In this rap round-up news on Wu Tang's album, Rev Run and his book deal, the 'Rock The Bells Festival, here Akons apology, and finally there's Violator Management who handle the management responsibilities of some of Hip-Hop's biggest acts.including 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes

Wu Tang Album pushed back
The long awaited album from collective Wu Tang Clan has been pushed back to a September release it has been announced this week. Eight Diagrams which is the fifth studio album from the now 9 man group after the passing of member ODB in 2004 will be released on SRC which is owned by Steve Rifkind who gave the group their first record deal back in the early nineties.
Rev Run's new book deal
Former Run DMC front man Reverend Run has earned himself and wife Justine a $1 million book deal with Gotham Books. The couple who are already published authors are looking forward to using their experience at raising their five children to help others in raising theirs. The book deal comes after the success of the popular MTV show Runs House, which gave viewers a birds eye view of what goes on in the families house.The book is expected to be released in 2008 and the couple will go out on the road to promote it.
Rock the Bells
Due to the extreme popularity of the Rock the Bells Festival, which was supposed to be just one concert that has now turned into a 13 city tour, more artists have jumped on board. Scheduled to hit the stage in 13 cities which are listed below are Nas, Talib Kweli, Wu Tang Clan, UGK, Rage against the Machine and David Banner.

Shows are to be held at
Thu 7/26 Mansfield, MA Tweeter Center
Sat 7/28 New York, NY Randall's Island
Sun 7/29 New York, NY Randall's Island
Thu 8/2 Atlanta, GA Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheatre
Fri 8/3 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sat 8/4 Miami, FL Bayfront Park Amphitheatre
Tue 8/7 Dallas, TX Smirnoff Music Center
Wed 8/8 Houston, TX Reliant Park
Sat 8/11 San Bernardino, CA Hyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen
Sun 8/12 San Diego, CA Coors Amphitheatre (parking lot)
Sat 8/18 San Francisco, CA McCovey Cove (parking lot)
Tue 8/21 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
Wed 8/22 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sat 8/25 Minneapolis, MN Metrodome (parking lot)
Tue 8/28 Chicago, IL Charter One Pavilion
Wed 8/29 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Thu 8/30 Toronto, Ontario TBD

Akon Apologizes through song
The Senegalese singer has had a bad run of press stemming from incidents in the last couple of months. However Akon has opted to do what he does best and sing his apology to fans and family for his recent behavior. His song which you can : Listen to here

The singer/producer shot to fame with his debut album Trouble featuring the hit single Locked Up and then went onto further success with the multi platinum selling Konvicted. The song addresses the incident in Trinidad where he simulated sex with an underage girl on stage at a show which resulted in Verizon pulling the singers ring tones from their cellular phones. They also withdrew their sponsorship responsibilities for an up and coming show where Akon was to open for Gwen Stefani.

Brand Asset Group
Violator Management handles the management responsibilities of some of Hip-Hop's biggest acts. 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes are all names on the roster of the company founded by Chris Lighty.

Now Lighty has joined forces with Warner Music Group to form a Brand Asset Group which will enable artists to be involved in more lucrative deals beyond just the music. This comes at a time when music sales have dropped dramatically and artists have to diversify their talents in order to maintain relevancy.

Lighty was the mastermind behind the Glaceau Water deal for 50 Cent in which the rapper is said to have made millions after the company was bought out by Coca Cola last month.

MJC For FemaleFirst

Melanie J Cornish