Compton, California rapper The Game has sparked controversy in rap circles, after a performance in Bordeaux, France, last night (July 5), where he called out Jay-Z.
The rapper, flanked by two members of his entourage, stormed onto the stage during his performance at the Le 4 Sans, where he immediately took aim at Jay-Z, one of rap’s biggest stars.
"I’ma tell you like this. I don’t care what a n***a say. This is how I am coming out today. F**k Jay-Z. Straight up. And if you don’t like that, I am pretty sure you can find an exit some where. This is a Blackwall Street party. We sayin’ f**k Jay-Z."
The rapper and the crowd repeated the explicative six times in unison, before The Game labeled the Roc-A-Fella founder an "old ass n***a."
As the crowd began to chant, Game launched into an impromptu freestyle over Jay-Z’s "Death of Autotune" instrumental.
The Game’s scathing diss to Jay-Z comes just days after the Brooklyn-bred emcee dropped a freestyle at The Palms in Las Vegas concert last Friday (July 3), which name checked The Game, Jim Jones, Damon Dash and Jaz-O.
"I ain't talkin' about gossip, I ain't talkin' 'bout Game/I ain't talkin' about Jimmy, I ain't talkin' about Dame/," Jay-Z rapped.
The Game is currently touring across Europe until August 15, with confirmed dates in Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Australia and other countries.
He is also working on a new movie titled House Arrest starring Stacey Dash, the cousin of former Roc-A-Fella CEO, Damon Dash.
Under the ruling, the two men will hold their temporary powers until August 3. McClain and Branca’s estate control allows them to negotiate a settlement with concert promoter AEG Live over Michael Jackson’s now aborted 50 concert comeback tour.
Additionally, the co-estate holders can begin the arduous process of reviewing Jackson’s assets, which include a 50% stake in the Sony-ATV Music Publishing catalog (worth $1.5-$2 billion), and his own Mijac Music Publishing.
The latter contains the late star’s music library which is reported to have hundreds of unreleased songs and videos.
Katherine Jackson applied to be sole administrator of her son’s estate shortly after his death, but before the emergence of a 2002 will.
The document names Branca and McClain as administrators. However, Katherine Jackson’s attorney’s argued against the appointments based on concerns about the “financial leadership” abilities of the two men.
Branca had previously been fired by Michael but was reinstated just days before his sudden passing.
After August 3, another hearing will be scheduled to determine who will oversee the estate going forward.
L. Londell McMillan, attorney for Ms. Jackson, shot down reports that the legal dispute would turn into a bitter, public sideshow.
“We have no reason to believe this is going to turn into a nasty fight over millions and millions of dollars,” McMillan told the Associated Press. “We will be working to ensure that Mr. Jackson’s legacy will be treated with dignity. Mr. Jackson’s life and legacy will be memorialized tomorrow, and we will move forward.”
Today at noon, a public memorial service for Michael Jackson will commence in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.
The service is expected to be shown through closed circuit in over 100 theaters in the Midwest and South.
Of the 1.5 million that registered online, 8,750 names were selected randomly to receive a pair of tickets to attend the service.
Expected participators for the funeral include Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, John Mayer, Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant.
The event will also be broadcast on all major news outlets such as CNN and Fox News.
Last week Michael Jackson’s music posted 2.3 million downloads, making him the first artist to exceed 1 million downloads in 7 days.
Hip-Hop star Lil Wayne has hired a former FBI geneticist in his attempt to avoid being prosecuted in New York on a gun charge.
The rapper has enlisted Bruce Budowle to challenge DNA results linking Lil Wayne to a .40 Caliber handgun found on his tour bus following a performance with Ja Rule at The Beacon Theater in New York in July of 2007.
According to The New York Post, Budowle will argue that Manhattan prosecutors used an unreliable testing method in their attempt to link Lil Wayne’s DNA to the gun.
Budowle testified on behalf of prosecutors in the murder trial of Scott Peterson, who was convicted of killing his wife Laci Peterson.
Defense lawyers for Lil Wayne have dismissed the arresting officer’s allegation that she smelled marijuana emanating from the bus, resulting in the search which uncovered the gun.
Lil Wayne’s lawyers also maintain is a legal firearm registered to his manager, Cortez Bryant.
Lil Wayne has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
If convicted, he faces up to three and half years in prison under recently passed New York gun laws
Drake Talks to The 'Plex about BET Awards, Torn ACL, Signing a Deal and Best I Ever Had Video
Complex: Everyone’s been waiting on this video. Can you take us through the making of it?
Drake: Yeah. The video is directed by Kanye West. Basically we decided, as opposed to taking ourselves super serious, we just wanted to have some fun with it. Myself, being a young man, a young single man at that, I kind of wanted to be real about the way I function with women at this current point in my life. Which is, I don’t have one woman that I call my girl. There’s different girls in my life that play different roles and I see at different times, but collectively they kind of make up the roster of happiness for me [Laughs].
Complex: Understandable. So what’s the concept?
Drake: The concept of the video is, I’m a coach at a high school and the girls of my life are all on my high school basketball team. Throughout the video you see us prepping for this big championship game, and my team ends up losing. You see the looks on their faces at the end of the video, but the moral of the story, I guess, is win or lose, you can still be the best to somebody. When women see the video and see all the breast and ass, hopefully they don’t take offense. Hopefully they see the real meaning.
G.T.P Gridiron Classic fantasy football league is underway if your a football fan please join and lets have some fun
The death of Michael Jackson has inspired a return to rap by rapper-turned-preacher Mase.
"I'm excited. Mike [Jackson] passed away. It lit a fire under me and made me want to go in the studio and do something," Mase told DJ Self of New York's Power 105 FM after the legendary pop singer died.
Still, Mase said that he knows nothing of about contemporary rappers and needed help finding out Hip-Hop's top talents.
"I asked my lil' nephew and said, 'Who is the hottest thing out there?' He said 'Drake, Drake.' I said I gotta see what record he got and I said I'm going to jump on a joint."
He said he eventually got the re-make to DJ Self to break the record.
"You know I stay with a couple [rhymes] under my sleeves. I just need a place to play them," Mase said.
"I just love both of them. I know we had a lot of bad altercations and stuff like that. I got love for the family, man," the Harlem-bred artist said. "At the end of the day, my kids are supposed to know their kids. Their kids are supposed to know mine.
Jim Jones called into the station and apologized to Mase for their past exchanges which were very public.
"I just wanted to tell you I tip my hat to you. I apologize to you for anything I ever done when I was younger," Jim Jones said in a brief conversation with Mase. "I'm good like a fresh pair of [Air force] 1's," Mase concluded.
The lawyer defending Jay-Z against a lawsuit filed by former employees is seeking to withdraw from the lawsuit, claiming the mogul has failed to pay the legal firm for their work.
According to The New York Post, Michael DiMattia recently wrote a letter to Manhattan Federal Court Judge Loretta Preska, who is presiding over the case.
Certain employees of Jay-Z’s 40/40 club claim they were denied hourly wages and were compensated only by tips.
In July of 2008, Judge Preska ruled that the club owners violated New York labor laws after reviewing the earning reports for various employees, who showed they were not paid for working over time.
Almost 400 employees could be eligible to collect money should the 40/40 club eventually lose the lawsuit.
Rex Burch, a lawyer representing the workers, was shocked at the mogul’s lack of payment, which does not stem from financial hardship, as Jay-Z earned over $82 million dollars from 2007- 2008.
"It's astounding," Burch told the New York Post. a lawyer for the workers. "For rap's biggest mogul, you'd think this amount of money would be chump change."
According to Billboard, the rapper’s new solo album The Blueprint 3 will be distributed by Atlantic, although that deal is only for the third installment of the rapper’s Blueprint series of releases.
Jay-Z offered to have the Roc Nation imprint be distributed through his longtime home Def Jam over four years ago.
Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ) also distributes Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella imprint, which has such superstar artists as Kanye West, Jadakiss, Beanie Sigel and others.
“You have to figure, this is like four years ago, and to them it was just like, 'Are you crazy? No! Make a song,' " said the mogul, who bought his way out of his Def Jam contract for an estimated $5 million.
The rapper also revealed that executives at IDJ were not fully capitalizing on Jay-Z’s entrepreneurial abilities.
"To me it was like, I've sold companies for huge amounts of money. I'm an entrepreneur - that's what I've been all my life,” Jay-Z told Billboard. “I can't just sit here and make records and not do anything else. Why wouldn't you want to do this with me? I felt under-utilized.”
