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April 30, 2001

Primo To Drop Own LP

From SOHH.com. With the success of producers putting out their own projects, DJ Premier is next in line. According to Platform, Primo has signed with Terror Squad Records which distributed by Atlantic Records, to put out a compilation of his own. The album will have both Hip-Hop and R&B tracks and should see possible release in early 2002. It is still in the idea stage and no guests or appearances have been announced. In addition, Billboard reports that Primo is back in the studio with Guru to begin work on the next Gangstarr album. Guru said that only three songs are recorded and they hope to recruit Aaliyah, D'Angelo and Snoop Dogg to make contributions on the projects. Currently untitled, the new album should hit stores early next year.

Layzie Bone Arrested

From SOHH.com. Is it a crime to rhyme? Well, apparently in Galveston, Texas it is. According to Sonicnet, Layzie Bone was in Texas promoting his new album, Thug By Nature. While at his hotel, the rapper was standing outside of his room trying out some new lyrics that he just wrote. Galveston police sergeant Brett Luck over heard the rapper and threatened to arrest him if he didn't stop. The officer cuffed Layzie and put him n the back of the squad car and gave him a ticket for $245 for cussing In the state of Texas, cursing in public can be considered a disorderly conduct and a Class A misdemeanor. According to Luck, "It's anything that offends or causes a breach of the peace." It's severity in punishment is in comparison to a traffic ticket and most people don't go to jail for it.

April 25, 2001

Royce da 5'9" readies LP

From MTV.com. Royce Da 5'9" knows about doing it himself. After leaving Tommy Boy Records last year, the Detroit rapper independently released "Boom," his collaboration with DJ Premier, and the song became an instant underground hit. Fortunately for Royce, the record bubbled above surface as well. It caught the attention of Columbia Records and they decided to sign Royce, who's made a name for himself on the underground circuit with solo efforts like "Secret Wars" and his many collaborations with good friend Eminem, like "Bad VS Evil." Now the MC is putting the finishing touches on his debut album, Rock City, due July 17. "That's what they call Detroit," Royce said. Fellow Motor City rapper Eminem appears on the title track, which Royce describes as having the same hometown pride vibe as Foxy Brown's "BK Anthem." "It's like a real Detroit-felt album," he said. Royce said Slim Shady's appearance on the album should clear up the rumors of any friction between the two old chums. "The relationship is the same," Royce said. "The reason people don't see us together no more is, one we're on two different labels. Two his sh-- just exploded overnight. The reason you used to see me and him together so much was because I was his hype man. I used to tour with him, but once I signed my deal, I couldn't go on tour with him. I started recording my album." In addition to Eminem, Royce's clique Detroit native sons D-Elite will also appear on the album, as will Chicago's Twista. Producers the Neptunes, the Alchemist, Premier, Ty Fyfe and Carlos Broady have all laid tracks. "It's going to be a mixture of a lot of different stuff," Royce said. "I'm going to take a lot of people by surprise. I got the songs for the MCs, the songs for the ladies. 'Danger' is strictly to women. 'Get Your Paper' is a real club song. I got a song called 'Pain' where I'm rhyming like I'm actually in pain. If pain was a person, what would pain say? I'm trying to do a classic album with songs that people will remember and don't just die down real quick." As for "Boom," Royce said the cut will be re-serviced this time with a chorus as the lead single to the Carmen Jones soundtrack. The 23-year-old has been testing out some of his material on the current Nelly tour. Royce was recently added to 13 dates on the outing, which includes Sticky Fingaz and Alley Life. And how did he get his moniker? "I ain't the type of person who's real creative with names," said Royce, born Ryan Montgomery. "When I was in high school, my first chain was a Turkish link with a big 'R' on it. My friend started calling me 'Royce' because he said it looked like the Rolls Royce 'R'. '5'9"' comes from when I was on the basketball team. Me and my man was the only people who was 5'9" all four years." He hasn't grown an inch since.

Dr. Dre Settles Lawsuit

From SOHH.com. After filing a lawsuit against accounting firm Pricewaterhouse Cooper LLC three years ago, Dr. Dre has finally been given what he is owed. Just days before the suit was set to go to trial, Dre and the firm reached a settlement of $15 million according to the L.A. Times. The lawsuit claimed that Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman, an arm of the company, mishandled funds belonging to Dre while he was co-owner of Death Row Records. The original lawsuit charged "fraud and breach of contract of fiduciary duty in connection with the alleged looting of millions of dollars from his accounts".

April 24, 2001

Xzibit DVD Cover

Here is the Xzibit DVD cover from the forthcoming DVD titled Restless Xposed. Thanks to Devin DeHaven for the image. Click the image for a larger version.

NYPD Targets Hip Hop Artists

From SOHH.com. With all the recent arrests involving Hip-Hop artists, the NYPD is now focusing their microscope on Hip-Hop culture. According to a MTV News story, NYPD's gang unit has begun watching nightclubs that Hip-Hop artists attend, labeling Hip-Hop a "culture of violence." In addition, officers are compiling information on artists who have been arrested and have a criminal record. "It would be ignorant for us to ignore the fact that there have been violent incidents where the only common denominator is the music industry," said police spokesperson Sgt. Brian Burke. "In an effort to ensure the safety of individuals in the music industry as well as other additional victims, we've initiated this effort." The reasoning for this new effort is the recent arrests of artists such as Lil' Cease, Jay-Z, Shyne and others. No arrests have been made under the new campaign, but the idea has already received criticism. Lawyer Murray Richman says that it's "racial profiling at its worst."

April 23, 2001

Eminem Pleads No Contest

From SOHH.com. On Monday (4/23), Eminem pleaded no contest to charges of carrying a concealed weapon (a five-year felony charge) and a misdemeanor charge of brandishing a firearm in public. Judge Denise Langford Morris said she was not considering jail time, but that might change after she reviews the case. Em is to be sentenced on June 5 and has until then to decide if he wants to change his plea. The charges stem from an incident where Em allegedly threatened an Insane Clown Posse crewmember with an unloaded gun. Eminem legally owned the gun, but did not have a permit to conceal the weapon or carry it in public.

April 16, 2001

Shyne Sentencing Pushed Back And Releases A Statement

Jamal "Shyne" Barrow's sentencing on assault, reckless endangerment and gun possession charges will not take place until June 1, a judge ruled Monday in a brief court session. Shyne, whose sentencing had been scheduled for Monday (April 16), was brought in from jail on Rikers Island for the court appearance, his first since his conviction last month. He entered the courtroom with his hands cuffed behind his back, maintaining a somber expression throughout the hearing. The rapper released a handwritten statement on Monday in which he apologizes to the victims of the nightclub shooting that sparked his charges, but also denies responsibility for their injuries. He was convicted last month of shooting two people at Club New York on December 27, 1999. "I apologize to the victims; I didn't cause your pain but you can place your blame on my shoulders," Shyne, whose lawyers argued that he fired in self-defense, wrote in his statement. Shyne's sentencing was delayed at the request of his lawyers, who wanted time to file paperwork related to the sentencing, as well as a post-trial motion for dismissal of some of his charges. The rapper's spiritual adviser, activist and minister Conrad Muhammad, said outside the courthouse that he expects Sean "P. Diddy" Combs to live up to his promise to financially support Shyne's appeal. Combs was acquitted of gun possession and bribery charges in the same trial in which Shyne was convicted, and in its aftermath, Shyne accused the rap mogul of abandoning him, a charge Combs denied "Puffy, Shyne In Post-Trial War Of Words"). Muhammad also said that he hopes to hold a support rally for Shyne in the near future, with unspecified hip-hop artists participating. Shyne's mother, Frances Franklin, urged Shyne's supporters to send letters to Judge Charles Solomon asking for leniency. "Jamal is staying positive. He prays a lot," Muhammad said. The minister said that he plans to hold a public meeting of music industry executives on April 30, in which he will encourage them to work harder to keep young artists out of trouble. Shyne was in his teens when he signed to Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment.

Full text of Shyne's statement:

"I apologize. I apologize 4 da tears that have fallen from my mother's and grandmother's tired eyes. I apologize to the victims; I didn't cause your pain but you can place your blame on my shoulders. I apologize to all those who cry for me. All those who believe in me. All those who believe me when I say all I tried to do was defend myself. And finally I apologize to my generation for not being there to lead you. Not being there to help you help you escape da harsh realities I sung about which you face everyday. I apologize. I thank God for life and hope. Hope I find in all of you who continue to support me and all of you who continue to believe in me and believe me. God bless you all."

April 13, 2001

Xzibit & Tha Liks DVD Info

Even though the xzibit dvd was pushed back from the original release date it will be completed this week with a released date to be determined next week. The push back made it possible to add some bonus materials. The live footage for tha liks DVD is complete and will be finished in the next 60 days after tha liks finish shooting some of the skits that the dvd will feature. It looks like right now tha liks dvd will some time in the late summer or during the fall.

Redman Debuts Tracks From "Malpractice"

From MTV.com. Anyone out to get a hold of Redman's Malpractice before its May 22 street date should be forewarned: The Funk Doc is taking every precaution to ensure his album is not leaked. On Wednesday night, a media audience encountered Redman's security measures firsthand when Def Jam hosted a studio listening session for select cuts from the new LP. Those in attendance were forced to wear headphones in order to hear the nine tracks played at the event, due to the rapper's concern that someone could record the music if it blared through the studio's speakers. All lights in the studio were turned off while the music was played; pens that emitted red light and note pads made to look like prescription pads were handed out in case anyone wanted to take notes. Tracks played at the event found Redman bringing his abrasive, yet sometimes humorous, wordplay over funk-drenched tracks and adding to the recent wave of hip-hop remakes with "Diggy Dot," a reworking of the D.O.C's 1989 smash "The D.O.C. & the Doctor." The MC also abandons rap flows for crooning on "Chillin N Da Bricks." Sung to the tune of the old standby "Putting on the Ritz," the track also features dancer Savion Glover, who lends his tap skills, not his voice, to the track. Malpractice's first single, the party igniter "Let's Get Dirty," features DJ Kool on the hook. Redman's A&R rep said the LP is roughly two weeks from completion and disclosed that the rapper is trying to get Missy Elliott and his Def Squad compatriot Keith Murray (see "Redman, Sermon Stage Another Rally For Keith Murray") to round out the LP's list of guest stars, which also includes Method Man and George Clinton. When completed, Malpractice will feature eight additional songs among the tracks played Wednesday night, the rep said. Redman had scheduled a 10-city tour to kick off in May; according to Def Jam, that outing has been canceled.

Up Against The Wind

From SOHH.com. Up Against the Wind, a play based on the short 25-year life of revered rapper/actor Tupac Shakur, was written by Michael Develle Winn and finishes up its successful run tonight at the New York Theater Workshop in Manhattan's East Village. It's an intense interpretation of Shakur's short, controversial and successful career.

The play opens to the performance of an angry, but more innocent Tupac, who has just been accused of rape. However, he's hungry for success and the play takes us all the way through his career to the moment of his death. At his demise, he has become a harsh, vengeful and conflicted superstar.

Anthony Mackie portrays Shakur with the full range of human emotions; consequently, the audience is constantly frustrated both with and for Tupac. His anger and fury is the driving force behind his raw talent and ultimate impact on his listeners. But, 'Pac houses blinding emotions that eventually set the stage for his inescapable death. Mackie powerfully depicts Tupac's struggles with family, incarceration, the music industry, and the dark side of power and success. The level of anxiety is high as you are pulled with Tupac between the revolutionary ideals of his Black Panther mother, played by Hazelle Goodman, and his loyalty, devotion, and sense of debt to Death Row CEO, Suge Knight, played by Kevin Daniels.

The real standout performance is Jesse J. Perez who plays Tupac's old friend Jerome Perez. Perez tries unsuccessfully to keep Tupac from slipping into the dark excesses of his thug-like persona. Up Against the Wind provides a painful view into the humanity of a cultural icon and Hip-Hop legend. It's also reminds us of Tupac's impact on society, and most sadly, the myriad possibilities and potential that will forever remain unrealized.

Bomb Records Droppin' Bombs Again

From SOHH.com. After a one-year hiatus, San Francisco based Bomb Hip-Hop Records has announced a full slate of new releases for 2001. Among the forthcoming full lengths is a fourth and final installment of the pioneering Return of the DJ series and the double CD Droppen' The Bomb. The latter will include one CD dedicated to independent hip-hop featuring new cuts from Blackalicious and Swollen Members, as well as offerings from DJ Paul Nice, Rasco and Jedi Mind Tricks. Classic hip-hop collectors should take note because the formerly out of print Bomb Hip-Hop Compilation will be coupled with Droppen The Bomb. Originally released in 1994, it was Bomb's debut album and features rarities from DJ Q-Bert, Jigmastas, Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf, Blackalicious and Mystik Journeymen. Why such a long layoff for Bomb? "[I] had to regroup and get the market figured out, as well as Bomb's place in it," explained Bomb founder David Paul to SOHH.com.Com. Past industry drama aside, Bomb is looking forward to a prolific year. According to Paul, "My main plan at the moment is just put together good releases that I believe in."

Neptunes Ready Debut Album

From SOHH.com. With hits coming out of every bone in their body, The Neptunes are set to go out on their own. Under the name N*E*R*D, The Neptunes (Chad Hugo and Pharell Williams) will release their debut album, In Search Of... on July 3. According to the production duo, most of the tracks that are on the album feature tracks that were turned down or rejected by their clients, which include Jay-Z, Mystikal, Tha Liks, Ludacris and others. The album said to have a mix of techno, rock, psychedelic pop and Hip-Hop. Pharell Williams and co-producer Shay will handle most of the vocals, but the album will feature appearances from Kelis, Malice and Clipse. The first single, "Lap Dance", has already hit radio with a video following shortly.

April 12, 2001

Tha Likwit Crew Hard At Work

From SOHH.com. Now that Xzibit's Restless has reached coveted platinum status, the rest of the Likwit Crew are hyped to hit that level too. With a new album from Tha Liks set to hit stores on June 5, Tash, E-Swift and J-Ro are now all busy prepping solo albums. Not resting on his success, Xzibit has already begun work on his next album entitled Man Vs. Machine, but there is no word if Dre will play as executive producer again. In addition, Likwit Crew founder King T is spearheading the crew's compilation album which will be out in August through JCOR Entertainment. The album will feature tracks from the crew's established members, Tha Liks, Xzibit, King T, Defari, Loot Pack, Phil Da Agony, Dilated Peoples, but will also focus more on its new members, Major, Tri State, Ben Buford and Gunz Click. On the production side, E-Swift, Evidence, and Madlib will contribute, but most duties will be handled by up-and-comers Pen 1, Thayod, Stoobie Doo and Clever. In 2002, the Likwit Crew will release a full-length album that will feature the most prominent crewmembers (Tha Liks, Xzibit, King T), through E-Swift's Street Soul label.

April 10, 2001

Eminem Gets Probation Instead Of Jail

From SOHH.com. Macomb County, MI.: Eminem has just been sentenced to two years probation and a small monetary fine for possession of a concealed weapon (instead of the eleven months of jail he potentially faced). He'd plea bargained his position a couple of months ago, by which an assault charge was withdrawn in exchange for the rapper pleading guilty to possessing a concealed weapon. The charges stem from Em pistolwhipping a man he'd seen kissing his wife outside a Warren nightclub last summer. Eminem said he'd been carrying the gun because his bodyguards were unavailable.