The Associated Press reported yesterday that the New York City Police Department is looking into a possible connection between the slaying of Jam Master Jay last October by a masked gunman in his recording studios, and the wounding of his nephew in May.

Last month, Rodney Jones, aka rapper Boe Shagz, and the nephew of Jam Master Jay, told authorities that 20-year old Karl Jordan shot at him five times on May 14, hitting him once in the leg. Ronald Tinard Washington, a convicted robber whom police have also linked to the shooting death of Jam Master Jay on October 30, 2002, told investigators that he saw Jordan enter the studio just moments before he heard gun shots blasted off inside, according to the AP report from Washington's attorney Dana Grossblatt yesterday.

Grossblatt described Washington's motives to turn in Jordan simply as the desire to ease the pain of Mizzell's family by helping the police solve the killing. But Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told the AP that the connection between the two incidents remain unclear, because doubts have raised about the credibility of Washington. Kelly also confirmed that Jordan's name will continue to figure into the Jam Master Jay investigation, but not until all facts are certain. "He's been mentioned. It's a question of who's mentioned it," Kelly told the AP. "Whether or not he's a viable suspect is not something that we're going to say at this time ... it always, in these types of situations, depends on what the individual [Washington] whose putting forth the name, [and] what stake that person has in all of it."

Jordan has been charged thus far with attempted murder, weapons possession and assault, prosecutors said, but his attorney yesterday told the AP that his client did not shoot Mizell or his nephew. "My client's not guilty of what he's been charged with and he hasn't been charged with anything other than this one incident," said Attorney Harold Ehrentreu.

The Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council's petition to change 203rd Street in Hollis, Queens, to Jam Master Jay Street, in honor of the late DJ, is currently stagnant because community officials are in summer recess, and won't be able to act until next month. Jay grew up on 203rd Street, and his family still lives there. The Council hopes that city leaders will approve the new name in time for the first anniversary of Jay's death in October.
_____________________________________________Veteran rapper KRS-One and reggae artist Mad Lion have joined forces and created a new group, Double Trouble.

"They have worked together on this project for almost a year, writing and creating," KRS' publicist Will Banister told AllHipHop.com.

KRS, who was traveling, could not be reached for comment.

Banister said that the two have recorded songs with Barrington Levy, Da Brat, Edley Shine from Born Jamericans and Macy Gray.

"A lot of people forget that KRS is a very accomplished producer. They have been working together for years and they have had a lot of success, together and individually," Banister said.

The unfinished album has yet to find a home, a concern that doesn't bother KRS. He is deciding whether to seek major backing or take the independent route.

In June, KRS filed an injunction against Koch Records, from releasing what has been labeled unfinished demos. KRS succeeded in blocking the release and according Banister, the split was amicable.

"KRS is totally free from Koch and any label situation and I think that's where this new energy comes from," Banister added.

The album is scheduled to hit stores next year.
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In addition to having a new daughter, Bushwick Bill of the Geto Boys has launched his own record label and recently dropped a compilation album.

The Different Styles Organization is a compilation album that Bushwick says features a variety of material.

"This album has every style of rap, from your thug sh*t, to your love sh*t, to your political sh*t, to your gangsta sh*t, to your bling bling sh*t, to your playa sh*t, and Christian rap," Bill told AfricasGateway.

Bill's noticeable absence from the hip-hop arena was prompted by record label politics. Both companies he signed with ended up going bankrupt, prompting him to launch his own label, West Town Records.

"After the goons beat me from Rap-a-lot in 1998 when I refused to sign with them, I was looking for a label. I found one in '99 with Ichiban. I then put out the album No Surrender No Retreat. While on tour, the company went bankrupt. In '01, I signed with a label called Nu Wave Entertainment, and again while on tour, that company went bankrupt. So those two things may be a factor of why you haven't heard from me in a while."

Bill said that a Geto Boys reunion album was possible. Scarface, Willie D. and Bushwick Bill recently came off of a 64 city tour promoting the Geto Boys Greatest Hits album.

"It's not up to us. If the powers that be can get it together, and they get my f*ckin money straight, then we'll have it."

And what label will the record be released on? That is not an easy answer. All of the Geto Boys' albums have been released under J-Prince's Rap-A-Lot Records. According to Bushwick, he left because the label refused to pay him.

Bushwick severed his ties with J-Prince and said "There is no relationship with J-Prince."

The Different Styles Organization is in stores now
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Mos Def one day wants to make as much of a name for himself as an actor onstage and onscreen as he has as an MC. That might explain why he has not released the follow-up to his solo debut, Black on Both Sides, which came out four years ago.

Fans will have to wait a little longer if they want to hear a new album. The socially conscious rapper has dedicated the rest of his year to film and theater roles. Mos just wrapped up a part in the film "The Woodsman," according to his spokespeople, which brings the number of films he's either just completed or is scheduled to shoot to four.

In addition to "The Woodsman," which also stars fellow rapper Eve and Benjamin Bratt, Mos also recently completed "From the Outside Looking In," a romantic comedy opposite Monica Calhoun ("Love & Basketball"). He'll soon be filming parts in "The Sky Is Green," with Steve Buscemi and Vince Vaughn, and "A Confederacy of Dunces".

Mos, currently in London playing the lead in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Topdog/Underdog," earned favorable reviews for his work in "The Italian Job," "Brown Sugar" and "Monster's Ball."

But there is good news for those interested in Mos Def's musical endeavors. Not only has he finished recording a new album, but eight new Mos Def songs will be featured on the upcoming Soundbombing 4 compilation album on Rawkus Records, due October 28. The comp's first single is the Mos Def track "Beef," with production from Swizz Beatz. Soundbombing 4 also features tracks from Talib Kweli, Little Brother, Pharoahe Monch and Skillz.

As for Mos' own studio album, after toying around with his all-star rock outfit Black Jack Johnson for the better part of two years, he has assembled a mix of both hip-hop and rock songs. Mos' spokesperson said the untitled album should see release in early 2004.