US artists end Newport rap success

The YouTube sensation ‘Newport State of Mind’, a parody of the Jay-Z and Alicia Keys song ‘Empire State of Mind‘, has been banned. Initial reports stated that EMI music or EMI publishing were behind the ban, however, recent accounts state that it may have been following a direct request from the artists credited with the song. Videos of a live performance of  ‘Newport State of Mind’ are still available on YouTube, as are those of a rival spoof based around the same song by Newport rappers Goldie Lookin’ Chain.