Warner Music Group bought out its joint venture with Tommy Boy Records for an estimated $8 million to $9 million, giving it the rights to all of the dance music label's past releases and some future releases, the two companies said on Monday. Tommy Boy will continue as an independent label headed by founder Tom Silverman with a roster of nine artists including Sneaker Pimps, Masters At Work and others.

Sean "P.Diddy" Combs filed a temporary restraining order in Manhattan Supreme Court on Friday to prevent 112 from leaving Bad Boy Entertainment. According to the NY Daily News, the group is attempting to sign with the Def Jam. "This kind of behavior is disgraceful and I feel betrayed," Combs said.

Record producer Lydia Harris Tuesday sued rap music's controversial Marion "Suge" Knight, his label Death Row Records and several alleged co-conspirators claiming they deprived her of profits and smeared her name in the industry. Los Angeles-based Harris, who owns Lifestyle Records, claims she is a co-founder of Death Row, but Knight and her former attorney, David Kenner, changed the legal existence of the record label to exclude her, according to court papers. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleged that since March 2001 on Web sites and radio stations, Knight has called her "a rat," said she was "lying" and claimed "she was willing to do anything" to be a singer. Kenner said he had not seen the filing, and he declined to comment. Knight was not immediately available. Harris attorney David Casselman said that dating back to 1989, she was to have been a 50 percent owner in Death Row, which launched the careers of rap stars like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

Xzibit is set to drop his new album "Man Vs Machine" in June . Dr. Dre, Battlecat, E-Swift and DJ Premier (who produced a joint titled "What A Mess") can all be found on the new album.

John Forte, a Fugee affiliate, is planning to release his sophomore LP,
titled "I John."
Forte recently wrote Entertainment Weekly from prison about the album. "It makes the inmates walk a little taller because someone is speaking about their lives," he wrote. Forte was sentenced to 14 years in prison last year after being caught with 31 lbs of cocaine. "I John," is slated to drop in April.

Snoop Dogg, Outkast, and Busta Rhymes will be performing at the Beyond 2002 Super Festival. The festival runs from April 12 through the 14th in Miami Florida. Other urban artists set to perform are Ludacris, Method man, Ice T, Slick Rick, and more.

Snoop is going on tour again next month. He'll be hitting some small venues and E-White will be one of the opening acts. Speakin of Snoop, he is coming out with his own version of the movie Girls Gone Wild. He was just in New Orleans filming it. It is a movie that shows clips of women baring it all for Snoop and the DPG clique. It was filmed during Mardi Gras in NO and it is based off the Girls Gone Wild DVD.

Run-DMC will be the first hip-hop group to have their hand prints in cement along famed Hollywood Boulevard. The prints will be part of the forecourt attraction in front of Hollywood landmark, Mann's Chinese Theater.

Heres the scoop on SNOOP!
Priority has confirmed that Snoop will do a brand-new album. Snoop was at Capitol/Priority yesterday. He said he is excited to be workin on this album and is currently in the studio now.It's not a greatest hits or any old stuff from tha Death Row camp. So far his roster consists of Dr. Dre, Jarule, and Timbaland. Expect a few more surprises too. You know when Dre and Snoop get together they make that classic West Coast shit!!!!
Priority has confirmed a Summer release. We'll keep you updated........

Also Snoop Dogg is slated to appear on a new soundtrack to the movie Showtime, an upcoming comedy starring Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy. Snoop appears on the song called Murderer together with Barringon Levy. The album is set to drop March 19 on Universal Music.

Gangstarr is in the studio finishing up their untitled 5th album. According to Guru, he and Premier have finished 5 songs. The latest installment for the group will feature Krumb Snatcha, Big Shug, Bumpy Knuckles, M.O.P. and others. The CD will be released later this year. In related news, Nike tapped the group's 1989 hit "Manifest" in the Spike Lee directed commercial for the Air Jordan XVII which features Ray Allen.

Craig Mack is making a comeback. He's finalizing a contract with Bad Boy and
P. Diddy.Recently Mack appeared in a video for Diddy's "I Need A Girl" remix and plans on returning to the studio next week and start work on his new album, on which he'll address his family life and the time he spent hustling the streets while being away from the spotlight.

Ol' Dirty Bastard who is serving the rest of his jail sentence, has an upcoming album, "The Trials and Tribulations Of Russell Jones" scheduled to be released on March 19th, filled with previously unreleased cuts.

Tommy Boy will scale back their operation and, according to sources, 80 employees will be let go. Warner Music will buy out the remaining 50% of the label from founder Tom Silverman, who will retain several artists and the Tommy Boy name. "We will still be here in the same location with a few less acts and a smaller staff," Silverman said.

