• VH1 to Test Pilot for TV Movie Based on Best-Selling Book 'The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop'

    Hip-hop is proving that in today's television game the culture has just as much of a purpose on screen as any other genre or lifestyle. VH1 has announced that it will host its next hip-hop-influenced venture, signing a contract for a new TV movie pilot.The movie, "The Breaks," is based on the book "The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop." The TV film will stay true to the book, signing on the author of the book, Dan Charnas, to serve as a co-producer. Charnas will also help prep the story for the script.It was also announced that the former director of critically acclaimed shows "The Wire," The Walking Dead and "Elementary" Seith Mann will also be working on the TV movie, helping with directing and writing the script. It was also announced that VH1's own Susan Levison, Bill Flanagan and Maggie Malina have signed on to executive produce.As reported, the story will follow a group of three friends in the 1990s who are all self-proclaimed hip-hop lovers. The trio each is hoping to make it in the music industry, and each individual faces his own hardships, including rapper-drug dealers, uncooperative DJs and unsupportive parents, to name a few. The story will also take place in New York City and center around character Nikki Jones, a recent grad hoping to become a record exec.

  • Rapper Cool C to Face Execution Tomorrow for Murder Conviction

    As decided 19 months ago, golden-age rapper Cool C, is set to be executed tomorrow, Jan. 8. The Philadelphia-based rapper — whose real name is Christopher Roney — was convicted of murder in the first degree for the shooting of Police Officer Lauretha Vaird, which happened in 1996.The shooting occurred during an attempt Cool C made with two other men, including his rapping partner Warren "Smooth B" McGlone, to rob a Philadelphia PNC Bank branch. Roney, who at the time was 26, fired his weapon as soon as Vaird walked through the bank's front doors. The incident marked the first occurrence in the city's history that an officer was killed responding to a call.The rapper has spent the last 18 years in prison and will face execution by way of lethal injection tomorrow. As reported, Cool C was originally scheduled to be executed March 9, 2006, but he was granted a delay by the governor of Pennsylvania at the time.

  • Ne-Yo Shares New Song 'Make It Easy' from Upcoming Album 'Non-Fiction' [LISTEN]

    R&B superstar Ne-Yo has shared a new track titled "Make It Easy" off his upcoming studio album "Non-Fiction," which you can check out below. The track features some excellent electro-R&B production, particularly when it comes to the beat, while Ne-Yo stays predictably on top of his vocal game.You can check out Ne-Yo's "Make It Easy" here, via MTV:"Make It Easy" is the fifth song to be shared from Ne-Yo's upcoming album Non-Fiction, following "Coming with You," "She Knows" featuring Juicy J, "Money Can't Buy" featuring Jeezy and "Time of Our Lives" with Pitbull. The album is set for release Jan. 27, though this was pushed back from an original summer 2014 release date — it was also promised Nov. 11. It will be Ne-Yo's sixth studio album overall, his first since 2012's "R.E.D."

  • Rick Ross Tattoos Miami Heat Logo On His Face [PHOTOS]

    Rick Ross is one heavily tattooed performer, who recently added to his collection with the Miami Heat logo. Ross has over 100 tattoos on his body, and is running out of room as a result, but all the same didn't stop the rapper from finding creative places for the Miami Heat logo and Meek Mill's Dream Chasers symbol - on his face.

  • Of Montreal Share New Song 'Empyrean Abattoir' from New Album 'Aureate Gloom' [LISTEN]

    Georgia psych-pop crew Of Montreal have shared a new track titled "Empyrean Abattoir" from their upcoming album "Aureate Gloom," which you can check out below. The song is one of the best things Of Montreal have put out in years, starting with a vaguely mournful disco/post-punk groove but eventually shifting into a snottier punk jam, reminiscent of David Bowie's early 1970s work, such as "Queen Bitch." Frontman Kevin Barnes has said that "Aureate Gloom" was inspired by the "mid-to-late-'70s music scene in New York," and based on this song he is not messing around.You can check out Of Montreal's 'Empyrean Abattoir" here, via "Stereogum":

  • Flying Lotus Does Twitter Fan Q&A: Hints At Movie, New Album, Music Videos

    Flying Lotus took to Twitter as well to answer some fan questions about what his future plans look like. The "Never Catch Me" producer reveals some interesting new information about working on a new album, a movie he is writing and a new music video from his fifth studio album You're Dead coming next week. See the tweets below via Pigeons and Planes.
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