s an honor to be putting

out his first solo endeavor.”

The untitled album

will drop in June of 2004.

"I think

of my CD as an audio mirror of life," Wordsworth said of his upcoming album.

"It embodies a timeline of experiences. Each song is a cinema crafted to

strike a nerve and actually deliver a message. In my rhymes, I try to create

pictures that illustrate emotions. When people hear my album I want them to

feel like I said everything they couldn’t say, so when a song ends their response

is, ‘Word!’ To put it bluntly, my album is like an audio art gallery of emotions."

For more information

on Wordsworth and Halftooth Records, visit www.halftooth.com.

New York Council

member Yvette D. Clarke joined community activists and elected officials last

week, denouncing misogynist and racist lyrics by Eminem and other popular hip-hop artists.

Clarke, along with

Erica Ford of the Code Foundation, Viola Plummer of the December 12th Movement,

representatives of the Harriet Tubman/Fannie Lou Hamer Collective, the Masses

United for Human Rights, Africans Helping Africans and others rallied at City

Hall in New York, saying they were "fed up with what has become a pervasive

and destructive theme in the commercial world of hip-hop."

"There is

nothing more important than what we have to say about the context of the images,

sounds and words that are broadcast to our youth," Clarke said. "We

are here to say that the entire hip-hop industry must begin to make itself more

respectful and accountable to a community it owes so much to and should be compelled

to repay."

The groups condemned

the racist lyrics of Eminem, which surfaced when the Source magazine released

a ten-year-old tape that featured the multi-platinum artist using the word n*gger

and making disparaging remarks about African-American women.

"Far too many

have become apologists for what is wrong in hip-hop," Clark continued.

"Just because someone has apologized for their destructive actions doesn’t

mean that we all don’t have an obligation to stand up and say what Eminem did

was wrong. And more importantly, to make sure that his fans, black and white,

hear that message loud and clearly."

Clarke said the

positive themes of earlier hip-hop have been replaced with self hating and defaming

images, which have stunned the growth and development of the community.

"There are

other artists who look like my father and brother, who are just as guilty of

the type of hateful, anti-female words that Eminem espoused. These brothers

need to check themselves and realize that as artists, their words and actions

are strongly having a devastating impact on our youth," Clarke continued.

"While we hold Eminem accountable for his actions, we must at the same

time pose this question: who made it culturally acceptable for the word "n*gga"

to be used so openly and freely, without repercussion? Who made it acceptable

for hip-hop to be a forum for the denigration of Black women? And the most important

question of all: Who profits from this madness?"

Clarke criticized

the music business for promoting "hatred on our airwaves and in the record

stores" and called on the major labels to invest more into the Black and

Latino communities of the United States.

"While we

acknowledge that there are several organizations making contributions to the

community, it is only a fraction of the billions of dollars made annually off

the destruction of our culture," Clarke noted. "I am calling upon

the music industry that is hip-hop to seek out ways to give back to community

institutions that feed the minds, bodies and spirits of our youth. And for the

hip-hop community to wake up and realize that they are our future. We need their

strength and energy to combat the problems that afflict our community, and not

add to those problems."

An arrest warrant

for David "DJ Quik" Blake was issued by San Bernardino County this week

after the rapper allegedly entered his sister’s home and assaulted her.

According to authorities,

Quik entered the house of his 42 year-old sister on November 2 with two other

men while she was sleeping.

His sister said

that Quik made comments about family problems and punched her in the face multiple

times.

Authorities said

the woman broke free and hid. One of her children allegedly witnessed a gun

as Quik searched the house for the woman before leaving.

The woman suffered

minor cuts and bruises.

Quik recently produced

"Justify My Thug," on Jay-Z’s Black Album.

James "Soulja

Slim" Tapp was shot and killed yesterday (November 26) in front of his

mothers house in New Orleans.

Police are investigating

a number of leads in the killing, but have yet to charge anyone in connection

with the crime.

"Slim was

wildin’ out, he was on X (Ecstasy) hard," a source told AllHipHop.com.

"He was out at a club on the West Bank. Someone said something like f*ck

Magnolia (Magnolia projects in New Orleans), then all of Magnolia busted em

up. The dude that got jumped has been walking around with a vest on all week,

looking for Slim."

In addition to

that incident, Slim allegedly got into an altercation at a club in Mississippi.

The source said that a man was in the V.I.P. area of an unnamed club. Slim didn’t

recognize the man and apparently struck him, before being thrown out of the

club.

In another similar

altercation in a club in Miami, Slim was allegedly involved in an altercation and took a man’s jewelry. According to the source, there was also an altercation at a New Orlean’s gas station.

"This aint

no bullsh*t," the source continued. "Slim must have forgot something,

because he ran back into his mother’s house and left his truck running. The

dude walked up in all black from the side of the house and shot him 5 times

in the head. This was a hit. Whoever did this had to have done it before. Slim

was one of the realest n*ggas on the streets. B.G. and Juvenile and all the

local rappers are planning to do a tribute concert for him on Friday. All this

violence has got to stop. Kids see these big time rappers beefin and think that

it’s ok for them to do the same thing."

