By: Rizoh Prodigy is running his mouth again. This time, he’s taking shots at the late great Tupac Shakur. Well, sort of. Asked about his decision to sample 2Pac’s vocals on his song “New York Sh*t” despite being a victim of Pac’s wrath on wax, P told Nobodysmiling.com that artistic decisions take precedence over petty feuds. Well, not exactly in those words. “It’s all about how the chorus sounds—‘Oh that sh*t sounds hot together-the Biggie and the ‘Pac sample sound good…’ I don’t give a f**k about Pac! I’m just saying that sh*t sound hot together; that’s an ill idea for a chorus. It don’t matter what Pac did or whatever…that’s not the case. The case is the shit sound like a good record.” Too bad he couldn’t summon the courage to make such statements while ‘Pac was still alive.

By: Rizoh Will there be a Jackson 5 reunion this summer? We can’t bet our money on it. But what we do know for sure is that Michael Jackson is evaluating several proposals, including one that may land him a gig in Las Vegas. According to his spokesperson, Raymone K. Bain, “Mr. Jackson is currently reviewing and evaluating each proposal. He does not believe that he is under any time constraint for making his decisions.” The eccentric pop star released the statement to debunk rumors that he has been unable to find work in Las Vegas. Bain said that Jackson “did not move to Las Vegas to shop a Vegas show. Mr. Jackson is in Las Vegas because he likes the city and found it a convenient location to record with the artists, songwriters and producers who are working with him in the studio.”

By: Hot Gossip Gal One thing always to 50′s favor is how he has looked after his son, Marquise. Holidays, homes, schools, the child and his Momma never wanted for nothing. However it appears that his baby’s moms, Shaniqua Tompkins, is in need of more loot to take care of his son. But always the business man..50 will not be outdone. Having never had their agreement binding he is taking it the legal way as baby momma has gone ahead and involved lawyer Raoul Lionel Felder, to help get her some more money. Lucky she never hooked up with Bobby Brown..she would be humming a different tune today.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno The New York City Council’s Committee on Civil Rights met on Monday to pass a resolution banning the word ‘nigga’ or ‘nigger’ and variations of the word in New York. Of course, the banning is only symbolic, in that you won’t be fined or get in trouble for using but the council hopes that it will spark discussion on the history of the word. "On any given day you can traverse this city and encounter young people of all races casually using the word in public with no regard or knowledge of the terrible history behind it,” City Council member Leroy Comrie told New York’s NY1 News. "NBA stars and rappers have been the only roll models for far too long,” Kovon Flowers of advocacy group Abolish the N Word added. “The resolution will be a start for parents teachers and families to take their rightful place as roll models in their children’s lives.” Even though there’s no punishment for using the word, Comrie went even farther asking the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences not to nominate artists who use the word in their music for Grammys. Similar resolutions are happening in other cities around the country.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Just days after announcing the Street Dreamz Tour with Jim Jones, Baby, Lil Wayne and Fat Joe, Young Jeezy announced the culmination of his new group, U.S.D.A. (United Streets D-Boys of America). The group features Jeezy, ATL’s Slick Pulla and Panama City’s Blood Raw with plans to release an album later this year on Jeezy’s Corporate Thugz Entertainment imprint with Def Jam. Their first single, “Check It”, is hitting radio this week. Both Slick Pulla and Blood Raw will join Jeezy on the Street Dreamz Tour which launches on March 3 at the Cricket Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. The tour will run until April 29, ending in Los Angeles. Here’s the current itinerary: MAR 3 CHARLOTTE, NC CRICKET ARENA MAR 11 ORLANDO, FLCONVENTION CENTER MAR 15 RICHMOND, VA RICHMOND COLISEUM MAR 16 GREENVILLE, SC BI LO MAR 17 HAMPTON, VA HAMPTON COLISEUM MAR 18 JACKSONVILLE, FL JACKSONVILLE ARENA MAR 23 CINCINNATI OH US BANK ARENA MAR 24 MACON, GA CENTROPLEX MAR 25 NASHVILLE, TN MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM MAR 28 TOLEDO, OH SPORTS ARENA COLISEUM MAR 29 PROVIDENCE, RI DUNKIN DONUTS CENTER MAR 31 LOUISVILLE, KY LOUISVILLE GARDENS APRIL 1 BALTIMORE, MD 1ST MARINER APRIL 5 LITTLE ROCK ALTELL ARENA APRIL 6 KANSAS CITY, MO KEMPER ARENA APRIL 8 NEW ORLEANS, LA NEW ORLEANS ARENA APRIL 12 MILWAUKEE, WS US CELLULAR ARENA APRIL 13 INDIANAPOLIS CONSECO FIELDHOUSE APRIL 14 ST. LOUIS, MO SCOTTRADE APRIL 15 MINNEAPOLIS, MN TARGET CENTER APRIL 19 HOUSTON, TX TOYOTA CENTER APRIL 20 DALLAS, TX CONVENTION CENTER APRIL 21 EL PASO, TX COHEN STADIUM APRIL 22 SAN ANTONIO TBA APRIL 29 LOS ANGELES USC

By: Hot Gossip Gal Miami is known for the ‘heat’ and this feud between two of its resident producers is starting to simmer. Scott Storch has now got all in a frenzy now after Timbo said something about him and called the Virgina native gay and on steroids. Oh the drama. It was only a matter of time before the beef started with the producers.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Fresh off giving respects to their daddy with a huge concert earlier this month, Bob Marley offspring Stephen and Damian Marley will be hitting the road this spring to promote Stephen’s upcoming album, Mind Control. The album, set to drop on March 20, features appearances from Mos Def, Ben Harper, and of course his brother Damian. In addition to providing hot dancehall and reggae tunes, the Marley’s will also donate one dollar from every ticket sold on the tour to Ghetto Youth Foundation, the Marley’s nonprofit organization that provides aid and programs to impoverished children around the world. Here’s the current itinerary for the tour: Fri, Mar. 30, House of Blues, Cleveland OH Sat, Mar. 31, Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL Sun, Apr. 01, First Avenue, Minneapolis MN Wed, Apr. 04, University of Iowa – IMU Ballroom. Iowa City IA Thu, Apr. 05, Voodoo Lounge at Harrah’s Casino, Kansas City MO Fri, Apr. 06, Boulder Theater, Boulder CO Sat, Apr. 07, 8150, Vail CO Sun, Apr. 08, Belly Up, Aspen CO Mon, Apr. 09, Suede, Park City UT Wed, Apr. 11, The Big Easy Concert House, Spokane WA Thu, Apr.12, Roseland Theater, Portland OR, Fri, Apr. 13, Showbox, Seattle WA Sat, Apr. 14, Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver BC Sun, Apr. 15, World Ski & Snowboard Championships, Whistler BC Fri, Apr. 20, Cal Poly Recreation Center, San Luis Obispo, CA Sat, Apr. 21, The Catalyst, Santa Cruz CA Sun, Apr. 22, The Fillmore, San Francisco CA Tue, Apr. 24, Ventura Theatre, Ventura CA Wed, Apr. 25, House of Blues, San Diego CA Fri, Apr. 27, Coachella Festival, Indio CA Sat, Apr. 28, House of Blues, Las Vegas NV Mon, Apr. 30, Sunshine Theatre, Albuquerque NM Wed, May 02, Ridglea Theater, Fort Worth TX Thu, May 03, Antone’s Nightclub, Austin TX Sat, May 05, Jazzfest, New Orleans LA Sun, May 06, House of Blues, New Orleans LA Tue, May 08, 9:30 Club, Washington DC Wed, May 09, Avalon Ballroom, Boston MA Fri, May 11, Nokia Theatre Times Square, New York NY Sat, May 12, Theatre Of The Living Arts, Philadelphia PA Tue, May 15, Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto ON Wed, May 16, Mr. Smalls Theatre, Pittsburgh PA Thu, May 17, The Norva Theatre, Norfolk VA Sat, May19, Jannus Landing, Saint Petersburg FL Sun, May 20, House of Blues, Orlando FL

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Wondering if Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams is sitting at home watching Beyonce get all the accolades? Hardly. Michelle has been busy doing Broadway. A few years ago she had the lead role of the Broadway musical Aida and has now been tapped to join the touring Chicago production of The Color Purple. She will portray Shug Avery, the sexy blues singer. "This is just a dream come true," Williams told the Associated Press. "I could not pass up the opportunity to do ‘The Color Purple.’ To have the privilege of even auditioning was an honor for me." Fantasia announced last week that she will be playing the lead role of Celie on Broadway (New York), but in Chicago the role will be handled by Jeannette Bayardelle, who Fantasia replaced on Broadway. But Williams will be joined by LaToya London, another American Idol alum who competed against Fantasia in season three. London will portray Nettie. The Chicago production of The Color Purple will run from April 17 to July 22 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre and possibly head to other cities.

By: Hot Gossip Gal Ok there is a rumor and hopefully pics to back it up, of a little boy who is supposed to be Jay Z’s son with Trinidad model Shenelle, she stared in the Big Pimpin video back in the day. Did Jay pay the chick a million bucks to keep his name off the birth certificate which is what I am hearing? Is there truth in the rumors of him and B splitting up after all? Is this the reason why he failed to hang out with her at the Oscars, but kicked it at Kevin Liles birthday party with T.I last night ? Will keep you posted on this people.

By: Rizoh Diddy is currently under investigation by LAPD for assault and battery, says TMZ.com. The man who once rapped, “I deal with many women but treat dimes fair” may have attacked another man in a bid to snatch his fiancée at a post-Oscar party. According to the reports, Gerard Rechnitzer was on his way to the bathroom at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood when he noticed that his fiancee was surrounded by six men, including Diddy. He watched as Diddy engaged his girl in conversation for about five minutes before asking his fiancée to leave with him. Diddy reportedly told the woman about a party he was throwing and invited her to join him. Rechnitzer insisted on leaving with his fiancée. At that point, Diddy allegedly socked him in the jaw. Rechnitzer then called 911. Diddy allegedly left before the LAPD arrived. Stay tuned…

By: Rizoh The Jackson’s may have found a means to renew cash flow in a family that’s been plagued by low record sales and scandals lately. Word has it that Michael Jackson was recently approached about a reunion tour with the Jackson 5 this summer. Sources say the pop superstar met with his siblings on Monday in Las Vegas. Sisters Janet and Rebbie, as well as Jermaine, Randy, Marlon, Tito and Jackie, visited Michael around 7:30 p.m. They then discussed the family’s financial situation and the fact that Jackson has so far been unable to get work in Vegas. Michael has been eager to re-launch his career since being acquitted of child sex charges in 2005. "A successful Jackson family tour could change everything for Michael," says celebrity gossip columnist Roger Friedman. "It would also be a financial boon to a family that needs cash in a hurry,” We can’t argue with that.

