By Quibian Salazar-Moreno For several years now the DJ battle scene has been a bit on the tedious side so earlier this year, DJ Roc Raida of the X-Ecutioners (and 1995 DMC World Champ) threw his own competition, The Gong DJ Battle. Taped in New York on April 5, 2006, the competition featured DJs from all over competing for DJ supremacy. And if a DJ wasn’t representing, he was getting gonged by the judges DJ Scratch (1988 NMS World Champ/EPMD), Rob Swift (formerly of the X-Ecutioners), DJ Cash Money (1988 DMC World Champ), DJ Spinbad (Power 105.1 & Z100) and GrandWizzard Theodore (inventor of the scratch). To make matters worse, those DJs got clowned by hosts Lord Finesse, Lord Sear and DJ Fat Fingaz as they left the stage. At the same time however, fans are introduced to a new crop of DJs like As One, Kinetic, Steel, Illogix, Slip Wax and DJ I-Dee who are keeping the art of turntablism alive. Look for the DVD to hit stores on March 6, 2007.

By: Rizoh Bad Boy Entertainment CEO Sean "Puffy" Combs and girlfriend Kim Porter welcomed a pair of twins to their family yesterday (December 21) at New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital. Diddy flew in from Toronto where he had been filming the TV version of "A Raisin in The Sun" to witness the arrival of his daughers. "Diddy received an early Christmas gift,"said Diddy’s representative Robert Zimmerman in a statement. It gives us great joy to announce the arrival of Diddy’s twin girls. The beautiful, healthy baby girls were born this morning with Diddy by mother, Kim Porter’s side. The first arrived at 7:56 AM weighing 5 pounds, followed 2 minutes later by the second at 5 pounds, 4 oz. Diddy had a plane on stand by in Toronto where he is filming "Raisin in the Sun" and made it just in the nick of time for the delivery. Both Kim and the girls are doing great." A delighted Combs revealed the names of his newborn twins via email:"We’re proud to announce that we are naming the twins after our beloved grandmothers," said Diddy. D’Lila Star Combs (named after Porter’s grandmother) weighed in at 5lbs, 19 ¼ inches, while Jessie James Combs clocked in at 5 lbs, 19 ½ inches. Porter already has a son, 8-year-old Christian, with Combs. Diddy als has another son, Justin, with stylist Misa Hylton-Brim and Porter has a son, Quincy, from her previous relationship with singer Al B. Sure.

By: Rizoh Atlanta, GA rapper Yung Joc, who recently bagged a Grammy nomination, is set to cap off his year with a tour. Block Enteprises CEO Russell "Block" Spencer said Joc’s proven success in "no surprise" to him. "My industry instincts recognized his talent. His passion and drive are what keeps him hungry. Numbers don’t lie, so with his undeniable talent and incredible work ethic, I’m sure the best is yet to come." "We expect great things from Yung Joc in 2007," said Bad Boy Executive VP and General Manager Harve Pierre. "For his first album, ‘New Joc City,’ he traveled through every crack and crevice of the United States meeting fans and shaking hands. He is a hard worker and the type of artist we love. He lived on top of the charts with his first LP and is already on his third single, ’1st Time.’" Below is the tour schedule for Joc’s Scream Tour co-starring Omarion, Ne-Yo, Pretty Ricky, Mario, Jibbs, and Sammie. DECEMBER 21 Hampton, VA Hampton Coliseum 22 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center 23 New York, NY Madison Square Garden 26 Detroit, MI Joe Louis Arena 28 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena 29 Cleveland, OH Wolstein Center 30 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner 31 Washington DC Verizon Center

