Nas And Damian Marley Tracklisting
03:00PM ET March 11, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

The tracklisting for the long awaited joint album between Nas and Damian Marley will be released on May 25^th. Amazon.com is lists the album as featuring collaborations with K'NAAN, Joss Stone, Junior Reid and surprise guest Lil Wayne.

Check out the full tracklisting here:
1. As We Enter
2. Tribal War (feat. K'NAAN)
3. Strong Will Continue
4. Leaders
5. Wisdom (Sabali)
6. Count Your Blessings
7. Disappear
8. The Promised Land (feat. Dennis Brown)
9. Nah Mean
10. Angola (Friends)
11. My Generation (feat. Lil Wayne and Joss Stone)
12. Africa Must Wake Up (Feat. K'NAAN)
13. BONUS TRACK Ancient People (feat. Junior Reid)

Dr. Dre Part of $40 Million Ad Campaign
12:00PM ET March 11, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Computer giant Hewlett Packard (HP) recently announced its first advertising campaign in five years. A source tells Wall Street Journal that the estimated $40 million campaign is necessary to reintroduce the company.

The company which is widely known for making printers feels that their public perception has not kept up with the company's actual expansion.

Dr. Dre, stand-up comedian/actor Rhys Darby (Flight of the Concords) and photographer Annie Leibovitz are among the celebrities who will be featured in the "Lets Do Amazing" ads starting this weekend.

Murs Staying Busy
06:00AM ET March 11, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Los Angeles Living Legends emcee Murs is returning to his indie roots after parting ways with Warner Brothers Records. The rapper released his last album Murs For President on the major but says that now that he is off it will be a party.

"Warner Bros. kind of ... stifled me creatively 'cause I was used to having product flow every year -- touring, album, tour, album, tour, two tours and album," Murs explained in an interview with ballerstatus.com. "I'd do two 60-city tours, something in the summer, then new album. I was a workaholic. They kinda shut me up. I have all this music coming outta nowhere, so I'm ready, and I think this is an ultimate way to kick it off..."

Murs says he has a glut of material and he wants to do 10 records in 10 months this year.

The first record will be ForNever, which features the production of 9th Wonder, and guest appearances include Sick Jacken, Uncle Chucc, Suga Free, Kurupt, and Verbz.

112 Back Together
06:00AM ET March 11, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Atlanta quartet 112 have not released an album as a group in five years. Amid rumors and solo projects three of the members of the R&B group have reunited to record a follow up to their 2005 release Pleasure & Pain. Group member Q broke the news via his Twitter page writing, "In the studio wit my boy Mike and Daron! New 112 album comin soon!"

During the hiatus rumors did surface that the group had parted ways due to misappropriation of funds. "I'm not sure what the status is of the other three members, but myself, I am no longer in 112," Mike said in an interview. "I had to leave because I found out that a certain member of the group took my publishing check. It was made clear that it was intended for myself and another member, Slim."

There is no official word on what label will release the new 112 project.

Beloved Radio Host Tre Black Passes Away
06:00AM ET March 10, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Condolences go out to the family of radio personality/songwriter/producer Tre Black. Black's girlfriends broke the sad news that he died Sunday (3/7) of an apparent heart attack. Black most recently worked at WWPR (Power 105.1) in New York hosting Friday and Saturday nights and doing voiceovers for Moses Media.

Black was one of the good guys in the industry. He helped many advance their careers and he will be missed.

Beloved Radio Host Tre Black Passes Away
06:00AM ET March 11, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Condolences go out to the family of radio personality/songwriter/producer Tre Black. Black's girlfriends broke the sad news that he died Sunday (3/7) of an apparent heart attack. Black most recently worked at WWPR (Power 105.1) in New York hosting Friday and Saturday nights and doing voiceovers for Moses Media.

Black was one of the good guys in the industry. He helped many advance their careers and he will be missed.

Keith Clinkscales
09:00PM ET March 10, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

According to a Florida A&M University alumni association ESPN senior vice president Keith Clinkscales allegedly tricked them into supporting the Hip-Hop Grub Spot chain through dubious means.

