Pioneering rapper LL Cool J will host the first ever live 38th NAACP Image Awards in March, organizers announced today (Feb. 5). LL, born James Todd Smith, is a previous recipient of the NAACP Image Award and has sold tens of millions of records since launching his career in 1985 at the age of 17, […]

Super producer Rick Rubin, founder of Def Jam Records, has been offered a job as co-chairman of Columbia Records, according to an article published today (Feb. 5) in the New York Times. Rubin, 44, is acclaimed for his work with major artists such as LL Cool J, Run DMC, Beastie Boys and even Johnny Cash.His […]

Fueled by his hit single "Ridin’," Houston, TX rapper Chamillionaire was recently recognized for being one of the biggest selling Ringtone artist to date, with over 4 million ringtone sales. The rapper was also certified by the RIAA as the first multi-platinum Mastertone artist in history.With his career in full swing, Chamillionaire will return this […]

Despite his recent legal troubles, DMX is continuing to stay busy as he ventures into the realm of fashion.The rapper is prepping the launch of his DMX Authentic and Earl Simmons Signature Collection clothing lines, an effort that promotes "real clothing for real people," according to a source from DMX’s design team.DMX Authentic will offer […]

Attorneys for Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff have asked the Department of Justice to reconsider punishing the convicted drug lord with the death penalty, after the mothers of his two victims said they would be adversely affected by a death verdict. McGriff’s attorney David Ruhnke sent the "urgent request for reconsideration" to Washington, D.C. on Feb. 1, […]

Kim Mathers, former wife of rap superstar Eminem appeared on ABC’s 20/20 during a special segment titled "Sweet Revenge" and spoke about her tumultuous relationship and two divorces from the rapper.The special, which aired Friday (Feb. 2), was the first time Kim spoke on record about her relationship with Eminem and their recent second divorce, […]

WBA super middleweight contender Anthony Mundine has caused controversy in his native country of Australia, because of a new video that features the boxer criticizing the government and burning the country’s Union Jack flag, over the mistreatment of the Aboriginal people of the country. Mundine is featured in the video for his single "Platinum Ryder," […]

Rapper/actor Will Smith will host the first annual "Business of Show Business" movie industry symposium in Washington, DC, which is sponsored by The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The breakfast program kicks off Feb. 6 and is designed to educate policy makers in the United States about the value of the motion picture industry […]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" A popular disc jockey in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area died suddenly last night, at the age of 38. Shawn “Mic Lord” Austin, a personality on Hip-Hop station 103 Jamz, died from unknown causes, according to local reports. Austin was widely known as one-half of the Boodah Brothers, a […]

A jury has found Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff guilty of killing two rivals in 2001. The jury reached a verdict today (Feb. 1) after five days of deliberation and found McGriff guilty of paying $50,000 to gun down rivals Troy Singleton and Eric "E Money Bags" Smith. McGriff was convicted of murder conspiracy and drug dealing […]

A man that shot two security guards during Kanye West’s performance at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Arena in the United Kingdom in Feb. of 2006 has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the shooting. Abidan Raphael, 27, was ejected from the NEC Arena with his girlfriend Joanne Bushell, 22, twice […]

The battle over the name "Diddy" continues, as London-based producer Richard "Diddy" Dearlove has accused Sean "Diddy" Combs of breaching an earlier agreement that stopped Combs from using the moniker in the United Kingdom. According to the Associated Press, Dearlove filed a lawsuit in High Court in London today (Feb. 1) claiming that Combs is […]

A judge halted sales of Notorious B.I.G.’s breakthrough 1994 album “Ready to Die” after a jury decided the title song used part of an Ohio Players tune without permission. The jury Friday awarded $4.2 million in punitive and direct damages to the two music companies that own rights to Ohio Players recordings. The sales ban […]

Anyone wondering whether Wu-Tang Clan rapper/producer RZA will resurrect his rhyming alter ego Bobby Digital for another musical run can rest easy.The lyricist, recently entered the studio to lay down tracks for a new Digital album. RZA, born Robert Diggs, admits to having fun working on the project which is he said was tentatively titled […]

Miami rhymesayer Pitbull is teaming up with popular tequila producer Jose Cuervo to find the next generation of Latino urban music stars. The pair, along with Hip-Hop mogul Chingo Bling and rising star Malverde, have joined forces for the second annual Cuervotón, a nationwide talent search that will spotlight unsigned artists as they submit demos […]

Jadakiss has joined forces with fellow New York rapper Supa Nova Slom to craft “Gangsta Salute,” a new mixtape track devoted to educating youth on the origins of gang culture, designed to unify street gangs. “Gangsta Salute,” produced by Brooklyn-based producer Ntrfied, features Jadakiss and Supa Nova Slom, an emcee and organizer known for his […]

Rapper Juelz Santana was recently tapped to be featured in Nike’s new marketing campaign, "The Second Coming: Our Game, Our Time,” which features NBA basketball stars LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Rasheed Wallace, Jermaine O’Neal, Tony Parker, Paul Pierce, Shawn Marion and Chris Paul.The new :60 second montage was produced by Nike, […]