Diddy To Produce MTV Dance Series

After executive producing hit shows like “Run’s House” and the “Making the Band” series, Diddy and MTV are teaming up once again for a dance competition series.

The yet-untitled project will focus on street dance troupes from around the country as they train, compete, and express themselves. Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was recently declared “One of the Most Influential Businessmen in the World” by Time magazine and CNN, will once again executive produce the series, which is part of a larger production agreement for future television projects between Bad Boy Entertainment and MTV.

"Dance is one of the truest forms of expression,” Diddy said, “and there is a new cultural phenomenon emerging in different communities across America - young men and women are forming these dance troupes as a way to stay off the streets and out of the pitfalls of their everyday lives,”

“This show will showcase the drive, determination and expression of this dance generation - picture Rocky but with dance troupes.”

The airing of the dance show has not yet been announced.

-article courtesy of NobodySmiling.Com

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Busta Rhymes Loses "Bang," New Album Leaked

Posted at 5/27/2006 07:45:00 AM

A version of Busta Rhymes' forthcoming album The Big Bang has leaked onto the Internet.

The album, which will be Busta's debut on Aftermath/Interscope, was originally slated for release in May, but was pushed back to hit stores next month.

"The album that leaked is not the final tracklisting," an Interscope representative told SOHH. According to the source, the leaked version contains eighteen tracks while the official has fifteen and also some of the song titles are incorrect.

The 2006 BET Awards will be aired live from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on June 27 and will be hosted by actor/comedian Damon Wayans.

Busta Rhymes' The Big Bang hit stores on June 13.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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Foxy Brown To Stand Trial In July For Assault

Posted at 5/27/2006 07:42:00 AM

Foxy Brown will stand trial July 17 for allegedly assaulting two nail salon employees in a dispute over a manicure, a judge ruled today (May 26).

Brown, born Inga Marchant, will face misdemeanor assault charges.

Prosecutors say the rapper, 26, punched and kicked two employees after they allegedly refused to let her leave the salon when Brown refused to pay her $20 dollar tab.

Brown allegedly struck one of the employees in the face and body with a cell phone in her closed fist and hit the manager of the salon.

Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Gerald Harris also issued orders of protection today for Myoung Yi and Sun Ji Song, the two employees allegedly assaulted by the rapper.

Brown rejected a plea deal with prosecutors and has maintained her innocence. In December 2005, Brown was handcuffed to a court bench for allegedly disrespecting the court, over chewing gum.

The rapper was ordered to apologize or face 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for contempt of court.

-article courtesy of AllHipHop.Com

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DMX May Change Name to The Dog

Posted at 5/27/2006 07:29:00 AM

DMX once said “a dog is a dog for life.” So, don’t be surprised if X, who fiercely barks on his records as it is, officially changes his name to the Dog.

X is seriously contemplating changing his rapping name from DMX to the Dog, as he cites pious reasons.

"I think I'm going to have to do that soon for spiritual reasons," X told MTV Europe, about dropping his Dark Man X moniker. "It's just the whole Dark Man thing. Because if you look at it, from a spiritual point of view, the Bible teaches us that we can speak things into existence. ... And Dark Man, you know, it may not be the best name for me."

X may deem now to be the best time for the name change, considering he’s touting a single entitled, “Lord Give Me a Sign,” off his Year of the Dog, Again LP due Aug. 1.

In addition to the album, the fierce Yonkers MC is also prepping the debut of his DMX: Soul of a Man BET reality series, which airs this summer. The series captures X in Arizona, as he learns how to get along with neighboring cowboys and spends time with his children.

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

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Ice Cube Speaks About Oprah

Posted at 5/27/2006 07:25:00 AM

First it was Ludacris who felt slighted by Oprah Winfrey. Then 50 Cent told the press that he could care less about her. Now, Ice Cube is the MC pointing his finger at the talk show mogul.

"I've been involved in three projects pitched to her (Winfrey), but I've never been asked to participate," Cube tells FHM magazine in its July issue, on newsstands June 6. "For 'Barbershop,' she had Cedric the Entertainer and Eve on, but I wasn't invited. Maybe she's got a problem with hip-hop.

"She's had damn rapists, child molesters and lying authors on her show. And if I'm not a rags-to-riches story for her, who is?"

The hip hop outcry against Winfrey came after Ludacris claimed she was unfair to him, when he appeared alongside his Crash movie co-stars during an Oct. 2005 taping of her show.

Then in April, 50 complained about Winfrey not having enough hip hop artists on her show.

With all the criticism of Winfrey, the talk show queen defended herself earlier this month by telling New York City-based radio station Power 105.1 host Ed Lover that she actually likes hip hop. Winfrey even went as far as to say, that she loves Jay-Z, Kanye West and even has 50’s, “In Da Club” on her iPod.

Cube, a member of the legendary N.W.A., plays host to the controversial new Ni**az with Gunz mixtape.

The June 6 release date of FHM’s issue with Cube coincides with his Laugh Now, Cry Later album release.

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

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Friday, May 26, 2006   MUSIC |  VIDEOS |  INTERVIEWS  | NEW ARTIST  | HOME

Beanie Sigel Says He's Cool After Shooting

Posted at 5/26/2006 11:26:00 AM

After being treated and released from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, a no-nonsense Beanie Sigel decided to keep it short with the media.

"I'm shot. I got shot. I'm cool,” Sigel told reporters from the Philadelphia Inquirer at 11:40 a.m., just hours after getting shot in the left shoulder, in an attempted robbery.

Sigel left the hospital and was driven away in a black Mercedes R350. When the vehicle was stopped at a red light, Sigel showed reporters a bandage on his left shoulder. Sigel’s left arm was in a sling and his left hand was bloody.

Sigel was shot early this morning, as five men apparently tried to rob him. After being shot, Sigel drove himself to the hospital in his white Chevy Impala LT.

"He has cooperated, he's told us what happened," a detective told the Inquirer.

Police will continue investigating this incident.

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

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New Additions to BK Hip Hop Festival

Posted at 5/26/2006 10:03:00 AM

Organizers of the 2nd Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival are adding southern and west coast flavor to a pot of performers that already represents veteran east coast and fresh Midwest. OutKast affiliate Sleepy Brown, Strange Fruit Project, and Panacea will join Big Daddy Kane, Lupe Fiasco, Rhymefest, and The Procussions June 24 at Tobacco Warehouse in Dumbo, Brooklyn.

"I’m excited to bring some down south flavor to BKNY," said Brown. The Atlanta native is widely known for "The Way You Move," his 2003 collaboration with Big Boi, but he has amassed a lengthy resume as one third of the Atlanta-based production team Organized Noize. He has produced hit records for Outkast, Goodie Mob and TLC. Brown is signed to Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon Records and his solo debut, ‘Mr. Brown,’ is due in September via Virgin Records. The lead single, "Margarita," features Pharrell and Big Boi. "Adding a talented artist of Sleepy's caliber was one of our goals for the Festival, I've been a fan of his whole style since those tracks on Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik," said President of the Room Service Group Wes Jackson. "We hope the festival can be a spring board for his long awaited debut album as well."

Hailing from Waco, TX, Strange Fruit Project members Myth, Myone and S-1 have recorded with 9th Wonder and Erykah Badu. "It's a privilege to perform with other like-minded new artists who are 'on the verge' as well as the legends of the Hip Hop community," said SFP. "We look forward to making this show one that fans will always remember." BHF Festival coordinator for The Room Service Group Alma Geddy-Romero said her company has been a fan of the group since "their early 12"’s." SFP’s new album, ‘The Healing,’ drops July 25 on Spilt Milk/Om Hip Hop.

Panacea is a LA based producer and emcee team that tries to wax progressive. Lyricist Raw Poetic and beat maker K-Murdock plan to release their debut album, "Ink is My Drink," on LA based label Glow-In- The-Dark Records this Fall. "The BHF is a perfect fit for our music, bridging the gap between the old and the new," said Panacea. "We’re gonna give the fans that little bit extra they are looking for."

