KANYE WEST CONTINUES TO 'GLOW': Artist prepares more dates with support from Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D.

Kanye West has announced that more dates are being worked out for his Glow in the Dark tour, which launched in the UK last year in support of his latest album "Graduation."

The effort will feature opening acts Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D., West revealed in a posting on his blog.

Dates and venues have yet to be announced, however, West told Billboard last summer he would be collaborating with Madonna choreographer Jamie King on the tour.

With West, Fiasco and N.E.R.D.'s Pharrell Williams in the building, expect to see a performance from the trio's side project, Child Rebel Soldier (CRS). The group's lone single, the Thom Yorke-sampling "US Placers," was an Internet hit last summer.

Jim Jones Goes Legit, Re-Releases 'American Gangster' Mixtape On Koch

Jim Jones is doing his own version of "American Gangster," as only he can - Harlem style. The Dipset capo is set to re-release his mixtape, Harlem's American Gangster on Koch Records.

Hosted by fellow Harlemnite Dame Dash, the mixtape is set to feature Jones' entire Byrd Gang crew.

Though Harlem's American Gangtser was previously available on a limited basis, the mixtape has been completely revamped. Aside from being remixed/re-mastered the disc also features new tracks, including "Rockefeller Laws."

As for the inspiration for this project, Jones had this to say, "Some people do soundtracks to the movies about Harlem, we do soundtracks to the streets of Harlem, which made us who we are today. Hustlers are some of the flyest people the world has ever set their eyes on."

The Harlem native is best known for his 2006 anthem "We Fly High," which has sold over 3.5 million digital and ringtone units combined. The ubiquitous hit was featured on Jones' gold-selling Koch album Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment). Harlem's American Gangster hits stores on February 19. The first single "Love Me No More" is now at urban radio and a video for the single is in the works. Jones plans to co-direct the video just as he did for "We Fly High" and the "We Fly High" Remix.

Ja Rule Launches Video & Discuss "Past" Beef W/ 50 Cent & DMX

Platinum selling, Queens, New York rapper Ja Rule is the latest rapper to sign on to be a Blogger.

In this exclusive blog series Ja Rule holds nothing back. No stranger to controversy, Ja speaks to the hate he's gotten in the past and his beefs with 50 Cent and DMX.

"I'm so much past that," he told. "I'm going to have to turn into the guy that says 'I don't want to talk about those individuals.' Should I start another beef?"

He also spends time discussing more light-hearted topics like his daughter's crush on Rev. Run's son, Diggy. Oddly enough, Ja is not a fan of reality shows. This is despite the fact that his right hand man and the president of Murder Inc., Irv Gotti has his own hit VH1 reality show, "Gotti's Way."

Of course Ja couldn't pass up the chance to plug his new album, The Mirror. In the blog, Ja explains the inspiration for his new album and what fans can expect from it.

Best known for hits such as "Between Me and You," "I'm Real" and "Livin' It Up," Ja also discusses how to maintain longevity in the business.

NY judge denies Foxy Brown's travel plea

NEW YORK - A judge has denied Foxy Brown's request to get out of jail early so she can go to California for an ear examination and for repair of an electronic ear implant.

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State Supreme Court Justice Melissa Jackson ruled Thursday that the singer will not let Brown go to Los Angeles' House Clinic for the exam and repair of a defective cochlear implant, the Manhattan district attorney's office reported Monday.

Brown, 29, revealed her hearing problems during a court appearance in 2004. Her petition to Jackson said that her condition was worsening in jail and that she faced serious harm to her hearing unless she had the cochlear implant reprogrammed and repaired.

Prosecutors say Brown can get the treatment she needs in New York, but her attorneys say she requires the treatment of specialists at House Clinic.

Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, was sentenced in September 2007 to a year in jail for violating probation. Jackson had put her on probation after she pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault of two manicurists at a Manhattan nail salon in August 2004.

Brown's albums include "Ill Na Na" and "Chyna Doll," and she is known for her sexy outfits and racy lyrics. Her lawyer, Laura M. Dilimetin, had no comment on the ruling.

Missy Elliot to release 3-D music video

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Missy Elliott is going 3-D.

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Walt Disney Studios is creating a stereoscopic 3-D music video combining two of her songs featured in the studio's upcoming feature "Step Up 2 the Streets," which opens February 14.

MTV will premiere the video in 3-D on Monday (February 4) during "TRL." Glasses for home viewing will be distributed via various promotions.

The video combines Elliott's songs "Ching-a-ling" and "Shake Your Pom Pom" and was directed by Dave Meyers, who has helmed music videos for Elliott including "Work It" and "Get Ur Freak On."

In addition to the MTV premiere, the music video will be shown in 3-D during a special screening of "Step Up 2 the Streets" on February 5 in New York, with Elliott scheduled to attend.

Additional 3-D presentations may be scheduled, and the video also will be shown in 2-D.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

DIDDY SAYS 'WHAT NAME CHANGE?': Mogul's camp denies switch to 'Sean John.'

ean Combs says his nickname is still Diddy despite recent reports to the contrary.

The rap mogul and star of the upcoming ABC movie "A Raisin in the Sun" denied last week's New York Post item that suggested he wanted folks to drop "Diddy" and call him by his first and middle name, Sean John.

Page Six had quoted him saying that he was now "in Sean John mode," but his rep explained that he was referring to his state of mind leading up to Fashion Week next month.

"Recent reports of a name change are totally false, he is still Diddy," his rep said in a statement. "He is currently in 'Sean John' mode as the upcoming Sean John fashion show is scheduled for Feb. 8th in New York."

Diddy, himself, told the Post: "I'm not changing my name. I've been there, done that. My legal name is Sean Combs, [but] people call me Puffy, or Diddy or P. Diddy. It's just that my life is on blast, so people know about all my different names. If I change my name again, y'all can have me certified as crazy. Alright? But I'm not crazy, so I won't change my name."

Joe Budden bounces back with "Padded Room"

NEW YORK (Billboard) - If all goes as planned, rapper Joe Budden will release his first album in five years, "Padded Room," in the spring.

"Padded Room" will be the follow-up to 2003's "Joe Budden," which launched the hit "Pump It Up." Three editions of his "Mood Muzik" mixtape series have followed, but Budden told Billboard.com that he's looking forward to another proper album release.

"It's complete," Budden said of "Padded Room," which will be released by Amalgam Digital. "It basically will be in the same vein as 'Mood Muzik,' just a little more structure, and the mood will probably be a little lighter. I'm definitely pleased with the direction that it's going."

Budden had intended to release a second album called "The Growth" in the wake of the self-titled record's success. But it was scuttled by a deteriorating relationship with Def Jam, his label at the time, and a rumored feud with outgoing CEO Jay-Z. Nowadays Budden says that "the relationship went sour over the years, not something that just happened spontaneously or instantly. It was kind of a developing process."

Looking beyond "Padded Room," Budden hopes that there won't be as long a wait for his third album. "I'm in the studio every single day, vibing and coming up with ideas," he said. "There's always music around to put out, so you'll hear more from me sooner than later, I hope."

Reuters/Billboard

BEYONCE, MARY J. OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED FOR GRAMMYS: Also, Aretha in special gospel segment; The Time to reunite

While the Recording Academy has officially announced that Beyonce will sing at next month's 50th Annual Grammy Awards, there was no mention of Tina Turner being part of the performance, as reports have suggested.

Also announced as confirmed performers Thursday are Mary J. Blige and Rihanna, who join the Foo Fighters and Carrie Underwood for the Feb. 10 ceremony at Los Angeles' Staples Center.

Rihanna will also hit the stage for a special "50th anniversary moment" with Morris Day, Jerome and the reamining members of The Time, who are reuniting for the occasion, reports Billbaord.com.

Aretha Franklin will appear in a special gospel segment with Blige, the Clark Sisters, Israel And New Breed, the Madison Bumblebees and Trin-I-Tee 5:7 to celebrate her selection as the 2008 MusicCares Person of the Year.

SUGE KNIGHT CAUGHT IN GANG INJUNCTION: Judge asked to ban Death Row co-founder and Mob Piru members from gathering in Compton

In addition to his financial woes, Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight may soon be forbidden to hang in public with his Blood homies in the CPT.

The city of Compton has asked a court to ban members of the Mob Piru gang from being able to congregate there. The order requested by city officials lists 200 people associated with the gang – including Suge.

"This is crazy," Knight told the Los Angeles Times. "I'm a 42-year-old businessman, not a gang member. I don't even live in Compton anymore."

The injunction would ban Mob Piru from congregating, carrying guns, drinking alcohol in public or staying out past 10 p.m. A hearing on the matter was to be held Thursday.

Lil' Wayne Goes Free, Yet To Be Charged

Just a day after Lil' Wayne was hauled into jail on three felony drug counts, the self professed greatest rapper alive was free and signing autographs.

As previously reported,Wayne (born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.) was nabbed Tuesday (Jan. 22) around 11:30 p.m. in Yuma County, Ariz. after a Border Patrol dog alerted agents to the presence of illegal drugs on his bus. A search of the vehicle turned up 105 grams of marijuana, 29 grams of cocaine and 41 grams of ecstasy and $22,000 belonging to the rapper.

According to TMZ, officials also found a .40-caliber pistol registered to Weezy, who has a concealed weapons permit in Florida. Authorities are looking into whether he violated any weapons laws in Arizona.

Two members of his entourage Curtis Stewart and Harold Johnson were arrested with him; they each face a charge of possession of marijuana.

After spending the day in the Yuma County Jail, Weezy posted more than $10,000 bond and was seen blessing fans with autographs outside the bondsman's office.

A court clerk at the Yuma County Justice Court who asked to remain anonymous told that the rapper is scheduled to appear back in court on Jan. 25 at 10 a.m. MST for a reading of a complaint, because he's been booked on pending felony charges.

Weezy, who has not yet been charged, retained local lawyer James Tilson to represent him in the matter.

"We will find out by Jan. 25 whether or not the (Yuma) county attorney will file charges or not," Tilson said. "He is looking forward to his day in court. That's all I can say right now."

This is just Wayne's latest brush with the law in a muddied history of drug arrests. In the summer of 2006, he was arrested for drug possession in Atlanta, and the following summer he was arrested on gun charges in New York. This past October, he was again arrested on drug charges following a concert date in Boise, Idaho.

Uncle Murda Speaks Out After Shooting, "I Think It Was The Police That Shot Me"

Uncle Murda, was shot in the head Tuesday (Jan. 22) night in Brooklyn. The Roc-A-Fella rapper suspects police may be behind the shooting, which left him with no major injuries.

the rapper and got the low down on his beef with cops, how he escaped a hit on his life without so much as a concussion and the new album under Roc-A-Fella.

As previously reported, Murda was shot while sitting in a parked car in Brooklyn. The rapper, whose latest release is titled "Respect the Shooter," checked himself out of the hospital the next day and headed into the studio with the bullet still in his head. [Listen to his excluisve freestyle for here]

The irony isn't lost on him.

"The shooter got shot, but I'm good," Uncle Murda told this afternoon, in an exclusive interview, making light of the graze he suffered in an apparent attempt on his life.

Murda (born Leonard Grant) admitted the incident was "a little bit scary," but said he's used to it.

"It ain't the first time," he said. "I've always gone through situations where people try to take my life. I've probably been shot at about five thousand times."

He said he knows he's not bullet proof, "just hard to kill, like Steven Seagal," the rapper joked. "It was a cheap bullet," Murda continued. "It didn't penetrate like it was supposed to."

While the bullet didn't cause any major damage, it did lodge itself beneath the skin. Doctors told Murda it would fall out in about two to three weeks. When that happens, Murda plans to memorialize the metal.

"I might make it my album cover," he said.

According to New York's Daily News, Uncle has a criminal record dating back to 1997, which includes an arrest for attempted murder of a cop and drug charges.

He thinks this time it may have been the other way around though, and was uncooperative with police who he said were on the scene not even minutes after the shot rang out.

"I think they was checking for me," he said. "I think it was the police that shot me this time. I don't know, I just got a feeling."

While Murda doesn't cite any hard proof to back this allegation, he says he'll follow his intuition.

"We doin' our own investigation, GMG/Roc-a-Fella/Man Hood/ Team Invasion/Violator investigations," Murda said. "We take care of business. We make them suffer."

Murda said he feels safe, but he knows this probably won't be the last shot taken at him.

"What comes around goes around," he admitted. "It sounds f*cked up, but it woulda been what I deserved. Everything I did before in the past might have not been right but it just happened to go down how it went down. I don't want that to happen, but it woudn't be surprising being that's the life I live."

Murda has two Green Lantern mix tapes out, 2 Hard for Hip Hop and Respect the Shooter. His 2008 Roc-A-Fella release is almost complete and will feature Jay-Z and Nicole Ray on the mic with production by Green Lantern, Toonheads, Roc Wilder, The Winnerz Circle's Steve O, Stylez and Bryan Stanley of Team B Music.

Young Buck Makes Moves W/Out 50 Cent, "I Wanted A Separate Sound & Feel From G-Unit

With a new label, Cashville Records, a new look - he's cut off his trademark braids - and a new album ready to drop, Buck says that he's been patiently waiting for his turn.

"I just basically been touring, promoting my last project and getting ready for the release of my new album, Product Of The South," Buck told. "Buck is in a good place. A lot of people want to see me succeed and that's why I created my own brand, Cashville Records. I'm just stepping up to the executive bracket. I'm still a part of G-Unit, 50 is still my boss when I'm doing G-Unit and I'm my boss over here. I'm trying to establish me and just getting to my money."

The new album, which is slated to hit stores on April 1, will feature guest appearances by Young Jeezy, Plies, Devin The Dude and Brotha Lynch Hung with production by Hi-Tek, Drumma Boy and Sha Money XL. The album will be released on the rapper's own label and, according to Buck, will be a totally different regime and sound than his previous work with G-Unit.

"It's a totally new feel to the music," he said. "I can definitely tell you it's gonna be all fresh sounds. I'm working with new producers. I wanted a separate sound and feel from G-Unit. I mean, how could it be a new label if I went with the same stuff as ya'll used to hearing from G-Unit?"

With the rapper noticeably missing from overseas tour dates with the Unit, people have speculated on his relationship with G-Unit boss 50 Cent. Buck says that while the relationship has changed, he wouldn't call it beef.

"I wouldn't say that the relationship has deteriorated, " he explained. "At the end of the day, I been over here getting money and establishing me. My relationship with 50, it is what it is. 50's becoming bigger by the day."

"We don't communicate as much as we used to, but that's cool because I'm not the type of artist that's gonna wait for the CEO to make a move for me," he continued. "I respect 50 to the utmost. Even though at times to the world it seems like 50 ain't down with me, I still stay loyal to the n*gga because he put me in this position. It's just he's more focused on 50 more than anybody. Everybody wonders, what's up with Buck and Fif? He's a business man. He gets the final word and makes the [business] decisions for G-Unit. Anything outside of that, you gotta ask 50 about."

Rumors of beef aside, Buck says that he's focusing on the music, with another G-Unit group album in the works but says that no release date has been set as of yet. His ties with the G-Unit camp are apparently still as in tact as ever, as Buck will also be making an appearance at Sha Money XL's One Stop Shop producer's conference on March 8-9 in Phoenix, AZ.

The conference is set to be an outlet for up and comers and a platform for hip-hop's next generation of beat makers to get advice from the big boys. In addition to that, he's laying the foundation for his Cashville Records to be a success and says that he's even willing to work with 50's former adversaries, even long time Fiddy rival The Game.

"My label is Cashville, not G-Unit," Buck said. "We'll see who chooses to holler and if it's a positive move that's going to benefit the label and my artists, then we'll work it out. It's a whole new year, there's new money to go get."

A lot of those situations [between 50 and other artists] were obviously not my situations," he added. "I'm open to those that are open to me. I ain't trippin' if [Game] ain't trippin'. I ain't trippin' if the world ain't trippin'. I'm in a lane where I got other people's lives to think about too now. This is a fresh Buck."

And though he says that he feels that Interscope could have done more to market and promote his last album Buck The World, he says that nothing will stop this newest disc from reaching the heights that it's supposed to.

"This record is ghetto gospel, reality rap that identifies with the people still in the struggle," he said. "I'm bringing that feeling back to the game. I'm still gonna make those club, party, feel good songs but look how high these gas prices are. People need to get back to talking about something on these records. As long as there's a mixtape scene or an internet, my presence will always be felt. Buck ain't going nowhere."

Product Of The South will hit stores on April 1 on Cashville/Sony.

LIL' KIM SAYS GOODBYE TO ATLANTIC: Rapper to go indie route for upcoming album

Rapper Lil Kim has ended her relationship with Atlantic Records and is planning to release her upcoming project independently, reports Billboard.com.


The split was amicable, stresses Lil Kim, who is currently featured on a remix of Snoop Dogg's latest single "Sensual Seduction."


On DJ Kay Slay's Sirius Satellite Radio show "Streetsweeper Radio" last week, the Brooklyn emcee said she wanted to test the independent waters several years ago, but decided to wait until she learned more about the process before taking the leap.


Rumor has it that Queen Bee will join Fat Joe under Capitol Music Group's independent arm Imperial Records to release her upcoming album, which was originally slated for February but is now tentatively set for April or May 2008.

LIL WAYNE BUSTED: Rapper booked on felony drug charges.

Rapper Lil Wayne is in a heap-o-trouble following his arrest in Yuma Arizona on three felony charges

According to the AP, the 25-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was being held at the Yuma County Sheriff's jail, said Capt. Eben Bratcher.


Carter was taken for a video arraignment late Wednesday morning in a justice court in Wellton, 35 miles east of Yuma.


He faces charges of possession of dangerous drugs, narcotics and drug paraphernalia, authorities said.


Bratcher said Carter was arrested by Drug Enforcement Administration agents at a Border Patrol checkpoint 78 miles from Yuma. Two other men were arrested with him, Bratcher said.

BENJAMIN CHAVIS' H3 TEAMS WITH SEAN JEAN BRAND: 'Co-branding partnership' to promote each other's products.

H3 Enterprises, Inc. President and CEO, Dr Benjamin Chavis announces a "co-branding partnership" between Sean "Diddy" Combs' Sean Jean fashion empire and H3's HipHopSodaShops.

Under the deal, both companies have agreed to work together through marketing, promotions and sales of each other's products.

"The timing of this important partnership between one of the word's most successful young entrepreneurs and the HipHopSodaShop is highly significant from a business perspective," says Chavis. "Sean 'Diddy' Combs is an icon. He is a mogul who only associates his brands with the best businesses in the market. Sean Jean is an upscale fashion empire that is recognized globally for the finest quality and authentic representations of the highest aspirations of hip-hop and popular culture."

"I have known Diddy for over twenty years," continued Chavis. "And it is a special honor for us to work together to encourage the empowerment of people and communities through education, fashion and economic development.

Dr. Chavis made the initial announcement live on FOX Business Network television Monday morning on "Money for Breakfast."

Judge sentences Rhymes to probation

NEW YORK - A Manhattan judge sentenced Busta Rhymes to three years' probation and 10 days of community service Wednesday for assaulting his former driver and a fan.

The 35-year-old rapper was also fined $1,250, plus court costs, for driving while intoxicated and with a suspended license.

He pleaded guilty to the charges — related to four separate incidents — in Manhattan Criminal Court.

Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, must also enroll in a DWI program.

"I just want to say that I'm very grateful to the judge, and I'm very grateful to the system. I believe in the system," Rhymes said as he left court.

LUDACRIS TO OPEN FANCY ATL RESTAURANT: Rapper to bring Singapore cuisine to his hometown.

Rapper Chris "Ludacris: Bridges has announced plans to open an upscale restaurant in his Atlanta hometown that will offer a modern twist on Singaporean cuisine, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.


Straits Restaurant, to debut at 793 Juniper St. in Midtown this April, will be an extension of three California dining spots with the same name run by chef/owner Chris Yeo.


The "modern Singaporean" menu will include sake sampler flights, a lemongrass beef entree, whole lobster and shrimp pad Thai and inventive vegetarian offerings, according to a press release.


“After experiencing Yeo’s modern spin on Singaporean cuisine combined with the sexy dining, I wanted to bring this restaurant home to Atlanta,” said Ludacris, who first experienced Yeo's menu during a trip to San Francisco.


“Chris Bridges’ commitment to his community and his family sealed the deal for me,” explained Yeo. “This market is ideal for Straits and likewise Straits is perfect for the city.”


The 215-seat Atlanta space will debut at the site of the now-shuttered Spice.

Missy Elliott cooking up new tunes

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Rap star Missy Elliott has popped up here and there in the past few years (namely, in a Doritos ad campaign), but there hasn't been much in the way of new music from her since 2005's "The Cookbook."

Now the wait is over, in the form of the new songs "Ching-a-Ling" and "Shake Your Pom Pom," which will appear on Atlantic's "Step Up 2 the Streets" soundtrack (February 5) and Elliott's new album (likely due in May).

At No. 57, "Ching-a-Ling" is currently the top debut on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Elliott is hoping to reunite with producer Timbaland, who has been behind some of her biggest hits but wasn't much of a factor on "The Cookbook."

LYFE JENNINGS IS GOING THROUGH CHANGES: But isn't that what life is all about?

Lyfe Jennings is as much gospel singer, as he is R&B crooner as he is blues guitarist. The young man spends most of his time between New York City and Atlanta, Ga.

The Toledo, Ohio bred talent once served 10 years for arson and has many stories to tell. He says though a large part of his life was spent behind bars, his music - though based upon his own experiences - is not all bad or good. It's just based on life.


"It's sort of autobiographical," Jennings told our reporter. "I don't just want to talk about everything that happens in the bad times, but in the good times as well. I like to talk about some of the things that I've changed, and some of them that I haven't changed. I'm talking about some of things that I have to do to get to that change."


Change is indeed a constant in the growth of any person's growth and personal evolution so it seems as though Lyfe is on the right track. Speaking of change, "Changes" is the name of his forthcoming third album due out in the spring of 2008.


"Y'all watch out for my third album, it's coming in March, called 'Changes'," Jennings told EURweb. "Talib Kweli is on it, Snoop Dogg is on it, Wyclef is on it."


The celebration of the creation of new work is something any artist would celebrate. However that accomplishment is sure to be muffled by the death of Jennings' protege La La Brown, who was murdered along with her producer JeTannue Clayborn, in a Milwaukee studio on October 19 of last year. The two were 21 and 22 years old respectively.


"LaLa Brown, she was on the song 'S.E.X.', rest in peace to LaLa Brown,' recalled Jennings. He added "I think it's a shame that people don't respect life. A lot of times it seems these young people are living there whole lives in one night and they wake up in the morning not here at all. So, no matter what you do, if you're out at the club or if you're in the church I think you gotta respect your surroundings, keep an eye on your surroundings, so you can still have those surroundings when you wake up because it's important."

Witnesses back 'Diddy' assault assertion

LOS ANGELES - Four eyewitnesses support a man's assertion that Sean "Diddy" Combs assaulted him and his girlfriend at a post-Oscar party at a Hollywood nightclub last year, according to court papers filed by the plaintiff's attorney.

Marianna Ruiz, one of the witnesses deposed by an attorney for Gerard Rechnitzer, said in papers filed Wednesday that the rap and fashion mogul struck Rechnitzer unprovoked.

"I just kind of remember seeing him go flying, not flying as in like feet off the ground, but he went back significantly," said Ruiz, who was part of a group at the club with the Rechnitzer. "I was just in shock that somebody would ... just kind of strike somebody out of nowhere."

Another witness, Michael Sherman, said "all of a sudden, he hit him. And there was a taxi behind Gerard. Gerard got knocked into the taxi."

Sherman said Combs then tried to spit on Ruiz, who was standing nearby.

Rechnitzer seeks unspecified damages in the suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court last year. He claims the assault occurred in the early hours of Feb. 25 outside Teddy's at the Roosevelt Hotel.

Attorneys for Combs have called the suit "completely baseless" and in court papers filed Wednesday said he is "in no way legally responsible for what happened to Rechnitzer."

A message left for Combs attorney Hillary A. Jones after business hours Friday was not immediately returned.

APOLLO THEATER NEEDS MAKEOVER MONEY: Supporters launch national fundraising effort for famed Harlem venue

The world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem needs help. The landmark that launched the careers of such legends as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan is in dire need of money to begin the "final phase" of its $47 million renovation.


