T.I. wants to host Thanksgiving dinner

Lawyers for T.I. filed two motions yesterday asking a judge to allow him to have visitors at his house on Thanksgiving day.

T.I. is under 24-hour house arrest while he awaits trial on allegations that he attempted to illegally purchase three machine guns and two silencers and possessing a cache of weapons in his Atlanta mansion.

The motion filed on yesterday requests that the three-visitor rule imposed by his $3 million bond be temporarily waived from 9:00am until 6:30 pm on Thanksgiving day.

T.I. also submitted a list of proposed visitors for the judge to approve, who must all undergo criminal background checks, as does any other visitor.

T.I. is also forbidden from consuming alcohol even if the motion is granted. He must also pay for additional security guards to police the Thanksgiving Day celebration.

T.I. also filed a motion with the judge so he can hire workers to clean his yard, pool and house.

Jay takes on Elvis

Jay-Z will tie Elvis for the most number one albums in history, a feat that depends on the success of his American Gangster album.

Jay-Z landed his ninth number one album last year with Kingdom Come, which sold about 680,000 in its first week.

The Kingdom Come album put Jay-Z in a tie with The Rolling Stones, who have landed nine number one albums throughout their 40-year career.

If Jay-Z's American Gangster sells well, only The Beatles would have offered the music world more number one albums.

Beanie Sigel - All of the Above

Weezy goes to court

Lil Wayne appeared in an Atlanta courtroom yesterday morning for his arraignment on three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. The charges stem from an August 2006 arrest at the Twelve Hotel in Atlanta during which police confiscated marijuana and the prescription drugs Xanax and hydrocodone. After failing to show up for a previous court date, Weezy was picked up in Idaho on October 5 on a warrant issued by authorities in Atlanta. Lil Wayne's attorney, William Head, says the whole thing is a misunderstanding.


According to the lawyer, a case notice from the Fulton County District Attorney’s office was mistakenly mailed to Weezy’s old address in New Orleans, which was wiped out in Hurricane Katrina. On Wednesday, Head filed motions with the court disputing the legality of the hotel room search that led to the initial arrest, and also requested that the defense be allowed to inspect fingerprint evidence taken from the bottles of pills found in the room.


“We asked to examine the evidence so we can prove it has no connection to him,” Head said.


“Let’s see what the fingerprints are.” Wayne is also facing a separate charge of being a fugitive in Idaho, a charge that will have to be handled in a Boise court.

Jada signs with the Roc

Jadakiss has signed with Roc-A-Fella Records.


"Well, I"ve been actually trying to get Jadakiss to come to the Roc for a minute, It"s in the final stages, though. And I just finished talking to Dean, CEo of Ruff Ryder's and all of them about doing something really special with a Roc-A-Fella/ Ruff Ryders collaboration." says Jay Z.

Da Brat arrested after altercation

Da Brat was arrested on felony aggravated assault charges early this morning after allegedly hitting a woman in the face with a bottle at Jermaine Dupri’s Studio 72 club in Atlanta.

The altercation started out as a verbal disagreement but soon escalated to a shoving match. Witnesses say that Da Brat then grabbed a bottle of rum and hit the waitress in the face with it.

The unidentified woman was hospitalized with cuts on her face and above her eye. Da Brat was taken to the Dekalb County Jail and will remain in custody until a hearing.

Knuck If You Buck

A series of brawls broke out during a party on the Harvard University campus on Saturday night after a DJ threw on the Crime Mob song “Knuck If You Buck.”

The altercations occurred at an after party for the annual Harvard Society of Black Scientists and Engineers step show. The event, which took place in the University’s Lowell House dining hall, attracted over 400 students from Harvard as well as Boston University, Boston College, MIT and other schools.

At around 1:00 a.m., when the DJ played “Knuck If You Buck,” Crime Mob’s crunk anthem that has been blamed for inciting violence in the past, a fight broke out on the dance floor.

“That’s a song where everybody goes wild,” said Jarred Watson, a Northeastern University student and party attendee. “The crowd started touching each other and bumping into each other. Then I saw a whole bunch of people screaming, and I saw people fighting.”

The fighting soon spiller out into the Lowell House courtyard while Harvard University Police Department officers tried to quell the situation. Eventually, the HUPD was joined by six state trooper cruisers and several Cambridge police vehicles.

Two men were taken into custody in connection with the brawl, but were later released without charges.

“Knuck if you Buck” caused controversy in January of 2006 when 16 year-old Baron “Deuce” Braswell II was stabbed to death while the song was playing during a party in Fredericksburg, VA.

Jacob cops a plea

Jacob “The Jeweler” Arabov entered a guilty plea on charges of making false statements to investigators in Detroit Federal Court. Jacob was arrested in June of 2006 by federal authorities on charges that he allegedly conspired to launder as much as $270 million in drug profits for the Detroit based Black Mafia Family organization.

Jacob accepted the plea agreement offered by prosecutors, who in turn agreed to drop the more serious charges of money laundering. He is expected to face between 37 and 52 months in federal prison.

Jacob is well known in the hip-hop community as a purveyor of fine jewelry to some of the biggest names in rap. He has been immortalized in lyrics from a slew of top artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., Nas and Kanye West.

Project Pat - Don't Call Me No Mo

T.I. released on $3 million dollar bail

T.I. was released on a $3 million dollars bond but must stay in home confinement until his federal trial for possession of machine guns and silencers begin.

Judge Alan Baverman said that T.I. will be restricted to a house in Henry County, Georgia and will be monitored 24 hours a day by a private monitoring service that he must also pay for.

The judge said that T.I. was to have no contact with witnesses or informants associated with the case.

T.I. faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.

T.I. couldn't return to his residence since the address was made public by news organizations.

The monitor will search visitors who are on a list pre-approved by the judge.

He is restricted to the home except under limited circumstances, including medical appointments and court appearances. He cannot own any firearms and cannot have contact with any witnesses or informants in the case.

40/40 Club sued

Jay-Z's 40/40 Club has been hit with a lawsuit by a woman who claims she was fired because she was pregnant. The lawsuit was filed in New York County Court claiming that she was fired by managers who said her pregnancy didn't fit the club's "sexy image." The woman seeks an unknown amount in damages.

In May, Jay-Z and the 40/40 Club were hit with a class action lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court. In that lawsuit, a woman accused the club of not paying minimum wage and making waiters and waitresses work for tips only.

Free At Last

Free At Last will arrive in stores next month. The album was executive produced by Jay-Z and 50 Cent and features guest appearances from Paul Wall, Rick Ross, Scarface, Lil' Wayne, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes and others.

Memphis Bleek - Get Ya Money Up

Weezy being sued by Jeweler

Lil Wayne procured a $138,000 diamond ring and a $32,000 necklace from a Miami jeweler, but failed to pay for the items. Consequently, the jeweler Jack Sutton has filed a lawsuit against the New Orleans rapper. According to the suit, Wayne owes $146,000 on the $170,000 purchase he made on October 6th.

Sutton claims that Wayne had agreed to pay monthly installments. He received a check for $24,000 on October 12. The second $24,000 check was postdated for January 18, and according to Sutton a stop payment was issued on that check when he attempted to deposit it.

Sutton was bewildered by the irresponsible behavior on the part of “one of his best customers.”

“He spent a lot of money with me,” he said. “I thought we have a really good relationship. I don't know what happened, unless it's a misunderstanding.'”

Diddy moves in on Ciroc

Diddy has entered into an alliance with the Diageo liquor company and will take over brand management of the liquor brand Ciroc.

Diddy and Sean Combs Enterprises will play the leading role in the brand management of Diageo's premium vodka Ciroc, as part of a multi-year U.S. collaboration.

Diddy will be responsible for the marketing, advertising, public relations, product placement and events promoting the Ciroc brand.

All profits will be split 50/50 in the deal, which could be worth over $100 million for Sean Combs Enterprises.

Diddy revealed that his focus will be on growing the established Ciroc brand first and then he may consider developing his own signature brand.

"The first part is to focus on Ciroc and create a fine spirits empire," Diddy said.

"Once that happens, we will see. What really makes this historical is that I am an African-American and I have teamed up with the world's largest spirits company, Diageo, to reshape how a luxury brand is marketed."

Diddy noted that the vodka trade is worth $3 billion dollars and that the "ultra premium" category featuring spirits like Ciroc is growing faster than any other in the spirits industry.

Diddy praised the distinct manufacturing process of Ciroc, which is made from French grapes as opposed to the normal process of using potatoes.

"Now I don't know about you, but if I had the choice to drink potato grains or French grapes, I would go with the grapes," Diddy quipped.

Jay speaks on Lil Wayne

"It's the new generation of fans and rappers who are gonna judge you the harshest. Do you think it"s fair that you"re compared to every new sensation, like Lil Wayne? I don"t think it"s fair to me, and I don"t think it"s fair to them, with the amount of work that I put in. But it"s human nature. So I gotta do what I"ve been doing. I gotta compete with my work. Not to take anything away from him. I think Lil Wayne is extremely talented. I think he"s one of the most talented ones out there. I mean, even more so how his delivery is than what he says. I don"t think some of the things he says sometimes are the greatest things, but the way he delivers it, that"s part of it. People got to look at that, too. That"s a big, important part of the puzzle. But do I think me and Lil Wayne should be in the same sentence? Me? No. I mean, hopefully one day. He has to accumulate work. Put some classics under his belt."

R.I.P. LaLa Brown

Up-and-coming singer Yolanda "LaLa" Brown and her boyfriend were found shot to death in a recording studio over the weekend.

LaLa Brown was well known for her duet with Lyfe Jennings on his hit single "S.E.X".

Rich Boy - Let's Get This Paper

T.I. denied bail

T.I.'s request to be released on bond was denied today by U.S. Magistrate judge Alan Baverman.

The judge was ready to release T.I. under house arrest but T.I. and his attorneys did not meet the specific conditions of bond release today, which included a $3.7 million cash and property bond, a private alarm monitoring company with an employee of the alarm company living on the property, Tiny (his fiance) can be the only adult living on the property (in addition to T.I., the adult monitor and T.I.'s children) and T.I. must submit to twice weekly drug testing.

The next hearing is scheduled for next Friday. If T.I. and his attorneys meet these requirements, T.I. will be released under house arrest with very strict conditions.

The courtroom was packed with family, media and supporters in the industry such as Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles, Michael Mauldin and Young Jeezy.

