Monday, July 31, 2006

Lupe Fiasco, Doug E. Fresh, Rick Ross, Tupac Shakur

Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco has been tapped to highlight the 2006 Sierra Mist Major League Soccer All-Star Game Halftime Show on Aug. 5. The 11th Annual MLS All Star-Game takes place at Toyota Park, in Bridgeview Illinois and features the 2006 MLS All-Star Squad going head-to-head with Chelsea FC, the English Premier League champions. The game starts at 6:30 PM and will also be broadcast live on ESPN. Lupe Fiasco is preparing to release his debut, Food & Liquor on Sept 19.
Rapper Doug E. Fresh will provide
entertainment during the 2nd Annual Fire Ball Weekend in Detroit. The annual event raises money for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick and First Lady Carlita Kilpatrick, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern; Roderick D. and Dr. Linda Gillum and Judge Greg Mathis (Judge Mathis Show) were named as Honorary Chairpersons for the 2nd Annual Fire Ball Weekend. The Fire Ball Weekend 2006 takes place Aug. 11-12. Sponsors include General Motors, House of Courvoisier, Pepsi and Greektown Casino. Ticket prices begin at $200. Tickets can be purchased at the Wright Museum or through www.fireballdetroit.com.
Def Jam has announced that Rick Ross' "Hustlin'" has become the first
ringtone to sell a million copies before the release a physical album. According to Def Jam reps, "Hustlin'," taken from Ross' debut Port of Miami, has sold over a million copies. The song had previously been certified Gold by the RIAA in May, for sales in excess of 500,000 copies. “Ringtones are an amazing gateway to connecting with fans,” Ross said. “They really are the next level. It’s a beautiful thing that "Hustlin" is ringing on a million phones right now." The next single from Port of Miami is "Push It," which contains a sample of Giorgio Moroder's "Scarface (Push it to the Limit)," from the classic 1983 movie Scarface. The album features guest appearances by Lil' Wayne, Dre (of Cool & Dre), Mario Winans, Akon, Lyfe Jennings, Carol City Cartel, J Rock and others.
According to reports, ashes of rapper
Tupac Shakur will be spread over the South African township of Soweto. The rapper's family is heading to Soweto to record vocals with South African Kwaito star and actor Zola, who will be featured on a track with Snoop and the late Shakur. While there, the Shakur family will spread the slain rapper's ashes over Soweto in honor of the township's struggle against apartheid. The ashes of the legendary rapper have already been scattered in the Pacific Ocean and in a private garden in Los Angeles. According to sources, the track will be featured on a CD commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Shakur's death. Tupac Shakur was shot four times on the Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sept. 7, 1996 and died from gunshot wounds on Sept. 13. His murder remains unsolved.