Hyphy Inc., an organization dedicated to spreading hyphy music, has accused E-40 and Lil Jon of exploiting the movement.

While 40's last album, My Ghetto Report Card, released under Jon's BME Recordings, helped hyphy gain nationwide exposure, Hyphy Inc., a San Francisco-based group, claims that the hype is growing to the detriment of the subculture.

"E-40 is not considered a hyphy artist or a part of the hyphy movement. True enough 40 brought exposure to the movement, but bringing exposure to the movement and being a part of the movement and then exploiting the movement for your own personal financial gain is two different things," sources at Hyphy Inc. told SOHH.com. "We're saying that he's [Lil Jon] the mastermind behind the whole plot. They got people thinking they part of the hyphy movement when they not."

Though Hyphy Inc. discredits' 40's authenticity, the group does acknowledge Keak Da Sneak, who appeared on Fonzarelli's lead single off My Ghetto Report Card, "Tell Me When To Go," as a hyphy artist.

"They saw that as exposure. Don't nobody respect 40 like that in the Bay," the source alleged. "Once you get older you get your political and your music clout, they can dub you on the radio. You blast so much around the Bay that you all that they hear, so after a while people gon hear it cause you the only person on the radio. But to call yourself the ambassador of the Bay we don't stand by that."

"People only listened to the song ["Tell Me When To Go"] because of Keak Da Sneak. It's like Lil Jon talking about crunk is hyphy's cousin, hyphy don't have no cousin," the source added. "By him controlling E-40, his puppet, he controls the exposure that the hyphy movement gets because Lil Jon knows that he has more connections in the industry than the Bay area artists have. If E-40 had some money, he wouldn't be signed to Lil Jon, he'd be signing other artists. Now they running these BET specials, talking about get the hype on hyphy, got us looking like Katrina cases when that ain't the fact out here."

E-40 has responded to Hyphy Inc.'s accusations.

"Ain't nobody ever heard of no Hyphy Inc. ever! Like nobody in the Bay. The hyphy movement started in Oakland for one," E-40 told to SOHH.com. "So can't nobody from San Francisco be talking about that. I love Frisco, that ain't got nothing to do with the city of Frisco, but I'm not gonna affiliate that with these suckers, whoever these cats is."

Fonzarelli also took the opportunity to address Hyphy Inc.'s claims that he's not respected in the Bay Area.

"First of all, my respect in the Bay is to the extreme my dude. If the Bay didn't love me, I wouldn't be at 60,000 units just in the Bay area alone. The love is there. As far as street credibility, I got that. That's a plus. That's straight A's across the board. Don't get it twited," 40 explained. "Overall, the hyphy movement, I helped birth that thang, mang. I ain't the one who made it up. All I do is endorse it, smell me. Like I said, I was on the first song 'Hyphy.' I got the utmost respect for Mac Dre, Keak Da Sneak and the Federation and whoever else is about the hyphy movement, it's all gravy. At the same time, cats like me and [Too] Short all we're doing is trying to represent our soil. What I'm supposed to do, talk like I'm from New York, rap like I'm from New York. If I didn't say nothing about the hyphy. It'll be like 'he done went south. He won't say nothing about the hyphy.'"

"What have they done for the movement or whatever else," he added. "That's a hate group if anything. They're probably a rap group trying to get some exposure. 99 out of 100% gon love me. There's probably 1 percent out there that hate me cause they ain't on, bullshitting."

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VIBE magazine was acquired yesterday (July 6) by The Wicks Group of Companies, L.L.C., a New York-based private equity firm.

Although terms of the deal weren't disclosed, it was revealed that former VIBE music editor Danyel Smith was named editor-in-chief.

"I have always been a strong supporter and believer in the VIBE brand, and I am thrilled to rejoin as editor-in-chief," said Smith, a New York University graduate who joined the magazine in 1993. "I look forward to strengthening our editorial traditions and our overall music, fashion, culture and style coverage on behalf of VIBE readers."

With a circulation of about 850,000, VIBE reaches more than seven million readers per month.

The magazine, which covers urban music and lifestyle, includes various brand extension platforms such as VIBE Vixen, VIBE Online, VIBE On Demand, VIBE on Film and MVibe.

The VIBE brand also extends into additional product and distribution channels, which include the VIBE CD and DVD series and television programming.

In addition to Smith, Eric Gertler joins VIBE as chief executive officer.

Ari Horowitz will serve as president, while Len Burnett continues as group publisher.

The acquisition marks the beginning of a planned extension of the VIBE brand into multiple media platforms and distribution channels, while strengthening its position among its base of young consumers.

"The power of VIBE is its appeal to the diverse, trendsetting young style makers who enjoy and are passionate about urban music, fashion and culture," said Gertler, who also serves as a principal of Keith Glen Media Corp. and CEO of Blackbook Media Corp. "We think there are tremendous growth and value-creation opportunities to leverage the brand across multiple media platforms and we are excited to build upon the great relationship that VIBE has with its community."

Gertler's fellow Keith Glen Media Corp. principal Horowitz believes VIBE will be "one of the great brands of the 21st century" as he voiced his excitement over the brand's expansion.

"We are very excited about this acquisition and the talent that we have assembled to help the business reach its potential, added Daniel Black, a partner of the Wicks Group. "VIBE has all of the hallmarks of an outstanding media property, and this transaction creates a strong platform from which to address its growth potential."

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