According to published reports, Will Smith has been dropped from the roster at Sony Music because of waning record sales. In addition, label heads reportedly believe that the young consumers of hip-hop no longer want the 34-year-old rapper/actor as a musician. Smith’s Born To Reign, failed to move a significant amount of units as it related to his massive star power in summer blockbuster “Men In Black II,” which was cross promoted with Reign. Initially, the album failed to debut in the top 10 and moved roughly 60,000 units, steadily slipping despite a bevy of marketing attempts though outlets like BET. "Men In Black II" was a huge box office success and Smith totally raked in over $28 million from the movie alone. To date, Smith has sold over 20 million records worldwide since signing to Sony in 1997, but Born To Reign’s slump confirmed the end of the business union. Nevertheless, insiders speculate that Smith is negotiating with DreamWorks for a new deal. Smith, as Fresh Prince, started his clean-cut rap career with DJ Jazzy Jeff in 1987 and garnered accolades early with the success of their first album, Rock The House. The pair’s second album, He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper, would go on to sell over 2 million records. Eventually after experiencing success as an actor, Smith went solo, peaking with 1998’s Willenium. Currently, Smith is grooming his eldest son Trey to rap in his father’s image.

Rapper Paris is planning to release his latest album, Sonic Jihad on his own record label, Guerrilla Funk. The San Francisco veteran raised eyebrows in 1992 with his classics "Bush Killa" and Coffee, Donuts and Death," where Paris rapped about the imaginary assassination of Bush Sr. Paris plans on opening hip-hop’s crusty third eye with Sonic Jihad. The album’s artwork will feature an airliner super imposed to give the appearance that it is heading for a collision with the White House. "There are a lot of social issues that are discussed," Paris told AllHipHop.com. "Don’t expect to see that in any store realistically in this political climate." Paris said that rather than deal with conventional retail outlets, he will sell Sonic Jihad via his Guerrillafunk.com website. The site will feature a multimedia downloads and Paris said that he hopes to have the online store launched by next month. "I’ve been down this path before. I already know that rather than kill the momentum of [the album], just f**k with it online," Paris continued. "There are a lot of mom and pops stores that do wanna carry it. I’ll let them carry it but all the ordering will be orchestrated online. The stores are fooling with me online." Paris is planning a full advertising campaign to promote the record and drive potential customers to his website. "Its going to be promoted like its a record in the store except everybody’s going to be forwarded to the site. The advertising it going to be for the site really – they can’t shut that down."

Queen Latifah pleaded no contest yesterday (Tuesday Jan.14) to misdemeanor reckless driving charges in order to avoid trial for DUI charges. The DUI charges stem from an incident in Hollywood, CA where the rapper was pulled over while intoxicated. She subsequently failed the field sobriety test and was arrested without incident. Latifah was sentenced to three years probation, ordered to participate in a 12-hour education class and must pay $300 in fines. Latifah was not present at the sentencing, her lawyer entered the plea in her absence.

Jermaine Dupri has entered into an exclusive label/production deal with Arista Records. The deal brings Dupri’s So So Def imprint to the major label and makes Dupri a Senior Vice President in the company. "I am very excited about this," Dupri told AllHipHop.com. "I think the music business a new look and that’s what I bring to the table." Under the terms of the deal, So So Def, which was formely distributed by Columbia, will now be distributed worldwide by Arista and Dupri will continue to act as a producer and solo artist, as well as produce exclusively for the BMG group of record labels. Bow Wow and Jagged Edge will remain with Columbia. "I feel I bring a lot to the table, and am definitely happy to do what I have to do in Arista’s very comfortable space. As SVP, I hope to follow Arista’s path and continue to change the face of music." In addition to being a successful solo artist in his own right, JD’s production record is a virtual who’s who in music. Dupri has produced, executive produced or remixed #1 songs for Run-D.M.C., Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G., Ludacris and others. "Jermaine has been one of the outstanding creative forces in the Atlanta music scene," Arista CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid added. "We have known each other for more than a decade, and it has been a source of personal satisfaction for me to watch him work with and guide many of Atlanta’s hip-hop and R&B artists to superstar status," said Mr. Reid. "Jermaine has produced some of the greatest names in contemporary music, and I welcome the opportunity to bring him into the Arista family."

