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.
