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.

Duck Down Records And 2K Sports Contest
06:00AM ET March 9, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

2K Games, the maker of the best selling NBA 2K franchise and seminal underground label Duck Down Entertainment are holding a unique contest for up and coming producers and rappers. One producer and one rapper will win the opportunity to have their song appear on the NBA 2K11 soundtrack as well as a chance to rock at Duck Down's CMJ showcase in October.

The producer contest began on March 3^rd and the emcee portion begins in early April.

More info on the contest is available at http://www.duckdown.com/NBA2K11/.

She's Got A New Do and A New Job
09:00 PM ET March 8, 2010
Contributor : Jecquea Howsie
A Rocky Williform Company

Although it's not officially confirmed, one of the hottest chicks in the game just landed an endorsement deal. Keri Hilson's gorgeous skin will be front-and-center, as she's just signed on as the spokesperson for cosmetics giant, Avon.

Ms. Hilson dished about her upcoming projects, and whether or not she'll leap into acting, while lunching at Essence's Black Women in Hollywood gala.

"Absolutely, I grew up doing theater. I was a theater major in college as well, so it's definitely in my plans. I don't know about the near future. I want to make sure that I'm grounded in the music and that's where my soul is. When the time is right though, Kerri told the YBF."

We're glad to see Kerri is expanding her brand.

MCA Bounces Back
03:00PM ET March 8, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Adam "MCA" Yauch is recovering well from his battle with cancer. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly Yauch shared the struggles he went through with his health and how it affected the group's progress

"It was touch and go there for a while, but I am finally getting my energy back," Yauch said in an interview. "It was really disappointing to have to hold the record and postpone the tour, but doctor's orders. We may or may not [release the album] depending on how my health is come September. We want to but we have to play it by ear. I was just talking to Adam [Horovitz] and Mike [D] today on the phone and we were talking about working on it a bit. We finished the record over a year ago, so we want to take a look at it and re-evaluate and make sure it is what we want to put out there and that we are still happy with it. I don't think we will change it up too much."

The Beastie's album Hot Sauce may be released in September.

OJ Simpson Release Date
12:00PM ET March 8, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Stones Throw Records announced that the upcoming album between Oxnard, California producer/rapper Madlib and Detroit emcee Guilty Simpson, OJ Simpson, will finally be made available to the public on May 18. This will be Guilty’s second album, which the duo has been working on since the summer of last year.

The label has not revealed whether Madlib will be rapping as well as producing on the project.

The duo worked together previously on Guilty's critically acclaimed 2008 debut, Ode to the Ghetto.

8 Teens Shot At Waka Flocka Flame Show
06:00AM ET March 8, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

The Post Tribune reported that 8 teenage concertgoers were shot after a performance by Waka Flocka Flame at a Gary, Indiana skating rink.

An unidentified gunman or gunmen opened fire on about 200 teenagers waiting in the Commons shopping center parking lot. Eight teenage boys, ages 14 to 18, suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, according to Gary Police Cpl. Gabrielle King.

The police believe that the shooting may have stemmed from a near fight inside the venue between rival neighborhoods.

As of press time no suspects had been apprehended by police.

T-Pain Talks New Album
06:00AM ET March 8, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

T-Pain's next album RevolveR will feature far less guest artist than his previous albums. The artist explained to Billboard that he finished up the music last week and the album is currently being mixed and mastered.

"I tried to keep it light this time because a lot of people were saying my other albums were only as good as they were because of the features," he says in a billboard.com interview. "So I'm gonna try to run the test on it this time."

Pain says RevolveR should be in stores by April.

SEA Awards
06:00AM ET March 8, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

While the majority of the Country was watching the Oscar Awards, many of hip hop's finest flocked to Memphis Tennessee for the 8^th annual Southern Entertainment Awards. The awards generally highlight the accomplishments of the top DJ's, producers, recording artists, labels and websites, in the south that are generally overlooked by other awards shows.

The show encompasses over 80 categories. Some of the big winners were Yo Gotti (Song of the Year, Indie Album of the Year), Drumma Boy (Indie Producer of the Year) Durrough (Indie Artist of the Year) Bigga Rankin (#1 DJ in the South) and Nikki Minaj (Best Indie Rap Artists of the Year).

The SEA Awards have consistently drew over 1000 people to the awards weekend which includes panel discussions, freestyle competition and parties in addition to the awards show.