I Smell Hate Is that You Kelly?

R. KELLY, IS THAT YOU HATING?

Ne-Yo has been suddenly and mysteriously dropped from the R. Kelly Tour! Now from what I heard and have already reported…Ne-Yo has been doing well on the tour. Here is what Ne-Yo had to say:

"I don't understand their actions because I was rehearsing, doing media, promoting the tour, and performing, said Ne-Yo. In my opinion, I was doing everything possible to make the tour a success. I love being on stage in front of fans because of the immediate feedback you get. You know right away if they are feeling you; and they were really feeling our show."

It looks like the young lion might have brought too much of his A-Game to the tour and was drawing fans into his lair. You know, that’s nothing new. I don’t know if you all know, but Run DMC and LL used to have a similar deal back in the day. Now, to be fair…Kellz and his camp are saying that Ne-Yo was dumped, because they didn’t have a signed agreement. Um, just sign it!?! Anyway, it looks like sometimes good is just too good for some people.

Young Mel Speaks

Imagine having Jay-Z as an uncle. Money. Fame. Wealth. Bentleys. Could life really be that

glamorous? With an uncle that is worth over $300 million dollars, earning the number one position on the Forbes lise of Hip Hop Cash Kings due to owning a few 40/40 clubs, selling Rocawear, and appearing in a couple of Budweiser commercials; if Jay-Z is eating, the family is eating.

Jay-Z once stated, "I carry my nephews like my sons.” So, after the untimely death of his nephew, Colleek Luckie—who had plans to continue the Carter legacy of fine music and entrepreneurship—it is only right for another nephew, 19-year-old Ramel Carter a.k.a Young Mel to continue with his aspirations of achieving rap stardom. Young Mel opens up about being Jay-Z’s kin, forming his own label, (Natural Born Hustlaz Entertainment), and why he considers himself a new breed.


AllHipHop.com: How are you related to Jay-Z?

Young Mel: I’m his nephew.

AllHipHop.com: What made you start up a label?

Young Mel: To show people that I could do this by myself. I could have took the easy way and went to my uncle but I did everything myself and I showed him I can do it too.

AllHipHop.com: How did you come up with the label name, Natural Born Hustlaz Entertainment?

Young Mel: We don’t mean hustlin’ as in any illegal stuff. We just hustlin’. We get it any means necessary. Me and my two cousins came up [with the name] - me, Rah, and Spank. We were just up one night, chillin’. Me and Rah went through a bunch of names and N.B.H. just stuck.


AllHipHop.com: Who are the artists on this label?

Young Mel: It’s me, my two cousins- Spank and Young Rah, my homeboy J. Dot that I grew up with, A.K. and Sam Hook. I met A.K. at a pizza shop. My boy met her actually and she gave us a demo. We heard it and we just grabbed her up. And Sam, my homeboy Carl introduced us at my little cousin’s baby shower.

AllHipHop.com: What made you start rapping?

Young Mel: I love music. [It was] to express myself and get some things off my chest like therapy. I use to be shy but now I’m not. When I [was] shy, I use to write to express what I feel.

AllHipHop.com: Who is your inspiration?

Young Mel: Me, my mama, my uncle, my family… all my family.

AllHipHop.com: How old were you when you began to rap?

Young Mel: I started to rap when I saw the “Aint No N***a” video but I began to
show people [when] I was 16, 17.

AllHipHop.com: On the “Anything” track, he started the third verse as if he were writing a letter, “Dear nephews, I’m writing this with no pen or a pad. And I’m signing it, your uncle, your best friend, and your dad...” How has Jay-Z affected you?

Young Mel: He’s like my biggest influence in life, ever. That line right there proves everything. I ain’t have a father when I was growing up. He’s like my father. He’s like my brother. He’s like my best friend. [He’s] all that in one.

AllHipHop.com: How did the untimely death your cousin affect you?

Young Mel: That right there just stopped everything. I felt like the whole world stopped. It made me appreciate life more and look at life different. It made me focus on what I wanted to do.

AllHipHop.com: Have you met Jay-Z or is he just Uncle Shawn all the time?

Young Mel: Uncle Jay, not Shawn. That's my real uncle. We [are] a normal family.

AllHipHop.com: How is Christmas at your house?

Young Mel: Everybody gets everybody a gift, just like you would. [Laughs] We do a grab bag. We put names in a hat. We do all that.

AllHipHop.com: So does anyone ever expect anything extravagant from your uncle?

Young Mel: You better tell him what you want or you ain’t going to get nothing.

AllHipHop.com: Does he still make time for the family?

Young Mel: Yeah, of course. We a real family. I can call him right now and he will answer, we talk.

AllHipHop.com: On the Panjabi MC’s “Beware of the Boys” track, Jay began the song “It's the Roc in the building/ Colleek, Ramel, Jarell/ I got my nephews in the house.” How does it feel being in the studio with him?

Young Mel: Electrifying. It’s like sitting on the floor watching Jordan play. It’s what he do.

AllHipHop.com: Are you the only brother that raps?

Young Mel: Nah, my younger brother Jarrell raps but he doesn’t take it seriously. He’s going to be my bodyguard. He’s big as hell. He’s like 6’8.

AllHipHop.com: On the “Lucky Me” track, he stated “I pray hard that none of my nephews want to be stars.” Is that what you mean when you said that they wanted you to go to school?

Young Mel: Yeah and he said it on AllHipHop.com that he doesn’t suggest it at me. At the end of the day, it is my decision. I’m a man now. I figured that he didn’t want me to go through all the bullsh*t. Like all the bullsh*t to go through in being a star. I feel like he was protecting me.

AllHipHop.com: In high school, did people treat you differently?

Young Mel: Some people but all my life people treated me differently. My mother would teach me that all people are not your friends. From what I seen, it’s true. Some people try to use me but I can see a snake from far away. I cut the grass on that @ss.

AllHipHop.com: How can you distinguish your real friends from the fake ones?

Young Mel: I can just tell who my real friends. I would give them a test. I might leave them at my house and leave something important out when I leave and if it’s here when they are there, they good. I got a close circle and if you ain’t in it then you’re an associate.

AllHipHop.com: You must occassionally hear people criticizing or hating on Jay-Z, how do you deal with it?

Young Mel: Now, it’s like nothing. Before I use to get mad and want to fight them because you’re talking about Jay-Z, but you are talking about my uncle. It’s like that’s a little disrespectful because that’s my real family member. It’s like, Hey watch your mouth. He said it best, he won’t take it from nobody. So, if he don’t take it, I’m not going to take it from nobody, no more.

AllHipHop.com: What is the one advice that he gave to you that you will never forget?
Young Mel: Finish school and you can get anything in this world.

AllHipHop.com: You did the Faces in the Crowd showcase did you get to meet with anyone?

Young Mel: I was suppose to but they played me. I didn’t get my meeting. But with Faces in the Crowd, when I started doing shows in New York, I didn’t tell people who I was. I didn’t tell them that I was Jay-Z’s nephew. I just did them to prove to myself that I can do it. I use to win all these talent shows and it was a test to myself that I can do it without him.


AllHipHop.com: In the AllHipHop.com feature, Jay-Z stated a couple of things that I found interesting. The first is, “Then he'll have a “Big Uncle” record and it'll be all good.” Now, what would you rap about if you were to make that track?

Young Mel: I don’t think I would make a “Big Uncle” record. I would make something different.

AllHipHop.com: Does Jay-Z have your CD in the car? Does he comment on your work?

Young Mel: I put a package together of songs that I think is hot like a mini-album. Then I bring it up to Big Homie and he criticizes like tough love. He criticizes and tells me to work on it.

AAllHipHop.com: Do you ever take offense to his opinion?

Young Mel: Never. Because if he ain’t going to keep it real with me then who will? I rather him tell me because he is looking out for me.


AllHipHop.com: Have you ever been on stage with your uncle?

Young Mel: I’ve been on stage with him but not performing with him. I’ve been in the background. That sh*t was crazy. It’s overwhelming. I want that. That’s what I see and I want that. It’s motivation.

AllHipHop.com: Can you be the next Jay-Z?

Young Mel: No, there could never be a next Jay-Z. I’m going to be the next one.

AllHipHop.com: You already know people are going to expect a lot from you as opposed to any other upcoming rapper. In other words, they want a Lil Hovie running around. Now, how are you going to handle the pressure that people are going to bring to you?

