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KL Style © 2000
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 OutKast Vs. Rosa Parks - www.sohh.com - August 10, 2000
The beef between Atlanta rap group OutKast and Civil rights legend Rosa Parks continues. Last November the hip-hoppers won the right to use the icon’s name in a title to a song off their 1998 album Aquemini, citing that the reference was protected under the First Amendment. Parks had sought to have the song’s name changed, and $75,000 in damages. The controversial joint went onto be nominated for a Grammy. At the time of the verdict, OutKast’s lawyer, Joseph Beck, had this comment, "[We] have the greatest respect for Rosa Parks, but music, like poetry and fiction, is protected speech."
In December 1999, Parks appealed the federal judge’s decision objecting to lyrics in the song which include words such as "nigga" and "ho." This week it was announced that Johnnie Cochran, a defender in the high-profile O.J. Simpson case, will be fighting her appeal. He will argue that the song is not protected under the First Amendment because the title carries Parks’ name yet the lyrics aren’t about her.
Jigga's Gangster Project - www.sohh.com - August 9, 2000
On the heels of an elite New York City debut last week of his tour documentary “Hard Knock Life,” rapper Jay-Z is already talking about his next film project. Seems Jigga has plans to produce a feature based on the lives of some real-life Manhattan gangsters—fellas that have served as inspiration for more than one dope rhyme. Mekhi Phifer (“Shaft” and “Soul Food”) has been slated to star in the movie, which is expected to begin filming later this year.
“Hard Knock Life,” one of the most successful tours in hip-hop history, grossed over $13.7 million in 50 dates. The behind-the-scenes chronicle will be coming to a theater near you on September 6. It includes appearances from rappers DMX, Method Man and Redman, who were co-headliners on 1999 tour.
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