Black Eyed Peas group members apl.de.ap and will.I.am were awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit today (July 27) at Malacañang Palace, home to the President of the Philippines. The Presidential Medal of Merit recognizes Filipinos and foreigners who bring positive attention to the country in literature, science, the arts or entertainment. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita […]

Rapper Snoop Dogg has more than gangsta rhymes in store for fans as he prepares to deliver his upcoming album, The Blue Carpet Treatment.The album’s title offers a different spin on the traditional treatment reserved for influential people. "Everybody’s so used to getting the red carpet treatment. I said I’m gonna give you the blue […]

Wu Tang Clan lyricist Method Man is voicing his displeasure over radio personality Wendy Williams’ on-air revelation about the health of his wife.Williams recently broke news to her listeners that Method Man’s wife has cancer. The rapper, who kept the status of his wife’s health a secret, was angered by Williams’ disregard for his privacy."Wendy […]

Atlanta Hip-Hop quartet Dem Franchize Boyz was a no show Friday (July 21) at an event which attracted 1,100 fans.The group, under contract to perform at 10:30 p.m. at the Greenwood Civic Center in South Carolina, was the scheduled headliner for the four and a half hour event, which also featured a dance contest, DJ […]

Miami rapper Trick Daddy and his non-profit Trick Luvs Da Kids Foundation has partnered with the Florida Marlins and radio station 103.5 The Beat for a day of free activities for local high school students. The rapper will host the 3rd Annual Trick Luvs Da Kids Back to School Family Fun Fest at Virrick Park […]

Rapper DMX rejected a plea bargain for a recent White Plains traffic case Monday (July 24).The New York lyricist (born Earl Simmons) cited unfair treatment as the reason behind his refusal. The acceptance of the plea bargain would have ended the case, according to the White Plains Journal News."I don’t feel good about this at […]

West coast veteran Daz of Tha Dogg Pound and Holloway House have teamed for a promotion to give away copies of Daz’ latest Virgin/So So Def release So So Gangsta with every purchase of a novel by legendary author Donald Goines.Fans of "gangsta rap" and street literature will receive a copy of the rapper’s latest […]

Pioneering Latino rapper Frost, aka Kid Frost has been named Vice President of Music for Goldmark Entertainment. Goldmark Industries, which was founded in 1989, is entering the urban entertainment business with a focus on all aspects of the genre, including music, films, television, DVD and events.Frost, who has been rapping since 1980, released his first […]

Harlem rap star and Diplomats member Juelz Santana will present his Fourth Annual Santana’s Day BBQ this Saturday (July 29) in Harlem, New York. The event takes place at the Battlegrounds Playground on Amsterdam Avenue, between 151st and 152nd Streets. Professional basketball player Vince Carter will host the festivities, while Funkmaster Flex has been tapped […]

Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs has been selected to represent the Mackie brand in an international campaign to promote the company’s latest products, the D.2. DJ Mixer and Mackie’s line of active loudspeakers.The campaign, which includes print and viral media advertising, was shot by well known L.A. surfer/skater/photographer Cesario "Block" Montano."Over the past 12 years I’ve […]

Rapper Xzibit has inked a label deal with Koch for his imprint, Open Bar Entertainment and is preparing his sixth solo album, Full Circle. Xzibit, who has sold over 3 million records to date, recorded the bulk of the new album in his hometown of Los Angeles and New York. “After 10 years of being […]

Hip-Hop Summit Action Network chairman Russell Simmons and HSAN president/CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis will be inducted Tuesday (July 25) as CISRI-ISP Permanent Observer Missionaries to the United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors program. CISRI-ISP is Rome-based intergovernmental institution that helps fight against malnutrition and extreme hunger in various countries around the globe. The new position will mark […]

KRS-One’s 2001 song "Steady Bounce" will serve as the theme music behind the new marketing campaign for Chrysler’s Compass SUV, that launches on July 31st.The auto giant’s multi-million dollar campaign is targeting city residents who are college educated and between the ages of 22-30.The Bronx-bred pioneer’s song, taken from his double CD Strictly for the […]

Midi Mafia’s Dirty Swift, born Kevin Risto, was hospitalized on Wednesday July 19 after a severe bike accident. The chart-topping producer suffered a fractured vertebrae in his lower back after crashing during an off-road biking practice at the Piru Motocross track in Los Angeles. Dirty Swift has been in Los Angeles finishing up songs for […]

U.S. rapper Ja Rule is heading to Africa to headline a concert in Nairobi, Kenya next week. The Inc.’s star artist will perform at the Carnivore grounds on Friday (July 28) as part of the Celtel Kenya Win a Porsche World Cup promotion. The rapper will hand over the keys to a Porsche to one […]

B-girl, a critically acclaimed 12-minute short film from sisters Emily and Elizabeth Dell, is being developed in to a full-length feature. The film centers on a young female breakdancer named Angel and the world of underground Hip-Hop. Since its late 2004 release, the short has received raves from filmgoers who connected with the film’s story and […]

Queensbridge MC’s Cormega and Lake have joined forces to record a full-length album titled My Brother’s Keeper. Set to be released via Fast Life Music, the disc contains 13 tracks with guest appearances from Fat Joe, Mr. Cheeks of the Lost Boyz, Greg Nice and R&B songstress Kira. The album also boasts production from D.I.T.C.’s […]

Afeni Shakur and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF) have confirmed dates for the 8th presentation of the Shoulders of Giants, a show based on works from the spoken word album, The Rose That Grew From Concrete. The Rose… features Mos Def, Russell Simmons, Q-Tip, Mos Def, Danny Glover and Tupac’s mother Afeni Shakur contributing […]

R&B legend and renowned songwriter Smokey Robinson has released a new CD of standard songs titled Timeless Love. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer revealed he is also preparing another album with new material, to keep up with today’s sound. Robinson, 66, helped catapult Berry Gordy’s Motown label into history as a member of […]