Embattled pop star Michael Jackson will hit the streets in the coming weeks with the new song "Trial of the Century," which features 50 Cent, Lucy Diamonds and DJ Whoo Kid. The track will be found on Whoo Kid's mixtape "MJ Unit -- The Takeover," which will also feature five unreleased Jackson songs and mashups of his prior hits with songs from the G-Unit camp, Billboard.com has learned.
Embattled pop star Michael Jackson will hit the streets in the coming weeks with the new song "Trial of the Century," which features 50 Cent, Lucy Diamonds and DJ Whoo Kid. The track will be found on Whoo Kid's mixtape "MJ Unit -- The Takeover," which will also feature five unreleased Jackson songs and mashups of his prior hits with songs from the G-Unit camp, Billboard.com has learned.
Sources say "MJ Unit -- The Takeover" will also boast exclusive tracks from 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Mase, Young Buck, Mobb Deep, M.O.P. and Lucy Diamonds. Jay-Z has also been contacted to contribute to the project, which will be released via G-Unit/Interscope and Jackson's new Two Seas label.
"Trial of the Century" will be the first taste of new music from Jackson since his June 2005 acquittal on multiple child molestation charges. He has since moved his base of operations from California to Bahrain, where he has begun preproduction on his first new studio album since 2001's "Invincible."
Sources say the first single from the as-yet-untitled project, "Now That I Found Love," will be released Nov. 21 and will also feature Lucy Diamonds. The track is being produced by Jackson and longtime collaborator Bruce Swedien, who engineered the classic "Thriller" and co-produced the album "Dangerous."
Source: Billlboard.com
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002385180
Fads are a dime a dozen among red carpet regulars, but there's one Tinseltown trend that won't be fading away any time soon: being vegetarian! More and more stars are taking on a new role—as models for a compassionate, healthy, and Earth-friendly lifestyle.
We couldn't possibly pick our favorite Hollywood hottie with a heart—they're all winners to us—so we need your help to crown the veggie king and queen in PETA's sixth annual World's Sexiest Vegetarian poll.
Among the nearly 200 sizzling celebs vying for this year's titles: V for Vendetta vixen Natalie Portman, desperate housewife Nicollette Sheridan, King Kong damsel Naomi Watts, country crooner Emmylou Harris, ravishing redhead Bryce Dallas Howard, Brokeback Mountain beauty Anne Hathaway, positively charming Alyssa Milano, CSI fox Jorja Fox, Veronica Mars' brainy beauty Kristen Bell, Walk the Line's dashing Johnny Cash Joaquin Phoenix, top NFL running back Ricky Williams, Oceans 12 heartthrob Casey Affleck, actor and 30 Seconds to Mars vocalist Jared Leto, pop superstar Prince, INXS lead singer JD Fortune, and hip hop hottie Common.
These stars' reasons for keeping animals off their plates are as diverse and inspiring as their talents, from avoiding the inexcusable cruelty to animals on factory farms and at slaughterhouses to improving their own health and helping the environment. Previous winners include Carrie Underwood, Chris Martin, Andre 3000, Tobey Maguire, Josh Hartnett, Alicia Silverstone, Lauren Bush, Natalie Portman, and Shania Twain.
Cast your vote today for the World's Sexiest Vegetarians, and stay tuned for the winners!
source: www.GoVeg.com
Click here to vote!
The classic story of loyalty, trust, and sacrifice comes to life in this live-action adaptation. Fern (Dakota Fanning) is one of only two living beings who sees that Wilbur is a special animal as she raises him, the runt of the litter, into a terrific and radiant pig. As Wilbur moves into a new barn, he begins a second profound friendship with the most unlikely of creatures – a spider named Charlotte – and their bond inspires the animals around them to come together as a family. When the word gets out that Wilbur's days are numbered, it seems that only a miracle will save his life. A determined Charlotte – who sees miracles in the ordinary – spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer that Wilbur is "some pig" and worth saving.
source:
www.ropeofsilicon.com
Trailer
(courtesy of Shullbit King)
Rapper Proof of the rap group D12, one of the key figures on the Detroit hip-hop scene, was shot and killed this morning at an after-hours club on Eight Mile, police said.
Proof, whose real name is Deshaun Holton, was dead on arrival at Conner Creek Medical Center in Detroit, according to a spokeswoman for St. John Health System. He was 32.