Jahiem signs with Atlantic

Jaheim has signed with Atlantic. The former Warner Bros. artist will release his as-yet-untitled label debut on Dec. 18.

"This is a milestone project for me, which reflects on changes and growth in my personal and professional life. I produced and wrote half of the album. I'm just focused," Jaheim said.

"I'm with people that understand the market -- no disrespect to anyone over there at Warner Bros. At this point in my career, I need a company that understands and Atlantic is taking me to a whole new level."

Babyface, R. Kelly, KayGee (Naughty By Nature), Jasper Cameron, the Clutch and Nat Adderley Jr. of Luther Vandross fame lent their production efforts to the set, the latter producing a tribute to the late Vandross.

Keyshia Cole is the only feature on the album so far, though Jaheim hopes to record more collaborative tracks in the coming weeks. The first single from the album is titled "Never." In addition, Jaheim can be heard on Atlantic's soundtrack to the new Tyler Perry film, "Why Did I Get Married?," released Oct. 2. He is featured on "DJ Don't (Remix)," alongside the late Gerald Levert.

ATL...no more 18 & up to party, 21 to drink

If your favorite stripper is 18 or 19, say goodbye to her: she won't be around next week when a new ordinance goes into effect in Atlanta. The Atlanta City Council unanimously passed the ordinance which prohibits anyone under 21 from entering establishments where alcohol is served.

That means no under-21 strippers working at Magic City anymore and no more '18 to party, 21 to drink' parties in Atlanta.

The ordinance, which Mayor Shirley Franklin will not veto, does not affect restaurants where alcohol is served, nor supermarkets or convenience stores. Shouts To Sandra Rose OnThe Info

5 Star Stunna

Birdman is back on the grind and ready to drop another album. The Cash Money mogul will release his third solo album, "5 Star Stunna", this winter. “Poppin’ Bottles,” featuring Lil Wayne is the first official single from "5 Star Stunna."

Other songs on Birdman's new album include: “I’m a Stunna” and a song titled “100 Million,” which features Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Young Jeezy.

Yung Joc - Bottle Poppin' (Feat. Gorilla Zoe)

T.I. arrested on federal gun charges

T.I. faced a federal judge this afternoon after being arrested over the weekend on felony weapons charges.

T.I., born Clifford Harris Jr., appeared before US Magistrate Judge Alan J. Baverman at the United States Courthouse in Atlanta and was denied bail.

After T.I. entered the courtroom with his hands cuffed and his legs shackled, Prosecutors charged Harris with possession of unregistered machine guns and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, after a federal investigation revealed that T.I. was allegedly trying to purchase machine guns in Atlanta.

According to documents released by the ATF, the investigation started 11-days ago, when T.I.'s bodyguard asked a licensed gun dealer at The Gun Store about buying a machine gun and not registering it, as required by law.

On October 2, the dealer reported the incident to the ATF who started an investigation and provided a fictitious cellphone number to an undercover agent posing as a machine gun dealer.

Eight days later on October 10, T.I. called his bodyguard to pick up $12,000 in cash to buy the weapons. The bodyguard met the undercover agent at a K-Mart in Doraville.

T.I.'s bodyguard then gave the agent $2,200 and a .223-caliber pistol in exchange for three 9mm machine guns and two 9mm silencers.

Federal agents then arrested the bodyguard, who revealed he was buying the guns for T.I. and that he had purchased almost 25 firearms over the past 18 months for T.I., who is a convicted felon and legally barred from owning firearms.

In one incident in September, the bodyguard claims that T.I. gave him cash to purchase a Calico 9mm from The Gun Store.

After legally purchasing the weapon, T.I. allegedly invited his bodyguard into his bedroom, where he showed him a walk in safe with a finger-print scanner, tall enough for a person to enter.

Inside of the safe were a number of assault rifles in black duffle bags.

In another incident in September, T.I. asked the bodyguard to purchase a .500 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, which was allegedly given to Grand Hustle rapper Alfamega, who then delivered the weapon to T.I.

The next day, on October 11, the cooperating bodyguard called another bodyguard working for T.I. to discuss security services while agents were listening.

During the conversation, T.I. grabbed the phone and the bodyguard allegedly told T.I. he had "everything for you."

On October 12, T.I. called the bodyguard while federal agents listened and arranged to pick up the guns the next day.

On October 13, around 1:00 PM, T.I. called the bodyguard and asked him to bring the guns to a recording studio.

At the best of ATF agents, the bodyguard arranged to meet in the shopping center parking lot in Atlanta.

T.I. arrived at the parking lot and the bodyguard, who was wired, entered T.I.'s vehicle.

The bodyguard asked the function of a silencer to which T.I. replied "No Flash, no bang."

T.I. then asked the bodyguard what the "E" meant on one of the machine guns.

The bodyguard explained that the "E" meant semi-automatic mode, while the "F" meant fully automatic function, which T.I. Allegedly acknowledged.

T.I. inquired about ammunition, the capacity of the magazines and any change that might be left over from the purchase.

Federal agents then arrested T.I. without incident, recovering three firearms, including one between the drivers seat the center console.

T.I.'s girlfriend Tameka "Tiny" Cottle and Grandhustle rappers Mac Boney and Young Dro were also arrested.

