October 2007 Hip Hop News

Snoop Dogg and Missy Elliot were among the musicians awarded VH1 Hip-Hop Honors last week.Other artists given honours at the fourth annual ceremony included A Tribe Called Quest, Whodini and New York Swing.Stars including Nelly, P Diddy, Pharrell Williams, Ice-T and Timbaland paid tribute to the acts on stage at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.The show finale saw rap group A Tribe Called Quest performing versions of their hits 'Check The Rime' and 'Award Tour'.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Boise City Police arrested Lil' Wayne early Saturday morning (October 6) following a concert date in Boise's Qwest Arena.

According to the Associated Press, Weezy whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., was wanted on a felony drugs possession charge in Georgia. A felony fugitive warrant was issued for his arrest, and Boise City Police officers took him into custody.

Boise police Lt. Doug Doney told reporters the department received information that Wayne was wanted. Boise police gang detectives present at the concert confirmed the outstanding warrant, and after Wayne's performance undercover detectives arrested him. Wayne complied with his arresting officers and was taken in without incident.

After booking the rapper at Boise's Ada County Jail at approximately 7:30 a.m., the station received a barrage of phone calls inquiring whether Wayne would be able to perform a show scheduled for the following evening.

According to local Idaho news station, KTVB, Wayne's attorneys have confirmed his release on Saturday on a $10,000 bond, which was in addition to an $11,000 bond posted earlier in the day. The rapper is now free to continue his tour.

Wayne is scheduled to be formally charged Tuesday (October 10) and will be asked then whether he plans to waive his extradition to Georgia, a jail deputy told the AP.

As previously reported, Wayne was arrested last August in Atlanta on drug possession charges.It has not been confirmed whether this arrest was in connection with those charges.

Wayne was also arrested after a concert in New York City earlier this summer on drug and weapon possession charges.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Roc-A-Fella rapper Beanie Sigel is once again in trouble with the law, as authorities are scheduled to take him into custody today (October 8) for allegedly keeping a rental car for over a month.

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Beanie (born Dwight Grant) will face charges of theft and unauthorized use of an automobile after failing to return a rental car. He is expected to surrender himself to authorities today.

Investigators said Sigel rented a 2007 Nissan Altima from Payless Car Rental in Southwest Philadelphia on July 23, despite the fact that he has a suspended driver's license. The vehicle was due back on Aug. 13. Sigel apparently never returned the car or contacted the rental car company, which continued to charge his credit card for the vehicle. Payless officials reported the car stolen on Sept. 6, according to Philadelphia police. But according to Beans' lawyer, the entire episode is nothing more than a miscommunication between his client and the rental company.

"We've learned that a warrant was issued for his arrest for failure to return a vehicle," said Fortunato Perri, Sigel's attorney. "Apparently there was some misunderstanding over when it was to be returned or whether or not payment was continuing to be made."

The rental car was returned on Friday (October 5) by someone other than Sigel and by that time had reportedly accumulated a $5,000 late fee .The car was apparently returned just as detectives went to Sigel's home in Lansdale, PA to arrest the rapper, who was in New York at the time.

"The car has been returned," Perri said. "And whatever money is owed to the company has been paid or will be paid shortly."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A year after being arrested on drug and weapons charges, Jadakiss is seemingly in the clear as prosecutors have decided to drop the charges.

The Westchester County district attorney's office asked the judge last week to dismiss the charges against the rapper. Jadakiss (born Jason Phillips) and associates Darnell Frazier and Kristen Smith were arrested in October of last year in Yonkers, NY and were indicted on the charges in February of this year. Police allege that they detected the smell of marijuana coming from the car the three were in and upon searching the vehicle discovered a weapon.

According to the Associated Press, a jury last month acquitted Frazier of all charges after DNA tests didn't link any of the three to the gun that police found.

Jadakiss' attorney, Clement Patti, said the rapper "has had this cloud over his head for a year, affecting his career." She also expressed her discontent with the longevity of the case, stating that it was, "a travesty that the case went this far."

The dismissal of charges will become official after the prosecutor's motion is granted by the judge.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jay-Z's Manhattan sports bar, the 40/40 club, was the site of a stabbing this weekend.

According to the New York Post, Christopher Harris, an off-duty Correction Academy cadet, was stabbed in the eye on Saturday morning (September 29) at 1:30 a.m. following a dispute with a fellow 40/40 club goer.

The 26-year-old was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital and treated for face lacerations. Doctors said he will not lose his sight.

Police arrested Neville Dangou, 30, who was charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon and released on $1000 bail Saturday night.