Don Cornelius Productions has teamed up with MCA Records to release their first Soul Train Music Awards Nominees CD. The CD will honor many 16th Annual (2002) Soul Train Music Awards-nominated artists and songs. Later in 2002, MCA Records and Cornelius Productions will release Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and Soul Train Christmas Starfest CD compilations, as well. The Soul Train Music Awards compilation is due in stores nationwide on March 26.
The 16th Annual Soul Train Music Awards is set to be videotaped at The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on Wednesday, March 20, for national broadcast during late March.

Rumour has it is that Daz is in negotiation with P Diddy about a deal, this came about after they were talking at the super bowl. According to Bigg A, a DPG Recordz executive, Daz has signed a deal to do an album with Puff Daddy / Bad Boy Entertainment. Curious to see how this plays out after all the Kurupt hype.........

RAPINDUSTRY.COM was invited to listen to Naughty by Natures' new album 'IICONS' at Larrabbee studios last night. The album is definately bangin! You don't want to sleep on this album. Just to name a few guest appearances:
they have Pink, 3LW, Icarus, Freddie Fox, Carl Thomas, Method Man, Redman, Lil Jon, and Allfrumthai.
We also got a chance to sit down and chat with Treach and Vinnie while we were there .We should have some dope video footage coming soon.Check back daily.

Ja Rule has decided to rock on, after teaming up with Jennifer Lopez for a pair of remixes,. The rapper will join legendary rock group Metallica for "We Did It Again, " a track from the forthcoming compilation album, Ghetto Stories. The album, which hits stores May 14, is the brainchild of Ruff Ryders producer Swizz Beatz. The Metallica track will be the only rock tune on Ghetto Stories, which will also feature Ronald Isley and Shyne. On the track, Ja raps over two 12-bar verses while Metallica provides the musical backdrop.

After working hard on his debut for the past three years, Dr. Dre protégé, Knoc-Turn'Al is finally ready to drop his first album. Knoc's Landing is set to drop on April 23 with most of the production handled by Dre himself. The album features guest appearances from Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Warren G, Too Short, Hitman, and Slip Capone. Knoc made his way up through the ranks ghostwriting for Dre on Chronic 2001, The Wash soundtrack and "Put It On Me" from the Training Day soundtrack. Knoc has also written for Warren G on his hit "Lookin At You'.

Eminem has a new album coming out that will be called "The Eminem Show" and should hit us by April time. Dr. Dre himself has stated that this new album is on a more serious level when compared to his previous albums.Cleaning Out My Closet” is the 1st single and will apparently appear on the “8 Mile” soundtrack as well as “The Eminem Show.

DVD CRAZE!!
Well it seems as though everyone is jumping into the DVD scene lately..
A few that definately stand out and get "our Thumbs Up" are worthwhile to go out and buy at you local Music/Video store :

"Cappadonna's Iron Fist Pillage"
Crouching Hip-Hop, Hidden Wu-Tang
a unique five-film series combining elements of foreign films with performances by contemporary American musical talent and personalities. features Cappadonna (Wu-Tang Clan), Steph Lova (MTV2 "Raps" VJ, Hot 97 DJ), Jamie Summers, Othorized F.A.M., Hideo Seaver, SPILL, and a variety of other talents performing character roles and music throughout the film.The film, described as "Classic Kung Fu...Spicy Park Hill Style" combines vintage kung fu footage with original sequences filmed in Chinese temples featuring Cappadonna instructing his students of Hip-Hop. Revised script adaptations were created altering storylines and character motivations, and based on the new story, contemporary musical talents were chosen for involvement with dialogue replacement and inclusion on the soundtrack.
This film will keep you rolling on the ground laughing your ass off with your homies!!!!

KURUPT PRESENTS "G-TV"
America 's number 1 Dogg Pound Gangsta is at it again, this time Kurupt is giving you more than his usual banging album or spine tingling remix, he employed his soon-to-be-famous G-Vision Cam to capture everything in the day and the life of a gangsta. His special edition two disc DVD/VHS, "G-TV," includes a 7 track bonus CD with four full-length unreleased songs from Kurupt, Roscoe, his DPG camp, and additional snippets from the upcoming album, VAPIRZ, a collaboration between DPG and Tha Liks and the Roger Troutman Tribute.
"G-TV" is packed with girls, liquor, sticky green chronic, gang tales, and banging gangsta music.

"Tupac Shakur: Before I Wake"
Tupac Shakur was hip-hop's most notorious and controversial icon. Tupac sold 33 million albums before his untimely death at the age of 25. His murder sent shock waves through the music world. In the documentary Tupac Shakur: Before I Wake, the events of his final tumultuous year, and his murder, are told through the eyes of the man who saw it all: Tupac's personal bodyguard, Frank Alexander. Now, for the first time the public will learn what Frank knows about the last year and that horrible night in Las Vegas..

RAPINDUSTRY.COM was on the set of the Roger Troutman tribute video shoot for "STILL MO BOUNCE". The video should be out in March. The tribute album titled, Still More Bounce, will feature interpretations of Troutman's sound as performed by Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, DPG (Kurupt, Daz Dillinger), Chico DeBarge, Ice T, Tha Liks (J Ro, Tash, E-Swift), Ras Kass, B Real, Stylz, Kam, and introduces Wolfpac Records artists Merciless Styles and John Wells (Wolfpac Records producer).Album released on WOLFPAC RECORDS in stores APRIL 16, 2002.
We spoke to a whole slew of rap artists including Harlan "Wolf" Morgan of Wolfpac Records, Kurupt, Ras Kass, Battlecat, J-ro, Tash (Liks), Zen dawg(Cypress-Hill) , Bizzarre (D-12), Jayo-felony, Kam, George Clinton, Outlaws and a few others. We got some dope footage of the shoot as well as some bangin interviews.....Check back daily for footage and more in-depth interviews..

Teaser:
When we talked to kurupt:
We obviously asked him what eveyone is dying to know,
WHY Sign to THA ROW?
Kurupt said," I went to Suge, not Suge to me....." He said, "Well, I've been deciding on it for a year, talking back and forth to him. You know, really thinking, 'cause I got kids man. It ain't a decision of myself. Not only do I got kids, I got a whole organization behind me that I have to look out for, talent, artists. I got my mama with me. So it's a lot of people behind me, that's depending on me to make right decisions in different ways. Me going here wasn't just for myself. It was for my whole family. I went to the place where I felt they was going to enhance me more to be a businessman, and f--k a artist. I'm the king of being an artist. Can't nobody see on that mic. They never will, never can," he said. Kurupt also told us that he has been appointed Senior Vice President of THA ROW. He will also start a new label that will be a sub-division of Tha Row called "Trigger Men"
We also asked Kurupt what Snoop, Daz, Battlecat, other Dpg affiliates thought about Kurupt going back to THA ROW.
"I talked to them to find out what they think because that is my big homie, and they are people I look up to as well as, I need to know. What you think, you know. I hollered at the homies. I hollered at Daz. Daz is always going to stay with me no matter what. Of course I had to holler at the homies to find out what they thought about it. And all of them, the majority of them, the main thing they said was, 'You know what you facing. Stay safe. Do right,'" he said.

When we spoke with Battlecat he said," I still got Kurupts back, and that kurupt will always be the homie............"

Blaque member and wife of Kurupt, Natina Reed has joined Suge Knight and his power house of artists at Tha Row Records. Rumors are also running rampant that Nas, The Bravehearts, and Ja Rule might be affiliated withTha Row somehow.....
Look for Tha Row new artist Nina, Crooked I, Eastwood, Kurupt and Big Suge to be featured on the cover of the March issue of XXL Magazine.

Warren G says a 213 reunion is in the works. "It's all about negotiating right now," he says. "I know that Snoop and Nate are with it."
Warren G's next single from The Return Of The Regulator will be Ghetto Village. He's set to release a remix of this song featuring Snoop Dogg and Nelly which will be called My Ghetto Village.

MCA Records is releasing a new version of Mary J. Blige's latest album, " No More Drama"- complete with a new album cover, a pair of new remixes and two new bonus tracks.

Dr. Dre Outkast, and No Doubt..
Outkast recently remixed the hit single from No Doubt titled "Hey Baby". The remix was produced by Dre and features Outkast and Killer Mike.

The New York post is reporting that Mariah Carey is in negotiations with Def Jam Records for a 2 album deal. Mariah will get 3 to 5 million dollars per album.

SNOOP's upcoming album 'Paid The Cost To Be The Boss'.
This album will be his first MCA record release as well as his first solo album on his own label Doggystyle Records. His album will feature some of the hottest production around with beats by Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Fred Wreck, Scott Storch, Alchemist, Battlecat, and Jellyroll. Featured guests include Bad Azz, Tha Eastsidaz and Xzibit. as well as Daz and Eminem.

DRE's next album:
"My next album I really feel strong about. I really feel strong about it. I've started on it. I'm in the blueprint stage of it. I'm going to have a lot more time to work on this record than I've had before, and I feel like I've already got my first single for that record. I have probably about five tracks for it that I'm really feeling. They're really different. I know this is probably going to be my best record. It's gonna be different. It's going to be a breath of fresh air, and I'm not going to stop until I feel like it is that way."
Source: Launch

DJQUIK
Just had a B-day, Also he's releasing a new album in April titled 'Under the Influence' which will have guest The album will include appearances from:
Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli, Hi-C, AMG, Suga-Free, Sugar Ray, and Dr. Dre.
Quik states that Dre helped him fine-tune some of the tracks on the album. The first single from the album will be a joint called "Trouble", which features AMG. Quik also promises that the album will be a lot more rugged than his last effort, with less West-Coast.

Cory "C-Murder" Miller, younger brother of Master P, was arrested today in connection with a Jan 12. shooting in a New Orleans nightclub that left 16 year-old Steve Thomas dead. According to officials, Thomas entered The Platinum Club using a fake ID & argued with Miller, who allegedly pulled a gun & shot him. Thomas died at West Jefferson Medical Center.

According to Tomica Woods-Wright, widow of Eazy-E, the group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is working on a follow up to 2000's "BTNHResurrection". After years of internal problems, the members spent 15 hours in Miami working out their problems & trying to find a way to record with incarcerated member, Flesh-N-Bone. The LP is expected for late summer.

Though LL Cool J has shed 35 pounds to be more physically fit and look a little more appealing on the silver screen, his diet and subsequent weight loss have nothing to do with his appetite. LL is ready to feast off of a full plate of new hits. "You sound angry," Onyx's Fredro Starr told Cool J Friday night in New York's Dimension Studios about L's recent freestyles on mixtapes. "Nah, actually I'm happy, brother," LL retorted with a smile. "I know what you mean, though I'm hungry." Cool J, who stopped by Onyx's session to hear tracks by producer Self (DMX, Ja Rule), who's working on Onyx's project, is in the homestretch of recording his tenth LP, aptly titled 'Ten', and already has a first single lined up. Uncle L is hoping that Usher will sing the hook on his potential club banger "Love You Better," which was produced by the Neptunes, according to Eric Knicks, the A&R rep on the album (see "LL Cool J 'Sick With It' On Next LP, Neptunes Say"). Look for that track to hit the airwaves sometime next month, giving just enough set-up time for Ten's scheduled May release date. Keeping with the whole Ten theme, it's looking like the album will have 10 songs, five produced by the Neptunes, three by Trackmasters and two by Ron "Amen Ra" Lawrence. "It's just me [on the album]," Cool J said about featuring other MCs. Missy Elliott and Timbaland protégé Tweet does sing a hook on one of the songs. "My direction was to keep him where his core fans were — women and hip-hop," said Knicks, who also disclosed that like the smash Mama Said Knock You Out, there will be no curse words on Ten. "You don't want to take LL back to rhyming on the street corner. It's vintage LL, what everybody wants to hear LL rapping about. He talks a lot to the ladies but he also talks to the fellas, like on this song called 'Niggy, Niggy, Nuts.' "
Credit : MTV

Four crew members sustained minor burns in Detroit on Sunday while filming portions of
Eminem's forthcoming movie, "8 Mile." In a scene involving the intentional burning of a house, four people suffered first-degree burns, according to local TV network WDIV. They were treated and released at a local hospital following the accident. The movie, whose title refers to Detroit's 8 Mile Road, considered to be the dividing line between the city's black and white communities, is loosely based on Eminem's life. The film centers on a rapper, Jimmy, who transcends his East Detroit ghetto upbringing by expressing himself through music. Starring Eminem, Kim Basinger and Brittany Murphy, "8 Mile" is scheduled to hit theaters in July.
Credit : MTV News

WC will be featured on Montell Jordan's new album which is set for Feb. release.
Jay-Z has been reported to be recording a new album with R kelly titled 'The Best Of Both Worlds' which should be released this summer......

Ted Demme, whose credits include directing the movie "Blow" and co-founding and producing the seminal hip-hop program "Yo! MTV Raps," died of an apparent heart attack after playing basketball on Sunday. He was 38.
Credit:Mtv

DMX agreed to produce a series of Public Service Announcements warning children to stay away from guns & to be kind to animals under a plea agreement with NJ authorities. DMX was charged with animal cruelty & weapons charges in 1999 when police found 13 pitbulls in his house, a loaded 9mm handgun & 6 used crack pipes.
Credit:Atlantic

Sonicnet is reporting that DMX has signed on the be part of a upcoming Jet Li movie. The film is titled "Cradle to the Grave" and is not the first time DMX and Li worked on a movie together, they both appeared along side of the late Aaliyah in the film "Romeo Must Die".

Listen to what DPG affiliate BAD AZZ had to say about Kurupt's signing. HEAR
Credit:Dpg recordz

The interview on Hot 97 in New york should put to rest all those who are still in denial about Kurupt not signing with Death Row. Kurupt basically said it feels good to be back and "YES" it is official that he is on THA ROW.
Monday they will continue the second part of their interview with Angie Martinez on hot 97.
They also featured a new Crooked I joint, titled:' SO DAMN HOOD' feat. Sisqo.
We also hear on Monday they will feature a new joint from Kurupt's new solo-project on Angie Martinez show .........
Also look for part 2 of Suge Knight interview Monday at 1.30 am on Carson Daly show after Conan on NBC.
A federal racketeering probe of Death Row Records that started in 1995 ended on Tuesday with two misdemeanor tax charges. The probe alleged that the label had committed acts of murder, drug trafficking, money laundering and gunrunning.
The label will pay a $100,000 fine and reimburse the government in unpaid taxes.
Credit:Atlantic

HUGE NEWS!! It's Official!!
Kurupt from THA DOGG POUND has signed to Deathrow
[aka THA ROW RECORDS] for his solo-project!
He's in the studio right now workin on it and it's no joke.
We hear that his new shit is goin to be straight bangin!!!!!!!
He said "I'M BACK"!! and that he's putting down straight heat on this album. He also said that he is still down with DPG and has no beef with them.
Look for the album to drop as early as this summer.
We will keep you posted on how this progresses.. Check back daily.....

Ice T will star in "Tracks," a movie that chronicles the life of reformed killer, Peter Wade. Twenty years ago, Wade & six friends caused a six car train wreck that killed a man in New Jersey. Wade spent 22 months in prison. Recently, Ice T was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for his acting on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Hip-Hop music made a strong showing on the list of nominees for the 44th annual Grammy Awards. Outkast received the most with 5 nominations, while Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Nate Dogg, P. Diddy, DMX, Nelly, Lil Kim, Ja-Rule, Eve, Planet Asia & Mystic were among the nominees representing Hip-Hop. The Awards take place Feb. 27th in L.A.
Credit:Atlantic

Legendary Rapper/Beatboxer/DJ Biz Markie is set to make a cameo appearance in the sequel to the box office hit "Men In Black." In "Men In Black 2," Biz plays the role of a space alien who teaches Will Smith's character how to beatbox. Biz is currently in the studio finishing up his new LP, "The Weekend Warrior," which drops Feb 26th.
Credit:Atlantic

DEDAL ENTERTAINMENT GOSPEL
"GOSPELTALITY" Cometh February 2002
Binky Mac from inglewood rap group, 'AllFrumThaI' has recently decided to change from gangsta rap to Gospel rap. The new album will be released in a seperate division of Dedal Records called 'Dedal Entertainment Gospel' which will be headed up by Binky himself.
What will lack on this cd ? NOTHING ! Tha WESTCOAST beatz, westcoast flava with a world wide sound is all here. Spreading the Gospel. So watch how they do it joining tha likes of other disciples like Mase, Bobcat, Sam Sneed, Marquise (formerely 2 Live Crew), Play, Dion Sanders, Gospel Gangstaz, Mary Mary, Yalonda Adams, Prime Minister (formerely 3rd Bass), Warryn Campbell, T-Bone, Kirk Franklin, etc. etc. etc.... FEB. 2002 "GospelTality" & Summer 2002 "Against All Odds" by solo hiphop/gospel artist Binky Mack

Project Pat is working on the follow up to his platinum LP "Mista Don't Play." Pat started the new LP, "Layin' the Smack Down," after he served nearly 7 months in prison for parole violation. Project Pat also co-wrote & starred in the best seller, "Choices: The Movie," with Three 6 Mafia members Juicy J & DJ Paul.
Credit:Atlantic

Jayo Felony will release his straight to video movie "Crip Hop" in the first half of 2002. When asked about the film heres what he had to say.. "It wasn't about Crips killing Bloods and all that bullshit," said Jayo, whose third album was also named "Crip Hop". "It was about community, revolution and progress and Crips protecting their community against crooked cops and motherfuckers like that. It was a whole different story." Unlike Master P and others who act in their own movie Jayo will only be narrating the film and will make a guest appearence, "It's not like I'm trying to do any funny-ass acting like I'm Steven Seagal. I rap, so I'm not going to try to be out there on any acting tip." said Jayo.
Credit:Sonicnet

Legendary hip-hop icons, Naughty By Nature will celebrate their 10th Anniversary with a new album, iicons, to be released by TVT Records 2002.
This is the first Naughty By Nature album featuring all-new producers. Treach explains, "It's a Naughty record from start to finish. It's still our formula. We worked with producers who we felt could keep our music gritty and street,
No one makes anthem records like Naughty!" Vinnie adds. "With the heat we're bringing on this album, the producers, and artists we're working with, we're gonna make people love hip-hop again."
Last we heard they were in the studio on Wednesday recording "Feels Good" with City High. The song will most likely be the single for their upcoming album, iicons.

Jay-Z has a new album 'Unplugged' produced by Ski which will include a new studio track, "People Talkin'," as a bonus. Look for it in stores December 18th.

Sexy 5 Footaz member Cobra Red has lined up a movie/documentary titled "Sign on the Dotted Line". Its about the 5 Footaz dealing with the tribulations of being in the music industry & signed to a major label (Restless). The HipHop movie follows the lives of each 5 members. Special appearances and performances from the likes of Warren G, Nate Dog, Kurupt, Bone Thugs, Q-Tip, Montel Jordan, Mos Def and more.
Source: Nino Brown
Racism charged at rap Mag XXL
RACISM is rampant at the Manhattan offices of Harris Publications, which created hip urban magazines XXL, Slam and Honey, according to a bombshell new lawsuit. Donald Morris, 31, the creative director and co-founder of the rap monthly XXL, claims that Harris honcho Stanley Harris and the company's executive sales director Dennis Page routinely used anti-black slurs in the workplace. In a $10 million lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court, Morris claims he was fired Nov. 1, the day after he called a meeting with Harris and Page and complained about their language. 'I can say n- - - - - all day long if I want.' Morris said, 'Look, I told you I don't want to hear that in the office.' He left, and the next morning they fired him." Harris Publications, which has sold off Slam, an "in-your-face basketball magazine," and women's lifestyle mag Honey, still runs XXL. Harris is said to be planning the launch of Kings, described by insiders as a "black Maxim." When not trying to corner the urban market, Harris Publications has its sights set on the good ol' boy reading audience. The company operates a gamut of gun and hunting titles, including Combat Handguns, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, Guns of the Old West, Tactical Knives and Whitetail Hunting Strategies. Riley said Morris' wrongful termination lawsuit, filed Nov. 15, was "more of a shame-on-you lawsuit. The money is not the big thing. He didn't need to do this. He wants to call these guys out and let the public know, so they can make their own decision."
Source:NYPOST

Music stars SEAN 'P DIDDY' COMBS and SNOOP DOGG are to feature in a new hip-hop film. The movie is about rapper NOREAGA's life on the road. Noreaga will help direct the movie, which is called WHUT WHUT, and also features OJ SIMPSON.
Source: W.E.N.N.

Snoop Dogg looks set to play the role of 'Huggy Bear' in the new 'STARSKY AND HUTCH' movie. Ben Stiller (Zoolander/Something About Mary/Mystery Men) will be playing Starsky, with Owen Wilson (Shanghai Noon) as Hutch in the remake of the 1970's cult classic. Stiller says of Snoop, "It's going to be cool. There hasn't been a really good buddy cop movie since the Lethal Weapon series." Snoop has been making waves in the film industry recently, starring in Hallowe'en horror 'Bones' & his latest movie, a comedy also starring Dr Dre called 'The Wash', as well as his foray into independant movies like 'Tha Eastsidaz' & various movies from Master P's film company during his time on No Limit Records.
Source: W.E.N.N.


Snoop is in talks with Cadillac to issue a line of cars. "Snoop Deville", it will be out next year," he said. "That's going to be the limited edition with the hydraulics on it. We just gone come basic because we don't want to scare people away from it, but it's gone be sharp." A spokesperson for Cadillac could not verify the Snoop line by press time. "I have received no confirmation on our plans for the 2003 Cadillac Model lineup at this time," he said.
Source: W.E.N.N.

Rapper ICE CUBE plans to turn his third FRIDAY film into a Christmas movie "Hood Christmas". The mogul has already written and starred in FRIDAY and NEXT FRIDAY and he has just begun shooting FRIDAY AFTER NEXT, which will be a holiday-themed project. He says, "There has never been a real hood Christmas movie. I remember how jealous we used to get of those Christmas specials with kids playing in the snow. I'm trying to capture that in this movie." The film, which will be released in time for Thanksgiving 2002 (NOV02), will feature Christmas songs he grew up when he was a child. He adds, "We'll have a chance to include Christmas jams that have never made it into films, but they've been in black households for a long time."
Source: W.E.N.N.

Mack 10 and his wife T-Boz have written a comedy called 'I Got Scratch'. He says the project is still in progress, but they have already hired a script writer to help flush the concepts out. Should this pan out, Mack 10 will have a place to launch the film since his new label Cash Money records have just opened a film division.
Source: Launch

Ex-Destiny's Child singer Farrah Franklin plans to write a tell-all book about her former bandmates, exposing juicy details about being in the world's hottest R&B girl group. Meanwhile, the DC trio will perform at the Nobel Peace Prize concert on Dec. 11 and at the United Negro College Fund's telethon in January

LL Cool J is in Los Angeles filming 'Deliver Us From Eva', a romantic comedy that also stars Gabrielle Union. In the USA movie, three men hire Ray (LL Cool J) to seduce their sister-in-law (Union), hoping to stop her from meddling in their lives.

Ja Rule is currently in Berlin, Germany shooting a new movie "Half Past Dead" which co-stars Steven Segal and Morris Chestnut. Be on the look out for the soundtrack to the film which will feature new music from Mary J Blidge, Ja Rule, N.O.R.E, Caddillac Tah and more.

The soundtrack will be released on Murder Inc Records. According to a circular from Priority Records' marketing department, the new Ras Kass album 'Van Gogh' originally ear-marked to drop earlier this week will now drop in April 2002. According to Priority, Ras is in the studio recording some new tracks & working with Dr Dre & Timbaland, & Dr Dre protege, Philly's own Scott Storch. Word has it that the Golden State Project album by Ras, Saafir & Xzibit will now be pushed back to later on in 2002, as it was scheduled to drop sometime in mid-spring 2002 on Xzibit's Open Bar Records imprint.

Heres the scoop on Crooked I's New album......
Suge wanted to add more guest artists to Crook's album .
Expect Sisqo, Left-eye from TLC, DJ-QUIK, ATL [Above the Law], Ray-J, and a couple others to be featured on this highly anticipated album. This album definately will be worth the wait.
Look for release spring 2002.
Left Eye from Group 'TLC' has been reportedly said to be in negotiations with THA ROW RECORDS along with a few other artists to join the label. More info should surface in the coming weeks.Looks like Suge is pressing this R&B thang.......

Snoop Dogg and MCA Records have made their deal official. The pact allows not only for the release of his albums but those on his own Doggy Style Records, which currently includes Kokane, La Toiya Williams, Soopafly, and E-White. The arrangement also includes the production of companion films on each Doggy Style artist for home video release through the rapper's Snoopadelic Films. "This partnership joins the highest caliber of creative talent and business ability," says Snoop. "Doggy Style will change the face of urban music--we're ready to unleash the best artists I know with MCA. Doggy Style will blow your mind." Says MCA Records president Jay Boberg, "Snoop is not just a legendary hip-hop artist. He's becoming a celebrity with his acting, relentless touring, and discovery of new talent. We are extremely fortunate and thrilled to enter into this partnership with him and the Doggy Style family."
Source: Launch

The D.O.C. is back, he will release a new album called 'Deuce' early next year. Guests on the album are Nate Dogg, Xzibit, MC Ren, Ice Cube and more.
The D.O.C., who's been appearing on and writing on all of Dr. Dre's albums, said he still feels his best days are ahead of him. He's getting ready to release his "real" second album (he's apparently not too fond of his 1996 release, Helter Skelter) early next year, titled 'Deuce'.
SOURCE: MTV news

Master P CEO of No Limit Records recently inked a distribution deal with Universal Records because his contract expired last month with Priority. As a result the No Limit Records name was dropped, and the name "New No Limit" was acquired. The first release from the "New No Limit" will be Master P's 10th solo album entitled "Game Face" featuring the single "Back On Top". This album will also feature production from The Neptunes, Timbaland & Dr Dre.
SOURCE: MTV news

Bungalo Records is the newest label representing the West coast with a roster of artists sure to bring home platinum plaques. DJ Quik, Coolio, Suga Free, Hi-C and Chill (of Compton's Most Wanted) is the current lineup at Bungalo with Quik and Coolio being the first artists to drop the albums through the label in January 2002. "We¹re changing the game at Bungalo," says Bungalo founder and CEO, Paul Ring (former president of Private Eye Records home to Rick James, Cameo, etc.). "We view artists more as partners, which means they retain more creative and financial control of their records. We've got aggressive marketing and promotions campaign -- including radio and retail support--in place." In addition to being home to a hot roster of artists, Bungalo, who will be distributed by Universal Music Distribution will host labels like Quik's Euponic Records, Tony Lane's Lane Way Records and Organized Rhyme headed by Tony Haynes.
SOURCE: SOHH

Ice Cube and the USA Network are teaming up to offer television viewers the first chance to see him filming Friday After Next, the latest sequel in his Friday movie series. Ice Cube will appear on the USA Network in January to introduce the cable channel's airing of his films Friday and The Players Club, and he'll be seen talking from the set of Friday After Next, which features Ice Cube's Friday character working as a security guard in a strip club at Christmastime. The first-of-its-kind promotion takes place in January to coincide with the release of Ice Cube's All About The Benjamins, an action-comedy that has Ice Cube portraying a bounty hunter chasing a bail jumper played by Mike Epps, who appeared in Next Friday and is also cast in Friday After Next.
SOURCE: Launch

A new compilation called 'Pandemonium' will feature other guests like Snoop Dogg featuring Warren G (together in 1 song), Jayo Felony, MC Ren, Scarface, Devin The Dude, Too Short, G-Dep, Juvenile, Capone N Noreaga, Richie Rich, E-40, Twista, Fat Joe, Armageddon, Black Rob, The Delinquents, Yukmouth, C-Bo, Spice 1, Fel, C-Note, Lil Big, B.G. and more. The compilation will be released on Snake Pit Records. Most likely to release early 2002.

Bone Thugz' new album 'Tha Bone Story' Is set 2 drop Dec.12th which wont probably be released till first of the year some time.
A new movie will be comin out called 'Before The Dawn'. The soundtrack will feature a song by Krayzie Bone featurin Nate dogg and young dre, Tha soundtrack also features songs by Thug Life, Kurupt, Roscoe, Dmx, Ja rule, shade sheist etc.

Pharoe Monch is working with Dre on a few tracks for Monch’s next solo-LP.
Definately gonna be a dope album...

We have heard that DRE and DJ QUIK will be working together on a album project that will be coming out in 2002. The album will feature Snoop/Eastsidaz, DPG, Kokane, Warrren G, D.O.C. WC, and others.......Look for this to be a WESTCOAST CLASSIC!!!!!

Ice Cube's has a couple songs coming up on BINKY MACK PRESENTS: Black Republican
   ( ft.Cube, Mack10, McEiht, WC, Boo Kapone, Comrades, and more..) Due out this winter.
"This might be my last record for a while, 'til I get rejuvenated," he said. "Right now I do records more for fun. The hustle and bustle of the business is boring, it's wack, it's depressing. I refuse to play the record game at this point in my career.

Ice Cube's film career is also still going strong. The rapper/actor is reportedly set to star in "Barbershop," a comedy set to film in 2002. Cube will play Calvin, the owner of a barber shop on the South Side of Chicago, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He'll begin work on the "Diner"-meets-"Car Wash" project next year, following his stint on "Friday After Next," the newspaper said.

Enjoying considerable rejuvenation with appearances on albums by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Mr. Kane — formerly known as Kokane — hopes to continue raising his profile with Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Kane in September. The album, which will be released by Snoop's Dogghouse Records through Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, will feature appearances from the legendary twosome as well as D'Angelo, Macy Gray, Mystikal and the Goodie Mob's Cee-Lo. In addition to Kane himself, Cee-Lo, Dre and Swizz Beatz are all slated to produce tracks, at least one of which will feature Kane's 13-piece band, Toejam.

Canibus has been officially dropped by Universal. Though he was rumored to be singing with the ever-expanding Koch Records roster, Canibus has actually inked a deal with Indy label, Gladiator, and he is currently in the studio working on new material with producer Mark Sparks (Grand Puba).

Dr.DRE has reportedly produced 4 new tracks for Bizzy Bones' new upcoming album . This should be extremely dope! Also look for KRAZY, WISH, LAYZIE, DJQUIK, N LUDACRIS to be featured on the album set to be released towards christmas...

Snoop has already shot scenes for his next XXX-Hip Hop Video [PartII]. We'll keep ya posted...

Dr. Dre has been in the Studio With The Band No Doubt, [Gwen Stefani]. They've Recorded A Track For Their New Cd, Called "Wicked Day"... Look for some tight product..

Above The Law protégé’, Kokane, whose vocals can be heard on albums such as Dr. Dre’s "The Chronic 2001," Mr. Short Khop, and "Snoop Dog Presents Tha Eastsidaz," has also rejoined the fold and is back collaborating with the group. Finally, it looks like all the pieces of the puzzle have finally been put back together and the record industry and the buying public will once again be witnessed to the return of one of the world’s most infamous rap groups.

Kurupt is hard at work filming a movie in which he stars alongside actor Kurt Russell called "Plague Season"...