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Archives News and a bunch of other noteworthy stuff u might have missed
SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds raised both
arms over his head like a prize fighter in victory, fists clenched
-- and then he took off. It was over at long last. "I knew I hit it," Bonds said. "I knew I got it. I was like, phew, finally." Bonds sent the ball arcing high into the night, 435 feet into the right-center field seats. "Thank you very much. I got to thank all of you, all the fans here in San Francisco. It's been fantastic," he said shortly after crossing home plate, his godfather, Willie Mays, at his side. "I've got to thank my teammates for their support," Bonds said. "Through all of this, you guys have been strong, and you've given me all of the support in the world and I'll never forget it, as long as I live." After thanking his children, he said: "I'm glad I did it before you guys went to school." To the Nationals, he said: "Thank you for understanding this night. It means a lot to me." Conspicuous by their absence were the obviously bigoted commissioner and sellout Hammerin' Hank himself. (Hank Aaron did read a prepared statement ) Though he was on hand for the tying homer three days ago, deciding to put baseball history ahead of the steroid allegations that have plagued the Giants slugger, Bud Selig wasn't there for the record-breaker. As for Aaron, he said all along he had no interest in being there whenever and wherever his 33-year-old mark was broken. He was true to his word, but he did offer a taped message of congratulations that played on the stadium's video board during a 10-minute tribute, although he never actually spoke directly to Barry Bonds). "It is a great accomplishment which required skill, longevity and determination," he said. "Throughout the past century, the home run has held a special place in baseball and I have been privileged to hold this record for 33 of those years. I move over now and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family on this historic achievement. "My hope today, as it was on that April evening in 1974, is that the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams," he said. "My dad," he said, looking to
the sky and choking back tears. "Thank you."
Supreme Court limits schools considering race, setting the way for "legal" segregation - MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press (edited by Shock) WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected integration plans in two major public school districts but left the door open for the limited use of race to achieve diversity in schools. The decision in cases affecting how students are assigned to schools in Louisville, Ky., and Seattle could imperil similar plans in hundreds of districts nationwide, and it further restricted how public school systems may attain racial diversity. The court split, 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts announcing the court's judgment. The court's four liberal justices dissented. "The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race," Roberts said. Yet Justice Anthony Kennedy would not go as far as the other four conservative justices, saying in a concurring opinion that race may be a component of school plans designed to achieve diversity. To the extent that Roberts' opinion could be interpreted to foreclose the use of race in any circumstance, Kennedy said, "I disagree with that reasoning." "A district may consider it a compelling interest to achieve a diverse student population," Kennedy said. "Race may be one component of that diversity." He agreed with Roberts that the plans in Louisville and Seattle violated constitutional guarantees of equal protection. Justice Stephen Breyer, in a dissent joined by the other liberals on the court, said Roberts' opinion undermined the promise of integrated schools that the court laid out 53 years ago in its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education. "To invalidate the plans under review is to threaten the promise of Brown," Breyer said. While Roberts said the court was being faithful to the Brown decision, Justice John Paul Stevens in a separate dissent called the chief justice's reliance on Brown to rule against integration "a cruel irony." Of course uncle tom Justice Clarence Thomas, the court's only black member, wrote a separate opinion endorsing the ruling and taking issue with the dissenters' view of the Brown case. "What was wrong in 1954 cannot be right today," Thomas said. "The plans before us base school assignment decisions on students' race. Because 'our Constitution is colorblind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens,' such race-based decision making is unconstitutional." The two school systems in Thursday's decisions employ slightly different methods of taking students' race into account when determining which schools they will attend. Federal appeals courts had upheld both plans after some parents sued. The Bush administration took the parents' side, arguing that racial diversity is a noble goal but can be sought only through race-neutral means. The Louisville case grew out of complaints from several parents whose children were not allowed to attend the schools of their choice. Crystal Meredith, a white, single mother, sued after the school system turned down a request to transfer her 5-year-old son, to a school closer to home. Louisville's schools spent 25 years under a court order to eliminate the effects of state-sponsored segregation. After a federal judge freed the Jefferson County, Ky., school board, which encompasses Louisville, from his supervision, the board decided to keep much of the court-ordered plan in place to prevent schools from re-segregating. The lawyer for the Louisville system called the plan a success story that enjoys broad community support, including among parents of white and black students. Attorney Teddy Gordon, who argued that the Louisville system's plan was discriminatory, said Thursday, "Clearly, we need better race-neutral alternatives. Instead of spending zillions of dollars around the country to place a black child next to a white child, let's reduce class size. All the schools are equal. We will no longer accept that an African-American majority within a school is unacceptable." Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson said he was disappointed with the ruling because Louisville's system had provided "a quality education for all students and broken down racial barriers" for 30 years. He said he was confident school leaders would come up with effective new guidelines.
Super producer Timbaland was arrested on Sunday (June 10) in Cologne, Germany, after he and and other men allegedly attacked a bar patron. According to German media, the incident occurred in front of the Hotel Intercontinental, shortly after Justin Timberlake concert at the Cologne Arena. A man became visibly irate when he noticed Timbaland, born Timothy Mosely, speaking to his girlfriend. According to reports, the man was noticeably drunk and aggressive and allegedly called Timbaland the "n" word a heated exchange of words. Timbaland was signing autographs in front of the hotel when the fight continued outside, resulting in the man being sent to a local emergency room with injuries to his back and thorax. Police arrested Timbaland and his bodyguards at the hotel and eventually hit the rapper with charges of causing bodily injury to the man who was allegedly assaulted. Timbaland was released on $750 euro. (about 1000 US dollars)
Venus Breeze, the newest razor from the
world's leading female shaving brand, presented chart-topping singer
Rihanna with the 2007 Venus Breeze "Celebrity Legs of a Goddess"
award during a ceremony in New York City The talented singer, who
recently released her highly anticipated third album, Good Girl
Gone Bad, will also work with Venus Breeze to help judge the 2007
"Legs of a Goddess" contest. This nationwide competition
is a search for a woman with gorgeous legs who also exudes confidence
and charisma. The 2007 contest celebrates the launch of Venus Breeze,
the first 2-in-1 razor with built-in shave gel bars, making shaving
easier and more convenient than ever before. "I'm thrilled
that Venus Breeze thinks my legs are award-worthy and I'm excited
to kick off the search for the woman with the best legs in America,"
said Rihanna. "This contest is a fun way for women to showcase
confidence, charisma and gorgeous legs on the runway."
Paris Hilton was taken from a courtroom screaming and crying Friday seconds after a judge ordered her returned to jail to serve out her entire 45-day sentence for a parole violation in a reckless driving case."It's not right!" shouted the weeping Hilton. "Mom!" she called out to her mother in the audience. Hilton, who was brought to court in handcuffs in a sheriff's car, came into the courtroom disheveled and weeping. Her hair was askew and she wore a gray fuzzy sweatshirt over slacks. She wore no makeup and she cried throughout the hearing. Her body also shook constantly as she dabbed at her eyes. Several times she turned to her parents, seated behind her in the courtroom, and mouthed, "I love you." She had been brought to court in sheriff's custody today for a court hearing on her early release from jail after back-and-forth decisions on whether she could participate by telephone from her home. Hilton, appearing to be in handcuffs, cried after she was placed into a black-and-white patrol car, which sped away from her home with lights flashing as news helicopters pursued, broadcasting live TV coverage.The car carrying her disappeared into the courthouse's underground parking lot, avoiding a swarm of news media, and her parents then arrived. In the hearing, which began at late morning, a judge was to listen to the city attorney's complaint that the county sheriff did not have the right to reassign her to electronically monitored home detention after only three days in jail for violating probation in a reckless driving case. On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Michael
T. Sauer ordered that Hilton be brought to Friday's hearing. But
early "What transpired here is outrageous," county Supervisor Don Knabe told The Associated Press, adding he received more than 400 angry e-mails and hundreds more phone calls from around the country. Hilton's return home "gives the impression of ... celebrity justice being handed out," he said.
