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Kanye Reveals "Heartbreak" On MySpace

2008-11-21T22:22:00Z

Mega rap star Kanye West has decided to link up with MySpace Music to give fans the opportunity to hear his entire new album 808s & Heartbreak three days before it hits stores.

]]> Beginning today (November 21), the hitmaking producer-turned-rapper will exclusively give MySpace users the chance to hear additional cuts from the disc along with his smash singles "Heartless," "Coldest Winter" and "Love Lockdown."

Logging on to the MySpace music section, users will hear the project from start to finish while also having the ability to check out Ye's own MySpace page featuring additional music, videos and other gadgets.

The new album is Ye's fourth solo project and follows last year's double platinum-selling Graduation.

808s & Heartbreak hits stores Monday, November 24 via Def Jam

As previously reported by SOHH, MySpace recently teamed with R&B superstar Beyonce to allow fans a chance to preview her new album I Am...Sasha Fierce a week before it was released.

"I am happy that my fans get to listen to my new album first at MySpace," Beyonce said in a statement. "I have put my heart and soul into I Am...Sasha Fierce and cannot wait to hear the feedback from fans."

I Am...Sasha Fierce is currently available in all retail stores via Sony Records.

T.I. Testifies, Recalls Bloody Details In Philant Johnson Murder Trial [Video]

2008-11-21T17:23:38Z

Hip-Hop superstar T.I. has come forward to testify about the events that took place on the night his friend and assistant Philiant Johnson was murdered in May 2006.

]]> According to the Associated Press, the rapper was present at a Cincinnati courtroom today (November 21) where he described the shoot-out his entourage had with prime suspect Hosea Thomas. Tip told jurors he took cover in a van as it was layered with bullets during a wild vehicle chase.

Describing the aftermath, T.I. explained what happened when he noticed Johnson laying prone, after being shot in the head.

"We called Phil's name out, Phil didn't respond," T.I. said. When asked what his friend looked like, he responded: "Lifeless."

"I saw blood running down his face, his shirt was wet...He had an injury wound to the left temple."

Three other members were reportedly injured, however Tip did not suffer any injuries.

As previously reported by SOHH, opening statements began earlier this week as jury members were told Cincinnati local Thomas was responsible for the murder.

Hosea's brother, Padron, who was also involved in the shoot-out, stepped forward to testify against him. He now faces no prison time for his role in the murder of Johnson.

[For more on your favorite rappers from the ATL peep SOHH Atlanta]

Remy Ma Wants Out Of Jail, Lawyer Files Appeal

2008-11-21T16:53:46Z

An attorney for incarcerated New York rapper Remy Ma has filed an appeal requesting to have her eight year prison sentence dropped.

]]> According to TMZ, Remy's lawyer pointed out various flaws in her recent summer trial when she was charged and placed behind bars for the shooting of acquaintance, Makeda Barnes-Joseph.

"THE TRIAL COURT'S ORDER FORBIDDING DEFENSE COUNSEL FROM ARGUING DURING SUMMATION THAT MAKEDA JOSEPH WAS SHOT DURING A STRUGGLE FOR THE GUN DENIED MS. SMITH A FAIR TRIAL," a document reads. "MS. SMITH WAS UNFAIRLY PREJUDICED BY THE INCLUSION IN THE INDICTMENT OF THE COUNTS REGARDING THE VIOLENT GANG ASSAULT AT THE PLAYER'S CLUB, AS TO WHICH THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF HER COMPLICITY, BUT WHICH LIKELY COLORED THE JURY'S CONSIDERATION OF THE REMAINING COUNTS."

In addition to claims of bias during the case, her attorney would like her possession of a weapon charge dropped.

"THE GUN POSSESSION CHARGE MUST BE DISMISSED BECAUSE PENAL LAW 265.03 UNQUALIFIEDLY BANS THE POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS OUTSIDE THE HOME," it reads. "OR PLACE OF BUSINESS AND IS THEREFORE UNCONSTITUTIONAL."

