DAMN! Everybody knows that Joseline is the permanent "spare tire" of Stevie J! (I just found out a spare tire is a mistress.) Anyway, Benzino said admitted to smashing Joseline Hernandez on his new song "Animal." He's rapping in a Southern style now, but here we go. Anyway, that's about all there is to that. I don't watch "Love and Hip-Hop: Atlanta" so I don't know if Stevie and Zino are beefing or whatever. i know they used to be very cool and have done significant music together.
You can listen to the song if you want. This song apparently disses Stevie J, Joseline and Karli Redd, his ex.
Oh…I just watch some and he said he's got a sex tape with Karli Redd! God help us…please don't let to get released.
While E! News says they have multiple sources, HOT 97's Ebro says that he heard from Jay-Z himself that reports are nothing more than rumor.
Blue Ivy Carter was born on January 7, 2012—daughter to Jay-Z and Beyonce. It appears that Blue Ivy may soon have a sibling close in age. E! News reports that "multiple sources" close to the celebrity/music family confirmed that Bey' is again pregnant. The reports follow a canceled concert this Tuesday (May 14), on Beyonce's Mrs. Carter Tour in Antwerp, Belgium. The Sony Records superstar blamed the cancellation on "dehydration and exhaustion."
Previously, Beyonce has stated publicly that she would like more children.
Currently, the couple's double-dating friends, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, are also expecting a child.
Neither Jay-Z nor Beyonce have yet confirmed these pregnancy reports.
(May 17)
UPDATE: HOT 97's Program Director, Ebro Darden, has claimed that Jay-Z personally denied the reports that his wife Beyonce is pregnant. Ebro shared the reports of the denial on his show, The Realness.
"I hit him to say, 'Congratulations, man! Send my love to the fam!'," Ebro said, before adding, "It's not true."
Jay-Z and Beyonce have not spoken publicly since Friday's reports.
Mary J. Blige may owe tax collectors over $4.5 million as new reports emerge that the Internal Revenue Service is the latest agency accusing her of default.
On Method Man's "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By," it was reportedly that the Tical single was initially created with Lauryn Hill's voice in mind for the feature. Instead, Mary J. Blige appeared, and the pair won a Grammy Award for the 1994 platinum single.
It appears that Mary J. and Lauryn Hill may have more in common than that. Less than a month after Lauryn Hill was sentenced to three months in prison for failing to file and pay taxes on several years, one of peers is suffering the same accusations. Mary J. Blige reportedly in the same boat. TMZ.com reports that MJB failed to file and pay federal taxes for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. As a result, the Yonkers, New York songstress is said to owe the Internal Revue Service an estimated $3.4 million.
This sum does not include the estimated $900,000 that the onetime star owes her residential state of New Jersey in back-taxes. TMZ also reports that the Geffen Records artist also owes a loan debt to the tune of $2.2 million. Blige's charity is also accused of wrongfully borrowing $250,000 without paying back the debt.
Blige last released My Life II...The Journey Continues in 2011. The album featured Nas, Drake, Busta Rhymes and Rick Ross. It was a top 5 debut for Blige, her 10th LP.
Chris Brown manages to perform at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards despite receiving numerous death threats.
The misfortunes of Virginia crooner Chris Brown continue to mount as news of various death threats the singer has received have begun to surface. According to TMZ, Brown's lawyer, Mark Geragos, received a number of anonymous phone calls at his office threatening the singer's life.
Specifics on the nature of the threats remain scarce, but were taken "very seriously" by Brown's lawyer.
Authorities were immediately contacted by Geragos and the threats are currently being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Geragos previously represented Brown during both the arrest and trial that stemmed from his 2009 assault on fellow singer and former girlfriend Rihanna.
Despite news of the death threats, the singer still managed to perform at last night's (May 19) Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas and even went on to send a handful of Tweets following his performance.
After messing up a Maybach in the "Otis" video, Jay-Z and Roc Nation present Skylar Diggins with a Mercedes Benz.
As Roc Nation's sports management branch builds out, the trophies are already coming in. One of Jay-Z's clients that Roc Nation represents, Notre Dame Women's Basketball guard Skylar Diggins received a grand graduation gift this past weekend. Jay-Z, Roc Nation and Dancy Auto Group gave Diggins a new Mercedes Benz upon receiving her degree from the Mendoza College of Business.
Diggins, who will play professionally for the Tulsa Shock in the WNBA, thanked all three givers yesterday (May 19), courtesy of Instagram and Twitter. She included a photo of her new wheels:
Will Smith says Kanye has "been pushing" him to record more music.
Kanye West spent the past week premiering new songs from what is thought to be his next studio album, but that's not all Yeezy has cooking.
While doing press for his upcoming science fiction film After Earth, Will Smith revealed that he and Kanye have been hitting the studio together.
"I've been messing around with Kanye," admitted Smith in an interview with HipHollywood. "We went in the studio a couple of times. I might get the bug."
The Fresh Prince cautioned that he wouldn't put out the music unless he truly felt passionate about the fruits of the duo's efforts. "I'm not going to do it unless I'm truly inspired, but 'Ye's been pushing me a little bit."
Will Smith's last album was 2005's Lost and Found, which featured the singles "Switch" and "Party Starter." Guest appearances on the record included Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, DJ Kool Herc, Robin Thicke, and more.
Last year, Smith and longtime collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff teamed up with Mick Boogie to record a new version of their classic song "Summertime."
A devastating, two-mile-wide tornado touched down near Oklahoma City on Monday, killing at least 51 people—including at least 20 children—decimating homes, businesses and a pair of elementary schools in the suburb of Moore.
According to the state's medical examiner, the death toll was expected to rise.
The schools—Plaza Towers Elementary and Briarwood Elementary—were leveled by the tornado. It was unclear how many children were in them at the time the twister hit, but according to KFOR-TV, at least seven children died at Plaza Towers, and as many as two dozen more were feared to be trapped inside the rubble. An Associated Press photographer saw rescue workers pull several children out alive. A makeshift triage center was set up in the school's parking lot.
"This is war-zone terrible," Jon Welsh, a helicopter pilot for KFOR who lives in Moore, said while surveying the damage from the air. "This school is completely gone."
Emergency officials urged people to remain off the roads so rescue workers and first responders could reach people potentially trapped in rubble, as the National Guard was called in to help in the search for victims.
Three people were killed at a 7-Eleven in the path of the storm, CBS' KWTV reported, including a man, woman and baby who took cover in a freezer but didn't survive. KFOR reported a fourth person was killed there.
A child is pulled from the rubble at Tower Plaza Elementary in Moore, May 20, 2013. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
"Our hearts are broken," Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said at a news conference Monday evening.
The tornado left a debris field 20 miles long and several miles wide. According to the National Weather Service in Norman, Okla., the tornado was on the ground for approximately 40 minutes, and a tornado warning was in effect for 16 minutes before the twister developed.
Weather officials estimated the strength of the storm to be an F4 or F5 on the Fujita Scale—the highest rating a tornado can achieve. The National Weather Service said the tornado's preliminary classification was an F4, with winds up to 200 mph.
On May 3, 1999, a tornado outbreak near Oklahoma City produced 14 tornadoes—including an F5 in Moore—killing 36 people and injuring 295 others. A host on KFOR called Monday's storm "the worst tornado damage-wise in the history of the world."
The devastated area was an estimated 30 square miles.
"The whole city looks like a debris field," Moore Mayor Glenn Lewis said on NBC's "Nightly News." "Our hospital is pretty much destroyed."
Communication was snarled as landlines and cellphone towers were knocked down. A water treatment plant in Oklahoma City was also damaged.
President Barack Obama directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prepare to get "all available assistance" to the disaster-hit area.
Families of potential victims were directed by the Red Cross to a website—safeandwell.org—for information about survivors.
The 106-acre Orr Family Farm, a popular attraction in town, was extremely damaged, its owner said. KFOR reported between 75 and 100 horses perished there.
Another, smaller tornado was spotted on the ground west of Meeker, Okla., north of Shawnee, on Monday.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives canceled its afternoon sessions so lawmakers and staffers could take shelter, the AP said.
Kanye West is on a roll. He debuted two new songs and announced the release date of his new album (June 18th). Hours after his performance on the season finale of Saturday Night Live Mr. West is now giving us the name of his latest LP –Yeezus.
According to a leading celebrity news desk, "multiple sources" close to the Carters are saying that Beyonce is pregnant.
Blue Ivy Carter was born on January 7, 2012—daughter to Jay-Z and Beyonce. It appears that Blue Ivy may soon have a sibling close in age. E! News reports that "multiple sources" close to the celebrity/music family confirmed that Bey' is again pregnant. The reports follow a canceled concert this Tuesday (May 14), on Beyonce's Mrs. Carter Tour in Antwerp, Belgium. The Sony Records superstar blamed the cancellation on "dehydration and exhaustion."
Previously, Beyonce has stated publicly that she would like more children.
Currently, the couple's double-dating friends, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, are also expecting a child.
Neither Jay-Z nor Beyonce have yet confirmed these pregnancy reports.
50 Cent says he helped G-Unit gain more popularity than D-12 and St. Lunatics. He also claims he helped them with their projects and that they weren't always grateful for the assistance. Furthermore, 50 explains how his animated series on FOX came to be.
While reflecting on his past, 50 Cent recently spoke about his experiences with G-Unit. In the process, he explained a bit more about his animated series on FOX.
Regarding his new series, 50 Cent said the show came to be as a result of his recent book about bullying.
"A lot of the times, my childhood experiences help me with projects that I create now," 50 told HardknockTV. "Like, I created 'Playground.' It was a book based on bullying. My son was was telling me a story about something someone next to him was experiencing at school. I found myself explaining it from a perspective where I realized I was the bully. I was like, 'Damn. How you gonna teach him and you're tellin' him...' So, I wanted to create a book where I made the audience like the bully before I made them realize that his own actions was comin' from something internal that had nothing to do with those situations...That book was a successful book. And now it has been picked up to become an animated television show on FOX. So, you'll see it soon."
During the interview, Fif also expressed his take on what went wrong with G-Unit.
