The controversial Los Angeles plastic surgeon who came under fire for his possible role in the death of rapper Kanye West’s mother Dr. Donda West, has been sentenced to a year-long prison term in California.Dr. Jan Adams will report to the Solano County jail in Vallejo, CA on February 6 to serve time for a June 2008 DUI arrest.According to Bay Area Fox affiliate KTVU, Adams was arrested on June 26 in Benicia, CA after several drivers witnessed him driving his 2004 Jaguar XJ8 in the wrong direction...(read more)

West Coast rap star Snoop Dogg is giving fans more to look forward to this year with the release of his new line of headphones.   The rapper’s headphones will feature amplified bass for consumers.   In addition to Snoop Dogg, famed turntablist Mix Master Mike and Super Natural will market their own line of headphones for DJs. Park City, Utah-based music accessory company Skullcandy will make both headphone lines, which are slated to hit stores later this year.   With the Skullcandy...(read more)

General Motors Corporation has confirmed today (January 7) plans to cancel the Pontiac G8, a 50 Cent sponsored sport truck.   The two-door, six-foot bed vehicle was scheduled to debut in North America in 2010.   50 Cent first introduced the G8 sport truck last March at the New York International Auto Show.   In a statement to the Associated Press, Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson stated the cancellation is part of a restructuring plan within GM due to the recession and the company’s...(read more)

The Hughes Brothers’ latest project Gentlemen of Leisure has come under fire by city officials who worry about the effect the new HBO drama will have on the world’s view of Oakland.   According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the controversy is putting the new show’s shooting location in jeopardy, as members of the Oakland City Council and others debate whether or not to approve a film permit for the production.   Originally announced in July, Gentlemen of Leisure follows the life...(read more)

Live Nation has confirmed an inauguration concert in Washington D.C., featuring Mogul/rapper Jay-Z on January 19.   The rapper will be backed by a live band when he hit’s the stage at The Warner Theatre in D.C., which is located on 13th Street.   Prior to Barack Obama’s historic election as the first African-American of the United States, Jay-Z championed the president’s bid for office via concerts, voter registration drives nationwide and through his celebratory track “History.”...(read more)

Grammy winning rapper/singer and Oscar-nominated actress Queen Latifah has confirmed that she will retain her position in 2009 as spokeswoman for Jenny Craig.   Latifah, real name Dana Owens, began her duties for the company just last year. The long-running weight loss chain has been very pleased with Latifah’s embodiment of their ideals.   In 2008, the pioneer female emcee reached a personal weight loss goal by losing 20 pounds.   "We are proud of Queen Latifah's achievements...(read more)

Mogul Russell Simmons, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Valeisha Butterfield and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) have partnered with Heineken and Myspace Music to sponsor the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball.   Simmons’ HSAN is hosting the star-studded black tie gala, in honor of President-elect Barack Obama’s historic inauguration.   Superstars T.I., Young Jeezy, and LL Cool J will co-host the event with Russell Simmons, who emphasized the importance of young adults’ voting power in Obama’s 2008...(read more)

With a just a little more than a month before serving time on federal weapons charges, T.I. will head to court for another legal matter.   According to the Associated Press, lawyers for LaShon Dixon, the mother of T.I.’s son’s, claim the rapper owes $8,000 for an attorney bill in Dixon’s child custody case against the rapper.   In September, T.I. was ordered to pay more than $3,000 a month to Dixon as well as the private school tuition and uninsured medical bills for the boys.  ...(read more)

A meeting with New York City authorities this morning (Jan 5) has resulted in a misdemeanor assault charge for rapper Jim Jones, his attorney told AllHipHop.com.   The Dipset leader turned himself in to the NYPD's 18th Precinct to discuss an alleged Christmas Eve altercation.   According to several conflicting reports, Jones was involved in a melee with singer/songwriter Ne-Yo and members of his entourage at the Fifth Avenue Louis Vuitton store in Manhattan on December 24.  ...(read more)

Hip-Hop artists were responsible for the top three highest selling mastertones in 2008, accounting for nearly thirteen percent of the top 100 mastertones sold last year, the Nielsen Company's RingScan report says.   The honor of the most purchased mastertone goes to Lil' Wayne, whose hit single "Lollilop" was downloaded 2.36 million times, surpassing the second runner up by nearly a million sales.   That distinction went to T.I.'s "Whatever You Like," which was purchased 1.62 million...(read more)