The funds will go toward doubling the size of the theater lobby, building a grand staircase at its center and replacing its wall-mounted columns and marble wainscoting, reports the Associated Press. Work inside the theater would include repainting the colorful, intricate patterns on the walls and restoring box seats.

Under the Apollo Theater Foundation's plan, the names of musical legends would be memorialized on bronze plaques in a walk of fame in front of the venue. A revamped third-floor performance space would be placed in front of the building's windows, allowing passers-by to look inside. The foundation also aims to raise $12 million for an endowment.

The nonprofit organization already has spent $37 million to replace the theater's seats, as well as stage and restore its famous marquee

WILL SMITH HEADED FOR 'CHICAGO 7': Actor says Steven Spielberg has approached him to play Black Panther Bobby Seale

Will Smith says nothing is set in stone yet, but he has been contacted by director Steven Spielberg to star in his upcoming film "Chicago 7," which will chronicle the 1969-70 trial of seven radicals accused of conspiring to riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.


According to the Brazillian Web site Omelete, Will Smith has confirmed his association with the project and said that Spielberg asked him to leave some free space in his schedule for the shoot.


"When Steve is ready he will send it. I don't know specifics, story, anything, but he told me the filming dates, so I can be free to do it," Smith told the Web site. "It's not a 100% sure thing yet, but I'm confident."

Smith is up for the part of Black Panther Bobby Seale, who was tried on federal conspiracy charges for the anti-war riots.

LA REID PREVIEWS NEW JANET AND MARIAH TRACKS: Island Def Jam chairman hosts listening party in London for upcoming CDs

The name of Mariah Carey's forthcoming 11th studio album is "That Chick," according to reports from a joint listening party held in the UK for both her album and Janet Jackson's new disc, "Discipline."


Island Def Jam chairman Antonio "LA" Reid, who hosted the affair at a hotel theatre in central London, played assembled press 10 tracks from "That Chick," including “Migrate,” featuring T-Pain; "Heat" produced by Will I Am; "Cruise Control" feat. Damien Marley; “Bye Bye”; “Love You Long Time”; "For Real, For Real"; "Bye Bye"; "Love Story"; "Touch My Body"; "O.O.C." and the title track.


The album is reportedly due for release on April 1 with the title track set to hit radio on Jan. 29 as the first single.

Meanwhile, Reid played eight tracks from Janet's Feb. 26 release, "Discipline": the Rodney Jerkins-produced first single "Feedback," as well as "Tonight," "Love, Love, Love," "This Can't Be Good," "Rock With You," "Rollercoaster," "Greatest Ex Ever" and the title track.

Scott Storch Having Financial Problems?

Scott Scorch is apparently better at making beats than child support payments.

According to TMZ, the successful rap producer is behind on his monthly support payment for his child, Jalen, who will be 2 in April.

Dalene Daniel has filed a legal motion claiming that Storch is behind on this month's and last month's $7,500 payment, is "habitually late" in paying child support, and has bounced checks

The $7,500 payment may seem like a hefty amount, but it's measly compared to Storch's estimated income, which Forbes placed at $17 million for 2006, or $1.4 million a month.

Despite his substantial income, Storch is reportedly behind on more than just child support. According to a recent story in The New York Post, Storch owes $435,602 in back taxes on his house in Miami. He also never paid for a $7,500 painting he had on display in his home, prompting the Miami gallery owner to pay Storch a visit and reclaim the art.

At press time, Strorch has not commented on his financial situation.

Prodigy Shoots Music Video Behind Bars

After being granted a thirty day grace period before having to report to jail on weapons charges, Mobb Deep rapper Prodigy has decided to shoot his new music video inside a prison cell.

Reports from New York's Daily News confirm that Prodigy, whose real name is Albert Johnson, received permission from officials at the Queens House of Detention to film a video there. According to corrections officials, Prodigy paid for use of the cell.

Prodigy was granted permission to film just days before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Edward McLaughlin agreed to give him another thirty days before reporting to serve a three-and-a-half year prison sentence, while doctors put together his complete medical record. Prodigy suffers from sickle cell disease.,

P however, is denying that the judge allowed him extra time because of his disease. The Queens emcee recently released another video on his website hnic2.com claiming he asked for the extension in order to have more time to put his career in order.

Lupe Fiasco Elaborates On Retirement, "This Game Wears On You"

Lupe Fiasco is only two albums deep into his budding rap career, but he continues to talk of retirement plans after his next album.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the eclectic Chi-town rapper says there is an 85 percent chance that his next CD, tentatively titled LupEND, will be his last.

"This game wears on you. It tears you down," he said. "It's perpetual motion for some people who've achieved a level of independence, like Madonna and Jay-Z - they don't need to do music anymore. But there's people who need it. And in that need, that's when it's tough and it tears you to pieces."

In a previous interview with, Lupe said "Im'a always perform until the day I die. It's just the industry of recorded music doesn't appeal to me."

Although his contract with Atlantic Records includes three more albums, the 25-year-old rapper is willing to take a loss by breaking his contract early.

And how does he expect to get out of his contract?

"There's renegotiations and all types of other plays and ploys that you can put into effect," he said. "I'll pay Atlantic back or whatever. It's like a student loan."

His second album, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool, was released late in 2007, and landed at No. 15 and sold 250,00 copies thus far, according to Nielsen's SoundScan.

Though the skate boarding rapper is well-known for his rap posture that is closer to nerd than thug, The Cool centers around cinematic street tales, and Fiasco says he has the experiences to back them up. While he doesn't glorify guns or project himself as a scowling gangster, Fiasco said using weapons was part of staying alive in the ghetto.

"When the gangbangers would try to pull it, I was like, 'Yo, I will @#*$ you up," he said. "And if you wanna call your cousin, call him. I'll call me! I'll call me right now.' We were shooting TEC-9s when we were babies, so the whole gangsta image, that ain't nothing."

"When I was growing up, there was a crack house next door to us and they were trying to expand," he added. "My father was like, 'Are you serious?' He took his gun, walked next door, and said, 'You're done,' while I aimed my gun out of the window. I was 13 or 14 and to see that, a lot of the facade and the upkeep [of trying] to impress people was eliminated very early for me."

Foxy Brown Asks Judge For Early Prison Release, Cites Hearing Issues

Hearing problems have reportedly been behind some of Foxy Brown's discipline issues while in jail, and now the rapper is asking to be released from prison early to seek treatment for her condition.

Foxy, whose real name is Inga Marchand, is currently serving a year-long sentence for violating her probation in connection with a 2004 assault charge.

Since being in jail, she was thrown in solitary confinement for bad behavior, which she alleged was due to her hearing problem and a battery-operated hearing device that was working improperly.

According to the Associated Press, Brown is seeking the early release so she can travel to a Los Angeles clinic and "have her cochlear implant reprogrammed and repaired or else face imminent harm to her hearing."

The rapper has already had two failed hearing surgeries.

"Ms. Marchand does not want to risk such a sensitive and complicated process to centers that have failed her in the past," the petition says.

In a handwritten letter that was submitted as part of the appeal, Brown said she is worried about her well-being.

"I ask you to please take into consideration that my health is in jeopardy," Brown wrote.

Brown's lawyer, Laura Dilimetin, claims her client's music career is also at stake.

"If her hearing is damaged any further, it will affect the way she hears and it will affect the way she sings," Dilimetin said. "It will have dire consequences on her ability to maintain her profession and livelihood."

No court date has been set as of yet to discuss Foxy's request. She is asking to be released by Jan. 30.

Brown's latest album, Brooklyn's Don Diva, is scheduled to hit the streets on Feb. 5.

Kool Herc Calls On Will Smith & Queen Latifah To Help Save Historic Hip-Hop Building

One of hip-hop's pioneers is waging a battle that has little to do with freestyles or beatboxing - instead DJ Kool Herc is hoping to raise enough funds to keep a high-rise, who many believe is the birthplace of hip-hop, out of the hands of real estate developers.

The Bronx building where Kool Herc, whose real name is Clive Campbell, threw a now legendary house party in August 1973 may no longer be affordable to many long-time residents if they are unable to raise enough funds to buy it from the developer.

Yesterday (Jan. 15) Herc, accompanied by Senator Chuck Schumer and a number of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue tenants, called a news conference to bring attention to the resident's plight

"This is where it all started," Kool Herc said at the press conference, according to New York's Daily News. "But it's turned into a sad story. People are about to be put out of their houses."

Last February BSR Management, the company that owns the property, announced plans to take the complex out of New York's Mitchell Lama affordable housing program and sell the building to real estate developer Mark Karasick. If development plans are carried out, rents at 1520 could rise far beyond the reach of the current tenants.

While tenants were able to get the building declared eligible for listing on the State and National Register of Historic Places, the new designation had no bearing on the sale to Karasick.

Last month Karasick offered to sell the building to the tenants for $14 million, however according to Dina Levy, who works with UHAB, the nonprofit group helping the tenants, even with private lender funding and city subsidies the residents are only looking at an estimated $11.5 million, about $3.5 million short of their goal.

In the meantime, Kool Herc is hoping to enlist some of hip-hop's biggest names to dig into their wallets for the cause.

"All the Queen Latifahs and Will Smiths," Herc said in his appeal, "We're asking all those guys you see in Forbes magazine that are living hip-hop to recognize this building."

Those interested in donating can also do so online at www.save1520.org.

If they are successful in their bid to buy the building, residents hope to convert the 100-unit complex into a permanently affordable, limited-equity co-op.

Vivica Fox says sex tape doesn't exist

Mary J. Blige, Wyclef, 50 Cent Named in Steroid Probe

Fat Joe Answers 50 Cent, "Since I've Been Beefing W/ 50 I've Become So Much Richer"

Fat Joe recently paid a visit to BET's "RapCity," where he shared some choice words for 50 Cent and G-Unit and discussed the logic behind his new album title.

During his recent "Rap City" visit Joe responded to comments by 50 Cent, who took aim at the Bronx rapper during a previous "Rap City" show when questioned which five MC's he'd eliminate from the game.

"Fat Joe, he's not really tough," 50 said during the show. "He's the kind of guy who makes idle threats ... invites you to a fight and never shows up. My schedule has been on BET for the last two years and he still ain't run into me."

When it was his turn to address the comments, Joe seemed more than happy to keep the feud going, insulting 50 Cent and G-Unit, while boasting of his own success.

"This dude 50 Cent is a clown, we've been beefing what --three years?" Crack said. " I go to every club in New York City, every hood. Have you ever seen a G-Unit member in a club? The question was eliminate, he can't eliminate Fat Joe. Since I've been beefing with 50 Cent I've become so much richer in my life, so much more millions and keep dropping hit records. And my brother Khaled is dropping heavy records and We da Best and you see that movement. You can't stop us. We untouchable, B." [Watch Below]

Joe also used the "RapCity" appearance to explain the title of his upcoming project The Elephant In The Room, which will be his 8th solo album. While discussing the range of influence his recent hits have had on music, Joe also managed to slide in a few more shots at G-Unit.

"The elephant is in the room," Joe told "RapCity" host Q-45. "Do you know the life span of an artist? Artists don't last no more than two albums. He come out, he a new sensation, he got a hot record. When he come out with the second album, he don't even have a hit, he's gone, similar to a Young Buck/Lloyd Banks situation. That's real talk, they outta here. I've been in the game for 14 years. I've been dropping so many hits. Do you know how hard it is for a guy to make a hit record every single time? This record right now is about to be #1 in the country. It's killin' them. You can't stop me. So my thing is why not give credit where credit is due?"

"If a dude keep bringing out number one records 'Make It Rain,'... 'Lean Back' made them 'Lean Wit it, Rock Wit It,' made em 'Shoulder Lean,' matter fact blame me for 'Pop, Lock and Drop It' cause 'Lean Back' started that. 'Make it Rain'..."Rihanna" had to talk about it, she had to get an umbrella. How many people you seen make it rain after a song like that? But they don't want to talk about Fat Joe like he's top ten. Elephant is in the Room, the Room is hip-hop!"

The Elephant In The Room will feature appearances from Diddy, Rick Ross, Fabolous and production from Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, DJ Khaled, Nate "Danja" Hills and The Runners. The project is expected to be released earlier this year.

Slick Rick & Nice & Smooth Bring Back That Ole NY Rap

Freedom Party Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary with Slick Rick and other special guests

On Sunday, January 20th The Freedom Party, the most successful long-running dance party in NYC, will celebrate its 5 Year Anniversary with a birthday blowout at BB King’s NYC. Pairing their highly successful dance party with performances from some of the most legendary names in Hip-Hop, the event will feature performances from Slick Rick, Nice & Smooth, Chubb Rock, Lisa Lisa and other special guests.

The Freedom Party’s mission is to bring back the dance floor. As Freedom Party founders DJ Herbert, DJ Marc Smooth and DJ Cosi reminisce about the city’s golden era of nightlife, they remember a time when people went out to have fun, dance and really enjoy themselves. Those nights on the town and the places they visited were their temples of worship, where people from different walks of life came together to be free and rejoice to the music. “As a collective, we missed the days when going to a party didn’t depend on who you know to get in, or how much money you had. The best place to be was on the dance floor, not in VIP,” said founding partner DJ Marc Smooth.

DJ Herbert, who is also known for his weekly email “The Herbert Holler,” added “we decided at that moment that it was time for us to step up and make history. We wanted to provide a fond memory that people could look back on, and give people a place where they could feel FREE! Free to let loose and have fun without pretense. It was our turn to create an event that gave people what those legendary parties gave us. Over the past five years, that is what the Freedom Party has become.”

The Freedom Party is a main-stay for night owls across the globe. Hosting sold-out crowds each week, Freedom has welcomed party-goers from as far away as Los Angeles, Japan and Denmark. When they are in New York, they experience Freedom.

The Freedom 5 Year Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, January 20th (MLK Weekend)
BB King’s Time Square - 237 West 42nd Street
11pm - 4am
Tickets: $35 online, $45 at the door
Lineup: Slick Rick, Nice & Smooth, Chubb Rock, Lisa Lisa and other special guests.
Hosted by Freedom’s own DJ Herbert, DJ Marc Smooth and DJ Cosi

DMX ordered to pay his baby's mother

Rapper DMX has been forced to pay out $1.5 million to the mother of his child, after failing to turn up to a Maryland court on Friday to defend himself against allegations of defamation.

The Party Up (Up In Here) MC - real name Earl Simmons - was sued by Monique Wayne for defamation of character in 2006 after the star claimed he was raped by the woman during a hotel stay in Baltimore in 2003.

He told American magazine Sister 2 Sister, "She raped me. DNA says it is (my child). I don't know. If I did (have sex with her), I would remember. It ain't like she's a pretty girl."

Wayne responded to the comments by filing a $6 million lawsuit against Simmons in Prince George's County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in October 2006.

And Judge Thomas Smith ruled in Wayne's favor on Friday when Simmons skipped the scheduled court hearing, ordering the rapper to pay her $518,400 in compensation, plus a further $1 million in punitive penalties, reports the New York Post.

Following the ruling, Wayne told the newspaper, "It's not so much the price, it's the point I wanted to get across. Let him think about what he's going to say before he says it."

A spokesman for DMX has yet to comment.

MTV adds Grammy nominated artist Fat Joe Into the BIG 10.

Fat Joe is taking over the airwaves on MTV with his new video, "I Won't Tell" featuring J. Holiday. MTV has just added Fat Joe into the Top 10 artists played with heavy rotation and 15 to 18 spins a week, MTV 2 puts him into the Elite 8, MTV Hits bumps him to Diesel rotation with 15 to 20 plays per week on MTV Jams, MTVU has accelerated him to Magna Cum Laude rotation on all 5 MTV channels and maximum spins on every channel. Fat Joe appeared on MTV's TRL, January 9, 2008. The video for "I Won't Tell (featuring J. Holiday)" was filmed last month in Miami during DJ Khaled's birthday weekend and directed by Gil Greene (he also directed "We Taking Over" by DJ Khaled). The video is a star-studded, extravaganza, reminiscent of the Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance," some of the celebrity cameos include, Bow Wow, LL Cool J, Diddy, Cristina Millian, Junior Reid, Mario Winans, Pitbull, and Flo Rida.

Fat Joe also has a Grammy nomination comes on the heels of the news that, "Make It Rain (featuring Lil Wayne)" has surpassed the 1 million ring tone sales milestone, and 1 million full song downloads was certified Platinum in RIAA's Digital Ringtone program. Fat Joe's new album, The Elephant In The Room will be in stores March 11th, 2008. The album features multiplatinum producers, Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, Danja Handz, Terror Squad artist, DJ Khaled, and impressive, up and comers, The Runners and LV. In addition to these powerhouse producers the album also features guest artist, Lil Wayne, Diddy, J. Holiday, Rick Ross and Dre of Cool and Dre. This is Fat Joe's eighth album and it promises to be his biggest and most successful project to date.

The previous album Me, Myself & I on Terror Squad through Imperial Records/Virgin has currently sold over 250,000. As a solo artist and with Terror Squad, Fat Joe has already sold over 4 million records worldwide. Fat Joe is a hip hop icon and an amazing businessman who is a legendary member of the Diggin in The Crates Crew with Big L and Lord Finesse. He also launched the career of his protégé, Big Pun, who was the first Latin rapper to sell over one million units. Fat Joe also received a Grammy nomination for best performance by a rap group or duo with "Lean Back."

Rapper Prodigy off to prison, rapping in tongues

By Hillary Crosley

NEW YORK (Billboard) - As rapper Prodigy prepares to begin a three-and-a-half-year prison term for illegal gun possession, he is using a creative marketing approach for his new solo album, "H.N.I.C. 2," due March 9.


The project will be made available in an astounding 14,000 languages with the help of independent label VOX Music Group's voice-translation affiliate, Voxonic.

"I remember when Mobb Deep was going overseas to Paris in 1995," says Prodigy, referring to his hip-hop duo. "The fans were saying our lyrics in the seats but backstage they couldn't understand us. They couldn't understand what our lyrics were really saying. So when I heard about Voxonic, I knew this is going to change the world."

Using a voice technology that dissects the phonemes, the sounds that words comprise, Voxonic will take a 10-minute voice sample of Prodigy and a foreign-language translator. Then the software pieces together the speech patterns of the translator and Prodigy, creating a fully translated song. The record is in Prodigy's voice, only his phonemes are rearranged to create the pattern of the translator's foreign language.

Last year, Voxonic also released reggae musician Ky-Mani Marley's album "Radio," which has sold 18,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

After learning about this software last year, Prodigy met with Voxonic president Arie Deutsche and agreed to become a partner in the company as well as a talent scout for VOX. But the partnership hit a snag last October, after the rapper was sentenced to jail. He is due to begin his term on February 13, after getting an extra month of liberty to arrange the medications for his sickle cell anemia.

Still, Prodigy is hoping his imprisonment won't affect business.

"Hopefully, I'll have access to a computer," Prodigy says. "But, just by me signing with Voxonic and releasing 'H.N.I.C. 2,' it's sparking interest, so it won't affect my position in the company."

Leading up to his jail term, Prodigy shot a video for each song on the new album, which will be released virally.

"We're going to make sure Prodigy's fans get their dose," Deutsche says. "He's going to record messages from prison, which we'll air on the social networking site HNIC2.com. Obviously the most unique selling point is that we're going to be able to service all of Prodigy's fans, whatever their language."

Reuters/Billboard

Usher reportedly "itching" to release new CD

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Usher's 2004 album, "Confessions," has sold 9.4 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, but tentative release dates keep coming and going for its follow-up, which is now nebulously slated for sometime this year via Jive Records.

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So what's the holdup? "He has been taking a pretty long time to put it out, but I think he's ready now," says longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri, who scaled back his contributions to the new album after taking the reins of Island Records' urban music department last February.

"The last couple times I've been around (him), you could tell he's got the bug to hurry up and put this record out. He wants to get back out here and give the people that. He's got that itch."

Dupri declined to specify his contributions, but said, "I know that I've done my songs and I know that my songs on his record are crazy."

He is known to have produced the track "The Realest," which was at one time mentioned as a possible first single. Labelmate T-Pain produced "All the Time," while Atlanta rapper Ludacris guests on "Dat Girl Right There," which leaked last month.

Reuters/Billboard

Yayo's lawyer: Convict admits teen slap

NEW YORK - A lawyer for G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo, who is accused of slapping a 14-year-old boy on a Manhattan street, wants the charges dropped after prosecutors revealed Thursday that another man has confessed.

Yayo, whose real name is Marvin Bernard, has pleaded not guilty to charges of misdemeanor assault, harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. The boy is the son of Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond, who co-founded Czar Entertainment and manages Yayo's rival rapper The Game.

A Yayo acquaintance, Lowell Fletcher, told police during an unrelated jailhouse interview that he had slapped the youth in March and Yayo pulled him away, said the rapper's attorney, Scott Leemon.

"They disclosed it today, and we plan to file a motion for dismissal," Leemon said of Assistant District Attorney Daryl Reed who told the court his office learned about Fletcher's statement last week.

According to the statement, "Fletcher saw a young boy wearing a Czar Entertainment T-shirt. Fletcher further stated that he slapped the boy across the face and began to grab the boy's shirt. At this point Marvin Bernard (Yayo) exited the vehicle, tried to restrain him (Fletcher) and get him back in the vehicle."

"Although the statement is harmful to my client," Fletcher's lawyer, Robert Macedonio said, "it seems that Tony Yayo really didn't do anything but pull him (Fletcher) off this kid."

The lawyer said the statement taken in August was "in violation of his constitutional rights" because police were not supposed to question him without his lawyer being present.

Macedonio said his client is serving a 2 1/2-year sentence for drug possession.

Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Neil E. Ross set a tentative trial date for March 31 but told both sides to file motions regarding the statement before then.

Game to LAPD: Show Me the Money

Josh Grossberg

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Forget Fiddy, Game's latest beef is with L.A.'s Finest.
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Lawyers for the "How We Do" rapmeister are asking a judge to order the Los Angeles Police Department to give back about $44,000 confiscated from his home as part of a criminal probe, E! Online has learned.

The Game, whose real name Jayceon Taylor, pleaded not guilty to three felony counts for allegedly pulling a gun on a fellow player during a 2007 pickup basketball game.

The 28-year-old rapper has pleaded not guilty to charges of making a criminal threat, possessing a firearm in a school zone and exhibiting a firearm on the grounds of a facility for minors. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in state prison.

A court clerk confirms that Los Angeles Criminal Court Judge Frederick Wapner (son of former People's Court jurist Joseph Wapner) set a trial date for Feb. 4.

Game was playing hoops at the Rita Walters Educational Learning Complex near his old Compton stomping grounds when a dispute arose. Per authorities, the tattooed hip-hopster, a former high school B-ball star, got angry and punched Rodrick Shannon, a member of the opposing team. The Game then allegedly retrieved a pistol from his Cadillac Escalade and threatened to kill the man.

While the incident took place last February, 50 Cent's former protégé wasn't taken into custody until May. By that time, investigators had already executed search warrants for Game's suburban L.A. home, where they found the loot.

During Wednesday's proceedings, the judge also took care of some side business, scheduling a Jan. 22 hearing to rule on a defense request to hold the LAPD in contempt for refusing to give back the loot.

A police spokesperson declined to comment because the probe is still open. There was no immediate comment from the rapper's lawyer.

Rapper Sigel sentenced to 1 day in jail

By MARYCLAIRE DALE, Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA - Rap star Beanie Sigel was briefly jailed Wednesday and ordered to live in a halfway house for six months after a second probation violation, just weeks before his federal probation was to have ended.
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A judge found that Sigel took an unauthorized trip to Atlantic City, N.J., and had contact with a convicted felon.

U.S. District Judge R. Barclay Surrick ordered Sigel to spend a day in prison and extended his probation by 18 months, including the halfway house stint.

During those six months, Sigel can pursue his work in Philadelphia by day but cannot travel to promote his latest album, "The Solution."

The 33-year-old rapper (real name: Dwight Grant) has had a string of legal problems in recent years but insists he is a changed man.

"I'm human, but I'm working on my mistakes," he told Surrick. "I do believe that other people do get a chance to go back into society and do the work that they do."

In recent months, Sigel has led an anti-violence march with Philadelphia native Bill Cosby, spoken at several city high schools about making good life choices and filmed a public-service announcement aimed at young people.

Surrick acknowledged the positive contributions but said Sigel's actions must have consequences.

"If they're looking at you as a role model, you've got to do the right thing," Surrick said.

The judge could have sent Sigel back to prison for three to nine months.

Sigel spent a year in federal prison on a gun charge, then was acquitted of attempted murder in September 2005, a month after being released. He was briefly jailed in late 2005 for failing to pay $27,000 in child support. The following year, he told police he was shot by men who surrounded him and stole his cash and jewelry.

In 2007, Surrick extended Sigel's supervised release because of his contact with a felon.

Sigel, who has been allowed to travel for work during his probation, admitted he did not seek permission for the Atlantic City trip.

But he denied being with the felon on Dec. 3, saying he was at a studio giving media interviews. A probation officer testified Wednesday that he saw the pair together at the home of Sigel's mother.

Sigel's albums include "The Truth," "The Reason," "The B. Coming" and "The Solution." He also starred in the movie "State Property" and its sequel.

BEANIE SIGEL PUTS DEF JAM ON BLAST: Rapper also swipes at Jay-Z's last album with release of new mixtape "True American Gangster

Beanie Sigel has a bone to pick with the entire Def Jam label, which just bid farewell last month to its major source of conflict, Jay-Z.

During an interview with DJ Whoo Kid over the weekend, Sigel echoed sentiments expressed in the past by LL Cool J and Method Man regarding frustrations over the way company business is handled – particularly under Jay-Z's run as president.

"It's some f---ed-up sh-- that needs to be addressed," Sigel said, according to MTV. "A lot of questions should be directed to the people in charge. They need to be put on the spot and asked questions. Because I want to know myself. ... I'm waiting to hear the same answers to questions that me and Freeway get asked."

Sigel announced that he will release a mixtape soon titled "True American Gangster," a play off Jay's most recent album, November's "American Gangster."

LIL' WAYNE SUED OVER MISSED BENTLEY PAYMENTS: Rapper owes over 91 grand for 1999 Arnage

The Cash Money fam is being hit with one lawsuit after another. On the heels of record label CEO Bryan "Birdman" Williams being accused of copyright infringement, rapper Lil Wayne was sued last month for breach of contract following the purchase of a 1999 Bentley Arnage.

LeMarck deAndre filed the suit Dec. 18, 2007, in the Superior Court of California in Alameda County, reports Allhiphop.com. He claims that Lil Wayne, born Dwayne M. Carter, has failed to pay a balance of over $91,000 for the pricey automobile.

The suit also names Cash Money Records and Lil Wayne's record label Young Money Entertainment as defendants.

As previously reported, several Warner Bros-based entities sued Birdman and his brother, Ronald – co-founders of Cash Money – on Oct. 29 in U.S. District Court in New Orleans claiming that albums by Birdman, Lil Wayne, Big Tymers and other artists on the roster contain copyrighted material used without licensing agreements and without paying royalties.

Eminem is recovering from pneumonia

DETROIT - Eminem is recovering from a bout with pneumonia that sent him to the hospital. "Over the holidays, Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, was under doctor's care at a Detroit-area hospital for complications due to pneumonia," the rapper's publicist, Dennis Dennehy, said Tuesday. "He has since been released and is doing well recovering at home."
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Eminem's illness first was reported by celebrity Web site TMZ.com.

Eminem, 35, rose to stardom thanks to a number of best-selling CDs, personal lyrics and a starring role in the hit 2002 film "8 Mile."

He has won Grammys, including best rap album for "The Slim Shady LP," "The Marshall Mathers LP" and "The Eminem Show," as well as an Oscar for the song "Lose Yourself" from "8 Mile."

DR. DRE LAUNCHES FANCY LINE OF HEADPHONES: Producer teams with Jimmy Iovine and Monster Cable for high performance product

For $399.99, you, too, can listen to music with the clarity and range demanded by former Death Row Records anchor Dr. Dre.


During an appearance Sunday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the super producer teamed with Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine and Monster Cable Products to announce a new line of high performance headphones called "Beats by Dr. Dre."

Conceived by Dr. Dre and co-designed by Iovine and Monster Cable sound engineers over the past two years, the headphones use newly developed driver technology and are designed to accurately replicate various frequencies, including low end bass, while maintaining a natural sound.

"When I’m making a track I’m trying to capture the sound that makes me go 'now that’s the s**t!' And I want that reaction from everybody who hears it," says Dre in a statement. "I spend a lot of time in the studio listening to my music through headphones…with 'Beats,' people are finally going to hear it the way they should: the way I do."

The "Beats by Dr. Dre" headphones are due in stores this spring.

Chris Brown Sued, Set Designer Wants $1 Mil

The designer who created the set for Chris Brown's latest tour has filed suit against the teenage entertainer, claiming he has yet to be paid for all of his work.

According to recent reports from TMZ, set designer John Troxtel filed a lawsuit against Brown and his touring company in federal court on Christmas Eve.

In the suit, Troxtel claims that while he was paid for some of his design work, "extra work was required and requested," and though an oral agreement was reached, the touring company refused to pay for his services when he tried to collect.

Troxtel is suing for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. He is seeking damages in excess of $1 Mil.

Legendary Bluesman Sues Tupac's Estate

Blues musician Syl Johnson recently filed a lawsuit against the estate of the late Tupac Shakur and others for apparently not being paid royalties from the sampling of his songs.

Johnson (real name Sylvester Thompson), who performed with acts like Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf in his heyday, along with his Syl-Zel Music and Twilight Records is alleging that he has not been compensated for several songs that have sampled his work. Among the songs that he is suing for are Tupac's "Peep Game," Michael Jackson's "Blood On The Dance Floor" and Will Smith's "Who Stole The DJ." Johnson alleges that all three of the songs sampled his 1967 song "Different Strokes" and, despite the high profiles of all of the aforementioned artists, that he has not been paid any royalties from the tracks.

The suit, which seeks an unspecified amount in damages, also names KRS One and his Boogie Down Productions, Peedi Crack, Young Chris, N.W.A., Sony BMG, Universal Music Group andUniversal Publishing as defendants for also allegedly sampling the artist's work without compensation.

No representatives from any of the defendants named in the case have officially responded to the suit.

Puffy Diddy Bops Down The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Rapper, producer and hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs will take his celebrity to the next level when he is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January.

Diddy broke the news recently while calling in to "The Foxxhole," Jamie Foxx's show on Sirius radio.

"I'm from Harlem, New York, so to get a star in Hollywood is just mind-blowing," Diddy said. "You can get a lot of things, but when you see those stars on the ground ... that's something I can't even say I dreamed of and to be getting recognized for it is definitely something I'm gonna have my whole family out there for."

Diddy is famous for hustling his way from an Uptown Records intern to Bad Boy Records founder and chief architect behind the careers of such stars as Notorious B.I.G., The Lox and Mary J. Blige.

His business ventures have included two restaurants, a movie production company and a clothing line, and he continues to be active in the music industry, most recently co-producing several tracks on Jay-Z's American Gangster. Diddy has also had several stints in movies and plays, most recently starring in A Raisin in the Sun alongside Phylicia Rashad.

Nate Dogg In Rehab Facility Following Stroke

MTV.com is reporting that Nate Dogg is in a rehab facility after suffering a stroke.

Erica Beckwith tells MTV.com that Nate Dogg was admitted to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in California Dec. 19 but was released to an after care rehab facility Dec. 26.

Nate Dogg is best known for his work with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. He is also one of the original artists signed to Death Row Records.

Method Man Announces New Album; Still Signed To Def Jam

Method Man has announced that he will release a new album entitled "Crystal Method" in 2008.

According to MTV.com, Method Man is four songs deep into the new album.

"I'm tired of n---as sleeping on the kid," Method Man said. "They must be on dope or dog food. I'm not putting no [release] date on it. I'm four songs deep, but I just started. That's good for me."

The rapper also confirmed that he is still signed to Def Jam contrary to rumors that he had left the label.

The Game To Release New Album This June

At Nas's New Year's Eve concert, The Game made a surprise appearance and revealed some details about his next album.

The Game announced that his new (and rumored to be final) album will be released this June. It will be called "LAX".

Rumors have Dr. Dre contributing tracks to The Game's new album however these reports are unconfirmed at press time.

Rihanna Received $500,000 To Perform For Russian Billionaire

While most of us were getting faded on New Year’s Eve, Rihanna was gearing up for the 2008 grind with a massive $500,000 pay day. Oleg Deripaska, a 39-year-old self-made Russian billionaire, paid Rihanna $500K for a 40min private New Year’s Eve performance for him and a few of his colleagues. To us $500,000 may seem like a lot, but for Deripaska ( pronounced CHA-CHING!), whose net worth is $13.3 billion, it’s chump change. That’s because some high profile performers are known to command $5 million+ for private concerts. Rihanna should step her haggling game up in 2008.

