Ludacris Sports New Look In “Money Maker” Video

July 29th, 2006 | By Administrator

Rapper Ludacris will head to Miami to shoot the video for “Money Maker” with Pharrell Williams on Monday (July 31) and the video will debut a new look for the Disturbing Tha Peace CEO.

Ludacris, born Chris Bridges, has cut off his trademark braids and afro for a shorter haircut.

According to the rapper, who is preparing his new album Release Therapy, the time had come for a new look.

“Release Therapy marks a new phase in my life,” Ludacris told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “I’m very excited to move forward and try new things. Life is all about change and this album will hopefully reflect some of my growth as an artist and a person. With that said, it only makes sense that I ‘shake things up’ and try something different. Who knows what I’ll come up with next?”

The video for “Money Maker” will debut on MTV in the fall.

In related news, Ludacris and Disturbing Tha Peace will host AllHipHop.com’s invitation only Battle Royale “The War” during AllHipHop Week.

Various MC’s will square off at the invitation event to compete for the $5,000 prize and championship title. For more information click here.

Thousands Of Fans Upset After Dem Franchise Boyz Miss South Carolina Concert Date

July 26th, 2006 | By Administrator

Atlanta Hip-Hop quartet Dem Franchize Boyz was a no show Friday (July 21) at an event which attracted 1,100 fans.

The group, under contract to perform at 10:30 p.m. at the Greenwood Civic Center in South Carolina, was the scheduled headliner for the four and a half hour event, which also featured a dance contest, DJ and other groups.

Although promoters informed the crowd at 11:20 p.m. that the group was on its way from Atlanta, they canceled the performance by 12:30 a.m. During that time, Dem Franchize Boyz was still on the road and in Elberton, Ga., according to the Index-Journal.

“They were paid to show up. They did not show up, and everybody blames us and the promoter,” said Tracy Upton, vice president for operations at the Civic Center. “The promoter did one of the best jobs I’ve seen in a long time (getting word out about the show). Their crowd was here, but the headliners did not show up.”

The no show marked the second time in eight years a Civic Center act was paid and failed to show up, remembered Upton, who called the situation “disappointing.”

“I can’t get them to answer the phone; my lawyer can’t get them to answer the phone,” said Johnson, who admitted that despite it being his first time working with Dem Franchize Boyz, the group isn’t known for missing shows. “I think they’ve showed up at all their concerts.”

Although, the crowd became “real rowdy” when they were told Dem Franchize Boyz would not perform, Reggie Johnson, the show’s promoter, said the crowd “left because officers were there. They calmed down pretty quick.”

When it was clear that Dem Franchize Boyz would not appear, extra security was called in by officers on duty at the civic center, added Upton.

Fans looking for refunds were out of luck. Johnson told the Index-Journal Tuesday (July 25) that all ticket revenues are with Dem Franchize Boyz’ management.

As a result, he doesn’t have any money for refunds. Parents demanding refunds at the Civic Center also came away empty-handed after learning the reason why they would not be compensated.

To make up for the mishap, Johnson’s company, RRJ Productions, will hold a pool party and cookout for all ticket holders. The event will be 2 p.m. Saturday (July 29) at the R.L. Stevens Recreation Center on Seaboard Avenue. The event will be paid for by the company.

In addition to the pool party, Johnson mentioned a possible show in the future for ticket-holders to “keep the (company’s) name good.”

Trick Daddy Hosting 3rd Annual Trick Luvs Da Kids Back to School Family Fun Fest

July 25th, 2006 | By Administrator

Miami rapper Trick Daddy and his non-profit Trick Luvs Da Kids Foundation has partnered with the Florida Marlins and radio station 103.5 The Beat for a day of free activities for local high school students.

The rapper will host the 3rd Annual Trick Luvs Da Kids Back to School Family Fun Fest at Virrick Park Saturday (July 29), providing a day of free activities, food and music. Additionally, students will receive a backpack filled with school supplies to help them through the upcoming school year.

?We want to encourage students to do their best in school,” Trick Daddy told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “South Florida schools are among the lowest schools in the state with low FCAT [Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores.] We want students to be excited about learning.?

