T-Pain Calls Out Copycats, Plans Going Fully Digital

Very few can argue against the point that T-Pain has distinguished himself as a savvy hit maker with a rather distinct style.

Sitting down with DJ Cipha Sounds, T-Pain explained a new song that he has in the works, which happens to be about his now infamous auto-tune voice. “You know it’s just issue addressing time. Like I say in the song, ain’t no disrespect, I just want everybody to know that there are a couple of people that I ain’t cool with doing it. You know, 'cause a couple people came to me and ask me can they use it, and it was cool. Weezy came and ask me before he did it, I said cool; Weezy started doing it. Kanye said, 'Let me borrow your style for a second;' I’m cool with that, you know what I’m saying? I just addressed a couple issues. You know, a lot of people were taking me for a joke when I first came out doing it, and they feel like they gotta do it to get hot now.”

In addition to Lil Wayne and Kanye West, 50 Cent recently used auto-tune with G-Unit's single "Rider pt. 2".

Being one of the biggest ringtone sellers himself, T-Pain is looking to a new business venture that will make his company “all digital.” “On Nappy Boy Digital right now we gettin’ it on straight. I’m trying to lead the pack with the first digital record label. We going all digital downloads, iTunes, ringtones, a couple physical sales here and there. We don’t wanna cancel that out, but right now we’re on the regular [record label] but going digital.”

Lil Wayne Faces Backlash For DJ Diss, Carter III Intentionally Leaked

Lil Wayne's highly anticipated forthcoming studio album, The Carter III, was leaked over the internet, last night. And the DJ openly responsible for the act, DJ Chuck T, is vehemently lashing back at Weezy for the comments he made against mixtape DJs earlier this week.

In a statement explaining his act of vengence, DJ Chuck T wrote, "Lil' Wayne said f*ck mixtape DJ's...so now i'm about to show that boy the meaning of bootleg," he explained. "I'll be damned if I let anyone get away with saying f*ck me without him facing some type of repercussions, including Lil' Wayne. Free Carter III download."

Kanye Speaks On "Flashing Lights" Video Leaks

Just in case there was any confusion, Kanye West wants fans to know that the only version of the “Flashing Lights” video that he wanted released was the one he released himself.

“I shot [three] vids for “Flashing Lights” [‘cause] I ain't like the first [two],” Kanye typed on his blog. “No rant's here just an explanation of why y’all getting those other vids [right] now that I ain't approve and why I ain't finna post neither on my blog. So I hope whoever leaked them got the shine they was looking [for] ‘cause that's all they'll get now.”

Two other videos for the song leaked earlier this week. The first leak shows a woman’s dual life of glamor and instability, while the second tells a supernatural murder mystery. Published reports said that the last video to leak was actually the first video that was shot, while the previous leak was the second version filmed.

In the blog, Kanye said that he enlisted Sam Speigal—brother of Spike Jonze, director of the released video—to remix “Flashing Lights” so that that the music would match the latter video. Speigal also co-orchestrated the music on the Glow In The Dark Tour.

DJ Doo Wop Responds "Fuck Lil Wayne!" With Video

DJ Doo Wop is one of the most famed mixtape deejays in Hip Hop history. His '95 Live tape was deemed as one of Hip Hop's 10 best by Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists. Presently working as a deejay for Guru, Doo Wop, leader of Da Bounce Squad, took offense to Lil Wayne's comments, including, "Fuck mixtape deejays!" to a Foundation Magazine writer earlier this week.

Doo Wop told HipHopDX, "Basically Lil Wayne made a statement disrespecting all mixtape deejays. I understand if he's sour at a few dudes who exploit the game by leaking too many songs from your upcoming album on their CD, but that doesn't justify him shitting on the whole culture." The veteran added, "Lil Wayne wants to separate himself from the very thing that helped him become a household name, and it needed to be addressed. He made a million songs and freestyles last year, but the radio mostly played the commercial releases. How the hell do you think the rest of his joints got heard?"

The New York mainstay defended his peers and made an enduring case for the mixtape, in a message directed to Wayne. "Nowadays the game is what it is. Downloading is at an all time high and CD sales at an all time low. So even if mixtapes didn't exist, sales still wouldn't be what they should. Don't blame the deejay, homey. Thank the deejay. You don't hear 50 Cent shitting on mixtapes. He's a product of it, and never denies it." Doo Wop was among the top deejays instrumental in 50 Cent's rediscovery, with a collaborative freestyle appearing on 2002's Guess Who's Back?

The New York deejay has put his acclaimed mixing abilities to new mediums in a video just released (posted below). The edited clip, which includes various punch-ins of commentary against Wayne, along with an array of images of the work he's done, shows adoptive father and Cash Money Records CEO Birdman commending deejays for their hard work at the Core DJs Retreat two months ago.

Narrative editing of interview clips and song excerpts goes on to mock Lil Wayne for the leaked pictures of him kissing Baby on the mouth, hypocritical statements about New Orleans awareness after Hurricane Katrina, and drug addiction.

The clip closes with Ronald "Slim" Williams, co-founder of the Cash Money label, affirming mixtape deejays at the same retreat, "Y'all created a monster in Lil Wayne."

Nas Unveils "Be A Nigger Too" Video Last Night To Press

Amidst all of the controversy that Nas has amassed with his controversial and ever-changing Nigger/Nasir campaign, you would expect the Queens-bred lyricist to fall back after his latest incident of having to change the name of his much-anticipated album from Nigger to reportedly titled Nasir effort

But Nas has never been the type to follow the same stream of thought as others and last night (May 29th) at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, a private screening was held for “Be A Nigger Too” for invited audiences. Directed by Rik Cordero – whose videos for Consequence, The Roots and Jay-Z have garnered widespread attention – stayed true to his guerilla film style.