Uncle O, whose real name is Tracy Jackson, is wanted by police for participating in an aggravated assault at Philadelphia's Samba Nite Club. Uncle O and his on-air partner Mikey Dredd make up the top rated Hot Boyz on Philadelphia's Power 99. According to reports, Uncle O is said to have participated is the beating of the Philadelphia night club owner. One witnesses told MediaTakeOut.com, "Uncle O was being taunted for being a fake personality and having no real talent ... [then the victim] was smashed with right hook and a Heineken bottle." Uncle O also reportedly pulled a gun during the incident. Last night, authorities confirmed that they have issued a warrant for his arrest. Bail was set at $25,000 yesterday for Tracy Jackson, better known as Power 99's "Uncle O," on charges of pointing a gun at a club owner last weekend. Jackson, 36, surrendered Wednesday on a warrant charging him with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault and other offenses stemming from the incident early Sunday at Club Samba, Seventh Street and Girard Avenue. The station declined comment but an internal memo said Jackson was suspended pending an investigation. The station, owned by Clear Channel Communications, said it was "long committed to peace on the streets" and added that " 'Uncle O' has been at the forefront" of that movement. Jackson was released after the bail hearing. His next court date is set for Wednesday.
LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2007 Paris Hilton checked into the facility Sunday night to begin serving her sentence for violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case. She was released on June 7, and will serve 40 days at home while wearing a monitoring bracelet. (CBS/AP) Paris Hilton was released from and L.A. County jail early Thursday due to an unspecified medical condition after serving only three days of an already reduced 23-day sentence. She was sent home with an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet and must remain there for 40 days, according to sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore. Whitmore says Hilton left the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood just after midnight. She checked into the facility just after 11:30 p.m. Sunday to serve 23 days, down from the 45 days she was originally sentenced to.Whitmore says Hilton's sentence will return to a 45-day term, with five days' credit for time served. Hilton was housed in the "special needs" unit of the 13-year-old jail, separate from most of its 2,200 inmates. The unit contains 12 two-person cells reserved for police officers, public officials, celebrities and other high-profile inmates. She didn't have a cellmate. After her first night in jail, Hilton's lawyer, Richard A. Hutton, said she was doing well under the circumstances. "She's using this time to reflect on her life, to see what she can do to make the world better and hopefully, in my opinion, to change the attitudes that exist about her among many people," Hutton said after visiting Hilton. There's your proof........Money can buy justice/injustice
Hip-hop legend MARLEY MARL is recovering
in a New York hospital after suffering a heart attack yesterday
(05Jun07). The iconic producer - real name Marlon Williams - played
a vital part in establishing the rap industry in the early 1980s
and 1990s, and has produced tracks for artists including Rakim,
Big Daddy Kane and LL Cool J.
The Game was charged in Los Angeles with making a criminal threat and possessing a firearm in a school zone. The felony charges against the 27-year-old rapper, whose real name is Jayceon Terrell Taylor, stemmed from a fight during a Feb. 24 pickup basketball game in South Los Angeles, the district attorney's office said. Taylor pulled a gun from his red Cadillac Escalade after punching a player on the opposing team and threatened to shoot him, police said. The hip-hop star was arrested May 11 at his Glendale home by police executing a search warrant and was released on $50,000 bail. He also is charged with exhibiting a firearm in the presence of an officer.Taylor was scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles. He faces more than five years in state prison if convicted. His attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Former Bad Boy artist and member of the group Hi-Five, Tony Thompson, was found dead on Friday in Waco Texas. He was 31 years old. Thompson's friends told the Waco Tribune-Herald that he died of a drug overdose. Thompson signed with Jive Records in 1990 as part of Hi-Five. Thompson released his solo debut, "Sexsational," in 1995 after Hi-Five split. Tony Thompson (born September 2, 1975 died June 1, 2007) was the lead vocalist of the R&B group Hi-Five. Thompson, who was raised in Oklahoma City, started singing solos in the local church choir at the age of eight. He was noticed by a producer and made a cut of a demo with Roderick Clark, Russell Neal, Marcus Sanders, and Toriano Easley, acquaintances from his days in Waco. Hi-Five signed with Jive Records in 1990. The quintet's self-titled debut album went multi-platinum and created several hits, including "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)," "I Can't Wait Another Minute," and "Just Another Girlfriend". Thompson had his own record label, N'Depth, and had re-incarnated Hi-Five with four new members, one of whom was his younger brother. The group's new album, The Return, was released in 2006.
The chairman and chief executive of HBO, Chris Albrecht, announced this afternoon that he was taking a leave of absence after being charged with assaulting a girlfriend in a Las Vegas parking lot early Sunday. In an e-mail message today to all HBO employees, Mr. Albrecht said he was "deeply sorry for what occurred in Las Vegas this weekend" and that it represented "a wake-up call to me of a weakness I thought I had overcome long ago." The chief operating officer of HBO, Bill Nelson, will assume Mr. Albrecht's duties temporarily. "We take these matters very seriously and will monitor the situation closely," said Richard D. Parsons, the chairman and chief executive of Time Warner, which owns HBO. Mr. Albrecht's leave comes at an inopportune time for HBO. Hours after the Las Vegas police released Mr. Albrecht on Sunday, the cable channel broadcast the latest episode of its marquee series, "The Sopranos," which will ends its six-season run on June 10. In Sunday's episode, one character, Christopher Moltisanti, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, was depicted as committing an act of violence after getting drunk. As the channel's chief executive, Mr. Albrecht had been involved in assembling HBO's next act, including the debut of what it hopes will be its next signature series, "John From Cincinnati." That show fuses elements of surfing culture, quantum physics and troubled family life, and it is to have its premiere immediately after the final scene of "The Sopranos." Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said the incident took place at about 3 a.m. on Sunday in the valet parking area of the MGM Grand Hotel, the site of a championship bout between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The officer described the altercation as "a battery" and then defined such an offense as involving "hitting, choking or shoving." The victim was said by the police to have been Mr. Albrecht's girlfriend, but they have not released her name.
Top rappers 50 Cent and T.I. spoke their minds about the recent controversy over inappropriate language in hip-hop yesterday (May 16) during a press conference to announce the 2007 BET Awards nominees. As previously reported, a group of urban leaders has urged the music industry to censor the words "b*tch," "ho" and the "N-word" from future hip-hop albums. "It's not really a tragedy to me that that's happening," 50 Cent said. "I think for a moment a lot of people forgot that our country's at war. They'll point to usage of content in music like hip-hop and say it maybe influences violence on some levels and not point to actual films that are released and have similar content. I personally believe on every level that it's easier to attack an individual than it is to go after a corporation. They'll go after a specific hip-hop artist as opposed to a Paramount or a Columbia Pictures." A journalist pressed that 50, who repeatedly promoted his upcoming album, "Curtis," during the Q&A, hadn't truly answered the question, adding, "Do you feel compelled at all to get with the program and not use certain words?" "Music is a mirror and hip-hop is a reflection of the environment we grew up in, the harsh realities," 50 Cent said. "If I ask you to paint a picture of the American flag and not use the color red, you'd have a difficult time. So to capture what we're trying to in this art form, I'm sure some conservative Americans can't actually ID with it because of their lifestyle and the way they've been brought up. They haven't been exposed to these realities. I understand it. I'm actually angry at some points when I'm confused or I don't have information. Again, I understand why I'm constantly being attacked on some levels. It's difficult to find hip-hop that has had any success that hasn't had content on some level that was a little racy." Adding his perspective, an impassioned T.I. remarked, "What 50 was trying to put into words without losing his temper is it all starts at home. I'm a father of five. And my kids watch BET. They watch all kinds of videos, they watch movies, they listen to music, they like 50 and Lil' Wayne, whomever you can mention. But when my children look at these videos or listen to this music, I don't care how impressionable it is. They know they aren't going to have to deal with 50. They're going to have to deal with daddy. And that's the way it starts." Against loud applause, T.I. continued,
"We look to rappers, athletes and stars to raise our children
instead of "The things I say come from the life that I used to live," he said. "And this is a harsh reality. Now, maybe most of you were fortunate enough to not have ever dealt with that. Most of you all don't know what it's like to have to sell some dope or you aren't going to have nothing to eat for the next three days. Most of you all don't know what that life is like. I know the B-word, the H-word and the N-word are the words under attack right now. And I don't know if you know it or not, people, but there are b*tches, n*ggas and hos who live in America. And as long as that fact exists, I think rappers deserve the right to talk about it."
ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis company that operates four TV stations and a hip-hop radio station said Wednesday it is banning programming and music lyrics that it deems violent, sexist and racist. The decision by black-owned Roberts Broadcasting Cos. LLC comes less than a week after Don Imus was fired by CBS Radio for calling members of the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos." Fallout from the incident renewed debate about lyrics of many rap and hip-hop songs that are racially charged and derogatory toward women. The Rev. Al Sharpton has called entertainment the next battleground after Imus. St. Louis brothers Michael and Steven Roberts operate a multifaceted business that includes an aviation company, shopping centers, hotels, construction firms and residential developments. The broadcasting unit includes four television stations _ WRBU in St. Louis, WZRB in Columbia, S.C., WAZE in Evansville, Ind., and WRBJ in Jackson, Miss. The company also operates WRBJ-FM, a hip-hop station in Jackson. "We take tremendous pride in being African-American and refuse to let anyone, white or black, strip us of that pride," said Steven Roberts, president and chief operating officer of the company. The decision will have an immediate impact on WRBJ-FM. Rather than censoring offensive words, Roberts spokeswoman Keesha Dhaene said, "We're going to ban them altogether, which is a hard move for a hip-hop station. If it's offensive in any way toward women, or African-Americans, it's not going to be played on Hot 97.7."
Vocalist Will Downing has cancelled touring for the immediate future after being diagnosed with a disorder called polymyositis, a debilitating chronic inflammatory disease of the muscles that can possibly lead to the point where those afflicted are no longer walk or move their bodies. Its cause is unknown. Downing, 46, has been hospitalized since January. Although polymyositis can occur at any age, it mostly affects adults in their 40s and 50s. It is more common in blacks than in whites, and women are diagnosed more often than men. According to the Mayo Clinic, periods of remission, during which signs and symptoms improve spontaneously, rarely occur in polymyositis. However, treatment can improve muscle strength and function. Downing says that he first came down with symptoms over the holidays when he felt extremely tired and sick. He adds that his fear of doctors kept him from discovering what his affliction was. However, the singer says he is now in rehabilitation and working to get himself back in shape. He's moving slowly, but he's moving nonetheless and is thankful for that and for the fact that his voice so far has not been affected. Downing says he still plans to release a new CD this September on Peak Records, which was co-founded by Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons. Our prayers go out to Will and his family as he learns to live with the disease.
Multichannel.com is reporting that the Black Family Channel will air its last broadcast on April 30 before shutting down permanently. The 16 million-subscriber network -- co-owned by lawyer Willie Gary, former baseball star Cecil Fielder, entertainer Marlon Jackson, cable veteran Alvin James and former heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield - had trouble securing significant cable and satellite distribution to remain in business, sources tell the Web site.
The number of digital tracks sold, meanwhile, jumped by 53 per cent to 250.8 million compared with 164.2 million in the same period last year, the firm said. The shortfall in album sales drops to 10.5 per cent when sales of digital singles are counted as 10-track equivalent albums. "It's not making up totally for the decline but at least it's able to account for some of the decline in sales," said Chris Muratore, vice- president of retail relations for Nielsen Entertainment. Still, overall music sales are up by more than 17 per cent but that figure includes all albums, singles, music videos and digital downloads. The recording industry has seen CD album sales decline for years, in part due to the rise of online file-sharing but also as consumers have spent more of their leisure dollars on other entertainment purchases, such as DVDs and video games. The industry has benefitted from sources of revenue that weren't around just a few years ago, such as mobile music sales. So far this year, more than 72 million ringtones have been purchased by mobile phone-users, said Nielsen RingScan, which began tracking the sector last fall. One factor in the decline of album sales is that record labels have cut back on the number of new album releases by major artists early in the calendar year. "If you look at the last couple of years, fewer and fewer of those acts have been released in the first half of the year and this year has been horrible," Muratore said. "It's proven that if you put something out, an established name, a big name, people are going to go buy the music." Crooner Norah Jones and country singer Tim McGraw are the biggest acts to release new albums this year, he said. Jones' album, "Not Too Late," has sold about 1.2 million copies so far this year, while McGraw's "Let It Go," has sold 570,000, SoundScan said. Fall Out Boy's album "Infinity On High," has sold around 760,000 copies, the firm said. The other top sellers this year have been albums released last year by the likes of Justin Timberlake, Daughtry, and Akon. Last year's biggest-selling album, the soundtrack inspired by the Disney Channel movie "High School Musical," was released in January. It sold more than 3.7 million copies. "Six out of the past seven years, the No. 1 album was released no later than May," Muratore said. New York's powerful Hip-Hop/R&B Station, WWPR vows to stop playing songs with degrading images WWPR (105.1 FM), one of two city radio stations that feature hip-hop music, said yesterday morning it's going to stop playing songs with degrading images. "The station won't sound that different, because we weren't playing a lot of that anyway," said program director Helen Little. "What we're doing is holding labels and artists accountable for what they say and how they say it. "We want our listeners to know that whatever they hear here, we thought about it." Little went on the air yesterday morning with Ed Lover, Egypt and Donnell Rawlins, music director Nadine Santos and guests who included activists Kevin Powell and the Rev. Al Sharpton. This "town meeting" was designed to involve listeners in a discussion of content issues surrounding hip hop and radio. The discussion came as some critics, including Sharpton, who pushed for last week's firing of WFAN's Imus, vowed to turn their attention to negative images and lyrics in hip-hop music. Lover and Little said, however, that Power had been having this discussion for some time, and Santos, among others, cautioned against linking Imus' comment about the Rutgers women's basketball team with hip hop. "Let's not get it twisted," she said. "This isn't what hip hop is about. What Imus said has nothing to do with hip hop." There was also discussion over whether some listeners want more graphic lyrics. Little said they may, and that's fine. "We're not saying you can't make this music," she said. "Just we won't play it. "Our intention is to encourage people not to talk this way anymore." We did
it! - CBS fires Don Imus CBS chief, Leslie Moonves, said in, in part, "From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and revulsed by the statements that were made on our air about the young women who represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship with such class, energy and talent." He added, "Those who have spoken with us the last few days represent people of goodwill from all segments of our society – all races, economic groups, men and women alike. In our meetings with concerned groups, there has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society. "That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision, as have the many emails, phone calls and personal discussions we have had with our colleagues across the CBS Corporation and our many other constituencies."
Gladys Knight will receive the 16th annual ELLA Award from the Society of Singers. The honor, named after its first recipient, jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald, salutes entertainers for their musical successes and dedication to charitable and humanitarian causes."It is a truly awesome feeling to be receiving this honor. Ella was the sweetest and most beautiful person as a talent and as a human being," Knight said Tuesday.Knight will receive the award Sept. 10. Past winners include Elton John, Frank Sinatra and Celine Dion. "Gladys Knight has one of the greatest and most distinctive voices of our time," said Jerry F. Sharell, the Society of Singers' president and chief executive officer. (The Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization offers services to meet the emergency financial needs of professional singers worldwide.)Knight, 62, has won seven Grammys in her career, with hits including "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)."
In court papers, the prosecutors identify Ronald "Tenad" Washington as the armed accomplice of a second unidentified gunman who shot Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, inside his New York recording studio in 2002. They say Washington also is a suspect in the 1995 fatal shooting of Randy Walker, a close associate of the late rapper Tupac Shakur. The papers were filed earlier this month in the federal trial of Washington, who was convicted in a string of armed robberies that occurred just after Jay was killed. Prosecutors declined to discuss the unsolved slayings. A Mizell family spokesperson welcomed news that authorities had for the first time publicly identified a suspect, saying "We're relieved there's some information coming out, although we understand that it's not the full story." Washington, 45, has denied any connection to either the Mizell or Walker cases. In a sworn statement, he claimed hostile detectives had hounded him about the slaying of his "childhood friend" Mizell and other crimes. Washington's criminal record dates to 1982, and includes convictions for assault, drugs and grand larceny, authorities said. Mizell was gunned down Oct. 30, 2002, at his 24/7 recording studio in Queens. According to a performer there, a man wearing a black sweat suit appeared, embraced Mizell, pulled out a .40-caliber pistol and opened fire.
Gerald Levert's death was an accident, caused by a fatal combination of prescription narcotics and over-the-counter drugs. The drugs in his bloodstream included the narcotic pain relievers Vicodin, Percocet and Darvocet, along with anxiety medication Xanax and two over-the-counter antihistamines, Geauga County Coroner Kevin Chartrand said. The official cause of death was acute intoxication, and the death was ruled accidental. Chartrand said his office received a report Thursday from the Cuyahoga County coroner's office, which conducted the autopsy. Levert, 40, son of O'Jays singer Eddie Levert, died Nov. 10 in his suburban Cleveland home. He was taking the pain medication because of chronic pain from a lingering shoulder problem and surgery in 2005 to repair a severed Achilles tendon. The autopsy revealed that Levert had pneumonia. Levert also took Xanax for anxiety attacks, Gibson said. Atlanta
officers to face murder indictment By BILL TORPY
But, according to the proposed indictment, no informant went to the house. Smith's attorney had no comment on the matter, and Tesler's could not be reached. Eight officers were put on administrative leave after the shooting. The incident prompted an investigation that has included state and federal authorities. Csehy responded angrily to the threat of an indictment against his client, saying, "It's an overbroad indictment." He complained Howard's office acted prematurely without consulting with the FBI, which is still investigating. "Paul Howard is no longer part of a joint investigation," Csehy said. Patrick Crosby, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, said Howard had not informed his office about plans to seek indictments. FBI spokesman Stephen Emmett said, "We did not know this was taking place prior. The FBI has been charged with leading this investigation. And to date, this investigation has not been completed."Csehy conceded his client may have made mistakes, but he said Junnier didn't commit murder. "There was no malfeasance here. It was sloppy police work," Csehy said. "It was cutting corners." Anna Nichole Smith Dead at 39
Smith gained notoriety when she married the then 89 year-old billionaire J. Howard Marshall in 1994. The two met at a Houston strip club where Anna Nichole was performing. Marshall died 14 months later and Smith found herself mired in a lengthy and bitter legal battle with her late husband's family to claim one half of the billionaire's estate. The litigation remains ongoing. Smith was spokesperson for weight-loss conglomerate TrimSpa and subsequently dropped almost 70 pounds. By this time however Smith exhibited bizarre public behaviour and many speculated that she was heavily self medicated. Days after the birth of Smith's second child last year in Florida, her 20 year-old son died suddenly. Autopsy reports indicated that he had lethal doses of methadone and antidepressants in his system at the time of his death. Smith, born Vickie Lynn Hogan in Houston Texas was 39 years old. Gillie the kid
arrested as drug house busted in Oxford Circle
The agents were tipped to check out Fard's properties on Passmore and soon observed him receiving a delivery of marijuana, Werner said. The FBI and city narcotics officers set up surveillance for several hours and took down the alleged dealers when they tried to leave Tuesday night in an array of luxury cars, including a Jaguar and a Lexis. Also arrested were Mark Jeffries, 41; Rhashima Brown, 34; Regina Little, 27; Garnell Brown, 25, and Izeem Ruffings, 25 - all of Philadelphia. Each was charged with conspiracy and possessing narcotics with intent to deliver.
Warner Music Group Corp. on Thursday (Feb. 8) posted a 74% drop in its quarterly profit and fell short of Wall Street expectations on a weaker album release schedule than a year before. A generally tough environment for music sales also contributed to the shortfall, as a growing number of consumers are downloading more music over the Internet, with such services as Apple Inc.'s iTunes, rather than buying physical albums. Music companies have raced to boost digital sales as a percentage of overall revenue, but digital remains a relatively small piece of the pie. The world's fourth-largest music company said profit for the fiscal first quarter ended December 31 fell to $18 million, or 12 cents per share, down from $69 million, or 46 cents per share the year before. Revenue fell 11% to $928 million. Results missed the average of Wall Street analysts' forecasts for earnings per share of 24 cents and revenue of $943.9 million, according to Reuters Estimates. Albums by artists including My Chemical Romance and Josh Groban sold worse than hit albums a year earlier by such artists as Madonna, James Blunt, Enya and Green Day. Recorded music sales fell 13% to $800 million, dragged by the United States and Europe and dampening stronger sales in Asia Pacific. Warner said digital music sales continued to increase their share of total revenue to 11%, or $100 million. In Warner's U.S. recorded music business, digital music sales amounted to $61 million, or 17% of its domestic business. The company said iTunes remains the major outlet for U.S. consumers while mobile phone partnerships delivered more digital sales internationally. The company said it expects a better second half of the year based on its release schedule and remains "confident" of its fiscal 2007. Serena Williams wallops Sharapova for eighth Grand Slam
Williams poses with the trophy after winning her women's final match against Maria Sharapova. Unseeded and ranked 81st, Williams won for her eighth and most improbable Grand Slam title Saturday, beating Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-2. "It was an awesome win, because I had so many critics. So many people ... saying negative things," Williams said. "Saying I wasn't fit, when I felt that I was really fit, and I could last three sets. "It's always like, tell me no and I'll show you that I can do it. I get the greatest satisfaction just holding up the Grand Slam trophy and proving everyone wrong." Only the second unseeded woman to win the Australian title in the Open era, Williams came to Melbourne Park with only three matches at a low-key warmup tournament after missing most of last season because of a knee injury. She will jump to No. 14 in the world next week after capturing her first title in 15 tournaments since her second Australian Open victory in 2005.
*This is one of those stories that kinda makes you wish you were there to witness it go down. It seems actress Nia Long was kickin' it at the Grove shopping center in LA last Friday with her new boo. But little did she and he know things were about to get ugly. According to the report from TMZ.com, Massai Z. Dorsey, Long's baby daddy and her now ex, ran into the pair. We're not sure what exactly happened, but apparently there's bad blood between the dudes because a street brawl broke out between Dorsey and Long's new guy, right in the middle of the shopping center! When the dust cleared sources say Long's new guy friend put a serious whipping on Long's ex leaving him lying on the street as he and Long took off running. The source also says that as Long was running she lost her shoe but didn't seem to care. She left the shoe behind and kept running! Commodores Member Milan Williams Dies -Gail Mitchell, L.A.
The Commodores' first hit was the 1974 synthesizer-pumped instrumental "Machine Gun." Written by Williams, the song climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard R&B chart. The group went on to score seven No. 1 R&B hits, including "Slippery When Wet," "Just To Be Close to You," "Easy," "Nightshift," "Three Times a Lady" and "Still," the latter two of which also notched No. 1 on the pop chart. Richie left the group for a solo career in 1982, and the Commodores later recorded for Polydor in the late '80s. Williams was born in Okolona, Mississippi on March 28, 1948. Before joining the Commodores, Williams played keyboards for another Tuskegee band, the Jays. He is survived by a host of family members, including his wife, Melanie Bruno-Williams, two sons from previous unions, Jason and Ricci, two brothers and a sister. Services will be held July 14 in Okolona. A memorial service is slated for August in Los Angeles. Noted fellow Commodore Orange, " He gave all that he could give to the Commodores. He'll always be remembered."