Mac Boney and Young Dro were not charged with any crimes and released while Tiny, who was a member of the girl group Xscape, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of Ecstasy.

A search of T.I.'s home recovered three rifles, two pistols and a revolver in the walk-in closet and safe in his bedroom.

Five of the firearms were loaded.

Diddy investigated for assault

Police are investigating an incident saturday morning in which Sean "Diddy" Combs allegedly assaulted an acquaintance at a SoHo nightclub during an argument, allegedly over a woman.

Diddy was at Kiosk around 3:30 am saturday morning, when he started to argue with a man named Steven Acevedo.

The two men exchanged words while walking away from each other, but later crossed paths again and continued to argue.
Diddy threw a punch and struck Steve in the face, leaving him with a bloody nose and swollen lip.

When Steve attempted to fight back, one of Diddy's bodyguards reached under his shirt, as if he was pulling out a gun.

Steve fled the club, went and filed a police report.

Police are looking at surveillance video and have contacted Diddy to get an official statement.

Diddy has not been arrested or charged with any crime.

Jimmy signs with Columbia

Jim Jones is making a move to a major label. Jones is now a part of the Columbia Records roster and is planning on dropping his debut or the label in early 2008.

"It's a 50/50 joint venture with Columbia for my production company as well, Jones Family productions," Jones said. "Shout to Rick Rubin for believing in my artistry and Kyambo 'Hip-Hop' Joshua for being my partner in this process. Shout to Koch Records as well, because I broke a lot of ground with them and they gave me my own lane. "

Jones first single, “They Don’t Love Me Anymore,” will drop in the next couple of weeks with a video.

Gucci Mane - Freaky Gurl (Dirty Version)

Kell's is coming

R. Kelly will be hitting the road on November 14 launching the tour in Columbus, Georgia and will run it until January 12 ending in Hampton, Virginia.

J. Holiday will join Kells on the road and possibly Keyshia Cole.

R. Kelly's trial has been postponed indefinitely due to the prosecuting lawyer having a child and being on maternity leave.

Here’s the current itinerary for the tour:

11/14 - Columbus, GA @ Columbus Civic Center

11/15 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena

11/16 - Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum

11/17 - Birmingham, AL @ BJCC Arena

11/18 - Charlotte, NC @ Charlotte Bobcats Arena

11/21 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Wachovia Center

11/22 - Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center

11/23 - Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

11/24 - Baltimore, MD @ 1st Mariner Arena

11/25 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center

11/29 - North Little Rock, AR @ Alltel Arena

11/30 - New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Arena

12/1 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Arena

12/2 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center

12/6 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center

12/7 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center

12/8 - Indianapolis, IN @ Conseco Fieldhouse

12/9 - Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum

12/13 - Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events Center

12/14 - Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center

12/15 - Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena

12/16 - Sacramento, CA @ Arco Arena

12/19 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center

12/21 - St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center

12/22 - Chicago, IL @ United Center

12/23 - Detroit, MI @ Joe Louis Arena

12/27 - North Charleston, SC @ North Charleston Coliseum

12/28 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Arena

12/29 - Columbia, SC @ Colonial Center

12/30 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena

12/31 - Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena

1/3 - Louisville, KY @ Kentucky Exposition Center

1/4 - Cleveland, OH @ Wolstein Center, Cleveland State University

1/5 - Buffalo, NY @ HSBC Arena

1/6 - Dayton, OH @ Ervin J. Nutter Center

1/8 - Greenville, SC @ Bi-Lo Center

1/9 - Savannah, GA @ Savannah Civic Center

1/11 - Richmond, VA @ Richmond Coliseum

1/12 - Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum

Walking Bank Roll

Project Pat has announced the release of his new album, Walkin’ Bank Roll Scheduled for release on October 30th.

The album will be released on Hypnotize Minds and distributed thru Koch Records.

Production comes from Pat’s affiliates DJ Paul and Juicy J of Three-Six-Mafia.

Walkin’ Bank Roll is led by his single “Don’t Call Me No Mo.” The music video for “Don’t Call Me No Mo,” which features Three-Six-Mafia, is expected to hit the airwave this month.

Weezy arrested in Idaho

Lil' Wayne was released from jail in Boise, Idaho on $20,000 bail on Saturday evening and according to his attorney, his client's incarceration was the result of a "misunderstanding."

Police arrested Lil' Wayne early Saturday morning following a concert at the Qwest Arena, after authorities in Fulton County, Georgia issued a felony arrest warrant because he missed two scheduled court dates to answer a charge of felony possession of drugs.

His lawyer William Head filed for an emergency release order, claiming that Lil' Wayne may not have been aware of the court dates.

"When someone's this successful, there are chances things will fall through the cracks," Lil' Wayne's attorney William Head stated. "They were under the impression that those charges had either been resolved or dismissed."

The charges are the result of an incident in August of last year when Lil' Wayne was arrested on drug possession charges in Atlanta Georgia, after a housekeeper found marijuana in his hotel room.

Police later searched the room and recovered 60 pills of Alprazolam and 59 pills of hydrocodone.

Lil' Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter, was arrested and charged with felony possession of drugs.

Lil Wayne is due back in court in Fulton County tomorrow.

"We want to make sure the court knows he's not trying to stay away from Georgia," Head said.

Beans to surrender today

Beanie Sigel will surrender to police later this afternoon on charges of theft and unauthorized use of an automobile, because he allegedly failed to return a rental car he rented a few months ago.

According to police reports, Sigel - who's license is suspended - rented a 2007 Nissan Altima from Payless Rental Car service in Philadelphia on July 23.

The car was due back to Payless on August 13, but police claim Sigel never returned the car.

While Payless continued to charge Sigel's credit card for holding on to the car, the company reported the vehicle stolen on September 6.

"Apparently there was some misunderstanding over when the car was to be returned or whether or not payment was to continue being made from the credit card," Sigel's attorney Fortunato Perri, said.

"We're now working out a time for him to surrender this afternoon."

The Altima was returned to the dealership Friday evening, just as police went to arrest Sigel at his home outside of Philadelphia.

Sigel, born Dwight Grant, was in New York on business when the police went to his home, which neighbors said has been unoccupied for months.

Prodigy's trial begins in Manhattan

Mobb Deep's Prodigy's trial for handgun possession has started in New York.

Police stopped the G-Unit member's Chevy Suburban last October, after they witnessed Prodigy driving the opposite direction on a one way street, in an attempt to secure a parking spot in the Chelsea district of Manhattan.

Two plainclothes officers testified that they pulled over the armored SUV around 2:00 am last Octobe after witnessing Prodigy and passenger/producer The Alchemist make the illegal turn.

Both officers testified they witnessed Prodigy place his hand on an open console, where police allegedly found a loaded handgun.

Police said they had the right to search the car due to the hand motions of Prodigy and because of the SUV's heavily armored doors and reinforced windows.

Prodigy claims he had no idea the gun was in the compartment.

He already has two felony convictions.

A third conviction could land him in prison for up to 15-years.

Gun charges against The Alchemist were dismissed, while Prodigy will start his defense tomorrow.

Charges dropped against Jadakiss

Prosecutors are dropping drug and gun charges against Jadakiss, who was arrested last October when police found a loaded handgun in a car he was traveling in.

Jadakiss was arrested in his hometown of Yonkers, New York last October, when police stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation.

Police claimed they smelled marijuana coming from the car and when they searched the vehicle, they found a loaded handgun.

Jadakiss and three other occupants were charged with criminal possession of a weapon, because of the loaded handgun inside the vehicle.

Jadakiss pleaded not guilty to the charges days after being arrested and his lawyer denied the charges, stating "I have yet to see or hear of any evidence connecting my client to possessing this weapon."

Last week, the Westchester County's district attorney asked a judge to dismiss the charges, after a jury acquitted one of the men in the car when DNA tests failed to link any of the three men to the gun.

Gucci says: "Don't Buy My Album"

If you’re a Gucci Mane fan who still buys CDs, the natural thing to do would be to go out and support his latest effort, right?

Well, this may surprise many, but Gucci Mane has officially instructed fans not to support his current CD, Trap-A-Thon, which was released through Big Cat Records. The So Icey rapper issued a statement claiming that Big Cat has been releasing his music without authorization.

“It has come to my attention that my former record label, Big Cat, is trying to put out an unauthorized release of my music. Not only was this done without my approval, but the music they are trying to release is unfinished and does not represent who I am today as an artist.” Gucci Mane said.

Gucci said he wants his fans to wait for his authentic release, Back to The TrapHouse, due on November 13th, via So Icey Entertainment/Czar/ Asylum/Atlantic

He added that all inquiries for concert bookings should be conducted via So Icey offices and not Big Cat.

The Biggie trial takes a crazy turn

The Notorious B.I.G.’s wrongful death trial has taken a crazy turn, as an inmate now claims that the LAPD was not involved in Biggie’s murder. The inmate Waymond Anderson says he was offered payment by Big’s mom Voletta Wallace to lie about the LAPD’s involvement.

Ms. Wallace and Faith Evans (Biggie’s widow) filed a wrongful death suit against the LAPD and the city of Los Angeles in April. The suit claimed that two ex-cops, Raphael Perez and Nino Durden, conspired with another former officer, David Mack, to murder Biggie while acting as undercover agents for Suge Knight’s Death Row Records.

Waymond Anderson, who sat for a deposition last month, said he had been approached by another inmate to lie about the case in exchange for money from Biggie's family's lawyer, Perry R. Sanders. He claims that BIG's mother attempted to offer him $150,000 via another inmate.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Anderson said he had a phone conversation with someone identifying himself as Sanders. “He asked me if I received the message from his guys, and the message was that he was willing to pay me for participation in the scam against the city,” said Anderson.

Sanders denied allegations saying that he wasn't even hired by the Wallace family until after Anderson and the other inmate were in prison together.

Yung Joc - Gettin To Da Money

Yayo arrested in drug and gang sweep

G-Unit member Tony Yayo who is accused punching and waiving a gun at Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond's son was arrested in a massive sweep of members of the Bloods street gang.

Police in Queens, New York rounded up 34 suspected gang members on charges ranging from narcotics and weapons possession to robbery, attempted murder and murder.

Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher is a self-proclaimed member of the G-Unit camp who is also under investigation for his role in the assault of Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond's son.

In May, Fletcher, 29, was charged with various misdemeanor offenses, for allegedly flashing a gun at Rosemond's son during an altercation in which Tony Yayo allegedly backhanded the teen for wearing a Czar Entertainment shirt.