As previously reported by SOHH, the former Terror Squad member turned herself in to New York police in July 2007 for the shooting of Joseph outside a nightclub. Remy was later sentenced to an eight year bid last May and is currently beind held at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women in Bedford Hills.

[For more on your favorite rappers from the Big Apple peep SOHH NYC]

Check out this video of Remy's hottest SOHH interviews.

Nas, Ghostface & Others Auction Off Memorabilia In Honor Of Phife & J Dilla

2008-11-21T16:03:54Z

Nas, Ghostface Killah, De La Soul, Redman and Method Man are among the many rap heavyweights participating in Rock The Bell's charity auction, starting next month.

]]> Offering a collection of items from artists who attended the 2008 Rock the Bells tour, the company will aim to raise profits to donate to the American Diabetes Association honoring A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg, who suffers from the disease.

The organization will also make contributions in memory of the late producer J Dilla and former Motown Records president Jheryl Busby who recently passed away earlier this month.

Memorabilia up for auction ranges from signed skate board decks, CDs, portable music players and sneakers. Buckshot, 9th Wonder, Kidz in the Hall, Wale, The Pharcyde, Raekwon, Murs, A Tribe Called Quest and the Black Eyed Peas will also participate.

The auction will run from Monday, December 1 to December 15 via www.hiphophonors.com

In related news, the Rock The Bells 2008 International festival has recently come to a close. The series will continue into 2009 wtih dates currently being scheduled in Birmingham and Manchester.

Jim Jones Blames Dipset's Demise On Cam'ron's Ego, Kanye Equates Hip-Hop To High School, 50 Cent Strikes A Pose, Damon Dash "Bugging Out?"

2008-11-21T15:25:00Z

In this week's Pulse Report the streets are buzzing about Jim Jones taking credit for 15 years of hip-hop fashion, while mocking Jay-Z, Kanye West calling out hip-hop for being childish, Dame Dash losing more than his money, 50 Cent's new XXL cover and Ludacris burying the hatchet with Oprah.

]]> [Editor Note: The views of this column do not necessarily reflect those of SOHH.com]

1. Ego Trippin'. Like it or not, Jim Jones is the hottest show in town for the New York music scene. The Harlem rapper is definitely enjoying the spotlight as he strives to be a mainstream success by doing more acting and releasing his first major label album, Pray 4 Reign. While he's got everyone's attention he's doing tons of talking. Most recently he graced the cover of Complex magazine and was rather revealing about his falling out with Cam'ron.

"Once your ego becomes bigger than money, you can't get anywhere. It's a sad thing--we've built so much. Everywhere around the world, people know the Diplomats as a strong entity. And it's at a halt due to the fact we've been going back and forth through this minute bullsh*t.

Hmm? So it was big egos that messed up the Dipset. Funny you should say that, this video from the Complex magazine photoshoot, really says something about your ego. You take credit for creating many of the hip-hop fashion trends over the past fifteen years.[Watch here]

You do this as your boy Dame Dash co-signs it all. He even has a nice laugh when you call Jay-Z out for dressing like a "dweeb". You even take credit for the pink fad. So Cam'ron stole the pink thing from you? Am I left to believe you guys broke up over fighting over pink shirts? Wow!

2. School Daze. The wait is almost over. Kanye West's much anticipated album 808s & Heartbreak hits stores next week. Before the big day arrives, West sat done to chop it up with MTV News about the project and much more. During the interview, West proved to be a head of the class as criticized hip-hop for its high school mentality.

"Hip-Hop used to be all about being fearless, now it's all about being afraid. It used to be about standing out now it's all about fitting in. You know I wear my tight jeans and stuff and standout and people want to talk about me. So exactly where are you hip-hop? Cause when I had my baggy clothes and I was hip-hop people talked about me too in my school. Hip-Hop is like a big high school or something. That's why I respect people who just do what they want to do."

I couldn't agree with you more on that Kanye. So much so, I've come up with the Hip-Hop High School Yearbook List 2008.

Most likely to succeed...Kanye West.

Best Couple...T-Pain & Lil' Wayne.