Young Mel: I’m going to just be me. They have to accept me for me.

AllHipHop.com: What if you had to do a track with Jay and he doesn’t like your verse, would you have to go back and do it again?

Young Mel: I think it would bring the best out of me. It’s a challenge. You already know and he already knows what he’s bringing. He is going to go in. If I don’t match that, I won’t even get on the song. I’m only going to embarrass myself.

AllHipHop.com: Would you consider rapping if your uncle wasn’t rapping?

Young Mel: Yeah because I just love music. I just don’t love him; I love all good music.

AllHipHop.com: Who are your influences?

Young Mel: My family, my uncle Hov- of course- Big, Pac, Dre, Snoop. It’s a lot.

AllHipHop.com: What’s your favorite Jay-Z album?

Young Mel: I’m going to pick The Blueprint, because the tracks on that were amazing. It was music. It changed Hip-Hop.

AllHipHop.com: What producer would you want to work with?

Young Mel: Timbaland and Dre. Those are my two favorite producers, ever. Timbaland with that FutureSexLoveSounds [Justin Timberlake], the beats on there is crazy, like the next level.

AllHipHop.com: Do random people ever come up to you and say, “You look like Jay-Z?”

Young Mel: All the time, since I was younger. Like I was saying before with the shows in New York, some people know who I was by looking at me and they would come up to me. I brought my grandmother to a show and she’s famous. So they would notice her. I had to cut that out and tell her that she can’t come no more.

AllHipHop.com: Wait, you told your grandmother she couldn’t come anymore?

Young Mel: Ha ha, it was a joke. [Laughs]

AllHipHop.com: What do you want to do in the future? Back in the Reasonable Doubt days, Jay would say after the first album, I’m quitting. But now he is going to other countries and donating, volunteering, giving his time back. Do you ever see yourself doing that?

Young Mel: Yeah, I see that but right now I am just focused on my music. I got to knock this out the way. I don’t look at the future; I take it a day at a time. I live for the moment.

AllHipHop.com: Do you have the same mentality as your uncle in which after the first album you are going to quit?

Young Mel: Nah. But Jay-Z was in a whole different mind state when he did the first album. So, that’s probably why he was saying that. He was on a totally different level. He was thinking about some other s**t.

AllHipHop.com: When do you plan on getting signed?

Young Mel: I don’t know. Hopefully soon, before the summer [of 2008].

AllHipHop.com: What message are you trying to send to the listeners?

Young Mel: I’m coming.

AllHipHop.com: That’s not a message.

Young Mel: Yeah, it is. They didn’t hear nothing yet, so I’m coming.

AllHipHop.com: Why should we take time out to listen to your music?

Young Mel: Because I have a story to tell, everybody likes a new story.

www.myspace.com/nbhyoungmel

Jha Jha Dips 4 Real

In 2003, the Harlem Diplomats had the Hip-Hop world on smash. With the hold they had on the streets and their strong presence in mainstream media it seemed like success was guaranteed for anyone who got down with the 'Set. But, as Dipset's now former first lady Jha Jha would find out, nothing in life is guaranteed.

After the Florida native joined Dipset she made her debut on Jim Jones’ "What You Been Drankin' On." The song got people's attention and after noteworthy features on numerous Diplomat projects such as Jim Jones' "We Fly High" and "Get From Round Me" with Juelz Santana and Cam'ron, she and fans both began to wonder, what's really good? Jha Jha speaks ons on the creation of her own record label, Git It Girl Entertainment, Foxy Brown allegedly biting her music, leaving Dipset and on her intentions of bringing all the images of female wealth and power that are associated with her name to life.


AllHipHop.com: I recently found out that you’ve separated from the Diplomats. What made you want to leave and why now?

Jha Jha: I was never signed to Diplomats. I never had a binding contract. I was with them for like four years. I thought we could work something out but no contracts were ever put on the table. I wrote a record for Diddy, I had a record on MTV Jams countdown, I was writing and producing records and at the end of the day...I guess you can say it came down to creative differences. I wish the Diplomats the best of luck. The good thing about this situation is I don't owe anybody any money. No money was ever spent on me. I bought my own cars I bought my own houses, I paid for my own studio time, anything that you've seen that had to do with Jha Jha I did myself. Because nobody spent any money I can walk away from this scot free. I appreciate everything that we did together but, at the end of the day, business is business.

AllHipHop.com: Some people say you never quit a job unless you have a new one. With that being said, do you have a new deal lined up?

Jha Jha: I started my own company, Git It Girl Entertainment. A lot of labels are showing interest in signing me right now but it's not just about getting a deal, I’m looking for a joint venture. The money is in ownership and branding yourself. As an artist you’re not really making any money. I’m signing myself to my own company and now you have to go through Git it Girl Entertainment to get Jha Jha. A lot of artists don’t know what happens when you sign to these regular deals. You’re getting like $0.06 off an album and then are left wondering why you’re selling 300,000 and still in debt. You’re getting $0.06 and they’re getting like $10 off of you at least. With that deal you’ll have to sell well over a million records just to see a hundred stacks. I think females in the industry are getting the sh*tty end of the stick.

AllHipHop.com: Why do you suppose that is?

Jha Jha: They say it's because we're not selling records and I really don't think that's the case. Like look at the ratio of men to women. What I mean by that is there's like 100 dudes rapping but there are only like seven you can say are really successful. There are only five females in the game who have had success or some type of success. That’s Foxy, Lil' Kim, Missy, Trina, and Remy. Kim and them came out when I was in middle school, like 10 years ago. No disrespect but, you can’t label the whole female genre on that. Like, they’re always going to have their fanbase but they’ve already sold their records. They’re not going to come out and sell four million records anymore. Their fanbase has grown up. Missy, Kim, they broke all types of barriers but their fans have grown up.

Even Redman and Method Man, they can’t come out and sell three million units anymore. Not saying any of them are wack but, their original fanbase has grown up and moved on to different things. They can still come out and sell like 200,000 or 300,000 but a T.I., or a Jeezy, or someone else who is fresher to the scene can come out and sell 700,000 or 800,000 units because their fanbase is still young. My point is this, if you had more female artists in the game there’d be a greater chance for us to sell records. It’s all about marketing. You can’t keep putting out the same five females every year or three years and think they’re going to sell the same amount of records as when they first came out 10 years ago.

AllHipHop.com: So as a female artist, do you feel women are recognized as equals in the business side of Hip-Hop?

Jha Jha: You got women out there like me that write and produce for dudes. People want to give me publishing deals to write for R&B artists. I’m that female that works harder than the dudes. Like if a studio session is 12 hours I’m in there from 9p.m. to 9 a.m. working, writing records making beats. I can get six records out in a day. A lot of people don’t expect that. A lot of people expect me to be a certain way because I come form a certain environment. I’ve spoken to people and they say, We thought you were going to be a hoodrat.” That’s not the case but women have this stigma about them being difficult and hard to work with and some are. But, I’ve seen a lot of men who can be drama queens. But at the end of the day it just makes you work harder.

AllHipHop.com: You mentioned you’re a songwriter and producer but it’s fairly rare to see female beatmakers. How’d you get your start?

Jha Jha: My producer, Hannon, who is signed to Timbaland’s company showed me a lot. I hear beats in my head so I’d get an idea for a beat and call him and we’d do the beat over the phone. So after a while he was like, “You need to get into producing because doing sh*t this way is hard.” So I went out and bought equipment and learned it. I had him teaching me and I’ve been producing tracks on my own for like three years now. I’ve always wanted to write and produce. I’m an entertainer; I’m not just a rapper. I want to be a superstar. I want to do everything like Jermaine Dupri, Diddy, Swizz Beats, all of them.

AllHipHop.com: And you’ve always written your own rhymes?

Jha Jha: I’ve been writing since I was like eight. That’s what really drew the Diplomats to me because I had records they wanted to get on. It’s usually the other way around when you’re a female. But I had different song concepts and choruses that was ill to them so they took me in and I definitely appreciate all that.

AllHipHop.com: Did not being respected as a self contained writer/producer play a part in the decision to leave Diplomats?

Jha Jha: I just think the Diplomats weren’t used to dealing with someone like me. They weren’t used to a female like me who knew exactly what she wanted to do. I know what I want to do and don’t want to sit around and wait. Like, Puffy don’t co-sign a lot of people so the fact that he picked one of my tracks…he wasn’t even supposed to hear the record. The engineer played him the record and he was like, “Who’s this chick she’s hot. You need to put her out.” I don’t think they were ready for someone like me. For example, even though I grew up in the hood I was on some, let’s tell kids how to get out the hood. Go to school and all that. Just because you come from the hood doesn’t mean you have to stay there. You can still keep it real with the hood but you don’t have to be all extra with it. Let’s be real, once you sell a certain amount of records ni**as is not living in the hood like how they talk about. Ni**as is living in Jersey. Let’s be real. So I probably wasn’t what they were used to dealing with in a female. I was on a whole different level. I had my whole plan done. All I needed was for someone to push the button. They didn’t have to write my records, they didn’t have to pick my beats and I think when they saw that they were like, Whoa.

AllHipHop.com: The Diplomats have relationships with Asylum and Koch. Will you be looking to work something out with one of them?

Jha Jha: I’m not a Koch artist. No disrespect but that’s not me. I know what I can do and what kind of deal I can get. I’ve learned from them. I’ve seen the mistakes they’ve made and I know what to do and what not to do. I’m not a disgruntled artist, I have no hard feelings but, at the end of the day, it’s business.

AllHipHop.com: There is currently a dispute with Koch, over a record of yours that ended up on Foxy Brown’s new album. Can you elaborate on that situation?

Jha Jha: This guy, Bob Perry, was calling me, blowing my phone up to do this record. Mind you, this guy owes me all types of money for other records I’ve done. I did a record for AZ and some songs for Disney and never got paid. So I was keeping my distance because he already had a bad reputation anyway. So he’s calling me saying “Jha Jha, I need you to come to the studio and do this record, please come through and do this record.” I was doing some other stuff with Hell Rell. Duke Da God, 40 Cal and Rell were all in the studio that day. We all happened to be in his studio. So I’m already like, Damn, why I got to be at this dudes studio? So he comes up to me and is like, “Yo, I got this record. I want you to write it. Just listen to the beat see if something happens.”

So I hear the beat and I’m like, Oh, that’s dope. It sounds a little like Diddy’s “Last Night” record. That was a big record. So I came up with a concept and wrote the record in like 30 minutes. I write records like that all the time so I didn’t think nothing of it. So he’s going crazy for it. I couldn’t stay because I had a show to do so I did one verse and I was out. So after, he’s calling my phone all crazy saying, “This is the one, I feel it. You need to come back and finish the record. Koch has a meeting with Capitol and I want to play the record for them.”

So I finished the record. After it was finished I never heard anything else from him. Where he messed up is that I have a copy of the song in ProTools on my hardrive also. I think from jump Bob wanted me to reference it for Foxy. But I think he felt that women have a cattiness about them so it’d be a lot of problems getting it done. But I write records. That’s what I do so all he had to do was come at me in a business manner and he could’ve got it. But he didn’t do that. He did some real underhanded stuff. I found out because someone sent me an e-mail with Foxy Brown-“Lights Go Out” [Ed. Note: Jha's Jha's version is below] from Koch Records. Automatically I knew something was up. So I listen and I’m like this is just like my sh*t. So her record was on Digiwaxx so I put my record on Digiwaxx. I did the record. You should’ve been a real man and a businessman and [approached] the situation for what it is. You want to steal my lyrics, my whole swag, I don’t appreciate that. So I put my record out there so now when they play her record, play mines. Good looking.

AllHipHop.com: Do you think he went about things this way to prevent friction between you and Foxy?

Jha Jha: I’m not really on it like that. I’ll work with her. Long as she don’t come out of her mouth wrong we don’t have no problems. And anyway, she already know how Miami girls give it up from the whole situation with Jackie-O last year. So she wouldn’t even want to do all that type of stuff but she could’ve just reached out. She could’ve had it. I make those all day. I’m a superstar. I make those records all day. That’s nothing to me and Bob knew that. But he tried to sacrifice me to make his little couple dollars over at Koch. That’s something I can’t appreciate. Alan [Grunblatt] and them all know what it is, I write records. Business is business. I have no hard feelings toward Foxy but, what her team and Bob did was kind of grimy.



AllHipHop.com: How close are you to resolving the situation?

Jha Jha: My attorney is on the case. I’m a businesswoman. I make records like that. I have records better than that. That wouldn’t even have been something I’d put out. I’m not stressing the record. It’s them trying to play me. It’s the principalities of things.

AllHipHop.com: After you get that settled, what’s next for Jha Jha?

Jha Jha: I got my company, I’m sitting down with a few labels but, at the end of the day, it’s about getting the right deal. You can just go get a deal but if it’s not the right one you’re going to flop like everyone else and still owe. I’m not trying to do that. I’m trying to win and really do it for the women to show that we can sell records. My story is impeccable. I have all the necessary components. I’m sexy, I’ve been through a lot, and I have a story that people need to know about.

AllHipHop.com: Anything else you’d like to mention?

Jha Jha: Yes, R.I.P. Stack Bundles. Always remembered, never forgotten.

The American Dream From Jones

On November 16, BET will present the world premiere of Houston MC Mike Jones’ feature film, American Dream. The film, which shares it’s title with Mike’s sophomore solo LP, chronicles the rapper’s rise to fame from the streets of his hometown. Jones co-wrote and stars in American Dream, which was directed by indie filmmaker Derrick Dixon. Clifton Powell, Tamala Jones and Hassan Johnson also have roles in the film. American Dream airs on BET at Friday November 16 at 8:00 p.m., and a DVD of the movie will come bundled with Mike’s album, which hits stores on November 20.

Cha Ching $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Kanye West and Def Jam Records have inked a new deal with Virgin Mobile USA to offer exclusive content from his album Graduation to their 4.8 million mobile subscribers. Virgin Mobile customers will be able to access exclusive versions of tracks from Ye’s latest album as well four live versions of hits from his two previous LPs. The agreement is similar to previous partnerships Virgin has created with artists such as Paul Wall and Snoop Dogg through the mobile provider’s “First Dibs” ringtone program. For more information or to download Kanye’s exclusive content, visit http://www.virginmobileusa.com/stuff/ringtones/firstDibs.do.

Ghostface Doll instores!!!!!

After months of anticipation, the wait is finally over for Ghostface Killah fans. The Ghostface Doll, a 9” replica of the Wu-Tang MC, officially went on sale this week at a retail price of $499.99. The doll features some of Ghost’s signature adornments, such as his velvet robe, a 14 karat gold chain with pendant and a three dimensional replica of his Avenging Eagle bracelet, complete with an embedded diamond. The figure also contains an electronic sound chip with six phrases recorded by Tony Starks himself. Only 1,000 dolls have been manufactured and each one is hand numbered and arrives in a gold sealed box. Consumers will also receive the 36 Deadly Darts mixtape mixed by DJ Rhettmatic of the World Famous Beat Junkies. For more information, or to order, visit www.theghostfacedoll.com.

He's a Bizzness Mannnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jay-Z, through a new joint venture with the Iconix Brand Group called Scion LLC., has purchased the Artful Dodger clothing line for $15 million. The line, which has become increasingly popular over the past two years, specializes in high end denim, t-shirts and sweaters. As part of the agreement, Scion will enter into a multi-year licensing deal with Signature Apparel Group for the brand. Artful Dodger founder and CEO Scott Langton will join Signature and act as creative director and head designer.
“I consider myself very fortunate to have found a partner in Scion and am really excited about the future of Artful Dodger,” said Langton. “I am looking forward to working with Signature Apparel, who as a company, has both the production infrastructure and financial capacity to make Artful Dodger the brand I always envisioned it to be.” Scion is also exploring several other licensing partners in order to expand the brand into outerwear and footwear. “Artful Dodger is an incredible brand with a lot of room for growth and Scott Langton is a visionary designer,” Jay said in a statement. “They represent what’s next and new in fashion and we are glad to have both the brand and Scott as a part of our family. Artful Dodger represents the first of many acquisitions that will begin to shape our joint venture with Iconix.”

Hot 97 Angie Martinez Hair Show

Hot 97 on-air radio personality Angie Martinez is moving beyond the airwaves to give listeners a chance to learn about and utilize hair and beauty tips.

The New York-based DJ, along with Covergirl® Queen Collection, Akademiks and Hot 97, will present the first annual Angie Martinez Hair Show & Beauty Expo on Nov. 24 at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom.

