Federal authorities are set to offer a $1 million reward for information leading to the capture of the Black Liberation Army's Joanne Chesimard aka Assata Shakur.

Shakur, the aunt of the late great Tupac, was convicted of the 1973 murder of Trooper Werner Foerster of Old Bridge, New Jersey. She fled to Cuba, where she presently lives, after escaping from the state prison for women in Hunterdon County in 1979. The boosted reward is set to be announced in a press conference today. In addition to the boost, FBI has put Shakur on its list of domestic terrorists. New Jersey upped the reward for Shakur from $25,000 to $100,000 under the Whitman administration. The FBI then added $50,000.

"Our hope is that she has less friends at $1 million," a source said.

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the fatal gunfight where Foerster was shot dead on the New Jersey Turnpike in East Brunswick. The incident took place close to the Route 18's bridge. On Thursday, the state renamed the location Werner Foerster Overpass in honor of the deceased trooper.

State Attorney General Peter C. Harvey recently called Shakur and the other members of the Black Liberation Army "domestic terrorists" during the revealing of the overpass sign. According to Colonel Joseph "Rick" Fuentes, superintendent of the state police, the division is taking the necessary measures to try Shakur outside of the U.S. Those measures to capture her include sealing off any safe havens outside of Cuba.

Furthermore, Lieutenant Juan Matos spoke with police chiefs from the Caribbean, Central and South America and Europe at a conference on Shakur's chase." By blanketing law-enforcement authorities like that, the moment someone cracks the door, we're there," Fuentes said Thursday.

Reports say that the fatal encounter between New Jersey Police and the Black Liberation Army began around 12:45 a.m. on May 2, 1973 when, then 29-year-old, Trooper James Harper stopped a southbound car with Vermont license plates. Shakur, who was on the FBI's Most Wanted list at the time, was aboard the vehicle. Foerster later arrived on the scene as backup. While Harper was checking the car identification number, Foerster discovered a loaded .380-caliber ammunition clip on a man in the vehicle. Shots rang out and Foerster was hit in the upper torso and in the head with his own gun.

Clark Edward Squire, who is now known as Sundiata Acoli, was also found guilty of Foerster's murder. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 24 to 30 years. He is presently still incarcerated.

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After keeping quiet, Foxy Brown pulls no punches and says none were thrown in the supposed skirmish with Miami rapper Jacki-O in a recording studio last week.

Just last week, rumors began spreading that Foxy was involved in a cat fight with Miami rapper Jacki-O. Days later, Jacki and Big D of the Unusual Suspects claimed the Chyna Doll had been knocked down.

"Words were exchanged and the next thing you know Jacki-O knocked her out. Jacki hit her so fast they [the bodyguards] couldn't break it up," Big D told SOHH.com after mentioning that they were set to record a track with Brooklyn rapper Gravy.

Meanwhile, Foxy recently called in to a Miami morning show to clear up what she claims is a fabricated story. [Listen]

"This story has been the most erroneous story I ever heard in my entire life. I'm actually sitting back. I told Russell [Simmons] and Jay-Z, I'm awaiting a check from that independent label because I've given this girl the most promotion she's ever received," Fox detailed during the phoner. "Had we been talking about a reputable artist like Lauryn Hill, Trina or Lil Kim, you know somebody who has sold…. we're talking about a person who has never sold one record in their life. I'm almost ashamed to have to address this."

During the brief interview, Fox also clarified that she was never slated to record with Jacki-O. Though she admits to telling the poe little rich girl that "she needs to show respect," Fox denied that the encounter turned physical despite. She also abstained from referring to Jacki by name throughout the entire interview.

"It was absolutely no Foxy getting hit. Again, I emerged from that studio looking like I was going to the runway. I was about to go pick my homegirl [Trina] up and I got a call to stop by the studio to say hello to friends from Brooklyn," Fox explained. "Keep in mind, Foxy Brown was never in the studio to record with this girl. I've never met her. I've been begged from her manager for three years to record with this girl and I've said no every time. So I think that's where the animosity started because I wouldn't record with her. The whole bottom line of this whole story is jealousy."