"A lot of people here may not know every member of D-12 by name or every member of the St. Lunatics," he continued. "But chances are, they recognize who was a part of G-Unit. It's because I was so conscious of the people around me that, after the first record took off - and Interscope Records really didn't want - Why do you want a G-Unit record when you can have a 50 Cent record when that one is the largest debuting Hip Hop album? You want another 50 Cent record. So I was adamant about positioning them properly because those crews, D-12 and St. Lunatics, had people that spearheaded them like Eminem and Nelly that had so much success, those projects would take two years before they would finish. They would come out and be such a huge success that they're traveling and touring with so much going on that their crew would be there and they would turn into those guys that are just in the background...I didn't want that to happen so I made the G-Unit project at that point and it offered them different things."
"[I got] to the point where I was writing the music," 50 added. "Helping them with their albums, putting the right choruses and production around them so they could make the album right. I think that there are certain things you do where you enable people and they feel like you are supposed to do that. This is how we do it, versus they appreciate you actually doing it. So, I made that mistake also."
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis to bring their "Thrift Shop" to the Billboard Music Awards, while Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne will perform their "High School" collab at the annual show.
Young Money Titan's Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne are just two of the acts scheduled to perform at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards when the annual awards show airs on May 19. With a strong emphasis on collaborations at this year's Billboard Music Awards, the pair will appear onstage together for a performance of Nicki's Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded—The Re-Up record "High School."
Other collaborative performances set for the awards show include ones featuring Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull as well as will.i.am and Justin Bieber.
The show will also see solo performances from the likes of Miguel who will perform his Kaleidoscope Dream single "Adorn." Fellow crooners Bruno Mars and Chris Brown are expected to grace the stage for solo routines as well.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who recently scored a spot on the list of nominees for the 2013 BET Awards, will make their Billboard Music Awards debut as they perform their chart-topping single, "Thrift Shop."
The 2013 Billboard Music Awards will air live from Las Vegas on May 19 and will be hosted by actor/comedian Tracy Morgan.
In March, the rapper had been ordered to submit to a urine test, but police say he turned in a sample that was suspiciously cold, and may have been tampered with. When asked to submit another cup, Scrappy allegedly refused.
According to TMZ, Scrappy revealed that the warrant for his arrest was invalid because "he never submitted bad pee in the first place."
A judge granted Scrappy's lawyer's motion to recall the warrant. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for May 16.
UPDATE: Lil Scrappy's hearing has been delayed a week. According to AllHipHop.com, the hearing will now be held on May 22.
Nicki Minaj could be the next judge to exit "American Idol," following Randy Jackson's announcement that he's leaving the show after 12 seasons.
Us Weekly quotes an inside source saying, "It's safe to say she isn't coming back to 'Idol.' She's okay with it. She had a great time but was only going to do one season anyway."
Fox declined to comment on the report. A rep for Minaj did not immediately respond to ABCNews.com's request for comment.
The 30-year-old rapper has been in an ongoing feud with fellow first-time judge Mariah Carey since the season started.
"I think the producers thought that the feud would bring in ratings at first, but then it got away from them," M.J. Santilli, who writes MJs Big Blog about the show, told ABCNews.com.
In recent days, rumors have circulated that the show will be restructured next season with an entirely new panel of judges and a new producer.
Neither Carey nor Urban have commented on their future with the struggling Fox icon. Only Jackson has officially announced his departure.
Last week in a statement to various media outlets, he said, "I have decided it is time to leave after this season. I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."
"I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry," he said.
Jay-Z and Raekwon on the same track? It's pretty much a dream come true for 90s rap heads. Both are wizards with the drug rap and crimes tales but from two completely different sides of the hustlers spectrum. However, they definitely share some common ground and have helped keep the integrity in New York rap. Thanks to Lenny S., we know a collabo is on the way. Was the RZA there?? Please.
Ol Dirty Bastard and Eazy-E's spirits will return to the stage at Rock The Bells this year, AllHipHop has learned.
The pair of Hip-Hop legends will have holograms performing this year at the 10-year anniversary of the rap festival.
Eazy-E will perform virtually with Bone Thugs-In-Harmony and ODB will rock with Wu Tang. Organizers said Eazy never blessed the Rock The Bells stage and ODB only did once.
Also, the "holograms" are approved by Eazy-E's wife Tomica Wright and Ol Dirty's mother, Cherry Jones.
Tupac's Coachella appearance inspired the new virtual performances at Rock The Bells, organizers admitted.
For more on the tour and line-up, read below.
SAN BERNARDINO, CA
SAN MANUEL AMPHITHEATER
SEPTEMBER 7-8
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
SHORELINE AMPHITHEATER
SEPTEMBER 14-15
WASHINGTON, DC
FESTIVAL GROUNDS @ RFK
SEPTEMBER 28-29
RUTHERFORD, NJ
MEADOWLANDS RACETRACK
OCTOBER 4-5
Below is the entire line-up of Rock The Bells, 2013:
Big Krit
Black Hippy
BODEGA BAMZ
Bone Thugs N Harmony
Brother Ali
Chase and Status
Common
Currensy
Danny Brown
DILATED PEOPLES
Dizzy Wright
Dom Kennedy
E-40 & Too Short
Earl Sweatshirt
Flatbush Zombies
Hit-Boy
Hopsin
Immortal Technique
Jhene Aiko
Juicy J
Jurassic 5
Kid Cudi
LeCrae
Mimosa
Prof
Rakim
Snow Tha Product
Supernatural
Talib Kweli
Tech N9ne
Tyler the Creator
Wu-Tang Clan
A local star athlete is stripped of his football scholarship after choosing to instead focus on his rap career.
After receiving a scholarship to Michigan State University, Pennsylvania teen and local star athlete Jay Harris' dreams of pursuing a career in Hip Hop have resulted in the Downingtown East football player and high school senior being stripped of his scholarship to the East Lansing, Michigan school.
According to Philadelphia's The Inquirer, a Michigan State spokesperson stated that the decision to pass on Harris' scholarship to the college was a "mutual" one. Harris even shared that the decision to pursue a rap career was one that he's pondered over for quite some time.
"I've always had this in the back of my head, but never had the courage to tell my parents that this is what I want to do," the teen athlete revealed to The Inquirer.
Harris, who goes by the stage name Jay DatBull, is currently preparing for the June 1 release of his album and also has plans on linking with Cleveland producer M. Stacks in the near future. M. Stacks has worked with the likes of Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller and reportedly reached out to the teen personally.
"I try to take advantage of every opportunity I get, and for him to like my music and reach out to me, I really appreciated that," said Harris.
"We didn't even intend for it to come out like that," Metro Boomin says during an interview with Vibe. "It was serious. I was like, 'Honestly, it will be no good' so we took the line out. But there was a music video…The whole reason the song came out prematurely is [because] it got leaked. I'm not even going to say his name. He had ripped the song off the video director's…Uh, I guess the video director fell asleep uploading the video, to his Vimeo. He [the ripper] always checks the Vimeo for content and one day he lucked up on the fucking 'Karate Chop' video and he ripped the one with the Wayne verse and he put it out. On the mastered version, the final, that line wasn't in there. He [the ripper] put it out and made everybody look like douchebags, but it wasn't the plan."
Ultimately, Lil Wayne's line remained on the remix. The YMCMB rapper rhymed on the song that, "I beat the pussy up, like Emmet Till." Till was a Black Mississippi teenager was beaten and killed in 1955 after allegedly flirting with a White woman. The two White men accused of killing Till, who was visiting from Chicago, were later acquitted.
Jaden and Will Smith appear on "Ellen" and discuss Jaden's desire to be "emancipated."
Actor Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith have received both criticism and praise for their modern approach to raising their two children, Jaden and Willow Smith. During a recent interview with The Sun, Smith shared the details of the pair's modern parenting techniques and even spoke on 14-year-old son Jaden wanting to be emancipated for his next birthday.
"He says, 'Dad, I want to be emancipated.' I know if we do this, he can be an emancipated minor, because he really wants to have his own place, like ooh. That's the backlash. On the other side, if kids just want to have command of their lives, I understand," Smith explained.
Following in his father's footsteps, Jaden also hopes to make his mark in both Hollywood and in the world of Hip Hop. He'll star alongside his dad in the upcoming film After Earth and on the music end he released his own mixtape titled The Cool Cafe: Cool Tape Vol. 1 just last year. The actor/rapper has also appeared on records with Justin Bieber and sister Willow Smith.
During his conversation with The Sun, Smith also spoke on not punishing his children and shared that he and his wife instead ask that they explain why they believe there actions were right.
"We generally don't believe in punishment," said Smith. "From the time Jaden was five or six we would sit him down, and all he has to do is be able to explain why what he did was the right thing for his life. I think it's a much more difficult question to ask someone — 'Why was that right?' — than to try to show them why it was wrong. Nobody wants to be wrong, all parts of yourself fight like crazy to not be wrong. So I'll say to Jaden, 'Why was that the right thing to do for your life?' and if he can explain why kicking his sister in the chest was the right thing to do, we can see to it that he understands that it wasn't so smart."
There's no word yet on if Jaden Smith will release any new music in the near future, but he can be seen in After Earth when it's released in theaters on May 31.
(May 14)
UPDATE: Even though Jaden Smith has said he wanted to be emanicapted when he turns 15, the rapper-actor no longer seems interested in the idea of leaving his parents' house. "I'm not going anywhere," Jaden says during an interivew with "Ellen," which also featured Will Smith. "The thing that people don't get is everything at his house is free."
Will Smith speaks on modern parenting, says he and his wife don't believe in punishing their children.
Actor Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith have received both criticism and praise for their modern approach to raising their two children, Jaden and Willow Smith. During a recent interview with The Sun, Smith shared the details of the pair's modern parenting techniques and even spoke on 14-year-old son Jaden wanting to be emancipated for his next birthday.
"He says, 'Dad, I want to be emancipated.' I know if we do this, he can be an emancipated minor, because he really wants to have his own place, like ooh. That's the backlash. On the other side, if kids just want to have command of their lives, I understand," Smith explained.
