Keepingitreal

Donnie Klang of Bad Boy Records on Conversations LIVE!

EXCLUSIVE: Conversations LIVE! Radio is pleased to announce that Donnie Klang of Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records will be making his first appearance on the show, originally broadcasted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at a special time 11a.m. CST/12p.m. EST/9a.m. PT. In this special interview host Cyrus A. Webb talked with Klang about his humble beginnings, what it has been like to have his entire career chronicled through a reality show and what he wants his fans to know about him that maybe television doesn't show. Because of Webb's commitment to literacy and his special campaign in 2009, he will also talk with his guest about the importance of reading and what he wants his fans to know about feeding their minds. Listen to the interview live by visiting http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive or through the switchboard at 1.347.426.3645.

Monday Soul |Free..Networking Party| Air Lounge

Recording artists with The Write Stuff get support from www.hiphopgive sback.org

Another organization that has been created to showcase the positive side of Hip Hop is www.hiphopgivesback.org. Created by Mike D and Konata J, HipHopGivesBack.org has set itself as the premiere catalyst committed to cultivating the awareness of the positive efforts, endeavors,and accomplishments of Hip Hop Culture and its communities. Through its website it hopes to remove negative reinforcements that have been placed upon Hip Hop Culture and its communities by bringing you stories of programs, events and priceless moments that are the result of positivity within. It is now supporting The Write Stuff Reality Show and the artists that are a part of it. "The world is not going to fix itself," says Mike D. "I think it is necessary for those of us who have been blessed in certain positions, to get the ball rolling. This collaboration is the start of a movement that will assist the future(children) in forming the future." Konata J adds this: "The collaboration between www.HipHopgivesBack.org & The Write Stuff is an example of the forward thinking that will bring about progress and change in essential areas, including literacy with urban youth and the promotion of programs. This will contribute to the overall improvement of literacy excellence in our communities." Hip Hop Gives Back will be cross-promoting the artists from The Write Stuff through its site as well. Dj Down South, a recording artist from Mississippi is also pleased to see the marriage of music and reading. "I'm glad to be a part of projects that can show more than one side of the music that Hip hop produces. The Write Stuff is going to break alot of records, and I think that will include those that have to do with Hip Hop as well." Other organizations that have partnered with Shadow Play Entertainment and The Write Stuff in their effort to show the positive side of music include For The People Productions, Crunk Magazine, Hype Magazine, Industry Standard Magazine, The Common Ground Foundation and The Hip Hop Chronicle.  To find out more about those who are working to make a difference along with The Write Stuff or to see how you can get involved, visit http://www.thewritestufftv.com

Kanye West Covers The April/May Issue Of Complex!

No matter how many times we collaborate with him, we can always count on Kanye to come with a completely original idea when it’s time do a cover story. And as you probably guessed from the preview he posted on his blog back in January, we’ve got something really special planned for our April/May 2009 issue.

The magazine officially hits stands on April 7, but you can check out the full story now, along with the futuristic photo shoot, co-created with photographer/director Chris Milk. How did we make the hi-tech computer generated imagery? Watch the video below to see the whole process…

• CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL KANYE WEST COVER STORY!
• CLICK HERE FOR THE “MAKING OF THE AIR YEEZY” STORY!

