Carlos "South Park Mexican" Coy has been arrested on three counts of sexual assault involving two 14 year old girls. Two of these accounts involve alleged assaults that too place almost a decade ago. The third involves an assault last month, while Coy was free on charges of aggravated assault of a child. Coy, 31 founded the extremely successful independent label, Dope House Records. His attorney, Chip Lewis said that all of the allegations were untrue and that they would be able to prove their case in court. Coy said that he has never seen the girl who accused him of assault last month. "The girls were sexually assaulted by him," Denise Oncken, chief of the district attorney’s Child Abuse Division told the Houston Chronicle. In 1994, he assaulted one girl multiple times. In February, to another girl, it happened once." Coy has admitted in the past to having relationships with younger women. He admitted to the Chronicle that he had relations with a 13 year old in 1993 and fathered her son. "The case with the 9-year-old (which allegedly occurred in September 2000) is something I know I can get past and win," he said. "The case of (the) 13-year-old is not winnable because he’s definitely my son." SPM recently released his 7th album, Never Change which was distributed by Universal and is preparing to release an unreleased album of freestyle’s, titled Reveille Park. May 5 2002.

On March 9th, a 10-member Georgia jury convicted Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, aka 1960’s activist H. Rap Brown, in the killing of a police officer and the shooting of another. Al-Amin was found guilty of murdering Deputy Ricky Kinchen of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Dept and wounding Deputy Aldranon English in March 2000. Many experts like Dr.Harry Edwards, a sociologist on the faculty at Cal-Berkeley, say rap music was named after H. Rap Brown, who had an uncanny gift of rhyme as a youth. Also, H Rap was believed to be a pioneer in creating “rap ciphers,” has he would have 20-30 people gather around and “diss” others in the form of a rhyme. (Editor’s note: Then it was called playing the dozens.) Artists like Mos Def, Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, Mystic and many in the Black community feel Al-Amin was unjustly arrested because of contradictory case evidence. Those who support Al-Amin, say the police have lied and corrupted the case in an effort to frame him. They say the only eyewitness to the shooting was Deputy English, who survived. According to reports, English initially was unable to identify the shooter, but later fingered Al-Amin. With conflicting blood evidence, English also claimed he wounded the attacker in the shootout, but Al-Amin never had any wounds when he was arrested. However, the police ballistic test results showed that guns found near the place of Al-Amin’s arrest were the weapons used to shoot police. As H. Rap Brown, Al-Amin was considered either a radical or a revolutionary in the 1960s. He was a leader of SNCC (Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and eventually became the Black Panther Party’s Minister of Justice in 1968. After a shootout with NYPD, he made the FBI’s Most Wanted List and served about three years in jail for armed and the shoot out. After his release from prison in 1976, Al-Amin led a quiet life in Atlanta as an orthodox Muslim. Many considered him a “pillar of the community as lead prayer at the local mosque. However in 1999, he was charged with impersonating a police officer, receiving stolen property and having no proof of insurance. Al-Amin has maintained his innocence even though he now faces execution.

Jazz Legend Herbie Hancock is bringing his "Future 2 Future" tour to the U.S. in support of his new LP of the same name. The LP, which Hancock describes as "a melange of hip-hop, drum ‘n’ bass and world beat," features Chaka Khan, DJ Rob Swift and others. Herbie Hancock is no stranger to hip-hop music, and experimented with it in the early days of the music, releasing the classic breakdancing song "Rockit" in 1983. Hancock has also been sampled by numerous hip-hop groups throughout the years. The tour, which kicks off March 11 in Santa Ana will be on the road until March 29 when the show winds down in Philadelphia, PA. "The music is unlike anything that I’ve ever done before," Hancock said of the album. "It’s very hard to describe. Although there are references to some of the new kind of underground things that are happening in music here at the beginning of the 21st century." Hancock equally describe the tour as being nothing less than steller. "The thing that makes this tour unique is that we’re also having a visual display. At this point the visuals will probably maybe only be abstract video, but on subsequent tours we hope to get a little more elaborate than that and have some live footage. We’re going for it." The dates are as followed: 03/11/2002 Galaxy Theatre Santa Ana, CA 03/12/2002 Knitting Factory Los Angeles, CA 03/13/2002 Fillmore San Francisco, CA 03/15/2002 Roseland Theater Portland, OR 03/17/2002 King Kat Seattle, WA 03/19/2002 Boulder Theatre Boulder, CO 03/21/2002 House Of Blues Chicago, IL 03/23/2002 St. Andrews Hall Detroit, MI 03/24/2002 Metropolis Montreal, QC 03/25/2002 Higher Ground Burlington, VT 03/26/2002 Avalon Boston, MA 03/27/2002 Irving Plaza New York, NY 03/28/2002 9:30 Club Washington, DC 03/29/2002 Verizon Hall @ Kimmel Center, Philadelphia PA

Grammy Award winner Nelly Furtado recently said that she is taking some time out from recording the follow-up to her smash debut, Whoa Nelly!. She is taking the time out to lend a hand to The Roots and the collaboration is likely to appear on the Philly groups next album. She said that she will soon hit the studio with the Jurassic 5. Furtado recently appeared on Missy Elliot’s remix to "Get Ur Freak On," giving new life to the song. Furtado’s first album mixes hip-hop styled samples and beats with folksy guitars and other instruments. She will be releasing her next single "Hey Man," in June.

Members of Cali act Above The Law, Big Hutch and KM. D, have responded to what they deem sensationalism and unfair reporting by media outlets regarding the arrest and conviction of Anthony "DJ K-OSS" Stewart, a friend and co-founder of the group. In a statement to AllHipHop.com, the group members said, “We must state that although we [don’t] condone the actions that our brother and friend has taken, we don’t condone the way that he and Above The Law has been recently portrayed by those in the media. K-OSS is not a drug dealer, drug user, nor surrounds his children around drugs and weapons, regardless of what has been printed in the media.” Last month, DJ K-OSS, was arrested in Riverside California and charged with several counts of drug possession and child-endangerment. Mistakenly, the group says that DJ K-OSS was found guilty under the law via his association with people close to him. “He was at the wrong place at the wrong time and became friends with those who truly weren’t friends with him,” they said. Big Hutch and KM. G say they have sought the best legal representation for their friend and continue to support him despite their current situation. The group also stated that the media totally misinterpreted the meaning behind their upcoming album title, The Diary of a Drug Dealer. "With this new album, we hope that our listeners will see and become better educated to the ugly side of drugs, death, and destruction,” Hutch said. Above The Law, well known for showing the gritty side of street life, also chastised their peers for their lyrical content. “Too many rappers have been glorifying and promoting drug dealing and usage as if it’s a badge of honor.” Above The Law’s Diary of a Drug Dealer will drop later this year on The Row Records. On April 12th, 2002 Anthony "DJ K-OSS" Stewart will face a judge for sentencing.

In the wake of the sale of Tommy Boy records, long-time group De La Soul has been acquired by Warner label, Elektra Records. “We feel very happy honestly. Relieved to be a on a label that is competing and wants to win,” Posdnous, aka Plug 1 told AllHipHop. “In the latter years the heads of Tommy Boy didn’t seem to want to win. There were a lot of great people at Tommy Boy who worked really hard, but their hands were tied.” Between 1989 and 2002, De La released 6 albums on Tommy Boy, including their most recent Aoi:Bionix. Elektra has had recent success with Missy Elliot and Fabolous and is set to blow up with Dr. Dre protégé, Knoc’Turnal, and singer Tweet. According to Pos, the details of De La’s contracts are still being negotiated, but it does not look like there will be a third installment of the Art Official Intelligence series. “We’re just going to go back in the studio and concentrate on making a dope De La album. We may have an AOI 3 on the Internet for hardcore De La fans. But a DJ centered album isn’t really going to fly with Sylvia Rhone [head of Elektra].” De La Soul had just renegotiated a three-album deal with Tommy Boy, but will now have their next four albums on Elektra Records. De La mentor Prince Paul was also acquired by Elektra and Everlast will be going to Atlantic.

Legendary rapper Scarface recently revealed to AllHipHop.com that he has dropped the Scar from his name and is now just Face. When asked why the name change for the veteran after so many years, Face simply said he just wanted a change. Face is currently preparing his 7th solo album, titled The Redemption. “This is definitely one of the best records ever of mine. It don’t miss nothing,” Face said. Face said that the album will feature cameo’s from Nas and Jay-Z to name a few, as well as production from The Neptunes, Mike Dean and others. “We have stepped it up 500 percent. We are gonna change the face of this s###” Face continued. “The Redemption” is slated for a June release on Def Jam South, the Atlanta based label that Face is President of. "I love Atlanta, even though right now I am in Houston. S###, I love the entire United States!"

West coast rapper Xzibit is preparing to release his new album, Man Vs Machine in June in time for the summer. Dr. Dre, Battlecat, E-Swift and DJ Premier handle the the production on “Man,” which was originally supposed to drop this month. With “Man,” the follow up to his double platinum CD Restless, Will differ from his pervious work. X says the newer CD represents many different things within, not only “typical” hip-hop infatuations. Xzibit told AllHipHop, “So that’s my way of looking at it. It’s a corporate world, corporate machine we got to battle. It’s a social machine we got to battle. It’s all type of sh*t, so I’m attacking it on that type of level.” The rapper also admitted he wouldn’t stray too far from the current formula, which helped him break the platinum mark for the first time. “It’s still the same formula with Dr. Dre. And learning some stuff from him, and being involved as an artist. As I get older, as I experience life, I try to take my listeners through my process with me,” he said. Ultimately, he said that he felt that music is as an important form of communication as traditional news and the internet. “And we can continue to see [hip-hop] grow. It’s like communication for everybody. If you don’t watch TV, if you don’t get on the internet, if you walk outside-you are going to hear some music,” Xzibit said. Man Vs. Machine hits stores in June and Xzibit’s “Restless” DVD is currently in stores.

HipHop Speaks will present A Community Forum and MC Battle this Friday March 8th at House of Justice in New York City. The Community Forum will feature speakers Rosa Clemente, Asha Bandele (Editor At Large for Essence Magazine), Ras Baraka, Toni Blackman and Kevin Powell. The event is a outlet for the healthy exchange of social and political ideas related to the hiphop nation and beyond, and led by activists/voices from the hiphop community. This particular program is entitled ALL HAIL THE QUEEN and the speakers will speak on the state of women in hiphop and women’s empowerment. The hip-hop battle will take place after the Community Forum, and will be hosted by Poison Pen, with music by Droopist Da Riddlah. The first 32 MC’s to sign up at 6:00 PM are eligible to participate in the battle. The battle is about content, flow and Mic Skills. According to the organizers, unnecessary cursing, blatant disrespect towards women and the excessive use of the N word could lead to disqualification. In short, bring your skills to the battle. There will be free give aways including CD’s, magazines and T-shirts. Information tables are available for community-based organizations, non-profits, and hiphop-related businesses. Please email or call if you are interested in setting up a table. All tables are on a first come first serve basis. If you need more information you can contact: HipHopSpeaks2001@aol.com or by calling 212-539-6500 House of Justice is located at 1941 Madison Avenue New York City (Harlem U.S.A.) between 124th Street & 125th Street Take #2 or #3 train to 125th Street and walk East Take #4, 5, or 6 train to 125th Street and walk West If driving, take either the West Side Highway or the FDR Highway to 125th Street Exit Doors open at 6:30PM Admission is FREE

Warner Brothers Publications is releasing a songbook called The Tupac Shakur Collection this spring. The 84 page glossy contains piano, vocal and chord arrangements for fifteen of the slain MC’s most popular songs, including “California Love,” “I Get Around” and “Dear Momma.” Product Manager, Janet Delissa, worked with Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, and explained the company’s motivations. “It was created with the idea that the subscribers to his lyrics and poetry would buy this more than a musician,” she said. “But if somebody wanted the music for the purpose of the rhythms and down beats, the music is more of a guide than a verbatim recall. The focus was his content rather than the music. That was the focus taken by his mother and his organization.” This is the first time that Warner has come out with a publication of this nature and Delissa admits that a song book for an MC is “left of center.” But they are hoping to appeal to Tupac’s almost cult like following. Though a book of his lyrics may seem more logical she feels that this songbook will, “give the full authentic interpretation. The intent is that if they want to get the key it was performed in and accompanying patterns, they will buy our book.” According to Delissa, The Tupac Shakur Collection is part of a greater push to reintroduce Tupac to a mainstream audience in time for an HBO special airing later this year.

Tommy Boy was bought out by Warner Music Group the two companies announced on Monday. On Friday, employee’s in New York City were let go and the U.K. office was closed completely. The deal, which was worth an estimated $8-9 million dollars, ended a 15 year relationship with the label and gives AOL Time Warner control over a back catalog that includes The Force MD’s, Everlast, De La Soul, Afrika Bambaataa, Queen Latifah and Naughty By Nature among others. Warner also structured the deal to retain the rights for future releases by at least a dozen Tommy Boy artists, including De La Soul, who have had an often publicized ongoing dispute with the label. Tom Silverman, the founder of the label, will continue with a roster of nine artists, including The Sneaker Pimps.The timing of the deal may be good for Warner, who has been trying to increase their market share in the record business, as Warner Music has been one of the worst performing units of AOL Time Warner. "It’s just really sad" said one of the top Mixshow promoters, Al Lindstrom. Lindstrom worked at Tommy Boy for two years. "They are leaving behind a great legacy." When asked what contributed to the demise, Lindstrom shared his opinion. "The company was stuck in an ’80’s mentality," he said."They didn’t realize the talented staff that they had. There were some dedicated and loyal people there, but it was time for change. There was a lot of old blood and not enough listening to the young execs." "There are peaks and troughs in any industry," Silverman told Reuters. "It’s true this was not the most fortuitous time for us. But I’m excited that I get to recreate myself with a fresh slate." Silverman expressed excitement about returning to indie status. "Major labels can’t turn a profit unless an album sells a million copies," he continued. "Unless you cut your staff and marketing costs, there’s no way to lower that break even number." "In my business, I can be profitable without having any records sell over 150,000 units," he added. "I can take more risks and be more creative. You can’t take chances if you need to sell a million records." Silverman also hinted to AllHipHop.com that he was possibly exiting the hip-hop game. Silverman questioned the sluggish sales of albums despite the enormous amount of airplay records were receiving.

Hip-Hop icon Rakim is currently finishing up recording his first solo LP on Dr. Dre’s Aftermath imprint, titled "Oh My God." The album has been anticipated since Dre announced that Rakim was signed to his imprint over two years ago. Dre is excited to be working with Rakim, crediting Rakim with the reason he is still into hip-hop today. Expect the best from Dre, he said that he is going to get into the studio and make Rakim’s album the best one he has ever made. According to Rakim’s management, the album will feature production from Dr. Dre, Hi-Tek and DJ Premier among others. Rakim recently taped spots on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam, reciting his old lyrics to the crowd’s delight. In the coming months, fans can expect to see more of the God emcee. He is featured on labelmate female singer Truth Hurt’s first single and video, "Addictive." "Oh My God" is scheduled for a summer release.

Large Professor, former lead rapper for 90’s rap group Main Source, has revealed additional information on the the Jay-Z/Nas beef. In an interview with XXL magazine, the producer/rapper revealed the facts behind Jay-Z’s line on the Nas dis, “The Takeover.” On the song, Jay-Z said, “I showed you your first Tec [gun] on tour with Large Professor, then I heard your rhyme about the Tec upon the dresser.” Confirming the lyrics, Large Professor said in the early 90’s he toured with Jay-Z’s mentor Jaz, the UMC,’ and Nas, who was on the rise as an emcee. During the concert stop in Washington D.C., the sound system stopped working during the middle of the show, where disappointed, angry fans began to riot. According to LP, the rappers retreated into a tour bus, thinking they would have to fight the fans. “We were figuring we gonna have to knuckle down,” he said. “Jay came out of nowhere, reaching in his gym bag [pulling out a gun] like, ‘Don’t even sweat these n#####. I got that’” He said, at that time, there was no beef between Jay and future nemesis Nas though. “He didn’t show Nas the gun like, ‘I’m gonna shoot you,’ but we were all just like, “Whew.” In related news, Large Professor is preparing to drop his first solo album, 1st Class. After releasing his Main Source classic, Breaking Atoms, over 10 years ago, he was stricken with several years of label-related problems. The producer did tracks for many artists, including Nas, Kool G Rap, Rakim and A Tribe Called Quest. Large Professor most recently contributed tracks to Nas’ current album, Stillmatic.

Master P, who recently saved a recording studio he spent several million dollars to start building, is not happy with the city the studio was built in. The problems started when P hired Carter Construction Company to build a recording complex in Baton Rogue. After a dispute in construction occurred, P and the construction company ended up in court, resulting in the Judge ruling in favor of the construction company, ordering P to pay $190,000. When P refused, the property was set up to be sold in a Sheriff sale by the East Baton Rogue Parish Sheriff’s Office. P paid a settlement of $137,000 and saved the property, in which he says he has invested millions. Master P is now speaking out. "Why entertain ignorance when I’ve paid three million dollars to Carter Construction for a building they did not complete? What kind of judge allows a petition for a mere $190,000 when I have invested millions?" Master P asked. "Upon review of the records," P continued, "Carter Construction did not have a case to stand on. In light of my celebrity and financial status, I feel Carter hoped that by bringing their ridiculous case to the attention of the media, that I would back down and pay them even more money. Being rich and famous has become an open door for people to deceive and cheat in an attempt to get money from me," P said. "That’s okay. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing." After he moved to a plush Baton Rouge neighborhood, Master P claims that he was stereotyped because of his involvement in the rap industry and his appearance, despite the fact that he is worth almost a half billion dollars. Master P is even claiming that he may have been the victim of acts of prejudice, which clouded the true potential he could have brought to the community. So, Master P and his family are heading for the Hills-Beverely Hills, California. P says that Beverly Hills is a city that can appreciate what he is worth and benefit from his ideas, his dreams and his desire to make a difference. Despite leaving a city he claims never appreciated his value, P was very clear about one thing. "I will always be there for the kids in that community, whether I’m living there or not," Master P said.

Recently, DJ Premier of Gangstarr said that he and partner Guru were competing the final touches on their next, still untitled album. The Brooklyn based DJ also said that he was working in a self-produced compilation album to feature a variety of artists. Premier said that he intended to get several guests artists on the compilation album, including Houston’s Scarface, legendary singer Gladys Knight, Jill Scott, MOP and even rockers AC/DC. He also revealed, in published reports, that he was seeking clearance on a song which features posthumous appearances from Big Pun, Big L, The Notorious B.I.G., and Tupac. Gangstarr’s next album drops in the Summer of 2002 and Premier hopes to release his compilation album at the end of this year.

In response to the displacement of a single mother and her young family due to a gas explosion in their home, the Houston Rap community began fundraising activities to help relocate them. The effort is being led by record a group of local music industry businesses, including Rap-A-Lot Records, Lil Troy’s Short Stop Records, Break Yo Sef Records, Captain Jack Productions as well as radio personality Walter D., 97.9 FM KBXX and Platinum City Night Club.The goal is to raise funds to replace the roof of the home and assist the family with temporary housing during the construction. According to reports, the explosion occurred in the gas dryer used in the home. Further, the entire family was at home at the time of the explosion, including small children. There were no physical injuries reported, but the psychological trauma is reportedly equivalent to the post traumatic anxieties experienced by soldiers on the battlefield and is amplified in small children. Break Yo Sef Records’ Vice President of Public Relations, JERRY DOBY kicked off the fundraising with a donation and a live on air appeal to other labels and entertainers to give back to the community that has granted them success. Tabulations for current contributions are ongoing and additional efforts to assist the family are to be announced.

Britain spoof rapper Ali G., best known to American audiences for his appearance in Madonna’s "Music" video, recently landed a deal with HBO. According to sources, his American show will be a version of "Da Ali G." show. The U.K.’s Channel 4 is currently negotiating a deal with HBO to allow them to broadcast the show in the U.K. as well. Ali G. is the creation of Sacha Baron Cohen, a Cambridge educated comedian. The Ali G. character is such a hit in Europe that it has spawned a full length feature film, "Ali G In DA House," and a book. Some of Britain’s black comedians aren’t that thrilled with the Ali G. character Cohen has created. "I find both him and his material quite offensive," British comedian Curtis Walker said. "I don’t like the idea of a white guy playing a black guy anyway and when he is playing to a stupid stereotype it is even worse." "A lot of the humor is laughing at black street culture and it is being celebrated because it allows the liberal middle classes to laugh at that culture in a context where they can retain their sense of political correctness," European TV star Felix Dexter told BBC news. Channel 4 defended Ali G. "He is satirizing the way white kids try to copy the black street culture and look ridiculous. If it’s offensive to anyone, it’s offensive to white people," a spokesperson said.