TOO $HORT AND THE UP ALL NITE CREW READY NEW RELEASE: 'Gangsters and Strippers' CD & DVD out April 11.

Veteran West Coast rapper Too Short is set to release “Gangsters and Strippers” feature Short’s Up All Nite Crew April 11TH , 2006. The “Up All Night Crew” is an elite crew of MC’s from the Bay Area, Chicago and, Atlanta, Ga. Staying true to the title, this album satisfies the ears of everyone it aims to please.

The Gangsters get some shine on trunk-rattlers like "What's That About", "It's the Mob" from the Murder Mob and “Moven” featuring Boo Ski of Murder Mob. While the Strippers get some music courtesy of The Pack's "Booty Bounce Bopper" and the collaborative effort "Sugar Daddy".

"Sure the songs are explicit, but they are very specific as well," insists $hort. "In the process of making the music we'd leave the studio and go to the strip club or run the streets. So naturally, we chose to come up with the sounds and concepts that go along with late night behavior."

While the vivid lyrics on Gangsters & Strippers succeed in painting pictures of the fast-paced lifestyle it chronicles, the accompanying DVD will drive the point home.

Instead of boring viewers with unnecessary dialogues and choppy footage, the Gangsters & Strippers DVD is filmed in the vein of a CD that you just pop in the deck and let ride.

Surely, Gangsters & Strippers is not suitable for minors and may turn away those unfamiliar with Too $hort's entertainment legacy. That being said, $hort assures his true fans that this project is strictly for them.

"The whole object of Gangsters & Strippers is me getting back to my roots," says $hort. "I live and die by the funk but I also roll with the trends. At the end of the day, I'm a music man and a music fan."

-article courtesy of EurWeb.Com

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Bow Wow Admits to Biting Rhymes

Posted at 3/25/2006 08:07:00 AM

Bow Wow recently did an interview with VH1 in order to promote his new movie, the third installment of The Fast and The Furious. Not realizing who she was talking to, the writer kept most of the questions on the topic of how Bow Wow makes music.

Mr. Wow (he's grown now, show some respect) slipped up midway and admitted that most of his rhymes are swagger jacked from other emcees. Checkit:

"I listen to a lot of 50, a lot of Eminem -- I love Eminem. A lot of old school records, NWA, Rakim, Ice T, Ice Cube. I can learn from it. I take bits and pieces of what they said but it into my own words, enhance it a little bit. I took a piece from Rakim, on my second album I think. He said "I was a fiend/before I became a teen/I melted microphones instead of cones of ice cream..." but I flipped it. I've said things from Biggie, too. If it wasn't for those guys, we wouldn't be here."

Took "bits and peices" and made it his own? Look at that - Bow's ghostwriters need ghostwriters.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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Visa Finds "The Perfect Beat" For New Ad Campaign

Posted at 3/25/2006 08:03:00 AM

A new Visa commercial utilizes hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa's "looking for the perfect beat" in its new campaign.

As part of their new "Life Takes Visa" campaign, the credit card goliath has turned to old school hip-hop to help persuade consumers to pull out their Visa card the next time they step to a cash register.

The spot, which first aired on ABC's "Lost," begins with an animated worm doing popular break-dancing move "the worm," to Bambaataa's "Looking for the Perfect Beat."

The b-boy inspired worm narrowly avoids being eaten by a bird, when it becomes evident that the entire scene is part of an animated flipbook that is really a check book. The scene transitions to a real man sitting in front of a computer. The man sets aside the checkbook, giving the message that he is giving up checks in favor of his Visa card.

Bambaata's "Looking For The Perfect Beat" was also recently sampled by Jermaine Dupri for LL Cool J's current single "Control Myself," featuring Jennifer Lopez.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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DJ Whoo Kid Discusses Kanye West/Michael Jackson Collabo, Dedicates Radio Show To Middle East

Posted at 3/25/2006 08:00:00 AM

This weekend, G-Unit's DJ Whoo Kid will dedicate a portion of his Shade 45 SIRIUS Satellite Radio show to the Middle East, while also giving hip-hop fans details on the upcoming Kanye West/Michael Jackson collaboration.

In the on-air exclusive entitled "Lost in Bahrian: the Return of DJ Whoo Kid," the G-Unit DJ will speak on his recent experience in the Persian Gulf country as the special guest of Sheik Abdullah Bin Hamad Alkhalifa, and provide his exclusive interview with hip-hop fan, Prince Abdulla Hamad Alkhalifa.