The event will feature top beauty experts, stylists, makeup artists and industry insiders who will offer tips on what products work best for their hair, complexion and lifestyle.

Fabolous, Trey Songz and The Dream will also perform during the expo.

For Martinez, the hair show and expo is "the perfect opportunity for my listeners to meet industry insiders and learn a bit about beauty; and of course have fun with the artists they listen to everyday!"

"I am excited to have the opportunity to bring an event of this caliber to New York City," she stated.

The hair show and beauty expo will kick off with a Q&A panel led by influential Über stylists and beauty icons who will offer advice and wisdom on hair and beauty.

Hair demonstrations with celebrity participants will follow as the best-known and culturally relevant beauty salons and barbershops in the tri-state area compete against each other.

Celebrities scheduled to appear at the all day event include actress Meagan Good and recording artists Missy Elliot, Keyshia Cole, Eve, Ashanti, and Nina Sky.

Make-up artists Misa Hylton, JJ and Rafael, as well as renowned beauty, hair and lifestyle editor Adrienne Moore of Hype Hair Magazine will also be on hand.

In addition to the Q&A panels and hair competitions, the hair show and expo will feature giveaways and special performances by Fabolous, Trey Songz and The Dream.

For more information on the Angie Martinez Hair Show & Beauty Expo, visit http://www.theangiemartinezshow.com/ www.theangiemartinezshow.com.

Kanye West's Mother Dies Suddenly

Dr. Donda West, Kanye West’s mother, suddenly died last night, individuals close to the rapper confirmed.


The cause of death was not released immediately, but she was reportedly in the Los Angeles area when she died. Early reports suggest Dr. West's death may have been the result of some form of surgical procedure. Those reports have not been confirmed.

She was 58 years old.

A representative for the rapper told AllHipHop.com, "The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief."

Kanye West chronicled his love for his mother in “Hey Mama,” a song from his 2005 album Late Registration.


In the song, Kanye raps, “(Hey Mama), I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud of you / Let me tell you what I'm about to do, (Hey Mama) / I know I act a fool but, I promise you I'm goin back to school /I appreciate what you allowed for me
I just want you to be proud of me (Hey Mama).”


West eventually performed the song in front of his mother and Oprah Winfrey on the TV host’s highly rated show.


Although she was renown as Kanye West’s mother, Donda West had achieved much on her own.


She served as the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University, but retired to act as Kanye's manager. She was an English professor for 31 years.


Earlier this year, she released a book called Raising Kanye, which chronicled her journey of raising her son.


In an interview with AllHipHop, Dr. West said she learned from her son and vice versa.


"Looking at Kanye has made me a more courageous individual, and I already saw myself as being courageous. I believe that Kanye has broken through and gone to levels and done things that I haven’t been able to reach yet," she told AllHipHop.com. "I have 28 years to his senior so I have a lot of experience. I’ve learned to speak my mind regardless of the consequences. I’ve learned a lot having raised Kanye and being his mother."


The word of Dr. West's death has traveled fast through word of mouth, in particular her hometown of Chicago.


“'The city of Chicago is hurting for Kanye West and his family. We know how much he loved and valued his mother and we just ask other cities to join us in prayer for Kanye,” said Kendra G, a Morning Show co-host at Power 92 in Chicago.

No Turkey For The King

T.I. has withdrawn his request to host Thanksgiving dinner at his home after prosecutors strongly opposed any changes to the court's original order.

"The defendant is asking this Court for the very kind of special treatment to which this Court made clear the defendant was not entitled," federal prosecutors wrote in their response to T.I.'s request, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"His constant requests for more visitors, recent complaints about 'delays' in the approval of visitors, and requests for maintenance workers and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with 'family' show that the defendant does not ... appreciate the generosity of the Court in granting his release."

As SOHH previously reported, the Southern MC (born Clifford Harris, Jr.) was arrested by federal authorities on October 13 after allegedly attempting to buy three machine guns and two silencers.

On October 26, the self-proclaimed King of the South was released from jail on $3 million bond and placed on house arrest. Under the conditions of the court order, T.I. can have up to three visitors at once, all of whom must undergo background checks.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, T.I. has submitted a list of 95 potential visitors to his home.

Keys and B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With her third studio album As I Am landing in stores next week, Alicia Keys is poised to regain her reign over R&B. In this SOHH Exclusive Keys opens up about the new album, talks of a possible collaboration with Beyoncé, and offers her thoughts on America's troubling racial divide.

Keys' debut album Songs in A Minor won her five Grammy Awards, while her sophomore album Diary of Alicia Keys picked up another four, but despite her previous award-winning and multi-platinum selling successes, Alicia Keys is keeping cool, calm and collected about how her third studio album will fare.

"I don't feel any pressure at all," Keys told SOHH exclusively. "I think people just want things that make 'em feel something. So I know that when people hear this music they're gonna feel something, they're gonna be moved by it. They're going to feel more of that goodness -- so no pressure."

At 27, Keys is an accomplished actress, film producer, and musician who, despite her many achievements, continues to challenge herself to grow. With As I Am, Alicia says fans can expect to see a side of her that she hasn't revealed before.

"You can definitely expect the unexpected from this album," Keys admitted. "It's different. It has a new energy. It has a new feeling. It has like more of aggression to it. I've learned a lot this year and I've been through a lot. So I think that I've grown as a person. You definitely feel it. You hear it in the sound of it. You hear it in the passion in my voice. You hear it all the way around the board. So I know that you're gonna...It's exciting to be a little bit in a different place."

As I Am follows on the heels of Keys'recent big-screen appearances in Smokin' Aces and The Nanny Diaries, and while she is unparalleled in the music world, Keys says she's often compared to fellow actress Paula Patton (Idlewild, Déjà Vu).

"They said that we look like each other...that we look like sisters. We've gotten that a lot," Keys told SOHH.

In addition to her easygoing attitude regarding Patton, Keys is also enthusiastic about the possibility of collaborating with another potential rival - Beyoncé.

"I think that would be real fun," she said. "I think that me and B would do something crazy together and be able to kinda stretch in a way that would be unexpected. So I dunno, maybe the next record or her next record. Ya know, whenever we have a second to go in a room and really zone out. I think it would be crazy."

In related news, fans can visit www.power1051fm.com to see Alicia Keys perform "Like You'll Never See Me Again." On November 13^th the site will also feature Alicia's full Stripped performance including a cover of Force M.D.'s "Tender Love."

The Movement

www.myspace.com/starchildejay

Chamillionaire And Paul Wall Reunite

Houston, Texas Hip-Hop stars Paul Wall and Chamillionaire officially ended their long-running feud last night at Texas State University. Chamillionaire is the headlining act on BET’s Black College Tour. He took to the stage last night at Texas State University and stunned over 2,000 fans when he brought former rival Paul Wall out on the stage for a performance. The duo performed the single "N Luv Wit My Money" from their collaboration album Get Ya Mind Correct as members of the Color Changin’ Click. "I was up at Texas Southern University to watch my boy Lil' Keke perform for BET College Tour and Chamillionaire was there too," Paul Wall told AllHipHop.com. "He asked me to come out with him and perform our song and we just did it spur of the moment. The crowd was really shocked and excited when they saw us together up there. That was the first time in at least five years we preformed it together. " The rappers were affiliated with Michael "5000" Watts’ Swishahouse movement but signed a recording deal with Paid in Full Entertainment imprint, owned by Houston radio personality Madd Hatta. In 2002 CCC released their debut album Get Ya Mind Correct, which moved over 200,000 copies independently and earned both rappers major label deals. The group soon fell apart, due to money and artistic direction. The childhood friends refrained from badmouthing each other, but refused to speak or work together. Paul Wall returned to Swishahouse and released two albums, while Chamillionaire launched his Chamillitary imprint, which is distributed by Universal Records. In 2005’s Paul Wall’s The People’s Champ moved over 176,000 copies in its first week and topped the Billboard 200 chart, while 2007’s Get Money, Stay True debuted at #8 and moved over 92,000 units its first week in stores. Chamillionaire achieved success in the Hip-Hop world as well. In 2005 Chamillionaire’s The Sound of Revenge debuted at #10 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, moving over 130,000, copies in its first week out. The album also produced the Grammy Award winning single "Ridin’," which is also certified as the best selling ringtone of all time. In 2007, Chamillionaire released Ultimate Victory, which debuted at #8 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and moved over 79,000 units its first week on the shelves.

P.S.A.

Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons has teamed with the Humane Society of the United States and the BeKIND Foundation to create a public service announcement (PSA) speaking out against dog fighting.

Simmons, who has worked with agencies like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in the past. In the new PSA’s, the Hip-Hop mogul is featured in the :15 - :30 second PSA’s with Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle and BeKIND founder Frances Hayward.

Simmons’ PSA’s will speak out against dog fighting, a topic thrust into the national spotlight, in July when suspended Atlanta Falcon’s Quarterback Michael Vick was indicted for running a dog fighting ring.

simmons, along with the Rev. Al Sharpton and PETA president Ingrid E. Newkirk sent letters to Vick’s corporate sponsors condemning dog fighting.

"The recent media spotlight on dog-fighting reminds us of society's callous disregard for the suffering of animals and disrespect for sentient beings," the trio wrote. "We hope that Mr. Vick is not a product of this insensitivity that runs through our society. . . . It does us little good to prosecute just those who are famous and allow people across the country to continue to commit these hideous crimes."

Vick pleaded guilty to involvement in an illegal dog fighting ring and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10.

simmons' PSA's will be released via the Internet and traditional outlets.

New Tupac CD's Coming In December

Amaru Entertainment has announced the official release of two new posthumous CD’s from slain rapper Tupac Shakur. The best of 2Pac - Part 1: Thug and The Best of 2Pac - Part 2: Life are two separate retrospective CD’s that will land in stores this December.e ach album was assembled by Tupac’s mother Afeni Shakur and contains one unreleased song, one new remix and nine classic tracks from Tupac, who is the best selling rapper of all time. Both CD’s showcase different phases of Tupac’s evolution and are available in explicit and edited versions. The Best of 2Pac - Part 1: Thug and The Best of 2Pac - Part 2: Life lands in stores December 4. In related news, the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Performing Arts Center will host a rededication ceremony for the Peace Garden in the facility, located in Stone Mountain, Georgia. A statue of Shakur and the façade of the building were damaged by acts of vandalism, which resulted in the arrest of Kenneth Anthony Wilson , a 43-year-old African American who was charged with second degree criminal damage to property, which is a felony.

Afeni Shakur will lead a ceremony will start with a drumline procession into the Peace Garden and will be followed with a performance by PAC’s Kids, a group of students in the Performing Arts’ outreach program.

The event is free and open to the general public. For more information log on: www.2PAClegacy.com www.tasf.org

Got Paysos

Rap artist, songwriter, and lyricist Rico Paysos, has been perfecting his talents as an emcee for the last seven years. Born and raised in the same place as Hip Hop, "The Boogie Down" Bronx, New York, he would later relocate to Hempstead, Long Island, where little is spoken about the gritty aspects of these "suburbs". Now at the age of twenty-two, Rico Paysos speaks about his experiences in the streets of Uniondale, and about every view of life he has seen as he walked a top the devil's roof. From cash, drugs, crime, women, and lust, to dreams, love, struggles and the come up, Paysos is not afraid to share his soul with his audience. His music does not just talk about life; it is Life, because everyone can relate to something.

Long Island has been a quiet voice in the rap game since the eras of such greats as Public Enemy, Rakim, Biz Markie, Keith Murray and E.P.M.D. Paysos is a resurrection of the past legends as far as creating his own distinctive sound, unique flow and deep vocabulary, which allows for his creative wordplay. He is incomparable to anyone before him, and will not be surpassed by anyone to come. He possesses the ability to vary his style and bring flair to the track. Paysos is not only an emcee; he is a songwriter, for himself and local R&B talents. In 2004, he added the titles Founder and CEO to his résumé by starting his own entertainment company, 4daLuvOfMoney, Inc.

Euro Street

The European Black Wall Street Preps First Release

Earlier this year, The Game announced the launch of BWS Europe, and its accompanying website bwseurope.com, as a means for European based fans to connect with Black Wall Street artists. Now, the venture is going to the next level with the release of the first official mixtape from the BWS Europe division. The compilation, called Internationally Known, will feature new material from The Game, Juice, Clyde Carson and Austrian rapper Big J. DJ Maaleek, a native of Germany and the crew’s official DJ, will host the project. Internationally Known will be available for free download on bwseurope.com as of November 11. Shortly thereafter, the team plans to launch BWS Europe TV and Radio, as well as a clothing line.

The Truth Comes To The Light

In a new interview with HHNLive, producer Digga reveals that he actually owns the Diplomats brand that Cam’ron, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana have built into a household name over the past seven years. Digga, who produced hits like 50 Cent’s “Many Men” and Young Gunz’s “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” along with the majority of Cam’ron’s first two albums Confessions of Fire and S.D.E., told the website that he can back up his claims:

“This is the first time I ever spoke about this in an interview. Me and Cam are the founders of Diplomats…Anyone that really knows the history on me and Cam knows this. I own the Diplomat brand and I have paperwork that says so. Not Cam, not Jimmy. They have been using the logo all this time without ever hollering at me…I decided to step away from Cam because dude is selfish.”

Digga also talks about how his role in seminal Harlem group Children of the Corn has been marginalized:

“I don’t get many opportunities to speak but it seems like there is some type of conspiracy when these guys don’t mention my name. I released a CD called “Children Of The Corn-the Collectors’ edition” a few years ago. I produced that entire CD. On top of that, I was signed to Priority Records in 1996 under the name “C.O.C” with Cam and Bloodshed. I just wanted to clear that up because Duke knows me and he knows he never rapped or made beats. So when you ask him questions about C.O.C, it’s weird especially when he doesn’t mention me.”

Hood is Hooked

J-Hood recently released a statement about how he’s still not released from his D-Block contract.

“As all the majority of the fans out there know, I asked to be released from D-Block approximately three months ago and ‘til this day, I’ve yet to be released from the label. The C.E.O.s in charge of the corporation are refusing to sign the papers necessary for me to go free as an artist and on top of that, they even threatened to ask for money for the release.

“We all know they went through a similar situation earlier in their careers. Let’s hope that’s not what they have become…the biggest hypocrites.

“Be on the lookout for further information concerning this matter. I have prepared numerous projects that are scheduled to be released before the end of the year just to show the fans I wasn’t the problem in this ordeal. Thanks for the support from the fans and the haters. ODG is the new movement.”

Ricky Ross Is Back

Rick Ross Is Back Trilla Then Ever

Rick Ross is putting the finishing touches on his new album Trilla and he’s saying he’s got the biggest album of the year. “We’re mixing it right now,” Rick Ross told HipHopGame. “The album is incredible. It’s going to be the biggest album of the year. Trilla’s in stores December 18. I got Jay on the album. Lil’ Wayne’s on the album. T-Pain’s on the album. Trick Daddy’s on the album. Akon and Carol City Cartel are on the album. I worked with everybody that I felt I could make electricity with.”

Wu-Tang Vs Rza

Raekwon is so unhappy with Rza's direction for the new Wu-Tang Clan album that he threatened to release another Wu album without fellow member Rza.

In a recent interview with Hip-Hop personality Miss Info, Rae said that he and the other members of Wu are very unhappy with Rza's heavy guitar-layden beats on the group's upcoming comeback disc, 8 Diagrams. So much so that they will come out with a follow-up album if changes aren't made to this one, or of it's not permanently shelved.

"Rza's tryin' to create too much of a orchestra, piano ...he's trying to do too much of this guitar @#!* like he got a guitar on his @#*$ing back," Raekwon said. "We don't want that and the fans don't know us for that." [Watch Here]

Rae said the rift began with musical critiques by the group members of Rza's new sound.

"This is a new sound trust me, I know where I'm at and I'm the Rza, just trust me,'" Rae said Rza told the group. "No, we're not trusting you because we're not walkin' outta the studio happy. It's his vibe. He's like a hip-hop hippie right now."

After much back and forth, According to Raekwon, Rza still refused to change the music.

"Now it's to the point where it's like, Yo B, I'm not havin it ... I'm not cosigning that," Rae said. "If you got seven or eight brothers telling you blah, blah, blah, you gotta take heed to that. You been out-voted, B."

But at this point, the group is already over budget and the album is pretty much finished. Though Rae said nobody's happy with the project except Rza, it looks like it will hit the street as is. If that happens, Rae said he and the other members will release Shaolin vs Wutang, a response album without Rza.

