Amelin Fernandez, one of Israel Ramirez’s baby’s moms, says that she understands why Busta doesn’t want to talk and says that he takes care of her financially.

Outkast and Tribe to collaborate on new music, and some info on the new Pharoahe Monch album. Also, according to Obie, the new Em mixtape, no longer called The Re-Up, is dropping in the next couple of weeks.

The Odd Couple 

Earlier this morning there was a headline at Hip Hop Game claiming that Papoose had signed a deal worth ‘at least 700,000′ with Jive Records. Now it’s mysteriosuly gone… 

This writer should have his head examined.

Worn Out Messages

"I don’t know if this is normally something he would even be arrested for," said a police source. "But his bouncer was killed and he didn’t want to cooperate.

"This is our way of dealing with it."

According to the New York Daily News, Busta was arrested after performing at the Heineken Amsterjam Festival on Randall’s Island last night. Technically the arrest was for an alleged assault on somebody who spit on his car, but the real motive was to get him in police custody so they could question him about the still unsolved murder of his bodyguard Israel Ramirez. 

During a performance at the Elite Ark in Brooklyn, the Capo decides it would be a good idea to call Lil Cease out as a snitch. Certain patrons take exception to his comments, and projectiles start to fly. Words are exchanged and a small scuffle ensues, but eventually cooler heads prevail, and Jimmy and the Dips go on to perform a stirring rendition of G’s Up.

The action starts at about 1:35 into the clip.

From Step Your Game Up, Vol. 3 “Goonie Town”

"I don’t know this time about doing a new album, although I’m itching to do one. We’ll see." – Jay-Z in February.

"September is the album" – Nas to MTV News in May. 

"More than a relief pitcher, I’m the closer…" - Jay-Z

(pic jacked from SNICKA.com) 

October 2006.

C-Murder goes on house arrest, comes off, goes back on again. At least he was out long enough to go catch the premier of Spike Lee’s Katrina documentary, ‘When The Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Parts.’

Rakim, Wu-Tang, and Bootcamp. Philly is about to have itself one hell of a show

It’s 50′s party and he can cry if he wants to.  

The WWE is suing Game over the name ‘The Game.’

Pharoahe Monch coming this winter. 

Why?

The gentrification of Harlem.  

Michael Eric Dyson and Boyce Watkins to address ‘Paris Hilton-itis’ amongst college students

HHG has a new Kool G. Rap interview up. He clarifies that the deal he signed with that West Coast indie label Back Route is just a one album deal and that they kind of misrepresented the situation when they announced it.

You just signed a one-album deal with Back Route Records. What does that deal entail?

Let me clarify that. They put that out there in a way to make it seem as though I signed to them. That’s not the case. It’s just a joint venture to put out a street album. It’s not like G. Rap’s album is coming out on this label. We’re doing a joint venture, 50/50 thing. That’s basically what that is right there. That’s not to minimize the importance of the project because the street album is going to be hot. It’s going to be a banger, but the way they put that press release out there wasn’t cool. I got a lot of calls from people and I had to clear a lot of things up. We’re straight with it now, but it could have messed up other business.

That makes sense. He goes on to say that even though this is just a one shot deal, he doesn’t see anything materializing with G-Unit in the near future. (whew). He also talks about Papoose, who he takes credit for bringing into the game, the lack of love for older artists in hip hop as opposed to rock, and the mixtape he’s working on with Green Lantern.

Oh, and check this out, I knew me and Jay weren’t the only ones who used this nickname:

"I’m always open to working with Nas because it’s more than just a name with Nas. That’s my little homie from before the world even knew him as Nasty Nas." 

Too Short and that hardcore Mexican guy from Blood in Blood Out.

Gillie da Kid carjacked? Anybody know where Lil Grown Ass Wayne was during that time period? Well, from what I understand this is just a rumor anyway.

Juelz on MTV Cribs Aye! That’s a nice little abode you’ve got there pimpin.

Rumor has it that Kim is about to sign with 50 Interscope? What a loser she’ll be if she does that.  

Speaking of the Evil Empire first week #’s for Obie are not looking good at all. (80-90k) 

Ghost collaborates with some people I’ve never heard of.

Spec Boogie, who’s actually a pretty good rapper, jacked all the beats from the Pharrell album and made his own little mixtape/street album kinda thing. I haven’t listened to it, but I have to agree with Bol, I don’t remember any of the beats on In My Mind being very good. Oh, who am I kidding, I haven’t actually listened to In My Mind. But come on, when’s the last time you heard a good Pharrell beat anyway? 

Word is that MTV banned the video for that "I Got My Vans On" song from Bay Area group The Pack. According to The Pack it’s because MTV felt it was basically an ad for Vans. Haven’t seen it and don’t plan on it, so I can’t call it, but I asked someone from MTV about this and they didn’t know what the fuck I was talking about, so I’m leaning towards publicity stunt. Of course if MTV did ban it for that reason, they need to get a serious grip on reality.

A black marine who helped rescue two police officers on 9/11 is portrayed as white in the movie World Trade Center. He says he doesn’t mind, but the members of X-Clan (who, by the way, are putting out new music) are calling for a boycott. What do you think? I’m sure you’ll tell me…