Class clown...Yung Berg.

School Bully...Maino.

Most likely to be Supahead's next victim...Soulja Boy.

Most likely to delay their album until 2010...Dr. Dre.

Most likely to be in a low budget porn...Foxy Brown.

Most likely to be affected by the recession...Dame Dash

Most likely to annoy the hell out of everyone...50 Cent

3.Suspect Behavior. Its back! 50 Cent has re-released the suspect one eyebrow up gaze that he made on the cover of GQ magazine in 2005. This time the muscle bound MC strikes the unfaltering pose on the cover of XXL magazine.

While details of the interview have not leaked yet, 50 did find the time to bash Kanye's upcoming album during a chat with MTV News. [Watch Here]

"I think people will actually enjoy it if you're in love or going through something," he said. "If you're going through something you can actually vibe to it. I think Kanye is going through an interesting point in his career. I don't think the public will forgive him for it. I think his [Kanye] album is a T-Pain record, but I'd rather buy it from T-Pain."

What a hater!

"I don't think the public will forgive him." Forgive him for what? We forgave you for Curtis, and T.O.S., so why wouldn't' we forgive Kanye?

4. Dollars & Sense. Dame Dash is taking a serious "L" these days. Not only is the once wealthy music mogul reportedly losing his fortune, but now the New York Post is reporting Dash is losing his mind.

"Damon Dash couldn't sit still during John Galliano's speech at the CFDA Fashion Fund and told his table at Sky light Studios he was 'bugging out,' prompting a guest to say, 'He was really a mess,'" the Post wrote.

Dash losing his marbles might explain why he's being rather open about the personal relationship between Kanye West and Jay-Z. In the December issue of Complex, Dash reveals that West "hates" Jay-Z for snubbing him during a Roc-A-Fella chain ceremony at a 2003 concert in Chicago.

"This n*gga [Kanye] was like, 'Wow. [Jay-Z] ain't going to give me the chain,'" I had to take off my chain and give it to him, and I was heated. I had the real canary diamonds. That sh*t cost $40,000! I told Kanye, 'Yo, you got to give that back when we get off this stage!'"

A source in Kanye's camp responded to the claim, telling New York's Daily News:

"This is sad. Damon does this every time he's promoting an artist. He just makes things up."

SMH. Dude is looking real pathetic right now. This is not what you call bowing out gracefully. He might want to think about pawning that chain right now. Sounds like he could use the $40,000. Like seriously, if Kanye hated Jay-Z so much, why did he choose to stay with Jay over you? For safety precautions I'd suggest taking the laces out of all of Dash's Pro Keds and filling up his Rocbox playlist with nothing but happy music.

5. Delivering Tha Peace. Ludacris might be the leader of Disturbing Tha Peace, but lately the ATL rapper has been bringing the peace. After reaching a concord with long-time foe T.I., Luda recently revealed duing a radio interview that he is longer feuding with entertainment mogul Oprah. [Watch Here]

"I have a lot of respect of course for Oprah. I don't see how anyone can't have respect for Oprah. What she's accomplished in her lifetime. I just think we came to a disagreement on something."

That's all fine and dandy, but I'll believe ya'll are really cool when Oprah allows you on her show to perform. Other than that the only way I see you getting back on Oprah is if she needs someone to lean on while she watches another Barack Obama speech.

That's all from me folks. Hit me up at pulsereport@sohh.com for a healthy back and forth. I Want to know y'all Hip-Hop High School Yearbook picks.

Alicia Keys & John Legend Tapped To Perform At CNN "Heroes" Tribute

2008-11-21T14:38:05Z

R&B superstars Alicia Keys and John Legend have been chosen to perform at "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" set to air next week.

]]> According to CNN, the show will be televised globally on Thanksgiving (November 27) from the popular Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California and pay homage to the network's top ten heroes of the year.

Keys is billed to set the show's theme with her smash hit "Superwoman" while Legend will team up with Los Angeles' Agape Choir to sing "If You're Out There."