"We gotta strike back with something right away to let them know we wasn't in agreement with that," Raekwon said. "If this album @#*$s around and goes that way, its gonna be a big shock to the game."

Whether the artistic differences get settled before the album is pressed or not, Rae said the money situation needs to be set straight.

"Don't play with a grown man's pocket, B." Raekwon said. "At the end of the day, you may have felt like you put millions in a @#*$%'s pocket. We appreciate it, but you know what? Don't ever let a @#*$% feel like you stealin' from him or you takin' something from him or you bein' sneaky and you can't show and prove certain things."

Raekwon wasn't specific about the allegations of money mismanagement, but he as much as called Rza a thief.

"Don't rob me and be my friend," he said. "I ain't with that. You don't rob your friends," Rae said. "You might as well be pimpin' me or something. You ain't payin' me ... you ain't keeping me fresh."

DRAMA FOR MVP

DJ DRAMA I MOVE UNITS YOU BASTARDS

DJ Drama has been through more than your average Hip-Hop DJ can stomach in just one year. His arrest for racketeering by the FBI triggered a domino effect that virtually shut down his mixtape game for a short time earlier this year. His long awaited debut, Gangsta Grillz: The Album, pushed back nearly a whole year because of another "DJ Drama" that popped up who felt he had the right to the name. But most recently, his friend and business partner T.I., was arrested on federal gun possession charges in Atlanta.

None of this has fazed him. In the world of Hip-Hop few music executives have more influence than DJ Drama. His Gangsta Grillz compilations have helped define this decade's Southern rap explosion. He has been instrumental in the careers of rappers like Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne , T.I., Saigon and others. Now he is set to take Gangsta Grillz mainstream and break his own artist; Michigan native Willie The Kid.

DJ Drama speaks exclusively to AllHipHop.com about his new December 4 release date, rumors that have been circulating in the media and gives us his views on the federal charges against his dear friend.


AllHipHop.com: Hi Drama. How's everything going with the new album?

Drama: Everything's great. Everything's great.

AllHipHop.com: So what happened with the original release date? The album was supposed to come out almost a year ago?

Drama: I had some complications. One was due to the situation with my name... You know how it goes, "More money, more problems." This guy from Chicago basically popped up out of nowhere and said he had the legal rights to the name DJ Drama so that complicated things for a moment and then Tip's album [T.I. vs. Tip] was ready to come out and you know how it goes? He is the big powerhouse over at Atlantic, so the label put all their focus onto his project and rightfully so. That's my big homie, so we focused on getting his album to platinum status real quick. I went back in the studio, put some more work in, got a banging single done and got me a new date right around Thanksgiving so you know everything worked out for the best. We made the best out of the situation.

AllHipHop.com: I know you have made the best of the situation but after you put so much work into a project it must be frustrating to be pushed back almost a whole year?

Drama: I mean, it is what it is. It just means that there's more work to do. For me, my fan base and what I represent is real different from a regular artist because I consistently feed the street with product, with my mixtapes. As long as I keep doing what I do, as long as I stay hot on the streets then I'm good. I was never really worried about it; I was never really thinking, "Oh sh*t are people going to forget about me". I mean, yeah sometimes I would be feeling impatient to come out but I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Now I've just dropped the single “5000 Ones” [featuring Nelly, T.I., Willie The Kid, Yung Joc, Young Keezy, Twista and Diddy] which is a very big song and in the long run the new date will work out for my benefit. It's a fourth quarter release anyway, star-studded, a lot of powerhouses involved so it's all good.

AllHipHop.com: After the RIAA raid; you had a nice little buzz going; the original December/January release date would have kept that buzz at fever point...

Drama: I mean in today's world we all know controversy sells and I was definitely on the tongues of the media for a minute. I garnered a lot of publicity that a lot of people would usually have to pay for. Me and my movement, The Aphilliates, have done a lot and yeah it would have been good to come out around that time, but that's not the end of my story, that's not the beginning of my story; it's just a chapter in my book. That was never going to define me. The album is still banging, nothing changed. I'm still doing my mixtapes, I'm on the radio more days than I was before and I'm still visible.

AllHipHop.com: Regarding the raid and the charges against you, whatever happened? Has that all gone away?

Drama: It's still pending. I am yet to be in court. So we shall see but I'm not in jail so that's a good thing.

AllHipHop.com: So we should keep our 'Free Drama' t-shirts for a while?

Drama: I mean you can hold on to it just for memorabilia purposes but I hope you don't ever have to put it on again.

AllHipHop.com: Due to that whole situation, did anything to do with your business end up being affected negatively?

Drama: Nah. It basically just affected my business positively. It put me on a larger scale. I did a lot of travelling, I got booked for a lot of international gigs and you know the mixtape game as a whole slowed down so that was a definite turn of events, but I think that's slowly, but surely coming back to life because of people like myself and a lot of other people who are putting in a lot of work to bring the game back to life. I'm a firm believer that mixtapes will never die but overall it didn't affect my business in any negative way.

At the end of the day; the stories in the media are always full of half-truths and you're always going to have up's and you're always going to have down's. You got to take the good with the bad. A prime example would be Puffy. Look how many things Puff has been through. I've used this example before but let's just say he would have quit after the riot at that basketball game? Then he would never have started Bad Boy Records, let's say he would have quit after Biggie got killed, let's say he quit after the trail for the gun charges? You can't let any type of controversy stop you from doing what you love.

AllHipHop.com: Do you feel that Atlantic is really supporting you?

Drama: I think in some ways they have yet to see that I have a movement. It's not something I would say I blame Atlantic for as I do the music industry in general. A lot of labels have got caught up on singles, ringtones and things of that nature. We've all seen Shop Boyz with their big song and Sean Kingston and you know I could go on and on, and that's no disrespect to those guys, but they have these huge singles but they sell no records. Then you have an artist like Common who hasn't had a lot of video play or radio play out the box and still sold 150 thousand first week because he has a movement, a core fan base and I believe I'm the kind of artist who has a core fan base. People love Gangsta Grillz because of what it represents, it's not all about spins with me and then again I've got my own movement; The Aphilliates Music Group, my own machine so regardless whether I believe the label have done what I believe they should do, I'm going to do what I got to do because that's all I can do.

AllHipHop.com: Does it ever make you ever want to go independent? As far as I can see; you're doing the work and they'll make the money.

Drama: [Laughs] I mean I'm a team player. You know we may agree to disagree. I may have my opinion. But I'm here to put out a great album, I'm here to make myself money, I'm here to make the Aphilliates money, to make Grand Hustle money and I'm here to make Atlantic money; at the end of the day they gave me the opportunity to do this album and this is business, I know it's nothing personal. This is my first time out the box so I just want to prove to the people that I have a great album and then do another one and another one and another one. You know what I'm saying? So if it takes me to drop this album and to do most of the promotional work for them to understand what my movement is about, then so be it.

AllHipHop.com: Ok let's go back to your legal issues with your name. What was the outcome? Were you able to keep the name DJ Drama?

Drama: Yeah, I'm coming out as Drama. There was an artist on Atlantic a couple of years ago named Drama. He actually was incarcerated and me and him chopped it up, we came to an agreement on a number and he blessed me with the ability to use the name, which I greatly appreciate from him. I was in a situation where I was going to have to change my name because that other DJ Drama guy popped up but then he just disappeared again so he lost out and I won. At the end of the day I'm Drama everyone knows me as DJ Drama; no one else. I'm comfortable with that. When you say the name DJ Dram it's not going to be a misunderstanding.

AllHipHop.com: Glad you sorted it out as DJ Dram just didn't have the same ring to it...

Drama: Yeah. I 'm not going to lie, I was concerned. Again if my album ended up coming out when it was supposed to come out then it might have come out under DJ Dram when people know me as Drama so everything worked out the way it was supposed to and everything is a blessing.

AllHipHop.com: With you original release date; people were kind of making it a battle against you and DJ Khaled... Did you feel that?

Drama: [Laughs] Yeah definitely. You know I love Khaled; that's my boy, my brother. I'm so proud of him for what he's done for himself and what he's done for DJ's in general. He had two of the biggest records out this year; you know what I'm saying? He's made everybody pay attention. We have a very close relationship and we even talked about it ourselves when we thought we would be dropping on the same day; we knew we had to bring our competitive spirits to it. It makes us work harder, it's good for the business and I'm just proud that another DJ has got to the level that he's got too. There are not a lot of artists or DJ's that can say that they have had pretty much two number one huge hits like he's had with “We Taking Over” and “I'm So Hood.”

