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DJ HERO™ EXPANDS WITH NEW MIXES!

The JAY-Z vs. Eminem Pack will be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft on March 18, 2010 for 640 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation®Store for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system on March 25, 2010 for $7.99. All mixes will be released as downloadable singles for Wii™ on March 25, 2010 for 300 Wii Points each.

The DJ Hero Extended Mix Pack 01, featuring two party rockin’ grooves: 50 Cent featuring Mary J. Blige “All Of Me” mixed with Queen’s “Radio Ga Ga” and “DARE” by Gorillaz vs. Public Enemy’s “Can’t Truss It;” and the David Guetta Mix Pack 01 containing remixes of his hot tracks “When Love Takes Over” featuring Kelly Rowland, the chart-topping “Sexy Chick” featuring Akon and “On The Dance Floor” featuring will.i.am and apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas; are available now. For information on how to connect your console and access DJ Hero downloadable content, please visit: djhero.com/support/

NEW REPORT SHOWS HOW MUCH LABELS ARE INVESTING IN ARTISTS.
A new report from the IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) breaks down how much the music industry spends annually investing in their artists. According to the IFPI report, approximately $5 billion is "invested" in artist rosters, with 30 percent of the labels' revenue spent on artist development and marketing. This includes approximately 16 percent of sales revenue going to A&R, which the IFPI says "exceeds the proportionate research and development expenditure of virtually all other industries." The IFPI breaks down the costs in "breaking" a new artist, figuring that it takes approximately $1 million to do so in the U.S. and U.K. The breakdown includes the artist's advance, recording, filming three videos, tour support and promotion/marketing. John Kennedy, IFPI Chairman/CEO says, "Investing in music is the core mission of record companies. No other party can lay claim to a comparable role in the music sector. No other party comes close to the levels of investment committed by record companies to developing, nurturing and promoting talent." ....... "One of the biggest myths about the music industry in the digital age is that artists no longer need record labels. It is simply wrong. The investment, partnership and support that help build artist careers have never been more important than they are today. This report aims to explain why. Investing in Music is about how the music business works. It explains the value that music companies add, helping artists to realise a talent that would typically go unrecognised and get to an audience they would otherwise not reach."....."Much of the value added by music companies is invisible to the outside world. Yet it is the investment and advice from labels that enable an artist to build a career in music and which, in turn, creates a beneficial ripple effect throughout the wider music sector." How the investment breaks down: Investing in Music outlines the very substantial investments involved in developing and marketing successful artists. In the UK and US, it is estimated that it typically costs more than US$1 million to break a pop artist. This is spread across an advance paid to the artist, recording costs, video production, tour support and promotional work. A typical example of the breakdown of the costs of breaking a new pop act in major markets is as below:
Advance- US$200,000
Recording- US$200,000
3 videos- US$200,000
Tour support- US$100,000
Promotion/marketing- US$300,000
TOTAL- US$1,000,000

D'ANGELO'S MANAGEMENT RELEASE STATEMENT.
"We know there is a lot of speculation in regard to the arrest of D'Angelo in New York City this past weekend. We would like his fans and the public at large to know that D'Angelo has pled not guilty -- and is contesting the allegations made against him. Also know that, he is in good health and extremely excited about his forthcoming new album. D'Angelo would like to personally thank all of his fans for the outpouring of concern, and appreciates if all would allow the American justice system to resolve the matter before jumping to any conclusions."

D'ANGELO ARRESTED FOR SOLICITING COP?
Grammy Award-winning R&B singer D'Angelo was arrested early yesterday after allegedly offering an undercover policewoman $40 for oral sex while cruising alone through the West Village -- with $12,000 stashed in his SUV. According to the New York Post, D'Angelo, 36, whose real name is Michael Archer, was in his top-of-the-line Range Rover at Greenwich and Horatio streets at about 2:30 a.m. when he spotted a woman he took to be a prostitute, sources said. He was arrested and charged with solicitation after asking the woman for sex, the sources said. His manager declined to comment.

SOLAR ISSUES OFFICIAL STATEMENT ABOUT GURU'S HEALTH STATUS & FALSE RUMORS: There are a lot of rumors and wrong information circulating around about Guru's current situation and health status. Hit producer and Guru's longtime producer and best friend, Solar addresses these false rumors in an official statement and during an interview with CNN. "Guru is recovering and his doctors are guarded, but hopeful for his recovery," Solar told the news network. Solar said the rapper has a history of lung problems and asthma and has been guarded about revealing his health issues. "Guru has entrusted me to be accurate and truthful in relaying information to the media," Solar said. The legendary MC always tried to keep his private life behind closed doors and Solar said he was confused as to why Guru's nephew, Justin Nicholas-Elam Ruff, accused Solar of withholding information about the rapper from his family and not allowing them to see him, given that Ruff's mother, Trish, and other family members have visited with Guru. "It's very, very baffling to me because his mother [Trish] was at the hospital not even a week ago with Guru's brother and his sister," Solar told CNN. "I speak to Guru's father and his brother daily. This is amazingly untrue and I have no idea what this is about.".. "I have nothing but the deepest love and respect for the Elam family but I have not stopped them from seeing Guru!" Solar added. Doctors have not given any indication as to when Guru might be released, Solar said, and the rapper is touched by the fan support. "The outpouring of love from around the world has been tremendous," Solar said. "I'm reading some of the best e-mails, texts and Twitters that come in and he enjoys them. I think that's what has been helping his recovery and what's got him in there fighting." During what must be an incredibly hard and stressful period in life, keep sending your prayers, thoughts, and wishes to Guru, Solar and his loved ones.

MORE VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN CONNECTION WITH WAKA FLAKA.
Eight teenagers were shot after a performance by Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka Flames late Friday evening (March 5) in Gary, Indiana. Waka Flocka Flames performed at the World of Skates skating rink. During the event, a fight broke out, prompting security to order all patrons to leave the venue. As 200 teens waited in the parking lot, a gunman or gunmen opened fire on 200 teenagers who were waiting for their rides. "Our kids are kids. "They're teenagers that came to a venue and saw a rapper perform and then went home. As far as I'm concerned, my kids have nothing to do with what was going on," World of Skates manager James Sisson told the Post-Tribune. The wounded teens were taken to St. Catherine Hospital, Methodist Hospitals and Saint Margaret Mercy in Hammond, Ind, where they were treated for non-life threatening wounds. Police accused Waka Flocka’s hype man of inciting the crowd by pitting the “East side” against the “West side,” which may have started the fight Police Cmdr. Michael Mallett told the Post-Tribune. "The kids have separated themselves into east and west sides," Mallet said. "They've been doing it for many years now, but it's gotten worse, especially when you have entertainers making references to East Side vs. West Side. The youth in our community have taken it to heart." No arrests have been made as of press time.

DIDDY THROWING BIGGIE BASH IN BROOKLYN.
Harlem-born rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs is crossing the bridge to throw his first-ever Brooklyn bash as a tribute to his late friend, rapper Notorious B.I.G. "Everybody in Harlem knows you don’t usually go over the bridge to Brooklyn," Diddy said to MTV News. "It’s a big, big deal.” The invite-only bash will honor the 13th anniversary of the death of B.I.G., a.k.a Biggie Smalls, and will be held at Bed-Stuy club The Lab. Diddy is calling the dress code for the event to be Biggie-inspired. He is also pushing for March 9th to become "Biggie Day," a national hip-hop holiday.

WAKA FLOCKA FLAME'S CREW ALLEGEDLY FIRE SHOTS AT JEEZY'S CREW?
According to the Atlanta Journal, shots were fired, though no one was hit, during an altercation between groups affiliated with local rappers Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy that closed Walter's Clothing in downtown Atlanta for about 30 minutes. The fight started around 4 p.m. Thursday when Mane's group walked into the store -- popular with celebrities -- and spotted Jeezy's associates, said witness Patrick Morrison. "There was a physical altercation inside the location between several men," Atlanta police spokesman James Polite confirmed to the AJC. One of the men produced a weapon "and as a result a private armed security guard of a local entertainer discharged his weapon." Polite said the security guard, employed by local rapper Waka Flocka Flame, has been detained. The fighting was intense, witnesses said. "They just started going at it," said Morrison, a Walter's employee. Waka Flocka Flame, aka Juaqin Malphurs, is a member of Gucci Mane's 1017 Brick Squad. His pseudonym alludes to the sound of cocking a semi-automatic pistol. "Whoever he is he's got a big swollen eye now," Morrison said. In January, Malphurs was shot in the arm while washing his car on Old National Highway. Police said he was approached at the Bubble Bath car wash by armed men demanding his jewelry. Meanwhile, Gucci Mane, aka Radric Davis, is serving time at the Fulton County jail for a probation violation. He is set to be released in May.

SNOOP OUT THE BRITISH DOGHOUSE.
Snoop Dogg -- who was banned from the United Kingdom after a brawl at London's Heathrow Airport in 2006 -- has reportedly won his legal battle to return. The New York Post reports The 38-year-old hip-hop megastar, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus, argued that his role in the clash was "relatively minor," according to The Sun newspaper. The brawl, in which seven cops were hurt, erupted over access to British Airways' first-class lounge. The government said it was considering an appeal.

