BEATS BY THE POUND

Cincinnati bred producer Hi-Tek is currently working on a follow-up to his 2001 solo debut Hi-Teknology.  So far the project boasts collaborations with Nas, Raphael Saddiq, Mos Def and Snoop Dogg.

The producer has been keeping busy during his 'hiatus'. 

A substantial amount of his beats have been featured on projects released by Aftermath/G-Unit artist including two songs featured on 50 Cent's soundtrack to Get Rich or Die Tryin' . 

Tek has recently worked with Busta Rhymes, Styles P and has been submitting his work to Dr. Dre who is putting together the highly anticipated Detox album.

Aside from looking for a production deal, the producer is rearing his new artist Dion.

 The R&B singer can be heard singing on "I’m Running", which is featured on The Game's debut album The Documentary. Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. :p>

Another joint effort with Talib Kweli is also in the works.

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!

According to published reports, Bad Boy CEO Sean "Diddy " Combs and The LOX have settled their music publishing dispute, after squaring off on Angie Martinez’s Hot 97 radio show last month

Styles P revealed during an interview with Martinez on Friday, that after their heated exchange, Diddy reached out to him and they both agreed to meet 'eye to eye' to resolve the matter.

The sit down apparently went down earlier on Friday and both parties (in the presence of their lawyers), managed to come to a communal agreement which gave the group back it's publishing.

Diddy has yet to comment on settlement.

LABEL SHOPPERS

The Inc. are looking for a new home and are reportedly negotiating a deal with Warner Music Group.
 
Island Def Jam chose not to renew a deal with the label earlier this year, because the label's principals Irv and Chris Lorenzo were facing federal money laundering charges.

Def Jam also cited lackluster sales as another reason for not re-signing with the infamous label.

Ja Rule and Ashanti each had to release one album, to end their partnership with Island Def Jam.

They did that by both releasing compilations this past week.

The compilations featured the artists’ biggest hits and a couple of new songs.

To watch Ja Rule's video for the new single "Exodus", visit  www.jarule.com

THAT’S MY SONG!

Janine "Jah Jah" Gordon has hit 50 Cent and Dr. Dre with a copyright-infringement lawsuit. 

The up-and-coming rapper claims the two Interscope affiliated artists illegally used her songs "Poppin’ at Da Club," "Hardcore" and "Crazy Dreams" on 50 Cent’s album The Massacre.

Jah Jah and lawyers representing Dre and 50 have all declined comment.

In other news, G-Unit members Tony Yayo , Young Buck , Mobb Deep and M.O.P. were all denied entry to Canada due to their criminal records.

50 is currently on a Canadian tour and you can find tour dates here