Hierocast Episode IV: Hidden Gems

Domino Sheds New Light On Hiero's Slept-On and Underrated Tracks



(Brooklyn, NY- February 28, 2006) Hiero Imperium CEO and producer
extraordinaire Domino hosts the latest edition of the Hieroglyphics'
Podcast. Domino takes listeners on a tour of tracks that he feels have been
overlooked and merit another listen. The 6 tracks span a decade and feature
Hiero stalwarts Opio, Pep Love, O.C., Encore, Casual, and the Hieroglyphics.

For those unfamiliar with the Hierocast, the format is much more
"behind-the-music" than frenzied mixtape. Domino's commentary gives the
songs context that listeners can't get anywhere else by providing the
background stories and underlying concepts of the tracks. Speaking about the
Hieroglyphics' track "Shout It Out", Domino explains, " The vibe of this
song is what Hieroglyphics is all about. It was originally recorded for the
Full Circle album, but didn't make the album. Now when I listen to it I
wonder why it didn't make it. " Domino introduces O.C.'s track "Emotions"
by saying, " One of the things I respect O.C. for is that he has always been
able to make songs that have depth and are reflective. O.C. is a true
lyricist."

Hiero Imperium Records is an artist owned and run label based in Oakland,
California. Hiero's artists have sold over 1 million units and the label was
one of the first record companies (indie or major) to embrace technology as
a new way to connect with fans and disseminate music.







Track listing:

Opio featuring Planet Asia - "Grassy Knoll" from the album Triangulation
Station

Hieroglyphics - "Shout It Out" from the Full Circle Tour DVD

O.C. - "Emotions" from the album Smoke and Mirrors

Encore - "The Schizm" from the album Layover

Hieroglyphics featuring Pep Love - "After Dark" from the album Third Eye
Vision

Casual - "Styles" from the album Casual Presents: Smash Rockwell







The podcast can be downloaded from the following sources:

iTunes Podcast subscription link: Click Here

Link to MP3 version: Click Here

Link to Enhanced version: (Requires iTunes) Click Here

Ice-Cube (Black and White Series) Race Card Video

Jaheim finds third-time charm with "Classics"

By Geoff Mayfield

The third set from Jaheim strikes the right note, as "Ghetto Classics" becomes the R&B singer's first No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

This also marks his first No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and, with 152,000 copies sold at the overall Nielsen SoundScan panel, his best sales week.

First album "Ghetto Love" owned his prior R&B/hip-hop chart peak (No. 2 in 2001), but his second set, "Still Ghetto," held his best prior marks on the big chart and on Nielsen SoundScan's scoreboard: It hit No. 8 in 2002, selling 111,000 copies in its first week.

The New Jersey native engaged in a busy release-week schedule, appearing on multiple radio stations and at numerous stores in the New York metro area.

Jaheim's appearances on "Soul Train" and BET's "106 & Park," a commercial buy in major markets during an episode of UPN's "Girlfriends" and the use of one of his songs in a Verizon commercial touting the cellular service's VCast platform helped raise the singer's national visibility.

That exposure makes up for an iffy radio picture. Lead track "Everytime I Think About Her" peaked at No. 36 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, while "The Chosen One" bows at No. 67.

Reuters/Billboard

Recording Of Argument At Busta Rhymes Video Set Surfaces

Tape is reportedly being shopped to media for $50,000; label says it plans to release video in March.



The controversy surrounding the investigation of the tragic shooting that took place during the filming of a Busta Rhymes video took a new turn Friday when New York's Daily News reported that an audio recording of the altercation that led up to the shooting has surfaced.

On February 5, a member of Rhymes' security, Israel Ramirez, was shot and killed outside the Brooklyn, New York, studio where the video was being filmed. According to police, an argument erupted outside of Greenpoint Studios and Ramirez was shot during the fracas. Police have not named any suspects but have said publicly that they want to speak with Rhymes and also G-Unit member Tony Yayo (see "Police Want To Question Busta Rhymes About Fatal Shooting At Video Set"), who sources said was involved in a verbal altercation with Swizz Beatz and members of the Ruff Ryders camp during the filming of the clip. Both Rhymes and Yayo have refused to talk with police about the incident (see "Tony Yayo Won't Speak To Police About Shooting On Busta Video Set, Lawyer Says" and "Busta Rhymes Issues Statement On Bodyguard Shooting").

On Friday (February 24), the Daily News cited an unnamed source who is said to possess an audio recording of the argument that took place on the set, in which Yayo was apparently involved.

According to the paper, a source familiar with the recording believes the fight erupted when members of G-Unit were excluded from appearing in the video, adding that Rhymes seemed to be attempting to defuse the situation. The voice of a third man, whose identity is not clear, is believed to be the shooter. That man is heard calling another man, apparently Rhymes, a "bitch."

The shooting, which took place outside the studio, is not audible on the recording, but the aftermath is. "You can hear screaming and the chaos and the 911 call," the source told the Daily News.

The recording is reportedly being shopped to media outlets with a price tag of $50,000, and has not yet been provided to police or attorneys.

"I hope the person who has this tape or video would cooperate with authorities, especially if it provides evidence in this case," Jerry Schmetterer, spokesperson for the Brooklyn district attorney, told the Daily News. A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said, "It's totally irresponsible of this person to withhold what could be a vital piece of evidence in an active homicide investigation."

NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly has harshly criticized witnesses of the shooting for not coming forward.

Despite the controversy, Busta's label, Interscope, still plans to release the video for the remix of "Touch It." It has already been submitted to video outlets and could begin airing as soon as the beginning of March.

The video begins with Busta and Flipmode member Spliff Starr battling an all-female group of teenage steppers. From there, the video segues into Busta dancing and performing with all six of the guest performers with whom he recorded remixes of "Touch It": Mary J. Blige and her rapping alter-ego Brook, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose and DMX. (Elements of the three separate remixes of the song have been edited together for the video.) Each performer is wearing an outfit that matches the color of the set on which they're performing. Other guests in the video also include boxers Winky Wright and Felix Trinidad, reggae singer Sean Paul and DJ Kay Slay.

For his part, Rhymes released two new mixtapes this week, both of which include spoken messages in which he promises to honor Ramirez's memory, as well as that of recently deceased producer Jay Dee, a.k.a. J Dilla (see "Jay Dee — Producer For Common, Busta And Tribe — Dies").

"Before we get into what we about to do, I just want to set it off by saying from this day moving forward, every single thing that I do will be in the loving memory of my n---a Izzy and my n---a J Dilla," Rhymes says at the beginning of The Crown. "Until we meet again, my n---as, rest in peace. Love y'all. Salute."

— Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Jem Aswad (MTV News)

Dead prez's M-1 To Tour With Ghostface To Promote Debut Solo Album

(Brooklyn, NY February 22, 2006) One of hip-hop's rising stars and one of its most legendary figures are teaming up to take the country by storm. M-1 (of the group dead prez) will be joining Ghostface of the Wu-Tang Clan for the "Fishscale Tour."



M-1 burst into the public consciousness with the 2000 dead prez release Lets Get Free, a socially aware, politically driven masterpiece that was equally indebted to Malcolm X and Public Enemy. M-1's solo debut, Confidential, which features appearances by Q-Tip, K'naan, Cassandra Wilson, and a cut with dead prez cohort Sticman, will be released March 21st through Sotti/Koch records.



