Slip-N-Slide recording artist Plies has found himself in trouble with the law after a Gainesville, FL performance ended in violence early Sunday morning (July 2nd).

According to the Gainesville Sun, Fort Myers, FL rapper Plies and Louisiana rapper Lil' Boosie were scheduled to perform at Gainesville nightclub 238 West for a sold-out crowd of over 1,000. At 1:45am, Plies' performance was interrupted when his microphone was cut off to allow Lil' Boosie the remaining 15 minutes before closing time to perform.

238 West promoter Jonathan Corey Smith told police that Plies (born Algernod Lanier Washington) became enraged. A fistfight broke out and witnesses told police that members of Plies' entourage pulled out weapons and began firing, letting loose at least six rounds.

According to reports, Plies and three others attempted to leave via their Buick LaCrosse, but six policemen -- including one on horseback -- surrounded the car and held them at gunpoint.

Plies' brother, 31-year-old Ronnell Lawrence Lavatte, and another man, 21-year-old Tory Denard Carnegie, were each accused of firing at least three rounds and face attempted murder charges.

Police discovered five loaded firearms and several rounds of armor piercing ammunition in the vehicle and subsequently charged Plies and 21-year-old Keon D. McRae with illegal possession of a concealed weapon.

Four men and one young woman were injured during the shooting; Billy Dee Williams was shot in the neck; Michael Lamar Daymon was shot in the arm, Edwin Devasco Faircloth was shot in the stomach, Steve Ruben Jean-Jaques was shot in the foot and Dorian Shannel Johnson had her cheek grazed by a bullet. None of the injuries were life-threatening and all five victims were taken to Shands at the University of Florida and treated.

Club promoter Smith, also known as Jock Smooth, told the Gainesville Sun that security guards were instructed to pat down club patrons and check their purses before being admitted, but performers are normally allowed in through a back entrance to bring in equipment, which likely explains how the weapons made it into the club.

"I just never thought we'd have to really, really scrutinize an artist," Smith told reporters. "From now on, we're going to have to start checking their crates, maybe we'll even get metal detectors."

While Smith plans to boycott Plies in the future, 238 West, which is located on the busy corner of W.University and W. 3rd Street, will be open next weekend and has several more sold-out shows in coming weeks.

Gainsville Police public information officer Sgt. Keith Kameg told the Gainesville Sun that Smith did not initially cooperate with the police and also said the security at 238 West was not sufficient.

"Obviously adequate security wasn't there when so many people inside the club had weapons," Kameg told reporters. "It was basically a group of 3-year-olds fighting over a toy, but with ammunition that could cut through police vests."

Plies has been steadily growing his audience since his 2003 release Tell Dem Crackers Dat. He recently dueted with Slip-N-Slide labelmate Trina for the song "So Fresh." Slip-n-Slide elected not to comment for this story
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During his hearing on Sunday (July 2nd) in Dubai, acclaimed music producer Dallas Austin pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine, but told presiding judge Mahmoud Al Sharshabi that he brought the illegal substance into Dubai by mistake.

According to Gulf News reports, Al Sharshabi rejected Austin's lawyers appeal to hold Sunday's hearing behind closed doors and Austin pleaded guilty to possessing 1.26 grams of cocaine and five-and-a-half capsules of cocaine and an MDM substance before the Dubai Court of First Instance, telling the judge he was aware that possessing or using cocaine was illegal but that he "did not intend to use it in the UAE" and that he mistakenly brought the drug into the country.

Austin appeared at the hearing wearing a white short sleeved jersey, blue jeans and sneakers. Before the hearing began he hugged and kissed a woman rumored to be his business manger. He was accompanied by four lawyers, Mohammad Al Reda of the United Arab Emirates, Bahraini lawyer Qays Hatem Al Zu'bi, and American lawyers Joel A. Katz and another lawyer whose name was not released; both Americans flew into Dubai in order to attend the hearing.