GLASSES MALONE SAYS HE READY.
Glasses Malone is ready to give the world what they've been waiting for. The new project Beach Cruiser is set to release The west coast rap scene buzzing as the long-awaited, highly anticipated debut release from Cash Money recording artist Glasses Malone, Beach Cruiser is arriving. Leading off with the single "Eastsidin" featuring Snoop Dogg. Beach Cruiser will take listeners on a Westside ride thru life of the Southern California native. Fresh off the mixtape release Nightmare on Seventh Street, and the grass roots tour with Tech N9ne and Kottonmouth Kings, Malone s Beach Cruiser will give the rest of the world an even greater glimpse into the highs and lows of life on the Westside. The strategic delay positions Malone to end a reigning decade for Cash Money Records and bring Hoobangin Records back to the top of the game. With high caliber guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Birdman, and Akon and creatively conceptual lyrics, every song can easily become an instant favorite. In addition to releasing Beach Cruiser, Malone has created a partnership for the ages, teaming up with SixThreeZero to create his own edition of the classic beach cruiser. The G7 Beach Cruiser "It will be the cleanest beach cruiser in history, unless Puff Daddy decides to make a bike." Glasses exclaims. The G7 was released in October 2009 and is available for purchase.

PLIES GETS SUED.
Victims of a 2006 Florida nightclub shooting are suing the rapper Plies. The claim is that Plies has increased his credibility in the rap game and made money because of their suffering from the incident. The five victims all had non-life threatening gunshot wounds after a fight broke out between the entourage of rapper Plies and another rapper at the club in Gainesville. An amended lawsuit filed Wednesday in Alachua County Circuit Court adds the rapper's brother and his record label, Big Gates Records, to an existing civil suit against Plies, whose real name is Algernod Lanier Washington. The lawsuit was originally filed in April 2008. Plies pleaded no contest to illegal possession of a concealed weapon found after the shootings and served no prison time. His brother, Ronell Levatte, served three years in prison after pleading no contest to weapons charges. The plaintiffs' lawyers say the rapper makes references to the shooting in his lyrics and has generally used it to promote his street cred. "The irony is that when you criminally prosecute (gangsta rappers) their stock goes up," said Chad Roberts, a Jacksonville-based attorney representing the shooting victims. "It's hard to punish them. The only way to punish is them is to hold the record company accountable." Robert Rush , Washington's Gainesville-based attorney, called the suit "baseless propaganda." He said his client didn't have a gun in the club and that it's not clear who fired the shots that harmed the plaintiffs. He also accused the plaintiff's attorneys of trying to grab publicity by amending a lawsuit that had been stagnant for months in a county court. "This is defamation of character and it is all false. If his music wasn't any good, he wouldn't have gotten anywhere. This happened four years ago, his record sales are not doing great because of this," Rush said.

UP-AND-COMING RAPPER DONNIS GETS SIGNED TO ATLANTIC RECORDS;
Atlantic Records has announced the signing of their new artist Donnis who has released the details of his first-ever US tour. The rising rapper will be among the multi-artist hip-hop bill entitled the “Crowd Control Tour,” also featuring Kidz In The Hall, 88-Keys and Izza Kizza. The 16-city trek kicked off on Sunday, February 28th at New York City’s Highline Ballroom, with dates then continuing through early April. "Now that we’ve sealed the deal, we’re looking forward to watching Donnis take it to the next level” proclaimed Atlantic Records Chairman and CEO Craig Kallman." While hard at work completing his Atlantic debut album, Donnis will keep listeners entertained with his new mixtape “Fashionably Late” set to be released this month. Currently featured in the March issue of XXL’s “Show and Prove”, Donnis will also be included in the magazine’s “Freshmen 10” alongside West Coast rapper Nipsey Hussle and J. Cole from North Carolina. The talented rapper who has already shared stages with such luminaries as T.I., Chingy, and 112 – will also be among the new stars performing at the upcoming South By Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas.

UPDATE: GURU RELEASES STATEMENT ON CONDITION.
“I am doing fine and I am recovering,” he said. “I’m weak though. Solar is the only person who has the accurate info on my situation. Any info from anybody else is false! I appreciate your well wishes and all the love!”

LIL WAYNE 'S JAIL TIME DELAYED AGAIN?
Lil Wayne's jail time gets delayed again..He was scheduled to be sentenced and report to jail today on weapons charges, but the whole thing had to be delayed again because of a fire at the courthouse. Wayne was originally supposed to be sentenced and report to jail in early February, but his lawyer argued that he needed important dental surgery, and Weezy was excused in order to undergo eight root canals. The new date was rescheduled for today, which looked rock solid until hundreds of people were evacuated from the New York courthouse. The fire was apparently started in a wooden contractor's shed, causing the evacuation around 10:30 a.m. after the building filled with smoke. NY1 reported that the courthouse would be closed for the rest of the day as a result of the blaze, which caused injuries to five firefighters, two civilians and one prisoner. Wayne's lawyer, Stacey Richman, told MTV News, "We have no idea when things will normalize." Around 1 p.m., Richman said in an e-mail that she was still trying to figure out what would happen with the court appearance. Wayne was ready to formally turn himself in to begin his one-year prison term after pleading guilty in October to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. Lil Wayne also Tweeted to his fans late on Monday, saying, "Yesterday i smiled, today i smirked, tomorrow i stop... Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, they're needed. The F is for family, friends, and fans. thank u. your love and prayers are felt. They kant lok up my heart bekuz y'all already have it on lok. thank u." UPDATE: Lil Wayne will be sentenced to prison on Monday (March 8).

BLACK EYED PEAS DRUMMER INKS DEAL
Universal Music Publishing Group has signed a deal with Keith Harris which encompasses Harris' catalogue, including the Black Eyed Peas hit “Imma Be.” Through the agreement, UMPG now represents Harris’ publishing rights for the US and Canada and will represent Harris’ worldwide publishing in July 2010, upon completion of his deal with EMI Music Publishing. Harris also has co-writing credits on songs by Mariah Carey, Estelle, Chris Brown, Kelis and Mary J. Blige among others. He's been the drummer for the Black Eyed Peas and Fergie since 2003 and is currently on the road with Black Eyed Peas for The E.N.D. World Tour 2010.

MC GURU UPDATE: LEGENDARY MC GURU SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK, OFFICIAL STATEMENT RELEASED: Hit producer and Guru's longtime partner Solar released a statement that reads, "Guru is struggling with a serious health issue. We, the whole 7 Grand Records family, appreciate all your love and well wishes. We continue to hold out hope that Guru will make a full recovery from this. We ask that his privacy on this matter will be respected. Again, thank you for all your support through this trying time."

MISTER CARTOON LINKS UP WITH METRO PCS.
MetroPCS , in partnership with SA Studios Global, today announced the launch of its second Sanctioned by Mister Cartoon mobile phone, the MOTO(TM) VE440. Available this week in select stores and online, the limited edition handset features artwork and pre-loaded digital content
designed by legendary tattoo and graphic artist Mister Cartoon, along with two exclusive tracks from legendary hip hop personality, Snoop Dogg. Mister Cartoon is a renowned tattoo artist, car customizer, illustrator and designer and has worked with numerous entertainment icons including
Eminem, Beyonce and film producer Brian Grazer. Mister Cartoon most recently worked with television star George Lopez to help create the branding and identity for Lopez's new talk show, "Lopez Tonight." "It's great to collaborate with MetroPCS again, and we are very excited about the opportunity to work with Motorola on this handset," said Mister Cartoon, creative director of SA Studios Global. "The mobile phone has become so much more than just a communication device; it's a way for people to express themselves. The design I created, along with the cool features and music that Snoop Dogg added will allow fans to show people who they are and what they're passionate about." A portion of the revenue generated from the handset sales will go directly to funding community art centers, outreach programs for at-risk youth and art supplies for schools in many of the MetroPCS markets. "Our customers want their mobile phones to express their personality, and our partnership with Mister Cartoon allows us to meet that desire with
a unique, graphically intense mobile device that speaks volumes about its owners," said Phil Terry, senior vice president of corporate marketing for MetroPCS. "After the success of the first Mister Cartoon offering last year, we are excited to continue our partnership with him and SA Studios and fully expect this device to echo the success of the previous device."

GURU SUFFERS HEART ATTACK - IN COMA!
Reports have surfaced that Rapper Guru suffered a heart attack and is in a coma. While details remain sketchy, the rapper apparently suffered the heart attack in New York City and is in serious condition. Guru (real name Keith Elam) is a founding member of Gangstarr, which also features legendary producer DJ Premier. Questlove of The Roots said via twitter, "So Primo confirmed on Sirius radio that Guru had heart attack and is in a coma and will undergo surgery tomorrow."

JUVENILE ARRESTED FOR MARIJUANA
Juvenile was arrested on marijuana charges Thursday afternoon in St. Bernard Parish. Steve Cannizzaro, of the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office, said someone on Livingston Avenue in Arabi smelled marijuana smoke at a neighbor's house and called police at about 3 p.m. Leroy Edwards, producer for Juvenile, answered the door and a cloud of smoke came rushing out, Cannizzaro said. Police said they found a small amount of marijuana on Edwards and he was handcuffed and questioned. Cannizzaro said Edwards wouldn't cooperate, so police obtained a warrant to search the home. When they did, Cannizzaro said they found half an ounce of marijuana in the kitchen. Juvenile, whose real name is Terius Gray, claimed the marijuana was his, Cannizzaro said, and both he and Edwards were arrested sometime after 6 p.m. They have since posted bond. The house in which they were arrested belongs to a friend of the 34-year-old rapper, Cannizzaro said. Juvenile told police that he was using the house to record his new CD. Police said they found recording equipment in the home. Several other people were in the home at the time of the arrests. Juvenile was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Cannizzaro said neither Juvenile nor Edwards was expected to stay in jail overnight.

