Rapper Mac Minister Preps for Murder Trial and New Album Rel

[Conspiracy]

Mac Minister, who made headlines when he was featured on America's Most Wanted following a homicide, is readying himself for his first day of trial and the release of his new album, The Minister of Defense.

Mac Minister, aka Andre Dow, is being held in a Las Vegas jail and will begin his trial on September 11th for the 2005 murders of rapper Anthony "Fat Tone" Watkins, 24, and his friend Jermaine "Cowboy" Akins.

According to police speculation, a long standing rivalry had been brewing between Mac Minister and Fat Tone after the death of Bay Area rapper Andre "Mac Dre" Hicks, who was gunned down in Kansas City in 2004 after a dispute over a payment for a concert.

The project will be released on SMC Recordings/Fontana and features Snoop Dogg, Mac Dre, Bad Azz, Too $hort and B-Legit, as well as production by LT Hutton and Mannie Fresh.

The Bay Area's Mac Minister, aka Andre Dow, made a name for himself by giving "game sermon's" on albums by E-40, Snoop Dogg, Yukmouth and the Cash Money Millionaires. He also appears on Snoop's upcoming album, Blue Carpet Treatment, alongside Young Jeezy and Nate Dogg.

Minister feels The Minister of Defense marks an opportunity for him to tell his side of the story and detail what led up to the incidents in question.

Minister maintains his innocence.