Snoop Looks Past Soul Plane To Tom Cruise--Posted 06-10-04

BEVERLY HILLS, CA (06.10.04) — Don’t expect to see Snoop Dogg in any more supporting roles like the dope-smoking pilot Capt. Mack he portrays in Soul Plane — he has big plans to become “the black Tom Cruise.”

Rapper-turned-actor Snoop Dogg hopes he’s put the bit parts behind him with his role in the new film Soul Plane. The laid-back California rapper says from now on he wants to star or co-star in action and James Bond-style movies.

“I think Hollywood is starting to appreciate Snoop Dogg,” he says. “They put me in one scene, you got people leaving the theatre like ‘Why didn’t we have more Snoop?’ ...

“As of now I ain’t trying to search for nothing. I’m going to tell them what I’m going to do, and either they’re going to give it to me or they’re not, that’s what time it is.”

He’d even gain weight or otherwise alter his appearance for a role, but Snoop shoots out a “hell no” when asked if he’d cut his trademark cornrows.

The platinum-selling musician-turned-business mogul counts porn and fashion among his side projects and says he hopes to produce and direct films after making it as an actor.

Born Calvin Broadus in Long Beach, Calif., the 32-year-old star had his acting debut with a small part in 1998’s Half Baked.

Since then he’s appeared in a number of feature films, including Baby Boy, Training Day, Old School and, most recently, Starsky and Hutch.

He also appears in his own MTV comedy/variety show Doggy Fizzle Televizzle and this year had a well-received turn hosting Saturday Night Live.

“It was range,” he says of the experience, adding he was grateful to appear as host and not just a musical guest.

Soul Plane is an urban take on the 1980 original spoof classic Airplane!

story courtesy of calgary sun

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Wu-Tang To Re-Unite For Tour--Posted 06-10-04

SAN BERNADINO, CA (06.10.04) - In what is being billed as the first appearance in 10 years by all of its key members, the Wu-Tang Clan will headline the July 17 Rock the Bells festival in San Bernardino, Calif.

Organizers promise that RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, U God and Cappadona will all be on hand for the performance.

"At first we thought we could get some of the members of Wu-Tang together and that would be enough, but it became a mission to bring them all out for one special day," said festival organizer Chang Weisberg. "All the members have expressed their excitement to let their alter egos mash the stage and represent the 'Clan."'

A number of other major hip-hop acts have also signed for Rock the Bells, including Redman, Dilated Peoples, Sage Francis, Eyedea & Abilities and Supernatural with Jurassic 5 members Chali 2na and DJ Nu-Mark. Tickets go on sale June 18 via Ticketmaster. Organizers are also planning a Rock the Bells North American tour in 2005.

The Wu-Tang Clan will play eight festival and headlining dates in Europe this summer, beginning July 1 in Zurich, but it is unknown what the group's exact lineup will be for those shows. Additionally, the RZA-spearheaded book "The Wu-Tang Manual" is scheduled for a fall release by Riverhead Books.

story courtesy of reuters

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Kanye West To Head Out on The Truth Tour Soon--Posted 06-09-04

NEW YORK, NY (06.09.04) -- In August, Kanye West heads out on tour again, but instead of playing colleges and clubs, this time around he'll be playing arenas. The "College Dropout" artist is opening for none other than "Mr. Entertainment" himself, Usher.

"The Truth Tour" sees the pair performing throughout the US and kicks off on August 5 in Hampton, Virginia. The festivities finish up in New York City on October 7.

The Truth Tour itinerary:

August
05 - Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
06 - Baltimore, MD @ 1st Mariner Arena
07 - Raleigh, NC @ RBC Center
10 - Cleveland, OH @ CSU Convocation Center
13 - Cincinnati, OH @ US Bank Arena
14 - Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
20 - Washington, DC @ MCI Center
21 - E. Rutherford, NJ @ Continental Airlines Arena
25 - New Orleans, LA @ Superdome
26 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
31 - Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena

September
02 - Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center
11 - Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills
15 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Arena
17 - Memphis, TN @ FedEx Arena
18 - St. Louis, MO @ Savvis Center
19 - Kansas City, MO @ Kemper Arena
23 - Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena
24 - Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum
25 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jacksonville Arena
30 - Charlotte, NC @ Coliseum

October
01 - Greenville, SC @ Bi-Lo Center
03 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
07 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden

story courtesy of krista desens

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Jigga Gets 7 Billboard Nods--Posted 06-08-04

LOS ANGELES, CA (06.08.04) - R. Kelly and Jay-Z lead the roll call of finalists for the annual Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.

