7-22-99
Ruff Ryders rapper Eve was robbed at gunpoint on Monday night in Long Island City, Queens, NY. She was in the parking lot at a video shoot for her upcoming single, "Gotta Man," when the assailants took three pieces of jewelry from the rapper -- a diamond necklace, a diamond bracelet, and a white gold bracelet -- that had an estimated value of $137,000. Shout-out to Joe for this.

According to Hip Hop Zone, you can watch Mary J. Blige and Brandy team up on the small screen, but it won't be in a new video. Blige is heading to Los Angeles this weekend to tape the season premiere of Brandy's television series, "Moesha." The R&B queen will be playing herself on the show, which is scheduled to air on the UPN network on August 23. The broadcast will come on the heels of the release of Blige's fourth studio album, "Mary." The new LP is due to drop on August 17 and will feature contributions from the likes of K-Ci, Nas, DMX, and Lauryn Hill, who wrote and produced the first single, "All That I Can Say."

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are teaming up again very soon. They will be putting on a concert and a luau in Hawaii later this summer. Check out Power 106 for more info.

7-20-99
Dr. Dre is suing Death Row Records. Here's what Vibewire had to say: Pioneering West Coast producer/rapper Dr. Dre (born Andre Young) filed a suit yesterday against Death Row Records and its distributor Priority Records, reports Billboard. Dre alleges that the recent Death Row album The Chronic 2000: Still Smokin' infringes on a trademark held by Dre, who released The Chronic in 1992 when he was still with Death Row. The suit seeks an injunction against the use of the "Chronic" trademark, the seizure of any products utilizing the trademark, damages, and profits realized from the products. Dre had originally titled his next album The Chronic 2000: Still Smokin', but has since changed the name to The Chronic 2001: No Seeds.

Def Jam mogul Russell Simmons and his wife Kimora Lee are expecting a baby in January. If it's a girl, her name will be Ming, and Malik if it's a boy.

7-15-99
R. Kelly's music is now banned from the radio station, KZWA-FM, in Lake Charles, LA. This is a result from this raunchy performance at the Essence Music Festival in the New Orleans' Superdome. The general manager of the station said this: "I believe that we lose too much to continue to support this man. We cannot tolerate it... and I find it offensive." Thanks again to Joe for this.

Mase is now rumored to be going with Tia Mowry. Also related to Mase, "All I Ever Wanted" is his new single, which I think is the worst song on his album.

Bad Boy hitman Richard "Younglord" Frierson recently started his own label, "YoungWorld Industries."

Hip Hop Reviewz says there is now a retaliation to Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills." That song cracks on all the cheaper men who aren't really paying for anything.

Beanie Siegal’s debut album is now titled "The Truth," dropping September 7th.

Hip Hop News says Ja Rule and Memphis Bleek might get together for a duo album under the name BQE (Brooklyn-Queens Experience) since Ja is from Queens and Bleek is from Brooklyn.

7-13-99
DMX was just arrested for obsene language while performing at a concert in Trindad. There, it's against the law for cussing in public. Foxy Brown was cussing on stage too, but was never arrested though. Thanks again to the homie Joe for this.

7-8-99
R. Kelly had some controversy at the Essence Music Festival. They warned him about his infamous "bed scene" and touching his private parts because the festival is family-oriented and his behavior would not be appropriate. They threatened to drop the curtain if it happened, so R. Kelly didn't even finish his performance. Thanks to the homie Joe for this.

There was really never any beef between Puffy and Foxy Brown. It was rumored that Puffy dissed her in Li'l Cease's "Play Around." At the end of Li'l Kim's verse, Puffy says 'stop trying to sound like her too...' But Foxy's little brother said this: "Puff called me up and said 'We weren't talking about Foxy. You know how things are. We were just joking around. It wasn't directed to her at all.' Everything's cool, me and Puff and Foxy are cool, no doubt." The reason why Foxy changed her voice in the first place was because her label, Def Jam, forced her to.

7-5-99
According to Hip Hop Reviewz, DMX was in conjunction with the Fort Lee, NJ shooting of Ray Copeland, the rapper’s uncle and manager, on Saturday. Copeland had been shot in the foot. Fort Lee police were granted a search warrant for DMX’s Teaneck home, where they found an Intratec 9 auto pistol, hollow-nosed bullets, a high-capacity magazine for the pistol, a bullet-proof vest, some drug paraphernalia, and 14 pit bulls. DMX wasn't at home when they searched his home and upon finding out there was a warrent for his arrest he turned himself in. DMX and his wife were charged with wife were charged with possession of hollow-nosed bullets, possession of drug paraphernalia (possibly glass vials and smoking pipes), possession of an Intratec 9 pistol, and possession of a high-capacity magazine. There is also a supplemental charge for having possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Both DMX and his wife were let out on bail, DMX for $50,000 and his wife for $2500. No court date has been set right now but expect one soon.

6-29-99
Tyrese will be stopping by LAUNCH.com for a live online chat. Check it out on Thursday, July 8th, 1999 at 3:00 pm PST, 6:00 pm EST. Just point your browser to here for more info.

6-26-99
There MIGHT be beef between Eminem and Method Man. This is what some man said at The Source Online: Eminem was at a club in NYC and he was wearing a hat only New Yorkers wear, but Eminem wrote something on top of it. So Method Man confronted him and told him he can't be wearing that cuz he ain't from NY. So Eminem started talking head to Meth for no reason and Meth responded back. They were about to throw hook, but Dr. Dre stopped it before it went down.

702's LeMisha gave birth on Friday, June 18th. She's the light-skinned one of the group, and if you look closely to their video, "Where My Girls At," you can see her stomach showing through her shirt.

6-15-99
As a result of the lawsuit against Untertainment from the NBA, Cam'ron's album has been postponed until August 3rd. They also received complaints from the NYC mayor and the Rev. Al Sharpton after it was advertised on a billboard in Harlem.

Mia X will also retire after her upcoming album. She plans to study entertainment law.

5-9-99
Untertainment is being sued by the NBA for their new ad for Cam'ron's upcoming album. (Check page 11 in the new Blaze with Nas on the cover to see it. It's sad because the ad is kinda tight.)

The Notorious K.I.M. is Lil' Kim's new album title, instead of Kimberly Denise Jones Rollin' In Doe.

Kane & Abel from No Limit got arrested for possession and intent to sell cocaine.

5-3-99
According to MTV, Li'l Kim's next album, due in July or August, will be less raunchy. She claims maturity makes better music.

Jigga is coming out with a movie called "The Evils" which is based on his Reasonable Doubt song, "D Evils." He'll also release an album this year. AND the proceeds from his Hard Knock Life Tour concert in Denver, CO will be donated to the families of the Columbine High students.

Puffy is furious with Mase's retirement. At the Shark Bar Restaurant in NYC, Mase and Foxy Brown were having dinner, then Puffy came busting in. He asked him, "What do you want? More money? A house? A car?" But Mase just said, "You need Jesus. I'm going to pray for you." Now either Puffy or Mase, I don't know which one, walked out about to cry.

Li'l Cease's debut album will be called Long Time Coming.

4-21-99
L.A.P.D. suspects Suge Knight for being partly responsible for B.I.G.'s death. Several evidence link to him, although no charges have been filed.

Puffy got arrested for knockin' out Steve Stoute, who is Nas' executive producer. He got mad at him for releasing the "Hate Me Now" video. It shows both Puffy & Nas nailed on a cross (which is BLASPHEMY, hello?). I guess Puffy realized this and wanted it edited out. Since Steve didn't, Puffy went to his office and beat him up with a champagne bottle and a chair. At first he tried to deny it, but later he turned himself in. He got out on bail, but could be in the slammer for 7 years if convicted.

According to SOHH.com, a statement released by Mase's management, the rapper is retiring. He said the decision is "effective immediately." Mase will only do spoken-word engagements to promote his new album, "Double Up," due out on June 15. The rapper is leaving the music industry to follow up his newfound comittement to God. On NY's Hot97, Mase spoke to Funkmaster Flex on the phone. He commented on how shortly after Tupac and B.I.G. found GOD, they were killed. He didn't want to stall on his calling.

4-5-99
Method Man & Redman are not happy with their album title given to them by Russell Simmons, "America's Most Blunted." So go the defjam.com and vote for another one.

Now, I absolutely refuse to believe this: C-Murder & Monica want to get married, but C-Murder already has a wife. Also, Monica is supposedly pregnant with his baby.
I got this from Made Man's Hip-Hop Page.

The civil rights activist, Rosa Parks, is mad at Outkast for using her name in their hit song without her permission. She feels that she has been exploited by the use of her name, but Outkast says that it was no disrespect or anything like that intended. This is what Outkast had to say: "Rosa Parks has inspired our music and our lives since we were children. It was, nor ever, has been our intention to defame a woman who we consider a role model and a civil rights pioneer." By the way, Ms. Rosa Parks is filing a lawsuit against them, which I think is extreme.

Mase is with Magic Johnson's management team now, instead of with Brandy's mom's.

Rah Digga, the lady of The Flipmode Squad, is coming out solo soon.

According to Hip Hop Reviewz, The Sporty Thievz, famous for "Cheapskate," has a made a comeback to TLC's "No Scrubs." It's called "No Pigeons" and talks about chickenheads, of course. And to top all that off, they jack the TLC beat.

According to Support Hip-Hop Online, Rakim signs with No Limit Records.
In a lucrative deal with No Limit Records, Rakim is planning to release his next album with Master P as the executive producer. Still signed with Universal, Rakim plans to record under the moniker "Rakim Allah" to avoid any lawsuits. The album, The 18th Souljah, should be out this summer featuring production from Beats By The Pound and guest MCs Snoop Dogg, Silkk The Shocker, C-Murder, Fiend, Magic, Master P, Mo B. Dick, Mia X, Mystikal, MAC, Gambino Family, Lil' Soldiers and many more. Be sure to peep it this summer.

3-30-99
The hip hop community lost ANOTHER rapper to senseless violence. This time, its Freaky Tah from the group, The Lost Boyz. He was shot in the head Sunday morning at 4:30 am outside a party near his home in Jamaica, Queens, New York. R.I.P. Tah.

Related to another recent hip-hop tradegy, Harlem World & All Out Records says that Mase & Cam'Ron are making a tribute to their man Big L soon.

3-21-99
Cam'Ron ALLEGEDLY, I repeat ALLEGEDLY got arrested recently. It might be just a rumor though and I don't wanna believe everything I hear anyway. But here's what happened: Cam was signing an autograph for some guy, but then the guy told him that he was wack. So they started squabblin' and Cam got put in jail, but he got out on bail.

3-4-99
The Roots' album already went gold. "You Got Me" featuring Ms. Erykah Badu is blowin' up like crazy! Congratulations.

Philly 76er Allen Iverson is signed to All Out Records.

Heavy D is coming out with a new album pretty soon. It will feature 112, Next, Big Pun, Mase & Total.

The Terror Squad is coming out with an album.

DITC is coming out with an album real soon and it feature the truly-missed flows of Big L. Big L also laced Big Pun's upcoming album.

The Soul Train Awards airs this month on the 26th. Some nominees are Jigga, Will Smith, DMX, and of course, Lauryn Hill.

Fox Boogie Brown has left Violator. She apparently doesn't get along with Chris Lighty and wants to sign with the Trakmasterz.

I know this is kinda late for y'all NY headz, but Capone is now out of jail. Hopefully Capone & Noreaga's upcoming album will bang a variety of artists from the West & the South.

2-22-99
There is officially NO more beef between Mase & Cam'Ron and Mase & Jigga. They're all cool now.

That news snippet from the 12th about Lil' Kim striking back at Foxy is false.

Pierre Cardan got beef with somebody from Harlem World. It's not Mase, but I don't know who. According to Mase & All Out Records Newz, Mase said this about my boo Cardan:
"Everyone was supposed to be a team. For certain reasons some people can not work with each other and had to go there separate ways."

2-17-99
I got some heartbreaking news. Harlem World rapper Big L was murdered. I don't really know that much about him, except that he was one of the most hardcore emcees from Harlem and that he was cool with Mase. He recently did a song with him and McGruff called "Dangerzone." This is what Vibe Online had to say:
Rapper Big L, of the Diggin' In The Crates Crew, a.k.a. DITC (Fat Joe, O.C, Lord Finesse, Buckwild, Showbiz & AG, Diamond D), was shot and killed last night (Feb. 15) at 8:30 p.m. in his native Harlem, New York. Detective George Nagy of DCPI told "Vibe Online" that police responded to shots fired and found the victim in front of 45 West 139th Street. Big L, whose real name is Lamont Coleman, was shot numerous times in the head and chest. The 24-year-old rapper, who lived just a few houses away at 104 West 139th Street, was pronounced DOA at the scene. Detective Nagy added that the investigation is ongoing and there are no motives or suspects at the time. Big L released "Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous" on Sony Music in 1995 and resurfaced last year with the underground song "Ebonics" b/w "Size `Em Up" on the independent Flamboyant Records, distributed by Fat Beats. Fat Beats representatives said they had no comment as of yet. The entire DITC crew had planned to release a collaborative album in the near future. We'll keep you posted as this unfortunate story develops.