Aside from insight on the Michael-Kanye partnership, Whoo Kid will provide commentary on Michael's new record deal, Shakira's cameo on an upcoming mixtape, how hip-hop has influenced the Middle East, and his experiences losing his passport in Bahrain.

The show airs this Saturday (March 25th) from 4-6pm on SIRIUS Satellite's channel 45.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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Judge To Take Control Of Suge Knights' Assets

Posted at 3/25/2006 07:56:00 AM

A Los Angeles judge has declared that he plans to seize control of Marion "Suge" Knight's personal and business assets after the Hip-Hop mogul refused to pay a $107 million civil court judgment from 2005.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald Sohigian said that he planned to appoint a court officer to manage the Death Row co-founder’s finances, but said Knight could prevent the injunction if he would reveal all of his assets to the court.

Knight wasn’t present for the proceedings on Thursday.

In March 2005, Knight was ordered to pay Lydia Harris $107 million, after she charged that the impresario defrauded her out of her half of the label. Harris asserts that she helped found the fledgling Death Row label in the early 90’s.

"Because he had a long history of deceiving the court and avoiding payment, I asked the court to appoint a receiver to take over," Harris' attorney, Rex Julian Beaber, said to Reuters. "If Knight cooperates in providing the information, he can ask the court to remove the receiver. But I don't think there's a chance in hell Knight is going to cooperate."

Sohigian said that Death Row Records would be placed in receivership if Knight refuses to appear at a debtor hearing next month. Receivership is a special form of bankruptcy where a company can avoid liquidation through a court-appointed trustee.

Dermot Givens, counsel for Knight, claimed that Sohigian had yet to formally signed the order sequestering Knights assets. Furthermore, Givens said that Knight and Harris had independently settled on the multi-million dollar case. The judge hasn’t signed such an agreement, should it exist.

"In May of 2005, [Harris] received a million dollars and rights to various music, and she signed a settlement agreement," Givens told Reuters.

Lydia Harris must also contend with her husband, convicted drug dealer Michael “Harry-O” Harris. Harry-O claims that he is due at least half of the $107 million judgment and he filed for divorce in June of 2005 after learning of Lydia’s legal maneuvering.

Earlier this year, Knight and Death Row Records filed a $106 million dollar lawsuit against Harry-O and others claiming fraud, conspiracy, racketeering and attempted extortion.

-article courtesy of AllHipHop.Com

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Friday, March 24, 2006   MUSIC |  VIDEOS |  INTERVIEWS  | NEW ARTIST  | HOME

Rob Black exits Nights/APD post at WIIZ; DJ HukHer out at WJHM

Posted at 3/24/2006 09:05:00 AM

Rob Black exits Nights/APD post at WIIZ. The Wiz 97.9's (WIIZ/Augusta) top hip-hop radio personality Rob Black is no longer on the air. Black served as Night Radio Personality/APD for WIIZ The Wiz 97.9 for nearly 3 years, apparently parted ways with the radio station due to undisclosed reasons. Reach out to Rob via email trapstardj@yahoo.com.

DJ HukHer out at WJHM. The WakeUp Posse with DJ HukHer & Taina is no more at WJHM/Orlando. DJ Hukher is out but co-host Taina remains. No word on other changes for mornings at 102 Jamz.



-information courtesy of UrbanInsite.Com

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Wide receiver Owens doesn't score raves for rap

Posted at 3/24/2006 08:58:00 AM

Terrell Owens, the flamboyant wide receiver who signed this week with the Dallas Cowboys, didn't get rave reviews from the town's two hip-hop morning shows for his new rap record, "I'm Back."

Owens' slickly produced song, which he posted on his Web site, is naturally about himself and his new contract - which he only officially signed a couple of days ago. Sample lines:

"Tell the haters that said I wouldn't get my money / I'm laughing in your face, ha ha, that's funny!"

And "I got what I wanted up front, 10 mil / Changed the rules of the game, So now how you feel?"

The Miss Jones team on WQHT (97.1 FM) played it yesterday, with a skeptical tone, and a listener called to say Owens sounded like the Britney Spears of rap.

Star on WWPR (105.1 FM) first said it was better than previous rap songs by other athletes like Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson, but then added that this was no big achievement.

DX21 on Star's show said Owens' cut "doesn't pass muster" and Chris the Queer said, "I didn't like it at all."

LONDON CALLING: Listeners to the 6:08 a.m. weather report this week on WCBS-AM (880) have heard something they don't always hear on city stations' regular traffic-and-weather breaks: the temperature in London.

The report said it was providing this information for those traveling to London. The report was followed by a short commercial from the London tourism bureau.

"The London weather condition is information our listeners can use," explains program director Crys Quimby, "and the weather report is sponsored by London tourism. It's similar to the 'Time and Temperature sponsored by XYZ Bank' [ads] you see on TV."

Now if London tourism will just sponsor the sports report as well, we can finally get those Arsenal-Manchester United soccer scores.

AROUND THE DIAL: It's been seven years tomorrow that WBAI (99.5 FM) lost its much-loved program director Samori Marksman, and his wife, Rita, will guest with Deepa Fernandes on the morning show. ... Morning co-host Joe Causi of WNEW (102.7 FM) will do the weather report Friday at 8:30 a.m. on Ch. 11's morning news. ... Little Steven's "Underground Garage," the rock show heard Sunday nights at 10 on WAXQ (104.3 FM), has made it to Billboard magazine, which is publishing "Little Steven's Underground Garage Chart." ... A survey done for the Radio Research Consortium finds that nationwide listening to National Public Radio, which had risen for 30 years, has dipped slightly the last two. The suggested reason: "People are still using radio. They're just using it less."

-article courtesy of NYDailyNews.Com

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GARY DOURDAN SUES EX-GIRLFRIEND FOR $4 MILLION: Actor alleges slander after former lover accused him of rape.

Posted at 3/24/2006 08:55:00 AM

Gary Dourdan, star of CBS’s popular drama “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” has filed a lawsuit against his ex-girlfriend for slander and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the actor is seeking $4 million from former girlfriend Anne Greene after she accused him of rape and battery in 2005. Dourdan, who was never charged with rape, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to stay away from Greene and attend domestic violence counseling.

A year later, Dourdan is firing back with his lawsuit, claiming Greene is a "fatal attraction" stalker, who called him up to 30 times a day, left threatening messages on his voicemail and slept in her car outside his home.

The lawsuit, filed under Dourdan's real name, Gary Durdin, also says Greene set out on "an obsessive crusade" to destroy his "reputation and peace of mind."

The case will be heard in Los Angeles Superior Court in September.

-article courtesy of EurWeb.Com

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Tale of Wu over estate of rapper

Posted at 3/24/2006 08:44:00 AM

Sixteen months after popular Brooklyn rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard died of a drug overdose at age 36, his widow and former manager are still tangling over the estate.

Icelene Jones, the estate's executor, was married to the entertainer, born Russell Jones, for 19 years and had three children with him. She is now squabbling with ex-manager Jarred Weisfeld over the estate's refusal to support the four children the Wu-Tang rapper fathered out of wedlock. Weisfeld also says Icelene is shopping a book deal.

"I've spent $10,000 out of my pocket on DNA tests, clothes, books and school for his kids," Weisfeld told Lowdown. "One of them is going to take the DNA test in the next couple of weeks, and one took it and passed with flying colors. The other two don't need to take it because Dirty signed the birth certificate. I promised Dirt I would be there for the kids."

Weisfeld claimed Icelene is trying to short ODB's mom, Cherry Jones, out of fees on a yet to be released but potentially lucrative posthumous album. "His mom did everything for him," Weisfeld said. "Icelene and Dirty hadn't lived together since 1991. Her boyfriend even came to Dirty's funeral."

No comment from Icelene Jones or her attorney.

-article courtesy of NYDAILYNEWS.COM

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Jin Says "Fuck Jay-Z," Curtis and Michael Jackson Plan Family Reunion, K.Fed Gets Gangsta, Papoose and Kay Slay Don't Play

Posted at 3/24/2006 08:40:00 AM

In this week's Pulse Report, the streets are buzzing about Jin saying fuck Jay-Z, Michael Jackson working with 50 Cent, K. Fed bucking shots at the media and Papoose and DJ Kay Slay not backing down.

1. Jin says "Fuck Jay-Z." Well...not really. More than a cry for attention, Jin's "Fuck Jay-Z" breaks down the science behind most of today's dis tracks. On the Nasty-produced cut, Jin shares, "Would you believe me/if I told you this/I could alter the results by adding a slight twist/same beat, same lyrics, same parts/but add a fuck Jay-Z right before the song starts/right now you're thinking, 'hold up, did he just dis Jay'/nope he's one of my favorite artists to this day/the point I'm making is after that they'll play it/you probably threw this song on just to hear me say it." When explaining the press' reaction to Hip-Hop beefs, Jin even shouts us out, offering, "SOHH was even harder to beat/wrote a blog on what they think started the beef."

2. Jacko to duet with 50 Cent. He isn't too fond of Eminem, but Mike Jack is looking to collaborate with 50 Cent for a forthcoming project. Reports say the two Jacksons are presently in talks to possibly work on a song together. Word is the king of pop bumped into G-Unit's DJ Whoo Kid at the Bahrain Grand Prix last week and approached him about working with Fif.

3. K. Fed takes on the media. Waving his middle finger at the press, K. Fed also takes the opportunity to show what he perceives as skills on a new freestyle. Over Mobb Deep's "Got It Twisted" instrumental, K. Fed unleashes his swagger, offering, "100 on my neck so my chest look chromey/I'm real, don't feel me then you're phony/girls think I'm cocky/I think I'm humble/basically ya'll just talk like Bryant Gumble/I soared to the top/ya'll shit got them stones, nickname Barney Rubble/$20 million on the house/backyard got a jungle" before getting a little gangster with lines like, "Ask around, I'm the dude that they stuck to/paparazzi two words, fuck you/they snap shots so I'm a take shots/but believe mine comin up out of the black glock.

4. Papoose and Kay don't play. Pap and Slay don't mess around. Following a recent performance in New York's S.O.B's, the Drama King warned that he would slap any "New York nigger" he caught indulging in snap music. Minutes later, Raedawn spoke against violence in Hip-Hop followed by an unclear remarked that apparently pissed Pap and Slay off. In a matter of seconds, the Brooklyn emcee was back on the mic, offering Raedawn to see him outside. Raedawn was eventually escorted out.

Meanwhile, Pap is being targeted by Prophet, an upstart rapper who recently dropped, "Papoose Keep My Name Out Ya Mouth." Prophet downplays Pap's criminal past, dismissing him as a shoplifter, pokes fun at his size and questions his street credibility. "You got snitch tendencies/you an enemy/a friend of me you'll never be/ and you ain't on my level, B/You got shine, you gon lose that/And you can tell Kay Slay to call Ike Dirty and get your jewels back," Prophet charged on the song.

5. The Clipse lets it snow while the Roots pay tribute to J Dilla on magazine cover. Forget Jeezy, the Clipse were the first to OD on coke talk. And now it seems like they're poised to rival the snowman t-shirt controversy with a slogan of their own. "There's no business like snow business" read the shirts worn by Pusha T and Malice on the cover of Mass Appeal Magazine's new issue. Meanwhile, the legendary Roots Crew is set to appear on the cover of Scratch Magazine's April/May issue. The cover features ?uestlove, Black Thought, Kaamal and Hub all wearing "J Dilla R.I.P" shirts. The issue also includes Dilla's last interview and a tribute to the legendary Detroit producer.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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Diddy, Chris Brown and Keyshia Cole Enlist For Essence Festival

Posted at 3/24/2006 08:37:00 AM

Sean "Diddy" Combs has been tapped to host the 2006 Essence Music Festival this July.

While the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina will prevent the festival from returning to New Orleans this year, a full schedule of concerts and seminars are being planned for the three-day festival in Houston. Along with the addition of Diddy, Essence also announced that Jaheim, Chris Brown, New Edition and Bobby Brown will also be performing, with Brown joining his former group in a reunion performance.

Previously announced artists appearing at the 2006 Essence Festival include Mary J. Blige, Cedric "The Entertainer," Keyshia Cole, Steve Harvey and LL Cool J, among others.

The Festival also includes Empowerment Seminars during the day hours. This year's theme for the seminars is "Now or Never! The Essence Call to Action to Secure Our Children," an initiative aimed toward helping the young and those affected by Hurricane Katrina while speaking to the issues of Black America overall. The Empowerment Seminars will feature Magic Johnson, Jamie Foxx and Shemar Moore.

The Essence Music Festival will take place July 1 through July 3 at Houston's Reliant Park.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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