Kelly tops the list, with mentions in eight categories. Jay-Z is a finalist in seven.

The awards ceremony will take place Aug. 6 at Barton G (formerly Billboardlive) in Miami Beach, Fla. It will cap the fifth annual Billboard/American Urban Radio Networks R&B/Hip-Hop Conference. The confab runs Aug. 4-6 at the Eden Roc Resort in Miami Beach.

Finalists in five categories are Beyonce, Alicia Keys, OutKast and Lil Jon. Tied at four are fellow Disturbing Tha Peace members Ludacris and Chingy. Producer Kanye West is up for three awards.

Last year's top finalist was 50 Cent, who was named in 10 categories.

Jive artist Kelly is a contender in categories that include top R&B/hip-hop single, top R&B/hip-hop artist, top R&B/hip-hop male artist, R&B/hip-hop songwriter of the year and R&B/hip-hop producer of the year.

Propelled by the success of such singles as "Ignition" and "Step in the Name of Love," Kelly's 2003 release "Chocolate Factory" has sold 2.6 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. A second 2003 project, "The R. in R&B Collection, Vol. 1," has racked up 1.2 million units. Kelly's eighth Jive studio album, the two-CD "Happy/U Saved Me," bows July 13.

Jay-Z will go up against Kelly in several categories, including top R&B/hip-hop artist, top R&B/hip-hop male artist and songwriter of the year. He is also up for top R&B/hip-hop album and top rap album.

The Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam rapper proclaimed his retirement with the 2003 release of "The Black Album." To date, that set has sold 2.5 million copies. Jay-Z's popularity has been further fueled by guest spots on Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" and the Neptunes' "Frontin'."

Speaking of Beyonce, the Destiny's Child frontwoman is up for top R&B/hip-hop album, top R&B/hip-hop artist, top R&B/hip-hop female artist and top R&B/hip-hop new artist. Alicia Keys earns a nod for top R&B/hip-hop albums artist and will also vie against former touring partner Beyonce in the categories of top R&B/hip-hop album, top R&B/hip-hop artist and top R&B/hip-hop female artist.

Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz are up for four honors, including top R&B/hip-hop artist (duo or group) and top R&B/hip-hop single (airplay) for the crunk hit "Get Low," which also features Ying Yang Twins. Lil Jon (aka Jonathan Smith) is also up for producer of the year. In addition, Lil Jon appeared on the Youngbloodz's "Damn!," which scored mentions in three categories, including top R&B/hip-hop single and hot rap track.

Ludacris (aka Christopher Bridges) -- who is featured with Lil Jon on Usher's crossover R&B/pop hit "Yeah!" -- is a finalist in four categories. Those include top songwriter and top R&B/hip-hop singles artist. First-time finalist Chingy's four mentions include top R&B/hip-hop new artist and top R&B/hip-hop male artist.

story courtesy of reuters

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Jadakiss Opens Up To His Fans--Posted 06-07-04

YONKERS, NY (06.07.04) -- Jadakiss isn't too big for his britches — he does listen to criticism. He hears the people who buy his music and he hears the people who write about his music. As much acclaim as he gets for his rhymes, Jada says he's taken note of his lyrical flaws. So on his upcoming LP, The Kiss of Death, Jada opens up.

"I been getting a lot of criticism [about my lyrics] with the media," he said a few weeks ago in New York. "They said the only thing that was [hindering] me from being one of the greats like Rakim, Jigga and 50 Cent was that I never let [the listeners] inside my world, my life. Plus, you gotta charge that to 50, Eminem and DMX. They came out with pain, gave the world their pain. Em with his moms and his baby's moms, X with his whole life, 50 with whatever happened to him. They made it a little more personal, that's what the fans want."

Although Kiss is being heard on the radio these days, largely via his emphatic freestyle session "The Champ Is Here" (which has been reworked to be a remix of "Time's Up"), Jada's next single, "Why," finds him reflecting less on himself and more on society.

"To be critically acclaimed, to get a Grammy, to be on MTV, you gotta talk about current events," he said. "You gotta talk about controversy, just stuff people want to hear. At the same time, you gotta get a message across."

But when making The Kiss of Death, due June 22, the LOX member did have some questions and doubts, in particular with Neptunes producer Pharrell Williams. It took the two several tries before they came up with the Neptunes' lone record on the album, "Hot Sauce to Go."

"The Pharrell experience was crazy," Kiss said. "I worked with him before, but I actually turned down seven or eight Pharrell tracks before I got the one I got. It's a blessing to keep hearing different ones, but one of my New Year's resolutions was that if I ain't feeling it, I gotta let you know right there. I can't hold it in.

"It was a little bit of turmoil, but not really," he added. "It was the artist/producer turmoil, it wasn't nothing personal. At the end of the day we worked it out. [The beat for 'Hot Sauce to Go'] sounded different, he felt good about it."

The video for "Why" was shot last week in Los Angeles by director Sanaa Hamri.

story courtesy of shaheem reid

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Corporate America Relizes Earning Potential In HIPHOP--Posted 06-07-04

NEW YORK, NY (06.07.04) - Hiphop culture is saturating the mainstream through music and marketing.

Companies have awakened to the genre's selling power, and as rap stars pitch soft drinks, athletic shoes, apparel, automobiles and beer, cross-promotions are born almost daily.

"Companies are just realizing because it is contributing to their bottom line in a major way," says Jameel Spencer, chief marketing officer of Bad Boy Entertainment.

Spencer, who is also president of independent agency Blue Flame Marketing and Advertising, says cross-promotions are "coming from as small a relationship as a product mention in a song to something revolutionary like Jay-Z owning a sneaker with Reebok."

Corporations "finally realized the power of hip-hop music on the community and the world," rapper/actor Ludacris says. "It's done nothing but get bigger and expand to become the popular music of today."

But hip-hop has been serving unofficial product pitches since Run-D.M.C. praised "My Adidas" in 1986.

"Long before corporate America started cashing in and understanding the power of the hip-hop voice, you had a person like Biggie or Lil' Kim screaming out all these designer labels," says Shawn Prez, CEO of New York-based guerrilla marketing firm Power Moves and a former Bad Boy executive.

"This hip-hop voice -- it's loud, it's results-oriented," he adds.

Entrepreneur Russell Simmons spearheaded hip-hop culture's move to the mainstream with Def Jam Records in the '80s.

Since then, he has expanded his business into management, marketing, apparel, theater, TV, jewelry and financial services. In February, Simmons sold his Phat Fashions empire to apparel giant Kellwood for $140 million.

Bad Boy Records founder Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' apparel line, Sean John, is also growing. The 6-year-old, multimillion-dollar company will open its first free-standing store in June.

Jay-Z and his Roc-a-Fella Records partner Damon Dash spun off their own clothing company in 1999. Rocawear raked in about $300 million last year, according to Dash.

The S. Carter Collection, Jay-Z's joint venture with Reebok, set the industry abuzz by becoming the sneaker company's fastest seller.

Jay-Z and Dash also purchased Armadale Vodka.

story courtesy of reuters

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Puff Faces Conspiracy Charges--Posted 06-04-04

HARLEM , NY (06.04.04) -- Yesterday started out smelling sweet for Sean Combs, who celebrated the launch of his Sean Jean fragrance with a smashing lunch at Lever House. But it wasn't long before his day was befouled by a lawsuit in which a record promoter charges the rap mogul with making him the victim of a witch hunt to recover Combs' missing Grammy Award.

Damien Vazquez, 23, filed suit in Manhattan Federal Court claiming that Combs and an NYPD detective conspired "through intimidation, torture, confinement [and] arrest" to "coerce him into falsely confessing that he had stolen" Combs' Grammy - "a crime that he did not commit."

Vazquez claims he worked for Combs' Bad Boy label from January 2000 until May 2002. The company disputes this. He further alleges that on Jan. 29 of this year, he received a call to what he thought was a job interview at 357 W. 35th St. The address turned out to be the Midtown South Precinct, where he says he was placed under arrest and held for 36 hours of interrogation.

Vazquez's lawyer, Robert Erlanger, alleges in the suit that Detective Gloria Frazier, who arrested him, had a picture of Combs near her desk and frequently sought advice from the Bad Boy firm.

While Vazquez alleges that "star-struck NYC police officers apply the law differently for celebrities," Combs' lawyer Jonathan Davis argues that Combs "is a target of an unscrupulous person who seeks to unjustly capitalize on his celebrity and stature."

Vazquez, who is a diabetic, says he went into insulin shock during the grilling and had to be hospitalized.

He contends that, before the arrest, he approached Combs with information that he thought might help him recover the missing statuette - which he received for his album "No Way Out" in 1997. Frazier nevertheless charged him with a series of offenses, including criminal possession of stolen property.

Vazquez, who also sued Frazier and the City of New York, is seeking unspecified damages for false arrest, conspiracy and deprivation of rights.

Combs told us yesterday that he eventually discovered the Grammy was "in storage."

He called the suit "ridiculous. I've been too preoccupied with my play ['A Raisin in the Sun'] to be involved in any conspiracy."

A police spokesman declined to comment.

story courtesy of ny post

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Rocafella To Sponsor Urban Music Seminar--Posted 06-02-04

LONDON, ENGLAND (06.02.04) --The Urban Music Seminar (UMS) today announced ROC-A-FELLA, the company of pioneering lifestyle entrepreneur Damon Dash, as the title sponsor of this year's event. This new and exciting US/UK partnership will undoubtedly make this year's seminar the most prominent yet.

Taking place on the 18-19 of September at London's Royal Festival Hall over 15, 000 young people will come to gain valuable insights into the urban music business and how they can make it work for them through a series of workshops, seminars, masterclasses and exhibitions. The event itself is free and is open and accessible to everyone.

ROC will be hosting their own specific seminars over the two days about their various ventures: clothing (ROCAWEAR), films (ROC FILMS) and how it all relates back to the music business creating the complete 'lifestyle' experience.

Kanye West, Roc-A-Fella's new hip-hop hot property will be giving a special "Be Inspired" Panel which promises to be one of the highlights of this year's seminar.

UMS founder Kwame Kwaten commented: 'We are very excited about the involvement and commitment that ROC is giving to this year's seminar. To have a company as major as ROC involved is awesome'.

Damon Dash said of the seminar: "I was invited to speak at last years Urban Music Seminar and found it incredibly worthwhile as an educational music seminar for the UK youth. This year we are proud to announce our increased support of UMS by becoming title sponsor of this years event, it's gonna be huge."

Kanye West spoke of his involvement in the seminar: "I am looking forward to being involved with the Urban Music Seminar in September after hearing about it from Damon Dash. I believe in giving the youth a chance to learn everything they can from those with the best music business knowledge. The UMS is a unique and vital platform for the UK urban music scene."

The Urban Music Seminar (UMS) was formed in 1998 as a non-profit making organization with a goal to inform and educate young people with aspirations of working in the music industry. From its modest beginnings attracting an audience of 500 people to last year's record of 15, 000 people from all over the world, it is a truly unique event.

story courtesy of latrice burnette

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Website Launches Anit-Tupac Autopsy Photos Campaign--Posted 06-01-04

NEW YORK, NY (06.01.04) -- Every Tupac fan (and every hiphop fan for that matter) has seen the infamous picture of the autopsy being conducted on the late Tupac Shakur. However, there is one website disputing the circulation of these pictures. In a recent press release the Thug Life Army express the danger of these photos.

Anti- Tupac Autopsy Photo Campaign - www.ThugLifeArmy.com introduces NEW WEB LIST SITE for a web campaign against showing Tupac Shakur Autopsy Photos On-Line.

" We at www.ThugLifeArmy.com in our mission to keep Tupac's Legacy Alive are starting the Anti- Tupac Autopsy Photo Campaign. We see there are many Tupac sites who say they rep for Tupac and then disrespect him and his mother's wishes by posting the supposedly 'leaked' picture of the Tupac autopsy.

This picture may or may not be real. But, it is our position that, either way, Afeni Shakur has requested that they not be put up on the web. It is a matter of RESPECT. Not only to Afeni's wishes but to Tupac, his estate and his true fans. These pictures can be available to people who want to see them and request them by email, they do not have to be posted on site for everyone to see and for children to see." "We are going to institute the Anti- Tupac Autopsy Photo Campaign. We are asking TRUE sites that rep for Tupac to remove these pictures from their sites and to add this button to their site.

Not a Tupac site but still support the stand taken here? Join the list and show your respect for Tupac. Any site is able to join this list as long as they truely rep and show respect for Tupac and his estate." "And we are requesting fans to watch for this button and only support sites that show their respect for Tupac, his mother's wishes and his estate. If you are a Tupac site and agree and want to Rep for Tupac's Legacy, or just a Rap, HipHop or any web site who agrees with this stand visit the website and register your site. For more information on this Campaign Email ThugLifeArmy@hotmail.com This is something that has been needed for awhile. We appreciate your help and co-operation as web sites and as fans. Most Tupac sites are very informative on issues of social views, politics, religion, government - all important issues to Tupac Shakur and inportant elements in his lifes legacy."

story courtesy of thug life army

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Black Hollywood Criticizes "Soul Plane"--Posted 06-01-04

HOLLYWOOD, CA (06.01.04) -- The "first black-owned airline" has barely lifted off, but a determined campaign is already under way to ground it, or at least clip its wings. "Soul Plane," the hip-hop-flavored comedy opening in more than 1,500 theaters nationally Friday about fictional NWA Airlines, has already run into cultural turbulence inside the African-American creative community, igniting heated arguments that illustrates the lack of consensus among blacks when it comes to comic stereotypes and the depiction of African-American culture in film and television.

Declaring in a recent speech that "Soul Plane" is "coonery and buffoonery," Spike Lee is one of a number of entertainment figures saying that the film is among the most offensive ever in terms of showing blacks in a negative light. Their protests are mostly based on the R-rated film's trailer, advertising campaign and early drafts of the script.

Other actors, writers and directors have called "Soul Plane" a modern-day minstrel show and a throwback to films in the 1940s and 1950s, when blacks were mostly shown as lazy clowns. The South Los Angeles-based National Alliance for Positive Action has aimed its protest at MGM, the studio behind the film. "Soul Plane" is the latest in a slate of urban-based films being developed by MGM after the crossover success of the studio's 2001 release "Barbershop."

"There is definitely a feeling in the community that this is the film that really does cross the line, that doesn't have any conscience whatsoever," said Lee Bailey, publisher and executive producer of the Electronic Urban Report, a Web site linked to the "Radioscope" entertainment program.

But the makers of "Soul Plane" and other supporters say the film is a brash and wild comedy in the vein of "Airplane!" or "Saturday Night Live" and that those who find it insulting are taking the jokes too seriously.

"First and foremost, this is a comedy that is an equal opportunity offender," said Peter Adee, MGM's president of world wide marketing. "It takes shots at everyone."

Jessy Terrero, a music video director making his directing feature debut with "Soul Plane," said, "I'm part of Generation X, part of the hip-hop culture, and I just wanted to make a good comedy for my generation. I don't see this as a movie about race, it's a movie about class." Terrero said he cut out many of an early script's jokes about race.

"Soul Plane" is the latest in a series of black-oriented movies and TV shows where questions of taste and appropriateness have provoked controversy. Some of the images and language have been attacked by performers such as Bill Cosby, while others have celebrated the pushing of the cultural envelopes.

Despite the furor, "Soul Plane" has more than its share of defenders on board, calling the attacks short-sighted and off-base. They say "Soul Plane" is a comedy with attitude that merely points out differences within and between cultures.

"Why are black people so insecure?" said Walter Latham, the creator behind the successful "The Original Kings of Comedy" tour and film that featured Cedric the Entertainer, Bernie Mac, D.L. Hughley and Steve Harvey.

Latham, who is developing other comedy tours, TV and film projects, added: "We put so much energy into criticizing films like this instead of addressing what's really relevant, such as our economic state. Black people should accept the fact that our heritage is different, and we should embrace who we are as a people. If there was a black airline, they probably would serve ribs and collard greens. That's who we are."

story courtesy of buffalo news

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Missy Cancels Overseas Trip Fear of Terror Attacks--Posted 05-28-04

JAKARTA, Indonesia (05.28.04) - Hip-hop star Missy Elliott cancelled a planned concert in Jakarta after the U.S. Embassy warned Americans about potential terrorist attacks in Indonesia. Elliott had been scheduled to perform Wednesday as part of an international tour. "We apologize to all the fans of Missy Elliott because of this cancellation," Roberto of Lunar Entertainment, the show's promoter, said Tuesday. Roberto, who uses a single name like many Indonesians, said ticket holders will get refunds.

The U.S. Embassy issued a statement Friday reminding U.S. citizens to remain aware of the "continued potential for terrorist attacks against Americans or American interests in Indonesia and worldwide." "A convergence of local and international factors has increased the potential threat," the embassy said. The embassy cited the continuing trials of Indonesian terror suspects, the country's presidential election campaign, anti-American sentiment stirred up by U.S. actions in Iraq and "information gathered worldwide indicating that terrorist groups contemplate additional attacks."

story courtesy vh1

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Tony Yayo Hits The Studio Straight From Prison Album Due In Sept--Posted 05-27-04

QUEENS, NY (05.27.04) --Five and a half months after flirting with freedom, G-Unit's Tony Yayo is out of prison. He's hoping to stay out this time. Yayo was released from a federal jail facility in New York Monday afternoon after serving time for possessing a forged passport. He was discovered with the faulty document by his parole officer just one day after being released from an upstate New York incarceration facility after serving a year on bail-jumping and weapons charges.

One of Yayo's attorneys, Scott Leeman, stated that upon release, the MC went straight to the studio to record new music. He said Yayo plans to release his solo album in September. A spokesperson at Interscope Records confirmed Yayo's release but would not confirm his recording plans. During 2003, in the year that Yayo was in prison, 50 Cent and G-Unit shot to worldwide fame. Yayo is credited as an original member of 50's G-Unit crew, and their verbal interplay is one of the reasons why 50 flourished in the underground hip-hop world before finding mainstream success.

In other G-Unit news, 50 Cent has reportly getting into the NASCAR game. The In Da Club star is sponsoring driver Steve Hodbay's racecar at an upcoming Days Of Thunder meeting at the Rockingham Raceway in Northamptonshire, England. And Hobday decided to thank 50 by plastering his image across the bonnet of his car. The motor will take to the track on June 6th, but 50 Cent's car will have celebrity competition - Hodbay's rival Shaun Richardson's car will be sponsored by rockers The Darkness. 50 Cent and G-Unit will also headline a musical event, which will take place after the race. Hobday says, "This is fantastic news. The whole team are really excited about running on June 6th with 50 Cent on the car. 50 is a big fan of NASCAR and this style of racing, and I'm sure we'll give him something to cheer about before he goes out on the Rockingham stage."

story courtesy vh1

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Ras Baraka Mediates Truce Between Crips And Bloodse--Posted 05-26-04

NEWARK, NJ (05.26.04) -- Rival street gangs the Crips and Bloods have agreed to a truce in Newark, New Jersey, aimed at stemming the violence that has plagued the city and gone too far for even the gang members, officials said on Tuesday.

The peace agreement, reached over the weekend, involved 150 members from several gang factions and laid out a 10-point plan including an immediate cease-fire.

The plan also asks gang members to refrain from using gang hand signals, graffiti or other symbols to incite the killing of rivals. Under the truce, gang members also vowed to designate places like schools, churches and parks as neutral zones and to avoid encroaching on each other's territory without notice.

"Anything that will stem the violence is welcome. Time will tell how effective it is," said Kevin Rehmann, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police.

Newark Deputy Mayor Ras Baraka and the Nation of Islam helped mediate the truce, officials said.

The Crips and Bloods originated in Los Angeles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Crips often wear blue and Bloods red. Members, who range in age from 13 to 40, often deal in drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana and their rivalry has spawned years of bloodshed for both sides.

While local police declined to estimate gang membership, an FBI Web site estimates each gang has about 10,000 members nationwide.

An aid to Newark's deputy mayor said talks to draw up the peace deal began two months ago when gang members saw the movie "Redemption," about the life of Crips co-founder Stanley "Tookie" Williams, who now speaks out against violence from his cell on California's death row.

"These young men were tired of committing violent acts and being blamed for ones they didn't do," said David Muhammad, an aid to Baraka.

"(The truce) would give the whole community a sense of security. Grandmothers don't want children outside for fear of stray bullets," Muhammad said.

story courtesy of david brinkerhoff

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Snoop Speaks On Divorce and Soul Plane--Posted 05-26-04

LOS ANGELES, CA (05.25.04) -- Snoop Dogg is getting a divizzle. The rapper/actor has filed for divorce from Shante Broadus, according to papers filed with Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday. They have been married since 1997 and have three children: Corde, 9; Cordell, 7; and Cori, 4. He is seeking joint custody. Snoop, born Calvin Broadus, cited general "irreconcilable differences" for the breakup. "The only thing I want to say is Mr. Broadus hopes that the divorce can be as amicable as possible," Snoop's attorney, Robert Nachshin, told The Associated Press on Monday. In other Snoop news, friday marks the premier of his new movie "Soul Plane". When Snoop was asked if he had any concerns about the negative stereotypes that are so blatantly thrown at the audience in this film such as the Popeye's chicken meal that is served in "low-class" on this ""Soul Plane"" with a side of watermelon, Hennessey and Alize. He answered in a serious tone, "People should get over it and realize that this is funny. The reality is that a lot of black people are successful and have jobs. We're just poking fun at stereotypes." Snoop goes on to point out that the movie is not "supposed to bring people down. It's a comedy, not reality. Its purpose is to make people laugh, to bring people up. We are having fun with the material. I mean, I play an airline captain who's afraid of heights. That's ridiculous. Yes, we are poking fun at things that make people laugh, make people cry and make people nervous. When black America does it, black people always have something to say, and it gets on my nerves. When white boys make movies similar to this with an all-white cast and they are cracking jokes, no one ever says a thing. Yet, you get a set of black people together who are talking about each other and poking fun, and it turns into a problem. Look at standup comedy. Eddie Murphy did it; so did Richard Pryor. They poked fun at black stereotypes. Actually, we are doing what we were taught, what we know. In the black community it's cool to rag on each other. That's what we do. That's how I learned to be comedic; that is how I got my sense of humor. And we need to remember, that at the end of the day, it's only a movie."

story courtesy of ap

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RIAA Sues 493 More File Sharers--Posted 05-25-04

WASHINGTON, DC (05.25.04) - A U.S. music industry group said Monday it had sued 493 more people for copyright infringement as part of its campaign to stop consumers from copying music over the Internet. The Recording Industry Association of America has now sued 2,947 individuals since last September in an attempt to discourage people from copying songs through "peer to peer" networks like Kazaa and LimeWire. The trade group, which represents the five largest recording companies, has settled 486 of those cases for around $3,000 each.

Despite the lawsuits, more people than ever are using peer-to-peer networks to copy music, movies and other files directly from each others' hard drives. As many as 9.5 million Internet users were logged on to peer-to-peer networks at the same time in April, up from 7.4 million simultaneous users in September 2003, according to the research firm BigChampagne. The RIAA does not yet know the identities of those it targeted in its latest round of lawsuits but plans to discover them through court-issued subpoenas. The trade group turned to these "John Doe" lawsuits in January after an appeals court ruled that Internet service providers like Verizon Communications (VZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) do not have to provide customers' names to recording-industry investigators. Also on Monday, the RIAA said it had sued 24 individuals by name after discovering their identities through John Doe suits.

Those sued by name had declined offers to settle out of court, the RIAA said. "Our continuing objective is to send a message of deterrence, protect the rights of property owners, and foster an environment where the legitimate marketplace, both online and at retail, can flourish," RIAA President Cary Sherman said in a statement. CD sales have begun to pick up after a three-year slide and industry-sanctioned download services have established a paying market for digital music. Apple Computer Inc. said last month it sold 70 million songs through its iTunes service in its first year. But peer-to-peer users download that many songs for free every few days, BigChampagne CEO Eric Garland said.

Though the industry's legal campaign may dissuade some, the user base will keep on growing, he said. "Think of a snowball rolling downhill. It's still an emerging technology," he said.

story courtesy of reuters

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Russell Urges Hiphop Generation To Vote--Posted 05-24-04

DETROIT, MI (05.24.04) --The hip-hop generation needs to educate itself and then head to the polls in this fall's election. That was one of the messages from speakers at the Hip-Hop Summit in Detroit, which drew artists and behind-the-scenes members of the music industry on Saturday. Rap mogul Russell Simmons, whose Hip-Hop Summit Action Network puts on the traveling event, said young people need to empower themselves to make a difference in their communities and the world.

"Those of us who work in the hip-hop industry know this is the best generation in the world,'' Simmons told a crowd of music fans at the Fox Theatre." And come November, they are going to see that this is the most powerful generation that the world has seen.''

Simmons said the power of hip hop comes from its ability to unite people of different races and religions.
"It's very important that we flex these muscles in November,'' he said. Two panel discussions were held as part of the event. The first centered on the empowerment of young people and the Hip-Hop Team Vote effort. As part of the effort, organizers hold voter registration drives at summit cities.

It recently registered 50,000 voters in Los Angeles and 80,000 in Philadelphia. Midway through Saturday's event, the group said it had signed up at least 70,000 Michigan voters - including 40,000 in Detroit. Run-DMC's Joseph "the Rev. Run'' Simmons said that young people - especially those who want to make it in the music business - need to work as hard as they can, even if that means volunteering or interning for free.

"Everything is about service,'' he told the crowd. "When you serve, you get. You can't get a blessing, you have to be a blessing.'' A second panel discussion that touched on the business side of hip hop featured Detroit-area rap star Eminem and some other members of the group D12. When asked by a member of the enthusiastic crowd about how to not lose sight of the music when faced with business pressures, Eminem said the secret is to hire a trustworthy business manager. "On the business side, I'm not ignorant. But I know that without the music there is no business,'' Eminem said, "and that keeps me creative.''

story courtesy of bree fowler

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Puff To Retire After Next Album--Posted 05-24-04

NEW YORK, NY (05.24.04) -- It looks like P Diddy will be hanging up his microphone and joining Jay-Z in the rappers' retirement home.

The hip-hop star has said he's giving up his solo music career after his upcoming album, 'PD5', due out in the autumn.

Diddy says he'll still be involved in his Bad Boy record label and will continue to collaborate with others, but he's gone as far as he can on his own:
"I think it's going to be my last solo album because it's been a dream come true for me to be a recording artist and I just think that as a solo artist I've said everything I wanted to say."

But he'll still be busy - the rapper's turned his hand to acting and is currently enjoying Broadway success in 'A Raisin In The Sun', a play about a poor, black Chicago family at the dawn of the civil rights movement.

Diddy's pleased his new found stage fame has been attracting a different kind of audience to the theatre:
"It's a dream come true to see historically diverse audiences come to Broadway that wouldn't normally."

"Young people, three or four generations sitting together, every race, colour and creed and we're breaking box office records every week."
"It was something that people laughed at at first and now it's a success."

story courtesy of rh2

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Suge Cleared Of Assult Charges--Posted 05-21-04

LOS ANGELES, CA (05.21.04) -- A civil jury Wednesday cleared Death Row Records impresario Marion "Suge" Knight of battery in a 2001 attack, but awarded more than $162,000 to a man who claims he was beaten by a group of Knight's associates.

The trial stemmed from a lawsuit brought by Dwayne H. Baudy, who claimed he was assaulted without provocation in the early hours of Nov. 6, 2001, outside the recording studio where he worked.

Baudy alleged Knight was among the group of men who beat him, leaving him permanently disabled.Baudy's attorney, Joseph E. Porter III, could not be reached for comment this afternoon. Porter maintained that someone at the studio planted a gun on his client and called Los Angeles police, who arrested Baudy and another man on gun charges that were later dropped.

Knight contended he was not at the studio the night of the alleged beating. Knight's attorney, Harold Becks, did not return a call for comment. Death Row spokesman Jonathan Wolfson confirmed the verdict, but declined further comment.

The jury held that neither Knight nor associate Reginald L. Wright Jr. committed battery, but that Wright was negligent. When asked whether Wright's negligence caused substantial harm, jurors found that he was "acting within the scope of his employment," a court representative said.

The jurors then decided on four types of economic loss. They awarded Baudy $58,301 for past economic loss for medical expenses, but decided against an award for past lost earnings.