Jadakiss & Supa Nova Slom Team Up For Gangsta Salute

New York, NY (PRWEB) January 30, 2007 -- Ra-Ra NTRtainment / BPG (Black Power Gangstas) artist Supa Nova Slom and D-Block's own Jadakiss have teamed up on Gangsta's Salute, a mixtape banger educating on the true, activist origins of gang culture in efforts to unify the streets.

Gangsta Salute brings the Chuck-D out of Jada
Gangsta Salute, produced by Brooklyn-based producer Ntrfied, brings together for the first time Jada and Supa Nova Slom, an emcee and organizer known and respected by Crip, Blood and other street organizations for his national work around unifying young members of both gangs and educating them on the community-empowerment based origins of the organizations while providing a creative outlet.

"Gangsta Salute is a timely song because there are a lot of YG's (young gangsta's), especially in NYC banging in the name of various sets without knowing the history and original intent of these gang organizations," says Supa Nova Slom. "I was personally taught by respected OG's from both organizations that the original intent and purpose of organizations such as the Bloods and Crips was economic empowerment, political empowerment and community protection…not bangin' on each other. Me and Jada are from these streets which are now gang infested areas in NY. So, who better than the two of us to help school and unify YG's on the home front and beyond?"

The single has been well received by the streets and by the mixtape community through DJs such as DJ Armz, Kool Kid and Kay Slay among others. Gangsta Salute was officially released to DJ's nationwide this week through the Digiwaxx Media service and is enjoying positive responses.

"Gangsta Salute brings the Chuck-D out of Jada," joked Jadakiss. "It's a hot track with hot lyrics and no preaching. What more can you ask for? BPG's Supa-Nova Slom is the realest homie and I got his back."

In addition to preparing his forthcoming debut album entitled "Unify the Hood/Heal the Hood" and street organizing work, Supa Nova's monthly Unify the Hood/Heal the Hood Hip Hop showcases in Brooklyn, NY provides a neutral, well-attended open-mic performance outlet to emcees that may be involved in gang activity or other at-risk activities. The all day event also provides various workshops on economic empowerment among other topics lead by music execs, signed artists, community activists, business professional, reformed OG's and others. Most recently Supa Nova unified a large group of concerned Bloods and Crips in New York City to participate in organized protests around the murder of Sean Bell, a young, African-American man murdered by NYPD officers the night before his wedding.

Supa Nova Slom's debut album Unify the Hood/Heal the Hood is slated for a second quarter release.

Jay-Z help relaunch cherry coke

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Jay-Z used his marketing skills to become a hip hop mogul. Now corporate America is hoping the rapper can help bring some magic to their brands. Jay-Z already has agreements with GMC, Hewlett Packard, and Budweiser to help market their products, and now he's entered into an agreement to help re-launch Cherry Coke.

Brand Week reports that Jay-Z will help design the can and the television commercials, in addition to appearing at the re-launch of the Cherry Coke brand on February 7th during New York's Fashion Week.

The new can will feature a cityscape design and a Jay-Z song will be used as the music for the new commercial.

Rocawear CMO Jameel Spencer told Brand Week, "It's his new opportunity to expand his standing in the business world. Besides just recording, he's making TV commercials and campaigns for brands . . .who is better than Coke? They're the biggest...His role is helping brands not get it wrong the way McDonald's did with African Americans rapping about French fries... There's a reassurance that they won't appear like an out-of-touch uncle trying to act cool."

Jim Jones shooting new movie

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

The Diplomats'Jim Jones is a busy man these days. He's currently in Los Angeles shooting a movie with Elise Neal, titled Thug Passion. He told MTV.com, "It's a little different role I'm playing. I'm playing a lover-boy type. It's a little hot and steamy. I'm having sex all over the place. It'll be a different look for the ladies. No guns involved, just my charm. Elise Neal is in the movie. She's the co-star with me. ...It's my first experience. I'm learning it. It's not the regular type of role they give young black men such as myself. They give us the gangster role, the drug-dealer role. That's why I took it: because it's a stretch."

On the musical front, Jones plans to post $2 million bail for the release of his protege, Max B, who has been behind bars on murder charges for several weeks. As soon as Max is released, the duo will hit the studio to record a new mixtape, Out on Bail With a Story to Tell.

