Rapper Eminem is at it again with his latest video for "When I'm Gone," which serves as a reenactment of his experience in rehab lock-down.

Directed by Anthony Mandler, best known for Common's "Testify," the video was shot earlier this month in Eminem's native Detroit, and showcases a scene of people seated in folding chairs in a room that resembles that of a Narcotics Anonymous set-up. The video features Eminem stepping up to a podium stating "My name is Marshall," and includes a dramatic scene in which his daughter Hallie tries to keep him from leaving their home.

In September, Eminem was released from a rehabilitation center after roughly six weeks of treatment due to exhaustion and other medical problems. As a result of his illness, the European division of the Anger Management 3 Tour was cancelled. Soon after his completion of treatment, he was back in the studio preparing for his forthcoming greatest hits album, Curtain Call.

"When I'm Gone," which made it's debut this Monday, is off of Eminem's latest effort, Curtain Call, which will include two new tracks produced by Dr. Dre. The new album will be hitting stores Tuesday, December 6th.
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Russell Simmons and Reverend Run's Run Athletics recently unveiled details of their new Legacy sneaker line which features an Arthur Ashe tribute design.

As SOHH.com previously reported, the line, created by designer Kevin Saer - Chief Creative Director for Baby Phat, Phat Farm, and the rest of the Simmons brands, and founder of his own, Black Bean Sauce - has an old-school look with modern trim and detailing such as suede front toe guards, cognac vegetable leather wrap, custom non-sweat insoles, perforated suede uppers and laser cut leather loop labels.

The first sneakers of the collection will be released in February in both orange and brown, and nude and burgundy.

The special edition kicks, available in white with green detailing, features an Arthur Ashe logo, a gray custom suede toe guard and custom engraved embroidery on the outside sole.

A portion of the shoe's sales will go to the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health to aid in the correction of inadequate health care delivery to minorities.

"Arthur Ashe is really the inspiration behind the entire Legacy concept," said Run Athletics president/co-founder Rasheed Young via a statement. "His classic style influenced the design of the Legacy sneaker. The more we thought about it, the more we wanted to honor Arthur directly with his own shoe."

The Run Athletics Legacy line, currently available in independent European retailers, will be sold in high-end boutique and specialty stores in the U.S. this coming February.

In related news, Simmons recently launched DoD, the first ever on-demand Hip-Hop channel in a partnership with Comcast Digital Cable. DoD features mixtape and video mix shows, films, old-school classics, fashion and comedy specials, among other programs.


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After a series of critical setbacks, New York Federal prosecutors rested their money laundering case Monday (Nov. 28) against the hip-hop recording label, The Inc., as the trial winds down.

The center of the government’s case revolved around the theory that convicted drug kingpin Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff provided the seed money to start up The Inc.

The government also contends that Irv Lorenzo and his brother Christopher Lorenzo also helped launder millions of McGriff’s drug money through the label.

The defense is expected to give their closing arguments today (Nov. 29) and summations in the case are expected tomorrow (Nov. 30).

Most of the day was spent examining various text messages sent from pagers owned by The Inc., in an attempt to prove the Lorenzo brothers are guilty of money laundering.

Prosecutors pointed out that much of McGriff traveled under an alias and that his travels had been paid for by The Inc.

Attorney’s for the Lorenzo brothers countered that McGriff was part of The Inc.’s entourage and noted that most of the traveling occurred in 2002, after Def Jam bought the “Crime Partners” soundtrack.

Interesting testimony came from NYPD officer William Courtney, who investigated McGriff’s activities in Baltimore, Maryland.

Courtney was also the officer that arrested McGriff in Miami and is expected to testify in McGriff’s trial in March of 2006 for murder and racketeering.

Courtney’s investigation uncovered a double-homicide in Baltimore which McGriff is accused of ordering, as well as a stash house that had cocaine, heroin and promotional materials from the “Crime Partners” movie.

The detective admitted under cross-examination that the FBI warned McGriff of a hit on his life. Defense attorney Gerald Shargel stated that was the reason McGriff was traveling under an assumed name.

Courtney also testified that there was an unspecified threat on rapper Ja Rule’s life as well, but prosecutors objected to the line of questioning and no further testimony was given.

IRS agent Francis Mace also testified without the jury present.

The Lorenzo’s attorneys honed in on Mace’s original statements in his search warrant affidavits, which led to The Inc.’s offices being raided in 2003.

The statements were also the basis for the entire investigation.

“This entire investigation set out to prove those false statements,” attorney’s for the Lorenzo brothers argued.

A verdict is expected sometime this week.

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It could have played out like another random rap beef, but Houston's Bun B. and North Carolina's Little Brother have no issues with each other. However, there is clarification.

In Bun B.'s recent interview with AllHipHop.com, he admitted to enjoying LB's music, but insinuated that, with The Minstrel Show, they may be making more enemies than friends down South.

"I wonder who's a part of the minstrel show? I know what they mean, but I think a lot of the people that they think are against them would pull for them," Bun B told AllHipHop.com. "I really like them and I like their music and I know they are not making what everybody down South is making right now, but that don't mean we against you."

Little Brother lead producer 9th said that he agreed with some of Bun B's assessments, and that he understands the misunderstanding of the group's objective.

"He's right: a lot of people don't understand what we did by doing The Minstrel Show," 9th confessed. "You can take it a million ways. People say that we' re offended [by music out now], people say we' re scared to say names and I don' t think that' s really going to solve the problem. A lot of people don' t know what it means, and a lot of people might take it the wrong way. It was never an attack on a certain type of music. We' re just telling people to be yourself, and don' t mimic what you see on TV."

Minstrel shows gained popularity between the 1830's and 1850's. The performances consisted of comic skits, dancing and music performed by whites dressed in outlandish costumes, with their faces completely blackened by burnt cork or greasepaint.

The shows have been symbolic of the racism that defined the era.

"The minstrel show is a very touchy topic," 9th said. "I just wish that the same fuss would be made—and it wouldn’t be—if our album was named, I've Got 2 Million Guns In My Trunk," 9th said. "Would we be having this same conversation? No. Not to knock that type of music. There’s a heaven and a hell, there’s a side to everything—we just aren’t getting both sides."

9th Wonder said much has changed in Hip-Hop since the Houston hip-hop pioneer first emerged in the 1990’s with seminal group UGK.

"[Bun B' s group] UGK came out at a time where hip-hop was more balanced," said 9th, a self-professed fan of Bun B. "You could have a UGK, and A Tribe Called Called Quest, and a Roots, and a Black Rob. We had a variety of cats to choose from. It’s all one thing now."

In related news, 9th Wonder said he intends to release a solo opus, The Dream Merchant, in early 2006.

"Just expect different types of sounds," 9th told AllHipHop.com about the album, which he said features appearances from Mos Def, Jean Grae, Memphis Bleek, Saigon, and others. "We' re just trying to put out good music, and get a bigger balance back in the game. This is rap music, it' s not Calculus class where you need a long formula. It' s just rap. Some cats will like it, some won' t, period."

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After 15 years, Busta Rhymes has officially cut off his long dreadlocks.

Busta Rhymes, born Trevor Smith, cut off his trademark dreadlocks during a recent photo shoot in a New York barbershop.

“I started growing these sh--s in December '89. I was 17,” Busta stated. “I signed my [record] deal and said I aint combing my hair no more. I don't have to."

The rapper now sports a short crop Caesar hairstyle.

In an effort to memorialize his transition, the former Leader of The New School member recorded the historic occasion on camera while friends and crew members watched.


Fans will be able to see Busta sports his new hairstyle in the video for “Touch It,” which is set to air in media outlets in the coming weeks.

“Touch It,” produced by Swizz Beats, is the first lead off single for Busta’s new Aftermath/Interscope album The Big Bang which is expected to hit stores in early 2006.