By: Rizoh A chain of US music companies has initiated legal action against Russian-based Mediaservices Inc., which runs download sites Allofmp3.com and AllTunes.com. The lawsuit filed by Arista Records, Warner Bros, UMG, and Capitol Records claims that the sites are selling songs without permission. But Allofmp3.com contends it is paying royalties to a Russian licensing body called Roms. Roms says the Russian constitution gives it the right to license music to allofmp3.com, even if it has not secured permission from the copyright holders. It also claims to collect royalty payments from the download site on behalf of record companies and artists. The music industry says that the Russian licensing group does not have the authority to collect and distribute royalties. Allofmp3.com sells albums for about $1 and charges only a few cents for songs. By contrast, one of the world’s most popular music download service, iTunes, charges $10 for an album. Visa and MasterCard have reportedly stopped accepting credit card transactions for purchases made at Mediaservices sites.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Pioneering emcee Kurtis Blow has been preaching the Word of God for sometime now and its beginning to catch on. In a recent interview with National Public Radio he shared his vision on his rapidly expanding hip-hop churches in New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. “The hip-hop church is a format for any church designed to reel in or be fishers of men, young men and women,” Blow told NPR. “As far as I’m concerned, I always knew there was spirituality in hip-hop. Thank God that I can really, really, bring it home and deliver that message to the youth today.” Kurtis Blow holds church services in at Harlem’s Greater Hood Memorial AME Zion Church that’s on 146th between 7th & Lenox every Thursday from 6:30 till 9pm. There are also services at Metro Christ Foundation in Philly and at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Los Angeles every first Friday. For more info on Kurtis Blow’s Hip-Hop Church, check out hiphopchurchny.

By: Rizoh After losing almost 100 pounds, "American Idol" winner and R&B singer Ruben Studdard wants to help others lose weight. The Birmingham, Alabama native has asked the 25% of his state’s residents who are obese to shed 10 pounds in eight weeks. Studdard enrolled in a weight-loss program this summer and began eating healthy with successful results. "I’m not where I want to be, but I’m on the right track, and I’m excited about encouraging other Alabamians to begin their own weight-loss journeys," said the 28-year-old singer, whose third album, The Return, was released in October by J Records. Studdard said in a recent interview with The Associated Press that he wanted to get in shape "because I have a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure and things of that nature." Scale Back Alabama, an eight-week weight-loss campaign, kicks off Jan. 4 with an event featuring Ruben Studdard. The goal of the program is to help Alabamians lose a total of 10 million pounds by March 2007.The campaign is being jointly sponsored by Alabama‘s hospitals, the Alabama Department of Public Health and Barber Dairies. At the conclusion of the program, winners will be announced and awarded various prizes.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno You may be tired of all the “dance in the hood” type of movies that have been dropping the last few years but least the music is pretty good. That’s the case for the soundtrack for the latest “dance in the hood” flick, Stomp the Yard. The soundtrack will hits stores on January 9 and feature music from Ghostface Killa, The Roots, E-40, Public Enemy, and Ne-Yo, and Chris Brown who also star in the film. Stomp the Yard, which hits theatres on January 12, is about DJ, a college student who moves to Atlanta to attend fictional Truth University. During his time there, he discovers the Black fraternity/sorority tradition of stepping, but he must face his own issues and demons first before he can help his teammates win in the annual stepping championships. Here’s the track listing for the soundtrack: Go Hard or Go Home – E-40 feat. The Federation Vans – The Pack Poppin’ – Chris Brown Sign Me Up – Ne-Yo The Champ – Ghostface Killah Walk it Out – UNK Pop, Lock, & Drop It – Huey The Deepest Hood – Al Kapone aka Kapeezy Come On – Bonecrusher feat. Onslaught Supermixx’s Black in the Building – Public Enemy Storm – Cut Chemist feat. Edan and Mr. Lif In the Music – The Roots feat. Malik B Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That – Robert Randolph & the Family Band Bounce Wit Me – R.E.D. 44

By: Rizoh The Ludacris Foundation, Disturbing Tha Peace, and Harley-Davidson teamed up to bless approximately 100 children, ranging from 6 to 14 years old with a visit from Santa, games, entertainment, and food. Children were selected from communities throughout the metro Atlanta area. The event, dubbed the Merry Luda-Crismas party, was part of Luda‘s plan to give back to his community. "Helping kids help themselves. We got a lot of different sponsors, we’re giving out toys, we got toys for over 100 kids today and we’re here at the Adamsville Recreational Center just helping kids help themselves. This is what I do," said Ludacris. The recreation center presented Ludacris with a plaque to show their appreciation for his involvement with the community.

By: Rizoh Eminem (real name Marshall Mathers) and Kim Mathers finalized their divorce proceedings. Mathers and his high school sweetheart agreed to split custody of their daughter, Hailie Jade. They also agreed to share their property under terms of a private settlement. Judge Antonio P. Viviano described them as "a very fine couple to deal with," adding that "the couple conducted themselves with digity and respect." Eminem filed for divorce less than three months after the couple’s re-marriage earlier this year. The high school sweethearts first divorced in October 2001 after a two-year marriage. They engaged in a bitter custody fight over daughter Hailie, now 10. In January, Eminem, 33, announced on a Detroit radio station that he and Kim, 31, had reconciled. They remarried in a January 14 ceremony attended by fellow hip-hop artists, including 50 Cent and members of D-12.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Even though Fergie Ferg is doing her thing across her ‘London Bridge’ and will.i.am is earning his street cred by producing tracks for Busta Rhymes, The Game and Common, the Black Eyed Peas are close to finishing up their follow-up to their four times platinum album, Monkey Business. In an interview with Billboard Magazine, will.i.am said they have 12 songs finished, but since the group won’t be touring for the first half of 2007 they’ll be recording more songs for a holiday release date. And don’t expect the whole album to be party-focused either; expect some politically charged tunes as well. "We are not complaining," will told Billboard. "It’s not, ‘Oh, everything messed up! Oh my gosh, we’re doomed!’ It’s a thinking record. It brings up what’s happening in the world. Monkey Business didn’t do that." The album has yet to be named and collaborations haven’t been ironed out yet. In the meantime you can check out their DVD "Live From Sydney to Vegas," featuring footage from shows in Australia and the U.S. You can also check them out at the Grammys where Black Eyed Peas is nominated for Best Pop Performance by duo or group with vocal for “My Humps” and will is nominated for five Grammys including producer of the year.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Atlantic Records announced that they’ll be releasing the soundtrack to Tyler Perry’s anticipated film, Daddy’s Little Girls, on January 16. The soundtrack features news songs from Beyonce, R. Kelly, Brian McKnight and Anthony Hamilton. Also featured on the soundtrack is one of Whitney’s first songs since her split with Bobby Brown that features her mother Cissy Houston and her cousin Dionne Warwick. The film, which opens on February 14, stars Gabrielle Union, Idris Elba, Louis Gossett Jr., Tracee Ellis Ross and Malinda Williams. Elba plays a single father named Monty who lives in a poor neighborhood and struggles to make ends meet as he raises his three young daughters on his own. When the courts award custody of his daughters to his corrupt, drug-dealing ex-wife, Monty desperately tries to win them back, enlisting the help of Julia (Union), an attorney he meets during his short stint as a chauffeur. Of course they fall in love, while trying to battle the trials and tribulations in keeping Monty’s family together. Here’s the tracklisting for the soundtrack: 1. STRUGGLE NO MORE (THE MAIN EVENT) – Anthony Hamilton, Jaheim & Musiq Soulchild 2. DON’T LET GO – R. Kelly 3. GREATEST GIFT – Tamika Scott of X-Scape 4. BROWN EYED BLUES – Adrian Hood 5. FAMILY FIRST – Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick and Family 6. STEP ASIDE – Yolanda Adams 7. I BELIEVE – Brian McKnight 8. DADDY – Beyoncé 9. STRUGGLE NO MORE – Anthony Hamilton 10. BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS – Governor 11. A CHANGE IS GONNA COME – Charles Moore

Members of the local hip-hop community Outerspace, Q-Demented & 215hiphop.com want to show they care about Philadelphia’s youth. That is why they have organized a toy drive for needy children in North Philadelphia. “With the crime rate reaching an all time high in Philly, and little kids getting killed by stray bullets, Outerspace and 215hiphop.com wanted to show the local youth that we do care about them,” said rapper Planetary of hip-hop group Outerspace. Toys will be distributed on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 2006 at 2661 North 2nd Street (Democracia USA’s office off the corner of 2nd Street & Lehigh Avenue) from 12Noon-2PM. Toys and donations will be raised at an all-star hip-hop concert featuring OuterSpace, Last Emperor, Jedi Mind Tricks, King Syze and DJ Cru-Cut at The Khyper on Saturday night, December 23rd. Families in need will be identified and invited ahead of time. Please no walk-ups. Contact justin@215hiphop.com for a scheduled toy pick-up. Click Here to buy tickets Sunday, December 24, 2006 Event: “For The Kids” Toy DriveTime: Toy distribution from 12Noon-2PM Location: 2661 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19133 Democracia USA Office Saturday, December 23rd Event Info: OuterSpace & 215hiphop.com Present: For The Kids A Toy & Cash Fund Raiser for Christmas Saturday, December 23rd @ The Khyber (2nd & Chestnut, Old>>Philly) City 215.238.5888 Live Performance’s by: OuterSpace Last Emperor Maylay Sparks Doap Nixon AND Special Guests: Block McCloud Jedi Mind Tricks Pumpkinhead King Syze & More DJ Cru-Cut on 4 Turntables w/Special Guest DJ’s: Tactics, Panek, ‘lil Dave, Skipmode, & Kinetic 10pm-2am 21+ $2 Miller Lite’s till 12am Cover: $5 w/an un-wrapped toy – $10 without (100% of door proceeds go towards buying more toys & food) For information to volunteer on the Christmas Eve Toy & Food give-a-way email: info@215hiphop.com or visit forum. Click Here to buy tickets Sponsors: 215hiphop.com m3Printing.com Miller Lite Freshoutmedia.com

By: Rizoh Cash Money Records founder Bryan "Baby" Williams and erstwhile Cash Money rapper B.G. publicly put an end to their long-running ‘beef’ on New Orleans radio Q-93 FM. Baby had called into Q-93 to express his gratitude to fans as he mourns his sister Tamara Williams. B.G. also called into the station to express condolences to his former CEO. The two were then connected live via phone. "I just wanted to say I’m sorry despite what you and me been through," said B.G. "I knew Tamara personally, we grew up together, we go back. I just wanted you to know that my heart go out to you and the whole Williams family." "I can respect that," Baby replied to B.G.’s words. "I’ll put everything on the side for that." As we reported earlier, Tamara Williams was struck by a motorist who was moving in the wrong direction on Causeway Boulevard.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Ever since MC Hammer started dancing for Kentucky Fried Chicken, hip-hop and R&B stars have been going the endorsement route to earn that extra cash. Now Kelis is getting down with Ford in their new marketing campaign for the 2007 Ford Edge. Kelis wrote an original song for the campaign called “Push it to the Edge” and will be appearing in commercials – both TV and radio – starting on December 20. "I am an informed buyer who likes to shop around for what I like," said Kelis. "I prefer bold designs and that’s what I see when I look at the Edge. I believe it was built to defy expectations and change people’s perceptions, two concepts that have helped me define who I am." To see the commercials and hear the new song for yourself, visit FORDURBANat the end of the week.

By: Rizoh Talk show mogul Oprah Oprah Winfrey has sold a pair of reality-TV projects to ABC, one of which she will appear on. Oprah Winfrey’s "The Big Give," seeks to find the most powerful and sensational ways to give to others. The money-themed show hands financial resources to a 10 contestants, who must in turn find dramatic ways to assist others. The "Big Give" will reward the best philanthropists by fulfilling their "wildest dream." The second series, "Your Money or Your Life," sends experts to help families facing financial crises. It’s not yet clear whether Oprah’s on-screen role will be in the series, but Winfrey has said she will appear in at least one of them. In September 2004, Oprah celebrated the premiere of her 19th season of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" by surprising each of her 276 audience members with a new car.