Urban-City's Blog Talk

Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 9/28/08

2008-10-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

R&B ran things for urban music this past week, just as 2008 saw many weeks before Tha Carter III arrived. In their 25th year, Metallica assumed the top spot again, with their Death Magnetic, selling over 335,000 units in its second work on the charts. Ne-Yo's [click to read] Year of the Gentleman [click to read] held the #3 place with a strong second week in stores. One of Ne-Yo's crooning forefathers, Joe, returned with his newest album, also cracking the Top 10, with a #8 showing
Young Jeezy [click to read] still snuggled his way into the Top 10, with his Recession [click to read] taking the #9 spot, with a chance of going gold this week. The Game [click to read] returned in a major way this week. His LAX [click to read] bypassed recent releases from LL Cool J and Nelly, but still sold just over 6,000 units less than Lil Wayne [click to read], who still remains a force to be reckoned with in his third edition of Tha Carter [click to read] .

Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
3
Ne-Yo
Year Of The Gentleman
82,614
333,215

8
Joe
Joe Thomas New Man
54,135 54,243
9
Young Jeezy
Recession
40,479 450,863
11
Lil Wayne
Tha Carter III
35,556

2,448,665

14
The Game
LAX
29,241
447,877

Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)

Falling 16 spots in a week, Nelly [click to read] may be showing that he's lost ground as one of Hip Hop's most commercial artists. Brass Knuckles [click to read] cracked 100,000 units in two weeks, but has already given way to tattooed gangsters Nelly's junior. Another warning sign may be evident in DJ Khaled's [click to read] We Global. With projections of a slow and steady performance on the charts, the Miami deejay seems to suffer a bit without packing a monster single in his third album, doubling his rank in a week.

R&B veteran Rapheal Saadiq's critically-acclaimed album The Way I See It [click to read] fell to #41 in its second week.

Hip Hop's big surprise on the charts this week is Houston rapper and ABN affiliate Z-Ro. The Rap-A-Lot Records veteran's Crack proves to be matching Shawty Lo's performance, with the Asylum-distributed album cracking the Top 50, and selling over 10,000 in its debut week. Lastly, B.G. [click to read] and his Chopper City Boyz also entered on the Top 200, with their Life In The Concrete Jungle last week, but unlike Slim Thug and similar artists, have held onto position, staying at #182, selling just over 3,000 units.

Other Notables

Rank Artist Album This Week Est. Total
19
Nelly
Brass Knuckles
25,559 109,564

28
DJ Khaled
We Global
18,054
67,627

41
Raphael Saadiq
The Way I See It
12,264
35,887
48
Z-Ro
Crack
10,465
10,517

182
B.G. & Chopper City Boyz
Life In The Concrete Jungle
3,220
8,478

Can T.I. get a position fit for a King? Will Big Kuntry go with him on Grand Hustle's double-release day. Does underground Hip Hop stand with Heltah Skeltah and Termanology coming? Moreover, will Murs convince major labels that the DIY artist can compete with the ringtone rapper? And will Large Professor get his due return to the charts? A busy week will reflect this next week on the charts...

Busta Rhymes Discusses Motown Deal And "Arab Money

2008-10-02T14:45:00.000-07:00

Busta Rhymes has had an interesting week. After previewing his new album, unveiling news about a new release date and a new dance, Busta's gotten the chance to perform in London, even after overcoming a conflict with the UK High Court. After all of this, he has been able to come out and reveal his new found joy.
In a recent interview with Tim Westwood, of Westwood Radio, Busta spoke on all of this.

"A lot has changed in the last two months since I last seen you. They detaining me for 12 hours in the immigration," he said, speaking on his immigration hold up before his recent London show. His attitude has also changed to one of joy.
"[I] got a new label situation. I got a new album release date, December 9. I'm happy,"

The songs on his new album may feature some songs that were set to release on his final Interscope album.

"First and foremost, all the records that was gonna come out on the last records was my records," says Busta. "So at the end of the day, my records are on the new label."
He also spoke on what the label move meant and how he felt about his former label, saying, "Big up to Interscope because they put up two hot leak records for me."
A new song that's got some people talking, for better or worse, is "Arab Money." Speculations of a politically incorrect connotation swarmed the song at first, but Rhymes spoke on what it should be taken to mean.

"It's called 'Arab Money.'...'Take the Money' or 'Arab Money'," he said before speaking on his interpretation of the song. "Sometimes, people like to twist things. We ain't mockin' the culture. we ain't tryin' to be disrespectful. Ain't no racism going on right here. If you listen to the song, you see that we are actually acknowledging the fact that the Arabian culture, a middle East culture is one of the few cultures, that value passing down hard work riches that's been built amongst the family."

"It would be nice if a lot of other cultures did the same thing. Feel me? So, I would like for it to be like that in my culture where we could build things to the point where we got so much that we don't need to rely on other cultures to contribute majorly in a financial way, or in whatever other way, to societies, communities or whatever governments we might live in. So, we are actually biggin' up the culture. At the end of the day, I want to be like that. I think a lot of us want to be like that."

His new album is set to hit stores December 9. He is also featured on JakeOne's White Van Music.

Check Out T-Pain Video About His Vocoder

2008-10-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

See more T-Pain videos at Funny or Die

50 Cent Sues Baby Mama For Defamation

2008-06-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

Fif wants the mother of his 11-year-old son Marquise to stop telling people that he's the one behind the early morning May 30 blaze at the Dix Hills home she lived in with their child and to let him see his son, according to New York's Daily News.

"He tried to kill me and his own child," Tompkins has declared. "I know this came from 50 Cent."

Arson investigators are looking into the fire as suspicious, but have not pointed the finger at Fif (born Curtis Jackson) as being involved.

His lawyers are accusing Tompkins of defamation.

"There comes a point where you can no longer sit on your hands and listen to her spread these falsehoods," 50's lawyer, Brett Kimmel, tells us. "Besides hurting his reputation, they have a damaging impact on their son."

Days after the fire, Shaniqua blasted 50 in the media, telling reporters he hadn't even called to check on his son. But in a petition filed this week in Suffolk County Family Court, Fif says Shaniqua has made contact with his kid "practically impossible."

According to the rapper, when he heard Marquise's cell phone was destroyed in the fire, he sent him a new one, plus a duffel bag full of clothes. He said Shaniqua didn't give Marquise the phone and makes it difficult for him to call his son on her phone.

"The only way [50] can communicate with his son is to call [Tompkins'] cell phone. On June 11 ... [she] did permit [50] to speak with his son. However ... she was hovering over Marquise, monitoring the conversation and, after a short while, she interrupted the conversation by taking the phone from Marquise and began yelling at [50]," who eventually hung up on her, the petition reads.

As SOHH previously reported, the million dollar house has been the center of a heated battle between the former couple. 50 purchased the home in January 2007 and tried evicting Tompkins in April of this year, demanding that she either leave or pay $4,500 in monthly rent. Tompkins then filed a lawsuit against the rapper alleging a "breach of contract" as she claimed he promised to put all or part of the house in her name.

In April a judge ruled in 50's favor and gave Tompkins until the end of the school year to vacate the premise.

Fif is currently in Louisiana filming Microwave Park with Sharon Stone and ValKilmer and isn't expected to attend tomorrow's hearing. His lawyer will appear for him.

Academy award nominee, Queen Latifah, filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court against a production company involved in the film The Perfect Holiday

2008-06-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

According to Reuters, lawyers for the triple threat, rapper/singer/actress said California-based company Perfect Christmas Productions, was guilty of breach of contract and owed Latifah $275,000. The lawsuit also said it is believed Perfect Christmas Productions was paid several million dollars by different sources for the film.

Latifah, who is also a Grammy award winner, made a cameo role in the 2007 film which also starred Terrence Howard and Gabrielle Union.

The film was released in December and according to Box Office Mojo grossed more than $5.9 million by February 2008, in the United States.

Starz Make Bid For Urban Audience W/New TV Shows

2008-01-29T19:09:00.000-08:00

According to Hollywood Insider, the Crash spin-off will mark the cable channel's first original drama series and will be produced by Don Cheadle who also starred in and produced the original film. Cheadle will share producing responsibilities with the film's writer-director, Paul Haggis and writer-producer Bobby Moresco, among others. The film's distributor, Lionsgate will also co-produce the project.

The Crash series will consist of 13 one-hour episodes and is slated to debut later this year.

The Starz InBlack channel will also launch "Ryan Cameron: Uncensored," a 30-minute, weekly talk show with Ryan Cameron. The show will be the first of its kind in over ten years to target the urban late night market. Though "Ryan Cameron: Uncensored" will be comprised of the typical celebrity interviews and live performances, that's as cliché as it will get. There will be no house band or safe discussions. The show promises to be boundary free.

"Ryan Cameron: Uncensored," will premier on Monday, Feb. 4 at 11 p.m. (ET/PT).

Aside from his work as a radio talk show host, Cameron has also appeared on "The Jamie Foxx Show," "Comic View," and as an opening act for "Kings of Comedy." He was also featured in the movies Drumline and Stomp The Yard.

Proud to be following in the footsteps as former late night king, Arsenio Hall, Cameron had this to say, "For the past decade Hollywood has been aching for a vehicle which speaks to the urban audience, and have the impact of The Arsenio Hall Show. Ryan Cameron: Uncensored is that show, and I'm proud to be the new face of urban late night."

Among those scheduled to appear on the show are Jermaine Dupri, LL Cool J, OutKast, and Mike Epps. As for performers, the multi-talented R&B phenom Ne-Yo, Jagged Edge and the soulful songstress Angie Stone will all take to the stage.

Carmen Slowsky, Kwame Kilpatrick in Sordid Love Tryst

2008-01-29T19:00:00.000-08:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - Reports/ratios that Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick had a woman other than his wife with him in Grove Park Inn before speaking to Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast left organizers about the event disappointed Friday. Detroit television broadcast station WXYZ a report/ratio diffused Friday that the mayor had been with a woman who is called Carmen Slowsky itself and which both had profited from champagne and a bath swirl thus at a cost of more than 500 $. Publicity A copy of the invoice hotel shows a stay organized for two. A prosecutor in Michigan launched an investigation into allegations that Kilpatrick Friday lied under oath about a business with its assistance-top. Kilpatrick is married, and of the news of an extra relation with its chief of staff made surface recently with Detroit. Kilpatrick declared the business was finished. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Association of Asheville Buncombe County sponsor the annual breakfast of the prayer and return the voyages, the expenses of hotel and meal for his principal speaker of each year, known as-Oralene Graves Simmons, president of association. Association also takes charges the speakers until competition of them of 5000 $, but Kilpatrick invoiced any expenses for its speech, has known as Serious-Simmons. “I did not see an invoice yet”, says it, “I thus do not know what is on it. But if it ya well something that we did not agree to pay on this one, we will ask him to pay so that itself “. Serious-Simmons said that it does not see Kilpatrick with a woman whereas it was here. “If it is true, it is a shock”, says it. “When we select our speakers, we try to know something about them and, of course, nothing of all that came.” Asheville mayor Terry Bellamy says that it Kilpatrick gathered with the airport, saw it at the same time the breakfast and with the dinner, and he was alone each time. “I think that it is very disappointing to have this direction”, declared At it. “Its speech was the occasion to instigate the community around mentorat and of tutorat our youth. The event aimed at stressing the heritage Dr. King and maintaining the accent is put on this point ” Association holds the breakfast and a teenager ceremony of handing-over of the prices each year, in January. Money of the pay for the breakfast of the association of the events and the programs of purses to send the young people on annual Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Turn. “We do not make large thing of the money once that all our invoices are paid”, says it. “We will not pay for anything inappropriate.”

Suge Knight Asks Judge To Reconsider $130 Mil Ruling

2008-01-02T18:23:00.000-08:00

A $130 million judgment against former Death Row Records boss Marion"Suge" Knight may be set aside.

As SOHH reported in March of 2005, Knight was ordered to pay over a hundred million dollars to singer Lydia Harris, who allegedly helped Knight start Death Row but was later forced out without adequate compensation.

Harris' suit claimed that she and her husband, incarcerated drug dealer Michael 'Harry-O' Harris, were the founders of the label, and that she was prevented from having a career while being slandered by Knight on websites, TV and radio.

According to the Los Angeles Times, attorney Dermot Givens is now asking that the $130-million judgment be set aside because of supposedly new evidence of fraud perpetrated by Harris and her husband.

According to the motion, which is expected to be the focus of a hearing today (Jan. 2), Harris did not tell the court she filed for bankruptcy five years before suing Knight, and never claimed a stake in Death Row during the bankruptcy proceeding.

Knight, incidentally, filed for bankruptcy himself in April of 2006 in response to the lawsuit

Jay-Z's 40/40 Club Fails Inspection, New Year's Party At Risk

2007-12-28T18:54:00.001-08:00

Jay-Z's Las Vegas 40/40 franchise may not open in time for New Year's Eve as planned.

Recent reports claim the Sin City venue failed to pass inspection, putting plans for a Vegas 40/40 New Year's Eve celebration in serious jeopardy.

According to PerezHilton.com, close sources have revealed that, "Unless Jay-Z and his team miraculously come up with certain licenses and certificates by Sunday (Dec. 30), then they won't be able to go on with their New Year's Eve party plans."

Hov's inspection woes have deeper repercussions -- if the club can't meet the necessary requirements, then Jay-Z and his partners will be forced to refund all opening night tickets, adding even further expense to a venture that has yet to see any profits.

Despite unforeseen problems with the Vegas 40/40, Jay-Z fans in the area will still have an opportunity to witness the Brooklyn MC and entrepreneur in concert.

As SOHH previously reported, Jay-Z is scheduled to perform at the Palm Casino Resort's luxe Pearl Concert Theater tomorrow. Tickets for the show, which were originally priced for $225, sold out within an hour of going on sale.

Kanye West is also scheduled to perform at the Pearl Concert Theater for a New Year's Eve performance.

Usher Plans To Drop New Disc In Early '08, Michael Jackson Collabo In The Works

2007-12-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

R&B superstar Usher Raymond recently spoke up about his new role as a husband and father as well as his next album, which may feature a special guest appearance from the "King of Pop" himself, Michael Jackson.

In a recent interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Usher revealed his plans to release a new album by Spring of 2008.

"I've been diligently working on creating a masterpiece," the singer said. "It's going to be out first or maybe the second quarter. And there will be a video and single out at the top of the year."

So far Usher is planning to drop "Love In The Club," which was produced by Polow Da Don, as the album's lead single. Fans may also be treated to a collaboration between Usher, Michael Jackson and T-Pain - however the details are still being worked out.

"It's been created, but it's not recorded," Usher admitted. "As long as Michael is open to it, hey, anything goes!"

A newlywed father, Page Six reports previously blamed album delays on Usher's new wife, Tameka Foster-Raymond. The couple tied the knot this August and welcomed the birth of their first child together, son Usher Raymond V, in November.

"I'm really like super dad," Raymond told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I really cook for the family. ... Now I basically do chicken and broccoli and steamed vegetables, because I'm on this diet. But believe me, I can fry some chicken too . . . I really clean up. I walk the dog, myself. I burp the baby. I change the diapers. I'm super dad. And it's only begun!"

