Citing safety concerns, officials in Ohio are urging the University of Miami-OH to cancel a scheduled performance by 50 Cent later this month. The show is sold out and city manager Jane Howington fears violence could erupt if individuals show up at the door attempting to buy tickets for the show. On Friday, a spokesperson for the university said tickets were only made available to students who presented their University of Ohio student identifications. In addition, the university noted they do not expect any problems as a result of the performance. Howington, however, in a letter to the president of the university obtained by the Associated Press, states: “This event is putting the entire community at risk, an action that I most vehemently oppose,” she continued. “If any problems occur, Miami will be accountable in answering to the community, the student body and their parents.” Lt. Andrew Powers, a campus safety official, stated he has personally talked with 50’s security detail and police from various sites the rapper has performed in the last month, and he has found little evidence that 50’s presence would incite violence. There have been no other reported outbreaks of violence at concerts by the Queens-bred rapper. Currently, 50 is still scheduled to perform April 23 in Millet Hall, approximately 30 miles northwest of Cincinnati.

Hip-hop impresario Sean “P.Diddy” Combs has been tapped to star as blues musician Robert Johnson in a HBO Films feature, which will begin production in September. Johnson was labeled “King of Delta Blues,” in spite of recording only 29 songs prior to dying at the age of 27. The film will be shot on location in Mississippi and directed by Tim Blake Nelson, whose last work was the Holocaust drama, “The Gray Zone.” Combs has received critical acclaim following his roles in the Monster’s Ball with Halle Berry and the independent film Made. He is said to be taking acting classes in hopes of perfecting his craft and landing more roles. On the music front, Diddy’s next role will be executive producer of Loon’s self-titled debut and releasing his dance-inspired album. Both albums lead singles will feature Kelis, as the siren coos lusty vocals on Loon’s “How You Want That,” and Puff’s “Let’s Get Ill.”

Naughty By Nature was planning to go back to Africa as they had previously in 2001’s historical concert in Nigeria. However the group and their rap crew unanimously voted against a planned performance in Ghana later this month because of the war-like climate in the world. The U.S.-led war on Iraq may not completely prevent Naughty from visiting their motherland though – as they are postponing it with the expectation of resuming their plans once the confrontation subsides. A representative for the group explained how things seemed to change suddenly. “We’ll remain in the good old USA. Up to today (April 11) it seemed as though everyone was on-board, but I guess you can’t take the chance of a major trip right now,” the rep said. “War is real. No land is safe.” December 2001 marked the group’s first concert in Nigeria, something no other hip-hop act had done at the time. AllHipHop.com’s African correspondent Moses Onifade relayed the countries sentiments in a feature written in January of 2002. “It was beyond the wildest dreams of hip-hop heads in Nigeria to have an era where by they are not just listening or watching their favorite artist on TV, but they could feel and see them rock the mic live,” Onifade said. “…it was the greatest mind blowing show that will linger in the memories of so many Hip-hop loving Nigerians that came to see Naughty By Nature live.” Nevertheless, yesterday Vinnie and Treach were interviewed by VH-1 and a special, “One Hundred Greatest Songs of the Last 25 years,” where their hip-hop anthem “OPP” was among the finalist. In addition, Treach is crafting his solo album and working on unnamed film projects. And Vin-Rock is reportedly working on some movie efforts as well. No word on when the next Naughty By Nature album would drop.

