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

Dec 7, 2005

Skillz has launched his own label and inked a distribution deal with Koch to release an upcoming untitled album.

The Richmond, Virginia’s label, Big Kidz Entertainment, recently inked a joint venture deal with Koch to release an album filled with all-new material.

Skillz said the concept of Big Kidz Entertainment came to him a few years ago, as he was out shopping with a friend.

“I was getting some money from writing and some checks started coming in so I just started buying s**t and [a friend] was like ‘Damn, dog, that’s one thing that ni**as act like when they get some money.’ [I said] ‘What’s that?’ [He said] ‘Like a big ass kid, you actin’ like a big ass kid,’” Skillz told AllHipHop.com.

The logo for the new imprint features a child holding a briefcase full of money, sitting on top of the world.

“I think the average person, everybody’s got a little bit of a child still in them,” Skillz said of the concept.

Originally known as Mad Skillz, the rapper released his critically acclaimed album From Where??? in 1995, that featured the single “The Nod Factor.”

The rapper resurfaced on albums by fellow Virginia natives Timbaland, Missy Elliot and The Neptunes and appeared on the remix to Aaliyah's Timbaland-produced single "Are You That Somebody," in 1998.

The rapper officially dropped the “Mad” from his name with 2002’s album, I Ain't Mad No More and released several more albums, as well as the popular yearly “Rap Up” singles that recap major events in the world at the end of the year.

Almost 10 years later, the rapper is preparing to release an album on his record label, with international distribution.

“Back in the day, I just got the regular artist deal,” Skillz said. “You [are] breaking your neck, doing all this s**t and you’re getting the smallest amount of money you can get. And gone are the days where n**as are spending $300,000-400,000 to record an album. I’m happy about it. Now, I’m getting all kinds of demos. I listened to like 9 demos and beat CD’s on the way up here [to New York] because I never know. I might stumble on the next Kanye, the next Just Blaze.”

Skillz untitled album is slated to hit stores in early 2006 on Big Kidz Entertainment/KOCH Records.

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Wrestler Diamond Dallas Page has filed a lawsuit against Jay-Z for unlawful use of his "Diamond Cutter" hand signal.

Page, born Page Falkinburg, filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Federal Court, claiming he trademarked the rights to the diamond-shaped symbol in 1996 and has used it for wrestling and other entertainment ventures on multiple occasions.

Page contends that Jay-Z started using the diamond symbol years after on various commercial products, including the cover of Dynasty: Roc La Familia 2000 and Fade to Black.

Hip-hop fans are aware that the Def Jam President has used the diamond sign to signify his Roc-A-Fella Records dynasty.

According to Page, he introduced the "Diamond Cutter" symbol in 1996 on WCW's weekly Nitro and Thunder programs.

The wrestler, who uses the sign on the cover of his new book "Yoga for Regular Guys," also says he used the symbol on monthly PPV events, WCW live events, and media appearances, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Representatives for Jay-Z or Roc-A-Fella were not immediately available for comment.