Hip-Hop and Rap News

Rapper DMX has been released from Maricopa County Jail after serving 90 days for charges of cruelty to animals, possession of narcotic drugs, theft and possession of marijuana.

DMX, real name Earl Simmons, pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2008 following a series of arrests throughout the year and was sentenced to 90 days in prison.

While serving his sentence Simmons was re-booked for aggravated assault and placed under 23-hour lockdown after getting into an altercation with a corrections officer.

Prior to his incarceration, Simmons had been planning to release two new albums, "Walk With Me Now/You'll Fly With Me Later," however; there has been no update on the status of either project.

Snoop Dogg Cleared Of Assault

Rap legend Snoop Dogg has been cleared of civil assault after a civil jury decided he did not hit a member of the crowd during a concert in 2005.

During a court hearing last Friday (May 8), the jury ruled while Snoop, real name Calvin Broadus, was not guilty of the civil assault and battery, Richard Monroe Jr. did suffer injuries during the concert in Seattle and awarded him $449,000 in damages, which are to be paid by Snoop's record label, rapper Soopafly and other unnamed parties.

Monroe's attorneys argued that Broadus had hit him with a brass knuckle microphone when he jumped on stage, but a video shown during the trial did not feature Snoop hitting Monroe

Nas And Kelis To Divorce

It is being reported that Kelis has filed for divorce from rapper husband Nas.

A representative for Kelis announced that the singer's attorney filed papers in L.A. County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon (April 30) to end their three year marriage.

According to the court papers, Kelis, real name Kelis Rogers, cited verbal abuse and infidelity as the grounds for divorce.

Kelis is currently pregnant with Nas' child and is expected to give birth in July.

As part of the divorce she is seeking spousal support and child support as well as joint legal and physical custody of their unborn child.

Nas and Kelis first hooked up at a 2002 VMA after party hosted by Sean "Diddy" Combs. They dated for two years before getting married at a small ceremony in Atlanta in 2005.

Stalking Charges Against Nate Dogg Dropped

The criminal charges filed against Nate Dogg for allegedly stalking and threatening his estranged wife have been dropped.

During a court hearing on Wednesday (April 15), the charges were dropped against 38-year-old Nate, real name Nathaniel Dwayne Hale, when California prosecutors revealed the alleged victim had not maintained contact with the District Attorney's office.

In July 2008 Hale pleaded not guilty to two counts of making criminal threats, one count of stalking and a misdemeanor count of driving with a suspended license stemming from a prior DUI conviction.

He was facing criminal charges over two emails he was accused of sending to his wife and allegedly chasing her down a California freeway.

Prior to last July's court appearance Nate Dogg suffered a stroke that left him wheelchair bound and two months later suffered another that left him requiring assistance breathing.

Due to his medical condition a Compton Superior Court judge recommended that the charges be dropped, but gave prosecutors the option to refile the case at a later date.

Nate Dogg is currently recovering at a rehabilitation facility.

Kanye's Assault Hearing Delayed

Kanye West's arraignment for misdemeanor assault charges has been delayed until May 20 following a brief hearing yesterday afternoon (13 April).

West was scheduled to be arraigned on three counts of misdemeanor assault over the 11 September 2008 altercation he and his manager had with a paparazzo at Los Angeles International Airport.

The incident was caught on camera by gossip website TMZ showing what appears to be Kanye destroying the photographer's flash while his manager, Don C, smashed the camera.

Kanye was charged with misdemeanor counts of vandalism, battery and grand theft, while Don C, real name Don Crowley, received two counts of vandalism, two counts of grand theft and two counts of battery. If convicted West faces up to two and a half years in jail while Crowley faces five years.

Blair Berk, West's attorney, told a court commissioner during today's hearing that this was the first time she had been given access to the police report and is still waiting for prosecutors to turn over any additional evidence they have

Coolio Pleads Not Guilty To Drugs Charge

Rapper Coolio pleaded not guilty to felony drugs charges on Friday (April 3) stemming from his arrest at LAX in March.

The 45-year-old rapper and reality TV star entered the plea during an arraignment in Los Angeles on Friday.

Coolio, real name Artis Leon Ivey, was arrested on 6th March when airport security found crack cocaine during a search of his luggage. Ivey is also accused of grabbing a screener's arm to prevent him searching his belongings resulting in a misdemeanor battery charge.

Ivey was also charged with one misdemeanor count of possession of a smoking device.

Coolio is due back in court on April 20 and faces up to three years in prison

Flesh-N-Bone Arrested For Gun Possession

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's Flesh-N-Bone was arrested in Los Angeles, California on Thursday (April 2) for gun and drug possession.

The Signal newspaper is reporting that the 35-year-old rapper, born Stanley Howse, was pulled over by police for driving with a defective brake light at around 5:30 p.m. in Santa Clarita. As officers searched the vehicle drugs and a gun were found, violating the rapper's probation.

Howse was then arrested and charged with gun and marijuana possession. He is currently being held on $35,000 bail and is due before a judge on Monday (April 6).

Flesh-N-Bone had been serving ten years in prison up until July 2008 for threatening a friend with an AK-47 back in 1999. The rapper was also arrested 2 years earlier after police found a stolen gun and explosives in his house during a raid.

Following his release from prison, Howse reunited with Bone Thugs and had been planning a reunion album, however, the album may be in jeopardy following this latest arrest.

T.I. Sentenced To 366 Days In Jail

Rapper T.I. was sentenced to a year and a day behind bars on Friday for various federal weapons charges.

T.I., real name Clifford Harris, plead guilty to the charges last March following his arrest in 2007 when he attempted to buy unregistered machine guns and silencers prior to his appearance at the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta.

The judge ruled that Harris must report to prison in the next 30-60 days and having already served 1,000 hours of community service he will have to complete an additional 470 days community service upon his release.

"Today I would like to say thank you to some, and apologize to all," Harris told U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell Jr. "Everything I learned was through trial and error. I've learned lessons in my life to put in my music so people won't make the same mistakes as I."

Harris was facing up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count before he plead guilty and made a deal in March that will see him spend 366 days behind bars. Upon his release he will be placed on three years of supervised release. Having already spend 305 days under house arrest the rapper must also spend an additional 60 days of home detention.

Method Man Forgets To Pay Taxes; Blames Weed

After last week's reports that Method Man's 2008 Lincoln Navigator was seized because he hadn't paid his taxes, the rapper has announced it wasn't because he couldn't afford it, but because he was high.

Speaking to the New York Daily News, Method Man revealed that the Department of Taxation visited his Long Island home in the early hours of the morning with "four NYPD cops and the repo team. [I] knew why they were there. It wasn't like 'Oh my God! Noo!! Don't take it!' like it is on that TV show ["Operation Repo"]. I was half-dressed, and it was so early that I just said, 'Okay, you're taking the truck. ... Aight.'"

"Myself, I'm a pothead," Meth added. "It's no secret. Everyone knows that. I go on the road and forget everything else. Sure, [the tax department] sent letters to my house saying, 'We need this money.' They started sending them in 2002. ... Here it is, 2009, and I never paid this sh** because I don't think like that!"

Despite the current state of the economy, Method Man claims the money itself has never been a problem.

"I could have easily just written them a check for whatever amount, but no -- I waited until they knocked on this door and were like, 'We got your truck and we outta here,' " said the rapper.

"I've found checks from 2005 that have never been opened yet," he explained. "And we're talking a significant amount of money! But I never opened [the tax department's] letters ... so this is how the tax man came to Meth's house and took his truck. Not because I was broke! I got plenty of money!"

