Missy Back On The Scene

Missy Elliot

Photo: Atlantic Records

Since the release of her 2005 album The Cookbook Singer/Song Writer/Producer, Missy Elliot, seems to have been laying low from the limelight.

Despite her cameo appearances on Let It Go from Keishsa Cole, the music scene seems to have been lacking her club-banger, dance-ready music.

Fans of the talented musicians will be pleased to know Missy is coming back in full force. Her first two singles "Ching-A-Ling" and "Shake Your Pom Pom" will both appear on Atlantic's upcoming album Step Up 2 The Streets. The buzz is already being created with the heat from "Ching-A-Ling" debuted at position 52 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip Hop Charts.

But it gets better, her solo album is expected to be released in the first quarter. And Billboard sources say Missy Elliot plans to reunite with Timbaland for the new, as-of-yet titled album.

Ginuwine Goes To Battle With Former Label

Ginuwine

Photo: MTV

Singer Ginuwine filed a complaint on his previous record label for breach of contract and fraud. The District Court of New York received the complaint on Wednesday, January 16, 2008.

As the Business Wire reports, the singer claims that the contract with King Music and owner Michael Bourne was breached. According to Ginuwine, the R&B singer was to receive 1.75 million dollars and a $500,000 cash advance.

Not only did Ginuwine not receive any payment, he also found there is no corporate records for King Music Group in Florida, New York, California.

Nate Dogg Paralyzed After Stroke

Nate Dogg

Photo: Elektra Records

Singer Nate Dogg, most well known for some of the most famous and catchy hooks, has been reported to be paralyzed on his left side of his body after suffering from a mild stroke.

Nate Dogg, real name Nathaniel Hale, was admitted to the Pomona Valley Hospital from December 19 through December 26. He is currently residing in an occupational rehab facility.

Rod McGrew, Nate Dogg's representative, told MTV, "Time will tell everything, obviously. The doctor can only guess what the outcome will be."

Fans Crash Mansion Of Wyclef

Wyclef

Photo: freshhiphopnews.com

During an interview with MTV, producer and artist Wyclef Jean, jokingly invited everyone to his house for a New Year's Eve party. The Haitian rapper didn't expect the fans and viewers to take his invitation literally.

Crashing the gates in his Saddle River, New Jersey home, Wyclef returned around 1:00 A.M. to find more than five hundred people in and around his home. As the New York Post explains, there were hundreds of cars. The guests had tents set up outside, but most of them were wandering inside of his house, private movie theater, and kitchen.

Battlecat Producing A Beat

Kevin Gilliam, better known as DJ Battlecat (or just Battlecat), is best known for his contributions to west coast style productions. His track record includes some of the top artist in the music industry like Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Tha Eastsidaz along with other west coast rappers.

His musical progressions are strongly influenced by the early '90s G-Funk sound pioneered by artists like Dr. Dre and DJ Quik. This style can be characterized by growling bass synthesizers and soulful keyboard chords.

Take a look at this video of Battlecat in the studio working on his customized Akai MPC 3000.

Producer Lil Jon Goes From Music To Cartoons

Debuting on actor/comedian Will Ferrell's site, www.funnyordie.com, is a surprising animated series from super producer Lil Jon. The king of crunk's "A-Town" includes Lil Jon's distinctive voice inside of the skits. Lil Jon's reps consider the animation, "The wildest cartoon you gonna ever see."

Love Of Money Or Music

Watching music videos with exotic girls, cars, and houses many young talented people are tempted into becoming a producer. But is producing music really about any of these things?

Any music producer will tell you that having all the right music equipment, alone, does not make you a good producer. Having a lust for money or an extravagant lifestyle also does not promote you to a higher status. Music is the focus of any great producer, and all of the other things fall into place as a side effect.

Long-time producer, Alchemist, really explains his beliefs about this topic in detail. Watch this video below for his take on the music industry.

Just Blaze Reveals New MacBook

Just Blaze

Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records

It seems Just Blaze, long time producer, is also a technology buff with a big mouth. He inadvertently exposed Apple's plans to release a new, ultra-portable version of their popular laptop pc models.

The music producer has been asked to perform at MacWorld in January. For his participation, he has been offered a "free notebook to be announced at the MacWorld San Francisco expo."

Rumors had been circling about the specifications, but one of the most noticeable was the 13" LCD display. This would make the laptop very small, compact and presumably power efficient.

This type of powerful, but light computing makes the perfect DAW for anyone trying to get into producing. Adding Pro Tools to this powerful little PC could take your music skills in a whole new direction.

Kanye West Gets Help From Timbaland

What do you get when you combine the efforts of Kanye West and Timbaland? The chart topping hit song "Stronger." After Kanye felt like the drums were not knocking right, he made a call to Timbaland for some assistance. Timbaland agreed to come with Kanye in the studio and came armed with his own personal arsenal of keyboards loaded with sound samples and drum samples.

Take a look at this exclusive video of super-producers Timbaland and Kanye West collaborating on perfecting the drums for "Stronger."

Unauthorized Album Release From The Fixxers

The Fixxers

Photo: mtv.com

DJ Quik (now known as just Quik) is Compton, California's rap legend. In a recent interview with XXL Magazine that is long-anticipated album with The Fixxers, a coloaboration with AMG, was recently made available for sale on the internet without his permission. The album, "Midnight Life,” was a 12-track compilation which was believed to be released through Interscope and DJ Quik's label Dirty West. As of December 10, 2007, it was available for sale on a MySpace page called the Secret Music Group.

The Secret Music Group looked legitimate and appeared to be affiliated with Quik, AMG, and The Fixxers; but Quik explained this is not the case. He claims the album being offered on MySpace is an unfinished version which was stolen from a prior business partner.

Quik was quick to point out Hudson Baxter as the perpetrator. "He is a nobody from St. Louis who's trying to be Suge Knight, a tough guy, he's trying to be up everybody in Los Angeles… He stole my shit, and he's posting stuff and he's trying to advertise it, " explained DJ Quik.