News

Premier Shifts to High-Gear (01/27/99)

The beat assassin DJ Premier is keeping busy since the release of 'Moment of Truth,' the most recent Gang Starr album. Towards the end of '98, he did remixes for D'Angelo as well as Janet Jackson. This year has already proven to be just as productive. Premier has just finished lacing tracks for Nas and Charli Baltimore, and is getting ready to work with Sauce Money, Big Shug, and Rakim. And if that wasn't enough, he is also producing two new cuts for Gang Starr's greatest hits LP, 'Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr,' scheduled to drop in March. With a track record like his, Premier will more than likely keep turning out those
sick-stra-mentals for another ten years.

The Redman Cartoon Show (01/27/99)

You can always count on Redman for that next level shit: concepts, lyrics, whatever. His last video "I'll Be Dat," depicted Red spoofing your favorite commercials and TV shows. This time around will prove to be no exception as the Funk Doc gets animated for his new video "Da Goodness." Red's computer animated character is based on the cover art of his latest LP, 'Doc's the Name 2000.' This cat defies the laws of gravity when in the physical form, Lord only knows what the cartoon version is capable of.

Roots Jam Session (01/27/99)

In order to build up hype for their forth-coming album 'Things Fall Apart,' The Roots took it to the streets, hosting four jam sessions at NYC's Wetlands. Each show was filled to capacity. The forth session had special guests Buckshot, Canibus, The Fifth Dynasty, and Scratch and Rahzel's beatbox clique. As an extra special bonus, The Cold Crush Bros. came out to wish ?uestlove a Happy 35th Birthday. Those aspiring emcees in the house got to live out a dream and rock with the legendary Roots crew during the open mic session. Events like this usually only happen once in a lifetime. Luckily for us, it happened four times.

Wu-Chronicles (01/27/99)

Those of y'all who just can't wait until the next Wu-Tang album, will be very pleased to know that the 'Wu-Chronicles' will be released sometime in March. It will be a compilation of previously released, hard to find treats. In addition, two new joints will appear on the LP, "96 Recreation," featuring the Rza and Capadonna and "Lutunza Hit," featuring the Wu-Syndicate.

The featured tracks will include collaborations from the late great
Notorious B.I.G. and Method Man, Mobb Deep and Ghost Face Killah, and Tha Alkaholiks and Ol' Dirty Bastard, as well as songs from Raekwon, Genius, and the Rza. This would be a worthy addition to any Wu fan's collection.

Dirty Weaponry (01/26/99)

Compounding the Wu-Tang Clan's never-ending legal problems with Ol'
Dirty Bastard, The Wu's other Clansmen are now getting into trouble with the law of their own accord. Both local police and agents of the ATF
(Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) are following the investigation of the deaths of two Wu-Tang affiliates (one in Ohio, the other in NY) to possible charges of gun-running against the Clan.

According to the New York Post, the Killa Bees allegedly hired friends to
purchase guns in Steubenville, Ohio (RZA's family hometown, where various Wu members have been known to engage in target practice) and bring them back to NY, both for personal protection and to sell to their friends.

ODB Gives Coppers Taste of His Hot Lead!!! (01/26/99)

Wu-Tang's most deeply disturbed member (and that's saying something), the Ol' Dirty Bastard, spent the extended weekend in lock-up after shooting at two Brooklyn Zoo police officials. The plain-clothes officers pulled ODB's green '99 Chevy Tahoe over at the junction of New York's Dean and Troy Avenues in an unmarked vehicle at 8:15pm for swerving between lanes with its head-lights switched off.
When the officers approached the car, the Clansman fired several shots, and when fire was returned, he sped way to his aunt's house, getting a rear tire shot out in the process. There, police apprehended the rapper, while 60 Second Assassin, who had apparently been a passenger during the entire incident, ran off, only to get picked up at
11pm and released without charges.