Hip-Hop and Rap News

Death Row Record Set For April 18th Relaunch

E1 Entertainment, formerly Koch Records, is planning to relaunch the once great West Coast label Death Row Records on April 18.

The relaunch will see Death Row releasing a three-track sampler containing unreleased songs on Record Store Day, the April 18th event celebrating independent music and retailers.

The sampler, which marks the first Death Row release containing new music since 2007's "15 Years on Death Row," will feature Crooked I's "Hoodstar," Danny Boy's "Do What You Do" and Petey Pablo's "Pay For The P***y."

The latest incarnation of Death Row Records is set to begin releasing new music from is catalog of 7,000 unreleased tracks from the likes of Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg as early as this fall

Coolio Charged With Crack Possession

Rapper and reality TV star Coolio has been officially charged with possession of crack cocaine and battery following his arrest at Los Angeles Airport a week ago.

Coolio, real name Artis Leon Ivey, was arrested on March 6 after authorities found the drug and a crack pipe in his luggage.

45-year-old Ivey was charged with a felony count of possessing cocaine base and a misdemeanor charge for possessing the pipe. He was also charged with battery after he grabbed the arm of a member of airport security in an attempt to stop them searching his baggage.

If convicted Coolio faces up to three years in prison. He is due back in court on April 3

Eminem Sets Release Date For "Relapse"; Announces "Relapse 2"

Eminem has finally set a firm release date for his new album, ending a four year absence from the music industry.

The rapper's label announced last week that "Relapse" (Interscope/Aftermath/Shady) will be released on May 19 and added there will be a follow-up album before the years end.

The first single from the album, "Crack A Bottle" featuring 50 Cent and Dr. Dre, is currently sitting at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and according to the label there is a video in the works.

"A lot of people were expecting Relapse to drop last year," Eminem said in a statement. "I was one of them. Then Dre and I went back in the studio in September for a few days, and that turned into six months. We were on such a roll; we wound up with a ton of new music produced by Dre. Putting out Relapse 2 will let everyone get all of the best stuff."

Cash Money Records Hit With $2 Million Lawsuit

Former Cash Money Records producer T Mix has filed a lawsuit against the label claiming he is owed more than $2 million for his work with artists such as Birdman and Lil Wayne.

Courthouse News Service is reporting that T Mix, born Tristan Jones, filed the lawsuit last week in New Orleans alleging he had an exclusive production agreement with Cash Money Records between November 2005 and 2007 in which he produced tracks for Birdman's "5 * Stunna" album, Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter II" and the Birdman / Lil Wayne collaboration "Like Father, Like Son."

The lawsuit claims that Jones was entitled to production royalties from every unit sold, but has only received a portion of said royalties. He alleges that Cash Money Records have made more than $30 million from his work, while he has received just $187,850 to date.

Jones is seeking damages of more than $2.25 million for breach of contract and legal fees.

Snoop Leaves Interscope; Plans MTV Album

It is being reported that Snoop Dogg has left Interscope Records and signed a new multi-rights deal with MTV, who will distribute, market and promote his next album "Malice in Wonderland."

"Malice in Wonderland" is set to feature production from Pharrell Williams, composer Lalo Schifrin and longtime collaborator Dr. Dre.

"We're in the process of trying to help him [Dr. Dre] with the 'Detox' record and working on mine at the same time," Snoop Dogg told Billboard at the Grammy Awards on Sunday.

Snoop's previous album, 2008's "Ego Trippin," sold 382,000 units in the United states. The album's lead single "Sensual Seduction/Sexual Eruption" has sold 869,000 digital downloads.

"Malice in Wonderland" is due to be released later this year.

DMX Placed In Solitary Confinement

Rapper DMX has been placed in solitary confinement at Arizona's Maricopa County Detention Centre after getting into a verbal dispute with a guard.

The Associated Press is reporting that DMX, real name Earl Simmons, who is serving 90 days for three felony charges, refused to report for his prison job.

Simmons is also said to have missed a scheduled medical appointment and got angry when he attempted to get his medicine an hour after his scheduled time.

DMX is then reported to have got verbally abusive when a supervisor tried to diffuse the situation resulting in the rapper being placed on 23 hour lock down and being placed on a bread and water diet.

He is likely to remain on lock down for the next month.

Twista Signs With EMI

Following his departure from Atlantic Records in 2007, platinum selling rapper Twista has signed a new joint venture with EMI Global Music Services creating a new home for his Get Money Gang Entertainment imprint.

One of the first projects from this deal will be Twista's sixth studio album, "Category F5," which is scheduled for release on June 16.

"Category F5" will feature production from the likes of Jim Jonsin, The Tastemakers, Street Runner, Good Will, MGI, Toxi and Traxster, as well as guest appearances from Akon, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Kanye West, Static Major and Bobby Valentino.

Twista's last album, "Adrenaline Rush 2007," has sold around 123,000 copies in the United States to date.

Lil Wayne's "Rebirth" Rock Album Due April 7

Multi-platinum selling rapper Lil Wayne has announced the release date for his upcoming rock album "Rebirth."

The album will hit stores on April 7 with the first single, "Prom Queen," making it's online debut on January 27 following a live stream of the rapper's concert in San Diego.

Lil Wayne announced to MTV at last year's BET Awards that this album would take a change of direction.

"I don't know if we're gonna release Tha Carter IV now," he told MTV. "I think we're gonna release Tha Carter III — a new Carter III with none of the same songs, though. None of them. Not one! We don't wanna call the [next album] we got coming out Tha Carter IV. That was the dilemma we were in. We want Carter IV to be what everybody wants it to be.

"This is something brand new, so we don't want it to be some experimental thing, 'cause some people are not gonna like this. I don't want them to not like Tha Carter IV. But I do have an album coming soon, very soon, and it's gonna be called ... Tha Carter III: The Rebirth. The birth of a new beginning."

Source: MTV

Afeni Shakur And Amaru Entertainment Sued Over Tupac Biopic

Afeni Shakur, mother of the late Tupac Shakur and executor of Amaru Entertainment, has been hit with a lawsuit from production company Morgan Creek over the rights to a biopic about the rapper.

Morgan Creek allege they began negotiations with Amaru in November for life rights to the untitled project claiming a written contract was created which Amaru is "refus(ing) to honor and perform a contract of a production of the film based on the life of Tupac Shakur."

Amaru's legal team are denying any such deal was established:

"There is no agreement with Morgan Creek, there never was, and there never will be," said Amaru attorney Skip Miller.

According to Miller, Amaru have been in negotiations with several studios to produce a biopic on Tupac Shakur and Morgan Creek are attempting to a possible deal with another company.

"They have scared away Paramount, Fox and others, and we are going to sue them and recover millions (in damages)," Miller added.

Despite a shooting during a showing in North Carolina and stiff competition from Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino," the Notorious B.I.G. biopic "Notorious" has grossed $21.5 million in its opening weekend in the United States.

"Notorious" came in fourth for the weekend behind "Mall Cop" ($33.8 million), "Gran Torino" ($22.2 million) and "My Bloody Valentine 3-D ($21.9 million).

The movie may have come fourth overall, but it did manage to score the bst per screen average of $13,126 from its limited 1,638 screen release. This week's top seller "Mall Cop" only generated an average of $10,751 from 3,144 movie theatres.

"Notorious" tells the story of rap legend Notorious B.I.G. chronicling his rise to fame from the streets of Brooklyn to his untimely death in 1997.

