Record Company Mogul Tommy Mottola Steps Down
Earlier today, Tommy Mottola, Chairman of Sony Music, announced his plans to launch a new music venture, after he resigning from Sony. After being with Sony for 14 years and a reported loss of more than $100 million in 2002, Sony released Mottola from his contract two years early and Mottola stepped down. "I have […]
Ice-T Starts Clothing Line
Rapper-turned-actor Ice-T has decided to follow Jay-Z, Russell Simmons and P.Diddy and enter the potentially rewarding world of designer clothing with IceWear. His first venture into clothing, Ice said the attire would project cultural expression. The rapper said that the fashionable young mens street wear collection clothing would be geared towards men chocked full of […]

Rapper Eve Signs Television Deal With UPN
Rapper Eve has inked a development deal with UPN to produce her own comedy television series. Under the terms of the deal, Eve will star in an untitled comedy that will be produced by Edmonds Entertainment. The show will focus on Eve, who stars as a fashion designer and her exploits in the New York […]

Chuck D., Other Artists Seek To Expose Censorship Practices
In a report published by Davey D, Bob Law of the National Leadership Alliance, Public Enemy’s Chuck D., R&B stars Ray Goodman & Brown and others will appear before a community tribunal, claiming that New York radio stations, BET and MTV are censoring black music. Various artists will appear before a panel of City Council […]

Fat Joe On Grammy: ‘Incredible’
As the Grammy Award nominations were revealed days ago, Fat Joe, as a first time nominee, said he has finally arrived. The Bronx-bred rapper said the nomination for Whats Luv proves that he has finally arrived as a permanent fixture on the commercial hip-hop scene. “I’m happy as hell to be acknowledged for your contributions […]

J-Live Leaves Record Label, Preparing New Album
J-Live has ended his year long relationship with record label Coup D’Etat Entertainment. While J-Live was signed to the label, the partnership produced the critically acclaimed album All Of The Above. "My plan was and still is to release my next album, The Hear After this Fall and my main concern is to produce the […]

Nelly And Eminem Dominate Grammy Nominations
Nelly and Eminem each racked up 5 nominations, increasing their chances at snagging a prestigious Grammy award. Both Nelly and Eminem will compete for album of the year (Nellyville vs. The Eminem Show), and for best single of the year ("Without Me" vs. "Dilemma"). Other rappers that have been nominated include Fat Joe, Common, who […]
Two Men Arrested In Connection With Murder Inc. Raid
Two men associated with Murder Inc. have been arrested in connection with last weeks federal raids of the Murder Inc. offices in Manhattan, New York. Derek Hayes and Jon Ragin were arrested on federal fraud charges. Both are accused of using a phony tuxedo rental business in Brooklyn as a front for laundering stolen credit […]

Lil’ Cease Pleads Guilty To Gun Charges
Lil Cease, Junior Mafia member and rhymester down with the late Notorious B.I.G., was placed on five years probation Monday after submitting a guilty plea in conjunction with gun possession charges stemming from an August 2001 shootout. According to police reports the shooting was caused because a man was talking too loud on a cell […]

Atlanta Rapper Baby D Inks Multi-Million Dollar Deal With Epic
Atlanta, Georgia based rapper Baby D has inked a multi-million dollar deal with Epic Records. The 18-year-old rapper has moved over 100,000 CD’s independently through his record label, Big Oomp records, also based in Atlanta. "I look forward to bringing what I’ve done in this region to the rest of the world," Baby D told […]
Jay-Z First Rapper To Perform On Showtime
Jay-Z will be the first rapper to perform on pay channel Showtime, Saturday, February 22, 2003 from Memphis Tennessee. Jay-Z and other Roc-A-Fella family members are slated to perform before former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson returns to the ring to fight Clifford Etienne. The concert is being held at the Mid South Coliseum and is […]

Record Labels Accused Of Banning Rappers From Gun Ads
Police officers in the United Kingdom have accused record companies of signing rap artists to contracts that ban them from appearing in antigun campaigns, resulting in a rise of gun culture in the U.K. The officers also accused films and video games for the rise in crime. "There is obviously commercial reluctance on behalf of […]
Authorities Seek Link In 1995 Tupac Shakur Shooting
According to the New York Post, the federal raid of the Murder Inc. offices in New York City was just "the tip of the iceberg" of a year long investigation into money laundering, gun charges, murder and violence, including the 1995 shooting of Tupac Shakur in midtown Manhattan. Authorities are trying to establish a financial […]
Update: Task Force Raids Murder Inc. Offices, McGriff Arrested
A special task force of Federal agents raided the New York City offices of Murder Inc. yesterday (Jan. 3) as part of an investigation into Irv Gotti. The task force has been formed to investigate Gotti and his financial ties to Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. Investigators are trying to determine if McGriff provided money from drug […]

Common Set To Make Television Acting Debut
Rapper Common makes his television acting debut Monday January 6 on UPN’s#### television series, "Girlfriends." The episode focuses on Lynn, who falls for a spoken word artist played by Saul Williams. When she finds out he is celibate, she loses interest. Common’s character makes her promiscuity public during a poetic performance. Common’s latest album, "Electric […]

50 Cent Says He Isn’t Out For Trouble
50 Cent and Lloyd Banks were released from police custody after they were arrested for gun charges in front of a nightclub in Manhattan New York early Tuesday (Dec 31) morning. 50 Cent posted $10,000 bond on Tuesday, while Bank’s amount was lower. All of the suspects were released with the exception of Jean Bernard, […]

LL Cool J To Pay Tribute To Run-DMC, JMJ In New Commercial
LL Cool J will pay homage to Run-DMC in his rap for a new Dr. Pepper commercial. The ad was filmed before the Oct. 30 murder of Jam Master Jay. LL Cool J specifically mentions Jay in his lyrics. "After some deep thought and discussion about how appropriate it would be to air this commercial, […]
Queen Latifah’s DUI Arraignment Postponed
Queen Latifah’s arraignment for drunk driving charges has been postponed until January 15. Latifah was busted last month in Hollywood. Latifah was driving her 2003 Cadillac Escalde along the Hollywood Freeway when an officer spotted her making an unsafe lane change. Latifah failed a sobriety test and was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Latifah will […]

Eminem Gives Up Drugs, Focus Is On The New Year
Eminem plans to jump start 2003 off with change. The rapper said that he has abandoned drug use, is working out daily to maintain his health and is focused on the New Year. Em’s two albums and hit movie "8 Mile" raked in a total of $300,000,000. Eminem was also the best selling rapper of […]
50 Cent And G Unit Member Lloyd Banks Arrested
Rappers 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks were arrested this morning (Dec. 31) in New York City, after police responded to a complaint about a double parked SUV in front of a nightclub. The police allegedly found two loaded guns in the bulletproof SUV 50 Cent, Banks and three other men were traveling in. 50 Cent, […]