Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Black Eyed Peas Cancel India Dates, Cold 187um, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Non Phixion

The Black Eyed Peas have postponed a trek to Mumbai and Bangalore, India, the group's tour management announced. The concerts, scheduled to be held in Mumbai at the MMRDA Grounds and the Palace Grounds in Bangalore August 2 and 3 were canceled for reasons not specified. According to reports, the group plans to reschedule the dates in the near future. The city of Mumbai, the economic center of India and one of the fastest growing economies in the world, was the scene of a train bombing last week (July 11). A series of seven coordinated bombs ripped through the first-class railway system, killing 200 people and injuring over 600. The dates were still listed on the group's website as of press time. In related news, MTV's TRL will debut the world premiere of Fergie's "London Bridge" bridge video today (July 18).
Above The Law frontman Big Hutch aka Cold 187um will be released from prison this Friday (July 21). The rapper is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Forrest City, Arkansas, where he has served 105 weeks for conspiracy to traffic hundreds of pounds of marijuana. Shortly before entering prison, the rapper said
unidentified men he had once been in contact with were arrested by federal agents in a drug sting. He said the men accused him of financing their drug business, a charge he denied. "I knew them through mutual friends,” Cold 187um told AllHipHop.com in July 2004. “It was a situation where guys who were working with my company and doing their thing. I had knowledge of what was going down, but that’s it. They decided to put me in it and I was hit with a conspiracy charge." Above The Law released several critically acclaimed releases, including their debut, Living Like Hustlers and the follow up Black Mafia Life for Eazy E's Ruthless Records. According to representatives for Cold 187um, the rapper has penned over 50 songs while locked down. Fellow group member DJ K-Oss was also recently released from prison, after serving four years for possessing rock cocaine for sale and transporting the drug.
Rapper Shabaam Shadeeq is preparing two albums after a long hiatus from the rap
game due to label issues and a short stint behind bars. The rapper, who recorded early material with Eminem, Xzibit, Pharoahe Monch, Common and others will released Strategize and will follow the release with The Outcome. The rapper plans to play down his jail time on his releases, simply stating: “I don't need to be behind bars, because I'm already behind bars lyrically." Strategize hits stores this summer, while The Out Come hits stores in the fall.
According to sources, New York underground group Non Phixion has disbanded after 10 years in the Hip-Hop industry due to internal strife. The group released multiple 12" singles over the last decade and their 2002 release The Future Is Now was released to critical acclaim, followed by 2004's The Green CD/DVD. Group members Ill Bill, Sabac Red and DJ Eclipse will now focus on solo ventures. Ill Bill will release a
new DVD titled The Hour of Reprisal on Uncle Howie/Perfect Game Recording Co./Warner Music Group. Ill Bill is also a new member of La Coka Nostra, which features Everlast (House of Pain), Danny Boy, DJ Lethal, Slaine and Big Left. Sabac Red is working on The Ritual while DJ Eclipse is planning to release a DVD Halftime Show, which features interviews and freestyles with various artists.