BUN B: KEEPIN IT 'TRILL' AGAIN: UKG rapper releases second solo disc and talks about Pimp C.

Written by Kenya M Yarbrough

Rapper Bun B is most known as one half of the dirty-South duo UGK, the record UGK label, and Trill Entertainment – named for the phrase the duo made famous which means going beyond ‘keepin’ it real’ in keeping it ‘trill.’

But Bun B is moving on after the 2007 death of his partner Pimp C, and has released his second solo album and become a reluctant solo star.

Bun B and partner Pimp C were part of the revolution of Texas lyricists to reshape hip-hop. UGK’s first major appearances were on Jay Z's “Big Pimpin'” and Three 6 Mafia’s “Sippin' on Some Sizzurp” in 2000. But at the same time, with the hot hits coming from their hot Texas home, Pimp C faced some legal problems, which led to some time in jail. However, it was that unfortunate incident that led Bun B to originally take on the mic solo, and release his debut “Trill” in 2005.

“On [that] first solo album, there’s a little apprehension,” he began. “I never wanted to be a solo artist and I never aspired toward a solo career. It was really done more as a means to an end as the best way to keep UGK alive while Pimp C was locked up. So I actually gained a solo career because of that.”

But an even greater tragedy led up to Bun B’s second solo disc. On December 4, 2007, Pimp C was found dead in his West Hollywood hotel room from what LA Coroner’s office said was an accidental overdose of Promethazine/Codeine – the very “syrup” he rapped about on the 2000 hit song.

“But going into this solo album, there’s no apprehension,” Bun B continued. “We knew exactly what we wanted to do. Now we’re not just ‘trill,’ we’re 'too-trill.' We know what we’re doing, now. We put out a solo album before just because and it was an incredible album. So now that we know what we’re doing and we’ve got that confidence – this album is ‘II Trill’.”

Bun B says that he stills feel Pimp C’s spirit in his music and performances, but admitted that it hasn’t been easy moving on after his death.

“It’s not an easy road for me to walk,” he said, “but it’s definitely a harder road for his mother, his children, and his wife to walk. I try to keep my sprit intact, and stay strong and keep my head up because I know what it is he would have wanted me to do and where he would have wanted me to take this thing. I’m trying to do my best to fulfill that without putting a lot of pressure on myself.”

Bun B also said that the pressure of replacing Pimp C isn’t anything he’s planning to create either. He says that that will never happen.

“I feel like UGK is something that I more directly share with the fans,” he said. “I consider all my fans to be the other part of UGK. They have a lot of love for him, not just as an artist, but as a person, and they want him remembered as well.”

As a matter of fact, he literally has fans taking on the role of Pimp C. When performing UGK songs, he brings the fans into it, letting the fans be the emcee.

“It was something we kind of did a little bit while he was locked up, but more so now. They love him just like I do and they have no problem showing their love and rockin’ the lyrics. It’s a beautiful thing.”

With the admission of being a bit uncertain in releasing his first solo disc, Bun B is quite confident in the work he’s put in on the second, though he explained to EUR’s Lee Bailey that in coming back with more confidence in his solo presentation put a little pressure on him.

“As an artist you have to be very careful as to what obstacles you put in front of yourself,” he said. “Sometimes your worst enemy can be you. You start getting into the feeling that you’ve got to live up to certain things and certain expectations – sometimes it’s true to a certain degree – but you can’t put unnecessary and unrealistic pressure on yourself; the industry does enough of that and the press and the media and your friends do enough of that for you. You have to be very realistic in what you do.”

Realistically, the new disc, which is expected to hit shelves on May 20, is already getting buzz off the first single “That’s Gangsta,” featuring Sean Kingston. Bestowed the title of hip-hop legend, Bun B is touting the disc and the title – though modestly.

“It’ definitely something you don’t give yourself,” he said of being referred to as a legend. “It’s meant as an accolade, so you don’t want to not accept it. It does kind of hand you over to the older guard, but I’m learning more and more how to wear that title.”

T.I. Stands Strong In Midst Of Legal Troubles, ''I Ain't Dead, I Ain't Done''

In case anyone had counted T.I. out, the self proclaimed King of the South wants everyone to know he's back and he's here, "No Matter What."

Earlier today (April 29) the first official track from Tip's highly anticipated upcoming album Paper Trail leaked and the squeaky, guitar laden song sounds like a victory anthem, as Tip proclaims he can get through anything.

"I ain't dead, I ain't done/ I ain't scared, I ain't run / Still I stand, no matter what / Here I am, no matter what," he rhymes in the chorus. [Listen to "No Matter What" Here]

The song, produced by longtime associate DJ Toomp, heavily references the rapper's latest legal troubles, having just escaped a hefty jail sentence with what critics have called a "sweetheart deal." After pleading guilty to federal weapons charges and getting off with thousands of hours of community service, a year in a home confinement program, a $100,000 fine and a year in jail.

Considerably less than what Tip says the media predicted.

"Facing all kinda time / but I smile like I'm fine," Tip rhymes. "Let the blog sites and the magazines tell it / I'm sure to be in jail till 2027."

The whole song doesn't come off quite as braggadocios as those couple of lines, though. Tip actually apologizes for the situation to his listeners."Apologies to the fans, I hope you can understand it / Life can change your direction even when you didn't plan it," he raps.

The inner strength that got him through this latest ordeal is the same will that pushed him through the tragic still birth of a child as well as the highway murder of his personal assistant and friend, Philant Johnson in 2006.

"I lost my partner and my daughter in the same year / Somehow, I rise above my problems and remain here," he raps

Tip goes on to give listeners a little insight into how he overcomes the obstacles in his life.

"Wonder how I face years and I'm still chillin'? / Easy to let go and let God deal with it."

Paper Trail is due on shelves sometime in September.

Ghostface Killah Cut Out Of ''Iron Man'' Flick, Rep Responds

Marvel's new Iron Man film hits theaters this week and despite early reports that Wu-Tang rapper, Ghostface Killah, would make a cameo appearance in the flick, has learned that he's nowhere to be found in the final version.

"Marvel and Paramount eliminated the story line that led to Ghostface's scene in Dubai," a spokesperson for Ghostface told. "Robert Downey Jr. [who plays Iron Man] was having a party in Dubai where he runs into Ghostface and they have some dialogue, an exchange about lending each other yachts and Bentleys."

To make up for the disappointment of landing on the cutting room floor, Iron Man director Jon Favreau put in a call to Ghost himself to apologize, smoothing things over by making sure to keep a touch of Ghostface in the film by adding some musical elements.

"After the change John Favreau called apologizing and made a quick fix by licensing the 'Celebrate' video," Ghost's rep said. "Then Def Jam allowed us to replace the music with an original song for the movie, which all happened within 3 days and 5 days before [the] final edit."

Ghost's affinity for Iron Man has been hugely evident throughout his career, thanks to the Staten Island MC's adoption of Tony Stark - the super hero's real identity - as an alter ego as well as his decision to title his solo debut Ironman.

Ghostface's wasn't the only cameo that didn't pan out, despite rumors that Samuel L. Jackson and Hilary Swank would appear in the film, the final cut proved otherwise.

Iron Man hits theaters May 2nd.

Jay-Z Comes To LeBron's Aid, Disses B-Ball Rival

With a release of a new freestyle, Jay-Z bypasses rappers who have recently taken jabs at him to call out NBA player DeShawn Stevenson.

The track seems to be the latest chapter in the ongoing rivalry between NBA star LeBron James and Washington Wizard guard DeShawn Stevenson. The basketball beef started when Stevenson called LeBron "overrated" and James said in repsonse, "With DeShawn Stevenson, it's kind of funny. It's almost like Jay-Z [responding to a negative comment] made by Soulja Boy. It doesn't make sense."

Stevenson then invited Soulja Boy to game 3 of the teams' current playoff series to heckle James.

Now, Jigga has thrown his hat in the ring, releasing "Blow The Whistle." On the short track, Jay dismisses the legitimacy of Stevenson's antics rhyming, "Ask my n*gga LeBron / we so big we ain't gotta respond / When you talking to a don / Please have respect like you talking to your mom."

According to the Washington Post, the track was played in a local club several times and was accompanied by Cavaliers player Damon Jones getting on the mic to direct a few choice words to Stevenson as well.

After getting wind of both the song and comments by Jones from teammate Caron Butler, Stevenson later responded to the track, to Jones, and James.

"He says he has a lot of swag, but I don't think that's something to do," Stevenson said about James. "This is basketball. I'm not worried about the song. I'm not worried about what he did. But for Damon Jones to get on the mic. And I heard he was saying foul stuff about me and stuff like that, they're taking it beyond basketball to me."

He went on to say, "Everybody is saying the bad things that I'm saying nationally, but they don't understand why I'm mad. That stuff doesn't come out. I'd rather be the bad guy. People think I'm going at him, but they don't see the little stabs that he's doing."

"When I had Soulja Boy here. It was on the court," Stevenson said. "It was nothing disrespecting him or his family or even foul language."

And though Stevenson was caught in between Jay-Z's lyrical punchline, the hoops star had a more diplomatic response to Mr. Carter.

"Jay-Z is a legend. He'll go down in history. No disrespect to Jay-Z," Stevenson said. "I take it as a compliment. I like his music. I like everything he does. I would never go at a legend."

PAPOOSE VS. BED STUY PARAMEDICS: Rapper may face lawsuit over ambulance used in latest video

The Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps. (BSVAC) is threatening to sue rapper Papoose for duping them into allowing their ambulance and paramedics to be part of a song promoting violence.

"His people told us the video would be about the neighborhood and how we respond to save lives," said BSVAC founder Rocky Robinson of the rapper's video for "Ambulance." However, the track contains violent lyrics likely directed toward rival rapper Leonard (Uncle Murder) Grant.

Papoose raps in the song: "In the back of that ambulance truck I'll put you’re a**. In the back of that ambulance truck you die slow. …Now they're asking your name, your age, you address, but you can't give an answer. You breathing your last breath."

"We don't want to be a part of something where somebody gets hurt," said Robinson, who says his group is now planning legal action against the artist. He "probably hasn't got much, but we'll sue anyway. Our image is everything to us."

Papoose is engaged to rapper Remy Ma, who faces up to 25 years in jail for shooting a woman outside a nightclub in Manhattan's Meatpacking District.

Papoose "Ambulance" [Not Safe For Work]

The Roots struggle at new label

By Hillary Crosley


NEW YORK (Billboard) - Philadelphia's hip-hop collective the Roots are off to a rough start at their new label.

After seven studio albums with MCA and Geffen, they signed to Def Jam in 2006 at the behest of then-label president Jay-Z. However, since Jay-Z's departure last December, things have been a bit more difficult.

In an effort to please Def Jam executives with a radio single, drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson says the group presented the pop-leaning "Birthday Girl" featuring Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump. Label staffers praised the track, but fans panned it, and the tune was stripped from the U.S. version of their new album, "Rising Down."

The set is book-ended by a 1994 conversation where the members vent their frustration about not garnering the attention they expected from MCA. Thompson says the snippets show that their Def Jam predicament isn't the first time the Roots have "been mired in some sort of label battle."

He says the group operates far below the radar of Island Def Jam chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid.

"He has no idea that 'Birthday Girl' isn't even on the album," Thompson says. "They don't know we shot the 'Rising Down' video. They just know they approved an (electronic press kit) budget."

Reid had no comment. However, Def Jam marketing director Erica Holley says plenty of initiatives are in the pipeline to promote "Rising Down."

Despite a decade of critical acclaim, the Roots have never sold more than 906,000 units of any album (with 1999's "Things Fall Apart"), according to Nielsen SoundScan. Their last album, 2006's "Game Theory," stalled at 204,000 copies.

"At a time, it was safe to be the Roots," Thpmpson says. "Now as each album goes by, the risk of annihilation becomes closer and closer. That's why this album is almost our defining moment."

While he describes "Birthday Girl" as "clever," ultimately the single doesn't sync with the album's dark chords. Tracks like "The Show" featuring Common and "I Will Not Apologize" featuring Talib Kweli, Porn and Dice Raw convey the group's sober tone via organ melodies, snaking drums and indignant lyrics.

Long revered as one of the most accomplished live hip-hop acts, the Roots will hit the road May 4 with Erykah Badu for a 22-date North American tour. While on the road, Thompson will hold listening sessions in each city to maintain the marketplace presence of "Rising Down."

The group has already graced Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" and the Jon Stewart-hosted "A Night of Too Many Stars," and will perform "Rising Up" Monday with Chrisette Michele and new rapper Wale on "Late Show With David Letterman." An appearance on Nickelodeon's "Gabba Gabba" is penciled in for May 26.

"The luxury we have with the Roots is that they already have an established fan base," Holley says. "Marketing opportunities like Jon Stewart come to us."

And while the group may have dropped its best chance for a crossover hit in "Birthday Girl," Thompson says the Roots' history still counts for something. "If someone asked me, 'Do you want to release two albums and sell over 2 million copies, or do you want a 20-year career but none of your records will sell over 500,000 units?,' that's a tough question. But, looking back, I wouldn't change a thing."

Reuters/Billboard

JMJ SUSPECT SENTENCED FOR OTHER CRIMES: Ronald "Tinard" Washington gets 17-year bid for series of robberies.

A man thought to be responsible for the murder of Jam Master Jay was sentenced to 17 years in prison and three years' supervised release in New York Wednesday for unrelated crimes, reports MTV News.

Ronald "Tinard" Washington, who has been implicated by two unnamed witnesses in Jay's murder, was sentenced in connection with his conviction last year on a series of robbery charges dating back to 2002.

Prosecutor Sean Haran argued for a stronger sentence for Washington "due to the defendant's involvement in two separate murders," presumably referring to the murders of Jay and Tupac Shakur's bodyguard Randy "Stretch" Walker, but Federal Judge Nina Gershon declined to consider the murders in her decision.

"If it was such an overwhelming case, someone would have prosecuted him, instead of hanging a murder on a string of robberies with a BB gun," she said in her ruling.

50 SAYS EMINEM IS FIT DESPITE RUMORS: 'He's gonna look real good when you see him return,' says Curtis

50 Cent wants everyone to know that Eminem has not ballooned in size, nor is his health in decline, as recent rumors have suggested.

"Em is in shape right now," 50 tells MTV News. "He looks good. I seen him in Detroit. He's gonna look real good when you see him return."

"The last time I seen him we played basketball together," he added. "He had a knee injury, so we chilled for a little bit."

Eminem has been off the music scene for the past year. In his absence, rumors surfaced that he had gained weight and now weighs well over 200 pounds. In January, the Detroit rapper was hospitalized with pneumonia.

Bootleg "mixtape" CDs back from underground

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Fifteen months after mixtape pioneer DJ Drama was arrested for racketeering, bootleg hip-hop CDs are as popular as ever.

On a recent Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, no fewer than seven mixtapes made the tally, five of which contained uncleared music from Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross and Rocko.

What's more, according to the labels and managers that represent these artists, none of these CDs were sanctioned, including titles "We the Best," "Lil Wayne and Birdman Present: Happy Father's Day" and "The Hitmen Presents T-Pain: The Midas Touch Man."

"I don't think it went away -- it has gone underground," says Rob Scarcello, senior VP of sales at Koch Entertainment Distribution, which released "We the Best" and "The Hitmen Present" on behalf of another label. "Is it making its second or third pass at the mainstream? There's still huge demand for it."

DJ Drama and his partner, DJ Don Cannon, were arrested in January 2007 on felony charges under the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act but never formally charged. (Drama told Billboard he believes his name is cleared.) The raid, led by the major music labels, resulted in the reported seizure of mixtape CDs, office computers, recording equipment and four cars. The company's assets were also frozen.

As a result, the business of mixtapes, which were routinely used in the marketing campaigns for hip-hop albums, faced new scrutiny while retailers, DJs, artists and labels contemplated how to promote new music without breaking the law.

Universal Music Group tried to satisfy the market with a legal series called "Lethal Squad Mixtapes," the best-selling title of which has sold 14,000 units in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. But according to a Universal source, the company's laborious clearance process slowed the releases, negating the mixtape's purpose as a rapid new-music source.

Instead, many DJs either released product quietly or via free online downloads like 2007's Mick Boogie and Little Brother's "And Justus for All."

Chart-wise, it's not abnormal to see two or three mixtapes on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums; two mixtapes hit the charts the week prior to and following the raid on DJ Drama. However, as 2007 progressed, seven mixtapes had climbed onto the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart by October.

One of the companies partially responsible for the new charting boom is RBC Records, a Los Angeles-based indie label and subdistributor. RBC released "We the Best" and "The Hitmen Presents T-Pain: The Midas Touch Man" -- both distributed by Koch -- which feature uncleared usages of songs from Universal and Zomba artists. They have collectively sold 13,000 units in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

RBC is even utilizing an apparently unlicensed brand name ("We the Best") widely popularized by DJ Khaled, whose albums are also distributed by Koch. (Koch declined comment on this subject; RBC declined all comment for this article.)

"It's not legal," Universal VP of marketing Katina Bynum says. "We're extremely unhappy about it. We never clear mixtapes, especially if the artist or label aren't making money."

Wayne's upcoming album, "The Carter III," has been delayed several times because of heavy bootlegging and now Universal is feverishly trying to plug the holes.

"I actually just saw 'We the Best' on iTunes," Lil Wayne's manager Cortez Bryant says. "I called my attorney yesterday to get to the bottom of it, then I walked into Best Buy and saw another mixtape, 'Dedication 2,' that we put out for free."

And although high-profile artists like 50 Cent and Ludacris told Billboard that prosecuting each illegal mixtape is a waste of time and money, Bryant says he is pursuing legal action to stop the release of these tapes.

"Mixtapes put Wayne where he is in his career," Bryant says. "But right now, its confusing the consumer. They're thirsty for music so they go out and buy. They don't know what to believe. I can't believe these companies are so bold."

Lil Wayne and Kanye Headline Summer Jam 2008

Swizz Beatz and Wife Mashonda Split

Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Ghostface & More Set To "Rock The Bells"

Hip-Hop fans can look forward to a star studded line up at this year's Rock The Bells festival, as the long list of impressive performers was recently announced.

This year's line-up of artists include A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, Rakim, Method Man & Redman, Raekwon & Ghostface, Immortal Technique, dead prez, Murs and Kidz In The Hall, with a special reunion performance by The Pharcyde.

The jam packed festival will also feature a slew of up and coming acts taking the stage as well including Spank Rock, Santogold, Kid Sister, Wale, Flosstradamus, Jay Electronica and The Cool Kids. Cypress Hill front man B-Real and battle rhymer Supernatural are set to host the festivities.

"This year's line-up represents, respects and recognizes the diversity and inspirational possibilities often promised, but rarely delivered in a live hip-hop experience," said Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union, the event's organizer. "We really feel that this year's group of artists define our platform and further galvanize the legacy that Rock The Bells has earned through the years."

The festival, which is set to kick off on July 19 in Chicago, will hit 10 cities across North America including New York, Miami, Philadelphia and San Francisco before finally wrapping up on August 30 in Vancouver, B.C.

The tour will also be international, making four stops in Europe and also a date in Japan.

Pre-sale tickets will be available May 14th - 16th via www.guerillaunion.com, and then to the general public on May 17th. Exclusive LA pre-sale starts on May 7th-9th with on-sale to follow May 10th.

Here is a complete list of the North American tour dates:

Sat

7/19

Chicago, IL

Sun

7/20

Toronto, ON

Sat

7/26

Boston, MA

Sun

7/27

New York, NY

Sat

8/2

Miami, FL

Sun

8/3

Philadelphia, PA

Sat

8/9

Los Angeles, CA

Sat

8/16

San Francisco, CA

Sat

8/23

Denver, CO

Sat

8/30

Vancouver, BC

Remy Ma's Sentencing Pushed Back To May

A month after being found guilty on four counts of assault, Bronx-bred rapper Remy Ma's fate still hangs in the balance as sentencing for her criminal trial has been adjourned until next month.

According to Remy's attorney, Ivan Fisher, the Grammy nominated rapper's sentence date, which was initially set for April 23, was rescheduled until May 13 at 10 a.m.

As previously reported, on March 27 a Manhattan jury convicted Remy (born Reminisce Smith) of first-degree assault and weapons charges for shooting her former friend, Makeda Barnes-Joseph, in the abdomen last July in a beef over the rapper's missing $3,000.

In a plea to her fans via MySpace, Remy posted a message of endorsement asking admirers to send nice letters about the Bronx-bombshell to Judge Rena Viller in hopes their voice will help shorten the 25-year sentence the rapper faces.

Despite the grim outlook, Fisher and his defense team plan to appeal the assault charges and are optimistic their motion will go to trial and Remy will be acquitted.

Young Buck Responds To G-Unit Dismissal, Calls 50 Cent "Jealous"

After being booted from G-Unit, Young Buck has finally broken his silence, addressing his situation with former group leader 50 Cent on the track, "My Interview."

As previously reported, 50 recently announced that Buck was no longer part of the group during an interview with New York's Hot 97 radio station.

On "My Interview" Buck finally offers fans some insight into his conflict with the G-Unit General.

"I heard the same things you heard like 50 kicked him out / or Buck sniffs coke and he flips out / it's too late, the whole world know what I be bout," he rhymes on the track. [Listen Here]

Throughout the track, the Cashville MC takes jabs at Fif comparing their relationship to the Biblical figures, brothers Kane and Able.

"Abel was the youngest but Kane was the oldest / Kane had the money but Abel stayed focused / I came around and Able got closest / Kane got jealous started showing his emotions."

The song's release comes on the heels of 50's media campaign explaining his disappointment with Buck. In a recent interview with, 50 said he was really shocked with Buck's statements about never receiving any royalty checks from G-Unit and that Buck's financial problems caused him to lie.

"That was a shocker from Young Buck," 50 said. "The last thing that I felt would ever be even said would be that [the members of G-Unit] weren't paid because they actually were overpaid."

"He lives like a drug dealer," he added. "When the artist spends excessively to the point where he doesn't actually have that money anymore, out of desperation he says whatever he can say to try and fix situations."

Buck is currently gearing up for the release of his new mixtape, "Honorable Discharge: Cashville Chronicles" later this month. He will also be dropping the documentary DVD, A Billion Bucks, following him throughout his everyday life on June 10th.

Ja Rule Finally Ready To Show Us The Mirror

Kanye's EX Alexis 'Sad' over breakup: The split was attributed to Kanye's hectic schedule

Alexis Phifer has confirmed her breakup with Kanye West to People magazine, stating "It's always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends."

The couple's split was attributed to the rapper's busy schedule ahead of his Glow in the Dark tour through the U.S. E! Online quotes a friend of the former couple who said the two had been spending less time together in the last few weeks.

"They'd been having problems," the friend was quoted as saying. "Kanye is really focused on his show; he's putting everything into the show right now. Alexis is a nice girl, but Kanye has been going through a rough time. They hit a rough patch and for now they've split."

Just last Thursday, Phifer was photographed without her engagement ring on the red carpet at New York event "Evenings in Vogue," where her clothing line, Ghita, was featured.

"I wish him the best in his future and all of his endeavors. He's one of the most talented people I've ever met," Phifer said in her statement.

Phifer and West had been dating on and off since 2002. Their engagement took place in 2006 over a lobster and pasta dinner while vacationing on the island of Capri.

Meanwhile, West forged ahead with his Glow In the Dark concert Monday night at downtown L.A.'s Nokia Theater. On hand were rumored couples Serena Williams and Common, and Rihanna and Chris Brown; as well as confirmed couple Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz, and pregnant Gwen Stefani and her husband Gavin Rossdale. Also attending the concert were Jamie Foxx and actor Ryan Phillippe.

The 25 Worst Rappers Of All-Time

The 25 Worst Rappers Of All-Time by Rob O'Connor(Courtesy of Yahoo Entertainment)

It's said he who doesn't remember history is doomed to repeat it. Well, how does that explain cable television? Vanilla Ice has a new "Greatest Hits" album just out that redefines both the words "Greatest" and "Hits" simultaneously! That shows more genius than his entire career. But be warned, if you celebrate his banal awfulness, you will only be further rewarded with more of the same. The MC Hammer comeback will spring into full force. Nelly will re-find his magical band-aid and Fred Durst will be given a reason to exist. We need to save the planet now. I don't want to say that ignoring Will Smith can have the same effect on the environment as cutting down greenhouse gas emissions, but what if it turned out to be true?

Here are the 25 Worst Rappers of All-Time. We might have a 26th to add if Bill Cosby gets his act together and releases the "rap" album he threatens!

25) Chicago Bears: The Chicago Bears are a professional football team based in Chicago, Illinois. In 1985, before winning the Super Bowl they daringly commemorated their proud achievement with "The Super Bowl Shuffle," a rap tune that made this group of on the field tough guys look like an ineffective glee club. Did they really psych out their opponents with this? So why didn't they record a follow-up? They didn't win the Super Bowl the next year. Honorable mention goes to the Miami Dolphins, the San Francisco 49ers, the L.A. Raiders, the Cincinnati Bengals and the L.A. Rams, other football teams who couldn't resist the urge to kick back a few beats and look more than a little silly.

24) Bubba Sparxxx: Cut from much of the same cloth as Fred Durst, here's another earnest white boy looking to earn his street cred by exhibiting talents he doesn't actually have. You know how a kid will brag that his TV is bigger than your TV and then never get around to showing you this "Big TV"? That's kind of what a Bubba Sparxxx album is like. You keep hearing about how cool and assured he is, but you never actually hear any music that backs up the claim. Guest appearing on tracks by Limp Bizkit and Justin Timberlake should make you very nervous, despite some legit rappers claiming he's OK.

23) Mike Jones: He can't rap, but he sure knows how to make friends. Putting his cellphone number on his T-Shirts ensured that Mike would never be lonely. But can you really trust a rapper whose track "Houston Dynamo (Don't Play)" is the official team anthem for the Houston Dynamos? A soccer team?

22) Bobby Jimmy And The Critters: In the 1980s, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to parody rap music. Weird Al was slow on the draw here. So this Los Angeles group did the honors with such "timeless" classics as "Gotta Potty," "Ugly Knuckle Butt" and "Somebody Farted." I know it sounds pretty good, classy even, but fart jokes get old quick no matter who's doing the telling.

21) 2 Live Crew: Oh, I know they stand for the first amendment. And "Me So Horny" deserves its rightful place in our cultural lexicon. But take away the historical importance and the one-joke wonder of it all and you're left with a crew of dudes who had to break up before everyone figured out they didn't know what the hell they were doing.

20) Nelly: Whoa, Nelly! Yeah, the band-aid was a great gimmick and noting that when it gets hot, it's man's natural instinct to want to take off his clothes, well, that's priceless, too. Maybe his next album Brass Knuckles, slated for release in a few months, will show us a new side to this flat-screen rapper. Surely, he's had time to find qualified producers and to bone up on his diction to make it sound like something more than reading off of cue cards.

19) Dan Aykroyd And Tom Hanks: Dan Aykroyd at least can claim he's a comedian but Tom Hanks is just an actor who's been cast in comedic roles and worn dresses. "City Of Crime" runs through the credits of their 1987 film Dragnet and they even made a video for it, suggesting they had ideas of branching out beyond their acting community. The hip-hop community apparently didn't welcome them with open arms, saving us from further inept endeavors. They make Rodney Dangerfield, Chevy Chase, Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy's rap attempts sound nearly legitimate by comparison. That's going some!

18) Chingy: You know an "artist" is really hitting a nerve when they inspire an onslaught of negative reviews at every website you visit. The consensus seems to be: "This guy's beats are terrible and his lyrics are stupid, degrading and barely literate at best." And we're guessing that came from his mom. I didn't need to read all 385 one star reviews to be tipped off to just how much other people don't admire this man's talent. To think he owns houses in multiple cities, partners a restaurant in Miami and has appeared on The George Lopez Show as himself! Someone's got a bit of explaining to do.

17) Elvira: Cassandra Peterson had a perfectly legitimate career as "Elvira" the devilishly seductive vampire. Had she formed a Goth Metal group, it might have made sense, but in 1988 she opted for "The Elvira Rap," a charmingly inept attempt at doing what she does poorly. But she didn't stop there. "The Monsta' Rap" followed. Fool us once, shame on us. Twice, it's your problem, sista!

16) Insane Clown Posse: Face paint, bad rap-metal, once out of rhymes begin spraying their audiences with soda, Insane Clown Posse have all the hallmarks of a bad hype and the terrible, terrible records to back it up. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope don't do much of anything well. Which explains why they hide their true identities. They make Kiss, their obvious influence, seem like the apex of modern culture in comparison. On the bright side, perhaps it's ICP's lame attempts at rap that have stopped Kiss and their accountants from considering a similar move.

15) Rappin' Duke: Any rapper who boasts of working the mic at Ponderosa isn't likely to be taken seriously. His other claim in his self-titled rap ‘Rappin' Duke" that Kurtis Blow and Run DMC wouldn't have heard of rap were it not for the "Rappin' Duke" is as ludicrous as his boast that no rapper would exist after him. The Rappin' Duke never had a career beyond this single (there is a second single believe it or not called "The Duke Is Back" on famed Tommy Boy Records, but he apparently was not, in fact, "back"). That's what you get when you choose John Wayne as your point of hip-hop reference. Sorry, partner.

14) Master P: It isn't until you get to the chorus of Master P's Grammy-winning hit "Make ‘Em Say Ugh" that you realize just how bad this is going to be. P doesn't show much promise on the verses, but the guttural, food poisoning groan of nausea that provides the tune with its "hook," is among the genre's dumbest and least appealing. He has made a career out of moaning "Ugh." Of course, this success has been off the chart, ranking him in Forbes as one of the most successful entertainers and entrepreneurs. Thankfully, he now serves as a Youth Ambassador for the NAACP, a move that should lead to fewer musical endeavors. Only God Can Judge Me may be the name of one of his albums, but I prefer to let the people decide this one.

13) Tony Yayo: Being the weakest link in any ensemble brings its own cross to bear. Why do you think Professor Griff was always the most annoyed member of Public Enemy, after all? As a member of G-Unit, Yayo was clearly the caboose of the group. If he really calls his latest album I Am 50's Tax Write-Off, which wouldn't be a bad idea, it would save the IRS time when the audit comes due and blatantly remind everyone he was in a group with 50 Cent. A better idea than Thoughts Of A Predicate Felon. The guy goes to prison on a weapons possession charge, but decides it's better to hype being an Outlaw Of Grammar?

12) Northern State: While some people assume that anyone who can speak can rap, it's not quite that easy. Just as a singer must master pitch and tone, a rapper needs to sound natural. Nothing about this female Long Island trio ever sounds natural. They don't try to pretend they're anything they're not. But being well-educated, literate nerds from Long Island who name-check Al Gore doesn't for convincing rappers make. Grabbing Ad-Rock from the Beastie Boys to produce their album doesn't lend "credibility" either. It looks desperate. And having your tracks featured on Grey's Anatomy is just weird.

11) Shaquille O'Neal: Now I love watching Shaq stand over the basketball net and push the ball in with his hand. Being 12 feet tall has its advantages. Rapping isn't one of them. It doesn't make you sound better. If a midget like the Geto Boys' Bushwick Bill can get it so right, how is it that Shaq could get it so wrong? Well, as Bushwick would tell you "Size Ain't (expletive deleted)." Sure he can wax personal "Biological Didn't Bother" but bad puns like "Can't Stop the Reign" and "Blaq Supaman" (that's not even a pun, that's goofy spelling) just don't quite match up to what he's capable of on the basketball courts.

10) Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch: I believed them when they rapped "I Need Money." That sounded like the truth. But I draw the line when they title an album Music For The People. Why? What did the people ever do to you, Marky Mark? We certainly didn't ask for this music and if we did we should have been more specific. We wanted it to be better, that's for sure. But Marky Mark saw it coming. He knew he had a better career in underwear ads (calling David Beckham!) and in movies. Which is why we don't get to enjoy any new music from him anymore. Somehow, I think we'll make it.

9) K-Fed: When being married to Britney Spears is your greatest artistic accomplishment, you join a long line of Yoko Onos waiting for their eventual artistic validation. Someday, an ironic hip-hop group will no doubt celebrate Playing With Fire, Kevin Earl Federline's debut album. But for now, we're content to pretend it never happened. We'll let him keep custody of his children, but he must promise us to never make another album for as long as he shall live.

8) Will Smith: The people who vote in the Grammy Awards might very well be drunk when they do so. Or maybe they don't listen to the records they vote for. Now rap music wasn't really enjoyed by the "establishment" back in the 1980s, so they were primarily guessing at what the "kids" were listening to. And "Parents Just Don't Understand" was obviously a pretty "wacky" "rebellious" little number with all that clever rhyming! And Will Smith was certainly still "safe" enough to not inspire too much controversy. Which is exactly why he's a lousy rapper. And why Smith got out of there and into acting before everyone caught on.

7) Mr. T: Yes, I pity the fool who thought Mr. T had a career singing, rapping and wearing extremely short camouflage shorts and stretched to the knee tube socks while telling you to treat your mother right. From his instructional video Be Somebody Or Be Somebody's Fool. Why take advice from a guy who seems to have opted for the latter?

6) Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit): You have to question anyone who participates in a group that applauds its own erectile dysfunction. "Rap-metal" sounds like a bad idea, even before you hear how poorly it's executed. Ice-T couldn't pull it off with Body Count and these clowns can't even get the metal part right. So you can only imagine what happens when a rhythmically challenged singer attempts to show his "street cred" by enlisting the help of Method Man, who should've known better than to associate with a group whose stage props have included playing in a toilet. Some hints are more than hints.

5) Puff Daddy: P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, no matter what name you give him, his rapping doesn't improve. Sure, he's been a successful entrepreneur. Apparently, he can sell anything. He sold the idea of talking over a perfectly legitimate hit single by the Police as one of his own creations and winning a Grammy for his troubles. Again, are these people drunk when they vote?

4) Dee Dee King: As the bass player for the Ramones, Dee Dee Ramone was very good at counting off "1-2-3-4" and then playing his bass notes very fast. He didn't sing particularly well, but as a punk rocker he didn't need to. He wrote a handful of great songs. But then he decided he wanted more. He wanted to escape the artistic box that was the Ramones and establish his own identity--as a rapper! We only acknowledge what Dee Dee himself acknowledged. He truly was the "baddest rapper in Whitestone, Queens." R.I.P.

3) Brian Austin Green: Brian Austin Green from the hit TV program Beverly Hills 90210 released a rap album in 1996 with tracks such as "That's Right" featuring the Black Eyed Peas, "Style Iz It," "Didn't Have A Clue" and "Beauty and Da Beats." I believe these titles reflect his passion. And if "sounds great while sleeping in a shopping mall" can be construed as a compliment, then I'm among his biggest fans and--though I hadn't realized it until now--have been anxiously awaiting his "comeback" for 12 years now!

2) MC Hammer: "U Can't Touch This" was first described to me as someone repeatedly yelling "Stop, It's Hammer Time!" over Rick James' "Superfreak." Sounded like a bad idea. Sounded like a bad joke. Then I heard it. MC Hammer went on to sell millions of albums. Some people even took to dressing like him. Yet somehow he never managed to turn this into another marketing line, not even for glasses. That's how he ended up on reality TV, I guess.

1) Vanilla Ice: Whether Suge Knight ever actually dangled Robert Van Winkle, Mr. Vanilla Ice, from a balcony or not, the point intended is an important one: STOP MAKING RAP RECORDS. "Ice Ice Baby" isn't so much a bad song as simply an insult. Instead of making a low-rent porn video, Ice makes Cool As Ice, a film so bad it almost makes you wish he'd stuck to making records.

50 Cent Feuds with Alicia Keys

Los Angeles (E! Online) - 50 Cent is no stranger to drama. And living up to his hardheaded rep, the former drug dealer stirs things up once again—this time with Alicia Keys.


Alicia recently defended her gansta rap quotes in Blender magazine, but apparently the explanation was not enough for Fiddy, who had some major dissing to do.

"I don't like Alicia Keys no more...If she thinks what they consider [to be] gangsta music is [made] to bring black people down, then I think my s--t falls into that category. I don't like people who don't like me."

And from the sound of it, the rapper isn't a fan of her music, either.

"I don't think that [her] classical s--t is cool. I don't give a f--k if you can classically play the piano. I haven't been classically trained, because my upbringing, nobody put me in front of a piano at that time...I could f--king care less about the s--t. So she don't like the music that embodies the harsh realities because they're not her realities. She hasn't been subjected to the same things."

Hmmm...Seems like a pretty safe bet to say that a Beyoncé 'n' Jay-Z-like rapper-R&B star coupling isn't in the works anytime soon for this duo.

The Game Vs. G-Unit, Rappers Prepare For A SoundScan Showdown

After competing in one of hip-hop's most epic SoundScan battles with Kanye West last year, 50 Cent is ready for round two. This time the G-Unit general along with his soldiers face off against their former cohort turned rival, The Game on June 24.

In what is already being dubbed a super-Tuesday showdown, 50 and G-Unit's sophomore release takes aim to Terminate on Site, while The Game's third-studio album Los Angeles Times. Fif caught up with to discuss the anticipated date and his plans on delivering the knock out punch to Game.

"He's going to get pushed back," 50 told. "The sh*t I heard so far is just trash from the Game's perspective."

As previously reported, the drama between G-Unit and Game stems from a 2005 altercation between 50 and Game's entourages, resulting in a shooting outside New York's Hot 97 FM radio station.

50 went on the air telling listeners that he dropped Game from G-Unit. Prior to Fifty's interview, Game appeared on the station earlier that evening. Fif began bashing Game's credibility and revealed that he wrote six records for the Cali rapper's multi-platinum debut, The Documentary.

According to police reports, upon hearing 50's comments, Chuck Taylor and his entourage returned to the station to confront Curtis. What ensued was a confrontation between both camps in front of the station resulting in a member of Game's crew being shot in the leg.

Since then, both camps have gone on record to publicly dissing one another. Now, in what has been years in the making, Game prepares to go against his former squad at the cash register. But if you let 50 tell it, there's really no competition. Curtis revealed the reason artists are scheduled to drop on June 24 is because that's the deadline for domestic albums to be distributed internationally.

"There are certain time periods," 50 explained. "[That's] the last date you can send [albums] to Germany, France and Switzerland. That's the date we have, that's why Nelly is on that date, Game's on that date. They all will initially try to make it around that time to get all of those [albums] shipped everywhere and promoted everywhere. But, to be honest they need to concentrate on making the right material because if you don't have the right record you could rush it out and just really flop."

Despite 50's prediction, Game doesn't seem to be worried with 50's antics. As previously reported, the Compton MC announced his third studio album would be his last. Dubbing LAX a classic album, Game claims his final set will address issues that other artists in hip-hop may be afraid to talk about on record. Touting it as a highly controversial album.

On June 24, two titans will clash, G-Unit's Terminate On Site via G-Unit/Aftermath/Interscope and The Game's Los Angeles Times LAX via Geffen. Who will come out on top?

Scarface Set To Drop Greatest Hits Disc

After two decades in the industry, one of hip-hop's most influential MCs is gearing up to release his "Best Of" disc which will remind fans of his long history in the game.

Scheduled for release later this month, the album will feature a hefty 37-song track list from the Houston O.G. and will highlight some of Face's most popular hits including "Money And The Power," "Mary Jane," "Smile," and "Guess Who's Back," among others. The disc will also feature a slew of artists that the H-Town rapper has collaborated with over the course of his career including Jay-Z, Tupac, Devin The Dude and Too Short.

The release comes on the heels of Scarface's latest solo album, Made, which featured the hit song "Girlfriend" featuring Trey Songz.

The Best Of Scarface will hit shelves on April 22 on Rap-A-Lot Records

8Ball & MJG Ready Greatest Hits Album

After well over a decade of putting in work and a string of both mainstream and underground hits, 8Ball & MJG are gearing up to release a compilation of their most popular songs.

We Are The South (Greatest Hits), which is set to hit shelves in May via Koch Records, will feature a slew of the Memphis, Tennessee duo's most celebrated bangers from their entire catalog of LP's including Coming Out Hard, On The Outside Looking In, Space Age 4 Eva and Living Legends.

Songs included on the disc include classics like "Space Age Pimpin," "Candy" and "Lay It Down." The collection will also feature artists that the group has collaborated with in the past including OutKast, Cee-Lo and Tela.

We Are The South (Greatest Hits) hits shelves on May 13.

Here is a complete track listing for the album:

1. "Introduction Into The Game"

2. "Pimp in My Own Rhyme"

3. "Don't Flex"

4. "Paid Dues" feat. Cee-Lo

5. "Friend Or Foe"

6. "Space Age Pimpin"

7. "Sho'Nuff" feat. Tela

8. "Candy"

9. "In The Middle Of Night"

10. "What Can I Do"

11. "Throw Your Hands" Ft.OutKast

12. "Starships And Rockets"

13. "The Artist Pays The Price"

14. "Have You Been"

15. "That Girl"

16. "Lay It Down"

Beyonce gets mad at Jay-Z during concert

50 Cent describes Young Buck, "He Lives Like A Drug Dealer"

The controversy surrounding former G-Unit member Young Buck and 50 Cent continues. After kicking Buck out of the G-Unit crew, 50 Cent addressed rumors of Buck's financial situation and alleged loans.

"He can hear it from the radio like everybody else," 50 said. Young Buck revealed to Yo! Raps that he never received any royalty checks from G-Unit since he´s signed to the label. "The last thing that I felt would ever be even said would be that [the members of G-Unit] weren't paid because they actually were overpaid. My concept for being able to continuously win championship games is to keep the players fed."

Furthermore 50 added, "He [Young Buck] lives like a drug dealer," Continuing, "When the artist spends excessively to the point where he doesn't actually have that money anymore, out of desperation he says whatever he can say to try and fix situations."

There are rumors that 50 was keeping Bucks money to pay back a loan he gave him. The G-Unit boss says, "No, I never took a royalty check to recoup for anything." "Yeah, he had tax trouble. I helped him like I helped everybody else," he continues.

50 also talked about the loan, "With Buck there was points where it was up to $330,000 that I had loaned out to him [and] he continued to spend the way that he would regularly spend."

Young Buck is currently working hard to establish is new label Cashville Records. 50 says that Buck´s dismissal had nothing to do with the launch of the label.

R&B singer Ne-Yo "bored" by urban music

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - As he prepares to release his third album in as many years, R&B singer/songwriter Ne-Yo says he is "a little bored" with urban music.


The genre has served him well, to be sure. His first two albums have both been certified platinum, and he has co-written such monster hits as Beyonce's "Irreplaceable," which spent 10 weeks atop the Hot 100 singles chart in 2006.

But "Year of the Gentleman," due June 24 from Def Jam, finds the 28-year-old Arkansas native -- real name Shaffer Smith -- venturing into "more worldly" territory.

"There's some stuff on there that sounds like something the Beatles might've done," Ne-Yo told Billboard. "There's some stuff on there that sounds like something Billy Joel might've done. I can't do just straight urban music no more, because to be completely honest with you, I'm a little bored with it. I'm just moving with what music excites me now."

An early preview does indeed indicate something a little different from traditional R&B: "Closer" is a Stargate-produced club track with pulsing strobe-light synths and a high-energy house beat that calls to mind Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music."

"So You Can Cry" sports a mellow, easy-listening vibe, with Ne-Yo making a priceless rhyme of "pity party" and "calamari." Guitars and cymbals figure prominently in "What's the Matter," which Ne-Yo likens to "a Beatles-style rock record."

But will the little girls understand? Def Jam wants to expand Ne-Yo's audience beyond its core of 16- to 24-year-old females.

"The records he's written don't just speak to young black girls," says Ashaunna Ayars, Def Jam's VP of marketing. "We're trying to build an adult audience that appreciates his music as well."

Part of the strategy involves Ne-Yo opening for Alicia Keys on her two-month North American tour, which begins Saturday in Hampton, Va.

"That partnership gets him in front of the more mature fan base we're after," Ayars says.

But Ne-Yo is anxious about overdoing the stylistic experimentation.

"My worry is that I'll do something that's so far left of what I've already done that it's going to go over my fans' heads. I pray that my fans are smarter than that."

And he hopes they will understand that if he keeps writing songs like "So Sick" or "Sexy Love" or "Because of You," both he and they will eventually get bored.

"So Sick" -- a song that slyly predicted its own inescapability on the radio -- reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was drawn from his 2006 debut "In My Own Words," which has sold more than 1.5 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. His follow-up, "Because of You," has sold 935,000 copies since its release last May.

He says he always envisaged the third album would mark a musical departure, and was expecting "to chill for a minute and really take some time to figure out what I wanted that to be. Fortunately, it didn't take me that long, which is why the album's coming out now."

Foxy Brown freed from prison in New York

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Foxy Brown was freed from a New York City prison on Friday after serving eight months of a one-year sentence stemming from an assault of two nail salon stylists over a $20 manicure.
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Brown, 29, whose real name is Inga Marchand, was sentenced to three years' probation in October 2006 for assaulting the stylists. But in September 2007 a judge ruled she was not taking probation seriously and sent her prison for one year.

Inmates typically serve two-thirds of their sentence, said Stephen Morello, a Department of Corrections spokesman, adding that Brown had been released and driven from the Rikers Island prison by New York City Councilman Charles Barron.

He said this was a highly unusual move as inmates are usually taken from prison on a public bus and delivered to a city parking lot. But he said that as a public official, Barron had access to prison and had requested to pick up Brown.

Barron could not immediately be reached for comment.

In October authorities said Brown received 76 days in isolation in jail after getting into a shoving match with another inmate and refusing to do a drug test.

Then in January, Brown asked for early release to treat an ear condition she feared could threaten her hearing.

"Yes, I've made some bad choices and stupid mistakes. But please understand that sitting in a prison with murderers and criminals is not rehabilitating or what I need to deal with my inner issues," Brown wrote in a four-page handwritten letter to Judge Melissa Jackson.

Brown became the first female rap artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the U.S. pop chart encompassing all styles of music, with her 1999 album "Chyna Doll."

Freekey Zekey Hospitalized After Car Crash

T.I. TO 'TURN UP THE VOTE' IN PHILLY: Rapper continues community service with planned participation in latest HSAN event

Linkin Park Joins Busta Rhymes on Video Shoot for First Single From Rhymes' Forthcoming Album Blessed

Kanye West Signs "The Set" Winners To Deal W/ G.O.O.D. Music

After winning the second installment of beat battle competition "The Set," the production duo Wrightrax has inked a deal with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label.

The duo, consisting of first cousins Deuce and B. Wright, were victorious after prevailing in the DJ Toomp-judged beat battle. After garnering notoriety from their appearance, they signed a production deal with G.O.O.D. and credit "The Set" with getting the ball rolling.

"I saw the first episode of "The Set" and thought it was dope and thought that it would be a good look if we could get on there so I submitted the music and we got the call," Deuce told exclusively. "We were blessed. It really opened up a lot of doors for us," added B. Wright.

After emerging victorious, Wrightrax continued to grind, placing beats on projects for several artists including SlumVillage, Willie Northpole of Disturbing Tha Peace and R&B artist Darien Brockington. But working with G.O.O.D. Music artist Big Sean allowed the pair to meet Kanye.

"From working with Big Sean, we got a chance to get in the studio with Kanye while he was making the Graduation album and he said he wanted to sign us," said Wright.

"We were in Atlanta and he was just playing some of our tracks and in the first ten minutes, he was like 'I wanna sign ya'll,'" Deuce recalls. "He was listening to our stuff and he turned it down and was like, 'how did you think to do this?' I was just in awe. I mean, it was Kanye West asking me how did I do this."

With an as-yet-untitled mixtape on the way featuring several top secret major label artists over their production, Wrightrax feels that it will be their formal introduction to the game. The duo also has their hand in the advertising world, having done music for a Daimler Chrysler campaign and also working on a spot for retail giant Wal-Mart. But even though the two have options outside of just hip-hop, they still want to make waves in the music world.

"We just wanna be one of those staple powerhouses in music. We want to be spoken of in the same sentence as Timbaland, Quincy Jones or, of course, Kanye West," says Deuce. B.Wright continued, "If it's dope, we want people to say Wrightrax made that. Not necessarily because of how the drums sound or because of some signature sound. We got bangers, head crackers, R&B baby makers. We're all over the place."

Ludacris, Bun B Ride Shotgun At Dallas The Beat's Custom Car Show

Dodge Chrysler Jeep has teamed up with Radio One, Inc to present the 4th Annual Custom Car Show and Concert featuring Ludacris, Bun B and Plies, among a dozen other acts.

Dubbed one of the biggest annual hip-hop events of the year in North Texas, 97.9 The Beat's 4th Annual Custom Car Show and Concert will kick off on Sunday, April 27. Featuring 300 of the best tricked out custom car displays and hundreds of vendors, the festivities will be headlined by Luda and feature performances from Bun B, Plies, Flo Rida, Ray J, Rocko and the Pop it Off Boys, at the DallasConvention Center.

The event has attracted over 20,000 spectators from all over the state and as far as Oklahoma and Louisiana. In addition to the custom whips and hip-hop vets, fans will also enjoy live performances from Dallas, Texas local artists the YG's and Lil' Will.

Burger King will present the Rock the Mic Stage that will showcase over ten up and coming performances from local artists.

The 4th Annual Custom Car Show and Concert kicks off Sunday, April 27 from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Advance tickets are priced at $25 and are on sale at the Beat Studios or at all 11 Levine's locations. Tickets will be $30 at the door starting at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. The display and stage will be held inside Halls C, D, E and F.

T.I. Loses GM Endorsement Deal

General Motors has severed ties with rapper T.I. in the wake of his conviction on federal gun charges.

The endorsement deal, however, isn't his only cash cow to have fallen by the wayside as a result of his legal trouble.

"GM had to back up off of me,” he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution when asked about the deal. “There are films that I missed out on. Not speaking of, of course, shows. Tours. Tons of business. I’ve probably lost about $10 to $12 million dollars.”

Last month, T.I. pleaded guilty to illegal weapons charges in Atlanta. He was arrested in October while trying to buy unregistered machine guns and silencers.

In his first sit-down interview since being arrested, T.I. tells AJC's Sonia Murray that his patience has grown since being on house arrest for months.

"If I can sit at home all day and wait on people to bring me what I need... wait on getting permission to be able to do this and do that, it's not as serious as I used to make it sometimes.

"Sometimes it was like, 'If I don't get this right now I'm just going to lose it.' When you're going 350 miles per hour, it tends to be that way. But when you are stopped - halted, not slowed down, but halted - you figure, 'Well I could have just slowed down. I didn't have to be stopped.'

"I thought it was bad just to slow down. Now I see in me being stopped, I could have done this, been this, myself, instead of being forced to do it."

Foxy Coming Home

Eminem Tapped To Perform At Nelson Mandela Bash

Eminem has been invited to perform at the former South African president Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday party in June.

According to New York's Daily News, Em was contacted by event coordinator Brian May - formerly of the rock band Queen - about a month ago to appear at the South African freedom fighter's celebration.

The bash is to be held in London this June and will be hosted by Will Smith and organizers have extended initations to Slim Shady and Stevie Wonder to perform.

If Eminem accepts, it will mark the first time Em has performed live since his surprise appearance at the 2006 BET Awards, where he joined Busta Rhymes to perform "Touch It."

[Editor's note: At press time Eminem has not accepted the invitation. An earlier version of this story wrongly reported that he had accepted the invitation.]

Young Buck Joins New Click, Drops ''Ten-A-Key Boys'' Mixtape

He may not be a member of G-Unit anymore, but Young Buck isn't letting that slow him down as he recently joined forces with Yo Gotti for new crew.

Just days after 50 announced that Buck is no longer a member of the Unit, the Ten-A-Key rapper is striking back with a few projects of his own. As previously reported, the rapper will be dropping a documentary DVD, A Billion Bucks, this June which follows him through everyday life over the course of a year, and includes footage from his national tour.

Most recently, Buck has joined forces with emcees All Star and Yo Gotti to become the Ten-A-Key Boys, featured on producer J.A.'s new mixtape, "From Cahsville to Memphis."

Despite his independent ventures, Buck is still currently signed to G-Unit as a solo artist.

Check the mixtape track listing below:

1. Young Buck Intro - 24HRGRIND - TenAKey Boys
2. Young Buck - It's Not O.K.
3. Young Buck - Hip-Hop Saved My Life
4. Young Buck - All Eyes On Me (Produced By J.A.)
5. Young Buck - Bout Money (Produced By Gator)
6. Young Buck - Strip Club (Produced By J.A.)
7. Young Buck - Where Da h*es? Ft Sosa Da Plug, Allstar (Produced By J.A.)
8. Young Buck - I Got Money (Produced By S1)
9. Young Buck - All Hood
10. Young Buck Speaks - My Hustle
11. AllStar - Wana Get Gangsta
12. Allstar - Get Money ft Birdman
13. Allstar - Hustla n*gga ft Yo Gotti
14. Allstar - Bounce ft Young Buck, Yo Gotti
15. Young Buck Speaks - Ten A Key!
16. Yo Gotti - Do The sh*t ft Gucci Mane
17. Yo Gotti - Money (Produced By Drumma Boy)
18. Yo Gotti - f*ck Ya (Produced By Nitti)
19. Yo Gotti - Geme My Money ft Stockholdaz
20. Yo Gotti - Straped Up ft Allstar
21. Yo Gotti - Them n*ggas
22. Young Buck - A Real n*gga
*Bonus*
23. Throw It Up ft Twisted Black
24. What it do ft Allstar

Young Buck, Allstar and Yo Gotti's mixtape "Ten-A-Key Boys: From Cashville to Memphis" is out now. Fans can purchase the mixtape at southtapes.com.

DMX College Concert Ends In Chaos

Turmoil erupted on April 9 at Indiana University, after students protested the shut down of a DMX concert.

According to the Indiana Daily Student, students paid $25 a ticket to see X perform at Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity house last night, but the concert was closed down after three songs. When students protested the show's end, the Indiana University Police Department began to spray the rowdy crowd with mace to keep order.

The concert was supposed to begin at 8:30 p.m., but it was delayed until 9:30 p.m. due to the late arrival of X, as the fraternity had difficulties getting the superstar rapper to the house.

The fraternity had an agreement with the University that the concert would end at 9:30 p.m. When the concert didn't conclude at the aforementioned time, officers arrived to shut it down. DMX was taken off the stage and additional officers were called in when the crowd began to shout profanities at the police.

An eyewitness confirmed that X had alcohol and told students he would pass it through the crowd. Cops then rushed on the stage to prevent the distribution. IUPD, Bloomington Police and State Police were called onto the scene, the witness told reporters.

After the crowd began to get rowdy, police began to mace. The eyewitness said students started throwing things at the authorities and despite police reports, not one student rushed the stage. Students threw trash and that was the extent of their damage.

IUPD confirmed that Lambda Chi Alpha prearranged with Indian University Student Activities Office for the concert to end at 9:30 p.m.

At press time, neither DMX nor Lambda Chi Alpha were available for comment.

Procter & Gamble plans on launching a record label with Island Def Jam Music Group

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble is getting into the hip-hop business by launching a record label with Island Def Jam Music Group.

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The joint venture will be called Tag Records, a nod to Procter & Gamble's's Tag body sprays. It will be run by Island Urban president Jermaine Dupri, who helped produce the latest sales disappointment by his girlfriend, Janet Jackson.

Tag Records will unveil its first signing in May, and is promising a marketing budget 10 times the going rate of $1 million or so for most artists.

"My goal is to find artists that have longevity written all over their face," said Dupri, adding that TAG is expected to launch two artists per year during the course of the three-year deal.

Jackson's "Discipline," meanwhile, is currently at No. 45 on the Billboard 200 in its sixth week.

Reuters/Billboard

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50 CENT, UNIVERSAL SUED BY YAYO'S TEEN VICTIM: Rapper accused of promoting 'gangsta lifestyle.' Plus, artist in talks to join indie film.

The 14-year-old boy who was allegedly assaulted by associates of 50 Cent has joined his mother in a lawsuit against the rapper and his label, Universal, for promoting a "gangsta lifestyle."

Filed Wednesday by James Rosemond and his mother Cynthia Reed, the lawsuit claims Universal Music Group and its labels Interscope Records, G-Unit Records and Shady Records are ultimately responsible for the assault because they encourage artists to pursue violent, criminal lifestyles.

Rosemond says he was assaulted on a Manhattan sidewalk in March 2007 by four men, including G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo and his employee Lowell Fletcher. The lawsuit claims Rosemond was targeted because he was wearing a T-shirt bearing the name of Czar Entertainment, a management company owned by his father. Czar represents The Game, a former G-Unit rapper who fell out with the group and had become a rival.

The lawsuit names 50 Cent -- whose real name is Curtis Jackson – Yayo, Fletcher, Violator Management and Violator CEO Chris Lighty.

"The members of G-Unit, including defendants Yayo and 50 Cent, encouraged, sanctioned, approved and condoned its members threatening violence, and or engaging in violent acts in furtherance of its business," the lawsuit said. The attack on Rosemond was intended to "promote and maintain Yayo and 50 Cent's 'gangsta' image," which was "promoted, marketed and advertised" by record labels.

Yayo, whose real name is Marvin Bernard, pleaded guilty to harassment in February and was sentenced to 10 days of community service. Fletcher pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and was sentenced to nine months in jail.

"Because of the injuries suffered by James, and the lack of remorse and arrogance displayed by Yayo, G-Unit and all named in the lawsuit, I feel obligated as a mother to bring this suit and obtain justice for my child," Reed stated. "Even though Yayo pleaded guilty in Criminal Court to harassing my son and Fletcher pleaded guilty to endangering my son, neither Yayo nor G-Unit members have ever apologized to my son or me."

In other 50 Cent news, Variety reports that he's in talks to join the cast of "Spectacular Regret," an indie film about four Los Angelenos struggling to overcome past events.

Fifty will play a death row inmate whose imminent execution has made him a cause celebre.

Confirmed cast members include Danny Huston, John Ortiz and Kelli Garner. Financed through private equity, the film will shoot in July in L.A.

The drama was scripted by actor Joshua Leonard, who will make his dramatic feature debut as director. Leonard lugged around a camera as one of the stars of "The Blair Witch Project."

JAY-Z RUMORS PLAGUE GLASTONBURY GIG: Organizer denies talk of rapper pulling out due to low ticket sales.

Organizers for the annual Glastonbury Festival (June 27-29) are denying reports in London’s Sun newspaper that headliner Jay-Z is planning to cancel his appearance because of low ticket sales.

While tickets for the festival usually sell out in hours, more than 30,000 of the 137,500 tickets available remained unsold as of Sunday afternoon. Critics are blaming sluggish sales on the decision to book Jay-Z alongside more traditional rock/alternative acts Muse and The Verve.

The Sun reported that Jigga wanted to pull out because he's angered by critics who feel he's the wrong choice for the legendary festival. There was also talk that organizers were scrambling to book Prince as a replacement since he made such a big splash last year during his 21-night residency at London's O2 Arena.

The rumor picked up steam when it was announced that Jay-Z would also be playing London’s 02 Wireless Music Festival the following week, on July 3.

Michael Eavis, who has run the Glastonbury Festival for more than 30 years, called the Sun's report "malicious," "nasty" and "totally unfounded."

Speaking to XFM, he said: "I'm not sure where they got that from, probably from the people that were doing a show in London the following week [The O2 Wireless Festival] because they were trying to sell tickets for their show.

"That didn't come from the Americans [Jay-Z's management] at all because we checked with them on Sunday and the Americans confirmed with me on Sunday they were definitely doing it [the festival]."

Jay-Z is scheduled to headline the Pyramid Stage on the festival's opening night, Friday June 27. Tickets went on sale again this week

Young Buck Drops Documentary DVD This June

On the heels of his departure from G-Unit, Young Buck has announced plans to release his documentary DVD A Billion Bucks This June.

A Billion Bucks follows Buck through his everyday life over the course of a year as he travels from the South Side Projects in Tennessee to Cuba for a getaway, across the U.S. on tour and on a backwoods fishing trip, revealing himself to his audience by slowly opening up to the camera as a form of therapy.

Throughout this journey of self-discovery, Buck unveils his many different sides - father, felon, fisherman, poet, and hood hero among them. A Billion Bucks is a double disc DVD which also includes three exclusive unreleased music videos, six new tracks featuring Young Buck, C-Bo, Tha Outlawz and 615, as well as a complete photo gallery. The release also features new performance and behind-the-scenes footage which has never been seen before.

A Billion Bucks was shot and edited by Decon's Jason Goldwatch who has previously worked on Ludacris' The Red Light District, Young Jeezy's Thug Motivation 101, and most recently directed Damian Marley's "One Loaf Of Bread" video which was shot in Haiti.

"The greatest aspect of shooting with Buck was the mutual respect and genuine curiosity that developed between us," Jason Goldwatch said via statement. "We are such different people, from such different places, and over the course of our travels and experiences finding actually, we are very much the same. And the camera was there to capture the frankness, the dirt, the openness, and the realness of it all. It was an amazing experience. Buck the world."

A Billion Bucks drops June 10 via Decon and Cashville Records; Young Buck plans to spend early June promoting the DVD release.

In related news, in a Hot 97 interview April 7th 50 Cent revealed that Young Buck is no longer a part of G-Unit the group, but is currently signed to G-Unit as a solo artist.

TONI BRAXTON HOSPITALIZED IN VEGAS: Singer in 'good condition' after treatment for chest pain

Toni Braxton was hospitalized in Las Vegas Monday night after suffering from chest pains, reports People.com.

The 40-year-old singer has been performing her five-day-a-week show "Toni Braxton: Revealed" at the Flamingo hotel since 2005. She was listed in good condition as of press time Tuesday and expected to be released sometime in the afternoon.

"We wish Toni a quick recovery and would like her to take the time she needs to regain optimal health," said president of Flamingo Las Vegas, Don Marrandino. "We are looking forward to her return at the end of the week."

Braxton took Tuesday night off, and was not scheduled to perform Sunday or Monday night in her show.

The singer suffers from the heart condition pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. This year, Braxton became a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.

Method Man & GZA Go ''Back To Back: Raw & Uncut''

After a string of hits as part of the Shaolin collective, Method Man along with Street Life and the GZA have teamed up to give The Wu faithful a double disc chock full of the Clan's finest material entitled "Back To Back: Raw And Uncut."

The double-CD, which is slated to hit stores on May 13, will feature over 30 of the group's most memorable hits including "Clan in Da Front," "Bring da Ruckus," "Liquid Swords," "Method Man," "Bring the Pain" and others.

The package also includes a DVD of live footage of Meth, Street Life, GZA and Cappadonna on stage performing most of the hits found on the CD. The DVD will also include behind the scenes footage of Meth on tour.

LA TIMES RETRACTS TUPAC STORY: Action comes three weeks after article falsely linked Diddy to rapper's shooting in 1994.

The Los Angeles Times has retracted a March 17 article from writer Chuck Philips that claimed Sean "Diddy" Combs and industry vet Jimmy Rosemond had prior knowledge of a 1994 ambush on Tupac Shakur.

Monday's move by the newspaper came three weeks after elements of the story were questioned by the Web site Smoking Gun.

Philips, a Pulitzer Prize winner, suggested in his piece that Combs and Rosemond had arranged the assault on Shakur because they were angry that he had rejected an offer to sign with Combs' Bad Boy Records label.

The Smoking Gun, a Web site that specializes in uncovering news from legal documents and court filings, said the following week that it believed Federal Bureau of Investigation documents used by the Times were forgeries.