Ghostface is a founding member of the Wu-Tang clan and is considered one of rap's most revered solo artists. His 1999 album Supreme Clientele was named one of the "Top 10 Albums of All Time" by VIBE Magazine. His upcoming album Fishscale will be released on March 28th.



March 5 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls

March 6 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues

March 7 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall

March 9 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue

March 10 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues

March 12 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue

March 13 - Omaha, NE - Sokol Underground

March 14 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater

March 15 - Fort Collins, CO - Aggie Theater

March 17 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theater

March 18 - Park City, UT - Suede

March 19 - Boise, ID - Big Easy Concert

March 21 - Seattle, WA - Showbox

March 22 - Portland, OR - Berbatti's

March 24 - San Francisco, CA - Mezzanine

March 25 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst

March 26 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues

March 27 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues

March 28 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues

March 29 - Tempe, AZ - Clubhouse

March 31 - Austin, TX - Emo's

April 1 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live

April 6 - Atlanta, GA - Cat's Cradle

April 8 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel

April 9 - Charlottesville, VA - Starr Hill Music Club

April 10 - Washington DC - 930 Club

April 11 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar

April 12 - New York, NY - BB King's

April 18 - Providence, RI - Lupo's

April 19 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground

April 20 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place



M-1's MySpace Page

Video for "Till We Get There" feat K'naan

G-Unit and Roc-A-Fella hooking up for a 'keep hope alive' concert

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

The G-Unit and the Roc-A-Fella Records crew toured together on 2003's Roc The Mic tour, and it appears the two camps are still getting along. SOHH.com reports that G-Unit artists Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo will join Roc-A-Fella recording artists Memphis Bleek, Young Gunz, Freeway, and Teairra Marie at the Keep Hope Alive concert on March 3rd at the DCUCenter in Worcester, Massachusetts.

In addition to the concert, the G-Unit and Roc-A-Fella will also be working together on Freeway's forthcoming album, Free At Last. Jay-Z and 50 Cent will co-executive-produce the project, which will be released on Roc-A-Fella Records.

Free At Last is slated to feature guest appearances by Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Beanie Sigel, Nate Dogg, and Black Thought.

Mc Eiht Inks New Deal with Koch

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Compton-based rapper MC Eiht recently signed a new distribution deal with Koch Records for his West Music Inc. label. The rapper said, "The label that I have the joint venture with this time is more professional than what was happening with my other independent projects. They don't hesitate to get things done."

The first release under the new deal will be a new album by MC Eiht titled Affiliated. The rapper explained the album's title: "I named it that because there are a lot of misconceptions in the street as far as West Coast music, namely, what we do as far as West Coast music, how we get down with it, and what we represent. A lot of my fans have been anticipating a new record from a true West Coast artist. I get a lot of e-mails asking me questions like, 'When are you going to come back and spit the real?', because there is all this fake-ism in the game out there right now."

The set's lead single is "Say Nothing/Comptons Back" featuring Compton's Most Wanted and King T.

MC Eiht's biggest hit to date is "Streiht Up Menace" from the soundtrack to Menace To Society, the Hughes Brothers-directed movie in which he also starred.

MC Eiht's best-selling album was his 1994 certified-gold debut We Come Strapped.

The rapper's last release was 2004's Veteran's Day.

Universal Zulu Nation Calls Emergency Meeting To Recapture Hip-hop

The Supreme World Council of the Universal Zulu Nation will hold an emergency meeting Feb. 22 to address what the group feels is an imbalance of Hip-Hop played on radio and TV stations.

Expected to appear at the meeting to support the Universal Zulu Nation and founder Afrika Bambataa include Hip-Hop activists Kevin Powell, Davey D, Rosa Clemente and April Silver; rapper KRS-One; the Temple of Hip-Hop, educator and filmmaker Martha Diaz; Public Enemy frontman Chuck D; photographer Ernie Paniccioli; Rock Steady Crew member Crazy Legs.

According to representatives for the Universal Zulu Nation, Bambaataa hopes steps will be taken to bring consciousness back to Hip-Hop.

"We are not saying to stop playing what you are playing on the air or showing on the TV, but to have balance and play it all, old-school to new-school to be true school," representatives for Bambaataa said in a statement.

The group hopes a plan of action will be devised to curtail "death and destruction playing on radio and TV music video shows."

The coalition of artists and activists hope to stop being scared to expose "record labels, radio stations, TV Hip-Hop shows or whatever shows that show us in a BS vision of just being pimps, playas, gangsters and hoes, straight up **removed racist word**, wiggers or any other derogatory words that they use and we use to call ourselves."

The emergency meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the National Black Theater, 125th Street and Fifth Ave. in New York City.

The Universal Zulu Nation was formed in the 1970's by Africa Bambaataa.

Red Cafe in Car Accident - No NBA All Star Performance

Due to a car accident suffered this past weekend in the record setting blizzard, Red Cafe will be unable to make it to NBA All Star Weekend in Houston, TX.

Red was released from Long island Hospital early toady and we had hoped that he would attend his All Star Weekend performances but doctors have advised against that.

Red Cafe would like to thank his fans & colleagues for their concern and wants everyone to learn from this and to "never drive in the snow unless it is absolutely necessary." (See pic of Red's totalled BMW 645 if you need any more motivation)





Red would like to thank all the DJ's from around the country and out of the USA who have been blasting off his new single: Jeep Shit ft Fabolous & Paul Wall and promises to keep the joints coming.

Mos Def In Court Over Child Support

Mos Def appeared in court after filing for divorce from his wife, Maria Yepes-Smith.

Mos Def, born Dante Smith, was ordered to pay $10,000 a month to support their 7- and 8-year-old daughters.

The rapper has paid roughly $8000 a month since the order was issued, but said obligations to his three other children and other business issues prevented him from making the court ordered payments.

Mos Def also argued that his payments should be reduced because Yepes-Smith reneged on an agreement to home school the children.

"I'm the only person who's providing for my children," Mos Def told Judge Sarah Krauss.

Yepes-Smith's lawyer Karen Blaustein cited a commercial for Mos Def's new movie 16 Blocks, which hits theaters next month and received major exposure thanks to an ad during Super Bowl XL.

"I've been seeing him in these commercials with Bruce Willis for his new movie," Blaustein told The New York Post after the hearing. "I'm sure he made enough money to pay his child support for his 7- and 8-year-old daughters

Nypd Commissioner Scolds Busta Rhymes

NYPD commissioner scolds Busta Rhymes
Rapper berated for allegedly withholding info about bodyguard's slaying

The Associated Press
Updated: 8:14 p.m. ET Feb. 15, 2006


NEW YORK - New York City's police commissioner berated rap star Busta Rhymes on Wednesday, accusing him of withholding information about the slaying of his bodyguard at a hip-hop video taping.

Commissioner Raymond Kelly complained at a news conference that the silence of several potential witnesses has stymied the investigation of the Brooklyn killing last week of Israel Ramirez. He saved his harshest remarks for the rapper.

Ramirez "worked for him," Kelly said. "I'd think he'd be knocking on the door. ... If your employee's murdered in front of you, you think you might want to talk to the police."

If the witnesses keep stonewalling, they could be forced to answer questions before a grand jury, Kelly said.

"I find it quite disturbing," the commissioner said. "This individual was shot in front of a lot of people."

The rapper's publicist declined to comment.

