MICHIGAN (08.05.03)--Eminem, whose birth name is Marshal Mathers III, is expected to appear in Michigan's Macomb County Circuit Court on August 18 to ask a judge to dismiss a $1 million defamation lawsuit filed against him by former schoolmate DeAngelo Bailey, according to the Detroit News. Eminem's lawyer, Peter Peacock, filed the motion for dismissal last week.

In the lawsuit, filed December 2001, Bailey maintains that Eminem defamed him and damaged his career as an aspiring rapper when he depicted Bailey as a bully and his nemesis in junior high school. Bailey also asserts that the rapper did this in an attempt to gain credibility.

Peacock told the Detroit News that Bailey is trying to cash in on Eminem's fame, and he added that the song is true because Bailey did beat up the superstar on a regular basis when they attended Dort Elementary School together.

Eminem referred to his former classmate Bailey in the song "Brain Damage," which is included on the Slim Shady LP.

LOS ANGELES (08.05.03)--Rapper Ice-T is keeping it real--real buzzed. The "Law and Order" star is launching his own brad of malt liquor this month. Called "ROYAL ICE", it will surely appeal to the frat boys and ganstas alike-although some of T's fellow hiphopers, such as CHUCK D, have accused the liquor industry of putting mind-altering substances besides alcohol in malt liquor. There is, however,a less threating Ice T beverage called Liquid Ice, the rapper's energy drink, that launches tomorrow with a party at PRIVALEGE. "A true hustler needs energy to keep his game tight", Ice T explains.

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NEW YORK (08.04.03)--Q-Tip had confirmed the news exclusively reported last month by Billboard.com that A Tribe Called Quest will reunite for a new album. However, issues remain between the pioneering hip-hop trio and its label, Jive, which will release the set. It will be Tribe's first album since 1998's "The Love Movement."

Q-Tip tells Billboard the group is still smarting over "Hits, Rarities, and Remixes," a collection Jive released June 17. "The good people at Jive thought it fit to put out an album that was unauthorized by us with some material that we never intended to come out, but they did. I guess once they come say 'sorry' to us, we'll talk about when we'll put it out."

For now, Q-Tip has plenty on his plate, thanks to his new deal with DreamWorks, which will be home to his imprint Abstract Artworks. "I'm able to work and develop artists," he says. "One is an amazing vocalist by the name of Antoinique [Smith], and the other is a singer/songwriter named Keon Bryce. I'm working on developing them and putting myself out."

Q-Tip is also recording his DreamWorks debut, "Open," due in February. "It's intriguing to be at one of the last independent labels and to have the opportunity to build something and really grow a real relationship," he says.

JERSEY CITY,NJ (08.03.03)--With all the verbal darts that are being tossed around the industry these days it seems that the Jesery born Joe Buddens has officially gotten into the "sneak attack" game. On the newly released DJ Clue mixtape: "Where the Hood At?", it seems that Budden apparently has taken a few shots at the games hottest MC right now....50 CENT. JOE spits a freestyle over the "Bang Out" instrumental which answers 50's apparent cheap shot at him in XXL. Here is a verse from the freestyle:

"...Rearrange genes and features; Pump diesel / I aint talkin bout jeans and sneakers; Think about it (Uhh) / See you rap dudes wanna hassle me? Well / might have to treat this barrel like a Sprewell; You jump; I box out / what good is your bulletproof truck when you gotta hop out? [ni99a]"

50 dissed Budden recently in XXL's "Step Your Rap Game Up" (August 2003) column over this line from Focus "We pump diesel, I ain't talking 'bout jeans or sneakers..."

It seems that the two have been throwin darts at each other for some time. On the PUMP IT UP:Remix with Jay Z, Budden apparently came at 50 on the low stating:

"...I seen MANY MEN with the Jakes....next time y'all listen to MANY MEN, I'll make sure y'all relate.."

There is no real information on when and how the beef started but RHH will keep you posted. To lisen to the diss clips, use the links below.

LOS ANGELES (08.01.03)--Marion "Suge" Knight is being returned to prison for 10 months after a parole board on Thursday (July 31) found him guilty of violating his parole by punching a parking valet.

The rap mogul was arrested last month and has been held in custody since June 27 (see "Suge Knight Arrested After Allegedly Hitting Parking Valet"). His time served at the Los Angeles County Jail counts toward his 10-month sentence. Knight had faced up to a year in prison.

