Even though Robin Thicke has been coined a "blue-eyed-soul artist," joining the ranks of Jon B and Justin Timberlake, his blue-eyed soulness wasn't enough to get on the cover of Vibe Magazine. According Robin Thicke, the magazine has a strict policy against having "white" artists on the cover ! Click Here For More...

While promoting his forthcoming album earlier this summer, an interview with Vibe went wrong according to the "Magic" singer. During the interview Thicke reportedly asked why he could not cover an issue of the magazine --- their response "We don't put white artists on our covers.."

Since the release of his breakthrough album "The Evolution of Robin Thicke" featuring the hit singles "Lost Without You" and "Can You Believe," which both charted well on the R&B and pop charts, Thicke has garnered quite a following amongst R&B and Soul music fans. So what's up with the cold shoulder from Vibe ?

Recalling the situation with Vibe Thicke says "This is a magazine I love. If there's one magazine that I'd want to be on the cover of, it's Vibe. The only white artist they've had on the cover was Eminem. I guess if that's what it is, it is what it is."

Even though he got the cold shoulder from the magazine when it came down to the cover, Thicke says "I respect that because I live in a house with a black woman. I won't use the word racism. I will say it's a tough -- but rewarding -- fight. I look at Mary J. Blige, somebody who has had only a few pop hits and yet has changed culture, generated new sounds and inspired leagues of artists. She's now a worldwide phenomenon. And it's because of what she stood for; she never gave up."

With the upcoming release of "Something Else," Thicke's new album, the singer plans to focus on issuing quality music. "You can't always expect people to be as color-blind or open-minded as you want. What you can do is keep giving your heart and soul, like Bob Marley did. His music became so overwhelmingly loving; it was a relentless love in a sense. Keep beating them down with love and they can't stop you."

In related news, Robin Thicke's feature in Billboard Magazine titled "White Like Me" has been placed in this week's issue of the popular magazine.

Rapper The Game has reportedly been charged with criminal battery for allegedly punching his cousin during a family funeral. Click Here For More...
Robert 'Kirky' Kirkwood filed a police report in July accusing the star of punching him at his sister's funeral in California earlier that month - in a dispute over money.

Kirkwood claims The Game - real name Jayceon Taylor - offered to pay for the funeral, but a dispute over the cost led to a fight outside the church, where the service was being held.

Speaking shortly after the incident, the rapper admitted he felt like his family were using emotional blackmail to get him to pay for all of the funeral expenses.

And now the Hawthorne City Attorney, in Hawthorne, California, has officially charged the rapper with criminal battery, according to TMZ.com.

Taylor is already on parole for a previous firearms offense - which landed him in jail earlier this year - and if convicted on this new charge a judge could send him back to prison.

Rap superstar SNOOP DOGG is following in the footsteps of SEAN COMBS and JAY-Z, by launching his own clothing line.

The first Rich + Infamous designs will be shown off at this week’s (beg25Aug08) Magic fashion trade show in Las Vegas.

Snoop plans to promote the line by plugging it in his songs and on merchandise, and showing it off on his reality TV show Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood.

He even plans to stage fashion shows at gigs on his forthcoming world tour..

Omarion is calling his relationship with former B2K members Lil Fizz, Raz B and J-Boog a wrap according to a recent interview with MTV News.

“I used to rock with them dudes, and now when I see them, it's not like that” says the R&B singer who recently signed with Timbaland’s Mosley Music Group following a release from SONY earlier this year.

In the exclusive interview Omarion opened up about his situation with the group following a series of allegations between their manager Chris Stokes and Raz B which rocked the world during the Holiday season. “Really, my thing is, I talked to the cats, and it's sad what people will do when they're in the position of 'don't have.” says Omarion. Click Here For More...
“People will say, 'Omarion is still out there and in the public. Omarion is still successful.' But they don't sit back and think, 'Why is Omarion able to get this opportunity? Why are they not getting this opportunity?' Fizz put a single out. They are a product of their karma. I can't talk in detail about what was done [on their parts], but a lot of wrongdoing was done. A lot of false statements — off-the-wall, disrespectful things. Not even on a dislike level. On a hurtful level.”

Despite his feelings toward the group Omarion says he is moving forward with his new album “I'm a spiritual dude, and a part of me is forgiving. But there is so much that has been done, you get tired of that. This whole next album, you'll see a whole new Omarion.”

Seemingly happy about his departure from SONY, where he cites creative differences and lack of control, Omarion says he has a better grasp of where he is going now. “I feel like now I'm in a really great place.”

Omarion’s last album entitled “21" was released in 2006. In a suprising move, Omarion cut his signature braids this year but says it was all in taking his life and career to the next level. “Cutting my hair, I feel like I'm going to another level. Cutting my hair was a step for me. Anybody that has had hair for so long, when you're used to something, it's like reforming your life.”

