Strictly hip hop news

Today marks the 13th anniversary of the passing of one of the best to ever do it – the Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls. Where do you think the state of hip-hop would be of the rap legend were still with us?

Mo’Nique became only the fifth woman in history to win an Academy Award for acting after accepting the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of horribly abusive ’80s welfare mother Mary Jones in Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire at the 82nd Academy Awards on Sunday.

The 42-year-old comedienne took a break from her usual role as a comedienne to portray Jones alongside acting newcomer Gabourey Sidibe in the urban drama about a young woman fighting for a better life. Mo’Nique was the overwhelming favorite for the prize after having racked up supporting actress wins at the Golden Globes, Spirit Awards, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards.

Mo’Nique accepted her statuette to a standing ovation.

“I would like to thank the Academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics,” she said with emotion as she took the stage. The actress had made headlines for not taking an active enough role in promoting the film.

In the supporting actress category, the only other Black Academy Award winners were Hattie McDaniel as “Mammy” in Gone With The Wind (1939), Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls (2006), and Whoopi Goldberg for Ghost (1990). Halle Berry is the only black Oscar winner in the best actress category, earning the honor for 2001’s Monster’s Ball.

Precious also claimed the prize for Best Adapted Screenplay.

False alarm! Rap one hit wonder J-Kwon isn’t missing after all — he’s just on vacation.

After prompting a month-long mystery about his whereabouts, the “Tipsy” star has contacted executives at his label – a day after they announced he was missing. On Wednesday, music executives at Gracie Productions issued a public plea for help looking for Kwon — real name Jarrell Jones — after he disappeared from his hometown of St. Louis in February.

J-Kwon contacted label bosses today to let them know he is safe.
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St. Louis-based rapper J-Kwon — best remembered for his 2004 club anthem “Tipsy” — has been missing for almost a month, according to his label. J-Kwon, who was dropped from Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def imprint several years ago, is now recording with independent label Gracie Production, who is asking for help finding the young emcee.

“J-Kwon is a big part of the Gracie family, and we are obviously increasingly worried and want to make sure he is OK,” Gracie Productions CEO/President Tony Bucher said in a statement Tuesday. “We’ve already received thousands of e-mails from fans and supporters who are worried about J-Kwon, and we want everyone to know how much we appreciate the love and support. If anyone has seen J-Kwon or has access to him, please let him know we are worried about him, and to please let us know everything is ok.”

According to a rep for Gracie Productions, the “Hood Hop” star was working on a self-titled fourth album to be released on March 23 when he mysteriously disappeared. Bucher and Gracie Productions have set up a Twitter page (@WhereIsJKwon) allowing fans to write in with any information they may have.

DMX is barking for the Lord. The often incarcerated X is praising the Man Upstairs by headlining a “gospel rap extravaganza” at his church in Glendale, Arizona.

The rapper, born Earl Simmons, is scheduled to take the stage at the Morning Star Sanctified Church, where he and his family have been members for the past eight months. DMX wanted to participate in the event to raise money for building repairs, says Pastor Barbara King.

Tickets for the show, which he’s doing for free, range from $35-$40. Event organizers are “ amping up security because they’re unsure of what kind of crowd the convicted felon will draw,” according to TMZ.com.

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Busted, Movies

Kid N’ Play performed their 1990 breakout hit “Rollin’ With Kid N’ Play” on The Mo’Nique Show this week. That song still single-handly trumps half the songs on the hip-hop charts today — but the brothers are looking a little broke. Damn, rap needs a 401 K and a dental plan!

To the left is the line-up for the 5th annual Paid Dues independent Hip-Hop festival on April 3rd. The event will take place on the left side of the country in San Bernardino, CA at the Nos Events Center. Considering the coast, the west will definitely be in the building along with other dope names often overlooked.

s/o la dopehouse.

Jadakiss does his best Biggie impression in a his new ad for clothing brand Coogi — manufactured by the makers of FUBU. Can Jada revive this once high-end, sought after brand?

s/o Xclusives Zone

Also, hit the jump to peep the final panels of Styles. P Comic Book, The Green Ghost Comic pt.3.

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DJ Green Lantern & Styles P – The Green Ghost Comic pt.3