Speed Dating With Nick Cannon

The ladies like Nick Cannon. That much was evident when Vibe.com and Crest recently teamed up to present: Speed Dating With Nick Cannon.

Vibe.com pre-selected five appealing young ladies to speed date with Nick at the Gypsy Tea nightclub in New York City. The only catch – The girls didn’t know they would be speed dating with the rapper/actor/comedian.

After their initial shock, each girl was allowed an entertaining 10 minutes with Nick, as he humored them and asked substantial questions, especially about hygiene.

Despite the fact that each girl had a pleasant conversation with Nick, the young star could only choose one contestant.

To see how all of Nick’s dates went and to find out which young lady he chose as the winner, please visit:

"Vibe.com Presents Speed Date With Nick Cannon"

Cannon is an official spokesman of the Crest Irresistibility IQ campaign. In addition to his hit MTV show Wild ‘N Out, he will appear in three movies this year: Monster Hourse, Weapons and Bobby, a film depicting the 1968 assassination of Robert Kennedy.

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

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Lawyers In Notorious B.I.G. Suit Deny Lying

Posted at 6/02/2006 09:06:00 AM

The lawyers representing the family of slain rapper Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, who were accused by city attorneys of lying to the court last week, responded via a court filing on Tuesday (May 30), stating that the city "gave a really incomplete view of what happened".

Attorneys representing the city of Los Angeles accused the Wallaces' attorneys of lying to the court - specifically when they claimed they had never seen a jailhouse informant's report detailing allegations that ex-LAPD Rampart Division Officer Rafael Perez had been implicated in B.I.G.'s murder.

Voletta Wallace, B.I.G.'s mother, and his widow, Faith Evans, sued the city of Los Angeles and others four years ago, alleging wrongful death, and accused convicted corrupt cops Rafael Perez and David Mack of conspiring to kill Biggie with Death Row CEO Marion "Suge" Knight.

U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper, who declared a mistrial in the suit and awarded the Wallace family $1.1 million in legal fees, and said she was "outraged" when city attorney Vincent Marella showed her a report showing that the Wallaces' lawyers had knowledge of the informant's comments as early as 2002.

Cooper gave the Wallace family's attorneys seven days to explain themselves

"Defendant has woven fact, fiction and mischaracterization together in a desperate attempt to prevent additional discovery of LAPD misconduct," the Wallace's lawyers wrote in Tuesday's filing.

"I would hope the judge looks at [the filing] and realizes we did nothing whatsoever to misrepresent anything." Perry R. Sanders Jr., an attorney for the family, told The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the city attorney's said the city would respond in court filings next week.

Notorious B.I.G.'s murder still remains unsolved. He was killed on March 9, 1997, after a party at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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RZA To Score Hip-Hop Martial Arts TV Series

Posted at 6/02/2006 08:56:00 AM

The RZA has been contracted to score an animated martial arts series to be broadcast on Spike TV in the fall.

The acclaimed Wu Tang producer will craft the score of Afro Samurai, an animated series that stars actor Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson’s voice will be used for the protagonist of the series, an unorthodox hero based on Takashi Okazaki’s graphic novel of the same name.

Afro Samurai is a tale of a Black samurai seeking vengeance on the killers of his father. The series also melds Hip-Hop with martial arts, a combination that RZA is very familiar with.

"Afro Samurai offers me the opportunity to mix the innovational world of Hip-Hop with the visual imagination of Japanese animation,” RZA said in a statement. “The vibe of Afro Samurai is so soulful and cool, that when I was asked to compose the series my creative juices immediately reacted. I felt it was something meant for me to do; in many ways Afro and myself share the same spirit."

As a producer, RZA has scored marital arts-themed films like Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill movies, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai and Blade: Trinity. As an actor, the Staten Island native has also appeared in Derailed, Coffee and Cigarettes, Scary Movie 3 and the aforementioned Ghost Dog.

Continuing, RZA said, “As a fan of martial art and old Japanese Samurai movies, I have always wanted to be a part of such creativity and to have my own spice added is even better. Many Hip-Hop artists and musicians from the late 80's to now have been inspired by this form of entertainment, and today's animators have been stimulated by Hip-Hop. But, usually these two forms of expression never meet in the same realm of artistry.”

Afro Samurai is a product of FUNimation Entertainment and GDH K.K. and it will be available on DVD in the Spring of 2007.

Aside from Hip-Hop, the Wu Tang Clan's original nine members were inspired by a love of martial arts and incorporate Far Eastern discipline in their organizational bylines and their thought provoking musicianship.

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Wu-Tang to Release Video Compilation

Posted at 6/02/2006 08:48:00 AM

The Wu-Tang Clan have had some very memorable videos in the past. Wu-Tang initially hit hard with their gritty video for “Protect Ya Neck.” Years later they did their best cavemen impressions, straight from Bedrock, with their “Gravel Pit” clip.

Thus, with so many unforgettable videos, the Shaolin-based crew has decided to release Legend of Wu-Tang: The Videos, a DVD compilation highlighting many of their classic clips. The compilation will hit stores on June 13 off Sony Legacy.

The set will roll out with 14 of Wu-Tang’s most memorable videos and bonus cuts, including the videos for “Method Man (Alternate Version)” and Masta Killa’s “Old Man” featuring RZA and the final video performance of Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The special commemorative compilation will also include “Enter The Wu-Tang,” which features a previously unreleased documentary from 1994, with exclusive interviews and live performances.

The complete track listing for Legend of Wu-Tang: The Videos is posted below:

1 “Method Man”

2 “C.R.E.A.M.”

3 “Can It All Be So Simple”

4 “Protect Ya Neck”

5 “Da Mystery Of Chessboxin'”

6 “Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit”

7 “It's Yourz/Older Gods”

8 “Reunited”

9 “Triumph”

10 “Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)”

11 “Gravel Pit”

12 “Careful”

13 “I Can't Go To Sleep (featuring Isaac Hayes)”

14 “Uzi (Pinky Ring)”

Bonus Tracks:

15 “Method Man (Alternate Version)”

16 “Old Man” - Masta Killa featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard and RZA

Extra Chamber:

17 “Enter The Wu-Tang"

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

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Ron Artest to Open For Mike Jones

Posted at 6/02/2006 08:47:00 AM

Since the Sacramento Kings have already been eliminated from the NBA Playoffs, Ron Artest has his chance to once again pick up the mic and resume rhyming.

According to News10 in Sacramento, Artest will embark on a four-city tour to promote his album and will also perform a four-song set, as the opening act for successful MCs like Mike Jones and Mack 10. Artest will make touring stops in Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Alberquerque and El Paso.

Artest is ready for the criticism that often hits athletes trying to rap.

"I got criticized when I was playing basketball. I got criticized when I was doing the music early on,” Artest told the ABC news affiliate. “People heard some songs and said he's not that good. When they hear the music now, they're not going to be able to say anything but good things."

As for Artest’s feelings on basketball, the Queensbridge, New York native believes the best is yet to come for his Kings, despite the firing of their longtime coach Rick Adelman.

"This team can definitely win a championship," Artest said.

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

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Ludacris and Kanye West Win Copyright Infringement Trial

Posted at 6/02/2006 08:41:00 AM

After less than 24 hours of deliberations, jurors in the Ludacris/Kanye West copyright infringement trial returned a verdict favoring the two rappers. The ten person jury concluded that Luda and Kanye did not steal portions of East Orange, N.J. based group I.O.F.’s 2001 song “Straight Like That.”

As previously reported by XXLMAG.COM, the group felt that the chorus of Ludacris’s 2004 hit “Stand Up” was too similar to a portion of their own recording. According to a report from the Associated Press, Jeff Billingsly, one of the plaintiffs in the case, has already vowed to appeal the verdict. He apparently feels that the defendants gained an unfair advantage after a judge refused to allow a witness for the plaintiffs to testify. Ludacris, who had anticipated a favorable verdict all along, was quoted as saying: “I hope the plaintiffs enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame.” Kanye, who recited a profanity-laced verse from the witness stand while testifying in the case last week, was not present in court today.

-article courtesy of XXLMag.Com

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Bun B Set to Escort Boxer Bernard Hopkins to Final Fight

Posted at 6/02/2006 08:38:00 AM

Bun B, one half of legendary Texas duo UGK, has been selected by boxer Bernard Hopkins to accompany him on his march to the ring in what is expected to be the middleweight champ’s final bout. On June 10th, Hopkins will face off live on HBO against light heavyweight Antonio Tarver in what is being billed as a “Fight to the Finish” at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

The match-up will mark an incredibly significant moment in Hopkins career, and the outcome will, in effect, determine his legacy in the ring after his impending retirement. Considered by many to be one of the greatest middleweights of this era, Hopkins promised his mother before her death that he would step out of the ring for good when he reached age 41. Bun, who, along with partner Pimp C, is regarded as one of Southern rap’s founding fathers, was flattered to be selected by Hopkins. He said in a statement, “It’s an honor to be able to be part of a legend’s career in this way. I’m honored to be able to walk with him.” The rapper has reportedly been in the studio preparing a special performance to mark the historic event.

