DJ Vlad, who serves as Executive Vice President of Loud.com/SRC Records has come forward to dismiss rumors about Asher Roth’s sexuality. Reports surfaced last week that Asher Roth had “come out of the closet” during an interview about Clay Aiken on the E! Channel, which was also supposed to be airing Roth’s coming out announcement as well. “Asher Roth is not gay, and is not scheduled to be interviewed on the E! Channel. Furthermore, Asher has not been dropped from SRC Records, and is a top priority at the label after having sold over a million copies his “I Love College” single,” DJ Vlad said in a statement. “Asher is currently working on his next album for SRC.”
DJ Kay Slay has been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court. The lawsuit was filed by a pair of songwriters named Raymond and Richard Grant. The Grant’s claim DJ Kay Slay illegally used a sample of their song “Angels Around Me” on his track “Angels Around Me” which featured cameo appearances by 50 Cent and G-Unit. The song was produced by DJ Twinz and is featured on DJ Kay Slay’s 2004 album The Streetsweeper Vol.2-The Pain From The Game. Also named in the lawsuit is Loud Records and Sony BMG Music.
Rap star Common has teamed with New York based club Giant Step to ring in the New Year in Miami. Common will be the featured artist at this year’s New Year’s Eve party in The Florida Room at the Delano. The rapper will be backed by his live band during the intimate performance for the 200 people who manage to grab tickets. Also on the bill is Baltimore native Rye Rye, DJ Mateo DiFontaine and DJ Tommy Ryk.
The Portland Oregon school board has officially approved a new charter high school that will highlight Hip-Hop music and culture. The school board unanimously approved the high school in a 6 to 0 vote paving the way for The High School of Recording Arts Portland to open in 2011. The next 18 months will be spent developing the schools curriculum according to local news reports. The school’s goal is to prepare students for society through education and incorporating hip hop culture. A number of popular local rappers also participated in the development of the curriculum including versatile of the local group Lifesavas as well as hometown favorite rapper Cool Nutz.