Record executive/Mogul Russell Simmons and rapper Snoop Dogg are tapping into the power of the Internet to aid youth and victims of Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita. Simmons, founder of Def Jam and CEO of Rush Communications, is taking part in the fourth annual Lunch With A Leader celebrity online auction, which started Feb. 10 on […]

Following the murder of a Las Vegas police officer, the city’s sheriff has called for a ban on “gangster” rap artists. In a recent Las Vegas Sun editorial, Sheriff Bill Young said he doesn’t believe casinos should book certain types of rap groups because of the violence they breed. “The entertainment industry should be ashamed […]

The Source Magazine has announced the filing of a multimillion dollar lawsuit against the Black Enterprise Greenwich Street private equity fund, claiming members plotted to steal the magazine and illegally fired Source founder Dave Mays as CEO. Mays has retained the law firm of Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard P.A., to help him regain […]

Bail was set for Trillville rapper Don P, who was recently arrested, spending 10 days incarcerated for the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl. A Georgia judge set a $75,000 bail for the Atlanta rapper, born Donnell Prince, after he was charged with rape and two counts of aggravated sodomy. The incident stems from an […]

The Ying Yang Twins and Sir-Mix-A-Lot are among the entertainers taking part in Copyright Awareness Week, a new nationwide initiative that aims to educate young people about the importance of copyright laws. In addition to those rappers, Grammy Award-winning R&B singer John Legend and rock group 3 Doors Down will create public service announcements about […]

Fresh off winning three Grammy Awards last Wednesday (Feb. 8), Kanye West is raking in more nominations. The Chicago rapper/producer is up for Man of the Year at MTV’s fourth annual TRL Awards. The network announced nominees for the event on Monday (Feb. 13). West will compete with Eminem, 50 Cent and Gerard Way of […]

Hot 97 DJ and noted car enthusiast Funkmaster Flex has entered into an endorsement agreement with JL Audio, a Miramar, Fla.-based company that makes aftermarket auto sound components. Under the new alliance, Flex will be JL Audio’s top endorser throughout North America and will play an active role in promoting and marketing the company’s high-end […]

50 Cent is in final negotiations to make his second motion picture appearance in the upcoming film Home Of The Brave, opposite Samuel L. Jackson. The plot revolves around three soldiers returning from the war in Iraq and trying to readjust to civilian life. Jackson plays a doctor who unravels during the course of the […]

Bay Area rapper Mac Minister was profiled on Fox’s long-running television series America’s Most Wanted on Saturday (Feb. 11). Police have been seeking Mac Minister, born Andre Dow, in connection with the May 2005 murders of Kansas City rapper Anthony "Fat Tone" Watkins and his companion, Jermaine "Cowboy" Akins. Police suspect Mac Minister and an […]

West Coast rap couple Kurupt and Gail Gotti announced plans to wed this summer and will release an album together on their respective labels.The future newlyweds will release an untitled full-length album together this summer through Kurupt’s Penagon Enterprises and Gail Gotti’s Night-In-Gail Entertainment.Two tracks from the upcoming album, “Ride It Out,” which was produced […]

Funeral services for Detroit rapper/producer J Dilla, who died Friday (Feb. 10) of complications from lupus, will take place this week in Los Angeles. He was 32. A viewing for J Dilla, born James Yancey, will be held Monday (Feb. 13), followed by a funeral on Tuesday (Feb. 14). A memorial concert is also being […]

The North Carolina trio of Phonte, Big Pooh, and producer 9th Wonder, collectively known as Little Brother, recently participated in a Hip-Hop Summit at their Alma Mater, North Carolina Central University, on Wednesday (Feb. 8). The one-day summit was established to address social issues within the Hip-Hop community and allow aspiring Hip-Hop enthusiasts to display […]

Hip-Hop producer J-Dilla passed away today (Feb. 10) due to an unspecified ailment. Early reports suggest he succumbed to kidney failure, a medical problem which arose in 2004. J-Dilla, born James Yancey, was a member of Slum Village and worked with various Hip-Hop artists including Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest and Common’s […]

LL Cool J is the latest rapper to enter the fashion realm. The Queens-bred MC premiered his new Todd Smith men’s and women’s clothing lines earlier this week at the Carlton Hotel during New York’s Fashion Week. For his men’s collection, LL Cool J (whose real name is James Todd Smith) enlisted Jeremy Brandrick of […]

Rapper Busta Rhymes has issued a statement about an early morning shooting last Sunday (Feb. 5) that took the life of his longtime bodyguard. Authorities believe an argument between Ruff Ryders President Swizz Beatz and Tony Yayo and G-Unit sparked a deadly shooting on the set of a video shoot for Busta Rhymes’ single “Touch […]

Ice Cube’s forthcoming comedic film Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House is being redone as the sequel to the rapper’s 2005 movie, Are We There Yet? According to Variety, the change occurred after Revolution Studios announced it had ceased development of new product. The big opening for Martin Lawrence’s new movie, Big Momma’s House 2, […]

A wake for the slain bodyguard of rap superstar Busta Rhymes was held yesterday (Feb. 9) in New York. Mourners laid Israel Ramirez, 29, to rest at the Century Funeral Home, where hundreds of family and friends turned out. Police believe Ramirez was shot and killed as he shielded Busta Rhymes during an altercation between […]

Multi-platinum selling rapper Kanye West scored three Grammys last night (Feb. 8), including the coveted Best Rap Album award at the 48th annual ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Fueled by the success of his sophomore album, Late Registration, the Chicago MC took home honors in three categories, including Best Rap Album, Best […]