The special will be hosted by Anderson Cooper and will feature such celebrity presenters as Cameron Diaz, Salma Hayek, Forest Whitaker, Meg Ryan, Terrence Howard, Lucy Liu and Jessica Biel.

The night's highlight will center on the announcement of CNN's "Hero of the Year" decided upon by voters who cast their choices in a six-week poll on who influenced them the most over 2008. The winner will be awarded $100,000 with $25,000 going to the remaining nine.

"CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" is scheduled to air Thursday, November 27 at 9 p.m. EST on CNN.

In related news, Keys has also been tapped to peform at the American Music Awards (AMA) show this weekend in California.

According to Newsday, the Grammy-winning singer will headline the event and is expected to sing songs from her multi-platinum selling album As I Am including "No One," "Like You'll Never See Me Again" and "Teenage Love Affair."

Kanye West is also billed to peform.

Hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, the AMAs will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theater Los Angeles on Sunday, November 23.

[For more on your favorite R&B singers be sure to peep SOHH Soulful]

The Roots Survive Bus Crash, "We Are Happy To Be Alive"

2008-11-20T21:54:24Z

Hip-Hop group The Roots are alive and well, after experiencing a near fatal tour bus crash while traveling throughout Paris, France last night (November 19).

]]> According to OkayPlayer.com, the drummer has come forward to inform fans that everyone is fine. He also provided a detailed account of what went down.

"In reality the crash was all of about 7 seconds," Quest wrote in an e-mail to the site, which he helped co-found. "But to do a 360 on the highway and end up ramped up (the van that crashed into ours was UNDER our double decker bus) in the air....is....well...a frigging miracle."

"My first thought was not move a f*cking inch," he continued. "I always had fear that we would fall off a cliff while in high mountain traveling like Denver or Switzerland. I couldn't tell where gravity began and ended. I just wanted someone to calmly tell me the weight of my body was NOT going to push us down a mountainside. Then i wanted assurance that the bus was NOT going to explode."

Realizing they were going to survive, Quest reflected on the horrific experience.

"I just couldn't believe it. I mean...how in the hell did we experience this," he added. "Dog we are soooo alive right now. And yes we went through all that sh*t people go through when they go through accidents. Dazed. Amazed. Grateful. Laughing?"

Still being looked after by doctors, Quest made sure to remind fans of the group's well-being.

"As for the future? If we make it to our slot on the "Glow in the Dark" tour in Paris that too will be a miracle," he said. "Til then just wanna let everyone know that we are happy to be alive. And not in that TV cliche way....but man.....that was divine intervention. We are so grateful for this outcome."

In related news, the Philadelphia band recently announced a mini retirement from touring beginning next spring.

Posted on YouTube last weekend, a clip showing The Roots at a performance in Chicago on Friday (November 14) told a crowd they would soon take on a nightly spot on Late Night when Jimmy Fallon takes over.

The group said their retirement would take effect March 2009.

Lyrics Land Rapper In Prison Over Shooting Case

2008-11-20T16:45:00Z

Up-and-coming Dublin, Georgia rapper Rico Todriquez Wright has been sentenced to 20 years behind bars after indirectly confessing to a 2006 shooting via a rap song.

]]> According to the Associated Press, the ruling was handed out earlier this week to the 25-year-old aspiring emcee. Wright reportedly wrote a song pointing out his victim, Chad Blue, whom he shot two years ago in September.

Blue informed authorities of a distant friendship with the rapper that resulted in a gunshot after Wright chased him and let off multiple bullets to his thigh and groin while an entourage surrounded the scene.

"I heard one of the men tell Rico, 'Go ahead and shoot him,'" Blue previsouly told jurors according to Sky News. "When he raised his gun, I knew I had to run. But I knew if I ran a straight line, I was dead. So I started weaving, running between houses, trying to avoid the bullets."

Despite Blue's testimony, it was the lyric "Chad Blue knows how I shoot," which secured a prison term for the rapper.

Wright has been sentenced to 20 years on two counts of aggravated assault with an additonal 20 years to be served on probation.

