Jim Jones joins 50 Cent on his NYC tour:
With rumors flying around about 50 Cent scooping up Jim Jones for G-Unit, Diplomat Records President, Freekey Zekey, recently spoke on the rumors via a radio interview to dismiss the notion.
According to Zekey, Jones is not signing to G-Unit, but he is joining 50 Cent on his tour of New York City's five boroughs, despite tension between the artists' cliques in the past.
"Jim is not signing to 50," Zekey explained to North Carolina DJ Waleed Coyote of Greensboro's 102 Jamz. "50 got a five borough tour that's poppin' in New York City and it's going to go though each borough -- Bronx, New York, Manhattan, Queens, maybe Staten Island."
"We're gonna show people that everybody can be [at peace in the music industry]. It's about making that cake. Jim is gonna come out and support the situation," he continued.
The tour comes in support of 50 Cent's upcoming album, Curtis, which drops on September 11, the same day as Kanye West's Graduation. The battle for which album will sell more is a huge controversy, helping both artists hype their album.
And in regular 50 fashion, he stirs things up again by aligning himself with Dipset's Jim Jones for his New York tour.
50 Cent has been entangled in a lyrical battle between Dipset commander-in-chief Cam'ron since the two had a rather intense call with each other on New York radio earlier this year.
Zeke explained via his radio interview, both camps are determined to rid themselves of any friction, and instead focus on getting money.
"What it is, is millionaires [are] talking to millionaires and we don't have no time to pull guns out on each other when we pass by each other. It's too much cake [money] out here," Zekey explained. "50 is about to put his album out. Jim [is] about to sign a couple extra million dollar deals on his next album."
As for Jones headed to G-Unit, Zekey responded with "no way, we Dipset 'til the day that we die."
Master P and Lil' Romeo release a clean rap album and a book, available now at Walmart:
With no significant radio play, video, or expensive marketing schemes, the Miller Boyz (Master P and his son Romeo) are starting a new trend, and changing the rap game.
Their latest album, Hip-Hop History, is already outselling many other urban artists who have major label money and expensive ad campaigns behind them. In addition to being available at all digital music retailers, the CD is available exclusively at Wal-Mart stores, the world's largest retailer.
Via their Take A Stand Records, the Miller Boyz are making it cool to release clean rap music. "This is the first rap album banned by the system for being clean!" Master P joked. "Wow, I never knew it would be so hard to do something positive."
With all the hype surrounding 50 Cent and Kanye West's battle for sales, Master P is determined to set a different kind of goal -- establishing balance by offering consumers a choice in the marketplace.
"This is not about me, this is a movement" said Master P. "If God is for you, who dares be against you? This is hip-hop history and I'm glad to be a part of such a big project. I want to thank the people that want something positive for themselves and their kids. Hopefully other artists will see what's going on and do what's right for themselves rather than get caught up in the media's pressure to be someone they're not. Like it says in the Bible 'a life without change is a wasted life,' and that's why I knew it was so important for me and my son, Romeo, to be a part of this project."
With the music industry's sales being at an all-time low, Master P proves that clean lyrics and direct distribution are a win-win for both the artist and the consumer.
"The overhead of producing and releasing a modern album is so high and all these other labels out there are still trying to put out traditional records," explained Master P. "There's just not the same demand for it anymore. Also, parents are involved with what their kids are listening to and they are choosing positivity. All of these together show the reason why Hip-Hop History is so successful."
Master P said that this record isn't about him or his son; it's an example for others to follow. "I'm not doing this to be a superstar rapper, I'm just doing this to show the world that it works. Now I'm going to go behind the scenes and work on my business ventures and help my son take his career to the next level. I also pledge to teach others how to build wealth through investing in real estate and how to achieve their goals by using my book Guaranteed Success."
Hip-Hop History is available online everywhere and at Wal-Marts.
Additionally, Master P's new book, Guaranteed Success, is also in stores now. The book is a self-help guide to financial success. In the book, Master P shares the wisdom and experience that he has gained in his journey from rags to riches. It is designed to help African American people build generational wealth.
He is currently on tour across the country for book signings at Barnes & Noble stores, as well as conducting "Guaranteed Success" financial seminars, where he plans to help those in need of financial help.
The price of Master P's seminars are under $50 -- the admission price includes the price of the book.
The Seminars and book signings are scheduled for:
09/12, 13 - Charlotte
09/14, 15 - Columbia, SC
09/18, 19, 20 - New York
09/21, 22 - Richmond, VA
09/24 - Savannah, GA
09/25 - Savannah, GA (Guaranteed Success Seminar)
09/26, 27 - Birmingham
09/28, 29, 30 - CC/Baltimore, Black Caucus, Baltimore Book Festival
10/2, 3 - Chicago
10/4, 5 - San Francisco, (Guaranteed Success Seminar)
10/6, 7 - Los Angeles
Foxy sentenced to one year in prison for violating her probation by fighting with two manicurist at a NYC salon:
According to the Associated Press, the 28-year-old rapper (real name: Inga Marchand) asked the judge for another chance and promised to get her life together.
"I'm willing to do whatever I need to do to change," she said in court. "I realize [jail's] not where I want to be. It's humbled me in ways I never imagined."
Despite the plea from Foxy, the judge said no. "I'm not going to give you any more chances," said the judge. "I hope you turn your life around and never again have to stand in a court of law."
The AP reports that the judge rejected a deal in which Brown would have gone to jail for nine months in exchange for a misdemeanor guilty plea.
Probation Department lawyer, Matilda Leo, said the rapper had twice left New York without telling the court or Probation Department; that she had changed her address from New York to New Jersey without permission; and that she had failed to tell the court she had received seven traffic summonses in New Jersey.
In addition to getting a one year sentence, Foxy was also indicted on charges that she hit a neighbor with a cell phone. She turned herself in August and was charged with felony assault for allegedly smacking her longtime neighbor with her Blackberry in Brooklyn in July (see "Foxy Brown Turns Herself In On Assault Charges").
On August 22, Foxy was ordered to serve jail time while she waited for Friday's hearing (see "Foxy Brown In Jail For Probation Violation"). She was reportedly being housed at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island.
Babygrande Records announced Thursday (September 6) that they have signed Dipset member, JR Writer, to a seven figure, multi-album deal.
The Dominican rapper has created a huge underground following after joining the Dipset crew back in 2003.
After making his official debut on Juelz Santana's 2003 album, From Me To U, Writer attacked the mixtape scene full force.
His popular mixtape series, Writer's Block, eventually resulted in a deal with Koch Records, where he released his 2006 debut album, History In The Making, which went on to sell over 100,000 copies.
JR WRITER SIGNS W/ BABY GRANDE RECORDS:
"J.R. is an incredible artist," a rep for Babygrande said in a statement. "At 23, he has already accomplished so much and we will work closely with him to continue his success. His last album sold over 100,000 copies and if Koch Distribution can deliver again, we know we can."
The rapper's first Babygrande Records release will be the fifth installment of his Writer's Block series, simply titled Writer's Block 5. The label has yet to reveal any further details regarding the release.
But, is it slated for release November 20.