Lil Wayne Sued By Rolling Stones

...Unfair Competition...He must be a threat.

Via HiphopGame.com

Lil' Wayne has been sued by a music publishing company over claims he released a version of Rolling Stones song Play With Fire without permission.

Abkco Music Inc have said that Lil' Wayne's Playing with Fire was clearly derived from the Stones' original but used "explicit and offensive language".

They accuse the rapper of copyright infringement and unfair competition.

The legal action was filed in federal court in Manhattan against the rapper, his collaborators and his record company - which is a unit of Universal Music Group.

Abkco Music are seeking unspecified damages. They claim the public could have been misled into believing that the company and the Rolling Stones authorized and approved of Lil' Wayne's version

Daz's and Keyshia Cole's Mothers Team Up With Non-Profit Organization

I thought Keyshia's mom was a druggie?...Hmm. Oh well.

Via AllHipHop.com

Hip Hop Grows Up Inc, a non-profit centered on guiding youth emotional development, has announced a partnership with the mothers of Daz Dillinger and Keyshia Cole.



Both mothers, Dr. Allean Varnado and Dr.. Yvonne Cole, are evangelists who minister to youth around the country.



The non-profit states one of its main goals is to “help youth better prioritize images and words they receive from entertainment, and to greatly enhance the self-esteem within youth.”



"As an educator, evangelist, singer/songwriter, I am delighted to be a part of Hip Hop Grows Up, Inc. I want to see first above all things, (that) Hip Hop Grows Up Inc, train youth to put God first and His word first and make sure that they know, you want to be able to grow up spiritually and educationally," Dr. Varnado explained to AllHipHop.com. "We want the youth to find out who they are in Christ. Then they will know that no man can stand in the way, of getting what God has provided for them through Jesus Christ. We want them educated. It is very important that they get the best."



Founders Talia Ashley and Cece Morris are very excited about the partnership and feel the religious experience of both women will be vital to their success with the children.



“Having a spiritual connection to God is far too important to the growth and transformation of our youth and to Hip Hop Grows Up, Inc,” stated Morris.



As an elder, Dr. Cole also feels an obligation to impart the life lessons and wisdom she’s learned throughout her life.



“As a minister, I see the challenge our kids face today. I feel our kids want someone to hear them and Hip Hop Grows Up, Inc is that ear,” Cole said. “If the elders don’t hear the kids, then who will?”



For more information visit www.hiphopgrowsup.com

DJ K-Swift Death = Foul Play?

Shame. Once again.

Via HipHopDX.com

This morning, The Baltimore Sun's website profiled the life of pioneering club and radio personality DJ K-Swift who passed away in a swimming pool accident earlier this week [click to read]. The article reveals the importance Swift had on the city, with one record executive claiming that her programming determined "a B-more hit."

Although the article itself makes no allegations, online readers and numerous voices in the Baltimore music community are alleging foul play in Swift's death.

An online article, written anonymously last May alleged that stations, namely 92Q and K-Swift were among the few local artists given airplay. The deejay was managed and in business with Unruly Records, a label seemingly given preferential treatment in breaking regional records. The article reveals testimony of payola, specifically with deejays including Swift.

Unruly Records has released the following statement on their website, from president Shawn Caesar, "Unruly Records is deeply saddened by the loss of our friend, sister, label mate, and legendary female deejay 'K-Swift.' In this time of bereavement, it is our prayer that the memory of K-Swift remains in the heart and minds of those who knew her well." The site also has directed press and media to their legal council.

This morning, an anonymous source, claiming to be a longterm acquaintance of K-Swift contacted HipHopDX, adding that her death was suspicious. "The pool water was disgusting, from all that I've heard, not the kind that was going to be swam in by anyone," the source said. The pool was an above-ground pool without a platform, making the diving motives questionable in the five feet of water.

HipHopDX will keep you updated of further developments in this story.

And this blog.

NaS Behind A Petition Against Fox

Haha. NaS is my hero. Fox...no.

Via HipHopDX.com

When Nas dropped his Untitled LP with "Sly Fox" in the track listing, many saw the more political side of Mr. Jones. On the track, he goes in depth to speak on Fox News and what they refer to as "fair and balanced" reporting. He voices his distaste and attacks Bill O'Reilly in the process. Although that was simply one song about the matter, it appears that Nas is taking the inspiration for the track and being active about stopping the news corporation from continuing what he calls "patterns of racist attacks against black Americans."

A petition has been signed by 620,000 people so that Fox News stops those said "patterns of racist attacks." Nas, ColorofChange.org and MoveOn.org have issued a statement noting that this petition will be sent to Fox offices in Manhattan today, July 23, 2008 at 2:00p.m EST.

Nas' statement on the matter cites Fox's declaration of Senator Barack Obama's wife Michelle Obama as "Obama's baby mama." He also cited Obama being confused with Osama Bin Laden on the network and a pundit claiming they both should be assassinated. Another instance of this cites Bill O'Reilly talking about a "lynching party" for Michelle Obama.

"Fox poisons the country with racist propaganda and tries to call it news," Nas said in the statement.

James Rucker, executive director of ColorofChange.org added to this.
"When Fox talks about lynching the woman who may soon be our first lady and then refers to this wife and mother as a 'baby mama,' they are maligning not only the Obamas, but black women and black people across this country," Rucker stated. "We have over 600,000 signatures -- more than half a million people -- saying that we won't stand for Fox's racism and hate-mongering."

Detox To Be A November or December Release

Via HipHopDX.com

According to Dr. Dre, his long-awaited third studio album Detox is nearing completion - and could be here before the year is up.

"I'm just now — over the last couple of months — starting to feel that it's going to be right and it's something I can be proud of, and everybody is going to love it," says Dr. Dre to USA Today. "In a perfect world, I'm shooting for a November or December release."

According to Dre, who does not often speak on the project, his goal is not necessarily to raise the bar for Hip Hop production values, like 2001 and The Chronic before it. "I've never set out to do that," says Dre. "I just make the music feel the way I want it to feel and I don't put it out until I'm totally happy with it. Then it does what it does."

Since he first hinted at the project in 2002, Dre's Detox has been a subject of speculation ever since. The project was slated to some out in 2004, yet faced constant delays. Mentions of the project appeared on albums by Eminem, The Game and Snoop Dogg, yet never amounted to anything. Further speculation was fueled by mixtapes like Pretox, hosted by Mick Boogie, as well as countless artists and producers revealing they had contributed to the album in some way.

"We have an entirely new thing going with the drums that's incredible, and we're still developing that." says Dre, who revealed all "the usual suspects" will make guest appearances, including Nas, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne.

And if you thought Detox was a long wait, Dre says the next one (if there is a next one) will be even longer. "I'm going to put this record out, promote it, tour and then become a hermit. I'm going to stay in the studio and produce."

As for future plans, Dre, who was instrumental in launching the careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem and 50 Cent, is interested in working on new artists rather than established ones.

"All I want to do is sit in the studio with that person for a year and try to create another masterpiece."