Facebook safeguards will protect young users

Facebook, the world's second-largest social networking Web site, will add more than 40 safeguards to protect young users from sexual predators and cyberbullies, attorneys general from several states said Thursday.

Facebook and officials in 49 states and the District of Columbia agree to safeguards to protect young users.

The changes include banning convicted sex offenders from the site, limiting older users' ability to search online for subscribers under 18 and building a task force seeking ways to better verify users' ages and identities.

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Report: Depressed teens, marijuana a dangerous mix

Teenagers who use marijuana put themselves at higher risks for serious mental health problems, including worsening depression, schizophrenia, anxiety and suicide, according to a new White House report.

The report said more teens use marijuana than all other illegal drugs combined.

Although the report from the Office of National Drug Control Policy notes that use of the drug among teenagers has dropped by 25 percent in the past seven years, it emphasizes that more teens use marijuana than all other illegal drugs combined.

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Obama wins support from union, 3 superdelegates

The movement of Democratic superdelegates to presidential hopeful Barack Obama gained steam Friday with four new endorsements, including a union president and a congressman who switched his backing from rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Obama has now climbed within a handful of superdelegates of catching Clinton in endorsements from the party and elected officials who will ultimately decide the nomination. With the new endorsements, the superdelegate count is Clinton, 271.5 and Obama, 267.


Check Out Full Article @ USAToday

Gas prices rattle Americans

Record high gas prices are prompting Americans to drive less for the first time in nearly three decades, squeezing family budgets and causing major shifts in driving habits, federal data and a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll show.

As prices near — or in some places top — $4 a gallon, most Americans say they are cutting back on other household spending, seriously considering buying more fuel-efficient cars and consolidating their daily errands to save fuel.



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Five things you should never buy as a Mother's Day gift

While we're on the topic of the worst Mother's Day gifts you've ever received, let's talk Mother's Day gifts that should be strictly off limits.

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'Hottest MCs In The Game': The 2008 Edition Is Coming On Friday, May 16!

Rick Ross says, ' 'Hottest MCs' -- it's the hottest show out'; 50 Cent and Snoop are less pleased. Who will be #1 this time?

Check Out Full Article @ MTV

House Of Representatives Passes PRO-IP Bill

The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act (PRO-IP; H.R. 4279) by a vote of 410-11 on Thursday. If enacted the bill would increase the governmental resources needed to penalize individuals deemed in violation of copyright infringement.

Current copyright infringement laws set the maximum penalty for infringement of one compilation at a fine of $30,000. However, if the PRO-IP Act is passed, courts could "make multiple awards of statutory damages" in individual cases. This would be similar to the legislation which led to the Recording Industry Association of America's $222,000 suit against Jammie Thomas for sharing 24 songs on the Kazaa peer-to-peer file sharing network.


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Preview Or Publicity Stunt In The Detox Song Leak?

Dr. Dre’s oft—and to many, indefinitely—delayed Detox album may have finally had some concrete material leaked this week, courtesy of an Aftermath/Interscope insider.

Web sites and blogs like 2DopeBoyz [click to listen] have circulated the song, “It’s Like That,” and pegging it as the soon-to-be buzz single for the album. While the song is co-produced by Dr. Dre and Atlanta producer WallStreet, the west coast icon himself isn’t rapping on it: instead, the rhyming is done by an emcee named Prophet. According to 2DB, the song is a rough draft of sorts, created for Dre to study before he records it himself.


Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Lil Mama Reflects, Compares Self To Biggie

Taking the time to reflect upon her journey through Hip Hop that began with her catchy "Lip Gloss" record, emcee Lil Mama [click to read] recently spoke with The New York Times to discuss how she grinded to reach her success, the impact of her late mother upon the music, and why the 18-year-old rapper is needed for the game.

Following the trends of many young entertainers like Chris Brown and Ciara, the Harlem-born, Brooklyn-raised performer has kept busy through various collaborations and being a guest judge on Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew. Acknowledging her impact upon her fans and onlookers, Lil Mama explained her importance to the younger audience.

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Damon Dash Calls Jim Jones' Major Label Debut ''Classic''

Former Jay-Z business partner Damon Dash believes Harlem rapper Jim Jones has a hit on his hands with this next solo album.

Jones inked a lucrative deal with Columbia Records last year and longtime associate and Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash believes the Dipset Capo's major label debut may just be a "classic."



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B.I.G. Lawsuit Against Corrupt Cops Reinstated

The judge presiding over the wrongful death lawsuit of The Notorious B.I.G. has reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit that claims LAPD officers played a part in the rapper’s March 1997 murder.

The lawsuit, which names the City of Los Angeles and two LAPD officers as defendants in B.I.G.’s murder, was dismissed in December of 2007, after B.I.G.’s family missed state deadlines to bring claims against the city and two police officers.

The original lawsuit claims that B.I.G. was shot on orders from Marion “Suge” Knight, who allegedly hired off-duty officers to help plot the murder.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Atlanta Police Issue Arrest Warrant For “Soulja Girl”

Police in Atlanta’s public transportation have issued a warrant for the arrest of a young woman known as “Soulja Girl” after she was seen violently rebuking an elderly woman on a subway line.

The woman was seen screaming on the train at the elderly woman while reciting lyrics to the rapper Soulja Boy.

The woman is seen on a widely-viewed video screaming, “Yaaa, n***a, yaaa” and “I’ma beat you’re a** on this train.”


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Women, click here for good healthStory Highlights

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Officials: Race had no role in Philly police beating

The videotaped beatings of three restrained men by several members of the Philadelphia police force were inexcusable but had nothing to do with race, the city's mayor and police commissioner said Thursday.

"There's no excuse for that type of behavior and we certainly want to take action," Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said.

Mayor Michael Nutter said he was "tremendously disappointed" by the officers' behavior and vowed to deal with the matter.

Check Out Full Article @ CNN

Clinton touts support from 'white Americans'

In what appear to be the New York senator's most blunt comments to date regarding a racial division in the Democratic presidential race, Hillary Clinton suggested Wednesday that "White Americans" are increasingly turning away from Barack Obama’s candidacy.

"I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on," Clinton said in an interview with USA TODAY.

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The Good Life New Era Fitted w/Skateboard Decks by Craig Wetherby

Craig Wetherby's Manik Skateboards Collaboration

The Good Life New Era Fitted w/Skateboard Decks by Craig Wetherby


Manik Skateboards has announced their collaboration with photographer Craig Wetherby:

"The Manik and Craig Wetherby collaboration features a selection of some of Wetherby's most popular imagery. Wetherby has photographed just about every relevant hip-hop artist to date while also being highly respected and admired by the punk rock and rock n roll communities alike...With a massive and diverse portfolio, his work has been featured in dozens of publications including Complex, The New York Times, Spin, Rolling Stone, Snowboard Magazine and Vibe."

Check Out Full Article @ Pro Hip-Hop

Lil Romeo's Basketball Skills Over-Hyped?

Showcasing his talents outside of music, Lil Romeo has had a successful Nickelodeon show and achieved a full athletic scholarship to attend the University of Southern California, yet doubts have surfaced questioning his merits alleging he unjustly won the award, according to a segment from National Public Radio.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

D.O.C. Says N.W.A. Reunion On Detox Highly Doubtful

In a new feature interview with DubCNN.com, D.O.C., one of Dr. Dre's longest affiliates, dating back to the late 1980s, spoke at length about some of the elements of Dre's mythical Detox album. Among speculation of an appearance by The Game, Nate Dogg and others, D.O.C. was nearly adamant that Ice Cube and MC Ren would not likely be guests.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Hieroglyphics Celebrate Record Label Success On Upcoming Tour

Hip-Hop fans will serve as the motivation behind an upcoming 45-city tour celebrating the 10 year anniversary of independent group Hieroglpyhics and their label, Hiero Imperium.

The outing, known as the Freshly Dipped Tour, will make stops in the US and play select dates in Canada after its official start on June14 at the Paid Dues Hip-Hop festival in San Francisco, CA.

Among those featured on the tour are the Hieroglyphics, as well as Seattle rap collective Blue Scholars, Prince Ali, Musab and Knobody.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

DMX Busted In AZ For Driving Over 114 MPH

Rapper DMX’s driving continues to be a problem, as the rapper was arrested yesterday (May 6) evening by Arizona police for driving in excess of 100 MPH on a local highway with a suspended license.