After months of legalities, rapper Mystic will finally re-release her critically acclaimed album Cuts For Luck, Scars For Freedom, in May and this time with a major backing her. "Nothing wrong happened with the record," Mystic told AllHipHop.com. "The reason it didn’t go further is because [Jcor] fell apart. Jcor shut down and it was completely out of our control. It turned out to be a really negative situation. But I’m really thankful for what [Jcor] did." Dreamworks Records, which is owned by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, decided to pick up the album after agreeing to let Mystic re-work the album. The reissue will feature production by Kayne West, Donnell Jones, Darren Henson and Keith Peltzer. "It will finally be released internationally," Mystic told AllHipHop.com. "It’s nice to be a priority at Dreamworks. It’s one of the last labels that realizes that everything might not sell millions of copies, but its really important to create artistic music. And really be concerned about the art." mystic sad that her hiatus was due to legal wrangling over the ownership of her material, which prevented her from doing valuable promotion for the album. “Everything fell apart. There was no label support," she continued. "I couldn’t tour, I couldn’t do radio, I couldn’t go in the studio, because there was a concern as to who was going to own the material. That was a really difficult time for me as an artist – the hostage artist.” With the legal issues behind her, The Grammy nominated artist went to work on the reissue, adding new songs and tackling some of the production duties as well. "I did new songs [for the album.] and we decided we like them," Mystic added. "I’m sure some people have questioned why we are doing this but it’s a blessing to put out an album that so many paid attention to and have somebody willing to put it back out there."

Aresenio Hall had some negative remarks about rappers abilities, saying he didn’t believe there is a rapper "who is as talented as a good musician." Hall, who recently snagged the hosting duties for CBS’ reincarnation of "Star Search," also had some choice words to say about the late Tupac Shakur. "Tupac [Shakur] is a brilliant poet," Hall said. "The way he uses his words, the thoughts, the juxtaposition … But he can’t f**k with Sting. You know, or he can’t f**k with Stevie Wonder." Despite Hall’s rhetoric aimed at rappers, they are eligible to compete on Star Search, which will air on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST.

Assault charges against Fat Joe were dropped by the Manhattan District Attorney in New York last Tuesday, due to lack of evidence. The charges stem from a brawl at B.B. King’s in Times Square, in which a 31-year-old man was assaulted. Joe didn’t turn himself in until July 10 because he was on tour. The victim claimed he was involved in a dispute with a member of Joe’s crew. The victim suffered a broken jaw, after the rapper allegedly punched him. Joe maintained his innocence after the victim had plucked him from the police lineup. The rapper faced a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Lawyers for 36 Mafia member Project Pat are in the process of filing an appeal to have the rapper released from a Mason, Tennessee prison. Pat is a seven year sentence for weapons charges. Members of the 36 Mafia have long held that Pat never received a fair trial alleging among other things racism. After a Memphis Federal jury deadlocked and couldn’t reach a verdict, Pat’s trial was moved to Jackson, Tennessee, where he was subsequently convicted. While the group members do not deny that the revolvers were found under the car, they simply claim that the jury was biased after listening to Pat’s lyrics and watching excerpts of Pat in the gritty urban tale, “Choices.” "They used his lyrics and our movie ‘Choices’ against him in court," group member DJ Paul told AllHipHop.com. "After they couldn’t reach a verdict in Memphis, they took him to a little country ass city outside of the city. Plus his jury was ten whites and two blacks. Those aren’t Pat’s peers." Pat was pulled over for speeding in January 2001. Police found two revolvers under the seat of his SUV. At the time, he was on parole for aggravated robbery. "We are looking at getting him out in the next year and a half," Paul continued. Meanwhile, Three Six Mafia are readying their next album, titled Da Unbreakables, with appearances by Project Pat. The album hits stores February 3, 2003.

Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons and Def Jam will host “Def Con 03” with legendary sports manager Leigh Steinberg of Steinberg & Moorad Sports Management. “Def Con 03,” will kickoff Superbowl weekend at the Blue Tattoo in San Diego and will feature Ja-Rule, Ludacris, Jay-Z and other hip-hop artists. “This marriage of sports and entertainment promises to create bold new art forms which will startle the world of entertainment,” Steinberg told AllHipHop.com. “Athletes listen to music and artists are sports fans. It’s makes perfect sense for one of the leading providers of extraordinary talent to combine with the leading provider of urban culture to host an event for one of the largest sporting events of the year," Def Jam/Def Soul President Kevin Liles added.

By next fall, kids returning to school should be able to drape themselves in Eminem’s new clothing line, Shady Gear, a play off the rapper’s controversial alter ego. The deal was made with Nesi Apparel, the same company that makes the Bugle Boy jeans and clothing. Nesi also manufactures the widely popular “School of Hard Knocks” line of clothing that started out as a t-shirt company in Queens. The SOHK line now rakes in millions per year. In addition, the company will produce Roc-A-Wear’s upcoming line for ladies. The “Shady” line will boast a “Shady” logo, but the rapper’s publicity didn’t reveal design at press time. Both companies expect the attire to sell well considering the Eminem’s raging popularity within mainstream America, an appeal that has even begun to appeal to parents that hated Slim Shady’s misogynist and homophobic tendencies. The company intends to start mass marketing prior to the 2003 school year. To date, between his solo set, The Eminem Show, his movie “8 Mile” and adjoining soundtrack, the star has pulled in more than $300 million at the box office.

Rapper-turned-actor Ice-T has decided to follow Jay-Z, Russell Simmons and P.Diddy and enter the potentially rewarding world of designer clothing with IceWear. His first venture into clothing, Ice said the attire would project “cultural expression.” The rapper said that the “fashionable young men’s street wear collection” clothing would be geared towards men chocked full of “hyper masculinity.” The line carries a diamond shaped logo and a motto which reflects Ice’s status – “His name demands respect. His clothing line will command it.” A typical velour sweat suit will cost roughly $125 when IceWear hits stores. According to the New York Post the line will launch in July of this year.

Rapper Eve has inked a development deal with UPN to produce her own comedy television series. Under the terms of the deal, Eve will star in an untitled comedy that will be produced by Edmonds Entertainment. The show will focus on Eve, who stars as a fashion designer and her exploits in the New York fashion world. The show will be written by Bentley Evans, writer for "The Jamie Foxx Show," and "Martin." "She’s one of those unique artists; she’s a huge star in the music world, but she also really stands out as an actress," UPN entertainment president Dawn Ostroff told the Hollywood Reporter. "When we saw her in ‘Barbershop,’ we said, ‘Wow, there’s really something there.’ " The shows executive producers will be Evans, Tracey Edmonds, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Eve’s manager, Troy Carter, with Eve serving as a producer.

In a report published by Davey D, Bob Law of the National Leadership Alliance, Public Enemy’s Chuck D., R&B stars Ray Goodman & Brown and others will appear before a community tribunal, claiming that New York radio stations, BET and MTV are censoring black music. Various artists will appear before a panel of City Council members, educators and ministers to attempt to expose practices that force performers to "lurid, negative and even violent lyrics." "This policy has a devastating effect on the Black community that goes well beyond the selling of music," Law told Davey D. Law’s National Leadership Alliance, along with the December 12th Movement & The Code Foundation, are the driving forces behind the community tribunal. "We are dealing with people who have decided to own our intellectual property, and thereby control the ideas that inform and influence so many in our community, particularly Black Youth." The public hearing will take place Tuesday, January 14, at 6 pm, at the Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church. 126th Street & Madison Avenue, Harlem, New York. For More info Contact: Maxine Hunter 212 862-9120 or Sistas’ Place 718 398-1766.

As the Grammy Award nominations were revealed days ago, Fat Joe, as a first time nominee, said he has finally arrived. The Bronx-bred rapper said the nomination for “Whats Luv” proves that he has finally arrived as a permanent fixture on the commercial hip-hop scene. “I’m happy as hell to be acknowledged for your contributions to the game it says a lot and goes a long way,” Joe told AllhipHop.com. “When you’re in the crib or in the studio writing your joints – to think that people love the music you make – it feels incredible.” Joe and songbird Ashanti’s “What’s Luv” will go head up with songsters and rappers in the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category. Vying for the same Grammy are Nappy Roots with Anthony Hamilton (“Po’ Folks”), Nelly and Kelly Rowland (“Dilemma”) and Justin Timberlake and the Clipse (“Like I Love You”). Ironically, Ashanti goes toe-to-toe with herself as she is also nominated along with Ja Rule for last year’s smash “Always On Time.”

J-Live has ended his year long relationship with record label Coup D’Etat Entertainment. While J-Live was signed to the label, the partnership produced the critically acclaimed album All Of The Above. "My plan was and still is to release my next album, The Hear After this Fall and my main concern is to produce the best product I can," J-Live told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "I am very much pleased with the commercial success of All of The Above as well as The Best Par‘ and there is no reason for me to think The Hear After won’t be another step up for me as an artist and a businessman." Seven Heads founder Wes Jackson, who manages J and was co-executive producer of "All Of The Above" and "The Best Part", had this to add. "I and Seven Heads have had the pleasure of working with J for the past 8 years and in that time we have been through many deals, good and bad. J is without a doubt, one of the top independent artists as a producer, arranger and emcee. We have been fortunate enough to sell a record or two over the years, so his commercial viability is at its highest point. I look forward to this next step."