"It's a very high quality film, and it's compelling look at a compelling cultural icon who, like many cultural icons, left way too early but left an indelible mark on society," said Chris Aronson, senior vice president at 20th Century Fox.

C-Murder Ordered To Remain In Jail

New Orleans, Louisiana rapper C-Murder has been ordered to remain in jail after it was alleged he broke the rules of his house arrest.

During a court appearance on Wednesday authorities revealed that they lost signal from the rapper's monitoring device for around 10 minutes early on Monday. According to the Associated Press, Sheriff's deputy Mike Dawson testified that he had been notified by an electronic monitor that the rapper had left his house. When Dawson called the house, C-Murder's fiancé Sabrina Green answered the phone and then handed it to him. Dawson claims that while he was talking to the rapper on a portable phone he heard the monitor reacting as if he had just re-entered the house.

Attorney Ron Rakosky claimed the rapper had been asleep when the signal was lost and blamed an equipment malfunction.

Miller is set to face trial for a second-degree murder charge relating to the shooting of 16-year-old Steve Thomas, who was killed in a 2002 nightclub brawl in Harvey.

C-Murder, real name Corey Miller, had been placed under house arrest as part of the terms of his $500,000 bond.

During Wednesday's hearing, State District judge Hans Liljeberg ordered that the rapper must remain behind bars and doubled his bond after it was reported he had left his residence for a few minutes on several occasions since October.

"I don't think it's terribly unjust for the defendant to await trial across the street," Liljeberg said.

Jermaine Dupri Leaves Def Jam Records

Jermaine Dupri's role as President of Island Records' Urban Music Division has come to an end just two years after he took up the position.

Dupri was hired in February 2007 to oversee and develop the label's urban music reporting directly to Def Jam Records chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid and President of Island Music Steve Bartells.

In April 2008, Island Def Jam created TAG Records, a collaborative promotion effort between the label and Procter & Gamble's TAG brand, which was headed by Dupri. The new imprint allowed artists such as So So Def/TAG's Q to promote music and TAG body spray in various forms of media.

Dupri's departure from Island will not affect his role at TAG

Despite a shooting during a showing in North Carolina and stiff competition from Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino," the Notorious B.I.G. biopic "Notorious" has grossed $21.5 million in its opening weekend in the United States.

"Notorious" came in fourth for the weekend behind "Mall Cop" ($33.8 million), "Gran Torino" ($22.2 million) and "My Bloody Valentine 3-D ($21.9 million).

The movie may have come fourth overall, but it did manage to score the bst per screen average of $13,126 from its limited 1,638 screen release. This week's top seller "Mall Cop" only generated an average of $10,751 from 3,144 movie theatres.

"Notorious" tells the story of rap legend Notorious B.I.G. chronicling his rise to fame from the streets of Brooklyn to his untimely death in 1997.

"It's a very high quality film, and it's compelling look at a compelling cultural icon who, like many cultural icons, left way too early but left an indelible mark on society," said Chris Aronson, senior vice president at 20th Century Fox.

Jermaine Dupri Leaves Def Jam Records

Jermaine Dupri's role as President of Island Records' Urban Music Division has come to an end just two years after he took up the position.

Dupri was hired in February 2007 to oversee and develop the label's urban music reporting directly to Def Jam Records chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid and President of Island Music Steve Bartells.

In April 2008, Island Def Jam created TAG Records, a collaborative promotion effort between the label and Procter & Gamble's TAG brand, which was headed by Dupri. The new imprint allowed artists such as So So Def/TAG's Q to promote music and TAG body spray in various forms of media.

Dupri's departure from Island will not affect his role at TAG.

DMX's Mansion Gets Robbed; Goes Into Foreclosure

It appears that things have gone from bad to worse for incarcerated rapper DMX. While being behind bars facing animal cruelty, theft and drug charges, the rapper's home is reported to have been burgled and is facing foreclosure.

AZFamily.com is reported that literally everything in the home, including the rapper's furniture and quad bikes, has been stolen since the police raid on the property, which left several windows and doors damaged.

"The place was glamour and when they [DMX and Tashera Simmons] split up, nothing got taken care of," Arizona real estate agent Andrew Wheeler told the news channel. "I think people showed up, walked the house and took what they wanted."

DMX, real name Earl Simmons, brought the property for around $600,000 back in 2003, however, due to its current state the foreclosed mansion has gone on the market for around $429,000.

Simmons is due back in court on January 30 where he will be sentenced for his pending charges.

DMX Pleads Guilty To Arizona Charges

Rapper DMX entered a guilty plea on Tuesday (December 30) in a Phoenix, Arizona court for charges of animal cruelty, theft and felony possession of marijuana and a narcotic drug.

DMX, real name Earl Simmons, is due to be sentenced at a hearing on January 30 where he is expected to receive a minimum of 90 days in jail with no credit for time served.

The theft charge stems from an incident in April in which Simmons was arrested for allegedly using someone else's name and social security number to avoid paying a $7,500 medical bill after receiving treatment at a Scottsdale hospital, while the animal cruelty charges originate from the August 2007 raid on his Arizona home by authorities investigating reports of animal abuse who discovered three dead dogs, guns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia

Dizzee Rascal Arrested Over Road Rage Incident

UK-based rapper Dizzee Rascal was arrested on Friday afternoon (December 12) after allegedly waving a baseball bat at another motorist during a road rage incident.

The 24-year-old rapper, born Dylan Mills, was arrested by police on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon after threatening another driver with a baseball bat at around 3:30 p.m. in Sevenoaks Way, Orpington, Kent.

Mills was released on bail after being held overnight and is due back at the south London police station later this month.

Eminem Reveals Details Of New Album

During an exclusive interview with Billboard, Eminem has revealed some new details on his highly anticipated new album "Relapse," which is due out next spring via Shady/Interscope.

"Me and Dre are back in the lab like the old days, man," Eminem told Billboard. "Just him banging away on tracks and me getting that little spark that makes me write to it. I don't have chemistry like that with anyone else as far as producers go -- not even close. Dre will end up producing the majority of the tracks on Relapse.' We are up to our old mischievous ways ... let's just leave it at that."

The rapper said the early leak of songs intended for the album, most recent of which being "Crack a Bottle," have left him feeling "really heated. It wasn't close to finished, and it even has me doing guide vocals for Dre as a suggestion of how he could lay his verses down. It's like someone catches you peeping in your window before you got the Spider Man costume all zipped up! Nobody is supposed to see that. We are gonna finish it up though and get it out there how it's supposed to be."

Eminem also took time to dispel the rumours leaked by producer Swizz Beats about the pair working on a sequel to Eminem's smash single "Stan."

"I haven't worked with Swizz on this album. There isn't a 'Stan 2,' and there won't be," he says. "Stan drove his car off a bridge and I'm not writing a song as Stan's ghost. That would just be really corny."

Kanye Scores Third No. 1 Album With "808s & Heartbreak"

Rapper Kanye West has landed his third straight No. 1 album on The Billboard 200 chart this week as his "808s & Heartbreak" debuts at the top spot.

Despite achieving the lowest first week sales since his first album Kanye managed to top the chart with the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam set selling 450,000 copies in the United states.

Kanye's last two albums both debuted on top of the Billboard 200 charts upon their release. 2007's "Graduation" sold 957,000 copies in its first week on sale while "Late Registration" moved 860,000 units in 2005. His 2004 debut "College Dropout" sold 441,000 copies, narrowly missing out on the top spot.