Source: Detroit Free Press
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060411/NEWS99/60411006
Proof was among the most pivotal players in Detroit hip-hop, and revered as one of the battle rappers in the city -- the man who would handle anyone who dared to challenge him in a war of words. He befriended Eminem long before he was a houshold name, and was a nearly constant presence as the rapper rose to superstardom.
Proof was friends with many of the top Detroit hip-hop DJs, radio personalities, rappers and producers. A number of them were planning to gather with his family at the hospital this morning, including Eminem, Obie Trice and Marv Won from the Detroit group the Fat Killahz.
An unidentified 35-year-old man, who was shot along with Proof, is in critical condition at Detroit's St. John Hospital.
Police were called to the shootings around 5 a.m, following reports of a fight and shots fired. The club where the shooting occurred is called 3C, and it's at 8 Mile near Hayes. The venue isn't illegal but it was operating illegally after hours.
In the mid-'90s, Proof's Saturday afternoons were spent hosting rap battles at the famed Hip Hop Shop on Seven Mile Rd., a role that would be fictionalized by actor Mekhi Phifer in “8 Mile,” the Hollywood blockbuster film in which he Proof also played a bit part.
Proof was a steady hand for Detroit's then up-and-coming hip-hop scene. It was his idea to assemble a collection of Detroit's best hip-hop talent and call it D12; it was his hand that helped push Eminem to become one of the world's biggest pop stars, including serving as his on-stage hype man on concert tours.
After the release of "8 Mile," when battle rap was gaining newfound commerical exposure, Proof was hired to host a national search for the next best battle rapper by Showtime Networks.
In Detroit, he hosted Fight Club, a battle rap competition that would happen near his Iron Fist Records offices, which are located on Bagley in Detroit. There, Detroit hip-hop elite would gather and listen as up-and-comers on the hip-hop scene would verbally duke it out, looking to become as big as Proof, Eminem or other Detroit hip-hop comrades.
In January, he served as best man in Eminem's wedding, giving a poignant toast about how it's important to marry your best friend. D12 was scheduled to begin recording its third album this month.
This is the second shooting involving Eminem's entourage in three months. Obie Trice was shot and wounded New Year's Eve while driving along the Lodge Freeway.
Anyone with information on the shootings is asked to call Detroit Police at 313-596-2260.
'This my last letter right here
Fuck this world, lets get the fuck outta here
I put my soul through the ink
Bless a path with thoughts at my thoughts
Before I grow extinct
My back-bone disowned by zone
Why roam? called home
But now on I'm all alone
Just Proof, no shine, no friends, just fans
No wonder my hands, tight where the Internet ends
I take back most of the flack
The stress smokes, press me close to the crack
Like my pops, the ghost of my past Dime and mud, JD and stucky
Lately I'm lucky, I don't hate me to touch me
Maybe I'm ugly inside, but smiling to make it I love you dawg, and that's how ever you take it
The fame is a illusion, I'm still loosing In this game, with the rules and..
I feel clueless, the streets with the hills blue less
Cops knocking at the door, got me looking real foolish
But I still do this, like I love it, even though I thug it
Keep flossing lights in public, the subject y'all don't know
Stars won't grow, who would dream that scars would show?
Minus the MTV videos with slim "Up In Smoke" D-12, and many shows with Em It's still me dawg, no change for change
It's strange, when it pours it rains I take it back..
I wish I could take it back,
I wish I could take it back
But it's too late I wish I could take it back,
I wish I could take it back
But it's too late
Always talking to snuk coke and he speak back
Wish my first son was here to reach at Feeling detached
My brother Earl, and Wayne, that bail money for jail, y'all can keep that I've been in deep before, ask
My hearts melting, tell the truth,
I need help man I hearts big but by sins bigger
Fuck the world, I don't feel like I can win niggaz
It's like I'm lost and I find only demons I wanna quit, its like I'm tired of breathing
So my stress confess to a famous song
Em I love you, don't let this money change us dawg 1st born, when I'm gone, grab the sign
(Leave nothing) with his cream and his mom
And dear mamma, I use to hate you
Now I relate to, everything you did to make proof I love you.. Take it back
I wish I could take it back,
I wish I could take it back
But it's too late I wish I could take it back,
I wish I could take it back
But it's too late
All y'all see is Free from 106 and park
Yall don't know I risk my heart with this apart
From the streets, the groups, the friends, the foes
The jewels, the dick lickers and the hoes
What about me? Sheltered with no guidance
Look at the finest, royal highness on some hot shit
Still living with the liquor and bud
Sometimes I wish for my demise, so I can kick it with Bugs
I wish it was real between us all
In the past, you should of seen us dawg
I die for Em and save Haley, brave maybe
But just let them tears remove my grave Shady Kunive and Swift, how live is it get?
I meant to teach y'all niggaz to survive in this bitch
If we die to be rich, that makes me happy
And on another note, shit, don't hate me pappy
It's just that we look the same, you let the game take you
Your son game along and took the game
Since I took my own life, y'all feel a killa fo sho
Bizarre on the real, your the realest nigga I know
Strapping and busting ain't real, just tell your mans the truth
And that's why you've always been friends with Proof
Answer to all, I've always lied with truth
And before I pull the trigger tonight, I'm proud of you..'
- Proof 'Kurt Kobain' off 'Searching for Jerry Garcia'
R.I.P.
Over the years, Nas and Rakim have frequently been compared to each other, both for carving out their own respective niches and for their profound influence on the rap game. But they'd never sat down for a joint interview — until last week, and
MTV News was there.
The historic event wasn't short on historic news, either: As our cameras rolled, the two solidified plans to collaborate officially on record for the first time. (Both MCs were featured on a 2003 studio version of Alicia Keys' song "Streets of New York (City Life)" (see "Alicia Keys Locks In Nas, Rakim For New Album"), but the track was never officially released and has been relegated to mixtapes.)
And with both MCs currently crafting their latest LPs, the rapper known as "The God" posed the collabo question to God's Son.
"I'mma ask a question," Rakim said to Nas and everyone in the room. "Me and Nas, we been talking about this for a long time. Our people around us been talking about it and the whole world [has been talking about it], but it's about time, man.
"We gotta do a joint together, man. We gotta do a joint."
"We got to," Nas answered with a smile.
"I'm working on my sh-- now, I know you working on yours, I got some things in my mind," Rakim continued. "If it's both [albums we collaborate on], that's even better. Let's think about that in the next few weeks."
source: www.mtv.com
"Yeah dawg, that's done," Nas responded before the MCs began exchanging numbers. "It's done. I'm glad you brought that up."
"MTV, you got it first," Rakim said with excitement. "Hopefully we'll find the right chemistry and right track — because you know [Nas] as well as me, we not going to do it if it don't make sense. [It's gotta be] on and poppin'. I just wanted to get that out of the way, because it's [been] a long time coming."
Rakim said his forthcoming LP, The Seventh Seal, should be wrapped up within the next two months. He said he's teamed up with some investors and has started up his own label; however, his new LP will be distributed through a major label.
"I just wanted to feel free with the way I like doing what I do," Ra explained. "It's hard to do an album where Rakim is pleased, the label is pleased and the world is pleased. I figured [going the independent route], I could do it because I know what the world wants. Hopefully I'll be able to give it to them."
Meanwhile, Nas is tight-lipped about his forthcoming LP, which is his first offering under the Def Jam umbrella (see "Nas On 'Partnering With' Jay-Z: 'I'm Ready To Go — I'm Ready To Kick Ass' "). Rakim is just one of many in the hip-hop community anticipating Nas' next album.
"I always respected Nas," Rakim said. "He was always a lyricist, and I always respect a true lyricist. Me and Nas got a rapport, we go back. He used to come up to Power Play Studios [located not far from Nas' home base in the Queensbridge neighborhood of New York City] when I was working on my early albums. Watching him grow, and having respect for him and getting respect from him, is a beautiful thing."
It goes without saying that Nas and Rakim are two of the best MCs of all time — but did they make it onto MTV's "Greatest MCs of All Time"? Keep checking "The Greatest MCs of All-Time" feature throughout the week to find out — and don't miss "Unveiling the Kings: The Five Greatest MCs Of All Time," premiering on Sunday, April 16, at 3 p.m. on MTV2.
Master P steps to Bow Wow. Talk about picking on someone your own size. P at least has 20 years, two feet and 150 pounds on Bow. Hot 97's Miss Info reported that Master P recently approached Bow backstage at Nickelodeon's Kid's Choice Awards in Los Angeles. Word is P didn't look like he was in a spanking mood. With several No Limit goons in tow, P stepped to Bow about dissing his son Lil Romeo on "Fresh Azimiz." The New Orleans rapper was apparently particularly ticked off by Bow saying, "I'm 18 and making more than your dad" in the song. Word is Bow kept calm and replied, "Actually the song ain't about you, but if the shoe fits..."
source: www.sohh.com
DF fan favorite, Bubba Sparxxx, has released his first solo album on Big Boi's Purple Ribbon, The Charm. The album features numerous collaborations with extended DF members, from Killer Mike and Cool Breeze on 'Claremont Lounge' (a track previously heard on the Purple Ribbon compilation), Sleepy Brown and Scar providing vocals on several tracks, and Organized Noise providing the majority of the production on the album. The album also features the hit 'Ms New Booty' with Mr. Collipark and the Ying Yang Twins (though not the ridiculously dope remix with Big Boi and Killer Mike) and a collaboration with Timbaland, Bubba's former partner-in-rhyme and house producer on his previous releases, on the track 'Hey!'
For more info check Bubba's website:
http://www.bubbasparxxx.com/
Getting seven years in prison for robbing a hotel room? That’s Whoa. Black Rob, still with Bad Boy after all these years, was sentenced to seven years for his role in the robbery of a NY hotel. Rob got out of the hotel with $6,000 in jewelry and $300 in cash, according to SOHH prior to being arrested. He had released his second solo album, The Black Rob Report in late 2005… The Black Eyes Peas, last seen doing real hip-hop sometime around 2000 (not hating, just stating the facts), recently released a remix EP. Surprisingly though, the album’s producers are more Illmatic and less “My Humps.” DJ Premier, Large Professor, Erick Sermon, and even the reclusive Pete Rock each contribute on the project… Ever since winning their Oscar in classic style, Three Six Mafia has been making all types of news. In the past weeks, they have been honored with a tribute in their hometown of Memphis, announced that they would working with Paris Hilton on her album (WTF?), and been making the rounds in L.A. with Oscars in hand, all with “Pop Ya Collar” still in heavy rotation… Random thought of the week: What ever happened to the Nappy Roots? How have they not blown up with all of the talk in hip-hop today about the South? Anyone who knows this, let me know!
It appears that Suge Knight's luck has finally fun out. His record label and future business ventures were given what is essentially a death sentence after the Death Row CEO skipped a court hearing in Los Angeles.
It appears that Suge Knight’s luck has finally fun out. His record label and future business ventures were given what is essentially a death sentence after the Death Row CEO skipped a court hearing in Los Angeles. CNN reported that the hearing was dealing with Knight’s ongoing legal battle with the family of an incarcerated drug dealer, Michael Harris, who won a $107 million judgment versus the mogul. Harris has claimed that he fronted Knight $1.5 million to start the label, a statement which Suge has denied and has responded to by failing to show up for several other hearings. This final decision, however, may be the final nail in the coffin for Knight, as the court essentially seized control of all Death Row assets, including the famed catalogue, containing the recordings of Dr. Dre, Tupac, and Snoop Dogg. The catalogue will then be auctioned off to the highest bidder, taking away Knight’s final claims of to the glory days of his label. Meanwhile, Suge is attempting protection through filing for bankruptcy. His lawyer said simply, "Mr. Knight doesn't have $107 million…It remains to be seen what becomes of Death Row."
Meanwhile, what does this mean for the artists still found on “Tha Row?” The moves out West by Petey Pablo, Lake, and Kurupt were already questioned by critics prior to the collapse of the label. Each had to burn a number of bridges in the move, from Lake’s release of the Nas diss track “Why Nas” to Petey Pablo’s disparaging remarks toward Timbaland and Lil Jon. The futures of both artists appear to (at least temporarily) be as bleak as Suge’s. The label has been in shambles for years and has only released a small amount of music, little other than obligatory Tupac release or Chronic re-issue each year. It’s also doubtful that Knight will be in any hurry to release the two from their contracts, both of which were signed in shady circumstances and most likely gave Knight the majority of their publishing. The only artist with even a glimmer of hope is Kurupt, who has reunited with his former Dogg Pound brethren, Daz and Snoop Dogg. The group plans to release a reunion album together sometime this year on Snoop’s Doggystyle Records. Though he may be contractually obligated to Tha Row as a solo artist, and Suge has never be one to openly release artists from contracts (Remember the loss that Dre took to form Aftermath or that Snoop was almost bankrupt after The Doggfather???), Snoop may enough experience in the business to sneak Kurupt on to the DPG release. At least we don’t need to see any more ads in the Source for that Crooked I album any time soon!