The Times immediately launched an investigation, which led to an apology on March 27 from both Philips and his supervisor, deputy managing editor Marc Duvoisin. The story has since been removed from the Times Web site, and comments made by Philips in two online chats as well as a blog were also retracted.

"To the extent these publications could be interpreted as creating the impression that Combs was involved in arranging the attack, The Times wishes to correct that misimpression, which was neither stated in the article nor intended," the paper said in its retraction.

Rosemond's attorney Jeffrey Lichtman released a statement Monday saying his client is "pleased" with the retraction.

"We hope that in the future the Times recognizes that fabricating scurrilous accusations in an effort to sell newspapers completely undermines their credibility and guarantees that any profits made from selling such garbage will be disgorged in litigation," Lichtman said.

Mary J.Blige congratulates Beyonce, Jay-Z

JAY-Z BACK ON TOUR AFTER REPORTED MARRIAGE: Mogul performs with Mary J. Blige in N.C. 24 hours after apparent nuptials

Jay-Z was back on the road with Mary J. Blige Saturday and was not wearing a wedding ring despite multiple reports that he finally married his longtime girlfriend Beyonce Knowles the night before.

During his sold-out concert in Greensboro, North Carolina, the rapper made no mention of the rumored nuptials that took place at his Tribeca apartment Friday night. But Mary J. couldn't resist giving her co-headliner a shout-out.

Congratulations to my man, Jay-Z, and my girl B," she told the sold-out Greensboro audience before starting her set with "You're All I Need."

The Web sites of celebrity magazines People and Us Weekly reported the couple married and threw a party at the apartment Friday, citing unnamed sources who are friends with the pair. Guests included Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyoncé's mother Tina Knowles, her father/manager Mathew, her sister Solange and her Destiny's Child band mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.


Meanwhile, Live Nation, who last week signed Jay-Z to a deal worth $150 million, is reporting that his Heart of the City tour with Blige has sold out seven of the first eight dates on its North American trek, grossing more than $9.1 million dollars thus far and averaging more than 12,000 music fans per night.

Highlights from the tour thus far include Wednesday night's $1.5 million gross at Toronto's Air Canada Centre, nearly $1.7 million at Philadelphia's Wachovia Center, and $1.8 million in ticket sales at East Rutherford's Izod Center.

In addition the "Heart of the City" stop in Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena was the second highest grossing concert of all time for the venue, topped only by the Rolling Stones.

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Britain challenges Snoop Dogg decision

Britain is appealing a court's decision to allow Snoop Dogg into the country, the Border Agency said Friday. He was barred from Britain after he was arrested on charges of violent disorder at London's Heathrow Airport in 2006. But the hip-hop heavyweight successfully appealed the ban and received entry clearance from an asylum and immigration tribunal in January.

The Border Agency said Friday it would challenge the ruling at a hearing next week.

In March 2007, Snoop Dogg (real name: Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr.) was forced to cancel a tour of Britain with fellow rap icon Sean "Diddy" Combs after authorities denied him a visa.

That followed an incident in which Snoop Dogg and five others were arrested on charges of violent disorder and starting a brawl at Heathrow in which seven officers were injured. Trouble flared when some in his party were denied entry to British Airways' first-class lounge at the airport.

In April 2007, Snoop Dogg was refused entry into Australia, with then-Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews saying the rapper "doesn't seem the sort of bloke we want in this country."

A former associate of the Los Angeles gang the Crips, Snoop Dogg built his early career on recordings offering gritty details of gang life.

MC Breed Arrested, Owes $220K In Child Support

After being taken into custody by Michigan authorities yesterday (April 3), MC Breed pulled a no-show at a scheduled performance in his hometown of Flint, Michigan.

According to the Flint Journal, the rapper was arrested by Genesee County Sheriff's deputies earlier in the afternoon on warrants for unpaid child support totaling $220,000. He was slated to take the stage at the Perani Arena as part of a bill featuring Lil' Wayne.

Police may have been tipped off to the rapper's whereabouts after an announcement promoting that the Michigan MC would be signing autographs at a local record store, Music Planet, was printed in the Journal. Police apprehended the rapper around 4 p.m., shortly after he and his documentary film crew left the store.

Breed has apparently not made a payment in three years and recently spent eight months in prison for a parole violation that was the result of unpaid child support. He needed to post $6,000 to be released in order to make the show but was unable to come up with the money. The rapper's arrest came as a surprise as fans were anticipating the rare performance.

"He's not trying to dodge anything or avoid anything," said his manager, Darryl Morris, adding that he was unaware of the child support issue before Breed's arrest. "To us it was a surprise, but I'm not sure it was for (Breed)."

Officials contend that while they regret that fans will not be able to see the scheduled performance, there was no choice in the matter whether to pick up the artist who's best known for his hit "Ain't No Future In Your Frontin."

"I'm not out here trying to keep him from going to his concert," said GeneseeCounty friend of the court Jack Battles. "But we're always trying to collect on our cases."

Several concert-goers said they received e-mail alerts from Ticketmaster on Thursday afternoon that Breed would not be performing at the show, though many fans and others were still disappointed. The rapper currently resides in Atlanta and had apparently not been back to Flint in some time.

"I sure hate that it turned out that way," said Music Planet owner Carter McWright. "They probably would have gotten him anyway at the show tonight."

MC Breed is best known for his song "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'." During the 90s he worked heavily in the West Coast with The D.O.C., Too Short and Tupac.

He is scheduled to appear in court today (April 4).

Fabo Let Off The Hook In Drug & Gun Charges

D4L front man Fabo has been exonerated for a host of charges stemming from a 2006 arrest, as his co-defendant accepted gun and drug possession charges that could have landed the rapper in jail.

According to the Courier Herlald, the rapper (real name Lafabian Williams) was stopped while driving in February of '06 in Laurens County, South Carolina. He was charged with possession of marijuana and ecstasy, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and carrying a concealed weapon. Having already been a convicted felon, Fabo was also charged with possession of a firearm.

Now the co-defendant in the trial, Curtis Alfonso Watkins, Jr. pled guilty to the charges, ultimately exonerating his friend. Consequentially the district attorney's office decided not to prosecute Fabo.

Watkins pled guilty to the charges of drug possession and possession of a firearm. He received a sentence of 15 years of probation, court and state surcharges and fines totaling $3,700.

Jay-Z To Sign $150 Mil Music Deal W/ Live Nation

In what could be one of the biggest music deals in history, hip- hop mogul Jay-Z is continuing to expand on his already impressive professional empire, reportedly on the verge of signing a landmark deal with Live Nation worth an estimated $150 million.

According to the New York Times, the new the deal is the most lucrative one offered by Live Nation and is set to be finalized by week's end. The deal will see the rapper/entrepreneur leaving Def Jam to start Roc Nation, a parent company which will house several of Jay's business ventures.

The terms will include financing for his own entertainment venture, in addition to recordings and touring for the next ten years and will see Jigga splitting profits with Live Nation. The deal is aiming to position Live Nation to compete directly with major labels in the areas of record distribution as well as concert tickets and market merchandise.

"I've turned into the Rolling Stones of hip-hop," Jay-Z said in a interview with the Times.

As part of the arrangement, Live Nation would finance the start-up of Roc Nation which are expected to include his own label, music publishing, and talent consulting and managing. Live Nation is expected to contribute $5 million a year in overhead for five years, with another $25 million available to finance Jay-Z's acquisitions or investments, according to people in the music industry briefed on the agreement.

The one of a kind deal also includes an upfront payment of $25 million, a general advance of $25 million that includes fees for his current tour, and advance payment of $10 million an album for a minimum of three albums during the deal's 10-year term. A series of other payments adding up to about $20 million is included in exchange for certain publishing, licensing and other rights.

Jay himself sees the deal as a way "to reach the consumer in so many different ways right now. Everyone's trying to figure it out. I want to be on the front lines in that fight," he said.

"In a way I want to operate like an indie band," he said. "Play the music on tour instead of relying on radio. Hopefully we'll get some hits out of there and radio will pick it up, but we won't make it with that in mind."

Live Nation chairman Michael Cohl says that he has high hopes for the new deal, even though many industry figures are doubting the potential success due to the industry's current climate.

"What he's done has kind of mirrored what we want to do and where we think we're going."

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z Take Out Marriage License

Beyoncé Knowles and longtime beau Jay-Z have taken out a marriage license in Scarsdale, N.Y., PEOPLE has learned.

According to a source, the pair obtained a license Tuesday morning. The document is valid for 60 days.

A rep for Beyoncé told PEOPLE, "No comment." Jay-Z's spokesperson could not be reached.

Beyoncé, 26, and Jay-Z, 38, have been dating since 2002, though the couple have stood reluctant to discuss their relationship publicly. Rumors about their romance began circulating after the singer appeared on Jay-Z's song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde," followed by collaborations on Beyoncé's solo hit "Crazy in Love," in 2003.

While the two have remained tight-lipped about the state of their romance, by no means has Beyoné brushed off talk of marriage. In December 2006, the singer told InStyle, "You can't rush a man into anything – whether it's a relationship, marriage or having children."

Earlier that month the pair were besieged by rumors that they were all set to get hitched in the Caribbean – a rumor that was quickly scotched by their reps.