Following in his father's footsteps, Jaden also hopes to make his mark in both Hollywood and in the world of Hip Hop. He'll star alongside his dad in the upcoming film After Earth and on the music end he released his own mixtape titled The Cool Cafe: Cool Tape Vol. 1 just last year. The actor/rapper has also appeared on records with Justin Bieber and sister Willow Smith.
During his conversation with The Sun, Smith also spoke on not punishing his children and shared that he and his wife instead ask that they explain why they believe there actions were right.
"We generally don't believe in punishment," said Smith. "From the time Jaden was five or six we would sit him down, and all he has to do is be able to explain why what he did was the right thing for his life. I think it's a much more difficult question to ask someone — 'Why was that right?' — than to try to show them why it was wrong. Nobody wants to be wrong, all parts of yourself fight like crazy to not be wrong. So I'll say to Jaden, 'Why was that the right thing to do for your life?' and if he can explain why kicking his sister in the chest was the right thing to do, we can see to it that he understands that it wasn't so smart."
There's no word yet on if Jaden Smith will release any new music in the near future, but he can be seen in After Earth when it's released in theaters on May 31.
Aubrey O'Day, Shannon Bex, Aundrea Fimbres and Dawn Richards say "Diddy who?" as they're spotted planning a comeback nearly five years later.
Diddy may have been instrumental in Making The Band, but the band—Danity Kane—now says that they do not need him. The group created in 2005's third season of Diddy's hit MTV series has been on hiatus since 2009. Four years into the group, the collective of Aubrey O'Day, D. Woods, Shannon Bex, Dawn Richards and Aundrea Fimbres disbanded—six months after O'Day and Woods had already left the group. Reports indicated that it was their mentor who separated the girls, and ceased the group. Richards would later re-appear with Diddy-Dirty Money, has ensemble for 2010's Last Train To Paris album.
TMZ.com is reporting that the former #1 selling act is strongly considering a reunion. Four founding members met without D. Woods and a new manager, caught on camera. Despite dropping their only two albums on Diddy's Bad Boy Worldwide imprint, the quartet is apparently not out to include their former mentor. "Who's that?" said the clique, when pressed by videographers on Puffy's involvement.
Bruno Mars, A$AP Rocky, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis among the variety of artists to receive nominations for the 2013 BET Awards.
Toronto crooner/rapper Drake may have found himself with only a handful of nominations during last year's annual BET Awards, but with the announcement of this year's nominees, Drake now leads the pack with a grand total of 12 nominations. The rapper is followed closely by both Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz who each received eight nominations.
According to HotNewHipHop.com, the Young Money artist received nominations for Best Collaboration, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video Of The Year, and also received nods in nine other categories.
Among those joining Drake in the celebrated Best Male Hip Hop Artist category are A$AP Rocky, Future, Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz.
A number of non-Hip Hop acts were also present on the nominees list. Among those artists were Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, and Elle Varner.
The 2013 BET Awards will air live on June 30. The full list of BET Awards nominees can be found below.
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Elle Varner
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown Bruno Mars
Miguel
Justin Timberlake
Usher
Best Group
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behavior
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)
Best Collaboration
2 Chainz f/ Drake – "No Lie"
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – "Problems"
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne – "Pop That"
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – "Poetic Justice"
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – "Suit & Tie"
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – "Mercy"
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye
Video of the Year
2 Chainz f/ Drake – "No Lie"
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – "Problems"
Drake – "Started From The Bottom"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne – "HYFR"
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – "Poetic Justice"
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Wanz – "Thrift Shop"
Miguel – "Adorn"
Rihanna – "Diamonds"
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – "Suit & Tie"
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – "Mercy"
Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd
Best Gospel Artist
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson
Denzel Washington
YoungStars Award
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhané Wallis
Best Movie
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Sparkle Think Like A Man
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Gabrielle Douglas
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year
Victor Cruz Kevin Durant
Robert Griffin III
LeBron James
Ray Lewis
Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – "Problems"
Drake – "Started From The Bottom"
Kendrick Lamar – "Swimming Pools (Drank)"
Miguel – "Adorn"
Rihanna – "Diamonds"
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – "Suit & Tie"
Centric Award
Tamar Braxton – "Love and War"
Fantasia – "Lose To Win"
Miguel – "Adorn"
Nas – "Daughters"
Charlie Wilson – "My Love Is All I Have"
Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)
Best International Act: UK
Marsha Ambrosius
Estelle
Labrinth
Rita Ora
Emeli Sandé
Wiley
Bruno Mars, A$AP Rocky, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis among the variety of artists to receive nominations for the 2013 BET Awards.
Toronto crooner/rapper Drake may have found himself with only a handful of nominations during last year's annual BET Awards, but with the announcement of this year's nominees, Drake now leads the pack with a grand total of 12 nominations. The rapper is followed closely by both Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz who each received eight nominations.
According to HotNewHipHop.com, the Young Money artist received nominations for Best Collaboration, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video Of The Year, and also received nods in nine other categories.
Among those joining Drake in the celebrated Best Male Hip Hop Artist category are A$AP Rocky, Future, Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz.
A number of non-Hip Hop acts were also present on the nominees list. Among those artists were Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, and Elle Varner.
The 2013 BET Awards will air live on June 30. The full list of BET Awards nominees can be found below.
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Elle Varner
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown Bruno Mars
Miguel
Justin Timberlake
Usher
Best Group
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behavior
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)
Best Collaboration
2 Chainz f/ Drake – "No Lie"
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – "Problems"
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne – "Pop That"
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – "Poetic Justice"
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – "Suit & Tie"
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – "Mercy"
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye
Video of the Year
2 Chainz f/ Drake – "No Lie"
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – "Problems"
Drake – "Started From The Bottom"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne – "HYFR"
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – "Poetic Justice"
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Wanz – "Thrift Shop"
Miguel – "Adorn"
Rihanna – "Diamonds"
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – "Suit & Tie"
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – "Mercy"
Video Director of the Year
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams
Best New Artist
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd
Best Gospel Artist
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington
Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson
Denzel Washington
YoungStars Award
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhané Wallis
Best Movie
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Sparkle Think Like A Man
Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Gabrielle Douglas
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year
Victor Cruz Kevin Durant
Robert Griffin III
LeBron James
Ray Lewis
Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – "Problems"
Drake – "Started From The Bottom"
Kendrick Lamar – "Swimming Pools (Drank)"
Miguel – "Adorn"
Rihanna – "Diamonds"
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – "Suit & Tie"
Centric Award
Tamar Braxton – "Love and War"
Fantasia – "Lose To Win"
Miguel – "Adorn"
Nas – "Daughters"
Charlie Wilson – "My Love Is All I Have"
Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)
Best International Act: UK
Marsha Ambrosius
Estelle
Labrinth
Rita Ora
Emeli Sandé
Wiley
Along the way, a judge has ordered Keef to pay child support on his two year-old son. TMZ reports that courts estimate that the 17 year-old Keef pulls in $13,000 a month, yielding him to pay $2,600 of that to his child's mother. Additionally, Keef will need to hand over $10,400 in back-pay.
Chris Brown draws the ire of his neighbors over the art on the outside of his house. The singer vents on Twitter.
Chris Brown loves graffiti. His neighbors in the Hollywood Hills don't appear to share his appreciate for the art form.
The R&B artist has been fined $376 for unpermitted and excessive signage after he posted a mural on a retaining wall outside of his house. The images are of monster-like creators, which are reportedly scaring children in the area. "There are lots of babies, lots of children, and they're literally frightened," Patti Negri, president of the Hollywood Dell Civic Assn told the Los Angeles Times. "It's like devils on the wall — big scary eyes and big scary teeth, and just the whole vibe is not what we're used to."
Brown does not agree and took to Twitter to voice his displeasure.
Chris Brown named his third album, 2009's Graffiti, and the Virginia native featured elaborate drawings on the album cover for his fourth album, 2011's F.A.M.E. His next album, X, is slated for a July 16 release.
The artist faces additional and more significant fines if he fails to comply and remove the art from the exterior of his house.
Wiz Khalifa addresses fads in Hip Hop, comments on the sense of "togetherness" marijuana brings about.
Throughout the years, Hip Hop has touched on a number of controversial topics including gun violence, drug use, and even religion. Despite the array of subjects the genre touches on, one rapper in particular feels that a line should be drawn between rap and religion.
While speaking with AlLindstrom.com, Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa shared his thoughts on religion in rap and spoke on the topic being just another fad in Hip Hop.
"This is just me personally, I don't like how much people play with religion in rap," Wiz revealed. "You know what I'm saying? I feel like that's a fad that a lot of people came into and they don't really understand really what they're saying or doing. So, they're playing into that because it's popular, it's cool, but it's not really what the shit's about. So, when you talk about religious stuff and you talk about rap culture. Religion is religion and rap culture is rap culture."
Later in the interview, the Taylor Gang spitter spoke on the popularity of Molly and party culture in today's Hip Hop before sharing the reason why he's drawn to marijuana.
"As far as like drugs, Molly, and partying, of course the next drug is gonna be the next cool thing. Whatever's popping that's what people talk about, but I feel like there's people who really do it and are experienced in it and they're not even rappers…With pot for me, the appeal to it is the togetherness of it. Cause when you first get weed—the first thing you do is share it. You hit it, you pass it. That's what weed is based on. It's based on sharing."
It appears that Gucci Mane never reported to the court. TMZ reports that within one day of his release, Gucci was apprehended today for a probation violation.
Details are still emerging, but the Brick Squad 1017 leader is believed to be back in custody at this time. Gucci was presently pending trial on an aggravated assault charge, for battering a U.S. soldier with a bottle, which he was indicted for earlier in the week.
(April 13)
UPDATE:TMZ.com has reported that Gucci Mane was released from incarceration earlier today (May 2). The Atlanta, Georgia resident is due back in court later this month in the pending case. Reports that he was sharing a cell with Brick Squad 1017 affiliate Young Scooter remain unsubstantiated by Gucci's spokespeople or his label, Warner Bros./Atlantic Records.
(May 2)
UPDATE: Gucci Mane pleaded not guilty to an aggravated assault charge in a Georgia courtroom today, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Atlanta rapper is accused of hitting a soldier over the head with a champagne bottle at a night club in March. He is out on $75,000 bond and "just going about his life," according to his attorney, Drew Findling.