Other notable movements on the chart this week include Beyonce's "I Am... Sasha Fierce" (Music World/Columbia) which dropped from 1 to 4 after selling a further 257,000 copies and Ludacris' "Theater of the Mind" (DTP/Def Jam), which entered the charts at No. 5 with 213,000 units sold.

E-40's "Ball Street Journal" also made a debut on the charts this week landing at No. 42 with 30,700 copies sold.

50 Cent Starts Filming "Dead Man Running" Movie

Rapper 50 Cent began shooting his role in the upcoming London gangland movie "Dead Man Running" today (November 19).

50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, is playing the role of a loan shark in the movie which tells the story of an ex-con who is trying to go straight and has just 24 hours to raise $150,000 to pay off Jackson's character.

Jackson joins a cast including Brenda Blethyn ("Secrets And Lies"), Danny Dyer ("The Business"), Tamer Hassan ("Layer Cake") and Monet Mazur ("Stoned").

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and Chelsea's Ashley Cole are serving as executive producer on the project.

Kanye West Arrested For Assaulting Photographer In UK

Rapper Kanye West was arrested early on Friday morning (November 14) outside the Tup Tup nightclub in Newcastle following another altercation with a paparazzi photographer.

"We can confirm that a 31-year old man was arrested on suspicion of assault following an incident at a Newcastle city centre club in the early hours of this morning," a Northumbria police spokeswoman said in a statement. "He was released without charge and no further action is being taken."

Kanye was in Newcastle as part of his Glow in the Dark world tour which stopped at the Metro Radio Arena the night before.

This latest arrest comes just two months after Kanye was arrested at L.A.X. airport for snatching and smashing the camera of another paparazzi photographer. No charges were brought against the rapper in that incident either.

New Kanye West And Ludacris Albums Set To Drop Early

Island Def Jam have announced they will be releasing Ludacris' new "Theatre of the Mind" album and Kanye West's "808s & Heartbreak" a day early to take advantage of the busy Thanksgiving shopping weekend.

Both albums were set to be released on November 25, but will now hit stores on November 24 in both physical and digital formats.

Ludacris's previous album, "Release Therapy," debuted at number 1 and sold over 300,000 units in the United states, while Kanye's previous effort, 2007's "Graduation," sold over 956,000 copies in its first week

The Game Announces UK Tour

Compton rapper The Game has announced plans to tour the United Kingdom this year to promote his new album "LAX."

The Game will begin in Glasgow on December 13 and end the tour in London on December 19.

"LAX" has sold over 400,000 copies in the United States since its release six weeks ago.

Here's a full list of The Game's UK tour dates.

13 December 2008 - ABC, Glasgow
15 December 2008 - Picture House, Edinburgh
17 December 2008 - Manchester Apollo, Manchester
18 December 2008 - Newcastle Academy, Newcastle
19 December 2008 - The Forum, London

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Eminem And Dr. Dre Lend A Hand For 50 Cent's "Before I Self Destruct"

50 Cent is set to release his new album, "Before I Self Destruct," on December 9 via Shady/Aftermath/Interscope and has announced the set will include contributions from Dr. Dre and Eminem.

The album will also include a 90-minute feature-length movie written, directed and staring 50 Cent telling the tale of an inner city boy name Clarence on a mission to avenge the death of his mother.

"My film captures the harsh realities that reflect so many communities today," 50 Cent said statement. "There will be some who will greatly identify with the characters and the situations presented and then there will be others who may be shocked at the struggles that go on in the inner city. I made the film for both groups."

50 Cent's previous album, "Curtis," sold 691,000 copies in its first week on sale when it was released in September last year.

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Lil Kim Sued By Her Record Company

Lil Kim has been hit with a $2.5 million lawsuit by a New York based record label over claims of breach of contract.

The Associated Press is reporting that Brookland Media filed a lawsuit with Manhattan's state Supreme Court on Tuesday (October 7) claiming the rapper has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on recording, equipment and advances for her upcoming album, but has only recorded a handful of tracks.

The lawsuit adds that Kim attempted to change her contract with the label and has refused to continue recording her album until they agree to her new terms.

As well as seeking damages, Brookland Media are asking the court to enforce their contract and prevent the rapper from recording with another label.

Lil' Kim's lawyer, Londell McMillan, claims the label are using the lawsuit "to leverage their own position" in the contract dispute.

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New Kanye West Album Confirmed For November

During an appearance at T.I.'s MySpace concert in Los Angeles on Friday, Kanye West revealed he will be releasing his fourth album, "808s and Heartbreak" on November 25, avoiding a repeat of last years sales battle with 50 Cent.

"We just finished the album. I just got back from Hawaii earlier today," Kanye told the crowd before performing "Heartless," the album's second single.

"Love Lockdown," the album's lead single, has sold 402,000 digital downloads in the two weeks since its release debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and marking a career best for the Chicago rapper.

Kanye's last album, 2007's "Graduation," sold 957,000 copies in its first week on sale and has moved over 2.18 million units in the United States since its release

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Dr. Dre's Son Found Dead

Andre Romelle Young Jr., the son of Rap legend and super producer Dr. Dre, was found dead at his Woodland Hills, California home on Saturday (23 August).

The 20-year-old was discovered in his bed by his mother at around 10:30 a.m. when she attempted to wake her son. When he failed to respond his mother contacted paramedics, who pronounced him dead at the scene.

Young spent the evening prior to his death with friends. According to his mother he had returned home at around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.

An autopsy has been conducted on Young's body, although a cause of death is not expected until the results of a toxicology report are revealed. Police do not suspect foul play.

"Dr. Dre is mourning the loss of his son Andre Young Jr. Please respect his family's grief and privacy at this time" a spokesperson for Dr. Dre said in a statement.

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"The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan" Coming To TV/DVD

A new documentary entitled "Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan" is set to premiere on BET on November 13, a week before being released on DVD.

The documentary, which covers the group's rise from Staten Island featuring a large selection of interviews and rare footage, will air several times between November 13 and 16 and again in December. During it's debut week several Wu-Tang members are scheduled to appear on BET's "106 & Park."

To coincide with the documentary a companion CD is being released on November 18 via BET/Legacy featuring various solo tracks from Wu-Tang Clan members.

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Kanye West's TV Show "Too Hardcore" For HBO

CoomingSoon.net is reporting that Kanye West's rumoured HBO has been cancelled because it was "too hardcore" for the network. An interview with someone related to the project indicates the show has been shelved.

"It was really good, but ... I think it was too hardcore for HBO. Also, HBO's management shifted. HBO doesn't have a good track record when it comes to black shows and I felt like that may have had something to do with it also," Larry Charles told ComingSoon.net. "I don't see a lot of shows about that experience at all. This was very entertaining and we showed it to a lot of people. People gave it a very good response and it seems to be on the shelf right now. The management has shifted at HBO so we're waiting to see."

According to Charles the show could be seen as Kanye's version of Larry David's "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

"What Kanye West said to me the first time, he said, 'I'm the black Larry David.' That's the first thing he said to me. So it's like a Kanye-and-'Curb' show, it's kind of improvised about the situations and stuff.

"He's so much funnier than people realize," Charles added. "Even the whole being-full-of-himself stuff is a joke to him and he likes to play that of being like, you know, Kanye. And he's kind of a brilliant guy actually."

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Kanye West And 50 Cent Set For Another Showdown This December

n what is looking like a repeat of last year's epic showdown, Kanye West and 50 Cent could be going head to head again this year as both artists prepare to release their new solo albums in December.

50 Cent has announced he will be releasing his "Before I Self Destruct" album on December 9, while Kanye's "808's and Heartbreak" is due the following week.

Last year's clash was one of the most publicised Hip-Hop stories of the year, with 50 Cent at one point claiming he would retire from rap if he sold less albums to Kanye.

Kanye ultimately went on to win the battle selling around 300,000 more copies of his "Graduation" album than 50 Cent sold of his "Curtis" album in its first week on sale.

The competition between both artists is already heating up with 50 Cent taking shots at West's new single "Love Lockdown" at a recent show to which Kanye replied "I guarantee this will be 50's favorite album of mine," on his blog, adding, "this will be gangster's album of the year."

"Love Lockdown" is now available on Apple's iTunes and is already the top selling single on the site.

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Jay-Z To Put On Free Shows Supporting Obama

Jay-Z will be performing two free concerts this weekend in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

The rapper is set to perform on Saturday (October 4) at Detroit's Cobo Arena and at Miami's Bayfront Park Amphitheatre on Sunday in an effort to encourage young people to vote.

Tickets for the concerts will be available from Obama's local campaign offices.

Jay-Z isn't the only high-profile artist to musically back Obama. Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel have announced plans for an October 16 fundraiser to be held at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom.

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Nate Dogg Suffers 2nd Stroke; In Critical Condition

West Coast recording artist Nate Dogg is reported to have had a second stoke and is currently in critical condition.

Allhiphop.com is reporting that Nate, born Nathaniel Hale, is unable to breathe on his own and is currently being kept on a respirator.

This stroke comes just 10 months after Hale suffered his initial stroke, which saw him hospitalised in December 2007 and left him paralyzed on the left side of his body, although he didn't suffer any major brain damage. At the time Nate was expected to make a full recovery.

We will keep you updated as the story develops.

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Rapper Da Brat Sentenced To Three Years For Assault

Rapper and reality TV star Da Brat has been sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a hostess with a bottle during an altercation at an Atlanta nightclub last autumn.

34-year-old Shawntae Harris pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in DeKalb County on Friday (August 22).

Harris was sentenced to 3 years in prison and 7 years probation. She has also been ordered to complete 200 hours of community service, receive substance abuse treatment, have mental evaluations and attend anger management classes.

"I Love y'all," Da Brat said as she left he courtroom, to which her family replied, "We Love you too."

Harris was arrested in November last year for aggravated assault after she got into a fight with Atlanta Falcons cheerleader Shayla Stevens at Jermaine Dupri's Lawrenceville Highway nightclub.

During the altercation Da Brat is claimed to have hit Stevens in the head with a bottle of rum sending her down a flight of stairs to a cement floor causing severe facial injuries.

Stevens is reported to have filed a separate civil suit against the rapper seeking unspecified medical costs.

Rapper Snoop Dogg has settled the lawsuit filed against his former label, Priority Records.

Snoop, born Calvin Broadus, filed the lawsuit in 2006 accusing Priority of failing to pay around $2 million in royalties. It was also claimed he was never paid a $950,000 advance for his "Tha Last Meal" album released in 2000, which has sold over 1 million copies in the United States, and that the label failed to consult him when they released the greatest hits album "The Best of Snoop Dogg" in 2005.

Both parties have now settled the dispute, although exact details of the settlement have not been released.

"I don't believe a settlement would have been reached unless both sides were happy," said David Steinberg, a lawyer representing Priority Records.

The agreement comes less than a month after a judge ordered that both parties must settle the dispute within three weeks or go to trial.

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50 Cent Confirms Young Buck Has Left G-Unit

G-Unit head honcho 50 Cent has confirmed what many have suspected for a while; Young Buck is no longer a member of rap group G-Unit, although he is still signed to G-Unit Records.

"You can look at it and see that’s Game [the ex-G-Unit rapper] all the way. I was giving him a chance, giving him the benefit of the doubt [to remain with the group]. You can take this as an official notice right here – pretty much you can say: Young Buck is no longer in the group G-Unit, but signed to G-Unit [Records] as a solo artist," 50 Cent told DJ Envy during the Hot 97 Morning Show with Miss Jones on Monday morning (April 7).

Earlier in the show 50 Cent also addressed the recent legal battle with his ex-girlfriend which resulted in him evicting her and their child from his million dollar home. After a grilling from Miss Jones about throwing out the woman who looked after him when he got shot, which was shown in his semi-autobiographical film "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'," the rapper replied:

"That's a movie, I tried to paint a more positive outlook on her. She's not my shorty on the side, I haven't dealt with her since 2003... she's not a nurse, [her new boyfriend] is a nurse. He's an RN... a regular n****. She worked for three months in 2001... She ain't had a job, she ain't done nothing. I was giving her $500,000 a year. She thinks she's entitled to 17%, because these chicks she be having around her telling [her all this]. I was giving her $25,000 a month, now she want $50,000."

In related news, Young Buck may not be appearing on the upcoming G-Unit album - "Lock And Load" due out in June 2008 - but that isn't to say he hasn't gone plans of his own. Buck is planning to release a documentary DVD in June entitled "A Billion Bucks" chronicling the day-to-day life of the rapper over the course of a year as he travels from the South Side Projects in Tennessee to Cuba, tours the U.S. and even takes a backwoods fishing trip.


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LA Times Retracts Tupac Shooting Story

The Los Angeles Times officially retracted their story implicating Sean "Diddy" Combs in the 1994 shooting of the late rapper Tupac Shakur in New York.

The newspaper retracted the story today (April 7) admitting that writer Chuck Philips had based the story on faked FBI documents.

The original story was posted on the paper's website three weeks ago by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Chick Philips, who has a history of reporting on the murders of both Shakur and Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace. In his latest article Philips alleged that Combs' associates had masterminded the shooting at Quad Recording Studios in New York after Shakur refused to sign with Combs' Bad Boy Records.

Just a week after the article was posted online, TheSmokingGun.com declared that the documents used in Philips report appeared to have been faked by convicted forger James Sabatino, who is currently in prison on wire fraud and racketeering charges.

“The Times has since concluded that the FBI reports were fabricated and that some of the other sources relied on -- including the person Philips previously believed to be the "confidential source" cited in the FBI reports -- do not support major elements of the story,” The Los Angeles Times said in a statement today (April 7).

Both Combs and the other implicated man, Hip-Hop manager Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond, denied all claims made in the article within days of it being posted.

As of today the Times has retracted the story because it "relied heavily on information that the Times no longer believes to be credible."

As well as retracting the story The Los Angeles Times have also retracted statements made by Philips during two online chats on March 18 and 25 and comments made on their blog following the articles publication.

“The Times now believes that Sabatino fabricated the FBI reports and concocted his role in the assault as well as his supposed relationships with Combs, Rosemond and Agnant,” the statement said. "Consequently, The Times specifically retracts all statements in the article, and in its related publications, that state or suggest in any way that Rosemond, Agnant and Sabatino orchestrated or played any role in the assault on Shakur or that they lured him into an ambush at the Quad studios.”

Apologies were also made to Combs and Rosemond:

“Any statements or implications suggesting that Combs was given advance knowledge of the assault on Shakur, or played any role in it, are specifically retracted. In addition, The Times was mistaken in reporting that Rosemond has served prison time for drug dealing and was convicted in 1996 of drug offenses. The Times specifically retracts those statements.”

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Jay-Z and Beyonce Get Married

It is being reported that after years of speculation and rumour Hip-Hop's power couple Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z have tied the knot during a private ceremony at Jay-Z's New York apartment today (April 5).

The reported wedding comes just three days after the couple applied for a marriage license in Scarsdale, New York – a move many assumed was part of an April Fool.

