Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco was one of seven winners of USA Network’s first ever Character Approved Awards. The network chose seven artists based on their “cultural impact, legacy and persona.” Lupe Fiasco was honored with an award for Music, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales was honored for his role in the New Media/Technology field, David Chang […]

Barack Obama may face many challenges as the country’s newest President, but LL Cool J has a bit of advice for the new Commander in Chief.   In an open letter to Obama, the rap icon congratulates the politician on attaining his new position while acknowledging the tough road that lies ahead.   “The next […]

Effective today (January 27), independent powerhouse Koch Records will now be known as E1 Music.   The initiative comes directly from parent company E1 Entertainment, in a concerted effort to merge their portfolio of over 100 global subsidiaries under one umbrella.   The company’s urban division will remain in New York City, while the main […]

Atlanta rapper Rocko has been sentenced to 48 hours in prison after he pleaded no contest to striking a woman during an altercation in February of 2007.   Rocko pleaded no contest to battery charges during the incident, in which he struck the woman, causing injuries and contusions to her face and eyes.   Rocko, […]

The Miami/Liberty City Hip-Hop community remains in shock following a Friday night shooting spree that’s left 2 teenagers dead and 7 people wounded.   Miami authorities are continuing a search for at least one masked man who used an AK-47 assault rifle on bystanders at a Liberty City grocery store on January 23.   Eyewitness […]

A Representative for Lil Kim has dismissed recent reports that claim the rapper wanted a Latina actress to play her in the movie Notorious.   Reports stated that Lil Kim was unhappy with Naturi Naughton’s portrayal of her in the movie Notorious and that she really wanted Christina Milian to play the role.   While […]

Former Public Enemy hypeman turned reality TV star Flavor Flav, and director Deon Taylor have confirmed an agreement to continue their BET movie Nite Tales as an anthology TV series.   The original movie aired on BET this past Halloween and is currently set for a DVD release on February 3.   Speaking with the […]

Funkmaster Flex’s love for all things auto-related will take centers stage during a new television show set to launch on Spike TV.   Flex’s latest TV show is set to premiere in April and is titled Fast Machines with Funkmaster Flex.   Spike TV will air Flex’s new original half-hour series during the network’s highly […]

A judge rejected an appeal of a copyright lawsuit against Atlanta rapper Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz’ over the track “The Weedman.”   The lawsuit, which also named TVT Records, was dismissed from United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia earlier this week.   Freelance musician Redwin Wilchcombe claimed that he […]

Spike TV’s acclaimed anime Afro Samurai will mark its return to television with the new full length movie Afro Samurai: Resurrection.   Afro Samurai: Resurrection features Academy-Award nominated actor and executive producer Samuel Jackson reprising his role as the title character.   Emmy-nominated actress Lucy Liu voices Sio, described by the cast as a “beautiful, […]

System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadijan and Wu Tang leader the RZA are close to completing the debut release of their embryonic supergroup Achozen.   The new band will consist of Odadijan, RZA, Beretta 9 of Killarmy, and new artist Reverend William Burke.   In recording sessions, the group has relied heavily on live […]

Lauren Lazin, the Oscar-nominated director of Tupac Resurrection, will debut her latest biopic The Last Days of Left Eye on April 19 at the 31st Atlanta Film Festival. Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was known as the eccentric personality of TLC, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. In March 2002, the singer/rapper ventured […]

Outkast’s Andre 3000 continues to receive accolades in his endeavors outside of the Hip-Hop realm. The rapper-turned-actor and much more has been heralded by GQ Magazine as one of the Best New Designers in America for his prep-inspired men’s line Benjamin Bixby.As part of GQ’s third annual search, Dre, born Andre Benjamin, was selected alongside […]

Joaquin Phoenix’s dream of becoming a legitimate Hip-Hop artist took a hit last Friday (January 16), as the acclaimed actor delivered an abysmal set in his first ever music performance.   Eyewitness reports allege that Phoenix immediately unraveled on stage due to the lateness of brother in-law and director Casey Affleck, who was on hand […]

Nottingham, England-based producer Endemic is promoting the concept of music as the universal language, with the inclusion of American rappers on his debut album.   The release, titled Terminal Illness, will feature Boot Camp Clik member Sean Price, Planet Asia, Hell Razah and Killah Priest as well as United Kingdom-based artists C Mone, M9, & […]

Harlem rapper Max B and his attorney Gerald Saluti have released a videotaped statement [watch the video HERE] in which Saluti offers previously unreleased details about an ongoing New Jersey murder trial, in which his client has been implicated.   The statement comes one week after the rapper’s ex-girlfriend and co-defendant pleaded guilty to lesser […]

Matching the success of the film from which it spawned, Notorious: Music From and Inspired by the Original Motion Picture has landed atop several Billboard charts, scoring the week’s biggest debut at #4 on the Billboard 200.   The Bad Boy Records release, which was in stores three days before Notorious hit theaters, sold 43,000 […]

The J.D. Tucker Foundation and the Guess Firm are set to sponsor the 5th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities Film Festival next month in Houston.   John “Dr. Teeth” Tucker founder the J.D. Tucker Foundation and the festival, created the event as a platform to empower under serviced film and communication majors at HBCU’s. […]

Twista has confirmed plans to reunite with producer Traxster on the Chicago emcee’s forthcoming solo album.   Traxster executive produced Twista’s 1997 LP Adrenaline Rush, the rapper’s first gold project and one many critics and fans still consider his best work.   For his new album Category F5, Twista is confident they can recapture the […]

Jackson, Mississippi native David Banner will head overseas as part of an upcoming (United Service Organization (USO) Tour.   Banner will visit the Persian Gulf during the week-long excursion, which will visit a number of military posts.   “There’s nothing I enjoy more than giving back and expressing my thanks to those serving our nation,” […]