SNOOP DROPS THE WESTCOAST BLUEPRINT.
In commemoration of Priority's silver anniversary, Creative Chairman Snoop Dogg has compiled 16 classic tracks from the Priority Records catalog for the Snoop Dogg Presents: The West Coast Blueprint, which also features a new recording by Snoop featuring The Hustle Boyz of Ice Cube's classic "Check Yo Self." LISTEN HERE Snoop has also hand-picked three classic albums to be reissued today including Eazy-E's Eazy-Duz-It, EPMD's Strictly Business and Master P's Ghetto D. "You will hear how many different facets of hip-hop Priority had a hand in. Fans who might not have heard these records in a long time. I know they're going to love hearing them again," says Snoop. "And the youngsters who've never heard of them before, it's an important education. See? Learning can be fun." Snoop Dogg Presents: The West Coast Blueprint features classic tracks from West coast rap legends like N.W.A, Yo-Yo, Ice Cube, and Mack 10, as well as crucial but lesser-known artists including King Tee and Ras Kass. The compilation showcases the diversity of sounds and styles within the now universally-known gangsta rap aesthetic. "Priority's always been associated with the west coast," explains Snoop, "but now with the power of EMI behind it, we can take this international." Snoop also talks about the relaunch of Priority Records - WATCH HERE

NEW CYPRESS HILL ALBUM COMING.
CYPRESS HILL returns April 6th with RISE UP (Priority/EMI), an album with guest appearances from Rage Against The Machine/Street Sweeper Social Club guitarist Tom Morello, Linkin Park vocalist Mike Shinoda, System of a Down guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian, singer-songwriter Marc Anthony, rapper Pitbull, Everlast, Young De, Evidence, The Alchemist and comic legends Cheech & Chong. "We spent time in the studio with some of our favorite artists and friends and we're really proud of how the album turned out," says Cypress Hill emcee B-Real. "We're looking forward to taking these songs on the road and playing them for our fans around the world."

EMINEM TO HEADLINE THREE MAJOR FESTIVALS.
Eminem will descend upon European soil to headline three major festivals this summer - Scotland's T In The Park, Switzerland's Openair Frauenfeld and Ireland's Oxegen - giving hundreds of thousands of fans a live dose of select tracks from his impressive catalogue. First, the hip-hop icon storms the UK, headlining the mainstage at Scotland's T In The Park in early July. This marks Eminem's first European show in five years and his first-ever appearance at the festival. He then continues his European return with appearances at Gampel, Switzerland's Openair Frauenfeld and Dublin, Ireland's Oxegen 2010. Much like the blistering show he performed at New Orleans' Voodoo Fest in October 2009, Eminem will be performing with a live band, bringing a new and different level of intensity to his music. He will also be joined on by his group D12 all the dates. "I'm excited to get back to Europe to rock some shows," said Eminem. "The crowds there are always big, crazy and dedicated...it's going to be great to feel that energy again." At the 16th annual Openair Frauenfeld, Eminem is set to share the stage with another hip hop legend, Jay-Z. His headlining set is expected to draw 40,000 fans. Mathers will also take the stage in Dublin, closing out Oxegen with a highly anticipated mainstage headline set. It's Eminem's first appearance in Ireland since his phenomenal sold out shows to over 200,000 fans in Marley Park in 2004. Eminem will follow an Oxegen tradition that's included unforgettable performances by previous headliners The Who, Muse and Kings of Leon. Since dropping his classic debut The Slim Shady LP in 1999, Eminem has sold over 75 million albums worldwide, and over 30 million in the United States. He is the biggest selling artist of the last 10 years, a feat that resulted in him being recently named Artist of the Decade by Nielsen Soundscan.

UPDATE: SHYNE SIGNS 7 FIGGA DEAL WITH DEF JAM?
7 News Belize reports that Shyne has inked a multi-million dollar recording contract, bringing his Gangland Records imprint to Def Jam. The signing took place this evening inside Shyne’s penthouse at the Renaissance Tower. The signatories were Shyne and L.A. Reid – the Chairman of Island Def Jam Records. It is big news not only because of the signing but also the presence of Reid. He is one of the most powerful music executives in the United States – having signed artists ranging from Mariah Carey to Outkast. Well today he signed Shyne. Keith Swift was at the airport and has the story. Keith Swift Reporting: Island Def Jam boss L.A. Reid arrived at the Phillip Goldson International Airport at 4:20 this afternoon on his private jet. Reid, casually dressed in a jeans, was met by Shyne – dressed formally in a suit with bowtie and a matching hat. Reid says he came here for Shyne to sign on the dotted line of a multimillion dollar recording contract.

L.A. Reid, Chairman - Island Def Jam Records
“I have come here to stand by Shyne and to officially kick off our partnership with Island Def Jam Music Group and Gangland Records and so it is really an honour to be here, really very special place.”

Keith Swift,
“Why did you find it necessary to come here yourself?”

L.A. Reid,
“I am here because great people are worthy of travelling many many miles for it and I come here to say that your country is great and I hope you guys know that this is a great man from your country who deserves this kind of respect and who deserves this kind of support. So that is why we are here.”

Reid wouldn’t discuss particulars of Shyne’s contract with Gangland Records – reported to be worth US$5 million.

L.A. Reid,
“We don’t talk about things like but only that there is one and that we are intend to do great things and we are very committed to Shyne’s career.”

Keith Swift,
“Should we expect a big comeback from Shyne?”

L.A. Reid,
“I don’t expect it, I can promise it.”

Keith Swift,
“How soon will he be hitting the studio to begin recording, when should we hear something on the radio or the internet?”

L.A. Reid,
“We’ll see. Stay tuned.”

L.A. Reid – who is a legendary producer -says that he will be working personally with Shyne on the project.

Keith Swift,
“You’ll be working with him? Who will be his producers?”

L.A. Reid,
“Look around….who do you see. You see me right.”

Keith Swift,
“Shyne how do you feel to be signing the contract?”

Jamal Shyne Barrow, Signed Record Deal with Gangland Records
“It is an honour and a pleasure, not just for me but for Belize. Chairman Reid is on the level of Berry Gordy, Clive Davis, the biggest music men in the history of music, and so to have a partnership with Gangland Records and Island/Def Jam is incredible for me.”

LA Reid was scheduled to leave Belize this evening. Shyne who arrived in Belize this afternoon from Mexico is expected to record the album in London. While no figures were discussed – it has been rumoured to be US$5 million while MTV is reporting that it is a US$10 million contract.

Man, that’s a cold one right there. I’m going to be real with you, I haven’t watched "The X-Files,” but I really liked the name “The G-Files.” It just sounded right.

What do you think distinguishes this album from your previous material?

As you grow up, your music has to grow up with you. It’s still the same basic G-Funk sound, but it’s a more modern version. It’s got a taste of that modern electro sound that everyone likes but it’s still got that classic soul-vibe. I wanted to do something that matched up to the current sound of music these days.

One of the strongest songs on the new album is “100 Miles and Running” featuring Chef Raekwon and Nate Dogg. How did the collaboration with Raekwon come about and was the song recorded before Nate Dogg had his stroke?

Well, as you know, Nate had two strokes, so right now, he’s still in recovery. He’s progressing and hope to get him back on the streets soon. But before he had those strokes, we’d done six or seven songs in the studio. When I was coming home from the All-Star Game, I was stopped at a rest stop and saw Raekwon with a friend of mine. We said what’s up, mentioned that we wanted to work with each other and exchanged numbers. Two weeks later, I called him up and told him that I had a song for him. He went into the studio, laid it down, and it made for a great record.

The first song on the album is called “The West Is Back.” Did you think it was a matter of the West having fallen off?

It was just my way of saying that it was time that the original guys who really made the West Coast pop show how to get back in the groove. A lot of the music these days is not like how it was -- everybody thinks it’s OK to throw together some drums and one synth sound and it’s a hit record. It’s trying to take it back to that great soulful sound and giving props to the things that Dre, Snoop, Ice Cube, Ice T and everyone mentioned in the song did.

After giving an interview in Vanity Fair recently, you came under fire from gay rights advocates who called you homophobic for saying that you didn’t want to see gay people kissing on TV. What did you mean by that?

They’d asked me about gay people and I said that I didn’t have a problem with gay people. All I was saying was that I didn’t think it was right to have shows on television where they show two men kissing. I wasn’t saying that it was because I have a problem with it, but because I don’t think it’s right to show that sort of thing to the youth. I have no problem with gay people. I have gay family that I’m close with. I’m not a gay basher and I’d appreciate if people stopped blowing up my Twitter and e-mail with the accusations that I am.

