Chris Brown Re-Releases "Exclusive," Experiments W/ Techno

Teen singing sensation Chris Brown is set to re-release his platinum-selling sophomore set Exclusive in June.

According to Billboard, the Jive recording artist's disc will contain several new songs and a bonus DVD with unreleased concert and behind the scenes footage from Brown's "Up Close & Personal" tour.

Amongst the new songs, Brown's upcoming single "Forever," produced by Polow da Don will be featured on the album. Stepping away from his usual R&B sound, the track is reported to be more of a techno song.

"We wanted to give it that other side of crossover," Brown said in a statement. "[Polow] record is more of a European, techno, house-type feel. [To] go a little bit to that pop realm. I'll be the 'Prince of Pop.' I don't want to say 'I'm the King,' I just hopefully can be the 'Prince of Pop.'"

Exclusive has sold 1.4 million copies domestically according to the Nielsen SoundScan.

In related news, Brown finished the video for his third single, "Take You Down." Directed by Harvey White, the video will feature clips from C-Breezy's "Up Close & Personal" tour.

Chris's Brown's new version of Exclusive hits stores on June 3.

"written by Thomas A. Harden"

Beanie Sigel Fails Drug Test, Sentenced To 3 Months Behind Bars

Roc-A-Fella rapper Beanie Sigel will be heading back to jail after he admitted to breaking the terms of his probation in court last week.

The Broad Street Bully spent a year behind bars after being sentenced on drug and weapons charges in 2004 and was back in federal court on Friday (Mar. 28) over a third violation of his supervised release, according to Philadelphia's Daily News.

Authorities said the rapper (born Dwight Grant) gave a fake urine sample to probation officers on February 29, and five other times that month, he tested positive for the anxiety medication Xanax and the highly addictive pain pill Percocet.

U.S. District Judge R. Barclay Surrick sentenced Sigel to three months in the slammer and an additional year of supervised release which he'll serve in a drug-treatment program.

Sigel's lawyer, Fortunato N. Perri Jr., requested that his client be able to get his affairs in order before turning himself in, but the judge wasn't having it.

"I told you the last time if you didn't toe the line, jail was the only option," Surrick told Beans. He also said Sigel had "been given the benefit of doubt" many times before.

The rapper told the judge he was an addict and had suffered a relapse when he was sent to a halfway house in January. Sigel was ordered to serve the first six months of his then 18 months of supervised release in the halfway house.

He blamed the relapse on the financial pressure he's under, facing losing his home and being unable to travel outside of Philadelphia to perform, which is a major source of income. According to the terms of his release, Beans can't leave the state. (Though he did take a short vacation to an Atlantic City casino and consorted with a convicted felon, which caused the rapper to face his first two probation violations).

The rapper's not making much off of album sales either.

He only "gets 14 cents on the dollar for every CD that is sold, and that is only after the record companies get their money off the top," Beans said. "I'm losing everything because of this situation." But he did admit that his own actions had placed him in this situation.

The prosecution didn't buy the rapper's explanation, saying "Mr. Grant is a big boy and he knows what the rules are. At some point, he has to grow up."

Judge Surrick wasn't any more sympathetic.

"I've heard your explanation, but that does not excuse your conduct," he said.

Sigel was immediately taken into custody following sentencing.

"written by Brandi Hopper of sohh.com"

Mos Def and Beyonce Team up In Upcoming Flick

Critically acclaimed rapper/actor Mos Def has joined the list of high caliber performers in the forthcoming rock & roll movie, Cadillac Records.

According to the Hollywood Reporter Mos will portray guitar legend Chuck Berry in the big screen story based on the real success of the legendary Chess Records label.

As SOHH previously reported, Beyonce Knowles will star as soul icon Etta James in the picture, while Oscar winner Adrien Brody will play Chess co-founder Leonard Chess. Jeffrey Wright, Eamonn Walker and Cedric the Entertainer will also star in the film playing Chess artists Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Willie Dixon respectively. Gabrielle Union has signed on for the role of Waters' girlfriend, Geneva Wade.

Darnell Martin (Their Eyes Were Watching God) - who also penned the script - will direct Cadillac Records, which is currently filming in New Jersey.

Mos Def recently appeared in the Michel Gondry comedy Be Kind Rewind.

"written by Janeé Bolden of sohh.com"

Super producer/rapper Pharrell Williams is ready to introduce the world to his latest protégé, 16 year-old Teyana Taylor with the release of her debut album, From A Planet Called Harlem.

The Harlem New York native is no stranger to the limelight, having appeared on her own episode of the hit MTV series Super Sweet 16 with her 80's themed b-day bash.

Teyana has also received endorsements from Jay-Z and Beyoncé. Teyana pop locked her way into Hov's "Blue Magic" video and taught B the "Chicken Noodle Soup" - a dance she helped coin - for Beyoncé's 2007 MTV Video Music Award performance.

On the topic of being backed by both Hov and B, Teyana said, "That kind of love coming from Jay and Beyonce, was crazy. When he said, 'Yo, you're a superstar. I'll see you at the top,' I was humbled, like wow!"

"The first time I stepped into a booth I was seven," Teyana said in a press release. "I started singing on the train to make money, just hustling. No matter how much money I get, I still gotta grind. I still gotta work hard to get where I want to be."

Her debut album, From A Planet Called Harlem, is a mixture of R&B, pop rock and rap and features production from Jazze Pha, Pharrell, Mad Scientist, Frost, Shondre and Hit Boy. "From the songs to the production -- the whole direction of the album is insane," said Teyana. "It's a story about having fun."

From A Planet Called Harlem drops in May via Star Trak/Interscope.

"courtesy of sohh.com"

Beanie Sigel Fails Drug Test, Sentenced To 3 Months Behind Bars

http://www.sohh.com/img/lib/cavlar-2008-03-26-100x100.jpg

A woman who stopped by the late, Brooklyn rapper Cavlar's memorial party last night (Mar. 30) was fatally shot; hit by a stray bullet fired by a drunken partygoer.

According to New York's Daily News, Nancy Williams - a 27 year-old mother of three - was randomly hit while attending the aspiring rapper's memorial party held outside his former Brooklyn home.

Williams had just left her three children with her mother and grandmother while she went running errands. Headed to the store, she stopped by the backyard party held in Cavlar's honor where authorities say an intoxicated person in attendance began firing as many as seven rounds aimlessly through the yards behind the Stuyvesant Garden Houses.

As she tried to flee, Williams was struck but managed to stumble into the rear hallway of a neighboring building before she collapsed.

That's where her family found her.

"Me and the mother ran out and saw her," Williams' grandmother, Mary Parker told the Daily News. "Her eyes were rolled back, and I knew she was dead. I don't know why anyone would do something like that."

Robert Powell lives on the second floor of the building where Williams collapsed.

"I heard shots and looked out," he said. "A lot of people were running. She got right in the hallway and fell. People were saying, 'She's not breathing. She's not breathing.'"

Williams died 40 minutes later at Brookdale University Hospital, police said.

She had plans to move in with the father of her youngest child.

"She was a good girl, and a good mother," said John Black, of Dix Hills, L.I., the father of Willams' 8-month-old baby. "We were just about to move out of here. We didn't move fast enough and that was a mistake."

A police source said Williams "happened to be in the wrong place and at the wrong time."

No arrests were immediately made and no one at the party has fingered the shooter.

Williams leaves an infant daughter, 8-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter.

"courtesy of sohh.com"

Insight on Rhymefest's New album "el che"

Rapper Rhymefest heads to Hong Kong & sits down with reporters to discuss the basis of his new album "El Che"

Filmed, Edited & Directed by Konee Rok.

Brand New Kanye West Vide "Homecoming" ft Chris Martin

Fresh off the press of rocafella records....Remember where you saw it first