On January 21, the actor/rapper was photographed driving his 1966 Chevy Nova II on the Loop 101 at a speed of 100 miles per hour in a 65 mile per hour zone.

Just a minute later, DMX, born Earl Simmons, was photographed at another camera moving at a speed of over 114 miles per hour.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Rev. Al Sharpton, Nicole Bell Arrested In NYC Protest

Reverend Al Sharpton, Nicole Bell-Paultre, Joseph Guzman, Trent Benefield and dozens of others were arrested today (May 7) in the area surrounding New York Police Department Headquarters, One Police Plaza.

This was only one of the six locations throughout the city that Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network designated as citywide "Slowdown" and "Pray In" locations.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

T.I. Sets Release Date For 'Paper Trail'

Atlanta rapper T.I. revealed details about his highly anticipated album Paper Trail today (May 7). Representatives for the Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist announced that Paper Trail will be released online and worldwide on August 12. The Grammy Award winning rapper recently debuted the album's first offical single titled "No Matter What," which was produced by Danjahandz. Paper Trail is the follow up to T.I.'s 2007's #1 platinum album T.I. vs T.I.P. and 2006's #1 platinum album King.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Mr. Collipark Offers Scholarship To Teen Girls

Producer Mr. Collipark became the latest celebrity to join the It’s Cool To Be Smart campaign, a national entertainment industry mentoring program for teenage girls.

As CEO of Collipark Music, Mr. Collipark, born Michael Crooms, is responsible for artists like Ying Yang Twins, Hurricane Chris, and Soulja Boy, will be sponsoring a scholarship through ICTBS’s Music Mentor Scholarship Program for Girls in Atlanta, GA.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

6 gas-rebate cards that really are rewarding

The right piece of plastic could save you hundreds of dollars a year at the pump. Credit card experts look at the current crop and pick their favorites.

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The Many Moods of Love

A relationship is a lot like a roller coaster — there are the intense highs of infatuation but also the lows. Here's how to endure — and even enjoy — the ups and downs of couplehood.

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Video shows Philly cops beating suspects

An internal investigation is under way into the videotaped beatings of three men by several Philadelphia police officers, according to Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.

The video, shot by WTXF-TV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, shows at least a dozen police officers pulling the men -- who were suspected to have been involved in a shooting -- out of a car after a vehicle chase Monday night.

At least eight officers are seen either kicking, punching or striking the suspects with batons while the men lie restrained on the ground.

Two men are struck at least 20 times each.

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Musicians embrace Blu-ray formatStory Highlights

Rocker Neil Young plans to release his entire music archive on Blu-ray discs, a sign that the discs' capabilities are building appeal among musicians as well as movie studios.

Most of the Blu-ray discs manufactured so far have been used for high-definition movies.

Blu-ray discs hold much more data than DVDs, are easily updated over the Internet and offer better picture and sound quality.

Young revealed his plans Tuesday at a Sun Microsystems Inc. conference in San Francisco.

Check Out Full Article @ CNN

Build a better salad with tasty, interesting add-ins

While the quintessential pairing of ripe tomatoes and lettuce is certainly enjoyable, a good salad can be so much more. Adding fruits, nuts, and other well-chosen ingredients offers a welcome change. More importantly, incorporating a few more nutritious ingredients is an easy way to serve a more healthful dish.

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Georgia Law Bans Retailers From Selling 'Pot Candy' To Minors

Georgia retailers soon will be banned from selling candy flavored to taste like marijuana to children.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed a measure into law Wednesday that bans the sale of "marijuana flavored products" to minors -- anyone under 18 -- and calls for a fine of up to $500 for each offense.

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Lil Wayne Tops R&B/Hip-Hop Chart With 'Lollipop' Track

Check Out Full Article @ Billboard

Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon Are Officially Married

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon made headlines in an alleged wedding this month. Now, people can take the "alleged" out of the sentence. The couple has confirmed reports that the two stars held their wedding in late April.

"We really do feel we are soulmates," Carey told People. "I never felt a love like this was in the cards for me." Cannon added that Carey is "beautiful on the outside and 10 times as beautiful on the inside."


Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

DX News Bits (Barack Obama, will.i.am, Taz of Sa-Ra)

Senator Barack Obama's support from various sections of the Hip Hop community was capped off Tuesday by a commanding victory in the North Carolina primary and a narrow loss in Indiana's primary. Interestingly enough, Obama's addition of pledged delegates came on the same day when two more Hip Hop artists showed their support for the man who appears to be the next Democratic Party presidential nominee.

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Dave Chappelle Plans Sequal To "Block Party" In...Dubai?!

In an unexpected turn of events, it seems as though comedian Dave Chappelle has expressed a desire to follow up his 2004 block party in Dubai, the largest city in the United Arab Emirates.

According to New York Magazine, ?uestlove (of The Roots) recently spoke with the comedian, who has maintained a low profile as of late. "He wants to redo 'Block Party,'" said ?uestlove, referring to Chappelle's 2005 documentary which chronicled the process of organizing and throwing the block party. "I saw Dave the night of Erykah [Badu]'s birthday party in Dallas."


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Kidz In The Hall Debut At #6 On MTV's TRL

In a shocking move for independent Hip Hop, Kidz In The Hall [click to read] debuted their video "Drivin' Down The Block" [click to view] on MTV's TRL on May 1st. Today, "Drivin' Down The Block" reached #6 on the sought after chart for Pop music. The video, which parodies the 1980 Kurt Russell film Used Cars, is the first single from the duo of Naledge and Double-O on their Major League/Duck Down release The In Crowd.

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The Roots & Lyfe Jennings Land In The Top 10, Lil Mama's ''Voice'' Barely Heard

R&B crooner Lyfe Jennings and hip-hop band The Roots debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 this week, while new discs by Lil Mama and Estelle failed to sell 20,000 copies.

Lyfe's third studio release, Lyfe Change hit the charts at No. 4 selling 80,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The newest disc's performance is a slip from the artist's 2006 sophomore set The Phoenix, which entered the charts at No. 2 and moved 136,000 units in its first week.

The Roots also did better in sales the last time around, though they hit a notable chart number with their recent release. The group's latest effort Rising Down steps rises up at No. 6 with 54,000 sales. The group's last release, 2006's Game Theory, launched at No. 9 with 61,000 copies sold.

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Green Lantern Leads "Million DJ March" On Washington

DJs, recording artists, and activists are being called on to rally in Washington DC this summer at the "Million DJ March," in an attempt to shed light on issues affecting DJs.

The three day event - which will be held on August 28 -30 - will find DJs raising their voices for better compensation, security, recognition for contributions to the music industry and an organized union for professional DJs, as they march from the Capitol Building to the Washington Monument.

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Grand Theft Auto Brings In $500 Mil In Debut Week

"Grand Theft Auto IV" hit shelves on April 29 and hasn't stayed on them since. The criminal action video game has earned more than $500 million in global sales its first week out.

Industry analyst projected that 5 million people would cop the game in its first two weeks, according to the New York Times. GTA sold 6 million in half that time.

The game beat out Halo 3's 2007 record for pulling in $400 million in its first week, according to Reuters.

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T.I. Tones Down Lyrics ''Ever So Slightly'' On Upcoming CD, Talks Bond W/ Eminem

Taking a break from his community service duties, T.I. recently revealed the details of his upcoming album, Paper Trail and explained how his new music will reflect the lessons he's been force to learn in the last year.

Check Out Full Article @ SOHH

Romeo, Master P. Create Gee Gee the Magical Giraffe

Although he is taking steps to enter the world of adults, rapper Romeo is maintaining ties to his young fans, with a new educational children’s book and cartoon.

Romeo, along with his father Percy "Master P" Miller, recently introduced their new brand and character, Gee Gee the Magical Giraffe.

The book and cartoon carries a double meaning for Romeo, who plans on using Gee Gee as a vehicle towards making learning cool.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Security Measures Upped For Snoop Show; Gang Violence Feared

Snoop Dogg’s upcoming appearance at The 2nd Annual Monterey Music Summit in California has angered some local residents and county officials, who are afraid the rapper’s appearance at the concert could spark gang violence.

Yesterday (May 7), the Monterey County Board of Supervisors reached an agreement with Joe Fletcher Presents Inc. and issued a permit for the rapper’s performance on May 31, but under tight security.

According to The Salinas Californian, the Board of Supervisors’ permit calls for metal detectors at the front entrance and undercover Monterey County Sheriffs at the event

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Lil Wayne Pleads Not Guilty To AZ Drug Charges

Cash Money Records rap star Lil Wayne appeared in Arizona Superior Court to face numerous drug charges today (May 6), AllHipHop.com has learned.

The rapper, who was hit with multiple drug charges and a weapons offense in January, entered a not guilty plea in court.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Yung Joc Launches Label New Line Of Sunglasses

Rapper Yung Joc has landed the first major label situation for his new imprint, Swagg Team Entertainment.

The Atlanta-based artist, born Jasiel Robinson, has inked a deal with Jive Records to release the debut album by Chicago trio Hotstylz, who created an online sensation with a satirical track that has since been renamed “Lookin’ Boy.”

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Kobe's turn: Bryant basks in first MVP award

Kobe Bryant has won his first MVP award after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference.
He will receive the trophy Wednesday night from commissioner David Stern before the Lakers face Utah in Game 2 of their conference semifinal. Bryant was followed in the voting Tuesday by Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James.

Media outlets had reported as early as last Friday that the 29-year-old Bryant would receive the award.

Check Out Full Article @ USAToday

The 75 Skills Every Man Should Master

A man can be expert in nothing, but he must be practiced in many things. Skills. You don't have to master them all at once. You simply have to collect and develop a certain number of skills as the years tick by. People count on you to come through. That's why you need these, to start.

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Slim chance, but Microsoft could still get Yahoo

Now that Microsoft has walked away from its $47.5 billion offer for Yahoo, could the software giant come back later and still snap up its Internet rival?

It’s possible but highly unlikely, say analysts surveying the wreckage of Microsoft’s failed effort to close the deal.

”By pulling the deal, Microsoft hasn’t foreclosed it,” says Citigroup analyst Mark Mahaney, who estimates there is a 15 percent chance a Microsoft-Yahoo deal will still happen. “I

Check Out Full Article @ MSN

O.D. death led to huge campus drug sting

Authorities have arrested nearly 100 people and seized guns and drugs in a sting operation at San Diego State University in California, the Drug Enforcement Administration said Tuesday.


Officials say the evidence seized includes 50 pounds of marijuana, four pounds of cocaine and 350 ecstasy pills.

Among those arrested were 75 students, some of them working toward criminal justice or homeland security degrees. One criminal justice major was charged with possession of guns and cocaine, authorities said.

One student sent a mass text message offering a "sale" on cocaine, the DEA said in a news release.

Campus police and the DEA began their undercover operation after the death of a student from an overdose in May 2007, the news release said. A second overdose death occurred as recently as February at a fraternity house.


Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Saigon On A Mission To Rid Hip Hop Of Sucka Emcees

While the anticipation of Saigon’s debut album The Greatest Story Never Told mounts, Saigon hit up Amsterdam in The Netherlands recently to spread his name and message. Amsterdams’ PP2G.TV caught up with him before the performance, and Saigon had some interesting tidbits in hand.

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Trae Leaves Rap-A-Lot Records

Three months after Devin The Dude left Rap-A-Lot Records after over 15 years with the Houston label [click to read], another prevalent artist, Trae Tha Truth is reportedly calling himself a free agent as of this morning. Trae, a one-time affiliate of The Screwed-Up Click and leader of ABN (Assholes By Nature) released two albums at Rap-A-Lot, 2006's critically-acclaimed Restless and last year's Life Goes On. The latter cracked the Top 200 Billboard charts last October.

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Warner Music Group Announces Variable Pricing Program

In an effort to slow down massive financial losses, Warner Music Group will be one of the first of the four major record labels to test variable pricing. During the latter half of May, WMG will partner with the Indianapolis based company Digonex to pilot a variable pricing program for its digital albums. The change comes about six months after WMG saw its stock hit a record low of $9 per share in November of 2007. As the home or parent label to Plies, T.I., Gnarls Barkley, Flo Rida, Bun B and Diddy, WMG is one of the few labels whose artists are still selling physical albums. Yet, the current marketplace indicates a shift toward digital media is coming sooner rather than later.

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Kokane To Release Star-Studded Album, First In Two Years

Kokane is most known for crooning the Parliament-inspired chorus on Dr. Dre's "Let Me Ride." The longtime Above The Law affiliate has been signed to Ruthless Records, Doggystyle Records and was reportedly courted by G-Unit, where he appeared on Tony Yayo's album.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX