Will It Ever End?

The recanted testimony of a man involved in the still-unsolved murder of rap icon Notorious B.I.G. is the focus of a newly filed federal court motion by the rapper's estate.
The motion, which was filed Monday (Oct. 29), claims that Waymond Anderson was lying when he recanted his testimony in the case that implicated former Los Angeles Police Department officer Rafael Perez in the March 9, 1997 killing of B.I.G. (born Christopher Wallace). According to the Associated Press, the motion asked for Anderson's phone and prison visitation records.
Anderson, a former R&B artist currently serving a life sentence for murder in a separate case, said in an Aug. 20 deposition that he lied as part of a scam involving Wallace's family members and attorneys to win a monetary settlement from the city of Los Angeles.
The phone and visitation records, the Wallace estate argued, will reveal holes in Anderson's latest story and show who was behind Anderson's "wholesale assault on the truth."
In his deposition, Anderson accused the Wallace family and their lawyer of offering to cut him in for a portion of any award for falsely testifying that Perez told him that another ex-police officer, David Mack, was involved in the Wallace's killing.
The motion is the latest in a series of twists and turns in the case. In a new interview with AllHipHop.com, Kevin Hackie, a former bodyguard for the late Tupac Shakur, revealed that an arrest for the murder will soon be made.
"LAPD detective Greg Kading concurred with me that there will be an arrest in the Wallace case shortly," he said. "Greg Kading who's status with the LAPD and you can quote this is confidential, said there will be an arrest made shortly."

TI makes Bail!

A judge ordered rap superstar T.I. released from prison on $3 million dollars bond but the rapper must stay in home confinement until his federal trial for possession of machine guns and silencers.
Judge Alan Baverman said the rapper will be restricted to a house in Henry County, Georgia and will be monitored 24 hours a day by a private monitoring service that he must also pay for.
The judge said that T.I. was to have no contact with witnesses or informants associated with the case.
T.I., born Clifford Harris, is charged with possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
The rapper was arrested in Atlanta on October 13 by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after he allegedly attempted to purchase three machine guns and two silencers from an undercover agent, acting as an arms dealer.
Police also found loaded weapons and marijuana on T.I. when they arrested him. A subsequent raid of his Atlanta mansion turned up a cache of loaded automatic weapons.
"On behalf of the family and friends of T.I., we appreciate the global outpouring of concern that he has received during this period," representatives for the rapper said. "T.I. is humbled by the overwhelming encouragement he is getting from his fans and offers his profound thanks to all."
T.I., 27, faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.

Haterz!!

Police in De Kalb County, Georgia have arrested one individual and are investigating a series of racial attacks at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, after vandals tied a noose around the neck of a bronze statue of slain rapper, Tupac Shakur.
According to police, the first incident occurred early Saturday morning (October 20), when vandals defaced the building and tied a noose around the neck of the statue of Shakur, which is located in the center's Peace Garden.
A second attack also occurred on the statue of Shakur, when vandals drew crosses and wrote rants about Hurricane Katrina and various record labels.
The attacks are being investigated as hate crimes by the De Kalb County Sheriff's Office and police are seeking additional suspects.

Michael Jackson (Poor Guy!) LoL!

Chalk up another "L" for Michael Jackson, as the singer collected another legal debt to pay.

According to the Associated Press, Jackson was ordered Monday (Oct. 15) to pay $175,000 in overdue attorney’s fees to Ayscough & Marar. The law firm sued the pop icon in February 2006 claiming he didn't pay for services it rendered on his behalf.

As a result of all of this, Jackson owes more than $430,000 to the firm. To date, Jackson hasn’t paid any of the money due, said Brent Ayscough, a partner at Ayscough and Marar.

As for whether the embattled music icon will eventually pay up, Jackson’s attorney simply told the AP, "You’d have to ask him that."

Until then, the court award will increase annually at a rate of 10 percent.

While I’ve been known to hold out on paying my debts, there’s a limit to how long we can go before our debt grows beyond our budget. Maybe Jacko can set up a We Are the World type of event or song to help a worthy cause...himself.

Tego Calderon

When Hip-Hop meets Reggaeton, Tego Calderón is chillin' at the intersection. The non-Spanish speaking audience may not understand his lyrics completely on remixes of Fat Joe's "Lean Back" and 50 Cent’s "P.I.M.P." but they are sure drawn to the voice. Making his worldwide debut with El Abayarde (his alias meaning a Puerto Rican insect similar to a fire ant) in 2002, Tego returns with El Abayarde Contra-Ataca (El Abayarde Counter Attacks). While his music covers the struggles of poverty and racism coupled by strong political beliefs, his life is dedicated to keepin' it 100% real.

Jeezy Shot?

There were several reports that Young Jeezy was struck by a bullet – negative. Young Jeezy is very much alive, if you heard something on the net about him getting shot. Shout out to Jeezy for being alive. , Jeezy is working on his next CD.

Gangsta B*#@h or Dumb A##

Imprisoned rapper Foxy Brown has been sentenced to 76 days in solitary confinement on Rikers Island over several infractions, including an altercation with another inmate.
Foxy Brown was removed from the general population of the prison and placed in a segregated cell, after she committed three violations this month in the jail.
On October 3, Foxy Brown and another female prisoner became involved in a shoving as they headed to a dining hall.
The following day, Brown, born Inga Marchand, was allegedly verbally abusive towards correction officers and she refused to submit to a random drug test.

Mo Problems!

Rapper T.I. pleaded not guilty to federal weapons charges including possession of machine guns but was denied bail for a second time.

T.I., born Clifford Harris Jr., appeared at the Richard B. Russell Federal Building and Courthouse in Atlanta this afternoon, after being arrested and jailed on October 13, for allegedly possessing unregistered machine guns and silencers, as well as being a convicted felon in possession of firearms.

Prosecutors also revealed that they found up to a half pound of marijuana in the rapper's vehicle, for personal consumption, when he was arrested on October 13.

U.S. Magistrate Alan Baverman ordered the rapper jailed until at least next Friday, while he reviews a proposal by T.I.'s defense lawyer Ed Garland, who is attempting to free T.I. on $2.2 million dollar bond, which includes a cash deposit of $500,000 dollars.

Garland also offered millions of dollars in signature bonds from Atlantic Records, who put up a signed, $1 million bond, while several executives at Warner Music Group issued five $100,000 signature bonds for the rapper.

T.I. also provided two $100,000 signature bonds from a bonding company and he also put up properties that he owned valued at $1.5 million dollars.

Garland proposed putting a person in T.I.'s home to monitor him 24 hours a day and offered to provide a list of preapproved visitors who would be allowed to enter his home.

Additionally, the rapper offered to submit to random searches of his home and random drug screening.

Lawyers hope that cash bonds and volunteered monitoring will prove that T.I. is not a flight risk to US Magistrate Alan Baverman, who called the rapper's past criminal record "troublesome."

Baverman told defense attorneys that if T.I. was to be released, he would have to put up $2 million dollars in cash.

Prosecutors also revealed for the first time that the case is part of an ongoing investigation that may change the current indictment against T.I.

ATF agents arrested T.I. in midtown Atlanta on (October 13) as the rapper allegedly planned to pick up machine guns and silencers that his bodyguard was purchasing for him.

Various weapons were discovered during the arrest, including three allegedly found in T.I.'s vehicle at the time of his arrest and six more allegedly found in the bedroom closet at the 27-year-old rapper's home in Atlanta.

The rapper's arrest was the result of an investigation that began this month.

According a criminal complaint filed in US District Court in Atlanta, a federal firearms dealer contacted the ATF about a man inquiring about buying a machine gun without registering the weapon, as required.

The man, who turned out to be T.I.'s bodyguard, was later arrested after he attempted to purchase several machine guns from an undercover ATF agent.

As a result, the bodyguard cooperated with the government and admitted to buying the machine guns and silencers for T.I., who allegedly brokered the deals through the bodyguard because he is a convicted felon.

It is against federal law for a convicted felon to have another person purchase or acquire firearms on their behalf.

T.I. currently faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.

The Man That Never Dies!

A former bodyguard for Tupac made a stunning revelation during a documentary screening for the new film Tupac: Assassination - Conspiracy or Revenge?

During a Q&A that followed the screening of the documentary in Los Angeles, former Death Row bodyguard Kevin Hackie made the startling claim that he was an undercover FBI agent - and not an informant - as previously reported, during his time of employment as Tupac Shakur's bodyguard and security detail for Death Row Records from 1992-1996.

Hackie admitted the details during a panel discussion with filmmakers R.J. Bond and Frank "Big Frank" Alexander, Tupac's former bodyguard and author of the critically acclaimed books Got Your Back: Life as Tupac's Bodyguard in the Hardcore World of Gangsta Rap (1999) and the DVD documentary Before I Wake (2001).

Hackie made the revelation in response to an alleged Los Angeles Police Department officer, who was in the crowd and defended the department's investigation into the murder of Shakur, who was shot multiple times on the Las Vegas strip, after a Mike Tyson fight.

Shakur died seven days later from his wounds on September 13, 1996.

While Shakur was murdered in Nevada, conspiracy theorists have all agreed on one thing - that the murder was not random and that the plot originated in Los Angeles, California.

Tupac Assassination is executive produced by Frank Alexander, one of Shakur's most trusted confidants.

Alexander was supposed to ride in the car and Knight and Shakur the evening the rapper was gunned down, but Shakur allegedly asked him to drive another car owned by Quincy Jones' daughter, Kidada.

The DVD details new angles surrounding a murder conspiracy plot to murder Shakur.

Tupac Assassination examines law enforcement's alleged failure to fully investigate the murder of Shakur.

The DVD also attempts to bring new facts about the superstar rapper's murder to the surface.

According to Hackie, an arrest will be made in the murder of Tupac Shakur, as well as the murder of Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, who was gunned down six months later in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.

Hackie took the stand during a June 2005 federal trial and claimed that the head of Death Row Records threatened to kill B.I.G., allegedly in retaliation for the murder of Tupac Shakur.

Until now, Hackie was reported to be an informant for the FBI.

During a June 2005 wrongful death trial over the murder of the Notorious B.I.G., U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper had to issue an arrest warrant in an attempt to illicit testimony from Hackie, who runs a private security firm and claimed he feared gang retribution if he testified.

In 2004, Hackie stated in a filed declaration that he had "personal knowledge" about B.I.G.'s murder and that people within Death Row offered $25,000 dollars to a law enforcement officer to carry out the slaying.

Hackie claimed that former officer David Mack and a number of LAPD officers worked as "covert agents" for Death Row Records and that Shakur was murdered because Marion "Suge" Knight allegedly owed Shakur millions in unpaid royalties.

Hackie then denied a number of statements attributed to him by defense lawyers and criticized the lawsuits merits, claiming it was a money grab by the family of The Notorious B.I.G.

"My statements were taken out of context," Hackie said. "Some things in there I never even said. They added them in."

Tupac Assassination - Conspiracy or Revenge? produced by Bond-Age Films and Step-N-Up Enterprises. The DVD, which is distributed through Eyecon/Fontana Distribution, hits stores on October 23.

Underground Artist Of The Month (1)

Animosity

This Puerto Rican MC is born and raised in Brooklyn and has been rapping

since he was 12 years old.

AnimositY is his name.... Given to him by street legend Mayhem from the Ruff Headz Crew. Mayhem was killed by the jakes due to mistaken identity... Animosity remains a street legend, Known for his androic poetic scrolls, which captures the ears of true Hip Hop headz.... His crew name is WORDSMITH.

He mastered his craft as a member of the rap crew Oracles of Dialect.

Influences include...

Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane and Tupac.

Crew's name: WORDSMITH

Producer: Apex (Apex Productions)

Animosity has ghost written for many artists in the past and present.

Currently working on the WORDSMITH project featuring MC's like...

Avatar, Kevlar, One Take and Ambush.

Motivation: " My love for Hip Hop and music in general is what keeps me motivated."

"I am currently getting involved in the production side of the business and engineer all my own projects."

Underground Artist Of The Month (2)

Ambush

This MC was born and raised in Brooklyn as well and is influenced by MC's like...

Nas: Because of "His ability to lyrically assault beats,

while giving vivid details with his story telling."

Fifty Cent: Because of "His ability to make your head bop,

while giving you an unbelievable rush."

Old School favorites include...

Kool G Rap: "The Original Fifty to me and he still gets it in."
Big Daddy Kane: "The Raw album is my favorite of all time."

Lord Finesse: "The original funky man! Nuff said!"

Motivation: "My family and spiritual beliefs are what fuel my hunger. I do not fear failure,

I realize that there is strength in weakness for those who seek it.

The loss of my mother at an early age provided me the strength to overcome

many obstacles."

These two MC's are what Hip Hop has been waiting for. In an industry where artists have forgotten the reason for why hip hop was created, these two talented MC's will not only make you think but, will also put everyone in neck braces.

Evolution never ends and Hip Hop is always Evolving!

Here They Come!

Check out their music at...

http://www.myspace.com/oraclesofdialect

Denied Bail

Rapper T.I. appeared in the Federal Courthouse in Atlanta for the first time today at 3:00 PM on weapons charges and has been ordered held without bail.

T.I., born Clifford Harris Jr., had his hands cuffed and his legs chained as he entered the packed courtroom.

His lawyers unsuccessfully sought bail for the rapper, which was denied by U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman.

ATF agents arrested the rapper in an Atlanta shopping center after he allegedly attempted to illegally purchase machine guns through a bodyguard who was working for the government.

A subsequent raid of his house turned up numerous assault rifles and loaded handguns.

T.I. will appear in court on Friday (October 19), where Judge Baverman will determine whether there was probable cause for the rapper's arrest and to decide if he will be eligible for bail before his trial.

Do or Die's Belo doing a ten year stint!

Do or Die member Belo pleaded guilty to second degree murder for the shooting death of Raynard "B-Dog" Pinkston in November of 2002.

