A group of Fort Hood,
Texas soldiers banded together while deployed in Iraq and recorded a Hip-Hop album,
Live From Iraq. Known as 4th25, the 7 man group consists of army Sergeants
and Specialists. The group recorded the album in Baghdad with recording equipment
purchased from Philadelphia music store Sam Ash, the only store that would ship
the equipment the soldiers fighting in the war zone. The rappers have committed
themselves to bringing the soldiers version of the war with Iraq to the public.
“Every paycheck has gone to purchase some piece of equipment… or for duplication
of the finished product,” group member Big Neal said. “This album
is the blood of soldiers. All we have seen and done. The life of a soldier at
war. A first hand account of what it is to be what so many claim, but are not.
And, Live from Iraq is only the beginning.” The album is available for preview
at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/4th25.
Russell Simmons
is selling his 13-room New York penthouse for $11 million dollars. Simmons,
who featured the luxury spread on MTV’s popular show “Cribs”,
initially planned to sell the luxury spread Sean “P. Diddy” Combs.
The deal never materialized due to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on
the World Trade Center. Simmons’ penthouse suffered damage due to its proximity
to the towers, For interested buyers, the penthouse is over 7,000 square feet
and features four bedrooms, four baths, two kitchens and a dramatic curving
staircase.
Will.i.am, a member of popular Hip-Hop collective The Black Eyed Peas, announced
that he is setting up shop in Sydney, Australia, with hopes of discovering local
talent. According to Australia’s Daily Telegraph, will.i.am is planning
to stay in Sydney about six months out of the year, searching for emerging talent.
Last month group member Apl de Ap revealed that he is launching a record label
or management firm that will feature local talent from the Philippines.The group
is also planning a tour of Australia to support their latest album, Monkey
Business.