veteran homicide detectives are leading a new police task force investigating the unsolved 1997 killing of rap star Notorious B.I.G.

The new probe comes in the face of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the rapper's mother, Voletta Wallace, and other relatives, who claim rogue police officers were involved in the killing, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

MONDAY, JULY 31: Also in Saint-Tropez, Sean "Diddy" Combs will hit the high seas for his annual "White Party." He'll celebrate the good life with a coterie of his famous friends for his "Unforgettable 50" fete.

Executive Produced by Bad Boy CEO Sean "Diddy" Combs, "DANITY KANE" sees the five-girl outfit -- Dawn, Aubrey, D. Woods, Shannon, and Aundrea -- teaming up with some of today's most successful and talented producers. Among the studio superstars bringing their skills to the recordings are such hip-hop and R&B icons as Timbaland (Missy Elliott, Nelly Furtado, Aaliyah), Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey), Mario Winans (P. Diddy & the Bad Boy Family, Destiny's Child, The Notorious B.I.G.), Jim Jonsin (Twista, Jamie Foxx, Trina), Bryan-Michael Cox (Usher, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton), Rami (*NSYNC, the Veronicas), and Ryan Leslie (Britney Spears, Tha Dogg Pound). The album's Co-Executive Producer is Bad Boy Executive Vice President Harve Pierre.

"Show Stopper," the Jim Jonsin-produced first single from "DANITY KANE," has proven a true sensation, well in advance of its official arrival at multi-format radio outlets in early August. The track has already received nearly a quarter of a million plays on Danity Kane's official MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/danitykane.

Danity Kane will debut their video for "Show Stopper" on August 4th on MTV's "Making The Video." The girls will then appear on MTV's "TRL" on August 7th and on "Sucker Free on MTV" on August 8th. "DANITY KANE" will also be featured on "The Leak" on "MTV Jams" and "MTV Hits" the week of August 15th.

"... I'm fiendin' to sit down and put some songs together with Diddy, the Boys N Da Hood project." ...

There are no official tour plans, but Ross might go on a joint headlining outing with Yung Joc.

Rap mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs has squashed reports he is planning to marry longterm girlfriend Kim Porter next month.

"(I was told) if you don't play ball and you don't give us Puff (Combs), you goin' down (sic).

"(I told them) I'm not testifying for anybody and I'm not testifying against anybody."

Red hot Atlanta native and rising hip-hop talent Yung Joc has signed on as the latest music artist to offer "First Dibs" on exclusive mobile content to Virgin Mobile wireless customers, according to Virgin Mobile USA and Block Entertainment/Bad Boy Records.

Virgin Mobile customers are now the only wireless customers in the U.S. with access to a cappella and instrumental ringtone versions of 10 of Joc's hottest tracks, including new takes on "It's Goin' Down" -- the track currently burning up the Hot Rap and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Virgin Mobile's four million customers also have the unique opportunity to hear from Yung Joc first-hand, through original interview excerpts included in the First Dibs program. ...

In addition to the 10 exclusive ringtone tracks, this First Dibs deal offers access to 20 other non-exclusive Yung Joc ringtones. Virgin Mobile customers can download First Dibs content by visiting http://www.virginmobileusa.com, or directly from their Virgin Mobile handsets.

Juicy: Who are you working with on the album?

Cardan: I’m going to do some stuff with Pharrell. I’m working with Puffy. ...

Juicy: Have you figured out what label you’re gonna sign with?

Cardan: I’m talking to Puff. He’s interested. I’m talking to Universal. [I’m] speaking with Jay-Z. ...

Juicy: Well, it’s been rumored that Puffy puts the attention on himself and not his artists.

Cardan: That’s what I’m telling him. Yo! I don’t want to be dropping an album and he’s talking about ‘I’m dropping my album’ (laughs). I think Puff’s next album will be his last…besides the other people on the label I don’t think they can compete.

Anyway, with Loon, for the majority of people who know who he is, they know him or first heard of him because of Diddy. Some artists seem to forget who got them their initial burst of recognition once they get big and everyone knows who they are. But, who were the people who first made the general public aware of you and gave you that shot? What's the biggest thing Loon has done to date? I Need a Girl, specifically the part one remix, which reached number 2 on the Billboard 100. Why was that possible? Diddy/Bad Boy. It's good that he appears to know that ... and hopefully he'll keep that in mind. They appear to still be cool, which is good, if he's writing for Diddy's upcoming album.

Don't get me wrong, though, I like Loon. I really liked his album (I have two copies of it, actually) and many of the tracks he's appeared on for other artists, Bad Boy and otherwise...

1. Me & U
2. Long Way 2 Go
3. About Time
4. Kiss Me
5. Call U Out
6. Just One Nite
7. Hope You're Behaving
8. Not With You
9. Ditto
10. What Do U Want
11. Miss Your Touch

Babs Bunny, formerly of Bad Boy group Da Band, is scheduled to make a court appearance on Monday, July 24th to face charges relating to her arrest in Brooklyn, NY last month.

1. One Shot
2. Heartbreaker
3. Want It
4. Right Now
5. Show Stopper
6. Hold Me Down
7. Come Over Interlude
8. Ooh Ahh
9. Press Pause
10. Ain't True Interlude
11. Ride For You
12. Touching My Body
13. Back Up
14. Stay With Me

... August 15, when the "Making the Band 3" act's self-titled debut album hits stores. But until then, Aubrey, Aundrea, D. Woods, Dawn and Shannon are spreading the word about their first single, "Show Stopper." ...

She added that Yung Joc is featured on the single, but he's the only guest on their album.

MTV will tape the finale and its corresponding concert Friday night under the Brooklyn Bridge, where the new group Danity Kane will perform, the New York Post said.

CES-goers, tech-fans, and Diddy take note: Panasonic has announced that they will soon be making the largest plasma screen in the world available to the (not so)general public.

AHHA: You’ve signed to Bad Boy and Diddy has this track record of crazy hits like Biggie and Faith, but also has a lot of misses. Did you have any reservations before signing with Bad Boy?

Cassie: I actually never have been asked this question in an interview, and that’s really cool that you did, because it’s usually asked by kids. Kids notice. There were a lot of factors as to why I signed [to Bad Boy] because I did have other deals on the table. I got to hang out with Puff and see what he was all about when I was in Miami. He actually really talked to me about what he wanted to do. I didn’t hear that from anyone else. It wasn’t like, “Oh, we’re gonna make you a star!” It was all planned out, kind of, in his head. Then it came to be, because the single got so big.

I’m really happy that I [signed to Bad Boy]. At this point, I have great management, I’m signed to Next Selection too, Ryan’s production company, so I have a great production company as well. It’s just a great group. I don’t know how it is for everyone else at the label. I think the Making The Band girls [Danity Kane] are so talented. I got to watch them record with different producers when they were in Miami. They are so focused. Cheri Dennis is so amazing. There are artists on Bad Boy that are really gonna do it this year for sure. [Yung] Joc! First week album sales 150 [thousand]. It’s gonna turn around, definitely. ...

AHHA: I was reading in your blog about an original video for “Me & U” that leaked.

Cassie: Well what happened was before I got a deal, the song was kind of building on MySpace, but what I personally felt was, “Where is this gonna go?” I just didn’t expect it to go anywhere. At the same time, I was at a point where I felt like I needed to be so different. For me to different, I felt like I needed to be grown. That wasn’t the ticket. I didn’t wanna do it anyway, but I tried to make it work and it didn’t. Little X was like, “Look, come to Toronto. We’ll shoot a low budget video.” I went with Ryan, so I wasn’t there by myself. I saw it [the video] and was like, “No. This isn’t me.” [Little X] was like, “Ok let’s edit it and do it again.” He edited it, and it didn’t change anything. I was like, “Look, I can’t do this. I’m sorry. It’s not me.” About a week later it was leaked on the internet…uncut. Everything was just raw. I was so embarrassed. I didn’t expect this.

A lot of fans just asked questions like, “Why would you do it anyway?” I’m thinking, “Look, I didn’t really expect my career to go anywhere to be completely honest with you.” That’s what I did. It’s over. That’s the worst thing you can find on me. It was definitely a mistake on my part, and I wish I’d never done it. I thought I redeemed myself with the other video, but a lot of people like the raw version more than the new one. I don’t really know why [laughs].

SUMMER BLOCK PARTY

WHERE: Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord

WHEN: 12 p.m. Sunday

TICKETS: $25-45; (408) 998-8497, (415) 421-8497 or www.ticketmaster.com

LINE-UP: Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole, Megan Rochell, Kelis, Marques Houston, Cherish, Omarion, Jagged Edge, J. Valentine, Cheri Dennis, Lyfe Jennings, LeToya.

THE LOWDOWN: KMEL-FM (106.1) is hosting this concert, which has a lineup that mirrors its playlists. The main ones to catch are teen crooner Chris Brown and local favorite Keyshia Cole. Many on the list have single hits and may not be as memorable. These concerts -- with very young audiences -- usually keep the music in the background, and the fans front and center. In other words, see and be seen.

Due to circumstances beyond our control and at the decision of Bad Boy Records, we will be closing down the Bad Boy i-Squad effective immediately.

After that back to NY for crazy rehearsals for my live T.V. performances....TRL and 106th and Park are the only ones I know so far, but there will be more....and then YAY!!!!!!!! THE ALBUM COMES OUT ON AUGUST 8TH!!!!!!!!

Bad Boy Latino launches first new artist, Christian Daniel, on select Sprint phones

Through the agreement with Bad Boy Latino, Sprint will debut Christian Daniel’s single release, titled Dónde Quedarán, video and the self-titled album on the Sprint Power Vision(SM) Network before wider commercial distribution – a first in the U.S. mobile space. Puerto-Rican born Christian Daniel is the first singer to emerge from the Bad Boy Latino label, and his upcoming CD promises to bridge the gap of mainstream American music and traditional Latin ballads.

"I am very excited to be part of Sprint's initiatives in the Hispanic market," says Christian Daniel. "I love the idea of having my music, video and pictures available for my fans directly on their phones. As a new artist I want to develop a great relationship with the public from the beginning, and what better way than through Sprint Power Vision(SM).”

Sean Combs is giving up the gangsta rap route. He’s getting romantic. And, though I’m not sure he even knows it himself, he’s going R&B. ...

But the good news is that Combs’ voice is not half bad. This is where he's a most remarkable fellow. He will run the New York Marathon or make a dramatic debut on Broadway. He seems fearless, and loves a challenge. ...

"Press Play," like Combs’ other albums, is a collaborative work. He brought in producer/writers like Kanye West, Will.i.am, Timbaland, Pharrell, Combs’ pal Mario Winans, Rich Harrison, and others to create a sequence of melody-based songs about the pain and fun of being in love. ...

Of course, there are guest-star vocalists. Tracks I heard featured Brandy, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Big Boi from Outkast, Ciara, Nas, Keyshia Cole, and Nicole Scherzinger from The Pussycat Dolls. Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas is on another track, I was told. Mario Winans is heard throughout, supplying instrumental riffs.

FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT CASSIE
1. Her favorite movie is The Notebook.
2. Diddy gives her pep talks when she's down.
3. Mally by Baby Blush is her lip gloss of choice.
4. She attended a prestigious performing arts high school, The Williams School.
5. She is really shy in person.

Kanye West, who picked up two awards, loved the show so much he was filming it with his own camcorder.

“I’m happy I didn’t perform this year. Busta ripped the show crazy, Puffy just killed it with Young Joc,” he says. “This is the best music right here and we gotta keep on giving it.”

And your album, which comes out in October, is there a title for it yet?
We actually don’t have a title for the album. So at the end of the day, it will be self-titled. ...

What producers did you work with so far for this album?
Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins, a lot of producers. Yogi, EZ Elpee, a lot of stuff going on.

As soon as these things start, they are over. Somebody close to Diddy and Kim Porter has issued a statement that they aren't getting married. I guess we'll have to assume that they are happily unmarried like Gene Simmons and his babe. That's better than being married and miserable, right? Anyway, Hip-Hop Wives on the E! Channel last night was a real revelation! (By the way, Kim is the mother of one of Diddy's children, not two as I said Friday.)

The family of the late Notorious B.I.G. has requested an expansion to their wrongful-death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles.

According to a 94-page motion, the family contends that Los Angeles Police Department officer Rafael Perez was on duty at the Petersen Automotive Museum the night of the killing.

The motion also referenced a list of incidents the family believes show a pattern linking police to crimes involving rap stars, including Snoop Dogg and the late Tupac Shakur.

"According to Deanna McCoy, after she and Jordan would hear a song for the first time and approve of it, the management team would have to approve the song before going to Diddy.

"After going through all those people, if Diddy didn't like it, it wasn't going to be recorded," Deanna McCoy said. "We've been very careful about song selection. ... There have been more than one time when we got back with the songwriter and asked them to change something. Bottom line, no touchy-feely stuff that's not appropriate for a young girl."

"I think all the songs are age appropriate," Jordan McCoy said. "Younger kids can listen to them, but they're about things teen and young adults can relate to. ... Diddy is very protective. There were times when I thought it was OK to do a song, but Diddy would say, 'No, you can't do that either.' He's like a big brother, always watching out for me."

Ever since he was a boy growing up in Puerto Rico, Christian Daniel knew that he was a singer. Raised in a house where music played day and night, the youngster trained his ear to the sounds of the great Latin baladeers. Music not only surrounded him, but it poured from him uncontrollably. He recalls singing to the radio non-stop as a four-year old, and holding impromptu performances with his sister and brother to the songs of Sting and Eric Clapton when he was just six.

“Music has always been in my soul,” says Daniel, now 22, on the verge of releasing his first CD, Christian Daniel under the new label, Bad Boy Latino. “For as long as I remember I was always singing.” ...

For the past two years Daniel has been collaborating with songwriters and producers to assemble the Spanish language CD that will bring his voice to the public. The songs he chose not only carry a great deal of emotion, but they speak to experiences Daniel himself has lived. His forthcoming single “Donde Quedaran” speaks of a long-time love who suddenly leaves. Though heartbroken, the singer realizes that the past never returns, and that he must move forward. Daniel interprets the message as a positive one.

For the past year and a half, Diddy has been working with everyone from Kanye West, Pharrell, Will.I.Am, Mobb Deep's Havoc and Pharoahe Monch. The first single is a toss-up between "Touch Me," featuring Christina Aguilera, and "Come to Me," featuring Nicole from the Pussycat Dolls on the hook.

AllHipHop.com: Speaking of ghostwriting, in edition to Nelly, you’ve also written for Bow Wow, Lil’ Kim, Diddy. What are some of the songs you’ve written that people may be familiar with?

Cardan: ... I just did the new Diddy and Mary single. It’s a new Diddy single about to come out, featuring Mary, produced by Rich Harrison....

AllHipHop.com: So, what’s up with the album situation? You’re about to put out a mixtape, but aren’t you also working on a record deal?

Cardan: Yeah, I’m working on my record deal as well. Actually, I’ve been talking to Puff about something. He wants to do something with me. I’m just walking out the Universal building [where I was] talking to Eric Nixon; he wants to do something with me. I’m trying to see who has the best offers and who’s gonna be behind the project because I just don’t want to take their money an they just don’t be behind it. I’m looking for the right support and team to get behind me. ...

AllHipHop.com: What’s it [the mixtape] called and where can people find it?

Cardan: It’s called Free Agent Million Dollar Baby Mixtape. ... I got Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Peedie Crack, Lil’ Cease…I got DL Gunz from Philly, I got Akon, Puffy, so it’s gonna be pretty dope.

Hip-hop wives have glamour, attitude and complete power.

Find out just how much as we take you inside their world, and marriages, on Hip-Hop Wives: The E! True Hollywood Story.

... Kim Porter speaks about her love of bling and husband P. Diddy. ...

The Hood 2 Hood Talent Search Reality Show is hosted by Block Enterpise/Bad Boy South's A&R, Big Duke of Boyz N Da Hood and Dallas Based D-Town Records(Eieg, LLC) will be the Host Label for Texas and DTR's CMC Custom Made Click featuring LG3 will be the featured Artist. D-Town Records(Eieg, LLC) responsibilities will be to showcase some of Texas hottest artist that haven't signed with a Label and give them a chance to get some major exposure. Nate Edwards CEO/Founder of D-Town Records has put into place a D-Town team to be recond with. I want this show to be flawless states Nate Edwards, D-town Records CEO/Founder.

(PRWEB) July 9, 2006 -- Block Enterprise and Bad Boy South, two multi-million corporations under the Warner Music Group (WMG) have teamed up with Dallas based, D-Town Records and HoodDreamz Entertainment (DTR/HDE) to bring to you the hot, new reality T.V. show "Hood 2 Hood Talent Search". D-Town Records and Hood Dreamz Entertainment will serve as the event’s host label for the entire Texas market, with the three major cities being Dallas, Houston, and Austin, in which the search is on for the hottest new R&B and Hip Hop acts Texas has to offer.

Artists are asked to give a live performance which will be recorded and the footage will be used for the "Hood 2 Hood Talent Search Reality Show" (H2H). H2H will broadcast on MTV, VH1, or BET.

"This event will provide artists with a substantial amount of exposure and the opportunity to perform in front of a major A&R who can give professional feedback", states Anthony Paul, D-town Records President of A&R.

Winners will receive the following:
•Media Exposure
•A song on the upcoming Boyz N Da Hood Compilation CD
•Exclusive Footage on the H2H Reality Show
•Feature on Da Real Hometeam's National Mixtape
•Access to Radio Stations

Babs is planning to release a new mixtape, entitled Lady of the Streets, in the coming weeks. The mixtape will feature production by Tony Dofat, D.Dot and the Heatmakerz as well as guest appearances from Jae Millz, Tha Angel, Lace Stonez and Lady Luck. The mixtape will be available on her MySpace page. Babs is also offering her MySpace friends exclusive autographed copies.

Well, the rumors are starting to pick up steam about Diddy and his longtime girlfriend/model Kim Porter. I heard that the pair could be looking to get married in the near future. I'm hearing that Diddy has been conferring with another rap mogul who seems to feel its time to settle down and seal the deal. LOL! As most of you know, Ms. Porter is the mother of two of Diddy's children. If It's true, its great and if it’s not...well, it’s still all good.

Block Entertainment/Bad Boy South recording artist Yung Joc will sing his #1 smash single, 'It's Goin' Down,' during the main event ring walk at Don King’s Gateway to Glory tomorrow night, July 8th in St. Louis. The event features St. Louis' own former undisputed world welterweight champion Cory 'The Next Generation' Spinks attempting to dethrone International Boxing Federation junior middleweight champion Roman 'Made In Hell' Karmazin.

The rapper's homecoming party featured a catered meal, as well as a red velvet cake sent by P. Diddy's Manhattan restaurant Justin's.

Rap mogul Diddy's main man in Atlanta at the moment, Bad Boy Entertainment chart-topper Yung Joc, will bring his "New Joc City" jams to the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines for a July 20 hip-hop show. Selfish and Joe Ashby will open. Tickets cost $25 through Ticketmaster, with $50 VIP tickets also available. Call the Val Air at 223-6152.

Reminiscent of their 1993 debut, Comin’ Out Hard, Ball & G’s latest effort highlights their mastery of the art of storytelling. The synth-seared “Get Low” finds the duo in the middle of a chaotic club shoot-out, while 8Ball uses the B Rock–produced “Memphis” as an opportunity to detail his upbringing (“Orange Mound born, I was torn out my mama womb/Shotgun house, me and mama had the same room”).

After the party, I went over to the Beverly Hills Hotel, where Prince had a late-night party. It was incredible. There is nothing like seeing Prince live, and especially in a setting like a small party. The scene was crazy becuase even the biggest stars want to see Prince: Chaka Khan, SNOOP, JAMIE FOXX, Diddy and lots of others. At one point, Prince was joined by DOUG E. FRESH on stage while Diddy danced around the dancefloor with a tambourine -- it was surreal. It was, simply put, the best way to end an amazing night!