The year 2003 was supposed to mark the end of Skillz’s popular yearly “Rap Up” songs, but the Virginia native has exclusively released the 2004 to the glee of fans, DJs and other MC’s. After opting out last year, he said the public convinced him to forge ahead with the series, which explains why the […]

Andre 3000’s upcoming biopic on rock legend Jimi Hendrix is at risk of being scrapped altogether, because the guitarist’s estate has forbid the directors from using music from his archives. A probable hit, the movie was to chronicle the turbulent life of Hendrix up until his tragic death at 27 years old. The movie showed […]

M.O.P will perform at a special benefit in New York hosted by Terror Squad member Remy Martin, designed at raising funds to aid the relief effort for victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami, which killed hundreds of thousands of people. "M.O.P is proud to be a part of this very special event," said Laze Elliot, […]

Ice T’s political lobbying has apparently paid off. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a tax break law Monday (Jan. 3) in favor of film and television production companies that work in Manhattan. Ice T testified before the New York City Council last month to support the tax credit on TV and movie production […]

The owner of Studio 8, where Eminem recorded his debut album The Slim Shady LP, was found shot to death Tuesday (Jan. 4) inside the Detroit venue, police said. A business associate of Amjed Abdallah found the 36-year-old on the floor of the studio, according to Detective Lt. Norman Raymond. Police retrieved three bullet casings […]

Viewers of Missy Elliott’s new UPN reality series The Road to Stardom, premiering Wednesday (Jan. 5), will catch a strong dose of real tour life as music hopefuls compete for money and recognition on the quest for the next big sensation, said the show’s road manager Steve Lobel. "Everybody just watches TV and sees these […]

Is Jae Millz the next superstar to represent Harlem, New York? MTV thinks he will be. The network will shine the spotlight on the rapper, presenting him as the first MTV News "You Hear It First" artist of 2005. "You Hear It First" gives fans a look at emerging artists. Others who have been featured […]

In response to rumors of alleged hostility toward R&B sensation Usher, Lil Jon has fervidly denied that he harbors ill feelings for his fellow Atlantian. “Usher and I are good friends. It’s just haters trying to stir some negative bullsh*t up because we’ve had such a big year,” Lil Jon said. “We’ve made history together […]

Creative Commons and Wired Magazine have launched “The Fine Art of Sampling” contest, encouraging fans to sample works from such well known acts as The Beastie Boys, David Byrne, Chuck D., Danger Mouse, Le Tigre, My Morning Jacket and others. Creative Commons was founded by Stanford Law School professor Lawrence Lessig, one of the nation’s […]

50 Cent, Lloyd Banks and super producer, Swizz Beats teamed up with celebrity sports agent Glenn Toby and NY Jets #91 Josh Evans, to open the "2004 Book Bank Foundation Holiday Superstore for the Homeless," over the Christmas holiday. New York’s Bowery Mission housed the superstore which provided over 300 New York City homeless children […]

Geto Boys member Bushwick Bill will be featured as a celebrity guest model at the First Annual Makaveli Branded Fashion Show, the clothing line launched by Tupac Shakur’s mother, Afeni Shakur. “It is significant that this event is being held in Los Angeles on New Years,” Bushwick Bill said. “This day represents the birth of […]

Rock/rap group Linkin Park has formed Music for Relief and has partnered with the American Red Cross with hopes of raising funds for the victims of a massive tsunami which so far has claimed over 175,000 in Southern Asia. The group has donated $100,000 for victims of the incident, which was triggered by a 9.0 […]

Former New York State Sen. Guy Velella, convicted of bribery charges, is reportedly sharing the same prison unit at Rikers Island as former Bad Boy rapper Shyne, who is incarcerated for his role in a club shooting. Upon returning to jail Monday (Dec. 27) to finish a one-year sentence for conspiring to funnel public contracts […]

Russell Simmons and Kenard Gibbs, President of Vibe Magazine, will be honored at Jesse Jackson’s Eighth Annual Wall Street Project Conference, which will take place January 11-13 at the Hilton New York Hotel, in New York City. The theme of the conference this year is “Beyond Diversity, Equity and Parity: A New Covenant.” Doug E. […]

The hit movie franchise “Barbershop,” which starred Ice Cube, will be developed into a half-hour comedy series, utilizing the films’ original producers and writer John Ridley. Ridley penned the screenplays for “Undercover Brother,” “Three Kings” which starred Ice Cube and UPN’s short-lived “Platinum” series, which focused on the exploits of a Hip-Hop record label. "’Barbershop’ […]

Queens duo Mobb Deep are set to tour in the UK with renowned DJ/producer Alchemist from January 31 February 2, 2005. Havoc and Prodigy will perform songs off their latest album Amerikaz Nightmare as well as classics from Murda Muzik and The Infamous. Following their sold out July concert in London, the duo and their […]

When he’s on the court he is a highly paid superstar, but behind the sound boards Chris Webber tries to remain as anonymous as possible. The Sacramento King and NBA all-star has been making beats under a secret name for some time the athlete revealed. “I make beats under an alias,” Webber told Dime magazine […]

A week after violence erupted at an after party that was to feature The Inc. rapper Ja Rule in Peoria, Illinois, more violence occurred last night in Ja’s hometown of New York, this time resulting in death. Two men left the LQ club on Manhattan’s Eastside and opened fire on two men they argued with […]

Rapper Kurupt has signed on to showcase his acting skills in a new movie “Click,” set at the end of the Civil War. Kurupt will star opposite of veteran actor David Carradine, who was recently nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill – Vol. 2.” The movie centers […]

Rapper 50 Cent heeded the advice contained in his major label debut, Get Rich or Die Trying, and has earned over $50 million dollars in the past year. Through various endorsement deals, films, record label, clothing and a sneaker line, the self-admitted former crack dealer had a remarkable year. According to the New York Times, […]