In related news, the 40/40 Club has recently been involved in drama of the legal kind as well. In response to a lost wages lawsuit filed by former assistants Kishma Pickering and Sheron Branch, Jay-Z filed a countersuit in Manhattan federal court on August 7.

In their suit, Branch and Pickering claim lost wages and abusive treatment, but lawyers for Jay-Z and his club said that Branch abandoned her job by failing to show up for her scheduled shift. They also claim she deleted promotional videos from 40/40's YouTube and MySpace accounts, costing the club an estimated $20,000.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reggae stars Sizzla and Elephant Man were scheduled to perform at Toronto's Kool Haus last Friday (September 28) and this Friday (October 6) respectively, but shows for both artists were cancelled amidst controversy over anti-gay lyrics in their music.

According to the Toronto Star, the cancellations follow vehement outcry from a coalition of some 20 organizations known as Stop Murder Music Canada, who pushed to have Sizzla and Elephant Man banned from entering the country, citing their music as hate propaganda.

"They shouldn't have been allowed to get visas to perform in the country," Stop Murder Music founder Akim Larcher told the Star. "It's not about censorship or artistic freedom. That stops when hate propaganda is involved."

Prior to the cancellations, police had already announced plans to monitor the concerts for hate speech. Stop Murder music is also asking that the CRTC (an organization that regulates radio and television programming) ban tracks that promote anti-gay sentiments.

"The record companies have supported these artists and they have a responsibility not to release those tracks anymore and to remove their CDs from shelves," Larcher said. "They need to be aware to make sufficient steps that their songs do cause harm in society. We're calling for a Canada-wide boycott of those artists to take the necessary steps to renounce violence against gays and lesbians."

At the time of the cancellation, ticket sales for Elephant Man's performance were poor, with only one-third of the seats sold.

In related news, Ja Rule recently spoke up to clarify comments he made that were construed as homophobic, saying his words were taken out of context.

"I'm a very avid speaker for all people's rights and people having their own preference," the rapper told Spinner.com. "I was taken out of context. My statement was more about our mind state is as a people. We're focused on the wrong things, like, our country is at war right now. These things are more of a problem to me. Like, another case I just read about -- young ladies being raped by six white men. These are the stories that should be popping up on my TV screen. That's what I was talking about, and somehow it got spun into some other sh-t."

As previously reported Rule came under fire from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) last month after Complex magazine printed an interview with the rapper, where he stated his controversial opinion on MTV's dating shows.

"Lets talk about all these f--king shows that they have on MTV that is promoting homosexuality, that my kids can't watch this sh-t," Ja said. "Dating shows that's showing two guys or two girls in mid-afternoon. Let's talk about s--t like that! If that's not f--king up America, I don't know what is."

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Organizers are asking students to walk out of their classrooms at 12 noon Central time and join rallies either on campus or at designated areas to demand the ethical and fair legal treatment of Louisiana student Mychal Bell.

Bell was one of the six black students initially charged with second-degree murder in connection with a fight that ensued after 3 nooses were hung from a tree on the school grounds of Jena High School. The murder charges were eventually reduced to attempted battery and conspiracy charges but the six teens still face up to 20 years in jail.

Until September 27, Bell was the last remaining member of the Jena 6 serving jail time. District Attorney Reed Walters chose not to appeal the court's ruling but said he will retry the case in juvenile court in the coming weeks. Bell is currently out on bail.

In addition to the aforementioned artists being involved in the walk-out efforts, actor Idris Elba, dead prez rapper M-1, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch have also taken up the cause.

"This is the time for Black people to support the Jena 6, and call attention to the unequal treatment the criminal Justice system is dishing out not only in Jena, Louisiana but across this nation...we all live in Jena," said Mos Def. "Jena Louisiana is the same as 'Jena' New York. From Mychal Bell to Sean Bell our communities continue to be targeted."

Several national civil rights and community organizations are also backing the protest as well, including the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Sankofa Community Empowerment, Change the Game, the National Hip Hop Political Convention, The Hip-Hop Association and Color of Change.

Organizers for the walk-out have also issued a public list of demands that they feel should be met in light of what they feel have been unethical and egregious actions on the parts of Judge J.P. Mauffray and District Attorney Reed Walters.

The demands include that all charges against the Jena 6 be dropped, that Judge Mauffray be removed from presiding over Bell's juvenile court hearings or other proceedings and that each local, state and federal criminal justice apparatus stop profiling the black community in general and specifically black youth for imprisonment and free labor. In a gesture of protest and solidarity for the Jena 6, artists including Mos Def, Common, MC Lyte and student leaders from over 100 campuses across the country are calling for a National Student Walk Out today (October 1).

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

After having passed away over 10 years ago, Tupac is set to release his ninth album from the grave entitled The Best Of 2Pac.

The album will be a double disc collection from the West Coast MC and will feature many of Pac's biggest hits spanning his entire career including "California Love," "Brenda's Got A Baby" and "Keep Ya Head Up." The record will also feature two previously unreleased tracks and two new remixes including a new mix of the song "Dear Mama" featuring soul singer Anthony Hamilton.

The Best of 2Pac, which will be released on December 4 on Amaru/Universal Records, is just one of several highly anticipated releases set to drop that day, with new material from several of big hip-hop names including Wyclef Jean, Saigon, Ghostface Killah, Styles P and DJ Drama all set to hit shelves.

In related news, a noose was found hanging around the neck of a statue bearing the rapper's likeness outside the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Atlanta. The incident was one of several attacks on the center in recent weeks. As previously reported, vandals defaced the building and left a noose around the statue's neck, ironically in the center's Peace Garden on Saturday (October 20). Early Monday morning (October 22) the statue was further damaged and plastered with handbills of rants referencing 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Some bills also had vague threats against record companies and rappers.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jim Jones Vs Jay-Z, Rapper Puts Harlem Spin On "American Gangsta" W/ New Dame Dash Hosted Mixtape

Dipset Capo Jim Jones recently announced that he'll be dropping a free mixtape, "Harlem's American Gangsta," on November 6.

According to hip-hop personality Miss Info, the mixtape is a direct response to Jay-Z's new concept album, American Gangster, the unofficial soundtrack to the Denzel Washington flick of the same name. Both discs will hit shelves on the same day.

Adding insult, to what might be seen as an already brazen move, Jones tapped Hov's former business partner and fellow Harlomite Dame Dash to host his disc.

In an interview with Info, Jones said that the mixtape is his way of "getting a piece of the current Mr. Untouchable vs American Gangster attention."

"Nicky Barnes (Mr. Untouchable) and Frank Lucas (of American Gangster) was both snitches so neither one of them were real American Gangsters to me," the capo said.

"Harlem's American Gangsta" will hit the street a day before fellow Dipset rapper Cam'ron's mixtape is scheduled to be released. Though Jimmy admitted to having a little "family" beef with Cam this past summer - that may or may not have been squashed since then - the Jones said his mixtape release date isn't about Cam.

About that whole beef, Jones said, he was "in a good space." He even shouted out "Killa," and added, "Dipset for life."

Jimmy's set was completed in 6 days and also features new Juelz Santana material.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At the courthouse this afternoon (October 26) when the judge released T.I. from jail and placed the rapper on house arrest after a brief appearance.

As previously reported, the Southern MC (born Clifford Harris, Jr.) was arrested by federal authorities on October 13 after allegedly attempting to buy three machine guns and two silencers. The arrest occurred just hours before T.I. was to receive the award for Album of the Year and perform at the BET Hip-Hop Awards.

The rapper pled not guilty in court last Friday (October 19), backed by a team of high-powered attorneys--including Ed Garland and long-time partner Don Samuel, Steve Sadow and Dwight Thomas--after being denied bond at a brief hearing on October 15.

In addition to his lawyers, T.I. had a strong show of support today from artists, industry affiliates, family and friends including longtime girlfriend Tameka "Tiny" Cottle and his Grand Hustle artists Young Dro and Alpha Omega. Shielded by supporters, Tiny's eyes appeared red from crying as she descended the courtroom stairs.[Watch The Video of Tiny, Young Dro and Alpha Omega at courthouse.]

He also had a virtual street team on the scene chanting "Pray for T.I." in front of the federal courthouse. The federal police ordered the group to disperse because they didn't have a permit to "protest," but the city police interjected and overturned the federal police's decision. [Watch Here]

T.I.'s legal team had previously offered $2.2 million in cash and $1.5 million in equity in property that he owns. In addition, Kevin Liles, president of Warner Bros. Music Group and Lyor Cohen, president of Atlantic Records each offered $100,000 of their own money.

U.S. Magistrate Alan Baverman said although the additional funds were unnecessary, he would not release T.I. until a few conditions were met.

By the judge's order, T.I. must wear an electronic monitoring device linked to a security company. The only two adults who will be regularly allowed on his property are the rapper's long-time, live-in girlfriend and mother of one of his children, Tiny, and a federal agent. All other visitors must be placed on a pre-authorized list to be approved by the court, and they will be limited to three visitors per day during normal daylight hours. All visitors must be searched and adhere to background checks. His mother can visit but is not allowed to live with the rapper. Also, before Tip can move back in, a full sweep of his house must be done in search of a hidden safe and any contraband that may be on the premises.

