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Emmis Hip-Hop WQHT (Hot 97)/New York has announced a new lineup in the mornings. From 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. listeners will hear the nationally syndicated Big Boy in the Morning including the award-winning entertainment of national funny man Big Boy and MTV Entertainment Reporter Luscious Liz Hernandez. The 7 to 10 show will be preceded daily by an early edition 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. local show featuring the eclectic combo of Hot 97 rising stars Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg. Both shows will begin on Hot 97 effective July 21.
     “Big Boy has an unmatched reputation for being entertaining… he also has great relationships with artists,” said Hot 97 PD Ebro Darden. “Putting Big Boy on Hot 97 in New York City helps keep the high standard of radio happening for us.”
     Big Boy in the Morning features the very best talent in Hip-Hop, television, sports, film and pop culture. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has recognized Big Boy’s exceptional talent with numerous awards. Big Boy has been awarded the prestigious "Marconi Award" for Major Market Personality of the Year three times. Big Boy's Neighborhood is currently syndicated in over 30 markets and growing. It is distributed by ABC Networks.
     “Great talent is recognized by listeners coast to coast, and Big Boy is well known to be one of the funniest and hardest working entertainers in radio today,” said Sr. VP of Emmis New York Dan Halyburton. “Welcome to our neighborhood Big!”
     Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg’s early edition will precede Big Boy’s show every day with the biting comedy and New York City flavor of this unique pairing. Previously heard on Hot 97 on Saturday and Sundays from 8 to 10 a.m., the two have sparked a heavy following that continues to explode. “Mom will be proud,” commented Peter Rosenberg. “It is every Jewish mother’s dream to have her son do mornings on Hot 97.” When reached for a quote, Cipha Sounds was still unaware of the deal, however he stated that he “wants to do hood-rat stuff with my friends… so this sounds cool to me.”
     Current Hot 97 morning show Miss Jones in the Morning will exit next week after some airtime to bid farewell to her listeners. “Miss Jones is one of the hardest working radio people I have ever seen and she made history with Hot 97,” said Darden. “Miss Jones will have the mic in mornings all of next week so that she is given her proper respect to tell her listeners how much she appreciates them and reminisce about how great this program has been.”

In a related story Miss Jones is now the exclusive property of Radio One Urban WPHI (100.3 The Beat)/Philadelphia reports the Philadelphia Inquirer after being cut loose from her morning gig at Emmis Hip-Hop WQHT (Hot 97)/New York. The morning radio host also known as Jonesy, and whose real name is Tarsha Jones, had been airing on the station since November in a syndication deal with Emmis. Jonesy has a history with The Beat but departed the station in 2003 when it was at the 103.9 frequency. Her new show is set to debut on July 7.

Nas and athletic apparel company Fila have signed a one-year partnership. According to Billboard, Fila will offer reciprocal financial support for Nas’ ad campaigns and his tour in support of his new, untitled record, due out July 15 through Def Jam. The rapper will wear and co-create an apparel line for Fila. Nas, who has usually sidestepped brand partnership, stated, "My best friend Will and I loved Fila. When Will passed we buried him in a black Fila sweat suit, so dealing with them has a lot of significance for me."

Dr. Dre's long-awaited Detox album may finally be finished, according to Snoop Dogg. "That record is real, it’s coming," the D-O-Double G told Rolling Stone. "I was starting to doubt it myself and then I went up in there and he played so much music for me it knocked my head off." Snoop said the album is finished and that it’s up to Dre to go through all the songs he’s recorded and decide which ones make the final cut. Snoop also revealed that Dre will produce his next record, which will be the follow-up to Ego Trippin’.

Rick Ross has denied rumors that he is on the verge of proposing to fellow Rapper Foxy Brown. Foxy and Ross grace the cover of this week's Hip-Hop Weekly magazine, with the cover story teased as an exclusive about their impending nuptials. However, Ross shot down the rumors and told MTV News, "Nah, nah, nah, the engagement is just speculation. I'm married to the money." Ross added that he'll be getting that money from a new movie and companion album he's doing with Baby from Cash Money, as well as his next LP, Deeper Than Rap, which is due by the end of the year.

Soulja Boy Tell’em has told MTV News that his sophomore release iSouljaboy is almost completed. The Atlanta native, who produced his entire first album, also stated he will be working with a variety of different producers including Polow Da Don and that there will be collaborations with Bow Wow and Sean Kingston. The album will be released sometime in the fall.

Plies has announced details of his very own non-profit organization, Big Gates and Plies Power of Visions Foundation, Inc. The organization will provide funding for legal representation and aid for incarcerated individuals with the goal of promoting a more functional, productive and just community. Also, the organization will provide classes and workshops for the community, including promoting activities to youth and minorities in the Tampa and Ft. Meyers, FL. area to combat incarceration. The first effort for the foundation is the "Somebody Loves You" Scholarship Fund 2008. The scholarship is specifically designed for students attending accredited colleges and universities who has an incarcerated parent or who is financially disadvantaged. Two scholarships will be awarded to one male and one female in the amount of $5000 each and the scholarship will be open to students currently enrolled or entering college this fall.