There was no No. 45 jersey, but teammates, both old and new, came out to support Jay-Z as he made a Michael Jordan-esque comeback last night at his "I Declare War" concert thrown by NYC's Power 105.1 radio station at New Jersey's Continental Airlines Arena.

The location, which also serves as home to Hov's New Jersey Nets, seemed like a fitting one. As the jerseys of Nets greats like Julius "Dr. J" Erving hung from the rafters, there was a sense of history in the air.

For those in attendance at the first of two scheduled "I Declare War" shows-the second to be held in Philadelphia tomorrow night-they got to witness a Hip-Hop reunion and a new alliance in the same night.

First there was the reunion as Beans made his return to the Roc. Dispelling rumors that he would or had signed a deal with 50 Cent's G-Unit imprint, Beans, decked out in Roc-A-Fella chains, emphatically said, "Roc for life, nigga."

If that weren't enough, later in the show Jigga was joined by Nas. In a move that many thought would never happen, the two emcees not only shared the same stage-they performed "Dead Presidents."

While Jay and Nas have reconciled, the Queens emcee took what appeared to be a jab at a certain multiplatinum MC who's also from Queens: "I don't understand niggas making all this money and being mad at the world...We're bringing NY back."

Despite all the speculation as to who Jay was going to "declare war on," the rest of the show was beef-free. The Lox performed with no mention of rival G-Unit. They teamed with Jay, Beans and Sauce Money for "Reservoir Dogs." The Yonkers trio even reunited with Diddy for "All About The Benjamins."

In true Jay fashion, the show also featured a host of other celebrities who have in one way or another worked with President Carter. The show included appearances by Kanye West, Young Jeezy, T.I., Paul Wall, LeBron James, Swizz Beatz, Akon, Tiearra Mari, Ne-Yo, Peedi Peedi, and GLC.

In between the star-studded collabos and guest appearances, Jay did perform a host of his classics like "Song Cry.," "What More Can I Say" and "Hard Knock Life," among others.

Jay-Z closed the show appropriately with "Encore." With his famous friends backing him up, Jay closed the show as only a president could-diplomatically.

"That beef shit is wack," he said. "We did that, we had fun. Now lets get this money."
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LL Cool J is currently at work on his next untitled next Def Jam album, and has recently inked a new film deal with Lions Gate.

According to Billboard.com, the set will feature appearances from Mary J. Blige , 112 and Teairra Mari.

The album will be the follow-up to 2004's The DEFinition , which debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200.

LL was recently recognized as a trailblazer when VH1 paid homage to he and other Hip-Hop icons at VH1's "Hip-Hop Honors."

Meanwhile, LL has also signed a nine-picture deal with Lions Gate Film to produce films. He also has the option of acting in the projects.

According to reports, the multi-talented rapper, born James Todd Smith, will next be seen in Last Holiday with Queen Latifah. He also appears in Edison along side Morgan Freeman and Justin Timberlake.
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50 Cent reiterated earlier this week that super producer Dr. Dre will not be collaborating with The Game on The Doctor’s Advocate, the Compton neophyte’s second album.

In an interview with Miss Jones and the Hot 97 morning show, 50 Cent drastically countered claims by The Game, who has already started on his sophomore effort.

“He [Dr. Dre] knows what the kid [The Game] just did and that’s it. I’m not working on [The Game’s new album] and he’s not working on it,” said 50 Cent. “He’s just got to go in and make good records. Of course, he’ll probably name [his album The Doctor’s Advocate] to make people think [Dre] is involved.”

The Game has already contradicted 50’s claims when discussing The Doctor’s Advocate.

"It's the same format at The Documentary. If it aint broke don't fix it," Game told AllHipHop.com. "I am still with Dre and I'm working with some of the best producers.”

Despite his rival’s contention, 50 Cent said that his personal conversations Dr. Dre, his history with The Game and his contributions to The Documentary project were reason enough not to work with the Compton rapper.

“I’ve had communications with Dre since [he appeared on the BBC radio]. My reason for saying it is…nobody can take anything away from Dre. We don’t have any issues,” 50 said. “See, Dre knows exactly how much I did for Game’s project. I wrote six songs on his album. Three of them are his first three singles and I was on the records to make people listen to them.”

Game vehemently denied that 50 Cent wrote six songs, but maintained that they did collaborate creatively.

“We got an understanding. Everything is good,” 50 said.

In related news, Paramount has removed posters advertising 50 Cent’s new movie “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” that featured the rapper brandishing two handguns.

The posters drew the wrath of various community groups in Los Angeles, California, who said the posters were insensitive due to the rise in gun violence in urban communities.

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Nas protégé and Ill Will/Columbia artist Quan was arrested Tuesday (Oct. 25) in Hampton Virginia and hit with various charges, including felony assault and battery on a police officer.

According to published reports, authorities were responding to a call to a local motel in regards to complaints of a heavy odor of marijuana coming from one of the rooms.

When the two patrolmen responded, they were allegedly found Quan, who's real name is Clifford Ferquan Peacock. The rapper allegedly agreed to let them enter the room.

Upon entry, authorities report that they found a loaded handgun in the refrigerator. Once the weapon was spotted authorities state that Peacock the fled the scene and was chased by one officer on foot.

The pursuit was reportedly ended in a hallway of the motel, where Peacock allegedly attacked the officer.

Once the second officer came to the defense, it is reported that three suspects fled the scene.

Once Quan was placed in custody, police report that they recovered $19,000 dollars in cash, 3 handguns, cell phones and a small amount of marijuana.

Quan was arrested on charges of marijuana possession, being a felon in possession of a handgun, resisting arrest and assault on a police officer.

No comment from either side was available at press time
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WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes announced to the world that she is gay.

“I’ve been living a lie and now I'm at a place in my life right now where I'm very happy, very content,” said Sheryl, who was married and has an eight year old son named Jordan. I'm finally OK with the idea of who I love, who I want to be with."

Swoopes also stated that she is living with her partner Alisa Scott who is the former Comets assistant coach.

Swoopes, the only WNBA player to win three MVP trophies, said she never had feelings for a woman before Scott and didn't understand them when they began. But in the seven years since, she said she's been "hurting" while hiding her relationship.
Now, Swoopes said, she finally feels free.
The Comets star player is a five-time All-Star, three-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion as a member of the Comets, whose run of four straight titles began when she was a rookie in 1997.
About her outing Swoopes also stated, "We have had to celebrate behind closed doors," she said. "I don't want to have to hide from the world anymore."

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Snoop Dogg will take the independent route for his Doggystyle Records label.

Koch Records has announced a multi-album joint-venture with the D-O double G and they’ll be kicking off their new partnership this December with Snoop Dogg Presents: Welcome To Tha Chuuch: Tha Album.

The new album is the official album to go with the Welcome to Da Chuuch mixtape series, will feature a host of new music from old and new faces. Featured artists include the newly reunited Dogg Pound Gangstas (Daz, Kurupt and Snoop Dogg), Nate Dogg, Lady of Rage, RBX, Soopafly, Tiffany Foxxx, Half-Dead, Mira-Mira and Mykestro.

The album’s first single has already hit the radio in the Los Angeles area. ”Real Soon” features the one-time Death Row crew of Snoop, Daz, and Kurupt on wax together again.

In other Snoop news, he continues his product endorsements with a new shoe dubbed Doggy Biscuitz made by Pony.

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For those that miss the old NWA Ice Cube, rumor has it that a CD single has been leaked from his forthcoming LP, "Laugh Now, Cry Later" which includes 2 new songs Chrome and Paint ft. WC and A Lotta That ft. Snoop which reportedly have Cube as close to back to full form as he possibly can be.

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The Source Magazine is suing BET for $100 million for failing to air the Source Award.

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Chino XL's long awaiting Poison Pen will reportedly finally be released January '06. But because much of the material recorded of this LP is so old now, Chino has already started recording a new records, tentatively titled "Chi" and has recorded songs with Bun-B, Paul Wall, Crook I, Game, EVidence DJ Khalil, Jake One, Focus, King Tech, and Joey Chavez