MTV to Launch Channel in Africa

MTV will launch an African channel in Feb. 2005, beginning with broadcasts in Southern Africa and Nigeria.

EMI To Announce Rights to Encore

The New York Post reports that EMI is set to officially announce a multi-million dollar subpublishing deal with Eminem for international rights to the new release, Encore.

Hip Hop Vocalists on New Band Aid Single

As Bob Geldof oversaw the creation of the new Band Aid single, it remained unclear as to the status of 10 seconds of hip hop prior to the main vocals.  The vocalists on the rap snippet are Estelle, Dizzee Rascal and Ms Dynamite.

Crooked I to Release Death Row Doc

Crooked I, former Death Row Records artist, is planning to release a documentary on DVD entitled Leaving Death Row. Crooked I is unable to release his current album due to legal action by Death Row.

Luke Campbell Franchises Gentleman's Clubs

Luke Campbell is developing a chain of strip club franchises called Luke's Cabaret. Clubs will feature ethnically diverse dancers, hip hop and R&B music and an urban perspective.

The Ave Publisher Speaks at Syracuse

Treasure Neal, publisher of The Ave magazine, recently spoke at Syracuse University.

From Music Videos to Feature Films

The New York Times recently ran a feature on Brett Ratner director of Rush Hour. Of his experience as a child extra on the set of Scarface, Ratner says, "I didn't want to be Al Pacino. I wanted to be Brian DePalma, the guy telling Al Pacino what to do." Ratner got his start directing music videos for Russell Simmons, back in the day, after meeting at NYU. Gossip corner: Ratner is dating Serena Williams!

Jay-Z's New Career

Newsweek takes a peek at Jay-Z the business man.

Lil Jon Focuses & Fundraising With Rap Ringtones

In Friday's Billboard Bits, Lil Jon wants to focus on his label, BME.  Plus, Kanye West produced ringtone featuring Ludacris, Dr. Dre and the Game raises more than $20,000 dollars for charitable foundations.

MTV Auditions Audience for Europe Awards

MTV seeds the audience with screamers for the MTV Europe Music Awards and turns the auditions into news.

ODB Passes On

Ol' Dirty Bastard passed away Saturday. The cause of death remains under investigation. The response within the world of hip hop is widespread from a diverse array of stars at the American Music Awards in LA to the personal responses from the hip hop press.