Brooklyn rapper, Gravy (real name: Jamal Woolard), has been tapped to play the role of the late Notorious B.I.G. in the upcoming film, "Notorious," according to a report from Allhiphop.com. The rapper beat out other hopefuls such as Beanie Sigel and Sean Kingston, who also auditioned for the role. The film is set to begin filming later this month in New York. Others who have been chosen for the film include Angela Bassett who will play Biggie's mother Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke who will play Diddy, and Anthony Mackie who will play Tupac Shakur. ...

T-Pain was escorted off the Quinnipiac University campus grounds in Connecticut in late February, the Quinnipiac Chronicle reports, but the school's security will not divulge the reason to the press. When asked by the school paper why, Chief of Security John Twining said he was "not at liberty to say," but did offer that "some requests" were made, "they didn't listen, and suffice it to say, he refused to comply." After the singer (real name: Faheem Najm) refused, security called Hamden Police who helped to escort them off the premises. ...

Jay-Z is scheduled to re-unite with rock band, Linkin Park, during a concert this summer at the 65,000 capacity Milton Keynes Bowl in the U.K. It will be a one off show on June 29th for the UK leg of the band's Projekt Revolution tour, which will hit the UK for the first time this summer. While other artists on the bill have yet to be revealed, previous artists included Snoop Dogg, My Chemical Romance and Korn. Tickets for the show go on sale on Friday (March 7). Jay-Z has also been tapped to headline the Glastonbury Festival the previous night on June 28th. ...

Organizers for the Fourth Annual A3C Hip Hop Festival announced Wednesday (March 5) that they have confirmed most of the members of legendary Juice Crew -- Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, MC Shan, Craig G, Roxanne Shante and Marley Marl -- to headline their three-day event in Atlanta, Georgia from March 20-22. Only Masta Ace and Kool G Rap will be missing. Other artists on the bill include the Clipse, Del The Funky Homosapien, Little Brother and Wale, among others. Three-day passes are available at the pre-sale price of $45, and can only be purchased via the official site at A3CFestival.com. ...

As The Roots prepare the release of their forthcoming album, titled Rising Down, they have announced nearly two months worth of tour dates in support. The group will kick off the tour on Friday (March 7) in Homestead, Florida and hit cities across the U.S. and a few dates overseas and in Canada, before wrapping it up on May 4th at the House Of Blues in New Orleans. A full list of dates can be viewed at the group's MySpace page. Rising Down is slated to hit stores April 29 via Def Jam Records. ...

Snoop Dogg has signed on to act as master of ceremonies during a "Playboy BunnyMania Lumberjack Match" at Wrestlemania XXIV on March 30. The rapper and star of "Snoop's Fatherhood" on E! will be the ring announcer during the match, which will pit two teams of beautiful woman -- WWE personalities and Playboy girls -- against each other. Playboy covergirls, Candice Michelle and Maria, will take on Glamazon Beth Phoenix and Melina. According to the WWE's official website, Beth and Melina feel that Candice and Maria are nothing more than "one-dimensional eye candy" and they plan to settle their differences once and for all. As previously reported, 50 Cent will also be on hand. He has been booked to escort boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. to the ring for his bout with The Big Show. Wrestlemania XXIV is scheduled to air on pay-per-view on March 30 at 7:00 p.m. ET. ...

Dipset member Hell Rell has announced a May 27th release date for his forthcoming album, Black Mask & Gloves. The album, which follows up 2007's For the Hell Of It, will be released on Babygrande Records, home to artists such as Hi-Tek, JR Writer, Jedi Mind Tricks, GZA and Immortal Technique. This will be the rapper's second official solo release. ...