Earlier this year, veteran Oakland rapper Keak Da Sneak released Deified. After a career that began with his group, 3 X Krazy on a major label, the solo released marked a return to the national consciousness, after 2006’s feature role on E-40’s hit “Tell Me To Go.” However, Keak is hardly sitting still, releasing at least two more albums in 2008’s remaining nine weeks.

“Right now, the Bay is still getting slept on. The Hyphy movement, they’re trying to kill it, trying to make it die, but we still on that same shit. So right now, it’s all about marketing, getting on different projects,” Keak Da Sneak told Hood-Hop late last week. As one of the leaders of Hyphy, Keak has several releases due before year’s end, including Word Pimpin’ 2, a collaborative project with former Ruthless Records rapper Baby S and QZ. “It’s from the Bay to L.A.,” Keak added, noting that the project features three rappers from throughout the golden state.

The album features the single “Do It Right” with Snoop Dogg. “Every year I change up. I’m on some shit I never did before. I’m a Snoop fan. Working with him just opens doors,” Keak added.

When speaking with Hood-Hop, Keak was driving with fellow Bay area legend San Quinn, as the two presently are on tour. Quinn told Hood-Hop that the San Francisco and Oakland veterans were also readying Welcome 2 Scokland, due December 9. “It’s a hell of an opportunity for two bosses to build some comradery. San Francisco and Oakland coming together is a hell of a collaboration. We really rocked together, thought about [song concepts]; it’s gonna be phenomenal. The unity is needed, and [Oakland and San Francisco] have us to provide the demonstration.”

Lastly, Keak spoke about his appearance on producer Jake One’s White Van Music album , on the song “Soil Raps.” The appearance puts the historically regional street rapper alongside underground luminaries including MF DOOM and Slug. Keak explained, “[Underground Hip Hop] is what made me; I’m an underground Hip Hop fan. I’m still here.” Quinn interjected, “We’re still running around playing Too Short on a [cassette] tape, you feel us?” Keak added, “That ol’ white [cassette]. Jake One is a hot-ass producer. He sent me a CD full of beats. I [rapped] to ‘em all, and ['Soil Raps'] was one of his favorites. He took it. I just stay workin’, and just keep my ear to the street.“

Later this month, San Quinn will also be releasing A Boy To A Man, an album billed as his most personal to date.

TI was caught yesterday, but for doing the right thing. He was snapped while out at the polls exercising his right to vote. For all of you folks with records, please make sure you know your rights. Depending on your state’s laws, you may still be eligible to register and vote.

Now that D Woods and Aubrey O’Day were fired from Danity Kane it seemed odd for the group to have only 3 members. But Hood-Hop’s EXTREMELY RELIABLE source claims that Danity Kane won’t be a trio for long.According to our snitch R&B singer Cassie is set to step in as the new “lead” singer of Bad Boy’s top female group Danity Kane. The insider tells Hood-Hop, “Expect the announcement before the end of the year.”Wow … Cassie, huh. And it couldn’t have anything to do with the fact that she’s been getting it in with Diddy for nearly a year now does it…

Hood-Hop just caught wind that rapper Lil Boosie - popular for making the hit song Wipe Me Down was arrested.Here’s how WBRZ News 2 Louisiana is reporting it:

Baton Rouge rapper Torrance Hatch, also known as Lil Boosie, was arrested  for allegedly possessing marijuana and a firearm as well as running from law enforcement.

East Baton Rouge Parish deputies arrested Hatch at 4 p.m. after Hatch pulled up next to the deputies at Government Street and Interstate 10, an arrest warrant says.

The deputies smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the rapper’s white Dodge Challenger, the warrant says.

When the deputies approached the vehicle, Hatch, 25, refused to get out and attempted to drive away.

Hood-Hop told you a few weeks ago that Jay Z was having trouble getting tracks from Kanye West. Now we’re hearing that Jay has missed his production deadline. Word is that now his new album -Blueprint 3 - which was scheduled to be released December 2nd, won’t be released until sometime next year.

DANG!!! We were really looking forward to a new Jigga album in ‘08 too….

Hood-Hop just received word f an unconfirmed rumor that is EXPLOSIVE. According to one of our trusted entertainment insiders, Lil Wayne will be joining Jay Z’s new Roc Nation/Rocafella label at the beginning of next year.And what’s even more interesting is how the whole matter was pulled off. According to Hood-Hop’s insider, Jay Z paid Cash Money Records and Bryan “Baby” Williams approximately $5 million for the rights to Lil Wayne.The insider explained to Hood-Hop, “The deal was in the works for a while; they just needed to get on the same page as to price. And [everyone's] there now.”Developing…

Wow! Everything we wanted to know but neva been told...hahahahaha!

Just like the “Seinfeld” episode where George wanted everyone to call him “T-Bone,” Beyonce Knowles would like to be known by a bold new name.

The R&B singer has christened herself “Sasha Fierce” for her new double album, “I Am … Sasha Fierce,” due in U.S. stores on November 18, and has released a lengthy justification for the comical moniker.

“I have someone else that takes over when it’s time for me to work and when I’m on stage, this alter ego that I’ve created that kind of protects me and who I really am,” the former Destiny’s Child frontwoman said in a statement.

“Sasha Fierce is the fun, more sensual, more aggressive, more outspoken side and more glamorous side that comes out when I’m working and when I’m on the stage.”

Additionally, she has set up a cryptic MySpace page  http://www.myspace.com/sashafierce) that gives a “lucky person” the opportunity to receive a personal message and a gift bag valued at $500.

As George found out, nicknames usually do not work when they are self-bestowed. His colleagues thought he should be called Koko the monkey. In real life, rapper Eminem had better luck with his alter ego “Slim Shady,” which he said came to him while he was on the toilet.

Beyonce released her previous solo album, “B’Day,” to coincide with her 25th birthday in September 2006. It debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. pop chart and yielded the No. 1 single “Irreplaceable.”

“I Am … Sasha Fierce” will be distributed by Columbia Records.

T-Pain must have been wishing for big things:

Apple and Hyundai recently teamed up to create a car called The Digital Genesis, with T-Pain in mind. According to Billboard.com, the new car will be unveiled at events across the country, and will feature music from Pain’s upcoming album, Thr33 Ringz. Early reports include that the vehicle will come equipped with three computers (two Mac minis and a Macbook Air) as well as an iPod Touch, iPhone and two wireless keyboards that slide out of the rear of the front seats. The starting price for the Genesis is around $30,000. Apple and Hyundai are expected to formally announce the launch of the new Genesis at an event later this fall, in which people who attend the event will receive Apple download cards — to download tracks from T-Pain and artists on his Nappy Boy digital label.