Any doubts about the supposed wedding were gone when a tent was erected on top of Jay-Z’s apartment building on Friday morning followed by a large delivery of flowers and candelabras.

According to UsMagazine.com, a reverend and his wife were spotted outside the apartment at 8 p.m. ET Friday. A whole host of celebrities also arrived that evening including Coldplay's Chris Martin and wife Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyonce's former Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, as well as Jay-Z’s mother, Gloria Carter, and Beyonce's father and manager Matthew Knowles.

Various reports indicate that all guests were made to hand over the cell phones before entering the venue.

A reported camped out on a building opposite Jay-Z's apartment claims to have spotted the rapper in a tuxedo, smoking a cigar and talking animatedly with friends, however, he was then spotted resulting in security placing black garbage bags on the windows.

At press time neither Beyonce’s or Jay-Z's representatives have confirmed or denied the marriage.

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Government Fight Decision To Allow Snoop Into The UK

The British government is appealing a courts decision to allow rapper Snoop Dogg into the country.

Snoop, born Calvin Broadus, was banned from entering the United Kingdom in March 2007 after his entourage were involved in a 30-man brawl with police officers in Heathrow Airport's business lounge in April 2006.

In May 2006, Broadus was cautioned for the incident which left several officers with minor injuries, one of which left with a broken hand.

Snoop was forced to cancel the British leg of his tour with Sean "Diddy" Combs in March 2007 after authorities denied his visa application.

In April 2007, the rapper was also refused entry to Australia after then-Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said he "doesn't seem the sort of bloke we want in this country."

The rapper has appealed his UK ban several times and was finally successful at an asylum and immigration tribunal in January.

"We were disappointed with the judge's decision in this case and have challenged his decision. This hearing is due to take place on the 7th of April. It would not be appropriate to comment further while these proceedings are ongoing," a spokesman for the Border Agency said.

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Jay-Z Set To Make $150 Million In Live Nation Deal

The New York Times is reporting that Jay-Z is likely to net around $150 million if a deal with concert promoter Live Nation goes through next week.

According to the newspaper the deal with Live Nation will finance Jay-Z's entertainment ventures as well as recordings and tours for the next decade.

The deal comes just a week after Live Nation announced a similar 12-year agreement with Irish rock band U2 to handle merchandising, digital and branding rights and touring. They also signed a $120 million deal with Madonna five months ago.

Jay-Z, like most artists, has suffered from the recent decline in CD sales, however, his business ventures outside of music - Rocawear clothing line and 40/40 nightclubs - have been very successful.

According to The New York Times the deal would include funding for a venture called Roc Nation, an endeavor consisting of his own label, music publishing, and talent consulting and managing companies.

The rapper is expected to receive an upfront payment of $25 million, a general advance of $25 million, an advance payment of $10 million per album for at least three albums and $25 million towards concerts. Live Nation would also pay $20 million for publishing, licensing and other rights.

Live Nation are also expected to put up $50 million to finance Jay-Z's investments and acquisitions under Roc Nation.

"I've turned into the Rolling Stones of hip-hop," Jay-Z told the Times.

Live Nation are currently promoting Jay-Z massive "Heart of the City" tour with Mary J. Blige in the United State.

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Nelly Set To Drop New Album This June

After months of delays Nelly is finally set to release his new album "Brass Knuckles" on June 24 via Universal.

The latest single "Party People" featuring Fergie is already getting spins on US radio despite it not officially coming out until May 15.

Another single from the album has already made an appearance on the Billboard Hot 100. "Wadsyaname" entered the chart at No. 43 last September before the album was delayed until this year.

"Brass Knuckles" is the follow-up to 2004's "Sweat" and "Suit" albums, which have sold 4.4 million copies combined since their release in the United States.

The new album is set to feature guest appearances from Ciara, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Akon and LL Cool J.

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Diddy Settles Hollywood Assault Lawsuit

Sean "Diddy" Combs has settled the civil lawsuit filed against him for allegedly punching and pushing a man during an altercation at an Oscar party in February in Los Angeles.

In the suit filed by Gerard Rechnitzer it was claimed that Combs "intentionally, wilfully, knowingly and unlawfully attacked assaulted and battered" Rechnitzer at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel causing him to fall backwards into a parked vehicle. Rechnitzer also claimed the music mogul made advances to his girlfriend and "yelled at him in a threatening and ominous manner."

Combs had originally stated that the allegations were "completely baseless" and had claimed in court that Rechnitzer "continued moving toward me and, without warning, lunged at me. Instinctively, I outstretched one of my hands, which hand was not closed-fisted, to shield myself ... any contact between Mr. Rechnitzer and myself was caused by his forward motion against my open hand."

According to reports papers were filed to settle the dispute on Monday (March 24) and while the value of the settlement was not made public, it is estimated that the payment could have been over $25,000

The world of Hip-Hop has come under fire after a year-long investigation into steroids trafficking named artists 50 Cent, Wyclef Jean, Mary J. Blige, actor Tyler Perry and producer Timbaland as people who may have used or received prescribed shipments of steroids and injectable human growth hormone (HGH) over the last few years.

The Times Union is reporting to have reviewed records that reveal the urban stars are among tens of thousands of people who may have received prescriptions allegedly signed by Dr. Gary Brandwein, a South Florida osteopath who pleaded not guilty in Albany to a felony indictment that charged him with various drug-related crimes.

According to the records obtained by the Times Union and information from several witnesses in Long Island, it is claimed that Blige and the others had prescribed human growth hormone and steroids shipped to hotels, studios, private residences and an upscale Manhattan fitness club, sometimes through fictitious names, through the Long Island office of Michael Diamond, chiropractor to the stars.

Dr. Brandwein wasrecently reported to have prescribed steroids to the deceased WWE wrestler Chris Benoit.

Mary J. Blige has already denied the claims via a statement from her spokeswoman Karynne Tencer.

"Mary J. Blige has never taken any ¬performance-enhancing illegal steroids," Tencer said in the statement.

Albany District Attorney P. David Soares launched the Albany-based investigation last year. Officials have revealed that there is no evidence from the probe that 50 Cent and co. have violated any laws and insisted the focus of the investigation is to target the anti-aging clinics, doctors and pharmacists who prescribed the drugs

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DMX Ordered To Pay $1.5 Million Over Rape Claims

Rapper DMX has been ordered to pay a Baltimore woman $1.5 million after a default judgment was handed out when the rapper failed to appear in court to defend himself against a defamation of character lawsuit on Thursday (January 10).

The lawsuit stems from an interview DMX did with Sister2Sister magazine in which he claimed that 28-year-old Monique Wayne had raped him as he slept in a hotel room in Baltimore in 2003.

"She raped me," DMX told the magazine. "DNA says it is (my child). I don’t know. If I did (have sex with her) I would remember. It ain’t like she’s a pretty girl."

Wayne filed a lawsuit in October 2006 with Prince George’s County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro, Maryland defending herself from the allegations seeking $6 million in damages.

Wayne's mother, sister and her psychologist all testified during the trial claiming DMX's statements were both false and slanderous.

Judge Thomas Smith ordered the rapper to pay $1 million in punitive damages and $518,000 in compensatory damages.

"It's not so much the price, it's the point I wanted to get across," Wayne told the New York Post. "Let him think about what he's going to say before he says it."

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The Game Set To Go To Trial On February 4

Compton rapper The Game, born Jayceon Taylor, appeared at the L.A. County Superior Court yesterday (January 9) where a judge set a trial date of February 4 for the rapper to face charges of assaulting a man and pulling a gun on him during a basketball game in February 2007.

