Weekly Hip Hop News From ProHipHop

• 50 Cent provides a rapped escort and enters the ring with Floyd Mayweather in a major marketing coup for his upcoming album Curtis, whose title and release date were scrawled on the back of the t-shirt 50 wore.
• Now that hip hop is bearing the brunt of post-Imus discontent, profanity free hip hop is the newest differentiator in rap marketing.
• In a recent appearance during Guitar Center Sessions, Chuck D discussed the music business, comparing folks like Russell Simmons to buzzards.
• The Source magazine recently filed for bankruptcy with plans to reorganize.
• With Jay-Z always the center of attention, Damon Dash is still struggling to solidify his empire.
• An outdoor advertising campaign for Pepsi Smash features Mic Pass freestyle videos that are freely available as Bluetooth downloads at bus shelters and phone kiosks.
• Recent rap related promos available at YouTube feature rappers in support of Ghetto Metal and hip hop flavored videos extolling the pleasures of FreeStyle Rolling.
• Two new artists catching attention display uniquely different styles.  For hardcore progressive hip hop with a political message, NYOIL is jolting the system, while Lil Mama displays a kinder, gentler persona with her debut single, Lip Gloss.