Fox also took the opportunity to promote her upcoming album, Black Roses and announced that she was no longer doing an MTV reality show.

"I was approached by MTV to do a show. They thought my life was so interesting. They're like, ‘Foxy, you're the most controversial female rapper. You're the one that survived through 10 years without the plastic surgery,'" Fox revealed. "They filmed me for about six weeks, but then of course the big boss Jay came in and was like, ‘I don't like the idea of reality.' So, we're trying to pass, but we're gonna work on something else cause MTV and I have a great relationship."

Black Roses is scheduled to hit stores in July.

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Only a few days after Foxy Brown responded to Jacki-O in a radio interview, the Miami rapper has just released a diss track aimed at the Ill Na Na.

Over an Unusual Suspect track, the self-proclaimed Madame of Miami makes it clear that the incident and the diss record aren't a publicity stunt. The cut, dubbed "TKO," features an array of punchlines that poke fun at Fox's past substance abuse, her alleged ghostwriters and her failed relationship with Kurupt among other topics.

"Capitalize on what?/ I ain't want to contend with ya/ honest Inga /I don't think nobody remembers ya/ How ya'll bought that/ Wack ass throwback/ Brooklyn you deserve better than a beeyatch on Prozac," Jacki mocks on the track.

The onslaught continues on the second verse as Jacki begins her rhyme by spitting "And if Kurupt gave a f#@$ about a beeyatch you wouldn't hate him/ Then walk around frustrated hoe, cause you ain't Kim/ The fight is on/and I ain't ignite the wrong/ But I'm warning you it's suicide if you try to respond/ I fight long / And write strong/ Lyrical python/ You probably mad cause you can't get your dyke on."

Jacki makes references to a feud "that can't be squashed" throughout the track. The raunchy rapper then takes things a step further when she addresses Foxy (who rapped in Creole on Wyclef Jean's Welcome To Haiti 101) in Creole before the third verse begins. In the brief speech, an agitated Jacki claims to be the Queen of the South and warns Foxy that she has a lot of soldiers ready for action. She then ends the speech by telling Fox to go to sleep and demands that the Chyna Doll "respect Miami."

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Bomb Squad member Hank Shocklee has announced that he is authoring a book on the making of Public Enemy’s landmark 1989 album It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back. Shocklee produced the album along for Def Jam along with fellow Bomb Squad members Keith Shocklee, Bill Stephney, Carl Ryder and Eric Sadler. The book will give readers an in-depth look at the production techniques, sound design and production philosophy behind the album. The book is slated for a Spring 2006 release.


Author Nikki Turner will host a book launch party for her latest novel, “The Glamorous Life,” her first novel published by Random House’s imprint One World Books. The event will take place at the Downtown Club of Richmond, Virginia on May 6th. Turner’s previous works include “A Hustler’s Wife,” “A Project Chick” and “Girls From Da Hood.” “The Glamorous Life” hit stores on April 26th and Turner will make appearances in Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, New York, California and Georgia in the coming weeks to support the release.

Jay-Z’s S. Carter Academy and Reebok are seeking out interns for the summer months. As part of the Jay's S. Carter Academy's curriculum, members receive internships in the sports and music industry. The academy is seeking one intern for the New Jersey Nets, a company that Jay-Z has invested in. One applicant will be selected for the six-week internship for the Nets. Entrants will be judged on an essay, academic and professional credentials. Applications are being accepted now through May 15, 2005 at http://www.scarteracademy.com.

“The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” which stars rapper Mos Def, landed at the top of the box office this weekend, raking in more than $21.7 million, edging out “The Interpreter,” which took in $14.2 million in it’s tenth day being in theaters. Ice Cube’s “XXX: State of the Union” debuted at #3, raking in $13.7 million over the weekend. Studio execs with Sony were disappointed with the numbers "XXX" posted, stating: "Maybe people just associated Vin Diesel more with that role than anybody thought."