Your Start of Week Rap news - news on Akon, Lil Flip, P Diddy, Common and 50 Cent... read on

Akon calls on the best
Troubled R&B singer Akon has called on the best to direct his new video. The video for I'm Sorry, the song which has the multi platinum star singing about his recent string of bad press has been directed by famed video director/producer Chris Robinson. Talking exclusively to femalefirst.co.uk about his up and coming ventures, Robinson who has worked with names such as Mary J Blige, Nas, Mariah Carey and who recently directed the cult movie ATL, said the video "is controversial but gets Akon's side of the story across." The video is expected to be aired on TV this week.
Lil Flip arrested
Houston born rapper Lil Flip was arrested in his home city over the weekend. Charged with credit card abuse, Lil Flip born Wesley Eric Weston, Jr. was released on $2,000 bail after turning himself in to the Harris County Courthouse. The rapper and his attorney have been unavailable for comment.
Diddy charges dropped
Hip-Hop mogul Sean Combs has had a reprieve after charges were dropped against the Bad Boy CEO stemming from an incident at an Oscar party in March this year where Combs allegedly assaulted Gerard Rechnitzer, a real estate agent from L.A. Rechnitzer had returned from the bathroom to find Combs chatting to his girlfriend and the altercation had taken place. Charges were dropped due to insubstantial evidence. Sean Combs has made headlines in the media as his on-off again relationship with model/actress Kim Porter came to an end. The couple have three children together and it has been speculated that Combs may have to pay up to $1.2 million a year in child support.
Common hits the net
Chicago rapper Common whose album Finding Forever is due out on July 31st has had his seventh studio album has fallen prey to the notorious Internet leak which has effected artists like Jay Z, Nas and Ti in the last twelve months. The album which is being released on Kanye West's G.O.O.D label features a bevy of artists and producers including Lily Allen, Kanye West and the late production genius J Dilla.

Hip-Hop culture once again under ridicule
The Humane Society has recently condemned Hip-Hop for its connections with dog fighting. The recent indictment of NFL player Michael Vick for his involvement in an alleged dog fighting ring has connected the controversy to Hip-Hop putting blame on rappers such as DMX and Jay Z for their portrayal of the banned sport in their videos and music. "The growth in dog fighting has been largely fueled by some elements in the popular culture, specifically some rap videos," said John Goodwin of the Humane Society. Godwin specifically used Jay Z's unedited video for 99 Problems where the rapper was handling a dog in a dog fighting pit.

50 Cent sues
Rapper 50 Cent has filed a one million dollar lawsuit against Internet ad firm, Traffix Inc.. The suit comes after the company used his picture in a banner campaign which entices web surfers to shoot 50 Cent with the chance of winning cash prizes and ringtones. The use of his image and name was not endorsed at all by the rapper who is said to be 'personally offended' by such a move by Traffix Inc. The campaign which appeared on top cult site Myspace.com has come under extreme scrutiny from numerous watchdog groups for promoting such violence.

Melanie J Cornish