Pharoahe Monch Album On The Way Via New Deal With Steve Rifkind’s New Label

Pharoahe Monch has joined forces with Loud Records/SRC founder Steve Rifkind to release Monch’s first album since his 1999 debut Internal Affairs, on Rawkus Records. Pharaohe Monch will release his highly anticipated album, Desire, on a new unnamed label Rifkind has founded and runs, after a bidding war which is also distributed by Universal. A […]

Rap Producer Claims He’s Unfairly Linked To Officer’s Murder

Rap producer Christopher Hicks was arrested Friday (Feb. 17) in connection to the murder of a California highway patrol officer. Sacramento’s Modesto Bee reported that Hicks unwittingly became linked to the murder suspect, 30-year-old Columbus Junior Allen II. Hicks, a veteran producer who has worked on movie soundtracks, is best known for his collaborations with […]

Slim Thug Goes Titanium For Energizer Music Contest

Rapper Slim Thug has hooked up with Energizer for the battery company’s Engergizer Titanium Technology Freestylin’ music contest. The contest, which runs through March 24, will give participants the chance to freestyle over a beat provided by Energizer. "I started out by freestylin’ over different beats," Slim Thug said. "Energizer’s providing an opportunity for other […]

Queen Latifah Receives First ‘Rosa Parks Lifetime Achievement Award’ From Newark, NJ

Rapper/actress Queen Latifah will receive the first Rosa Parks Lifetime Achievement award issued by her hometown of Newark, NJ. Latifah, born Dana Owens, will receive the award at Newark’s annual Black History Month Monday tribute on Monday (Feb. 20). The Rev. Keith Marshall of Macedonia Baptist Church will give the keynote address at the ceremony, […]

NYPD Commissioner Says Busta’s Silence ‘Quite Disturbing’

Flipmode Squad rapper Busta Rhymes has garnered criticism from New York Police Department Commissioner Raymond Kelly for his silence concerning the recent slaying of one of the rapper’s bodyguards, Israel Ramirez. Kelly, who accused Rhymes Wednesday (Feb. 15) of withholding information about the slaying, complained that the silence of several potential witnesses has held up […]