“I thought it would be just the cast and crew who came,” Nancy Mitchell, assistant director, said exclusively to HipHopDX. The video which depicted a hanging, had a child holding an uzi and showcased a mixed bag of races all to be “niggers” too proved its point in being controversial. These images play while Nas raps to a mirror, a style reminiscent of his "One Mic" video several years ago.

“Nas’ album is very important to him and this first visual off the album proved its point,” Cordero began. “The easy answer would have been to just compile a bunch of stock footage of people, of slave, of any racial prejudices and just stick it in the video and have Nas rap in front of a green screen.”

As of press time, 3/21 Films is still waiting on word from Def Jam as to when and if the video will be shipped out to run on the major networks.

Nas attended the screening for approximately 10 minutes, before exiting.

50 Cent's Long Island Mansion Burns Down

The mansion at the center of a legal battle between rapper 50 Cent and his ex-girlfriend was burnt to the ground this morning around 5:00 am.

According to reports, the Dix Hills, Long Island mansion that housed 50 Cent’s ex, Shaniqua Tompkins and the rapper’s son caught on fire around 5:00 am this morning.

Six people that were inside of the mansion at the time of the fire were taken to Huntington Hospital, where they were treated for non-threatening injuries.

The $1.4 million dollar six bedroom, five bathroom mansion, was situated on an acre of land before it burned completely to the ground.

In April, Tompkins filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the rapper, claiming he was attempting to evict her and his 10-year-old from the mansion unjustly.

Police and the Arson unit are investigating to determine the cause of the raging blaze, which took firefighters from five different counties to control.

TMZ.com reports that earlier in the week, a member of 50 Cent’s entourage “trashed” Tompkins lawyer’s office during a deposition session, which led to a police report being filed.

Judge Orders Suge Knight To Sell Death Row Recordings

After filing for bankruptcy in 2006, a judge has ordered Suge Knight to auction off all assets for Death Row Records to the highest bidder on June 24.

The document, obtained by TMZ.com, describes what must be sold as "substantially all of the recorded music business assets of the estate, along with substantially all of the music publishing business assests of the bankruptcy estate of Marion 'Suge' Knight..."

The minimum starting bid is $24 million, and bids must be made by June 10.

Those interested may possibly include Afeni Shakur, who has tried to get her son's original work in the past, and Dr. Dre or Snoop Dogg, as many artists have expressed their desire to own their master recordings and publishing rights.

GZA Offers Support To Marijuana Policy Project

On June 12th, Wu-Tang Clan's GZA has pledged support with an appearance at The Marijuana Policy Project's third annual open event at Los Angeles' legendary Playboy Mansion.

The Marijuana Policy Project is an advocate to stop the war on marijuana, an effort that has caused casualties and fatalities on criminal victims. MPP board members include former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, actor Jack Black and others. The event last year featured Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder [click to read], veteran Hip Hop producer and Friday writer DJ Pooh, and actor Cedric Yarbrough [click to read], among others.

"This is a historic statement by one of the world's most respected physician groups, and shows the growing scientific consensus that marijuana is a safe, effective medicine for some patients, including many battling life-threatening illnesses like cancer and AIDS," said former United States Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders.

Event information and ticket purchases can be made at the organization website.

G-Unit - Rider pt.2

50 Cent and company continue there onslaught of visuals with their latest video for Rider pt.2

Lil Wayne Sued For Copyright Infringement

Lil' Wayne may be headed back to court again. This time it's not for guns or drugs, but stealing.

Singer Karma Ann Swanepoel filed a lawsuit in Louisiana recently, claiming Wayne stole her tune "Once" and turned it into the track "I Feel Like Dying," according to TMZ. Karma's "Once" is a folky, guitar-layden ballad, whereas Wayne's "Dying" features a sped-up, chipmunk-sounding sample. Karma said that Wayne's label had been trying to reach an agreement with her for use of the track, but hadn't been able to come to one. Meanwhile, Wayne's made his "Dying" available on his MySpace page and elsewhere.

Weezy's manager didn't return a call for comment.

In other Wayne legal news, the rapper pled not guilty on May 6 to several drug and weapons charges stemming from an earlier arrest in Arizona. Almost two weeks later, he gave up a DNA sample in another case in New York to be tested against a gun found on his tour bus.

In the midst of his cases, the self-proclaimed best rapper alive is still slated to close out "The BET Awards" next month, airing June 24, and he's also got a role in the upcoming Fast And The Furious flick.

Tha Carter III, his highly anticipated follow up album to 2005's Carter II, hits stores on June 10.

50 Cent Reality Show Coming To MTV

Rapper 50 Cent is teaming with MTV to produce an untitled reality show for the network announced yesterday (May 28).

According to MTV, the elimination style reality show follows 16 contestants as they attempt to master the “skills that took 50 Cent from the streets to corporate America.”

The rapper will judge the contestants each week, until the finale, where a winner will receive a full scholarship to an undergraduate or graduate business program.

Like T.I.‘s upcoming reality show, 50 Cent’s untitled series is being produced by Michael Hirschorn and Ish Entertainment, while the rapper and his longtime manager Chris Lighty will serve as executive producers.

The new reality shows are part of MTV's upcoming lineup of Summer and Fall programming.

More Details Emerge From Controversial Lil Wayne Interview

On last night's Streetsweeper's Radio Show with DJ Kay Slay, more details came out from the Lil Wayne controversial statements on mixtape deejays [click to read].

B. Mack, founder of Foundation Magazine, the publication to whom Wayne made the statements, called into the show to expound on what happened. Admitting that the interview was approximately three weeks old, the publisher stated that Universal Records had flown the magazine writer to Atlanta for the interview out of respect for the magazine's brand, which had previously featured Kay Slay on the cover.

The interview lasted a reported six minutes, including Wayne's diatribe that stated, "Fuck mixtape deejays." The exchange ended with Wayne throwing a magazine at the interviewer's face, then being escorted from the room. According to the publisher, the label nor Wayne's management had made any attempt to reconcile the situation or schedule a follow-up interview. Foundation's publisher also added that he believed "it could be the syrup," questioning Wayne's sobriety at the time of the interview.

Veteran deejay Kay Slay did more listening than talking in the interview. Although Slay himself has focused more on his radio shows and Streetsweepers brand which includes Papoose and Big Lou [click to read] than releasing mixtapes these days, he did say, "Ninety percent of the mothafuckas who even hold radio slots [owe that exposure] to mixtape deejays," also affirming many of the Foundation publisher's points.

This will be Foundation's seventh issue, available early next month

Lil' Kim Drops "Ms. G.O.A.T."

Lil' Kim's officially releasing her street disc Ms. G.O.A.T. next month.

Collabos on the album feature stand-outs 50 Cent, Nate Dogg, Britney Spears, and newcomer Maino. The disc also boasts tracks Kim lent a few bars to -- Keyshia Cole's hit "Let it Go," with Missy Elliott, Gucci Mane's club banger "Freaky Gurl," and Alica Keys' "No One" remix.

Kim parted ways with Atlantic Records at the top of the year, saying she was considering going Indie. She's done just that with this latest album. Indy distributor Amalgam Entertainment is putting the project out.

In related news a stroke of bad luck and a few unpaid installments got her silver Bentley repossessed last month -- though according to Kim she wasn't responsible for the bills. The tide turned a couple of weeks ago when Kim won a $500,000 lawsuit against former friend, Junior M.A.F.I.A. rapper Lil Cease for featuring her in a street DVD about the now defunct click.

Ms. G.O.A.T. hits shelves June 3rd.

Lil Wayne Disses Mixtape DJs

In what may either be Lil Wayne’s attempt to express his true feelings about mixtape DJs profiting from his image and music or a desperation move for publicity with Tha Carter III coming out in about two weeks, the ‘Greatest Rapper Alive’ has lashed out against mixtape DJs.

A snippet from Foundation Magazine has Lil Wayne arguing with the interviewer when asked who his first DJ he remembered.

“I don’t remember the mixtape DJ—tell this dude who he talking to. I’m not into all that shit. I don’t know no mixtape DJ. I am the originator,” Wayne drowsily exclaimed.

Using Arthur Nobel, the creator of dynamite, as an example, Wayne compared himself to the Nobel Peace Prize inventor and explained his significance.

“I’m him. I created the mixtape game but I’m not in to that anymore. I’m doing Lil Wayne. I’m against it—and to the mixtape DJ, I don’t know no mixtape DJs—fuck you,” he continued.

Making his point of being on Top 25 charts, Wayne appeared to place himself above the underground promotion methods of mixtapes.

“I’m on Top 25—I ain’t put out 25 mixtapes. So fuck y’all. Fuck DatPiff. Fuck mixtape DJs. Carter III coming June 10th. Go get it or don’t go get it, suck my dick. I’m smelling myself. I’m too good,” Wayne affirmed.

Before getting up and leaving the interview, Wayne used the metaphor of mixtape DJs “sucking my dick and not letting me nut”.

T.I. Reality Show Coming To MTV

In addition to performing concerts and speaking to youth before reporting to the slammer next year, T.I. now has a crew of cameras watching him do it all. The rapper is using the last of his year on house arrest to film a documentary series for MTV.

According to Variety, the network will go with the self-proclaimed "King of the South" as he performs the remainder of his community service hours and prepares for a one-year prison sentence next spring. The network plans to air the show some time soon after T.I. goes to jail in early 2009.

The series, by Ish Entertainment, has already gotten an eight-episode order from MTV.

"We began the conversations in the middle of deliberations over what would happen to him," said Ish's Michael Hirschorn, whose executive producing with partner Stella Stolper. "The original idea for the show had him staging a series of interventions in each episode with people in danger. But when we visited him under house arrest, it felt much bigger and more powerful than we anticipated."

Tip (born Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr.) has a history of being on the wrong side of the law, convicted for selling crack cocaine in the late 1990s. In March, the rapper pled guilty to federal weapons charges; the offense that got him the year's stint.

"Hopefully the mistakes I've made will be a lesson to today's youth and they won't go down that same path," T.I. said.

Tip didn't need the court's permission to do the show, but MTV will stick to the rules of the artist's home confinement. The show will also cover the release of Tip's upcoming album, Paper Trail, heavily inspired by his latest legal woes and the birth of his newborn son.

Sean Kingston Preps New Album With Pharrell & Timbaland

After his self-titled debut produced two singles which ended up in the top five of Billboard's Hot 100, Sean Kingston is looking to change his formula. For his sophomore set Kingston hopes to take a page from Madonna's book and enlist the help of Virginia beatsmiths Timbaland and Pharrell Williams. The 18-year-old, who jumpstarted his career via MySpace, gave HipHopDX some exclusive information about working with the two production giants.

"I'll be going in the studio with them, and I can't wait," Kingston tells HipHopDX. "It's gonna be crazy. I think their styles are so dope, and we can make some magic over those beats. I write all my own music, and all my own stuff, so it's gonna be dope."

Epic, which is the parent company of Kingston's label, Beluga Heights, originally had to sell many urban stations on their artist's first single "Beautiful Girls." Although Pop and Top 40 markets embraced the song, Epic outsourced Koch to market "Beautiful Girls" specifically to urban outlets. Since that songs release and subsequent success, Sean Kingston has performed material with The Game, Rick Ross and Bun B, among others. Although the recording for his next album has yet to begin, Kingston says he thinks the new material will be more well-rounded than expected.

