21st November 2006:    
New Official 2pac Album 'Pacs Life' Hits The Stores Today

Today see's the release of another posthumous 2pac album, in the form of "Pac's Life". The album is the eighth album of Shakur music released since his murder in 1996.

The new effort is now released worldwide today, on November 21st, and includes contributions from Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Outlawz, and T.I. on previously unreleased material. Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony guest on "Untouchable," which was produced by Swizz Beatz. The album also features guest appearances by Keyshia Cole, Ashanti, Young Buck, Lil Scrappy, Carl Thomas, Papoose and Big Syke.

MAKE SURE YOU SUPPORT THE 2PAC LEGACY, BUY THE ALBUM TODAY, SET IT HIGH IN THE CHARTS. BUY IT FROM AMAZON.COM FOR ONLY $9.99, CLICK HERE

 
 13th November 2006:    
Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF) Celebrate New Pac Album In ATL

The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation celebrates the release of the new 2Pac CD by giving fans several unique opportunities to hear the album before it hits the streets in two weeks. "PAC'S Life," which is scheduled for release by Amaru/Interscope Records on November 21 features contributions from Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Keyshia Cole, T.I., Ashanti, Young Buck, Lil Scrappy, Carl Thomas, Outlawz, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Big Syke, Papoose, with productions from LT Hutton, Sha Money XL, Swizz Beatz and more.

In anticipation of the album's release, the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation kicks off a week of events, details are:

Saturday - November 11
ALL EYEZ ON ME: HIP HOP'S LEGENDARY PERFORMERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
Vaknin Gallery, 905 Juniper St., Suite 109 Atlanta, GA 30309
404-513-0169
7:00PM to 10:00PM RSVP to info@urivaknin.com

Tuesday - November 14
VIP "PAC's Life" CD Preview Party
Vaknin Gallery, 905 Juniper St., Suite 109 Atlanta, GA 30309
7:00PM-10:00PM
RSVP to DinaTyler@2PAClegacy.com

Wednesday - November 15
Bring A Coat Drive
Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts,
5616 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA
Everyone who brings a warm winter coat will receive 2 admission tickets to "PAC's Life" Album Release Party 6:00PM to 8:00PM

Friday - November 17
Bring A Coat Drive continues at TASCA
6:00PM to 8:00PM

Monday - November 20
"PAC'S Life" Teen Art competition at TASCA
Children ages 13-17 will compete in an art exhibit contest and all art will be posted in the Center for the month of December. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placewinners.
6:00PM to 8:30PM

Tuesday - November 21
"PAC'S Life" Album Release Party:
November 21 Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts
5616 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
9:00PM to 1:00AM

This week the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts was also the setting for the new video for the single "PAC'S Life" featuring T.I. and Ashanti.

Since 2Pac's tragic death ten years ago, his spirit has been kept alive thanks to the extraordinary body of work he left behind, and the commitment his mother Afeni Shakur, has made to continue to get his complete body of work out; work considered even more astonishing given that he was only 25 years old when he was murdered in September 1996. Throughout his life and in the decade since his untimely passing, Tupac has become a role model and inspiration for generations of aspiring artists the world over. To this day, 2PAC remains the greatest hip hop artist of all time.

 
 9th November 2006:    
T.I. & Ashanti To Hook-Up On Pac's Life Video

Its been confirmed to 2pacWorld.co.uk that T.I. will be joining up with Ashanti later this month (November '06) to shoot a video for the first single, Pac's Life, from 2Pac's upcoming same titled album.

We have been told that the video from the much anticipated album will be shot at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, in Atlanta.

The posthumus album is set for release on November 21st. The album is available for pre-order from all good retailers, including amazon.com for $12,99. Order your copy today, support Tupac's legacy, DO NOT download the album, unlike most albums, profits DO NOT go towards flashy Lambo's and videos for the artist and exec's, so please support the album to the fullest.

 
 5th October 2006:    
Tupac's 1st single features Bone Thugs by Swizz Beats

RapCentral.co.uk & 2pacWorld.co.uk are pleased, no delighted, to report that the lead single for the upcoming, supposedly last, and currently untitled Tupac album will feature Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and is produced by Swizz Beats.

It is refreshing to see those in charge of Tupac's musical direction taking a note from his own actions and pairing him musically with artists whom he liked, respected and had chosen to work with himself. This news has been met by all 2pac fans, and BTNH fams as a great first step for the album, and we can only hope that a repeat of Loyal To The Game is now totally out of the question.

Bone Thugs are the only artists to have recorded with the now deceased trio, Eazy-E, Biggie Smalls, and Tupac, and have just released their 'filler' album Thug Stories to a great response here on RapCentral.co.uk, and will be hoping to drop the hugely anticipated Swizz Beats produced album next year!

Bone first featured with 2pac on the track Thug Luv, taken from the groups Art Of War double LP. Bizzy Bone then recorded a few extra songs with 2pac, which have been since leaked since his death!

 
 3rd October 2006:    
The Game Discusses Suicide, Dre, & Tupac Nightmare

In a recent interview with Complex magazine, The Game spoke candidly about thoughts of suicide, his loyalty to Dr. Dre and having nightmares of trading places with Tupac.

While some may think that the West Coast emcee's life has been set since dropping his multi-platinum debut The Documentary, Game set the record straight and revealed that he has been significantly affected by all of the drama that he has faced in recent months. "I was, six months ago, at a point of my life where I felt like I knew how it felt for a person to want to commit suicide. Life was just that bad," said the Compton rapper. "I felt like I didn't get the props that I deserved, and that started f*cking with me. And when you hear this album, you'll hear the conviction and the pain."

He also outlined "...sitting in a closet by himself with f*cking tears running down my face, trying to figure out, how did I go from being one of the best rappers in the world and the most loved to being one of the most hated?"

The Game also took the opportunity to address Dr. Dre's noticeable absence from his new LP and why his lack of involvement with the record has not changed the dynamic of their relationship.

"I stay loyal. It's like people trying to...just because people think Dre's not working on the album, or they feel like Dre turned his back, doesn't mean that I'm not going to stay loyal to the guy that has helped me turn my life around." He goes on to say, "How about giving me a chance to feed my family for the rest of my life? Isn't that better than giving me a beat?"

Expressing his desire to want to be in "Dre's role," Hurricane Game admitted to planning a retirement from rap in exchange for duties as a producer. "I think that I'm going to probably quit rapping around 31. It's not about digging in the cookie jar until all the crumbs are gone....that's why I'm producing on this album." The rapper also questions whether or not Eazy-E really died of AIDS and his own fear of an untimely death. "I have nightmares of situations where people were murdered or their life ended in some tragedy; but instead of it being them, it's me. I have nightmares of Kanye West's car crash breaking up my face. I have nightmares of being in the car with Suge and sitting in Pac's position. I wake up trying to rationalize and analyze the situations or think about how Pac really died. What don't people know? The October/November issue of Complex hits newsstands on October 10.

 
 1st October 2006:    
Dutch TV Show Interview 2pac Beyond The Grave

Dutch TV show Entertainment Live have screened a segment on Monday allowing viewers to submit questions for Tupac, which were then be passed onto his spirit via a Medium called Barbara.

2pacWorld.co.uk would just like to say that we think this whole thing is bullshit, but, we are curious like the rest of you are so heres how the show went:

They start talking about how Tupac joined the bloods when he was drug dealing. Then they say he was involved in a shooting against the crips in wich a 6 year old boy was shot and killed. Barbra (the median) then said the little boy is with him right now.

They then say he got shot and died 3 days later. (Wasn't it 7? Again, its bullshit, they couldnt even do the research, tut tut) Then Barba said it was a conspiracy against him, she said it might be one guy but she kept seeing pictures of alot of guys he had problems with and they took Tupac out and he knew it was gonna happen. She keeps seeing the men that killed him and 3 of them are the main figures in his death.

They then asked Barba if Tupac is really dead or if he staged his own death in wich she answers "he isn't here anymore he's dead". They also say he never knew his father and there is something weird going on between them.

They continue to ask Barba if Tupac has a message for us, and Tupac's so called message is: "don't judge gangs just look at what's going on around them". (Not a intelictual or socially relevant comment we'd expect from Tupac)

Finally they talk about how B.I.G might have set up Tupac but before Tupac died he might have put a hit out on B.I.G, so, they ask Tupac if he knows who shot B.I.G and he say's the one who killed B.I.G has the nickname of a bird. This, 2pacWorld.co.uk has no idea of...... Anyone know who that might be? Just out of curiousity, holla at us with your ideas on our forum: Makaveli-board.com

 
 25th September 2006:    
Reward Reinstated For Info On B.I.G. Murder

The Los Angeles City Council reinstated a $50,000 reward on Friday (September 22) for anyone with key information in the unsolved slaying of The Notorious B.I.G.

B.I.G. (born Christopher Wallace) was shot and killed on March 9, 1997 after a party at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

Voletta Wallace, B.I.G.'s mother, and his widow, Faith Evans, sued the city and others four years ago, alleging wrongful death, and accused convicted corrupt cops Rafael Perez and David Mack of conspiring to kill Biggie with Death Row CEO Marion "Suge" Knight.

As 2pacWorld.co.uk and RapCentral.co.uk previously reported, In July 2005, U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper declared a mistrial in the family's suit after it was revealed that the LAPD were deliberately concealing evidence in the rapper's killing. She later ordered the LAPD to pay $1.1 million to the family's legal team in costs disbursed during the trial.

This past August, Copper denied a bid by the Wallaces' to expand the lawsuit. The rappers' family requested that the suit should include claims that LAPD officer Rafael Perez was on duty at the Peterson Automotive Museum. The retrial, which was expected to start in January, is now scheduled to begin on February 27th 2007.

 
 20th September 2006:    
Judge Lets Off Rap-A-Lot Mogul In Suge Knight Deposition

Rap-A-Lot Records CEO J.Prince will not be required to provide information about his relationship with Marion "Suge" Knight in the Knight vs. Michael "Harry-O" Harris case thanks to a recent ruling by a California judge.

In April, Prince was subpoenaed by Steve Goldberg, lawyer for the currently imprisoned Michael "Harry-O" Harris. Prince, who also owns Prince Boxing and manages "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather, was served the subpoena while sitting next to Suge Knight at the April 8th IBF Welterweight Championship bout between Mayweather and Zab Judah.

"They have a relationship, they were sitting side by side at the Mayweather Fight, and we believe that Mr. Prince may owe Mr. Harris a substantial amount of money," Goldberg has been quoted as saying. "I look forward to getting into the nitty-gritty of the financial dealings between Mr. Prince and Mr. Knight. I plan to leave no stone unturned."

Michael Harris and his wife Lydia, previously won a $107 million default court judgment against Suge Knight after claiming they helped fund Death Row Records. Knight has so far avoided paying the Harris judgment because he filed for bankruptcy in April. Goldberg subpoenaed Prince in order to determine his financial relationship to Knight.

