UNCUT Magazine.net

Jim Jones Dips Out On Cam'ron Talk, Speaks Out Against Drug Law

Jim Jones was a no-show on Funkmaster Flex's radio show last night to discuss a possible split between he and his DipSet brethren Cam'ron. But with the release of his newest video, "Lockdown, USA" Jones speaks out loud and clear against the Rockefeller Drug Laws in New York.

Dipset Capo Jim Jones recently released a video for his new single "Lockdown, USA" which calls for the reform of New York's Rockefeller Drug Laws and an end to the war on drugs. The song also features former Roc-A-Fella R&B singer Rell, and samples the popular Marvin Gaye song "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)."

Jones' "Lockdown, USA" video features powerful images from America's War on Drugs, illustrating the widespread imprisonment that has resulted from the laws in New York and their influence nationwide. Footage from a "Coalition for Fairness" rally, led by Hip-Hop Summit Action Network leaders Russell Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis is also included in the clip. With "Lockdown, USA," Jim Jones has joined a the HSAN and a number of other celebrities (including 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, Reverend Run, The Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Nas, Diddy, Madonna, Susan Sarandon) in speaking out against the Drug Laws. The song will be featured in the forthcoming documentary, Lockdown, USA, which premiered at last year's Tribeca Film Festival and is scheduled for theatrical release this year.

In related news, Jones did not appear for a pre-scheduled interview on Funkmaster Flex's Hot 97 radio show last night, to possibly discuss details about his shakey relationship with Killa Cam and the alleged violence between Tru Life and Cam outside Club Stereo last week.

Jim Jones recently admitted to a strained relationship with fellow Diplomat rapper Cam'ron. Hot 97 radio personality Miss Info recently reported on Jones' differences with Cam via her blog.

Busta Rejects Plea Deal on Assault, DUI Charges

Busta Rhymes rejected a plea offer this morning that would have landed him in jail for a year.

According to website TMZ.com, Manhattan District Attorney spokesman Edison Alban announced that the rapper had rejected the judges offer of one year in jail, an alcohol treatment program and a $1500 fine.

Busta stands accused of attacking his former driver Eddie Hatchet during an argument about money, and assaulting a fan that allegedly spit on his car.

Prosecutors previously offered him a deal on both charges, but it was later withdrawn when he was picked up for driving with a suspended license. Busta is due back in court on July 10.

USHER FIRES MOM AS MANAGER

After a week of rumors that had Usher on the verge of firing his own mother as his manager, the singer made it official on Monday, confirming that Jonnetta Patton is no longer calling the shots – at least not with his career.

"She and I are on great terms and support each other in our life's endeavors. We are both very happy but are now working in different areas of the business," he said in a statement announcing his mom’s official pink slip. "This is great for me because it means I now get to have my mother strictly as my mother with no added pressure.

"At this time in my life, I am simply more interested in building the strength of my family. And in order to do that, I feel it's best to separate my business life from my personal life."

Early last week, Internet chatter suggested that Usher’s fiancée, stylist Tameka Foster was pulling the strings of Patton’s dismissal, and would take over as her boyfriend’s manager once Mama was officially out. But Ursh’s statement to the Associated Press put those rumors to rest as well.

"She has no aspirations of becoming my manager or any other artist's manager," he said of Foster, who became engaged to Usher last March.

NAS CANCELS TOUR DATE

Nas cancelled a recent ‘Hip-Hop Is Dead’ tour date in San Diego, California amidst claims that he and wife Kelis were treated like "terrorists."

In an interview on San Diego's Z-90.3, described his encounter at the House of Blues on Wednesday night (May 2).

"We came to the club, all excited. Couldn't wait to get here. [The tour venues] have been sold out every night. The energy from everybody has been crazy. Every time I come to San Diego, the energy's crazy. [We] go to the the venue and they ain't let me in. I was outside with my wife and they treated us like terrorists," Nas said. "It was a little racist and we just don't tolerate that. I just want everybody to know, don't tolerate any form of racism."

At press time, the San Diego House of Blues wasn't available for comment. However, Nas admits that his last encounter at the House of Blues was outside of the norm.

"That's a good club. I've played that club twice. I love that club. It must be new management or something," he said. "I said, 'Do you treat Bon Jovi like this?' They said, 'No.'"

Nas promised to return to San Diego, but at a different, larger venue.

San Diego was the last tour date listed on Nas' ‘Hip-Hop Is Dead’ tour.

MC Shan Prepares To Re-Release "Down By Law" Album

This Tuesday May 8, 2007, Cold Chillin Records and Traffic Entertainment are giving hip-hop lovers an old school treat, in a new school kind of way, by releasing a re-mastered double disc CD of hip hop icon, MC Shan’s original Down by Law album.

This is the first time the album is released as a double disc CD. Containing 30 digitally re-mastered songs and bonus material ranging from artwork to audio, hip-hop lovers won’t be disappointed.

Known for his confidence and “I dare you to battle me” attitude, MC Shan Shan got a record deal with Cold Chillin' Records in 1983 and joined Marley Marl’s Juice Crew All-Stars. After a few singles were released MC Shan's debut album Down By Law came out in 1987. Shan also found himself to be a key player in the classic hip-hop battle, “The Bridge Wars”, between the Juice Crew and Boogie Down Productions (BDP). Shan and Marley Marl released a song called "The Bridge" which started the feud. KRS-One and BDP came back with “South Bronx”, later to be responded by the Juice Crew's "Kill That Noise”. KRS-One and BDP then released “The Bridge is Over”. After The Bridge Wars, MC Shan went on to produce 2 more solo albums and had more notable career highlights, including his production of rapper Snow’s first LP with the title track, “Informer”. Shan also recorded "Da Bridge 2001" for Nas' 2000 compilation called "QB's Finest".

Just recently in 2006, MC Shan and another former Juice Crew member Roxanne Shante’, announced their plans to form a “New Juice Crew”, looking for rappers, singers, and producers. MC Shan is considered by many hip-hop fans as a hip-hop icon for his free-styling and story-telling lyrics.

DONNELL ‘ASHY’ RAWLINGS FIRED

Comedian Donnell “Ashy” Rawlings says he was fired from his morning show gig on New York’s Power 105.1 following a suspension that lasted nearly two weeks.

While details surrounding the root cause of his firing have not been disclosed, his publicist says Rawlings made a controversial comment during the week of the Don Imus controversy, “which prompted Power to make a public statement of ensuring more responsible programming,” said his rep.

According to reports, some listeners may have complained to owners Clear Channel about a joke he made on the air regarding Asians.

Soon after the “controversial comment,” Donnell was the victim of a racially-charged attack outside of a Jersey City Club where he had just performed, his rep added.

“On Thursday around 10 p.m., as Donnell and his girlfriend were leaving the club, a Caucasian man in an SUV started brandishing a gun and screaming racist remarks,” his publicist explains. “He then fired three shots in the air, before cops stepped in and wrestled the man down and arrested him.”

Rawlings, who co-hosted the Ed Lover Show with Egypt and Ashy Morning Show, is not yet able to comment on the Power 105.1 issue, his publicist said.

Nick Cannon Gets Engaged To Selita Ebanks

Nick Cannon may be a jokester, but the multi-faceted entertainer wasn't kidding when he popped the big question to Selita Ebanks last night (May 7).

After getting on one knee, he proposed to Ebanks last night in New York City's famed Times Square, after departing a gala at the Metropololitan Museum of Art.

She accepted the offer and the offer and he presented her with a 12-carat diamond ring.
"Selita will you marry me?" was projected on the giant MTV jumbotron located in Times Square.

The pair were chauffeured in a Rolls Royce Phantom to an after party with their friends and family.

