Hip-Hop Producer J.R. Rotem Inks Deal With Epic, Launches New Label
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 […]

Three Six Mafia Settle Pittsburgh Lawsuit
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 […]

Cypress Hill Hit With Lawsuit Over 2004 Show
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 […]

Aspiring Country/Rap Artist ‘Colt Ford’ Preps Rap Anthem For Pro Bull Riders
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, MTVU Offer Opportunity to Aspiring Artists
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 […]
Rapper Twisted Black Sentenced To Life In Prison
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 […]

Wyclef Performing In Haiti For First Time In 8 Years, Teams With UN
Wyclef Jean has teamed with the United Nations’ World Food Programme agency to present a one-week festival in Haiti aimed at encouraging artistic and cultural development, to boost the economy of the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Jean’s nonprofit organization Yéle Haiti will present The Yéle Fest, which will take place from November. 30 […]

Katt Williams Faces Michigan Judge Over Stun Guns, Posts $50k Bond
The working condition of two stun guns will be the deciding factor for comedian Katt Williams, who could stand trial on two counts of possession of an illegal weapon in a Kalamazoo, Mich. courtroom. Kalamazoo County District Judge Vincent Westra issued an order to test two stun guns to see if they were in working […]

AHH Stray News: Swishahouse, Snoop’s $2 Million Lawsuit, DJ Hapa, Sean Paul
Houston based rap label Swishahouse was honored Monday (Nov. 27) by the Texas Grammy Chapter in Austin, Texas. The event was hosted by renowned actor Billy Bob Thornton and Grammy Award winning singer Ray Benson. The label, founded by DJ Michael “5000” Watts and business partner G-Dash, was honored for its contributions to Texas music. […]

Rappers From Different Ethnic Backgrounds Comment On Call To Ban N-Word
A group of activists gathered in Los Angeles on Monday (Nov. 27) and called for a boycott of the "n-word" and voiced support for an upcoming NAACP campaign to "just say ‘no’ to the n-word."The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rep. Maxine Waters, comedian Paul Mooney and other African-American leaders held a press conference to encourage people […]

Snoop Dogg Arrested Outside NBC Studios
Snoop Dogg was arrested yesterday (Nov. 28) in Burbank, CA, as he was leaving NBC studios after a performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.Snoop, 35, and two associates were pulling out of NBC studios around 6pm, when police stopped their vehicle, armed with a search warrant. All three men were arrested after police […]

Rev. Run’s Son JoJo Preps Hip-Hop Debut
Reverend Run’s son Joseph Simmons Jr., or JoJo, is attempting to make a mark on the Hip-Hop scene as one-third of his NYC-based rap group, Team Blackout. “I’m trying to bring Hip-Hop back,” JoJo told AllHipHop.com. “I feel like Hip-Hop is a bunch of just dance moves.” Currently in the studio, Simmons, 16, and his […]
Snoop Reveals Details On Suge Knight Beef In New ‘Rolling Stone’
Snoop Dogg may be one of the most easy going rappers in Hip-Hop, but the West Coast rhymeslinger exposed a different persona years ago while contemplating the death of his former Death Row Records boss Marion “Suge” Knight. In an upcoming interview with Rolling Stone, Snoop traced the source of his frustration to when Dr. Dre […]

Young Jeezy Offering Scholarship To Atlanta Area High School Students
Young Jeezy and his label Corporate Thugz Entertainment are putting local Atlanta high school students to the test by offering a $1,000 scholarship to one lucky winner of an essay contest. The rapper announced the "What Inspires You" Essay contest, in honor of his upcoming sophomore release The Inspiration. High School students in the metro […]

BET Preps ‘American Gangster,’ Programming Hits iTunes
BET viewers will now be able to watch the network’s latest slate of programming, by downloading them on iTunes. Available shows include BET’s new docudrama American Gangster as well as DMX: Soul of a Man, Lil’ Kim: Countdown to Lockdown and Beef: The Series.BET’s latest series American Gangster chronicles the life and times of some […]

G-Unit’s Spider Loc Talks New Album, Acting Career
G-Unit rapper Spider Loc is preparing a variety of projects as he records upcoming debut album titled West Kept Secret. The album, which is slated for a 2007 release date, features Young Buck, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and 50 Cent, as well as production from Sha Money XL, Scott Storch Hi-Tek and others. While Spider […]

Russell Simmons Lands In South Africa, Issues Statement
Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons landed in South Africa today (Nov. 27) on a fact-finding mission to learn how the diamond industry can positively affect the lives of black Africans living amongst high poverty, HIV and lack of quality education.Simmons will visit Botswana and South Africa during the fact-finding mission to learn more about the diamond […]

Sony Urban To Be Dismantled
According to reports, SonyBMG is planning to dismantle it’s Sony Urban Music division, with layoffs at the label coming just before the holiday season. Layoffs at the label are scheduled to start some time this week. According to the New York Post some of Sony Urban’s 70 employees will be reassigned to other labels within […]

Pharrell Williams In Negotiation To Perform At Princess Diana Tribute
Rapper Pharrell Williams is in negotiations to take part in a massive concert to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. The charity concert is being planned by Princes William and Harry, and will take place at the new Wembley Stadium on July 1, Princess Diana’s 46th birthday, various London newspapers reported […]

Jay-Z Moves Major Units, Cops Shut Down Release Party In NY
Jay-Z’s latest release Kingdom Come is on pace to move an estimated 850,000 copies the first week in stores, giving the rapper the year’s best selling CD in one week and another #1 album on the Billboard charts. Kingdom Come is expected to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart next week, giving the […]