By: Rizoh Fresh off the launch of his G-Unit books novella, 50 Cent, is coming right back with a line of…wait for it…condoms!! Fiddy is set to release his own new line in condoms and sex toys, and even plans to create vibrators that looks just like him. As part of his safe sex campaign, 50 will donate a part of the proceeds from the condom sales to HIV awareness. You may recall that the G-Unit rapper first made his intentions known in an earlier GQ interview where he disclosed, "I need to make a motorized version of me. A motorized version of me will definitely have to be waterproof, so you could utilize it in the tub. A lot of them (vibrators) aren’t waterproof." In related news, a screenplay has been written for the G-Unit book "Ski Mask Way," and plans are in place to shoot the movie next summer.

By: Rizoh Grammy-winning rapper/producer Kanye West is ready to take on the big screen. West will star in a HBO reality series currently being fleshed out with Larry Charles, the director behind the successful HBO show "Entourage" as well the controversial mockumentary "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan." No title has been picked for Kanye’s series yet, but it’s expected to zoom in on the day-to-day activities of the Windy City rap star. He is also slated to appear in a feature film inspired by his music. The project, backed by New Line Cinema, will paint a portrait of the United States as seen through the eyes of Kanye West and several other filmmakers. Kanye, a self-proclaimed "Louis Vuitton Don," has released two critically acclaimed rap albums, The College Dropout and Late Registration. One can only hope that Ye’s reputation for generous self-appraisal does little to impede the success of the so-called reality show.

Label name: Threshold Recordings, LLC Founded (Date): 1998 Founders: Kurt Matlin aka KutMasta Kurt Backstory (What’s the story behind the launch of the label? How was it launched? Why was it launched?): Kurt was working with Kool Keith for a few years developing the Funky Ass Records imprint. In that time he learned a lot about the indie music biz and decided it would make sense to start his own label. Most of legendaey Funky Ass catalog is now pressed & distributed by Threshold. Greatest Achievements (What are the label’s proudest moments? Going platinum? Releasing a classic? Signing a legend?): The catalog it’s self. it includes some really cool and critically acclaimed releases by the likes of kool keith, motion man and kutmasta kurt. it also has released singles with such artists as planet asia, psycho les form the beatnuts, mf doom, smooth the hustler and trigga the gambler, and many more. Current and Future projects (What current projects are you pushing and what’s planned for the next year?): current projects: 1. motion man-pablito’s way feat too short, gift of gab, dj qbert, kool keith mistah fab, dizzy dustin of ugly duckling + 2. sex style limited edition re-issue 3. tomc3 and kool keith’s-project polaroid feat motion man, prince po (organized konfusion) + 4. substance abuse-overproof feat mf doom, kool keith, motion man, saafir + future projects for 07: 1. KutMasta Kurt presents Sex Style the un-exposed sessions 1994-97 2. Tomc3 and Prince Po (title tba) 3. Dr Dooom pt 2 Goals and Purpose (What kind of impact are you hoping to make on the industry? What goals do you have for the label?): to give the hip-hop market quality and substance (in the music) first and foremost. listening to threshold music is like enjoying a high quality meal and a nice restaurant. it looks good, smells good, tastes amazing, leaves you feeling satisfied and digests well with it’s listeners. if you consume too much fast, cheap and over marketed food (music), you may not be able to appreciate the finer dinning experience threshold provides it’s clientele. as you know the founder is a well respected and highly lauded dj/producer, so the goal of threshold is to be a platform for for kutmasta kurt to release the kind of music he likes and believes in. 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?): threshold fits in with contemporary’s like stones throw, quannum, battle axe, def jux, abb, etc. the labels’ personality is unique but somehow finds a way to release music that appeals to a broad cross section from hip-hop purists to the new generation of kids who are just learning about hip-hop music. check out www.threshrecs.com for videos and more info etc. CLICK HERE TO READ MOTION MAN INTERVIEW

