G-Unit’s Lloyd
Banks and the G-Unity Foundation recently donated $10,000 to August Martin High
School in Jamaica, Queens last week. Banks’ donation to his alma mater will be
used to bolster the library. "I wanted to start something new," Banks
told Fox 5 New York. "I will make sure I come back here every year, as long
as they accept me, just to let them know there’s something else beyond these walls."
Banks, who’s debut album Rotten Apple hit stores yesterday (Oct. 10), also
offered encouraging words for students. "I love English, I wanted to know
how to read and count my money, so I love math. You have to take what you want
out of it. [School] definitely puts you on the right direction."Yonkers,
NY rapper Jadakiss was released from prison yesterday (Oct. 10) after spending
three nights in jail for gun and drug posession charges. According police, Jadakiss
and two other men were arrested when police found marijuana and a gun that had
been reported stolen in the car. Jadakiss pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal
possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property and a misdemeanor
marijuana-possession charge. He posted $5,000 bail and is due back in court on
Oct. 20. Rapper
Ma Barker has inked a deal with Capital Gang Management and is preparing an upcoming
release, Wife of a Don: Unforgiven Sins. The album is a forerunner to her
untitled official debut, which so far boasts appearances from Kool G. Rap, 50
Cent, LL Cool J, Papoose, Joell Ortiz and others. The album also features production
from Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Buckwild, Scram Jones, Shuko, phreQuincy
and Lex Barkey. Wife Of A Don: Unforgiven Sins hits stores on Oct. 30,
while her untitled debut is expected sometime in 2007. Rapper
Hi-Tek will give Cincinnatians a free concert during the reopening of the city’s
Fountain Square. The day-long celebration’s Master of Ceremonies is the legendary
Bootsy Collins, who will host local artists and national acts during the festivities.
In addition to Hi-Tek, a collaborative performance between the Cincinnati Symphony
Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet and Cincinnati Opera will take place, along with
a reading by Poet Laureate and Cincinnati native Nikki Giovanni, who wrote an
original poem in honor of Fountain Square’s reopening. this occasion. "The
idea is that there is something for everyone and everyone should be here for this
celebration," said Bill Donabedian, managing director of Fountain Square.
"This celebration is representative of what Cincinnatians can expect on Fountain
Square day in and day out — leveraging our community assets and presenting exciting
entertainment." East Los Angeles rock band Los Lobos and Chicago rock group
Ok Go will also performing making their first major Cincinnati appearance. Fountain
Square reopens on Oct. 14 starting at 9:00 am. Hi-Tek’s Hi-Teknology 2
hits stores on Oct. 17.