Rapper Xzibit’s new born son,  Xavier Kingston Joiner, died suddenly yesterday. Xavier was born premature on May 15, but was doing well until this week. The premature baby was having difficulty breathing. The rapper expressed how sad he was, as well as how the baby died. “Well, this week was extremely difficult for him, because his lungs were not strong enough to handle regular oxygen on his own,” he said. “Xavier passed away this morning at 3:30 am and I must tell you this, it is unnatural for a parent to bury a child…I am telling you this because of the same reason I tell you when I’m having great times, life is too short to be fake. Hold on to your kids if you have them, protect them and show them you love them everyday you wake up and see them…don’t take a second you get to hug them teach them and care for them for granted.” Xzibit plans to take some time off to mourn the loss of his son. (more…)

Common has leaked his new single “Universal Mind Control (U.M.C.)”, which is an insight as to how his new album “Invincible Summer” will be like. U.M.C. was produced by Pharrell Williams with a sample of Afrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force’s “Planet Rock”. “I created this music for the summertime. It’s about feeling good. This is the type of music I felt was missing from my body of work.” Common said to Billboard.com. Listen to the new single here: (more…)

Bow Wow may be leaving the music industry to get into acting. The hip hop star will become a regular on HBO’s “Entourage” fifth season this fall. The rapper will play the role of Charlie, a stand-up comic who becomes the latest client of Eric, played by Kevin Connolly. “After 16 years in the music industry and six successful albums, I’ve decided to shift my energy to something else I’m passionate about, acting,” Bow Wow said. “I’m going to try to be the next Will Smith.” (more…)

Chicago Bulls basketball player Joakim Noah was spotted by officers in Gainesville, Florida early on Sunday with a cup containing alcohol. When they searched Noah, officers found a marijuana cigarette in his pocket. Noah was charged with possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and carrying an open container of alcohol in public, both misdemeanors. Because of the nature of the offenses he was given a court date at the scene and released immediately.

Rapper Slick Rick was issued an official pardon by New York Governor David A. Paterson today. This will prevent the legend from being deported to the United Kingdon, where he is originally from. As you may recall, 43-year-old rapper has been involved in a battle in Federal Immigration Court fighting deportation, due to a 1991 conviction on two counts of attempted murder and weapons offenses. The Federal Statute indicates that lawful resident aliens are to be removed from the country upon conviction of an aggravated felony or weapon offense.  In some incidents, deportation can be avoided with a Governor’s pardon.  “Mr. Walters has fully served the sentence imposed upon him for his convictions, had an exemplary disciplinary record while in prison and on parole, and has been living without incident in the community for more than 10 years,” said Governor Paterson. “I urge federal immigration officials to once again grant Mr. Walters relief from deportation.”  (more…)

Although Persia White’s Myspace Page has her status as “single”, it is reported that she recently got hitched! The CW “Girlfriends” actress married her beau, 35 year old Saul Williams (see pic below) on his birthday, which was on February 29th. For all my “Girlfriends” fans, if you can recall, Saul played Persia’s boyfriend, Sivad, on the show back in 2003. Saul is a poet, actor, and inspired singer. Persia is also working on her first album with her group  XE03. You can check out her song featuring her husband on her Myspace page. Its cute. (more…)

Yung Joc is doing big things! The Atlanta-based rapper inked a deal with Jive Records for his first major label, Swagg Team Entertainment. The deal entails that Joc will release the debut album of  Chicago trio “Hotstylz”, who created an online sensation hit that has since been renamed “Lookin’ Boy.” “I wanted to put together a team of artists and opportunists to change the pace of music as we know it right now, as far as Hip-Hop and R&B is concerned,” Joc said. Joc already owns two automobile related businesses and he is also set to launch his own line of sunglasses called Claudio St. James. Joc is partnering with his father to release the new collection of shades independently.

Usher graces the cover of this week’s Entertainment Weekly. Here’s an excerpt of his interview about his mother, marriage, and new baby. (more…)

New York’s own DJ star filed a lawsuit against City of Queens councilman John Liu for defamation because he called him a “sick, racist, pedophile”. The councilman’s verbal rant came right after DJ Star allegedly made sexual comments about a rival DJ’s young daughter on Power 105’s “Star & Buc Wild Morning Show” in New York. Remember that? In 2006, DJ Star was charged with child endangerment and was fired from the show because his remarks about the rival DJ’s wife and 4 year old daughter. Nevertheless, DJ Star filed his lawsuit against the councilman because he believed that his character was being promoted as a pedophile. (more…)

It’s not looking too good for the R&B mogul. Four witnesses identified the girl, now 23, as the one on the sex tape; she herself has denied she’s the person in the video. The girl’s uncle and aunt, however, identify her as the one in the tape. The defense continues to use their defense that R.Kelly is not the man in the infamous sex tape. They say it was digitally altered. Do you believe that? Be honest (leave your comments!).

Furthermore, Defense attorney Sam Adam Jr. said “Something could have been done to put a different head on that body”. (more…)