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Jay-Z skips Grammys again

Despite being nominated in three categories, Jay-Z once again decided to pass on attending the Grammy Awards. Jigga's "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" lost out to Missy Elliott's "Get Ur Freak On," for Rap Solo Performance, while "Change the Game" and The Blueprint fell victim to Outkast's victories in the Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rap Album categories, respectively. The only hip-hop award worth making the trip for would have been Best Rap Album, because the other three were not televised, something that factored into Jay's decision. Contrary to published reports, Jay-Z first publicly boycotted the Grammys in 1999. "I am boycotting the Grammys because too many major rap artists continue to be overlooked," Jay-Z said in a written statement three years ago. "Rappers deserve more attention from the Grammy committee and from the whole world. If it's got a gun everybody knows about it; but if we go on a world tour, no one knows." Jigga's Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life was picked for Best Rap Album despite his abscence, and earlier this month he talked about what led him to the decision to skip that show. "I didn't think they gave the rightful respect to hip-hop," he told MTV. "It started that they didn't nominate DMX that year. DMX had an incredible album. He didn't get a nomination. I was like, 'Nah, that's crazy.'" In 1989, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (now known better as Will Smith) were among the first hip-hop artists to boycott the Grammys. The duo, who won the show's first rap award that year, and three of the other five nominees protested because the honor was not presented on-air.

Outkast performs, wins two Grammys

The biggest honors escaped them, but Outkast still took home two trophies at the 44th annual Grammy Awards, which took place Wednesday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Big Boi and Andre, who were nominated for five awards, had to settle for the Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group awards. "Thanks to the Lord above for letting us be here at the Grammys," Big Boi said as he accepted the Best Rap Album honor. The duo, which also was nominated for Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Short Form Music Video, made a quick trip back to the stage after performing "Ms. Jackson," which was the song that won Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. "It's only the beginning," Andre promised. "We're in the studio right now working on our next album." Stankonia was only the second hip-hop album ever nominated for Album of the Year, following Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP last year. Lil' Kim and her "Lady Marmalade" cohorts walked away with the Best Pop Collaboration honor. Kim, Mya, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliott and Patti Labelle had just finished performing the song when the winner was announced. Elliott also won Best Rap Solo Performance for "Get Ur Freak On," but the honor was one of several announced before the show. Eve also was among those whose shining moment did not get televised. Her duet with Gwen Stefani, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," grabbed one of the new awards -- Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Kim, Missy and Eve weren't the only hip-hop artists to call attention to a pop collaboration. Nelly took the stage with 'N Sync for a rendition of their hit single, "Girlfriend." Ja Rule presented an award with Jamie Foxx and Pamela Anderson. Foxx, who released an R&B album, Peep This, in 1994, took the opportunity to ask Ja for if he could fill in for Jennifer Lopez or Ashanti for a hook on his next album. "You have to go through a few more people before you get to me," Ja responded. Foxx then turned to Anderson and said, "I've seen your work, too, and I'd really like to do something with you as well." P. Diddy also was a presenter.

Jay-Z, R. Kelly battle bootleggers

Jay-Z and R. Kelly haven't even had the chance to put one controversy behind them before another all-too-familiar problem popped up to pose a threat to their upcoming collaboration, The Best of Both Worlds -- bootleggers. Advance copies of the album featuring 11 tracks have hit the streets even though it isn't due to arrive until March 26. According to Roc-A-Fella Records, which is distributing the album domestically while Jive handles overseas promotion, there are no plans to rush The Best of Both Worlds into stores in response to the bootlegging. If that wasn't bad enough, the latest development in the R. Kelly sex tape scandal is that numerous web sites and street vendors are claiming to have copies of the infamous video that was sent to the Chicago Sun-Times earlier this month and are hawking them for a fee. Jay-Z, on the other hand, is proceeding with plans to release another single from his multi-platinum album, The Blueprint. The video for "Song Cry" currently is being shot and the clip and its corresponding track should drop next month.

Run DMC makes history

Run DMC will become the first hip-hop group to have its handprints added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday. At 11 a.m. PT, Reverend Run, DMC and Jam Master Jay will leave their marks on the sidewalk outside Mann's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, following in the footsteps of many movie stars and famous recording artists. The tradition, which symbolizes accomplishment and celebrity status, began in 1927 when actors Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks placed their footprints outside what was then known as Grauman's Chinese Theater. Run DMC's latest release, Crown Royal, dropped in 2001 and did not move major units, but the group's legacy is unparalleled. Their 1984 self-titled debut and 1993's Down With the King both went gold, 1985's King of Rock and 1988's Tougher Than Leather both hit platinum, and the pinnacle of their success, 1986's Raising Hell, reached triple-platinum.

Mr. Cheeks soars to No. 1

After 26 weeks on the charts, Mr. Cheeks' "Lights, Camera, Action!" suddenly found life at retail outlets and will ride the sales surge all the way to No. 1 on both Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-hop Singles chart and the magazine's Hot Rap Singles chart. The single, which was at No. 6 last week, increased sales more than any other single and bumped Ja Rule's "Always on Time" featuring Ashanti and Method Man and Jonell's "Round and Round" remix from the top spots. However, Ja and Ashanti managed to hold on to the pole position for the second week in a row on Billboard's Hot 100, where Cheeks only managed to hit No. 16. And Ja's second go-round with Jennifer Lopez, "Ain't It Funny," looks ready to take over the throne if they falter, jumping a spot to No. 3 on the pop chart. Ja's top-ranked partner, Ashanti, is making some moves of her own as well. Her collaboration with Fat Joe, "What's Luv," was listed as the fastest growing track on the radio and will rise 13 spots to No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 10 spots to No. 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-hop Singles chart. The only other single of note was Busta Rhymes' "Pass the Courvoisier Part II" featuring P. Diddy and The Neptunes' Pharrell Williams, which debuted at No. 85 on Billboard's Hot 100. On the album side, the outlook wasn't as bright for Ja Rule, as Pain Is Love fell out of the top 10 for a second time on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Ludacris remained strong and held on to the No. 6 slot for the second week in a row. Word of Mouf is now the sole hip-hop representative left in the top 10 after several weeks leading a triumvirate that also included Nas' Stillmatic.