Lil' Wayne Arraigned, Sued

Josh Grossberg

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Lil' Wayne's legal problems are multiplying.

While the New Orleans hip-hopster was being arraigned on drug charges in Atlanta Wednesday, he was also targeted in a lawsuit by a Miami jewelry company for allegedly failing to pay for his bling.

First the serious stuff.

The 25-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter, appeared for about 20 minutes of a three-hour preliminary hearing, enough time to plead not guilty to three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. The rapper was arrested in August 2006 after police, tipped off by a hotel employee, found marijuana and over 100 Xanax and hydrocodone pills in Wayne's room.

He is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 20, at which time the judge is expected to rule on a series of motions filed by his lawyer, William Head, seeking to have the case dismissed.

One of those is a petition challenging the legality of the hotel search; another is a request to inspect the evidence, such as the seized pill bottles, and have them dusted for fingerprints.

"We asked to examine the evidence so we can prove it has no connection to him," Head told E! Online. "Let's see what the fingerprints are."

Asked why it took a year for his client to face the music, Head lashed out at Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard.

"You get more federal money by showing you have a huge crime problem and you just charge anybody who crossed the Fulton County system," the attorney said. "The first prosecutor who got it said, 'I'm not going to put that in front of a grand jury,' and she never did.

"Then later, [Howard's] office files an accusation which is just a piped-up accusation and mails a notice to the address that came off Lil' Wayne's driver's license...but nobody asks him for an updated address."

As it turned out, the case notice was sent to the rapper's address in New Orleans, which was wiped out in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Unaware of the charges, the rapper missed a couple of court hearings and an arrest warrant was issued, leading to his collar in Boise, Idaho, earlier this month.

Consequently, the entertainer now faces a charge of being a fugitive in Idaho—a count that will be separately adjudicated in a Boise courtroom.

If that wasn't bad enough, Wayne is also facing gun and pot charges in New York after he was arrested following a concert at Manhattan's Beacon Theater.

And then there's his new civil action. Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry filed suit in Florida's Miami-Dade Circuit Court, alleging Lil' Wayne failed to make good on a $146,000 bill for a diamond ring and necklace purchased earlier this month.

"I've been doing business with him for at least 10 years," said owner Jack Sutton. "He's always been wonderful with paying me. He spent a lot of money with me. I thought we have a really good relationship. I don't know what happened."

The Who's Your Caddy? star agreed to pony up the dough in monthly installments and initially did, Sutton says, sending one check on Oct. 12 for $24,000 and another dated January 2008. But Sutton felt forced to take legal action once those payments stopped.

The rapper's civil attorney, Ron Sweeney, blamed the billing dispute on a "misunderstanding." Sweeney said that if Sutton's claim are true, the performer will pay up.

Lil' Wayne was also sued in August for $1 million by the family of a 17-year-old girl. According to court documents, the girl allegedly suffered a serious head injury after the Grammy-nominated rapper—or a member of his crew—threw wads of cash into the audience during a show, instigating a melee.

RUBY DEE & RZA IN 'AMERICAN GANGSTER': Legend and rising star featured in new film

Audiences are anxiously waiting the film "American Gangster" starring Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.

The movie, opening this Friday, Nov. 2, chronicles the story of Frank Lucas, a 1970s heroin kingpin from Manhattan, and the detective sworn to take him down.

Directed by Ridley Scott, the mega-starred flick also features legendary actress Ruby Dee and rapper/composer RZA, who recently spoke with reporters about their roles in the film and the legacy of Lucas.

"I tried out like many other actors," RZA said of scoring a role in the highly anticipated film. "I tried out first for the character whose name is Jimmy. They liked my screen test, but they did not like the way that I was doing the character - he was more like a cokehead and I was doing more like a weed-head. But they called me back a couple of weeks [later] and told me I got the part, but a much bigger part. They told me I'd be doing the part of Moses Jones."

RZA's Moses Jones, a police officer working with Detective Richie Roberts (Crowe) on the case of drug lord Lucas.

