Rapper Busta Rhymes has issued a statement about an early morning shooting last Sunday (Feb. 5) that took the life of his longtime bodyguard. Authorities believe an argument between Ruff Ryders President Swizz Beatz and Tony Yayo and G-Unit sparked a deadly shooting on the set of a video shoot for Busta Rhymes’ single “Touch […]

Ice Cube’s forthcoming comedic film Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House is being redone as the sequel to the rapper’s 2005 movie, Are We There Yet? According to Variety, the change occurred after Revolution Studios announced it had ceased development of new product. The big opening for Martin Lawrence’s new movie, Big Momma’s House 2, […]

A wake for the slain bodyguard of rap superstar Busta Rhymes was held yesterday (Feb. 9) in New York. Mourners laid Israel Ramirez, 29, to rest at the Century Funeral Home, where hundreds of family and friends turned out. Police believe Ramirez was shot and killed as he shielded Busta Rhymes during an altercation between […]

Multi-platinum selling rapper Kanye West scored three Grammys last night (Feb. 8), including the coveted Best Rap Album award at the 48th annual ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Fueled by the success of his sophomore album, Late Registration, the Chicago MC took home honors in three categories, including Best Rap Album, Best […]

Rap newcomer Penelope Jones will appear on the crime-solving television show America’s Most Wanted Feb. 18 to discuss the still-unsolved murder of her brother. Jones (born Juarita Jones) has been aggressively searching for the murderer of her brother Tony since he was fatally shot in his home three years ago in front of his two […]

Miami-based record label Slip-N-Slide Records has inked a multi-million dollar deal with Def Jam, headed by rapper/mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. While Trina, Trick Daddy and Ft. Meyers rapper Plies will remain signed as Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic artists, newcomers Rick Ross, of Miami, and Citty, of Atlanta, will record under the new Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam imprint, where a new […]

Twista recently headlined an event at Chicago’s Roosevelt University, as part of National Black AIDS Awareness day yesterday (Feb. 7). The rapper encouraged young fans to engage in safe sex and use condoms. The event was sponsored by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and the Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS (BASUAH). According to the U.S. […]

Diplomat affiliate Juelz Santana is branching out beyond music and stepping into the world of fashion with his new clothing company, the Z-Line, due out this fall. The rapper will then launch Mazia, a clothing company licensed by Z-Line Clothing, Inc. The line signals the MC’s desire to become "a driving force in the urban […]

Grammy Award-winning rapper Kanye West has been selected to interpret the theme to the latest installment of the Mission: Impossible movie franchise. West follows in the paths of U2, who reinterpreted the theme for the first movie in 1996, and Limp Bizkit, who recorded their version for Mission: Impossible II in 2000. Mission: Impossible III […]

Critically-acclaimed author and Hip-Hop activist Bakari Kitwana has collaborated with the Community Technology Foundation of California to kick-off Rap Sessions, the first national tour that explores race and Hip-Hop. Rap Sessions presents a multiracial panel of Hip-Hop experts who will tour the nation to engage youth and community leaders in candid, compelling conversations about the […]

Police have widened their investigation of a murder that occurred Sunday (Feb. 5) on the set of Busta Rhymes’ new music video. In addition to seeking out G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo, authorities are now looking to question Swizz Beats and Busta Rhymes himself. Detectives believe Busta Rhymes was standing on the sidewalk when the shooting […]

Rapper/actor Ice Cube has announced that he will release his seventh solo album, Laugh Now, Cry Later, in June via his independent label, Lench Mob Records. The album is the follow-up to Ice Cube’s Greatest Hits collection, which hit stores in 2001. The rapper, born O’Shea Jackson, put his film career on hold to focus […]

Trillville rapper Don P was arrested last week for the rape of a 16-year-old girl. The rapper (born Donnell Prince) was charged with rape and two counts of aggravated sodomy. According to Cory Hughes, a DeKalb County police officer, the alleged assault happened Dec. 16 at the Wood Crest Walk apartments in Lithonia, GA. During […]

Roc-A-Fella rapper Freeway, of State Property fame, will collaborate with 50 Cent and G-Unit for his second album titled Free at Last, according to his manager. The album is co-executive produced by Def Jam president Jay-Z and50 Cent and will be released Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella imprint via Def Jam, said Freeway’s manager Ryan Press of Press […]

The Fugees will kick off Grammy week tonight (Feb. 6) with a free open-air concert on the corner of Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles. The hip-hop trio–Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel–will perform their new single, “Take It Easy,” as well as new material from the long-awaited follow-up to their multi-platinum sophomore album, […]

Following Slip-N-Slide Records’ recent court victory against TVT Records over an unreleased Pitbull album, the Miami rapper has released a statement about the collection of previously recorded songs. A United States District Court Magistrate Judge sided with Slip-N-Slide, ruling that the label can release Pitbull’s Welcome to the 305. "I want it to be clear […]

Police are seeking to question G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo in connection with a shooting on a Busta Rhymes video set that left one man dead with a gunshot wound to the back. While he is not an official suspect, police are seeking to question Yayo about a heated argument that took place on the set […]

Atlanta rap group Dem Franchize Boyz were recently held up from leaving a Chicago high school after a performance, due to a minor prank. One of the students decided to pull the school’s fire alarm to prevent the group from leaving the building. Due to the fire alarm, the students had to use the schoolyard […]

While some choose to view Black History Month as a celebration of Black achievements, Dead Prez member M-1 has released a statement denouncing it and urging Black people to speak out against inequality all year round. “I think the concept of Black History Month is insulting and offensive to all people of African descent,” M-1 […]