Audiogalaxy Halts Downloads, Settles With Music Industry
Audiogalaxy reached a settlement with the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) and the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), agreeing to obtain permission from copyright holders before allowing users to swap songs. The agreement halted all trading of songs yesterday (June 17). Audiogalaxy had already started filtering songs in an attempt to avoid the same […]
Wyclef To Launch Caribbean Label, Speaks On Lauryn Hill
In addition to his Clef Records, which is distributed by J Records, Wyclef Jean will be launching a new record label. Sak Passé (Creole for "what’s up) will focus on releasing Haitian and other Caribbean music. Describing a Caribbean form of music called Compas, Clef is highly confident the masses will catch on. ”Compas can […]
North Carolina Reverend Calls For Boycott
Durham based Rev. Paul Scott has called for a boycott of "Gangsta Rap" music, urging fans to demand positive rap and hip-hop that doesn’t promote negative images against African-American men and women. Scott chose Fathers day (June 16th) to start the boycott, targeting men, but is also calling on the women who have lost sons […]
Hip-Hop Documentary Premiers In San Francisco
Hip-Hop documentary "The World Famous," debuted at the San Francisco Black Film Festival on Saturday (June 15). The 45 minute documentary focuses on the impact the ground breaking radio show, "The Wake Up Show," had on the hip-hop community in the Bay Area, and the influence Sway, Tech, Carmelita and Revolution had on the culture. […]
Dr. Dre Second Highest Paid Performer
Dr. Dre has clocked in on Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 10 Pay Chart for 2001. Dre, who was topped only by Irish rock band U2, reportedly received an estimated $35 million dollars last year when Vivendi boosted their stake in Aftermath Entertainment, the label he heads. Aftermath is home to such chart topping acts as […]
Queen Latifah Starring In Two New Flicks
Queen Latifah is executive producing and starring opposite Steve Martin in the comedy, "In The Houze." The movie centers around a man (Martin) who meets a female (Latifah) on the internet, who happens to be in prison. In a strange twist, the female inmate escapes prison and proceeds to wreak havoc on Martin’s life. The […]
Will I.Am Launches Clothing Line, BEP Readies New LP
Black Eyed Peas member Will.I.Am recently launched his own clothing line, dedicated to showing off his unique clothing designs. I.Am clothes, which was founded 6 months ago with co-designer Lor-E Phillips, is geared toward "the higher end trendy spots," and will be available for both men and women. Each design will not exceed 500 pieces […]
Jay-Z, N.E.R.D., Talib Kweli Hit The Road
In addition to teaming with Def Jam for the Sprite/Def Jam University, the soft drink announced today the creation of a new music festival, Sprite Liquid Mix The festival is billed as "an expression of the urban experience featuring a fusion of music, street sports, artistic demonstrations, fashion and entertainment The Sprite Liquid Mix will […]
Public Enemy Prepares New Album, World Tour
To commemorate their 15th year anniversary, Public Enemy is preparing to release their latest LP, "Revolverlution." The album, which features 14 tracks, 8 of which are new songs, also contains four new versions of classic Public Enemy hits, produced by winners of a contest that Chuck D. had on his label’s website, http://www.slamjamz.com. In addition […]
Ice-T And SMG Release DVD
Ice-T and his new group, Sex Money And Gunz (SMG) which also includes Smooth The Hustler and Trigger the Gambler will be releasing a DVD featuring their live performance at B.B. King’s in Times Square, New York City. The live concert footage will feature SMG’s new songs as well as a variety of Ice T’s […]
Charges Against Eminem’s Ex-Wife Dropped
Two charges against Eminem‘s ex-wife, Kimberly Mathers were dropped last week after a Macomb County judge, said prosecutors failed to make a case against her. Eminem allegedly caught his wife kissing a man, whom he pistol whipped outside of the Hot Rock Sports Bar and Music Cafe. Ms. Mathers was charged with disturbing the peace, […]
Wyclef To Give Free Concert
Wyclef Jean will perform a free concert this Friday (June 14th) aboard the USS Interprid aircraft carrier. The concert, dubbed "Wyclef Jean Life…A Freedom Concert," was originally to take place at Coney Island NY’s Astroland Park. The concert was moved due to crowd control issues, as several thousand people are expected to catch the concert. […]
Universal Records Locks #1 & 2 Spot
Two Universal Records debut discs enter Billboard’s R&B Albums chart in the #1 and #2 spots for this week. Free City, from the St. Louis-based hip-hop group The St. Lunatics (comprised of 6x platinum rapper Nelly, Ali, Kyjuan, Murphy Lee and Slo Down), landed at #1, while Hot Boys member Turk’s long-awaited solo offering, Young […]
Project Pat Sentenced To Prison
After being convicted on two counts of firearm possession as a felon in March, Project Pat was sentenced to serve a four year prison term on Tuesday (June 11). The conviction stems from an event in January 2001, in which he was pulled over for speeding in an SUV. When Pat was pulled over, police […]
BMG Acquires Zomba
United States owned Zomba, who released music from such hip-hop acts as Mystikal, Keith Murray, KRS-One as well as ‘N Sync, The Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, was purchased by Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) for around $3 billion dollars. BMG Currently owns 25 percent of Zomba publishing and 20 percent of the Zomba record label. […]
Big Tymers Go Gold, Hit The Road
One month after landing at the #1 position on the Billboard 200 chart, The Big Tymers Hood Rich album has been certified Gold. The album sales were helped by the single "Still Fly," which has been receiving huge amounts of radio airplay across the United States. The video has been garnering significant airplay on MTV, […]
Jedi Mind Tricks First LP Re-Released
Jedi Mind Tricks first album, The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological, and Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness has been re-released on Babygrande Records along with six new songs. Sandboxautomatic, a popular internet retailer of hip-hop music, has teamed with Babygrande for the re-release, which will appear for the first time on CD. The album has been digitally […]
Win A Chance To Attend The Sprite/Def Jam University
Def Jam Records and Sprite have teamed to give music lovers the chance to attend the "Sprite/Def Jam University." The University is a three day clinic in New York City where winners will learn the ins and outs of the music business, including marketing, video production, recording and producing. The contest started on June 5th […]
Crip Walk Banned From L.A. Schools
Los Angeles inner city schools have banned the "C-Walk" dance, short for "Crip Walk." The dance, which was popularized by such rappers as WC, Snoop and even Lil Bow Wow, has stirred up controversy in the school districts. According to law enforcement officials, the dance was originally performed after Crip’s murdered a rival gang member. […]
DMX, Swizz Beatz Being Sued By Rapper
Brooklyn based rapper Mr. D. Original is preparing to file a lawsuit against DMX and Ruff Ryder producer Swizz Beatz. According to D., the two stole his song "Aint No Sunshine When She’s Gone," a hip-hop version of the Bill Withers classic song, "Aint No Sunshine." D claims that he wrote the song as a […]
