Sweeping national study finds blacks in U.S. diverse, optimistic

The digital divide between blacks and whites is fast disappearing. The hip-hop generation, often portrayed as rebellious, has tremendous respect for its elders. Prejudice persists, but most blacks are optimistic about their future.

Those are among the findings of one of the largest surveys ever taken of black Americans and to be released Friday.

The national study, taken by Yankelovich and commissioned by Radio One, offers a detailed glimpse of the varied expectations, life circumstances and interests of the nation's 39 million African Americans.

Check Out Full Article @ USAToday

Sony has lost over $3 billion on the PS3

Think you paid too much for your Playstation 3? Don't expect any sympathy from Sony.

In the company's fiscal 2008 annual report, Sony revealed that they've now lost roughly $3.3 billion (that's billion with a B) on the Playstation 3 since its launch. That breaks down to $2.16 billion in 2007, followed by a notably smaller but equally daunting $1.16 billion loss in 2008.

Check Out Full Article @ Yahoo

Bizarre origins of wedding traditions

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Widespread HIV testing sought in the Bronx

A three-year initiative will seek to give HIV tests to everyone in the Bronx from age 18 to 64, the New York City Department of Health announced Thursday.

A new initiative seeks to reach the 250,000 Bronx adults who have never been tested for HIV.

The announcement comes on the heels of a report released Wednesday that found a high rate of "unsafe sexual behavior" in New York City.

"Of most concern, among men who have sex with men who had five or more partners in the past year, 36 percent did not use condoms consistently," Health Commissioner Thomas Freidan said in a statement released with the report. "This is a core group which is at high risk for getting, and spreading, HIV."

Check Out Full Article @ CNN

Obama: Campaign proved 'the progress we have made'

Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton appeared together Friday at a rally in Unity, New Hampshire, a town where they tied in the January primary.

"We may have started on separate paths ... today our hearts are set on the same destination for America ... to elect Barack Obama as the next president of the United States," Clinton said.

"We are one party, we are one America," she added.

The two Democrats walked onstage together to U2's song "Beautiful Day" as an enthusiastic crowd chanted: "Yes we can!"

Check Out Full Article @ CNN

RZA: 'Bobby Digital' To Live On In Comics, Films

It took RZA seven years to get back to Bobby Digital. Now, if he has his way, we'll be seeing a lot more of the character.

In the wake of this week's release of "RZA as Bobby Digital: Digi Snacks," the Wu-Tang Clan leader tells Billboard.com that "I'm gonna continue to build the character with films, comics ... I hate to sound so business-push with it, but I see Bobby Digital as being a potential franchise for hip-hop. He ain't too watered-down. He ain't too soft. He ain't too good. He's got a little bit of everything in him that people can relate to, so I'm gonna try to develop him like that. I think he will have more adventures."

Check Out Full Article @ Billboard

George Clinton Goes 'Gangster' On New Album

George Clinton is getting by with a little help from his friends on his next album -- a list that includes the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Carlos Santana, Sly Stone, RZA, System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, El DeBarge and gospel singer Kim Burrell.

Check Out Full Article @ Billboard

Jim Jones Introduces Byrd Gang, Preps New CD

Rapper and Diplomat Records CEO Jim Jones is introducing his new rap group, Byrd Gang, through the debut album, "M.O.B.," due July 1 via Asylum. The MC is also prepping his as-yet-untitled Columbia debut album, slated for September.

Check Out Full Article @ Billboard

BET Loses Sponsorship Over Content

BET suffered another setback this week when several advertisers pulled spots from popular network programs due to images of violence and profanity.

According to Paul Porter of media watchdog group, Industry Ears and CNN, Proctor and Gamble, Pepsi and General Motors pulled their ads from Rap City and 106 & Park after the companies viewed “The Rap on Rap,” a content analysis of BET and MTV programming.


Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Common Touches On Acting In Wanted

Common went from loving H.E.R. to loving the big screen. The rapper/actor is currently prepping the release of Wanted, a new action film that also sees Morgan Freeman, James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie as the Chicago emcee's cast mates.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Freddie Foxxx's Crazy Like A Foxxx To Be Released

Fourteen years after its intended release on Flavor Unit/Epic Records, Freddie Foxxx's Crazy Like A Foxxx album is being released on July 29th by Fat Beats Records.

The 1994 sophomore release was promoted behind the single of "So Tough" which was remixed by Notorious B.I.G. mentor Easy Mo Bee and also by Pete Rock the single was backed by "Crazy Like A Foxxx." After promotional cassettes were sent to radio and press, the album was mysteriously shelved by the label.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Rick Ross Denies Foxy Brown Engagement

Rumors and reports that Foxy Brown would be announcing her engagement to Rick Ross at the BET Awards proved to be false.

