AllHipHop

Ludacris Hosts “Fast & Furious” Fun Day in ATL.

By: TeamDeSymber Updated Category: Features
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

April 2nd, Ludacris invited out celebrity friends and fans to the Andretti Indoor race track for a fun-filled race around the track to decide who was really “fast & furious” in Atlanta. With celebrity teams headed up by Big Boi, T-Boz & Chilli, and Luda himself.

The event brought out hundreds of fans who watched the races and played games to celebrate the upcoming release of the sixth installment of Fast & Furious, Fast 6. Since the debut of the trailer for the film during Super Bowl XLVII, anticipation has been building for the Memorial Day weekend release.

AllHipHop.com was there to check out the fast paced action and to see who would be crowned Atlanta’s Fast & Furious. Here’s a hint… he’s in the movie.

And check out the trailer for Fast 6, in theaters May 24.

Listen: Dawn Richard and Eve Team Up for “Northern Lights”

By: @KareemTaylor Updated Category: Alternatives
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

Singer Dawn Richard has been on the move since the release of her debut solo album Goldenheart.

Now, she’s back with her latest, “Northern Lights”, and has called on rapper Eve, for the remix.

Dawn appears on Eve’s upcoming album Lip Lock on a yet to be released single titled “Keep Me From You”.

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Inks Partnership with Universal Music Group

By: Jake Crates Updated Category: MOBILE
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

(AllHipHop News) Marcy projects bred rapper turned mogul, Jay-Z, has entered into a multi-year, worldwide partnership with his Roc Nation music label and Universal Music Group.

Under the new deal, Jay-Z will bring his Roc Nation artists, including Rihanna, and will operate as a standalone label within the UMG family, effective immediately.

Several other labels, including Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group, made moves to try to lock down Jay-Z and the Roc Nation imprint although Jay-Z ultimately picked UMG for an undisclosed amount.

“We are looking forward to working with Lucian and the incredible team he’s assembled at Universal. We would like to applaud Lucian for collaborating with us to strike a new age deal. This agreement presents a unique opportunity for Roc Nation’s artists-being able to continue to operate as an independent label with the strength, power and reach of the best major. I look forward to a long and prosperous collaboration with UMG. It feels good to be home.” Jay-Z said in a statement to the press.

While the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, sources say Warner executive Lyor Cohen made a play for Jay-Z as part of a deal that would sign the Brooklyn bred mogul to his own firm.

Jay-Z’s signing to the world’s largest music company, led by Lucian Grainge, comes on the heels of Jay-Z allowing his last long-term recording contract with Universal’s Def Jam to expire.

In making the announcement, Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG, said, “In just five years, Roc Nation has established itself as one of the most successful brands in music with a reputation for developing some of today¹s most influential and popular talent. Not only does this agreement provide a dynamic platform for Roc Nation’s exciting emerging artists, it extends our relationship with the extraordinary Rihanna and represents a homecoming for JAY Z-a brilliant artist and entrepreneur, who has been a creative cornerstone of our company. All of us at UMG are thrilled that JAY and Roc Nation chose UMG as their partners, knowing we will support their artists with a level of resources, expertise and passion that is simply unmatched in the industry.”

Founded in 2008, Roc Nation is a full-service entertainment company, inclusive of artist, songwriter, producer and engineer management; music publishing; touring & merchandising; film & television; new business ventures; and a music label.

More news as details emerge.

Kanye West Hit With RICO/Copyright Infringement For Sampling Same Song Multiple Times

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: Headlines
Preferred Source Publisher Button>

(AllHipHop News) Chicago rapper Kanye West and a number of record labels are the subject of a new copyright/RICO lawsuit, over the continued usage of a 1974 sample.

The rap star is being sued by Trena Steward and Lorenzo Pryor, who are the owners of the copyright for the song “Bumpin’ Bus Stop.”

The song was originally recorded by the siblings’ father, David Pryor of the music group Thunder & Lightning.

David Pryor died from various health conditions, in May 2006.

The brother and sister are suing for millions of dollars in damages, claiming Kanye illegally used a portion of the tune in his hit single “Gold Digger.”

According to the lawsuit, Kanye and various labels engaged in a 15-year “illegal copyright infringement scheme and criminal enterprise involving the unauthorized, willful sampling of plaintiffs original copyrighted music on a massive scale.”

Other record label’s named in the lawsuit include: Roc-a-Fella Records, Bad Boy Records, Stones Throw Records, Bomb Hip-Hop Records, Autumn Games, Activision, Caroline Distribution and The Island Def Jam Music Group.

Check out a copy of the lawsuit below: