OutKast Album, Film Penciled In For August

After numerous delays, the OutKast film "Idlewild" is now slated to arrive Aug. 25 in U.S. theaters, three days after the release of its LaFace soundtrack. The first single from the album, "Mighty O," leaked online earlier this week. The cut features OutKast's take on Cab Calloway's famous scatting from "Minnie the Moocher."

Andre 3000's verse finds him resisting easy categorization: "The damsels in distress but they a mess / They only like my armor and that I'm a performer/ They read one magazine and want to think they're getting warmer / They're only getting colder."

Big Boi, meanwhile, reasserts his dominance over other rappers with lines like "Intended for anyone filling out this application / An estimate is needed for your underestimation / I'm firing on the spot, go back and check your calculations." Later, he threatens, "I'll hurt you like the president's approval rating by serving you're a** with words, fool."

Written and directed by Bryan Barber, "Idlewild" is set in the 1930s around the music and business of running a speakeasy. While it will fit the film's context, Big Boi told Billboard.com last year not to expect period music.

"It's hip-hop. It's OutKast. It is what we've been doing for years," he said. "Some songs have a little more piano or whatever, but the whole project was a natural progression from a double CD [OutKast's 2003 album "Speakerboxx/The Love Below"]. It was like, where do we go from here?"

Recording artists Patti LaBelle, Macy Gray and Fishbone's Angelo Moore also appear in "Idlewild," along with actors Terrence Howard, Faizon Love, Ben Vereen and Cicely Tyson, among others.

-article courtesy of BillBoard.Com

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

4 Comments   |  Comment?

CHAPPELLE’S COMEDY CENTRAL EXIT LEFT WIFE ‘SALTY’: Comic tells Conan O’Brien he’s still trying to explain to her what happened.

Posted at 5/13/2006 12:30:00 PM

Still can’t understand how Dave Chappelle could just walk away from $50 million from Comedy Central? You’re not the only one, the comedian revealed.

"My wife is still a little salty with me," Chappelle joked on NBC's "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" Wednesday. "She's not mad at me, but don't think you can walk away from $50 million and your wife is just going to be cool with it."

Chappelle said that his concern with the way racial elements in his show were being received became too overwhelming. The comic abruptly left the series as it was filming its third season. Chappelle also left behind a new $50 million contract with Comedy Central. The network recently fashioned together several new episodes of “Chappelle’s Show” from sketches filmed before he took off last year.

The 32-year-old told O’Brien that he wasn’t crazy, and tried to explain the reason behind his restorative trip to Africa.

"When you go to Africa, especially your first time, you have this overwhelming feeling like you're home," he said. "I had a feeling of ‘man, this feels like home.’ I think I felt that way because there was a McDonald's in the airport."



-article courtesy of EurWeb.Com

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

1 Comments   |  Comment?

Fatman Scoop Hosts Benefit to Aid At-Risk Kids and Families

Posted at 5/13/2006 12:23:00 PM

DJ and Hot 97 New York on-air personality Fatman Scoop is pitching in to do his part for the community by hosting a benefit to raise funds for the non-profit organization Safe Space on Monday (May 15).

Scoop will be hosting "Lights, Camera, Action: A Night Where Stars Shine," the annual Spring Benefit for Safe Space, at the BB King Blues Club. The event, which will showcase the talents of youth from the Safe Space Arts Academy, also features performances by Remy Ma and John Lloyd Young from the Broadway musical "Jersey Boys." Proceeds from the benefit will support programs for Safe Space, including the Arts Academy, High Risk Drop-In Center and Community Health Services.

"The Spring Benefit is a wonderful opportunity for our many supporters to experience the amazing talents of the youth in our Arts Academy," Safe Space CEO Lilliam Barrios-Paoli said via statement. "We're all looking forward to this wonderful show and the performances of our talented kids who have worked long and hard on them.

"It is wonderful to see the many supporters of Safe Space come together for one special night," added Safe Space Board Chair Wendy Rowden, also via statement. "The exuberance of the performers is contagious and it's the best expression of everything that Safe Space is able to give to kids. Their accomplishments becomes our accomplishments and we all come away energized to tackle the challenges that lie ahead."

Safe Space is a local non-profit organization that works with at-risk youth and families to prevent foster care placement, build strong families and promote self-reliance. Safe Space provides holistic services including counseling for individuals and families that are at-risk of foster care placement, victims of abuse, and those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. In addition to providing a stable home and support services for HIV positive youth who have a history of substance abuse and/or homelessness, Safe Space also offers resources to parents and public schools to help children with emotional and/or behavioral problems.