Rhymes attended a wake last week at a Manhattan funeral home for the 29-year-old Ramirez, who grew up in Harlem and left behind a wife and three young children

The rapper has not spoken publicly about the fatal shooting. But in a written statement, he said Ramirez "was not only security for me, but he was a friend, one of the rare friends that you come across that you can trust with your life."

Ramirez was gunned down Feb. 5th outside a star-studded gathering at a warehouse where a music video was being taped to accompany a remix of Rhymes' latest hit single. Along with Rhymes, Missy Elliot, Mary J. Blige, DMX and G-Unit members, including Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo, were among those in attendance.

Police say the shooting may have stemmed from an argument between Yayo and a producer that began inside and spilled onto the street. They believe Ramirez, who was unarmed, was a bystander who may have intervened only to protect Rhymes.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

© 2006 MSNBC.com

The Bubba Sparxxx "Ms. New Booty" Contest - JOIN NOW!

Are you "Ms. New Booty"?
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-- Bubba


Click here to see the contest


check out the site

Abe Froman Showmen & Inhumanz DJ’s Blend...

Abe Froman Showmen & Inhumanz DJ’s Blend Underground and Commercial Hip-Hop On “Backpack Thugs 2005 Megamix”



LAS VEGAS, NV – As rising stars in Vegas’s burgeoning nightclub DJ scene, members of respective crews The Abe Froman Showmen and The Inhumanz pay tribute to the greatest hip-hop songs of 2005 with “Backpack Thugs 2005 Megamix”.









DJ Five (Abe Froman Showmen) and Pizzo (The Inhumanz), have come together to produce this mix CD, which bridges the gap between the best mainstream and underground hip-hop of ‘05. Taking songs from both sub-genres, each song on the CD is a blend (or mash-up) of an underground song with a commercial one. This unique mix not only showcases a new twist on last year’s fan favorites, but excellent deejay skills as well.



Kanye West’s “Golddigger” is re-imagined on a DJ Premier track (borrowed from AZ), while 50 Cent’s “Just A Little Bit” trades the so seductive sounds of Scott Storch for bluesy, lo-fi boom-bap on Atmosphere’s “Smart Went Crazy” track. On the flipside of things, Edan is found delivering his hip-hop history lesson from “Fumbling Over Words That Rhyme” over the beat from Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait”, while Little Brother “Play” on last year’s David Banner banger. Even cross-genre hip-hop is covered, as Mike Jones spits “Still Tippin” over Gorillaz “Feel Good Inc”, or M.I.A. and Blackalicious exchange beats for “Galang” and “My Pad and Pen”.



“The approach for the mix CD was to basically showcase everything we liked last year, but to do it in a different way,” says Pizzo. “We didn’t want to just give you ‘Lose Control’ or ‘Hollaback Girl’ all over again, because you’ve heard those songs too many times already. We wanted to also spotlight some of the best stuff you didn’t hear, but present it in a familiar way,” he added.



“We wanted to make the mix as smooth flowing as possible, so cats would be able to enjoy the CD from start to finish without having to skip to the next track,” says Five. “I threw in a few of my signature scratches and juggles, but without over killing the track,” he continued.



As an added bonus, Skillz tops off the disc with his “05 Wrap Up”, which looks back at the past year with humorous lyrical insight and commentary.



Tracklisting and credits for Backpack Thugs 2005 Megamix:



1. Common Dreams – Game Vs. Common
2. Corner Blueprint – Common Vs. Blueprint
3. No Cam – Buckshot Vs. Cam’Ron
4. Remember I Used To Love You – John Legend Vs. Fort Minor
5. We Want Preemo – Kanye West Vs. AZ & DJ Premier
6. Smart Went 50 – 50 Cent Vs. Atmosphere
7. Just A Lil’ Scenester – Cage Vs. 50 Cent
8. Joy Live – J-Live Vs. Missy Elliot
9. Play Some Little Brother – Little Brother Vs. David Banner
10. Fumbling Over Ying Yang – Edan Vs. Ying Yang Twinz
11. Wait For Meat – Ying Yang Twinz Vs. Danger Doom
12. Go Quasi – Common Vs. Quasimoto
13. Watch Out For 1 Thing – Atmosphere Vs. Amerie
14. Galangalicious – M.I.A. Vs. Blackalicious
15. Hollaback Vegas – Felt (Murs and Slug) Vs. Gwen Stefani
16. Random Shake – Lady Sovereign Vs. Ying Yang Twinz
17. Stay In Control – Three Six Mafia Vs. Missy Elliot
18. Tippin’ Feels Good – Mike Jones Vs. Gorillaz
19. The I’s Have It – T.I. Vs. Zion I
20. Hate All Or Love Together – GZA/Genius Vs. Game
21. Crazy Memorial Day – Perceptionists (Mr. Lif & Akrobatik) vs. Young Jeezy
22. BONUS TRACK: 05 Wrap Up – Skillz

The 'Stop Snitching' Campaign goes primetime on AMW

America's Most Wanted aired a segment on the 'Stop Snitching' Campaign.


Story originally on America's Most Wanted website.


From Louisville to Boston, there is a culture of intimidation and fear pervading crime-infested inner cities, and it's being perpetuated through an unlikely source: fashion. An increasingly popular slogan --"Stop Snitching"-- is being slapped across T-shirts everywhere, encouraging silence and reinforcing a cycle of violence.

Some in law enforcement suspect that the growing number of unsolved crimes is related to the increasing popularity of the "Stop Snitching" message. In October 2005, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that two different trials in the city were interrupted by witnesses wearing "Stop Snitching" shirts. But the proprietors of the message have not stopped with T-shirts. They've taken their mantra to the Web, recorded threats on video and even made CDs and it's all for sale from Pittsburgh to Baltimore.


"That's why the 'Stop Snitching' thing has been so effective, because it literally scared people from going into court."


Speaking Out Against Silence

Although the "Stop Snitching" message has been spreading since 1998, law enforcement and victims' families are speaking out against the harmful slogan and urging witnesses to come forward to help make their communities safer.

AMW Senior Correspondent Tom Morris traveled to Kansas City, Mo. in January 2006 and explained during a radio interview just how harmful the message can be in communities already riddled with crime. Kansas City itself is a place where about 40% of all homicides in 2005 were still unsolved.

"In the twelve years that I've been with the show, I've seen a significant rise in unsolved cases that come to us," Morris told a HOT-103 DJ during the interview. "I think part of that is because of this culture of, 'Don't tell; let it ride.'"

In New Bedford, Mass, Phyllis Lopes is also taking a stand against "Stop Snitching." Her grandson Cecil Lopes, was killed on Halloween night in 2004, and even though there were people out trick-or-treating, no one has come forward as a witness. In response, Lopes has started her own T-shirt campaign with the slogans, "Keep It Real, Talk About It," "Speak Up, Speak Out," and "Stand."





Keep On Talking

Boston police are hoping that "Stop Snitching" won't interfere with another investigation they are pursuing in the murders of four young men in December 2005. John Walsh and AMW held a press conference with Boston police on Feb. 1, 2006 to discuss growing violence in the city and to encourage people to come forward if they witness a crime.

In Baltimore, police are speaking out against "Stop Snitching" in a unique way. After cuffing several of the thugs who created an underground "Stop Snitching" video, the Baltimore PD released their own video called, "Keep on Talking; We're Listening."

With these efforts and the continued work of victims' relatives, like Phyllis Lopes, witnesses who may be able to help solve crimes will be able to do so safely and without fear of retribution.