WARREN G TO BE HONORED BY LONG BEACH BOYS & GIRLS CLUB.
On December 18th, Long Beach native Warren G will be honored with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach Image Award for his commitment to the youth and community of Long Beach. The event, which will be held at the John C. Wallace/Petrolane Club, is set to include an awards presentation at 4:30 p.m. followed by a toy give-away to local youth at 5:00 p.m. Also in attendance will be Percy Daggs, Jr. (actor) and Samie Parker (NFL Wide Receiver) who will be honored with Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach Alumni awards as well as Jeremy Williams (professional boxer) and Daniel Crockett (actor) who will be presented with Community Leadership awards. “There is so much greatness that comes out of Long Beach,” said Branch Director, Keith Lilly. “It’s a good feeling knowing that no matter how successful our honorees have become in life, they still continue to give back to their hometown. There’s something very humbling about that. Especially at this time of the year.” The Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach have provided after school programs to the Long Beach community for 70 years.

NICK CANNON GETS NEW YORK RADIO GIG.
CBS Radio’s 92.3 NOW (WXRK) New York has announced the addition of Nick Cannon as the station’s morning drive host, beginning on Tuesday, January 19. Cannon will be heard from 6 to 10 a.m. on-air, online and through a variety of mobile devices including the iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry and Zune. The four-hour program anchored by Cannon will feature a mix of popular music, celebrity interviews, pop culture and lifestyle discussions. "I have been immersed in the entertainment business for more than half my life," said Cannon. "With continued success in television, film and music both on and off camera, in addition to directing, writing and producing, radio is both an exciting and natural next step in my career. I look forward to waking up audiences and making friends across the tri-state area on New York’s Hit Music Channel, 92.3 NOW."

SHYNE BACK IN THE LAB.
Former Bad Boy rapper Shyne is already recording new material barely three months after being released from a New York prison and deported back to his native home. According to reports, Shyne has requested producer Shawty Redd to travel to Belize to executive produce his upcoming album. Shyne is not only working on his own project but,the rapper will be appearing on DJ Khaled's fourth compilation titled Victory which hits stores in February 2010. Shyne appears on a track titled 'All My Life" which features Akon and dancehall star Mavado.

QUEEN LATIFAH AND MARY J BLIGE TO BE HONORED.
Essence magazine has announced its third annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon to be held during Oscar Week on March 4, 2010 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Honoring four extraordinary women making a significant impact in Hollywood, this star-studded event commemorates the magazine's annual Hollywood issue and will pay tribute to a special milestone in 2010; the 40th Anniversary of the magazine. The esteemed honorees for the 2010 event include: Queen Latifah (Power Award), Zoe Saldana (Star to Watch Award), Mary J.
Blige (Songstress of the Year) and Gabourey Sidibe (Best Breakthrough Performance). "Our annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon is taking on special meaning in 2010 as we are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Essence magazine by paying homage to phenomenal women throughout the year," said Essence editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray. "We are proud to carry the Essence legacy into the future by honoring the accomplishments of such brilliant performers as Latifah, Zoe, Mary J., and Gabourey, whose incredible talent and sheer grit are serving to change the face of Hollywood."

GUCCI MANE HAS #1 RAP ALBUM IN THE COUNTRY
Gucci Mane’s The State vs. Radric Davis is the #1 rap album in the country with 89K units sold in its first week of release, making it the #10 album overall according to Billboard’s Top 200.
The album features Gucci’s first single “Wasted” featuring Plies, a #1 song at urban mainstream radio, and the crossover smash “Spotlight” featuring Usher. Amongst the album’s cameos is a who’s-who of urban music with guest spots from Lil Wayne, Keyshia Cole, Soulja Boy, Rick Ross, Trina, Cam’ron, Nicki Minaj, E-40 and laugh out loud skits with comedian, Mike Epps.
Even those outside of the hip-hop Diaspora have begun to take notice of Gucci Mane’s rising profile. His work has caught the attention of the larger musical community including revered DJ/producer Diplo who recently announced a project where he will remix Gucci’s acclaimed Cold War mixtape series to a backdrop of eclectic soundscapes. On November 12, 2009, Gucci Mane was sentenced to 12 months in Georgia’s Fulton County Jail for violating his parole mandates. Pending a review of his case, Gucci is eligible for an early release from custody in 2010.

LIL WAYNE HEADEDTO SLAMMER IN FEB 2010.
The 27-year-old Grammy winner, whose government name is Dwayne Carter, was sentenced to a year in prison today after he pleaded guilty to felony gun charges in Manhattan Criminal Court earlier this year. Carter, who is free on bail, will head to jail on Feb. 9. Carter's attorney, Stacey Richman confirms that not only will Weezy be officially sentenced, but he is also scheduled to surrender himself to authorities and be shipped off to prison on that same day. He is expected to face 366 days behind bars. Cops discovered a loaded 9-mm handgun on Carter's tour bus when he was headlining a show in Manhattan two years ago. Officials pulled over the bus near Columbus Circle in July 2007 after claiming they saw and smelled marijuana smoke wafting out of the door outside the concert venue. Carter's guilty plea may have helped the artist beat a 7-year rap. Wayne's new album "Rebirth" drops Feb. 1.

CITIGROUP ACCUSED OF FRAUD OVER EMI SALE.
British equity firm Terra Firma Investments has sued Citigroup Inc., claiming it paid a "fraudulently inflated price" of 4 billion pounds for EMI's label and music publishing interests in 2007 as a result of misrepresentations made by the lender. In the action, filed Friday in New York Supreme Court, Terra Firma claims to have lost equity in the billions of dollars as a result of its heavily leveraged purchase of the struggling music company. The suit adds that Citi has "sought to wrest control of EMI by pushing it into, or to the brink of bankruptcy." The lender could then sell the insolvent firm to its competitor Warner Music Group, "thus maximizing its recovery on its EMI-related loans, and generating additional investment banking fees from Warner." As noted in the action, EMI and WMG have repeatedly and unsuccessfully attempted to merge since the '90s. Terra Firma alleges that at the time of an auction of EMI's assets in the spring of 2007, all the other private equity companies that had expressed interest in the firm had dropped out of the bidding. However, Citi executive David Wormsley purportedly told Terra Firma chief executive Guy Hands that another equity firm, Cerberus Capital Management, planned to place a bid on EMI. In response to this false information, Terra Firma placed a binding bid on EMI. As a broker and lender in the deal, Citi earned some 95.2 million pounds, according to the suit. "Citi has gone on to intentionally interfere with Terra Firma's economic interests," the suit goes on to claim. It notes that the bank recently refused to restructure Terra Firma's debt, and has engaged in a "smear campaign" to erode EMI's position in the marketplace. Terra Firma seeks actual and punitive or exemplary damages to be determined, plus all monies received by Citigroup in connection with the EMI sale and trading in EMI stock in the fall of 2007, as well as pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. Representatives of Citigroup could not be reached for comment. Source: Variety

UNIVERSAL MOTWON APPOINTS NEW VP.
Universal Motown Records, a division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, has appointed Pat Monaco to Executive Vice President & General Manager of the company. The announcement was made today by Sylvia Rhone, President of the label. Formerly, Mr. Monaco served as Executive Vice President of Sales & Field Marketing for Universal Motown Republic Group. "Pat has a breadth of experience and a depth of knowledge that truly sets him apart," said Ms. Rhone. "With extensive experience and a background that encompasses both the creative and business spheres, he is ideally suited for the post of General Manager. Since joining Universal Motown ten years ago, Pat has taken the lead in exploring new business models and dramatically strengthening our artists' presence across multiple platforms. He is a consummate music man with strong leadership capabilities who has earned enormous respect throughout the industry. I join the entire Universal Motown family in congratulating him on this much-deserved promotion.".. "I am grateful to Mel Lewinter (Chairman, Universal Motown Republic Group) and Sylvia for their continued confidence and trust in me as I enter this next phase of my career," added Mr. Monaco. "I believe that Universal Motown is poised to take great strides as an industry leader and I am privileged to be part of the new leadership tasked to keep us in the forefront." Prior to joining Universal, Mr. Monaco served as General Manager of
Island Records. His background also includes a number of senior positions within Island Records and PolyGram Distribution, as well as serving as President/Owner of Landmark Distributors.

TIMBALAND SAYS HE'S DONE WITH HIP HOP.
Producer Timbaland insists the genre is "just not the same" as when he started out. After working with Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado and the Pussycat Dolls, the star believes he's found his niche - insisting there are only a few of his hip-hop contemporaries who are still relevant. He told MTV, "I was done with hip-hop a long time ago. Once my generation left, I left. I do it, but there's nobody from my generation besides Jay-Z who's doing it. I look at Lil Wayne as being from my generation. Some people are still acceptable. Kanye West is acceptable from my generation. It's just not the same. By it not being the same, I kind of fade to black. I did music that fits where I was going to in my age bracket..."I figured it out a couple of years ago with Nelly (Furtado) and Justin Timberlake and myself. We had a tremendous run. I think it was good for me to do that. But I got this run, I'm not gonna stop until I wanna stop."

GANGSTA BOO RELEASES STATEMENT INVOLVING ROBBERY.
Gangsta Boo (AKA Lola Mitchell) a former member of the Three 6 Mafia camp now with the Drum Squad, turned herself into police this week after she learned she had a warrant for her arrest on the charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery of a Dollar General Store in Olive Branch from back in July..In a statement released to a FOX news station in Memphis, Mitchell says: "I, Lola C. Mitchell pka Gangsta Boo, was not, I repeat, was not involved in any kind of conspiracy of any kind involving a robbery. I am being implicated false on statements and terms. I have no connections with any unlawful activities with the suspect Marcus Curtis or anyone else involved in this matter. I was neither questioned nor informed of any such charges brought against me before a warrant was issued which lead me to turn myself in. I feel like I have been publicly slandered and targeted because of my career, I am innocent on all charges and the truth will prevail in the end." Gangsta Boo was later released on $100,000 bond.

