By Angela Benton, BlackWeb20.com

Would you Donate Cash to Soulja Boy?

If you haven’t been following Soulja Boy’s use of Web 2.0 techniques, some dating back as far as 2007 and earlier, you could be clueless to the kind of money he is getting using it. With many of his endeavors centering around the web, his cartoon and the various dances that accompany his records to name a few, he is clearly no novice at marketing. In fact one may consider him an expert and even follow his many tips that he dishes via YouTube on how to sell a cool milli online.  Read the rest of this entry »

Rapper launches first TV series. Books, a film company and clothing line have only been the beginning of rapper 50 Cent’s media and entrepreneurial empire. Tonight his show, “50 Cent: The Money and the Power” debuts on MTV. Featuring 14 contestants whose goal is to show the rapper they have the best business mind, the reality competition will star Fiddy as judge. Participants will vie to win $100,000 in start-up cash to pursue their own business ventures.

Snoop’s reality show to air second season. The family life of rapper Snoop Dogg will be the focus of an E! cable show for a second season. “Snoop Dogg’s Fatherhood” returns Nov. 30. The rapper, who turned 37 last month, is only a few who currently have shows focusing on their lives outside the spotlight. Last season’s episodes included Snoop’s attempt to learn yoga and adopt healthier eating habits.

Kirk Douglas petitions symbolic gesture. Long-time actor Kirk Douglas is using his MySpace page to help generate support for a national apology by the United States government for its involvement in slavery. Douglas, whose talent has earned him roles in everything from old Western flicks to TV shows like “Touched by an Angel” and a voice part on “The Simpsons,” is collecting signatures. The Oscar-nominated legend plans to eventually send his petition to the president. Douglas, 91, is the father of actor Michael Douglas.

Taraji Henson provides woman with food, shelter. A Hurricane Katrina survivor has three months of rent-free housing courtesy of actress Taraji Henson. Henson, who co-starred in Baby Boy and Hustle & Flow, was in New Orleans filming The Curious Case of Benjamin Button when she met the single mom and her children. “This woman lost everything during Katrina and came back and got her little apartment,” Henson says. “She had two daughters she was raising by herself and then her apartment caught on fire, so she lost everything twice. I wanted to give her something besides toys because where would they put it? They didn’t have anywhere to stay.”

Snoop owes actor Russell Crowe a favor. Rapper Snoop Dogg will have to speak to a group of Australian children as partial repayment of a favor to Gladiator star Russell Crowe. Snoop expects to tour the continent late next month after recently having his ban from the country lifted. Crowe, who lives in Australia, helped plead Snoop’s case to the government, calling the rapper a “friend.” “I submit to you that Snoop Dogg poses no threat to Australia or to any individual in this country,” Crowe wrote in a letter. “He has toured here three times before without incident and there are no reasons to assume this tour will be anything but the positive experience the last three have been. Snoop has built a stellar reputation with promoters and audiences worldwide.” Crowe added that he had a “selfish motivation” as well, saying that Snoop promised to appear at a youth charity event for Crowe’s South Sydney Rugby League Club. He wrote:  ”Some of our First Grade players will attend with him and he will deliver a powerful and positive message about rising through adversity, drawing on his own underprivileged background as an example. As you can imagine, such a visit will have a phenomenal effect.” Snoop had been banned due to his criminal record.

Stalking’s not sexy, but can be inspiring, Terrence Howard says

He once rapped in the movie Hustle & Flow that it was hard out here for a pimp. But Terrence Howard knows from personal experience that it can also be hard for an ex, like it was when he separated from his wife. Howard, whose acclaimed acting will soon be compared with his music, wrote about the experience of stalking the mom of his three children after the couple split up. The song “No. 1 Fan” from his debut CD Shine It Through discusses the experience. “It was raining, and I was sitting there in front of the house, watching her come home from a date after we were divorced,” Howard tells the New York Times. “I was imagining what she did on this date, and watching her giving him a kiss. I went home and wrote this song.” Howard hopes his next big hit will be on the song charts, not in an appearance on “Cops.”

Rapper will tour with Ice Cube

Snoop Dogg will appear in concert in Australia with Ice Cube this fall after a ban against him was lifted. Snoop’s criminal record resulted in his being blocked from entering the continent by Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews last spring. But now he’s set to perform in the country for a 17-day tour beginning Oct. 21. The lift of Snoop’s ban has been met with anger by local activists who wanted the punishment to remain.

