Sean "P.Diddy" Combs is closing a deal to move his various businesses under one roof and is leasing a 52,000 square foot office building and five floors in New York’s Times Square. "I had five offices all around the city. To have them under one roof is a dream come true," Diddy told AllHipHop.com. "It’s prime real estate. We are trying to make a statement. The moves that we are making are unheard of." Diddy said that he hopes to create more synergy between his various endeavors. Bad Boy Records and the related television and film divisions, Janice Combs Management, Janice Combs Publishing, the corporate offices of Justin’s restaurant, his non-profit Daddy’s House Social Programs and the Sean John Clothing line will be housed in the six story building. "I am putting my whole heart into this," Diddy continued. "Most of all I want to inspire people. As young black people we can own fortune 500 companies." The mogul received a $100 million investment from investor Ron Burkle and his Los Angeles-based Yucaipa Cos. Combs plans to open a chain of Sean John clothing stores across the country. "A lot of times you hear people doing these deals, but there aint no one that looks like you, talks like you, dresses like you or thinks like you. But you can take the fact that your from the hood and flip it. That’s what we are doing." Combs’ new offices will be located at 1710 Broadway, at the corner of 54th street, across from the David Letterman building. The building was designed and built in 1917 and is recognized as a New York landmark. "These past 24 months has been about controlling my own destiny," he said. "I bought my partners out and resold a smaller piece. Now I am in majority control to make the decisions. It’s not like the money went in my pocket. I am using it to build Sean John into a billion dollar company."

Paris’ latest album, Sonic Jihad, has finally hit stores, after selling out on the rapper’s website, www.gueriallfunk.com. "People seem to be hungry for more than what they’re used to getting from their entertainment — especially hip-hop — and are growing tired of the scene," Paris told AllHipHop.com. The album features such other out spoken rappers as Kam, Dead Prez and Public Enemy and tackles such topics as Paris’ belief that AIDs is man made, discrimination, the New World Order, police brutality and Paris’ views on September 11. "Bush has been caught lying on several occasions about justifications for going to war and now people are becoming even more suspicious," Paris said. Paris said for the Sonic Jihad album, he simply wanted to bring hip-hop listeners an alternative to the music that’s played on the radio and television stations. "Many people are out growing hip-hop because companies are trying to keep its appeal artificially young by targeting a teenage female demographic," Paris noted. "Not much is being provided to listeners who want more then tattoos and diamond grilles. I’m doing my best to bring something different to ‘em." Paris acknowledged the effect that music can have on consumers and said that the message he is attempting to convey is one of independence and intelligence. "A lot of artists nowadays do music strictly for the money, and that hurts the art. Many of them gravitate towards music that they believe companies want to sign – especially major labels. And since white-owned major labels and video channels seem to be stuck in a mode of only wanting to reward ignorant behavior by paying for and endorsing images and material that degrade us, it’s necessary to take note of who’s value-added to the game and who’s not. Music is very influential, and it directly impacts our community, so I don’t take it lightly. Life imitates art." Sonic Jihad is in stores now and online at http://www.guerillafunk.com.

More witnesses have come forward and fingered rapper Corey "C-Murder" Miller as the triggerman who fatally shot and killed a 16-year old in a Jefferson Parish, Louisiana nightclub. Two witnesses, one a security guard for the club, testified that they both saw Miller and friends assault Steve Thomas. 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. Miller is facing mandatory life in prison if he is convicted of second-degree murder. The trial could end as early as next week. In related news, Miller’s nephew, Lil Romeo, has signed on to star in "Lil’ Romeo and Lil’ Juliet," a hip-hop interpretation of Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet."

Sister 2 Sister Magazine will hold it’s 5th Annual Intergenerational Celebration, which pairs hip-hop and R&B singers with various politicians from across the country and honors those that contribute to African-American culture. DC Mayor Anthony Williams; Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY); Baby of Cash Money, Angie Stone, Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI); Reverend Run from Run DMC; gospel group Virtue and FUBU executives Keith Perrin, Daymond John, Carl Brown and J. Alexander Martin, Executive Vice President of FUBU will attend the event. "Our goal is to bridge the gap between the baby-boomer and hip-hop generations," said Sister 2 Sister’s owner Jamie Foster Brown said. "As a mother of two hip-hop generation sons, I’ve seen first hand the communication gap that can emerge between the generations. That gap can represent a missed opportunity to reach our young people and focus in on important issues that our young people deal with." The luncheon and awards ceremony will be hosted by radio personality Russ Parr and Jay Cooper, formerly of BET’s Teen Summit. The event is scheduled to kick off with an invocation by Reverend Run and will wrap up with a performance by Angie Stone. "I will never forget being paired with Queen Latifah," Congresswoman and participant Maxine Waters said. "It opened my eyes to the way many of our young people experience society today, and it was especially eye-opening to see the influence someone like Queen has on today’s youth."

Former Spooks group member Jerel Allaine Spruill better known as Water Water was fatally injured in a car accident outside of Washington D.C. early Saturday morning. Water Water was part of the Spooks when they released their groundbreaking, critically acclaimed Antra/Artemis debut S.I.O.S.O.S. Volume 1. The album spawned a hit single and video, "Things I’ve Seen" and reached gold status in Germany, Belgium, France and Sweden before being re-released in the United States. The rapper was working on a solo project at the time of his passing, according to S####’s member Booka T. "What Water wanted to do was totally different from what we usually do," Booka T. explained to AllHipHop.com about Water Water’s exit from the group. "He wanted to go on a totally different path and he felt that the best way for him to express himself in that way was to work on a solo [project] and we were like cool." "He was a warm and caring person who had a great sense of humor," said Water Water’s good friend Chris Brown. "Water was also extremely focused, goal driven and gave100% in everything he did. When we first met, we both use to rap and he would talk about breaking into the industry and releasing an album. For years,Water continued to stick with it and work hard and finally became part of a group who released and album and video that got worldwide exposure. I am deeply saddened by Waters passing, and my prayers go out to his family."

Everlast has signed with the Island Def Jam Music Group and will drop his third studio album next year. The rapper is currently recording the yet-to-be titled album in Los Angeles and New York City. He will co-executive produce the album along with long time hip-hop A&R man, Dante Ross. "I am excited to be part of the Island Def Jam family," Everlast said. "I look forward to a long lasting relationship with Island Def Jam that will result in much success over the years to come." The rapper penned Santana’s "Put Your Lights On," which he performed with Carlos Santana on his legendary comeback album, Supernatural. The song snagged a Grammy for Best Rock Performance in 1999. "Everlast is an incredible artist that writes really important songs," Lyor Cohen, Chairman and CEO of the Island Def Jam Music Group said. "Any label that listens to music would be so proud to have Everlast as part of their family of artists; I am thrilled to welcome him to ours." As a performer, Everlast has been relatively low key since he dropped his Whitey Ford Sings The Blues album for Tommy Boy. The signing to Island Def Jam, which is a unit of Universal/Vivendi, puts the rapper in the same company as his one time nemesis, Eminem. The two had a well publicized beef and both recorded several songs aimed at each other. Everlast started his career as a member of Ice T’s Rhyme Syndicate, before heading up House Of Pain, who released a self titled platinum debut in 1992.

The Mayor of San Bernardino is once again criticizing rap music, this time targeting Cypress Hill and their popular SmokeOut, an annual festival the group organizes. According to a report in South California’s Press Enterprise, police declared the festival a "crime magnet" and the Mayor Judith Valles said the show was not welcomed. Of the 55,000 people that attended the last SmokeOut held at the National Orange Show Events in 2000, just over 20 people were arrested, most for minor infractions. The opposition seems to be based on several shows over the course of three years, in which two people were killed and several were injured in the city after violence erupted at various raves and hip-hop parties, including a show by Bow Wow where hundreds of screaming fans rushed the stage. Mayor Valles barred all parties and concerts from city owned property between the hours of 1 and 6 A.M. The police cited the SmokeOut arrests and vandalism in the form of graffiti. "At concerts there are always going to be minor arrests, but people who come to SmokeOut are mellow," B-Real told the Press Enterprise "It’s not about shoving the pro-pot message down people’s throats. This is about music and having a good time, and the Mayor is giving a lot of people the wrong message." Lt. Mark Emoto of the San Bernardino Police said Cypress Hill’s message is not the type they wish to spread. And while Kelli Cluque, the program director at X103.9 disagrees with the police chief about Cypress Hill’s message, she did add that most hip-hop music promotes violence. "It means trouble, weapons, guns," Cluque said. "We don’t play it." In related news, Cypress Hill is preparing a new album scheduled for a February release date. The album is titled The Green Album and will feature Sen Dogg, Muggs, Bobo and B-Real.

State Property member Peedi Crakk is in discussions to be featured as a spokesman for Armadale Vodka, according to the rapper. Having already been featured in ads for Rocawear and State Property Clothing, the Philadelphia native wants his underground hit “Fall Back,” to be featured in commercial clips for the Roc-A-Fella owned liquor. “That’s like my Armadale anthem,” Crakk told AllHipHop.com. “That’s my song for Armie, cause I’ma proud sponsor.” Armadale, the Scotland liquor company, was bought by Roc-A-Fella CEOs Dame Dash, Biggs and Jay-Z. The company produces a hand crafted, triple distilled vodka from the native land with wheat and barley. While there has been no word as to whether an advertising campaign for the vodka will be put in place, Crakk has remained busy working on his as-yet-titled debut album due early 2004.

