Production team
The Neptunes have been sued by two men who claim the platinum plus duo infringed
on one of their copyrighted works. Peter and David Currin filed the lawsuit
in Hartford Federal Court, alleging The Neptunes illegally used portions of
their 1993 song "I’m Frontin" on The Neptunes’ song "Frontin’,"
which featured Jay-Z. The song was released in 2003 on their album The Neptunes
Presents…The Clones. The Currin’s seek an undisclosed amount and have
also named Arista Records, Sony and RCA as defendants in the lawsuit.
Comedic icon Rudy
Ray Moore aka Dolemite has been hospitalized due to an unknown, serious illness.
The 80-year-old comedy legend is reported to be in good spirits in the Intensive
Care Unit at an Inglewood, California hospital. Moore,, who is known as "the
king of party records," shows no signs of slowing down and issued a statement
to AllHipHop.com from his hospital bed. "Steve Harvey and others have used
the title "The Kings of Comedy” but I am the true king! They never
paid me any respect, the youngsters you know, but that’s ok, because I’m still
standing! It was Red Fox and then I and Slappy White." Various rappers
have paid homage to the legend over the years, including Ice-T, Ol’ Dirty Bastard
and Snoop Dogg, who featured the comedian in his video "Doggy Dogg World,"
taken from his platinum-plus album Doggystyle. "Rudy is still funny,
even at 80 in intensive care!," added Moore’s manager Foster Corder. "All
he can talk about is getting back on the road. We discussed a tribute that he
wants all his rapper fans and other celebrity friends to take part in. Everyone
will hear more from me later on that. But it’s a very, very funny idea! In the
meantime, however, let’s pray for the king and his good health.”
Russell Simmons
opened the Nasdaq last week by ringing the opening bell in honor of the 5th
year anniversary of his non-profit group the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and
while doing so, the mogul took the time to announce a new philanthropic endeavor.
“The last time Puffy was at the Stock Exchange, he introduced his new fragrance,"
Simmons said during his one minute speech. "After that, it became the #1
fragrance overnight. In September, we’re coming out with ‘Atman’ and we’re
giving 100% of the proceeds away to charity." Simmons said the first program
to receive funds from Atman’s sale will be Alicia Keys’ "Keep A Child Alive"
program, which is dedicated to bringing medicine to children infected with AIDS
in Africa. Before exiting, Simmons sprayed the NASDAQ podium and some of the
participants, stating “You’ve never smelled so good!”
Mixtape DJ SynCity
AKA the Mixtape Princess and Esteban Serrano have teamed to create The Epydemik
DVD Magazine and are currently negotiating a worldwide distribution deal
for the project with Mastermind/Phoenix Entertainment. The DVD magazine will
feature in-depth interviews with various celebrities and will be available in
various retailers like Walmart, FYI, Best Buy, Tower Records and other outlets.
"I felt it was necessary to put out a Hip-Hop/lifestyle DVD Magazine which
emphasized quality in production…and I also wanted to add input as a female
in Hip-Hop," SynCity told AllHipHop.com. "We want people to learn
something, be entertained…our model segment is called Adore and our first
Adore feature is none other than Eva Pigford from America’s Next Top Model.
It’s hot…you gotta check it out." Serrano, a graduate of the prestigious
Art Institute of Philadelphia, currently works in the production department
for MTV and has worked with 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Green Day, Lindsay Lohan and others.
"I am focused on high quality and content," Serrano added. "I
decided it was time to take Hip-Hop to a higher level and expose the inner culture
of Hip-Hop besides what is overly saturated in the media…violence and poorly
depicted women."