Felicia “Snoop” Pearson is arrested on drug charges

Actress Felicia Pearson, best known as the character Snoop from HBO’s “The Wire,” has been charged with suspected marijuana possession after cops went to her Baltimore home last week to pursue her cooperation in a murder trial. Police found two cigars containing suspected marijuana in a bedroom, plus what they believed to be loose weed. Pearson has allegedly refused to appear as a witness to a 2005 murder. Cops say Pearson saw Steven Lashley stab three men, killing one, after an argument. She could be detained until Lashley’s September trial.

Veteran Hollywood actor suffered broken bones. Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman is recovering with a broken shoulder and arm, after losing control of his 1997 Nissan in a weekend accident. Freeman is reportedly in good spirits and expected to make a full recovery after he and his passenger Demaris Meyer had to be cut out of the vehicle that veered off of Highway 32 near Ruleville, Miss. and flipped several times, according to police. Bill Luckett, a friend and co-owner of Freeman’s Madidi restaurant in Mississippi, says the actor was sitting up and talking when Luckett visited him at Regional Medical Center in Memphis on Monday. Meyer, whose relationship to Freeman is unknown, is also reportedly in good condition. Freeman’s latest performance can be seen in the hit Batman film, The Dark Knight. Read more here.

Snoop “Dizzle’s” tags were current when weed was found. A lawyer for rapper Snoop Dogg says his tour bus was stopped illegally last week when two pounds of marijuana were allegedly found on board. Two of Snoop’s entourage were charged with possession after officers pulled the vehicle over, allegedly for expired tags. But Snoop’s attorney says the tags were current. The drug charges could be dismissed if it’s found that there was no cause for cops to stop the bus, initially. Snoop’s wife Shanté Broadus avoided drunk driving charges recently after it was found that officers lacked evidence against her.

The rap super star denies rumors that he’s planning to get therapy

So he’s known for throwing a fit every once in a while. What grown man doesn’t? Rap star Kanye West has put to rest rumors that he has any plans of seeking anger management. The man who recently filled his blog with profanity after he was criticized for taking the stage late at a Tennessee music festival has posted the following kinder, gentler clarification on his official site: “Now the media is saying I’m going to anger management something or ‘nother. I have never had any conversations about anger management. If anything, I need anger enhancement! lol! I get off the plane in Hawaii today and the world is saying my management team said blah blah blah… Oh and a sidebar – I don’t know if everyone has realized this yet, but I don’t do interviews; if there’s anything I wanna say, I’ll say [it] right here on my own blog.”

“Boss Lady” won’t face drunken driving charges.
Maybe she was only doing her mug shot impression of a person who’d been driving drunk. A Cali court has thrown out charges against rapper Snoop Dogg’s wife Shanté Broadus, following her arrest for alleged DUI. Citing a lack of evidence – apparently including her booking photo – a judge dismissed the count against “Boss Lady,” as she’s known on Snoop’s reality series. Guess you really can’t judge a book by its cover, if “Boss Lady’s” best drunk woman pose is any indication.

Nelly joins singer Sheryl Crow on Olympics CD

The rap world is making its contribution to the U.S. Olympics through Nelly’s contribution on a forthcoming, exclusive CD. The St. Louis rapper joins pop singer Sheryl Crow and other artists to lay tracks that will be used to help motivate athletes bound for the Games in Beijing. “I know this soundtrack is something we will all be able to enjoy while we’re in Beijing and will help motivate us to compete at our very best,” says swimmer Michael Phelps. The Olympics begin Aug. 8.

Music mogul blazes new trail with digital discovery

Jermaine Dupri talks candidly about a new signing, a different platform for music distribution and artist development. Music News has the latest developments.

John Legend returns with the help of Andre 3000

John Legend and Andre 3000 collaborate on new single, “Green Light.” Check it out here! Sound Off has more.

Snoop Dogg’s wife is arrested.
Snoop Dogg’s wife, Shante Broadus, 32, was pulled over and detained in Orange County, Calif., for allegedly driving under the influence on Sunday! More at Sound Off.

Rapper’s boo is allegedly busted driving under the influence

The wife of rapper Snoop Dogg has been charged with driving while intoxicated in California, cops say. A spokesman wouldn’t say why Shante’ Broadus’ vehicle was initially stopped. But the 32-year-old spouse of Snoop, who’s been prominently featured on the rappers E! cable network reality show, was booked with a not-so-cute mugs hot and issued a citation. She’ll appear in court next month.