-article courtesy of NobodySmiling.Com

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Shawnna Earns BET Awards Nod

Posted at 5/26/2006 09:58:00 AM

Next month, Shawnna may be the happy winner of a BET Award.

The 26-year-old Chicago native scored a nomination for Best Female Hip Hop Artist at this year's BET Awards.

Along with Shawnna, other nominees include Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Remy Ma and Trina.

To find out who will win, tune in to the BET Awards on Tuesday, June 27th, at 8 pm ET / 7 pm CT on BET. Check your local listings for additional details.

-article courtesy of NetMusicCountDown.Com

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LUDACRIS SAYS HE’S NO BITER: Rapper takes the stand to defend ‘Stand Up’ at copyright infringement trial.

Posted at 5/26/2006 09:49:00 AM

ESPN has decided to cut back on both its reality series starring Barry Bonds, and coverage of the San Francisco Giants slugger’s attempt to surpass Babe Ruth on the career home run chart.

Bonds is currently tied with the Yankee legend, having hit his 714th homer last Saturday in Oakland.

ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Tuesday that the network plans to pull reporter Pedro Gomez from his full-time job covering Bonds and move the journalist to other beats.

"After 715, Pedro won't follow him every day. That's not to say he'll never cover another Bonds game," Krulewitz said.

The network is also planning to temporarily shelve the weekly documentary series, “Bonds on Bonds.” The show has pulled a weekly rating of only 0.5 (percentage of homes with TV) since its debut last month. ESPN will remove it from the schedule after the Memorial Day episode.

-article courtesy of EurWeb.Com

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Lupe Fiasco's "Food & Liquor" Pushed Back

Posted at 5/26/2006 09:49:00 AM

Lupe Fiasco's debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor, will not be released next month as scheduled, according to sources at Atlantic Records.

The album was slated for release on June 27 via 1st & 15th/Atlantic, despite it being leaked on the internet a month and a half ago.

According to a representative for the label, Lupe is back in the studio recording eight new songs while the album's release date has yet to be decided.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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Former Editor-In Chief Of The Source Jailed

Posted at 5/26/2006 09:42:00 AM

Dasun Allah, the former Editor-In-Chief of The Source magazine, was jailed yesterday for six months after being convicted of striking two people with a satchel filled with gravel earlier in January.

According to the New York Post, Manhattan prosecutors charged that Allah, whose real name is David Blanks, hit a pair of strangers with the satchel on Jan. 8 while in Harlem with no discernible motive.

Authorities charge that Allah hit the men in the head and caused "substantial pain."

The 32-year-old scribe, who has written for the likes of the Village Voice, had pled guilty in March and was free on $5,000 bail.

Allah has another case pending where he stands accused of decimating a Jehovah's Witness sanctuary in October of 2005, a felonious offense if he is convicted.

According to reports, the editor was booted from the religious sect 13 years ago and claimed they "mentally molested" him.

-article courtesy of AllHipHop.Com

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Wendy Williams Talks 'Drama,' Prepares First Novel

Posted at 5/26/2006 09:37:00 AM

Radio personality Wendy Williams is entering the world of literature with a new series of novels.

Williams' first book Drama Is Her Middle Name: The Ritz Harper Chronicles Vol. 1 is part of an on-going series about her alter-ego, Ritz Harper, a famous radio personality.

"She gets to be super-sized by a backstabbing college friend," Williams told AllHipHop.com of the novel's main character. "It's kind of like a moral thing, like, 'Would you do that?' She just runs away with her new super-sized fame money, fortune, the whole bit. Ritz starts my series of novels."

Published by Harlem Moon and written with author Karen Hunter (LL Cool J, Karrine "Superhead" Steffans), Drama's storyline somewhat mirror's that of Williams' actual career, and according to a press release for the book, "readers will salivate as they try to figure out where the fictional Ritz ends and the real-life Wendy begins."

Williams, who will release the next novel in the series in December, also revealed that she is the new spokesperson for liquor brand Alize. "You'll be seeing cutouts and all that other kind of jazz in stores very soon," she said.

Drama Is Her Middle Name : The Ritz Harper Chronicles Vol. 1 hits shelves June 20.

-article courtesy of AllHipHop.Com