Oakland Rappers find refuge

Tim'm West: In Security: The Golden Error

In Security: The Golden Error ~ is Tim'm's 3rd solo project following critically acclaimed projects "Songs from Red Dirt", the more recent "Blakkboy Blue(s)", and several projects with the now defunct Deep Dickollective The album, not unlike the first two, is an autobiographical lens through Tim'm's life as a black man, a black gay man, and a Hip Hop head. It examines what it means to be in security with insecurities-- taking on everything from his speech impediment issues as a young kid, to growing up in Arkansas, or the cosmetic cyst/bump on his forehead he has not been vain enough (yet) to have removed Says Tim'm in the song Bump: "faced with any insecurity, i use it. one emcee who gone' always do me". Other strong points on the album include tracks like "Old School", "Full Moon", "Nappy", "Against the Grain", and  "Walking Contradiction". Tim'm, being among the foundational "out emcees in Hip Hop also pays tribute to the Golden Era of Hip Hop (1987-1993) that was most influential in his own Hip Hop history and when he began rhyming. Not unlike other of his projects, it already contains multiple favorites, evidence of a balanced project where expectations for all songs are high and there are few "fillers". With original production by a strong cast of both straight and LGBT emcees/vocalists and producers, Tim'm has began to see a broadening of his fan base without making compromises in content With vocal collabs with Last Offence, Bryn't, The Qure, Maia Papaya, Tru, Deadlee Mid*One, Tim Dillinger, TwiZza, William Scott, and Sarafina as well as production by Dirty Bird (CA), Eddy J. Free (Cincinnati), DJ Sirrah (Cincinnati), Tru (Atlanta), and Lil Biggie (ATL) the album is Tim'm's most polished and upbeat project to date. Says Tim'm: "I'm known for being that deep bohemian who is too old school and conscious to have fun with music With this project, I saw an opportunity to remember the joy I found in Hip Hop during its Golden Era... Hip Hop was great party music AND had a lot of meaningful content I don't think of it as either/or but both/and ... you can be a fun, conscious emcee. This was perhaps an error of previous projects... so caught up in my pain that I let it color entire projects Truth is... I am learning to love life and am a happy guy who loves to love and who loves flirting. I hope people begin to see me a bit differently: no less deep, all the more fun, if lyrically tough and "hard" at times. After all, what if you began to see your errors and insecurities as golden, as opportunities to grow and change. That's what the project is about."

Def Jam Celebrates 25 Year Milestone With Record Store Day

With a long history of producing stars in hip-hop -- from LL Cool J and Slick Rick, all the way down to Rihanna, Jay-Z and Kanye West -- Def Jam Records has held down the genre for a quarter of a decade. Now, in celebration of their 25th anniversary, the legendary record label is set to launch Def Jam 25, and Record Store Day. "25 years as a thriving, successful hip-hop and R&B label -- a company that has always put its artists first and maintained deep roots in the Urban community -- is a giant accomplishment in anyone's book," said Antonio "L.A." Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group. "From a personal standpoint, I can say that Def Jam had tremendous meaning and significance in my own career as a musician, producer and independent label head, long before I actually arrived at these offices five years ago. Let's celebrate the next 25 years of Def Jam right now."

To assist in the celebration of Record Store Day, Def Jam plans to release a limited edition 4-LP deluxe set --Def Jam 25: DJ Bring That Back Volumes 1 and 2.

Below is the tracklists:

Vol 1

"Disturbia" - Rihanna
"I Luv Your Girl" - The-Dream
"Hustlin'" - Rick Ross
"Go Crazy" - Young Jeezy
"Jesus Walks" - Kanye West
"Splash Waterfalls" - Ludacris
"Foolish" - Ashanti
"Put It On Me" - Ja Rule ft. Vita
"Just Friends (Sunny)" - Musiq Soulchild
"What's My Name" - DMX
"Money Ain't A Thang" - Jay-Z ft. Jermaine Dupri
"Big Bad Mama" - Foxy Brown ft. Dru Hill

Vol 2

"Whateva Man" - Redman
"This Is How We Do It" - Montell Jordan
"Bring The Pain" – Method Man
"Slam" - Onyx
"Deeper" - Boss
"Hip Hop Junkies" – Nice & Smooth
"911 Is A Joke" - Public Enemy
"Pop Goes The Weasel" - 3rd Bass
"Children's Story" - Slick Rick
"I Need Love" - LL Cool J
"The Rain" - Oran Juice Jones
"My Radio" - LL Cool J
"It's Yours" - T la Rock ft. Jazzy Jay

Delicious Vinyl Feeds Dilla Freaks In Need Of Beats With Yancey Boys - The Instrumentals

