Mike Jones new album release pushed back

The American Dream, the new album from famous Houston rapper Mike Jones, has been pushed back. It was originally scheduled for release this month but will not be released on July 10 backed by Swishahouse/Asylum/Warner Bros. Records. Expect guest vocals from Trey Songz, Pimp C, T.I., Lil’ Mo and even LeToya Luckett.

Last time it was his phone number… what trick does Mr. Jones have up his sleeve this time? Now, he has set up an “Ask Mike Jones” email address where fans can reach out to him directly with questions or comments at AskMikeJones@gmail.com

The Houston bred rapper promises to personally answer all of his fans’ emails.

“Because I received so many calls on 281.330.8004 there were many times where my friends (fans) couldn’t get through,” he explained via a statement. “With the email address it will be much easier for me to communicate with them because I receive emails from that address on my BlackBerry that is always with me.”

In order to promote his new album, Jones is also planning to release The American Hater, a CD of skits poking fun at Jones starring comedian Alex Thomas (The Players Club, The Wash).

The first single from The American Dream, “My ’64” featuring Snoop Dogg & Bun B, is presently in rotation on major radio station across the U.S. and the video premiered on BET’s “106 & Park” this past Friday (May 18).

J Prince due in court on assault charges

Rap-A-Lot Records CEO James “J Prince” Prince will appear in court on Monday May 21 to face an assault charge made by studio owner Ronald Bookman.

Bookman, who owns legendary Houston studio 7023, claims that he was beaten after being lured to Prince’s gym, Prince Recreation Center for a business meeting.

Bookman claims he was meeting with Prince about receiving clearances to use Bun B. on a single from the new CD of Bookman’s first artist on his fledgling label, 7303 Records.

Upon his arrival to the gym Bookman spoke with Prince, but at the end of their discussion Bookman claims that Prince opened the door to let in seven men who were responsible for Bookman’s beating.

As a result of the beating, Bookman suffered severe head injuries, a broken nose, fractured ribs and had both eyes blackened with one eye requiring surgery.

“I think maybe we’re finally getting some of the politics out of the way with this case and we’re moving forward now,” Ronald Bookman said. “We’re going to get down to the nitty gritty of what happened, who was involved and what is going to happen next. And by my standing up, I expect anybody else here in Houston or elsewhere that they have done this to or jumped on, need to find their voice and their feet.”

The charge filed by Bookman on May 7 is actually Bookman’s second attempt at filing charges against Prince; earlier charges filed by Bookman were dismissed by a judge the same day they were made.

An arrest warrant was placed on Prince two days after charges were filed and Prince made bond.

According to Prince, Bookman’s claims appear to be nothing more than a meager attempt at gaining a little publicity.

“That dude is a clown. He’s always been a clown… He knows better than everybody why he got his ass whipped. For him to say I had anything to do with it, he’s telling a lie, there’s not a bit of truth in it,” Prince says.

Bookman also attempted to sue Prince for breach of contract, battery, unfair competition, duress, conspiracy and unjust enrichment.

“The most he’s going to get out of this is the publicity that he has so far,” Prince said. “I been dealing with these kinds of games for years with people suing. And not one of them was successful. This is a part of success man and the price that comes along with it. And I know how to deal with all these clowns.”

Courtesy: AllHipHop.com

Record-breaking Texas prisoner?

If there was a record kept for the most time served by one person in the state of Texas, that record would go to Harvey Stewart, 79, who has spent only 28 months OUTSIDE of prison since March 1951. That information is according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. That comes to 54 of the past 56 years all spent in prison. He is the oldest prisoner in terms of the length of his sentence.Mr. Stewart received a 10-year sentence in the early 1950’s for armed robbery and was also later convicted in July 1958 of the shooting death of 26-year-old James Laird earlier in that year. That crime landed him a life sentence.

“I’m just another one of the jailbirds as far as I can tell,” he said recently in an interview at the Terrell Unit at Rosharon just south of Houston.

When he looks back over his long years in prison – the result, he will claim, of a wrongful conviction out of Jefferson County – Stewart can’t find much to show for his years on Earth.

