50 Cent has been tapped to appear at the Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica this July.

Summerfest Productions confirmed 50 Cent will headline a Friday night event titled "Ignition" on July 21, in Montego Bay.

“50 Cent is absolutely one of the most exciting personalities in music. He has an aura that excites fans even before he touches the stage,” said Jomo Cato, Director of Marketing for Summerfest Productions. “We expect this show to be tremendously exciting and a huge favorite with our fans. When you look at the line up for 'Ignition,' it is an event that no one in Jamaica will miss. My advice is to get your tickets early!”

Mobb Deep , Lloyd Banks, Mase, Sizzla, Lady Saw and Vegas  re also slated to perform.

The Red Stripe Reggae Fest, which takes place from July 16-22, showcases the world's top reggae, R&B and Hip-Hop artists from around the world. Other artists on the bill for 2006 include Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley, Bounty Killa, Beenie Man, Capleton, Buju Banton, Beres Hammond, Elephant Man, Baby Cham, Macka Diamond, Busy Signal, John Holt, Gregory Isaacs, Pam Hall and others.

MR. BROWN'S TURN

 

Rapper and longtime OutKast associate Sleepy Brown will release his debut album, Mr. Brown on Sept. 27 via OutKast member Big Boi's Purple Ribbon imprint through Virgin. First single "Margarita" features both Big Boi and Pharrell and was produced by the Neptunes.

A video for "Margarita" will be shot in mid-June in Spain and will feature Big Boi and Pharrell. Also confirmed is a July 13 taping for "CD:USA" and an MTV2 special on the making of the "Margarita" clip.

Brown had worked with OutKast for several years before his breakthrough appearance on the 2003 No. 1 single "The Way You Move." He has also guested on projects by Cee Lo, Jay-Z, Joi, Earth, Wind & Fire and Ludacris, among others.

CUT THROAT TALES

Cash Money Records founder and CEO Bryan "Baby" Williams and his star artist Lil' Wayne have signed on to star in a new independent movie titled Cut Throat City.

The heist story starts in New Orleans' rough 9th Ward, also known as Cut Throat City.

The movie is being shot by music video director Aaron Courseault and is his first feature film, while the script is being written by Paul Cuschieri.

Cut Throat City is scheduled to be released in 2007.

DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK 

After her 2002 Gold-certified Thug Misses album spawned the club classic "My Neck, My Back," Khia is returning with her follow up album Gangstress, which will be released on July 11, 2006 through her own Thug Misses Entertainment in partnership with Warlock Records. The first single, “Snatch The Cat Back,” is currently in rotation throughout the South, and the video will be released in June.

Khia's four-year hiatus from the studio was mainly due to her success overseas, where she has been performing endlessly to crowds that may not speak English, but know "My Neck, My Back" by heart. The love of her fans motivated Khia to begin composing the new songs, and the end result is her new Gangstress album.

The self-produced project spotlights Khia at her lyrical best, with no superstar guest features. Rather than going for big-name producers to create her vision, Khia relied on her own songwriting and composition abilities. She enlisted professional engineers J.A. and John Miller to assist her in running the boards, as she mapped out her club-savvy beats.

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Tampa, Khia now resides in Atlanta with her family. To date, she has sold over 800,000 records, and she never forgets the reason she is on top. “My fans recognize my realness, and I’m always touring, no matter where," explains Khia. "I love to interact with my fans, because at the end of the day, it’s all about them!”

I AIN'T DEAD YET

 Brooklyn based rapper Maino fought off an attempted gunpoint robbery on Satuday night ( June 3) in a sneaker store located in Brooklyn.

According to reports, the suspect attempted to rob the rapper, while he was shopping. With a gun to his head, Maino wrestled his assaillant to the ground, during the struggle, the assaillant was shot twice and wounded.

More details surrounding the shooting will be revealed soon.