By: Rizoh Ever since he first stepped onto the scene in ‘98 with his cult-classic debut, The Dude, Devin the Dude (born Devin Copeland) has been dazzling heads with his self-mocking humor and southern-fried production. Now back with Waitin’ to Inhale, his fourth solo album, Devin sat down with HipHopCrack.com to weigh in on the ups and downs of being hip-hop’s version of Richard Pryor. If there’s one thing you would like to achieve with this album, what would it be? I don’t really want to prove anything. But if I can have a 4th solo album and people appreciate it, that’s good enough for me. “Little Girl Gone” touches on a heavy subject. What inspired that song? It’s the music itself. A lot of times I hear the music and it says something to me. So, I try to meditate and marinate to it. With “Little Girl Gone,” all I could hear was a message type story, something that’s not a happy story. We just added the guests (Lil’ Wayne, Bun B, Tony Mac, Tami Latrell) while mixing and mastering it. The song had been around for a while. Your style is lighthearted and entertaining. Does it ever bother you that people might pigeonhole you because of that? Not really. But sometimes, they’ll say it’s always weed, wine and women. And I don’t mind because certain things that I say tend to be accepted by some people in the game. Artists come to me specifically when they want to make open-minded songs…I don’t mind that at all. Why do you think people sleep on you on a national level? It lets me know that I still got some work to do, some things to accomplish, some things to strive for. If that’s what I want–to make myself a household name. But that’s not my specific idea of what I’m doing this for. Certain things you just gotta earn. You don’t control the tides. I love music. I don’t know where I am or where I got to go, but I still know that I got work to do. What would you say to the people who criticize the dirty south scene as a whole? Come down to H-Town and venture out to some of these hip-hop spots. You go to one place and it’ll be like a down south swangin’ and you go to another spot and it’ll be straight lyrical bashing and party-raps. There are different types of raps and different realms of it, and we always appreciated that. Back in the day, I used to record on my cassette, west coast, east coast, etc. Anything that had to do with rap that was hot at the time, we would play it. And that’s how our culture evolved. Who are your personal influences? Run-DMC, T La Rock…he was like lyrical lyrical. You know how you can just quote your favorite artist and go word for word? I don’t know one person that can listen to T La Rock as a fan of T La Rock and go word for word with him. What artists do you admire for their comical content? Slick Rick, Blowfly, Just Ice, and Biz Markie. What’s your favorite album from the Devin the Dude catalog? It’s hard to say, man. I know I had a lot of fun with The Dude album. Looking back on it, we did a lot of trippin’. There were so many thoughtful songs on there. The beat is still knocking but you have to listen to the words. Just Tryin’ Ta live was a good experience too. But i don’t have a favorite. It’s like my kids. I have four of them, and I couldn’t tell you which one I love the most. In regards to the DJ Drama/RIAA scandal, would you say that mix tapes have been instrumental to the rap game? I think they probably have been helping so much that some shit like that would go down, you know. The powers that be would rather see us out there slangin’ cocaine instead of trying to do music. It’s so powerful now, especially with DJs like that who have been putting it down and helping out artists. I don’t know exactly what went down but you have to be aware that this is our way of coming up now. Is it safe to say that you’re the Richard Pryor of hip-hop? If somebody said that I wouldn’t mind it at all, but I probably wouldn’t say that. Richard Pryor, man…he brought that comic relief. He was like an uncle I never had around. Your album title Waiting to Inhale, you’re talking about air, right? [Laughs] It could be air. It could be some good weed. It could be goodness, you know. Whatever you wish to inhale Yessir. How do you want to be remembered 5-10 years from now: “Devin the Dude the artist that________?” If they would just stop at “Devin the Dude” that’ll be cool. I just want to be remembered, man. A lot of people would say that what I do is nothing to be proud of. I just want people to remember me.

By: Hot Gossip Gal Talk about humiliating…what authorities will do to make a scene. Bobby Brown was arrested, yes again, while watching his daughters cheer leading competition in Boston. The crime…once again..not paying child support for his two other kids with ex Kim Ward. Come on Bobby,..kids…they’re your prerogative. But if he doesn’t cough up 19gs he will be back in jail.

By: Hot Gossip Gal There has been a recent increase of falsely reported deaths. All Star weekend it was reported that E40 had been killed in a car crash, the past weekend it was supposed to be Dame Dash that had died from a heart attack. The mix up in the Dame Dash thing was actually the unfortunate death of Denver Bronco’s running back Damien Nash who did actually die this weekend. Dame Dash was shown some love however in one of the UK’s finest papers this past weekend where he talked about his biggest ‘WOW’ moment. And no it wasn’t when he and Jay parted ways like many may think. The mogul admitted it was when he spent three days in jail for driving without a license. Dash said of his experience, "I didn’t have a shower. I tried not to go to the bathroom, but I had to do what I had to do….I didn’t like getting in a cot with a stinking mattress and a thin blanket…it changed my life, i vowed never to put myself in a position where the repercussion would be jail."

By: Rizoh Screen Media Films will release the Hip Hop Life documentary DVD on April 3rd, 2007. The documentary showcases some of the country’s top underground freestyle rappers as they face off in a conquest for “Rhyme City Supremacy”. The documentary pits Houston vs. Detroit. Detroit’s toughest MC battle rappers face Houston’s best street rappers, all on the verge of stardom themselves. Only one ‘hood’ will be crowned the ultimate MC Battle city in this quest of hip-hop supremacy. G-Unit-affiliated comedian T.K. Kirkland from G-Unit blazes the mic while Jadakiss, MC Lyte, and Freeway judge this one-time only hip-hop battle. Hip Hop Life also features real battles, real street footage and live performances by Def Jam artists Rick Ross and Young Jeezy, as well as interviews with New York heavyweight Fat Joe. CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO