Fort Minor Member Mike Shinoda Lands NBA Commercial On TNT
Fort Minor, the hip-hop side project of Linkin Park member Mike Shinoda, will unveil a new song to promote TNT’s post-season coverage of the NBA playoffs. The track, titled "Remember the Name," features Styles of Beyond, a collective on Linkin Park’s Machine Shop record label, counting down a formula for success as they declare, "This […]

Jay-Z Associate Pleads Guilty In R. Kelly Pepper-Spray Incident
A close associate of Jay-Z pleaded guilty yesterday (April 24) to disorderly conduct for pepper-spraying R&B crooner R. Kelly during the duo’s The Best of Both Worlds Tour in 2004. Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith, vice president of Def Jam Records and friend of rapper Jay-Z, stood trial in a Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday regarding the […]

Marc Ecko Files First Amendment Lawsuit Against NYC & Mayor Bloomberg
Fashion designer and entrepreneur Marc Ecko announced the filing of a First Amendment lawsuit yesterday against the Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Councilman Peter Vallone and the City of New York. Filed on behalf of seven artists under the age of 21, Ecko’s lawsuit challenges anti-graffiti legislation that directly impacts the First Amendment rights of young citizens […]

The Black Eyed Peas Host The Peapod Benefit Concert In South Africa
Hip-Hop trio The Black Eyed Peas are set to host The Peapod Benefit Concert in South Africa, the first major event for the group’s non-profit organization The Peapod Foundation. The concert will be held May 28 in South Africa’s Johannesburg Stadium at Ellis Park. Local South African artists and dancers will also participate in the […]

The Outlawz And dead prez Unite for New Album
The Outlawz and political rap duo dead prez are hooking up to record a new album titled Can’t Sell Dope Forever. Featuring appearances from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony member Layzie Bone and Messy Marv, the project aims to spark dialogue, while urging unity, power and progression in the streets. The album title was inspired by Miseducated Society, […]

Nelly Teams With Richmond Braves For Celebrity Softball Game
Grammy Award winning rapper Cornell “Nelly” Haynes, Jr. will be heading to Richmond, Va., next month to team up with the Richmond Braves minor league baseball team, for a celebrity softball game to raise money for inner city youth. The event is scheduled to take place May 2 at The Diamond as part of Nelly’s […]

Alternative News: Trey Songz’ Lawyer Comments On R&B Singer’s Recent Arrest
Trey Songz’ lawyer released a statement regarding the Virginia R&B singer’s riff with law officials at Clark Atlanta University. Songz, born Tremain Neverson, was arrested April 6 by the Clark Atlanta Police Department on charges of obstruction of law enforcement and disorderly conduct. The singer and his lawyer, Attorney Curtis L. Hubbard, Jr., deny the […]

Family of Slain Bouncer ‘Terrified’ For Safety, Struggling To Pay For Funeral
The family of the man allegedly shot by Detroit rapper Proof voiced concern for their safety following a shooting earlier this month. Police say Keith Bender Jr., 35, died April 18 after being shot by the D12 member at the CCC nightclub on 8 Mile Road. Proof (born DeShaun Holton) was also killed during the […]

D12 Member Swift Sentenced To Jail
D12 member Swift was sentenced to 93 days in an Oakland County jail after missing a court hearing while to attend the funeral of his friend and fellow rapper, Proof. Swift, born Ondre Moore, was arrested in a Detroit suburb and sentenced to more than three months for violating the terms of his probation in […]

Second Dancer In Duke Lacrosse Team Scandal Seeks Help From Lil’ Kim’s PR Firm
Kim Roberts, the second dancer involved in the Duke University Men’s Lacrosse team rape scandal, is taking steps to reverse the negative effects of the alleged incident. Roberts, 31, recently sent an e-mail to 5W Public Relations to request their services. The company has represented a variety of high profile rappers and celebrities, including its […]

Bow Wow Responds To Lil’ Romeo And Master P.
The feud between Bow Wow and Lil’ Romeo has intensified, as Bow Wow has has responded to comments Master P made surrounding the two rappers’ growing beef. Lil’ Romeo’s father, Master P, confirmed that the two rappers had crossed paths backstage at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Award show, on April 1st. According to Master P, Bow […]

Nelly Settles With Photographer
St. Louis rapper Nelly reached a settlement today (April 21) regarding a claim that his bodyguard assaulted a photographer backstage at a concert in Bridgeport, Conn. In order to avoid a civil trial, the two sides reached an agreement in which Nelly, born Cornell Haynes Jr., agreed to pay $20,000. The lawsuit was filed by […]

Young Buck and Tony Yayo Give Back to Hometown Students
G-Unit rappers Young Buck and Tony Yayo are giving back to youth from their home states through financial donations to two area schools. Both rappers’ efforts were sponsored by The G-Unity Foundation, Inc., a charity that provides grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on improving the quality of life for low-income and underserved communities. Buck […]

Pimp C’s Bentley Totaled By Fleeing Gang Members
UGK member Pimp C was treated for minor injuries Wednesday (April 18), after he was involved in a car accident while leaving the video shoot for his new single “Pourin’ Up.” After the shoot concluded Pimp C and a Rap-A-Lot security guard departed in a silver Bentley. Mike Jones, who makes a cameo appearance in […]

Man Files $20 Lawsuit Against Snoop Over Assault
A Seattle area man has filed a $20 million lawsuit against rapper Snoop Dogg, The Game and several other rappers, claiming he was beaten onstage during a concert at the White River Amphitheatre. Richard Monroe II, 25, is suing Snoop Dogg, The Game, Kurupt, Snoopafly and others for assault and battery in Los Angeles Superior […]

D12 Member Swift Attends Proof’s Funeral, Judge Issues Bench Warrant
A judge has issued a bench warrant for D12 member Swift, who missed a court hearing yesterday (April 19) to respond to charges that he violated his probation. Swift, born Ondre Moore, now faces up to three months in prison for the infraction. He was attending the funeral for slain group member Proof, who was […]

Thousands Attend Funeral For Rapper Proof, Police Investigate Bomb Threat
D12 Rapper Proof was laid to rest yesterday (April 19) at the Fellowship Chapel in Detroit. Proof, born Deshaun Holton, was shot multiple times and killed inside the C.C.C. club on 8 Mile Road on April 11, during a dispute with a bouncer. Thousands of people including Eminem, 50 Cent and Obie Trice, attended ceremonies […]

Ed Lover & Celebrity Rappers Bowl For Katrina Victims
Hip-Hop pioneer and radio personality Ed Lover is set to host Bowling with the Stars, a charity event that will aid the thousands of residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The affair will be held April 22 at the recently reopened Harlem Lanes Bowling Alley in New York, starting at 8 p.m. Nas, Russell Simmons, Fabolous […]

Bubba Sparxxx Heads To Germany To Support U.S. Troops
Bubba Sparxxx is the latest rapper recruited to perform for United States troops stationed overseas. Sparxxx will perform May 11 at Kaiserslautern, Germany’s Rhine Ordnance Barracks as part of a United Service Organizations show, while fellow rapper Master P will appear with country singer Lee Ann Womack June 14 at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. […]

Dead Prez Headlines ‘Bigger Than Hip-Hop’ Tour In The UK
Dead Prez will head to the UK later this month to headline the “The Bigger than Hip-Hop Tour” to raise money for charity. The event organizers have been working closely with groups that are speaking out for human rights, issues on the war in Iraq, as well as equality and justice. The event has been […]