(AllHipHop News) Cash Money Records is jumping into the book publishing world with the launch of Cash Money Content, a new book imprint that will be distributed by Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. The brothers have already snagged the rights to Iceberg Slim’s memoir Pimp, Wahida Clark’s Justify My Thug,  and the new company’s debut offering, Raw Law: An Urban Guide to Criminal Justice. “We think we can do more, market books in a new way,” Bryan “Birdman” Williams told the Wall Street Journal. “We want to put out five or six books a year.”Cash Money Content will cross-promote the label’s music with the book offerings, by showcasing authors during concerts, while having the label’s roster of superstar acts attend the book events. “You’re going to see TV commercials, billboards, and plenty of YouTube videos featuring artists and writers talking about books,” Cash Money’s business manager Vernon Brown added. “Our books will also be sold at our concerts. When you’re out in front of 18,000 people, some will buy books, some not. But right now many of those fans aren’t being told what books are great. We’ll do that.”Cash Money Content’s first book Raw Law: An Urban Guide to Criminal Justice is due in stores in February.

(AllHipHop News) Controversial rapper/producer Kanye West will make an appearance in Macy’s 84th annual Thanksgiving Parade this year in New York City. Kanye will headline the parade, which has already tapped celebrities like Jessica Simpson, Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, Gladys Knight, Arlo Guthrie, Big Time Rush, teeny-bopper Victoria Justice and Colombia rocker, Juanes. Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade spokesman Orlando Veras stated that the diversity amongst the artists was intentional, to match the genetic makeup of the 3.5 million people that enjoy the annual parade, which will also be broadcast to another 50 million people, on NBC this year. “We want to make sure we are capturing people who are in the zeitgeist,” Veras said. Despite alleged nude pics of Kanye floating around, Veras said that all performances are being monitored by parade coordinators, to ensure each artists show will be “family friendly.” Other artists slated to participate in Macy’s 84th Annual Thanksgiving Parade include Keri Hilson, India Arie, Miranda Cosgrove and others. The event takes place on November 25th beginning at 9:00 AM.

(AllHipHop News) Willie D, a rap icon from The Geto Boys, has been sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison after he was convicted on wire fraud charges stemming from the false sale of Apple iPhones.

Willie D, real name William Dennis, was caught in a sting operation in May  2009 after fronting a company called Texas One Wireless and selling purported iPhones, but never sending the product to customers, according to an FBI report.

United States Attorney José Angel Moreno and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard C. Powers made the announcement late afternoon on November 2.

Willie D was sentenced at a hearing before United States District Court Judge Gray Miller who committeed the rapper to 12 months and one day in federal prison.

In court, Willie D admitted to acting as an electronics salesman via eBay.

Willie D was ordered to pay $194,087.17 in restitution, the amount that 35 people were scammed between September of 2008 and April 2009.

Willie D is presently on bond until a prison facility is determined for him.

The rapper was originally arrested on May 13, 2009 after returning to the United States from a business trip.

A native of Houston, Willie D is a gold and platinum selling artist from the Geto Boy and is a pioneer that brought Southern Hip-Hop to national prominence in the late 80’s though the 90’s.

(AllHipHop News) Another former United States President has issued his thoughts on a rap star, with the latest commentary coming from former Chief-of-Staff Bill Clinton, who spoke on Lil Wayne’s pending release from Riker’s Island this Thursday (November 4th). Bill Clinton appeared on “The Morning Freak Show” yesterday (November 2nd) on 96.1 Kiss FM, to drum up support for Democratic candidates running in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During the interview hosts Mikey and Big Bob asked Bill Clinton about his thoughts on Lil Wayne, who will be freed after eight months in prison, for carrying a loaded handgun on his tour bus in July of 2007. “I tell you what I think about that. I know this is kinda a funny question for you to ask me. My daughter introduced me to rap and hip-hop music, after I said somethings she thought were not very smart. She said ‘dad you need to listen, a lot of these people are smart.’ This guy’s smart and he’s got ability and he’s got a new chance now,” President Clinton said. President Clinton continued his thoughts on the New Orleans rapper, whose music is also on President Barack Obama’s iPod. “I hope is that this is not something just to brand him as a cool guy, but that it will never happen again to him,” Clinton said of Lil Wayne’s time spent behind bars. “A lot of these people they don’t get successful in that, just like any area of life by being really dumb, their really smart,” Clinton continued. “But a lot of them have had really tough lives and they almost think its cool to get in trouble every now and then or they don’t know how to stay out. What I hope will happen is that he has a good life now.”If all goes according to plan, Lil Wayne will be freed from prison on Thursday. “When I’m released, I’ll be giving my musical attention to The Carter IV and promoting I Am Not A Human being I may drop a mixtape! You know me!…the first five things I will do is kiss Reginae, kiss little Dwayne, kiss Neal, kiss Kameron and kiss my wonderful mother Cita,” Lil Wayne told Billboard.

(AllHipHop News) George Bush has admitted when Kanye West said, “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people,” it was one of the worst moments of his presidency.

The revelation was made in Bush’s new book, Decision Points, and discussed in an interview with Matt Lauer of NBC.

“He called me a racist, and I didn’t appreciate it then. I don’t appreciate it now,” Bush tells Lauer in a show that airs on November 8. “It’s one thing to say, ‘I don’t appreciate the way he’s handled his business.’ It’s another thing to say, ‘This man’s a racist.’ I resent it, it’s not true.”

Bush continued, “Yes. My record was strong I felt when it came to race relations and giving people a chance. And it was a disgusting moment.” Kanye West dissed Bush during a telethon for victims of the flooding after Hurricane Katrina. West was supposed to read a script from a teleprompter, but he broke protocol and blurted out, “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people,” among other statements. Bush and other governmental agencies were criticized for slow response, acts of brutality and disorganization during the ordeal.

There were other moments that raised the ire of Bush, he says in the book.

In the book, he wrote, “Five years later I can barely write those words without feeling disgust. I faced a lot of criticism as President. I didn’t like hearing people claim that I lied about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction or cut taxes to benefit the rich. But the suggestion that I was racist because of the response to Katrina represented an all-time low.”

Below is the original clip when Kanye West said, “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people.”

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Gucci Man has been arrested for a myriad of traffic infractions and had to be restrained with pepper spray, according to published reports.

Gucci, real name Radric Davis, is charged with driving on the wrong side of the road, running a red light or stop sign, damage to government property, obstruction, no license, no proof of insurance and other traffic charges, Atlanta Police spokesman Curtis Davenport told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Furthermore, the report says Gucci had to be subdued by police with pepper spray.

The rapper was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for a medical check up. From there, he is expected to be moved to Fulton County Jail.

Gucci Mane was just released from Fulton County jail in May for violating parole.

“I have made some mistakes in my life that have hurt a lot of people who care about me,” Gucci Mane said just after being released from prison in May.“I have worked very hard to get past them, but those mistakes have brought me to where I am today, and they will not be repeated,” Gucci Mane said. “These past six months have been a difficult time, but fortunately I have learned a great deal from my experience. I was able to do a great deal of soul searching; I am coming out with a new attitude towards life.”

Lil Wayne dropped a new letter from prison today (November 2nd), just days before he is released from Rikers Island after serving eight months after police found a loaded handgun on his tour bus in July of 2007. The rapper’s 9th and final letter thanked fans for their support throughout his prison stay, as well as his family, friends and his Young Money Records’ team. “I think back to when I first arrived and I had no clue of what I’d be experiencing,” Lil Wayne wrote. “I was never scared, worried, nor bothered by the situation. For that, I thank God, my family, and you, my amazing fans. I prayed for you all every night, as I’m aware that I was in your prayers as well.”Lil Wayne is slated to be released from Riker’s Island on Thursday (November 4th). His album, I Am Not A Human Being, is currently #1 on Billboard‘s Top 200 Chart.His full letter to fans is listed below:Hello world! My world! Our world!As I greet you all in my last days on this island, I must reflect. I think back to when I first arrived and I had no clue of what I’d be experiencing. I was never scared, worried, nor bothered by the situation. For that, I thank God, my family, and you, my amazing fans. I prayed for you all every night, as I’m aware that I was in your prayers as well. The very first day that I received mail, it was about 300 pieces or more! I smiled like a child of Christmas. But when I began to read them, my heart smiled. I laughed with some of you, reasoned with some of you, and even cried with some of you. I responded to as many of you that time would allow. I plan to keep reading and responding after my release. I thank you all for being so very supportive, as I never imagined how much impact my words and life can have. With this knowledge, I vow to continue to be me! For you have assured time that I don’t have to change for no one but God. I will be the same Martian I was when I left, just better. You fans are more than amazing, and I will for to the end of the world for your love. This isn’t the last of weezythanxyou.com I will continue to thank you when I’m home.I simple LOVE you all.P.S. Thanx for supporting my YM team the way you do!!Now I like to thank my wonderful family and friends for never letting me down. Your love and support is worth the world. I am grateful for you all and I couldn’t have done it without your love. Also, I thank everyone who came to visit me. That s### meant a lot, straight up! I would do the same, if not more for you.Now I must dedicated something to the woman in the picture……sitting on this bed with my back against one of the four walls I’ve been confined to, all I can think of is you. Staring at you staring at me, from the picture of you that I see. I try so hard to make the picture smile. You look so serious. Seriously beautiful. You, me, we are one. Then I look further to the right and there’s a picture of “the bed by the water”… where I dream to be with the woman in the picture that still won’t smile. I sometimes talk to the picture, but it never responds. Although, I’ve been told that a picture speaks a thousands words, I only wish that this picture would speak of four… “I love you too.” That would be the perfect response to what I frequently say to it. You see, the picture of “the bed by the water” has sand in it, and the woman in the other picture has sand in her hair… put them together, and she’s there. And when I dream, I’m there with her. Shhh… quietly these four walls become that place in the picture. And the woman in the picture begins to whisper… “I love you too”… she responds!And now she smiles. Imagination is perfect.Dedicated to the woman in the picture.Gone!

(AllHipHop News) A variety of rappers are encouraging their fans to go to the polls today and cast their vote in the local, general elections today (November 2nd).  Republicans are hoping to capture 39 seats to win a majority in the House of Representatives, while Democrats are attempting to retain control of the Senate. Americans are heading to the polls to decide a variety local, state and national races, during a turbulent time in the country due to a number of hot-button issues, including the economy.”I refuse to go back to the days when insurance companies could deny coverage or drop coverage bc you’re sick,” rapper Common tweeted. “I refuse to go back to the days when credit card companies could jack up your rates without reason. I refuse to go back to the same ideas that didn’t work the first time.”According to Def Jam/Phat Farm founder Russell Simmons, the United States could enter into a dark period, if Republicans gain control of Congress. “If we don’t vote, we will open the door to a dark, hallucinatory chapter in American politics of deep unconsciousness, hatred and lies,” Russell Simmons said in an article on The Huffington Post. “The Republican establishment can’t tame this movement – history is filled with examples of the opposite happening – of the movements taking over the party, both from the extreme left and the extreme right,” Simmons said. “When money and fringe movements meet at the right time, and the majority doesn’t act to stop them, the movements take over and destroy civil society. And today those movements want to kill government, when we need it functioning and active in a fragile recovery from the worst recession in our lifetimes. They want to blame ethnic groups that have nothing to do with why we’re in a recession.”Hip-Hop Caucus leader Reverend Lennox Yearwood echoed Common and Russell Simmons’ call to action, by stressing the importance of exercising your right to vote. “Democracy means “government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” Rev. Yearwood stated. “Your vote is important. Get out and vote today, and touch your family, friends, and community at least once today with reminders and encouragement to show up at the polls. Now is the time. Get out and Vote!”If anyone experiences problems at the polling station, please call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866 687-8683) or visit http://www.raiseyourvote.com/