In this rap sheet: Rakim, Redman, Def Jam, Jurassic 9, Dallas Austin, and Black Mafia Family,

Legendary Rakim finds new home?
It has been speculated that the legendary rapper Rakim will be signing with 50 Cent's G -Unit imprint. Famed for his album with co-hort Eric B, Paid in Full Rakim has been on the Hip-Hop scene since 1984. His last label home was Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint which he left in 2003 due to creative differences with Dre.
Redman leaving Def Jam
As we see LL Cool J throw in the towel on the label that has housed him since his career took off back in the late eighties, another rapper is ready to move on. Redman is apparently leaving the label after his up and coming album Red Gone Wild is released.
There has been a lot of artists on the Def Jam roster voice their disapproval with the way their projects are marketed. The Roots and Ghostface have all openly discussed the lack of push behind their products in recent interviews and articles.
Jurassic 5 call it quits
West Coast band Jurassic 5 have decided to go their own ways after a brief tour of Australia and japan, band member Soup disclosed in a recent interview. The five who have always embraced real Hip-Hop have four studio albums to their credit.
Signed to Interscope after leaving TVT in 1999 the group have always maintained a strong fan base through their live shows.
"After the tour, that's basically it," Soup explained. "I don't want to sit here and fake around with it--we're not seeing eye to eye right now. People see us as a harmonizing, loving group, but that's far from the truth."
Dallas Austin apologizes
After his recent outburst about Christina Aguilera and Joss Stone, where he accused the ladies of participating in a 'sex for tracks' scandal, Dallas Austin has apologized. The producer who is famed for working with artists such as Ciara, Janet Jackson, Madonna and TLC spoke to The Atlanta Journal Constitution about his recent outburst and a statement was published.
"Every action generates an equal and opposite reaction. My statement about Christina Aguilera and Joss Stone was a reaction to an incident I care not to discuss in any forum, and while I may have felt
justified, I do owe an apology to Christina, Joss and their families. The comments I made about Christina Aguilera and Joss Stone were purely an act of retaliation not of malice or cruel intent. As we all have our boiling points,
I sincerely apologize as this is not my character nor should I have let anyone's actions push me to this limit. I have let my family, friends, employees and business associates down with my actions.
All content and any malicious statements that were in my control have been removed from outlets that may have posted this. Please accept this as my formal statement and apology to all parties involved."
Representatives for Joss Stone have yet to comment about the apology and a spokesperson for Christina Aguilera said that the singer will not comment on such 'ridiculous allegations.'
The Black Mafia Family Trial Date Set
The Black Mafia Family (BMF) will go to trial in August of this year after their alleged 'drug trafficking and money laundering company' was uncovered during a series of raids by federal officials throughout 2005.
The raids resulted in two kilos of cocaine, three million dollars cash and weapons being seized with over 30 members of BMF being arrested. The BMF was developed by Demetrius "Meech" Flenory and his brother Terry "Southwest T," from Detroit, Michigan. The BMF has their own entertainment company of which rapper Bleu Da Vinci is the premier artist.

Melanie J CornishRakim