In today's Daily Rap Ne Yo celebrates his 25th birthday, John Legend gets deal with Atlantic records, TI lines up stars for trial and Cam 'Ron is on the comeback trail.Ne Yo celebrates 25 yearsSinger/songwriter Neyo celebrated his birthday in style this past week with a guest list filled with nothing but A Lister's. The Las Vegas based singer who turned 25 enjoyed Happy birthday being sung to him by fellow label mate Chrisette Michele as waitresses dressed as Playboy bunnies ensured glasses and plates were filled. Neyo has penned songs for Beyonce, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion.John Legend aligns with AtlanticAfter overwhelming success as a singer, John Legend has got his label HomeSchool a deal with Atlantic records, home of the troubled TI, Lupe Fiasco and Juvenile. The lead off artist for the Chicago natives label is English performer Estelle who has been compared to an younger Lauryn Hill. Her debut album on the HomeSchool/Atlantic platform will be Shine and is expected to feature production from some of the most notorious producers in the industry; including Wycelf Jean, Swizz Beats and fellow Englishman Mark Ronson. The album is expected to hit shelves in late Summer 08.TI gets big names on board
As he readies up to go into the court room again today in hopes that he will be allowed bond this time after being arrested last week on gun charges, rapper TI, born Christopher Harris has a all star line up in place to help him avoid a prison sentence. The multi platinum selling rapper has included Ed Garland and Don Samuel to the list of attorneys who will fight his case over the pending charges. They will join Steve Sadow and Dwight Thomas who have always represented TI. Already convicted on two felony charges, federal prosecutors are hoping to keep the rapper behind bars until the case commences.
Cam'Ron coming back
With a new mixtape scheduled to hit the streets any day now the Diplomats front man who disappeared from the public eye after an over publicized 'lyrical' feud with Queens rapper 50 Cent, Cam'Ron is coming back. He is expected to drop another album in early 2008 but is looking for a new label to call home. The mixtape is said to address some of the issues with his fellow Diplomats. The Harlem brethren haven't been seen together in months and rumors about Jim Jones signing with 50 cent and G Unit have encouraged people to believe that the Diplomats are slowly disbanding.
Melanie Cornish