AHH Stray News: Nas, Race-O-Rama, Suge Knight’s Movie, Wyclef
Nas has joined the Guitar Center music store to present the "Get Down with Nas" sweepstakes, offering his fans a host of prizes. The winner receives an entire autographed catalogue of Nas’ albums on vinyl, tickets to one of his concerts, and a backstage pass to hang out with the Queensbridge rapper after the show. […]

Jay-Z Planning Return To Rap
Jay-Z is already plotting his return to rap. The Island Def Jam Music Group President racked up a plethora of accolades in 2004, but has opted to served double duty as CEO and artist. The rapper retired from Hip-Hop in 2003 following the release of The Black Album and publicly stated that it would take […]

Kid Rock Arrested
Kid Rock was released from police custody, after posting $3000 bond on a charge of simple assault. The rapper/musician allegedly punched a DJ during an altercation after 3:00 am at Christie’s Cabaret, in downtown Nashville. Police said that the altercation occurred over the selection of music. Local television broadcast footage of the DJ, Jay Campos, […]

Karinne “Superhead” Steffans Releasing Tell All Book
Perhaps Usher injected Superhead with some of his truth serum, because reports suggest that the reformed groupie has some confessions of her own she wants to get off her chest. Karinne "Superhead" Steffans has inked a deal with the HarperCollins imprint, Amistad Books, to release a book detailing her sexual excursions in the music industry, […]

Random House Suing P. Diddy Over Autobiography
Random House Inc. is reportedly suing rap mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs for not paying back a $300,000 advance on an autobiography the hip-hop star never completed. The publisher alleges that Combs and his Bad Boy company "kept the money they never rightfully earned," according to papers filed Monday (Feb. 14) in a New York […]

Lord Finesse Represents For Big L, Hosts Tribute Show
Although he may not have had the mainstream appeal of other fallen Hip-Hop icons, Big L was no less talented. And certainly no less loved. This Wednesday (Feb. 16) Lord Finesse and the estate of Big L will honor the boastful Harlem emcee with an all-star tribute show at SOBs in New York City featuring […]

Lil’ Wyte Talks Label, Wyte Wear Clothing
While rapper Lil’ Wyte’s own success story is still being written, he’s already working on his own label, Wyte Records and a clothing line, Wyte Wear. The first group Lil’ Wyte’s label will bring out is Thug Therapy, who will make an appearance on his third release called Third Times the Charm. "The sound Thug […]

Game Says No Beef With Jay-Z, Speaks On Amsterdam Comments
G-Unit member the Game recently spoke out about the newly developing beef between him and Jay-Z, which was spurred on by Jay-Z’s freestyle seemingly aimed at the Compton rapper. While Jay-Z has slyly denied taking shots at the Game, some believe the semi-retired Brooklyn MC subliminally targeted Game in his freestyle "Dear Summer" on Funk […]
Kanye West, Alicia, Usher Win Big At The Grammys
Compared to last year, the Hip-Hop offerings at the Grammys were sparse at the 47th annual event. But Sunday evening (Feb. 13), the night saw rapper/producer Kanye West and Usher take away three awards, and Alicia Keys three. "Everybody wanted to know what I would do if I didn’t win," West shouted after claiming his […]

Will Smith’s ‘Hitch’ Tops Box Office, Sets Record For Sony
Continuing his successful run at the box office in the last few years, actor/rapper Will Smith’s latest movie "Hitch" brought in an estimated $45.3 million, debuting at No. 1 this weekend. In his first romantic comedy, Smith diverged from his typical action hero role, playing a New York City "date doctor" who helps men with […]

AHH Stray News: Rick Rubin, The Streets, Rap in Rhode Island, MXGM
Pioneering producer Rick Rubin has signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records to distribute his American Recordings label, according to the New York Post. Rubin, who founded Def Jam Records in his NYU dorm room alongside rap impresario Russell Simmons, will bring several acts including the Jayhawks into the partnership. Rubin recently returned to his […]

Russell Simmons Launches UniRush Financial Services, Talks Russell Simmons Music Group
Music and Fashion pioneer Russell Simmons recently etched another entity to his argosy of urban and political related ventures by launching the UniRush Financial Services. The company, which Simmons explained will assist Americans in climbing out of financial debt, will provide several banking and account managing opportunities assessable to minorities minus the stipulations and policies […]

Pete Rock & All-Star Cast To Host Tsunami Benefit
Organizers have arranged a hip-hop benefit concert at BB King’s Blues Club in New York City February 22, to raise money for victims of the devastating tsunamis that hit South Asia last December. The concert is the first in a series of hip-hop benefit shows as part of "Rap for Relief," created by The Agency […]

Busta Rhymes And Funk Flex Clash Over Leaked Song
Busta Rhymes’ lengthy hiatus from rap has seemingly caused the supply to exceed the demand and Hot 97 DJ Funk Master Flex has leaked a new song from the Aftermath rapper without permission. Flex premiered the Scott Storch-produced "I’ll Hurt You" on Wednesday and Busta has reluctantly started to promote his next album. "Somehow, some […]

Houston Rapper Kiotti Inks Major Label Deal
Houston, Texas Rapper Kiotti has inked a deal with Unauthorized Entertainment and has secured major label backing from Asylum/WEA. Kiotti, who was featured in The Source’s “Unsigned Hype,” rejected offers from Def Jam, J Records and Sony, after his single “H##### H#####” dropped and was well received by rap fans. Shortly afterwards, Kiotti signed with […]

AHH Stray News: Bone, Twista, Nelly, Billboard Mag
Rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony was hit with a $43, 219 lawsuit by their lawyers Walter & Haverhill. The lawsuit, filed in Cleveland’s Cuyahoga County Court, claims that the multi-platinum rap group owes money for unpaid legal services. Representatives for the group declined comment. At an event celebrating his first ever Grammy nomination, Twista and luxury […]

Queen Of Denmark Takes On Missy Elliott In Logo Dispute
Missy Elliott’s line of clothing Respect ME with sports giant adidas, hit a bump in the road – courtesy of the Queen of Denmark. Queen Margrethe II complained that Elliott’s logo, which the superstar rapper/producer designed herself, infringed on the Royal monogram. “Adidas has never intended to copy the crown or any other symbols of […]

Reebok Launching New Campaign Featuring Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Allen Iverson, Others
Reebok is launching a $50 million dollar ad campaign, “I Am What I Am,” which will feature rappers Jay-Z, 50 Cent, NBA stars Allen Iverson, Yao Ming, tennis star Andy Roddick, soccer star Iker, skater Stevie Williams and actress Lucy Liu. The global campaign kicks off February 20th, with television ads running during the NBA’s […]

Scam Artists Get Over $9G’s With Fake DMX Concert
Though DMX’s tardy appearances and no-shows at scheduled performances have been well documented, the Yonkers rapper was the victim of a real concert scam in Springfield, Illinois this past weekend. Booking agents spent at least $1,325 to arrange DMX’s performance at the Orr Building on Illinois State Fairgrounds, according to Springfield’s State Journal-Register. The phony […]

Game Hits No. 1 Again, Addresses Namedrops Criticism
The Game re-took the top slot on the Billboard charts this week with his seminal work, The Documentary, a work that moved over 190, 000 more units according to data derived from SoundScan. And while the album is already heralded as one of the best offerings of the year, Game took a second to address […]