By Alexis Jeffries
Date: 9/5/2006 9:00 am

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The Godfather of Hip-Hop Culture and the Father of the Electro Funk Sound, Afrika Bambaataa, has officially dubbed Hip-Hop artist, the1shanti, India Bambaataa.

"You have our blessings (Afrika Bambaataa and The Universal Zulu Nation) as long as you use your name in the good of your people and the good of yourself," Bambaataa told the1shanti last week via written correspondence.

As a global rap star who was one of the first New York rappers of Indian descent to bring Hip-Hop to India, the1shanti cites Afrika Bambaataa's innovation and spirit as one of the main influences in his career

"Hip-Hop is the most influential force of our generation," says the young artist, "Bambaataa's blessing lets me know I'm playing an important role in pushing the boundaries of how far Hip-Hop can grow."

With Afrika Bambaataa's backing, Flatbush Junction Recordings has officially announced that it will move ahead with the November 12 launch of the1shanti's debut album, India Bambaataa.

India Bambaataa scored success with the group DDP and their release Spiritual Bling. India Bambaataa is set for release late fall on Flatbush Junction Recordings.
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By Alexis Jeffries and Chris Richburg
Date: 9/5/2006 12:40 am

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Academy Award-winning rap group Three 6 Mafia requested the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against them by man who claimed he was severely beaten at a concert when fans followed lyrics of the song "Let's Start A Riot."

McKeesport, PA resident Ramone Williams, 22, claimed in his July 2005 suit he was beaten during a concert at a now-defunct Pittsburgh nightclub on Aug. 26, 2003.

Williams, who was 19 at the time, said he was admitted into the Rock Jungle night club in Station Square, despite being underage.

In his July 2005 complaint, Williams said he attended the show on a whim with a friend. He became uneasy during the concert, when fans of Three 6 Mafia started acting out the lyrics to "Let's Start a Riot."

Williams alleged, he was thrown to the floor, hit with a chair, stomped on and kicked in the face, fracturing his left jaw. He won a default judgment against the club, which later closed.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Williams’ attorney, James E. DePasquale, said the group claims the inciting lyrics were performed that night by Robert "Koopsta Knicca" Cooper and Darnell "Crunchy Black" Carlton, two associates who are not regular members of the group.

A motion, filed by the group’s lawyer in TN, John E. Hall, challenged Williams’ complaint, saying there is no "genuine issue of material fact" and that Three 6 Mafia’s lyrics are protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution.

In April 2005, Williams voluntarily released two group members from the suit, stating that [DJ] Paul Beauregard and Jordan "Juicy J" Houston, were not present at the time of the assault, and thus should not be sued.

Both Crunchy Black and Koopsta Knicca remain as defendants in the suit along with Ricky "Scarecrow" Dunigan.

Three 6 Mafia, of Memphis, TN., won an Oscar this year for the song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" from the film Hustle & Flow.
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Month:

Year:
September:
Young City Freed From Prison, Working On New Album
Hip-Hop Summit Heading To Atlanta
Death Row Bankruptcy Continues, Judge Sets A Date For Claims
Afrika Bambaataa Officially Dubs Indian Rapper, The1shanti, As India Bambaataa
Three 6 Mafia Seeks Dismissal Of Lawsuit
Funding For Hip-Hop Museum In The Bronx Frozen
Ron 'Mr. Biggs' Isley Of The Isley Brothers Sentenced To Three Years In Prison
DTP, G-Unit Square Off On Basketball Court During 'Luda Day Weekend'
MTV VMAs Filled With Surprises, Upsets
Peedi Peedi Preparing New Album Under Def Jam, Talks Roots Collaboration
Kurtis Blow Taking Hip-Hop Church America On The Road
Mos Def Arrested Outside MTV VMA Awards Over Performance

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Tuesday - September 5, 2006 by Dick Johnson
Chamillionaire

SOHH.com has learned that ABC has apologized to Chamillionaire for cancelling their interview with the rapper for an episode of "20/20" on racial profiling.

While Chamilionaire accepted his MTV Video Music award for Best Rap Video last Thursday (August 31st), he revealed that he was to appear on the show to speak on racial profiling in relation to his hit, "Ridin."

"Yesterday, I was supposed to do an interview for '20/20' for the song 'Ridin', about racial profiling, and they canceled it, and that ruined my week, you know what I'm saying," the self-proclaimed Mixtape Messiah said during his acceptance speech. "I do want to say, this award just made my year. ... The best thing about this award - nobody can cancel this."

According to Chamillionaire's reps, the network has issued an apology to the Houston rapper. Cha's reps declined to comment further on the situation because they didn't want to "fuel the problem."

ABC told The NY Daily News that they cancelled the interview because the network decided not to run the racial profiling segment. Knowing that the episode would end up on the cutting room floor, the "20/20" producers didn't want to waste Chamillionaire's time.

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By: Alexis Jeffries

August 24, 2006

Moses "Beenie Man" Davis tied the knot with fiancée Michelle D'Angel' Downer in a lavish ceremony Crichton Estate on the island of St. Andrew on Tuesday (Aug. 22).

The event, with 150 guests all required to wear white, reportedly started late due to Beenie Man’s 1-hour late arrival. Beenie Man reportedly danced down the aisle shouting, “where’s my wife?” sources said.
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Beenie man also reportedly adlibbed multiple parts o f his vows, serenaded his new bride at the reception with “Woman I Need You”, and brought DJ Vybz Kartel to perform after the ceremony. Vybz Kartel is a prominent member of 'The Alliance', whose head is Bounty Killer, the sworn archenemy of deejay Beenie Man.

Beenie Man and Downer are expecting their first child, Marco Dean, in October.

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Sprite Rebranding Phase 1

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By: Alexis Jeffries

August 18, 2006

His highly-anticipated album hasn’t even been released yet (with exception given to an untimely internet leak), and he’s graced the covers of international magazines after only a few short months in the spotlight. As one of the most highly-acclaimed new artists and by far one of the most popular, it would seem surprising that Lupe Fiasco, 24, is as laid back as he is.

“I’m a regular guy, but I’m nerdy, too” says Fiasco, born Wasalu Jaco, a self-proclaimed “nerd” from the West side of Chicago. “In high school I was a nerd, and I haven’t changed.” Yet, as he flips through a magazine in the lobby of the ultra-chic Le Meridian Hotel in Beverly Hills, it’s hard not to notice his colorful BAPE sneakers, Cartier frames surrounding his eyes, and all of the expensive pieces of jewelry he sports nonchalantly. The ideal depiction of a “nerd” seems light-years away from who Lupe Fiasco is today.

The young rapper insists, however, that he is NOT the typical depiction of a nerd; not for how he dresses, but for how he uses his mind and abilities.

“It wasn’t even that I studied a lot in school,” Lupe says before his show at the famed House of Blues in Hollywood. “I collected comic books and I knew massive amounts of information about the most trivial subjects and would ‘wow’ my peers. I was on the Knowledge Bowl Decathlon Team!”
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With all the hype surrounding his upcoming album release, his connections and collaborations with artists like Jill Scott, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, and Jay-Z, Lupe is anything but a regular guy. He grew up in the hood and managed to stay away from all of its negative influences until he landed a record deal in high school. He watched television for hours as a child and hardly ever left the house. He was the Muslim kid in the neighborhood whose father was a devoted teacher of the martial arts and told him constantly that young Lupe should “never want to go to the dark side.”

He developed an affinity for modern Spanish culture, wanting to dress like his Latin friends and have a Latin girlfriend. He has always wanted to be (and still wants to be) a rocket scientist. By this point, anyone would be convinced that Lupe is indeed as nerdy and uniquely different as he says.

Even with all of the positive reviews and press he’s garnered, there are some who still believe he’s fake; skateboarders think he’s latched onto the culture to be cool, but he’s supposedly not really “down for the cause” so to speak. Others have noted that his nerdy mentality is overrated, saying he tries too hard to be different when he’s really just like everyone else. Lupe’s response to this is simply that he is a regular guy, and doesn’t try to be anymore than who he is.

“I can’t skate that well, honestly. People be pumping me up, but I’m not trying to front like I’m a good skater, because I’m not,” Lupe says about the hateration he’s received, even though the amount is small. “I know how to skate, but I’m not the best, by any means. I’m just different because I don’t think like everyone else…I know I don’t.”

Lupe has also received backlash from fans after his recent VIBE article statement saying that he wanted to “burn the hood down.” With a frustrated glare emerging from under his glasses, the former hood resident shakes his head in disbelief, confused as to how people have misinterpreted his words. “I love the hood because it’s my history, but the hood is one of the most destructive places all around,” he says firmly. “It’s not a good place to be. It’s like you already lost the fight when you choose to stay there. You’re fighting yourself and your brethren instead of fighting the system and making some real change.”

As much as his love and hatred for the hood co-exists within him, he recognizes that his disdain for the hood lifestyle is different from those who’ve led a different existence than he has. “I know it’s probably worse for others, because I was never in the hood where I needed protection. I wasn’t the gangster. I wasn’t toting guns or none of that. I was the nerdy kid. I love it because it’s history, but I’d love to burn it down to the ground because of what it does to people and the limitations it sets on people.”

All the while, the young rapper continues to acquire superstar status while acting like he’s hardly gotten famous at all. This is what distinguishes Lupe Fiasco from the real Wasalu Jaco; a cool kid from Chicago who really does read science magazines, is scared to wear contacts because “they might shatter in my eye”, and watches ants on the ground while pondering how small their world is compared to ours.

“My fans think I’m crazy because I’ll just walk into Dunkin’ Donuts, and they’ll wonder why I don’t have security around me or anything,” he says. “They flip out, and I never understand why. I’m just trying to get some donuts! I’ll just talk to them, because that’s how I am.”

As he jumps out of his seat and heads for his hotel room to eat quickly before his performance at the famed House of Blues on in Hollywood, Lupe Fiasco acknowledges fellow hotel guests who obviously have no clue who he is. Yet, the well-known lyricist from Chicago’s West side garners their attention not because he’s the black kid with glasses donning a skateboarder’s gear and a Rolex watch, but because he dares to be the person he is without any inhibitions. That aura radiates all around him, which is why his fans have taken such a positive response to his music. That’s what makes him cool, and he’s on a mission to make everything around him the same way.

“I want to make it cool to be uncool. I want the cool things to become uncool, and the world will be less destructive,” he says.

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Tuesday, September 05, 2006
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News Headlines
Mario Slated To Drop New Album

By: Alexis Jeffries

August 8, 2006

After making his acting debut in the high-powered dance film Step Up, R&B crooner Mario is slated to drop his new album later this year, and he seems to be rather excited about it.

“The album is coming along wonderfully. There’s a lot of different producers that are helping me bring a different flavor,” Mario said during an exclusive interview with Vibe.com.
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In this midst of filming, Mario managed to pump out a track for the movie’s soundtrack featuring his on-screen love interest Drew Sidora called “For the Love.” Although still in production, the 19-year-old songster’s currently-untitled album is said to bring a different sound, not typical of Mario’s classic style.

“Usually my music is really melodic. Now, it’s still melodic, but it’s much more passionate,” Mario said.

The album is set to feature tracks produced by Akon, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Brian Cox, Scott Storch, Rich Harrison, and several new producers, adding to Mario’s changing style of music.

“I still have another month to put into the project, and I did some production on it myself, and it’s coming along great,” the singer said. “I hope that everybody enjoys it.”

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More Stories by Alexis Jeffries

* Lupe Fiasco: Weirder Than Your Average
* Usher Stars as Lead Role In The Broadway Musical “Chicago”
* MTV Adds Additional Performers To Video Music Awards Lineup
* Justin Timberlake Releases New Album, Stars In New Film
* Jennifer Lopez and Former Husband Battle Over Tell-All Book
* Pharrell, Snoop, and Others Talk on Myspace “Pharrell and Friends” Concert
* Pharrell Williams' In My Mind Album Review
* Mario Slated To Drop New Album
* Step Up Movie Review
* Soul Rebel

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