Snoop Dogg & Charlie Sheen on New Track Produced By Former Korn Guitarist Rob Patterson

After partying with P. Diddy in a blown out bash in his L.A. home and being dissed by the Wu Tang's Chef Raekwon who called him a "rich dick", seems Snoop Dogg and Sheen have come together to work on a new song that is to be produced by former Korn guitarist Rob Patterson.


Sheen posted a picture of himself, Snoop Dogg and Patterson, who is now a member of the band Filter, hanging out in a recording studio on Twitter last week.



"Warlock meets his makers-music makers that is @SnoopDogg @robpatterson666 get ready to rock the Sheenius within! http://twitpic.com/4d9cw1," the actor tweeted.

I'm waiting to see just what Sheen can do because we all know Snoop is going to bang on the track.

Snoop Dogg – whose previous collaborators include the likes of Willie Nelson – releases his new album, The Doggumentary, in the UK on 18 April.

Despite Outburst, Chris Brown Album Soars, Holds #1 Spot on Billboards R&B/Hip-Hop Chart

Despite his recent outburst off the set of Good Morning America, Chris Brown's new album "F.A.M.E", on the Jive record label, was the top downloaded album on Apples' iTunes store on its first day of release Tuesday, an Apple spokesman said. He also appears in the #1 spot on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop charts with the song "Look At Me Now".


Brown seemed rankled after being questioned on the show about the 2009 incident and assault on singer and former girlfriend Rihanna. He answered a question about the incident stating: "It's not really a big deal to me now, as far as that situation. I think I'm past that in my life. Today's the album day, so that's what I'm focused on."



I guess folks still are attached to the "Bad Boy" image of celebrities, and especially as evidenced by the recent off color behavior of Charlie Sheen who was not scorned, but actually embraced by fans and colleagues alike.

However, vewers of ABC's TV competition "Dancing with the Stars" demanded the cancellation of a planned performance by Brown on next week's show.

At this time next week though, Chris Brown might be celebrating his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, as "F.A.M.E.," is on course to bow with over 250,000 sold in its first week.

Simon Cowell Rumored To Be Recruiting Nicki Minaj As U.S. X Factor Judge

As I was reading the news feeds across the internet about Simon Cowell secretly attempting to sway Nicki Minaj into being a judge on the U.S. version of X-Factor after locking in former head of UMG L.A. Reid, one thing struck me. Why is every report giving Minaj the title of controversial?

Controversial?? Why does every other artist that steps out of their comfort zone ala Lady Gaga, Madonna, Pink, etc. have to be controversial? Is she in trouble with the law, abusing drugs, a wild out of control child? NO! So why is she controversial?


Is it because of her style of dress, hairstyles? That is not controversial, it is innovative. Why accept being what everyone expects you to be as another artist pumped out by the major label juggernaut, when you can just be yourself, even if it means that you dress differently than anyone else, by wearing meat as a clothing item, or sporting tall out of this atmosphere wigs, etc?

Amid rumors that Mariah Carey may be out, Minaj met with the mega mogul recently in Los Angeles, where they discussed the possibility of the singer joining the panel.

'Simon thinks Nicki is fantastic. She's sassy, she looks great and she has bags of personality,' a source told the New York Post.

This would give great exposure to the show, and it would bring in the fan base that Nicki now commands. I think along with Reid and another prominent celebrity in the business, X-Factor will give American Idol a run for it's money.

Finally Official: L.A. Reid Steps Down From UMG Post

Amid rumors of him being named as a judge for the X-factor show, Antonio "L.A." Reid has resigned his position as Chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group. Reid confirmed the news in an email to his IDJ family.



A note from Reid was released to his staff online at Showbiz411.com via Roger Freidman :


To my Island Def Jam family:

After much consideration, I have decided to leave my position as Chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group.

I have always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.

I am extremely proud of our beautiful roster and all we have accomplished in my seven years with IDJ. We continue to have incredible success together with today’s most phenomenal superstars – Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, The Killers, The Dream, Chrisette Michele, Jeezy and Ludacris to name a few.

I want to thank all of you for your amazing contributions.

With Warm Regards –
LA

Lady Gaga Top Seller Of Digital Singles In History

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has recognized Lady Gaga as the highest-certified artist of digital singles in Gold & Platinum history with 20 million downloads sold.

This is really not a surprise to me. Most artists these days are afraid to go where Lady Gaga is going artistically, socially, and fashionably, either for fear of moving out of their comfort zone, or peer and fan backlash, but Gaga keeps treading along the lines of doing what feels comfortable to her and her fans continue to eat it up.



I speak to artists all the time about stepping out of their zone and doing something that will shock and surprise folks. Pop rules today, and that is where a lot of artists will falter because they are afraid to go there.

Gaga's hit "Just Dance" is now 6x multi-Platinum, "Poker Face" is 5x multi-Platinum, "Bad Romance" is 4x multi-Platinum, "Paparazzi" is 3x multi-Platinum and "Love Game" is 2x multi-Platinum, for a total record of 20 million digital singles sold.

In addition to Gaga's feat, the RIAA says that Rihanna and Taylor Swift are not far behind with 19 million and 18.5 million digital singles sold, respectively. The Black Eyed Peas are the group that currently has the most digital singles certified at 17.5 million units.

Further proof that stepping out of bounds and your comfort zone will bring benefits in the long run. Gaga started out with music executives trying to mold her as just another r&b singer, like they did Pink, but she wasn't having none of it!!

Dan Charnas: "The Big Payback" - The History Of The Business Of Hip Hop

The Big Payback, a 600 plus page research and report on the Hip Hop culture by author Dan Charnas, which Spin magazine called "Pulitzer-level reporting," not only chronicles the fascinating stories of early trailblazing hip-hop recording artists (Run-DMC, the Fat Boys, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, among them), but all the way through to some of today's biggest hitmakers/dealmakers (Jay-Z, Eminem, 50 Cent).

The book also tracks the colorful, often shady, constellation of managers, promoters, label executives, attorneys, journalists, publicists and others that grew up around this urban American success story.

I haven't read it as of yet, but I plan to and will definitely give my feedback.

R.I.P. Nate Dogg

One of rap's most lauded male hook singers, Long Beach, California native Nate Dogg (born Nathaniel Hale) died on Tuesday at the age of 41 after several years of health problems. Hale was born in Long Beach on August 19, 1969, and dropped out of high school at 16 to join the Marines, where he served for three years.


After forming the group 213 with Snoop Dog and Warren G, a demo got into the hands of Dr. Dre who asked him to put in work on the "Chronic" album.

Nate Dogg taught us all how to be a G and keep it smooth all in the same breath. His deep melodic voice brought substance to the gangster rap sound created on the West Coast,a nd his imprint was easily recognized.

He was involved in numerous hits by both major and indie artists alike. Some of those hits include Warren G's "Regulate, Eminem and Dr Dre's "Next Episode", and Ludacris's "Area Codes" and Eminem's "Shake That" all of which garnered him Grammy nominations for his work.














A number of his close friends, brethren and fellow artists took to Twitter to pay homage to him:

"We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb" tweeted Snoop. "One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met. I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit ... I miss u cuzz I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up wit u and I will c u again n heaven cuz u know d slogan. ... All doggs go to heaven yo homie n baby brotha bigg snoopdogg!!"

"R.I.P. TO MY HOMEBOY NATE DOGG DPGC DOGG POUND GANGSTA 4 LIFE," tweeted Daz.

"There is a certain void in hip hop's heart that can never be filled. Glad we got to make history together. RT @SnoopDogg: RIP NATE DOGG," tweeted Ludacris.

"I lost a friend," an emotional Game wrote on his Twitter account. "Been here before. Tears. Memories. One day someone will lose 'US' as well. LIVING until that day comes is our only option. R.I.P. Nate Dogg. Why does it take Death to remind us about the importance of life ??? Cherish every moment cuz tomorrow he mite call your #."

"We love you Nate Dogg, it's never going to be the same" West Coast rapper Xzibit added. Among the others who weighed in on Twitter were Erykah Badu, reclusive comedian Dave Chappelle, Murs and producer Fred Wreck.

My condolences to the Hale family, his friends and legion of fans around the globe!!!

Rapper SantiGold Signs to Roc Nation Management

Cult hip-hop star/singer Santigold has joined Rihanna and Willow Smith on the roster at rap superstar Jay-Z's management firm, Roc Nation. The Lights Out singer previously worked with her new boss on the 2009 song Brooklyn We Go Hard, and now she has cemented a deal for Jay-Z to oversee her career.

The possible relationship between Hov and Santigold got a bit stronger when she tweeted, "It's official! Made the change to Roc Nation Management!!!"

Santigold joins a roster which includes J. Cole, Wale, Melanie Fiona, Mark Ronson and others.