Usher and his wife have yet to publicly release any photos of the child, however his new role as a father has also encouraged a budding photography hobby.

"I've become an instant photographer," Usher said. "Developing them and everything."

An official release date for Usher's upcoming as-yet-untitled project has not been released.

Bow Weezee Pulling A Kanye

2007-12-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

Beyonce's Sis, Solange Knowles, Signs With Geffen

2007-12-11T21:19:00.000-08:00

Solange Knowles, younger sister to international pop-star Beyonce, recently inked a deal with Geffen Records and plans to release her sophomore album next year.

According to Billboard, Solange has been working out of a studio in L.A., but don't expect the result to sound anything like Beyonce.

"Her record is totally bananas," Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair said. "It's not what people would expect from her. The music is more eclectic and international. She's in her own lane."

"It's a touch of retro with beautiful R&B songs and influences of early Natalie Cole and Carole King, and she's only 22," he continued. "I'm crazy about the Pharrell Williams' record that she recently finished, called 'I Decided.' We're finishing the album now."

The disc titled Just What I Want, is the follow-up to 2003's Solo Star, which was on Columbia and is slated to hit shelves in the second quarter of 2008.

Pimp C Found Dead

2007-12-04T16:45:00.000-08:00

Pimp C of the long-running Texas hip-hop group UGK was found dead Tuesday (December 4) in a Los Angeles hotel room. He was 33.

Few details were available at press time, but according to TMZ, the rapper's body was found at the Mondrian Hotel Tuesday morning after the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a 911 call. The MC (real name: Chad Butler), was reportedly dead when officers arrived on the scene.

A press release issued on behalf of his family Tuesday reads as follows:

"It is with great regret that I must confirm that Chad Butler, a.k.a. Pimp C, one half of the legendary UGK, was in fact discovered dead this morning.

"Manager Rick Martin is asking that everyone please respect his family and those close to him at this time and refrain from rumors and innuendo.

A formal statement will be released later this afternoon. Thank you all for understanding."

Inquiries made to the West Hollywood Police Department and the Mondrian Hotel by MTV News were inconclusive at press time; a police spokesperson said the body has not been officially identified.

Based in Port Arthur, Texas, UGK — Pimp C and Bun B — formed in the late 1980s and released their first album, Too Hard To Swallow, in 1992. While the group long enjoyed a strong underground following, Pimp C was perhaps best known in recent years for the "Free Pimp C" campaign launched by Bun B. Butler was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2002 for failure to comply with probation restrictions following a conviction for aggravated assault, but was released late in 2005..

In the wake of his imprisonment, Bun B. brought greater fame to the group as scores of hip-hop fans donned "Free Pimp C" T-shirts at shows and shouted the refrain in call-and-respond chants lead by Bun B.

The buzz helped the group's comeback LP, UGK: Underground Kingz, debut at #1 on the Billboard charts upon its release in August. The album spawned the hit single "International Players Anthem," the video of which featured an all-star cast including OutKast, Three 6 Mafia and others.

Early this year, UGK was voted the #10 Greatest Hip-Hop Group of All Time in an MTV News feature.

UGK entered the mainstream in 1999 after collaborating with Jay-Z on the single "Big Pimpin' " from the Brooklyn rapper's Vol 3: Life and Times of S. Carter. Pimp C said the song, UGK's most mainstream track, was a collaboration he wasn't entirely fond of at first, as he felt the track was too soft for his group's image.

MTV News visited the rapper in prison and spoke with him regarding his tribulations while being incarcerated. Upon his release from prison, Pimp C became an outspoken critic of hip-hop glamorization of jail.

"It's not a party. It's not fun," Pimp said. "Jail affected my whole family. My family got locked up. My group got locked up. I lost when I went to prison. That's something to be ashamed of, and that's not a badge of honor. My youngest son was 8 years old when I went in. I came back and he's a teenager. I can't get them years back."

Thompson Exits Island Def Jam

2007-12-03T19:09:00.000-08:00

Staffing cuts continue at Universal Music Group’s Island Def Jam division. A&R representatives Paul Pontius and Rob Stevenson have exited, following last week’s departure of executive VP of promotion Greg Thompson.

Additionally, the staff of imprint Stolen Transmission, which was co-founded by Stevenson and blogger Sarah Lewitinn, was also let go.

In total, ten staffers have been cut to this point.

Via her personal blog, Lewitinn has stated that she plans to continue running Stolen Transmission as an indie.

Akon Pleads Not Guilty In Fan Tossing Debacle

2007-12-03T18:58:00.001-08:00

Akon has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor criminal charges today (December 3) for throwing a teenaged boy off the stage during a June performance in upstate New York.

The boy thrown off the stage landed on a minor named Abby Rosa, who suffered a conncussion when the boy landed on her.

The incident took place during a performance in Fishkill, New York on June 3.

Akon asked the crowd to point out an individual who had thrown an item on stage during his performance.

The culprit, a teenaged boy, was singled out and security brought him up on stage. After picking the boy up and hoisting him up on his shoulders, Akon propelled him back into the crowd, where he landed on Rosa.

"It was never Akon's intention to violate the law," Akon’s manager Benjamin Brafman said in a written statement. "This unfortunate incident was a spontaneous reaction during a live concert that Akon deeply regrets."

This is not the first time the multi-platinum star has been scrutinized for his antics during concerts.

Akon came under fire in April, after footage of a concert in Trinidad hit the net showing the singer having simulated sex on stage with what turned out to be a 14-year-old girl, who was allowed into the club despite being under aged.

He later apologized for the incident.

Scandal Theatens Chris Brown's Tour

2007-11-26T20:01:00.000-08:00

According to Sandra Rose... A huge scandal which threatens to disrupt the Chris Brown/Bow Wow tour. The tour kicks off on December 6 in Cincinnati. Normally I wouldn't report a story like this without solid proof. But my source is well-placed and very credible.

This is the same source who gave me the scoop on Tameka Foster's pregnancy before anyone else reported it. I have learned never to doubt my source.

The young girls who have followed Chris Brown's career since the beginning will not be happy with this news.

Apparently, rumors are flying about Chris Brown and his manager. The drama behind the scenes has become so disruptive that it threatens the start of the tour. My source tells me exclusively that Chris Brown has been intimate with his manger since she met him at the tender age of 16! And furthermore, he is "madly in love with her."

For those who are not familiar with her, Chris Brown's manager was the Senior Vice President of A&R at Def Jam when she met the young singer and attempted to sign him. She was also instrumental in signing Ne-Yo to Def Jam.

When Def Jam merged with Roc-A-Fella Records, she was forced to resign. According to Chris, who was by then smitten with the older woman, "When that happened, I asked her to be my manager, and she was happy to. She took me to Warner Brothers and Jive to look for other deals, and I ended up picking Jive at the end of the day."

This explains why Chris has never been known to have a girlfriend. Apparently, Chris' mom Joyce recently became aware of the situation and is not at all happy. "That's where the drama comes in," says my source. They say a mother always knows - but the happy couple managed to keep their relationship under wraps for 2 years.

Update: Details Emerge In The Death Of Kanye West's Mother

2007-11-13T16:45:00.000-08:00

According to New York's Daily News, 58-year-old Donda West likely suffered uncontrolled bleeding while recovering at home from a combination breast reduction and tummy tuck procedure.

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Andre Aboolian told TMZ that he consulted with Dr.West in June, before she opted to work with another surgeon. He reportedly told West he would not perform the operation unless she received a cardiac stress test, because of her age and a preexisting heart condition that he believe could have led to a heart attack.

Aboolian also said that West asked him whether she could recuperate at home.

"Donda was pushing me, 'Can I go home after surgery?' But I told her it just doesn't work that way," Dr. Aboolian told the Daily News. "The most dangerous time after surgery is the first 48 hours. I told her you have to go to an overnight care facility with nurses who look after you.

Aboolian added that West, who he characterized as a "sweet" woman, expressed some reservations to him about having the surgery.

"She said she didn't deserve to have this done," Aboolian remembered. "She kept asking, 'Do I really need this?' It's not like she was being vain. It was heavy on her body."

It is statistically rare for death to result from cosmetic surgery, such instances occur in only 1 in 51,459 operations according to the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

"If, for God's sake, the surgeon tells you it's too risky, don't find someone who will do it for you," Dr. Richard D'Amico, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, told the Daily News.

The plastic surgeon who claims to have performed West's surgery has also stepped forward to speak on the tragedy.

Dr. Jan Adams told TMZ that West's death was impossible to predict and may have been caused by a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or massive vomiting. Dr. Adams says West consulted with him over a period of four months. Some of his accounts of her coincide with Dr. Aboolian's, particularly that West changed her mind about the procedure a number of times, sometimes greenlighting the surgery and sometimes halting it; however, Adams disputes Dr. Aboolian's comments that he refused to conduct the surgery because of a pre-existing condition that West had.

"He is sleazy and manipulating the truth to elevate his own importance," Adams told TMZ of Aboolian.

Dr. Adams maintains he did nothing wrong.

Diddy Finds New Assistant

2007-11-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

Halloween Picture Speaks for Itself

2007-11-02T19:56:00.000-07:00

Update: Jacob The Jeweler Pleads Guilty In BMF Case, Faces 4 Years Behind Bars

2007-11-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

After being arrested on charges that he conspired to launder money through his highly successful jewelry business, famed jewelry provider Jacob the Jeweler has pleaded guilty to lesser charges in his money laundering case.

As previously reported by SOHH, the jewelry icon (born Jacob Arobov) was arrested on charges of conspiring to commit money laundering of reportedly up to $270 million for Atlanta-based Black Mafia Family through his Jacob & Co. business.

The infamous jeweler was among 16 people indicted by a Michigan District Attorney in May for violating federal drug laws and laundering more than $270 million. Jacob is accused of accepting "dirty" money generated by the Black Mafia Family (BMF) and giving them jewelry in return without reporting the transactions.

Now, according to the Associated Press, the jeweler has pleaded guilty Wednesday (October 31) to the lesser charge of falsifying records and giving false statements to investigators looking into a multi-state drug ring. In return, prosecutors have agreed to drop the money laundering charges against him, his lawyer said.

"I realize I have made a terrible mistake and I accept the consequences of my actions," said the jeweler via a statement.

No sentencing date was immediately set by U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn but the terms of the plea agreement call for Jacob to serve up to 46 months in prison and pay a $2 million penalty, U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Murphy said in a statement.

Ja rule having his say

2007-10-31T19:59:00.001-07:00

Ja Rule Finally Has His Say

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Jay-Z Plots Brief 'Gangster' Tour

2007-10-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

Jay-Z is slated to support his upcoming Def Jam album, "American Gangster," with a short tour next month. The rapper/label honcho will open the five-date run on street date (Nov. 6) at Los Angeles' House of Blues.

During the shows, Jay-Z will only perform material from the new album, which is inspired by but not directly affiliated with the upcoming film "American Gangster."

Jay-Z has made sporadic live appearances in the past few years, most recently during the Screamfest tour's New York stop. Last year, he held court at New York's Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the 10-year-anniversary of his debut, "Reasonable Doubt."

Here are Jay-Z's tour dates:

Nov. 6: Los Angeles (House of Blues)
Nov. 7: Chicago (House of Blues)

Nov. 9: Baltimore (Ram's Head)
Nov. 11: New York (Hammerstein Ballroom)
Nov. 12: Philadelphia (Fillmore

Spears Turns Herself In To L.A. Police

2007-10-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears reported to a Los Angeles police station last night (Oct. 15) to face charges of hit and run and driving without a valid license, police said.

Officer Mike Lopez said Spears turned herself in around 9 p.m. and left about 45 minutes later. Spears was fingerprinted and photographed, he said. "She was fine, cooperative," Lopez said. "She did her business and came out."

Spears, 25, was wearing large designer sunglasses and a black turtleneck dress and jacket. As she left the station, she told KCAL-TV that all went smoothly.

"They were nice," she said of police. She told the station she was wearing the sunglasses because she had pinkeye.

The charges stem from an Aug. 6 wreck during which paparazzi filmed Spears steering her car into another vehicle as she tried to turn into a spot in a Studio City parking lot. The video showed her walking away after assessing the damage to her own car.

The owner of the other car, Kim Robard-Rifkin, filed a police report three days later. Spears had been ordered to report for booking ahead of an Oct. 25 court appearance.

Can you say Crazy!

Update: Madonna Confirms Deal With Live Nation

2007-10-16T19:40:00.000-07:00

Live Nation president/CEO Michael Rapino confirmed today (Oct. 16) that Madonna has entered into an unprecedented global partnership with the company. She will become the founding artist in LN's new Artist Nation division, led by Rolling Stones tour producer Michael Cohl.

"The idea that an iconic artist like Madonna would pick a promoter to be a long-term partner with truly validates our business model," Rapino tells Billboard.com.

"We put a lot of time and effort into what kind of deals we’re going to do [and] how we’re going to do them, with certainty that we can execute and maximize on those deals," adds LN global music chairman Arthur Fogel. "We are 100% committed, confident and ecstatic about this deal and about our ability to deliver on the economic model for both her and us as partners."

The 10-year deal encompasses all of Madonna's future music and music-related businesses, including the exploitation of the Madonna brand, new studio albums, touring, merchandising, fan clubs/Web sites, DVDs, music-related television and film projects and associated sponsorship agreements. This model will address all of Madonna's music ventures as a total entity for the first time in her career.

"The real story here is while everyone's talking 360 [degree deals], we were quietly building the services to do it right," Rapino says. "We have spent a considerable amount of resources building this Artist Nation division first and then going after artists second. Madonna would not have done a 360 deal with us just because of our touring capability. We had to prove to her and others that we have been working on and built a very good execution capacity at Artist Nation."
The Madonna deal (which has been valued in published reports as worth $120 milion) has not been without its detractors, but Rapino says Wall Street still needs to be educated on new music business models, particularly the global scale of a deal like this.

"We have been consistent for two years talking about taking our global concert business of 10,000 shows and 1,000 artists [annually] and extending them to the fan through our online ticketing, and [forming] longer and deeper relationships with the artist," says Rapino.

A key broker in the deal was Fogel, producer of Madonna's last three worldwide tours. Asked what contractual obligations Madonna might have to tour and record, Fogel says, "We can't get into that other than to say the history of Madonna is very clear. She is incredibly hard working, determined, competitive and creative, and her entire career has been consistently about delivering on all levels, whether it's live or on her records. That's who she is and that's who she will be going forward."

Meanwhile, Cohl moves forward as chairman/CEO of Artist Nation, a multi-faceted one-stop shop overseeing what Cohl calls "unified rights." "Between CPI and Live Nation at various stages, we've been developing the unified rights model for almost 20 years," he says, adding that while much has changed, "It's still about artists, it's still about music, it's about what they write, it's their babies, their songs and how they perform them. And we're going to do a better job, we believe, of connecting them to a broader audience."

Soulja Boy Still Cranking Atop Billboard Hot 100

2007-10-04T09:31:00.001-07:00

Soulja Boy begins his second straight and fourth non-consecutive week atop the Billboard Hot 100 with "Crank That (Soulja Boy)," but he's facing stiff competition from a former pop princess. As reported yesterday, Britney Spears rockets 68-3 on the chart with "Gimme More" after selling 179,000 downloads, her first top 10 hit since "Toxic" in March 2004.

