UNCUT Magazine.net

According to Reports, federal agents, along with local law enforcement, raided Tip's Atlanta home earlier this afternoon and causing him to miss his scheduled appearance at tonight's BET Awards.

Reports suggest that the ATF had been investigating the rapper for illegal gun purchases and he was arrested for violating probation.

Sources say weapons were seized in the search of T.I.'s home.

More as this story develops

"Hate On Me"
Jill Scott


If you have a song or a request you would like me to post.
Shoot me an email at
ImHipHopNews@gmail.com
with Soulful Saturdays in the subject.
who knows maybe I'lll post it. Read more here

Humility

In addition to persistent, ongoing effort, continued success requires humility. If you grow arrogant after a few accomplishments, you're not likely to have many more.
With each success you gain more confidence, and that's great. When you've done it before, you know that you can do it again.

Yet even as your confidence level grows higher and higher, do not make the mistake of discarding your humility. For humility keeps you reasonable, respectful, thankful, thoughtful and realistic, and those are all qualities essential for continued success.

Thinking that you're entitled to something just because you want it is a reliable recipe for failure and disappointment. Humility reminds you that in order to receive value, you must create value in equal measure.

While it is certainly possible to accomplish things without humility, those accomplishments will be empty and short-lived. Those people who enjoy meaningful success and fulfillment year after year and decade after decade are those people who know the value of humility.

Choose to be strong enough and smart enough to live with genuine humility. The rewards for doing so will show up throughout your whole life.

-- Ralph Marston
Read more here

Shooting At Trey Songz Concert In Atlanta; Police Search For JT Money

A shooting occurred Thursday night (Oct. 12) inside club Opera in Atlanta while R&B artist Trey Songz was performing.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a man was shot in the side and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was in fair condition Friday morning. The man was identified as Carl Edwards Green II, 29.

Police are looking for three males who fled the scene in a black Hummer. One of the men is reported to be rapper JT Money.

400-500 people were in the club at the time of the shooting. The event was hosted by radio station Hot 107.9 and featured a performance by Trey Songz.

Nicole Lewis of Marietta spoke to the Atlanta Journal Constitution about the shooting.

"We were listening to Songz, and everyone heard a pop and thought it was a balloon" she said.

Following the shooting, people fled the club. Reports say Opera was empty by 10 p.m. and all Hot 107.9 banners outside the club had been removed.



Bridgeport Mayor Declares Friday "50 Cent Day"

Bridgetport Mayor John Fabrizi has declared Friday "50 Cent Day". He will also honor the rapper with a key to the city and an official proclomation.

50 Cent (real name: Curtis Jackson) will present a check to Hall Neighborhood House, a non profit inner city group. 50 will also speak to 30 high school students from the area as part of his charity work.

50 is currently filming a new movie in Bridgeport with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.

Fabrizi met 50 Cent on the set of his new movie, "Righteous Kill", and asked him to speak with local students.


Cassidy Shuts Down Joe Budden Battle Rumors, "There's No Rapper Out There That's Competition For Me"

According to Philadelphia rapper Cassidy, his rumored battle with Joe Budden at "Fight Klub" will not be going down.

"Fight Klub" host International P first alluded to the battle between the two East Coast emcees to earlier this year.

"Yeah that's definitely not going to happen," Cassidy said. The rapper said the only emcee worthy of battling, is himself.

"I'm the only competition for myself," Cass said.. "I don't feel as though there's no rapper out there that's competition for me as far as battling is concerned. If I battle somebody it's like, what am I getting out of it? I'm not making no money. I'm not going to become more successful. It's not like people are going to look at me no differently because they already know that I never lost a battle. So, they gon' be like, 'Oh, Cassidy still battling?' That's what I was trying to graduate from.

At this point in his career, Cassidy said he's beyond battling.

"I was trying to elevate from being a battle rapper to let people know that I could make hits, that I'm a business man, that I'm a CEO, that I'm a producer, that I'm an A&R, that I'm a model, that I got endorsement deals," he explained. "I'm trying to prove that to the world. So to go backtrack and to go back to being a battle rapper is like, for what?"

But Cassidy said he has no beef with Budden.

"We kinda conversated and talked ... so he a cool dude, but I wouldn't want to battle Joe Budden. I ain't gettin' nothing out of that."

Cassidy is currently gearing up for the release of his third solo album titled The Barry Adrien Reese Story (B.A.R.S.) recently set for a new release date on November 6.


C-Murder May Have Violated House Arrest With Trip to Mississippi

Corey “C-Murder” Miller may have violated the terms of his house arrest by traveling to Mississippi to promote his novel Death Around The Corner.

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the rapper’s attorney declined to comment on the trip and the judge handling his case has set a court date for Tuesday (October 16). Miller has been under house arrest for the last two years after his conviction on second-degree murder for the 2002 killing of Steven Thomas was overturned.

As a condition of the house arrest order, the rapper must obtain permission to travel outside of the state of Louisiana. In August of 2006, Judge Martha Sassone reduced the No Limit MC and brother of Master P’s restrictions to a curfew, but later reinstated house arrest after he appeared on TV during a special about Hurricane Katrina. Sassone has allowed Miller to promote his book under the condition that he does not discuss the murder trial.

The Times-Picayune reports that there is no order approving the Mississippi trip logged in the Jefferson Parish database of criminal and civil records. Cyrus Webb of the Jackson, Mississippi Conversations Book Club, says he is aware of the pending murder charge, but feels the novel offers an important lesson for teenagers.

On Thursday (October 10) Miller was scheduled to speak with 300 middle school students in Utica, Miss.



Belo of Chicago Group Do Or Die, Pleads Guilty to Murder, Gets 10 Years

Darnell Smith, otherwise known as Belo Zero of the Chicago-based group Do or Die, pleaded guilty on Thursday (October 10) to second-degree murder in the 2002 shooting of Raynard “B-Dog” Pinkston.

According to Chicago’s CBS 2, Smith will receive a 10-year sentence under a plea agreement. Prosecutors say the rapper shot and killed Pinkston after warning the man to stay out of a fight that was occurring at 2310 S. State.

Earlier this year, Belo’s girlfriend Felicia Hamilton, was convicted of obstructing justice and communicating with witnesses after it was discovered that she offered them $1,000 to change their testimony.

“I think it’s a good outcome, and I thank God for it,” said Pinkston’s brother D’Angelo Dixon. “I’m glad that guy got 10 years.” Smith will be formally sentenced on November 8.


Snoop Dogg Ordered To Serve 160 Hours Of Community Service

Snoop Dogg has been ordered to spend 160 hours picking up trash at an Orange County park as part of his sentence, announced Thursday (October 11), stemming from an illegal weapons charges at John Wayne Airport last September.

According to the Associated Press, the 35-year-old rapper (real name: Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr.) will spend his community service doing anything from "raking leaves to painting benches" in order to meet the 160 hours he was given.

The site was chosen from a list of probation-approved community service sites and will be supervised by a park ranger. Snoop's attorney, Donald Etra, said he's happy to do his party for the community.

"He's glad to make a contribution to Orange County," the attorney said.

Snoop is also ready to get on with his music career and wants the hours to be completed as soon as possible.

"He feels 'whatever it takes' to get this behind him. His goal is to make music, not court appearances," Etra told the AP.

At press time, no date was given for the rapper to start the service.

Snoop Dogg pleaded guilty last month to one count of felony possession of a dangerous weapon, from an arrest dating back to September of 2006, when airport security confiscated a collapsible police baton in his computer bag at John Wayne Airport in Orange County.

He was charged with felony possession of a deadly weapon charge (see "Snoop Dogg Charged With Felony Weapons-Possession; Warrant Issued"), although the rapper said it was a prop for a video he was filming in New York.

The AP reports that the felony conviction will be reduced to a misdemeanor if the rapper does not break the law for a year.

His sentence included community service, three years of probation, $1,000 in fines and court costs, and a $10,000 donation to a county charity for troubled children.


Ras Kass Officially Released From Captiol Records

As of yesterday (Oct. 11), Ras Kass has finally been released from Capitol Records.

After a long battle the rapper finally came to the terms with the label on an official release.

"I am just relieved and thankful to my management team, all the magazines that showed me love since this started and everyone that showed their support for me over these past few years." Ras Kass said in a statement. "Now I am anxious to finally be able to pursue my passion, spread my wings and remind the world why Ras Kass is one of the greatest MCs of all time, dead or alive!"

Ras Kass was originally signed to Priority Records where he released two critically acclaimed albums, "Soul On Ice" and "Rasassination".


Busta Rhymes Speaks On New Album

Busta Rhymes has confirmed rumors that he will be releasing another LP on Aftermath. The album, tentatively titled Back on My BS, is scheduled for a December 4 release date. Rumors have circulated about the album, and Busta also made mention of it during an appearance on 106 & Park. While no lead single has been selected, Busta seems extremely excited about his Cool and Dre produced collaboration with Linkin Park, entitled "It Looks Like We Made It." Busta gave Rolling Stone a few insights into the track.

"It feels like Rocky won the fight or something," says Busta. "This song speaks volumes to the globe--it ain't just about the 'hood, it ain't just about the suburbs, it's about everybody. This is one of those songs that can't be described better than touching the souls of the common people."

While speaking on the album, Busta also hinted at a return to his earlier form saying, "People haven't been getting the Busta Rhymes that they have grown to know and love. Not that they haven't been getting the traditional party records, 'cause I always do that better than anything. But, the whole thing when I come out with the outfits, the hat, the coat."

Back on My BS will mark Busta's eighth studio album and his second under Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint. Despite drawing criticism in some circles, his last offering, The Big Bang, was certified gold by the RIAA less than three months after its release.


The Source Magazine Emerges From Bankruptcy

Looks like The Source magazine is ready to rebound, after being in financial disaster.

After a long and tumultuous year, the magazine, once dubbed the Bible of Hip-Hop Music, Culture and Politics, emerged from bankruptcy last week, despite doubts from naysayers.

According to a press release, The Source essentially erases all of the sins of the previous management team, which included over $30 million of debts, more than 60 lawsuits and nearly countless other liabilities.

"With the conclusion of the bankruptcy process, The Source is now well-positioned financially and poised for growth," said Jeffrey Scott, Chairman of the Board of The Source and a Managing Director of Black Enterprise/Greenwich Street Corporate Growth Partners, the company's majority owner.

"The Source belongs to hip-hop. The company exists to serve hip-hop. The Source will continue to empower its readers, advertisers and other stakeholders to achieve their goals -- be it promoting an album or a product or just raising a voice to reflect the mood of the culture," added Jeremy Miller, CEO and President of the magazine.

With a second chance, the magazine will continue to be published each month and undertake other brand building initiatives. The magazine's founders, Dave Mays and Raymond "Benzino" Scott, were fired in early 2006 and officially have "absolutely no ownership in or affiliation with The Source," the magazine said in a statement.

Earlier this year, the magazine filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan. According to court documents, converted and consolidated a previous Chapter 7 filing and listed assets of about $1.3 million and liabilities of over $30 million.

The bankruptcy was due to "dishonest business practices by former management causing the hip-hop media outlet's advertisers to flee," according to court papers.

In closing, as they now come out of bankruptcy, The Source thanked those who consistently supported the magazine "during its most troubled hours" and "looks forward to working with the greater hip-hop and entertainment communities to make things better for all."

In related news, Nas will grace the cover of their special year-end issue.


Gillie Da Kid and Omillio Sparks Land Roles in Upcoming Film Ex$pendable

Philadephia MCs Gillie Da Kid and Omillio Sparks are both set to appear in the upcoming film Ex$pendable alongside Gary Sturgis and Taylor Hicks.

Ex$pendable, which takes place in Philadelphia, tells the story of the shadowy world of the Philly Police Department’s informant system. Sparks and Sturgis will play two brothers, Raphael and Salim, who find themselves involved with the system when they discover that Raphael’s girlfriend is herself an informant.

Gillie will play a security guard that gets involved in a bloody shootout with a Dominican gang.

Ex$pendable also stars Thulisio Dingwall of The Wire, William L. Johnson , Sunday Carter and William Blackson. Production began in Philadelphia on October 1 and is expected to wrap by late November.
Read more here

Purpose

Somewhere inside, somehow you know that there's a purpose for you on this day. Let that purpose come to the surface and bring it fully to life.

Authentic purpose is not a deep, dark secret that you must struggle to discover. Decide to allow it, and purpose will find you where you are.

Purpose is not so much a matter of what you do. Purpose is more about the way you feel while doing whatever it is you are doing.

Those things you know without having to learn, connect you to purpose. Purpose is not merely what you think you might believe, but what you're certain that you are.

Purpose is the unconditional, limitless realm in your life that cannot be diminished by anything that happens. Whatever you undertake from the sense of that purpose brings great fulfillment and richness to life.

Always you have known that there is purpose within you, a purpose essential to who you are. Give it to life again and again, for you'll never tire of seeing its shine.

-- Ralph Marston Read more here

"Blue Magic"
Jay-Z(Feat. Pharrell Williams)
Read more here

(L note: xxl's head honcho Elliot Wilson recently posted the behind the making of this new American Classic, and since im not connected like that i thought i would save ya'll all the time and trouble and post it here for ya'll to enjoy. Dont trip you can thank me later)

-L-


“Roc Boys”
Produced by: Sean “Puffy” Combs and The Hitmen (LV, Sean C, D-Dot, and Mario Winans)

Disclaimer:
As of right now the new improved Puffy and company have 5 tracks slated on American Gangster. “Pray,” “No Hook,” “Party Life,” “Sweet,” and the recently leaked “Roc Boys.”

Jay-Z:
“Roc Boys” is the hustler at his height. It’s a celebration. “First of all, I want to thank my connect the most important person, with all due respect.”

Like, how you put him so high that you had to tell God, chill out, right? When I heard the horns, the first thing I said was that cause that’s what I do when I listen to music. I’m just giving all my secrets out, that’s what I’m supposed to do, right? Feed it back into the game and hopefully people will pick up on the things.

I represent hip-hop first and foremost. Like, when I go into a Biggie zone or Em zone or anybody else I mean, that’s what it’s about. I mean, I can rap. I’m not doing that ‘cause I’m at a lost for fuckin’ words. I’ve said a lot of words in my career. I got my words. I used vehemently in a rhyme, you know. I got a lot of words. I got a vast vocabulary. But when I heard the record, I was like, this shit sounds like a celebration, right. So that’s what it was.

So I got to mic, and the winner is: Hov. First off all, I want to thank my connect—with all due respect [Hov looks to the sky]. Thanks to the duffle bag. Nobody thanks the duffle bag. The brown paper bag. The Nike shoe box. That’s all part of your shit. You thank ‘em. Thank ‘em. Whoever made the stash… The guy who made the stash spot before the cops had the shit that popped everything open was a genius.

They should make a movie about him. They make movies about drug dealers, but what about the guy who made the stash spot. They did in a movie though. They gave it up to the guy who built the extra bottom on the boat in Cocaine Cowboys. They gave him a little look. We got to do that more. Like the drug dealer awards. But like they do in the Grammy’s, all the technical awards. Like all that shit. That’s hot!

Sean “Puffy” Combs:
The “Roc Boys” is crazy. It’s one of them urgent tracks. We all love the tracks that Hov does that are urgent. That really as soon as the needle hits it it just takes you on a journey. As soon as the needle hits it, it just feels like you just driving non-stop. The way these horns is playing it’s just… It’s also a different sounding joint for Jay. But it’s not too much of a departure where you can’t recognize the flavor it.