As SOHH previously reported, Austin has been jailed at Al-Rashidiya police station in Dubai since May 19th after being arrested at the Dubai International Airport and charged by Dubai Public Prosecution with possessing drugs for personal use. Austin traveled to Dubai in order to attend a private birthday celebration for model Naomi Campbell.

Judge Al Sharshabi adjourned the case Sunday and a verdict is scheduled to be delivered on July 4th. Legal experts have said he could be facing a four year jail term for the crime. Prior to the hearing, SOHH previously reported that lawyers in the UAE have speculated that Austin might be able to procure a special pardon by the nation's Rulers Court.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in a similar case last year Indian fashion designer Prasad Bidapa, charged with bringing marijuana into Dubai, was eventually freed when the Dubai court dropped the charges against him once his wife filed a plea for mercy. Bidapa also stayed at the Al-Rashidiya police station while imprisoned for 35 days in Dubai and has likened his captivity there to staying in an upscale hostel where you are fed three meals a day, including a lunch of chicken, or lamb with unlimited salad and rice. He was also provided with satellite television with over 70 channels.

The 34-year-old Austin is legendary for his work in the music business with acts like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and TLC. He owns his own label Rowdy Records and has also produced two films, Drumline and ATL
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Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas is being probed by Germany cops following a nightclub fight that took place at an after-show party last week.

According to police spokesman Ronny Frank, Will (born William Adams) was allegedly involved in a melee that occurred Thursday (June 29) in Berlin, Germany's 40seconds club. The authorities believe an altercation began around 1:30 a.m. between the club's bouncer and the Peas' bodyguard, Frank said.

"A champagne bottle was used, but as far as what the singer did, there are various reports that contradict one another, and it's not yet clear what happened," told the Associated Press.

Reports say the Peas and their entourage had filled up the VIP section of the club, but their bodyguard kept bringing more people in. Club manager Torsten Schermall said the fight was sparked when 40seconds' guard told the Peas' bodyguard not to let any more people into the VIP. "He didn't pay any attention," Schermall told B-Z, a local tabloid newspaper. The paper published a photo of the door man scrapping with the bodyguard as blood covered his face.

The bouncer, Will and his bodyguard were taken to the station for statements and then released. Authorities were investigating all three and could possibly bring charges of causing bodily injury and causing serious bodily injury. The names of the bodyguard and doorman were not released by police. The Peas were reportedly touring overseas.

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Lil' Kim is now home from prison after being released early Monday (July 3) from a federal detention center.

The MC, (born Kimberly Jones) carried a balloon and a bouquet of white roses as she walked out of the center at 6 a.m. wearing sunglasses and an all-white outfit.

Jones got into a silver Rolls Royce and pulled into a nearby parking lot where she said "I love you" and blew kisses as she greeted a host of supporters, many of whom expressing their love with signs saying "Welcome Home Queen Bee."

"Today is a joyous day for me and my family. I am extremely grateful and happy to be home," Lil' Kim told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "I'd like to thank the city of Philadelphia for the overwhelming support that I received, in addition to the staff at the FDC and all of my supporters. Many special thanks go out to my fans who were critical in helping me get through these past 10 months. I am looking forward to adjusting back to my normal life and getting back to work."

Some fans stayed up all night to get a glimpse of the newly-released rapper.

Jones' freedom concludes a long saga that begin in 2001 with a shootout at New York's Hot 97 FM that left one man hurt.

The Grammy-winning lyricist began her 366-day sentence last year after being convicted of lying to a federal grand jury about her knowledge of the incident.

She was released early on good behavior

"She has accepted responsibility and handled herself in an exemplary manner,'' said Jones' attorney, L. Londell McMillan via a statement released by the rapper's publicist.

Jones will remain under house arrest for 30 days and be under supervised release for three years.

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CL Smooth is ending a ten-year hiatus and releasing his highly anticipated solo album, American Me.

The album, which drops on Shaman Work Recordings, features production by Arsonist of the Heatmakerz, Kaygee and Tramp of Divine Mill and newcomer Mike Loe.

" American Me is about misconceptions. It's about the things people say, the things people perceive, right or wrong it's about the speculations that we force on each other," CL Smooth explained.

The first single from CL Smooth's debut is titled "Smoke In the Air," which is slated to hit radio nationwide this July. A video for the single will hit major video outlets as well.

Like his well known songs "Straighten It Out," "I'll Take You There," and "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)," which were recorded with former partner Pete Rock, American Me will tackle a variety of personal and political topics.

"I'm bringing the real deal, in spite of everyone and everything else. My lyricism isn't about brute force; instead it showcases what I've come up against and why I'm still here."

American Me hits stores September 19 on Shaman Work Recordings.
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Boot Camp Clik MC Buckshot and producer 9th Wonder are heading back into the studio to work on a follow up to the duo’s album, Chemistry.

"Yeah, we do have that album coming out," Buckshot told AllHipHop.com. "As a matter of fact it's called The Formula. It's gonna be a good album, but it ain't gonna be topics that will make a lot of people happy."

The release comes on the heels of Chemistry, a 2005 9th Wonder-produced collaboration featuring appearances from the Boot Camp Clik and the Justus League.

In addition to being a member of the group Black Moon, Buckshot serves as co-head of Duck Down Records as well as a key component of the Boot Camp Clik, a unit comprised of Heltah Skeltah (Sean Price and Rock), O.G.C. (Originoo Gun Clappaz) (Starang Wondah, Top Dog and Louisville Sluggah).

9th Wonder has earned critical acclaim as one-third of the North Carolina-based group Little Brother and a member of the Justus League, a collective featuring Little Brother (Phonte Rapper Big Pooh and 9th Wonder), Big Dho, Cesar Comanche, the Away Team (Sean Boog and Khrysis), Chaundon, DJ Flash, Edgar Allen Floe, Joe Scudda, L.E.G.A.C.Y. Median and Nicolay.

The North Carolina Central University graduate has produced songs for Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child and Jean Grae, among others.

"The Formula is the truth, and the truth hurts, but the truth will set you free," Buckshot said of the pair’s sophomore effort. "But, if you're in bondage, anything that sets you free will hurt at first. If you've got cuffs on and you're struggling to get those cuffs off, first you've got to go through some pain before you get those s**t's off."

While many artists strive to concoct a masterpiece, Buckshot admits to comparing his forthcoming opus to a more classic literary creation.

"I want to be like Frankenstein creating a monster," said the rapper. "If you know the true story of Frankenstein, he wasn't a monster. That's a real deep analogy-people just didn't understand him. That's the reason why The Formula is gonna be ill, it's gonna be based on the monster that people created."

The Formula is scheduled to hit stores in the first quarter of 2007
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After successful spring debut, sales orders have doubled for Jacob the Jeweler’s Fall 2006 J & Co. Sneaker Collection.

Jacob The Jeweler, long time provider of customized jewels to the Hip-Hop community, launched the J & Co. Sneaker Collection in June 2005 with partner SneakerLuxe, LLC with executive Kedar Massenburg and fashion entrepreneur, Brian Krauss.

Several major retailers, including Downtown Locker Room, Underground Station, Finishline, Dr. Jays, and Sneakervilla, have doubled orders of the new line which is targeted to a younger demographic with a competitive pricing strategy.

“We are excited about the sell-through potential of our new line,” Massenburg told AllHipHop.com “Our retail partners have been very supportive and are equally excited about the launch of a competitively-priced J & Co. branded sneaker.”

The collection is available in six styles consisting of three looks and retail between $125-$150.

The sneakers are also highlighted by full grain leather, metallic stitching detail and the original J & Co. time zone watch logo.

Jacob the Jeweler's signature shoes have been featured in numerous magazines and such celebrities as David Beckham, Mary J Blige, Tyrese, Mariah Carey and Jamie Foxx have worn the shoes.

The Fall 2006 J & Co. Sneaker Collection will debut in stores in July.

Jacob the Jeweler pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges in a Manhattan Federal Court on June 15. He was accused of laundering $270 million dollars for Black Mafia Family (BMF), charges he has vehemently denied

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