Definitive Jux rapper Mr. Lif, rap group The Coup, Metro, DJ Big Wiz and members of their entourage escaped serious injury when the bus they were traveling in flipped and caught on fire 30 miles outside of San Diego. The rappers were on an 21-date excursion titled the "Mr. Lif Plays With The Coup Tour," […]
Recent rumors have swirled that G-Unit Records might be dropped from the Interscope Records roster, but a representative from the label flatly denied that such gossip was true.While nothing is certain, the rumors appear to originate from a recent appearance by 50 Cent on Shade 45 with DJ Whoo Kid. In the interview, the pair […]
Mary J. Blige and rapper T.I. were the big winners last night (Dec. 4) at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada. Blige took home a total of nine awards for her album The Breakthrough, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts in December of 2005 and has since been certified […]
Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus appeared in court today (Dec. 4) to answer charges of carrying a 20-inch collapsible baton in his luggage at John Wayne Airport in September. The rapper was flanked by security guards and his lawyer Donald Etra when he appeared in court for less than an hour. A judge postponed Snoop’s arraignment […]
The police officer who allegedly made two African-American men perform a rap in order to avoid a littering ticket has come forward, in an attempt to explain the unusual incident. Sgt. Chuck Schoville is a 25-year-veteran in law enforcement who also serves as host of a monthly local cable show, Tempe Street Beat, which has […]
The successful programming year for BET continues as the network scored on of its best prime time performances of 2006, with the new documentary American Gangster. The inaugural episode, which profiled LA’s infamous Crips gang co-founder Stanley Tookie Williams, earned a 1.6 rating (1.3 million households and 1.6 million total viewers), according to Nielsen Media […]
Days after completing a stint in a Durham, NC prison, Freekey Zekey is reaping the benefits of a new multi-million dollar deal with Asylum Records. The 31-year-old Diplomats affiliate, who signed the one-album deal with the label in correlation with Diplomat Records on Friday (Dec. 1), will launch Dipset South after the release of his […]
2K Sports recently announced that Dan The Automator will headline the second leg of the 2nd Annual 2K Sports Bounce Tour. The 14-date West coast outing started last week and continues until mid-December. The 2nd Annual 2K Sports Bounce Tour features Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, Casual of Hieroglyphics, A.G. of D.I.T.C. and Gavin Hayes […]
The Tempe, Arizona police department is conducting a full-scale investigation of two Tempe police officers, after city officials pulled a local show off the air following a recent segment which showed an officer telling two African-American men they could avoid getting a ticket for littering if they rapped. According to The Arizona Republic, the investigation, […]
As the holiday season kicks into full swing, nationally acclaimed media personality and political activist Kevin Powell is set to kick off his 6th Annual Holiday Party and Clothing Drive at the famed Tribeca Cinemas in New York City. Taking place on Friday, December 8th, the one-day event is geared to helping young homeless people. […]
Nine years after Capone-N-Noreaga’s debut album The War Report was hailed as a Hip-Hop classic, the duo have ended a two-year rift and are considering a return to the recording studio to produce a new album. N.O.R.E., born Victor Santiago, is asking fans to vote on whether or not they want a new CNN album […]
Rap mogul Russell Simmons acknowledged the importance of World Aids Day Friday (Dec. 1) while urging the public to be more active in bringing awareness of the disease. The recognition came as the Simmons’ led a fact-finding delegation to Kimberley, South Africa. The expedition was for the hip-hop pioneer’s Simmons Jewelry Company. “Today is World […]
A major change in the landscape of Southern Hip-Hop has taken place, as Atlanta rap giants Michael "Mr. Collipark" Crooms and Ying Yang Twins have parted ways and will no longer work together. The announcement comes days after the release of the Twins’ new album Chemically Imbalanced, which hit stores November 28.Chemically Imbalanced will be […]
Many Def Jam artists, from LL Cool Jay to Nore have expressed discontent with the re-rise of Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, who recently released his comeback CD Kingdom Come.Young Jeezy isn’t among those nay-sayers."Everybody got their lane. This industry is a highway and everybody got their lane and me and Jay ain’t in the same lane," […]
Multi-platinum producer Jonathan "J.R." Rotem has entered into a deal with Epic Records and is launching his own record label, Beluga Heights, which will be run out of Rotem’s Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. Rotem, who produced Rihanna’s #1 Billboard single "S.O.S.," Rick Ross’ "Push It" 50 Cent and Olivia’s "Best Friend" and […]
Memphis, Tenn. rap collective Three 6 Mafia recently settled a lawsuit filed by a man who claimed to have been severely beaten while attending a 2003 concert featuring the group. Although details of the financial settlement were not disclosed, the Associated Press reports Ramone Williams received the settlement last month. The payment concludes months of […]
Rap group Cypress Hill has been hit with a lawsuit from music promoters Wavecrest Media in Davidson County Court in Nashville, Tennessee. The lawsuit claims that the rappers refuse to return a $150,000 deposit, after a 2004 September 19 performance that was canceled because of Hurricane Ivan. The chart-topping West coast rap group was booked […]
In a sport that is typically associated with country music, the Pro Bull Riders (PBR) has tapped male country/rap artist Colt Ford to write a new rap anthem that will debut at the VERSUS Invitational Pro Bull Riders Competition. Sponsored by Amp’d Mobile, the competition will be held on January 6-7, 2007 at New York’s […]
Definitive Jux Records and mtvU have joined forces as part of a new venture to launch the careers of unsigned artists and groups. The effort, described as the first monthly record deal competition for aspiring DJs, emcees, producers and bands, was launched Wednesday (Nov. 29) on mtvU’s Best Music On Campus, the network’s new online […]
Fort Worth rapper Twisted Black was sentenced to life in prison, after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. In July 2006, Twisted Black, born Tommy Burns, was arrested and charged by officers with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Midland, Texas, shortly after signing a deal with New York based independent record label […]