"This album is gonna touch everything—the urban, the pop...everything," adds Kingston. "My first album was cool on the urban side, but it ended up being a huge pop album. This time I want to build Sean Kingston as a brand and not just somebody with a couple songs out. I've been writing everyday and coming up with new ideas to release different stuff out there. I'm grinding and I just put my mixtape out there too."

Kingston's "I'm Just Warmin' Up" mixtape is hosted by DJ Khaled, DJ Envy and DJ Felli Fel, and features guest spots from Three-6 Mafia, Plies, Red Cafe and Busta Rhymes.

Digital Underground Releases Final Album

Digital Underground has not released a new album since 1998's Who Got The Gravy?. While both Shock G (Humpty Hump) and Money B have remained active in solo endeavors and feature work, the Oakland, California collective has gone quietly.

Ten years later, the outfit that introduced Tupac Shakur to rap audiences and were pioneers in the ever-present safe-sex movement is returning. Available this week, Cuz A d.u. Party Don't Stop will made available digitally, and through select online retailers for hard copies, including CDBaby.com. As word spreads, through Super D Distribution, the release will also be made available to 14,000 retail outlets.

The release comes on the fledging Jake Records imprint. Label founder Scott Thomas stated, "Digital Underground has been making music for two solid decades now. Whether you are a fan of D.U. from 1988 or you're looking for some 2008 Humpty flavor, this album satisfies. From the live cuts to the new joints, this is one party any fan would regret not having."

A label press release confirmed that this would be the last full-length studio album from the multi-platinum group. The release is material recorded in 2002 and 2005 in two different sessions.

Digital Underground is most remembered for their 1989 hit "The Humpty Dance" from from Sex Packets. The group would also score hits in hits like "The Way We Swing" and "Same Song" featuring 2Pac. The group would again work with 2Pac on the famed "I Get Around" single in 1993.

Album Review: Usher - Here I Stand

Much has happened in the four years since Usher left to get married and have a kid. Alright, maybe just one thing happened, and his name is Chris Brown. It’s an added challenge to an artist who came out as a young heart-throb that never missed an opportunity to flash his wash-board abs.

Usher’s new album, Here I Stand answers the questions of whether that would all be left behind or, if it wasn’t, how it would bode for a grown-man in his thirties to carry on in such a manner. The rite of passage for an international artist is always the follow-up to their critically and commercially successful album, and Usher is currently going through it. It’s been four years since Confessions - an album that broke records worldwide.

First single, “Love In This Club,” shot to the top of the Billboard charts, easing worries of his capabilities to repeat No. 1 success. Here I Stand finds Usher playing with the same contemporary R&B sounds that were heard on Confessions, but instead of confessing infidelity and lustful sexual appetite, he’s rocking fidelity (“Best Thing” featuring a speculated married Jay-Z) and sex as a symbol of that fidelity (“This Ain’t Sex”).

The Stargate produced, “What’s a Man To Do,” and The-Dream and Tricky tune, “Moving Mountains” are not only listenable, but pop-R&B satisfying. Still, listening to “Moving Mountains” might bring “Burn” flash-backs just like “Love In This Club, Part II” might take you back to “Lovers and Friends.”

For neo-soul fans, the title track “Here I Stand” gives an earnest glimpse into Usher’s current view of his world. In “Prayer for You (Interlude)” you can hear his baby and a prayer over his kid, followed by “Something Special” – a part of the album that most likely made his wife smile.

A couple of tracks meet the criteria of fillers. “Appetite,” produced by Danja, lyrically meets with the album’s theme of commitment with lyrics like, “Got to put my BS under arrest” and “I ate my dinner at home,” but uses an uncharacteristically unmemorable melody for a track produced by the “Melody Man.” “Before I Met You” might have come from the Day26 recording sessions - even if Bryan Michael-Cox did produce - and doesn’t offer anything different than what the producer and the singer have already given out.

Here I Stand is uneven in theme and flaccid. It might just be from the swaying back and forth to youth and into baby-having adulthood. The mid-tempos are all about the same thing, and the club tracks are few. Having Usher predominately keep the same sound but shed the man-boy image is almost like putting a lullaby over the images of Britney Spear’s “Gimme More” video. It doesn’t fit. This might just be Usher’s bon voyage into the urban adult contemporary world. In hindsight, even the title, “Here I Stand” sounds a bit lethargic and complacent. Musically, Usher is definitely standing, not moving or budging one bit.

Trina Launches Clothing Line, Website

Rapper Trina recently launched her Pink Diamond Couture clothing line, along with an accompanying website - ShopTrina.com.

The clothing line will consist of jeans, tops, t-shirts, velour sets and jackets, and will all show off the rapper's signature logo.

"I have always imagined a clothing line that was high quality that I could offer to my fans," said the rapper in a statement. "I love the way the jeans fit and feel. I spent a lot of time creating special details that are fresh and unique. The best part they look really expensive but are priced right."

Trina's last album, Still The Baddest, entered at the #1 spot on the "Billboard Rap Albums" and "Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B" charts.

Pink Diamond Couture is set to hit stores this Spring.

Xzibit And Family Lose Infant Son To Lung Complications

Less than a day after emcee Camo Tao died due to lung cancer , another tragedy has hurt the Hip Hop community. In the early hours of Monday May 26, emcee and actor Xzibit lost his infant son Xavier from lung complications.

The veteran announced the news through a MySpace blog post, stating, "I am telling you this because of the same reason I tell you when I'm having great times, life is too short to be fake. Hold on to your kids, if you have them. Protect them and show them you love them everyday you wake up and see them. Don't take a second you get to hug them, teach them and care for them for granted. You can have all the material wealth in the universe, but it is NOTHING compared to having your family."