50 CENT FILLS IN THE BLANKS.
In this months issue of Essence mag, 50 Cent sat down to explain why the best hip-hop artist in the world is white, why studios were scared of him because he’d been shot and more.. Here's the piece.. “WHAT IVE LEARNED” - "It’s Fifty, not Fiddy. My mom chose the lifestyle because she didn’t choose welfare. Every time I seen her, it felt like Christmas. Everything that was nice in my life was gone when she left, and the only people I saw that had nice things were people from the lifestyle. And they’d look at me and go, Why you look like that? Why your shoes run-down? What led my mom into the lifestyle that got her killed was what led me into the lifestyle: to prevent needing things so much. If I’d had a choice, I would’ve been a college kid. I would’ve majored in business. Sometimes you do need to convince yourself through convincing others. I never saw drug use as a good option. I’d rather have an additional ten dollars than smoke. It wasn’t a decision to not smoke weed. It was a decision to hustle. It was a business decision. Hustling was my internship. Being shot defines how strong I am. It prepares you for the confusion of being an artist. The adrenaline doesn’t allow the bullets to hurt as much as being afraid hurts. Columbia Records shied away from me. They were afraid of someone who would actually come from the real shit. You know what happens right after you assess me being shot? You go, Wow, so he’s really down there with the people who will just shoot you nine times? Will they shoot me, too? Why sell 50 when we can sell Kanye? There’s people who are considered intelligent who are idiots. People who raise their hands deserve to be ahead of people who don’t. Money is freedom. Money is a private plane. Money is no metal detection. I sign autographs because there will be a moment when no one asks me to. Don’t wait for them to tell you. Tell them. There are too many entrepreneurs. We need the worker to make the process function properly. The first time I felt rich was when I had $80,000 inside my house. I saw it as a means to more money. Money is not going to make you happy. A new idea is what makes you happy. When I got shot, it was a $5,000 exchange. The price of a life is cheap. Obama takes away the excuses. The best businessmen in the world make a bad deal sometimes. And it’s not usually in a boardroom. Most of them marry the wrong woman. That business deal is the worst business deal of all. All the women have contributed to my success. Every one. In my house, Carmelo Anthony is bigger than 50 Cent. My son is more important to me than I am to him. Always have bail money. Curtis Jackson. I identify with the name. When I look in the mirror, I see Curtis. Am I an honest man? I’m a selectively honest man. Am I being honest right now? Yeah. Most people would answer that question with a yes. Even the liars. Jay-Z is as politically correct as some of the politicians. He’s safe. There’s points when you’re acquiring financing, you make adjustments. He’s made those adjustments. It’s his choice. For me, it’s not a necessity. When you’re safe, people start walking on the stage because they feel safe with you. People don’t walk on the stage at my shows. Air Jordan. Tiger Woods. You know how a person is made for something? Eminem is made for hip-hop. The best rapper is a white man. My music is a soundtrack. The film is my life. My music matches things I’ve experienced or felt. Even if the whole thing is made up. When you get hurt as bad as I got hurt, the idea of hurting someone as bad as they hurt you is no longer out of the question. Depression is a luxury I still can’t afford. I like generals. I like Napoleon. I like strategy. The majority of them are praised for mass destruction, but it’s exciting to see how it comes to the mind mentally. Is Charles Manson a serial killer? No, he isn’t, because he ain’t do no killing. He’s a coward. He was just crazy enough to influence people to kill for him. There were a lot of Charles Mansons in my neighborhood. There were no Napoleons. Hip-hop is arrogant because people are arrogant. Rap artists are like fighters. They don’t need a coach to call them champ for them to believe it. You need a respectable opponent, but you don’t have to respect ‘em. In the end you’re gonna finish ‘em anyway, right?"

SNOOP NATION INVADES SIRIUS XM RADIO.
SIRIUS XM Radio announced today that it will launch Snoop Dogg Nation, a week-long, commercial-free channel featuring music, interviews and specials celebrating the career of the hip-hop icon, from his early days with Dr. Dre to his newest album, Malice N Wonderland. The limited-run channel will launch on Monday, December 14 at 12:00 pm ET and will run until Sunday, December 20 at 10:00 pm ET on SIRIUS channel 40 and XM channel 67. Snoop Dogg Nation, hosted by Snoop Dogg himself, will feature everything from his early collaborations with Dr. Dre, to Snoop's first release in 1993, Doggystyle, which was certified multi-platinum and
includes the chart-topping hits "What's My Name" and "Gin & Juice," through his new album, Malice N Wonderland, released on December 8. Listeners will hear Snoop Dogg host an audio tour of his entire catalog, sharing stories about each album, including a track by track listen of his latest album. Snoop Dogg Nation will also feature a special countdown during which Snoop will count down his top 20 favorite hip-hop songs of all time. Additionally, Snoop Dogg, who was recently appointed Creative Chairman of Priority Records, will sit down with Hip-Hop Nation host Renada for an in-depth and revealing interview. Snoop will discuss creating his new album, his life as a 'family man,' his views on the music industry and more.

NELLY GETS LOOTED?
St. Louis County police were on the scene at St. Louis rapper Nelly's home in Wildwood, Missouri this morning (December 11). Police say they were searching for an intruder who got into the rapper's home and fled with a duffel bag of goods. County police spokesperson, Officer Rick Eckhard said that it's believed the suspect entered and left through a window in the home. Eckhard also said people inside the residence called police during the break-in. Police describe the suspect is described as a black male in his 20's or 30 with a mustache and glasses. He was wearing a black coat. Police searched a nearby wooded area for any clues or suspects. A search dog and the St. Louis County helicopter was also used. The bag was full of electronic and game items, and fled the scene possibly in a black GMC Envoy. A vehicle matching that description was seen in the area a short time later. No one was injured.

R.KELLY TO REVEAL TELL-ALL BOOK.
According to an announcement released Wednesday, the book, due in 2011 from SmileyBooks — the book imprint of radio/TV host Tavis Smiley — will be authored with celebrity writer David Ritz, who has collaborated on autobiographies with Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin. "I'm writing this book as Robert, not R. Kelly," the singer said in announcing the untitled book. "I'm tired of being misunderstood. I will show you the tears, fears and sweat. I will open my heart and reveal the good in my life as well as all the drama. I want to tell it like it is."

DRAKE SIGNS WITH ICM.
Management company ICM has signed Aubrey Graham, otherwise known as Drake, the fast-rising, Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist whose "Best I Ever Had" single hit #1 on the Billboard Rap Charts and #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 -- all without having been signed to a label. ICM will rep the rapper-actor in all phases of his career, reports Variety. Until last summer, Drake was best known as Jimmy Brooks in his role on Canada's "Degrassi: The Next Generation." But all that changed this year when his mentor Lil Wayne and Lil Wayne's longtime manager Cortez Bryant assisted in launching Drake's hip hop career, and the success of Drake's "Best" single helped land a deal with Young Money Entertainment, with distribution through Universal Motown, resulting in a $2 million development payday, as reported by the LA Times. The song is nominated for two Grammy Awards: best rap solo performance and best rap song. He also received an American Music Award nom for hip-hop newcomer of the year. Drake is working on his label LP debut, "Thank Me Later," which will be released later this year. The artist's self distributed mix-tape compilation, "So Far Gone," has sold 267,484 units to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Drake is co-managed by Bryant Management and Hip Hop Since 19.

NAS ORDERED TO PAY INCREASE IN MONTHLY SUPPORT.
A judge has decided that the $44,000 in child support a month that Nas was paying to estranged wife Kelis was not enough. According to the Associated Press, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Cunningham III raised Nas’ monthly support payments to $51,101. After a two-day hearing in court Cunningham determined that Nas made enough money in the last several months to increase the sum.

EMINEM NAMED TOP SELLING ARTIST OF THE DECADE.
Nielsen SoundScan has released their lists of the best-selling artists, albums and songs of the '00s. Eminem has been named America's top-selling act of the decade. The rapper has shifted more than 32.2 million albums since 2000 to take the official top spot in Nielsen SoundScan's list of biggest-selling acts. The We Made You star - whose 2009 album Relapse took the No 1 spot in the US and the UK - beat The Beatles to become the highest-selling artist of the last 10 years. The Beatles came second with US sales of 30 million and they had the best-selling album of the decade with their hits compilation 1, which sold 11.5 million. Eminem had two records in the Top 10 best-selling list - 2000's The Marshall Mathers LP and 2002's The Eminem Show. Other artists whose albums were included Britney Spears, Usher and Norah Jones. The song Low, released by rapper Flo Rida in 2007, was the decade's most successful digital song, shifting 5.2 million copies. Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas and Coldplay all appear in the list of America's top-selling digital songs of the decade.

TIMBALAND TO HOST THE FINAL WWE RAW!
Producer Timbaland will reportedly get in the ring later this month when he hosts the final broadcast of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Although details are still being finalized, Timbaland should get in the ring in late December to host WWE RAW on the 28th. In related news, Timbaland released his “Shock Value II” album today which features “Say Something,” a track with Young Money star Drake.

