The straight dope on what's going on in Hip-Hop, Media and Entertainment

Sep 22, 2005

After years of collaborations and two albums with Westside Connection, SOHH.com has learned the group has split and Mack 10 and Ice Cube haven't spoken in nearly two years.

A source close to the Mack 10 told SOHH.com the reason behind the beef between the former west coast partners.

"Westside Connection is pretty much over," says a SOHH.com source. "He [Mack 10 ] hasn't talked to Ice Cube since that [the last West Side Connection LP] project ended - both him and Dub C. Basically Ice Cube didn't want to go on tour [to support the record]. It was a business move that went sour."

The trio comprised of Mack, Cube and Dub C, released their first album, Bow Down in 1996 and their sophomore album, Terrorist Threats in 2003.
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After parting ways with Capitol Records, Slum Village is prepping the release of their self-titled album on Barak Records.

The video for the first single, "Ez Up" is presently being distributed to numerous video outlets. The LP features production from B.R. Gunna and guest appearances from Dilla and Dwele. The album will also feature a DVD that includes a 30-minute interview in which the duo addresses the group's several changes.


The original group consisted of T3, Baatin and producer Jay Dee aka J Dilla. Dilla left the group shortly before the release of their 2002 album, Trinity (Past, Present and Future). Elzhi then joined the group. Baatin was allegedly booted out of the group several months following Trinity's release.


SlumVillage's self-titled album is slated to hit stores October 25th. The album will also be available as ringtones two weeks before its release date through a partnership with Zingy.
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Two men have filed complaints with police in Berlin, Germany, claiming that U.S. rap star DMX assaulted them in a Berlin nightclub.

DMX was in Berlin’s Sage Club last Friday (Sept. 16) following an appearance earlier in the evening.

The rapper became involved in an altercation with Oliver Osterode, 24 and Julian Schmidt, 24, allegedly comments made while in the bathroom.

"I wanted to go to the bathroom and met DMX,” Osterode told German newspaper BZ. “I told him that I think he's cool, but Lil’ Jon is better. Then he freaked out. He slapped me in the face, and then his bodyguards attacked us."

Osterode suffered a swollen eye, bruised ribs and other lacerations, while Schmidt reportedly suffered bruises to his abdomen.

Managers for DMX have assigned a Munich based lawyer to investigate the incident. Representatives for the rapper were not available as of press time
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Brooklyn rapper Foxy Brown announced today (Sept. 22) that she plans to temporarily stop performing to undergo surgery for a hearing defect.

Brown briefly fielded questions after making an appearance in a Manhattan Criminal Court on assault charges.

As she strained to hear reporters, Brown revealed that she plans to seek treatment for her hearing impairment.

Although she didn’t make public details about the hearing problem, she did indicate that an operation was planned soon.

She also denoted that she plans to finish her new CD and that Sunday would be her last public appearance until further notice.

Brown made a brief appearance in court to address legal problems she’s facing over an alleged fight with two Manhattan nail salon workers.

Prosecutors allege that the female rapper assaulted one worker with a close fist while kicking her. She is also alleged to have hit a second worker in the face, authorities said.

Judge Martin Murphy set a trial date for Dec. 5 after Marchand rejected at least two misdemeanor plea deals that would have let her avoid any jail time for the alleged assault.

Under the plea deal proposed by the Manhattan district attorney's office, Brown would have served only 10 days of community service.

She’s been charged with misdemeanor assault, attempted assault and harassment.

"I'm innocent," proclaimed Foxy Thursday from the steps of the courthouse. "I feel like I'm being railroaded."

Brown's lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, denied that she committed a misdemeanor and confidently noted that if they go to trial, she will be acquitted.

Tacopina also indicated that the complainants "don't want to proceed. This is a waste of their time, her (Brown's) time, and the public's time."

Tacopina went on to say that he would consider a plea to disorderly conduct, an offense that is less than a misdemeanor, but that the prosecutors have yet to offer such a deal.

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On the strength the smash single “Sittin’ Sidewayz,” Paul Wall’s The People’s Champ debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart this week, with first week sales of 176,800 units in the U.S. alone.

Wall's chart-topping debut ends the two-week reign of Kanye West's Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam), which fell to No. 2 with sales of 165,000 units.

The Swisha House/Asylum artist first gained national attention by appearing on the Mike Jones street anthem "Still Tippin'" and is currently enjoying heavy radio rotation with his single, “Sittin’ Sidewayz.”

"I am thrilled that so many people are realizing Paul Wall's talent," said Todd Moscowitz, President, Asylum Records. "Our ability to identify and partner with some of the leading urban labels in the industry and help them take their artists to the next level truly validates the incubator initiative and the value that these partnerships create for everyone involved. First, Mike Jones, then Webbie, now Paul Wall, it's been a great year for Asylum Records."

Wall's album is the third Top Ten hit for Warner Music Group's Asylum imprint. WMG reactivated Asylum a year ago as part of the company's incubator initiative.

Houston-based rap star Mike Jones' album Who is Mike Jones? at #3 on Billboard's Top 200 in April.

The album has sold more than one million copies.

In July, Webbie's Savage Life debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and has sold more than 215,000 copies nationwide.


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Taking a cue from the likes of Rev Run and Flava Flav, St. Louis rapper Nelly has signed on to develop a reality television series with A. Smith & Co. Productions.

The show will reportedly follow the 30-year-old rapper and budding entrepreneur on his everyday excursions.

“I look forward to showing my fans what my world is about and bringing more attention to my nonprofit organizations,” said Nelly in a statement.

Besides running his clothing lines Vokal and Apple Bottom, the rapper has dabbled in acting (“The Longest Yard”) and runs his charity 4 Sho 4 Kids.

Nelly’s reality series is scheduled to air early next year.