“Don’t come here because you like hip-hip,” Deputy Mayor of Newark Ras Baraka told the crowd of teens gathered inside the gym at Essex County College. “Come here because there’s real things going on in the community.” Baraka, along with hip-hop legend Doug E. Fresh, rapper MC Lyte and others, including “America’s Next Top Model” contestant Camille McDonald, were a part of the National Hip-Hop Political Convention’s Youth Summit yesterday (June 16), which featured a panel discussion on topics ranging from activism to bridging the generational gap. Cousin Jeff, of “Rap City” fame, served as moderator for the discussion. “You have to get involved in something more productive than just partying,” said Vinnie, member of the New Jersey-based rap group Naughty By Nature, when asked about inspiring youth to get involved in their community. Because many in the audience were too young to vote, members of the panel urged them to consider how activism relates not to just electoral politics, but to the things that are going on in their own communities. Camille explained how as a college student she wrote letters to corporations to land grants to assist in her advocacy work. “There are people with ears who are listening,” she said. Only one question arose that splintered the panelist in regards to their opinions. Though it wasn’t a hostile exchange, MC Lyte and a young man also on the panel disagreed on whether or not rappers should consider themselves role models. Lyte argued that because fans provide financial stability to rap artists, she and her peers should be responsible to “give listeners something that can inspire them.” “As artists, we have a huge responsibility,” she said. “I’m probably in the minority of artists who feel that way, [but] it should made clear to rappers that we have a responsibility to the youth.” Her counterpart, however, debated her argument stating every artist isn’t ready to be a role model. He added in many instances rappers “get rich by accident” and don’t necessarily understand the responsibility of being a public figure. Doug E. Fresh also contended rappers are not role models. Yet. “We got to add yet to that,” he remarked. Fresh explained one of today’s top artists could grow to become a bigger person in stature. As an example, he cited Malcolm X and the evolution the former Minister of the Nation of Islam made from inmate to political orator. The legendary performer told the audience to have patience with rappers and their maturation process. He explained many of them are still young. But the father of four boys also said older people should have more respect for younger people, whether they are rappers or not. “I feel that young people are not listened to,” Fresh said. “They got a lot of great ideas.” His comments come one month after Bill Cosby chided African-Americans parents for buying their children $500 sneakers and not being able to teach them proper English. Though the comedian didn’t aim his diatribe at younger people in particular, his comments are an example of the rift between the lifestyle of different generations. Cosby is among other notables African Americans with a disdain for hip-hop. Rather than criticize the Hip-Hop Generation, however, Fresh felt the Civil Rights Generation should be more proactive to forge a stronger bond between the two age groups. “Older people can’t be close-minded,” he said. “When you’re close-minded you make the world small.” The Hip-Hop Political Convention continues today with an Intergenerational Dialogue, which will be held at Metropolitan Baptist Church. The theme of the discussion will be “Spirituality, Arts and Culture, Grassroots Activism and Electoral Politics.” The event begins at noon.

By now the Hip Hop nation has heard the stories and rumors surrounding the incident at the 2004 Hot 97 Summer Jam in New York involving 50 Cent’s group G-Unit and former members of the click, Bang ‘Em Smurf and Domination. While the debacle was not a full-on fight, there were bottles and chairs flying from the audience to the stage and back again, causing temporary chaos in the front rows where Bang ‘Em Smurf and his people had been watching the show. Fortunately no one was hurt, and the situation was swiftly settled.   50 Cent opened his portion of the show with a pseudo awards show, taking comedic verbal shots at several people including Joe Budden, Ja Rule, Lil Kim, Ashanti, and even Jay-Z by way of Beyonce. He became increasingly irritated during his performance as the audience at New Jersey’s Giants Stadium failed to give him the reception he was apparently anticipating. Toward the end of his set, he began chiding the audience for their lack of response to him, and even took some harsh shots at R. Kelly, who had received top billing as the final act of the concert. While 50 Cent captivated fans in 2002 and 2003 with his aggressive lyrics, edgy persona, and constant controversy, things seemed to quiet down in early 2004. It was evident to fans at Summer Jam, however, that beefs he could have moved past were not settled in his mind. In the midst of the media’s rush to find answers to why this even happened, Bang ‘Em Smurf took some time to speak with AllHipHop.com about the situation. “I think [50 Cent] really didn’t know what to do – he was more nervous than anything,” Bang ‘Em Smurf said. “He didn’t expect to see us all, friends and [neighbors], in the front row like that. I can’t really explain that, but to me he was just really nervous, he ain’t know what to do at first. He was playing the whole other side of the stage, so I guess he felt like he had to do something, cuz we were up front making a lot of noise, so he came over there and threw water on us. First they threw money – Banks was throwing a bunch of singles. We didn’t really stress that, cuz that’s nothing – everybody got money, but then 50 came over and he threw water on me. That’s when things got crazy. Before he threw the water he was like ‘Oh, is y’all thirsty?’ and he threw water on us, and the water got on me. That’s when I tried to jump over the barricade, and then [people] just started going crazy letting the chairs fly. I didn’t even have to do anything.” Bang ‘Em Smurf explained that he felt 50 Cent’s quick rise to fame and fortune was the reason for their initial problems with each other. Bang ‘Em Smurf claimed that he was blackballed, and that 50 turned his back on old friends once he got to the top. “You know, everything was good at one point. When we ain’t have nothing – like the mixtape days, before Em and Dre – everything was beautiful,” said Bang ‘Em Smurf. “He got that money so fast, I think it’s the bread that f##### son up. Son got an ego problem already, but when he got that money he really started feeling himself like he was a boss or something. It’s cool to feel like that, but you can’t s### on your homies, the people you grew up with. He ain’t only s### on me – everybody that I had with me [at Summer Jam], he knew everybody’s faces. All of us used to be G-Unit. (See Interview – Bang’em Smurf: Life after G-Unit https://staging.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=747) At the end of the day, everyone went home safely, and Bang ‘Em Smurf does not intend to dwell on the situation. “I know what we’re capable of, and I know our progress is incredible,” he explained. “We got a label deal in less than a year. ( See News – Bang ‘Em Smurf Aligns With Suge Knight https://staging.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=3174) That’s why he’s upset – I don’t care what he says. He’s got all that money, but he’s not happy. I feel better as a man, accomplishing s### on my own, taking care of my family. I’m not trying to feed off 50, I’m making music.”

Eminem’s ex-wife Kimberly Mathers was arrested in an Ann Arbor, Michigan hotel, two months after a felony warrant was issued when she failed to return to a drug treatment facilty.Mathers pleaded guilty to cocaine possession in January. She was sentenced to 30 days in a county jail and ordered to attend in-patient drug treatment for 90 days.The arrest warrant was issued in April, when she failed to return.Acting on a tip, police went to Weber’s Inn and saw a woman that resembled the 28-year-old Mathers.When officers asked her name, Mathers allegedly told the police “Julie” and refused to let them enter her room.Mathers eventually granted the officers entrance and admitted her identity.Mathers was turned over to officials in Macomb, County, Michigan.

Despite what was perceived as a bi-coastal rap war, the East Coast had love for Tupac and it continues today, as a star-studded group will celebrate the hip-hop martyr’s 33rd birthday. The party takes place at The Coral Room in New York on 512 West 29th Street. Appearances include Chuck D of Public Enemy, The Outlawz, Immortal Technique, spoken word artist Amanda Diva, Digital Underground, Saigon, Sway of MTV and others. Pac’s immediate family, Jim Jones of The Diplomats, Kanye West, Treach from Naughty by Nature and Ghostf ace Killah are expected to appear as guests. Organizer Candy Man stated that the birthday celebration will focus on Tupac’s more prolific, activist side side. “There was more to Pac than all that drama. Tupac did want peace. He was positive. He saw what was going on and he said, ‘Lets change this.’ Tupac had a big dream. [Fans] listen to his music, but … there was a lot more to Tupac that people portray,” he said. Candy Man said that the performers were handpicked by Pac’s stepfather/activist Mutulu Shakur. Additionally, any proceeds from the birthday party will go towards Mutulu’s legal defense fund and Tupac Amaru Shakur Center For The Arts fund. Mutulu is currently incarcerated in the Atlanta-area for crimes centered around bank robberies. He maintains his innocence and has pledged that he is a victim of the government’s Counterintelligence Program (COINTELPRO). Of Mutulu’s influence on his son Candy Man said, “Most people know that Mutulu was one of the biggest figures in Tupac’s life, especially father-wise and with people of color, this is something that affects all of us deeply. “The significance of the event is to educate brothers about whats going on, what’s happening and continuing Tupac’s legend. Its all about carrying on his legacy, his memory.” For those that want to remember Tupac further, they can purchase “Tupac: Resurrection,” a DVD that is specially edited to be narrated by Pac himself. The DVD version features an abundance of new material including commentary by Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, four deleted scenes, a fiery Malcolm X dinner speech, an interview with Mutulu Shakur and a number of other featues. Tupac was murdered on September 13, 1996. He would have been 33. For detailed information, click here.

