Urban News

[11.04.02]
Ashanti album news

New York-based songstress Ashanti, the princess of Murder Inc. Records, lands at Number One on the Billboard 200 albums chart with her self-titled debut, which sold an amazing 502,000 copies in its first week of release.
Ashanti explained to LAUNCH why the time was right for her album. "Oh my gosh, the timing couldn't be better. Honestly, it couldn't be better 'cause with the whole Fat Joe and 'Always On Time' still bumping, and then my single, you know, warming up, heating up, it's just perfect timing."
Ashanti also shared how she landed at Murder Inc., which was primarily known for its hip-hop exploits. "Originally we were just going to them for tracks because, you know, Murder Inc.--hip-hop, you know, rap label--what do they want with you know a little female R&B? The chemistry was there and we made it."
Yves Erwin Salomon, Launch.com
[Source: Launch.com]

[04.04.02]
Ali G aaight with the Royal Family

As thousands of Britons paid last respects to the Queen Mother Elizabeth, Princes William and Harry recalled their great-grandmother as a vivacious and inspirational figure who loved "a good giggle," often at her own expense, and once left them howling at her impersonation of a satirical hip-hop comedian.
In a rare interview, the two princes provided a vivid glimpse of their relationship with the royal matriarch and unusual insight into the domestic life of Britain's royals. William and Harry recalled with delight how quickly the Queen Mother picked up on the antics of street-wise character Ali G, played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.
The boys remembered how she once astonished them and their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, by mimicking the spoof hip-hop character Ali G at a Christmas lunch. After the Queen Mother finished eating, she thanked her daughter, the queen, by snapping her fingers in imitation of the TV character and blurting his catchphrase, "Respec'."
During their lunch at Sandringham, the queen's Norfolk estate about "two or three Christmases ago," the Queen Mother saw the boys laughing to Ali G on television. "She saw Ali G click his fingers and say 'Respec',' and Harry and I showed her what to do," William said.
[Source: Associated Press]

[28.03.02]
Mary J talks about the next UK single

'No More Drama' is out next month, and Mary is trying to tell us something pretty personal.
A while back, she was feeling quite depressed and suicidal but this track marks a turning point: "I don't want to die. I want to live. You know I made a choice to love myself regardless. And when you make a choice to love yourself, you love everybody else."
[Source: Radio One online ]

[21.03.02]
Hip-Hop meets Ann Robinson

Nate Dogg, B-Real and DJ Quik were among the contestants on a special version of 'The Weakest Link'.
American TV network NBC have recorded a hip-hop version featuring Nate Dogg, Xzibit, Jermaine Dupri, B-Real, Rev Run, Da Brat, Young MC and DJ Quik. The show will be broadcast in the US at the end of April.
[Source: Radio One online ]

[07.03.02]
'Streets Is Watchin' to be released... along with one from DMX

Jay Z and DMX are both releasing their movies on video and DVD on April 1.
For the first time Jay Z’s controversial ‘Streets is Watching’ will be available to buy, complete with behind-the-scenes footage and the movie’s original soundtrack.
DMX’s package, ‘One More Road to Cross’, is a mini-movie co-starring Mary J. Blige. It also includes live concert footage and exclusive interviews.
[Source: Radio One online ]

[06.03.02]
Destiny's Child in further legal dispute

Following last week's news that two former members are suing the trio over lyrics contained in the song 'Survivor', it has emerged that Dwayne Wiggins, formerly of R'n'B trio Tony, Toni, Tone, has filed papers against his old legal reps.
Dwayne says he has an agreement dating back to 1995 which details his production company's relationship with Destiny's Child. He claims Grass Roots 'presented' Destiny's Child to Sony Music in 1996 for a seven year period in exchange for 'certain royalties'. However, Dwayne claims that Bloom, Hergott, Diemer & Cook issued another contract a year later, without his knowledge, limiting Grass Roots' royalties to just three albums. Wiggins is claiming compensatory damages and court costs totalling more than £10m. A conference hearing is expected to take place in August. [Source: Radio One online ]

[05.03.02]
The end of the Tommy Boy era

Legendary rap label Tommy Boy has terminated its fifteen year relationship with Warner Music Group (WMG).
In a joint statement it was revealed that WMG will acquire a portion of Tommy Boy’s back catalogue and several acts, including De La Soul and House Of Pain’s Everlast, while Tommy Boy’s founder Tom Silverman will retain ownership of the label’s name and selected artists.
Silverman plans to relaunch Tommy Boy - which emerged in 1981 - as a fully fledged independent label. Silverman’s Tommy Boy is expected to release new albums by Masters at Work and Junior Vasquez later this year. [Source: Radio One online ]