By: Rizoh Rapper Sean Paul , of the YoungBloodz, is heading to Iraq today as a guest of the U.S. Navy, says his record label. The 27-year old ATLien is heading out to the Middle East after being tapped to entertain troops on active tour of duty and is set to visit Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain during the stint. "Everyday, these guys, put their lives on the line for the freedom that we take for granted," Sean P says via a statement. "It’s because of them that I have the freedom to do what I do. As frightening as it sounds to go over there, the least I can do is spend some of my time and say thanks by performing with them. They are the true heroes."

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno On Thursday at the Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of commerce, Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, Young Jeezy helped BET executives and comedian Katt Williams announce the nominees for BET’s inaugural Hip-Hop Awards set to take place on November 15 on BET. T.I. received the most nominations with eight followed by Busta Rhymes with six, Chamillionaire with five and Yung Joc and Lupe Fiasco with four. “We are extremely excited to be producing our first BET Hip-Hop Awards and look forward to a show that reflects the genre with the respect, acknowledgement and show production value it’s due,” said Stephen Hill, Executive Vice President of Entertainment, Music Programming and Talent for BET Networks. “This show is very much about where hip-hop culture is RIGHT now, but we will honor the original 4 elements of hip-hop and show their connection to today’s beats, rhymes and life.” The show will be held in Atlanta and feature performances from Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, T.I., Young Dro, Young Jeezy and other to be announced later. Katt Williams, best known as Money Mike in Friday After Next, will serve as host. Here are the nominees: HIP-HOP VIDEO OF THE YEAR Busta Rhymes f/ Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose & DMX – Touch It Remix Common – Testify Lupe Fiasco – Kick, Push T.I. – What You Know Yung Joc – Goin’ Down ELEMENT AWARD: VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Benny Boom: Chain Hang Low (Jibbs) Fresh Azimiz Remix (Bow Wow f/ Mike Jones) Have A Party (Mobb Deep f/ 50 Cent & Nate Dogg) Hustler Musik/Money On My Mind (Lil Wayne) Like This (Mack 10 f/ Nate Dogg) Shooter (Lil Wayne f/ Robin Thicke) Touch It (Busta Rhymes) Touch It Remix (Busta Rhymes f/ Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose & DMX) Touchin’ (David Banner f/Jazze Pha) Dr. Teeth: Chunk Up The Deuce (Lil KeKe f/ Paul Wall & Bun B) Diamonds Remix (Slim Thug f/ Young Jeezy, Slick Pulla & Killa) Everybody Get Up (Pitbull f/ Pretty Ricky) Front Back (T.I. f/ UGK) Let’s Cheat (Tango Redd f/ Lloyd) Spit Ya Game (The Notorious B.I.G. f/ Twista, Krayzie Bone, 8Ball & MJG) They Don’t Know (Paul Wall f/ Mike Jones & Bun B) Way I Be Leanin’ (Juvenile f/ Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Skip & Wacko Hype Williams: Control Myself (LL Cool J f/ Jennifer Lopez) Diamonds On My Neck (Smitty) Drive Slow (Kanye West f/ Paul Wall, T.I. & Gangsta L. Crisis) Freeze (LL Cool J f/ Lyfe Jennings) Gold Digger (Kanye West f/ Jamie Foxx) My Hood (Young Jeezy) Snap Yo Fingers (Lil Jon f/ E-40 & Sean Paul of YoungBloodZ) Little X: Girls (Beenie Man f/ Akon) Shoulder Lean (Young Dro f/ T.I.) Temperature (Sean Paul) U And Dat (E-40 f/ T-Pain & Kandi) (When You Gonna) Give It Up To Me (Sean Paul f/ Keyshia Cole) Wild 2 Nite (Shaggy f/ Olivia) Sanaa Hamri: Ghetto Story Chapter 2 (Cham f/ Alicia Keys) Nasty Girl (The Notorious B.I.G. f/ Nelly, Diddy, Jagged Edge & Avery Storm) HIP-HOP TRACK OF THE YEAR Goin’ Down – Yung Joc, Produced by Nitti Ridin’- Chamillionaire f/ Krayzie Bone, Produced by Play-N-Skillz Stay Fly – Three 6 Mafia f/Young Buck, 8 Ball & MJG, Produced by DJ Paul & Juicy J Touch It – Busta Rhymes, Produced by Swizz Beatz What You Know – T.I., Produced by DJ Toomp ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Cham Chamillionaire Lupe Fiasco Rick Ross Yung Joc ELEMENT AWARD: PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Jermaine Dupri: Control Myself (LL Cool J f/ Jennifer Lopez) Fresh Azimiz Remix (Bow Wow f/ Mike Jones) Pullin’ Me Back (Chingy f/ Tyrese) Kanye West: Drive Slow (Kanye West f/ Paul Wall, T.I. & Gangsta L. Crisis) Gold Digger (Kanye West f/ Jamie Foxx) Heard ‘Em Say (Kanye West f/ Adam Levine) Shake (Ying Yang Twins f/ Pitbull) Testify (Common) Touch The Sky (Kanye West f/ Lupe Fiasco) Lil Jon: Presidential (YoungBloodZ) Snap Yo Fingers (Lil Jon f/ E-40 & Sean Paul {YoungBloodZ}) Tell Me When To Go (E-40 f/ Keak Da Sneak) Nitti: Goin’ Down (Yung Joc) I know You See It (Yung Joc f/ Brandy “Ms. B” Hambrick) Swizz Beatz: New York **** (Busta Rhymes f/ Swizz Beats) Spit Ya Game (The Notorious B.I.G. f/ Twista, Krayzie Bone, 8Ball & MJG) Touch It (Busta Rhymes) Touch It Remix (Busta Rhymes f/ Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose & DMX) Touchin’ (David Banner f/Jazze Pha) HIP-HOP MVP OF THE YEAR Chamillionaire Lil Wayne T.I. Young Jeezy Yung Joc ELEMENT AWARD: LYRICIST OF THE YEAR Busta Rhymes Common Lil Wayne Lupe Fiasco T.I. ELEMENT AWARD: BEST HIP-HOP DANCE OF THE YEAR Chicken Noodle Soup Hyphy (Go Dumb) Motorcycle Shoulder Lean Snap BEST HIP-HOP MOVIE ATL – Director: Chris Robinson Beef: 3 – Director: Peter Spirer Boss’n Up – Director: Dylan C. Brown Get Rich or Die Tryin’ – Director: Jim Sheridan Waist Deep – Director: Vondie Curtis-Hall BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE Busta Rhymes Kanye West Missy Elliott T.I. Yung Joc BEST COLLABO Busta Rhymes f/ Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose & DMX – Touch It Remix Cham f/ Alicia Keys – Ghetto Story Chapter 2 Chamillionaire f/ Krayzie Bone – Ridin’ Nelly f/ Paul Wall, Ali & Big Gipp – Grillz Young Dro f/ T.I. – Shoulder Lean HIP-HOP CD OF THE YEAR King – T.I. Late Registration – Kanye West Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 – Young Jeezy Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor – Lupe Fiasco Tha Carter II – Lil Wayne HIP-HOP HUSTLER AWARD Diddy Jay-Z Ludacris Nelly T.I. BEST UNITED KINGDOM ARTIST (BET International Category) Dizzee Rascal Sway Plan B Kano Blak Twang ALLTEL WIRELESS PEOPLE’S CHAMP AWARD (VIEWERS’ CHOICE) Busta Rhymes f/ Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose & DMX – Touch It Remix Chamillionaire f/ Krayzie Bone – Ridin’ Dem Franchize Boyz f/ Peanut & Charlay – Lean With It, Rock With It Lil Jon f/ E-40 & Sean Paul (YoungBloodZ) – Snap Yo Fingers Rick Ross – Hustlin’ Young Jeezy – Trap Star/Go Crazy

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Big Boi (of Outkast) has joined forces with Russell Athletics to promote their Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) division. As part of the partnership, Big Boi will endorse the athletic apparel for all the HBCU schools in the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA, and SIAC conferences. In addition, Big Boi will design a uniform for Grambling State University to wear during the Bayou Classic on November 25, when they play Southern University. The jerseys will be available for purchase in November at www.buyhbcu.com. "The Bayou Classic is one of the most well-known rivalries in HBCU football,” Big Boi said. “My partnership with Russell Athletic is a great opportunity to promote HBCU athletics in order to generate the publicity they deserve.” As part of the partnership Russell Athletic will also lend support to the Big Kidz Foundation, a philanthropic project created by Big Boi. Big Kidz was created to help children make lifestyle advances through film and music.

By: Rizoh Few fortunate fans will receive advance copies of Jay-Z’s eagerly-awaited comeback CD, Kingdom Come. The effort will serve as a reward to fans that purchase ticket packages to the New Jersey Nets’ premiere week games. Jay-Z—part of owner of the Nets—will bless 100 of the CDs with his John Hancock. "I’m excited about this package as it combines two of my passions: music and the Nets," Jay said via a press release. "This is a great opportunity for our fans to see our first three games of the season and to get my new CD as soon as it hits the market." The three-game ticket package is on sale now, starting at $85. Fans can buy the ticket package by calling 1-800-7NJ-NETS or by visiting NJNets. On a related note, two songs have leaked from Jay-Z’s Kingdom Come. Check them out on our audio section.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Earlier this week, we mentioned how P. Diddy is going all out promoting his new album, Press Play, by doing his Diddy TV with YouTube and starring in an ad campaign with Burder King. Now he’s the star of his own BET-produced documentary, “Black and White: A Portrait of Sean Combs.” The documentary was directed by Derek Cianfrance and filmed on July 22, 2006 between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. "Derek brought things out of me that I had never spoken about publicly before," Diddy said. "We talked for hours that night, until the sun came up, and it became very much about the raw emotions I was feeling and the thoughts I had never expressed. It was one of the most powerful and moving experiences of my life." That night Diddy talked about the murder of his father, the loss of his virginity, the death of his closest friend Biggie, and other tragedies and triumphs that he has lived through. Look for the documentary to air on October 19 on BET.

By: Rizoh Despite recent attempts to end his long-running beef with G-Unit, The Game might not be letting 50 Cent off the hook just yet. He recently told Tim Kash of MTV UK News that G-Unit is dead as a brand. "People just aren’t into wearing their stuff anymore because I came out and dismantled their whole crew, record label and group," Game bragged. The Compton rapper went on to dispel recent rumors that 50 Cent will still make money from Game’s post-G-Unit releases. "50 Cent will never make a dime out of me," he told MTV UK. "When (50 Cent) looks at himself in the mirror at home he probably drops tears ’cause no matter what he does I’m flat out better than him. God bless him and his whole crew because I’m gonna get money and I’m gonna stump a hole in their f****ng face until they’re finished." The Game and 50 Cent have been entangled in a well-documented war of words ever since the former received marching orders from the G-Unit General. Game’s sophomore LP, Doctor’s Advocate, is slated to drop on Black Wall Street / Geffen Records November 14, 2006.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno For you young hoppers out there trying to get a sense of this hip-hop thing, Palm Pictures is releasing a DVD box set featuring hip-hop documentaries Scratch and Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme. The three disc set feature both full length films plus a bonus DVD that features How to Rock a Party tips from Z-Trip, a multiple angle do-it-yourself lesson with DJ Qbert, selections from the acclaimed Battle Sounds documentary, Scratch notation demo and more. For those unaware, Scratch is a film that documents the history of DJing, the backbone of hip-hop. From Grand Wizzard Theodore and Afrika Bambaata to DJ Shadow and Mixmaster Mike, the film leaves no stone unturned. Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme focuses on the emcee within hip-hop. The film explores the art of “freestyle”, the off the top of the head rhyme flow, as opposed to rhymes that are written. Hip-hop’s freestyle masters such as Supernatural, Wordsworth, Black Thought, Mos Def and others are featured through out the film. Look for the set to drop on November 7.

Jim Jones follows in the footsetps of his Dipset comrade, Cam’ron, with a Hov diss track. Check it out in our Featured Audio section….and let us know if you think its its hot or not.

Lil Eazy E, DJ Warrior, and DJ Strong gathered at HipHopWest on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles to put the finishing touches on the highly anticipated release of Eazy’s first official mixtape to be hosted by the Cali Untouchable DJs – DJ Warrior and DJ Strong.

By: Rizoh Sad news for fans of Cassidy. The Full Surface/J Records rapper still remains in critical condition at Jersey City Medical Center, six days after being involved in a severe car accident in which he suffered head injuries. As we reported last week, Cassidy (a.k.a. Barry Reese) was en route to a Yonkers, NY studio session when a U-Haul truck swerved into oncoming traffic, striking the side of the SUV Cassidy was riding in. Cassidy, who was sitting in the rear passenger seat, sustained serious injuries, including a fractured skull and broken bones on the left side of his face. According to J Records publicist, Theola Borden, who spoke to The Star Ledger on Monday (October 9), Cassidy is in critical condition but is expected to survive."We don’t know whether he is in an induced coma or heavily sedated," Borden told The Star Ledger. "The results of a CAT scan were okay." Both Borden and Jersey City Medical Center officials declined to provide any more information about the Philly rapper’s condition. Borden revealed that friends and relatives were at the rapper’s bedside. "Other rappers, such as Remy Ma, have called and asked to visit, but I think they’re just allowing close family members and friends to visit," Borden said. "He’s on the same label as Swizz Beatz, who I’m sure has been over to visit." In a strange twist, Jersey City police said they have no record of an accident in the North District involving the rapper, despite the account from his publicist and others. Prior to the accident, Cassidy had been preparing his third album set for release via Full Surface. He was released from prison in April, after being charged with the involuntary manslaughter of Desmond Hawkins in 2005.

By: Rizoh Jadakiss is finally on his way home after posting a 5,000 bail. On Tuesday (October 10), Jada appeared in court and pled not guilty to charges of criminal possession. The Yonkers rapper then called in to New York radio station Hot 97 and told radio personality Angie Martinez that he’s OK. As we previously reported, Jada was arrested on gun and drug possession charges, after police reportedly found him and three other men in a parked Toyota Camry with a stolen .38 caliber and some marijuana. "I was outside the car. The car was locked. You figure it out," Jada told Martinez on Tuesday. He also added that he should have been home sleeping, getting ready to do the "Vh1 Hip-Hop Honors" with Styles P." Jadakiss is slated to return to court on October 20, 2006.

Tracks continue to leak from Hova’s new album due out later this year. Check our Fetured Audio Section and make sure to let us know what you think of the track!

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Ciara has been getting tons of play for the past several months and her album, Ciara: The Evolution, isn’t due to drop until December 5. So, to hold fans over until that date, Ciara is going out on a 16-city club tour to share some of the new tunes with fans as well as perform the cuts that made them want to get down with her in the first place. "Previewing the new record in a small setting gives my fans an exclusive experience where they can truly hear and see exactly where I’m going with Ciara: The Evolution," Ciara said. "It’s about so much more than just my personal growth – it’s about the evolution of music, the evolution of dance, the evolution of fashion. I want to bring a taste of all that to the fans in a one-on-one environment to get them excited for Ciara: The Evolution." Ciara’s new single, “Promise”, will hit radio next week and the video will debut on October 25 on BET’s Access Granted. Here are Ciara’s tour dates: Thu, Oct 26 Love Washington, DC Sat, Oct 28 Crocodile Rock Allentown, PA Wed, Nov 1 The Guvernment Toronto, Canada Fri, Nov 3 The Vogue Indianapolis, IN Sat, Nov 4 The Rave Milwaukee, WI Sun, Nov 5 House of Blues Chicago, IL Tue, Nov 7 Fillmore Auditorium Denver, CO Thu, Nov 9 Harry O’s Park City, UT Sat, Nov 11 Claremont College Claremont, CA Sun, Nov 12 House of Blues San Diego, CA Mon, Nov 13 House of Blues Anaheim, CA Wed, Nov 15 The Moore Theatre Seattle, WA Sat, Nov 18 House of Blues Las Vegas, NV Sun, Nov 19 Marquee Theatre Tempe, AZ Thu, Dec 7 Center Stage Atlanta, GA Sun, Dec 10 Nokia Theatre New York, NY

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Even though Gangstarr is no longer making music, their impact on hip-hop music is one that can’t be ignored. For 14 years, Guru and DJ Premier made music that pushed production and lyrical content to the forefront of hip-hop. Now their former record label, Virgin/EMI is dropping Mass Appeal: The Best of Gangstarr, a 21-track CD that features their most popular tracks from 1989 to 2003. There will also be a CD/DVD Deluxe edition that will include a DVD with 13 videos. The album is set to drop on December 26. Here’s the tracklisting: 1. You Know My Steez 2. Manifest 3. Step In The Arena 4. Mass Appeal 5. Ex Girl To The Next Girl 6. Skills 7. The Militia 8. Check The Technique 9. Dwyck 10. Take It Personal 11. Put Up Or Shut Up 12. Above The Clouds 13. Lovesick 14. Now You’re Mine 15. Soliloquy Of Chaos 16. Code Of The Streets 17. Just To Get A Rep 18. Royalty 19. B.Y.S. BONUS TRACKS 20. Tha Squeeze (from Training Day soundtrack and The Owners Japanese import) 21. Natural (from Spin This soundtrack and The Owners Japanese import) MASS APPEAL: THE BEST OF GANG STARR (Deluxe Edition CD/DVD) DVD Tracklist 1. Step In The Arena 2. Just To Get A Rep 3. Who’s Gonna Take the Weight 4. Ex Girl to the Next Girl 5. Take It Personal 6. Code of the Streets 7. Mass Appeal 8. You Know My Steez 9. The Militia 10. Full Clip 11. Discipline (featuring Total) 12. Nice Girl, Wrong Place 13. Skills

By: Rizoh 50 Cent (real name Curtis Jackson) recently urged XXL magazine to pull a feature on his former manager, Chaz "Slim" Williams, founder of Black Hand Entertainment, according to Radar. Though the story ended up going to print as scheduled in the November issue, Williams claims the incident is proof that 50 has fabricated large chunks of his crack-slinging, gun-toting biography. "I’m one of the individuals that really knows the truth about him," Williams said to Radar. "So I would imagine he wouldn’t want his credibility tested. I guess he just didn’t want to face the truth." The article on Williams was designed as a response to a cover story on 50 in the September issue of XXL, where the rapper claimed he came strapped to a peace talk with rivals from Murder Inc., and suggested that Williams had foreknowledge of a previous attempt on his life. When 50 Cent learned of the follow-up story, he called XXL editor in chief Elliot Wilson and demanded the story be scratched, according to Williams, saying Interscope Records would pull its ads otherwise. Williams says he was contacted by someone at the magazine wondering "if there was an alternative they could use, like maybe put the story on the Internet," he recalls. "I said, ‘I need the same platform he has. I can’t keep having him come up and say things that aren’t true." Williams also claims that 50 had embellished his past with lies. "He knew I had the truth about what happened back then, and if you’re lying about the past, why would we believe what you have to say today?"