Kanye West's "Stronger" holds at No. 2 on the Hot 100, while Timbaland's "The Way I Are" featuring Keri Hilson slides 3-4. Also down one spot is Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry" at No. 5. At No. 6, Timbaland earns his third top 10 from his album "Shock Value" with "Apologize" featuring OneRepublic, which jumps 16 spots.

J. Holiday's "Bed" falls 5-7, while Feist's "1, 2, 3, 4" rockets 28-8 thanks to continued exposure in an iPod Nano TV spot. The track sold 128,000 downloads this week, a 75% increase over the previous frame. Keyshia Cole's "Let It Go" featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim falls 7-9 and Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly" holds at No. 10 to round out the top tier.

Kanye West's "Good Life" featuring T-Pain falls 13-18 thanks to declining digital sales but makes him the first lead artist since Nelly in July 2002 to take successive greatest airplay gainer honors with two different songs. "Stronger" claimed the award last week.

The Hot 100's top debut comes from Jordin Sparks' "Tattoo" at No. 58. It's the first single from the "American Idol" champ's self-titled debut, due Nov. 20. Self-released artist Ingrid Michaelson, who rose to fame after one of her songs appeared on "Grey's Anatomy" in May, scores her first Hot 100 ink with "The Way I Am" at No. 80.

. Holiday's "Bed" is still holding strong atop Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs after four weeks. Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine" is the top debut there at No. 50; her new Geffen album, "Growing Pains," arrives Nov. 27.

On Hot Country Songs, Brad Paisley extends his No. 1 streak to five as "Online" climbs 2-1. It's the longest such streak since Toby Keith scored six chart-toppers in a row between September 2001 and December 2002.

Foo Fighters' "The Pretender" remain a juggernaut on Billboard's rock charts, beginning a seventh week at No. 1 on Modern Rock and a second on Mainstream Rock.

Released On 45,000 Bail

2007-09-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

Mychal Bell, the Black teen from Jena, La., who was convicted of beating a White classmate in a case that triggered the largest civil rights gathering in several years, has been released from jail.

A judge ordered the 17-year-old freed on $45,000 bail just hours after the prosecutor announced that he would not pursue adult charges against Bell, one of the teens known as the “Jena 6.”

But his case is far from over.

Bell still faces trial in juvenile court in December, which is what civil rights leaders and tens of thousands of activists argued should have happened all along.

The massive public outcry over the prosecution of the "Jena 6" centered on the seeming harshness of the charges filed against them. District Attorney Reed Walters levied attempted murder and conspiracy charges against five of the group – which could have landed them in prison for up to 80 years – for their fight with Justin Barker. The White teen was knocked unconscious by Bell and later treated at a local hospital, which released him after three hours.

Walters later reduced the charges to second-degree battery and conspiracy, which could have drawn 20-year sentences. (Charges for one of the juveniles were never disclosed.)

Only one of the six, Bell, was tried and convicted, but an appeals court judge threw it out because Bell was a minor, 16, at the time of the crime, which meant it should have been tried in juvenile court, he said.

Bell has remained in jail, even though the conviction was overturned on Sept. 15, as Walters pondered whether to bring new charges.

"We still have mountains to climb, but at least this is closer to an even playing field," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who helped organize last week's protest. "He goes home because a lot of people left their home and stood up for him."

O'Reilly Outraged

2007-09-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

Fox News Channel host Bill O'Reilly says comments he made on the radio about Blacks were taken out of context. And he says anyone who was offended by what he said: "Would have to be looking to be offended."

O'Reilly raised eyebrows when he told his syndicated radio show he "couldn't get over" the fact that Black patrons at a famous Harlem restaurant didn't cut the fool the night he dined with civil rights activist Al Sharpton.

"There was no difference between Sylvia’s restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it’s run by Blacks, primarily Black patronship," O’Reilly effused. “There wasn’t one person in Sylvia’s who was screaming, ‘M-Fer, I want more iced tea,’” O’Reilly said.

“You know, I mean, everybody was — it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-White suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn’t any kind of craziness at all.”

But the shock for Bill-O didn't stop there.

"I think Black Americans are starting to think more and more for themselves." O’Reilly’s ill-advised words became a topic of discussion on CNN Tuesday, which added to the conservative commentator’s outrage.

Speaking to The Associated Press, O'Reilly said theliberal group Media Matters "cherry-picked" remarks he made about racial attitudes. He says he had been telling his audience his grandmother and many other Whites feared Blacks because they didn't know any and because they had been swayed by violent images in Black culture.

Meanwhile, Sylvia's manager tells the New York Daily News O'Reilly's remarks were "insulting" and showed he has little knowledge of the black community.

Kanye West Destroys 50 Cent In SoundScan Battle, Sells 930,251 CDs Compared To Fif's 659,682 units.

2007-09-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

According to soundscan numbers, Kanye West has OFFICIALLY DEFEATED 50 Cent. His album Graduation sold 930,251 copies in its first week. 50 CENT's Cutis sold only 659,682 Units (And, in case you're wondering, KENNY CHESNEY sold 400,202 units).

This news apparently comes as no surprise to Kanye. In an interview with popular Chicago radio personality Kendra G, Kanye was quoted as saying, "I always knew I was fixin' to win, that's why I played it real humble." Well guess he's not playing humble anymore...

In related news, MediaaTakeOut.com has learned that a disappointed 50 Cent has canceled three major performances in Europe. The three appearances were the MOBO Awards, the Vodafone Live Music Awards, and an MTV Germany performance.

No word on what, if any, appearances 50 intends on making this week...

50 Cent Interview: Tells The People He's Done With Rap

2007-09-14T18:41:00.000-07:00

50 Cent with Jim Jones & Juelz LIVE NYC

50 Cent & Jim Jones on Rap City

Kanye West On Pace To Outsell 50 Cent Says SoundScan, 437K Ye CDs Already Sold

2007-09-13T07:42:00.001-07:00

Kanye West's Graduation has reportedly trumped 50 Cent's Curtis in first week sales and is on pace to be the No. 1 album on The Billboard 200 next week.

According to Billboard, Nielsen's SoundScan recently launched Building Charts, a program that tracks weekly sales from eight leading accounts set up by music retailers nationwide including Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Borders, CircuitCity, iTunes and Target.

The Building Charts reading for Wednesday afternoon (September 12) revealed that Kanye's Graduation had first week sales of 437,000. Sales for 50 Cent's Curtis sales read off at 310,000 and country singer Kenny Chesney's album, Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates, shifted 107,000 copies.

A poll and a survey conducted by SOHH before and after both albums from West and 50 leaked onto the internet predicted that Kanye would outsell 50 Cent in the first week.

If Graduation sells over 468,000 copies before Sunday (September 16), when the Nielsen SoundScan week officially ends, the album will snatch the title of rap's biggest first-week sales in 2007 from T.I.'s latest effort, T.I. vs. TIP.

Graduation features appearances from guest spots from Mos Def, Coldplay singer Chris Martin, T-Pain, Lil' Wayne, Daft Punk and DJ Premier.

Yung Joc On The Frank Ski & Wanda Show on V103

2007-09-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

He talks about ablum sells and more.

Mr. Entertainment

Is it over for Britney?

2007-09-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

She really sucked last night.

Britney Spears - VMAs 2007 Gimme More
Uploaded by gotsmyown

Update: R. Kelly's Child Porn Trial Delayed...Again

2007-09-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

R. Kelly's pending child pornography case has been delayed and, as of press time, has not been rescheduled.

According to The Chicago Daily Herald Kells' trial has been postponed due to "personal" reasons.

"Under doctor's orders, the lead prosecutor, who has recently given birth, is not able to proceed at this time," a statement from the court revealed earlier today (September 4).

Kelly appeared in Judge Vincent Michael Gaughan's courtroom today (September 4), expecting pre-trial motions, but instead was hit with deja vu.

As SOHH previously reported the controversial trial, which Kells was indicted for in 2002, has a long history of setbacks, including Kelly's appendix surgery last February, and last summer when Judge Gaughan broke his back.

Jury selection was to begin on September 17.

Kelly faces 14 counts of child pornography involving a videotape documenting sexual relations with a teenage girl. Prosecutors have said the victim could be as young as 13. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

Kells has pleaded not guilty.

50 Cent comments on Scream tour. Admits Jay-Z was lost when he walked on stage.

2007-08-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

Part1

Part2

Part3

Kanye West & 50 Cent Hug It Out At Screamfest, Join All- Star Line-Up At MSG

2007-08-23T20:14:00.000-07:00

History was made that night.

Bill O'Reilly Continues Going After NAS

2007-08-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

Trapped in the closet - Chapter 13

2007-08-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

Check out R. Kelly trapped in the closet chapter 13. Dude got issues, but you can deny that the dude is talented. I believe he is releasing 13-22.

50 Cent Loses, Fans Back Kanye West In New Poll

2007-08-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

SOHH recently conducted a poll and talked with artists about the hype surrounding 50 Cent's and Kanye West's SoundScan showdown on September 11th. While many artists are on the fence, the survey reveals that readers believe West's Graduation will beat 50's Curtis on release week.

The SOHH poll, which included feedback from over 3,000 fans on the internet between the ages of 12 and 35, was conducted after 50 told SOHH that if West sold more records, he [50] would no longer release solo albums.

According to the survey, when asked whose album will have the higher first-week sales, 51% of the respondents said Kanye, 37% said Fif, while 11% believed it was to close to call.

The biggest distinction in the poll spoke volumes about each artist's selling power. When asked which album they're likely to buy, 53% said Ye's album is on their shopping lists while only 20% say they'll be in line for the new 50 Cent record.

With the numbers stacked in Kanye's favor, fans want to know if 50 will keep his promise to leave solo records behind if he loses the sales race to Kanye. Those surveyed have little faith in 50's wager. A total of 76% of respondents say they "can't see" 50 quitting -- even if Kanye does win the sales race.
Responses from 50 and Kanye's rap colleagues were less cut and dry.

"I'm just gonna sit back and watch like everybody else," Freeway said. "May the best man win."

"So many fans like Kanye's record and so many like 50 Cent," said Twista, Chi-Town homey to Kanye West. "It's like a fight between Winky Wright and Bernard Hopkins. It's hard to tell because it's two different kinds of music. I love them both."

While 50 nemesis Fat Joe offered a "No comment," on the subject, Miami-based rapper Pitbull called the whole thing "bull@#!*," and said rappers should spend their time challenging record companies instead of each other. Yet, he too offers a diplomatic response to the contest: "I hope they both sell tons of records," he said. [Watch your favorite rappers weigh in the sales battle between 50 and Kanye here]

Lil' Scrappy, who has worked with 50 Cent in the past, was one of the few to pick a side. "I love Kanye," Scrappy told SOHH, "but 50 is my man. I'm going with 50."

In related news, during a recent interview on the British TV show "The Night Project," West finally answered 50's challange.

"I really like 50. I don't want him to retire once my album sells the most," the Chicago rapper/producer revealed. "Please 50. Do not retire once my album sales beats your album. I really like your songs, I'm a big fan."

Church Fight

2007-08-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Tell me why people.

Co-executor of James Brown's will quits

2007-08-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

A trustee accused of misappropriating $350,000 of James Browns money resigned and handed over a check for that amount during a court hearing, a newspaper reported.

David Cannon also resigned Friday as co-executor of the late soul singer's will during a four-hour hearing before Circuit Judge Jack Early, The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle reported Saturday.

Cannon has an unlisted telephone number and another trustee, Buddy Dallas, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

A follow-up hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 24 as various people wrangle over the late soul singer's estate.

It's not clear how much money is left in the estate, said Louis Levenson, an Atlanta attorney representing several of the singer's children. Before he died Christmas Day at age 73, Brown had been on an allowance of $100,000 a month.

Levenson said his firm is trying to find out where the singer's money went.

Brown's former pastor has filed a motion to intervene on behalf of needy children who are supposed to benefit from the James Brown "I Feel Good" Trust. That is one of two trusts Brown had set up: One to pay for poor children in South Carolina and Georgia to attend school; the other would pay for Brown's grandchildren to go to school.

The Rev. Larry Fryer said he's worried the money meant for poor children is being squandered by the court battles. "If we're paying all of the money to all of the legal sources," Fryer said, "what's left for the children?"

One of Brown's grandchildren, Forlando Brown, accused his aunts and uncles of trying to break the trusts to get their father's money.

"People are greedy," the West Georgia University student told The Augusta Chronicle.

Forlando Brown said he, his brother and his father, Terry Brown, have been ostracized by the rest of the family for siding with the trustees

50 Cent, Usher, Kelly Rowland & Wu Tang

2007-08-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

Miss Info reports on her blog that 50 Cent completely lost it last night (August 9) in the G-Unit offices. According to close sources the rapper shouted f**k Interscope and ripped a plasma screen off the wall after finding out that an Interscope employee allegedly leaked the video for his third single, “Follow My Lead” featuring Robin Thicke, on the internet. Sources also added that 50 told the head of Interscope (Jimmy Iovine) that he will be boycotting all promo/media and may even leave the label.

According to People Magazine, Usher’s mother Jonetta Patton did not attend her son’s civil wedding ceremony, which took place in his lawyer’s office this past weekend. A close source told the publication that while Usher and Tameka Foster were exchanging vows, Jonetta was visiting a spa in Atlanta.

Even though sales of her sophomore album Miss Kelly have been somewhat of a disappointment, Kelly Rowland refuses to let this bring her down and remains optimistic. Rowland says, “Yes, I came in at number 6 and sold 86,000 records in a declining market, might I add. I’m very proud of that. Not everybody’s selling records like they used to. Even the biggest artists don’t come out and go platinum in a week anymore. It’s a different day and age in the music industry."

There is good news for die hard Wu-Tang fans. The group’s long awaited and highly anticipated album, 8 Diagrams will drop on November 13 through Steve Rifkind’s label, SRC Records.

50 Cent Bets Career, "If Kanye Sells More Records... I Won't Put Out Any More Solo Albums"

2007-08-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

50 Cent recently bet his rap career that he'd outsell Kanye West when their albums drop next month.

Despite holding a more successful track record, skeptics are questioning whether 50 Cent's Curtis will outsell Kanye West's Graduation come September 11. Ask 50 and he'll tell you there's no way he'll come in second. In fact, he's ready to wager his career on it.

"They would like to see Kanye West give me a problem because I've worked myself into a space where I've become the favorite," Fif told SOHH exclusively. "Everybody roots for the underdog when he goes against the favorite.

"Put it like this," 50 told SOHH. "Let's raise the stakes. If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I'll no longer write music. I'll write music and work with my other artists, but I won't put out any more solo albums.

"And I bet this, when Kanye West's sales come in, he's gonna have a 70% decrease [the second week] 'cause Def Jam is gonna buy records to keep him closer to 50 Cent," the Queens rapper added. "So watch the first week and then watch the second week. Watch his @#* drop off the planet. We keep our angles covered before we make a decent bet."

As previously reported, the two superstars spent time in the studio together working on Fif's LP, but SOHH has learned that the material they worked on isn't scheduled to appear on the album's final version.