Jones is also planning on launching a tour in March. He said, "We got a tour coming up we put together -- me, Juelz Santana, Baby, Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy. It starts at the beginning of March. We got 30 dates. I'll probably shoot the video (for 'Weatherman') in the midst of the tour since we'll all be together. We gonna knock the socks off the country. We're all street n---as, all hustlas. Everybody came from the bottom. Everybody sacrificed a little bit, and we came together. A compilation album is coming with the tour. A DVD is coming with it. We are poppin'-- the people you listen to the most on your radio. We're gonna prove everybody wrong, show them hip-hop ain't dead."

Young Jeezy's reps would not confirm that he plans to participate in the tour.

Young Buck arrested for missing court date

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Young Buck, whose real name is David Darnell Brown, was arrested on Friday, January 26th, in Nashville, Tennessee, on an outstanding warrant for failing to show up for a court date. The Associated Press reports that Buck was stopped after police noticed his black Cadillac Escalade weaving in and out of traffic near downtown Nashville.

After running his license, officers discovered that he was cited last July for driving with a suspended license and a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to show up for a court date in relation to the case. The rapper's current driver's license was valid.

Buck was booked and then released on $1,000 bond. He's due back in court on February 27th.

In related news, Buck will release his new album, Buck The World, in March.

Snoop Dogg Says it was hard to get Dr. Dre on New Album

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Snoop Dogg's latest album, Blue Carpet Treatment, features a smash collaboration between the rapper, his mentor Dr. Dre, and crooner D'Angelo. According to Snoop Dogg, the song almost didn't make the album because of Dr. Dre. Snoop Dogg told MTV.com, "I had to basically fight him, get in a sword fight with him, a 12 o'clock shootout. Then when I got the song from him, he called me the last couple of days before the record was coming out and said, 'I don't like the record and I don't want it to come out.'Come on, cuz."

Dr. Dre's reluctance may be partially due to the fact that he's almost done with his new album, DeTox, and likes to focus on one project at a time. Snoop Dogg explained, "I understand what he's saying. He's getting ready for his record. 'I'm not trying to let nothing out until it's my turn.'He's not like a regular artist who can be on five or six records at one time. If he's on a project, he's on a project. I had to go in there and move things around, because he was actually mixing Jay-Z's record. ... But we got it together. It's some of my greatest work. And I'm so honored to have him on my project."

"Imagine" may be the next single and video from the Blue Carpet Treatment.

Timbaland Presents: SHOCK VALUE

GROUNDBREAKING ARTIST/PRODUCER TIMBALAND GATHERS AN ELECTRIFYING LINEUP OF TALENT FOR FORTHCOMING SHOCK VALUE ALBUM

Featured Artists Include Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Nelly Furtado And More

New York, NY – Timbaland is already acknowledged as one of music’s most inventive and distinctive creators. Yet the artist/producer’s forthcoming album, just his second solo album, promises to shock the world. Timbaland Presents Shock Value (Mosley Music Group/Blackground/Interscope) is set for release March 27, 2007. The first single, “Give It To Me,” featuring Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, launches February 1.

“My mission is to blow up the boundaries and tear down the limits,” says Timbaland. “I’m taking my music outside of the box. I’m not getting away from what I’m known for; I’m just going to a place where it’s all about the music, not about the labels on the music. That’s why I call it Shock Value--from the artists to the production, it will shock the system.”

Timbaland is coming off producing the majority of the tracks, including the #1 “SexyBack,” on Timberlake’s #1 charting, multiplatinum FutureSex/LoveSounds album, which followed their work together on his previous smash Justified. He is also a special guest on Timberlake’s current 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow World Tour. Timbaland’s performance marks not only his first tour in many years and, his first world tour, but also the debut of some beats and original music from Shock Value.

Shock Value is sequenced like a movie, Timbaland reveals, with a non-stop flow that tells a story. With off-the-wall beats, raps, hooks, and his signature sound, the album fuses genres from rap and hip-hop to pop, punk pop and garage rock to South Asian influences. The album’s guest artists range from Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg to Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado; from The Hives, She Wants Revenge and Fall Out Boy to Elton John (on piano) and newer artists such as Sri Lankan hip-hopper M.I.A. and Keri Hilson (the latter signed, as is Furtado, to Timbaland’s Mosley Music Group, a joint venture with Interscope).

Timbaland’s enormous, critically acclaimed success as a producer has resulted in hits by Missy Elliott (“The Rain”), Aaliyah (“If Your Girl Only Knew”), Ginuwine (“Pony”), Jay-Z (“Big Pimpin’”), Nas (“You Won’t See Me Tonight”), Snoop Dogg (“Snoop Dogg [What’s My Name, Pt. 2]”), Ludacris (“Rollout [My Business]”), Furtado (“Promiscuous”) and many others. As a headliner, he teamed with Magoo for 1997’s groundbreaking Welcome To Our World, followed the next year by his solo debut, Tim’s Bio. Indecent Proposal (2001) and Under Construction, Pt. II (2002) were once again billed with Magoo.

The 38-date North American leg of the FutureSex/LoveShow World Tour, with opening act Pink, kicked off in San Diego, CA on January 8th and runs through March.

Forthcoming shows are as follows:

Date City Venue
Jan-27 St. Paul, MN Xcel Center
Jan-30 Toronto, ONT Air Canada
Jan-31 Montreal, QUE Bell Center
Feb-2 Washington, DC Verizon Center
Feb-3 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans
Feb-6 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
Feb-7 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Feb-18 Buffalo, NY HSBC
Feb-19 Columbus, OH Schottenstein/Nationwide
Feb-22 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times
Feb-24 Miami, FL American Airlines
Feb-25 Fort Lauderdale, FL BankAtlantic Center
Feb-27 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
Mar-1 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
Mar-3 Bossier City, LA CenturyTel Center
Mar-4 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Mar-5 Dallas, TX American Airlines
Mar-8 Omaha, NE Qwest
Mar-1 Detroit, MI The Palace
Mar-12 Chicago, IL Allstate/United
Mar-13 Chicago, IL Allstate/United
Mar-15 Cincinnati, OH US Bank
Mar-16 Nashville, TN Gaylord Entertainment
Mar-18 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena
Mar-19 Pittsburgh, PA Mellon Arena
Mar-21 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
Mar-24 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
Mar-26 Manchester, NH Verizon Center
Mar-27 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
Mar-29 East Rutherford, NJ Continental Airlines

*All dates are subject to change.

Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury Tour Dates

HELL HATH NO FURY TOUR

Subject to Change

2/25 BALTIMORE, DC @ SONAR

2/26 NEW YORK, NY @ BB KINGS

2/27 CAMBRIDGE, MA @ MIDDLE EAST

2/28 PHILADELPHIA, PA @ TROCADERO

3/1 OHIO (TBA)

3/2 CHICAGO, IL @ PARK WEST

3/3 MINNEAPOLIS, MN @ MYTH

3/5 BOLDER, CO @ GOTHIC

3/6 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO @ FOX

3/7 JACKSON HOLE @ MANGY MOOSE

3/8 SALT LAKE CITY, UT @ SUDES

3/10 TACOMA, WA @ TACOMA CENTER

3/11 VANCOUVER, BC @ NIGHTLIGHT LOUNGE

3/12 PORTLAND, OR @ BERBAITIS PAN

3/14 SAN JOSE, CA @ VINGOS

3/15 SAN FRANSCISCO, CA @ MEZZANIE

3/16 LOS ANEGLES, CA @ KEY CLUB

3/17 SAN DIEGO @ BELLY UP

3/18 PHOENIX, AZ @ CLUB HOUSE

3/19 ALBERQUERQUE, NM @ SUNSHINE THEATER

3/21 AUSTIN, TX @ EMO

3/23 MIAMI, FL @ I/0

3/24 ORLANDO, FL @ SOCIAL

3/25 ATLANTA, GA @ THE LOFT

3/26 ASHVILLE, NC @ ORANGE PEEL

3/27 CARBORO, NC @ CATS CRADLE

3/28 RICHMOND, VA (TBA)

3/29 BALTIMORE, MD (TBA)

Diddy + Snoop European Tour

DIDDY AND SNOOP DOGG SET EUROPEAN INVASION;
HIP-HOP ICONS JOIN UP FOR HISTORIC CO-HEADLINING TOUR;
NINE-COUNTRY TREK KICKS OFF IN MARCH 2007

Two icons of the hip-hop world, Diddy and Snoop Dogg, have unveiled
plans
for a major co-headlining European concert tour. The historic 18-city
trek will see the superstars sharing stages in nine countries across the
continent.
The Snoop/Diddy tour will kick off on March 12th at Oslo, Norway's
Spektrum, then travel across Europe through an April 2nd date at the
UK's
Nottingham Arena (see attached below). Along the way, the itinerary
will
make stops in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Holland,
and
Ireland. Among the momentous tour's many highlights will be a pair of
two-night stands in Paris (on March 21st and 22nd) and Dublin (on March
31st and April 1st).
The shows will see Diddy performing tracks spanning his extraordinary
career, including material from his blockbuster new Bad Boy album,
"PRESS
PLAY." The hip-hop impresario's first solo collection in five years,
the
album recently made a stunning debut atop the Billboard 200, marking
Diddy's return to the #1 spot after nine years.
"PRESS PLAY" has already spawned two huge hit singles - "Come To Me,"
featuring Nicole Scherzinger from The Pussycat Dolls, and "Tell Me,"
featuring Christina Aguilera. Diddy's new single, "Last Night"
featuring
Keyshia Cole, has just arrived at multi-format radio outlets across the
country.
"THA BLUE CARPET TREATMENT" is Snoop Dogg's eighth solo album to date
and
has been well received by music critics as his best musical body of work
since his classic album debut in 1993. The Doggystyle/Geffen release
sees
the rapper, producer, actor, entrepreneur, coach, husband, and father
reconnecting with the man that put him in the game, production wizard
Dr.
Dre, with three songs from the dynamic duo. Producers who collaborated
on
"THA BLUE CARPET TREATMENT" include hitmakers Timbaland, Rick Rock and
The
Neptunes, among others; along with guest appearances by artists such as
D'Angelo, Stevie Wonder, Ice Cube, The Game, Nate Dogg, and Damian "Jr.
Gong" Marley. The album features two of the fastest growing records on
the singles chart, "That's That" featuring R&B crooner R. Kelly, and "I
Wanna Love You" with Akon.
Fans can expect to be treated to both classic hits, including the smash
singles "Gin & Juice" and "Drop it Like It's Hot," as well as new
material
from the legendary rapper. Snoop once again will be touring with his
dynamic band The Snoopadelics.

DIDDY * SNOOP DOGG
European Tour 2007
MARCH
12 Oslo, Norway Spektrum
13 Copenhagen, Denmark The Forum
14 Berlin, Germany Max Schmelling Halle
15 Stuttgart, Germany Schleyerhalle
16 Hamburg, Germany Sporthalle
17 Frankfurt, Germany Festhalle
18 Munich, Germany Olympiahalle
19 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadion
21 Paris, France Bercy
23 Dusseldorf, Germany Philipshalle
24 Brussels, Belgium Forest National
25 Amsterdam, Holland Heineken Music Hall
27 London, UK Wembley Arena
28 Cardiff, UK Cardiff International Arena
29 Manchester, UK MEN Arena
30 Glasgow, UK SECC (Hall 4)
31 Dublin, Ireland The Point

APRIL
1 Dublin, Ireland The Point
2 Nottingham, UK Nottingham Arena

Mystikal Released From Prison

New Orleans rapper Mystikal was released from a Louisiana Federal Prison in Louisiana last week, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

The rapper was sentenced to six-years in prison after pleading guilty to extortion and sexual battery charges, stemming from an incident in which he forced a woman to perform oral sex on camera, after he caught her writing $80,000 in bogus checks.

A representative with the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that the rapper, born Michael L. Tyler, was released from prison on Jan. 11, almost one-year after being denied parole.

On Jan. 19, 2006, the 36-year-old rapper went before the prison systems parole board, which denied his release.

Just seven days earlier, on Jan. 12, a judge had sentenced Mystikal to an additional year on two misdemeanor counts of failing to report almost $2 million in earnings from 1998-1999.

Mystikal was allowed to serve the misdemeanor tax sentence concurrently.

The rapper hit big with 2000's platinum selling album Let's Get Ready, which spawned the No. 1 singles "Danger" and "Shake Ya Ass."

The representative told us that the Desert Storm war veteran was labeled a "full term release, " but will be placed under court-ordered supervision in Middle Louisiana, or the district he resides in.

Consequence isn't worried about the numbers...

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Rapper Consequence has been signed to Elektra Records, Relativity Records, and Rawkus Records since making his debut on A Tribe Called Quest's 1996 album, Beats, Rhymes & Life. The rapper even took a day job in-between deals to make ends meet. Now he's finally set to release his debut solo album, Don't Quit Your Day Job, on March 6th. The album features guest appearances by Kanye West and John Legend.

Consequence recently explained that he isn't worried about the numbers. He said: "I just want people to feel it and people to love it, and embrace it. You know whatever the number, wherever we wind up number-wise that's just you know....we'll talk about that at the renegotiation for the second album (laughs)."

Three 6 Mafia to release new album in May

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Academy Award winners Three 6 Mafia are hard at work on a new album, titled Last 2 Walk, which will be released on May 1st. The album features guest appearances by Lupe Fiasco, Paris Hilton, and Justin Timberlake. The first single from the project is "Doe Boy Fresh" featuring Chamillionaire.

In related news, Three 6 Mafia is working on a film project and new reality show. The film project is the third installation in their Choices series, Choices III: The Return of Big Pat, which will be released by Warner Bros.

The television project is an MTV reality show which will be executive produced by Ashton Kutcher. The show is titled, Adventures In Hollywood, and will kick-off with the group and their friends leaving Memphis for Hollywood and greater fame.

It's expected to premiere later this year.

Mims to release debut album in April

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

New York-based rapper MIMS will release his debut album, Music Is My Savior, on April 3rd. The lead single from the project, "This Is Why I'm Hot," is a bona fide hit. In a released statement, the rapper explained why the song has a universal appeal, saying, "If you listen to the record, I've got a bit of everything in there. I'm showing love to all the different regions."

The rapper also shared what fans can expect from his debut project. He said, "As an artist I want people to expect the unexpected. Don't think for one minute that I am going to come this way all the time. You'll hear one record and go wild -- 'Wow. He did that?'I want people to listen to the album and expect the unexpected because this is only the beginning. It is going to get better than this."

MIMS'debut will include a reggae remix of "This Is Why I'm Hot" featuring Baby Cham and Junior Reid.

Diddy is singing on his new single

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is known for rapping on his albums and producing banging beats but on the mogul's new single, "Last Night" featuring Keyshia Cole, he's singing. The duo recently shot a video for the song in Los Angeles and it will be hitting urban video outlets in the coming weeks.

Diddy explained that it's important for him to evolve musically. He said: "Just, just, just evolving, you know evolving and wanting to put things down differently musically. Not follow what was out there so I was trying to make no southern hip hop because that was trendy."

Diddy added: "You know I wasn't trying to follow in the footsteps of anybody. I was just trying to just take all the musical inspirations that I've seen and heard over the years and just do the best I can as a producer."

Diddy's latest album, Press Play, has sold over 500,000 copies since it was released in October.

Snoop Dogg pleads not guilty to Baton Charge

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Rapper and actor Snoop Dogg entered a plea of not guilty to a felony charge of possessing a deadly weapon on Wednesday, January 24th. E Online! reports that the charges stem from an incident when the rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, attempted to board a plane at Orange County's John Wayne airport while carrying a collapsible police baton.

After officers spotted the baton in his carry-on luggage, Snoop Dogg said that he was unaware that the baton was illegal and that he was using it as a prop in a new video.

The rapper wasn't arrested during the September 27th incident but several weeks later authorities decided to press charges and on November 6th, Snoop Dogg turned himself in. The rapper was later released on $150,000 bail and he faces up to three years in jail if found guilty.

Snoop Dogg, who wasn't present in court on Wednesday, January 24th, is due back in court on April 5th for a pretrial hearing.

Man implicated in death of Notorious B.I.G. by XXL Mag loses lawsuit

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Tyruss Himes, an aspiring rapper and friend of the late Tupac Shakur, has lost a lawsuit against Fox's KTTV-TV, which implicated him in the March 1997 murder of the Notorious B.I.G. and XXL magazine, which suggested that he put together the murder team. The Associated Press reports that the defamation lawsuit was thrown out by a Los Angeles judge on the grounds that Fox affiliate KTTV-TV and XXL stories were constitutionally protected free speech.

Himes, who allegedly lost a record deal because of the reports, lost the case because he failed to prove that the media outlets acted with malice and reckless disregard for the truth, which is the standard of proof in defamation cases.

Although Himes may still file an appeal, his lawyer, Arthur G. Lesmez, said, "We are appreciative of the time and effort the court put into reviewing the case. We're understandably disappointed in the decision and we're evaluating all of our options."

