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 "extremelydisrespectful."