Snoop Dogg and Slim Thug have inked deals with Star Trak, the label owned by multi-platinum producers the Neptunes. Snoop will drop an untitled solo album before the year is over. The two albums come on the heels of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo taking their burgeoning empire from Arista and hopping over to Universal, in a deal worth an estimated $3 million dollars. Snoop’s Star Trak debut will be released via his own label, Doggystyle Records. The highly anticipated major label debut from Houston, Texas staple Slim Thug will follow shortly after. In related news, Snoop will be featured on the premiere of "Celebrity Blackjack." Snoop will be joined by such stars as Andy Dick, Jamie Kennedy, Eddie Griffin, Ben Stein, Rodney Peete and others, as they compete for a $100,000 donation, tournament style. The winner of each episode advances to the sixth and final episode for a $100,000 purse, donated to the winner’s choice of charity. "Celebrity Blackjack" premiers July 5 on the Game Show Network (GSN).

Continuing their tradition of pitting rappers against other celebrities, creators of "The Surreal Life" have announced the cast of the third season, which includes Public Enemy member Flavor Flav. Flavor will join an all new cast that includes Dave Coulier (Full House), Brigitte Nielsen (Red Sonja), Ryan Starr (American Idol), Jordan Knight (New Kids On The Block) and Charo (flamenco guitar master who has made the most appearances ever on "Love Boat"). "The Surreal Life" puts an unusual mix of entertainers together to live under one roof and have their lives taped round-the-clock. The first season featured MC Hammer, Vince Neil, Emmanuel Lewis, Corey Feldman and others, while season two featured Vanilla Ice, p### star Ron Jeremy, sex-pot Traci Bingham, Erik Estrada and others.

Corey "C-Murder" Miller is about to go through it again. A judge in Gretna, Louisiana set a date for the second murder trial for the rapper for September 12, 2005. Miller was convicted last September for the shooting death of 16-year-old Steve Thomas, 16, in 2002. He was never sentenced due to allegations that the prosecution withheld evidence. Miller faces a mandatory life sentence, should he be found guilty. Thomas was shot after the two allegedly had a confrontation in a now defunct Jefferson Parish nightclub. While nine defense witnesses testified that Miller had nothing to do with the shooting or the beating, in some cases they gave conflicting testimony. Two witnesses produced by the prosecution, one a security guard for the club, testified that they both saw Miller and friends assault the teenager. One of the witnesses said that she did not actually see Miller holding the gun, but saw sparks from a gun where Miller’s hand would have been. When the jury convicted him, his family immediately responded and said they would fight the decision, with Master P. claiming that the local system was corrupt. "The whole system there is corrupt, but I think the Judge (Martha Sassone) wants it to change." Miller told AllHipHop.com Sassone granted the retrial. "There are so many witnesses that said C didn’t do this. Look at what the D.A. has done, clearing records and that kind of thing. Everyone assumed he was guilty but people testified he didn’t do it. Now he’s sitting there incarcerated and we believe he’s innocent." One of the key arguments for the defense’s motion for a retrial, was the revelation that local detectives cleared a prosecution witness’ parking tickets and an arrest warrant for felony theft charges. In December, Miller’s attorneys produced a key prosecution witness that said she did not see Miller shoot Thomas and witnessed another man with a gun before the shooting. The woman testified under oath that she stood on a chair and witnessed Miller beating Thomas but fell and did not witness the shooting. She said moments before the shooting, she witnessed another man known as "Calliope Slim" with a gun. The woman claimed that she told Jefferson Parish detectives before the trial, but didn’t reveal the information during the trial because no one asked her. Yesterday, Miller pleaded innocent to the charges, as he at the outset of the first trial.

R&B singer T-Boz of TLC has filed for divorce from West Coast rapper Mack 10 and, in the windfall, made a series of sensational allegations including death threats. According to the Associated Press, T-Boz (Tionne Tenese Watkins Rolison) said that Mack 10 (Dedrick D-Mon Rolison) cheated on her in addition to threatening her life. Subsequently, she has received a restraining order from the rapper, where he is unable to come within 100 yards of her. Moreover, she wants full custody of the pair’s 3-year-old daughter. In Atlanta papers, Mack 10 denied the accusations and charged that T-Boz only made such allegations in a strategic move to keep him from seeing their daughter. In court documents, she said, “My husband informed me that he would smash my teeth down my throat. I asked my husband to give my daughter back to me and I reached for her, and my husband pushed me to the ground twice.” The incident that allegedly transpired on June 8 he tried to stop her from leaving the home with their daughter. He then grabbed her arm and stopped her, she said. “At that point, my husband grabbed me around my neck and choked me,” T-Boz said and asserted the aforementioned death threats followed. Eventually, police aided her in leaving the Atlanta residence. She said that the 32-year-old Mack 10 threatened to have her “erased” after she attempted to break off from the relationship in March of 2003. The pair was married in August of 2000. Mack 10 is expected to appear in court on June 22.

Saigon, one of the first-rate mixtape emcees from New York, has received a lot of attention for his troubled background, but the rapper has a message against gang violence. "The Color Purple," a song produced by Scram Jones, speaks directly to kids in the street who claim gang sets and the very rappers selling such images to children. "The reason why I made that song is because in New York we know nothing about gang culture," he told AllHipHop.com. "We’ve heard about [Bloods and Crips] in the movies and videos- that’s how s**t spread, through media. If they can spread the negativity, then we can use the same medium to shut it down." Critics may try to label Saigon as hypocritical considering his own past, which included several years in jail, but he said he has matured and feels like his message is necessary. "I used to be in a lot of s**t, but that was before I was conscious," he said. "When I was out running the street I had no sense of direction. I was following. I wish I had a motherf**ker like me to tell me to chill. Somebody could have probably saved me from all of those years I spent in prison. If one person hears that song and says ‘this gang bangin’ s**t’s wack, killing my own brothers… and there’s nothing good coming out of it’ – it’s cool. These motherf**kers just want to belong to something." Ironically, Crips and Bloods in the Los Angeles area recently reconvened peacefully to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 1994 gang truce. Representatives from four large local housing projects re-signed a peace agreement, which was based on a cease-fire arrangement between Egypt and Israel in 1949. Saigon stated that the East Coast needs to adopt a similar philosophy. While New York has had it’s own gang culture for decades, he cites a change in the times. "The Zulu Nation is like an evolution. It’s like comparing Malcolm X to Dirty Red. You’ve got people like [West Coast staple] Mike Conception telling [people] to put the flag down, that gang bangin’ s**t is stupid, that it’s wrong, that it’s killing each other and it’s tearing down our community," Saigon said. "And these are the O.G.’s of this s**t. Young rap punk motherf**kers come in the game and try to promote [gang violence], never really put in any work in the street – knowing you’re in somebody’s studio all g###### day. Then these little kids who don’t have nothing take it and run with it. These guys are in a tour bus, doing shows, and these kids who really look up to these motherf**kers and really believe these guys. I was one of those kids – it wasn’t no gang bang s**t, but it was some old thug it out s**t." Saigon expressed that there is a direct connection between the music industry, the media, and the negative effects on society that stem from over-glamorizing the gangsta rap image. "Motherf**kers gotta be more responsible. F### these motherf**kers making all the money off you, be responsible for your people. There’s gonna be a time when people are looking back in retrospect at the reason why we’re in these f##### up conditions. Who’s a part of the problem, and who’s a part of the solution?" With no immediate answers, Saigon likened today’s rap artists as exaggerated stereotypes peddling the destruction images across a worldwide platform. "These rappers look the same way we looked in 1929 when we see the black ‘jiggaboos’ tap-dancing for the crackers. That’s the way these rappers are gonna look 50 years from now," he said. "They don’t see it right now. Just the way [people] in blackface didn’t think at the time that they were being clowned. Think about it. There’s no right way to do something wrong." Saigon recently released of his first internationally distributed project, Warning Shots, a collection of his finest mixtape moments. Post Your Feedback.

Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney will deliver a special webcast on June 15, addressing Hip-Hop culture, issues that affect the Hip-Hop generation and a five-point Hip-Hop platform. McKinney, who made history in 1992 when she became the first African American woman from Georgia to serve in the United States House of Representatives, is now a candidate for the Fourth District Of Georgia’s Congressional seat. As a member of the United States Congress from 1992-2002, McKinney offered a full-fledged Hip-Hop platform. "Hip-Hop culture is one of the greatest influences on the thinking and behavior of young people in America and all over the world," McKinney said. "Everyday I see its impact and potential for good right here in DeKalb County, Georgia." McKinney said her webcast would also lay out the vision and her commitments to the interests and concerns of those who reside in the Fourth District of Georgia. According to McKinney’s official website, she was one of the first members of Congress to demand an investigation into the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. After asking what the Bush administration knew about the attacks, McKinney said that she was targeted by Georgia and national Republicans for ouster. McKinney said an estimated 40,000 Republicans voted in the Democratic Primary to unseat her. Her supporters have filed a lawsuit against the tactic, which is known as "crossover" voting. "Soon, it will be a Hip-Hop world," McKinney said. "I care what kind of world the Hip Hop Generation inherits. I know they do, too. I want to work with them to make sure that world is a peaceful one that values justice." McKinney’s father, also a former Georgia State Representative, was one of the first black law enforcement officers in Atlanta. The webcast is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15th, 2004 at 2 p.m. EST on McKinney’s official website, http://www.cynthiaforcongress.com/.

Riverhead Trade recently launched Riverhead/Freestyle, a new literary division of publishing giant Penguin Group. The new division will focus on feeding a growing demand for books by "Hip-Hop" consumers. The company just published the first title, "Blinking Red Light." The book was first self-published by the author, Mister Mann Frisby, former reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News. The novel by Frisby focuses on man who’s life spirals out of control when he and his crew become involved in committing sexual acts for cash. "The incredible success of some of the self-published titles in this category indicates that there is a hungry — and probably under-served — readership for books that share the energy and themes of Hip-Hop culture," co-publisher Julie Grau said. "We see books that reflect this movement, both fiction and nonfiction, as an area of growth," Grau said. Riverhead/Freestyle will also release "The Wu-Tang Manual," a book about the origins and story of the Wu-Tang Clan by Wu themselves as well as two self-empowerment books from Tariq "K-Flex" Nasheed. Nasheed, a former hustler and self-proclaimed "Hip-Hop dating guru," has already various titles including "Play or Be Played," "The Art of Mackin’ and "The Mack Within." "We believe that the Riverhead identity is clearly defined, so by creating this line within the imprint, we can signal to the publishing industry and to consumers that we are branching out into new areas of the bookstore," Grau reflected.

DMX was hit with a lawsuit stemming from his involvement in the canine clothing company Boomer 129. Amusing Divisions Inc., the company behind Boomer 129, recently filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court, saying they weren’t aware of DMX’s 13-counts of animal cruelty charges, to which he pleaded guilty in 2002. DMX was ordered to make public service announcements for the Humane Society of the United States and was obligated to pay production costs, which were estimated at $20,000 when he was sentenced. Amusing Divisions claims that DMX instead made radio spots promoting the clothing line "for dog awareness as part of a community-service obligation judicially imposed upon him for having been involved in animal cruelty." DMX was paid $15,000 up front to be Boomer 129’s spokesman, which included leather jackets, sports jerseys and other clothing for dogs. According to a lawyer for Amusing, the company had trouble marketing the dog clothing to certain pet stores, due to the animal cruelty charges. Amusing is seeking the $15,000 advance as well as $75,000 which went into the production of the clothing line. DMX’s animal troubles started in June of 1999, when police went to his Teaneck, New Jersey home after finding his wife’s purse near the scene where his business manager/uncle was shot. When police raided the house, they found a loaded 9mm handgun, hollow-nosed bullets, six used glass cocaine smoking pipes and 13 pit bulls. Under his plea agreement, DMX forfeited all weapons and animals and was ordered to pay $15,000 to the Bergen County chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The judge granted the Humane Society the rights to use his image on printed materials.