Ol' Dirty, who was reportedly wearing a bullet-proof vest at the time of his arrest, denies all charges, despite spent shells found on the scene, and is out on $150,000 bail. ODB could be sentenced for up to 25 years in the 6 x 10 chamber for first and second degree attempted murder of a police officer, second degree attempted aggravated assault, and second and third degree criminal possession of a weapon...which is not to mention the three outstanding warrants awaiting him in Virginia, the two upcoming trials for making felony terrorist death threats, or that embarrassing "Puffy is good, but Wu-Tang is best," incident at the Grammies. Reports in the New York Times of the 60 Second Assassin agreeing to testify against the Bastard for immunity from prosecution has been denied by the prosecution.

Guru Mugged (01/11/99)

Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal was outside of a Queens recording studio at 2:30 a.m., on January 9th, when he was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint.

He was unloading his Mercedes-Benz when robbers hit him in the face with a gun, and took his car keys, cell phone, and more than $10,000 in jewelry. When a friend of Guru's arrived at the scene, Guru's attackers fired a shot at him and then fled the scene.

Lauryn's Husband Caught in Car Fire (01/11/99)

Lauryn Hill's husband, Bob Marley's son, and former University of Miami
football-star, Rohan Marley fell asleep in his 1998 BMW 540i with the motor running when the car caught fire early Saturday morning.
Marley was waiting outside of Sir Recording Studios, in NY, when the
car's electrical system sparked a fire. He awoke, finding himself unable to open the doors' locks or windows' power windows.

"We realized it was a fully engulfed car fire," said Officer Segura, one of the officers who smashed a window, and dragged Marley out of the burning car. Upon hearing of the fire outside, Lauryn ran outside. "Lauryn came running out of the studio hysterical," said Segura. She thought he was still in the car." Fortunately, Marley recovered after
being taken to St. Clare's Hospital for smoke inhalation.

19-Naughty-Nine (01/11/99)

After an almost four year hiatus, Naughty By Nature is set to release their new album 19-Naughty-Nine: Nature's Fury, on which they have enlisted the top draft picks.
Big Pun makes yet another cameo on "We Could Do It," while Scarface appears on "Thugs and Hustlas." No Limit's Mystikal and Silkk the Shocker collaborate on "Live or Die," and R&B act Next joins the Jersey crew on "Blue Balls."
They even recruited Korn for the song "Radio." With the lead off single, "Dirt All By My Lonely," Treach, Vinnie, and Kay-Gee have returned to their classic sound that has fans anticipating the album, which is due out in March.

All-Star Lineup (01/11/99)

Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man, and Redman have announced tentative plans to go on tour together starting in March, but no dates or locations are confirmed. Meanwhile, Red and Meth will continue the Month of the Man Tour until February. The idea of this "fantastic four" performing together on one stage is a beautiful thing.

Rappers Receive Support (01/04/99)

Wendy Day's Rap Coalition is offering its love and support to two incarcerated rappers, and looking for you to do the same. Keith Murray was recently convicted and sentenced to a year and a half in Connecticut for assaulting a minor with a bar stool and Lil' Shawn is serving 70 months federal time in Virgina for, well...we don't know. And neither does Wendy Day (I asked). But the point is -- they're rappers; their crimes and victims are irrelevant, and the Rap Coalition is asking you, the fans, to send mail in support of these artists who are "out of circulation" and "feeling forgotten." You can E-mail your words of unconditional support to to [email protected] (be sure to specify which artist you're addressing in the subject area). Or, if you're feeling especially generous (and forgiving), the Coalition asks that you send books or magazines for either of them, addressed to:

Wendy Day,
Rap Coalition
67 Vestry Street, #2D
New York, NY 10013
c/o Keith or Shawn

And if you actually want contribute real money directly into their commissary accounts, you should go right ahead and call Wendy Day directly at (212) 625-3422.