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno The NAACP announced the nominees for their 38th Annual Image Awards with Mary J. Blige and Beyonce walking away with the most nominations. They both received four nominations when they were announced Monday at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Other nominees included John Legend, India.Arie, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lupe Fiasco, Gnarls Barkley and Jay-Z. The winners will be announced on March 2 during a live two-hour telecast on Fox. Here are the nominees: TELEVISION Comedy: Series "All of Us" (CW) "The Bernie Mac Show" (FOX) "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW) "Girlfriends" (CW) "Ugly Betty" (ABC) Actor in a Comedy Series Bernie Mac – "The Bernie Mac Show"(FOX) Donald Faison – "Scrubs" (NBC) Duane Martin – "All of Us" (CW) George Lopez – "George Lopez" (ABC) Tyler James Williams – "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW) Actress in a Comedy Series America Ferrera – "Ugly Betty" (ABC) Maya Rudolph – "Saturday Night Live" (NBC) Raven-Symoné – "That’s So Raven" (Disney Channel) Tichina Arnold – "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW) Tracee Ellis Ross – "Girlfriends" (CW) Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Antonio Fargas -"Everybody Hates Chris" (CW) Reggie Hayes – "Girlfriends" (CW) Romany Malco – "Weeds" (Showtime) Terry Crews – "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW) Victor Williams – "The King of Queens" (CBS) Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Dee Dee Davis – "The Bernie Mac Show" (FOX) LisaRaye McCoy Misick – "All of Us" (CW) Telma Hopkins – "Half & Half" (UPN) Vanessa L. Williams – "Ugly Betty" (ABC) Whoopi Goldberg – "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW) Drama: Series "24" (FOX) "Grey’s Anatomy" (ABC) "Heroes" (NBC) "The Unit" (CBS) "The Wire" (HBO) Actor in a Drama Series Dennis Haysbert – "The Unit" (CBS) Hill Harper – "CSI: New York" (CBS) Isaiah Washington – "Grey’s Anatomy" (ABC) Jesse L. Martin – "Law & Order" (NBC) Michael K. Williams - "The Wire" (HBO) Actress in a Drama Series CCH Pounder - "The Shield" (FX) Jennifer Beals - "The L Word" (Showtime) Kimberly Elise – "Close To Home" (CBS) Regina Taylor - "The Unit" (CBS) Roselyn Sanchez - "Without A Trace" (CBS) Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Gary Dourdan – "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CBS) Glynn Turman – "The Wire" (HBO) James Pickens, Jr. – "Grey’s Anatomy" (ABC) Omar Epps – "House" (FOX) Wendell Pierce - "The Wire" (HBO) Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Chandra Wilson - "Grey’s Anatomy" (ABC) Khandi Alexander – "CSI: Miami" (CBS) Marianne Jean-Baptiste – "Without A Trace" (CBS) S. Epatha Merkerson – "Law & Order" (NBC) Sanaa Lathan – "Nip/Tuck" (FX) Movie, Mini-series or Dramatic Special: Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special "Life is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story" (Lifetime) "Sleeper Cell: American Terror" (Showtime) "Tsunami, The Aftermath" (HBO) "Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till" (Court TV) "When The Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts" (HBO) Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Andre Braugher - "Thief" (FX) Chiwetel Ejiofor - "Tsunami, The Aftermath" (HBO) Clarence Williams III - "Mystery Woman" (Hallmark) Kadeem Hardison - "Life is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story" (Lifetime) Michael Ealy – "Sleeper Cell: American Terror" (Showtime) Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Aisha Tyler – "For One Night" (Lifetime) Fantasia Barrino - "Life is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story" (Lifetime) Loretta Devine – "Life is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story" (Lifetime) Patti LaBelle – "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy" (Lifetime) Sophie Okonedo - "Tsunami, The Aftermath" (HBO) Daytime Drama Actor in a Daytime Drama Series Antonio Sabato Jr. – "The Bold & The Beautiful" (CBS) Bryton McClure – "The Young And The Restless" (CBS) James Reynolds - "Days of Our Lives" (NBC) Kristoff St. John - "The Young And The Restless" (CBS) Michael B. Jordan – "All My Children" (ABC) Actress in a Daytime Drama Series Christel Khalil - "The Young And The Restless" (CBS) Davetta Sherwood – "The Young And The Restless" (CBS) Renee Elise Goldsberry – "One Life to Live" (ABC) Tracey Ross - "Passions" (NBC) Yvonna Wright – "Guiding Light" (CBS) New, Talk or Information: News, Talk or Information – Series or Special "Biography: Barack Obama" (Biography Channel) "Crisis in Darfur" (NBC) "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" (HBO Sports) "Tavis Smiley: Katrina – One Year Later" (PBS) "The Tyra Banks Show" (Syndicated) Reality: "American Idol" (FOX) "America’s Next Top Model" (CW) "Black. White." (FX) "Dancing With The Stars" (ABC) "Run’s House" (MTV) Variety Programming: "2006 Black Movie Awards – A Celebration of Black Cinema: Past, Present, and Future" (TNT) "BET Awards 2006" (BET) "Cedric The Entertainer: Taking You Higher" (HBO) "An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Stevie Wonder" (Syndicated) "Jamie Foxx: Unpredictable" (NBC) Youth Programming: "The Backyardigans" (Nick, Jr.) "Dora The Explorer" (Nickelodeon) "High School Musical" (Disney Channel) "Romeo!" (Nickelodeon) "That’s So Raven" (Disney Channel) Performance in a Youth/Children’s Program – Series or Special Corbin Bleu – "High School Musical" (Disney Channel) Kathleen Hurley – "Dora The Explorer" (Nickelodeon) Kyle Massey – "That’s So Raven" (Disney Channel) Raven-Symoné – "That’s So Raven" (Disney Channel) Romeo – "Romeo!" (Nickelodeon) RECORDING New Artist Cherish (Capitol) Corinne Bailey Rae (Capitol) LeToya (Capitol) Lupe Fiasco (Atlantic) Mario Vazquez (J Records/ Arista) Male Artist Chris Brown (Zomba) Jay-Z (Island Def Jam) John Legend (Sony Urban) Lionel Richie (Island Def Jam) Prince (Universal Republic) Female Artist Beyoncé (Sony/Urban) Corinne Bailey Rae (Capitol) Fantasia (J Records/ Arista) India.Arie (Universal Motown) Mary J. Blige (Geffen) Duo or Group The Cheetah Girls (Disney) Dave Matthews Band (RCA) Gnarls Barkley (Downtown/Atlantic) Outkast (LaFace/Zomba) The Roots (Island Def Jam) Jazz Artist George Duke (Big Piano Music) Gerald Albright (Peak Records) Gladys Knight(Verve) Regina Carter (Verve) Take 6 (Take 6 Records) Gospel Artist – Traditional or Contemporary Andraé Crouch – "Mighty Wind" (Zomba Gospel) The Cast of "Inspired By: The Bible Experience" – "Inspired By:The Bible Experience: New Testament" (Zondervan) Fred Hammond – "Free To Worship" (Zomba Gospel) Kirk Franklin – "Imagine Me" (Zomba Gospel) Patti LaBelle – "The Gospel According To Patti" (Umbrella Recording) Music Video Beyoncé – "Irreplaceable" (Sony Urban) India.Arie – "I Am Not My Hair" (Universal Motown) Jay-Z – "Show Me What You Got" (Island Def Jam) Mary J. Blige – "Be Without You" (Geffen) Prince – "Black Sweat" (Universal Republic) Song "Be Without You" – Mary J. Blige (Geffen) "Crazy" – Gnarls Barkley (Downtown/Atlantic) "I Am Not My Hair" – India.Arie (Universal Motown) "Irreplaceable" – Beyoncé (Sony Urban) "Save Room" – John Legend (Sony Urban) Album "B’Day" – Beyoncé (Sony Urban) "Corinne Bailey Rae" – Corinne Bailey Rae (Capitol) "Dreamgirls" (Soundtrack) – Various (Music World/Sony Urban/Columbia) "Once Again" – John Legend (Sony Urban) "Reflections: A Retrospective" – Mary J. Blige (Geffen) LITERARY Literary Work – Fiction "After" – Marita Golden (Doubleday) "All Aunt Hager’s Children" – Edward P. Jones (HarperCollins/Amistad) "Baby Brother’s Blues" – Pearl Cleage (Random House Publishing Group) "Fortunate Son: A Novel" – Walter Mosley (Little, Brown & Company) "Wizard of the Crow" – Ngugi wa Thiong’o (Pantheon Books) Literary Work – Non-Fiction "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream" – Barack Obama (Crown) "Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster" – Michael Eric Dyson (Basic Civitas) "The Covenant With Black America" – Tavis Smiley (Third World Press) "Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete" – William C. Rhoden (Crown) "Not In My Family: AIDS in the African American Community" – Gil Robertson IV (Agate Publishing, Inc.) Literary Work – Debut Author "A Dead Man Speaks" – Lisa Jones (Genesis Press/ Kensington) "Boldfaced Lies" – Charlene A. Porter (Rose City Press) "The Legend of Quito Road" – Dwight Fryer (Kimani Press – Sepia Imprint) "Letters to a Young Brother" – Hill Harper (Gotham Books) "Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia" – Bil Carpenter (Backbeat Books/Hal Leonard) Literary Work – Biography/Auto-Biography "Before the Legend: The Rise of Bob Marley" – Christopher John Farley (Amistad/HarperCollins Publishers) "Jim Brown: The Fierce Life of an American Hero" – Mike Freeman (HarperCollins Publishers) "Jokes My Father Never Taught Me" – Rain Pryor (ReganBooks/ HarperCollins) "The Pursuit of Happyness" – Chris Gardner (Amistad/ HarperCollins) "Unbowed" – Wangari Maathai (Alfred A. Knopf) Literary Work – Instructional "Mama Made The Difference" – T.D. Jakes (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) "The Mocha Manual To a Fabulous Pregnancy" – Kimberly Allers (Amistad/ HarperCollins Publishers) "Shine" – Star Jones Reynolds (Harvest House Publishers) "Skinny Cooks Can’t Be Trusted" – Mo’Nique Imes Jackson (Amistad/ HarperCollins Publishers) "Southern Homecoming Traditions: Recipes And Remembrances" – Carolyn Quick Tillery (Kensington Publishing Corp.) Literary Work – Poetry "Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer" – Maya Angelou (Random House Publishing Group) "Check the Rhyme: An Anthology of Female Poets & Emcees" – DuEwa M. Frazier, Editor (LitNoire Publishing) "Hoops" – Major Jackson (W.W. Norton) "Jazz" – Walter Dean Myers (Holiday House) "We Speak Your Names" – Pearl Cleage (Random House Publishing Group) Literary Work – Children "Dear Mr. Rosenwald" – Carole Boston Weatherford (Scholastic Press) "I Like You But I Love Me" – Lonnie Lynn (Hip Hop Schoolhouse) "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom" – Carole Boston Weatherford (Disney Book Group) "Nobody Gonna Turn Me’Round" – Doreen Rappaport (Candlewick Press) "Whoopi’s Big Book of Manners" – Whoopi Goldberg (Disney Book Press) Literary Work – Youth/Teens "Copper Sun" – Sharon M. Draper (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing) "Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott" – Russell Freedman (Holiday House) "Letters to a Young Brother" – Hill Harper (Gotham Books) "Maya Angelou" – Donna Brown Agins (Enslow Publishers, Inc.) "Superwoman’s Child" – J.L. Woodson (Strebor/Atria Books) MOTION PICTURE Actor in a Motion Picture Denzel Washington – "Inside Man" (Universal) Forest Whitaker – "The Last King of Scotland" (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Jamie Foxx – "Dreamgirls" (DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures) Laurence Fishburne – "Akeelah and the Bee" (Lionsgate Films) Will Smith – "The Pursuit of Happyness" (Sony Pictures) Actress in a Motion Picture Beyoncé Knowles – "Dreamgirls" (DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures) Keke Palmer – "Akeelah and the Bee" (Lionsgate Films) Penélope Cruz- "Volver" (Sony Pictures Classics) Queen Latifah – "Last Holiday" (Paramount Pictures) Sanaa Lathan – "Something New" (Focus Features) Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Danny Glover – "Dreamgirls" (DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures) Djimon Hounsou – "Blood Diamond" (Warner Bros.) Eddie Murphy – "Dreamgirls" Harry Belafonte – "Bobby" (The Weinstein Co./ MGM) (DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures) Jaden Christopher Syre Smith – "The Pursuit of Happyness" (Sony Pictures) Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Angela Bassett – "Akeelah and the Bee" (Lionsgate Films) Anika Noni Rose – "Dreamgirls" (DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures) Jennifer Hudson – "Dreamgirls" (DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures) Kerry Washington – "The Last King of Scotland" (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Thandie Newton – "The Pursuit of Happyness" (Sony Pictures) Motion Picture "Akeelah and the Bee" (Lionsgate Films) "Blood Diamond" (Warner Bros.) "Catch A Fire" (Focus Features) "Dreamgirls" (DreamWorks/Paramount Pictures) "The Pursuit of Happyness" (Sony Pictures) Please Note: The winners of the Independent or Foreign Film, Directing, and Writing categories are determined solely by subcommittees, and do not appear on the ballot. Independent or Foreign Film "Curse of the Golden Flower" (Sony Pictures Classics) "Days of Glory (Indigènes)" (The Weinstein Co./ MGM) "An Inconvenient Truth" (Paramount Vantage) "Tsotsi" (Miramax Films) "Volver" (Sony Pictures Classics) DIRECTING Directing in a Comedy Series Ali LeRoi – "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW) "Everybody Hates Elections" Kenneth Whittingham – "The Office" (NBC) "Michael’s Birthday" Lauren Breiting – "According to Jim" (ABC) "The Stick" Millicent Shelton – "Everybody Hates Chris" (UPN) "Everybody Hates Valentine’s Day" Salim Akil – "Girlfriends" (UPN) "The Game" Directing in a Dramatic Series Anthony Hemingway – "Close to Home" (CBS) "Prodigal Son" Craig Ross, Jr. – "Bones" (FOX) "Aliens in a Spaceship" Karen Gaviola – "Lost (ABC) "The Whole Truth" Paris Barclay – "Cold Case" (CBS) " Saving Sammy" Seith Mann – "The Wire" (HBO) "Homerooms" Directing in a Feature Film/ Television Movie – Comedy or Drama Alejandro González Iñárritu – "Babel" (Paramount Vantage) Chris Robinson – "ATL" (Lionsgate Films) Sanaa Hamri – "Something New" (Focus Features) Spike Lee – "Inside Man" (Universal Pictures) Tyler Perry – "Madea’s Family Reunion" (Lionsgate Films) WRITING Writing in a Comedy Series Kenny Smith – "The Game" (CW) "The Trey Wiggs Episode" Mara Brock Akil – "Girlfriends" (CW) " After the Storm" Regina Y. Hicks – "Girlfriends" (CW) "I’ll Have a Blueline Christmas" Royale Watkins – "All Of Us" (UPN) " The -N- Word" Silvio Horta – "Ugly Betty" (ABC) "Pilot" Writing in a Dramatic Series Aaron Rahsaan Thomas – "Friday Night Lights" (NBC) "Full Hearts" Janine Sherman-Barrois – "ER" (NBC) "Darfur" Naren Chankar – "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CBS) "Killer" Shonda Rhimes – "Grey’s Anatomy" (ABC) "It’s the End of the World" Steven Maeda – "Daybreak" (ABC) "What if He Lets Her Go" Writing in a Feature Film/ Television Movie – Comedy or Drama Dianne Houston – "Take the Lead" (New Line Cinema) Doug Atchison – "Akeelah and the Bee" (Lionsgate Films) Keith Glover – "Life is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story" (Lifetime) Reggie Gaskins – "Restraining Order" (Codeblack Entertainment) Tyler Perry – "Madea’s Family Reunion" (Lionsgate Films)

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno With hip-hop being over 30 years old, it’s not a surprise that most fans of the music today forget about the foundation and its influence across the world of the arts. In an effort to educate hip-hop fans on how hip-hop has changed the arts world, author Jeff Chang has written an addendum of sorts to his first book, Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation, called Total Chaos: The Art & Aesthetics of Hip-Hop. The book acknowledges how hip-hop has influenced and transformed everything from poetry, literature, theatre, dance, the visual arts, graphic design, and photography. “Most people believe hip-hop is simply about rap,” Chang told HipHopCrack. “So the book helps show how hip-hop has affected the entirety of the arts. People in the hip-hop arts movement have been building with each other across disciplines and genres quite a bit in recent years, and many of us thought it was important to capture these discussions and ideas. There’s a very important burgeoning field of hip-hop studies, but the balance has been weighted far too heavily towards the cultural critics and away from the artists.” Look for the book to hit shelves on February 1. For more info on the book and Jeff Chang’s blog plus his other projects, check out CANTSTOPWONTSTOP.

By: Rizoh Tyrese Gibson\’s girlfriend has done a 360 on earlier reports that the R&B singer had punched her in the stomach during an altercation. Her attorney released a press statement debunking the allegations. "Reports Tyrese punched my client–his girlfriend–in the arm, thigh or anywhere else are false," said attorney Paul Berra. "It is true, Mr. Gibson and his girlfriend had been arguing. She became very emotional and distressed during the argument and called 911 in an attempt to get a mediator. Mr. Gibson, frustrated, left the home. My client, Mr. Gibson\’s girlfriend, who is 11 weeks pregnant, then became more upset and began throwing up. When the paramedics arrived, concerned about the baby, they took her to the hospital. Fortunately, she was fine. Once at the hospital, she was asked by a nurse whether she had been assaulted. She said no. She was then asked what her pain level was on a scale of zero to ten. She said zero. She then discharged herself." As for the future of Tyrese and his woman, Berra offers: "Mr. Gibson and his girlfriend are very much still in love, together and excited about their expectant child. She is quite saddened that this event was so distorted."

By: Rizoh New Jersey Nets star Jason Kidd has filed for divorce from his wife of 10 years, citing mental and physical abuse. In the divorce letter, Jason also accused Joumana Kidd of maltreating their children and disrupting his own relationship with them. "The defendant’s extreme and unwarranted jealousy and rage has left the plaintiff concerned about her emotional stability," said the dissolution papers. Kidd also described Joumana as "a vitriolic, jealous and paranoid wife prone to public outbursts and threats, including during a recent Nets game." In January 2001, Jason Kidd was arrested and pleaded guilty to a domestic abuse charge for assaulting his wife Joumana Kidd in anger. As part of his plea, Jason was ordered to attend anger management classes for six months.

Label name: Definitive Jux Records Founded (Date): 2000 Founders: El-P Backstory Founded in 2000 by Company Flow front man and producer El-P, Definitive Jux is an artist run label for the artists. With its first releases it was clear that the label had come at a time when there was a void in hip-hop’s cultural landscape that El-P’s vision would soon fill. Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif, Rjd2 and El-P himself would form the label’s successful core and artists such as C-Rayz Walz, Hangar 18, The Perceptionists (Mr. Lif’s new group project), S.A. Smash, Camutao and Rob Sonic represent the Jux’s commitment to cultivating new talent and inspiring new voices for the future. www.definitivejux.net Greatest Achievements: Releasing classic albums such as El-P’s Fantastic Damage, Aesop Rock’s Labor Days, Rjd2’s Deadringer, and recent albums – Mr. Lif’s Mo’ Mega and Cage’s Hells Winter Current and Future projects El-P is getting ready to release his next album on March 20 2007 titled, I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead. The album features guest artists Trent Reznor, Cat Power, The Mars Volta, among others. Aesop Rock is readying his next album None Shall Pass for release in mid 2007. Goals and Purpose: To continue to release the illest in independent hip hop music. Within the Game We have secured a spot as one of the leading independent hip hop labels in the music industry. CLICK HERE TO VIEW DEFINITVE JUX RECORDS CLICK HERE TO VIEW El-P

Apple debuted its much anticipated iPhone, a sleek device with a large screen that combines a phone, an iPod and instant messaging in a new push beyond computers that sent its shares to a new record. The iPhone is thinner than some of the cellphone industry’s sleekest devices, such as Motorola Inc.’s RAZR. It will cost $499 to $599 when it debuts in the United States, and is expected to hit Europe in the fourth quarter and Asia in 2008. Cingular Wireless, the No. 1 U.S. wireless network and a unit of AT&T Inc., has a multiyear, exclusive agreement to provide U.S. service for the iPhone. Jobs predicted that in 2008 Apple could sell 10 million iPhones, representing roughly 1 percent of the current annual mobile phone market of 1 billion units a year. Last year, the consumer electronics market globally was worth $145 billion. Check out Apple’s DEMO. If this phone works as good as it looks it is a masterpiece.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Fans in their late 20’s and early 30’s probably remember who Lords of the Underground were. They dropped a classic album in 1993 called Here Come the Lords that featured such hits as “Funky Child” and “Chief Rocka” and followed up with a solid but slept on album Keepers of the Funk in 1994. Then they pretty much disappeared. Mr. Funke Man, Do it All (now Du Kelly) and DJ Lord Jazz made a comeback in 1999 but nobody listened so now they’re trying it again. The group is gearing up to drop their new album, House of the Lords, and their mixtape Heart of the Ghetto. They’re also in the process of dropping a new DVD called “Still LOTUG” featuring their live performances, personal interviews and behind the scenes footage of their 2006 European tour, a place where the group is fondly remembered. For the latest and a trailer of their DVD, check out STILLLOTUG.

By: Rizoh Hip-hop vet LL Cool J gave Diddy’s twin girls, D’Lila Star and Jessie James, an ultra-generous gift prior to their December 21 arrival. According to People magazine, Uncle LL showered Diddy’s newborns with two cream colored custom-made cribs from Ga GaDesigns. Each crib was allegedly priced at $2,250. Other celebrity gifts received by the girls include: an exquisite seven-drawer French Dresser/Changing Table from Jay-Z (valued at $3,120), and a $338 Stella Pink Chandelier from actor Denzel Washington. Diddy and girlfriend Kim Porter welcomed D’Lila Star and Jessie James on December 21.Porter already has a son, 8-year-old Christian, with Combs.

Clarke, Inc., a diversified investment holding company with interests in freight transportation services, international shipping, warehousing, information technology services, real estate and marketable securities, reportedly made a $120 million bid at $2.25 a share for Canadian media conglom Entertainment One, including the wholly owned Koch Entertainment, whose estimated value as a standalone is about $74 million. Now whose really Baaaaaaalin!?

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno It seems that if you get down with Jay-Z, he’d take care of you more than the average homie – just ask Memphis Bleek. But now it seems like Jay is even going as far as hooking up Beyonce’s momma. With Jiggaman having a stake in the New Jersey – soon to be Brooklyn – Nets, it seems obvious that he had a little influence on Dereon, a junior collection of clothes from House of Deréon, which is designed by Beyoncé’s mom, Tina Knowles, being named the official sponsor of the Nets Dancers. "The Nets Dancers are such a fun part of going to the games," Tina told the NY Post. "We are thrilled to be able to provide Deréon wardrobe for these extremely talented young women." No word on when the Nets dancers will start sporting the new gear, Dereon gear, which is co-owned by Beyonce, but you can expect the Nets in Brooklyn for the 2009-2010 season.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James recently hooked with Sprite to be a part of its “subLYMONal” ad campaign. As if his pockets aren’t fat enough, King James is asking fans to go to www.lebron23-23.com and create some theme music for an upcoming commercial. "To have a theme song created by the fans of Sprite and the NBA is a real honor. The online world offers so many new and exciting ways for all of us to communicate and express ourselves," James said. "LeBron 23-23.com will produce some great tracks and I am really looking forward to listening to and judging the best songs." Paul Wall and Al Fatz will help out LeBron on judging the top three tracks out of the top 23 most voted tracks. The grand prize winner will get a chance to join Paul Wall and Al Fatz in the studio to fine tune and tweak the beat for the commercial. Other prizes include signed LeBron jersey, video IPODs, nise canceling headphones and portable AM/FM/CD stereo units.

Label name: Hard Boiled Founded (Date): 2002 Founders: Charles Tremblay & Kevin Shand Backstory (What’s the story behind the launch of the label? How was it launched? Why was it launched?): Hard Boiled was founded in 2002 at the end of an era by two innovative refugees from Rawkus Records. Their combined experience had shown them the basic pitfalls that await the majority of independent labels and this knowledge gave them a huge advantage when founding and operating the label. Hard Boiled has quickly grown from a mixtape-centric anomoly into a hip hop powerhouse with releases from: MF Doom, Nicolay, Kev Brown, Gridlock Fam, Da Beatminerz, and more. Greatest Achievements (What are the label’s proudest moments? Going platinum? Releasing a classic? Signing a legend?): We’re proud of every single one of our releases that hits the shelves. Current and Future projects (What current projects are you pushing and what’s planned for the next year?): We have a mixtape project and album in development with Da Beatminerz in addition to working on Nicolay’s “Dutch Masters 2”. MF Doom has been cooking up something special for us in the lab as well so stay tuned for that. We’re also about halfway through the debut album from Gridlock Fam that is being entirely produced by Nicolay. Goals and Purpose (What kind of impact are you hoping to make on the industry? What goals do you have for the label?): Hard Boiled aspires to artistic and organizational excellence. 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’ll leave that question for ya’ll to figure out… CLICK HERE TO VIEW NICOLAY INTERVIEW CLICK HERE TO VIEW DA BEATMINERZ INTERVIEW