"I learned a lot. I learned from Mr. Crow and the real police officers that were on the set making sure the lingo was right or the attitude was right," he said. "In some of the shots of the film, you see real police officers beside us. I grew up in New York City on the other side of the law. To get a chance to play a cop in the film is kind of ironic."

Another cast member calls New York home, too. Ruby Dee stars in the film as the Lucas matriarch, who is the recipient of much of the glitter gained by Lucas' drug trafficking. As Mama Lucas, Dee admits that she portrays a woman in deliberate denial.

"I think that she had a sense that [her son] was involved in something that wasn't quite right," she said. "She didn't want to acknowledge it. She wanted to believe that there was something more in store for [the family]. I think for a long time, she turned her eye. And there was no husband in the house. I think she was accommodating in the best way possible for a black woman at the time, and hoping - because he was personable and an intelligent man."

Dee continued that she was a witness to the benevolence of the "gangsters" of Harlem during that time.

"I lived in that period; I grew up in Harlem so it seems like something of that is in my consciousness. Thinking in terms of the Robin Hood agenda of those modern gangsters, as they mentioned in the film, on Thanksgiving they would come around with shopping bags with a turkey for the people. Some of them would ensure the maintenance of the building. There was a feeling of protection. If you needed something, you could go to the right person and they would help you out. It was so mixed up," she said.

RZA agreed, "It's a double edged sword. I respect how he treated his family, but at the same time, he was messing up so many other families."

It's that paradox that brings to the forefront the concern of telling these stories without glamorizing the crime. RZA spoke to that issue saying that telling the story is not really to blame. He himself admits to growing up watching movies "The Godfather" series and "Goodfellas" and becoming entranced with that way of life.

"You watch 'em and you become fascinated with the violence and the criminals," he said. "But a movie is a movie. It's based on a true story, but it's not a true story. For those who get inspired by the negative side, I hope they realize what happens in the end."

"It did tell the story of Frank's own impressions and having to accept the horror of racism at such a young age and then moving in the direction as a way to live his life," Ruby Dee said. "I did understand that. When he began to involve the family, [Mama Lucas] got afraid for the family and for him, because they did look up to him."

"American Gangster," also starring Armand Asante and Cuba Gooding Jr. opens this weekend, November 2, in theaters nationwide.

"When I take a look at this picture objectively, I'm horrified," Ruby Dee said. "It's such a sad, sad story. It's this broken life of a potentially brilliant young man."

KANYE WEST TO SHARE 'KANYE-ISMS' IN NEW BOOK: Rapper's literary debut due in early 2008

On the heels of 50 Cent's new scrapbook-like publication arriving in stores, his music rival Kanye West has announced that he will make his literary debut early next year with a book titled "Thank You and You're Welcome."


The rapper/producer describes his work as an "entertaining volume of 'Kanye-isms' -- the creative, humorous and insightful philosophies and anecdotes used in creating my path to success. It captures the same wit, playful irony and piercing insight found abundant in my lyrics."


Co-authored by Sakiya Sandifer, the book will be available for $10 and pre-orders are currently being filled via his Web site, www.kanyeunivercity.com.


"In 'Thank You And You're Welcome!' I deliver my personal message uncensored, without any five-second delay or media distortion," wrote West on his blog.


The artist's mother, Dr. Donda West, released a book titled "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons From The Mother of A Hip Hop Superstar," which reflects on the things she's learned by being his mother.

KELIS DROPPED FROM JIVE RECORDS: Singer forced to take her milkshake elsewhere

It's over for Kelis and Jive Records. Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the eclectic chanteuse has been dropped from her contract amid sluggish album sales.


The singer, who is married to rap artist Nas, released two albums for Jive: 2003's "Tasty," which spawned the hit "Milkshake" and sold 533,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan; and last year's "Kelis Was Here," which had numerous release date changes and has moved only 157,000 to date.


Kelis' manager told EW that she's currently working on an independent dance album with Cee-Lo, the former Goodie Mob member who gained international attention as one half of the duo Gnarls Barkley.

Kelis is also shopping a pop album helmed by songwriter Guy Chambers, who co-wrote hits like "Angel" for Robbie Williams. In the meantime, she is in talks to host a "Project Runway"-esque show for VH1 and is auditioning for various film and TV roles, reports Billboard.com.

More music from the late, great Tupac Shakur will be hitting the streets on December 4th

More music from the late, great Tupac Shakur will be hitting the streets on December 4th on Amaru / Universal. The Best of 2Pac, his 9th posthumous release will be a double CD featuring familiar bangers like 'So Many Tears', 'Brenda's Got A Baby', and 'Keep Ya Head Up.' The album will also feature two previously unreleased tracks and two new remixes including 'Dear Momma', now featuring Anthony Hamilton. Advances ready mid-November, please let me know if you can confirm a review for your site.



THE BEST OF 2PAC - PT. 1: THUG
So Many Tears
Trapped
California Love - ORIGINAL MIX
How Do U Want It
I Ain’t Mad At Cha
2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted
Hail Mary
Changes
Unconditional Love
Resist The Temptation – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Dear Mama featuring Anthony Hamilton – NEW MIX
TRACKLISTING SUBJECT TO CHANGE




THE BEST OF 2PAC - PT. 2: LIFE
Definition of a Thug Nigga
Brenda’s Got A Baby
Keep Ya Head Up
When I Get Free
Until The End Of Time - RP REMIX
Never Call You Bitch Again
They Don’t Give A Fuck About Us
Still Ballin - NITTY REMIX
Ghetto Gospel
Dopefiend’s Diner – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
Thugz Mansion ACOUSTIC REMIX – NEW REMIX
TRACKLISTING SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Tupac
The Best Of 2PAC (Double Disc)
In Stores 12/4
Amaru / Universal

Pre -Order The Best Of 2PAC THUG CD Here:www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000XQ1YOC/ref=pd_luc_mri/102-3939450-5083368

Pre-Order The Best Of 2PAC LIFE CD Here: www.amazon.com/Best-2Pac-Part-2-Life-2pac/dp/B000XQ1YOW/ref=sr_1_5/102-3939450-5083368

Akon Show Canceled After Stage Collapses

CLIFFORD HARRIS - AKA T.I. - FREED FROM JAIL: But he's still under custody ... at home

T. I. is out of jail, but he's still under arrest. House arrest. The rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris, posted a $3 million bond Friday and was allowed to leave federal court. He'll be confined to his home to await trial on weapons charges.

"I want to thank all the fans for their support," Harris said as he left the courthouse. "Due to the severity of the situation, I can't say much more." Before hopping into a black sport utility vehicle, he added, "I want to get all of this behind me."


U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman agreed to the bond over government objections so long as Harris follows certain conditions, including remaining in a home except for medical appointments and court appearancesm reports the AP.


Harris, 27, also was required to surrender his passport, not own any guns and stay away from witnesses and informants in the case. The only people who will be allowed to live with him are his girlfriend and children. Visitors must be approved by the court.


Baverman sternly warned him against violating conditions of his bond. The judge said that if Harris gets into any trouble or violates the terms of his release, "a number of very bad things will happen." That includes his bond being revoked and any sentence he receives later being potentially increased.


Harris told Baverman he understood the conditions. A status conference in the case is set for Nov. 5.


He was arrested by federal authorities on October 13 for allegedly buying unregistered machine guns and silencers. Harris faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count

CLIPSE INK DEAL WITH RICK RUBIN AT SONY/COLUMBIA RECORDS

Platinum-selling rap duo the Clipse have inked a deal with Rick Rubin at Sony/Columbia Records. The move cements Columbia 's commitment to a growing urban music roster that includes global phenoms Beyoncé, Prince and Three 6 Mafia. Under the legendary auspices of Rubin, who personally sanctioned the deal, and the fittingly-named A&R rep Hip-Hop--think Jay-Z, Kanye West, —the Clipse are poised to deliver a lethal dose of their ironic, intoxicating mix of metaphor and message.


"I been a fan of the Clipse since I first heard them," asserts Hip-Hop. "And I ain't a fan of too many things. Every song they come with it, lyrically. They were on a real short list when I got to Sony; I was going all the way to make this happen. We trying to be more of an artist-friendly company, and focus on artists we really love. I liked them three years ago, I liked them yesterday, and I feel like they can be a group with a future."



The Clipse, brothers Pusha T and Malice, first assaulted radio in 2002 with their platinum debut, Lord Willin'. In late 2006, they dropped the devilishly dark, critically vaunted Hell Hath No Fury. And all the while they stayed grindin' on the mixtape circuit, churning out volumes of the heralded We Got It 4 Cheap series. But now, the takeover is official. Their multimillion-dollar, 5-year contract with Columbia is rare given the stingy state of the industry. And it accommodates not only forthcoming Clipse albums, but also solo efforts from each brother, and collective recordings with co-conspiratorial MCs Ab-Liva and Sandman. Together, the foursome comprises the Re-Up Gang. In fact, a Re-Up release is first on the slate, aimed for March '08. The Clipse will follow come summer.



"There were several deals on the table, but only one label stepped up to the plate; that was Rick Rubin and Hip-Hop," confirms group manager Tony Draper, who along with attorney Tim Mandelbaum structured the contract. "The Clipse are in a position now where you have to establish them with their own lane, give them the opportunity to build their own entity. Hip-Hop and Rick saw the movement before we ever sold a record for Sony. They didn't make a single commitment, they made the whole commitment."



That commitment, germinated from mutual respect, was consummated in the boardroom; the Re-Up Gang will enjoy 50/50 profit sharing with Columbia for the RE-UP GANG , and will retain ownership of their masters come the deal's conclusion. And with business properly handled, the Clipse can focus on their art, not their arithmetic. From Malice: "The key thing about our music, and what I'm most proud of, is the integrity. We really sit down and try to come up with good verses that'll provide some kind of food for thought. It's passionate music—deep, heartfelt, and authentic to what we do. It's very personal, and there's a connection between us and our fans. If you like the Clipse, it's because you've taken time to delve into what it is we do."



Says Pusha T about the relationship with Sony: "The Clipse represent everything that we've all known Rick Rubin to represent: hip-hop in its purest form. To know that the head guy is a creative guy as well, that makes me feel good. I come from being surrounded by creativity. And I felt like in going forward, I wanted to be able to put out as much music as I wanted to. That was my goal. That's been the one thing that's hindered the Clipse. And Sony's allowing us to do that."

JAY-Z IS AN 'AMERICAN GANGSTER': Rapper Tapes VH1's Storytellers to Promote New CD

NEW YORK -- Jay-Z, treated fans to an intimate performance Wednesday night while taping an upcoming episode of VH1 Storytellers at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn, New York.

Along with a full band, he performed several tracks from the album "American Gangster," inspired by the upcoming Denzel Washington-Russell Crowe flick of the same name.


"I was watching the movie and I was pulling emotions from the film," the 37-year-old rapper told the crowd, which included girlfriend Beyonce.


Among the new songs he previewed were "Pray," "Dreamin'," "Party Life," and another about addiction.


The exclusive performance, "VH1 Storytellers: Jay-Z: Life of an American Gangster," will premiere Thursday, November 8 at 9:00 PM. (*all times ET/PT)


Following in "Storytellers" format, viewers will get a unique opportunity to hear the inspiration and stories behind each song.

Jay-Z, Lil Wayne Talk About Their First Joint Together; Jay Goes All American At NYC Gig

NEW YORK — The Mike Jordan of rap says he's coming through in the clutch with his American Gangster album, much like he's done time and time again.

"That's my thing," Jay-Z smiled on Wednesday night at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Jay was there to tape an episode of "VH1 Storytellers," and before showtime, he was scribing some last-minute additions to his November 6 release, including a track called "American Dreaming" that samples Marvin Gaye vocals, and "Hello Brooklyn," which features Lil Wayne.

"I'm the fourth-quarter man," he added. "At the end of the album, I stand up stronger. I made '[I Just Wanna Love U] Give It 2 Me' at the very end of the [recording of The Dynasty: Roc La Familia]. 'PSA' was the last record [I wrote for] The Black Album. I believe in finishing up strong."

"Hello Brooklyn" is the tag-team combination that has been talked about by hip-hop fans for the past year or so, as it features Weezy F. Baby, MTV News' Hottest MC in the Game. What compounds the excitement even more is that the two haven't exactly had the fondest of words for each other in the recent past. Jay described "Hello Brooklyn" as not being a back-and-forth lyrical exercise — like, say "Renegade" or "Black Republican" — but more of a conceptual song.

"[Wayne's camp] sent the record and it was done," Jay elaborated. "So it wasn't like a collaboration thing. It was done already. Gee [Roberson] and [Kyambo] 'Hip Hop' [Joshua], who came from Roc-A-Fella and went on to do great things — I'm very proud of them — manage Wayne. That whole thing came through them. It's more of a great record than a lyrical slugfest. It's more a creative, great record than two guys spitting. 'Success' [another American Gangster track] is more of what people wanna look at when you judge that type of [collaborative] stuff. It's me and Nas going at it."

Wayne said "Hello Brooklyn" was actually made for his delayed album, Tha Carter, Vol. 3. "It was produced by my homeboy Big D a long time ago," he said. "Jay heard the song some type of way, and when he heard it, he said, 'Ask the homie if I can get this.' When I was asked the question, I told them it wasn't even a question — he's got it. Everybody in the world knows how I feel about Jay. ... He's the king, utmost respect.

"The song has a sample on there that says, 'Hello Brooklyn,' " Wayne added. "I made it so that I'm talking to a woman and the woman has the traits of the actual place [where the song is set]. I say, 'She love B.I.G. but she like Tupac, and every time I say, "Jay-Z," she say, "It's the Roc." ' Me not being from Brooklyn, I think it's cool because you always wanna know what an outsider thinks of your place."

Just like Wayne called Jay a "king," Hov proved that he is the reigning king of BK when he was treated like royalty at his hometown show on Wednesday night. He had plenty to share during his "Storytellers" set, during which he performed seven songs from his new album and told the story behind them for an audience that featured Beyoncé, Beanie Sigel and L.A. Reid. Songs included "Blue Magic," during which a female audience member came out of the stands and did the Wop with Jay, and "Party Life," for which Hov specifically requested red lighting, because the song reminds him of old-school house-parties. "Hola Hovito, cooler than zee-ro, bee-low/ Fresh one blade, no chemo," he rapped. "Art with no easel, please there's no equal/ Your boy's off the wall, these other n---as is Tito."

"The band is great," he said earlier in the night of his accompanying musicians. "I went to Puff and snatched up a couple of his people 'cause he ... and Snoop [recently] went on an international tour. I know him, he's like a drill sergeant. He put them through the wringer. So I knew they would be ready. I didn't have to do much. I just let them hear the songs, and they learned the songs in one day."

Jay and his band, which he dubbed "The Roc Boys" on Wednesday night, will be going to several major cities at the start of November for a promo run. Next year, probably in the spring, he wants to do a full tour, hopefully with his roster of Roc-A-Fellas.

"We're slowly getting our legs to make another run," Jigga said, before rattling off the label's recent and upcoming releases. "First Kanye, then my record, then Free and Beans. [Memphis] Bleek's got a smoker out there. We're gearing up for Tru-Life at the beginning of the year, and [to] make that Dynasty 2 [album]."

It looks like one person will be added to Jay's dynasty soon: The LOX's Jadakiss is apparently on the way to Roc-A-Fella/ Def Jam by way of Ruff Ryders. "It's not done," Jay said of the deal. But, he added, "It's about 90 percent [complete]."

Source: MTV News

50 Cent vs. Nas

50 Cent has weighed into the debate over the controversial new Nas album, insisting N--ger is a "stupid name."

The rap superstar becomes the latest music industry figure to speak out about the follow-up to last year's Hip Hop Is Dead.

Earlier this month, Nas announced plans to call the record N--ga, before claiming he had decided to change it to N--ger.

However, neither title appear to have impressed Fiddy, who has now dismissed both his hip-hop rival and the upcoming release.



"Nas sucks. It's nonsense, man. That's a stupid name. It doesn't make sense. Why would you title it that?" he questioned.

"You helped him out because you asked me [about it], and people who are interested in me would like to hear the answer. But other than that, there's nothing interesting in that. It's just for shock value," insisted 50, who says Nas is just trying to sell more records.