(January 28, 2009 - Brooklyn, NY) Mental for Dilla beats? We got you covered. Hot on the still-smokin' heels of Illa J's debut album Yancey Boys, comes...Yancey Boys - Instrumentals.  Thirteen beats created by the one and only James Yancey (aka Jay Dee aka J Dilla). Raw uncut Jay Dee goodness, heard first on Illa J's debut album Yancey Boys. These beats date from 1995-98, created during Jay Dee's tenure at Delicious Vinyl including his work on the Pharcyde's sophomore LP, Labcabincalifornia. Madly prolific, Jay Dee left these previously untouched beats behind. They were in the Delicious Vinyl vault for a whopping thirteen years before, in a case of manifest destiny, Dilla's younger brother John "Illa J" Yancey added his vocals to them to make the album Yancey Boys. Now fans can get the raw material that Illa J worked with. From "We Here"'s kraut-tastic sizzle to the bumpadelic rumpus of "R U Listenin'.” From the dusted satin of "Sounds Like Love" to the torqued out dreamscape of "All Good,” these beats are all keepers. They’re available on your favorite format (double vinyl LP, CD, or digital download) online an in stores everywhere. As an added bonus, San Francisco's DJ King Most (www.myspace.com/kingmost) whipped up a Mega Mix of the instrumentals: http://media.audibletreats.com/King-Most-Yancey_Boys_Instrumental_Megamix.mp3.

10th S.F. Hip Hop DanceFest locks, pops, spins

BY Rachel Howard, Chronicle Dance Correspondent -- The San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest's audience isn't shy about its predilections: The mob screams for a fat beat, claps along when a crew breaks out old-school James Brown or vintage '80s Janet Jackson and shouts "work it out!" when a dancer starts slamming. But like any crowd that knows how to have a good time, the festival's fans rarely err in taste - and neither does founder, director and producer Micaya. I wasn't able to catch the 10th anniversary festival's Program A on Friday at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, but that was surely my loss, because Saturday's Program B was sick, buck, dope, stupid - insert whatever other hip-hop accolade you wish - the best of the eight editions of the festival I've been fortunate enough to witness through the years. Just when we thought Micaya's international scouting had shown us everything possible in hip-hop, along comes Indiana's Breaksk8 Dance Crew. These five guys dance on roller skates, and this ain't no roller derby. They do tight, hard-hitting moves that most crews would kill to pull off with their feet on the ground. Then they do more, throwing themselves into b-boy spins, scissoring their legs in handstands. Also on the novel side was Philadelphia's MopTop Music and Movement, led by Buddha Stretch, a repeat visitor to the festival. For "HipHop/Beebob" he took a Charleston-grooving song by Common and staged a 1920s speakeasy bash. You haven't seen street tough redefined until you've seen B-girl Bounce whirl through a corkscrew in a flapper dress and heels. But some crews didn't need a gimmick, just a good booty-shaking. Oakland's young company Diamond/Sparkle took the prize for fierceness, relentlessly ripping into the limb-flailing choreography by Corey Action, Teela Shine-Ross and Eddie E. Action is already a hip-hop dance celebrity in these parts, known for his infectious work with New Style Motherlode. Diamond/Sparkle (it appears to be a combination of two troupes, the older Diamond crew and the junior Sparkle) has a lot of very young boys with very flexible legs, and Action put them to work with their feet up by their ears, or bouncing to the beat in side splits. A special shout out to Jalen Preston of the incredible noodle-like back. Funkanometry SF Dance Company was the most modern-dance-influenced of the crews, with the most slickly rehearsed, all-around-well-trained ensemble. San Jose's DS Players made their mark with the night's cleverest mix, stepping like mad to bluegrass banjo, to huge comic effect. Like any party, Saturday's show had its lulls, and usually they came when a crew tried to substitute artsy concepts and props for high quality dancing. Vancouver's Over the Influence had big panels with portraits of hip-hop stars and lots of costumes, but few memorable steps; Eric Fenn's Loose Change staged a gloomy and, for long stretches, dance-less hubbub of soulless corporate commuters. Human Creature tried something more original in their symbiotic partnering between Derek Harris and Meegan Hertensteiner, but their act could use a lot more popping - and the two should be better at it. CONTINUE READING...

R. Kelly’s Interview About Teenage Girls

Have you seen this yet? If R. Kelly has a publicist, they should be fired for letting him out in public. This is one of the most unbelievable things I’ve seen in quite some time. If you are in R. Kelly’s entourage, here’s what you say pre-interview: Robert, before you do this interview, remember that you just got out of a 7-year trial for child pornography. Since 2002 you’ve had north of 30 charges for sexual activity with minors. If this guy says any of the following words, say “No”: underage, child, teenage, girl, teen, adolescent, juvenile, youngster, young’un, shortie, sippy-cup.

Ise Lyfe and Brown Buffalo team up for a Mini Summer Tour

Hip-Hop Theatre Artist Pushes The Envelope Through Hip-Hop and Spoken Word for "The Beat Goes On Tour" Brooklyn, NY (August 8, 2008) - In celebration of his sophomore album Prince Cometh, Ise Lyfe (pronounced "Ice Life"), one the nation's premier spoken word artists and emcees is set to hit the road this summer, teaming up with the Bay-area based hip-hop group, Brown Buffalo, aka BRWN BFLO, for "The Beat Goes On Tour."  The mini-tour will encompass five dates that will cover major cities in California, including one date in Rosarito, Mexico. Gaining momentum from his one-man theatre piece Who’s Krazy, which recently played at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood and was featured at the NAACP Theatre Awards, as well the summer release of his sophomore effort, Prince Cometh, Ise is ready to take off and be heard.  With Prince Cometh Ise releases a 21-track album that re-envisions hip-hop's status as a movement that challenges us, engages us, and forces us to look at our communities and ourselves. Devoid of being preachy, Prince Cometh offers a fly, socially aware, and personal record that offers a visionary outlook at the world we live in. Prince Cometh will be released on 7even89ine Music on August 19th in stores and July 15th digitally. BRWN BFLO are four Chicano MC's; Oye, Jacinot, Somos and Giant Dan, currently recording and building their fan base out of the Bay Area but representing different parts of California, from San Diego to Salinas to Oakland. The cultural melting pot of California is apparent in their heavy beats and rhymes peppered with equal parts Spanish and English. BRWN BFLO have shared the stages with Zion I, Mystic, and Goapele.                        

Show Dates: FRIDAY AUGUST 8 - CLUB IGGY’S Rosarito, Mexico WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13 - SOUL TREE LOUNGE (Smokehouse Restaurant) 1231 Van Ness Street, Fresno CA FRIDAY AUGUST 15 - SIERRA THEATER 915 11th Avenue, Delano CA 93215 SATURDAY AUGUST 30 - OAKLAND OPERA HOUSE 630 3rd Street, Oakland CA 94607 - ISE LYFE Album Release Party "Prince Cometh" featuring BRWN BFLO and more to be announced including a few special guest! $10-$15 SUNDAY AUGUST 31 – XICANA MORATORIUM Dolores Park - 19th and Dolores, San Francisco CA

The Comforts of Hip-Hop Past, With Pals and Collaborators Along for the Ride

WANTAGH, N.Y. — Several strains of hip-hop nostalgia coexisted neatly at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater here on Sunday. There were love letters to the 1980s and ’90s. There was a longing for the ostensibly unfulfilled promise of socially conscious rap. And there was a geographically driven hunger too, a pining for the time when the five boroughs (and sometimes Long Island) were the epicenter of hip-hop.But while it satisfied all these divergent impulses, Rock the Bells, which is becoming a staple of the summer tour circuit, still managed to offer an exclusionary vision of the genre. Here artists and fans celebrated their splinter group largely by ignoring much of what constitutes hip-hop today.In this world discussions of the genre’s death are taken seriously. The South, which has generated much of the relevant rap of the last few years, is a mere afterthought. So is the last decade: apart from Nas, whose latest album made its debut at the top of the Billboard album chart last month, no artist on the bill has been a regular on rap radio in recent memory. Instead this tour thrilled with old comforts. On the main stage there were solid, and sometimes exhilarating, reunion performances by two of the most innovative hip-hop acts of the early 1990s: the Pharcyde, from Los Angeles, whose “Passin’ Me By” remains one of the great rap numbers about romantic frustration; and A Tribe Called Quest, from Queens, which helped carve a space for hip-hop’s bohemian wing. Though the subtleties of Tribe’s jazz- and soul-influenced beats were lost in this big space, the rappers Q-Tip and Phife Dawg compensated with force of will. This performance was, they said, their first in New York in a decade. SOURCE:NYT.COM

How Kev Choice and Ise Lyfe Get Down (Low)

Behold, the new faces of hip-hop

Whether or not the spoken word scene has real longevity remains a point of contention. But in the three decades since it started catching on, spoken word has produced some truly compelling young artists, all of whom bring their own slangy, street-wise, hip-hop slant on the literary canon. Some have gone on to be novelists. Some have advanced from slam poetry to staged monologues or solo shows (in the Danny Hoch or Sarah Jones vein). And some, like celebrated Oakland poet Ise Lyfe, have found their voice in hip-hop. At this point, Lyfe's closest analogue in mainstream rap would be Nas. Lyfe has the same elaborate, wordy phrasing and weird intonation (he might clip the last consonant off a word, or put his accents where you wouldn't expect them: I go becomes I go). He's detail-oriented; he makes rich descriptions; he might rap over a straight-ahead 4/4 beat but he's constantly trying to free up the time. He uses hip-hop slang but retains the formal qualities of spoken word (the repetitions, the vivid metaphors, the poetic enjambment, the occasional lapses into straight, unmetric prose). Lyfe's 2006 release SpreadtheWORD was an ambitious crossover album, but this year's The Prince Cometh — with its melodic, horn-laden beats and R&B hooks — is even more daring, since it ventures much farther into hip-hop territory. Lyfe performs tonight at Shattuck Down Low alongside the Kev Choice Ensemble, another band that is changing the face of hip-hop by incorporating live instrumentation. Led by infectious Oakland emcee (and Skyline High School alum) Kev Choice, this nine-piece band features two of the best jazz horn players in the East Bay (saxophonist Howard Wiley and trumpeter Geechi Taylor), supported by a gritty funk rhythm section and by rising vocalist (and Berklee School of Music alum) Viveca Hawkins. Kev Choice is a charismatic rapper with a gift for political oratory (his Obama song, "A Change Is Gonna Come" features a series of rhyming couplets about how Obama will overhaul the current health care system). He's coming up at exactly the right time for his choice of material: hip-hop is getting nostalgic for its political past, and fans are starting to demand musical sophistication in addition to substantive content. Luckily, Kev Choice is also a trained jazz pianist. SOURCE:EASTBAY EXPRESS

Diddy Beats Out Jim Jones for VIBE's Best Rapper Alive Play-In Battle

In what is arguably the first upset of VIBE’s Best Rapper Alive Tournament, Diddy received more votes than Jim Jones for the final spot in the 64-man bracket. With close to 4,000 votes over the course of five days, and at least three different lead changes throughout the week, Diddy narrowly beat out his opponent by 79 votes. The man who once rhymed, “Don’t worry if I write rhymes, I write checks” is now moving on to go against number one seeded Jay-Z in the Notorious B.I.G. bracket. First round voting for all 32 match ups in all four brackets begins today at 11 a.m. and will end on Saturday at 12 a.m. To cast your vote for who is The Best Rapper Alive go to www.vibe.com/bestrapper. The winner of the competition will be announced in the November issue of VIBE Magazine.SOURCE:VIBEMAGAZINE.COM

SOHH Exclusive: Akon - The Next Mogul In The Making?

  In this SOHH exclusive we talk to Akon about his upcoming album, Acquitted, his newly launched Konvict Clothing line and how he is building his record label, Konvict Muzik to rival the majors. Since founding Konvict Muzik in 2004, Akon has been carefully building his roster. "I'm just trying to create a real label rather than just a production deal," 'Kon told SOHH. "I want to be in competition with all of the majors at the end of the day." In addition to established artists like T-Pain and Kardinal Offishal, Akon is working with plenty of new artists across all genres of music. "We got Roc City, two guys out of the Virgin Islands," he said. "We got Ray Lavender and Red Café on the urban side. On the pop side we got Lady Gaga who is doing huge things." Akon is also experiencing success in the apparel arena with Konvict Clothing, a venture that he says he is thoroughly involved in. "I've got just the amount of input into the music then I do with my clothing line," he boasted. "I'm pretty much hands on with all that stuff."He recently launched an Atlanta-based office and factory for the brand and is beginning to see demand increase."The buzz for it is just incredible," said Akon. "It's stupid. No one can find it no where and we purposely did it that way so that we can create the hype and the demand for it. By the time the album release[s] we'll have it launched off in all the major department stores." Akon is eyeing a fall release for his new album, Acquitted, which is the follow-up to his platinum selling sophomore album, Konvicted. "That's coming very, very soon," he said. "I'm actually on and off working on it but I kinda wanted to get all of acts developed and launched before I actually completed my album. Right now we're due to release around September so the Acquitted album is definitely on the way." [For more on your favorite R&B artists peep SOHH Soulful]

Update: 50 Cent Reacts To Fire, Looking Forward To "Thorough Investigation"

  In light of the recent fire that engulfed 50 Cent's $1.4 million house, where his ex and son lived, a rep for the G-Unit Capo has issued a statement. "Informed this morning while filming a new motion picture on location in Louisiana, Curtis Jackson expressed deep concern over this fire at his property," a rep told TMZ. "He is extremely thankful that everyone including his son, Marquise, escaped the burning house safely. He is confident that authorities will be conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and is eager to review their findings." As SOHH previously reported, early this morning a raging fire gutted the Dix Hills home, causing 50 Cent's ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tomkins and 10-year-old son Marquise to suffer smoke inhalation. "She was all right," eyewitness Frank Hoyte, a Newsday employee said, "But she was angry." Hoyte said Tompkins stood in her bathrobe barefoot outside the home while it burned. Two young boys, one of them Marquise, two teenage girls and "an older woman" were also standing with Tompkins. According to Suffolk County Police and fire officials the fire was reported at 5 a.m. One of the first firefighters to arrive on the scene characterized the fire as suspicious based on how quickly the home was engulfed. "The rapid movement of the fire. The volume of the fire . . . It was engulfed. The home was totally gutted," Dix Hills Fire Dept. Chief Larry Feld told Newsday of the scene. "I would say there is a strong -- a strong, strong -- possibility that it is suspicious." The home, which is located at 2 Sandra Drive, has been part of a contentious court battle between 50 and Tompkins. After purchasing the home in January 2007 for a reported $1.4 million, 50 attempted to evict Tompkins last month. The Queens rapper was demanding that Tompkins leave or pay $4,500 a month in rent. SOURCE:SOHH.COM

