Return Of A Titan: Priority Records Set To Make A Comeback

Nearly 30 years ago Los Angeles was the site where one of the most historic Hip Hop labels was launched. Priority Records would go on to release music by legendary rap acts like N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, Master P, Ice-T, and Jay Z.

After a being bought by EMI in 1998 and then merged into Capitol Records in 2004, the label was subsequently shut down. Priority is now set to relaunch under the umbrella of Capitol Music Group and Insurgency Music. This time as a producer-centered label.

“I don’t come from the Hip Hop world, but the genesis of that label was really about supporting the indie level,” said new Priority president and co-founder of Insurgency Michael Cohen. “The emergence of the producer as an artist and brand within the global electronic music scene and beyond has heralded a paradigm shift in the way music is created, discovered, and spread.”

The first official release from the new Priority will be the song “Higher” by Hip Hop producer Just Blaze and “Harlem Shake” creator Baauer on August 13. The track features Jay Z’s voice. A video for the single is currently being shot by director Nabil Elderkin (Nas & Damian Marley’s “Patience”, Kanye West’s “Paranoid”).

Shifting Hands: Jermaine Dupri in Danger of Losing Rights to So So Def Music

Hip hop icon Jermaine Dupri is in danger of losing his rights to the music on his So So Def label, apparently because he's having trouble paying off a gigantic loan.

Dupri borrowed a cool $4.8 million from SunTrust Bank back in 2010, and after he paid more than half of it back, the bank stopped getting payments. In response, SunTrust is now suing Dupri for nearly 2 million dollars.

Here's the rub -- in order to secure the loan, Dupri put up collateral in the form of copyrights and royalties to the many songs his label owns, including classic hits from artists like Xscape, Bow Wow, and Da Brat.

According to TMZ, Dupri has yet to come up with the cash. Here's to hoping he does.