THE POPE RIDIN' TO PAC?
Almost exactly eleven years after its posthumous release, legendary rapper Tupac Shakur's 1998 hit "Changes" has been selected by the Vatican as one of the institution's "12 Favorite Songs" as part of a playlist for MySpace's new streaming service MySpace Music. The distinction is the first time the Catholic Church has officially recognized the work of any popular American artist. With it, the song joins the ranks of works such as "Don Giovanni" by Mozart, the Vatican's own "Advocata Nostra," featuring the voice of Pope Benedict XVI, and "After The Rain," by Dame Shirley Bassey. "The genres are very different from each other, but all these artists share the aim to reach the heart of good minded people," the Vatican explained on its official MySpace Music page. The playlist, compiled by Father Giulio Neroni, was released Thursday, December 3 - and "Changes" has received nearly five million plays since then. "This came as such an amazing surprise - it's not something I would have ever thought possible," says the late rapper's mother, Afeni Shakur. "I give thanks every day, knowing Tupac's words and music continue to have such an incredible effect on people worldwide. My son was always striving to reach out to as many people as he could, and he changed the world in doing so." ...... "It's a testament to Tupac's genius that his music can have this kind of impact more than ten years after the fact," says Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine. "This is an unprecedented honor to his legacy, as well as for those who had the privilege of working with him during his lifetime." Most of Shakur's recordings are owned and controlled by Afeni Shakur's Amaru Entertainment and Interscope Records. The Death Row albums "All Eyez On Me" and "Makaveli - The Don Killuminati 7 Day Theory" are owned by Death Row/Wide Awake Entertainment, but controlled by Afeni Shakur and are exclusively administered worldwide by ICG/Evergreen Copyrights. Both albums are distributed in North America by E1 Entertainment.

IS A LOX REUNION GOING DOWN?
Sheek Louch Confirms Rumors of a D-Block/Diddy Deal For Lox Reunion Album. "Yo word up, top of the year, Lox album is coming," Sheek said, during an interview with Hot 93.7 radio show, On-Air Idiots. "I would love for it to come then, we're working actually with Puff, with Sean Combs. We working out that. Puff Daddy, we working that out. We working that out and hopefully it goes down. It's gonna be Interscope/Bad Boy/D-Block. Oh yo, slash Ruff Ryders. I'm sorry, I can't leave my boys out. It's like a big thing because we still Interscope. We still Ruff Ryders. It'll be a nice thing." In a recent interview with Power 99, Jadakiss also spoke on the Lox reunion. He said it's the trio's main focus right now, and even if they're unable to work out the details with Diddy, he promises the project will be coming soon. "Our main focus right now is that Lox album," Jada stressed. "It might be coming out through Diddy, it might be coming out through some other people, but it's going down..."Diddy just did a new deal with Interscope, as y'all know with his Dirty Money and all his other stuff," the rapper cotinued. "He put an offer out there for a one album deal over there, so you know, we thinking about making it."..."If it don't make dollars, it could make cents and we'll do it again," Jada said. "It's about the evolution, it's about growing. We came into the business with him (Diddy) -- despite our differences because of our lack of knowledge in the game and other shit and what so -- we still learned a lot from him. To work all them things out and make a full 360 and possibly work again with him after ten years, that would be incredible. It shows maturity as artists, it shows respect as men and it's good for the outside far as what he can do for us and what we can do for him." Diddy also expressed his interest in working with his former labelmates again to Mtv.. "I would definitely love to do the next Lox album," Diddy said. "I would love to collaborate with them. I think it's important just to do ... I would look forward to it ... We been talking about it."

JAY-Z LEADS THE HIP HOP GRAMMY PACK.
Jay-Z tops the list of rap artists who are nominated for the 2010 Grammy Awards with 4 nods. The rapper's nominations include 'Best Rap Song' (Death Of Auto-Tune) and 'Best Rap/Sung Collaboration' (Run This Town). Beyonce topped the overall Grammy nomination list with 7 nods. Her nominations included 'Album of The Year (Sasha Fierce) and 'Record Of The Year' (Halo)

Here is the list of rap nominations:

On her message to young women: "My story was broadcast all over the world for people to see, and they have followed every step of my recovery. The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn't heard. Now I can help speak for those women."

On her new album: "I've put everything I've wanted to say for the past eight months into my music. [My new album] is super fearless -- which is exactly how I feel right now. I am in a really good place."

On relationships: "I want to find love in the next 10 years -- that will be pretty annoying if I am 31 and still have never been in love!"

On how she made it back: "My friends and family have been extremely supportive, and everyone has been there for me. But at some point you are there alone. It's a lonely place to be -- no one can understand. That's when you get close to God."

UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP'S CEO TO STEP DOWN.
Universal Music Group CEO Doug Morris will be stepping down from his position in the summer of 2010. Morris will be succeeded by international chief Lucian Grainge. BusinessWeek says that Morris who has overseen Universal Music’s operations for the last 15 years—plans to step down as CEO next summer; he will hold on to the title of chairman. Grainge, the former chairman and CEO of Universal Music U.K. and Ireland, was promoted to his current position as chairman and CEO of Universal Music International in May 2005. As BusinessWeek points out, at Universal, Morris has been known for his efforts to introduce digital music offerings—including the soon-to-launch music video site Vevo. Morris turns 71 this month.

EMINEM ADDED TO AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS LINEUP
Eminem will perform at the American Music Awards, making him the latest addition to a line-up of previously announced acts that includes Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, and Adam Lambert. The news that Lady Gaga will also perform at the show leaked on Friday. The American Music Awards will air live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

50 CENT, B.E.P, AND SCHWAYZE CONFIRM VEGAS FOR NEW YEARS EVE.
Nightlife and entertainment leader PURE Management Group (PMG) today announced that
50 Cent will ring in 2010 at PURE Nightclub with a very special New Year's Eve performance. "We are thrilled to welcome 50 Cent to PURE Nightclub to be a part of one of the most exciting nights of the year in Las Vegas," said Michael Gilmartin, director of public relations for PURE Management Group. "50 Cent is one of the top artists in the world, so what better place for him to perform than at PURE Nightclub, one of the hottest nightlife venues in the world." PMG also announced that The Black Eyed Peas will help patrons ring in 2010 at a very special New Year's Eve celebration at LAX Nightclub. "Las Vegas is the ultimate destination for New Year's Eve and what better place to celebrate than one of the city's hottest nightlife venues," said Michael Gilmartin, director of public relations for PURE Management Group. "We are very excited to welcome The Black Eyed Peas to LAX Nightclub, a group that has essentially coined the upbeat party anthem for today's generation." Shwayze Will also Keep the Crowd 'Buzzin'' With a New Years Eve Performance at Christian Audigier The Nightclub "We are thrilled to welcome Shwayze to Christian Audigier The Nightclub for this very special occasion," said Michael Gilmartin, director of public relations for PURE Management Group. "Shwayze's fun and eclectic music
pairs perfectly with the vibe of Christian Audigier and we look forward to an unforgettable New Year's Eve celebration."

CAPITOL RECORDS TEAMS UP WITH BLOCK ENTERTAINMENT
EMI Music's Capitol Records continues building its urban roster by teaming up with Atlanta based Block Entertainment, the formidable label with chart topping success from artists such as Yung Joc, Boyz N' The Hood, and Gorilla Zoe For its first project together, Block,will work with Capitol on a new release from new rap artist Kollosus, whose album will debut in the spring of 2010. Kollosus recently gained attention with his buzzworthy song, "Settin' Standards," which featured fellow Atlanta all-star Gucci Mane. The single, "Breakin' Bread," is heating up in the streets and headed to radio in January 2010. "Block Entertainment is a force to be reckoned with in the hip hop arena; they have continuously churned out undeniable hip hop stars," said Leonard Brooks, SVP Urban A&R, EMI Music. "As we grow Capitol's urban roster, this association with Block Entertainment makes perfect sense. We are excited to sign Kollosus as well; he has a skillful flow that reflects his years growing up in Atlanta and his Jamaican-born roots. He has a unique sense of street swagger with a global appeal." "I am tremendously excited to partner with Capitol Records, a company with a proven track record in recognizing talent," said Russell "Big Block" Spencer, CEO of Block Entertainment. "As an emerging voice of hip hop, Kollosus promises to capture the attention of the discerning hip hop audience. The collaboration between Capitol and Block Entertainment is vital to introducing him to a wider audience."

THIS IS IT BRINGS IN OVER $100 MILL 1ST 5 DAYS.
After Michael Jackson's This is It raked in $101 million worldwide in its first five days, Sony has decided to extend the run of the film beyond its originally planned two-week engagement. This Is It now will be in U.S. theaters through Thanksgiving weekend, and Sony plans to extend the run of the movie overseas on a country-by-country basis. The movie earned $21.3 million domestically over the weekend, bringing its U.S. total to $32.5 million since it was released on Wednesday. The totals easily made This Is It the #1 movie in America, beating out the #2 thriller Paranormal Activity, which brought in $16.5 million. This Is It also pulled in $68.5 million overseas, including $10.4 million in Japan, $6.3 million in Germany, $5.8 million in France and $3.2 million in China, according to Billboard.

DIDDY BRINGS SUCCESS TO CIROC.
According to Bloomberg, sales for Circoc Vodka have jumped from 60,000 cases to 400,000 since Diddy's venture with liquor company Diageo in 2007. Diddy is a 50% equity partner of Ciroc and receives half the brand’s profits. Diddy and Diageo now plan to launch two new Ciroc flavors, coconut and red berry, later this year.

