Keeping it real may be cliché in Hip-Hop, but the philosophy behind the statement remains the backbone of many rappers. For Rick Ross, keeping it real was put to the test as the Miami-based rapper’s credibility came into question amid allegations concerning his background. The rapper, who is known for his gritty rhymes about street […]

Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka announced an ambitious, $1 million dollar charity offer for the city of New York to redesign the iconic New Year’s Eve ball.   The bold offer is the latest example of the brand’s ubiquitous presence in New York’s Time Square.   Just the eight days before […]

Early reports from Baton Rouge, Louisiana indicate an unfortunate accident has killed a 2-year-old child at the home of rap star Lil Boosie.The tragic accident occurred Tuesday afternoon (December 24) when a man accidentally ran his car over his own daughter. The accident allegedly happened just after 5PM, and the young girl succumbed to her […]

If 2008 stands as a year for moving forward,  then Lil Wayne is well into the future. As the year’s most celebrated rapper, the New Orleans-based lyricist also earns the title of most controversial with nary a month going by without a headline.   In January, Lil Wayne was charged with of felony possession of […]

Mistah F.A.B. has partnered with Bay Area talent manager turned TV personality Dame Fame, to create a unique new alternative outlet for teens in and around San Francisco area.   The two have developed a new cable access dance show geared at high school students.   The new show, Live!, was conceptualized as a means […]

They lived the life most rappers only fantasize about in the booth. For nearly five years, the Black Mafia Family flaunted their lavish lifestyle, barely covering up the illegal activities that afforded them that life. This year, an unraveling that started in 2005 came to a close. Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and his brother Terry […]

With the support of Hip-Hop tycoon Russell Simmons, DJ Whoo Kid debuted the next phase in his career on Tuesday (December 23) with the launch of RadioPlanet.tv.   The new website will offer viewers 24-hour access to exclusive interviews, sketches and music videos, in a way that Whoo Kid says will change the face of […]

Hosea Thomas was sentenced today (December 23) to 66 years in prison for the murder of Philant Johnson, best friend and assistant to Atlanta superstar T.I.   In May 2006, assailants stalked T.I.’s entourage following an after-hours party at the Club Ritz, located in the Roselawn section of Cincinnati, Ohio.   Along highway I-75 the […]

In a way, 2008 could be called the year of the Hip-Hop comeback. Several well respected “Old School” acts made a return to the limelight this year, many announcing plans for new projects. The first to announce such a comeback was Heavy D, who tested the waters in January with his performance as a rapper […]

Hip-Hop Soul queen Mary J. Blige and rapper Jay-Z are at the center of a new federal lawsuit involving allegations of song theft.   According to the suit Jermaine Jumpp and Michael C. Adams, claim they gave a “compact disk” to the “office” of hitmaking producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, that contained a song called “On […]

Philadelphia rapper/actress Eve will star in an upcoming episode of CBS’ series Numb3rs. During the episode, Eve plays a representative at a sneaker company who becomes a suspect, after a pair of valuable sneakers is stolen and passed through the hands of a criminal network. Numb3rs is a drama centered around an FBI agent and […]

The government of Germany is facing criticism for sponsoring a West Bank tour featuring militant, German-Palestinian rapper Massiv.   Massiv, real name Wassim Taha, is viewed as one of the more popular and controversial emcees from Germany.   His songs heavily critique social discrimination and advocate armed revolution.   The rapper has refered to Al-Qaeda […]

In a continuing effort to focus his court-appointed community service sentence towards the youth, rapper T.I. will be on hand Tuesday (December 23) to speak to a group of students who almost lost their local community center this month.   The Grand Hustler/Atlantic Records artist will help the children at Booker T. Washington Community Center […]

Grammy winning producer and rapper John Forte was released today (December 22) after serving seven years in prison on a drug smuggling conviction.   The rapper gained his freedom after singer Carly Simon, Utah Senator Orrin Hatch and others assisted in getting the rapper’s conviction commuted via a pardon from President George Bush.   Forte […]

The motivation behind bullying and school shootings is the focus of a new single from a Texas-based group mentored by Geto Boys member Willie D.   The trio, known as Huntzville, is taking the issue head on with its debut song “Backpack Fulla Guns” as members D-Boi, Lil’ Fly, and C-Lean approach things from the […]

In the last eight years, Busta Rhymes has seen his fair share of controversy. But not until this year was the drama tied directly to his music. It all started when Busta dropped the second single from his forthcoming album B.O.M.B., due out in March 2009. The Hip-Hop vet, often regarded as part of a […]

A group of Chicago rappers have come together to create the second modern take on the 1989 empowerment posse cut “Self-Destruction.”   The new version, released yesterday (Dec 19), features Syleena Johnson, Twista, Crucial Conflict, Phil G, Kenny Bogus, Straw, Pugs Atomz, and KRS-One, who’s Stop The Violence Movement inspired the original song.   “Self […]

1. The N***er Controversy N***er. An ugly word and a lightning rod, to be sure, especially in light of Barack’s historic run.  It came front and center when legendary rapper Nas decided to title his album just that-N***er.  Despite more than one precedent of media with that title, including civil rights activist Dick Gregory’s autobiography, […]

Multi-platinum artist DMX was extradited to Phoenix on Friday (December 19) to face charges of animal cruelty.   The Yonkers native was apprehended on December 9 in Miami at the home of producer Scott Storch.   DMX, real name Earl Simmons, was wanted by Phoenix police for failing to appear in court on December 5 […]

The holidays will be a lot more pleasant for hospitalized California youth, as rappers Crooked I and Glasses Malone take time out to participate in the eighth annual YouthScore Inc. Operation Secret Santa project.   The event will take place today (December 20) at St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach, California.   Malone and Crooked […]