AMW Senior Correspondent Tom Morris joins community activist Alonzo Washington on HOT103 in Kansas City to discuss the "Stop Snitching" phenomenon in inner cities throughout the country. Watch the Video!

Kanye West Says Grammy Loss Was Motivation, Still Believes He Deserved It

Although Kanye West swept the rap category in Wednesday evening's Grammy Awards, backstage he openly addressed his loss of Album of the Year to U2.

During his press interviews, 'Ye held up a large typewritten sign reading "I TOLD YOU SO," that he hadn't been able to use during the show because U2 picked up the award he believed would be his.

"It's all good," Kanye told reporters, "U2, those are my boys. I didn't think it was going to happen because of vote splitting." West was referring to how he and Mariah Carey, who was also nominated for Album of the Year , may have split the votes for urban music fans within the Recording Academy. "I didn't win it by a technicality, not because I didn't deserve it. Even [U2 lead singer] Bono was like 'Come on.' Everybody knows it."

West, who has previously toured with U2 and will visit Europe and Australia with them later this year, spoke highly of Bono after the Grammys. "He has taught me a lot about carrying the fame with grace."

Admittedly, Kanye did appear more humble after the awards, considering that since the release of Late Registration last August, he has been on a campaign for a certain Grammy, even going so far as to say, " If I don't win Album of the Year, I'm gonna have a problem with that."

But Wednesday West attempted to downplay the award and turn the focus toward his jaw-dropping Grammy performance, telling the press, "I would have been more disappointed if I didn't have a good performance and I had won Album of the Year. The performance, that's what it's about, the entertainment and people having a good time. I just want to see the black colleges right now. I just want to go onto MySpace right now and see what people are saying.

Kanye also said he would use the Album of the Year loss as motivation to get back into the studio to work on his next album.

"Now it gives me another goal to go and work on Graduation and show them 'Yo, I really deserve this album of the year,'" he said. "I'm gonna keep on delivering albums of the year that are so undeniable to the point where you finally let a rapper come up and accept this award."

New 50 Cent Movie (w/ Samuel L. Jackson)

Jessica Biel, Christina Ricci and Curtis "50 Cent" Johnson are joining Samuel L. Jackson and Brian Presley in director Irwin Winkler's Iraqi wartime drama Home of the Brave for Winkler's production company and Emmett/Furla Films.

The story, from a screenplay by Mark Friedman, revolves around three soldiers who struggle to readjust to normal life after returning home from a lengthy tour in Iraq. Jackson will play a doctor who tries to resume his routine, only to find himself unraveling.

Financed by Avi Lerner's Millennium Films and Emmett/Furla, the independent film is budgeted at $12 million. Winkler will begin shooting next month in Morocco. Production will then move to Spokane, Wash.

Young Jeezy Protege Allegedly Shot

A man believed to be Atlanta rapper Slick Pulla, an artist of Young Jeezy's CTE imprint, was shot during an altercation near a local industry hotspot earlier this evening. Sources tell AtlantaUrbanMix.com that the shooting happened when an altercation between the USDA group member and an unidentified man escalated. Though police sources would not release the name of the victim in this incident, they confirm that he was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he arrived in stable condition.

Jay Dee — Dies

Jay Dee, a.k.a. J Dilla, the Detroit producer and rapper revered by his peers for his work with A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village and Common, died Friday (February 10). He was 32.

Tim Maynor, Jay's manager since 1999, said he died Friday morning in Los Angeles, but he had no details on the cause of death. Dee, born James Yancey, had been battling kidney problems in recent years, but Maynor believed he had recovered.


"He was the best ever, and very underappreciated," Maynor said. "Dilla was very reserved, quiet, all he wanted to do was make beats, make music. It wasn't about the glitz and glory. He wasn't doing it for the spotlight at all. He's a dinosaur who will be missed."

"I am devastated at the world's loss of a musical genius of Charlie Parker proportions," Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of the Roots said. "Too often we bestow the 'greatest' title upon those who have the attention of the press and the charts and radio. But if you were to secretly ask the most praised hip-hop producers, if given a top three, who they fear the most, Dilla's name would chart on everyone's list, hands down. I am fortunate to have known this man. He inspires me to perfect my craft in every way. Dilla was and will always be my hero."

"Me and Jay Dee were very, very, very, very good friends," said D12's Proof, who got his first tattoo with Jay Dee, an "FC" for Funky Cowboy, their pre-Slum Village/ D12 group. "He produced my first demo. As a producer, he is one of the most influential producers ever, even up to Kanye West or Just Blaze. Jay Dee had a signature sound that a lot of people were influenced by. People will never understand his genius. It's a shame that he didn't get the light of a Dr. Dre or Timbaland or Neptunes, but he took more of a jazz-musician approach to the whole game. He was truly a mastermind."

As J Dilla, the rapper released an album titled Donuts just Tuesday and was scheduled to release another one, The Shining, in April. Maynor said he was also two tracks away from finishing a third release for 2006. "He never stopped working," he said.

In December, Jay toured Europe performing in a wheelchair, due to problems with his knees, Maynor said. When his manager suggested he postpone the trek, the producer said it was something he had to do. "Maybe he knew something we didn't," Maynor said.

Jay came to prominence in the mid-'90s producing tracks for the likes of Common, D'Angelo, De La Soul, Pharcyde and Busta Rhymes, as well as working as part of Tribe's production team, the Ummah, and in his own group, Slum Village.

"He was a trendsetter, the soul sound [in hip-hop] is really Jay Dee," RJ Rice, founder of Slum's label, Barak Records, said. "I don't know if he'll ever get credit for it or not, most people just copied him."

Jay was born and raised in the Conant Gardens neighborhood of Detroit, attending Pershing High School with his eventual Slum Village mates Baatin and T3.

"I'm f---ed up, my n---a just passed away," T3 wrote on his MySpace page Friday.

After recording 1996's underground Fantastic, Vol. 1, Slum Village signed to GoodVibe Recordings and released 2000's Fantastic, Vol. 2. After releasing Best Kept Secret under the alias J-88 the following year, the group returned in 2002 with Trinity (Past, Present and Future) featuring Jay in a limited role.

Dee left the group that year and released Welcome 2 Detroit, kicking off U.K. indie label BBE Music's "Beat Generation" series. He also formed a group with Madlib called Jaylib and released Champion Sound in 2003.

He spent 2004 working on a variety of albums, including Common's Be, as well as his underground instrumental "beat tapes," but also spent some of the year hospitalized.

"What happened was that the doctor told me that I'd ruptured my kidney from being too busy and being stressed out and not eating right," Dee told Urb magazine in 2004. "He told me that if I'd waited another day, I might not have made it."

"Sometimes that fixation can be a good thing and sometimes it can be bad. There'd be days when I wouldn't eat at all because I'd be in the basement working all day," he said in the interview. "This is definitely my second chance, my wakeup call. I still love the music, but I wouldn't put it first in my life. It's family first, and then everything else."

Proof said Jay always told him he was feeling fine, but the close friends seemed to only talk on the phone in recent years. "It didn't hit me until today, but I think he just didn't want his friends to see him in that light," Proof said. "He wanted us to remember him how it was."

[This story was originally published on 02.10.06 at 7:04 PM ET]

— Corey Moss
MTV News

JAY-Z STILL FLIRTING WITH THE IDEA OF COMING OUT OF RETIREMENT

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Jay-Z is supposed to be retired and focusing his energy on running Def Jam Records, but he seems to be itching to get back in the studio. The rapper, who won a Grammy Award this week for his "Numb/Encore" collaboration with Linkin Park, is allegedly working on a new album with Dr. Dre, which he hopes to release this summer. A music business insider told the New York Post's Page Six, "The big gossip of the Grammys is about Jay-Z. After saying he was going to retire when he became president of Def Jam so he wouldn't compete with other artists on his label, he has a record coming out in June. To make matters worse, Dr. Dre is producing the record, which is huge because Dre hasn't produced an album in years."

The insider added, "Dre is on rival label Interscope, and while Def Jam and Interscope are both under the Universal umbrella, people have their noses out of joint. This album will be huge. But first of all, Jay is not using a Def Jam producer, and second of all, he will be competing with his own artists. Not cool. His ego is so big he can't not release an album. He is a president of a label and should not be doing this."

The insider might be right about Jay-Z coming out of retirement, but they're wrong when it comes to how busy Dr. Dre has been. The super-producer is still working on his own new album, Detox, as well as the Game's new one, Doctor's Advocate.

This Day In Black History 2/10/06

Originally Posted on Late Nite Noise


TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY


1927 - Internationally acclaimed opera singer Leontyne Price is born in Jackson, Mississippi. She debuts at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House in "Il Trovatore".

1939 - Singer Roberta Flack, noted for her hit songs "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly With His Song", is born in Asheville, NC.

1989 - Ronald H. Brown is elected Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He becomes the first Black to chair a national political party.

1992 - Pulitzer Prize winner Alex Haley, author of "Roots", the saga of an American family, dies in Seattle, WA.


LNN HISTORICAL BLACK FIGURE



EDMONIA LEWIS

(born July 4, 1845, Greenbush, New York, U.S.; died after 1909) Mary Edmonia Lewis was an American sculptor whose Neoclassical works exploring religious and classical themes won contemporary praise and received renewed interest in the late 20th century.

Lewis was the daughter of a Black man and a woman of African and Ojibwa (Chippewa) descent. By age four she was an orphan. She then lived with her maternal aunts among the Ojibwa, who called her Wildfire. With the help of an older brother, she obtained admission to the preparatory department of Oberlin College in 1859, and from 1860 to 1862 she attended the college proper.

Lewis thrived at Oberlin, excelling particularly at drawing, but she left in 1863 after having been accused both of theft and of poisoning two of her classmates. A mob beat her severely before her trial for accusations of poisoning; she was later acquitted, with the help of lawyer John Mercer Langston. Again with her brother's support, she made her way to Boston, where abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison introduced her to a local sculptor from whom she received a few lessons in modeling.

Lewis's first work seen publicly was a medallion, advertised for sale early in 1864, that featured the head of militant abolitionist John Brown. Later in the year her bust of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (a Boston hero who had been killed leading his Black troops in the attack on Fort Wagner, part of the assault on Charleston, South Carolina) was widely praised. Sales of copies of the bust allowed her to sail in 1865 to Rome, where Charlotte Cushman, Harriet Hosmer, and other members of the American art community took her under their wing. Lewis mastered working in marble and refused to hire Italian stone carvers to transfer her plaster models to marble, in order to quell any question that the work was her own.

Lewis quickly achieved success as a sculptor. Inspired by the Emancipation Proclamation, she carved The Freed Woman and Her Child (1866) and Forever Free (1867). She subsequently turned to Native American themes and created The Marriage of Hiawatha (c. 1868) and The Old Arrow Maker and His Daughter (1872), both based on the narrative poem The Song of Hiawatha (1855) by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, of whom she carved a bust (c. 1869). Her other notable works included busts of Garrison (c. 1866), Abraham Lincoln (1873), John Brown (1864–65), and Hygeia (c. 1876), a grave statue that was commissioned by Harriot K. Hunt.

Lewis also depicted biblical figures, such as Hagar (1875). Her career reached its peak in 1876 when her sculpture The Death of Cleopatra was exhibited at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. In 1883 she received her last major commission, a version of the Adoration of the Magi, from a church in Baltimore, Maryland. This piece, like the bulk of her work, cannot be located and perhaps did not survive. It was variously reported that Lewis had been last seen in Rome in 1909 or 1911, but the circumstances of her death are uncertain.



If you have any questions about the people who are named, or the events and places mentioned, please take the time to open a book or use this vast tool known as the Internet to learn more.

Bay Area Legend E-40 and MySpace.com Team Up to Promote My Ghetto Report Card

(Brooklyn, NY February 10, 2006) Rap icon E-40 and the premier lifestyle and networking portal, MySpace.com are teaming up to promote E-40's 12th CD release, My Ghetto Report Card which will be released on March 14, 2006 on Sick Wid It Records/BME/Warner Bros. Records.

Myspace.com is playing a pivotal role in increasing the awareness of E-40's upcoming album. Not only is E-40 making MySpace history as the first hip hop artist to have his video prominently featured on the Music & Videos pages, but MySpace also has exclusive access to the hip hop legend. MySpace will debut an exclusive video interview, host an exclusive album listening party, and launch a fly-away contest where contestants can enter to win tickets to New York to meet with E-40 and executive producer of the album, Lil' Jon for the album listening party.

Representatives for both Warner Bros. Records and MySpace are equally excited about the relationship. "We're thrilled to get involved with E-40's project. He's a celebrated pioneer in the hip hop community that has taken the unique 'do it yourself' approach to handling his career that MySpace encourages," says MySpace Urban Marketing & Events Coordinator Roslynn Cobarrubias. "Official MySpace DJs across the country are excited to take the hyphy movement national."

Platinum-selling artist E-40's twelfth CD release, My Ghetto Report Card, will be executive produced by BME head Lil' Jon and features other notable producers Kanye West, Rick Rock, and E-40's son, Droop-e of the Pharmasutides, with guest appearances by Lil' Scrappy, Mike Jones, Juelz Santana, Turf Talk, and B-Legit.

MySpace.com is the 2nd ranked web domain. They have over 50 million registered users among which over 800,000 are artist/band profiles.

E-40 Personal Profile
E-40 "Tell Me When To Go" video on the Music page
E-40 "Tell Me When To Go" video on the Video page



And dont forget to Check out HipHopHavoc's very own MySpace.com Page

Kanye West Scores a New "Mission"

Kanye West has been chosen by Paramount Pictures to add his personal touch to the Mission: Impossible theme song for the film Mission: Impossible III.
West will not be the first artist to update the classic theme for the film series; U2 performed the song in 1996 for Mission Impossible as did Limp Bizkit for M:I-2.

"As a fan of Kanye's work, I was thrilled at the prospect of him contributing his talents to M:I III," said Tom Cruise, the film's star, via a statement. "We wanted to take this installment of Mission to the next level and Kanye's music definitely added to accomplishing that goal. As we've done with the film, what he's done with the Mission theme is going to blow people away."

"My goal is to take the Mission franchise and re-interpret it to make a movie that is familiar, but absolutely brand new," added M:I III director J.J. Abrams, also via statement. "Kanye has done just that with his version of the classic Lalo Schifrin theme, and we're thrilled to be working with him."

Mission: Impossible III is scheduled for release on May 5. The film also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames and Laurence Fishburne.

Team Roc looking to progress in the community!

