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Rapper Ghostface Killah recently reached a settlement with Wu-Tang Clan Productions and Robert “RZA” Diggs in regards to unpaid royalties.

According to a motion filed on August 24, Hon. Judge Richard Lowe III ordered Wu-Tang Clan  Productions d/b/a as Wu-Tang Publishing to pay Ghost, born Dennis Coles, $158,255.18, with costs.

The original lawsuit dates back to 2005, when Ghostface sued Wu-Tang Productions over publishing royalties Ghostface claimed he should have earned on early albums released by the Wu-Tang Clan.

The judgment is the latest chapter in a battle between several Wu-Tang Clan members and the RZA, who has been accused by group members of keeping their share of royalties from albums sold.

“In support of his alleged right to a 50% producer’s fee, Diggs testified that he created the musical beats for the songs,” a portion of the lawsuit reads. “Because of this, defendants alleged Diggs was entitled to 50% of revenue separate and apart from the 50% received by the lyric writers. This was the proper distribution argued by defendants rather than a proportional share to be divided among all of the creators as urged by plaintiff. Diggs did not dispute plaintiffs assertions that he received the improper fee, rather he provided testimony in support of his receipt of the fee. Furthermore, he proffered expert testimony to support his receipt of the 50% producer’s fee.”

Ghostface, Raekwon and The RZA addressed the issue in published interviews.

“Don’t play with a grown man’s pockets,” Raekwon told MTV.com of the issue last year. “Don’t ever let a n***as feel like you stealing from him…because we was the n***as that would’ve did anything for you, jump in front of a bullet for you.”

RZA also shed light on the lawsuit with Ghostface in a January 2009 interview with Wildstylemag.com.

“They took all these times that I got 50 percent, added them up and said I owed them about 300-400 grand,” RZA explained. “How the f**k can that be Ghost?! Every time you put an album out with any producer you do the same thing. Now you are going to change it on me? Not only did I make the beat, I probably gave you some of your lyrics and sat in that f**ing studio for months!”

In January of 2008, U-God also sued RZA and Wu Music Group, seeking $170,000 in unpaid royalties.

RZA’s attorney Anthony Motta refused to comment on the matter, while Ghostface’s lawyers Cinque & Cinque were not available for comment.

All Wu-Tang Clan members have stated that they continue to remain loyal to the Wu brand, despite business turmoil.

Wu-Tang group members Raekwon’s recent hit album Only Built For Cuban Linx II features the entire Wu-Tang Clan, including Ghostface and The RZA.

In related news, Ghostface is preparing to release his latest album The Wizard of Poetry on September 29.
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Hip-Hop Lives Online: 5 Star, what’s good? Let the readers know a bit about your background.  What happening?

5 Star: Well, I grew in South Florida, though I was born in California.  After many, many (laugh) years of schooling I moved to Chicago to pursue a career in medicine.  While in Chicago, I started to get involved in the spoken-word scene, but for the past 3 years I’ve been pretty much strictly focused on making music.  Now, I’m trying to change history. 

HHLO: You have an interesting story to tell…let’s start with what the name stands for.

5 Star: Well, I assumed the name for the 5 things I’ve become known for; an emcee, a doctor, an author, a spoken-word artist, and songwriter.  Of course, 5 Star means excellence so I’ve set some high standards, I guess. (laugh).

HHLO: You are a former poet, who published a poetry book NOW turned emcee- when did you transition and why hip hop?  

5 Star: Hip-Hop, to me, is the most powerful form of expression.  I was drawn to Hip-Hop mainly because it’s a art-form that relies on creativity and story-telling. You combine that with hearing melodies through beats and I became real dangerous. Also, I’m one of the most competitive people you’ll ever meet, and Hip-Hop brings forth my natural tendency to want to be the best.  Really, the transition from poetry is not that much of a stretch. I feel music is just an extension of poetry.  At the end of the day, I don’t try to make music; it’s just something that comes real natural, something I was born with. 
HHLO: On top of all of this you’re a plastic surgeon by day and a hip hop artist by night and weekend. How do you keep the focus and what are the biggest challenges?  

