Booker's thoughts stem from a proposed bill in the state which would make carrying 15 grams or less of “greenery” punishable by a $150 fine, versus jail time. New Jersey governor, Chris Christie, has yet to support the bill, but Booker was pretty clear about his thoughts, first stating that decriminalizing the drug may lead to increased addiction, then blasting the state for racism. “In NJ blacks are about 15% of population but over 60% of prison population and DRUGS fuels much of the incarceration,” he wrote in response to one of his followers. “So yes we need to radically change the conversation from INCARCERATION to what will really end this national nightmare.”

Time will tell whether or not Booker's views will influence the governor's decision, but standing behind the use of weed will probably make him more popular among the likes of  Wiz Khalifa, Snoop, and other weed supporters in the game.

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Photo: Getty

Download the release after the jump.

Download: DMX - The Weigh In

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Photo: MTV

Even with some of the rap game's most heralded artists: just ask Nas, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and several other rappers who have yet to surpass the critical acclaim they received on albums they dropped when they were still wet behind the ears in the game. Record sales aside, here are 10 exceptional rap acts who tried and tried, but couldn't top the magic of their first LPs.

Feel free to tell us who we missed, or how wrong you think we are.

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Photo: Lisa Leone

One person touched by Yauch's career is  Game, who shared his thoughts on the passing of the MC.  "We lost a great musical legend,” Game told Hip-Hop Wired exclusively, after hearing the news.  Growing up as a fan of the Beastie Boys, hearing of the Yauch's death marked a sad moment for the Compton native. “My heart and condolences go out to MCA's family and friends. Beastie Boys paved the way for Hip-Hop artists like us. I will be forever grateful.”

Yauch was diagnosed with a cancer in his parotid gland back in 2009, and was unable to attend the Beastie Boys' Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in last month.

Check out more rappers sharing their thoughts on Yauch's untimely death below.

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The ghost of Tupac was on point during his set alongside headliners, Dr. Dre and Snoop, and while Afeni did not attend to concert, she watched it over the Internet. She also gave Dre approval to go forward with the hologram, prompting the Compton native to make a donation to the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, a charity launched in honor of the slain MC.

Apparently bringing someone back from the dead isn't cheap. CNN reported that the cost of the digital marvel was $10 million. Meanwhile, Nick Smith of AV Concepts— the company behind the lifelike digital depiction— kept fell short of disclosing the final bill for the hologram. "I can't say how much that event cost, but I can say it's affordable in the sense that if we had to bring entertainers around world and create concerts across the country, we could put [artists] in every venue in the country,” he said.

We're still a little shaky about this whole "Tupac back" situation, but it's interesting that Dre can hit the stage with someone who has been dead for 15 years, but can't lock down a release date for Detox.

Also, somebody should teach Soledad O'Brien how to pronounce Tupac's name correctly.

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Photo: The Hollywood Gossip

Snoop Dogg Receiving BMI Icon Award

Snoop Dogg will receive one of the highest honors of his career this fall when the rapper is named an icon by Broadcast Music, Inc.

Snoop will be saluted as a BMI Icon at the BMI Urban Awards, slated for Friday, August 26 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

BMI President & CEO Del Bryant will share hosting duties with Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, as the entertainment community gathers to celebrate the most-performed urban songs, songwriters and producers of the previous year.

The evening will include an all-star musical tribute to Snoop Dogg, as well as the presentation of the Urban Songwriter, Song, Producer and Publisher of the Year crystals.

BMI Icons are selected because of their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.”

As a BMI Icon Snoop Dogg will join ranks that include George Clinton, The Jacksons, James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Bee Gees, Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana, to name a few.

Snoop has received twelve BMI Awards spanning urban and pop point to his prominent role in hip-hop's seduction of the mainstream.

He has been previously honored by the American Music Awards, Source Awards, BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards.

Snoop Dogg  got some time chopped off his five year probation plan yesterday, when a judge waived the remaining 11 months from the rappers restriction period, according to TMZ.

The probation stems from a 2007 drug and weapons possession charge. In 2006, the rapper was arrested after performing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno outside NBC studios.

During the arrest officers reportedly discovered marijuana, cocaine and a gun in Snoop's vehicle. The Dog Father was originally given 60 months of probation but a judge waived the remainder of the sentence Thursday.

Snoop's lawyer Donald Etra says the Snoop camp is “pleased” with the outcome.

Snoop's 'Blast By Colt 45' endorsement under fire

Although he made recent headlines for his ties to a Japan benefit t-shirt, Snoop Dogg is making headlines again, this time for being accused of promoting underage drinking.

As previously reported, the Doggfather has joined forces with Colt 45 for their new “Blast” beverage.

According to the Marin Institute, an “alcohol industry watchdog”, Snoop is wrongfully using his power to encourage underage drinking.

The beverage contains both alcohol and caffeine and comes in a colorful can which The Institute fears can be especially attractive to minors.

Marin CEO Bruce Lee Livingston has released a statement on Snoop and the makers of Blast saying,

While the federal government was shutting down dangerous caffeinated alcohol, Pabst Brewing Company was cooking up 'Blast,' a super sweet, fruit-flavored, supersized alcopop containing as much alcohol as four and a half cans of beer. Joose, Four Loko, Tilt and now Blast are racing to the bottom to harm youth. Senator Padilla's bill should limit such products to one standard-size drink."

 

 

Snoop has yet to respond.

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"The Wire" Creator Says Snoop's Arrest Due To Lack Of Black Acting Roles

As previously reported, on Thursday March 10, 2011 Felicia "Snoop" Pearson was arrested charged with conspiring to sell heroin and was one among 64 people charged in a joint state-federal persecution of a large east Baltimore drug gang.

Why it may look like life imitating art as she seems to be causght up in the dope  game like her character in HBO's The Wire, her P.R. team has released a statement on her behalf:

“Felicia Pearson has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. In Felicia's case, she feels that she is being targeted not only because of her portrayal of the memorable character “Snoop” On HBO's critically acclaimed series THE WIRE; but also because of where she is from in Baltimore.

Felicia grew up where high crime rates, drug use and violence are the norm. Felicia has overcome numerous hard ships in her lifetime. She does not expect these hardships to be used as an excuse for illegal activities. She has never stopped working on self improvement. Felicia has made strong statements against drugs and violence of any kind.

She is focused on living a positive life-style encouraging youth and formerly incarcerated women to make positive choices for themselves. She is currently working on 3 films that are shooting in Philadelphia with Len Daniels and T-Town Music Group.

Felicia hopes to return to the Philadelphia film set immediately, and wants her friends and fans to know that she is keeping her head up, shoulders back and that she is prepared to fight these new charges against her.”

David Simon, creator of The Wire, also spoke up for "Snoop" in an interview with Slate.

"First of all, Felicia's entitled to the presumption of innocence. And I would note that a previous, but recent drug arrest that targeted her was later found to be unwarranted and the charges were dropped. Nonetheless, I'm certainly sad at the news today. This young lady has, from her earliest moments, had one of the hardest lives imaginable.

And whatever good fortune came from her role in The Wire seems, in retrospect, limited to that project. She worked hard as an actor and was entirely professional, but the entertainment industry as a whole does not offer a great many roles for those who can portray people from the other America. There are, in fact, relatively few stories told about the other America.

Beyond that, I am waiting to see whether the charges against Felicia relate to heroin or marijuana. Obviously, the former would be, to my mind, a far more serious matter. And further, I am waiting to see if the charges or statement of facts offered by the government reflect any involvement with acts of violence, which would of course be of much greater concern."

Keep ya head up Snoop and Hip-Hop Wired will keep you posted as this story develops.

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