Jay-Z's 40/40 Club Fails Inspection, New Year's Party At Risk

Jay-Z's Las Vegas 40/40 franchise may not open in time for New Year's Eve as planned.

Recent reports claim the Sin City venue failed to pass inspection, putting plans for a Vegas 40/40 New Year's Eve celebration in serious jeopardy.

According to PerezHilton.com, close sources have revealed that, "Unless Jay-Z and his team miraculously come up with certain licenses and certificates by Sunday (Dec. 30), then they won't be able to go on with their New Year's Eve party plans."

Hov's inspection woes have deeper repercussions -- if the club can't meet the necessary requirements, then Jay-Z and his partners will be forced to refund all opening night tickets, adding even further expense to a venture that has yet to see any profits.

Despite unforeseen problems with the Vegas 40/40, Jay-Z fans in the area will still have an opportunity to witness the Brooklyn MC and entrepreneur in concert.

As previously reported, Jay-Z is scheduled to perform at the Palm Casino Resort's luxe Pearl Concert Theater tomorrow. Tickets for the show, which were originally priced for $225, sold out within an hour of going on sale.

Kanye West is also scheduled to perform at the Pearl Concert Theater for a New Year's Eve performance.

Yung Joc Talks Gun Charge, "I Would Never Deliberately Commit An Act That Would Jeopardize My Freedom"

After facing arrest for bringing a loaded gun to an airport, rapper Yung Joc has issued a statement maintaining his innocence.

"I have the utmost respect for the laws of this country and would never deliberately commit an act that would jeopardize my freedom, my family, or my career," Joc said via his lawyer, Stanley Jackson Jr.

As previously reported, Joc (real name Jasiel Robinson) was arrested at a Cleveland Hopkins International Airport security checkpoint on Sunday, Dec. 23 and charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Authorities found a semiautomatic handgun and ammunition in his carry-on luggage.

Joc failed to appear in court for his arraignment on Wednesday morning, prompting prosecutors to request a warrant for his arrest, which was revoked when the rapper finally showed up seven hours late.

Joc left the courthouse on Wednesday without comment, but according to TMZ.com, issued the statement yesterday expressing frustration that the arrest has overshadowed his positive deeds.

"I've worked very hard to achieve my goals, and it's unfortunate that this current situation has garnered more attention than the many donations I've made and the charitable work I've done with various organizations," he said.

Joc also went on to speak about his innocence; he previously told police he was not aware the gun was in his luggage.

"I'm proud to be a citizen of America, where we are taught to believe that every person is afforded the presumption of innocence," Joc said. "That being said, I have full respect for the judicial system and its due process. I look forward to resolving this situation and moving forward to a positive and prosperous 2008."

The Atlanta rapper's next court date is January 25, 2008.

Pimp C Did Not Die From Foul Play, Says Coroner

Investigators say they are about two weeks away from determining the cause of Pimp C's mysterious death.

As previously reported, 33-year-old Pimp C, one-half of the legendary Southern rap duo UGK, was found dead in an upscale Hollywood hotel room on Dec. 4.

While the rapper was found with drugs on his person, prescribed to him by his doctor, without apparent injury and no drug paraphernalia present, authorities believed he died of natural causes.

According to KBTV Channel 4 in Port Arthur, Pimp C's hometown, the Los Angeles coroner's office has officially ruled out foul play and said there were no signs of trauma.

Pimp C's funeral was held on Dec. 13 and drew about 2,000 attendees, including Houston rappers Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Slim Thug and longtime partner and friend, Bun B.

BRANDY GETS GOOD NEWS: She won't be charged in deadly car crash.

We're sure Brandy is somewhere taking a huge sigh of relief. That's because the Los Angeles city attorney's office says it will not charge actress-singer for a deadly car crash last year.

There is "insufficient evidence" for a jury to find her guilty of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter beyond a reasonable doubt, said Nick Valasquez, a spokesman for the city attorney's office.


The decision runs counter to a recommendation from the California Highway Patrol that Brandy, 28, be charged in the crash.


That recommendation from the CHP brought a terse retort from Brandy's lawyer, Blair Berk, who released a statement to TMZ.com, making her thoughts known.


"These past 12 months have posed an extraordinary hardship for Brandy and her family, who have been unfairly forced to live under a cloud of suspicion initially caused by the ill-advised and premature press release sent out by the California Highway Patrol accusing Brandy of wrongdoing before the police investigation was even finished. However, Brandy continues to be mindful that she was so fortunate to be uninjured in this accident and there was a life lost that should be remembered."


Meanwhile, Najee Ali of Project Hope and a coalition of black leaders sent out a press alert Friday morning saying that they still intend to "respond" to LA City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. And of course, the big question is why, what's the point?


"Why? We called upon LA City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo to not file any charges against Brandy when the accident was made public a year ago and we continue to hold our same position," Ali said. "Our coalition stated then that Brandy's celebrity status made her a target by CHP officials who were trying to make a name for themselves."


Brandy, whose last name is Norwood, was driving on a Los Angeles freeway December 30 last year when traffic slowed and her Land Rover smashed into the back of a Honda.


That car was involved in several other collisions. The driver, 38-year-old Awatef Aboudihaj, died in the accident. It was also disclosed that she (Aboudihaj) had been smoking marijuana and may have been under the influence.

JOE BUDDEN PUMPS NEW DEAL: Rapper inks with Amalgam Digital for release of new album

Mood Muzik 3: The Album," the long-delayed new studio effort from Joe Budden, will finally be released on Feb. 26 as part of his new deal with Amalgram Digital.

Budden says the independent record/digital label offers him a whole new host of opportunities to connect with hip hop fans.

"With the Mood Muzik series gaining mass attention, this is just our effort to maximize on awareness," Budden said in a statement. "Amalgam understands our vision, as we do theirs, so this will be first of many ventures to come. We have a full length album entitled 'Padded Room' coming second quarter 2008. We're prepping for a big year…are you in the mood yet?"

"Mood Muzik 3" is comprised of various Budden songs that were released on mixtapes, as well as unreleased material.

Short-handed Wu-Tang Clan keep energy crackling

By Gary Jackson

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The still-enormously popular Wu-Tang Clan stormed the West Hollywood House of Blues on Sunday like conquering hip-hop heroes. Problem was, they were a man short -- make that two.

But the high-wattage energy level in this 90-minute set was maintained principally because of the group's huge membership. An ever-evolving crew that included Ghostface Killah, U-God, Method Man, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Raekwon the Chef, Masta Killa and RZA recently released "8 Diagrams," a well-crafted collection that saw precious airtime during the evening.

Wu-Tang relied on a deep catalog of heavy-hitting singles that began with its anthem "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit," an appropriate opener that helped sustain the group's energy all night. Conspicuously missing was RZA, the acknowledged musical director of the group. As the set roared on, shouts of "Where's RZA?" amplified, but no explanation was forthcoming. Similarly missed was "The Heart Gently Weeps," a brutal depiction of the inevitable violence that seems to be inextricably tied to the hip-hop culture. It borrows the track from George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

Method Man is the most comfortable of the MCs onstage. He commandeered the microphone throughout the evening, sprayed bottled water, dove repeatedly into a mosh pit and then had the audacity -- not to mention trust -- to have the audience hold him upright as he rapped. It's a tried-and-true hype "method," and it worked again.

Method Man then launched into a lengthy tribute to the dearly departed clown prince of Wu-Tang, Ol' Dirty Bastard, who died of an drug overdose in 2004 after quite the tumultuous life that featured high-profile jail time, police chases and several classic hip-hop hits, including "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" and "Protect Ya Neck."

About three-quarters into the set, the energy level took a dip as Raekwon launched into a monologue on how the group has been misunderstood. It's hard to agree, what with the crowd's adoration at ear-splitting levels. One element that Wu-Tang Clan has is an eerie, choirlike quality; whether planned or not, such an untapped element should be explored more. Where you at, RZA?

Wu-Tang Clan needs to improve its endgame. The concert finished with Method Man puffing a joint handed to him. Then everyone just sauntered offstage, leaving the sold-out audience without a chance to applaud or request an encore. Can you say "awkward exit?"

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

YUNG JOC IN HANDCUFFS AT CLEVELAND AIRPORT: Rapper allegedly had loaded gun in his carry-on

Rapper Yung Joc was arrested at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and charged with carrying a concealed weapon after police said a loaded gun was found in his carry-on bag.


According to the Associated Press, the 25-year-old was taken into custody at about 6:20 a.m. Sunday before boarding a Delta Air Lines flight. Police said they found a semiautomatic handgun and ammunition in Robinson's carry-on bag. He told them he didn't know the weapon was there, said police spokesman Lt. Thomas Stacho.


Joc, whose real name is Jasiel Robinson, was charged with the felony on Sunday. He was freed on $50,000 bond Monday and is scheduled to be arraigned today.


"Yung Joc maintains his innocence. He would appreciate privacy as he addresses these allegations," said his lawyer, Stanley Jackson Jr.

LIL KIM'S EX FACES DEATH PENALTY: Man, 33, looking at the needle if found guilty of ordering rival's execution.

Damion "World" Hardy, the 33-year-old ex-boyfriend of rapper Lil' Kim, faces death by lethal injection if found guilty of ordering the execution of a rival that also took the life of an innocent bystander.

The alleged hit man, Eric (E-Bay) Moore, also faces the federal death penalty for the Aug. 10, 2000, slaying of Ivory Davis, who was shot twice as he sat in his car outside New York's Club NV at Hudson and Spring Sts, reports the New York Daily News.

Davis, mortally wounded, drove off and fatally struck a pedestrian, Swedish filmmaker, Johan Camitz.

Hardy and Lil' Kim once lived together in her New Jersey mansion, reports the Daily News. He drove around in a Land Rover that she gave him and the couple was believed to be engaged, a law enforcement source said.

Hardy, the reputed leader of a murderous drug crew called Cash Money Brothers, served time for shooting at narcotics cops in Brooklyn and was a notorious presence at the Lafayette Gardens projects in Bedford Stuyvesant, where his crew controlled the drug trade, law enforcement officials said. In 2003, cops said he confronted rapper 50 Cent in a New Jersey hotel parking lot, sparking a shootout after the rapper dissed Lil' Kim on the radio.

A lawyer for Hardy claims he has since undergone a religious conversion, legally changing his name to Isa Ibn Jibril. He is also mentally ill, the lawyer said. Last week, a federal judge ordered Hardy to undergo a psychiatric exam to determine if he is competent to stand trial on federal racketeering and murder charges.

"I am the Christ. I am the Messiah," Hardy ranted in court in 2004 after he was arrested at JFK Airport as he returned from a religious pilgrimage in the Middle East.
"Do not be the one to go against the law," he went on. "Adhere to the law's command before I give you warning. A day that is drawing near. A day of grief and regrets. Boiling water will be poured over your heads."

Defense lawyer David Ruhnke refused to say if Lil' Kim would be asked to testify at the penalty phase of the trial if Hardy is convicted.

Jay-Z to retire as president of Def Jam Records

Lupe Fiasco Talks Retirement, ''The Industry Of Recorded Music Doesn't Appeal To Me''

After Jay-Z declared him "a breath of fresh air" and his debut album received three Grammy nods, Lupe Fiasco went back into the studio to create his sophomore offering, The Cool. In this exclusive, we talk to Lupe about his group project with Kanye and Pharrell, why he's ready for retirement and the reception of new his album.

Having just dropped his sophomore album this week, Lupe Fiasco is characteristically cool. He's not concerned with album sales and he's not making any bets. "No, no predictions," he tells. "I feel good though, I feel really good about it. The response from the peoples has been amazing. The reviews have been very, very good. It's a very well received album so that mission is complete. Now it's time to see if it sells what everybody is hoping it will sell. I don't really got no hopes."

Though he has no personal goals for first week sales, Lupe does agree that his album may be one of the best of 2007. "Yeah, I wouldn't say best, but good. Definitely in the running even outside of hip-hop."