Ross had an explanation for MTV News, saying “The engagement is speculation. I’m married to the money.”


Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Michael Jackson Gives Ne-Yo Props

For the past 10-20 years, each new crop of R&B stars—everyone from Usher to Justin Timberlake—has been accused of being a “fake” Michael Jackson.

But according to an MTV report, the Moonwalker himself has given Ne-Yo his personal stamp of approval.


Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Against all odds: School offers hope, opportunity for young men

The odds were never good for 16-year-old D'Angelo Gardner. His father died of a heroin overdose when he was 9 years old, and by the eighth grade, he was caught up in a gang.

The Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men was founded in 2002 to help students on Chicago's southside.

1 of 2 "I had a real bad attitude towards ... everybody. I didn't wanna talk, I didn't wanna do work," D'Angelo recalls. "It was just hard, and I didn't wanna be there."


Check Out Full Article @ CNN

Entwistle guilty of murdering wife, baby

A man who fled the United States for his native England after his wife and daughter were killed was found guilty of their murders Wednesday.

1 of 3 Neil Entwistle, 29, repeatedly closed his eyes and shook his head as the foreman read the verdict: guilty of two first-degree murder charges, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.

The jury in Woburn, Massachusetts, deliberated for less than 12 hours before reaching the verdict.


Check Out Full Article @ CNN

FBI arrests hundreds in child sex crackdown

In a series of raids, authorities have arrested more than 300 members of prostitution operations and removed 21 juveniles from sex-selling rings, the FBI announced Wednesday.


FBI Director Robert Mueller announces the arrests of hundreds suspected in child sex rings.

The sweeps were conducted in 16 cities nationwide over the past five days, authorities said.

"Our top priority in these cases has always been to identify children victims and move swiftly to remove them from these dangerous environments," FBI Director Robert Mueller said.


Check Out Full Article @ CNN

Will Smith Says He Would Play Barack Obama On The Big Screen 'As Soon As He Writes The End Of The Story'

But actor isn't trying to be senator's running mate: 'Movie stars tend to have a little bit higher approval rating than politicians.'

Check Out Full Article @ MTV

Soulja Boy Tell'em Talks About New Album, Battle With Ice-T

'I ain't scared of dude or nothing like that,' MC says of Ice-T.

Check Out Full Article @ MTV

Hip Hop For Kids: School House Hop DVD

The Hip Hop For Kids: School House Hop dvd featuring Roger G is due July 15th.

Check Out Full Article @ Pro Hip-Hop

Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 6/22/08

This week, Lil Wayne gets bumped out of the #1 spot by Coldplay's highly anticipated debut of Viva La Vida which sold 721,200 copies this week. The Carter III, though no longer in the top spot, still sold a very respectable 308,500 in its second week on the charts. Plies' Definition of Real, which made a surprising debut at #2 last week, fell to #5 with 67,700 copies sold this week. Usher's latest effort, Here I Stand, driven by his hit single "Love in this club", took the #6 spot with 64,900 sold. Rihanna's re-release of Good Girl Gone Bad--complete with new tracks-- re-enters the charts at #7 proving that her latest album is far from losing steam. Further down the charts N.E.R.D falls to #20 with Seeing Sounds selling 23,600 units.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Kanye Responds to Bonnaroo Debacle; Says Promoters Are "Fucking Idiots"

After receiving a chilly reception at this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival Kanye West has responded to his critics with a new blog.
On his personal site, Kanye UniverseCity, the Louis Vuitton Don lays out the case from start to finish, covering why his show was so late and why the criticism is undeserved.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

KRS-One Launches I Am Hip-Hop Publishing

It was announced this morning that KRS-One has launched an exclusive publishing imprint under powerHouse Books, called I Am Hip Hop. The imprint will be overseen by the Hip Hop icon, and intends to publish works in a variety of sub-genres, including philosophy, photography and novels. All the releases will be hand-picked by KRS-One.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Dilla's Estate Threatened By Bootlegging

When Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1 was released in 1996, few people familiar with the fickle nature of the music industry could have predicted the impact it would make. Twelve years later, the album serves as a major milestone in the legacy of one of Hip Hop's most heralded producers, J Dilla. After his death in 2006, the man born James Yancey left behind a catalogue which cemented him in the pantheon of great producers. He also left behind what the executor of estate says is a "six-figure IRS debt and few tangible assets." While the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Dilla's death are not unique to the Hip Hop world, the mounting problems trying to fix them are.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Damon Dash Talks Wife's $4 Bil Fashion Deal, ''She's Gonna Be As Big As Ralph Lauren''

About a week since announcing a new clothing business venture with his wife Rachel Roy, Roc-A-Fella Records founder Damon Dash has clarified what the deal's value is and how his wife is capable of becoming the female Calvin Klein.

Check Out Full Article @ SOHH

Young Jeezy Feeling ''The Recession,'' ''This Album Might Be Some Of My Best Work''

Young Jeezy is currently prepping the release of his third studio disc The Recession. SOHH recently caught up with the Georgia rapper to explain the title of his new album and offer fans a glimpse of what to expect.

Known for delivering street anthems, Jeezy plans on sprinkling a little bit of politics on his new album.

Check Out Full Article @ SOHH

DMX To Lose House Over Breached Canine Contract

Trouble continues to mount for DMX as he's about to lose his NYC townhouse over a contract he walked out on with a line of dog clothes.

According to TMZ, after refusing to take part in a promotional campaign for the doggie duds back in 2004, a judge ordered him to pay up. But since he's been unable to come up with the $281,000 thousand to make good on the deal, he'll have to auction off his Fifth Avenue townhouse to pony up the cash.

Check Out Full Article @ SOHH

The Game Delayed, "L.A.X." Set For August Release

SOHH has been informed that Compton, California rapper The Game's highly anticipated upcoming album L.A.X. has been pushed back to August.

Previously scheduled to come out July 22nd, Interscope Geffen confirmed the changed date, but offered no explanation at press time. The rescheduling will mark the rapper's fourth push back since his original release date on June 24th.

Check Out Full Article @ SOHH

Snoop Confirms Detox; Dre Producing Upcoming Album

Rapper Snoop Dogg recently left the recording studio, recording tracks for Dr. Dre's highly anticipated album, Detox.

"That record is real it's coming," Snoop Dogg said during an interview today (June 25) on Big Boy's Neighborhood. "You know me, I was starting to doubt it myself and then I went up in there and he played so much music for me it knocked my head off."

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Immortal Technique Helps Build Orphanage In Afghanistan

Making good on his previous pledge to begin a "serious mission" by June 24, activist and rapper Immortal Technique released a statement announcing his partnership with Omeid International to build an orphanage in Afghanistan.

"The 'green light' has been given," Tech declared in his statement. "I made the world a promise. Not the music world, not the subdivision of Hip-Hop, not the 4th Branch, and not the 3rd World underground."

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Lil Wayne, Kanye, UGK Win At BET Awards

Rappers Lil Wayne and Kanye West were big winners last night (June 24) at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles during the BET Awards.

Both West and Wayne won multiple awards, with West winning the Best Hip-Hop Award During his acceptance speech, the Chicago born rapper brought out Lil Wayne, who was up for the same award.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Imus says he's defending, not offending 'Pacman' Jones

Radio host Don Imus said Tuesday he was making "a sarcastic point" that police often unfairly target blacks when he asked about Adam "Pacman" Jones' race on his show.


Don Imus appears on the Rev. Al Sharpton's radio show in April 2007 after making his last controversial remark.

Imus, who lost his job last year after comments on the Rutgers University women's basketball team, said the latest controversy is fueled by people who are out to get him.

"No man has more discussions about race than I have," he said. "Why not report on that? I know some people want to get me, but this is ridiculous

MJG Talks New Album, Ghostwriting Plans

As was previously reported, one of the most powerful duos in the history of Hip Hop, 8Ball & MJG, have left Bad Boy Records, home to their last two group projects, and signed on to record for a different Atlantic Records distributed label, T.I.’s Grand Hustle Records. Recently, DX spoke with one-half of the Memphis twosome, MJG, to try and get the lowdown on the group’s much talked about new deal, as well as the southern superstar’s long-overdue return to the market as a solo artist.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Lil E And Coolio Join HIV Testing Campaign

West coast rappers Lil E and Coolio are pitching in with National HIV Testing Day. Both artists will be appearing on Friday June 27 at The Los Angeles Sentinel headquarters on Crenshaw Boulevard to raise awareness in the community on the value of testing.

The Coup's Boots Riley Charged With Public Profanity

Less than a week after his taped interview with activist and revolutionary Mumia Abu-Jamal, The Coup's Boots Riley was charged by Norfolk, Virginia Police for using profanity in public. The veteran emcee was performing with Anti/Epitaph Records label-mates, New Orleans Funk band Galactic at Bayou Boogaloo Music Festival in downtown Norfolk.

Check Out Full Article @ SOHH

Nate Dogg Released on $50k Bail

California crooner Nate Dogg has been released from the Twin Towers jail in Los Angeles early Tuesday morning (Jun 24), after posting a $50,000 bond, AllHipHop.com has learned exclusively. The 38-year-old singer was picked up by the California Highway Patrol around 8:30 am the previous day, after an exchange with his estranged wife on Interstate 405.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Sharpton Responds to Imus' "Pacman" Comments; Imus Clarifies

Despite his vow to do better after being suspended for offensive comments about the Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team, Don Imus is at the center of a new incident involving race.

During Imus' WABC-AM radio show on Monday (June 23), the radio jock and sports announcer Warner Wolf were discussing a request made by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones on Saturday (June 21) for people to quit using his nickname "Pacman."

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

DMX Busted Without Valid Driver's License

Legal troubles continue to mount for rapper DMX.

The Associated Press reports the rapper (born Earl Simmons) was picked up about 1:30 p.m. Monday (June 23) by Miami Dade County Police. Authorities, who had an arrest warrant for Simmons for not having a valid driver's license, took the Yonkers, NY entertainer to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Institute.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Indie video game designers break through

In the second grade, James Silva didn't just play "Mario" and "Zelda" on his Nintendo but drew pictures of new levels and cooked up ideas for future games.

While other kids dreamed of becoming an astronaut or president, he felt destined to be a video game designer.

Conquering space or politics might have been easier.

Check Out Full Article @ CNN

GM offers 6-year, no interest loans

Promotion to clear out backlog of some models. Price increases for some 2009 models announced.

Check Out Full Article @ CNN

Nate Dogg Arrested For Terrorist Threats

Less than a month after 213 partner Warren G was arrested, then subsequently released for drug possession Nate Dogg was also stopped and apprehended by California Highway Patrol officers last evening.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Immortal Tech Preps LP With Unique Release Party

Immortal Technique's latest LP, The 3rd World is finally close to its release date. The album, which has been highly anticipated by Tech fans for about 5 years, is set to hit store shelves Tuesday, June 24. With that on the way, I.T. is using his promotion time to send a message to young folks about democracy.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Bishop Lamont Explains "The Confessional" Leak

During the roughly three year period since he initially signed with Aftermath, Bishop Lamont has been releasing a steady stream of mixtapes. "The Confessional" was in position to be the fifth official mixtape before Bishop's debut album is released in October, when DJ Strong allegedly leaked a tagged version on June 7. The leak prompted Bishop to pay a visit to DJ Strong, which was captured on YouTube [included below]. During a recent conversation with HipHopDX, Bishop explained the backstory behind the leak and his confrontation with DJ Strong.

Check Out Full Article @ Hip-Hop DX

Shooting Victim Sues Remy Ma, Label and Venue for over $160 Million

Less than two months after a Manhattan jury found Remy Ma guilty of charges including two counts of first-degree assault, the victim in the case has officially filed a civil suit against Remy and several other defendants, including the Universal Music Group. Makeda Smith-Barnes is seeking a minimum of $160 million in compensatory and punitive damages, plus court fees and any additional moneys the court may find are owed to her.

Check Out Full Article @ All Hip-Hop

Ice-T Continues War W/ Soulja Boy, Kanye West Chooses Sides

Veteran gangsta rapperIce-T has released another video aimed at Soulja Boy in response to the Southern rapper's YouTube clip, making no apologies for starting the beef with the 17 year-old hip-hopper.

Check Out Full Article @ SOHH

50 Cent Reacts To Ex's Restraining Order, ''She's Trying To Use [My Son] To Hurt Me As Best She Can''

50 Cent spoke candidly about his contentious relationship with his son's mother recently, claiming that she is using his son as a means to hurt him financially.

In a video posted on his website, ThisIs50.com, the hip-hop mogul sat for an interview at a Toronto, Canada hotel between concert appearances to address his ongoing feud with his son's mother, Shaniqua Tompkins and the impact his son has had on his rap career.

Check Out Full Article @ SOHH

The Game & Young Buck Join Forces On New Mixtape

Former G-Unit members The Game and Young Buck have decided to squash any prior beefs and team up, as the two are set to release a joint mixtape.

According to Billboard, the untitled collaboration is set to drop in July and will be hosted by DJ Skee, Nu Jerzey Devil and Haze.

Check Out Full Article @ SOHH

Lil Mama Blames Jive For Low Sales, "The # Of Albums They Shipped Out Shows Their Prediction"

Lil Mama's debut album Voice of the Young People barely made a sound when it hit the charts at No. 25, selling just under 19,000 copies last month. But the young femcee is loud and clear about what the problem was and adamant that it'll be fixed the next go round.

Check Out Full Article @ SOHH