Label name: Stones Throw Records Founded (Date): 1996 Founders: Peanut Butter Wolf Backstory (What’s the story behind the launch of the label? How was it launched? Why was it launched?): Peanut Butter Wolf founded Stones Throw to release music by his slain partner Charizma. Wolf and Charizma recorded a large amount of music for Hollywood Basics, a Los Angeles based label funded by Disney that released the first music by DJ Shadow and Organized Konfusion amongst others, in the early 90s before Charizma died in 1993. Stones Throw’s first release was the Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf 12” “My World Premier.” Greatest Achievements (What are the label’s proudest moments? Going platinum? Releasing a classic? Signing a legend?): 1) Finally issuing the Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf album “Big Shots” in 2004 2) releasing Madlib and MF DOOM’s collaboration “Madvillainy” 3) releasing music by the late, great J.Dilla 4) continuing to work with Dilla’s mother, Maureen Yancey, to keep Dilla’s music alive 5) working with Madlib to release music that runs the musical gamut back, front and side to side. Current and Future projects (What current projects are you pushing and what’s planned for the next year?): J.Dilla’s rarely heard masterpiece “Ruff Draft”, Percee P’s debut album “Perseverance”, Madlib’s long awaited solo album, Guilty Simpson, Koushik, Baron Zen Remixes, Arabian Prince compilation, Heliocentrics, Whitefield Brothers and more. Goals and Purpose (What kind of impact are you hoping to make on the industry? What goals do you have for the label?): Release timeless music. Within the Game (How does the label fit within the current climate of hip-hop? Or does it even fit in at all? What’s the label’s personality in relation to the rest of hip-hop?): We’re trying our damndest to release hip hop that will withstand the test of time. If Ghostface can rap over “Know The Ledge” in 2006 and make it sound fresh and ill, it’s certainly possible. CLICK HERE TO READ THEALOE BLACC INTERVIEW

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno The 27th Annual Golden Rasberry Awards (or Razzies) announced its nominees for the worst of 2006 and the Wayans brothers and “Little Man” were all over the place. Their comedy flick “Little Man” leads all nominations with seven, alongside Basic Instinct 2, which also garnered seven nominations. Not only did “”Little Man” get a nod for Worst Picture and Worst Actors for Shawn and Marlon Wayans’ performance, but also Worst Screen Performance (Shawn Wayan & either Kerry Washington or Marlon Wayans), Worst Remake/Rip-Off (rip-off of the 1954 Bugs Bunny cartoon “Baby Buggy Bunny”). Worst Director (Keenan Ivory Wayans), Worst Screenplay (written by Wayans Brothers) and also a Worst Actor nod for Rob Schnieder’s performance. The award show will be held on February 24 at Hollywood’s Ivar Theatre the night before the Oscars. Other movies with multiple nominations include Lady in the Water, Bloodrayne and Wicker Man. For the full list of nominees, check out www.razzies.com.

By: Rizoh Nearly one month after his death, the hardest working man in showbiz is yet to find a resting place. HHC has learned that James Brown’s body has been relocated from his Beech Island, S.C., home where it had been since December 30, to a temporary site, but his lawyer isn’t disclosing the new location. Brown’s estate trustee and counsel Buddy Dallas declined to offer any explanations for the relocation. He, however, said that Brown’s final resting place had not yet been selected. James Brown’s six adult children are planning to put the body in a mausoleum, according to widespread reports. The dynamic Godfather of Soul died on December 25, 2006. He was 73 years old.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno The last we heard from Musiq was in 2003 when he dropped Soulstar, a solid album that was totally off the radar and immensely under promoted by Def Jam. Some fans still think that his last album was 2000’s Juslisen. But now Musiq returns with the “Soulchild” back to his name and a new album, Luvanmusic, which hits stores on March 13. Musiq has also joined a new label, Atlantic Records. "I’m excited to be an Atlantic recording artist for the simple fact that it’s a label of great tradition and legacy, which has been responsible for signing some of the greatest artists of all time – from Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin, and John Coltrane to Gerald Levert, T.I., and James Blunt,” Musiq said.“Just to be added to this great list of artists is enough in itself. I look forward to working with the Atlantic team to continue the legacy." His first single, “Buddy”, is already creating a buzz on radio and he plans on touring behind the album’s release this spring.

By: Rizoh Fans will soon have the opportunity to receive promotional and personal text messages directly from Snoop Dogg. Thanks to The Snoop Dogg Chronicles powered by The In Crowd and 9 Squared, Inc., a division of MonsterMob Group PLC. Now, don’t get the impression that you’d be chatting with Snoop all day about football and females at no charge. In fact, you don’t have to receive text messages from Snoop if you don’t wish to. The service allows subscribers to receive three text messages weekly from any celebrity of their choice, including west coast wordsmith Xzibit, Andy Milonakis of MTV, John Salley of "The Best Damn Sports Show Period." Wireless carriers including Verizon, Cingular, Sprint, T Mobile, Alltel, and Dobson are on board to distribute the personalized messages to their customers, resulting in the ability to reach over 150 million cell phones. "The ongoing popularity of the fusion between the mobile industry and the entertainment industry among wireless users is exploding right now," says Ted Suh, Chief Marketing Officer at 9 Squared, Inc. "Offering a subscription to receive personal messages from a nationally recognized personality such as Snoop opens the door for another engaging, fun way that users can enjoy their wireless experience." What will they think of next?

Founders: Jason Goldwatch & Peter Bittenbender Backstory (What’s the story behind the launch of the label? How was it launched? Why was it launched?): It all started with a road trip, and a camera. While documenting a journey across America, Decon’s two founding-brothers decided to make a film and also put together a ground-breaking CD/DVD called "One Big Trip" The success of this project led to the creation of the creative hub that is the Decon label and multimedia agency – the motto – take risks, live creatively. Greatest Achievements (What are the label’s proudest moments? Going platinum? Releasing a classic? Signing a legend?): Finding "One Big Trip" on the evening news at Sundance when "fake pills" used to promote the movie at Sundance where suspected to be laced with LSD. Where they? No one really knows. Reuniting A Tribe Called Quest for the 2006 Annual 2K Sports Bounce Tour. Current and Future projects (What current projects are you pushing and what’s planned for the next year?): Music projects: Aceyalone & RJD2 "Magnificent City", Dan The Automator "2K7", Wax Tailor "Hope and Sorrow". Multimedia projects: Team Ice Cream Skate Video Vol 1, Dilated Peoples "Release Party" DVD/Bonus CD, Pharrell’s "In My Mind" DVD. Goals and Purpose (What kind of impact are you hoping to make on the industry? What goals do you have for the label?): Not just to think outside the box, but to constantly change the box – innovate, create and then sell sell sell! Within the Game (How does the label fit within the current climate of hip-hop? Or does it even fit in at all? What’s the label’s personality in relation to the rest of hip-hop?): The label has always been about pushing the underground over ground, and then feeding off the next generation of innovation to recreate that cycle again and again. a.k.a. "who needs radio?" CLICK HERE TO READ THE WAX TAILOR INTERVIEW

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno A Tribe Called Quest’s reunion tour last year, was just that – a tour and nothing else. Fans were hoping for a reunion album to go along with the whole vibe, but that’s not happening at the moment, so Q-Tip is gearing up to drop his new album, The Renaissance. The album is set to drop this Spring and features appearances from Common, D’ Angelo and Andre 3000 plus a band that Tip himself put together. "I wanted a hip-hop sonic feel, something pure to the sound of hip-hop with real drums, real emotion and people taking solos," Tip told Billboard Magazine. "In that sense this record feels like we’re moving in a new direction … something hip-hop should do." The album is the official follow-up to Tip’s 1999 album, Amplified that featured the hits “Vivrant Thang” and “Breathe and Stop.” He did record a follow up in 2001 called Kamaal The Abstract, but it was apparently shelved because Arista didn’t know how to promote the project. Look for Tip to tour solo in support of the new album later this year.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno In an effort to help students achieve their college dreams, Alicia Keys announced that she will be giving away $5,000 college scholarships as part of the The Open Doors Scholars Program which is part of Frum Tha Ground Up, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit organization started by Keys’ road manager, D.J. Walton, who went to college in Jacksonville. Keys will be giving scholarships to students in four cities – Jacksonville, New Orleans, Atlanta and Harlem in New York City. "We’re just looking for standout students who are definitely college-bound and need a little bit of help financially to really achieve their dreams," Keys told the Associated Press. Keys also recently announced that she is considering packin’ a gat. She’s gearing up for the release of the film, “Smokin’ Aces”, where she plays an assassin and had to learn how to use a gun for the role. "I’ve never owned a gun, but I’m seriously considering owning one now,” Keys said. “God forbid, if anything happened I would be prepared." “Smokin’ Aces”, which also stars Common, hits theatres on January 26.