During yesterday's court appearances The Game's lawyers made claim that the LAPD are refusing to give back $44,000 dollars they confiscated from the rapper during the May 2007 raid of his Glendale, California home.

The charges of possession of a firearm in a school zone, exhibiting a firearm on the ground of a facility for minors and making criminal threats stem from an incident during a pickup basketball game at the Rita Walters Education Learning Complex in South Los Angeles in which Taylor is accused of punching a rival player before pulling a gun on him.

Following his arrest, police searched The Game's home in May 2007 in search of evidence and confiscated $44,000 in cash.

The judge has set a hearing date for January 22 where he will decide whether the LAPD are in contempt of court for refusing to return the confiscated cash.

If convicted of the three charges The Game faces up to 5 years in prison.

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Eminem's Mom To Release Tell All Book

Debbie Nelson, the mother of rap superstar Eminem, is releasing a tell all book about her son claiming he is a manic depressive who has lost control of his life.

"My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem," which has already been released in the UK, claims the rapper has battled with depression for several years. His mother claims he has always been depressed, but when his ex-wife Kim Mathers gave birth to their daughter Hailie his condition got worse and when they divorced in 2006 the depression worsened further.

"She just hopes he'll read it and realize how loved he is. She fears she'll end up burying him unless he gets help... We all see him teetering on the edge of self-destruction," a family friend told Life&Style magazine.

"My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem" is already available in bookstores throughout the UK and is expected to be released in the United States in 2008.

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Lil' Wayne Hit With Lawsuit Over Bentley Payments

Cash Money Records rapper Lil' Wayne has been hit with a fresh lawsuit claiming breach of contract over the refurbishment of his 1999 Bentley Arnage.

According to the lawsuit filed by attorney Daniel R. Price, on behalf of his client LeMarck deAndre on December 18, 2007 with the Superior Court of California in Almeda County, the New Orleans rapper, real name Dwayne M. Carter, is accused of "non-payment" of around $80,000 for cost parts, shipment and storage of his burgundy Bentley.

Carter's label Cash Money Records and Young Money Entertainment are also named as defendants.

The lawsuit is the latest in a series involving Lil' Wayne and Cash Money Records. In August a $1 million lawsuit was filed against the rapper by a woman who claimed she was injured during a concert at Morgan State University when a mini-riot broke out as Lil' Wayne threw money into the crowd and in September a second $1 million lawsuit was filed by another student who claimed she was "impaled" on a fence during the same money throwing incident.

Cash Money CEO Bryan "Birdman" Williams was also recently subjected to a lawsuit filed by various publishing companies who claim the label failed to pay royalties to artists sampled on several Cash Money releases.

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Dr. Dre And Jimmy Iovine Announce Earphone Range At CES

Super producer Dr. Dre and Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine have announced a new partnership with Monster Cable Products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada last Sunday (January 6). Dre, Iovine and Monster Cable Products have teamed up to produce the "Beats By Dr. Dre" high performance headphones range.

"Beats By Dr. Dre" headphones have been designed and developed by Dre and Iovine with the help of Monster's sound engineers for the last two years and feature brand new driver technology which aims to give listeners the full experience producers like Dre hope to achieve in the studio offering low end bass, dynamic range and overall clarity not achievable by conventional headphones.

"When I’m making a track I’m trying to capture the sound that makes me go 'now that’s the shit!' And I want that reaction from everybody who hears it," Dr. Dre said in a statement. "I spend a lot of time in the studio listening to my music through headphones…with 'Beats,' people are finally going to hear it the way they should: the way I do."

"Dre and I have been developing these headphones for a while and in Monster we found a partner that could work with us to crystallize his vision and develop them to the quality level he expects," adds Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Records. "'Beats by Dr. Dre’ is yet another example of Interscope’s commitment to working together with its artists in developing new avenues to experience music."

"Dr. Dre is widely-known as the most critical ear in music today. This rare partnership with such an iconic artist is a testament to the both the need for high-performance headphones and the singular quality of Beats. Listening to music with Beats headphones is a true 'ear opening' experience; users will enjoy not only their comfort and style, but their sonic performance that is unequalled in any other headphone," said Noel Lee, Head of Monster.

The "Beats By Dr. Dre" headphones will go on sale this spring with a retail price of $399.99 featuring a carry case with anti-microbial cleaning cloths, a special Monster headphone cable, a mini-stereo to 1/4-inch stereo cable adapter and Monster's iSonitalk, a microphone/headphone adapter for iPhones

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The Game To Drop Final Album This June

Despite the huge success of his last two albums, The Game has been rather quiet recently. That is until his recent appearances at Nas' New Years Eve party concert at the Los Angeles House of Blues where he announced plans to release a new album in 2008.

During the show The Game announced the new album, which is considered to be his last, will be titled "LAX" and will be released in June. It is also rumoured that mentor Dr. Dre may contribute a few tracks to this one too.

The Game's last album, "Doctor's Advocate," was released on November 14, 2006 and topped the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, despite not featuring production from Dre

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Jay-Z Steps Down As Def Jam President

Universal Music Group have announced that Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter will be stepping down as president of Def Jam Records at the end of the year.

"I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have served as President of such a culturally-defining label as Def Jam over the last three years," Jay-Z said in a statement. "During that time, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of the world’s most dynamic artists and many of the most dedicated and talented executives in the music business today, including Antonio “L.A.” Reid. But now it’s time for me to take on new challenges."

The 38-year-old rapper, who has headed the label since 2005 launching the careers R&B stars Rihanna and Ne-Yo, releasing hit albums from the likes of Kanye West and signing his former rival Nas, will continue running and recording for the Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam imprint as well as concentrating on the expansion of his 40/40 nightclub franchise.

"Now it's time for me to take on new challenges, I am pleased to have had the opportunity to build upon the Def Jam legacy," Jay-Z added.

"Jay made it clear to us that he feels the time has come to take on different challenges in his life. While we regret his decision to move on, we certainly respect it," said chairman of Island Def Jam Antonio "L.A." Reid. "Since Jay joined us as President of Def Jam in 2005, we have all benefited from his leadership, sense of spirit and invaluable friendship. While he will continue to be one of our signature artists, he will nonetheless be missed in this executive capacity. The entire Island Def Jam family joins me in wishing him the very best in all of his future business endeavours."

Jay-Z's latest album "American Gangster, inspired by the movie of the same name, received critical acclaim when it was released earlier this year topping the Billboard 200 chart upon its release and has sold over 780,000 copies in the United States.

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DMX Signs New Record Deal; Plans New Album

Rapper DMX has signed a worldwide recording deal with Bodog Music where he plans to release a new album entitled "Walk With Me Now And You'll Fly With Me Later.”

The new album is set to feature production from Swizz Beatz and guest appearances from several members of the Ruff Ryders camp.

"I'm thankful for the fact that Bodog believes in me, that we share the same vision and the fact that they see in me the same thing I see,” DMX said in a statement. “I'll show you [Bodog Music] how it's supposed to be done, and we'll get to where we're supposed to be. You got a dog for life."

Bodog Music is the current home for artists like Wu-Tang Clan (handling European distribution for their new "8 Diagrams" album) and Warren G.

"Bodog Music is rapidly becoming a big dog in the music biz," said Bodog founder Calvin Ayre. "Between the successes of Bodog Battle, great artist developments and now some major signings, look for Bodog Music to be an even larger presence on the music scene in 2008."

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Hip-Hop and Rap News:

50 Cent Accuses Def Jam Of Manipulating Kanye's Sales Figures
After missing out on a UK #1 album to Kanye West this week and with US sales going the same way, 50 Cent has slammed Kanye West's label Def Jam Records accusing them of manipulating the sales to guarantee West comes out on top.

During an interview with UK music magazine Uncut, 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, said Def Jam had been employing shady tactics.

"He's never had a fraction of the sales 50 Cent has," 50 Cent told Uncut. "They could have only one scan and have it count four times. West's entire career hasn't sold half what I sold on my first album."

The latest SoundScan numbers suggest Kanye West's "Graduation" has sold 800,000 copies and is sure to take the top spot while 50 Cent's "Curtis" is set to come in second selling 600,000 units.

Billboard's Geoff Mayfield said it was unlikely that Def Jam would be able to manipulate sales:

"The people who built SoundScan put safeguards in place to track sales that don't look kosher."

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Kanye Lands UK No. 1 Album; 50 Cent Cancels European Tour

Kanye West has won his first victory against rap rival 50 Cent after landing the number one spot on the UK album charts on September 16.

The two rappers have been involved in a much publicised battle since their new albums - Kanye's "Graduation" and 50 Cent's "Curtis" - were released on the same day (September 10 UK, September 11 US).

"Curtis" landed in second place, where it is also expected to enter the Billboard 200 Album chart this week behind West's "Graduation."

In related news, 50 Cent has cancelled his upcoming European tour due to "unforeseen and unanticipated" changes in his schedule. The rapper was set to tour between September 18 and 25. He has also cancelled his appearances at Wednesday's MOBO Awards and the Vodafone Live Music Awards in Germany later this week.

"50 Cent is very sad to confirm that due to a last minute, unforeseen and unanticipated change in his schedule, he will have to postpone his European Promotion Trip from Sept. 18- 25," a representative for the rapper told MTV News.

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Eminem IS Working On A New Album

Despite his camp denying the rumours that the rapper was working on a new album entitled "King Mathers," Eminem has announced he is hard at work on his first studio album in three years. The Detroit rapper phoned into Hot 97 (September 13) during an interview with 50 Cent and announced his plans for a new album.

"I'm always working -- I'm always in the studio," he said. "It feels good right now, the energy of the label. For a while, I didn't want to go back to the studio ... I went through some personal things. I'm coming out of those personal things [and] it feels good."

The rapper also said he has barely been out of the studio with most of the artists on the Shady Records roster and despite joking he would release the new album "tomorrow," there is currently no release date for the album.

Eminem's last album was 2004's "Encore" which topped The Billboard 200 and Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. He also released a compilation album featuring the artists on his Shady Records label entitled "Eminem Presents: The Re-Up," which peaked at No. 2 on the same charts

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Busta Rhymes Trial Set For November

A judge postponed Busta Rhymes' upcoming trial for two assaults and two driving violations until November after both the prosecution and defense lawyers declared they were not ready to begin.

Rhymes will now appear in court on November 7 to face the charges of attacking two men, drunk driving and driving with a suspended license.

Earlier this year the rapper rejected a plea deal that would have seen him spend a year in jail.

The assault charges stems from two separate incidents last year. The first of which has Rhymes accused of beating a fan who spat on his Maybach after his performance at the Amsterjam Festival on Randall's Island, Manhattan and the other claims the rapper kicked his former driver over a pay dispute on Boxing Day (December 26, 2006).

In February Rhymes was charged with driving with a suspended license after police stopped him for running a red light and in March he was arrested for drunk driving when police pulled over his customised 2006 GMC Yukon XL because it had excessively tinted windows. Upon questioning he admitted having a single shot of cognac an hour before he was stopped

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After missing out on a UK #1 album to Kanye West this week and with US sales going the same way, 50 Cent has slammed Kanye West's label Def Jam Records accusing them of manipulating the sales to guarantee West comes out on top.

During an interview with UK music magazine Uncut, 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, said Def Jam had been employing shady tactics.

"He's never had a fraction of the sales 50 Cent has," 50 Cent told Uncut. "They could have only one scan and have it count four times. West's entire career hasn't sold half what I sold on my first album."

The latest SoundScan numbers suggest Kanye West's "Graduation" has sold 800,000 copies and is sure to take the top spot while 50 Cent's "Curtis" is set to come in second selling 600,000 units.

Billboard's Geoff Mayfield said it was unlikely that Def Jam would be able to manipulate sales:

"The people who built SoundScan put safeguards in place to track sales that don't look kosher."

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Kanye Lands UK No. 1 Album; 50 Cent Cancels European Tour

Kanye West has won his first victory against rap rival 50 Cent after landing the number one spot on the UK album charts on September 16.

The two rappers have been involved in a much publicised battle since their new albums - Kanye's "Graduation" and 50 Cent's "Curtis" - were released on the same day (September 10 UK, September 11 US).

"Curtis" landed in second place, where it is also expected to enter the Billboard 200 Album chart this week behind West's "Graduation."

In related news, 50 Cent has cancelled his upcoming European tour due to "unforeseen and unanticipated" changes in his schedule. The rapper was set to tour between September 18 and 25. He has also cancelled his appearances at Wednesday's MOBO Awards and the Vodafone Live Music Awards in Germany later this week.

"50 Cent is very sad to confirm that due to a last minute, unforeseen and unanticipated change in his schedule, he will have to postpone his European Promotion Trip from Sept. 18- 25," a representative for the rapper told MTV News.

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Eminem IS Working On A New Album

Despite his camp denying the rumours that the rapper was working on a new album entitled "King Mathers," Eminem has announced he is hard at work on his first studio album in three years. The Detroit rapper phoned into Hot 97 (September 13) during an interview with 50 Cent and announced his plans for a new album.

"I'm always working -- I'm always in the studio," he said. "It feels good right now, the energy of the label. For a while, I didn't want to go back to the studio ... I went through some personal things. I'm coming out of those personal things [and] it feels good."

The rapper also said he has barely been out of the studio with most of the artists on the Shady Records roster and despite joking he would release the new album "tomorrow," there is currently no release date for the album.

Eminem's last album was 2004's "Encore" which topped The Billboard 200 and Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. He also released a compilation album featuring the artists on his Shady Records label entitled "Eminem Presents: The Re-Up," which peaked at No. 2 on the same charts

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Busta Rhymes Trial Set For November

A judge postponed Busta Rhymes' upcoming trial for two assaults and two driving violations until November after both the prosecution and defense lawyers declared they were not ready to begin.

Rhymes will now appear in court on November 7 to face the charges of attacking two men, drunk driving and driving with a suspended license.

Earlier this year the rapper rejected a plea deal that would have seen him spend a year in jail.

The assault charges stems from two separate incidents last year. The first of which has Rhymes accused of beating a fan who spat on his Maybach after his performance at the Amsterjam Festival on Randall's Island, Manhattan and the other claims the rapper kicked his former driver over a pay dispute on Boxing Day (December 26, 2006).

In February Rhymes was charged with driving with a suspended license after police stopped him for running a red light and in March he was arrested for drunk driving when police pulled over his customised 2006 GMC Yukon XL because it had excessively tinted windows. Upon questioning he admitted having a single shot of cognac an hour before he was stopped

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Updated: 08/06/2007 - Today's rumors are sourced from allhiphop.com are sponsored by DJ Envy, who actually made me have to work after publicly announcing my day off!

THE KANYE BIRTHDAY PARTY - A Celebration...people of color, women and others.