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Those close to Guru have revealed that the rapper's heart surgery performed in the last 24 hours has been a complete success and Guru is expected to have a complete recovery. [Full story: read previous entry]

According to sources told to Allhiphop.com the 43 year old New York MC is doing “fine” despite bullshit reports on the Internet claiming that he had died last night. Gang Starr's DJ Premier also confirmed this news via his Twitter account.

“Guru is alive and recovering from his surgery. Doctors are expecting a full recovery luckily,” said the source.

Everyone's prayers and best wishes have helped and will continue to with our support for the legendary rap icon.

We will keep you updated as and when news comes through.

According to HipHopWired.com, information has been obtained in relation to the health of east coast rapper, Guru. Apparently he has just recently suffered a cardiac arrest and now fallen into a coma. These details come by way of Guru's own sister.

Legendary emcee formerly with DJ Premier in the famous rap outfit Gang Starr, Keith 'Guru' Elam is also considered a pioneer for rap/jazz fusion with his Jazzamatazz album series. The only other public release has come over the airwaves from DJ Premier.

UPDATE

from Hip Hop Nation:
DJ Premier, the other half of Gang Starr called up Satelite XM radio station "Hip Hop Nation" and confirmed Guru's heart attack.

"Guru IS in a coma and will go under surgery tomorrow afternoon."

More details as it comes to light will be reported on Hiphop.sh and online across the board.

Our condolences and best wishes go to Guru and his family at this time.

[SOURCE]

At the Two Kings function with Cleveland Cavalier and close friend of Jay-Z's, LeBron James during the All-Star weekend in Dallas, TX last week. When hit up by MTV on his plans for videos he's looking to shoot next, Hov responded.

"I wanna shoot ‘Venus vs. Mars’, that may be the last one.. I wanna shoot two, I been shooting two at one time. I’ll probably shoot ‘Venus’ and maybe ‘A Star Is Born.’ But I definitely wanna shoot ‘Venus’ — I got an amazing concept in my mind."

There probably won’t be a video for “Stranded,” though.

I don’t think there will be a video. The number is ridiculous as far as the [money generated by the Hope For Haiti Now] album. I’m excited about the whole effort we put into the telethon. I don’t think it’s entertainment, I think it’s a real thing. It’s helping real people through a real tough time, and we’ll just move on from there.

He also talked about his next album.

I didn’t really start yet. I got a couple of scraps and I got a couple of ideas. I didn’t really go into the studio yet. I’ve been toying with ideas and direction and things like that. I got one crazy record. To be honest with you, it’s crazy. I got one and we’ll build from there. Whether it comes out this year or next year, it depends on the music and how it’s coming out. I don’t really have any dates.

[SOURCE]

RZA interviewed for Hiphop.sh // Street Press Australia

19th January, 2010


The abbot of Wu-Tang's conglomerate band of brothers, RZA AKA Bobby Digital AKA The Rzarector and a slew of other conceptual identities dependent on the current of creative air swirling around the genius who was born Robert Diggs, is making power moves on a Hollywood chessboard. A student under the wings of this generation's biggest cult director, Quentin Tarantino whom RZA refers to as the Master, is making grandeur attempts to bring the Wu-Tang dynasty to film, for eternal survival in a young man's game of hiphop.

Recently the Wu-Tang performed in Melbourne. Good to see almost everybody on stage. How was the chemistry during the event?

We had a really good time out there, the crowd was having a good time with us. We had a good time on stage. I think the chemistry and energy was great. We are trying to do a proper tour with the Wu-Tang Clan but that can be difficult. So I'm coming down, you know test the waters. Ghostface and GZA been down there. Now Method Man and Redman are running around right now. I'mma come down in February and bring my high voltage energy – getting' it ready for when the whole Wu-Tang Clan returns late this year or early next year. We are working out details for everyone to be involved, but right now you have the energy of RZA individually and have some fun and I'll build up a demand for the whole crew.

Is this to promote the new album, The Cure?

No I wouldn't say that. (laugh) It's really just to touch bases with Australia and New Zealand. I haven't had a chance to perform in the country for about five years, and then last year we did two dates, then ten dates so it's like you know, it's a long trip, a great continent, I think the energy of the people there are really driven and just right for my style of hiphop. I think the youth and adults have really grown to a level of appreciation for the music. So it's a real treat and pleasure to perform out there.

But I don't wanna pre-talk on that (new album), I've done some work with some good other musicians. We did the Black Rock project with the Black Keys and I've been doing some music for some buddies in Hollywood. I don't know exactly what I wanna do creatively yet to be honest with you. I'm having fun with music and that sound I've missed. Over the years I've been doing music and in the beginning it was all about fun and good times. Then we strived and got a record deal, then we have a career and started doing music for pay checks, you know what I mean. And if they didn't write me a budget I wasn't goin' in the fuckin' studio. That became a problem, so for the last two years I've been back in the studio makin' music for fun. Now I don't know what to do with it, and one day I'll decide what to do with it. Do I sell it or give it away, we don't know what we wanna do.

LA Times just announced your clearance for Man with the Iron Fist. I can't help think this was the next logical step for you, how does writing and directing film compare to scoring music?

Well its a whole 'nother world but it still reflects my creative, artistic nature but it's not an easy job, I gotta admit it's not an easy job to write the script and get it to the format we got it at and to be accepted by Hollywood and the elite people. It's taken a year, year and a half to get to that level. It's not easy but it's very fulfilling. When you get all that creativity out of you and give it to other people to appreciate it and say, 'Wow what a great story, what a great script.' It's something I've been working on for a few years and I'm really passionate about and I'm ready to share it with the world.

[CONTINUE READING]

Interviewed by Rip Nicholson // 411@hiphop.sh

"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]