THE DAILY URBAN NEWS PAGE!
DANCEHALL STAR SPRAGGA BENZ LOSES HIS 17-YEAR-OLD SON IN SHOOTING! (28thAug/08)
The son of Dancehall Reggae artist Spragga Benz was killed late Saturday night in Kingston, Jamaica.
According to police reports, Carlton 'Carlie' Grant Jr., who appeared in the 2002 Jamaican movie "Shottas" was shot when members of a police party patrol stopped two men on a bicycle along Church Street, Kingston. Upon approach, one of the men pulled a gun and fired at the police who returned fire. The men took off and after the area was searched, Grant was found suffering from gunshot wounds and a .45 semi-automatic pistol was found in his possession. Grant was pronounced dead at the Kingston Public Hospital. Spragga Benz cut short his tour in the UK, and returned to Jamaica after hearing the news. Spragga Benz is best known for his Dancehall hits “A1 Lover”, “Oh Yeah” with Foxy Brown and “Turn Me On” featuring Kevin Lyttle. Spragga has also worked with Pras from the Fugees, Nas, Kardinal Offishall, Bow Wow and many others. Police are still investigating the incident.
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LIL WAYNE MISSES COURT DATE! (27thAug/08)
Lil Wayne managed to miss a court hearing relating to drug charges in Yuma County, Arizona yesterday, due to an unknown medical procedure which prevented him from making the mandatory appearance. As previously reported by RnBandHIPHOPworld.com, Lil Wayne pleaded not guilty last May to weapons and drug charges. The rapper was arrested on January 22, when federal agents seized 41 grams of ecstasy, 105 grams of marijuana and 29 grams of cocaine. Lil Wayne is due back in court in October. On a more positive note, Lil Wayne is still currently enjoying huge success by being the most sought after rapper to work with, and of course his huge selling album Tha Carter III which is sitting at number one on the Billboard R'n'B/Hip-Hop album charts and at number six on the BIllboard top 200.
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DMX APPEARS IN COURT AND CUSSES AS HIS RELEASE BOND IS REFUSED! (26thAug/08)
Troubled rapper DMX appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Schwartz (today Aug 26) hoping to be released on bond. However, judge Schawrtz decided to uphold the no bond status attached to a bench warrant issued for the rapper’s arrest on August 12. This will mean X, born Earl Simmons, will have to remain in custody in South Florida, for at least one more month. When DMX heard the decision he was heard to say "I ain’t going back to no f**king jail." The judge heard this and said "Oh, well that just ingratiated you to me," and issued a warning to X’s lawyer, Charles Kozelka.
DR. DRE'S 20-YEAR-OLD SON DIES (26thAug/08)
The Los Angeles County Coroner has reported that Dr. Dre’s son (aged 20) has reportedly died. The body of Andre Young Jr. was found in his Woodland Hills home on Saturday morning. Young went out on Friday night and came in about 5:30 A.M., but his mother found him unresponsive when she checked on him at 10 in the morning. She called 911 immediately. The cause of death will be revealed after a toxicology report.
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DIDDY HELD AT GUN POINT BY POLICE! (25thAug/08)
A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy pulled a gun on mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs yesterday, according to The New York Daily News. Diddy's vehicle was pulled over during a routine traffic stop yesterday (August 24) after Police noticed the rental tags of the vehicle he was traveling in didn't have proper tags. Cops searched the vehicle and whilst this was going on, a member of Diddy's entourage was detained when he become "uncooperative." This allegedly prompted Diddy and "six or seven others" to walk towards the deputy, who drew his weapon. "A deputy pulled his firearm, fearing for his safety," a sheriff's department spokesman told The Daily News. "The situation was deflated as quickly as it began." No tickets were issued in the incident and no one was arrested.
YUNG BERG ASSAULTED, ROBBED & FORCED TO CANCEL PERFORMANCE! (25thAug/08)
Rapper Yung Berg missed a scheduled performance in Detroit on Saturday (August 23), following an early morning altercation that left him badly bruised. Berg, who was scheduled to headline Hot 102.7's Summer Jam, pulled out of his appearance just hours before the show, which also featured appearances by Shawty Lo, Mike Jones, Slim (112), Mario and Yung Joc's group Hot Stylez. According to several sources, the 23-year-old Chicago rapper was robbed and beaten during an altercation at the popular Downtown nightclub early Saturday morning. Shortly after entering the venue, Berg, real name Christian Ward, was allegedly confronted by a group of men over comments he had made about Detroit rappers, during a previous visit to the city. Despite the presence of his personal bodyguard who was also involved in the fight, Yung Berg was unable to defend himself and was reportedly robbed of various items including a multi-colored diamond encrusted “Transformers” chain. Once alerted to the situation, Yung Berg's driver interjected and escorting him out of the venue and out of harm's way.
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THE BAN ON SNOOP DOGG IN AUSTRALIA HAS ENDED! (24thAug/08)
The ban prohibiting Snoop Dogg from entering Australia has been lifted and the rapper is expected to tour the country November 2008! As previously reported by RnBandHIPHOPworld.com last year, Snoop was banned from entering Australia by the country's former immigration minister Kevin Andrews. Andrews claimed he banned Snoop from entering the country because of his prior criminal convictions. Snoop appealed the ban and he was granted a visa to perform in Australia this week. He will be joined by Ice Cube when he tours the country in November. However, it is not all good news for Snoop. The Victims Of Crime Assistance League (VOCAL) plans to file a formal complaint with immigration officials about the decision. “What's wrong with these social engineers to let such a disgraceful person into the country?” said VOCAL member Noel McNamara. “There is enough violence in the community without importing violent rappers from America. This visa should be cancelled. Snoop should stay home.” “Snoop trades in toxic messages of menace, violence, misogyny and lawlessness,” said Angela Conway of the Australian Family Association. “We need to keep him out of Australia. These menacing, blood-soaked misogynist raps have a corrosive impact.” This marks the second ban against Snoop Dogg by a country that has been lifted. As previously reported by RnBandHIPHOPworld.com, the star was also banned from the UK in 2006 because of his criminal record and a widely reported altercation between his entourage and British authorities at London's Heathrow Airport. Snoop appealed the ban and a judge lifted it earlier this year. However, the judge's decision was challenged by the UK Border Agency and is still pending.
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RAPPER MARY JANE GETS RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST SHAQ! (23rdAug/08)
According to recent reports, rapper Mary Jane is claiming that NBA star Shaquille O'Neal has been harassing her with heavy breathing over the phone. Mary Jane, real name Alexis Miller, says it's gotten so bad that she went to the authorities and received a restraining order against the Phoenix Suns center. Miller claims they had an affair and that when it ended, Shaq threatened to pay performers $50,000 each not to work with her. According to her lawyer, the pair had become intimate over the past six to eight months after knowing each other for about a year and a half. The order, which was granted Thursday (August 21) forbids the sports star from having any contact or even coming within 200 yards of Miller or her 19-month-old son. O'Neal is scheduled to appear before a judge on Sept. 4.
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DA BRAT SENT TO PRISON FOR THREE YEARS! (22ndAug/08)
A judge has sentenced rapper come reality TV star Da Brat to three years in prison for attacking another woman at an Atlanta nightclub last year. The star accepted a guilty plea to aggravated assault today (August 22) in a DeKalb County courtroom. In addition to the jail time, Superior Court Judge Gail Flake also sentenced the rapper to seven years probation and 200 hours of community service! Upon leaving the courtroom Brat appeared very confident. “I love y’all,” she said to about six weeping relatives as they replied, “We love you too.” The prison terms come as a result of Da Brat’s actions at a Halloween party at Studio 72 nightclub on October 31 2007. After striking a waitress with a rum bottle due to an alleged argument, the woman was immediately hospitalized and suffered permanent facial scarring.
MARY J BLIGE ON TOUR! (22ndAug/08)
Mary J. Blige is coming to a city near you with her "Love Soul Tour" which features Robin Thicke and newcomer Dave Young as support acts.
Full tour dates below:
SEPTEMBER 2008
13 - North Charleston, SC - North Charleston Coliseum
19 - Virginia Beach , VA - Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
20 - Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion
21 - Raleigh, NC - Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek
26 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center
27 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte
28 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
SEPTEMBER 2008
2 - New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
8 - Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
10 - Sunrise, FL - BankAtlantic Center
11 - Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre
12 - Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheatre
14 - Chicago, IL - Arie Crown Theater
17 - Las Vegas, NV - Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
18 - Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion
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TOP STARS JOIN FORCES TO HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER! (21stAug/08)
Mariah Carey , Beyoncé, Rihanna, Fergie, Carrie Underwood, and Miley Cyrus are all joining voices for the single, "Just Stand Up," a song which will benefit the "Stand Up for Cancer" fund-raising drive to be aired on September 5 in the USA. The song, conceived by Antonio "L.A." Reid, and co-produced with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, hits the airwaves on September 2.
HARD TIMES FOR JD AS HE IS FORCED TO SHUT DOWN HIS DINER! (21stAug/08)
Hip-Hop mogul Jermaine Dupri has shut down his recently launched eatery "Café Dupri" in the Buckhead section of Atlanta. According to Dupri, the ailing United States economy prevented the business venture from taking off the ground. The star released the following statement: “People are cutting back everywhere and a lot of companies, including Café Dupri, are feeling the affect. For the past two months business at the Café has been down and if the business isn’t making money, I feel it’s a smart move to shut it down. Bottom line: if it doesn't make money, it doesn't make sense.” Last week, workers arrived at the Buckhead-based eatery to find a sign on the door that read "thanks for patronizing Café Dupri. We have closed indefinitely." According to the workers, Dupri’s mother, Cecelia Mauldin, served as CEO of Café Dupri. She issued notices several times to employees stating that payroll funds were not available. Workers told local TV station WSB-TV that paychecks from Café Dupri have bounced for weeks and have been refused at local check cashing businesses.
HARD TIMES FOR DAMON DASH AS HE MISSES MORTGAGE PAYMENTS! (21stAug/08)
According to The New York Times, Hip-Hop mogul Damon Dash is being sued by Eastern Savings Bank, for missing the monthly mortgage payments on two Manhattan apartments. According to court papers, Dash has failed to pay the $78,504 monthly bill for the apartments since January. As a result, Dash is in danger of losing the trendy apartments in the Atlanta. Dash also faces over $10,000 in late fees on the $7.3 million mortgage. He also has a $2 million tax bill owed to the state of New York, $100,000 in federal taxes and $95,000 in unpaid rent to house the offices of Damon Dash Enterprises.
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IT'S OFFICIAL!.. 50 CENT EARNS WAY MORE THAN ANY OTHER RAPPER! (20thAug/08)
50 Cent is at the top of the annual list of the biggest earning hip-hop stars for 2008! Fiddy, real name Curtis Jackson, made $150 million in the last year! Almost doubling that of Jay-Z' who sits in second place with $82 million. According to Forbes magazine, Fiddy made his millions through his successful clothing line, video games, G-Unit Records and of course his album sales!
The top ten earners in Hip-Hop are as follows:
50 Cent - $150 million
Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter - $82 million
Sean 'Diddy' Combs - $35 million
Kanye West - $30 million
Timbaland - $22 million
Pharrell Williams - $20 million
Kasseem 'Swizz Beatz' Dean - $17 million
Snoop Dogg - $16 million
Dr. Dre - $15 million
Ludacris - $14 million.
BOW WOW IN LOVE WITH REV RUN'S DAUGHTER? (20thAug/08)
Rapper Bow Wow is reportedly dating Vanessa Simmons, the daughter of Run DMC founder Reverend Run.
The rapper has been romantically linked to Vanessa after they were spotted "all over each other" at a party, reports New York Post's gossip column PageSix. A source says, "She only had eyes for Bow Wow all night." Vanessa, 25, was dating pro skater Terry Kennedy but the pair allegedly split earlier this year.
ANOTHER REALITY TV SHOW FOR DMX! (20thAug/08)
Hip-Hop bad boy DMX will once again document his life in a new reality show titled "DMX: This Life of Mine." The show will follow DMX’s attempt to resolve his long list of legal problems, which includes six arrests since May of 2008! X will be seen attempting to rehabilitate himself and fight to avoid being sent to prison for pending charges of possessing drug paraphernalia, possessing marijuana, animal cruelty charges and theft. "After watching this show, people will come to realize that despite all the stories and all the rumors (rumours) about me, despite how well they may think they know me, there is another side to DMX that they have never seen and hopefully, it will make people question what they see and hear about me in the future," DMX said in a statement recently.
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R'n'B & HIP-HOP STARS TO HONOR THE JACKSONS! (19thAug/08)
A number of big name R'n'B & Hip-Hop stars will show their respect & love for the legendary Jacksons at the 8th Annual Urban Music Awards, being held at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills! Artists confirmed to attend the BMI Awards include E-40, Mario Winans, DJ Toomp, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, T-Pain, Dallas Austin, Yung Berg, Polow Da Don, Soulja Boy and others. The Jacksons’ primary lineup featured Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Randy and Michael from 1969 through 1989. The Jacksons were the first group to have their first four singles hit #1, and went on to secure 17 Top 10 singles over the quintet’s 20 year history. Those singles featured their biggest hits: "ABC," "I Want You Back," "The Love You Save," and "I’ll Be There." The Jackson’s impact on modern day R'n'B and Hip-Hop, is strong for artists such as Jay-Z ("I.Z.Z.O.," "I Just Wanna Love U"), Naughty By Nature ("O.P.P."), Mariah Carey ("Honey"), Jadakiss ("Put Your Hands Up") and Ghostface Killah ("All That I Got Is You"). The 8th annual BMI Urban Music Awards begin at 6pm on September 4.
R. KELLY SUES TWO NIGHTCLUB PROMOTERS! (19thAug/08)
R'n'B superstar R. Kelly is suing two Los Angeles nightclub promoters for using his name to market an event without his permission! The singer/songwriter has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming promoters for Sugar nightclub told party people he would host a recent event. Kelly insists this constitutes "falsely advertising" because he knew nothing about the party.
YUNG JOC SUED OVER CHILD SUPPORT! (19thAug/08)
Rapper Yung Joc is facing legal action after the mother of his son filed a lawsuit against him, claiming he failed to pay child support. Fatimah Jester is suing the star, real name Jasiel Robinson, alleging he owes her $2,000 in alimony payments for their seven-year-old son. A judge will hear the case on September 11.
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THE WACKNESS HITS THE BIG SCREEN! (18thAug/08)
Err, no, we not talking about a rubbish movie here, "The Wackness" is actually the title of the flick! This new movie is set in New York City, 1994 and has a soundtrack that that will impress true hip-hop heads! But wait! Just incase you thought this was just another hip-hop flick with the usual hip-hop actors doing their thang, well nope! Read on... Synopsis: New York, a city pulsing with hip hop, a city whose new mayor, Rudy Giuliani, is using controversial methods to address homelessness and crime. Much like the city, Luke played by Josh Peck (see headline photo) and Dr. Squires (Sir Ben Kingsley) are at a crossroads. Luke considers himself semi-suicidal, unhappy about his high school social status and the fact that his family is on the verge of eviction. Dr. Squires and his rehab-addicted wife (Famke Janssen) can barely tolerate each other. Together, Luke and Squires agree to help each other find happiness. When Luke identifies medication as his salvation, Dr. Squires chides him, "Don't go for the quick fix. This whole city wants a quick fix." Eventually, however, the two bond over a common goal, getting laid. This quest takes them from borough to borough, and leads to encounters with several of Luke's 'business associates, among them, a dreadlocked pixie (Mary-Kate Olsen). Eventually, Luke's attention turns to Dr. Squires' stepdaughter, Stephanie (Olivia Thirlby), which in turn, causes the already fragile Doctor to lose it completely. Set against the backdrop of the greatest year in hip hop history, "The Wackness" takes place in a very different time, a time of pagers, not cell phones, and a time in which Tupac and Biggie were alive. The film uses this world as a backdrop for a very different story, one with humor (humour), pathos, sex, drugs, and of course.. Hip-hop beats! The movie opens in the UK August 29 and is in select cinemas across the USA now! Oh and did I mention that Method Man is in this movie! You can peep the trailer over on our "THE MOVIES" page by clicking the photo of Josh Peck or by using our menu system.
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BRANDY SET TO MAKE A COMEBACK WITH NEW ALBUM! (16thAug/08)
R'n'B star Brandy is set to release her new full-length album Human this November! The CD marks Brandy's debut on the label and her first new album since 2004's Afrodisiac. Human will be released online and in stores November 11, according to her label Epic. "Human is my most personal album to date," Brandy, 29, said in a statement. "I have grown so much since my last album. Being able to express myself and my journey through my music is a feeling I can't describe. With this new chapter of my life it feels good to have executive producer Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins, a familiar face, by my side again. He brings out emotions in me like nobody else." Brandy previously collaborated with Jerkins on her 1998 multiplatinum-selling collection Never Say Never. "It feels good to be back in the lab with Brandy again," Jerkins said in a statement. "We've always made great records and I'm humbled and honored (honoured) to be continuing our legacy. The sound might be new, bigger and more uplifting, but we've kept our musical promise by making great songs and great music once again. There is no musical combination like ours!"
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DMX ARRESTED YET AGAIN! (15thAug/08)
DMX was arrested yet again as he attempted to go shopping in Miami. The arrest, as previously reported by RnBandHIPHOPworld.com, was the result of a skipped court date on Tuesday. Police caught X as he attempted to leave an area in Wal-Mart. The rapper was reportedly trying to surrender to police through negotiations with his lawyer, however, Miami police apprehended him before those talks could come to fruition.
MASTER P DITCHES HIS HIP-HOP NAME AND REVERTS BACK TO P. MILLER! (15thAug/08)
Master P released a statement this week saying he will no longer answer to the rap moniker "Master P." The hip-hop legend has officially changed his name to P. Miller in an effort to break from his past. "I'm changing my name because Master P is who I used to be," Miller said. "I call it my childhood and P. Miller marks my manhood. I wouldn't change my past because it's groomed me to be the man I am today. People grow mentally and spiritually through life experiences, but when you come from hip-hop it's almost impossible to move past the stereotypes associated with it. I've branched out into so many different arenas that range from being the first African-American to have a clothing line at Wal-Mart, to writing books, and speaking on Capitol Hill, but all that gets overshadowed because I come from the hip-hop industry. There're a lot of people out there, who are afraid to grow up and change, but I'm not and P. Miller is the evolution of me, Percy Miller the entrepreneur, the business man."
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LIL WAYNE ORDERED TO PAY FOR HIS BLING! (14thAug/08)
A Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge has ordered rapper Lil' Wayne to pay a New Orleans jeweler $146,000 for a diamond ring and necklace that he didn't pay for. As previously reported by RnBandHIPHOPworld.com, Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., made arrangements with Jack Sutton to pay for the bling in monthly installments back in 2006. However, Sutton said Carter made one $24,000 payment, then failed to pay the balance, so Sutton took him to court. "Final judgment is hereby entered against the defendant," The Herald newspaper quoted Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Scott Silverman as saying in his two-page order. In addition to the cost of the goods, Silverman also ordered Carter to pay 11 percent interest on the debt. "We reached a settlement," Ron Sweeney, Carter's lawyer, told the newspaper. "Everybody's happy."
ISAAC HAYES FUNERAL DATE SET (13thAug/08)
Isaac Hayes will be memorialized next week during a funeral service in Cordova, Tennessee. The service will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday (August 18) at Hope Presbyterian Church. Paperwork filed by Dr. David Kraus, Hayes’ family physician, listed the cause of death as a stroke. Hayes’ family is well aware of the affect the singer/actor had on the public as they addressed the tragedy with an admission of being "overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and love from Isaac's dear friends, colleagues and fans from every corner of the world, and we thank each and every one of them for their kind thoughts and prayers."
DANCEHALL STAR SEAN PAUL ARRESTED! (13thAug/08)
Reggae superstar Sean Paul got arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession last weekend after cops raided a music festival in Sweden! The singer was part of Friday's annual Uppsala Reggae Festival near Stockholm when cops stormed the grounds and took some 200-300 people into custody, including 10 performers. Police continue to investigate the case after questioning the folks in custody and collecting evidence at the scene.
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WARRANT ISSUED FOR DMX! (13thAug/08)
A Phoenix, Arizona judge has issued an arrest warrant for rapper DMX for missing a scheduled court date yesterday (August 12). As previously reported by RnBandHIPHOPworld.com, X, born Earl Simmons, is accused of visiting the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona to receive treatment for an illness and using someone else’s identity, in order to avoid paying the bill. The judge is holding an arrest warrant until 4 p.m. on Tuesday (August 19), in order for DMX’s attorney to disclose the rapper’s whereabouts, as well as the reason he missed yesterday’s hearing.
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YUNG BERG ARRESTED! (11thAug/08)
Yung Berg, real name Christian Ward, has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of marijuana and menacing following a police investigation on Saturday. Berg got into a dispute with a limo driver in New York over the weekend and a source claims the driver reported a dispute with five passengers. When the police investigated the complaints, all were arrested but only Berg got charged! The rapper was scheduled to perform at Six Flags in New Jersey on Saturday, as part of a promotional tour in support of his forthcoming album, "Look What You Made Me."
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SOUL LEGEND ISAAC HAYES DIES AT AGE 65 - RIP (10thAug/08)
Legendary Oscar-winning soul singer Isaac Hayes died in Memphis on Sunday. He was 65. The star was found unconscious at his home, and rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The deep-voiced performer reached his commercial peak in 1972 when he won an Academy Award for his No. 1 hit "Theme from 'Shaft,'" an irresistibly urgent mix of wah-wah guitars and hi-hat cymbals spiced by the famous line, "They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother-/Shut your mouth!" Hayes was a hitmaker at Memphis soul label Stax Records. He collaborated with lyricist David Porter to write and produce songs for the combustible soul duo Sam and Dave, including "Soul Man" and "Hold On! I'm A Comin'." In his later years, Hayes reached a new audience by supplying the voice for Chef on the cartoon series "South Park." An important figure in Hip-Hop due to sampling, his songs such “The Look of Love” have provided the musical foundation for Jay-Z (“Can I Live”), LL Cool J (“Hollis to Hollyood”), Mary J. Blige (“I Love You”) and many more. R.I.P. Isaac Hayes 1942 to 2008.
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COMEDY LEGEND BERNIE MAC DIES AT AGE 50 - RIP. (9thAug/08)
Bernie Mac, the actor and comedian who is more recently known for his sitcom "The Bernie Mac Show," died early this morning (Saturday) at age 50. The star was hospitalized in his hometown, Chicago, with pneumonia. "Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital," his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement from Los Angeles. The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He was recently hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease. Recently, Mac's brand of comedy caught him flack when he was heckled during a surprise appearance at a July fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate and fellow Chicagoan Barack Obama. "Wherever I am, I have to play," he said in 2002. "I have to put on a good show." Mac worked his way to Hollywood success from an impoverished upbringing on Chicago's South Side. He began doing standup as a child, and his film career started with a small role as a club doorman in the Damon Wayans comedy "Mo' Money" in 1992. In 1996, he appeared in the Spike Lee drama "Get on the Bus." He was one of "The Original Kings of Comedy" in the 2000 documentary of that title that brought a new generation of black standup comedy stars to a wider audience. Mac went on to star in the hugely popular "Ocean's Eleven" franchise with Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Comedian Carl Reiner, who also appeared in "Ocean's Eleven" and its two sequels, said Saturday he was "in utter shock" because he thought Mac was improving. "He was just so alive. I can't believe he's gone," he said. Reiner told KNX-AM in Los Angeles that other comics had talked to the audience as Mac did on "The Bernie Mac Show," but "he took it to a new level. It was such a popular show because of his bigger-than-life persona," Reiner said. Mac's starring role with Ashton Kutcher in 2005's "Guess Who" topped the box office. It was a comedy remake of the classic Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn drama "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" with Mac as the black dad who's shocked that his daughter is marrying a white man. Mac also had starring roles in "Bad Santa," "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and "Transformers." The comedian drew critical and popular acclaim with his Fox television series "The Bernie Mac Show," which aired more than 100 episodes from 2001 to 2006 in countries all over the world. In real life, he was very much like his character on that series, his daughter, Je'niece Childress, told The Associated Press on Saturday. "He was the king of his household," Childress said in Chicago, describing Mac as "a loving grandfather" to her daughter, his only grandchild. "The Bernie Mac Show" garnered Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for Mac. Mac was nominated for a Grammy award for best comedy album in 2001 along with his "The Original Kings of Comedy" co-stars, Harvey, D.L. Hughley and Cedric The Entertainer. Chicago music producer Carolyn Albritton said she was Bernie Mac's first manager, having met him in 1991 at Chicago's Cotton Club where she hosted an open-mike night. "From very early on I thought he was destined for success," Albritton said Saturday. "He never lost track of where he came from, and he'd often use real life experiences, his family, his friends, in his routine. After he made it, he stayed a very humble man. His family was the most important thing in the world to him." In 2007, Mac told David Letterman on CBS' "Late Show" that he planned to retire soon. "I'm going to still do my producing, my films, but I want to enjoy my life a little bit," Mac told Letterman. "I missed a lot of things, you know. I was a street performer for two years. I went into clubs in 1977." Mac was born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough on October 5, 1957, in Chicago. He grew up on the city's South Side, living with his mother and grandparents. R.I.P. Bernie Mac 1957 to 2008.
MARY J BLIGE SUED FOR $2 MILLION OVER HIT SONG "WORK THAT" (8thAug/08)
Dream Family Entertainment, a Hip-Hop production company, filed a $2 million lawsuit against singer Mary J. Blige and producer Theron "Neef-U" Feemster, over the track "Work That" from the star’s Growing Pains album. According to The New York Daily News, Dream Family Inc. alleges that they never granted Feemster (who was allegedly still under contract with Dream Family) or Blige’s label Geffen, permission to release the song which was also featured in a popular commercial for Apple’s iPod and the iTunes store. Growing Pains, which is Blige’s eighth album, debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and #1 on the R&B Hip-Hop charts.
JOE CLAIMS R.KELLY TRIED TO WRECK HIS CAREER! (8thAug/08)
R'n'B singer Joe has accused R. Kelly of pressuring radio DJs not to play his records in a bid to wreck his growing stardom. Joe released six albums with Jive Records over an 11 year period, but left the label earlier this year after the company pushed back the release of his 2007 LP "Ain't Nothin Like Me" several times. Joe believes his rival labelmate Kelly was to blame, insisting he would call Jive bosses and radio stations and urge them not to promote the singer too strongly. Joe says, "R. Kelly was very instrumental in making a lot of decisions when it came to my records being played on the radio. "He would make a call to the radio station or to the label and say, 'Hey, this Joe record is too hot right now. Y'all need to pull that back.' And they would oblige. It's incredible that now I get the opportunity to, I don't know, maybe pay R.Kelly back in some sort of side bar kind of thing." And Joe, who left Jive to release his forthcoming LP New Man through Kedar Entertainment Group, insists he is still a prevalent musician despite R. Kelly's alleged intervention. He says, "I'm still very relevant in the game. But yeah, he did try to make some decisions when it came down to my records being on fire, and climbing up the charts and on the radio stations. He felt like they should pull back because he felt he was more important. And with their loyalty to him, they obliged." New tracks from Joe and R.Kelly are currently in rotation over at our radio station RudeboyFM at RudeboyFM.com or by using the link in the menu above!
SOLANGE KNOWLES IS THE NEW AMBASSADOR FOR ARMANI JEANS! (8thAug/08)
Giorgio Armani is proud to announce singer and songwriter Solange Knowles as the new Armani Jeans ambassador. Her sophomore album, titled SoL-AngeL and the Hadley Street Dreams, will debut on August 26th, 2008, on Music World/Geffen and will be followed by a worldwide tour beginning in late autumn. Giorgio Armani says, "Armani Jeans expresses my vision of a young, independent, casual lifestyle with a strong and cool, fashion sensibility. Solange epitomises this style perfectly and brings to it that swing so evident in her new single, 'I Decided'." The Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world today with 4,900 direct employees and 13 factories. It designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery, home furnishings, fragrances and cosmetics under a range of brand names: Giorgio Armani Privé, Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani, AJ | Armani Jeans, A/X Armani Exchange, Armani Junior, Armani Baby and Armani Casa. The Group’s exclusive retail network currently comprises: 73 Giorgio Armani boutiques, 12 Armani Collezioni stores, 140 Emporio Armani stores, 168 A/X Armani Exchange stores, 18 AJ | Armani Jeans stores, 7 Armani Junior stores, 1 Giorgio Armani Accessori, 1 Emporio Armani Accessori store and 25 Armani Casa stores in 46 countries. The Armani Group has also announced its intention to open a unique collection of luxury hotels and resorts in the world’s most important cities and destinations.
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RICK ROSS PERFORMANCE CUT SHORT DUE TO ANOTHER FOOL WITH A GUN! (7thAug/08)
The Rick Ross Be Out Day annual event took place in Carol City Park yesterday, but ended badly due to gunfire! The event is designed to offer the local community a day of food, and fun on behalf of the big guy himself. Everything was going well until Ross took to the stage and all hell broke lose! Gunfire erupted which resulted in people fleeing the area in fear of their lives. The annual Rick Ross Be Out Scholarship is normally presented at the event, which was also sponsored by The City of Miami Gardens and The Children’s Trust. Police have confirmed the shooting and that nobody was injured or killed. No suspects as of press time.
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50 CENT GETS TO SEE HIS BOY! (6thAug/08)
50 Cent has been reunited with his son Marquise after claiming the boy's mother had "kidnapped" him. Fiddy blasted ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins for taking off with their 11-year-old child after her New York home was destroyed by a fire in May. The star said recently, "They done kidnapped my first one (son). My son's mother got him, holding him hostage." But the rapper finally caught up with his son over the weekend after he and his bitter ex agreed on a temporary custody deal. According to sources, 50 Cent will get to spend 10 days with his son at his sprawling Connecticut home before he leaves the U.S. to film a movie overseas.
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REMY MA SEEKS TO OVERTURN PRISON SENTENCE! (5thAug/08)
Jailed rapper Remy Ma has retained the legal services of decorated trial attorney William "Billy" Murphy, Jr. Assisting Murphy on the case will be partner Kenneth Ravenell and New York attorney Ricahrd Levitt. With a new legal team, Remy feels her chances of a successful appeal have increased tenfold. The rapper released the following statement: "With the addition of Mr. Murphy, Ravenell, and Levitt, I now believe I have assembled a team that will have the might and expertise to tell my side of the story. I am confident that after hearing everything my side will prevail. Mr. Murphy comes highly recommended and I am pleased that he has agreed to lead my defense team." As previously reported by RnBandHIPHOPworld.com, Remy allegedly shot her best friend in the stomach due to a money dispute and was subsequently sentenced to 8 years in prison on assault, illegal weapons possession, and attempted coercion charges on May 13, 2008. Remy Ma is currently serving her sentence at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women. Her lawyer, Murphy, first gained national exposure by obtaining an acquittal for fight promoter Don King on federal charges of defrauding Lloyd’s of London. He also recently reversed a $1.6 million verdict against rapper DMX and secured a civil judgment of $35 million for former Ravens Defensive End Michael McCrary. Murphy is a senior partner in the Murphy Firm and represents DMX, Redman, Mary J. bilge, and Missy Elliott.
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GUNFIRE AT JD PARTY, USHER, DIDDY & MORE RUN FOR THEIR LIVES! (3rd/Aug/08)
Thousands of people, including some celebrities, stormed out of a DeKalb County nightclub when a gun was fired as patrons at Jermaine Dupri's party shoved to get into the VIP area. None of the celebrities were hurt. Rapper and producer Dupri and artists Sean "Diddy" Combs, Nelly and Usher were performing on stage at the time at Club Dream around 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Also in attendance were Gabrielle Union, Larenz Tate and Regina King. Patrons became angry when they learned they had to pay twice to get into the VIP area. "I'm sad this incident happened because it interrupted a beautiful and loving party. But I'm happy none of my people or friends got hurt. And the party continues," Dupri told People magazine in a statement. Police spokesman Marcus Hodge said a bullet grazed the elbow of a security guard.
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TWO ARRESTED ON SNOOP DOGG'S TOUR BUS! (1st/Aug/08)
Police have confirmed that arrests were made on Snoop Dogg’s tour bus after the vehicle was pulled over on its way to a concert in Dallas. The vehicle was pulled over after police spotted an expired registration tag. The bus was searched by cops because they smelt marijuana. In the voluntary search they found 2 ounces of the weed. Two unidentified men confessed it was theirs and were arraigned before a justice of the peace and released on $1,500 bond. The admission of guilt by the men prevented Snoop from being charged, and allowed the star to proceed on to Dallas for the concert.
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OBAMA IS NOT HAPPY WITH NEW LUDACRIS SONG! (31st/July/08)
Presidential nominee Barack Obama has condemned an endorsement song from Ludacris, in which the Luda criticizes rivals Hillary Clinton and John McCain. The song "Politics: Obama Is Here" praises Obama’s success but turns venomous when Obama’s rivals are addressed. Ludacris mentions the bitter Democratic primary battle by stating "Hillary hated on you/So that b**ch is irrelevant." Regarding Republican nominee John McCain, Luda rhymes: "McCain don’t belong in ANY chair unless he’s paralyzed/ Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped/ Ball up all of his speeches and I throw ‘em like candy wrap." Through his campaign team, Senator Obama released a statement condemning the song as offensive and typical of much of Hip-Hop’s current lyrical content. "As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn’t want his daughters or any children exposed to," explained spokesman Bill Burton. "This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain, and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics." Previously Obama has said that Ludacris’ music receives heavy rotation in his iPod! A point also acknowledged in the song when the rapper says: "With a slot in the president’s iPod Obama shattered ‘em/ Said I handled his biz and I’m one of his favorite rappers."
SNOOP WANTS A PIECE OF BOLLYWOOD! (31st/July/08)
Snoop Dogg has recorded a song for Akshay Kumar's new (Indian) movie "Singh is King" and Vipul A. Shah, who produced the track, reveals Snoop has longterm Bollywood plans. Shah tells People.com, "Snoop wants to do a Hindi movie with Akshay, as he is really keen on wooing the Indian audiences." Shah insists the 36-year-old's musical creation for "Singh is King" proves Bollywood and hip-hop make perfect partners: "The most interesting aspect of the song is that one gets to see two very different styles, hip-hop with Snoop and Bhangra with Akshay. "Their chemistry was worth seeing as they're superstars from two different worlds. The video is looking brilliant!"
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NELLY IS THE NEW OWNER OF ZIZZAZZ! (30th/July/08)
Rap star Nelly is the new owner of ZizZazz, an energy drink mix company that has quickly become one of the fastest growing in the nation. ZizZazz itself is a new drink that was launched only last year and made an immediate impact due to coming in four different flavors served from portable single serving sticks. The company’s decision to add Nelly is part of a forthcoming national campaign to further expand the brand in new markets. Since Nelly is the first big name attached to the product, ZizZazz hopes its rapid growth will continue to soar from the endorsement. As an owner, Nelly’s responsibilities will be television commercials, radio advertising, and spokesman duties at media appearances. The rapper is also co-owner of the Pimp Juice energy drink brand, which is sold in the United States and in various countries throughout Europe. Nelly’s fifth album Brass Knuckles is due on September 16 and features appearances from Chuck D, Fergie, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Ciara, and Usher. Tracks from this soon to be releaesed set can be heard now over at our radio station RUDEBOY FM at www.RudeboyFM.com or by using the link in the menu above!
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BILL O'REILLY DISSES NAS! (29th/July/08)
Controversial Fox News anchorman Bill O'Reilly has taken aim at Nas over the rapper's protest outside the TV network's headquarters in New York last week. Nas joined human rights activists to deliver a 600,000-name petition calling for network executives to end their "pattern of racist attacks against Black Americans." But O'Reilly insists the protest was nothing more than a publicity stunt to boost sales of the rap star's number one album, "Untitled." Calling Nas a "vile rapper", the conservative host claims Nas' new album is "a bomb, a disaster, a catastrophe," and the "I Can" hitmaker needed to do something to bring attention to his release.
FOXY BROWN'S LAWYER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST BOOK LAWSUIT! (29th/July/08)
The suit, which was filed Thursday (July 24) in New York State Supreme Court, stems from a book deal made with Brown to write her autobiography. Foxy received a $75,000 advance from Simon and Schuster in 2005 to pen the book titled Broken Silence. Despite claims by the publisher that Brown reneged on the deal, the rapper’s attorney, Laura Dilimetin, says Simon and Schuster allowed her client to put the project on hold after Brown’s "health became a priority" when she was diagnosed with sudden severe hearing loss that same year. The hearing loss wasn’t the only thing preventing Brown from promoting her autobiography. The star was sentenced in 2007 for various violations of her probation. "I find it suspect that after all of these years of silence, Simon and Shuster pick now to bring this merit-less action when they were the ones to halt the project," Dilimetin said in a statement recently. Despite this, Dilimetin revealed that the rapper would "love to continue with Simon and Schuster and welcomes talks to continue to solidify a deal." Lil Kim is also in the firing line as she also failed to complete a novel for Simon and Shuster after receiving a $40,000 advance in 2003.
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TRINA IN CAR ACCIDENT! (27th/July/08)
Rapper Trina and her boyfriend NBA star Kenyon Martin was involved in a car accident (July 25) in Belize! The pair were in the country for a Hip-Hop peace rally and charity basketball game. Trina and Martin were traveling with a police motorcade in a Ford Excursion on Northern Highway, when a minivan struck the side of the SUV. Both Trina and Martin were in the backseat of the SUV when the accident occurred and escaped injuries. The driver of the minivan, George Abraham, suffered minor injuries, however, his twelve and nine year- old-sons sustained injuries more severe. In an interview after the accident with Belize's Local 7 News, Abraham accused Trina and Martin's driver of being in the wrong. Other witnesses said the police motorcade was so large, that oncoming traffic was forced to swerve to the sides on a narrow stretch of the road. Police are investigating the accident.
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