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MUSIC BITS: DMX rejects deal; Dro’s big ‘Shoulder’; Killa’s ‘Brooklyn’; Smokey & Naomi; Timbaland, Snoop at Teen Choice.
*DMX turned down a plea bargain in White Plains, NY Monday that would have ended the case surrounding his latest misdemeanor traffic violation. The rapper, born Earl Simmons, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle in White Plains last month. Details surrounding the deal were not revealed, but the Yonkers native was reportedly upset over a $25,000 fine he was ordered to pay for traffic tickets. The case has been adjourned until August 25. If convicted, the lyricist faces a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail.
*Young Dro’s “Shoulder Lean” has taken over urban radio. Born Djuan Hart in Atlanta's Bankhead Court, the artist on T.I.’s Grand Hustle/Atlantic label has earned the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard Urban Monitor chart and the R&R Urban Mainstream chart this week with the popular track – the first single from his upcoming album “Best Thang Smokin’,” due Aug. 29. “Shoulder Lean" also landed the No. 1 spots on BET’s "106 & Park" countdown last week and on MTV2, where the video is in the ELITE 8 rotation. But wait…there’s more. The “Shoulder Lean” ringtone is currently Warner Music Group's No. 1 selling mastertone with sales of over 500,000.
*Masta Killa of the Wu Tang Clan will drop his sophomore solo set, "Made in Brooklyn," on Aug. 8 via Nature Sounds. The rapper is also due to appear on upcoming projects with Wu members Method Man ("4:21: The Day After"), Inspectah Deck (a new mix tape) and Raekwon (the follow-up to 1995’s "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx"), reports Billboard.com. "Everybody who has an album coming out, I'm there," he tells the Web site. "The foundation of my music is family oriented so without my supporting cast it wouldn't be what it is. The only thing that really keeps us separated is that we're all pulled in so many different directions. I'm fortunate that I'm in a situation where I can be patient enough to be creative."
*Smokey Robinson will be a guest on country legend Naomi Judd’s new TV talk show “Naomi’s New Morning,” which airs Sunday (7/30) at 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. exclusively on the Hallmark Channel. Robinson will also perform two songs from his newest album, "Timeless Love." "Naomi's New Morning" premiered as a weekly talk show last November and takes a “transformative look at human experiences.” Previous guests have included Patti LaBelle and Gloria Estefan. In the coming weeks, Naomi will welcome Brian McKnight and Food Network's Paula Deen.
*Nelly Furtado and Timbaland will perform their duet "Promiscuous" at Teen Choice 2006, it was announced this week. The song is nominated for Choice R&B/ Hip Hop Track. Also Snoop Dogg will be among the celebs making appearances at the event, to be held Aug. 20 in Los Angeles and hosted by rumored lovebirds Jessica Simpson and comedian Dane Cook. Britney Spears’ husband Kevin Federline will close the show with a performance from his upcoming rap album. The ceremony awards surfboard trophies to artists chosen by the public. You can vote for your favorites at www.TeenPeople.com through August 11.