By: Rizoh Hiphopcrack has learned that Money Management Group chief exec and G-Unit co-founder Sha Money XL (born Michael Clervoix) is puttiing together a "One Stop Shop Conference" for aspiring producers, the first of its kind. According to Sha Money XL, the forum is designed to teach burgeoning boardsmen how "sell tracks to A&R’s, find a good manager and shop for a publishing deal." He adds: "As a producer when I was coming up there was no one place you could get this all done. I’ve been to every Hip-Hop conference, but nothing ever dedicated to the producer." The 2-day conference, which runs from February 10 – 11 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix, AZ (located @ 122 N. 2nd St. — 602-252-1234), will address topics like "Finding Artist & Management Representation," "Art of Production," and "Studio Equipment & the Art of Sound." Chris Lighty (of Violator Management), DJ Premier, Swizz Beatz, Hi-Tek, Havoc, Sha Money XL, 9th Wonder, Consequence, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and Young Buck, are expected to be in attendance. Visit MONEYMANAGEMENTfor event schedule and registration details.

By: Rizoh Gillie da Kid’s cry for attention has intensified lately. Gillie, a former member of Birdman’s Cash Money family, alleges that since Baby and Lil’ Wayne met when the latter was about 9 years of age, he must have molested Wayne early on in his days as a Cash Money artist. "If Baby met Wayne when he was 9—and Baby is about 50, so he had to be damn near 40—at what age did Baby tell Wayne ‘We’re gonna start kissing?’ Was Wayne 12, and he 39? Was Wayne 15, and he 42? I’m just saying, you molested that boy, said Gillie in a recent Sub-Zero DVD. "When you think about Wayne is the only n***a that ain’t left [Cash Money Records]. Why?" Gillie, who has the infamous "Baby Kissing Wayne" picture displayed on his website, launched an anti-Cash Money outcry shortly after Lil’ Wayne denied allegations that he ghostwrote many of Wayne’s lyrics on "Tha Carter" and earlier albums. Watch the video below:

Companyname: Akomplice Founded (Date): 4-1-2004 Founders: Mike McCarney/ Patrick McCarney Backstory (What’s the story behind the launch of the company? How was it launched? Why was it launched?): It was launched to help create a change in the clothing industry. We were tired of seeing the same corporate logos across everyones chest, we decided to make real clothing, clothing with not only fresh style, but also clothing with substance, an example, our tee with the statue of liberty holding a gun, first off, this tees just fresh, but with it you’re wearing something you believe, and want others to take notice of. Greatest Achievements (What are your proudest moments?): Every season we create is our proudest moment, on top of that we like to see people who feel what we’re about, like when Game rocked our stuff in the Dec. issue of SPIN, or Luda’s DJ Jay Cee rocked our jacket on TV. Most of all we just are proud to continue to step our game up, which in turn makes others step there game up. Current and Future projects (What current projects are you pushing and what’s planned for the next year?): Current projects, we’re expanding our line, we plan to release Denim Jeans, Throwback caps, and some more of those crazy all over embroidered jackets. We also plan to release an Akomplice mixtape with some of our sponsored artists, before I started with clothing I was a going fulltime as a beatmaker, aiming for the stars. Goals and Purpose (What kind of impact are you hoping to make on the industry? What goals do you have for the companyl?): We just want to keep life with meaning, DON’T FUCKING SHEEP AROUND (sleep around is okay). Be who you want, don’t just follow MTV, don’t decorate your house like Jessica Simpson, stand and speak out, this world will continue to disinigrate until we make moves, nobody likes the idea of our environment dying, we’ll die, so lets do something. Within the Game (How does the label fit within the current climate of hip-hop? Or does it even fit in at all? What’s the company’s personality in relation to the rest of hip-hop?): Hip-Hop has been a major impact on our lives since years before Akomplice was started .My brother Patrick and I put out a cd, and I was was constantly trying to step my game up with beats. Many of our designs feature hip-hop, aspects of hip-hop we feel to be important. Also our style is like hip-hop, sample based with filters. Aight. Peace.

By Will “Deshair” Foskey On January 22nd, popular sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris returns to the CW with new episodes and a special guest appearance from none other than Todd Bridges of Diff’rent Strokes fame. On the new episode, Todd guests stars as Doc’s Nephew, Monk – a character that Chris (Tyler James Williams) finds himself seeking advice from. “What I did with the Monk character was build him around one of my uncles that used to be a war veteran,” says Todd as he smiles about how he triggered into Monk’s persona. “He was a crazy, yet wonderful guy. At any time, he would just flip out on you. But he would give you the best advice in the world after you sift through all of the craziness.” Everybody Hates Chris is nominated for 8 NAACP Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series. With the universal success that the show has received since its series debut on October 1, 2005, Todd didn’t feel too confident about his chances of getting the role. “I was thinking to myself about how my career has been up and down, so I didn’t think that I would get the part,” says the 80’s heartthrob. “The shows producer, Ali (LeRoi), handed me a bunch of re-writes and that scared the mess out of me, man. But I got it done, did a good job and they called me back.” In 2007, Mr. Bridges has a few ventures in place that he hopes will lead him to one of his goals. “I believe that now, I’m not perceived in a negative way,” when speaking of where he stands as a professional. “People know that I’m for real and that I’m not playing around anymore. I get the job done now, I’m very dependable. The bottom line is that I’ve been around so long, I just love the work. In 2007, I’m looking to have my own show. That is one of my biggest goals. And I feel that I’m heading in that direction right now.” Everybody Hates Chris – Mondays (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET/PT) on The CW

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Waxploitation Records, home to such artists as Gnarls Barkley, Tha Alkaholiks and Dangerdoom, announced their 3rd Annual Darfur Charity Auction featuring signed items from Talib Kweli, Common, Kanye West, Cam’Ron, Tupac Shakur and others. The charity auction benefits the Save Darfur Coalition, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam, all organizations helping to raise public awareness and assist the two million people suffering from the civil unrest in Darfur. "Even though Darfur has become a prominent issue, it’s important we don’t forget that it’s a dire crisis there that is getting worse,” said Waxploitation founder Jeff Antebi. “We can’t assume the attention Darfur is getting is the same thing as assistance. Real help is as crucial now as it ever was." The auction started this week and will run until January 26. Check out the EBAY bid site before it’s too late!

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno For the past year, Ghostface Killah has been the only Wu-Tang member to really uphold the clan’s standards. But now, Wu-Tang producer Mathematics is hoping to lend a helping hand in keeping Wu’s standards at a high level. The producer announced that he’ll be releasing Mathematics Presents… Wu-Tang and Friends Unreleased, a collection of previously unreleased music produced and compiled by Mathematics featuring members of the Wu-Tang Family. The album features rare recordings, remixes, unreleased tracks and outtakes that never made the final versions of various Wu-Tang albums. Appearances from Ghostface, Raekwon, GZA, Method Man, RZA, Masta Killa, U-God, Inspectah Deck, Killah Priest, Hell Raza, Shyhiem and others. The album will hit stores on February 6 on Nature Sounds Records. Here’s the track list: 1 – Intro ft. Buddah Bless 2 – Maxine (rmx) ft. Ghostface Killah & Raekwon 3 – King Toast Queen ft. U-God, Buddah Bless, Masta Killa & Solomon Childs 4 – Where’s Brooklyn @? ft. Bad Luck, All Day & Allah Real 5 – Treez ft. Raekwon 6 – Eggs, Hash & Grits ft. M-Speed, Streetlife & Drama 7 – Pop Shit (skit) 8 – Queens Day ’88 (rmx) ft. Eyes Low 9 – U Don’t Care ft. Killah Priest, Hot Flames & Buddah Bless 10 – Masked Avengers ft. Shyhiem, Superb & Hell Razah 11 – Luv (skit) 12 – Wanna Believe ft. Allah Real & Bad Luck 13 – Wu Banga 101 (rmx) ft. GZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Cappadonna & Masta Killa 14 – Da "W" (rmx) ft. GZA, Method Man, U-God, Raekwon & RZA 15 – Violent (skit) 16 – Street Chronicles ft. M-Speed 17 – Non-Equivalent ft. Shyhiem 18 – Outro 19 – Wise (rmx) ft. Ghostface Killah 20 – Rap Burglars ft. Raekwon & Insepctah Deck

By: Rizoh After an embarrassing outing with their first G-Unit album, it appears that Mobb Deep will not be witnessing any generous budget plans from Curtis "Billion Dollar" Jackson (as Prodigy calls him). Prodigy, one half of the New York duo Mobb Deep, is now set to drop two albums this year, none of them on G-Unit Records. The first, Return of the Mac, finds P teaming up with The Alchemist throughout the LP. It’s slated for release on March 27th. "Alchemist and I put this CD together to get people ready for my new solo album ‘H.N.I.C.2.," Prodigy said in a statement. " I’m ’bout to turn it up hot with ‘H.N.I.C.2.’ I decided to ride with Koch Records cause I got a lot of sh*t to do and say, and I know Koch won’t hold me back or censor my sh*t plus the entire company will push the CDs to the maximum because they truly love and respect my music. We’re all very excited about the whole thing." Here’s the tentative tracklist for Return of the Mac 1. Intro 8. Intermission 2. Return of the Mac 9. 7th Heaven 3. Mac 10 Handles 10. Bang On Em 4. Raining Guns and Shanks 11. Nickel and a Nail 5. The Rotten Apple 12. Legends 6. Words From Majesty 13. Stop Fronting 7. Take It From The Top 14. Stuck On You