Producer/musician Willie Woods filed suit in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis against Nappy Roots and their label Atlantic Records because he alleges the Grammy-nominated rap group hasn’t paid him for work he performed on their song “Po’ Folks.” Woods also alleges he has never appeared as a co-writer or a co-producer of the song despite his contributions. In addition, he said he does not own any part of the tune’s copyright. The song in question appears on Nappy Roots’ Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz,” an album that has sold platinum-plus since being released in Feb. 2002. Currently, the 34-year-old Woods intends to obtain part ownership of the song’s copyright, monetary compensation from the single’s sales, the album, and any potential future earnings the song may make. “Mr. Woods holds no ill will toward the band or its label,” said Michael Kahn, the producer’s attorney. “However, he does seek to hold a portion of the song’s copyright, and receive the credit and compensation due to him for his key contributions to “Po’ Folks.” According to the lawsuit, Nappy Roots asked Woods to perform guitar and bass for “Po’ Folks” and, in return, he would receive compensation and credit for his contribution. However, he alleges he never received any such credit or compensation as the song is now nominated for a Grammy in the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category. In the suit, Woods claims he performed four of the five part in the musical composition of “Po’ Folks.” At press time, representatives for Nappy Roots were not available. Inquiries to Atlantic Records were not immediately returned.

The Roots are about to embark on a jam-packed, nationwide tour with metaphor monster Skillz (formerly Mad Skillz) and eccentric singer Cody Chestnut. Richmond, VA rapper Skillz said he was excited about performing alongside of the Philadelphia-based band of hip-hop. “Hell yeah, I’m excited. The industry is so shaky now and nobody’s really touring. I’m just happy to know the house will be packed every night,” he stated visibly elated. “I’m a humble dude, dog, I’d open up for Kid ‘N Play,” he said to AllHipHop.com Although excited, he said rocking with The Roots was hardly a virgin phenomenon to him. “I’ve hopped on stage with them a million times. Its really nothing new to me,” he said. Still, he said touring with The Roots was a particularly special experience, especially with their renowned OkayPlayer clique. “I’ve toured with Jurassic 5, Nappy Roots, Musiq, Xzibit so I’ve touched all kinds of people, but The Roots fans are hardcore hip-hop fans and you never know who you gonna see in the audience.” Check local listings for venue specifics. 01/31/03 – Montreal, Quebec @ Metropolis 02/01/03 – Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus (formerly Warehouse) 02/02/03 – Detroit, MI @ State Theatre 02/03/03 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Laga 02/06/03 – Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Theatre 02/08/03 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts 02/09/03 – Cleveland, OH @ Odeon 02/11/03 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue 02/12/03 – Madison, WI @ Opheum 02/13/03 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 02/14/03 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant 02/15/03 – Lawrence, KS @ Abe And Jake’s Landing 02/16/03 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore 02/17/03 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Harry O’s 02/19/03 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox 02/20/03 – Vancouver @ The Commodore 02/21/03 – Portland, OR @ Roseland 02/22/03 – Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre 02/23/03 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore 02/24/03 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore 02/26/03 – Anaheim, CA @ House Of Blues 02/27/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ House Of Blues 02/28/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ House Of Blues 03/01/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ House Of Blues 03/02/03 – San Diego, CA @ Belly Up Tavern 03/02/03 – Phoenix, AZ @ Club Rio (w/ Novel, Cody Chestnut & Skillz) 03/05/03 – El Paso, TX @ Club Vallere 03/06/03 – Alberquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater 03/07/03 – Dallas, TX @ Gypsy Tea Room 03/08/03 – Austin, TX @ Stubbs Bar B Q 03/09/03 – Houston, TX @ Numbers 03/10/03 – New Orleans, LA @ House Of Blues 03/12/03 – Atlanta, GA @ Roxy 03/14/03 – New York, NY @ Roseland 03/15/03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory

The lyrics of Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, Goodie Mob and The Geto Boyz are being trumpeted along side John Steinbeck, F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Eliot and others. Students on the verge of dropping out at Los Angeles’ Crenshaw High School are being encouraged to stay in school with classes that allow them to dissect the lyrics of the rappers. The classes are part of a growing national trend in the educational system that is including rap in teachers curriculum. Two English teachers have designed a curriculum for high school teachers, which analyzes rappers lyrics side-by-side classic literature. Jeffrey Duncan-Andrade of UCAL & Ernest Morrell of MSU courses compare “Kubla Khan,” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, with Nas’ “If I Ruled the World,” “Immigrants in Our Own Land,” by poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, with “The World is a Ghetto,” by The Geto Boys and T.S. Eliot’s “Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” with “The Message,” by Grandmaster Flash. The University of Connecticut, Penn State University, The University Of California, Berkeley, Stanford and Michigan State University have all offered classes on hip-hop lyrics.

Xzibit was rescued Monday at Bondi Beach in Australia after a rip tide carried him out into the Pacific ocean. According to reports, the rapper was out having some fun surfing, when lifeguards saw the rapper having a bit of trouble. Lifeguards set out after the rapper and helped him on a board, getting him back to dry land. Xzibit was in Australia performing in the 12 hour Big Day Out Festival, one of Australia’s biggest music festivals.

Beleaguered crooner R. Kelly was rearrested in Miami, FL and charged with 12 counts of child pornography. These charges are in addition to the 21 counts stemming from an illicit videotape. According to sources, the singer was apprehended at the Grand Bay Hotel and has been booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Arresting officers allege they found 12 nude pictures of an unnamed underage girl at Kelly’s Florida home. Officials intend to release more detailed information later today Jan. 22).

According to the Los Angeles times, federal authorities served grand jury subpoenas at Vivendi Universal’s New York offices this week. The agents were seeking records related to royalties, invoices and other information, in an attempt to find financial ties between Murder Inc.’s Irv Gotti and Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, a convicted Queens, New York drug dealer. Gotti allegedly provided artists from Murder Inc., including Ja-Rule, to appear for free in the film McGriff produced, "Crime Partners 2000." Gotti also allegedly secured a $500,000 advance from Island Def Jam to help finish the soundtrack. "The government has been contacted by individuals involved in the film and soundtrack who can provide documentation to prove that Mr. Lorenzo’s (Gotti) business was started with legitimate funds," McGriff’s attorney Robert Simels said. "If the government wants to call Island Def Jam or Vivendi Universal a corrupt organization, I would like to see how they intend to back that up." Vivendi reps had no comments.

Hot 97 radio personality Angie Martinez has gone on record admitting to a pregnancy that was speculated for sometime by industry insiders. On Jan. 21, the radio jock-turned-rapper made the announcement live from her radio show. Martinez refused to disclose publicly who the father of her fetus is, but she did state that she was five months into the pregnancy. Martinez’s second album, Animal House, peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 charts. Her latest single, “Take You Home” with Kelis” is experiencing success in both video and radio. Martinez got her start in radio through her mother, Shirley Maldonado,who was employed as radio station program director in Miami. Martinez did grunt work like manning the office phones and driving the station’s van. At 16, she received her first part time job at a radio station and her career has soared through the years. As a rapper, she started with Krs-ONE on his I Got Next CD on the song “Heartbeat,” which also featured New Jersey rapper Redman. She has released to albums as a solo artist, 2002’s Animal House and 2001’s Up Close and Personal.

In an exclusive interview with Sway of MTV, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels stressed that, while he is satisfied with the police investigation surrounding Jam Master Jay, he believes that some form of justice will be rendered in the case – even street vigilantism. “You got hope that if the cops don’t catch them, the streets will,” he said on the music network. Several unofficial reports have suggested a variety of possibilities, but the police have not announced any as viable leads. Despite a variety of possible suspects and motives, the police are seemingly nowhere near making an arrest, almost three months after the legendary DJ’s slaying. Jay was slain executioner-style on Oct. 30 while playing video games in his Queens recording studio. Despite lack of a suspect, DMC said that he felt somebody would be caught in the case. “You know a lot of people think that cops are the enemy and they really don’t care. But the police that are working on Jay’s death are doing an excellent job,” DMC continued. Since Jay’s death, Run DMC have retired from live performances as a group, but DMC is currently wrapping up his solo effort, Checks, Thugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll. The album, which DMC has labored over, will feature a JMJ tribute song that features 50 Cent and Nas. DMC said that it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for them to continue in the groundbreaking legacy of Run DMC’s past minus Jay. “When you see Run-DMC and Jam Master Jay it was something that was original, it was something unique, it was something special,” he said. “Out of respect to Jay, we looked at it like, all right, he served his purpose, he served his purpose and his job was done.” Currently, there is no release day for Checks, Thugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Fans of Run DMC are flocking to Adidas stores in New York City, Santa Monica, California and Tokyo to snatch up a pair of the limited edition Jam Master Jay Ultra Star tribute Adidas sneaker. The shoe, which went on sale today (Jan. 21), to coincide with the Jam Master Jay’s birthday. The shoe is selling for $100 a pair and was designed by Jay’s three sons, Jason Jr., 16; T.J., 11, and Jesse, 7. Only 5,000 pairs were made. According to sources, Adidas will release a different color each year on Jay’s birthday. The show features a sketch of JMJ on the tongue. Jam Master Jay is written above and "1/21/65-10/30/02" is written below. Jam Master Jay was gunned down in his recording studio October 30, 2002. Although fans only supposed to purchase one pair at a time, some were going back in line as many as four times to pick up extra pairs of the sneaker. "Yeah I admit it’s a lot of money but I can easily make my money back if I decide to sell three of my four pairs, because they are gonna be a collectors item," one fan said while standing in line. The shoes have already started to appear on Internet auction site, Ebay. 100% of the proceeds will go to the JMJ founded Scratch DJ Academy. "Adidas isn’t making a dime off this," said an employee that insisted on anonymity. "It was nice for Adidas to do this," a customer replied. "It was nice for Run DMC to save the brand in the 80’s," the clerk retorted laughing. To check out the sneakers, or purchase your pair visit the official Adidas website.

Police pulled the plug on a performance by rapper Trick Daddy, after he shouted obscenities at police officers during a Martin Luther King Jr. parade performance in Miami’s Liberty City yesterday (Jan. 20.) The two mile parade ran along Northwest 54th Street and ended with a festival at Martin Luther King Park on N.W. 62nd Street. Trick performed for an enthusiastic crowd on the street. During his performance, which was sponsored by Miami’s 99 Jamz (WEDR), Trick kept asking for the sound to be boosted, a request the organizers said police would not allow. About four songs into his set, which included a guest appearance and peformance of "Shut Up," with Slip-N-Slide label mate Trina, Trick apparently became upset at his request being denied and began to shout "f*ck the police from the stage." Just as the rapper went into his "Thug Holiday" song, which was to include Tasha Scott of X-Scape, who was also on hand, police pulled the plug on the concert, effectively ending it. Trick had performed about 20 minutes when the show was ended. The day before the concert, organizers were worried of violence in general and asked parade watchers and participants not to throw anything that could provoke violence and to please not bring any loud noisemakers.

Lost Boyz member Mr. Cheeks is preparing to release his second solo album, Back Again. The first single is an R&B styled number, titled "Crush On You," which features crooner/producer Mario Winans. The album features Pete Rock and CL Smooth, who appear on a track titled "Reminisce," which pays homage to fallen souls and rap pioneers. Others featured on the album and those who lent their production talent include Glenn Lewis, Bink, Journalist, P.Diddy and Mr. Sexx. The album is slated for a spring release.

Likwit Crew member Defari weighed in on the brewing beef between fellow Likwit Crew members Xzibit, J-Ro and Tash. As previously reported, J-Ro has released a 12 inch taking aim at Xzibit, named "Look Out: The X-Homie." "When you stray so far away from the dudes that you came up with, you wonder if he even knows himself," Defari told AllhipHop.com. "Likwit Crew, we know who we are. Defari, I know who the f### I am." On the "X-Homie" record, J-Ro raps "I guess a lil money really makes n##### change/The X Homie blew and aint never been the same… J-Ro also questions Xzibit’s connections to the Los Angeles gang scene. "You used to be hip-hop John McClain/who you supposed to be the gang bang John Wayne/B#### please get your walk on to this/I saved your ass from getting licked by Bloods and Crips." "You wait til you are 27years old and now you are Crippin?" Defari asked of Xzibit. "You aint from one street. Just cause n##### from the set show you love, that doesn’t mean that you are from the set. It’s crazy because these n##### are so Hollywood with this s### and there are so many regular real n##### who aint never banged, who are way more gangsta then these n#####. They goin bananas from bandannas. Defari said that he warned Xzibit not to glorify the gang life. "N##### told me when I was a little kid ‘don’t f### with this s###.’ I used to tell dude on the road you not a Crip or a Blood. I aint down with fake bangin, or bangin period, fake or not." Defari recently finished a track produced by Fredwreck, titled "Haunted Souls," which deals with the harsh realities of the gang life. "It will be the hardest s### you ever heard out of L.A.," Defari said. "It’s about three kids, 13, 16 and 19. They talk about why they joined and how they got into the life. It’s a killer song. I taped my voice to sound like little kids." The record will be released on Defari’s newly formed label High Times/Universal distributed label, Herut (pronounced hey roo.) and is from his upcoming album, Odds And Even. "I managed to incorporate all of my family, even my ABB Family." Defari continued. "I named it Odds And Even because it means I beat the odds and I am about to get even with the game." The album features appearances by E-Swift, Evidence, Dilated Peoples Phil The Agony and The Liks.

The Black Eyed Peas are preparing to rock the beat at the Sundance Film Festival tonight (Jan. 21) with their unique, multi-directional brand of hip-hop. But the group said the festival is merely the beginning for the group. The trio will be performing live at club Plan B in Park City, Utah Tuesday for festival attendees and press participants. On Wednesday Jan. 22, Grandmaster Flash will accompany them for a party sponsored by VH1 and Levi’s Jeans. With all performances, the trio intends to bless crowds with their fancy footwork and rapid-fire rhymes. Unofficial group leader will.i.am will host an MTV2 show called, “My Definition.” The lyricist will freestyle about the rap videos that he is about to introduce and the show will include a live band to back up the verses being spit. According to a press statement, the MTV2 show will premiere at an undesignated date in the spring. At press time, the group is finishing their third opus, Elephunk, which will feature guests like rockers Papa Roach and Travis Barker from Blink-182. The Sundance Film Festival runs from Jan. 16-26, 2003 in Park City, Utah.

Last week, authorities seized a number of bank accounts of companies connected to Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. The accounts of a company, Picture Perfect Entertainment, contained almost $500,000 in funds advanced by Irv Gotti’s Murder Inc. label. Picture Perfect was involved in the production of the soundtrack to the Murder Inc. movie "Crime Partners," which McGriff executive produced. McGriff is in police custody on an unrelated parole violation. His lawyer, Robert M. Simels denied the allegations that the funds were derived from illegal sources. "There is no basis to seize these funds," Simels told the New York Daily News. "It’s true that Kenny McGriff was at one time convicted of a crime involving drugs. But that doesn’t mean that Kenny McGriff is a drug dealer for the rest of his life. The funds are legitimate." Law enforcement authorites also issued restraining notices to McGriff’s family, informing them that the government plans to seize their personal bank accounts as well. "I know there is a contention that all of Irv Gotti’s funds for Murder Inc. came from illegitimate sources, including my client," Simels continued. "But when all the facts surface in court, the government is going to find out that isn’t so."

Angie Martinez has responded to the numerous articles that have been published that she would be appearing on a track beside Eminem and 50 Cent dissing The Source co-owner Benzino. Numerous sites (including AllHipHop.com) reported that Martinez would make an appearance on the track "Boston B*tch," which is reportedly being leaked in the next few weeks to mixtape heavyweights DJ Clue, Custmaster C and Kay Slay. "Nah, it’s not true," an angry Martinez told AllHipHop.com. "Now I gotta deal with people thinking that this is a fact." Eminem representatives have also stated in the past that the rapper had no plans on responding to Benzino after his last two diss records, leaving the validity of the "Boston B*tch," track in question. Martinez is preparing her untitled third album, scheduled to drop on Elektra in March.

With his often humorous, but seemingly risky tirades against Ja Rule and Murder Inc, Wu Tang Clan and others – 50 Cent says his approach to rapping is like a real life-threatening action flick. “I think anything that has to do with death is kind of entertaining. In an action film, they’ll jump off a moving train,” the 27-year-old rapper said to AllHipHop.com. “It’s a life threatening situation and that’s entertaining because we put it in the back of our heads – death that’s the only thing that’s truly promised to us.” Additionally, the Queens-bred rapper, who has been slapped with recent gun possession charges, feels that he and his crew, G-Unit, will beat the allegations that they possessed firearms at a recent New York club appearance. “I think the situation is going to go away, the media expands things, because that’s what sells papers,” he expounded. “My case is adjourned until March 25. They charged me with possession of bulletproof vests and firearms and stuff.” While G-Unit Tony Yayo was released, group member Lloyd Banks remains incarcerated on unrelated charges. And while his minions of fans want more of 50 than he can seem to churn out through his bootlegs, the Jam Master Jay protégée said he finds it difficult to avoid the ever-watching authorities. “It’s hard for me to stay out of trouble because I think I’m one of the biggest targets and it’s that way because they know where I come from. They think when you get an opportunity to generate finances and you’re from an environment like the kind of environment I’m from, it’s a possibility for you to become really dangerous,” he explained. Continuing, 50 said the he hopes that his debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, will change the rap game with its high grade of talent. Currently, the album features the normal suspects of Eminem, Dr. Dre and G-Unit, but also a number of other producers. 50 Cent’s first album, 1999’s Power Of The Dollar , was a commercial failure stemming from [ironically] massive bootlegging and lack of label support. In May 2000, 50 Cent was shot in the face, hand and legs while sitting in a car in Queens. Authorities never found the culprits. Since the shooting, the rapper flooded the streets of New York with dozens of songs until Eminem and Dr. Dre signed him to Shady/Aftermath in a deal reportedly worth $1 million More recently, Irv Gotti and other members of Murder Inc. have admitted to a 2000 stabbing and attack of 50 Cent. According to insiders, unnamed persons at the label have allegedly released documents stating that police issued a restraining order against Gotti and other members of the group. 50 has denied that he supports the order. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ drops on February 11.

A man who wrecked Missy Elliot’s $300,000 Lamborghini Diablo was sentenced to three years in jail after a late night tryst that ended in disaster October 9, 2001. The saga began when Joseph Thomas Henry, 34, took the Italian made sports car for a spin. The car was shipped from California and being stored in a building in Richmond, Virginia, before making it’s final stop at Elliot’s Virginia Beach home. The car never made it. Henry decided to "take it" for a test drive. Three miles from the garage, Henry lost control of the vehicle, plowing through a stop sign, a tree and over curbs. "This is not a typical unauthorized-use case by any means, your honor," Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Huberman told the judge before Henry was sentenced. "He takes a vehicle that is worth more than most houses and totals it." Henry must also pay $170,000 in restitution and $1,975 for curb repairs. Elliot’s insurance company reimbursed her $200,000 and the insurance company auctioned the wrecked vehicle off for $105,000.