Just Like Music

Handshakes and Pounds All Around is what you hear when you turn on Tiron’s mixtape. Coming from the Chi but relocated to Cali, rapper Tiron is bringing a new meaning of Hip Hop from the SOUL. From beats that make you wanna go grab your momma or daddy’s flyest suit from back in the day to lyrics that everyone can relate to, two step to, look to the sky to, or just nod your head and vibe to. That’s what he’s giving us. Coming from a musical family background it’s no surprise that Tiron would have ended up the emcee that he is today. Using influences from just about every musical style, especially soul and, jazz and the Golden era of Hip Hop he still is set apart with one word: SWAG. When asked, “What is the difference between Hip Hop and rap?” he answered “Hip Hop is a world. Rap is just a WORD in it.” Makes you think right? “You have to listen to all the greats…even the one’s you don’t like…there’s a reason they were GREAT…”
With songs about “Throwing My Money” (Which I’m sure we can all relate to) getting our “Shine On” to “Boys and Girls” and being “Picky,” when it comes to the opposite sex it’s hard to not change your perception of Hip Hop after listening to the mix tape. Handshakes & Pounds linked with rap trilogy Pacific Division and many others on the underground scene (Blu, The Elevators, Tunji, etc.) There’s no reason why Tiron will end up “Never Happy.” Let’s keep changing the Hip Hop world. One rhyme at a time. Check out Tiron on MySpace at www.myspace.com/tiron and download Tiron’s mixtape “Handshakes & Pounds” at www.zshare.net/download/2810867cafcaf6.

MARIO: VIDEO THE WEEK

Rick Ross Reaches Gold, Mariah Carey Clings To Top 5 Spot, Lyfe Jennings Snuffed Out

  In this week's Hip-Hop and R&B charts, Rick Ross is solid gold, Mariah Carey's honeymoon at the top is almost over, and Lyfe Jennings and The Roots bow out of the Top 10. Pop superstar, Madonna's eleventh studio album, Hard Candy, relinquishes its top position but still remains in the top five coming in at No. 3 this week with 94,200 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Powered by the Justin Timberlake assisted smash hit "4 Minutes," the album is approaching Gold statues in two weeks scanning 374,500 copies. This is the material mom's seventh chart-topper, placing her second amongst all-time female artist to peak that high, only behind Barbara Streisand. Newlywed, Mariah Carey, E=MC2 honeymoon is nearing an end as the R&B icon falls three spots to come in at No. 5 this week. Despite experiencing a 9% decrease in sales, Carey's sixth studio album sold an impressive 87,100 copies. After four weeks, Mrs. Nick Cannon's Island Def Jam set is approaching platinum status scanning an outstanding 828,600 copies. After becoming the first British female solo artist to debut on top of Billboard 200, UK import Leona Lewis' Spirit keeps sinking, falling three spots to No. 6 this week. In just five weeks the debut for the sultry songstress is certified gold scanning an impressive 555,500 copies. Lyfe Jennings bows out of the Top 10, dropping eight spots to No. 12. Despite being hit with a 60% decline in sales, the singer/songwriter's third studio album, Lyfe Change sold 31,700 copies this week. After two weeks, the album has amassed 112,100 copies sold. SOURCE: SOHH.COM

Rapper Remy Ma gets 8 years for shooting friend

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Grammy-nominated rapper Remy Ma was sentenced to eight years in prison on Tuesday for shooting and wounding an acquaintance after discovering money was missing from her purse after a night out in Manhattan. In sentencing the rapper, criminal court judge Rena Uviller said Remy Ma, whose real name is Remy Smith, was "an extremely angry young woman whose anger is completely out of control."In March, a New York jury found Smith, nominated for a 2004 Grammy for her part in Terror Squad's song "Lean Back," guilty of assault, weapons possession and attempted coercion.Smith's lawyer, Ivan Fisher, called the shooting in the early hours of July 14, 2007, accidental and suggested the victim, Makeda Barnes-Joseph, was exaggerating the facts to win a large sum in a separate civil suit.Smith believed her friend had taken $3,000 from her and that her gun went off as the pair struggled over her purse. The bullet pierced Barnes-Joseph's colon and hit her rectum and sent her to a hospital for three weeks. In appealing for leniency, Smith tearfully described how she had grown up in homeless shelters, "surrounded by poverty and drugs and violence and failure.""Remy Ma is not even close to who I really am. I'm not a thug," she said. "I'm not a threat or a menace to society, and I still have so much to offer." But prosecutor Michael McIntosh said that Smith had a habit of traveling with a loaded weapon and said something like this "was bound to happen one day."  Continued...