N--ger is provisionally scheduled for release in December.

DIDDY SIPS ON VODKA DEAL: Mogul signs on to develop Ciroc brand for 50/50 profit share

NOOSE FOUND AROUND NECK OF TUPAC STATUE: Act is one of several attacks to have taken place at Shakur Center in Stone Mountain

A noose was discovered around the neck of a bronze statue of late rapper Tupac Shakur, which sits in the Peace Garden inside of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, Georgia.


Vandals have also defaced the building and later further damaged the statue with "handbills of garbled rants that include references to 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina as well as vague threats against various record companies and rappers," read a statement from The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF).


The attacks, which all took place between the early hours of Saturday, Oct. 20 and 2 a.m. Monday Oct. 22, are currently being investigated as hate crimes by the De Kalb County Sheriff's Office.


"We thank everyone for their prayers and support. Although our hearts are temporarily in pain, our spirits have already forgiven the perpetrators," said Tupac's mother and TASF founder, Afeni Shakur. "Hate comes in all colors and genders, therefore we will use this act of hate and ignorance to bring our community together and to pray for the healing of those who harbor such feelings. With God's guidance, the work of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts and Peace Garden will continue to positively impact and transform our community."


The Foundation is currently raising money to construct a fence around the parameters of the Center to prevent these types of incidents from occurring again.

Meanwhile, the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts will kick off its 2nd Bi-Annual Film Screening with a re-dedication service of the Peace Garden on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. Following the service will be a film screening and panels from film industry experts. Both events are free to the public.

Donations can be sent to TASF, 5616 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 or at http://www.tasf.org and http://www.2PACLegacy.com.

Freeway Back In Business With New Album

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Originally due Oct. 9, Philadelphia rapper Freeway's long-in-the-works sophomore album, "Free At Last," will now arrive Nov. 20 via Roc-A-Fella.

The disc was co-executive produced by Jay-Z and 50 Cent; Jay-Z guests on the track "Rocafella Billionaires," which has been at radio since July.

Additional contributions will be heard from Lil Wayne, Jadakiss, Paul Wall, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, Scarface and Too $hort, with production supplied by Dame Grease, Cool & Dre, J.R. Rotem and Don Cannon.

"The album is soulful. I think it's gonna be another classic," Freeway tells Billboard.com. "I didn't fall into what people thought I was going to do or what everyone else is doing. If you're a fan, you'll love it."

Freeway's album arrives ahead of the Dec. 11 release "The Solution," the new album from his State Property colleague Beanie Sigel.

LIL' WAYNE BLOWS OFF HIGH SCHOOL GIG: Rapper leaves students hanging at rescheduled show

Lil' Wayne disappointed some high school students in North Carolina over the weekend when he failed to show up for a scheduled concert.


The show at New Hanover High School had actually been rescheduled to Sunday night after the first concert a month ago was cancelled by the School Board over safety concerns.


Wayne's concert promoter filed a breach of contract lawsuit over the cancellation, but an agreement was reached allowing the rapper to perform only if security was increased.

After all of that, Lil' Wayne was still a no show Sunday night. According to TMZ, rumor has it that the artist blew off the gig because the 4,000 seat auditorium was sparsely filled. So far, no refunds have been given to fans, according to wwaytv.com.

JAY-Z TO TOUR BEHIND 'GANGSTER': Def Jam pres to launch five-day outing in November.

Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter will launch a five-city tour to promote his new album "American Gangster," recorded as a lyrical companion piece to the upcoming Denzel Washington film of the same name.


"American Gangster Live" is scheduled to kick off at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on Nov. 6, the same day the "American Gangster" CD is released and four days after the film arrives in theaters.


The brief tour will then move to Chicago on Nov. 7th, Baltimore on the 9th, New York on the 11th and Philadelphia on Nov. 12th.


The film stars Washington as real life 1970s Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas The cast also includes Russell Crowe, Cuba Gooding Jr., Common, the RZA and jailed rapper T.I.

Music Icon THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. To Have Wax Figure Unveiled By His Mother

MUSIC ICON THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. TO HAVE WAX FIGURE UNVEILED BY HIS MOTHER, MS. VOLETTA WALLACE, AT MADAME TUSSAUDS NEW YORK


Members of the Brooklyn High School of the Arts' choir will perform songs in honor of Biggie

In a moving tribute to her son, Ms. Voletta Wallace will unveil a wax figure of the legendary Biggie Smalls (born: Christopher Wallace) on Thursday, October 25th at 11:00 a.m. at Madame Tussauds New York, 234 West 42nd St. (b/w 7th & 8th Aves.), Manhattan. After the figure is unveiled, 23 high school students from Brooklyn - where Biggie was born and raised - will honor him by singing "I'll Be Missing You," a tribute song released shortly after Biggie's death, and gospel song, "I'll Fly Away." The students are members of the Brooklyn High School of the Arts' choir.

Biggie's figure dons a white three-piece suit, white hat and white shoes and is standing with one hand in its pocket and the other hand resting on a gold and wood cane. Madame Tussauds' studio artists studied hundreds of photos and hours of video footage of Biggie to create the figure and to ensure that they captured Biggie's spirit and demeanor, as well as his physical likeness.

Biggie is largely recognized by the music community as one of the greatest rap artists of all time. His influence on and absence from the hip hop community can still be felt today - more than 10 years after his tragic death.

Madame Tussauds visitors will be able to take photos with and even hug Biggie's figure, which will be housed in its own room on the attraction's ninth floor. As guests approach the figure, they can use parts of their body to break moving multi-colored light beams to trigger clips of Biggie's songs to play.

WHEN: Thursday, October 25

TIME: 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Madame Tussauds New York
234 West 42nd Street (b/w 7th & 8th Aves.)
Manhattan

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R. KELLY NATIONAL TOUR DATES CONFIRMED: Nine-Week 'Double Up' Tour Begins Nov. 14 Thru Jan. 13

CHICAGO -- On the heels of his latest No. 1 album "Double Up"-and 10 new chapters of his Grammy-nominated video saga "Trapped in the Closet"-R&B superstar and Jive recording artist R. Kelly has announced a nine-week national "Double Up" Tour that will begin on November 14th in Columbus, Georgia.

The tour, presented by the Atlanta-based concert promotion firm Rowe Entertainment Inc., helmed by industry veteran Leonard Rowe is one of the most ambitious and anticipated R&B arena tours of the past decade.

Joining Kelly on the bill will be R&B stars, platinum-selling songstress, Keyshia Cole, Grammy nominee/multi-platinum artist, Ne-Yo, and J. Holiday whose recently released Music Line/Capitol Records debut ("Back Of My Lac") has spawned the first hit single "Bed" which is currently seated at the #1 position on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.

Official tour dates are listed below. Advance tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster by visiting www.ticketron.com

Kelly's last tour, the Spring 2006 "Light It Up" Tour, featured Kelly (a.k.a. Mr. Show Biz) on stage for nearly two hours with a live band and three back-up singers in what the New York Times called a "hugely entertaining and totally unpredictable stroll through his career." Kelly played to near sell-out audiences in 43 cities, before bringing down the curtain before what the Sacramento Bee described as a "nearly delirious Mother's Day crowd" in Sacramento's Memorial Auditorium.

A true musical icon and winner of numerous Grammy, Billboard, Soul Train, and American Music awards, R. Kelly has sold well over 40 million albums worldwide since his first release some 15 years ago. He has co-directed all of his music videos since the classic "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" and was nominated for a 2005 Grammy for "Trapped in the Closet (Chapters 1-5)."

Advance tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster by visiting www.ticketron.com.