A Raleigh, North Carolina man was charged with the identity theft of Slick Rick Walters, the jailed legendary rapper, after he attempted a series of fraudulent transactions and actual impersonations. Twenty-eight-year-old Steven Glenn was arrested and charged with seven counts of fraud, three counts of forgery, two counts of obtaining property under false pretenses, and two counts of identity theft. Slick Rick has been in a Florida prison for the last 10 months and during the latter part of 2002, Glenn allegedly began a series of bizarre incidents in an attempt to become Slick Rick. According to a press statement released by Slick Rick’s publicist Bill Adler and his spouse Mandy Aragones revealed that the man allegedly started rerouting the rapper’s mail to North Carolina sometime last year. But, his efforts hardly stopped there according to police. Police charge that Glenn forged the rapper’s name on royalty checks and then later attempted to withdraw the funds after depositing them in an account. In addition, he donned similar garb as the Rick did back in 1990 and tried to rent out an apartment in the rapper’s birth name. Continuing, Adler stated Glenn “registered a car, received hospital care, sent out express mail packages, and answered his own phone under Rick’s name.” Only after noticing the lack of mail for Rick did suspicions arise within his wife. Aragones even stated that upon calling the number listed under the new Slick Rick’s name, a women picked up the phone and stated that her husband was no longer in jail and was even shopping beats for a new album. Soon, though police and Aragones conspired to stop Glenn, who didn’t manage to swindle any money from the embattled lyricist. At press time, Glenn was still in police custody on $30,000 bond and may face additional criminal charges. Slick Rick remains in jail after being arrested in June 2002 and currently awaits a decision from a Florida judge on whether or not he can remain in the United States or not. After a five-year prison bid in the 90s, Slick Rick can legally be deported under the law despite being a resident since the 70s.

Unknown assailants fired shots at rapper Snoop Dogg and his entourage yesterday as they were traveling in Los Angeles, according to reports. Police reports dispatched last night (April 10) that one of the rapper’s bodyguards – a police officer – was shot in the melee, but Snoop escaped without harm. The rapper was traveling with a fleet of vehicles, which consisted of seven bodyguards and two state police officers. About 9:00 p.m. (PST), Snoop and the crew were moving through Los Angeles when a car eased along side of them blasting two of the cars in the convoy. The gunman and members of the entourage reportedly spoke to Snoop Dogg prior to shots being fired. The wounded off-duty police officer was admitted to the hospital and then released today (April 11). Snoop was subsequently questioned by the police, but no charges are expected to be levied against the 31-year-old rapper.

While Priority Records’ recording artist Ras Kass remains a fugitive from justice, that hasn’t slowed him down any in his campaign to procure a release from his recording contract. Aside from recent freestyle releases, such as "R.A.S.," a boisterous declaration of his freedom from Priority Records set to the beat from Noreaga’s "N.O.R.E.," Ras Kass has expanded his attack against his former label to include an online petition demanding his release. The petition, which was initiated by, and can be located at, www.raskass-central.com has already received an enormous amount of support, to the tune of over 1,500 signatures in less than just three weeks. "For people to take the time out to do that, it motivates me to keep fighting, so I really appreciate it" Ras Kass told Allhiphop.com. Representatives from raskass-central.com estimate that with additional media coverage of the petition, it should easily exceed 10,000 signatures within the coming month. And taking a cue from The LOX "Let The LOX Go" campaign to disengage themselves from Bad Boy back in ’99, Ras Kass has decided to take his "Free Ras Kass" campaign to t-shirts. Within the next week, said t-shirts will be made available for sale at raskass-central.com. "I love what The LOX did," says Ras of this method of leveraging one’s label, "Public opinion makes m*th*f*ckas wanna act." Action is what Ras is hoping to elicit from Priority Records so that he may pursue his solo career elsewhere. However, erroneous reports have stated that Ras will be relocating to Daz’ DPG label. "I ain’t even hollered at Daz," clarifies Ras. Additional reports have placed Ras Kass at Tha Row and even Def Jam, but nothing has been confirmed at this time. Until Ras Kass can obtain his much sought after release from Priority Records, the waterproof MC plans to hit the mixtape circuit with his own creation, which will either be titled "Catch Me If You Can" or "Alive From Nowhere." While Ras didn’t authorize the recent DJ Lt. Dan "On The Run" mixtape featuring hard-to-find Ras Kass white label songs and freestyles, he does however see the album as another useful tool in drawing attention to his cause to motivate his label to release him. And for anyone who is already growing weary of the "Free Ras Kass" campaign blitz; be prepared to be inundated with it for some months to come. In addition to an online petition, t-shirts, and mixtapes, Ras is gearing up for his first official independent release this summer entitled Ras Kass Presents…The Re-Up, which will feature Ras alongside his protégé Scipio, and features never before heard Ras collabos with Memphis Bleek, Twista, and The LOX.

