Snoop Dogg's efforts to unite the West Coast rap scene seem to be moving forward after he signed Cypress Hill to Priority Records. The legendary crew are Snoop's first signings since he took over as Creative Chairman at the label. Speaking on the move, Snoop said, "My role as Creative Chairman of Priority Records has put me in the driver's seat to help revive the most important west coast Hip-Hop label," adding, "As such, I'm excited to announce my first signing as Cypress Hill. Cypress Hill is undeniably one of the most important Hip-Hop groups in music history, not only are they incredibly talented and the first Latino Hip-Hop group to go platinum, they are also from the west coast-so this signing is the perfect marriage." Cypress Hill are due to release a new album, their first in six years, through the label - it is to be called 'Rise Up' and is due in April.

Good for Snoop!  Wish the East Coast would get themselves together and unite, and find some ill beats.

M.I.A. MC Eve has announced that she is no longer with Interscope, adding that she plans to release a new album this year. She used her twitter account to say, "Let me tell u what happened with music so ya'll don't think I quit," continuing, "Left Interscope, free agent now. Went back in re-doing music. Trust me." She then went on to reveal plans for a new album, "Not letting this year pass wit out an ALBUM! Can't take the non-sense MUSIK."

The game is wide open for a real female lyricist...we really don't know what the hold up is with female rappers...don't know if we consider Nicki Minaj the savior, but at least she's trying...we guess...

Love Aaliyah for all that she stood for.  The late singer would have celebrated her 31st birthday on today...may you always rest in peace.  She was truly a beauty...inside and out...

Remember Mystikal? The rapper was sentenced to six years inside back in 2004 after pleading guilty to forcing his hair stylist to perform sexual acts on him while his bodyguard taped the whole event. While he denied the accusations the uncovery of the video tape forced him to come clean. Mystikal was handed another year on his sentence in 2005 after being charged with two misdemeanors for failing to turn in his taxes. Anyway, with about ten years since his last release there is every chance that he will be looking to get back in the studio. hE has served his time - so perhaps he can be left to get back to the music?

Kelis has responded to a letter from anti-fur group PETA with a letter of her own. Here's what she had to say;
�@
There is no humane way to kill anything, let me start there. It’s unfortunate but it’s part of life. With that being said, I would eat pterodactyl if you found some and you told me it was meaty and delicious. And after doing a very minimal amount of research……. I found out that the founder Ingrid Newkirk is completely batty. I had a feeling but she far exceeded my expectations. I mean certifiably insane! Lol, this chicks will is nuts, google it – it’s a riot! Beyond the fact that I think she’s a diabetic, which means she needs insulin, which is taken from lab pigs (I know this because my sister happens to be in veterinary school), which would be completely hypocritical. It’s like don’t abuse animals unless it can help me.
I feel very strongly about a lot of things such as the sweatshops that spin cotton and the blood on their hands. Btw it’s not just the look of fur. It’s warm as hell and feels glorious, ever rubbed faux fur on your body? Nothing luxurious about that. Then the letter proceeded to name artist and designers who don’t wear real fur. Great! More for me! I don’t judge them, don’t judge me.
If I started wearing endangered animals like polar bear or orang-utan then talk to me. (Which btw for the record I would not – I do believe in the preservation of endangered species) But the minks and chinchilla that quite honestly are rodents and if weren’t in the form of a coat I would demand they be put to death anyway are not an issue to me. The death of high fashion. Ugh.
I eat meat, and in fact my mouth salivates as I type the word meat! And the paint throwing that’s just ridiculous! What if I was hurling Loubitons and Pierre Hardy’s at every sad poorly dressed person on the street? As right as I may be it’s just fanatical and crazy. And people have the right to feel as they please. What about art? Survival of the fittest. Natural selection? No let’s just let all the rodents run free and over take our cities. Oh wait they have, NY and LA in particular are infested! Why don’t u save them all from scavenging on the streets and ruining my evening strolls, take them home. Make them pets! Get off my back! Pun intended!
Underpaid minorities picking your vegetables, now that’s fine for you right? Please, fight for their rights. How about the poverty in the communities of brown people around the world. She had the nerve to say (and I quote) "get over it" talking of the issue of black people and slavery in this country verses cows being slaughtered. Is she kidding me? Lol, yes she must be. Actually, she’s lucky most black people have real issues to worry about in the U.S and don’t give a crap what her delusional privileged opinions are. But she should try saying that again just for kicks n giggles on the corner of Adam Clayton Powell Blvd in Harlem n see how well people "get over it" lol. If u want to preach do it about something worthwhile don’t waste my time trying to save the dang chipmunk.
Find a worthwhile cause like the women being maimed in these Middle Eastern countries. Or female circumcision. Or women’s rights here in America, we still get paid less for doing the same jobs as men. Quite honestly if you hate the world so much go live in the forest where no one else has to hear you complain about the perfectly good food chain the good Lord created. Everyone has the right to an opinion, and that’s mine on that! xoxo
�@
There it is - she has some interesting points there...

Dewey Tucker, a bass player who toured with Lauryn Hill, was shot dead while on his way to a rehearsal with fellow hip-hoppers The Coup. 24 year old Tucker was driving on Interstate I-80 when someone fired a semi-automatic pistol into his white Nissan Sentra, hitting him several times and causing him to veer off the highway. He was found dead at the scene and police are searching for a motive but believe it was a random act of violence.  R.I.P....we've got to do better as people.  Our actions are like that of an animal right now...