Let the anti-Kanye backlash begin!
After (in)famously proclaiming on national television that 'George Bush doesn’t care about black people', posing as Jesus Christ on the cover of Rolling Stone, and throwing temper tantrums at numerous award shows, it was obviously only a matter of time before someone called out Kanye West.
However, the final straw was an interview in Playboy, in which he proclaimed 'But I think if there were a bible written today… I’d be one of the characters in it.' Even stranger (maybe) than the comment was the person who finally decided to call him out. It’s not 50 Cent, not some religious, conservative group, or Chris Rock…it’s Dave Chappelle’s (less funny) replacement, Comedy Central’s Carlos Mencia. On his show, 'Mind of Mencia,' Mencia and Aries Spears (of “Mad TV” fame) aired ‘Ye out with a spoof of 'Gold Digger' entitled 'Crazy Ni@@a.' During the spoof, Mencia calls out the 'Louis Vuitton Don' for the temper tantrums, being from the suburbs, for not having been 'shot 9 times with his money', and dressing like a Huxtable, all while calling him 'more Mickey Mouse Club than Britney Spears' and a 'bitch indeed.' If Kanye’s half as crazy as the two comedians say he is, then we should at least get a funny rebuttal from Mr. West.
The long-awaited week finally arrived - did the takeover of T.I. happen as planned???
The Ruler's Back:
With the release of his film debut, “ATL,” and his first studio album since 2004’s Urban Legend, T.I. appeared in the previous weeks to be stepping up to make full claims on the throne which he for years has claimed, as “The King Of The South.” After years of raised eyebrows and skepticism (not to mention more than a little hate from Ludacris and Lil Flip fans), it appeared that T.I. was making his move towards superstardom. The hype for the movie, with also stars OutKast’s own Antwan “Big Boi” Patton, seemed poised to push the “Rubber band Man” to new heights. T.I.’s face graced the cover of XXL, the single and video for “What You Know” gained massive airplay throughout the country, the movie trailer was played countless times on advertisements during NCAA Tournament coverage, and T.I. and Big Boi made their way through the MTV/BET and late night talk show circuits, with T.I. hoping to join the rare company of having the number one movie and album simultaneously.
The long-awaited week finally arrived and did the Grand Hustle CEO’s takeover happen as planned??? Well, no… and yes. Though “ATL”, which faced an impossible 1-2 punch of “Ice Age 2” and “Inside Man,” only debuted at #3 in the country, the movie and the acting performances of its hip hop stars were met with mostly positive reviews, while still taking in an impressive $12.5 million in its opening weekend. At the very least, T.I. did nothing to embarrass himself acting-wise, and lies somewhere below Mos Def and Ice Cube, but well above Snoop, 50 Cent, Nelly, and Ja Rule on the scale of rappers-turned-actors. Meanwhile, the album, King, also received impressive reviews and sold a ridiculous 531,000 copies to debut at #1, becoming the first solo Southern artist to pass the 500,000 mark for opening week sales. Boasting production from Just Blaze, Pharrell, Mannie Fresh, and guest appearances from Common, Jamie Foxx, Young Buck, and his own P$C, the album contains a multitude of potential singles (including the Q-Tip and Crystal Waters inspired “Why You Wanna,” the remake of the UGK classic “Front Back,” and the Swizz Beatz helmed “Get It”) to keep the album on the charts for a long time. But, will T.I. push 50/Eminem type numbers??? We’ll see. More importantly, will we ever find out just who is catching T.I.’s heat on “Talkin to You” or “You Know Who???”
Been Around the World:
In Dungeon Family news, Goodie Mob member Cee-Lo made history in Great Britain this week. Through online downloads and radio requests, the lead single, Crazy, from the Gnarls Barkley album with DJ Danger Mouse, became the first track to top the British charts prior to an album release. The group continues to gain critical acclaim and the album, St. Elsewhere, has been tabbed with a May release date. For more info check the Gnarls Barkley group website: