(AllHipHop News) A public wake will be held for Michael “eyedea” Larsen, who died on Saturday, October 16th 2010, from unknown causes at the age of 28. Family, friends and fans will gather on Thursday (October 28th) at the Minnesota Grand Ballroom to celebrate the life, legacy and music of eyedea. Additionally on Tuesday, November 9th, a celebratory event will take place at First Avenue Mainroom, to honor eyedea. “Always remember that where ever you go and what ever you do my love will always be with you,” eyedea’s mother, Kathy Averill said. “I knew before you were born that you were going to affect the world. I didn’t know how or with what gift, but now I do.  You have given me the most joy, trouble, happiness, and pain. Now it’s time for the rest of us to step up and be the humans you know we can be.  All my love, Mom.”Tickets to the celebration are priced at $20 and will be donated directly to the family of eyedea. This Saturday (October 23rd), eyedea will be remembered on Rhymesayers Radio from 9:00-11:00PM CST. “Mike was the closest friend I ever had. He was as caring as he was brilliant and was a true prodigy,” said Gregory “DJ Abilities” Keltgen. “I am honored to have been in his life and to have created with him and help spread his messages. He was a great human being and he will be missed.”Eyedea was remembered by his fellow Rhymesayers label mates, who were devastated by the sudden, unexpected loss of their close friend and musical collaborator. “My friend, my brother. I do not know who I would be without your influence in my life,” said Sean “Slug” Daley. “You challenged me without tearing me down. You pushed and encouraged me to be a better person. You had my back even when I didn’t have my own back. Your words, thoughts, and ideas impacted me in ways that I probably haven’t fully realized yet. You made me laugh and cry. You made me look and question. Thank you for everything. I love you Mikey.”Eyedea was a precious soul,” added Brother Ali. “We’re better artists for working with him and better people for knowing him. He added so generously to our lives and his passing leaves an empty space in our hearts. His spirit will forever be entwined in our life changing moments. Thank you, Mikey for sharing your light with us. We love you so very much and your music, insight and laughter will never leave us.””Anyone who carries leadership qualities always has my utmost respect,” said Evidence. “I truly feel he was a leader. So many others were so much closer to him to already know this firsthand, but if I could sense it from a distance, it must’ve been so potent to those up-front.”

(AllHipHop News) If a press release issued by the manager of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is accurate, the group is planning to release a variety of new projects, minus group members Bizzy Bone and Krayzie Bone. While Bizzy’s absence from the group has been well documented, in recent months it was speculated that Krayzie Bone was also in the process of leaving the group. The rumors seemed to be confirmed when Krayzie Bone announced the formation of a new label The Life Entertainment, which immediately caused friction with former group member Bizzy, who’s artist claimed he owned the rights to the label name. In a press release issued yesterday, Bone’s manager Jeremy Geffen stated that the group would wrap up their 90-city tour on October 30th, in Albuquerque  New Mexico. Wish, Layzie and Flesh-N-Bone will spend the rest of the 2010 writing a book, developing a film project and recording a new CD through a soon-to-be disclosed new recording deal. “We’ve got a great team and big plans for BTNH for 2011 and beyond that are quickly coming to fruition,” the group’s manager Jeremy Geffen stated of the veteran Hip-Hop group. “I am confident that we have some exciting times ahead including marketing, TV and film synch and branding concepts as unique as the group itself.” Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are one of the best known, and best selling groups in Hip-Hop history, moving over 30 million records worldwide, since their 1994 debut Creepin’ on ah Come Up on Eazy E’s Ruthless Records imprint. No further details were available on Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s upcoming albums or book.

(AllHipHop News) Pharoahe Monch is celebrating the 15th Annual National Day of Protest To Stop Police Brutality by premiering a new video for his anti-police brutality anthem “Clap (One Day) today (October 22nd). The 15th Annual National Day of Protest To Stop Police Brutality takes place each year in communities across the country to protest aggressive police tactics.To show support for the day, supporters are wearing all black to show solidarity. Pharoahe Monch premiered “Clap (One Day)” last month to a sold out crowd at the Jazz Cafe in London. The album was taken from his upcoming album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), which will be released through Pharoahe’s W.A.R. Media and Duck Down Records in February of 2011. “Instead of protect and serve, police often escalate situations, as with the cases of Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, or Aiyana Stanley Jones, and hundreds more who fell victim to police violence,” Pharoahe Monch told AllHipHop.com. “I wrote this song to express my frustration, as well as raise the question of how our communities can create safety and prevent violence, with out relying on police.”The never-before-seen footage also features vocalists Showtyme, Mela Machinko and DJ Boogie Blind, who will also be in the short film and music video for “Clap (One Day),” which will be released in December 2010.Pharoahe Monch was clear that despite the song’s title, it does not advocate violence against police officers, as his brother protects and serves a local community. “My brother is a police officer so I know there are some well intentioned people wearing blue uniforms,” Pharoahe Monch told AllHipHop.com. “But the issue of police violence is much bigger than good cops and bad cops, it comes down to a broken system which criminalizes our communities, and must be completely transformed.”Pharaohe Monch’s album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) will hit stores in February of 2011. For more information visit http://www.Pharoahe.comClap (One Day) from W.A.R. Media on Vimeo.

