Ecko Teams Up With Spike Lee For Fashion Collection
Apparel and magazine mogul Marc Ecko has teamed up with film director extraordinaire, Spike Lee, to launch the release of the 40 Acres & A Mule clothing collection, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Spike's first feature film, She's Gotta Have It.
Developed under the Marc Ecko Cut & Sew label, the 40 Acres & A Mule collection will be available for Fall 2006. The collection, which consists of varsity jackets, rugby jerseys, graphic tees, hoodies and light jackets, features allusions to moments captured in Lee's 20-year catalog.
"I have great respect for Spike as both a creative mind and as a director. He has been an avid supporter of my work and my Ecko Unltd. brand since the early days, and I'm really proud to be able to help celebrate a major milestone in his brilliant career," Marc Ecko said via statement.
Plans are also in the works for a Spring 2007 co-branded collection.
In 1986 Spike Lee established his production company 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks and released his first independent film She's Gotta Have It. Since that time he has held the American public captive with his groundbreaking work that includes such films as Do the Right Thing, Mo' Betta Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Summer of Sam, Bamboozled and Inside Man.
Lee also recently directed When the Levees Broke, a four part documentary series about last year's Hurricane Katrina disaster. The documentary premiered on HBO last week, in time to mark the one year anniversary of the tragic event.
Styles P Finally Offers "Time," Sophomore Set Due In October
An official release date for Styles P's long-delayed sophomore album, Time Is Money, has been confirmed.
The album, which was originally due for release in the summer of 2005 via Interscope Records, was pushed back several times and was also hindered by a dispute between the label and Styles P and his Lox groupmates ( Jadakiss and Sheek Louch).
According to an Interscope representative, Time Is Money, will now hit stores on October 17th. The album reportedly features appearances from Akon, Gerald Levert, Jagged Edge, J -Hood, Mario Winans, Floetry's Marsha Ambrosius, Rashad, Talib Kweli and The Lox. Production on the album is supplied by Swizz Beatz and Scott Storch, among others.
In related news, Styles will be featured on DJ Clue's forthcoming album, The Professional Part III. Set for release on September, the album features Mariah Carey, The Game, Fabolous, Pharrell Williams, Snoop Dogg, Nas, M.O.P, Mobb Deep, Beanie Sigel and Jadakiss, among others.
Twista Hit With Lawsuit From Touring Accident
Chicago bred rapper Twista and his management team have reportedly been sued by a man who claims he was seriously injured after a 2004 tour bus accident.
As previously reported, Twista (born Carl Mitchell) and his entourage were driving from a show in Syracuse, N.Y., to Chicago when their tour bus veered off the road on Erie, PA's Interstate 90 and crashed into a median.
The accident killed Twista's security guard Arthur Dixon, the son of legendary blues singer Willie Dixon, and injured five others.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, Renaldo Jones, who filed his lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court on Wednesday (August 30), charges that the bus driver, Otis Bankhead, fell asleep while driving and lost control of the bus.
Jones, who claims to have broken his collarbone, is seeking unspecified damages from Twista, Bankhead, Showtime Entertainment Agency and its representatives, Rawle Stewart and Tyshawn Carr.
Twista or his management could not be reached for comment on the suit.
2Mex Sounds off on Snoop Dogg Name Check
Snoop Dogg shocked many people when he dropped My Peoples. The track not only served as a preview of The Blue Carpet Treatement, but also as a means to unify the West Coast. The song, which name checks various Western emcees, mentions LA underground vet 2Mex by name in the closing shout outs.
"We were fu-king buggin' out, man...Snoop Dogg is obviously an icon. I personally have a lot of love for Snoop anyway. I don't give a f-ck if he gives me a shout out or not, I like that shit...We took that as a sign of him really trying to put the West together," he said about the song.
"I have an East Coast rapper friend of mine that was like 'Yo, honestly Rakim would never give us a shout-out. That Snoop Dogg sh-t is dope because on the East, nobody would do that.' So, I was really excited to hear that sh-t," he added.
Currently, 2Mex and The Visionaries are getting busy with new projects. The crew is prepping the release of We're The Ones (We've Been Waiting For) which 2Mex told us may be released October 3.
The Look Daggers, his collaboration with Ikey Owens of Mars Volta is also done and gearing up for a release date. That album may come out January 2007.
His verses can be found on everything from his rock-influenced mix tape to various collaborations across the nation. But, he is currently looking for a home that will release his next solo LP.
"Now that I got all the producers on deck, I just want to put out the biggest 2Mex record ever. I just want to do it right."
So, will he holler at Snoop for this?
"I don't know. That was a possibility. That's been my problem. I never holler at nobody, man. It's hard for me to be like 'Here, sign me, please.' I never did that shit. So, I don't really know...I'ma a figure it out. I'm the kind of dude that doesn't even make a demo. I just be like, 'If you trust me, pay me and I'll show you what I make.”
Eminem Apologizes For Throwing Water On Playboy Model, Hef Allegedly Not Happy
A recent prank has resulted in Eminem apologizing to one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends after the pair had a nonviolent altercation on a video shoot.
The rapper allegedly doused Kendra Wilkinson with water during a recent video shoot in Los Angeles for Akon's song "Smack That A**."
According to published reports, Eminem came out of his trailer during the video shoot and threw water on Wilkinson, one of the Playboy mogul's trio of girlfriends who are featured on the E! Television reality series The Girls Next Door, which Hefner also executive produces.
Wilkinson's agent told The New York Post's Page Six column that Eminem came out of his trailer, "threw water on her and was really disrespectful."
"He flipped out on her," Wilkinson's agent Jonathan Baram told Page Six. "She's a tough girl. She didn't take it, and they went at it, not physically but verbally."
Wilkinson claimed in the Page Six report that the incident was a joke and that she didn't want any controversy between her and the platinum-selling rapper.
A post on Wilkinson's official Myspace.com site (myspace.com/kendrawilkinson) shortly after the incident but later removed, was widely circulated on the Internet and revealed more details on the incident.
"The reason for me doing the video wasn't for the money, it was to make all my fans happy that I finally did a rap video," the 21-year-old Wilkinson wrote. "We all know how much I talk about how much I wanna be in one...right?"
Wilkinson said she was accompanied by a friend to the video shoot, where she was greeted by R&B singer Akon.
After being greeted by the singer, Wilkinson wrote that she waited in a cafeteria for a number of hours (10) and was finally called in to do her shoot.
"We start by doing some warm-ups and I was dancing my a** off (literally) [because] it was my time to shine in front of David Banner, Lil Zane, and a couple other rappers and 100s [hundreds] of people," Wilkinson continued. "Everyone was loving my dancing and makin me feel good. Then Eminem walks in the room."
According to Wilkinson's account, Eminem entered the room and was cordial. He allegedly said he was a fan of the The Girls Next Door, and had even purchased a copy of the Sept. issue of Playboy which, he sought to have autographed.
"Then we start doing our scene and everything is going good until we go on a break. I went over to sit on the couch to rest a lil bit," she wrote. Wilkinson said she was talking to a "really nice guy" sitting next to her when Eminem walked in her direction.
"I smile and say 'what's up?' He takes out a bottle of water and pours it all over me!" Wilkinson alleged. "There goes my makeup, there goes my hair, there goes my tears, and there goes my first rap video!"
Despite the incident, both Wilkinson and Eminem have agreed to leave the incident behind them.
The rapper sent a blooming bouquet to the Playboy mansion where Wilkinson currently resides, to make amends.
And while she may not hate Eminem, Wilkinson wrote that her 80-year-old-flame isn't too fond of the rapper.
"Hef [Hugh Hefner] hates him now! So I lived and I learned right?," Wilkinson said. "I will never do a rap video again unless its Three 6 Mafia, Too $hort, Bow Wow or Nelly!"
New Rudy Ray Moore Compilation Hits Stores Features Classic & New Material
Legendary comedian and actor Rudy Ray Moore will released a compilation of his works on the new album The Best Of Rudy Ray Moore And Friends via RNB Entertainment Group's imprint, The Pen.
The new disc set will feature a collection of Moore's works including classic skits, along with first-time-ever-on-CD comedians like Billie McAllister, Lady Reed, and Jerry Walker.
"We are ecstatic about this release, which is destined to become an instant collectors item, and which will help bring Rudy a few more well-deserved props," stated Tom Cartwright and Warren Foster of RNB Entertainment Group.
Billed as the "Godfather of Rap" and "The King of Party Records," Moore has served as an inspiration to a slew of Hip Hop artists, including the late Eazy-E, Ice-T and Snoop Dogg, who enlisted Moore as guest in his 1994 music video for "Doggy Dogg World."
In the mid-1960's, Moore starred as Dolemite, a smooth talking mythical black hero with super strength who could kill women with the power of his lovemaking.
He released several albums under the moniker Dolemite, but the albums were so raunchy that they were regularly banned from record stores.
The 79-old comedian also made history as the first black artist to have two releases on the Billboard charts simultaneously.
The Best Of Rudy Ray Moore And Friends hit stores yesterday (Aug. 29.)
E-40 Strikes Gold
Bay area rapper E-40 is celebrating the success of his latest album My Ghetto Report Card, which was certified gold by the RIAA this week.
Fueled by the Keak Da Sneak-featured "Tell Me When 2 Go," and the current single "U And Dat," featuring T-Pain and Kandi Girl, the album's good fortune will lead to bigger things, according to the lyricist.
"It feels good," E-40 told AllHipHop.com. "I got my second wind [and] it's the beginning of a new beginning."
Executive produced by Lil' Jon, My Ghetto Report Card debuted at number one on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop charts and number three on the Billboard Top 200 chart.
In addition to Lil' Jon, the Reprise/BME/Sick Wid It Records release features production by Rick Rock, E-40's son Droop-e of the Pharmasuticles, Bosko, and Studio Tone, as well as guest appearances from Mike Jones, T. Pain, Keak Da Sneak, Turf Talk, Juelz Santana, B-Legit, The Federation, 8Ball, and UGK.
The video for "U And Dat," is currently in heavy rotation at BET, MTV and Fuse.
Fans can look for more of E-40 with the release of his new DVD, E-40 & The Hype of Hyphy.
The disc, which hit stores Tuesday (Aug. 29) includes the videos "U And Dat" and "Tell Me When To Go" as well as a behind the scenes look at the making of the videos.
Viewers can also learn about the Hyphy movement through a "Hyphy movement" special on the DVD, which features special appearances by Federation and B-Legit, among others.
Marc Ecko Links With Nissan To Create Custom Pathfinder, Armada
Clothing and magazine mogul Marc Ecko has teamed with Nissan of North America to modify the design of the car giant's two popular SUV's, the Nissan Pathfinder and the Nissan Armada.
The new partnership, dubbed "SHIFT_unltd," was forged to allow both brands to expand their audience, yet retain their individuality.
The ecko unltd. Nissan Pathfinder will contain a modified grill, a custom black and grey camouflage paint job, black leather 1960's style seats, accent molding, a wood grain steering wheel and other accessories.
Ecko's Cut & Sew Nissan Armada comes with a cream Landau roof, whitewall tires, custom hubs, an extra roomy glove box, metal gas and brake pedals, a wireless communication system, roadster-style gauges and other custom features.
“Side by side, these two vehicles share a design heritage, yet each has its own distinct character,” Ecko said. “My goal is to take that character to the next level and to express the vehicles’ individuality through bold, original design and superior execution.”
Ecko will also create limited co-branded jackets, T-shirts, leather key chains, woven button-downs and other accessories that will be give away at events and sold online at www.nissan.eckounltd.com.
Proceeds of the accessory sales will benefit Sweat Equity Enterprises, a nonprofit that teaches youth professional design and technology skills, while working for leading design companies.
“Both the Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Armada are known for their power, style and energy, which is also characteristic of Marc Ecko’s creative artistry and compelling vision,” added Jan Thompson, vice president of marketing, NNA. “His design will bring together two great brands that already have an established relationship with street culture, making it a natural and ideal fit.”
The two Nissan SUV's designed by Ecko will be unveiled at a special invite-only event taking place in New York this Oct.
C-Murder Sentenced To Full Time House Arrest, Denies Violating Probation
Rapper Corey “C. Miller” Miller, formerly known as C-Murder, was placed on house arrest by a Louisiana state judge after attending a Hurricane Katrina documentary premiere in New Orleans.
Miller was ordered to remain on full home containment until his second trial on a second-degree murder charge.
Miller, 35, is awaiting a retrial in the 2002 shooting of a teenager, 16, outside a Harvey-area nightclub in New Orleans. His original conviction was overturned after a judge ruled that prosecutors had withheld the criminal backgrounds of key state witnesses from the defense.
She ordered him back on full house after seeing his interview at the Aug. 16 premiere of Spike Lee's HBO documentary, When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts on New Orlean's based WDSU-TV, claiming he violated the terms of his probation by attending the premiere after his 10 PM curfew.
During a recent hearing, no evidence was presented suggesting Miller had violated the order. Miller testified he was at the premiere to meet with Spike Lee about a project, but had returned home before 10 p.m.
Miller also said he gave more than one interview and did not violate any terms of the gag order in the case.
Sassone said prosecutors could investigate the matter as long as Miller's lawyers were contacted in advance. Sassone apparently planned to give Miller only partial house arrest, but later changed her mind.
"You're on home incarceration to prepare for a defense, not to have a social life," Sassone told Miller.
The judge allowed Miller to attend Sunday church services, but rejected a request to let him exercise in a park.
"Bling" Book To Cover Jewelry of Hip-Hop Artists
Authors Reggie Ossa and Gabriel Tolliver are preparing a new book called Bling: The Hip-Hop Jewelry Book, to be released in Oct.
“The book is basically a look at all things bling. It’s a piece of cultural anthropology,” co-author Gabriel Tolliver told AllHipHop.com. “Bling is an element of Hip-Hop culture, and it announces that you’ve arrived.”
Bling will be featured as part of the Black Style Now exzhibit being held at the Museum of the City of New York from Sept 8th through November.
“We really just wanted to approach our passion for the culture from another angle,” co-author Reggie Ossa said about the exhibit. “There’s going to be a panel and book signing and some of the most creative jewelry designers of today. We’ll have the next generation of Jacobs there, and it will really showcase what Bling is all about.”
The book, which chronicles the history of jewelry and its significance in Hip-Hop culture, will feature in-depth profiles of jewels owned by Hip-Hop greats such as Slick Rick, Jam Master Jay, Lil’ Kim, Tupac, Fifty Cent, Paul Wall, Kanye West and Fat Joe.
“We’re trying to show the connection to pop culture and Hip-Hop culture and the influences that are upon us whether we know it or not, and jewelry is one of them,” Ossa, a former entertainment attorney and MTV vice president told AllHipHop.com.
The book will also profile high-end jewelers like Tito and Manny, Avianne & Co., and Arsham A. Salam and display hundreds of pictures of expensive jewelry from cover to cover.
“I hope that people get an appreciation for what bling is and what it represents to our culture. It signifies aspiring to the good life through your jewelry, and hopefully it will convince people to do just that," Tolliver said.
Bling: The Hip-Hop Jewelry Book hits bookstores Oct. 31.
Kevin Federline Inks Deal With Sony/BMG, Lands Role In CSI
While critics may have slammed Kevin "K-Fed" Federline's debut performance as a rapper at the Teen Choice Awards, Sony BMG is taking his career serious and has inked a deal with his Federation Records record label.
The first release under the new venture will be Federline's debut album Playing with Fire, which is slated to hit stores Oct. 31. Federline, who recently completed the video for "Lose Control," has also landed a role on CBS' hit drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Federline will portray "Cole Tritt," a troubled young man who harasses the CSI team, as they investigate a serious of assaults in the Las Vegas area.
“I’m very excited about all of the opportunities that are being presented to me at this time that will allow for me to grow as an artist and please my fans,” Federline said.
Federline's debut performance during the Teen Choice Awards on Aug. 20 was lambasted in the media, with many claiming Federline doesn't have what it takes to make it as a rapper.
Coincidentally, Federline's wife Britney Spears - who has sold over 85 million records world wide - is an artist on Sony BMG's unit Jive.
Ruthless Records Co-Founder Jerry Heller Releases 'Ruthless' Memoir
Jerry Heller, music industry executive and co-founder of the legendary rap label Ruthless Records, recently released his memoirs, titled Ruthless.
The 325-page book offers a glimpse into Heller's career in the music industry, which started in the 1960's and 70's as a super agent who launched the first tours on American soil for rock superstars Elton John and Pink Floyd.
The book, written with Gil Reavill, details Heller's relationship with music industry gurus like David Geffen and Clive Davis, his work as an industry insider promoting tours for arena-rock groups Journey, Styx, REO Speed Wagon, ELO and others, as well as his eventual union with the late Eric "Eazy-E" Wright in March 1987, as cofounder of the historic label, Ruthless Records.
"One of the reasons I was able to understand what was happening in the 80's was because it wasn't that unlike what I had seen in the mid-60's at the beginning of the Rock & Roll era," Heller told AllHipHop.com. "Around 1986, I heard about a scene that was happening at a little pressing plant called Macola Records. Other people recording and pressing at Macola at the time were Ice-T, MC Hammer, The Timex Social Club, Egyptian Lover, Rodney O & Joe Cooley, Mix Master Spade, Bobby Jimmy & the Critters [which featured Russ Parr] and a group called the West Coast Wrecking Cru."
Heller started to manage the groups, including the West Coast Wrecking Cru.
The book details the first meeting between World Class Wrecking Cru leader Alonzo Williams, Heller and Eazy-E on March 3, 1987.
"Up pulls this Suzuki Samuri all tricked out and Eazy gets out with [NWA group member MC] Ren," Heller continued. "And I meet him and the guy impressed me. He was only about 5'2. It wasn't his size. He had a kind of impact, a charisma about him. He had this inner power I was very impressed with."
Ruthless details that fateful meeting, when Wright played his legendary song "Boyz In Tha Hood" for Heller.
"It freaked me out," Heller told AllHipHop.com. "I thought it was the most important music I had heard since the mid 60's and the beginning of Rock & Roll. Fortunately I had been around long enough so that I could recognize it. It was sort of a cross between Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets, The Rolling Stones and The Black Panthers. I just said 'whoa, this is something special. This is incredible music.' And it just blew me away. It had that hard core feeling I used to associate with The Panthers, who were real serious individuals."
The next day, Eazy-E and Heller went into business, launching one of the most successful rap record labels of all time, Ruthless Records.
The book chronicles Heller's tenure at the label and answers a number of questions about the origins of Ruthless Records, how he and Eazy-E were invited to dine with George Bush Sr., NWA tours ("bullets in one tour bus, weapons in the other tour bus") and Marion "Suge" Knight's entrance into Ruthless Records via Tracy "The D.O.C" Curry.
"I always liked Suge Knight, but Eazy always saw right through him," Heller told AllHipHop.com. "He was an enterprising guy. I used to sit with him for hours on end about management."
Heller said Eazy wanted to have Knight killed early on, because he "always felt Suge was going to be a problem."
For the first time, Heller responds to accusations that he cheated Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, two former members of legendary rap group NWA, who went on to become superstars.
The pair left Ruthless Records in very public feuds with Eazy-E and Heller and released the legendary diss records "No Vaseline," "Dre Day."
Both accused Heller of mismanaging their careers, charges Heller vehemently denies in the final chapter of Ruthless titled "Real Niggaz Don't Die," which is dedicated to Eazy-E.
Ruthless is in stores now nationwide via Simon Spotlight Entertainment. For more information visit simonsays.com or www.myspace.com/jerryheller/
Mixtape Report: August 29
This week's mixtape report picks Mick Boogie, Lil' Wayne & Juelz Santana, DJ Big Mike, DJ Smallz & Rick Ross, DJ Green Lantern & Team Invasion, and DJ Radio. Mick Boogie, Lil' Wayne & Juelz Santana - Blow: The Mixtape
The two hottest young boys in hip-hop are joining forces to drop one of the most anticipated albums of the year. New Orleans' own Lil' Wayne aka "The Fireman" and Dipset's own Juelz Santana aka "Human Crack in the Flesh" are set out to make history. Mick Boogie cooks up an appetizer of sorts to prepare the world. "Blow" (the "I Can't Feel My Face" edition) is the prequel to the up coming release and features hot tracks and freestyles from the dynamic duo along with some trademark Mick Boogie exclusive remixes for good measure.
DJ Big Mike - This Is Why I'm Hot
Still killing the exclusives game like no other is DJ Big Mike, the Connecticut kid fresh out the studio with D-Block and hittin' the streets with treats. Features new joints from Cassidy, D-Block, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, Hell Rell, Fabolous and more.
DJ Smallz & Rick Ross - Southern Smoke 28 (Miami Heat)
Rick Ross is doing numbers on Soundscan and still making rounds. Linking up with DJ Smallz, the Prince of Southern mixtapes, "Southern Smoke 28" is packed with the latest Dirty South hip- hop bangers including new music from Project Pat, Field Mob, Rick Ross, Ludacris, Slim Thug and much more.
DJ Green Lantern & Team Invasion - The Best Of DipsetTeam Invasion is on their grind with their mentor DJ Green Lantern and this time around they hit us with a little uptown action. The best of Dipset features 30 plus heatrocks from the Dipset gangstas including hot instrumentals, freestyles and of course exclusive production and remixes from the Evil Genius himself.
DJ Radio Presents - The Best Of Hoss: Reload/Rebuild
Hosted by DJ Radio and arranged and mixed by DJ Supreme the Silencer. The one and only Hoss hit the streets hard one more time. After his much talked about mixtape entitled "Hoss Is Here" hosted by Kay Slay, he's back with 22 hot tracks of new music and freestlyles. Don't sleep on on the kid. Hoss is back.
Houston Rapper Z-Ro Jailed For Drug Possession
Houston bred rapper Z-Ro is currently incarcerated for possession of a controlled substance charge, according to an arrest report obtained by us.
As previously reported, Z-Ro (born Joseph Wayne Mcvey) has been locked up for the past months and no one, including his label, Rap-A-Lot Records, had an idea why the rapper was in captivity.
SOHH contacted the Holiday Unit Transfer Facility, where Z-Ro is currently incarcerated and they confirmed this info, adding that his projected release date is May 3rd, 2008 and that he is eligible for parole on December 13, 2006.
Trae, Z-Ro's cousin and label mate, believes the rapper will be out in a little while.
"F**k what the paper says," Trae told us in a recent interview. "He'll be home soon. Just remember that. It ain't gon' be in 2008."
Trae refused to specify what Z-Ro was caught with but revealed his brother was also arrested along with this cousin.
"Some of that stuff is really personal, man, "explained Trae." But, the point is they were stopped and the search didn't go right, man. My little brother is in there with him right now, too."
As previously reported, Z-Ro was slated to drop an album this month. It is unknown whether the untitled project will hit shelves anytime soon.
The Roots In Talks Of Adding Peedi Peedi To The Crew
Word is Peedi Peedi of State Property may become the newest member of the legendary Roots crew.
?uestlove recently revealed that they offered Peedi (formely known as Peedi Crack) the opportunity to join the group and that the Philadelphia emcee accepted it. The funky drummer shared that he's looking into finance and structure to determine whether or not Peedi could become a Root for the year. Peedi collaborated with the Roots on Game Theory's "Long Time." While the union is in the works, Peedi isn't an official member just yet.
"Peedi may join the Roots on the road for a couple dates and see how it goes," the Roots' management told us.
If he joins the group, Peedi would join Black Thought as the band's second emcee. Malik B was a member of the group's four albums while Dice Raw has been a frequent collaborator since the band's second album, 1995's Do You Want More?
The Roots' Game Theory is in stores now.
Mac Dre's Tombstone Stolen, Reward Offered, Beatdown Promised
Bay Area rapper Mac Dre's tombstone was stolen from his grave at Oakland's Mountain View Cemetery this past weekend.
Dre's longtime friend/collaborator AP confirmed the horrendous act. "My agent called me and told me," said AP. "My peoples talked to Dre's momma. That's the best source you can get."
The Oakland rapper is now offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who comes forward with information leading to the offender.
"I got 10,000 for whoever bring me the motherfucker that did it," fumed AP. "I got 10,000 to beat somebody ass. If somebody knows what's up, I don't give a fuck who it is. Not because it's Mac Dre. I don't give a shit if it was Joe Blow, you just don't do that type of shit. Let him rest in peace. You fucking with dead motherfuckers," he continued. "Niggas done already killed my nigga -- now he's dead. You still messing with the dead, man? I'ma hold it down for Mac Dre if nobody else ain't gon do it, I'm gon hold it down."
Dre (born Andre Hicks) was killed in a drive-by shooting Kansas City's U.S. 71 highway while he was being driven back to his hotel in November 2004.
The murder was followed by the murder of Kansas City rapper Fat Tone. The following months saw the two cities engage in a bloody feud that produced several casualties, including Fat Tone's aunt, rapper Jermaine "Maintain" Hughes and the death of a fan who was killed during a Dre memorial in San Francisco last year.
However, AP, who now resides in Las Vegas, doesn't think Kansas City had anything to do with the stolen tombstone.
"Hell nah, man," said AP. "They not that stupid. They ain't gon do nothing like that. I don't think it's no niggas or nothing like that. I think it's some white fan -- motherfuckers shroomed-out. I don't think that it's anybody that we would associate ourselves with. It's more like a fan.
"We got love for Kansas City," added AP. "We just hate what happened to Dre. Everything is cool. To tell you the truth, ain't none of my niggas going to Kansas City, cause I don't want nothing to happen to nobody. There's somebody out there that really wanna earn a stripe or something. It ain't cool to go out there. We ain't doing no shows or nothing. Since Dre got killed, no Bay area rapper has done no shows in Kansas City."
Since the theft of the tombstone, family members are considering moving his remains to a more secure cemetery in Vallejo, California.
Hip-Hop Infused Poker Television Show Coming To Television
Czar Entertainment, Premo Pictures and IMG Media announced the premiere of “Hip-Hop Hold’ Em,” a new weekley television series showcasing Hip-Hop artists competing in tournament-style poker challenges.
“Over 60 million Americans play poker at least once a month, and a growing amount of young adults are driving this new trend,” said Tone Boots, executive producer, and co-founder of Premo Pictures.
Tone Boots also served as producer and creative consultant to MTV's popular Direct Effect series from 2004-2005.
“We believe that fusing poker with the elements of celebrity lifestyles and music will bring our viewers a fresh spin on the poker phenomenon,” Tone Boots continued.
The new one-hour show, which is slated to debut nationally October 6th, will feature five celebrities from the world of music, sports, television, movies and fashion competing for their favorite charities in a game of “No Limit Texas Hold’ Em.”
The original series will blend the element of professional poker with the style and music of Hip-Hop culture. The show will also give viewers a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the celebrity players’ homes, as well as a musical performance from one of Hip-Hop’s rising artists.
Premo Pictures, a division of Czar Entertainment, develops and produces films and new media projects and previously produced the documentary Infamous Times: Volume I – The Original 50 Cent.
Check local listings for air times.
50 Cent Hit With Lawsuit Over 2004 Incident In Massachusetts
50 Cent has been hit with a lawsuit stemming from an incident in Springfield, Massachusetts, after the rapper had been sprayed with water during a performance in May of 2004.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Hampden County Court, alleges that 50 Cent injured two females when he hopped off the stage and into the crowd, seeking an unknown individual who dosed him with water while he was performing at the Hippodrome in Springfield.
The rapper was pushed back on stage by security and two police officers, where he continued his performance. Two people were later arrested and charged with disturbing the peace.
The women claimed the rapper assaulted them during the incident and the rapper was hit with assault and battery charges filed by Donna DeJesus, 25, and Taneka Nesbitt, 27.
DeJesus said that 50 Cent punched her in the face during the melee, while Nesbitt claimed the rapper pushed her down, causing her to undergo knee surgery.
In May of 2005, 50 Cent entered into an agreement to avoid jail time stemming from the incident. The rapper was sentenced to probation, random drug testing for two years and a mandatory anger management program.
Additionally, the rapper was sentenced to make an anti-violence public service announcement.
The women are seeking an undisclosed amount.
Foxy Brown Skips Another Court Date
Eminem and Nike Hook Up to Release Limited Edition Air Max Shoes For Charity
Rapper Eminem has teamed up with Nike to create a limited edition run of the company's Air Max series shoe.
The effort will go towards raising money for the lyricist's Marshall Mathers Foundation and ninemillion.org.
Eminem will design limited-edition uppers of eight different shoes in the series, from the Air Max '87 to Air Max 360. Sixty-four pairs of shoes will be produced before being numbered and autographed by the rapper and auctioned off over a four-week period at Nike stores and on eBay, beginning Aug. 31.
"If you told me ten years ago that I'd be designing this whole series of Air Max's, I never would have believed it," Eminem said. "It's one of the hottest lines that Nike ever produced, so I'm honored to make my own contribution. My only problem was figuring out how to make the shoes different from stuff they've already done: Nike always has the dopest color combos."
Led by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), with founding partners Nike and Microsoft, Ninemillion.org is a global campaign designed to raise awareness and funds to bring education and sport programs to the world's refugee youth.
The Marshall Mathers Foundation is a non-profit corporation set up to provide funds for organizations working with troubled youth in southeast Michigan.
"We're always looking for new ways to try to raise money and awareness for the foundation, so when Nike approached us we jumped at the chance," stated Eminem, who was further drawn into the project after looking at the information on ninemillion.org. "It made even more sense. Who wouldn't want to design their own line of Nikes? And to do it for charity makes it that much better."
The Aug. 31 auction will take place in conjunction with an event at NikeTown London. One pair of the Max 1 and the Max 90 will be offered at the event and later posted for auction on eBay. All eBay auctions will be 00:00 hours on the scheduled days and run for seven days. It concludes at 23:59 hours the following Monday.
Proceeds will be split equally between the foundation and ninemillion.org.
The following is a schedule and listing of items that will be auctioned:
Aug. 31
NikeTown London
Air Max '87 1 pair
Air Max '90 1 pair
Sept.12
eBay
Air Max '87 7 pairs
Air Max '90 7 pairs
Sept. 16
NikeTown
Berlin
Air Max 180 1 pair
Air Max '93 1 pair
Sept. 19
eBay
Air Max 180 7 pairs
Air Max '93 7 pairs
Sept. 22
Nike Store, Paris
Air Max '95 1 pair
Air Max '97 1 pair
Sept. 26
eBay Air Max '95 7 pairs
Air Max '97 7 pairs
Sept. 28
NikeTown London
Air Max '03 1 pair
Air Max '06 1 pair
Oct. 3
eBay
Air Max '03 7 pairs
Air Max '06 7 pairs
Mac Dre's Family Considers Moving Rapper's Remains To Vallejo
In response to the theft of rapper Andre Mac Dre" Hicks' tombstone, the family of the slain Hip-Hop star is considering relocating his remains to Vallejo, California.Bernard Hicks, the uncle of Mac Dre, said the family is considering returning the Oakland-born rapper's remains to Vallejo, to keep a better watch over them.The 50-pound tombstone was recently reported missing from the Oakland Mountain View Cemetery after a visitor attempted to visit Mac Dre’s cemetery plot, but was unable to find the location."We just think it's some kind of fan. Some crazed fan who put it in their house," Hicks told Oakland newspaper The Argus.
Hicks said he was notified of the theft by Oakland police on Tuesday (Aug. 24). "They said it was taken and they didn't have no suspects, that's all we know right now."While there is a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrests of the perpetrators, Hicks says that the family won’t go to the police if the tombstone is given back.
“There will be no trouble, no going to the police, we just want the headstone returned," Hicks said.
In the mid 1990’s while enjoying a surge in popularity on the Northern California rap scene, Mac Dre was accused of being affiliated with The Romper Room Gang, a group of men accused of robbing a string of banks.In 1991, Dre was arrested and charged with bank robbery when the FBI spotted him riding in a vehicle with one the suspected bank robbers. He served five years in prison.
Mac Dre was later killed in a drive-by shooting and crash on Kansas City's U.S. 71 highway in November 2004. Police have no suspects in Mac Dre's death, but believe he was gunned down after a dispute over a payment for a concert.
Police suspected Kansas City rapper Anthony "Fat Tone" Watkins was behind Mac Dre's murder. There was a rumor that Fat Tone admitted to the shooting, charges the rapper denied.
Six months after the murder of Mac Dre, Fat Tone and friend Jermaine "Cowboy" Akins were murdered in Las Vegas. Fat Tone's family members told police that he went to Las Vegas, after Mac Minister promised a meeting with Snoop Dogg.
In May 2005, the men were found shot to death in an abandoned construction area. Fat Tone was shot 20 times, while Akins was hit 13 times with an assault rifle.
Prior to his murder, Fat Tone had been involved in a number of violent altercations in Kansas City. He was arrested for the murder of a pregnant woman, but the charges were dropped.
In 2003, he was shot multiple times while riding in an SUV with Sacramento rapper C-Bo, San Francisco rapper Messy Marv and others. In 2004, an unknown gunman shot at Fat Tone, one month before Mac Dre was gunned down.
Police claim Mac Minister was in Las Vegas, staying with a friend named Jason Mathis and a call girl named Lee Danae Laursen. The two men were allegedly scene leaving a hotel with Fat Tone and Akins hours before their murders.
Mac Minister was featured on Fox's America's Most Wanted in Feb. 2006. He was apprehended a month later.
Two days after Mac Minister and Mathis were indicted for the murders of Fat Tone and Akins, Laursen was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Mac Minister is currently in a Las Vegas jail and will stand trial for the murders of Watkins and Akins on Sept. 11.
Foxy Brown Accused Of Stealing Belts, Irate Behavior In Brooklyn
The owner of a New York boutique filed a complaint against Foxy Brown, alleging the rapper stole two expensive belts worth $400 last Thursday (Aug. 24).
Brown, who was a longtime client of upscale boutique Limpasse, allegedly went into a rage as she was picking up lingerie she left for alterations that had not been finished.
A surveillance camera captured Foxy Brown upset, cursing at the clerk and waving her arms wildly. According to the New York Post, the rapper allegedly haggled over the price of a gold rhinestone belt. She then put the belt in her bag and grabbed another one without paying.
Limpasse's owner Tony Khayat said that Brown had displayed "diva behavior" in previous encounters, but had never seen the rapper go to such an extreme.
Earlier that evening Brown allegedly almost attacked a 17-year-old family friend in Brooklyn. "She drove the car really close to me," Sheena Parker told the New York Post. "I was really surprised and said, 'Hey! What are you doing?'
Brown then allegedly got out of the car, shouting and running toward Parker before allegedly threatening the girl. Brown was allegedly dissuaded when irate motorists convinced Brown to drive away.
On Wednesday (Aug. 23), Brown skipped a court date in Jersey City Municipal Court to respond to charges filed by a former assistant.
Rasheeda Ellis accuses the Brown of terrorist threats, harassment and verbal abuse, after she attempted to collect back bay from the rapper.
A new court date of Sept. 26 has been set in that case. On Monday (Aug. 28), Brown will stand trial for for allegedly assaulting employees in a Manhattan nail salon last August.
Dirty Harry To Releases 2 New Mixtapes, Launches Radio Show
DJ Dirty Harry has recently released Unforgiven, his latest mixtape offering and launched a Sirius Satellite radio show called Sudden Impact, which airs on Saturday afternoons. "It's been a long time in the making," Harry told AllHipHop.com about Unforgiven, which debuted last week, and his latest business ventures that include a radio show, DVD, and new Web site. The DJ began hosting his Sirius show two weekends ago and is set to release another mixtape, currently untitled, to coincide with the upcoming re-launch of djdirtyharry.com. "I want to bring good music, but I always wanted to show my skills," Harry said of his transitioning from mixtapes to radio. "But it's really about promoting the music you feel is making a difference in the game. [And] that's been my philosophy since day one." The notable mixer, known for his Rap Phenomenon and Living Legend series, has also partnered with a Smack DVD founder to premiere Encore DVD, which he says will serve as a visual companion to his mixtapes. A tightlipped Harry refused to elaborate on his next mixtape, expected to drop around the beginning of September, but explained the reason for his slower-paced output compared to his DJ contemporaries. "I put some work into my tapes. The lifespan is more than one week," he explained. "It's kind of like a lifetime. I put out re-mastered CDs from '95 and people say they sound fresh and brand new." Harry was also coy in regards to the next Rap Phenomenon project. After putting together a Biggie and 2Pac series, with DJs Vlad and Green Lantern, Harry remained mum on the next candidate. "We're deciding who would make [part] 3 crazy, a couple names, and a couple ideas," said Harry. "It's just trying to coordinate who would be right. But [expect it] by the end of the year, Christmastime." DJ Dirty Harry's Sudden Impact airs every Saturday on Sirius Satellite radio between 5PM to 6PM eastern standard time.
Lil' Kim's Lawyer Says Copyright Lawsuit Filed By Jamaican Artist A Ploy For Money & Press
Rapper Lil' Kim has become embroiled in another lawsuit shortly after being released from prison. In the suit, filed last week in Manhattan federal court, Tanya Stephens, a popular Jamaican reggae singer/songwriter, accuses the rapper (born Kimberly Jones) of stealing her lyrics for use on Lil' Kim's 2005 album The Naked Truth. The suit springs from a 1999 meeting between Stephens and Lil' Kim, who flew the singer out to New York to sing on one of her albums. Lil' Kim, who admitted to owning several of Stephens' albums, later sang the song she's accused of stealing lyrics from, "Mi and Mi God," according to the suit, which stated the rapper belted the tune as a way of showing Stephens what a big fan of hers she was. The track was originally recorded in Jamaica and released in 1997, Stephens representatives said. Although recorded the song with Lil' Kim, her vocals never made the album. Stephens and her representatives from the Royalty Network were surprised upon listening to the song "Durty" off The Naked Truth. According to the lawsuit, the song's lyrics match almost word for word with "Mi and Mi God," said the representatives. The suit further stated that Jones sang the tune with a West Indian accent. Stephens believes the lyrics are so similar that she should own the song and receive all past and future royalties. "The lawsuit against Atlantic Records and Lil' Kim is the result of Royalty Networks Inc's failed attempts to extract unreasonable sums and percentages of Lil' Kim's new song for an interpolated use of a song which happens all the time in Hip-Hop," said Lil' Kim's attorney L. Londell McMillan, who vowed to fight the accusations. "There are no damages to Tanya Stephens, they never objected until after their efforts failed, and Kim was and remains willing to be fair. This matter should have been resolved but it appears to be another money and media play at Lil' Kim's expense. This issue was no secret. Kim was advised licenses were obtained by those who handle clearances at the time. We shall defend this action." Established in 1993, the Royalty Network works to help educate artists, songwriters and producers about music publishing, copyright ownership and the inside operations of the business. Its clientele includes Hip-Hop, R&B and reggae. songwriters, producers and artists. Stephens is preparing her sixth album, Rebelution, Tuesday on VP Records. Her current single, "These Streets" was number three in Jamaica last week. The singer, whose style is a mixture of reggae, dance hall and R&B, is scheduled to take part in the West Indian Parade on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn over Labor Day weekend. The lawsuit follows Lil' Kim's July 3 release from federal prison in Philadelphia. The Brooklyn rapper, who completed house arrest on Aug. 3, served 10 months for lying to a grand jury about a shooting that erupted outside New York's Hot 97 radio station.
Mos Def Hits "Rewind," Joins Danny Glover And Jack Black In New Film
Mos Def has recently joined an all-star cast for New Line Cinema and Focus Features' new comedy, Be Kind Rewind.
The film centers around Jerry (played by comedian Jack Black), a character who accidentally becomes magnetized while trying to sabotage a power plant and erases all the tapes in a video store where Mos' character works. The film also stars Danny Glover, Mia Farrow and Melonie Diaz.
The role is just the latest in Mos' increasingly extensive body of work. The Brooklyn-born emcee/thespian also turned out memorable performances in The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 16 Blocks and the HBO films Lackawanna Blues and Something the Lord Made. Mos was also recently cast in HBO's Little Scarlet, a film based on Walter Mosley's 2004 novel of the same name.
Shooting for the film begins on September 5 in New Jersey and is scheduled for a 2007 release.
In related news, Mos is also currently gearing up for the release his third solo album titled True Magic. The album, which is a follow up to The New Danger, is slated for release via Geffen Records on September 26th.
Lupe Fiasco Breaks Out, Featured By AOL Music
Lupe Fiasco has been added to AOL Music's lineup of this summer's Breaker Artists.
Lupe as well as other AOL Music Breaker artists will be showcased on AOLMusic.com during the season and across the AOL Music and Radio Networks via AOL Sessions, in-studio performance series, AIM music interviews, song and music video debuts and heavy rotation on AOL Radio.
Lupe is preparing for the release of his debut album, Food & Liquor, which is slated for release on September 19th. The 24-year-old rapper recently shot a video for his second single "Daydreaming" featuring Jill Scott.
As previously reported, Jay-Z will serve as a co-executive producer on the album.
Other hip-hop artists who have been featured on AOL Breakers include 50 Cent, The Game and Keyshia Cole.
In related news, Fiasco will be featured on the video game soundtrack for "Madden NFL '07" which hits stores on August 22nd. The soundtrack will also feature music from Bishop Lamont, Trae and Glasses Malone, among others.
Gucci Mane "Has A Story That Needs To Be Heard," Teams With Game's Manager
The last time reported on Gucci Mane, he was released from prison after serving a six-month sentence. Now, the Atlanta rapper is ready to make next move.
He was incarcerated after pleading no contest to assaulting a record promoter with a pool cue. Since his January release, the rapper has parted ways with Big Cat Records and is now managed by Czar Entertainment's Jimmy Rosemond, who also manages The Game and Brandy, among others.
"We're working on his album and we're looking for a home for him also," Rosemond told SOHH exclusively. "We just got him out of his deal with Big Cat and so we're trying to get him a home where he can blossom and get his records out and reach his potential like how [Young] Jeezy got his shot at reaching his potential.
"It's just us picking the right home, but the interest is there," the executive added. "Gucci has a story that needs to be heard, that hasn't really been told yet. And the credibility of Gucci Mane is definitely there. And the brother know how to make great records."
Brother Ali Hits the Road with Rakim
Brother Ali has two crtically acclaimed LP's under his belt. After releasing Shadows On the Sun and The Champion EP, Ali is back with a new release. The Undisputed Truth, which will be released through Rhymesayers Entertainment, is already set for a 2007 release.
Currently, Ali has a new track Original King circulating the net. That track comes directly from Scribble Jam's compilation album. It can be found on DX's Audio section.
Brother Ali is also hitting the road. Next month, he will set out on a small tour with rap legends.
"I'll be joining the upcoming tour with the legendary Rakim and Kid Capri in Park City, UT at Suede. I will remain on the tour for a confirmed 14 dates, with possibly a few more shows to be added," he said on his MySpace page.
The tourdates for the Brother Ali/Rakim shows are below:
09/12- Park City, UT @ Suede09/13- Aspen, CO @ Belly Up09/14- Denver, CO @ The Roxy09/16- Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave09/17- Chicago, IL @ House of Blues09/18- Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue09/19- Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere's09/20- Cincinnati, OH @ Annie's09/22- Detroit, MI @ The Fine Arts Theatre09/23- Buffalo, NY @ The Town Ballroom09/27- Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle09/28- Atlanta, GA @ Eleven 5009/29- Charlotte, NC @ Amos' Southend09/30- Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Russell Simmon's Hip-Hop Summit Town Hall To Air On Comcast's CN8
The National Voter Coalition announced that it will premiere its taping of The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Town Hall Meeting on Community Empowerment to east coast homes on August 21 at 10:00 pm on CN8, a Comcast network station.
The town hall meeting was shot live in Philadelphia on July 12th at the University of Pennsylvania and was hosted by Russell Simmons and television anchor Art Fennell.
“We are honored to have CN8, The Comcast Network, broadcast the town hall meeting to its almost 9 million viewers,” said Simmons, the chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. “We are convinced this will reinforce our goal of encouraging young people to get involved in the process, register and vote.”
Art Fennell, a news anchor for CN8 who moderated the panel with Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President/CEO of HSAN, will host the hour-long broadcast.
The special showcases the town hall meeting’s important messages of empowerment and involvement.
Hip-Hop stars like Foxy Brown, Musiq, Jim Jones, Papoose, Jaguar Wright, Queen Pen, and R&B great Kenny Gamble were all present at the town hall meeting and will be featured in the taping.
All of the celebrities and politicians convened to empower young people to take action in getting involved in the political process and to evoke community change in their neighborhoods by registering to vote.
The town hall’s initiative was part of registering 10,000 new voters in Philadelphia.
Founded in 1999, the National Voter Coalition was created as a response to low voter turnout amongst primarily poor, underserved residents of African-American and Latino communities.
CN8 is the nation’s leading regional cable network with a reach that spans almost 9 million homes from Maine to Virginia. The network will also stream the show on its Web site, www.cn8.com, during the premiere airing of the show.
Jedi Mind Tricks To Release New Album, North American Tour
Indie hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks is slated to drop their new album Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell, Sept. 19 on Babygrande Records.
The group’s fifth album, which includes collaborations with ILL Bill, Sean Price and R.A. The Rugged Man, will also feature tracks with noted indie rock artists like Sufjan Stevens and vocalist Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond.
An exclusive version of the album will also be released solely to Coconuts, FYE and Sam Goody record stores and will feature bonus tracks like the album’s first single “Heavy Metal Kings,” remixed by West Coast hardcore metal group TERROR.
The exclusive album will also include a bonus DVD.
Jedi Mind Tricks is comprised of Philadelphia native Vinnie Paz and the Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. They earned a notable reputation throughout their 10 years in the music industry for creating trademark mosh-pit anthems, politically-charged lyrics and battle raps, alongside producer Stoupe’s use of live instrumentation, sound effects, and his incorporation of more than fifty samples on one track.
The group is slated to begin a North American tour on Sept. 19, the same day as Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell hits stores.
Busta Rhymes Arrested After AmsterJam
Rapper Busta Rhymes was arrested shortly after an appearance at Heineken's AmsterJam Festival last night (Aug. 19) on Randalls Island.
While details of the arrest were not immediately available, police claim Rhymes may have assaulted a concertgoer that allegedly spit on his car, after his performance around 5 p.m.
The New York Daily News reports that members of Rhymes' entourage were also arrested and that police used the opportunity to question Rhymes for hours, about the Feb. 5 slaying of his bodyguard Israel Ramirez.
Ramirez, 29, was shot and killed in Brooklyn, during a star-studded video shoot of Rhymes' hit single "Touch It (Remix).
Ramirez was a longtime friend and bodyguard for Rhymes, who has been the subject of criticism for allegedly refusing to cooperate with investigators.
Police believe an argument between G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo and another group of men sparked the deadly shooting on the set of the video.
Rhymes and Yayo reportedly agreed to meet investigators shortly after the shooting, but both backed out.
Yayo's attorney Scott Leemon informed police in Feb. that the G-Unit rapper would not make any statements to law enforcement, saying it wasn't "in his character" to speak to the authorities.
NYPD Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly criticized Rhymes, Yayo and those present for failing to cooperate with authorities.
Last week, Ramirez' older sister Sonia Rodriguez told The New York Post that her family was still reeling from the death of Ramirez, who had three sons.
"I understand the code of the streets, [but] they're probably just very afraid for themselves and their families," Ramirez said. "We're not doing well. Our family is destroyed. We're not going to be complete again...especially during the holidays. There is definitely going to be an empty seat at this table."
Ramirez said she was nauseated by Rhymes giving her late brother shout outs during his performances.
"He doesn't give two diddlies about my brother," Ramirez told The New York Post. "At this point, I honestly believe Busta is using my brother's death as a publicity stunt - and I'm angry He may perceive it as this is how he shows he cares, but I don't see it. He's really got a lot to do to prove me wrong, and talking to the cops about what happened that night would be a big step."
Police have a recording of the tape which allegedly indicates Rhymes may have witnessed the shooting.
According to sources, the tape reveals the argument that led up to the shooting and the voice of an unidentified man calling Busta Rhymes a "b***h."
Police believe the man on heard on the tape is the gunman, who police say may have fled with Tony Yayo.
Young City Appears In Baltimore Court, Bail Set At $75,000
New Orleans Rapper Young City, formerly known as Chopper, attended a hearing yesterday (Aug. 18) in Baltimore County Circuit Court for armed robbery charges dating back to September of 2001.
Kevin Lamont Barnes, Jr., who gained widespread popularity as the young, rambunctious rapper known as Chopper on Sean 'Diddy' Combs' MTV series Making The Band, faced prosecutors and a Baltimore County judge as he was read the charges.
Altogether, Barnes is facing seven counts against him, including two robbery with a dangerous weapon charges, two robbery in a general sense charges, two second degree assault charges and one theft charge.
Barnes' attorney, Paul Gardner of Gardner Law Group, spoke about the prosecutions multiple charges against Barnes.
"Mr. Barnes was charged with two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, but that dangerous weapon was in fact a bb gun," Gardner told AllHipHop.com. "I honestly feel like upon learning that, the prosecution thought 'hey, we can get him on general robbery charges too.' It's really just ridiculous. This happened so long ago."
On September 29, 2001, Barnes allegedly robbed two men at gunpoint in Baltimore, MD. He was summoned to court on May 15, 2002, facing robbery and assault charges, but failed to appear.
Barnes' mother, Ms. Owens, spoke to the court in an attempt to explain the situation further.
"Kevin had bought a condo in Baltimore County, after we left New Orleans. Soon after, he went back down to New Orleans to stay with his father, which was the reason he didn't appear in court. He never received the papers," Owens said. "And since then, we've received no further notification of the case. I even went down to the bond building to ask about the charges and the court hearing. They couldn't tell me anything."
Prosecutors recommended Barnes' bail be set at $250,000 dollars, labeling the rapper a flight risk, noting his previous failure to answer the charges and his traveling record.
Barnes' bail was finally set at $75,000 dollars.
"With a violent felony and a [failure to appear] in Baltimore County, especially [for] a Black person, for him to get bail at all was great,' Gardner said. "Chopper is really happy, because he didn't think he was getting bail at all. The next step is getting his people to get the money together for his bail."
"I just want to get home to my family, that's all. This was five years ago, I just want to get out of here," Barnes told Gardner.
Barnes was one of the thousands of people affected by Hurricane Katrina. Since then, he and his family have moved to Atlanta, GA, where Barnes has been spending time aiding the Red Cross in the rebuilding of New Orleans and working on several new projects.
Barnes is still being held at Baltimore County Detention Center until bail is posted. There has been no set date for trial.