LV:
That was the first joint we did after we heard the first two of our songs [Jay recorded]. So me and Sean C. were excited. After we heard “No Hook” and “Sweet.” We was like, Oh, shit! We got mad amped and that’s how we came up “Roc Boys.” Coincidentally, Jay heard it and was on the same vibe like it was a celebration. That was one we made specifically for him. We wanted it to be that joint… You ever hear a joint on another nigga’s album like, Damn I wish did that beat?

Sean C:
That was something we didn’t have already. We did that for Jay. That was during that time after “Sweet” and “No Hook.” We was like we got to get a bunch of records. We went shopping and just started chopping more stuff up and that was one of the joints that came out of that. I’m excited to hear what people are gonna say about it. It don’t sound like any records that are out right now so I’m psyched to hear what people are gonna say about that shit.

(L note: dont know if ya'll noticed but since Hov,my fault, Jigga keeps sayin hes taking it back. every "American Gangster" post i try to use an old pic. in case you were wondering) Read more here

Mixtape Tracks
1. Ransom-killers theme intro
2. L.o.x.-you dont want it (jadakiss styles p sheek)
3. Fabolous-pop bottles rmx (feat. freck and paul cain)
4. Lil wayne and juelz santana-do my thang by
5. 50 cent-so serious (unreleased)
6. Playaz circle-duffle bag boy remix (feat. lil wayne juelzrick ros ransom)
7. Dj khaled-im so hood remix
8. Beanie sigel-what they gon say to me
9. Nas-surviving the times
10. Foxy brown-mr dj (feat. barrington leavy)
11. Dj envy and red cafe-g move by (feat. styles p and uncle murda)
12. Cassidy-dealer (feat. a.r. ab)
13. Kanye west-cant tell me nothing (rocafella remix) (feat. beanie sigel freeway and jeezy)
14. Fabolous-im da man remix (feat. red cafe freck and paul cain)
15. Ransom-flashing lights
16. Dj envy and red cafe-buck buck (feat. sheek louch)
17. Killa kyleon-kush
18. Jay-z-blue magic (feat. pharrell)
19. Currency-my house (feat. lil wayne)
20. Willie da kid-thangs back
21. 50 cent-i get money murder remix (feat. jadakiss jay-z p. diddy)

Bobby Brown Denies Having A Heart Attack

A healthy-sounding Bobby Brown spoke exclusively with Lee Bailey Wednesday to deny published reports that he was taken to two Los Angeles hospitals Tuesday night with severe chest pains that were later diagnosed as a mild heart attack.

"I heard that I had a heart attack earlier, but I didn't," Brown told Bailey during a phone call Wednesday afternoon.

Reports on TMZ.com, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Associated Press cited confirmation from Brown's Atlanta-based lawyer, Phaedra Parks, who said Wednesday: "This morning they did diagnose him as suffering from a mild heart attack ... they attributed (it) to stress and diet."

However, the 38-year-old singer said he went to the hospital for a simple pre-tour check-up – "I gotta make sure my vitals and everything is straight" – and next thing he knew, folks were reporting that he had suffered a heart attack.

"That's what happens when you're Bobby Brown," he joked. "I just had some procedures done. The doc cleared me and said, you know, [go] do what I do."

As for his lawyer Parks' confirmation to various outlets regarding the supposed heart attack, Brown says: "She got bad information from somewhere else, and that just goes to show that people need to talk to each other more often in order to make things right."

"But everything's all right with me. I got a clean bill of health and everything's fine," he says. "I’m ready to get on this road and do these shows and take care of what I gotta take care of."

Brown said he was concerned that the heart attack rumors would have a negative affect on his children.

He said: "It bothers me a lot because my kids are hearing it and they're calling me crying and stuff, so I just had to let everybody know that I am okay, and it's good that I have someone who I can tell that I'm okay, and you can pass the word on to everybody else."

Brown says he hadn't even heard about TMZ.com's report of him filming a death bed video message for his family.

"Just in case I didn't make it huh? That's something new to me," Brown laughed. "I gotta find out about that one."

Meanwhile, Brown says he will be part of a New Jack Swing tour featuring Aaron Hall, Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill, Tony! Toni! Tone!, K-Ci and Jo-Jo and others.

"It's a nice little tour that we're gonna do to give respect to our sound," said Brown. "I'm just looking forward to getting out on that stage and giving my all, and doing what I do best, which is perform."

Lil Wayne Appears In Court, Calls Arrest A Misunderstanding

Lil Wayne appeared in an Atlanta courtroom on Thursday (October 11), where he faced drug charges from an arrest stemming from August 2006.

According to local news station WGCL, Lil Wayne's attorney Bill Head told the court that after the 2006 arrest, the rapper was later informed that the case had been dismissed.

But, it wasn't and when he missed the date, a felony fugitive charge was issued, which led to Saturday's arrest in Idaho.

Despite the court sending a notice to appear, Lil Wayne claims to never have received it because it was sent to the wrong address.

"All they did was take his address off his driver's license. Well what happened is when Katrina hit, he lost his home," Head said to WGCL.

Police arrested the rapper Friday after a concert in Boise, Idaho.

"They took him into custody. He didn't give them any problem. He said there's a mistake. He says the charges were dismissed. They said, well you'll have to tell that to the judge," Head said.

Lil Wayne was originally arrested in August 2006 at the Twelve Hotel in Atlantic Station when a maintenance worker discovered some suspicious items in a room -- reportedly one bottle of prescription pills that contained Alprazolama, a generic form of Xanax that is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks; one containing 59 hydrocodone pills. Two small marijuana joints were also found.

He posted bond and was released shortly afterward.

Lil Wayne was then arrested early Saturday morning (October 7) after a concert in Boise, Idaho .

"They took him into custody. He didn't give them any problem. He said 'there's a mistake.' He says 'the charges were dismissed.' They said, 'well, you'll have to tell that to the judge,'" Head said.

Although it was originally reported that he was denied bond, he posted $10,000 bond later that day and was released.

But due to his time in jail, he had to miss his Oregon concert, which his lawyer says costs him $500,000. "That's about a $500,000 error that was caused by this glitch right here. He had no knowledge of it. He's never missed a concert. And he said, 'I couldn't imagine missing a court date. I'm just not that kind of person'," Head said.

LL Cool J and Jay-Z Back Away From Possible Battle

Last month, when LL Cool J allegedly took shots at Def Jam President Jay-Z in a YouTube video, stating, “I don’t even know why you did that to yourself. When you doing that verse, you should have been doing your job, B,” many felt LL was responding to Jigga’s claim as the G.O.A.T. on 50 Cent’s “I Get Money (Remix).”

Shortly after, rumors swirled on the Internet that LL was planning on releasing a diss track aimed at Def Jam Records and Jay-Z. Since then, however, cooler heads have prevailed. Jay recently told MTV News, “He’s upset, not me. If he wanna work it out, I’m more than willing to do that.”

Now, LL is also backing away from a possible battle with Hov, telling MTV News, “I don’t need to go all-out,” he said. “At this point I think the focus should be to make great music, trying to keep it positive, trying to have some sort of relationship where we can work together.”

Tension between both sides boiled after the disappointing sales of LL’s 2006 album, Todd Smith, which the Queens legend blamed on a lack of promotion from Def Jam. “Things are not all rosy up there,” LL tells MTV. “Too many [artists] have suffered: Method Man, Redman, the Roots, Fabolous, Ludacris. The list goes on. Nobody is getting promoted the way they should be promoted. I’m one man. I can’t battle a whole record label. So we not gonna try to turn this into what it’s not. To try and battle a record label is foolish. It’s bad enough they are calling around to radio stations telling them not to play my records.”

According to 50 Cent, who is executive producing LL’s final album on Def Jam, Exit 13, he is acting as a liaison between LL and Def Jam.

“[LL’s] got his own issues [with Def Jam], to be honest with you,” 50 tells MTV. “He feels that they’re not prioritizing him. He’s been there from the start. I talked to him and I talked to Jay. I’m the liaison between them for that project to keep that functioning. And I’m gonna bring the material necessary for us to have a great project…Jay’s priority is business. He’s a businessman. If it makes good business sense, he’s doing it.”

Ghostface Goes Head To Head W/ Wu-Tang, Preps New CD & Book

Wu-Tang veteran Ghostface Killah is set to hit the masses with a one-two punch at the end of the year, as he's gearing up to drop a new book and a new album only weeks apart.

The new album, entitled The Big Dough Payback, is slated to hit shelves on December 4 according to a video the rapper posted on his MySpace page. The record will be the follow up to 2006's More Fish, released on Def Jam.

"Don't download my @#!*, go buy the @#!* 'cause I got some exclusive footage inside the sleeve that I want ya'll to see," said the Staten Island-bred lyricist. "Tell your grandma or something like that. It's coming."

The album will ironically be arriving in stores on the same day as his Wu-Tang brethren's highly anticipated come back disc, 8 Diagrams. Along with going head to head with his own Shaolin collective on December 4, Tony Starks will also see competition from several other New Yorkers including Saigon and Styles P, as well as Fugees alum Wyclef Jean.

In addition to putting out new music, Ghost is also preparing to make his debut into the literary world, releasing The World According To Pretty Tony, which will be published by MTV Press. The book, which is a continuation of his series of shorts on MTV2, features Ghost providing humorous how-to guides and advice on various everyday situations like sex, gambling, family, education and how to eat on only $5 a day.

The book, set to hit shelves on November 1, will also come with photos as well as a CD of Ghostface personally reading the material.

Kanye West, Will.i.am On Board For New Michael Jackson Album

Michael Jackson admitted recently that he is in the process of working on his first studio album since 2001 -- and who did he enlist to help him? Kanye West.

The rapper/producer recently admitted that he is in the label working on "stuff for Michael Jackson," he said to British newspaper The Sun.

But, he's not working with Michael just because of who he is, West said he has to like the person does musically to get into the studio with them.

"If I like a person's outlet or what a person brings to the table, then I'll speak to them," West told the paper.

In addition to Kanye, Michael has tapped the Black Eyed Peas' Will.i.am as well, who, at first, didn't believe it was Michael when he initially called.

"Michael called me out of the blue and I just didn't believe it was him," admits the producer. "I was like, 'Come on, who is this, how did you get my number? Stop playing around.' He said, 'No it's really me, it's Michael.'

"I still didn't believe it was him and was like, 'Dude, seriously, I got to go,'" he continued.

Michael send a message to fans via his official fan club on Wednesday (October 10), announcing the forthcoming album, and also said he would be announcing some "surprising news" very soon.

The album is expected to be released early next year.


Koch Records Releases Statement Regarding Jim Jones’ New Deal

Yesterday (October 10), Koch Records released a statement regarding Jim Jones’ new deal with Rick Rubin and Columbia Records.

As previously reported by Hot 97’s Miss Info, the Dipset Capo signed a multi-million dollar deal with Columbia for his upcoming album and future releases on his Byrdgang Records imprint. Miss Info also reported that Jimmy’s former label, Koch Records, was “broken off nicely” in the deal.

Now, however, Koch has released a press release stating Jim’s new deal with Columbia is actually a partnership “of sorts” with Koch and the indie label will “still be involved in marketing and radio promotion for Jones, and participate in revenue streams, while Columbia will oversee all aspects of his campaigns.”

Koch Records President, Bob Frank, went on to say, “Jim Jones is a superstar and this arrangement positions him in such a way as to maximize the strengths of the No. 1 independent Koch Records and the most storied and historic label in the history of the record business, Columbia Records.”

Mike Jones To Release "The American Dream" Nov. 20

Mike Jones will finally release his new album "The American Dream" Nov. 20.

According to Billboard.com, the new lead in for the project is the single "Turning Headz" which has yet to chart. First single "Mr. Jones" was sent to radio at the beginning of 2007 but peaked at No. 54 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The next single "My 64" only went as high as No. 22.

"The American Dream" is also the name of a bonus DVD that will be packaged with the album. The DVD is a full-length movie centered on the emergence of Southern rap with Jones' own life.

Mike Jones last album, "Who Is Mike Jones", sold 1.4 million copies in the US.


Soulja Boy "Cranks" His Way To No. 4, J. Holiday Wakes Up On The Right Side Of The Bed, Trey Songz Has His "Day"

In this week's Hip-Hop and R&B charts, Soulja Boy lands at No. 4, while singers J. Holiday and Trey Songz get included in the recent onslaught of impressive R&B debuts.

Fresh off his No. 1 single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," the Atlanta teen's artist debut, Souljaboytellem.com, sold 117,300 units in its first week and hit No. 4 on the charts, according to Nielsen's SoundScan..

D.C. crooner J. Holiday sold 104,900 copies of his debut Back of My Lac', to take the No. 5 spot, largely due to his single "Bed's" huge success.

Keyshia Coles' sophomore album Just Like You fell 67% from No. 2 to No. 6 with 94,000 units moved this week and a total of 375,800 copies sold. The album features guest appearances from Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Diddy, T.I. and Too $hort.

Kanye West's Def Jam album Graduation dropped from the No. 5 to the No. 7 spot with 92,000 sales this week. In his 4-weeks on the charts, the rapper/producer has sold 1,409,400 copies.

Trey Songz joined the race at No. 11 this week, with his sophomore effort Trey Day, selling 73,000 copies. The album is the follow-up to his first release I Gotta Make It. The new disc features rappers BG and Jim Jones.

Jill Scott dropped from No. 4 to 15 this week. The Philly songstress' latest release The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 sold 54,600 copies this week with a total of 203,400 discs moved after two weeks.

After 4 weeks on the charts 50 Cent's Curtis still has yet go platinum. The CD continued to drop this week, falling from No. 9 to No. 17 with 70,900 copies sold, making its grand total stand at 956,800.

Atlanta's own Jagged Edge, debuted at No. 8 last week with Baby Makin' Project. But the group slid to No. 20 this go-around, selling 35,400 copies in its second week. The project, which features appearances by Ashanti and Jermaine Dupri, has sold a total of 113,700 units.

Queen Latifah's Trav'lin' Light, dropped from its debut No. 11 spot last week to 24 this week. The rapper actress moved 29,800 in her second week, selling a grand total of 80,800.

Fergie's The Dutchess, barely slipped just one spot to No. 26 and moved 28,600 units this week for a total of 2,774,000 discs sold after 55 weeks on the Charts.

Justin Timberlake, sold 23,0000 copies this week to hold onto the No. 29 spot. After 56 weeks on the charts, FutureSex/LoveSounds has sold 3,685,500 CDs.

Timbaland's Shock Value, has been steady on the charts for 28 weeks and climbed two spots to take No. 31. The super producer sold 22,500 copies this week, for a total of 708,000.

Def Jam songstress Rihanna fell 7 spots to No. 47 with Good Girl Gone Bad. The album sold 17,500 copies this week, bringing her total to 722,400 after 18 weeks.

Houston native Chamillionaire's Ultimate Victory dropped to No. 48 in its third week on the Charts. Cham sold 17,500 copies this week and a total of 124,000 since its debut. The sophomore effort features guest spots from Slick Rick, UGK and Lil' Wayne.

Bad Boy's Gorilla Zoe slid from No.18 to No. 50 this week after selling 16,300 albums. So far Zoe has sold 51,600 copies of his debut Welcome to the Zoo. The album features appearances from labelmate Yung Joc and group Boyz N Da Hood.

And the Boyz aren't far behind with their new release Back Up N Da Chevy debuting at No. 51. The group moved 15,7000 discs this week.

Rapper Foxx made a quiet debut on the charts at No.144 with Street Gossip moving 5,400 units. The disc features Webbie and Lil' Boosie.

Next week, look for Soulja Boy and J Holiday struggle to stay in the top ten on the Hip-Hop and R&B Charts.