T.I. faces up to 10 years in prison as well as a $250,000 fine for each count. While he has posted bond, it is unclear when T.I. will officially be set free.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Adding his name to a slew of highly anticipated December releases, Styles P is gearing up to drop his third solo effort, Supa Gangsta, Extraordinary Gentleman.

The new disc, which is set to hit stores on December 4, features the Swizz Beatz produced lead single "Blow Ya Mind Up" which was recently released to radio. With guest spots from Akon, Ghostface Killah, Black Thought, Ray J and Dipset affiliate Max B, Pinero wants to make a statement that he never left and hasn't lost a step.

"I always work, to tell you the truth," Styles told Billboard. "I would say I made three albums between (2006's) Time Is Money and this one. I make songs every day. If not a song then a freestyle. If not a freestyle, I work with some of the young boys," referring to his artists signed to D-Block. "Eventually it hits you in the gut, 'I got an album! This is the album!' And then you put it out."

The Yonkers MC also shed some light on the fate of a new Lox album. According to P, the trio are working on new material, which will be targeted for a release during either the second or third quarter of 2008, after group member Sheek Louch releases his new disc early next year.

"We've got a good amount of songs," Styles says. "It's the same direction we always go in, 100 percent pure hip-hop electricity. You'll hear a lot of songs on each one of our solo albums preparing you for the Lox album."

P says that the crew has yet to share any mic time on material for the group's album but are not opposed to the prospect. "We've kept it strictly us so far," Styles says, "but we'll see as it goes on."

Supa Gangsta, Extraordinary Gentlemanhits shelves on December 4 via Koch Records.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. aka the Chi town born hip hop conscious rap artist is set to release a 15 track compilation album titiled "thisisme then: the best of common" on Nov. 27^th

The 15 track compilation covers the hip hop artists early years from 1992-1997 and includes all of the hip hop artist's solo hits from that period alongside collaborations with many hip hop notables such as Lauryn Hill ("Retrospect For Life"), Chantay Savage ["Reminding Me (Of Sef)"], Erykah Badu ("All Night Long"), Cee-Lo ["G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition"], Q-Tip ("Stolen Moments Pt. III"), and more.

Earlier this year, Common's most recent album, "Finding Forever" (produced mostly by Kanye West) debuted at #1 the Billboard Top 200 Album chart - the artist's first #1 debut. In the school of hip-hop noted by the positivism of such literate (and often jazz-influenced) hip hop artists as De La Soul, Digable Planets, the Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, Pharcyde, Jurassic 5, Gang Starr, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and others - Common has staked out his own unique and important position

With music as his artistic foundation, Common has followed in the footsteps of other rappers (such as Ludacris and Mos Def) into film

Common is a multi talented hip hop artist who seems to be comfortable in many areas and has made his mark far beyond the hip hop community.

Be sure to check out "thisisme then: the best of common" on Nov. 27^th on Legacy Recordings

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

New York MC Drag-On has signed with Full Surface Records, the label founded by producer and longtime collaborator Swizz Beats.

The Bronx rapper is currently working on a solo album slated for release on Full Surface in early 2008, to feature several Swizz Beats-produced tracks.

Although officially signed to Full Surface, Drag-On is still in the process of parting ways with former label Ruff Ryders, where he and Swizz first crossed paths in the late '90s. Under Ruff Ryders, Drag-On released his debut album, Opposite of H20, and also appeared on DMX albums and Ruff Ryders Compilations.

Drag-On was recently featured on Swizz's album One Man Band Man and is currently in the studio with Full Surface artist Cassidy.

Drag-On has started his own label, Hood Environment, though it will not be under the Full Surface umbrella. His independent project, also titled Hood Environment, was released on September 4.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dame Dash's Roc-A-Fella Regrets, "Everyone's Still Eating Off Kanye West Except Me"

Damon Dash made a fortune in the music business turning Jay-Z and Kanye West into household names. In the second part of his SOHH exclusive, Dash reveals his thoughts on Kanye West, the legacy of Roc-A-Fella, and why he left the music business.

With his latest film project, the Nicky Barnes documentary, Mr. Untouchable, in theatres this week, it seems as if Dash has left the music industry behind, for good.

"I'm retired really from music," Dash told SOHH. "I set up Dame Dash Music Group for all the artists I knew were going to get dropped when the sale happened." After a year Dash dissolved the company. "To be honest, if I can't make history again, I don't want to do it."

"People told me don't mess with Jay-Z at all, then I did. The same exact people told me 'Nah Kanye's not the one,' including Jay-Z," Dash explained. "Then when he came out, everybody's up under him. It's hard to keep arguing about things you know are right."

Despite the fact that Kanye stayed with Jay-Z after the Roc-A-Fella fallout, Dash said he's happy to see Ye win.

"More power to him," Dash told SOHH. "I think it's a good thing that someone that was probably kicked around his whole life is now empowered, it's just what he does with it. The only thing that bothers me about Kanye's situation is that everyone's still eating off it except me. I would have poly'd that deal a little different. Everyone that's still eating off him is everyone that said he couldn't make it, but other than that I'm happy to see what he does."

Asked about his relationship with other Roc-A-Fella artists, Dash responded with his own line of questions.

"Are there any other [artists]," Dash asked? "Does Roc-A-Fella still exist? I haven't seen the chain around lately, so I don't know. When I left it was different. And not to be arrogant or be happy but it's the truth. What do you think about the other Roc-A Fella- artists? Are they gonna come out? It's been about 5 years."

Dash's dedication to the legacy of Roc-A-Fella hasn't completely diminished. Just recently BlockSavvy.com, the social networking site set up by Dash and partner Kareem "Biggs" Burke, offered listeners a chance to hear Beyond Reasonable Doubt, a tribute mixtape put together by Dash before his rift with Jay-Z. The mixtape includes Kanye West, Beanie Siegel, Freeway and other Roc artists laying down their renditions of Jay-Z classics in honor of the 10^th Anniversary of Reasonable Doubt.

"You know we gotta get that traffic," Dash said of the BlockSavvy move before adding, "Reasonable Doubt was really the only thing we 100% owned and it was very reflective of us, not Jay - me, Jay, Biggs and the movement. That's why Reasonable Doubt was a classic. I listen to that @#!* and every single thing said, I remember to a tee what he was talking about, because a lot of that @#!* was us. I A&R'd that project, so I know what music I bought, when we did it, who produced it, how we paid them, the changes that we made and I always thought it should be celebrated on a lot of levels because it was reflective of us and we owned it. We can make money from it forever, so I wanted to do something that paid homage to it."

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Despite prosecutors' vehement efforts to keep the rapper caged, T.I. is close to house arrest and being allowed to go home pending Judge Allen Baverman's review of the bond package.

The Southern emcee (born Clifford Harris, Jr.) was arrested last weekend in a sting where feds claim he tried to purchase machine guns and silencers.

The rapper - who was dressed in all black and bound in ankle shackles - had a team of high-powered attorneys backing him in court. Legal bigwigs Ed Garland along with long-time partner Don Samuel joined Steve Sadow and Dwight Thomas in defending the self-proclaimed King of the South.

And today, artists, industry heads, family and friends packed the courtroom in support of the king, including Young Jeezy

T.I.'s legal team offered $2.2 million in cash, plus $1.5 million in equity in property that he owns. In addition, Kevin Lyles, president of Warner Bros. Music Group and Lyor Cohen, president of Atlantic Records each offered up $100,000 of their own money.

Though Braveman said the additional funds weren't necessary, he would not release T.I. today until a few conditions were met. Braveman also expressed concern over T.I.'s lyrics but said he was impressed by his community involvement.

By the judge's order, T.I. must wear an electronic monitoring device and a security company needs to be contracted in connection with that device; the only two adults who will be regularly allowed on the property are the rapper's long-time, live-in girlfriend and mother of one of his children, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle and a federal agent. All other visitors must be placed on a pre-authorized list to be approved by the court. Also, before the rapper can move back in, a full sweep of his house must be done in search of a hidden safe and any contraband that may be on the premises.

Getting T.I. out of jail and under house arrest was reportedly a long shot. Prosecutors wanted to keep him in jail until his trial which could be months from now and the rapper was fighting an uphill battle, given his previous cocaine dealing conviction. But T.I.'s dream team isn't deterred by long shots.

Garland made headlines in the infamous Ray Lewis case. The NFL star walked on a murder charge in 2000, pleading to a misdemeanor instead.

Garland and Samuel defended millionaire investor James Sullivan, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole, in the 1987 murder-for-hire of his wife, Lita.

Thomas got an acquittal for retired Atlanta police officer, Reginald Burney in a case accusing the ex-cop of accepting expensive dinners and drinks at the high profile Atlanta strip club, the Gold Club, in exchange for giving managers the heads up on permit inspections.

In that same case, Sadow represented the gentlemen's club's former owner, Steve Kaplan. The alleged associate of the Gambino crime family pleaded guilty for a reduced sentence.

T.I. will have a second bond hearing on Friday (October 26) at 3 p.m., and if the judge's orders have been followed, he'll be released on house arrest.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

T.I. could possibly be released from jail and receive house arrest while awaiting sentencing if his lawyers decide to plead guilty at the rapper's hearing tomorrow (October 19).

According to top hip-hop blogger Sandra Rose, T.I.'s lawyers will reportedly seek an order similar to the pre-sentence order that suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. Last month Vick was ordered by a federal judge to remain on house arrest every night while awaiting sentencing on a dog fighting charge.

T.I. (born Clifford Harris, Jr.) was arrested by federal authorities after allegedly attempting to buy three machine guns and two silencers. With T.I. being a convicted felon, he is not allowed to legally own any firearms. The rapper was originally denied bond at a brief hearing on Monday (October 15) but will appear in court tomorrow to decide whether there was probable cause for his arrest and if he will qualify for bond before his trial.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Steve Sadow, one of T.I.'s lawyers, said he requested that the rapper's bond hearing be pushed back until Friday to give the defense additional time to prepare. But sources say Sadow and Dwight Thomas, another member of the rapper's legal team, are preparing to ask U.S. Magistrate Alan Baverman to place T.I. on house arrest under electronic surveillance or require him to wear an ankle monitoring device as a condition of his bond.

"This would ensure the public's safety as well as allow [T.I.] to continue to support his family until his trial comes up," said a source familiar with the case. But others are questioning if the strategy will pan out in the rapper's favor.

"I understand [T.I.] violated his probation with a previous gun charge, not to mention the felony conviction on drug charges in CobbCounty," said a prominent Atlanta attorney, who asked to remain anonymous. "The judge will also take into consideration the company that the young man keeps," said the attorney, seemingly referring to the two rappers signed to T.I.'s label who were named in the federal affidavit for allegedly providing T.I. with guns. "All of those factors will weigh heavily against him when he goes before the judge."

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Diddy is expected to turn himself in to police today (October 16) and face charges over a physical altercation he had over the weekend, according to New York's Daily News.

Sources say Puff was at a popular SoHo nightspot, Kiosk, Saturday morning (Oct. 13) when he and an acquaintance began screaming about an ex-girlfriend of Diddy's, sources said.

After a heated round of swapping insults, things appeared to cool before Diddy and his bodyguards came back.

The alleged victim, 31-year-old Steven Acevedo told cops the mogul punched him in the mouth, knocking him to the ground, and then once he got up, Puffy struck him again.

One source said they overheard a bodyguard boast to Acevedo, "We won't shoot you. You can even hold our guns." The source also confirmed that no weapon was displayed and no witnesses saw any weapon.

Acevedo, went home after the scuffle and phoned police hours later. He and his lawyer declined to comment.

Sources say after Diddy turns himself in, he'll be fingerprinted and served with a desk appearance ticket for a misdemeanor assault charge.

Diddy's attorney, Benjamin Brafman, referred questions to a representative with Dan Klores Communications, who declined comment.

In related news, Puff appeared before a judge on Friday (October 13) about another alleged attack. As previously reported by SOHH, alleged victim Gerald Rechnitzer accused the mogul of jumping on him at Teddy's Night Club at the Roosevelt Hotel. He said Diddy yelled, "I'll smack flames out your @$$!"

The judge ordered that Diddy produce photographs of the rings he was wearing that night.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After a week-long stay in an area hospital, local Houston legend Big Moe reportedly died this past Sunday (October 14).

According to the Houston Chronicle, Bryan McLeod, a spokesman for the county public hospital system, said that Big Moe (born Kenneth Moore), 33,died Sunday afternoon at Houston's Ben Taub Hospital. While McLeod did not release a cause of death, many sources are speculating that the obese rapper suffered a heart attack.

The rapper released three solo albums during his career, City Of Syrup, Purple World and 2003's Moe Life and he was known for his collaborations with fellow Houston artists including Mike Jones, Z-Ro and Pimp C. Though he had some national solo success with Purple World, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hip-Hop charts, Moe will largely be remembered as a member of the pioneering H-Town collective the Screwed Up Click - formerly headed by the late DJ Screw, who passed away from a heart attack in 2000 after a reported overdose of codeine-laced cough syrup.

"He was a great influence to the music community here in Houston," said Swishahouse Records founder Michael "5000" Watts. "He was a good person and one of the founding fathers of the music movement here."

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Despite rapper TI's absence, the show went on at the second-annual BET Hip-Hop Awards - even when he was scheduled to perform.

The self-proclaimed "King of the South", who was up for nine nominations, won two awards. But he could not accept any trophies or make the planned performance after being arrested by federal authorities Saturday.

TI was taken into custody in a shopping centre parking lot where federal officials said he planned to pick up machine guns and silencers he had his bodyguard buy for him.

Even though the Atlanta-based rapper was present at the Civic Centre, where the event was held Saturday, he became noticeably absent from the red carpet festivities before the show.
The news of TI being arrested rippled throughout the event. Rapper KRS-One, who received BET's "I am Hip Hop" Icon Award, learned about the raid just before he showed up.

KRS-One, whose real name is Lawrence Parker, said the fellow rapper's legal woes should not reflect on the industry as a whole.
"I'm saddened anytime I hear of a hip-hopper being locked up or somehow stunted in his life or his growth," he told The Associated Press. "I hope he wasn't into nothing crazy."
Chicago rapper Common, who won the CD of the year award along with TI, tried to lend his support.

"I salute my guy TI, who also won, wherever he is," said Common, while raising up his trophy. He also won lyricist of the year.
Other artistes who were supposed to perform with TI still pulled off the performance. As Wyclef Jean stood on stage to enact TI's song, You Know What It Is, host and comedian Katt Williams pranced across the stage dressed like TI trying to impersonate him as the crowd burst into laughter.

Alfamega still took the stage with Busta Rhymes for the song Hurt. As the two rapped, many of the audience members stood seemingly puzzled at TI's absence.
Kanye West was a winner in two categories - best live performance and hip-hop video. After West got his trophy for best hip-hop video, he said he thought the video for UGK's International Players, featuring OutKast, should have been chosen over his.

"I didn't deserve this award above them. They do instead of me," said West, who is typically known more for comments that critics call arrogant.
But Big Boi of OutKast returned the favour to West by giving him the award back saying, "You worked too hard for this. No, you deserve it."

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rapper T.I was arrested and jailed just hours before he was to receive the award for Album of the Year and perform at the BET Awards today.

Clifford Harris, best known as TI, was arrested earlier today on the corner of North Ave and Piedmont Rd in the Walgreens shopping center in Atlanta. Two security attendants told SOHH.com's "Gyant" exclusively that around 2:20 PM T.I. pulled into the parking lot, where authorities quickly apprehended him. SOHH sources also say that a total of three people affiliated with the Grammy nominated rapper were initially arrested but one was released.

Early speculation is that an undercover sting at his home that same day was set up by the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm) Department in an effort to apprehend Clifford for attempting to purchase illegal firearms. Firearms were found on the scene, which triggered the arrest on charges of parole violation.

News of the shocking arrest sent waves through the taping of the 2nd Annual BET Awards today just as Busta Rhymes and Alfamega were forced to perform their collaborative set without the main headliner.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Exclusive: "Crank That" Banned From Homecoming; Mr. Collipark Responds

By Rudy West

Rapper Soulja Boy's "Crank That" - the most popular song in the country - has been banned from being played at a high school's homecoming dance in Mason, Ohio. The single was banned after some parents and students complained to Mason High School principal David Allen, who printed out the lyrics to the popular song and made the decision to prevent the song from being played during the dance.

"In printing those lyrics out, there were obviously some words and some different things in the song that made that individual student or those students and those parents uncomfortable," Allen told Ohio's Middletown Journal. "In looking at the words of that song, I couldn't defend playing it and say to our parents that it is indeed something I would deem appropriate. We want kids to have a good time. We don't want kids there feeling uncomfortable because of the music."Several students attended a board meeting on Tuesday (October 9) to protest school board members decision and cited other songs that contained tamer lyrics, but a more provocative message.

Meanwhile, the 17-year-old rapper continues to dominate the charts. "Crank That" is #1 for a fifth week on the Billboard Hot 100 and his debut album souljaboytellem.com debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200.Michael "Mr. Collipark" Crooms, CEO of Collipark Music, the label which released Soulja Boy's album responded exclusively to AllHipHop.com about the controversy.

"When I found Soulja Boy, he had songs that had profanity, but it was his idea to clean them up, because his records are fun," Mr. Collipark told AllHipHop.com. "You can't please everyone, but this is crazy. Here you have the most clean cut guy in the game. For anyone to ban him for what has achieved is crazy.Mr. Collipark, who has produced risqu� hits like "Wait (The Whisper Song)" by the Ying Yang Twins, "Ms. New Booty" by Bubba Sparxxx featuring Ying Yang Twins and "Trap Star" by Young Jeezy, agreed with the students argument that numerous records contained much more offensive lyrics than "Crank That."

"They will probably play "Bed" [by J. Holliday] and they won't say anything, but he's talking about sex and that's not offense. This is a dance. Supersoak is a dance, the Roosevelt, they are all dances. How about we turn it off and let the kids listen to raps about drugs and shooting people?"

Students were looking forward to the opportunity to perform the dance in unison.Earlier in the month, the student newspaper The Mason Chronicle ran an article for those teaching the dance for those with h two left. School board members defended themselves by stating that Soldier Boy's "Crank That" isn't the only song banned from being played at school dances.Mr. Collipark strongly disagreed with the school boards decision and noted a double standard in society. "These adults need to check themselves. It's not a fair standard to set. These people are hypocrites."

Wu-Tang veteran Ghostface Killah is set to hit the masses with a one-two punch at the end of the year, as he's gearing up to drop a new book and a new album only weeks apart.

The new album, entitled The Big Dough Payback, is slated to hit shelves on December 4 according to a video the rapper posted on his MySpace page. The record will be the follow up to 2006's More Fish, released on Def Jam.

"Don't download my @#!*, go buy the @#!* 'cause I got some exclusive footage inside the sleeve that I want ya'll to see," said the Staten Island-bred lyricist. "Tell your grandma or something like that. It's coming." [Watch Here]

The album will ironically be arriving in stores on the same day as his Wu-Tang brethren's highly anticipated come back disc, 8 Diagrams. Along with going head to head with his own Shaolin collective on December 4, Tony Starks will also see competition from several other New Yorkers including Saigon and Styles P, as well as Fugees alum Wyclef Jean.

In addition to putting out new music, Ghost is also preparing to make his debut into the literary world, releasing The World According To Pretty Tony, which will be published by MTV Press. The book, which is a continuation of his series of shorts on MTV2, features Ghost providing humorous how-to guides and advice on various everyday situations like sex, gambling, family, education and how to eat on only $5 a day.

The book, set to hit shelves on November 1, will also come with photos as well as a CD of Ghostface personally reading the material.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Diddy Sued For $19 Mil In B.I.G. Case, Welcomes Another Lil' One To Bad Boy Family

A former associate of Sean "Diddy" Combs has filed a lawsuit from a Miami prison against the hip-hop mogul for more than $19 million. He accuses Diddy of refusing to pay up for The Notorious B.I.G. music.

According to the Associated Press, former Bad Boy consultant, James Sabatino, said he flew B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace, to Miami in 1994 to perform a show and record music. The rapper recorded about 17 minutes of vocals with about 90 minutes of accompanying video footage.

It was understood that both belonged to Sabatino because he paid for the rapper's travel expenses and studio time, although a contract was never signed, according to the lawsuit.

Three years later, in the wake of B.I.G.'s still unsolved murder, Combs agreed to buy the music and video footage from Sabatino for $200,000. Combs reportedly gave Sabatino a check for $25,000 and promised the balance in 60 days, but never delivered.

Combs said the payment was delayed because once the Los Angeles police named Sabatino as a person of interest in B.I.G.'s death, the mogul didn't want his payment to Sabatino to be misconstrued. The night of the rapper's murder, Sabatino was scheduled to meet with B.I.G., but he never showed up.

Sabatino said he feared retribution from the hip-hop mogul if he talked about the lawsuit. Though Combs apparently told police he did not feel Sabatino was involved in the slaying, Sabatino says he was concerned Combs would falsely implicate him.

The $19 million is being sought for both actual and punitive damages, the lawsuit said.

In other Diddy news, the president of Bad Boy Entertainment recently admitted to New York's Daily News that he did in fact father the child the gossip mills have been linking him to for a year now.

After repeatedly denying that he fathered the child, Combs told the news outlet recently, "At first, I wasn't sure if this was my child ... Now that it has become clear she is, I will take care of her for the rest of her life."

He told the news website, he's "committed to being a good father" and according to sources, has already worked out visitation and support terms with the child's mother, Sarah Chapman of Atlanta.

Diddy and once long-term girlfriend Kim Porter welcomed twins, Jessie James and D'Lila Star last December. But the mogul's affair with Chapman was apparently a factor in the couple's highly publicized break-up earlier this year. Porter and Diddy also share an 8-year-old son, Christian. The on-again-off-again relationship has been markedly rocky, as the two called it quits a few years back when Diddy took up with pop star Jennifer Lopez. Sources say he's actively working to repair his relationship with Porter.

With his 13-year old son Justin, from a previous relationship, Diddy's newest addition brings his grand total of little ones to five biological children and six including Porter's son Quincy, whom the mogul has also been a father to.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Snoop Dogg, Elliott win hip-hop awards