Rapper Fat Joe had to halt filming on his new music video on Friday after huge crowds in New York's Spanish Harlem district caused police to shut down the production.

ATLANTA (AP) — The hip-hop world is a less bling-bling place these days. The music genre has been defined as much by diamond-encrusted watches and platinum chains as its gritty urban lyrics.

50 Cent's weapon of choice is a 9 mm handgun - at least for his new third person shooter video game "Blood on the Sand." In a call with the hip hop star/actor/video game producer,

ATLANTA (AP) - Lil Wayne was named lyricist of the year and Russell Simmons was honored as a hip-hop icon at this year's BET Hip-Hop Awards taped on Saturday in Atlanta.

Rapper Daddy Yankee has hit back at fellow Puerto Rican Fat Joe for criticizing his public endorsement of U.S. presidential nominee John McCain.

50 Cent's ruthless streak has been well documented. He's had several very public spats with rappers (Ja Rule, Fat Joe, The Game) and actresses (Vivica Fox).

Cash Money/Universal Motown Records multi-platinum recording artist Lil Wayne expands his dynasty with Tha Carter III. The new CD is the biggest release by far for 2008, selling over 1 Million copies it's first week, reigning #1 on Nielsen SoundScan,

Making her stunning entrance in a dizzying cascade of piano and layered vocals, The Inc./Universal Motown Recording Artist Ashanti puts it all on the line in the powerfully soulful and grandly dramatic "The Way That I Love You," the first single and video from her upcoming album The Declaration.