Omarion is currently at work on his third studio album.

A failed Jodeci reunion concert ended in chaos over the weekend after a series of events which came to ahead when a group member collapsed on stage.

According to reports, fans became outraged after Jodeci member Donald "Devante Swing" DeGrate pulled out, leaving brothers Cedric and Joel Hailey - known as K-Ci and JoJo to perform alone at the highly anticipated show in Sydney, Australia. Click Here For More...

Fans booed and threw bottles at the stage as the duo seemingly forgot song lyrics, occasionally left the stage for several minutes, and repeatedly sat down to perform songs.

According to a concertgoer, the show was thrown into further chaos after JoJo appeared to pass out, lying still as a security guard came on stage to pick up the star's microphone.

"The whole thing was a disaster. First, one of the guys... didn't even show up, so it became a K-Ci and JoJo concert."

The furious fan added: "JoJo walked off stage for about five minutes, then came back out to sing All My Life - and passed out mid-song. His brother told the audience that they were tired after their 24-hour flight and that JoJo had gotten dizzy."

Rapper Da Brat has been sentenced to three years in prison for striking a waitress with a rum bottle at a nightclub last year.
Click Here For More...
A Superior Court Judge ruled on Friday the hip-hop hit-maker - real name Shawntae Harris - will also serve seven years probation and 200 hours of community service for the incident in addition to her jail time. Harris, 34, was involved in the altercation at a Halloween party at Studio 72 nightclub in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 31st 2007.

The pair were reported by police to have gotten into an altercation prior to the assault - resulting in the victim's hospitalization and permanent facial scarring. Harris entered a guilty plea to aggravated assault in the case.

According to reports, the rapper pleaded to her weeping family as she was led out of the courtroom, saying: "I love y'all."

Rapper DMX is set to star in a new reality TV show chronicling his many legal woes. DMX: This Life of Mine will follow the troubled star, real name Earl Simmons, as he attempts to rehabilitate himself after a recent series of arrests, reports AllHipHop.com. Click Here For More...


He is currently behind bars, following his arrest for missing a court date earlier this month, stemming from drug charges in Arizona. The arrest was the rapper's sixth in 2008 alone.

In a statement, DMX says: "In many ways, my life has been an open book. (But) I haven't always been the one writing the story. "With this show, however, people will get to see and hear with their own eyes and ears what really goes on in my life and I think they'll come to understand me a little bit better with each episode."

In 2006 the rapper starred in his first reality TV series, titled DMX: Soul of a Man, which explored his personal life.

LL Cool J has launched a scathing attack on U.S. president George W. Bush in a new song.

Following in fellow rappers Nas and Q-Tip's footsteps, the hip-hop star - real name James Todd Smith III - hits out at the leader and his involvement in the Iraq war in a track entitled Mr. President. He tells the New York Daily News, "It's all about what I'd like to ask (him). Tell me how to set that up (a meeting with Bush), and I would be there in a heartbeat."

He raps in the track: "Mr. President, are you aware / Our flesh and blood is dying over there? / When the coffins come back, do you care? / When only the poor kids die, is it fair? / Don't get me wrong. I respect the flag / But it hurts to see a kid in a body bag / He fought for his country with all he had / Now we have a family without a dad."

Mr. President appears on LL Cool J's final Def Jam album, Exit 13, and is released next month.

Hip-Hop mogul Jermaine Dupri recently closed his Café Dupri, an eatery that he recently opened in the Buckhead section of Atlanta.

According to Dupri, who opened the health conscious café in 2005, the ailing United States economy prevented the business venture from taking off the ground. Click Here For More...
“The economy has changed dramatically and people just aren’t eating out as much anymore,” Dupri told AllHipHop.com. “People are cutting back everywhere and a lot of companies, including Café Dupri, are feeling the affect. For the past two months business at the Café has been down and if the business isn’t making money, I feel its a smart move to shut it down. Bottom line: if it doesn't make money, it doesn't make sense.”

Employees of the café recently spoke to WSB-TV about the closing as well, airing their frustrations with Dupri due to allegations of nonpayment for the work.

Last week, workers arrived at the Buckhead-based eatery to find a sign on the door that read "thanks for patronizing Café Dupri. We have closed indefinitely."

According to the workers, Dupri’s mother, Cecelia Mauldin, served as CEO of Café Dupri.

She issued notices several times to employees stating that payroll funds were not available.

A notice dated Aug. 11 instructed the workers to go to "a Sun Trust bank and cash your check. The cash flow will not be in the bank until Tuesday after 12. Sorry for the inconvenience."

Workers told WSB-TV that paychecks from Café Dupri have bounced for weeks and have been refused at local check cashing businesses.