[For more on the Southern rap scene peep SOHH Dirty]

50 Cent To Star In New British Gangster Flick

2008-11-20T14:20:00Z

Hip-Hop superstar 50 Cent has been tagged to star in the upcoming UK film, Dead Man Running , which will be directed by the same man responsible for the highly successful video game, Grand Theft Auto 2.

]]> According to Billboard, the rapper/actor will try his hand with the English audience as he portrays a ruthless loan shark. 50's character demands an ex-convict, who is trying to live a straight life, one full day to deliver $150,000 to pay him off. The targeted man moves throughout East London's dog tracks and Manchester's underground drug world in order to come up with the cash before it's too late.

Directed and written by Alex de Rakoff, the flick will also star Brenda Blethyn, Tamer Hassan, Danny Dyer and Monet Mazur.

Filming for Dead Man Running began yesterday (November 19), however, no release date has been announced yet.

In related news, the G-Unit leader has also been chosen to star in director Gela Babluani's upcoming flim 13.

According to Variety, 50 will be joined alongside actors Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham in the remake of Babluani's Sundance-winning French version called 13 Tzameti.

It will center on a man who willingly steals an unknown package that is expected to pay out a fortune in the end.

13 reportedly began shooting this week (November 17) but no release date has been given yet.

50's new album, Before I Self-Destruct, was recently pushed back and is set to drop sometime in early 2009.

[For more on your favorite rappers from the Big Apple peep SOHH NYC]

Jadakiss Premieres New Tracks, Greets Fans In NYC Record Stores

2008-11-20T11:00:00Z

D-Block's Jadakiss will be giving fans an opportunity to hear new songs from his upcoming album The Last Kiss as he hits stores with the two-day "Jadakiss NYC Retail Tour" beginning today (November 20).

]]> The platinum-selling rapper is set to hit two music stores a day throughout the Big Apple's boroughs including Hall of Fame in Queens and DJ Specialty Shop in the Bronx this evening. Spending two hours at each spot, Jada is inviting hip-hop heads to come and preview never-before-heard cuts from his Def Jam debut album.

If you're in the New York City area, catch Jada on Thursday at Hall of Fame in Jamaica, Queens from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Bronx's DJ Specialty Shop from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. He will also be at Moodies Records in the Bronx on Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Black Star Music in Harlem from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In related news, Jada recently changed the name of his long-awaited album to The Last Kiss after receiving negative feedback from retailers.

"I had to change the name of my album. 'Kiss My Ass' wasn't testing well at retail," he admitted. "Not even with the exclamations or none of that. So we had to switch it."

With the new name in effect, Jada also revealed the overwhelming concern people had on him possibly retiring.

"Some people asked me is it my last album, nah, it's just, the first album was Kiss The Game Good-Bye, the seond one was The Kiss of Death so this one was The Last Kiss," Jada explained. "It's the closing of a triology. It's the last time I'm going to name one of my albums, it's the last time "Kiss" is going to be in the album titles."

The Last Kiss is currently scheduled to hit stores Tuesday, December 16 on Def Jam.

[For more on your favorite rappers from the Big Apple peep SOHH NYC]

Finalists for the Online Hip-Hop Awards have been announced. Vote for your favorite artists, bloggers and websites here.

T-Pain Shows Off His Ringz, Christina Aguilera Celbrates The Perfect 10, Q-Tip Falls Back

2008-11-20T11:00:00Z

In this week's Sales Wrap, T-Pain debuts with the top hip-hop and R&B album at No. 4, Christina Aguilera reminds fans of her best hits, T.I.'s trail stops at No. 10, Q-Tip takes a tumble.

]]> Thr33 Ringz leads the urban pack at No. 4 this week. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Pain's third project pushed a solid 167,700 copies in its first seven days on store shelves.

R&B heart throb Christina Aguilera also debuted this week with her greatest hits compilation Keeps Gettin' Better - A Decade of Hits. The singer secured the No. 9 spot on the charts with the disc selling a stellar 72,900 units.

