Sean "P. Diddy" Combs’ Sean John clothing line landed him the prestigious Menswear Designer of the Year award, a first for an African-American in the world of fashion. The award was bestowed by the Council of Fashion Designers of America on Monday, June 7 at the New York Public Library. Combs beat out such fashion luminaries as Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors to take top honors. "I’m overwhelmed and humbled by the recognition the CFDA has given me," Combs said. "This award is especially meaningful because I am the first African-American ever to win it. This sends a signal to kids all over America…they too can be a successful fashion designer regardless of their race." "Every year I go, and every year I lose," said an excited Combs, who has been nominated four times in the past. ”I’m very happy.” Combs, sporting a white tuxedo jacket, playfully danced his way to the podium to accept his award. He said he was living the American dream, recalling a time when he saved his pennies to buy a Ralph Lauren Polo shirt. The CFDA awards show was opened by American Idol phenomenon Fantasia Barrino, who sang "New York State of Mind." "This year’s CFDA Fashion Awards are a testament to the artistry and vitality of the city of New York and the entire American fashion industry," said Peter Arnold, Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The awards show was attended by Ralph Lauren, Donald Trump, Alek Wek, Heidi Klum, Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, Donna Karan, Beyonce, Eve, Jill Hennessy and others.

Pioneering African-American Icon Ray Charles passed away today at the age of 73 due to complications from liver disease. The 12 time Grammy Award winner passed away today at his home in Beverly Hills, California. Charles was diagnosed with liver disease last year after receiving hip-replacement surgery. On April 30, Charles made his last public appearance when his Los Angeles recording studio was designated a historic landmark. Charles was born Ray Charles Robinson in 1930 in Albany, Georgia. He lost his sight around the age of seven years due to congenital juvenile glaucoma. After several years attending a Florida state school for the deaf and blind, Charles headed to Seattle, Washington in 1948, where he dropped Robinson as a surname to avoid confusion with boxing great "Sugar" Ray Robinson and formed the McSon Trio. The group hit big in 1949 with "Confession Blues," on the Downbeat/Swingtime label, but due to a label error, the group’s name was listed on various records as the Maxine Trio or the Maxim Trio. By 1952, Atlantic Records, founded in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun, was riding high on the strength of hits provided by Stick McGhee, Professor Longhair, Big Joe Turner, Ruth Brown, the Clovers and the first set of Drifters. Atlantic bought Charles’ contract from the Swingtime label for $2500 and soon hit big with "It Should Have Been Me" and "I Got a Woman," which showcased the beginnings of his future trademark sound. "Music was one of my parts… Like my blood," Charles said. "It was a force already with me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me – like food or water." That love took him to the Pop charts when he sought greener pastures and left Atlantic for ABC-Paramount Records in late 1959. ABC offered him a producer’s royalty and the ultimate ownership of his master tapes, a deal which Atlantic refused to match. Despite an addiction to heroin that started in the 1940’s and almost consumed him, Charles cranked out three number 1 pop hits between 1960 and 1962. "Georgia on My Mind" (’60), "Hit the Road Jack" (’61) and "I Can’t Stop Loving You" (’62) were all smash singles. Critics aside, Charles produced the Modern Sounds in Country and Western which yielded the smash singles "I Can’t Stop Loving You" and the haunting "You Don’t Know Me." Charles insisted Country & Western music was just as much a part of his musical heritage as Blues and Gospel. To prove his diversity, he released instrumental jazz albums like The Great Ray Charles and Genius + Soul = Jazz as well as traditional American standards. In 1973, Charles left ABC with his master recordings and started a new label, Crossover. Throughout the 80’s and 90’s Charles jumped from major label to major label until he had a major Country hit with "Born To Love Me" in 1982. Charles had his first major pop hit in over twenty years with 1989’s "I’ll Be Good to You," featuring Chaka Khan. The impact he had on several genres of music is undeniable. Charles is a member of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was awarded the National Medal of Arts, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame Charles had recently completed Genius Loves Company, an album of duets featuring Willie Nelson, BB King, Norah Jones, Johnny Mathis, Bonnie Raitt and Gladys Knight.

It was projected to be a monumentus return. Prince Po, Pharoahe Monche, and newly added member O.C. had planned to re-introduce Organized Konfusion. Buckwild, Large Professor, and DJ Premier were all rumored to be on the boards. Even AllHipHop.com was excited enough to make this album one of the Top 5 for 2004. But after speaking to Organized Konfusion member Prince Po over the weekend, all hopes are lost. "I’m not going to feed into that Organized s**t anymore," Prince Po told AllHipHop.com. "I feel I have a responsibility to my true fans to just keep making good music. [As] far as Pharoahe and O.C., they’re doing things and I wish them the best. O.C. always had some hidden problem with me and he has to face those demons that make him so angry at a person who put him on his first record. I met O.C. through Monch and I only tried to do positive things for him. I don’t owe him s**t and God knows everything I did for and with him was an act of loyalty and good faith. But he’s out for self and I’m good with that." But despite the disputes concerning added third member O.C., Prince Po seemed to have a softer regard for his partner of fifteen years. Prince Po added affirmation to the rumors of Pharoahe signing with Shady Records. "I really hope all goes well with Pharoahe and Shady," Po confessed. "I love Pharoahe because I seen him evolve from a beat boxer to an MC, damn near over night. He’s one of my favorite MC’s. He has an old soul that’s funky. See, it’s becoming too much of a political thing to make this Organized thing happen and it takes the fun out of making the actual music. Many fans await that album and it’s a blessing to have people demanding your material, but I think it’s a slap in the face of fans when you complicate the process of making music with all these petty demands, requirements and excuses." Prince Po has redirected his energies towards his solo album, The Slickness on the independent Lex Records. That album drops this month with appearances from Raekwon, Rell, and MF DOOM. Production is being handled by Madlib, J-Zone and Jemini. Next month, Po’s label, Nasty Habits will launch with the release of an untitled compilation.

On Tuesday, a judge ruled that The Source magazine failed to comply with a copyright order during their feud over controversial lyrics Eminem recorded years ago. Federal Judge Gerard E. Lynch said Source Enterprises violated an injunction to halt the publishing of the controversial lyrics when they posted them on their website. A small amount of damages were awarded to Shady Records, while the Source’s counterclaim was dismissed. In his decision, Lynch said The Source could damage Eminem’s credibility by publishing the lyrics, which the magazine defended as a journalistic expose. "Mathers is the most prominent of the handful of white Hip-Hop artists who have been artistically or commercially successful," Judge Lynch wrote. "Like other white musicians who have been successful in musical genres or forms pioneered by Africans or African-Americans, from Benny Goodman to Elvis Presley to Paul Simon, Mathers has been accused of exploiting black culture; he in turn has asserted his respect for his black role models and peers, and has maintained that he comes by his Hip-Hop success honestly, as a young man from a poor urban background who has long been associated with African-American friends, neighbors and mentors." While the ruling could be viewed as a set back for The Source, the magazine still has a larger case open verse Eminem, who’s label, Shady Records called the publishing of the recording and lyrics copyright infringement. That case is still being litigated. The judge almost viewed the publishing of Eminem’s lyrics as a deliberate attempt to disregard the injunction, stating "the degree of acrimony and lawyerly zeal in this litigation makes it inconceivable that Source was unaware that Shady would be vigorously monitoring its compliance with the order." In December, Lynch ruled The Source could release up to :20 seconds of the CD and stated that the usage of the snippets fall into fair use of copyrighted materials with the intent to criticize. Lawyers for The Source maintained they had the right to publish the material and to inform the public about the controversial recording, which features Eminem using the N word and making degrading remarks about African-American women.

Fans of the Outlawz are stirring feverishly with the speculation that Tupac’s rebellious protégé’s have signed to Cash Money Records. But, according to Outlawz rapper E.D.I., the group is still ironing out details and have not officially joined the Cash Money roster. “Honestly, this thing has leaked too early. The deal isn’t done yet,” E.D.I. told AllHipHop.com yesterday (June 8). “I’m getting questions from all over. We are definitely in negotiations and looking forward to nailing this s**t down.” Sources within the group confirmed the signing was official, but E.D.I. said the talk was premature even if it was rooted in fact. “Just off a little bit of talk, they are starting to talk about it on the radio. It’s all over the place,” he said. On the group’s official website, www.outlawrecordz.com, the general consensus of fans was that getting down with CMR was a good move for the group. “I’m first in line to congratulate them and I’m first in line to cop the album,” said Paradox, a fan of the group. “I’m just happy for them. You know they are already doing ok. They aren’t stupid rappers blowing their money.” Additionally, Outlaw Kastro said that the crew wouldn’t change their abrasive style regardless of their recording home. Simply, he said. “No need for alarm, ain’t nothing changed.” Fans have high hopes for the group if they ink a deal with Cash Money, hoping to see their videos on major outlets. Should both parties sign on the dotted line, the next release from the group will be titled Ghetto Gospel, which should be released later this year. “We got a lot of work to do and that’s that,” E.D.I. concluded.

The Los Angeles Lakers are embroiled in a highly competitive Championship Series against the Detroit Pistons, but that hasn’t stopped Shaq from engaging in a battle far more personal. The basketball juggernaut has turned his lyrical aggression to rapper Skillz even though he’s looking for yet another championship ring. Shaq went at the Virginia-bred rapper like he was a loose ball under the rim on a recent Sickamore mixtape titled “Drop Another Day. The exclusive track was produced by beat maestro JiCe of Sizzle Records for Shaq’s lyrical pleasure. ” “I dont care how “mad” your “skillz” is you cant serve me/ You don’t like these, take off my throwback jersey/ Lil’ ni**as better stay in their place/ hold you hostage in the toilet and s**t on your face…Matter of fact I don’t know what you look like/ you be spittin metaphors like you a geek Canibus studio book type/ I ain’t into f**kin’ beefs and battles/ I’m into smackin’ n***as back into playing with rattles…/Don’t respond, don’t reply, layoff/ Give this autograph to your mom and watch me in the playoffs.” A confused Skillz said people around him began to inform him of the dis, but he was unable to determine why the 7’ 1” hooper would want to battle. "I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, like I kept telling myself he can’t be talking about me,” Skillz told AllHipHop.com. “Then [the speculation] turned into, ‘If it ain’t you then who’s he talking about?’ And it wasn’t any candidates left. I wouldn’t really pay attention to it if other people didn’t, you know?” Furthermore, Skillz said that this rap battle was much different than playing the Pistons on the basketball court and therefore in his favor. “It’s a lyrical mismatch; him going at me is like me coming down the [basketball] lane at him. It’s actually kind of funny,” Skillz exclaimed. “But the streets ain’t gonna stop talking about until I answer. Plus I talk too much s**t to not answer back,” he said. Because of Skillz admission, AllHipHop.com engaged in its own investigation. Shaq, who has dropped several platinum albums, might be coming to the defense of teammate and former rapper Kobe Bryant, who is currently accused of rape. In his “2003 Rap Up” freestyle, Skillz rhymed, “The dummy move of the year that would be Kobe Bryant/ y’all think she lyin’ that’s the second time Kobe been on TV cryin’ I’m like, ‘Damn Kobe in high school you was the man Kobe/ What the hell happened to you?” Also, Skillz once rapped with a crew called the Supafriends from Virginia and Shaq considers himself to be basketball’s Superman. He even dropped an album called Shaquille O’Neal Presents His Superfriends in 2001. [Click here to offer theories.] Next week, Skillz said he would have an answer record for Shaq.

All members of the Wu-Tang Clan will be unified on stage during a rare performance at Rock The Bells, a day long Hip-Hop festival taking place in San Bernardino, California. RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Ghostface, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, U God and close affiliate Cappadona will treat enthusiastic fans to a seldom seen group performance July 17 at the National Orange Show Pavilion. Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union and founder of the year-old festival, said he was inspired by the lack of quality Hip-Hop shows. “At first we thought we could get some of the members of Wu-Tang together and that would be enough, but it became a mission to bring them all out for one special day,” Weisberg said. “All the members have expressed their excitement to let their alter egos mash the stage and represent the clan.” Redman, Dilated Peoples, Sage Francis, Eyedea + Abilities, Supernatural, Chali 2na and DJ Numark of Jurassic 5 are also confirmed for a day of Hip-Hop performances. Weisberg noted that Rock The Bells mission was to represent all aspects of Hip-Hop culture and that an entire North American tour was being organized for 2005 with acts that have yet-to-be announced. “Rock The Bells is a world-class Hip-Hop platform that celebrates diversity within the culture and I’m thrilled and honored to be a part of something like this,” Weisberg said. Tickets for the event range from $27-75 and go on Sale June 18 at the San Bernardino Orange Show Pavilion or through Ticketmaster.

Rapper Beanie Sigel celebrated a victory in his attempted-murder case in April, but the rapper has not escaped the clutches of the law yet. The Philadelphia district attorney’s office set a new trial yesterday at Common Pleas Court in a second attempt to convict Sigel for allegedly shooting a man outside of a West Philadelphia bar last July. The new trial will begin on January 12, 2005. During the first trial, the jury deliberated for a week but was unable to reach a verdict on any of the charges against Sigel. Terrance Speller said that Sigel shot him in the stomach and foot, but during the trial the defense pointed out Speller’s tainted past. Speller admitted to changing his story several times when speaking to authorities. Sigel, who is under light house-arrest, will make an appearance at a “Stop the Violence” Summer Jam in North Philadelphia tomorrow.

Consummate businessman Dame Dash recently revealed that Roc-A-Fella has purchased Pro-Keds Sneaker Company, a footwear staple that was founded in 1949. The State Property shoe, which was promoted by Beanie Sigel, was produced by Pro-Keds and experienced moderate success. Details and terms of the purchase were not available at press time, but co-CEO Kareem "Biggs" Burke told AllHipHop.com that Pro-Keds had been purchased a few months ago. He also stated that the acquisition would present several new styles in the near future. In February of 2004, Pro-Keds released the State Property Shoe line in colors to match the clothing line’s various outfits. Sigel said his initial interest in working with Pro-Keds was fueled by childhood memories of wearing the sneakers, which were popular in the Hip-Hop community during the 1970’s. "Pro-Keds are the original sneakers," Sigel said in February of 2004. "Back in the days everyone had Pro-Keds. We grew up with them. These joints are crazy. All kinds of different flavors." In addition to aspiring to top the sneaker industry, Burke said that Roc Digital, a Roc-A-Fella related enterprise, was developing an MP3 player designed to compete with Apple’s industry leading Ipod. Dash has been expanding his empire, having recently opened Planet Roc, a record label based in England that has already signed UK-based rap group SAS.

Hip-Hop’s entrepreneurial spirit and its morality have clashed again. This time, Minister Paul Scott has stepped forward to speak out against Diplomats Cam’ron and Jim Jones’ new liquor, Sizzurp Purple Punch. The minister heads the North Carolina-based Messianic Afrikan Nation and he was also a thorn in Nelly’s business side when the St. Lunatic jumpstarted Pimp Juice, an energy drink. He found irony in this venture with The Diplomats crew. “Wasn’t a guy named ‘Jim Jones’ responsible for poisoning those people in Guyana with Purple Punch?” Minister Scott queried. “The entertainment industry wants to keep us drunk and dancing to our own destruction,” says Scott. “The want to turn getting drunk into a Hip Hop national past time.” In the past, Scott offered reasons for his opposition to the promotion of alcohol beverages to African Americans and others in urban communities. “Alcoholism is a major problem in Black America and its consumption can be traced to many health and other social problems that plague our community,” he said in past statements. “The liquor industry has long targeted the Black community …from the Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull busting through my TV after every video in the ‘90’s to the infamous St. Ides commercials.” Meanwhile, Cam and the crew are celebrating. The Diplomats released a Limited Edition Mixtape CD & DVD to commemorate the release of Sizzurp. The set features Kanye West, T.I, N.O.R.E, Fab, Game, Papoose, Trick Daddy, J.R. Writer and others. Scott has not announced any formal boycott. On the musical front, Cam’ron will hit with Purple Haze on July 20 and Jim Jones will release his untitled solo later this summer.

After successful ratings behind urban television staples such as Making the Band 2 and Pimp My Ride, MTV has announced pilots for two more Hip-Hop headed programs, according to published reports. Former P.Diddy manservant Farnsworth Bentley will serve as host and executive producer of "Borrow My Crew." The Gentleman of Bad Boy and his "glam squad" will give viewers image makeovers ala’ an episode of Ricki Lake. The network is also developing a vehicle for Roc-A-Fella rap star Jay-Z. The show would bring artists from different musical genres together to mesh their styles into a new sound. No title has been announced for the Jigga hosted program at press time. Cameron Diaz, Wilmer Valderrama, Frankie Muniz, Stan Lee, Rob Zombie and former B2K front man Omarion are the other celebrities slated to star in upcoming MTV pilots for the 2004-2005 season.

England rapper Dizzee Rascal will be one of the new faces for the popular Ecko Clothing brand in an upcoming advertising campaign. The East London rapper is set to start the campaign in this year’s fall/winter collection. According to Ecko’s international manager Justin Mingo, the company wanted to start recruiting up and coming artists from Europe. Mingo said Ecko has always promoted new faces from the entertainment world, however they now want to take an international direction. "England we are coming up," Dizzee Rascal told AllHipHop.com. "Sometimes though, people emulate what’s coming from the United States. There aren’t that many people in London doing anything original. There was a time where people were dressing up with the champagne and all that b#######, but n##### like me had hats, hoods, making our own beats doing our own s### and making our own way." It was only natural that Ecko singled out Dizzee for the campaign, as he was recently seen wearing the brand in his video "I Luv U." His debut album Boy in Da Corner made him the first rapper to win England’s prestigious Mercury Music Prize, The campaign was shot earlier this year in New York. The new collection is set introduce more hoodies and other casual clothing; a trademark of Ecko which has led them to be one of the leaders in the urban fashion world. Dizzee will land in the United States next week for a string of intimate dates with fellow UK rapper The Streets. "When I come over here, I don’t want to be known from just from MTV," Dizzie Rascal told AllHipHop.com. "I go to where the people are and show the locals that are a part of setting the foundation, that we are authentic." Dates are below: Fri June 11 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheater (with Dizzee Rascal) (Live 105 festival) Sat June 12 Los Angeles The Wiltern (with Dizzee Rascal) Tue June 15 Seattle Nuemo’s Fri June 18 Park City, UT Harry O’s Sat June 19 Denver Fox Theater Mon June 21 Minneapolis Fine Line Music Café Wed June 23 Chicago Metro Thu June 24 Detroit St. Andrew’s Hall Fri June 25 Toronto Mod Club Sat June 26 Montreal Club Soda Mon June 28 Boston Avalon Ballroom (with Dizzee Rascal) Tue June 29 New York City Irving Plaza (with Dizzee Rascal) Wed June 30 New York City Irving Plaza (with Dizzee Rascal) Thu July 1 Washington DC 9:30 Club (with Dizzee Rascal) Sat July 3 Atlanta Earthlink Live

Public Enemy has teamed with Moby to record an anti-war song timed for release near this year’s summer Olympic games. The song, titled “MKLVFKWR” which is an acronym for “make love, f**k war,” features Chuck D. and Flavor Flav rapping about the current status of the world and in reaction to the war in Iraq. The song was recorded for an official Olympic compilation album titled Unity, which also features contributions from Xzibit, Black Eyed Peas group member will.i.am, Destiny’s Child and others. The 16-track album also includes artists from 15 other countries and was recorded under the theme of harmony and peace. “MKLVFKWR” will drop on the Mute label as a 12 inch single only, while the album is slated for a July 12 release date.

Reverend Run will be honored with the "Protégé of the Year" award during a ceremony honoring Dr. Reverend Frederick Eikerenkoetter, popularly known as Reverend Ike. On June 12, Bishop E. Bernard Jordan, founder of New York City’s Zoe Ministries will honor Reverend Ike with a lifetime award for his mentoring work. Jordan will also present Run with the protégé award during the ceremonies, which take place at the Plaza Hotel in New Jersey. Reverend Ike was one of the most visible African-American’s in the United States in the 1970s. Weekly sermons are still broadcast every month on radio and television stations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. "Reverend Ike is the father. Before there was any prosperity teachers, Ike did it," Run told AllHipHop.com. "He’s the pioneer. For Reverend Ike to call me his grandson and for Bishop Jordan to call me his son is an honor." Run said he received a prophesy stating that he would be a successful businessman from Bishop Jordan, who was taught by Reverend Ike. Run subsequently took over Phat Farm’s sneaker division, leading the division to over $200 million in sales and feels that the prophesy was indeed true. "The principles they taught me, work," Run said emphatically. "I applied the principles to Phat Farm and look at the sneaker division now. Reverend Ike is my Daddy, Bishop Jordan is his son and I’m the grandson." The Reverend Al Sharpton will also attend the ceremonies and a silent auction is also planned for the event. "When I was just a boy coming to New York City for the first time, I saw my first Rolls Royce parked in front of the Plaza Hotel," the elusive Reverend Ike said. "At the time I had holes in my shoes and my socks were touching the ground. I was on the outside looking in, now I am on the inside looking out."