(AllHipHop News) Police in Britain, Connecticut are investing a double shooting as after-party for Young Money rapper Tyga was winding down early this morning (October 22nd). Two men from Bridgeport were shot and wounded outside Club Venue around 1:00AM this morning, after an event billed as “Tyga Live! The Official Young Money Concert After Party.” Two police officers were hired to do security inside of the venue, but they were unable to apprehend the culprit because the shooting was a sudden act that occurred outside of Club Venue. Until the shooting, police said the event was a peaceful gathering of fans of the rising Young Money rap artist, although it was unclear if Tyga had actually performed at the venue during the night. The party took place after Drake and the Young Money camp appeared in Wallingford, Connecticut at the Oakdale Theater last night as well. Police are looking to talk to the driver of a ark gray Acura with chrome rims.

(AllHipHop News) Hip-Hop producer Swizz Beatz has been sued by a producer who claims he was cheated out of royalties for his work on Cassidy’s#### single “My Drink ‘N My 2 Step.”In a lawsuit filed on October 18th, Antwann Frost claims that he helped created the drum and rhythmic pattern for Cassidy’s single, which has become a staple in clubs across the world. Frost claims he created “all of the other original musical components that shaped and defined” “My Drink ‘N My 2 Step” in 2007, which spawned remixes by Kanye West, Chingy, Ne-Yo and others. According to Frost, Swizz Beatz offered $5,000 and 5% of ownership of the song, according to TMZ.com. Antwann Frost is seeking $1,500,000 in damages.

(AllHipHop News) Atlanta natives Big Boi and Keri Hilson surprised 1000 high school students today (October 21st) in Chicago, Illinois.   The superstar rapper and singer, along with MTV News correspondent Tim Kash, spoke to the elated students as part of the Get Schooled National Challenge and Tour.  The purpose of the tour is to engage students and encourage them to improve their high school graduation rates, with the goal of increasing college completion rates.  “Before I started doing music, I was actually going to school to study child psychology, but, when I was in 11th grade, we went platinum,” Big Boi revealed. “But I still finished and graduated with honors…you need that.” During the Youth Summit, Big Boi, Keri Hilson and Tim Kash engaged students in a conversation about the challenges they face as students, while encouraging the students to achieve their educational goals. Keri Hilson also performed her newest single “Pretty Girl Rock” during the Youth Summit.  “I juggled a lot in high school,” said Keri Hilson, who revealed that that she was co-captain of her high school basketball team, in addition to participating in theater. “I had to learn balance,” said Hilson. “I had to learn to prioritize my time. I think that is the key to making it through high school in life in general, is knowing what’s important. attacking that and executing everything.”  

Tim Kash talks about the importance of education from Get Schooled on Vimeo.

(AllHipHop News) Rap star 50 Cent has revealed the reason for meeting with TV personality Chelsea Handler during a recent interview with E! Online today (October 21st). According 50 Cent, the pair met about an upcoming movie featuring Chelsea Handler titled This Means War that due in theaters in 2011 and co-stars Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy and Chris Pine.While 50 Cent was scant on details, he revealed the meeting came about after he secured a $200 million film deal with his Cheetah Films partner Randall Emmet and Lionsgate. “We actually was talking about a film project,” 50 Cent said. “She’s working on a movie now with McG called This Means War. And we spoke, you know, so, because I just did the Lionsgate deal. I’ve been sitting with different people talking about film projects.”The rapper also shot down the intense speculation that he was dating Handler, after the pair were seen out dining at a restaurant in New Orleans.”I’m not gonna answer that question!” 50 Cent said of the comediane  “I’m not dating her. Yeah I did send her flowers [after the VMAs] … why not?”50 Cent’s Cheetah Films announced a new deal worth $200 million deal that calls for the rap star’s film company to produce four to five films per year, at around $20 million.