According to sources,

James “Soulja Slim” Tapp was shot and killed today (November 26) in New Orleans.

Tapp was shot several

times and killed in the front yard of his mother’s New Orlean’s house, as he

exited his vehicle.

Police are currently

seeking a motive for the rapper’s slaying.

Before signing

to Master P’s No Limit Records, Slim released The Dark Side and Soulja

For Life.

In 1998, he Rapp

released Give It 2 ‘Em Raw for No Limit, which was certified gold.

50 Cent’s recently

released sneaker with Reebok, the G6 from the G-Unit Collection, marked one of

the best liquidations of a debut Reebok shoe.

According to Reebok, the shoe completely sold out of the Reebok.com store and

in key global markets such as New York, Philadelphia and London.

“My Reebok G-Unit sneaker blew out of the stores just like I hoped it would,”

50 Cent said. “The word has hit the streets, I rap about the shoe in my new video

and the fans are definitely feeling it.”

The next installment of the collection is the black/royal G6, which hits stores

December 23rd, while a white/pink version for girls hits stores in February.

To market the sneakers to consumers, Reebok created the “Rbk Street Squad,” comprised

of the same team members responsible for creating the street buzz around 50’s

major label debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin’.

Posters, postcards and flyers featuring 50 will be placed in barbershops, hair

salons, nightclubs, clothing stores and restaurants.

“Reebok is thrilled with the early buzz the G6 has generated,” said Micky Pant,

Reebok’s chief marketing officer. “50 Cent has earned his reputation as the hottest

MC right now and young people want to sport the shoe he is wearing.”

Cable television channel

BET will provide special programming to coincide with World AIDS Day, a globally

recognized event that takes place on Monday, December 1.

The network will

utilize hip-hop to kick off the programming, airing a special two-hour edition

of Rap City: The Bassment.

Host Big Tigger

will discuss the important HIV testing information with guests G-Unit.

"I’m happy

to be involved with anything that raises the awareness and prevention of HIV

and AIDS," Big Tigger told AllHipHop.com. "That is the main goal of

my not for profit foundation, The Street Corner Foundation, LLC.."

The cable network

will televise HIV-related programs and public service announcements (PSAs) throughout

the day, geared towards educating teens, young adults and African-Americans

about the disease that has drastically impacted the urban community.

Wyclef and Alicia

Keys will stop by 106 & Park with other guests, discussing the impact of

HIV/AIDS on young people.

BET.com’s Celebrity

Charity Auction and the Rap-It-Up Film Competition will also be announced during

the live telecast.

Jay-Z held his farewell

concert last night (November 25) at Madison Square Garden.

The sold out show

was a who’s who in rap and R&B music, featuring Beyonce, the Roc-A-Fella

family, R.Kelly, Missy Elliot, Foxy Brown and Mary J. Blige.

The concert highlighted

the phenomenal success the Brooklyn born rapper has acheived.

Jay-Z started the

show performing some of his greatest hits, bringing Freeway, Beanie Sigel, Memphis

Bleek, Young Gunz, Missy Elliot and Twista to the stage for duets.

Later in the evening

Jay’s love interest, Beyonce took over the stage with five dancers. Her set

was backed by Illadelphonic, a new 7-piece band fronted by The Roots’ ?Love.

She performed "Crazy

in Love," "Baby Boy" without Sean Paul and "Summertime"

with Ghostface Killah, who appeared on an unofficial remixed version of the

song.

Foxy Brown and

Jay appeared together, performing their smash, "Ain’t

No N*gga."

Mary J. Blige was

on hand to perform "Can’t Knock The Hustle" and then launched into

her own set.

R. Kelly was the

final guest and after the performance, Jay-Z finished the show on his own.

The concert was

an exclamation point to Jay-Z’s career, in which he has sold over 20 million

records, produced movies and a clothing line and debuted at number 1 six times.

LA rhymester Xzibit has formed Strong Arm Steady, a new group that includes San Diego’s Mitchy Slick, former Likwit member Phil The Agony and Krondon.Next year, X and the group will drop a DVD to introduce the collective and reveal their ways through shows and backstage.

In addition, the DVD will include an exclusive mixtape of the group. The set drops March 2, 2004 and features Busta Rhymes, WC, Talib Kwale, Ice T, Cypress Hill and G-Unit.

Recently, Xzibit has been doing tour dates, domestically and internationally, and finishing up his new album tentatively titled Weapon of Mass Destruction. The set is due summer of 2004. He recently performed at University of Southern California with Evidence of Dilated Peoples and rock bands Chomsky and Magna-fi.

“Not everyone can be a rapper, not everyone can be an athlete,” X told the crowd at USC, “This is a very prestigious school. You can make a difference in the world.”