FAT JOE ASSOCIATE MURDERED.
Brooklyn-bred rapper Mike Beck—a member of Fat Joe's K.A.R. (Kill All Rats) crew—was shot dead over the weekend. As of press time the exact details are unknown, but several sources report that Beck fell victim to a botched robbery attempt in his hometown late Friday night (October 30). Several rappers have sent their condolences to the fallen MC over Twitter. N.O.R.E. was the first to confirm Beck’s passing, typing, “Rest in peace he was a real dude mike beck I did records for him n he ate in my crib n drank 2 fucked up my weekend r I p.” Joey Crack, simply posted, “R.I.P. Mike Beck” at about an hour and a half after Noreaga at 9 a.m. last Saturday.

HOV RESPONDS TO SIGEL DISS.
Jay-Z says he did his part when it came to supporting Beanie Sigel. Over the weekend, footage hit the Net of Jay at a press conference that reportedly took place on October 30 in Toronto. A journalist asked Jay for his reaction to Beanie going public with some grievances against Jay in his new song, "What You Talkin' About (Average Cat)." Beanie apparently feels his material wasn't promoted as heavily by the Roc boss as it could have been. "He has a lot to complain about, not me," Jay started out in a jovial manner. Then he got a little more serious. "Well, Beanie Sigel, at the time — and you can look it up if you like, just to be honest — was driving two Bentleys. I don't know how; it's impossible to drive two cars at one time. With his momma in the sticks and selling 800,000 records, I don't know what more you can do for somebody. What people choose to do when they attain of success ... at some point you have to look in the mirror, and look at yourself. Beanie Sigel had a record deal, a record label, and a clothing line — and never went platinum, ever. I don't know in the history of rap has anyone done so much with so little. I don't even know what more can you do for a person at that point. A record deal, that's normal. A record label and a clothing line? If that's not pushing a person, sh-- ..."

RAPINDUSTRY.COM TALK RADIO (The Halloween show)
The Halloween Show.. Lil Wayne's Jail time, Wayne VS Jay-Z debate.. Drake, is he a front? Kid Cudi, Mase, Gucci Mane, Is too much access to hip hop good or bad?, Whats what in the news and more... LISTEN HERE

BEANIE SIGEL EXPLAINS JAY-Z DISS. LISTEN HERE
Beanie Sigel goes in at Hov on a new joint "What You Talkin Bout (I Ain't Your Average Cat)." Sigel gives his take on his split from Jay-Z. "I'm a grown-ass man, I don't sit on n---as' laps/ I ain't looking for no gifts out of Santa Claus' sack," he raps. Sig dropped those same lines during the Powerhouse Concert last Friday in Philadelphia when he came out as Jadakiss' guest. The words were obviously a response to Jay's lines on "What We Talkin' About" off of The Blueprint 3. "How it feel to get exposed?" Sigs rhymes. "Don't you feel naked?/ I was a fly on the wall, sh-- I witnessed/ I can say sh-- that will make B look at you different." Beanie goes on to say that Jay-Z called the police to get him out of the recent Powerhouse concert in Philadelphia. Friday morning (October 30), Sigel called up Philadelphia radio station 100.3 and spoke with Charlamagne Tha God about how hard he used to ride for Jay and how Hov disappointed him. "I backed all his plays without even asking him. Jadakiss is not no walk in no park. Nas is not no walk in no park. These are dudes that could have ended my career," he said, referring to former Roc-A-Fella rhyme wars that have long since been buried. Beanie got into the heart of his falling-out with Jay during his interview with Charlamagne, saying that he hasn't spoken to Jay in more than two years. "I'm not really dissing Jay," Sigel explained. "It's certain parts in there where my emotions. ... It's an emotional record for me. When I listened to The Blueprint 3, I heard a lot of shots directed towards people. "I feel he gave out a lot of pairs of shoes on that album," Beanie added. "I felt my feet was meant for a couple of them." Beanie specifically mentioned the line "I heated up the Roc already, why can't y'all get hot already?" from "Already Home." "I understand Jay, you at a certain place in your career where everyone can't go," Sigel said. "You don't need Beanie Sigel in the building with a pre-perception that 'this crazy dude might do anything.' ... We taint his image, State Property and the place that he's at." Sigel also told Charlamagne that neither Jay-Z nor Dame Dash were fair when it came to paying State Property during their time on Roc-A-Fella Records. "I love the way 50 Cent did with his dawgs," he said. "If you look at it, them dudes got more money and more bread than anybody in State Property 'cause 50 made sure of that. 50 went on tour and paid them, not [telling] them 'it was a good look for them to be on the tour' and things like that. True story, I'm sitting on house arrest and the Young Gunz call my phone 'cause Jay-Z is only paying them $1200 a show and they had to split it." Source: Mtv

THIS IS IT GROSSES 2.2 MILLION.
On Tuesday night, Sony Pictures and Sony Music held 18 nearly simultaneous premieres around the world, with the biggest bash -- in Los Angeles' downtown L.A. Live complex -- sending a satellite simulcast to the other 17. Meanwhile, "This Is It" events were held in an additional 15 cities. The 6 p.m. Tuesday start time in Los Angeles translated to 2 a.m. Wednesday over most of Europe, meaning thousands of fans flocked to screenings in the middle of the night. The film is playing in roughly 3,500 theaters domestically. It opened in 99 countries including the U.S. and Canada, and expands to 110 territories around the world, with 15,000 prints, this weekend. Plans are for a two-week run. Sony already is starting to generate big returns for the $60 million it paid concert promoter AEG Entertainment for 100 hours of footage and distribution rights. The first showings of the film earned an estimated $2.2 million in Tuesday night shows domestically and roughly the same amount Wednesday, for a total $4.4 million for two days. Sony didn't have an international number as of midday Wednesday, but said the pic was doing equally well overseas, given the interest from fans in seeing what could have been Jackson's final concert. "The film was always about letting the fans see what Michael's dream for the show was all about," said director Kenny Ortega. The movie should easily top the $31 million opening weekend of Disney's 2008 "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour," which reps the highest-grossing opening for a concert film. "There was no runway for this, no two years of development," said Peter Schlessel, prexy of worldwide affairs for Sony Pictures' Worldwide Acquisitions Group. "From acquisition to release was three months. When we put our minds to something, we get it done." Sony executives declined to disclose financial details of the big-scale premiere, but the studio did manage to contain costs in several ways. The only after-party for the premiere took place in L.A., with food catered by Wolfgang Puck, who has a deal with L.A. Live for events, as well as by In-n-Out, Hot Dog on a Stick and Korean BBQ vendor Kogi. Sony turned L.A. Live's main courtyard into a glitzy red carpet, complete with crystal-clad women performing acrobatics inside massive Swarovski chandeliers hanging over the celebrities making the press rounds. The L.A. event boasted 5,500 guests and 120 new crews -- almost half of them from overseas, which was just one clue to the global blitz for the pic.

EM PLOTTING HORROR SERIES?
Reports are surfacing that Eminem is prepping the release of a series of horror films titled "Shady Talez". Reports say that the Detroit MC has plans to develop an anthology of flicks paying homage to some of the genre’s cult favorites, like Christine, Aliens and The Lost Boys. According to reports, Em would even have multiple acting roles in the project. XXL Mag spoke to the rap superstar’s publicist, Dennis Dennehy, who said nothing is set in stone thus far. “There’s been talks,” he said, “but I can’t confirm anything yet.”

SHYNE IS FREE IN BELIZE.
Rapper Shyne arrived in Belize at 2:40 pm local time Thursday evening October 28 on a Continental flight from Houston escorted by a U.S. Marshall following his deportation from the U.S. after serving almost nine years in a New York penitentiary for his role in a nightclub shooting in New York city. "Shyne is home. He wants to say how happy he is to be home and to be a free man. He would love to have a conversation with the media but because he was legally advised by Professor Ogletree, he must not speak to the media because he doesn't want to prejudice his situation with the US government or with the Belize government," said Shyne's uncle, Michael Finnegan, current Minister of Housing. The rapper was processed by local police authorities at the airport's V.I.P. lounge after which he was welcomed by his father Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize, his mother Imeon Myvett and other members of his family and well wishers. Shyne arrived wearing a Harvard Law School sweatshirt, a full head of hair, headphones wrapped around his neck and sporting tzitzis reflecting his conversion to Judaism while in jail. "His residence at my place is two weeks away from completion so he has rented a complete floor at the Radisson Fort George Hotel," Finnegan added. " So every room on a floor was taken by him whether he will use it or not. He said that after going through the eight and a half years he has gone through, he needs some privacy, he needs not to be around anybody, he needs just to sit down in isolation and contemplate." The rapper, born Jamal Barrow, has relayed through his handlers that while Shyne is his stage name he would like to be called Moses Michael Leviy to reflect his conversion to Judaism. The government closed down the airport's public waving gallery and attempted to prevent the local media from covering his arrival but enterprising T.V. cameramen managed to get some footage through a chain link fence of Shyne entering the V.I.P. lounge and later exiting the airport. The rapper, contrary to previous reports, was not accompanied on the trip by Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogl etree who is trying to obtain a pardon to allow Shyne to get back to the U.S.A. One local radio station reported that Ogletree will visit Belize on Saturday and make a statement to the media.

