Music Request Spot

Black Wall Street leader Game and Dipset's Jim Jones have announced plans to link up for a summer basketball tournament.

Speaking via Twitter, Jones also reached out to interested sponsors.

"Calln all sponsors dnt mis bein part of east west ballers tourny we need sneaks jerseys n sum finance 2 make ths a free event @ihategame," he wrote Saturday (January 9). "@ihategame u talkin greazy this is gonna be good I u got tht if I didn't rap I would been in the NBA desease I got the cure for tht swish RT @ihategame: @jimjonescapo naw, the loser gotta wear a 'G-Unit headband" for a month straight ha ha ha...RT @ihategame: #itsoverwhen thinks his team can C mine #youwerecooluntil u called me a FAKE KOBE. #nowplaying BALLIN by Jim Jones. get ready." (Jim Jones' Twitter)
Game upped the ante by offering out consequences to the losing team.

"RT @jimjonescapo: @ihategame we got a byrd gang team whts up I fly them to the west for this east west ballers game best out of 3 and we ...," he wrote. "@jimjonescapo Capo, you already know how I DO. I had 40 at "THE RUCKER" won the championship & almost knocked ya man Rafer Alston out !! @questlove Aye Quest, I know u ball too. n*gga, you was like 10 feet tall on NBA 2K9 (not including) the fro ha ha ha @jimjonescapo called me a "FAKE KOBE" ha ha.. ole' "SHANNON BROWN" when he had braids lookin ass n*gga ha ha.. send that song so I can blast..@jimjonescapo naw, the loser gotta wear a 'G-Unit headband" for a month straight ha ha ha...@jimjonescapo THIS SUMMER !!! it's on & poppin. LA vs NY @ Venice Beach...... once we get the sponsors & lock the date, start runnin !" (Game's Twitter)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/game_jim_jones_prep_eastwest_b-ball_tour.html

G-Unit's Lloyd Banks has reportedly been arrested for assaulting a hip-hop promoter in Canada, according to reports.

While a confirmation has not yet been offered, a detailed account of the arrest has begun to spread online.

New York rapper and G-Unit honcho Lloyd Banks has been arrested along with four other men in Ontario Canada. Banks, real name Christopher Charles Lloyd, and four others allegedly sequestered road manager and "Canadian booking artist" Chris Hines of Chris Hines/ Ultimate Ent in a hotel near Kitchener (Ontario, Canada) where Banks was scheduled to perform. According to accounts of the alleged incident, they assaulted Hines and left him to be rushed to hospital. Hines suffered a few minor lacerations as well as a bruised eye and a possible head trauma. Details will be posted as they become available. (Def Sounds)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/g-units_lloyd_banks_allegedly_arrested_f.html

Ghostface Killah has reached out to fans for help in deciding a rap group alias for his upcoming joint album alongside Raekwon and Method Man.

Writing via MySpace, a Ghostdini message reached out to hip-hop heads for their thoughts and suggestions.

"We Need a Group Name!!!!!," the message read last night (January 8). "Help us out! As you know Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Reakwon are teaming up for an album dropping very soon, but Meth, Rae & Ghost need a name 4 the group. Txt MethRaeGhost to 66937 to name the band! If they chose UR name U can be in the liner notes (Ghostface Killah's MySpace)
According to Raekwon, the long-awaited project is almost ready for retail release.

"Everything is a go from what I'm hearing," he said in an interview. "It's a record that's gonna come out on Def Jam so...I really don't have too much knowledge on it. I spoke to [Method Man] and he's telling me by the middle of February the album should be already solidified. So, that's what I'm hoping [is] gonna happen. We'll see what Def Jam [will] do. I'm just coming in as a piece on the board just to really go in and do what I gotta do. But we gon' see how they handle the business with that album...We still got more things that we wanna do. We ain't never wrapped. We gon' definitely make sure that we really give y'all a tight album, and [make sure that] everybody's opinions and criticisms account for this record." (Hip Hop DX)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/ghostface_killah_raekwon_method_man_blac.html

Former Death Row Records owner Suge Knight has reportedly had his financial records exposed showing the ex-labelhead to Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg with a net income of just over $1,200 a month.

In light of his financial crunch, Knight is reportedly handling a child support claim.

The mother of Suge Knight's four-and-a-half year-old child is gunning for cash -- but she won't be getting much, and Suge's paltry "presumed income" is to blame.According to papers filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Tammie Renell Hawkins is seeking child support for Taz Maree Knight, who was born in May 2005. Here's the catch: By California law, support is based on the presumed income of the person coughing up the dough -- and according to the docs, Suge's net income is only $1,207 a month! Because of his haul, the most Tammie can request monthly is $302. (TMZ)

http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/suge_knights_net_income_reportedly_15k_a.html

Hit producer Drumma Boy recently reaction to seeing Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane place their past rap beef aside and call a truce.

From Drumma's point of view, their reunion is bigger than rap.

"Man I've been wanting to see all of us just be on one page, all of us reppin' one flag, all of us coming to together and putting all of this money together and locking it tight," he said in an interview. "It's a wrap from that point on. I mean, its always great to see two powerful brothers end some beef and come together to get more money. I mean imagine Jeezy and Gucci coming to your high school. Its all about the kids, its motivation and they are the number one motivators, so that's what it is." (Hip Hop Wired)
Currently incarcerated for a parole violation, Gucci recently spoke on making peace with the "Snowman."

"I learned in the rap game, once you got heat people wanna stand next to you," Gucci revealed in an interview with radio personality Big Boy. "Once I established myself as being a credible artist as someone who could make some money -- then in that time, the people wanna bring something to the table...Before the conversation we had collaborated, we had been talking. And we kinda had a mutual agreement together. Both of us are so big and got so many people that wanna party with us, it's kinda selfish to say we travel around the world -- I knew me personally, I didn't want that on my hands...We already collaborated on two songs, one is already out and one is debuting in a few weeks." ("Big Boy's Neighborhood")



http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/drumma_boy_calls_young_jeezy_gucci_mane.html

R&B singer Keyshia Cole has released a statement confirming her speculated pregnancy and engagement to NBA basketball player Daniel Gibson.

In the statement, Cole also warns fans of her distance from certain family members.

"To all my friends and fans - It's time that I clear the air," she wrote in a statement. "It's not a secret that I haven't been in contact with my mother Frankie, and my sisters Neffe and Elite and I never wanted to air out our differences to the public. While I won't go into detail here I find it necessary to let you guys know I decided to stop communication with them because I was at a point in my life where I needed serenity and peace to move forward. Please know I love my family very much but it was time to let it go. You guys are a witness to a lot of what was happening from watching on air and online. Now that I am becoming a mom my passion for having a loving and peaceful home for my child is my #1 priority. It's very important to both Daniel and I. My plate is very full; I have a new baby coming, we are planning our wedding and I am working in the studio on a new album that I am close to completing. The stress that my family is giving me with their constant false reports is not healthy and it's not what I need at this time in my life. Please understand that there are only a few people that can officially confirm or deny anything that's happening in my life and that's me, Daniel, and my publicist, Tresa Sanders. And my girl Monica never lies." (Statement)



http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/update_keyshia_cole_addresses_engagement.html

Former T.I. rap rival Shawty Lo has spoken on being on good terms with the "King" and touched on his relationship with incarcerated rapper Gucci Mane.

According to Shawty, he and Gucci speak frequently.

"I talk to him on a regular basis," Shawty said in an interview. "We keep him posted [on things going on in the industry]. He probably on the phone right now. I ain't got to give him advice, though. Gucci know what he gotta do -- he's a grown man. You know, he got his head up. He's ready to come back home...His spirits is up, and he get a lot of mail and get a lot of support from the fans in the streets and, you know, he's just waiting to come home to reclaim his career...I wrote a song called, 'Look What You Got' and I'm talking about all the situations. Me and T.I. situation, Gucci and Jeezy situation, and how the beefs end. It's like, let's just move forward and just do it for the fans because there's people that look up to us. And we don't need negativity." (VIBE)



http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/shawty_lo_talks_ti_gucci_mane_jail_time.html

R&B singer Keyshia Cole has been confirmed to be getting married to Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player Daniel Gibson.

According to reports, Gibson asked for the star's hand in marriage earlier this month.

"Heaven Sent" singer Keyshia Cole was reportedly shocked when longtime boyfriend and pro NBA athlete Daniel Gibson proposed over New Year's. News of Cole's engagement broke Tuesday, January 5, after weeks of rumors surrounding a baby bump and ultimate confirmation that the Grammy nominee was indeed pregnant. (Singersroom)
Additional reports suggest the marriage was a surprise to Cole's camp.

"[The engagement came as] an absolute surprise," a rep said. "When he asked her to marry him, she was flabbergasted. He presented her with the ring and her mouth dropped in amazement. It's too beautiful for words." (E! Online)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/keyshia_cole_ties_knot_w_nba_b-ball_play.html

After initial reports suggested rapper Lil Wayne would be playing the role of Jesus Christ in T-Pain's upcoming Cartoon Network special, television executives have clarified his role.

While Wayne is confirmed to voice a character, he will not be taking on the role of biblical figure Jesus Christ.

TV bosses have laughed off reports Lil Wayne is set to play Jesus Christ in a new animated show, insisting his character simply shares his name with the Son of God. It was recently announced the star would lend his voice to Return of Freaknik, a one-hour special being produced for America's Adult Swim network by fellow rapper T-Pain. A spokesperson for the network explains, "Lil Wayne's character is still evolving. All we can say is that he is named Jesus and not Jesus Christ." (Wonder Wall MSN)
The show is set to debut in March 2010.

Julia Beverly from Ozone Magazine recently wrote about T-Pain's Christmas Party that took place on December 23rd. She mentioned that "Some Cartoon Network/Adult Swim execs came through to display clips from Pain's upcoming cartoon special "Freaknik," which airs on March 21st. In it, Lil Wayne provides the voice for Jesus Christ and performs a music video for "Ghetto Commandments." Several other rappers are featured on the cartoon." (New Lil Wayne)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/update_lil_wayne_confirmed_for_t-pain_ca.html

KING Magazine has announced its appointment of journalist Sean A. Malcolm as the publication's new Editor-In-Chief.

According to reports, the magazine will offer readers a new issue each quarter.

Along with the relaunch, the newly christened The Women of KING also returns with a new Editor-in-Chief, Sean A. Malcolm, a respected journalist and KING veteran. Set to be released four times a year by Harris Publications, the illest men's magazine ever will pick up where it left off delivering the most beautiful women in hip-hop, as well as the model and entertainment industries. (XXL Mag)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/king_magazine_announce_new_editor-in-chi.html

Former Grand Hustle associate Alfamega has announced plans to release a tell-all book based on his time with T.I. and his publicized DEA scandal last year.

According to Alfa, the book is still in its early stages.

"I been writing my book though, that's all I been doing," he revealed in an interview. "It's about my life, everything that happened, giving it real, the whole scenario of what went down with the court stuff, the guy [drug dealer Ali Baager], me and Tip and everything. The name of the book is titled Displaced Loyalty and Revenge. [I've written to] about the sixth chapter." (All Hip Hop)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/alfamega_plans_tell-all_book_its_about_e.html

Black Wall Street leader Game has reportedly enlisted Beanie Sigel and Rick Ross to appear on his upcoming R.E.D. Album.

In addition to guest features, details on the album's songs have also been released.

Pharrell Williams isn't the only mixmaster contributing beats to "R.E.D." Cool and Dre, DJ Khalil and Dr. Dre all lend their production efforts, while Beanie Sigel, Rick Ross, Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke make guest appearances. Songs on the album include "It Must Be Me," which finds Game bragging about the luxuries of his life over an "N.W.A. mixed with an eclectic beat"; "Pussy Fight," featuring Lil Wayne protege Nicki Minaj ("When you hear her on it, you'll understand why she was perfect for it"); and "Lost," which "describes the relationship between my father and I and my sister in depth like I've never done before." (Billboard Biz)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/game_recruits_beanie_sigel_rick_ross_for.html

Former Death Row Records owner Suge Knight was reportedly stopped by police last night (January 5) after driving through a stop sign in California.

Despite the danger, Knight reportedly did not injure any pedestrians.

Suge Knight doesn't stop for stop signs -- stop signs stop for Suge Knight! Law enforcement sources tell TMZ that Suge was pulled over right around midnight last night after he failed to stop at a stop sign in Beverly Hills. Suge was given a ticket and, we're told, he was very cooperative. (TMZ)



http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/suge_knight_busted_by_cops_in_bevery_hil.html

In this week's Sales Wrap, Alicia Keys still leads the pack at No. 3, Lil Wayne's Young Money fall from Top 10 and 50 Cent re-enters the charts.

Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys' Element of Freedom received a one-slot boost this week to No. 3 with 79,800 falling to Susan Boyle's I Dreamed A Dream which sold 136,600 atop the charts. According to Nielsen Soundscan, the singer's fourth solo album has sold 779,100 records after three weeks in stores.

The Queen of R&B Mary J. Blige's Stronger dropped two slots to No. 2 with 62,200. After 14 days on the shelves, the singer's latest solo effort has pushed 394,000 records.

Pop group Black Eyed Peas' E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) received a seven-spot jump to No. 8 with 47,200. Headed into their 31st week, the album stands at 1,786,800 sold records.

Lil Wayne's Young Money compilation, We Are Young Money, dropped from the Top 10 this week moving down three slots to No. 12 with 43,200. After two weeks, the compilation disc has shelled out 185,700 discs.

Grammy-winning rapper Eminem's Relapse: Refill slipped two slots to No. 13 with 40,862. With 33 weeks under his belt, Em's re-release has sold 1,735,400 copies.

R&B vixen Rihanna's Rated R moved up four positions to No. 14 with 39,600. After six weeks, the singer's comeback album rests at 498,600 scanned discs.

R&B singer Robin Thicke's Sex Therapy also moved up nine slots to No. 21 with 25,800. Going into his first month on shelves, the singer's latest album stands at 209,800 records.

Iconic singer Michael Jackson's This Is It compilation moved down nine spots to No. 22 with 25,300. After 10 weeks, the late singer's album has sold 1,287,000 records.

Grammy-winning rapper Jay-Z's The Blueprint III boosted ten slots to No. 23 with 24,800. Headed into his 18th week, the rapper's latest No. 1 album has sold 1,514,800 discs.

Michael Jackson's Number Ones compilation moved down one position to No. 33 with 18,000. The compilation disc has moved 4,063,600 albums after 54 weeks.

Incarcerated rapper Gucci Mane's State Vs. Radric Davis moved up seven slots to No. 35 with 17,700. Headed into his fifth week on the charts, the rapper's new album has sold 191,100 records.

R&B singer Chris Brown's Graffiti dropped six positions down to No. 37 with 16,900. With a full month under his belt, the singer's comeback album rests at 232,900 scanned discs.

R&B singer Beyonce's I Am...Sasha Fierce moved up ten slots to No. 41 with 15,300. After 59 weeks, Mrs. Carter's latest album stands at 2,658,800 scanned discs.

G-Unit leader 50 Cent's Before I Self Destruct re-entered the charts this week moving up 19 positions to No. 42 with 15,300. After seven weeks on the charts, the rapper's latest album has sold 349,200 copies.

Evening things out in Top 50 is Trey Songz's Ready which also moved up 25 slots to No. 43 with 15,100. After 18 weeks, the singer's new album has sold 438,400 records.


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/alicia_keys_still_dominates_at_no_3_youn.html

Former drug kingpin Ricky "Freeway" Ross recently shared his thoughts on rapper Rick Ross not having a past history in the drug game.

Calling Ross' rap alias "clever," Freeway also said he was glad the rapper did not experience the same trials and tribulations he went through.

"I just keep pushing, I don't really trip off of him using my name," Freeway said in an interview. "I don't really give it much thought. He was clever with what he did, he made himself a nice piece of money, fortune. I'm thankful that he didn't have to sell drugs. There's so many of us out here selling drugs and getting ourselves locked up at least he's in a position where all he does is rap about it. You know, you can't really knock him for that. You know, it is what it is. I had nightmares in prison about selling drugs. I'm a selling addict." (Urban Spin Online)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/freeway_ricky_ross_on_rick_ross_not_sell.html

Diddy reportedly helped diffuse a club dispute between rapper Rick Ross and boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. last weekend.

According to reports, both men's entourages were on the verge of becoming physical.

Floyd Mayweather was ready to rumble with a famous nemesis in Vegas this weekend -- but just before a fight broke out, Diddy saved the day. It all went down at the grand opening of Vanity nightclub in the Hard Rock Hotel -- which was hosted by Diddy. We're told Floyd Mayweather rolled over to the party to see Diddy, when he literally ran into rapper Rick Ross. Sources tell TMZ one of the men "bumped" into the other man and their entourages immediately became "confrontational." But as things started to heat up, we're told Diddy swooped in between the guys and calmed everyone down. We called Mayweather's camp for comment and his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., told us there's been beef between Floyd and Ross for a while because Ross has allegedly been, "talking s**t." We're told both Mayweather Jr. and Ross eventually went back in the club and partied the rest of the night away without incident. (TMZ)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/diddy_reportedly_breaks_up_floyd_mayweat.html

Slaughterhouse's Joe Budden has come out to publicly announce the end to his short-lived romance with model Somaya Reece.

Speaking in a self-made video, Budden also accused her of stalking.

"Because Somaya, I blocked your b*tch a**," Budden said in a video recording. "I blocked you on my Twitter and as soon as I leave a f*cking Tweet, your f*cking crazy dumb a** sends me a f*cking text. You better stop f*cking stalking me n*gga. Stop f*cking stalking my Twitter feed b*tch. That b*tch is f*cking stalking my Twitter page. That b*tch made a f*cking fake Twitter account...A**hole year is gone -- [she] pretended to be really, really, really cool -- and then after so long, she revealed her crazy Spanish colors and begin to act like a lunatic and getting out of a five year relationship, why do I want to be with anyone who is a f*cking lunatic? I just left someone who is a f*cking lunatic...I don't want any beef with motherf*cking Somaya, I don't want any beef with Gloria Velez, I don't want any beef with Tahiry, I don't want any beef with b*tches. Period. I'm off that. It's a new year, it's a new year, grow the f*ck up..." (YouTube)



http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/joe_budden_ends_romance_w_somaya_reece_y.html

Grammy-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco has shared his advice for up-and-coming rappers and suggested that performers try financing themselves first.

Lupe advised artists to focus on building a buzz before approaching a major label.

"Stay independent, if you can finance yourself, you put in that work ethic and do it on your own, I definitely think you should try that route," Lupe explained in an interview. "[At least] before you go into the professional kind of realm. But each one has its pros and cons. Sometimes it comes down to finance. You can't say that to a broke n*gga. Somebody flashing 50, 60 thousand dollars -- that means a lot, especially these days...You gotta do what's best for you but I definitely think that if you can muster it up and you got your focus and work ethic at least, you can pull something on your own." (All Hip Hop)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/lupe_fiasco_on_rappers_signing_indie_dea.html

Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon recently shared his thoughts on 50 Cent's beef with Jay-Z and explained why it was merely competition-based.

From the "Chef's" perspective, there is a strong distinction between beef and a typical rap dispute.

"That's their thing but it's like at the end of the day them brothers got a love-hate relationship," Rae explained in an interview. "They both respect each other's wills and each other's situations in life but I think it's just competition with a lot of ego involved with it. I really don't know maybe it's a personal one, maybe it's not. Maybe it's you fronting, he fronting or whatever and that's something that they got to go through. If it's good for the young cats to see it and look at it as a main event then hey, let it be. For me it ain't nothing because I'm sure ain't nobody trying to hurt nobody because real beef is beef. Beef is when you throw holes through a n*gga or you're at a n*gga's door and I know that they both not in search of that. You got two good brothers that probably just don't understand each other." (Hip Hop Wired)

http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/raekwon_analyzes_the_50_cent_jay-z_dispu.html

West Coast rapper Game has opened up about wanting to gain a more pop feel for his upcoming R.E.D. Album by trying to get a collaboration with music superstar Lady Gaga.

According to Game, he feels a joint record with his fellow Interscope labelmate would be ground-breaking for the music industry.

"I'm trying to get [Interscope co-founder and chairman] Jimmy Iovine to throw me in the studio with Lady Gaga," he explained in an interview. "She's a rebel, and I go against the grain every day, so, if it happens, it'll be monumental for the state of music...Dre and I have always been on the same team, I've just been too wild for him at times. He's older and legendary and he's been through enough drama in his career and doesn't have to jump into my drama. So, I understood that and why he pulled back." (ABC News)
Writing through his popular Twitter page, Ryan Leslie announced his involvement on Game's album.

"[Busta Rhymes] I am cooking up a scorcher for you, big homie. I told you I got you!!!!!!!!!!!," he wrote over the weekend. "...spent extra time on this record for the @ihategame R.E.D. album. Said he wanted a joint I would've given BIG. Tall order." (Ryan Leslie's Twitter)


http://www.sohh.com/2010/01/game_wants_lady_gaga_for_red_album_itll.html