Free and AJ Bounce

On 106 & Park AJ announced that he and Free were both leaving the show.


BET.com Reports:
106 and Park Hosts Depart After 5 Years
By Kristin Vaughan and Larry "The Blackspot" Hester, BET.com Staff Writers


Posted July 28, 2005— After five years of hosting BET's highly rated video countdown show "106 & Park," AJ and Free announced their departure during Thursday's live broadcast of BET's "106 & Park."

While sitting on the famed “106” couch and holding a cellphone with co-host Free on the other line, a tearful AJ told the television and studio audience, “This is our last live show...But this isn’t the last time you’ll see us.”

The two have been a staple on televisions across the country since 106 & Park debuted in 2000 as BET moved its music programming operations from its Washington DC corporate location to facilities located at the corner of 106th Street and Park Avenue in Harlem. Since then, 106 & Park has been a dominant force among video countdown programs, featuring live interviews and performances by the biggest names in music and entertainment; a rocking in-studio audience; and the top music videos as chosen by BET viewers on the BET.com Website.

BET has not made any announcements on future hosts or plans for the show at this time. A pre-taped show hosted by AJ with guest Miami rapper Trina will air on Friday (BET at 6 p.m. (ET/PT)).

"There is nothing like `106 & Park' it's a staple in the African American community for five years and we hope it will continue," AJ said to the audience. "We love you all very much."

Both hosts will go on to pursue other interests. AJ announced that he will be opening a new restaurant, Mahogany, in Brooklyn, N.Y. and will continue working with his management company. AJ also announced that Free said that her Website would also be coming soon.

Tek & Steele Return With Brand New LP

Smif N Wess: Reloaded, on 9-13-05



Bucktown, USA----There Reloaded!


Ever wonder who originally coined the phrase “Bucktown,” the slang which has since become synonymous in the Urban landscape to describe the concrete borough? That’s right, Smif N Wesson’s Tek & Steele. Yet, there is so much more to Brooklyn, New York than meets the eye. Long considered a breeding ground for crime, corruption, and untamed youth, the borough's contributions to the world of music and culture have traditionally gone without notice--- but they are there. Just think hip hop, and the names will begin rushing into your consciousness: Special Ed, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, M.O.P., DJ Premier, Mos Def, and of course, that army battalion-load of emcees known as the Boot Camp Clik.

Appearing under the name, Smif-N-Wessun, Tek and Steele's first-ever recorded experience dates back to fellow 'Bucktown' representatives and Boot Camp members, Black Moon's stellar LP, 1993's Enta Da Stage. Textured with the murky, dungeon-core production of Da Beatminerz, and crackling with the flavor of a reggae vocal long-forgotten, the collaboration would set the stage for the unique blend of sound clash street-speak which was to follow. And follow it did-- nearly 2 years later, when the fast-rising pair dropped their groundbreaking Dah Shinin' debut on Nervous Records. Acclaimed by both hip-hop and pop press alike, the record would feature an abundance of single-worthy cuts, including the now-classics, "Sound Bwoy Buriel", "Stand Strong", and "Bucktown." And the fans liked it too, copping enough copies during its opening week to ensure both a #1 slot on Billboard's Rap Album chart and #3 debut on its R&B measure-- impressive stats for a new artist release in any genre.

By the time Tek & Steele began recording their sophomore LP, Rude Awakening, Duck Down had a new recording home and distribution deal with Priority Records and was the talk of the underground scene. But just as things looked ready to take off, Tek & Steele were served a cease and desist order from gun manufacturer Smith And Wesson, which banned them from being able to record under their original recording moniker Smif N Wesson; hence, when Rude Awakening was finally released in 1998, Tek & Steele were forced to release the LP as Cocoa Brovaz---a road block which would have crippled most artists with lesser talent. Though Tek & Steele signed a deal with former Indy Powerhouse Rawkus Records in 2000(?), it was short lived, as Rawkus folded its door’s shortly after Tek & Steele had finished recording their Rawkus debut. Yet, the duo remained busy, as they stayed active by contributing to Rawkus’ Soundbombing II (“Get Up”) and III (“Spit Again”) and appearing (“Gun Talk”) on Talib Kweli’s 2002 release Quality.

Now back, and recording under their original moniker, Tek & Steele’s Smif N Wess: Reloaded, is the final piece of Duck Down’s re-emergence in 2005, as it brilliantly culminates Duck Down’s “Triple Threat”(Sean Price’s Monkey Barz & Buckshot & 9th Wonder’s Chemistry) summer. Ripe with Tek & Steele’s smokey vocals, Reloaded brings the Boot Camp click full-circle and is aided by guest appearances from all of the Boot Camp’s core members, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Tony Touch and production from Da Beatminerz, Roc Raida, Coptic and young fast-rising producers Moss and the Justus League’s Khrysis. The LP’s lead-single, “My Timbz Do Work” f/Heltah Skeltah will be impacting soon.

Tek and Steele, are more than just survivors of this diverse and musically prolific environment; they are survivors of an industry that values the fattening of pockets above all else. Despite an early career rooted in critical and commercial success, the duo's future would forever be altered by one key axiom: in the business of music, still don't nothing move but the money.

Tracklisting and credits for Tek & Steele’s Smif N Wess: Reloaded:

01.) Reloaded (produced by Dru Kevorkian)
02.) The Truth (produced by Roc Raida)
03.) My Timbz Do Work f/Heltah Skeltah
04.) Gunn Rap (produced by Khrysis)
05.) Toolz Of The Trade (produced by Da Beatminerz)
06.) Sick Em Son (produced by Khrysis)
07.) War (produced by Ken Ring & Rune Rotter)
08.) Warriorz Heart (Gangbang) f/Dead Prez (produced by Coptic)
09.) Here I Stand (The Streets Been Good To Me) (produced by Coptic)
10.) City Of Godz (Ciudad De Dios) f/Buckshot (produced by Coptic)
11.) U Undastand Me f/Starang & Tony Touch (produced by Da Beatminerz)
12.) Get Back f/The Boot Camp Click (produced by Moss)
13.) A Hustlers Prayer (produced by Da Beatminerz)
14.) PNC Boyz (produced by Coptic)
15.) We Came Up (Crystal Stair) f/Talib Kweli (produced by Da Beatminerz)

Petey Pablo teams up with 'SUGE' Knight for next album

Petey Pablo is currently working on his new album, Same Eyez On Me, which will be executive produced by Marion "Suge" Knight. When asked by MTV.com how he hooked up with Knight, the rapper said, "I have often asked myself the same thing. But if you accept what life is supposed to be, then there's things that'll happen in your life that you won't fully understand until later on in life, but when the understanding comes at the end of the day, everything that you ever had questions about will be no more. What God put together, let no man take it apart."


In regards to the title of the new album, Same Eyez On Me, Pablo said, "It's like Tupac's album All Eyez On Me, which was his greatest album. And I think this is following in the footsteps, 'cause this is my greatest album. I've been so focused and I'm ready. I've been overlooked for a long time."

The set will feature the production of Lil' Jon and Timbaland, with a guest appearance by Magoo.

The rapper, who also recently penned a screenplay, When The Fat Lady Sings, is still looking for love. He told MTV.com, "I just can't find a girlfriend. Everybody keep thinking that I'm just a rapper and they scared to go to the hotels and all that other stuff, 'cause they hear about things that go on with y'all rappers. But I want some kids, man. I mean, I got a lot of animals, but I want some kids. My sister told me to have some babies."

Calling all DJs and Producers

Scion’s Free Up Your Mix DJ Contest is back, and we’re looking for the hottest DJs & producers in the country....

Categories have expanded!!!! Send us your best entries from the following categories:


* Hip Hop (Live): just like last year folks. Live on two turntables and a mixer.
* Hip Hop (Multi-tracked/street style): You can use computers and recording equipment to make edits to your mix.
* Mash-Up (Live or Multi-tracked): Mix different genres together. Do it live or use your computer and its programs.
* Reggae/Dancehall (Live or Multi-Tracked): All reggae. Roots Rock, Dancehall, or both.
* Rock/Hip-Hop (Live or Multi-Tracked): Rock and Hip Hop blended together. Make it happen!
* Rare Groove (Live or Multi-Tracked): Ain’t it funky. Get to diggin’ and break out those old 45 inches.
* Best 2 x 4 Mix/Group Performance (Live or Multi-Tracked): Where the crews at? Let’s see what you can do when you’re all on the decks.
* Best Produced Remix (Live or Multi-Tracked): True heads know what the classic Hip Hop joints are. Pick your favorite and send us your own version of it.


Grand prize winner gets $2,000, the opportunity to mix a Scion CD sampler (distribution of 500,000 copies), and spin at Scion events nationwide.