The closed parole board hearing lasted eight hours, during which the arresting officer, the victim and other witnesses testified, but not all of the testimony given was determined to be as pertinent as statements given the night of the June 21 incident.

Knight was accused of hitting valet Mehdi Lazrak on the back of the head from behind. Lazrak did not see his attacker (see "Parking Valet Says It Wasn't Suge Who Sucker-Punched Him"), but his boss, Abbey Shilleh, claimed that evening that he saw Knight do it. Shilleh retracted that statement in his testimony Thursday, but that did not exonerate the gangsta-rap CEO.

"He backpedaled a bit," California Board of Prison Terms spokesperson Bill Sessa acknowledged. "But we have a provision for weighing testimony from fearful witnesses. We gave more weight to what he said that night than what he said today."

A security camera videotape of the incident was provided by Knight's lawyer, Rose Kogeman, but the parole hearing officer determined that the images were too out of focus to be conclusive.

LOS ANGELES(07.31.03)--There have been a number of reports coming out of the L.A. area that Xzibit was attacked early Saturday morning while leaving a club in the greater Los Angeles area. Apparently a group of Mexican Gang Members approach the rapper and an altercation ensued. It has been reported that Xzibit checked himself into St. Joseph's Hospital where he received 50 stitches to his eye lids and upper lip area. The word from Xzibits camp is that he is fine and that he will continue to perform despite the attack. No word on the relationship Xzibit had with his attackers but Real-HipHop will keep you posted as the information comes in.

With another platinum album under her belt and eight nominations for the MTV Video Music Awards, it seems as if Missy Elliott is showing everyone how she “Work It’. Missy is now taking her hip-hop style into the new fall Gap clothing store campaign. As one half of an advertising duo, Missy will join Madonna in the new campaign titled “A New Groove, A New Jean”, in which they both appear in thirty and sixty second spots performing a remix to the song “Into the Hollywood Groove”.

“No one brings style and music together better than Madonna and Missy Elliott," Gary Muto, president of Gap said. "This campaign is about the new energy of cords and staying true to your individual style. Gap represents iconic American style, and who better to communicate that than Madonna." A video for the song can also be seen on Vh-1 who premiered it earlier this week. When customers purchase the new fall cord jeans, they will also receive a limited edition CD featuring Missy and Madonna for free. In addition to the new commercial, Missy is back in the studio working on her next album, which she hopes to drop by November of this year.

TEXAS (07.29.03)--At the opening of his latest film, Spy Kids 3D, in Austin, Texas, Sylvester Stallone did an interview in which he discussed his upcoming project about the murders of two of the biggest names in hip-hop. As of right now the official title for the film is going to be "THUGZ LIVES". The film, like a previous documentary, will link the murders of Tupac and Biggie to corruption in the LAPD. Stallone hinted that there would also be a suggestion of FBI involvement. "This is like the JFK assassination to the black community," says Stallone. Stallone, who hasn't directed a film since the mid-1980's hopes to start shooting in late September. He would play the part of Russell Poole, a real-life LAPD detective whose brother mysteriously disappeared in the middle of the investigations. Stallone has devised a look for the film that combines the long takes and shaky video work of TV reality show COPS and the frenetic cutting and artiness of a music video. The film, which has also been called "the Ramparts Project" after a corruption-riddled Los Angeles police precinct, is currently in pre-production.

QUEENS, NY (07.29.03)--If some residents of Queens New York get their way, 203rd Street will soon be renamed Jam Master Jay Street. A petition is being passed around to rename 203rd, the street where the legendary Run DMC dj was born and raised, by October 30. This would mark the first anniversary of the yet unsolved murder of the late hip-hop star.

NEW YORK (07.28.03)--Along with the infamous "nude" pictures of Eve being circulated around the net, the 24 year old rapper has has apparently encountered another legal battle she has to deal with in the upcoming weeks. A leading New York modeling agency is suing the rapper Eve over claims that the performer stiffed them on its share of lucrative endorsement deals initiated by the firm for the 24-year-old music star. Wilhelmina Artists Management contends that it pursued endorsement deals for Eve Jeffers with companies like Reebok, Clairol, and McDonald's soon after the entertainer signed a representation deal with the Manhattan company in May 2001, according to the below lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court.