According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Belo, born Darnell Smith, will receive a 10-year sentence for the crime.

Prosecutors said Pinkston and Smith were watching two people fight, when Pinkston attempted to break up the ruckus.

Police said Smith warned Pinkston to stay out of the dispute and when he refused, Smith shot Pinkston to death on the street.

Smith's girlfriend Felicia Hamiton, was also charged in the case, after she attempted to bribe witnesses $1,000 in attempt to get them to change their testimony against Smith and keep him out of prison

Here we go again with the drama!

Rapper Foxy Brown is at the center of more controversy according to prosecutors in New York.

According to correction officials, the 28-year-old rapper allegedly refused to get on a corrections bus three times on October 12 for a court appearance.

Officials said that Brown, born Inga Marchand, refused to leave Rikers Island to be arraigned in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Reports stated that Brown missed the first bus because her hair and make up were not ready. She missed the second bus because she had not eaten lunch.

When a third bus came, Brown inexplicably refused to get on board.

As a result, Brown's court date has been moved to Tuesday (October 16).

The rapper is serving a one year prison sentence for violating the terms of her August, 2004 probation for assaulting two manicurists in a Manhattan nail salon.

In July, Brown was involved in a neighborhood dispute in Brooklyn with Arlene Raymond, 25, over the volume of the rapper's car stereo.

Brown allegedly hit Raymond in the face with her Blackberry, resulting in a charge of felony assault, misdemeanor assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

If Brown refuses to attend her arraignment on Tuesday, prosecutors may issue a court order allowing correction officers to handcuff her and force her to appear in court next week.

Bobby Brown has a heart attack?

Brown said his visit to the hospital as nothing more than a simple pre-tour check-up. "I gotta make sure my vitals and everything is straight" Brown told EUR. "I just had some procedures done. The doc cleared me and said, you know, [go] do what I do." So how did Parks get Brown’s situation twisted? According to the singer, "She got bad information from somewhere else, and that just goes to show that people need to talk to each other more often in order to make things right" And that, ladies and gents, are the facts of the case. So who do you believe, Bobby B or his attorney and the media? I leave it up to you and those folks who are under the assumption that singer could withdraw from KFC or that crash crack diet he’s always rumored to be on.

EMINEM’S MOM PENS TELL ALL!

Eminem’s mother isn’t slick! I can read your mind! I know what you are doing! She has written a tell all book, “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem.” The book is a tell all about the rapper and the relationship they have – from her perspective. Here is some of the summary:
:…She is still desperately seeking reconciliation with her former Mommy's boy. Debbie reveals a bittersweet story of a single mother who gave her son everything in an attempt to make up for his absent father and her own miserable childhood. She tells the inside truth about Marshall Bruce Mathers III, and tries to untangle the outspoken and enigmatic alter egos Eminem and "Slim Shady". It's a rocky road and Debbie does not try to conceal the facts. This is her open letter to Eminem, a loving reminder of how they once were, and an attempt to set the record straight and refute allegations of her own drug abuse and tell the real story behind some of her son's most famous lyrics.”

JAY-Z on Kanye's "Big Brother"..

Jay-Z: I think it was brilliant, for one. Roc-A-Fella is tough love. His feelings are very understandable, because it’s tough love…nothing is given. There’s no free rides – none of that s**t. You gotta earn your way. You fail, you better get up so you can feel that. Those type of emotions [Kanye relayed]…for him to come out and say it, it actually brought us closer. [It was like] his true emotions. Everything on the song was true – it was true in his mind. That’s what made it great, because it was honestly how [Kanye] felt. We know everybody sees things differently. If I told you something like, “Carleen said I could buy two tickets,” you would think he didn’t get any tickets. He got four [tickets]. He wanted six. Its true, but…its really true. He wanted two more tickets, but if you heard that you’d be like, “Damn, them n***as ain’t give the n***a no tickets.” [room laughs] Come on! And [with] Coldplay – I introduced him! I gave him the number. I made the song happen. I did that. Like, [mimicking a phone call] “Coldplay, here’s Kanye. Here. [passing phone to imaginary Kanye]” Its great though, because its his truth. That’s what’s brilliant about him. It wasn’t no bulls**t – it was the way he felt.

Prodigy of Mobb Deep doing time?

Prodigy is about to a multiyear bid in jail. Yeah, you know he had a case and a trial in New York City recently. I'm hearing P was found guilty and will start doing a 31/2 year bid. Sad, first Saigon taps him and then this. I thought we rapped to get away from this stuff. Good luck Prodigy! We all Know that can't be good for his weak frame. Lucky for him, if someone snuffs him now there will be nowhere to run! (No Excuses now P)