Well grounded

It can often be useful and interesting to wander away from your original path for a while. Sometimes you discover a new and much more fulfilling direction that way.

Yet if all you ever do is wander off, you won't be able to get anywhere. When you give in to every distraction, nothing will ever get accomplished.

Be curious, be open to new experiences, be willing to do things you've never done, to go new places and to meet new people. Remember, though, to also give your life a solid, steady context through which you can create real value out of all the diverse experiences that come your way.

A stable foundation in your life does not necessarily have to limit you. In fact, it can enable you to make the most of the new and interesting opportunities that come your way.

Being well grounded provides a strong base from which you can operate with effectiveness and confidence. Taking good care of the mundane and boring aspects of life gives you the time, energy and resources to fully explore the most exciting possibilities.

Be sure to mix your progressive, adventurous vision with a good dose of old fashioned common sense. It's a proven recipe for outstanding success.

-- Ralph Marston
Read more here

Bobby Brown Suffers Mild Heart Attack

According to TMZ, Brown's attorney, Phaedra Parks attributes the attack to "stress and diet."

"He has been examined and doctors determined there is no blockage, but inflammation of the heart," Parks said.

The attorney also clarified that Brown did not, in fear of his death, record a video message for friends and family, as previously reported.

The self-proclaimed King of R&B is set to perform on Saturday (October 13) at the "Taste of Soul" and Parks said he still has intentions of taking the stage, though it's not clear if he'll be able to.

"Bobby is doing good. He is in good spirits. It's a serious condition, and I'm very concerned about him," Parks said. "Bobby is very happy with the outpouring of calls and messages. We ask people to keep him in their thoughts and prayers."

Prodigy Pleads Guilty To Gun Charges, Sentenced To 3 1/2 Years Behind Bars

Mobb Deep rapper Prodigy pleaded guilty to a weapons charge in Manhattan Supreme Court yesterday (October 9).

P spoke up in the middle of his trial proceedings to admit that the unlicensed .22-caliber pistol police found in his Chevy Suburban last October, was in fact his, according to the Daily News.

This, after the G-Unit member originally told prosecutors he had no idea the unlicensed, fully loaded gun was in a console compartment between the driver's seat, where he sat, and the front passenger seat, where record producer The Alchemist was sitting.

This is P's third gun rap and as reported by The New York Post, he was originally looking at 15 years. The 32-year-old Queens-bred lyricist struck a deal that will instead send him to the slammer for 3 1/2 years.

As reported previously, P's car was searched after cops pulled him over for making an illegal U-turn on Ninth Ave. in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood,

Diddy Sued For $4 Million

Diddy has been sued for $4 million by NYC nightclub promoter James Waldon.

According TMZ.com, Waldon is suing Diddy over an incident where he says the Bad Boy boss instructed bodyguards to assault him as he was trying to introduce himself to the mogul.

According to the suit, Waldon was sitting across from Diddy in a booth on June 1, 2007, when he attempted to say "Hi." Waldon says Diddy gestured to his bodyguards to "forcibly remove" Waldon from the area. James claims he was punched, kicked and chased around the club, causing injuries like "bruises, contusions, lacerations ... and injuries to his mouth and his teeth."

James is also said to be holding the club "The Box" responsible because of their common knowledge of "Combs' reputation for, history of, and alleged involvement in violent altercations and confrontations in various premises, lounge and nightclub establishments across the country."

Waldon is suing Diddy and his entourage for $4 million, and asking the court to award him $500,000 from "The Box."


Justin Timberlake, Beyonce Lead '07 AMAs Nominees

The nominees for the 35th Annual American Music Awards were announced Tuesday (October 9), and pop stars Justin Timberlake and Beyonce lead the way with four nods each, alongside rock bands Linkin Park and Daughtry.

Timberlake grabbed noms for favorite pop/rock album, according to Billboard, while Beyonce competes for favorite soul/R&B album.

Coming in behind the top nominees include Young Jeezy, T.I. and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, who each garnered two nominations a piece.

Winners are set to be announced on November 18, during the broadcast for the ceremony, which is being held at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, moving away from their usual location at the Shrine Auditorium.

Also announced was a new voting procedure -- where fans are able to vote online at AMA.ABC.com through November 1. Until now, winners were decided by a poll of 20,000 music buyers, but numbers are still being determined by retail and sales data.

The ceremony will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and is slated to feature performances by Rihanna and Fergie, among others.

DJ Drama Sets a December 4 Release Date for Gangsta Grillz Album

After his January arrest on charges of music piracy delayed his debut solo LP indefinitely, DJ Drama has finally regrouped and set a release date for Gangsta Grillz: The Album.

The iPod King will release the highly anticipated mixtape album on December 4 through Grand Hustle and Atlantic Records. The first single, “5,000 Ones” featuring T.I., Diddy, Twista, Yung Joc, Young Dro and Willie the Kid, is expected to drop shortly.

On January 16, 2007, Drama and his partner Don Cannon were arrested during a raid on their Atlanta recording studios. Working at the behest of the RIAA, federal agents confiscated thousands of mixtape CD’s, financial records and even Drama’s external hard drive, which contained all of the music he had produced for his LP up to that point.



KANYE WEST WORKING ON A JEWELRY LINE

Kanye West is taking a stab at the jewelry business with the development of his own collection with Takashi Murakami, who illustrated the cover art for West's new album, "Graduation."

According to Women's Wear Daily, the entertainer wore a prototype piece from the line at fashion designer Givenchy's show on Wednesday (Oct. 3) in New York. It was described as "a huge gold Manga-style diamond-studded pendant around his neck."

While no launch date for the venture has been announced, West told the magazine: "They'll be more accessible, they won't be all diamonds."

Mya Records "My Bra" For Lifetime's "Stop Breast Cancer For Life" Campaign

Lifetime Television has tapped the Grammy Award-winning singer Mya for its 13th annual “Stop Breast Cancer for Life” campaign.

Mya, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, sings the campaign’s first-ever theme song -- “My Bra” -- written specifically for Lifetime’s effort by multi-platinum songwriting sensation Kara DioGuardi (Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill) and Grammy-winning producer/songwriter James Poyser (Common, The Roots/Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill).

The song is featured in various on-air and online elements of the campaign, including its programming centerpiece, the specially-themed Lifetime Original Movie “Matters of Life & Dating,” premiering Monday, October 22 at 9PM (ET/PT).

The movie stars Ricki Lake as a single woman living with breast cancer who relies on help from her friends, including co-star Holly Robinson Peete, who returns to the dating scene following her mastectomy.

All proceeds from the sale of “My Bra” will go towards breast cancer research.

Soulja Boy Debuts At No. 4 on Billboard Chart

Even though critics have labeled him as a “ringtone rapper,” 17-year-old Soulja Boy has debuted at No. 4 on this week’s Billboard 200 album chart, selling 117,262 copies of his new album, Souljaboytellem.com.

Other new releases include, Boyz N Da Hood, who debut at No. 51, selling 15,736 copies of their sophomore album, Back Up N Da Chevy, and Trill Entertainment recording artist, Foxx, who lands at No. 144, moving 5,420 units of his LP, Street Gossip.

Finally, Kanye West and 50 Cent continue to duke it out, as ‘Ye has once again beaten Fif on this week’s chart. Kanye sold another 92,373 copies of Graduation, landing him at No. 7 and bringing his total to 1,409,411.

The G-Unit mogul, on the other hand, moved 50,564 more units of Curtis, bringing his total to 956,762, which still falls short of the one million mark.

I had to see it to believe it myself.

Harvest the rewards

The influence of each action continues long after the action has been completed. The power of each thought resonates far into the future.

Think and act as if each thing you do will start a chain reaction. Because that's exactly what will happen.

Exercise control over the big, obvious issues in life and you'll have some measure of success. Learn also to control, direct and focus all the thousands of little things that few people ever even think about, and your success will be great indeed.