After the parties split last year, Wilhelmina contends that Eve subsequently signed shoe endorsement contracts with Reebok and Candies, deals that Wilhelmina claims to have originally put in motion. The agency, which represents models Esther Canadas and Tyson Beckford, and singers Brandy, Jessica Simpson, and Usher, does not specify damages in the lawsuit filed late last month. In April, Wilhelmina filed a similar complaint against Beyonce Knowles, claiming that the singer owed the firm an $88,250 commission in connection with a L'Oreal endorsement deal.

NEW YORK -This week's news bits starts off with Nas who made the cover this month of the the XXL mag for his interesting stance on today's hiphop media giants. Nas has reportedly thrown verbal darts at both major hiphop mags (The Source and XXL). In fact, Nas is on the cover of XXL burning both magazines in each hand. Be sure to read this groundbreaking article. Jay Z made the news bits this week with his alliance with 50 Cent. Both rappers have agreed to drop a Mixtape dedicated to the "Roc The Mic Tour". The mixtape will feature new songs recently recorded by the hiphop powerhouses. Jay also made headlines by declining a wrestling match with John Cena from the WWE. Although it has been speculated that Jay was afraid to wrestle the professional, the word from Jay's camp is that there was not enough money involved. Stay tuned for more on this story.

In music news, Wyclef is coming with a song dedicated to calling a truce in all the hiphop beef. The song is entitled "INDUSTRY". Clef takes a trip down to memory lane with lyrics like: "wha if Pun was still alive"...and.."wha if the Fugees were still together". The song also talks of how Benzino and Em should peace things up along with 50 and Ja. The song should be hitting the streets soon, so keep your ears opened for that. The MTV VMA nominations were also released this week. Missy Elliot leads the pack with 8 nominations. Nas, 50 and Eminem are among the other hiphop artist that were given nods this year. Check out MTV.Com for more information.

In Real-Hiphop.Com news, the site has recently been voted the fasted growing hiphop site on the net. With the addition of "Got Lyrics?" (The Street MC Battle Series) and the Interview Section (featuring Pharoahe Monch and Capadonna coming soon), RH2 is becoming the premiere site for hiphop media. Be sure to check out the 1st Ever Online Hiphop Drama Series STRONG ARM!

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CHICAGO-Rapper and actor Ice Cube received an apology from the Chicago Police Department on Tuesday (July 22) after the department issued a community alert on Sunday (July 20), describing a man wanted for several sexual assaults as resembling Ice Cube. CBS's Chicago affiliate WBBM-TV subsequently aired one of Ice Cube's videos on Monday (July 21) while reporting on the police issued community alert.

The Chicago Police Department released the following statement according to AP: "We acknowledged the information should not have been on the alert. We took corrective action. We apologize to Ice Cube for what was an honest mistake and came with no ill intent."

The police are looking for a man suspected of series of sexual assaults in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. The initial alert described the suspect as a black male in his mid-20s who "resembles the popular rap artist Ice Cube."

Ice Cube is presently in Chicago filming Barbershop II. His spokesman, Matt Labov, said that the cast saw the news bulletin and video on WBBM-TV. "This is an unfortunate and hurtful situation for Ice Cube," Labov said. "That his good name ever came up in association with the events currently taking place in Chicago's Wicker Park area is damaging to Ice Cube as a father, husband, and artist."

WBBM-TV also apologized to the rapper but their representative, Elizabeth Shapiro reasoned, "Chicago police had issued a community alert saying a suspect in a string of crimes in Wicker Park resembled rap artist Ice Cube. So our information was taken directly from the Chicago Police Department community alert."

BOSTON-Over the weekend, the Inebriated Rhythm and The Strand presented the "HIPHOP PEACE AND UNITY LECTURE" in Boston, Mass. As the featured speaker, KRS ONE delivered one of his many prolific lectures he will be giving this summer on his book tour. The book is entitled, "Ruminations ". In his lecture, KRS addresses such topics as the music & radio industry, self-worth, and the mind state of hiphop. Here is an excerpt from the lecture in Boston, Mass at the Strand Theatre, on Friday, July 18, 2003...

KRS LECTURE IN BOSTON  real media   windows

YONKERS, NY-"You done fuc#ed up," DMX says, then calling Ja his "son" with the intention of making it clear that Ja copied his style.

"I'm the type of father that'll give a kid a toy," he continues. "Put my foot in his ass if he's a boy." X also questions Ja's sexuality and chastises him for "cheating the fans" and making fans "think New York is soft."

