MEET THE CANDIDATE

Barack Obama was raised by a single mother and his grandparents. They didn't have much money, but they taught him values from the Kansas heartland where they grew up. He took out loans to put himself through school. After college, he worked for Christian churches in Chicago, helping communities devastated when steel plants closed. Obama turned down lucrative job offers after law school to return to Chicago, leading a successful voter registration drive. He joined a small law firm, taught constitutional law and, guided by his Christian faith, stayed active in his community. Obama and his wife Michelle are proud parents of two daughters, Sasha and Malia.

Early Years
Barack Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4th, 1961. His father, Barack Obama Sr., was born and raised in a small village in Kenya, where he grew up herding goats with his own father, who was a domestic servant to the British.

Barack's mother, Ann Dunham, grew up in small-town Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs during the Depression, and then signed up for World War II after Pearl Harbor, where he marched across Europe in Patton's army. Her mother went to work on a bomber assembly line, and after the war, they studied on the G.I. Bill, bought a house through the Federal Housing Program, and moved west to Hawaii.

It was there, at the University of Hawaii, where Barack's parents met. His mother was a student there, and his father had won a scholarship that allowed him to leave Kenya and pursue his dreams in America.

Barack's father eventually returned to Kenya, and Barack grew up with his mother in Hawaii, and for a few years in Indonesia. Later, he moved to New York, where he graduated from Columbia University in 1983.

The College Years
Remembering the values of empathy and service that his mother taught him, Barack put law school and corporate life on hold after college and moved to Chicago in 1985, where he became a community organizer with a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment.

The group had some success, but Barack had come to realize that in order to truly improve the lives of people in that community and other communities, it would take not just a change at the local level, but a change in our laws and in our politics.

He went on to earn his law degree from Harvard in 1991, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Soon after, he returned to Chicago to practice as a civil rights lawyer and teach constitutional law. Finally, his advocacy work led him to run for the Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years. In 2004, he became the third African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

Political Career
It has been the rich and varied experiences of Barack Obama's life - growing up in different places with people who had differing ideas - that have animated his political journey. Amid the partisanship and bickering of today's public debate, he still believes in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose - a politics that puts solving the challenges of everyday Americans ahead of partisan calculation and political gain.

In the Illinois State Senate, this meant working with both Democrats and Republicans to help working families get ahead by creating programs like the state Earned Income Tax Credit, which in three years provided over $100 million in tax cuts to families across the state. He also pushed through an expansion of early childhood education, and after a number of inmates on death row were found innocent, Senator Obama worked with law enforcement officials to require the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all capital cases.

In the U.S. Senate, he has focused on tackling the challenges of a globalized, 21st century world with fresh thinking and a politics that no longer settles for the lowest common denominator. His first law was passed with Republican Tom Coburn, a measure to rebuild trust in government by allowing every American to go online and see how and where every dime of their tax dollars is spent. He has also been the lead voice in championing ethics reform that would root out Jack Abramoff-style corruption in Congress.

As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama has fought to help Illinois veterans get the disability pay they were promised, while working to prepare the VA for the return of the thousands of veterans who will need care after Iraq and Afghanistan. Recognizing the terrorist threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, he traveled to Russia with Republican Dick Lugar to begin a new generation of non-proliferation efforts designed to find and secure deadly weapons around the world. And knowing the threat we face to our economy and our security from America's addiction to oil, he's working to bring auto companies, unions, farmers, businesses and politicians of both parties together to promote the greater use of alternative fuels and higher fuel standards in our cars.

Whether it's the poverty exposed by Katrina, the genocide in Darfur, or the role of faith in our politics, Barack Obama continues to speak out on the issues that will define America in the 21st century. But above all his accomplishments and experiences, he is most proud and grateful for his family. His wife, Michelle, and his two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, live on Chicago's South Side.









D12 And Fans Celebrate Proof Birthday With Free 2 Disc Mixtape

Yesterday fans of Deshaun Holton, better known as Proof from D12. celebrated his birthday. RapBasement got together with DJ Assassin to create free Proof mixtape entitled “Proof – Mayor Of Detroit.” The double disc compilation features many unheard songs & versus from the late rapper along with audio clips from interviews, home video footage and live shows. D12 members, along with other friends of Proof, add even more of a personal touch by telling stories about Proof and expressing how much he meant to them.






Lil Wayne To Be On New Fall Out Boy Album

MTV is reporting Lil Wayne will be on the new album from the rock group Fall Out Boy. "We got Wayne and Debbie Harry cameos done" Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy told MTV News. Wentz went on to say "I just think the record is going to be diverse," continuing "It goes all the way between [Blondie and Wayne]."

Pete Wentz did also mention a big name hip hop producer that will be included for Fall Out Boy's new album. "Pharrell produced a track too" he added when speaking about their new projet.






T.I. Prepares Book Line, Autobiography And New Movie

T.I. will become the next rapper with a line of books. TIP recently revealed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he plans to release a line of non-fiction books. One of the many books the Atlanta rapper plans to put out will be an autobiography that he plans to later make into a movie. "We'’re working on it now," T.I. told the paper, "We're [also] working on a few different types of books. All nonfiction."

In related news, T.I. recently released his sixth solo album called "Paper Trail" this past Tuesday (9/30). The new album features fellow rapper slash actor Ludacris and many more. "Paper Trail" is expected to sell close to 500,000 copies in it's first week of release. T.I. is currently filming a new crime movie called "Bone Dee" that also features Chris Brown and Idris Elba.






Eminems New Book

Eminem will have a new book coming out on October 21st called "The Way I am." According to Paul Rosenberg, Eminem's Manager, the first printing of the book will include a DVD with Eminem's personally shot video footage and unreleased interviews.

The lyrics sheets we mentioned before will be detachable while the cover is a "red acetate film that slides over the book print," you might have seen this with Jay-Z's "Kingdom Come" CD. The red jacket masks the collage of Eminem's handwritten lyrics on top of the photo underneath.






Sarah Palin Scares Diddy

Diddy continues to voice his thoughts via his video blog, the latest of which [watch here] he is all about the Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin. Getting all Blair Witch on us, Diddy's in a dark room with a flashlight talking before he cuts to an interview with Palin where she seems to not be able to answer the easiest questions. "Boys and girls, boys and girls. Did you hear her," he asked the camera. "I'm scared. She scares me. She scares me. I'm hiding under the covers. She's worse than the boogeyman."

Diddy continues by saying "Sarah Palin, you scare me. You could become the president of the United States ." Diddy finishes by saying "Did you hear the answer to that question? Did you hear? [Republican presidential nominee] John McCain is 72. Sarah Palin could be the president. Boys and girls vote. Please. Please, I beg you. I'm not coming out the covers."





iTunes to Stay Open

iTunes was threatening to shut down with a court hearing coming up that would raise the royalty rate, causing iTunes to raise prices, something they have always said they would never do. Well, the Copyright Royalty Board ruled against raising the fee, so iTunes will stay open!

The proposed raise was from 9 cents per song to 15. An iTunes spokesman said that raise would cause iTunes to operate in a negative financial state and they weren't going to ever do that.





50 Cent Records New Dre Produced Songs At Eminems House

50 Cent recently spent time with Eminem to record new songs for his upcoming album. 50 Cent told Blender "Dre sent over a bunch of beats, and we're just going through them all, picking out who wants what." 50, who was speaking from Eminem's house in Detroit (where he was staying the night, finished by saying "We already finished one joint"--the Slim Shady-starring "Norman Bates Motel"--"and just started vocals on another. It's gonna blow you away, I guarantee."





Chamillionaire Says Unity Is Making Houston Artists Lazy

Chamillionaire recently talked to XXL Magazine about the situation in Houston . After competition between himself, Paul Wall, Slim Thug and Mike Jones helped get them all major deals and blow Houston up, it seems Cham thinks now thet their are all cool, its actually hurting them. "I feel like [the unity right now] has got us a little bit lazy. Everywhere I go, they like, 'What happened to Houston ?' And that's a problem for me."

Chamillionaire says "It makes me look weak if everywhere I'm going, they think that just everybody from Texas fell off. It's easy to put out an album and put out a hit, but after that, what do you do?" After pausing for a minute, Cham expressed his frustration saying "Maybe they're right. Maybe Texas is dead."

Chamillionaire recently put out the 4th edition in his Mixtape Messiah series and now is working on his highly anticipated third album with Universal. When talking about his new album Cham says "I want to help everybody else and motivate them to be like, 'Look man, we need to get up off of our you-know-whats and go out there and get it."





Kanye West TV Show Too Hardcore For HBO

Kanye West has had a rumored show coming to HBO for a while now but one of its producers Larry Charles says for now, it seems like HBO is changing their mind. "It was really good, but ... I think it was too hardcore for HBO." Charles went on to say "People gave it a very good response and it seems to be on the shelf right now. The management has shifted at HBO so we're waiting to see."

Charles did give us a little insight into what the show actually is. He says it's Kanye's version of Larry Davids "Curb Your Enthusiam" (a hit currently on HBO). "What Kanye West said to me the first time, he said, 'I'm the black Larry David.' That's the first thing he said to me. So it's like a Kanye-and-'Curb' show, it's kind of improvised about the situations and stuff."

Larry Charles, who has been involved with many hit shows including Seinfeld, says of Kanye "He's so much funnier than people realize," Charles continued. "Even the whole being-full-of-himself stuff is a joke to him and he likes to play that of being like, you know, Kanye. And he's kind of a brilliant guy actually."





DJ AM Doing Good Says Hilton Sisters

DJ AM is back home after his involvement in the plane crash with Travis Barker that killed four. AM suffered second and third degree burns in the accident. Now his friends are coming forward to talk about AM. Nicky Hilton told US Magazine that she saw him two days ago and "he looks just fine" while her sister, Paris, told Ryan Seacrest "I feel like God really did save him" going on to say "He's just so lucky to be alive."

AM recently was seen in the public as he attended the memorial service for Travis Barker's assistant Chris Baker who was killed in the crash.





Jay-Z To Go On Broadway?

The New York Post is reporting that Jay-Z is showing interest in being involved with a musical based on the life and music of Fela Kuti, an iconic African composer and human rights activist. ?uestlove of The Roots who recommended the show to Jigga, has special interest in the event as it features music with drum beats. As far as what exactly Jay-Z might do, no one knows yet.

Celebs like Alicia Keys, Toni Morrison, Lue Reed, Fiona Apple, Charlize Theron, Paul McCartney, plus of course Beyonce, have all shown interest in the musical. "Fela Kuti’s band is the best band I’ve ever seen,” McCartney said in a statement. “When Fela and his band eventually began to play, after a long, crazy build-up, I just couldn’t stop weeping with joy. It was a very moving experience.”





T.I. Holds Top Spot On Two Charts

.I. remains on top of the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs charts with "Whatever You Like." This marks the second straight week and fifth total week T.I. has held the top spot. TIP also has two other songs on the charts that include "Ready For Whatever" at 57 and "Live Your Life" at number 80. As we reported yesterday. T.I.'s new album "Paper Trail" is expected to sell over 500,000 copies in its first week of sales.

As for the rest of the chart, Pink holds the number 2 spot with "So What" but Kanye is right behind her with "Love Lockdown" while Rihanna comes in number 4 with "Disturbia." M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" moved up from 6 to 5, Katy Perry's "Hot N Cold" jumped 3 spots to number 6. T-Pain traded spots with Ne-Yo
The show was set to end on September 21st but due to being so well received it has been extended and sold out through October 5th, when it might shift stages to Broadway.





Diddy Employee Stalks Pharrell

The new TV show "I want to work for Diddy" might have more problems on it's hand then it thinks. Apparently an employee of Diddy, and want-to-be music start, stole Pharrell Williams contact from Diddy and has since sent multiple emails begging the super producer to work with him. A source close to the incident says...
“A Sean John employee got his hands on Pharrell Williams' e-mail address somehow. He e-mailed Pharrell so many times asking if they could work together, but Pharrell had no idea who the person writing to him was."

We heard that the employee has since been "disciplined" over the matter and it seems business is going as usual. Diddy of course had no idea any of this was going on.





Ludacris Designs His Own Hat

Ludacris has already taken over the music industry, he's got his own restaurants, and he's currently working on his acting career, but Luda isn't stopping there. Luda will become the first southern artist to release his own limited edition New Era fitted hat. Luda personally designed the new hat for New Era's Capture The Flag line.

The hat will feature Luda 's hometown Atlanta Braves "A" along with red piping, his "Disturbing Tha Peace" logo plus the "Just Gettign Started" logo on the back. Only 200 of the hats will be available for $125 on October 17th. Fabolous, Cam'ron, Fat Joe and The Game have also designed hats.





Register To Vote, See Jay-Z For Free

Jay-Z is joining Barack Obama's "Obama For America" campaign by headlining concerts in Detroit and Miami to encourage voter registration. The show in Detroit will be this Saturday (10/4) and the deadline for voter registration in Michigan is on Monday (10/6). Anyone who registers to vote will receive a free ticket to the Jay-Z show at 7PM at the Cobo Arena.

Jigga will also headline another similar type event in Miami . Jay-Z is set to headline a free concert on Sunday (10/5) for people who register to vote, as the deadline for registration is also on Monday for Florida.





The Game Ordered To Anger Management

The Game will have to attend 36 anger management courses over the next five months, a judge ruled today. Charged with criminal battery, the sentence comes from an altercation between The Game and his cousin Robert “Kirky” Kirkwood at a funeral for Kirkwood ’s sister. Games cousin says Game promised to pay half the $14,000 funeral bill and the two got into a fight over it.

