Lupe Fiasco
Fiasco Wins Release Date For Long-Delayed Album
Rapper Lupe Fiasco has settled a long-running dispute with bosses at his record label and secured a release date for his much-delayed new album Lasers.
The Superstar hitmaker completed work on the follow-up to The Cool last year (09), but the disc was left in limbo after Atlantic Records executives pushed back its expected December 2009 release and then placed it on hold indefinitely.
Infuriated fans launched an online petition, supported by Fiasco himself, urging Atlantic to deliver the disc and bow to the demands of devotees.
And it appears the internet uproar has worked - Fiasco will finally reward fans for their efforts when Lasers hits music retailers next March (08Mar11).
Applauding the release date in a post on his Twitter.com page, the star simply writes, "Victory!"
Flocka Flame's Rap Associate Arrested Over Drug Ring Allegations
An associate of rapper Waka Flocka Flame is facing life in prison after he was arrested for his alleged involvement in a New York drug ring.
Aspiring hip-hop star and convicted criminal Ra Diggs was taken into custody last week (05Oct10), accused of being a member of the crew running the so-called Gowanus Drug Trade in the Brooklyn housing projects.
Diggs, real name Ronald Herron, was arrested along with eight other suspects after he posted incriminating video footage online, in which he is seen firing guns at a target range and boasting about reportedly ordering the shooting of a man who had been set to testify against him in a 2002 trial, when he was acquitted of murder. The verdict came after two witnesses refused to give evidence following allegations of death threats, reports the New York Daily News.
He is also accused of instilling fear into local residents to prevent them from turning the drug dealers into police by dropping hints about the murder of one person who was said to be aiding cops in their investigations.
The group has been linked to four killings in the area, although none of the suspects had been charged with murder as WENN went to press.
Herron had been under surveillance by federal authorities for over two years prior to his arrest.
He was found with a loaded pistol in his possession when he was apprehended by cops and is now facing a lengthy prison sentence stemming from the drug allegations and is currently being held without bail.
50 Cent Asked To Adopt Black Rhino
A South African community group has issued a desperate plea to 50 CENT, asking the rap superstar to adopt a black rhinoceros to save the endangered species from poachers.
Members of eBlockwatch hope the In Da Club hitmaker will sympathise with the story of Phila, which has been shot nine times by illegal hunters, because of the rapper's own troubled past, which saw him endure nine gunshot wounds during an incident in 2000.
And 50 Cent has been invited to become the "godfather" of the rhino.
Group spokesman Andre Snyman says, "We want to ask him if he wants to become the godfather of our rhino so that he can create awareness worldwide about rhino poaching."
If 50 Cent accepts the offer, Phila will be renamed One Pound in the star's honour.