(AllHipHop News) Ice Cube’s actor son O’Shea Jackson, Jr. is quietly planning to become the next Dr. Dre by turning out an album of beats. The “Straight Outta Compton” star is making waves as an actor in Hollywood after starting out as a rapper in his teens – but he tells Access Live he hasn’t completely turned his back on music. “When I was 18 and with no real direction in my life, I was rapping pretty strong,” he says, “but when I got this door opened for me with my first love of film you’ve gotta take that opportunity. “I produce beats, so I’m gonna have a nice little album put together. Some of my favorite artists just rapping over the beats.”

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Kanye West and his wife Kim Kardashian West are celebrating the birth of their third child. The couple welcomed a baby girl into the world early Monday morning. The baby girl, who weighed 7 pounds and 6 ounces, was delivered via a surrogate after Kim had problems attempting to conceive the child herself. “Kanye and I are happy to announce the arrival of our healthy, beautiful baby girl. We are incredibly grateful to our surrogate who made our dreams come true with the greatest gift one could give and to our wonderful doctors and nurses for their special care,” Kim said in a blog post. “North and Saint are especially thrilled to welcome their baby sister,” Kim said in a new blog post on her website. According to reports, the surrogate was paid $45,000 to deliver the newborn child for the West’s.

(AllHipHop News) Director Ava Duvernay was honored with the Entertainer of the Year prize at the NAACP Image Awards on Monday night. The “Selma” filmmaker, who is set to release her latest project “A Wrinkle in Time” in the spring, won the public vote for the award over the likes of “Black Panther’s” Chadwick Boseman, Bruno Mars, “Insecure” actress Issa Rae, Chance the Rapper, and Jay-Z. During her acceptance speech, the “Queen Sugar” creator and producer gave a shout out to writers and directors such as Shonda Rhimes and Dee Rees, before adding, “I got four words for you – Ryan Coogler’s ‘Black Panther.’ It’s coming. Three weeks later, another hero takes the stage, a little black girl with glasses, she saves the universe from darkness that seems to be all around us. It’s called ‘A Wrinkle in Time.’ It’s a love letter that I’ve made for family and community and the best in ourselves. “This is our time. We can say we were here when all this gorgeous art was happening, and that we supported it – that we lifted each other up, that we did as Dr. King said we would do: Live the dream. We’re the dream. Thank you so much.” The televised ceremony, which honors outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in entertainment, was hosted by Anthony Anderson at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on Monday, what would have been civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.’s 89th birthday. Other winners included “Girls Trip,” which was named Outstanding Motion Picture, Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya, for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, while Octavia Spencer won the female version for “Gifted.” In the television categories, “black-ish” dominated, winning Outstanding Comedy Series and acting prizes for Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson. “Power” was named Outstanding Drama Series and its lead actor Omari Hardwick won Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, while Taraji P. Henson received the equivalent prize for “Empire.”

(AllHipHop News) Jay-Z has filed documents to trademark animated character Jaybo from his video for the song “The Story Of O.J.” The hip-hop star, real name Shawn Carter, worked with director Mark Romanek via Anonymous Content, and multimedia agency The Mill, to create the award-winning animated music video. Jaybo draws on the character of “S####” from the 1899 children’s book “The Story of Little Black S####,” which was an object of accusations of racism in the mid-20th century, as well as other equally problematic minstrel animations, where many racist African-American stereotypes that continue to pervade modern culture originated from. Jay’s critically acclaimed clip samples Nina Simone singing, “My skin is black,” and also features the 48-year-old rapping as images of cotton fields, burning crosses, slave ships and lynchings appear onscreen. According to reports, S. Carter Enterprises is now planning to create products including T-shirts, sweaters, hats, blankets, pillows, dinnerware, mugs, cocktail shakers and thermal containers, featuring the controversial character. Previously, Jay explained that the track was about the nature of success and seeing the bigger picture. “‘The Story of O.J.’ is really a song about we as a culture, having a plan, how we’re gonna push this forward,” the rapper explained in an interview last year. “We all make money, and then we all lose money, as artists especially. But how, when you have some type of success, to transform that into something bigger.”

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Common is producing a documentary about adolescent boxers. “They Fight” will center on young boxers and their formerly incarcerated coach in Washington, D.C. as they train to defend their national titles. The project is inspired by Michael Minahan’s Washington Post article Fight, which tells the story of boxing coach Walt Manigan and his Lyfe Style Boxing program for youths in Washington D.C.’s dangerous Ward 8 neighborhood. Bosses at Common’s Freedom Road company will produce the project and have teamed with officials at Argent Pictures on the film, which Andrew Renzi will direct. The movie is currently in post-production.

(AllHipHop News) The NAACP Image Awards haven’t even taken place yet, but Kendrick Lamar is already cleaning up. The rapper took home a trio of awards during the Gala Awards dinner for the non-televised portion of the NAACP Image Awards last night January 14th in Los Angeles. Kendrick has already snagged the Outstanding Duo award for his song with “Loyalty” with Rihanna, Outstanding Album for DAMN., and Outstanding Song – Contemporary for his song “Humble.” Others honored during the non-televised include Queen Latifah, who took home an award for the Lifetime movie “Flint,” LL Cool J, who earned two awards for his hit show “Lip Sync Battle,” SZA and Naturi Naughton. The NAACP Image Awards will be hosted by Anthony Anderson and is slated to air live tonight January 15th on TV One at 9 pm. This year, Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige lead all nominees. Jay-Z will compete for entertainer of the year honors against Chance the Rapper, Ava DuVernay, Chadwick Boseman, Bruno Mars and Issa Rae. Check out all of the winners so far below: Television Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Jay Ellis – “Insecure” (HBO) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Marsai Martin – “`black-ish” (ABC) Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Joe Morton – “Scandal” (ABC) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Naturi Naughton – “Power” (Starz) Outstanding Television Movie, Limited – Series or Dramatic Special “The New Edition Story ” (BET) Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special Idris Elba – “Guerrilla” (Showtime) Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited -Series or Dramatic Special Queen Latifah – “Flint” (Lifetime) Outstanding News/ Information – (Series or Special) “Unsung” (TV One) Outstanding Talk Series “The Real” (Syndicated) Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series “The Manns” (TV One) Outstanding Variety or Game Show – (Series or Special) “Lip Sync Battle” (Spike) Outstanding Children’s Program “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior) Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series) Caleb McLaughlin – “Stranger Things” (Netflix) Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble Roland Martin – “News One Now” (TV One) Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble LL Cool J – “Lip Sync Battle” (Spike) Recording Outstanding New Artist SZA (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment) Outstanding Male Artist Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records) Outstanding Female Artist Mary J. Blige (Capitol Records) Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) Outstanding Jazz Album “Petite Afrique” – Somi (Sony Music/OKeh) Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album (Traditional or Contemporary) “Greenleaf Soundtrack Volume 2” – Greenleaf Soundtrack (RCA Inspiration) Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album “That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records) Outstanding Song – Traditional “That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records) Outstanding Album “DAMN.” – Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) Outstanding Song – Contemporary “HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) Literature Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction “The Annotated African American Folktales” – Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Editor),Maria Tatar (Editor), (Liveright Publishing Corporation) Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction “Defining Moments in Black History: Reading Between the Lies” – Dick Gregory (Author), (HarperCollins Publishers) Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author “No One Is Coming to Save Us” – Stephanie Powell Watts (Author), (HarperCollins Publishers) Outstanding Literary Work – Biography / Autobiography “Becoming Ms. Burton – From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women” – Susan Burton (Author), Cari Lynn (Author), Michelle Alexander (Foreword By), (The New Press) Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional “The Awakened Woman: Remembering & Reigniting our Sacred Dreams ” – Dr. Tererai Trent (Author), Oprah Winfrey (Foreword By), (Simon and Schuster) Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry “Incendiary Art: Poems” – Patricia Smith (Author), (TriQuarterly Books/Northwestern University Press) Outstanding Literary Work – Children “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History ” – Vashti Harrison (Author), (Hachette Book Group) Outstanding Literary Work – Youth / Teens “Clayton Byrd Goes Underground” – Rita Williams-Garcia, (Author), Frank Morrison (Illustrator), (Amistad/HarperCollins Publishers) Motion Picture Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Idris Elba – “THOR: Ragnarok” (Marvel Studios) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Tiffany Haddish – “Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures) Outstanding Independent Motion Picture “Detroit” (Annapurna Pictures) Documentary Outstanding Documentary (Film) “STEP” (Fox Searchlight Pictures) Outstanding Documentary (Television) “The 44th President: In His Own Words” (History) Writing Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Janine Barrois – “Claws” – Batsh*t (TNT) Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series Gina Prince-Bythewood – “Shots Fired” – Hour One: Pilot (Fox) Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special Abdul Williams – “The New Edition Story ” – Part 2 (BET) Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture Jordan Peele – “Get Out” (Universal Pictures) Directing Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series Anton Cropper – “`black-ish” – Juneteenth (ABC) Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series Carl Franklin – “13 Reasons Why” – Tape 5, Side B (Netflix) Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special Allen Hughes – “The Defiant Ones” (HBO) Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture Jordan Peele – “Get Out” (Universal Pictures) ANIMATED/CGI Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance Tiffany Haddish – “Legends of Chamberlain Heights” (Comedy Central)

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Kodak Black his managed to put two legal issues behind him. According to reports, Kodak settled a pair of lawsuits which could have cost him over $100,000. In the first lawsuit, Kodak Black agreed to fork over $10,000 to a financing company after he crashed a late model BMW. Kodak also reached a settlement with a Florida promoter, who sued the rapper for $100,000 amidst claims that he skipped out on a concert, so he could go on vacation instead. According to reports, Kodak Black reached a settlement with promoters to give back the amount he was advanced, which was about $3,000.

(AllHipHop News) Carrie Underwood and Ludacris have teamed up for a new Super Bowl anthem. “The Champion” and its accompanying video will air at the beginning of the telecast before the big American football game, which will take place at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on February 4. The song was written by Underwood, Ludacris, and songwriters Chris DeStefano and Brett James and the “Before He Cheats” hitmaker explains they wanted the lyrics to be inspirational. “When we were writing ‘The Champion,’ our main focus was to celebrate athletes at the top of their game, but we also wanted the song to resonate with people in their everyday lives,” a statement from the country star reads. “We hope the lyrics will inspire people to push themselves beyond their limits to conquer anything they are trying to accomplish or overcome. There’s a champion in every single one of us!” “It was a pleasure to collaborate with Carrie for this inspirational song,” the rapper says. In addition to the Super Bowl, the song will also be used during the Winter Olympic Games telecast, beginning in February. “When we met with Carrie last year to discuss the Super Bowl open, we each brought ideas,” Fred Gaudelli, executive producer of NBC Sunday Night Football and the Super Bowl LII presentation, says. “Carrie presented first. After she spoke, we looked at each other and said, ‘That’s the one’. “Later on, our Olympics producers listened to ‘The Champion’ and decided that it would be a perfect complement for our Winter Games coverage. We are excited to highlight ‘The Champion’ in two events on the global stage in February.”

(AllHipHop News) Rapper PnB Rock is facing potential legal action after canceling a show at Hampton University without returning the deposit. The “Fleek” hitmaker was supposed to perform at the University in Virginia in October but he never hit the stage despite being paid a $7,500 deposit. Bosses at promotions company Well nVested and Hampton University have reportedly sent a letter to PnB Rock, real name Rakim Allen, in a bid to get their money back. “Well nVested and Hampton University are considering all of its options and remedies under the contract for the reference to parents that was not upheld…,” reads the letter to the 26-year-old. The rapper has yet to comment on the breach of contract allegations.

(AllHipHop News) Chris Brown has been forced to surrender his pet capuchin monkey to authorities after failing to obtain a permit for the exotic animal. The singer angered animal lovers last month when he posted a picture of his three-year-old daughter Royalty holding Fiji, a baby primate. Several concerned members of the public notified officials at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who opened an investigation and found Chris did not have an exotic pet permit. Authorities obtained a search warrant, but Chris voluntarily agreed to hand over the monkey before his home was raided. His longtime lawyer Mark Geragos told the U.S. gossip site that he could not believe law enforcement officials had dealt with his client so harshly. “As I leave my office in Downtown L.A. and walk past people sleeping on the street on my way to defend people charged by the City Attorney with selling medical marijuana… now spending taxpayer money on investigating monkey business, this completes the circle on his absurdity,” he said. Under California law, it is illegal to keep certain exotic species, including monkeys, poisonous snakes, lizards and other dangerous animals, without a permit. If charged with the misdemeanor offense of having a restricted species without a permit, Chris could face a maximum of 6 months in jail. His case has reportedly been passed on to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office. The “Loyalty” singer, 28, isn’t the first pop star to get into a spot of monkey trouble, as in 2013 Justin Bieber’s own pet capuchin, Mally, was seized by customs officials in Munich, Germany after he failed to produce vaccination and import papers. Justin eventually decided to give up ownership of his pet, leaving the primate to start a new life at a German animal park.

(AllHipHop News) Rap star 50 Cent is launching a new business, centered around one of his favorite drinks. During a sit-down with the New York Times to promote his new movie “Den of Thieves,” 50 revealed some of his plans for the new year. “I’m launching a Champagne next year because it’s my favorite drink,” 50 said without revealing any more details. The rapper has found major success in selling spirits and drinks in the past. In July, 2017, 50 reportedly sold his shares of Effen Vodka for a reported $60 million dollars. The rapper also earned hundreds of million dollars, when he sold his stake and vitamin water Coca-Cola in Vitamin Water in 2007. 50 did go in-depth surrounding his work schedule, including his recording process, as he works on his upcoming album sixth album, Street King Immortal. “On most Sundays, I go into the studio to record my music and meet my producers there,” 50 told The New York Times. “There are no windows so it’s very easy to lose track of time. I could be there six hours and not even feel it. Right now I’m in the middle of recording my sixth album, but it’s as thrilling as my first.”

(AllHipHop News) The Fresh Island Festival has announced the second wave of artists heading to the annual hip-hop concert this July. The Fresh Island Festival, which is Croatia’s biggest hip-hop events, has announced that Lil Pump and Stefflon Don will be hitting the stage this year. Previously announced artists include Goldlink, Statik Selektah, Tim Westwood, Over the past decade, The Fresh Island Festival has grown to become one of the leading concerts in Europe. Previous headliners include A$AP Rocky, Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, Action Bronson and others. Take a look at the trailer and click here to buy tickets to the festival, which takes place from July 10th-12th.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Lil Kim had some words for Eve after comments the Ruff Ryders representative made on “The Talk.” During the segment, Eve recounted a story of how allegedly Kim curved her when she was a new artist on Ruff Ryders. Eve admitted she was a fan of Kim’s, but the love was not reciprocated the first time they met. “I would just run up to her and be like, ‘Oh my God Kim, I love you so much. I just got signed. Can you please be on my album?” Eve said. “And she just looked at me like… ‘Uh-uh, yeah.’” When Lil Kim got word of Eve’s comments, she took to Twitter to blast the rapper/co-host of “The Talk.” “Why do you girls always do this to me?Trying to make me out to be the bad guy? I don’t remember it that way at all @TheRealEve is my girl that’s my baby y’all,” Lil Kim tweeted. “We are not fighting. We are real friends. We can have this debate and still cuddle on the couch and watch a movie 2gether.. Although Kim admitted there was no “real” beef, she definitely is looking forward to debate Eve over the issue on ‘The Talk.” “Oooohhh I can’t wait to have this debate on your show. What is really in those cups that ya’ll be drinking?”

(AllHipHop News) Back in 2014, Queens-bred rapper Nas celebrated the 20th anniversary of his landmark album Illmatic, backed by the National Symphony Orchestra. Next month, PBS will air “Nas Live From The Kennedy Center: Classical Hip-Hop” as a special part of their “Great Performances” series. The documentary chronicles Nas’ rise from the Queensbridge housing projects, to the amazing performance backed by the orchestra in Washington DC, at the Kennedy Center. The documentary also features behind the scenes footage, as well as commentary from Nas, conductor Steven Reinke and others. “I’s crazy, you know, I wrote this in the projects in New York City. Here we are in the capitol of America, Washington, DC, and, you know, a bunch of white people with strings and all that, playing this album, and they feeling it,” Nas said. “Nas Live From The Kennedy Center: Classical Hip-Hop” airs on February 2nd at 9 p.m. EST, and the full documentary will stream on PBS’ website and apps the following day. Take a look at the trailer.