G-Unit's ex-con affiliate Tony Yayo's debut solo album, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon, originally scheduled for a July 12 release date has been pushed back indefinitely with a projected late August/early September release date. It's rumored that the album has failed to generate the pre-release buzz that had been hoped.

(note to the members of G-Unit: you have about 45 seconds left in your 15 minutes of fame. Invest the money you've made so far wisely.)

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Kayne West's much discussed sophomore release, Late Registration, has also been pushed back from it's original August 16, 2005 release date to August 30.

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Following the lead of Detroitbumps new forthcoming show, "Sample City", Tommy Boy is also releasing a collection of 12 tracks used on some of the most popular rap songs of all time, from Billy Squier's "The Big Beat (99 Problems) to Bob James' "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" (Peter Piper and Rock the Bells). Tommy Boy Presents Hip Hop Roots hits stores August 9.

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Look for Lil Kim to drop an album, The Naked Truth September 13, 2005, almost one week before she reports to prison to serve her one year & one day sentence.

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Shock G of the revolutionary Digital Underground has decided to retire after over 20 years of making great music.

The producer and rapper contacted StreetHop.com to explain his decision, citing a lack of enjoyment for his choice to leave the studio.

“I get no satisfaction or fulfillment from it anymore,” Shock told StreetHop.com, “it depressed me, normally I’m not depressed, it’s only surrounding the studio. I’m happy when I’m away from the studio.”

Unfortunately it seems that a large reason for leaving the industry that he helped change with his party rhymes in the early 90s is monetary.

“I can't make a living at it. Ninety percent of the studio work I've done in the last six years has all been either for free or for peanuts, and hasn't generated any income since.”

“It drives me to do drugs, because I hate being in the studio. I can’t win in the studio, It's pointless, it's a "catch 22" for me. If what I do sucks, it tarnishes the legacy, hurts the family, and even lowers the price, and also leaves the artists and involved-companies unhappy. But if what I do shines, it generates more studio work for the future, and further traps me in the music business, a business I have no intention of slaving to the rest of my life. I gave it 20 years. I'm done.”

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Russell Simmons recently denied that his Phat Farm clothing was in contention to design new uniforms for McDonalds.

"Not only is it not true, I'm not in talks with them [McDonalds]. I'm a vegan! It goes against my principles," Simmons stated during an in-store appearance to promote Phat Farm in Vancouver, Canada. "I don't eat anything that runs away from me. I'm going to have to issue a rebuttal about this."

Simmons was upset after reports surfaced that Phat Farm was talking with Micky D's about potentially giving their uniforms a fashion makeover. Simmons took the opportunity to share that he won't abuse the environment or exploit animals for a profit. He is presently campaigning for People For Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

In related Simmons news, Russ has been spending time in Vancouver to appear in The L Word; Showtime's critically-acclaimed series that explores Lesbianism. Simmons appears as himself on the show. There's no word on how many episodes Russ will be featured in.

"I think there's a lot of girls who are struggling with their sexuality and they're living with the Bible Belt in America or somewhere and they've been abused for having a certain sexual orientation," Simmons offered. "They're inspired by 'The L Word.' They deserve something like 'The L Word.'"