Semifinalists will get a variety of recording and DJ equipment from our proud supporters at Rane/Serato Scratch Live, Pioneer, Mackie/Tapco, and others!


::: Don’t sleep. All entries must be postmarked by October 1, 2005.

.:: Visit http://www.scion.com/mix to download the entry form and read more about the prizes, judging, rules & regulations.


Big Up to last year’s grand prize winners the Oakland Faders for killing it with their 30-minute live Hip-Hop mixtape. Peep their game on Scion CD Sampler Vol. 13 on the streets soon!

J-Live to release The Hear After

One of hip-hop’s finest emcees, J-Live debuted in 1996 with his classic first single, "Longevity" b/w "Braggin' Rights". And though it took five years for his habitually delayed debut, The Best Part, to finally be released, by the time it was released in 2001, the LP had already achieved cult-status (buoyed by cuts like the Prince Paul produced “Wax Paper, and the DJ Premier laced “The Best Part among countless others). In 2002, J-Live returned with the critically acclaimed All Of The Above, which furthered J’s place among Hiphop’s top emcees and as one of the cultures most conscious emcees.

Since then J-Live has steadily moved forward on fulfilling his lofty goal of getting better every year while also navigating the many roadblocks that the music industry throws at young artists. “Back in the days, it used to be all about Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Kool G Rap, KRS-One. When you listened to Hip-Hop music, the best emcees just seemed to get better every year. Like Rakim's flow just got tighter from Paid In Full to Follow The Leader. Basically, that's what I'm trying to do with my music", explains J-Live. J-Live has a sincere commitment to emcee excellence, while also wanting to emphasize to other young rappers that there is an alternative path to success in a contemporary rap world dominated by bling fiction, thug life fantasies, and major label dominance.

Ever eager to feed his fans new material and passionate about writing and performing, J-Live has completed his Penalty Recordings debut, The Hear After, which will be released on 8-30-05. The Hear After’s lead-single, “Audio Visual” is already impacting on college radio and J-Live lives up to his “Live Motivator” mantra on “Sidewalks” where he laments “from the sidewalks up here watching Hiphop grow/and vice versa from school battles to my own show/I watched skills evolve and the next up blow/motivated by the love for the art and the dough/I seen people influenced by the next mans flow/to the point that it controls where they content go/but if there’s eight million stories and a handful of rappers/we can’t all be pimps, players and gun clappers/it sounds sexy coming out of ya stereo right/but then you wonder why we still getting stereotyped.”



Tracklisting and credits for J-Live’s The Hear After:


1.) Here f/Soulive
2.) Aaw Yeah
3.) Fire Water
4.) Do My Thing f/Cvees
5.) Whoever
6.) The Sidewalks
7.) Audio Visual
8.) Brooklyn Public Part 1
9.) Listening f/Kola Rock
10.) Harder
11.) Coming Home f/Dwele
12.) Weather The Storm
13.) After

Twista says he never had a problem with Kanye West

Chicago-based rapper Twista will release his new album, The Day After, on October 4th. The set will feature the production of the Neptunes, Scott Storch, Toxic, David Banner, and Kanye West. The first single from the project is the Neptunes-produced "Lavish."

Twista and Kanye West collaborated for one of the biggest hits of 2004, "Slow Jamz," but shortly after the song erupted, rumors began to surface that the pair were on the outs. Twista explained that he never had a problem with West. The rapper explained: "You know, little, little, crazy little incidents I think maybe with people that was around trying to get close to him, or people that's around trying to get close to me. Trying to stir things up, you know what I'm sayin', to an extent, but it never really could get like that because of the type of person Kanye is and the type of person I am."


Twista added: "I look at the picture to the extent where it's like we did what we did, it's so big to me that he could actually come out fool to a certain extent or something. I still wouldn't let that make me overstep any kind of boundaries to put any kind of stain on our movement or what we put down. I'll pull him to the side first."

In related news, Twista will be headlining the Seagram's Gin tour this fall. The tour will also include Xscape

Witness switches story during Cassidy pre-trial hearing

Rapper Cassidy is still behind bars in a Philadelphia prison facing murder charges, but he got some good news this week. On Tuesday (July 19th), a witness admitted that contrary to his initial statements to police, he did not actually see Cassidy fire a weapon. Allhiphop.com reports that Bobby Hoyle testified during the pre-trial hearing that he lied in his initial signed statement to police when he said he saw Cassidy fire a weapon at the van he was in with Daniel Irvin and Desmond Hawkins, who was shot and killed.