According to the Chicago Sun Times,an unnamed source close to the Barbadian bombshell Rihanna informed them that she was insulted by Brown saying he was not ready to be "wife-ing" someone as young as Rihanna on an Australian radio show:
"She really thought that was a sexist, degrading thing for him to say. Especially after all Rihanna endured after he beat her and all that."
Rihanna reportedly called Brown and "really blasted him, using language that made it sound like she never will get back with him again — no matter what people think," according to the unnamed source.
A day after Brown's interview went public Rihanna, seemingly alluding to Brown, sent a suggestive tweet:
Less than six hours after the Chicago Sun Timesarticle posted this morning (May 10th) Brown sent a cryptic tweet, possibly referencing Rihanna's dating life:
Kanye West launches into an expletive-filled tirade after being followed by paparazzi in Beverly Hills.
Over the past few weeks, rapper Kanye West and girlfriend Kim Kardashian have found themselves constantly followed by paparazzi, and earlier today Kanye appeared to reach a boiling point as he verbally assaulted members of the paparazzi outside of a Beverly Hills restaurant.
While walking head down alongside his girlfriend, the G.O.O.D. Music rapper appeared to have walked directly into a street sign. Although actual footage of Kanye's minor accident was not caught on videotape, a small thud can be heard.
A separate video shows Kanye verbally assaulting one paparazzo as he yells, "Don't take a fucking 'nother photo man! Don't take another fucking photo man! Don't take no photos! Stop it! All of you mothafuckers stop it, man."
This week's incident serves as the latest addition to a handful of altercations the Chi-Town emcee has had with the paparazzi. Back in 2008, Kanye and his manager were hit with misdemeanor charges following an incident that resulted in a cameraman's equipment being smashed at L.A.X. airport.
Kanye joins a growing list of artists who have had their differences with the paparazzi in the past. Among them are Jay-Z and Chris Brown, the latter of which crashed his car at the top of the year while trying to evade the media.
Video of Kanye's run-in with the paparazzi can be found below (via NahRight).
Joe Budden says he was "high out of [his] mind" at Summer Jam last year and talks about how Eminem and others helped him sober up. Budden also says he's willing to fight Consequence again "if he would like an issue."
Drugs have certainly played a role in Joe Budden's life and career. The emcee has acknowledged that he has had to battle with addiction for years, most recently relapsing in the summer of 2012. In a recent interview, Budden opened up about being high at concerts and having people around him, like Eminem, to help guide him to recovery.
"I started with drugs very early, maybe 12 or 13 years old," he shared with FUSE. "I checked into rehabilitation at 16, was released at 17, got a record deal at 20 and went 14 years without a drink or a drug. It was never an issue at all. Nobody ever knew anything. I spoke about it on songs like 'Calm Down' on my debut album on Def Jam, songs like 'Walk With Me' so if you were listening intently enough, you knew. I had a little issue over the past summer with a relapse. I thought it was important to share that because people out there may have been going through the very same thing."
Budden also acknowledged that his Shady Records boss Eminem and others around him really helped guide him to sobriety.
"Em has his own struggles so he identifies. So that was great to have somebody...You're on a label with someone that identifies with those problems because we're unique people. We think a tad bit differently," Budden added. "All of the people around me were instrumental in micromanaging me to where I needed to be."
"I was definitely on stage at Summer Jam last year, being micromanaged, high out of my mind," he continued. "Definitely saw some other artists backstage that couldn't barely stand up. But the fans don't see that. You still have to go out and do your job. You still have to perform. You still have to make a living."
"I thought about fucking [Consequence] up everytime I saw him at one point but we have a lot to lose today so I'd rather not look like that. So I don't want any issues with anybody at all. But if I see him again and he would like an issue, I'll fuck him up again."
Jerry Heller claims that Eazy-E wanted to kill Suge Knight. "I should have let him kill him," Heller says. "I would have done the world a favor."
According to Ruthless Records co-founder Jerry Heller, Eazy-E wanted to kill Suge Knight. Heller recently revealed this in a radio interview, claiming that Eazy wanted to kill Knight and that he feels he "should have let him" do it.
"Eazy said, 'You know this guy Suge Knight?' I said, 'Yeah.' He says, 'Well, I'm gonna kill him!' He said, 'This guy is gonna be a problem and I think I should kill him.' I said, 'Let me think this thing through. First of all, we're doing $10 million a month with six employees. We don't even have a typewriter in the office. We're the most successful start-up record company in the history of the music business and you want to kill this guy? That just doesn't make any sense to me.'"
Heller then explained that he regrets talking Eazy out of it.
"You know something? I should have let him kill him. You know? I would have done the world a favor. He would have done it for sure by himself. He always rolled by himself and he was fearless...I think that he was going to go do it. I took him seriously."
"He was right and I was wrong," he later added. "I shouldn't have talked him out of it. Ruthless would probably still be around. Dr. Dre and Ice Cube would probably still be with Ruthless. It would have been an empire."
Dame Dash is close to being evicted from his Carmel, New York home and is in mountains of debt.
The once very rich Dame Dash is now fighting to keep a roof over his head, losing more than just power in the rap industry.
According to NY Daily News, Dash claims that his mounting debt has once again reached the footsteps of his home and faces imminent eviction from a rented mansion in suburban Carmel, New York.
In a 5-page report Dash filed on Tuesday the former Roc-A-Fella Records head claims, "I am currently several months behind in paying my personal bills," he wrote. "For instance, I am currently over $100,000 behind in rent for the only home in which I live and at risk of being evicted."
Dame Dash lost a pair of multimillion-dollar Tribeca lofts to foreclosure in 2010, which included $7.3 million left on massive mortgages.
A 2004 split with his former wife Rachel Roy smacked Dash with a $20 million windfall and eventually left the 42-year-old facing hard financial times.
Court records also show that Dash lost numerous lawsuits filed by landlords, fashion designer Charlotte Ronson and a celebrity bodyguard firm.
According to Dash's court filing, he faces possible criminal prosecution for not paying his New Jersey taxes. Documents show Dash also owes more than $2 million in state taxes to New York, and he admits to owing federal income taxes as well.
Over the past year and some change Bronx bred rapper French Montana has catapulted himself into the national spotlight with a string of hit songs and guest appearances on several Billboard charting hits.
Of those hit songs, "Pop That," which samples Miami veteran rapper Uncle Luke's voice on the hook, has become the center of a copyright infringement case on the verge of being initiated by Uncle Luke.
While the world has known about discrepancy for a while, recently French and Luke took shots at each other via their respective interviews with New York's Hot 97 radio, telling their side of the story and how the song and its controversy came to be.
"Actually Luke went on air and was like, 'French owe me some money.' Well, that's after I brought him out at BET Awards – me, him and Puff. Then I heard he went on the internet and was talking about, 'French owe me some money.' I can't owe you some money if you don't own your thing," French Montana told Hot 97. "You gotta own your product, it's [owned by] somebody named Lil J or something like that."
Uncle Luke has a different version of the story, and while Luke was invited to the video shoot by French in an act of respect and to pay homage, Luke was reportedly unaware of the song's existence and the usage of his voice before it's release and just moments prior to the video shoot.
"Ok, let me tell you how it all went off. In the beginning Puffy told me to come to do a video shoot in Miami on Memorial Day last year. I asked, 'What video shoot, to what song?' – because I work with a lot of kids. They never told me the name of the song nor did they ever send me a copy of the song. So they were basically trying to set me up to be a part of a video shoot to a song that had me appearing on it," Luke explained.
"Second of all these guys had press conferences – this stuff is all online – and this guy is sitting here saying, 'Hey I just did a song with Uncle Luke and all these other guys on the song.' So we're seeing this information online and seeing all the press conferences, and I'm thinking like, 'What song did I do with this guy? I really don't even know the guy,'" Uncle Luke explained to New York's Hot 97. "So they did the video and that's why I didn't appear in the video, because I wasn't going to appear in anything I didn't hear or know anything about.
"At the end of the day, we went back, checked our contracts and our agreements about the songs and what the person who owns it can do or cannot do. They cannot alter my music, so they went ahead and did, I had a conversation with Puffy and his people. I don't have a problem with it, but it's really the principle. Call me up and let me know whats the deal, don't just try to pull a fast one like this and then have me appear in the video without even a courtesy call," Uncle Luke explained.
While Luke hasn't yet pursued the case due to his relationship with Diddy, after hearing the song on radio repeatedly, after getting asked about the song by people in his community, and after French Montana's interview with Hot 97 Luke says, "that don't work good with me."
"Go make a hit record, stop trying to use a situation that's a dead situation and try to make it out of something. Now if he want me to sue him, I got not problem, if he keep it up, then I'm gonna sue him. We can settle it in court," said Uncle Luke.
Diddy has yet to comment on the situation yet. More news as details emerge.
Last week Busta Rhymes released his song "Twerk It" featuring and produced by Pharrell Williams. The only problem is that the song may have been stolen, according to burgeoning Miami rapper Monty $$.
The rapper, whose real name is Antonio Shelton, claims to have released his own version of the song and that Pharrell and Busta simply "copied it and put it out," according to Monty $$'s statement to the Miami News Times.
"The drum patterns are the same. And then there is the hook: 'Twerk it, twerk it, twerk it, twerk it.' When I put out my song, nobody was saying it the way I was saying it."
Monty $$ alleges he sent the original track to an unnamed friend who works for Pharrell and has taped phone conversations with the friend wherein he admits to his version of "Twerk It" being the basis for the Pharrell-produced version.
Monty $$ states he has attempted to contact Busta Rhymes via Twitter on numerous occasions to no avail. Pharrell has not released a statement on the matter.
There are disturbing reports circulating that indicate that Malcolm X's grandson, Malcolm Shabazz has died.
Family friend and mentor Terrie M Williams revealed the tragic news on her personal Twitter account earlier Thursday morning(May 9th):
Reports on the cause of death are conflicting with some rumors stating he was shot and others claiming he died from injuries caused by being thrown off a building during a robbery attempt in Tijuana.
In late March, Shabazz issued a statement detailing "a pattern of harassment from law enforcement", specificially "the F.B.I.'s Counter Terrorism Task Force Unit located in Goshen, N.Y." Shabazz was arrested by Middletown law enforcements in February after requesting a travel visa to attend The Hollywoodism International Conference in Iran.
Terrie M Williams worked with Shabazz's godmother, Ruth Clark established the Malcolm Shabazz Legal Defense Fund and helped raised the necessary funds to bail Shabazz out of jail. Williams spoke with The Journal News about her memories of Shabazz:
"I mentored him and he did a lot of work with us in terms of speaking to young people, He was a very, very powerful brother."
The Hustle Gang's conglomerate may expand to include delegates from Memphis, Houston, Los Angeles and Chicago.
T.I.'s Hustle Gang is making a splash this week with their G.D.O.D. mixtape. The Grand Hustle Records collective led by T.I. features longtime label stars B.o.B., Young Dro and Big Kuntry King, as well as newer acts to the label, Shad Da God, Travi$ Scott and Houston, Texas veteran Trae Tha Truth. While no longer a Grand Hustle artist, Iggy Azalea appeared on one song, "Chasin' Me," along with other non-label acts such as Juicy J, Young Jeezy and David Banner.
In a new interview with Hood Rich Radio, T.I. revealed that he's open to expanding Hustle Gang further. "I got my eyes on a couple cats, I'm going at them," T.I. said when asked about the status of the collective. He began with a former TVT Records artist-turned-charting act at Polo Grounds/RCA Records from Memphis, Tennessee. "One, very familiar to everyone, go' by the name of Yo Gotti. We may be able to work together." He next highlighted a longtime artist in Snoop Lion's camp. "Another cat by the name of Problem, out in the West Coast." He also spotlighted two more major label acts that walk the line between singing and rapping. "I been talking to Jeremih, try'na see how he can involve himself with this Hustle [Gang]. I've been talking to Kirko [Bangz] too." Jeremih and Kirko Bangz are signed to Def Jam Records and Atlantic/Warner Bros. Records, respectively.
Future "disassociated" himself with the America's Most Wanted Tour. 2 Chainz takes the spot.
As promised last week, Lil Wayne gave fans the specifics of his summer America's Most Wanted Tour. Joined by Atlanta, Georgia's T.I. and Future, Young Money's general will kick off on July 9 (different than the July 5 previously reported), and conclude at the top of September. The tour will promote Wayne's I Am Not A Human Being II, which releases this week.
In fall, the tour will move to Europe. According to Rap-Up.com, Mac Miller will be Wayne's tour-mate in the United Kingdom. Those dates have yet to be announced.
July 26 – Charlotte, NC – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
July 27 – Raleigh, NC – Time Warner Pavilion
Anchorman 2 (or Anchorman: The Legend Continue) has been one of the biggest comedy films set for later this year and having one of the biggest casts ever assmebled. Among those starring in the movie will be Kristen Wiig, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Meagan Good, Vince Vaughn, and yes Will Ferrell back as the hilarious "Ron Burgundy" to name a few.
One of the secret members of the cast, Kanye West was spotted on a downtown Atlanta rooftop on set filming with Christina Applegate and Paul Rudd for a big fight scene. No other details have surfaced regarding his exact role in the movie, but we can expect to find out more in the coming months leading up to its December 2013 release.
In related music news, Kanye's gearing up for his SNL season finale performance gig, which we're expecting to hear his first official single with Gunplay before the weeks end. His sixth studio album (which has no title at the moment) has also officialy been announced for a June 18th release date which Chief Keef, Travi$ Scott, King L and Pusha Ton to name a few. Keep an eye out for new Ye material to pop up.
Treach says that he and veteran rhyme partner Vin Rock have not spoken in more than two years. He also says that all Vin's lyrics were written for him.
One of the biggest stories this week has been the apparent rift within veteran New Jersey Hip Hip trio Naughty By Nature. Treach took to Twitter yesterday, to publicly "fire" 24-plus-year rhyme-partner Vin Rock from the group. Vin replied, claiming rights to ownership of the group, stating "you can't fire an owner." Producer/deejay Kay Gee has remained quiet in the last 24 hours, but Treach spoke with AllHipHop.com about the root of the rift just hours before he released a diss song at Vin, "Tall Midget."
"We never wanted to be the group that goes though anything that we can't resolve on our own, or anything else," Treach explained after seven group albums, including their 1989 debut recorded as "The New Style." "Nobody—me being Treach, Kay [Gee] and Vin [Rock] being Vin – is larger than the group. We came [in] on some ego-free shit. Now, when somebody comes and gets larger than the group, it's gonna be a problem."
Stating the problem stems from ego issues, he outed Vinnie's artistic contributions to the longtime Tommy Boy Records—and later Arista Records outfit. "If you see any of our albums, it says 'written and produced by Naughty By Nature.' Because, homie you, [Vinnie], was somebody that was over there beat-boxing and break-dancing and any lyrics you had anywhere, was written for you. Don't never get larger than the group. The producer and the writer of the group are always like 'we, we, we,' not 'me, me, me.' Even if you don't do shit, we gonna make sure you taken care of for the rest of your life."
He continued, "How dare you ever play like you bigger than the group, or [call yourself] the owner? [You're] the boss or you the shot-caller. Or you're anything else other than what the fuck you are—which is a nigga that needs to be enjoying the fucking ride. Don't never question who I am, what I do, how I am. Don't stay in ya lane—play ya position. Dogs, you can be hired help at any time. You never wrote one hit. You never produced one hit song. You came on as a homie that was there…we threw you a lot of bones just to keep you up in there 'cause you was the homie, from the door, who was up in there. And we always fit you in when there wasn't a spot for you to be in."
With the group currently touring—including an appearance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at next month's sixth annual Roots Picnic, Treach explained regular Vin absences and his limited role on 2011's Anthem Inc. LP. "You can be fuckin' replaced, by just not having you there," seethed the "Love And A Bullet" actor. "I do my own gigs—hosting, performing, everything. There has never been a time when they asked where the fuck was Vin. Don't never question nothing I do, or play us out. Don't never go on no side thing, don't never let me find out about no deal behind my back that I gotta find out later, yo, 'cause I don't work for nobody. I'm self-employed. And if anything, me and Kay on the same level. Look at the last Naughty [By Nature] album, [Anthem Inc.]. This [Vin Rock] don't even have a verse on it."
Perhaps the most jarring revelation made by Treach is that he and his longtime band-mate have reportedly not communicated on a personal level since some time in 2011. "Me and Vin haven't really spoke in like two years, and do more than 100 shows a year-on the same stage." Like Gang Starr, another legendary Class Of 1989 Hip Hop group that lasted over 15 years, Treach revealed that the silence is offstage. "Wouldn't nobody know it, because the business is one thing, personal is something else." In closing, he warned what finally prompted him to go public. "When shit is going behind people back and somebody is acting like they above people and other things are being set up that the groups doesn't know about, it has to be stopped.
Flavor Flav faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted of two felony charges.
Public Enemy and reality TV's Flavor Flav will stand trial on two felony charges.
USAToday.com reports that a Las Vegas, Nevada judge found that there was enough evidence that the legendary hype-man threatened his girlfriend's 17-year-old son with a butcher knife for Flav to stand trial.
An arraignment is scheduled for April 18 on felony charges of assault with a weapon and child endangerment.
The report indicates that Flav is expected to plead no guilty.
If convicted, Flavor Flav faces up to 12 years in prison.
Flav reportedly got into an argument with his fiancee and her son in his home. He was later released on $23,000 bail.
(April 10)
UPDATE:Billboard.com reports that Flavor Flav's trial dates have been set. The Public Enemy member will appear on September 30 in a Clark County District Court in Las Vegas, Nevada. Yesterday (May 7), Flav entered a not-guilty plea. This came after a Nevada State Court judge ruled that there was not enough information to go to trial.
Lil Wayne says he's "100 percent" despite his recent rash of health problems on "RapFix Live," while Birdman says Mannie Fresh will not be involved in the next Big Tymers project.
Lil Wayne says he's healthy. Even though he's been suffering a string of seizures the last several months, the YMCMB artist-executive said he is not worried about his health. "I'm good," the mogul told "RapFix Live." "I'm 100 percent. So everybody know, I don't know that it happened."
Sway, who conducted the interview that also prominently featured Birdman, asked Wayne what the seizures are like. "I go to sleep," Wayne told him. "Wake up in the hospital. I hope it stops happening...No warning or nothing. I don't feel sick. I get headaches real fast, but I don't get no headaches or nothing."
Wayne also said that he is following his doctor's advice in order to stay healthy.
Even though Wayne provided several updates about his health, Birdman was the focus of the majority of the interview. The Cash Money Records co-founder said that his oft-delayed Bigger Than Life album is coming out in September. He added that he just needs "to sharpen up a few" of its songs and record more material with Drake and Wayne for the project.
Birdman also said that original member Mannie Fresh will not be a member of the reconfigured Big Tymers, which may feature Drake. Lil Wayne had previously said that there was a possibility that the group may return with a new lineup.
The interviewed concluded with brief commentary and freestyles from T.RONE, Lil Chuckee and other members of YMCMB.
Gucci Mane claims that Chief Keef has the spot in Brick Squad that Waka Flocka Flame left open.
Chief Keef has reportedly filled Waka Flocka Flame's spot in 1017 Brick Squad. Gucci Mane, while currently paroled from an aggravated assualt trial, welcomed the Glory Boyz Entertainment/Interscope Records artist Chief Keef to the fold on Twitter today, as reported by RapRadar.com. In the tweet, Gucci also included a logo of 1017 Glo Gang, which is a hybrid of both artists' imprints.
Brick Squad, which is both a group and a record label, includes OJ Da Juiceman, Young Scooter and Wooh Da Kid. Besides Gucci, the label's biggest star was Atlantic/Warner Bros. Records artist Waka Flocka Flame. In early March, Waka, who owns Brick Squad Monopoly was outed by 1017 Brick Squad, allegedly following a verbal dispute between he and Gucci Mane.
Yesterday, Gucci Mane revealed that he will reveal Trap House III later this month, on May 21—over six weeks earlier than planned.
Last year, Chicago, Illinois-based Chief Keef signed with Interscope before releasing his studio debut, Finally Rich. The effort debuted in the Top 30 of the charts, selling approximately 50,000 units.
The block got a little too close to Jennifer Lopez for comfort on Sunday(May 5th). While shooting the new music video for her song Live It Up" with Pitbull nearby gunshots were heard and police arrived at the scene.
The gunshots began during an interview Lopez was having with Entertainment Tonight's Rob Marciano:
The shooting occurred at the northernmost point of the Ft. Lauderdale Beach Park where the music video was being filmed. Interestingly enough, no evidence of a shooting at the park.
Lopez was escorted off the set once the gunshots were heard.
Rumors have begun circulating that producers for American Idoldesperately want to bring the former judge back for the next season.
The formerAmerican Idol judge is planning to perform the "Live It Up" single on American Idol's season finale on May 16th.
On stage, Treach and Vinnie have been rapping for over 20 years as Naughty By Nature, one of the most popular and beloved rap group's ever. But, the camaraderie has changed and Treach has released a dis record towards Vinnie called "Tall Midget."
On the song, Treach goes in.
"Don't bite the hand that feeds you, that's exciting, fighting / I shoulda done celebrity ghost stories for all my ghost writing / I can't fire the owner 'cause its me and my DJ (Kay Gee)/ [you] get a grown man time out / I'm out – get my swag on eBay / Cash, I get it, grab it feel the punishment from this savage / [I'm] a legend lyrical lord call you Uncle Ad Lib."
Naughty By Nature are the first rap group to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album in 1991 for their self-titled debut and the group has had a slew of hits in their illustrious career.
However, 22 years later as Naughty (and longer as a crew) Treach only has a slew of disses. He continues to berate Vinnie, a seemingly affable part-time rapper that generally plays hype-man.
"Time to find your own zone, watch your tone / Naughty Gear was n***as throwing you a bone, homes / I hate a leech lurking off what I build / Cause I'm real, Now I'm doing side deals that I feel."
Treach maintains there is much more to the story than a likable member.
In an exclusive interview, Treach told AllHiphop.com that this situation has been welling up for years. In fact, he said that he and Vinnie have not talked in about two years in a personal capacity. They have continued the business of Naughty By Nature, doing concerts and interviews.
"We never wanted to be the groups that couldn't resolve our issues," Treach told AllHipHop.com. "Nobody is larger than the group. We always fit [Vinnie] in even if there wasn't a spot for [him] to fit in. You will never see Vin do a Naughty show [alone], because he can't. Me and KG (the groups DJ and hit making producer) can do this for the rest of our lives. I don't work for nobody."
He suggested that they were not on one accord in the business of Naughty By Nature and decisions were made without the rest of the group's knowledge. In part, that is why he took his problems to Twitter, Treach said. He wanted the general population and business community to know what was going on.
For now, the group has not broken up, but it will be strictly business.
"I'll never say never to nothing, because I'm a business man," Treach said. For now, Vinnie is on a "grown man timeout."
N.O.R.E. welcomes Ja Rule home via Twitter, says he had a chance to speak with the previously incarcerated rapper.
Nearly two years after turning himself in to authorities to begin his prison sentence, it seems that Queens rapper Ja Rule is now a free man. News of Ja Rule's reported release came with a Tweet, which fellow emcee N.O.R.E. sent a little after 6 A.M. today (May 7).
In his Tweet, N.O.R.E. revealed that he had spoken to Ja Rule and asked his followers to offer up a "welcome home" to the newly freed rapper.
Aside from N.O.R.E.'s early morning Twitter update, Ja Rule's release from Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center has yet to be confirmed.
Over the past few months, Ja Rule has been hit with a number of release dates since beginning his prison sentence in June 2011. In fact, it was just weeks ago when it was reported that the rapper wouldn't be released until July 28 of this year.
The noted Queens emcee was sentenced to two years in prison in early 2011 due to a 2007 incident that resulted in a weapons possession charge.
The Chicago rapper-producer performed the highly-anticipated song last night at the annual Met Gala in New York City.
Kanye West's god complex continues. The rapper-producer debuted his new song "I Am (A) God" yesterday at the annual Met Gala in New York.
The song, as performed last night, is a tribute to West's pregnant girlfriend Kim Kardashian, according to reports.
Kardashian accompanied West to the event and was reportedly smiling during West's performance of "I Am (A) God," a song likely culled from his forthcoming album. West is also expected to perform "I Am (A) God" when he appears on "SNL" May 18 . The song gets its title from The Bible passage Psalm 82, which includes a line that, "You are gods."
Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Miguel also attended the Metropolitan Museum of Art's gala, which highlighted the museum's "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition.
Usher's acting chops return in a biopic on boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard.
Usher will further an acting career that started when he took on the role of Gabe Santora in the 1998 Horror/Sci-Fi/Mystery film The Faculty. The Atlanta, Georgia-based entertainer who is known for his singing, dancing and hit making skills is gearing up to play Sugar Ray Leonard in Hands Of Stone; a film about Panamanian boxing hero Roberto Duran that is slated to hit theaters at some point in 2014.
Currently, the upcoming film is in pre-production and Usher is working hard behind the scenes. Billboard reports that Usher has been prepping for the role as Sugar Ray for over a year and still has to lose 25 pounds before filming commences in October. Hands Of Stone will be shot in Panama.
Usher will be in good company being he is a part of a star studded cast that includes Oscar Award-winning actor Robert De Niro, who is expected to play the memorable boxing trainer Ray Arcel. Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramirez Arellano will be playing the lead role of Roberto Duran.
Usher believes his dancing skills will make him a good fit for the part. "You couldn't find a more stylized boxer than Sugar Ray Leonard." Said Usher, according to HotNewHipHop.com, "He was an incredible motion guy, the way he moved around the ring, and I think my dancing will make it easier for me to pick up his moves. I've been working on familiarizing myself with the ring, sparring and just understanding how to move in the ring."
Usher will make an appearance in another motion picture besides Hands Of Stone in 2013, he will also be in the lighthearted movie The Muppets…Again!. In other news related to Usher, the R&B singer performed with Adam Levine on "The Voice" this Monday. Adam Levine is the Grammy Award-winning Maroon 5 singer that is known in the Hip Hop community for his work with rappers like Eminem, 50 Cent, Mac Miller, and more.
Funk pioneer George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic says he loves the Chicago rapper's "I Don't Like."
George Clinton found an interesting musical link. The Funk pioneer said he compares Chief Keef's "I Don't Like" to Funkadelic's "Get Off Your Ass and Jam," a 1975 song Clinton wrote that has been sampled by Public Enemy, Tupac and Schoolly D, among others.
"I love that record," Clinton said of Chief Keef's "I Don't Like" during a VladTV interview. "[Chief Keef has] got the attitude. It's like, 'Shit! God damn! Get off yo' ass and jam!' 'That's that shit I don't like,' and they do it with such conviction."
Clinton also discusses the extensive number of rap artists who have incorporated his work, citing the music of Public Enemy, Erick Sermon, Digital Underground, Dr. Dre and N.W.A. "[Dr.] Dre, they did the West Coast version of P-Funk," Clinton said.
Layzie Bone is the latest member of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to have a brush with the law, after police discovered outstanding warrants and cuffed the veteran emcee.
Upon running the former Ruthless Records artist's information, police discovered that L-Burna had two outstanding warrants for his arrest, related to traffic violations. TMZ reports that both warrants were from missed court dates.
Layzie Bone was released on $80,000 bail from the Lost Hills Sheriffs Station earlier today. Last year, Layzie's band-mate Krayzie Bone was arrested and incarcerated for DUI offenses.
Last week, HipHopDX reported that currently Tha Dogg Pound and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are working on a Thug Pound collaborative album. Kurupt, praising Layzie in particular, acknowledged the two group's onetime beef in the mid-1990s.
Lil Kim has been sued by a former business manager who charges the Queen Bee cost her millions in failed business deals.
Andrew Ro of International Rock Star Corp says he lost millions on Lil Kim after he had a number of products for the BK rapper to endorse, including perfume, energy drinks, vodka, clothing and even a honey maker. Ro says Kim wanted to be paid extra to attend meetings, which made it close to impossible to make the deals successful.
Ro said Kim refused to promote a perfume line and even stopped taking calls from the company.
According to TMZ, Kim send Ro a cease and desist letter to put a halt to all business deals in progress, charging that the IRS tricked her into these deals.
Ro claims Kim caused his company to lose $15 millions.
Chris Brown says he "can't really be focused on wifing someone that young" and talks about where his focus lies now.
Chris Brown is no longer in a relationship with Rihanna. According to Brown, the two have parted ways romantically.
"At the end of the day, shawty doing her own thing," he explained to The Kyle And Jackie O Show. "She on the road…It's always gonna be love but I'm just gonna do me. I'm a grown man so I just gotta walk forward."
He added that he "can't really be focused on wifing someone that young."
"'ll just put it like this," he continued. "One thing I always want to do is never disrespect anybody or put nobody down. The way I look at it is, I'm always gonna love that person and people have different wants and needs. At the end of the day, she's a young girl. I can't really be focused on wifing someone that young. And I'm young too so I can't focus on that right now. I gotta step forward and be a man and be the best Chris Brown I can be instead of worrying about whoever else is gonna be in my side pocket."
Brown is reportedly 24 years old and Rihanna is reportedly 25. The pair spent Brown's birthday weekend in different states, with Brown celebrating in Las Vegas, Nevada and Rihanna in Brooklyn, New York. Audio from this interview can be heard below.
Brown and Rihanna reunited last year. The pair originally separated after Brown assaulted Rihanna in 2009. In 2012, Rihanna spoke of their relationship, saying they will "probably" always love one another. "We love each other, and we probably always will," she clarified. "That's not something you can shut off if you've ever been in love."
DJ Mister Cee appears on HOT 97's morning show and claims that his solicitation arrest was "a sting operation."
Following last Friday's (May 3) arrest, DJ Mister Cee appeared on HOT 97's morning show earlier today to speak out on the incident he believes was "a sting operation." While speaking with program director Ebro Darden, the radio personality was quick to strike down rumors made in regards to his sexuality.
"I am not gay…They tried to turn it around and say the female officer was a male officer. It was a sting operation," said Mister Cee, according to MTV News.
Late last week, the famed deejay was arrested in New York City after allegedly soliciting sex from an undercover male police officer posing as a prostitute.
Despite proclaiming that he is not a gay man, Mister Cee went on to state that if he was in fact lying about his sexuality then it's his choice to do so.
"Let's say if I'm lying, that's my choice. If I'm lying and I chose not to come out, that's my choice," Mister Cee revealed.
Mister Cee found himself in a similar situation back in 2011 when he plead guilty to public lewdness and exposure charges after being arrested for allegedly engaging in a sexual act with a man in a parked car.
Justin Timberlake makes a bid to be the hardest working entertainer in 2013 with his second tour to follow his second album.
Following Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake's co-headlining Legends Of The Summer Tour, Justin Timberlake has announced a solo tour that will follow. Believed to be his 20/20 Experience Tour, the October-through-February 2014 tour will follow a second installment of the 2013 two-album release.
Hill was facing up to three years in prison, but received a reduced sentence. Following a guilty plea, Ms. Hill and her attorney were seeking probation. She paid her $900,000 tax bill this weekend.
This will be Hill's first stay in prison. She could be released in as soon as a month.
What the hell!? Dodson just popped back up for the craziest reason! The man has completely renounced his gayness. He's turned down homosexuality! This is so funny or wild! I wonder what the people from GLAAD got to say about this?
I know this rumor will probably get ME in trouble, but I did start it! 50 Cent started this one! First of all, very simply, he posted a picture of Diddy and Ross, seemingly in a compromising space. Basically, kissing. Yuck. So, we can all agree this picture is probably bad or just fake. But, still 50 messing with dudes like that? LOL!
In all fairness, cats had similar stuff to say about 50 Cent and The Game when they made peace back in the day.
On the flip side, 50 Cent took a pair of Dr. Dre Beats headsets and tossed them at the Mixshow Summit thing that was recently in Las Vegas. He threw them on the floor – straight like that! I wonder whose they were because those things are expensive!
As you probably already can tell, I'm not all that in tune with what's going on with Boosie, but my readers do. So, here is a cool letter about him that shows a more human side. But, another of my sources told me that Boosie will be home at the end of May.
Torrence Hatch was acquitted. What happens with Marlo Mike doesn't affect Torrence Hatch. The charge he initially received locked him up, to ultimately bring forth the charges he was recently acquitted of. Now, that initial charge was his first offense for that particular charge. Providing he didn't have those additional charges for supposedly smuggling contraband. He would be out now. With all that said, he could be out as early as the summer, but most likely early 2014. Unfortunately there is still that good O'l boy spirit that walks the halls of East Baton Rouge's legal system. They pretty mad they couldn't convict him on that. More so that he 's living just as comfortable, if not better than the prominent rich doctors and lawyers in Baton Rouge. I'm not proclaiming we're besties, but I did attend high school with him. All in all that guy has a huge heart, and that'll never probably get shown. When he says "Boosie love the kids" ; that guy takes care of those kids in Baton Rouge. If somebody would do a Documentary on him, you would look at him different than how the media is trying to make him out to be.
Rumor on the block is Reebok is looking to replace Rick Ross with another urban specialist to get the darker people to cop their shoes. I say that respectfully. Anyway. You won't believe it. BOW WOW is allegedly one of the people that the brand is eyeballing. I mean, rappers are falling left and right with these sponsorships. Looks like Bow Wow is safe and he's also on TV every day. This rumor started with Bow Wow himself, because he made a post on his Facebook talking about a meeting he was having. Not sure if he can drive sales, but he probably shouldn't talk about his business dealings until the ink dries.
On the other side, I heard that Tyler The Creator losing his Mountain Dew Endorsement was just a sidebar and a reaction to the Lil Wayne / Rick Ross stuff. Basically. It wasn't that silly online video in and of itself…it was fear of further controversy.
Gucci Mane is presently on house arrest in Atlanta, not completely free as previously reported.
The rapper must also undergo random drug and alcohol testing. He was released last week on $75,000 bond.
Gucci was incarcerated for hitting a man in the head with a champagne bottle at the Atlanta nightclub.
James Lettley, a U.S. Army E6 Staff Sergeant, said he was just celebrating his birthday with his wife when the attack occurred.
"Because Mr. Lettley was a fan of defendant Davis and his music, Mr. Lettley approached a member of defendant Davis' entourage who was standing at the VIP area and asked if he could take a picture with defendant Davis, mentioning that he was a soldier serving his country, celebrating his birthday," says a complaint filed in Fulton County Court.
Gucci Mane was subsequently charged with aggravated assault.
On Twitter, Gucci Mane recently proclaimed "I'm back."
Queensbridge bred rapper Nas is asking a judge to dismiss a New Jersey promoter's $10 million lawsuit.
The suit stems from the promoter being kidnapped in Angola for 50 days after Nas didn't appear at a Luanda New Years Eve concert scheduled in December of 2011.
While Nas say that the dispute was already resolved out of court by paying back a $300,000 advance, the promoter wants $10 million for being beaten and threatened at gunpoint while kidnapped in Angola.
According to TMZ, Nas filed court documents earlier this week asserting the dispute was settled during the promoter's kidnapping, which eventually came to the attention of the United States State Department.
As part of the agreement, Patrick Allocco agreed not to sue for the incident, that also resulted in his son Patrick Jr.'s alleged kidnapping by Angolan promoter Henrique "Riquhino" Miguel and his associates.
Nas is also asking for a dismissal of the suit due to the fact that the promoter agreed to be "human security" for the concert prior to Nas agreeing to perform.
The Illmatic rapper says he refused to show up to the concert after a breach of contract on the Allocco's behalf as plane tickets were botched and advance payments were late.
Vh1's biopic is coming in November, they provide a glimpse at the musical cast playing TLC.
Keke Palmer has been a TLC fan since for as long as she can remember. Now, according to Vibe, the 19-year-old Chicago native will get her shot at representing one of her favorite singers in VH1's upcoming TLC biopic.
Joining Lil Mama, who will play Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, as well as Drew Sidora, who has been cast as Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Palmer becomes the third and final member of the TLC biopic cast, which begins filming in Atlanta, Georgia next month.
No stranger to a recording studio, Keke got her love for music from her mother, who was a background session singer and would often take Keke and her older sister, L'Oreal to the studio while she recorded. She also released her first studio album So Uncool in 2007.
Palmer's most recent music-related film gig was last year when she played in the musical comedy Joyful Noise alongside Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton. She also plans on releasing her next album this year, which will be self-titled.
(February 17)
UPDATE: Vh1 has released a "first look" still photograph of Keke Palmer, Drew Sidora, and Lil Mama playing Chilli, T-Boz and Left-Eye, respectively:
After a week where they pulled the plug on an Odd Future ad, Mountain Dew breaks ties with Lil Wayne, ending the "#DEWeezy" campaign.
Cola-maker Mountain Dew and parent company PepsiCo have been in the headlines this week, for pulling an Odd Future ad, after several groups claimed it portrayed racism and violence against women. Now, at week's end Mountain Dew has severed its relationship with rapper Lil Wayne. Previously, they had created a #DEWeezy brand, including a 2012 South By Southwest event.
The Associated Press reports that the relationship was compromised regarding Wayne's lyrics on a February remix to "Karate Chop" by Atlanta, Georgia rapper Future. Wayne rapped, "I beat the pussy up, like Emmett Till," comparing sex to the 1955 beating and subsequent murder of a Mississippi teenager after allegedly flirting with a White woman. The two men accused of killing Till, who was visiting from Chicago, were later acquitted.
Mountain Dew responded in a statement today, calling the lyrics an "offensive reference to a revered civil rights icon does not reflect the values of our brand."
Lil Wayne's publicist claimed the parting of ways was due to "creative differences," calling the split "amicable." Lil Wayne has yet to react publicly.
This comes nearly a month after another high-profile rapper and frequent Wayne collaborator, Rick Ross, was dropped from a similar partnership with Reebok. Ross was criticized by online petitions and retail store protests for lyrics on Rocko's "U.O.E.N.O." that were perceived to endorse rape. The deal was estimated to be worth as much as $5 million.
Legendary deejay and "Ready To Die" co-executive producer Mister Cee was cuffed for his second sexual offense in three years, after allegedly trying to buy sex from an undercover cop this week.
Police information released today in the New York Daily Newsreports that the legendary deejay, radio personality and longtime Big Daddy Kane affiliate Mister Cee was arrested in Brooklyn, New York on Thursday. The HOT 97 deejay was picked up for patronizing sex from an undercover male police officer, pretending to be a prostitute.
This is not a first offense for Cee (born Calvin LeBrun). In 2011, the early mentor of The Notorious B.I.G. and co-executive producer of Ready To Die was arrested in New York City for lewd conduct, when he was cuffed for receiving sexual favors from a man in a parked car. Mister Cee would later plead guilty to those charges.
Neither Mister Cee not HOT 97 have released a statement.
The FBI has announced that Joanne Chesimard, best known as Assata Shakur, is the first woman on its list of living terrorists. In addition to the designation, the reward for the capture Shakur has been doubled to $2 million dollars.
In a press conference today (May 2), New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes asserted that, "She (Shakur) continues to flaunt her freedom in the face of this horrific crime."
A member of the Black Liberation Army, Shakur nee Chesimard was convicted in 1977 of the 1973 murder of state trooper Werner Foerster during a routine traffic stop.
The New Jersey State Police maintain that it was Chesimard who shot the trooper twice in the head, killing him. According to the FBI, the Black Liberation Army was responsible for killing over a dozen police officers in the 1970s and 80s; hence the terrorist designation.
Assata Shakur escaped from a New Jersey prison in 1979 and has been living in Cuba since 1984 with political asylum.
According to Special Agent Aaron Ford, Assata Shakur maintains anti-U.S. views in speeches advocating "revolution and terrorism" and may have connections to other international terrorist organizations.
"She is a domestic terrorist who murdered a law enforcement officer execution style," he said. "And while we can't right the wrongs of the past, we can and will continue to pursue justice no matter how long it takes."
Supporters of Assata Shakur maintain that she was an activist and a victim of an over-zealous justice and media system.
Assata Shakur maintains strong support from hip-hop artists and culture. The "Hands Off Assata" Campaign was organized by dream hampton. Common recorded, "A Song for Assata," on his gold Like Water for Chocolate album. Digable Planets, Public Enemy, X-Clan, and Paris have all recorded songs about her.
Early reports allege that Kriss Kriss' Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly died from a lethal combination of cocaine and heroin. His longtime label So So Def Records and mother release a memorial statement.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce that our beloved Chris Kelly has passed away on May 1. To millions of fans worldwide, he was the trendsetting, backwards pants-wearing one-half of Kris Kross who loved making music. But to us, he was just Chris – the kind, generous and fun-loving life of the party. Though he was only with us a short time, we feel blessed to have been able to share some incredible moments with him. His legacy will live on through his music, and we will forever love him."
Additional reports by TMZ have alleged that Kelly died of a drug overdose, according to what his mother told first responders. The drugs believed to be involved are a "speed-ball," a powerful and often lethal mixture of cocaine and heroin.
Kriss Kross' mentor and the man who produced all three of the group's albums, says that he spent more time with Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly than "damn near anybody in my whole life."
Jermaine Dupri (a/k/a JD) produced all three of Kriss Kross albums. Released on Ruffhouse/Sony Records, 1992's Totally Krossed Out, 1993's Da Bomb and 1996'sYoung, Rich & Dangerous were all under the tutelage of the So So Def hit-maker and record exec. Dupri, who included the duo of Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly and Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith, reacted to the news in the last day of Kelly's untimely death, at the age of 34 years old.
"To the world Chris was MacDaddy but to me, he was a son I never had, as much as you may think I taught him, he taught me, god has blessed me to be in the presence of so many naturally talented people, and Chris was one. his understanding of what we set out to do, from day one was always on point. his passion for the music, his love for doing shows, his want to better than everyone else, was always turnt up. when I think about it I spent more time with Chris than damn near anybody in my whole life, so you can imagine how bad this hurts.
I will always love you Chris, and I will never let the world forget you, may god bless your soul"
It appears that Gucci Mane never reported to the court. TMZ reports that within one day of his release, Gucci was apprehended today for a probation violation.
Details are still emerging, but the Brick Squad 1017 leader is believed to be back in custody at this time. Gucci was presently pending trial on an aggravated assault charge, for battering a U.S. soldier with a bottle, which he was indicted for earlier in the week.
(April 13)
UPDATE:TMZ.com has reported that Gucci Mane was released from incarceration earlier today (May 2). The Atlanta, Georgia resident is due back in court later this month in the pending case. Reports that he was sharing a cell with Brick Squad 1017 affiliate Young Scooter remain unsubstantiated by Gucci's spokespeople or his label, Warner Bros./Atlantic Records.
It seems like Emmett Till's family is quite clear on what they wanted from Lil Wayne – an apology – and now they reject a letter that the rapper wrote to them today.
Lil Wayne may have used some clever wordplay in a publicist-issued letter issued today that seemed to be a formal apology for lyrics i "Karate Chop." In the song, the rapper metaphorically speaking on how he would physically beat up a woman's private parts like Emmett Till.
The Till family got the letter and said there was no actual apology in it.
Airickca Gordon-Taylor, Executive Director, Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation and Till Family Representative, released the following statement.
We are aware of Lil Wayne's statement of acknowledgement of our family's pain and our disapproval of referencing Emmett Till in his lyrical content.
While it's commendable that he has vowed to respect the legacy of Emmett Till and his memory to 'not use or reference Emmett Till or the Till family in his music', this statement falls short of an apology, as none is mentioned.
While Reebok's CEO Uli Becker thinks Rick Ross is a "great guy," he's skeptical of his management and PR department.
The Footwear News (FN) CEO Summit is currently taking place at Fontainebleau Miami Beach in South Florida. There, the publication and organization addressed issues in the marketplace, including trends, innovations and more.
One of the biggest stories emerging from the summit, and reported by Footwear News no less, is Reebok CEO Uli Becker addressing the brand's severing ties with rapper Rick Ross last month. The dispute emerged after protesters petitioned Reebok online and outside of retail locations, to drop Ross following his lyrics perceived to be condoning rape on Rocko's "U.E.N.O." Within two weeks, Reebok released a public statement announcing they dropped the Maybach Music Group CEO, citing differences of "values" at the core. Ross responded days later, formally apologizing to Reebok for his actions.
During the summit which kicked off on Tuesday (April 30), Uli Becker, who was photographed during his presentation, was quoted as deeming Rick Ross a "great guy," while criticizing his advisors as "stupid." Maybach Music and Def Jam Records have yet to respond to the claims.
TMZ has the scoop that Lil Wayne went to the hospital last night and was released this morning after his latest bout with seizures.
Nearly two months removed from a week-long hospital stay in early March, Lil Wayne has reportedly returned to Los Angeles, California's Cedars Sinai Medical Center after again experiencing seizures yesterday (April 30). TMZ.com has reported that a source close to the Cash Money Records superstar notified them of the news, and added that Wayne was cleared and released this morning (May 1).
Representatives from Cash Money and Universal Motown Records, who distribute Wayne's music, have yet to release a statement. In the March reports, Wayne's Young Money Entertainment President Mack Maine criticized TMZ for false reporting, as did Wayne's America's Most Wanted tour partner T.I.
In the last 24 hours, a public apology written by Lil Wayne released openly to the family of murdered Civil Rights figure Emmett Till regarding Wayne's lyrics on the remix to "Karate Chop" by Future.
Ne-Yo, Drake and J. Cole are part of the studio sessions for TLC's first studio album since the death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.
Days after it was announced that T-Boz and Chilli will perform (as TLC) at the 2013 Mixtape Festival on July 27 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, additional details have surfaced regarding the group's comeback. Before their Central Penn appearance, the two will head to Japan to be honored with a "Legend Award" at Japan's MTV Video Music Awards ceremony. Following this summer's developments, the pair hopes to tour.
"There's a lot of great things coming up lately for TLC and one of the things that we're known for is entertaining and touring—and so I say, 'If it's not broke, don't fix it,'" T-Boz told Entertainment Weekly. "Like, why not go out again and do what we love to do best?"
EW also reports that Hip Hop stars including J. Cole, Drake and Ne-Yo are among TLC's collaborators for their fifth album, which has yet to be titled.
Kelly was transported to Atlanta Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Kriss Kross was a child Rap duo consisting of Kelly and Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith. Kriss Kross landed a smash hit with 1992's "Jump," which featured the group's trademark backwards outfits.
The former So So Def act reunited to perform at the label's 20th anniversary all-star concert in Atlanta.
Kelly revealed in a January 2013 interview with Yahoo! that he had gone to school to be a music engineer. "I just wanted to do something different," he explained. "Get more on the technical side of things than just being an artist, and produce. I just wanted to be [the] all around best I could be as far as doing everything."
Kelly was 34 years old.
HipHopDX would like to offer its condolences to the friends and family of Chris Kelly at this time, and will update you as this story develops.
YIKES! I feel like we've been here before. But, a Russian artist has gently, nicely accused Beyonce of stealing his art swag. The good people ofRhymes With Snitchtell the tale and the story goes a bit like this. Beyonce has apparently been using some pretty cool and revolutionary imagery on her Mrs. Carter Tour. The only thing is, this Russian saw the images and decided it was time to let it be known and he posted the pics to prove it.
Heck. I need to sue them both! I been looking like that for the longest!
A world where you never miss a concert may been surprisingly soon. Kanye West and Lady Gaga are planning on streaming upcoming concerts over smartphones through the new iOS app Spacebar.
Spacebar allows musicians to connect their smartphone to the soundboard at their concert and stream the live audio in real-time. The artists can stream it for free or provide users with a five minute preview of the concert before being hit with a $0.99 fee to continue streaming. Fans also have the option to "tip" artists an extra $0.99, $1.99, or $2.99. Artists are compensated through PayPal.
The truly innovative idea addresses the problem posed by the ease of illegal video/audio recording of concerts in this YouTube generation.Spacebar does not keep an archive of the shows and fans are prompted to agree to not record or redistribute the live streams. Spacebar is also not limited to simply streaming concerts as artists can use the app in recording studios, tour buses, house parties and a vast array of other venues.
In addition to Kanye and Gaga, John Legend has also agreed to stream shows this year through Spacebar
Summer is suddenly getting crowded. Diplo and Danja are on the boards for Chris Brown's upcoming album. Kendrick Lamar also appears on a song reportedly called "Autumn Leaves."
R&B/Pop star Chris Brown has announced his sixth album. Although there is not yet a release date, the Richmond, Virginia vet will title his 2012 Fortune album, X. The 23 year-old controversial figure's upcoming album already has at least one high-profile Hip Hop guest, Kendrick Lamar.
The resulting collaboration, reportedly titled "Autumn Leaves" was described by Chris Breezy as "If you're in your car just riding, it's perfect. It just feels like a weather record—an emotional record. I feel a certain way when I hear it." MTV, who conducted the interview, reported the song to have a tempo inspired by a heartbeat. Production on the album has been confirmed by Diplo, as well as former Timbaland protege and fellow V.A. native Danja (f/k/a Danjahandz).
As for the overall title, Chris claims it takes on a number of meanings. "The song and the album title 'X' has a couple different meanings," explained the longtime Sony Records star. "It can refer to an ex-girlfriend, in terms of you always look forward to moving forward from. It's also about being a reject in a sense. In me being myself, being able to grow up, me not always hanging around the right crowd or doing the right thing all the time—it's me saying, 'I'm over it. I'm past the bullsh– now.'"
Fortune was a #1 debut for Chris Brown, selling approximately 135,000 copies upon its June, 2012 release. It was Brown's second #1.
UPDATE: Yesterday (April 29), Chris Brown released a song through Vimeo, "I Can't Win." While the song will reportedly not be included on his sixth album, X. Artwork for the video alleges that X will release on July 16.
In all fairness, cats had similar stuff to say about 50 Cent and The Game when they made peace back in the day.
