T.I. Added to VH1's 'Behind the Music' Series

T.I. has been added to the roster of VH1’s recently resuscitated Behind the Music series. Tip’s episode will follow his early life as a drug dealer on the streets of Atlanta, to the murder of his close friend Philant Johnson all the way up to his current stint in prison on federal gun charges. It is set to premiere on Thursday, October 8 at 10 p.m. EST!

Havoc of Mobb Deep on the DJ Kay Slay Show

Havoc will be on Sirius Satellite tonight at 9pm eastern time on Dj Kay Slay's show!! An exclusive will be premiered for his upcoming mixtape Halloween Havoc.

Rapper Charged with 1st Degree Murder

{taken from allhiphop.com}

Former Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam artist Tru Life turned himself in to authorities last night (June 23) to face a charge of 1st degree murder, according to reports. The charge is possibly tied to a brutal stabbing incident last week that left one man seriously injured, and an 18-year old teen dead. As reported by AllHipHop.com, police were initially investigating Tru Life's brother for a retaliation attack in the non-fatal shooting of Michael Slater. The individual, whom police suspect is a drug dealer, was shot in the stomach outside of club Pacha. Several hours after the crime, police claim five gang members ambushed 30 year old Jason Black and the unnamed teen at a Manhattan apartment complex. Both men were stabbed repeatedly in the chest and face. Black survived the assault, while the unidentified teen succumbed to his wounds. At the time, police theorized that the back and forth violence was the result of a feud between Jason Black and Tru Life's brother. A 1st degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison under New York law. If an official or witness is not the victim, the distinction can also be decreed for murders involving multiple parties or tortuous killings. Tru Life's last music effort, "Wet 'em Up," was heard as a selection on the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto IV. At press time, Tru Life could not be reached for comment. AllHipHop.com will continue to update this breaking story as more information emerges.

Tru Life ft. Keri Hilson – I Don't Need Love

Rappers I Know Showcase at SXSW

Lil' Wayne - The Carter III Rebirth [Official Album Cover]

Whatever content it is he decides to put on this album is better than the last few peieces of mess I've been hearing. Just my two cents though...

Ludacris, Big Boi To Host Upcoming Urban Ball For Obama Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Grammy winning rappers Ludacris and Big Boi have joined forces to host the upcoming "Urban Ball" in Washington, DC next month.

Helping celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, the duo will travel to the nation's capitol to lead an evening filled with excitement as they welcome a new administration into office

"We have done our part to elect a great leader; now we are coming together to celebrate his accomplishment and to ring in the new era and share the hope he has inspired in us," Luda said in a statement. "It is a beautiful thing to be a part of a history. Look at what happens when people come together and focus on possibilities rather than our differences."

Along with the rap stars, the event will also be highlighted with performances by T-Pain, David Banner, Fantasia, Lil' Jon, Monica, Bobby Valentino and more.

With a required dress code restricting all casual attire, fans may begin purchasing their tickets today (December 5) via www.AmericanMusicInauguralBalls.com.

"The Urban Ball" is currently scheduled to kick-off Tuesday, January 20.

taken from SOHH.com

Lil' Wayne & T.I. Cancel Joint NY Concert, Weezy Announces "I Am Music" Tour Dates

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Hip-Hop superstars Lil' Wayne and T.I. have canceled their highly-anticipated concert together scheduled to take place next month in Rochester, New York.

According to Rochester's WROC, the duo were set to perform on-stage in Rochester next week (December 6) for local fans. However, Tip will now be featured on Saturday Night Live on that date and has decided to reschedule his New York performance to the following Saturday (December 13).

Weezy is not billed for the event, but is reportedly going to make-up the canceled date. This marks Weezy's second re-scheduling after initially missing the concert's October date when he was a no-show.

Fans unable to attend the events will be able to have their tickets refunded.

Originally planned to be Weezy's opening show for his 2009 "I Am Music" tour, the rapper will now kick-off the nationwide run at Miami, Florida's American Airlines Arena.

The cross country tour will feature special appearances by T-Pain, Keyshia Cole, Gym Class Heroes and Keri Hilson. Beginning on the East Coast, Weezy will make also stops in Houston, Oakland, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte and other spots before ending in early January.

Tickets for the tour can be be purchased at ticketmaser.com.

Weezy's I Am Music tour is now scheduled to kick off on Sunday, December 14 in Florida.

The Roots On Late Night

Rumor has it The Roots will stop touring to set up as the house band on Jimmy Fallon’s new “Late Night” when he replaces current host Conan O’Brien in 2009.

NBC’s late night schedule will get a shake-up next year when Jay Leno leaves “The Tonight Show” making room for Conan O’Brien to take over as host.

[Source Magazine]

Common Says He's Selling New Album For 99 Cents

Author: Quinton Hatfield

Common [click to read] was recently speaking in North Carolina, where he caught up with HipHopDX. There, the Chicago veteran emcee talked about his forthcoming album Universal Mind Control. "I’m really excited about it and for me as long as I’ve been making music I always wanted to challenge myself. This album is a lot of free music, a lot of feel good music. I didn’t overthink the subject matters and made music you can dance too, ride out too, and have fun too. I wanted to give people something to smile about, enjoy, and let loose."

Within Universal Mind Control, Common says he has a song that really embodies the political climate America witnessed earlier this month in his home city. "I have a song called 'Changes' [click to listen] and it’s a reflection of what I see in the future, it’s changes going on right now. The youth really have a opportunity due to the fact we have Barack Obama in office. It’s due to the fact that people of all colors can see a black men, with his black women, and family can really do something powerful and lead this country. I wrote it probably five or six months ago, and it really fitting for the climate of the world right now."

Lastly, as artists ranging from Mos Def and 50 Cent have traded fourth quarter releases for a much less crowded 2009, Common explained his own push-back. "I originally was starting this album as an EP which was like a six song collection of songs. It was called Invincible Summer and I wanted to bring it out during the summertime. I did this film Terminator Salvation and I couldn’t finish the album in period I wanted to. I said, 'Man Universal Mind Control is the perfect title for the sound of the music. UMC fits the theme of what the album is about. That sounds like something from back in the days to something futuristic. Check me out on the website Zune.net, y'all can get the whole album for 99 cents the day the album is released, y'all can't beat that, my music is priceless. [Laughs]"

Big Boi Promises Three Outkast Albums For 09

Despite the delay in his solo project, Big Boi says Sir Luscious Leftfoot: The Son of Chico Dusty is back on track for next year, coinciding with his partner, Andre 3000, who will also release a solo effort. The duo also plans to release an album as a group, making the release of three projects from Outkast official.

“Me and ’Dre were on the conference call [recently].” Big Boi told MTV. “He’s working on his album; my album is done. We’re gonna wait until the top of the year— January or February—to put it out. Then ’Dre is gonna come hit y’all, and [then] we’re gonna do the Outkast album. So y’all gonna get three records from the ’Kast next year.”

Besides working on music, Big Boi has also been honing his acting chops. He will appear on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Tuesday, Nov. 25, starring as Gots Money, an animal smuggling rapper who goes undercover for the authorities when he is caught. -Starrene Rhett

Suge Knight Sues Kanye West

Former Death Row boss Suge Knight, 43, is has taken legal action against Kanye West over an incident at a party three years ago in which he was allegedly shot and robbed.

Suge, who recently filed for bankruptcy, claims he was shot in the leg, shattering a bone, during a pre-VMA party hosted by Kanye at a Miami Nightclub in 2005.

Suge also claims to have been robbed of a 15-carat, $135,000 diamond earring.

The controversial former hip-hop mogul filed papers on October 30 at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in L.A. claiming the Stronger hitmaker is to blame for the incident for allowing a gun to get past security checks at the venue.

Suge is seeking damages for his injuries and for the loss of his jewelry.

Ludacris Speaks on Obama Song Controversy

By AllHipHop.com

With President-elect Barack Obama’s historic election run now complete, Atlanta rap star Ludacris is finally breaking his silence on Obama’s marked criticism of his July dedication song.

On the track entitled “Politics As Usual” taken from DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz: The Preview, Ludacris professed his full support for Obama.

That support was overshadowed by controversial lyrics that labeled President Obama’s former Democrat rival Hillary Clinton as a “b**ch,” and alluded to Republican John McCain as being close to disability.

Ludacris also took aim at George W. Bush, calling the 43rd President of the United States “mentally handicapped.”

“The song was my artistic expression and was meant to get people who weren’t involved in the political process involved,” Ludacris reasoned to AllHipHop.com. “Being as though it was the first mixtape to reach the United States government was a bit overwhelming.”

Obama, who in 2006 first met with Ludacris privately to discuss community activism and Hip-Hop’s role in it, was not understanding of Luda’s vitriolic words and publicly condemned the track.

Read the Rest at AllHipHop.com

Mack 10 Stars in Los Angeles Based Hustler Movie

Inglewood rapper Mack 10 [click to read] has recently starred in the independent film It Ain't Easy. Although the movie was released in late September, it has managed, surprisingly, to do well, selling soundly on Amazon and Wal-Mart, and receiving quite a buzz on the streets.

After breaking ties with the Westside Connection camp earlier this year [click to read] and with reports of being replaced by L.A.'s own The Game, Mack 10 is continuing to stay in the spotlight with his independent record label Hoo Bangin’ Records, as well as his film endeavors.

In It Ain't Easy, Mack plays a Los Angeles hustler, born to a proclaimed pimp and street-smart prostitute, and whose harsh upbringing turns him into a ruthless individual. Joined by Clifton Powell, (who is well known for his role as Pinky in Next Friday) and comedian Katt Williams, Mack 10 makes his seventh film an interesting one.

Reported by Salima Koroma

Rapper Common Narrowly Avoids Deadly Shooting

By Ismael AbduSalaam

Chicago rap star Common was nearly a witness in a fatal shooting that has left one man dead and four people injured.

