URBAN CONNECTIONZ ONLINE HEADLINEZ

For many when you mention the Name G Dep many things come up, some good some bad for the past 6 years. G Dep also known as the Deputy has been battling his demons, however threw it all he has not stopped doing what made him famous in the first place. That is spit lyrics that made him a hot commodity to one of the biggest Labels and  Executives in the Game .Releasing his debut album on Bad Boy Records,which scanned over 300k with the hit records "Special Delivery & "Let's Get It", That had the whole world doing the Harlem Shake. This break out album that put G dep on the Hip hop Radar as a bonafide Super star.  Dep was gainning the respect as a true Mc.  After rumors of being dropped from Bad Boy ,though not publicly confirmed Dep was forced to fend for him self and until he was forced to face the demons of drugs by doing time on Rikers Island. For many this would have been a regular thing to the Child of the ghetto. It was a wake up call that made him put his life in prospective and he forced him self to be accountable. The harm he inflicted on himself so after doing his time a Sober Dep was released.

So now Dep is back on the Music Scene destined to regain what was a sure thing and that is Rap super stardom. With the Release of his New mixtape Entitled Deponomics aka the hiatus Dep delivers that flow the world grew to love on his previous classic debut album. Dep has a new  mix tape hosted by mix tape heavy weight Dj E.Nyce. G Dep is back on the right track and with a great Story to tell. Dep is ensuring  Happy Ending, He's  is in the Studio working on a New Album With Heavy Weights Dame Grease, Ron Browz, Needles, Eazy El pee, Keez to the city  Ron G,  Taylor Made, and  Double Nickelz just to name a Few.

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NEW YORK, Sept. 25  -- Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter and multiple Grammy nominated production duo Stargate have officially announced the formation of StarRoc. Roc Nation has struck a global partnership deal with Stargate encompassing both a music label and publishing company, StarRoc Music Publishing. It is the first partnership for Roc Nation, JAY-Z's official venture with Live Nation.

"Stargate were like a secret weapon. We had great success with Rihanna and Ne-Yo. In only 2 years, they've generated 10 singles in the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart and 3 of those singles hit the # 1 position. This has been a rewarding partnership and it was time to take the creative venture to the next level," commented JAY-Z.

"We've already had a lot of success together and look forward to building the new company," added Stargate. "Roc Nation and Live Nation are two of the most exciting companies in the music business today and we want to be part of that future."

StarRoc, based in New York, is a natural next step for the Norwegian duo that have already had successful collaborations with JAY-Z and the Carter Administration. Most recently Stargate has scored with the #1 songs "Irreplaceable" (Beyonce), "Take A Bow" (Rihanna), "Closer" (Ne-Yo) and "Unfaithful" (Rihanna). The focus is to find new talent and develop artists through mutually beneficial global partnerships which include music distribution, publishing, touring and merchandising.

Stargate, comprised of Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel S. Eriksen are 6x time Grammy nominated 2008 producers, the 2007 PRS/ASCAP Songwriters of the Year, 2008 Rolling Stone Magazine Hitmakers of the Year, 2008 Ivor Novello Award recipients, Billboard #1 Hot Producers 2006 and multiaward- winning ASCAP songwriters 2006-2008.

This groundbreaking new division, headed by Shawn Carter will partner with artists to manage their diverse rights, expand their fan bases and provide a direct connection to fans through the global distribution platform and marketing proficiencies that have made Live Nation the world's largest live music company. Artist Nation is an equal partner in the new business unit. Utilizing Live Nation's global resources Roc Nation will provide a full range of services to the Roc Nation roster.

Posted by jamesjohnson at 09:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

BOSTON (September 25, 2008) –Mass Appeal Entertainment (www.massappealmusic.com) today announced the release of the late Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes' last solo project EYE-Legacy (www.lefteyelegacy.com). Mass Appeal Entertainment in conjunction with the Lopes family will release the new disc on November 11th filled with 12 unreleased tracks alongside re-tooled songs from the limited edition international release, Supernova (2001).

The first buzz record "Legendary" offers brand new production on a timeless duet featuring the late great rapper, Tupac Shakur. EYE-Legacy also pairs new vocals from the late Left Eye with her female counterparts, TLC and Grammy Award winning rapper/producer, Missy Elliott on the infectious single "Let's Just Do It." Other artists featured on the album include Chamillionaire (Ridin' Dirty/Hip Hop Police), Lil' Mama (Lip Gloss), and R&B crooner Bobby Valentino (Slow Down).

Boasting an amazing compilation with special collaborations from some of music's biggest stars along with new vocals from Left Eye, EYE-Legacy is a personal collection of creative testaments from one of music's most well-known female artists. The new disc will include exclusive bonus material with never-before-seen intimate video footage from Left Eye's final days. A percentage of the proceeds from the album sales will go to support the Lisa Lopes Foundation (www.lisalopesfoundation.org) and her orphanage in Honduras .

"We hope people understand the message in Lisa's music and appreciate her as not just a member of TLC, but as a solo artist as well. This album is Left Eye's musical gift to her fans and adds to the beauty of her legacy," The Lopes family states.

As a member of TLC, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes sold over 45 million albums and amassed numerous accolades for her talent, including 4 Grammy awards and 5 MTV Awards. Left Eye played an integral role in making TLC undoubtedly one of the best selling female groups in music history. EYE-Legacy will hope to grant the millions of Left Eye's fans, and music lovers alike, one more chance to connect to TLC's most celebrated, charismatic and outspoken member—Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.

For more information on the Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes legacy and her last solo project, EYE-Legacy, please log onto www.lefteyelegacy.com. For donations to the Lisa Lopes Foundation please log onto www.lisalopesfoundation.org.

Posted by jamesjohnson at 09:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

KOCH Records announces the release of "The Villain," the new album by Detroit rapper Trick Trick. The album features such heavyweights as Eminem, Kid Rock, Ice Cube, Guilty Simpson, Paradime, Diezel, Esham, Guilty Simpson, and Royce da 5'9.

The lead single from "The Villain," "Let It Fly" ft/ Ice Cube is produced by Trick Trick, and showcases his no-nonsense flow and boisterous delivery. A video for "Let It Fly" featuring Ice Cube was recently shot and directed by Ghettonerd. The video will be serviced to networks and online portals shortly.

Trick Trick handled most of the production duties on "The Villain" himself, while Enimem produced three tracks and Dr. Dre produced one song. The album also includes "Together Forever," a Run DMC re-make featuring the late Proof, Kid Rock, and Detroit veteran Esham.

Describing "The Villain," Trick says, "I wanted to make music that I feel good about, to bring some real music back to the game. Each track is designed for its texture of song, texture of writing. I wanted to do what I felt good about, not chase after the times. Music is Eternal so I might have a song that is rotten as f***, and there's a point to it. I'm making a statement. If you don't respect me, this is what I'm forced to do to you."

"The Villain" is the follow-up to his debut, "The People Vs. Trick Trick" which debuted at #1 on the Billboard New Artist Chart. Trick Trick has garnered a huge street following from his smash street single with Eminem "Welcome To Detroit" and since then has been widely regarded as the next big rap act to break out of Detroit.

Outside of rap, Trick has ties to various nightclubs in downtown Detroit, and is in the taste testing stages of his own grape lemonade-flavored energy drink called G-Punch, through Cintron Beverage Group. He's also set to appear in the upcoming films "Cut Print" and "Gang Squad."

For more on Trick Trick, please visit http://www.myspace.com/tricktrickgs.

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After a six-year court case
resulting in an acquittal on all 14 counts of child pornography,
multi-platinum recording artist and Grammy award winner R. Kelly breaks his
silence to the world in an exclusive BET News special, R. KELLY SPEAKS,
premiering on Tuesday, September 16 at 10:00 p.m.* In this half-hour
special, Kelly sits down with BET host and acclaimed journalist Toure in
Philadelphia for his first and possibly final interview to discuss his long
legal battle leading up to the not-guilty verdict. The verdict came six
years after the R&B superstar was first charged with videotaping himself
having sex with an underage girl who prosecutors believe may have been as
young as 13 at the time. By answering the hard-hitting questions
surrounding his recent case, career, critics and more, Kelly hopes to close
this 

    Kelly will speak openly about his feelings during and after the trial,
the fans he lost along the way, his brother who openly expressed concern
about the superstar's sexual age preference and more.

    R. KELLY SPEAKS is the third installment in the series of exclusive
one-on-one interviews produced by BET News. Past specials include, T.I.
SPEAKS and THE BISHOP SPEAKS, an in-depth interview with Bishop Thomas
Weeks III.

Posted by jamesjohnson at 07:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rap superstar Lil Wayne proved to
be "A Milli"-onaire when his Cash Money Records album, Tha Carter III, sold
one million copies in a single week on its release in June, with a current
total of more than 2.4 million, making it 2008's best-selling record.

    Now, Lil Wayne is poised to become a multi-millionaire as he re-signs
with the only label he's ever known, the New Orleans-based Cash Money
Records, the groundbreaking company founded by brothers Ronald "Slim"
Williams and Bryan "Baby" Williams 16 years ago out of the city's New
Orleans housing projects.

    Lil Wayne has literally grown up as a Cash Money artist, from the time
he was a young teenager and part of the legendary hip-hop group Hot Boys
with fellow label artists B.G., Juvenile and Turk. He is credited with
introducing the term, "bling," into the rap vernacular in the Big Tymers'
1998 track, "Millionaire Dream." He went on to score platinum albums with
Tha Block Is Hot as well as the first two installments of Tha Carter
trilogy.

    "We were introduced to him when he was just a little, little kid,"
recalls Slim. "He told us he wanted to be a rapper. He just called us every
day, and at one point, even came to live with us. He just outworked
everybody. He had that drive to succeed."

    Added Baby: "Working with our son, Lil Wayne, throughout the many years
has helped us build Cash Money into the empire it is today. Cash Money is a
family and Lil' Wayne has been part of our family since day one."

    And now the partnership between Cash Money and Lil Wayne will continue,
with a multi-album pact that takes them into the future together.

    "Tha Carter III is just the tip of the iceberg with Lil Wayne,"
continues Slim. "The best is yet to come."

    Since its historic deal with Universal Music Group in 1998, which
guaranteed Cash Money all revenues from record sales and music publishing,
as well as ownership of its masters, the label has been distributed by
Universal Motown Records Group.

    And with Lil Wayne still in the fold, that should promise even more
success to come.

Posted by jamesjohnson at 07:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Superstar NELLY releases BRASS KNUCKLES, his fifth studio album on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 on Derrty ENT./Universal Motown Records. The rapper/actor/entrepreneur also kicks off his tour titled, "The Story of Brass Knuckles" today in Los Angeles.

The St. Louis native's career album sales exceed 30 million, nevertheless he approached BRASS KNUCKLES with the same hunger, ambition and creativity that fired his first four multi-platinum projects. NELLY left nothing to chance with this new collection, commenting: "Nobody's going to give you anything, you got to work hard for what you want. You got to continue to press." Joining him to do the derrty work of BRASS KNUCKLES is an A-list slate of collaborators, including Usher, Pharrell, Akon, Ciara, Chuck D, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Ashanti, St. Lunatics and Derrty ENT's up and coming R&B singer Avery Storm.

BRASS KNUCKLES' hit single "Body On Me" continues to climbs radio and video charts. The infectious song featuring Akon and Ashanti maintains its upward momentum at Rhythmic/Crossover radio moving up through Top 10. The sumptuous video clip, portraying the good life in Las Vegas with friends and entourage, has generated over 6 million YouTube.com views and is the Top 5 video on 106 & Park's countdown.

Other album highlights include the romantic "Long Night," featuring Usher, "Self-Esteem," a take pride in who you are song that co-stars Public Enemy hip-hop game-changer Chuck D, and "Let It Go," with the Neptunes' Pharrell. The album also includes its debut single, "Party People" featuring Pop Diva Fergie. Party People's video is too a YouTube smash hit with 9 million-plus views.

