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Kanye West’s The College Dropout was nominated for a Stellar Gospel Music Award on the strength of his hit single, “Jesus Walks.”

West’s album is up for Best Gospel Rap Album. The nomination is drawing criticism from other gospel groups, who claim that the lyrics on the rest of the album could offend listeners.

Officials for the Academy said that they made mistakes during the nomination process, but didn’t clarify if West’s nomination would be removed.

Other Christian groups nominated include Tonex, Ziklag and God’s Little Soliders.

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards take place in Houston, Texas on January 15.

In related news, West will perform at this year’s World Music Awards on Wednesday (September 15), which will honor songstress Celine Dion.

Dion is being awarded for selling over 175 million albums worldwide.

The driver of a van that crashed and injured Chicago rapper Twista and killed his bodyguard will not be charged with any crimes, according to reports.

The accident happened early morning on September 7th, on Interstate 90 close to the Pennsylvania/Ohio border.

Twista and five others were heading to Chicago from Syracuse, New York, after a concert in upstate New York.

Police said the driver, Twista’s cousin Otis Bankhead, suffered from driver fatigue.

As a result, the luxury van flipped several times, ejecting all six passengers onto a grassy median in the middle of the highway.

Arthur “Butch” Dixon, son of famed Blues musician Willie Dixon suffered fatal injuries. Funeral services for Dixon were held yesterday (Sept. 14).

Twista is currently at home resting, recovering from cuts and bruises sustained in the accident.

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Lerne - und es werden dir Zweifel kommen.
Zweifle - und es werden dir Probleme kommen.
Stelle dich den Problemen - und es werden dir darüber Gedanken kommen.
Mache dir Gedanken - und du wirst Erkenntnis erlangen.

-Kaibara Ekiken-

Havoc from South Central Cartel just got out of jail a few days ago and they are putting the finnishing touches to the Murder Squad album plus starting on a couple of new projects.

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Chuck D.’s Slam Jamz Records inked a deal with Music Video Distributors to drop three new DVD/CD combinations.

The first three DVD/CD releases to drop under the deal include “Impossebulls: Slave Education,” the story of the world’s first virtual rap group, “7th Octave: The Seventh Degree,” which is the vehicle for Professor Griff’s concept “Ghetto Metal” and "No Boundaries: A Slam Jamz Compilation," which will showcase different styles and songs from various artists.

Chuck D. said releasing the DVD/CD’s will allow the label to introduce new music to the world. Part of the label’s strategy is taking advantage of existing formats and emerging technology to distribute music.

“I started the label in 1996,” Chuck D. told AllHipHop.com. “The major labels don’t know what’s going on in each territory across the world, so I decided to build a worldwide circuit on the web and now I am moving into the DVD distribution because DVD is the revolution of the consumer based buying of music.”

Chuck D. said the United States is just one of the 25 countries he plans to make the label's releases available.

“I’m a firm believer that most American acts don’t like to travel, especially in these times, when everyone thinks there should be a big residual at the end of their hard work, that’s why I have a circle of believers,” Chuck D. said. “It’s not based on what they sell, but what they do to establish their buzz.”

Chuck D. has championed the use of the Internet and emerging technologies for independent labels and artists who wish to avoid the politics of the music business.

“As things move forward in technology and we think as a collective, that these things are beyond us, it sets us up to be slaves and subservient to it. At the turn of the century, I told people that there’s gonna be a lot of cats that can’t scale that wall. And the wall is the divider between the millennium and the century. A lot of cats are still stuck in the 90’s, in the last century. Your education holds you to what you are going to be. Right now our collective education what you are going to be. Right now our collective education is not adaptable for this millennium.”

The first three DVD’s will drop on October 5th.

A former bodyguard for Fat Joe was arrested yesterday and charged with a 1994 murder, which the rapper allegedly witnessed.

According to the New York Times, Jose Mulero, 38, was charged with murder, tampering with evidence and weapons charges, after being accused of shooting Ernesto Rivera, 16, on April 15, 1994.

Fat Joe is under investigation in connection with the shooting, but authorities said the rapper was cooperating.

Lawyers for Fat Joe denied that he knew anything about the shooting. They also denied that he was an eyewitness to the murder.

"Joe received a subpoena," Joe’s Lawyer Peter Frankel said. "Joe responded to the subpoena as he was under the obligation to do, and that was the extent of his cooperation. Joe was not an eyewitness to a homicide. He knows nothing about a homicide. He didn't see anything."

According to reports, the shooting happened outside of a social club that Fat Joe ran. Two groups of men had fought earlier in the night.

They met up by coincidence outside of the club and started fighting. Mulero was working as a security guard outside of the club.

Authorities claim Mulero fired his pistol three times striking and killing the teen. Police allege Mulero then dragged Rivera across the street and dumped him in a vacant lot.

While Joe said he heard the shooting and witnessed people fleeing, investigators are seeking to determine if the rapper was closer to Mulero and what he may have seen.

Mulero was arrested in a federal prison in Pennsylvania. He was serving 92 months for a 2000 weapons conviction.

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Lerne - und es werden dir Zweifel kommen.
Zweifle - und es werden dir Probleme kommen.
Stelle dich den Problemen - und es werden dir darüber Gedanken kommen.
Mache dir Gedanken - und du wirst Erkenntnis erlangen.

-Kaibara Ekiken-

Lil’ Jon has inked a deal with Bay area slang master E-40, signing the rapper to his BME Records imprint, which will be distributed by Warner Music.

Working with Lil’ Jon is something E-40 hopes will lead to the kind of mainstream success that has eluded the colorful character, who is known for regularly introducing new words into the Hip-Hop vernacular...



“We have known each other for a while,” Lil’ Jon told AllHipHop.com. “He came to me and told me he was done with them [Jive]. I was like dope let's work it out.”

“I turned in my last album with Jive, it’s a best of with like four new songs,” E-40 told AllHipHop.com. “I was thinking of what path I should take. I’m always talking to Jon, so we decided to collaborate.”

E-40 said that he left Jive amicably, seeking only to broaden his Hip-Hop horizon.

“I had a hell of a deal with Jive,” E-40 said. “I did ten calendars (ten years) with them. I had the best deal in the game for an artist. My time was up. I can’t talk bad about them, because I made a lot of money with them. The amount of money they gave me was like no other, so I have no complaints. But me and Jon have a great relationship.”

E-40 just started recording for his new album. Production duties will be handled by Lil’ Jon and critically acclaimed producer, Rick Rock.

“I don’t think I can lose with Lil’ Jon and Rick Rock,” he said confidently. “I have the best of both worlds for production on this album. Warner is hungry, we are hungry and it’s going to be great.”

The signing of E-40 adds to Warner’s growing Hip-Hop arsenal. In addition to reactivating the Asylum Records label to distribute independent Hip-Hop, Warner has inked deals with DJ Quik, Juvenile, Bumpy Johnson, Lil Wyte, Fraysier Boy and others.

“We felt they hadn't really marketed or promoted his last albums good,” Lil’ Jon said. “I know my team knows what they are doing, so we said ‘let’s do it.’”

No release date was available for E-40’s untitiled Sick Wid It/BME/Warner release.

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The Fugees have reportedly reunited after an eight-year hiatus, group member Wyclef Jean has exposed.

Jean revealed scant details about the reunion to andPOP, but did state that the original trio of Lauryn Hill and Pras are now on speaking terms.

“All the Fugees are talking. We're all definitely talking. The energy is definitely good energy,” he said, "I spoke to Lauryn. I spoke to Pras. And [its] just real good energy, good vibes."

During the lengthy sabbatical, the group remained in the national consciousness with solo endeavors, personal and professional issues and public speculation. Clef and Pras have warred back and forth in music and media while Lauryn has also dealt with a number of personal matters as well.

Still, despite the rekindled interaction, Jean said a new album is quite a ways off, possibly a year and a half.

"It's important for the Fugees to come back and just show them what the next chapter is because there's a whole other chapter that they didn't touch yet," he continued.

The Fugees’ 1996 sophomore album, The Score, sold over 17 million copies and won the group a Grammy for Best Album.

In related news, Lauryn Hill is reportedly wrapping a new solo album and recently filmed a music video. The video was shot in downtown New York City. The album has been rumored to be called The Khulami Phase, a long running title that has been in the works for at least a year.

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Lerne - und es werden dir Zweifel kommen.
Zweifle - und es werden dir Probleme kommen.
Stelle dich den Problemen - und es werden dir darüber Gedanken kommen.
Mache dir Gedanken - und du wirst Erkenntnis erlangen.

-Kaibara Ekiken-

In Hip-Hop folklore, much speculation has been made over a supposed beef between Fat Joe and Jay-Z in the past few years. The pair briefly sparred after Jay apparently took issue with a Joe lyric that referred the Terror Squad victory over Team S.Carter at last year’s Rucker basketball tourney.

Jay followed suit in “The Game Is Mine, where he said, “I'm the proud new owner of the Nets/ No diploma, no regrets, don't even talk about Rucker/ Muthaf****s I am set.” In a pair of songs “Victim” and Lil’ Scrappy’s “No Problems [remix],” Joe seems to points the finger at unnamed rappers, making some deduce he’s talking to his Roc-A-Fella Records peer.

Elusively, Joe told AllHipHop.com, “I’m going at everybody. Everybody's a victim. I'm the realest in the game. It's hard to be the realest man, I'm going at everybody.”

As far as the Rucker comment in “Lean Back,” Joe said he was merely stating the facts of last year’s incident.

“You know I was talking the truth. We won the Rucker. I wasn't looking for no problems with Jay Z. I was like, ya know we won the Rucker. And we ain't have to play. (chuckling) I ain't inventing it. He's a bigger dude, nigga's owning basketball teams and shit like that. He's doing what he gotta do. I don't see no problems, not that I know of.”

As Things of that Nature, his new album prepares to drop, Joe said he’s finally feeling respected by the industry as an artist.

“I just feel like all the years, all the work I done put in, it always felt like I was under-appreciated, niggas was sleeping on me. So I finally got them where I want them with the TS album,” he explained. “I don't know why after all these years, so it's like now I just want to just strike right now and just let n****s know. This [is] some of the best work I ever did in my life. [I'm] just trying to run the game to be honest. I'm trying to dominate the game for real.”

The album features the production of Cool & Dre, DJ Kahled, Timbaland, R.Kelly, Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz and others.

Things of that Nature hits stores on November 30.

_________________
Lerne - und es werden dir Zweifel kommen.
Zweifle - und es werden dir Probleme kommen.
Stelle dich den Problemen - und es werden dir darüber Gedanken kommen.
Mache dir Gedanken - und du wirst Erkenntnis erlangen.

-Kaibara Ekiken-

Raekwon's management informs us that Rae is back in the studio working on a sequel to 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx'. Although details are still scetchy, rumors say Mobb Deep, Nas, Fat Joe & Busta Rhymes have all been approached for guest appearances. Productionwise the album is tentavily scheduled to feature The RZA, Alchemist and maybe even Dr.Dre (negotiations are being held at this very moment).

Inspectah Deck's management confirms us that Deck has received all the beats from DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill and that recording of the joint venture album ("Muggs Meets Deck" or "The Rebel Assassin") will start in two weeks in LA.

Deck is also anxious to start the recording of his own third solo album "Return Of The Rebel" soon after completing the Muggs/Deck LP. For this album, producers 4th Disciple, Alchemist, Muggs and Bronze Nazareth have all been solicited. The RZA is also scheduled to make an addition. The album will most likely feature Masta Killa, GZA/Genius and Raekwon. Nas is also a favorite on the guest appearance list.

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YOU ONLY GOOD AS WHAT YOU COME UP AGAINST

We all wake up every morning to see the sun shine through our windows to awake us, looks like Playa Fly will see the sun rise behind bars for the next couple of years.
Word on the street is that after being out for a few months he is back in jail, we wont disclose why but word is he will be in for quite some time. Looks like we may not
get another Playa Fly album after all, unless they just want to release the material he recorded before he got locked up, but in today's game with no artist to promote a
product its pretty much a dead issue. Maybe it will all work out in due time but if not big praise to fly for bringing us some classic albums/songs.

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für den behinderten flow gehört er auch eingesperrt

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Die Oldschool schlägt zurück:

Special Ed is teaming up with his original producer "Hitman" Howie Tee to release a new album, Still Got It Made. The album features guest appearances from Daz, Soopafly, Teddy Pendergrass, Snoop Dogg, Cash Money’s Gotti, Young Rascoe and others. Still Got It Made is the debut album from Ed’s new record label, Semi Records. Howie Tee produced Special Ed's seminal 1989 debut Youngest In Charge,

Ein wenig Zukunftsmusik gibt das Label Omnipotent records von sich:

Jus Allah is currently living in Boston and finishing up his album. His first single off the new album will hit stores early March 2005 and his album will hit stores late April 2005.

Iron Man: True Reflections from the Soul of the Wu-Tang Clan
Ghostface Killah, With Elliott Wilson

Platinum recording artist and hip-hop legend Ghostface Killah finally reveals the true story behind one of rap music's biggest enigmas. Coming of age in the infamous "Killer" Hill projects of Staten Island, New York, Ghostface--unlike so many contemporary hip-hop stars--actually lived what he raps about. Famous for his intricate rhyme style and unbelievable, stream-of consciousness lyrics, Ghostface quickly emerged--along with Method Man and Raekwon--as one of the biggest stars of the rap supergroup the Wu-Tang Clan.

From the moment of the release of his first solo album, the now-seminal Ironman, Ghostface has proved to be the most critically adored Wu-Tang member. Even Rolling Stone has raved: "Ghostface Killah's lyrics are the stuff of everyday life. But his urgent, overpowering flow is designed to maintain the unrehearsed immediacy of freestyle rapping, in which cadence, sound and unconscious association triumph over logic."

Simply put, Ghostface Killah is one of the most innovative and talented rappers to emerge from the hip-hop genre. His three albums are undisputed classics, and his fan base is nothing less than evangelical in their fervor. Here, for the first time, his full story--and that of the infamous Wu-Tang Clan--is finally told.

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Lerne - und es werden dir Zweifel kommen.
Zweifle - und es werden dir Probleme kommen.
Stelle dich den Problemen - und es werden dir darüber Gedanken kommen.
Mache dir Gedanken - und du wirst Erkenntnis erlangen.

-Kaibara Ekiken-