By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Diddy isn’t the only one pulling out all the stops to promote his new album. Jay-Z and Anheuser-Busch have just announced a partnership naming Jigga as co-brand director for Budweiser Select. Jay will collaborate with the beer company on strategic marketing programs and creative ad development. "Collaborating with Jay-Z on marketing our Budweiser Select brand presents an opportunity to work with one of the world’s great entrepreneurs and draws upon his expertise with pop culture, music and business," said Marlene Coulis, vice president of Brand Management, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "His approach to reaching people in creative, groundbreaking ways that transcend cultural boundaries makes this alliance particularly exciting." The first ad for the relationship aired during Monday Night Football on ESPN and is scheduled to air during the National League Championships Series on Fox. The ads are basically clips from Jay’s video for “Show Me What You Got” which debuted on Tuesday and not only promotes Budweiser Select but also has a closing graphic saying, “Jay-Z is back, coming Nov. 21”, promoting his upcoming album, Kingdom Come.

By: Rizoh The war against online pirating just took an interesting turn. Universal Music Group is suing online video sites likeBolt and Grouper for allowing their users to share copyrighted music videos. The company seeks damages up to $150,000 for each incident of copyright infringement plus costs. The suits accuse Grouper Network Inc and Bolt of engendering the infringement by copying, reformatting, distributing and creating derivative works from Universal\’s artists.

By: Rizoh Armand de Brignac (also known as "Ace of Spades" or "Gold Bottles"), the high-end champagne featured in Jay-Z’s new video for "Show Me What You Got," is making its debut in the U.S. this year. Armand, manufactured in France, is being imported into North America for distribution by the Manhattan-based company of the same name. Even though, the company did not enter into any official agreement to place the product in Jay-Z’s video, Armand CEO/President Brett Berish was quick to express his enthusiasm. "We’re delighted to have someone of Jay-Z’s stature include Armand de Brignac in the first video for his new album," said Brett Berish in a press statement. "Jay-Z has always demonstrated the highest standards and finest taste, and we’re honored to see Armand make an appearance in "Show Me What You Got." Armand’s unmatched taste and package are a perfect fit for the video." The video reaffirms Jay-Z’s decision to boycott Louis Rodere Cristal brand of champagne back in June, following some disparaging comments by Cristal boss Frédéric Rouzaud. In the video for "Show Me What You Got," Jay-Z is offered a bottle of Cristal, a brand he had endorsed on previous songs and videos. Jay motions for the bottle to be sent back, and a waiter returns with a silver briefcase. It’s opened to reveal the Armand de Brignac gold bottle. Jay-Z’s Kingdom Come is slated for release on November 21.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno After taking home three Grammys for his debut album, Get Lifted, earlier this year, R&B sensation John Legend is at it again with his new album, Once Again. Set to drop on October 24, the new album features production and appearances from will.i.am; Kanye West; Raphael Saadiq; Craig Street; Sa-Ra and others. And for fans in the New York area, Legend will make an in-store appearance at the Virgin Megastore (Union Square — 54 East 14th Street) at 6pm and sign copies of his album and perform a mini-set of some of the songs for the album. Fans who buy his album earlier in the day will get a wristband that will give them admittance into the in-store event. Here’s the tracklisting for Once Again: Save Room Heaven Stereo Show Me Each Day Gets Better P.D.A. (We Just Don’t Care) Slow Dance Again Maxine Where Did My Baby Go Maxine’s Interlude Another Again Coming Home

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno The term “bling, bling” might be played out by now (usually when soccer moms start saying it, we’ve moved on), but the Gameologist Group felt like they could stretch it a little further with their hood-inspired board game. The game, “Bling, Bling 2002: The Takeover Part 1”, is a 2-8 eight player competition for money, property and respect. The game play is based on c-lo (yes, that three dice game you used to play on the corner), which moves you across the board in an effort to buy property, erect city projects, gamble, save your cash and put you in a tight situation in the wrong hood. The most successful player will be crowned the “Ultimate Hustler.” The game is available at here for $29.99. But you can get a sneak preview on November 28 at Sports City in Atlantic City at 12pm.

By: Rizoh Sean "Diddy" Combs is ready to take on the world in the New Year. In his first global tour since 2000, the Bad Boy CEO plans to bring his music to low-key venues around the world. Diddy, whose new album Press Play is in stores today (October 17), says he will be taking a live band on the road when he kicks off his world tour. Although, no dates have yet been set, the 36-year old mogul claims that it will be an "up close and personal" experience in "smaller types of venues." He told Billboard: "I’m gonna tour in a way that you’ve never seen me before – with a band. It’ll be a fusion between analog and live music and two turntables. It’ll be a total fusion. I pride myself on being an entertainer. It’ll be something that’ll be refreshing for hip-hop. I look forward to that."

By: Rizoh A member of Nelly’s St. Lunatics crew, Ali Jones, was stunned with a Taser by a St. Louis police officer and arrested for driving with expired license and tags over the weekend, reports the Associated Press. Ali, 34, claims police brutalized him by stunning him 46 times with a 50,000 volt taser gun. The rapper said he was handcuffed in the back seat of the squad and was threatened by the arresting officer. "He gets out, opens the backdoor and he tases me over and over," Ali told a local TV station. "I was afraid. I had a bowel movement on myself, he tased me so long. Ali also claimed that the officer, who is white, made several racist comments during the incident. The Hazelwood Police Department, on the other hand, said in a statement that Jones resisted arrest and kicked the arresting officer. Ali denies the Hazelwood police’s account that said he resisted arrest, damaged the patrol car and kicked the arresting officer. "There is no way that I could kick him from the back seat." Ali was charged with resisting arrest, third degree assault on a police officer, and property damage to a police car. He was later released on $1500 bond.

By: Rizoh It’s tough being a Def Jam artist these days. With eagerly-awaited releases by Jay-Z and Nas due in November and December respectively, Young Jeezy could easily get lost in the shuffle. But the 29-year old rapper is not backing down from competition. The guest list for Jeezy’s forthcoming sophomore set, The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102, reads like a hit-making factory: Ludacris, T.I., Timbaland, Young Buck, and many others. Jeezy disclosed to Billboard.com that he recorded a sweeping 114 songs, but only 14 will make the final cut. "I did this in case anything ever happens to me, so I’ve got a couple of albums left. You never know these days," he told Billboard. "I Luv It," a DJ Toomp-produced street smash is the lead single from The Inspiration. Other songs expected to appear on the album include "Dreamin’," "Child of God (Bury Me a G)," "Bitch I’m Jeezy," and "I Do This." The Inspiration, which follows the double-platinum selling Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, is expected to drop on December 12, 2006.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno For more than a decade Mobb Deep has been representing Queens Borough harder than any group since Run-DMC so its fitting that their best tracks be recognized along with a collection of their videos. The collection, Life of The Infamous: The Best of Mobb Deep, is set to hit stores on October 31 along with a DVD Life of the Infamous: The Videos featuring every video from the groups career. Here’s the tracklisting: 1. Hit It From The Back 2. Survival Of the Fittest 3. Shook Ones Pt.II 4. Temperature’s Rising 5. Get Deal With 6. Quiet Storm (remix Featuring Lil’ Kim) 7. Keep It Thoro 8. G.O.D Part III 9. Hell On Earth (Front Lines) 10. Hey Luv (Anything) – featuring 112 11. Get Away 12. The Learning (Burn) – featuring Big Noyd 13. Got It Twisted 14. Real Gangstarz – featuring Lil’ Jon 15. Win Or Lose 16. Blood Money (previously unreleased bonus track) 17. Go Head (previously unreleased bonus track The list for the DVD has yet to be released but will include everything from “Shook Ones” and “Quiet Storm” to rarely seen joints like “Back At You” and “L.A., L.A.”

By: Rizoh Def Jam Rapper Fabolous was shot in the thigh early Tuesday in front of a Manhattan parking garage, according to reports. Fabolous (born John Jackson) was shot in the leg, and later placed under arrest. The shooting stemmed from a fight at Justin’s Restaurant, owned by Sean "Diddy" Combs. Shots were fired in a parking lot outside the restaurant, police said.Three friends pulled Fabolous into a car and they sped off to take the 28-year old rapper to the hospital. Cops pulled the speeding vehicle over at the intersection of East 22nd Street and Third Avenue for zooming through several red lights. Two loaded weapons, a 9mm and a .40 caliber handgun, were found in the vehicle, both of which were allegedly unlicensed. All four men were arrested, and charges were pending. Police did not reveal the identities of the other three men, Fabolous recently took part in the taping of the VH1 Hip Hop Honors, which airs today at 9:00 p.m. ET. He recently began recording on his forthcoming album, From Nothing to Something, scheduled to drop in February, 2007.

By: Rizoh Their hit song is called "Show Stopper" and the Bad Boy girl group Danity Kane was forced to be just that, after a car accident put a stop to their show last Thursday. The girls (Aubrey O’Day, Shannon Bex, Dawn Richard, and Aundrea Fimbres) were on their way to Toledo, Ohio for a concert, when another vehicle struck the Lincoln Town Car they were traveling in. One of the DK singers Aubrey O’Day wrote on her MySpace Blog: The girls are in the hospital and are trying to get better. I just spoke with Aubrey and she has a mild concussion and a black eye. Dawn hurt her shoulder and they all have whiplash injuries. D.Woods was the only one not present. The girls felt so bad about not being able to attend the club appearance and still wanted to show up. Clearly the doctor did not grant their wishes, he advised them that there is no way they can be in public right now. Doctor’s orders were medication and plenty of rest. Dawn Richard also had a word of apology to fans on her blog. The scheduled performance at Headliners was canceled due to the accident, as well as the following night’s show at the Shotwell Pavilion in Rochester, Michigan. The group recently announced that they were one of the opening acts for Christina Aguilera’s North American tour, which is slated for kickoff in February.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno For years Bushwick Bill, the 3’8” emcee from legendary group Geto Boys, was known as the craziest rapper out of Houston. You’ve heard the stories of him shooting out his eye in his attempt to commit suicide (he told the story in the song “Ever So Clear”) and him legally changing his name to "Dr. Wolfgang Von Bushwickin the Barbarian Mother-Funky Stay High Dollar Billstir". Now Bushwick has done what probably most fans would think would be last thing he’d do: recommit his life to Jesus Christ. Although Bushwick was raised a Christian and was ordained a minister before the age of 18, his move to Houston in the 80’s and his subsequent success in hip-hop changed his perspective on the world. Now Bushwick says it’s time to come with music that will be more inspiring. "I love my fans and listeners everywhere, without them I could have never been successful,” Bill said on his MySpace page. “However, it is time for me to give them what they deserve, that is, hope, encouragement, strength, direction, love, peace, and everything that will guide them into a successful and prosperous life here on earth. When I used to spit lyrics in the world, I would put my all into it and convince people it was the truth. So you can rest assure I will not waste one single verse on any non-sense, and my delivery will be felt deep into people’s spirit and soul." Bushwick’s new album, Testimony of Redemption Songs, is set to drop in 2007. Three songs, “Testimony of Redemption”, “Going to the River” and “Praise of a Good Woman”, from the forthcoming album are featured on his MySpace page.

By: Rizoh New York rapper DMX has been facing a string of legal battles lately. The latest came from the mother of his two-year-old "lovechild," after he disclosed in the October 2006 issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine that she had conceived the child after "raping" him. In 2004, Monique Wayne successfully sued the hip-hop star (born Earl Simmons) after a paternity test proved he was the father of her son following a one-night-stand in 2003. However, DMX told Sister 2 Sister that Wayne had sexually assaulted him while he slept in a hotel following a concert in Washington DC. "She raped me," X told Sister 2 Sister editor Jamie Foster Brown. "I mean, you know, that might sound like some bullsh*t. No man has ever been… you know what I mean, like never. Is that the only thing in the world that’s not possible?" Following his claims, Wayne, 26, filed suit in Prince George’s County Circuit Court in Upper Marlboro, Maryland Thursday, claiming that the rapper had defamed her and made via his false statements, and is seeking $6 million in damages. Her lawyer, Stephanie Moran says, "Miss Wayne’s been completely ostracized. She’s had to answer questions from friends and family members. You have reporters as far away as Ireland commenting on this. "Then DMX turns around and accuses her of being a rapist. That’s a serious allegation." DMX did not name Wayne directly in the article, but the scandal has been widely reported in the media following his interview in S2S. This is only one of X’s many legal woes. Last week, his car was impounded in New York after police found he was driving without a valid license for the state.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Lil Scrappy has been making a little it of noise the past couple of years with club hits “Headbussa” and “No Problem” backed up by Lil Jon and Trillville. Now the Atlanta native is trying to breakout on his own with a new online-only reality show called “G’s Up TV”. The show will explore Scrappy’s upbringing, his day-to-day life, and his thoughts on the rap industry. The 12-episode series is an effort to promote his upcoming album, Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live coming out later this month. The show will also feature appearances from Lil Jon, Three 6 Mafia, Katt Williams, Young Buck and others. To view the trailer and get the latest update in regards to the show, check out his website here.

By: Rizoh Former Ruff Ryders artist, Drag-On, is ready to step out and take destiny into his hands by establishing his own imprint, Hood Environment Records. "I’ve been in the game for 10 years, grinding and putting out hits. I’m still young, but I’ve learned enough to know what it is to run a label," explained the rapper. "I know what it takes to break an artist. Those are tricks of the trade that I studied within my career." Drag-On released Opposite of H2O and Hell And Back on Ruff Ryders, but has since watched his career come to a standstill. He has also released five mixtapes, and is currently working on the first release under Hood Environment named after the label, which features his artists Terra Da Dude, Eyez B and Glockman. The first single, "Shoe Box," is currently out and making its rounds on the internet and radio stations.