Wyclef Jean has postponed plans for a pre-Christmas Live Aid concert, Yele Haiti, scheduled in his native Haiti, citing that he wants to raise awareness of the current conflicts in the country first. Initial plans called for an all-star-studded event on December 5, but Wyclef reportedly could not get enough celebrities to perform. The rapper […]

A charity event at Alabama’s Montgomery Mall, where Atlanta-based rapper Ludacris made an appearance, was forced to shut down Thursday (Dec. 9) following two altercations according to reports. Ludacris was reportedly in the midst of signing autographs and posing for pictures at the mall’s new Citi Gear store, when police could not control the crowd […]

After relentless protests and campaigns to increase awareness of New York’s famously harsh Rockefeller Drug Laws, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), headed by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, has induced lawmakers to enact significant reforms. Simmons, Chairman of HSAN, said hip-hop played a major role in revisions of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, as artists actively […]

Prodigy and The Alchemist have teamed with XM Radio and the pair will host their own show, Infamous Radio. The weekly show on channel 66 RAW will feature hip-hop exclusives, artist interviews, live performances and more. “I’m very excited that Prodigy, The Alchemist and the rest of the Infamous Mobb have joined the continually growing […]

DMX pleaded guilty Wednesday (Dec. 8) to two misdemeanor charges, including reckless endangerment and driving under the influence of drugs following an incident where the rapper allegedly rushed the gates of New York’s JFK Airport parking lot, according to prosecutors. Under a conditional discharge, DMX, born Earl Simmons, would see jail time if he receives […]

Rap star Snoop Dogg continues his ascent on the silver screen and has signed on for top billing in the real-life story of him coaching his son’s youth football league. A bidding war for the story took place between Fox, Paramount and Columbia for the rights to the story, landing Snoop a cool seven-figure deal. […]

Outkast and Kanye West both received huge accolades at the Annual Billboard Awards even though Usher was the biggest winner for the evening at the show in Las Vegas. Usher walked away with 11 honors for the evening at the event in the MGM Grand Garden Arena. OutKast’s Big Boi, who was flanked by Killer […]

After finally reaching a deal to sell the remaining portion of Roc-A-Fella Records to Island Def Jam for $10 million dollars, Jay-Z was named president of the legendary label founded by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons in 1985."I have inherited two of the most important brands in hip-hop, Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella,” Jay-Z said. “LA […]

According to published reports, Island Def Jam has acquired the remaining 50% stake in Roc-A-Fella Records for $10 million dollars. The buyout gives Island Def Jam 100 % ownership of the hit making label, which helped power parent label Universal to a whopping 28 Grammy nominations – 10 of which came from Roc-A-Fella artist Kanye […]

Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, who recently released his "Carmelo 1.5 Mixtape," has come under heat for appearing in a DVD titled "Stop Snitching," which allegedly features rappers threatening people who divulge illegal activity to police. U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) of the 7th District, which includes Anthony’s old Baltimore, Maryland neighborhood and the neighborhood […]

The mother of deceased rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard and his manager have announced plans for a new record label and other related business ventures. Dirty’s mother Cherry Jones and longtime manager Jarred Weisfeld have formed JC Records (Jarred Cherry Records), a division of AGU music, and are planning the first posthumous release from Ol’ Dirty […]

Kanye West’s single “Jesus Walks,” previously on heavy radio rotation, has incited debate over the use of the word “Jesus” and the role of religion in secular music, a topic West addressed directly in a “60 Minutes” interview to air Wednesday (Dec. 8). West, known for his upbeat rhymes, told “60 Minutes” correspondent Bob Simon […]

Common, geto boys, kweli, david banner Chicago-bred Emcee Common says he still enjoys old school hip-hop, which plays a significant role in his upcoming album, expected in 2005. “I usually go back and listen to a lot of old hip-hop to inspire me, whether it be Nas’ Illmatic or Only Built for Cuban Links by […]

A judge in the Surrogate Court has granted control of Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s estate to his widow, Icelene Jones, as she and ODB’s mother, Cherry Jones, continue to battle over the deceased rapper’s assets. Icelene, mother to three of ODB’s (born Russell Jones) children, was reportedly estranged from ODB for years since their 19-year marriage, […]

Legendary singer Stevie Wonder recently criticized Eminem’s spoof of pop icon Michael Jackson in the "Just Lose It" music video, which has come under fire of late. "Kicking someone when he’s down is not a good thing," Wonder reportedly told Billboard magazine. "I have much respect for his work, though I don’t think he’s as […]

American Hip-Hop star 50 Cent was engaged in a scuffle with the entourage of another rapper in a Lagos, Nigeria airport last night. 50 Cent was in the African nation taking part in the annual Star Mega Jam, which brings top name talent to perform along side popular Nigerian artists. The incident started in an […]

Billboard will honor the top ringtone of the year at their annual award show to be held next Wednesday (Dec. 8) in Las Vegas, according to the magazine. Rappers 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Andre 3000 of Outkast will battle for the honor, which is based on sales tracked by the new Billboard Hot Ringtone Chart. […]

Eminem’s conflict with Ray Benzino and The Source magazine may finally come to rest, as both emcees have expressed their desire to make peace after intense feuds and lyrical assaults. Eminem contended that record labels profit when artists battle, as the disputes tend to generate more publicity. "A lot of times when rappers have beefs, […]

British rapper and songwriter Mike Skinner aka The Streets received accolades for his sophomore album A Grand Don’t Come for Free, dubbed the best album of 2004 in Q magazine’s list of the top 50 albums of the year. "A Grand Don’t Come for Free captured the country’s mood in a way no one could […]

Mixtape impresario/producer/ Clinton Sparks is gearing up to release his first full-length studio album. "Titled Get Familiar Vol. 1., the album will also serve as the flagship release from his marketing and distribution deal with KOCH records. "I’ve worked so hard for so many years to get the people familiar, and now with this album […]