Already platinum in just over a month and a half, T.I.'s Paper Trail continues to steadily move albums as he slid three spots to No. 10 with 62,000 copies sold. After seven weeks in retail stores, the "King of the South" stands at 1,178,500 scanned discs.

R&B crooner John Legend dropped six spots to No. 12 this week as his third album Evolver pushed 49,900 units. Spending just three weeks on store shelves, the new project sits at 255,100 sold copies.

Another recording legend Seal, returns to the charts with his new album Soul. Debuting at No. 13, the singer's disc sold 44,900 copies in its opening week.

Keeping classy music relevant in today's times, Ne-Yo's Year of the Gentleman took a five-spot dip to No. 23 as his third project moved 26,800 albums. After nine weeks on the charts, the singer's latest project stands at 600,000 copies sold.

With the longest running rap record on the charts right now, Lil' Wayne has extended his summer release into the winter as Tha Carter III dropped seven spots to No. 26 selling 23,100 copies. After 23 weeks, Weezy has scanned 2,671,800 units.

Video vixen Rihanna also moved down this week falling ten spots to No. 31 as her re-released version of Good Girl Gone Bad sold 21,700 copies. After nearly a year and a half on the charts, she should easily go double platinum by next week with 1,997,800 copies sold.

R&B superstar Jennifer Hudson fell 17 spots landing at No. 33 selling 21,600 copies of her self-titled debut album. The Academy Award winning singer has continued to draw fans into stores as the new album sits at 434,600 discs sold.

Offering a new set of anthems this time around, Young Jeezy's The Recession saw a significant drop this week falling 19 spots to No. 42 with 16,200 copies sold. Gaining a nice buzz with his new pro-Barack Obama record "My President is Black," Jeezy's third Def Jam release has sold 614,800.

British soul singer Leona Lewis refuses to leave the charts as her platinum-certified album Spirit secured No. 45 this week, dropping 11 spots but selling 15,400 units. The UK singer's debut has moved a solid 1,249,500 albums after 32 weeks in the US.

Meanwhile, Robin Thicke held steady, showing the least amount of change as his new album Something Else dropping one spot to No. 47 selling 15,100 copies. Following-up his platinum-selling album The Evolution of Robin Thicke, the crooner's latest release continues its steady pace with 258,900 units sold after seven weeks in stores.

Q-Tip's Renaissance fell a deep 39 spots to No. 50 this week with 14,900 copies sold. Serving as his follow-up album to 1999's Amplified, the former A Tribe Called Quest front man's new disc rests at 49,100 units sold after two weeks on the charts.

Jedi Mind Tricks' political awareness-based album History of Violence debuted this week on the latter part of the charts landing at No. 169. The new release pushed 4,500 copies after seven days in stores.

Check back next week to see how new releases from Beyonce and 112's Slim impact the Sales Wrap.

Taco Bell Bites Back At 50 Cent Over $4 Mil Suit

2008-11-20T10:50:00Z

Months after rap star 50 Cent sued Taco Bell for their unauthorized usage of his name in their national campaign, the company has responded by attempting to use his persona against him.

]]> According to New York's Daily News, attorneys for the restaurant franchise are striking back against the rapper's $4 million suit by bringing up 50's highly publicized past and claiming he is simply using this to add to his street cred.

"[He's a] self-described former drug dealer and huster," Taco Bell wrote to New York City Federal Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald.

"This lawsuit is another of Jackson's attempts to burnish his gangsta rapper persona by distorting beyond all recognition a bona fide, good faith offer that Taco Bell made to Jackson," Taco Bell lawyer Robert Lehrburger continued in a letter to the Daily News.

50's attorney, Peter Raymond, was curious about the restaurant's initial intention to work with the rapper despite knowing his corrupt past.

"It makes me wonder why they would decide to use his name in their ad campaign if they think he's such a bad character," Raymond told Daily News.

As previously reported by SOHH, the G-Unit leader filed the lawsuit claiming the fast food chain presented a fake letter asking 50 to change his name to "79 Cent," "89 Cent" or "99 Cent" for their Why Pay More Value Menu to the media before it reached the rapper.

