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Obie Trice Leaves Shady Records

 A week after rumors surfaced of rapper Obie Trice leaving Eminem's Shady Records, the Detroit rapper leaked a new track addressing the issue.

On a track called "Giant" leaked over the weekend, Obie spits, "Well, no more Shady. Maybe it was meant / For me to branch off from my Caucasian friend / Nope, no more 2nd place to Eminem / Question if I was second is the question to many men / No disrespect to Em, he's first / Anything after, research the verses."

He goes on to mention his new label, Worldwide Hustle. According to the rapper's manager, the split between Shady and Obie was amicable. He left to start his own label -- Worldwide Hustle.

"Obie and Shady were moving in different directions," Obie's manager, Terry Wilson, said in a statement. "But he still has a great relationship with Shady Records. He has some big plans for his Worldwide Hustle label."

Later in the track, Obie implies that he left his home at Shady because of its parent company, Interscope Records.

Obie has been signed to Shady Records for nearly eight years. Over those years, he's released two albums -- his debut Cheers, which went on to go platinum; and Second Round's On Me, which failed to produce numbers close to his debut.

His next album is titled Bottoms Up.
 

Fans Tricked by Bogus Lil Wayne Show

An unscrupulous concert promoter has made enemies of hundreds of Lil Wayne fans in Alabama. A crowd of more than 700 people purchased tickets to see the rapper perform at Mobile nightspot Club Illusions Saturday night, only to find that Wayne was a no show.

Club manager Esa Jones has said that the gig was part of an elaborate scam by a bogus concert promoter, who promised a gig by the "Lollipop" star and then allegedly disappeared with over $45,000 from ticket sales.

Jones admits that all the club officials were fooled by the man, who identified himself as Tony Lee and claimed to be a representative for Coastal Boy Entertainment.

"We got scammed real bad. It looked planned, they printed tickets, had radio advertisements, ticket locations, it looks so legit," said Jones.

A police investigation has now been launched into the alleged fraud.

In other Lil Wayne news, the Associated Press is reporting that the rapper has been added to the lineup for this year's Voodoo Experience in the rapper's native New Orleans.
The music festival, which is in it's 10th year, will feature dozens of acts on six stages, including R.E.M., Nine Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots, Erykah Badu and Joss Stone. The celebration is scheduled for October 24-26 at New Orleans' City Park behind the New Orleans Museum of Art.
 

Young Jeezy To Star In New Ice Cube Movie

Young Jeezy is to make his debut appearance on the big screen, starring in a new film by fellow rapper Ice Cube.
The movie is a comedy named 'Janky Promoters' and is currently in production. According to Billboard, "The Dimension Films project revolves around a pair of shady concert promoters (played by Ice Cube and Mike Epps) in over their heads. Young Jeezy plays the hip-hop artist at the center of the action."
The screenplay was penned by Ice Cube and directing is handled by Marcus Raboy. Jeezy meanwhile is working on his next album for Def Jam entitled 'The Recession' - fans can expect the record in August.
 

RU610 STAFF WRITER: Marienel Corniel

Hey Reading! It’s good to be back. And I’m just on time to hook you up with the next big thing. Last year, Ken B brought us Reading’s greatest performances at the SILO with a mix of international rhythms from local Hip-Hop to Reggeaton and to his own Jamaican flavors “REGGEA” inviting the best local area artists into RDG.But now he is bringing the 4^th ANNUAL MUSIK FEST 2007 at Daddy’s Niteclub on October 27^th, 2007.Here is where we show our support to our fellows artists by coming on down. RU610.com has created this space inviting all of ya’all to the party. Here’s a lineup of the performances that will be there:

                                                                                                                                       Don’t forget it will be a night of live entertainment and hosted by Ken B himself and Mr. Cess from WKAC 91.3 FM.There’ll be free CD giveaways, raffles and door prizes. It will be a night you will never forget. Get your costumes ready to scare the night away!

RU610.COM - NEWS    

Local rappers celebrate diversity

By:Antoinette Colon    02/01/2007

Berks County's college crowds have been enjoying the sounds of rap sensation "NRC," and now the club circuit is getting a chance as well. With regular performances at the local over 21 Reading hot spot, Club 1402, NRC have become hometown celebrities. Their original lyrics set to contagious beats have been heard on the local radio station 91.3 too.
NRC consists of five men from Berks and Montgomery Counties named: JSplash, 24, Hazz1, 31, Filly Black, 25, PV (People's Voice,) 25, and Chink Blizz, 21.

With very diverse ethnic backgrounds, NRC is proud to celebrate their cross cultural differences and embrace the opportunity it provides by creating music that is a sound all of their own.
Spitting original rhymes with sampled and original beats produced by Reading's finest, NRC have seen a few great strides in their careers since opening for the Rap industry stars like Capone and Norega at another Reading hot spot The Silo.
 

Currently working on an album, the group is still awaiting their big break with hopeful anticipation. With a diligent work ethic, and team-spirited approach, NRC is ready to "big things" in 2007.
Working individually to keep themselves sharp and brainstorming new ideas, the group meets to collaborate and practice at least three times a week despite their own regular work schedules. They dream of having a record deal that would allow them to create their own music while maintaining their strong roots in Reading.
 

Despite their industry counterparts, these eager men have capitalized on their differences in an effort to bridge the cultural gap in the industry. By looking at the faces of other rap groups and looking at NRC, one can immediately notice the physical differences. But it is the eclectic urban flavor that NRC wants everyone to notice.
"We have an original twist. People are sometimes afraid to go way left. Everybody is different in NRC. You might not like all of us but you will like one of us," explained Filly Black.
Their mode of expression, like many artists, can be somewhat racy. However, make no mistake; NRC's music is intended for adults due to some of their rather explicit lyrics.
Executing original rhymes goes back to the two original members of the group JSplash and Filly Black in 2001. The duo lived and performed in Florida for awhile soaking in the Southern flavor of the industry before returning to Reading "better than ever."
"Rap has to change to adapt to the Latin influence seen all over the American culture. It's [Rap music] pretty stale right now with everyone dressing the same too," said Hazz1.
 

NRC would love to someday work with such iconic producers as Dr. Dre and Kanye West. Their collaborations now consist of showcasing singer Sasha Lopez, 15, of Reading. The group brings her in to sing "hooks" to their songs whenever possible.
NRC would like to thank Hector from RU610.com for better promotion, filming and still photography.
With dreams of headlining a sold-out concert one-day, the boys of NRC will have to settle for smaller venues like Club 1402 for now. Their next show will be held on Thursday, Feb.22, at 11:30 p.m. Doors open at 9 p.m. without a cover charge and $.50 draft beer drink specials.
 

Their approximately 40 minute show will include a couple never performed live tracks as well as party favorites. Most people are familiar with NRC by their mixtapes soon available for purchase via the internet. These compilations are half original and are meant to pop-in and listen from beginning to end.
Club 1402 is located at 1402 North 9th Street in Reading. For those who can't wait to hear NRC,visit: www.myspace.com/nrc1.

Contact reporter Antoinette Colon
at 610-367-6041, ext. 255 or
alcolon@berksmontnews.com.