In Monday's rap roundup Dr Dre is filing a lawsuit against record label Death Row, Hi-Tek to release new album, Damon Dash is selling up, new movie release American Gangster brings Hip Hop to the silver screen. Dr, Dre takes on Death RowFamed super producer Dr. Dre filed a lawsuit against former label Death Row after the company failed to pay the producer/rapper royalties from his multi platinum selling debut album The Chronic. The album was released on Death Row in 1992. There had been two previous agreements made between the label and their former artist; one allowing Death Row to distribute and the second where Dre, born Andre Young signed over the copyrights to the album on the condition that he got any due royalties from album sales.Producer Hi-Tek preps third installmentNot a year has passed since Cincinnati based producer Hi-Tek, famed for working with 50 Cent, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Nas, Q Tip released his critically acclaimed album Hi-Teknology II album. But November 20th will see him release Hi-Teknology 3: Underground which will see the producer line up yet another impressive supporting cast of MCs to compliment his production. Hi-Tek is also an in house producer for Aftermath Records and is to feature on the highly anticipated album from Dr. Dre, Detox.Dame Dash selling upThe notorious mastermind who helped launch the career of Jay Z, Damon Dash has sold his Los Angeles home for $3.6 million. The house was specifically built for the music mogul back in 1999 but Dash opts to spend most of his time in New York where both he and his wife, fashion designer Rachel Roy have businesses. It is speculated that the couple are now looking to purchase a beach property in California.
There had been recent rumors circulating that Damon Dash had reached out to former friend and artist Jay Z for a loan of $5 million.
Hip-Hop and the silver screen
November 2nd will see the release of American Gangster which stars Denzel Washington playing the role of Frank Lucas, a real life heroin dealer from Harlem, NYC. The movie which is directed by Ridley Scott features some of Hip-Hops biggest names. Chicago MC Common will star in the movie as Frank Lucas's brother and Atlanta based rapper/actor TI will play his son. Wu Tang Clan founder RZA also stars in the movie as the character Jones. The RZA cites this movie as his biggest role yet and TI in a recent interview with MTV explained that the movie is " one of the most prolific black gangster pictures ever to hit the screen." Lucas imported heroin back into the US using coffins carrying the bodies of soldiers killed in the Vietnam War. The movie is the story of the detective, Richie Roberts played by Russell Crowe, who brings down the Drug Kingpin.
Melanie Cornish