KANYE AND BEYONCE PLAY GAMES: Artists get their 'Connect Four' on backstage at Jay-Z's New Year's Eve bash

Kanye West has posted an entry on his blog for the first time since his mother's death in November.


The following message was accompanied by photographs of the rapper and Beyonce playing the popular Milton Bradley game "Connect Four" while backstage at Jay-Z's new 40/40 club in Las Vegas.


THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT. When I was in Europe I would play this game for hours and hours... it helped me zone out. Everybody would get involved... Derrick Dudley (Common's manager) and Consequence were the best other than me... I beat Lexi... Don C beat Jay... Tony Williams beat Common... but every now and then people would speak of this legendary connect 4 champion........... BEYONCE!!! I had 2 play her!...so last night at Jay's new 40/40 club in Las Vegas (which is sidebar, crazy big w/ 24krt gold flooring, Black Jack tables, $500 slot machines ,the biggest projection screen in the universe and the best turkey burgers I've ever had in my life) she beat me 9 times in a row! (and I didn't even spaz lol) here's a photo of the only game I won!

A Spokesman for R. Kelly Released the Following Statement Regarding the Lawsuit Filed by Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo suing R. Kelly tour promoter

VIVICA FOX IN RUMORED SEX TAPE: Actress reportedly has Atlanta police department investigating

Rumors are bubbling that a sex tape has surfaced featuring film and TV actress Vivica A. Fox.


According to Atlanta blogger Sandra Rose, Fox is allegedly caught on camera performing oral sex on an Atlanta man, who secretly recorded the act and promptly e-mailed the footage to his friends.


Rose wrote at her Web site:

It was a tough decision for her to make, but V-103’s Porsche Foxx confirmed that her close friend Vivica Fox appears in a controversial sex tape that is currently making the rounds.

In the tape, an apparently inebriated Vivica can be seen on her knees servicing a male friend who surreptitiously taped the encounter on his cell phone. Allegedly the man, who lives in Atlanta, emailed the tape to friends who emailed it to Vivica. She quickly forwarded the tape to a friend at the Atlanta police department.

It isn’t known if Vivica filed an official complaint with the police or if she asked her police friend to handle the situation privately. At any rate, men tattle worse than females - especially here in the ATL - so the tape got out.

DMX Planning To Release Gospel Album In '08

By Shaheem Reid

Many of DMX's conversations with God have been a matter of public record since his career bloomed to superstar status in 1998. His catalog features nearly as many inspirational ghetto hymns — such as "Lord Give Me a Sign," "A Minute for Your Son" and "The Prayer" — as it does party anthems and street-corner knockers, and in 2006 he pondered changing his name for "spiritual reasons." But now, the Dog has decided to go in full-throttle with his first-ever gospel-rap album, which he told MTV News will be coming out this year.

"I [was] the first n---a to put out two albums in one year [It's Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood in 1998], now I'm gonna hit 'em again — drop two albums on the same f---in' day, yo," X said from his home in Arizona on Friday. "A double album will make mutha----as mad, because they gotta spend more money — plus it's already a long [double] album. I'm talking about a hip-hop album and a gospel album."

Combined, the project will be called Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later.

"The same title is gonna be on both albums, but on one album one part [of the title] is gonna be [highlighted]," he clarified, and on "the other album, the other name is gonna be [highlighted]."

The Walk With Me Now portion will be dedicated to straight-up, raw raps, while the latter will feature his non-secular undertaking.

As for the gospel album, X noted that the lyrics will be "without cursing — how 'bout that one? No songs about b----es, no songs about robbing, just straight 'Give God the glory.' "

He wasn't quite as talkative when asked why he decided to put out a gospel album now. "Destiny, I guess," he replied. "I just go with the flow."

During a hiatus from hip-hop a few years ago, X said he contemplated leaving music altogether to become a minister, but decided to return to the mic. On Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later, he said he'll be working with a variety of producers, from the familiar to the unknown.

"It's a mix," he said. "I got my own dogs banging out tracks. Of course, I'm gonna feed my pups, but it's always gonna be Swizz [Beatz], PK, [Dame] Grease. It's always gonna be that. Real talk."

The albums don't yet have a set release date, but the enigmatic and energetic MC said he's planning to have them out within the next few months. He recently inked a deal with the independent label Bodog Music to release the project. Bodog is probably best known for its online gambling division, but it has also gotten into promoting mixed-martial-arts fights and other ventures.

"It's gonna be real big," Dark Man X said of his new deal. "I got the right amount of money I need. The thing about these big record labels is that they give you a whole bunch of money just so they can take it back from you. Then you don't even own your own sh--. I need to own my sh--, son. [Bodog] got enough money to do what I need to do and I'm good. They got more than enough promotion, they got other sh-- I can bridge off into. Not soft drinks, I'm not talking about sneakers — I'm talking about fights!"

Another big fight, according to X, was his brief stint on Columbia Records. After he left Def Jam, in 2006 he signed a multi-album deal with Sony — his original stomping ground. (The label had signed X in the early '90s but only released an underground single.) Airings of a BET reality show called "DMX: Soul of a Man" preceded the August 2006 release of Year of the Dog, Again (the original Year of the Dog was supposed to come out on Def Jam, but X abandoned the album over creative differences), but X said his time at Sony was doomed almost from the start.

"Sabotage!" he howled. "Sony turned out to be phony." He pointed to what he described as a mishandled rollout of his first single, "We in Here," and an unauthorized A&R call on another potential single, "Dog Love," as two debacles.

"The second single was gonna be 'Dog Love,' " he said. "It was supposed to be three different broads on the hook: Amerie, Keyshia Cole and my artist Shan. Each one was gonna have their own hook. [Sony] put Amerie on there and left [everybody else out]. [Editor's note: Janyce also appears on the song.] They f---ed my whole sh-- up!

"I had five #1-debuting records in a row," he continued. "[Year of the Dog, Again] was supposed to be number six. [Sony] released another record the same day they released mine, the Now [That's What I Call Music!] CD. They let the sh-- beat me by 1,000 [Editor's note: SoundScan figures show Now! 22 selling approximately 127,000 CDs that week while X's album came in just shy of 126,000 copies.] And they didn't tell me until after the week was up."

DMX's former rep at Columbia was unavailable for comment at press time.

SNOOP DOGG'S LOVE CHILD WANTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Nine-year-old Julian Corrie Broadus comes out to Star Magazine

A 9-year-old boy claiming to be the son of rapper Snoop Dogg tells Star magazine that he would love to be a part of his dad's new E! reality series, "Father Hood."

I should be with him on the show, but I’m not,” says Julian Corrie Broadus of the program that features Snoop, his wife Shante and their three children Corde, Cordell, and Cori.

“I don’t want to be an actor; I want to be a basketball player. But I want to be on the show to get to know my family,” Julian told Star magazine. “It would be so nice for all of us to just hang out together. I hope we can do that one day.”

The tabloid says it has tracked down paternity documents to prove that Julian is indeed the biological son of Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Broadus; and 34-year-old Laurie Holmond, who says she and Snoop have known each other since attending the same high school in Long Beach, Calif.

OL' DIRTY ESTATE LINKS WITH MERCHANDISE CO.: Late rapper's image cleared for t-shirts, posters and other accessories

The estate of Ol' Dirty Bastard has signed a deal with Long Island, New York based company MerchDirect to produce a new line of merchandise that will bear the late rapper's image, reports Newsday.


ODB's widow, Icelene Jones, entered into the agreement with MerchDirect for the new lines, which are expected to arrive in stores around February.


Merch Direct currently produces official merchandise for such artists as R&B singer Sean Kingston, legendary rock group Blue Oyster Cult and pop singer Joss Stone.

"We feel that ODB appeals to Taking Back Sunday's fans but also appeals to a Joss Stone fan or the white suburban kids who totally love it and get it, and it's authentic Hip-Hop that real Hip-Hop guys are going to go for," said MerchDirect co-founder Lee Tepper. "He is definitely an artist that crosses boundaries of genres, and he not only appeals to all genres, but he's respected, and everyone can relate to his wackiness in a way."