The RZA, the Abbott and leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, is prepping to release his third solo effort, “Birth of a Prince” on Wu Records/Sanctuary Records on October 7th, 2003. “The music itself is going to give you the concept but I’ll give you a taste of it,” the RZA told AllHipHop.com in between takes at the video shoot for his new album’s lead single “We Pop.” “Sometimes we all walk around like motherf**kin’ toads or dogs. The kiss of a woman or some kind of spiritual information or the love of God can turn your form into a prince,” he continued. “So this album is showing you we all go through what we go through; you go through hell and come out right, you made it. If you come out right, you come out as that prince. This album is showing the birth of me as a prince. I use the name Prince Rakeem a few times in the album.” Whether as Prince Rakeem, Bobby Digital or a host of other aliases, the RZA has been putting his stamp on hip-hop sounds for over ten years as a producer, emcee and architect behind arguably hip-hop’s most influential group ever, The Wu-Tang Clan. Besides constantly contributing tracks to his Wu brethren (Ghostface, Dirt McGirt, Method Man, et al.) he also has provided his dusty and gritty production credits (check your old Wu Tang affiliated albums to learn where today’s soul vocal sampling trend began) to artists including The Notorious B.I.G. and Big Pun to Isaac Hayes and Dido. Besides his new album, he’s been busy producing the score for Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming flick, Kill Bill. He remains unfazed by his once again hectic schedule. “I love the artistic world that I’m in so it’s nothing for me to do it,” says the RZA. “It takes a lot of time, it’s a lot hard work, it ain’t like it’s an easy job. But I’m a hard working man. If my job was to cut the tree down, I’d be out there just swinging that axe, yo.” Followers of the RZA can expect the usual razor sharpened lyrics and avant garde production he’s known for with this new album. ”On the real to real, they going to expect to be totally banged out and entertained,” he explained. “This album right here, it’s in the top five of the year, I know that for a fact. It’s like seeing a pretty woman but you don’t like girls. No matter how pretty she is, it ain’t going to work for you. If you love hip-hop, then y’all will love this one.”

Atlanta’s Ying Yang Twins are experiencing the most success of their career, after putting in years of work down south and releasing such regional hits as "Ying Yang In This Thang" and "Whistle While You Twurk." After striking it big this year on Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz’ "Get Low," as well as their own single "Naggin," group members D-Rock and Kaine have recorded a single with Britney Spears, hoping the track will dramatically raise their rising profiles. "It was totally out of left field," group member Kaine told AllHipHop.com. "The Ying Yang Twins and Britney Spears, it sounds crazy, but the track we did will show everyone that the Ying Yang Twins are versatile." The single, "I Got That Boom Boom," is earmarked for Spears’ latest album Get In The Zone. The group’s manager and DJ, DJ Smurf, said that Spears wanted the duo off of the strength of "Get Low." "The good thing is, the song they did isn’t outside of what she does or outside of what they do," Smurf added. "She just wanted them on the cut because she wanted that hip-hop element." The group just came off the Dirty South Tour and will be hitting the road for the "Me And My Brother" tour, which will support their album of the same name. "Man we don’t even have a gold or platinum album yet, but they wanted the Ying Yang," Kaine said. Their third album, Me And My Brother is in stores now.

After serving three years in prison for a 1995 brawl, rapper Keith Murray was released in May of 2001, rejoined Def Squad family, almost immediately jumped on the hit record "Fatty Girl," and inked a deal with Def Jam. So with a hit single getting moderate radio airplay and a new album, He’s Keith Murray being promoted by Def Jam, why was he suddenly released from his contract? "I got into a disagreement with one of the n##### that work up there," Murray revealed to AllHipHop.com. "He took the situation up into the office, saying things like he couldn’t work under the pressure. I would call Kevin [Liles, President of Def Jam] about certain things and it would be done with. This guy put a letter into human resources and they told Kevin that they (human resources) would deal with it." The result was walking papers, which Murray says were the result of simple label politics. "Due to the lawsuit that Lyor got into with TVT and the thing going down with Murder Inc., they gave me my release because they didn’t want to deal with it," Murray continued. The rapper is not looking back . He’s launched his own label, Head Rush Entertainment and has started recording a new yet-to-be titled album and has nine songs in the can. "I was already uncomfortable with Def Jam anyway, because they were trying to control my creativity and I didn’t like that," Murray said. Murray is currently negotiation with three "powerhouse" record labels to handle his new album, which he says will hit shelves in late fall/early spring. "I want my fans to know I aint going no where. Matter of fact, hit me up on email at kmurrayrap@aol.com. I’ll be on it and responded back. I gotta keep the people close to me."

Busta Rhymes appeared today in a District Court in Falls River, Massachusetts to face assault charges after allegedly pushing and threatening a fan who touched him during an impromptu performance last December. During Busta’s set, Celine Giguere, 21, of Rhode Island, allegedly reached out and placed her hand on Busta’s chin, prompting an angry reaction from the rapper where, according to police reports, he said, “If you try touching me again, I’ll kill you.” The rapper has denied assaulting Giguere. She, however, chose to press charges against Busta despite police not charging him in the case. He has responded by filing an assault charge on Giguere. A judge set separate trials for January 22. Upon leaving the courtroom Busta appeared lighthearted and unfazed by the allegations, even joking about the lengths the plaintiff has gone to see the rapper again. “I was just so sexy to that young lady,” he told the Associated Press. “She just had to get me to do something to come back.” Bus-A-Bus has kept occupied this past summer by blazing verses on remixes from the likes of Sean Paul, Lumidee, and Bone Crusher. There is no word as to whether his next album will be released on J-Records or not, as there have been rumors of a Busta bidding war between Aftermath Entertainment and Def Jam Records.

Suge Knight has signed on to star in a movie as himself in a movie that ironically ties into his own real life story and focuses on the murders of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. "Rampart Scandal," which Stallone is writing, directing and starring in, added Knight to the cast to give the movie a more realistic feel. Stallone will play Russell Poole, who broke the Rampart Scandal story and the theory that Knight may have played a role in the murder of Shakur and B.I.G. Stallone said that he casted Knight to give him the opportunity to answer questions that no one ever asked. Stallone added that Knight was doing this at the cost of his own career, negative or positive. Knight is currently incarcerated for parole violations, after allegedly striking a parking valet outside of a Hollywood area Knight club. In real life Knight news, a former employee went on trial this week for attempted murder, despite authorities acknowledging that the man in question, Timothy "Timmy Roo" McDonald never fired his gun, nor was a victim injured or even identified. McDonald’s family said that charges were an attempt to get him to divulge information on his former employer, Knight. "The police wanted Timmy to snitch on Suge Knight, to tell lies," McDonald’s mother, Mahalia told the Los Angeles Times. "The detectives told Timmy if he didn’t play ball, they’d get him." Authorities said that the charges are based on an October incident, in which they claim they came across a planned drive-by shooting. Officials claim they saw McDonald pointing a handgun out of the car window. Police said that a man on the sidewalk ducked for cover, as if he was expecting to be a recipient of the gunfire. A driver of the car with the ironic name of Darryl "Biggie" Small noticed the deputies and sped away before shots were fired. McDonald worked with Death Row’s security detail. his older brother, Alton McDonald was gunned down in Compton last year.

Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network is teaming up with radio powerhouse Clear Channel and will present a benefit concert for HSAN featuring Jay-Z at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 25. According to Simmons, he hopes the concert will draw attention to the HSAN’s goal of registering four million new voters as well as changing the view of the hip-hop industry and the fans that support the music. The event will also serve as a vehicle for Jay-Z to promote what he says is his final solo album, The Black Album. All proceeds from the concert will go to the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, the non-profit organization Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis head up as well as Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund. Next Monday, Simmons, Reverend Run, Chavis and wrestlers Maven and Bradshaw will announce a similar initiative with Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Entertainment. Simmons goal is to register more 18-30 year olds to vote in the 2004 presidential election.

DJ Vlad, Dirty Harry and Green Lantern have collaborated on a new mix CD dedicated to the late Tupac Shakur, that features top names from the hip-hop world paying tribute to the rapper. The trio remixed a bunch of Tupac tracks for 2Pac: Rap Phenomenon II and had artists come in and put new verses and hooks on the remixed tracks. "A lot of the rappers and singers came in and laid down original material, making this project that much more special," Vlad told AllHipHop.com. Jadakiss, Wyclef, Busta Rhymes, Xzibit, Alicia Keys, Bun-B of UGK and others are all featured on the CD, each participating for free, because of their respect for Tupac. "This is a serious tribute without the politics and b#######," Green Lantern added. "These artists and DJ’s came together to create the new songs. This is bringing Pac’s vocals to the modern times without the restraints of the industry." The artists were happy with the end result, which even after the bulk of work was finished, took the three DJ’s over 52 hours of studio time to finish. "I had Jadakiss tell me the other day ‘Pac is the only artist [I admire] that I didn’t get to record with. I can’t even say that no more,’" Green Lantern continued. Green Lantern said he was aware other Pac tributes were out, but insisted that the trio’s is version is unique. "I haven’t heard any of that other sh*t, I’m too stuck in my own. I’m used to creating. Green Lantern will be releasing an untitled album through Eminem’s Shady Records imprint. "It’s Shady…expect the unexpected," he said.