On the management side, Roc Nation handles the careers of Wale, Melanie Fiona, Mickey Factz and others.
As the release date of their joint LP (Survival Skills) approaches, Buckshot and KRS-One have declared their single "Robot" as the official "Death of Auto-Tune" track. KRS-One made the bold statement this past week in Chicago at a Rock the Bells tour stop.
The duo’s lead single is a scathing critique of the deluge of Auto-Tune inspired songs that have dominated the airwaves over the last few years. The title is a direct indication of what the artists feel is a lack of human creativity and drive in urban music.
Despite this, Buckshot and KRS are quick to clarify that their song is not an attempt to piggyback off Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 lead single. The duo point out that their single was released six weeks prior to Jay’s through iTunes and other digital outlets.
"I don’t want people to get the averaged clichéd version and thinking that we’re dissing people,’" Buckshot explained to AllHipHop.com. "What we’re calling out here is the biters, the people that feel like because this guy sold X amount of records doing this, that I’m going to turn around and do it as well."
The group felt the need for clarification was necessary, as the past several years have seen Jay-Z release material similar to both KRS-One and Buckshot. In 2003, Black Moon released the song "Stay Real." Six weeks later, the song’s sample ("Seed of Love," Little Boy Blues) was heard prominently as the musical backbone of Jay-Z’s "Public Service Announcement," off the critically-acclaimed Black Album.
Back in 2001, Jay-Z seminal Blueprint album held a similar title to boogie Down Production’s Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop. In the same year, Queens lyricist Nas would use that fact to disparage Jay-Z during their famous lyrical battle.
Aware that accusations of a publicity stunt for album sales would be leveled, Buckshot dismissed the notion and stated the focus was to give factual information to the fans. Additionally, the Brooklyn emcee explained that a "beef" would be antithetical to the purpose of the LP.
"We are not manufacturing a beef with Jay. There is no love lost," Buckshot told AllHipHop.com. "We are just merely stating facts and people can take them for what they are worth. From an artistic standpoint it is important for people to know what came first… Hip-Hop was started as an option to not killing each other. We were in the ghettos and we were real f**ked up. We created Hip-Hop so we didn’t have to do that anymore. The album is called Survival Skills, because that is what it takes."
Survival Skills hits stores on September 15. It features appearances from Mary J. Blige, Slug, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique, Naledge (Kidz In the Hall), Sean Price, Smif N Wessun, and Rock. Production contributions include Havoc, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, ILL MIND, Nottz, Marco Polo, and Khrysis.
Fans can catch KRS-One and Buckshot at these select dates:
KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT Upcoming Tour Dates:
Rock The Bells
Toronto, ONT, CAN - Sunday July 5th
Molson Amphitheatre
Washington, DC - Sunday July 12th
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Boston, MA - Saturday July 18th
Comcast Center
New York, NY - Sunday July 19th
Jones Beach Theater
Vancouver, BC, CAN - Saturday August 1st
Deer Lake Park
Calgary, AB, CAN - Sunday August 2nd
Shaw Millennium Park
Denver, CO - Thursday August 6th
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Los Angeles, CA - Saturday August 8th
San Manuel Amphitheatre
San Francisco, CA - Sunday August 9th
Shoreline Amphitheatre
Myspace Album Release Show
New York, NY – Friday September 11th
Instead of scrambling to dismiss Jay-Z’s claims on “Death of AutoTune,” the technology’s creator Antares Audio is using the superstar’s stance for product advertisement.
Dubbed the “next generation” of professional pitch correction, Antares Audio has created Auto-Tune Evo.
The new technology immediately deciphers the pitch of any inputted information, and finds the closest match in the scale the user specifies for pitch correction.
Included are minor, major, chromatic, and 26 other historical and microtonal scales.
Other new features for the product are real-time pitch shifting, throat modeling (vocal character modification), a redesigned user interface, and many more.
Hailed as a breakthrough upon its 1997 release, the Auto-Tune primarily was utilized to correct pitch and phrasing mistakes made by singers in their vocal performances.
Through other settings, the device can also be used to create dramatic distortions of the human voice such as echoing, and the now-famous computerized vocal effect first heard on Cher’s 1998 hit “I Believe.”
In recent years, the device has come to dominate the charts after prominent use from hit songwriter T-Pain and Kanye West on his multi-platinum album 808s & Heartbreak.
The Auto-Tune is often confused with its predecessor the talkbox (used by Roger Troutman, Peter Frampton, and Bon Jovi).
That device modifies the sound of instruments when a musician uses different speech sounds via a tube inserted in their mouths.
Jay-Z has stated his new single was created due to the Auto-Tune’s oversaturation, culminating with the mogul hearing the effect used in a Wendy’s commercial.
In a new press release, their new product is dubbed the “unequivocal response” to Jay-Z’s claims, asserting the Auto-Tune effect will remain a staple of the music industry.
However, the company does not address whether their creation will continue to have a future as a robotic vocal effect, or simply return to its original use of pitch correction.
At press time, Jay-Z could not be reached for comment.
Representatives for R&B singer R. Kelly have responded to recent media reports claiming the singer was involved in another scandal, this time allegedly with a 17-year-old girl.
Reports had stated that the singers home in Olympia Fields, Illinois had been raided the day before Kelly’s first ever tour of Africa.
Police were allegedly seeking a girl who was 16-years-old at the time, who was rumored to be staying with Kelly.
Internet reports stated that anonymous sources claimed police were “gathering evidence that included signed affidavits from several witnesses within R. Kelly’s circle.”
Police Chief Jeff Chudwin confirmed that they investigated Kelly, but “found there to be no crime and the matters have been closed.”
Representatives for Kelly also shot down the report, labeling it “wildly exaggerated and inaccurate.”
"No police ever showed up at Kelly's house with a search warrant nor was his house ever searched," a rep for Kelly said in a statement. "It is also not true ... that any such girl ever stayed overnight in Kelly's house or that she had been there but left shortly before some mythical police search."
In June of 2008, Kelly was acquitted of child pornography charges, after he was accused of videotaping himself engaged in sexual acts with a minor, including allegedly urinating on a 14-year-old, between 1998 and 2000.
New Orleans Hip-Hop star Lil Wayne has postponed his upcoming European tour on doctors orders. Lil Wayne was slated to kick off the tour today (July 2) in Paris France. The rapper, who is famous for his rigorous tour schedule, was scheduled to play ten dates in throughout Europe, including two in the United Kingdom. Wayne, 26, was ordered to rest by doctors, due to an unknown illness. “Lil Wayne regrets to announce the postponement of his forthcoming European shows due to illness. Wayne, his band and crew arrived in Europe with full intention of performing but were forced to cancel the dates due to doctor-mandated rest.” Fans are being advised to hold on to their tickets, as dates are currently being rescheduled.
Eminem will give his first full concert-performance this October, when he headlines the Voodoo Experience Festival this October. Eminem’s headlining performance at this year’s Voodoo Experience Festival marks the rapper’s first full performance in four years. The event, which takes place from October 30-November 1, also includes headliners Kiss and Jane’s Addiction. Rappers like Cool Kids and D12 are also on the bill, while the concert is rounded out with performances by Wolfmother, Flaming Lips, Justice and others.
According to reports, chart-topping rapper Kanye has gone back to the basics to study fashion, as an intern at The Gap. A source told US Weekly that West is reportedly interning at The Gap’s New York offices, where he is attempting to learn “the fashion business from the inside.” Kanye West is currently preparing for a show in London’s Hyde Park this Sunday (July 5).
BET has expressed remorse over a performance by Lil Wayne, Drake and Young Money Records that involved underage girls during songs "Best I Ever Had" and "Every Girl."
The songs, which have overt sexual references, were performed during the Sunday BET Awards '09 show as a bevy of young girls danced on stage. The group of girls consisted of Lil Wayne’s daughters and her friends.
In an exclusive statement, BET has responded to the criticism and the public outcry over the segment.
“BET Networks deeply regrets the performance by Young Money at the BET AWARDS ’09 (featuring Lil Wayne, Drake, Gudda Gudda and Mack Maine),” a BET representative told AllHipHop.com exclusively. “Elements of the performance were unplanned and should not have happened.”
In the aftermath of the show, many have expressed outrage over the outing by Young Money, which was set amid a show dedicated to the late Michael Jackson.
Activist and filmmaker Byron Hurt lambasted the network earlier in the week in an open letter to Debra Lee, the President and Chief Executive Officer of BET Holdings, Inc.
“In a culture where one out of four girls and women are either raped or sexually assaulted - and where manipulative men routinely traffic vulnerable women into the sex industry - it is not okay that BET allowed this to happen,” Hurt said. “BET owes its entire audience - particularly girls and women around the world - an apology for its failure to intervene.”
A representative said generally the company has found such opinions useful.
“We value and appreciate the feedback from our viewers and have edited Young Money’s performance for all BET Awards ’09 encore presentations.”
Drake has apologized and taken responsibility for the performance, admitting it was in poor taste.
"That...was a terrible idea that I'll never do to myself again. But I was being pressed from different areas to perform, and I think what really happened at the BET Awards is with the passing of Mike, the climate really changed, as far as the award show goes,” he told Complex. “I don't think it called for us to perform "Every Girl" and "Always Strapped," and I think it was an award show filled with tributes and music and these genuine heartfelt speeches. And to sort of climax out of a very tongue-n-cheek point, and then people misconstruing Wayne's daughters and her friends coming out on stage -- it was just timed very poorly and it definitely wasn't planned like that, but with that being said, it is what is. I believe in Wayne and myself and it's nothing we can't bounce back from. To anyone who was offended, my personal apologies, it wasn't intended to offend anybody."
An edited version of the show will re-air on Monday July 6. The BET Awards saw a 61-percent increase in viewers this year fueled by the sudden death of Michael Jackson. Ten percent of all turned on television sets watched the show Sunday, a remarkably high number.
what up bloggers ima start a new section soon which will be a freestyle section where bloggers can post freestyles and other bloggers can rate the flows and please no hatting
VIBE magazine has shut down.
The magazine was launched in 1993 by music industry legend Quincy Jones and it served as as widely revered urban magazine.
"On behalf the VIBE CONTENT staff (the best in this business), it is with great sadness, and with heads held high, that we leave the building today," said Danyel Smith, former Chief Content Officer of Vibe Media Group and Editor in Chief of Vibe.
"We were assigning and editing a Michael Jackson tribute issue when we got the news," Smith said in a statement released to AllHipHop.com. "It’s a tragic week in overall, but as the doors of VIBE Media Group close, on the eve of the magazine’s sixteenth anniversary, it’s a sad day for music, for hip hop in particular, and for the millions of readers and users who have loved and who continue to love the VIBE brand. We thank you, we have served you with joy, pride and excellence, and we will miss you."
In the 90's, VIBE experienced meteoric success as a business and an outlet for urban journalism.
It has ailed under the ownership of private equity firm Wicks Group of Companies, AOL reported.
The magazine had seen a dramatic reduction in ad pages and circulation.
Earlier this year, employees were put on a four-day workweek and other cuts were made such as scaling back to 10 issues per year.
There is speculation that the magazine will transform into an online-only entity.
Michael Jackson's body is set to be returned to Neverland for a public viewing, which will take place this Friday (July 3).
A private funeral for the pop legend will take place on Sunday (July 5) with family members and numerous celebrity mourners who are said to be in attending.
The legendary singer’s body is currently traveling in a 30-car-motorcade to a secret location.
The family, however, is still unsure of where to bury Jackson.
When Jackson's father Joe Jackson was asked if the singer would be buried at Neverland, which Mr. Jackson stated that it was too early to talk about funeral plans, as the family was awaiting the results of a second autopsy.
However the mayor of Gary, Indiana, the town where Jackson grew up, has stated he hopes that the singer would be buried there.
Mayor Rubin Clay said he believed "that his body will lie in state in Gary, Indiana. "Now, it may not happen, but I believe it will."
Mayor Clay is planning a citywide memorial that he labeled "fit for the greatest entertainer that ever lived," to honor the singer on July 10th.
The public viewing is set to draw tens of thousands of fans from around the world.
In related news, more details are emerging about Jackson's death.
Last Sunday, a registered nurse and Nutritionist Cherilyn Lee, received a call from Michael Jackson last Sunday.
She said three months ago Jackson allegedly sought a powerful drug Diprivan, because he could not sleep.
Jackson was allegedly seeking to gain eight straight hours of sleep, because he could not sleep consistently.
Jackson had taken the medicine in the past, since it was prescribed by a previous doctor, although the drug commonly used in surgical procedures.
Against Lee's will, Jackson allegedly continued to ask about the drug.
Lee told Anderson Cooper's CNN Show Anderson Cooper 360, that she warned Jackson, at least three months ago, about the dangers of Diprivan.
Lee claims someone on Jackson's staff called her last Sunday (June 21), possibly because Jackson recalled the symptoms she warned the drug would call.
She said that Jackson called her and complained that half of his body was hot, and the other side was cold.
Diprivan is a power drug that should be administered in a hospital setting.
According to sources, Los Angeles County coroners know what drug was in Jackson's body already, but have not revealed the details.
A will Jackson made in 2001 has also been discovered
Initially reunited for a one-off performance back in May, D12 will officially hit the road together for the late summer Dazed and Dirty Tour.
Though Eminem will be not be involved, Shady revealed on BET’s Rap City recently that the Detroit collective would be recording their third album sometime in the near future. “It’s like, as far as the future of D12, we’re gonna be back in the studio soon,” he said.
The “Dazed and Dirty” tour will be the first time the group has hit the road together in the U.S. since central member Proof’s passing in 2006. Also featuring Humboldt County hip-hop duo Potluck, the tour kicks off in Scottsdale on August 16 and winds down in their hometown of Detroit on September 26
Just two days after news outlets revealed the sudden and unexpected passing of pop icon and humanitarian Michael Jackson, new information concerning Jackson’s estate is coming down the wire. In breaking news today, Source Owner and Executive Publisher L. Londell McMillan has been named the official Michael Jackson legacy attorney and spokesperson. Over the years McMillan has impacted the careers of many acts within Hip-Hop and R&B and has long represented a slew of premier entertainers including everyone from Prince to Lil Kim. For those close to Jackson, the news about McMillan’s major appointment over the Michael Jackson family should come as no surprise, as McMillan has represented Michael Jackson for the past three years.
He said today with regard to Jackson and his estate: “Michael Jackson’s passing is a devastating loss for all of us. It is like a constellation has darkened in the night sky. His incomparable legacy of music and caring manner will eternally shine bright. He was a special client and friend whose soul may now rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to his children, family and friends around the world.”
Less than 24 hours after the tragic death of Michael Jackson, fans around the world are beginning to ask what could've caused the music legend's sudden passing at the age of 50.
Yesterday (June 25), a non-responsive Jackson was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after collapsing at his home.
Initial reports have stated the music icon succumbed to cardiac arrest.
With a staggering amount of written tributes filtering the net, and the singer's music once again dominating the airwaves, Jackson family spokesman Brian Oxman released a statement hinting at what possibly brought about the singer's untimely passing.
"Michael appeared at rehearsals a couple of times, he was very seriously trying to be able to do those rehearsals," Oxman told CNN of Michael's rigorous sessions for his highly anticipated 50 concert tour. "His use of medications had gotten in the way, his injuries which he had sustained performing, where he had broken a vertebrae and he had broken his leg from a fall on the stage, were getting in the way."
An autopsy has been scheduled for today, and normally takes several weeks before a definitive cause of death is determined.
While the toxicology tests begin, the entertainment world remains in shock, as Michael Jackson was for many the epitome of their profession.
"Michael Jackson showed me that you can actually see the beat," said Bad Boy CEO Sean "Diddy" Combs. "He made the music come to life. He made me believe in magic. I will miss him."
"Some people say that Michael Jackson was just a Pop Icon. Don't get it twisted. He was THE POP ICON and his music didn't just inspire me," added Harlem emcee Juelz Santana. "His music moved and inspired MILLIONS. He is a legend to be remembered."
Longtime fan Fabolous took the news hard, and reminisced on his time as a child imitating the King of Pop.
"[This was a] bad day, got to turn this around. [I'm] feeling real disappointed right now. [I’m] not ashamed to say I had the red Thriller jacket on Easter one time, or [that] I use to do the moonwalk in the hallway. had the glove toy that you put glue on the Glove and put glitter on, had the doll with the Cap N' Crunch suit. Real Michael Jackson fan as a kid."
Legendary producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who worked with Michael on the Jackson’s LP's Going Places and The Jacksons, feel privileged to have helped cultivate the singer's rise to stardom at a young age.
"We are very honored to have been a part of Michael Jackson's music and creative career in helping to write and produce his own music with his brothers," Gamble and Huff explained tol AllHipHop.com in a statement. "We know his music and legacy will live on for a very long time."
Although several news outlets are reporting Jackson's death may have been due to an injection from the potent painkiller drug Demerol, brother Jermaine declined to speculate.
Instead, he highlighted a spiritual message to his departed sibling, possibly verifying a rumor that Michael converted to Islam several months ago.
"We believe he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home, however the cause of his death is unknown until the results of the autopsy are known," Jermaine stated. "The personal physician who was with him at the time attempted to resuscitate him.Please respect our privacy during this tough time. May Allah be with you Michael, always. I love you."
Close friend Reverend Al Sharpton framed Michael's contributions as a civil rights trailblazer that broke down cultural barriers.
"Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of color. Way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, [and] way before Barack Obama," Sharpton said. "No controversy will erase the historic impact."
Michael Joseph Jackson is survived by three children: Prince Michael (12), Paris Michael (11), and Prince Michael II (7).
Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson was in attendance, stating that despite his immense grieving it was important to witness and celebrate his son’s achievements.
The original New Edition lineup kicked off the show with a medley of Jackson 5 hits, including “I Want You Back” and “The Love You Save.”
Host Jamie Foxx presented through the night in various MJ outfits from signature videos, such as “Beat It.”
Foxx even completed the famous “Smooth Criminal” lean before kicking off the show.
The multi-talented entertainer also took time to address the importance of Michael Jackson being honored first in the African-American community.
“No need to be sad. We want to celebrate this black man,” Foxx stated to the crowd. “He belongs to us, [and] we shared him with everyone. Down in New Orleans, when someone dies it becomes a celebration.”
Lil Wayne reiterated that point after receiving the award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist.
“None of us would be here without Mike,” he stated. Best Male R&B Artist winner NeYo delivered an exceptional musical tribute in his rendering of “Lady In My Life.”
The talented crooner and songwriter was able to effortlessly replicate Jackson’s notable falsetto for one of the night’s highlight performances.
Later, the singer took the crowd down memory lane by brining out three of the most popular New Jack Swing acts of the late 80s and early 90s.
Keith Sweat kicked things off with his Top 5 Billboard single “I Want Her.”
Second was New Jack Swing pioneers Guy, who with keyboard guitar in tow delivered an inspired rendition of “I Like.”
Closing the set with their marked Hip-Hop edge was Bell Biv DeVoe, who performed their biggest hit “Poison.”
NeYo joined in their dance routine, and handled the song’s memorable bridge to close out the set.
The night also had several humorous moments, with Oscar-nominee Taraji P. Henson, Ving Rhames, and Tyrese reprising their characters from Baby Boy.
Jamie Foxx and Martin Lawrence also delivered a faux trailer (“Stank Robbers”) for a Thelma and Louise-inspired movie with their 90s characters Wanda and Sheneneh.
Beyonce took home Best Female Artist and Video of the Year (“Single Ladies”), and showcased a dramatic offering of “Ave Maria.”
With stained glass props and a resplendent, see-through wedding dress, the superstar songstress interpolated lyrics from Sarah McLahlan’s “In the Arms of An Angel.”
In her acceptance speech, an emotional Beyonce dedicated her award to MJ, referring to the King of Pop as her “teacher” and “hero.”
The seminal O’Jays were also honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their 50 plus years in the music industry.
Younger acts Tevin Campbell (“Forever Mine”) and a surprisingly powerful singing trio of Tyrese, Trey Songz, and Johnny Gill had no issues handling the group’s classic material (“Backstabbers,” “Darling, Darling Baby,” and “Stairway to Heaven”).
The O’Jays later took the stage, but not before imparting some very important wisdom for all the younger acts in attendance.
“It’s great to have a hit record, but it’s more important to have a hit act,” they stated.
During their set, the veteran group blessed the audience with flawless dance steps and renditions of “Let Me Make Love to You,” “For the Love of Money,” and “Use ta Be My Girl.”
For their philanthropy work regarding disadvantaged children and outreach in Haiti, Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean received Humanitarian Awards.
“He (Michael Jackson) has truly inspired me to use music in a way that serves the world,” stated Keys.
A visibly shaken Janet Jackson made a surprise last-minute appearance to address the crowd and make an official statement for her family.
“My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was too painful,” explained Janet while fighting back tears. “To you, Michael is an icon. To us, he is family and will forever live in our hearts. We miss him so much. Thank you for all of your love and support.”
The night was closed with NeYo and Jamie Foxx performing a soulful offering of Michael Jackson’s “I’ll Be There.”
Additional performances throughout the night featured Soulja Boy (“Turn my Swag on”), Maxwell (“Pretty Wings”), Jay-Z (“Death of Autotune”), Keri Hilson (Turnin’ Me On”), Keyshia Cole/Monica (“Trust”), Drake (“Best I Ever Had,” “Every Girl”), and Mary Mary (“God In Me”).
A full list of the award winners is available at www.bet.com.
While awaiting sentencing in Bergen County Jail for murder and manslaughter charges, a spirited Max B recently phoned into G-Unit Radio on Sirius XM to speak on the status of his appeal and his lawyer.
Last week, Tony Yayo spoke to mtvnews.com about Max’s outspoken attorney Gerald Saluti, saying he might not have been the best choice to handle his case. “It’s an unfortunate thing that happened to Max B,” the G-Unit soldier said. “He just had a kid. I fuck with Max. I think he had bad representation with his lawyer. What lawyer do you know that’s gonna do a blog with you,” Yayo questioned referring to a video clip the two posted online before trial. “That’s when I think everything got messed up. That blog fucked it up. You know I’m always in trouble. When I have a case, I don’t do no press, nothing. If you don’t got a lawyer there telling you, ‘Shut the fuck up,’ you’re fucked up. The lawyer was wack. Your lawyer wants to sit there and do a blog with you? [Max's] lawyer may not have been the one to handle a homicide.”
During the course of the short interview, radio host Miss MiMi echoed Yayo’s sentiments on air, asking the Harlem MC if he will be sticking with Saluti in his appeal. “I don’t know yet,” Max said, giving a shout out to his lawyer. “We’re gonna see what’s up. I’ma keep that anonymous [for now].” [Listen below]
Despite the shaky response, Max told MiMi that he doesn’t believe it was Saluti’s fault that he lost the case. “It wasn’t the lawyer, it wasn’t the defense, it’s God’s will,” he said. “You know they got me here for a minute but I’m about to get that appeal so fast your head’s gonna turn.“
Biggavelli also took the time to promote his new projects, including his upcoming OFO mixtape with Big Mike and a free event surrounding the release. “We throwing a party on Saturday July 18 at the City College Campus,” he plugged, “[It’s] running from six to midnight [and] after that [there’s gonna] be another party.”
As XXLMag.com previously reported Max was found guilty on June 9 for his involvement in a deadly robbery in New Jersey. He faces life in prison after a jury convicted him of aggravated manslaughter, two counts of felony murder, three counts of armed robbery, and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery.
Max, who is facing life behind bars, will officially be sentenced in the case on July 31
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea threatened Wednesday to wipe the United States off the map as Washington and its allies watched for signs the regime will launch a series of missiles in the coming days.
Off China’s coast, a U.S. destroyer was tailing a North Korean ship suspected of transporting illicit weapons to Myanmar in what could be the first test of U.N. sanctions passed to punish the nation for an underground nuclear test last month.
The Kang Nam left the North Korean port of Nampo a week ago with the USS John S. McCain close behind. The ship, accused of transporting banned goods in the past, is believed bound for Myanmar, according to South Korean and U.S. officials.
The new U.N. Security Council resolution requires member states to seek permission to inspect suspicious cargo. North Korea has said it would consider interception a declaration of war and on Wednesday accused the U.S. of seeking to provoke another Korean War.
“If the U.S. imperialists start another war, the army and people of Korea will … wipe out the aggressors on the globe once and for all,” the official Korean Central News Agency said.
The warning came on the eve of the 59th anniversary of the start of the three-year Korean War, which ended in a truce in 1953, not a peace treaty, leaving the peninsula in state of war.
The U.S. has 28,500 troops in South Korea to protect against an outbreak of hostilities.
Tensions have been high since North Korea launched a long-range rocket in April and then conducted its second underground atomic test on May 25.
Reacting to U.N. condemnation of that test, North Korea walked away from nuclear disarmament talks and warned it would fire a long-range missile.
North Korea has banned ships from the waters off its east coast starting Thursday through July 10 for military exercises, Japan’s Coast Guard said.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported Wednesday that the North may fire a Scud missile with a range of up to 310 miles (500 kilometers) or a short-range ground-to-ship missile with a range of 100 miles (160 kilometers) during the no-sail period.
A senior South Korean government official said the no-sail ban is believed connected to North Korean plans to fire short- or mid-range missiles. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.
U.S. defense and counterproliferation officials in Washington said they also expected the North to launch short- to medium-range missiles. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence.
South Korea will expedite the introduction of high-tech unmanned aerial surveillance systems and “bunker-buster” bombs in response to North Korea’s provocations, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper said, citing unidentified ruling party members.
Meanwhile, a flurry of diplomatic efforts were under way to try getting North Korea to return to disarmament talks.
Russia’s top nuclear envoy, Alexei Borodavkin, said after meeting with his South Korean counterpart that Moscow is open to other formats for discussion since Pyongyang has pulled out of formal six-nation negotiations.
In Beijing, top U.S. and Chinese defense officials also discussed North Korea. U.S. Defense Undersecretary Michele Flournoy was heading next to Tokyo and Seoul for talks.
South Korea has proposed high-level “consultations” to discuss North Korea with the U.S., Russia, China and Japan.
The charge is possibly tied to a brutal stabbing incident last week that left one man seriously injured, and an 18-year old teen dead.
As reported police were initially investigating Tru Life’s brother for a retaliation attack in the non-fatal shooting of Michael Slater.
The individual, whom police suspect is a drug dealer, was shot in the stomach outside of club Pacha.
Several hours after the crime, police claim five gang members ambushed 30 year old Jason Black and the unnamed teen at a Manhattan apartment complex.
Both men were stabbed repeatedly in the chest and face. Black survived the assault, while the unidentified teen succumbed to his wounds.
At the time, police theorized that the back and forth violence was the result of a feud between Jason Black and Tru Life’s brother.
A 1st degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison under New York law.
If an official or witness is not the victim, the distinction can also be decreed for murders involving multiple parties or tortuous killings.
Tru Life’s last music effort, “Wet ‘em Up,” was heard as a selection on the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto IV.
At press time, Tru Life could not be reached for comment.
AllHipHop.com will continue to update this breaking story as more information emerges.
Former Fugee member Wyclef Jean will fill in for his ex-band mate Lauryn Hill during the Montreux Jazz Festival organizers have announced.
Montreux Jazz Festival organizers were left without one of their major acts, when Hill abruptly canceled all of her European bookings.
Hill’s cancellation also affected performances at the Stockholm Jazz Festival this July in Sweden, as well as dates in Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Italy and other countries.
Jean will take to the stage as Hill’s replacement on July 11 at the Stravinski Auditorium in Geneva, Switzerland.
Jean’s appearance at the concert will be his only European appearance this summer, organizers told in a statement.
“Wyclef has broken down the barriers of hip-hop and infused his music with the sounds of reggae, rock and folk,” organizers said in a statement. “His new album, which features Akon and TI, is set for release this autumn and we can expect many of the songs to be debuted on July 11th. He and his group are traveling specially from the United States for what will be his only European date this summer, after having refused several other offers from various festivals.”
Over 1,000 musicians will take part in 43rd Annual Montreux Jazz Festival this year, including The Black Eyed Peas, George Duke, Chaka Khan, BB King, Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws, Steely Dan, Solomon Burke, Stanley Clarke and numerous others.
The event takes place from July 3-18 along Lake Geneva.
Paramedics administered CPR on the 50-year-singer, as he was rushed to a local Los Angeles hospital via an ambulance.
Calls from Jackson’s house were placed to 911 around 12:20 PM PT from his Holmby Hills home in Los Angeles, according to TMZ.com.
In December of 2008, Jackson’s brother Jermaine made startling claims that the King of Pop was suffering from a rare lung disease and other potentially fatal illnesses, although neither health issues were confirmed.
Jackson was currently in the middle of planning a 50-date concert series at London’s O2 Arena, as well as working on a come back album.
We love it when rappers don’t forget where they came from, and continue to give back to their breeding ground. Snoop Dogg has been a legend in the game, and has equally stayed prominent in his old neighborhood as a mentor, coach and supporter. This time Snoop has agreed to a huge project that could be a safe haven as well as host millions of opportunities for the community of one of the poorest neighborhoods in Long Beach.
The Kroc Center will be a 140 million dollar youth center that will be spanned out across 19 acres of land. The center will be a gymnasium, a garden with walking trails, pools as well as all other amenities that could benefit the youth its built to serve as well as future athletes and Olympians that will also be allowed to train there.
Big Homie Snoop will be recording a song solely for the project as the center will reap all profits of the track. The track is estimated to raise about 5 million for the youth center, and will serve as a tremendous and necessary gift from the Long Beach native.
Legendary Houston rapper Willie D quietly posted bail two weeks ago, evading the high level of attention his recent fraud case has received.
The 42-year-old born William James Dennis was released from a Houston area correctional facility on May 20 under a bond agreement that limits his travel and use of the internet.
Under the terms of his bond, Willie D has surrendered his passport and has been forbidden from travelling beyond Harris and surrounding counties.
In addition, the Geto Boys star is being monitored by an active GPS system.
Due to the nature of his crimes, Willie D has also been forbidden from using the internet.
On May 13, the gangsta rap pioneer was arrested at Houston’s Bush International Airport and accused of running an elaborate iPhone scam.
He allegedly used a front company named Texas One Wireless to solicit international customers on eBay.
Willie D reportedly processed several orders for iPhones and other electronics, requesting the funds for the goods be transferred to his bank account. None of the orders were ever filled, however.
Two weeks ago, his attorney filed a motion requesting that both the travel and internet restrictions be lifted, as both are needed in Dennis’s career as a rapper.
The court documents indicated that he had already missed a scheduled performance in Cleveland, Ohio due to his arrest.
On June 9, a grand jury indicted Willie on 15 counts of wire fraud.
If convicted, he will face up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000. His arraignment has yet to be scheduled.
A Houston-based booking and promotions company has planned a tribute to Willie D set for tonight (June 18).
Smash The Mic has announced that it’s Pre-Juneteenth Concert and Party at Bar-Rio, showcasing new Hip-Hop talent, will also be a celebration of “the man who helped put Houston on the map.”
No word as to whether Willie D himself will be present at the event, although he is expected to make an appearance.
Rather than keep the issue a private, family matter, Reverend Run will address the drug arrest of his son Joseph “JoJo” Simmons on an upcoming episode of Run’s House.
On May 8, JoJo was arrested after buying marijuana in Washington Heights.
Along with criminal possession charges, the 19 year old teen was slapped with reckless endangerment for crashing his BMW into a parked car in an attempt to flee.
The episode shows Russell Simmons reminding his now reverend brother on his own past before being quick to condemn his young son.
“I’m not putting too much weight on him. I don’t know what he thought,” Reverend Run Stated. “I’m a reverend….I want him not to do it [smoke marijuana]. I wouldn’t like him to smoke it ever again. I’m a reverend, I can’t live off that.”
While sympathetic, Run’s mogul brother reminded him to keep his own checkered, pre-ministry past in perspective when disciplining JoJo.
“It’s not about you,” Russell Simmons countered. “You were in chimney when you were his age. You smoked up the whole house!”
“Well put it this way,” Run responded. “I did smoke weed, but that’s not the point. I’m hoping we can say something to him so that he won’t continue to get a rap sheet. Because if he ever does something again, they don’t just slap him on the wrist.”
JoJo Simmons also takes center stage to address his younger brother Russy and Diggy on the ramifications of his recent choices.
“My bad for not being around, and the stress I put everybody through,” JoJo told his younger siblings. “It was a careless mistake for me. Jail is no fun. When I was in a cell, I was thinking I’d trade anything in the world to come chill with y’all…Don’t let anyone pressure you into anything. Don’t make the same mistake that I made. See my mistake as y’all mistake, because that could’ve been y’all when y’all get older…Just remember what happened to JoJo, remember how mad he got Daddy and how much pain he put the family through. Stay focused.”
The Run’s House episode will air on MTV this Monday (June 22) at 10PM.
After being admitted into the Grady Memorial Hospital yesterday (June 18) for a stab wound to his face during a party for DJ Trauma, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution has learned that CTE rapper B.A.M.A. has been released.
As previously reported the recent CTE signee was involved in a fight early Thursday morning, along with nine other men in he VIP section at the Luckie Food Lounge in downtown Atlanta. So far he has been the only man identified in the fight, with another unknown victim also ending up in the hospital.
As of yesterday no one has been charged in the incident. It is rumored that the fight was between the long feuding camps of Young Jeezy and DJ Drama, yet when reached DJ Drama declined to comment.
Trauma’s party, which was celebrating his 10-year anniversary on Atlanta radio station HOT 107.9, was a star-studded event featuring a long list of hip-hop heavyweights like Young Jeezy, Drama, Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri, among others. While he did not witness the fight, Trauma told XXL that he’s not worried about violence marring tomorrow’s 14th annual Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash.
“I don’t think [anything is gonna happen],” he said. “I know at our Summer Jam, the way they do it, they space them out. They was like that last year. They both performed last year. And they both were on fire – even more so. They signed contracts and everything. I know they had stipulations and they had meetings about it. They space them about two hours apart. One crew comes, they do their press, do their show and then they leave. The next crew comes do their show and leave. They’re never in the same spot. We never have any incidents. Last year T.I. and Shawty Lo had beef and Gucci and Jeezy had beef. There was beef all around last year and we had no problems. [So] I think it’s gonna run smooth.“
Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, Plies and Young Dro are among this year’s performers at this year’s concert.
It has been confirmed that Atlanta based rapper B.A.M.A., a recent signee to Young Jeezy’s CTE label, was one of the two men that was stabbed at a party for Hot 107.9 radio personality DJ Trauma earlier this morning.
TMZ reports that B.A.M.A. (born Antonio Henry) is currently recovering from a stab wound to the face at Grady Memorial Hospital in the ATL. The graveness of his injuries are unknown as of press time.
As previously reported a fight broke out at the Luckie Food Lounge in downtown Atlanta around 2:30 a.m. during a party celebrating Trauma’s 10 year anniversary at the station. The altercation, which reportedly included 10 men, is rumored to have erupted between Jeezy’s CTE camp and DJ Drama Aphilliates crew. The Snowman has told various media outlets that he was not involved in a fight and Drama declined to comment.
Trauma spoke to XXL this afternoon and the co-founder of The World Famous Superfriends DJ Crew said he did not witness the brawl. “I didn’t know what had happened, because we were all upstairs in the VIP - Me, Estelle, Luda[cris] and [Young] Jeezy - and I was talking to Jeezy and I was like we about to go downstairs, and perform,” he shared. “So I grabbed Jeremih, Estelle and my artist Verse Simmons and we went downstairs and we started performing. And just doing what we do. He was doing ‘Birthday Sex’ and [Lil] Scrappy was performing and all of a sudden I was like damn were is everybody else at. And a couple of minutes later some people were like ‘they were fighting upstairs.’”
Authorities have failed to arrest anyone in the incident and the name of the other stabbing victim has yet to be released.
B.A.M.A. signed to CTE earlier this year. He recently released his debut mixtape Street Idol with DJ Scream.
Earlier this morning, an incident occurred at a party for Atlanta radio personality DJ Trauma, leaving two men in the hospital. Rumors quickly spread that the fight stemmed from an altercation between Young Jeezy’s CTE camp and DJ Drama’s Aphilliates crew. caught up with Trauma to find out what exactly went down and if his station, Atlanta’s Hot 107.9, is worried about any problems at their annual Birthday Bash concert this Saturday (June 20).
According to Trauma, who was celebrating his 10th year at the station last night at the Luckie Food Lounge in downtown ATL, he was too busy having a good time with his star-studded guest list to realize what was going on.
“I didn’t know what had happened, because we were all upstairs in the VIP - Me, Estelle, Luda[cris] and [Young] Jeezy - and I was talking to Jeezy and I was like we about to go downstairs, and perform,” he shared with . “So I grabbed Jeremih, Estelle and my artist Verse Simmons and we went downstairs and we started performing. And just doing what we do. He was doing ‘Birthday Sex’ and [Lil] Scrappy was performing and all of a sudden I was like damn where is everybody else at. And a couple of minutes later some people were like ‘they were fighting upstairs.’”
While the participants of the fight are still uncertain, Trauma says it happened upstairs in the VIP section. A police spokesman confirmed with the Atlanta-Journal Constitution that two men suffered stab wounds to the face. No arrests have been made as of yet. When contacted by DJ Drama declined to comment on the situation and a rep for CTE has yet to return phone calls or emails. [Update: Young Jeezy Associate/CTE Rapper Confirmed As Stabbing Victim At DJ Trauma Party]
This is the second time Jeezy’s name has been attached to a feud this week. The Snowman recently released a diss song aimed at longtime rival Gucci Mane, as well as OJ Da Juiceman, after staying quiet about their differences for years. All three artists are slated to perform at 107’s Birthday Bash in two days – along with another appearance at tomorrow’s SuperJam in North Carolina – yet Trauma doesn’t feel like there will be any problems between the feuding rappers.
“I don’t think [anything is gonna happen],” he said. “I know at our Summer Jam, the way they do it, they space them out. They was like that last year. They both performed last year. And they both were on fire – even more so. They signed contracts and everything. I know they had stipulations and they had meetings about it. They space them about two hours apart. One crew comes, they do their press, do their show and then they leave. The next crew comes do their show and leave. They’re never in the same spot. We never have any incidents. Last year T.I. and Shawty Lo had beef and Gucci and Jeezy had beef. There was beef all around last year and we had no problems. [So] I think it’s gonna run smooth.“
Hot 107.9’s 14th Annual Birthday Bash is set to go down at the Philips Arena. Other acts slated to perform include Rick Ross, Soulja Boy Tell Em, Plies, Keri Hilson, Young Dro and Trey Songz.
In the first file-sharing case ever to go to trial in the U.S., a Minnesota mother of four was ordered to pay the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) $1.9 million dollars yesterday (June 18) for violating music copyright laws.
According to the Associated Press, Jammie Thomas-Rasset was targeted for sharing 24 songs on the peer-to-peer network Kazaa. She will have to pay roughly $80,000 for each track to the four major labels, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, EMI Group and Sony Music Entertainment. The RIAA was reportedly seeking $3.6 million in damages.
This is the second time this case has gone to trial. In 2007 she escaped having to pay $220,000 in the same case after the judge made mistakes when giving instructions to the jurors.
While the RIAA has filed more than 30,000 file sharing suits, this is the first case that actually sat in front of a jury. Most other case settled out of court for an average of $3,500.
There’s no way they’re ever going to get that,” Thomas-Rasset told the Associated Press of the $1.9 ruling. “I’m a mom, limited means, so I’m not going to worry about it now.”
Rolling Stone reports that Thomas’ lawyer Kiwi Camara is looking to find a settlement with the RIAA
Aphilliates Music Group president La The Darkman has issued a response to the various rumors alleging he was involved in an altercation at an Atlanta nightclub Wednesday night.
Early reports regarding the altercation at Midtown Atlanta’s Luckie Lounge during a star-studded event early this morning (June 18), indicated that the fight might have been the continuation of a feud between La the Darkman and member’s of Young Jeezy’s label CTE.
Early Thursday morning, VladTV.com reported having received an email from La himself, in which he took credit for the fight.
That post has since been changed to indicate that it was sent by a third party witness.
However, La told AllHipHop.com exclusively that he has not been in Atlanta in weeks.
“The internet rumors are misleading,” La said Thursday afternoon. “I, La the Darkman, was in [Grand Rapids], Michigan Wednesday, June 17, doing a concert with Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy. There was 6500 people in the venue to verify that. Then I performed again at the after party.”
La is currently on a promo tour, preparing for the release of his self-titled sophomore release, due out this summer.
In related news, Young Jeezy recently spoke about the altercation and stated that neither he nor his camp was involved in the altercation.
Several local and national celebrities gathered at the posh Atlanta nightspot to celebrate the 10-year career anniversary of DJ Trauma of the World Famous Superfriends.
Among the guests joining hosts Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, Estelle, Jeremih and Verse Simmonds were Chaka Zulu, Jazze Pha, Drumma Boy, DJ Toomp, Don Cannon, and The Aphilliates’ DJ Drama, DJ Infamous, and DJ Sense.
Despite Jeezy's denial to media outlets that his entourage made it out of the club without incident, a man affliliated with his camp has been confirmed as a victim.
According to TMZ.com, Antonio "Bama" Henry was one of the three men stabbed in the melee.
With an inevitable long jail sentence pending next month, Harlem rapper Max B has reached out to to maintain his innocence and reveal his future music plans.
On June 9, Max B (Charly Wingate) was found guilty on 9 counts of felony murder and conspiracy charges in the robbery and death of David Taylor.
“Personally, I am looking forward to clearing my name,” Max B told in exclusive interview. “[With my pending appeal] after that I can then look forward to the future. I just can’t believe a lie would’ve went so far.”
Even though it was a street dispute that’s resulted in his predicament, Max B assured fans his lifestyle will not be altered because of the guilty verdict.
“Just staying focused. That’s the movement right now,” Max explained. “That’s the movement right now. Trying to hit the streets with that Wave, making sure my manager, The Harlem Matriarch, keeps me in the loop. That goes without saying, they can’t keep the Vel. The streets need me!”
Ex-girlfriend Gina Conway’s testimony is the main reason Max will likely receive a life sentence.
Despite this, the Harlemite remains jovial when asked how he would’ve handled the situation differently.
“No, I never anticipated that my girl would lie on me based on jealousy over another woman,” he stated. “She felt that if she couldn't have the Vel, no other girl would. I understand her strategy, but Bigavel wasn't diggin' it. If I could change one thing, I would have remained a Bachelor! (laughing).”
While everything plays out, Max B verified the new music projects fans can expect in the coming months.
“I spend every day of my life creating music, running out isn't even a possibility,” Max detailed. “Look for Vigilante Season coming soon on Amalgam Digital and Max B Presents// OFO & Harlem Matriarch Music Presents: H.O.T. (Harlem On top) Pt. 3 ‘FREE MAX B.’”
When asked about Jim Jones, Max stated their relationship remained the same, and that he is mentally ready to spend the rest of his life in prison if appeals fail.
“That's here nor there; I'm solely focused on my appeal. But ain’t sh*t changed [with Jim Jones],” Max clarified. “If it came to it [a life sentence], nothing can hold "The Bigavel" down but in this case that's not a concern.”
Max B will be sentenced by a judge on July 30.
He faces a maximum punishment of life in prison.
Been a rough one yall nigga tryin get this mixtape done and get that crack muzic to yall just bare wit me I got yall
According to Rihanna’s lawyer Donald Etra, his client was served in person on Tuesday (June 9) in Los Angeles with the order to appear in Superior Court for Brown’s hearing on June 22.
"Rihanna was served at my office by L.A. DA investigators," Etra told People magazine. "If the preliminary hearing indeed goes forward, she is now legally required to be there, she will be there, and will answer all questions truthfully."
The upcoming hearing will be an important chapter in the continuing saga surrounding Brown’s alleged assault on Rihanna as it will determine if enough evidence is present to bring the case to trial.
The 20-year-old crooner, who is accused of beating the songbird in February, has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts following the alleged incident.
With her appearance in court, Rihanna will be open to cross examination by Brown's attorney, Mark Geragos.
A plea deal could end the case at anytime, making the hearing unnecessary, People reports.
News of Rihanna’s subpoena comes amid word that Geragos’ bid to delay the preliminary hearing was rejected.
Earlier this month, the attorney filed an appeal to delay the hearing.
Court records reveal the appeal was rejected on Tuesday, with no reason given.
In addition, Geragos’ bid to gain access to police records he deemed crucial to the hearing was separately rejected.
In his appeal, Geragos noted that a state Supreme Court case currently under consideration could affect Brown's access to the records.
Based on this, the attorney sought to have the hearing delayed.
Don't worry people more updates in a few. Been busy tryna finish up
these mixtapes for this summer campaign. Ima keep everybody posted on
whats going down. Nyce is done. Osage is done. Back 2 the basics drops
this week. Vol2 feat Vonn Clutch and Boogie out at the end of the
month. Fresh get at me.
-Whiz
The murderer of rapper Dolla has admitted that he shot the gun that killed the artist, but said that the act was done in self-defense, according to his lawyer.
Howard R. Price, lawyer for 23-year-old Aubrey Louis Berry, said that he had a previous altercation with Dolla that lead to a fatal confrontation.
Price alleged, through his lawyer, that he was scared for his life when he killed Dolla and shot at two other people.
Price has since been charged with murder and a pair of assault charges related to the Monday shooting. Additionally, his bail has been raised to $5 million. Berry is slated to enter a plea on Friday, a postponement from Wednesday.
Earlier in the month, Dolla (Roderick Anthony Burton II) and Price had an altercation in an Atlanta nightclub. By pure coincidence, the two crossed paths again in Los Angeles at a P.F. Chang's and the conflict quickly resumed. Price said that Dolla was affiliated with the Crips gang and threatened him in the restaurant bathroom.
Full details of the shooting have yet to be released and a motive has not been announced by the police.
Price was arrested with a loaded 9m handgun on him at Los Angeles International Airport.
Dolla is a rapper that was signed to Akon's Konvict Music label and was working on his debut album.
For the last few years, Block Entertainment has been a consistent force in Atlanta’s music scene due to the star power of Yung Joc, Gorilla Zoe, and Boyz N Da Hood.
The joint deal will initially focus on promoting the national debut of Atlanta artist Diego Ca$h.
Locally, the Eastside rapper has been making a name for himself on mixtape collaborations with DJ Drama (Gangsta Grillz), DJ Smallz (Kill Ya Self), and DJ Paperboi (800 Bodies).
With ‘Melo’s roster already including Philadelphia emcee Cassidy, Diego Ca$h feels blessed to come into a label situation surrounded by experienced industry professionals.
“I am privileged to be in a position where I am able to work with such seasoned individuals in the music industry,” Ca$h stated to AllHipHop.com. “I plan to continue to create quality rap music while furthering my brand as a rap artist.”
Carmelo Anthony is aware that many fans don’t take basketball player labels seriously.
With his recent signing and joint label venture, the Denver Nuggets star expects fans to begin recognizing Krossover Entertainment as a legit entity in Hip-Hop music.
“By joining forces with Block Entertainment, I am looking forward to a great business relationship,” Anthony stated to AllHipHop.com. “In addition to long term musical success, this movement will mark new territory in not only the Atlanta market but all over the country as well.”
Diego Ca$h’s latest mixtape, 800 Bodies, is available at www.krossoverent.com.
According to Los Angeles attorney Howard Price, his client Aubrey Berry killed Dolla in self-defense despite the rapper being unarmed.
“He believed [Dolla] was armed,” Price told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He [Berry] believed he was in danger.”
The two men had crossed paths two weeks ago, when Dolla and his entourage allegedly attacked Berry at an Atlanta gentleman’s club named Platinum 21.
Regarding the accusations that Berry followed Dolla to Los Angeles to execute him in revenge, Price argued their chance second encounter in the restaurant stall was simply fate.
Berry, a self-styled music promoter, is said to have been at the eatery conducting a business meeting.
“He [Berry] was there [at P.F. Chang’s] first,” Price explained. “[During the strip club incident], Mr. Berry inadvertently bumped into a woman he didn’t know. It was a stupid, silly incident that should’ve never escalated to this point.”
According to Price, his client decided to flee the restaurant after the bathroom stall encounter, as friends warned him that Dolla had Crip affiliations.
While waiting for his vehicle in the Beverly Center parking lot, he was allegedly approached by Dolla, his friend, Sidiq Abawi, and the rapper's cousin, Wilbert Robinson.
Around this time, Berry discharged four to five shots from his 9MM handgun.
Dolla was hit several times in the back, and died from a wound that pierced his heart.
Police have charged Aubrey Berry with two counts of assault with a deadly firearm and one count of murder.
He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Dolla's stepfather George Viera explained his stepson’s true personality was league’s a part from the rap persona fans knew.
"It was a character he played. To us he was just Roddy,” Viera revealed in a statement. “When he was home, you couldn't pry him away. [He] loved to play with his nieces and nephews, loved to play on the Wii. He wanted to go to theology school. He was very interested in religion. People think rapper, they think hard, but he wasn't that way."
At press time, Aubrey Berry’s bail has been set at $5 million.
Queens, New York Hip-Hop star 50 Cent is in Grand Rapids Michigan, where he is currently shooting scenes for a new movie Caught in the Crossfire. While details on the movie have yet-to-be revealed, the rapper will star opposite Adam Rodriguez and Chris Klein.
Eminem’s latest album Relapse has already topped the British pop charts, it was announced today (May 24). The album bumped Green Day’s latest album 21st Century Breakdown out of the top slot, down to the #2 position. The album, which is Eminem’s first in four years, was also named the year’s fastest selling album in the U.K., according to the Official Charts Company. Relapse is also expected to top the U.S. charts this Wednesday, having moved an estimated 700,000 copies during its first week in stores.
U.K. Rapper Dizze Rascal has landed his second #1 single with his latest track “Bonkers (Dirtee Stank).” The rapper’s latest single is the fastest selling single of the year so far. The track was produced in collaboration with Armand Van Helden and is reportedly selling double the amount of the #2 single, Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow.” Dizzee Rascal’s last single “Dance Wiv Me” spent four weeks at #1.
Hundreds gathered at Word of Faith Love Center to pay their final respects to 21-year-old Roderick Anthony Burton Jr., affectionately called “Buck” by his friends and family.
In keeping with the Janazah ceremony used by the Muslim faith to pay homage to the dead, several friends and family were dressed in traditional white attire.
Dolla’s body was wrapped in a cream-colored sheet.
The funeral was held in keeping with Dolla’s wishes. His cousin, rapper Scrapp DeLeon, told Atlanta CBS affiliate WGCL-TV that Dolla once told him that he did not fear death and when it came he wanted people to wear white and celebrate his life.
Scrapp, born Wilbert Robinson, was with his cousin at the time of the shooting that took his life on May 18 at the Beverly Center.
Atlanta-area music promoter Aubrey Berry, 23, has been charged with Dolla’s murder and is currently being held on $5 million bond.
On Friday (May 22), fans, friends and family gathered at Murray Brothers Funeral Home in Atlanta for Dolla’s wake.
Among those present were his Konvict Muzik labelmate Ray Lavender, Smallville actor Sam Jones III, and O’neika El-Amin, who works closely with the Konvict family and had known Dolla since he was 16.
El-Amin told AllHipHop.com she was shocked by how beautiful the young man looked in preparation for his final resting place.
“I even Tweeted about it,” said El-Amin, who shared with her followers at the time that “he looks like a Handsome Prince, wrapped in a white sheet & a beautiful garb on his head.”
Roderick “Dolla” Burton was buried at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta.
Conway testified in Hackensack, New Jersey Superior Court that Max, real name Charly Wingate, masterminded the September 2006 murder of David Taylor in a botched robbery.
According to Conway, the real target was Taylor’s friend, Allan Plowden, who she had begun seeing shortly after splitting with Max.
She explained to jurors that Plowden drove a $120,000 Mercedes Benz and routinely carried around cash in excess of $35,000.
The two became romantically linked, and Plowden testified that he spent lavish sums of money on Conway at high-end department stores.
When she relayed this information to Max, she claimed the rapper became very jealous and promised “he was going to get him.”
Based on Conway’s testimony, the prosecution alleges that Max B began to plot the robbery, and recruited his step-brother Kelvin Leerdam to carry out the crime.
In between sobs, Gina Conway recounted how the robbery was botched from the beginning, as she and accomplice Leerdam got lost on the cab ride to New Jersey for several hours.
A cab driver corroborated the story, stating they stopped at two different Holiday Inn locations, one in Bergen County and one in New York before locating the correct establishment in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Upon arrival, Conway and Leerdam duct-taped Plowden at gunpoint and demanded his money.
Plowden revealed that his funds were in the possession of friend David Taylor, who was staying a few floors down.
Plowden was forced to place a call, and when Taylor arrived he was shot in the head at point blank range, stated Conway.
Plowden freed himself and gave chase, and was able to strike Conway with a punch before both perpetrators escaped in a cab.
Plowden was able to make a positive ID of Conway, who was apprehended several days later and charged with murder.
After giving a 169 page statement and cooperating with authorities, her crime was reduced to armed robbery and manslaughter.
Even with her testimony, she will still serve 18 years for her role in the crime.
When asked about Max B’s reaction to the murder, Conway claimed he expressed regret and promised to support her.
“Charly told me that if I pulled it off, then he would love me forever,” she stated. “Charly said he was sorry for what happened and that he was going to take care of me.”
Next Tuesday (May 26), lawyers for Max B and Kelvin Leerdam will cross-examine Gina Conway.
Both camps have stated that Conway, a stripper at the time, was the one who planned the fatal robbery.
Max B and Leerdam face life sentences if convicted.
Floyd Mayweather is the target of lawsuit from a company that claims the boxer stole their artist.
Just for You Entertainment, a Long Island-based company, alleges that the Mayweather-owned Philthy Rich Records signed Freck Billionaire even though the rapper was signed to them in 2005.
Just for You claims the company spent $155,000 in recording studio time, travel expenses and other costs when Billionaire was an artist on their label.
Philthy Rich Records now must contend with a $600,000 civil claim from Just for You Entertainment, according to the New York Post.
Freck Billionaire hails from Philadelphia.
Floyd Mayweather, who retired for 17 months, has returned to boxing and has a fight set for July 18 with lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez.
It doesn’t look like Nas and Kelis are on good terms. After filing for divorce last month against her husband of three years, Kelis - who cannot work because she is pregnant with the Queens rapper’s son - is asking for Nas to pay for her lawyer fees in the case.
TMZ reports today (May 20) that not only does Nas not want to pay for his ex’s attorney, but he doesn’t want to fork over any money for spousal support.
Both Esco and the R&B singer are seeking custody of the child that Kelis is just weeks away from birthing. Rumor is that Kelis filed for the split because she believes Nas was cheating on her.
As of press time neither artist has offered any statements about the case.
on July 7 hip-hop supergroup, Slaughterhouse - which conisists of Brooklyn’ sown Joell Ortiz, New Jersey native Joe Budden, Los Angeles rapper Crooked I and Detroit staple Royce da 5’ 9” - will be dropping their debut CD on E1 Music, formerly known as Koch Records.
It has been confirmed that Streetrunner, DJ Khalil and The Alchemist, whose new disc is coming out on the same day on E1 as well, will be providing beats on the album. Currently untitled, the LP will include such songs as “Not Tonight,” Microphone,” “Number 1” and “Cuckoo.”
In addition to the album, Slaughterhouse are a part of this year’s Rock the Bells lineup. The national tour will also feature Nas and Damien Marley, Big Boi from OutKast, Common, Rza, Raekwon, The Roots, KRS-One, a reunited House of Pain and Reflection Eternal and a slew of other independednt favorites. The tour is scheduled to kick off next month
Famed producer/rapper The Alchemist managed to get superstar Eminem to record a track on his upcoming album Chemical Warfare 2.
Following up on 2004’s critically acclaimed compilation 1st Infantry and last years The Alchemist’s Cookbook EP, Alc’s new disc will feature a superstar guest list of MCs including Em, Jadakiss, Fabolous, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, Juvenile and Twista, who appears on the lead single “Smile” with R&B singer Maxwell. Along with providing the gritty soundscape, the Beverly Hills bred beatsmith will also be spitting on the disc.
The Alchemist is currently on a promo tour with Em, serving as his DJ, where he has already performed at several stops in the UK and the U.S. including Em’s Relapse release party in Detroit earlier this week and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Alc also served as the Detroit rapper’s DJ in 2005 for the Anger Management 3 tour.
Here is a full track listing of the album hitting stores on July 7 on E1 music, formerly known as Koch Records. - Elan Mancini
1. Intro
2. “ALC Theme” feat. Kool G Rap.
3. “Lose Your Life” feat. Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss and Pusha T.
4. “Chemical Warfare” feat. Eminem
5. “Grand Concourse Benches” feat. KRS-One
6. “Therapy” feat. Evidence, Blu, Talib Kweli and Kid Cudi.
7. “That’ll Work” feat. Three 6 Mafia and Juvenile
8. “Smile” feat. Twista and Maxwell
9. “Keep The Heels On” feat. Prodigy
10. “Gangrene” feat Gangrene (Oh No and Alchemist) Roc C and Crooked I.
11. “Lights, Cameras, Action” feat. Lil Fame
12. “Some Gangster Sh*t” feat. Fabolous
13. “From Now To Then” feat. Jadakiss
14. “On Sight” feat. Dogg Pound and Lady of Rage
15. “Take A Look Back”