The partnership between New York City Mission Society and Roc-A-Fella began in October 1998 when Damon Dash, Co-founder and CEO, Roc-A-Fella expressed a desire to support a basketball program for Harlem's young people that would provide them with a safe space to learn and grow. Mission Society designed Team Roc to reshape the lives of children who are at-risk of academic underachievement, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and other adverse behavior. This partnership is an example of how the traditional and emerging philanthropists are working together for the positive development of young people in communities of long standing need.

The program conceptualized by Shawn Arnold and Steve Harris, two former participants of Minisink. Shawn Arnold and Damon Dash were also childhood friends who played basketball at Minisink Townhouse. As a Harlem native Damon realizes the importance of giving-back to the community and the responsibility he and others of the hip hop community have to make a difference in the neighborhoods that represent their work. Young people in urban areas need to have a positive outlet that nurtures their growth and creativity. "We need to let them know that there is a world outside of their block where they can succeed in anything" says Dash. That is why he personally, along with the Roc-A-Fella Family, fully support and endorse the program named on their behalf.

HOW IT WORKS

Team Roc is an after school program offered at Minisink Townhouse, New York City Mission Society's community center located in Central Harlem. The typical program session begins by with a nutritious meal that prepares the mind and body for the program's physical and educational activities. The participants will then receive an hour of homework assistance. Team Roc also engages participants in other activities including such as; the Annual Holiday Art Exhibit and Residential and Day Camp.

The basketball program component is organized into age-appropriate divisions which compete in tournaments that require high level of teamwork, while challenging their physical and mental abilities. Team Roc develops a child's sense of responsibility to the team learning how to work work together toward a common goal.


Divisions:
Super 8 (8 and under)
Supper Biddies (10 and under)
Biddies (12 and under)
Midgets (14 and under)
Juniors (16 and under)


Team Roc actively connects the participants with their peers, their families, and their communities. During the year, the program conducts various workshops on topics such as violence prevention, health education, and other issues affecting their lives. Parent conferences are set up for staff to review with parents their child's progress and receive feedback on the program. To gain a deeper sense of community responsibility all participants are required to participate in community service projects such as clothing and food drives.

LADY ROC

Over the years Team Roc's growing popularity in the community and the identification of the gap in recreational services for young girls lead to the establishment of Lady Roc. The 2002 program year marks the first season of the girls' component in the program which follows the Team Roc model while promoting the importance of sisterhood in the field of women's sports. This group of dedicated and determine young women are setting a trend in their community when it relates to girls' sports.

OUTCOMES

Team Roc focuses on the progress exhibited by its participants in class work and school attendance. For example, in a recently completed year, most of participants achieved higher grades and improved their attendance at school, according to their official records. The social development of participants is monitored through a team process. The Team Roc staff work closely with each other, as well as parents and teachers through meetings and conferences to share different insights on the changes in an individual's behavioral patterns. Team Roc staff observe the participant outside of the home and formal classroom environment where they tend to be more "themselves." Meanwhile, basketball coaches evaluate cognitive abilities as exhibited in a collaborative spirit on the court or through athletic abilities. Team Roc has enriched the lives of many young people labeled "at risk" from the Harlem/Bronx community. Scholarships are made available to participants who qualify.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE DONATIONS TO THE TEAM ROC PROGRAM PLEASE VISIT US AT WWW.NYCMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG OR CONTACT INFO@NYCMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG.


FOR ONLINE DONATIONS FOR THE 2006 FIELD DAY FUNCTION, PLEASE SEND PAYPAL DONATIONS (MINIMUM $5.00) TO:

TEAMROC.CHARITY@YAHOO.COM

LARGEST DONOR WILL BE FLOWN TO NYC TO MEET DAMON DASH, HIMSELF AND TO BE APART OF THE TEAM ROC SPRING FIELD DAY FUNCTION IN NEW YORK CITY, MAY 2006

Today is Big Pun Day - February 7th

Originally posted by DarkShadez

Feb 7 like I said is BX Day. Big Pun got a resolution from Albany, recognizing his anniversary of death Feb 7 as Bronx Day. This is as how it was told to me by Liza Rios, Pun's wife and mother of his 3 children. We shall observe one of NY's greatest, one of Hip Hop's greatest mcs ever on Feb 7. Some people will meet at 176st by Westchester Ave, tomorrow afternoon at Pun's Mural courtesy of Tats Cru... 1 love to Cuban Link and his MOB Crew, Liza Rios, Scorpio and his Airmagination clothing line... Peace

Thanx Dj Disco Wiz for the info

also we would like to remind everybody to keep an eye out for:

50 Cent to Drop New Album in July

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Rappers 50 Cent and the Game can't seem to move past their beef, and recently 50 Cent released a diss track titled "Not Rich, Still Lyin'," where he chastises his former protege. MTV.com reports that at the end of the song, 50 Cent announces that he'll be releasing a new album on July 18th because "he can't stay away."

On the diss track, 50 Cent says that the Game's brother, Big Fase Hun, has denied that the Game was ever in a coma after his 2001 shooting. Big Fase Hun also allegedly told 50 Cent that the Game was never a gang-banger.

At the end of the track, 50 Cent pours more salt over the Game's wounds by asking him to send over his new recordings, so that 50 Cent could open the budget for his sophomore album.

The Game is signed to Interscope Records through a joint deal between Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and 50 Cent's G-Unit Records.

Man Shot and Killed on Set of New Busta Rhymes Video

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Gunfire erupted early yesterday morning (Sunday, February 5th) on the set of Busta Rhymes's new video in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, New York. CBS News reports that 14 shots were fired from an AK-47 assault rifle, killing one man and leaving an SUV riddled with bullets. The man, Israel Ramirez, was shot in the chest and pronounced dead a short time later. Ramirez was a bodyguard hired by the Music Production Studio and Kiss The Cactus Productions.

No arrests have been made but police are reviewing surveillance footage. They are also trying to ascertain if the shooting was related to Rhymes or any of his associates.

Rhymes was inside the production studio at the time of the shooting and was not hurt.

Rhymes was making his latest video, "Touch It (Remix)" The rapper has released three remixes to the song featuring several artists. The video will feature guest spots by Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, DMX, Papoose, Rah Digga, Lloyd Banks, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Winky Wright, Gary Sheffield, and others.

Rhymes will release his new album, The Big Bang, in April.

Bootie Brown goes for one-two combo

Bootie Brown goes for one-two combo with Grammy and Brit Award Nominations


(Brooklyn, NY February 6 2006) 16 years after founding one of rap's most
influential groups, Bootie Brown remains a force to be reckoned with. The
Los Angeles rapper, best known for his work with legendary group The
Pharcyde, has received Grammy and Brit Award nominations for his performance
on the Gorillaz song "Dirty Harry"

The two nominations cap a whirlwind year for Brown, who has been
crisscrossing the globe after collaborating with Gorillaz on their
critically acclaimed sophomore release, "Demon Days." After recording in Los
Angeles with producer Danger Mouse, shooting the music video in the middle
of the Namibian Desert, and performing 5 sold-out shows with Gorillaz in
Manchester, Brown says the experience has given him a new outlook on music.
"The record has really shown me how much music can transcend borders and
genres. I've had people from all over the globe, from punks to hardcore
hip-hop heads come up to me and tell me how much they enjoyed my track on
Demon Days. " Brown also feels the project provided new impetus for his
career. "It's definitely made me work harder. I feel reinvigorated and
primed to put this energy into my work with Imani and The Pharcyde."

Brown's nomination for "Best Urban/Alternative Performance" will be decided
at the 48th annual Grammy Awards on February 8th in Los Angeles. He will
then perform live with Gorillaz in London on February 16th at the Brit
Awards, the UK's equivalent of the Grammy's.