The Wu-Tang Clan to release '8 Diagrams' This Summer

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

The Wu-Tang Clan is back. The influential east coast group is working on their first album in six years, 8 Diagrams, which they plan to release this summer on SRC/Universal Records. Group co-founder RZA said in a released statement, "This is the perfect time for us to come back, the stars are aligned....It's like when we first started with Steve (Rifkind). We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into pop or R&B. We brought the focus back to the music in its rawest form, without studio polish or radio hooks."

RZA added, "People want something that gives them an adrenaline rush. We're here to supply that fix. How could hip-hop be dead if Wu-Tang is forever? We're here to revive the spirit and the economics and bring in a wave of energy that has lately dissipated."

SRC Records is owned by Steve Rifkind, who signed the Wu-Tang Clan to his Loud Record label in the early '90s.

Rifkind added, "The energy is just like it was, and it's needed in our industry same as back then. Over the last few years, the group has developed a whole new fan base of 20-year-olds and even younger who've never even seen them play."

The Wu-Tang Clan consists of RZA, GZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol'Dirty Bastard.

The new album will feature previously recorded material from the Ol' Dirty Bastard plus a tribute song, "Life Changes," dedicated to the late rapper.

Entertainment Icon Snoop Dogg Brings Snoop Bowl III to Miami on February 3rd

/PRNewswire/ -- Music icon, Snoop Dogg, announced today that Snoop Bowl III, presented by Amp'd Mobile, will be taking place on February 3rd, 2007 at the Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami, FL. The event is being produced by Jacksonville-based Axcess Sports & Entertainment.

Snoop Bowl III will feature the Snoop Dogg All-Stars, a youth football team from California coached by Snoop Dogg, against an all-star team from South Florida coached by Oakland Raider Zach Crockett, his brother, former Minnesota Viking, Henri Crockett and Green Bay Packer Al Harris. The game will be held the day before Super Bowl XLI, and is expected to draw in excess of 15,000 fans. The teams will be competing for the Snoop Bowl Trophy, which is being created by the world-renowned jeweler and silversmith Tiffany & Co., who also craft the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy for the NFL.

Snoop Bowl II, held last year in Detroit, MI prior to Super Bowl XL was a huge success, drawing nearly 20,000 fans and raising over $50,000 for charities. In that game, the Snoop Dogg All-Stars came away with a 31-6 victory over the Detroit PAL All-Stars, in an event that was tabbed one of the "Top 5 Things To Do in Detroit" during Super Bowl week. In 2005, the Snoop Dogg All-Stars captured the inaugural Snoop Bowl in Jacksonville, FL in front of over 12,000 fans.

"This game is not only about working with the kids through football, and helping them learn all of the positive values that come with it, but it's a way for the kids to see a different part of the country and to meet their peers from other places who are just like them," commented Snoop Dogg. "This game is all about the kids and making sure they know that we care and want to see them succeed both on the field and off."

The Snoop Dogg All-Stars are made up of kids who participate in the Snoop Youth Football League, a football league comprised of 2,000 kids in the Los Angeles area funded by Snoop Dogg and corporate sponsors like Amp'd Mobile. Snoop Dogg founded the league in 2005 in order to provide at-risk youth an affordable way to play football. Kids who participate must maintain strict academic requirements to remain eligible and Coach Snoop even provides insurance to each participant free of cost.

"If these city kids didn't have the SYFL, most of them wouldn't be able to play football," says Johnny Borda, Senior Director of Production at Amp'd Mobile. "Most of the leagues for kids this age are expensive and located in the suburbs, so city kids with working parents don't have a chance to play. The SYFL gives these kids a chance and that is all a kid needs. Amp'd Mobile is proud to support such a worthwhile cause."

Proceeds from Snoop Bowl III will benefit the Snoop Youth Football League, a 501c3 non-profit foundation aimed at building character in under-served youth through athletics, academic and leadership programs.

Tickets are on sale at the Orange Bowl stadium, as well as by calling 877-877-7677 or logging on to www.ticketfusion.com and are $10 each.

Source: Geffen Records

Lil Wayne hit with lawsuit after missing show

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Cash Money rapper Lil Wayne may have to pay up after missing a show in Tampa, Florida. The Associated Press reports that on January 19th, Nunoise Entertainment and Jahfari Promotions filed a lawsuit in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court asking for the rapper to make up the performance or cover over $45,000 in costs associated with the missed show.

Lil Wayne has already returned the $15,000 deposit that he was given for the October show but declined to make up the missed show.

According to the promoters, they lost over $200,000 due to the cancellation.

In related news, Lil Wayne, who is the self-proclaimed best rapper alive, is working on a new album, Tha Carter III.

Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Mos Def & Others perform for Sundance Crowd

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

The rappers are in full effect at this year's Sundance Film Festival, which is being held in Park City, Utah from Thursday, January 18th through Sunday, January 28th. On Saturday night, January 20th, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Pharrell Williams, and Mos Def performed at the Tao nightclub. During Diddy and Williams'set, former Roc-A-Fella Records CEO Damon Dash made a brief appearance on stage, to the delight of the crowd.

On Monday night, January 22nd, Akon was scheduled to perform at Tao at a party hosted by Nelly and the St. Lunatics. Nas was also rumored to be performing later in the week.

Nick Cannon, who was at the film festival in his capacity as an actor to promote his new movie, Weapons, told MTV.com that he was just enjoying his first trip to Park City. He said, "Man, I love it. It's an experience, and I understand all the prestige that goes along with it. I'm just embracing it and enjoying it."

Kanye West Working On New Album, "Graduation"

CHICAGO, IL (01.22.07) -- Kanye West is hard at work on his next album, "Graduation," tentatively due in late 2007 via Def Jam.

The artist tells Billboard the likely first single from the album will be "Homecoming" featuring Coldplay's Chris Martin, who recently guested on a track from Jay-Z's comeback album, "Kingdom Come."

One collaborator from West's 2005 album "Late Registration" who will be returning for "Graduation" is multi-instrumentalist Jon Brion. "We'll be working together again on the new project," West promises.

"Jon wasn't just a producer -- he was such a good friend and a great person to bounce ideas off of in the studio. It was the whole experience." West has also been busy behind the boards, having recently produced tracks for Nas' "Hip-Hop Is Dead" and the Game's "Doctor's Advocate." And, as previously reported, the artist will soon be featured in an HBO series "loosely based" on his life. "Curb Your Enthusiasm" mastermind Larry Charles will executive produce.

Diddy Dissed at Golden Globe After Party

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is known for throwing lavish parties and being a special guest at some of the biggest bashes in the world. Last weekend following the Golden Globe Awards, Combs'juice card was allegedly denied at the door of the CAA Golden Globe After Party at the Sunset Tower. New York Post's Page Six reports that when Diddy and entourage got to the door, he was told he wasn't on the list and turned away.

What happened next is up for debate. According to one witness, Diddy became "verbally abusive and started yelling at security," and hotel owner Jeff Klein "kindly asked Puffy to leave." Combs then allegedly shouted, "What are you going to do -- call the police?" Klein said, "Yes!" Combs shouted back, "Just try it -- I'll spend the rest of my life hunting you down!"

A representative for Diddy denied that there was an altercation. The rep said, "Sean never said those things. He respects people's wishes and left. He went to Prince's party instead."

According to a source, Diddy wasn't on the list because of an incident which happened at an Oscar party a few years ago when he got into it with an assistant for CAA co-chief Bryan Lourd, "He showed up uninvited and threw a fit when he wasn't let in. He wasn't invited then, either."

The same source maintains that there has been a ban of Diddy by CAA and that he is now banned from the Sunset Tower, but a rep for the agency said, "There is no ban on Puffy officially or unofficially. He just wasn't invited."

Rocawear Removes "Dog Fur" Jackets From Sales Racks

A representative for Jay-Z's Rocawear clothing line recently responded to accusations of using raccoon-dog fur on one of its coats.
As previously reported, an investigation by the Humane Society of the United States, found that the "Hunter" jacket advertised on the company's website, contained real fur from a raccoon dog and was promoted as fake fur.

The Humane Society claimed that the dog, which is indigenous to Asia, is skinned alive to obtain the fur for the coats.

"We were not aware that our product included raccoon-dog materials," the Rocawear rep explained in a statement. "We have immediately instructed all manufacturers and licensees that no product can be produced using this fur. In addition we have removed those items from our Website."

Diddy's Sean John clothing line was also accused of using fur from the same type of dog on their hooded snorkel jackets in a similar investigation by the Humane Society. Sean John removed the jackets from all Macy's retail stores as a result of the claim.