With the release of his debut set, The Hazardous Life, Roscoe P. Coldchain, promises to uphold the rich Philly hip-hop tradition stemming from the likes of Cool C, Steady B, Schoolly D and others from the Golden Era of rap. “I was just listening to what they was doing, they was talking that glamorous life stuff so I wanted to do it, I wanted to live like a rapper ‘cause they was living that life,” he stated to AllHipHop.com, admitting the material gains drew him the most. “It was more so that life than their influence in rap.” “They was talking the glamorous life before anybody knew what the hell they was talking about.” As a rapper under The Neptunes banner, Coldchain said that he shares a criminal past that resembles some of his Philadelphia counterparts. After killing an off duty police officer in a botched bank heist, Cool C was sentenced to death and remains on the row and Steady B is serving a life sentence after telling all to prosecutors. While he refused to disclose details, he said he currently has a number of open criminal cases that may jeopardize his promising future. Coldchain said that while he has legal troubles, he hopes to resolve them for the sake of his 4 children and baby on the way. These n##### aint sh*t. they’re letting their baby’s die. These baby’s don’t have any guidance why? Because they parents don’t have any guidance,” he declared. “I think that’s why I keep getting these blessings ‘cause I’m living off borrowed time right now.” The Neptunes’ StarTrak venture with Arista recently dropped “Delinquent,” Coldchain’s first single. He has already been featured on the Clipse’ platinum-selling Lord Willin’.

Ol’ Dirt Dog has done it again. ODB, the charismatic and often troubled member of Wu Tang has changed his name again – this time to Dirt McGirt ODB. The rapper has assumed a variety of monikers including the infamous Big Baby Jesus to Ason to God Unique to Joe Bananas to Osiris. “He’s changed his name to Dirt McGirt ODB. He just feels that he’s coming out and its time to start over and take the world by storm,” Dirty’s manager Jared Weisfeld told AllHipHop.com. “He’s going to be Ol’ Dirty Businessman now. you are going to see more of ODB than ever.” Dirty was recently released from an upstate prison and now reportedly resides in a psychiatric facility, but Weisfeld wouldn’t confirm where the rapper was staying. With the recent announcement of a new clothing line (Dirt McGirt) and accompanying underwear line (Ol’ Dirty Drawers), Weisfeld maintained that his client has altered his state of mind as well as his name. “Dirty is ready to come back, he’s matured a lot. He’s looking forward. He’s never not been fit to be in the public,” he maintained. “He is not schizophrenic. He’s excited and wants to get it on.” “He’s had a lot of time to think in prison. He wants to do everything from movies to clothing. He wants to do everything,” he maintained. Finally, budding journalists would be able to talk to the newly appointed Dirt McGirt emptying their pockets. “He’s not going charge like he used to [for interviews]” Weisfeld insisted that Dirty would be back in free world before July, refuted previous notions, but wouldn’t be able to confirm the rapper’s actual date of release from the NY State facility where he currently resides.

50 Cent has signed his G-Unit Records to Interscope and intends to drop an album by the crew of the same name before year’s end. “First I drop my album, and people pay attention,” 50 Cent said in a statement. “Now that I got their attention, I’m gonna drop the next s**t on them – the G-Unit s**t, both the label and the group. … I’m not leveling the competition, I’m destroying it.” According to a press statement, 50 will develop and sign artists while the Jimmy Iovine-lead Interscope will distribute the controversial rapper’s releases. On the business-tip, Iovine stated that he would work with 50 in everyway he could, besting the other offers the rapper had thrown at him. “When you have an artist like 50 Cent, you want to be in business with him on every level — movies, video games, wherever he wants to go,” Iovine stated. 50 Cent continues to tour in support of his 4 million-and-counting opus, Get Rich Or Die Tryin.’

Afeni Shakur, mother of slain rapper Tupac, donated $10,000 dollars to a community college in North Carolina to establish a scholarship in his grandmother’s name The Rosa Bell Williams scholarship was given to Robeson Community College on behalf of the Tupac Amaru Foundation. The check was presented yesterday (April 8) after Afeni Shakur was interviewed on the college’s cable television program. "This scholarship will honor my mother’s desire to help her kids and her desire to make our lives better,” Shakur told they Fayetteville Observer. "I am a big fan of community colleges, and not everyone can afford to go to a big university. The community college is a step toward getting that education. This is a great way to help." The scholarship will be given once a year to a Robeson County resident. Shakur’s family is originally from Lumberton, North Carolina. Shakur also hosts the annual James "Head" Lassiter Swing for Kids Charity Golf Tournament in Lumberton. The event takes place in November of each year. This years proceeds from the golf tournament will benefit local Lumberton military families.

Hot 97’s Aston "Funkmaster Flex" Taylor struck a deal in Manhattan Supreme Court yesterday and plead guilty to harassing Power 105.1 air personality Steph Lova. Flex’s Lawyer, Murray Richman said that by striking the deal, Flex was not charged with any crime and was cited for a violation. "He denies striking her, and the district attorney agreed that this case could be adequately disposed of through a plea to harassment which is a violation, not even a misdemeanor," Richman told the New York Post. Flex must serve 35 hours of community service. "Flex is trying to rebuild his relationship with Steph Lova and he wants to put this all behind him," A spokesperson for Flex told AllHipHop.com. Steph Lova, whose real name is Stephanie Saunders, claimed that Flex cornered her outside of Hot 97’s New York office and smacked, punched and choked her and then tossed a wad of money at her. Lova filed a $5 million dollar civil suit against Flex in October of last year. "My attorneys have instructed me that it would be inappropriate at this time to provide any further comment with respect to the civil lawsuit that I have filed in the state supreme court of New York," Lova said in a statement. The problems between to the two started after Nas appeared on Power 105 during Lova’s show, furious that Hot 97 officials wouldn’t allow him to simulate a lynching of Jay-Z, during Hot 97’s Summer Jam last year. Nas also accused Flex of taking money to play certain records and urged fans to rob Flex when they saw him on the street. Nas recanted the robbery request and apologized for encouraging violence.

Presidential hopeful Rev. Al Sharpton held his second Annual National Convention for his National Action Network over the past weekend that was punctuated with a hip-hop workshop on Saturday evening. The last workshop, “Using The Influence Of Hip-Hop To Empower Our Youth,” served as a town meeting for the public to engage with a robust group of panelists at the mid-town Manhattan Sheraton Hotel. The panel consisted of Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt-N-Pepa, Christopher “Play” Martin of Kid-N-Play, Cynthia Horner of Right On! Magazine and several other local hip-hop related outfits. Salt, as a rapper with a wildly successful career, expressed difficulty growing older with hip-hop music with its increase penchant for vulgarity and violence. “Since my time, it has gotten extremely negative. I find myself fighting the radio. The beats are infectious, the rhymes are infectious,” she said explaining that she now has children. However, she said Queenbridge’s Nas represented a beacon of hope. “Nas – god bless him. “I Can” is a positive record. We can be positive. We can change the face of hip-hop,” she said. Play agreed, but told the audience that much of the perceived problem could be remedied if people analyzed and attached the underlying issues, not the results. “We have to deal with the root. We are dealing with the fruit. Its crazy. The whole industry is an illusion,” he said often referring to his own trials as a member of rap duo Kid-N-Play. Young rapper Somac from The Lyfe Project, a group of children emcees, adamantly said that kids are wooed by the influences of rap music. “If my father isn’t teaching me, I am going to follow what’s on TV,” he said, “Hip-hop is the most influential tool. I am a leader, not a follower.” Throughout the evening, one name continuously was brought up as an example of the ills and pleasures of the music –50 Cent. Cynthia Horner of Right On!, a teen fanzine, said they they try to hold rappers accountable for lyrics and lifestyles. “We haven’t interviewed 50 Cent but when we do, we are going to ask him ‘Why are you going around bragging about being shot nine times,” she said. “If I was shot nine times, I’d be embarrassed.” The evening concluded with Charles Fisher of Hiphopsync.com introducing family members of Jam Master Ja, namely his first born son Jason Jr. While Jason was nervous, he did manage to make a brief comment about 50 Cent, Jay’s former protégée. “I can listen to 50, G-Unit. No matter what I listen to, I go home and do what’s right,” he said closing the evening. [Editors note: After the session, Rev Al’s minions passed out a new product called “Al Sharpton’s Sweet Potato Cheesecake and its blazing. Please get you some.]

Eminem is scheduled to appear in a Macomb County, Michigan court next month to defend himself against a defamation lawsuit. Eminem and sanitation engineer DeAngelo Bailey, 32, of Warren could not come to a settlement after mediation and proposals to settle the case were rejected. Bailey, a childhood associate of Eminem, claimed he was defamed on 1999’s track “Brain Damage” from the Slim Shady LP. He is seeking over $1 million dollars. In the song, Eminem claims Bailey was a bully who teased, tormented and beat the rapper bloody during their childhood. The official lawsuit claims “this case arises out of Eminem’s desperate quest for money, fame and acceptance. This style of music is dominated by African-American artists and most of the songs are about the difficulties facing young in ghetto’s where violence, broken families and financial hardship are prevalent. Eminem is a Caucasian male who faces criticism within the music industry that he had not suffered…and he therefore was a ‘pretender.’” The lawsuit goes on to deny that Eminem was the recipient of “outrageous and grotesque physical abuse from his childhood friend, Bailey.” Bailey claims that Eminem did permanent damage to his musical career and caused him anger, embarrassment. Eminem said in an 1999 interview with Rolling Stone that the song’s lyrics had truth to them. Motherf**ker [Bailey] used to beat the sh*t out of me,” Eminem said. “Everything in that song is true. One day he came in the bathroom, I was pissing, and he beat this sh*t out of me. [I] p##### all over myself. The case will go to trial May 30 in Macomb County Circuit Court.

Director Nick Broomfield will hold a Q&A session at the Virgin Megastore in Union Square, New York on April 29th. Starting at 6 pm, the director will field questions related to one of the most talked about films at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, "Biggie & Tupac." The DVD, which will be released on home video the same day, takes a look at the unsolved murders of Wallace and Shakur and features appearances from ex-LAPD Russell Poole, Suge Knight and Biggie’s mother, Volletta Wallace. Since the completion of the film, Broomfield has continued to investigate the unsolved murders of the two slain rappers and is in contact with many of the cast members in the film. Broomfield also directed such controversial documentaries as "Kurt & Courtney" and "Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam."

A mural that was the subject of controversy at Woodbury High School in New Jersey featuring Eazy-E, Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G. and Big Punisher has finally found a home, in a popular shopping mall. The Mural was unveiled in the Deptford Mall’s teen center Saturday (April 5) and has been expanded to feature Aaliyah, John Lennon and Frank Sinatra. School officials halted the mural last year after deeming the mural was inappropriate for the school. When students came back after summer vacation, the mural was painted over. Rich Strey, who painted the mural, instead took the ideal to Darrell Edmonds, director of the Services to Overcome Drugs Among Teenagers at New Jersey Deptford Mall location. "Those four men spoke their mind in their music," Strey said. "There’s nothing wrong with that."

Human rights anti-war activist and comedian legend Dick Gregory will deliver the keynote speech to open the fourth annual “Hip Hop Generation-Hip Hop As A Movement” Conference, April 11-13, 2003 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Gathering under the banner of Peace and Anti-Militarism, the weekend event will feature panels, strategy sessions, and performances. The conference will also feature panels on the “Gentrification of Hip Hop” and “Hip Hop and Prophecy” in addition to film screenings and exhibitions. Dick Gregory will give the keynote address on Friday, April 11th. In the tradition of his work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and social justice movements, Gregory joins the event in its call for peace and an end to inequality at home. Other confirmed panelists and performers include Smiff N Wessun (Rawkus/MCA), Buckshot, DJ Evil Dee, and Sean Price aka Ruck of Duck Down Records, Davey D., Charlie Ahearn (Wild Style), Mario Africa (Move/AWOL Magazine), Billy “Upski” Wimsatt, Ernie Paniciolli, Eyedea feat. Bro. Ali and Musab (Rhymesayers), Kuttin Kandi (5th Platoon), Wordsworth (Lyricist Lounge), Grouchy Greg Watkins (allhiphop.com), The Core Four, Rise & Shine, Cristina Veran, Immortal Technique, DJ G Brown, Black Elephant, Pri the Honey Dark, and many more. The “Hip Hop As A Movement” conference has garnered the praise of both Hip Hop pioneers and music industry opinion leaders and has distinguished itself nationally as the premier collegiate Hip Hop event. This year promises to be a milestone in the Hip Hop activist movement. For more information and updates visit the official conference website at www.hiphopgeneration.org