Juelz Santana Working on Mixtapes, Def Jam Album

Juelz Santana Working on Mixtapes, Def Jam Album
By: Kenny Rodriguez

Diplomats rapper Juelz Santana is hard at work in the studio, prepping several mixtapes as well as scheduled cameos with artists outside of the Dip Set camp.

Juelz has been working closely with New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne, as the two are set on dropping a collaborative mixtape titled “I Can’t Feel My Face.” “We already got seven joints done,” Santana said recently. In addition he is finishing two solo mixtapes, “Rehab” and “Relapse,” which will be released consecutively. The Harlem rapper is slated to work alongside big-name beatmakers such as Pharrell Williams, Dr. Dre, and Swizz Beats, as well as rappers E-40, Ludacris, LL Cool J, and Trick Daddy on their respective albums.

In a press conference last week, fellow Diplomats member Cam’ron also stated that Santana’s third official album will hit stores by the end of the year on Def Jam Recordings.

In light of Cam’s recent feud with Def Jam president Jay-Z, fans have raised concerns over whether this will affect Juelz Santana, who is currently signed to the Def Jam roster. “We don’t really deal hands-on with Jay,” Santana said at last week’s press conference, “It’s not going to affect me.” "It's not really about my take," he added. "My man did what he had to do, so I'm here to support him by any means necessary. He's like a big brother to me. He's the one that's the founder of my whole career. We stick by each other no matter what it is."

50 Cent to write kids books

Hip-hop superstar 50 Cent will follow up his autobiography with a new project - writing books for children.

The Get Rich Or Die Tryin' star rose from the streets to become a world-famous rapper and film actor, and wants to use his past experiences to teach children lessons about life.

He says, "The stories will have a positive message, something that kids can learn from."


http://uk.news.yahoo.com/30012006/364/50-cent-write-kids-books.html

R. KELLY LEADS WITH THREE SOUL TRAIN MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES

By: Janine Coveney

R. Kelly has earned three nominations for the 20th annual Soul Train Music Awards, set for March 4th at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. Kelly led the pack with a nomination for his album, TP.3 Reloaded, while his "Trapped In The Closet (Chapters 1 -5)" picked up two nominations for Best Male Ramp;B-Soul Single and Best Ramp;B-Soul or Rap Music Video. Kelly will also receive a special honor, the first-ever Stevie Wonder Award for songwriting, to be presented by the Motown legend himself.

Several artists were two-time nominees in the slate announced Thursday in Los Angeles by Soul Train producer Don Cornelius and special guests Tyrese and Vivica A. Fox. Among the double nominees are Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Keyshia Cole, the Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Gwen Stefani, Missy Elliott, Charlie Wilson, and Bobby Valentino.

Jamie Foxx and outgoing group Destiny's Child will receive honors for career achievement from Oscar-winning music impresario Quincy Jones, while the Sammy Davis, Jr., Entertainer of the Year award will be presented to John Legend.

The complete list of nominees for the 2006 Soul Train Music Awards are:

RnB-soul single, female:

Mariah Carey, "We Belong Together"
Keyshia Cole, "I Should Have Cheated"
Alicia Keys, "Unbreakable"
Gwen Stefani, "Hollaback Girl"

RnB-soul single, male:

R. Kelly, "Trapped in the Closet (Chapter 1 of 5)"
John Legend, "Ordinary People"
Bobby Valentino, "Slow Down"
Charlie Wilson, "Charlie, Last Name Wilson"
RnB-soul single, group, band or duo:
Destiny's Child, "Cater 2 U"
Floetry featuring Common, "Supastar"
Nina Sky featuring Pitbull, "Turning'Me On"
The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes, "Don't Cha"

RnB-soul album, female:

The Emancipation of Mimi, Mariah Carey
The Way It Is, Keyshia Cole
The First Lady, Faith Evans
Free Yourself, Fantasia
RnB-soul album, male:
Soulife, Anthony Hamilton
TP.3 Reloaded, R. Kelly
Get Lifted, John Legend
Charlie, Last Name Wilson, Charlie Wilson

RnB-soul album, group, band or duo:

Pleasure amp; Pain, 112
Monkey Business, Black Eyed Peas
Illumination, Earth, Wind amp; Fire
Livin' the Luxury Brown, Mint Condition
RnB-soul or rap new artist:
"Run It," Chris Brown
"Music," Leela James
"Must Be Nice," Lyfe Jennings
"Slow Down," Bobby Valentino

RnB-soul or rap music video:

"Testify," Common
"Lose Control," Missy Elliott featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop
"Trapped in the Closet (Chapter 1 of 5)," R. Kelly
"Gold Digger," Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx

RnB-soul or rap dance cut:

"My Humps," Black Eyed Peas
"Lose Control," Missy Elliott featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop
"Hollaback Girl," Gwen Stefani
"Gold Digger," Kanye West

Gospel album:

One Church, Kurt Carr Project
Hero, Kirk Franklin
Psalms, Hymns amp; Spiritual Songs, Donnie McClurkin
Purified, CeCe Winans

Gunfire Erupts At Busta Rhymes Video Shoot, One Man Dead

Gunfire erupted on the set of a Busta Rhymes video shoot early this morning in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, NY, leaving one mad dead on the sidewalk.
One man, a bodyguard who worked for the studio, is dead. The shootout took place shortly after midnight this morning outside of the Kiss The Cactus Production studio in Brooklyn where over 200 people were on the scene for the Busta video shoot. Fourteen shots were fired from what is believed to have been an AK-47 assault rifle killing one and leaving a nearby Dodge Durango SUV riddled with five bullets.

The police found the 30-year-old hispanic bodyguard dead on the sidewalk in front of the production studio with one gunshot to the chest. It is unclear whether the shooting had any direct relations to Busta. Police are examining the video from nearby cameras to find more information.

This is not the first shooting close call for Busta Rhymes. On February 21, 2003, Busta's SUV was riddled with bullets as it sat parked outside the Violator Records/Management offices in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. Busta and a company executive went into the Violator offices at about 10pm that night and came out eighteen minutes later to find the vehicle shot up on the passenger side. Thankfully, no one was in the car.

Mobb Deep Not Relying On 50 Cent For "Blood Money"

Mobb Deep's Blood Money Unveiled To Online Press In New York City

50 Cent was directly involved in signing Mobb Deep to G-Unit Records, but he didn't feel the need to overemphasize his presence on their album, Blood Money. The results -- vintage Infamous Mobb Deep.

"I told them do what y'all do and half of the album was done when I was doing the movie," 50 told a rather private group of online hip-hop press that gathered for an exclusive Blood Money listening session at G-Unit offices in New York City on Wednesday night (February 1). "That's why I'm hot now. I let them do their thing."

In effect, Mobb Deep delivered. On their heavily anticipated first album release on G-Unit Records, Havoc moves himself into hip-hop's elite group of producers, while Prodigy restores his aptitude of being one of the top street narrators of our time.

Perhaps the most stirring record on the album is a cut, entitled "Pearly Gates," which features 50 Cent. Prodigy writes and speaks from the view of an atheist over Exile's grim, throwback-styled production.

"What stood out to me about this record is that P is writing from the perspective of an atheist," 50 said. "It makes sense considering how many people don't believe in God."

The clever writing continues on, "In Love With The Moula," in which the M-O-B-B creatively express their affection for money.