The incident occurred yesterday (October 27) afternoon near the intersection of 704 Fulton Street and South Oxford Street in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, NY.

According to eyewitness reports, two gunmen opened fire on a 19-year-old man who was waiting at the corner for the friend.

The man fled into a nearby hair salon, and was subsequently cornered and killed by the suspects.

In the fusillade of 30 shots, four innocent bystanders in the shop were hit including an off duty police officer.

Witnesses also allege one of the killers fired a coup de grace shot to the head to make sure the victim perished. Afterward, the suspects fled in a blue Chevrolet Tahoe.

Common, a regular of the establishment, had just received a hair cut hours before the murder, stated Dana Jeter, a representative for the star’s record label.

The brazen shooting comes as a shock to new residents of the recently gentrified Fort Greene, but recalls the 1980s and early to mid 1990s when the area was a ravaged by drugs, crime, and home to such infamous figures as the original 50 Cent aka Kelvin Martin.

No motive for the crime has been determined, although authorities are certain the victim was a scoped target and stalked before the actual shooting.

At press time, the two gunmen are still at large.

In related news, Common’s latest album Universal Mind Control lands in stores December 9.

Eminem Album No Longer Listed For Dec. 23 Release

Author: Slava Kuperstein

Hip Hop fans were buzzing yesterday as various media outlets reported Eminem's upcoming album to be released on December 23.

The album, which was listed as Relapse per Eminem's previous statements [click to read], is now listed as "TBD" and with no release date attached to it.

During a release party for his autobiography, The Way I Am, Em also released a freestyle called "I'm Having a Relapse," [click to listen] which is not confirmed to be a track on the album, contrary to some reports.

As previously reported, while there is no release date for Relapse, Dr. Dre is expected to handle the majority of its production and DJ Premier has also contributed at least one song [click to read].

Snoop Dogg & Massive Attack Rally For Mumia Abu-Jamal

Author: Danielle Harling

Rapper Snoop Dogg has teamed up with British Trip Hop group Massive Attack for "Calling Mumia," a song for Mumia Abu-Jamal that will be included in the soundtrack for the documentary In Prison My Whole Life.

Abu-Jamal was sentenced to the death penalty in 1982 after being convicted for shooting police officer Daniel Faulkner. Abu-Jamal maintains his position that the shooting was in self-defense, and he is currently a prisoner at the State Correctional Institution Greene in Pennsylvania. Currently, none of Abu-Jamal's appeals have been settled.

Founded in 1987, Massive Attack are considered Trip Hop pioneers combining Hip Hop, soul, and techno. They have gone on to release close to 10 albums including Blue Lines, Mezzanine, and Collected.

Massive Attack is no stranger to protest/awareness songs. In "False Flags," Massive Attack's 3D raps, "In school I would just bite my tongue/ And now your words they strike me down/ The flags are false and they contradict/ They point and click which wounds to lick."

Aside from Snoop Dogg, Massive Attack has also worked with RJD2, Mos Def, Madonna, and others.

In Prison My Whole Life opens this weekend in the UK.

Yung Berg's Take on His Chain Snatching Incident

BET Hip Hop Awards Celebrate T.I. on Three Nominations

from Atlantic Records - News Feed

The King of the South will have a chance to defend his crown as he has been nominated three times at this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards. These highly respected nominations include Best Live Performer, Lyricist of the Year, and MVP of the Year. T.I.’s sixth studio album PAPER TRAIL is scheduled for release September 30, and is available now for pre-order at www.trapmuzik.com/preorder. The BET Hip Hop Awards are scheduled for Thursday, October 23 at 8 PM EST/PST so don’t miss out!

NATE DOGG SUFFERS ANOTHER STROKE

According to AllHipHop.com, Hip-Hop crooner Nate Dogg aka Nathaniel Hale has suffered a second stroke and is in serious condition. It is being reported that Nate Dogg cannot breathe on his own. This is his second stroke since December 20, 2008. The first stroke left him partially paralyzed on the left side of his body.

Kanye West's Rumored Album Title & Release Date Leaked

BET.com reports, via its "Sound Off" blog, that Kanye West will entitle his new album 808's and Heartbreak. The LP is has a working release date of December 16, according to Young Legend, who originally reported the news via OnSmash.com. Amazon.com and retail giant Target have quickly followed suit and are already allowing customers to pre-order the album.

West is rumored to make frequent use of Auto-Tune vocals, as he has during guest spots on Lil Wayne's "Lollipop," remix and Young Jeezy's "Put On." It has been speculated that the album will feature a significant amount of sung vocals much like Kanye's recently leaked song "Love Lockdown." The recent death of West's mother and the end of his engagement are also rumored to be subject matter. Having taken to only giving updates via his blog at KanyeUniversecity.com as opposed to press interviews, neither Kanye nor any representatives at Def Jam have confirmed the rumor. HipHopDX will provide additional information as it becomes available.

It's to be noted that the album was rumored to be called Good Ass Job, according to Kanye's five-year plan of progressing album through the College Dropout saga.