According to the suit filed in Manhattan federal court the alumni group's investment committee lined up NFL stars to music celebrities, only to have Clinkscales yank support last year.

The suit also claims that the group continues to suffer irreparable economic losses.

Ironically Florida A&M Reginald Mitchell, general council for the alumni organization says that the renegade alumni group has no basis for the suit as they are not part of the alumni association.

A Jan. 26 letter from the association's new president said the alumni association would not support any civil lawsuit.

Settlement Reached in Barker Plane Crash
03:00PM ET March 10, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform company

The plane crash that involving Travis Barker and the late DJ AM that also killed Chris Baker has been settled. According to TMZ Clay Lacy Aviation, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Learjet and the other defendants paid a total of $4,375,000 to settle up with Chris' son, 3-year-old Sebastian. Baker's widow, Otilia Villar Baker, also settled for a total of $7,625,000.

The money for Baker's son will be put into an annuity that will pay out over $17 million during his lifetime.

Ja Rule Ditches The Stage For A Movie Set
12:00PM ET March 10, 2010
Contributor : Jecquea Howsie
A Rocky Williform Company

Murder Inc. front man, Ja Rule, is ready to put the drama behind him. He's set to star in a new movie titled I'm In Love With A Church Girl, alongside Cheetah Girl, Adrienne Bailon.

The movie's being produced by the spiritual production company, Reverence Gospel Media. Ja plays a drug dealer who's trying to find his way in life and Adrienne plays his love interest. The faith based company describes the movie as, "The motion picture and sound track are faith-based and adapted from a true story. The Motion picture will be targeted toward the faith-based and urban market, with a focus on teens and families. This approach follows the wisdom of Samuel Goldwyn who once said "It's better to sell four tickets than two." The company also promises the movie will have a G or PG rating and it’ll be family friendly.

Jay-Z Pulls Out Of Controversial Deal
06:00AM ET March 10, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Jay-Z has pulled out as an investor in the Aqueduct Entertainment Group, the company chosen to develop a casino and entertainment complex at the racetrack.

Amidst the public relations nightmare that had become of the deal Jay quit just before the deadline requiring him to give personal financial information.

AEG's founder Jeffrey Levine released the following statement regarding the deal: "Aqueduct Entertainment Group is continuing to move forward to complete the MOU, so that we can pay the state $300 million by March 31st and break ground on this vital job-creating project as soon as possible. All applications have been submitted to Lottery in full compliance with the State's instructions."

The show must go on.

Waka Flocka Reality Check
06:00AM ET March 10, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Waka Flocka Flame's his single "O Let's Do It" has taken on a life of his own. However according to the rapper he only contacted one of the many rappers that have jumped on the track. Rick Ross is the only guy I reached out to," said Flame. "Then Diddy reached out to me and Gucci was like, 'I'm getting on that. That's hard!' Now it seems everybody's jumping on it."

He has not let the success of his debut single lead to a big head. "One single doesn't declare a person valid for an album. If I had one or two more songs buzzing crazy then I'd say, 'I'm ready.' But even with 'O Let's Do It,' doing good...when you put it up against Trey Songz' 'Say Ahh' or a Jay-Z track, it will be at the bottom of the barrel."

As HHB previously reported, Flame plans to release several street albums before dropping his first solo album Murder Man Flocka.

Envy Releases iPhone App
06:00AM ET March 10, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Last night NYC's own DJ Envy held a launch event for his new iPhone application. The Power 105.1 and Sirius XM DJ partnered with Cariplex Corporation to develop the unique app which allows users to stream DJ Envy mixtapes, participate in an interactive community via blog and various social networking sites, as well as the ability to stream live and access exclusive music and video content.

Envy is one of the first DJ's to create his own app, which is available in the iPhone app store now.

Swollen Member Plan Tour And New Release
09:00PM ET March 9, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Swollen Members will release their first-ever greatest hits album, Greatest Hits: Ten Years of Turmoil, on March 16th, 2010. The compilation features 18 classic tracks that have been previously out of print to the Battle Axe army. The album is currently available for pre-order at www.SubNoizeStore.com, along with a limited edition t-shirt.

The group recently wrapped up their US Tour alongside Cool Nutz and will be heading to Europe on Thursday of this week.

Check out the complete European tour information below:
3/11 – Prague, CZH @ Lucerna Music Bar
3/12 - St Gallen, Switzerland @ Kugl
3/13 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Dynamo
3/14 – Weinheim, Germany @ Café Central
3/16 - Berlin, Germany @ Cassiopeia
3/17 - Leipzig, Germany @ Conne Island
3/18 – Athens, Greece @ TBA
3/19 – Thessalonki, Greece @ TBA
3/20 - Munster Germany @ Skaters Palace
3/23 – Helsinki, Finland @ Kuudes Linja
3/24 – Oslo, Norwary @ Livingroom
3/25 - Stockholm, Swe @ Lilla Hotellbaren
3/26 - Gothenburg, Swe @ Pusterviksbaren
3/28 – Kulturfabrik Switzerland @ Kofmel
3/31 - Paris, France @ Glazart
4/01 - London, UK @ Cargo
4/02 – Amsterdam @ Melkweg

Diddy Celebrates B.I.G.
03:00PM ET March 9, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Today Diddy will perform for the first time in Brooklyn to commemorate the life and legacy of the Notorious B.i.G.

The Bad Boy CEO spoke to MTV recently to explain the importance of this day. "I'm going to Brooklyn. It's gonna be the first time I'm throwing a party in Brooklyn. I'm from Harlem. Everybody in Harlem knows you don't usually go over the bridge to Brooklyn. It's a big, big deal. Me being such a Harlemite, I'm going over there to pay respect to my man. It's gonna be a big party in Brooklyn with Mister Cee. It's a big day. It's a day to celebrate his life. It's a day to celebrate the life of the man. We done did the movie, the records. It's something that, I guess, as a label we're obsessed with: making sure people don't forget about this man in a positive way. March 9 is Biggie Day. ...Bump Biggie all day, feel good and positive."

Diddy and Dirty Money will be performing at The Lab Banquet Hall and Big's DJ, Hot 97's Mister Cee will be on the 1's and 2's.

Though Biggie passed away 13 years ago today his legend will live on forever.

BEP Continue North American Tour
12:00PM ET March 9, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Today Grammy Award winning group Black Eyed Peas announced the 2^nd leg of BlackBerry Presents "The E.N.D. World Tour 2010." The tour kicks off with back to back dates in Toronto, ON and continues throughout the summer before wrapping up at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB.

Tickets for some dates go on sale this coming Saturday.

Tour date, city and venue information:
July 27 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre – on sale Saturday, March 13 at 11:00AM
July 28 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre – on sale Saturday, March 13 at 11:00AM
July 31 Montreal, QB Bell Centre
August 1 Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place
August 3 Boston, MA TD Garden – on sale Saturday, March 13 at 12:00 noon
August 4 Newark, NJ Prudential Center – on sale Saturday, March 13 at 12:00 noon
August 6 Hartford, CT XL Center
August 7 Atlantic City, NJ Boardwalk Hall
August 10 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
August 11 Buffalo, NY HSBC Arena
August 13 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
August 14 St. Louis Scottrade Center
August 18 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
August 20 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre
August 22 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome
August 23 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place

Snoop Dogg And Mike Epps Unite
06:00AM ET March 9, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Snoop Dogg and comedian Mike Epps will team up for a limited run tour titled "Imagine That!" In addition to combining their comedic and rap performances the pair will execute a story about two night-club performers who end up arrested and have to find their way out of prison.

"This is an incredible opportunity to combine our similar, but different worlds of entertainment together on stage for the first time," Epps said in a statement. "We've worked together in the past on some projects and knew that our audiences would love to see us bring Hip-Hop music and Hip-Hop comedy together on stage," stated Snoop.

The tour begins on April 27th at Harrah's Rincon Casino in San Diego, followed by a date Saturday May 1st at the Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino in Indio, California.