CHAPPELLE HANGS UP ON HOT 97 INTERVIEW: Miss Jones brought up ‘Chappelle Show’ drama against his wishes.

Sometimes, artists will approach an interview requesting that certain topics remain off limits. Dave Chappelle found out Tuesday that Hot 97’s Miss Jones ain’t the one to play that game.
According to the New York Daily News, the comedian requested a phone interview with the New York radio personality to promote this week’s release of his film “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party” on DVD, but when the conversation turned toward his abrupt exit from Comedy Central’s “Chappelle’s Show,” he refused to open his mouth.

"I'm trying to play Gandhi," Chappelle said.

When co-host Michael Shaun jokingly asked if Chappelle had been "smoking something," Chappelle abruptly ended the interview.

"I feel like a fool for trying to be nice," Miss Jones commented to the Daily News, adding the comedian had little to say about the DVD anyway. "What I should have said was, 'What the f*** are you calling for?'"

-article courtesy of EurWeb.Com

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Kanye West and 50 Cent Awarded For Ringtone Hustle

Posted at 6/16/2006 09:47:00 AM

Kanye West, 50 Cent, Rick Ross and Bubba Sparxxx were among the acts honored by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on Wednesday (June 14) for their ringtone sales.

It has long been the RIAA's practice for artists to receive plaques to recognize their vinyl, tape and CD sales but now ringtones will also receive gold and platinum status. According to The Associated Press, the RIAA acknowledged the importance of ringtone downloads by handing out 84 gold plaques, 40 platinum and 4 multiplatinum for sales of 500,000, 1 million and more.

"Just a few short years ago, it was unthinkable for sales on ringtones to go platinum," RIAA Chairman Mitch Bainwol told The AP. "But here we are. We're transforming the way we hear our music."

Wednesday's gold and platinum certification was limited to the "master ringtone," ringtones created from the original masters of the songs as opposed to synthesized instrumental ringtone versions. With ringtone downloads on the rise, musicians are coming to an understanding that there is now room for an entirely new way to market their music.

"You want to do a record so catchy that everybody wants to go out and get it as a ringtone," Ross told The AP.

While the typical ringtone costs no more than $2.99, these download sales are quickly adding up. The new plaques bear cell phones rather than albums as a nod to the genre. According to experts ringtones provide 10% of music industry revenues. Both Rick Ross and Bubba Sparxxx received plaques bearing shiny gold cell phones in honor of the gold sales of their singles.

"I had no idea about the importance of ringtones," Sparxxx told The AP. "But I do after coming here. I sold 800,000 ringtones. Now I know it's an exciting innovation."

"The ring tones are just another gateway to connecting with the kids and the fans," Ross added about receiving recognition for sales of his single "Hustlin'." "That's just the next level."

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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DJ Kay Slay And Greg Street Link For "North Meets South" Compilation

Posted at 6/16/2006 09:43:00 AM

Mixtape king DJ Kay Slay and southern radio personality DJ Greg Street are gearing up for the release of their compilation album titled The Champions- North Meets South.

The tandem's collaborative project boasts exclusive tracks from established rappers from both sides of the map including Fat Joe, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Busta Rhymes, Papoose, Yung Joc, Remy Ma, Lloyd Banks, Three 6 Mafia, The Diplomats and Lil Jon, among others.

A video for the first single off the album was shot in Miami. Titled "Can't Stop The Reign", the song features appearances from Bun B, Papoose and Shaquille O'Neal.

The Champions is due in stores on August 22nd and will be released via Koch Records and Shaquille O'Neal's new record label, Deja 34 Records.

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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Phat Farm and Baby Phat Home Fashion Lines Coming This Fall

Posted at 6/16/2006 09:26:00 AM

Phat Farm founder and CEO Russell Simmons and Baby Phat creative director Kimora Lee Simmons have expressed their excitement over a new deal that will expand their respective brands into the world of home fashions.
Kellwood Co., a St. Louis-based a manufacturer of branded and private-label apparel and recreational and camping equipment, announced yesterday (June 14) that it's Phat Fashions division signed an agreement with Dan River Inc. to develop and market a line of home fashions under the Phat Farm and Baby Phat brands.

Kellwood bought Simmons' Phat Fashion in 2004 for a reported $140 million in cash 2004.

Financial terms of the new deal weren't released.

"Phat Farm has been at the forefront in building a Hip-Hop lifestyle business," Russell Simmons said in a statement. "This new generation needs its own native interpretation of the bedding/bath business. We are filling a void and reacting to what our consumers have requested."

The Phat Farm bedding collections will include stonewash denim and nautical color blocks embroidered with the brand's logo.

The Baby Phat bedding will highlight an Asian look in black, white and exotic prints.

The bedding serves as "the next step in expanding our lifestyle brand," stated Kimora Lee Simmons.

The new home fashions line, which features bedding, bath linens and window treatments, is slated to appear in department and specialty stores this fall.

-article courtesy of AllHipHop.Com

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Dem Franchize Boyz Member Charged and Released

Posted at 6/16/2006 09:20:00 AM

After being arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana, Parlae (pictured with dreads) from Dem Franchize Boyz was released on $100,000 bond yesterday (June 14).

Parlae was one of eight people arrested in a drug raid of an Atlanta studio on Tuesday evening (June 13). Atlanta policed seized 11 pounds of marijuana, two firearms and more than $160,000 in cash. Several of the suspects were also seen on a surveillance video, attempting to flush the marijuana down a toilet, when they seen police coming.

The other suspects involved received bond ranging from $75,000 to $100,000.

Dem Franchize Boyz’ album, On Top of Our Game, has sold over 500,000 copies. They’re also credited with pushing their brand of snap music to the forefront in hip hop.

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

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Jacob The Jeweler Arrested on Federal Drug Charges

Posted at 6/16/2006 09:20:00 AM

Revered in hip hop circles as the go-to man for bling, Jacob ‘The Jeweler’ Arabo was arrested Thursday morning (June 15), on federal charges stemming from an indictment of 16 people in Detroit.

On May 10, the U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of Michigan indicted 16 people, who allegedly violated federal drug laws and laundered over $270,000,000 in U.S. currency. Arabo is named in the Detroit indictment.

The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of more than 30 pieces of jewelry, in addition to a number of residences and cars. Arabo is also charged with giving and lending the accused narcotic offenders jewelry. Although, Daniel Gatlin, Arabo’s lawyer, said that his client had been trying to get back the jewelry since November.

With his finely crafted diamond watches and jewelry, Arabo established a high profile clientele, with hip hop heavyweights like Diddy, Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Lil’ Kim and Kanye West. The late Notorious B.I.G. was also one of Arabo’s best customers. In addition, MCs frequently included Arabo’s name in their lyrics.

-article courtesy of Vibe.Com

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Thursday, June 15, 2006   MUSIC |  VIDEOS |  INTERVIEWS  | NEW ARTIST  | HOME

Hip Hop Ruckus Favorite: Ludacris: Poppin' (Back in the Day)

Posted at 6/15/2006 10:28:00 PM

Yo, when I was ATL a little while ago, I got off the bus station and Magic City was conveniently across the road. Everytime I see this video, it reminds me of when I got out the station to see ATL and damn!!!...Magic City was right there..Whoa!!...Enjoy..Oh yeah, i was fu(@)! at the time!!! Boo yoww!!!




Oh yeah, niggettes..I'm going on vacation until Monday, June 19th...I got to see my pops for Father's Day and shit...Hey, cuz...I'll probably see you on Monday...anyway, the site will be updated early on Monday morning because I only got one Dad...for real...See you mofos later!!! Enjoy the video...That's right...You won't see this video on any other blog but mine..Cause this blog is the shiznitz...Tell you boi's where you saw it..Peace!!! Because I please the masses like little kids gettin free Warner Brother's Park passes...what!! ...Yeah, whatever..peace!!

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GameTap Airs First "Quick Hits" with Ice Cube and Ne-Yo

Posted at 6/15/2006 09:34:00 AM

GameTap, the newly released broadband entertainment network from Turner Broadcasting System (TBS, Inc), recently announced the addition of the new music show "Quick Hit" which will debut by airing a segment taped with Ice Cube.

Since being launched by Turner in 2005, GameTap offers more than 500 versions of console, computer and arcade games on demand. In addition to games, GameTap TV delivers over 350 original entertainment programs, popular video streams and virtual communities to broadband-connected PCs.

Recently launched, "Quick Hit" is the latest of a number of music programs being offered by the network. The show features brief interview segments with some of today's hottest acts. The first segment features Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Sammie, Da Backwudz and Cube, who recently released his album Laugh Now, Cry Later.

"Since a lot of hip-hop fans are down with video games, it's cool to appear on a show for GameTap where I can talk about the games I love and my latest project," Ice Cube said via statement. "The Internet is changing the way artists do business and broadband stations like GameTap are the way to go."

Other music shows being offered by GameTap include music performances and videos as well as a video games countdown show "GameTap 10" and the "Game Pads" show which features celebrities talking about how video games impact their lives. Chamillionaire, Dem Franchize Boyz, Nick Cannon and Chris Brown have shot segments of "Game Pads."

-article courtesy of SOHH.Com

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BET's 106 & Park Heads To Hollywood

Posted at 6/15/2006 09:25:00 AM

BET's "106 & Park" will relocate to Hollywood, California for one week in honor of the 2006 BET Awards.

According to a news release from the network, "106" will tape Monday, June 26th, and Wednesday, June 28th, and broadcast live for the first time from Universal Studios Theme Park in Hollywood.

Along with the latest hip-hop and R&B videos, "106" will feature some extra special guests that week including DMX, LeToya Luckett, Chamillionaire, Cherish, and Yung Joc.

The BET Awards Show airs Tuesday, June 27th, at 8 pm ET / 7 pm CT. "106 & Park" airs Monday through Friday at 6 pm ET/PT on BET. Check your local listings for additional details.

-article courtesy of NetMusicCountDown.Com

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ASHANTI REPORTEDLY IN A FAMILY WAY: website claims the singer is pregnant with either Nelly or Irv Gotti’s child.

Posted at 6/15/2006 09:23:00 AM

Has Ashanti gone and gotten herself pregnant? Website MediaTakeOut.com is reporting that the singer is already four months along and either Nelly or Irv Gotti could be the daddy.

The site claims the alleged pregnancy was confirmed by one of Ashanti’s close friends, and should explain recent photos of the R&B artist that show her with an apparent baby bump.

While Nelly, her boyfriend of three years, is considered the paternal front runner by industry insiders, others tell the site that Irv Gotti, the married president of her label, may be the father, as “the two reportedly rekindled their romance earlier this year while working on her new album,” the site says.

A rep for Ashanti declined to comment on the pregnancy.

-article courtesy of EurWeb.Com

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ROBERT DENIRO TO PRODUCE MISSY ELLIOTT BIOPIC: Rapper/producer’s life story to be given big-screen treatment by Universal Pictures.

Posted at 6/15/2006 09:13:00 AM

Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott always thought her life story would make a good movie. And thanks to none other than the Robert DeNiro (my dawg), the dream is about to come true in a major way.

DeNiro’s Tribeca Films, along with Missy’s manager Mona Scott, will produce an as-yet-untitled biopic of the entertainer for Universal Pictures.

The journey to Universal began with a pitch to Scott from writer Dianne Houston, who penned the screenplay based on Elliott’s life. Scott helped flesh it out a bit before taking it to longtime friend Jane Rosenthal, DeNiro’s partner at Tribeca Films. The company decided to produce the project through its first-look deal with Universal.

Elliott, born 1971 in Portsmouth, Va., began writing and performing with the girl group Sista in the 90s before moving and becoming a producer and eventually a solo artist more than 10 years ago.

Houston’s writing credits include an Oscar nom for her work on the short film "Tuesday Morning Ride," and the recent release "Take the Lead."

-article courtesy of EurWeb.Com

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Chamillionaire Inks Deal With Universal Music Publishing

Posted at 6/15/2006 09:07:00 AM

Rapper Chamillionaire has inked publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).

Through the exclusive deal the Houston rapper will be represented by one of the industry's largest global music publishing operations.

With offices in 41 countries, UMPG currently owns or administers more than 1 million copyrights.

The addition of Chamillionaire to UMPG solidifies an already successful R&B/Hip-Hop roster, which includes 50 Cent, G-Unit, Ciara, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, Ice Cube, Ludacris, Amerie, Ashanti and Mary J. Blige.

The signing comes after the success of Chamillionaire's platinum debut album, The Sound Of Revenge, which is the highest debut week of a new Universal album since 2003.

His new single, "Ridin'" featuring Krayzie Bone, currently sits at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In March of this year, Chamillionaire was tapped to serve as the new face of the spring 2006 tribute advertising campaign for Makaveli Branded, the official clothing line of the late Tupac Shakur.

Chamillionaire is also up for the "Best New Artist" category at this year's BET awards scheduled to take place on June 27 in