Busta Arrested Again (12/30/98)

26 year-old Busta Rhymes and his business manager, Gerald Odom (25), were picked up in New York City for third degree criminal possession of a loaded, unregistered, .45 caliber, semi-automatic handgun in an open bag and marijuana in Odom's pants pocket. On Sunday night, at 11:30 Busta had been pulled over for driving erratically, including making three unsafe lane changes, in a'95 Mercedes on 11th Avenue, near 18th Street, in Manhattan's Chelseaneighborhood, when the contraband was found.
Despite the prosecutor's requestfor a bail of $3500, the pair was released on Monday morning, on their own recognizance, and a court date was set for January 28th. Busta Rhymes has no criminal record, but, if convicted, could face up to seven years in jail.

I Smell Smoke (12/23/98)

Near Baton Rouge, Lousianna, rapper Mystikal, 28, was pulled over when police spotted the No Limit Soldier smoking a joint. When police searched his car, they found a 9mm handgun, as well. In his defense, Mystikal said that the gun was registered for his personal protection, and that he ''wasn't doing anything. The joint was in the ashtray for I don't know how long." The rapper told the Associated Press, "That was God telling me, 'Don't celebrate that hard. Cool it,'and that, after the arrest, he'd signed autographs at the police station. If convicted of the felony weapons charge and misdemeanor for drug possession, the rapper could be sentenced for up to 10 years in jail and a fine of $10,000.

The Holy Trinity (12/23/98)

Gang Starr and D'Angelo will be ringing the New Year in with saxophonist David Sanborn. The trio will be performing on ABC-TV following Dick Clark's New Year's annual broadcast special. They will be joined by Eric Clapton, Cassandra Wilson, and bassist Marcus Miller. The hour-long nationwide telecast is scheduled to air on the ABC network at 1:00 a.m. on January 1, 1999.

Disaster Strikes in Jersey City (12/21/98)

New Jersey police officials shut down an in-store appearance by Busta Rhymes due to an "unruly mob" at the Music Station in Jersey City. Busta was signing autographs of his latest LP, "E.L.E. The Final World Front."
Store employees blamed the incidence on racism, citing a long history of tension between Jersey City police and minorities. An Elektra Records represenative claims that everybody on the line outside was waiting behind barricades, in an orderly fashion. When Sergeant Louie Mahowsky demanded that the Flipmodian abandon ship, Busta protested, "This is how I make my living; this is how I feed my son," to which the sergeant replied, "Well, then you need to find another way to make a living. Put the pen down or you will be arrested."
Despite this sobb story, Bus A Bus continued his in-store tour schedule, signing albums at a Record Town in Philly the next day.

Meth and Rae at the Movies (12/18/98)

It seems as though Meth, who co-stared in Hype William's "Belly," likes being on the big screen. He has signed up for a role in a film called "Bundy," where he will play a deaf and mute man in this independent film directed by Bill Duke.
But Meth isn't the only one from the Wu who wants to shine in the movies. Raekwon is currently working on a film called "Black & White." In addition to that, he's scheduled to co-star with Frank Vincent in "Lucky Man," directed by Ruvin Orbach. As always with the Wu, it's a family affair, as the Rza will oversee the score for "Bundy," while the group's manager, Power, will executive-produce the soundtrack for "Lucky Man." In '99 it's a Wu-world order.

Doin' Dirt (12/18/98)

Ol' Dirty just can't seem to stay out of trouble.
He is scheduled to appear in two separate courts on Friday and Monday to answer to charges in Compton and Beverly Hills. In one case he allegedly threatened to kill his baby's mother, and in the other he allegedly made similar death threats to security guards at the House of Blues in West Hollywood. Not only that, but ODB is still a fugitive from justice in Virginia for failing to appear in court on the alleged sneaker shoplifting in July. Some things don't ever change, but you can't get mad at Dirty, that's just Dirty. I ain't mad at 'ya.

Illegal Life (12/17/98)

It just isn't a news day, here at The Source, without a famous rapper going to court or prison over vicious assault charges. Today's candidate is Vincent Santiago, aka Noreaga.
On the 29th of August, the rapper named after Panamanian ruler/ convicted racketeerer and cocaine-trafficker Manuel Noriega, got booed off the stage at the Zembo Mosque in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, after just one song. A 16 year-old fan then followed Noreaga into the parking lot and threw a bicycle at his car(!).
Taking the high road, Nore got out of his car and, along with his body-guards, assaulted and hospitalized the child. A warrant for the Superthug's arrest was issued, but he was already in the Driver's Seat, making him a fugitive.
Nore, on the run, and, presumably, eating, turned himself in to Dauphin County officials and was released on $25,000 bail. Now, on Thursday, December 17th, Noreaga's due to face his charges of aggravated assault in court and could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

Stretch and Bobbito Split Up (12/16/98)

Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito the Barber will no longer be hosting '89Tec9: the Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito the Barber Show' together. But, don't throw your radio out the window just yet (well, ok, if you really want to).
'89Tec9' will stay on the air, with Stretch and Bob alternating their hosting duties each Thursday at 1am. The reason for the split is simple: Stretch wants to spin hardcore, "street" hip-hop, while Bobbito, who'll now be spinning for himself, wants to play more of the lyrical, "out there"-type hip-hop that he releases on his label, Fondle 'Em Records.
Despite their irrecconcilable differences, the split was amicable, and the pair is said to be sharing custody rights over Lord Sear.

Rush Sells Out (12/16/98)

Russell "Rush" Simmons is nothing if not a busy guy. He just received the Moet & Chandon Humanitarian Award, married his fiance Kimora Lee on Monday (December 14th), and now is selling his stake in Def Jam Records to Seagram Co. Ltd.'s as part of their rumored take-over of Polygram NV.
If Seagram is successful, Def Jam will become a piece of the largest music conglomerate, along with Interscope, Motown, A&M, Island, Geffen, Mercury, and MCA. If you've noticed, Def Jam's been putting out mad product lately (Meth, Redman, DMX, 'Rush Hour', Foxy Brown, Slick Rick, Clue, 'Belly', and the 'Survival of the Illest' series) to up their negotiation standings.
But don't think Russell intends to get the girl, grab the money, and run. Rush will continue to maintain ownership and control of his One World magazine, Phat Farm line of clothing, and Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.

Keith Murray Locked Down (12/14/98)

Keith Murray was charged and convicted for hitting 16-year-old David Hughes with a bar stool after other members of his crew had knocked Hughes down and been kicking him. Hughes had been trying to break up a fight between Murray's posse and his brother, and wound up with facial scars, headaches and psychological trauma.
After exhausting all his appeals, Keith went on the lamb, ducking court dates and warrants, but has now begun serving his five-year (suspended after three) sentence for second-degree assault. Mr. Murray and his attorney, Joseph A. Moniz, are seeking a re-trial based on the claim that "the investigation singled Murray out because of his status as a rap star." And, as we all know, it's OK for rap stars to hit beaten-down children with bar-stools.
Seeking a positive spin on all this publicity, Keith told the New York Amsterdam News of his intentions to start a non-profit organization for underprivileged children who are going the wrong way in life. A representative for Keith could not be reached to determine whether being beaten by a famous rapper with a bar stool counts as "going the wrong way in life."

Brand Nubian Foundation (12/14/98)

Brand Nubian, who just released their fourth LP, 'Foundation,' are forming a charitable organization geared towards helping children.
In March of '99, the Brand Nubian Foundation, will begin staging a series of activities for kids, including week-long summer camps in various US cities. Brand Nubian will also be supporting and donating goods for a holiday party for underprivelaged youths called "Love Isƒ," on Saturday, at New York's Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center.
The event will follow a Christmas play being staged by the children which will also include holiday meals, presents, and a performance by Binky the Clown.