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EMINEM'S PUBLISHER SUES FACEBOOK.
Eminem's song publisher is suing Facebook and an ad agency, saying they copied music from one of Eminem's songs. In the 12-page complaint, filed Monday evening in Detroit federal court, Ferndale-based Eight Mile Style contends that a Facebook ad that was broadcast online April 4 copied music from Eminem’s 2000 song “Under the Influence.”

The 30-second ad, dubbed “Airplane,” was featured in a webcast by Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg to announce Facebook Home, an interface for Android phones. Some viewers at the time noted a similarity between the ad’s music and Eminem’s song.

Eight Mile Style oversees rights and licensing for Eminem’s song catalog. The complaint claims the ad agency, Wieden+Kennedy of Portland, Ore., copied Eminem’s music “in an effort to curry favor with Facebook by catering to Zuckerberg’s personal likes and interests, and/or to invoke the same irreverent theme” of the rapper’s song. A version of the commercial featuring new music was posted to YouTube several days later. That version has also since aired on television. The lawsuit contends the alteration “was an admission that Facebook knew it had infringed” on the Eminem song.

This isn’t the first time Eight Mile Style has taken on a tech giant: Apple Inc. reached an out-of-court settlement with the publisher in 2005 after using Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” in an iPod commercial without permission. Audi agreed to a settlement in 2011 after using a “Lose Yourself” sound-alike song in a European promotional clip.

The Facebook Home media event took place in early April — the same week that web sleuths made headlines by purportedly turning up the old Angelfire homepage of a teenage Zuckerberg. That site includes an “About Me” page that cites Eminem’s best-known persona: “Hi, my name is ... Slim Shady. No, really, my name is Slim Shady. Just kidding, my name is Mark.”

Further twisting the plot: Wieden+Kennedy was the firm behind Eminem’s famed Super Bowl spot with Chrysler in 2011 — which featured an authorized version of “Lose Yourself.”

Eight Mile Style had directly complained to the ad agency in April about the Facebook ad music. In an April 29 response obtained by the Free Press, a Wieden+Kennedy attorney argued that Eight Mile Style had no grounds to assert copyright, saying the Eminem song passage had itself been copied from Michael Jackson’s 1991 song “Give In to Me.”

In the letter, attorney Guy Cohen attributed the writing and production of “Under the Influence” to periodic Eminem collaborator Dr. Dre, who Cohen contended “has a long, well-documented history of copyright infringement.”

“Under the Influence” was in fact cowritten by D12 and produced by the Bass Brothers, the Detroit duo who handled much of the rapper’s work at the time.

“I find it so arrogant, after they did so well with the Chrysler-Eminem campaign, that they would say Dr. Dre stole this from Michael Jackson,” said Eight Mile Style head Joel Martin.

Even setting aside any Michael Jackson issue, Cohen wrote, the music in the original Facebook spot “simply is not substantially similar” to the Eminem song.

Moreover, he wrote, Wieden+Kennedy has “taken steps to ensure that the earlier version of (the Facebook ad) is no longer publicly available.” Source: Detroit Free Press

ROB WELLS NAMED TO UMG'S EXECUTIVE BOARD.
Universal Music Group (UMG) today announced that it has appointed Rob Wells, President of Global Digital Business, to serve on its Executive Board. Wells, who is based at the company's Santa Monica, California headquarters, reports to Lucian Grainge, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of UMG.

Wells is responsible for strategic development and execution of UMG's digital business worldwide across its various divisions and around all of UMG's digital assets, including in the wireless, online and transactional sectors. This includes identifying next-generation distribution channels and strategic partnerships, and working with UMG's business partners to further extend the company's digital strategy and reach across current and emerging platforms.

" Rob Wells has been instrumental to our success in finding innovative and effective platforms and digital partners to help our artists succeed," said Mr. Grainge. "His promotion to the UMG Executive Board reflects not only the strength of his performance and his contributions to the company, but also the critical priority we place on – and significant opportunities we see for – our digital business. We congratulate Rob on his many achievements to date and know that he and his team will continue to deliver results in the months and years to come."

Wells said, "The combination of UMG's incredible artist roster and inventive digital leadership is a powerful one that offers exciting possibilities for the future. This Board appointment deepens the strategic intersection of these potent assets and demonstrates the recognition and support that my team and I receive from Lucian and everyone at UMG. We are very excited to continue to drive UMG's industry-leading digital position in more and more creative ways than ever before."

Wells has served as UMG's President of Global Digital Business since October 2010. Prior to that, he was Senior VP of Universal Music Group's international division, where he was responsible for directing and executing all aspects of the company's international digital business. He began his tenure with UMG in 2000, when he joined Universal Music UK as Division Director of Digital Services.
Prior to UMG, Wells worked in a series of positions at BMG Entertainment, literally beginning his career in an entry-level mailroom job and culminating with his service as Head of Internet and New Media.

SNOOP LION JOINS TONY BENNETT AND BRADY CAMPAIGN.
Snoop Lion, who has been one of the most outspoken proponents of ending gun violence, has joined with singer Tony Bennett to support VOICES AGAINST VIOLENCE, a campaign launched last month by Bennett, his son and manager Danny Bennett and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The campaign supports common sense gun laws and calls for ending the gun violence that takes thousands of innocent lives each year in communities across America.

Snoop Lion created a video message urging citizens to call Congress and voice their support of Congressional action on increasing gun safety, which will debut on facebook today. Snoop Lion also contributed an audio message that will launch the same day as part of the VOICES AGAINST VIOLENCE 'text-to-call' Congress initiative when you text MYVOICE to 877877. Snoop Lion's music video, NO GUNS ALLOWED, already has over 750,000 on-line views.

"Supporting the safety of our country through common sense gun laws is an issue that crosses all demographics and brings citizens from divergent backgrounds together in this important cause. I am so appreciative that Snoop Lion has added his voice to VOICES AGAINST VIOLENCE," commented Tony Bennett.

"We will only see real change to our gun laws by coming together and raising our voices demanding it. Snoop Lion's activism is inspiring and we hope sends a message to young people across the nation that every American can have an impact," said Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign.

To date the VOICES AGAINST VIOLENCE 'text-to-call' Congress campaign has generated over 30,000 calls to date. The goal of the text-to-call campaign is to encourage the public to share their voices by making it easy for people who care about gun violence to call their members of Congress. The campaign was founded to allow the voices of all Americans to be heard in the political process and to encourage everyone to take real responsibility for the safety of our homes, schools and communities.

PRINCE ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP.
Prince has announced he's created a unique new partnership with leading global independent music services company Kobalt Music Group (Kobalt), which, for the first time, will give him the ability to self-release music globally with a new level of flexibility and freedom.

Through the ground-breaking venture, the seven-time Grammy Award-winner and multi-platinum artist, will release a slate of music by new artists, as well as Prince recordings and other Prince-produced material by utilizing Kobalt's label services for marketing and distribution and other services. Prince will provide artist development and recording services for newly signed artists that Kobalt will market and distribute globally through their wholly-owned global digital platform and network of physical distribution partners.

With a history of innovation in releasing his music, whether through newspaper distribution, at concerts, via his exclusive clubs or through direct deals with retail, Prince is embracing a new label services model to bring new music to the world without the confines of the old-school label system.

"This new venture gives Prince the flexibility and freedom he's always sought in a label partner. We're providing a high level of diverse services that will be particularly customized to his vision for each release, allowing the world to experience more music from Prince and his creative community," said Richard Sanders, President of Kobalt.

Fresh off a sold out nine-city west coast club tour with his highly acclaimed backup band 3RDEYEGIRL, Prince yesterday received the prestigious BILLBOARD ICON AWARD during the live broadcast of the BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS. This summer he will headline the Montreux Jazz Festival as well as do select dates in Europe and in the U.S.

SLUM VILLAGE UNVEIL NEW ALBUM EVOLUTION.
Evolution marks the group’s 20th Anniversary and features appearances From Blu, Havoc, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Raheem Devaughn, Rapper Big Pooh & More
.
Ne’Astra Music is proud to announce the release of Evolution, the new Slum Village album, available this June. Evolution is the long-anticipated release coming on the heels of the critically acclaimed mix tapes “Dirty Slums” and “Dirty Slums 2.” This album features new music from founding member T3 along with Young RJ and Illa J.

The first single “Forever” has already been released digitally. The track’s musings on the natural drift of relationships over time delivers a vibe that’s a cut above. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

The group was founded in the early 90's by 3 childhood friends: Baatin, T3, rapper and producer J Dilla, who all grew up together in the Conant Gardens neighborhood of Detroit, MI. After leaving Pershing High School, the trio began to forge a path into the Detroit underground hip hop scene and quickly found themselves steadily gaining popularity, where they originally went by the name Ssenepod.

Even though the group has suffered many heartaches and member changes over the years, Slum Village always finds a way to reinvent its brand. As the group has persevered despite the struggles over the years, it was only natural that the inspiration for this album title paid tribute to Slum Village’s enduring quality. The meaning of Evolution can be described as “a continuous change to a higher, more complex or better state” and that is exactly what Slum Village has ascribed to with their music over the years, culminating with this new album. The Evolution of Slum Village continues with a reinvigorated energy, as founding member T3 holds down the legacy along with the Grammy-nominated producer Young RJ as well as young prodigy Illa J at his side.

Evolution also includes the talents and skills of Blu, Havoc (Mobb Deep), Raheem Devaughn, Jazzy Jeff, Rapper Big Pooh & Focus amongst others. The album was produced by T3, Young RJ and FOCUS. Slum Village has partnered with The Orchard for worldwide digital distribution.

In conjunction with their new release, Slum Village has also launched a Pledge Music campaign as a way to allow the fans to join the album-making process. There are various packages available, even including the SV logo stage prop used in the “Selfish” video featuring Kanye West and John Legend.

Slum Village will be touring worldwide in support of the release. Remaining tour dates below with more to be announced:

TOUR DATES
May 16 London, UK Cable
May 17 Manchester, UK Sound Control
May 18 Munster, Germany Skaters Palace w/ Redman, ONYX, Masta Ace, RA The Rugged Man, Dynasty
May 23 Milan, Italy Biko Club
May 24 Aarau, Switzerland Kiff
May 25 Brussels, Belgium Brass
June 14 Chicago, IL Reggie's
July 25 Tampa, FL The Orpheum
July 26 Miami, FL The Stage

AUGUST ALSINA JOINS THE DREAM & KELLY ROWLAND ON LIGHTS OUT TOUR
Fresh off the release of his first Gangsta Grillz mixtape, The Product 2 hosted by DJ Drama, 20 year old New Orleans native August Alsina is set to embark on his first national tour, serving as the opening act for The Dream and
Kelly Rowland on their Lights Out Tour. Alsina will hit 19 markets between May 29th and June 28th, treating fans to new music from The Product 2, including his latest single “I Luv This Shit” ft. Trinidad Jame$!!

May 24 – Kansas City, Missouri – The Midland by AMC
May 26 – Silver Spring, Maryland – The Filmore Silver Spring
May 28 – Baltimore, Maryland – Rams Head Live
May 29 – Boston, Massachusetts -Wilbur Theatre
May 30 – New York City, New York – Best Buy Theater
June 13 – Jackson, Mississippi – Thalia Mara Hall
June 14 – Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Varsity Theatre
June 21 – Cleveland, Ohio – House of Blues
June 22 – Cincinnati, Ohio – Bogart’s
June 23 – Chicago, Illinois – House of Blues
June 26 – San Francisco, CA – Mezzaine

CLYDE CARSON JOINS BIG K.R.I.T. ON THE KING REMEMBERED IN TIME TOUR
California artist Clyde Carson, creator of the every-city anthem "Slow Down," will be joining southern artist Big K.R.I.T. and Harlem rapper Smoke DZA for eight West Coast dates on the King Remembered In Time Tour starting May 24th. Full list of tour dates below.

"I enjoy touring and interacting with fans," states Carson. "Any opportunity I have to make that happen, I'm all for it. I appreciate Big K.R.I.T. extending the invite for the West Coast dates and look forward to performing familiar hits and introducing new ones."

Clyde Carson's smash single "Slow Down" made history in 2012 when it became the most played record of any year on Bay Area's KMEL radio. The song hit #1 on Los Angeles' rhythmic station Power 106 and became a top song in California, Arizona, Utah and Missouri. The music video, filmed in Carson's hometown of Oakland, CA has garnered close to 3 million views on VEVO. Fans can hear "Slow Down" on the 2012 mixtape S.T.S.A. (Something To Speak About).

King Remembered In Time Tour Dates
5/24 Tempe, AZ @ Club Red
5/25 La Jolla, CA @ Porter's Pub
5/26 Hollywood, CA @ Tru
5/28 San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
5/29 Sacramento, CA @ Harlow's
5/30 Petaluma, CA @ Phoenix Theatre
5/31 Portland, OR @ Refuge
6/1 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

SOULS OF MICHIEF ANNOUNCE 50 CITY TOUR W/ LIVE BAND.
It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the Oakland, California based rap group Souls of Mischief, consisting of Tajai, Opio, Phesto, and A-Plus, released their debut album 93 ‘til Infinity. The album and title track is widely considered a benchmark in the history of hip-hop music and culture not only in the US but worldwide. To commemorate this anniversary, the four-man crew will release a remix of the single “93 ‘til Infinity” featuring an all-star roster of talent (names to be announced this summer.) In addition, they will act as brand ambassadors for a limited capsule collection with iconic fashion and lifestyle brand Ecko, which also turns twenty this year. The celebration will culminate in a nationwide tour where Souls of Mischief will perform classic songs as well as new material with a live band.

Speaking on the evolution of hip-hop that has occurred since Souls of Mischief began their storied career, Hieroglyphics member Pep Love commented, “Hip-hop culture and music were destined to become pop culture from [the] beginning. Misrepresentation and exploitation are the only real problems. Hip-hop is socially conscious at its very core and its very essence. I believe that Hieroglyphics truly represents hip hop and going forward we will help to spark a resurgence and bring the true representation to the masses.”

With their constant touring, album releases, brand merchandising, infamous block parties, song placement in movie soundtracks and snowboard documentaries, and more, Souls of Mischief continue to remain a relevant, creative and inspirational force in music.

TOUR DATES

JEEZY OFFICIALLY SIGNS DOUGHBOYZ CASHOUT FROM DETROIT.
It’s official, Detroit collective Doughboyz Cashout have inked with CTE/Atlantic Records. As their first order of business at CTE/Atlantic, DBC premiered the official remix for “Mob Life” featuring Young Jeezy on Detroit’s Hot 107.5

"I saw Detroit, I saw some kids that did all the work. They did all the work and I just wanted to show the world what they were working on," Jeezy said of Doughboyz when he phoned in to WJLB 97.9 in Detroit last night and broke the news with DJ Blast. "Detroit bred some great hustlers, some great talent from Eminem to Big Sean, but now it's time for the ghetto superstars. The world gotta see this." SEE THE FOOTAGE HERE

LUDACRIS & MIGUEL ADDED TO BUD LIGHT MUSIC FIRST'S 50/50/1 LINEUP.
Bud Light Music First's grand finale, "50/50/1," will cap a summer-long celebration of music with a never-before-seen live music event that will see Bud Light present one concert in each of the 50 states on a single day. Today, Bud Light announced 14 new 50/50/1 acts.

Miguel, Metric, Ludacris, NEEDTOBREATHE, Chevy Metal, The Faint, North Mississippi Allstars, Flogging Molly, Blackberry Smoke, Dr. Dog, JJ Grey & Mofro, Colt Ford, Pepper and Kenny Wayne Shepherd are the newest artists to become part of the Bud Light Music First 50/50/1 event, joining an eclectic lineup that already features Kendrick Lamar, Sublime with Rome, Alex Clare and The Flaming Lips. As part of 50/50/1, each artist will perform in a different city on Thursday, Aug. 1, flipping the traditional music festival on its head by bringing the show to the entire country with a dedicated performance in each state.

Additional artists performing in 50/50/1 include Emeli Sande, Drive-By Truckers, The Gaslight Anthem, The Airborne Toxic Event, The Dirty Heads, Capital Cities, Citizen Cope, Coheed & Cambria, Gogol Bordello, Mastodon and Machine Head, Halestorm, Under the Sun Tour, Guster, The Mowgli's, Minus the Bear, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Best Coast, Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Wavves, The Hold Steady, Corey Smith and Portugal. The Man. The 50/50/1 lineup is being curated by Live Nation.

“Music is such a unique platform because it brings people together, yet everyone interacts with it on a personal level,” said Rob McCarthy, vice president, Bud Light. “With Bud Light Music First, we have an amazing collection of artists and partners that will make sure every adult fan can experience music in a fun, interesting way this summer.”

“Music is a uniting force in our culture,” said Russell Wallach, president of Live Nation Network. “Through the Bud Light Music First program, we are able to bring together an entire nation, for the first time, in celebration of live music. There’s no doubt it will be a summer to remember for fans across the country.”

BET AWARDS '13 ON DECK.
Nominees were announced at the official BET Awards '13 press conference in Los Angeles, by BET's President of Music Programming and Specials, Stephen G. Hill; this year's BET Awards '13 host, blockbuster movie star and comedian Chris Tucker; R&B artist Chris Brown; hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar; and singer and television personality Tamar Braxton.

Leading the pack of nominees include, Drake, with an impressive 12 nominations including Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Video of the Year; close behind is breakthrough hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz tied with 8 nominations; A$AP Rocky with 5 nominations; while Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Miguel face off with 4 nominations each in the categories of Best Collaboration, Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award and Video of the Year.

This year's Video of the Year Award has a phenomenal line-up of 10 nominees including Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky, Miguel and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

During the press conference, Chris Brown was exclusively announced as the first confirmed performer. As an added bonus, R. Kelly is closing the BET Awards '13 and will head over to the Staples Center immediately after to open the BET Experience concert. In addition, a living legend, Charlie Wilson was announced as the recipient of the prestigious Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award, to honor his four decades in the entertainment industry.

"This year's line-up of nominees and performers is reflective of the variety of fantastic talent that's rocking the world right now," says Stephen G. Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials. "We are especially excited as we move on up to the Nokia Theatre at LA Live. You know how we do. Big thangs shall indeed be poppin. The BET Awards. Anything Can Happen…and most likely will."

The nominees for the BET Awards '13 include:

WARNER MUSIC REVENUE UP.
Warner Music Group Corp. swung to a modest fiscal second-quarter profit thanks to stronger revenue and lower interest expenses.

Warner Music is the world's third-largest record company by market share, behind Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group and Sony Corp.'s Sony Music Entertainment.

The company, owned by Access Industries Inc., like its peers in the industry, has strived to capitalize on the popularity of digital music as the age of physical recordings dissolves. For the latest period, Warner Music reported its overall digital revenue jumped 20% to $281 million, reflecting growth in subscription, streaming and download revenue. Digital revenue comprised 42% of total revenue, compared with 38% a year earlier.

Chief Executive Stephen Cooper attributed the company's performance to "a very strong release schedule, solid performance from carryover releases and continued financial discipline."

"We achieved robust growth in OIBDA and OIBDA margin," added Brian Roberts, Warner Music Group EVP/CFO. "And we realized strong free cash flow of $121 million, closing the quarter with $294 million in cash on our balance sheet which gave us the ability to pay down $102.5 million of our existing term loan on May 9, 2013. In addition, on May 13, 2013, we issued an irrevocable notice of redemption relating to $50 million of our currently outstanding 6.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 and €17.5 million of our currently outstanding 6.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2021."

For the period ended March 31, Warner Music posted a profit of $2 million, compared with a year-earlier loss of $36 million. Revenue increased 8.3% to $675 million, up 9.6% excluding currency fluctuations. Recorded music revenue grew 11% to $554 million, while music publishing revenue was flat. Operating margin rose to 8.4% from 3.5%. Interest expenses were down 13%.

CHRIS STOKES GIVING OPPS NATIONWIDE ON MUSIC PROJECTS & MORE.
As head of Footage Films and Silent Partner Entertainment Group, Chris Stokes is proud to provide job opportunities and internships to college students and individuals interested in pursuing careers in the film, television, and music industries.

With the success of his 2004 mega-hit movie, "You Got Served," and his highly-anticipated 2013 terror flick, "The Helpers," Chris Stokes is excited about what he and his team have in store for 2013 and 2014. Not just for what's coming to the box office, DVD, and television, but how Footage Films and Silent Partner have the ability to offer jobs to up-and-coming talent seeking careers in film and music production.

"I've been doing some workshops and speaking engagements at a few colleges," says Chris Stokes, music mogul, director, and TV and film producer. "I recently spoke at UCLA alongside entertainment attorney Gary Greenberg , teaching students about publishing, publishing splits, and management."

Thanks to the profit formula for lower to medium-budget movies, such as with "You Got Served," which was made for $8 million and grossed over $80 million in box office, TV, DVD, and VOD. "That's why doing these movies for under $10 million with a moderate but solid P&A spend is a great formula and business model, the studio along with our company can make a good profit," says Chris Stokes.

"I'm also excited for Ted Sarandos (Chief Content Officer) at Netflix, and what he's doing with his original programming at Netflix," says Chris Stokes. "I think he's a complete genius. Our company Footage Films would love to get into the original programming concept with Netflix. This is another way for entrepreneurs, such as myself, to get our product out to the public."

Chris Stokes, who discovered Brandy Norwood, Omarion, and Marques Houston, has produced and worked beside Destiny's Child, and more recently signed Mila J A.K.A. Japollonia, looks forward to continuing to build connections in the music, television, and film industries.

CEE LO REALITY SHOW ON DECK.
TBS has ordered six episodes of an unscripted show about Cee Lo Green's life. The six-episode series, set to premiere next year, will follow the record artist and executive as he teams with his friends — Big Gipp, Khuo and T-Mo — to bring their hip-hop group, Goodie Mob, back to the stage.

"With his distinctive voice, winning personality and remarkable ability to tap into a wide range of musical styles, Cee Lo Green has risen to the top of the music industry," said Michael Wright, president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies. "This new TBS series will give viewers the chance to get to know Cee Lo Green, who is without a doubt one of the hardest-working men in show business. 'The Cee Lo Life' is certain to be a smart, fun and funny journey packed with a lot of great music."

"The Cee Lo Life" is produced by Emerald TV Productions and Rogue Atlas. Green executive produces with Larry Mestel, Andrew Jameson and Eli Frankel.

SHA MONEY XL NAMED EXECUTIVE VP OF URBAN A&R FOR EPIC RECORDS.
Michael "Sha Money XL" Clervoix, former SVP of A&R for Island Def Jam, has been named EVP of Urban A&R for Epic Records, it was announced today. Sha Money will oversee artist development and certain aspects of their recording processes, as well as being tasked with further development of Epic's urban roster.

In a statement, Epic chairman and CEO Antonio 'L.A.' Reid stressed his confidence in Sha Money, saying that "Sha Money has time and again proven to be a cultural leader and has my complete support in ushering in the next generation of hip-hop stars,” write LA Reid in a statement.

“As I embark on this new Epic journey," remarked Sha Money, "I have a great vision for what the new record industry should be like, the music, the experience and lifestyle."

In addition to his previous work at Island Def Jam (where he was responsible for 2 Chainz and Big K.R.I.T.), Sha Money has previously served as president of G Unit Records, following a long-established involvement with 50 Cent, acting as his manager and producer. Source: Billboard

T.I. LOOKING FOR $200 MILLION DEAL?
T.I.'s 10-year contract expired with Atlantic Records earlier this year. He's said to be now shopping a $75 million + deal for himself and his imprint. In a recent interview with Billboard he was asked the following:

Your 10-year deal with Atlantic expired, and recent reports said you were looking for a massive new deal. What's your label situation now?

"Let it be known: I am a free agent. I'm operating as an independent label. I do not have corporate sponsors. I don't have no corporate backing. I don't have no major distribution. We Master-P-ing this shit right now. Everything we putting out we paying for it. It's the grind. It's put me back to where I was when my first record [2001's I'm Serious] didn't sell, when I got dropped [from Arista] and I had to prove that I was worthy of a record deal. That's what I'm doing right now. Back then I was proving I was worth $2 million. Right now, I'm proving I'm worth $200 million.

I done sat with all the people; everybody says they're interested, but they don't want to cut that check. Alright -- we're going to motivate them to cut that check. We're gong to incentivize each and every institution, each and every place of distribution, we going to motivate them. They going to cut that check, man, and it's going to be eight figures. I ain't doing no deal if it ain't eight figures. I don't even wanna sit down with you. I don't wanna waste your time nor mine. I can do this shit on my own. $5 million, $2 million, $4 million, $3 million -- I can do that shit on my own. I got that in the pipeline already. Don't even talk to me if it ain't eight figures. If y'all don't feel like I'm worth it, I'ma show you."

RIAA ADDS DIGITAL STREAMING TO GOLD AND PLATINUM CRITERIA.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today announced the integration of streams to its Gold & Platinum (G&P) certification program. On-demand audio and/or video song streams will now be counted towards the 500,000 (Gold), 1,000,000 (Platinum) and 2,000,000 plus (multi-Platinum) thresholds required for G&P’s Digital Single Award certification.

The RIAA has added 56 titles in the inaugural certifications for the newly expanded Digital Single Award. Specifically, the RIAA is awarding 11 Gold, 18 Platinum and 27 multi-Platinum new "combined" Digital Single Awards counting both downloads and streams. This includes streams from on-demand services like MOG, Muve Music, Rdio, Rhapsody, Slacker, Spotify, Xbox Music and others, plus video streaming services like MTV com, VEVO, Yahoo! Music, YouTube and more.

"Including music streaming in Gold & Platinum awards marks the continued evolution of the industry’s premier program for recognizing artistic achievement, and it reflects the wide spectrum of ways consumers enjoy music from their favorite bands," said Cary Sherman, RIAA Chairman/CEO. "The music business, along with its incredible array of digital service partners, is offering fans more access to music than ever before. We’re thrilled that our awards will now more fully recognize artists’ commercial success today."

This new expansion of the G&P Program – the approach, methodology and formula – was the culmination of a year-long project by the RIAA, led by Sherman, and a variety of label marketing, business and data analysis executives, in which the RIAA examined comprehensive information comparing data on digital downloads to similar data on on-demand audio and video streams. The RIAA also closely consulted with NARM/digitalmusic.org, many digital music services, artist managers and industry leaders. It is important to note the new certification approach, including the formula of 100 streams being equivalent to one download, is an approximate barometer of comparative consumer activity; the financial value of streams and downloads were not factored into the equation.

On-demand streams on digital music services that are authorized by and reported to the record labels, whether paid for by the consumer through a subscription or free to the consumer through ad-supported services, will be accepted for RIAA certifications. Only official label/company videos count towards certification; user generated videos do not.

The RIAA developed its Gold & Platinum Awards Program in 1958 to honor artists and create a standard by which to measure the commercial success of a sound recording. The program trademarked the Gold record and formalized the industry practice of presenting awards to artists for music sales achievements.

First awarded to LP recordings but expanded to a number of formats overtime to include cassette tapes, CDs, digital tracks, digital albums, ringtones, and now streams, more than 14,000 titles have been certified by the RIAA during the last 55 years. Source: RIAA

TIMBALAND INVESTS IN SOCIAL MEDIA.
Timbaland is Investing in HangWith, Inc. MEDL Mobile was founded by Andrew Maltin, a high tech pioneer/serial entrepreneur and Dave Swartz, a marketing veteran/creative genius.

"I've seen the power of social media and how a simple tweet or Instagram pic can bring awareness to an album," said Timbaland. "I think Hang With takes things to the next level. I believe the entertainment industry will line up behind this application and I intend to be at the head of the line."

KRISS KROSS FUNERAL TO BE HELD IN ATLANTA.
Mourners are set to gather for the funeral of former Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly in Atlanta. Kelly's funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church. The 34-year-old was found dead May 1 of a suspected drug overdose.

FLAVOR FLAV PLEADS NOT GUILTY / TRIAL SET FOR SEPTEMBER.
A Las Vegas judge has scheduled a September trial for Flavor Flav on felony charges he chased and threatened his longtime girlfriend's 17-year-old son with a butcher knife.

A court spokeswoman says the case is set for Sept. 30 in Clark County District Court for the 54-year-old former rap and reality TV star. His legal name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr. He could get up to 12 years in prison if he's convicted.

Drayton pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Nevada state court to felony assault with a weapon and child endangerment charges stemming from a family argument last October. A local judge who heard the teen testify last month decided there was enough evidence for Drayton to stand trial in state court.

SKIZZY MARS TOUR ON DECK.
On May 14, Skizzy Mars will head back on the road for another nationwide run with Maryland artist's Logic and C Dot Castro on the Welcome To Forever Tour. The tour kicks off in Atlanta, GA at Terminal West and will hit over 30 cities before wrapping June 26th in Toronto, ON at the MOD Club. Full list of tour dates below.

"I'm grateful to be able to get back on the road and connect with fans again," declares Skizzy Mars. "Must Be Nice was my first experience on a full fledged tour and I had a great time, but I'm excited to get back out and do it again."

Upcoming Tour Dates:
5/14 Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
5/16 Dallas, TX @ HOB
5/17 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit 5/18 Austin, TX @ Stubb's Jr.
5/19 Houston, TX @ HOB-Main Room
5/23 Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
5/24 Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theatre
5/25 Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
5/26 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theatre
5/28 Tucson, AZ @ Rock
5/29 Scottsdale, AZ @ Martini Ranch
5/30 San Diego, CA @ HOB
5/31 Los Angeles, CA @ HOB
6/1 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
6/3 Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones
6/4 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
6/6 Portland, OR @ Peter's Room
6/7 Vancouver, BC @ Fortune Sound Club
6/8 seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
6/10 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
6/11 Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
6/12 Lawrence, KS @ The Granada
6/14 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theatre
6/15 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave II (Downstairs)
6/16 Detroit, MI @ Shelter
6/18 Cleveland, OH @ HOB
6/19 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
6/21 Boston, MA @ Fillmore
6/22 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
6/23 Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore
6/24 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
6/26 Toronto, ON @ Virgin Mobile MOD Club

HEIROGLYPHICS ON DECK.
Hieroglyphics announce release date for new LP "The Kitchen." The group has been simmering for days with the scent of sonic sustenance emanating from that place where hip hop warms the heart and stimulates the mind. The Kitchen.

The Kitchen LP is an album that blends the ingredients of archival audio, new music and collaboration between turntablism, beat chopping and lyricism together to form an original authentic entree for your ears to devour and digest. For this special project Hiero has enlisted the skills and support of Sacramento based DJ and beat chopping crew The Sleeprockers. They bring the skills of master chefs dealing with quality ingredients to create a concoction of seamless yet eclectic flavors for the rare hip hop palate In the process, The Kitchen has come to embody a space for experimental collaboration that knows no limits or boundaries while maintaining a sense of respect for the tradition that these recipes come from.

Hieroglyphics and The Sleeprockers are cooking in The Kitchen. This should be encouraging to the hungry hip hop and Hieroglyphics fan because the time to eat is coming soon. The album drops July 16.

TWITTER HACK? OR PROBLEMS WITH NAUGHTY BY NATURE?
The account for Treach's twitter shows the following posts:

Treach @triggertreach - Vinnie from NAUGHTY BY NATURE is Officially FIRED!! Anything he does besides shows til Sept is Frugazy!! Fuck him & the Ground he Walks!!

Treach @triggertreach - Anybody that fucks with that Bitch ass Nigga Don't Fuck with Me!!

Vinny's Instagram page responded with:
Warriors are not what you what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the right to take another life. The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others.

DIDDY PARTNERS UP WITH WWE AGAINST BULLYING.
WWE and entertainment powerhouse Sean “Diddy” Combs today unveiled a global anti-bullying public service announcement encouraging kids to stand up to bullying. Created by WWE and Combs, the PSA will begin running on WWE’s weekly TV programming and across all its digital platforms.

“I’m thrilled to extend my partnership with WWE and align myself with their Be a STAR, anti-bullying initiative,” said Combs. “Bullying is a very serious issue and needs to stop now.”

“WWE is proud to continue its partnership with Sean “Diddy” Combs and join together to put an end to bullying,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO.

Combs will serve as an ambassador for Be a STAR, the anti-bullying initiative co-founded by WWE and The Creative Coalition to encourage young people to treat each other with tolerance and respect. In addition, through Combs’ association with the Invisible Bully clothing line, he will continue to encourage individuals to put an end to bullying and contribute to Invisible Bully’s mission to stand for something or fall for anything.

Combs’ ongoing partnership with WWE has included live performances by the three-time Grammy Award winner at WrestleMania® 29 and WWE Tribute to the Troops®, as well as an appearance at WrestleMania 28, when Combs introduced hip-hop star Machine Gun Kelly. CHECK OUT THE CAMPAIGN CLIP HERE

MACY'S & AMERCIAN AIRLINES CELEBRATE ASIAN-PACIFIC AMERCIAN HERITAGE MONTH W/ FAR EAST MOVEMENT.
In honor of contributions made by Asian-Pacific Americans, Macy's celebrates Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month this May at select Macy's locations nationwide. Macy's will host the platinum-selling Far East Movement (FM) for a series of performances and appearances in six markets across the country geared towards highlighting and celebrating the unique influence of Asian-Pacific Americans on American culture and pop music.

"Asian-Pacific Americans have had an extraordinary impact on our nation, music and culture. We are proud to partner with Far East Movement to celebrate these achievements with our Asian-Pacific American Heritage month events nationwide," said Dineen Garcia, Macy's Vice President of Diversity Strategies.

Each city will host a live Q&A session with FM followed by a live performance in the store. As part of Macy's collaboration with FM, International Secret Agents (ISA) musical artists unique to each local market will also be performing with FM. ISA aims to empower and unite the Asian-American community, especially relating to the arts. Following the performances, guests are welcomed to shop the latest trends. The first 250 customers to make a purchase of $50 or more from the Junior's or Young Men's departments will receive the opportunity to get their picture taken with Far East Movement as well as a special gift with purchase.* while supplies last and as time permits.

Macy's Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Event Locations
Macy's Metro Center - Washington, DC - Thursday, May 9th @ 5:30PM
Macy's Union Square - San Francisco, CA - Saturday, May 11th @ 2PM
Macy's First Colony - Houston, TX - Sunday, May 19th @ 2PM
Macy's South Coast Plaza - Costa Mesa, CA - Wednesday, May 22nd @ 6PM
Macy's Herald Square - New York, NY - Thursday, May 23rd @ 6PM
Macy's on State Street - Chicago, IL - Thursday, May 30th @ 12PM

LAUREN HILL MAKES GOOD ON TAX BILL BUT RECEIVES 3 MONTHS IN PRISON?
Lauryn Hill's attorney says the Grammy-winning singer has paid her overdue taxes ahead of her scheduled sentencing for tax evasion. Hill is due in federal court in Newark on Monday afternoon. She pleaded guilty last year to not paying taxes on $1.8 million earned from 2005 to 2007. Two weeks ago, a judge said Hill had paid only $50,000 of more than $500,000 she owed in federal taxes.

Attorney Nathan Hochman said in an email Monday that Hill recently paid more than $970,000 to satisfy state and federal tax liabilities. She faces up to a year in prison on each of three counts. Hill says she recently signed a recording contract with Sony. Citing her legal deadline, she made a song available on iTunes over the weekend.

She was sentenced Monday to three months in federal prison for failing to pay taxes on more than $2 million in earnings during a five-year period.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark, N.J. federal court also sentenced the famed rapper and actress to three months of home confinement with electronic monitoring after the prison term. Hill must also serve a year of supervised release and pay a $60,000 fine in addition to paying her tax debt to the IRS.

Hill is tentatively scheduled to begin her prison term July 8. It was not immediately clear where she would serve the sentence.

POWERHOUSE 2013 ON DECK WITH SOME POWEHOUSE ARTISTS.
POWER 106 (105.9 Los Angeles) proudly announces the lineup for Powerhouse 2013. Chris Brown, TYGA, Trinidad James, Future, Big Sean, A$AP Rocky, Problem, Drop City Yacht Club and surprise guests!

Powerhouse is the hip-hop event of the summer! Powerhouse presale is Thursday, May 9 at 10am. All tickets remaining will go on sale Friday, May 10 at 10am to the general public.

T.I. INKS WITH UNITED TALENT AGENCY.
Tip “T.I.” Harris has signed with United Talent Agency in all areas except music. Harris began his career in hip hop, releasing eight studio albums and winning three Grammys. In 2006 he starred in his first film, Warner Bros.’ "ATL," which was loosely based on his upbringing in Atlanta. Harris also starred in and served as a producer on Sony’s 2010 heist film "Takers" and appeared in 2007’s "American Gangster" as well as "Identity Thief" earlier this year.

On television, he joined the second season of Kelsey Grammer’s Starz drama "Boss" last year as a politically ambitious former gang member. His VH1 reality series "T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle," which follows him, his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, and their six children, is currently airing its third season.

This summer Harris will join Lil’ Wayne on the America’s Most Wanted Music Festival tour. He continues to be managed in film and television by Brian Sher of Category 5 Entertainment. Source: Billboard

CHRIS BROWN, WU-TANG, KENDRICK LAMAR, MIGUEL & MORE ON DECK FOR 2013 SUMMER JAM.
Hot 97 has announced the line-up for this year's Summer Jam event. Chris Brown, Wu-Tang Clan, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Fabolous, A$AP Rocky, Wale, Miguel, Joe Budden and French Montana will all be performing. Summer Jam XX will take place on June 2 at the MetLife Stadium. This is the 20-year anniversary of the event, look for more surprise guests.

The Hot 97 Festival Village, which takes place before the main event, from 2-6 p.m. EST, will include performances by Joey Bada$$, A$AP Ferg, Vinny Cha$e, Smoke DZA, Bodega Bamz, Troy Ave, Kid Ink and Radamiz.

AraabMUZIK SHOT AND HOSPITALIZED.
Abraham Orellana, the hip-hop producer known as AraabMUZIK, has been shot and is hospitalized. Orellana's publicist said in a statement late Thursday that he is "currently alive and well" after being shot Wednesday night, noting he was in the wrong place at the wrong time while hanging out with friends. Police are investigating.

The statement said he was in his neighborhood when he was shot, but didn't specify a city. Orellana's hometown is Providence, R.I.

The producer's manager, George Moore, a record label executive and producer known as DukeDaGod posted on Twitter a picture of Orellana in a hospital bed Thursday with the words: "Everyone wish my brother (at)araabmuzik a healthy & pleasant recovery!!!!"

The statement says Orellana appreciates fan support and "Araab is looking forward to a speedy recovery and returning to the stage as soon as he can."

LIL WAYNE & NICKI MINAJ ADDED TO BILLBOARD LINEUP.
Nicki Minaj and her Cash Money Records boss Lil Wayne are the latest added to the 2013 Billboard Music Awards line-up. Jennifer Lopez and Chris Brown will also join them in the latest batch of performers for the May 19 ceremony to be staged at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Minaj and Wayne are confirmed to perform together onstage, most likely doing their "High School" track. Also set to take the stage together are Ne-Yo, Akon and David Guetta.

Lopez and Co. become the third installment to the star-studded BMA line-up, following the announcement that the rap duo of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, pop princess Selena Gomez, Miami rapper Pitbull and his "Feel This Moment" collaborator Christina Aguilera have been confirmed to perform. Country music acts The Band Perry and Kacey Musgraves are also included together with the four artists.

Initially listed to perform for the awards ceremony are Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars along with Miguel. Prince is set to receive the Billboard Icon Award during the telecast.

KRIS KROSS MEMBER CHRIS KELLY DIES.
Chris Kelly (Mac Daddy) , one half of the 1990s rap duo Kris Kross who made one of the decade's most popular songs "Jump," has died, according to reports. He was 34.

Investigator Betty Honey of the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office said the 34-year-old Kelly was pronounced dead around 5 p.m. Wednesday at the south campus of the Atlanta Medical Center. Honey said authorities are unsure of Kelly's cause of death and that an autopsy has yet to be performed.

"It appears it may have been a possible drug overdose," said Cpl. Kay Lester, a spokeswoman for the Fulton County police. Lester said that was based on statements received at the scene as well as evidence turned up at Kelly's home in south Atlanta.

Kelly, known as "Mac Daddy," and Chris Smith, known as "Daddy Mac," were introduced to the music world in 1992 by producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri after he discovered the pair in an Atlanta mall. The duo wore their clothes backwards as a gimmick, but they won over fans with their raps.

"To the world Chris was Mac Daddy but to me, he was a son I never had..." Dupri said in a statement Thursday.

"When I think about it, I spent more time with Chris and Chris than damn near anybody in my whole life, so you can imagine how bad this hurts," Dupri added. "I will always love you Chris, and I will never let the world forget you, may God bless your soul."

Their first, and by far most successful song, was "Jump." The hit, off their multiplatinum 1992 debut album "Totally Krossed Out," featured the two trading versus and rapping the refrain, the song's title. The duo had surprising maturity in their rap delivery, though the song was written by Dupri. It would become a No. 1 smash in the United States and globally, and one of the most popular of that year. Their success led to instant fame: They toured with Michael Jackson, appeared on TV shows, and even had their own video game. Earlier this year, the group performed together to celebrate the anniversary of Durpri's label, So So Def.

EVE DROPS NEW VIDEO / LIP LOCK ON DECK.
EVE has unleashed the fierce video for her latest single, the self-titled 'EVE' WATCH HERE
In celebration of the upcoming release of her long-awaited album, LIP LOCK, out May 14 (From The Rib Music), hip-hop's first lady will be coming back in full force starting with a live performance accompanied by Cobra Starship frontman Gabe Saporta and backed by The Roots THIS FRIDAY on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Week of release also sees EVE stopping by Good Morning America (May 14th), 106 & Park (May 15) and The Wendy Williams Show (May 16)!

With album sales totaling nearly 10 million, Eve is a genuine star in the worlds of music, fashion and film. Recognized as one of hip hop's most celebrated female MCs, she has received accolades as diverse as her career, ranging from a GRAMMY Award, to an NAACP Image Award, MTV Video Music Award and a BET Award, as well as multiple nominations from across the industry for her work. As the only female in the Ruff Ryders crew that consisted of rappers DMX, The Lox and Drag-on, Eve stood out as the sexy, no-nonsense street savvy, ride-or-die chick that could hold her own amongst the boys. Anchored by chart-topping singles like the vivacious "Gotta Man" and the anti-domestic abuse classic "Love Is Blind" Eve's 1999 debut album Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryder's First Lady was a double platinum success. Her 2001 sophomore release Scorpion went platinum, while garnering her crossover appeal with the Grammy Award winning mega-hit "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," featuring Gwen Stefani.

ACTIVISION ANNOUNCES THE NEXT GENERATION OF CALL OF DUTY® WITH CALL OF DUTY®: GHOSTS
Prepare for the next generation of Call of Duty®. The franchise that has defined a generation of gaming is set to raise the bar once again with the all-new Call of Duty®: Ghosts. Published by Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI), and developed by Infinity Ward, the studio that created the original Call of Duty and the seminal Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® series, Call of Duty: Ghosts ushers in the next generation of the franchise. The new title delivers a riveting all-new gameplay experience built on an entirely new story, setting and cast of characters, all powered by a new, next generation Call of Duty engine that redefines the series for the next generation.

"Infinity Ward set the gold standard for first-person action for a generation, and they're going to do it again with Call of Duty: Ghosts," said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, Inc. "Ghosts delivers an all-new story, all-new characters, an all-new Call of Duty world, all powered by a next generation Call of Duty engine, which is a leap forward for the franchise. Infinity Ward is going all-in to create the next generation of Call of Duty worthy of the world's greatest fans."

"Everyone was expecting us to make Modern Warfare 4, which would have been the safe thing to do. But we're not resting on our laurels," said Mark Rubin, executive producer of developer Infinity Ward. "We saw the console transition as the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter for Call of Duty. So we're building a new sub-brand, a new engine, and a lot of new ideas and experiences for our players. We can't wait to share them with our community."

To see an exclusive first look at Call of Duty: Ghosts tune in to Xbox: the Next Generation Revealed on May 21 at 10AM PDT on Xbox.com, Xbox LIVE or SPIKE TV for the debut of the all-new game from Infinity Ward.

"We are consistently thrilled with the overwhelming response received from critics and consumers alike to the Call of Duty series, which has firmly established its home on the Xbox 360 with the game's largest and most engaged community," said Don Mattrick, president of the interactive entertainment business at Microsoft. "With Call of Duty: Ghosts, we have no doubt that our longtime partners, Activision and Infinity Ward, will raise the bar higher than ever before for this incredible franchise."

Starting today, fans can begin pre-ordering their copy of Call of Duty: Ghosts at retail outlets worldwide.

"There's no other video game property like Call of Duty. It's the biggest game franchise on the planet that has had some of the biggest game entertainment launches in history," said Tony Bartel, president of GameStop. "We are very excited for the launch of Call of Duty: Ghosts, as we transition to next generation consoles."

Call of Duty: Ghosts will release on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC on November 5. Call of Duty: Ghosts will also be available for next generation platforms. Call of Duty: Ghosts is not yet rated.

S.O.G. CREW MAKES STATEMENT @ LINCOLN MEMORIAL.
Hip-Hop and Politics are taken to Washington. Dr. Robert ‘Battle Ax’ Ornelas, current candidate for California’s Lt. Governor, is asked to perform and speak at the Ninth Annual “Own or be owned: Rally for Economic Emancipation” a Coalition for Capital Homesteading. The rally was organized by Dr. Norman Kurland founder of the CESJ organization (Center for Economic and Social Justice). They gathered on a beautiful Friday afternoon at the very steps of the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I have a dream” speech. It is amazing the impact a small group of people can make, we have witnessed it all throughout history.

“The significance of rallying in front of the Lincoln Memorial is that Lincoln was a man who did think outside the box, he acted on it and made history. Have we witnessed history today? Yes! A small group of people from all walks of life came together to say enough is enough!” - Dr. Robert ‘Battle Ax’ Ornelas

Around 1:00pm Dr. Ornelas and The S.O.G Crew hit the stage whaling over a west coast hip-hop beat “Who’s ready for a revolution? Are you ready for a revolution?” The sea of people captivated by the performance and message chimed in agreement, “Yes, we are ready for a revolution!”

Ornelas, a man of influence as well as a man of many talents: a rapper, youth activist, evangelist, just to name a few, announces his run for Lt. Governor of California. “It’s time for change” he says, “a time to reinstate the morals of our constitution.” Ornelas is also promoting S.O.G. Crew’s latest single “Let’s Change the World”, scheduled to be released May 10th. Ornelas states changing the world is very possible and it can only be accomplished if we work together. Ornelas will be campaigning all throughout California in a very different but effective way. He has teamed up with Dr. Robert Newman, candidate for California Governor, and they will combine forces and campaign as a team! Their slogan – “Join the Revolution.” When they win they will work together for Californians, to make the changes we have all been waiting for. www.newmanornelas.org

BEATIE BOYS' MULTIDIMENSIONAL BOOK ON DECK.
Michael Diamond (aka Mike D) and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock), the surviving members of The Beastie Boys, have signed a deal with Spiegel & Grau, an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group, for a book celebrating their history and aesthetic. A title has not been chosen, but it is planned to come out in fall 2015, the publisher is expected to announce this week.

The Beastie Boys are “interested in challenging the form and making the book a multidimensional experience,” Ms. Grau (the publisher of Spiegel & Grau) said in an interview. “There is a kaleidoscopic frame of reference, and it asks a reader to keep up.”

The book, to be edited by the hip-hop journalist Sacha Jenkins, will be loosely structured as an oral history. It will also have contributions by other writers, as well as a strong visual component. Ms. Grau and Luke Janklow, the group’s agent, both compared it to Grand Royal, the Beastie Boys’ acclaimed but short-lived magazine in the 1990s, which explored some of its wide-ranging pop-culture interests with curiosity and snark.

“The first words out of Mike’s mouth were, ‘I don’t want to do a straight memoir,’ ” said Mr. Janklow, of Janklow & Nesbit.

Mr. Janklow said he had been in talks with the group several years ago about the possibility of a book, but they were set aside as the third Beastie Boy, Adam Yauch, known as MCA, began to suffer from cancer of the salivary gland; he died last year at 47.

“After Yauch died, I didn’t push them,” Mr. Janklow said, “but I think that Adam and Mike ended up realizing that it was the right time for them.” A spokesman for the Beastie Boys did not respond to a request for comment.

With the Beastie Boys book, Spiegel & Grau has continued to carve out something of a niche for high-concept books by hip-hop icons. In 2010 it published Jay-Z’s “Decoded.” Source: NY Times

MIXTAPE FESTIVAL ON DECK.
Following last year's summer blow out, Mixtape Festival is returning for the second year, bringing some of music's top acts to the world famous Hersheypark Stadium on Friday, July 26th and Saturday, July 27th.

Presented by Live Nation and VH1, Mixtape Festival 2013 will feature platinum-selling marquee acts, icons and pop phenomenons over the course of the two-day festival. Hip hop acts such as Rev Run & DJ Ruckus, along with Boyz II Men and more are scheduled. Plus fans can see TLC live – their only North American appearance! Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozanda "Chili" Thomas will be reuniting this year, marking TLC's only North American reunion date.

"We are so thrilled to bring back the Mixtape Festival to Hershey," said Geoff Gordon, Live Nation Philadelphia Regional President. "There's an incredible lineup and tons of interactive and fun activities, all while being set at a world-class amusement park – it's really a pop music lover's dream."

Live Nation and VH1 are teaming up this year to present Mixtape Festival 2013. This collaboration will further solidify Mixtape Festival as a major pop show and serve as a means to enhance the experience with fan events, interactive exhibits, VIP Packages and so much more.

"VH1 is excited to partner with Live Nation for Mixtape Festival, the premiere pop music event of the summer," said Rick Krim, EVP Music &Talent Relations, VH1. "It's a stellar line-up of artists that make up a large part of VH1's musical backbone. There is something for everyone and will make for a one-of-kind musical experience."

Featuring exclusive fan events, interactive exhibits, food trucks, and celebrity & special guest appearances, this one-of-a-kind music festival is accessible, inclusive, and designed as a shared celebration of all things pop.

LAUREN HILL ADDRESSES FANS ABOUT TAX PROBLEMS AND SONY DEAL.
Yesterday (April 25), Lauryn Hill posted to her Tumblr page to address the news about her tax problems {{She was reportedly ordered to pay a million dollars in penalties and back-taxes from failure to file in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and had two weeks to do so.}} and her Sony deal {{Reports say she had signed with Sony, with whom she recorded (through Ruffhouse/Columbia Records) as both a member of The Fugees and as a solo artist}}.. Writing as "MLH," for "Ms. Lauryn Hill," the singer explained the reported information, and confirmed other aspects. The full letter is re-published below:

"It has been reported that I signed a new record deal, and that I did this to pay taxes. Yes, I have recently entered into an agreement with Sony Worldwide Entertainment, to launch a new label, on which my new music will be released. And yes, I am working on new music.

I’ve remained silent, after an extensive healing process. This has been a 10+ year battle, for a long time played out behind closed doors, but now in front of the public eye. This is an old conflict between art and commerce… free minds, and minds that are perhaps overly tethered to structure. This is about inequity, and the resulting disenfranchisement caused by it. I’ve been fighting for existential and economic freedom, which means the freedom to create and live without someone threatening, controlling, and/or manipulating the art and the artist, by tying the purse strings.

It took years for me to get out of the ‘parasitic’ dynamic of my youth, and into a deal that better reflects my true contribution as an artist, and (purportedly) gives me the control necessary to create a paradigm suitable for my needs. I have been working towards this for a long time, not just because of my current legal situation, but because I am an artist, I love to create, and I need the proper platform to do so.

The nature of my new business venture, as well as the dollar amount reported, was inaccurate, only a portion of the overall deal. Keep in mind, my past recordings have sold over 50,000,000 units worldwide, earning the label a tremendous amount of money (a fraction of which actually came to me).

Only a completely complicated set of traps, manipulations, and inequitable business arrangements could put someone who has accomplished the things that I have, financially in need of anything. I am one artist who finds value in openly discussing the dynamics within this industry that force artists to compromise or distort themselves and what they do, rather than allowing them to make the music that people need. There are volumes that could (and will) be said."

KILLER MIKE AND BIG BOI DROP NEW MIXTAPE ALONG SIDE TOUR.
Killer Mike and Big Boi are proud to release the Shoes For Running mixtape in celebration of their tour of the same name. The mixtape is presented by Trackstar the DJ and features every track where Big Boi and Killer Mike have appeared together. The duo is also giving away an exclusive remix version of Big Boi's "In The A" featuring a new verse by Killer Mike. GRAB THE MIXTAPE

Killer Mike and Big Boi Tour Dates
4/30/13 @ The Vogue - Indianapolis, IN
5/01/13 @ The Vic Theater - Chicago, IL
5/03/13 @ The Rave - Milwaukee, WI
5/05/13 @ Granada Theater - Lawrence, KS
5/07/13 @ Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom - Denver, CO
5/08/13 @ Aggie Theatre - Fort Collins, CO
5/09/13 @ The Depot - Salt Lake City, UT
5/13/13 @ Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
5/15/13 @ The Catalyst - Santa Cruz, CA
5/16/13 @ Mezzanine - San Francisco, CA
5/18/13 @ House Of Blues - Los Angeles, CA
5/21/13 @ Sunshine Theater - Albuquerque, NM
5/30/13 @ Marathon Music Works - Nashville, TN
5/31/13 @ Track 29 - Chattanooga, TN
6/01/13 @ Soul Kitchen - Mobile, AL
6/02/13 @ Avondale Brewing - Birmingham, AL
6/04/13 @ The Plaza LIVE - Orlando, FL
6/05/13 @ Revolution Live - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
6/06/13 @ Brewsters Roc Bar - Jacksonville, FL
6/07/13 @ Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
6/08/13 @ Music Farm - Charleston, SC
6/09/13 @ Brooklyn Arts Center - Wilmington, NC
6/12/13 @ Amos - Charlotte, NC

LIL DANGER CONVICTED OF MURDER IN SPOKANE MURDER.
A rapper who goes by the name "Lil Danger" faces life in prison without parole after his conviction in a shooting that killed another rapper at an after-concert party at a Spokane hotel.

John Castro was convicted Thursday of second-degree murder in the November 2011 shooting of 21-year-old Jose A. "Junior" Solis, a rapper from Moses Lake.

The 28-year-old Castro has two previous convictions for violent crimes and faces a mandatory life sentence as a three strikes offender.

The Spokesman-Review reports about a dozen sheriff's deputies lined the courtroom, separating friends and families of Castro and Solis, when the jury returned with the verdict.

REPUBLIC RECORDS PROMOTES NEW SVP OF A&R.
Republic Records has promoted Nate Albert to Senior Vice President of A&R as announced by Executive Vice President of A&R Rob Stevenson. Since 2008, Mr. Albert held the position of Vice President of A&R.

His focus will remain on developing and signing new artists to the label's powerhouse roster. He formally joined the company in 2008 and has signed critical phenomenon and gold-selling alternative R&B trailblazer THE WEEKND, orchestrated the release of the chart-topping Academy Award-nominated soundtrack for Universal Pictures' Les Miserables, and has discovered up-and-coming talent.

"Nate's ear for talent is undeniable," stated Mr. Stevenson. "I first met him while he was playing guitar for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and we have a long history together. He approaches his post from an artist perspective, and he stays in tune with the myriad needs of a band or performer. As a result, when it comes to A&R, his passion and understanding are unparalleled."

Republic Records Chairman & CEO Monte Lipman added, "Nate remains a cornerstone of our A&R department. His passion and diligence with all of our artists make him a franchise player."

"I want to stay on the same path, but continue forging further ahead," commented Mr. Albert. "For me, it's about bridging the gap between the business side and the artist side. I want to mentor the acts that I sign and help elevate them to the level they aim to reach. I get excited hearing fresh talent, and it's incredible to be at a company that emphasizes fostering careers. Monte and Avery started Republic at their kitchen table, and they still run it now. They've provided the best launch pad for young acts to become stars. It's incredible being a part of that."

A platinum-selling musician, songwriter, and producer himself, Mr. Albert helped form The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at 13-years-old, playing with the group through the release of 2000's Pay Attention. After his stint on the stage, he received a degree at Brown University in Providence, RI. He became an A&R consultant for REPUBLIC in 2006 before coming on board as Vice President of A&R.

VIBE MAGAZINE SOLD.. MAGAZINE TO BE SHUT DOWN?
SpinMedia, a group of music and pop culture Web sites that includes Spin magazine, has bought Vibe, the 21-year-old R&B and hip-hop magazine.

SpinMedia announced the sale on Thursday, saying that it had bought the rights to Vibe’s print magazine as well as to its related sites, Vibe(dot)com and Vibevixen(dot)com, from Vibe Media. The price was not disclosed.

The sale reunites the two publications, which more than a decade ago were part of the same company, Vibe/Spin Ventures, before each title went through a series of sales.

Calling Vibe “an industry leader in the urban and hip-hop category for decades,” Steve Hansen, SpinMedia’s chief executive, added in an interview: “It’s really exciting to add this to SpinMedia’s collection of music properties and bring more digital DNA to the team and see what they can do.”

SpinMedia, until recently known as Buzz Media, owns or represents more than 40 sites like Celebuzz, Idolator and JustJared, that cater to young pop-culture obsessives and compete with a range of sites like Gawker, TMZ, Pitchfork and BuzzFeed.

After it bought Spin last summer, Buzz Media promptly shut down print publication of the magazine and laid off a third of its staff, saying that it would concentrate on the Web site, and consider eventually reviving the print version of Spin in some form. Since then, Spin’s online traffic has doubled, but Mr. Hansen said the company was no closer to reviving the magazine, and that it would probably shut down Vibe’s print magazine later this year.

“We are still trying to find a print model that makes economic sense in the digital age,” he said.

Vibe was founded in 1992 by Quincy Jones and Time Warner, with a focus on hip-hop and R&B music and the culture surrounding it, and became one of the most influential publications of its kind. It was shut down abruptly in 2009 amid a plunge in advertising revenue, but within months it was bought and revived by private equity investors.

Vibe had an average print circulation of 301,000 for the first six months of 2012, according to the Alliance for Audited Media, and SpinMedia said that each month Vibe’s sites have 1.4 million visitors and serve 1.6 million video streams. Source: NY TIMES

SKYLAR DIGGENS INKS WITH ROC NATION SPORTS.
Roc Nation Sports has announces the signing of Skylar Diggens. They posted the following message via their website: "Join us in welcoming Skylar Diggins to the Roc Nation family as the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock player signs with Roc Nation Sports.

SUPASTITION ANNOUNCES COLLAB PROJECT W/ STOUPE
Supastition and Stoupe (formerly of Jedi Mind Tricks) have joined forces to create the music collective, VESTIGE, which will focus solely on releasing concept albums based around one common theme. The first project will be entitled 'The Inanimate Life' which documents the fictional life story of a man born to an unfit mother and how his life spirals out of control due to her actions, as well as his own mistakes. The story and lyrics were written by Supastition with Stoupe and his production team (Bad Tape) handling the music which meshes together hip hop, downtempo, and live instrumentation.

VESTIGE combines the renowned storytelling abilities of Supastition matched with the cinematic feel of Stoupe’s production. The MC/producer duo have been crafting the concept album for the past year while agreeing not to publicly discuss it until its completion. Vestige: a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists.

Supastition is also in the studio working on an upcoming EP with German-based producer, Rik Marvel. 'The Guilt Trip EP' continues Supastition’s return to vintage sounding hip-hop with Rik Marvel handling all of the production duties. The EP will be released via Supastition's Bandcamp tentatively scheduled for July 2013.

LIL SCRAPPY RELEASED FROM JAIL.
Scrappy was reelase from Jail due to a bogus warrant. Scrappy told TMZ, the warrant was bogus because he never submitted bad piss in the first place.

Scrappy was released from jail after a judge granted his lawyer's motion to recall the warrant. A hearing is set for May 16 to hash out all the issues.

50 HOURS WITH 50 CENT ON DECK.
Cable network E! has annouced a new show with 50 Cent to air this Fall. This special captures 50 hours with 50 Cent as one of his biggest fans gets to spend exactly that amount of time with him.

Viewers will experience over two full days with the rapper, entrepreneur and businessman as he enters global promotional mode leading up to the release of his newest album.

TRINA'S BROTHER SHOT AND KILLED/SUSPECT ARRESTED.
Miami-Dade Police said Tuesday night they have arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting of the brother of female rapper Trina in northwest Miami Tuesday morning.

Ron Dobson faces a second-degree murder charge, police said in an arrest affidavit. It wasn't immediately known whether he has an attorney. Jail records showed he was being held without bond Wednesday morning.

Residents said that the rapper's brother Wilbrent Bain, who goes by the nickname "Gonk," was shot and killed on Northwest 91st Street. Bain and the man who shot him were friends and lived around the corner from each other at Northwest 91st Street and 24th Avenue, neighbors told NBC 6.

The incident happened at about 9:35 a.m., according to police. The two men had a dispute, and the victim began to get off his bicycle when Dobson took a firearm from his waistband and shot him multiple times, the affidavit said.

After he was read his Miranda rights, Dobson confessed to his involvement in the victim's death, the affidavit said. Bain lived his entire life in northwest Miami, where he is well known.

"Now, I'm hurt because this man is gone for no reason at all," neighbor Demetrius Hammond said. "He was a close friend to me."

"He's a very good kid," family friend the Rev. Gary Johnson said of Bain. "It's unfortunate. It's a terrible tragedy."

Bain survived a shooting in 2008 and had a record of gun possession, burglary, drugs, and domestic violence involving strangulation, records showed. Source: NBC Miami

IGGY AZALEA INKS WITH ISLAND DEFJAM.
Iggy Azalea posted to Twitter to announce she's signed with Island Def Jam USA. -- Hey world. I signed to island def jam. Iam now mercury UK/ island def jam USA awesome!!!!

“We are beyond proud and excited to welcome Iggy to the Island Def Jam family,” Island Records president David Massey said in a statement. “Iggy has created a massive buzz and rightfully so: she’s incredibly talented, she’s focused, driven, and has great creative tastes and instincts. She is nothing short of an international star, and the team here -- including Steve Bartels, Chris Anokute, Karen Kwak, our chairman Barry Weiss and myself -- are thrilled she’s chosen Island Records as her U.S. home.”

LIL SCRAPPY TURNS HIMSELF INTO POLICE.
TMZ reports that Lil Scrappy turned himself into Atlanta, Georgia police, after refusing to take a court-ordered urine drug test last month. Initial reports stated that Scrappy tried to provide urine that was deemed "questionable" by the drug test staff.

According to court officials, Scrappy tried to turn in a urine sample that was cold to the touch and may have been tampered with and when asked to submit another cup, he refused.

The mandatory drug tests stem from a 2008 marijuana possession conviction. Last October, he was arrested and imprisoned for violating his probation.

He will finally be making good on a 3-year debt he's been neglecting. Back in 2010, Scrappy was ordered by the Georgia court to pay $72,218.68 to a concert booking company called Heavy Rotation. Three years later, the number is now up to $108,510.38 with interest and attorney's fees. Now the court has signed off on a payment plan that entitles Heavy Rotation to a chunk of Scrappy's Love & Hip Hop paychecks as soon as they are issued to him, until the debt is satisfied. Lil Scrappy and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta co-star Erica Dixon have a child together.

NANNY SUES DIDDY'S EX OVER WAGES/BATTERY.
The nanny who took care of rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs' twin daughters sued the girls' mother and Combs' company for battery and wrongful termination. Dawn Drago sued Kim Porter and Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Combs was not named as an individual defendant in the lawsuit, which also alleged infliction of emotional distress, failure to overtime wages and failure to provide meal and rest periods. Drago says Porter first hired her as a personal chef. But, after Porter fired the previous nanny, Drago became "the chef, house manager and full-time nanny for Porter's twin daughters with Sean Combs," Drago stated.

Drago says Porter subjected her to relentless verbal abuse. "This abuse culminated in Porter physically and violently shoving Ms. Drago into a door frame at the Porter residence while she was working, causing Ms. Drago severe bruising and fear," according to the complaint. Drago also says she "witnessed evidence of drug abuse in the Porter home that caused Ms. Drago to fear for the health and safety of the children."

In addition, Drago claims Porter expected her to sleep over two nights per week but refused to pay her for work between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Porter fired her for taking a previously approved vacation to care for her sick father, Drago claims. Attorney Patrick Reider of Arminak Reider in Mission Viejo, Calif. is representing Drago. Source: Courthouse News

RIHANNA SETS RECORD FOR MOST TOP 40 #1'S.
Rihanna becomes the first artist in the 20-year history of Billboard's Nielsen BDS-based Mainstream Top 40 radio airplay chart to tally 10 No. 1s, as "Stay," featuring Mikky Ekko, rises 2-1.

According to Billboard, Rihanna rang up her # 1 total since just 2006, when "SOS," her first leader, reached the top. She'd last led with "We Found Love," featuring Calvin Harris, for eight weeks, marking her longest run, in late 2011/early 2012.

The record for most # 1s is the latest for Rihanna on Mainstream Top 40. She previously established the marks for most entries (35) and top 10s (23) dating to the ranking's Oct. 3, 1992, launch. "Stay" also charges 11-7 on Adult Top 40, becoming her third top 10 on the list, and debuts at No. 30 on Adult Contemporary.

Rihanna has also received 10 nominations at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. She will compete in 10 categories this year, including Top Artist and Top Radio Songs Artist.

“I owe this to my fans and to Billboard! Thank you for the love! It’s pretty major!” she tweeted.

DR. ROBERT ‘BATTLE AX’ ORNELAS FROM THE S.O.G CREW SET TO SPEAK AT LINCOLN MEMORIAL
Dr. Robert ‘Battle Ax’ Ornelas front man for Latin hip-hop group The S.O.G Crew has found himself in the arena of politics. Ornelas ran as vice presidential candidate under the American Independent Party election year 2012. The AIP was excited about the stir Ornelas brought to the table so much that they have encouraged him to run for Lt Governor of California. Stating that despite being independent Ornelas has a great chance of winning! A rapper for Lt. Governor? Yes! Ornelas partners with Dr. Robert Newman current California Governor hopeful. They plan on working together throughout their campaign to combine forces in the urban arena and world of business.

Ornelas is currently on The S.O.G Crew’s Let’s Change the World Tour. Promoting their latest single ‘Let’s Change the World’ to be released May 10th. As a youth activist Ornelas travels the U.S with an inspiring message of hope, love and peace. People are most inspired by the fact that he is a candidate for Lt. Governor of California. On April 26th as part of the Let’s Change the World Tour Ornelas will make a formal announcement of his run for Lt. Governor during CES citywide outreach. At 10:30 a.m. many will gather at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. for a performance with The S.O.G Crew, from there they will march to the Federal Reserve and present the Declaration of Monetary Justice to Fed officials.

Back home Dr. Robert Newman and Dr. Ornelas wife Dr. Melissa Ornelas had attended the Pacific Justice Institute’s Celebration of Justice last Saturday evening, April 13, at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim, California. The special guest speaker was John Bolton, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations. The Pacific Justice Institute is a non-profit, legal defense organization specializing in the defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties. Pacific Justice Institute works diligently, without charge, to provide their clients with all the legal support they need. It’s president, Brad Dacus, founded it, Esq. All proceeds were used to promote justice, protect family, and preserve faith.

PUBLIC ENEMY ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION RECAP.
Last night's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, held in Los Angeles for the first time since 1993, saw a bright moment for hip hop with the inclusion of Public Enemy.

After Spike Lee and Harry Belafonte inducted Public Enemy by praising their fearlessness and radicalism, Flavor Flav gave a long, rambling speech. “I only get to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame one time in my life,” Flavor Flav said. “I’m enjoying this.”.. He concluded with a salute to the rap group's leader, Chuck D, by stating: "I want to thank you for making great records. You've been the motor." Chuck D summed it up more succinctly after Flav's missive, telling the crowd, "We all come from the damn blues. Let's not get it twisted. We studied the forms of music in DJ culture... we've always known and paid respect to where music comes from." In keeping with that message, PE used samples of songs by Donna Summer, Rush and Quincy Jones in their set, which included the legendary tracks "Fight The Power " and "Bring the Noise."

"We represent the hip-hop community that also deserves recognition today,” said Chuck D. The group is only the fourth hip-hop act to make it into the hall, but Chuck D. predicted that there would be more soon, citing other influential rappers like L L Cool J and Salt-n-Pepa. “Many of them you will see here in the next 10 years,” he said.