-article courtesy of XXLMag.Com

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Thursday, June 01, 2006   MUSIC |  VIDEOS |  INTERVIEWS  | NEW ARTIST  | HOME

Gnarls Barkley Retire “Crazy,” Set To Bless MTV Movie Awards

Posted at 6/01/2006 12:19:00 PM

After nine weeks at the top of the UK charts Gnarls Barkley's first single "Crazy" is being retired.

The song made UK music history when it became the first to top the UK singles chart entirely off download sales. Since the song's debut the Danger Mouse/Cee Lo collaboration has overtaken the UK music scene - selling over 700,000 copies and dominating the #1 single spot for nine weeks, the longest running top song in over ten years. By deleting the song this week, "Crazy" will be retired as a #1 song. A second single "Smiley Faces" is scheduled to be released on July 17th.

"I consider myself a realist. I suppose that goes for most of us. But I have found a way to at once hold them, fold them, walk away and run. This was not a painless decision. But pain is nothing but a bi-product of beauty. Potentially toxic, to be sure, but that's all it is," Gnarls Barkley stated in regards to the subject of the deleted single.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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Ludacris to Guest On Bill Maher Online Show

Posted at 6/01/2006 12:14:00 PM

Ludacris, is scheduled to appear on the premiere episode of "Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher" tonight (6/1) at 8pm EST.

The new thirty minute show is taped live and streamed via media player on the Amazon.com homepage. Maher, who also hosts comedic political show "Real Time with Bill Maher" on HBO is scheduled to tape 12 episodes of "Amazon Fishbowl" while his HBO program is on hiatus. "Amazon Fishbowl" will air every Thursday night from June 1st to August 17th online. The popular online retailer Amazon.com will also archive all shows on the Amazon Entertainment homepage.

With a traditional talk show format, Maher's online audience will be able to catch him delivering a comedy monologue as well as three interviews. The show will also offer live musical performances and a UPS sponsored mini-segment featuring personalities like comedian Paul Reiser surprising Amazon customers at their homes with order deliveries.

Author Dean Koontz and country trio the Dixie Chicks will also appear with Ludacris on the "Fishbowl" debut.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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Raekwon Signs with Aftermath Entertainment

Posted at 6/01/2006 07:36:00 AM

According to wutangcorp.com (official site of Wu Tang Clan) Raekwon (AKA The Chef) has officially linked with Dr. Dre’s Interscope imprint Aftermath Entertainment. The site confirms that paper work was completed last week.

Both Dr. Dre and Flipmode/Aftermath emcee Busta Rhymes are reportedly working closely on ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II,’ the follow up to "The Chef’s" critically acclaimed 1995 duet with Wu-Tang brethren Ghostface. Rhymes and RZA will reportedly serve as executive producers. The project, which has no release date at press time, will be a co-production between either Aftermath and Wu-Tang Music Group or Wu-Tang productions.

-article courtesy of NobodySmiling.Com

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The Black Eyed Peas To Star In Online Films For Snickers

Posted at 6/01/2006 07:27:00 AM

The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am, Taboo, apl.de.ap and Fergie are set to appear in a series of digital films -- called "digi-sodes" -- created by Snickers, the candy bar company, to help them tap into the sought after teen market.

The BEP members will star five digi-sodes, which Snickers say will include "comic-book style graphics," playing Snickers factory works by day and defenders of old school hip-hop by night.

As the plots of the films unfold, the characters discover that when they come into direct contact with Snickers they are endowed with superpowers.

"You know, this is fresh," will.i.am said of working with Snickers. "You mean I can make music, incorporate it into a film that's on the internet and wherever else we can get it played? Oh, that's tomorrow ... all the way."

The first of the five webisodes is set to launch on June 5th and can be viewed exclusively on www.InstantDef.com. Four consecutive webisodes will launch at three-week intervals, with the final webisode available in mid-August.

"I was very attracted to this project because Snickers gave me creative freedom," said Fergie. "I had always dreamed of being a comic book character. I've always had this thought in my head of what I wanted to do with it. And so then they came to me with this idea and I said I know what I want to do."

"The choice of will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap to be our Instant Def heroes was easy," said Vic Walia, Snickers' senior marketing manager. "They share key characteristics not only with today's young influencers, but also the Snickers brand. They are setting trends and breaking away from the clutter in the industry to really stand out amongst their peers."

A trailer of the webisodes is currently available at www.InstantDef.com.