HRS News

In light of UK officials refusing to offer a visa to Snoop Dogg, the promoters have officially cancelled all UK dates for the One Love Peace Tour, the superstar double header which sees the Doggfather team up with Diddy.

“P. Diddy and Snoop were incredibly disappointed and devastated by the news,” said an official statement. “They really did not want to let fans down this way as the UK was a planned highlight of the tour. However, this ultimately was a situation out of their control.”

The latter is supporting his recent set, Press Play, while Snoop and his backup band the Snoopadelics, are touring in support of Tha Blue Carpet Treatment.

The statement went on to say: “Despite desperate attempts have the One Love Peace Tour UK shows go ahead as planned and hoping the government would reconsider Snoops visa in light of assurances made, the tour has been cancelled.  With late notice of Snoop being denied a visa, time has ran out and it is too late reconfigure the show.  Credible behind the scenes efforts were made to no avail to reverse the decision.”

UK Ticket holders can get refunds at the original point of purchase.

The One Love Peace tour will next play two shows in Dublin March 31st and April 1st at The Point.

To celebrate the release of the “Hip Hop Life” DVD on April 3rd, Screen Media Films is giving away an entire “Hip Hop Life” wardrobe, complete with grillz, jewelry and pimp cups, all provided by Iced Out Gear.

Featuring Young Jeezy, Rick Ross and Fat Joe, the documentary features some of the country’s top underground freestyle rappers as they face off for “Rhyme City Supremacy.” In the battle, Detroit’s toughest MC battle rappers go head-to-head with Houston’s best street rappers. Check out the contest here.

“Hip Hop Life” is a documentary featuring some of the country’s top underground freestyle rappers as they face off in a battle-royale for “Rhyme City Supremacy.” The documentary pits Houston vs. Detroit.  Detroit’s toughest MC battle rappers, who have appeared on Showtime, VH-1 and MTV, face Houston’s best street rappers, all on the verge of stardom themselves.  Only one ‘hood’ will survive this intense verbal slaughterhouse and be crowned the ultimate MC Battle city.

AUDIO: Hip-hop Life selections:

Woof Pac – “Capital G’s”

The MOC – “Play Your Position (PYP)”

Finless Brown – “Underground Superheros”

Young Jeezy has just announced a May 22nd date for the premiere release from his Corporate Thugz Entertainment (CTE) label.

Young Jeezy Presents USDA: Cold Summer features production work from CTE’s stable newbie producers such as Sanchez, Nazty, Midnight Black and Drumma Boy, who produced the set’s lead single “White Girl” (below).

“It’s crazy,” Jeezy recently told MTV News. “I wanted to do it mixtape-style ’cause I wanted it to be something for the streets. It’s like Trap or Die on steroids. I love that. It’s a street album, just raw.”

Accompanied by members of USDA – (Slick Pulla and Panama City’s Blood Raw), the Snowman is currently out on the road headlining the “Street Dream” tour. Starting today, fans can peep exclusive footage on USDA TV, a YouTube channel set up by CTE.

In related news, YJ’s Rocawear-distributed clothing line, 8732, was recently launched and he is currently prepping “Dreamin’” featuring Keyshia Cole, the 3rd single from his now-platinum sophomore set The Inspiration, for a late April release.

AUDIO: Young Jeezy – “White Girl” Windows|Real

Ne-Yo has revealed the title of his hotly-anticipated sophomore set and sweetly dedicates it to his fans.

Due May 1st, Because Of You, takes its name from the set’s lead single, but also has a special meaning behind it.

“It makes the most sense,” said the Def Jam crooner regarding the title. “It’s because of the people that inspire me to make music. Because of the love of the music. Because of the fans. Because of you, that I do what I do.”

Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer C. Smith, co-writes every track on the set, and is currently enjoying the massive success of the Grammy-nominated track he co-wrote for Beyonce, “Irreplaceable.”

In related news, Ne-Yo is slated to perform and judge at BET’s “Spring Bling” on March 25th. His “AOL Sessions Live” performance launches April 24th, and he recently was honored as “Best New Artist” at this year’s Soul Train Awards.

And as that weren’t enough, he recently founded The Compound Foundation, which helps at risk and disadvantaged youth.

Official Site

Musiq Soulchild‘s latest set, Luvanmusiq, has grabbed the No. 1. thanks in part to Top 5 single “Buddy.” In a recent interview, Musiq acknowledged his absence from the limelight and thanked his fans for not forgetting him.

“Thank you for supporting me for so long and thank you for still checking for me. I never want to take that for granted, because I know how in this business it’s easy to be forgotten about. And that just is what it is, but for me to still be in the forefront of people’s attention and what they’re looking for, I’m very grateful!“

Other big debuts this week come from street hottie Lloyd at No. 2 with his sophomore set Street Love, featuring the song “You”; Rich Boy‘s self-titled album at No. 3; Amy Winehouse‘s Back to Black at No. 7 and Memphis duo 8Ball & MJG at No. 8 with Ridin’ High.

UK soulster Amy Winehouse is enjoying massive success on the US Itunes site with her sophomore set Back To Black comandeering the No. 1 spot since it dropped last week.

In support, she’ll be doing a brief tour of the US and Toronto. In the meantime, check our review of her album.

Amy Winehouse Spring 2007 Tour Dates:

4/26/07 – San Francisco, CA – Popscene – w/The Klaxons, Kaiser Chiefs
4/27/07 – Indio, CA – Empire Polo Grounds
4/30/07 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
5/2/07 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
5/3/07 – Chicago, IL – Schubas
5/6/07 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre Of The Living Arts
5/7/07 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
5/8/07 – New York, NY – The Highline Ballroom
5/9/07 – New York, NY – The Highline Ballroom
5/12/07 – Toronto, ON – Mod Club
5/13/07 – Toronto, ON – Mod Club

So far, 2007 has seen some stellar rap/hip-hop releases and today’s new stuff is no exception.

Many of today’s gems come from West Coast rappers, but the exception is, of course, Waiting To Inhale, the fourth studio album from Houston’s Devin The Dude. The brilliant, woefully underrated vet, also known as the “Richard Pryor of Hip-hop” offers the set’s first single “Little Girl Gone,” featuring Bun B and Lil Wayne. Devin calls it “the male perspective of the movie Waiting to Exhale.” Check the audio below and cop.

More new notables today come from LA’s Evidence and his Weatherman LP. The Dilated Peoples member is dedicated to re-connecting with fans with this long-awaited, and quite good, solo venture featuring hot Alchemist beats. Also on the plate is the latest from underground titans El-P and the Hieroglyphics whose Over Time features b-sides and remixes many of which were released on the group’s vinyl only singles.

March rap/hip-hop releases

AUDIO:

Devin The Dude feat. Lil Wayne & Bun B – “Lil’ Girl Gone”
Devin The Dude – “What A Job” feat. Snoop Dogg & Andre 3000
Devin The Dude – “Just Because”

Devin The Dude bio

http://www.myspace.com/devinthedude

The latest track from Snoop’s acclaimed Tha Blue Carpet Treatment features production from long-time Snoop collaborator Dr. Dre. Check it out.

AUDIO: Snoop Dogg – “Boss’ Life” featuring Nate Dogg
Windows|Real 

http://myspace.com/snoopdogg

http://www.snoopdogg.com/

From his upcoming album called Veteran, due March 20, “Circle” is the lead track on the latest from Marques Houston.

The album promises to introduce us to Marques “the man” who is no longer catering to the teen crowd.

“This album is gonna set the tone for who I am truly as a man and as an artist,” Houston said. “People feel because I’ve been in the spotlight since I was little, they know me, but they don’t. I’ve been through so many trials and tribulations in my life and career, from losing my mother to lymphoma cancer to learning how to stay true to myself in this crazy business. I’m ready to share who I am.”

We’ll have more later with Houston, but for now check out the tune and tell us what you think.

VIDEO: Marques Houston – “Circle”

AUDIO: “Circle” Real

Veteran album tracklisting is as follows:
1. Veteran (Intro)
2. Like This Featuring Yung Joc
3. Always & Forever
4. Favorite Girl
5. Circle
6. Wonderful
7. Exclusively
8. How You Just Gonna
9. Hold N’ Back Featuring Mya and Shawnna
10. Kimberly
11. So Right for Me
12. Miss Being Your Man

http://www.myspace.com/marqueshouston