When this story first broke The Game said not only did he offer to pay for the casket and flowers but his cousin and family wanted him to pay for everything. “They aint never been a real family,” The Game said after the incident. “I already know what their motivation is and it’s money. It’s really not my obligation and I felt like they were trying to play me.”





Big Boi Lands Deal With Coca-Cola

As Big Boi prepares his solo album, "Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty," he isn't missing a chance to make other moves in business. Big Boi recently signed a deal with Coca-Cola for their "Full Throttle" energy drink. Big's campaign will help relaunch the drink complete with a new look.

Big Boi's second single from his new album apparently isn't doing very well and rumor has it this could push the release date for the much anticipated album back even more.





Meth And Red Are Still High On Tour

Method Man and Red Man are back. Red & Meth are hitting the road to headline a new tour called "Still High" in the United States and Canada . "Still High" kicks off on today (10/1) in Nova Scotia before hitting cities like Detroit, New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Denver and Norfolk, ending in November.

Termanology, who joins Red & Meth on the tour, says “I’ve been listening to Method Man and Redman my whole life and it’s an honor to tour with them." Termanology finished by saying “I look forward to tearing it down for the fans.”





Possible Jay-Z Blueprint 3 Track List

DefSounds released a possible track list for Jigga's new Blueprint 3 album.

The rumored track list includes features from Eminem, Scarface, Nas, Andre 3000, Young Jeezy and Coldplay's Chris Martin. Rumor has it all the tracks are produced by Kanye West with the exceptions noted in the list. Real? Only time will tell. CHECK IT OUT BELOW!

UPDATE: An exec close to Jay Z said that none of these songs except Swagga Like Us remix will be on the album.
01. Wake Up New York (Intro)
02. Most Kings
03. Hades (Lucifer Pt. II)
04. Eternal Jewels ( ft. Jay Electronica) [prod. by Jay Electronica]
05. Blueprint 3
06. Lucy (ft. Chris Martin)
07. The Audacity of Dope
08. S.L.U. Pt. 2 ( ft. Nas , Andre 3000, and Young Jeezy)
09. Election Night (We believe in Obama)
10. Just Memories
11. Apostate ( ft. Eminem ) [prod. by Eminem]
12. Oasis
13. My Brothers Keeper ( ft. Scarface )
14. Brooklyn Lost
15. Weeds & Concrete
16. Without Rain





Janet Jackson Released From Hospital

Janet Jackson is out of the hospital after only two-hours. Her rep for the Royal Victoria Hospital confirmed that Jermaine Dupri's girl was treated and released from the hospital last night after she had "fallen ill" during a soundcheck.

No other information is available, still but Janet is due to perform tomorrow night in Boston for her next tour stop. Only time will tell how JD's woman handles everything.





BUSTA’S BACK ON HIS BULLSHIT

Busta Rhymes was out on the town last night and got interviewed by a TMZ cameraman, who by the way seem to be everywhere (if I was a celebrity I would move to Montana ). Anyway back to the story, Busta talked about loving the title of his new album (B.O.M.B. or "Back On My Bullshit" as Busta says) plus his new single "Arab Money" [listen here]. Busta joked with the crowd then picked up some chicks before leaving.





Jadakiss Prepares To Kiss My Ass

Jadakiss is still “a few joints away” from fnishing his new album, Kiss My Ass. In a huge ironic twist, Jada's label, Def Jam/Roc-A-Fella are actually trying to push the album out as soon as possible. “They rolling the ball a little quicker than me,” Kiss told XXLmag.com about his Roc-A-Fella debut. That’s why it’s going down [like that.] “I still got my mixtape I got to finish, then the album,” he added.

Jadakiss will have Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne (“Death Wish”) on the album plus he's working on stuff with Ghostface and Raekwon. No release for the album has been given out.





Travis Barker Released From Hospital

Travis Barker has been released from the Georgia hospital he was at after he survived the deadly plane crash he was in last week that killed four people. People magazine says Travis spent nine days at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center and has been cleared to leave. “Travis is in good condition and was discharged this morning,” Burn Center spokesperson Beth Frits told People. “He has left Augusta .”

As we reported last week, DJ AM was previously released from the same hospital after getting burns on his face and arm.






New Death Row Lawsuit Emerges

Venture capitalist Ron Goldberg officially filed suit Tuesday (September 30) against several former business partners, alleging they conspired with new Death Row owners Global Music Group to cut him out of the winning June $24 million dollar bid.
In the lawsuit, Goldberg claims that several investors he recruited, including the financing institution MicroBanc, LLC, conspired with other “unknown parties” to close the deal without his knowledge.





P. Miller Sued By Pepe Jeans; Counter-Sues

P. Miller and his newly launched P. Miller Designs have become the targets of a lawsuit from Pepe Jeans, who alleges the mogul is committing trademark infringement. Pepe’s lawsuit centers on Miller’s logo which encompasses the letter “P” encircled with wings.
According to P. Miller, formerly Master P, the US Patent and Trademark Office has his first use date recorded in public record as April 1, 2003, while Pepe’s registered mark falls on June 1, 2003.
“I went to the website of PepeJeans.com and couldn’t find a circled-P anywhere, on their clothing, or the brand advertising within the site,” Miller explained to AllHipHop.com. “I’m the future of affordable fashion and big brands will always hate me, but they shouldn’t throw stones if they live in a glass house!”

Since he’s revamped his image from gangsta rapper to community-conscious businessman, Miller further argues he’s become the target for frivolous lawsuits.
“I make clothes for underprivileged and underserved families. P. Miller designs is about diversity. We cater to the African-American and Latino customer,” Miller elaborated. “I’m doing something positive for the community and I’m giving back. What are they (Pepe) doing? Hating? I thought this kind of thing only happened in the rap game. I put out a charitable rap album last year, made no money on it, tried to send a message to the kids about taking profanity out of their music, and because it came through Wal-Mart I was targeted with a lawsuit.”
Despite the lawsuit coming just as Miller has finalized a partnership with Wal-Mart to carry his brand, he plans to not only fight the allegations but will also counter-sue on the ground of malicious interference with his company.
“I’m the brand of the community. I sell jeans for $20 and t-shirts for $10. People don’t buy my clothes for the logo. They buy them because it’s high-fashion at an affordable price,” Miller reasoned. “I guess they didn’t do their homework. I am also filing a countersuit against Nitin, Arun, Milan Shah and Pepe Jeans London, LLC for tortious interference with my business and future business with Wal-Mart. And since they saw fit to go after my retailer, I will return the favor and file suit against several of their retailers like Macy’s, Dr. Jay’s, Nordstrom, and Eastbay.”
At press time, Pepe Jeans has not released any public comments on their pending lawsuit.





Rapper Buckshot Dances Out Of NY Hospital

Duck Down Co-CEO and rapper Buckshot was released from a New York area hospital after an eight-day.
The rapper was hospitalized after suffering a series of seizures last week, when he returned home from a three-week tour of Europe .
According to representatives for the rapper, he suffered nine seizures in one day, which doctors believe was brought on by physical exhaustion and dehydration. Buckshot has made a full recovery and even left the hospital in good spirits, by reportedly doing the "Macarena" dance upon his discharge.
"I want to thank all the fans who called and wrote emails extending their well wishes and prayers," Buckshot said. "All the support helped me recover that much quicker."
Now, Buckshot will head back to work, as he prepares a group project with KRS-One, a new third album with producer 9th Wonder and a fourth studio album from his own group, Black Moon.





United Nations Present Jay-Z with Humanitarian Award

Earlier this week Jay-Z’s philanthropic efforts were recognized in a private New York ceremony, as the mogul received a special humanitarian award from the United Nations.
The esteemed distinction was bestowed by actor and host Michael Douglas for the rapper’s extensive work over the past two years raising funds and organizing awareness of the world water crisis.
According to reports, a child dies every 15 seconds from not having adequate drinking water.
In 2006, Jay embarked on a worldwide tour to bring awareness to the water epidemic.
The effort culminated with a MTV diary chronicling the tour and the mogul creating over 1,000 water pumps in African communities.
Now a staple contributor to social issues in his veteran Hip-Hop years, Jay reasons that as a worldwide human family people have to stop looking to others for community responsibility and take initiative to combat societal issues.
“If you bring awareness to young people, they’re going to see and want to be involved,” Jay-Z stated. “I’m not a politician; I’m just a regular person with a heart. If you see a problem like that and do nothing about it, there’s something wrong with you.”
At press time Jay-Z is prepping his final Def Jam and eleventh studio album Blueprint 3 for a December 2 release.





Lil Scrappy Returns With Of 'Silence & Secrecy'

Atlanta rapper Lil Scrappy and his group G’$ Up have teamed up with Philadelphia-based record label Good Hands Records to release a new album titled Silence and Secrecy (Black Rag Gang).
The album is the first official release on Scrappy’s own record label, G’$ Up Records.
Silence and Secrecy features appearances by former Crime Mob member Diamond, Atlanta native Jo Dolla and Memphis rappers/producers SMG.
"SMG have their own sound. Memphis has it's own sound, Atlanta has it's own sound, when you put them together, that s**t is bomb, it's gonna explode,” Lil Scrappy promised. “That's what this Lil Scrappy & G'$ Up is on.”
"We are beyond excited to be working with Scrappy on Silence and Secrecy, added Good Hands Records president DJ Truth. "This is the start of a huge 2009 for Scrappy."





BET Cancels Rap City

BET network has confirmed plans to cancel its long-running Hip-Hop series Rap City, effective by the end of this month.
Created by broadcasting veteran Alvin Jones in 1989, the video series chronicled Hip-Hop’s growing video music market, competing directly with Yo! MTV Raps.
The fledgling series was able to distinguish itself from its larger MTV competitor by not just focusing on mainstream rappers, but also championing videos and interviews from underground and up and coming artists.
Originally hosted by “The Mayor of Rap City” Chris Thomas for its first several years, Rap City’s “golden age” was 1994-1999, when the program was hosted by the colorful and knowledgeable duo of Joe Clair and Leslie Segar AKA Big Lez.
In 1999, the two hour slot was repackaged as Rap City: Tha Basement and christened with new host Big Tigger.
Tigger’s run birthed the popular Freestyle Booth session, where MCs would feature their best rhymes or freestyles following their interviews.
After completing their verses, many times with Tigger joining in, the MC(s) would traditionally sign the booh’s wall.
These freestyle sessions produced memorable performances from artists such as Ludacris, The Roots, Killer Mike, Chamillionaire, Jay-Z, Jadakiss, Obie Trice, Xzibit, Cassidy and numerous others.
Since Tigger’s 2005 departure, the show failed to establish a concise direction, running through a myriad of hosts and focusing on commercial artists, which failed to showcase Hip-Hop’s diverse talent pool as done years before.
Consequently, the show was reduced to a one hour time slot as rating suffered.The final Rap City episode will commence on October 29, making it the longest running Hip-Hop program at 19 years.
At press time, the show is scheduled to be replaced by The Deal, an hour long video series hosted by DJ Diamond Kutz on November 10.


Jay-Z and Rocawear Launch Cologne

Jay-Z and Rocawear have launched their first cologne brand entitled 9IX.

The cologne, which is described as having a fresh woody aromatic scent, with a sexy modern sensuality, is the first released by Rocawear which was founded in 1999.

The fragrance is expected to be available at retail soon with prices starting at $50. 9IX is currently available at the Rocawear website.

In other news, Jay-Z will release his new album "Blueprint 3" December 2nd.





Jim Jones Sounds Off On Jay-Z and T.I.

In a recent interview with Complex Magazine, Jim Jones says Jay-Z and T.I. don't have swagger and talks about his remake of "Swagger Like Us."

The original version of "Swagger Like Us" features Jay-Z, T.I., Lil' Wayne and Kanye West and appears on T.I.'s new album "Paper Trail."

Complex asked Jones what he thought of Jay-Z and T.I.'s swagger and he had this to say.

On T.I.

"I don’t feel like he possesses any swag. Not like that. It’s fabricated. They’re watching other people, then they try and do it. You know people that dress like T.I.? You know people that go out and say let me get a T.I. outfit or do you know people who say “yo, you’re looking like Jim Jones?” Which one? Lemme hear it! When the b*tches want to f*ck you and the n*ggas want be like you, who got the swag? N*ggas with money and fame always going to look like they doing something ’cause they got the camera in front of them. But the cool dudes always stick out no matter where they at."

On Jay-Z:

"...look at the Vibe cover. Tell me who Jay-Z looks like in there? Did you see the picture of him? With the Louis Vuitton scarf and all that. Who did that resemble? You can say it. But he did it wrong; he had a Gucci belt with a Louis Vuitton scarf. Who does that? You smell me? That’s like wearing one Nike and one Puma; how you going to get away with that? But I didn’t take the song as a shot, because I don’t feel like none [besides Weezy] of them possess any swag."

Jones remake of "Swagger Like Us" called "Jackin' Swagger From Us" featuring new verses from Lil' Wayne and Juelz Santana along with a reworked hook from M.I.A. is expected to appear on Jones new album "Pray For Rain."




Comedy Central To Premiere "Chocolate News"

Comedy Central will premiere a new sketch magazine series called "Chocolate News" starring David Alan Grier on October 15th at 10:30 p.m.

"Chocolate News" will take on a variety of contemporary topics from a decidedly African-American perspective and everyone and everything is fair game. The series stars David Alan Grier who, in addition to serving as the in-studio host, will also portray multiple characters within the series' investigative reports, which will be presented by a cast of three correspondents.

The debut episode features a story on platinum-selling rap artist Phat Man (portrayed by Grier) with a politically incorrect music video PSA promoting the “No Child Left Behind” act. The episode includes the recurring segment, "Can I Flow?" in which Grier presents a topical comedic editorial/rant. This episode’s “Can I Flow” focuses on the death of Hip Hop and Rap as Grier argues, “we should have seen the signs when Ice Cube went from “Kill at Will” to “Are We There Yet?” Also featured is a report on Poet Laureate Maya Angelou (played by Grier) reciting a poem she has composed to celebrate Obama’s nomination. The poem begins innocently enough and then takes a decidedly “Chocolate News” twist with lines such as, “You have a mocha choke hold on the American Dream...“

Other reports scheduled to be presented by Grier this season include: unmasking the shocking news that the super group KISS was originally black; “Fat Black Momma Syndrome,” an investigation into the recent trend in Hollywood films of excessive “fat black mama” characters; “Vitahood,” a report on Thelonias, founder of the “Jackie Robinson Empowerment Agency” who has devised a way to get drug addicts healthy by mixing vitamins in their illegal drugs; and “Tranny Wreck,” a report on Candelabra, a cross-dressing transsexual who was once an aspiring NBA player but now spends his time competing in transgender beauty pageants.

"Chocolate News" is executive produced by David Alan Grier, Robert Morton, Fax Bahr and Adam Small and independent production and management studio Generate's Peter Aronson and Jordan Levin.





Beyonce Releases Statement In Regards To New Album

Beyonce has released a statement through her label Columbia Records addressing the rumors swirling around her new album being delayed.

"I wanted to address my fans about my upcoming album.

I have worked on this album for close to one year. I have taken the time so I can create my sound. Something that says who I am at this stage in my life. I have poured my heart and soul into it. It is my baby. It is the most time I have spent on any project since my first records as a member of Destiny’s Child when I was 15 years old. I have recorded over 70 songs and have created a sound that reveals all of me. I am in a different place right now and I wanted people to see the many sides of me. The music is upbeat for the dance, fun side and it is reflective, passionate and serious for the personal side. I have taken risks here. I am not afraid and my music will explain it all. There is no label or tag on my sound. It’s me and I am so excited to share it with the world on November 18.

Love,

Beyoncé"

The still untitled new album is due in stores November 18th. The album features two lead singles titled "If I Were A Boy" and "Single Ladies" respectively, both of which are due to impact radio October 7th.





B.G. Talks Hot Boys Reunion

B.G. recently spoke to StreetCred.com about the much talked about and rumored Hot Boys reunion.

When asked about the possibility of the Boys getting back together, B.G. had this to say:

"My album that’s coming out in November “Too Hood to be Hollywood ”, the first single is featuring Lil Wayne, Juve, and Trey Songz. We were supposed to be shooting a video for it, but the hurricanes put a stop to that for the moment. So I’m getting a new date for that. We got a Hot Boyz reunion planned, we are waiting on Turk to come home. But we have a couple of songs that exist already. As for the song “Ya Heard Me”, it’s featuring Wayne and Juve, I have that on my album. I mean the streets want it and have been asking for it. We are a legendary group and I feel like a lot of these things that came out have been Hot Boys imitations. So we are going to come back out and make it happen again."





Young Jeezy Calls Phelps The Jeezy Of Swimming

In a recent interview with RollingStone, Young Jeezy gives props to Olympics world record holder Michael Phelps calling him "the Young Jeezy of the swim world."

"I’m a big fan of Michael Phelps!" Jeezy said. "He’s a great success. I like what he’s doing. He’s like the Young Jeezy of the swim world. I love it!"

And when the interviewer told Jeezy that Phelps used the rapper's song "Go Getta" as inspiration, Jeezy had a few other suggestions for him.

"“Soul Survivor,” “And Then What” and “Put On.” But really all my music is inspirational, motivational music. You just gotta listen to the words and get what you can get out of it."

Jeezy goes on to say that he has reached to Phelps people and he may perform for the Olympic swimmer in his hometown of Baltimore .

Young Jeezy's new album, "The Recession", hits stores Sept. 2.

Phelps recently set the record for most gold medals won at a single Olympics with eight.





Common Talks Movies; Working Less With Kanye

In a recent interview with MTV.com, Common talks about his deep love for acting and working less with Kanye on his new album "Universal Mind Control."

"I love acting," Common told MTV News. "I'm so new to it. I can do acting when I'm 70-something. Obviously, I say, 'Man, I wanna do hip-hop music like a jazz musician. I wanna be, like, 50-something doing hip-hop.' But man, I know I can act till I'm 70. And I have so much room to grow. I'm like, 'Man, I wanna do it.' "

The rapper/actor goes on to say that acting is enjoyable because when there is down time "you go and drink wine on the river in Prague ."

And when asked about his choice to work less with Kanye and more with Pharrell Williams on his new album, Common said that the change "came real natural" and that when he makes albums he likes to focus on one or two producers.

"I feel like me and 'Ye, we always gonna make music together," Common said. "It's a good change of pace for us. On the same token, you wanna keep people on their toes. I don't wanna be predictable."

"Universal Mind Control" is due in stores November 11 and Common will next appear in "Terminator: Salvation" hitting theaters summer 2009.





Promoters Angry At Lil' Wayne For Missing Show

Promoters in Nassau , Bahamas have issued a press release saying Lil' Wayne no-showed their concert Saturday night (September 27) even after requesting more money to perform.

Wayne, along with Reggae artist Buju Banton, were originally scheduled to perform Friday night (September 26) but according to the press release, promoters Red City Entertainment were having sound and lighting issues and asked both performers to switch the date to Saturday. Both artists are said to have agreed.

The following is a portion of the press release:

"During the day on Saturday, Lil Wayne’s management requested additional monies, separate from the original $210,000 fee, to secure Wayne to perform at the concert. Red City Entertainment agreed and provided the funds needed late Saturday afternoon.

We proceeded with the concert scheduled as planned. That evening, Red City Entertainment was informed Lil Wayne was on the way to the venue and set to perform after 2:00am. At no time was Red City Entertainment notified that Lil Wayne would NOT perform. We continued through the night to inform our hosts DJ Pencil and Empress that Wayne was coming because that is what we were being told by his management. Unable to locate him, we sent our team members to the Atlantis to discover he was partying at the nightclub there all night....even with all the issues, haters and sabotage attempts, we never imagined Lil Wayne would actually party all night at the Atlantis and not follow through with his promise to perform. "




Bow Wow Encourages Youth To Get Out and Vote

Bow Wow is launching the "Walk Across America" initiative to encourage voting in the up-coming Presidential election.

According to PRWeb, Bow Wow will launch the campaign October 1st in Atlanta , GA encouraging voter participation in the up-coming Presidential election and the overall political process.

"It's important for the youth to participate because we're tomorrow's leaders. We need to make sure that our voices are heard and have a say in the decisions that will affect our lives and our country for years to come," says Bow Wow in a press release.

The "Walk Across America" initiative will see the rapper and others travel by foot and bus through cities such as Philadelphia, PA, Washington, D.C. and New York City. Stops at colleges and radio stations will be included in each city's itinerary.

Bow Wow is working with two non-partisan organizations, Black Youth Vote and Declare Yourself, to handle actual voter registration in each city.

In other news, Bow Wow is wrapping up work on his sixth album "New Jack City Pt. II" due in stores this December.

Former Roc-A-Fella artist Peedi Crakk is going at Jay-Z in the video for his new song "Sweet Dreams (Jay-Z)."

The song is expected to appear on Peedi's new album "A Night In The Life" due March 2009 on Amalgam Digital. The album was originally titled "Camel Face Hunting Season" which was perceived to be a direct shot at Jay-Z.

Crakk has been very critical of his time at Roc-A-Fella under Jay-Z's leadership.

Watch the video for "Sweet Dreams (Jay-Z)" below:







UNK To Release Sophomore Album November 4th

UNK will release his sophomore album "Second Season" November 4th on KOCH Records.

The album is the follow-up to his debut album "Beat'n Down Yo Block" which featured the hit singles "Walk It Out" and "2 Step."

The first single from "Second Season" is a song called "Show Out" produced by DJ Montay.

"Show Out" was the #1 most added at urban and rhythmic radio this week.

KOCH Record’s President Bob Frank states, “UNK has delivered another great album filled with hits! We are thrilled to be partners with Big Oomp and UNK and look forward to working this project throughout 2009.”

UNK adds, “Second Season highlights the best beat makers in the country: Top Quality Productions, home of Big Oomp Records. We brought you the first album Beat’n Down Yo Block and its hits “Walk It Out” and “2 Step.” I’m back with my sophomore album Second Season. This album represents the world tour I’ve just come back from. I’ve been inspired by my fans and this record is for my fans.”


Q-Tip To Release New Album on Election Day

A Tribe Called Quest member Q-Tip will release his new solo album "The Renaissance" November 4th (election day in the US ).

The legendary MC has also taken the unique approach of putting the album's tracklisting on the cover as opposed to the back of the CD where the majority of tracklistings are printed.