Although he rails against the alleged injustice done to him, he admitted without rancor that with the path he was on, he was probably destined to spend a good part of his life in prison anyway because he was a thief, plain and simple.

“I’m not weak. I’m not weak up here,” he snapped, pointing to his head.

He will not admit to ambition for anything better for his life and said he didn’t mind school, but having no real use for it, dropped out after completing eighth grade. He wouldn’t let a little thing like a life without meaning or any real hope of ever getting out get him down.

Interesting… to say the least!

Courtesy: Examiner

Killer of San Antonio rapper loses appeal

A man condemned for the fatal shooting of a rap singer during a robbery 3 1/2 years ago lost the appeal of his conviction and death sentence Wednesday in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.Juan Edward Castillo, in his required direct appeal to the state’s highest criminal court, had argued evidence was insufficient to convict him of the December 2003 slaying of 19-year-old Tommy Garcia Jr. Evidence showed Garcia, as part of a robbery plot, was shot seven times in an ambush at a San Antonio lovers lane after he was lured there by Castillo’s girlfriend.

In the appeal, Castillo also contended the Texas death penalty is unconstitutionally cruel and that the Bexar County judge who tried his capital murder case improperly allowed testimony from two accomplices in the plot.

The appeals court rejected all the claims.

Castillo does not have an execution date and still could raise appeals in the federal courts.

Castillo’s girlfriend, Debra Espinosa, pleaded guilty before his trial as part of plea bargain and testified against him. Another participant in the plot, Francisco Gonzales, also entered a plea for a reduced sentence. Both were sentenced to 40 years in prison.

The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 2, 2007 

Courtesy: Examiner

Lil Flip – Im A Balla (Music Video)

This video from Lil Flip, “I’m A Balla,” turns “Flavor Of Love” into “Flavor Of Thug.”

I stay lit… I talk shit… and back it up
Cuz I’ma baller… my money, you can’t match it up
Flip my chips.. flip my chips.. flip my chips… … …

This is definitely a hot video worth checking out… looks like Flip’s getting a little of his shine back.

Video courtesy of omarellis

Trae – No Help Feat. Z-Ro (Music Video)

This is the official music video for “No Help” from ya boy Trae straight out of the H-Town. It features Z-Ro… if you ask me, this is one of the hottest songs on Trae’s new album Restless which is in stores now.

Enjoy…it is produced by Trae’s own production company, South Fortress.
Thank you to iPimpsTV for the video.

Z-Ro – I Hate You (Music Video)

It’s a classic from Z-Ro. The “I Hate You” music video from Z-Ro’s album ‘Life of Joseph W. McVey’ featuring Dougie D from Guerilla Maab.  It also has some exclusive interview footage with Z-Ro, while he was serving time in prison at Pam Lychner Correctional Facility.

Scarface – On My Block (Music Video)

The music video for “On My Block” by Houston’s own Scarface, of Geto Boys fame. He is possibly one of the greatest rappers of all time…

at least if you ask me..
Thanks to decareless for the video

Mr. Pookie – Crook For Life (Music Video)

Chances are that if you are from Dallas, Texas, you know this song…
it’s the classic hit “Crook 4 Life” from Mr. Pookie’s 1999  album “Tha Rippla”

Check the music video out, straight from YouTube courtesy of TexasMexican

Chamillionaire Sound of Revenge goes platinum

It’s official Chamillionaire’s debut album, Sound of Revenge, has gone platinum and Cham is ready to celebrate. He has announced that he will be throwing an A-List party in New York City on June 5, 2007. I wonder who that A-list includes?

Chamillionaire has earned his first #1 record which is something that fellow Houston rappers Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Slim Thug, are still trying to accomplish. “Ridin’ Dirty” featuring Krayzie Bone went to Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart this week. The song was aided by several regional remixes which included guest vocals form UGK, E-40, Papoose, and Jae Millz.

Chamillionaire’s album continues to move 35,000 copies a week. Congrats to Chamillionaire for doing his thing and making it this far. I will be waiting to see what he comes out with next.

Video courtesy: Artisan News Service