2-12-99
Silkk the Shocker might be going to UCLA, if he does decide to go college. For all you losers who's wondering, that's The University of California at Los Angeles.
Also there will be a Silkk the Shocker doll coming out. It's probably going to say "Mista" and "It ain't my fault, oh, It ain't my fault."
Also, Ricky Williams, who just won the Heisman trophy, signed with No Limit Sports Agency.

I assume the plan for Mase to retaliate against Jay-Z has been called off. In the new Source, he states that he spoke to Jigga directly and handled it like a man should.

Foxy Brown has added fuel to the fire of her beef with Li'l Kim. In her song, "My Life," Foxy says,
My girls ain't the same guess its since the fame/
Bitches smile in my face then throw dirt on my name/
Mad cause I made it/
Now friends intimidated/
Hate it cause I'm in the same game as them with more fame than them/
They know who they are this life is no joke/
I was happier broke/
It was my sister/
We used to dream together/
We used to dream together/
How we could make it real big/
Do our thing together/
Thelma and Louise together, remember those days?
Also, Li'l Kim strikes back on some other song with Rah Digga, and Queen Pen where they straight CLOWNIN' Foxy.
But I also read that Lance "Un" Rivera (CEO of Undeas & Untertainment) is still trying to put together this "Thelma & Louise" song between the two of them.

Snoop is coming out with another album this year called Topp Dogg, and the Dogg Pound is too. And that one will be called Dogg Sh!t.

1-30-99
Jay-Z dissed Mase in his song "Ride Or Die" on his new album, and Mase has publicly acknowledged that he didn't like the disrespect. Jay-Z dissed Harlem World and he also said that Mase ain't got no flows and that he's always number 2. So Mase is coming up with a retaliation track called "Jigga What, Jigga Who." And it's supposed to jack the beat of "Money, Cash, Hoes."

1-27-99
According to the L.A. Times, Puffy just bought a house in Beverly Hills.

Foxy Brown and Kurupt announced that they might be getting married in April, after about 2 years of engagement.

1-26-99
The new album from Charli Baltimore, Ice, drops March 23rd. In an interview Charli explained that she wrote her entire album but didn't write "Money." Because of that, "Money" won't be on the album.

Cardan of Harlem World is busy finishing up his solo debut on Penalty Recordings. He has been seen working with The Neptunes (produced Mase's "Lookin' At Me").

Memphis Bleek's album might come out in May on Roc-A- Fella Records.

Big Pun declined an offer from the WWF for a wrestling match.

Chris Webber of the Washington Wizards has an album called So Much Drama coming out February 16.

The LOX, formerly of Bad Boy, is coming out with an album on Ruff Ryders, and is to be more street gritty than their first, which was hella wack.

Cam'Ron is coming out with a brand new album in April already. It'll be called Sports, Drugs & Entertainment and will be more hardcore than his debut. I heard he strayed away from his old style back in the day when he was real street and gritty, so I guess he wants to go back to that. The single samples the "Monday Night Football" theme music.

Eminen dissed Mase a little in one his wack ass songs saying that "You can't see me like Mase's eyebrows." Or some kinda ish like that. Meaning that you never see his eyebrows because his hats are pulled down so low.

Jay-Z is headlining his "Hard Knock Life Tour" with Method Man, Redman, and DMX. The cities they will visit are N.Y., Memphis, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, and more. All you Cali heads, show some love for Jigga on the 17th of April at the Arrowhead Pond.

Lauryn Hill is also going on tour with Outkast. She'll be coming to the Universal Ampitheatre in L.A. on March 4th and 5th. Also, Lauryn Hill almost lost the father of her children in a car fire in New York. His name is Rohan Marley. He was saved by police officers passing by and they broke the windows for him to get out. When Lauryn Hill found out, she went hysterical, so now she realizes that it's a sign from God for them to get married.

Noreaga and Cam'Ron might make an album together called Starsky and Hutch if all goes well with the record labels.

Li'l Kim is in some movie called "She's All That" which Usher also appears in.