Through the efforts of Trick Daddy and many others, FCAT scores in reading and math have steadily risen in 2006, according to numbers released by the Miami-Dade County Public School system.

“I enjoy giving back to the children,” Trick Daddy continued. “These kids will one day be our leaders.”

The Trick Luvs Da Kids Back to School Family Fun Fest takes place at 3255 Plaza Street in Coconut Grove. For more log on: www.trickdaddydollars.com.

T.I. Pens ‘For Sale’ New Line Cinema Buys Screen Play

July 19th, 2006 | By Administrator

Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I. has penned and sold a screenplay to sold New Line Cinema called For Sale.

Written by TI (real name Clifford Harris) and partner Jason Geter, the new script centers around the worst used-car lot in Atlanta. According to reports, the rapper is slated to play the character of a salesman in the movie.

In related news, the DVD release of T.I.?s big screen acting debut, ATL, hit stores on Tuesday, July 18. ATL tells the story of four teenage friends growing up on Atlanta’s south side while going through various trials and tribulations.

The movie, which was produced by Will Smith’s Overbrook Productions, is loosely based on the teenage relationship between TLC’s T-Boz and music producer Dallas Austin.

The movie has grossed over $20 million domestically.

Directed by Chris Robinson, ATL also starred Outkast’s Big Boi and Lauren London.

The DVD includes special features such as deleted scenes, T.I.’s music video ‘What You Know’ and a special presentation about the various artists upbringing in Atlanta.

T.I.?s latest musical offering, King, which debuted the same week as ATL, landed at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart by selling over 500,000 copies during it?s first week on the shelves.

The album has since been certified platinum.

Ludacris Devotes Four Days To Raise Money For NonProfit Ludacris Foundation

July 18th, 2006 | By Administrator

Rapper/actor Ludacris took a break from recording his newest album Release Therapy and attended a weekend of charitable events in Los Angeles and Miami to raise funds for his nonprofit charity organization, The Ludacris Foundation.

Ludacris raised over $25,000 during a four-day weekend that saw the rapper take home an award during GM’s Auto Fashion Show, which was hosted by the Miami Heat’s Shaquille O’Neal.

The Atlanta native’s 1967 Green Chevy Bel-Air earned the prize for Best Exterior in the competition, which was judged by tennis star Serena Williams and actor/rapper Nick Cannon.

Magazine Vanity Fair hosted a private photoshoot in a Pasadena, California mansion featuring Ludacris, Kathrine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy) and Troy Garrity (Barbershop).

The four-page spread, themed “Fun and Fabulous Hollywood,” was sponsored by Moet-Chandon and will be featured in the December issue of Vanity Fair. Ludacris’ The Ludacris Foundation received a sizable contribution for the rapper’s participation in the photoshoot.

“Man, I’m so busy with my recording and trying to finish this album that I haven’t had time to pay attention to alot of other stuff,” Ludacris told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “This weekend just came together with all of these great opportunities for the foundation that I had to take a break and hit the town.”

While on the Miami leg of the weekend, the rapper participated Alonzo Mourning’s 10th Annual Tyson Foods Zo’s Summer Groove, where he gave a special performance at the American Airlines Arena that benefited his nonprofit, which was established in 2001.

With the weekend over, the rapper said he planned to return to the studio to finish work on Release Therapy.

“I’ve been focused for the past few months on just getting everything done and this turned out to be a nice break with a good purpose,” Ludacris continued. “Now it’s back to the studio and work!”

Release Therapy is slated to hit stores September 26.

Project Pat Working On New Book ‘Fed Story 2′

July 17th, 2006 | By Administrator

As he gears up for the release of his new album Crook DA Book: The Fed Story rapper Project Pat is putting his experience behind bars in a new book.

“I got this book I wrote and it’s called The Fed Story 2,” Project Pat told AllHipHop.com. “It’s just about the situation and the feds, and how I got a blessing [from] God, blessing me through it.”

The book is the newest venture for Pat, who was convicted in 2002 of felony possession of a firearm after being pulled over by police for speeding in 2001.

Authorities found two revolvers under the seat of Project Pat’s SUV, while the rapper was on parole for aggravated robbery.

The rhymesayer, who was released in 2005, is currently serving a three-year stint of supervised release.

In addition to giving his version of the events leading to his incarceration, a complete transcript of the trial will be included in the back of the new book.

“This [is the] full transcript of everything that was said in the court,” Project Pat explained, who predicted that readers will “trip off this book.”

Fans can expect to the book to hit shelves after the release of Pat?s album, Crook by DA Book: The Fed Story.

While the album and book will mark Pat?s official return to rap, the lyricist is dealing with the abrupt departure of his friend and former Three 6 Mafia member Crunchy Black.

“To this day, I don’t even know [why Crunchy left],” Project Pat said. “I asked myself, I asked people that knew and they like they don’t know. I don’t know. I mean maybe it will come out, but I don’t know. I thought everything was okay. I mean. I love the dude, man. I don’t know what happened. I’m serious about that, I don’t know. But I mean, you know, I can’t dwell on it.”

Project Pat?s Crook by DA Book: The Fed Story is slated to hit stores in October.

Judge Lifts C-Murder’s House Arrest

July 14th, 2006 | By Administrator

C-Murder has been released from home confinement after being accused of violating the conditions of his house arrest numerous times.

Judge Martha Sassone of the 24th Judicial District Court denied a request on Thursday (July 13) to jail the embattled rapper after prosecutors and witnesses alleged that C-Murder (born Corey Miller) was frequently out of range of his home detention monitoring system.

According to the New Orleans Times Picuyane, Sassone said she was confident that Miller had not violated the conditions of house arrest.

The judge’s decision allows Miller to travel between the Jefferson and Orleans parishes.

While Miller will no longer be confined to home-monitoring, his release will still be closely supervised. According to court records, the rapper must be home between the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and visitors to his residence have been restricted. He is also banned from drinking and going to bars.

Miller had been incarcerated since 2002 after being convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 16-year-old Steven Thomas.

Thomas was shot in the chest after an argument inside of the now defunct Platinum Club in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, in January 2002. The rapper was convicted in September 2003 and sentenced to a mandatory life sentence.

He appealed the case in 2004, after discovering prosecutors had expunged the criminal records of some of their witnesses and withheld evidence from Miller’s defense team.

In 2004, the original trial judge, Judge Martha Sassone ordered a new trial for Miller in light of the new evidence. In March 2005, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal struck down Sassone’s ruling and upheld Miller’s second-degree murder conviction.

Miller appealed the ruling in February, and on March 10 the Louisiana Supreme Court overturned Miller’s murder conviction and ordered a new trial.

It is now up to prosecutors to decide if they want to take Miller to trial again.

Gainesville Club Cancels Rick Ross Concert Due To Previous Shooting

July 11th, 2006 | By Administrator

Miami rapper Rick Ross’ upcoming sold-out concert at a Gainesville, Fla., nightclub has been canceled due to a shooting at the club on Sunday July 2 that injured five people.

The concert was scheduled to take place at 238 West this Saturday, but the club manager expressed concerns that additional violence could spill over into the Ross event.

Last weekend, members of Slip-N-Slide artist Plies’ entourage fired shots into a crowd after the rapper’s performance was cut 15 minutes short to allow Louisiana rapper Lil’ Boosie to perform.

According to the Gainesville Sun, the shooting left five people with non-life threatening injuries.

Plies (real name Algernod Lanier Washington) and another man were arrested and charged with illegal possession of concealed weapons in connection with the shooting. Two others were arraigned on attempted murder charges.

Plies has since been arraigned in court and released on $50,000 bail.

Although the concert has been cancelled, 238 West will be open this weekend for business.

Additionally, police have added extra officers to patrol the area and assist with crowd control in the event that people show up expecting to attend the concert.

Ross is currently putting the finishing touches on his Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam debut Port of Miami, which arrives in stores Aug. 8 via Def Jam. The new disc features Young Jeezy, Akon, Mario Winans, and Jay-Z, among others.

In June, Ross received a gold certification and was recognized by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 ring tones of his single “Hustlin’.”

Rapper Romeo Balls Out – On Basketball Court

July 10th, 2006 | By Administrator

No Limit Records MC Romeo has found a nonmusical direction to take in addition to acting.

The rapper, son of No Limit head Master P, is developing his basketball skills against 200 of the top high school players at ABCD, the country’s number one basketball camp.

“There was no pressure on me,” said Romeo, who impressed college coaches with his focus on life, education and basketball. “I use this week as a concert. Instead of thousands of fans there were thousands of college coaches and NBA scouts and I used the basketball court as my stage. And I took the opportunity to show the world that I can hoop for real.”

Sponsored by Reebok, the Teaneck, New Jersey-based ABCD camp is an invitation-only basketball showcase that has produced a host of high-profile players, including Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Stephon Marbury, Carmello Anthony and LeBron James.

Sonny Vaccaro, the camp’s founders, believes Romeo has the potential to become a successful player.

“Romeo has the heart of a lion, he’s a team leader, will compete against anybody, and he is one of the fastest players I’ve seen in a long time,” Vaccaro said.

Romeo’s hard work paid off this week as the high school sophomore made the all-star team and ranked among the top 20 players in the country. The rapper, who hones his ball skills and shooting daily in addition to lifting weights, averages 20 points a game and 10 assists.

Despite the temptation to head to the pros, Romeo is set on going to college. According to Master P, Romeo, who boasts a 3.5 grade point average, turned down a $3 million movie deal this summer to go to summer school and play AAU basketball.

No matter which path Romeo takes, two things should be a priority, P said.

“I don’t care what he wants to be or how much money he makes, I just want him to get an education and do something in life that he loves to do,” he said.

Fans of Romeo’s music shouldn’t expect the lyricist to step away from his musical roots any time soon. Romeo’s new single, “Shine” is out now. The song is from the new movie Repos.

Romeo’s new album, God’s Gift is scheduled to hit stores release in November.

Alabama Rapper Gunnz Links With Czar Entertainment and Don P

July 7th, 2006 | By Administrator

Emerging Alabama rapper Gunnz has quickly emerged as a premier artist in the area with a blossoming, catchy song and a high-powered management team in Jimmy ?Henchmen? Rosemond?s Czar Entertainment and Jeremy Geffen.

Gunnz?s tune ?Janky? has garnered significant radio airplay in markets like Birmingham, Miami, Memphis, Chicago, Los Angeles and other key regions. Now, the 20-year-old lyricist plans to release his debut I Sold Myself, an album that will feature Don P & Trillville, TrillTown Mafia and production from The Track Boyz.

?That title comes from me having to get off my a** and do what it takes to make it and saying f**k what the ?janky? people think of myself or [the constraints of] me being from Alabama,? Gunnz told AllHipHop.com. ?A lot of people were scared to give Alabama a chance and by far it didn?t come easy. I had to sell myself.?

Mark “Tarboy” Williams of the production team The Track Boyz said he was moved by Gunnz persistence

?The main reason why I became involved with Gunnz was because of his ambition. Him being from Alabama and hustling to make things happen the way he did is truly remarkable,? the St. Louis-based producer said of his dealings with the rapper after an introduction from Don P of Trillville. The production team has produced for the likes of J-Kwon, Nelly, D12, YoungBloodz and others like R&B group 112, whiles Gunnz has opened shows for Baby and Cash Money, Lil? Jon and the Ying Yang Twins.

?To be able to be apart of an upcoming movement outside of my own region is something that I am very thankful for,? Williams said.

While he comes from uncharted Hip-Hop waters, Gunnz is convinced he can change the perception of the Southern state.

?I am going to show the entire world a new sound and introduce a new culture ? Alabama,? he said. ?We got next.?

Gunnz said he expects the album to drop in the fall 2006 release date, but also stated his team was fielding several offers from major labels.

In related news, The Track Boyz recently inked a deal with Atlantic Records with Shorty Da Kid, a 16-year-old St. Louis radio personality.