Tim Westwood Hosts London’s Respect Festival 2004

Tim Westwood will headline London’s anti-racism festival, "Respect". The free event will feature performances by Shystie, one of Britain’s rising female rappers, as well as Big Brovaz, Mica Paris, Def Jam’s Terri Walker and many others. The festival aims to encourage multiculturalism and promote racial tolerance through nine different stages with entertainment including a Choice-FM […]

AZ Issuing ‘Final Call’

After a two year layoff, AZ will release Final Call, the follow up to 2002’s Aziatic. The new album features 15 songs with production by Buckwild, Baby Paul, AZ himself and others. The first single “Talking Gangsta” is a collaboration with Terror Squad member Tony Sunshine and has already hit mixtapes and mixshows. Rell, Ron […]

Kevin Liles Leaves Def Jam

Def Jam President Kevin Liles has left the company due to internal friction with newly named CEO Antonio “L.A.” Reid.According to reports, Liles was forced out due to pressures by Reid.Reid replaced ex-CEO Lyor Cohen, who now heads up Warner Music Group’s North American operations.Sources said Reid has been staffing Island/Def Jam with colleagues from […]

The Roots Do Pay-Per-View

The Roots will come to Pay-Per-View on “The Roots Presents,” which kicks off a new concert series titled The Sonic Events. The concert was recorded June 10, 2004 when the group performed at Webster Hall in New York City to an invitation only crowd. In addition to performing selections from their upcoming release The Tipping […]

Bentley Working On Album, Offers Tips To Succeed

As self-proclaimed leader of “The Gentleman’s Movement,” Fonzworth Bentley is hoping the success of his character will translate into album sales when his untitled debut is released. Bentley, who recently changed his professional name from “Farnsworth” to “Fonzworth” for legal reasons, is recording the untitled album with Kanye West and others. “Kanye West called me […]

Ced Gee Launches Label, Says Ultramagnetic MC’s Are Reunited

Ced Gee, producer and member of pioneering Bronx Hip-Hop group Ultramagnetic MC’s, recently launched a record label and is planning an Ultramagnetic reunion album. Ced Gee’s founded Factshen Entertainment along with Philly rapper Grafiq. The label has several new groups signed and is currently planning the Ultramagnetic reunion album, as well as a re-release of […]

Chuck D. Programs TV For Trio

Public Enemy’s Chuck D. will take over programming at cable channel Trio for a week and will show viewers films relating to the African-American experience in the United States. From time to time the network hands programming duties over to celebrities, who are given creative control over a block of time. The first film to […]

Snoop Dog Planning ‘R&G’ Album

Snoop Dogg has announced the title for his newest album, which is a co-production between Snoop’s Doggy Style imprint and The Neptunes’ Star Trak label. R&G: (Rhythm & Gangsta) The Masterpiece is slated to be released in time for the Thanksgiving holiday and will be distributed by Geffen Records. In a recent interview, Snoop said […]

Ja Rule Arrested In New York

Jeffery “Ja Rule” Atkins was arrested for allegedly possessing marijuana early yesterday morning in New York.According to reports, the rapper was driving his 2001 Mercedes Benz in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village around 2:00 am, when police spotted him making an illegal lane change.When police searched the car, they found a small amount of marijuana.In addition to […]