5 Star: Yeah, you hit it.  It’s a challenge of efficiency.  At work, I’m a doctor.  After work, I’m a dedicated emcee.  It is a tricky balance.  I learned that you have to be totally focused in each career to be great.  I can’t be writing lyrics while I am performing surgery on someone.  As a surgeon, you have to be mentally prepared at every step, and every move is calculated.  As an emcee, every day becomes an opportunity for growth.  I’m always looking for new beats, thinking of fresh concepts, and honing my writing skills. With over 400 track in 3 years, I think I’ve managed just fine. (laugh)
HHLO: Are there any similarities in your approach to being a doctor and an emcee?  

5 Star: Yeah, in fact there are.  I think the best way to put it is that you have to know when you are ready.  Preparation is everything.  You don’t operate without going over in your mind exactly what is about to happen.  In a similar respect, I don’t throw together bars.  I analyze what I’m writing and constantly evaluating what I can do to make it even better.  Both careers require some self-assessment and being honest with yourself.

HHLO: What goals have you set for yourself musically and will you use the Doctor side of things as a plan B?  

5 Star: I see both sides as powerful and have set goals to excel at both careers.  Musically, I plan on reaching millions.  Not winning Grammy Awards and selling millions of records will be seen as a failure to me.  I don’t see medicine as a plan B; I see it as A-2.  I have a great opportunity to use music and medicine to affect the world, and I plan on making a huge impact in and out of the industry.  After working so hard to become a surgeon, to not use my training and skills in medicine would be disappointing.

HHLO: Who are you working with from a production side of things?  

5 Star: From a production standpoint, I really look at beats to drive my inspiration.  I’ve been fortunate to have worked with over 30 producers from around the world.  I don’t care who you are, if you make heat, I’m gonna write to it.  I’ve found that those artists who always use the same producers often start sounding the same.  I look for a challenge, and I don’t think there’s a beat I can’t write to.  Having said that, there are some producers that blow you away as an artist, and with them, making hit music is easy.  

Producers like Jimi Kendrix know what a hit sounds like. I mean, he has the platinum plaques and awards to show for it.  Of all the producers I’ve worked with Jimi throws batting practice, it’s too easy. (laugh)  I also have to give it up to producers like Kevin Writer out of the Def Jam camp, who is an amazingly talented producer and songwriter.

HHLO: Talk about the new single ‘Get To Know U’ Produced by Jimi Kendrix. How did you guys link and what’s the songs concept?  

5 Star: Jimi and I linked up primarily through the music.  I had done a few songs with his brothers as part of the Smith Brother’s imprint.  Jimi liked what he heard from me and we started making hits.  The first single, ‘Get To Know U’ was a concept that originated with Jimi.  He sent over the beat and I wrote it in like 20 minutes, sent it back and he was like, “Bro, this a hit!.”  The concept is crazy too.  It demonstrates how a woman and man can be in the same situation and think the exact opposite.  I know everyone can relate to that. (laugh) It’s what music has the power to do, and that is speak about real life issues in an interesting way, a way everyone can identify with.

HHLO: What do you want listeners to say about your music once they have listened?

5 Star: My focus has always been on bringing creativity back to our art-form.  I feel listeners with say damn this is a complete song; a great hook, great beat, creative lyrics, great flow, and all with a message. My album will make people buy albums again, not just singles.  I want them to realize I’m a complete artist. 

HHLO: What’s next on the plate?  

5 Star: Right now, we are spinning on the radio with our first single ‘Get to Know U.’ I plan on blowing up this first single and pushing my company MD Entertainment to the forefront.  Of course, we are maintaining our relationships with the majors, and likely we will find a home soon.

HHLO: Where are you online? 

5 Star: www.myspace.com/5star1, www.youtube.com/5starhiphop, www.twitter.com/5star1 , www.sonicbids.com/5star. Better yet just Google ME!  “5 Star Get To Know U.”
HHLO: Any Shouts and plugs? 

5 Star: Got to shout out Shondel Harrison, COO of my company MD Entertainment, LLC.  I have to plug all the producers and artists in Chicago I have had the opportunity to collaborate with.  I really want to thank I-Standard for always showing support for the 5 Star movement.  Certainly, a huge shout out goes to Jimi Kendrix and The Smith Brothers for believing in me as an artist, and for helping to make such great music.  I got to thank Eric Beasley (Asylum), Ant Rich (Jive), and Skid (Bad Boy) for their advice and support.  Oh, and last but not least Kevin Writer, an amazing songwriter, producer and artist.
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The wait is over!  Hip hop superstar Jim Jones and fellow Harlem native Webstar are set to release their brand new project, The RoofTop, on E1 Music on October 6^th, 2009. Harlem, U.S.A. has created another Hip-Hop bond that has taken the music world by storm. Jim Jones and Webstar have already collaborated on the hit single, “Dancin’ on Me,” featuring Juelz Santana, which blew up New York’s Hot 97 and continues to sweep through nightclubs throughout the country.  The new single, “She Can Get It,” is at urban radio now. Continue Reading

Bronx spitter Cory Gunz built an admirable buzz that began with mixtape freestyles which eventually lead to being included with XXL’s Freshmen Class of 2008 issue. The hype seemed to plateau with his show-stealing Tasmanian-devil-of-a-verse over the Lil Wayne’s “A Millie” beat and then, just like many of his Freshmen Class brethren, the hype died down as fast as it appeared. To avoid going from XXL cover to gracing the Missing Ad on a milk carton, he drops Heir to the Throne. But is it too late? Continue Reading

Rapper SAIGON will once again be participating in a charity event for IN ARMS REACH on September 29^th at City College in Harlem, U.S.A. 

SAIGON and IN ARMS REACH will be empowering kids of incarcerated parents with Art and Music to help them develop new skills and realize their full potential.  SAIGON will sit down with the kids and gives them guidance and show them how to deal with issues differently through outlets such as music.  

IN ARMS REACH, INC. is a non-profit art, music, prison visitation and educational mentoring organization that exclusively services children whose parents are or were formerly offenders of the criminal justice system. IN ARMS REACH, INC. works in conjunction with City College for the City University of New York in partnership with the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education. Programs and workshops are run on the City College campus.  This September event will be the Orientation for the First Class of the year. SAIGON will be introduced as the instructor and he will give an intro into the course.

This nonprofit event, gives SAIGON the opportunity to give back to the community and inspire kids suffering from neglect.

Who: SAIGON & IN ARMS REACH

What: Non-Profit Organization empowering kids of incarcerated parents Art and Music to develop new skills and realize their full potential

Where: City College (Harlem), 160 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10027

When: September 29^th 5 -7 PM

In Arms Reach Inc. recruits through after-school programs, group homes; foster care agencies, NYS and federal prisons, community-based youth and social service organizations. Members are required to attend regularly and present their report cards in order to remain in the program. Other artists who have worked with In Arms Reach are John Forte and Remy Ma.

SAIGON’s new album, “Warning Shots 2,” will be released on October 6th, 2009 on Amalgam Digital/E1 Music.

For more information please visit www.InArmsReach.net.   

Rapper SAIGON will once again be participating in a charity event for IN ARMS REACH on September 29^th at City College in Harlem, U.S.A.

SAIGON and IN ARMS REACH will be empowering kids of incarcerated parents with Art and Music to help them develop new skills and realize their full potential.  SAIGON will sit down with the kids and gives them guidance and show them how to deal with issues differently through outlets such as music.  

IN ARMS REACH, INC. is a non-profit art, music, prison visitation and educational mentoring organization that exclusively services children whose parents are or were formerly offenders of the criminal justice system. IN ARMS REACH, INC. works in conjunction with City College for the City University of New York in partnership with the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education. Programs and workshops are run on the City College campus.  This September event will be the Orientation for the First Class of the year. SAIGON will be introduced as the instructor and he will give an intro into the course.

This nonprofit event, gives SAIGON the opportunity to give back to the community and inspire kids suffering from neglect.

Who: SAIGON & IN ARMS REACH

What: Non-Profit Organization empowering kids of incarcerated parents Art and Music to develop new skills and realize their full potential

Where: City College (Harlem), 160 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10027

When: September 29^th 5 -7 PM

With cats like Blu and Pac Div coming out of Cali, it’s hard not to believe all the lyricists went West. Fashawn is another promising emcee from the Golden State that’s making heads turn because of the rhyme skill, no gimmicks. He hooks up with producer Alchemist to bring you the mixtape-before-the-album, The Antidote. Continue Reading