I think we need things that bring diversity, competition and dialogue into the culture. I thought the “Hip Hop Is Dead” controversy was great, I thought the 50 vs. Kanye competition was great, I think the South vs. North debate is cool and I think Nas calling his new album “Ni**er” and the debate it's causing is great. Any time there is a debate in Hip-Hop it's good. Even with my release date; December the 4th, from what I hear Scarface is coming out, Ghostface is supposed to be coming out, Saigon's coming out and I hear Birdman might be coming out as well. So you know a lot of people are coming out on that December 4th date which is great because it's going to be a great week for Hip-Hop. Yeah it's competitive but at the same time it represents music and I think it's going back to the time when I came up and it would be exciting to go to the store and cop albums and you'd have a whole load of choices and options and good music.

AllHipHop.com: Album sales have gone down, but Atlanta as a community always seems to embrace and support their own...

Drama: I hope so. Yeah. There's a lot of love in the city. I've witnessed that first hand for the eleven years that I've been here. I definitely have a lot of people on my side; it's a good feeling from my peers, to supporters on the street to DJ's all around. I love what I do, I have a passion for it and I think that comes across when I speak and from what I represent.

AllHipHop.com: Definitely. So you were nice enough to play me the album in January when you were in the UK. Since then, what has changed on the album?

Drama: The Outkast song is still there. Actually pretty much everything is still there. There was a situation with Universal and one of the Lil Wayne songs didn't get cleared but Wayne's still on the album. You know we got the new single ["5000 Ones"] with TI, Nelly, Yung Joc, Willie The Kid, Young Jeezy, and Twista produced by Jazze Pha. The skits on the album are crazy. Lil Jon is still on there. Lloyd is still there. Yeah it's pretty much the same album with a couple of bonuses.

AllHipHop.com: The Lil Wayne track that didn't make it; was that the one where he went at Wendy Williams?

Drama: Yeah that didn't make it.

AllHipHop.com: Do you ever get bothered that sometimes people give the artists more credit than they do the DJ with these types of albums?

Drama: No, I don't get bothered about that. My album is not necessarily just about DJ Drama. It's about Gangsta Grillz and people know the Gangsta Grillz brand. There are a lot of artists on my album and rightfully they deserve credit, if not I'd be rapping on the album my-damn-self [laughs]. I want everybody to get the credit they deserve as a collaborative effort because that's what it is. It's like a Chronic. Dr Dre's face is on the cover but a lot of people put a lot of work into that album. Sometimes people behind the scenes are just as much as part of the project as the face of the movement. I did a lot of work for this project, I'm the face of it but a lot of people put a lot of work in also to make it what it is. I went through so much this year and I hope everyone is proud of being involved in this album.

AllHipHop.com: Ok can we talk about T.I.? A lot of rumors are going around that he was set up?

Drama: I don't really know anything as far as if it was a set up or not. My details are very limited right now. Most importantly for me especially in interviews is to show my support to my homie, my comrade, my friend and my partner. I mean you've done interviews with Tip before... Anyone who has ever come in contact with him or seen him and spoken to him out in the streets; you know how much of a human being he is, how down to earth he is, how much of a good person he is. Even being the big superstar that he is. He does a lot of good for Hip-Hop, he does a lot of good for the South and he does a lot of good for his community and family. It's kind of early to know what the future holds with the situation but we're striving for the best and we're hoping for the best. We've hit a down point but I'm going to do what I do and ride for him in the mean time. I'm riding for my homie.

AllHipHop.com: Do you know if the security guard was a part of the Hip-Hop police?

Drama: I really don't know to be honest with you. Tip's out right now and we're just happy about that. He's on house arrest and house arrest is better than being in jail.

AllHipHop.com: A lot of rumors are circulating... One being that Grand Hustle's all female rap duo, Xtaci are asking for donations now to keep afloat because of this situation?

Drama: You know how it goes during these kinds of situations? There's going to be a billion rumors, a million and one people putting their two cents into the situation. All I know is everybody in Grand Hustle is in full support mode. Anything Tip needs on my end or from anyone in Grand Hustle; we got him!

AllHipHop.com: Can we address the other rumor that Atlantic feels that bloggers and media outlets are making things worse for T.I.'s case?

Drama: It's a tough one. I mean the media is the media. As public figures that we are, you have to deal with the press; good or bad. They're not always going to paint you in a good light or make out that you're a saint. They report as they see fit. The facts will come out in the end. I personally don't believe that the judge is putting all his eggs into what the media or what the bloggers are saying about T.I. The facts are going to be the facts. That's what it comes down too.

AllHipHop.com: What do you say to the people who are saying that T.I. is a bad role model or that buying 26 guns was excessive and he should go down?

Drama: You got to judge him by his whole track record. Don't judge him by one event. Judge him by overall what he does and who he is. You got to look at his history. I mean the judge knew his history, the judge was aware of the things he does for the community, the kids, the schools, the youth that are in juvenile and detention centers and things of that nature. Don't just judge him by one event, judge the man as a man overall. What he represents and how he carries himself. What if everyone just decided after the RIAA raid that I was bootlegger and that's it? You see what I'm saying? I'd be f*cked up out here. I was lucky that people judged me by everything I represent. A lot of people said a lot of bad things about me when I went through my whole mess... "Drama's doing this, he shouldn't be doing that. He deserves what he gets." But at the end of the day when I walk down the street I get respect and hopefully people will do the same for Tip.

AllHipHop.com: Have you spoken to T.I.?

Drama: Yeah I have. Tip is in great spirits. He’s spending some quality time with his family, he was playing with his sons today when I spoke to him. He’s happy to be out and is ready to get back to making some music. He’s real excited about my project too. Tip’s always been 100% supportive of my movement. So yeah, we’re definitely keeping our hopes and spirits up.

AllHipHop.com: Ok, so let's end this interview on a positive note. How are things going with Willie The Kid?

Drama: It's going great. He's got like 60 songs done on deck. He's got a song out right now called “Cha Ching” that's creating a little buzz; Don Cannon produced. Our set up is inspired by The Chronic and Doggystyle. He's all over my album; on like six or seven tracks. I really think he's going to be a problem. What he's going to bring to the game is much needed right now. People are going to think I'm biased but in a year or two I'm going to be able to say, "I told you so". Watch out. Gangsta Grillz: The Album, December 4th. Make sure you go cop it. I have to give a huge thanks to Sense and La the Darkman; who both co-executive produced this project. They put in a huge amount of work and I couldn’t have done it without them. Of course a huge thanks too; The Aphilliates, Grand Hustle, Atlantic and everyone who is involved with this project.


AllHipHop.com: So you're in a good place right now? Mentally and physically?

Drama: I'm loving life. I'm consistently getting challenged by my peers and by my company. We've got the album coming out. My mixtape game is back on and popping. I'm on radio consistently. Yeah I feel good about where I am today. You know after the raid, I started working out every day and I dropped 35 pounds, that situation made me say to myself, "Come on Dram, get yourself in shape. Let's get it together". So yeah, I'm happy mentally and physically. Life is great. Everything's great.

Jim Gets Gangster or Just mad

JIM GETS GANGSTER OR JUST A Lil Madd

I’m not sure I know what happened, but I heard that Jim Jones was wilding out in some form or fashion at an event for Chris Brown a couple days ago. I heard Jim was trying to get in and wasn’t able due to security. Jim showed his appreciation for their treatment, but allegedly knocking down the barricades. I heard security called the cops. Now, I am not sure why they would do that, but that’s what I heard. Next time, let Jim in.

Cam Spotting

Killa Cam Spotted

Did anybody see Cam'ron on 125^th Street in Harlem, NY? I didn’t! But if you did, holla at your boy (me), the real McCoy. I guess today is the day that Cam’ron totally gets it in and releases his "Public Enemy" mixtape! From what I heard, Cam was handing out free mixtapes in front of the Apollo Theater! This mixtape comes days after Jim Jones releases his own mixtape, Harlem American Gangster! Interesting.

Whos The Best

Whos The Best in Hip Hop And Rnb Today

Does Everyone Have A reality Show

Coolio working on reality show

Coolio infiltrated millions of households with his rapping, but reality TV has been his recent cash cow. Coolio is getting his own reality show on the Oxygen Network. The show, titled Coolio and the Gang, will follow Coolio as he raises his six kids on his own. Coolio and the Gang is scheduled to air in the second quarter of 2008.

Is He Balling HMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!

Lil Wayne Sued over Unpaid Jewelry Bill

Lil Wayne is being sued by a New Orleans jewelry store owner who says the MC skipped out on part of a $170,000 bill. Jack Sutton, owner of Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry, sold Weezy a $138,000 diamond ring and a $32,000 gold and diamond necklace on October 6, 2006. The deal was closed over the phone and the two agreed to a monthly payment plan. Although Sutton received his first payment without any problem, a stop payment was issued on the next $24,000 check that he received, after it had been deposited. Sutton, who recently filed the suit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, told the Miami Herald that he has been doing business with the rapper for over 10 years and has never had a problem with payment before. “He spent a lot of money with me,” he said. “I thought we have a really good relationship. I don’t know what happened, unless it’s a misunderstanding.” Wayne’s entertainment attorney, Ron Sweeney, chalked the whole situation up to confusion. ”This is clearly a misunderstanding,” the attorney said. “If, in fact, the allegations are true, then it will be resolved. My client is very responsible.”

Ross Says Gobble Gobble to The Hood

Rick Ross to Hand out Thanksgiving Turkeys in the Miami Community....

Rick Ross Charities Inc. is teaming up with San Francisco 49er’s running back Frank Gore and 21st Century Hustle Magazine to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys to needy families in the Miami community. Ross and Gore will be on hand at the giveaway which will take place on November 17 at the newly launched Hip-Hop Grub Spot in Miami Gardens. The Hip-Hop Grub Spot is a new hip-hop themed, fast food franchise that will offer healthy alternatives to today’s typical fast food offerings, as well as in store video gaming, mixtapes and apparel. The franchise seeks to increase minority franchise ownership, and organically develop entrepreneurship and investments in economically disadvantaged communities across the world. “The best way to stop the violence, crime, and broken homes in the community is through creating jobs and business opportunities and we are doing that along with Hip Hop Grub Spot,” said Ross. “I am glad to be a part of this.”

The Take Over

Jay-Z to Take Over Channel on Sirius Satellite Radio

On November 5, Jay-Z will be taking over the Sirius Satellite Radio channel Hip-Hop Nation for a full week with a special radio program called Jay-Z Nation. The show premiers at 5:00 p.m. ET, and will feature Jay playing cuts from his new album, American Gangster as well as some of his older material and music from other artists. The Def Jam president will personally introduce all of the music and discuss what it means to him. Jay-Z Nation will also be airing his upcoming November 7 performance, at the Chicago House of Blues, live. Also on the schedule for the week are special editions of Street Certified, DJ Green Lantern: The Invasion, and The Nation’s Top 20 Hip Hop Countdown. American Gangster hits stores on November 6.

Clue In Jam Master Jay Muder Emerges

A Clue Emerges in Jam Master Jay Murder

The unidentified gunman who murdered Jam Master Jay in his Queens recording studio had a tattoo on his neck according to a witness account that was recently made public. In an exclusive interview with the New York Daily News, Jay’s friend and business partner Ray Allen revealed the clue to the public for the first time. Allen’s sister, Lydia High, worked at the legendary DJ’s studio and was also present on the night he was murdered. According to High, two gunmen burst into the studio and placed a gun to her heard, ordering her onto the floor. The woman identified one of the men as Ronald “Tinard” Washington, who has been fingered by federal authorities as a suspect in the murder, but is yet to be charged. Washington is currently incarcerated on an unrelated burglary charge.

High said that one of the men then approached Jay, who was sitting on a couch playing video games with his friend Tony Rincon, and fired his weapon twice. One bullet struck Rincon in the leg, and the other fatally wounded Jam Master Jay. High says she saw the gunmen greet the DJ with a handshake and noticed his tattoo before he fired. She is unable to provide a detailed description of the tattoo. Allen, who was working in the studio’s control room at the time, heard the gunfire and came running, only to find his friend on the floor in a pool of blood. Allen believes Rincon can positively identify the killer, but refuses to cooperate with investigators. “This is not a Biggie Smalls or Tupac case. This is a case that can be solved,” Allen told the News. “The person they have locked up who was involved with it is a person from the neighborhood. It’s not like we’re talking about somebody who flew in from L.A. We’re talking about people right from the neighborhood.”

Troubled Brat

Rapper Da Brat was released from prison on bail. She was arrested because of a dispute with a waitress at a nightclub northeast of Atlanta.

She was released from county jail after posting a $50,000 bond Thursday night

The 33-year-old rapper, whose real name is Shawntae Harris, was arrested early Thursday after officers answered a call to Studio 72 northeast of Atlanta about a pushing incident.

Harris and a 24-year-old waitress at the club got into an argument after she bumped into Harris, said DeKalb County police spokeswoman Mekka Parish, citing the police report. At some point, the waitress walked away and moments later was hit in the face with the bottle of rum. She sustained a deep laceration to the cheek and some swelling on the forehead.

Harris was released from county jail after posting a $50,000 bond Thursday night, said Parish.

March for the Ladies

National march scheduled November 3rd for young, Black female torture victim
—

So if forcing a young, disabled woman to eat dog and rat feces, drink urine from a toilet and lick up her own blood while sexually assaulting her and making statements like, “This is what we do to ni**ers around here,” doesn’t constitute as a hate crime, then what does?


This is the question attorney Malik Shabazz of Black Lawyers for Justice (BLFJ) is asking on behalf of his client, 20-year-old West Virginian Megan Williams, who Shabazz says has suffered “one of the worst hate crimes in U.S. history.”


Apparently, Logan County prosecutor Brian Abraham believes adding hate crime charges would be “difficult” to prove and chooses to focus on making sure that all six defendants – Frankie Brewster, 49; and her son Bobby Brewster, 24; Karen Burton, 46; her daughter Alisha, 23; Danny Combs, 20; and George Messer, 27 – are convicted of kidnapping, which carries a life sentence and first-degree sexual assault, which can add an additional 35 years.


In September, Williams was kidnapped and held for approximately one week in the home of Frankie Brewster, enduring beatings, being stabbed in her leg, choked with a noose around her neck and her hair ripped out.



[Carmen Williams (right), mother of Megan Williams, told the Associated Press, “I don’t understand a human being doing another human being the way they did my daughter.” Photo credit: AP.]


An anonymous tip from someone who witnessed the abuse led the police to Brewster’s mobile home, where according to the Associated Press, an extension cord ran from the home to the cramped shed, which she was held in with a portable stereo, a locker and a power saw.


The case is “something that would have come out of a horror movie,” Logan County Sheriff W.E. Hunter said.


Brewster, who was charged for first-degree murder in the past and the five other suspects, have racked up 108 criminal charges since 1991.


Federal authorities have handed the Williams case over to the state with no charges coming from them. BLFJ and the Williams family along with a reported 100 organizations, including the Nation of Islam and the New Black Panther Party, are organizing a march for November 3 in Charleston, where the state capital and federal courthouse are located, hoping to galvanize the same media support and community outrage that recently took place in Jena, Louisiana.


“The number of outright hate crimes and injustice cases against Blacks is rising so rapidly it’s hard for our office to keep track,” Shabazz said on his website Blacklawyersforjustice.org. The website lists hate crimes reported at the University of Maryland, in Pittsburgh, Long Island, North Carolina and Washington, D.C. “We are calling for every concerned person in our community to respond to this national crisis with vigor and due diligence. The November 3rd march in Charleston is a big step in the direction of organizing to challenge the tide of attacks occurring against Blacks.”


Schedule of Events

Friday, November 2nd 7:00 p.m.
A pre-march remembrance/prayer vigil will take place at the Logan County trailer home where Megan Williams was kidnapped and tortured.

Saturday, November 3rd 10:00 a.m.
Gather at the West Virginia State Capital Building

Saturday, November 3rd noon
National March Against Hate Crimes, Charleston, West VA.
Beginning in front of West Virginia State Capital Building and marching through Charleston, West Virginia.

Saturday, November 3rd 5:00 p.m.
Fundraiser for Megan Williams and Town Hall Meeting on Race Relations to take place at Reehoboth Cathedral of Christ in Charleston, West Virginia
915 Main St. Charleston, W. VA – Bishop James Carter III is the host pastor.

To endorse this march or for updates and further details, visit the website www.blacklawyersforjustice.org or call 202-397-4577.