After offering “The Solution” last week (Dec. 11) with Roc-A-Fella Records, rapper Beanie Sigel went into another studio – Fox News studios – to record a different kind of problem solver, an anti-violence Public Service Announcement. “There’s a black cloud over our city,” he said in the PSA of his Philadelphia hometown that has been the grounds for over 375 murders to date. “…We are losing our youth at a rapid pace.” In an interview with Philadelphia’s Fox 29, Sigel explains why he wants people to, “Exercise your mind, not your trigger finger.” “I got the scars. I got the wounds. I know,” Sigel said referring to an incident when he was shot last year. “…The message is simple. Just make smart choices, better choices.”

Singer Mario is already planning the follow up to his third album, Go, released last week (Dec. 11). After having been pushed back a year and renamed (it had been previously reported that his third album was to be titled Mario Barrett – Effortless and released in 2006), Mario told Billboard.com that he now has a wealth of songs to choose from and a fourth album will be available “by the time school starts back up, like after next summer.” He said he has created over 70 songs including those on Go and he expects to begin recording again at the end of January, this time working with fewer producers, “…maybe two or three [producers], but no more than four.” But that doesn’t mean Go will be gone, he hopes to embark on a promotional tour in February or March. “I want to do a big production tour now,” he said. “But it’s gonna take creating videos and visuals that make people want to come out and see a show.”

Rapper Young Jeezy is going from Frosty to Santa Claus this holiday season with the goal of delivering 1,000 toys to 1,000 children after a weeklong toy drive in Atlanta, GA kicking off tonight at Club Miami. The charitable festivities will continue with a dinner party at Sean Comb’s Justin’s Restaurant tomorrow (Dec. 18), celebrity bowling at 300 Atlanta on Wednesday (Dec. 19), and toy collection at Cascade Family Rink and Club Fever on Thursday (Dec. 20). The actual giveaway on Friday (Dec. 21) at Union Gym in Macon, GA will benefit area children including families who called in for support to the area’s V-103 radio station. His Corporate Thugz Entertainment label and 8732 clothing line have lent support to the events along with Atlanta Falcon DeAngelo Hall, V-103’s Greg Street, and entertainment lawyer Charles Mathis.

Hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean is determined to use his influence as the first rapper to be named a roving ambassador. He, Akon and Czar Entertainment CEO Jimmy Rosemond hosted a free concert for approximately 500,000 in the capital cit, Port au Prince, of his native Haiti this weekend (Dec. 15). The Yele Festival was created to help boost tourism to the impoverished country by raising awareness of the improved safety record. According to UDubNews.com, Rosemond organized the event. “I am speechless from the overwhelming turn out for change in Haiti. We went back to the basics to prove a point: music is a universal language. We know one free concert won’t change everything but at least we’ve started something that may make a change.” Next year Jean will join Akon for a show in Akon’s native Senegal. “I will use every influence and power I have to fulfill my role as ambassador to Haiti. Our good efforts shall touch the world via music and charity,” Jean said in a statement.

Glasses Malone is also getting the toy giveaway spirit. After a successful food drive serving over 200 families for Thanksgiving, the West Coast rapper hopes to surpass that number for his first annual toy drive. Toys are being collected this Thursday (Dec. 20) at VIP Records located at 11730 S. Wilmington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA.