By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Young Jeezy is wasting now time and is striking while the iron is hot. After dropping the much celebrated and platinum selling Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 last year, Jeezy is gearing up to drop The Inspiration on December 12. For this album, Jeezy tapped Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Keyshia Cole, Three 6 Mafia, Timbaland, T.I., and Young Buck to contribute to the project. For those of you who can’t wait until December for some new Jeezy tunes, you can cop the new DJ Drama mixtape, I Am the Street Dream. This time Jeezy isn’t rhyming over everyone else’s beats, the collection is of mostly original songs that won’t appear on his album. It’s already being compared to 2004’s Trap or Die mixtape, which got Jeezy his deal with Def Jam.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Most thought it would have been sooner for Snoop to tap the dog market with his name, but its no surprise that he’s finally jumped into it. Snoop has partnered with JAKKS Pacific and Amazon.com to launch a line of Snoop Dogg branded pet products that will feature dog toys, apparel and other accessories inspired by the Doggfather. Fans will be able to pre-order the products when they buy his new album, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment on November 21. "We are very pleased to team-up with Amazon.com to launch a pre-order for our JPI Pets’ Snoop Dogg line of dog toys and apparel to coincide with the excitement surrounding his new CD," said Tony Lawlor, Senior Vice President of Marketing, JPI Pets in a statement. "Amazon.com is already a Snoop Dogg destination for shoppers. The late November pre-order offer of our dog toys and apparel will enable Snoop Dogg fans to buy the items before they hit other mass retailers in Spring 2007." Some of the toys include a DJ Headset, Boom Box, Dogg Bone and Football ranging in $5.99-$8.99. The clothing line include a Snoop Dogg doggie Basketball Jersey, animal print Faux Fur Coat and a Doggfather Hoodie Sweatshirt costing $12.99-$24.99.

By: Rizoh Def Jam Recordings founder Russell Simmons and current Def Jam President Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter have combined forces to combat anti-Semitism, racism against Jews, via a public service announcement. The PSA features Jay-Z asking viewers: "What’s hot? Respect for people, and Simmons asking: What’s not hot? Hating people for their color or religion. What’s not cool is anti-Semitism. It’s a long word for Racism." Simmons, who co-founded Def Jam with Rick Rubin in 1984, is the Chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (F.F.E.U.) The organization, established in 1989 by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the late Joseph Papp, aims to discourage bigotry and engender positive relationships with other ethnic groups. Watch Here

By: Rizoh Multi-platinum selling rapper and Grand Hustle CEO T.I. is set to collaborate with G-Unit on stage, come November 25. T.I., a multiple winner at the first annual B.E.T. Hip-Hop Awards, will perform with G-Unit All Stars at the Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN. (Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.) "You can’t hate on hard work and talent," said T.I., who won the "Best CD," "Best Video" and "MVP of the Year" categories. The BET Hip-Hop Awards airs on Wednesday, November 15, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno It’s been two years since Fantasia released her debut album, Free Yourself, and now she’s returning hoping to have the same success. Scheduled to hit stores on December 12, Fantasia features contributions from Big Boi (of Outkast), Missy Elliott, Babyface, Swizz Beats, Dre & Vidal, Kwame, Midi Mafia and others. "I’ve let go of things from the past and I’m having a good time," Fantasia said. "I was able to let go of the past with the Lifetime movie and now I’m on a whole different level. I worked with some really great people on this album like Missy Elliott, Dre & Vidal, Midi Mafia, and Swizz Beatz, and I let everyone know that I’ve moved on from where I was." In celebration of the release of the album, Lifetime will re-air The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale on Thanksgiving night November 23, from 9pm to 11pm EST.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Fresh off of dumping mooch master Kevin Federline, Britney Spears is hard at work on her new album. According to People Magazine Spear and Williams were in New York last week at the Sony Music recording studio. In between sessions, the magazine caught up with Williams at a Louis Vuitton party in New York and asked what latest projects he’s working on. "The stuff I’m about to do is amazing, but I don’t like talking about what I’m about to do." He paused, then said, "Okay, I’m going in with Britney." There’s no word on when the album will drop, but to hear the latest from Pharrell, check out the upcoming albums from The Clipse, Snoop Dogg and Jay-Z.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno With the anticipation of the upcoming release of 2pac’s new album, Pac’s Life, Atlanta’s Tupac Amaru Foundation will host a week of events honoring Pac as well as helping the community. The celebration began on Saturday with a gallery showing called All Eyez on Me: Hip-Hop’s Legendary Performers and Photographers at the Vaknin Gallery in Atlanta. Here’s a list of the rest of the events: Tuesday, November 14 – VIP "PAC’s Life" CD Preview Party Vaknin Gallery, 905Juniper St., Suite 109 Atlanta, GA 30309. 7:00PM-10:00PM Wednesday, November 15 – Bring A Coat Drive Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, 5616 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA. Everyone who brings a warm winter coat will receive 2 admission tickets to "PAC’s Life" Album Release Party 6:00PM to 8:00PM Friday November 17 – Bring A Coat Drive continues at TASCA 6:00PM to 8:00PM Monday, November 20 – "PAC’S Life" Teen Art competition at TASCA Children ages 13-17 will compete in an art exhibit contest and all art will be posted in the Center for the month of December. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. 6:00PM to 8:30PM Tuesday, November 21 – "PAC’S Life" Album Release Party: Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts 5616 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. 9:00PM to 1:00AM Pac’s Life drops on November 21 and features contributions from Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Keyshia Cole, T.I., Ashanti, Young Buck, Lil Scrappy, Carl Thomas, Outlawz, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Big Syke, Papoose, LT Hutton, Sha Money XL, Swizz Beatz and more.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Juvenile was cleared in a lawsuit that claimed he was responsible for an off-duty officer injuring her knee. On July 23, 1999, Juvenile and members of his entourage were at Regency Square Mall in Jacksonville, Florida when they were asked to leave because their dress and language violated the mall policies. When Juve and his crew refused, Melissa Huxley-Bujeda, an off-duty officer working security at the mall was sent to give the group trespassing citations. According to the lawsuit, a scuffle broke out and Huxley-Bujeda said she injured her knee. Juvenile was arrested and charged with breach of peace and resisiting arrest but was later dropped. Huxley-Bujeda claims that she’s had four surgeries and racked up $68, 635 in medicals bills. After a six day trial, the jury found in favor of Juvenile. His attorneys said that Huxley-Bujeda suffered from degenerative arthritis and had hurt her knees about 35 times as a child from sports. "We got them, we got them, we got them," Juvenile told the Associated Press after the decision. "Just the fact that it’s a rap artist against the police, that never happens. Rappers never win. We never win against the police or the government." Huxley-Bujeda’s attorneys plan to file a motion for a new trial or an appeal.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Chris Lighty, CEO Violator Management announced an agreement that would have his company direct the career of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. The agreement will ‘specifically implement brand extension plans intended to expand Diddy’s reach and influence exponentially in music.’ Violator also manages the careers of 50 Cent, Busta Rhmyes, Missy Elliot, LL Cool J, Three 6 Mafia, Fantasio and a host of others. Violator will begin work on promoting Diddy and his album Press Play immediately. To get the latest on Violator management, check outViolator.

By: Rizoh As anticipation mounts for the release of his first album in three years, Jay-Z has taken the promotion of Kingdom Come in his own hands. The Def Jam CEO will host a live radio program, "Street Certified," on November 18 where he’s expected to play some of his favorite tracks and take calls from listeners. Jay-Z’s DJ gig begins at 8 p.m. on the Sirius Satellite Radio’s Hip-Hop Nation channel. So, get your tape recorders ready.

By: Rizoh A 17-song CD by iconic rap group N.W.A. will be available on December 26 through Capital/Priority Records. The CD/DVD package titled The Best of N.W.A.: Strength of Street Knowledge contains the greatest hits and music videos from the legendary gangsta rap crew. Songs like "Straight Outta Compton," "F*** Tha Police" and "Express Yourself" are all included on the CD. Nine songs from the album will debut Dec.12 as ringtones, with 35 different audio clip options. In addition to rare interview footage of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and the late Eazy-E, the DVD also features music videos for "Straight Outta Compton," "Express Yourself," and "100 Miles and Runnin’". Below is the track list for The Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge: "Straight Outta Compton" "Appetite For Destruction" "Dope Man" "F*** Tha Police" "Real Niggaz" "8-Ball" "Express Yourself" "Alwayz Into Somethin’" "A Bitch Iz A Bitch" "Gangsta Gangsta" "100 Miles and Runnin’" "Boyz-N-The-Hood" "Real Niggaz Don’t Die" "Compton’s in the House (remix)" "Approach to Danger" "Chin Check" "If It Ain’t Ruff"

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Prosecutors in the felony gun possession case against rappers Lloyd Banks and Young Buck were dropped yesterday after an investigation determined they were innocent. In August 2005 Banks and Buck were riding in a van with their entourage when it ran a red light in midtown Manhattan. When officers pulled the van over they discovered a loaded handgun and another weapon in the vehicle. The rappers had just come from performing at Madison Square Garden as part of the Anger Management Tour 3 with Eminem and 50 Cent. Barbara Thompson, spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said that an investigation revealed that neither Banks or Buck were in possession of the weapons and that one suspect had already pleaded in the case while another is under indictment. "This whole experience reminds me of the title of my new album – Rotten Apple," said Banks, obviously plugging his album, in a statement.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Mary J. Blige, the undisputed queen of hip-hop soul, has been putting it down for almost 15 years now so it’s fitting that a collection of her greatest songs is set to be released. The album, Reflections: A Retrospective will feature songs from all her album starting with 1992’s What’s the 411 plus four new songs including the new single “We Ride (I See the Future)”. “Mary J. Blige has reached the defining moment of her life – as a vocalist, as a songwriter, and as a human being,” said Ron Fair, Chairman of Geffen Records. “Her new album Reflections- A Retrospective is an essential collection of songs that solidifies Mary as one of the greatest recording artists of all time. Anyone who has ever suffered loss, experienced pain, been in trouble, gave love or been loved,can find themselves in the music of Mary J. Blige." The album is scheduled to drop on December 12.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno H3Enterprises announced that Diplomats emcee Juelz Santana will help introduce H3TV, a new LCD flat screen television made specifically for competitive video gaming. Juelz will participate at a live demo taking place this week at Warren Sapp’s Hip-Hop Soda Shop in St. Petersburg, Florida. "H3TV is by far the hottest LCD flat screen on the market," said H3′s Chief Communications Officer, Adrian "Hollywood" Walton. "And for hardcore gamers like me, H3TV is a gift from heaven. On Wednesday when I stop talking, you all are going to witness the future of HiDefTV and trust me; you will be amazed by what you see." According to Walton, H3TV offers simultaneous gaming competitions on the same screen, fully integrated gaming consoles compatible with both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and a multitude of split screen options available with just the touch of a button on the most user friendly remote on the market. HTRE is planning a second public presentation of H3TV in Harlem next week in conjunction with the Dipset crew.

By: Rizoh Comedian and host of this year’s BET Hip-Hop Awards Katt Williams was arrested on Monday (November 6th) at the Los Angeles International Airport after officials found a weapon concealed in his carry-on luggage. Williams, 31, was cuffed at 3p.m. in Terminal 5 after security officers discovered what law enforcement source described as a "cheap, Saturday night special," according to TMZ.com Katt Williams was booked on felony charges of carrying a concealed weapon along with other unnamed offenses. Authorities also claim that the weapon had been reported stolen. Three additional weapons were packed in the baggage that Williams had previously checked in. The comedian, who recently appeared in his own HBO comedy special and signed a recording contract with Diplomats Records, is expected to host the first annual BET Hip-Hop Awards this week. The show will be taped in Atlanta on Sunday, November 12. A telecast is slated for Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.