The following statement can be attributed to Michael Petricone, senior vice president, government and regulatory affairs, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, congratulating legendary producer, audio innovator and Public Enemy co-founder Hank Shocklee on last night’s induction of Public Enemy into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

“CEA applauds Hank Shocklee for Public Enemy’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. From his pioneering work with the legendary hip hop production team, ‘The Bomb Squad’ to his latest breakthrough audio product SubPac, Hank exemplifies the best of American innovation. A home audio entrepreneur, he demonstrated the SubPac at our recent CES on the Hill exhibition. Moreover, Hank is a great friend to CEA and the innovation industry. He ‘brings the noise’ as a passionate advocate for Internet freedom and reasonable copyright policies. Hank's voice was critical in helping defeat SOPA and PIPA as he explained how these proposals would have been disastrous for independent artists. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!”

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $209 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry.

b CONDOMS AND UNCLE LUKE TEAM UP.
b condoms, a premium condom brand with a social mission, has announced a partnership with hip-hop artist and free speech advocate Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell. Mr. Campbell will help b condoms counteract the disproportionate impact that teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections are having on underserved communities.

As part of the effort, Mr. Campbell will donate 5,000 Platinum XL b condoms to Miami, FL area non-profit organizations this summer. Mr. Campbell will donate 1,000 Platinum XL b condoms through "Let the Runway Meet the Cause" to Empower U during the Florida Fashion Designers Expo Florida fashion week in Miami, FL.

"b condoms is excited to partner with Mr. Campbell on this effort to promote safe sex in underserved communities," said Reginald Thornton, Director of Marketing for b condoms. "Mr. Campbell is an iconic figure for his contributions to music, sports and at-risk youth and we believe this partnership provides a unique opportunity to extend his impact to community health."

"I am very excited to partner with b condoms to advocate safe sex," said Luther Campbell. "Teen pregnancy and STDs are mostly impacting African-Americans and Latinos and I want to help make a difference. It's time for everyone to go Platinum."

Founded in 2010, b condoms is a socially-responsible condom company. The company seeks to change the trajectory of sexually transmitted infections among underserved communities by providing access to education, testing and prevention campaigns. The company is a member of YouthTrade which is a special initiative formed in partnership between YES (Youth Entrepreneurship and Sustainability) and the Conscious Capitalism Institute (CCI) to support businesses owned by people under the age of 35.

CAROLINE (Independent Services division of Capitol Music Group) APPOINT VP OF AQUISITIONS.
Brandon Schmidt has been appointed Vice President, Acquisitions of Caroline – the Independent Services division of Capitol Music Group – it was announced today by Caroline Executive Vice President/General Manager, Mike Harris, to whom Schmidt will report. Schmidt will be based in New York.

In his new position, Schmidt will be responsible for leading the identification and acquisition of new partners for Caroline, while working closely with Caroline's existing partners to provide A&R expertise and insight to help identify breakout opportunities. Schmidt will serve as a key representative for Caroline to the trade and general marketplace, reinforcing Caroline as the definitive service platform locally and globally to the independent label and artist community. He will also serve as a resource within the family of Universal labels who may want to engage Caroline to assist in the development of artists, while liaising with all of Caroline's departments to insure a seamless transition of new label partners into the Caroline fold.

Dominic Pandiscia, President of Caroline stated, "Brandon is a crucial hire for us, and one that completes the senior leadership team of the new Caroline. He enjoys an outstanding reputation within the independent artist and label community and he will be of tremendous value to Caroline as we build on and enhance our company's abilities and strengths going forward."

Harris added, "We are very excited about Brandon joining the Caroline family. He brings a wealth of knowledge from his experience as a manager, and will be of tremendous value to the company and our artist and label partners. I congratulate Brandon on his new position and welcome him to Caroline."

Schmidt said,"I'm thrilled to join the Caroline team and to have the opportunity to work with Dominic and Mike. Their commitment to independent artists and labels really resonates with me and fits nicely with the approach I've taken as a manager developing artists. I look forward to working with an amazing existing roster and identifying and attracting new partners for Caroline."

Brandon Schmidt is the founder of B23 Management, an independent management company that focuses on artist development and one that has enjoyed numerous successes since its formation in 2001. Notable clients of the company have included Interpol, Elefant, Nightmare of You, Young Galaxy and Lavender Diamond.

Schmidt began his career at MTV Networks, joining that company to work on marketing for the 1996 Choose Or Lose presidential campaign coverage and coordinating content for MTV Local. He served in a variety of roles at MTV, beginning as Coordinator of Music Programming and rising to Director of Music Programming, all under the tutelage of Amy Doyle (now Executive Vice President, Music & Talent) and Tom Calderone (now president of VH1). Schmidt has also served as an A&R scout for RCA and Epic.

ROCK HALL OF FAME IS SET/ JUDGE ALLOWS FLAVOR FLAV TO ATTEND.
Flavor Flav (William Jonathan Drayton Jr.) has a new court date in Las Vegas that doesn't interfere with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A judge has agreed to postpone arraignment for the rapper and former reality TV star on felony assault with a weapon and child endangerment charges until May 7.

Defense attorney Tony Abbatangelo says Drayton's in Los Angeles for Thursday night's Hall of Fame induction with the rap group Public Enemy.

Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson are among the singers set to pay tribute to this year's eclectic group of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Aguilera and Hudson are scheduled to perform in honor of late disco queen Donna Summer at Thursday night's 28th annual induction ceremony at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Summer is among this year's eight inductees, which also include rockers Heart and Rush, singer-songwriter Randy Newman, rap group Public Enemy and bluesman Albert King, as well as Lou Adler and Quincy Jones, this year's Ahmet Ertegun lifetime achievement honorees.

Public Enemy are expected to perform at Thursday's star-studded event, while Usher will sing for Quincy Jones, Carole King will perform for Adler and John Mayer and Gary Clark Jr. will pay tribute to the late King.

Other artists scheduled to attend include the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins, who will present Rush; Jackson Browne and John Fogerty, who will perform with Randy Newman; Pearl Jam's Mike McCready and Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell, who will join Heart; Spike Lee and Harry Belafonte, who will present Public Enemy; and Don Henley, who will induct Newman.

The event marks the first time since 1993 that the Cleveland, Ohio, institution has held its induction ceremony on the West Coast. It will be broadcast May 18 on HBO.

SLUM VILLAGE ANNOUNCE DIRTY SLUMS TOUR.
Slum Village have announced the Dirty Slums Tour, which begins this week in San Diego, California. The tour mashes through July, which promotes the group's eighth studio album, Evolution, which is slated for June.

TOUR DATES:
April 19 San Diego, CA House Of Blues
April 20 Pasadena, CA The Terrace
April 30 New York, NY Santos w/ Mick Boogie, Tanya Morgan, Skyzoo
May 1 Philadelphia, PA Blockley
May 2 Providence, RI Firehouse 13
May 3 Cambridge, MA Middle East
May 4 Burlington, VT Signal Kitchen
May 5 Montreal, QC Cabaret Underworld
May 6 Quebec City, QC L'Autre Zone
May 8 Hamilton, ON This Ain't Hollywood
May 9 Toronto, ON Annex Wreckroom
May 10 London, ON Club LG
May 15 Brighton, UK Concorde 2
May 16 London, UK Cable
May 17 Manchester, UK Sound Control
May 18 Munster, Germany Skaters Palace w/ Redman, ONYX, Masta Ace, RA The Rugged Man, Dynasty
May 23 Milan, Italy Biko Club
May 24 Aarau, Switzerland Kiff
May 25 Brussels, Belgium Brass
June 14 Chicago, IL Reggie's
July 25 Tampa, FL The Orpheum
July 26 Miami, FL The Stage

MMG APPOINTS YOUNG SAV AS VP.
Kendell Freeman, aka "Young Sav," formerly the Mixshow manager at Def Jam Records, has been named the vice president of rapper Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group, the label announced today. Maybach Music Group is part of Atlantic Records' portfolio and features artists such as Meek Mill, Wale, and Rick Ross himself.

"Feels great calling one of the hardest workers and few people I consider a close friend the new VP of MMG," said Rick Ross in a statement.

Freeman's immediate superior will be Ross himself, with Freeman's charge being to grow the careers of the label's existing roster and, naturally, developing and finding new artists for the label.

"Kendell a.k.a Young Sav's talent and knowledge helped redefine the lifestyle approach to marketing and promoting some of the biggest names in hip-hop," said Shawn Pecas Costner, SVP of Def Jam Records. "He's one of a kind."

At Def Jam, Freeman worked projects featuring the likes of Jay-Z, 2 Chainz, Fabolous, Trinidad Jame$ and Rick Ross. Earlier in his career Freeman worked at TVT Records, breaking new music for the independent label's urban acts like Lil Jon & Eastside Boyz, Pitbull and the Ying Yang Twins.

Said Freeman: "I am extremely excited to embark on this new path in my career. I appreciate Ross for noticing my grind, work ethic and giving me a major opportunity to not only be apart of this label, but also help execute his vision. It's going to be a privilege to work with the brand and assist in taking it to the next tier. All of the artists on the roster are amazing. I'm ready to get to work." Source: Billboard

NEW YORK MAYOR PRAISES JAY Z FOR GETTING TIME MAG COVER STORY.
Jay-Z was one of seven celebrities to cover Time for its Most Influential People in the World issue. "Jay-Z embodies so much of what makes New York New York," Bloomberg opened, toasting Jigga's rise from Marcy Housing Projects in Brooklyn. "When no one would sign him to a record contract, he created his own label and built a music empire — before going on to design clothing lines, open sports bars and, most recently, represent professional athletes."

The 2013 incarnation of Time's annual list is marked by seven different covers. Paul Rand, Aamir Khan, Jennifer Lawrence, Malala Yousafzai, Elon Musk, Li Na all share the honor alongside Hov.

This isn't the first time Jay made the list. Back in 2005 he was profiled in the mag's "Builders and Titans" section alongside Rupert Murdoch and Steve Jobs. Hov even went on to rap about it in his Hot 97 "Grammy Family Freestyle." "Time's most influential was impressive/ 'Specially since I wasn't in the artist section/ Had me with the builders and the titans, had me right with Rupert Murdoch/ Billionaire boys and some dudes you never heard of," he rapped. Source: MTV

TRACY MORGAN TO HOST BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS.
Tracy Morgan will host the Billboard Music Awards. Billboard has announced that the 44-year-old will host the awards show on May 19 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

"I'm honored to be a part of one of music's biggest nights," Morgan said. "When you look at the artists who have come up through Billboard over the years, it's incredible. And how can you say no when Prince is going to be there!"

As host of the awards, Morgan joins a lineup of performers that includes Justin Bieber, Miguel, Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars. The show will also include a highly anticipated performance by Prince, who is receiving the Billboard Icon Award at the telecast, produced by Don Mischer and sponsored by Chevrolet and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The Billboard Music Awards will air live on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern.

LAUREN HILL FACING JAIL TIME?
Lauryn Hill, who has pleaded guilty to tax evasion and faces prison time, says threats to her family were behind her reluctance to pay taxes in the mid-2000s.

In court documents cited by TMZ, Hill, 37, asked for leniency at her upcoming sentencing, saying she "withdrew from society at large due to what she perceived as manipulation and very real threats to herself and her family." The documents did not specify the threatening behavior.

Hill, who will be sentenced in U.S. District Court in Newark on Monday has asked for probation, arguing this would make it easier for her to pay her tax bill. She faces a year in prison for each of the three years, 2005 to 2007, that she did not file returns.

She pleaded guilty in June 2012, admitting she did not pay taxes on money earned by her four corporations: $818,000 in 2005, $222,000 in 2006 and $761,000 in 2007. Additionally, TMZ said, a New Jersey court entered a civil judgment against her the same month, saying she owed $446,386 in state taxes. Hill first became known as part of the Fugees hip hop trio, then released her influential solo album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" in 1998.

Before her court date last year, Hill posted a message on her website saying: “I did not deliberately abandon my fans, nor did I deliberately abandon and responsibilities, but I did however put my safety, health and freedom and the freedom, safety and health of my family first over all other material concerns!”

BEYONCE LENDS HER VOICE TO GOODWILL.
Goodwill Industries International is pleased to announce that Beyonce Knowles-Carter will lend her voice to help raise awareness about Goodwill's mission of transforming lives through the power of work. The announcement comes just as Beyonce gets ready to kick off The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour today in Serbia.

"Goodwill helps people get back to work by providing education, job training and placement. I wanted to team up with an organization that puts people first and works every day to help them improve and re-establish their lives," said Beyonce.

Beyonce will encourage fans to support Goodwill by promoting donation drives at her North American concerts beginning on Friday, June 28, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Goodwill will host a mobile donation center onsite at 28 tour venues in 24 North American cities, collecting clothing, electronics and small household goods. The revenue from the sale of these donations will directly benefit local Goodwill agencies in their work to help people with disabilities and disadvantages, and anyone facing challenges to finding employment.

Beyonce will also help build awareness of Goodwill's mission through in-concert education, social media and online ticket auctions.

Every 38 seconds of every business day, a person served by Goodwill is placed in employment. Goodwill promotes independence and dignity for people who need support to provide for themselves and their families. When people donate to their local Goodwill, they play a vital role in fulfilling this mission. Financial donations and the revenue generated from the sale of used goods helps to sustain skills training, career placement services and job opportunities, and support services such as career counseling, access to free tax preparation and financial coaching. Members of the public can do their part to support Beyonce's efforts by giving goods, giving financially, or giving their voice to increase awareness of Goodwill's mission of transforming lives through the power of work.

Beyonce will also support and advocate on behalf of other local charitable agencies involved in job creation and employment services during the overseas portion of her tour, to bring to light the importance of economic independence and an increased quality of life for those in need around the globe.

"We face a jobs crisis in the U.S. and around the world that threatens the future and the potential of our families and communities. Through Beyonce's platform, we will be able to increase knowledge of the positive impact Goodwill has on communities, the environment and the lives of the millions of people we serve each year through education and skills training, many of whom have been unemployed or underemployed for long periods of time," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "We cannot begin to express our sincere gratitude to Beyonce for her generous support of Goodwill and for showcasing Goodwill's far-reaching programs and services that change lives each day."

50 CENT ON DECK FOR QVC.
SMS Audio, LLC (audio headphone and accessories brand from 50 Cent), today announced a new addition to their product lineup – a range of limited edition colors available exclusively for the STREET by 50 Wired On-Ear headphones. The new line of headphones follows the successful launch of a number of limited edition colors for the STREET by 50 Wired Over-Ear headphones. The new headphones retail for $179.95 and are available in the following colors: cobalt blue, green, orange, magenta, red and teal.

50 Cent is scheduled to unveil the new headphones in his first one hour show on QVC® Tuesday, April 16, at 8 PM (ET). In addition to the array of colored headphones, QVC will be the only retailer to offer the headphones in a special purple color until May 31, 2013.

The STREET by 50 On-Ear headphones allow people to take their music on the go, with a foldable, compact design, detachable cord for tangle-free street-wear and transport, and an included hard shell carry case. Users can comfortably listen to their favorite music for hours on end with their ultra-plush memory foam OVALFIT™ cushions. The STREET by 50 On-Ear headphones offer the best in studio mastered sound, with professionally tuned 40mm drivers and passive noise cancellation that ensures listeners are hearing their music as it was intended.

“SMS Audio is all about giving our fans the finest experience we possibly can,” said 50 Cent, CEO of SMS Audio. “The response to the limited edition colors for our STREET by 50 Wired Over-Ear headphones spoke for itself – the fans want the opportunity to match their headphones to their personal style, and we definitely want to make sure to give them what they want.”

EN VOGUE FOUNDING MEMBERS KEEP EXCLUSIVE NAME RIGHTS AFTER COURT BATTLE.
After a legal and binding Arbitration, founding members of the singing group En Vogue, Cindy Braggs and Terry Ellis, under the company name En Vogue Enterprises, LLC, have been awarded the sole and exclusive use of the stage name En Vogue. No other persons or groups may secure work or perform, using the name without legal ramifications. The company owns all right, title, and interest in and to the trademark, trade name and service mark, En Vogue.

The Arbitration, which was brought by Braggs and Ellis against former member Maxine Jones, states that Jones may use the trademark En Vogue, only "in non-derogatory biographical information primarily of a personal nature, and professionally as 'formerly of En Vogue,' or words to that effect." It was proven during arbitration that Jones breached the company's operating agreement.

Although a Federal lawsuit was filed, an Arbitration was demanded and held instead that no damages were requested against Maxine Jones. Per the Arbitration, legal fees and arbitration costs were however requested and awarded to En Vogue Enterprises, LLC. Braggs commented on the outcome of the arbitration saying, "Terry and I would like to thank the fans for supporting us throughout this ordeal. We are sorry for the events that transpired that were out of our control, however, we will continue to be there for our fans doing live performances and carrying on the legacy of the En Vogue brand."

En Vogue started as a singing group with members Cindy Bragg, Terry Ellis, Maxine Jones and Dawn Robinson. Best known as the original "Funky Divas," En Vogue was the first female group to be considered fashion forward as they trail blazed their way through the music industry by seamlessly fusing together fashion, style and music as exemplified in the classic video 'Free Your Mind.'

Known for their popular hits "Hold On" & "Free Your Mind," En Vogue dominated the charts and sold more than 20 million albums and CDs worldwide and winning more MTV VMAs than any other female group in history. One of the most successful groups of the 90's, they spent more than 2,800 weeks on the Billboard charts and released 11 CDs to date.

LA RADIO STATION KDAY BEING SOLD AND CHANGING FORMAT?
KDAY radio made its mark as the first radio station in the country to exclusively play hip hop. Now comes word of a sale – and the potential for significant programming changes for the Redondo Beach-based station at 93.5 FM.

The station is set to be sold from Magic Broadcasting to RBC Communication for $19.5 million. Onatrio-based KDEY is part of the deal too. When it all goes through, KDAY could become a Chinese-language talk radio station, according to industry reports.

The sale is still in the process of going through so it’s not final and nobody associated with the sale was authorized to comment. But KDAY’s program director says that staff has been notified of the sale. The possible change from old-school hip-hop and R&B to Mandarin language was mourned by KDAY fans on Thursday, a day after the sale was revealed.

A T-Mobile store in Inglewood, where KDAY blares daily, employees are shocked to hear it’s likely going away. “The culture in Inglewood won’t be represented by the music we listen to. A lot of customers love this music,” said KDAY fan Marcelo Vera.

KDAY radio has been a part of Southern California’s hip hop community for more than 30 years. The original AM station was the first in the nation to play exclusively hip hop music. KDAY launched the careers of artists like NWA and LL Cool J in the 1980s.

In 2004, Magic Broadcasting bought the KDAY call letters to cash in on the nostalgia of the old station.

The new ownership will bring another change, this time much bigger.

“It’s going to a consortium of broadcasters who specialize in multi-lingual broadcasting -- Mandarin Chinese -- so that’s what we’re expecting it to flip to at some point," Michael Schneider from TV Guide said. Other KDAY fans such as Aaron Green were outraged. “That’s unbelievable," Green said. "People need to protest to keep them on the air.”

Fans of old school hip-hop say LA radio won’t be the same. Source: NBC LA

RICK ROSS RELEASES STATEMENT.
In response to the continuing controversy over some recent lyrics of his, recording artist Rick Ross issued the following statement today:

"Before I am an artist, I am a father, a son, and a brother to some of the most cherished women in the world. So for me to suggest in any way that harm and violation be brought to a woman is one of my biggest mistakes and regrets. As an artist, one of the most liberating things is being able to paint pictures with my words. But with that comes a great responsibility. And most recently, my choice of words was not only offensive, it does not reflect my true heart. And for this, I apologize. To every woman that has felt the sting of abuse, I apologize. I recognize that as an artist I have a voice and with that, the power of influence. To the young men who listen to my music, please know that using a substance to rob a woman of her right to make a choice is not only a crime, it's wrong and I do not encourage it. To my fans, I also apologize if I have disappointed you. I can only hope that this sparks a healthy dialogue and that I can contribute to it." —William Roberts (a.k.a " Rick Ross ")

CHAKA KHAN TO BE INDUCTED IN APOLLO LEGENDS HALL OF FAME.
Chaka Khan will be inducted into the Apollo Theater's hall of fame. The theater announced Thursday that Patti LaBelle and Mary J. Blige will perform in Khan's honor at its June 10 New York gala.

The annual event raises funds for the Apollo's education and community outreach programs. Khan and Blige received a Grammy Award together in 2008 for "Disrespectful."

Singer-songwriter Lionel Richie and the late Etta James were inducted last year into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame.

Other previous inductees include LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin, to name just a few. Sarah Jessica Parker will present this year's corporate award to Time Warner Inc.

REEBOK FINALLY DROPS RICK ROSS OVER ALLEGED RAPE LYRICS
After weeks of negative press, of Rock Ross' verse on Rocko's "U.O.E.N.O:" Reebok has finally droppped Rick Ross.

Reebok tells TMZ ... "Reebok holds our partners to a high standard, and we expect them to live up to the values of our brand. Unfortunately, Rick Ross has failed to do so."

Reebok goes on: "While we do not believe that Rick Ross condones sexual assault, we are very disappointed he has yet to display an understanding of the seriousness of this issue or an appropriate level of remorse."

Statement from UltraViolet co-founder Nita Chaudhary:

“We are thrilled to hear that Reebok is joining the fight against rape culture and dropping Rick Ross. This is a huge victory for women, for the 526 survivors of rape who were brave enough to publicly confront rape culture, and for the nearly 100,000 UltraViolet members who have poured their hearts and time into this campaign. This sends a strong message that rapping about drugging and raping an unconscious woman is not only morally wrong, but has real consequences. After Steubenville, Americans expect and demand better. Thank you Reebok for taking a stand.”

Nearly 100,000 UltraViolet members signed a petition demanding Reebok drop Rick Ross, more than 10,000 called Reebok demanding action, more than 2,000 tweeted the company, and nearly 100 protested in front of Reebok’s NYC flagship just last week.

UltraViolet is a community of over 400,000 women and men, fighting to expand women's rights and combat sexism everywhere - from politics and government to media and pop culture.

KID CUDI MOVES UP RELEASE DATE FOR "INDICUD"
Kid Cudi has officially bumped up the release date of his third full-length album, Indicud, one week to April 16. As soon as the iTunes pre-order went live last week, it immediately shot up the charts to the Top 5 of the site's Overall Albums Chart, and it's currently at #4 on the Hip-Hop/Rap Albums Chart. The record will be available in stores and through all digital retailers via Republic Records.

Speaking directly to his audience, he personally broke the news today on his Twitter writing, "Ok so, INDICUD will be released April 16th now. Physical and digitally!! SPREAD THE WORD!!"

Already, he's dropped three singles that have lit up the internet. When he unveiled "King Wizard", the track immediately trended worldwide on Twitter, and it's racked up more than 4.9 million YouTube/VEVO views to date, while "Just What I Am" is over 7.4 million views. The song has also reached nearly 1 million plays on Soundcloud. CUDI's latest single "Girls" ft. Too Short, is currently the #1 most added song at Rhythm stations across the U.S.

Recently, with only 24 hours' notice, Cudi performed on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! and drew an overwhelming crowd of over 1,500 fans to the outdoor stage. There, debuted a brand new song, "Mad Solar" and performed "Immortal" for his fans.

JAMIE FOXX TO RECEIVE GENERATION AWARD @ MTV MOVIE AWARDS.
Jamie Foxx will walk home from the MTV Movie Awards with a trophy in hand. The star of "Django Unchained" is set to receive the MTV Generation Award during this Sunday's ceremony, after distinguishing himself not just in a variety of movie genres, but in a variety of mediums, including film, music and television.

The actor, whose next role is in "White House Down" opposite Channing Tatum, has already received numerous honors for his big-screen performances, including a Golden Globe, BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild honor and Academy Award for his turn as iconic singer-songwriter Ray Charles in "Ray." But MTV's award will undoubtedly be the first in his trophy case that looks like the thing his audiences bring with them into theaters: a tub of popcorn.

In receiving MTV's Generation Award, Foxx follows in the footsteps of cinematic icons including Johnny Depp, Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Tom Cruise and Jim Carrey.

At the 2013 ceremony, however, Foxx isn't the only performer who's a guaranteed honoree: Will Ferrell ("The Campaign") is receiving the Comedic Genius Award for his countless performances in TV and film, and Emma Watson ("Harry Potter") is scheduled to take the stage to accept MTV's Trailblazer Award. Source: MTV

JAY-Z DEFENDS HIS RECENT TRIP TO CUBA.
He released "Open Letter" LISTEN HERE after two Florida Republican lawmakers questioned if his visit to Havana with wife Beyonce was officially licensed.

On the song, Jay-Z raps about his distaste for politicians and says, "Want to give me jail time and a fine, let me commit a real crime."

U.S. Treasury officials said Tuesday the couple's trip was licensed as an educational exchange. Jay-Z and Beyonce are avid supporters of President Barack Obama. Jay-Z raps in his song, "Obama said, 'Chill, you gon' get me impeached, you don't need this (expletive) anyway, chill with me on the beach.'"

U.S. citizens are not allowed to travel to Cuba for mere tourism, though they can obtain licenses for academic, religious, journalistic or cultural exchange trips.

FLAVOR FLAV FELONY CASE TRIAL ON DECK.
Flavor Flav is facing a trial on felony charges that he threatened his longtime girlfriend's 17-year-old son with a butcher knife during a family argument. The 54-year-old former rap and reality TV star, whose legal name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., didn't testify during a Wednesday evidence hearing in Las Vegas Justice Court. But the teen did. He pointed from the witness stand toward Drayton at the defendant's table, identified him as the man wearing a clock around his neck, and told Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson that Drayton chased him to a bedroom and stabbed the knife through the door during the argument early Oct. 17.

The teen quoted the obscenity he says Drayton used as the rapper threatened to kill him. Drayton was standing 2 feet away with the knife still in his hand, the boy said.

The Associated Press is not reporting the boy's name because he is a juvenile.

The argument began when Drayton woke the boy during a 3 a.m. argument with the boy's mother, Elizabeth Trujillo, with whom he has lived for about eight years. It escalated when the teen, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound high school football and basketball player, wrestled the 5-foot-6 Drayton into a head lock in the kitchen.

"I told him, 'You're not going to talk to my mom like that,'" he testified. "He pushed me... I pushed him."

Defense attorney Tony Abbatangelo later told the judge he believed Drayton may have been acting in self-defense when he allegedly grabbed the butcher knife, a steak knife and a pizza cutter during the scuffle. Abbatangelo noted that a police report didn't include the quote the teen recalled Wednesday.

Andress-Tobiasson said the evidence was enough to bind Drayton over to state court for trial. She set arraignment for April 18 on felony charges of assault with a weapon and child endangerment that could get Drayton up to 12 years in prison if he's convicted. Drayton also faces a misdemeanor domestic violence battery charge.

Abbatangelo said he'll seek to postpone arraignment because Drayton will be out of town April 18 while he and other members of the rap group Public Enemy are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Abbatangelo said Drayton plans to plead not guilty.

JAY-Z'S ANNUAL "MADE IN AMERICA" TOUR ON DECK / REVEALS LINE UP.
Earlier this week, Jay-Z announced that his Made In America outdoor festival will return to Philadelphia for its second year over Labor Day weekend. Today Jay began to unveil the lineup via Spotify.

This year's big event features Beyonce, Nine Inch Nails, Phoenix, Wiz Khalifa, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Gaslight Anthem, Solange, Emeli Sandé, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky, Imagine Dragons, Fitz+ the Tantrums, Public Enemy, Jesse Rose, Schoolboy Q, Walk The Moon, Robert DeLong and EDM artists like Calvin Harris, Nero, Deadmau5, Empire Of The Sun and many more.

The Philly concert will take place on August 31 and September 1 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Last year's event, headlined by Jay-Z and Pearl Jam, was filmed by director Ron Howard for a documentary about staging the festival.

(Aug 31 & Sept. 1):
Nine Inch Nails
Beyonce
Queens of the Stone Age
Solange
Emeli Sande
2 Chainz
Walk The Moon
Fitz and the Tantrums
Haim
Wiz Khalifa
Nero
3LAU
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Public Enemy
TDE
GTA
Calvin Harris
A$AP Rocky
Imagine Dragon
AlunaGeorge
The Gaslight Anthem
Jesse Rose
Rudimental
Redlight
Miguel
Deadmau5
Phoenix

KELLY ROWLAND ON DECK WITH TALK A GOOD GAME/ FEATURES WIZ KHALIFA & MORE.
Kelly Rowland is gearing up to release her fourth full-length solo album, Talk A Good Game [Republic Records], this summer. Already preparing herself for the big Game day, she'll be performing new material live at Elle Magazine's annual prestigious "Women In Music" event on April 10.

She's already introduced the world to the album via the sexy smash "Kisses Down Low ." The song is currently climbing up the radio charts at multiple formats. "Kisses Down Low" has already reached Top 15 at Urban Mainstream, and received several early adds at Rhythmic radio before it formally impacted the format this week.

The music video for the song has already exceeded over 6.1 million YouTube/VEVO views and counting since its March debut.

Rowland also invited a bevy of heavy hitters to join her on Talk A Good Game. Wiz Khalifa's breezy flow punctuates "Gone" with smoky elegance, while Pharrell Williams heats up "Feet to the Fire." However, "You Changed" is a veritable pop/R&B event, seeing Rowland once again collaborate with her former group members Beyonce and Michelle Williams. In addition, production comes courtesy of, Mike Will, Harmony, The Runners, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, and more.

Talk a Good Game follows Rowland's 2011 critically-acclaimed album, Here I Am. That LP debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and yielded the platinum mega hit "Motivation" [featuring Lil Wayne]. To date, the single has accumulated a staggering 57 million YouTube/VEVO views. Rowland's fan base remains one of the most loyal and passionate in R&B. Her Twitter followers exceed 4.4 million, Facebook likes surpass 2.5 million, and Instagram followers are over 1 million.

As a founding member of Destiny's Child, she has cumulatively sold over 20 million albums worldwide. She has been honored with a total of 5 Grammy Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, 15 Soul Train Awards, 4 American Music Awards, 2 MTV Video Music Awards, 1 BRIT Award, 1 BET Award, 1 NAACP Image Award, a Star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame," and more. However, she's primed for even bigger things on the horizon.

JAY-Z TO SELL OF HIS STAKE IN THE BROOKLYN NETS AND BECOME NBA AGENT.
Brooklyn Nets minority owner Jay-Z has begun the process of selling his stake in the team so that he can become an NBA agent, according to a Yahoo! report.

ESPN's Darren Rovell tweeted that Jay-Z's .067 percent (1/15th of a percent) stake in the Nets is worth approximately $350,000, and he could sell it tomorrow if he wanted to.

Jay-Z would be required to relinquish his stake in the team in order to represent NBA clients as an agent. Rovell reports that the league told him he had to sell once he announced his desire to become an agent.

The process is expected to be completed in time for Roc Nation to compete for players entering the June NBA draft, but there's no guarantee of the timing, sources said. Those within Roc Nation and the CAA alliance aren't "chasing a clock on this," one source said. "This isn't about one draft, but taking the long view of the business."

"It would be disappointing [if he left]," Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "I'd be disappointed.

"He had an enormous amount to do with the rebranding of the team. I wasn't close to it at all, but from what I've seen, it would be hard to overstate his importance in this all. I like his involvement in the team; he's at the games, and maybe he's around more than I realize behind the scenes. But he's an excellent fan, one that wasn't just around this year, but a lot in the past too, which is very telling to me."

Nets CEO Brett Yormark would not comment.

Jay-Z's Roc Nation recently partnered with Creative Artist Agency (CAA) and landed New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano as his first client. Source: Espn

RAPE VICTIMS CONTINUE TO PUSH REEBOK UNTIL THEY DROP RICK ROSS. (Reebok Remains Silent as Petition Tops 75,000 and UltraViolet Escalates with Calls, Online Ads, and Tweets) Rape victims continue to push for Reebok to drop Rick Ross. More than 150 survivors of sexual assault have launched an open letter to Reebok today demanding that Reebok drop Rick Ross for bragging about drugging and raping a woman and for his subsequent non-apologies blaming everyone but himself for the controversy. To accompany the new letter, UltraViolet members have launched a combined phone, twitter, and online ad push targeting the company with upwards of 10,000 calls into Reebok, with over 8,500 already made, mobilizing on Twitter with tweets to @Reebok, with more than 2,000 already sent, and a Facebook ad and comment campaign targeting Reebok customers.

More than 150 survivors have already signed on to the letter, which launched this morning. See it here: http://bit.ly/survivorsreebok

“As a survivor of rape, I’m appalled with Reebok’s use of their brand to promote rape and I am fed up with being told what counts or does not count as rape by both Reebok and Rick Ross,” said Wagatwe Wanjuke, the author of the letter who works on reproductive health issues in New York, NY. “We will not give up until Reebok drops Ross and we urge them to issue an apology to their customers and to survivors of rape who have been hurt by their brand’s message.”

75,732 people have signed onto UltraViolet’s petition demanding Reebok drop Ross. See it here: http://bit.ly/reebokrickross

“This issue is simple: Reebok is promoting rape and they need to stop. Rick Ross’ non-apology and inability to understand that drugging and ‘enjoying’ an unconscious woman is in fact rape is appalling,” said Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet. “We are in the middle of a culture change— Steubenville opened many people’s eyes to the real danger of rape culture and 75,732 Reebok customers have had enough: we demand Reebok stop promoting rape and drop Rick Ross.”

Today’s escalation comes on the heels of a protest in front of Reebok’s flagship store in NYC where UltraViolet and NOW NYC members were barred from entering when they attempted to deliver the petitions. Also this week, students at Carleton University in Ottawa were inspired by the campaign to cancel a Rick Ross concert slated there for later this week.

UltraViolet is planning further action throughout this week if Reebok continues to support Rick Ross’ bragging about rape. Reebok’s inaction during Sexual Assault Awareness month is seen as an especially hard hit to survivors who have become involved in the campaign.

The lyrics to Ross’ single, UOENO, that are under fire: “I die over these reeboks, you dont even know it / Put molly all in the champagne, she ain't even know it / I took her home and I enjoy that, she aint even know it.”

UltraViolet is a community of over 400,000 women and men, fighting to expand women's rights and combat sexism everywhere - from politics and government to media and pop culture.

The Letter is as follows:

Reebok: Survivors demand that you drop Rick Ross

The best way to turn up the heat on Reebok is to make them explain to us--survivors of sexual assault--why they are continuing to stand behind Rick Ross, who brags about drugging and raping a woman on his new single.

Today, I'm asking if you will sign on to the letter to Reebok that I've started. If hundreds of us sign on to this letter, Reebok will have to answer to us--survivors of assault--about why they refuse to stand up to rape culture. The media won't let them get away with ignoring an appeal directly from assault survivors like us. Can you add your name?

Survivor's letter to Reebok:

Uli Becker, President
Matt O'Toole, Chief Marketing Officer
Daniel Sarro, Corporate Communications
Reebok International

Dear Mr. Becker, Mr. O’Toole, and Mr. Sarro:

Like far too many women, we are survivors of sexual assault.

Every single day that Reebok continues rewarding Rick Ross with a lucrative endorsement deal, Reebok is condoning rape. When one in five women will be the victim of completed or attempted rape, this is dangerous and it has real-life consequences.

Your silence on this issue is unacceptable. It's time you took a stand against rape and drop Rick Ross as a spokesman.

Signed,

Wagatwe Wanjuki

SL JONES ANNOUNCES 1ST HEADLINE TOUR.
SL Jones is excited to announce his very first headline tour, The Way Of Life No Hobby Tour. After dropping his EP, Trapper's Delight, in January, the Little Rock rapper is excited to take his captivating live show on the road to cities throughout the Southeast and Midwest. The first leg of The Way Of Life No Hobby Tour, a total of nine dates, will kick off tonight, Tuesday, April 9th, in New Orleans and will make stops throughout Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma along the way before capping off with a hometown performance in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Though Jones has performed in cities all around the country over the past year, The Way Of Life No Hobby Tour, as the rapper's first headline run, is particularly special. "It's these first ones that we'll always be able look back on and remember as being special," says Jones, looking forward to the dates. "I'm excited to get out there and connect with the fans, perform some favorites and some new songs, too."

Also to celebrate the launch of the tour, Jones released a new video from Trapper's Delight, for "Sack Religious." The video is shot and directed by Aditya Pamidi. WATCH HERE

TOUR DATES:
4/9 New Orleans, LA – The Howlin Den
4/10 Baton Rouge, LA – The Library @ Northgate
4/12 Dallas, TX – Sandaga813
4/15 Houston, TX – Jet Lounge
4/16 Austin, TX - Red 7
4/17 San Antonio, TX – The Korova
4/18 Oklahoma City, OK – Kamps Lounge
4/19 Tulsa, OK – Soundpony
4/21 Little Rock, AR – Vino's Brewpub

JAY Z'S ROC NATION INKS WITH UMG.
Universal Music Group (UMG) and Roc Nation have announced that they have entered into a multi-year, worldwide partnership under which the Roc Nation music label will operate as a standalone label within the UMG family, effective immediately. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. As part of the agreement, forthcoming albums from Jay Z, Rihanna and many others will be released through UMG worldwide.

In making the announcement, Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG, said, "In just five years, Roc Nation has established itself as one of the most successful brands in music with a reputation for developing some of today¹s most influential and popular talent. Not only does this agreement provide a dynamic platform for Roc Nation's exciting emerging artists, it extends our relationship with the extraordinary Rihanna and represents a homecoming for Jay Z, a brilliant artist and entrepreneur, who has been a creative cornerstone of our company. All of us at UMG are thrilled that Jay and Roc Nation chose UMG as their partners, knowing we will support their artists with a level of resources, expertise and passion that is simply unmatched in the industry."

Jay Z said, "We are looking forward to working with Lucian and the incredible team he's assembled at Universal. We would like to applaud Lucian for collaborating with us to strike a new age deal. This agreement presents a unique opportunity for Roc Nation's artists—being able to continue to operate as an independent label with the strength, power and reach of the best major. I look forward to a long and prosperous collaboration with UMG. It feels good to be home."

Founded in 2008, Roc Nation is a full-service entertainment company, inclusive of artist, songwriter, producer and engineer management; music publishing; touring & merchandising; film & television; new business ventures; and a music label. It is home to a diverse roster comprised of critically acclaimed recording artists, writers and producers including Rihanna, Shakira, J Cole, Rita Ora, Calvin Harris, NO ID, Timbaland, Solange, M.I.A., Santigold, deadmau5, Wale, etc. Roc Nation has partnerships with award winning production team Stargate in Star Roc as well as global management company, Three Six Zero.

UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING INKS SUGAR HILL MUSIC.
Universal Music Publishing Group signed a deal with Sugar Hill Music to administer their entire catalog in the United States, UMPG Chairman/CEO Zach Horowitz and Sugar Hill founder/CEO Joey Robinson announced today. Sugar Hill's repertoire includes much of the early hip-hop and R&B that sprung up in the 1980s such as Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message," in addition to tracks such as The Moments' "Love On A Two Way Street," and Sylvia Robinson's "Pillow Talk."

“My brothers and I are really excited about the opportunity of working with Zach, Evan Lamberg, and the entire UMG family," said Joey Robinson in a statement. "I've known Zach since the MCA Record days, and to now have the opportunity to work close with him with our catalog, as well as with new songwriters and publishers we are signing to our roster, will only help take Sugar Hill Music legacy to the next generation."

Sugar Hill Music is closely associated with the career of singer, songwriter and record executive Sylvia Robinson, who, in addition to having a successful career as a singer in Mickey & Sylvia and as a producer and songwriter. Robinson and her husband Joe created All Platinum Records in the 1960s, signing The Moments, and founded Sugar Hill Records in 1979, which became a seminal label for the beginnings of hip-hop.

“Sugar Hill’s publishing catalog is a testament to the vision of Sylvia Robinson, one of the true pioneers of the music business," said Horowitz in a statement. "As a performer, writer, producer, talent finder, and record company owner she played a critical role in creating some of the most memorable and culturally significant songs of the modern music era. We couldn’t be more excited to be working with her sons to build on her legacy."

UMPG now boasts an extensive catalog of hip-hop heavyweights, including tracks by Eric B. and Rakim, Run DMC, Tupac, the Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, EPMD, Slick Rick, KRS-One, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and more. Source: Billboard

LUPE FIASCO AND COMMON ON DECK FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON "ROCK TO RAP" GIG.
An eclectic mix of talent ranging from emerging stars to legendary bands will rock the Milwaukee Lakefront with Harley-Davidson during the culmination of the company's year-long, global 110th Anniversary Celebration.

More than 60 bands will take to the stages of Milwaukee's Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest Grounds) Thursday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Sept.1, 2013. The first round of confirmed performers includes ZZ Top, Katey Sagal & The Forest Rangers, Dropkick Murphys, Lupe Fiasco, Common, Brantley Gilbert, Doobie Brothers, Buckcherry, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Gaslight Anthem, Sublime with Rome and Halestorm.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg of the talent we're bringing to town for the 110th Anniversary Celebration," said Mark-Hans Richer, Chief Marketing Officer at Harley-Davidson. "Stay tuned for the unveiling of even more bands, including two additional headlining acts."

Thursday, August 29
Whiskey of the Damned
Lynyrd Skynyrd ( H.O.G. Members only)
Elvin Bishop
Blue Oyster Cult
Dropkick Murphys
The Doobie Brothers
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Lupe Fiasco

Friday, August 30
Gabriel Sanchez & The Prince Experience
MAD MEX
Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights
ZZ Ward
Shooter Jennings
The Dirty Heads
Foxy Shazam
ZZ Top
Gaslight Anthem
Sublime with Rome
Buckcherry

Saturday, August 31
D.B. Bryant Band
Moderatto
The White Buffalo
Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown
The Whigs
Halestorm
Katey Sagal & The Forest Rangers
Common
Brantley Gilbert

Additional 110th Anniversary Celebration activities in Milwaukee include fan-organized rides, a massive parade, activities at the Harley-Davidson Museum, parties at participating Harley-Davidson dealerships and street parties around the city.

CALL OF DUTY II TEAMS UP WITH THE MOB ON NEW DLC MAP PACK. SEE THE TRAILER HERE
Call of Duty® fans are set to receive another premium offering of Downloadable Content (DLC) with Call of Duty®: Black Ops II Uprising on April 16. The game's second, epic DLC pack of the year from award-winning studio Treyarch and Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI), will be available first, exclusively on Xbox LIVE® for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft beginning on April 16, with other platforms to follow. Call of Duty: Black Ops II Uprising will include four new exotic multiplayer maps, plus an exciting new Zombies experience called "Mob of the Dead" that takes players to Alcatraz with four of the actors behind some of Hollywood's most iconic mobsters, including Ray Liotta, Chazz Palminteri, Joe Pantoliano, and Michael Madsen.

"With Uprising, the team has really outdone itself again," said Mark Lamia, Treyarch's Studio Head. "In addition to creating four amazing new multiplayer maps, the Studio has been hard at work on the Zombies front to surpass what we accomplished with 'Call of the Dead.' What they've done this time around is nothing Zombies fans have seen before - and if you don't believe me, just wait until you get into Purgatory."

Following tradition of the original Call of Duty: Black Ops fan-favorite Zombies mode "Call of the Dead," Call of Duty: Black Ops II Uprising's wildly creative new "Mob of the Dead" Zombies experience finds the four prohibition-era mobsters, Billy Handsome (Liotta), Al "The Weasel" Arlington (Pantoliano), Salvatore "Sal" DeLuca (Palmentiri), and Michael "Finn" O'Leary (Madsen) serving time in Alcatraz Prison, only to discover that being behind bars is the least of their problems. With plans to break out of Alcatraz foiled by the rise of the undead, the quartet of inmates will have to lean on their mob-derived skills with firearms, blunt instruments and improvised weaponry as they battle the zombies infesting and overrunning the island. In order to survive, players must work their way through the steel cells and aging concrete buildings while fighting off a multitude of zombified prisoners and guards trapped on the island with them. Additionally, if a player becomes an unfortunate victim, "Mob of the Dead's" new feature known as "Purgatory" sends players into the afterlife. This new twist on Zombies gameplay is ripe with its own set of objectives, and offers fans a truly new and unique experience.

Uprising also delivers another four new, exotic and diverse multiplayer maps set around the globe for fans to jump into. "Magma" is a modern Japanese village with volcanic eruptions carving multiple paths throughout the town. "Encore" takes place in the aftermath of a deserted London music festival and leaves numerous opportunities for run-and-gun, close quarters combat. "Vertigo" is a futuristic high rise in India housing a high-tech lab featuring dizzying vistas and multi-tiered pathways. Finally, "Studio" is a contemporary remake of "Firing Range," a fan-favorite multiplayer map from the original Call of Duty®: Black Ops. "Studio" is a Hollywood movie back lot with a variety of cinematic themes that range from Sci-Fi to the Old West.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CRASH REEBOK'S FLAGSHIP STORE OVER RICK ROSS.
Just minutes after Rick Ross tweeted an awkward non-apology to people who had “misinterpreted” his rap about drugging and raping a woman, more than 100 UltraViolet and NOW NYC members crashed Reebok’s flagship store in New York City to demand the company drop Rick Ross. Survivors of rape, athletes, moms, and concerned women all lugged boxes containing 72,000 petitions to the store for delivery. Reebok barred the women from entering, but two representatives met them at the door and promised to deliver the petitions to CEO Uli Becker.

“It’s time for Reebok to stop using their brand as a platform to promote rape and the idea that rape is not just okay, but cool. Contrary to Ross’ claims, there was no misinterpretation here: Slipping a woman a drug and ‘enjoying that’ is rape, plain and simple.” said Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet. “It’s time for Reebok to answer the 72,000 customers who want them to stop promoting violence against women and fire Rick Ross.”

"As a survivor of campus rape, I know how harmful it is when sexual violence is not recognized for what it is: a violation of another human being. Reebok needs to take the responsible route and stand against the denial of the experiences of millions of rape victims around the world," said attendee Wagatwe Wanjuki.

Attendees at the event held signs reading: “Hey Reebok! Want my business? Stop promoting rape. Drop Rick Ross.”

"It’s unacceptable that Reebok, one of the oldest brands in athletics, would stand behind someone who so openly condones rape. Companies like Reebok have a responsibility to the public. Propping up someone who rants about rape and paying that person millions of dollars is about as irresponsible as it gets. The Reebok board of directors should take immediate action," said Sonia Ossorio, President of NOW NYC, a group supporting and attending the protest.

Today’s event came on the heels of a full week of silence from Reebok as controversy over their spokesman’s conduct has grown. UltraViolet will announce further escalation of the campaign Monday if the company continues to use their brand to promote rape.

UltraViolet is a community of over 400,000 women and men, fighting to expand women's rights and combat sexism everywhere - from politics and government to media and pop culture.

NICKI MINAJ PARTNERS UP W/ BEATS BY DRE FOR PINK PILL.
Beats Electronics, LLC (Beats), the leading audio brand co-founded by legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine, has partnered with global music sensation Nicki Minaj on a special pink edition of the company’s popular Pill portable wireless Bluetooth speaker. Inspired by Nicki’s signature color, the pink Pill is now available for purchase for $199 exclusively at AT&T.

Nicki said, "I am so excited about this product. It’s something I actually use. It’s a little tiny speaker that I can travel with yet the sound is incredibly loud and rich. I knew the barbz would not only love it, but that they'd want it in pink! So, here ya go barbz!!!! My PINK PILL!"

AT&T and Nicki Minaj will officially launch the Beats by Dr. Dre pink Pill in a brand new commercial set to premiere during American Idol on Wednesday, April 10. The television spot will also provide audiences with a taste of what the Beats global Pill campaign will look like in 2013 with the debut of a special Pill character. CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HERE

BEYONCE, MAXWELL, MINT CONDITION, NEW EDITION, TREY SONGZ, JANELLE MONAE, BIG DADDY KANE, LL COOL J, BRANDY, KEYSHIA COLE AND MORE ON DECK FOR 2013 ESSENCE FESTIVAL..
The 2013 Essence Festival, the 19th annual gathering of music, culture, community, empowerment and inspiration, is proud to announce its heavily anticipated night-by-night line-up.The 2013 Essence Festival, taking place July 4-7 in New Orleans, LA, promises to be the most exhilarating cultural celebration of the year; featuring a mix of bold names, exciting newcomers and cherished Essence Festival favorites.

Festival attendees will experience a dazzling aural event with the thrilling headlining line-up of Grammy-Award winners JILL SCOTT and MAXWELL (Friday, July 5th); CHARLIE WILSON and NEW EDITION (Saturday, July 6th); and a powerful closing performance from Grammy-Award winning icon BEYONCE (Sunday, July 7th). Nephew Tommy from The Steve Harvey Morning Show will once again return as the Mainstage host, assuring laughs and a lively audience interaction.

Additional names to be added to the previously announced Mainstage line up include buzzed about songstress Solange, who will be bringing her fiery brand and fashionable stage set to the Mainstage for the first time; heartthrob Trey Songz; EssenceMay issue cover star and vocal powerhouse Janelle Monae, who will curate a nightly lounge performance; and Supergroup TGT (Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank).Newly added superlounge acts include Faith Evans, Luke James, Tamia, Emeli Sande, Alice Smith, Maya AzucenaandShamarr Allen and the Underdawgs,among many others.

"We are pleased to present such a stellar and diverse line up of performers, with more than thirty acts across five stages!" says Michelle Ebanks, Essence Communications President. She adds, "From icons to the most exciting rising stars, we are offering it all. This extraordinary line-up is just one of the many components of what will be an empowering and inspiring overall weekend experience!"

The 2013 Essence Festival night-by-night musical line-up is as follows:
Friday, July 5th: Mainstage: Maxwell, Jill Scott, LL Cool J and Brandy. Superlounges:Blackstreet, Anthony David, Les Nubians, Emeli Sande, Maya Azucena, Simphiwe Dana, Mali Music and Shamarr Allen and The Underdawgs.

Saturday, July 6th: Mainstage:New Edition, Charlie Wilson, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole and Solange. Superlounges:Faith Evans, Bridget Kelly, Big Daddy Kane, F.Stokes, PJ Morton, Jody Watley, Leela James and Avery*Sunshine.

Sunday, July 7th: Mainstage:Beyonce, Janelle Monae and TGT (Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank).Superlounges: Rachelle Ferrell, Mia Borders, Mint Condition, Luke James, Daley, Tamia, Kourtney Heart and Alice Smith.
More acts to be announced soon.

THE GREAT GATSBY SOUNDTRACK REVEALED.
The Great Gatsby” writer/producer/director Baz Luhrmann and collaborators Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, an executive producer on the film, and Anton Monsted, its executive music supervisor, revealed the lineup for the movie’s soundtrack today, which encompasses the broad spectrum of musical styles represented in this energetic re-telling of the classic text. The joint announcement was made today by Warner Bros. Pictures and Universal Music Group’s Interscope Records.

Drawing on his unique and unrivalled position in popular culture, JAY Z (with collaborator and the film’s executive music consultant Jeymes Samuel) has worked with Luhrmann and his team on the project over the past two years, translating the Jazz Age sensibility of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel into the musical equivalents of our own times, through the blending of hip-hop, traditional jazz and other contemporary musical textures.

Luhrmann stated, “F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel is peppered with contemporary music references specific to the story’s setting of 1922. While we acknowledge, as Fitzgerald phrased it, ‘the Jazz Age,’ and this is the period represented on screen, we—our audience—are living in the ‘hip-hop age’ and want our viewers to feel the impact of modern-day music the way Fitzgerald did for the readers of his novel at the time of its publication.”

“The Great Gatsby is that classic American story of one’s introduction to extravagance, decadence and illusion. It’s ripe for experimentation and ready to be interpreted with a modern twist. The imagination Baz brought to ‘Moulin Rouge!’ made it a masterpiece, and ‘Romeo + Juliet’s’ score wasn’t just in the background; the music became a character. This film’s vision and direction has all the makings of an epic experience,” JAY Z said in a previous statement.

JAY Z’s own “No Church in the Wild,” which he was recording when he and Luhrmann first came together, is included in the film, along with his original “100$ Bill.” The first single to drop will be the hauntingly melodious track “Young and Beautiful,” from recent Brit Award winner for Best International Female Solo Artist, Lana Del Rey; the music video and song release are scheduled for April 22nd and April 23rd, respectively. Del Rey collaborated with Luhrmann in creating the song.

Del Rey said, “It was an honor to work with Baz Lurhmann on his amazing adaptation of one of the most extraordinary books ever written. The movie is highly glamorous and exciting; Rick Nowels and I were thrilled to write the song for the film.”

The soundtrack also features songs performed by Beyoncé x André 3000; Fergie + Q Tip + GoonRock; Coco O. of Quadron; Gotye; Nero; and Sia. Moviegoers will also recognize a few favorites with a new twist, such as Jack White’s interpretation of U2’s “Love Is Blindness,” Beyoncé x André 3000 collaborating on Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black," and Bryan Ferry’s new take on a couple of classics: his own “Love Is The Drug,” and, with Emeli Sandé, Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love.” New songs by Florence + The Machine, Lana Del Rey, Nero, will.i.am and The xx were written for scenes in the film, and appear on the soundtrack.

The score is composed by Luhrmann’s regular collaborator, Craig Armstrong, who worked with the director on “Moulin Rouge!” and “William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet.”

The full track list for “The Great Gatsby” standard soundtrack album is as follows:

100$ Bill - JAY Z
Back To Black - Beyoncé x André 3000
Bang Bang - will.i.am
A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got) - Fergie + Q Tip + GoonRock
Young And Beautiful - Lana Del Rey
Love Is The Drug - Bryan Ferry with The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
Over The Love - Florence + The Machine
Where The Wind Blows - Coco O. of Quadron
Crazy in Love - Emeli Sandé and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
Together – The xx
Hearts A Mess - Gotye
Love Is Blindness – Jack White
Into the Past - Nero
Kill and Run - Sia
The deluxe soundtrack will feature the above songs, plus three additional bonus tracks.

PROTEST OUTSIDE REEBOK'S FLAGSHIP NYC STORE ON DECK.
Following on the heels of a week of controversy over Reebok’s silence on their spokesman Rick Ross’ new song in which he brags about drugging and raping a woman, UltraViolet members are planning to deliver 71,763+ petitions to the company’s flagship NYC store demanding the company fire him. The Reebok spokesman’s response that in not using the word “rape” he is off the hook has only escalated complaints that he does not fit Reebok’s image.

What: Delivery of 71,763 signatures to Reebok demanding the company drop Rick Ross.

Who: Dozens of concerned athletes, moms, and UltraViolet members.

Where: Reebok’s flagship NYC store, 420 5th Ave, NYC

When: 2pm, Thursday, April 4th

** Visuals: Dozens of women in running gear with marathon style bibs featuring the number 71,763, boxes of 71,763 petitions, and signs reading “Hey Reebok-- Want my business? Stop promoting rape. Drop Rick Ross.” **

“In remaining silent, Reebok is using it’s brand to promote rape,” said Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet. “Reebok and Rick Ross have crossed a line— not only does Ross brag about drugging and raping a woman, he is pushing the idea that if you don’t use the word ‘rape’ it doesn’t count. We are fed up and disgusted with Reebok, and Thursday we will bring this fight to their front steps.”

"RUSSIAN BANKSY" FOUND DEAD.
Pasha P183, a prominent Russian graffiti artist who hid his identity and has been compared to Britain's Banksy, has died. He was 29.

The Teatralnoye Delo theatrical production company, which recently commissioned Pasha P183 to create scenery for the musical "Todd," said the artist died Monday in Moscow. It wouldn't elaborate.

Teatralnoye Delo's spokeswoman Regina Vartsan, who knew the artist personally, described him Wednesday as a "sincere and open person of remarkable talent and unique vision."

Like Banksy, and late U.S. artist Keith Haring, Pasha P183 started out painting graffiti in the dead of night, and recalled being detained numerous times by Moscow police.

One of his most famous works was painted on the ground in a snow-covered yard and features a huge pair of glasses, with a lamppost serving as one arm. Another piece showed chocolate bars painted on a panel of concrete, an image he said reflected his abhorrence of the commercialization of art and life.

"I wanted that work to carry the most important message ... that a person mustn't sell himself," he said in a rare interview posted on adme.ru last year. "I made a chocolate bar that can't be bought, using a giant panel of concrete."

He said the work provided a more optimistic ending for a film he made — the original one had the hero jumping out of the window to his death, while the alternative had him landing safely in front of the chocolate bar.

Little was known about the artist, who carefully protected his identity. In the same interview, he described himself as an "anarchist" and spoke with contempt about the "constant run for money" in Moscow. Many of his street works had political undertones and carried an apparent reference to a recent wave of massive street protests in Moscow against President Vladimir Putin's rule. One showed a protester lighting a flare and another work had shield-carrying riot police on a subway station's glass doors.

"Put simply, I want to teach people in this country to tell lies from the truth and to tell bad from good," he said in an interview with Russia Today television, wearing a black ski mask that covered most of his face. "This is what our people still cannot do."

Despite all that, he said he didn't consider himself a political artist and hated politics just as much as he hated advertising.

The artist has claimed to have had many professions since graduating from a university, working as a computer expert, photographer, cameraman, film director and even child psychiatrist. He scoffed at comparisons to Banksy, saying they belittled his own style. The rock musical "Todd" is currently showing in Moscow.

"It was a colossal work," Pasha P183 wrote on his Facebook page of the production of the scenery. "If I die tomorrow, I can at least feel that I have left something real behind."

REPUBLIC RECORDS NAMES NEW SENIOR VP OF MARKETING.
Republic Records is proud to announce the promotion of Frank Arigo to Senior Vice President of Marketing as announced today by Executive Vice President of Marketing Jim Roppo. Since 2010, Mr. Arigo has served as the label's Vice President of Marketing and prior as the Senior Director of Marketing.

Based at the label's New York City headquarters, Arigo will continue to envision and execute an extensive array of marketing campaigns for Republic's award-winning roster of artists.

"Frank has been instrumental in the growth and success of Republic Records and our artists," declared Mr. Roppo. "He is an innovative marketer, leader and integral asset to every campaign."

Republic Records Chairman & CEO Monte Lipman commented, "Frank has been an important part of this team for almost a decade now. His tenacity, passion, and diligence are cornerstones of our marketing initiatives. He pushes everyone around him to excel, and it's truly inspiring."

"There are so many things that I love about this label, and it's an absolute honor to be a part of it," enthused Mr. Arigo. "I have the chance to collaborate with an A-list roster of artists and the most forward-thinking executives in the business. It truly stems from Monte Lipman and Avery Lipman (President & Co-Founder). They've created a brand that is revered for artist development and digital innovation. We will continue to adhere to their mantra of breaking new artists and laying the foundation for careers."

Mr. Arigo began his tenure in the music industry at Polygram in 1996. He joined Universal Music Group Distribution in 2000, working as an Artist Development Representative for Universal Motown Republic Group. In 2004, Mr. Arigo segued to Universal Motown Republic Group as Director of Sales and Field Marketing. Later, in 2007, he was promoted to Senior Director of Marketing for Universal Republic.

DJ CLUE ARRESTED.
DJ Clue was arrested on drug and traffic-related charges after police stopped him at a checkpoint in lower Manhattan Wednesday morning and found he was driving with a suspended license, law enforcement sources told NBC 4 New York.

DJ Clue, whose real name is Ernesto Shaw, was driving a black Range Rover with New Jersey plates when he was stopped at the checkpoint on Varick Street at about 2 a.m.

Police checked his driving record and found the 38-year-old deejay was driving with a license that had been suspended eight times, according to law enforcement sources.

When police went to arrest him on the suspended license charge, they searched him and found three pills wrapped in foil, law enforcement sources said.

DJ Clue was taken into custody and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlicensed operator. He's expected to be arraigned in Manhattan court later Wednesday. Source: NBC NY

ROC MARCIANO NAMED VP & DIRECTOR OF A&R OF MAN BITES DOG.
Man Bites Dog Records is excited to announce that rapper Roc Marciano will join the label in the role of Vice President and Director of A&R. The partnership brings together one of rap's most respected independent artists with a label renowned as a driving force behind quality independent music.

Over the past several years, Man Bites Dog Records, headed by label founder R.M.L., has established a dominant presence in the music world, serving as a springboard for some of the most talented artists in independent hip-hop, with releases from Killah Priest, Vast Aire, Copywrite, Double A.B., and more. That string of notable releases has continued over the past 12 months, including albums from Stu Bangas & Vanderslice, MHz Legacy, and others. This spring's offerings will include an EP, Horsepower, from Eddie B. & Harry Fraud, Illogic & Blockhead's collaborative LP, Capture The Sun, and break-out rapper Hayze's The Smoker's Section mixtape. But perhaps most vitally, Man Bites Dog Records will release Roc Marciano's next project, Marci Beaucoup.

"I know fans are really excited about that project," says R.M.L. about Marci Beaucoup, "and for good reason, too. What I've heard so far is next level." In his new role, Marciano, who has guested on a number of previous Man Bites Dog albums, will also continue to be featured on label releases. "You can count on some very dope guest spots from Roc on some of our newer projects coming out," says R.M.L.

While there's plenty to be excited about for fans anticipating new music from Marciano, this partnership is as much about what Marciano can offer in the board room as in the vocal booth. "I think having Roc as an owner and an adviser to the label is a smart investment for both brands," explains R.M.L. "He is very savvy with how he brands himself, and that's something we can really learn from."

Marciano will take on a variety of leadership responsibilities in his new role with Man Bites Dog Records, including signing new talent, offering repertoire and marketing insight, and offering his input throughout the label’s production process. "He brings an ear for music to the table and I think that makes him an amazing judge of talent," says R.M.L. "He knows what it takes to make classic material."

ROC NATION LAUNCHES ROC NATION SPORTS.
Jay-Z's Roc Nation announced today the launch of Roc Nation Sports, a full-service sports management company, and has signed MLB All-Star Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees. Roc Nation Sports, led by Carter and Juan Perez, who serves as President, has partnered with CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a leading entertainment and sports agency, to co-represent Cano.

“Because of my love of sports, it was a natural progression to form a company where we can help top athletes in various sports the same way we have been helping artists in the music industry for years,” said Carter.

A four-time MLB All-Star, Cano is a member of the Yankees' 2009 World Series championship team, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and two-time Gold Glove Award winner. Since his Major League debut in May 2005, he leads all second basemen in hits, doubles, and RBIs and has more home runs than any second baseman in Yankees history. The son of former Major League player José Cano, he wears No. 24 to honor Jackie Robinson, after whom he is named and whose No. 42 is retired in baseball. In 2011, the Cano family established the RC24 Foundation to provide help and hope to sick and underprivileged children in New York City and the Dominican Republic.

“At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors both on and off the field,” said Cano. “I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short- and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates."

Cano will be represented on the field by a team of agents led by CAA Sports’ Brodie Van Wagenen. Since Opening Day 2011, CAA Sports’ baseball group has negotiated more than $1.1 billion in Major League contracts, including eight contracts with a guaranteed value of $50 million or more, of which four exceeds $100 million, more than any other agency.

"Jay Z and his team at Roc Nation have successfully orchestrated powerful brand and business-building opportunities for their clients,” said Michael Levine, Co-Head, CAA Sports. “We look forward to combining our wide-reaching resources on behalf of top athlete clients like Robinson Cano to help them accomplish their goals on and off the field."

CAA Sports represents more than 800 of the world's best athletes in such sports as baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, tennis, and golf, in addition to coaches, on-air broadcasters, and sports personalities. Beyond traditional athlete representation, CAA Sports provides unique opportunities for clients off the field, in areas including licensing, endorsements, speaking, philanthropy, and video games. CAA Sports also works in the areas of broadcast rights, corporate marketing initiatives, and sports properties for sales/sponsorships. CAA Sports is a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading full-service agency. CAA represents the most creative and successful artists working in film, television, music, theatre, and video games, and provides a range of strategic marketing services to corporate clients.

TYRESE GIBSON PRESENTS A BLACK ROSE THAT GREW THROUGH CONCRETE. WATCH IT HERE
One of the most universally acclaimed documentaries to come from an artist in decades; A Black Rose That Grew Through Concrete takes us on an incredible journey through the life and work of actor musician Tyrese Gibson. Viewed by more than fourteen thousand on Easter Sunday, Black Rose thrust us through the tough streets of South Central Los Angeles draught with poverty and gun violence we experience the struggle of a young boy whose strength and tenacity taken from these very mean streets and travels to the bright lights of the big city where a young Tyrese Gibson challenged his faith and gambled his talent to become one of the world's most beloved talent.

"I am a very private person that lives a very public life," says Tyrese. As I have grown in life and in show business I find myself getting more and more comfortable with sharing the story of my life and the extreme challenges I had along the way." Tyrese has experienced first hand the hardship of life and has worked diligently to overcome the harsh reality which was once his childhood. "Like many growing up in the trenches of the mean street I felt different," Tyrese says. "Something about my imagination never stopped me from dreaming beyond my reality. I knew that there was something greater out there. the challenge became how I was going to reach it."

"Tyrese will tell you that I was the first to ever see something in him that he never saw," says John Singleton who cast and directed Tyrese in both Baby Boy and 2 Fast 2 Furious. "I knew and believed he could be a movie star so casting him as the lead in Baby Boy was the start of this journey and I'm so very proud of his growth."

The Tyrese Gibson journey continues with a level of truth and dexterity unlike any other talent in modern day entertainment. Starting the new year with a Grammy Nomination for his fifth studio disc, Open Invitation, and reaching the New York Times Best Seller list with his second literary effort, Manology, a project co-penned with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Rev Run, and preparing for the much anticipated release of TGT (Tyrese Ginuwine and Tank) on Atlantic Records. Also in 2013 Tyrese will reprise his role as Roman Pierce in the 6th installment of the Fast & Furious franchise which will hit theaters worldwide on May 24th and this holiday season Tyrese will star alongside Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker in the screen adaptation of Langston Hughes' Black Nativity which will hit theaters on November 24th setting the stage for Mr. Gibson's sixth studio disc, Black Rose' and 3rd book also titled Black Rose' which he will record for his Voltron Recordz imprint.

DRAKE INKS WITH ASCAP.
Drake has signed with ASCAP, the company’s VP of Rhythm & Soul Membership, Nicole George-Middleton, told Billboard exclusively today.

"For me, a big part of making music is getting the opportunity to work with people I love, trust and respect," Drake says. "As an organization run by music creators, ASCAP represents a whole community of kindred spirits. Joining ASCAP was just a natural choice for me because I know my music is in the best possible hands."

Drake is joining a roster that includes his longtime friend and producer, Noah "40" Shebib. He had previously been with BMI.

"We are really excited to build on our longstanding relationship with Drake’s team," George-Middleton added. "Working from the beginning with his collaborators Noah '40' Shebib and Boi-1da, it felt only right to have Drake join the ASCAP family."

"We're thrilled to now officially count Drake among our many multi-talented members," ASCAP EVP of Membership Randy Grimmett stated. "This new addition only strengthens ASCAP's reputation as home to the world's greatest songwriters. We can't wait to see what's to come for Drake in the future."

Drake is currently working on his third studio album, "Nothing Was the Same." The album's first single, "Started From the Bottom," currently sits at No. 3 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at No. 2 on Rap Songs. Source: Billboard.

KENDRICK LAMAR HITTIN' SPRING COLLEGE TOUR.
Kendrick Lamar has kicked off his Spring tour. Starting with a performance in Las Vegas, Nevada, the tour runs through late June. This tour will promote Kendrick's album good kid, m.A.A.d city. The tour will also include Steve Aoki.

TOUR DATES:
03/30 San Bernadino, CA – Paid Dues Festival
04/01 Iowa City, IA – Iowa Memorial Union
04/04 Boca Raton, FL – Florida Atlantic University +
04/05 Atlanta, GA – Private
04/06 Atlanta, GA – Georgia State University
04/07 Tallahassee, FL – Florida State +
04/09 Orlando, FL – University of Central Florida *
04/10 Charlotte, NC – University of North Carolina-Charlotte
04/11 Columbus, OH – Ohio State University *
04/12 Auburn Hills, MI – Oakland University (Meadowbrook Music Festival) *
04/13 Athens, OH – Ohio University (#fest) *
04/14 Buffalo, NY – University of Buffalo *
04/17 St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena *
04/18 Kent, OH – Kent State University *+
04/19 Storrs, CT – UConn *+
04/21 Lowell, MA – Tsongas Center *
04/22 State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center
04/23 Fairfax, VA – Private
04/24 Durham, NC – Duke University *+
04/25 Williamsburg, VA – William & Mary
04/26 New Britain, CT – Central CT State *
04/27 Cortland, NY – SUNY Cortland *
04/28 Waltham, MA – Private
04/29 Newark, DE – University of Delaware
04/30 Greensboro, NC – North Carolina A&T
05/01 Fairfield, CT – Fairfield University +
05/03 Ithaca, NY – Private
05/04 Watertown, NY – SUNY Jefferson
05/10 New York, NY – Downtown Music Festival
05/11 Columbia, MD – Sweetlife Festival
05/17-19 Gulf Shores, AL – Hangout Beach Music and Arts Festival
06/07 New York, NY – Governors Ball
06/29 Los Angeles, CA – BET Experience

JOHN LEGEND TO HEADLINE MICHAEL JORDAN INVITATIONAL.
John Legend will headline the 12th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (MJCI) Celebration in Las Vegas with a private performance at ARIA Resort & Casino, Friday, April 5. Legend will take the stage at the annual invite-only party for the tournament's celebrities and VIP invited guests.