Attendees included his mother, Ebanks' parents, Marc Ecko, Tommy Hilfiger, Jacob the Jeweler, Zach Braff and rapper Young Jeezy.

The doting couple and their guests ate red velvet cake and drank a variety of beverages.
According to reps, a plane whisked Cannon and his fiancee back to L.A. around 3 am , for a 9:00 am call time for a new film called American Son.

Through out his career, Cannon has endeavored in a multitude of Hip-Hop related ventures.
He recorded an album, Nick Cannon, which is a platinum-selling LP.

He's also had a number of Hip-Hop TV shows like Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out and Short Circuitz, a sketch comedy sitcom.

Cannon is also an accomplished actor, having appeared in movies like Men in Black II, Drumline and 2007's Day of the Dead.

KIM FIELDS GIVES BIRTH TO BABY BOY

After a labor that lasted less than two hours, actress/filmmaker Kim Fields, 37, gave birth to son Sebastian Alexander Morgan, a.k.a. “Sam,” on Friday, May 4 at 11:30 a.m., her rep confirms to People magazine.

"Oh, my God. He's gorgeous," said Fields of her newborn, according to her rep. At 6 lbs., 4 oz. and 19" long, he’s the first child for both Fields and her fiancé, Broadway actor Christopher Morgan. As previously reported, the couple decided to become parents during a conversation last summer.

"We were on the subway one day and Chris said, 'I'm ready to start our family,' " Fields told People in December. "It was beautiful and I started to weep."

Morgan was in the delivery room, speechless and crying when his son arrived, said the publicist, who described Fields’ pregnancy and delivery as "trouble free, sickness free, very smooth, perfect."

Common Set To Star Opposite Angelina Jolie, Keanu Reeves In New Film Roles

Common is diving head first into the film industry, signing on to star in one major film and in talks for another.

According to Reuters, the Chicago rapper has signed on to play opposite Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie in a fantasy film called "Wanted," and is in negotiations for a drama called "The Night Watchman" where he'd join actors Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker.The film "Wanted" -- being produced by Universal and to be directed by Timur Bekmambetov -- will center around a white-collar worker (played by James McAvoy) who finds out he is the son of the most evil supervillain on Earth. When his father is murdered, he gains his father's powers and begins living among other supervillains (Freeman, Jolie and Common) who secretly control the planet.Reuters reports that Common will play the Gunsmith, an assassin with an unparalleled knowledge of firearms who is enlisted to help train and transform McAvoy's character into the world's most feared and powerful hit man.If Common gets the part in "Night Watchman," he will play the part of Coats, a Belize heroin dealer who poses as an undercover police officer.

It is based on an original idea by James Ellroy and centers on a disgraced cop who discovers corruption inside the police department and sets out on a mission to redeem himself.The rapper made his big screen debut in the shoot em up action film, "Smokin' Aces" alongside Alicia Keys who also made her acting debut as well.

Common will also appear in the upcoming film, "American Gangster," starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. And is in the process of preparing the release of his next album, Finding Forever, which is slated for release in July.

George Foreman's Sons Enter Into Distribution Biz, Launch R&B, Hip-Hop Labels

George Foreman Jr., the eldest son of legendary heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, has invested in Brilliant Entertainment Inc., which provides major distribution and promotion for independent artists.

Under the new deal, George Jr. and George Foreman III will launch their own labels, with George Jr. focusing on classic R&B, while George III will concentrate on Hip-Hop releases.

"I believe that there is a solid opportunity in the record industry for both independent labels and emerging acts. Our investment and participation in Brilliant will allow us to exploit this opportunity and bring further value to our investment portfolio," George Jr. said.

In addition to the their foray into the music business via Brilliant Entertainment, George Jr. and George III are also vice president's of George Foreman Enterprises, which was founded by George Sr. The pair also own an investment company, JR3, which invests in real estate, apparel, exercise equipment, sporting goods, financial services, open-wheel Racing and music.