"We're using money as a metaphor in this song," Prodigy explained to the press. "We're using money as a female in this record."

Tracks like "Stole Something," "Click Click," and "Creep," which Prodigy calls a Mobb personal favorite, solidify Havoc's skills as an upper echelon beatmaker, while P schools younger MCs with sharp, clever hard hitting lines.

"Flex, easy on the bomb, let the n----s hear the flow," Prodigy forewarns on the classic Mobb sounds of "Creep."

Prodigy does more convincing that he's still among the best today, with his complex acronym breakdowns on the enlightening synthetic sounds of "Capital P."

In addition to 50, Blood Money features fellow G-Unit MCs like Young Buck, Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks. The Queensbridge veterans also get an assist on the boards from long-time collaborator Alchemist on "The Infamous," while taking the legendary Dr. Dre through uncharted territory on "Nightmares."

"['Nightmares'] don't sound like a Dre record," said Prodigy about Dre's experimental, enthralling production.

If the aforementioned cuts don't make listeners believers, The Infamous have a special track up their sleeve.

"We have a Mary [J. Blige] record on the album too," Prodigy shared with the press. "We have no title for the song yet. We're finishing it up."

Mobb Deep's Blood Money hits stores March 21. "Put Em In Their Place" serves as the album's first single.

New Free Mixtape Download!

HipHophavoc.com & Late Nite Noise Presents - The Animal - 50 Cent

The 2 fastest growing Hip Hop sites on the 'Net - Hiphophavoc.com and Lnn4life.com - have collaborated to bring you 'The Animal' - 50 Cent


TRACK LIST
01. The Animal Intro
02. I'm an Animal
03. Hustlers Ambition
04. Till I Collapse Freestyle
05. In My Hood
06. In da Club
07. Round Here
08. Bad News ft. Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo
09. Wanksta
10. Too Hot ft. Nas and Nature
11. Life's on the Line
12. Ya Heard Me
13. 50 Bars
14. Ski Mask Way
15. How to Rob ft. Madd Rapper
16. Poppin' them Things
17. The Good Die Young
18. Thug Love ft. Destiny's Child
19. U Not Like Me
20. Ghetto Quaran
21. Hustlers Ambition Remix (Produced by Breez)


Click Here to Download


For promotional use only - not for resale. This mixtape is only to be used as an audio sampler to encourage interest in the artist(s) projects featured on this mixtape.

The Symphony 2006

by: R.Motions


Whats up peoples...we're back with another hiphophavoc.com discussion. ok so i was sitting here rocking songs from TimeLessHipHop.com and I'm like...ok If i had to re-create a "Symphony 2006" who would be the 7 MCees i would put together to do it.....

Here is mine....what 7 Mcees would you put together to create a Symphony 2006?


Symphony 2006 (In no Particular Order)
1. Jadakiss
2. 50 Cent
3. BIG
4. Joe Budden
5. Jay Z
6. Nas
7. Pac

and i know...yall like Joe Budden? lol...that kid is nice...yall cant sleep..

YOUNG JEEZY, JUVENILE, LUDACRIS & OTHERS CONFIRMED FOR RAP BOWL

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Disturbing Tha Peace, Juvenile, Twista, and Juelz Santana are all confirmed for this weekend's Rap Bowl, which will take place at the Palace Of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. on Friday (February 3rd) at 7 p.m. ET. The event is being sponsored by ValCom, Inc. Vince Vellardita, who's the chairman and CEO of ValCom, said, "With the Super Bowl in my home town, I am excited to be able to give Detroit such a great party. Next to the Super Bowl, this is the next biggest event."

Young Jeezy will be pulling double duty on Friday. He's scheduled to host Sean "Diddy" Combs's "A Black Affair." The event will also feature a performance by UGK's Bun B.

THE GAME'S MANAGER FOUND GUILTY OF ASSAULT

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

The Game's manager, James "Jimmy Henchmen" Rosemond, was recently found guilty of assaulting a Washington, D.C., disc jockey during a January 2005 appearance at a radio station with The Game. Allhiphop.com reports that Rosemond will be facing up to 10 years behind bars when he is sentenced on April 3rd.

Rosemond and a group of men allegedly attacked Xzulu "The Big Lipped Bandit" of WKYS-FM in Lanham, Maryland, after the on-air personality made a comment about Rosemond's headset.

Xzulu told allhiphop.com, "I was hospitalized with multiple injuries. The person that did it was very recognizable, along with his people. It definitely happened, and it happened over some nonsense. Nonsense. I'm 35, not 25, and we're all brothers in this game. But we learn some things as we go along. I think it's a shame that we are acting so primitive, on both sides."

He added, "Here you have a brother that is so talented. I think he has one of the dopest albums to come out in a long time, and I think people make bad decisions. I think that night he made a bad decision."

The Game was also hit with assault charges last February but the charges were later dropped.

The Game is also facing a lawsuit from a man who was allegedly hurt during the attack. Kwasi Jones filed a $280 million dollar civil-assault case against the Game, G-Unit, Shady Records, and Aftermath Entertainment.

Rosemond also manages Brandy, Sheek Louch, Guerrilla Black, and others.

Beyonce Says Current Hit Was a Fluke...

By: Janine Coveney

Beyonce is starring alongside Steve Martin and Kevin Kline in the big screen comedy The Pink Panther. Meanwhile, the tune she contributed to the film, "Check On It," featuring Slim Thug and co-produced by Swizz Beatz, has already risen to the Number One spot on Billboard's Top 100 songs chart. The tune is included on the Destiny's Child album, #1s.

The Destiny's Child diva says that initially the track was a throwaway from a previous project, but she remembered its comic spirit when it came time to supply music to the Pink Panther film. She never imagined it would be a hit tune, as Beyonce told us: "'Check On It'started out as a joke because I got a really bad track and I couldn't write anything to it, so we started playing around and started saying 'check on it!'And I remembered it, and when they said they wanted something for the movie I thought, well, even though it's silly it's fun. And this movie is a comedy and it's all about fun. So I finished writing it, put the Pink Panther theme music in the beginning and shot the video. And it became a Number One song."

Beyonce has already begun shooting her role as Deana in the all-star film version of Dream Girls. She says she has also begun writing songs for her next solo project.

Meanwhile, Destiny's Child has announced its retirement, the glam trio will make another farewell appearance February 19th at the NBA All Star Game in Houston. Beyonce will join Kelly Rowland and Michele Williams to perform the national anthem at the 55th annual basketball blowout.

Sticky Fingaz Records PSA in Honor of Jam Master Jay

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

In honor of what would have been Jam Master Jay's 41st birthday on January 21st, rapper and actor Sticky Fingaz hooked up with Canadian radio personality Raoul "Deejay Ra" Juneja to record a public service announcement in honor of the slain deejay. SOHH.com reports that in the P.S.A., Fingaz praises other deejays for keeping Jam Master Jay's legacy alive. The P.S.A. is also part of Deejay Ra's "Hip-Hop Literacy" campaign, which encourages youths to learn more about Jam Master Jay through his biography, The Heart Of Hip-Hop.

Sticky Fingaz and his Onyx groupmates were discovered in the mid-'90s by Jam Master Jay, who signed the group to his JMJ imprint and released their multi-platinum debut.

Sticky Fingaz has landed the title role for Spike TV's Blade, which premieres in June.

Jam Master Jay was murdered in October of 2002. His murder is still unsolved.