T-Pain
Rapper Shyne Working With Matisyahu
Reformed hip-hop star Shyne is collaborating with Hasidic Jewish rapper MATISYAHU for his next album.
The Belizean-born star converted to Judaism after walking free from prison in 2009, having served almost nine years of a 10-year sentence for opening fire at a 1999 party.
He legally changed his name from Jamal Michael Barrow to Moses Michael Levi and moved to Jerusalem, Israel, where he observes the strict Jewish faith of Chasidism.
His newfound religious faith led to a meeting with Matisyahu and the two pals have formed a tight friendship since working together.
Matisyahu tells The Jewish Chronicle, "I'd say he was someone that I'd be there for anything he needs, and he has expressed the same for me."
Shyne is preparing to release two new albums next year (12) - Messiah and Gangland, which will be full of songs warning fans about the dangers of street life.
T-Pain Suing Auto-Tune Firm
Rapper T-Pain has filed suit against the bosses of an auto-tune effect firm over allegations they illegally used his image and likeness to sell their products.
The I'm Sprung hitmaker has used the pitch correction software extensively throughout his career and previously teamed up with Antares to promote its auto-tune items.
That deal ended in June (11) and T-Pain went on to form a new collaboration with rival firm Izotope to create his own range of sound effects, called The T-Pain Effect.
But the hip-hop star claims Antares executives have continued to illegally use his fame to boost sales of its products - and he's demanding at least $1 million (£625,000) in damages, reports AllHipHop.com.
He is also asking a California judge to issue an injunction preventing Antares from using anything that could connect T-Pain to the company's auto-tune devices, claiming it could substantially damage sales of his new Izotope products.
Rap Trio Axes Gig Over Visa Mix-Up
Hip-hop stars Bajah & The Dry Eye Crew have been forced to axe a festival appearance in the U.K. after they were refused a visa.
The African three-piece, currently residing in New York City, was due to perform at Britain's World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) festival on Friday (29Jul11) but cancelled its set when one of the rappers was denied entry to the U.K.
Event organisers have announced Belgian singer Baloji will take the band's place on the Big Red Tent stage instead.
WOMAD takes place in south west England from Thursday (28Jul11) until Sunday (31Jul11).
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