NEWS: 2-12-07 :: Beyonce tops Billboard :: Upliftment Jamaica :: The Roc sued

Beyonce's Irreplaceable continued its dominant reign in December, as it moved into a fourth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track was also No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for a fifth week and the Pop 100 for a third. Beyonce also has the Hot 100's top debut with Listen, which opens at No. 95.

Jimmy Rosemond (a.k.a. Jimmy Henchmen), manager of multi-platinum rapper The Game, contributed his time and efforts toward Upliftment Jamaica during a recent trip to Jamaica. The industry veteran, along with former light heavyweight boxing champion Bernard Hopkins, Dr. Ben Chavis and Russell Simmons amongst others visited Jamaica from December 7th – 9th in support of the Upliftment Jamaica movement, which helps bring attention to the lack of opportunities within the impoverished country.

With his latest album The Price of Fame recently hitting stores, Bow Wow ended 2006 on a strong note. The rapper is taking his success outside of the rap arena with a new sneaker store and fast food franchise.

Slim Thug is gearing up to introduce his own crop of rappers. Through a venture with Koch Records, Slim will release a compilation-type album on his own Boss Hogg Outlawz label. The album, titled Serve & Collect will feature Slim Thug himself,original Boyz N Blue members, PJ Tha Rap Hustla, Sir Daily, Chris Ward and Killa Kyleon. Also on the album are newcomers Young Black, J-Dawg and the R&B Tunes of Rob Smallz.

Tuf America has filed a lawsuit against Roc-A-Fella Records, claiming the label illegally used a sample of Trouble Funk's track Let's Get Small. The lawsuit, which was filed in Manhattan Federal Court, claims the group incorporated a portion of the often sampled record Let's Get Small on the song Criminal Background, taken from State Property's 2003 album The Chain Gang Vol. 2. Tuf America is part of the Tuff City Music Group, which was a seminal Hip-Hop label founded by Aaron Fuchs. Tuff City later expanded and transformed into a reissue label that has released hundreds of rare blues, jazz, funk, soul and Hip-Hop obscurities.

Red K Records Owner Clayton Savage And AMG Owner Michael Admani reach a one year agreement to distribute music via joint venture. 2007's Red K roster will include Clayton Savage, Mr Rozzi, K Tricke, All Us, Gutta Commission and Lisa Roe.

A new female super-group is emerging, as Bronx rapper Remy Martin, Chicago rapper Shawnna and Miami rapper Jacki-O have teamed to create an all-female rap collective, that will release an album. The unnamed group will have a pro-female attitude, while their album will feature cameo appearances by women only. While the females have not found a recording home for their project, an official announcement is expected once contractual issues for each group member are resolved.

Consequence, next up from Kanye West's GOOD Music label is set to drop his debut album Don't Quit Your Day Job, in stores March 6th. He has been featured on songs with A Tribe Called Quest, John Legend, Kanye West and many others. Look out for his track Callin' Me, the first single off his upcoming album.

Code Name: The Cleaner has just arrived at cinemas. Cedric the Entertainer plays Jake, a seemingly regular guy who has no idea who he is after being hit over the head by mysterious assailants. When he finds himself unexpectedly entangled in a high-level government conspiracy, Jake and his pursuers begin to believe that he is an undercover agent who subconsciously holds a key piece of information that could expose an arms deal involving the CIA and FBI. Lucy Liu and Nicollette Sheridan (Desperate Housewives) co-star as the women Jake may or may not be involved with. Code Name: The Cleaner is directed by Les Mayfield (Blue Streak).

Paul Wall has teamed with Zenetti, a global trendsetter in designer automotive accessories, to create a signature line of vehicle grills and wheels encrusted with cubic zirconium stones. The items will be available for coupes, SUVs, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnums, Chargers and Cadillac Escalades. Like the grills, the rims will be available for coupes, SUVs, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnums, Chargers and Cadillac Escalades. Size will range from 19 to 26 inches.

C-Muder's Back with a new album, Screamin' 4 Vengence, due in March. The new album features guest appearances from Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Pimp C, Bg, Too Short, B. Legit, Manny Fresh, Letoya, Max Minelli, C-Loc & Currency.

The latest season of MTV2’s Crank Yankers will feature rappers Lil Jon and Chamillionaire. The well recieved puppet prank call show premiered in 2002 on Comedy Central. The show will make its debut on MTV2 with eight new episodes that include previous regulars like Adam Carolla, Jim Florentine, Jimmy Kimmel, Dave Chappelle, Dane Cook, Robert Smigel and Sarah Silverman. In addition to Lil Jon and Chamillionaire, Good Charlotte, Andy Milonakis, Steve-O, Ryan Dunn and Nick Cannon will lend their voices.