MAN INVOVLED IN T.I.'S ENTOURAGE ATTACK PLEADS GUILTY.
The driver of a vehicle involved in an Ohio gun battle that killed a member of the rapper T.I.'s entourage during a wild highway chase has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges. Forty-one-year-old Padron Thomas was initially charged with murder. But he struck a deal with prosecutors that allowed him to plead to lesser charges in exchange for testifying in December against his brother, who pulled the trigger. A judge on Wednesday scheduled a sentencing hearing for Nov. 17. Thomas faces 10 years in prison. He's already serving 17 years on unrelated federal drug charges. Thomas's younger brother, Hosea Thomas, was sentenced to 66 years in prison for shooting Philant Johnson in May 2006 after a T.I. concert in Cincinnati. Three others were injured in the shooting. The Grammy-winning Atlanta rapper wasn't hurt.

TWISTA TARGETS YOUTH VIOLENCE IN CHI TOWN.
Twista is aiming a message of peace at Chicago students in an effort to change the lives of troubled teens. Twista recently took a trip to Chicago's Roseland neighborhood to meet two of the teens involved in the fight that killed CPS student Derrion Albert in September. Carl Lowery and Eugene Bailey told the rapper about their efforts to put their lives back together after the incident. For Lowery, it meant getting expelled from school last week. "It's unfair," he said. "They're trying to make it seem like we weren't the victims when we really was." For Bailey, it meant jail time. We talked to him just 24 hours after he was released and the murder charge against him was dropped. He said during the weeks in jail, he sat awake worrying about his slain friend. "It wasn't really no sleep," Baily said. "Two or three hours of sleep and wake right back up. I was thinking no, this couldn't have happened." The teens seemed happy to meet Twista, who was raised on the West Side and grew up with similar obstacles. "I came up the same way you did," he said. "Public aid, drug problems in the family, you know, out there dealing with people selling drugs." Twista says his life as a teenager made him want to change his path in life. He's used music as a vehicle for that change and wants teens to understand that the life entertainers often portray on stage is a kind of financial tool. He says teens should use the tools they have to become successful the right way. A few weeks ago, the artist released a special mix "Save Our Students" -- a collection of rap releases devoted to Chicago Public Schools students. It's an effort to try to reach kids who are sometimes unwilling to listen to advice from ministers and other community leaders. "You've got to kind of figure out a cool way to talk to the kids sometimes," Twista said. In Roseland, students told us they realize they need alternatives to trouble. "We need activities," Baily said. "Things to do like basketball, football. Activities that we can get together and get involved in." And Twista pledges to meet the kids halfway. He says he's collaborating with Kanye West and other artists to raise money for activities for Chicago students. Five Star Limo pitched in, providing limousine service for Twista's trip to Roseland. The company says it's one of many willing to commit resources for Chicago youth. Meanwhile, Twista told us his next plan for his message of peace includes touring the country to visit youth centers.

CAMEO CARLSON PROMOTED TO EXECUTIVE VP OF UMRG.
Cameo Carlson has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Universal Motown Republic Group (UMRG), it was announced by Mel Lewinter, Chairman and CEO of the company, Sylvia Rhone, President of Universal Motown Records, and Monte Lipman, President of Universal Republic Records. Formerly, Ms. Carlson served as Senior Vice President of Digital Business Development for UMRG. Ms. Carlson currently manages digital music initiatives for all of the labels and artists under the UMRG umbrella. Since joining the company in 2007, she has aggressively pursued mobile, online and digital sales and promotions for artists such as Colbie Caillat, Kid Cudi, Drake, Amy Winehouse, Lil Wayne and Jack Johnson. "Cameo is a consummate professional whose expertise and commitment to our artists and our business have been invaluable," stated Mr. Lewinter. "We are pleased to expand the playing field for her even further with this well deserved promotion. In this new role, she will not only work to further integrate our digital initiatives across all of our labels, but will serve as our company's liaison with VEVO when it launches later this year." "The opportunity to work with Mel, Monte, Sylvia and the entire UMRG team has been a high-point of my professional career," added Ms. Carlson. "Our continuing investment in artists and digital initiatives provides us with a real formula for success that is unique to UMRG." While at UMRG, Ms. Carlson has enjoyed success with three of the ten biggest digital albums in history (Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, Jack Johnson's In Between Dreams, and Jack Johnson's Sleep Through the Static), breaking mobile ringtone records for first week sales (Lil Wayne's "Lollipop"), as well as achieving top-selling sales of all time (Lil Wayne's "Lollipop") and number of multi-platinum sales (Akon). In September 2008, Ms. Carlson was named one of the Top Mobile Executives by Billboard Magazine for her work at UMRG.

JAY-Z AND ALICIA KEYS TO PERFORM AT WORLD SERIES.
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys are set to perform "Empire State of Mind" on Wednesday, as the Yankees take on defending World Series champs, the Philadelphia Phillies. “Thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee,” Hov said in an interview Monday. He calls the opportunity a “once in a lifetime experience” and says though the jam has become an unofficial New York anthem, he’s not pushing for it to be the city’s theme song. “I’m not pitching it for anything, it’s just a song I made for New York City,” he said. “Really it’s about inspiration, it’s about hope — I think that’s what connects with people." The song connects outside of New York. Jay-Z will also be getting involved in the Broadway play, “Fela,” an Afrobeat musical about the life of Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. “It’s kind of early,” he said of his involvement in the musical, which also finds Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith participating. “I went to see the play a couple months ago and it was fantastic,” he said. “Fela” opens Monday, Nov. 23 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre.

CHRIS BROWN ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM.
Chris Brown has announced the release of his first CD since his February altercation with then-girlfriend Rihanna. "Graffiti," the singer's third album, will be released on Dec. 15, he said via Twitter. The CD's first single, "I Can Transform Ya," features Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz. The 20-year-old will also kick off his "Fan Appreciation" tour in Houston on Nov. 14. See the video I can Transform Ya HERE

MICHAEL JACKSON WAX FIGURE TO BE ON DISPLAY.
Universal CityWalk®, in partnership with Madame Tussauds Hollywood, will roll out the red carpet for a $350,000 Michael Jackson wax figure which will be exclusively on display for one night only at the Universal CityWalk Cinemas to coincide with the world-wide movie release of "This is It," on Tuesday, October 27. Michael Jackson fans will be able to pose for photos with the lifelike Madame Tussauds wax figure, which features an authentic costume from the
planned "This is It" concert tour.

FLO RIDA PARTNERS WITH ADULT FRIEND FINDER SITE.
Poe Boy Music Group/Atlantic Records recording artist Flo Rida and adult social networking website AdultFriendFinder have partnered on a hot new video for the artist's single Touch Me off his current album R.O.O.T.S. Touch Me marks the sixth single off the certified Gold album which debuted earlier this year with the Platinum single Right Round. The video for Touch Me has a spy-themed storyline and features recording artist Trina as well as many beautiful models referred to as the AdultFriendFinder girls. "We are thrilled to have AdultFriendFinder on board for Flo Rida's Touch Me music video as it is always great to combine a very sexy high octane record with a very sexy brand," says Adam Kluger, founder of The Kluger Agency. "We are very confident this partnership will prove beneficial for both Flo Rida and FriendFinder Networks and we look forward to continuing the relationship." See the Video HERE

SOUL TRAIN AWARDS ARE BACK!
CENTRIC announces a prestigious list of nominees to be recognized in the Network's first special, CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS SHOW. Beyonce, Keri Hilson, and Maxwell lead the pack with four nominations each. Hosted by Academy Award-nominated actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, the return of the Soul Train Awards promises to be a soulful music event acknowledging R&B music's finest. Taping at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday, November 3, the show will premiere on both CENTRIC and BET in a special simulcast on Sunday, November 29 at 9:00 PM*. The show will honor the longstanding careers and musical influences of legendary artists Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, L.A. Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds in special music tributes. The special will also
showcase a Motown Records 50th Anniversary musical celebration. The show will also recognize the outstanding musical work of selected artists in ten prestigious music categories and will honor the phenomenal star power and showmanship of the late Michael Jackson with the special Entertainer of the Year Award. Featuring a star-studded lineup of performers, including Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Erykah Badu, Robin Thicke, Fantasia, Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michelle, Raheem DeVaughn, Karyn White, Boyz II Men, Ledisi, Chico Debarge, Angie Stone, Brian McKnight, Ginuwine, Melanie Fiona, and Johnny Gill among others, the show is guaranteed to take viewers on a soul-stirring ride.

WMG CEO TO STAND TRIAL.
Warner Music Group CEO Edgar Bronfman Jr. has been called to stand trial, as part of a French case investigating potential financial wrongdoings at Vivendi. Former Vivendi CEO Jean-Marie Messier has also been ordered to stand trial as well, also with other former executives at the multinational company, which also owns Universal Music. According to Reuters, the charges against the executives include divulging misleading information, stock price manipulation and misuse of corporate funds. The investigation looks at Vivendi's growth earlier this decade from a French utility company to a conglomerate, buying up entertainment and telecommunications companies while running up its debts. "We are just now reviewing the court filing, but as we've said all along Mr. Bronfman's transactions have at all times been proper and at no time did he contravene any French laws or regulations," Bronfman's lawyer Thierry Marembert told Reuters.



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