On Grand Champ X puts it down and that it is Ja Rule! With 50 Cent at his side they team up against a well hated rapper of hip-hop, Ja Rule. An artist that has been known to be compared to Tupac, which is absolutely ridiculous, is getting kicked while he's down.

"If you don't live that, you shouldn't say that," says 50, "What comes out your mouth will get you shot down."

Do you think Ja Rule has a chance to come back up in the game? Do you think Ja Rule should even be considered real hip-hop? A year ago if an artist wanted to do a song with Ja Rule it'd cost them a fortune, now you could get Ja Rule for free! What you think?

Be on the look out for the Grand Champ that will hit shelves September 9th!

MISSISSIPPI-Jackson, Mississippi artists Reese & Bigelow are preparing to bring a copyright infringement lawsuit against Bone Crusher and Arista Records for the hit single “Never Scared.”

Reese, who claims he purchased the track from ATL producer Avery Johnson and recorded verses with both Bone Crusher and Killer Mike for the single “Neva Sked” off the duo’s fall 2002 Playa Music LP, explained, “They have infringed upon my sound recording copyright…it’s the exact same song…the same music…same vocals and the exact performances that I paid for…” Reese added, “I’m looking to expose the truth…I just want to let people judge for themselves …He ruined a lot of good relationships over this one song…I know Bone’s been trying for a long time, but we’ve been at it a long time too…we were friends.”

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This incident comes just two days after a Buffalo man was arrested last Sunday at the Rock the Mic concert at Six Flags-Darien Lake Amphitheater for possessing a loaded handgun, a loaded .357 revolver found in his limousine, and wearing a bulletproof vest into the concert venue. The gun was discovered by the limo driver who contacted Genesee County authorities.

The police said the incident was not related in any way to any of the artists, but said the Buffalo man told them he had an "issue with some other party - whom he didn't mention - and felt he needed this [the gun] for this protection."

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CAMDEN, NJ-Real-Hiphop.Com has just received word that Beanie Sigel was arrested last night after the Roc-The-Mic Tour. Police issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday for Sigel, whose real name is Dwight Grant. Beans was wanted for a weapons charge and an "attempted murder" charge. Sigel is accused of shooting Terrence Speller, 26, in the stomach and foot around 1 a.m. Tuesday.

He was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in critical condition, police said. His condition has since been upgraded to fair.

Speller told police he was involved in an argument with two women outside the Pony Tail Bar on South 52nd Street before the shooting. He said he was walking away from the bar with a few other people when a Cadillac pulled over.

A man whom Speller identified as Sigel got out of the car and asked the two women, "Which one?" He then fired two shots at Speller, police said.

The arrest is the latest run-in with the law for Sigel, who is awaiting a preliminary hearing later this month on aggravated assault charges. He also is expected to be arraigned in two weeks in a separate case on charges including carrying a firearm in a public street, possession of arms by a convicted criminal and carrying a firearm without a license, according to court records. Real-Hiphop will keep you posted as the facts come in.

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Not with Kim - a man who attempted to extort $25'000 from Lil' Kim in exchange for her stolen jewelry was arraigned Tuesday (July 1) and could face up to four years in prison.

According to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, 31-year-old John Acheson called Kim's lawyer, Mel Sachs, on June 23 and said that he was in possession of the Queen Bee's iced-out crowned "B" piece and her diamond-flooded platinum dog tags He then allegedly told Sachs that he would exchange the jewelry for an initial $5,000 and $20,000 at a later time.

Acheson, who was never himself actually in possession of Kim's (who you can see exposed once again here, hahaha!) rocks, is charged with third degree attempted grand larceny, fourth degree attempted grand larceny by extortion, and attempted coercion in the second degree. Brown said that Acheson, a resident of New Rochelle, New York, caught wind that Port Authority Police were looking for him and turned himself in on Monday.

The jewelry theft is still under investigation, and police have not named any suspects yet. Kim, who lost her jewelry at John F. Kennedy airport on June 20 when she accidentally checked them in before a flight to Los Angeles, regained all of her missing property on Friday. Port Authority Police found the items during a search of the employee locker room in JFK's terminal building.

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Rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight could face up to a year in prison if state officials revoke his parole after his recent arrest for allegedly assaulting a parking lot attendant outside a Hollywood nightclub.

Knight, 37, was apparently unhappy with his parking spot at the White Lotus Club, a club frequented by celebrities. A Department of Corrections spokesperson said the victim had parked Knight's car but it was blocked in by other vehicles. Police said Knight then allegedly punched the attendant in the face from behind.

The district attorney's office has not received any request to file criminal charges against Knight. Parole officials said they will ask the California Board of Prison Terms to determine if Knight violated the conditions of his parole.

The state agency would have 30 days to make the decision if Knight's parole should be revoked, which could lead to as much as a year in prison, parole officials said.

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For all the loyal Fugees' fans who have been patiently waiting for their "reunion" album, it seems that the likelihood of this album becoming a realty is getting slimmer by the day. But it is not because Wyclef and Lauryn Hill are not will to reconcile. A new beef in the group is brewing between Wyclef and Pras. Word on the Street has it that Wyclef is pissed at Pras over some remarks that were made to a couple of 'Clef's friends. It is not clear as to what was said but Wyclef has felt it necessary to respond to Pras. In a song entitled "FAKE ASS PRAS", 'Clef goes directly for the throat stating that Pras is a fraud. Wyclef even claims that he wrote all the rhymes for Pras on the multi-platinum album "The Score".

In the wake of all the recent hype surrounding the new wave of "hiphop beefs", many fans are wondering if this beef is for-real or is it a desperate attempt to bring attention back to one of the hottest rap groups in recent history. Stay tuned, Real-Hiphop will keep you posted as the news come in. To listen to the track, use the link below.

FAKE ASS PRAS real media

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After enduring several disses thrown his way by Murder Inc in this beef they have with 50 Cent and Shady/Aftermath, Dr. Dre has finally responded, throwing some hits of his own on a new Obie Trice song.

In the song, which is called "Body Guard", Dre raps "I don’t even listen to your shit to know who the fuck I’m dissing, the media just feeds into these feuds trying to add fuel to the fire, this little nigga Ja Rule talking about he’s gonna slap me, nigga please, you gotta jump and swing up to hit me in the knees."

In what seems to be today’s latest fashion in Hip-Hop, Dr. Dre also mentions Tupac and disses Ja Rule for biting the late rapper.

"And pussy you’re not Pac I knew him, Pac was a real nigga, you just a fucking insult to him, it’s too bad we had to fall out before he passed, because if he could see this shit now, he’d be whooping your ass" raps Dre, the self proclaimed "pioneer who engineered this shit".

Obie Trice lets off his own shots, telling Ja Rule he couldn’t handle beef on the street and calling him fake. Eminem does the hook, asking "What ya gonna do when shit hits the fan? Are you gonna stand and fight like a man? Will you be as hard as you say you are? Or you gonna run and go get your body guards?"

BODYGUARD(JA RULE DISS) real media   windows

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Mystikal pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of extortion and sexual battery. The charges stem from an incident in Baton Rouge last July when his hairstylist accused him and two associates of rape. Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Tyler, allegedly accused the woman of stealing from him before assaulting her on camera with two other men. By pleading guilty Mystikal will not face charges of aggravated rape, which would carry a sentence of life on prison. Instead he received five years of probation for the extortion charge.

Mystikal will be back in court on September 25 to be sentenced for the charge of sexual battery.

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After nearly 8 months after the tragic death of legendary Jam Master J, it is unfortunate that the murder has still gone unsolved. With the unsolved mysteries of the infamous Tupac and Biggie murders still looming over the hiphop community, the events that followed the death of Jason Mizell a.k.a Jam Master J are all too familiar and the hiphop community is growing anxious. However, there has been new light that has been shed on the case. In an shocking interview held on the HOT 97 morning Show, a possible suspect was interviewed by SWAY (the show's host). Randy Allan, who is a long time friend of the pioneer and was present at the studio on the night that JMJ was murdered has been questioned as a possible witness turned suspect. Although he maintains his innocence, JMJ's family has actually turned their personal focus on the investigation to Allan.

One reason Randy Allan was named a suspect is because of a rumor that spread stating that an insurance policy existed stipulating that the only way Allan could collect is if Jay was harmed at the "place of business". During the interview Allan repeatedly denied that the policy existed and stated that the police came up empty during the investigation on the possible insurance policy. Also interviewed was Lydia High, who is Allan's sister, who was also present the night that Jay was shot but was not harmed. She maintains that her brother is innocent and that his presumption of guilt is due to a big misunderstanding. To listen to PART 1 of the interview, use the clips below. Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2.

HOT 97 INTERVIEW PART I real media   windows

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