Sponsorships and ticket sales from the benefit enable Safe Space to continue in their efforts. Organizers are hoping to raise $100,000 from this year's benefit.

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

0 Comments   |  Comment?

D12 Plans to Continue Recording New Album

Posted at 5/13/2006 12:10:00 PM

Just a month after the fatal shooting of their fellow group member, Proof, D12 has decided to move forward with plans of recording a new album.

“If people think that because he’s not here we’re not going to keep doing what we’re doing, then they’re wrong,” Denaun Porter, aka Kon Artis, of D12 told The Associated Press.

D12 plans to include previously-recorded material from Proof on their new compilation.

The Detroit crew will now only wait on Swift, who’s currently serving a prison sentence for violating terms of his probation.

Porter told the Detroit Free Press that D12 will resume recording in June, when Swift is scheduled to be released from prison.

It remains unknown if D12’s new album will offer a tribute track for Proof.

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

0 Comments   |  Comment?

O.J. Simpson on Juiced Spoof DVD

Posted at 5/13/2006 12:06:00 PM

Few people can forget the 1994 scene of O.J. Simpson leading police on a chase of his white Ford Bronco. Now, apparently enough time has passed for Simpson himself to spoof the notorious chase.
Inside Edition has learned that Simpson pretends to be selling his Bronco and taking part in other pranks on a 90-minute DVD called Juiced.

“It was good for me. It helped me get away,” Simpson allegedly says in a mock sales pitch for his Bronco on the DVD. “It’s a car that I personally made famous. The car has escapeability if you ever get into some trouble.”

In addition to playing a car salesman, Inside Edition says that Simpson also portrays a rapper, an Elvis impersonator, and a pizza deliveryman on the practical joke DVD.

Simpson’s lawyer insists that his infamous client will not profit from the DVD and its sale is unauthorized. There is also speculation that the footage of Simpson was shot three years ago.

Juiced is being put out by the Xtreme Entertainment Group and is being sold on the Internet for $19.95.

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

0 Comments   |  Comment?

T.I. Briefly Jailed for Probation Violation

Posted at 5/13/2006 11:57:00 AM

After appearing in an Atlanta court on Wednesday (May 10) and having charges that he threatened a man outside a strip club last year dropped for lack of evidence, T.I. was arrested on an outstanding probation violation warrant from Florida. The warrant claims that T.I. did not complete the required number of community service hours he was sentenced to for a 2003 assault of a police officer in a Florida mall.

According to WBS-TV Atlanta, the rapper’s attorney has said that the problem was nothing more than a “technical matter” between Georgia and Florida. The confusion arose because T.I. was also sentenced to community service in Georgia for driving with a suspended license, for which he did complete 75 hours of community service in his home state. The rapper was released on bail shortly after being arrested, and he is expected to surrender to Florida state authorities next week to resolve the matter.

-article courtesy of XXLMag.Com

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

0 Comments   |  Comment?

Friday, May 12, 2006   MUSIC |  VIDEOS |  INTERVIEWS  | NEW ARTIST  | HOME

CHRIS TUCKER TO POCKET $25 MIL FOR RUSH HOUR 3: Paycheck puts actor among Hollywood’s highest paid.

Posted at 5/12/2006 08:10:00 AM

Comedian Chris Tucker will have $25 million in his bank account from New Line Cinema to star in the upcoming “Rush Hour 3,” whether the film is made or not.

According to Fox.com, the actor has a “pay or play” clause in his contract that means he will still receive the paycheck, which is $5 million more than previously announced, even if the film never goes into production. Tucker’s co-star, Jackie Chan, will receive $15 million under a pay or play deal, and director Brett Ratner will be paid $8 million for his efforts.

According to Fox411 columnist Roger Friedman, all principals in the “Rush Hour 3” project will receive some kind of advance before cameras begin rolling in late August in New York.

Tucker’s track record at the box office may have had something to do with New Line’s willingness to secure him with a large sum. “Rush Hour 2” is the highest grossing comedy of all time, and the total worldwide take for the first two films was $600 million.

-article courtesy of EurWeb.Com

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

2 Comments   |  Comment?

Ying Yang's D-Roc Links With Brothers To Form Da Musicianz

Posted at 5/12/2006 08:05:00 AM

TVT Records recently announced the upcoming debut album from Da Musicianz this May.

Da Musicianz is comprised of D-Roc of the Ying Yang Twins along with his two younger brothers Mr. Ball and Da Birthday Boy. The group has already made appearances on two Ying Yang Twins releases. Their song "The Walk" was included on the platinum selling United State of Atlanta album and another song "Get Yern" was featured on Still United, the Twins Ying Yang's cd/dvd release. Now the trio plans to release Da Musicianz their self-titled debut through PUNNN!!!Entertainment/Collipark/TVT Records on May 23, 2006.

"You gonna have fun when you messin wit us. We the people who liven up the party, you know," Mr. Ball said via statement. "We ain't gonna tear da club up. We gonna have fun in da club. We gonna go crazy in da club."

"Camera Phone," the first single off the debut album, was produced by Mr. Collipark ("Whisper Song"). The video for "Camera Phone," recently aired as the New Joint of the Day on BET's 106 & Park. Da Musicianz were also featured performers on "Showtime at the Apollo" (April 29, re-airing October 2), BET's "Spring Bling" and Direct TV's CD USA.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

0 Comments   |  Comment?

Busta's Big Bang Ready for June Release, Dr. Dre Comments

Posted at 5/12/2006 08:00:00 AM

Flipmode Squad leader Busta Rhymes is set to release his long-awaited Aftermath/Interscope debut The Big Bang, the rapper's first release in three years.

The album, Rhymes' seventh solo offering, features collaborations with Raekwon, Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry, Q-Tip and Missy Elliott, who is featured on the Dr. Dre-produced "This Is How We Do It Over Here."

Music icon Stevie Wonder guests on "Been Through the Storm," while the late Rick James cameos on "In the Ghetto," a track completed before the singer's death.

In addition to Dr. Dre, The Big Bang also features production by Timbaland, G-Unit's Sha Money XL, Green Lantern, Jay Dilla, Swizz Beatz, who produced the album's first single "Touch It," and Will.i.am, the beatmaker behind Rhymes' second single "I Love My B***h" featuring Kelis.

Dr. Dre says having Rhymes on board at Aftermath was a no-brainer.

"All of a sudden I'm hearing people in the streets talking about how Busta's back," said Dre, who first collaborated with Rhymes on "Break Ya Neck." "In my mind, he never left, and that's why I wanted to f**k with him in the first place. He's got that drive, and he never stops trying to top himself. Anybody who knows Busta knows that he's always gonna come with heat."

The Big Bang is scheduled to hit stores on June 13.

-article courtesy of AllHipHop.Com

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

0 Comments   |  Comment?

Rihanna's SOS is No. 1

Posted at 5/12/2006 07:54:00 AM

On her smash single “SOS,” Rihanna pleads, “please someone help me.”

Well, it seems she doesn’t need any help staying atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The beautiful island songbird’s “SOS” track has held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a second week.

“SOS,” which samples Soft Cell’s 1982 track “Tainted Love,” also held down the top spot on the Pop 100 and Hot Digital Songs charts.

In related news, Sean Paul’s “Temperature” kept its spot at No. 3 and Chamillionaire's “Ridin'” maintained the No. 4 position on the Hot 100. Bubba Sparxxx, "Ms. New Booty" dropped from No. 9 to 10 on the same chart.

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

0 Comments   |  Comment?

Newcomer Kev Samples Disses R&B Artists

Posted at 5/12/2006 07:49:00 AM

Kev Samples, a 25-year-old upstart soul crooner from Atlanta, is saying rest in peace to R&B and the artists in it.

Vibe.com has learned that with full backing from 50 Cent and DJ Whoo Kid, of the renowned G-Unit, Samples sings and airs out artists like Ne-Yo, T-Pain, Trey Songz, Omarion, Ray J and even Jamie Foxx on his Death of R&B mixtape.

Mocking Ne-Yo for dressing too warm on stage and telling T-Pain that loving a stripper is not the way to go, are among the verbal jabs that Samples spews on the mixtape, but that’s just the beginning.

“If you so sick of love songs, why don’t you quit?” Samples asks Ne-Yo over the jacked beat of “So Sick.”

Later he croons and wonders how T-Pain can say he loves a ho' on, “Only Tricks Love a Stripper,” his version of the song over the beat for “I’m In Love With a Stripper.” Next, he advises Ray J “You better stick to hosting because music ain’t it.”

Samples’ verbal disses may remind fans of 50’s notorious “How To Rob” cut, in which 'Fif went directly at hip hop heavyweights like Jay-Z and Big Pun.

You can hear Kev Samples going at Ne-Yo on his version of "So Sick" and at T-Pain on "Only Tricks Love a Stripper."

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

Share It: Digg |  My Google | My Yahoo

4 Comments   |  Comment?

50 Cent Gambles on New Film about Illegal Street Racing

Posted at 5/12/2006 07:45:00 AM

Queens rapper-turned-actor 50 Cent has been tapped by Universal Pictures to star in a new film called Live Bet, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Th