TOUR INTINERARY:

Wed Nov 14 Columbus, GA Columbus Civic Center
Thurs Nov 15 Atlanta Phillips Arena
Fri Nov 16 Greensboro Greensboro Coliseum
Sat Nov 17 Birmingham BJCC
Sun Nov 18 Charlotte Bobcat Arena


Wed Nov 21 Philadelphia Wachovia Center
Thurs Nov 22 Newark Prudential Center
Fri Nov 23 New York Nassau Coliseum
Sat Nov 24 Baltimore 1st Mariner
Sun Nov 25 Wash DC Verizon Center


Thurs Nov 29 Little Rock Alltel Arena
Fri Nov 30 New Orleans New Orleans Arena
Sat Dec 1 Dallas American Airlines Arena
Sun Dec 2 Houston Toyota Center


Thurs Dec 6 Minneapolis Target Center
Fri Dec 7 Kansas City Sprint Center
Sat Dec 8 Indianapolis Conseco Fieldhouse
Sun Dec 9 Memphis Fed Ex Forum


Thurs Dec 13 Las Vegas Mandalay Bay
Fri Dec 14 Los Angeles Staples Center
Sat Dec 15 Oakland Oakland Arena (Oracle)
Sun Dec 16 Sacramento ARCO Arena


Thurs Dec 20 Chicago United Center
Fri Dec 21 Chicago United Center
Sat Dec 22 Detroit Joe Louis Arena
Sun Dec 23 Detroit Joe Louis Arena


Thurs Dec 27 Charleston North Charleston Coliseum
Fri Dec 28 Orlando Amway
Sat Dec 29 Columbia Colonial Center
Sun Dec 30 Jacksonville Veteran Memorial


Mon Dec 31 Miami American Airlines Arena
Fri Jan 4 Cleveland Wolstein Center
Sat Jan 5 Louisville Kentucky Expo Center
Sun Jan 6 St Louis Scottrade


Wed Jan 9 Savannah Savannah Civic Center
Thurs Jan 10 Greenville Bi-Lo Center
Fri Jan 11 Richmond Richmond Coliseum
Sun Jan 13 Hampton Hampton Coliseum

WU-TANG CLAN CANCELS 2007 TOUR: Plus, Ghostface Killah vents frustration over group's album release

It looks as if the Wu-Tang Clan has scrapped plans to launch a fall/winter reunion tour behind their upcoming reunion album "8 Diagrams," reports Live Daily.


News of the cancellation came in the form of an offhand remark included in a solo-tour announcement for Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah, who is currently in the midst of his own batch of shows.


"While the Wu-Tang Clan's tour has been canceled until spring 2008, Ghostface will be performing on stages throughout the country," reads a message posted at the group's Web site.

Ghostface, meanwhile, appears to be on the outs with his Staten Island-based collective. In an interview with MTV News, the rapper said he's not sure if he'll participate in a Wu-Tang Clan tour, should one ever get off the ground.

As for his participation on "8 Diagrams," Ghostface said: "I got on some of them. A few of them. ... N---as better pay my f---ing money. Matter of fact, they can keep the money--just get me out of their life right now. They can keep that money, it's all good now. I don't even wanna talk about it no more."

Ghostface also says he's upset with Wu-Tang's decision to push back the "8 Diagrams" release date from Nov. 13 to Dec. 4, the same day his new solo set, "The Big Dough Rehab," is due in stores.

"I had December 4 for the longest," he told MTV. "But the Wu album, brothers was kinda late on doing whatever they were doing and pushed it back ... on my date. ... I'm not [mad at] all the members. It's not based on the members, but the hierarchy at Wu-Tang Clan is on some bullsh--. They trying to f--- around and make me push my album back and doing all this."


As previously reported, Ghostface is about to travel the country with Rakim and Brother Ali as part of the 19-city Hip Hop Live Tour, where all three will perform in front of a 10-piece backing band named The Rhythm Roots Allstars. The three rappers will each perform separate sets during the outing, which kicks off Oct. 29 in West Hollywood, CA.


Here is the tour itinerary:

October 2007
29 - West Hollywood, CA - House of Blues
30 - San Diego, CA - 4th & B
31 - Long Beach, CA - The Vault 350

November 2007
1 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst
2 - San Francisco, CA - Mezzanine
3 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
4 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox
7 - Park City, UT - Harry O's
8 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theater
9 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up
10 - Kansas City, MO - Beaumont Club
11 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
12 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
13 - Bloomington, IN - Bluebird Nightclub
15 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
16 - New York, NY - Nokia Theatre
17 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
18 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
21 - Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero