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.