The soulful singer, songwriter and pianist will perform hits throughout the evening, including songs from his new album Love in the Future (co-produced by Legend, Kanye West and Dave Tozer), scheduled for release this June.

The annual gala will mark a night of celebration following the two-day Celebrity-Amateur tournament April 4 and 5, which pairs one celebrity with four amateur participants; and lead into the weekend's MJCI two-person, 36-hole scramble format tournament, including only competing celebrities, April 6 and 7.

Proceeds from the charitable tournament will benefit Make-A-Wish; James R. Jordan Foundation; Opportunity Village; and Cats Care, the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats' charity arm; as well as the participating celebrities' charities of choice. Since its inception in 2001, MJCI has raised more than $6 million for charity.

RICK ROSS UNDER FIRE FOR RAPE LYRICS?
Reebok is under fire today from 51,000 moms, young athletes, and members of UltraViolet for their spokesperson Rick Ross. In Ross’ new single, “UOENO,” he brags about drugging and raping a woman. Despite a clear reference, Ross denies the song is about rape, because he didn’t use the word “rape” and therefore it couldn’t have occurred, infuriating Reebok’s female customers.

“We are appalled that Reebok would pay a spokesperson who brags about enjoying drugging and raping a woman,” said Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet. “Reebok devotes a lot of time, energy and money to marketing to women--and now they are paying a man who is literally bragging about raping us while absurdly insisting it can’t possibly be rape if he doesn’t use the word “rape.” Reebok is apparently OK promoting rape culture, but when 1 out of 5 women are the victim of an attempted or completed rape, that has consequences.”

The petition has caught fire, garnering 51,000 signatures in less than 15 hours after going live. Athletes and moms threatened boycott and expressed dismay that Reebok would employ Ross and market to women at the same time.

"If Rick Ross represents Reebok more than female athletes, perhaps it's time I disposed of my Reebok products and look for a brand that better reflects what it means to be a woman and an athlete,” said Jen Brown, an UltraViolet member and runner from Kalamazoo, MI. “I'll be sure to pass this information about Reebok along to all my friends, male and female, who run, bike, and paddle."

UltraViolet is planning to protest outside Reebok’s Boston area headquarters in the coming week if the company does not respond.

“I guarantee I will not be buying Reebok's for myself or my three daughters; all of whom play sports,” commented mom and UltraViolet member Marie W. on the petition.

The controversial lyric from Rick Ross: "Put molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it / I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it."

Rick Ross quickly hit the air waves trying to clear it up.. WATCH HERE

DIDDY AND WWE® TEAM UP.
WWE has announced a partnership with Sean “Diddy” Combs, featuring a live performance at WrestleMania 29® on Sunday, April 7 by the three-time Grammy Award winner and entertainment powerhouse. Combs will also co-host the Superstars for Sandy Relief party with WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon as a part of the WrestleMania® Week festivities and serve as an ambassador for WWE’s Be a STAR anti-bullying initiative.

It's going down live from MetLife Stadium, where Combs will perform a medley of songs in front of more than 70,000 fans in attendance with millions watching worldwide on pay-per-view. Diddy-Dirty Money’s highest charting single, “Coming Home,” from the acclaimed album Last Train to Paris is an official theme song of WrestleMania 29 and will be integrated throughout the show.

The Superstars for Sandy Relief party, co-hosted by Combs and McMahon with special guest Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg kicks-off WrestleMania® Week on Thursday, April 4 at Cipriani Wall Street. The charitable fundraiser is part of WWE’s efforts to unite the sports and entertainment worlds and provide fans the opportunity to bid on unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. As a part of the online auction, Combs is offering the opportunity to be an intern for a day at his world-renowned entertainment company Bad Boy Records and learn what it takes to manage today’s top artists. All proceeds will benefit The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

Combs will also serve as an ambassador for Be a STAR, an anti-bullying initiative co-founded by WWE and the Creative Coalition to encourage young people to treat each other with tolerance and respect. In addition, through Combs’ association with the Invisible Bully clothing line, he will continue to encourage individuals to put an end to bullying and contribute to Invisible Bully’s mission to stand for something or fall for anything.

“WrestleMania is one of the biggest spectacles in the world and I’m looking forward to performing in front of millions on April 7,” said Combs. “I’ve always been a fan of WWE and I’m excited to support these two important causes, Superstars for Sandy Relief and the Be a STAR anti-bullying initiative.”

WrestleMania 29 airs live on pay-per-view Sunday, April 7.

DEF JAM PRESIDENT RESIGNS AND GRABS NEW SLOT @ INTERSCOPE.
Joie Manda has resigned as President of Def Jam Records to relocate back to Los Angeles. However, he will remain within the Universal Music Group family by joining Interscope Records as President of Urban Music. The announcement was made today by Barry Weiss, President/CEO of UMG’s East Coast Labels, and John Janick, President/COO of Interscope Geffen A&M. Manda will now report to Janick.

"Despite having to move back to Los Angeles for personal reasons, I am truly grateful to Barry, John and Jimmy Iovine [Chairman/CEO, Interscope Geffen A&M] for this exciting new opportunity," stated Manda. "I've learned a lot from Barry in the last year and am very appreciative of everything he has done for me. I am now looking forward to being part of the Interscope family, a company uniquely positioned for success despite this challenging marketplace."

"While we understand Joie’s personal reasons for wanting to move back to Los Angeles, we’re thankful for all of his contributions to Def Jam," commented Weiss. "We wish him success in his new role at our sister label."

"Joie is an important part of the fabric of UMG, and I'm glad we were all able to work together to make this transition possible for him," said Janick. "I've known Joie for some time and I've always been impressed by his work ethic and instincts. He's going to play a big role in the future of Interscope."

Most recently, Manda served as President of Def Jam, where he was instrumental in the releases of such #1 selling artists as 2 Chainz, Rick Ross and Nas, as well as the breakout success of Frank Ocean. Prior to joining Def Jam, Manda served as head of Urban Music for Warner Bros. Records, where he was involved in the signing of Common, Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group (Wale, Meek Mill), Waka Flocka Flame and Jill Scott, among others. He started at WMG as EVP of Asylum Records, starting when the label was revived in 2004 and signed Paul Wall and Bun B. Manda began his career in music as an artist manager.

CHRIS BROWN ON DECK WITH "X" ALBUM / RIHANNA INCLUDED.
Chris Brown has his new album "X" on deck. Earlier this week, he revealed the project’s title will be X and it’s arriving in May, and he also shared that there will be a Kendrick Lamar collabo on the project.

"X is about life, it's about me," he told USA Today. "X is the 24th letter of the alphabet, and I'll be 24 when it comes out. When you see X on a vial, it's like forbidden fruit. For me, it means being able to express myself without a filter, without boundaries."

"I'm going back to groundwork," he says. "I'll show people who I am and not be a recluse. I wasn't ready to talk before. It was timing. I'm more comfortable in my own body."

"I wanted a Quincy Jones approach, where you bring in various writers and producers and they vibe off each other," he says. "I wanted to keep it comfortable and natural and draw creativity off the energy in the room. I wasn't focusing on what could make a No. 1 single. I was honing in on the craft and different emotions from my life. I was more open to defining who I am: Chris Brown, a young man, not a full-grown man."

When speaking to Rolling Stone, he also revealed some info about a duet with Rihanna... “I wrote a song for her called “Put It Up” that we did together,” Chris told Rolling Stone. “It’s still in the pot of songs we have to pick from. It may or may not make it, but you know, because she’s already on it, it’s a strong possibility.”

He also told USA Today about his relationship and involvement with Rihanna, "We're good, .. We're taking it one day at a time. She's a wonderful girl. She's beautiful. She's on tour and our schedules don't allow us to be as close as we want to be. But everything is good. She will be on my album."

Experts weigh in on the relationship.

“It is always a little worrisome to see an abused woman readmit her abuser into her life,” said Alan Hilfer, chief psychologist at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. “This is, however, quite common and we often see women willing to forgive men for some of the awful things that they have done. As psychologists, we are always working to get people to change their behaviors and hope we can be successful. We advocate the ability to forgive, but not necessarily forget.”

"The cycle of domestic abuse can be a confusing one for all those involved or witnessing it, said Dr. Sudeepta Varma, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at New York University’s Langone School of Medicine and a member of the American Psychiatric Association. While common sense tells most people to permanently stay away from something so damaging, victims can fall back into their abuser’s web of charm, promises of change and grand gestures of apology."

“The highs the abusers provide their victims are like no other, and the memory and potency of the positive experiences draws the victim back in for more,” said Varma. “The victim is often someone who is psychologically vulnerable to this type of charm, deceit and grandiose behavior. Underneath the debonair exterior of the abuser lies a person with gross lack of empathy, disregard for rules and norms of society. [These are] many qualities we see in people with personality disorders.”

“You are willing to overlook the bad, because the good feels so good,” said Varma. “It sends a confusing message to concerned parties and continued contact with a former abuser sends a message that you have accepted, tolerated and maybe even condoned this type of behavior.”

Nevertheless, Martin Binks, clinical director and CEO of Binks Behavioral Health, said women who are victims of abuse do not have to remain victims of their abuser forever. Perhaps Rihanna is strong enough to make that separation.

“Why must we insist on disempowering victims by questioning their judgment without all the facts?” said Binks. “People may be forgetting that perhaps she has recovered and is a strong independent woman who is empowered enough to make this decision thoughtfully and without there being some pathological explanation. “Only she and her therapist are qualified to have an opinion on this topic, in my opinion,” he said.

DIDDY TOPS FORBES’ 2013 WEALTHIEST HIP-HOP ARTISTS LIST.
Sean “Diddy” Combs grabs the #1 slot on this year’s Forbes Five, the magazine’s annual list of hip-hop’s wealthiest artists. He has an estimated net worth of $580 million (mostly of which comes from his his deal with Diageo’s Ciroc). Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter took the #2 spot with a net worth of $475 million.

The Forbes Five for 2013
1. Diddy – $580 million
2. Jay-Z – $475 million
3. Dr. Dre – $350 million
4. Birdman – $150 million
5. 50 Cent – $125 million

GUCCI MANE TURNS HIMSELF IN.
Gucci Mane was being held in jail on an assault charge after a fan told police the artist smashed a champagne bottle on his head in a downtown Atlanta nightclub. Fulton County Jail records show that Gucci Mane, whose real name is Radric Davis, was in custody early Wednesday on a charge of aggravated assault with a weapon. An arrest warrant was issued for the rapper after James Lettley of Fort Hood, Texas, who is a member of the military, told police Davis struck him at Harlem Nights Club on March 16. Lettley said he was hoping to get a picture with the rapper when he was attacked.

FIRST LIGHT (Hieroglyphics members' Pep Love and Opio) DROP NEW VISUAL.
First Light is releasing their debut album, Fallacy Fantasy. The duo, made up of Hieroglyphics members Pep Love and Opio, has released a new video for the single "Los Lobos" to coincide with the albums release. Both the duo and the album were born out of Hiero's "celebration of spontaneous musical collaboration," and as anticipation for the album's release has continued to grow through the previous release of videos for singles "Hold On" and "Lighters," First Light is now excited to deliver the full album to fans via their label Hiero Imperium.

"Los Lobos," directed by Unjust, who also produced the track, and edited by Spencer Groshong for Ineffable Music, rightly places all of the focus on Pep Love and Opio., with the two rappers' energetic performance shots contrasting against the blank, sandy terrain. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Stress Free Tour Dates:
Wednesday, March 20th - Fairfax, CA - 19 Broadway
Thursday March, 21st - Fresno, CA - Babylon
Friday, March 22nd - Modesto, CA - Fat Cat
Saturday, March 23rd - San Francisco, CA - The Elbo Room
Sunday March 24th - Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones
Tuesday March 26th - Boulder Town, UT - Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch
Wednesday March 27th - Idaho Falls, ID - Shiloh Inn
Thursday, March 28th - Burns, OR - Showtime Bar & Grill
Friday March 29th - Boise, ID - The Drink
Sunday, March 31st - Ogden, UT - Kamikazes
Monday, April 1st - Jackson, WY - Town Square Tavern
Tuesday, April 2nd - Missoula, MT - The Palace
Wednesday, April 3rd - Bozeman, MT - Zebra Cocktail Lounge
Thursday, April 4th - Billings, MT - NV Nightclub
Friday, April 5th - Riverton, WY - F.O.E Eagles
Saturday, April 6th - Avon, CO - Montana’s Cantina &apm; Grill
Sunday, April 7th - Denver, CO - The Roxy
Wednesday, April 10th - Albuquerque, NM - Burt’s Tiki Lounge
Thursday, April 11th - El Paso, TX - The Lowbrow Palace
Friday, April 12th - Tempe, AZ - Stray Cat
Saturday, April 13th - San Diego, CA - Porter’s Pub
Sunday, April 14th - San Luis Obispo, CA - The Z
Wednesday, April 17th - Ashland, OR - Club 66
Thursday, April 18th - Olympia, WA - Olympia Ballroom
Friday, April 19th - Salem, OR - Flipside

IAMSU! AND PROBLEM TO BEGIN MILLION DOLLAR AFRO TOUR.
Iamsu! & Problem are bringing their incredible live show to a city near you. After lighting SXSW up with over a dozen appearances, it's time for the entire country to witness rap's next big thing. The first leg of the Million Dollar Afro Tour, named after their critical accliamed collaboration album of the same name, kicks off on April 12th in Portland and will include dates in Seattle, Northern and Southern California, Phoenix, and New York.

For Su!, it’s clear 2013 will be just as busy if not busier than 2012 was for him. Last year, he collaborated with Wiz Khalifa, 50 Cent, and E-40, and ended the year converting more fans with the release of his $uzy 6 $peed mixtape. Problem has been just as busy, working with artists like Snoop Dogg, E-40, Chris Brown, and releasing his own solo tape, Welcome To Mollywood 2, in late 2012. Now, after the February release of the two rappers' Million Dollar Afro mixtape and storming through Austin at SXSW, Iamsu! and Problem will team up in April and May tearing up the West Coast and NYC, proving why everyone wants a piece of them.

Tour Dates:
4/12 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
4/14 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
4/19 Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre
4/21 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
4/24 Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
4/25 Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones
4/30 San Francisco, CA @ Slim's
5/01 San Luis Obispo @ SLO Brew
5/08 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey
5/15 New York, NY @ Santos Party House

9TH WONDER UNVEILS NEW SECRET WEAPON FROM HIS JAMLA ARMY
They say it’s different across the bridge, and there is something definitely different about GQ. In the words of 9th Wonder, simply put, “he’s a star”. GQ, who Grammy Award winning producer, 9th Wonder, coins his “secret weapon” is not only a former NCAA basketball champion, but in fact Oakland’s next Hip Hop hero.

Born and raised in Oakland, California, GQ (also known as Quentin Thomas) found his passion for music at an early age; nine to be exact. Influenced by a wide array of music genres and artist, the young GQ became a fan of lyrics and started to pen his first rhymes; all while training to be a college hoops star. In 2004 he was recruited by Roy Williams to play for the University of North Carolina’s storied basketball program; and was a member of the 2005 National Championship team his freshman year. Some years later, and already a champion of one passion, he was well on his way to being a champion of his other - rhyming.

GQ signed with 9th Wonder in 2009, one of the last artists to join the budding Jamla roster, which has grown to be one of the most buzzed about indie labels today. Of the multi-talented emcee, 9th Wonder says, “he isn’t a basketball player that can rhyme; he is a rapper that can ball.” His style is passionate, controlled, lyrical and he is a master of telling the gritty, dark tales of the place we know as “OakTown”.

In 2010, GQ was featured on EA Sports’ NBA Live 10 video game, alongside Mississippi’s own, David Banner. The following year, the Oakland emcee released a few singles, and a three-part mixtape series, entitled “Blended”, before unleashing his first project under the Jamla imprint “Trouble Man.”

Currently, GQ is setting up for a big 2013 introduction with his two part release, “Death Threats and Love Notes”: The Prelude the prequel to his debut album “Death Threats and Love Notes” which features guest appearances from Nipsey Hussle, Kurupt, Rapsody, Heather Victoria and production from 9th Wonder & The Soul Council. GQ’s “Death Threats & Love Notes”: The Prelude will be released on 3-26-2013 via Jamla Records.Peep out GQ’s “The Town” video WATCH HERE

WALE ANNOUNCES UPCOMING ALBUM "THE GIFTED".
Wale has announced his upcoming new album, "THE GIFTED". Leading off Wale's third solo album is "BAD" featuring Tiara Thomas now available on iTunes. While the lyrical video garnered over 6 million views, the official visual for "BAD," directed by Alexandre Moors, premiered March 21st on BET's 106th & Park. Already a top ten hit at urban radio, Wale will perform "BAD" on Monday, March 25th on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon".

"THE GIFTED" follows up Wale's #1 debuting sophomore album "Ambition", which produced the Grammy nominated, award winning, certified Gold single "Lotus Flower Bomb" featuring Miguel.

Wale has released a series of critically acclaimed mixtapes and received praise for his debut album, "Attention Deficit". "Ambition", which charted high on Billboard, (#1 on the Rap charts and #2 overall) is just steps away from Gold plaque status, with almost 500k units sold.

In addition, music hardware brand Skullcandy, has enlisted the likes of Wale, along with "Gifted" NBA star, Kevin Durant, as the brand ambassadors of their new Skullcandy Crusher brand. This product will be seen nationally starting this spring and offers the most complete music experience and delivers bass you can feel!

ATLANTIC RECORDS INKS RAPPER "CLASSIFIED".
Atlantic Records has announced its worldwide signing (except Canada) of rapper Classified. The Nova Scotia-based rapper/producer will release his self-titled new album via Atlantic / Halflife Records later this year.

"CLASSIFIED" is heralded by the new single, "Inner Ninja (Feat. David Myles)," which is slated to impact multi-format radio outlets nationwide on March 25th. The track is a hit in Classified's home country, earning 2x platinum certification while dominating Top 40 radio and the upper reaches of the Canadian "Hot 100."

Classified and Halflife Records first arrived on the scene in 1995 and quickly ascended to the upper ranks of Canadian hip hop. A prolific and provocative MC, he earned critical praise and widespread popular success, not to mention an array of top honors, including a pair of MuchMusic Video Awards "MuchVibe Best Rap Video" triumphs (and four total nods) alongside four prestigious Juno Awards nominations. Classified is currently in midst of a Canadian headline tour. A number of U.S. dates are now in the works

NEW REPORT SHOWS FANS COULD SPEND UP TO 2.8 BILLION MORE ANNUALLY.
A recent Nielsen study found that 40 percent of U.S. consumers—those classified as fans—are responsible for 75 percent of music spending. These fans, who spend between $20 billion and $26 billion on music each year, could spend an additional $450 million to $2.6 billion annually if they had the opportunity to snag behind-the-scenes access to the artists along with exclusive content.

The study results, presented at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, showed that the high level of spending from a relatively narrow group of music consumers is dominating the share of overall music spend. These big spenders have indicated that, at large, they’d be willing to pay even more for exclusive extras, like in-studio updates, real-time emails, pre-orders, limited editions, autographed copies, vinyl records and lyric sheets handwritten by the artist.

"The Buyer and the Beats: The Music Fan and How to Reach Them" Report reveals that 40 percent of U.S. consumers – those classified as "Fans" – are responsible for 75 percent of music spending. These Fans, who spend between $20 billion and $26 billion on music each year, could spend between $450 million and $2.6 billion more on music if compelling content is made commercially available. Additionally, the study finds that that the most avid of "Fans" have downloaded the most tracks for free--approximately 30 digital songs per fan over the course of a year.

"It’s encouraging to see such strong demand for content from music fans," says David Bakula, SVP of Client Development & Analytics for Entertainment for Nielsen. "We are finding that there’s a lot of untapped demand for additional content, which can translate into beneficial and profitable opportunities for artists, labels, and advertisers."

Different fans, however, have different preferences so Nielsen took a closer look at music fans, analyzing the different spending behaviors among each segment.

*Aficionado Fans (14 percent of respondents) - the most avid and engaged music fans are spending about $400 per year on music, concerts and artist merchandise through retailers such as iTunes, Amazon and independent record stores. These fans prefer alternative rock, are active social network users, attend live concerts and listen to music via computer.

*Digital Fans (13 percent) – the smartphone is the entertainment hub for these fans, who discover music via technology and listen to music via Facebook. They spend over $300 per year on music and share music more than other fans, giving music as gifts and sharing their playlists.

*Big Box Fans (13 percent) - these fans shop at mass retailers, are partial to pop and country music, and listen to music through a CD or MP3 player. They are highly influenced by bargains, respond well to brand endorsements, and spend about $200 per year on music.

*Occasional Concert Consumers (14 percent) and Ambivalent Music Consumers (22 percent) are less engaged with music than the "Fans," and they spend less (about $100 and $70 per year, respectively). Nonetheless, the Ambivalent Music Consumer is open to discovery (60 percent use Pandora) and expressed some willingness to pay for exclusive content.

*Background Music Consumers (24 percent) are the least engaged of all music consumers, spending only $40 per year on music.

FUTURE ANNOUNCES PLUTO 3D TOUR.
With four records currently on the Billboard charts and recent collaborations with Lil Wayne, Drake, Rihanna and Kelly Rowland under his belt, rapper/singer/producer Future's career is blowing up. And now, with the across-the-board acclaim rolling in and his first headlining April tour which kicks off on April 5th in San Diego, California, hits 10 West Coast cities, with supporting acts Slice 9, Jonn Hart, Kstylis, and Casino along the way, it's guaranteed: 2013 is Future's year. As Drew Millard wrote in the Village Voice, "Future is, well, the future..."

That's not to say that 2012 was anything less-than-stunning -- Future's status grew as he ascended from cult status to mainstream success. In addition to copious airplay and heavy video rotation, Pluto, Future's Epic debut, made the best-of lists in the New York Times, Spin, Slate, Stereogum, and became a staple of programming on BET and MTV.

26-year-old Future's been working for this moment since he was a teenager - he hooked up in the studio with his cousin, visionary producer and founder of The Dungeon Family, nearly 8 years ago, and, when he released Pluto (and a remix album, Pluto 3D) last year, quickly established himself as a contender to the throne. With innovative sounds and a cutting- edge delivery that he describes as "astronaut music," Future's been embraced not only be the aforementioned A-list collaborators, but by an ever-growing audience of music fans.

Fresh off the heels of his Epic SXSW Fader Fort performance, Future will be hitting the stage to deliver captivating performances along the Pluto 3D Tour, Future notes "I'm excited to have the honor of giving my fans the true Pluto 3D live show experience. Turn-up never turn-down."

FUTURE APRIL TOUR DATES
April 5th (w/ Slice 9, Kstylis, and Casino) San Diego, CA Belo
April 6th (w/ Casino) Reno, NV Knitting Factory*
April 7th (w/ Jonn Hart, Slice 9, Kstylis, and Casino) Anaheim, CA The Grove*
April 8th (w/ Jonn Hart, Slice 9, and Kstylis) San Francisco, CA Folsom 1015
April 11th (w/ Casino) Portland, OR Roseland*
April 12th(w/ Casino) Seattle, WA Showbox Market*
April 14th (w/ Casino) Salt Lake City, UT The Complex*
April 15th (w/ Casino) Boulder, CO The Fox*
April 17th (w/ Casino) Tempe, AZ Club Red*
April 18th (w/ Casino) Tucson, AZ Rialto Theater
April 20th (w/ Casino) Kansas City, MO Sprint Theater
April 21th (w/ Casino) Columbia, MO Blue Note
April 23th (w/ Slice 9, Kstylis, and Casino) Houston, TX House of Blues
April 24th (w/ Slice 9, Kstylis, and Casino) Dallas, TX House of Blues
April 26th (w/ Casino) Langston, OK Langston University
April 27th (w/ Casino) Memphis, TN Memphis Cook University

AHSAN RECEIVES RECOGNITION FROM NEW JERSEY SENATOR
Earlier this week Interscope recording artist and New Jersey native, Ahsan, received a grand honor. The 14 year old was invited before members of New Jersey’s legislature to be recognized as part of a Ceremonial Resolution sponsored by Senator Ronald Rice.

The presentation, which took place on Monday in the senate chambers, was a huge deal for the young singer. Raised in Newark’s Seth Boyden projects, Ahsan managed to steer clear of the various factors that could have negatively impacted his future, choosing instead to focus his attention on education and music. His determination paid off as he not only scored a record deal at the tender age of 12, but he also earned a spot on the honor roll in both the 8th and 9th grade. Senator Rice took notice, viewing Ahsan as a vision of hope for the youth of New Jersey.

Ahsan has been steadily making a name for himself in the music world. Last year, the soulful singer made headlines after his cover of Smokey Robinson’s “Who’s Loving You?” went viral. SEE HERE After a slew of performances--including an Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day appearance—Ahsan once again made waves after a second video took the internet by storm. This one featured a surprise appearance by Stevie Wonder and ended in a special duet. SEE HERE

NATIONAL SYNDICATED RADIO HOST BIDS FAREWELL TO RADIO.
Nationally syndicated radio personality Michael Baisden announced a hiatus from his radio show today on his Facebook page this morning that will begin on April 1, 2013. Baisden, who commands a daily audience of over seven million listeners, states he is unable to discuss the particulars but concluded that a deal could not be made on mutually agreeable terms. Recognized as one of the most influential men in radio, his "Michael Baisden Show" is one of the top rated afternoon drive radio programs heard in the top urban markets. He is also a TV talk show host, film-maker and New York Times best-selling author with nearly two million books in print.

Now in his tenth year on the air, Baisden wants his radio family to know he did everything in his power to continue his "Michael Baisden Show" without interruption. "We're already planning to return to the air as soon as possible in a way that will give the 'Michael Baisden Show' a more direct relationship with our affiliates, and most importantly, our listeners," cites Pamela Exum, his business manager.

Baisden began his career as an author, self publishing several best selling books including "Never Satisfied," "Men Cry In The Dark," "The Maintenance Man I and II," and "God's Gift to Women." Two of his books were adapted to stage plays, starring such renowned actors as Richard Roundtree and Billy Dee Williams.

His radio highlights include one of his proudest moments when on September 20, 2007, he passionately and skillfully spearheaded the famous Jena 6 March in Jena, Louisiana. This historic and momentous occasion garnered tens of thousands of citizens of all races to peacefully march in support of six young men who had been unfairly treated by the justice system.

Another historic year was 2008 when Michael Baisden endorsed Senator Barack Obama and went on to celebrate President Obama's victory with over 4,000 fans at a watch party in Miami on election night. The Obama camp, along with millions of listeners, credited him with being one of the major forces behind this historic victory to elect the first African American to the Presidency of the United States and in his re-election in 2012.

In December 2009, Baisden called for a National Mentor Training Day and announced his plans for a 2010 nationwide campaign. He pledged up to $350,000 of his own money to be donated in over 72 markets he would visit on a bus tour. The outreach was named "One Million Mentors National Campaign To Save Our Kids." His work with the Free Clinics, Trayvon Martin, Black & Missing Foundation, and national ongoing partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Mentoring Brothers In Action are all a big part of what made the "Michael Baisden Show" so successful.

Baisden still vows to continue his Michael Baisden Live Tour with his co-host, comedian George Willborn. It's a One Night Only event with seminars, networking, a comedy show, and an 'old school' after party. "If the affiliates still want us to come to town, we'll be there," says Baisden. "There's no reason for our relationships to stop, in fact, this is our chance to get on the ground close to the people where we belong!"

Baisden reflects, ""It's not about the job, it's about the journey. I have been grinding for over 10 years, fighting for the underdog, inspiring people daily on my Michael Baisden Live Page on Facebook and working my butt off to produce the best show on radio. I hope my fans miss me... because I'm definitely going to miss them," Michael says. "But this is not the end, it's the Next Chapter!"

TOO SHORT SAYS THE DRUGS AIN'T HIS.
Too $hort’s DUI and drug case aren't accurate according to Too $hort’s rep. He says that the drugs police found aren’t his. Too $hort’s representative spoke to TMZ about the arrest, stating that the drug that police found in the backseat of $hort’s car (which is believed to be a form of meth) isn’t his. His rep also addressed $hort’s attempt to run from police, saying that he’s been mistreated by police in the past and acted on instinct.

“Any assertion that Short was carrying powder is ridiculous! Every rap fan knows $hort’s into weed,” he publicist said. “$hort was diligently searched and cuffed prior to being placed in the disgustingly filthy patrol car. It was 3 AM, the cop car smelled like vomit and was littered with remnants from prior arrests of the evening…in the past, $hort, like many others, has been mistreated by law enforcement and these unfortunate prior incidents led to the complications after the stop.”

Since the arrest, $hort has been released from jail and has been charged with a possession of narcotics.

TOO SHORT ARRESTED FOR DUI.
Too Short has just been arrested for DUI … after allegedly attempting to run from police, TMZ has learned. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Short (real name Todd Anthony Shaw) was pulled over in L.A. a couple hours ago for some traffic violation … and when cops approached the vehicle, they determined he appeared under the influence.

When police attempted to administer a breathalyzer test, law enforcement sources tell us Too Short took off running and tripped on the street. Police apprehended Too Short and placed him under arrest and tossed him into a police cruiser. On the way back to the station, things got even crazier — we’re told Too Short tried to dump narcotics in the back of the cruiser. According to law enforcement sources, Too Short is currently being booked for DUI and felony narcotics possession.

FLESH N BONE ON DECK WITH PHIFTY CALIBER KUSH STRAIN.
A Michigan medical marijuana facility is partnering with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony member Flesh-N-Bone to cultivate and distribute a new strain of medical marijuana. The Green Oasis and Stanley "Flesh-N-Bone" Howse have agreed to work together on "Phifty Caliber Kush," which they say has a noticeable floral taste and is an effective pain reliever. The Flint-area dispensary's owner, Anthony Butler, calls the new pot strain "the best of the best."

"We worked closely together to figure out what we wanted out of the medication," Green Oasis owner Anthony Butler said of his partnership with the rapper.

Michael "Tony B." Bernardi, executive business affairs of Flesh-n-Bone Global, said Howse is in full support of any state that approved medical marijuana and he hopes that the product can provide relief for any qualified, verified patient. "This is the first of someone I know who had the care and concern to do what's right," said Bernardi.

Besides distributing "Phifty Caliber Kush," The Green Oasis could begin selling merchandise and possibly host a visit from Howse. Michigan voters approved marijuana for some chronic medical conditions in 2008. Source: Michigan Live

RAPPER RUNNING FOR LT. GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA.
One of the members of hip hop group S.O.G. Crew from Los Angeles is throwing their hat into the political arena for next year's California elections. Robert Ornelas will be running for Lt. Governor, alongside Robert Newman, who will be running for Governor.

Have the Democratic and Republican Parties become irrelevant? That's what the gubernatorial team of Robert Newman and Robert Ornelas claims, and it seems that at least some Californians are listening. Robert Newman will be a candidate for California's governor in 2014. His running mate, Robert Ornelas, is running for Lt. Governor. This election, however, is shaping up to be far from politics as usual. In fact, “politics as usual” is shaping up to be a major theme of the race.

During a recent series of campaign stops in San Jose, Castroville, and Sacramento, Newman and Ornelas challenged their listeners to consider the mess that has become their home state. Jobs, businesses, and wealth are leaving California, family income is dropping, unemployment remains high, taxes are increasing, the public schools rate 47th in the nation, liberties are shrinking as regulations increase, and morals are being eroded. “So, who's to blame?” the candidates ask. “Well, who's been in charge for the last several decades? The Republicans and Democrats. They're both responsible for this mess, and they're offering nothing but more of the same bad medicine that made us sick in the first place. It's clear they can't help us. It's clear we can't trust them.”

Newman and Ornelas urged listeners to abandon traditional party politics and tell the Democrats and Republicans, “You're fired! We deserve better!” It's time for a fresh, new approach, they argue. A key element of their message is to return control of the peoples' lives to the people themselves. “We have set up a system where some of the most important areas of your lives are controlled by your boss, your union, and -- especially -- your government. Why should they be in control of your lives? Why not you?” the candidates ask. If the crowd's reaction is any indication, the Republican and Democratic Parties may be in for the race of their lives in 2014. Whatever the outcome, the Newman-Ornelas Team promises to stir things up and make the 2014 campaign one to remember.

The S.O.G Crew are on their ‘Let’s Change The World’ Tour now through May 5th promoting their unreleased single ‘Let’s Change the World’. The pinnacle of the tour will be their stop in Washington D. C with the Capitol Homesteading For Every Citizen event on April 26th. There they will march from the Lincoln Memorial to the Federal Reserve where The S.O.G Crew will headline a major citywide concert. It is here where Dr. Robert ‘Battle Ax’ Ornelas will formerly announce his running for Lieutenant Governor of California in 2014.

LL COOL J ANNOUNCES TOUR ALONG WITH ICE CUBE PUBLIC ENEMY AND DE LA SOUL.
LL Cool J and DJ Z-Trip are hitting the road for their Kings Of The Mic tour this Summer and they are bringing along Ice Cube, Public Enemy and De La Soul. Should be a dope show!

TOUR DATES:
May 23 – Ava Amphitheater – Tucson, AZ
May 24 – Hard Rock Casino – Las Vegas, NV
May 25 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – San Francisco, CA
May 26 – Santa Barbara Bowl – Santa Barbara, CA
May 30 – Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
May 31 – Harrah’s Council Bluffs – Stir Cove – Council Bluffs, IA
June 1 – Scottrade Center – St. Louis, MO
June 4 – Fox Theatre – Atlanta, GA
June 6 – Mahaffey Theater – Saint Petersburg, FL
June 7 – St. Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, FL
June 12 – Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric – Baltimore, MD
June 14 – Charter Amphitheatre – Simpsonville, SC
June 15 – nTelos Wireless Pavilion – Portsmouth, VA
June 16 – Durham Performing Arts Center – Durham, NC
June 18 – New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Newark, NJ
June 19 – Bank of America Pavilion – Boston, MA
June 20 – Roseland Ballroom – New York, NY
June 22 – Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center – Canandaigua, NY
June 23 – Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – Mount Pleasant, MI
June 25 – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica – Cleveland, OH
June 26 – DTE Energy Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI
June 27 – Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH
July 1 – Verizon Theatre – Grand Prairie, TX
July 2 – Stubb’s Waller Creek Outdoor Amphitheater – Austin, TX
July 3 – Bayou Music Center – Houston, TX
July 5 – Essence Music Festival – New Orleans, LA

LIL WAYNE RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL?
Lil Wayne is out of the hospital, according to his Young Money associate Mack Maine. Mack Maine told his Twitter followers on Monday night that the multiplatinum rapper had left Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, where he had been hospitalized since last week. Mack Maine tweeted his thanks to the hospital and said Lil Wayne had officially been released and was headed home. He added: "God is great."

MASTER OF THE MIX BACK FOR SEASON 3.
Vodka and Vh1 are teaming up for an all-new season of the hit DJ competition reality show "Master of the Mix." Shedding light on the fastest-growing trend in the music scene: deejaying, this season's contestants will join host Amanda Seales and judges DJ Kid Capri, DJ Mia Moretti and Ben Maddahi as they battle it out for the coveted title of THE "Master of the Mix." Season three will premiere at 10PM ET/PT on Monday, April 1, 2013 on VH1.

"Season three of 'Master of the Mix' serves up an undeniable energy that will keep our viewers wanting more as DJs leave it all on the line through intense mixing battles that are judged by some of the music industries most respected talents," said Lee Rolontz, Executive Vice President, Original Music Production & Development, VH1. "We're excited to add a show to our line up that spotlights today's rockstars and provides an inside look at a unique culture that has taken the music industry by storm."

Throughout the season, "Master of the Mix" will also feature some of the biggest names in music as guest judges including the EC Twins, Estelle, DJ Irie and Lil'Jon.

"We are proud to welcome back DJ Kid Capri and introduce newcomers Amanda Seales and judges Mia Moretti and Ben Maddahi to the "Master of the Mix" family," said Erin Chin, Senior Brand Manager, Smirnoff. "This team will be instrumental throughout season three as the Smirnoff brand continues to celebrate the inventive spirit of DJs."

"Master of the Mix" is giving DJ hopefuls a platform to showcase their skills and knowledge of music culture while spinning on a full range of styles from hip hop to house to open format and everything in between testing their music IQ with performance challenges in front of host Amanda Seales and an all-star cast of judges, including DJ Mia Moretti, Kid Capri and former Atlantic Records executive Ben Maddahi. The DJ that proves they have what it takes on the turntables will take home the coveted title of "Master of the Mix" and a receive $250,000 prize.

#WILLPOWER ON DECK W/ HIT-BOY, WAKA FLOCKA FLAME, LIL WAYNE, AND MORE..
will.i.am has announced that he will release a solo album entitled #willpower on April 23 on Interscope Records. Songs on #willpower include tracks with Britney Spears, Hit-Boy, Waka Flocka Flame, Lil Wayne, Diddy, Chris Brown, Miley Cyrus, Skylar Grey, Juicy J, Eva Simons, apl.de.ap, Baby Kaely and 2NE1.

The album includes the multi-platinum selling single "Scream & Shout," featuring Britney Spears, as well as "Scream & Shout (Hit-Boy Remix)" featuring Britney Spears, Hit-Boy, Waka Flocka Flame, Lil Wayne and Diddy. Produced by Lazy Jay, "Scream & Shout" has sold over 2.5 million singles and has racked up over 164 million views on VEVO. The single reached #3 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Top 40 charts.

A seven-time Grammy Award-winner, will.i.am is known not only for his work with The Black Eyed Peas, who have sold 31 million albums and 58 million singles worldwide, but also for his work with some of the entertainment industry's biggest names, including Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Usher, David Guetta and film composer Hans Zimmer. Recognized and honored by numerous industry organizations, will.i.am is the recipient of multiple Grammy Awards, a Latin Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, a CLIO Award, two NAACP Image Awards, a VH1 Do Something Award, the BMI President's Award and a 2008 Webby Award.

BOW WOW LOSES COURT BATTLE AGAINST FORMER RAPINDUSTRY.COM MODEL OF THE MONTH.
A federal judge has ordered Bow Wow to pay close to $80,000 to one time RAPINDUSTRY.COM Model of the Month SEE HERE "Katsuni". for allegedly jacking footage of her dancing and splashing it all over one of his videos without her permission, TMZ has learned.

Adult film star Celine Tran (known as “Katsuni”) — sued Bow Wow back in July 2012, claiming he stole clips of her pole dancing in a music video for a French band called Electronic Conspiracy and then used a ton of the footage in his music video “Drank in My Cup” without permission.

Bow Wow didn’t even respond to the lawsuit, so a federal judge ordered him to pay the $79,346.07 (damages + attorneys’ fees).

LIVE NATION APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
The Board of Directors of Live Nation Entertainment has appointed Greg Maffei as the non-executive Chairman of the Board. Maffei is President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Media Corporation and has served on the Live Nation Board of Directors since February of 2011.

Mr. Maffei, 52, replaces Irving Azoff, the longtime music executive who helped see Live Nation through its merger with Ticketmaster in 2010, and left at the end of last year. Unlike Mr. Azoff, Mr. Maffei, who joined Live Nation’s board two years ago, will not hold an executive position.

"Greg brings years of experience and business acumen that will continue to be a valuable asset as our team executes on the three-year plan, driving profitability and shareholder value," said Michael Rapino, President and Chief Executive Officer of Live Nation.

"Michael and his team have made Live Nation the most pervasive brand in live entertainment. I look forward to further collaboration with Michael and my fellow board members," said Maffei.

Maffei joined Liberty Media as CEO-elect in November 2005 and became CEO in February 2006. Maffei has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Interactive since May 2007. Previously, he served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Oracle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 360networks and Chief Financial Officer of Microsoft.

PRINCE SHUTS DOWN SXSW.
How did Prince close out South by Southwest Music Festival's weeklong showcase? By naturally throwing a totally different kind of party: a grooving, brass band-backed funk fest that stretched to 3 a.m. and outlasted many fans lucky enough to get inside the exclusive show that also featured A Tribe Called Quest.

As other artists headlined other SXSW wrap-ups nearby, Prince prevailed as the toughest ticket Saturday night by performing for only 300 people in his first appearance at the annual music festival that drew 2,200 bands and artists this year. Prince performed for 2½ hours on a huge stage behind a giant video board. He mostly played bandleader instead of superstar, often disappearing backstage as the band jammed.

"They called our people and said they wanted some funk in Austin," said Prince, before belting out the last bars of a gentle rendition of "Purple Rain."

A 12-piece brass band joined the latest incarnation of Prince's New Power Generation for a run of hits like "1999" and "Cool" that jammed with a soulful backbone. The show began with the band making a Mardi Gras-style march onto the stage, only to have their horn blasts drowned out by shrieks upon fans sighting Prince in a magenta, high-collared shirt and snug black blazer. Organizers warned the crowd three times before the show that taking pictures was forbidden. Fans who flaunted the rule were scolded by security or told to scram. Even simply using a cellphone was banned at the concert thrown by phone-maker Samsung, though promoters worked the crowd beforehand, offering customers fresh phone batteries or device test-drives.

Prince never played guitar during the set. Nor did he perform his new single "Screwdriver" that debuted earlier this year, opting instead for funk covers: Curtis Mayfield's "We're a Winner" and Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Until You Get Enough" among them as the night dragged on and weary fans made their way to the exits early.

"Don't make me hurt you. You know how many hits I got?" Prince said during the first of several pseudo-set closers, before launching into another encore.

LIL WAYNE HOSPITALIZED AGAIN.
Lil Wayne has been hospitalized again for seizures, but according to his camp and his official Twitter account — he's OK.

Weezy was hospitalized in Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Hospital after suffering a seizure on Friday afternoon, according to multiple reports. Reps have confirmed he was "recovering." He tweeted to his fans from his official account on Friday night: "I'm good everybody. Thx for the prayers and love."

While there were some reports that Lil Wayne was fighting for his life, members of his Young Money camp denied it on Twitter.

Before the tweet from Lil Wayne's account, rapper Mack Maine tweeted: "Wayne is alive and well! We watching the Syracuse game...thanks for the prayers and concern. he will update you all soon."

Maine also tweeted at TMZ, for its false reporting. "@TMZ it's certain shit you should not talk about or play with if u don't kno what u talking bout....don't deceive the fans or the people," he wrote, followed by, "and definitely don't try to kill a man before his time....so from the bottom of my soul and on behalf of my fam......F--- YOU."

Birdman also tweeted: My son is in good spirit..feelin much betta...be home soon."

SNOOP DEBUTS REINCARNATED @ SXSW.
Snoop Lion (Snoop Dogg) emerged Thursday for the premiere of his new movie, album and identity.. 'Reincarnated' (Filmmakers followed Snoop to Jamaica, where he marinated in Rastafari culture) He emerged with the new name, plus a reggae album and a political agenda.at the South by Southwest Film Festival.

Some of his views marked more of a departure than others. In the song "No Guns Allowed," for example, he renounces gunplay "Anti-bad things," said the film's director, Andy Capper, "whereas before he celebrated the bad things."

Dressed in gold-rimmed shades and a red track suit with orange stripes, Snoop did not strut the red carpet so much as hang out on it. He offered a loose handshake and spoke in barely audible tones. He was smiling, kind of.

Asked about his enduring touchstone issue, the legalization of marijuana, Snoop turned relatively animated. "Wake up," he said. "It's the 21st century. Some of these laws and rules we have are 18th century and 19th century and 20th century. People need to understand that some of these laws and rules need to be tweaked to the people of today."

Capper suggested any tweaking should be kept on the mild side. "I don't know if you'd want to legalize the kind of marijuana he smokes," he said. "Because if you did, people would be walking around going crazy."

Before strolling off to watch the film, Snoop distanced himself from all the political talk. "I'm not a politician," he said. "I just like dealing with the reality of it."

JAY Z TEAMS UP FOR THE GREAT GATSBY.
Jay Z has collaborated with writer/producer/director Baz Luhrmann on “The Great Gatsby, in the capacity of Executive Producer to bring the modern “Jazz Age” energy of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s original text to the big screen, procuring, performing, producing and arranging for a soundtrack featuring some of the world’s top musical artists.

Jay Z’s contributions, woven amongst a score by long-time Luhrmann collaborator, composer Craig Armstrong, drive Gatsby’s champagne-infused dance floors, rumble in New York’s illegal speakeasies, and foreshadow the tragedy behind Gatsby’s “extraordinary gift for hope.” To articulate the film’s “1920s-Meets-Now” sound, Jay Z also comes to “The Great Gatsby” soundtrack as a performer and contributor of original music.

Luhrmann and Jay Z were introduced by Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay Gatsby), and this led to a two-year collaborative effort. During this time, Jay Z worked with Luhrmann and his team to capture, translate and contrast the feelings of Fitzgerald’s decadent era with that of our own, using hip-hop and jazz, music contemporary and period, to bring two distinct American moments to simultaneous life. They sculpted the film’s musical landscape alongside Armstrong, who worked with the director on “Moulin Rouge!” and “Romeo + Juliet.” The film’s music supervisor is Anton Monsted.

Luhrmann calls the collaboration with Jay Z “a credible and natural fit. Fitzgerald was a pioneer, famed and controversial for using the then-new and explosive sound called jazz in his novels and short stories—not just as decoration, but to actively tell story using the immediacy of pop culture. He coined the phrase ‘the Jazz Age.’ So, the question for me in approaching Gatsby was how to elicit from our audience the same level of excitement and pop-cultural immediacy toward the world that Fitzgerald did for his audience? And in our age, the energy of jazz is caught in the energy of hip-hop. Not only is Jay Z a great artist, full stop, but I had heard that he was a great collaborator. Leonardo and I were lucky enough to be present in a recording session over two years ago as Jay Z was recording ‘No Church in the Wild,’ and the collaboration grew from there.”

Jay Z said, “As soon as I spoke with Baz and Leonardo, I knew this was the right project. The Great Gatsby is that classic American story of one’s introduction to extravagance, decadence and illusion. It’s ripe for experimentation and ready to be interpreted with a modern twist. The imagination Baz brought to ‘Moulin Rouge’ made it a masterpiece, and ‘Romeo + Juliet’s’ score wasn’t just in the background; the music became a character. This film’s vision and direction has all the makings of an epic experience.”

“The Great Gatsby” soundtrack will be released by Interscope Records.

AFROJACK INKS WITH UMG.
DJ Afrojack, one of the most sought-after producers and DJs in the world, has been signed to an exclusive worldwide deal with Island Records and Universal Music Group (UMG), through Afrojack's label Wall Recordings.

Under terms of the agreement, Island Records, a division of Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ), will now take over radio promotion and sales in the U.S. for "As Your Friend" featuring Chris Brown, Afrojack's new single on his self-owned label, Wall Recordings. The track, which has begun to receive strong radio support in the highly competitive EDM (electronic dance music) scene, officially impacts this week at Pop and Rhythm radio formats in the U.S. where Mediabase airplay is already building.

Internationally "As Your Friend" will be released by Wall Recordings, Island Records UK and UMG's PM:AM Recordings. The track was written by Afrojack, Chris Brown, Leroy Styles, DJ Buddha, Polow da Don and Nadir Sakir and produced by Afrojack with co-production by Leroy Styles, DJ Buddha and Polow da Don. Afrojack's debut album is currently scheduled for fall of 2013.

"I want to take my music to the next level, both creatively and from a business point of view. Partnering up with Island Records will give me the chance to do both, so I am very happy we were able to make a deal. Island/UMG will promote my releases with very strong support and with great people working my music around the world," said Afrojack.

"This deal is an ideal combination of Wall Recordings' strength as an independent with the worldwide marketing and distribution infrastructure that Island/UMG can provide us with," added Hugo Langras, Afrojack's Manager. "We are very happy with this agreement, as it will allow us to take Afrojack's career as a recording artist to the next level, while safeguarding his independence and stature in the EDM world."

"Afrojack is one of the most important and prolific artists, DJs and producers in the world and we're incredibly excited that he's chosen to partner with us for the next stage in his career," said Andrew Kronfeld , President Global Marketing.

"Afrojack has won global acclaim for his production genius, and Barry Weiss, Steve Bartels, Karen Kwak and I did everything in our power to ensure that he join us at Island Records in the US," said David Massey, President of Island Records. "His stellar track record speaks for itself and we're thrilled to join forces with an artist who continues to transform the musical landscape."

CIARA'S ONE WOMAN ARMY ON DECK.
With the release of her new single, "Body Party," Ciara is turning up the heat in anticipation of her upcoming June 4th release of One Woman Army. Produced by Mike WiLL Made-It, and co-written by her label mate, Future, "Body Party," which is available on iTunes, is a simmering jam that celebrates the pleasures of a new relationship at its most intimate.

Ciara was equally revealing and vulnerable in ''Sorry," the first song released from One Woman Army, when she wrote about the disappointment of a failed relationship. With her latest single "Body Party," she has written about the fearlessness of new journey leading her down the path of intimacy.

"One Woman Army represents the acceptance of my emotional vulnerability when it comes to love," Ciara said, and whether she's writing about heartbreak or ecstasy, she's boldly and honestly expressing her truth.

Fans can catch Ciara in a reoccurring role on BET's THE GAME, which returns for sixth season on Tuesday, March 26 with a special one hour-long premiere from 10-11 p.m. ET/PT.

One Woman Army is Ciara's fifth album, and it showcases her skill as a songwriter and vocalist. Changing her label home to reunite with her earliest mentor, L.A. Reid, at Epic Records, One Woman Army is a heavily anticipated album.

Ciara has been in the spotlight since her 2004 breakthrough album, Goodies. With eight top ten singles on Billboard's Hot 100, and more than seven million albums sold, Ciara's had tremendous commercial success, but she's also been acknowledged for her artistry. She's won a Grammy, three BET Awards, and three MTV Awards. Additionally, in 2008 Ciara was named Billboard's Woman Of The Year.

EARL SWEATSHIRT LP ON DECK / NEW VIDEO PLUS SXSW SHOWS.
The long-awaited Earl Sweatshirt LP will be released later this year via Tan Cressida/Columbia. Earl Sweatshirt is also proud to share the music video for his new song "Whoa". WATCH HERE

H'e also scheduled to hit the stage in Austin, Texas during the SXSW Music Festival.

SXSW SHOWS
3/13/13 - Life or Death PR Showcase - Scoot Inn - 1308 E 4th Street - 12am (w/ Captain Murphy)
3/13/13 - Brainfeeder Showcase (special guest) - Empire Automotive - 604 E 7th St - 1AM
3/14/13 - Woodie Awards
3/15/13 - GLS (Green Label Sound) Showcase - Lucille - 77 Rainy St - 11PM
3/16/13 - Fader Fort - Fader Fort - 1101 E 5th St - 6:45 PM

NOTORIOUS B.I.G. LIVES ON IN NEW ANIMATED SERIES.
The Notorious B.I.G.'s creative spirit has had an inspirational impact that is felt to this day throughout popular culture, including music, films, and the written word. That influence will continue to live on through Ossian Media's brand new animated series, House of Wallace.

Featuring the immortal rapper's children - C.J. and T'yanna - as its main characters, the show will follow them in their dramatic journey as they attempt to keep his studio in Bedford-Stuyvesant / Brooklyn alive, despite numerous trials and tribulations.

As legend has it, B.I.G. built his own studio to consolidate creative control once his musical career began to flourish. Now, it serves as the inspiration for both the series' name and its central storytelling locale. An international music conglomerate threatens to buy out the House of Wallace and replace it with a cookie cutter "entertainment factory". However, C.J. and T'yanna stand up for its 'Notorious heritage' and the "real" music it represents, attempting to re-energize the studio and elevate it to the status of a modern hit-maker. The spirit of B.I.G. himself serves as a central character, appearing to the children in ethereal form to guide them through the adversities they face as they struggle to preserve their father's labor of love.

Facing a hostile corporate takeover, C.J. and T'yanna are guided to invent a novel approach to creating alternative revenue streams – re-imagining their Dad's studio as a 'jingle house by day', where some of the world's greatest talents lend their voices and abilities to some of the world's best-known brand names. By night they return to the studio to work on their own musical projects, all while being inspired by the association with Biggie's studio sound. "Come to cut a multi-platinum new album, stay to record a hit commercial!" is the phrase they like to employ as a means of enticing these artists to participate in their fledgling jingle 'side business'.

"It's been 16 years since our Dad was murdered and we miss him dearly... It is such an honor for us to be able to carry on his legacy, not only through his music but also by channeling him through our own creativity. This project, "House Of Wallace" is a great opportunity for us to bridge the gap between our parents who loved his music and the kids and young adults our ages, that were not around to really appreciate it," says T'yanna and C.J. Wallace.

Wally Eltawashy, President of Ossian Media, says, "Ossian is excited to commence work with C.J. and T'yanna on this project. Furthermore, it is Ossian's distinct honor and privilege to be entrusted with furthering the legacy of one of the world's greatest modern musical talents. The show's creative format will allow for advertising integration in the truest, purest sense of the term - this could well be the very first animated program to incorporate creative shops (and their brand partners) directly into the narrative."

Not only will C.J. and T'yanna be voicing their own characters, but a bevy of musical artists will also appear on the show, alongside a hilarious and endearingly-affable staff of studio employees. Music will constitute a central component of the show, including original songs from guest stars and re-imagined renditions of classics from the Wallace catalog.

LIL KIM'S FORMER ATTORNEY TRIED TO GET SLICK?
Lil' Kim sued her former attorney and his firm for $2 million, claiming he used "intentionally sloppy or grossly negligent legal work" to dupe her into transferring her branding rights to a company he formed. In her lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court, Kimberly Denise Jones aka Lil' Kim says she hired Sunny (Sanny) Barkats and his firm, JS Barkats PLLC, last year to help her land a lucrative perfume endorsement.

Barkats allegedly told the rapper that he was "experienced in the celebrity branding business" and would "deliver multimillion-dollar deals" involving her brands Lil' Kim and Queen Bee. Instead, Barkats tricked Lil' Kim into transferring her trademarks and brand names to International Rock Star Corp. -- a company he formed and was general counsel of, according to the lawsuit. IRS is also named as a defendant.

"Plaintiff believed this was acceptable since Barkats and [his firm] were supposedly acting as her legal counsel and advisor and because Barkats promised to bring in investors and perfume endorsement deals worth millions of dollars in revenues to plaintiff," the lawsuit states.

Barkats became a shareholder of the newly formed company and suggested that co-defendant Andrew Ro, his business associate, do the same, Lil' Kim claims.

The attorney drafted agreements "which inexplicably purported to give Barkats and Ro a combined 44 percent interest in IRS, Barkats' own client, at no cost to them," according to the lawsuit.

Lil' Kim claims they handled this "obvious conflict of interest" by getting her to sign a waiver. But the rapper says her "trust in Barkats was sorely misplaced." The agreements purportedly granted exclusive rights to any perfumes she created to co-defendant KBY Properties Group, a company that shared the same address as Barkats's law firm, according to the complaint.

Barkats and his firm designed these contracts "to misappropriate plaintiff's valuable trademark and branding rights, while exacting potentially enormous, unjustified fees for themselves, all to plaintiff's ongoing detriment," the lawsuit states.

Lil' Kim says she never would have agreed to such a deal because she has existing endorsements in the music, fashion and high-end liquor industries. She also blasts Barkats for what she calls his "intentionally sloppy or grossly negligent legal work," saying the agreements "are flawed in many respects and fall below the requisite level of competence required."

"For example, the shareholder agreement is lacking basic and necessary provisions regarding overall corporate governance, including but not limited to, how decisions are to be made among the shareholders, the transfer of shares by shareholders and investments made by third-parties into the corporation," the lawsuit states.

"Further, in most celebrity branding arrangements, it is custom and practice for the celebrity to merely 'license in' the brand rights for specific licensing purposes and not transfer any branding or trademark rights, whether in whole or in part, to an entity for the purposes of licensing arrangements."

Lil' Kim claims Barkats has refused to rescind the fraudulent agreements. She demands more than $2 million including $1 million in punitive damages for alleged fraud in the inducement, legal malpractice, unjust enrichment and conversion. She also seeks a full accounting and a declaration that the contracts are void and unenforceable. Her attorney for the lawsuit is Mitchell Schuster of Meister Seelig & Fein. Source: CourtHouse News

40 GLOCC SAYS GAME OWES HIM $4.5 MILLI.
According to TMZ, 40 Glocc is owed $4.5 million from the Game. 40 Glocc sued Game over a street brawl between the two rappers back in July outside a Hollywood Hills mansion. Game subsequently posted footage of the brawl on YouTube, showing him whaling on Glocc.

At the time 40 Glocc filed the suit, he didn't say how much he wanted, but now we know. Glocc just filed legal docs demanding a cool $4.54 million.

Here's the breakdown:
-- $500,000 in pain and suffering
-- $500,000 in emotional distress
-- $750,000 in lost earnings
-- $2 million for punitive damages
-- $25,000 in medical expenses
-- Various other stuff

MYSPACE SECRET SHOWS HEADED TO SXSW.
Myspace announced today that it will bring its legendary Myspace Secret Shows® to an undisclosed downtown Austin location, March 14-16 during the SXSW Music Festival.

In true Secret Show fashion, audiences won't know who's performing until the day before each show, when they'll hear it directly from the artists themselves. The eclectic lineup will feature artists curated by Myspace to appeal to fans descending on the live music capital of the world. We wish we could say more, but it is a secret.

"Knowing how serious Austinites are about music, we thought they'd appreciate hearing it straight from their favorite artists first," said Christian Parkes , global vice president of marketing, Myspace. "We're bringing a diverse slate of talent to SXSW that's reflective of the democracy of the new Myspace."

The shows will be completely free and open to audiences on a first-come, first-served basis. Keeping in line with its promise to help connect artists with their fans, each Myspace Secret Show artist will decide how they want to get the word out, giving fans all the more reason to connect to their favorite artists on the new Myspace today.

RECORD LABELS DISS APPLE'S PROPOSED ROYALTY RATE FOR STREAMING SERVICE.
Apple has opened talks with record labels about getting rights for a music-streaming service — but has gotten plenty of push back because its offer is seen as way too cheap.

Apple made an initial offer to the label of about 6 cents per 100 songs streamed, sources said. That’s about half of the 12 cents per 100 songs paid by Pandora, the leading online radio service that Apple is taking aim at, sources said. “Apple wants a rate that is lower than Pandora’s,” said one high-level executive.

While the labels would admit Apple’s music service could tap a whole new revenue stream for them, they haven't agreed to any offer as the industry is fighting on Capitol Hill to prevent Pandora from lowering its current rate, sources added.

Music label insiders suggest Apple — which is sitting on a cash pile of roughly $137 billion — should pay at least the rate set by the Copyright Royalty Board, or about 21 cents per 100 songs streamed. That rate applies to companies that don’t own broadcast operations. By comparison, terrestrial radio-backed online services (such as iHeart) pay about 22 cents per 100 songs streamed. Subscription service Spotify pays the highest rate for its service, 35 cents per 100 songs streamed, sources said.

Apple wants to get into the streaming radio business, in part, because it is seeing 50 percent of its iTunes revenue flow from mobile. Pandora is one of the most popular apps. Apple views radio as a way to make better use of its iAds advertising platform. An Apple iRadio product would be ad supported.

The music labels, for their part, want an upfront fee and a percentage of that ad revenue in addition to the streaming fees, said sources.

Apple’s chief music negotiator, Eddy Cue, created a lot of static last September when he tried to get the industry’s biggest music publisher, Sony/ATV, on board.

Apple, sources said, had hoped to rush iRadio into the iPhone 5 launch, but was forced to backpedal. Sony/ATV’s resistance meant that Cue needed to first deal with the recorded music giants: Universal, Sony and Warner. Reps for each declined to comment.

“Everyone’s had their initial meetings and everyone is preparing counters,” said a source.

Apple is considering a launch of iRadio as part of a bundle along with iMatch, which allows iTunes users to make their music available on all iOS devices. The Cupertino, Calif., company also wants to make the iRadio service available abroad in the UK, Germany and France as well as other places.

Rich Greenfield, media analyst with BTIG, told The NY Post, “People spend two hours a day listening to radio. Google, Apple and Amazon are fascinated by the opportunity to get into music in a bigger way. Pandora doesn’t make any real money.”

Greenfield added: “Everyone’s trying to figure out a better structure. I wouldn’t say any of them are giving up.” Source: NY POST

BEANIE SIGEL PLEADS GUILTY / GETS A BAD RAP.
South Philly rapper Beanie Sigel pleaded guilty Wednesday to illegally possessing Percocet, an ungraded misdemeanor, for which he was sentenced by Judge Michael F.X. Coll to six to 23 months at the county prison in Concord. Sigel, whose real name is Dwight Grant, has been incarcerated since his Aug. 29, 2012, arrest following a traffic stop by Pennsylvania State Police on Interstate 95 in Tinicum.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Troopers Francis Pawlowski and James Sparenga pulled over a tan Ford Fusion at 3:14 a.m. after seeing the vehicle swerving over the dividing lines on southbound I-95.

Co-defendant Gerald Andrews, 41, also of South Philadelphia, was driving the car and was asked to exit the vehicle. A pat-down search revealed several prescription pill bottles in his pockets and a small amount of marijuana.

Sigel, 39, had been asleep in the passenger seat during the stop. Pawlowski asked him to get out of the vehicle so he could explain why Andrews was being arrested. Sigel also was patted down, revealing a bottle of codeine syrup, various pills hidden in a cigarette pack and about $4,500 in cash. During his arraignment in Folcroft District Court last year, Sigel claimed he had won the money at a casino.

A fully loaded .38-caliber Smith & Wesson was later found inside the car. Both Sigel and Andrews are convicted felons and are prohibited from possessing a firearm. Sigel had previously served a federal sentence for firearms offenses.

Both men were arraigned on charges of drug possession, possession with the intent to deliver, persons not to possess firearms, firearms not to be carried without a license and conspiracy.

Andrews also pleaded Wednesday to one count of a former convict not to possess a firearm. Coll sentenced him to 30 to 60 months at a state correctional institute, which he noted was well below the mitigated range. Andrews is ordered to report by 6 p.m. April 5 to begin that sentence.

Andrews, represented by defense attorney Gene Taggart, did not make a comment during the hearing. Sigel’s attorney, Carson Morris, standing in for Fortunato N. Perri, described his client as a talented entertainer who has made some mistakes.

“Mr. Grant has been a successful entertainer and musician in the Philadelphia community for decades,” Morris said. “Obviously, he’s had an incredible amount of success and opportunity in his life. He’s also made some mistakes, which have ended up putting him in custody. He’s ready to go ahead and put that behind him and move on with his life.”

Sigel also is facing a two-year federal sentence for tax evasion. Morris said his client had been scheduled to turn himself in for that sentence shortly after his arrest in Tinicum.

Morris said there had been an agreement between Perri and Assistant District Attorney Lindsay McDonald that the drug possession charge would run concurrent to the federal sentence.

Coll said he could not dictate what the federal court would do, but wished Sigel luck on that front. The judge also asked if the two cases would significantly impact Sigel’s career.

Morris said Sigel, who was arrested just hours after the release of his newest solo album, “This Time,” has recently experienced serious financial problems, mainly due to the tax issue.

“He has a lot of catching up to do, but he also has a lot of talent and a lot of opportunity, hopefully,” Morris said. “So the prospect is that he can get out and move on and start doing something productive with his life.” Source: Delco Times

BIG BOI ANNOUNCES ‘SHOES FOR RUNNING’ TOUR DATES
Big Boi has announced his upcoming tour, "Shoes For Running." He will be hitting the road for the tour in mid-April, until June. "We starting it off in my own backyard ... that's right up the street," he told Rolling Stone. "They'll show me love before we get out there in the midst of the world."

“To play your music in front of the fans that love it, it’s like the best feeling in the world,” Big Boi said. “Just jamming out with all walks of life..... It’s just nonstop action,” he says of the tour, which may even feature some surprise guests.

TOUR DATES:
April 18 – Athens, GA – Georiga Theater
April 19 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
April 20 – Charlottesville, VA – University of Virginia
April 21 – Baltimore, MD – Sound Stage
April 23 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s
April 24 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
April 25 – Williamsburg, VA – College of William & Mary
April 26 – University Park, PA – Penn State University
April 27 – Philadelphia, PA – TLA
April 30 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
May 1 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theater
May 2 – San Francisco, CA – San Francisco State University
May 3 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
May 4 – Memphis, TN – Beale Street
May 5 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
May 7 – Denver, CO – Cervantis
May 8 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theater
May 9 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
May 13 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
May 15 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
May 15 – San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine
May 18 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues
May 19 – Albuquerque, NM – Observatory
May 23 – Houston, TX – Bayour Music Hall
May 24 – Austin, TX – The Backyard
May 25 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
May 26 – Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp Fest
May 30 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
May 31 – Chattanooga, TN – Track 29
June 1 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen
June 2 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Co.
June 4 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live
June 5 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
June 6 – Jacksonville, FL – Brewsters Megaplex
June 7 – Altanta, GA – Masquerade
June 8 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
June 9 – Wilmington, NC – Brooklyn Arts Center
June 11 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theater
June 12 – Charlotte, NC – Amos
June 14 – Washington D.C. – Howard’s Theatre
June 15 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
June 16 – Toronto, Ontario – North By Northeast
June 19 – Boston, MA – Paradise

GHOSTFACE KILLAH & ADRIAN YOUNGE ANNOUNCE THE TWELVE REASONS TO DIE NATIONAL TOUR
Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge announce the Twelve Reasons To Die Tour in support of their new album to be released via Soul Temple Records distributed by RED Music on April 16. Ghostface Killah will perform backed by Adrian Younge’s band Venice Dawn. The 49 city national tour kicks off on March 14th at SXSW in Austin TX and will run thru early June.

Twelve Reasons To Die, a groundbreaking concept album conceived and created by Younge that follows Tony Starks (one of Ghostface’s alter egos), as a soldier for the 12 Delucas, a 1960’s-era Italian crime family. But when Starks leaves the family, an epic story unfolds like a vintage horror film with gangster elements. It’s a gritty story of good verse evil that walks the line of the supernatural accented by Ghostface’s grandiose, vivid storytelling. LISTEN TO Twelve Reasons To Die by Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge - The Sure Shot [parts 1 and 2]

This album is a modern throwback to rap’s Golden Era. “I wanted this album to be the album that went back and started things all over,” Younge says. “I wanted to be the first person to really bring this to hip-hop. I want to bring that organic element back to hip-hop. I’m fortunate enough that I was chosen to be that person to do it.”

Wu-Tang Clan architect RZA was the one who chose Younge for this project. As executive producer, RZA added his touch to the album by providing Younge with suggestions, direction and the confidence to execute his vision at the highest level.

The album will be available in various configurations including a standard CD, a deluxe double CD with instrumentals and a mini comic book, plus a digital deluxe version with instrumentals and digital comic book, multiple vinyl formats and a cassette.

To visually flesh out the dark and gritty world of Twelve Reasons, Soul Temple Records has partnered with Black Mask Studios to produce a 6-issue comic book series and collected graphic novel featuring striking visuals and an intriguing dual-narrative structure with contributions from a host of stellar comic book artists.

Twelve Reasons is the latest landmark chapter in the career of Ghostface Killah. Since emerging in 1993 as one of the most mysterious members of the rap supergroup Wu-Tang Clan, the man also known as Tony Starks has become one of rap’s most charismatic and flamboyant artists. His distinctive vocabulary and vivid storytelling made his Ironman and Supreme Clientele albums two of the most revered releases of their eras.

Adrian Younge represents the next generation of producers. His acclaimed Something About April album from his group Venice Dawn is a high note on a resume that also includes composing the music for the acclaimed film Black Dynamite and an album with the legendary soul group The Delfonics.

“I want to be known as a composer, not a beat-maker,” he says. “I want to be known as a composer for modern soul music.” Younge’s background has made him particular about how he’s viewed.... I want this album to change what people think about hip-hop,” Younge says.

TOUR DATES:
*Thursday, March 28, Los Angeles, CA., Mayan Theatre
*Saturday, March 30, World Wide, Boiler Room
*Sunday, March 31, San Louis Obisbo, SLO Brewary
*Wednesday, April 3, Fresno, CA., Fulton 55
*Thursday, April 4, San Francisco, CA., 1015 Folsom
*Friday, April 5, Orangevale, CA., The Boardwalk
*Saturday, April 6, Redway, CA., Mateel Community Center
*Tuesday, April 9, Eugene Or., WOW Hall
*Wednesday, April 10, Portland, OR., Mississippi Studios
*Thursday, April 11, Seattle, WA., Neumos
*Friday, April 12, Spokane, WA., Knitting Factory
*Saturday, April 13, Boise, ID., Knitting Factory
*Tuesday, April 16, Park City, UT., Park City Live
*Friday, April 19, Denver, CO., Summit Music Hall
*Saturday, April 20, Aspen, CO., Belly Up
*Thursday, April 25, Lawrence, KS., Granada Theater
*Friday, April 26, Chicago, IL., The Abbey Pub
*Saturday, April 27, St Louis, MO., Cherokee Performing Arts Center
*Sunday, April 28, Cleveland Hts, OH., Grog Shop
*Tuesday, April 30, Detroit, MI., St. Andrews
*Wednesday, May 1, Grand Rapids, MI., The Pyramid Scheme
*Thursday, May 2, Bloomington, IN., The Bluebird
*Friday, May 3, Columbus, OH. A&R Room
*Saturday, May 4, Pittsburgh, PA., Mr. Smalls Theatre
*Sunday, May 5, Syracuse, NY., The Westcott Theatre
*Tuesday, May 7, South Burlington, VT., Higher Ground Music
*Wednesday, May 8, Portland, ME., Port City Music Hall
*Thursday, May 9, Boston, MA., The Wilbur
*Friday, May 10, New Haven, CT., Toads Place
*Saturday, May 11, Providence, RI., The Met
*Sunday, May 12th, Philadelphia, PA., The Blockley
*Monday, May 13, NYC, NY., Gramercy Theatre
*Tuesday, May 14, Baltimore, MD. Soundstage
*Thursday, May 16, Caborro, NC., Cats Cradle
*Friday, May 17, Asheville, NC. Ashville Music Hall
*Saturday, May 18, Atlanta, GA., Terminal West
*Sunday May 19, Tampa Bay, FL., The Orpheum
*Monday, May 20, New Orleans, LA., House Of Blues
*Wednesday, May 22, Austin, TX., Emos

ASCAP RELEASES YEARLY FINANCIALS REPORT.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the worldwide leader in performing rights and advocacy for music creators, today announced that it distributed over $827 million in royalties to its songwriter, composer and publisher members in the calendar year ended 2012, a slight increase over 2011. 2012 became the fifth year in a row that ASCAP distributed in excess of $800 million to its members - the only performing rights organization to do so - making it the global leader in performance royalty distributions to songwriters, composers and music publishers.

ASCAP maintained its high level of royalty payments to members through careful financial management, which anticipated revenue declines from the radio industry as well as settlements with background music services resulting from the DMX rate court decision. At $941 million, annual revenues were strong - the 3rd highest ever - but down 4.5% from 2011.

Growth in cable revenues and continued strength in foreign revenues were the primary factors in mitigating the impact of the radio and background music revenue declines. Due to continued industry growth and several major settlements, cable revenues were up 20%. ASCAP also saw revenue growth in new media and general licensing categories, including bars and grills, hotels and pop concerts.

ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams commented: "Our goal in 2012 was to ensure a healthy, steady stream of royalties to our members who depend on ASCAP's advocacy and collective licensing to pay the rent and put food on the table. The music of our members is more popular than ever all around the world, especially through the proliferation of online and wireless services. We are navigating in a complex, rapidly changing environment in which huge, cash-rich technology companies are developing business models that fly fast and free with our copyrights. Only a thriving community of songwriters and composers - who can make a decent living from their work - can ensure a vibrant music eco-system going forward. ASCAP's advocacy for our members is, as always, a critical factor in ensuring fair treatment and payment for their work."

ASCAP welcomed nearly 25,000 new members in 2012, among them are songwriter/rapper Big Sean and breakout rapper Kendrick Lamar.

NICK CANNON ON DECK TO PLAY THE ROLE OF FREEWAY RICK ROSS.
Nick Cannon is about to play Freeway Rick Ross time to tell the Story of Cocaine, Contras and America. As stated by Freeway Rick Ross This is more than a MOVIE its a movement. The script is written by the writer of "Blow" Nick Cassavetes.

"I've been wanting him to play my role since '96. We got hooked up, I met him I love his personality, know what I'm saying?" said Freeway in a VIDEO clip. SEE THE FOOTAGE HERE

"We family now, we are going to get this thing right. However long it takes, his story has got to be told," Cannon added."

Ricky Donnell Ross, better known as “Freeway” Rick Ross, is one of those rare figures whose experience as a drug kingpin has lead him to a life of rebuilding the community in which he once helped destroy. According to the Oakland Tribune” In the course of his rise, prosecutors estimate that Ross exported several tons of cocaine nationally, and made more than $600 million in the process. Counting inflation its 1.6 billion dollars comparing 1986 to 2010. Now, he has applied the passion that helped him build an empire to helping the youth, Ross has been given a second chance to uplift his community by giving back through mentoring and sharing his story. He plans to inspire many of today’s youths to achieve their greatest successes without following in his footsteps.

Ross was a key figure in VH1's Emmy nominated documentary “Planet Rock History of Crack and Hip Hop featuring Snoop Dogg, Rza and B-Real of Cypress Hill. As well as the second episode of the first season of BET’s American Gangster documentary series which focused on his story and his connection to the Iran-Contra scandal.He is currently in the process of creating the feature length film of his life story with Nick Cassavetes, his own documentary “Crack in the System” and creating his autobiographical book.

Recognized as a pawn in the CIA drug game, Ross was a pioneer in the crack cocaine trade in Los Angeles, as well as other parts of the U.S. A renowned drug dealer, Ross harvested millions as an unknowing participant of Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency operatives, who provided him with unlimited amounts of cocaine. It was said that his suppliers used the profits to pay for the CIA-spawned Contra war against Nicaragua’s leftist government in the 1980s. His connections were first revealed in a series of articles published by the San Jose Mercury News and in court testimony.

During the height of his drug dealing, Ross was said to have made 2-3 million dollars a week. In 1996, he was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of trying to purchase more than 100 kilograms of cocaine from a federal agent. Ross became the subject of controversy later that year when a series of articles by journalist Gary Webb in the San Jose Mercury News brought to light a connection between one of Ross’s cocaine sources, Danilo Blandon, and the CIA as part of the Iran-Contra scandal. The decision in his case was brought to a federal court of appeals where his sentence was reduced to 20 years and then reduced further for being a model inmate. He was then moved to a halfway house in California in the spring of 2009 where he was released on September 29, 2009.

METH PROMISES WUTANG ANNIVERSARY ALBUM IS ON DECK.
Raekwon told MTV that he was just waiting to get the business right before committing to the new Wu LP, which would time perfectly with the group's 20-year anniversary. However, Method Man says he is all in.

"November 10 of this year will be our 20th anniversary officially. How many brothers you know kept a job for 20 years?" Tical asked the crowd jokingly at a Hollywood performance over the weekend. "We got the Wu-Tang anniversary album coming up, we're working on that now."

"The bottom line is: Of course I want to see a Wu-Tang reunion. Of course. Who wouldn't?" Raeqwon said last month. "I just want everything to be right, the business. When we made a lot of our great music, it was because we were in harmony. You cannot put guys together if there is no harmony, and on top of it, we're doing business. As a man with children, I have to always look at that. It's bigger than sometimes just the thought of it — the fact of it, it just gotta make sense."

Ghostface Killah is down with the idea as well and said last year that he too has begun recording for the comeback LP. "I believe in [RZA] because if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be standing here today, regardless of what," GFK said. "He still got this same hungry for this Wu sh--." Source: Mtv

BERTELSMANN AQUIRES FULL OWNERSHIP OF BMG.
Bertelsmann, the international media group, is taking full ownership of the innovative music rights management company BMG by acquiring the shares currently held by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), and will continue to develop BMG as a wholly owned subsidiary. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is scheduled to close during the first half of this year. The parties have agreed to keep the financial details of the transaction confidential. BMG administers the rights to more than one million songs, including works by such artists as Bruno Mars, Duran Duran, Gossip, Johnny Cash, and Will.i.am. It also represents the master rights (composition and recording) of artists who include Brian Ferry, Nena and Anastacia.

Bertelsmann Chairman & CEO Thomas Rabe said: “This is a great day for Bertelsmann: We are bringing the music home to our group. A few years after our exit from the traditional music business, in association with KKR, we have succeeded in building the world's fourth-largest music rights management business.” Rabe emphasized that KKR has been a good partner. “Our partnership made it possible for BMG to take advantage of consolidation opportunities and to rapidly advance the organic expansion of the business. I thank them for an excellent collaboration.”

Taking full ownership of BMG is an important step in putting Bertelsmann’s growth strategy into practice, Rabe explained. “We are happy to have BMG as our own company again. CEO Hartwig Masuch and his team deserve our thanks for the passion and know how they brought to developing a small creative nucleus into a powerhouse that provides the right answers to the challenges of the music industry in this digital age.”

Johannes Huth, Head of KKR Europe, said: “Our innovative partnership with Bertelsmann, which combined the professional expertise of a global media company with the financial strength, network and business-building expertise of KKR, was a complete success. We explored new business approaches with Bertelsmann; BMG did pioneering work in the music rights market with its digital, service-focused business approach. The model of a ‘growth and build’ partnership between a corporate group and KKR is bound to be seen more often in the future.”

Thomas Hesse, who as President, Corporate Development and New Businesses, at Bertelsmann is responsible for BMG, added: “The BMG success story is impressive. The company works with a lean organization, a management with an excellent network, and a deep understanding of the needs of artists, songwriters and copyright holders in the digital age. We will operate this business long-term to actively expand it.”

Hartwig Masuch, CEO of BMG, said: “For BMG, this is a return home. Being a subsidiary of one of the world's leading media companies opens up more fields of cooperation for us and our customers in the future, and we look forward to many new, long-term development opportunities. The worldwide increase in the use of music, and the emergence of new digital business models offer a variety of opportunities that we will actively explore. We are grateful to KKR for always sharing our vision of an alternative, service-oriented company in the music rights market, and for actively supporting us with their team these past three and a half years. Without KKR, this development would not have been possible.”

Philipp Freise, Head of KKR’s European media business, added, “BMG has delivered an outstanding performance since it was founded, and has exceeded our original expectations. Together with Bertelsmann, we systematically supported BMG’s international expansion. As we had hoped, today, BMG is one of the world's leading music rights management companies and very well positioned to continue writing its success story under the proven leadership of Bertelsmann.”

BMG, with headquarters in Berlin and a presence in eight core countries, is highly profitable on an operating result level. Numerous renowned artists are signed to the company, which in recent years has acquired several rights catalogs and labels from the United States, UK, Germany and France. BMG will be fully consolidated within Bertelsmann after antitrust clearance has been received. Hartwig Masuch will remain CEO. J.P. Morgan served as Bertelsmann’s financial advisor in the share buyback, while KKR was advised by Citigroup.

COLLIE BUDDZ ON DECK WITH CRIS CAB & NEW KINGSTON.
Collie Buddz will be going on tour with Cris Cab & New Kingston this April for the Light It Up Tour presented by General Hydroponics!

The tour will kick off on the East Coast before heading into Canada for four dates in Quebec and Ontario. The remaining shows will take place in Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Cris Cab is a 19-year-old whose resume reads like this: mentored by Pharrell Williams; recording partner of Wyclef Jean; support act to O.A.R., Matisyahu, T-Pain and Gym Class Heroes; and proud owner of over 7 million YouTube views. 2012 saw the release of Cris Cab’s full-length mixtape, Echo Boom (currently downloaded over 300,000 times). Named for the multi-cultural, wired generation born between 1982 and 1995, Echo Boom featured production from Cris, longtime collaborator PJ McGinnis, Wyclef, Pharrell, Supa Dupes, and 88 Keys.

New Kingston was formed in 2006 by their father Courtney Panton Sr. in their hometown Brooklyn New York, New Kingston blends Reggae with R&B & Hip-Hop to create their New York meets Jamaica sound. Their latest album 'Kingston University' released February 2013 as a follow up for their first album 'In The Streets' has already gained love across the americas and abroad.

Tour Dates:
4/7 WobeonFEST - Austin, TX
4/17 9:30 Club - Washington D.C.
4/18 S.O.B's - New York, NY
4/19 - Theatre of the Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
4/20 House of Blues - Boston, MA
4/21 Higher Ground - Burlington, VT
4/23 Le Cercle - Quebec City, QC
4/25 Metropolis - Montreal, QC
4/26 TBA - Ottawa, ON
4/27 Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON
4/28 Cambridge Room - Cleveland, OH
4/30 - The Basement - Columbus, OH
5/1 Blueberry Hill - St. Louis, MO
5/2 The Bottleneck - Lawrence, KS
5/3 Trees - Dallas, TX
5/4 House of Rock Corpus - Christi, TX
5/5 Bronze Peacock - Houston, TX
5/8 The Parish - New Orleans, LA
5/9 Vinyl Music Hall - Pensacola, FL
5/10 Freebird - Jacksonville, FL
5/11 Culture Room - Fort Lauderdale, FL
5/12 State Theater - St. Petersburg, FL
5/14 The Social - Orlando, FL
5/15 Masquerade Hell Stage - Atlanta, GA
5/16 Music Farm - Charleston, SC
5/17 The NorVa - Norfolk, VA
5/18 The National - Richmond, VA
5/24 Cali Roots Festival - Monterey, CA
8/8 Boomtown Festival - Winchester, United Kingdom
8/23 Chiemsee Reggae Summer Festival - Ubersee, Germany

LIL JON TEAMS UP WITH ZUMBA FITNESS.
Zumba® Fitness, the global, multimedia brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into a dance party lifestyle, is taking the fitness party to the vibrant nightclub scene. Today the company announced that it has teamed up with Lil Jon to launch the first-ever Zumba® Nightclub Series. The tour will combine the exhilarating party atmosphere of a Zumba dance-fitness class led by celebrity Zumba instructor Gina Grant, with the high-energy, turntable styling of Lil Jon for an amped up dance experience.

"Fitness and health are important to me, and Zumba fans hit me up all the time tellin' me how my songs and voice motivate them to get them through their workout," said Lil Jon. "Now we're helping to bring the Zumba experience to the nightclub scene. I'm excited to DJ this tour and give Zumba fans a fitness party they'll never forget!"

These "exercise in disguise" fitness parties are exciting for established Zumba fans and those who have never tried a Zumba class – they get to experience the Zumba program in a non-traditional workout atmosphere with club lighting, special effects and cutting-edge sound systems. Gina Grant is a globally recognized Zumba instructor who has led classes for thousands of people. She has been featured in media all over the world, acted as cover girl for the Zumba Fitness video games and has performed in nationally televised events.

"I love being a Zumba instructor because my goal is to get people to move and be active in a fun way," said Gina Grant. "This nightclub series is such an incredible opportunity to get the world to dance and be healthy. The nightclub is the perfect venue for this and Lil Jon 's DJ skills will light up the room with energy!"

Lil Jon also recorded his newest song "Work" specifically for Zumba. The rapper and DJ debuted the track earlier this month at the Zumba Instructor Conference in Los Angeles in front of 3,000 instructors and the bold and upbeat choreography will soon be seen in classes all around the world. "Work" will be available to the general public on iTunes next month, serving as the official theme song for the nightclub series.

The launch of the Zumba Nightclub Series featuring Lil Jon and Gina Grant was inspired by a global trend where Zumba classes are being taught at nightclubs. Since these classes take place during off hours, when most nightclubs are closed for business, it opens up an entirely new revenue stream for the venues. Kicking off on April 9th and wrapping up on April 13th, the tour will be rolled out across four cities and six shows.

DIDDY AND MARKY MARK PARTNER UP FOR NEW WATER PRODUCT.
Sean “Diddy” Combs and actor/producer Mark Wahlberg have announced a joint venture with Southern California-based fitness and wellness water brand, AQUAhydrate. Per the arrangement, Combs and Wahlberg will oversee business strategy along with CEO John Cochran, formerly President of Fiji Water. Together they will help drive the AQUAhydrate vision and be instrumental in helping secure retail partnerships for the water brand, such as their recently signed deals with Safeway, Kroger and GNC.

AQUAhydrate is a high performance water without the sugar and calories found in traditional sports drinks or vitamin enhanced beverages. The product’s combination of performance-grade electrolytes and a higher pH level of 9+ has caught the attention of elite athletes, active health-conscious consumers, and celebrities looking to perform at the top of their game, in every aspect of their life. In addition to the brand’s existing athlete roster, AQUAhydrate recently inked an official partnership with the Los Angeles Clippers wherein the product will be distributed to the team on and off the court.

“This is a truly innovative company, and I’m thrilled to be part of it,” says Wahlberg. “We all strive to do the best we can for our bodies but sometimes schedules, stress and other factors get in the way. AQUAhydrate helps me achieve the balance my body needs, no matter what. I enjoy being involved in every aspect of the AQUAhydrate brand and I’m looking forward to a very successful partnership.”

“As a brand architect, I am incredibly passionate and equally committed to every aspect of the businesses that I get involved with,” says Combs. “Partnering with AQUAhydrate and Mark is an incredible opportunity for me and I am looking forward to making history in the process. It’s important for me to be part of something that drives me and is constantly pushing the boundaries, and that’s what AQUAhydrate does. Together, we’re going to take AQUAhydrate to the next level.”

SHATiFF ON DECK
Watch SHATiFF's new music video "Lost Articles," the latest single from his upcoming project Lost Articles of Steve Jenkins. WATCH HERE

Washington, DC-born Steven “SHATiFF” Jenkins moved from Glenarden, MD to Clinton, South Carolina as a youth, and took his principles of allegiance and loyalty with him, tagging himself as an authentic human being before even making the declaration as an artist. After moving to South Carolina, his crew evolved into a collective known as the Universal Souljahz. It was with this group of young men where SHATiFF sharpened and whittled his skills as an artist, living and breathing the cyphers that they kept in motion.

In 2004, SHATiFF returned to the DMV scene with an agenda to fulfill his musical enterprise. Rooted in reality, the neo-righteous emcee made an impression on several heavy-hitters in the nations capital music scene including Studio 43 CEO Kenny Burns; Tabi Bonney’s manager Backie Thomas; by producing relevant music that shows his camaraderie and continued development in the underground music circuit. Having collaborated with entities like JUDAH the Producer, 1st Impressions Studios, and Marky (Universal/ SRC) to give life to music through a brand entitled AuthentiCore; The Grit of the Grind, this authentic hip-hop brand has shared its products with music lovers across the board, remaining authentic to the core.

ESMG / CHOO BIGGZ / 50 CENT ON DECK.
Primco Management, Inc. a fully integrated entertainment holding company, today announced its ESMG Music division has signed Choo Biggz to a long term contract. The up and coming artist, referred to by 50-Cent as “The Underground Star”, will debut with his album by the same name, “The Underground Star” which features 50 Cent. The LP is scheduled for release in May 2013, with the single “Tonight” to be released in March. The album will be distributed exclusively by ESMG.

“It just keeps getting better for everyone associated with Primco and ESMG,” stated David Michery. “To be involved with names like 50-Cent puts our label on even par with any independent out there. We are convinced that Choo Biggz is the next DMX and having personally released the DMX album “Undisputed” in September of last year, which debuted at #2 on the R&B charts, now ESMG has the groundwork and A-list industry support for similar if not better results in the future.”

New York native, Choo Biggz, is the grandson of Richard Truss, owner of the legendary Bronx “T-Connection” Night Club and grew up inspired by musical idols Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, Nas, Biggie, 2Pac, Wu-Tang Clan and DMX. Gathering much acclaim over the years as a flourishing artist, Choo Biggz signed a management contract with Mister Cee and 50 Cent who recently tweeted “Check this sh*t out! Underground star Choo Biggz is hot!” Choo Biggz highly anticipated debut album is produced by 2Deep, who has to his credit over 100 million song plays through the Anno Domini Beats production team, as well as numerous collaborations with other Hip Hop greats. CHECK OUT A RECENT VIDEO FROM CHOO BIGGZ

A-WAX ON DECK.
This coming Tuesday, February 26th, A-Wax will release his new free album, Jesus Malverde. The project, which will be released in partnership with Wax's own label, Pie-Rx Recordz, and Illburn Records, includes features Waka Flocka Flame, Ca$his, and more, including two weighty names, Gucci Mane and Three Six Mafia's DJ Paul that show up on this new single, the last before album release, "Make Room (Remix)." LISTEN HERE

A lot of rappers make music about the penitentiary. Few can say that they learned their craft while incarcerated. Having emerged after a lengthy stretch in the prison system during his teenage years, A-Wax turned to rap and came up in the game old-fashioned way, selling CDs hand-to-hand and through Mom & Pop stores across the region. The hard work has paid off -- A-Wax has moved over 200,000 units, independently, no small feat, and the accomplishment eventually led to a deal with Akon's Konvict Muzik label. A-Wax and Akon ultimately went their seperate ways, due to creative differences, and now A-Wax is back on the independent grind.

In 2012, A-Wax released Everybody Loves Me: Chapter 1., with features from French Montana, Styles P., Mistah FAB, and more. He followed that with the announcement of his new label, Pie-Rx Recordz. and the release of his Pie-Rx Muzik mixtape. Now, A-Wax is prepping the release of his latest album, Jesus Malverde, which includes features from Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame, Cashis, and YG Hootie, and will be released Feburary 26, 2013.

JAY-Z AND JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE ANNOUNCE LEGENDS OF THE SUMMER TOUR.
Jay Z and Justin Timberlake announce 12 stadium performances. The LEGENDS OF THE SUMMER tour will begin on July 17th in Toronto, Ontario at the Roger's Centre and continue through August 16th in Miami, Florida at Sun Life Stadium. Tickets for all dates except New York go on sale to the public on Thursday, February 28th.

In addition to the tour start in Toronto on July 17th, Justin Timberlake and JAY Z will take their live production to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Hershey, Detroit, Baltimore, Boston, and Philadelphia where they will perform in such legendary stadiums as Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Rose Bowl and Candlestick Park.

LEGENDS OF THE SUMMER tour dates
July 17 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre
July 19 New York, NY - Yankee Stadium
July 22 Chicago, IL - Soldier Field
July 26 San Francisco, CA - Candlestick Park
July 28 Los Angeles, CA - Rose Bowl
July 31 Vancouver, BC - BC Place Stadium
August 4 Hershey, PA - Hershey Stadium
August 6 Detroit, MI - Ford Field
August 8 Baltimore, MD - M&T Bank Stadium
August 10 Boston, MA - Fenway Park
August 13 Philadelphia, PA - Citizens Bank Park
August 16 Miami, FL - Sun Life Stadium

JA RULE OUT OF PRISON THEN ENTERS BACK INTO FEDERAL CUSTODY.
Ja Rule left an upstate New York prison Thursday morning after serving most of his two-year sentence for illegal gun possession and headed straight into federal custody in a tax case.

U.S. Marshals escorted the 36-year-old musician out of Mid-State Correctional Facility at 9:30 a.m. He was being held at the Oneida County Jail in central New York as he awaited word from the Federal Bureau of Prisons about where he'll serve time in the tax case.

The rapper, who had been in protective custody because of his celebrity, has some time remaining on a 28-month sentence for tax evasion that ran concurrently.

Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, may have less than six months left and may be eligible for a halfway house, defense attorney Stacey Richman said. Back taxes are one of the main reasons he wants to get back to work, she said.

"Many people are looking forward to experiencing his talent again," Richman said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Mack said Atkins owed the IRS $1.1 million and didn't immediately know what if any had been paid. Once out of custody, Atkins also faces a year of supervised release, he said.

Ja Rule, who went to the prison in Marcy in June 2011, got out at his earliest release date, state correction spokeswoman Linda Foglia said. He had two misbehavior reports for unauthorized phone calls in February 2012 and had work assignments on lawn and grounds crews and participated in education programs, she said.

In the gun case, New York City police said they found a loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic gun in a rear door of Ja Rule's $250,000 luxury car after it was stopped for speeding. He pleaded guilty in 2010.

In March 2011 he admitted in federal court that he failed to pay taxes on more than $3 million he earned between 2004 and 2006 while he lived in Saddle River, N.J.

"I in no way attempted to deceive the government or do anything illegal," he told the judge. "I was a young man who made a lot of money .. I'm getting a little choked up ... I didn't know how to deal with these finances, and I didn't have people to guide me, so I made mistakes."

Richman said Ja Rule is looking forward to his daughter's graduation. "He's a devoted father," she said.

BILLBOARD & NIELSEN ADD YOUTUBE DATA TO HOT 100 CHARTS & MORE..
Billboard and Nielsen have announced the addition of U.S. YouTube video streaming data to its platforms, which includes an update to the methodology for the Billboard Hot 100, the preeminent singles chart.

The YouTube streaming data is now factored into the chart's ranking, enhancing a formula that includes Nielsen's digital download track sales and physical singles sales; as well as terrestrial radio airplay, on-demand audio streaming, and online radio streaming, also tracked by Nielsen.

Billboard is now incorporating all official videos on YouTube captured by Nielsen's streaming measurement, including Vevo on YouTube, and user-generated clips that utilize authorized audio into the Hot 100 and the Hot 100 formula-based genre charts Hot Country Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, R&B Songs, Rap Songs, Hot Latin Songs, Hot Rock Songs and Dance/Electronic Songs to further reflect the divergent platforms for music consumption in today's world.

The most notable YouTube-influenced title this week is viral sensation "Harlem Shake" by producer Baauer, which debuts at No. 1 on both the Hot 100 and Streaming Songs charts and jumps 12-1 on Dance/Electronic Songs with 103 million views, according to YouTube. According to Nielsen, the "Harlem Shake" arrival also benefits from viral video-influenced sales of 262,000 downloads. That sales sum alone, good for a No. 3 ranking on Hot Digital Songs, would have placed the track within the top 15 on the Hot 100 without the inclusion of YouTube streams into the calculation.

Other YouTube-influenced highlights on the Hot 100 include Rihanna's "Stay" which jumps 57-3 and Drake's "Started From the Bottom" which soars 63-10. Videos for both songs were posted on YouTube during the tracking week, with Rihanna's title garnering 3.8 million views in the U.S. and Drake's "Started" earning 5.1 million. In addition, perennial YouTube favorite PSY rebounds 48-26 on the Hot 100 with "Gangnam Style" which adds another 3.7 million streams this week to its already impressive streaming total.

The inclusion of YouTube streaming data comes nearly one year after Billboard and Nielsen launched the On-Demand Songs chart and added streaming data from leading on-demand subscription services such as Spotify, Muve Music, Rhapsody, Slacker, Rdio and Xbox Music to its chart and tracking offerings.

In addition, YouTube data will also contribute to Billboard's Streaming Songs chart, launched last month, which blends all of the available streaming sources into one ranking. Source: Billboard

MIKE HARRIS NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER, CAROLINE
Mike Harris has been appointed Executive Vice President/General Manager of Caroline – the Independent Services division of Capitol Music Group – it was announced today by Caroline President, Dominic Pandiscia, to whom Harris will report. In his new position, Harris will work closely with Pandiscia in overseeing a full range of services and revenue streams for Caroline's artists, releases and label associations for the U.S., including Marketing, Promotion, Sales, Branding, Synch & Licensing, and Finance. Harris will be based in New York.

According to Pandiscia, "Mike and I have worked together for many years, and I'm thrilled to be continuing our association as we fulfill our mandate to take Caroline to new heights. Mike's leadership of EMI's Label Services unit since 2010, and his knowledge of the Independent sector of the music business makes him all the more valuable as we design and execute our plans for Caroline's growth."

Quote from Michelle Jubelirer , "Mike is a well-known and highly regarded executive whose expertise within the Independent artist and label worlds makes him an important force for Caroline. Mike will be integral to Caroline's success in this period of the company's expansion and revitalization, and I congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion."

Harris said, "I am thrilled that Steve Barnett and Michelle Jubelirer are already bringing such great new energy and renewed focus to the company, and that they are looking to Caroline to play an important role in the future success of the Capitol Music Group. I'm excited to continue working with great independent artists, executives and label brands to help them achieve success, and being able to do so alongside my good friend Dominic Pandiscia is a dream come true."

Mike Harris most recently served as Executive Vice President/General Manager for EMI Label Services and Caroline Distribution, a position he held since 2010. During Harris's time in that role, Label Services achieved two Gold albums and Billboard Top 10 debuts with Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Smashing Pumpkins, All Time Low, The Used, Tyrese and Yellowcard.

Previously, he was Executive Vice President/Finance Director, Global A&R Operations, overseeing business operations for EMI's New Music division. He was Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer for various labels and divisions within EMI, including Capitol, Virgin and Blue Note, from 2000 to 2008.

Harris joined EMI in 1997 and held a number of positions within EMI's Capitol Music Group before becoming Blue Note's CFO in 2000. Before joining EMI, Harris worked at Relativity Records. Among the many artists Harris has worked during his 15 years with the company, include Norah Jones, Katy Perry, Tyrese, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Smashing Pumpkins, Alter Bridge and Matt Nathanson.

JAY-Z/ROC NATION INKS WITH WARNER/CHAPELL MUSIC.
Warner/Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, today announced that it has entered into global music publishing administration agreements with 17-time GRAMMY® winner and multi-million-selling superstar Shawn “JAY Z” Carter, and the music publishing roster of entertainment company, Roc Nation, which is home to some of the world’s top songwriters, artists and producers.

Effective immediately, Warner/Chappell will administer all of JAY Z’s future works, alongside his catalog dating back to 2008, including No. 1 albums The Blueprint 3 and Watch the Throne, and worldwide hit singles such as “Empire State of Mind,” “Run This Town,” “Forever Young,” “N****s In Paris,” which won the 2013 GRAMMY® for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance and "No Church In The Wild," which won the 2013 GRAMMY® for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. By the end of 2013, the majority of JAY Z’s songwriting catalog from the beginning of his career will also be administered by Warner/Chappell, including landmark albums such as The Blueprint, Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life, The Black Album, and classic tracks including “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” “Big Pimpin’,” “Can I Get A...” and “Dirt Off Your Shoulders."

Under a separate agreement, which is also effective immediately, Warner/Chappell will administer Roc Nation’s entire music publishing repertoire, both past and future works. Roc Nation’s songwriting roster includes Philip Lawrence (co-writer of B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ On You,” Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are,” “Grenade,” “Lazy Song” and “Locked Out of Heaven,” Cee-Lo Green’s “F**k You,” Flo Rida’s “Right Round,” and Travy McCoy’s “Billionaire”); S1 (co-writer of Kanye West’s “Power”, Beyoncé’s “Best Thing I Never Had” and 50 Cent’s “My Life” feat. Eminem and Adam Levine; Carmen Key (co-writer of Flo Rida’s “Club Can’t Handle Me” and David Guetta’s "Pandemonium"); and Rita Ora (the British singer-songwriter with the most number-one singles on the UK Singles Chart in 2012), among many others.

Shawn "JAY Z" Carter said "The real meaning of success is being in the position to work with an individual you consider a friend. Jon Platt is such a person. He's a man of extraordinary character as well as a remarkably talented executive with an ear for music and an eye for talent. It's great to watch him grow to be one the best in the business."

Jon Platt, President, Creative – North America, Warner/Chappell Music said “I first partnered with JAY in 1996, and it’s been thrilling to work with my friend over the past 16 years as he’s grown into one of the world’s best songwriters and become a global icon. He consistently breaks new ground, producing an incredible body of work that will be enjoyed by generations of fans to come. At the same time, Roc Nation is one of the most dynamic and influential music companies around. It is home to an extraordinary collection of hit-makers, who are writing and producing many of today’s most popular songs and collaborating with the world’s most successful artists.”

He added “I couldn’t be happier to continue my relationships with JAY and Roc Nation and build on our partnerships at Warner/Chappell. We have the global expertise and resources to deliver new opportunities for their amazing catalogs, while helping them reach new heights of success around the world.”

Since releasing his debut record in 1996, JAY Z has become a music legend, having sold more than 50 million records worldwide, and earning a spot on the Billboard 200 Albums of the Year Chart 11 of the past 13 years. 2009 saw the release of JAY Z’s album The Blueprint 3, making it his 11th to reach No. 1, surpassing Elvis Presley’s record for the most number one albums by a solo artist. In 2011, JAY Z released Watch the Throne—a collaboration with Kanye West—marking his 12th US No. 1 album. Last year, JAY Z was involved in five hit singles including the platinum-selling “Clique” with Kanye West and Big Sean, and the Gold-selling Rihanna track “Talk That Talk.” This year, he has already been featured on Justin Timberlake’s much-anticipated new single “Suit & Tie.” JAY Z is also renowned for his live shows, playing to massive audiences around the world, including a sold-out eight show run for the opening of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, headlining and curating the Made In America Festival and headlining the UK’s Glastonbury Festival.

Alongside his career as an artist, JAY Z is a hugely successful entrepreneur and entertainment executive. Founder and chairman of clothing brand Rocawear, he is also co-owner of the Brooklyn Nets and sports bar chain The 40/40 Club, as well as co-founder of Translation Advertising. Beginning in 2005, he spent three successful years as President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, where he fostered the careers of international stars Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Kanye West. In 2008, JAY Z launched Roc Nation in partnership with Live Nation. Since then Roc Nation has grown into a fully functioning entertainment company, including artist management; music publishing; touring & merchandising; and a music label. The Shawn Carter Foundation was started in 2003 to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships further their education at institutions of higher learning.

Roc Nation songwriters and producers that will be administered by Warner/Chappell also include: up-and-coming pop singer J Angel, who has co-written for Demi Lovato, Ja Rule, and Jennifer Lopez; Jahlil Beats, who has produced tracks for Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, and Meek Mill; Dave McCracken, who has produced songs for Ian Brown of The Stone Roses, Shakira, John Legend and Matisyahu; R&B singer Bridget Kelly; Alexis Jordan who has collaborated with Sean Paul; Ben Harrison, who has produced tracks for Rihanna and Tinie Tempah; Chase J, who has co-written songs for Ne-Yo and Menudo; Clay Morrison, who has co-written for Sean Paul, Chipmunk’s Transition, and Starboy Nathan; Davaughn, who has co-written for B.o.B., Bow Wow, Nicki Minaj; Deputy, who has produced tracks for Flo Rida, French Montana and Wale; Jon Mills, who has co-written for Conor Maynard and Nicola Roberts; Kes, who has co-written for Diddy and Timbaland; up-and-coming singer-songwriter Kirby Lauryen; Lab Ox, who has produced tracks for 50 Cent and Drake; Dutch electronic trio Noisia; and up-and-coming Swedish producer Stress.

RIHANNA INKS DEAL WITH MAC.
One week after Rihanna presented her first fashion show for River Island, She has now announced her next latest venture: a makeup collection for MAC.

The collaboration, which Rihanna called “a no-brainer” will include multiple collections of color cosmetics due in stores this year, according to WWD. The first item to hit shelves: RiRi Woo, a lipstick inspired by the Grammy singer’s favorite MAC red, Ruby Woo, that will release in time with Rihanna’s Diamonds Tour concerts on May 4 and 5 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. MAC will open a pop-up shop on the first night to showcase the line.

“When you think of makeup, the brand that pops into your mind .. for something legit is MAC,” the singer told WWD. “Whatever color you want, it’s like ‘Let’s go to MAC.’ I’ve been using MAC on tour for such a long time it was a natural fit for me. I have always loved makeup, and I always said that if I do it, I want to do it with a credible brand.”

INDIE LIFE ON DECK WITH DJ PREMIER, !LLMIND & MORE..
The Indie Life Concert Series returns to Austin, TX March 15, in time for SXSW. Last year, The Indie Life brought out Beanie Sigel, Statik Selektah & Termanology, Emilio Rojas, Oddisee and Maffew Ragazino to name a few.

In 2013, Twenty20 Music + Films have invited DJ Premier, Hot97’s Peter Rosenberg and Illmind, among others to DJ and curate their own guest performance lineups. Celebrity producers for !llmind's Celebrity BLAP Showcase will be announced every Friday on BLAP radio, and the first round of artist announcements will drop next week.

This year, The Indie Life promises to be an audio/visual experience event like no other with exclusive video premieres in addition to the live music. Be the first to see brand new music videos from your favorite artists before they hit MTV on one of Bat Bars multiple flat screens and state of the art projector system. The multi-level venue is conveniently located on E. 6th Street.

The Indie Life: Austin, TX Edition takes place Friday, March 15 at Bat Bar 218 E. 6th Street starting at 7pm.

JAMPOL ARTIST MNGMT TO REPRESENT ESTATE OF TUPAC.
Jampol Artist Management, Inc. (JAM) is pleased to announce that it has completed an agreement to manage the Estate of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur, overseeing Tupac’s music, film, name and likeness, apparel, licensing and other ventures in all media, worldwide.

Loma Vista Recordings Founder & Chairman Tom Whalley, who discovered and signed Tupac to his first record deal, will be working alongside JAM Inc. on all music projects. Given his long relationship with Tupac and Afeni Shakur – Tupac’s mother, the head of his estate and founder of The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation – Tom is uniquely qualified to help preserve the artistic legacy and musical vision of Tupac.

“Tupac was a legend in life and will be an icon forever,” says JAM CEO Jeff Jampol, who also represents The Doors and the estates of Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Otis Redding, Rick James, Peter Tosh, Henry Mancini and other artists, and consults the Estate of Michael Jackson. “It’s our responsibility – and our privilege – to ensure that new generations of fans experience the power of Tupac’s music, his ideas and his storytelling.”

“I believe it is our responsibility to make sure that Tupac’s entire body of work is made available for his fans,” says Afeni Shakur. “My son left many incomplete pieces and even more unfinished ideas. Using the blueprints he gave us, I am committed to fulfilling this duty. Tom [Whalley] and I are very pleased to have Jeff Jampol as the manager of Tupac’s estate. I know that Jeff and his staff have a deep respect for my son’s work – and will find innovative ways to continue to keep his music, his message, and his legacy alive.”

From Tupac’s unapologetic debut on the world stage with 1991’s 2Pacalypse Now until his murder in 1996, he dominated the pop-cultural landscape, bringing a host of characters into his narratives, and defying the stereotypes and assumptions of adversaries and admirers alike.

His numerous #1 singles, including “Dear Mama” – one of only three hip-hop songs ever selected by The Library of Congress for induction into its National Recording Registry – “Keep Ya Head Up,” “I Get Around” and “Changes,” spiked at multiple radio formats; his albums flew off shelves; and his performances brought rap fans and rock kids together. And while dominating the music scene, he showed still more facets of his soulful creativity with a string of powerful film performances in such features as Juice, Poetic Justice, Above the Rim and Gridlock’d.

Tupac’s influence has only grown since his untimely departure. Multiple posthumous releases have achieved #1 status, and he has sold close to 100 million records worldwide; his 1998 Greatest Hits collection received a Diamond certification (signifying more than 10 million sold) in 2011.

His life, art and impact have been discussed by academics, taught in schools around the world, and were the basis for a 2003 Harvard University symposium. The Atlanta University Center at the Robert W. Woodruff Library recently held the first Tupac Amaru Shakur Collection Conference on Hip Hop, Education And Expanding the Archival Imagination. In 2012 Tupac even returned to the concert stage—in hologram form—to electrify audiences at the Coachella Music Festival.

BMG RIGHTS TO BE BOUGHT OUT?
German media company Bertelsmann is in advanced talks to buy out partner KKR’s majority stake in their joint music venture, BMG Rights. The partners have been talking for close to a year about KKR exiting the venture. The buyout shop has a 51 percent stake, while Bertelsmann holds 49 percent. While a deal is “imminent,” the talks could still fall apart, sources cautioned. Price is at the crux of the negotiations. “They are very close to something with KKR, and the relationship is amicable,” said a source. “They will exit at a good multiple.”

KKR has been a partner in BMG since 2009. Typically, the private-equity firm looks to exit its investments after four or five years. A potential deal comes as BMG moves to become a greater force in the music business amid consolidation.

BMG started out as a music-publishing company focused on acquiring song catalogs such as Cherry Lane, Evergreen and Chrysalis. More recently, however, BMG has made a play for bigger music assets and branched out into recorded music. BMG is also in the mix for independent label Concord Music Group, which is on the block for around $125 million, sources said. Traditionally, KKR has been more cautious than Bertelsmann when it comes to paying for acquisitions.

Insiders say Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Rabe has talked about wanting to buy back BMG Rights in recent weeks. Rabe is looking to digital media and international expansion to boost Bertelsmann’s growth rate. Bertelsmann had explored bringing in another partner to replace KKR, including Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung. Source: NY Post

JOEY BADA$$ AND HIS CREW ANNOUNCE TOUR WITH FLATBUSH ZOMBIES & MORE.
Cinematic Music Group's Joey Bada$$ and his New York City-based rap crew Pro Era embark on the Beast Coastal Tour this spring, joined by DJ Statik Selektah and Brooklyn's own Beast Coast brothers Flatbush Zombies and The Underachievers. The 20+ North American tour kicks off in Portland on 3/21 and will wrap in NYC at the Gramercy Theatre on 4/20, a concert in honor of late Pro Era co-founder Capital STEEZ.

Joey Bada$$ and his crew of fellow teenage visionaries CJ Fly, Kirk Knight, Nyck Caution, Dessy Hinds and others will be performing music from Joey's debut mixtape 1999, Pro Era's most recent critically-acclaimed P.E.E.P. The aPROcalypse mixtape and "Unorthodox" the Green Label Sound collaboration from Joey Bada$$ and DJ Premier.

Beast Coastal Dates
Thu-Mar-21 - Portland - Peter's Room
Fri-Mar-22 - Whistler - Garfinkle's
Sat-Mar-23 - Vancouver - Vogue Theatre
Sun-Mar-24 - Seattle - Neumos
Tue-Mar-26 - Reno - The Alley
Wed-Mar-27 - San Francisco - Slim's
Thu-Mar-28 - San Diego - Porter's Pub
Fri-Mar-29 - Santa Barbara - Velvet Jones
Sat-Mar-30 - San Bernardino - Paid Dues Festival / Nos Center
Tue-Apr-02 - New Haven - Toad's Place
Wed-Apr-03 - Boston - Middle East
Thu-Apr-04 - Providence - PVD Social Club
Fri-Apr-05 - Montreal - Underworld
Sat-Apr-06 - Ottowa - Ritual Nightclub
Sun-Apr-07 - Hamilton - Club Absinthe
Tue-Apr-09 - Pontiac - Crofoot
Wed-Apr-10 - Oxford, OH - Brick Street
Thu-Apr-11 - Chicago - Reggie's
Fri-Apr-12 - Madison - University of Wisconsin-Madison
Sat-Apr-13 - Bloomington - The Castle Theatre
Sun-Apr-14 - Columbia - The Blue Note
Tue-Apr-16 - Pittsburg - Altar Bar
Wed-Apr-17 - Baltimore - Soundstage
Sat-April-20 - New York - Gramercy Theatre

LINE-UP FOR 2013 BONNAROO MUSIC & ARTS FEST. ANNOUNCED.
The lineup for the 2013 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has been announced. Hip Hop acts that are set to perform at the 2013 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival include Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, R.Kelly, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Earl Sweatshirt, Big K.R.I.T., Death Grips, araabMUZIK, Killer Mike and Action Bronson.

The 2013 Bonnaroo Music Fest takes place June 13th through 16th in Manchester, Tennessee.

HERE IS THE COMPLETE LINE-UP SO FAR:
PAUL McCARTNEY • Mumford & Sons • Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers • BJÖRK • Wilco • Pretty Lights • R. Kelly • WU-TANG CLAN • Daniel Tosh • The National • The Lumineers • David Byrne & St. Vincent • Passion Pit • The xx • Kendrick Lamar • Grizzly Bear • Animal Collective • Of Monsters and Men • Soul SuperJam ft. Jim James with John Oates, Zigaboo Modeliste, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band! • Ed Helms' Bluegrass Situation • Superjam with special guests • Nas • ZZ Top • Beach House • Macklemore & Ryan Lewis • Cat Power • Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes • A$AP ROCKY • Jim James • "Weird Al" Yankovic • Tame Impala • Boys Noize • Glen Hansard • Gov't Mule • The Gaslight Anthem • Portugal. The Man • Wolfgang Gartner • Billy Idol • Sam Bush & Del McCoury • Dwight Yoakam • Foals • Porter Robinson • Local Natives • Matt & Kim • Dirty Projectors • Trombone Shorty • John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension • Noam Pikelny & Friends • Amadou & Mariam • alt-j • Father John Misty • Baroness • The Tallest Man on Earth • Walk The Moon • Preservation Hall Jazz Band • A-Trak • Earl Sweatshirt • The Vaccines • Paper Diamond • Holy Ghost! • Divine Fits • Mike Birbiglia • Purity Ring • Swans • Frank Turner • Big K.R.I.T. • Allen Stone • Cults • Lee Fields & the Expressions • Fatoumata Diawara • Two Gallants • The Sheepdogs • Four Tet • Calexico • JAPANDROIDS • Death Grips • Conspirator • Wild Nothing • Araabmuzik • John Fullbright • Django Django • HAIM • Killer Mike • Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti • Action Bronson • Clockwork • twenty | one | pilots • Reptar • DIIV • Milo Greene • Lord Huron • Futurebirds • Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit • Charli XCX • Jeff the Brotherhood • Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors • Sea Wolf • JD McPherson • Trixie Whitley • Deap Vally • Patrick Watson • Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers • The Stepkids • Aoife O'Donovan • Bombino • Bernhoft • Matthew E. White

VH1 TV/MOVIE/ BIOPIC ON THE TLC STORY TO BEGIN FILMING.
VH1 has cast the iconic roles of superstars Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, for a full-length TV movie based on the life and career of R&B/hip-hop/pop group TLC.

In the film, titled "Crazy, Sexy, Cool: The TLC Story," KeKe Palmer ("Akeela & The Bee," "True Jackson VP," "Joyful Noise") will portray Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, Lil Mama ("America's Best Dance Crew") will take on the role of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Drew Sidora ("Step Up," "Wild Hogs," "The Game") has been cast as Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins.

Charles Stone III ("Drumline," "Paid in Full," "Mr. 3000") is set to direct the biopic, which is penned by screenwriter Kate Lanier ("What's Love Got To Do With It," "Set it Off," "Beauty Shop"). The film is slated to begin shooting next month in Atlanta.

VH1's TLC project is part of the network's successful push into scripted programming which will include the premiere of new scripted series "Bounce" (working title) later this year.

"With this cast, we are thrilled with the talent assembled both in front of and behind the cameras," stated Jeff Olde, Executive Vice President, Original Programming and Production, VH1. "TLC are truly music pioneers and this movie is a fantastic way to expand our scripted push by combining our audience's passion for music with their love of story. We know our viewers will be eager to go beyond the headlines and into the surprisingly personal, never before told stories of these groundbreaking women."

TLC's humble beginnings in Atlanta quickly led to an unprecedented rise to fame in the 1990's as one of the world's most talented, celebrated and highest-selling female groups of all time. Through very public and high profile success, turmoil and tragedy, TLC left an indelible stamp of female empowerment that changed the face of the music industry forever.

The two surviving members of the group, Chilli and T-Boz, have signed on as consultants and executive producers for the movie. Executive producing the TLC biopic are Bill Diggins and Maggie Malina. Jeff Olde and Jill Holmes serve as executive producers for VH1. Alexander A. Motlagh also serves as executive producer for Pop Films.

CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP NAMES NEW PRESIDENT OF CAROLINE DIVISION.
Dominic Pandiscia has been named President of Caroline – the Independent Services division of Capitol Music Group, it was announced today by Group Executive Vice President, Michelle Jubelirer, to whom Pandiscia will report. In his new position, Pandiscia is charged with building on the legacy of Caroline Distribution and EMI Label Services and expanding to offer a full range of services and new revenue streams for Caroline's artists, releases and label associations on a worldwide basis, including Marketing, Promotion, Commercial Development, Branding, Synch & Licensing, Lifestyle Marketing, Business Affairs and Finance. Pandiscia will be based in New York.

According to Michelle Jubelirer, "With Dominic's promotion to President and our renewed investment of resources in the expanded Caroline, we are committing to building partnerships with independent artists and labels, and providing them with the a la carte services they need to achieve their goals and expand their businesses. Dominic brings decades of experience to his new position, and under his leadership, Caroline will be a vital component of the Capitol Music Group."

Steve Barnett commented, "Dominic is a highly skilled executive whose leadership will be instrumental in the growth of Caroline, and integral to the overall success of the Capitol Music Group. I congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion."

Pandiscia said, "Making the move to Caroline is extremely exciting to me, and I thank Steve and Michelle for this great opportunity. We have created a music-focused company that is tailor-made to super-serve the promotional, commercial and marketing needs of the independent artist and label. I look forward to providing best-in-class services to help nurture, support, and partner with the independent community."

Prior to this promotion, Pandiscia was EMI Music Executive Vice President, Commercial & Revenue Development, overseeing the company's Label Sales, Commercial Strategy and Distribution teams for North America. He was also responsible for management of the company's ever-increasing streams of new and non-traditional revenue, including all Commercial Digital and Physical initiatives, Merchandise, Brand Partnerships, and EMI's Synch & Licensing divisions.

A highlight of Pandiscia's tenure as EVP, Commercial & Revenue Development, was his instrumental role in leading the Commercial team that worked with Apple Corps Ltd to secure the deal that brought The Beatles' music to iTunes in 2010, and collaborated with all parties on creation of the groundbreaking marketing and execution plans.

Pandiscia also launched EMI Label Services in 2008, the label service platform for Caroline Distribution globally. The division experienced much success under Pandiscia's leadership, including more than doubling U.S. market share from 2007 to 2010, achieving Top 10 debuts from Five Finger Death Punch, Twista, Bobby V, Raekwon, Ice Cube, Trina and Slash, as well as earning multiple gold and platinum single and albums, including Five Finger Death Punch, Twista, and Matt Nathanson. EMI Label Services also experienced much success globally, including receiving Mercury Prize nominations for I Am Kloot, and Sweet Billy Pilgrim.

Additional artists and labels signed under Dominic's tenure include Peter Gabriel, Slash, Raekwon, Twista, E40, Secret City Records, Frontiers Records, Vanguard, Sugar Hill, Fabric, Alter Bridge, Peace Frog, Labrador, Tru Thoughts and more.

Pandiscia joined EMI in 1989 and has served in a number of senior level sales and commercial roles within the company throughout the past twenty years, including Senior Vice President of Sales for Capitol Music Group and, earlier, Head of Sales for Virgin Records in the U.S. Among the many artists he worked with during his tenure are Gorillaz, Katy Perry, The Rolling Stones, Ben Harper, LCD Soundsystem, Massive Attack, Spice Girls, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Amos Lee and The Decemberists. He also held a variety of roles at EMI Records and CEMA Distribution in the U.S. Source: UMG

KANYE ANNOUNCES LAST MINUTE LONDON GIGS.
Kanye West has scheduled a trio of last-minute live dates at London's HMV Hammersmith Apollo. The first two gigs, scheduled for 23 and 24 February, were announced on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show, with the DJ tweeting the news shortly thereafter. A third show on 1 March was announced on Monday, 18 February owing to popular demand.

The artist's last live outing in the UK and Europe was in 2012, when "Yeezy" and his Watch the Throne partner Jay-Z embarked on a major arena tour of the same name. West is expecting his first child with girlfriend Kim Kardashian.

The forthcoming London shows offer the rare opportunity to see Kanye in a more intimate setting. The rapper is accustomed to playing venues the size of London's O2 Arena and New York's Madison Square Garden, where he last headlined a Hurricane Sandy relief concert in December of last year. Since last week's announcement, the musical rumour mill has been working overtime, with soothsayers predicting that West will debut new material at these gigs.

KEYSHIA COLE ANNOUNCES WOMAN TO WOMAN TOUR.
Keyshia Cole is gearing up for an 18 city headlining tour, she announced today. Set to kick off this March, the Woman to Woman tour—named after her November 2012 album—will serve as a thank you to fans; all five of Cole's albums have reached the Billboard Top 200's top 10. The month-long tour will begin in Westbury, NY on March 28 and wrap in Cole's hometown of Oakland on April 21.

The tour announcement continues an exciting run for the R&B diva. First, the Grammy-nominated artist bared her soul on Woman to Woman; an effort which earned her the #2 position on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. The record was host to singles "Enough of No Love" and "Trust and Believe"; the first, a passionately belted up tempo track, with the latter serving as a confessional, yet catchy tale of broken trust.

In addition to the release of her fifth studio album, Cole also starred alongside husband Daniel Gibson in BET's hit reality series "Keyshia & Daniel: Family First." She's slated to hit the Essence Festival stage for the fourth time this July.

Concert goers will also be treated to the sultry sounds of fellow crooner and special guest, Chrisette Michele.

TOUR DATES
Thursday, March 28 Westbury, NY Westbury Theater
Friday, March 29 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall
Saturday, March 30 Washington, DC Warner Theater
Sunday, March 31 OFF Easter Sunday
Monday, April 1 OFF
Tuesday, April 2 Boston, MA Orpheum
Thursday, April 4 New York, NY Beacon Theater
Friday, April 5 Wallingford, CT Oakdale Theater
Saturday, April 6 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata
Sunday, April 7 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre
Monday, April 8 OFF
Tuesday, April 9 Toronto, ON Danforth Music Hall (No Chrissette)
Wednesday, April 10 OFF
Thursday, April 11 Detroit, MI Motor City Casino
Friday, April 12 Cleveland, OH State Theater
Saturday, April 13 Merrillville, IL Star Theater
Sunday, April 14 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
Monday, April 15 OFF
Tuesday, April 16 Dallas, TX Verizon
Wednesday, April 17 OFF
Thursday, April 18 Phoenix, AZ Celebrity Theater
Friday, April 19 Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia
Saturday, April 20 San Diego, CA Humphrey's
Sunday, April 21 Oakland, CA Fox Theater

MEEK MILL TOUR ON DECK
Meek Mill is bringing his “Dreams Come True” tour to a city near you. He will launch the tour later this spring. The 11-date U.S. trek kicks off April 4 at Boston’s House of Blues and travels across the country, with stops in Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, wrapping on April 28 in San Francisco. The tour will feature surprise performances from artists signed to his Dreamchasers label.

Tour Dates
April 4 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
April 5 – Philadelphia, PA – Tower Theatre
April 6 – Silver Springs, MD – The Fillmore
April 7 – New York, NY – Roseland Ballroom
April 12 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
April 14 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
April 19 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
April 21 -Dallas, TX – House of Blues
April 26 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues
April 27 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
April 28 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore

D'ANGELO HEADED TO ARUBA.
Soul Beach Music Festival is proud to announce the addition of R&B singer D'Angelo to the line-up @ 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival in Aruba.

He joins Ne-Yo on the main stage of the Nikky Beach Amphitheatre in Aruba on Memorial Day weekend. D'Angelo will take to the stage on Saturday, May 25 and Ne-Yo will close out the three-night main stage spectacle on Sunday, May 26. Bringing the funk to the all-star comedy night will be Sinbad featuring Paige Bryan with Memphis Red and the Funk Stank Nasty Band - A Night of Funk and Comedy on Friday, May 24. Additional artists will be announced soon.

Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority commented; "We are thrilled to host an event of such magnitude on our One Happy Island where you can enjoy the performance of some of the worlds most talented and sought after artists during the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival."

"Aruba is proud to welcome Ne-Yo, D'Angelo and Sinbad to Aruba. International and local fans can expect a spectacular performance at the Soul Beach Music Festival. The festival gets better every year and Aruba is looking beautiful with all the upgrades we've introduced in the city of Oranjestad. I am sure artists and fans alike will have a lot of fun at the festival and in Aruba," said Otmar Oduber, Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Labor.

"We are thrilled to bring the exciting performers and international stars Ne-Yo, D'Angelo and Sinbad to the 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival in Aruba," said Mark Adkins, producer. "Fans can look forward to an amazing weekend of great performances on the exceptional island of Aruba this Memorial Day Weekend along with a combination of sizzling beach parties, luscious dining and plush Night Club after parties."

2CHAINZ ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGE.
Rapper 2Chainz has been arrested on drug charges in Maryland where he was to perform at a college event. Maryland State Police spokesman Sgt. Marc Black says troopers stopped a van Thursday night for speeding near Easton, Md., and smelled marijuana in the van. A backpack in the van was found to have a marijuana grinder and trace amounts of marijuana.

The rapper, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, claimed possession of the backpack and was arrested. Black says Epps was cited for having drug paraphernalia and marijuana and was released. The citation carries up to a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

Epps was scheduled to perform Thursday at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

After the incident, 2 Chainz went on a Twitter posting, “dam police f*ckn wit a n**ga.” .... “Locked me up and then Wanted pictures smh (shakin’ my head).”

EPIC RECORDS SAYS IT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE UNAUTHORIZED REMIX VERSION OF KARATE.
Epic Records is making it clear that they do not support the new Future remix that was leaked over the weekend with Lil Wayne. The lyrics (which we wont print) have offended the family of Emmett Till.

"My agenda is not to be disrespectful to Lil Wayne, even as much as I feel he's been disrespectful to my family. We just want Emmett's name removed from that song," Gordon-Taylor told the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday.

"That entire segment is very misogynistic and promotes domestic abuse toward women by our own race," Gordon-Taylor said. "But it also shows total disregard of where you've come from. He wouldn't even be out there rapping these stupid lyrics without the sacrifice Emmett made. Personally, I think Lil Wayne should just go ahead and apologize to my family. It's hurtful."

Lil Wayne made a sexual reference to the beating death of Till, a 14-year-old Chicago boy tortured and shot in Mississippi in 1955 for whistling at a white woman. Till's family objected and the Rev. Jesse Jackson reached out to his management, The Blueprint Group, on the family's behalf.

The label issued a statement Wednesday night apologizing for the release of the song.

"We regret the unauthorized remix version of Future's 'Karate Chop,' which was leaked online and contained hurtful lyrics," the statement said. "Out of respect for the legacy of Emmett Till and his family and the support of the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. ... we are going through great efforts to take down the unauthorized version."

Epic will release an official version of the song that "will not include such references."

A Facebook posting on the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation page Wednesday night said Epic Records Chairman and CEO LA Reid had reached out to the family to personally apologize.

TYLER, THE CREATOR ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM WOLF
Tyler, The Creator has announced details for the coming months, including: a new album and its first visual, an upcoming tour, his Golf Wang clothing line, and the second season of Loiter Squad.

Wolf, Tyler's highly anticipated follow-up to the critically-acclaimed Goblin, will release on April 2nd, 2013. Wolf will feature three separate album covers, including a deluxe version featuring art by Los Angeles-based Pop Surrealist, Mark Ryden.

Tyler embarks on the Wolf tour this coming March and April. The tour travels throughout North America and makes a brief stop in Europe with more touring to follow. While on tour, Tyler will be showcasing his limited Golf Wang clothing line at the merchandise booths.

Loiter Squad makes its return to Adult Swim for their second season starring Tyler, LBoy, Jasper, Taco and special guests.

TOUR DATES
3/12 Columbus, OH
3/15 Pittsburgh, PA
3/16 Carrboro, NC
3/17 Norfolk, VA
3/18 Washington, DC
3/20 Buffalo, NY
3/21 Boston, MA
3/22 Toronto, ON
3/23 Brooklyn, NY
3/24 Philadelphia, PA
3/28 Paris, France
3/29 Berlin, Germany
3/30 London, UK
4/02 Los Angeles, CA
4/03 San Antonio, TX
4/05 Albuquerque, NM
4/07 La Jolla, CA
4/08 San Luis Obispo, CA
4/10 Seattle, WA
4/11 Portland, OR

RON SPAULDING NAMED SVP OF SALES @ CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP.
Ron Spaulding has been appointed Senior Vice President of Sales for Capitol Music Group, it was announced by Greg Thompson, Executive Vice President of the company. In his new position, Spaulding will implement and execute the Group's sales and retail marketing strategies, incorporating those plans into the efforts of Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD) and managing Capitol's vital interaction with that company. He will oversee Capitol Music Group's field marketing staff in the design and planning of strategic retail campaigns. Spaulding has relocated to Hollywood, CA and is based in the company's iconic Capitol Tower.

Prior to his appointment at Capitol Music Group, Spaulding was the highly regarded President of Fontana, UMGD's independent distribution arm, a position he held for three years. His tenure at Fontana came to a close last year with the company's final integration into INgrooves after its purchase of Fontana earlier last year. Spaulding joined Fontana as Executive Vice President & General Manager in 2007.

According to Greg Thompson, "Ron's many years of experience in sales, distribution and label operations make him the perfect person to lead Capitol Music Group's commercial strategy in the years ahead. His passion for music and relentless energy demonstrate why he will be an invaluable member of our team as we invigorate the company with new leadership and a clear vision for success. I'm thrilled to have Ron by my side and congratulate him on this appointment."

Spaulding commented,"I am honored to have the privilege to work with Steve Barnett and Greg Thompson as we reenergize Capitol Music Group and restore luster to Capitol, Virgin and the other great labels within the company. Capitol's legacy includes some of the all-time most impactful moments in music, and with this incredible new team in place, we'll be working with our artists to create even more history in the years ahead."

Before joining Fontana, Spaulding served as Executive Vice President/General Manager of Asylum and EastWest Records, overseeing the day-to-day operations of both labels. He also served as the Senior Vice President of Sales at WEA, Warner Music Group's distribution arm. His background also includes serving as Senior Vice President of Sales at Elektra Entertainment Group and in a number of senior positions at Priority Records.

LL ON DECK WITH AUTHENTIC.
LL Cool J performed his new joint "Whaddup" @ the 55th Annual GRAMMY® Awards with Travis Barker (Blink-182), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Chuck D, and DJ Z-Trip. The song is from his upcoming album "Authentic".

"With Authentic, I wanted to work on a project that was for the true fans," LL says. "I'm not trying to compete with 17-year-olds on the radio, but I am talking directly to the folks who came up with me. We may not be teenagers anymore, but we do still like to have fun."

Celebrating his 30th year in music, Authentic features the iconic rapper in his element. The Album is anchored by LL's expressive attitude where his sensitive side is as present as his slicing lyrical switchblades. Authentic comes to life with crazy club jams, tender tracks, personal tributes, and hard-hitting commentary addressing the current hip-hop climate.

First introduced to the world in 1984 as a Def Jam Records flagship artist, LL is the first rap artist to amass ten consecutive platinum-plus selling albums. The multi-platinum artist and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee is currently tied for third place for most Billboard chart debuts by a rapper. For three decades, LL has continued to influence hip-hop with rap ballads that captivate generations of audiences. Since then, the veteran rapper has evolved his scope of work across entertainment appearing in numerous television and film roles, among many other projects.

Authentic is Executive Produced by LL COOL J and will be released by 429 Records.

METHOD MAN AND HANNIBAL THE GREAT ON DECK FOR WESTCOAST TOUR.
Method Man and Hannibal the Great are hittin the Westcoast. If you haven't heard of Hannibal, Hannibal the Great and Carlton Fisk are affiliates of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan collective. Hannibal toured with Wu-Tang on the Rock the Bells tour and the Wu-Tang 8 Diagram tour. He was featured on the Raekwon presents IceWater: Polluted Water LP and released his first solo studio album Out of the Chef's Kitchen on Raekwon's Ice Water label. Hannibal's second solo studio album Method Man Presents: Hannibal the Great is due to release on 4.20.2013, which will feature artists Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna and Carlton Fisk.

Carlton Fisk is known for his collaboration on Method Man's multi-platinum selling album Tical in with features on "PLO Style" "Mr Sandman" and "All I Need", album version. Fisk has also collaborated with other Wu-Tang members to include RZA, Raekwon, and Inspectah Deck. Fisk will soon release the single " P.L.O. Style 2013". This will be the first single off of his highly anticipated forthcoming first solo album.

2013 Hanz On Music West Coast Tour Dates

February 2013
Tues 2.26- Neumos Crystal Ball Reading Room, 925 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
Wed 2.27- Domino Room, 51 N.w. Greenwood Avenue Bend, OR 97701
Thurs 2.28- 1015 Folsom 1015 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103

March 2013
Fri. 3.1-Key Club 9039, Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Sun 3.3- The Observatory 3503 S Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92704

KURUPT, FREEWAY RICK ROSS, BATTLE CAT & MORE ON DECK FOR PUFF PUFF PASS 2013 (7th Annual Doesha Cup 2013). California's medical marijuana community will gather in force at the 7th Annual Doesha Cup 2013 on Saturday, February 23. Celebrities, activists, supporters and participants will acknowledge the long heralded ritual of 'puff puff pass' during this annual gathering founded and produced by K.U.S.H. Inc. and presented by Dr. Ingleweed, the proprietor of the South Bay area based medical marijuana cooperative, All American Healing Group.

The Doesha Cup, a distinction awarded to top grade medical marijuana growers, will boast their own distinguished grade A line up of talent this year with comedic hosts Luenell and Red Grant; guest speakers Freeway Rick Ross, Dennis Peron and attorney Allison Margolin (daughter of attorney Bruce M. Margolin); musical headliner Tha Dogg Pound's own Kurupt; guest DJs BattleCat and DJ Cat NYC; and a healthy sampling of independent and underground artists including Medusa, 1500 or Nothing, Stage 11, King T, The Low Keys, Alter'd Ego, Greg Scott, Votron ENT and more !

The Doesha Cup 2013 begins at 2:00 pm and ends at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 23. California's finest medical cannabis growers will compete for the legendary Doesha Cup amid a unique festival-like gathering of live performances, vendor booths, food, beverages and music. The event is open to valid Proposition 215 patients and caregivers. The location will be disclosed one week before the event.

The Doesha Cup is an unprecedented celebration of the legalization of medical marijuana. As Los Angeles' premiere medical marijuana tasting competition, it has grown in attendance to over 5000 patients and caregivers. Dr. Ingleweed, the man behind it all, has owned and operated All American Healing located at 126 1/2 S. Market Street in Inglewood, CA since 2005.

A pioneer organic green grower and one of the original founders of the "Food for the Hood" program at Crenshaw High School, Dr. Ingleweed began growing cannabis in 1994 while attending college at the University of California, Berkeley. His famed Doesha Cup was one of the first gatherings to pave the way for celebratory events in the medical marijuana community at the onset of the legalization movement in Los Angeles. With the legal progress made over the past several years, Dr. Ingleweed's Doesha Cup has become a longtime cult favorite.

"The mainstreaming of medical marijuana is finally here," asserts Dr. Ingleweed. "We are no longer perceived as drug users and abusers. Though we still have an uphill battle, more and more states are legalizing it. Our talent line up this year is as diverse as the world of smokers out there. The Doesha Cup 2013 is gonna take it higher and higher!"

The Doesha Cup's mission is to cultivate and strengthen the medical marijuana movement by exposing patients to new products while cultivating businesses and budding enterprises who specialize in medical marijuana ethics, such as dispensaries and vendors. The actual competition features 12 to 15 different strains tested by 200 judges competing for the prime position as the reigning "Doesha Cup Champion." Prizes and incentives range upwards to $1500 in cash, concessions and ultimate bragging rights.

PEP LOVE AND OPIO (Hieroglyphics) FORM NEW DUO.
Hieroglyphics members Pep Love and Opio are announcing the formation of a new duo, First Light. As First Light, Pep and Opio will release a new album, Fallacy Fantasy, on March 12th, and to coincide with the album release, will also embark on a month-long tour this spring. First Light has released the album's first single, "Lighters," which features the duo's Hieroglyphics crew, with guest appearances from Casual, Del the Funky Homosapien, and A-Plus.

The formation of First Light is rooted in Hiero's celebration of spontaneous musical collaboration. With First Light, Opio, who also is a member of Souls Of Mischief, and Pep Love take their cue from the finest characteristics of "Golden Era" hip-hop, while, at the same time, battling the paradox of their attraction to and antagonism against the pervasiveness of the apathy and debauchery in today's pop culture. Hence, the title of their debut album Fallacy Fantasy.

This spring, the duo will be taking their new music on the road, with the Stress Free Tour. Kicking off on March 20th in Fairfax, California, with stops along the way in cities like San Francisco and Fresno, before heading to Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and New Mexico, the tour will make 25 stops before ending on April 19th in Salem, Oregon. Throughout the tour, First Light will be giving fans samples of their most recent work in conjunction with a campaign of behind-the-scenes footage and music videos.

To celebrate the announcement, First Light has released the album's first single, "Lighters." WATCH HERE Featuring production by Unjust of The Chosen Few, "Lighters" is a track held together by solid groove and a drone of distant 8bit sounds. The video, edited by Unjust and directed by Casual, takes us from a dark forest where Casual tells us we are "witnessing hip-hop's beautification" to Pep Love’s yellow-lit basement, where he flashes into a shrouded and crystalline red-eyed creature. Esoteric themes and extraterrestrial references abound as Opio lets us know, "I see the future like George Orwellian theory." In contrast to the uncanny verses, the chorus is a sing-along anthem, complete with lines like, "Put your lighters in the air till it burns your thumb."

Stress Free Tour Dates:
Wednesday, March 20th - Fairfax, CA - 19 Broadway
Thursday March, 21st - Fresno, CA - Babylon
Friday, March 22nd - Modesto, CA - Fat Cat
Saturday, March 23rd - San Francisco, CA - The Elbo Room
Sunday March 24th - Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones
Tuesday March 26th - Boulder Town, UT - Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch
Wednesday March 27th - Idaho Falls, ID - Shiloh Inn
Thursday, March 28th - Burns, OR - Showtime Bar & Grill
Friday March 29th - Boise, ID - The Drink
Sunday, March 31st - Ogden, UT - Kamikazes
Monday, April 1st - Jackson, WY - Town Square Tavern
Tuesday, April 2nd - Missoula, MT - The Palace
Wednesday, April 3rd - Bozeman, MT - Zebra Cocktail Lounge
Thursday, April 4th - Billings, MT - NV Nightclub
Friday, April 5th - Riverton, WY - F.O.E Eagles
Saturday, April 6th - Avon, CO - Montana’s Cantina &apm; Grill
Sunday, April 7th - Denver, CO - The Roxy
Wednesday, April 10th - Albuquerque, NM - Burt’s Tiki Lounge
Thursday, April 11th - El Paso, TX - The Lowbrow Palace
Friday, April 12th - Tempe, AZ - Stray Cat
Saturday, April 13th - San Diego, CA - Porter’s Pub
Sunday, April 14th - San Luis Obispo, CA - The Z
Wednesday, April 17th - Ashland, OR - Club 66
Thursday, April 18th - Olympia, WA - Olympia Ballroom
Friday, April 19th - Salem, OR - Flipside

S.O.G. CREW ANNOUNCE TOUR.
EMG/Universal Music Group Artist The S.O.G Crew will be on their ‘Let’s Change The World’ Tour starting on March 8th and ending in Northern California May 5th. The pinnacle of the tour will be The S.O.G Crew’s stop in Washington D. C with the Capitol Homesteading For Every Citizen event on April 26th. There they will march from the Lincoln Memorial to the Federal Reserve where The S.O.G Crew will headline a major citywide concert. It is here where Dr. Robert ‘Battle Ax’ Ornelas will formerly announce his running for Lieutenant Governor of California in 2014.

Let’s Change the World is also a feature length documentary film chronicling the rise of The S.O.G Crew. The film is an inspirational story about a group that spawned from the slums to walking red carpets and speaking at renowned political gatherings. They utilize their exposure by doing outreach across the country and the world to spread positivity and equality. ‘Let’s Change the World’ is not a phrase they take lightly, nor is it some catchy slogan that is soon forgotten. On the contrary, The S.O.G Crew actually plans on changing the world.

Dr. Robert ‘Battle Ax’ Ornelas, family man, community activist and vice presidential candidate for the AIP (American Independent Party) election year 2012 is teaming up with Republican Robert Newman. The first ‘change’ is Robert Newman will be running for Governor of California and Dr. Ornelas will run for Lieutenant Governor and in the process they will break modes by doing this together as a team. This has never been done before. They have a very different outlook on what is exceptable for the people because they are the people. They have an extremely different and revolutionary plan. They are both men of morals and understanding. It will be a breath of fresh air once these men are able to cater to Californians and make real changes that have long been awaited. Newman / Ornelas for Governor!

LET’S CHANGE THE WORLD TOUR 2013
March 8 – San Jose, CA – Freedom Worship Center
March 9 – Castroville, CA – Debbie Martin’s Birthday Party
March 10 – Sacramento, CA - Victory Outreach North Sacramento/ Pastor Bert & Vivian Magana
March 15 – Oahu, HI – Hawaii Baptist Academy
March 18 – Big Island, HI – Camp Lokahi
March 19 – Big Island, HI -Camp Lokahi
March 20 – Hana Maui, HI – Touch of the Master
March 29 -California – Oasis of Hollywood
March 30 – California – LA Skid Row
April 2 – California – La Quinta High School
April 5 – Arizona – Parker, AZ
April 6 – Arizona – Somerton United Methodist
April 7 – California – Touch of the Master
April 11 Oregon – Klamath Tribes
April 12 Oregon – Klamath Tribes
April 13 Montana – Crow Nation
April 14 Montana – Crow Nation
April 15 Montana – Crow Nation
April 16 Montana – Assembly of God Busby
April 17 Colorado – Church of the Most High
April 18 Colorado – Second Chance through Faith Ministry
April 20 Indiana – Hip Hop Christian Connection Indianapolis
April 21 Ohio – True Swagg Radio
April 24 Russell, PA - Praise Fellowship
April 25 Bridgeport, CT – Iglesia Cristiana Renacer
April 26 Washington DC – Rally in Washington DC
April 27 Florida – Jacksonville
April 29 Florida – Orange Youth Academy
May 3 New Mexico – Navajo Nation
May 4 New Mexico – Navajo Nation
May 5 California – Fresno

LIL WAYNE, T.I., CHRIS BROWN, AND MORE ON DECK FOR 2013 ALL-STAR WEEKEND PARTIES.
Beginning on Friday, February 15 and running through Sunday, February 17, the All-Star Weekend Party Headquarters will electrify the city with special appearances by some of hip hop and R&B's biggest names including Lil Wayne, T.I., Chris Brown, Future, Trey Songz, Meek Mills and more.

For the past 62 years, the NBA All-Star event has grown to become one of most anticipated weekends in the nation. Some of the biggest names in sports, music and entertainment are known to frequent the yearly event. Jacob York, President and Founder of Jacob York Presents states, "We are very excited to be taking part in this year's activities." He continues, "Jacob York Presents formed a partnership with New York's Obie the Promoter and Miami's Headliner Market Group to bring a piece of all three cities to Houston's nightlife. When you combine the party style of Atlanta, New York and Miami... that creates a true recipe for success."

Jacob York Presents, Headliner Market Group and Obie the Promoter are known for throwing some of the biggest parties in their respective cities. Having hosted events for major acts such as Jay-Z, Rihanna and Will Smith ... all three promoters have 40+ years of combined experience and continue to lead the pack in nightlife promotions throughout the U.S. and abroad.

The 2013 NBA All-Star weekend nightlife will be one of the biggest experiences for many. Two of Houston's most popular nightclubs, Vertigo and Stereo Live. Houston, TX will play host to All-Star Weekend Party Headquarters. The 2013 line-up includes:

Friday, February 15, 2013
Chris Brown and Future @ Stereo Live

Saturday, February 16, 2013
T.I., Trey Songz and Dwayne Wade @ Stereo Live
Gucci Mane, Meek Mills and Bun B @ Vertigo Nightclub

Sunday, February 17, 2013
Lil Wayne @ Stereo Live
Waka Flocka, Yo Gotti , Fabolous and Sheneka Adams @ Vertigo Nightclub

JAY-Z, KANYE, FRANK OCEAN, DRAKE & THE DREAM SCOOP UP GRAMMYS.
The 55th GRAMMYs went down tonight in Los Angeles, Ca. Jay-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean and The-Dream won a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “No Church in the Wild.” The win gave West and Jay-Z three wins on the night after wins for best rap song and best rap performance for "... in Paris," another "Watch the Throne" track.

Frank Ocean also won best urban contemporary album for "channel ORANGE." He beat out Chris Brown, with whom he recently brawled with. Ocean took the stage with tape on two of his left fingers, a remnant of the fight, and Brown clapped politely and nodded as he walked to the stage.

Drake took home the award for Best Rap Album. He also debuted the visuals for “Started From The Bottom” earlier this evening. He also revealed the title for his third studio album, set to be called Nothing Was the Same.

This year's show had the second-largest audience for the program since 1993. The Nielsen company said Monday that music's annual awards show was seen by 28.4 million people Sunday night on CBS.

The show's audience was nearly 2 million higher than the 26.7 million who watched in 2011. From 2005 to 2009, the Grammy Awards audience fluctuated from 17 million to 20 million viewers.

Last year, 39.9 million people tuned in to see how the industry would react to Houston's death just before the awards and celebrate the coronation of its hottest star, Adele, who won six Grammys.

This year's show featured the musical return of Justin Timberlake, collaborations honoring Bob Marley and Levon Helm, and performances by the majority of stars up for major awards.

The Grammys far outpaced the Emmys, which had 13.3 million viewers last September for its more traditional awards show, and the Golden Globes, which had 19.7 million viewers in January. The upcoming Oscars usually get more than 30 million viewers.

DTP CO-FOUNDER JOINS THE MONSTER TEAM.
Monster, the 35-year leader in electronic accessories and advanced headphones, is proud to announce it is “doubling down” on Monster’s roots in today’s music culture with the appointment of influential music executive and entrepreneur Chaka Zulu, co-founder of Disturbing Tha Peace and manager of rapper/actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, to the newly created position of VP of Entertainment and Sports Marketing. This follows yesterday’s announcement of Swizz Beatz purchasing a co-ownership stake in Monster and joining the company’s advisory board. In his new role, Chaka will work closely with both Swizz Beatz and Head Monster Noel Lee to help Monster continue its drive to bring dramatically enhanced music and entertainment experiences to fans around the world.

Moving Forward with Chaka Zulu and Monster: Monster continues to lead the way in today’s fusion of entertainment/sports, technology and fashion, with a wide range of audio products, including advanced headphones for every lifestyle and fashion sense, such as the acclaimed iSport™ Athlete’s Headphones. Chaka Zulu will be integral in helping expand Monster’s global presence in the music and entertainment culture, spearheading key marketing, product development and promotional initiatives.

Noted the Head Monster: “Everyone at Monster is thrilled that Chaka is joining our team. We share with him a strong passion for both music and technological innovation – and for helping people get closer to all the entertainment they love. This is a major step forward for Monster, and it will help us make a much closer connection with fans all over the world who want to enjoy all their entertainment in a more meaningful and impactful way.”

Chaka Zulu said: “I’ve known Noel and Kevin Lee for years and have observed how they’ve continued to push the envelope in everything from cables and power to professional recording products and, of course, outstanding headphones. Monster’s innovation and creativity has always come from a place of true passion for music and for improving music experiences. I work with artists, producers and talent every day and Monster is consistent in creating new technologies that benefit the entire music industry. That’s why I’m glad to join Noel, Kevin and Swizz Beatz to bring even more energy, lifestyle and culture to the Monster family.”

As an enterprising music executive and entrepreneur, Chaka Zulu steers a multimillion-selling independent record label, a management company, a film company, a publishing company and a burgeoning corporate consulting firm. Named after an African chieftain, Zulu has had a remarkable path to success, most notably as the Co-CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace Records and Ebony Son Entertainment. Soon after Chaka and Ludacris started Disturbing Tha Peace Records they struck a deal with Def Jam Records. An impressive record of hits was to follow: five multi-platinum Ludacris CDs and gold, platinum and critically acclaimed CDs from Disturbing Tha Peace acts Chingy, Bobby Valentino, Shawnna and Shareefa. Zulu has also gone on to launch, run and/or be Co-CEO of Ebony Son Management, Disturbing Tha Peace Films, Read and Write Music Publishing, the Sound Room - his video and film directorial arm - as well as making inroads into corporate consulting, artist development and real estate.

NE-YO ON DECK FOR SOUL BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL IN ARUBA.
Three–time Grammy Award-Winning Motown Recording Artist Ne-Yo will headline the 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival being held May 22-27 in Aruba. He will headline the main stage of the Nikki Beach Amphitheatre closing night, Sunday, May 26.

R.E.D. ("Realizing Every Dream"), Ne-Yo's Motown released album, is his 5th creation of wonder for the Universal Music Group and adds provenance to being named Senior Vice President of A&R for Motown, a coveted role at one of America's most prestigious blue-chip record labels. The 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival in Aruba has something for everyone.

As commented by Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority; "We are thrilled to host an event of such magnitude on our One Happy Island where you can enjoy the performance of some of the world's most talented and sought after artists during the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival."

"Aruba is proud to welcome Ne-Yo to Aruba. International and local fans can expect a spectacular performance at the Soul Beach Music Festival. The festival gets better every year and Aruba is looking beautiful with all the upgrades we've introduced in the city of Oranjestad. I am sure artists and fans alike will have a lot of fun at the festival and in Aruba," said Otmar Oduber, Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Labor.

"We are thrilled to bring the exciting performer and international star Ne-Yo to the 2013 Soul Beach Music Festival in Aruba," said Mark Adkins, producer. "Fans can look forward to an amazing weekend of great performances on the exceptional island of Aruba this Memorial Day Weekend along with a combination of sizzling beach parties, luscious dining and plush Night Club after parties."

SWIZZ BEATZ PURCHASES CO-OWNERSHIP STAKE IN MONSTER.
Hot on the heels of groundbreaking product announcements at CES, Head Monster Noel Lee sets his sights on the company’s next big step by recruiting the expertise of cultural icon Swizz Beatz. Swizz will join Monster as a member of the company’s executive board after purchasing a co-ownership stake in the company. Noel Lee, who created the Beats by Dr. Dre® headphone sound, knew that creating the next big cultural movement in consumer electronics would not be easy, so he has called on Swizz's creative genius to help take the company to the next level.

Noel Lee says, “The products that we have planned are revolutionary in technology, sound, and style. We need the talents and reach of Swizz to help bring these products to life in the eyes of the consumer.”

Renowned cultural icon, recording artist, record producer, DJ, fashion designer and artist Swizz Beatz will bring all of his expertise, passion and unique insight in helping Monster continue its innovation, development and marketing of entertainment products in today’s fast-changing music and entertainment culture. Swizz will play an integral role in designing the company’s strategy and planning, expanding the Monster brand with partnerships across the globe, much like he’s recently done with the Reebok brand.

Swizz Beatz noted: “Monster has always been a go-to name for music electronics as well as a big part of music culture. Under the leadership of Noel Lee, who is a true genius, the company has literally been changing the way people listen to music for over 30 years. They built an empire, and my job will be to push the envelope – turn the lights of the castle up really bright and help Monster take its next big step forward. There will be some very exciting things happening in the year ahead, so stay tuned!”

With over 14 years of creating music for some of the biggest musicians in music history, Swizz has contributed to the sale of over 280 million records in just the US alone, working with the likes of Jay-Z, DMX, Beyonce, Kanye West, and Bono to name a few. In addition to several guest appearances and production credits, Swizz dropped his own album One Man Band Man in 2007. Swizz’s latest single “Everyday Birthday” was released in November 2012. The single, which was produced by Swizz and Jukebox, also features Chris Brown and Ludacris and was accompanied by a video shot over a 3 day period in Cannes. In an ever-changing music industry, Swizz has deferred from the regular album release schedule and instead chosen to release a series of what he has coined “Memorable Moments,” singles featuring various other artists released with accompanying music videos and other visuals. Swizz has also lent his creative contributions to the likes of global brands such as Reebok (Vice President - Sports Style Marketing, Design, and Brand Music Development) and Lotus Cars (Vice President of Design & Global Marketing). Swizz is also the 1st producer-in residence at New York University’s Clive Davis’ Recorded School of Music and worked with Christian Louboutin on a ground-breaking music collaboration, a cabaret show called Feu, which debuted in Paris this past March. Swizz’s latest music venture is his new partnership with O&Media of Korea, in which his focus will be bridging the K-Pop music scene with Western music culture. Swizz also recently collaborated with The New York Knicks and created their 2013 theme song. When not creating music, Swizz is an avid art collector and painter whose goal is to inspire new artists around the world to express themselves and is working on opening his own international “new artist” art gallery. He is also a philanthropist who is involved in many charities and recently served as the first Global Ambassador for New York City’s Health and Hospitals Corporation.

UNCLE LUKE WRITES OPEN LETTER TO RICK ROSS.

Dear Rick Ross:

As someone who survived several rap beefs, I'm going to give you some advice. You need to seriously address the threats and attempts on your life. You have worked hard to become a big name in hip-hop. You've paid your dues and you've grown lyrically since the release of your debut album, Port of Miami, in 2006. You've arrived, buddy.

But all this gangster bullshit is jeopardizing your career. No club or arena is going to risk people getting shot. You can forget about doing any tours or CD signings. And if you can't make money, watch how fast Warner Bros. Records turns on you. I know from experience.

You have the Gangster Disciples breathing down your neck because you've named-dropped Larry Hoover, the gang's founder, in your music. Unlike the record and book publishing industries, these bad dudes don't understand the concept of public domain. They see you getting rich forever by rapping about their leader, and they don't like it. That's why they're on YouTube talking about how you need to go see them and cut a check.

It's a shame you can't enjoy life without spending part of your earnings on heavy security or risking your freedom by purchasing an arsenal. Remember, that's what landed T.I. and Lil Wayne in prison. You don't want that to happen to you. However, those are the consequences of rapping about being something you're not.

Hip-hop has a rich history of college guys who never committed a crime rapping about moving kilos of cocaine and taking out snitches. Every gangster rapper takes on the role of a real hood legend to build up street cred. But don't fall into the trap of believing you are really a gangster.

Trust me, you don't want to go out like Biggie Smalls or Tupac. It's time you squash your beefs. Source: miami Times

TYGA ON DECK WITH HOTEL CALIFORNIA.
Young Money Cash Money platinum recording artist TYGA will release his third full length album Hotel California on March 26th via Young Money Cash Money.

The first single “Dope” featuring Rick Ross is the #1 Most Added Single at Crossover & #3 Urban Radio. “Dope” was produced by FKi (Travis Porter, Ludacris).

Recorded over the past several months, Hotel California has an introspective feel, with Tyga reflecting upon on the changes he has experienced since signing to the YMCMB family and finding commercial and critical success. “This album is very personal. It’s about my experience of being at a hotel and suddenly realizing how far I've come in my career. It’s also my desire to feel at home these days, since due to my success I mainly live life on the road. The only home I ever knew was California, so this album is about those dual feelings,” says Tyga.

“Tyga has always been driven. He has given his all to this album and fans are going to be impressed with his vision and storytelling,” says Cash Money Records co-CEO Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams. Adds Ronald ‘Slim’ Williams, “Tyga is a star and this may be his best offering yet.”

Hotel California will feature production by a diverse roster of producers including DJ Mustard (2 Chainz, Meek Mill), Cool & Dre, Jess Jackson (Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj), David DA Doman (Kidz in the Hall, Ghostface Killah), and The Olympicks (Birdman, Lil Wayne).

Hotel California is the anticipated follow up to Tyga’s debut album, Careless World, which spawned the ubiquitous mega-hit “Rack City.” The infectious, club banger peaked at #3 at both Crossover & Urban Radio.

QUEEN LATIFAH INKS NETFLIX DEAL.
Queen Latifah's production company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, has inked a deal with Netflix. She has announced that the multiyear deal gives the streaming service first look at titles from her production company. It starts this spring.

Latifah launched Flavor Unit in New Jersey with Shakim Compere. It's now based in Miami. The company has produced films such as "Bringing Down the House" and "Just Wright," both starring Latifah. It also produced the HBO film "Life Support," which earned a Golden Globe Award for Latifah.

Latifah said in a statement that Netflix is a "strong brand and the perfect place to showcase our projects."

Flavor Unit is also producing the upcoming Terrence Howard thriller "House of Bodies" and "Percentage," starring Ving Rhames and Macy Gray.

LA LA ON DECK FOR SEASON 3. TRINA, CIARA, LUDACRIS & ESTELLE INCLUDED.
VH1 continues to give viewers a sneak peak into the life of entrepreneur, actress, TV host, wife and mom, La La Anthony as she continues her mission to conquer the world for the third season of "La La's Full Court Life" premiering Monday, February 18 at 10PM*.

In season three, La La's life and career are at an all-time high as she cheers on her husband, NBA all-star Carmelo Anthony , at the 2012 Olympic Games, celebrates as her long time friend and personal stylist marries his partner and watches as her son, Kiyan, attends his first day of school.

La also spends her time in the UK preparing for the London launch of her Motives for La La make up brand and appearing on British TV, all while catching up with rap star Ludacris, and getting a true VIP hometown tour from British R&B star Estelle.

Back in the states, La La faces a bittersweet moment as Kiyan prepares for his first day of school. Viewers will also watch La La visit Puerto Rico to support Carmelo's annual Court 4 Kids charity event. With La La's birthday fast approaching, Po and Dice try and help La La turn back the hands of time by trying extreme anti-aging measures including snake venom and placenta cream. With a little help from her famous friends including Trina, Ciara, Ludacris, Estelle, Kelly Rowland, Gabrielle Union and Charlamagne Tha God, La La proves she is still unstoppable.

"La La's Full Court Life" is executive produced by Cris Abrego and Angela Aguilera for 51 Minds Entertainment, La La Anthony and Carmelo Anthony for Krossover Entertainment. VH1 executive producers are Jill Holmes, Kristen Kelly and Jeff Olde.

KENDRICK LAMAR, SNOOP DOGG, R. KELLY, NEW EDITION, THE JACKSONS, MIGUEL, SCHOOLBOY Q, THE ROOTS, MIKE EPPS, ERYKAH BADU AND MORE JOIN BEYONCE. BET Networks and AEG have teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind event, the BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE (BETX), June 28 - 30, 2013. The month of June will be a scorcher in Los Angeles, CA as the BET Experience takes over L.A. LIVE for three days and nights of music and comedy concerts, film screenings, "106 & PARK" tapings, BET Fan Fest, seminars, BET GRAMMY® Museum exhibit, various social events and celebrity appearances.

Beyonce, in the first stop on her North American tour, is set to headline the first of the three-night STAPLES Concert series on Friday, June 28. Each night will feature comedy showcases, mega concerts from STAPLES Center and late night soul performances at Club Nokia. Before Beyonce's performance in STAPLES, Mike Epps brings his comedy game to the Club Nokia stage, while Erykah Badu captivates the late night crowd in Club Nokia after Beyonce's highly anticipated performance. On Saturday, June 29, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Miguel and Schoolboy Q headline at STAPLES Center and Club Nokia will feature an exclusive session with The Roots. On Sunday, Kirk Franklin curates a morning Gospel celebration at Club Nokia. R. Kelly, New Edition and The Jacksons close out the Staples Center Concert Series following the Super Bowl of Black Entertainment; the BET AWARDS broadcasting live from Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE.

"This is the next step in our evolution of the BET AWARDS weekend. I am proud to say that what we have planned is the greatest celebration of music, entertainment, and culture and I'm thrilled to have Beyonce kick off our festivities," said Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks. "We are pleased to have the perfect partner in AEG to pull off our inaugural BET Experience."

"We are proud to be working in partnership with BET to create and co-host the first annual BET Experience at L.A. LIVE, said Timothy J. Leiweke, President and CEO, AEG. "No other organization would have the vision, the brand, the assets, the imagination or the creativity to design such an all-encompassing celebration than our friends at BET under the inspired leadership of Debra Lee. We look forward to welcoming the thousands of fans from all over the U.S. that will come to Los Angeles and L.A. LIVE to attend this one-of-a-kind tribute and celebration."

"When the world thinks of stars they think of Los Angeles," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "And this June we are happy to welcome the stars of Black Entertainment to our City for the BET Experience. Every year the show honors those actors, musicians and comedians who touch our souls and bring joy to our lives."

UMG INKS LONG TERM DEAL WITH REPUBLIC RECORDS FOUNDERS.
Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company, has signed new long-term agreements with Republic Records founders Monte Lipman and Avery Lipman as they become Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and President & Chief Operating Officer, respectively, of the company they started as an independent label in 1995. The announcement was made today by UMG Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Lucian Grainge, and UMG Chairman & CEO of East Coast Labels Barry Weiss.

"Monte and Avery have established themselves as one of the industry's most formidable creative teams," stated Mr. Grainge. "They are truly world class music executives who have rewritten the rules for breaking new talent. We couldn't be more delighted that they will continue building Republic as a home for truly inventive artists."

"Monte and Avery are two of the most entrepreneurial, effective, street smart, creative leaders in the music industry," commented Mr. Weiss. "Their track record is unparalleled. They constantly think out of the box and their results speak for themselves. This is great for them and for Universal Music Group, and is just the beginning of their next chapter."

"We work every day towards building a culture that supports the artist community and the entrepreneurial spirit that shapes our company," added Monte and Avery. "The unparalleled support of Lucian and Barry for Republic continues to inspire us to be competitive, while serving the needs of our extraordinary artists, venture partners, and dynamic executives."

Monte and Avery were also among the first to realize the importance of collaborating with entrepreneurial ventures to expand their creative investment. To date they have enjoyed long-standing and highly successful partnerships and strategic alliances with many of the industry's leading independent labels, including Cash Money Records (Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga), Big Machine (Taylor Swift), XO (The Weeknd), School Boy Records (PSY) and Loma Vista (Soundgarden), among others.

BEYONCE ON DECK WITH THE MRS. CARTER SHOW WORLD TOUR.
Parkwood Entertainment today announced that The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour starring Beyonce kicks off in Europe on April 15, 2013. With stops in twenty European cities, including Dublin, Ireland; Berlin, Germany; Paris, France and a four-night stint at The 02 in London, UK, this is Beyonce's first multi-city tour in over three years.

Live Nation also announced today that Beyonce's North American Tour begins on June 28 in Los Angeles, California. The tour will travel to over twenty cities throughout North America this summer, including Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center, Atlanta, Georgia, at the Gwinnett Center, Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center, Toronto, Ontario at Air Canada Centre, and Boston, Massachusetts at TD Garden.

On June 28, Beyonce returns to Los Angeles, California as part of the BET Experience At L.A. Live at the Staples Center. She is set to headline the first of the three-night STAPLES Concert series. And continuing her successful run at international music festivals, following a headlining night at Glastonbury in 2011, she is confirmed to headline at the world's largest music festival, Rock in Rio, on its first night, September 13 at the "City of Rock" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rock in Rio has set records for its massive crowds and its powerful media drive.

TYRESE PARTNERS UP WITH REV. RUN AND MORE.
Tyrese Gibson is one of the hardest working men in entertainment. After a stellar year which kicked off with his literary debut How To Get Out Of Your Own Way which went on to become a New York Times Bestseller, Gibson reprised his roles in two of tinsel town's biggest franchises "Fast Five" and "Transformers: Dark Side of The Moon" taking in a collective box office total of more than 1.8 billion dollars. If this was not enough Tyrese returned to his musical roots to record and release through his own imprint his fifth studio album, Open Invitation, which not only debuted in the number one position but also spawn the hit single "Stay" which remained Number 1 for 11 consecutive weeks on billboards UAC chart. The icing on the cake came with the Grammy Nomination for Best R&B Album.

In 2013 Tyrese Gibson will continue with his brand of soul throughout the entertainment industry. Starting with the first phase of his next solo disc, Black Rose, this is due February 2014. His next literary effort, Manology, which he has co-penned with hip hop icon Rev. Run, which will hit stores on February 4, 2013. While touring the nation supporting Manology Tyrese will begin to take part in the re-tooling of the Langston Hughes classic, Black Nativity alongside Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whittaker and Angela Bassett. He will also begin the first stages of recording for the much awaited disc from super-group TGT which features Tyrese, Ginuwine and Take – and in between he will begin setting promotional efforts for the 6th installment of the Fast and Furious franchise which will open in theaters nationwide on May 24, 2013 and of course there will be plenty of surprises along the way.

Fans can see Tyrese along with Rev. Run starting February 4th in New York City, New Jersey, Baltimore, Washington, DC and Dallas as they host signings for Manology.

SYLVIA RHONE INKS JOINT VENTURE WITH EPIC RECORDS.
Epic Records has inked an exclusive joint venture with renowned music industry executive Sylvia Rhone to form Vested in Culture (VIC), it was announced today by Doug Morris, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, L.A. Reid, Chairman & CEO of Epic Records, and Rhone. As Chairman of VIC, Rhone will report to Reid and oversee the day-to-day operations of the New York-based label.

Stated Morris, "Sylvia is one the most talented and gifted creative executives in the industry. She is a proven success who time-and-again has displayed a special understanding of how to inspire great artistry and develop hits. We are excited to be working with her on this new venture, and we are proud to call her a member of the Sony Music family."

"It gives me great pleasure to work alongside the most successful female record executive of all time," remarked Reid. "She has taste, style, vision and she has my complete support."

"The partnership between Vested in Culture and Epic Records marks an exciting new chapter in my career," stated Rhone. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Doug Morris and L.A. Reid, and couldn't ask to work with better music men than them. I look forward to building a great label and being a part of their continued success."

Up first from VIC will be the hotly awaited debut of rising Latin pop star Kat Dahlia, followed by a new album from critically-acclaimed, indie pop duo Quadron and the highly anticipated debut album of R&B singer-songwriter Deon Young. VIC's diverse roster of young, fresh and new artists also includes pop singer-songwriter-musician Sebastian Mikael and Los Angeles rappers Casey Veggies and Cashius Green.

Rhone was most recently President of Universal Motown Records, overseeing a roster of breakthrough, best-selling artists, including Lil Wayne and the YMCMB roster of gold, platinum and multi-platinum artists, Kid Cudi, Akon, Erykah Badu, Nelly, Melanie Fiona and the legendary Stevie Wonder. Previously, she served as Chairman/CEO of the Elektra Entertainment Group (EEG), where she was responsible for the breakout success of Missy Elliott, Metallica, Busta Rhymes, Natalie Merchant, En Vogue, Staind, Tracy Chapman, Jason Mraz, Yolanda Adams, Third Eye Blind, Gerald Levert, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Fabolous, among many others.

ALICIA KEYS JOINS BLACKBERRY AS GLOBAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR.
Alicia Keys is now an official partner to BlackBerry, acting as Global Creative Director. BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins introduced the 14-time Grammy® Award winning singer, songwriter and entrepreneur, Alicia Keys, as BlackBerry's new Global Creative Director. As an official member of the BlackBerry team, Keys will lead an array of new business initiatives that will drive engagement with BlackBerry and perception of the brand.

"Alicia Keys has come to BlackBerry because she believes in the product and technology, and subscribes to our overriding philosophy to 'Keep Moving': to empower people through mobile computing and communications," said BlackBerry President and CEO Thorsten Heins. "We are excited she will be bringing to us her enormous capabilities, as well as a vast network of relationships in the entertainment, social media and business communities, to help shape our brand and grow our business."

In her new role, Keys will work closely with app developers, content creators, retailers, carriers and the entertainment community to further shape and enhance the BlackBerry 10 platform, and inspire creative use through its remarkable capabilities and functionality. From music to books, to film, to apps, Keys will lead the charge of enhancing entertainment consumption and distribution, through the power of BlackBerry 10.

"Staying connected has become a vital part of my creative process," said Keys. "I have been using the BlackBerry 10 for a few weeks now, and I'm truly inspired by its innovation. It has entirely revolutionized the experience. I know the potential this platform has to help creative people be more productive, and help productive people be more creative. This is such an incredible age to be living in, with such profound advances in communications and technology. As Global Creative Director, my goal is to inspire creativity with this platform, and I'm so excited to jump right in."

STEVE STOUTE NAMED 2013 EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR.
Translation LLC, a privately-owned, full-service advertising agency, announced today that its Founder and CEO, Steve Stoute, has been named the 2013 Executive of the Year by top industry trade Advertising Age. The honor is part of the publication's closely watched annual Agency A-List ranking, which recognizes agency excellence based on creativity, performance and ability to positively impact a client's business.

Steve Stoute has been a major player in the music Industry since the 90s. As an instrumental figure in the early careers of Nas, Mary J. Blige, Will Smith, working with Jay-Z and the Brooklyn Nets brand, among many others, the founder/CEO of ad agency Translation continues to forge new paths outside the music industry but never forgetting his Hip-Hop roots.

In a recent interview he states, “I started in the record business the same way everybody else starts – in the shower,” .. “You start singing, or rapping or dancing, and that's how you get in the record business. And if you believe in that, and if you keep pursuing that, you chase it down to a place when you get an opportunity.”

“I think advertising is the Hip-Hop business,” said Stoute. “Advertising has done a lot to underwrite many industries.”

A powerful innovator in brand marketing, Stoute founded Translation to help Fortune 500 companies thrive in the world of popular culture. Less than a decade after opening its doors, the agency boasts an impressive client roster that includes such iconic brands as McDonald's, State Farm, Target, Estee Lauder, Budweiser, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co, Microsoft, Coca-Cola and more.

Prior to founding Translation, Stoute spent more than 10 years as a senior executive at several leading music labels, including Sony and Interscope Geffen A&M Records. With this background, he has become an expert at finding the perfect intersection between pop-culture and advertising to create campaigns that resonate with a new generation of consumers.

AZ ANNOUNCES 1ST LEG OF DO OR DIE II TOUR.
2013 is officially starting off with a bang for AZ, as the Grammy-Nominated Recording Artist, makes his highly anticipated return to the Hip-Hop scene with the release of his new LP Doe Or Die II, which will be released later this year.

Since the release of the Doe or Die anniversary album in 2011, AZ has been working to perfect each song for the new album; and fans will definitely be pleased with the follow up.

AZ first became known by appearing on Nas' landmark 1994 album, Illmatic, as his hook on “Life’s A Bitch” still resounds today and he was also featured on Illmatic’s opening opus “The Genesis”. AZ was the only guest feature on Illmatic and soon thereafter he signed with EMI and released his own debut LP Doe Or Die in 1995 to widespread critical acclaim. The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became one of AZ's major commercially successful records as a solo artist, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status. In 2002, he released Aziatic from which his single "The Essence“ f/ Nas was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. AZ has since released four solo-LP’s (his solo release Undeniable also made a high debut on the Billboard charts) and worked with artists such as Nas, RZA, DJ Premier, Ghostface, Raekwon, Pete Rock, Buckwild, Trackmasters, Emile, Lil Fame, Phonte, Sheek Louch, Styles P, Foxy Brown, Beanie Sigel, Nottz, Large Professor, Bink, MoSS, & Statik Selektah and remained a constant staple with fans and critics alike.

Today, AZ is back and better than ever and to launch his forthcoming Doe Or Die II release, he will be headed out for a world tour with the legendary DJ Doo Wop and has announced the first set of dates for the tour (including his first trek to Europe since 2010).

AZ Doe Or Die II Tour Dates:
2-1-2013- Bla Oslo, Norway
2-2-2013- Le Tamanoir Gennevilliers, France
2-6-2013- An Club Athens, Greece
2-7-2013- Pierwsze Miejsce Szczecin, Poland
2-8-2013 Klub 55 Warsaw, Poland
2-9-2013 Club Brooklyn Wroclaw, Poland
2-10-2013- Megaclub Katowice, Poland
3-14-2013- Middle East Cambridge, MA

AZ will be leaking a new track from Doe Or Die II in February entitled "We Moving" produced by Statik Selektah.

CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS II RELEASES NEW MAP PACK.
The revolution has begun! Call of Duty®: Black Ops II Revolution, the first of four Downloadable Content (DLC) Map Packs for the record-setting Call of Duty: Black Ops II launches today! The new content includes four radically diverse multiplayer maps from around the world, as well as a new Zombies map "Die Rise."

Revolution also features a couple franchise first offerings, including a brand-new Zombies mode "Turned," which literally turns the tables and allows gamers to play as a zombie, as well as a new bonus multiplayer weapon, the "Peacekeeper." Revolution is available today first, exclusively on Xbox LIVE® for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, with other platforms to follow. Fans can purchase Revolution individually, or pick it up as part of the Call of Duty: Black Ops II DLC Season Pass discounted* bundle.

"Revolution is packed with a ton of fun," said Mark Lamia, Treyarch's Studio Head. "We worked incredibly hard to deliver the most expansive DLC offering in our studio's history: from four maps in exciting and dynamic new locations like skate parks and ski slopes, to being able to play as a zombie, and a new bonus weapon in multiplayer - Revolution is a wild ride, and we're excited for Call of Duty fans to start playing."

The four all-new multiplayer maps include: "Downhill", a snowy alpine chateau perfect for hectic close-quarters combat. "Mirage", a sand-devastated luxury villa suited for all play styles, while "Hydro" is a massive hydroelectric dam in Pakistan lined with long-range vantage points perfect for sniping. And "Grind" is a skate park in Venice Beach, where players must adapt to the map's unique ramps, bowls and curvatures as they try and take cover from enemy fire.

Zombies fans get a terrifying double-dose of undead action in Revolution.

First,the new map, "Die Rise," drops players inside a maze of crumbling skyscrapers amidst a ravaged Chinese city, where all-new Wonder Weaponry will play a crucial role as they make a valiant stand against the impending zombie hoard. Additionally, Revolution's innovative new Zombies mode, "Turned," flips this new fan-favorite mode around, allowing players to become the undead and play as a zombie, offering an entirely new style of bragging rights.

Rounding out the wide breadth of new content in Revolution is the "Peacekeeper," a one-time offering of a new multiplayer weapon planned for Call of Duty: Black Ops II DLC.

To celebrate today's launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops II Revolution, Activision and Treyarch will pit baseball superstars Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants and Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays against each other in a Grudge Match for Call of Duty bragging rights. Cain and Longoria will captain teams featuring development team members, online personalities and fans in an intense head-to-head battle.

CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP NAMES NEW CFO.
Todd von Mende has been appointed Chief Financial Officer for Capitol Music Group, it was announced today by Chairman/CEO Steve Barnett, to whom von Mende will report. In his new position, von Mende will serve as a senior member of the company’s management team and oversee all financial strategy and functions for the Group and each of its divisions.

He will also work with his counterparts and the senior financial team at Universal Music Group, Capitol’s parent company. He will be based in Hollywood, at the company’s iconic Capitol Tower.

Barnett said, "Todd’s financial acumen and leadership skills have been highly regarded within the Universal Music Group for many years. I couldn’t be happier that he is now a member of my senior management team and will be playing such an important role in the growth and development of Capitol Music Group."

Boyd Muir, EVP/CFO of UMG says, "I'm particularly pleased that we can rely on someone as financially accomplished as Todd to work with Steve and the team at Capitol Music Group in this incredibly exciting time of revitalization for the company. I congratulate Todd on this well-deserved promotion."

von Mende stated, "I’m thrilled to be working alongside Steve Barnett and the incredible team he is building to revitalize Capitol Music Group and position us for great success in the ever-challenging music business. It is truly an honor to work with all of the new and developing artists that will define our company in the coming years, as well as the established and heritage artists that are such an important part of Capitol’s legacy. I want to thank Jim Urie for his guidance and leadership throughout my years at UMGD, and Boyd Muir for his confidence in steering my career, both of which have led me to this great opportunity of working with Steve Barnett at the Capitol Music Group."

Prior to this promotion, von Mende served as CFO for Universal Music Group Distribution overseeing all financial activities, and most recently headed the North America EMI/UMG integration efforts. He joined UMG in 2001 as VP of North America Finance and Planning, where he was responsible for the financial management of all North American operations. Prior to UMG, he began his career as with The Walt Disney Company in the Home Entertainment division.

RICK ROSS CRASHES ROLLS IN FLORIDA - SAYS HE WAS SHOT UP?
Rapper Rick Ross says he was the target of a shooting in Fort Lauderdale early Monday morning. Fort Lauderdale Police confirmed to The Huffington Post that William Roberts, Ross’s real name, was a passenger in a Rolls Royce that crashed into an apartment building off busy Los Olas Avenue around 5 a.m. Witnesses said the Rolls struck the wall after it lost control as shots were fired at the vehicle. No one was injured.

NBC6 reports the gunfire came from another vehicle that was also traveling eastbound on Los Olas, but no arrests have been made. According to WSVN, witnesses said Ross had been celebrating his birthday at the nearby Floridian restaurant. The restaurant was struck with bullets from the gunfire, reports the Miami Herald. Witnesses on scenes said they heard about 15 shots.

50 Cent took to Twitter, posting a photo of the vehicle being towed and mentioning that the car didn't have bullet holes. "Hahaha fat boy hit the building?lol it looks staged to me. No hole's in da car," 50 wrote.

BINKY MACK ON DECK.
Fresh on the heels of his widely received The Black Republican mix-tape outing, one-half of the popular Inglewood, California, based rap duo Allfrumtha I, Binky Mack, is currently gearing up for a slew of new projects that are slated to be unveiled in the very near future.

Up first, Mack has laced three original tunes from AFTI protege' Boo Kapone ["Holla," the Mack 10 & WC collabo "Bump," and "Ya Hear Me,"], to be featured on the upcoming high profile movie soundtrack toWhite T. The film, scheduled to hit theaters on February 13th, stars The Mixon Brothers [Jerod & Jamal], Tiny Lister, Eric Roberts, Deion Sanders, Terrence J, Faizon Love and Chyna, among others.

In March, the "City of Champions" emcee/producer will be dropping his brand new solo EP, 511 w. Hyde Park Music, with production assists from Diar Lansky and J. Soas. The soulful set is being introduced by its too-smooth-for-words first offering "Mr. Popular."

Binky Mack, who as of late has remained rather busy with a variety of behind the scenes television ventures and other entertainment vehicles; Making The Band 4, Love & HipHop, Sleeper Cell, Law & Order, Harold & Kumar, as well as focusing on his varied real estate endeavors, has recently been logging in additional studio time with Boo Kapone for his upcoming The Boo Heff Extravaganza [Bink Bank Entertainment/GNP/GGO]. Through this joint deal with Snoop Dogg's distribution company, Bink will be introducing other artists; including the aforementioned production team of Diar Lansky and partner J. Soas, who also call Bink Bank Entertainment home.

The Original Motion Picture SoundtrackWhite T, due out February 13th, followed by Binky Mack's 511 w. Hyde Park Music in March 2013...

CHRIS BROWN AND FRANK OCEAN GET INTO BRAWL @ STUDIO IN L.A.
Sources say that Chris Brown and Frank Ocean got into a fight at West Lake Studio in Los Angeles (Sunday 27), where Chris Brown was listening to one of his artists.

Tmz says that Chris Brown was not there when officers arrived but the cops did speak to Frank Ocean. Sources say no one wants to press charges, and no arrests have been made.

Sources say this is what went down --- Chris was at Westlake Studio in the L.A. area listening to one of the artists he represents. The sources say as Chris went to leave, Frank Ocean and his crew blocked Chris from leaving. Sources say Frank said, "This is my studio, this is my parking spot."

We're told Chris went to shake Frank's hand and that's when one of Frank's people attacked Chris. Sources connected with Chris say one of Chris' friends jumped in front and hit Frank's friend.

Sources connected with Chris say Frank then came at Chris ... Chris pushed him away and they started brawling. The police were called.

Frank took to his twitter shortly after and wrote: got jumped by chris and a couple guys. lol. i only wish everest was there... cut my finger now I can't play w two hands at the grammys.

HIP HOP ON DECK FOR 2013 COACHELLA.
The line-up for Coachella 2013 has been revealed. The popular music festival, which runs April 12-14 and April 19-21 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California, will again feature veteran artists and cult favorites. These are just the hip hop acts that are performing. (See the full lineup below)

2 Chainz
Action Bronson
Aesop Rock
DaM-Funk
Danny Brown
Earl Sweatshirt
El-P
Janelle Monae
Jurassic 5
Luciano
Pusha T
Theophilus London
Wu-Tang Clan

SUPER GROUP evitaN (TRIBE CALLED QUEST & BLACK SHEEP) ON DECK.
Recorded in 2011 and 2012 at the Sound Machine in New York City, evitaN, the hip-hop supergroup consisting of Jarobi (A Tribe Called Quest) and Dres (Black Sheep) recruited an all-star cast to create what many are already calling a classic. And we have none other than Q-Tip to thank.

Dres had been trying to convince Jarobi, the "mystic man" who did not rhyme on any of A Tribe Called Quest's albums, to record an EP for his Pool of Genius label for many years. Eventually, Jarobi had a revelation: "I got to this period in my life where I decided to stop saying no to things. I told myself the next opportunity that comes through, I'm not going to say no. I promise you, within three hours of me saying that, the phone rang and it was Dres."

Dres and Jarobi recorded the first song together, "Keep Keepin' On." Jarobi played it for Q-Tip, who replied "Yo! You guys should be a group!" They went back into the studio and recorded "P.T.I. (Occupy Wall St.)" with the production team of DJ Bazooka Joe and Marc Lawrence. This became their first single, released in late 2011, and evitaN (Native spelled backward) was born. Less than a year later, they had 26 songs recorded and 15 of those became the Speed of Life album.

On Speed of Life, evitaN welcome guest appearances by Bootsy Collins (on vocals and bass), Rah Digga, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Sadat X of Brand Nubian, Craig G, Homeboy Sandman and more.

EvitaN is a new hip-hop duo featuring Jarobi of A Tribe Called Quest and Dres of Black Sheep. Their debut album, Speed of Life, is available now worldwide, released by Pool of Genius.

Black Sheep was the first hip-hop act to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Their debut album, A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, was certified Gold by the RIAA within six months of its release, and it is widely regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of all time. "The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)" is one of VH1's top 100 hip-hop songs of all time.

A Tribe Called Quest is one of hip-hop's most legendary, beloved and
revered groups, consisting of Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi. In the 1990s, they jump-started and perfected the hip-hop alternative to hardcore and gangsta rap. Jarobi, the honorary member of ATCQ, was rarely heard. Until now…

TRIPS-N-SLIM (Sons of Doug E. Fresh) ON DECK.
Harlem-based rap duo Trips-N-Slim today announced the March 12, 2013 release of their highly anticipated mix tape, "The Preface". The project will be released through Trips-N-Slim's label imprint, Square Off Records. Though descendants of rap royalty, the duo is well on their way towards penning their own chapter in hip-hop history. Using their unique story-telling abilities, "The Preface" captivates, providing a snap shot of the duo's true-life experiences.

Having been groomed by their legendary father, hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh , brothers Solomin "Trips" and Dayquan "Slim" Davis were exposed to the music industry landscape at an early age. The surreal experience of growing up surrounded by some of the greatest emcees ever to grace the stage has intrinsically shaped the duo's reality. "People assume that because that's our pops, we have it easy—but that's not the case, nobody is holding our hand. We've had to grind even harder to get to that next level," says Slim. SEE A SHORT DOCUMENTARY HERE

"The Preface" possesses unmatched authenticity, coupled with a versatile musicality rarely seen in today's hip-hop. "The art of storytelling was the essence of hip-hop in the 80's and 90's," says Trips. "We're bringing that back, plus a lot of surprises."

Trips-N-Slim recently debuted their single "Direct Message" [DM] on BET's 106 and Park and were also featured on BET's "Backroom." The duo's past discography includes: "Fresh 2 Def" (2008): "Youngest in Charge" with Cory Gunz (2009); "Last of a Dying Breed" (2010); and "Money, Moet and Memories" (2011).

A$AP ROCKY IS #1.
A$AP Rocky tops the sales chart this week with his debut album, Long.Live.A$AP, moving 139,000 units for 1st week sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Long.Live.A$AP is the first debut album to hit #1 on the chart since 2 Chainz's Based On a T.R.U. Story debuted on September 1, 2012. Long.Live.A$AP also is one of only two new debuts in the Top 10 this week.

FAR EAST MOVEMENT ANNOUNCE TURN UP THE LOVE CLUB TOUR.
Far East Movement, the record-breaking electro-bounce outfit from California, have announced their 'Turn Up the Love Club Tour' in conjunction with Cherrytree Records. The "Cherrytree Records Presents Far East Movement's Turn Up the Love Club Tour" will launch on February 4th.

Far East Movement's current single in the UK, "Get Up (Rattle)" - a collaboration with European EDM duo Bingo Players - is no. 1 on the UK iTunes Official midweek chart and has been added to prestigious A-list rotation on BBC's Radio 1. Its impending Top 5 debut will mark Far East Movement's third top 10 hit in the UK from the current Dirty Bass album and over 12 million singles sold to-date around the world.

"We're excited to come home and show everyone what we've been up to abroad." explains Nish, "So we're taking our mashed-up, "Turn Up the Love" electro-bounce sound to the clubs we came up in."

The "Turn Up the Love Club Tour" will launch next month and will feature a full DJ-style set by Far East Movement as well as an opening set from Cherrytree label-mate Colette Carr

TOUR DATES/More dates will be added.
Mon. Feb 18th Tucson, AZ Rialto Theatre - KOHT HOT 98.3
Tues. Feb 19th Phoenix, AZ School of Rock - KZON 101.5 JAMZ
Thurs. Feb 21st Santa Barbara, CA Tonic - KCAQ-Q104.7
Sat. Feb 23rd San Diego, CA Bello Nightclub - XHTZ - JAMMIN' Z90.3
Wed. Feb 27th San Francisco, CA The Factory - KYLD - WILD 94.9

RIHANNA'S FASHION LINE ON DECK @ LONDON FASHION WEEK.
Rihanna's first collection for River Island will be on sale from March 5th 2013 and will be exclusively revealed in February at London Fashion Week!

The most anticipated collaboration of 2013, Rihanna for River Island, will officially make its debut at London Fashion Week on Saturday 16th February before it goes on sale globally on Tuesday 5th March. Rihanna fans in the United States and Japan will also be able to get their hands on the collection exclusively in Opening Ceremony stores.

Speaking about the London Fashion Week launch, Rihanna said:

"Launching at London Fashion Week is a dream come true for me. I have wanted to design my own collection for a long time and to present my collection for River Island alongside all of the other great design talent at LFW is a real privilege. I can't wait to see the reaction from my fans and the fashion press!"

CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP NAMES NEW EVP.
Greg Thompson has been promoted to EVP of Capitol Music Group. The promotion was announced today by Steve Barnett, Chairman/CEO of the company. In his new position, Thompson serves as a senior member of Barnett’s executive team, overseeing Sales, Promotion, Marketing, Publicity, Creative Services & Video Production, Digital Planning & Production, Strategic Research and Insight, as well as shepherding the company’s brand partnerships through its in-house agency. Thompson has relocated to Hollywood, CA and is based in the company’s iconic Capitol Tower.

Barnett says, "I was highly aware of Greg’s accomplishments and stellar reputation within the industry before I came to Capitol, knowing he was instrumental in the success of Katy Perry, Lady Antebellum, Coldplay and David Guetta, among others. I realized very quickly that Greg would be a key member of my senior team as we build the new Capitol Music Group, and I couldn’t be happier and more grateful that he and his family have made the big move to the west coast. Our artists and the entire Capitol team are fortunate to have Greg as a leader in our company, and I congratulate him on this well-deserved promotion."

Thompson commented, "Lucian Grainge clearly had a vision for Capitol’s future, as he hired one of the best music men in the business to lead the rebuilding of this historic label. I am amazed at how Steve’s energy and vision have already begun to reinvigorate Capitol and transform it into a forward thinking, aggressive company that is positioned for huge success. I am honored to be part of Steve’s team and am thrilled to be working with him and everyone here to support our artists and make Capitol the talk of the industry."

Prior to his new appointment, Thompson was EVP of Marketing and Promotion for EMI Music North America. He joined EMI as EVP of North America in 2008 after three years as EVP of Promotion for Island/Def Jam Records, where he played a key role in the success of artists such as Rihanna, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, The Killers, Ludacris and Fall Out Boy.

Thompson was previously SVP of Promotion at Elektra Entertainment Group, before being promoted to EVP/GM. He began his career at Chrysalis Records in 1985 as Regional Promotion Manager for the Midwest.

KANYE WEST, NAS, KENDRICK LAMAR & MORE ON DECK FOR 3rd ANNUAL GOVERNORS BALL.
Founders Entertainment is thrilled to announce the lineup for the 2013 Governors Ball Music Festival. The 3rd annual edition of New York City's marquee live music event is expanding to three days of Music, Art, and Entertainment. Held Friday June 7th through Sunday June 9th in Randall's Island Park, the festival will feature over 60 world class performers, showcasing a wide spectrum of Dance, Indie Rock, Hip Hop, Americana, Electronica and Pop all weekend long.

FULL 2013 LINE-UP

HIP HOP AND THE INAUGURAL FESTIVITIES.
Obama's second inaugural weekend started Saturday with a National Day of Service, followed by his official swearing-in on Sunday. Monday's events include a public swearing-in, a parade and the president's Inaugural Address.

Usher, Mindless Behavior, and Far East Movement rocked the crowd at Saturday's Kids' Inaugural Concert, where they rocked out with Sasha and Malia Obama. Usher offered hits such as "Yeah!," "Without You" and "OMG." Nick Cannon emceed the evening.

Many inaugural parties hit Washington, DC over the weekend with T-Pain, Common and John Legend performing at the Generation Now Inaugural Youth Ball and will.i.am rocking the 2013 Green Inaugural Ball. John Legend was given the humanitarian award at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball, and pioneers MC Lyte and Doug E. Fresh were both given lifetime achievement awards. 2 Chainz also earned the street soldier award for encouraging young voters as a spokesperson for the Hip-Hop Caucus' "Respect My Vote!" campaign.

Lupe Fiasco was removed from the stage during a performance at Hamilton Live in Washington, D.C. on Sunday (January 20) night and was asked by security to leave after refusing to move on to a new song.

He was removed after performing an anti-war song for 30 minutes, and stating that he did not vote for President Barack Obama in the recent November election. He was reportedly booked to perform as part of a celebration for Obama's inauguration, which takes place today (January 21). WATCH IT HERE

Also, Last night, Jamie Foxx kicked off the "Hennessy V.S Inauguration Takeover" at the swanky Park at 14th in Washington, D.C. The actor/singer tore the house down performing several songs from his catalog. Jamie took over the event performing for over 2 hours and covering popular songs including "All Gold Everything" by Trinidad James and A$AP Rocky's hit song "F*ckin' Problems". will.i.am was also in attendance as well as NY Giants superstar, Victor Cruz and radio personality, Big Tigger. CHECK IT OUT

T.I. SHOPPING FOR $75 MILLION RECORD DEAL
Looks like T.I.'s 10-year contract is up at Atlantic Records and he's shopping around for a new contract. He has reportedly been shopping for a deal worth $75 million. Sources tell TMZ that T.I. is seeking a lucrative deal that includes three albums, 10-20 percent of publishing, touring, merchandise, film, and TV rights, endorsements, and exclusive signing of all his Grand Hustle artists.

Reports say he’s already met with some pretty big names including Dr. Dre, who asked him to join Interscope, and Jay-Z, who has expressed interest in bringing T.I. to Roc Nation.

TMZ says Sony has already put a $50 million offer on the table and Universal is expected to make a bid as well. Anybody think he will renew his deal with Atlantic? Doubt it. We say Interscope.

DEMIGIDZ RELEASE VIDEO AND TRACKLISTING FOR NEW ALBUM.
On 3-5-2013, the Demigodz (Apathy, Celph Titled, Ryu of Styles Of Beyond, Esoteric, Motive, Blacastan) will release there first official full-length LP, KILLMatic, and it will feature appearances from RA The Rugged Man, Termanology, Panchi (of NYG'z), Planetary (of Outerspace), Scoop Deville & Eternia with production from DJ Premier, Marco Polo, The Snowgoons, Apathy, Teddy Roxpin, Chumzilla, Skammadix & Will C.

When the “Demigodz Is Back” track was initially released, there was a “fan-made” video created for it that was in circulation—which was not the official video; here is the official video for Demigodz “Demigodz Is Back.” WATCH HERE

Tracklisting and credits for The Demigodz “KILLmatic” LP:
1.) “Intro” (Giants On The Earth) (produced by Apathy)
2.) “Demigodz Is Back” f/Apathy, Ryu & Celph Titled (produced by Apathy)
3.) “Dumb High” f/ Apathy, Motive, Esoteric, Celph Titled & Open Mic (produced by Apathy)
4.) “Never Take Me Out” f/ Apathy, Celph Titled & Termanology (produced by Teddy Roxpin)
5.) “Just Can't Quit” f/ Apathy, Celph Titled, Motive, Blacastan, Ryu & Scoop Deville (produced by Apathy)
6.) “Worst Nightmare” f/ Apathy, Ryu, Blacastan, Esoteric, Motive & Celph Titled (produced by DJ Premier) ***cuts by DJ Premier
7.) “Can't Fool Me” f/ Apathy, Blacastan, Esoteric, Motive, Celph Titled & Eternia (produced by Apathy)
8.) “DGZ x NYGz” f/ Apathy, Blacastan, Celph Titled & Panchi of NYG’z (produced by Chumzilla) *** additional vocals by DJ Premier
9.) “Dead In The Middle” f/ Ryu, Celph Titled & Apathy (produced by Apathy)
10.) “The Gospel According To...” f/ Celph Titled, Esoteric, Motive, Blacastan & Planetary of Outerspace (produced by Skammadix)
11.) “Raiders Cap” f/ Apathy, Ryu, Motive & Celph Titled (produced by Apathy)
12.) “The Fallen Angels” f/ Apathy, Motive & Celph Titled (produced by Apathy) ***cuts by Chumzilla
13.) “The Summer Of Sam” f/ Apathy, Blacastan, Esoteric, Motive, Ryu & Celph Titled (produced by The Snowgoons)
14.) “Tomax & Xamot” f/ Apathy & Esoteric (produced by Will C.) ***cuts by Chumzilla
15.) “Captain Caveman” f/ Apathy, Celph Titled & RA The Rugged Man (produced by Teddy Roxpin)
16.) “Audi 5000” f/ Apathy, Celph Titled, Motive, Ryu, Esoteric & Blacastan (produced by Marco Polo) ***cuts by Chumzilla

MEEK MILL SUING PHILADELHIA POLICE DEPT.
Meek Mill claims in court that Philadelphia police jailed him for 9 hours without cause and that the arresting officers posted pictures of him in police custody through Instagram. Robert Williams ( Meek Mill) sued Philadelphia and its police Officers Andre Boyer and Michael Vargas, in Federal Court.

"On October 31, 2012, at approximately 7:30 p.m., plaintiff was driving a Range Rover SUV when Philadelphia Police Officers Andre Boyer and Michael Vargas, without cause or justification, conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of 11th Street and Girard Avenue in Philadelphia," the complaint states.

"Following the vehicle stop, police officers Boyer and Vargas handcuffed plaintiff at the scene, transported him in custody to the 22nd Police District, took photographs of plaintiff which the officers posted and published, or caused to be posted and published, on Instagram and other social media websites, depicting plaintiff in police custody, held plaintiff in custody against his will in a jail cell for approximately nine (9) hours, after which time plaintiff was released on November 1, 2012, at 4:30 a.m., without being charged with any criminal activity and having caused plaintiff to miss a scheduled promotional appearance in Atlanta, Georgia."

Williams claims his unlawful detention forced him to refund "his deposit for the private jet that was booked to fly plaintiff in the evening of October 31, 2012 to a promotional appearance in Atlanta," and cost him "the loss of numerous sponsorships and endorsements; the loss of plaintiff's solitude, seclusion and privacy; the anxiety and embarrassment associated with plaintiff being placed in a false light; and the anxiety and embarrassment of being seized, detained, confined and imprisoned against plaintiff's will."

He seeks compensatory and punitive damages for civil rights violations, false imprisonment, invasion of privacy and civil conspiracy. The complaint claims that Meek Mill's most recent album "debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 Chart." He is represented by Anthony Petrone, with Dennis J. Cogan and Associates. Source: Courthouse News

LUPE FIASCO SHELVES FOOD & LIQUOR 2 PT 2.
Lupe says he's cancelling his upcoming album Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 2. He took to his Twitter account and left the following message:

Hello. A decision has been made that the project titled “F&L2 Part 2" will be summarily cancelled for public release in 2013. The title/concept for Lupe’s 2013 release will be revealed later this year. The LF twitter will be closed until that time.

MC LYTE TO BE HONORED - LAUNCHES HIP HOP SISTERS LEGENDS SERIES.
Legendary lyricist MC Lyte, together with Sunni Gyrl's newly appointed COO Lynn Richardson, launched the long anticipated Hip Hop Sisters Legends performance series with Yo Yo, Monie Love, Lady of Rage, MC Smooth and Lil Mama in Los Angeles, CA. The series included auditions for and announcement of the Next Top Female MC: Intelligenz; a real talk panel discussion: Who Are They, Where Are They, What Happened & Why; and a heart-stopping, standing-room-only performance by the female legends.

This historic launch came on the heels of MC Lyte's announcement of not one, but two $100,000 First Wave scholarship winners at the 2012 Soul Train Music Awards Red Carpet Pre-show. MC Lyte will be honored at the 2013 Hip Hop Inaugural Ball and an invitation only reception will take place during the 2013 Grammy week in Los Angeles to celebrate these historic accomplishments.

"It has been my desire to expand the influence of female emcees and now that time has arrived," said MC Lyte. "My company, Sunni Gyrl has been in existence for over fifteen years and together with my charity, Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, I am committed to giving back and to aggressively expanding opportunities for female emcees and for other artists who wish to leverage my diversity, success, and leadership in the entertainment industry."

Yo Yo, longtime friend, legendary lyricist in her own right, founder of IBWC and Yo Yo School of Hip Hop, says, "Working with Lyte is a no brainer; she is honest, kind, innovative and a visionary."

"Seeing these women come together is a long awaited experience for millions who grew up appreciating hip hop," says Lynn Richardson, a celebrity financial coach, former Fortune 50 Vice President who also serves as President of the Board of Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, and Chief of Operations for Russell Simmons' and Dr. Benjamin Chavis' Hip Hop Summit Action Network.

Russell Simmons, a mentor and friend to MC Lyte and advisory board member for her charity, praised both MC Lyte and Lynn Richardson for their efforts and calls the Hip Hop Sisters Legends Series a genius idea.

RUSSELL SIMMONS ANNOUNCES THE HIP HOP INAUGURAL BALL II.
Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) along with PHILANTHROPIK are pleased to present the HIP-HOP INAUGURAL BALL II in celebration of the Hip-Hop community's role in the 2012 Election and promoting political awareness. Actress and television personality LA LA ANTHONY together with actor and E! News anchor TERRENCE J will host the black tie, charity gala at 8 p.m., January 20, at The Harman Center for the Arts, 610 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC.

2 Chainz, John Legend, Eva Longoria, Swizz Beatz, Pharrell Williams, Jadakiss, Brandy, LOS, Tank, Lance Gross, 9th Wonder and Raheem DeVaughn and more will be amongst the many in attendance to celebrate the role that hip-hop played in registering and mobilizing voters during this election cycle.

The highly anticipated evening promises exclusive performances, reunions, unbelievable collaborations and great music from legendary artists including Hip-Hop DJ D-Nice and Hip-Hop Icon Doug E. Fresh and will also award and recognize those artists and organizations that have impacted and influenced the hip-hop and youth communities to be active, politically and socially.

A special treat: hip-hop violinist Damien Escobar from the group Nuttin but Stringz (America's Got Talent) will perform, as will Wayne Brady, Meek Mill, and Marsha Ambrosius. Charles "ROC" Dutton and Jadakiss will give us a sneak peak at their new movie "Must Be the Music."

Lifetime Achievement honoree MC Lyte will be honored with a special tribute performance by fellow ladies of hip-hop Yo-Yo, Smooth and Lil Mama. The Human Beat Box, hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh will also receive a Lifetime Achievement award.

This year, special acknowledgment will be made in recognition of the role the Hispanic/Latina hip-hop community played in galvanizing large numbers of Hispanics to vote by honoring VOTO LATINO. Actress Rosario Dawson will accept an award on behalf of Voto Latino, the non-partisan organization she co-founded to bring new and diverse voices into the political process by engaging youth, media, technology and celebrities to promote positive change.

A special recognition will be given to honor Dr. Benjamin Chavis, HSAN President, and his work as a mentor and advocate within the hip-hop community and for his life-long commitment to the Civil Rights Movement. The governor of North Carolina recently pardoned him and ten others who were falsely convicted and imprisoned for arson in the historic "Wilmington Ten" case.

TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR FOUNDATION PARTNERS UP FOR MEMORIAL CONCERT SERIES.
VELOCITY World Media® has teamed up with the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF) to produce a live experiential concert event that will celebrate Tupac's influence on arts and culture, and raise money for TASF and the programs of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts. Featuring today's most influential recording artists, the concert series is part of VELOCITY's FIRST SPIN experience and will be broadcast live in high definition with cinema surround sound to clubs, restaurants and theaters from coast to coast.

"Tupac was and continues to be hugely influential in the music industry and with youth across the country. He followed his own path and always seemed to be a step ahead of the cultural curve," said Vernal Cambridge, executive director of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. "We like to honor his style by defying convention in our own way. That's why we're offering fans a way to support the foundation's charitable work and celebrate Tupac's memory through an up-close-and-personal experience with some of today's brightest artists."

For over a decade, the foundation's programs have served youth of all social and economic backgrounds, giving countless young people the courage to get off the streets, express themselves in a positive way, and learn vital life skills. TASF believes that early arts education can offer invaluable life lessons, improve school grades, and build self-esteem and confidence.

"We're honored to provide a powerful media platform for the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation to celebrate Tupac's impact on music while raising money to support creative arts and early education programs that serve as a true resource for children and families," said Philip Elias , president and CEO of VELOCITY World Media. "This series is the first of its kind and will serve as a benchmark for the power of fundraising via live, experiential television."

VELOCITY World Media specializes in producing custom High-Definition television programming live via EchoStar satellite to invitation-only audiences at VELOCITY HD Digital Suites located in private clubs, restaurants and hotels in the top 200 markets across the world.

CASSIDY PARTNERS WITH AHF FOR SAFE SEX.
When Korean artist PSY’s “Gangam Style” took over radio waves in 2012, notable spoof videos using the song’s catchy dance beat cropped up on YouTube immediately and copiously, and a few even caught national attention: lifeguards were fired when a “Lifeguard Style” video of the employees doing PSY’s signature dance in a pool surfaced, and during the November 2012 election “Mitt Romney Style” bolstered the Democratic platform by poking fun at the Republican presidential candidate’s affluent lifestyle.

But Philadelphia-based rapper Cassidy “The Hustla” – born Barry Adrien Reese – played on the fad in the most meaningful way yet by writing lyrics for his PSA-style parody, entitled “Condom Style,” that highlight the importance of condom use and safer sex. Cassidy, 30, partnered with AHF to make the song’s official music video, which features both the Foundation’s innovative nationwide mobile condom distribution initiative Condom Nation and AHF billboards highlighting safer sex informational websites. The nonprofit’s new condom brand, “ICON,” which is larger and thinner than presently available Magnum condoms and distributed for free through AHF, is also prominently visible. SEE THE VIDEO HERE

Cassidy’s choice to use his social pull with both the African American community and young people to spread safe sex messaging with AHF provides important motivation and information to two of the most at-risk demographics for contracting HIV and other STDs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans have long been one of the most at-risk groups for contracting HIV – in 2009, this group made up only 14% of the population yet accounted for 44% of that year’s new HIV infections.

Furthermore, with the CDC releasing additional information recently spotlighting the rise in new HIV infections among young people – including the 12,000 new cases diagnosed in people aged 13-24 in 2012 – AIDS organizations around the world, including AHF, are shifting their focus to break through to this demographic with preventative information. With catchy, funny, and relatable lyrics – such as the tale of Stephanie, a girl Cassidy rebuffed because she wanted to be intimate without a condom – coupled with the most popular tune of the past year, “Condom Style” has succeeded in breaking that barrier, as proven by the 500,000-plus views it garnered in the first three days after its January 10 release.

MTV/BET Award-nominated director Ethan Lader directed the music video with John Columbo. Other recent directorial projects for Lader include videos for musical artists Will.I.Am, Bruno Mars, and OneRepublic.

The video, which was filmed in Hollywood at the end of December, features the rapper and a crew of Condom Nation volunteers – including some AHF staff and family members – distributing free AHF-brand condoms on Hollywood Boulevard and at a South Los Angeles shopping mall. Sweeping aerial shots show the rapper dancing on top of AHF’s 18-wheel Condom Nation wrapped big rig, which travelled throughout the United States on a 10-month tour in 2012 distributing millions of free condoms and promoting an open dialogue about condom use in both small community venues and at major events like the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC.

"AHF is committed to spearheading a new sexual health revolution with campaigns that organically speak and connect with the targeted high-risk urban audiences around issues of prevention, testing, access to condoms, and safer sex messaging,” said Samantha Granberry, AHF’s Director of Media and Production. “The collaboration with Cassidy is an overwhelmingly successful example of reaching this niche demographic in a way that helps to end the silence and stigma currently surrounding matters of sexual health and HIV/AIDS awareness within this community.”

ROC MARCIANO, ILLOGIC & BLOCKHEAD, VAST AIRE & MORE ON DECK.
2012 was a hallmark year for Man Bites Dog Records, and now, the hip-hop label is excited to announce a string of high profile release plans for the first half of 2013. Starting in late January the label is planning releases from a mix of hip-hop vets and promising upstarts alike, with albums and mixtapes slated from Roc Marciano, Illogic & Blockhead, Harry Fraud & Eddie B, Vast Aire, Wais P, Curly Castro, Hayze, and more.

First emerging in 2010, Man Bites Dog Records, led by label founder and general manager R.M.L., fully asserted itself in 2012, with a string of marquee releases from artists including MHz Legacy, Copywrite, Stu Bangas & Vanderslice, Double A.B., and more, releases that earned the label top notch reviews.

On January 23rd, Man Bites Dog will celebrate their first release of the year with Wais P's PV$$Y RICH mixtape, a free offering that includes features from Action Bronson, Devin The Dude, and more that will serve as a prelude to Wais' official Man Bites Dog debut, Pimpin Saved My Life, out this March. Next, on January 29th, will be Vast Aire's A Space Iliad EP, a collection of B-sides and remixes held over from his OX 2010: A Space Odyssey, that includes features from Sadat X, Guilty Simpson, C-Rayz Walz, and more.

Moving into February, Man Bites Dog is excited to introduce fans to one of their newest signees, Philadelphia rapper Curly Castro, who will release the free album Fidel, and the label will close the month with another free release from one of the label's freshest faces, Hayze, who will release his Smoker's Section mixtape. March will see the release of Paper, Piff & Polo, a collaborative album from super producer Harry Fraud and up-and-coming rapper Eddie B, while April will cap off the spring schedule with two of the label's biggest releases of the year. Up first will be Illogic & Blockhead's Capture The Sun, followed by Roc Marciano's first ever producer album, Marci Beaucoup.

"Looking back at last year, I feel musically we progressed and personally we saw through projects that took years to complete," says R.M.L. "We worked more feverishly than ever this year, and with the releases we have coming, it's really something special."

Beyond the label's exciting release schedule, 2013 proves to be a breakout year for R.M.L. and Man Bites Dog Records in a number of other ways, spearheaded by the label's opening of a brand new office space, complete with an in-house studio, where the label will now record, mix, and master 100% of the albums to be released this year and beyond, a process that will not only allow the label to optimize and strengthen its creative process but also allow for streamlined business operations, an advantage in an ever-changing music industry landscape.

"We opened a new office this year, and had the shit Feng Shui'ed by a master," boasts R.M.L. "We got all our shit in positive directions and no bad arrows. Everyone needs to hit up their local witch doctors, card readers, shaman's and catch up. Cats are back-masking while we're clearing the chakra with singing bowls."

SUPASTITION DROPS THE BLACKBOARD EP FOR FREE. GET IT HERE
North Carolina’s own Supastition releases 'The Blackboard EP', a FREE 8-track digital EP. The project serves as a “thank you” to the listeners who continued to support his music after his sudden departure from the music business in 2010. The Blackboard is about returning to the basics of emceeing and rediscovering that vintage sound that Supastition has been known for since his debut album in 2002.

The project features the critically acclaimed, 'Yada Yada', the conceptual 'Best Worst Day', and the boom bap inspired 'Indestructible'. The only guest appearances on The Blackboard EP are the DJ duo, Faust & Shortee, and German-based vocalist Dominique. Production on the EP is handled by longtime producers Marco Polo, M-phazes, Veterano, the Mighty DR, and Croup as well as Rik Marvel and Dirty Art Club. Along with the EP, a Lyric book and write-up about each song has been included with the download of the EP via Supastition's Bandcamp page.

KID CUDI ON DECK FOR ACTION FLIK - NEED FOR SPEED.
Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi has joined Aaron Paul in DreamWorks’ racing action pic Need for Speed. Cudi will play a member of the racer’s crew.

Mescudi, a record producer and singer-songwriter who has worked with Kanye West and David Guetta, made his acting debut on HBO’s How to Make It in America and recently wrapped Two Night Stand, an indie romantic comedy produced by Beau Flynn and Ruben Fleischer.

Also joining the adaptation of the Electronic Arts video game are Ramon Rodriguez, Rami Malek and Harrison Gilbertson. Dominic Cooper and Imogen Poots are already on board the production, which has been dated for release Feb. 7, 2014. Scott Waugh, one half of the Act of Valor helming team, is directing.

The company has said it’s aiming for the tone of the car-culture films of the 1970s. The story sees Paul play a local street racer who, after being framed for the death of a friend, joins a New York-to-Los Angeles race to get revenge. Source: Hollywood Reporter

MICHELLE WILLIAMS OF DESTINY'S CHILD JOINS CAST OF BROADWAY MUSICAL FELA! Producers Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, and Ruth & Stephen Hendel are pleased to announce that Grammy Award-winning recording artist Michelle Williams, of Destiny's Child fame, will join the national tour of the hit Award-winning Broadway musical Fela! beginning when the multi-city engagement kicks off at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC on January 29 and travels to Detroit, Chicago, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, Schenectady, Memphis, Dallas, Cleveland, and Los Angeles (full tour schedule is listed below). Williams will play the role of Sandra Isadore, activist and love interest to Fela Kuti.

"I am thrilled to join the cast of Fela!," said Michelle Williams, "This musical journey is one that I've wanted to be a part of since first seeing it on stage in 2008. The sounds, the passion, and the politics of Fela Kuti have long intrigued me and speak to my heart. I am simply honored."

NAS PARTNERS UP FOR HENNESSY "WILD RABBIT".
Hennessy, the number one selling Cognac brand in the world, has announced that its successful "Wild Rabbit" campaign will continue for a second year. Centered on the notion that true greatness is reserved for those who have reached a level of mastery yet still push for more success, the "Wild Rabbit" program draws parallels among the journeys of leading icons in various fields and the paths being forged by Hennessy aficionados. The award-winning campaign, which in 2012 spotlighted inspiring tales of such masters as Manny Pacquiao, Erykah Badu and Martin Scorsese, will add a new ambassador to their ranks: multi-platinum recording artist and rhyme master, Nas.

"Our 'never stop, never settle' mantra communicates a value at the core of who we are as a brand and resonates with our consumers: pursuing one's potential comes from an inner drive to continuously grow, continuously improve and seek greater levels of mastery," said Rodney Williams, Senior Vice President, Moet Hennessy USA. "Nas is not only a master in music, but is blazing new trails in film and philanthropy, among other passions."

To introduce the Nas partnership, Hennessy will hold a private concert on January 15 at New York hotspot, R Lounge. Hennessy has partnered with Livestream to capture the concert for fans worldwide.

"This partnership with Hennessy has been almost two decades in the making," said Nas. "I am honored to be included in the group of previous partners Hennessy has selected over the years and hope this campaign will inspire others to 'never stop, never settle."'

The Wild Rabbit campaign received several major awards since breaking last year, including the Cannes Silver Lions Award in Film Craft, the Impact Blue Chip Brand Award, and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America Out of Home Media Plan of the Year Award.

Other Related News: Nas has been placed on “bed rest” following his hospitalisation in New York on Friday.

In a post on his Twitter, he wrote, “Peace y’all (sic). I’m out of the ER (emergency room) & doin (sic) alright. I’m on bed rest for a few days. Apologies to everyone @ Live w/ (with) Kelly & Michael. I’ll make it up to you.”

DEMIGODZ ON DECK.
On 3-5-2013, the Demigodz (Apathy, Celph Titled, Ryu of Styles Of Beyond, Esoteric, Motive, Blacastan) will release there first official full-length LP, KILLMatic, and it will feature appearances from RA The Rugged Man, Termanology, Panchi (of NYG'z), Planetary (of Outerspace), Scoop Deville & Eternia with production from DJ Premier, Marco Polo, The Snowgoons, Apathy, Teddy Roxpin, Chumzilla, Skammadix & Will C.

PHARRELL PARTNERS WITH LIQUIPEL.
Liquipel LLC, the industry leader in Watersafe™ technology, and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams, in conjunction with William Morris Endeavor (WME), have announced a partnership to cross-promote each other's brands and lines of business. Details of the partnership were formally announced at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nev.

Grammy award winning singer/songwriter/producer Pharrell Williams has made history for being one of the most successful and prolific artists to emerge during the last decade. William's unique style and creative aesthetic has been a force in several successful businesses outside the world of music. These include founding the popular clothing brands, Billionaire Boys Club and ICE CREAM, as well as designing limited edition jewelry and accessories for Louis Vuitton. Williams recently published his best-selling book, Pharrell: Places and Spaces I've Been, with Rizzoli in October 2012.

"We are extremely excited to be working with Pharrell. Not only is Pharrell an icon in the entertainment industry, but he is a respected entrepreneur with a keen business sense," said Sam Winkler, Managing Partner of Liquipel. "His range of creativity across fashion, art, music and digital culture bring a perspective, energy and individuality that we value tremendously. We look forward to working with Pharrell across his brands and with Liquipel as the leader in an amazing and dynamic business."

"I look for opportunities that get me excited and where we can do great things together," said Pharrell. "I believe that Liquipel is an amazingly cool technology that seems just like magic. We have only just begun to see how this technology can impact people's lives and become part of their lifestyle. We are going to have a lot of fun!" PHARRELL TALKS THE NEW PARTNERSHIP WATCH HERE
Liquipel LLC is the sole owner and licensor of Liquipel, an award-winning process that uses nanotechnology to make smartphones and other devices Watersafe™ from accidental exposure to water and other liquids.

EX- DRUG DEALER RICK ROSS VS. RAPPER RICK ROSS TO BATTLE IN COURT.
Rapper Rick Ross is being sued by ex drug trafficker Rick Ross for allegedly stealing his name to forge a career. Top music industry execs are being handed subpoenas for the trial. Rapper Rick Ross, whose real name is William Roberts, is said to have taken his stage name from the former cocaine kingpin, infamous for running a drug empire in LA in the 1980s. Ex Drug dealer Rickj Ross, who went to jail in 1996 and got out in 2009, says his name has been “exploited and misused since he went to prison and the rapper made millions off Ross’ name.” The trial is set for LA in August, and ex-Warner honcho Lyor Cohen, current CEO Stephen Cooper and Warner director Edgar Bronfman Jr. are expected to testify. Source: NY Post

A$AP WORLDWIDE ARTIST A$AP FERG INKS WITH POLO GROUNDS MUSIC/RCA RECORDS
Polo Grounds Music/RCA Records has signed another standout member from the A$AP Mob collective – A$AP Worldwide artist A$AP Ferg. With his energetic single “Work,” Ferg is currently taking mixshow radio airwaves by storm, including New York City’s Hot 97.1 and Power 105.1 stations, and is further solidifying the depth of talent being honed by partners A$AP Rocky and A$AP Yams’ label A$AP Worldwide. The debut single will be available for purchase on iTunes January 22nd.

“I’m just proud right now because this is everything we wished and hoped for,” commented Rocky on Ferg’s signing. “A$AP Ferg worked hard for this and I put all my faith and backing into him. I feel like ‘Work’ is our generation’s “Sippin On Some Syrup” [Three 6 Mafia feat. UGK] or “Chickenhead” [Project Pat feat. La Chat & Three 6 Mafia], it has that feeling.”

The Harlem native has captivated audiences with his gritty sound by delivering memorable performances this past fall while touring on A$AP Rocky’s headlining “LONGLIVEA$AP” national tour.

BEATS ELECTRONICS ANNOUNCES NEW MUSIC SERVICE/NAMES NEW CEO.
Beats Electronics LLC (Beats), the leading audio brand co-founded by legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine , today announced a new music service, project "Daisy" and the appointment of Ian Rogers as CEO. Rogers will oversee the direction, vision and strategy for project "Daisy" and the talented team developing the service.

Simultaneously, Rogers will step into the leadership position at MOG, the streaming music service Beats acquired in 2012.

Effective immediately, Rogers reports directly to Beats CEO and Co-founder Jimmy Iovine and President and COO Luke Wood and is based out of the company's Santa Monica headquarters. The new service will benefit from the creative vision of music icon and newly appointed Chief Creative Officer Trent Reznor and is set to launch in late 2013 as a stand-alone company under the Beats Electronics umbrella.

"What's missing from the digital music landscape is a cultural context," said Iovine. "We need to bring an emotional connection back to the act of music discovery. With Trent and now Ian we have the right team in place to do it."

Most recently the CEO of Topspin and formerly the GM of Yahoo! Music, Rogers brings to Beats both technology and music industry savvy, along with a unique understanding of the music business from the artist's point of view. His track record for successfully joining product, promotion, and direct-to-consumer marketing sets a compelling stage for both MOG and "Daisy" within the burgeoning and competitive digital music space.

"For Ian, innovation and disruption is a concept he has mastered — he is able to instinctively identify the opportunities for growth and improvement that exist in the digital music space better than anyone I have ever met and he knows what it takes to win," said Luke Wood . "There is no one better for this role."

Rogers, firmly committed to championing the artist community, will remain on the Topspin board of directors and serve as Executive Chairman. Beats Electronics will make a substantial investment in Topspin to help create meaningful business opportunities for artists inside project "Daisy".

"After years of fighting and uncertainty, it's now undeniable all the world's music will be available on every device by just clicking play. However, the current streaming experiences aren't good enough. They aren't good enough for fans, who need it to be easier to find music they love. And they aren't good enough for artists, who want to grow their audiences and make money," said Rogers. "This is the opportunity I've been working toward my entire career."

CHI-ALI ON DECK.
After a lengthy twelve-year prison term due to a manslaughter conviction, native Bronx, New York, emcee, Chi-Ali, nee' Griffith, is finally a freed man. Older, wiser and even more lyrically gifted than before, Ali is on the cusp of a much desired musical comeback.

Following his September 2012 release, the "youngest member" of the famed Native Tongues' collective has been keeping himself quite busy appearing on a string of popular single entries from the likes of Skyzoo ["Jansport Strings (Remix)"], Mysonne ["Girls Around Me"], Fat Joe ["Games & Things"] and, most recent, Funkmaster Flex ["A Million (Freestyle)"], while at the very same time prepping his long overdue, still untitled sophomore studio collection.

About Chi-Ali: First heard rapping alongside De La Soul during their monumental 3 Feet High and Rising era, followed by his stand-out verse on Black Sheep's "Pass The 40" posse cut, Chi-Ali would go on to put out his debut solo effort, The Fabulous Chi-Ali, which spawned a trio of hits; "Age Ain't Nothing But A #," "Roadrunner" and "Funky Lemonade," back on March 24th 1992. Unfortunately, tragedy struck in January 2000, when Ali was accused of shooting and killing another man in The Bronx, in which he was later tried and convicted for the crime of first-degree manslaughter.

Chi-Ali's eagerly awaited second LP will finally be unveiled in the second quarter '13 -- Stay tuned.

G-UNIT REUNION IN THE WORKS?
50 Cent is in Las Vegas doing promo for SMS Audio at CES 2013. He sat down with Billboard and confirmed that his new album Street King Immortal would be releasing on February 26. Afterwards, he spoke on the future of G-Unit and the possibly of reuniting with Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks for a third album.

“People grow in different directions. [They] have different agendas about things they want to do and they’re sorting themselves out in that way and I’m focused on things that are important to me right now, but there’s a strong possibility there will be a G-Unit collaboration with the three of us. But right now, I’m focused on my solo project.”

RIHANNA ANNOUNCED TO PERFORM AT 55TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS.
Rihanna has been announced to perform at the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® telecast. The five-time GRAMMY winner has three nominations. Rihanna is up for Best Pop Solo Performance for "Where Have You Been," Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (Featuring Jay-Z) for "Talk That Talk," and Best Short Form Music Video (Featuring Calvin Harris) for "We Found Love."

Two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J returns as host of Music's Biggest Night®. Other artists announced to perform are the Black Keys, FUN., Mumford & Sons and Taylor Swift. More to be announced soon.

The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 10, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

NICKI MINAJ PARTNERS WITH KMART.
Nicki Minaj and Adam Levine announced a new long-term relationships with Sears Holdings. Each superstar, in conjunction with Kmart and the ShopYourWay social shopping platform, will launch a multi-department lifestyle brand. The superstars will each develop apparel and accessories collections available exclusively at select Kmart locations and on ShopYourWay beginning in 2013.

Adam and Nicki will each design and develop their collections with Kmart to reflect their strong creative talents, expressive personalities, and distinctive individual styles.

The collections will extend beyond product and will be integrated with unique, fun, and engaging social experiences for SHOP YOUR WAY members and Kmart customers when they join SHOP YOUR WAY. Through these experiences, Adam and Nicki will showcase the richness of their voices, brands, and lifestyles.

“We are thrilled to align Kmart and SHOP YOUR WAY with two of America’s superstars,” said Imran Jooma, executive vice president and president of Marketing & Online at Sears Holdings. “We welcome Adam and Nicki into our world and look forward to capturing their energy and creativity on ShopYourWay.com and translating it into unique apparel, accessories and other merchandise.”

“I am so excited to work with this iconic, mass retailer and to bring affordable fashion to my beautiful barbz all across the U.S.,” said Nicki Minaj.

“Partnering with SHOP YOUR WAY to develop this line was an exciting opportunity for me and I am really looking forward to diving into the process of designing an apparel and accessory collection,” said Adam Levine.

NAS ON DECK FOR 12TH STUDIO ALBUM?
During an interview with AP, Esco said that he's already begun work on the follow-up to Life is Good and that he's in the right state of mind to record it. "Yes. It has started. I must tell you. I can’t stop now. I’m in a great zone," he said.

Also, when asked which albums stood out for him in 2012, he said: "No disrespect to nobody else in rap music, but Kendrick Lamar. I’m really happy about his record. I needed that. His record reaches you. It gives you hope. ...Also, Meek Mill. His energy is amazing."

BEYONCE TO PERFORM FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA AGAIN AT INAUGURATION
Beyoncé will take the stage to sing the national anthem at President Barack Obama's inauguration later this month. The inaugural planning committee for the Jan. 21 event announced the news on Wednesday.

The star performed a rendition of Etta James' "At Last" at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball when the president took office in 2009, and she has been chosen to sing for President Obama and first lady Michelle again to mark the beginning of his second term in the White House.

The singer will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the ceremony, which will take place in Washington, D.C. Kelly Clarkson will also sing at the event, performing the traditional "My Country 'Tis of Thee," which Aretha Franklin tackled for the president four years ago, and singer/songwriter James Taylor will play "America the Beautiful."

GAME RESPONDS ABOUT BEING ACCUSED OF PAST MALE STRIPPER GIG.
Game took to his twitter to respond to his Stepfather’s claim that he was once a male stripper. Game Wrote: This fag get out of jail & because I dont give em no money... He do a interview with Shade 45 lying wit the same stripper story.. ha ha...

It don't work nigga. It's old, niggas tried dat 1 & niggas still thinkin that bullshit gone END me ? I'm to the Canyons on yo bum ass nigga.

Hol up.... Talkin bout he my stepfather ? Bitch, my mama aint never been MARRIED !!! Mad cause I aint loan yo gay ass no $$$ #FuckOuttaHere

BET HONORS 2013 ON DECK.
BET HONORS 2013 is set to ignite Warner Theater with a series of soul stirring performances from Erykah Badu, Wayne Brady, Brandy, Mint Condition, Jimmy Jam, Alicia Keys, Ledisi, the SOS Band and Terry Lewis. This year's honorees include music executive and entrepreneur Clarence Avant known to many as the "Godfather of Black Music," Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry, spiritual educator T.D. Jakes, ten-time GRAMMY award winner and international music icon Chaka Khan who will be celebrating 40 years in music and entertainment and three time WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie. Hosted by actress Gabrielle Union, this year's star studded show will tape on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. BET HONORS 2013 will premiere during Black History Month, on February 11, 2013.

BET HONORS has become a staple in BET history by celebrating extraordinary African-Americans including Cicely Tyson, Jamie Foxx, Iman, Herbie Hancock, Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, Sean "Diddy" Combs along with memorable past performances by Trey Songz, Ne-Yo, Yolanda Adams, Keyshia Cole, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige and Patti LaBelle.

This year's sponsors include Allstate (Award for Education – T.D. Jakes ), AT&T (Entrepreneur Award – Clarence Avant ), Lexus (Award for Service – Halle Berry ), Pantene (Award for Musical Arts – Chaka Khan ) and the U.S. Army (Awards for Athletics – Lisa Leslie ).

Proceeds from BET HONORS 2013 will benefit Life Pieces to Masterpieces, Inc., an organization that provides opportunities for African American boys and young men in greater Washington, D.C. by developing and unlocking their potential and empowering them to transform their lives and communities.

Stephen Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, and Lynne Harris Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks are executive producers, along with Jesse Collins of Jesse Collins Productions.

WOMAN CHARGED WITH SENDING THREATS TO SLAIN RAPPER YUNG TEDDY.
While Cobb County police continue to investigate last week’s shooting death of rapper Yung Teddy, authorities have charged a woman with sending him death threats. Yachari Kiyana Miller allegedly sent messages to 23-year-old Justin Mitchell saying, “You a dead man walking” and “This your year to die” just 24 hours before he was killed, according to an arrest warrant obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Mitchell, also known as “Yung Teddy,” was found shot to death at his Austell home Wednesday night. He had posted on Twitter hours earlier about death threats against him.

Miller, of Powder Springs, is charged with one count of terroristic threats and acts, a felony, and has been in the Cobb County Detention Center since Friday, according to the sheriff’s office. She is being held without bond.

There were witnesses to the fatal shooting and police are looking for two suspects, but no one has been arrested for Mitchell’s death. The first suspect is described as a black man, 20 to 23 years old, and between 5-foot-6 and 5-9 with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a gray sweater, dark pants and a black beanie hat. He had a handgun.
The second suspect is described as a black man between 5-4 and 5-6. He had a navy blue bandana covering his face and was wearing a multicolored beanie hat.

Anyone with information about the case should call Cobb County police at 770-499-3945. Source: Atlanta Journal

KANYE AND KIM K REMODELING NEWLY PURCHASED MANSION.
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have purchased a $11 million mansion together. According to TMZ, the 10,000-square-foot estate is located in a private, gated community in Bel Air, Calif., with celebrity neighbors including Jennifer Aniston, Chris Paul, and Joe Francis. The couple has already gutted the place and are designing a 14,000-square-foot dream home in its place, which will be an Italian-style villa with a gym, movie theater, hair and makeup salon, bowling alley, basketball court, and indoor and outdoor pools.

50 CENT, LL COOL J, WILL.i.am, REV RUN, RUSSELL SIMMONS & MORE ON DECK FOR 2013 INTERNATIONAL CES®.
Musicians, movie stars and tv personalities are all on deck to promote the latest innovations shaping the consumer electronics industry during the 2013 International CES®. Owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association® (CEA), the 2013 CES, the world’s largest annual innovation event, is scheduled for January 8-11, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rapper, entrepreneur, investor and actor Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will make an appearance at the SMS Audio booth.

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
SMS Audio (LVCC, South Hall 1, #20206)
3 p.m., Wednesday, January 9

Founder and chairman of i.am.plus, llc, will.i.am is a founding shareholder in Beats Electronics, the creators of the Beats by Dre™ headphones. will is a featured panelist on the Next Generation of Innovators keynote in the LVH Theater.

will.i.am
The Next Generation of Innovators Keynote
11 a.m.-12 p.m., Tuesday, January 8, LVH Theater

Drummer and producer Travis Barker will sign autographs at the Pioneer Electronics Booth. In addition to his passion for drumming and creating music, Barker is a self-proclaimed car enthusiast. Barker’s classic 1951 Chevy truck will be on display throughout the show, showcasing Pioneer’s 2013 car audio products.

Travis Barker
Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. (LVCC, North Hall Booth #1101)
12-1 p.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 8

Rapper Lil Twist will appear at the Nikura booth. Lil Twist is a protégé of Lil Wayne.

Nikura (LVCC, South Hall 4, #37134)
1 p.m., Thursday, January 10

LL COOL J, star of CBS’s hit drama series “NCIS: LOS ANGELES,” will be interviewed by CNET’s Brian Tong at the CNET Stage where they will talk about Boomdizzle’s Liquid MyConnect Studio app.

CNET (LVCC, South Hall 3, CNET Booth)
4:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 8

Former football player and son of Bob Marley, Rohan Marley, will be at CES showcasing his House of Marley eco-friendly headphones. Marley will be at the House of Marley booth.

House of Marley (LVCC, Central Hall, #10544)
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday, January 8-Thursday, January 9

Joseph Ward Simmons, better known as Rev. Run, will be available for autographs and pictures at the Jabra booth alongside DJ Ruckus.

Rev. Run.
Jabra (LVCC, Central Hall, #11608)
12-1 p.m., Tuesday, January 8

Rev. Run’s older brother will also be at the 2013 CES. Russell Simmons is featured as a speaker for the conference session “Anytime, Anywhere Content” where content providers and device manufacturers examine how and where the public is getting content and the delivery platforms poised for growth.

BG183, Bio and Nicer from TATS CRU, Inc., a group of Bronx-based graffiti artists turned professional muralists, will perform a live art demo at the Cygnett booth.

TATS CRU, Inc.
Cygnett (LVCC, North Hall, #6009)

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi is the New York Times bestselling author of “A Shore Thing,” “Confessions of a Guidette” and “Gorilla Beach.” She is the breakout star of MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” the highest-rated shows in the network’s history. She will be at the Zeikos booth.

Snooki
CNET (LVCC, South Hall 3, CNET Booth)
4:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 8

SOUL Electronics will be accompanied by Tim Tebow, quarterback for the New York Jets and Heisman trophy winner. Tebow will be at the SOUL Electronics suite for the product launch of the Tebow line. SOUL Electronics will also be throwing an after party at TAO Nightclub, hosted by recording artist and actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges.

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges
SOUL Electronics
10 p.m., Thursday, January 10, TAO Nightclub

WRAP UP - 2012 YEAR-END NEILSON MUSIC INDUSTRY REPORT RELEASED.
Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen BDS, the entertainment industry's leading data information systems, announced the 2012 year-end U.S. music sales figures for the 12-month period of January 2, 2012 through December 30, 2012. Nielsen SoundScan measures U.S. point-of-sale of recorded music product. Nielsen BDS tracks U.S. radio airplay and music streams. Both systems power many of the Billboard charts.

For 2012, sales of albums and track equivalents are down slightly at -1.8% vs. 2011. Digital Albums are up 14% and Digital Tracks are up 5%. CD sales declined 13%.

* Total Rap music album sales for 2012 were 24.2 million (Down -11.40% from 2011).

*Total Rap music Digital Album sales for 2012 were 10.7 million (Up 14.70% from 2011).

*Total R&B/Hip Hop Genre Digital Track Sales for 2012 were 249.3 million (Down -4.90% from 2011).

*Nicki Minaj was the only hip hop artist who made the Top 10 cut for 2012 Top Selling Albums w/TEA (Includes All Albums & Track Equivalent Albums) She came in @ #7 PINK FRIDAY...ROMAN RELOADED / NICKI MINAJ 1,657,000

2012 Top Ten Selling Digital Songs
#4 PAYPHONE / MAROON 5 FT. WIZ KHALIFA 4,757,000
#5 STARSHIPS / NICKI MINAJ 3,979,000
#9 GANGNAM STYLE / PSY 3,592,000

2012 Top Ten Artist Airplay (USRD Format BDS Airplay Detections)
1. KATY PERRY 1,395,000
2. ADELLE 1,178,000
3. KELLY CLARKSON 1,064,000
4. TAYLOR SWIFT 1,022,000
5. RIHANNA 912,000
6. PINK 888,000
7. BRUNO MARS 865,000
8. FLO RIDA 830,000
9. KENNY CHESNEY 826,000
10.NICKI MINAJ 741,000

2012 Top Ten Streamed Artists
1. TAYLOR SWIFT 216,000,00
2. NICKI MINAJ 210,000,000
3. RIHANNA 204,000,000
4. KATY PERRY 177,000,000
5. EMINEM 174,000,000
6. ONE DIRECTION 168,000,000
7. ADELE 163,000,000
8. BEYONCE 141,000,000
9. CHRIS BROWN 139,000,000
10. CARLY RAE JEPSEN 135,000,00

“Overall music purchases surpassed 1.65 billion units in 2012, up 3.1% vs. the previous record high set in 2011, driven by digital music sales, which continue be a key growth element within the market,” said David Bakula, SVP Client Development, Nielsen.

“Digital Album sales are up 14.1% and Digital Track sales are up 5.1%, but despite being down 12.8%, physical is still the dominant album format.

“The big artist stories of the year are Adele and Taylor Swift,” continued Bakula. “Adele’s album, 21, is the first album ever to be the top seller of the year for two consecutive years, and Taylor Swift’s Red has sold more than 3.1 million copies in only 10 weeks, debuting with the highest weekly sales of any title since 2002.”

2012 YEAR-END HIGHLIGHTS
Total music purchases (Physical Albums, Digital Albums and Digital Songs) are at an all-time high, surpassing 1.65 billion units this year, up 3.1% vs. last year.

Overall Album sales (including Albums and Track Equivalent Album sales) were down 1.8% compared to 2011.

Total Album sales were down 4.4% in 2012 with sales totaling 316.0 million units compared to 330.6 million in 2011.

10 Albums sold more than one million units in 2012.

The Country genre showed the greatest gains in 2012 with sales up 4.1% compared to 2011. Rock, which continues to be the biggest genre, was up 1.4% vs. 2011.

Country also saw a 38% gain in digital album sales in 2012 vs. 2011, the largest increase of any genre in the digital album format.

For the fifth consecutive year, more vinyl albums were purchased than any other year in the history of Nielsen SoundScan. In 2012, vinyl album sales reached 4.6 million in sales, breaking the previous record of 3.9 million LP album sales in 2011. 67% of all vinyl albums were purchased at an independent music store during 2012. Vinyl album sales in 2012 were up 19% compared to 2011 and accounted for 1.4% of all album sales and 2.3% of all physical album sales.

For the second consecutive year, Columbia Records ends the year with the largest market share among all label groups with a 9.05% album label share.

DIGITAL HIGHLIGHTS
Digital music continues to grow, with total digital sales up 9.1% vs. 2011. Digital Albums reached an all-time high with 117.7 million units, up 14.1% vs. 2011. Digital Tracks also reached an all-time high with 1.34 billion units sold in 2012, up 5.1% vs. 2011. Digital share of the total business (album + TEA) was 55.9% in 2012. Digital album sales accounted for 37% of all album purchases in 2012 compared to 31% in 2011, 26% in 2010, 20% in 2009, 15% in 2008, 10% in 2007 and 5.5% in 2006.

While total digital album growth was 14% in 2012, there were a number of digital album genres that experienced even higher digital growth.

Country digital album sales up 38%
Latin digital album sales up 22%
Rock digital album sales up 18%

For the last week of 2012 (week ending 12/30/2012), digital album sales set a new high with sales of 4.5 million, over one million units higher than the previous record week. While overall digital tracks sales were up 5%, several genres showed double-digit increases. Dance/Electronic tracks are up 36%; Country is up 13%; Rock is up 11% vs. the prior year.

For the first time, a digital song had more than six million downloads in a calendar year and that feat was achieved by two songs this year: Gotye featuring Kimbra – “Somebody That I Used to Know” sold 6.8 million downloads and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” sold 6.5 million. Another song just missed the six million mark, with Fun. featuring Janelle Monae’s “We Are Young” selling 5.9 million downloads.

In 2012, 108 songs exceeded the one million sales mark. In 2012, 41 different digital songs had sales that exceeded two million (compared to 38 in 2011, 37 in 2010, 31 in 2009, 19 in 2008, nine in 2007).

BEST SELLER ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS
Adele’s 21 finishes the year as the biggest selling album for the second consecutive year with just over 4.4 million sales. This is the first time ever that an album has been the year’s best seller for two consecutive years. The album has now eclipsed the 10 million unit mark in just under two years. 21 was also the best-selling digital album of the year, surpassing one million digital albums for the second consecutive year. No other album has sold more than one million digital albums in any year and now 21 has done it two years in a row.

Taylor Swift’s Red is the year’s second best seller with over 3.1 million units sold in just 10 weeks (the album was released on 10/22).

Red had first-week sales of 1,208,000, the biggest weekly sales for an album since The Eminem Show sold 1,322,000 in its second week of release in 2002.

MOST PLAYED AND STREAMED HIGHLIGHTS
For the second year, Katy Perry ends the year as the most played artist over the airways in 2012 with more than 1.4 million spins. Four out of the top 10 most played artists in 2012 had more than one million detections for the year. Taylor Swift claimed the top spot as the most streamed artist in 2012 with more than 216 million streams. Carly Rae Jepson’s “Call Me Maybe” was the most streamed song and music video in 2012 with 119.8 million streams in 2012.

STRATA HIGHLIGHTS
For the first time in history, more albums were sold in Digital music stores than in any other strata. Mass Merchants had been the largest strata for the past five years.

In 2012, 37% of all albums purchased were through a digital service like iTunes, Amazonmp3 or eMusic, an increase of 6 points from 2011. During 2012, 29% of all album purchases occurred at Mass Merchant outlets (Walmart, Target, etc.).

Album sales at retail Chain stores accounted for 15% of all album sales in 2012, while 10% came from Internet/Mail Order and Venue sales and 7% occurred at Independent music stores.

TIMBALAND JOINS 50 CENT AND SMS AUDIO AS INVESTOR PARTNER.
SMS Audio, LLC, (audio headphone and accessories brand from 50 Cent), today announced a partnership with producer Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley. Timbaland joins SMS Audio as an investment partner and member of the company’s board of directors, with substantial involvement in the design and audio engineering process for new SMS Audio products.

“50 Cent has created an aspirational audio brand that produces the highest caliber of headphones on the market,” said Timbaland. “I’m looking forward to working with 50 and being part of a company so eager to bring studio-quality sound to music fans all over the world.”

“As an entrepreneur in the music industry, I have great respect for Timbaland and his evolving role as a producer, artist and influencer,” said 50 Cent, CEO of SMS Audio. “I welcome his expertise and guidance. Timbaland will be a huge asset to the SMS Audio team as we move forward with new and innovative audio products.”

A world class audio headphone and accessories brand, SMS Audio is dedicated to improving the way people experience music. SMS Audio combines technology, function and style to bring the highest caliber of sound, comfort and fashion to every product. Delivering a professional, studio-quality music experience, the SMS Audio product line includes the new STREET by 50™ wired on-ear headphones, STREET by 50™ over-ear wired headphones, STREET by 50™ in-ear wired headphones, STREET by 50™ wired DJ Pro Performance headphones and SYNC by 50™ over-ear wireless headphones – which integrate Kleer® wireless technology to allow up to four listeners to simultaneously rock from a single source.

Through its partnership with Feeding America®, each online U.S. sale of SMS Audio headphones through the MSAUDIO site will provide 250 meals to American families in need.

JAY-Z TO SCORE THE GREAT GATSBY.
Jay-Z is on deck to composing Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming film “The Great Gatsby,” He will process the entire original score with producer The Bullitts.

The Bullitts broke the news on Twitter. “Jay-Z and myself have been working tirelessly on the score for the upcoming CLASSIC ’The Great Gatsby,’” Bullitts wrote. “It is too DOPE for words!”

The film will also include songs by Prince and Lady Gaga. “The film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, hits theaters on May 10.

40 GLOCC ALLEGEDLY KNOCKS OUT GAME'S MANAGER. ( TRUE OR FALSE? )
Reports of Games's manager getting knocked out by 40 Glocc went viral on New Year's Eve.

According to reports, 40 Glocc allegedly assaulted Game's manager Dontay "Taydoe" Kidd while he was in Las Vegas at the Hilton Hotel around 10pm on Saturday night.. Details on the incident are still sketchy.

40 Glocc tweeted on Monday about the incident. ( looks like the tweets have now been deleted)

"SEE THEY SEND ME ALL THESE TWITTER THREATS.. & SEE ME WITHOUT THEY HOMIES.. & THEY GO TO SLEEP.. NOW THEY MAD HE GOT KNOCKED OUT..,"

KANYE WEST AND KIM K EXPECTING A BABY.
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are expecting their first child. Kanye announced at a concert Sunday night that his girlfriend is pregnant.

Kim Kardashian was in the crowd at Revel Resort's Ovation Hall with her mother, Kris Jenner, and West's mentor and best friend, Jay-Z. West told the crowd of more than 5,000 in song form: "Now you having my baby."

Most of the Kardashian clan also tweeted about the news, including Kim's sisters. Kourtney Kardashian wrote: "Another angel to welcome to our family. Overwhelmed with excitement!"

West, 35, also told concertgoers to congratulate his "baby mom" and that this was the "most amazing thing."

West's Sunday-night show was his third consecutive performance at Revel. He took the stage for nearly two hours, performing hits like "Good Life," ''Jesus Walks" and "Clique" in an all-white ensemble with two bandmates.

Kim was crying tears of joy when Kanye revealed they’re expecting, and was especially moved because he did it during one of her fave songs … “Lost in the World.

"It’s true!! Kanye and I are expecting a baby. We feel so blessed and lucky and wish that in addition to both of our families, his mom and my dad could be here to celebrate this special time with us. Looking forward to great new beginnings in 2013 and to starting a family. Happy New Year!!! Xo" Kim wrote on her blog.

GEE ROBERSON FORMS NEW LABEL - INCLUDES HIT-BOY AND LEP BOGUS BOYS.
Gee Roberson, Chairman of Geffen Records, will transition to create and own a full service record company to be distributed by Interscope Geffen A&M, it was announced today by Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman and CEO Jimmy Iovine and President and COO John Janick . This move is consistent and in further consolidation of his other highly successful entertainment interests including managerial and artist development company Blueprint Group.

"I'm very happy about the knowledge and experience I gained at Geffen that will be very useful going forward in the future," said Roberson, noting that Keyshia Cole 's Woman To Woman enjoyed one of 2012's biggest selling debut weeks for an R&B album. "Now it's time to go back to my roots, that entrepreneurial spirit, wrap my arms around my own label and fold it into Interscope Geffen A&M. Based on the relationship I already have with Jimmy and everyone at the label, this is a very natural move that's filled with synergies."

Added Jimmy Iovine , Chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M: "Gee has an extraordinary entrepreneurial instinct and that spirit has always been an important part of our company. John and I are thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Gee on his latest venture."

Several artists on the Geffen roster are expected to join Roberson at the New York City-based label, called Blueprint, including but not limited to rapper/producer Hit-Boy and Chicago hardcore rappers LEP Bogus Boys.

Roberson began his music industry career under the tutelage of Jay-Z at Roc-A-Fella Records, where he rose to senior VP of A&R. He later moved to Atlantic Records as senior VP of A&R and headed the label's urban music division. Meanwhile, in 1998, he co-founded his management company Rock Da World, signing Kanye West as its first artist, followed by Just Blaze . In 2004, the company changed its name to Hip Hop Since 1978. Six years later, Hip Hop Since 1978 merged with Bryant Management, which boasted Lil Wayne , Drake, Nicki Minaj and T.I. among its clients.

Roberson and Cortez Bryant remain co-CEOs of the resulting company, the Blueprint Group. Last year in 2011 he executive produced the top three selling rap albums: Lil Wayne 's Tha Carter IV , Jay-Z and Kanye West 's Watch The Throne and Drake's Take Care. This year he executive produced the top selling rap album of the year with Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded .

SWIZZ BEATZ AND FRIENDS JOIN FORCES WITH VH1.
VH1 Save The Music Foundation's 2012 Songwriters Music Series finale will return on Thursday, January 17th at Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square after being postponed due to Hurricane Sandy. Swizz Beatz will bring together a collection of his famous friends for a one of a kind evening! All funds raised will benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and go towards the creation of the Tri-State Sandy Music Relief Fund, which will allow the Foundation to provide special grants of instruments to schools affected by the storm.

This special benefit will celebrate creativity displayed through production and musical composition. In addition, it will help to provide the tools needed for students to be innovative in the classroom and beyond, encouraging them to use music as a means of expression. The event will feature a sponsored bar featuring premium wine from William Hill Estate Wines and passed hors d'oeuvres as well as up close and personal acoustic performances.

"New York City and the Tri-State area is my home and it's a place that constantly inspires music and creativity for myself and millions of others," says Swizz. "I'm going to bring out some friends and put on a crazy show to support the VH1 Save the Music Foundation and the creation of the Tri-State Sandy Music Relief Fund so this creativity can thrive again for kids all over the East Coast."

"It is such a thrill to have Swizz Beatz join VH1 and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation for this unique and inspired cause," said Paul Cothran , Vice President & Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. "As he rallies his friends and puts together what is sure to be an unforgettable night, we will be able to help restore instrumental music to schools devastated by Hurricane Sandy."

MC EIHT ON DECK.
MC Eiht is set to drop a brand new EP release, the appropriately titled Keep It Hood, and first solo effort since 2007's Representin', the Compton's Most Wanted front-man and international producer Brenk Sinatra, who actually hails from Vienna, have come together in unison to form and create what has quickly turned out to become a musical match made in Hip-Hop heaven. The eagerly awaited, seven-track collection, due out on New Year's Eve, was literally just introduced via its slinky lead offering, "The Reign," with signature scratches courtesy of the iconic DJ Premier.

For Eiht, who can also be heard on the stand-out track "m.A.A.d. city" from Kendrick Lamar's currrent chart-topping 2nd solo effort, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, Keep It Hood is only a small taste, a pre-lude if "you" will, of what is destined to come when he unleashes his highly anticipated fourteenth solo LP, Which Way Iz West, in early spring '13. Keep It Hood [BlueStamp Music], mixed by the aforementioned Premo for Works of Mart, is slated for release on December 31st 2012...

CZARFACE ON DECK: FULL-LENGTH HIP-HOP COLLABORATION BETWEEN INSPECTAH DECK AND 7L & ESOTERIC
In music, timing is everything. When soon-to-be-renowned Boston hip-hop duo 7L & Esoteric collaborated with the Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck on the title track to 7LES’s debut EP Speaking Real Words in 1999, the timing was perfect. The upstart duo was building a serious buzz on the East Coast and beyond, while Deck was still winning praise for his gold-selling solo disc Uncontrolled Substance. As flashy pop-oriented rap was pumped on commercial radio stations, their natural chemistry and sympatico skills shone as a beacon to real hip-hop fans, a base of listeners who were soon asking about their next musical summit.

14 years later, the hunger for sharp lyrics and head-snapping beats hasn't dissipated. In the face of the ever-worsening status quo of watered-down and vapid radio rap songs, the call for something real has only gotten stronger, and once again the time is right for a call to action – for someone or something to come in and send wack rappers running for the hills in fear. Enter CZARFACE, the upcoming full-length album from Inspectah Deck and 7L & Esoteric, to be released on indie stalwart Brick Records on February 19, 2013.

As Deck explains, “We called it CZARFACE because a czar is someone who is pretty much idolized by certain people no matter what he does or what he's done. At the same time, he's looked at like some type of martyr.” His lyrical partner Esoteric adds: “CZARFACE is a vigilante. He’s an anti-hero character who serves as the face of the project and his focus is on annihilating the hip-hop media darlings the mainstream caters to.”

As any fan will agree, there is no disputing Deck’s important place in the hip-hop game as a lyrical idol. As a founding member of one of hip-hop's most important groups, the Wu-Tang Clan, Deck has firmly established himself an elite lyricist with 20 years of legendary verses under his belt, lacing Clan classics like “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Protect Ya Neck,” “Triumph” and “Bring Da Ruckus” with street wisdom delivered by a liquid flow.

For Deck, joining forces with 7L & Esoteric is a natural fit: like him, the producer/MC pair has forged a unique and still-expanding career by earning respect from their peers and always seeking out new creative opportunities. Since the release of Speaking Real Words in 1999 they've released five more critically acclaimed albums as a duo, toured the world and participated in group projects with the likes of Army of the Pharaohs and East Coast Avengers.

CZARFACE packs enough ammunition to answer anyone questioning whether these veterans still have the heart for battle. Deck has kept the Wu-Tang flag flying high in recent years, collaborating with Raekwon and RZA while releasing solo albums such as 2010's The Manifesto (Traffic). From the Boston end, Esoteric has branched out beyond ongoing work with childhood friend DJ 7L, pushing his own creative talents in new directions: from a self-produced instrumental disc inspired by Japanese b-movies (Pterodactyl Takes Tokyo, Fly Casual, 2008) to the deeply-personal concept album, Saving Seamus Ryan (Fly Casual, 2009).

With both lyricists in prizefighting form, CZARFACE is a showcase for lyrical finesse, superior rhyme skills and teacher-approved sharing skills. To wit: a track like the single “Cement 3's,” where Deck and Eso trade incisive, rewind-worthy verses over a hypnotic head-thump beat from 7L, while Roc Marciano delivers the final verbal body blows. Unsurprisingly, respect for real hip-hop runs deep, and CZARFACE brings an army with it—consider the star-studded guest list which includes Action Bronson, Vinnie Paz, Oh No, Mr. MFN eXquire and Deck's fellow Wu-Tang Clansmen Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna.

Aside from one track blessed by the almighty DJ Premier, production on CZARFACE belongs exclusively to DJ 7L, who provides the musical backbone which holds the album together. His ability to craft a hip-hop sound that's current and exciting with a classic feel left Deck impressed: “This is one of the first albums I've heard in a while that gives you so many different feels. You hear the ‘80s hip-hop style, ‘80s R&B and rock combined with what's going on now. That’s creating something new, in my opinion.”

A collaboration this big is bound to catch some attention, as it has from MISHKA NYC artist Lamour Supreme, who created the eye-popping comic-book-inspired cover art for CZARFACE. That's just a taste of the surprises that lie in store when the album is released in special, deluxe packaging on CD and double LP on February 19, 2013.

As Deck states, summing it all up: “When you see our face, you see the face of hip-hop, you see the face of music in this form. People do what they do—there's techno rap and all kinds of rap out there. But this is that speaking-real-words rap. Go ahead and dissect everything we're saying, you’ll get plenty out of it.” Check out the Czarface Studio Footage HERE

ALICIA KEYS TO PERFORM AT PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS 2013
Two-time People’s Choice Award-winner and fourteen-time Grammy® Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer, Alicia Keys, will perform live at PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2013, from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 9 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. She will be joining previously announced performers Christina Aguilera and Jason Aldean. The People’s Choice Awards is the only major awards show where fans determine the nominees and winners across categories of movies, music and television.

"The caliber of performances we have planned for this show is beyond compare," said Executive Producer Mark Burnett. "Alicia is an undeniable vocal powerhouse, and combined with Christina Aguilera and Jason Aldean, we are going to have one epic show. They are three of music's biggest talents. I am simply ecstatic to have them all joining us this year."

Keys’ fifth studio album, GIRL ON FIRE (RCA Records), debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, #1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #1 on the Top Digital Albums chart. In addition to being the best-selling R&B album in the U.S., GIRL ON FIRE reached number one on the iTunes album chart in 19 countries. This week, Keys debuted her powerful new video for her latest single “Brand New Me.” Since the 2001 release of her monumental debut album, Songs in A Minor, Keys has built an unparalleled repertoire of hits and accomplishments with more than 30 million albums and 25 million singles sold worldwide. Keys became the first female R&B artist to have three consecutive #1 album debuts on the Billboard 200 album chart. She is also an accomplished actress, a New York Times best-selling author, an entrepreneur and a powerful force in the world of philanthropy and in the global fight against HIV and AIDS.

VH1 PRIMETIME RATINGS SOAR IN 2012.
VH1 closes the book on 2012 with an impressive +33% increase in primetime ratings in the adult 18-49 demo while scoring substantial double-digit growth among total viewers and women. The music and pop culture network averaged a .4 in primetime in the adult 18-49 demo, compared to a .3 average for 2011. VH1 also averaged 607,000 total viewers in primetime throughout the year - an increase of +14% vs. the average tally a year ago.

In addition, VH1 also finished 2012 with strong growth in the women 18-49 and the women 18-34 demos. VH1 finished the year as the #1 non-sports Monday cable network in primetime among women 18-34, women 18-49, and women 25-54. For the year, VH1 averaged a .5 in primetime among women 18-49 -- up +25% vs. 2011, and a .6 among women 18-34 - up +20% compared to last year's average rating.

VH1's individual series highlights for the year include:

The second season of "Mob Wives" finished at a .9 adult 18-49 Live+SD rating, up +13% from season 1. It finished with 1.5 million Total Viewers, up +15% from season 1. The series drove VH1 to the #1 cable network ranking among women 18-49 in its Sunday 8pm time period.

"Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta" ranked as cable's TOP reality series of the summer among adult 18-49 impressions and women 18-49 throughout the 12 weeks since its premiere on June 18th. Overall the series averaged 5 million total viewers during premieres plus first encores. Through all of its premiere episodes, "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" averaged a 2.1 adult 18-49 Live+SD rating. On the social media front, "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" was the #1 most social non-sports series of the summer on all of television, cable and broadcast, according to Trendrr and SocialGuide.

"Single Ladies" finished its second season on Monday, August 27 as ad-supported cable's #1 regularly scheduled summer scripted series among women 18-49. Overall the series averaged 3.2 million total viewers during premieres plus first encores -- up +10% from season 1. Through its first 12 premiere episodes, "Single Ladies" averaged a 1.4 P18-49 Live+SD rating -- up +17% from season 1.

The second season of "Couples Therapy" averaged 570,000 total viewers -- up +33% from season 1.

In 4th quarter, the second season of "Basketball Wives LA" averaged 2 million total viewers (Live+7) -- up +18% over the total viewer average for season 1.

In 2012, VH1 also experienced exponential growth across all digital screens. On the social front, VH1 saw a 139% increase of Twitter followers and a 120% increase of fans of its various Facebook pages. Mobile usage grew across the board as well, including a 62% uptick in visitors and 170% uptick in streams. Additionally, VH1.com saw an audience increase with total streams up an impressive 13%.

7DIGITAL ANNOUNCE THEIR TOP 20 SELLING U.S. TRACKS FOR 2012.
7digital (The world’s leading digital music and content technology platform, which provides open access to the broadest catalogue of fully licensed, high quality digital music.) has announced its top 20 selling albums for 2012. SEE THE TOP 20 BELOW.

During 2012 7digital continued to expand its network of partnerships in both downloads and streaming, bringing music applications to new devices and services. Major partnerships with Microsoft, Acer, Sonos and Pioneer brought 7digital apps to Windows 8 PCs, connected TVs and in-car entertainment systems, while the launch of a Windows Phone 8 app and new partnerships with Samsung, RIM and HTC increased the company’s mobile footprint.

“Streaming is an increasingly important part of our business in the US. Radio continues to be the number one music discovery mechanism, and coupled with downloads, it gives music fans new music and ownership of their favorite songs and albums. The launch of on-demand streaming and acquiring publishing rights was a huge feat and major upgrade,” said Vickie Nauman, president of 7digital North America. “The abundance of start-ups that are building innovative applications around music contributes to a creative marketplace and new legally licensed uses for digital music. The demand from start ups was a major catalyst for us creating the prototype package, which allows developers access to our API to create a live, working prototype while they seek funding or simply hone the user experience. This creates much-needed ramp time.”

Expansion will continue in 2013, with the roll-out of more on-demand and radio streaming from the 7digital platform. Connected devices will be the largest platform for music in 2013, and 7digital will continue to offer an open platform that is compatible with the widest range of mobile devices. This will be increasingly important in the coming year; as music fans have the choice of download, streaming and radio services, music collections and libraries will need to be accessible on the different platforms consumers are using.

“The increasing availability of 4G and high speed mobile connections, coupled with the increasing number of devices and services, means connected devices will continue to be a growth area in 2013,” comments Ben Drury, CEO at 7digital. “Music fans have a much bigger choice in how they purchase digital music today. As well as download, radio and streaming there is also the options of access; free, rental through subscriptions, and purchase. The increase in mobile and variety of access options is a big opportunity for us, especially with the launch of our new streaming services in the coming year and presence on a wide range of connected device platforms.”

“We’ll also likely see more high levels of investment in the digital music sector in 2013, coupled with more high market valuations of digital music companies. While these may not all pan out as investors hope, it’s encouraging to see so much enthusiasm for the digital music space going into 2013.”

7digital’s Top US 20 Albums 2012*
1. Adele – 21
2. LMFAO – Sorry For Party Rocking (Explicit Version)
3. Lil Wayne – Tha Carter IV (Explicit Deluxe Version)
4. Drake – Take Care (Explicit Deluxe)
5. Beyoncé – 4
6. fun. – Some Nights
7. P!nk – The Truth About Love
8. Gotye – Making Mirrors
9. Rihanna – Talk That Talk (Explicit Version)
10. Justin Bieber – Believe
11. JAY Z / Kanye West – Watch The Throne (Explicit Version)
12. Maroon 5 – Hands All Over
13. Nelly Furtado – The Spirit Indestructible
14. 2 Chainz – Based On A T.R.U. Story (Explicit Version)
15. Flo Rida – Wild Ones
16. Whitney Houston – The Bodyguard - Original Soundtrack Album
17. Eminem – Recovery (Explicit Version)
18. Young Jeezy – TM:103 Hustlerz Ambition (Explicit Version)
19. Whitney Houston – Whitney The Greatest Hits
20. David Guetta - Nothing But The Beat

TROUBLESUM ON DECK.
Houston’s First Lady, TroubleSum aka The Teflon Diva, continues to be a dominating force to the growth of southern music and culture with her effortless delivery of lyrics; written by this living, breathing, walking paradox, she's certain to alter the hip hop scene with her highly anticipated mixtape, "Stilleto 2 The Pedal" which dropped today. (features Bun B, Cory Mo, Just Brittany, Candy Red)

TroubleSum is one in a handful of female MC's to be consistently acknowledged on a national scale, having already been awarded the title: Best Female Rapper in Houston, by the Houston Press, the Teflon Diva, is known locally and nationwide for her lyrical ability, with impeccable style and class. She's performed at countless shows, sharing the stage with industry heavyweights such as Rick Ross, Bun B, Trae Tha Truth, Lupe Fiasco, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Dorrough, and Trina.

Inspired by musical greats such as Tupac Shakur, Jimi Hendrix, and the Gospel group The Clark Sisters; these artists influenced her writing ability, and like them, she strives to reach her own legendary status. "I will hold stead fast to my vision, and never comprise my self-respect," explains Troublesum." With a future as bright as her winning smile, the artist has not forgotten her roots, as she regularly donates her time, star power, and talent to nonprofit organizations and charity causes.

A$SAP ROCKY TALKS GUILTY PLEA AND MORE..
A$AP Rocky stopped by Power 105's The Breakfast Club. He talked his recent guilty plea for attempted grand larceny and more..

"They said I tried to rob. I can't really talk into that, but it costs a lot of money just to be coming to court every month for something as petty as me stealing a camera in this day and age," he said. "It's one of those slaps on the wrists. That's when I calmed down for real. That was the last fight. That wasn't my first lawsuit."

He also spoke on working with T.I. for their collabo on Wildside: "These older cats like Big Boi, it's an honor to have them acknowledge me. I really wish Big L was around. I wish I could work with him, for real. That'd be crazy," he said. "I love that Hip Hop. East Coast, West Coast, Southern... Don't they call those the golden ages? Golden era." WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

FUTURE INKS JOINT VENTURE WITH EPIC.
FUTURE is pleased to announce the formation of a joint venture company with Epic Records for his label, FREEBANDZ ENTERTAINMENT. With Future's Pluto and Pluto 3D being the first releases from Freebandz; the union of Freebandz/Epic is sure to create great new music for years to come.

Future exclaims, "LA Reid and the team at Epic made a great impact on my career helping me to reach an incredible level of success with Pluto. It made perfect sense to fully partner with them with my label Freebandz."

As a precursor, FUTURE will release the mixtape FUTURE PRESENTS FBG: THE MOVIE on 1-13-13 , which will introduce the world to his new stable of artists. The artwork ( done by Chaz L. Morgan, Meek Mill Dreams & Nightmares) for the mixtape represents the subject matter discussed on the mixtape. The mask symbolizes the foes FBG has surpassed as they make their way to the top. The spiked Louboutin shoe represents FBG's defense and strength developed along the way while the Louis Vuitton luggage with cash pouring out depicts where Future's efforts have allowed him to soar enabling him to provide for his family and loved ones.

As a much-sought-after songwriter, FUTURE says everyone from Shakespeare to Too Short influences him. This diversity proves true as Future hones his skills as a wordsmith helping to create hit songs for everyone from Ludacris, to Pusha T, to greatly reviewed "Loveeeeee Song,"off of Rihanna's Unapologetic which was co-written by and features Future. You can also catch Future on the hook and on verses of DJ Khaled's "Bitches & Bottles" alongside T.I. and Lil Wayne.

Having primed the well for his major label debut with a steady string of guest appearances and mixtapes, Atlanta's FUTURE dropped Pluto in April of this year. So far, four of its singles have cracked the Top Ten on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart: "Tony Montana," "Magic," "Same Damn Time," and "Turn On the Lights," with his current single, "Neva End," featuring Kelly Rowland, showing steady growth at radio.

The popularity of the videos for FUTURE's songs may be even more telling than his chart successes. "Same Damn Time" over five million views, "Tony Montana" has been viewed over five million views, "Magic" over six million views, and "Turn On the Lights," over fifteen million views. Future's video appeal was confirmed with his guest appearance on YC's "Racks" in 2011, which has since racked up close to over 25 million views.

Here is a list of Future's upcoming shows through the end of the year: December
12/22: LC Pavilion-Columbus, OH
12/25: The Palace-Atlanta, GA
12/26: Club Underground-Tampa, FL
12/29: Boardwalk Hall-Atlantic City, NJ
12/31: Cameo-Miami, FL

LYOR COHEN BACKING KANYE?
Former Warner Music Group chief Lyor Cohen is now Kanye West’s close adviser. Cohen, who left Warner Music in September, has been advising West on his music deals, including an upcoming tour.

“He’s 100 percent in Kanye’s camp,” said a source. Rumors have swirled that Cohen will soon launch his own talent-management company to structure 360-degree, multiplatform deals for artists.

Music industry vets including former Def Jam exec Kevin Liles and Warner Bros. Records chief Todd Moscowitz, a former Cohen disciple who left the company last week have been mentioned as potential partners.

A friend of Cohen said, “Lyor is a friend of Kanye’s, and many artists reach out to him for advice.” Source: NY Post

BLOCK ENTERTAINMENT MAKIN' MOVES.
Block Entertainment, one of the fastest growing independent record labels in Atlanta (Sony/RCA), continues to make its mark in the industry with the recent signing of three new artists: Jamaican beauty Kris Kelli, 18-year-old Chip of the Rebel Gang, and hood star 48 Slim. In addition to adding to his roster of talent, CEO Russell “Block” Spencer just inked a deal with Chevrolet as one of its only faces of urban marketing, and announced he will be the executive producer of a new film titled “Down By Law” starring Ice Cube, to be released in 2013.

Touting Kris Kelli as the next pop sensation, Block says he is “building a bridge to blend her music and culture with the States. I wanted to do something different and keep it fresh with her music. I think she is a superstar.” Kris Kelli will release her new EP on Feb. 14, 2013 featuring the catchy singles “Me and You” with Gorilla Zoe, “Action” and “Kingston” with MIA. Staying true to the company’s new movement of “rebuilding Hip-Hop block by block,” Block introduces budding rap artist Chip (of rap group Rebel Gang) with the upcoming release of his solo mixtape. The Atlanta-native recently released the first song from his project titled “We Own the Year,” featuring Gorilla Zoe. “I signed him because I liked his style, his cockiness but most of all because he believed in himself. His style is unorthodox, unlike what anyone else is doing right now,” notes Block. Hood rap star and Atlanta-native 48 Slim rounds out the new roster. Reminiscent of 50 Cent when he first exploded onto the scene, 48 Slim represents the streets. He is currently in the studio working on new music and plans to release a new song titled “Dumb” as a follow up to his first release “Fuck Em.”

As if the talent on Block’s artist roster isn’t enough, the entertainment powerhouse will begin shooting the new movie “Down By Law” starring Ice Cube in the summer of 2013. The film will be executively produced by Block, produced by Tony Draper, and directed by Ice Cube. In addition to the film, Block is merging into Hollywood with two new reality shows: 1) “The Playa’z Club,” which will show a behind the scenes look at how artists are catching their big breaks by performing at strip clubs and connecting with DJ’s; and 2) a show titled “The Daredevils,” featuring the life of “ruff riding” stunts on 4-wheelers and dirt bikes by K.K. and Mike C.

Block brings years of experience and a proven track record to the table as the head of Block Entertainment. The Atlanta-native jumped into the entertainment industry under the mentorship of Tupac Shakur and eventually went on to work with 8BALL and MJG and Suave House with Jazze Pha. He honed his craft of developing music artists as the Head A&R at Noontime Productions, working with artists the likes of Mary J Blige and Jay-Z. Block is responsible for the getting Rick Ross, Jody Breeze, Ciara, Young Jeezy, Boyz n da Hood, Yung Joc, Gorilla Zoe signed to their respective major record label deals.

THE GAME GOES ALL IN ON A FOX NEWS REPORTER OVER ‘JESUS PIECE’ TRASH TALK.
The Game is going head to head with a Fox News reporter over the critisism of his latest effort 'Jesus piece". Political correspondent Michelle Malkin, who says she is a “conservative, mom, wife, and blogger,” lashed out at The Game for his portrayal of Jesus on the cover of his album, calling it blasphemous.

Game did not take the criticism very well. “#BOYCOTT @michellemalkin NOW ! She’s racist, & makin racial & blasphemist comments about my album. Same b!$&% said Obama isnt AMERICAN,” he tweeted. “We cannot allow racism to carry itself into the NEW YEAR !!!!! We cant !!!!!”

"She has no place to make racial remarks or call the album blasphemous. This is the same lady who said President Obama is not American. I don't know the rationale, it doesn't make sense at all," Game said.

He is also calling for a boycott on Fox News. “I was a big supporter of Fox News,” he told DJ Skee. “I grew up on ‘The Simpsons,’ they come on Fox 11, and now I’ma do everything that I can to try to shut them down because we can’t allow that, especially going into a new year.”

Following Game’s tweets, Fox News reporter Malkin received angry responses and allegedly some death threats from The Game's fans. “Aw, what’s wrong, is your trashy album not selling?” she told Game. “Not afraid of you or your race-baiting misogynist gangstas.”

Handsome Ass Nigga @thegame tweeted:
#BOYCOTT @michellemalkin NOW ! She's racist, & makin racial & blasphemist comments about my album. Same b!$&% said Obama isnt AMERICAN RT

Michelle Malkin @michellemalkin tweeted:
@thegame Aw, what's wrong -- is your trashy album not selling? Not afraid of you or your race-baiting misogynist gangstas.

TRINIDAD JAMES INKS WITH DEF JAM
Billboard has confirmed that the 25-year-old rapper will join the Def Jam roster which includes Kanye West, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, and Young Jeezy.

After being pursued by several labels including Atlantic Records, he chose Def Jam as his new home. The deal, rumored to be worth $2 million, also includes a joint venture with James’ Gold Gang Records.

“We’re excited to welcome a young talent like Trinidad James to the Def Jam family,” the label’s president, Joie Manda, told Billboard. “Def Jam prides itself as both a cornerstone of hip-hop’s rich tradition, and as a vital, forward-thinking label dedicated to breaking and nurturing emerging artists. Trinidad James represents the cutting-edge of what’s happening in the culture today. We are thrilled to have him at the label, and look forward to growing his already massive buzz.”

The Atlanta-bred rapper dropped his mixtape Don’t Be S.A.F.E. on iTunes earlier this month, while his single “All Gold Everything” has become a viral sensation, racking up 2.8 million views on YouTube and receiving the remix treatment from rappers including Tyga.

“Def Jam, thank you for believing,” said James, who can also be heard on “That Turn Up” off Mike WiLL Made It’s upcoming mixtape Est. in 1989 Pt. 2.5.

L.A. REID SAYS HE'S DONE WITH THE X FACTOR.
The veteran music executive will not be returning to the Fox singing competition series next season, a representative for Epic Records said Thursday. Reid is currently the chairman and CEO of Epic, a division of Sony Entertainment. At Epic, his roster includes Sade, Fiona Apple, Karmin, Ciara and "X Factor" season one winner Melanie Amaro.

RICK ROSS ENTERS 2ND YEAR WITH DIDDY AND CIROC VODKA.
CIROC Ultra Premium Vodka has announced that it will continue the relationship with Rick "Rozay" Ross. Rozay will be featured throughout dedicated social media channels and will appear on behalf of the brand at select events promoting the importance of responsible celebration.

"My 2013 resolution is to have continued success for myself and those that surround me," said Ross. "Thank you CIROC for inviting me to share in the celebration!"

Ross is currently in the studio working on his highly anticipated sixth studio album, which will be released in 2013.

WIZ KHALIFA TOPS BILLBOARD CHARTS.
"O.N.I.F.C.," the highly-anticipated sophomore album from Rostrum/Atlantic recording artist Wiz Khalifa, has debuted at #2 on the Billboard "Top 200 Albums" chart. With sales exceeding 141,000 units, the album is also sitting at #1 on Billboard's "Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums" and "Top Rap Albums" charts. The album also spent the week atop iTunes' "Overall Albums" and "Top Hip-Hop/Rap Albums" charts.

Adding to what was already an exciting week, Wiz received two nominations for this year's Grammy Awards. Khalifa received nominations for "Best Rap Song" for his collaboration with Snoop Dogg, "Young, Wild & Free" featuring Bruno Mars, from the soundtrack to their film "MAC AND DEVIN GO TO HIGH SCHOOL," and "Best Pop Duo/Group Performance" for his collaboration with Maroon 5 on their hit single, "Payphone." The 55th Annual Grammy Awards will be announced live on Sunday, February 10, 2013 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on CBS (check local listings). These new nominations add to the two Wiz received last year for his breakout hit "Black And Yellow."

If all this weren't enough, Wiz was recently recognized by the Pittsburgh City Council, proclaiming that Wednesday, December 12th be named "Wiz Khalifa Day." Of the honor, Wiz said, "It means a lot to me, being a kid from Pittsburgh and riding the buses and going to school out here and just loving Pittsburgh so much."

Khalifa is currently taking flight throughout North America on the "2050 Tour," which includes Taylor Gang members Juicy J, Chevy Woods, Lola Monroe, Tuki Carter and Berner. The nationwide tour kicked off at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA on October 12, and wraps up today in the rapper's hometown of Pittsburgh, PA.

Wiz has made several high profile appearances in advance of "O.N.I.F.C.," including Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Larry King Now, while gracing the covers of the October/November issues of both Complex, XXL, the latter alongside fiancé Amber Rose. In May, Khalifa was joined by Taylor Gang members Juicy J, Chevy Woods and Lola Monroe on the cover of The Source.
Wiz also celebrated the release of "O.N.I.F.C." with a special 30 minute performance on BET's 106th & Park.

"O.N.I.F.C." is the follow-up to Wiz Khalifa's gold-certified major label debut, "ROLLING PAPERS," which was released in March 2011, and spawned the multi-platinum hits "Black and Yellow," "Roll Up" and "No Sleep." Wiz earned himself two nominations at the 2011 Grammy Awards thanks to his breakout hit "Black and Yellow," in both the "Best Rap Song" and "Best Rap Performance" categories. Khalifa then joined forces with Snoop Dogg for "MAC AND DEVIN GO TO HIGH SCHOOL SOUNDTRACK," the collaborative soundtrack album for the film "Mac and Devin Go to High School." The album featured the hit single "Young, Wild & Free" featuring Bruno Mars, which has gone on to become 3x-certified Platinum, and a top 10 success on Billboard's "Hot 100 Singles" chart.

Earlier this year, Wiz was featured in a high-profile campaign with search engine Bing, where he was featured in nationwide commercials. On top of this, Wiz was included as one of the artists featured in the Pepsi NFL Anthems campaign. The nationwide campaign -- which also featured the likes of Ice Cube, Kelly Clarkson, Lenny Kravitz, Kid Rock and Travie McCoy -- saw the rapper paired with Pittsburgh Steeler linebacker Lamar Woodley and featured a special "Steeler Nation Remix" to his multi-platinum hit single "Black And Yellow."

NOONIE G (FORMER HIGH RANKING MEMBER OF GD) RELEASES STATEMENT ON RICK ROSS/GD SITUATION.
"It's always an unfortunate situation to see Black men engaged in beef and senseless acts of violence. Those who know me, know me as an advocate for peace in the streets. The death threats, violations and killings happening out here on a daily basis, especially in Chicago and all over, are not a game, and are definitely realer than any lyrics of any rap song.

That said, I don't personally know why Rick Ross cancelled his tour, nor do I personally care. What I do care about however is the ongoing tension that is building between him and factors of the GD nation. If Rick Ross is really 'The Boss' he proclaims to be, then he would recognize that what goes on in the streets effects all of us. It's not about flossin' or talking tough on a radio station. Rick ought to know that he is not dealing with no punks. Beef that is not squashed can get out of hand. Tupac and Biggie proved that.

Larry Hoover, political prisoner and founder of the Gangster Disciples, is an advocate of 'Growth and Development' and peace. So bottom line - that is what I would like to see happen. Squash the beef and let's grow together and develop some real agendas for peace." -- Harold "Noonie G" Ward

The Chicago Police Department are now investigating the threats from the notorious Chicago-based gang, Gangster Disciples which were directed to Rick Ross if he were to perform in Chicago. Prior to the North Carolina leg of Rozay's tour, the GD's posted a video threatening the rapper's life if he were to perform.

According to the video, the GD's are demanding that Ross pay them for likening himself to the gang's founder, Larry Hoover, in his song "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)." They are also claiming that he ripped off their six-pointed star gang symbol on the cover of his mixtape The Black Bar Mitzvah.

FORMER MEMBER OF GANGSTER DISCIPLES PLEDGES COPIES OF NEW BOOK/DVD TO YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS.
As street gang violence in Chicago rages out of control, law keepers and politicians continue to toil with solutions. A generational saga, not many can relate to the back-story causes that rest at the root of this very tragic dilemma. With history dating as far back to the influence of the original gangster Al Capone, a recent NPR story aptly noted that many of Chicagoland gangs are "older enterprises than Microsoft and Yahoo."

Harold "Noonie G" Ward is one man who can intimately relate with the violence at both the cause and effects levels. "Noonie G," as he is popularly known, is a former high-ranking member of the Gangster Disciples, a Chicago area gang reported to be one of the largest criminal organizations in the United States. Once considered a prominent force of terror on the city's South Side, Ward has been on a mission to change the effects of causes he understands and relates to on a very personal level.

The devastating rise in violent gun deaths has prompted Ward to announce the re-release of his DVD alongside the new release of his book, both titled, "Gangster with a Heart of Gold: The Noonie G. Story." Motivated by a strong sense of responsibility and desire to inspire positive change, Ward has pledged to donate 5000 copies of the books and DVD's during the holiday season to organizations around the country committed to curbing street violence and uplifting inner city youth. "Gangster with a Heart of Gold: The Noonie G. Story" is narrated by Chicago natives Grammy Award winner Kanye West and celebrated hip hop artist and actor Common. Both artists provide the book's foreword as well.

From convict to conqueror, pistol to pen, Ward serves as a legitimate role model and real life urban legend for today's misguided youth. A self made entrepreneur, politician, community activist and leader, Ward is a native of Chicago's Altgeld Gardens, one of the toughest housing projects in America. The DVD chronicles his street life, criminal enterprises and rise to a life of rightful endeavors with Altgeld Gardens serving as the backdrop.

A vivid and heart wrenching testimony to the laws of survival and success, "Gangster with a Heart of Gold: The Noonie G. Story" was produced by Block 8 Productions and directed by Coodie and Chike who are best known for their music video work with hip hop artists Kanye West, Pit Bull, Lil' Jon and Mos Def. Award-winning journalist Adam Matthews helped shape the film's narrative and wrote Common's script.

While the film captures and portrays the essence of gang life in Chicago, Ward's life growing up, family ties, imprisonment, his rise in the Gangster Disciples and his transition out and beyond, the book is a more personal narrative from Ward offering straight from the streets life advice and motivation.

Ward's personal story is an encouraging tale. The former gang leader has completely transformed his life and dedicated his path toward making a way for others to follow. Political prisoner and founder of the Gangster Disciples, Larry Hoover, hand picked Noonie Ward to implement a new direction of change and betterment for the community at large, with "Growth and Development" becoming the new battle cry.

"Street violence is not going to go away overnight," Ward acknowledges. "It is difficult to understand what these young people are dealing with if you haven't been there and lived that life. I'm not proud of my past, but it is what it is and because of it, I now have a unique platform to engage the possibility of change. It crushes my heart to know that it's a war zone out here. Every time a child is killed, a part of me dies with them. I'm a soldier out here now trying to make a change. If my personal story can help someone then I know God is using me and I'm a better man more for it. I'm giving away my books and DVD's to help get the word out on the streets that there is a better way and we have got to end the violence."

Ward is serious about pulling others up with him. Utilizing the hip hop community as his vehicle, he has garnered a list of noteworthy accomplishments to his credit over the years. He actively engages the efforts and support of several hip hop luminaries. Cee-Lo, from NBC-TV "The Voice" made a personal appearance at Ward's Chicago book signing recently and has committed to assisting with the holiday book giveaway. He partnered with recording artist Trey Songz to create the Songz for Peace Foundation, joined with rapper/actor T.I. to speak to youth in schools and hosted a toy drive for Chicago children with hip hop artist Wakka Flaka.

Ward's early accomplishments include working with President Barack Obama as an activist in Altgeld Gardens, and organizing Chicago's first National Gang Summit for Peace attended by Russell Simmons, NFL legend Jim Brown and Minister Louis Farrakhan.

As a true product of the street life, Ward possesses the unique ability to connect with youth on a genuine level. With contracts granted to him by Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education, he regularly visits local high schools speaking to the students and conducting workshops about violence and various life issues. Determined to implement change, he has ran for the political offices of City Alderman, State Representative and Cook County Commissioner in Chicago.

MIRI BEN-ARI NAMED NEXT BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR HARMON KARDON®.
HARMAN International Industries, International, has announced that Miri Ben-Ari, the GRAMMY Award-winning violinist known for her pioneering fusion of classical, jazz and hip-hop styles, is the next musician named as a Beautiful Sound artist for the Harman Kardon brand. The Israeli-bred Ms. Ben-Ari will be featured globally in advertisements and in special appearances as an ambassador for the Harman Kardon “Beautiful Sound” brand campaign.

Additionally, Ms. Ben-Ari will launch the Miri Ben-Ari Beautiful Sound Tour at New York City’s Gramercy Theatre on February 20. Ms. Ben-Ari will compose a beautiful-sound song to debut on the tour.

“I am honored to be working with Harman Kardon,” Ms. Ben-Ari said. “I feel very strongly about the audio legend’s approach to music and style. I work very hard to create beautiful music for my fans and in my collaborations with many of music’s brightest stars. Harman Kardon designs audio equipment where beauty and sound go hand in hand to create an environment that is as memorable as the music.”

Ms. Ben-Ari studied violin under the late classical master Isaac Stern and has shared the stage with many artists, including Jennifer Lopez – the first Harman Kardon Beautiful Sound artist – Jay-Z, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny G, Janet Jackson, Maroon 5, Aventura and John Legend. Ms. Ben-Ari has been dubbed “The Hip-Hop Violinist” and has expanded her repertoire to collaborate with artists across genres. She has performed for President Barack Obama and was named a Remarkable Woman by First Lady Michelle Obama in 2011 at the White House.

“Miri Ben-Ari is the ideal ambassador for Harman Kardon’s Beautiful Sound message,” said Dinesh C. Paliwal, Chairman, President and CEO of HARMAN. “She is an elegant, creative woman with high standards for the unique music she creates. Harman Kardon is synonymous with incredible sound and attractive design, and we are extremely pleased that Ms. Ben-Ari will help us share that message.”

The Beautiful Sound agreement with Ms. Ben-Ari continues a string of notable international artist signings for key HARMAN brands. Last year, Jennifer Lopez was announced as the first Beautiful Sound artist for the Harman Kardon brand, while the JBL® brand launched the “Hear the truth” campaign featuring Maroon 5, Paul McCartney, Tim McGraw and Academy Award®-winning composer A.R. Rahman. Additional prominent artist agreements will be announced in 2013.

The 3-year accord with Ms. Ben-Ari includes a global marketing campaign, print and online advertisements for Harman Kardon and several special appearances.

EMINEM TO HEADLINE FESTIVALS IN ENGLAND.
Eminem is the first headliner announced for next summer's twin music festivals in Reading and Leeds, England.

Organizers for the two big U.K. music events in August announced the 40-year-old hip hop star's return after more than a decade, with further names to be added later.

Black Sabbath, Blur, Arctic Monkeys and Green Day have been among the big-name acts rumored to be in the running for the two additional headline spots.

Reading Festival 2013 and Leeds Festival will take place over the weekend of Aug. 23-25.

Eminem last played Reading and Leeds in 2001 following the release of his first hit album "The Marshall Mathers LP." That year, Marilyn Manson joined him on stage to sing their hit "The Way I Am."

Eminem joins previously announced Leeds and Reading 2013 acts Deftones, Alt-J, Sub Focus and rap/hip hop collective Boy Better Know. The festivals will next year introduce more stages, including a hip hop stage, and add further genres of music. It is also planning an expanded dance music lineup. A first batch of Reading and Leeds festival tickets are already on sale through year's end at reduced early prices. Source: Billboard

WIZ GETS HIS OWN DAY IN PITT.
Wiz Khalifa was in City Council chambers with his family this morning to accept a proclamation for being an ambassador for his hometown of Pittsburgh. The rapper, a graduate of Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, is in town for a concert at Consol Energy Center on Wednesday.

Council declared 12-12-12 to be Wiz Khalifa Day in Pittsburgh.

The rapper accepted the honor saying that he has always bragged about being from Pittsburgh and that he doesn't feel as though he's accomplished much yet.

In 2010, he topped the Billboard charts with the hometown anthem "Black and Yellow." Source: Post Gazette

BEYONCE INKS $50 MILLION PEPSI DEAL
In an expansion of the recent marketing experiments that have brought PepsiCo ever closer to the music industry, the company has embarked on a hybrid project with Beyoncé that will include standard advertising like commercials as well as a multimillion-dollar fund to support the singer’s chosen creative projects.

“Pepsi embraces creativity and understands that artists evolve,” Beyoncé said in a statement. “As a businesswoman, this allows me to work with a lifestyle brand with no compromise and without sacrificing my creativity.”

The campaign will coincide with a blitz of promotion for her next album, which has no title or release date so far but is expected in 2013. Sometime after she performs at the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 3 (also sponsored by Pepsi), Beyoncé will appear in a new TV ad — her fifth for the soft drink since 2002 — and her face will be on a limited-edition line of soda cans.

The less conventional aspects of the deal are meant as collaborative projects that indulge Beyoncé’s creative whims, and might well have no explicit connection to Pepsi products. They are still at the brainstorm stage, but could include live events, videos, “a cool photo shoot” or almost anything else, said Lee Anne Callahan-Longo, the general manager of Parkwood Entertainment, Beyoncé’s company.

For Pepsi, the goal is to enhance its reputation with consumers by acting as something of an artistic patron instead of simply paying for celebrity endorsements.

“Consumers are seeking a much greater authenticity in marketing from the brands they love,” said Brad Jakeman, president of PepsiCo’s global beverage group. “It’s caused a shift in the way we think about deals with artists, from a transactional deal to a mutually beneficial collaboration.”

The multiyear campaign is estimated at $50 million, the bulk of it for media placements and promotions around the world, and the remainder split roughly equally between Beyoncé’s fee and what Pepsi calls a creative content development fund.

According to the tracking firm Kantar Media, PepsiCo and its archrival the Coca-Cola Company each spent about $148 million in the United States to advertise their soft drink brands in the first six months of 2012, across all measured forms of media, like television, print, digital and radio.

Over the last decade many consumer brands have been taking more active roles with artists, particularly in pop music. Converse, Red Bull and Toyota’s Scion line, for example, have become as familiar in the music business as any label or concert promoter by paying to help create and promulgate music.

“We recognize that there have been massive disruptions in music industry: lower investment in artist development, fewer points of distribution, financial constraints,” said Frank Cooper, a top marketing executive in PepsiCo’s beverage division who has been a force for such projects. “We look at those disruptions as opportunities for Pepsi.”

These deals are not limited to music. In 2010, Jay-Z teamed with Microsoft to promote his memoir, “Decoded.” According to a case study led by Anita Elberse, a Harvard Business School professor, the publisher could contribute only $50,000 for marketing, but Microsoft paid $2 million for an elaborate scavenger hunt that promoted the book as well as its new search engine, Bing.

For Jay-Z, the campaign was a success. But the effect of such deals on corporate partners like Microsoft is hard to measure, Professor Elberse said in an interview last week. “Even if they see an increase in market share,” she said, “it’s hard to attribute that to this one thing they did with a star at one point in time.”

Pepsi’s deal with Beyoncé is an outgrowth of ventures like Green Label Sound, but on a scale befitting her superstar stature.

In addition to the commercial — a collaborative effort between 180 LA, TBWA/Chiat/Day Los Angeles and Organic, all part of the Omnicom Group — and the soda can, the deal will involve sponsorship of Beyoncé’s world tour next year.

All the standard sponsorship elements will be present on the tour, like prominent Pepsi logos. That kind of marketing, Mr. Jakeman said, is “still important, but insufficient” to reach savvy young consumers. So Pepsi will also play a role in selecting local talent as opening acts at various points around the world.

“It’s wise for a brand like Pepsi to give an artist the ability to truly express herself,” said Ms. Callahan-Longo, of Beyoncé’s company, “instead of just the old-school way of, ‘Do you want to be in an advertisement?’ ”... “This is much bigger,” she added. “This is, ‘How can we create something together that is truly unique?’ ” Source: NY Times

KIDS FROM N.W.A. & RUN DMC SHOPPING REALITY SHOW.
A brand new reality show starring the sons of rappers from N.W.A and Run-DMC is currently being shopped to major networks TMZ is reporting.

Sources close to production say, "Seeds of Hip Hop" will star Dr. Dre's son Curtis Young, Eazy E's son Eric Lynn Wright Jr., MC Ren's son Anthony Dunbar, E'40's son Droop-E and Jam Master Jay's son Jason Mizell. They're all in their 20s. We're told the show was created by music producer D'Extra Wiley (who was also a founding member of the 90's R&B group II D Extreme) and will be about the boys trying to make it on their own -- while trying to escape the shadows of their famous dads.

It's currently being shopped to VH1, TV-ONE, FUSE TV and BET. We're told the production company behind the project is so confident the show will sell, it already has plans to start shooting in a month.

LAPD APOLOGIZES FOR RELEASING B.I.G. AUTOPSY REPORT.
Police detectives apologized to the family of Notorious B.I.G. for failing to warn them about the planned release of his autopsy report more than 15 years after he died in a drive-by shooting, the Los Angeles Police Department said Saturday.

The detectives had intended to notify the rapper's family, but the report was released prematurely "due to an administrative error," the department said in a statement.

"Our detectives personally spoke with the Wallace family (Friday) night, and apologized for not notifying them prior to the release" said Capt. Billy Hayes, who heads LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division, which is investigating the killing. "Obviously this has been a challenging case for us to solve. We hope that witnesses or other people with information will come forward and give us the clues we need to solve this case."

Los Angeles County's Chief Coroner Investigator Craig Harvey said a security hold placed on the report's release was lifted last week. The 23-page report revealed the rapper, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, was hit by four bullets after leaving a music industry event in March 1997, but one that hit his heart, left lung and colon caused his death. The attorney for the rapper's family complained Friday that he was not given any notice that the report would be released and criticized police for not closing one of Los Angeles' highest-profile unsolved murders. Both Los Angeles police and the FBI investigated Wallace's killing, which came just months after another rap superstar, Tupac Shakur, was gunned down in Las Vegas. The FBI looked into whether any Los Angeles police officers were involved in Wallace's shooting.

BIG BOI AND B.o.B. TEAM UP WITH EA FOR ARMY OF TWO - THE DEVIL'S CARTEL.
Electronic Arts Inc. have announced that Big Boi and B.o.B are bringing their talents to the highly anticipated co-op action game, Army of TWO™ The Devil's Cartel. The two stars are not only teaming up in the studio for the collaboration of the game’s official theme song “Double or Nothing” set for release in early 2013, but are also joining forces in the game. The duo will play the roles of T.W.O. operatives Charles “Chuy” Rendall (Big Boi) and Anthony “Baker” Barnes (B.o.B), helping players blast their way through Mexico’s most dangerous cartel. SEE THE VIDEO HERE

EA also announced that fans who pre-order Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel from participating retailers* will receive an exclusive Hit-Makers Kit. This kit will give players access to a one-of-a-kind T.W.O. Contract mission that will allow them to play as Big Boi and B.o.B’s characters, as well as custom masks and weapon skins designed by the artists themselves.

“One of our primary goals with Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel is to bring the feeling of watching an action blockbuster movie to the game and adding that great theme song really helps set the right vibe, almost like you’re in the theater,” said Julian Beak, Executive Producer at Visceral Studios Montreal. “And aside from a great song, Big Boi and B.o.B also delivered outstanding performances that are really going to add to the story.”

“I love action games, and getting a chance to star in one is definitely something I’m excited about,” said singer-songwriter and avid gamer B.o.B. “Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel has everything I’m looking for in a great game – intensity and huge explosions and destruction.”

“Partnering with B.o.B on the Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel theme song and inside the game has been a blast and I can’t wait to load it up, hear the song and see myself in the game,” said Big Boi.

Developed by Visceral Games, Army of TWO The Devil's Cartel re-sets the series that pioneered the co-op experience with an action blockbuster storyline. Players find themselves in the drug-torn streets of Mexico as Alpha and Bravo, two operatives working for Tactical Worldwide Operations (T.W.O.), fighting for justice against a dangerous drug cartel. Featuring both online and split-screen co-op, Army of TWO The Devil's Cartel gives players the chance to distinguish themselves from their friends by providing a deeper and more advanced upgrade and customization system. From the mask that protects them in battle to the very weapons that keep them alive, players can customize their own Alpha and Bravo to create the deadliest mercenary team as they see fit.

Army of TWO The Devil's Cartel will be available on March 26, 2013 for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system.

SNOOP RECRUITS PAC DIV FOR UPCOMING TOUR.
The acclaimed L.A. threesome Pac Div is fresh off the release of their sophomore album GMB. And now, Mibbs, Like, and BeYoung are gearing up for a string of West Coast performances in December, with Snoop Dogg.

In addition to a handful of headlining shows in California, Pac Div will be opening for Snoop between December 9th and December 22nd. The guys are excited to share a stage with the gangsta rap icon, but it will not be the first time Pac Div has crossed paths with Snoop Dogg.

"We first met him about five years ago, and were really happy to find out that he's been a fan since we started," said Mibbs, who, along with Like and BeYoung, were recently guests on Snoop Dogg's online news show, GGN. "Joining forces with a legend is a precursor that one day we'll be known as legends. Touring with Snoop will only add to our list of many accomplishments."

The impending tour with Snoop mirrors the Cali-centric theme of GMB, which chronicles Pac Div's journey as they usher in the revitalization of LA's hip-hop scene. GMB has the trio collaborating with a number of artists including Kendrick Lamar and Blu on the single "Cross Trainers" and Ty$ on "The Return," as well as a slew of notable producers including Chuck Inglish of The Cool Kids, Scoop Deville, DJ Dahi, and the Div's own Like.

Upcoming Pac Div Shows:
Dec. 7 - Low End Theory, San Francisco, CA
Dec. 9 - Majestic Theatre, Ventura, CA
Dec. 11 - Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA
Dec. 12 - Fox Theatre, Pamona, CA
Dec. 13 - The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA
Dec. 14 - The Uptown Theatre, Napa, CA
Dec. 15 - Phoenix Theatre, Petaluma, CA
Dec. 16 - Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CA
Dec. 17 - Ashland Armory, Ashland, OR
Dec. 18 - Midtown Ballroom, Bend, OR
Dec. 19 - Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA
Dec. 20 - Revolution Center, Boise, ID
Dec. 21 - The Depot, Salt Lake City, UT
Dec. 22 - House of Blues, Las Vegas, NV
Dec. 29 - Fulton 55, Fresno, CA

KING T. ON DECK.
After a more than six long years musical sabbatical, pioneering West Coast rap titan, King T, valiantly returns to the stage with his highly anticipated 2nd mix-tape entry, the appropriately titled Still Triflin'.

On the 22-track star-studded blockbuster extravaganza, the self-proclaimed "T-La" unites with many -- largely from Cali -- of Hip-Hop's finest; including, MC Eiht ["Do You Rememba Me"], Xzibit & Butch Cassidy ["Pus-Say"], Eastwood & B.G. Knocc Out ["Catch A Body"], Short Khop, Mitchy Slick & The Relativez ["Sharkz (SuWoopMix)"], Stacee Adamz ["I'm Gone" & "My Angel" with an assist from Raphael Saadiq], 2nd II None ["Good To Ya"], C-Bo & Matthew Aaron ["Nature"], Deadly Threatz & Tha Chill from C.M.W. ["Soul Plate"], J-Ro of Tha Liks ["Step 2 Da Left"], DPGC's Roscoe & Ras Kass ["Dogz Barkin'"], Gangsta Dresta ["My Homeboyz"], the all-star collective 1st Generation ["Sharkz In Da Watah], as well as top shelf New York rappers; Rampage ["It Ain't Eazy"] and Roc C & Sean Price ["Champions"], among others.

After unleashing his unheralded solo debut, Act A Fool, over twenty four long years ago, King T has, for the most part, been championed amongst his fans, critics and peers alike, and remains a well known and well respected rap artist. Mentored under another legend, Ice T, T-La went onto to do the same for others; including his Likwit Crew brethren; Tha Alkaholiks, Xzibit, Defari, to name a few. The Compton emcee has continued to remain relevant and has worked with a who's who of Hip-Hop heavyweights on all coasts. Everyone from Marley Marl, Eric Sermon and Masta Ace, to Dr. Dre, DJ Quik and DJ Muggs, have benefited greatly from their high profile collaborations with the great King T. He is universally known for his popular albums; the aforementioned Act A Fool, At Your Own Risk, Tha Triflin' Album, IV Life and Thy Kingdom Come, as well as the string of hit singles; "Payback's A Mutha," "The Coolest," "Bass," "Ruff Rhyme (Back Again)," "At Your Own Risk," "Diss You," "Played Like A Piano," "Got It Bad Y'All," "Bust Dat Ass," "Black Togetha Again" and "Dippin'," to name some, that they've produced over the years.

WARNER MUSIC GROUP ADDS NEW WESTCOAST OPERATIONS TITLE TO CAMERON STRANG.
Warner Music Group has announced that Cameron Strang, Chairman/CEO of Warner/Chappell and head of WMG’s Music Publishing and Catalog Development division, will add to his management responsibilities the Los Angeles-based Warner Bros. Records. Rob Cavallo and Livia Tortella, Warner Bros. Records’ Chairman and Co-President/COO, respectively, will report directly to Strang. The company also announced that Todd Moscowitz, Warner Bros. Records’ Co-President/CEO, has decided to resign from his position.

With this addition to his management responsibilities, Strang will now oversee all of WMG’s West Coast U.S. operations. WMG CEO Stephen Cooper said, "Since joining WMG, Cameron has demonstrated strong leadership, both in the revitalization of our Warner/Chappell music publishing arm as well as through his service on the WMG Board of Directors. He has broad knowledge of both the music publishing and recorded music businesses, combined with an entrepreneurial drive and progressive vision for the role of music companies. I’m confident that he will be a significant champion for Warner Bros. Records as we continue to invest in A&R and position the label for even greater success."

Strang said, "It is a tremendous privilege that Steve has asked me to oversee the operations at Warner Bros. Records. The extraordinary artists, the incredible history and the talented employees at the label make the company one of the crown jewels in the music industry and in contemporary culture. Throughout my career, I viewed Warner Bros. as an example of what every music company should aspire to be—a creative haven for artists that provides them with unparalleled support in all aspects of their careers. To be able to contribute to the future success of one of the most storied brands in music and to continue Warner Bros.’ tradition of creative excellence is a truly great honor."

Cooper added, "I want to thank Todd for all of his contributions to WMG since 2004. During his tenure at Warner Bros. which began in 2010, Todd has been instrumental in bringing new talent and energy to the label. He’s a first-rate creative executive and I’m confident he will have continued success in the music industry."

E-A-SKI ON DECK.
Veteran West Coast rapper/producer, E-A-Ski, is currently prepping for the release of several high profile projects throughout the remainder of 2012 and beyond.

E-A Ski just unleashed the mega-popular, star-studded, “Cruise Control,” short-film video featuring Award-winning actor Danny Glover and long-time Ski collaborator, rapper Ice Cube. SEE HERE The single is the follow-up to another Cube-assisted, equally infectious, joint entitled “Please,” with both songs taken from Ski’s long overdue, highly anticipated 5th of Skithoven, due out early next year.

Before that, however, the Oakland, California native musician is planning to drop an EP, 4th of Skithoven, as a precursor of sorts to his next solo LP, just to tide over his legions of fans worldwide. In addition, E-A-Ski was recently nominated as Producer of the Decade at the 2012 West Coast Hip-Hop Awards.

As if that isn’t enough, “Mr. Ski” is staying very busy in the lab behind the boards contributing his sample-free unique style of live instrumentations for a who’s who of A-list artists; including, Ice Cube, Kelly Rowland, Nelly, former Dr. Dre protégé Slim The Mobster, and many more soon-to-be announced.

E-A Ski is also in the midst of expanding his I.M.G.M.I. empire by serving as current spokesperson and consultant for Native Instruments’ new groove production studio, known as the “Maschine,” as well as Akai’s new “MPC Renaissance,” which was first unveiled at the NAMM [National Association of Music Merchants] Show in Anaheim, California, in January ‘12.

About Ea-Ski: The musical roots of E-A Ski can be traced back within the concrete history of Bay Area soil -- where you can find his musical fingerprints with Spice-1 before -- and during -- his tenure with Jive Records, and Master P’s early success with No Limit Records, where Ski served as an original member of The Tank’s TRU collective, alongside P, King George, Big Ed and Rally Ral. E-A Ski dropped his debut offering, “1 Step Ahead of Y’all,” through In-A-Minute/No Limit back in 1992.

2012 GRAMMY NOMS ARE IN (HIP HOP EDITION)
The nominees for the 2012 Grammys have been announced. Frank Ocean leads the pack with 6 along with Kanye West and Jay-Z. The ceremony airs Sunday, February 10 at 8pm EST on CBS at the Staples Center in L.A.

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
“Wild Ones” - Flo Rida Featuring Sia
“No Church In The Wild” - Jay–Z & Kanye West Featuring Frank Ocean & The–Dream
“Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” - John Legend Featuring Ludacris
“Cherry Wine” - Nas Featuring Amy Winehouse
“Talk That Talk” - Rihanna Feautring Jay–Z

Best Rap Performance:
“HYFR (Hell Ya F***ing Right)”- Drake Featuring Lil Wayne
“N****s In Paris” - Jay–Z & Kanye West
“Daughters” - Nas
“Mercy” - Kanye West Featuring Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz
“I Do” - Young Jeezy Featuring Jay–Z & André 3000

Best Rap Album:
“Take Care” - Drake
“Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt.1 - Lupe Fiasco
“Life Is Good” - Nas
“Undun” - The Roots
“God Forgives, I Don’t” - Rick Ross
“Based On A T.R.U. Story” - 2 Chainz

Best Rap Song:
“Daughers” - Nas
“Lotus Flower Bomb” - Wale featuring Miguel
“Mercy” — Kanye West Featuring Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz
“The Motto” - Drake Featuring Lil Wayne
“N****s in Paris” - Jay-Z & Kanye West
“Young, Wild & Free” - Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa Featuring Bruno Mars

TYGA SCORES 3 AVN AWARD NOMINATIONS.
Double-platinum recording artist Tyga is nominated in 3 categories at the 2013 AVN Awards. Dubbed "the Oscars of adult" by Entertainment Weekly, the AVN Awards honors the best and sexiest in the ranks of the adult industry, for which the hip-hop sensation recently joined. In 2012, Tyga turned his triple-X fantasies into reality through producing / directing “Rack City XXX: The Movie,” in which he also stars in a non-sex role.

Tyga’s AVN Awards nominations include:
Best Wall-to-Wall Release – “Rack City XXX,” Tyga / Hush Hush
Best Music Soundtrack – “Rack City XXX,” Tyga / Hush Hush
Best Oral Sex Scene – Havana Ginger and Ice LaFox; “Rack City XXX,” Tyga / Hush Hush

AVN Media Network’s Managing Editor Steve Javors said, “On behalf of AVN, congrats to Tyga on his trio of AVN awards nominations. Seeing Tyga direct ‘Rack City XXX’ in person, I could immediately tell how dedicated he was to the craft. He paid attention to detail, was conscientious about getting good performances from his cast, and really wanted to put his personal stamp on this project. He's not the type of guy to slap his name on the box and have someone else do the legwork. He really cared about putting out a solid product - and he did. Not to mention, the soundrack is bangin'!”

In addition to attending the show as a nominee, Tyga will be performing some of his hits. The star was recently announced as the show’s official musical guest, an honor previously held by Flo Rida, Chingy, Lil' Jon, Baby Bash, and Too Short. Joining Tyga on stage are AVN Awards co-hosts Jesse Jane and Asa Akira.

“I’m surprised [at the nominations], but appreciate AVN for recognizing the work I did [directing] for the first time,” stated Tyga.

The AVN Awards take place January 19, 2013, at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

SIR JINX ON DECK.
Sir Jinx, in association with his Coastal Contra Music Group venture, has returned with his brand new, soon-to-be unleashed, star-studded musical extravaganza, …Presents The West Wing. This stellar release is chock-full of some of the biggest names in the music industry including Dogg Pound member Kurupt, Jayo Felony, MC Eiht of Compton’s Most Wanted, King T, Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav, Kid Frost, Mr. MayLay, Crooked I of Slaughterhouse, Ya Boy, Yo-Yo, Medusa, Cypress Hill’s B-Real, Xzibit, Skillz, Fabolous, Dru Down, and comedians Dave Chappelle, Mike Epps & Joe Torry round it out. Along with, of course, Sir Jinx, other producers on board to lend a hand are Pockets, Rush, Dae One, Rocko, Thayod Ausar, Jesse West, Battlecat, The Futuristiks, Josef Leimberg, Track Team, Big Foot, Choir Boi and Vito.

In addition to his forthcoming release, Sir Jinx’ Coastal Contra Music Group will be supporting a string of individual high-profile projects from the likes of Animal Channel featuring Deadly Threatz & LA Zu, Boomer Didit, King T, Jusin Time, Tri Star, Dat Boi Hop, Stacee Adams, The Sweat Hoggs, X-Clan and 2nd II None.

As an integral member of not one, but two pioneering Left Coast Hip-Hop collectives; N.W.A. and the Posse, as well as a pre-Ni99az Wit Attitudes Ice Cube led C.I.A. [Cru’ in Action!], triple threat – rapper/deejay/producer - Sir Jinx is a self-professed “West Wing Legend” – And, rightfully so!

Over the course of a 25-plus year career, the renowned multi-platinum South Central Los Angeles native has logged in countless hours of studio time crafting classic hit records for a multitude of rap and R&B luminaries such as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre (who also happens to be his cousin) Kool G. Rap, Xzibit, Kurupt, Too $hort, Jayo Felony, Yo-Yo, WC and the Maad Circle, Coolio, as well as the late, great icons Teena Marie & Gerald Levert.

In July 2011, Sir Jinx released the exceedingly overdue and stellar collection, General Population, with contributions from the aforementioned Jayo Felony [“Rime Scene”], Roscoe/DPGC [“Bump Bump” & “In My Footsteps”], Devin the Dude [“Gather My Thoughts”], Butch Cassidy [“I Don't Take You Serious” & “That Type of Girl”], Ras Kass, Rodney-O & Bone Crusher [“The Time Is Now”] and protégés Tri Star & Dat Boi Hop, with outside production courtesy of The Futuristiks (Eminem, Redman), Thayod Ausar (50 Cent, Xzibit) Jesse West (Bad Boy, KRS-1) and Trevor Lawrence (Dr. Dre, Eminem).

SNOOP LION INKS DEAL WITH RCA RECORDS FOR "REINCARNATED ALBUM'
Snoop Dogg (Snoop Lion) has inked a new record deal with RCA Records, via his recently established production company, Berhane Sound System. The deal is for the upcoming release of Reincarnated, a reggae and dancehall-influenced album executive produced by Diplo and the Major Lazer production team.

The album, which is set for a spring 2013 release, was recorded in Jamaica, during a trip that was documented in the film of the same name, which chronicles Snoop's spiritual journey and transformation into Snoop Lion. (something that grew from his recent trip to the island, where the Jamaican people and culture positively affected him).

"Major Lazer and I had a special opportunity to focus on recording Reincarnated from top-to-bottom with no interruptions in Jamaica," said Snoop. "From my time spent with the people and in the streets, these songs are based on peace, love, and the struggle... it's just "a taste of what's to come.. It's going to be an exciting 2013. Bless up," said Snoop.

WIZ KHALIFA'S NEW ALBUM 'FIRST CLASS' LANDED THIS WEEK.
Rostrum/Atlantic Records artist Wiz Khalifa's sophomore album, "O.N.I.F.C.," landed in stores this week. The collection features collaborations with Cam'ron, Pharrell and The Weeknd, with production from E. Dan, Sledgren, Danja, Jim Jonsin, Stargate, Benny Blanco, and more. The album is heralded by the Platinum-certified first single "Work Hard, Play Hard," "Remember You (feat. The Weeknd)" and "It's Nothin' (feat. 2 Chainz)."

In anticipation of "O.N.I.F.C.," Wiz Khalifa is currently taking flight throughout North America on the "2050 Tour," which includes Taylor Gang members Juicy J, Chevy Woods, Lola Monroe, Tuki Carter and Berner. The nationwide tour kicked off at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA on October 12, and will wrap up December 12th in the rapper's hometown of Pittsburgh, PA.

Wiz continues to have an undeniable online presence, with over 8 million fans following him on Twitter, over 18 million likes on Facebook and over 1 million followers on Instagram. In addition to this, Wiz's music videos have been a success on the Internet with nearly 500 million total views on YouTube.

"O.N.I.F.C." is the follow-up to Wiz Khalifa's gold-certified major label debut, "ROLLING PAPERS," which was released in March 2011, and spawned the multi-platinum hits "Black and Yellow," "Roll Up" and "No Sleep." Wiz earned himself two nominations at this year's Grammy Awards thanks to his breakout hit "Black and Yellow," in both the "Best Rap Song" and "Best Rap Performance" categories. Khalifa then joined forces with Snoop Dogg for "Mac and Devin Go to High School Soundtrack," the collaborative soundtrack album for the film "Mac and Devin Go to High School." The album featured the hit single "Young, Wild & Free (feat. Bruno Mars)," which has gone on to become 3x-certified Platinum, and a top 10 success on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. Wiz kicked off 2012 with a high-profile campaign with Bing, where he was featured in the search engine's nationwide commercials.

SADAT X DROPS NEW ALBUM.
Sadat X new album "Love, Hell or Right" is available now through all digital retailers and select retail stores. Herald by fans for his lyrical dexterity, coded allusions and poetic storytelling, Sadat X has cemented himself in the history of Hip Hop culture as not only an influential pioneer but an iconic status. Critically acclaimed, respected and recognized as a leading force behind authentic Hip Hop.

The new album shows Sadat's observations as a socially-conscious and pragmatic lyricist. "I speak from experience, Love, Hell or Right, is about just that," Sadat said. "You have to go through hell in order to do right. It's dedicated to the hardworking people and not about fame and glory. Hip Hop spans the globe, its universal. It's an art - it doesn't imitate, it creates."

With over two decades of experience, Sadat has been heralded and regarded for his nostalgic sound a melodious voice filled with passion and sentiment; and remains one of the most distinctive voices of the '90s Hip Hop Golden Era and continues to garner an overwhelming response from fans.

Love, Hell or Right features 14 songs and a Bonus Track with assists from: Pharoahe Monch, N.O.R.E., Roc Marciano, Masta Ace, Dres, Jarobi, Smif-N- Wessun, AG of DITC, Mysonne, D.O.T., PHIL G., Scribby, Miss Sixx; with production credits from Scram Jones, Marco Polo, DJ Spinna, Grant Parks, Gensu Dean, Showbiz, Will Tell, DJ Bazooka Joe, K.P., Willie Bangg, Mike the Martyr and City Parks.

LOVE AND HIP HOP SEASON 3 ON DECK.
VH1's "Love & Hip Hop" is back in the Big Apple from the Dirty South for season 3. Premiering Monday, January 7th at 8PM on VH1, the show returns with a few familiar faces and a mostly brand-new cast who prove the third time is the charm as they deliver all the drama, heartache, success and failures of hip hop's movers and shakers in the concrete jungle that is New York City.

Last season, entertainment powerhouse Yandy Smith ended her eight-year management role with rapper Jim Jones. Since then, Yandy and boyfriend Mendeecees Harris have welcomed a baby boy and are navigating the waters of commitment and family. Firecracker Erica Mena exploded onto the scene last season and is now continuing to work on her career with manager and new boyfriend, Rich Dollaz. The two have recently begun mixing business with pleasure, but could this be a recipe for disaster? Olivia Longott, the former first lady of G-Unit, is back this season working on her new album and trying to come to peace with her manager Rich dating Erica.

With no shortage of talent, New York City is still a major hub for hip hop music. Joining the ranks of this season's new cast include:

Joe Budden- Fierce free-styling artist Joe Budden is widely considered one of hip hop's most gifted lyricists. His Grammy award-winning song "Pump It Up" was featured in the hit movie 2 Fast 2 Furious. This ladies' man is also known for posting about his very public relationships and break-ups online.

Tahiry Jose- Tahiry is a charismatic urban model who is best known for her rapid-fire sarcasm as well as her painful and very public break-up with Joe Budden.
Raqi Thunda- Radio personality and DJ Raqi Thunda has no problem keeping it real. Raqi and Joe Budden insist they are just long-time friends. However, Raqi and Joe's ex, Tahiry don't see eye- to- eye and have a tumultuous relationship.

Consequence- NYC rapper Consequence has established a successful career working with the likes of Kanye West and A Tribe Called Quest. His five year relationship with fellow cast member Jen Bayer and their 1-year old son Caiden has left the couple bickering about how to raise the child based on differing cultural and religious beliefs.

Jen "The Pen" Bayer- Known for dishing up gossip with DJ Whoo Kid and The Hot Boyz of Chicago, Jen has spent the past year raising Caiden, her son with cast member Consequence.

Winter Ramos- With a brief appearance in the second season of "Love & Hip Hop," Winter Ramos, former assistant to rapper Fabolous, is making her name in hip hop history as she writes a tell-all book on her roster of famous ex-boyfriends and her life in the music
industry. She is currently the Creative Costume Designer for Flavor Unit Films.

Rashidah Ali- Known as the "Blinged Out Bombshell," Rashidah is most known for being a shoe consultant to the stars and is currently working on launching her own shoe line, Encore.

Back in the rap game and the bright lights of the city, one constant remains: New York truly is the birthplace of hip hop and the home of some of its biggest successes, but even more of its shattered dreams… and all of its secrets. To make it in this business, a tough attitude and thick skin is a must, and the ladies and gentlemen of season 3 will stop at nothing to reach the top. "Love & Hip Hop" Season 3 premieres Monday, January 7th at 8PM.

GARY SPANGLER APPOINTED SVP/PROMOTIONS & OPERATIONS FOR REPUBLIC RECORDS.
REPUBLIC RECORDS has named Gary Spangler Senior Vice President of Promotion and Operations as announced by Monte Lipman, Founder and CEO. Previously, Spangler served as the label's Vice President, Crossover Promotion.

Since joining REPUBLIC in 2006, Spangler’s efforts have contributed to massive promotion campaigns for numerous artists including Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Enrique Iglesias, Big Machine Records’ Taylor Swift, and several others. His contribution at Rhythm and Top 40 helped solidify their presence as dominant pop cultural forces.

About Gary's promotion Lipman comments, "Gary constantly goes and above and beyond, elevating the profile of both the label and the artists with each promotional campaign he spearheads. He's reliable, industrious, and extremely versatile. On behalf of our entire staff, I'd like to offer my sincerest congratulations about this position. It is well deserved."

Spangler adds, "I’m honored to work for the most talented executives and mentors in the industry. Monte and Avery not only successfully nurture and develop talent, but they also embody a level of character and professionalism that is unmatched. I thank them for the continued opportunity to help our dynamic artists grow to new heights."

Previously, Gary was Senior VP of Promotions at Lawman Promotions for eight years. He began his career at KYLD radio in San Francisco.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER SELLS OFF VEGAS RECORDING STUDIO.
Super Welterweight champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather is throwing in the towel on his music career and he’s handing over the keys to his Philthy Rich Recording studios to Bay Area Rap legend J-Diggs. Most notably known as the youngest American Gangster from the popular BET series, Diggs and his partner, producer Bryan Dobbs- P.K.A. -Wino (Coolio, Montell Jordan) have acquired ownership of the popular Las Vegas based studio and have already begun renovations and changed the name to 702 Studios. As the owner of his own record label for over a decade (Thizz Entertainment) J-Diggs plans on revamping the state of the art studio and providing a platform for artists to be inspired to create great music in a high-end facility. "I've had my own label for a long time and now adding this studio which already has a great reputation in these parts just adds to the empire we're building over here." Says the CEO.

The studio which has been a favorite recording place for artists in the Vegas area, will become home to Thizz Entertainment artists and will be open to the industry at the top of the year. Preparing to release his 9th studio album "Izm 101", on January 1, 2013, J-Diggs will host an all-star grand re-opening and album launch party to usher in the new year and the beginning of new episode in the Thizz Entertainment movement.

WU-TANG CLAN’S CAPPADONNA RETURNS TO BRING ‘EYRTH, WYND & FYRE’
Cappadonna grew up with and attended grade school in Staten Island with the members who would eventually construct the seminal rap group Wu-Tang Clan. However, it wasn't until 1995 that he made his recorded debut, appearing on Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx LP; and was soon thereafter anointed as the official tenth member of the group thanks to the serious darts he spit on the instant classic “Ice Cream.” In 1996, he played an integral role on Ghostface Killah’s Ironman LP. During 1997, his Wu affiliation not only continued, but flourished as he contributed on the Clan's second LP, Wu-Tang Forever (which is now 6X platinum).

Though he continued to be a regular fixture on all Wu-Tang Clan related projects, Cappadonna's solo debut, The Pillage, was released in 1998 and it was executive-produced by RZA and included cameos from Method Man, U-God, and Raekwon. The Pillage instantly impacted upon its release and it debuted at number #3 on the charts and was quickly certified Gold.

Cappadonna was again predominantly featured on the Clan’s 2000 release, The W, and followed up with his sophomore solo-project project, The Yin and the Yang, which reaped similar commercial and critical success. Cappadonna’s third solo project, The Struggle, was released in 2003 and Cappa reaffirmed his status within the crew by contributing to the Clan’s fifth-studio LP 8 Diagrams in 2007. Cappadonna inked a new solo-deal with Koch Records shortly thereafter in 2008 and would go on to release his fourth official solo-project Slang Prostitution with Koch in 2009 and The Pilgramage in 2011.

While the legendary MC has remained an active voice within the Wu-Tang collective, touring, contributing to classic Soundtrack (High School High & Don’t Be A Menace) cuts and as a member of Ghostface Killah’s Theodore Unit and the more recent commingling with his Wu-comrades on RZA’s The Man With The Iron Fists OST on the Wu-Tang Clan reunion track “Six Directions Of Boxing” and appearing on the Wu-Tang Clan & D-Block project Wu-Block. The “Papi Wardrope Kings” renaissance continues with his new double-disc solo-project, Eyrth, Wynd & Fyre, which will be released by RBC Records on February 12th, 2013. “Eyrth, Wynd & Fyre represents the energy and elements of life. The changes that the earth generates, the turbulence of life; if the wynd is not in your favor, you cannot fly high. The Fyre is the truth, it just can’t be denied, the truth hurts, but it also builds character” states Cappadonna.

Cappadonna’s “Eryth, Wynd & Fyre” will feature production from Stu Bangas, J. Glaze & G-Force (among others) and feature guest appearances from Solomon Childs, Sav Kills and shows that Capp’s “PLO Flow” is just as sharp as ever as Cappadonna laments I’m just trying to be the best I can be for my fans, I just want to be loved for my art, I want them to see my passion and as long as people are still feeling that and applauding, I’m going to keep milking that cow the best I know how. To be releasing this project with RBC Records (who has also released projects from Tech 9Nne, DJ, Quik, E-40, Too Short & more) is a blessing, its always good to be among the legends. We have all been in the game for many years; it feels good to be a part of that and to have a home.”

UGK GETS ENSHRINED IN HOMETOWN MUSEUM.
Bernard “Bun B” Freeman makes it a habit to come back to Port Arthur to see his mother, but he said coming back Sunday to be inducted into the Museum of the Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame was different.

“Who would’ve thunk?” Freeman said as he accepted his certificate of induction.

The other half of the hip-hop/rap duo, Chad “Pimp C” Butler, died in December 2007 at the age of 33. His death was ruled an accident caused by sleep apnea aggravated by the use of prescription cough medicine. More than 2,000 people attended his funeral at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center.

But Sunday was about remembering UGK’s accomplishments and honoring those memories as the Port Arthur Historical Society inducted the rap duo, Underground Kingz, into the Museum of the Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame. The induction came almost five years to the date after Butler’s death.

“Chad and I walked the same streets as everybody else,” Freeman said. “We had no more advantage than anybody else.”

But being from Port Arthur was an advantage in itself, he said. The streets and school days that shaped them in Southeast Texas propelled the hip-hop duo to find a way to achieve what they had dreamed. Freeman advised anyone else aspiring to fulfill what may seem like a lofty dream not to give up or give in to intimidation.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that just because you’re from a small town that you can’t make it,” he said.

Obviously, Butler and Freeman did not let anyone tell them that they could not make it, and Sunday was a testament to that. Chad Butler’s mother, Weslyn “Mama Wes” Butler, and his sons, Chad Butler Jr. and Corey Butler, accepted the hall of fame honor on his behalf.

“Even though he’s not with us here physically today, Bun and I know he’s here with us spiritually,” Weslyn “Mama Wes” Butler said.

Sam Monroe, president of the Port Arthur Historical Society and Lamar State College-Port Arthur, explained to the crowded room how UGK met all of the criteria necessary to be inducted into the Music Hall of Fame.

The individual or group must have roots in Southeast Texas or Southwest Louisiana and achieved success on a national scale. The artist or group must have received public recognition and created a body of work.

“To meet that criteria as Bun B and Pimp C and UGK did, then you’re in the museum’s hall of fame,” Monroe said. “We’re happy to welcome them here today.” Source: Port Arthur News

PRODUCERS GUILD OF AMERICA HONORS RUSSELL SIMMONS WITH 2013 VISIONARY AWARD
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has announced that producer, entrepreneur and humanitarian Russell Simmons will receive the Producers Guild’s 2013 Visionary Award. The award will be presented to Simmons at the 24th Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony on Saturday, January 26th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

Predominantly known as a music producer and hip-hop pioneer, Simmons is being recognized for his dedication to philanthropy and his work as a film and television producer who breaks down barriers to provide opportunities to emerging talent. From the seminal television series “Def Comedy Jam” to his role as a UN Goodwill Ambassador, Simmons continues to inspire people through his work as a creative and cultural visionary.

“Throughout his career, Russell has accomplished the kinds of things that only a true visionary can,” said 2013 PGA Awards Chair Michael DeLuca. “He has seamlessly bridged the worlds of hip-hop music and filmed entertainment through poetry, comedy and music, offering viewers and music fans alike not just a reflection of themselves, but a hopeful glimpse of a world filled with art, joy and compassion. Whether he’s championing new voices behind the mic, onstage, onscreen or in the classroom, or he is working to raise awareness about the victims of the global slave trade, Russell envisions a world populated by our ‘better angels,’ and for that, I’m very proud to call him my friend and we are so pleased to honor him with the 2013 Producers Guild of America Visionary Award.”

"I'm sincerely humbled that the PGA chose me to receive a Visionary Award. Just to be in the room with all those in the industry is a blessing," Russell Simmons said,

From creating his seminal Def Jam Recordings in 1984, to the 2007 publishing of his New York Times best-seller “Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success,” to founding GlobalGrind.com, a leading online destination for celebrity entertainment, music, culture and politics for the new, post-racial America and his latest New York Times best-seller “SUPER RICH: A Guide To Having It All,” Russell is recognized globally for his influence and entrepreneurial approach to both business and philanthropy.

Giving back is of primary importance to him in all aspects of life and as Chairman and CEO of Rush Communications he has consistently leveraged his influence in the recording industry, fashion, television, financial services and jewelry sectors to give back. A devoted yogi, Russell also leads the non-profit division of his empire, Rush Community Affairs, and its ongoing commitment to empowering at-risk youth through education, the arts, social engagement, and promoting racial harmony and strengthening inter-group relations. Russell also serves as a UN Goodwill Ambassador for The Permanent Memorial To Honor The Victims Of Slavery and The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

Russell is a native New Yorker who attended City College of New York, and he has two daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee.

The Producers Guild Visionary Award recognizes television, film or new media producers for their uniquely positive or uplifting contributions to our culture through inspiring storytelling or performance. Previous honorees include producer Laura Ziskin for her commitment to storytelling and her efforts organizing the 2008 and 2009 Stand Up To Cancer campaign and television specials, producer Simon Fuller for “American Idol” and “Idol Gives Back,” Jeff Skoll for his work with Participant Media in creating films that inspire social action, Joel Gallen, who produced the landmark post-9/11 telethon “America: A Tribute to Heroes” and Mike Nichols and Cary Brokaw, producers of HBO’s “Angels in America.”

The Producers Guild of America is the non-profit trade group that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the producing team in film, television and new media. The Producers Guild has more than 5,300 members who work together to protect and improve their careers, the industry and community by providing members with employment opportunities, seeking to expand health benefits, promoting fair and impartial standards for the awarding of producing credits, as well as other education and advocacy efforts such as encouraging sustainable production practices.

DR. DRE NAMED FORBES' HIGHEST PAID MUSICIAN FOR 2012.
Forbes has dropped their list of The World’s 25 Highest-Paid Musicians for 2012. According to the publication, Dr. Dre topped the list this year with $110 million, thanks largely to his Beats headphone line. He collected $100 million pretax when handset maker HTC paid $300 million for a 51% stake in the company last year, at the beginning of our scoring period; he and his partners later bought back half of what they sold.

“The brands are so aligned, Dre and Beats, it’s just who he is,” says Kevin Liles, former president of Def Jam Recordings, who now manages acts ranging from Young Jeezy to Trey Songz. “If you look at the biggest earners, the guys have been doing it for 20 years … what’s happening now is people are really telling their truth.”

Most of this year’s top 25 are on the list because of touring.

“The concert business had another solid year as both artists and concert promoters used more caution in trying to achieve their touring objectives,” says Gary Bongiovanni, editor of concert data purveyor Pollstar. “The good seats for major artists continue to be priced at a premium.”

Other artists who made the list include Rihanna, who ranks at #12 with $53 million, and Diddy, who ties with Katy Perry at #15 with $45 milion. Beyonce and Jay-Z came in at #18 and #20, respectively, with $40 million and $38 million. Kanye West made the list at #22 with $35 million, tying with Adele for the same slot.

1. Dr Dre – $110 Million
2. Roger Waters – $88 Million
3. Elton John – $80 Million
4. U2 – $78 Million
5. Take That – $69 Million
6. Bon Jovi – $60 Million
7. Britney Spears – $58 Million
8. Paul McCartney – $57 Million (tie)
8. Taylor Swift – $57 Million (tie)
10. Justin Bieber – $55 Million (tie)
10. Toby Keith – $55 Million (tie)
12. Rihanna – $53 Million
13. Lady GaGa – $52 Million
14. Foo Fighters – $47 Million
15. Diddy – $45 Million (tie)
15. Katy Perry – $45 Million (tie)
17. Kenny Chesney – $44 Million
18. Beyoncé – $40 Million
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $39 Million
20. Jay-Z – $38 Million
21. Coldplay – $37 Million
22. Adele – $35 Million (tie)
22. Kanye West – $35 Million (tie)
24. Michael Bublé – $34 Million
25. Sade – $33 Million

Source: Forbes

RIHANNA SCORES HER FIRST #1 RECORD.
Rihanna has finally scored herself a #1 record. Her latest effort, Unapologetic, debuts at #1 on the sales chart this week by selling 238,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Unapologetic is Rihanna's seventh studio release in a little over seven years, and follows six earlier Top 10 albums. The debut also gives Rihanna her best sales week yet. Her previous best Soundscan topper came with 2010's Loud, which launched at #3 with 207,000 units sold.

"We are so proud and happy to deliver Rihanna her first #1 album in the U.S.," stated Steve Bartels, President/COO of the Island Def Jam Music Group. "The team here really pulled together and gave this project their all. Along with our partners at Roc Nation, the IDJ family has always fought to solidify Rihanna’s place atop the pop landscape. Taking an unusually short runway and turning it to an advantage – like the unprecedented 777 Tour - is a testament to the teamwork, ingenuity, ethic, and belief in the legacy of this artist that showed in every single hand that touched this project."

TUPAC, RICK ROSS, AND MORE ON DECK FOR "DJANGO UNCHAINED" SOUNDTRACK.
The Weinstein Company, Quentin Tarantino and Loma Vista Recordings have announced the release of QUENTIN TARANTINO'S DJANGO UNCHAINED ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK. This soundtrack marks the first time that director Quentin Tarantino has collaborated with artists to create original music for use in the film and original motion picture soundtrack. The soundtrack will be in stores and at all digital retailers on Tuesday, December 18th. The film release of DJANGO UNCHAINED will be on December 25, 2012 by The Weinstein Company in the U.S. and by Sony Pictures internationally.

The soundtrack features new and exclusive original music and compositions from of the most prominent figures in film and music today including, Rick Ross' "100 Black Coffins" produced by and featuring Jamie Foxx, John Legend's soulful offering "Who Did That To You?," "Ancora Qui" by Honorary Academy Award Winner Ennio Morricone and Elisa, and Anthony Hamilton and Elayna Boynton's poignant duet "Freedom."

"I want to thank all the artists who contributed original songs (a first for me) to the picture. Most of these contributions came out of the artists' own inspiration and their illustration of the film's soul is invaluable," said Quentin Tarantino. "In addition to the new original songs I am also using a lot of older recordings on the soundtrack - many of which came from my personal vinyl collection. Instead of having the record companies give me new digitally cleaned up versions of these recordings from the 60's and 70's, I wanted to use the vinyl I've been listening to for years - complete with all the pops and cracks. I even kept the sound of the needle being put down on the record. Basically because I wanted people's experience to be the same as mine when they hear this soundtrack for the first time."

"We're thrilled to be working with Quentin on this release," said Loma Vista Recording Company's founder Tom Whalley. "His films have always reaffirmed the important relationship between cinema and music and it's exciting to work together on a soundtrack featuring completely original material written specifically for the film."

COMPLETE TRACK LIST
1. WINGED
2. DJANGO (MAIN THEME) - LUIS BACALOV, ROCKY ROBERTS
3. THE BRAYING MULE - ENNIO MORRICONE
4. IN THAT CASE, DJANGO, AFTER YOU...
5. LO CHIAMAVANO KING (HIS NAME IS KING) - LUIS BACALOV, EDDA DELL'ORSO
6. FREEDOM - ANTHONY HAMILTON & ELAYNA BOYNTON
7. FIVE-THOUSAND-DOLLAR NIGGA'S AND GUMMY MOUTH BITCHES
8. LA CORSA (2ND VERSION) - LUIS BACALOV
9. SNEAKY SCHULTZ AND THE DEMISE OF SHARP
10. I GOT A NAME - JIM CROCE
11. I GIORNI DELL'IRA - RIZ ORTOLANI
12. 100 BLACK COFFINS - RICK ROSS
13. NICARAGUA - JERRY GOLDSMITH FEATURING PAT METHENY
14. HILDI'S HOT BOX
15. SISTER SARA'S THEME - ENNIO MORRICONE
16. ANCORA QUI - ENNIO MORRICONE AND ELISA
17. UNCHAINED (THE PAYBACK/UNTOUCHABLE) - JAMES BROWN AND 2PAC
18. WHO DID THAT TO YOU? - JOHN LEGEND
19. TOO OLD TO DIE YOUNG - BROTHER DEGE
20. STEPHEN THE POKER PLAYER
21. UN MONUMENTO - ENNIO MORRICONE
22. SIX SHOTS TWO GUNS
23. TRINITY (TITOLI) - ANNIBALE E I CANTORI MODERNI

FRENCH MONTANA ON DECK WITH NEW JOINT AND MMG TOUR.
Bad Boy/Interscope recording artist FRENCH MONTANA dropped his latest song "Marble Floors" featuring Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and 2 Chainz. [LISTEN HERE] "Marble Floors" is from French Montana's forthcoming debut album, Excuse My French, executive produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs and Rick Ross and co-executive produced by Harve Pierre for Bad Boy/Interscope.

"I now have Marble Floors," says French Montana. "Growing up in Morocco and the Bronx I definitely didn't have that kind of luxury, so now that I have it, I want to celebrate the come up."

This December, Montana will head out with Maybach Music Group on "The MMG" nationwide tour featuring Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill and Machine Gun Kelly.

TOUR DATES:
Wed., Dec. 5 Miami, FL The Fillmore
Fri., Dec. 7 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
Sat., Dec. 8 Charlotte, NC Bojangles Coliseum
Sun., Dec. 9 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
Tue., Dec. 11 St. Louis, MO Chaifetz Center
Wed., Dec. 12 Memphis TN Landers Center
Thu., Dec. 13 Houston, TX Reliant Arena
Sat., Dec. 15 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
Sun., Dec. 16 New York, NY Roseland Ballroom

VH1 WRAPS UP THE YEAR WITH ...
VH1 is wrapping up the year with a big bang! First prepare to get an unprecedented, exclusive look into one of VH1's hottest shows with "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta: Dirty Little Secrets" airing on Sunday, December 16 at 8PM.* Next settle in for a little girl talk and gossip with Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, from VH1's "T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle" for her year-end pop culture special "Tiny Tonight," premiering on Monday, December 17 at 10PM*. Finally get your gin and juice ready as VH1 counts down the "40 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of the 90's" on Wednesday, December 19 at 9PM.*

VH1 is taking you behind the scenes and giving you unprecedented access to one of our hottest shows with our "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta: Dirty Little Secrets" special airing Sunday, December 16 at 8PM.* This special will answer everything you ever wanted to know about "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta," but haven't had the chance to ask. It will feature never before seen footage, casting tapes, interviews, bloopers and deleted scenes from "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta." Viewers will also get to catch up with cast members (including fan favorites Stevie J, Joseline, Lil Scrappy and K Michelle) and find out what they are up to and get answers to all those salacious internet rumors. Plus we'll provide an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming "Love & Hip Hop" Season 3 - and a behind the scenes look at the taping of "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" Season 2.

Tameka "Tiny" Harris and a few of her friends come together for the ultimate year-end pop culture review special, "Tiny Tonight" premiering Monday, December 17 at 10PM.* Tune in as Tiny along with her girls, Tamar Braxton (WeTV's "Tamar and Vince"), Trina (hip hop artist) and Claudia Jordan gather to dish on the world of politics, entertainment, fashion, and celeb relationships and give their year-end review and two cents on all the hot gossip of 2012. Not your typical year-end review, "Tiny Tonight" promises real people, real dish and a real, opinionated look into the world of politics, pop culture and entertainment.

It's time to get "Insane in the Membrane" and pour out some "Gin N Juice" as VH1 looks back on the 1990's and a decade of unforgettable Hip Hop music by counting down the "40 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of the 90's" on Wednesday, December 19 at 9PM. Take a walk down memory lane with Jay-Z, LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys and all your favorite artists as we open the vault for two bass-thumping hours of classic music videos and archival footage. The special will also feature new, original interviews with some of Hip Hop's most memorable faces and hit makers, sharing the stories behind the songs and updating you on what all your favorites are doing today.

Love and Hip Hop Atlanta: Dirty Little Secrets" is executive produced by Mona Scott-Young for Monami Entertainment and Toby Barraud and Stefan Springman for NFGTV. Co-Produced by Sean Johnson. Shelly Tatro, Brad Abramson, Danielle Gelfand. Vivian Gomez and Jeff Olde are executive producers for VH1.

"Tiny Tonight" is created and executive produced by 51 Minds' Cris Abrego, Christian Sarabia, Rabih Gholam and Ben Samek (CAPI), as well as Category 5 Entertainment's Brian Sher and Stella Bulochnikov ("T.I.'S Road to Redemption"). For VH1, the series is executive produced by Jill Holmes, Kristen Kelly and Jeff Olde.

"40 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of the 90's" is executive produced by Karla Hidalgo, Bernie Kaminski, Shelly Tatro and Jeff Olde and senior produced by Hilary Spiegelman.

PRODUCER SIR CLEF ON DECK.
Produced by Sir Clef featuring OutKast's Andre 3000, "Sorry" [LISTEN HERE] is one of the most talked about collabs launching from T.I.'s upcoming album Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head. With booming bass and some light jazz keys, this trap song incorporates Three Stack's apology to former ATLien Big Boi.

Born in Philadelphia in 1986, Derel "Sir Clef" Haynes knew from his background in church that he wanted to pursue music. Soon, he was taken under the wing of super producers Carvin "Ransum" Haggins and Keith Pelzer where he earned his stripes in music production, working with artists as varied as Will Smith, Floetry, Kenny Latimore, Timbaland, Lil Kim and Boys II Men, just to name a few.

But that wasn't enough for Clef – he stepped up his production game, focusing on musicianship, taught himself to play keys by ear and moved to Atlanta to make his mark. With his own production set-up, he circulated beats he made in ProTools and Logic, landing him gigs with T.I., Andre 3000, Freeway, Charlie Baltimore, Robin Thicke, Keri Hilson and numerous others.

Clef classifies his sound as "unpredictable" with cultural influences that know no boundaries. Clef's current focus is on nothing but the years of work ahead and constantly redefining himself. As he puts it, "Without faith nothing is possible, with it nothing's impossible."

SONY MUSIC GETS NEW EVP OF A&R.
Salaam Remi has been named EVP of A&R and Production for Sony Music Entertainment. The announcement was made by Sony Music CEO Doug Morris. In his new role, Remi will be responsible for working with the A&R teams across Sony Music’s labels to drive artist development. In addition to his A&R responsibilities, Remi will have an imprint label with Sony Music and serve as an exclusive producer and executive producer on SME releases. He is based in New York and reports directly to Morris.

Morris stated, "Salaam is a fantastic talent who understands great artistry. We couldn’t be happier to have him joining the executive team here at Sony Music and we look forward to having him contribute to our ongoing creative success around the world."

Remi added, "It is a career highlight to work with Doug Morris, the greatest record executive in the world. I’m excited for the opportunity to support our various creative teams at Sony Music in the continued development of great artists making outstanding music."

A Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter, Remi has worked with Amy Winehouse, Nas, The Fugees, Jazmine Sullivan, Nelly Furtado, Cee-Lo Green and Usher, among others. His most recent credits include Alicia Keys’s Girl On Fire and Miguel’s Kaleidoscope Dream. He has also worked on a variety of film projects including Blood Diamond, Gnomeo and Juliet and Tower Heist. He scored the film Sparkle starring Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks, the Mike Tyson documentary, TYSON, and worked as Executive Music Producer on the films Sex and the City and its sequel, and Rush Hour 3.

UMG APPOINTS NEW CEO OF CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP.
Universal Music Group (UMG) has begun the revitalization of EMI Recorded Music with the appointment of Steve Barnett to Chairman & CEO of its Capitol Music Group. The announcement was made today by Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of UMG, and to whom Mr. Barnett reports.

Based in Los Angeles, CA, at the iconic Capitol Records Tower, Mr. Barnett will be responsible for the overall management of the company which includes Capitol Records, Virgin Records, Blue Note, Astralwerks, Harvest, Capitol Christian Music Group, Caroline and the Capitol Studios.

"As we begin to invest in and revitalize EMI globally, the Capitol Music Group, including Virgin, will play a central role in our creative and commercial initiatives. And there is no one better to spearhead this than Steve," stated Mr. Grainge. "His entrepreneurial approach and intuitive ability to build, strengthen and transform artists into powerful global brands has resulted in remarkable success. I'm confident that under his leadership, a new and reinvigorated Capitol will provide the kind of environment needed for artists to develop, resulting in more opportunity than ever before."

"Throughout my career in music, I've always been keenly aware of EMI's impact on the world's culture, so I could not be more excited and grateful for the opportunity Lucian has given me to build the Capitol Music Group into an exceptional record company," added Mr. Barnett. "I greatly appreciate his confidence in me, and I will work tirelessly to create a welcoming and supportive home for great artists while carefully tending the hugely important catalogue that defines the Capitol legacy."

"It was not an easy decision to leave such a successful company as Columbia, with its incredibly talented artists and the team of people who work so hard on their behalf," continued Mr. Barnett. "However, I know that the label is in great hands and I wish them all the best in the future as I move on to my new company home."

The appointment of Mr. Barnett is among the first of many steps that will be taken by UMG to expand EMI's creative ranks, reinvest in new talent, enhance innovation and create more diversity and choice for consumers.

Most recently, Mr. Barnett was Co-Chairman & COO of Columbia Records. The company's market share rose consistently throughout his tenure, resulting in a 50% increase in current market share (27% overall) between 2009 and 2012.

While at Columbia as Co-Chairman & COO, Mr. Barnett presided over highly successful campaigns for some of music's most important developing and established artists, including Adele, Beyonce, John Mayer, Jack White, The Shins, One Direction, Maxwell, Foster The People, J. Cole and Britain's Got Talent superstar Susan Boyle.

Mr. Barnett first joined Sony Music's Epic Records in 1996 as Senior Vice President, International, rising to Senior Vice President Worldwide Marketing for the label in 1997. He served as Executive Vice President/ General Manager for four years after that, rising to label President in 2004. He was appointed Co-Chairman and COO of Columbia in 2005.

REV RUN PARTNERS FOR DIABETES DETECTION CAMPAIGN.
Hip-hop icon Joseph "Rev Run" Simmons and Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, have teamed up in a multi-year national education program, Ask.Screen.Know., to encourage people to learn their risk for diabetes and highlight the need for early diabetes detection.

As an ambassador for the program, the front man for the influential RUN DMC rap group will appear in a national public service announcement, host a series of local events across the country, and activate his social media network of nearly 4 million followers to challenge Americans ages 45 or older to learn their own risk for diabetes and talk to a healthcare professional about getting tested.

"Watching my dad manage his diabetes, I know firsthand the impact that the disease can have," said Rev Run. "Your health is worth the time. That's why I joined the Ask.Screen.Know. campaign. I'm looking at my own risk of diabetes and holding myself accountable for my health. I'm asking others to do the same."

According to recent estimates, as many as 1 in 4 U.S. adults are at risk to develop diabetes. And the risk for African Americans is greater, as they are two times more likely to develop diabetes than Caucasian Americans. Early detection is important because diabetes can lead to serious health complications, such as heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, high blood pressure, blindness, nerve problems, and amputations.

Rev Run knows he is at risk for diabetes and is on a path to better health by taking steps to lower his risk. Inspired by a strong support network comprised of his family, healthcare professionals, and his fans, Rev Run implements healthy eating and exercise into his daily routine. He also gets screened regularly for diabetes.

Now in its fourth year running, the Ask.Screen.Know. campaign, sponsored by Novo Nordisk, aims to reach the estimated 79 million Americans who are living with prediabetes. In addition to a national public service announcement, the campaign will reach the public through a dedicated website where visitors can take a risk factor assessment test, learn about the specific benefits of diabetes screening, and get links to diabetes resources.

"As a diabetes educator, I've seen the impact diabetes can have on a community," said Jeannette Jordan, RD, CDE, Novo Nordisk. "Knowing your risk for diabetes is the first step - because the earlier you know your risk for the disease, the better you can manage it. Talk to your doctor regularly about ways to keep the risk under control."

The American Diabetes Association recommends that those who are 45 years or older get tested for diabetes once every three years, in particular those who are overweight and have one or more risk factors such as family history of diabetes, lack of regular exercise, high blood pressure, having had diabetes during a pregnancy or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds, or are members of particular race/ethnicity (African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders).

"The diabetes epidemic continues to escalate and affects many communities including African Americans at disproportionate levels," said Lori Moore, Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Novo Nordisk. "Rev Run has an important message for us as part of Ask.Screen.Know. – know your risk, get tested, and take action."

With the launch of this campaign, Rev Run becomes the latest celebrity ambassador to join the Ask.Screen.Know. program. The program launched in 2009 with Academy Award® winner Olympia Dukakis and her husband, actor Louis Zorich and continued in 2011 with actor Chris Noth.

KANYE ON DECK FOR 3 NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND SHOWS in NEW JERSEY.
Kanye West is set to take the stage at Ovation Hall in Revel Beach, Atlantic City, New Jersey- with a lineup of three concerts on Friday, December 28; Saturday, December 29 and Sunday, December 30. Kanye West's trio of performances marks the artist's second set at Revel, following two sold-out solo shows at the 5,500 capacity venue in July.

Since his stunning 2011 performance at Coachella in Indio, California which some called "one of the most memorable performances in Coachella history," Kanye West's only solo US appearances have been at Revel. Kanye West joins a remarkable list of performers who have selected Ovation Hall for their sold out shows including Beyonce, the Eagles and Avicii.

Designed by Cirque du Soleil veterans Sceno Plus, Ovation Hall provides fans with an up-close-and-personal concert experience with the artist. Every seat has an unobstructed view of the performer and a state-of-the-art sound system puts the audience in the center of the action with immersive audibility. Ovation Hall continues to be the stage for exclusive talent, including international superstar Beyonce who returned to the stage during Revel's premiere on Memorial Day weekend.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, November 30 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations.

Revel is smoke-free and features more than 1,800 rooms with sweeping ocean views. A member of the American Express Gold Hotel Collection, the resort houses a 130,000-square-foot casino with more than 2,000 slot machines, nearly 100 table games, electronic tables and a Poker Room. Designed to embrace its natural surroundings, Revel curates a collection of daylife and nightlife experiences crafted to bring the outside in and the inside out. Indoor and outdoor pools, gardens, lounges, and a 32,000-square-foot spa provide guests with a relaxing resort, while an outstanding collection of 14 restaurant concepts from award-wining chefs and restaurateurs, live entertainment featuring marquee acts and international artists, nightclubs, a casino that feels like a theatre and a collection of boutiques in The Row tailor to each guest's passions.

RIHANNA SCORES 12TH NO. 1 HIT WITH ‘DIAMONDS’
Rihanna's latest single 'Diamonds' has become her 12th #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The song, produced by Stargate and Benny Blanco, jumps 2-1 based on airplay and digital sales, displacing Maroon 5’s “One More Night.”

With her latest chart-topping track, Rihanna has now surpassed Whitney Houston (11) and Janet Jackson (10) for second most #1's by a female artist. She is now tied with Madonna, who also has 12 #1 hits.

Mariah Carey is the current leader for women with 18 chart-toppers. Rihanna also passed Carey as the female artist to reach 12 #1's the fastest.

Despite having 5 straight platinum albums and 12 #1 songs, Rihanna has yet to sit @ the top slot on the charts with any of her six albums. Her newly released seventh studio album 'Unapologetic,' is projected to change that and top the Billboard 200 chart with sales upwards of 240,000-260,000 copies.

If those numbers hold up, it will also be Rihanna's best first week sales of her career.

Rihanna's 12 #1's
2006, "SOS"
2007," Umbrella," featuring Jay-Z
2008, "Take a Bow"
2008, "Disturbia"
2008, "Live Your Life" (T.I. featuring Rihanna)
2010, "Rude Boy"
2010, "Love the Way You Lie" (Eminem featuring Rihanna)
2010, "What's My Name?," featuring Drake
2010, "Only Girl (In the World)"
2011, "S&M," featuring Britney Spears
2011, "We Found Love," featuring Calvin Harris
2012, "Diamonds"

SNOOP PLANS TO INVEST IN PREMIER LEAGUE SOCCER TEAM.
Reports are surfacing that Snoop Lion (Snoop Dogg), is planning to invest in Scottish Premier League team Glasgow Celtic. The rapper expressed interest in investing after watching the team beat powerhouse Barcelona in a recent Champions League play.

Snoop called Celtic’s victory over Barca “a big deal”, saying that he admires the passion of the club’s fans.

“I haven’t really thought how much (I would invest). I don’t need to run a soccer club but enough of a percentage to get me on the board so I can be heard,” he told the Daily Record. Snoop has already done some research and recruiting, asking good friend David Beckham about Glasgow Celtic and even tried to lure the current Los Angeles Galaxy star to play for him if his investment plan pushes through.

“I asked my man David about Celtic and he was like, ‘Yeah, teams don’t come much bigger.’ I would try and sign him up for a season, but he is pretty happy over here,” he said. “L.A. is home for him and his family now — but I would have to at least make that offer to my boy. We have lunch when we can, so next time, you know, I am going to speak to him about it. Never say never,” he added.

Snoop is a known soccer fan and is one of the official spokesmen for EA Sports’ “FIFA 13" video game. Celtic manager Neil Lennon said he would welcome Snoop Lion’s investment in the club, provided that he’ll be invited to one of the rapper’s parties.

“It would be interesting if he did put money in. As long as I got invited to one of his parties, it would be OK,” said Lennon before his team’s Champions League game against Benfica in Lisbon.

ATLANTIC RECORDS PRMOTES NEW SVP A&R.
Atlantic Records Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman and Chairman/COO Julie Greenwald have announced the promotion of Aaron Bay-Schuck to SVP of A&R for the label. Bay-Schuck, who is based in the company's L.A. office, has been with Atlantic Records since 2004.

In making the announcement, Kallman and Greenwald said, "Aaron is an A&R talent, in the great tradition of Atlantic Records, who has artist development in his blood. He discovers unique voices and is passionately committed to their creativity and careers. Aaron has been such an integral part of Atlantic's success over the last eight years."

Bay-Schuck added, "I look at the chance to do A&R not as a job but as a privilege; and an even greater privilege is to do it at Atlantic Records where the history and tradition of great songs and career artists is so deep-rooted. Craig and Julie have been extraordinary mentors and given me every opportunity to pursue my passion of making records and cultivating talent. I could not be more excited to begin this next chapter."

Bay-Schuck was most recently VP of A&R at Atlantic. He started his career at the label an A&R assistant and signed the Grammy-award winning, multi-talented Bruno Mars, who is set to release his new album Unorthodox Jukebox on December 11.

THE GAME'S 5TH STUDIO ALBUM ON DECK.
The Game will release his fifth album, Jesus Piece (Interscope Records), and celebrate with an intimate show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. Jesus Piece, which includes numerous high profile features, follows 2011's The R.E.D. Album - the Compton-bred MC's third album to debut atop the Billboard 200.

Kanye West and Common guest on the album's title track while Chris Brown, Tyga, Wiz Khalifa and Lil Wayne join Game on the lead single, "Celebration," marking a first-time collaboration for these five Platinum-selling artists. The pre-order for the standard and deluxe versions of Jesus Piece launches today on the iTunes Store. See below for track listings and cover art.

"The Jesus Piece album concept came together while I was recording a song that eventually became the title track. It was this song that inspired me to create series of recordings themed around experiences and feelings that I hope everyone can relate to on some level," explains Game. "I have an amazing collection of artists helping me deliver the 'good word' and I hope the fans will receive it as one of their favorite hip-hop albums of the year."

"Celebration," which is available now at all digital retailers, takes its sample from the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony classic "1st of tha Month." All five members of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are featured on "Celebration Remix," the first track featured in Game's #SundayService campaign, wherein he drops a new song each Sunday leading up to the album's release.

The Game has built his company, Black Wall Street, into a hood-favorite clothing brand and community-based enterprise that releases mixtapes from developing L.A. artists. Game in the past has also co-starred opposite Meagan Good and Tyrese in the classic urban film Waist Deep. Yesterday, his new reality show, "Marrying The Game," premiered on VH1.

GETO BOYS ON DECK
Geto Boys are said to be in talks to record a new album and are currently performing spot dates in select cities. Recent shows include ICP’s The Gathering of the Juggalos Festival in Cave Rock, Illinois and Return of the Legends with Ice Cube in Detroit. They will perform in San Antonio at Backstage Live on December 21st for a concert and party entitled, "End of the World." They will also hit the stage in Austin, Texas at Emo’s East on January 26, 2013. The show will be streamed live Pay-Per-View to a worldwide audience.

"The shows that we're doing are really fan appreciation styled, said Willie D. It's unfortunate that we've performed less than ten shows together in the past ten years. Since we're only doing select dates and won't be playing abroad any time soon, the live streaming will give our fans around the world a deserved opportunity to experience what it's like to witness a GB performance in real time action."

MASTER P FORMING SUPERGROUP?
Master P has revealed plans to join up with Alley Boy and Fat Trel as the super group Louie V Mob. “I’m telling y’all, I’m the Phil Jackson of this shit,” says P in the video. “And we about to win us a championship, because we in the gym 24/7. And what the gym is, what I mean is we in the studio. We gonna start at the fucking bottom and take this shit up.” WATCH HERE

50 CENT OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES LATEST VENTURE, SMS PROMOTIONS
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has announced the launch of his latest business venture, SMS Promotions, a boxing promotions company which was recently granted promoters license by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Jackson was approved for a license in New York earlier this year.

SMS Promotions has already acquired four top fighters in the industry including former featherweight title holder Yuriorkis Gamboa, super middle weight contender Andre Dirrell, Australian IBF featherweight titlist Billy Dib and featherweight contender Celestino Caballero.

“I love boxing and have always been a big fan of the sport, so it feels especially great for me to be involved with the game at this level. My goal is to build SMS Promotions into one of boxing’s most respected promoters and bring the best fights to audiences nationwide,” states 50.

SMS Promotions and Top Rank will co-promote Gamboa’s bout on the Pacquiao-Marquez IV undercard on December 8, 2012. The fight will be produced and distributed Live by HBO Pay-Per-View from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas. Gamboa’s opponent is yet to be determined.

Widely recognized as one of the most talented and prolific music artists of his time, 50 Cent has sold over 22 million albums worldwide and launched numerous businesses across a broad spectrum including music ownership, artist management, film production, footwear and clothing, fragrance, video games, publishing and energy drinks.

TRASH TALK AND MELLOWHYPE ANNOUCE WESTCOAST TOUR - PLUS NEW VIDEO & MUSIC.
Trash Talk and MellowHype are currently touring together on the East Coast and are now announcing a slew of West Coast dates presented by IHeartComix (the same people that brought you the CYP2 live video of Trash Talk). Additionally, Hodgy Beats of MellowHype recently jumped in the studio to create "Break Ya Neck" with producer Thelonius Martin during a Ruby Hornet Closed Session. WATCH HERE

TOUR DATES
11/14 - Montreal, QC - Il Motore*
11/15 - Toronto, ON - Annex Wreck Room*
11/16 - Ithaca, NY - The Haunt*
11/17 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater*
11/18 - Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair*
11/19 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts*
11/20 - Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel*
12/13 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey*
12/14 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
12/15 - Portland, OR - Branx*
12/17 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge*
12/18 - Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex*
12/20 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction*
12/21 - San Diego, CA - Epicentre*
* = Trash Wang Tour w/ Mellowhype

XZIBIT PARTNERS UP FOR NEW TEQUILA "BONITA"
Xzibit has partnered up with Chris Brown (The Founder of the tequila company Bonita). The Bonita Spirits Company had an opportunity to send Xzibit one of the bottles from their very first production run.

When Xzibit received the first sample of Bonita, He says he was immediately blown away by what they had created. The tequila was amazing, the packaging was beautiful and dynamic, and the brand was perfect.

He knew at that moment that he had to make Bonita his own. Bonita needed to become the tequila to define a new generation of hip, urban-savvy consumers who enjoy luxurious and artisan products with a modern flair.

Xzibit and Chris Brown have now partnered up for Bonita Tequila. They share the responsibility of getting the Bonita brand out to the world. Together they have created the first tequila in the world to undergo a 5x distillation process, followed by a proprietary 3x cold-filtration method that produces the smoothest, cleanest sipping tequila in the world. Bonita Platinum is 100% organic, hand-bottled in pure crystal, and accented with a satin black tie – a hint to the luxury that lies within. Xzibit is set to introduce the new Tequila brand in January 2013.

KANYE WEST AND ALICIA KEYS TO PERFORM @ NY HURRICANE SANDY BENEFIT.
Kanye West and Alicia Keys are headlining an all-star benefit to aid in Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. They will be joined by Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters and the Who. The Dec. 12 concert "12-12-12" will be held at Madison Square Garden. More artists are expected to be unveiled. Ticket information for the concert has not yet been released. The benefit is to be produced by Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the Madison Square Garden Co. and the Weinstein Co.

Proceeds from the "12-12-12" concert will go to the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which distributes money and materials to local organizations.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS 2013 ON DECK.
Nominees for PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS 2013 were announced this morning at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills by country superstar Jason Aldean, Anthony Anderson (“Guys with Kids”), Sophia Bush (“Partners”), Jason O’Mara (“Vegas”), Monica Potter (“Parenthood”), and Casey Wilson (“Happy Endings”), along with PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2013 host Kaley Cuoco (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Executive Producer Mark Burnett. Prior to this morning's announcement, fans cast over 93 million votes to pick new categories and determine the nominees for the annual awards show that celebrates fan favorites in movies, music and television. See below for a complete list of nominees.

Now in its 39th year, the People’s Choice Awards continues to be the only major awards show voted on entirely by the public for fan favorites in movies, music and television.

Voting begins today for all 48 categories and will end on December 13, 2012. Winners will be revealed during the live broadcast of PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS 2013 from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Here are the Noms related to Music.

FAVORITE HIP HOP ARTIST
Drake
Flo Rida
Jay-Z
Nicki Minaj
Pitbull

FAVORITE R&B ARTIST
Alicia Keys
Beyoncé
Bruno Mars
Rihanna
Usher

FAVORITE POP ARTIST
Adele
Demi Lovato
Justin Bieber
Katy Perry
P!nk

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST
Blake Shelton
Chris Brown
Jason Mraz
Justin Bieber
Usher

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST
Adele
Carrie Underwood
Katy Perry
P!nk
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO
Boyfriend, Justin Bieber
Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen
Gangnam Style, Psy
Part of Me, Katy Perry
Payphone, Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa

IS ANDRE 3000 DONE WITH RAP?
Andre 3000, one-half of OutKast with Big Boi, has been out of the music scene in recent years, although he's been featured on songs by Beyonce, Frank Ocean, Rick Ross, Ke$ha and Young Jeezy.

OutKast's 2006 platinum-selling album, "Idlewild," which accompanied a film of the same name starring the duo, was their last album. Their 11-time platinum "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" won the 2004 Grammy Award for album of the year.

Big Boi, who released a solo album two years ago to welcoming reviews, will release a new solo disc, "Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors," next month.

But Andre 3000 says he isn't in a rush to record an album. "Some days I feel like I'll do it, some days I don't. Some days I feel like I don't need to, some days I feel like I want to do it before I die. So, I don't know where to fall. I am just hoping one day I get that inspiration," he said at an event for Gillette's eMO'gency Styler Tour, which supports men's health and prostate cancer programs. The tour kicked off in New York, with stops scheduled in Chicago and Houston.

"It's a feeling for me. Like, I can't just throw out an album to be rapping," he said. "And I don't even know if it will be rap. I don't even know what it will be."

However, he could find the inspiration and complete an album in just a few days: "It could be a rush situation. Like if I feel that feeling and I record an album in three days and I'm like, 'This is what I want to say right now' — that can happen, too."

He also says he's constantly writing songs. "I write all the time. ... I actually stopped typing it in my phone because like a cloud is basically reading every thought that I have and I don't like that," he said. "So I went back to my paper and started writing."

He's not sure fans want a new OutKast album for the right reasons. "Man, we've had a great ride. ... Like when we got into it when we were high school kids and we just wanted to do something fun and push it, and if it's not that then why do it?" he said.

"I'm not the type that prescribes to nostalgia, and most people say they want an OutKast album because they used to love it. Y'all don't even know if y'all still love it. You just know you used to love it. But you may not like it now, who knows?"

SNOOP LAUNCHES MIND GARDENS.
Snoop Lion (Snoop Dogg) has announced a new partnership in support of the Mind Gardens Project, his latest non-profit initiative to establish sustainable, organic community gardens that will provide fresh fruits and vegetables to school aged children in Jamaica. Beverage maker Reed's Ginger Brew has joined the effort to give back to Jamaica, adding momentum as they prepare to launch a massive Mind Gardens awareness campaign.

Earlier this year, Snoop Lion unveiled his latest project, Reincarnated, which consists of a soon-to-be released album, a photo book, and a feature length documentary by VICE Films and Snoopadelic films illustrating Snoop's evolution and transition from rap to reggae. This dramatic change came about as a result of Snoop's recent personal journey to Jamaica and his time spent with the culture and people of the land. Wanting to give something back in return, Snoop partnered with entrepreneur and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria of Paul Mitchell and Patrón Spirits for the Mind Gardens Project.

"When I went to Jamaica we took time to visit these communities in Kingston, and I was deeply affected by the poverty and lack of good food available to the children," says Snoop Lion. "No child should go hungry. After all the inspiration Jamaica had provided me, I felt compelled to create a program to give back to the community."

The Mind Gardens Project has already begun work in Kingston, Jamaica with locations in the neighborhoods of Trench Town and Tivoli Gardens. Here, local residents are provided with tools and resources to help them effectively grow their own food. Plans for additional domestic and international locations are in the works for the future.

"We've been looking for a way to give back to Jamaica," says Chris Reed. "Nothing is more basic than food in helping people help themselves. Snoop helping to educate the world on how to eat better, and encouraging communities to grow their own organic food -- this is very positive change. We are also excited about rolling out this project to many U.S. cities. My company has always tried to offer people better, healthier options when it comes to what they drink. Our larger goal is about helping people live better, healthier lives. Snoop's Mind Gardens Project is in line with our vision. We have committed a percentage of our sales this year to help fund the program."

"This is just the start, we have some big plans to roll out Mind Gardens stateside in the year to come," says Snoop Lion. "We can all do our part to help people eat healthier and live better. Bless up! Jah Rastafari!"

UMG SEES INCREASE IN REVENUE.
Universal Music Group saw a 2.1 percent increase in revenue for the first nine months of 2012, compared to 2011. Revenue for the first three quarters of the year was $3.68 billion. However, revenue was down 3.4 percent at constant currency, though an 8.6 percent increase in digital sales and higher license income were "offset by falling demand for physical product." EBITA fell by 2.5 percent to approximately $302 million. The gap between physical and digital sales has tightened in those nine months. CD sales were down by 14.2 percent to approximately $1.29 billion, but digital sales rose 8.6 percent and reached $1.16 billion.

Best selling releases for the first nine months of 2012 included new releases from Justin Bieber, Maroon 5 and Nicki Minaj, as well as new artists as Lana Del Rey, Carly Rae Jepsen and Gotye. Notable UMG releases for the fourth quarter include Taylor Swift, Rod Stewart, Rihanna, The Rolling Stones and Ne-Yo, among many others.

As for the recent deal to acquire EMI's recorded music division, the company noted, "As a result of this strategically-compelling transaction, UMG further strengthens its presence throughout the world, especially in the United States, Japan, and Germany - the top three leading international music markets. This acquisition also creates even more opportunities for new and established artists, while expanding UMG's presence on all of the major digital music platforms and services. Moreover, the sale process of certain EMI Recorded Music assets is underway and these divestments are generating robust interest. Team integration is also progressing according to plan. The objective of £100 million annual synergies has been maintained."

Overall, UMG parent company Vivendi saw its revenue down by 1.6 percent to $8.48 billion in the first nine months of the year. Adjusted net income fell 2.9 percent to $845 million, with EBITA down 7.3 percent to $1.77 billion.

The other story is that, regardless of format, recorded music revenue continues to shrink because digital downloads are cheaper than discs. The growth is being picked up by licensing to other services.

It's safe to say that the worse days of the music business are bottoming out.

S.O.G. CREW SET FOR "GOT TO BELIEVE TOUR"
The S.O.G Crew is now touring the nation after starting in Northern, CA at the beginning of November; the finale will be a huge Prom Night event December 22nd in Los Angeles, CA. The S.O.G Crew has become a major influence to youth across the globe touring the U.S., Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and now Africa. Because they are streetwise and great motivational speakers, the crew is invited to nightclubs, colleges, universities, high schools, prisons, rehabs, project housing, revivals and just about every Native American Indian Tribe in the U.S. If we are hitting your area give us a call and lock in a date, we would be honored to minister with you. Please keep this tour in prayer, God willing we will extend our tour to Hawaii and Alaska in January 2013.“Encouraging people in The United States to turn back to God” - The S.O.G. Crew

Fri Nov 16 – Pamona, CA (confirmed)
Sat Nov 17 – San Jancinto, CA (confirmed)
Sat Nov 7 – Arleta, CA (confirmed)
Sun Nov 18 – Upland, CA (confirmed)
Sat Nov 24 – Arizona (confirmed)
Sun Nov 25 – Arizona (confirmed)
Fri Nov 30- Watsonville, CA (confirmed)
Sat Dec 1 – Northern CA
Sun Dec 2 – Klamath, OR (confirmed)
Mon Dec 3 – Klamath, OR (confirmed)
Tue Dec 4 – Crow Agency, MT (confirmed)
Wed Dec 5- Crow Agency, MT (confirmed)
Thur Dec 6 – Colorado Springs (confirmed)
Fri Dec 7 – Denver, CO
Sat Dec 8 – Nashville, TN
Sun Dec 9 – Warren, PA / Buffalo, NY
Mon Dec 10 – Manhattan, NY (confirmed)
Tue Dec 11 – New York Wed Dec 12 – New York
Thur Dec 13 – Washington D.C. (confirmed)
Fri Dec 14 – Miami, FL (confirmed)
Fri Dec 14 – Jacksonville, FL (confirmed)
Sat Dec 15 – Palm Coast, FL (confirmed)
Sun Dec 16 – Alabama Mon Dec 17 – Mississippi
Tue Dec 18 – Oklahoma (confirmed)
Wed Dec 19 – San Antonio, TX (confirmed)
Thur Dec 20 – New Mexico
Fri Dec 21 – Los Angeles (confirmed)
Sat Dec 22 -Los Angeles (confirmed)

RIHANNA GRABS THE COVER OF GQ'S ANNUAL MEN OF THE YEAR ISSUE.
Rihanna stars on the cover of GQ's December 'Men of the Year' issue. She is the only woman to be featured in the magazine's annual 'Men of the Year' issue. Rihanna opened up about love, sex and what she wants in a relationship.

“I was a lot more naive about the way I moved and the way I was being perceived” she says of the era shortly after she was first discovered by a vacationing music producer in 2003. “The more you hear people talk about ‘Oh, you’re a sex symbol,’ it just makes you think, ‘Why are you saying that?’ And I figured it out.”

When asked what turns her on, Rihanna says she likes a partner who calls the shots.-- “I like to feel like a woman,” she says. “I have to be in control in every other aspect of my life, so I feel like in a relationship, like I wanted to be able to take a step back and have somebody else take the lead.”.. "I could absolutely be dominant though," she says.

“Love makes you go places you probably wouldn’t ever go, had it not been for love. But I think everybody still has their limits,” she tells GQ.

As for her music, she says she wants it to be “hopeful” and “uplifting,” never “corny” or “super sentimental.”.. “I just want it to have the feeling that brings you out of whatever you’re going through,” she tells GQ. “I want it to spark that fire. I want it to be real, authentic, and raw.”

ROC MARCIANO DROPS RELOADED.
The eagerly awaited follow-up to Marcberg is out now. Alchemist and Q-Tip get down with Roc Marciano on this new "Reloaded" LP. LISTEN TO IT HERE

Roc Marciano is from Hempstead, Long Island New York. Originally a member of Busta Rhymes' crew, Flipmode Squad becoming the sixth member after the departure of Lord Have Mercy, (and furthermore Serious) Roc left in 2001 to form the UN, a hardcore underground hip hop group consisting of three other MCs (Dino Brave, Laku & Mic Raw) with whom released an album on Carson Daly's 456 Entertainment in 2004. Notably, Roc appeared in the 2005 Wu-Tang Clan compilation album, Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture, and in Pete Rock's 2008 album, NY's Finest, drawing acclaim for such performances. Since 2008, Roc Marciano has been working on his solo career, and to widespread internet acclaim, released his entirely self-produced debut LP, Marcberg in the Spring of 2010. The album was applauded for its throwback 90s east coast style, coming as a breath of fresh air amongst the various other hip hop albums released that year. His stream of consciousness narrative and boom-bap, rugged beats have also been the subject to many compliments from critics and bloggers alike. In 2011, Roc Marciano collaborated with Gangrene, the duo of rapper/producers Oh No and The Alchemist, to release the collaborative EP Greneberg. Roc Marciano is currently signed to Decon Records.

CHIEF KEEF ON DECK WITH NEW ALBUM AND BEATS BY DRE HEADPHONES.
Chief Keef will release his debut album, Finally Rich, on Glory Boyz Entertainment/Interscope Records December 18. The album will be available for pre-order November 19. The high-powered collection also features "Hate Being Sober" ft 50 Cent and Wiz Khalifa which was produced by Young Chop.

Chief Keef's catchy, independently-released "I Don't Like" single became an instant sensation in early 2012. Its video has had more than 17 million YouTube views since its release in March. Featuring Lil Reese and produced by Young Chop, "I Don't Like" has established the 17-year-old Chicago rapper-businessman as one of rap's rising stars, as evidenced by the Kanye West remix of "I Don't Like," which also featured Big Sean, Pusha T and Jadakiss.

Given his tremendous following, Interscope Records signed Keef's Glory Boyz Entertainment to a deal, making him the youngest major label boss in music history. He will also release a pair of Beats by Dre headphones and has a biopic in the works.

The South Side Chicago rapper became an Internet sensation in 2011 thanks to his hard-hitting "Bang" single. The song's video garnered more than 3 million views on YouTube and was followed in 2012 by the video for "3Hunna," which logged more than 11 million YouTube views while Keef's latest songs "I Don't Like" and "Love Sosa" has racked up over 19 million and 8 million YouTube views respectively.

Finally Rich Trackist
1. Love Sosa
2. Hallelujah
3. I Don't Like ft. Lil Reese
4. No Tomorrow
5. Hate Bein' Sober ft. 50 Cent & Wiz Khalifa
6. Kay Kay
7. Laughin' To The Bank
8. Diamonds ft. French Montana
9. Ballin'
10. Understand Me ft. Young Jeezy
11. 3Hunna ft. Rick Ross
12. Finally Rich

RECORD LABELS ARE STILL INVESTING BILLIONS OF $$ IN NEW MUSIC ACCORDING TO NEW REPORT
A new report from the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) finds that record labels spend $4.5 billion annually on A&R and marketing, continuing to invest in new music and new artists, despite the economic downturn. According to the IFPI, record labels spent $2.7 billion in 2011 on A&R, only marginally down on 2008 ($2.8 billion), despite an overall decline of 16 percent in the trade value of the industry globally over the same period. Revenues invested in A&R increased from 15 to 16 percent of industry turnover between 2008 and 2011.

The report found that music companies invest a greater proportion of their global revenues in A&R than most other sectors do in research and development. Comparisons show music industry investment exceeding that of industries including software and computing (9.6 percent) and the pharmaceutical and biotech sector (15.3 percent). The comparisons are based on the European Commission's 2011 EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard.

Two new surveys, conducted in the UK and Germany in 2012, show more than 70 percent of unsigned acts want a record deal, with marketing leading the perceived benefits of record company support.

IFPI CEO Frances Moore says, "Investing in Music highlights a simple truth - that behind the highly visible world of artists who touch people's lives there is a less visible industry of enormous diversity, creativity and economic value. This report shows the role record companies, major and independent, play around the world in discovering, nurturing and promoting artistic talent."

The report features data from record companies and case studies from around the world. Other highlights of the report include:

• Labels are taking advantage of new digital media channels, running more focused, cost-effective promotional campaigns and increasing their use of social networking and new media. Reflecting this, the industry's marketing spend is estimated to have declined from $2.4 billion in 2008 to $1.7 billion in 2011. The fall is also put down partially to the impact of piracy and declining revenues, which has squeezed labels' marketing budgets.

•Unsigned artists want a record deal. Research conducted with The Unsigned Guide in the UK found 71 percent of unsigned acts wanted a recording contract. BVMI research in Germany found that 80 percent of unsigned artists wanted a recording contract. Marketing support is the most valued form of investment (with over 70 percent of artists citing this in both surveys), followed by tour support and the payment of an advance.

•The costs of breaking an artist in a major market remain substantial at up to $1.4 million. The cost typically breaks down as payment of an advance ($200,000), recording costs ($200,000-300,000), video production costs ($50,000-300,000), tour support ($100,000) and marketing and promotional costs ($200,000-500,000).

•Live performance has not replaced recordings as the driver of the music industry. While record companies invest $2.7 billion in A&R, there is little evidence of such substantial investment in new music coming from any other source. The top five global live acts of 2011 - U2, Bon Jovi, Take That, Roger Waters and Taylor Swift - all have substantial back catalogues of recorded material.

•Brand partnerships and synch deals have grown in importance. A recording deal unlocks a range of different revenue streams for artists and labels. These include a new generation of brand partnership and synchronisation deals, involving the use of recordings in TV, film, games and adverts. Synch income has increased from negligible figures in 2008 to $342 million globally by 2011. The report highlights the case study of Ellie Goulding, whose cover of Elton John's "Your Song" was used in an advertising campaign, generating direct income and also helping lift the sales of her album by an additional 400,000 copies

•Record companies invest in local talent and break it to a global audience. Domestic
repertoire accounts for the majority of the Top 100 physical format album sales in all the industry's major markets: USA (62 percent), Japan (77 percent), Germany (55 percent), UK (53 percent) and France (54 percent). Industry executives believe the industry will widen its revenue base in the future, expanding beyond the 10 countries where it currently makes 80 percent of its revenues into new markets such as Brazil, China, India and Russia. Source: IFPI

JAY-Z TO PERFORM WITH COLDPLAY FOR SPECIAL NEW YEAR'S EVE CONCERT.
On Monday, December 31, Coldplay will round off a memorable year by performing a very special co-headline show with JAY Z at Barclays Center, Brooklyn.

The New Year's Eve show will be preceded by two headline shows for the band, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on December 29 and at Barclays Center, Brooklyn on December 30. Naturally 7 will be the supporting act for the December 29 and 30 shows. The three year-end dates mark Coldplay's only remaining US shows for 2012.

This will be the second time in two years that Coldplay has celebrated the new year with long-term friend and collaborator JAY Z, the band having shared the bill with him at a Las Vegas concert in 2010. More recently, JAY Z performed onstage with Coldplay at the spectacular London 2012 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony.

CEELO GREEN RELEASES STATEMENT.
In response to the allegations that have surfaced recently in the tabloid press, a spokesman for recording artist and television personality CeeLo Green issued the following statement:

"Given that the matter is under investigation, we obviously cannot speak as freely as we'd like. What we can say is that these allegations are despicable, untrue, and deeply hurtful to CeeLo, his children, and his family. We are confident that when all the facts come out, it will be clear that if anyone was victimized here, it was CeeLo. In the meantime, CeeLo is deeply grateful for the overwhelming support he has received from his fans, his friends, and his colleagues."

Cee Lo Green has been accused of sexual assault, but he is adamantly denying the accusations.

He became the target of a Los Angeles Police Department investigation after a woman filed a police report accusing Green of sexual battery. The LAPD has not released details on Green's alleged victim, or where and when the alleged incident occurred, but officers have visited a restaurant in downtown Los Angeles in connection with the case to question employees.

Green denies the sexual assault allegations, saying that he has not been to the restaurant in question in three months. "Nothing ever happened there or anywhere else," he said. A source close to Green adds, "I have never seen Cee Lo act in a physical way toward anybody."

VIDEO GAME RETAIL SALES DIP 25% YEAR ON YEAR.
The video game industry had a tough October, total sales across the board were $755.5 million, a drop of 25% year-on-year. Figures released by the NPD Group show that console sales falling 37 percent to $187.3 million was a primary factor, along with a 25 percent drop in software sales to $432.6 million. Accessories saw a slight 5 percent bump to $135.6 million, mostly fueled by the hugely successful Skylanders franchise.

This is the 11th straight month of falling sales for the industry, but there are mitigating factors here. Last October saw the release of banner titles such as Battlefield 3 and Batman: Arkham City, but arguably the biggest game this time around - Assassin's Creed III went on sale right at the end of the month. November will also get a boost from the likes of Halo 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, and the launch of the Wii U. November will get a boost from 'Halo 4' and 'Call of Duty: Black Ops II' Also, keep in mind that the NPD only tracks physical game sales, all downloadable titles and mobile games aren't included.

INTERNET RADIO SERVICES ARE GROWING FASTER THAN ON DEMAND.
According to a recent NPD survey, Pandora-style internet radio and "on-demand" services like Spotify and Rdio replaced CDs as the second-most popular way to listen to music, trailing AM / FM radio format.

For the quarter ending in June, the audience for Internet radio services in the United States, which include companies such as Pandora Media, grew 27 percent from the same period a year earlier, NPD reported. In comparison, on-demand services such as Spotify, YouTube and Rhapsody, grew 18 percent over the same period.

Web radio stands to be an important money maker and it's not hard to figure out why the music sector and Pandora Media are preparing to go to war with each other.

Pandora is supporting legislation that would lower the royalty rates that Web radio services pay labels and artists to play music. The music industry, which had scheduled a pow wow last night to discuss how to battle Pandora's legislation, says that the sector has been shrinking for more than a decade while Pandora's executives are banking millions. They say creators can't take any more hits.

Here's some stats from NPD's survey:
AM/FM radio remains America's favorite music-listening choice, streaming services and Web radio have replaced the CD for second place.

Since 2009, the percentage of Pandora users who also listen to AM/FM radio declined by 10 percentage points.

Listening to digital music files on portable music players also dropped 21 points.

NPD said that contributing to part of those declines was Pandora's successful move into automobiles. The research company said that 34 percent of Pandora's users are now listening to the service in their cars.

WARNER MUSIC GROUP ANNOUNCES ORGANZATION SHUFFLE.
In a memo released to Warner Music Group staffers, the company has announced an organizational realignment of its divisions. WMG will be divided into three divisions: Frontline Recorded Music; Music Publishing & Catalog Development and Label & Artist Services.

WMG CEO Steve Cooper said in the memo, "Let’s be clear: The drivers of our recorded music business, our frontline labels, will remain as they are. Further, the number of employees within each WMG company will not be impacted by the new organizational structure. This realignment is about creating an environment of greater collaboration, helping all of us work better together and improving the way we do business."

"By organizing WMG in a way that plays to the strengths of each operating company and enables all of you to focus on what you do best, we'll keep expanding on our ability to help you identify, develop and promote the world's greatest recording artists, songwriters and musical catalogs and connect them to a global audience."

The Frontline Recorded Music division consists of all WMG labels, including Atlantic, Roadrunner, Elektra, Warner Bros., Nonesuch, Warner Music Nashville and Word. Craig Kallman and Julie Greenwald will continue their oversight of Atlantic, while Warner Bros. will remain under Rob Cavallo, Todd Moscowitz and Livia Tortella. John Esposito will remain in charge of Warner Music Nashville.

Music Publishing & Catalog Development includes Rhino Entertainment and now falls under the authority of Warner/Chappell Chairman/CEO Cameron Strang. "Among the numerous benefits in aligning Rhino and Warner/Chappell will be enriched collaboration in the U.S. among our recorded music and music publishing teams with respect to catalog exploitation, synch efforts and rights acquisition," wrote Cooper.

Label & Artist Services includes WEA and ADA, as well 360 Operations and D2C. It will be led by GM/CFO Matt Signore. WMG EVP of Digital Strategy and Business Development Stephen Bryan will now report to CEO Cooper as well.

KRAZY DRAYZ FROM DAS EFX SOLO ALBUM ON DECK.
As one half of the early nineties -- literally -- underground, as in from the "Sewa," rap duo, DAS EFX, Krazy Drayz is finally prepping for the release of his highly anticipated, appropriately titled solo debut, ShowTime.

The stellar collection is being introduced by its double sided lead offering(s); "Two TurnTables" b/w "Put Em Up." Other standout selections on the ambitious set include; "Hold Dat," "Turn Da Heat Up," featuring Fredro Starr of Onyx fame, "Krazy Drayz" and the Smif-n-Wessun assisted "Rude Boy."

About DAS EFX: As integral members of EPMD's Hit Squad conglomerate, Dray, along with long-time partner-n-rhyme, Skoob (that's Books spelled backwards!), most famously known for their unique “iggedy sewa style,” dropped, count 'em, five super solid albums; the platinum selling Dead Serious, gold certified Straight Up Sewaside, Hold It Down, Generation EFX and How We Do, which collectively spawned a succession of hit singles; "They Want EFX," "Mic Checka," "Straight Out the Sewer," "Freakit," "Baknaffek," "Kaught in da AK" & "Real Hip Hop," and, even despite these various solo endeavors, DAS EFX still tour around the world today performing to legions of dedicated die-hard DAS heads who can now happily rejoice because there are concrete plans for a brand new group LP sometime in the very near future.

RIHANNA ADDS A$AP ROCKY TO DIAMINDS WORLD TOUR.
Rihanna has added A$AP Rocky as an opener on her upcoming "Diamonds World Tour."
* asteriks denote dates with A$AP Rocky.

03-08/2013 Buffalo, NY - First Niagara Center *
03-10/2013 Boston, MA - TD Garden *
03-12/2013 Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena *
03-14/2013 Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center *
03-15/2013 Hartford, CT - XL Center *
03-17/2013 Montreal, Quebec - Bell Centre *
03-18/2013 Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre *
03-21/2013 Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena *
03-22/2013 Chicago, IL - United Center *
03-24/2013 St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center *
03-25/2013 Winnipeg, Manitoba - MTS Centre *
03-27/2013 Edmonton, Alberta - Rexall Place *
03-30/2013 Calgary, Alberta - Scotiabank Saddledome *
04-01/2013 Vancouver, British Columbia - Rogers Arena *
04-03/2013 Seattle, WA - Key Arena *
04-06/2013 San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion *
04-08/2013 Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center *
04-09/2013 Anaheim, CA - Honda Center *
04-11/2013 San Diego, CA - Valley View Casino Center *
04-12/2013 Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay *
04-15/2013 Houston, TX - Toyota Center *
04-16/2013 Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center *
04-19/2013 Tampa, FL - Tampa Bay Times Forum *
04-20/2013 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - BankAtlantic Center *
04-22/2013 Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena *
04-29/2013 Washington, D.C - Verizon Center *
05-02/2013 Ottawa, Ontario - Scotiabank Place *
05-04/2013 Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center *
05-05/2013 Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center *

CHIP-FU FORMALLY OF THE FU-SCHNICKENS RETURNS.
Over eighteen long years removed since the release of the Fu-Schnickens second and final group opus, Nervous Breakdown, the collective's true stand-out, and this by no means is any disrespect towards former members; Moc-Fu and Poc-Fu, however truth still be told, Chip-Fu is finally gearing up to unleash his long overdue, eagerly awaited debut solo collection, War Paint.

That being said, and as a precursor of sorts, the self-proclaimed Jungle Rock, Jr., has just dropped his 2nd mix-tape offering, STOP PLAYING VOL. 2, a follow up to 2009's first volume of the same name which secured over 80,000 downloads. The brand new set was initially introduced by its infectious premiere entry, "Tear Gas." WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

During his lengthy hiatus from the spotlight, Chip, a.k.a. The Perfectionist, and Co-Ceo of BlaqInk Entertainment, stayed extremely busy contributing catchy choruses to other high profile artists' projects, which, in turn, helped him to not only re-emerge onto the music scene but to also strengthen his unique brand of Hip-Hop. Throughout his musically absent years, he never for one minute stopped rapping, even releasing several popular singles; "Love Mi Sensi," "Ridiculous" and "Flowenometry"; of his very own. Off top, it is rather apparent that the man born Roderick Roachford has not lost a step lyrically, but, like a fine wine, has even gotten better in time.

"Those who listen to what's mainstream and call it Hip-Hop are sadly misled," the Brooklyn, by way of Trinidad, Barbados, native states very matter-of-fact. Re-iterating, the West Indian emcee further expresses, "My objective is and always has been to abstain from cookie cutter material. The public needs something fresh, Organic & Real."

In closing, Chip-Fu concludes sounding extremely prophetic, "I want to be remembered for my contributions to humanity through various mediums. Not just one-dimensional. Sure, many of us are duplicated and imitated in our own form of expression, but its only when we understand our personal purpose and reason for walking the planet that we in turn become untouchable. Fluid. Creative. That's me."

War Paint will be unveiled in early 2013...

TEX JAMES RELEASES COLLIPARK DEBUT ON COLUMBIA RECORDS.
ColliPark's Tex James has inked a deal with Columbia Records to release his debut single "Smart Girl", in association with Blingnot Media and Rufhouse Records. The Macon, GA native recruits the multi-platinum B.o.B and Atlanta rapper Stuey Rock for the Decatur Dan directed (2 Chainz, Future, T.I., Young Jeezy) music video which premiered today. WATCH HERE

"I am extremely happy to be releasing my new single on Columbia Records. It's a great honor to have a platinum selling artist like B.o.B and a staple in the Atlanta community like Stuey Rock be a part of my first single." – Tex James

After making his mark as the lead member of terror squad rhyme clique the Kadalack Boyz, and a songwriter for the likes of the Ying Yang Twins ("Legendary Status") and Trina ("Red Bottoms"), Tex makes his solo debut with "Smart Girl." The infectious up-tempo production, futuristic synthesizers and catchy hook makes this track the perfect club smash.

In addition to prepping the release of his upcoming twerk themed mixed tape, Tex serves as a radio host on Macon's 97.9 FM in the primetime 6 to 10pm slot.

R&B CATS MASH THROUGH VEGAS.
Only two short days after the taping of the 2012 Soul Train Award Show in Las Vegas on November 8th, a plethora of R&B artists will take the stage at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas including New Edition, Miguel and TGT, the super group comprised of singer-songwriter Tank, multiplatinum sensation Ginuwine and Grammy nominated musician Tyrese Gibson. This will be the first live performance of TGT whose Atlantic Records debut is due in spring 2013.

Concert goers will be engaged by a phenomenal R&B journey by these musical geniuses including classic love songs such as "Can You Stand The Rain", "Sweet Lady", "In Those Jean", "All I want Is You" and "Please Don't Go" just to name a few.

"I am truly blessed to share the stage with some of my best friends and favorite artists," says Tyrese Gibson. "TGT has been in the works since 2007 and we are finally able to bring to the fans the record that they have been wanting from us. Being able to do this on stage with New Edition is a historical moment for me."

To celebrate their 25th Awards show, The Soul Train Awards 2012 three-day experience is bringing celebrity star power to Las Vegas, as they honor the best in music, comedy and entertainment. In addition to the Awards show, hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, the experience will include an All-Star Comedy Show honoring comedian George Wallace, a celebrity Golf Tournament hosted by comedian/actor Bill Bellamy and closing the weekend with the Centric Soul Weekend Concert headlined by Soul Train Awards 2012 Lifetime Achievement recipients, New Edition.

THA INDUSTRY REACTS TO OBAMA RE-ELECTION.
Rihanna: Put one in da air for the Prez!!!! Our dear Obama!

Nicki Minaj: So inspiring, dreams do come true… CONGRATULATIONS MR. PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!! Cried the first time he was elected and this time was just so surreal…never thought I’d see this in my lifetime. #GodBlessAmerica

will.i.am: Thank you america…we are still on our path.

Mary J. Blige: Congratulations Mr.President!!!! I was never worried and i never doubted you!!! God bless you!!! 4 more years!!!

LeToya Luckett: U SEE IT!!!!!! *Drops mic walks OFF stage* MY PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED…AGAIN!!!

Diddy: It feels even better the secoond time around!!!! #obama2012

Lil’ Kim: We Did it !!!!!!!!!! TEAM OBAMA !!!!! YES!!!!! Thank u to all who supported ! Xoxo

Meek Mill: S/o 2 #obama the only man that made me believe anything is possible…. Gave me hope!

Timbaland: congrats 2 president Obama

Teyana Taylor: Our president is black!!!!! My vote counted!!!!!!!!!! Everybody’s vote counted!!!!!! TURN UP!!!!!

Young Jeezy: Yeahhhhhhh! WE DONE IT AGAIN! Shout out @BarackObama!!!

LL Cool J: Don’t call it a comeback he’s been here 4 years.

Game: #OBAMA 2012-2016 is yours.

Ciara: YES!God Bless America! We Will Get Better!I BELIEVE!The Economy WILL GET BETTER!WATCH! Historical Moments Dont Happen Like This 4 No Reason!

Fat Joe: Congratulations to President OBAMA !!!! #TeamObama

Snoop Dogg: My president is black

Janelle Monáe: Tears of joy. President Obama has 4 more years. America has spoken. We believe in @BarackObama.

Solange: Yes. We. Can. Yes. We. Did. Obama 2012.

Cassie: Yessssssssssss!!!!! Give ‘em 4 more!!!!

Dawn Richard: This was beautiful to see so many of us fighting for a cause! Observe what we can do when we love and agree! #Forward

Bruno Mars: YES!

Diggy: I can’t even believe I’m watching this man….. #History

Jennifer Hudson: It’s a new day!!!!!!! Come on!!!

Melody Thornton: Congrats @BarackObama sleep well tonight and lets do everything possible to make this the best 4 years this country has seen!!

Keri Hilson: America, you have spoken…YES!!!!!!!! OBAMA!!!!!!!!! 4 MORE YEARS!!!!! THIS IS THE NEW AMERICA!!!!!! PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!!

Mariah Carey: Congratulations to our beloved President Barack Obama, our spectacular First Lady Michelle Obama & the adorable Malia & Sasha. We love you!

Justin Bieber: alot of emotions right now. congrats President Obama…Im Canadian. Im good. #FreeHealthcare :)

Ashanti: Congratulations MR. PRESIDENT!!!!

Pusha T: Another 4 in the black house! YEAH VA!!

Eve: Amazing!!!! God Bless our President Barack Obama, our 1st Lady Michelle and his two beautiful children. #proud of #america

Lauryn Hill: YES!!!!!!! -MLH

Kelly Rowland: Congratulations to President Barack Obama on his historical election win tonight! We proved to the world tonight that Americans are moving forward and will continue to be a great nation. Yes we can. Yes we did. #FORWARD

Waka Flocka Flame: OBAMA SQUAD!!!! 4 mo yrs! Lehgooooo!!!!

Jordin Sparks: Congrats 2 our President! What a race! Lets unite, work together & be one again! No matter who is President, Jesus is King! #Titus31&2

Big Sean: Today was a GOOD day! #Obama

Wiz Khalifa: Four more years brahh

DAVINCI SHARES NEW ALBUM THE MOENA LISA
Today San Francisco's DaVinci is proud to share his new record The MOEna Lisa available for free. GRAB IT HERE Building off of his first full length The Day The Turf Stood Still, and last fall's Feast or Famine EP, The MOEna Lisa is the third installment of DaVinci's triptych about the place he calls home - San Francisco's storied Fillmore District.

While on the surface, the album's title is a nod to one of the neighborhood's nicknames, The Moe, the record's title and subject matter tie into a greater thematic arc started with The Day The Turf Stood Still and carried on in Feast or Famine. All three records in the trilogy share a thematic foundation rooted in DaVinci's environment (and consequently urban renewal and gentrification, the drug and sex trades, and other issues that affect its residents), but The MOEna Lisa approaches the subject matter in a decidedly different tone from its predecessors.

The Day The Turf Stood Still set the stage for the story of The Fillmore - vividly depicting the backdrop of violent turf wars, drugs and poverty that plagued the neighborhood and were necessary to navigate for its residents. "The Day The Turf Stood Still is the soundtrack for gentrification and urban renewal," says DaVinci. "I wanted to capture the mental state of generations of minorities struggling to preserve and revitalize the last breath of culture we have."

Feast or Famine, the transitional act, was filled with anger, remorse and nihilism. Anger in the form of songs filled with the old aspects of the neighborhood being pushed out by gentrification ("Where My Dough At"), remorse in the form of songs that were self-aware of the limitations of that lifestyle and the fact that the neighborhood was inevitably changing ("Paying For My Past"), and nihilism in the form of songs that offered a respite from thinking about any of these issues ("Smoke The Night Away", "Beer, Bitches & Bullshit").

Now, Davinci is presenting The MOEna Lisa, the triumphant third chapter of his story of place. The fear of losing his neighborhood is gone, replaced with a sense of victory and optimism - an awareness that, regardless of the efforts of government and private enterprise, The Fillmore has been and will always be his home. In fact, DaVinci plays along with the current trend in San Francisco real estate of renaming neighborhoods for the sake of creating better resale value, dubbing The Fillmore The MOEna Lisa. It's not the turf described by The Day the Turf Stood Still, nor is it the jungle presented by Feast or Famine's artwork, but a beautiful piece of art.

ELECTION DAY COMMAND CENTER TO FEATURE SOCIAL MEDIA CENTER AND MULTIMEDIA FIELD REPORTS FROM STATE COORDINATORS: Reports tracking conditions at the polls and monitoring black voter turnout.
The Unity 12 Campaign will host The Ronald Walters Election Day Command Center on Tuesday Nov. 6, 2012, at the National Education Association's Headquarters 1201 16th Street, NW Washington, DC. Unity partners will track election results and any problems that may occur at the polls.

Several partners from the Unity '12 coalition will serve as liaisons to communicate hourly reports from state coordinators who are managing get-out-the-vote activities and supervising poll monitors. The state liaisons will keep track of conditions at the polls, monitor black voter turnout, and get exit poll results from Unity '12 states that are conducting exit polls. The command center will pay special attention to the trends from key battleground states. Unity '12 states are: AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, MS, NC, OH, PA, VA, and WI.

Coordinators on the ground will provide updates via conference calls scheduled throughout the day. Twitter followers will get up-to-the-minute election coverage from the command center's social media center using #UNITYVOTE, and view videos and photos from polling precincts across the country.

Scheduled participants in conference calls include: National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) field coordinators, Black Youth Vote! coordinators, student coordinators for the HBCU Challenge,political analysts, andNCPCP Unity '12 partners. Unity '12 Partners on hand at the command center include: The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, A. Philip Randolph Institute, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, The Ronald Walters Center at Howard University, The Praxis Project, National Education Association, and the National Urban League.

CIARA TO PERFORM "MYSPACE LIVE STREAMED SHOW"
Myspace has announced a free "Myspace LIVE" concert starring Grammy-award winning singer and actress Ciara. Austin Brown will be the opening act for the concert on Monday, November 19th at the Key Club. Doors open at 7PM.

Complimentary tickets will be given away at the Key Club box office to the first fans to arrive on a first come, first serve basis between the hours 12-5pm starting November 12th.

The exclusive show will also be live-streamed on Myspace on 11/19 at 8:30PM.

APOLLO BROWN & GUILTY SIMPSON ON DECK.
In a city in depression, rife with corruption and crime, many people have found an outlet in music. Amidst a scene that has played a pivotal role in modern hip-hop and electronic music, Guilty Simpson and Apollo Brown emerge, together, as the next up to bat. Dice Game, the collaborative album from the two, is Detroit through-and-through: uncompromising, gritty and soulful.

Officially set to drop on November 13th, today Dice Game sees an early release digitally. To celebrate the occasion, Mello Music Group let off the buckshot track “Reputation.” LISTEN HERE The song has Apollo serving up a certified heater (with a sample record heads will recognize) while Guilty knocks it clean out the park. Ride through The D with the duo as they show you the city that popularized Cardi frames, Cadillacs and carjacking.

KANYE WEST, NICKI MINAJ, BRUNO MARS, & WILL.I.AM STAR ON ‘THE CLEVELAND SHOW’
Last night on Fox’s “The Cleveland Show.” Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, will.i.am, and The Roots’ ?uestlove lended their voices to the season premiere of the animated series. In the episode, “Menace II Secret Society,” Cleveland discovers the hip-hop Illuminati played by Kanye West, his role as Kenny West. After growing tired of his antics (“His ego got out of control, and this is coming from rappers,” says will.i.am), his fellow members plot to end his career with some help from Cleveland, who sets him up with his son Cleveland Jr. and his polka band. Will Kenny’s legacy be tarnished or will the plan backfire? WATCH IT HERE

KE$HA, NO DOUBT, AND USHER ON DECK FOR 40TH ANNIVERSARY AMA'S.
dick clark productions (dcp) announced that Ke$ha, No Doubt and Usher will all perform on "The 40th Anniversary American Music Awards®." They join previously announced performers Carrie Underwood, P!nk, Pitbull, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Linkin Park and Christina Aguilera on this year's show which will be broadcast live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC.

For the sixth year, winners will be determined by online voting. Artists will be honored in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin, Contemporary Inspirational and -- for the first year ever -- Electronic Dance Music. Fans

JAY-Z SPEAKS ON HURRICANE SANDY.
Jay-Z posted on his website to address the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which damaged the Tri-State area, including parts of Jay-Z’s hometown Brooklyn. "Reflecting on the first game in Brooklyn and thinking about the hurricane. Thinking about being undefeated and all the losses/wins that lie ahead. Life will always throw adversity and tragedy at us. We remain resilient! Heartfelt prayers go out to those who lost their lives and to the families who continue the fight. "

AZ ON DECK WITH NEW MIXTAPE AND TOUR DATES.
As AZ prepares for upcoming Doe or Die 2 tour dates in Europe, US & Canada, Oslo's Juicy Ent. presents A best of Mix From A to Z: GRAB IT HERE

AZ Doe or Die 2 Tour Dates:
November 8 Bla Oslo, Norway
November 9 Club 55 Warsaw, Poland
November 10 Black Box Rome, Italy
November 11 Mostovna Club Nova Goriza, Slovenia
November 17 Toyota Center w/ Twista, Cassidy, M.O.P., Saigon York, PA
December 5 Republic Vancouver, B.C.
December 6 Underworld Montreal, QC
December 7 Great Hall Toronto, ON
December 8 Makado's Saint Catherines, ON

+ More Dates To Be Announced

MIXTAPE TRACKLIST. LISTEN HERE
01. AZ - Acapella Intro
02. Nas Feat. AZ - Life's A Bitch
03. AZ Feat. Miss Jones - Sugar Hill
04. AZ - Rather Unique
05. AZ Feat. Nas - Gimmie Yours Eric Sermon Remix b/w Original
06. AZ - Hoe Happy Jackie
07. AZ Feat. Nas - Mo Money, Mo Murder, Mo Homicide
08. AZ Feat. Raekwon - Doe Or Die RZA Remix
09. A+ Feat. AZ - A+Z
10. Foxy Brown Feat. AZ - La Familia
11. Nas Feat. AZ - Affirmative Action
12. D'Angelo Feat. AZ - Lady DJ Premier Remix
13. Monifah Feat. AZ - I Miss You (Come Back Home) Remix
14. AZ Feat. SWV - Hey AZ
15. The Firm - Firm Biz Origianal b/w Remix (World's Famous)
16. The Firm Feat. Dr. Dre - Phone Tap
17. The Firm - Firm Fiasco
18. The Firm - Desperados
19. AZ - Trading Places
20. AZ Feat. Nas - How Ya Livin'
21. AZ - New Life
22. AZ - Just Because
23. AZ - Let's Toast
24. AZ - Love Me
25. AZ - At Night
26. AZ - Problems
27. AZ - Paradise
28. AZ Feat. Nas - The Flyest
29. AZ Feat. Nas - Essence
30. AZ - I'm Back
31. AZ - The Come Up
32. AZ - The Format
33. AZ - Undeniable
34. Jay-Z Feat. AZ - Death of Autotune Remix
35. AZ - Exhibit AZ
36. AZ - Feel My Pain

HIP HOP MISC.
Big Boi's second solo solo album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, has been pushed back to a December 11 release date. In advance of the album, the Rapper already has released a new single, "Mama Told Me," featuring Kelly Rowland. Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors is Big Boi's long-awaited follow-up to Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty, his first stand-alone solo album, released in July 2010.

In anticipation for next November's 20-year anniversary of the Wu Tang Clan's debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), RZA is eyeing a reunion for the eight-man crew, and he plans to oversee the project. "He knows what it takes to go ahead and get there. He done studied the game now," Ghostface Killah told MTV News about the reunion. Ghost added that the Clan is working on a new album in between all of their solo projects. "While I was doin' my Supreme Clientele [solo album], the second one, The Wally Era, I was doin' joints for the next Wu album," he added.

CHRIS BROWN STILL ON LOCKDOWN?
A judge on Thursday ordered Chris Brown to remain on supervised probation and make another court appearance after he completes an overseas tour.

Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg did not address questions raised at a previous hearing about whether the R&B singer had completed the terms of his community labor sentence. A prosecutor said a report filed for Thursday's hearing did not add additional details about Brown's service as previously requested by the court. Instead, it included the same spreadsheet of Brown's hours that Schnegg called "somewhat cryptic" at a September hearing.

Brown remains on supervised probation for felony assault for an attack on Rihanna in 2009. He is scheduled to begin a tour that spans several countries in Europe and South Africa on Nov. 14.

Brown "appears to be making a sincere effort to comply with terms and conditions of probation," a probation officer wrote in a report prepared for Thursday's hearing. The report recommended that Brown remain on probation under the same conditions he has abided by since pleading guilty to the attack on the eve of the Grammy awards.

Brown appeared at the hearing along with his mother and attorney Mark Geragos. He did not speak during the proceedings, and when he attempted to at one point during discussions of his schedule, Geragos joked, "I don't dance, you don't talk." Brown is scheduled to return to court Jan. 17.

SNOOP AND MISTER CARTOON PARTNER UP FOR CAR CARE BRAND.
Snoop Dogg announced today he is joining Mister Cartoon as a business partner and ambassador of the Sanctiond™ Automotive brand. Over the years Mister Cartoon and Snoop Dogg have collaborated on numerous projects. History is made today with a brand conceived and developed by two major cultural icons.

"This is a great day, to have someone I admire as an artist who is also a fan of the product, join my company in this capacity," says Cartoon. "Like me, Snoop is passionate in everything he does. We have a unique bond as artists and car lovers."

Sanctiond™ targets a younger and culturally diverse population, which is the fastest growing segment of consumers, yet currently underserved by all car care brands on the market. Sanctiond™ specifically appeals to this audience, while also pioneering a unique emphasis on the subcultures of music and art, which go hand-in hand with the cars they cherish. Through Mister Cartoon's latest partnership with Snoop Dogg and a well-oiled network of celebrities and car enthusiasts, Sanctiond™ is quickly being defined as the authentic and relevant car care brand birthed from the streets of Los Angeles, the epicenter of car culture.

Mister Cartoon Sanctiond™ is a growing collection of 15 products; including car wash, waxes, polishes, spray detailers, interior cleaners and conditioners, and a trio of innovative tire shines. Developed to exceed the stringent expectations of automotive painters and collectors, each product is a work of art in its own right, merging hand drawn package design with cutting edge product formulation.

"We have been wanting to do this for years," says Snoop Dogg. "There are no cool brands that represent our lifestyle and with Sanctiond™ we are excited to bring our communities together through a common love of our cars and the shine we can put on them."

The company plans to introduce an exclusive line of Sanctiond™ by Snoop Dogg products consisting of car wash, waxes, polishes, spray detailers and more. The line will launch initially as a limited edition. Snoop is working closely with the Sanctiond™ team of specialists to hand-craft the formula down to the smell, color, ingredients and branding.

Atticus Firey, Sanctiond™ Co-Founder and CEO, said, "This is not a traditional endorsement deal for Snoop Dogg. In addition to being our business partner, he will provide global endorsement services, marketing support and strategic consulting for the brand. Snoop Dogg's global recognition, trendsetting status and super cool persona enhance our ability to bring new consumers and revived energy into this category."

To celebrate their partnership, Snoop Dogg will be with Mister Cartoon in Las Vegas at the SEMA show Today, Thursday, November 1, 2012 in booth # 25055 to help showcase their current line of product.

Sanctioned Automotive Group, LLC parent to Sanctiond™, is first to launch a lifestyle brand of car care products targeting a culturally diverse consumer whose passions for music, fashion, art, community, and sports are centered around and enabled by their cars. Conceptualized and created by the most innovative minds in automotive care and culture-first marketing, Sanctiond™ satisfies the unmet needs of the fastest growing segment of consumers. The brand is an extension of Sanctioned, the premier house brand of SA Studios Global. Sanctioned merges distinctive and relevant content and products with multiple touch-point marketing experiences.

PAC DIV ON DECK.
On November 27th, 2012, West Coast rap group Pac Div will release their second full-length album, G.M.B. from The Div Co./RBC Records. Featuring appearances from Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar as well as production from Scoop DeVille, Swiff D, and DJ Dahi, the album shows not only growth from the group but a slightly harder sound than heard on their last album, The Div. Now the trio, comprised of brothers Like and Mibbs and longtime friend BeYoung, is releasing exclusive behind the scenes footage from their latest West Coast tour.

The video features footage taken in Seattle from their West Coast tour with Sir Michael Rocks. It offers intimate behind-the-scenes footage of how Pac Div preps for shows and handles meet n' greets. As the trio jokes around and shares laughs, you see how this light-hearted mood set the tone for their upcoming performance in front of a soul-out room full of screaming fans.
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HERE

Upcoming European Tour Dates:
November 9 - Gent, Charlatan (belgium)
November 12 - Berlin, Bi Nuu (Germany)
November 13 - Hamburg, Hafenklang (Germany)
November 14 - Heidelberg, Karlstor (Germany)
November 15 - Mainz, Red Kat (Germany)
November 16 - Rotterdam, Bird (Holland)
November 17 - Lyon, Transbordeur (France)

50 CENT SAYS THE MONEY TEAM IS OVER.
According to the 50 Cent's tweets, we're guessing they (50 and Mayweather) are no longer partners. He tweeted:

TMT IS OVER the money team is no longer a team. So it SMS promotions that's it thats all.SMSaudio .. f anyone wants a money team jacket I'm selling mine for a dollar. The nap back hat comes with it. That's a fare price. SMSaudio.. I move the fighters to SMSpromotion cause the other half of the money team .Didnt put up there $MONEY$.SMSaudio

Earlier this year, 50 formed the company with Floyd Mayweather jr. under the title TMT Promotions. They signed Yuriorkis Gamboa to the company in late July. Apparently, future promotions will now be handled through SMS Audio.

EMINEM TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE SKYLAR GREY DEBUT ALBUM.
Eminem has signed on as executive producer of the hotly anticipated debut album from five-time GRAMMY-nominated singer songwriter Skylar Grey, it was announced today. The first single, "C'mon Let Me Ride" featuring Eminem, which is produced by Alex Da Kid and mixed by both Eminem and Alex, will be released to all digital retailers on December 11. Grey's debut album, now titled Don't Look Down, is due out Spring 2013 from KIDinaKORNER/Interscope.

"When I was working on Recovery I was introduced to Skylar by Alex Da Kid and I was blown away with her talent as both a songwriter and vocalist," said Eminem. "This album is really going to give her a chance to connect with the fans who probably know her music, but might not know her yet. I think they will be as impressed as I am."

"Putting out a debut album is a bit scary – I want it to be just right so I took some extra time to finish it. Eminem's increased involvement has been such a blessing; I'm getting guidance from an artist I really admire and trust," said Grey. "Having written many new songs, the album has become a completely different animal, hence the title change. This new single with Em, in particular, is very exciting. We have worked on so many serious songs together – it's a nice change of pace to do something fun and sarcastic."

"Skylar is one of the first artists that I worked with in a meaningful way. I was immediately impressed with her vision, fearlessness, artistic talent and overall musicianship. I was determined to make her the first artist signed to KIDinaKORNER. KIDinaKORNER was founded on the principals of signing innovative artists that have the ability to blur our perceptions of genres. To me, Skylar Grey represents the embodiment of this principal," said Alex.

The music video for "C'mon Let Me Ride" featuring Eminem was shot in Detroit last week and will also be released with the single on December 11. Currently, Grey can be heard on two tracks on Slaughterhouse's Welcome to Our House on Shady Records/Interscope – the title track "Our House," which also features Eminem, and "Rescue Me" – and on the song "Building a Monster" on the soundtrack for the new Tim Burton animated film Frankenweenie.

Grey is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is responsible for co-writing some of the most memorable songs to light up the Billboard Hot 100 and iTunes sales charts, totaling more than 25 million singles globally. Grey co-wrote the biggest selling single of 2010: Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie," which earned her two GRAMMY Award nominations for Best Song and Best Rap Song of the Year. She also co-wrote and appeared on Dr. Dre's "I Need A Doctor," which she performed alongside Dre and Eminem on the 2011 GRAMMY Awards telecast and for which she was nominated for two GRAMMY Awards. This past January, Grey released The Buried Sessions of Skylar Grey, which featured special acoustic performances by Grey of three songs she wrote and produced: the original demo of "Love the Way Part III" (the original "Love the way You Lie" made popular by Eminem and Rihanna), "Coming Home Part II" (originally performed by Diddy-Dirty Money) and "Words" (originally "Words I Never Said," performed by Lupe Fiasco).

RIHANNA ON DECK WITH 777 TOUR AND MORE.
Rihanna, currently dominating global charts with "Diamonds," the fastest-rising single of her career to date, and the first single from UNAPOLOGETIC, her upcoming 7th studio album for Island Def Jam in just seven years - arriving in stores worldwide on Monday, November 19th - now announces the launch of her unprecedented "777" tour on Nov. 14th.

A group of die-hard fans from the Rihanna Navy fan club and a traveling international press corps of over 150 journalists representing 82 countries will be taken aboard a chartered Boeing 777 twinjet to 7 shows in 7 days in 7 countries. Working with global sponsor, HTC Corporation, the "777 Tour" will host an intimate gig in each of 7 cities—including one in the UK co-sponsored by River Island — marching toward the November 19th release date of UNAPOLOGETIC.

Meanwhile, "Diamonds," with 94 million combined radio audience in the U.S. (Greatest Gainer/Streaming & Airplay), jumps to #5 on the Hot 100, to become Rihanna's 23rd Top 10 hit on the chart. "Diamonds" debuted four weeks ago with #1 postings at iTunes in 27 countries, and Top 5 iTunes in 55 countries. On November 10th, Rihanna will perform 'Diamonds' on the Saturday Night Live stage, her fourth time as musical guest.

Rihanna – the "#1 Person On Facebook" with over 62 million Likes – has sold over 37 million albums and 146 million digital tracks worldwide, and currently holds the record as the top-selling digital artist of all time. The recipient of six Grammy Awards® and seven Billboard Music Awards, she was named the world's #1 social media star by Forbes, with over 2.9 billion views on YouTube/VEVO, the most ever for any female artist, and over 26 million Twitter followers. In addition to her 11 Hot 100 #1 singles and [now] 23 Top 10 singles, she also has 18 #1 singles on the Billboard Dance Club Song Charts.

UMG FINALLY REACHES SETTLEMENT IN EMINEM ROYALTIES CASE.
On Monday, Universal Music Group and FBT Productions announced they have reached a settlement in their case involving digital royalties from Eminem's catalog. The case dates from 2007, though a court decision was reached in September 2010, the two parties never settled on damages. According to Billboard, another trial was slated for April of next year but UMG and FBT settled privately and to both parties' satisfaction,

The FBT-UMG case began when the production company, which signed Eminem in 1995 and helped provide his earlier records to UMG label Aftermath, sued for digital download royalties. FBT claimed the downloads should count as licensed songs, not physical purchases, and thus deserved a much higher royalty rate. After the case made its way through the court system, the Supreme Court ultimately agreed with FBT's position.

While terms of the settlement were not revealed, the Detroit Free Press reports that last fall FBT said it was seeking approximately $1.5 million in damages from UMG. Following the FBT ruling, a number of artists have filed suits against the major labels claiming they are owed higher digital royalty rates.

KENDRICK LAMAR'S DEBUT ALBUM IS THE HIGHEST SELLING ALBUM FOR A NEW ARTIST IN 2012.
Rave reviews and remarkable first week sales have greeted good kid, m.A.A.d. city (Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope), the highly anticipated debut major label album from 25-year-old Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album, released October 22nd, will debut with more than 241,000 in sales and also atop the Billboard Rap, the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart and at #2 on the Billboard 100 behind only Taylor Swift's Red. good kid, m.A.A.d. city earns the biggest-selling debut week for any new artist debut in 2012.