Hoyle tried to explain why he lied to authorities. He said, "I wanted to go home. I had a bullet in my leg that they didn't take out, and I didn't have any rest for three days."

According to Hoyle, Hawkins went to Cassidy's home to make peace after he and an associate of the rapper were involved in a confrontation in front of a neighborhood Rite Aid drug store. Cassidy allegedly answered the door brandishing a gun and told the men to go behind his home. According to Hoyle, "We pulled up and shots rang out. I heard stuff hitting the van, and I felt the bullet pierce my leg."

The judge has ordered a ballistic examination and Cassidy, who is being held without bail, is due back in court on August 16th.

Cassidy released his sophomore album, I'm A Hustla, last month

Ashanti Loses Lawsuit to former producer

A jury found that R&B singer Ashanti breached her contract with her first producer and must pay him $630,000. The Grammy Award winner was not in court on Thursday as the jury ruled in favor of Genard Parker, who worked with Ashanti in 1996 and 1997 when she was 16. In her testimony earlier this week, Ashanti testified claimed Parker did not live up to the terms of their deal when she recorded in a home studio that was so crude she has to sing in the bathroom.


Ashanti's lawyer Harry Stokes said the singer was disappointed in the verdict and it would be appealed.

DMX Says Jay-Z's new position is putting a strain on their relationship

Rapper and actor DMX is preparing to release his new album, Here We Go Again, later this summer, but things are a little different at his label, Def Jam Records, as his friend Jay-Z is now the head honcho. During a recent interview with allhiphop.com, DMX was asked what it was like to have Jay-Z as a boss. He said, "I don't have a boss. I don't have a boss. I honestly have to say, that whoever or whatever entity gave him that position, it's putting a strain on our relationship. We have a good relationship. It's a mutual respect. We came up together. We done had battles and got over it. We did songs together! We rocked together! And for them to put -- it's like they're pitting us against each other."


DMX continued, "'Here, I'ma put him against him, and we'll see what happens. Either way, we win.' It's hard, man, but it's nothing that I'll let him do to influence my project. Nor do I think there's anything that he would do, out of the respect that we have for each other, to influence my project. We're both artists. He's cool as s**t. We have that respect for each other. And when we say 'What's up?' and 'How you been?', it's real."

The rapper added, "About 15 years ago, we was rockin' together on the pool table -- goin' hard! So it's like, it's real s**t! But the fact that they set it up like that, then make me the first major project -- I don't like the way they did that. But I'm not gonna change what I do. And I'm not gonna let anybody interfere with what I do."

DMX's latest single is "Give Em What Ya Want."

Eve Shoots new boost mobile commercial with Fat Joe

Rapper and actor Eve recently shot a new commercial spot for Boost Mobile with rapper Fat Joe. MTV.com reports that the spot features Eve dressed up as a '20s showgirl and ballet dancer. The rapper said, "When I was asked to do this commercial, I was excited because of the first commercial (original Boost Mobile spot featuring Ludacris, The Game, and Kanye West). The pressure is on because you have to top the first one, or at least be as good as the first one. I think it will because this is also original. I get offered a lot of different things. I don't want to do anything for money. I don't want to do anything that's not gonna push me or challenge me."


The rapper also explained that she felt comfortable working with Fat Joe. Eve said, "One thing I can say about Joe is that I've known him for a while, since I been in the game. He's a cool person, he's a sweetheart. His wife, his whole team...Everybody I ever met that's down with him is real cool. He supported me on my first video, 'What Y'all Want,' he came down on the strength on Ruff Ryders. That's something I'll never forget."


In related news, Eve is working on her new untitled album which will be released in February. The set will feature the production of Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz, and Scott Storch.

Wu-Tang Clan's U-GOD to release a new solo album this year

The Wu-Tang Clan's U-God will release his sophomore solo album, Mr. Xcitement, later this year. The rapper said in a released statement, "(People) don't realize the U in U-God stands for universal. It means no boundaries, infinity, it goes on forever." The rapper added, "Mr. Xcitement ain't just about partying, there is more to the album, I took my time -- I didn't rush the s**t."


U-God released his solo debut, Golden Arms Redemption, in 1999. The rapper released a compilation, Ugodz-Illa Presents: The Hillside Scramblers, last year.

MSN.com News : Lil' Kim Gets a Year for Perjury

Resource: MSN.COM News

NEW YORK -- Grammy-award winning rapper Lil' Kim was sentenced Wednesday to a year and a day in prison and fined $50,000 for lying to a federal grand jury to protect friends involved in a 2001 shootout outside a Manhattan radio station.

While many rappers have served time in prison, Lil' Kim is the first big-name female to do so.

Lil' Kim, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, could have faced up to 20 years — five years each on three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy — at her sentencing before U.S. District Judge Gerard Lynch. She was convicted of the charges in March.

Lil' Kim, who turns 30 next week, was the sidekick and mistress of the late Notorious B.I.G. As a solo artist, she has become known for her revealing outfits and raunchy lyrics.

The rapper told the grand jury she did not notice two of her close friends at the scene of the shootout — her manager, Damion Butler, and Suif Jackson, known as "Gutta." Both have pleaded guilty to gun charges.

Jurors at Lil' Kim's trial saw radio station security photos that depicted Butler opening a door for the rap star, and two witnesses who once made records with Lil' Kim said they saw her at the station with Butler and Jackson.

The gun battle happened outside WQHT-FM, known as Hot 97, when Lil' Kim's entourage crossed paths with a rival rap group, Capone-N-Noreaga.

Lil' Kim's group confronted the others about a Capone-N-Noreaga song, "Bang, Bang," that contained an insult to Lil' Kim from rival Foxy Brown. One man was hurt in the shootout that followed.

Hot 97 is the same station where the posses of 50 Cent and The Game traded bullets in February.

At trial, Lil' Kim testified that she had a falling out after the shooting with Butler and with Antoine "Banger" Spain and James "Lil' Cease" Lloyd, the two witnesses who said they saw her with Butler and Jackson.

She said they were freeloading at her New Jersey townhouse. "I was just fed up," she told jurors. See Full story at MSN.com (Click Here)

AZ - A.W.O.L

HIP HOP’S MOST RESPECTED, AZ, IS BACK & STRONGER THEN EVER

HIS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM A.W.O.L TO BE RELEASED AUGUST 23, 2005 ON HIS OWN QUIET MONEY RECORDS



(July 6, 2005) ― New York, NY—Quiet Money / Fastlife Music announces the release of A.W.O.L., the new full-length album by AZ. A.W.O.L., his first album since his 2002 release Aziatic (Motown), is this millennium’s blueprint to real Hip Hop.

AZ’s vision and lyrical power to paint pictures have long been celebrated by critics. His skill has put him on the level above most, alongside his peers NAS and Jay-Z.

A.W.O.L. showcases AZ at his best. His descriptive and impressive lyrical flow is at the forefront of his new album.

The 10-year veteran began his career by debuting on Nas’ track “Life’s A Bitch.” He released classic bangers like 1995’s Doe or Die, 1998’s Pieces Of A Man, 2001’s 9 Lives and 2002‘s Aziatic. AZ was also a member of rap super group The Firm with NAS, Foxy Brown and Nature, recording with some of today’s greatest producers such as Dr. Dre, Trackmasters and Pete Rock.

Expanding his horizons, AZ also starred in and Executive Produced the 2003 feature film Envy.

Since the 1997 release of the platinum-selling album “The Firm,” AZ’s solo albums have sold over 700,000 units combined.

A.W.O.L. is a rock-solid collection of 16 hot, brand new joints. The first single & video is “The Come Up,” produced by the legendary DJ Premier. The buzz tracks “AZ’s Chillin” and “Never Change,” are already heating up New York airwaves. Funkmaster Flex, Absolut, Enuff and Kay Slay are a few of the DJ’s who are spinning the record every chance they get.

The complete track listing for A.W.O.L. is as follows (subject to change):


1. Intro (Produced by Heatmakerz)
2. Omega (Produced by Tone Mason)
3. The Come Up (Produced by DJ Premier)
4. Magic Hour feat. CL Smooth (Produced by Tone Mason)
5. No Strings (Produced by Baby Paul/BpZy)
6. Never Change (Produced by Heatmakerz)
7. A.W.O.L. (Produced by Vinny Idol)
8. AZ’s Chillin (Produced by Fizzy Womack)
9. Envious feat. Bounty Killer (Produced by MoSS)
10. Can’t Stop Won’t Stop (Produced by Frado)
11. Live Wire (Produced by Buckwild)
12. New York feat. Ghostface (Produced by Emile)
13. The Truth (Produced by DJ Absolut & Young Calvin)
14. Bedtime Story feat. Slick Rick (Produced by Jimmy Kendrixx & Baby Paul/BpZy)
15. So Sincere (Produced by Heatmakerz)
16. City Of Gods (Produced by Disco D)

R.I.P Luther Vandross

Legendary singer Luther Vandross has died at age 54. He passed away after spending the last couple years in ill health. Vandross had suffered a stroke in April, 2003.

Vandross sold more than 25 million albums and was known for powerful ballads such as "Here and Now" and "Any Love."

Following his debilitating stroke, Vandross continued to record; topping the charts with the sentimental "Dance With My Father." The album earned three Grammys.

Vandross won a total of eight Grammys during his career.

Vandross was known for his silky-smooth vocal style which many singers have since tried to imitate.

He died surrounded by family and friends.


Luther Vandross' Life
In R&B music, Luther Vandross ranked with Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson as one of the most successful singer/songwriters and producers of the '80s.

Amazingly, unlike those peers, for the most part he did not cross over to widespread pop appeal, a situation that finally began to change at the end of the '80s.

Vandross had an elastic tenor that made him a natural for backup singing and commercial work in the early '70s, when he became a top session vocalist.

In the second half of the '70s, he recorded under a variety of guises, cutting two albums for Cotillion under the name "Luther," recording with the session groups Roundtree and Change, and singing on hits by Chic.

In 1981, Vandross signed with Epic and released his debut album, Never Too Much, which topped the R&B charts and sold two million copies. The title track was also an R&B number one hit single and reached the pop Top 40.

Vandross went on to produce albums for Aretha Franklin and other female singers, while maintaining his own career through the '80s.

His albums Forever, for Always, for Love (1982), Busy Body (1983), The Night I Fell in Love (1985), Give Me the Reason (1986), and Any Love (1988) were all million-sellers that spawned major R&B hits, but Vandross' pop success was spotty until 1989, when Epic released The Best of Luther Vandross...The Best of Love, a greatest-hits album containing the new track "Here and Now," which became Vandross' first Top Ten pop hit.

That proved his breakthrough, and Vandross' next album, Power of Love (1991), another million-seller, featured two pop hits, "Power of Love/Love Power" and "Don't Want to Be a Fool."

Vandross returned to the pop Top Ten in 1992 with "The Best Things in Life Are Free" from the movie Mo' Money, a duet with Janet Jackson.

His next album, Never Let Me Go (1993), marked a slight falloff in sales, but Songs (1994), an all-covers album, restored his commercial standing, featuring a gold-selling pop Top Ten remake of "Endless Love," a duet with Mariah Carey.

This Is Christmas (1996) and Your Secret Love (1997) were million-sellers.

One Night With You: The Best of Love, Vol. 2 (1997) compiled Vandross' hits from 1991 to 1996. He returned in 1998 with I Know. Smooth Love followed two years later and a self-titled release on J Records appeared in spring 2001.

bio courtesy AllMusic.com

Photos copyright Getty Images

Jay-Z's Nephew Killed In Auto Accident

Jay-Z's Nephew Killed In Auto Accident
By Kye Stephenson of AllHIPHOP.com
Date: 7/1/2005 11:30 am



Colleek D. Luckie, the nephew of Def Jam President Jay-Z, has died tragically from injuries sustained in an auto accident occurring on Route 220 in Pennsylvania, representatives from Def Jam confirmed.

According to sources, Colleek was traveling with friend Roscoe G. Neely, 20, of Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday (June 28) when Neely-who was driving-drifted across the centerline and struck a tractor-trailer head-on.

After the collision, the vehicle-a 2005 Chrysler 300-purportedly struck a telephone pole and traveled some 300 feet through a field.

Sadly, Colleek, who was wearing a seat belt, was killed. Neely sustained a minor injury and was taken to a local hospital.

Through the years, Jay-Z has made numerous references to his nephew in his songs like "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)" from The Blueprint.

It's been reported that the vehicle involved in the accident was purchased by Jay for the 18 year-old Colleek as a graduation present.

In the past, Jay-Z said emotionally, his nephews represent something greater than his sister's offspring.

"I carry my nephews like my sons, always have and they have filled that void for me," Jay-Z has stated in published reports.