Xavier Joiner was born May 15, and from premature birth, displayed problems with inhaling oxygen. Xzibit added, "I am keeping faith that everything will work out fine. I tell you people, bringing a life into this world right now is a blessing for me. I have had time to focus and put A LOT of shit into perspective over the last few years. And at the end of the day, if you don’t have FAMILY around you ... you don't have shit."

"X-to-the-Z" has not released an album since 2006's Full Circle Earlier this month, he appeared on Bishop Lamont's "Be Cool" [click to listen], reportedly a mixtape track. The rapper has recently been furthering his film career in the X-Files sequel, playing an FBI agent.

"Notorious" Cast Speaks About Film

Playing the Notorious B.I.G. in a feature film based on the late rapper's life is a daunting task. This is especially daunting for an actor from Brooklyn. But, Jamal "Gravy" Woolard is not backing down from the challenge.

"He's still living, through me. I'm going to let y'all know: I'm not going to let y'all down. Put it down for the borough. This is for the borough. BK, stand up," he recently said, while filming the LP.

Woolard also gave some insight to how he is going about the portrayal.

"We're targeting every corner of it — from Christopher to Biggie Smalls to Notorious B.I.G," he said. "He's a funny dude. That's the part in the film that you'll see. He's a comedian all the time."

Derek Luke, who plays Diddy in the film, also spoke on the movie.

"What kind of criticism [did] Puffy give me? Oh, man, I tried to stay away from him," he said of Diddy's praise [click to read]. "You know, 'cause I just wanted to get a heart. I was inspired by who he is today but mostly how he started. But to be honest ... man. He just looked at me, and he was like, 'Yo, you do something wrong, trust me, I'll let you know.' So, I believe, that was good."

"The preparation I took to play Puff was I was going to talk to Puff's mom," Luke told MTV. "Puff opened the office to me, but I was like, 'Man, if I get to [meet] his mom, it's all good.' I went to his mom, and she kinda set me into the right place about who he was, how he started out as a child, who he is today."

Lil' Kim also appears in the film, played by Naturi Naughton, who fans may know from her stint as a former member of 3LW.

"Well, people have been critical. A lot of people don't expect me to be able to fill these shoes and play the role that's so different than what they've seen, because people know me. They think, 'Oh, she's sweet. She's little. She's a little girl from 3LW.' I'm a grown woman now, OK? Things have changed. It's a little challenging, but I'm willing to take this challenge and prove everybody wrong. All the naysayers, all the haters, I'm going to show them what I'm made of."

Apart from DJ Enuff, Mister Cee, D. Dot and a few others, Lil' Cease is on board to assist others with their acting.

"I've had to show him how to roll blunts. That's important to the story," he said. "You got a lot of 16-, 17-year-olds who probably hear their mother or siblings or something play Biggie all day and don't have background on him. This movie, you get to see his background. It's bigger than music. You see his personality. You get to see how he treated his kids, how he bonded with his moms, how he treated Junior M.A.F.I.A. It's something special, something good."

"The reason why I think this story is important to be told is because this is a story about two dreamers, and I love the fact that one is from Harlem, one is from Brooklyn, and [they] came in this world with nothing — only but a dream. So what I got from this story is that if you got a dream, you're rich. That's enough."

This only builds anticipation for a film that has already generated serious buzz.

Jermaine Dupri Hopes To Cash In On Internet Craze

Just before Memorial Day weekend kicked off, Jermaine Dupri revisited his blog at HuffingtonPost.com to provide updates on what he's up to. In addition to plugging his book, and new albums by Usher, Mariah Carey and Nelly, which all feature his production; JD took time to thank fans for pointing out how so many major labels fail to properly use the Internet.

"I heard y'all say how much more aggressive record companies should be in making full use of all that the Internet has to offer," says Dupri. "Our own web sites should be leading the way in the digital space. But they're not. It's all one media, and these days the digital space is way more powerful than outlets like print and television."

Dupri's post wasn't so much a revelation as it was a promotional opportunity for his new artist, Dondria Nicole. Dupri found Nicole on YouTube, under the alias of "Phatfffat." A page featuring Nicole singing R&B covers received over 1 million views. Now JD hopes to capitalize on her already established fan base by releasing a full-length album on July 29.

"The whole thing hit me the way it did when I discovered Bow Wow and Da Brat," JD gushed. "They each had something so different and so compelling that I knew with these artists I could create my own lane and make history in the music business. I have the same feeling with Phatfffat."

While critics have been more than willing to point out the lack of longevity for some of Dupri's previous artists, the numbers don't lie. Bow Wow, Xscape, Da Brat and Kris Kross have sold a combined total of over 12 million albums in the US alone under Dupri's So So Def imprint.

Rapper Camu Tao Dies From Cancer

On stage in Minneapolis, Minnesota Sunday evening, Aesop Rock announced that emcee Camu Tao had died after a three year bout with cancer. The Columbus, Ohio native born Tero Smith, was just less than two weeks away from his 31st birthday.

Camu Tao rose to fame with the MHz crew, which also consisted of producer RJD2, emcees Copywrite and Jakki Tha Mottomouth, plus DJ Przm, who passed away just under a year ago as well. As the crew ascended to the ranks of the underground Hip Hop community through releases on Fondle 'Em and ABB Records, Camu would end up at High & Mighty's Eastern Conference imprint as a solo artist. There, he would record his most significant album, Nighthawks with Cage, after a reported three-day recording session. The album was inspired by the Sylvester Stallone film of the same name.

Camu was also active with Def Jux Records. There, he would be a part of The Weathermen crew with Aesop Rock, Cage, El-P, Breeze Brewin and others, as well as one-half of S.A. Smash. With Metro, the latter group would release 2003's Smashy Trashy. Additionally, Camu did release two editions of the limited Blair Cosby solo albums, as well as 2004's Going For De Gold. None of the three efforts were distributed nationally.