On The Cool Lupe touches on various taboo subjects. On "Intruder Alert" he addresses the subject of rape, and on the highly criticized "Gotta Eat" he rhymes from the perspective of a cheeseburger.

"It's called imagination," he says in defense of the songs premise. "You should use it. The song is really about health. The hook is 'My man says feed me feed me when @#*$%s gotta eat that's when sh-t gets greasy.' You look at the health situation in the hoods and it's just bad. There's no Whole Foods. There's no nutrition. Nobody is vegetarians. It's cheeseburgers and steak sandwiches. We're slowing killing ourselves of heart disease and all that. If the bullets don't get you the diabetes will. It was basically just making that statement so that people can start having the conversation."

Lupe is already looking towards the release of his third and final LP. "One more... LupEnd is what it's actually called," he told. Im'a always perform until the day I die. It's just the industry of recorded music doesn't appeal to me. That dream of getting a record deal and all that is lost. I woke up from it. But in between time, in the meantime, you'll probably get a CRS album. But yeah, one more full length solo debut LP."

CRS, which stands for Child Rebel Soldiers, refers to the group that Lupe formed with fellow rappers/producers Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.

"We had the one record," he jokes. "The US Placers record with Tom Yorke and actually my girl Vashtie just did a dope video for that. It's pretty fresh. [Watch Here]. We're about, like, no songs deep. One song deep, a lot of ideas, a lot of conversations about how we want to roll out and what we want it to look like, what we want it to feel like. So we're in discussion right now but hopefully end of 08, we'll have something proper."

With so much talk of retirement in rap these days it's easy to question whether or not LupEnd will actually be the end for Fiasco. He assures us that it will. "Nah, if I go I'ma go. I just want to make sure I leave behind a legacy."

DMX Collapse Rumors "100% False," Say Reps

Rumors that rapper DMX collapsed at the Sony recording studios on Dec. 20 and was rushed to the hospital have been swirling all over the net, but his lawyer and label say the story isn't true.

"I just spoke to X the day before yesterday, he's at home in Arizona so it really doesn't make any sense to me how they're saying he was at Sony studios," said X's label rep at Bodog Music, his new label home. "It's definitely 100 percent false."

The rep added that X hasn't even been in the studio and is not scheduled to work on his debut release under the label for another week.

"He's at home with his wife for Christmas," he said.

X's entertainment lawyer, Scott Mason, also said his client has not been at Sony and he even called X this afternoon after hearing the rumors, to learn the rapper was asleep in his bed.

X's rep thinks the story was just created to go along with a sketchy video circulating around the net that, according to New York's Daily News gossip section, shows DMX "looking nervous and acting erratically while working on an album."

"This video that leaked on the net has got people thinking that he might be on something, that's what kind of made them wanna make up a story like that," he said.

Mason said the video was recorded at least two weeks ago while X was recording in Miami.

Grand Hustle Christmas Gift Giveaway on Monday

On behalf of Grand Hustle’s K.I.N.G. Foundation
and Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I.



WHO: Grand Hustle’s K.I.N.G. Foundation featuring Young Dro, Big Kuntry King and the P$C

WHAT: Christmas Eve gift giveaway

WHEN: Monday, December 24, 2007

WHERE: 2PM @ Club Crucial (150 households will receive gifts for their children) , raffle to follow
2517 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-794-2114

Grand Hustle’s K.I.N.G. (Kids in Need of Giving) Foundation is an organization that focuses on assisting youth and families, designed to foster healthy living and lifestyles, to improve the quality of life, and to establish healthy families.

Rapper Remy Ma sued by shooting victim

By LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - Rapper Remy Ma is being sued for $20 million by the woman she is suspected of shooting in a dispute over money.


Makeda Barnes-Joseph was shot twice in the abdomen on July 14, after leaving a party in Manhattan's Greenwich Village. Authorities said the shooting occurred after Remy Ma, whose real name is Remy Smith, accused Barnes-Joseph of taking $2,000 that was missing from her purse.

The lawsuit says the shooting left her disabled, anxious and depressed. The suit also named as defendants Universal Music Group, and individuals who play important roles in Remy Ma's career, because they should have known she "had a history of unlawful, violent and anti-social behavior."

The defendants "encouraged her to engage in a pattern of harassment, threats, intimidation, physical violence and illegal acts which were designed and calculated by these defendants to enhance, market and promote the persona of 'Remy Ma,'" according to the suit.

A spokeswoman for Universal Music Group in Manhattan did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.

Barnes-Joseph, a Bronx resident hospitalized for more than two weeks after the shooting, said in the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan that she was leaving a birthday party for a friend when Remy Ma, who also attended the party, approached her car with a handgun.

According to the lawsuit dated Thursday, the 26-year-old rapper opened the passenger door of Barnes-Joseph's car, pointed a gun at her and demanded that Barnes-Joseph dump the contents of her pocketbook.

When she did not release it, Barnes-Joseph was shot in the stomach and abdomen by the rapper, who then searched the pocketbook while Barnes-Joseph bled, the lawsuit said. Finding nothing, she tossed the purse and contents aside and left without summoning medical assistance, the suit said.

Remy Ma has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges filed in connection with the shooting.

Her lawyer, Ivan Fisher, said the lawsuit "appears to be a publicity stunt consistent with the way Ms. Barnes and her lawyer have, together with their publicist, been attempting to claim 15 minutes of fame on account of a terrible accident."

Fisher has said that since her arrest, Remy Ma has been unable to get sufficient U.S. bookings, and a proposed recording contract has been put on hold. She is free on $250,000 bail.

As she recovered, Barnes-Joseph had to undergo surgery and blood transfusions and remains disabled, fearful, anxious and depressed and still unable to return to work, the lawsuit said.

Because her injuries will require continuing medical treatment, Barnes-Joseph is entitled to at least $20 million in damages, the lawsuit said.

Smith was nominated for a Grammy as part of the Terror Squad for the 2004 summer smash "Lean Back." Besides her solo career, Remy Ma has appeared on recordings with performers Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Eminem and R. Kelly, her Web site says.

DMX Gambles With New Label

Rapper DMX has signed a new deal with online gaming firm Bodog Entertainment after getting dumped by Sony Music.

The gravel-voiced rap star has been between labels ever since Sony dropped him earlier this year (07), but he's keen to return to the charts with a vengeance with two complete albums.

Both Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later will be released by Bodog in 2008.

In a statement, DMX says, "I'm thankful for the fact that Bodog believes in me. We share the same vision."

Bodog's music division is fast asserting itself as a rap leader - bosses recently scored international distribution rights for the Wu-Tang Clan's comeback album 8 Diagrams.

FANTASIA SAYS SHE'S NOT PREGNANT: Plus, her 'Color Purple' successor has been announced.

A rep for Fantasia Barrino has come forward to shut down reports that "The Color Purple" star is expecting a child with rapper Young Dro.


"Fantasia is not pregnant and the Internet rumors are entirely untrue," Barrino's publicist told Us magazine.com.


Meanwhile, her Broadway run as Miss Celie in "The Color Purple" is scheduled to end on Jan. 6. Actress Zonya Love was announced Thursday as her replacement beginning on Jan. 9.


As previously reported, Jan. 9 will also mark the arrival of Chaka Khan and Bebe Winans in the roles of, respectively, Sofia and Harpo. Additionally, LaKisha Jones, who joined the cast Dec. 19 in the role of the Church Soloist, will play Sofia at matinee performances beginning Jan. 9.

REMY MA'S CAMP DENIES LESBIAN REPORT: Rep releases statement after woman makes claims on YouTube

As if Remy Ma's camp doesn't already have its hands full with her attempted murder charge, a rep for the artist is now vehemently denying allegations from a Bronx woman who claims she and the rapper are lovers.

The unidentified woman, interviewed in a YouTube video by Cliffy Barz of the Web TV show "Harlem Streets," claims to have "had relations" with Remy Ma and refers to engaging in a specific sexual act with the artist.

At one point in the video, which Barz uploaded to YouTube on Sunday (Dec. 16), the woman is asked to get Remy on the phone. A female voice answers and says hello to the woman, but the conversation is short. The female on the other end hangs up after she is asked by the woman, "Why you be frontin' on me and all that?"

On Tuesday, Remy's camp addressed the video in the following statement:

"The fraudulent video hoax that has surfaced of an alleged female lover of Remy Ma is completely false and reps for Remy Ma emphatically deny these claims. The staged video and storyline, as well as the voice on the phone posing as Remy are all fictitious and have made it very obvious that this is a deliberate attempt to undermine Remy's name and character. Remy Ma has not nor has she ever been involved in a same sex relationship with the accuser or any other woman however Remy is respectful of those who choose the alternative lifestyle. Again, this video and claim are both 100% untrue and we hope that the involved accusers are aware of the civil liberties violated in the taping of this video."

Woman Claims To Be Remy Ma's Lover
Click Here to see the video.

Sheek Louch Recruits Jim Jones & Bun B For New Solo Disc

D-Block rapper Sheek Louch has plans to drop his third solo album Silverback Gorilla via Koch.

The Lox member will release his album in March of 2008, featuring the lead single "Keep Pushin'." The album will also include guest spots from fellow D-Blockers Jadakiss and Styles P along with Jim Jones, The Game, Fat Joe and Bun B of UGK.

In a statement from the record label, Koch General Manager Alan Grunblatt said Sheek Louch "defines gangsta rap in New York."

The Yonkers-bred MC has previously released the solo albums Walk With Me and After Taxes.

In related news, fellow Lox member Styles P recently dropped his Koch debut, Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman). It landed at No. 52 on the Billboard 200 last week, selling 28,500 copies.

Prodigy Goes Against The Grain On "H.N.I.C. 2"

In a recent interview, the infamous Mobb Deep emcee talks about bringing back rap music's mystery and how he prefers to make videos for YouTube along with the tone of his upcoming album, HNIC2.

"It's very, very rebellious, put it like that," Prodigy told of the sequel to 2000's H.N.I.C. "It's like, my n*ggas call me Go Against the Grain P' ... I'm just really speaking my mind about a lot of things in this world, just dealin' with certain issues about religion, about politics, about health, about real sh*t. Just real sh*t."

It doesn't get much realer than P's videos. Grimy and often violent, Prodigy said he prefers the straight-to-YouTube approach to maintain creative freedom.

"My whole reason for doin' what I'm doin' is because I just want to be able to express myself to the fullest," he said, "without having to make changes for certain TV channels that don't want to play (a video) because it's too graphic for them or they don't understand where we comin' from. So instead of doin' that, I'd rather just do what I do without no constrictions, without having to conform. I can just be myself. Because I want the fans to see me, naturally."

The video for H.N.I.C. 2's lead single "ABC," which was directed by longtime collaborator DanTheMan, is a dark, eerie tale of revenge that ends with P's character murdering the dirty cop who violated his wife and tried to set him up.

In real life, P says that a run-in with crooked cops is the prime reason he's headed for prison this January. But is he concerned about sending a violent message through the video?

"Nah, not even, because I feel like nowadays that's what's needed in rap," he said. "That's what's missing, the mystery of it. That's what made rap popular, from the beginning, because it was only for a small circle of people in the 'hood. And by it being for a small circle of people it had a mystery about it. The rest of the world was like 'Yo, what the hell is this? What's goin' on over here?'"

"So, I'm trying to bring that feeling back really," he added, "just like the whole mystery about it, where it's not for everybody. It's only for a small community. And the rest of the world is just gonna hear about it and be curious."

Fabolous Says Street Family Are Rappers Not Robbers, Denies Being On Scene Night Of Friend's Murder

Brooklyn-bred rapper Fabolous recently spoke up about his whereabouts on the night that his longtime friend was murdered, as well as the NYPD's allegations that his Street Family crew are notorious for robbing celebrities.

Fab's attorney has maintained from the beginning that his client was not at Duvet, a popular Chelsea nightclub in New York City, where last month, Fabolous associate, Shamel McKinney, was stabbed to death.

The rapper (born John Jackson) said he spent Thanksgiving night, the night of McKinney's death, with his family at his New Jersey home, no where near the city.

"On Thanksgiving, I think I came out of the house one time - to go get eggnog," Fab told New York's Daily News. "And there wasn't any eggnog at Club Duvet."

But a promoter puts Fabolous on the scene that fateful night, insisting that he's the one who invited the rapper to the party and that Fabolous and his crew had a verbal altercation with a bouncer at the door.

Fab said not only was he not there, he didn't even find out about McKinney's murder until he "woke up to the bad news" the next morning.

"It was very much a shock to me," the rapper said. "When you hear stuff happened to bad guys, you're like, 'Okay, yeah, it was coming to them.' Shamel's not that kind of person. I was waiting to hear more of the story. Unfortunately, when I heard the story, I ended up being in it.

Police are investigating a theory that McKinney, a father of two with a rap sheet, was stabbed while attempting to rob someone of a chain. Cops believe he is a member of an alleged group of thieves that go by the name Street Family.

Sources have said the group is known for staking out clubs for celebs and snatching their jewelry. Fabolous who is associated with the group, denies those allegations.

"I in no way support criminal activity," Fab said, calling Street Family "a crew of rappers," not "a gang of street homies."

"Most of the people that are around me work in association with what I do in the music business," he continued. "I don't have any hangers-on. I can't really afford them. I'm the kind of person, if I do wrong, I'm going to stand up as a man and say, 'All right I did this and I deserve whatever's going to get done,' But to be wrongfully accused or attacked because of your celebrity, I have to stand up for myself."

A suspect in the murder, 25-year-old Anthony Taylor, was arrested in Atlanta earlier this month and scheduled to be brought to New York for questioning.

The Nation's First HipHopSodaShop Slated to Open Tomorrow on December 18 in Tampa, FL

World Renowned Hip-Hop Icon Doug E. Fresh To Perform
Hip Hop Mogul Andre Harrell to Host the Evening
Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and others in Harlem's Dipset, JT Money, Pretty Ricky, Abebe Lewis of Miami's Circle House Studios, Syndicated Radio Host from Phoenix, Jerome Carter, Among the Featured Hip-Hop Guests


NEW YORK, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- H3 Enterprises, Inc. (Pink Sheets: HTRE - News), the world's first publicly traded Hip-Hop company, announced today that it will be launching the nation's first HipHopSodaShop in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday December 18, 2007. The HipHopSodaShop franchise is the backbone of the H3 related businesses and encapsulates not only the numerous revenue streams that the company has developed, but also embodies the "community conscious" approach that H3 applies to all of its endeavors.



Dr. Benjamin Chavis, CEO and President, stated, "Tomorrow we are making Hip-Hop history. At the same time, December the 18th will mark the beginning of a new business franchise that will blend the worlds of Hip-Hop and Wall Street. We are about community economic development and the HipHopSodaShop represents the best of the positive attributes of Hip-Hop culture that will provide an entrepreneurial strategy to help our communities overcome poverty. Most record companies and leading artists 'drop' albums on a Tuesday. This Tuesday, H3 Enterprises is 'dropping' the HipHopSodaShop concept for the whole wide world to enjoy."

Keith Chutlian, Chairman of the Board, commenting on the historic grand opening tomorrow, stated, "H3 is the only business I've seen that blends culture, profit, and charity by bringing financial empowerment and giving back to H3 communities both on the ground and on the internet. We're creating a real and virtual way to focus the best of hip hop culture into an artistic, interactive, and rewarding experience. Our scalable model encompasses various sectors such as restaurants, entertainment, and technology in the U.S. and abroad to generate phenomenal growth."

The HipHopSodaShop comes complete with a healthy quick service menu, merchandising, a state of the art recording studio, 30 giant LCD screens, the latest Xbox 360 live video games, and a large area dedicated to competitive on-line video gaming. The first HipHopSodaShop is over 11,000 sq ft and is a modern day cultural arts center where many forms of Hip-Hop can be expressed by patrons and embraced by the community.

It's a recipe for success: combine popular music with healthful dining options and flavor with socially-responsible capitalism. The eclectic menu includes limited fried foods and no monounsaturated or polyunsaturated (trans) fats. The shop will feature "rap" sandwiches with few carbohydrates and a beverage line made with antioxidant-rich white tea and sweetened with chicory syrup instead of sugar. Clever monikers, sprinkled throughout the menu, are geared to strike a chord with diners while encouraging financial literacy.

The venue, which is less than a mile from the University of South Florida which has over 40,000 students, is located at 1241 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida. The 11,000-square-foot space has undergone renovations to become a full-service, conceptually-chic restaurant. It is equipped with a recording studio, multiple 4'x 5' video screens, tableside video-gaming apparatuses and a DJ/MC booth with surround sound. Targeted to a youthful demographic, aged 13-35, the restaurant will hold special events like open mic nights, live HD sportscasts, live outdoor concerts and cyber gaming. The store will also carry clothing, MP3 players and recorded music.


SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

7:00am Live Radio interview with Dr. Benjamin Chavis on WCBS
WILD 98.7

Dr. Benjamin Chavis speaks about the Grand Opening of
the HipHopSodaShop.

*** WCBS Wild 98.7 will be broadcasting live all day
from the HipHopSodaShop***

12:00pm Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Local officials and dignitaries will participate in this
special event to mark the Grand Opening of the first
HipHopSodaShop.

4:00pm Every One's Youth United Marching Band, St Petersburg, FL

A special performance by a group of talented, local young
musicians.

5:00pm Red Carpet Ceremony

With various hip-hop celebrities and artists.

6:00pm until ... Special Performance by Doug E. Fresh

Dubbed the "World's Greatest Entertainer" for his
unrivaled ability to rock a crowd, Harlem and the
originator of the human beat box, Doug E. Fresh is best
known for the two-sided, multi-platinum hits "The Show"
and "La Di Da Di." Fresh has embraced hip-hop activism
and used his voice to speak out against a variety of
social ills.

Hosted by Andre Harrell

Former president of Motown Records and founder of Uptown
Records, this multi-talented music and entertainment
entrepreneur has established a reputation in the industry
as one of the most astute, progressive and creative
executives in the business. As a music and film producer,
Harrell has helped launch the careers of such acclaimed
artists as Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige,
Jodeci, Heavy D and the Boyz, 98 Degrees and mentored
Sean "Puffy" Combs.

All Day Celebration Tent

Complimentary food samples and soda fountain items from
the HipHopSodaShop menu will be provided to the general
public. A tent will be provided for outdoor viewing of
all performances, with first-come first-served access as
well as video screens both inside and outside the tent
that will provide live screening of all performances.
There will also be limited complimentary access to video
gaming and a variety of HipHopSodaShop exclusive
merchandise will be available for purchase.

Celebrities!

Hip-Hop superstars including Jim Jones, Juelz Santana,
and Max B from Harlem's legendary Dipset, along with a
host of Southern rap stars will be in attendance to show
their solidarity with H3, Dr. Ben. and the
HipHopSodaShops. MTV Real World stars Shauvon Torres,
Isaac Stout and Johanna Botta will also be attending. The
entire Celebrity List will be announced in full on
Monday.

All activities are open to the General Public on a first-come,
first-served basis

Directions: Phone:
1241 E. Fowler Ave. (813) 977-1200
Tampa, FL 33612
(1/8 of a mile east of Interstate 275 at the Fowler Ave exit and 3/4 of a mile west of the University of South Florida)

Press Availability:

Please contact The T.A.S.C. Group(see above) regarding issuance of press passes and to schedule interviews with the leadership of the HipHopSodaShop and the participating Hip-Hop celebrities.

About H3 Enterprises, Inc. and the HipHopSodaShop:

H3 Enterprises, Inc. is the parent company of the HipHopSodaShop, with its corporate headquarters located at 116, John Street, New York, NY 10036. As the first publicly traded Hip-Hop company, H3 Enterprises, Inc. is dedicated to the mission of empowering young people through investment, education and economic development.




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Source: H3 Enterprises, Inc.