"We worked together on an actual record to try and create something," 50 said. "I went in with Kanye, I went in with Swizz Beatz, I went in with will.i.am, I went in with Polow [Da Don] just to see if they had something that I didn't, to create a new direction for me that I couldn't get my hands on. I mean these guys are popular producers [and] have a higher consistency than a guy that's unknown, but a lot of times they may have music planned that doesn't fit the project that you're working on."

Scary Spice files paternity petition

2007-08-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES - Scary Spice went to court Wednesday to try to scare up some child support from Eddie Murphy.

The 32-year-old singer, whose real name is Melanie Brown, filed a petition in Superior Court that seeks to legally establish Murphy as the father of her 4-month-old daughter, Angel Iris Murphy Brown.

Brown will also seek sole custody and reasonable child support, attorney Gloria Allred said at a press conference.

"I am here today for one reason and one reason only; her name is Angel," Brown said. "Angel is my baby and Eddie's. She will always know that she was planned and wanted by both of us."

Arnold Robinson, a spokesman for the 46-year-old actor, declined to comment.

Brown said she and Murphy dated for four months in 2006 before mutually deciding to conceive a child.

"The relationship was in full swing right at the beginning of my pregnancy," Brown said, adding that she was shocked when Murphy later said he was not sure he was the baby's father.

Allred said Murphy took a DNA test in June.

The test "established paternity but paternity has not been legally acknowledged," she said in a statement.

Brown, who dated Murphy last year, gave birth to her daughter April 3. She listed Murphy as the father on the birth certificate.

Murphy has five children from his marriage to Nicole Mitchell Murphy, who filed for divorce in 2005.

He got engaged last week to film producer Tracey Edmonds, according to Adris Debarge, Edmonds' executive assistant.

Brown also has an 8-year-old daughter.

The Spice Girls recently reunited for a tour that is scheduled to begin later this year.

R Kelly to be tried for child pornography

2007-08-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Grammy Award-winning R&B singer R Kelly will go on trial September 17 on child pornography charges, five years after the accusations were first made, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Kelly, 40, whose real name is Robert Kelly, faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted of videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl. Prosecutors have said the girl could have been as young as 13, but defense attorneys have disputed her age and whether Kelly is on the tape. The underground videotape was widely circulated.

Kelly pleaded not guilty to the charges and in the interim has released hit songs, gone on tours, and released a DVD set of "hip-hopera" skits.

Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan said jury selection would begin September 17.

The trial was delayed, in part, by arguments over when the video was made. It was also pushed back because the judge fell and broke bones and needed to recuperate.

McDonald’s drop Chicago rapper from concert tour

2007-07-31T11:13:00.001-07:00

Chicago rapper Twista was on the bill to perform for the restaurants 10 city concert series, when they said, no thank you.

McDonalds says the decision was made to drop him due to his “controversial lyrics”. Official statement goes a little something like this…” Although we respect free speech and artistic expression we do not condone or perpetuate derogatory language.”said spokesman William Whitman. “We want to ensure these free concerts are fun as well as appropriate for all our customers.”

During an interview with the Associated Press, Twista said he was surprised by the announcement especially after hearing from certain people that represented McDonalds, that they were excited about the whole thing and they backed me, and then to hear a few days later that I was actually not on the show.”

Twista blamed the increased criticism of hip hop in the wake of the racial comment made by former CBS and MSNBC broadcaster Don Imus for putting pressure on the corporate giant to drop him form the series.

“They started hearing things…feeling like they were getting a little flak and I felt like rather than stick by me and stick through it they got scared,”says the Chicago rapper. “I’ve been rapping the same way for 15 years. It only became a problem when Don Imus said something negative about black women and they needed a scapegoat.”

As we are well aware increased pressure has been put on record labels and rappers to clean up the offensive content due to the Don Imus comment calling the Rutgers Women’s basketball team, “nappy headed hoes”.

Twista goes on to say he had intentions of cleaning up his lyrics due to the crowd and that he was going to have a school choir come sing the song, ‘Hope’ with him. Gee thanks Twista. So now McDonald’s will have to tell the kids that they can’t perform.

Now it’s my turn….You are not a scapegoat, what you are is number one in the larger scope of what’s to come. Just think as time goes by the number of rappers being dropped form corporate events due to their offensive lyrics and videos. Watch and see.

Please note McDonalds don’t have to tell the kids shit, I betcha they can perform just without you.

This is just the beginning of the corporate structure putting the smack down on you guys. All you rappers thinking because you are rich and selling records you can’t be stopped and or censored. T. I.

Yeah, I know there are hoes and bitches in the hood & you guys should be able to speak and or rap about it but..Its time to move on to some other shit. Damn, enough already.

On that note Russell Simmons has two very interesting articles regarding censorship in the recent XXL w/ 50 on the cover and in Ebony Magazines. In a nut shell, he says the lyrics will stop no matter how hard the rappers cry, “Freedom of Speech”.

Ron Isley Prepares For Jail Time, Def Jam Fights For Pardon

2007-07-26T14:37:00.001-07:00

Back in September of 2006, the R&B legend was convicted on five counts of tax evasion and one count of failing to file a tax return.

Def Jam recently posted a message asking Isley Brothers fans to call, fax or email the White House immediately, in order to prevent lead singer Ronald Isley from serving a three year sentence in a federal prison.

According to the Def Jam website, Isley is scheduled to report to serve his sentence on August 7th. However the 66-year-old singer suffered a stroke in 2004 and was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2006, raising serious questions as to whether he might survive incarceration.

The singer, who is also known as Mr. Biggs, is currently in the process of a total restitution of the funds the IRS determined were owed. Additionally, Isley has offered to perform for US troops. Isley supporters hope that enough pressure from fans will inspire President George W. Bush to step in and use his executive power to pardon Isley, as he recently did for former Dick Cheney aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

Recording music for close to five decades, Isley is one of the few artists to stay relevant for such a substantial period. Working closely with longtime admirer R. Kelly and appearing on tracks with Ja Rule, Warren G and Swizz Beatz, Biggs was able to appeal to fans of all ages.

For more information on how to join Isley supporters in their campaign please visit Def Jam's website.

Playing Pimp_C_clarifies_Ozone_interview.mp3

2007-07-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

Pimp C telling it like it is. Check it out below.

Super Group TGT Please Dont Go Remix

2007-07-23T22:32:00.000-07:00

R&B crooners Tank, Ginuwine, and Tyrese have joined forces to form supergroup called TGT. The song is pure FIRE!

Ja Rule & Lil' Wayne Arrested On Gun Charges; Same Area, Separate Incidents

2007-07-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

According to reports, Ja Rule and two associates, were arrested around 10:37 p.m. on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York, for speeding. A .40 caliber pistol was found inside the vehicle.

Lil' Wayne was arrested shortly after his performance at the Beacon Theater. Police say they saw the New Orleans rapper and an acquaintance, smoking marijuana near 61st Street and Columbus Avenue around 11:30 p.m. Police discovered a .40 caliber pistol.

Coincidentally, Lil' Wayne is a featured artist on Ja Rule's latest single, "Uh Oh." Rule is schedule to release his seventh studio album The Mirror on September 25 on Mpire / Murder Inc / Universal Motown Records.

News On Lauryn Hill & Usher

2007-07-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

Finally some insight into this crazy bitch. Pras from the famed Fugess recently spoke with Billboard magazine and had some interesting things to say. “We went into the studio and recorded a couple of records that were incredible. But to put it nicely, its dead”, says Pras. “Me and Clef were on the same page but Lauryn is in her zone, and I’m fed up with that shit”. Here she is blessed with a gift, with the opportunity to rock and give and she’s running on some bullshit. I’m a fan of Lauryn’s but I can’t respect that”.

Since there will be no Fugees album Pras has been busy filming movies. He has a documentary coming out reflecting homelessness and film, “Six Bullets” with Josh Lucas and a solo project on Sony BMG, “Experience”. Pras will also launch Prasperity Projects his non-profit organization next month in New York.

Lauryn, it appears things are not going so well on the solo tip, so getting back with the Fugess may be the only thing to save you and what’s left of your career.

Wonder what Wyclef has to say about her ass and the album.

For more on Pras, please check out Billboard.com

Usher Raymond Part ll

Usher seems so upset with the webmaster of the site usher forever.com that his personal and professional lawyers are trying to shut the site down. The webmaster of the site Ms. Jackson contacted TMZ to report that she is and will fight back to keep her site up and running. It appears Ushers people are saying the name of her site may be confusing his fans into thinking the site has an afflication to the singer. Whatever. She is also one of the media outlets saying negative things about him.

In his open letter to People, he says the negative things said about him and his fiancé are “disturbing”, well hell you are a superstar and should be used to the shit by now. Furthermore, if you are so damn happy planning your wedding and waiting for the birth of your child, you should have no time for the bullshit. Can you really believe when you announced you were marrying an old ass woman with what two or three children and recently divorced, nobody was gonna have some negative shit to say about it?

Get fucking real, damn whatever happened to freedom of speech and the opinions of others?

Usher, this is a cruel ass world and you know it. Grow the fuck up.

Please don’t shut me down.

FAYE

Brigitte Nielsen in Rehab

2007-07-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

Y'all remember Flavor Flav chick from VH1 surreal life. TMZ has learned that 44-year-old Brigitte Nielsen checked into rehab a few weeks ago -- and is getting out in the next 24 hours. Clean and sober and completely under the radar!

A source close to Nielsen tells us she checked herself into North Hollywood's Cry Help treatment facility several weeks ago and is doing well. Although it isn't known what Flava Flav's ex-girlfriend is in treatment for, our source says, "It was her decision," adding "It was the right time." Cheers to that!

Looks like Lindsay and Britney have someone else they can not drink with all night!

USHER RAYMOND

2007-07-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Usher, please stop crying like a little baby because people are talking about you and your old ass pregnant fiancé.

Usher, you need to understand that we watched you grow up into a fine man and had high expectations for you. Personally, we all hoped you would find a nice age appropriate girl get married then have a baby and show people the correct way to do things.

Yeah you may be happy now, but you will be a step father to some kids who I know see you as Usher the superstar even though they would never admit it. There friends cant wait for the day to come into your home and start talking about that shit in school the next day. Everyone is just concerned and trust, they just like me are waiting for the divorce papers. You were like a little brother to everyone including me. Hey, we were just hoping you would break the cycle and do a little better than the rest of them. So stop crying and plan your beautiful wedding and wait for the birth of your beautiful baby.

Side bar: I don’t give a damn how many children your fiancé has, posing in a magazine a bearing her f..ing stomach was a bad idea. Don’t do that shit again for nothing in the world. And please believe ain’t nobody jealous of your ass he gonna do to you the same thing Diddy did to Kim. Just wait.

REMY MA FOLLOW UP

To follow up on the shooting of 23 year old Makeda Barnes-Joseph allegedly by my favorite female rapper Remy Ma, born Remy Smith.

A woman contacted Allhiphop.com to tell her side of the story. She claims she was at the Pizza Bar in Chelsea and outside during the shooting Saturday July 14th.

The woman says, “Everyone was good the entire party until we went outside and Makeda tried to quickly slip away.” She has (allegedly) stolen from Remy before and Remy forgave her the first time. “Remy even paid her rent Makeda’s rent before when she spent her money shopping and her sorry ass boyfriend couldn’t help out.”

According to the witness Makeda exited her vehicle and the two woman argued in the streets. “Remy never got into the car.” “Remy never had a gun on her.” Makeda’s boyfriend (allegedly) threatened Remy in front of everyone and demanded that she didn’t take the money. She also threw her purse at Remy to check and that’s why Remy had the purse and emptied the contents. The witness goes on to say, she and other in the crew walked up to the two women as they argued and that’s when the shots rang out.

Now, I am confused as hell. If they were arguing outside in the streets how the hell did Makeda get into her car with two gun shots to the torso? In the beginning of the story the woman says the two women argued in the Nissan-Maxima, or do I have the story wrong?

Anyway, the witness continues to say Makeda’s boyfriend threatened Remy and the next thing she knew shots rang out and Makeda was on the ground saying she got shot.! Of course after that everyone broke out cause NYPD was on the way.

Well people, I hope I did not confuse the hell out of you with this shit. However stay tuned and more will follow. One thing I know is Remy did not shot this girl…..they seemed to have been a lot of other people in the mix and anything could have happened. Remy was the most known and you guys know how that goes.

Remy keep you head up and I am riding for you.

One love,

Faye

Snoop Dogg Jumps On Reality Show Bandwagon With New Cable Series

2007-07-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

Snoop Dogg will be the focus of an upcoming E! Entertainment reality television series.

According to the Associated Press, the currently untitled series will capture The Los Angeles bred rapper working in his studio and spending quality time with his family during half-hour episodes.

The cameras will also follow Snoop when he interacts with the kids from his youth football league and as he carries out the 800-hour community service sentence he was given after pleading no contest to gun and drug charges in April.

"The juggling act that Snoop faces day-in, day-out between career and family is certain to resonate with our viewers," said Ted Harbert, president and CEO of Comcast Entertainment Group, which operates the E! channel. "While he has captured a legion of fans as the king of hip-hop, what makes Snoop most interesting is the side of him that most people have never seen."

The series is scheduled to debut in late 2007.

New Keyshia Cole Video & Miss Jones New Tell All Book

2007-07-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

Keyshia Cole feat. Lil'Kim & Missy Elliott - Let It Go
Uploaded by kevinb1984

MISS JONES AND BUSTA?

Check out and excerpt from Miss Jones' upcoming book.

On sex with Busta Rhymes:

"With Busta, it was only sex. I learned not to trust a proposal of marriage made in bed. Busta was as gentle as he could be, because he was packing. Busta's lovemaking was not for the timid or faint of heart. The fact that our lovemaking never lasted too long didn't bother me, because I didn't enjoy his drops of sweat raining down on me."

Afterward, "Busta would stroll around the apartment butt-naked, then shower and go into the kitchen and fry an egg sandwich - for himself. I guess I should be grateful. It's not like he didn't offer me a bite."

Disses Wendy Williams!

“After all of her years in radio, [Wendy Williams] has not elevated above curb level in terms of paving the way for other women in radio. Disappointing."

And Mary J. Blige?

And when Mary J. Blige fell onstage during Hot-97's Summer Jam last year, Jones was glad, because Blige forgot to thank her at the mike. "Karma is a bitch," Jones writes in the book, which she'll sign at Borders on Columbus Circle next Wednesday night.

Jay-Z?

She even said that Jay-Z made a sexual comment about her, even after he was dating Beyonce.

Making The Band Recap - Old vs New

2007-07-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

After the Making the Band 4 hopefuls' impressive performances at New York City's B.B. King Blues Club, Diddy cut four guys: Tyrice, David, Maurice and Anzeo. Now the gang is down to 16, and the guys realize this is a tight competition. Although they're all sad to see their fellow finalists go, they know they must push forward and pray they're not the next to go home.

When Michael Bivins pays the guys a visit at their crib, he congratulates them on their awesome performances and boosts their confidence. But wait! He's really there to tell them some news that's going to shake things up. Diddy has mixed it up once again; he now wants the "dream team" back on the hunt for new talent. He wants the four empty beds in the house filled with new, fresh and exciting talent. And that only means one thing for the current guys: trouble.