Throughout the last three years, Camu's career had been feature appearances and production on peer albums while he readied his Def Jux solo. Highlights include producing and appearing on Cage's critically-acclaimed Hell's Winter ("The Death of Chris Palko" ) comeback album, appearing on Aesop Rock's Danger, Fire & Knives album ("Rockety Rackety"), as well as Slow Suicide Stimulus album ("Cutty Sharks" / "Regardless").

Below is "Counseling" by MHz from Table Scraps (2001, NCS)

Definitive Jux has yet to release a format statement on Camu Tao's passing, but HipHopDX sends our condolences to family, loved ones and peers of the late, very talented producer/emcee. We will keep you updated.

Source: HipHopDX

Mariah Carey Denies Having Surgery

Continuing to remain in the headlines, Mariah Carey has officially lashed out against rumors claiming her slim look is the final product of extensive surgery.

According to an article from San Francisco Chronicle, the newlywed made a reference to gossip first stemming from the United Kingdom and jokingly defended her body and eating habit.

“I know the U.K. is freaking out that I had some crazy plastic surgery done, but—honestly, it’s working out and diet. Look at what I’m eating right now—olives,” the singer said.

Rumors centering on Carey possibly undergoing plastic surgery began to grow as she started the promotional construction for her latest album earlier in the year. Weight loss for the R&B star was rumored to be around 32 pounds.

Going along with her comedic side and addressing the rumors a bit more, Carey admitted to feeling upset by the thought of fans believing the gossip along with confessing to the trials and tribulations of dieting.

“It makes me upset that people think I’ve had surgery, [because] let’s discuss how annoying the dieting process was. My girls will eat really good fried food, and I also love sweet plantain and rice and peas, but I can’t eat it! If I [do], it’s small,” she added.

Kanye, Common, Method Face the Music

Not such a rapper's delight, this.

Kanye West, Common, Method Man and Redman, along with their respective Universal Music Group record companies, were sued Thursday by the daughter of late jazz musician Joe Farrell for sampling his music sans permission.

Adding further unoriginal insult to copycat injury, each of the rappers used snippets from the same tune, Farrell's 1974 composition "Upon This Rock."

The lawsuit, filed by scorned offspring Kathleen Firantello, claims West sampled the tune in 2005 on Late Registration's "Gone," Common in "Chi-City," a bonus track on his 2005 album Be, and Method Man and Redman in their 1999 joint track, "Run 4 Cover."

Firantello is seeking punitive damages of at least $1 million and an order that no more copies of the offending songs be made, sold or performed.

This sort of thing would never happen to Diddy.

DMX's $1.5 Mil Award Put On Hold In "Rape" Suit Judgment

A Maryland judge has vacated a $1.5 million judgment awarded to a woman who filed a defamation suit against DMX after he alleged that she raped him.

Last week, Prince George's County Circuit Judge Thomas Smith ruled that DMX (whose real name is Earl Simmons) was not properly served with court papers in the case filed against him by Monique Wayne.

After an August 2003 encounter with Simmons, Wayne gave birth to a son by the rapper in April 2004.

During a court hearing earlier this year Wayne said she awoke to find Simmons on top of her, which led to consensual sex. She said she filed the lawsuit because "he lied to the whole world on me" about what happened. The January hearing resulted in Wayne being awarded $1.5 million after Simmons failed to appear.

Attorneys for DMX challenged that claim, saying Wayne failed to properly serve him with lawsuit papers and that the rapper was unaware of the case against him.

X's lawyer William "Hassan" Murphy III said the Yonkers MC "looks forward to proving Wayne's allegations to be wrong" if the case continues.

In related news, Simmons is also facing criminal charges in Arizona for allegedly mistreating pit bulls found at his Phoenix home and felony drug possession. He pleaded not guilty last week.

Foxy Brown's Ex-Manager Explains "Warning"

As previously reported, Williams addressed Foxy's recent statements that she "was devastated" after hearing her latest album, Brooklyn's Don Diva. While on Shade 45's "Lip Service" show, he joked "It's really my fault." However, when audio from the interview, from the show hit the internet, Williams says some of his comments were blown out of proportion.

"I just want you to know that in times of peace you prepare for war, and you better bet I'm prepared, so I would advise as a cautionary measure, a caveat, don't even do it," Williams said during the interview.

"It's coming across like I issued a warning and it's not that," Williams told SOHH. "I wasn't really trying to have a conversation about Foxy at all, however she made some earlier comments and the situation came up. My comments were in response to a hypothetical question I was asked about what I would do if Foxy came back talking crazy. It was a metaphor, in times of peace you prepare. It's not like I will physically deal with her in any kind of way."

With Williams' criminal past, recently documented on BET's "American Gangster" in mind, some jumped to the conclusion that Williams was threatening harm to his former client.

"You can't seriously think I would issue any kind of threat over the air," Williams told SOHH. "It's crazy to even think that. The matter isn't even that serious for all that. People want to create a beef and make it look like I'm getting ready to bully her. This is some nonsense."

"She's made comments stating that ordinarily she would do litigation," he added. "Well my stuff is together and I'm prepared for that. If she says something that isn't true I can definitely straighten out any questions with documentation. Hopefully, that won't have to happen and we can move on. I wish her luck and I'm moving on."

As for Williams' "American Gangster" reputation, the Black Hand Entertainment CEO says he'd prefer if people would focus more on his current career in the music industry.

"I'd appreciate it if people could leave my history in the past - where it was at."

Saigon Departs From Atlantic Records

The on-going feud between Brooklyn MC Saigon and his label, Atlantic Records, has finally come to an end, as the rapper officially announced his departure.

According to Billboard, Saigon and Atlantic Records separated after a tumultuous four-year relationship that saw the rapper's debut album The Greatest Story Never Told, to be unreleased. The Yardfather is currently in talks with several major labels as well as a non-traditional music company for his next deal.

