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50 Cent Producer Addresses Beat-Recycling Rumor, "I Never Worked with Jim Jones"

With 50 Cent's new single "Amusement Park" slowly bubbling, Chris Styles a.k.a. Dangerous LLC is looking to add another hit to his growing catalog.

The producer recently caught up with SOHH to address his forthcoming projects, as well as the rumors that say he gave Fif's beat to Jim Jones.

Rumors recently began to spread that Styles may have given the track for "Amusement Park" to Jim Jones last year before selling it to 50. Jones used the beat for "Your Majesty," a song off his Gangsta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama, while Fif recently used the same beat for Curtis' lead single, "Amusement Park." Meanwhile, Styles denies ever giving the track to Jones or Drama.

"I don't even know DJ Drama. I don't know none of these people. I know Jim, but I never gave him a beat CD directly. You know when you on top everybody come at you first," Styles said. "The beat was done for 50 and 50 had the record for a minute. It's only two people that got the Pro Tools session, me and 50's camp. Anybody else, I don't know nothing about that. Shit leaks all the time."
"Tell Jim to come buy a record from me," he continued. "I never worked with him, but I would love to do business with him. Come buy a record from me."

In the past, Fif has scoffed at cohorts who are friendly with his adversaries. But Styles, who has collaborated with Fif for "Window Shopper," "Disco Inferno" and "In My Hood," asserts he isn't likely to land in trouble.

"Anybody saying I'ma get in trouble over one record, come on! We got more hits to make," Styles remarked. "50 been looking out for me from day one. We got a dope working relationship. He always made sure any production I did for him was in the forefront. Me getting in trouble or anything like that, it's not gonna happen."

Aside from "Amusement Park," and other production on 50 Cent's upcoming Curtis, Styles is working on LL Cool J's next album and has his own artist, R&B singer Deemi readying for a fall release.


Foxy Fu*k Up

Police were called last week in Brooklyn after a young mother claimed Foxy Brown, in a silver Range Rover, almost ran her down along with her baby in a stroller.

But the rapper shouldn't even be behind the wheel: The DMV confirms her driver's license has been revoked for failing to respond to summonses.

The alleged incident occurred Wednesday evening at the intersection of Underhill Ave. and Prospect Place. The young woman, who requested anonymity, said Brown cut her off on a crosswalk.

"I jumped back, pulling the stroller, and yelled at the driver, 'You should watch where you're going!'" she said. "She cursed at me and proceeded to drive down Prospect Place.

"I called the police, but they said that they couldn't do anything because she didn't actually hit me."
Brown has a history of driving without a license and crashed her Range Rover off Flatbush Ave. in 2000. She's also on probation for attacking two Chelsea manicurists in 2004.

A message passed to Brown through her former publicist was not returned yesterday.

Russell Simmons Disses Barack Obama

Russell Simmons recently joined the chorus of detractors for Sen. Barack Obama.
Simmons, who recently made headlines defending Hip Hop after the Don Imus controversy called the 2008 Presidential candidate a “mouse.”

In an interview with Black Agenda Report, Simmons’ sounds off on Obama being a “controlled” politician and who he’s pulling for in the upcoming race for President.

“I wish [Obama] really did raise his money on the Internet, like he said. I wish he really did raise his money independently," Simmons says of the Illinois Senator.

When asked to elaborate, Simmons added, "I think about one-fourth of his campaign contributions came from small donations made over the Internet, even though he collected more than any other.

Democratic candidate from Wall Street people. So at the end of the day, he's controlled, too. That's my point. He's a mouse, too, like everybody else."

Simmons also revealed that he admires Democrat John Edwards.

"I talk to John Edwards more than I talk to anyone. He has said more things about the conditions we need to think about."

Producer Rick Rubin Leaves Warner Bros. For Columbia

Def Jam Records co-founder and super producer Rich Rubin has left his position at Warner Bros. for Columbia Records, where he will work alongside Chairman Steve Barnett in an executive partnership.

As a part of the partnership, devised by Sony Music President Rob Stringer, Rubin will bring his American Recordings imprint to the record company, which includes a roster that boasts acts such as Slayer and a catalog with recordings by Johnny Cash, The Black Crowes, Danzig and many others.

"Having the opportunity to work with Steve [Barnett] and Rob [Stringer] to help create what we hope will be the new model for the music business of the future is going to be a fun and exciting adventure," Rubin said in a statement. "And you have to give them a lot of credit for having the vision to enlist a music maker instead of a more traditional choice.

"Both Barnett and Stringer couldn't agree more, and look forward to working with their new partner."Rick is a fantastic producer, tremendous with artists and has total respect within the industry as an honest man and a creative genius," said Barnett of Rubin's move. "It is a great opportunity for me to have in Rick a true creative partner.

""With Steve and Rick running Columbia together, they possess every skill necessary to make the label an exciting and powerful musical force in this new era," added Stringer.44-year-old Rubin helped co-found Def Jam in 1982. Two years after starting the label, he teamed with Russell Simmons and the two produced records from artists such as LL Cool J, Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys and others.The music pioneer eventually left Def Jam, in 1988, and formed his own Def American, which he later shortened to American.

In addition to producing albums under the Columbia umbrella, Rubin will continue his producing for artists at other major labels, including artists signed to Warner Bros.

Kanye West "Graduates" This September

The Louis Vuitton Don is planning to re-emerge on the scene just as the summer comes to a close with his latest offering, Graduation.

Though Ye's camp has been extremely tight lipped about who will be in attendance at the Graduation, the CD is rumored to feature Coldplay's Chris Martin on the title track, as well as Late Registration collaborator Jon Brion.

A snippet for the DJ Toomp-assisted track "Can't Tell Me Nothing" recently leaked to the internet in which the Windy City MC rhymes,

"I had a dream I could buy my way to heaven / When I woke I spent that on a necklace / I told God I'd be back in a second / Man, it's so hard not to act reckless."

Besides readying his new album, West has also been busy lending his talents behind the boards to Common's latest set, Finding Forever. Like Com's first project on G.O.O.D., Ye will be producing a majority of the album.

West is also gearing up to perform several spot dates including performing alongside Akon, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Rihanna and Ludacris at this year's Live Earth concert at New Jersey's Giants Stadium in July. The concert will promote action to combat global climate change.

The self-proclaimed college dropout will also make several over seas appearances including a July 2 show in Manchester, England and a performance at the U.K.'s V Festival on August 18 and 19.

AKON TALKS WHITNEY STRATEGY

In an interview conducted before his infamous Trinidad incident with an underage girl, Akon spoke to Billboard.com about the tracks he will write and produce for Whitney Houston’s anticipated comeback album.

"We haven't actually gone into the studio yet; right now I'm just coming up with a lot of different ideas and directions," the 34-year-old told the Web site. "I just think she needs to come with great songs. I think the music will overcome all the things she's been through."

"The voice is there; I don't think anyone could ever take that from her," he continued. "As long as we apply that voice to hit records, she'll be right back where she left off."

Akon hopes Houston’s vocals can draw extra emotion from the drama of her recent drug, legal and divorce issues – including rehab stints in 2004 and 2005, a legal dispute with her father, John Houston and the roller coaster divorce from (and now custody battle with) ex-husband Bobby Brown.

Akon says all of that will likely be reflected in the songs, "so people can get a better sense of what that was and the truth. Because it's coming from (Houston), it means a lot more. And then, of course, you just forget about all the trouble, all the negative stuff and just come with happy records, things that warm your heart -- where your life is now, the direction you want to go in."

Mike Jones Sets New Release Date For "The American Dream"; Gives Fans Email Address

Mike Jones’ sophomore album “The American Dream” will now be released on July 10, 2007 instead of the original date of May 8, 2007.

The hip hop marketing genius has also set up an “Ask Mike Jones” email address where fans can reach out to him directly with whatever questions or comments their hearts’ desire at AskMikeJones@gmail.com.

Jones promises to personally answer all of his fans’ emails.“Because I received so many calls on 281.330.8004 there were many times where my friends (fans) couldn’t get through. With the email address it will be much easier for me to communicate with them because I receive emails from that address on my BlackBerry that is always with me,” states Mike Jones.

Mike Jones is also set to release a hilarious set of skits to help set up the release of his new CD called “The American Hater,” where comedian Alex Thomas plays a rapper called Money $tack$ who has nothing but hate to spew on Mr. Jones.

In 2004 with the release of his debut CD, “Who Is Mike Jones?,” the Houston rapper changed the playing field in hip hop by using a new and innovative method of self-promotion that skyrocketed his debut to double platinum status. With his colleagues Slim Thug and Paul Wall on the hit single “Still Tippin’,” Jones was able to bring the culture of Houston to the lime light with its candy paint, slowed down beats and flashy grills.

“My 64,” featuring Snoop Dogg, the current single from “The American Dream,” was one of the most added singles at radio the week of its add week and is growing at a steady pace.

The video for “My 64″ is a tribute to Eazy-E and features his son, Lil’ Eazy-E along with Snoop, in the clip.Check out Mike Jones as he premieres his new video for “My 64″ on May 18th on BET “106 and Park.”

He also has an appearance on MTV’s “Sucker Free” on May 16th and will perform on “My Super Sweet Sixteen"

Prince Sells 140,000 Tickets In 20 Minutes

140,000 tickets for Prince's recently-announced London residency sold out in a matter of 20 minutes, prompting promoters to add another six shows to the planned 21-date stint.

His Purpleness announced the concerts last week, saying they would be his last before he took a sabbatical to further study the Bible.

He also said it would be the final time he would perform back-catalog hits like "When Doves Cry" in the UK, spurring fans into a ticket-purchasing flurry that crashed the sales website.

In a prequel to the British run, last week Prince performed one of his legendary secret concerts for 1500 London fans, during which he played "U Got the Look," "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Let's Go Crazy," along with covers by Gnarls Barkley ("Crazy") and Amy Winehouse ("Love is a Losing Game"). He reportedly returned for two encores, quipping, "So many hits, so little time!"

FOX PUTS FOOT DOWN ON ‘O.J. SIMPSONS’

Not everyone finds funny a new Internet parody of Fox’s long-running animated series “The Simpsons” with O.J. Simpson in the starring role.
Lawyers for 20th Century Fox have sent letters to video hub Broadcaster.com requesting that they remove "The O.J. Simpsons," three animated clips that reimagine the Fox series starring the former football star. Broadcaster Inc. is reviewing Fox’s demand but noted Friday that fair-use doctrine protects parodies.

"We respect the rights of content owners," Broadcaster CEO Martin Wade III said. "We are examining all the issues raised by the Fox request. Our goal is to be a respecter of content rights and at the same time find legal ways to bring our community members the content they enjoy."

The three "O.J. Simpsons" clips are titled "Black and White Christmas," "Warzone" and "If I Did It," which directly references Fox and its decision to withdraw publication of O.J.’s proposed book about the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman.

will.i.am Launching Premium Denim Line

Rapper and producer will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas is teaming up with Blue Holdings, Inc., the manufacturer and distributor of Antik Denim, to create his own line of premium denim jeans.

The line, which will be called “i.am.Antik,” will be a collaborative effort between the artist and the high-end denim line and is set to launch in August of 2007. Prior to joining the Black Eyed Peas, will attended the Fashion Institute of Design in Los Angeles, and he has styled and designed clothing for his fellow group members in the past. “I fuse genres of music and I will fuse eras and styles of fashion,” will remarked about his plans for the line.

“I want to launch and market the clothes in a way that has never been done, combining music and fashion. I want to design the line and score it the way a composer scores a film and tour the collection like a band will tour an album. I want to make a fresh stylistic collection that everyone wants but limited and special to keep them looking for more.”