Xzibit’s last album Man vs. Machine was certified gold by the RIAA.

Popular Miami rapper

Pitbull has inked a long term deal with TVT Records, home to such southern acts

as Ying Yang Twins and Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz.

“The timing was just right with TVT. The label has its finger on the pulse of

the South movement and I wanted to be a part of that,” Pitbull said.

The rapper is already working on his album, which is slated for a September 2004

release date. He recently recorded “That’s Nasty” with Lil Jon and Lil Scrappy.

The song will appear on TVT’s Crunk & Disorderly compilation, which also

features David Banner, T.I., Bone Crusher, Ying Yang Twins and others.

“Pitbull is one of those rare artist whose character and presence is felt not

only on a record but throughout an entire community,” TVT Records President, Steve

Gottlieb said.

The 22-year-old rapper recorded “Oye” for the “2 Fast 2 Furious” soundtrack. The

Crunk & Disorderly compilation will be in-stores December 9, 2003.

Howard University officials ruled that the prestigious school’s marching

band could not appear in “We Bout to Blow,” a new video by rapper

DMX.Franklin Chambers, Vice Provost of Student Affairs, said

the

school’s General Counsel did not have enough time to review the

contract, due to the timing of the request.Chambers also

said

the historically black college did not want to commercialize their

learning institution.”In the end, we decided that it

wasn’t in

our best interest to commercialize what

we do educationally,” Chambers told the Black College

Wire.The

band had worked out a dance routine, planned to form the letters “DMX”

and was prepared to play the music to the song.Some students

opposed the decision, alleging the university officials were operating

on double standard.”Concern has been expressed over the

potential offensive nature of the video,” student Jahdai Dawes said.

“I

find it more offensive when my friend is assaulted at a university

function and the assailant[s] are allowed to remain and enjoy themselves

the rest of the evening. Where is the administration

then?”DMX’s

representatives are looking to use the marching band concept at another

university, including Morgan State in nearby Baltimore, where Def Jam

President Kevin Liles attended college.

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels will join disco diva Gloria Gaynor, former

teen

idol Debbie Gibson and Dee Snyder of rock group Twisted Sister on VH1’s

first-ever “A Very Classic Thanksgiving.”VH1

invited the

“classic” artists to eat food, drink wine, share Thanksgiving memories

and discuss music.Highlights of the festivities will be

played

over a two day span on VH1 Classics, starting Thursday, November 27 and

Friday, November 28.The highlights will also replay on

Saturday,

November 30.Launched in 2000, VH1 Classics is a 24 hour

network

that features music videos, concerts and music specials featuring

classic rock, soul and pop artists from the 60s, 70s and

80s.

Source owner David Mays has decided to step down from the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network’s board of directors, alleging that Russell Simmons was irresponsible for his recent defense of Eminem. Last week, the magazine released a 10-year-old tape of a younger Marshall Mathers rapping disrespectfully about Black women and using the word ni**er.

“Russell Simmons’ rush to defend Eminem over his racist lyrics is disturbing and

disappointing to me,” David Mays said in a statement. “This is not the Russell I’ve known and admired for many years as a strong leader of the hip-hop movement.”

Simmons’ non-profit Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) released a statement last week supporting Eminem and accepting his subsequent apology for his remarks.

“These lyrics are disgusting, but the oneness of hip-hop culture has transformed many young people in trailer parks around the country away from their parents¹ old mindset of white supremacy,” Russell Simmons said in a statement. “We believe Eminem’s apology is sincere and forthright. He continues not only to be an icon of hip-hop, but also has evolved into a good soldier who gives back money, time and energy to the community, encouraging this generation of youth to reach their highest aspirations.”

Mays said that he would not rejoin HSAN’s board until Simmons revealed what financial ties HSAN may have to Eminem and Interscope Records.

Co-owner Benzino reiterated his previous sentiments not content with Eminem’s previous apology issued last week.

“First and foremost Eminem owes a true apology as well as a more detailed explanation to the Black community and to Black women for these offensive lyrics. Perhaps Eminem can be a more powerful force in uniting poor people from the trailer parks to the projects. But we must use this situation to explore that idea more closely,” Benzino said.

Simmons responded to the allegations and accepted Mays’ resignation.”In almost 30 years in this business, I’ve never been in a hip-hop

battle and I will not be drawn into one now by The Source magazine,” Simmons said. “Dave

Mays

and Benzino are my brothers and I wish the best for them. Unfortunately,

we

do not agree on this issue. In a Hip-Hop Summit in Detroit earlier this

year, Eminem, Nas and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick inspired 14,000

young

people to reach for their highest aspirations. At that time, Eminem

also

received an award from the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network for his

generous

donation of coats to those who were cold on the streets of Detroit.

Although

The Source magazine takes the opposite position, I stand by what I said

in

that I believe Eminem’s apology is sincere.”