Jay-Z and Russell Simmons have teamed up to produce a public service announcement aimed at combating anti-semitism. In addition to running his non-profit organization The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Simmons serves as chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding. The foundation’s mission is to foster and develop positive relationships with other ethnic groups. The Foundation […]

A week-long celebration to mark the release of Tupac Shakur’s newest posthumous release Pac’s Life kicked off today (Nov. 11) at the Vaknin Gallery in Atlanta. The event, titled All Eyez on Me: Hip-Hop’s Legendary Performers and Photographers, photographers, was the first in a series of occasions organized by the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF). […]

R&B singer Gerald Levert died today (Nov. 10), after suffering a fatal heart attack. Levert, also known as “G-Bear” to his fans, is featured on Styles P upcoming album Time Is Money . He was 40-years-old. The R&B singer was working on a reality show that featured him losing weight along with 12 of his […]

Radio shock jock Star of "Star & Buc Wild" has stamped a February 2007 release date on his autobiographical manifesto, Objective Hate. The three-part book series will detail his rise to prominence in urban radio, as well as recount the May 8, 2006, incident that led to him being fired from New York’s Power 105.1."’Objective […]

Fans awaiting a new album from rapper TechN9ne can rest easy. The Kansas City lyricist has officially returned to the independent rap scene with the release of Everready, his first studio album in four years.Among the tracks featured on the disc, which is currently in stores, are "Jellysickle" and "Bout Ta’ Bubble," two popular selections […]

Juvenile won a victory in Duval County Court in Florida yesterday (Nov. 9), after the chart-topping rapper was found not liable for injuring a Jacksonville police officer’s knee during a scuffle at a local mall in 1999. Police officer Mellisa Huxley-Bujeda filed a lawsuit against Juvenile in 2003, claiming he was responsible for her knee […]

Rapper Ludacris will embark on a four-date speaking engagement that starts in Los Angeles and ends in Washington DC on World Aids Day, as part of YouthAIDS "Kick Me!" Campaign.Ludacris, who serves as an ambassador for YouthAIDS, will speak to students at UCLA, Northwestern University, NYU and George Washington University about the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which […]

Pioneering rapper Schoolly D and The Cartoon Network are being accused of copyright violations over the theme song to Cartoon Network’s hitseries Aqua Teen Hunger Force.In a lawsuit filed Nov. 7 with U.S. District Court in Eastern Pennsylvania, Terrence Yerves claimed that he co-authored the untitled song with Schoolly D in 1999, while recording at […]

Miami rapper Pitbull’s new album El Mariel debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Independent Album chart, moving almost 50,000 copies the first week in stores.The release, which features appearances from Wyclef Jean, Lil Jon, Fat Joe, Pharrell Williams, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy and DJ Khaled, also debuted at No. 17 on Billboard’s Top 200 […]

The reigning Kings of Pop and Hip-Pop have joined forces. Michael Jackson and will.I.Am teamed up in Ireland recently in an apparent effort to resuscitate Jackson’s musical career.A longtime Jackson fan, will.I.am said he was shocked when he received a call from Jackson."I was like ‘No, stop playing around,’" Will.I.am told Access Hollywood. "I didn’t […]

Chris Lighty and Violator Management have announced a new deal with Sean “Diddy” Combs to handle the mogul’s music career. Under terms of the new deal, Violator will help develop plans to “expand Diddy’s reach and influence exponentially in music.” The company has already started strategic work on Diddy’s #1 album Press Play, which hit […]

Prosecutors dropped felony gun possession charges against G-Unit rappers Lloyd Banks and Young Buck yesterday (Nov. 8). The charges stem from an incident in August 2005, after a stop during the Anger Management 3 tour at Madison Square Garden in New York. A van transporting the rappers and 11 other people allegedly ran a red […]

West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg is receiving a triple helping of assistance for his Tha Blue Carpet Treatment mixtape. DJs Whoo Kid, Drama and Skee will helm the new mixtape, which is named after the rapper’s forthcoming album. The collaboration is the first in a series of “Mixtape Monopoly” collaborations that will team Whoo Kid, […]

Philadelphia 76ers player Chris Webber has announced that he will open the first of six family and entertainment-themed restaurants called Center Court with C Webb. The grand opening will take place Nov. 14 in Sacramento, Calif., and the restaurant will be available to the public the following day. “I’m happy to be opening what will […]

Clothing retailer Gap will launch their new television ad campaign with two :30 second commercials featuring rapper Common on November 16. Common and his daughter Omoya Lynn are featured in both of Gap’s “Holiday In Your Hood” commercials, which were directed by famed video director, Paul Hunter. Common also wrote an original song titled “Holiday […]

Kevin “K-Fed” Federline has reached an agreement with musician Thomas Dolby after Dolby accused the rapper of copyright infringement. Federline made an undisclosed cash payment to Dolby as settlement for sampling the rocker’s#### “She Blinded Me With Science” in his song “America’s Most Wanted.” “I’m going to buy a new sailboat, find a quiet anchorage […]

Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon will showcase his acting skills in Coalition, a movie that centers on how the New York construction industry is shaken down by minority non-union labor. Raekwon plays the role of Akey in the flick, which is described as a modern day On The Waterfront. Coalition is based on police trying to […]

Ice-T can never be accused of forgetting his gangsta past. In fact, the West Coast icon is attempting to redefine the musical style he ushered in with his latest album, Gangsta Rap. “It’s gangsta rap but it’s gangsta rap from another perspective of a real gangsta that’s gone through changes and grown up,” Ice-T told […]

The Game is redefining his latest single “It’s Okay (One Blood)” with a high-powered remix featuring a who’s who of emcees from diverse regions. Among those featured on the track are Snoop Dogg, Nas, T.I., Jim Jones, Fat Joe, Lil Wayne, Noreaga, Fabolous, Twista, Jadakiss & Styles P, Tha Dogg Pound, W.C., E-40, Clipse, Bun […]