Arizona Prosecutor Files Charges Against Lil Wayne

At a Wellton, Arizona justice court, the Yuma County Attorney’s Office formally filed felony drug and weapons charges against Lil Wayne. According to a report from local ABC affiliate KNXV-TV, Wayne was present at the court session, where he was charged with one count each of possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia. A judge also lifted a restriction that has been preventing Wayne from leaving the state. The rapper is now scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing on February 12.

As XXLMag.com previously reported, Wayne’s bus was stopped at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint outside Dateland, AZ at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Jan 22). After the Border Patrol’s canine unit alerted agents to the presence of illegal drugs, agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency searched the bus, finding 105 grams of marijuana, 29 grams of cocaine and 41 grams of ecstacy. They also found a .40-caliber pistol that was registered to Wayne, who also has a concealed weapons permit from Florida. The rapper was then arrested by the DEA along with two other men, one of whom was charged today with possession of marijuana. The second associate is expected to be formally charged later today.

Flavor Flav Returns To VH1 For Third Season Of Dating Show

After two successful seasons of his reality dating show aired in 2006, Public Enemy rapper Flavor Flav is returning to VH1 next month for the third and final season of Flavor Of Love. The new season, which will present 20 female contestants with various challenges aimed at proving their devotion to Flav, will culminate with a final showdown in Paris. The previous two winners of the show, Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander and London “Deelishis” Charles, broke up with Flav shortly after their respective seasons ended. The third season premieres at 9 p.m. on Monday, February 11

Joe Budden Preps Sophomore Album For Spring Release

With his latest mixtape Mood Muzik 3 still scheduled for a retail release on February 26, New Jersey rapper Joe Budden has announced that he is partnering up with Boston-based indie label Amalgam Digital to release his official sophomore album Padded Room. Billboard.com has confirmed that Padded Room, Budden’s first album since his 2003 self-titled debut, will be released some time this spring. “It’s complete,” Budden told Billboard. “It basically will be in the same vein as Mood Muzik, just a little more structure and the mood will probably be a little lighter. I’m definitely pleased with the direction that it’s going.”

Uncle Murda Grazed By Bullet In Brooklyn Shooting

After rumors circulated on the internet over the last few days, the New York Daily News has finally confirmed that Brooklyn rapper Uncle Murda was shot in the head on Tuesday night (Jan 22) while sitting in a parked car. The 27-year-old rapper, whose real name is Leonard Grant, was grazed by a bullet around 10:30 p.m. during a shooting on Linden Blvd. in East New York. Sources told the Daily News that Murda was not seriously injured.

Reports have also surfaced claiming that Murda called Wendy Williams’ show on NY radio station WBLS following the shooting to announce that he was recovering nicely, using “Hennessey and Newports” to ease his pain. After a pair of successful mixtapes with DJ Green Lantern, the rapper signed to Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam in 2007, where he plans to release his official debut.

Trillville Leaves BME, Preps New Album As A Duo

In a recent press release, Atlanta rap group Trillville announced that they will be releasing their official sophomore album Trillville Presents: Access Granted this May on Mann Up Muzik/SMC Recordings. This will be the group’s first release since their 2004 debut The King of Crunk & BME Present: Trillville established them as leading voices in the crunk movement with their singles “Neva Eva,” “Get Some Crunk In Yo System” and “Some Cut.” Their follow-up on BME/Warner Bros., Trillville Reloaded, was originally slated for a 2005 release, but was shelved for undisclosed reasons. “We didn’t want to be away this long,” says rapper LA. “We know it’s been a minute so we’re just excited to come back strong with this new album for our fans.”

While the group was originally a trio consisting of rapper Dirty Mouth, LA (a.k.a. Lil’ Atlanta) and rapper/producer Don P., Dirty Mouth left the group in 2007 to pursue his own independent label and career as a solo artist. Access Granted will feature collaborations with T-Pain, Three 6 Mafia, Mannie Fresh and Nottz, but the group’s focus is on reinventing the group as a duo, with LA’s rhymes and Don P.’s beats. Don P. also recently produced “Bottle Poppin’,” the second single from Yung Joc’s Hustlenomics.

Nate Dogg Paralyzed Following Stroke, Recovery Chances Are Good

We learned last week that Nate Dogg was rushed to the hospital fllowing a stroke, now MTV News reports that he is paralyzed on the left side of his body.The prognosis for a full recovery, however, is good, Nate's rep, Rod McGrew, told MTV News on Thursday night; the singer did not suffer any brain damage nor has his voice been affected, he said.

"Time will tell everything, obviously. The doctor can only guess what the outcome will be," McGrew said. "But based on situations with similar people his age, and based on his health, the prognosis is good right now."

"On behalf of Nate, he would like to thank all of the well wishers, both friends and fans," McGrew said. "He appreciates it deeply, and he plans on fully recuperating and getting back in the studio."

Soulja Boy Invites Fans to Join His Entourage

Soulja Boy, Interscope Records and SendMe Mobile are teaming up to offer two fans the chance to join the rapper’s entourage for a trip to London. The winners of the contest will receive an all expenses paid trip to London and accompany Soulja Boy to press interviews, radio stops, and other exclusive events. “Interscope prides itself on partnering with the world’s leading artists to create exceptional fan experiences. With SoLow.com, we are giving music fans another way to engage with their favorite artists,” said David Spingarn, Head of New Ventures and Strategic Investments for Interscope. “SendMe’s creative marketing approach enables us to roll out innovative promotions that build demand and excitement for our artists’ offerings–and the Soulja Boy Tellem Sweepstakes is just the beginning.” The contest starts today (January 16) and is hosted on SendMe’s sweepstakes website, SoLow.com. To enter, contestants can visit the website or send a text SBTE to 23687. A fee applies to the entry and participants must be 13 years of age or older. The winners will be announced in February.

Foxy Brown Requests Early Prison Release for Hearing Treatment

Incarcerated rapper Foxy Brown has asked a New York judge for an early release from the Rikers Island correctional facility so that she can travel to Hollywood to receive treatment for her hearing problems. According to the New York Daily News, Fox attached a handwritten note to a motion filed by her lawyer requesting that sent Judge Melissa Jackson grant the release in time for a January 30 appointment. “I am terrified of not hearing a fire alarm go off, or being locked in a cell, and someone not being kind enough to let me out, since not everyone understands the severity of my condition,” she explained in the letter. Foxy underwent special surgery in 2006 to treat her sudden and sever hearing loss. Now, the battery on a hearing device she uses has malfunctioned. Her attorney, Laura Dilimetin, noted in her motion that there may be “one or two places” in New York that can fix the cochlear implant, but the Los Angeles based House Clinic is the only place that can properly repair the device. The Daily News reports that the troubled Brooklyn MC insisted in her letter to Judge Jackson that she has a “good heart” and asked the court to consider the good things she has done that don’t get any press. “’Foxy Brown gets into an altercation with a neighbor’ would be great front-page headlines, whereas ‘Foxy Brown brings Christmas toys to 30 disabled children’ would hardly be mentioned,” she reasoned.

Scott Storch Accused of Failing to Pay Child Support

The mother of Scott Storch’s two year-old daughter Jalen has filed a motion in Miami-Dade civil court claiming that the millionaire producer has failed to make his required child support payments in a timely manner. According to court documents obtained by TMZ.com, Dalene Daniel, the child’s mother, claims Storch is yet to make payments for the months of December and January. The motion also asserts that the former Roots keyboardist is “habitually late” with the payments, and that some of the checks have even bounced. Daniel is asking the court to hold Storch in contempt for his lapses, and to enforce the child support order by any means, including “incarceration” or “any other coercive sanction or relief permitted by law.” The motion also seeks interest on the already late payments, plus attorney and court fees. Storch is considered one of the most well off producers in the game today. Last year, he ranked No. 10 on Forbes Magazine’s list of the 20 wealthiest personalities in Hip-Hop with an estimated income of $17 million in 2006.

Fat Joe Reveals New Album Details

Fat Joe recently sat down with Billboard.com and revealed some details about his upcoming LP, The Elephant in the Room, his eighth solo LP since his debut in 1993. According to Joe, he’s referring to himself and his legacy as a gangster rapper. “Elephant in the Room is a gangster rap album—rap being the room and the elephant being me. Fat Joe’s been doing it for 15 years and he still doesn’t get his just due,” he explains. The project will include production from heavyweights and longtime Joe collaborators such as Scott Storch, DJ Premier, Swizz Beatz and Cool & Dre. Joe has also tapped Plies, Pooh Bear and DJ Khaled for guest appearances. Notable tracks include the anti-snitching tune “Kill All Rats” and the recently leaked “300 Brolic.” Preemo contributed some of his trademark scratches to “Thank God For That White,” and “Preacher on a Sunday Morning” is described simply as “bass-heavy.” One track sure to raise eyebrows is the song “Fugitive,” on which Joe raps “Nigga, bitch, hoe/some chicks is bitches, some chicks is hoes…Now who gonna tell me I can’t say nigga?”

50 Cent, Timbaland & Wyclef Named In Steroid Probe

After the world of baseball was rocked by revelations that top athletes had been using performance-enhancing steroids, a new article in the Albany Times Union claims that various musicians may have also been the recipients of steroids and human growth hormones. The New York paper received documents from Congress’ ongoing steroid investigation that indicate that hip-hop stars like 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef—along with other high profile celebrities like Mary J. Blige and Tyler Perry—may have been among tens of thousands of people who may have received the controversial substances.

The documents claim that the stars, who sometimes used fictitious names, were shipped prescribed human growth hormone or steroids at hotels, studios, homes, a Manhattan fitness club and the office of a Long Island chiropractor named Michael Diamond. The paper claims that the lure of such hormonal drugs is their supposed anti-aging effects, which have never been proven. Law enforcement officials say that they have no evidence that the customers of such drugs have broken any laws, and that they will be targeting the clinics, doctors and pharmacists who prescribed them instead.

DMX Ordered to Pay $1.5 Million in Defamation Case

A Maryland judge on Friday (January 11) ordered DMX to pay the mother of his illegitimate child $1.5 million in damages after the rapper failed to appear in court to defend himself against a defamation lawsuit. According to the New York Post, Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Smith made the ruling after hearing testimony from the plaintiff, Monique Wayne. In the October 2006 issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine, X claimed that Wayne raped him in 2003. Wayne denied the allegation and later filed the defamation lawsuit against the Yonkers native. When X skipped out on Friday’s hearing, Judge Smith awarded Wayne $518,400 in compensatory damages, plus another $1 million in punitive damages. “It’s not so much the price, it’s the point I wanted to get across,” Wayne explained to The Post. “Let him think about what he’s going to say before he says it.”

Rapper Blahz Sues Wyclef for Copyright Infringement

Brooklyn born rapper Blahz, of the group Blahzay Blahzay, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Wyclef Jean for an unauthorized sample that appears on the former Fugees star’s new album, Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant. According to the suit, Clef allegedly used a sample from Blahzay’s 1996 hit single “Danger,” but failed to credit the group or properly clear the sample. The sample appears on the track “Welcome To The East,” which also features dancehall artist Sizzla and the Minister Louis Farrakhan on the violin. According to a press release announcing the suit, both Sizzla and Minister Farrakhan are credited, but Blahzay Blahzay’s name was omitted. According to a statement released by Blahz concerning the case, Wyclef’s people contacted him last June about using the sample. It is unclear what transpired after that initial discussion, but the suit was filed this past December in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Manhattan. “I was left with no choice but to move forward with my decision to take full legal action against Wyclef Jean, and Sony BMG, on behalf of myself and the all the artists around the world who have been the victim of blatant disrespect,” Blahz explained in a statement. “A message has to be delivered to the music industry that these unjust common business practices can’t be ignored or swept under the rug anymore.”

Tony Yayo’s Co-Defendant Admitted to Assaulting Henchmen’s Son Months Ago

Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher, a G-Unit associate and Tony Yayo’s co-defendant in his pending assault case, reportedly admitted to striking Jimmy Henchmen’s 14-year old son several months ago. According to MTV News, this revelation came to light during a hearing in Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday (January 10). “The DA disclosed today that despite constitutional protections, members of New York’s infamous hip-hop squad interviewed [Fletcher] after his arrest, and he said that Yayo was not the person who hit the boy,” Yayo’s lawyer Scott Leemon said. “Fletcher said he was the one who slapped the boy, but the DA didn’t learn about it until last week.” Leemon believes the new information exonerates his client, particularly since Fletcher stated that Yayo pulled him off the boy and attempted to restrain him. Fletcher’s lawyer, Robert Macedonio, told the Associated Press that while the statement doesn’t help his client, it was obtained illegally. Macedonio contends that police questioned Fletcher without his attorney present, violating his constitutional rights. Leemon says that he will file a motion to dismiss the charges against Yayo. Judge Neil E. Ross has set a tentative trial date of March 31.

Soulja Boy Sets New Digital Download Record

Soulja Boy’s smash single “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)” made digital music history this week when it exceeded 3 million downloads. The song, with its accompanying dance, became somewhat of a pop-culture phenomenon during 2006, spawning endless spinoff remixes and prompting thousands of fans to upload self made videos to Youtube. The official “Crank Dat” music video and an instructional video for the dance have together logged over 50 million views on the video sharing site alone. “Soulja Boy has set the bar for what’s possible in terms of breaking an artist online,” said Steve Berman, President of Sales and Marketing for Interscope Geffen A&M Records. “He’s been doing it since day one, before he was signed here, so I’m not surprised he’s setting a record today. Soulja Boy is out there on the frontier, showing everyone else what’s possible.” In December, the 17-year old Atlanta native received a Grammy nomination for the single in the Best Rap Song category. His debut album, Souljaboytellem.com, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 chart back in October and has since moved over 658,000 units. “I can’t thank my fans enough, without them all of this wouldn’t have been possible,” the rapper said in a statement. “The support they give me is beyond incredible. I have so many Soulja Boy Tell’em projects ready and I will continue to givethem what they need in 2008. Yuuuuaaaa!!” The video for Soulja Boy’s new single, “Yahhh!,” debuted on BET and Yahoo! Music this week.