Lil Kim was awarded half a million dollars yesterday in a lawsuit against one-time rhyme partner, Lil Cease, real names James Lloyd.

According to the New York Daily News, Manhattan federal Judge Jed Rakoff found that Lloyd and his company, Ground Zero Entertainment, used Lil Kim’s name and likeness without her permission for a DVD about Junior Mafia.

Lil’ Kim originally had filed a $6 million suit against Lloyd, who had testified against her in a criminal trial that ended with her conviction for lying to a grand jury.

50 Cent is now said to be in negotiations with the Rupert Murdoch founded News Corp for a reported $300 million.

According to ThisIs50.com, the deal would go into effect in 2009, in which News Corp would take a large stake in all aspects of the 50 Cent brand — including music, books, concerts, and his G-Unit label.

The deal would help launch the company’s MySpace Records, as 50 and his G-Unit roster would move under the label’s umbrella.

Sources say half the deal will be in stock, in which 50 Cent would become one of the largest shareholders of News Corp.

Also under the deal, 50’s online community, ThisIs50.com, would be acquired by News Corp, his touring would be marketed through and sold via the company, and would also include a G-Unit book deal, and music publishing for 50 and the artists under his label.

While the deal is still in the works, it is not expected to be finalized until next year, after the rapper fulfills his contract requirements with Interscope Records.

Diplomat’s crew member Jim Jones will appear at the National HIV Testing Day ceremony in Jersey City, New Jersey to speak about his personal experiences regarding the incurable disease as well as the importance of being tested for HIV/ AIDS. In addition to his participation in the event, Jones will receive a certificate of honor from New Jersey Senator Sandra Cunningham and Jersey City Mayor Jeremiah Healy for his involvement in raising HIV awareness, especially within the Black community and Hip Hop community in which the topic seems to be even more taboo than in the general public.

National HIV Testing Day, which is open to the public, is a community campaign to raise awareness and provide information/ HIV counseling, testing and prevention services, as well as providing life-saving information regarding medical care for those who test HIV-positive at the event.

Those planning to attend must be tested for HIV/AIDS at one of the City of Jersey City authorized sites in order to gain admittance.

Hip-Hop pioneer Reverend Run will make a triumphant return to Madison Square Garden during a sold out performance this Thursday (May 15).

The show marks Reverend Run’s first appearance at Madison Square Garden since 1988 and is Lynyrd Skynyrd’s first ever appearance in the venue.

“Here it is 2008, 20 years later. I can’t believe that God has allowed me to perform at the Garden once again,” an enthused Reverend Run told a hiphop website “Me, Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd? You can’t get more diverse than that. It’s sold out. I’m excited.”

“This is a big deal for me,” “The Garden was the first place I screamed ‘Whose house?’ and they all screamed Run’s house!”

Maintaining his composure and addressing the recent comments bashing his presence at the upcoming Glastonbury festival, Jay-Z justified being the headliner of the typically rock-based event.

Responding to criticism from Oasis’ Noel Gallagher, including his comment of Hip Hop as “not suitable” for the festival, Jay-Z acknowledged the difference in music genres but felt Hip Hop has earned its spot.

“We don’t play guitars, Noel, but Hip Hop has put in its work like any other form of music. This headline show is just a natural progression. Rap music is still evolving,” the Brooklyn entrepreneur told The Sun.

Continuing his justification for being named as a headliner, Jay placed himself in the growth of Hip Hop, pointing out significant artists whom have had a large impact upon the genre.

“From Afrika Bambaataa [playing] in the Bronx and Run DMC going platinum, to Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince winning the first rap Grammy, I’m just next in line,” he added.

Rather than throwing any negative comments towards Gallagher or placing Hip Hop over his genre, Jay admitted the best solution is to appreciate one another’s music.

“We have to respect each other’s genre of music and move forward,” he said.

Despite the amount of attention the controversy has created, Jay continued to show off his entrepreneur and marketing mastery as he admitted the amount excitement it has created for himself.

“I’ve never ever had a show that’s caused this much of a stir—I’m really looking forward to it,” he concluded.

As of now, Jay-Z still remains the headliner for the upcoming Glastonbury festival on June 28th.

A weeping Remy Ma was sentenced to eight years in prison Tuesday for shooting a woman outside a Manhattan nightclub.

“I feel so bad for all the physical and mental pain you’ve gone through,” the Grammy-nominated rapper told the victim. “This has taken a toll on us and both our families. I would never wish you harm and I pray the best for all of us.”

The entertainer, whose real name is Remy Smith, had faced up to 25 years in prison for assault, weapon possession and attempted coercion for shooting Makeda Barnes Joseph last July in a dispute over money.

Smith, 26, begged the judge for leniency for the sake of “my little boy,” saying she grew up “surrounded by failure, violence and poverty,” but “made something out of nothing” from her life.

State Supreme Court Justice Rena Uviller said she recognized that Smith had had a difficult childhood, but noted the victim had nearly died and will never be the same physically. Uviller called the rapper “a young woman whose anger is out of control.”

After the sentencing, Smith’s fiance, fellow rapper Papoose, began screaming in a hallway outside the courtroom. “All you want is money!” he said, apparently referring to the victim.
“Lock me up! Lock me up!” he then shouted to court officers, who escorted him out of the courthouse.

The couple had planned to wed last weekend at the Rikers Island jail, where Smith has been incarcerated. Correction officials said they called off the wedding after Papoose showed up with a handcuff key.

Smith’s lawyer, Ivan Fisher, said Papoose had a key but denied that it could be used to open handcuffs. Papoose, whose real is Shamele Mackie, hasn’t been charged.
Fisher said the couple still plan to wed.

The fight in Manhattan’s trendy Meatpacking District erupted after Smith accused Joseph of taking $2,000 from her purse.

Prosecutors said she then fired two .45-caliber slugs into the woman’s abdomen and fled without calling police or for medical help.

Fisher said the sentence would be appealed.

He said the women struggled and the gun went off accidentally. He said Joseph’s story changed when her lawyer was preparing a $20 million lawsuit, which was later withdrawn.

Animal rights activists are calling for rapper DMX to be “vigorously prosecuted” following his animal cruelty arrest on Friday.

The hitmaker, real name Earl Simmons, was charged with seven misdemeanor counts of cruelty when police stormed his home in Arizona and took five pit bull terrier puppies into care.

He was also charged with drug possession, but it’s the dog cruelty rap which has prompted People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals officials to send an urgent plea to Maricopa County Attorney Andrew P. Thomas urging his office to push for harsh punishment for the rapper.

In August, authorities discovered 12 reportedly neglected, malnourished, and scarred pit bulls on Simmons’ Arizona property.

And PETA bosses think it’s high time DMX was taught a lesson.
In an action alert on its popular website, PETA urges visitors to contact Thomas and demand that Simmons is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

PETA cruelty caseworker Peter Wood writes, “Simmons appears to be either unable or unwilling to provide even the most basic care for animals. People who demonstrate such blatant disregard for life and desensitization to suffering can pose a serious risk to all animals-including humans-with whom they come into contact.”

PETA is asking that, if convicted and in addition to serving a period of incarceration, Simmons be prohibited from owning or harboring animals and that he be required to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling.

Flipmode squad member and Busta Rhymes sidekick Spliff Star was arrested in Sweden on suspicion of drug possession, the International Herald Tribune is reporting.

Spliff was taken into custody on Sunday in Stockholm following a show with Busta Rhymes.

Police spokeswoman Lotta Larsson says police found an unidentified substance in Spliff’s room. Busta Rhymes room was also raided, but no drugs were found.

Known for tougher drug laws then many other European countries, drug possession in Sweden is usually punished by a fine or up to 6 months in prison.

Remy Ma and Papoose are rumored to have officially tied the knot today at a ceremony at Rikers Island Prison, where Remy is currently being held, the New York Daily News is reporting.

Remy and Papoose will each be allowed to have two guests at the ceremony. Remy Ma is currently at Rikers while awaiting her sentencing, scheduled for tomorrow, for shooting former friend Makeda Barnes-Joseph in the abdomen. Remy faces up to 25 years in prison.

Death Row co-founder Suge Knight was in an altercation outside of club Shag in L.A this past weekend, which resulted in Suge getting knocked down, bloodied and then hospitalized.

According to a posted blog, Suge was talking to a guy — and the conversation was friendly enough at first. Then it turned. Suge shouted, “I want my money!” Suge then rushed the guy with the help of his posse, and began hitting and kicking him. Get this — during the fight, Suge put a random guy in a headlock, demanding his cell phone.

People outside the club broke up the fight, and as the alleged victim got up, he landed a right hook to Suge’s face, knocking him out cold. We’re told suge was out for nearly three minutes. His associates then rushed him into a nearby SUV that fled the scene.