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According to the Associated Press murder charges against Melvin Vernell Jr. and Marcus Roach, two managers at Trill Entertainment, have been dropped.
The charges against the two men were dropped because prosecutors in the case waited too long to try the men on the charges they received. Prosecutors waited two years to try the men.
"The judge threw out the most serious charges. Attempted murder and armed robbery carry mandatory prison sentences," Lewis Unglesby, one of the men’s attorneys, told the AP.
Although the murder charges against Vernell and Roach have been dropped they still face the charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a firearm, and possession of an illegal firearm by a convicted felon.
Currently out on bond, both men will have to stand trial for the remaining charges in August.
Vernell and Roach were charged with attempted second-degree murder following a shooting at a store in Baton Rouge in 2005.
Tonight kicks off the series, with an honor to one of Philadelphia's pioneering emcees, Bahamadia. She worked with the likes of Gang Starr, Da Beatminerz and The Roots on her 1996 critically-acclaimed debut Kollage. The emcee, who released two more albums is said to be at work on a documentary film.
To honor Bahamadia, Cannons Inc.'s Housewife, Trish Barnes, Nina Ross and early '00s Timbaland protege Ms. Jade are included on the bill, among others.
Next week's event features James Cagnie, also of Cannons Inc., E. Ness of Making The Band fame and others.
The March 24th event features Sandman, rising sensation Daddy-O and Tone Trump, among others.
Closing out the month, March 31st's event features Bump J., Donny Boy, Stacks Fam and others.
All events are held at Philadelphia's Arts Garage on Ridge Avenue.
DMX's penchant for getting in trouble with the law continues, as the once-superstar rapper was once again arrested.According to TMZ.com, the Yonkers rapper was arrested yesterday (March 9) in Arizona for violating the terms of his probation by using illegal drugs over the past nine months.
"He's been battling addiction for some time and he's in need of treatment," says X's lawyer, Gary Jenkins.
"We're hoping that maybe Dr. Drew might be able to help him," added Jenkins, referring to Dr. Drew Pinsky, a radio and television personality who specializes in addiciton medicine. In addition to hosting the syndicated radio talk show Loveline, Pinsky produces and stars in the Vh1 show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.
The Ruff Ryder has been arrested for countless charges in recent years, including having a warrant for having no vaild driver's license, as well as drug and animal cruelty charges.
UPDATE: Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio revealed to MTV News today that the Yonkers emcee admitted to using cocaine, as drugs were found. As a result, the once-platinum superstar rapper remains in Maricopa County Jail. The sheriff was quoted as saying, "I think it's about time to give him hard time."
The sheriff did also suggest a behind-bars drug program that could allow DMX more leniency to expected parole violation sentencing.
The Black Eyed Peas enjoyed their 39th week on the charts. The group kept the #8 seat warm for The E.N.D. Already at double platinum, a new video "Imma Be Rocking That Body," has will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and Apl.De.Ap staying as close to the top of the charts as they've been in months. will.i.am will soon be working on Usher's Raymond v. Raymond.
There were two new additions to the Top 15. Raheem DeVaughn's Love & War Masterpeace concept album received an impressive Top 10 debut. The DMV Soul singer's third album features Ludacris and Wale ("The Greatness"
) and a slew of guest R&B singers on the posse cut "Nobody Wins A War."With all the chart movement, Lil Wayne's Rebirth fell six spots. This was the last week of Wayne out of prison to promote the album, which may hurt its platinum potential. Wayne's homie DJ Khaled's Victory album debuted at #14. This was seven points and 30,000 units less than Khaled's last album, We Global. Victory is getting stronger critical response, as the album boasts three Rick Ross appearances, as well as features from Drake, Young Jeezy and Snoop Dogg.
* Please note: figures below approximated to nearest thousandth.
Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)
| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 2 |
Sade |
Soldier Of Love |
79,000 |
899,000 |
| 8 | Black Eyed Peas |
The E.N.D. |
46,000 |
2,228,000 |
| 9 |
Raheem DeVaugn |
The Love & War Masterpeace |
45,000 |
45,000 |
| 12 |
Lil Wayne |
Rebirth |
32,000 |
393,000 |
| 14 |
DJ Khaled |
Victory |
28,000 |
28,000 |
Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 closes in on 1,660,000 units sold, while Eminem's Relapse crossed the 1,875,000 unit mark. Last week, Gucci Mane's The State Vs. Radric Davis out-sold both platinum rappers, coming in at #51. The Warner Brothers/Asylum release crossed the 300,000 unit mark, as its creator remains in prison, limiting marketing.
Drake did indeed surpass 400,000 units with So Far Gone last week. Although Universal and Cash Money treat this EP as unofficial album, the release may likely go gold, making a strong case for retail versions of free download music. 50 Cent's Before I Self Destruct fell 40 spots last week, outside of the Top 100. This movement may have a lot to do with the close sales race, decided by 3,000 weekly units or less.
Freeway & Jake One's The Stimulus Package hung in on the charts for a third week. Free's first "official" independent album, this on the Minneapolis-based Rhymesayers label was supported with a whole album's worth of production from Seattle's most prolific producer, Jake One.
| Rank | Artist | Album | This Week | Est. Total |
| 51 |
Gucci Mane | The State Vs. Radric Davis |
11,000 |
301,000 |
| 52 |
Eminem | Relapse |
11,000 |
1,875,000 |
| 77 |
Drake |
So Far Gone |
7,300 |
401,100 |
| 103 |
50 Cent |
Before I Self Destruct |
5,800 |
416,000 |
| 195 |
Freeway & Jake One |
The Stimulus Package |
2,700 |
15,000 |
Will Ludacris bring his boys vs. girls fight to the top of the charts? Can the Kidz In The Hall get the mainstream love they seem to be seeking? Stay tuned to next week at HipHopDX.
Murs has a lot of music in the vault. Although fans have been anticipating his latest project Fornever, a release with producer 9th Wonder, he says he has much more in store. Recently, the Mid City Los Angeles emcee announced that he would be releasing ten albums in ten months in 2010. The theme may also lead to a box set that will be released in October.
"10 albums 10 songs each in 10 months in the year 2010. 10/10/10 box set will be available," he announced on his Twitter page. "Or you can wait till 12/28 for the last piece."
Believing that fans may take it as a joke, he has repeated himself more than once on the subject.
This can be as a result of his time spent after releasing his Warner Brothers debut, Murs for President. Since that album, Murs has been working on a variety of projects with various artists. In August of last year, Murs spoke to HipHopDX about all the music he is ready to release and promised the ten records to us back then.
“A lot of people keep asking about Murs and 9th Wonder. It never went away. We never stopped doing shit. We’re going to do shit forever. So, Murs and 9th Wonder coming [in 2010]... I got a punk rock group called The Invincibles with this gang called Whole Wheat Bread coming out this year. I’ve also been working on some stuff with DJ Quik and Terrace Martin. We’re doing a whole ghetto, hood, electro, dance, sex, party record. We’ve been working on that. We’ve got a few songs knocked out. I’ve also got Varsity Blues 2, man. So, I got like 4 records coming out. I’m going to have like 10 records in the next year, man. Stay tuned because as soon as I get free from Warner Brothers, it’s going to be a party.”
Now free, it seems he's ready to get that party started.