"I'm not that excited about going to a major label," Saigon said. "They would have to make it so I'm set for the rest of my life. [Labels] want too much for the little that they're giving."

4 witnesses ID alleged victim in R. Kelly trial

Prosecutors trying to prove that a woman appeared in a sex tape with R. Kelly when she was underage — over her protestations that she didn't — have turned to one of her childhood friends, the friend's father and two relatives.

The R&B superstar is accused of videotaping himself having sex with a girl who may have been as young as 13. His attorneys have said Kelly is not on the tape and the alleged victim, now 23, denies she's the person in the video.

To try to make their case, prosecutors put Simha Jamison, 24, on the stand Wednesday. She said she and the alleged victim were best friends for about 10 years, until their junior year in high school, and that she recognizes her friend as the one in the tape.

When prosecutors asked Jamison if she recognized the man in the tape, she leaned forward in the witness stand, peeked around the corner of the judge's bench and identified Kelly.

She testified that she and her friend visited Kelly at his recording studio and at a Chicago basketball court dozens of times, starting when they were around the age of 12.

Her friend first introduced her to Kelly as "her godfather," Jamison said, adding that the singer frequently gave her friend cash gifts — "no less than $100 and no more than $500."

She said the two also visited the home where authorities say the sex tape was filmed between Jan. 1, 1998, and Nov. 1, 2000. Jamison said her friend never mentioned a sexual relationship with the star.

Defense attorney Sam Adam Jr. said the reason the alleged victim never told the witness she was having a sexual relationship with Kelly was because there wasn't one and "because it's not her on the tape."

"Are you asking or telling me?" Jamison shot back.

Adam also showed pictures of a shirtless Kelly and asked Jamison how she knew it was his body on the video. "His head was attached to it," she responded, drawing laughter from several jurors.

During the cross-examination, the defense revealed another of its strategies may be to suggest Kelly's image was computer-generated.

"Something could have been done to put a different head on that body," Adam said. He also referred to movies where characters had been digitally altered.

The singer, who appeared grim-faced Tuesday when the sex tape was shown to jurors, looked more relaxed during testimony Wednesday, listening carefully to the witnesses. Jurors also appeared more at ease, taking detailed notes during some five hours of testimony. The 41-year-old Kelly, who has pleaded not guilty, faces up to 15 years if convicted.

An aunt and an uncle of the alleged victim also identified the female on the tape as their niece on Wednesday. Jamison's father, Peter Thomas, testified that the alleged victim's involvement in the video was the talk of their neighborhood.

The most highly charged cross-examination came after the aunt of the alleged victim — and a Chicago police officer — described how she and other relatives viewed and discussed the tape in late 2001, several weeks before someone mailed the tape to the Chicago Sun-Times, which turned it over to authorities.

Adam repeatedly asked the aunt, Delores Gibbon, why she didn't immediately go to authorities with the tape if she suspected it was child pornography. Gibbon said she was torn between her job and concern for the alleged victim and her parent.

At one point, Adam pounded his fist, saying the aunt didn't go to authorities because someone in the family wanted to "get back at Mr. Kelly" for a business dispute and hoped to "extort Kelly" in a possible civil lawsuit.

The aunt said she didn't know anything about an alleged extortion plot.

R. Kelly won a Grammy in 1997 for the gospel-tinged "I Believe I Can Fly," and also is known for such songs as "Bump N' Grind," "Ignition," and "Trapped in the Closet," a multipart saga about the sexual secrets of a lively and ever-expanding cast of characters.

Beyonce and Jay-Z on Oprah?

Well, they’ve avoided the wedding and relationship talk enough! So much that some people have had it! Word on the web is that the newlywed couple will be sitting (not jumping, like Tom Cruise) on Oprah’s couch to talk about their wedding and address the baby rumors.

No date for the appearance has been confirmed, and right now, this is just mere speculation, but wouldn’t it be nice to hear it all straight from the camel’s, uh, horses’ mouth.

Recently, Beyonce came as close to talking about it as she has ever come, when she told SFGATE.com, “We never talked about us and it’s kind of protected our relationship.” So what’s changing their minds now? Who knows? Oprah has been known to have that effect.

Kanye ND Glow in the Dark Tour Date Canceled

Fans in Fargo, North Dakota will miss the chance to see superstar rapper Kanye West on his critically acclaimed "Glow in the Dark" tour, as the date in the city has been canceled.

West was supposed to play The Fargo Dome this Sunday (May 25), but promoters said the date has been canceled due to West's hectic travel schedule, as well as low ticket sales.

Promoters said they were worried about the date from the start, as the rapper performs in Chicago on Saturday, and Winnipeg on Monday.

The show, which is hauled around from state-to state by 15 trucks, also suffered from poor ticket sales in Fargo.

“I can’t really make it a secret that ticket sales were not as anticipated," Fargodome manager Rob Sobolik told Fargo’s Forum newspaper. “Obviously, we talked about ticket sales.” Another promoter wasn't exactly sure of West's reasoning for canceling the performance over the holiday weekend.

“I honestly can’t say what the exact reasoning is," said another promoter of the Glow in the Dark tour in North Dakota.

“Maybe it’s just a vacation day. Who knows?”

Phone and internet tickets purchased via Ticketmaster will receive automatic refunds, while tickets picked up at a box office should be returned to their original point of sale.

50 Cent Meets Mandela — And We Are There

This in from MTV News producer Joseph Patel, who’s currently on assignment in Africa with 50 Cent. That’s right: Africa. The rest of us are either at our NY desks, in LA traffic, or otherwise chained to the Tri-State area. (We hate you, Joseph.) Here’s his report on just one of the incredible moments MTV News has captured in South Africa this week:

It’s a crazy thing, my job.

Yesterday, super-production manager Phoenix Higgins, super-camera guy Nick Neofitidis, and I flew 18 hours from NYC to Johannesburg, for an assignment documenting 50 Cent and G-Unit’s tour of South Africa and Tanzania.

This isn’t JUST a tour. 50 is here to see and learn about the region and continent in a way that perhaps he didn’t appreciate the last time he was here, in 2004. This morning, for example, we rushed to Hector Pieterson Memorial museum in Soweto to meet up with 50 and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, who was giving 50 a lesson on Apartheid and its effect on South Africa. Mandela’s grandson is the spitting image of a young Nelson, and has a lot of his grandfather’s austere diplomacy — except he’s young enough to know who 50 and Jay-Z are. After the tour, guided by Mandela’s grandson, 50 gave out 20 dollar bills to the local kids before his car got mobbed and his manager made him speed away.

The picture above is a shot of the younger Mandela and 50, mobbed by some local Soweto kids outside the old Mandela family home. Everyone here knows who 50 Cent is, and is in a state of suspended disbelief that he is in their country.

We were on our way to the Apartheid Museum, at the entrance, in fact, when we were told by 50’s tour manger that we had to turn around and head straight for Madiba’s house.

(Find out who Madiba really is, after the jump…)

Madiba? We had no idea who this was, but we tore through the freeways back towards Johannesburg (amidst our police escort) to find out. We should have known what was up when, after driving through this quiet gated community and pulling up in front of a house, there was armed security outside the gates. Only six people total were allowed inside — and one of them was Nick, because he had the camera.

As Phoenix and I sat outside with the rest of 50’s entourage (about ten people), drivers and security, we finally asked, Who is “Madiba”?

Well, ask a dumb question and get dumbstruck looks right back: Madiba is Nelson Mandela himself. Lucky Nick, not so lucky me.

Madiba is the name of Mandela’s family clan, and the elder Mandela bears the name as a sign of respect. So there we were, halfway around the world, only a few yards away from one of the greatest political and social figures of mankind – yet unable to meet him. Being the good producer that I am, I’m just glad Nick got the shot of Mandela talking with 50. This is what I’m going to keep telling myself.

Nick was just as surprised as anyone. He said he walked in, also not knowing who Madiba was, only to find the nearly 90-year-old Mandela in his living room reading the paper (they requested no photos). It’s kind of a crazy thing, and while Nick shot 50 and Mandela socializing, the two shared a few moments in private that neither wanted on camera.

There’s more to this trip, and we’ll be showing it all to you in just a few weeks. The plan is for us to see 50’s show tonight in Johannesburg (which the locals call Jozi), where 80,000 people will fill up the city’s biggest indoor stadium. Tomorrow we go with 50, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo to a platinum mine to see the grueling conditions that some work under for the bling that stars rock to look pretty. Again, 50 is really interested in learning about how this part of the world is connected to the everyday world in which we live in America. As one older man said to him at the Apartheid Museum earlier, “50, welcome home. This is your home!”

More later!

Sex Tape Screened for R. Kelly Jurors

Now playing in a Chicago courtroom....People's Exhibit 1. And it may be the worst video of R. Kelly's career.

Prosecutors kicked off their opening arguments in Kelly's kiddie-porn trial by screening the 26-minute tape responsible for the whole mess, as enrapt jurors stared at a tiny monitor showing what authorities claim is the mega-selling R&B star engaged in sex acts with a minor.

The grainy tape shows a man handing the female money. Throughout the session he gives her commands and she calls him "Daddy" to a soundtrack that includes the Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys from a nearby radio. His face is never clearly visible.

Before showing the footage, which has been widely disseminated online since the tape first surfaced in 2002, lead prosecutor Shauna Boliker told the panel what they should look for.

"You will see the sex acts he commands her to do," she said. "Acts you have never seen before. Vile, disturbing and disgusting sex acts, actions that were choreographed, produced and starred in by Robert Kelly.

"The case will unfold before you frame by disgusting frame," she continued. "There's no feeling in her face. It is clear she is an underage girl."

The 41-year-old "Bump N' Grind" singer has pleaded not guilty to charges he solicited a minor for child pornography, recorded himself engaging in sexual relations with the girl and producing child pornography. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years behind bars.

"A child doesn't choose to be violated and placed on a videotape," the prosecutor insisted, "a videotape that will live on forever—long after this child becomes an adult."

Authorities say the video was recorded sometime between January 1998 and November 2000, when the girl was 12 or 13.

Boliker also said she had no intention of calling the alleged victim, a 23-year-old woman whose identity has been undisclosed. The point was pounced on by Kelly counsel Sam Adam Jr.

Noting that the D.A. doesn't plan to call the alleged victim to the stand, Adam suggested in his opening remarks that the prosecutors don't even have the right person (as the woman herself jas stated) and the alleged minor in the video—if she's even underage at all—was "paid with money."

"She is a prostitute," he said.

Adam asserted his client is not the man in the tape, which concludes with the man urinating on the girl. Adam said Kelly has a distinctive mole in the middle of his lower back, while the man in the footage does not.

"Robert Kelly is not on that tape," Adam told jurors. "I stand before you...to tell you [the alleged victim] is not on the tape."

The attorney also cast skepticism on the tape's authenticity, noting it's a "copy of a copy of a copy" and was sent anonymously to the Chicago Sun-Times, which turned it over to police.

"It has gone through five or six generations and there are no identifying marks," Adam concluded.

Earlier this morning, Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan replaced one juror, a white female, after she voiced concerns a lengthy trial—proceedings could take more than a month—presented a financial hardship. She was replaced with the first alternate, a white male, keeping the racial balance of the jury intact, with eight whites and four blacks. Three alternates remain.