An altercation between CNN member Capone and three assailants leaves Hip-Hop promoter Robert Montanez dead after he intervened on the rapper's behalf at 2:15am, Thursday night.Capone was with Montanez Thursday night in the parking lot of Ringside Bar in Jersey City for a promotional taping. According to Montanez's brother Louis, who witnessed the shooting, three men accosted Capone and attempted to steal the rapper's chain. That's when Montanez intervened and was subsequently shot twice in the chest.Montanez was CEO of Block Records and road manger for Akon, who was also at the bar the night of the tragedy. Montanez's good friends Fat Joe and Noreaga rushed to his hospital bed upon hearing the news. Montanez's family is going through a particularly tough time, due to the fact that one of Montanez brothers died after a car accident in November.Police didn't recover a weapon or a suspect in the shooting. Witnesses say the shooter escaped in a car parked at The White Mana restaurant across the street from the bar. Police are reviewing surveillance tapes from local area cameras. A $20,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the assailant.

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Shocking accusations have emerged that could shed light on the origins of the volatile relationship between 50 Cent and The Inc. This week at Jacob the Jeweler's store opening, The Inc's Irv Gotti and 50 Cent ran into one another within the store's tight quarters. Reportedly, no words were exchanged but a whole stare-down ensued, causing a media frenzy.However, the streets are buzzing with compelling new information about the Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff connection to The Inc that could explain why 50 Cent won't let go of the grudge. The issue of whether Supreme's drug money funded Murder Inc is under scrutiny by the Feds and several indictments have been made in connection with this investigation. Supreme is also said to have been directly responsible for ordering the attempt on 50 Cent in 2000. But word is that off the record witnesses in 50's old neighborhood say Kenneth McGriff is also directly responsible for the murder of 50's mother when he was eight years old. This possibility is what may be fueling 50's relentless grudge against Irv, Ja Rule and The Inc.

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After grinding in the underground for years, Saigon recently inked a deal with Atlantic Records. With super-producer Just Blaze co-signing, Sai's buzz has recently reached a feverish pitch and his debut album, The Greatest Story Never Told, is among the most anticipated for 2005. In addition to garnering critical acclaim for his independent offering Warning Shots, Hip-Hop legends Jay-Z, Nas and Q-Tip have all given props to the young upstart. Meanwhile, Sai is still keeping busy on mixtapes and can be found on bangers with Talib Kweli, mixtape burner Papoose and producer/rapper Scram Jones.

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It seems like Chingy hasn't only angered former running mate Ludacris, but Nelly as well. In last month's XXL magazine issue, Chingy expressed his discontent with Pimp Juice's lyrics. On Sweat's "Another One," Nelly offered, "just remember when you do that right thurr/ I made it tight to be country." Ching-a-ling then stated that he was a veteran just like Nelly, but that the St. Lunatic was fortunate enough to get his break first. Nelly is now advising Chingy to cool off before things get out of hand. The two were in talks to tour together, but Nelly reportedly squashed the idea after learning about Chingy's comments_________________Barely a month after his manager's arrest, Ja Rule is now being sued by a Miami, Florida woman who alleges he trashed her mansion while shooting a 2001 "MTV Cribs" episode.Owner Jeanette Varela was reportedly angered upon returning to the Star Island mansion she leased to Ja. Varela says she uncovered significant structural damages as well as empty condom wrappers and syringes littering the property. Varela learned later that Rule breached their contract by throwing a party for over 600 guests after seeing footage from the "Cribs" episode. According to Varela, specifically stated that the property be used as a private home for 8 adults and prohibited parties. Varela is seeking $1 million in damages.

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Two years following Run-D.M.C.'s break up, Daryl "DMC" McDaniel is hitting the stage solo and prepping his debut album for 2005.The veteran Queens emcee is slated to hit Massachusetts' Hippodrome tonight before hopping on a tour that will lead to his freshman offering, Checks, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll. The LP's lead single, "The Cat's In The Cradle" features contemporary singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan."I've always been a big fan of hers. I was really depressed a few years ago and I would listen to her song 'Angel' over and over. It saved my life," DMC told The Republican. "Then, five years ago, I got to meet her at the Grammys and I went up to her and spilled my guts." The record, which is a play off Ian Dury and the Blockheads' Sex Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll focuses on Hip-Hop's present state."When you look at rap -or all of the music business, really, it's all about who gets the money, the checks," DMC explained. "And hip-hop now has this thugged-out image, which it didn't have before. My philosophy is that hip-hop is just rock'n' roll. It's about music. So that's what the title means." Run-D.M.C. called it quits shortly after the violent death of group member Jam Master Jay in October 2002. Now, two years removed from the incident, the murder has yet to be solved and DMC is still grieving."I still feel the loss every day but I feel he's still with me too," McDaniel revealed. "But the band couldn't go on without him. We were more than just a rap group. We took it seriously and it would not only be disrespectful to Jay but it would be disrespectful to Hip-Hop to go on as Run-D.M.C. without him."DMC's Checks Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll featuring Reverend Run, Kid Rock and Sarah Mclachlan is scheduled to hit stores in 2005.

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DMX was arrested and charged with driving violations, after police allegedly caught the rapper speeding and driving with a suspended license. On Wednesday, a New York State Trooper allegedly clocked DMX driving over 100 mph in a 65 mph zone while the rapper was traveling on Interstate 684 in Westchester County.DMX’s license had been suspended due to an altercation earlier this year at Kennedy Airport in Queens.In that driving incident, DMX allegedly fought over a parking space with another man, turned on flashing lights in his SUV and chased the man through the parking lot, crashing through a toll booth.The rapper reached an agreement with officials related to the airport altercation last week. Part of the agreement included a suspended license, a fine and forfeiture of his Ford Expedition.Because of the charges, which include third degree aggravated unlicensed operation, speeding and driving an unregistered motor vehicle, the rapper is now facing jail time.He was released on $350 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on January 18th. Throughout the years, DMX’s name has made headlines in relation to his driving.In 2000, the NYPD sought the rapper after he allegedly slammed his SUV into a car full of women and left the scene.In December of 2002, he was charged with various traffic violations in Harrison, New York, after authorities spotted him driving his SUV recklessly

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For the last two years, Jae Millz has built-up a reputation for being one of the most sought-after New York battle rappers, but the 23-year-old rapper has signed with Universal Records in deal that will hopefully bring his dreams to life.Millz said the album in progress might not be the work that many are predicting. “I know a lot of people are expecting to hear the battle s**t,” Millz told AllHipHop.com, “but that's not what we're trying to nail with this album - we just want a good album. Every song has to have a concept. Right now, I hate to say I got it, but I'm having a great time.”The album titled, Back To Tha Future, is expected to arrive next year on Wanna Blow Entertainment and Universal Records. Swizz Beats, Buckwild, Scram Jones, and Heatmakerz are currently on board for production. Slim Thug and T.I. have also laid down tracks for the album debut.The popular rapper has been with his Wanna Blow team since he was in High School. Keisha Morris, who was once married to Tupac Shakur, introduced Millz to the CEO’s Nige and Tone during a session for rapper Mysonne, who is now incarcerated. Since that time, the label has been a part of Motown, then Warner Brothers, and now Universal Records.Nige, co-CEO of Wanna Blow, is confident that Jae Millz and this album will be a meaningful addition to the industry. “It makes us feel good is when someone like Fat Joe, who is at the high point of his career, is reaching out and doing a song with Jae. Nas said to me, 'Jae is spitting that fire right now', and Jay-Z said, 'Yo, I'm f***in’ with him,' said Nige. “When these people that we look up to can tell us that our artist is hot, it's not like they're doing it because they have to do it. That makes us feel good, and we do this out of love and admiration. We know that Millz is the next.”Endorsements are nothing new to Millz as most people remember him from P.Diddy's “Making the Band,” where he and E-Ness squared off. Even before, the Washington Heights native was proclaimed by the Bad Boy founder as one of the beasts of New York's underground.Many of the battle rappers popular in New York have suffered after a debut album dropped. Millz confidently replied. “I want people to understand that I can spit and freestyle, but my music is real to me. It's like a diary.”

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Flavor Flav is working on a new solo album as well as a new album with Public Enemy group member Chuck D. The untitled album will be released independently and Flavor said that he would fund the project himself, in order to avoid being signed to another record label. Flavor Flav also said the new Public Enemy album is near completion, but the group has yet-to-determine what record label it will be released on. Flavor Flav experienced a surge in popularity thanks to his television romance with Brigitte Nielsen on “The Surreal Life.” Flavor returns to television early next year with Nielsen on the VH1 reality show “Strange Love.”

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Atlanta, Georgia rap duo Outkast have launched a new label and recently signed fellow Georgian rapper Bubba Sparxxx. Outkast’s Purple Label also inked a distribution deal with Virgin. Sparxxx, formerly on Interscope, first hit big with his 2001 single “Ugly” from his Timbaland produced major label debut Dark Days, Bright Nights, as well as 2003’s “Deliverance,” taken from his album of the same name. Organized Noise/Dungeon Family member Sleepy Brown is best known for his vocal performance on Big Boi’s hit “The Way You Move,” taken from their critical and commercial success, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

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