Despite being subpoenaed Prince would not answer questions about any financial dealings with Suge Knight. Eventually a lawyer for J.Prince successfully challenged the legality of Prince's deposition regarding Knight and Death Row. The judge hearing the Knight vs. Harris case has since ruled that all questions regarding J.Prince and Suge Knight be thrown out.

Since the ruling Prince has been quoted saying, "Harris is a pathological lying snitch," before adding that he was "pleased with the judge's decision on the court ruling."

A representative for Rap-A-Lot Records reached earlier this morning declined to comment.

 
 7th September 2006:    
Afeni Shakur Delays Trip To Spread Her Son 2Pac's Ashes

Tupac Shakur's ashes were scheduled to be spread over South Africa this month, but the plans have been altered. The trip to South Africa will now take place on June 16, 2007. The date coincides with the anniversary of the Soweto uprising as well as Tupac’s 36th birthday. Mrs. Shakur has always been a supporter for Civil Rights and rescheduling the ceremony on this day characterizes her son’s legacy as he shares the day he came into the world with such a powerful political and social movement.

“My family and I regret that they must postpone the trip to South Africa to a later date, due to personal reasons,” says Ms. Shakur. “We understand the work and time that everyone has put into making this trip possible but the work of helping the children of South Africa must continue. We will still be sending aid and relief to those organizations and groups that we have established relationships with including the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Over the next couple of months, we want to spend time strengthening those ties. The invitation for the two students to come over to the Tupac Shakur Center on an exchange remains open and we intend to see it to fruition.”

The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation will continue with its plans in Atlanta to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Tupac’s death by inviting the public to the Peace Garden on Saturday, September 9th at 1:00pm. Afeni Shakur and the staff of the Center are asking everyone to bring a plant in memory of a loved one to place in the Peace Garden. If people cannot attend, the Center asks that a plant be laid in their personal garden in memory of not only, their loved ones, but for all fallen heroes. A celebration and drum ceremony will follow the garden event.

The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation was formed to bring a quality arts program to our young people by providing a positive and healthy foundation for them to build and grow upon. To date over 500 students have benefited from the program with a broad range of training available via the Annual Performing Arts Camp. Students are able to study creative writing, vocal technique, acting, stage set design, dance, poetry and spoken word. The Foundation has also hosted Essay competitions throughout the U.S., charity Golf Tournaments and awarded scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate degrees.

 
 5th September 2006:    
Bankruptcy Judge Orders All Lawsuits Against Suge Knight Be Filed

A Los Angeles bankruptcy judge recently ordered that all claims against Marion "Suge" Knight must be filed with the bankruptcy court by October 31, 2006.

Should the parties file claims past the deadline, they will be prevented from being involved in the cases or from bringing forward claims against Death Row Records and Knight. Knight and Death Row filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 this past April.

Chapter 11 allows a company to continue its operations while it rebuilds. Death Row is presently being run by a court appointed trustee. Meanwhile, Suge is managing the company as a debtor in possession.

We believe that it is vital that all parties asserting claims come forward and assert them in a timely manner so that Death Row can come out of Chapter 11 quickly," said Todd Neilson, the Death Row chapter 11 trustee in a statement.

The company has been plagued by financial problems in the past year. Back in March 2005, a judge ordered Suge to pay $107 million to a woman who helped him start Death Row Records and was owed profits after being forced out of the label.

 
 14th August 2006:    
Judge Refuses B.I.G. Wrongful Death Expansion Request

The federal judge presiding over the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of slain rapper Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace against the city of LA denied a bid by the family to expand the lawsuit on Thursday (August 10).

As NotoriousBIG.co.uk and 2pacworld.co.uk previously reported, the Wallaces' attorney's requested last month that the suit should include claims that LAPD officer Rafael Perez was on duty at the Peterson Automotive Museum, where Biggie had attended a party before being shot and killed.

Voletta Wallace, B.I.G.'s mother, and his widow, Faith Evans, sued the city of Los Angeles and others four years ago, alleging wrongful death, and accused convicted corrupt cops Rafael Perez and David Mack of conspiring to kill Biggie with Death Row CEO Marion "Suge" Knight.

U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper, who denied the motion on Thursday, ruled that there was "no admissible evidence that Perez was on duty...at the scene of the murder," according to the Associated Press.

Cooper recently postponed the retrial of the wrongful death lawsuit until January of last year. She also declared a mistrial in the suit last summer.

 
 7th August 2006:    
Tupac Shakur's Ashes To Be Spread Over South Africa

Afeni Shakur, mother of slain rap legend Tupac Shakur, will journey to South Africa to meet with the country’s former president Nelson Mandela.

The former Black Panther Party section leader hopes to establish a relationship between the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Foundation during her visit, which takes place Sept. 10-18.

Afeni will tour South Africa with her sister, Gloria Cox, and daughter, Set Shakur as she visits hospitals and orphanages to offer her support.

The family will also commemorate the 10th anniversary of Tupac’s death by traveling to Soweto, South Africa to deliver the late rapper’s ashes.

The event, which will be held Sept. 13, will be marked with a traditional African ceremony with a praise singer. Prominent political leaders, the South African government, representatives of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and guests of the Shakur family are expected to attend.

“I feel blessed to be able to visit South Africa, especially Soweto. Events that happened there are so much a part of our history and it will be an honor for my son to rest in this special place; the birthplace of the South African struggle for democracy,” Afeni Shakur said. "Nelson Mandela’s contribution to the people of South Africa has been immeasurable and I look forward to helping with his work all over the country.”

In addition to meeting Mandela, Afeni will be honored for her contribution as an activist for the rights of black people and the oppressed all over the world. Afeni Shakur will also visit with South African Kwaito star and actor Zola.

The musician and activist will record vocals to be featured alongside Snoop Dogg and Tupac on an upcoming 10th Anniversary CD for the rapper, who was gunned down in Sept. of 1996.

 
 31st July 2006:    
LA Police Task Force To Lead Notorious B.I.G. Case

A newly formed Los Angeles police task force is taking charge of the investigation into the murder of Notorious B.I.G. According to The Associated Press, the task force comprised of six veteran homicide detectives, will be looking into theories that B.I.G.'s (born Christopher Wallace) murder may have been committed by a gang member.

The formation of the task force comes just on the heels of the expansion of a previously existing wrongful death lawsuit filed by Wallace's mother, Voletta Wallace, and other relatives who claim corrupt LAPD officers were involved in the murder.

Judge Florence-Marie Cooper declared a mistrial in the Wallace's lawsuit last year after it was discovered that the LAPD may have withheld statements by a jailhouse informant that linked the killing to two corrupt police officers. Cooper later ordered the city to pay $1.1 million in legal fees and other expenses to the rapper's family as sanctions for intentionally withholding evidence. A re-trial has been scheduled for early next year.

There has been no new evidence in the Wallace murder case to prompt the formation of the task force, however evidence discovered by the task force could help the city in its argument against the family's claims.

Investigators are looking into several gang-related theories, one which has Wallace being killed by a member of the Southside Crips as part of the hip-hop feud that also claimed the life of Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas six months earlier. The detectives are also looking into allegations that Wallace was killed by a Blood gang member, hired by Marion "Suge" Knight. Knight has previously denied any involvement in the killing.

The Notorious B.I.G. was 24-years-old when he was killed on March 9, 1997 while leaving a party at Los Angeles' Petersen Automotive Museum.

 
 20th July 2006:    
Tupac Resurrected On Cell Phones

Tupac ringtones will soon be available to mobile phone users across the U.S. Koch Records recently licensed the entire Death Row Records catalogue, which includes music from Tupac, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre to Hudson Entertainment. Hudson, which specializes in hip-hop ringtones and mobile content, expects to have master ringtones and ringback tones from the aforementioned catalogue accessible to nationwide carriers this August. Hudson previously produced ringtones for The Source Magazine.

 
 17th July 2006:    
T.A.S.F. Presents "Shoulders of Giants"

The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF) is proud to once again present Shoulders of Giants, a show based on works from Tupac’s The Rose That Grew From Concrete, Saturday, July 29 at 7:00 PM, at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for Performing Arts in Atlanta. The eighth- annual show serves as a reminder of the impact the camp has on its 12-18 year-old attendants, all of whom have been touched and inspired by the camp’s namesake’s legacy.

The TASF Camp was the brainchild of Tupac’s mother, Ms. Afeni Shakur, who saw the impact of performing arts on her son and has made it her mission to give back some of that creativity and confidence to students in the TASF program.

The TASF Performing Arts Camp strives to enhance the various creative talents of its young students while at the same time helping them learn tools for living a successful, enriched life. Skills emphasized include everything from discipline and goal setting to teamwork, self-expression and volunteering. Graduates of the camp have often returned to work there, offering their services and experience to new students.

The camp’s students are also responsible for the one-of-a-kind performance pieces in Shoulders of Giants, which uses material from The Rose That Grew From Concrete as the basis for the students’ pieces, which encompass art forms as varied as poetry and dance.

Over the years, TASF Camp students have performed at venues as varied as the Source Awards Community Service Awards in Miami, the Georgia State Conference of NAACP Freedom Fund Gala and on television on Good Day Atlanta. This special performance of Shoulders of Giants is open to the public, with tickets available at the TASCA Visitor Center at 5616 Memorial Drive, Stone Mtn, GA. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students under 18 and Senior Citizens. Proceeds from the play will go towards the continued development of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts.

 
 10th July 2006:    
Suge Knight Loses Death Row Records To Bankruptcy

Death Row Records mogul Marion"Suge" Knight handed over the reigns to his business on Friday (July 7). According to the Associated Press, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ellen Carroll ordered a bankruptcy trustee takeover of the label as a part of the proceedings initiated by Knight in April when he filed for bankruptcy. Carroll said the accounting practices at Death Row were in a state of disarray, and pointed to testimony from Knight admitting he had not reviewed the company's financial statements in over ten years.

"It seems apparent there is no one at the helm," Caroll said, adding that the gross mismanagement of the company allowed for the removal of Knight.

Claiming debts of over $100 million Death Row and Knight filed for protection under Chapter 11 of federal bankruptcy law earlier this year. Prior to filing, Knight had been ordered to pay a $107 million to former associate Lydia Harris, who claimed she helped Knight start Death Row. Knight was not present at the hearing last Friday and has not responded publicly to Judge Carroll's decision.

 
 4th July 2006:    
Tupac, Jay-Z And Biggie Crowned Hip-Hop's Best

Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z and Notorious B.I.G. were crowned the top three artists in a poll conducted by Remy Martin as part of the company's second Black Music Month initiative. Part of the June initiative included a poll on Remy Martin's website where the popular cognac maker invited visitors to vote for their favorite songs and artists in hip-hop soul history. The site maintained a regularly updated leaderboard displaying the top 17 artists and 38 songs until the polls closed last week on June 30th.

Over 10,000 votes were cast in the poll, which was limited to visitors age 21 or older who were allowed to vote for as many as five artists and/or songs each. The late Tupac Shakur scored both top-artist and top-song honors, leaving his mark with his hit song "Hail Mary." Jay-Z and Biggie were voted #2 and #3 in the artist category but 14 of the top 38 songs overall were recorded by these three artists.

Rappers Nas and Eminem closely followed in the top artist category, claiming the #4 and #5 spots, while Mary J. Blige represented for the ladies in hip-hop soul by finishing in the #6 spot. Three of Mary hits were also recognized amongst the top 38 songs "Be Without You" was #21, "My Life" was #24 and "Real Love" was #26. R&B chanteuse Mariah Carey was the only other woman to finish among the top 17 artists, although Keyshia Cole and Lauryn Hill made appearances on the top song list.

While both top artist and top song lists were dominated by veteran musicians, artists T.I., Jadakiss and Lil Wayne also had their hits finish among the top ten songs, with "What You Know" finishing fourth, "Why" landing in the #9 spot and "Hustla Muzik" closing out the #10 spot. For the final list of the top 17 artists and 38 songs visit: www.1738.com.

 
 30th June 2006:    
Hip-Hop Cop Claims He Can Solve Biggie and Tupac's Murders

After helping launch the NYPD's hip-hop task force, retired detective Derrick Parker is the focus of a new DVD, Black and Blue: Legends of the Hip-Hop Cop. In this SOHH exclusive, Parker claims being able to solvethe murders of Biggie, Tupac and Jam Master Jay. He also reveals the rap artists he has beef with.

Years after the deaths of The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur and Jam Master Jay, family, friends and fans have yet to find closure. Thus far, police forces in Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas have been unsuccessful. Yet, one man contends that he knows the answers so many are dying to know.

"I'm not gonna say I'm 100% positive. My percentage rate is very high probability of solving those cases," Parker told SOHH. "The Biggie murder, the Tupac and Jam Master Jay cases -- they can all be solved. The Jam Master Jay case, I've already solved."

Interestingly, the veteran cop isn't running to the aforementioned cities' precincts to share his theories.

"I will [help] if they ask me to," Parker offered. "But before I do any of that, I have to make sure that they're gonna bring the right people on board and they're gonna listen to what I tell them. If they're not gonna listen to me, then I don't wanna get involved."

Considering emcees' long-standing disdain of law enforcement, it is no surprise that Parker is likely detested by many. In fact, he's had his share of conflicts over the years.

"I've had a few run-ins with a few artists," he said. "Some of them have tried to bully their way into different clubs or make threats. But I think after we sat down and we saw eye to eye. We sort of ironed out our differences and then everything is.

"I had problems with a few people -- Jim Jones is one," added Parker. "I had problems with Loon back in the days. Loon and I are actually good friends now, so is Jim. Jim and I are pretty cool."

Rappers don't only view Parker as Public Enemy No. 1; he can also be their savior. When Loon was charged with attempted murder back in 2004, the "hip-hop cop" ironically helped clear his name.

"Loon was in L.A. when he had an incident and there was a stabbing at a night club," Parker told SOHH. "I was at the House of Blues in L.A. and the first guy who grabbed Loon was me. Loon was running from the altercation. His attorneys asked me, 'Loon didn't do this. Loon wasn't the person that stabbed this guy.' And everybody said it was Loon. Loon just happened to be with guys that were out there that were getting into a melee and of course people are gonna see him because he's a rap artist and they're gonna say he's the guy responsible for it. I grabbed Loon and Loon knew me and he felt kinda relieved. I had to talk to his attorneys. I sort of helped him out."

 
 20th June 2006:    
Notorious B.I.G Retrial Pushed Back Until Jan 07

U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper has postponed the wrongful death lawsuit involving rapper Notorious B.I.G. to give the family's attorney more time to seek information from the defense the Associated Press reported today. Judge Cooper has set the retrial date to January 16, three months later than the original October 16 date originally set on June 8.

A mistrial was declared last summer after it was discovered that an LAPD detective intentionally withheld statements from an informant that may have linked two police officers, David Mack and Rafael Perez to B.I.G.'s murder.

Lawyers for B.I.G.'s estate have maintained that Mack and Perez, former LAPD police officers, helped orchestrate the murder on the orders of Marion "Suge" Knight, CEO of Death Row Records.

B.I.G. was gunned down on March 9, 1997 after a party at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. The city of Los Angeles to pay over $1 million dollars in legal fees to B.I.G.'s estate last summer as well.

Source: NotoriousBIG.co.uk

 
 16th June 2006:    
Happy Birthday Tupac Shakur

2pacWorld.co.uk, our forum, Makaveli-Board.com and our owners RapCentral.co.uk would just like to mark Tupac's birthday, today, and wish his family and friends all the best! If not for his untimley murder Tupac would have been aged 35 today, and would have no doubt achieved so many more great things, both within rap and outside of rap! We miss you dearly, thuggin in peace in Thugz Manison, No Doubt.....

Make sure you drink some hennessey for 'pac tonight! Pour Outta Lil Liquor!!!

 
 12th June 2006:    
'Tupac Legacy Tour' Is Announced

Afeni Shakur and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation have announced the Tupac Legacy Tour, which will feature well known artists performing songs from the late rapper's catalog. The tour is due to begin in Los Angeles this fall, the 25-date cross country tour will feature artists celebrating the life of Tupac backed by a live band. DJ’s will also be featured on the tour, which is sponsored by the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and A&M Entertainment.

While several major artists have reportedly signed on, the official artist line-up will be announced within the coming weeks. A portion of the proceeds from the Tupac Legacy Tour will go directly to T.A.S.C.A. (Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts located in Stone Mountain, GA).

With a mission of provide training and support for students who aspire to enhance their creative talents, the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation was founded by Afeni Shakur in 1997.

As of press time, tour dates and venues have yet to be made public. For more information, log onto www.2paclegacytour.com

 
 2nd April 2006:    
Suge Knight Facing Possible Jail Time, Loss Of Death Row Records

Death Row Records CEO Marion "Suge" Knight missed another court-ordered hearing yesterday (April 1) to determine the legal ownership of the pioneering rap label. The label has been at the center of a legal battle between Knight, incarcerated drug boss Michael "Harry-O" Harris and his estranged wife, Lydia Harris.

Harry-O, who is serving a 28-year sentence for drug dealing and attempted murder, alleges that he and his wife helped launch what became Death Row Records in 1991 from prison, with a $1.5 million investment. Since 1997, Harris has claimed he helped create Death Row along with Suge Knight and his lawyer David Kenner.

Harris said he struck the deal with Knight from his prison cell, but eventually was excluded from profits the label earned on classic albums by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound and others. Harry O's wife Lydia Harris filed a lawsuit against Knight and in March of 2005, Knight was ordered to pay Mrs. Harris $107 million dollars.

Mrs. Harris was awarded the judgment because Knight failed to respond to legal inquires about the case, missed various court dates and failed to show his assets. Mrs. Harris was awarded a settlement that included $60 million in punitive damages, $45 million in economic damages and $2 million in non-economic damages.

Harry-O has since filed for divorce from his wife and maintains that he is entitled to half of the $107 million that was awarded his wife in March.

In February 2006, Knight and Death Row Record filed a $106 million dollar lawsuit against Michael "Harry-O" Harris and others in Los Angeles Federal Court. Knight's lawsuit alleges Harris is blackmailing the label, by threatening to allege that proceeds from his drug enterprise were invested in legitimate businesses, such as Death Row Records. Harris was known for investing in legitimate business ventures. He served as producer of Denzel Washington's 1987 Broadway debut, Checkmates.

Harris was convicted of running an international drug operation with connections to a Columbian cocaine cartel and the attempted murder of an associate.

Knight faces jail time for contempt of court until he attends a hearing to disclose all that he owns. Attorneys will ask the court to put Death Row Records into receivership and will attempt to auction off the pioneering label's music valuable music catalog. Knight's assets have been frozen since August 2005.

 
 24th March 2006:    
Judge To Take Control Of Suge Knights Assets

A Los Angeles judge has declared that he plans to seize control of Marion "Suge" Knight's personal and business assets after the Hip-Hop mogul refused to pay a $107 million civil court judgment from 2005. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald Sohigian said that he planned to appoint a court officer to manage the Death Row co-founder’s finances, but said Knight could prevent the injunction if he would reveal all of his assets to the court. Knight wasn’t present for the proceedings on Thursday.

In March 2005, Knight was ordered to pay Lydia Harris $107 million, after she charged that the impresario defrauded her out of her half of the label. Harris asserts that she helped found the fledgling Death Row label in the early 90’s.

"Because he had a long history of deceiving the court and avoiding payment, I asked the court to appoint a receiver to take over," Harris' attorney, Rex Julian Beaber, said to Reuters. "If Knight cooperates in providing the information, he can ask the court to remove the receiver. But I don't think there's a chance in hell Knight is going to cooperate."

Sohigian said that Death Row Records would be placed in receivership if Knight refuses to appear at a debtor hearing next month. Receivership is a special form of bankruptcy where a company can avoid liquidation through a court-appointed trustee. Dermot Givens, counsel for Knight, claimed that Sohigian had yet to formally signed the order sequestering Knights assets. Furthermore, Givens said that Knight and Harris had independently settled on the multi-million dollar case. The judge hasn’t signed such an agreement, should it exist.

"In May of 2005, [Harris] received a million dollars and rights to various music, and she signed a settlement agreement," Givens told Reuters.

Lydia Harris must also contend with her husband, convicted drug dealer Michael “Harry-O” Harris. Harry-O claims that he is due at least half of the $107 million judgment and he filed for divorce in June of 2005 after learning of Lydia’s legal maneuvering.

Earlier this year, Knight and Death Row Records filed a $106 million dollar lawsuit against Harry-O and others claiming fraud, conspiracy, racketeering and attempted extortion.

 
 17th March 2006:    
LAPD Take New Look At Notorious B.I.G. Murder

Assistant City Attorney Don Vincent revealed yesterday (March 16) that the Los Angeles Police Department has assigned a new team of detectives to take a second look at the 1997 fatal shooting of Notorious B.I.G. Voletta Wallace, B.I.G.'s mother, and his widow, Faith Evans, sued the city and others four years ago, alleging wrongful death, and accused convicted corrupt cops Rafael Perez and David Mack of conspiring to kill Biggie with Death Row CEO Marion "Suge" Knight.

Last July, U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper declared a mistrial in the family's suit after it was revealed that the LAPD were deliberately concealing evidence in the rapper's killing. She later ordered the LAPD to pay $1.1 million to the family's legal team in costs disbursed during the trial.

The LAPD has vehemently denied the accusations of purposely concealing information and on Thursday, Vincent added that no evidence has been found linking police to B.I.G's death.

A retrial of B.I.G's death is expected later this year.

Source: NotoriousBIG.co.uk

 
 9th March 2006:    
Ms Wallace Taps Top Director Antoine Fuqua To Helm Untitled B.I.G. Movie

Voletta Wallace, mother of slain rapper Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, told AllHipHop in a recent interview that critically acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua well direct an untitled picture based on the life of the slain rapper.

The movie, which is funded by Fox/Searchlight Pictures, is being produced by Ms. Wallace and B.I.G.'s former managers, Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts and will tell the life of the legendary Brooklyn rapper, who was gunned down Mar. 9, 1997 in Los Angeles, after attending a party by Vibe magazine at the Peterson Automotive Museum.

"The film [will be] directed by Antoine Fuqua - a very nice director. He's very talented," Ms. Wallace told AllHipHop.com. "Who is gonna play Biggie? I don't know yet. Who is gonna play me, I don't know yet. But we are in the process of casting now."

Fuqua has directed such critically acclaimed films as The Replacement Killers, the Bruce Willis driven Tears Of The Sun, and Training Day, which starred Denzel Washington, who won an Oscar for his role in the film. While many suspect B.I.G. was murdered as a result of his feud with Tupac Shakur, police have never solved either murder. Shakur was gunned down in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sept.7 1996 and died from his wounds on Sept.13, 1996.

Smalls was gunned down just six months later on Mar. 9, in Los Angeles after attending the 11th Annual Soul Train Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Center.

In June of 2004, Ms. Wallace won a decision to bring a wrongful death suit against the LAPD, which the Estate accuses of being complicit in Smalls' death. The investigation into both murders continues and in July of 2005, the Estate of Christopher Wallace won a major victory against the city of Los Angeles, after it was learned that the Los Angeles Police Department withheld evidence that could have linked two police officers and Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight to both murders. In a dramatic turn of events, an unnamed tipster told the court that a significant amount of evidence had not been given to lawyers of the estate.

The unnamed source offered evidence that disgraced LAPD officers David Mack and Rafael Perez worked in cahoots with Knight to gun B.I.G down. U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper declared a mistrial in the case, after Detective Steve Katz allegedly "forgot" about critical documents pertaining to the trial that were found in his desk drawer after a search of his office.

The city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department were ordered to pay the legal costs the family of Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” incurred during the trial, for withholding the evidence about the rap star’s murder. Wallace said a new lawsuit was being planned to include Mack's former partner Perez. The trial is scheduled to resume this summer.

"All I want, all I ever wanted is justice for my sons death," Ms. Wallace told AllHipHop. "All I ever wanted was the truth. And that's not asking too much."

In related news, The Notorious B.I.G.'s posthumous album The Notorious B.I.G. Duets: The Final Chapter, has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over a million copies. The album spent seven consecutive weeks on top of Billboard's Top Rap Album chart when it hit stores in Dec. of 2005. The album debuted at #3 on Billboard's Top 200 charts and featured the hit "Nasty Girl" featuring Diddy, Nelly and Jagged Edge.

The album took two years to craft and features verses B.I.G. recorded during his career paired with new versions from a who's who in Hip-Hop, including 2Pac, Big Pun, Scarface, Ludacris, Snoop, Eminem, Jay-Z, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Nas, Juelz Santana, T.I., Missy Elliott, Jim Jones and many others.

Source: NotoriousBIG.co.uk

 
 1st March 2006:    
Chamillionaire Tapped For Makaveli Branded Campaign

Houston rapper Chamillionaire has been tapped as the new face of the spring 2006 tribute advertising campaign for Makaveli Branded, the official clothing line of the late Tupac Shakur. Chamillionaire joins Ludacris, Scarface, DJ Quik, Twista, Chingy, the Disturbin' Tha Peace crew and Omar Epps in the campaign, which will run in major Hip-Hop publications over the next three months.

"Chamillionaire was an obvious choice when we were considering candidates for the spring campaign," said Rick Edwards, VP/Director of marketing at Makaveli Branded. "Everyone knows the incredible work ethic that Tupac had during his career and I see that same ethic in everything Chamillionaire does. His leadership and music both have contributed greatly to the resurrection of the Houston music scene."

A portion of each sale from Makaveli Branded is donated to the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation and Center of the Arts in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

In related news, Chamillionaire is set to embark on a nationwide tour with fellow Houston rapper Lil Flip, starting March 30 in San Diego. Chamillionaire will also grace the April cover of The Source magazine, along with UGK, Scarface, Mike Watts, Mike Jones and others.

 
 24th February 2006:    
Former Nas Associate Lake Signs With Suge Knight

Former Nas associate Lake has signed to Suge Knight’s Death Row Records subsidiary, Death Row East. “I’m the flagship artist [of Death Row East],” Lakey the Kid said on DJ Kay Slay’s Hot 97 radio show today [Feb. 24]. “We doing this for the streets. Death Row is back. The streets is ready, the penitentiary is ready. The foundation of what we doing [starts with] the music.”

Lake was once affiliated with many of the artists out of the Queensbridge area, but said that many of the relationships weren’t fruitful to him.

“The dudes that I was with weren’t supporting me so my career was at a stalemate. A lot of dudes didn’t want to support me coming up,” he lamented without citing specific rappers. Lake has been associated with fellow Queensbridge rappers like Cormega, Mobb Deep and has lyrically berated former friend Nas.

Big Delson, the VP Death Row East, was also on the show and said that he and Lake, a Queens native, have many commonalities that extend far beyond mere music.

“Me and Lake, we been in it together, we did time together, I got love for him,” said Delson. “And I really believe in his ability. I’ve watched him grow as a person, as a person and as a man. And there is no way I could turn my back on his, because loyalty and integrity is everything to me. I don’t know how to be crooked. I only know how to be straight up – 6 o’ clock.”

Suge Knight told the listening audience that Lake’s street creditability was extremely important. “Everybody knows Lake is hot. It speaks for itself. It’s really important for me to sign somebody that can go back to their own neighborhood.”

Also, Knight weighed in on the changes in the music industry since his beginnings in the early 90s and alluded to some of his run-ins with the law.

“My whole thing is that, far as the music business, it used to be fun. Its time for me to deal with people that don’t tell on me and I don’t tell on them,” Knight said. “Don’t tell the police. Everybody did they time. One of the things that I am excited about the [Kay Slay] show is the show gives to the penitentiary”

Lake expressed that he felt a unique kinship with Suge Knight, deceased rapper Tupac and Death Row as an organization. “To the people that don’t know, you gotta understand what this is – its Death Row East – but its Death Row. Death Row had the best,” Lakey said. “I couldn’t go no where else.” At the show’s conclusion, Suge Knight also revealed was also attempting to contact and sign incarcerated rapper Shyne.

 
 17th February 2006:    
Suge Knight Files $106 Million Lawsuit

Marion "Suge" Knight and Death Row Records have filed a $106 million dollar lawsuit against Michael "Harry-O" Harris and others in Los Angeles Federal Court. Harris and Wasserman Comden Cassleman and Pearson LLP are named in the lawsuit, which claims Harris, who is serving a 28-year-sentence in a California State prison for attempted murder and drug dealing, attempted to blackmail people and businesses in the music industry, by threatening to allege that proceeds from his drug enterprise were invested in legitimate businesses.

In 1997, Harris told the Los Angeles Times that he struck a deal with Knight to fund Death Row Records. Harris said he helped create Death Row along with Suge Knight and his lawyer David Kenner, but was excluded from his due share of profits from the label's releases. According to Harris, the two sealed the deal from Harris' prison cell, where he agreed to invest $1.5 million dollars to form a company with Knight, which was to release Andre "Dr. Dre" Young's classic album, The Chronic.

He told the paper he spoke to Knight often while Dr. Dre Young was recording The Chronic in late 1991. According to prison records, Knight visited Harris over two dozen times over the next 18 months. Harris says Knight and Young struck a deal with Interscope records and released The Chronic in 1992, which sold over 3 million copies and won two Grammy Awards. Knight has denied Harris' stories consistently for almost 10 years.

"You have to realize what kind of guy this is...Michael Harris makes things up to try to get out of jail," Knight wrote in a letter to the Times in 1997.

Harris responded to Knights claims, stating: "I am not a rat. If I was a rat, I could have been home free 10 years ago." Harris is known for his investments in legitimate entertainment ventures, most notably as the producer of Denzel Washington's 1987 Broadway play debut, Checkmates. The DEA convicted Harris of running an international drug operation that helped link Los Angeles street gangs to a Columbian cocaine cartel as well as the kidnapping and attempted murder of a member of his organization. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison.

Harry O's wife Lydia Harris filed a lawsuit against Knight and in March of 2005, Knight was ordered to pay Mrs. Harris $106 million dollars.

Mrs. Harris was awarded the judgment because Knight failed to respond to legal inquires about the case and missed various court dates.

 
 1st February 2006:    
Tupac Immortalized In Wax!

Madame Tussauds wax museum in Las Vegas, Nevada will immortalize rapper Tupac Shakur on Apr. 5 as part of its new "On Stage" attraction. A wax figure capturing the famous image of a shirtless Shakur wearing a bandana and showing his tattoos joins superstars such as James Brown , Mick Jagger , Elton John, Prince and others as life-like wax statues. Click here to see a picture of what the statue of Tupac looks like in Madame Tussauds.

Adrian Jones, general manager of Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, said the decision to immortalize Skakur came from public demand.

"We have received more requests from the public to immortalize Tupac than any other rap star," Jones said. "It is fitting that he will be the central figure in our new 'On Stage' attraction, which will offer the public a new high-tech system for enjoying the music of all the stars in the attraction. We will have more information about the attraction at a later date."

Shakur was fatally wounded in a drive-by shooting on Las Vegas' famed "Strip" on Sept. 7, 1996. Shakur later died from his wounds. His slaying remains unsolved.

For "On Stage" attraction times, visit www.mtvegas.com

 
 27th January 2006:    
Tupac Amaru Shakur Center To Host "I Love Africa"

The Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts (TASCA) is set to host author Felton Eaddy's "I Love Africa" Traveling Museum. In celebration of Black History Month 2006, Eaddy’s highly-acclaimed collection will be featured at the Center, which was built to honor slain rapper Tupac Shakur. "I Love Africa" will be on display for part of the month of Feb. and the traveling museum maintains a 125-piece art collection, of which as many as 40 works are shared with students per site visit.

The "I Love Africa" Traveling Museum is designed to lead students of all ages and abilities on a unique trip to Africa, through the sharing of the continent's cultures' stories, poems and songs, alongside authentic African artifacts. The insightful displays include handcrafted stools and textiles from the Ashanti people of West Africa, Gullah Baskets, masks, dolls, musical instruments from Zimbabwe and other fascinating cultural art pieces. Students are invited and encouraged to handle selected artworks.

The “I Love Africa” Traveling Museum will be on display from Wednesday, Feb. 22 through Fri. Feb. 24, 2006.

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