When asked about the dilemma, Mauldin also said that all the workers had been paid and that it was a business decision to shut down Café Dupri.



Source: Allhiphop

The investigation into the “highly suspicious” fire that gutted the Long Island home owned by 50 Cent – but occupied by his ex-girlfriend and their son – is lingering because the rapper has not been interviewed by investigators, sources tell ABC News. Click Here For More...
A fire official said investigators have not been able to conclude the investigation partly because the hip-hop star, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has not met with the arson squad. The official said attempts have been made through Jackson’s attorneys to meet with him, but that he has not scheduled an interview.

“We interview every owner of every structure that goes on fire,” said the official. “It’s standard procedure.”

Another source with information about the investigation said he was told Jackson’s unavailability is holding up the case, although the source did not know why Jackson has been unavailable. There is no deadline requiring Jackson to meet with investigators.

Solange Knowles is letting everyone knows she is far from her sister Beyonce. She recently , responded to the controversy surrounding her song “Champagne Chronic Night Cap” which features Lil Wayne this week. (Audio Inside) Click Here For More...
“I am unapologetic; I don't write about things unless they're true” says the singer whose album drops later this month. The song in question “ChampagneChronicNightcap,” details an evening of smoking marijuana, drinking and making love explicitly, which was a bit much for some critics. The song also lends some truth to the rumored tryst between Knowles and Lil Wayne who is on the song and also refers to Beyonce’s little sister as “Solo.”

Regardless of what people might think Solange insists every track on her album Sol-Angel & The Hadley St. Dreams is written from personal experience. “I'm a grown-ass woman and I've experienced grown-ass things.”

Solange feat. Lil Wayne "Champagne Chronic Night Cap"

There is serious chatter swirling the net that G-Unit member, Lloyd Banks is extremely pissed with his label, Interscope Records, which is the parent company to G-Unit Records. One of our industry insiders has disclosed to us that he his preparing to shake G-Unit/Interscope for Def Jam Recordings, if all things go right.
Now, he has not come out publicly and expressed his displeasure with G-Unit, but I think that he definitely has an issue with 50 Cent as well, but is placing all of the blame on Interscope to keep from pissin' off the hand that really feeds him also known of 50 Cent.

So don't be surprised if you hear an announcement from Lloyd Banks sometime this month.

Source: Shamelesshype.com

Hip-hop mogul Damon Dash is facing foreclosure on his luxury New York homes. Eastern Savings Bank has filed a suit against the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder, accusing him of falling behind on payments on his two TriBeCa properties. Click Here For More...
Dash reportedly took out a $7.3 million mortgage on the two homes, but the bank has now filed a foreclosure action against the star - charging him with failing to deliver the $78,500-a-month payments since January, according to New York gossip column PageSix.

It is not the first time Dash has faced a financial crisis - last year he was accused of owing the New York tax department $2 million in back charges.

Actor Danny Glover has branded Hollywood studio bosses racist after failing to secure financial backers for a biopic of revolutionary Haitian leader Toussaint L'Ouverture. Click Here For More...

According to the New York Post, Glover's project has yet to move forward due to financial woes - despite Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez offering half of the $36 million budget to finance the film. Glover was reportedly banking on the other $18 million from a distributor, but claims he faced rejection from financiers unsure of producing a film based on L'Ouverture, who helped to abolish slavery in Haiti in the late 1700s.

Glover recently told a Paris film seminar: "Producers said, 'It's a nice project, a great project'... Where are the white heroes?'"

The Pan-African Newswire reports that Glover added: "I couldn't get the money here. I couldn't get the money in Britain. I went to everybody... The first question you get is, 'Is it a black film?' All of them agree, 'It's not going to do good in Europe, it's not going to do good in Japan.' Somebody has to prove that to be a lie."

As his next film, 'Death Race', gets ready to hit the screen next week, Tyrese Gibson has been doing lots of interviews to promote the action packed film that also stars Jason Statham. Writer/director John Singleton is in pre-production on an unofficial sequel to his 2001 flick 'Baby Boy'. Click Here For More...

'Fight for Love', a drama scheduled to shoot in the Fall, will reunite the stars of the earlier film Tyrese Gibson and Taraji P. Henson.

In the film, Gibson and Henson play a struggling couple, Sir and Cookie, who've two kids, some unapproving parents and a bevy of external forces working against them.

R. Kelly is yet again involved in a legal battle this week. According to a lawsuit filed on Friday, Kelly is suing two club promoters for allegedly using his name without permission.

In the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior court, Toi Crawford and Shane Mooney, promoters at Sugar Night Club in Hollywood were charged with violation of statutory right of publicity, common law of publicity, unfair competition law and false endorsement after they allegedly promoted an event to be hosted by R.Kelly – an event the R&B singer knew nothing about. Click Here For More...

According to TMZ, the 14-page complaint states that R.Kelly has suffered irreparable harm and damage due to this event. The suit also stems from flyers that were allegedly made with Kelly’s name in order to generate a larger audience.

In related news, the R&B singer/songwriter is set to release his next album “12 Play” this fall despite a series of leaked tracks that surfaced online in recent weeks.

Juelz recently spoke about how he was getting left off big records and his current view on Cam’ron: Click Here For More...

Juelz said “tons” of his work on other artists’ songs never saw the light of day. “I’m just gonna say a lot of big records. … I was on a good portion of those records, or asked to be on a good portion of those records that [Lil] Wayne was on — along with him, not like they asked me before they asked him, or vice versa. I know I was on a good portion of those records, ’cause the I Can’t Feel My Face thing. We were pushing that hard. People wanted to get both of us. I couldn’t go as far as the clearances. I could do my verse, then it got to the point where I couldn’t go there with people, because I didn’t want them to think that it was me being the bad guy not clearing stuff. I didn’t want that on my name. So, I would let people know, ‘I can’t really. … If you wanna just put it out on the mixtapes, we could do that all day. The fans definitely missed out on a lot of Juelz due to my contract.”

Despite the business gripes, Santana still speaks fondly of Cam and yells “Dipset for life” consistently.

“I have no hard feelings towards Cam,” he explained. “I tell people I couldn’t do business with him. But I will say he gave me the biggest chance I needed. I’m a dude from the ‘hood, so the chance he gave me is a chance I needed to never turn back. I’m good. My artistry, my talent, my career was never built on controversy. So I would never come out and say a whole bunch of things that could be said. All I can say is, I’m sorry he can’t be here to be a part of what’s about to happen, because we’re about to tear ‘em up.”

01. 50 Cent: $150 million
02. Jay-Z: $82 million
03. Diddy: $35 million
04. Kanye West: $30 million
05. Timbaland: $22 million
06. Pharrell Williams: $20 million
07. Swizz Beatz: $17 million
08. Snoop Dogg: $16 million
09. Dr. Dre: $15 million
10. Ludacris: $14 million
11. T.I.: $13 million
11. Lil Wayne: $13 million
12. Eminem: $12 million *
12. Common: $12 million *
12. Akon: $12 million *
13. Jermaine Dupri: $11 million **
13. Lil Jon: $11 million **
14. OutKast: $10 million ***
14. Chamillionaire: $10 million ***
14. The Game: $10 million ***

* Tied for 12th on list
** Tied for 13th on list
*** Tied for 14th on list

The Pussycat Dolls’ front-woman Nicole Scherzinger was the victim of a robbery in Spain according to reports Sunday. Click Here For More...

According to the Daily Star, the Pussycat Doll, who is currently on tour promoting the upcoming album “Doll Domination” was targeted by thieves in Spain while in the company of her beau Lewis Hamilton. Two bags were stolen from the couple's rented Mercedes shortly after a chauffeur had loaded their luggage into the vehicle outside the Malaga Palacio hotel on Saturday .

An eyewitness told Britain's Daily Star newspaper, "Lewis' driver was cleaning the wing mirrors when two men ran up to the open trunk he'd just finished loading and pinched a rucksack and a leather hold-all. "The one (thief) carrying the rucksack dropped it as the bodyguards pursued him but the other guy with the smaller piece of luggage kept hold of his. "I overheard one of the security men saying it had Lewis' iPod inside it with all his music on."

Scherzinger will continue on with the international promotional tour for the Pussycat Dolls’ latest album “Doll Domination” due next month. The ladies are lined up for a series of events including performances on the Today Show (Aug.29) and Fashion Rocks (Sept. 9).

Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am is reportedly furious with bandmate Fergie - because she is too busy making a movie to go on tour.

The frontman is said to be keen to play a series of gigs to promote the band's forthcoming album, which is due out later this year. Click Here For More...

But Fergie is currently in Europe shooting the musical movie Nine - and may not be able to guarantee her appearance on a planned tour, according to New York gossip column Page Six.

A source tells the publication, "(Fergie) won't commit to a tour schedule to promote the album."

The source adds that shooting Nine is Fergie's "priority right now".

Popular personality DJ Vlad has filed a $4 million dollar assault and battery lawsuit against rapper Rick Ross, stemming from an altercation at the Ozone Awards (August 10).

In federal documents filed yesterday in NY District Court, DJ Vlad, born Vlad Lyubovny, alleges that “with calculated planning, Rick Ross lured DJ Vlad to a meeting for the purpose of obtaining retribution. Click Here For More...

At that meeting, Rick Ross’ entourage of thugs carried out Rick Ross’ wishes in his presence and severely beat DJ Vlad causing permanent bodily injury.”

According to Vlad, the beating was due to his coverage on Vladtv.com of reports that Ross previously worked as a correction officer.

The attack has left Vlad with 7 stitches below the eye, three fractures to the face, a corneal abrasion and possible permanent nerve damage.

The court documents also claim that Ross sent text messages to Vlad that preceded that attack.

“N*ggas will learn…trillaaa,” Ross is alleged to have sent to Vlad. “I’m hearing things about me on your website. We gonna make a story. We gonna see each other. We going to talk. Where are you?”

In the lawsuit, DJ Vlad states he thought the purpose of the meeting was to give Ross the chance to tell his side in an exclusive story.

After a brief conversation, Vlad charges that the Miami rapper bluntly stated “we got beef” and “Ross’ accomplices, who had surrounded DJ Vlad while he spoke with Ross, proceeded to strike and beat DJ Vlad in Ross’ presence and without any protest on Ross’ part.”

Rick Ross’ latest album Trilla was released in March and has sold over 600,000 copies.

DJ Vlad currently runs the news site Vladtv.com out of New York City which provides interviews and information on Hip-Hop artists.

At press time Rick Ross could not be reached for comment on the lawsuit, which seeks $2 million dollars in punitive damages and and $2 million in compensatory damages.

Hip-hop mogul P. MILLER is launching his own family-friendly cable network to provide “positive” viewing for the black community.

The star, formerly known as Master P, announced on Thursday (14Aug08) that the new network - titled Better Black Television (BBTV) - will focus on general entertainment, ranging from drama, comedy, movies, animation, politics and sports, as well as entertainment news.Click Here For More...


And Miller has brought a number of celebrities on board BBTV - Oscar-winner Denzel Washington, rap pioneer DJ Kool Herc and NBA basketball player Derek Anderson are among the network’s board members.

BBTV CEO Miller says, “I believe that there is a market in our community for a new diverse network that provides a new brand of superior programming that caters to all aspects of television, from reality to original programming.”

The new channel will be in direct competition with the existing U.S. network Black Entertainment Television (BET), which also caters for the African American community.

But Miller insists he still has “a great relationship with BET and MTV” and has vowed that he and his rapper/actor son Lil’ Romeo “will continue to do work with them and support their networks”.

BBTV is set to launch in 2009.

Ice Cube feat. Musiq "Why Me"

New Chris Brown music has been popping up on the Web — and the singer is not happy about it.

The 19-year-old is frustrated that fans have been listening to a song called "Electric Guitar" that's supposed to be off his third album, due out next year.

"I'm mad that it's leaked," he told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "The record's not finished. It's supposed to be me and Rihanna's duet." Click Here For More...


"Electric Guitar" would be yet another collaboration between Brown and his rumored girlfriend. He appeared on a remix to her smash hit "Umbrella" last year, and he's listed as a co-writer on her latest No. 1 hit, the dance song "Disturbia."

"It's fun being creative and even if you have a concept in your head to write about, you can write it and give it to someone else because it might not personally fit you, but it might be an idea you have," said Brown. "So with (Rihanna) that was an idea I had. I just wanted to go totally left and kind of weird, and that's what I threw at her."

Brown is still riding high off the success of his second album, "Exclusive," released last year. It was rereleased in June with new material, including the song "Forever," which is now No. 2 on the chart, a notch below Rihanna.

"Having the support of my fans on the second round was just incredible, and it's even getting bigger now," he said of his success.

He also said he's working on a new reality show about break-dancing: "We're going to do our thing and have a lot of fun."

VH1 has announced the five honorees for their fifth annual "VH1 Hip Hop Honors," Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature and Too $hort. Hosted once again by Tracy Morgan, this year's musical celebration will give viewers a chance to step back and reminisce on a time when hip hop music began to make its greatest impact on American pop culture. Click Here For More...

Premiering on Tuesday, October 7 at 10PM, generations of hip hop will bridge the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor that sparked a revolution and continues to fuel an evolution around the world. Additional performances and appearances will be announced shortly.

"Now in its fifth year, the 'VH1 Hip Hop Honors' has come to represent the pinnacle of innovation and achievement in hip hop music," said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager, VH1. "This year's five honorees are no different and are being recognized for their significant contributions to hip hop culture and for helping to elevate hip hop into a truly global phenomenon."

Puffy b.k.a. Diddy is so convinced he is a great lover, he is confident he would win a gold medal if sex was an Olympic sport. Click Here For More...

The rapper - who has been romantically linked to R&B singer Cassie - admits he is very self-assured when it comes to his bedroom activities. When asked what his ideal Olympic event would be, he suggests, "Who could have sex the longest!"

And Combs is adamant he would outstay the competition. He adds, "I think that's an event I can do well in. And probably who could stay up the longest."

Kanye West, multi-platinum rapper/ producer, philanthropist and clothing line owner, feels it’s time to expand his empire. Click Here For More...
Yeezy looks set to open the first in a line of Fatburger restaurants around Chi-Town in September 2008 through his company KW Foods LLC.

The Stronger rapper has plans to open ten potential food outlets in his hometown of Chicago, with the first to rumoured to open in Orland Park.

Rapper Lil Wayne has reached an out-of-court settlement in a legal dispute over an outstanding jewelery bill.

The star, real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was sued by the owner of Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry last year amid claims he failed to pay a $146,000 invoice. Click Here For More...

Proprietor Jack Sutton alleged the Lollipop hitmaker placed orders over the
phone for a $138,000 diamond ring and a $32,000 gold and diamond necklace.

But Sutton alleged that after handing over the first check for $24,000 in October, and a second in January, Lil Wayne's payments stopped coming in - despite him agreeing to make monthly installments for the jewelery.

However, the two parties have now reached a deal in the case - more than eight months after the complaint was filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court in Florida.

The rapper's lawyer, Ron Sweeney, says, "We reached a settlement. Everybody's happy."

The terms of the negotiations have yet to be released to the media.

After close to fifteen years in the game, rapper Master P has decided to officially abandon the name under which he attained success.

With over 75 million records sold worldwide, the five-time Grammy Award winner will now go by P. Miller in an effort to expand on his equally impressive achievements as a businessman. Click Here For More...
“I’m changing my name because Master P is who I used to be,” the No Limit Entertainment CEO explains. “I call it my childhood, and P. Miller marks my manhood. There’s a lot of people out there who are afraid to grow up and change, but I’m not and P. Miller is the evolution of me, Percy Miller, the entrepreneur, the businessman.”

With a net worth valued at an estimated $500 million, Miller has achieved quite a bit of mainstream attention in recent years, most notably since appearing before the United States Congress in 2007 to address the widely publicized criticism of Hip-Hop lyrics and culture.

Soon after, he and his son Romeo launched Take A Stand Records as a profanity-free record label.

In July, Miller made history by inking a deal with retail giant Wal-Mart to distribute his affordable P. Miller Designs clothing line in stores nationwide, thus becoming the discount chain’s first African-American Hip-Hop supplier.

“I’ve branched out into so many different arenas, but all that gets overshadowed because I come from the Hip-Hop industry,” says the multi-platinum artist, who’s maintained his relevance with a new generation of fans by being the driving force behind his son’s run at superstardom. “People grow mentally and spiritually through life experiences, but when you come from Hip-Hop, it’s almost impossible to get past the stereotypes associated with it.”

Throughout his illustrious career, Miller has also used his success to support and motivate others through two charitable organizations, P. Miller Youth Centers and the P. Miller Food Foundation, and the 2007 release of Guaranteed Success, a semi-autobiographical guide to wealth building and business.

In support of the book, Miller embarked on tour with Donald Trump, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Rich Dad, Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki, working with The Learning Annex to teach the importance of financial literacy.

Source: Allhiphop.com

Cassie recent interview with Complex Magazine: What’s your definition of an “official girl”?
Cassie: I hear it going a few different ways. For me, I’ve experienced it where being in public, it’s more about keeping your private life private. Click Here For More...
So, are you somebody’s official girl?
Cassie: I might be. [Laughs.] I’m not in a relationship right now, but I’m 22. I’m dating people. I’m not one to be like, “I’m dating that guy and that guy.” I don’t want it to be about who I’m dating. I want people to take my career more seriously.

Fair enough. There are rumors that you’ve dated Ryan Leslie and Diddy. If these rumored flames fought, who would win?
Cassie: I’m not answering that question! [Laughs.]

C’mon! It’s hypothetical!
Cassie: No way. That’s totally up to the public. What do you think?

Diddy stands to lose much more in that fight.
Cassie: I like how you’ve thought about this.

Puffy’s bigger, so it’s a bigger deal if somebody knocks him out. So anyway, if a guy makes a girl his official girl, can he have other, less official girls on the side?
Cassie: No.

No?
Cassie: No. Never.

Is that for you or generally speaking?
Cassie: I don’t think that’s right, but guys will be guys, right? [Laughs.]

Yes, we will. How was your experience acting in Step Up 2: The Streets?
Cassie: I don’t think I took enough classes. Reacting to five other people is completely different than being with an acting coach, which can become comfortable. I’m a horrible driver, and my first day on set I had to drive a car and act at the same time. I was thinking about too many things at once. I had to hit the gas and hit the brakes, and I almost ran over the girl that I was talking to. It was just a mess.

Have you seen any of the debates about your ethnicity online? It’s just like Dave Chappelle’s “Racial Draft” sketch.
Cassie: What’s funny about it is, when I was growing up, I wasn’t confused. I knew exactly what I was. My dad’s Filipino, my mom is Mexican, West Indian, and black—I’m a little melting pot. In school, you were either black or white. Being Asian really wasn’t anything until I got to high school and was modeling all the time, and it was important because it intrigued people. Black people definitely didn’t claim me before. They were like, “Light skin over there, she’s just not for us.” [Laughs.] It’s all perception. The other day, I was at the drugstore and this girl in line was like, “She’s next, the white girl.” I’m not white. I’m not even close.

What kind of female body do you like?
Cassie: I prefer voluptuous over pin-thin, even though people accuse me of having the body of a 12-year-old boy. When I don’t work out, I get really skinny. I started working out with my trainer, and I was like, “I need a booty.” I did three sessions with him and people started noticing the difference, and I couldn’t fit into my jeans anymore. I had to wear spandex.

Speaking of body modification, do you enjoy the pain of getting your tattoos?
Cassie: The pain of this one, I did enjoy [brushes back her hair to reveal “Amour” behind her right ear]. It didn’t really hurt for some reason, and it healed in two days. But I’m really tolerant of pain; there’s something about it I enjoy.

Was it super-painful when you got your nipples pierced?
Cassie: I don’t have any nipple piercings!

Um, yes you do.
Cassie: Can you really see them? [Laughs.] It’s not like I was trying to hide them. I wear T-shirts, so you’re going to see them. I think it’s sexy. I’m proud of them. I wasn’t expecting that [question]! No, it’s not too painful. It stings when it happens. It’s a really strange feeling.

When did you get them?
Cassie: It was kind of for a reason: my mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor. They have gene-testing for that cancer gene, so I got tested. I got my piercings before I got my results, like positive energy. I’m sitting there with my parents, my mom’s sobbing after she finds out that I don’t have the gene, and I’m like, “Guess what, Mom and Dad, I got my nipples pierced!”

[Laughs.] What did they say?
Cassie: They just laughed at me. But it was nerve-racking because I was like, “My mom’s going to kill me if I have this gene and I got these things.”

What do you think about piercings for sexual purposes? Pro? Anti?
Cassie: I’m not against them. Oh my God, I hope my Dad doesn’t read this.

Read 1st part of interview HERE

According to the big homies over at Dubcnn.com: We just got word that West Coast producer legend Battlecat has decided to release an album, which is great news by itself, but to ease the wait until the album drops, he will be dropping a mixtape for download. Click Here For More...
The mixtape will feature Battlecat's group Westnile and his brother Myskestro amongst many others, along with production by himself and his protege Amplified, who some of you may know for his funk'd out productions.

Serena Williams in recent Men's Fitness Magazine.

Known for the hit singles “I Think Dey Like Me” and “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit,” Hip Hop group and snap-music leaders Dem Franchize Boyz are busy prepping for the release of their new album under a new label. Click Here For More...No longer signed to Jermaine Durpi’s So So Def, Dem Franchise Boyz are ready to bring back their unique sound and swagger with the help of Koch Records and R&B singer Lloyd. Led by the single “Turn Heads” featuring Lloyd, Dem Franchize Boyz will release “Our World, Our Way” on September 30th.

In addition to their collaboration with Lloyd, Mannie Fresh of Cash Money joins the group of four comprised of Jizzal Man, Parlae, Pimpin and Buddie on the track “Mr. Feel Good.”

Jamie Foxx was spotted in Hawaii this weekend boogie boarding. Notice his wave cap. Jamie is serious. Gotta keep the waves tight. LMAO!!! But also trip off Jamie boogie board. Do he know what he representing by riding that board?

August 9th, Yung Berg was arrested by the NYPD. He was charged with criminal possession of weapons and marijuana.

There was a dispute with a limo driver and 5 passengers. After the dispute NYPD received a complaint and the 5 passengers along with Berg were arrested.

Yung Berg was to perform at Six Flags in NJ that Saturday.

Actor and comedian Bernie Mac, know best for the Bernie Mac show, reportedly died this morning at age 50. According to his publicist Danica Smith, passed away from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital.

She said no other details were available and asked that his family's privacy be respected. Click Here For More...The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.

Mac worked his way to Hollywood success from an impoverished upbringing on Chicago's South Side. He began doing standup as a child, and his film career started with a small role as a club doorman in the Damon Wayans comedy "Mo' Money" in 1992. In 1996, he appeared in the Spike Lee

drama "Get on the Bus." He was one of "The Original Kings of Comedy" in the 2000 documentary of that title that brought a new generation of black standup comedy stars to a wider audience.

"The majority of his core fan base will remember that when they paid their money to see Bernie Mac ... he gave them their money's worth," Steve Harvey, one of his costars in "Original Kings," told CNN on Saturday.

Mac also had starring roles in “Ocean’s Eleven,” "Bad Santa," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and "Transformers."

R&B Singer Beyonce Knowles, who recently signed a $4.7 million endorsement deal with L'Oreal, has come under fire from various media outlets and the black blogosphere for being too “light.” Click Here For More...

In contrary, the Paris-based company said in a statement sent to the Associated Press, "We highly value our relationship with Ms. Knowles. It is categorically untrue that L'Oreal Paris altered Ms. Knowles' features or skin tone in the campaign for Feria hair color."

Beyonce’s deal with L’Oreal is a five-year contract, which calls for her to work 10 days a year for photo shoots and to make promotional and personal appearances within that time.

L'Oreal has the option to extend those 10 days to 12 but will pay $25,000 a day for the extra time. Beyonce must keep her hair in "excellent condition" and notify the company if she plans to make "any radical change."

Messy Marv feat. Yukmouth, Gucci Mane, Mitchy Slick Guce and Keak Da Sneak

The GAME "Superman"

NEW YORK (AP) - Mary J. Blige has been sued in New York for $2 million by a company that says she stole some of the music she used on her latest hit album, including one used on an iPod commercial.

The Drama Family Entertainment company filed the lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday.

The lawsuit claims the company suffered copyright infringement because the singer's "Growing Pains" album contains the song "Work That." The suit says the song was created by a producer who worked for the company at the time.

The song was featured with a silhouetted Blige in an iPod commercial. Apple Inc. isn't named in the lawsuit.

A message left with a lawyer for the Grammy-winning singer Thursday hasn't been returned.

Watch the iPod ad with the song here:
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Chris Brown spoke to Mtv.com about T.I. produced movie "The Heist," which begins production in September, comes out.

In it, he'll be playing a murderous bank robber.

"It's a movie called 'The Heist' that I'm doing with T.I., Idris Elba and Matt Dillon," he told MTV News recently at the Teen Choice Awards, where he walked away with four awards. Click Here For More...He kept further details close to his chest. "I'm playing a killer. I'm not going to give anything else away!" he said. "It's a bank-robbing movie, so it's one of those action-packed films. You get a little different side of me in that movie."

Those ideas were also put forth by T.I. when MTV News spoke with him about this and other film projects back in June.

"You can definitely expect action, definitely," he said. "It will be very entertaining.

"It's a new-age, young, hip-hop [version of] 'Heat,' " Tip continued, referring to the 1995 flick that brought Robert De Niro and Al Pacino together. "These are young, cool, well-dressed, articulate bank robbers. [Chris] be the little homey."

But "Heist" isn't the only movie Brown is adding to his résumé. He's also expected to start work on several other movies, including "Traded" and the basketball flick "Phenom," both of which are slated for release next year.

Brown has said he hopes his acting will make him a better performer when it comes to his live shows. "At the end of the day, I'm going to focus on my music first," he said. "[But] me being onstage enhances me being in the movie, and then me being in the movie — acting, catching characters — gives me time to transform into a different character onstage."

Big Boi and Killer Mike have set their differences aside, and their beef has been squashed. Wait ... there's a story behind it all though.

As reported earlier this week, the former friends had a falling out and recently spoke candidly, explaining their sides of the story, via two separate explanations. Click Here For More...

While Big Boi claimed Mike was released from his label, Purple Ribbon, with his blessing and then started bad mouthing him afterward, Killer Mike gave a much different account of what happened. He claims he went though a legal battle with Big Boi for his release, and that left a bitter taste in his mouth.

However, according to TheRezidue.com, the pair squashed their beef over the weekend after three years of non-communication. They finally spoke on the phone.

After Mike's recent video response, Big Boi responded via an interview on DJ Drama's Gangsta Grillz radio show, which resulted in more shots being thrown out.

Mike had enough, picked up the phone, called a mutual friend, Bear Sills, and wanted to at least talk to Big to find out what was up.

According to TheRezidue.com, while Big was driving Mike reached Bear. Big Boi's son Cross was present, and heard the argument between Bear and Mike (Cross had no idea the former friends were not on speaking terms). Cross then asked Big, "You and Killer Mike not friends no more?" When Big told him no, his son sat there quiet and angry. When Big asked what was wrong, Cross responded "I'm mad you and Killer Mike not friends no more."

This is when it all turned around. Big Boi pulled over, stopped and told Bear to call Mike. The two spoke, and have since ironed out their differences.

What was said is not known, but the two have since met with each other, resulting in the photo seen above.

Source: Ballerstatus.com