Damages to 50's reputation reportedly included his apperance of "selling out" due to consumers believing he may have, in fact, endorsed the campaign.

[For more on your favorite rappers from the Big Apple peep SOHH NYC]

T.I. Associate Philant Johnson's Murder Trial Begins, Witness Points Finger At Brother

2008-11-19T22:28:14Z

Opening statements by prosecutors in a case involving the murder of T.I.'s assistant and close friend, Philant Johnson, began today (November 19) in Cincinnati, Ohio.

]]> According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, jury members were told primary suspect Hosea Thomas is solely responsible for the death of Johnson resulting from a shoot-out with Tip's entourage in May 2006.

"It's all going to come down to witness testimony," prosecutor Heather Gosselin told jurors today.

In a surprising turn of events, Hosea's brother, Padron, who was also involved in the shoot-out, has stepped forward to testify against him. Despite the allegation, Hosea's attorney Charles Isaly feels confident the statements won't hold up in court.

"Credibility. That's what this case comes down to," Isaly told Enquirer. "[Prosecutors] just don't have evidence."

By testifying against his brother, Padron will reportedly no longer face murder charges which, in turn, will permit him to offer a guilty plea to manslaughter and have all additional charges fall in line with his federal prison sentence. This will also ensure he faces no prison time for his role in the murder of Johnson.

As previously reported by SOHH, Tip is expected to testify on Friday (November 21) about the events that took place when the shoot-out occurred.

[For more on your favorite rappers from the ATL peep SOHH Atlanta]

Finalists for the Online Hip-Hop Awards have been announced. Vote for your favorite artists, bloggers and websites here.

New Beyonce CD "Flying Off The Shelf," Projected To Debut At No. 1

2008-11-19T21:47:46Z

Beyonce Knowles' new album, I Am... Sasha Fierce, is on track to debut at number one on the albums sales chart next week.

]]> Yesterday (November 18), Beyonce dropped her highly anticipated third solo album, I Am... Sasha Fierce, on Music World/Columbia Records. According to HitsDailyDouble, the two disc set will debut at the top of the charts. They project that it will sell between 500,000 and 550,000 copies.

An employee at New York City's Virgin Megastore in Union Square indicated that the first two days of sales have been very stong. "Every single customer we've had so far has been buying the Beyonce CD. It's been flying off the shelf," she told SOHH.

The former Destiny's Child star collaborated with Jim Jonsin, Darkchild, Stargate, and Sean Garrett on this project which is the follow-up to her platinum-selling 2006 release, B'Day. Tricky and The-Dream were responsible for "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," one of the two singles that Knowles selected to kick off this album. The other single, "If I Were A Boy," is currently holding down the number 5 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

I Am... Sasha Fierce is in stores now.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a full run-down of this week's releases on SOHH's Sales Wrap column.

[For more on your favorite R&B stars peep SOHH Soulful]

Finalists for the Online Hip-Hop Awards have been announced. Vote for your favorite artists, bloggers and websites here.

Suge Knight Cries Foul, Blames Cops For Missing Bling

2008-11-19T18:46:48Z

Just over a week after filing a lawsuit against rap star Kanye West over a missing diamond stud earring, Suge Knight is now blaming California authorities for another case of stolen jewelry.

]]> According TMZ, the former record label mogul has pointed the finger at Barstow police in his U.S. Bankruptcy case. Suge claims - in a an incient that hapened three years ago - while being transferred from police headquarters to West Valley Detention Center to the California Institution for Men, his earring was stolen

As previously reported by SOHH, the former Death Row Records owner recently sued Kanye for over $135,00 stemming from a gun shot wound and robbery attained at the producer's pre-MTV Video Music Awards party, also back in '05.

In related news, Suge also recently made headlines after being charged with three felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from a physical confrontation with his girlfriend last summer.

Finalists for the Online Hip-Hop Awards have been announced. Vote for your favorite artists, bloggers and websites here.