With guest judges Bink Dawg and Jack Knight, the dream team is at again! They hit up several states in search of the new talent that will give the current Making the Band men a run for their money. The auditions start out a bit rocky, but quickly heat up and the search is successful -- 11 guys are asked to fly to New York City to audition for Diddy! This is a dream come true for them, but will it be a dream crusher for the guys already in the house?

As the new Making the Banders prepare for their auditions, Diddy notices there are some strong competitors amongst the new group of hopefuls and takes them on a surprise visit to the house, only to find the current guys napping! You can only imagine how this makes Diddy feel.

Diddy lines up the new guys and the veterans of the house stagger in behind them. It's time to battle! To kick things off, "new guy" Eric (aka Ace) steps up to "old guy" Brian, thinking he has the competition in the bag. But Brian blows back at him with a song that truly makes him shine. The new guys are in for a rude awakening if they think taking the current guys' spots will be a piece of (cheese)cake.

Next, Diddy has the guys perform in pairs, singing the same song in order to weed out the less talented performers. For some, he lets them sing until he is impressed, but for others he gives them the "OK, you can go now" speech as soon as they hit their first note! This competition is ice cold! When it's Chris' turn to sing, he takes a deep breath and belts out his song with all his might. But unfortunately his nerves get the best of him and he cracks under pressure. Chris feels defeated but hopes Diddy will see his passion for being in the Making the Band competition.

Once all the guys sing their songs, it's time for Diddy to make his final decision. As the names are called, more new guys are being called than expected, which only means one thing: some old guys must leave the house. This scares Chris, as well as all of the other guys still anxiously waiting to be called. While there are just two more spots left, there are still four old guys hoping to get back in the house -- Chris, Brian, Dre and Julius. While Julius' and Brian's strong vocals land them both a spot in the house, it's time for Dre and Chris to say goodbye to their fellow finalists.

I think Diddy did a good job shaking things up a little. The old guys thought they had it made in the shade not realizing there is always somebody trying to take your spot. That's real talk.

Mr. Entertainment

Here Are Some New Videos To Check out

2007-07-05T08:57:00.000-07:00

New 50 Cent Vitamin Water Commercial

Ciara - Can't Leave 'Em Alone OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

kanye west performs at a princess diana concert

N.O.R.E. Recruits Kanye West & Pharrell For Indie Comeback Album

2007-06-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

N.O.R.E. is slated to release a CD/DVD combo titled Noreality via Babygrande Records this summer.

Due in stores September; the album features guest appearances from Jadakiss, Three Six Mafia, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Mobb Deep's Prodigy, Bun B, Tru Life, David Banner, Capone, Swizz Beatz and Kurupt, among others.

The DVD, which will be in limited quantity, will contain a reality show centered on Nore's everyday life. "I just want to give the fans that something extra this time," the Queens bred rapper said via a statement. A preview of the reality show can be found on his MySpace page.

As SOHH previously reported, the video for N.O.R.E's "Cocaine Cowboys" was recently removed from the rapper's MySpace page. Nore revealed to SOHH that the song was inspired by the movie of the same name.

Nore is also working on another album titled Global Warming 11368 and currently has a mixtape out with DJ Green Lantern called Cocaine on Steroids.

R. Kelly Featuring Usher Same Girl Video

2007-06-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

It's finally here. The R. Kelly and Usher video for the hit song "Same Girl". What do y'all think?

R. Kelly Usher "Same Girl"
Uploaded by apartment3b

Ludacris and Nick Cannon Team Up For Indie B-Ball Flick

2007-06-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

Ludacris and Nick Cannon have both signed on to co-star in the upcoming independent film Ball Don't Lie.

According to Variety, the ensemble film, which also stars Grayson T. Boucher, Emilie De Ravin, Rosanna Arquette, Dania Ramirez, Harold Perrineau, Jr., Steve Harris and Mykelti Williamson, will be directed by Brin Hall.

Boucher will lead the cast, playing a teen basketball phenom struggling with life on the streets.

Hill and Matt de la Pena scripted Ball Don't Lie, which is based on Pena's novel of the same name.

Check Out A Small Clip Of making The Band 4

2007-06-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

I think is going to be a good one. Diddy going extra hard this season.

MTB4 Preview
Uploaded by ThatGrapeJuice

Hip-Hop mogul Jermaine Dupri is preparing to reveal his latest creation, an Atlanta club he's dubbed Studio 72.

2007-06-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Dupri spent $1 million making renovations to the 12,000-square-foot location just outside of the ATL, in order to have it ready in time for his media and celebrity friends to preview on June 12.

Located at 3965 Lawrenceville Highway, Studio 72 has been touted as "a modern day version of famed New York nightclub Studio54." It will be officially open for business on June 16, where there will be a silver carpet grand opening.

Dupri, who was appointed president of urban music at Island Records in February, is currently at work on Mariah Carey's upcoming album as well as a project with new Island signees Jagged Edge, who began their careers at Dupri's So So Def imprint in 1997.

Sean Hannity Attacks Rza & Timbaland

2007-06-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

Politics are worse then the music industry. Check out Sean Hannity bashing Hillary Clinton becasue Timabaland hosted a fundraiser and Rza for donating money.

Hi-Five Lead Singer Tony Thompson Found Dead

2007-06-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

Accoring to allhip hop.. Hi-Five lead singer Tony Thompson was found dead yesterday (June 1) in his hometown of Waco, Texas.

Sources told AllHipHop.com that Thompson's body was found outside of an apartment complex around 10:00 pm.

He allegedly died of drug overdose, but the cause of death has to be confirmed.

Thompson and Hi-Five hit #1 with 1990's "I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)," which was produced by R&B/Hip-Hop producer Teddy Riley and taken from the group's debut, Hi-Five.

The album also produced singles like "I Can't Wait Another Minute" and "I Just Can't Handle It."

Hi-Five broke up around 1994 but reunited and released a new album The Return in 2006 on Thompson's record label N'Depth.

Thompson also collaborated with Port Arthur, Texas rapper Bun-B on his 2006 single "Rock Ya Body," which was produced by Play-N-Skillz.

Thompson, was working on new material for an upcoming album as well.

Rev. Run's House For Sale, $5.5 Mil Price Tag

2007-05-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

Via sohh.. The Saddle River, N.J. home, which has appeared on TV screens worldwide, thanks to two seasons of MTV's "Run's House," has been listed for sale at $5.5 million. The 6 bedroom, 5 and 2 half bath home owned by Joseph Simmons has been on the market for several months, sales agent Jeff Checkley of Weichert Realtors Ridgewood confirmed for SOHH.com.

The Bergen County home also houses a movie theater, basketball court, recording studio and swimming pool, all prominently featured on the MTV reality series "Run's House," which stars the Run DMC rapper, his wife Justine and children Vanessa, Angela, Jo Jo, Daniel and Russell.

Simmons is also looking to purchase a new home, Checkley confirmed, however, he has not found a new residence yet.

"Run's House," which premiered in 2005 has been applauded by households worldwide for offering an intimate view of the spiritually centered entertainer and his family as they deal with everyday issues.

50 Cent's Investment Pays Off, Coca Cola Buys Glacéau For $4.6 Billion In Cash

2007-05-25T14:13:00.000-07:00

According to allhiphop.. Queens, NY rapper 50 Cent may good reason to brag on his new single "Straight to the Bank."

Glacéau, makers of vitaminwater, was acquired by The Coca-Cola Company today (May 25) for $4.1 billion dollars.

50 Cent invested in Glacéau in 2004 and owns 10% of the company.

Sources told AllHipHop.com that Coca-Cola's cash purchase of Glacéau earned the rapper an estimated $400 million dollars.

Glacéau markets and sells popular energy drinks named vitaminwater.

The company markets and distributes a grape flavored energy drink inspired by 50 Cent named "Formula 50."

"This is an outstanding opportunity for both of our companies to build an expanded active lifestyle business, first in the United States and then around the world," said Muhtar Kent, president and chief operating officer of The Coca-Cola Company. "Glacéau and its brands also provide us with highly attractive longer-term international opportunities. We look forward to discussing with glacéau's distributors and our bottling partners the best operating model for glacéau's routes-to-market."

The company will operate as separate business unit within Coca-Cola North America (CCNA), allowing the company to continue to grow and marketplace, while taking advantage of Coca-Cola's marketing, management and distribution resources globally.

"It's a perfect match connecting the hottest active lifestyle brand with the full resources of the world's best beverage company," said J. Darius Bikoff, Glacéau founder and chief executive officer. "To best understand today's announcement, you really need to go out, buy a bottle of vitaminwater and try it for yourself to see how well it works."

Glacéau's top three executives are the aforementioned Bickoff, Mike Repole and Mike Venuti.

Each one will remain with the company for a minimum of three years and other key management will remain with the company.

The transaction is expected to close in 2007 and is subject to customary regulatory review.

50 Cent's latest album Curtis is slated to hit stores Sept. 4.

Rapper/Singer Tyrese, Ginuwine And Tank Form R & B Group

2007-05-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

According to allhiphop.. R&B crooner/rapper Tyrese has teamed with Ginuwine, and Tank to form R & B super-group TGT.

Together Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank have released an impressive 13 albums and continue to release chart-topping singles.

"With all the support our fans have given us individually over the years for our distinct signature styles, collectively we felt our fans deserved to hear great music in a way that they could never have imagined," Tyrese aka Black Ty said. "I've known these guys for years and they truly are like brothers, so it only felt right to come together as a trio to make history"

Ginuwine labeled the new group "a dream come true" and said the group will reshape R&B music.

"Basically the world of R&B needed a change, and there were only a few chosen that could do it, R&B needed a pick up, R&B needed TGT," Ginuwine said.

TGT can be heard together on the remix to Tank's current single "Please Don't Go," but the newly formed group has new plans for TGT in the future, including an international tour.

The tour, entitled The Shirts Off Tour, will make stops in major American cities including New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami this fall.

While on tour TGT will also have auditions to find its fourth member in an American Idol type format.

R&B singer, Ciara, has partnered with Jay-Z to be in a new campaign

2007-05-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

According to sohh.. R&B singer, Ciara, has partnered with Jay-Z to be in a new campaign for the rapper's Rocawear clothing line.

"I love Rocawear," Ciara told Us magazine. "The clothes are so cute. The stuff is great. I am so happy to be able to do the campaign."

Ciara will be featured in ads beginning this fall with the "I Will Not Lose" campaign to be shot by photographer Mark Seliger. The campaign will be coupled with a video component featuring testimonials of those that have overcome hardships, including a diverse group of voices, from R&B singer Chris Brown to strivers like Amy Steele, Editor in Chief of Virginia Tech's Collegiate Times.

The 21-year-old singer follows in the footsteps of style icons Naomi Campbell and Victoria "Posh" Beckham who have been featured in past Rocawear campaigns.

"Ciara looks amazing in the clothes and they all fit her perfectly," says June Ambrose stylist and author of Effortless Style. Ambrose, who will style the shoot, was on hand to celebrate with Ciara at Buddakan this past Wednesday in New York City along with Jay-Z and Young Jeezy.

TIP Responds to the Attack on Hip Hop (Imus)

2007-05-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

Producer Rubin in "partnership" with Columbia

2007-05-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Rick Rubin's long-rumored move to Columbia Records is now official, although there are no details yet on what the Grammy-winning producer's exact role will be at the label or where he will be based

The label released a statement Monday confirming the Rubin hire and stating that he would "form a dynamic and creative executive partnership" with Columbia chairman Steve Barnett, under a new model devised by Sony Music Label Group president Rob Stringer.

As part of the deal, the Los Angeles-based mogul will bring his American Recordings label to Columbia, which previously distributed the imprint in the late '90s and early '00s. American, which for the last year-plus has been distributed by Warner Music Group, has a roster that includes Slayer, Dan Wilson and (International) Noise Conspiracy. It also controls catalog from Johnny Cash, the Black Crowes, Danzig and the Jayhawks.

As expected, in addition to producing albums for Sony BMG acts, Rubin will continue his producing activities for artists at other major labels. In this capacity he will work with artists signed to Warner Bros., including Linkin Park and Metallica.

Rubin won five Grammys in February for his work with the likes of the Dixie Chicks and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

T.I. puts 50k on fan's head

2007-05-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

T.I. puts 50k on fan's head. Why would anyone pay money for concert tickets and then throw something at the headliner? That's exactly what took place during a T.I. performance at Bentley College's Spring Day 2007. The self-proclaimed "king of the south" was hit with balled up paper as he performed his smash hit, "What You Know." Furious, Tip stopped the music and blindly began threatening the heckler.

"Hey, my nigga I will come up there. Don't play with me, patna. Don't motherfuckin' play with me, homie," T.I. warned. "Motherfucka, I ain't your little homeboy, I don't go to school. Fuck around and lose your motherfucking shoulders off that bullshit, patna." The crowd actually seemed to love Tip's threats. "My nigga, you see somebody throw something I got 50 thousand on his head, homes," he added as he ordered to start the music again.

MTV Developing Reality Series 'Rapping With the Stars'

2007-05-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

MTV is close to finishing a development deal to produce Rapping With the Stars, a new Hip-Hop themed competitive reality show.

According to Variety, the show focuses on teams who square off against each other in various rap-oriented challenges.

Rapping With the Stars is being overseen by Tony DisSanto, who has executive produced such MTV shows as The Andy Milonakis Show, episodes of Nick Cannon Presents: Short Circuitz, Run's House, The Shop and others.

A panel from the Hip-Hop world will serve as judges for the show, which has no air date as of press time.

Fundraiser Featuring Jadakiss Canceled After Community, Church Leaders Protest

2007-05-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

Via:allhiphop

A celebrity basketball fundraiser was canceled in Stamford CT, after black church and community leaders protested an appearance by D-Block rapper Jadakiss, claiming violence could breakout at the event.

According to the Stamford Advocate, Jere Eaton is a former board member for the Yerwood Center and is also a potential presidential candidate for the NAACP's Stamford Branch.

She found out about the May 19 appearance by Jadakiss and emailed church and community leaders website links, lyrics and articles, because she was worried that the rapper's show would attract violence. .

"Under the leadership of Dr. Robert Perry (pastor of Union Baptist Church) and other clergy in Stamford, we are demanding that the Celebrity Basketball Fundraiser is canceled or 'clean' entertainment is provided by artists with 'clean' reputations," Eaton wrote in an email.

The Yerwood Center's president and CEO Deborah Sewell said she received over 60 phone calls about Jadakiss' appearance, resulting in the cancellation.

"I'm disappointed, because I really felt this would have been a great opportunity for the community to band together and show up in force," Sewell told the Advocate. "It doesn't matter who you bring in," she said. "There's a potential for an issue of violence."

Sewell defended Jadakiss and D-Block, saying that she worked with them during other past events and noted that the rappers even attended a Stamford rally that resulted in a gang truce.

"They've always been supportive of the community and they love to play basketball," Sewell said.

"All of these artists are the worst of the worst. They're criminals, their favorite word is the N-word, and they demean women by calling them b***hes and ho's," according to Eaton.

While Eaton disagreed with Sewell, her actions have led to the event being canceled and a replacement has yet to be found, leaving hundreds of locals disappointed.

Paris Hilton to appeal jail sentence

2007-05-08T07:08:00.000-07:00

05/08/2007 4:44 AM, AP

Paris Hilton's lawyers have taken the first step to appeal her 45-day jail sentence.

The 26-year-old socialite was ordered by a judge on Friday to report to a county jail by June 5 for violating the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

Hilton's lawyers filed a notice with the court indicating their intent to appeal on Friday. The document is required before a formal appeal can be lodged.

The hotel heiress, who parlayed her party lifestyle into worldwide fame, said she believes the sentence was unfair.

"I feel that I was treated unfairly and that the sentence is both cruel and unwarranted and I don't deserve this," Hilton told photographers assembled outside her home Saturday.

Ne-Yo & Beyonce Beef Explained Away, Mr Knowles Gives Credit Where Credit's Due

2007-05-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

Matthew Knowles, father and manager of superstar diva Beyoncé Knowles, has put a stop to rumors that he was angry with Ne-Yo.

According to New York's Daily News, Matthew Knowles was rumored to be angry with Ne-Yo for collaborating with Beyoncé's purported rival and Dreamgirls' Oscar-winning co-star Jennifer Hudson on his new album Because of You.

The rumor mill also circulated the story that Ne-Yo had raised Knowles' ire by telling MTV International "apparently Beyonce was at a show somewhere and right before the song came on, she said: 'I wrote this for my girls...' The song is a co-write. I wrote all the lyrics. Beyonce helped me with the melodies and the harmonies and the vocal arrangement, and that makes it a co-write."

While some accounts said Ne-Yo's comments incited Knowles' to credit "Irreplaceable" production team Stargate with writing the song, Matthew Knowles put an end to all talk of a feud by telling the Daily News on Tuesday (May 1), "today is the first day I learned I'm unhappy with Ne-Yo. I never knew he said that. He does deserve to share in the credit."

In related news, Beyoncé recently did her own part to put an end to rumors of a feud with Jennifer Hudson. In a recent interview with VIBE magazine Beyoncé put a stop to the story that there was turmoil between her and the sassy former "American Idol" contestant, telling the magazine, "there is a typical rumor every single time I'm involved with an African American female. Before I even meet them, I already know the rumor because that's just - it is what it is. It's society and it has nothing to do with me. But what do I do? I worked with Britney, I've worked with Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and they don't start that, whenever it's two black women, it's...unfortunate."

Lavigne Remains No. 1 As Joe Debuts High

2007-05-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

May 02, 2007

By Katie Hasty, N.Y.

Avril Lavigne's "The Best Damn Thing" remains atop The Billboard 200 for a second week straight, despite a 58% drop in sales. The RCA effort sold 122,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

R&B singer Joe's sixth full-length set, "Ain't Nothing Like Me" (Jive), bows at No. 2 with 98,000, which ties his previous charting best. "My Name Is Joe" also came in at No. 2 in 2000, and his last release, 2003's "And Then...," debuted with 121,000 units but made it only to No. 26 during a busy holiday retail season.

After entering at No. 2 last week, Nine Inch Nails' "Year Zero" (Nothing) slips to No. 3 with 58,000, a 69% sales decrease. The "NOW 24" hits compilation slides 3-4 with 55,000 (-19%) while Daughtry's self-titled RCA set climbs 7-5 with 49,000 (-7%). Akon's SRC/Universal set "Konvicted" keeps the No. 6 spot warm for a second week with 45,000, a 12% decline.

British rock troupe Arctic Monkeys enters the chart with their sophomore set "Favourite Worst Nightmare" at No. 7. The Domino album moved 44,000 units, a significant increase from the No. 24 / 34,000 that greeted last year's "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." Sales for "Worst Nightmare" were fueled in part by the album's first single, "Brianstorm," which sits on top of the Hot Singles Sales tally.

In its 76th week on the chart, Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" (Arista Nashville) ascends 9-8 with a -2% sales shift, also with 44,000. Martina McBride's "Waking Up Laughing" slips 5-9 with 37,000 (-33%) and Tim McGraw's "Let It Go" falls 8-10 with a few dozen sales short of "Waking Up Laughing," also with 37,000 (-28%).

Neil Sedaka makes his return to the chart for the first time since 1980's "In the Pocket" with his hits compilation "The Definitive Collection" (Razor & Tie) at No. 22. The set sold 24,000 and is his highest charting album since 1975's "The Hungry Years" peaked at No. 16. Another veteran act, Donny Osmond, enters at No. 27 with the Decca effort "Love Songs of the '70s," moving 22,000; his last album to go higher was 1973's "Alone Together," which peaked at No. 26.

Other big debuts this week include Chuck Brown's "We're About the Business" (Raw Venture, No. 37, 17,000), metal act Dimmu Borgir's "In Sort Diaboli" (Nuclear Blast America, No. 43, 14,000), Calle 13's "Residente O Visitante" (Sony International, No. 52, 12,000), Porcupine Tree's "Fear of a Blank Planet" (Atlantic, No. 59, 11,000) and Patti Smith's covers set "Twelve" (Columbia, No. 60, 11,000).

Album sales are down 5.8% from last week's total at 7.69 million units and down 19.2% compared to the same week last year. Overall sales are down 16.7% compared to last year at 151.6 million units.

Debaters question if hip-hop hates women

2007-04-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

A panel discussion titled "Does Hip-Hop Hate Women?" drew more than 400 people Saturday — a sign that the furor that erupted over Don Imus' comments isn't over yet.

As Imus struggled in vain to keep his radio-host job earlier this month, he claimed that rappers routinely "defame and demean black women" and call them "worse names than I ever did." That led to some music-industry navel-gazing, but too little action, some panelists at the University of Chicago said.

Some criticized music executives failing to make a strong statement against violent and demeaning language in mainstream rap music when they met earlier this month in New York.

Others blasted hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons for not doing enough when he called this week for the recording and broadcast industries to ban three words — "bitch," "ho" and "nigger" — from all so-called clean versions of rap songs.

"How is no one saying to Russell, 'Yo, we already bleep out those words'?" said Joan Morgan, an author and commentator on hip-hop and feminism.

Others at the event said hip-hop shouldn't be made a scapegoat for what's wrong in America.

"We allow this language to go on," said Amina Norman-Hawkins, a Chicago hip-hop emcee and executive director of the Chicago Hip-Hop Initiative. "As a community, we aren't responsible for our children. So we don't teach our little boys how to grow up to be men and respect women. We allow them to learn from the street what's acceptable."

Some said Imus' April 12 firing by CBS Radio over a slur he used to describe Rutgers University's women's basketball team has provided a new opportunity to galvanize public opinion on the issue.

"Sexism is too convenient within the black community for black men," said David Ikard, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee. "This issue of Imus came up and I asked the black men in my hip-hop course what were their stakes in it. They were like, 'Well, we don't really have any stakes in it. It seems trivial.'"

He called on black men to do more to speak up for black women.

Is R. Kells Going To Far With The B and N Word

2007-04-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

I'm a true R. Kelly fan, but he is going to far with the b's, ho's and the N word in his most recent songs. Most of his songs has been club songs, but that's no excuse. What happen to Mr. Trapped In The Closet. Check out his newest song Blow It Up. Copy the link http://www.zshare.net/audio/blow-it-up-feat-young-dro-y-mp3.html

Beyonce: Innovator or Gimmick?

2007-04-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

By Das Rios

Are we currently experiencing a Beyonce overload? Is she merely soaking up her star power, or are we all witnessing a true innovator in action? The world knows Beyonce as the stand out from Destiny’s Child who took the opportunity to go solo and completely dissolved her competition. Her debut album, Dangerously In Love, topped the Billboard charts in 2003 and featured two consecutive number one singles, “Crazy In Love” and “Baby Boy.” She took home 5 Grammy awards in 2004 including one for best Contemporary R&B album. After reuniting with Destiny’s Child in 2004 for their last album, Destiny Fulfilled, Beyonce fulfilled her own destiny by starring in the film adaptation of Dreamgirls. The film, released in 2007 was a dream come true for Beyonce. Although she didn’t win an Oscar for her role, Beyonce took the opportunity during the promotion of Dreamgirls to promote her second album, B’day.

The album, released September 4, 2006 debuted at number one, selling over 500,000 copies its first week in stores. It spawned two hits for Beyonce, “Déjà Vu” and “Ring the Alarm.” They topped out at 4 and 11 respectively. The album was a bit different from her first. It featured production by Swizz Beatz, Rodney Jerkins, the Neptunes and Rich Harrison. Harrison is the only producer that worked on her debut. It wasn’t until the release of the third irresistible single “Irreplaceable,” (co-written by Ne-Yo), that Beyonce seemed to be wearing her crown again. The single reached the top of the charts and stayed for 10 weeks. It was such a success that Beyonce re-recorded the single in Spanish and it cracked the top twenty on the Latin charts.

Just this past week, Beyonce re-released B’day adding 11 new tracks, one with Latin star Shakira, and four songs completely sung in Spanish. She also released a video anthology with 12 new music videos of tracks off of her latest album. One may say the re-release of the album is Beyonce basking in the momentum of her current status. However, B looks at this as an opportunity to bring to life her latest album by making videos for all of the tracks. Upon watching the videos, one for almost every track on the album, you have to respect Beyonce for doing something different and really being creative. Although the videos are very simple (all paid for by Beyonce), they seem to tell a story or at least give the songs a new life. One of the highlights of the anthology as well as Beyonce’s favorite is “Green Light.” The track, produced by the Neptunes, has a loud funky horn driven beat that really comes alive with the video. Beyonce took direction from Robert Palmer and his “Addicted to Love” video. She along with two back up dancers mimic the moves of the female trio in Palmer’s successful video. The video anthology also includes Beyonce’s sexy duet with Shakira, “Beautiful Liar.” The song is about a man playing two women who happen to be Shakira and Beyonce. The video plays off of the fact that the two look very much alike and shows Beyonce trying her hand at what Shakira is famously known for, belly dancing. Although Beyonce puts forth a good effort, she is no match for Shakira’s natural moves.

What is next for Beyonce? She currently has a world tour in the works and a plethora of videos to release as her next single. Some may be skeptical of Beyonce, but I think we are witnessing an innovator taking control of her destiny

'Idol' departure: No one loses this week

2007-04-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK - Charity was the "American Idol" theme Wednesday night, and the generosity flowed to the contestants, too — no one was voted off the show. After a parade of pop stars, including Kelly Clarkson and Celine Dion, Ryan Seacrest announced the non-result: "All your favorites are still in the competition. How could we let anyone go on a charity night?"

Seacrest said the more than 70 million calls and text messages counted this week will be added to next week's tallies. That means two contestants will be shown the door next Wednesday.

And the six finalists are (still) Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis, Phil Stacey, LaKisha Jones, Chris Richardson and Jordin Sparks. The winner will be chosen in May.

The hit Fox show departed from its usual format this week with "Idol Gives Back," a star-filled fundraising effort. The goal was to raise awareness and money for the newly formed Charity Projects Entertainment Fund and other organizations that fund relief programs for children and young people in extreme poverty in America and Africa.

Wednesday's two-hour show — broadcast from the "American Idol" stage and Walt Disney Concert Hall, where Ellen DeGeneres was host — featured performances by Clarkson, Dion, Earth, Wind & Fire, Il Divo, Josh Groban with the African Children's Choir and Annie Lennox.

Jack Black took the stage to croon some verses from Seal's "Kiss From A Rose." That performance was panned by Paula Abdul, who said "the School of Rock called, they want their diploma back." Stars including Ben Stiller and Madonna appeared in taped segments

Tough Love from Britney's Dad

2007-04-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Britney Spears has been to rehab. Now it looks like she may be headed for family therapy.

The pop princess received a public tongue lashing from her father, Jamie Spears, on Friday in the form of an email sent to the New York Post calling her out for bad behavior.

The Spears patriarch spoke up in defense of Larry Rudolph, his daughter's manager, whom, according to the Post, she fired last week after relations between the two grew increasingly strained. (However, sources tell E! News and E! Online columnist Bruce Bibby that Spears and Rudolph still have a valid contract.)

Rudolph was allegedly the force behind ushering the "Oops" singer into Malibu's Promises treatment center, thereby incurring much of Spears' wrath over what she considered to be an unnecessary step.

In a recent on-camera interview with x17online.com, Spears, 25, alluded to her irritation at Rudolph and her stint in rehab.

"My management totally knew what they were doing when they sent me to rehab," she said in a voice dripping with sarcasm, while giving a double thumbs up. "They were so right."

The sarcastic attitude was not appreciated by her father, who countered with his belief that Rudolph's intervention may have saved her life at a time when she was in a hard-partying, non-panties-wearing downward spiral.

"When Larry Rudolph talked Britney into going into rehab, he was doing what her mother, father and team of professionals with over 100 years of experience knew needed to be done," Jamie Spears wrote in his email to the Post. "She was out of control. Larry was the one chosen by the team to roll up his sleeves and deliver the message, to help save her life.

"The Spears family would like to publicly apologize to Larry for our daughter's statements about him over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, she blames him and her family for where she is at today with her kids and career. Larry has always been there for Britney. For this, we will forever be grateful to him."

The younger Spears was quick to talk back, dismissing her father's words as the product of a shaky paternal bond.

"I am praying for my father. We have never had a good relationship," she told the Post through her rep. "It's sad that all the men that have been in my life do not know how to accept a real woman's love. I am concentrating on my work and my life right now."

Since exiting Promises last month, the singer has reportedly been working hard to get her body back in shape by taking frequent dance classes and watching what she eats.

Published reports have suggested that Spears' slimdown efforts may have been aided by LipoDissolve injections—fat-melting shots administered over a 24-week period at $1,500 a pop. The singer was said to have visited Las Vegas' Advanced Lipo Dissolve Center recently seeking the nonsurgical procedure.

Meanwhile, according to Star magazine, Spears still plans to do some serious nip-and-tucking in the coming months. The tabloid reported that the mother-of-two will spend $8,000 on a breast lift, $12,000 on a lower-body lift, $16,000 on liposuction for her back, stomach, and love handles and $6,000 on brachioplasty to tighten up her upper arms.

In all, Spears was said to be shelling out somewhere in the neighborhood of $130,000 in the quest to get her body back to pre-baby form.

No confirmation from the singer's publicist, but if true, it's still less than it reportedly cost her to get rid of Kevin Federline.

Al Sharpton Plans Next Move Against Rap

2007-04-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

Via AllHipHop: The Rev. Al Sharpton announced the next steps in his battle against rap music and will take his fight into various corporations' boardrooms, by buying stock in companies that promote the music.

Sharpton and his National Action Network are planning on purchasing stock in various companies, including Time Warner and Universal Music Group, and will then use his right to attend shareholder meetings, where he will voice his opinion on lyrics deemed raunchy and sexist.

"Some of these stockholders have no idea that they own stock in a parent company that owns companies calling them b**ches and ho's," Sharpton told The New York Post.

The tactic is the same strategy that C. Delores Tucker used in 1995.

Tucker was an outspoken criticism of "gangsta rap."

She bought stock in Time Warner and attended shareholder meetings, where she read the lyrics to various albums marketed and sold by Interscope, which was eventually dropped from Time Warner's distribution system, because of releases by Death Row Records.

Sharpton will also lead a group of women who will boycott the offices of Sony, Time Warner and Universal Music Group.

The announcement was made during the National Action Network's four-day conference, which took place from Apr. 18-21.

Various politicians supported the conference, including Senators John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Howard Dean (DNC), NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams, Governor Eliot Spitzer, filmmaker Spike Lee, Governor Bill Richardson, Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly and Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, who addressed the current fervor around Hip-Hop music.

"We are all complicit...let's not just single out the rappers," Obama said, noting that he had heard offensive words in many places other than rap songs.

Universal Music Group withdrew it's $15,000 contribution to Sharpton's National Action Network, after Sharpton decided it was inappropriate to honor Universal Music Group executive and Island Def Jam CEO, Antonio "L.A." Reid.

Sharpton, who had planned on honoring Reid with the James Brown Freedom Award prior to the Don Imus controversy, changed his mind and felt it was inappropriate to bestow the award upon Reid.

Congressman Charles Rangel, who recently introduced a bill in Congress to reinstate the military draft, is also among Sharpton's supporters.

"I heard that someone in the music industry threatened to take back $15,000 they'd paid for a table at this convention," told The New York Post. "I said to Al, 'You'll have $15,000 from me tomorrow."

Check Out OprahTown Hall Meeting On Hip Hop

2007-04-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

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Universal, Amazon beef up MP3 sales space

2007-04-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (Billboard) - While EMI will boldly go where no major has gone before and sell its catalog as unprotected digital files, other forces are coming into play that should bolster the potential for a commercial MP3 marketplace.

Amazon, which is considered the best bet to challenge iTunes' supremacy in the digital world, is shooting to launch its MP3 digital download store in May, a target date it has yet to publicly acknowledge. (Amazon declines comment.) Meanwhile, sources familiar with the situation say Universal Music Group plans to test the sale of unprotected digital music files, including some of its classical music catalog conceivably including titles by Andrea Bocelli, at the new Amazon store and other outlets.

Universal has previously tested the sale of some isolated digital rights management-free music, from Jesse McCartney in the United States and French acts Superbus and Emilie Simon in Europe. But now the company plans to expand that initiative significantly by selling classical selections through download stores and subscription services, in the DRM-free format of the retailers' choice. Universal is planning tests in other genres as well, sources say.

It's unclear so far whether iTunes is included among stores slated to sell unprotected Universal music, and the label could not be reached to comment.

Until recently, eMusic, which served up its 1 millionth download in December, has been the dominant player selling MP3s. A month ago, Universal's plans would have been big news. But the label's move was upstaged by EMI chairman Eric Nicoli's joint announcement with Apple CEO Steve Jobs that in May the major would release its catalog in unprotected digital files.

Meanwhile, executives within Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group say senior management teams at both companies are unwilling to embrace selling their catalogs in the MP3 format.

But whether or not the majors will be involved with Amazon or iTunes unprotected plays, they all say they are waiting to find out if the MP3 model will expand digital sales -- and conversely, if it will fuel unauthorized file-sharing or cannibalization of other digital formats such as ringtones.

Amazon last year abandoned its initial plans to launch a digital music subscription service and its own branded MP3 player (based on Microsoft's Window Media Audio software technology) when Microsoft undermined its DRM by using a closed digital music system for its Zune device.

At the time, executives at two of the four majors privately told Billboard they were disappointed that Amazon had switched to an MP3 model, because they felt the giant online merchant could successfully mount a challenge to iTunes, and were hoping that it would do so under the banner of DRM.

In December, a senior executive at a major label told Billboard, "Amazon underestimates the power of their brand" with consumers who shop by computer.

In moving to an MP3 a la carte download model, Amazon initially was pushing for lower wholesale pricing than the current marketplace provides -- 70 cents per track or 70% of retail price -- but pushback from indie labels has merchants talking about what those labels consider more realistic models, if not yet at that pricing level.

One indie player says his company is close to signing a deal, but is hung up on what kind of pricing should be applied to what kind of file. That company is willing to sell Amazon 128 byte-rate files at its conventional digital price points, but wants a higher price for better-quality 256 byte-rate files. Another says that, in fear of being shortchanged, his label has decided to sit on the sidelines until a major sets the wholesale floor price for a hit song in the MP3 format. Still other independent labels say that since Amazon changed its mind last time, they are waiting to see if the May date sticks and for Amazon to launch the store before beginning negotiations.

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HSAN Chairman Russell Simmons Calls For Closed Door Meeting To Discuss The Status Of Hip-Hop

2007-04-16T07:31:00.000-07:00

According to allhiphop, Russell Simmons will be holding a ‘closed door’ meeting with artists and executives from the Hip-Hop/urban community for a discussion on the future of Hip-Hop and how the genre can be moved forward in a positive direction.

Sources told AllHipHop.com that the invitation only meeting takes place on Wednesday (Apr.18) at Lyor Cohen's Manhattan residence.

The meeting comes shortly after the ousting of talk show host Don Imus and the heightened criticism of Hip-Hop’s representation of women.

Imus was fired after making sexist and racist remarks about the Rutgers University basketball team.

A number of activists are now shifting their focus to Hip-Hop, including Reverend Al Sharpton, who has received a number of death threats over the past few days due to his involvement in the Imus controversy.

On Friday (Apr. 13), Sharpton announced that he would turn his attention to the music industry, specifically Hip-Hop music.

Sharpton said his National Action Network wants to also meet with performers in the industry about lyrics that he claims are racist and demeaning to women.

Sharpton may have many followers on his side, but some activists aren’t quite receptive of Sharpton’s stance on Hip-Hop.

“Language can be a powerful tool. That is why one's intention, when using the power of language, should be made clear,” said Dr. Benjamin Chavis, president of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and Russell Simmons in a joint statement released on Friday (Apr. 13). “Comparing Don Imus' language with Hip-Hop artists' poetic expression is misguided and inaccurate and feeds into a mindset that can be a catalyst for unwarranted, rampant censorship."

Russell Simmons is also scheduled to appear on Good Morning America and an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show later this week.

More News On Don Imus

2007-04-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

According to the Associated Press, the firing comes only a day after MSNBC, the cable network that simulcasts Imus' radio show, decided to discontinue broadcasting the popular show, which aired on 61 stations across the nation. Initially, Imus only received a two-week suspension from both MSNBC as well as CBS after referring to the women's team as "nappy-headed hos," but in the midst of continued pressure from various social and civic organizations, as well as presidential hopeful Sen. Barak Obama and Rev. Al Sharpton calling for his removal, CBS also announced that it would be ending it's relationship with Imus. CBS announced that Imus' wife, author Deirdre Imus, and his longtime newsman, Charles McCord, will host Friday's show.

"There has been much discussion of the affect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color, trying to make their way in this society," said CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves. "That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision."

Several major sponsors also pulled their ads on the show in light of Imus' comments, including companies like American Express Co., Sprint Nextel Corp., Staples Inc., Procter & Gamble Co. and General Motors Corp. Guests who were scheduled to appear on the show, including former baseball player Cal Ripken, Jr. also cancelled their appearances.

Imus, who has long been a controversial figure even before this latest incident, appeared on Rev. Al Sharpton's radio show earlier in the week where he continued to apologize for his inflammatory comments, but many, including Rev. Sharpton, did not feel that an apology was sufficient.

"He says he wants to be forgiven. I hope he continues in that process," Sharpton said in a statement. "But we cannot afford a precedent established that the airways can commercialize and mainstream sexism and racism."

Russell Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis, of The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, also issued statements. Their focus, however was on the connection Imus has made between his own controversial remarks and the language used in hip-hop music.

"Hip-Hop is a worldwide cultural phenomena that transcends race and doesn't engage in racial slurs. Don Imus' racially-motivated diatribe toward the Rutgers' women's basketball team was in no way connected to hip-hop culture. As Chairman and President of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), respectively, we are concerned by the false comparisons some in the media are making between Don Imus and hip-hop. We want to clarify what we feel very strongly is an obvious difference between the two.

"HSAN believes in freedom of artistic expression. We also believe, with that freedom, comes responsibility. Don Imus is not a hip-hop artist or a poet. Hip-hop artists rap about what they see, hear and feel around them, their experience of the world. Like the artists throughout history, their messages are a mirror of what is right and wrong with society. Sometimes their observations or the way in which they choose to express their art may be uncomfortable for some to hear, but our job is not to silence or censor that expression. Our job is to be an inclusive voice for the hip-hop community and to help create an environment that encourages the positive growth of hip-hop. Language can be a powerful tool. That is why one's intention, when using the power of language, should be made clear. Comparing Don Imus' language with hip-hop artists' poetic expression is misguided and inaccurate and feeds into a mindset that can be a catalyst for unwarranted, rampant censorship."

Janet Jackson sued over choking incident

2007-04-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

courtesy of NME.com

Janet Jackson is being sued for $120 million for an alleged choking incident.

Leonard Salati alleges that two of Jackson's bodyguards grabbed him and choked him when he attempted to pass the singer a note at Club Marquee in February 2004.

Lawyers for the singer were hoping to overturn the case, but Justice Rolando Acosta decided against it. He said that despite saying she only had one bodyguard with her and boyfriend producer Jermaine Dupri, representatives for Club Marquee say she had three.

The judge said: "Not withstanding [the] counsel's valiant effort to shield Ms Jackson [the law grants] no exemptions based on celebrity status," reports SOHH.

Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson Criticized by Christian Defense Coalition

2007-04-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

Efforts by Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson may have led to the firing of radio personality Don Imus, but the activists are drawing criticism from those who accuse them of selective morality.

The backslash comes a day after Imus was fired by NBC Universal after calling members of the Rutgers squad "nappy-headed hoes" and "jiggaboos," following the team's loss to the University of Tennessee during the NCAA women's basketball tournament championship game.

As a result of the controversy, NBC Universal cancelled the simulcast of the shock jock's nationally-syndicated show on MSNBC.

Although it condemned Imus' negative remarks toward the Rutgers University women's basketball team, the Christian Defense Coalition is questioning why Sharpton and Jackson crusaded against Imus and not against rap record labels and rap radio stations that promote sexism and racism as well as degrading and demeaning statements against women.

"The comments of Don Imus regarding the Rutgers women's basketball team are repugnant, hateful and demeaning, not only to women, but to all of society," said Christian Defense Coalition director Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney. "The outpouring of criticism and condemnation against his vile words are both warranted and justified. However, one wonders why Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton are showing selective moral outrage in the matter."

Sharpton and Jackson have been among the most vocal critics of Imus, who apologized for his statements and appeared on Sharpton's radio show to address the situation.

Rap music has been targeted by critics who see a link between Imus' comments and the misogyny of the genre.

"Why aren't they leading protests outside of rap record labels or radio stations where rap performers portray women in the most vile of terms every day?," asked Mahoney.

Mahoney also asked why Sharpton and Jackson haven't called "for record label executives and DJ's to be fired, who spew forth degrading remarks about African-American women in a far worse manner than Don Imus?

"I simply ask Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton, where have you been when women are being violated like this every day by rap and hip-hop artists?

Despite Mahoney's views, Sharpton has taken steps to address the negativity in rap music.

The activist was among those who met with rappers and attended a peace rally last week following an alleged assault on the 14-year-old son of Czar Entertainment founder Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond.

No matter what, Mahoney believes Sharpton and Jackson should expand their crusade to include everyone responsible for the negative treatment of women and other individuals.

"My hope and prayer is that both clergymen are not basing their selective response on the fact that Don Imus is white and most rap artists are African-American," Mahoney continued. "The demeaning and degrading of women must be condemned continually on every level. It shouldn't matter if those hateful comments are being made by ignorant, thoughtless white talk show hosts or by ignorant, thoughtless black rap performers."

Musiq Shuns Harsh Critics, Pharrell Helps Pepsi With New Look

2007-04-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

Musiq Soulchild disagrees with critics who say that he plays it safe and doesn't take chances with his soulful sound. "Music is a subjective thing," he says. "There's no right or wrong way to do it. When it comes to critics, I take what I can use to better myself as an artist." Meanwhile, the Philly crooner recently finished shooting a video for his newest single, "Teachme."

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Pharrell Williams is among the celebrities who have been tapped to create a new look for Pepsi, as part of the Design Our Pepsi Can campaign. "I was intrigued by this opportunity because it allowed me to be creative and innovative," Pharrell says. The campaign will be capped off by a public design contest.

Chamillionaire Not Stressing Over New Disc

2007-04-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

Rambunctious rapper Chamillionaire is taking a relaxed approach to the release of his new disc, Ultimate Victory, which is due out on June 5. "This time it's [gonna be] more about enjoying life and worrying about what's more important than the nonsense," he says. Cham is certainly enjoying good company; the disc's first two singles, "Not a Criminal" parts one and two, feature guest turns from Kelis, Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes.

THE WEEKEND GUIDE

2007-04-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

FOR ALL MY PEOPLE IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA

SOMETHING TO HEAR, EAT, SEE AND DO

HEAR

On Saturday April 7th @ 9pm. at the great hang out BLACK CAT located 1811 14 St. NW at Swann St.,

Local bands are rocking out accompanied by old film projects by Benjy Ferre and the Cassettes. For

more information pls call 202-667-7960

EAT

- For just $25 at PERRY’S HAPPY HOUR you get two cocktails and two small plates of food. You could try the delicious crab cakes and checkerboard tuna or something else in their exotic menu. Happy Hour is daily from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm so get there early…..1811 Colombia Rd. NW., at 18th St. For more information pls call 202-234-6218

SEE

- If you guys are into art, a solo exhibit of carvings and drawings by Chilean artist Tomas Rivas is being shown later this month. Thursday April 30th is the opening reception 6:30 pm - 8:30pm, then Tuesday – Sunday 12 noon –6pm. Location is 625-27 E St. NW, btw 6th & 7th St. For more information pls call 301-980-9574

DO

- The third annual dance party to raise money for the AVON FOUNDATION & YOUNG SURVIVORS COALITION is being held Saturday April 7th 10pm – 5 am at FIVE 14 B 18TH .NW at Connecticut Ave. For more information to join in the dance-a-thon pls call 202-331-7123. If anyone decides to go have fun and good luck.

Have a great weekend everybody…till we meet again,

Faye

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50Cent Pushes A Model Chick In The Pool

2007-04-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

For those of you that didn't see it on America's Next Top model, check out the clip below. The dude told her to chill out.

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The Game Diss 50Cent & G-Unit On New Track

2007-04-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

According to Allhiphop, the Compton, CA rapper The Game has broken his silence regarding an incident in Manhattan, NY, in which the 14-year-old son of Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond was allegedly assaulted by rival G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo.

On "Body Bags," a new track released to the Internet yesterday, The Game, who is managed by Rosemond, addressed the altercation between Yayo and the 14-year-old boy.

"Body Bags" makes it clear that despite a protest against G-Unit and a press conference that was attended by Al Sharpton, Councilman Charles Barron and others yesterday (Apr. 2), both sides may be far from a sit-down to resolve the issue.

The Game raps: Potato on the muzzle, black tape on the grip/We in the A-Team van with black tape on your b***h/She gonna tell us where you at, we gonna twist that dro/And just wait until the rat climbs out that hole/Know the streets aint safe, when we see him we gonna eat that face/No body we gonna beat that case/It's on again, two shots of patron, I'm in....

The four-minute song, which was released on The Game's official Myspace page, samples a portion of Damien Marley's song "Welcome to Jamrock" and continues to berate G-Unit and Tony Yayo for allegedly assaulting the 14-year-old boy.

One line in the song dashed hopes for a reconciliation between The Game and Young Buck, who met before the altercation involving Yayo and Rosemond's son, with hopes of putting their heated rivalry on ice.

For those of you that didn't know about the peace rally, you can check out the clip below. The guy in the clip was really doing it up.

Mannie Fresh inks a deal with Def Jam

2007-04-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

Former Cash Money Records producer Mannie Fresh has inked a deal with Def Jam that will allow him to sign and produce new artists for the label. Mannie Fresh appeared on New Orleans' Q 93 during The Wild Wayne Show and revealed that in addition to finding talent, he will produce for Southern acts on the Def Jam label. The platinum-plus producer also has the freedom to continue to produce for artists outside of the Def Jam label as well.

"Dude [Jay-Z] reached out, flew me up, we talked about it," Mannie Fresh said. "It was a nice little proposal and that's where I'm at now. He gets this era of Hip-Hop...What made me take the deal was they didn't want me to do this exclusive thing with them, they was like you can do what ever it is you do." During the interview, incarcerated former Hot Boy member Turk called in and revealed he has written seven albums worth of material since being sentenced to 10 years in prison, after being convicted of three weapons charges stemming from a Jan. 2004 shoot-out with Memphis, TN SWAT Team members. "I'm working on my appeal. I should be home this year," Turk said. "They not expecting the last Hot Boy to be coming the way I'm coming."

Fresh also disclosed a conversation he had with Lil Wayne a month ago. “We had some words. I asked him if he had a problem with me, because in all honesty, I never had a problem with him,” Fresh said. “So I stepped to him like a man, like, ‘Dude, the problem is not with you, so don’t take sides that don’t got nothing to do with you. I got a problem with another man, it has nothing to do with you.’” Fresh went on to say, “[But] he [Lil Wayne] said, at the time, he was trippin’ and he took sides. But he reached out for his new album, so hopefully we gonna put something together and do business.”

In addition, Mannie says he’s going to produce on T.I.’s next album and is planning to get in the studio with Nas in the next two weeks. He’s also producing most of Juvenile’s next album. “I did the whole Juve album,” he said. “I executive produced the whole album and I did about 13 tracks on it. It’s that Juve y’all wanted.”

Russell Simmons' "Get Your Money Right" tour

Russell Simmons' "Get Your Money Right" tour will hit the Max M. Fisher Music Center on Apr. 14 in Detroit MI. The free event will feature Mike Jones, Layzie and Krayzie Bone, Trick Trick, Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick Remy Ma and others. The "Get Your Money Right" tour is presented by Simmons' Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and is sponsored by Chrysler Financial and Anheuser-Busch, Inc. The tour, now in its third year, educates students and community members about the importance of financial literacy. "One of the most urgent issues facing young adults today is the issue of having a firm financial foundation," emphasized Russell Simmons. "Hip-Hop is about transformation. The theme 'Get Your Money Right,' is not some rhetorical gesture. This is a real issue and we are talking about providing real solutions that attendees at the Hip-Hop Summit can use for the rest of their lives." For more information log on: http://www.hsan.org.

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Federline’s Worth 1 Million Bucks to Britney

2007-04-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

Britney’s separation from Kevin Federline is finally official. She gets the kids; he reportedly gets a measly $1 million.

It seems that now that she’s out of rehab, Britney’s ready to deal with what need to be dealt with in her life. Like the impending divorce settlement with K-fed.

The pair has reportedly reached an agreement after a five-hour meeting in Los Angeles on Thursday. The agreement is said to be based upon a prenuptial agreement signed before they married in September 2004.

Of the estimated $100 million fortune Brit-Brit is supposed to have, her wannabe rapper ex-husband will only receive 1 %.< br>
The couple is also said to have reached an agreement over custody of their two sons, 18-month-old Sean Preston and six-month-old Jayden James. Mom has custody while dad has been granted full visiting rights.

A spokesman for Kevin's attorney said: “The parties signed a global agreement on all issues of their marriage and custody of their children.” He offered no further details but revealed they had reached an agreement on financial matters.

The meeting took place in Britney's attorney Laura Wasser's office in California's Century City. The couple’s current agreement must be approved by a Los Angeles judge before the divorce is finalized.

The 25-year-old singer married dancer Kevin Federline in 2004. They quickly had two kids, and then Britney filed for divorce in November 2006. This was just two months after giving birth to their youngest child Jayden James. She cited “irreconcilable differences.

In the divorce papers, Britney was seeking legal and physical custody of Jayden James and Sean Preston, while Kevin, 29, also asked for custody of the children, as well as requesting spousal support.

The divorce agreement comes nine days after Spears checked out of Promises Rehab Center in Malibu, Calif., for a month-long treatment for unspecified problems. The singer ignited a media frenzy with an over-the-top bizarre week in which she shaved her head and got a tattoo.

Her stay at the Promises clinic was no quieter, as there were reports of a rehab romance with another resident, rumors of a suicide attempt on her part and talk of bulimia, post-partum depression and giving a hard time to the personnel.

It was especially interesting where ‘friends’ of Britney’s reportedly shared their perspective on her situation, saying that she missed Kevin and that she wanted to be with him once more and have another child.

It doesn’t look like they’ll be having any more children now together.

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Rapper Rev. Run Featured On Oprah Winfrey Show

2007-03-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

By Alexis Jeffries and Danielle Harling

Talk show mogul Oprah Winfrey hasn't received much love from the Hip-Hop community lately.

Minor incidents with Hip-Hop stars such as Ludacris and Ice Cube has the billionaire deemed a Hip-Hop hater by many, but hopefully an appearance by a Hip-Hop legend on Winfrey's show will silence critics.

Joseph "Reverend Run" Simmons from the legendary Hip-Hop group Run DMC made a special appearance on The Oprah Show to discuss the upcoming season of his reality show Run's House.

Not a stranger to Hip-Hop or problems facing the Hip-Hop community, Reverend Run shared his opinion on Winfrey's situation.

"I don't know if it's Hip-Hop that she has a big problem with," Reverend Run told AllHipHop.com. "I think that she has a problem with some of the images that might not fit the people that watch her show. She does things that are close to what she thinks her audience will like."

The episode is scheduled to air Monday, Apr. 2 and will feature Reverend Run and his family discussing the upcoming show, their battle with losing their newborn, and even his daughters' upcoming sneaker line called "Pastries."

Reverend Run and family's appearance on The Oprah Show was actually suggested by Winfrey's well-know best friend Gayle King.

"Well, Gayle King is a friend, and she kept telling Oprah, 'Man, there's this show with Reverend Run, and he writes these words of wisdom', and she was talking to her for awhile about it until she finally said, 'Okay, let's have him on the show'," Reverend Run told AllHipHop.com.

Run's House , now in its third season, will depict new experiences and obstacles faced by the Simmons family such as Vanessa and Angela's move to New York City, the death of their child, and the continuation of the eldest son JoJo's rap career.

"The reason why I even filmed anything about the baby and stuff is that if ya'll laugh with me at the bowling alley with my kids and giggled with me on the basketball court with my kids, since it is a reality show, why wouldn't I let you see how I handled adversity," Reverend Run told AllHipHop.com. "It's also to show you how to be thankful during situations that aren't favorable towards you. Who am I to be resentful to God, to the world, as good as the world has been to Reverend Run? I didn't let that affect me. I'm a very thankful person. Reverend Run will go down as a man who is thankful to God and to the world."

Season three of Run's House will premiere Apr. 9 on MTV and season two of the show can be seen on BET.

Click here to submit COMCAST orders.

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Usher is engaged to his longtime girlfriend

2007-03-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK - Usher is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, stylist Tameka Foster, the R&B singer's spokeswoman said Friday.

Usher, a five-time Grammy winner, confirmed the engagement Wednesday to MTV News, ending speculation that he had popped the question.

Foster has been photographed recently with a diamond ring on her finger.

Usher, 28, said he could be walking down the aisle before the end of the year.

Usher is really serious about this huh. We'll see!

Michael Jackson ill, but not in hospital

LAS VEGAS - Michael Jackson is "a little bit under the weather," but hasn't sought hospital treatment, his spokeswoman said.

"He is not in the hospital and he has not been in the hospital," Raymone K. Bain said Thursday, denying reports that Jackson had been hospitalized with pneumonia.

Bain said she spoke with Jackson from his home, where he was conducting meetings with business associates. The 48-year-old pop star has been living in Las Vegas while he evaluates his options for a comeback deal.

Jackson moved to Las Vegas late last year. He had been living abroad since his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges.

Bain said a few members of the Jackson entourage had fallen ill after a recent trip abroad.

"I don't know how the doctors have diagnosed it," Bain said.

HIP HOP TID BITS

2007-03-29T08:33:00.000-07:00

Ms. Kelly

My favorite Destiny Child member Kelly Rowland premiered her video, “Like This” featuring Eve on TRL yesterday. Did anyone catch it? Her album is scheduled to drop June 26. Please check out an in depth interview with Ms. Kelly on YBF.com. Kelly covers a lot including her relationship with Mr. Knowles and the reason for the album delay.

E V E

My second favorite rapper turned actress EVE is gracing the cover of Giant magazines April/May issue. Inside the magazine, Eve talks about it all, the cancellation of her show, the rumored white African
boyfriend, the recent state f hip-hop and her future plans. The photos in the mag are fabulous, creative and one the best from EVE. Please pick up the new issue of Giant for the complete interview and to see the great photos.

TIMBALAND & JUSTIN & BRITNEY
Unconfirmed rumors are swirling around saying Timaland, Justin & Britney may be off to a Los Angles recording studio to record an updated version of “Your All I Need to Get By” a 1968 hit made by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell. Time will tell I’m sure.

BUSTA RHYMES AND HIS LEGAL PROBLEMS

It appears that Busta will have to stand trail for two assault charges that were settled. Judge Tanya Kennedy withdrew a March 26 offer, which would have allowed Rhymes to plead guilty to a third degree assault, a misdemeanor. The offer would’ve allowed Rhymes to serve five days of community service, two weeks of youth lectures and six months of anger management.

Rhymes was arrested again, this time for driving with a suspended license and the plea deal is gone. Rhymes is allegedly accused of assaulting his former driver Edward Hatchett over back pay, the other for allegedly assaulting a fan that spit on his Maybach in Manhattan.

Rhymes was prepared to accept the previous plea deal and his arrest came two days after he rejected a plea bargain from prosecutors, who originally offered Rhymes six moths jail. Prosecutors then offered Rhymes a new offer that would have allowed him to avoid a trail, but called for the rapper to serve one year in jail concurrently for both of the assault charges.

Trail is scheduled for May 8th for both assault charges.

Busta should be well aware that NYPD (may) have an issue with him since he continues to be of no assistance to them in the shooting death of his bodyguard Israel Ramirez last year.

Busta please be aware and stop giving these……something to fuck with you for.

Stay tuned.

Till we meet again,

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TONY YAYO UPDATE

2007-03-28T11:57:00.000-07:00

Since the alleged assault on Jimmy “Henchmen” Rosemond’s 14 yr old son, Tony Yayo, born Marvin Bernard has been arrested and of course released on $5000 bail. Yayo was arraigned on Sunday March 25, on one count of misdemeanor and one count of endangering the welfare of a minor.

As a direct result to the incident, Hip Hop Summit Action Networks’ Russell Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis are planning a peaceful rally & grievance in response to the incident. Cynthia Reed the teen’s mother, Representatives from Czar Entertainment, parents, students and Religious Leaders are expected to attend.

“We are involved to try to help mediate the problem, said Chavis. “In truth, every child in our community is precious. The theme Hip Hop Summit is taking back responsibility. With artistic freedom comes responsibility. Therefore anytime a child in our community is harmed it is a great concern to us. We are hoping and praying that this matter can be resolved peacefully and resolutely. At the end of the day the interest of our children will be better served”.

The group hopes the demonstration will result in a call for action to advocate change against Yayo, 50 Cent and the music industry executives looking to profit from the violence and acts against youth in hip hop.

50 Cent and his attorney have maintained the rapper was not present during the incident and they are prepared to sue anyone who continues to say otherwise. The 14 yr old teen is standing by his story that puts 50 Cent at the scene.

Now I had the pleasure of hearing the phone interview Wendy Williams did with Cynthia Reed (mother of teen), Wendy asked Cynthia what Jimmy’s reaction is and being that she (Wendy) knows him, things are brewing and it will not be a good look for G-Unit. Cynthia did not comment on Jimmy’s plan. She was just very upset of course and you know she said, her disbelief was in the fact that Yayo (allegedly) backslapped her son, she doesn’t even hit her son and the nerve of a grown man putting his hand on a child is crazy.

It is going to be really interesting to see what Jimmy’s comments are and what his actions will be as a father. Stay tuned.

For those of you that would like to attend the event….A press conference will be held before the event @ 11 am Thursday at the Park Central Hotel, 870 7th Ave. (source allhiphop)

Sorry guys I am so late with this hope nobody missed it.

Till we meet again,

Faye

Who Is The King Of R&B ?

2007-03-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

R. Kelly claims to be the King Of R&B. Some feel that Usher is the King Of R&B. You decide!

Viacom Files $1 Billion Lawsuit Against YouTube

2007-03-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

By Kyra Mitchell Lewis

According to the Associated Press, Viacom filed a suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New York, claiming that YouTube, which was purchased by Google, Inc. this past November for a reported $1.76 billion, has shown 160,000 videos owned by Viacom without the company's permission. Viacom is contending that YouTube "harnessed technology to willfully infringe copyrights on a huge scale" and had "brazen disregard" of intellectual property laws.

In February, Viacom, which owns several cable stations, including MTV, BET, VH1 and Comedy Central, reportedly demanded that the site remove more than 100,000 unauthorized clips but has since discovered an additional 50,000 clips according to Jeremy Zweig, a Viacom spokesperson.

"Their business model, which is based on building traffic and selling advertising off of unlicensed content, is clearly illegal and is in obvious conflict with copyright laws," Viacom said in a statement.

The company is accusing YouTube of not taking the initiative to stop copyright infringement and rather shoulders the responsibility to the individual copyright holders to monitor if their material is being used illegally.

YouTube has expressed that it cooperates with all of its copyright holders and does in fact remove the material once they are notified. In his company's defense, Google spokesman Ricardo Reyes said in a statement that the company has "not received the lawsuit but (is) confident that YouTube has respected the legal rights of copyright holders and believes the courts will agree." Reyes also went on to say that the suit would not "become a distraction to the continuing growth and strong performance of YouTube," in a statement obtained from MSN.com.

In addition, Alexander Macgillivray, associate general counsel for products and intellectual property at Google, defends the claims by saying that YouTube was protected under the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which gives online service providers protection from copyright lawsuits, pending that they acknowledge and comply with requests to remove unauthorized material.

"We're saying that the DMCA protects what we're doing," Macgillivray said in an interview. On the other hand, he said, "The DMCA is silent on what we have to do if we don't get a notice."