"It Ain't Nothin'" by Cypress Hill-

Earlier this week Snoop Dogg announced that he has signed Cypress Hill to the newly re-launched Priority Records.

“My role as Creative Chairman of Priority Records has put me in the driver’s seat to help revive the most important West Coast hip-hop label,” Snoop said in a press release. “As such, I’m excited to announce my first signing as Cypress Hill. Cypress Hill is undeniably one of the most important hip-hop groups in music history, not only are they incredibly talented and the first Latino hip-hop group to go platinum, they are also from the West Coast- so this signing is the perfect marriage.”

Snoop also expressed his desire to revive Priority Records’ classic catalog as well as sign new Left Coast artists to the iconic label. He’s already got the ball rolling in doing so with the USDA Uncut Snoop Dogg Approved album which he says will include, “ timeless records that… really need to be brought back to life again- Master P, Ice Cube, N.W.A.” He also wants to release The West Coast Blueprint a compilation album that he says will show what Priority is all about.

In the mean time, Cypress’ Rise Up, the groups’ first major release in six years, is scheduled for release on April 6. — Brooklyne Gipson

[SOURCE]

(AllHipHop News) Long beach singer Nate Dogg is recovering from a stroke and doing well in therapy, according to childhood friend and longtime collaborator, Warren G. Nate Dogg, born Nathaniel Hale has suffered two strokes since January of 2008.

The strokes left the Grammy-nominated singer partially paralyzed and he was also using an assisted breathing tube, to make breathing easier.

"He’s in therapy getting himself together, that’s all I can tell people," Warren G. told HardKnock.tv. "I see him any and every time I want to. It’s hard when you have somebody that got two strokes, usually the person don’t make it. But he’s strong. He’s getting good therapy and he’s pulling out of it.”

According to Warren G., Nate Dogg was relearning to use basic human functions and that he “can lift his head up.”

“It’s hard when you first have a stroke, you got to learn everything over again, Warren G. stated. “It’s like you’re a baby again. You gotta learn everything.”

Between collaborations with artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Fabolous and Warren G. and solo releases, Nate Dogg has sold close to 60 million records over the past 20 years.

For a previous report on Nate Dogg's health, [CLICK HERE]

Taken from Allhiphop.com - Saturday, January 23, 2010 1:07 AM | By Chris Richburg

The spirit, faith and determination of the people of Haiti stood front and center Friday night as actors, musicians and Haitians united for the Hope for Haiti Now telethon.

The event, which dominated primetime viewing on more than 25 networks, featured an all-star line up of performers, many of whom wore black while pouring emotion into inspirational songs for the telethon. R&B songstress Alicia Keys set the tone early by opening the two-hour show with “Prelude to a Kiss.”

The hip-hop nation was prominently featured in the Hope for Haiti Now telethon, with the Roots backing performers such as Jennifer Hudson and Mary J. Blige in New York. In London, Jay-Z was on hand to debut his new Swizz Beatz-produced collaboration with Rihanna and U2 members Bono and The Edge, “Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)”

“Not gonna leave you stranded. Oh no, “ sang Rihanna and Bono as a focused Jay-Z brought home the importance of helping Haiti rebound from the 7.0 earthquake that has displaced, injured and killed many Haitians since January 12.

"We right by your side/ While we trying to make sense of this/ Heavenly Father/ Help us see through these problems/ For those that's left/ Welcome them into your garden,” the rapper rhymed. "Let's get involved with 'em/Hand in hand with 'em/ Arm and arm with 'em/ Till they get strong again."

"When the sky falls and the earth quakes/ We gonna put this back together/ We won't break," said Jay-Z, who referenced another devastating disaster in Hurricane Katrina and the lesson taken away from that 2005 ordeal in the second verse of “Stranded.”

"We learned from the past/ New Orleans was flooded/ So we know we just can't rely on the government," he said.

To contribute to the Hope for Haiit telethon, visit hopeforhaitinow.org or call 1-877-99-HAITI. An album featuring live performances from the telethon will be available on iTunes. Proceeds will go to the Yele Haiti Foundation, Clinton Bush Haiti Foundation, the Red Cross, Oxfam America, United Nations World Food Programme, Partners in Health and UNICEF.

[SOURCE]

Taken from Allhiphop.com - Friday, January 22, 2010 1:59 PM |
By Gentle Jones and Grouchy Greg Watkins

Flavor Unit emcee Apache, born Anthony Teaks, passed away today (January 22) after a protracted illness.

As an original member of Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit, Apache first appeared on 45 King Presents The Flavor Unit and his best known single “Gangsta B**ch” peaked at #11 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart.

Shakim Compere, CEO and Co-Founder of Flavor Unit Records, remembered Apache.

“Without Apache there would have been no Queen Latifah, no Naughty By Nature, no Chill Rob G., no anything” Compere told AllHipHop.com. “Apache was the string that tied all of Flavor Unit together. Without Apache none of this would be.”

Apache was one of the three original rappers in Flavor Unit, which also counted Queen Latifah and Latee as early group members. The rap crew consisted of groups or rappers like Lakim Shabazz, Lord Alibaski, Chill Rob G., Naughty By Nature, Freddie Foxxx, Nikki D and Queen Latifah. Apache's appearances included collaborations with Naughty by Nature, Fat Joe, Tupac, and A Tribe Called Quest.

“That’s my G, R.I.P in peace big homie, you will be missed, shout out to his family naughty by nature, I just did a show with them, god bless,” DJ Kid Capri said via Twitter.

[SOURCE]

Taken from AHH
By Ace Cannon

The Game’s highly anticipated release The R.E.D. Album has been delayed, according to the Compton MC himself. The rapper took to his Twitter page announce that his legal obligations to the state of California for a gun possession charge will prevent him from traveling to promote the album, until March. “Bad news: this just in. The R.E.D. Album just got pushed back again to March 23rd. The judge told my lawyer & my P.O. I can’t travel or do any out of state promo until I finish my community service. Ain't that a bitch?” According to The Game, he has about 200 more hours left of community service before he is free to travel. “I wonder if spending 10 hours a day on Twitter counts towards my ‘community service’?? Then I’d be finished by Jan. 29th, ha ha,” the rapper wrote. “I was ‘INNOCENT’ anyway! I ain't pull no gun out on nobody. Stop snitchin!”

by Danielle Canada December 22, 2009, 18:04pm

"The king's baaaaack!" That's the latest catch phrase buzzing through Atlanta as news is spreading that T.I. has been released from jail.

As previously reported, T.I. was expected to be released shortly from a federal prison in Arkansas to continue to serve his sentence in a halfway house. Now just six days later, that day has finally come.

The announcement was made official through Grand Hustle executives and affiliates.

Amir Boyd, head of Marketing and Promotions for Grand Hustle, announced it through his Twitter saying, “The KING is home y'all! Merry Christmas!”

Comedian Lil Duval, who is signed to the Grand Hustle emblem chimed in on the celebration saying, “Tip is free now all u losers ass rappers can clock out. GRAND HUSTLE got it from here...”

He also made sure to mention while the King is home, he isn't completely free of the shackles of the legal system. He added, “Hold dont get it twisted tip is free but he ain't free free yet.”

[SOURCE]

Former Geto Boys member Willie D plead guilty today in a Houston, Texas court to wire fraud charges. As Hip-Hop Wired previously reported, Willie was arrested for selling iphones on the Internet and originally plead not guilty to 15 counts.

Willie D, real name William James Dennis, allegedly posed as an online salesman for a company that was selling the iPhone. Dennis would then proceed to take the orders through eBay as well and other online channels.

The crime being considered is once the funds were sent; they were transferred into the rapper's account. In order to fool the buyers, he sent out fake tracking numbers, but never sent them the iPhone. When the buyers tried to get in contact and figure out where their purchase was, Dennis reportedly told them that their package was lost in the mail. He would not provide refunds for the buyers until he was able to find the whereabouts of the alleged phone.

The case was made known when an overseas purchaser made a complaint with the authorities which makes the crime international.

Returning from a trip overseas, Dennis was detained by federal authorities at Bush Intercontinental after being indicted for his relationship with a company named Texas One Wireless. He was released on bail in May after posting bond.

Willie D will be sentenced on April 23, 2010 and could spend up 20 years in the bing and is looking at a $250-thousand fine.

[SOURCE]

For stans of team Game eagerly anticipating R.E.D. season, the delay may very well be worth the wait. As previously reported, Games' R.E.D. album was originally scheduled to be released December 8 but has since been pushed back to an early February release.

Now Hurricane Game is releasing details on the forthcoming release via his @IHateGame twitter. Game tweeted about R.E.D. confirming that he would have an all-star production line up of Dr. Dre and Pharrell. He broke the news to his 85,000 plus followers saying,

"The R.E.D. Album is gonna be classic, that's a promise. Executive produced by Dr. Dre and Pharrell. The music is phenomenal.”

Be on the lookout for Game's “phenomenal” release early in the first quarter of next year.

[SOURCE]

Jay-Z celebrates his first number one single across the country, live at the American Music Awards at L.A.'s Nokia Theater - "Empire State of Mind" with the premier songstress, Alicia Keys. "Women lie, men lie, number's don't lie!"

Eminem plays 'Crack A Bottle' with the now monstrous protege, 50 Cent supporting him. Mediocre performance for the once Slim Shady, 50 drops an unenthusiastic verse. Peep the AMA performance.

For the entire live performances of the AMA's (including J-Lo dropping onto her highly valuable fat ass. Ouch!) [CLICK HERE]

Taken from Complex

Rappers have always been quick to put Kanye West on a song. Early on some probably did it as a means to getting one of his beats. Later, maybe ’cause he was a nice guy. Then, obviously, it was because he was a superstar and selling point. But we always secretly thought a part of it was that these rappers, competitive as they are, just didn’t feel threatened by ‘Ye, lyrically. Take Jay-Z, for example, who just threw out “Run This Town”, the new single off Blueprint 3 featuring none other than Kanye West. Well guess what, Big Homie? Lil bro here fucked around and murdered you on your own shit!

But then, really, should Jay be surprised? We started thinking about all the other times rappers invited Yeezy onto their songs, and we noticed a trend. Every time ‘Ye has a chance to shine next to your favorite rapper he goes in and goes in hard! (Pause) Whether you’re in agreement or disbelief, keep reading to check out Kanye’s 10 Best Scene-Stealing Guest Verses (rap songs only) complete with audio clips and our favorite lines. Apologies to those who got laid out, but stop sleeping on the kid!

Peep the list of fallen:
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