Each tiny little fraction of a moment is an opportunity to make a difference. Bundle all those opportunities together in the service of your goals, and they will bring spectacular results.

With each and every thing you do, with each thought you think, with every word you speak, you are planting seeds. Those seeds continue to grow, long after the moment has passed.

When a positive, purposeful attitude permeates your life, those seeds you plant will develop into powerful, enduring expressions of your most authentic self. Give your best to each moment, and you'll harvest the rewards over and over again.

-- Ralph Marston
Read more here

Erick Sermon Upset EMPD Wasn't Included In VH1's Hip-Hop Honors

With the airing of the fourth annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors Monday night (October 8), some people are questioning how nominees are being chosen for induction.

This year's show seems to have extra hype around it with a higher caliber of celebrities to support -- with the honorees including Missy Elliot, Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest and Whodini. But a legend recently asked us, where's EPMD?

Erick Sermon -- one half of the legendary duo alongside Parish Smith -- was disappointed that EMPD have yet to be mentioned in Hip-Hop Honor's fourth year running. "We was kinda upset," Erick told New York-based Kitty Radio. "We was gonna boycott because we wasn't nominated to be inducted for the Hip-Hop Honors yet."

Despite being snubbed, Sermon attended the show anyway, where he was asked the same question by his peers, "Everyone was like, 'When they doing ya'll?'" However, he isn't bitter about it, he maintains optimism for future opportunities and admits that there is plenty of time to be honored and hopes to be apart of the VH1's Hip-Hop Honors sooner than later.

"I guess it's gonna be around for a while because it was successful again," the rapper said. "I think a lot more stars showed up then the previous ones. I wasn't at the previous ones, but it seemed like every star in America was in the building."

EMPD have been bonafide hip-hop stars since the late 80s, even with a dithering personal relationship between them. With classic hits like "Strictly Business" and "You're A Customer," the duo effortlessly transitioned sounds of the Golden era into the early 90s -- surrounded by iconic groups like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest.

Besides being part of an explosive rap duo, Sermon has made huge contributions in terms of music production over the last decade, accredited for his work on over 40 albums, working with the likes of En Vogue, Busta Rhymes, Blackstreet and Shaquille O'Neal.

In related news, Erick Sermon is in the process of working on a new album, and confirmed that it will include a collaboration with legendary Blondie front woman, Deborah Harry.

"She was in New York City, when she was back and forth doing her European tour. We're just going over the things now, as far as the politics and labels go, but she's was mad happy. It should be soon" explained Sermon.

The rapper/producer is calling his recent work the "best work I've done," further explaining that the hip-hop climate is changing and people are yearning for something different.


DIDDY ACKNOWLEDGES HIS ATLANTA CHILD

Sean "Diddy" Combs says he is ready to be a "committed father" to his fifth child after DNA tests were conducted that prove his paternity, reports the New York Daily News.

"At first, I wasn't sure if this was my child," he said of his 15-month-old daughter Chance, who lives with her mother in Atlanta. "Now that it has become clear she is, I will take care of her for the rest of her life."

Over the past year, Diddy repeatedly denied that he had fathered a baby with Atlanta woman Sarah Chapman. The Bad Boy founder says he was merely waiting until DNA tests on the child were completed before admitting to anything.

According to sources, Diddy has worked out visitation and child support terms with Chapman, and has also been trying to get back with his ex-girlfriend Kim Porter, who left him in part because Diddy had tried to keep the Atlanta baby a secret.

Diddy, 37, and Porter, 36, welcomed daughters Jessie James and D'Lila Star last December. They also have a son, Christian, 8. Diddy has a 13-year-old son, Justin, with ex-girlfriend Misa Hylton-Brim.

NWA's Straight Outta Compton Expanded For 20th Anniversary Release

Nearly 20 years since its original release, NWA's most successful album, Straight Outta Compton, will be released again, via an expanded 20th Anniversary Edition by Capitol/Priority Records.

The landmark album will be available in CD, vinyl and digital formats, and will include five bonus tracks -- a live version of "Compton's N The House," and covers of Straight Outta Compton tracks by Snoop Dogg and C-Murder, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Mack 10, and WC. It also features a new package essay by music writer and author, Soren Baker.

In the course of a little more than three years, group members -- Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella -- reached unprecedented gangsta superstardom with their no-holds-barred missives from Los Angeles' more notorious streets.

Starting the hip-hop subgenre that became known as "gangsta rap," NWA propelled their style of hip-hop to the top of the charts, fueled by their controversial lyrics and complex, funk-fueled beats. NWA (an acronym that stood for N----z With Attitude) spawned three of the most important figures in gangsta rap's evolution: the late great Eazy-E, Ice Cube and superproducer Dr. Dre.

Their first album, NWA And The Posse, was released in 1987, but it was 1988's Straight Outta Compton that marked the beginning of the "gangsta rap" era, and introduced the rest of the world to Compton.

"The listening experience," Cheo Coker wrote in The Vibe History of Hip-Hop, "was akin to being wired into a sensory camera, where you could smell the room, sense the bullets whizzing by your head, and feel your adrenaline pump as the police raced you around the block."

Along with Run-DMC's self-titled debut album and Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, Straight Outta Compton stands, 20 years after its incendiary debut, as one of the pivotal recordings in the history of popular music.

The anniversary set is slated for release on December 4.

Bonus tracks are as follows:

"F--- Tha Police" - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
"Gangsta Gangsta" - Snoop Dogg/C-Murder
"Dopeman" - Mack 10
"If It Ain't Ruff" - WC
"Compton's N The House (live)" - Dr. Dre/M.C. Ren


Death Row Records Sale On Hold

According to a New York Post report, the auction of defunct label Death Row Records is on hold while outstanding royalty issues are worked out with Dr. Dre and 2Pac's mother Afeni Shakur.

A source told the Post the sale of the label is complicated because people bidding really don't know what they're getting.

"What's really there for sale, what assets do they have, no one knows for sure," said one source.

Ron LeBow, an attorney representing Death Row Records in the sale, says the label owns the rights to over 11,000 master recordings.

Death Row founder Suge Knight filed for bankruptcy in April of 2006. According to bankruptcy documents, Knight listed that his personal assets included a bank account holding $11, clothing worth $1,000, furniture and appliances valued at $2,000, and jewellery worth $25,000.

Sources tell the Post that Death Row could be sold for less than $20 million.

B.G., Lil Wayne Confirm Hot Boys Reunion

Is a Hot Boys reunion in the works? Yep, said Lil Wayne last month, and was confirmed again by B.G.

Although the reunion is not final, the original members are talking about it, and if the business is correct, it's going down in 2008, according to MTV.

"We was Hot Boys then, now we Hot Men," B.G. explained to the channel. "We all went our separate ways and proved we can stand on our own -- Lil Wayne, B.G., Juvenile. And Turk is coming [out of jail] soon. We're all relevant. I know the streets have been demanding it. They wanted it. I did a vote, went out in the public and asked. They're condoning me, pushing me to do it. Why not give it to them? Hip-hop could appreciate it right now. Why not?"

But, there is one problem -- what label the project would be released to. Lil Wayne is still signed with Cash Money Records, who have a deal through Universal, and B.G. and Juvenile are both signed with Atlantic Records. There is one condition as well, both B.G. and Juve has said that they will never do business with Baby again, so where does that leave them?

"Nah, like I said, man, we all pretty much outgrew the situation," B.G. contended about being on Cash Money. "We'll find out the ins and outs of the game. If anything, it'll be [released by] Universal/Atlantic."

Until the Hot Boys situation is finalized, B.G. continues his solo grind. He is gearing up for the release of his next solo project, Too Hood to Be Hollywood, dropping in February 2008, while Lil Wayne's The Carter 3 is also expected for next year as well.

Joe Budden No Longer At Def Jam?

If you visited DefJam.com recently, you'll notice one of their most wavering but still promising acts, Joe Budden, has been stricken from the artist roster.

Although it is unclear as to his official status with the label, it seems that Joe finally had enough of the label's politics, album delays or could it be that Def Jam just couldn't find that door to push him through?

Nevertheless, a rep at Universal Music Group, the parent company of Island Def Jam, who wished to remain anonymous said that the rapper is "looking for a new home."

Another Def Jam executive tells us, "it's probably true."

Internet hip-hop geeks have posted on several message boards that Budden himself has confirmed his departure from the label in a post on his unofficial fan website (JoeBudden.org) under his longtime username, "cheah!!!" where he responded to a post by a fan who asked if he was on or off of Def Jam by simply posting "off."

Maybe the personal vendetta between Joe and the Def Jam despot, Jay-Z, never healed properly or appropriate amends weren't made steaming from the string of "Pump It Up" remixes, causing bitterness between the two artists.

The streets were also talking about an alleged battle between Joe and Cassidy -- scheduled to go down during a Fight Klub episode. No word on if that battle will ever catch fire, but this move wouldn't be surprising since both artists have champion reputations with beefs.

Arguably one of the most talented MCs in the game -- maintaining a 90s style of rap with heavy punch lines and ingenious metaphors -- Joe Budden seems not able to find that void to fill in order to make himself a relevant player in the game.

Lyrically he can compete with the best, but in a world of ringtone jingles and dance infused records, is he built to sustain the force of temperamental youths that fuel sales? That's the unvarying pace of the game. While someone's making an entrance, another is making an exit.

Whether it be forced or voluntarily, Joe Budden is no longer listed on the label's online roster. So the question remains: Where is he now?


Queen Latifah Links W/ Ashton Kutcher For New Flick

After showing off her acting chops in some of the year's biggest films, Queen Latifah is set to tackle yet another role in the new Fox movie What Happens In Vegas...

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the flick will star Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz, with a very special, surprise appearance by Latifah, whose role is being kept under wraps. Kutcher and Diaz will play two people who discover after a night of debauchery in Vegas that they've gotten married, with one of them hitting a jackpot after playing the other's quarter.

Continually adding to her cinematic resume, Latifah will also star alongside Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes in Overture Films' Mad Money, which will hit theaters in January 2008. The movie centers around three women who strike up an unlikely friendship while working at the Federal Reserve and concoct a plan to rob the bank.

In related news, the Queen's latest album, Trav'lin' Light, recently made a strong debut on the Billboard charts. The jazz-flavored LP is her highest debut album to date, landing at No. 11 and selling 51,000 in it's first week on the shelves

Ja Rule Readies First Album In Three Years

Ja Rule is finally making a return, as he begins to heavily promote the release of his first album in three years.

The Queens, New York rapper will release, The Mirror, in November, following up his 2004 album, R.U.L.E., which sold just 658,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, a sharp decline from his past sales. At the height of his career, Ja sold 3.6 million copies of his third album, 2001's Pain Is Love.

Since then, there has been a steady decline in his record sales.

However, he hopes his new record will turn it all around, as he reflects on the time period in which he fell from atop the hip-hop throne, touching on everything from his public feud with 50 Cent to the FBI money-laundering case against Irv and Chris Gotti, the head of his label The Inc. (see "Irv Gotti Indicted On Money-Laundering; Surrenders To F.B.I."), which they were later acquitted of.

"When you've been in this business a long time, things sometimes spiral into something bigger than you expected," Ja Rule told Billboard recently. "Coming through that has made me wiser and more open-minded. Such situations not only build character, but show other people's character."

The album's first single is Ja back in the element he's known for, singing for the ladies -- in "Body," featuring R&B newcomer Ashley Joi, which followed up the street single, "Uh Oh" featuring Lil Wayne. Despite buzzing with "Uh Huh," it peaked at no. 69 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Ja says it was released to just get people's attention. "I leaked it to get people used to hearing my voice again and hearing good music," Ja Rule explains. "People loved 'Uh Oh,' but because of budgets you can't push records the way you want to sometimes. So you choose your fights."

The Mirror is slated for release on November 13 on The Inc./Mpire Records.

Eazy E Returns with New Album in December

Twelve years after this death, Capitol/Priority Records will release a new Eazy E album dedicated to the N.W.A. and Ruthless Records founders’ finest collaborations. Entitled Featuring…Eazy E, the new LP will be released on December 4 and will feature 16 tracks of his best collaborations and rare solo recordings. Among the guest appearances on the album are Ice Cube, MC Ren, Dr. Dre, Mack 10, Ice-T, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and DJ Quik. The complete tracklisting is as follows.

1. Luv 4 Dem Gangsta’z (off Beverly Hill Cop III soundtrack)
2. 2 Hard Muthas w/MC Ren
3. Trust No Bitch w/Penthouse Player’s Clique, DJ Quik & AMG
4. L.A. Is The Place w/Ron-De-Vu
5. Findum, F**kum & Flee w/N.W.A
6. Get Yo Ride On w/Mack 10 and M.C. Eiht
7. Black Nigga Killa (off Ruthless Records Tenth Anniversary compilation)
8. We Want Eazy (12″ remix) (off Eazy-Duz-It)
9. Foe Tha Love Of $ w/Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
10. I’d Rather F*** You w/N.W.A
11. 24 Hrs To Live (off Ruthless Records Tenth Anniversary compilation)
12. Boyz In Tha Hood (G Mix) w/ Dr. Dre (off It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa)
13. Fat Girl w/Ron-De-Vu
14. Automobile w/N.W.A
15. P.S. Phuk U 2 w/Penthouse Player’s Clique & DJ Quik
16. Ruthless Villain w/MC Ren

Make your work easier

What is difficult and what is easy? Very often, it's nothing more than a matter of your perception and your attitude.

When you decide that something is difficult, you're sending a message to yourself that you expect to struggle with it. And whatever you expect, you are indeed likely to get.

What usually makes something difficult is your reluctance to do it. Even the most complex challenge can seem relatively easy when you're sincerely enjoying yourself as you work your way through it.

The way to make your work easier is not by avoiding it or resenting it. The way to make your work easier is by embracing it with gratitude and enthusiasm.

Imagine how truly dangerous and grueling daily life would have been if you had lived a few thousand years ago. Look at your tasks for today from that perspective, and you'll be thankful for the opportunity to be doing them.

Choose an attitude that will make your work not only easier, but also more effective, creative and purposeful. Feel great about what you're doing, and what you're doing will surely and reliably bring great things.

-- Ralph Marston
Read more here

Now far be it for me to sh*t on somebody from cali. But the boy Hot Dolla is jay jerkin ya'll.


My Dude The N linked this song on his site, like it was hot. But it to sounded Familiar to me.
In doing my research I remembered Loon put out this very same song, and when I say same I mean same. I 1st peeped it on a T-Pain mixtape back in May.

Listen to both versions and tell me which one ya'll feeling

Hot Dolla ft. Akon & T-Pain - Who The Fuck Is That

or

Loon feat T-Pain and Akon- Who is That


Read more here

Tests Confirm Cocaine Found In DMX’s Home

New Details Revealed In Animal Cruelty Case
More details have been revealed in the animal cruelty investigation on DMX.

In recent lab test results, police have discovered that the substance found at DMX's home in Arizona, California is indeed cocaine, despite previous reports indicating it wasn't.

As previously reported, police also found the carcasses of three dogs buried on the premises in late August, in which investigators say had serious injuries to their bodies.

According to the Phoenix's East Valley Tribune, necropsy and skeletal reports released Friday (October 5), by the sheriff's office, show that one of the dead dogs had evidence of heavy bruising as a consequence of blunt force, another had skeletal grooves resulting from a severe dog bite wound, and a third had fractures, bite wounds and burns so intense that the dog's gender was undeterminable.

When these dogs died is still unknown, but tests are being done to find out the time and location of the deaths.

The causes of the deaths are also unknown, but authorities are investigating whether the dogs had been used in dog fighting, which would be a felony charge.

Despite the news, DMX (real name: Earl Simmons) is yet to be charged. But the investigation is still ongoing, County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

"Someone's going to have to pay for this," the sheriff told the AP recently. "We have 12 dogs who were abused and three dogs buried in the yard -- someone's going to have to pay."

The rapper's Arizona home was raided on August 24, after surrounding neighbors called local authorities to report that the dogs on the property were at risk due to the extreme heat.

During the raid, 12 pitbulls were seized, which authorities described as distressed, as well as an unknown number of weapons.

The rapper is yet to publicly comment on the findings at his home, but his attorney, Murray Richman, told the media shortly after the allegations came to light that X has a caretaker who was supposed to take of the dogs and that "all sorts of people" had been staying at the home.


Diddy Sued In Miami Over Old Notorious B.I.G. Recordings, Footage

Diddy is being sued by a former Miami associate, who claims he owes him in upwards of $19 million.

According to CBS4 in Miami, James Sabatino alleges that Diddy (real name: Sean Combs) owes him money for music created by late rapper, Notorious B.I.G., claiming he flew Diddy to Miami in 1994 to perform a live show and record some music.

He said during that time, B.I.G. recorded about 17 minutes of freestyle vocals, and the music session was also captured on roughly 90 minutes of video footage.

Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down in Los Angeles in 1997 in a still unsolved homicide. The channel reports that later that same year, Diddy agreed to buy the music and video footage from Sabatino for $200,000. Sabatino claims that the music mogul gave him a check for $25,000 and promised the rest of the money in 60 days. The reason why? Because Diddy allegedly told him that the L.A. police had named Sabatino a person of interest in the rapper's death.

He was scheduled to meet with Notorious B.I.G the night of the murder, but never showed up. So, Diddy worried that giving him the full amount would be misconstrued if the public found out his company had paid a large sum of money to a person of interest in the murder, the lawsuit said.

The reason why Sabatino has waited so long to file the suit is because, he felt that Diddy was change his story to police if he were to go after the money. The mogul originally told people that he didn't think Sabatino was involved in the murder.

Lil' Wayne Released; Lawyer Says Arrest Was A Misunderstanding

Lil' Wayne was arrested Saturday morning (Oct. 6) following a concert last night in Boise, Idaho.

Wayne was booked by police into the Ada County Jail at 7:30 a.m. for being a Fugitive in the state of Idaho, because of an arrest warrant issued in Fulton, County Georgia. He has since been released on $20,000 bail.

Lil' Wayne's lawyer, William Head, says the arrest was a misunderstanding.

"When someone's this successful, there are chances things will fall through the cracks," Lil' Wayne's attorney William Head told Atlanta's Fox Channel 5. "They were under the impression that those charges had either been resolved or dismissed."

Lil' Wayne is due back in court tomorrow (October 9).

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

Police say Lil' Wayne was arrested on a felony warrant out of Fulton County, Georgia, for felony possession of drugs.

The warrant stems from an August 14, 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia when Wayne was arrested for drug possession.

In that incident, police were called to Lil' Wayne's hotel room where they found marijuana, 60 pills of Alprazolam and 59 pills of hydrocodone.

Beanie Sigel Says Beef With Kanye Is Squashed

In a recent interview with MTV News, Beanie Sigel spoke about his recent beef with Kanye West.

Sigel on the "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (Remix):

"That ain't no put-together joint," Beanie said. "There's a couple of versions floating around, I heard one with Busta [Rhymes]. But [Kanye] really called to do the joint. So I did it."

After being called gay by Sigel, Kanye West responded to the Philly MC on a recent SMACK DVD. Sigel claims to have never seen the footage.

"I heard about it, but I never seen it," Sigel said. "I don't be letting too much sh-- occupy my mind in the course of my day. Every second counts. ... I don't like to keep dwelling on it. That interview — and I don't want to make no excuse — but I gave it about a month after I got out of jail. ... Any little thing, I was venting on. If you would have asked me about any rapper, he was getting it. I was venting at the time."

Beanie Sigel is currently in the studio completing his new album "The Solution" which is due to be released in December.

When asked by MTV News if Kanye had produced any songs, Sigel had this to say:

"I doubt if that will happen, unless dude comes and says, 'I got a crazy joint for you and [Jay-Z],' " Sig said. "I don't wanna record no more records unless it's a me-and-Jay song. ... Before the lyrics even get on the track, it has to be monstrous. When you hear it, it has to be like, 'Oh my God.' If we get that joint off, that'll be the only other record I would want for my album."

Nelly and T.I. In Talks For Collaborative Album

In a recent interview with MTV News, Nelly said that he is in talks with T.I. for a collaborative album.

"It's definitely being talked about," Nelly said at VH1 Hip Hop Honors on Thursday night. "We're definitely trying to put something together, work on something that could be truly outstanding. I think now people kinda get it. I think people want me to be a certain way because of all the success I had. That's just never been me. I feel real fortunate to sell the amount of records I have, but I like to hang. I don't care if you sold one record and I sold this. I like to kick it. But we're definitely working on something."

According to reports, Nelly has recorded a song with Public Enemy's Chuck D for his new album, "Brass Knuckles", due out October 16th.


The-Dream Apologizes To Chris Brown Over "Bed" Drama

After publicly airing out his beef with R&B crooner Chris Brown, Atlanta singer/songwriter The-Dream is now apologizing for his statements.

As previously reported, The-Dream revealed his beef with the teen crooner over comments Brown made regarding his hit song "Bed."

"The track was considered for Chris Brown -- he thought it was his -- but it was my record and I decided to give it up to J. Holiday," The-Dream explained to Billboard.com. "Chris said the record won't be No. 1 unless he's on it. I bet someone $500,000 that it would go to No. 1 and I collected my money just last week."

Chris Brown's comments upset The-Dream to the point where he was considering never working with the teen sensation again.

"He said the wrong thing to me," The-Dream added. "He has a track from me now that I was paid for already and I want to give him his money back. At the end of the day, I'm big on principle and loyalty. Put that to bed."

The multi-talented hit maker has apparently had a change of heart and has issued a public apology via his MySpace page.

"I spoke to Chris Brown and I advised him that when he made the public statement in the September issue of Vibe Magazine I was disappointed because we worked on his project and I thought he made comments that were directed to me," he wrote.

"Chris said the comments were towards another part of the situation surrounding the song and I stand here to not defend my comments but to take full responsibility for my classless choice of talking through the media," he continued. "I apologize to Chris Brown, Mark Pitts, and Jive Records."

The-Dream's debut album, Love Me All Summer, Hate Me All Winter, is slated to hit stores on December 11. The album is fueled by the record's lead single "Shawty is a Ten" featuring Fabolous, which has been garnering a considerable amount of spins on both radio and video outlets. The disc is said to feature guest appearances from several artists that Dream has written hits for in the past, including Rihanna, who he wrote the hit single "Umbrella" for.

Love Me All Summer, Hate Me All Winter is set for release via Island/Def Jam Records.

JANET JACKSON TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT WEIGHT ISSUES

Janet Jackson, who can go from overweight to red-carpet ready in several weeks, says she will chronicle the issues behind her dramatic, headline-making weight fluctuations in an upcoming book.

"I’m writing a book on my journey of weight loss and weight gain," the 41-year- star said at a press roundtable for "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?"

"[I'm] really coming from the soul with it, and what I was going through at different times in my life and what possibly brought it about for myself," she says of the yet untitled project.

The book is to also include what she did "nutrition-wise" to shed the pounds "when she needed to," but warns, "It's different for everyone."

Meanwhile, Jackson has dealt head on with rumors that she's about to marry her long-time partner, music producer Jermaine Dupri.

"I don't need a piece of paper to validate what we have," Jackson told TV show Extra. "That's just me though."

And if you're wondering whether she has any marital advice, Miss Jackson says she's not qualified to answer that.

"Don't ask me that question. You want to ask somebody who's been married twice and divorced twice?"