Czar handles the careers of rappers like Gucci Mane and The Game, who has a long running feud with G-Unit.

Police accuse Fletcher of being a high ranking member of the Bloods.

Also arrested was Robert "Dead Eye" Baley, another self-proclaimed G-Unit member who is a high ranking member of the Bloods allegedly running a drug ring selling heroin, marijuana and other narcotics.

The entire sweep netted almost 5 Kilos of cocaine, 13 guns, two bulletproof vests and $120,000 in cash.

The investigation, known as "Operation Bloodhound" began in September 2006 and included extensive physical surveillance, court-authorized electronic surveillance and search warrants.

Can't tell me nothing (Rocafella Remix)

Check out Kanye's "Can't tell me nothing" Rocafella remix featuring Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, and Freeway. It's hot...the Roc is back!

Click Here to listen and download

Weezy covers VIBE

If you thought you’d seen the last of Lil Wayne this year, you thought wrong. The self proclaimed "Best Rapper Alive" has landed himself on the cover of the November issue of VIBE magazine, in which he discusses childhood, drugs, his relationship with Karrine “Superhead” Steffans, as well as the reunion of the Hot Boys.

Weezy’s next album, Tha Carter III, is expected to hit shelves in December.

Trina's new single stolen

Trina and her label Slip N Slide Records have revealed that her first single "Single Again" which features Christina Milian was stolen from a local recording studio and leaked via the email and the Internet.

According to Slip N Slide CEO Ted Lucas, the illegal, stolen version is the wrong track.

"This mishap is extremely unfortunate and the official version of 'Single Again' track featuring Trina by herself will be re-released by the end of the week," Lucas said.

"I am thankful that nothing else was taken from the computer. I guess we can look at this bizarre experience and move forward with Trina's upcoming project."

According to representatives for Trina, she was "in complete shock" when she realized the single had been stolen.

"Single Again" is taken from Trina's upcoming album Da Baddest Chick Part 2: Reloaded, which features guest appearances by Missy Elliott, Gwen Stefani and others.

50 Cent - Follow My Lead

Game enters a not guilty plea

Game pleaded not guilty to three felony charges in court.

Game was charged with one count each of making criminal threats, possession of a firearm in a school zone and exhibiting a firearm on the grounds of a facility for minors.

The felony charges stem from an alleged run-in with Rodrick Shannon during a Feb. 24 basketball game at a South Los Angeles school.

Shannon testified at a preliminary hearing that he exchanged words with Game during the game, which took place at the Rita Walters Educational Learning Complex.

Game, who was playing for an opposing team, hit Shannon in the Jaw with a closed fist after telling him that his team was “garbage,” according to Shannon, who testified that he and the rapper later got into a fighting stance.

Soon after, The Game went out a door after people from his team grabbed Shannon.

As he went into the Complex parking lot to look for his son, Shannon revealed that he became fearful as he saw Game reach into a Cadillac Escalade and pull out a gun.

"He started proceeding towards me. The gun was still in his hand,” Shannon said on the stand. “He yelled that I'm a fucken fool. I turned around and ran because I feared for my life."

During cross-examination, Shannon denied any intention to file lawsuit against The Game.

He later testified that Game had his gun pointed down at the time of the incident.

Los Angeles police caught up with Game at his home in Glendale on May 11 as they executed a search warrant and arrested him.

Game is currently free on $50,000 bail.

A pretrial hearing for the case is scheduled for Oct. 30.

If convicted, The Game could face more than five years in prison.

Tyson pleads guilty to drug charges

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson pleaded guilty Monday to charges of drug possession and driving under the influence stemming from a traffic stop last year as he was leaving a nightclub.

Tyson quietly acknowledged to a judge that he had cocaine and was impaired when he was stopped for driving erratically in Scottsdale on Dec. 29.

He pleaded guilty to a single felony count of cocaine possession and a misdemeanor DUI count and faces up to four years and three months in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 19. A felony charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and a second misdemeanor DUI charge were dropped as part of a plea agreement.
Defense lawyer David Chesnoff said Tyson has been clean and sober for eight months.

"It's obvious this was a crime he was committing against himself," Chesnoff said.

Police stopped Tyson after the boxer had spent the evening at Scottsdale's Pussycat Lounge. An officer said he saw Tyson wiping a white substance off the dashboard of his black BMW, and that his speech was slurred. Authorities said they found bags of cocaine in Tyson's pocket and in his car.

Tyson told officers later that he used cocaine "whenever I can get my hands on it," and that he preferred to smoke it in Marlboro cigarettes with the tobacco pulled out, according to court documents. He also told police that he used marijuana that day and was taking the antidepressant Zoloft, the documents state.

Since his arrest, Tyson checked himself into an inpatient treatment program for what his lawyer called "various addictions."

County Attorney Andrew Thomas said Tyson should be put in prison, noting that Tyson was convicted of rape in Indiana in 1992 and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault charges in Maryland in 1999.

"Mike Tyson is a repeat offender with a violent past," Thomas said. "I believe only a prison sentence will send the right message and properly protect the public."

In 1986, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history when, at 20, he knocked out Trevor Berbick. He lost his title four years later when he was knocked out by James "Buster" Douglas. By 1997, Tyson's career hit a low point when he bit Evander Holyfield's ear during a fight.

Tyson, 41, recently had been trying to revive his career with a series of boxing exhibitions.

Jay in negotiations for Rocawear Arena

Jay-Z's clothing line Rocawear is in negotiations to become the naming-right pat to the Meadowlands arena. Jay-Z, who owns a portion of the New Jersey Nets, hopes to snag the rights to the arena's name, which is currently held by Continental Airlines.

Jay faces competition from clothing brands Izod and Southpole, who also seek to have the 26-year-old arena named after their flagship brands.

According to the Bergen County Record, The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), which is handling bids for the naming rights, said a new name for the famed arena could emerge as early as October 4th.

"We're looking forward to presentations by bidders next week, and then we'll get into the process of evaluation," he said. "I'm optimistic that we'll be able to overachieve the current financial deal that we had with Continental."

Continental had been paying over $600,000 a year for the naming rights to the arena. NJSEA officials expect to double that figure with the new naming-rights holder.

The new owner will hold the rights to the arena's name for two years, when the Nets move move to Brooklyn in 2009.

Jeezy launches "8732"

Young Jeezy says that his entry into the world of fashion has been successful, so much that he may hang up the microphone for the fashion world.

Jeezy is planning to celebrate the official launch of his Eight732 clothing line this week.

"I'm doing a whole week in Atlanta and Miami. That's like the birth of my line, Eight732. The birth is going to be on my birthday September 28th, so it's going to be crazy." "We're having a series of events and parties from front to back from Monday to Sunday. I got something Monday in Miami. Me and Trick Daddy are having a strip off at Club Diamonds, Atlanta versus Miami, you know how that go. We're gonna throw a lot of money there. We gonna leave it though, we not going to pick it up."

Eight732 stands for USDA, the name of Jeezy's group.

"USDA" letters are also found by dialing "8732" on a phone's key pad.

USDA group members are Slick Pulla and Blood Raw...and Young Jeezy will get support from Atlanta star T.I. and New Orleans' Lil' Wayne, who celebrate their birthdays this week as well.

T.I. was born on September 25th, while Lil' Wayne was born on September 27th.

All three will celebrate their birthdays with a 1940's themed party at a private location.

Young Jeezy recently launched 8732clothing.com and there are talks of opening a boutique store, which will sell the rapper's clothing line.

The success even has Jeezy considering a full fledged exit from the rap game.

"When I'm out and about I see people really wearing it, really buying it, really supporting it man, I can't do nothing but thank them for that," Young Jeezy said. "Other than that man we just grind. I might be back in on another album, I might not be."

Jay-Z ft. Pharrell - Blue Magic (Trailer)

New Jay Z & Pharrell..."Blue Magic"

CLICK HERE to listen & download

New Usher..."Touch" (snippet)

CLICK HERE to listen

The Elephant in the Room

Fat Joe recently announced that the Terror Squad has signed a new distribution deal with Imperial Records.

After leaving Atlantic Records last year, Fat Joe signed with Imperial and released his seventh solo album, Me Myself and I, which featured the hit single "Make It Rain."

With the new deal, Joe has begun working on his eighth project, The Elephant in the Room. The set will feature appearances from Diddy, Rick Ross, Fabolous and production from Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, DJ Khaled, Nate "Danja" Hills and The Runners.

"I never made as much money in my career as I have since I went independent. The Elephant in the Room is guaranteed to be a classic. Believe Dat!" Fat Joe said.

The Elephant In The Room is slated for release early 2008.

Gucci and Big Cat split

Big Cat Records, the Atlanta based independent label known for launching Gucci Mane's career, announced that it will release the third and last album from Gucci Mane.

Gucci, left Big Cat Records earlier this year to sign with Asylum/Atlantic Records as part of an agreement involving his new label So Icey and Czar Entertainment, the same management company that represents Game.

The album via Big Cat, titled "Trap-A-Thon", was recorded after Gucci was released from jail last year.

The album includes the original and the remix of his current hit single "Freaky Gurl" and features guest appearances from Young Snead and Khia.

The CD also includes a DVD titled The Glockumentary, which gives an inside look at Gucci's murder trial and his beef with Young Jeezy.

Trap-A-Thon is due in stores on September 25.

Gucci's debut with Atlantic titled "Back To The Trap House" is set for release on November 13.

The set features appearances from Rich Boy, Pimp C and Shawnna, formerly of DTP and newly signed to So Icey Entertainment.

"This album is perfect for my major label debut. It felt like the first time all over again, just so fresh and driven," Gucci Mane said in a statement.

"I bring a lot of experience, creative wordplay, and a crazy style, and I can't wait to showcase the album to my fans and open up to millions of new fans."

Lil Boosie and Lil Webbie sued

Webbie and Lil' Boosie have been hit with a $1 million dollar lawsuit by a local a promoter who alleges they failed to perform at a concert in January.

The lawsuit claims the Lil Boosie, and Webbie, were hired by Tracye Stafford of Ikon Entertainment to perform at Club Sonar on January 20, but they failed to show up to the concert to perform.

Stafford claims that after the failed concert on January 20, Ikon Entertainment, Lil Boosie and Webbie agreed to reschedule the event, but the rappers failed to show up again.

Stafford seeks $1 million for direct and consequential damages, expenses, attorney's fees, plus interest and costs.

The lawsuit also names Trill and Asylum Records as defendants.

Both rappers are artists on Trill Entertainment, which is owned by UGK group member Pimp C.

Snoop sentenced to probation

Snoop Dogg, pleaded guilty to one count of felony possession of a dangerous weapon in a California court, was sentenced to 160 hours community service and three years probation.

According to the Snoop's lawyer, Donald Etra, future courtroom appearances are the last thing on Snoop's mind.

"We are very pleased with the outcome. Snoop's goal is to make music, not make court appearances," Etra said. "He wants to get on with his life. He will continue his music and his filming and performing."

Snoop was arrested last year after he was found carrying a collapsible baton in his hand luggage at John Wayne Airport in Orange County.

In addition to the community service and probation, Snoop was ordered to donate $5,000 to the charity Right Trak.

Game avoids jail time

Game continues to be a free man after a judge dismissed charges against him pertaining to an incident where he impersonated a police officer.

The judge in the case ruled that the charges would be dismissed in six months if the Game stays out of trouble.

"I love New York, but I hate the system," he said after a hearing at New York State Supreme Court. "But, I hate every system."

Game was arrested in November after identifying himself to a cab driver as an undercover officer.

According to complaint filed, Game instructed the driver to drive through a red lights.

Although he came out on top in the New York case, he still faces three felony charges in California for a February incident in which he is accused of pulling a gun during a basketball game in Los Angeles.

If convicted, he face up to five years in jail.

Yung Joc - Hustlenomics (Intro)

Jay Z...."American Gangster"

Jay-Z has announce that he will release an album full of all new material this November titled American Gangster.

While Jay-Z's version of American Gangster is separate from the official motion picture soundtrack, the new album is Jay-Z's lyrical interpretation of the movie, which stars Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Cuba Gooding Jr. (as Nicky Barnes), RZA, T.I., Ruby Dee, Common and others.

American Gangster is based on the true story of Frank Lucas, who is played by Denzel Washington. The movie chronicles Lucas rise to dominance over the Harlem drug trade in the streets of New York in 1970 by smuggling heroin into the country using the coffins of Vietnam veterans returning home from the war.

The first single from Jay-Z's American Gangster album will be titled "Blue Magic."

The album will feature a variety of producers, including Pharrell.

Jay-Z's album American Gangster is due in stores November 6.

Twista illegally stopped and searched

Ten Michigan police cruisers stopped Twista's tour bus yesterday which was en route to a radio appearance in Detroit to promote his album Adrenaline Rush 2007.

Michigan State Police stopped the tour bus in search of illegal narcotics.

Twista, whose real name is Carl Mitchell, was stopped after state police ran the tag of his tour bus, which is owned by Florida-based company, Entertainment Coach of America.

Although the police were unable to find any narcotics, the entire search stopped the flow of traffic on Michigan Interstate 94 for more than two hours.

Twista who recently dropped his latest album Adrenaline Rush 2007 on September 18th, is also scheduled to perform on September 29th and the Jena 6 Empowerment Concert in Birmingham, Alabama.

50 Cent with Jim Jones & Juelz Santana LIVE

Forbes 1,2,3 Remix

Monday night, the much-hyped remix to 50's street anthem "I Get Money" dropped on New York radio station Hot 97 during Funkmaster Flex's show.

50 hinted last Thursday that the track — once called the "Billion Dollar Remix" but now titled "Forbes 1,2,3 Remix" after Jay-Z's, 50's and Diddy's ranking in a Forbes magazine article on hip-hoppers' wealth.

According to a source close to the G-Unit camp, the track was recorded the same week as the New York leg of the Screamfest Tour last month, when headliner T.I. pulled out Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Diddy to the stage and 50, who appeared earlier in the same show with Ciara, also joined them.

The three rap giants take turns trading money-tossing rhymes over the Apex-produced track.

"Bo knows, but Diddy did it," the Bad Boy CEO spits. Cars, jewelry and big homes, yeah, Diddy did it."

"Still hustling, baby, hurry up and kill me," Jay rapped. "I'm already the G.O.A.T., next stop is the Billy."

The three are scheduled to shoot a video for the song on today in New York, according to reps for Interscope.

CLICK HERE to listen and download "Forbes 1,2,3 Remix"

Kanye's still ahead

The race still belongs to Kanye West, entering week two of the rapper’s highly anticipated record sales battle with 50 Cent. West’s CD Graduation dropped on Sept. 11, the same day as 50’s Curtis.

At last count, Graduation sold about 600,000 copies, compared with Curtis’ 430,000, according to SoundScan data collected from eight leading retail sources.

Return of the Queen

Queen Latifah, who has made a name for herself as an actress in Hollywood, plans a rap comeback because she thinks today's rap music is too superficial.

Latifah - real name Dana Owens - has been a regular in Hollywood of late, with high-profile roles in movies such as Hairspray and Chicago. But she is planning a return to her rap roots and record a new album - almost a decade after her last release.

She states, "I think there's a bunch of rap heads and hip-hop lovers who are my age. "They just want good music that's not shallow. There's still room for me to do my thing." Latifah's last album was 1998's Order In The Court.

Plies - Hypnotized (Feat. Akon)