The three-time Grammy® and six-time Billboard Award winner's previous studio project, the unique double release Sweat and Suit, sold six million copies, and made NELLY the first solo artist in history to simultaneously make album chart entries at No. 1 and No. 2. His Grammy®-winning hits "Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma" were consecutive No.1s, with 17 unbroken weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. NELLY starred in the remake of The Longest Yard and was also executive producer of the multi-platinum soundtrack album.

NELLY is CEO of the label he founded, Derrty Entertainment, and has launched two successful clothing labels, Apple Bottoms (the No. 2 junior apparel line in the U.S.) and Vokal, as well as the all-natural energy drink Pimp Juice. He is a co-owner of the NBA expansion team the Charlotte Bobcats, and recently opened Skybox, a St. Louis sports bar.

A committed philanthropist, NELLY has founded two charitable organizations, 4 Sho 4 Kids, (www.4sho4kids.org) dedicated to improving the quality of life for children born with developmental disabilities (emphasis on Down's syndrome) and those born addicted to drugs; and Jes Us 4 Jackie, (www.jesus4jackie.com), launched to educate African-Americans about the need for bone marrow and stem cell transplant donations. Though the organization's namesake, NELLY's beloved sister Jackie, who passed in 2005, the organization's continued efforts have saved eight lives so far through donor matches.

Watch NELLY this week on national television shows, - NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno on September 16th, The Ellen DeGeneres Show on September 18th, and ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live on September 22nd. The rapper is also kicking off a three-week series of live dates, "The Story of Brass Knuckles Tour," hitting both coasts beginning tonight in Los Angeles.

http://www.nelly.net/

THE STORY OF BRASS KNUCKLES TOUR

Date            City                 Venue
Sep 15th         Los Angeles         House of Blues
Sep 22nd         Dallas         House of Blues
Sep 23rd         Houston         Warehouse Live
Sep 25th         Ft. Lauderdale         Revolution
Sep 27th         Myrtle Beach         House Of Blues
Sep 29th         Richmond         Toads
Sep 30th         Baltimore         Ram's Head
Oct 1st         New York City         Nokia
Oct 3rd         Washington, DC         Love
Oct 4th         Atlantic City         House of Blues
Oct 7th         Chicago         House of Blues
Oct 8th         Minneapolis         Myth

Posted by jamesjohnson at 07:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

KOCH Records is happy to announce the release of Disturbing Tha Peace Presents... I-20: "Blood In The Water." The album will hit stores on October 14th, 2008 and features appearances by Ludacris, Playaz Circle, Lil Keke and more.

Based in Decatur, GA, I-20 has one of the deepest and most imposing voices in hip-hop. He met a prestardom Ludacris in 1997, which led to him becoming a member of the multi-platinum rapper's Disturbing Tha Peace collective. Disturbing Tha Peace released their debut album "Golden Grain" in late 2002. The album sold over 620,000 units and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Rap Chart. I-20 quickly went to work on and released his debut solo album, "Self Explanatory," in April 2004. The album scanned over 100,000 units. The second DTP album "Ludacris presents... Disturbing Tha Peace" was released in December 2005 and sold over 627,000 units.

Ludacris says I-20 is "The most aggressive highly underrated MC in the game."

With his second solo endeavor "Blood In The Water," I-20 showcases his distinct baritone voice and southern hardcore wit. Powered by the lead single and video, "Really Like Her" feat. Ludacris, I-20 is back and once again taking his place among the best of Atlanta's hardcore rappers.

I-20's new single "Really Like Her" feat. Ludacris is impacting at radio now. The single can be heard at: http://kochent.edgeboss.net/download/kochent/radiohits/really_like_her_clean.mp3

The viral video for "Down South" can be viewed here: http://kochent.edgeboss.net/wmedia/kochent/i20/downsouth512k_stream.wvx

For more info on I-20 go to:

www.myspace.com/I20dealer

www.kochrecords.com

Posted by jamesjohnson at 07:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)