Billy Preston, the child prodigy and R&B star who became an unofficial "fifth Beatle," died Tuesday at age 59. The singer-keyboardist died at a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, after a long battle with kidney failure. He'd received a kidney transplant in 2002, but the kidney failed and he'd been in a coma since November. With his super-size Afro and gospel-fired funk, Preston became a top soul star of the 70s and went to No. 1 on the pop charts with Will It Go Round in Circles (1973) and Nothing From Nothing (1974). But he'll be forever remembered for helping keep the Beatles intact during their tumultuous Let It Be sessions. He was the only guest artist ever credited on a Beatles single, Get Back, which was billed as "The Beatles with Billy Preston." He was born in Houston in 1946 but moved at age 2 to Los Angeles, where his mother, Robbie Lee Williams, played piano in nightclubs and churches. He mastered the keyboard as a child, and by 10 was playing churches and had been hired by Mahalia Jackson. In 1958, at age 12, he landed a cameo role playing W.C. Handy in St. Louis Blues. Four years later, he joined Little Richard's band and toured Europe, where he met a fledgling club act called the Beatles. In the mid-60s, Preston went from the Shindig! house band to Ray Charles' group. An appearance with Brother Ray on BBC-TV caught the attention of George Harrison, and in early 1969, at the peak of the Beatles' squabbling, he invited Preston to play keyboards on the band's next LP. "I pulled in Billy Preston on Let It Be because the others would have to control themselves a bit more - John and Paul, mainly, because they had to, you know, act more handsomely," Harrison told the music magazine Crawdaddy in 1977. The partnership worked brilliantly. Preston's majestic organ set up the perfect finale to Let It Be, while his jazz-funk solos helped drive Dig It and Get Back. His fiery remake of Get Back in 1978 was a high point in the otherwise dismal film version of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Beatles signed him to their record label, Apple, where he recorded two albums produced by Harrison. But he didn't strike gold until a few years later when he moved to A&M with Will It Go Round in Circles and the manic organ jam Space Race. In 1975, he was the musical guest on the first episode of Saturday Night Live. But even as he was riding high as a solo act, he worked constantly behind the scenes, writing Joe Cocker's smash hit You Are So Beautiful and serving as a sideman to the Rolling Stones.
The lawyer for fired New York radio jock Troi "Star" Torain asked a court Tuesday to dismiss the charges against his client in connection with on-air threats made to the daughter of a rival disc jockey. Star, former co-host of the syndicated "Star & Buc Wild Morning Show" on Power 105.1 FM, was arrested on charges of criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child after he hurled a barrage of racist and sexual insults about the wife and 4-year-old daughter of Raashaun Casey, known as DJ Envy on New York's Hot 97. Star's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said Torain's remarks were indeed offensive, but were uttered in a moment of frustration." Brafman also reminded the court that Torain had apologized for his actions. "This case either does not belong in criminal court at all, or if it does, the Hot 97 DJs should both be arrested as well, if you apply the same legal theory used to authorize the arrest of Mr. Torain," said Brafman, adding that his client committed no crime with his handgun, for which he had a license until police rescinded it following the on-air rant. Brafman's court papers said nothing that his client did was "likely to be injurious to the physical, mental and moral welfare of a child under 17" and therefore the case should be dismissed. Star, who was fired from his radio gig on May 10, is currently free on $2,000 bail.
Lark Voorhies, best known for her role as Lisa Turtle on TV's "Saved by the Bell," has filed a lawsuit against the National Enquirer for publishing a story that suggested she was battling a cocaine addiction. In Tuesday's filing obtained by TMZ.com, the actress is seeking unspecified punitive damages as a result of the June 2005 article, which quoted a "friend" of Voorhies' as saying she was strung out. "Poor Lark-she's really in bad shape," the Enquirer quoted the "friend" as saying. "She has a terrible drug problem and is bipolar as well. It's very tough." Voorhies, who refutes the claims, says she has "suffered humiliation, mental anguish, emotional and physical distress, and has been injured in mind and body" due to the allegations in the article.
PHILADELPHIA Beanie Sigel, the popular rapper, was shot during an attempted robbery Thursday (May 24th), but was able to drive himself to the hospital, police said.Sigel was shot one or two times in the upper right arm shortly after 8 a.m. and was in good condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, police said. Authorities said the holdup was attempted by five males traveling in two cars, and there was some confusion about where the shooting took place. Beanie's watch and jewelry was taken. He left the hospital in a chauffeured car and went directly to the studio to work on his upcoming project.
LONDON - What was meant to be a friendly chat to promote the new "X-Men" movie turned into a frosty discussion about race on a popular morning radio program, but the British Broadcasting Corp. defended its disc jockey. Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry appeared on Chris Moyles' Radio One breakfast show Thursday and clashed with her host after he impersonated what he described as a "big, fat, black guy." "Are we having a racist moment here?" Berry, the first black actress to win an Academy Award for a lead role, asked Moyles after she took exception to his impersonation. Moyles, who is white, said he just couldn't do American accents. Moyles made it clear on air that there was nothing racist in what he said, a BBC spokesman said Friday on condition of anonymity, in line with the corporation's policy. The exchange began when Hugh Jackman, Berry's "X-Men: The Last Stand" co-star, jokingly suggested that Moyles might take the role of his body double if he ever landed the part of James Bond. "I could definitely do that," Moyles said before adding, "Put your hands in the air!" A somewhat puzzled Jackman replied, "Are you some kind of Brooklyn Bond?" Moyles replied: "I'm a black American guy. A big, fat, black guy. Put your hands up in the air." The interview continued, though the DJ later said Berry was "ratty" - British slang for grouchy. Berry won an Oscar in 2002 for her role in "Monster's Ball."
Johnnie Wilder Jr., frontman and co-founder of the 1970s R&B group Heatwave, died May 13 at his home in Clayton, Ohio. He was 56. No cause of death has been made public. In 1979, Wilder became paralyzed from the neck down after a car accident and subsequently stopped touring with Heatwave, though he continued to serve as lead vocalist. The band's hit singles include "Boogie Nights," "Always and Forever" and "The Groove Line." Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Johnnie's principal alliance with music was his involvement with his high school glee club. After graduating, he served three years in the military in Germany and formed a five man vocal group that performed primarily in military and civilian clubs in the surrounding area. After their tour of duty ended, the original group started to disband, but a small nucleus migrated to West Germany where they restructured under various names, then Heat Wave to Johnnie Wilder Jr. and the Chicago Heatwave. With the addition of a talented performer, Rod Temperton (whose credits include having written "Thriller" and "Off The Wall" for Michael Jackson), their band performed throughout Europe, acquiring an enviable reputation and loyal following at every stop. Eventually, the band relocated to England, shortened its name back to Heatwave and began to attract attention with the release of an original single entitled, "Boogie Nights". By the time the song had reached #1 in London, CBS records were already negotiating a lucrative international distribution deal with GTO records, the group's London label. The rest was history. The next single, "Always and Forever" propelled Too Hot To Handle to sales over three million units. With the singles "Grooveline" and "Mind Blowing Decisions" blazing the path, Central Heating also achieved multi-platinum status in 1978. As Heatwave began producing its third album, Hot Property, in recording studios located in various parts of the world, the future could not have looked brighter to Johnnie Wilder. That was before he decided to take advantage of a break in the hectic recording schedule to visit family and friends in his hometown of Dayton. As quickly as the plane could land, a car could be rented, and he could drive downtown, Johnnie's future, as he perceived it at the time, was over. The very moment that an out of control van totaled Johnnie's car, he was paralyzed with no body movement below the neck. It was a year before he was released from the hospital. Yet immediately, he demonstrated his amazing resilience. Though confided to a wheelchair, he traveled on Heatwave's European tour, and even recorded lead and background vocals on its fourth and fifth albums. Heatwave released seven albums, beginning its 1977 debut "Too Hot To Handle" (Epic) and including a 1997 reunion set, "Live at the Greek Theater" (Century Vista). The group disbanded in 1983 after enduring a series of member arrivals and departures (Temperton quit in 1978). The Wilder brothers released "Sound of Soul" (Blatent) in 1989, and Johnnie recorded two gospel albums, "My Goal" (Light) and "One More Day."
"Yes, I disrespected your seed. If you didn't hear me, I said, I would like to do an R. Kelly on your seed, on your little baby girl. I would like to tinkle on her," the DJ said referring to an alleged videotape of the Chicago-bred pop singer urinating on an underage girl. Star of the Star and Bucwild Morning Show on New York's Power 105.1 radio station has been fired for some very sexually charged statements made on the air. Clear Channel gave Star (real name: Troi Torain) the axe after on-air sexual and threatening comments were made on Monday (May 8) about rival DJ Envy's wife and 4-year-old daughter. "Somebody holla at me and tell me about his whore wife and his kid," Star said, while on the air, offering $500 to any listener who could provide information about the location of Envy's kid's school. "866-678-8270...Somebody get at me about his whore. His whore wife and his kid, this little ugly ass kid, I hear." "I'm disrespectin' your seed. I would like to skeet on the face of your seed," continued Star. Star's employer, Clear Channel, denounced the DJ's comments and say they do not stand for that type of talk by their on-air talent. "We will simply not allow racist pedophiles to use the airways to harass children and families, and create an atmosphere of hate, violence and bigotry in our community," said Council Member John C. Liu during a press conference held Wednesday in New York. Both DJ's (Envy and Star) have been embroiled in an on-air verbal war for weeks now, and this seemed to be the last straw for Star. According to reports, a listener complained to a New York City Councilman, who then called Clear Channel Radio President/CEO John Hogan and demanded Star's dismissal. Premier Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel, airs the Star and Bucwild Morning Show in cities such as Philadelphia, Miami and Richmond, VA. Premiere Radio Networks has suspended the show indefinitely and the rest of the Star and Bucwild Morning team are on suspension pending further investigation.”DJ Envy said he found the comments deplorable and disgusting. "Any man that says he would like to do an R. Kelly on a 4-year-old, who claims he wants to tinkle on her and skeet on her face might be a pedophile," DJ Envy told AllHipHop.com. "Instead of keeping his hatred focused solely on me, he threatened to molest my daughter. He's a coward who hides behind his microphone, who will stop at nothing to generate ratings."
Latin Singer Soraya Dead At 37
The Latin Grammy winner died this morning (May 10) in Florida. The singer had been battling breast cancer for several years and was a spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Sources say she relapsed at the beginning of the year. Soraya, whose mother, aunt and grandmother died of breast cancer, was diagnosed with stage three of the disease in June 2000, just as she was finalizing a new album with Universal Music Latino. She successfully underwent treatment and returned to a new record deal with EMI. Her 2003 album, the self-produced "Soraya," won her the first ever Latin Grammy for best singer/songwriter album. Soraya's illness, compounded with her family history of the disease, led her to become a tireless advocate in the fight against cancer. In 2004, Billboard honored her with its Spirit of Hope Award for her tireless work to raise awareness on the prevention and cure of breast cancer in the Hispanic community. "Basically my life is split in three," Soraya told Billboard at the time. "My music career. My life. And my third part is this [the fight against breast cancer]. It's a full time job." Soraya released her last album in 2005. This week, prior to her death, she posted a goodbye letter to fans on her Web site. "I know there are many questions without answers, and that hope doesn't leave with me, and above all, that my mission does not end with my physical story," she wrote. Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Graffiti Artists in NYC Lawsuit A federal judge has ruled in favor of seven graffiti artists who filed a first amendment lawsuit against the City of New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr. Judge George B. Daniels granted the group's request for a preliminary injunction against recent amendments to anti-graffiti legislation that went into effect on January 1.Effective Thursday, the New York Police Department and all city agencies will be largely prohibited from enforcing the amendments pending final outcome of the case. An underlying lawsuit will now be litigated with the injunction in place. "Today's decision is a victory for the plaintiffs and everyone else whose First Amendment rights were being trampled upon with these laws," said fashion designer Marc Ecko, who has actively supported the graffiti artists and was present when the decision was made. "I am very pleased that the courts have recognized the hypocrisy of this anti-graffiti legislation and its effect on the right to free expression for legitimate artists under the age of 21," he continued. The decision marks the end of days of litigation concerning the lawsuit, titled Vincenty v. Bloomberg, 06 CV 3158 (GBD). The suit, brought by seven graffiti artists, was filed April 25 in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York."As someone whose career has been shaped by graffiti art and street design, I've increasingly felt a responsibility to lend my support to these and other aspiring artists whose rights to express themselves through the medium of legal graffiti-inspired art were being suppressed in New York and cities across the country," Ecko said. "The motif of graffiti is one that has the right to exist credibly, and it is great to see the courts make a distinction between illegal vandalism and the motif of legal graffiti as a legitimate art form that cannot be pushed aside by legislators."
The Source Magazine's founder and former CEO Dave Mays has filed for bankruptcy protection, temporarily halting an auction sale of his stock in the Hip-Hop publication. he auction of his share was halted for a second time in light of Mays' declaration of bankruptcy yesterday morning (May 4). Mays lost control of the magazine after defaulting on an $18 million loan from Textron Financial. In March, a judge ruled that Mays willingly signed contracts giving Black Enterprise/Greenwich Street Partners the right to take control if he defaulted on debt obligations. By not fulfilling these obligations, Mays lost control of the company, along with full ownership. Mays' 82 % stake is being sought after by at least three suitors, including Marc Ecko, Earl "Butch" Graves in conjunction with Black Enterprise, and Partnership Equity. "We found out about the bankruptcy claim at the same time everyone else did," Clint Cantwell, communications director for Ecko Unlimited told AllHipHop.com. "But overall, The Source is a great brand and certainly worth pursuing. I think it would be a great blend with us having Complex Magazine under our belt. So, we'll see how things work out at the auction, whenever the auction actually takes place." Mays' attorney David Finkler declined to comment. After Mays and his partner Ray "Benzino" Scott were ousted, Black Enterprise appointed former editor Jeremy Miller to the position of CEO of The Source. Miller said he and his staff were anxious to see the court proceedings end. "I hope the person who purchases [ The Source will keep the magazine as is, because we're on the right track to progress and get the magazine back to where it used to be," Miller told AllHipHop.com. "I would hope we don't have to start over. Right now, guys from Black Enterprise wouldn't have a problem if they owned the full share of the company." Chaka Khan's son acquitted in murder trial
Holland, 27, was charged with killing Christopher Bailey, a 17-year-old aspiring rapper who was staying at the home Holland shares with his mother, girlfriend and 5-year-old daughter. Holland testified that he never intended to kill Bailey when he poked at him with an M-16 assault rifle. The two were discussing an affair the younger man claimed to have had with Holland's girlfriend when Holland pointed the gun at his friend.Khan testified last week that she believed her son accidentally killed his friend. The singer said Bailey could have survived the shooting had police permitted emergency medical workers to enter her home sooner. EMBER OF T.I.'S CREW KILLED IN CINCINNATI: Gunfire erupts on the highway following fight at afterparty. Three other members of the entourage were injured: a Minnesota woman was hospitalized in stable condition, a bodyguard and a driver were treated and released. Following the incident, police were forced to close down the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 - one of two main highways providing access to downtown Cincinnati - during the morning rush hour.
*Earl Woods, the father of golf legend Tiger Woods, died early Wednesday at his home in Cypress, California. He was 74. "I'm very saddened to share the news of my father's passing at home early this morning," his son, 30, said on his official Web site. "My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply. …I'm overwhelmed when I think of all of the great things he accomplished in his life. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend. I wouldn't be where I am today without him, and I'm honored to continue his legacy of sharing and caring." Tiger spent the last week with his father after returning from a trip to New Zealand, where he attended the wedding of his caddie Steve Williams. In March, he skipped the final practice day for the Players Championship at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida to spend time with him. A former Green Beret, Earl Woods was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1998. Radiation therapy had eradicated the disease until 2004, when it returned and caused lesions on his back and a tumor behind his left eye. After more radiation, he went into remission last year before his condition again deteriorated.
Honolulu, HI (AHN) - Lost star Michelle Rodriguez surrendered to authorities Tuesday to begin a five-day jail sentence for drunk driving. Rodriguez, who portrays police officer Ana Lucia, opted for jail time and a $500 fine rather than 240 hours of community service. The 27-year-old Rodriguez and cast member Cynthia Watros were both charged with drunk driving after they were pulled over Dec. 1 in separate cars within 15 minutes of each other, reports The Associated Press. On Tuesday, the judge gave Rodriguez the option of jail time or community service. Choosing jail over community service was a "personal choice," said her attorney, Steve Barta. Watros, who plays Libby on the ABC castaway drama, pleaded guilty to drunken driving in January and was fined $312, ordered to undergo an alcohol assessment and 14 hours of counseling. She also had her license suspended for 90 days. Both Rodriguez and Watros were spotted weaving on a road in Kailua, on the island of Oahu, where "Lost" is filmed. Both failed field sobriety tests.
Babyface' Files Suit Against Anita Baker
June Pointer, the youngest original member of the Grammy-winning group the Pointer Sisters, who started as a gospel singers in Oakland and reached pop music stardom in the 1970s, died Tuesday. She was 52. Ms. Pointer died at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica from cancer that spread to her pancreas, liver and lungs, said her brother Fritz Pointer. She had been admitted to the hospital in February after suffering a stroke. She is the first member of the musical group to die. With her sisters, Ruth, Anita and Bonnie, the quartet topped pop and R&B charts through the 1970s with hits including "Yes We Can, Can" and "How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side)." The group formed a trio when Bonnie Pointer left to begin a solo career in 1977. In school, she played basketball and ran track, displaying a natural athleticism that transferred into energetic dance performances with the Pointer Sisters. At 15 years of age, June dropped out of Castlemont High School in Oakland to form the duo "Pointers-A Pair" with her sister Bonnie, performing in Bay Area clubs. At about that time, she was raped in an East Oakland neighborhood, became pregnant, and had an abortion, according to Fritz Pointer, sparking what would become a lifelong struggle with drug addiction for Ms. Pointer. With their first album, "The Pointer Sisters," released in 1973, the four sisters won fans with an upbeat style, flashy costumes and eclectic sounds, drawing on soul, rock 'n' roll and jazz roots. In 1974, they won their first of three Grammy awards, for the song "Fairytale," which was named best country vocal performance by a group. "June started performing at 16, and she brought a lot of energy to the group," Fritz Pointer said. "She had an incredible sense of humor and an ability to make people laugh. She loved life." Proof of D12 murdered
uge Knight Filing For Bankruptcy Protection - Roman Wolfe
Death Row is also at the center of a legal battle involving Knight, incarcerated drug dealer Michael "Harry-O" Harris and his estranged wife Lydia Harris. Harry-O, who is serving a 28-year sentence in San Quentin prison, claims he invested $1.5 million in the label through Knight's attorney David Kenner. In March 2005, Knight was ordered to pay Mrs. Harris $107 million because Knight failed to show up to numerous court proceedings to disclose his assets. Knight recently missed another date this past Saturday (April 1). "Mr. Knight doesn't have 107 million dollars," Strick said. "It remains to be seen what becomes of Death Row." The label owns a catalog of multiplatinum albums from Dr. Dre, Tha Dogg Pound, Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur, the best selling rapper of all time. A judge warned Knight that if he missed Saturday's hearing to disclose his assets, the label would be placed into receivership. According to Knight's attorney, filing for bankruptcy protection temporarily prevents Knight from losing ownership of the label. Harry-O filed for divorce from his wife Lydia shortly after the judgment was issued and is seeking half of the $107 million that was awarded his wife in March.
Rapper Black Rob was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday (March 30) after being convicted of grand larceny for robbing a hotel room in 2004. The rapper pleaded guilty to criminal possession of stolen property in November 2005, after hotel security cameras caught him leaving a New York hotel with a woman's pocketbook in November 2004. He was charged with stealing over $6,000 in jewelry and $300 cash from the woman's room. Black Rob, born Robert Ross, was charged with burglary and criminal possession of stolen property and was subsequently sentenced to serve two to six years in jail. He was free on bail, but a fugitive warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to show up to serve his time as arranged. A fugitive warrant was issued and the rapper was arrested in February 2006 in New Jersey. Prosecutors gave Black Rob the maximum sentence because he failed to turn himself in.
Dre of the production team Cool & Dre has something to say about all those rumors surrounding his relationship with Christina Milian, and reports that it damaged her dealings with Def Jam so much that they dropped her from the label. He addresses the drama in a verse on his remix to new song "Chevy Ridin' High" with The Game, Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Pusha T from the Clipse, Rick Ross and Dirtbag. "The New York Post wants to print lies about Christina Milian getting dropped from a record company and I had something to do with it," he told MTV.com. "I had to address it. In a few days, there's gonna be a press release that's gonna shock everyone. She's got some really good sh** going on the music side and movie side." Dre continues: "This guy from the Post knew Cool & Dre executive-produced the project and produced most of the album. Then he found out that Christina was dating me. He found his angle for the story. He printed some sh** that said I had something to do with her getting dropped, which is a complete lie."
The bitterness between Star Jones Reynolds and Rosie O'Donnell started way before their back-and-forth shenanigans leading up to Star's recent dismissal from "The View." According to New York Daily News contributor Jawn Murray, their beef started cooking on May 12, 2004, when Rosie appeared as a guest on "The View" and began making sweeping generalizations about African Americans. As Murray notes in the Daily News's Lowdown column, the segment started out fine, with Rosie - who would later criticize Star for refusing to come clean about her weight loss - telling the former co-host: "You look fabulous! It's like 'Twinkle Twinkle Shrinking Star.'" The first bump in the road came when the conversation swung toward the felony conviction of Martha Stewart. Rosie suggested that women everywhere should "stand up and scream" about Stewart's treatment by the federal government. Jones, a former prosecutor, vehemently objected. Rosie: "Here's what I love. The black
community said you cannot have O.J. Simpson, you cannot have Jayson
…" The next day, Star was still upset over Rosie's comments and said so on the air. "Although the mainstream media may
not collectively report on black role models, trust and believe
there are plenty out there, and you don't need to rally behind O.J.
Simpson," Star said. "I mean, that was inappropriate."
According to Lowdown, Rosie was reportedly not happy with Star's
morning-after remarks, but Barbara Walters tried and failed to get
Star to apologize. Meanwhile, the search for Star's replacement
will officially start when the 10th season begins on Sept. 5. In
the meantime, a revolving door of guest hosts - including Shannen
Doherty (July 31 and Aug. 1), Kelly Monaco and "American Idol"
runner-up Katharine McPhee - will continue to fill the slot until
the season wraps on Aug. 4. ABC execs tell Variety that the rest
of the summer will focus solely on promoting O'Donnell's arrival
in the fall; trying out a bunch of folks to replace Star, execs
say, would rain on Rosie's parade. "It's about getting Rosie
in place and making her comfortable," an insider says.
Philadelphia rapper Gillie Da Kid of Major Figgas was shot in Philadelphia last week and is currently recouperating from his wounds. Gillie was shot last Wednesday (June 14) as he was attempting to enter his vehicle in a section of North Philadelphia. The rapper was struck three times, twice in the arm and once in the leg. The rapper was rushed to a local hospital where he was treated for his wounds and released. According to Philadelphia police, Gillie Da Kid has been uncooperative with their investigations, and they have no clue as to who was responsible for the attack. Gillie Da Kid is a member of the Philadelphia based rap group Major Figgas, who hit big with their single, "Yeah That's Us" which rose to #3 on Billboard's Rap/Hip-Hop charts in 2000.
Port Washington, N.Y.-based Koch Entertainment Distribution has announced exclusive, North American agreements with three independent record labels. Koch will handle releases from HBD Label Group, Worldwide Music, Inc. and Taxi Records. The reggae-focused Taxi Records is owned by Grammy-winners Sly & Robbie. The 30 year-old company has previously issued albums through Island /Universal, and upcoming Koch-distributed releases include Sly & Robbie's "Rhythm Doubles" featuring Wyclef Jean, Bounty Killer and Beres Hammond, as well as the tribute album "Greetings to Led Zeppelin + Queen." The HBD Label Group, which boasts its own overseas distribution network, encompasses urban and electronic labels. Koch is the company's first distributor. Worldwide Music, Inc. is a gospel label founded alongside Gospel Truth Magazine by Kerry Douglas. The company's releases were previously handled by Navarre.
St. Louis rapper Nelly and his St. Lunatics crew will open a new bar and grill in August in Hazelwood. The new restaurant, called Mack's Bar and Grill, was originally slated for an April opening but was pushed back because the rappers were waiting for Mack's manager, Tony Powell, to finish his work as a chef and manager at Azio, an Italian restaurant in Atlanta. As a result of the delay, the Hazelwood City Council is expected to extend a special land-use permit for Mack's next month, according to city officials. The restaurant, which takes its name from the first letters of the owners' names - Murphy Lee, Ali, Slodown, Kyjuan and Cornell, Nelly's first name, is now scheduled to open August 10 at 6827 Howdershell Road. Powell is confident Macks's will become a staple in Hazelwood's food community.
MySpace.com's tagline is "A place for friends." But in the shadow of a string of recent high-profile incidents involving teens and older users, the popular social networking site is planning to roll out a series of new rules that will restrict how some of those friends can interact. Specifically, it will limit the amount of contact adults can have with younger users. According to The Associated Press, the new rules, announced on June 21st, will bar MySpace users who are 18 or over from requesting to be on a 14- or 15-year-old's friends' list unless they already know either the youth's e-mail address or full name. Any user will still be able to get a partial profile of younger users by searching for other attributes, such as display name. That is different from the current options, which allow adults to be added to a youth's list to view the full profile. Under the new rules, that option will disappear for adults registered as 18 and over, according to the AP. (Partial profiles only show gender, age and city, while full profiles have information on schools, hobbies and any personal details the user posts.) The move to beef up security comes just two days after a 14-year-old girl filed a $30 million lawsuit in Texas against MySpace and News Corp. claiming she was sexually assaulted by a 19-year-old man she met on MySpace. The suit alleges that the site has "absolutely no meaningful protections or security measures to protect underage users." And earlier this month, a 16-year-old girl tricked her parents into getting her a passport so she could fly to the Mideast and marry a 20-year-old man she met through MySpace. U.S. officials in Jordan persuaded the teen to turn around and go home before the arranged marriage took place. MySpace hired former federal prosecutor Hemanshu Nigam to be the site's first chief security officer earlier this year and rolled out a series of public service announcements about online safety. MySpace officials told the AP that the new restrictions have been long planned and are unrelated to recent events.
I'm so (ho, hum) surprised. Hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons announced that his 7 year marriage to model-turned-golddigger-turned-entrepreneur wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, is over. The news -- came amid tabloid reports hinting at trouble in paradise. "We have been together for 14 years. Kimora and I will remain committed parents and caring friends with great love and admiration for each other," said Simmons, 48. The announcement also confirmed that while Simmons and Lee Simmons were separated for some time, they have continued living under the same roof. They are the parents of two young daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee, who are prominently featured in advertisements for Lee's Baby Phat merchandise, and on the recently aired VH1 reality show '(Inside) Out.' In the current edition of 'Vibe Vixen,' Lee Simmons --who is featured on the cover-- brushed off rumors of an impending breakup and denied that her marriage was one of convenience. "One thing my marriage is not, is convenient. I am inconvenienced," she told the magazine's former senior editor Margeaux Watson. "Russell and I have been together 14 years. That's a long time - almost half my life. The things that we go through are very regular things that regular people in Middle America go through. But because of my lifestyle or the logistics of it all, it's probably magnified those things. But they are the same problems and the same situations." Over the years, Simmons --who helms the multi-faceted Rush Communications-- has been one of his wife's staunchest supporters and defender to tabloid media who have reported about her over-the-top, extravagant lifestyle. Whitney Houston broke, addicted to crack?
Brown, who is the sister of Houston's hubby Bobby Brown, reports that Houston regularly locks herself in her bedroom, doesn't wash, and beats herself, believing that she's being attacked by the devil. Brown also states that the singer uses crack daily and that the two were drug buddies in the past. Houston's drug problems are apparently not only taking a physical toll but a financial one as well. Fox news is reporting that Houston is broke from years of drug abuse and lavish spending. Apparently it isn't Bobby that is dragging Whitney down. The king of R&B has his fair share of problems, but it's 80's pop star Cherelle that seems to Whitney's crack compadre in crime. Remember Cherelle she sang hits like "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On". Everyone should remember one of her famous choruses with Alexander O'Neil.... "Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday love".... Whitney's life is such a dismal mess that, according to sources, her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, is living with Whitney's brother Gary and sister-in-law, Pat, close to Houston's home in Atlanta. Regardless if the Enquirer story is true or not, expect lawsuits to be filed on behalf of Houston against the tabloid publication within the coming weeks.
R. Kelly's brother Kerry is putting out a new tell-all DVD that promises to shock the world with revelations about the R&B crooner. According to the DVD, features Kerry announcing that R. Kelly is indeed the man having sex with an underage girl in the infamous videotape. Kerry also claims that his brother bragged about the tape and showed it to his friends - even going so far as to hold an screening on his tour bus. Kerry further claims that Kelly offered him $50,000 in cash and a record deal if he would tell police that it was Kerry on the tape, and not Kelly. Kerry also says that Kelly has had sex with a number of underage women, and confirmed that he had a sexual relationship with the late Aaliyah. Kerry also claims on the DVD that Kelly has molested his own niece. Additionally, Kerry says that Kelly regularly beats his wife and the couple has a wild sex life that includes frequent ménage-a-trois encounters. In closing, Kerry claims that R. Kelly is bisexual and has had numerous gay relationships that have been alluded to in his recent "Trapped in the Closet" saga.
A final decision has been made by the Supreme Court of the State of New York in favor of the takeover of The Source magazine by Black Enterprise/Greenwich Street Corporate Growth Partners. As of March 23, Textron Financial, the company's senior leader, is free to sell the portion of the company that Dave Mays owns. In his ruling, Judge Richard B. Lowe III stated that "the contracts and agreements are clear, unequivocal and unambiguous and should be enforced." According to the ruling, Mays willingly signed contracts giving BE/Greenwich Street Partners the right to take control if he defaulted on debt obligations. By not fulfilling these obligations Mays lost control of the company and along with full ownership. "Mays and Raymond 'Benzino' Scott have consistently made false statements over the last two months about their continuing control of The Source," said Jeremy Miller, President and CEO of The Source magazine. "These rumors and lies have been and continue to be false. We are looking forward to finally being able to move forward without distractions." In the April issue that will hit newsstands next week, The Source will exclusively explain exactly why Mays and Benzino were ousted. Mays has the right take the ruling to trial, but his remaining shares would still be auctioned off.
Lumumba Carson, the hip-hop artist known to fans as Professor X who used music to impart a vision of black nationalism and instill pride in the culture through his work with the group X-Clan, died March 17. He was 49. Professor X died at a hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., of spinal meningitis, a spokeswoman for the group said. The son of New York activist Sonny Carson, Professor X took elements of his father's message - a call for African Americans to stand up for themselves in the face of injustice - and used it as the philosophical underpinnings of X-Clan's music. Professor X came of age musically in the days before hip-hop had become associated - at least in the minds of some - with violence and gangster life. The late 1980s and the 1990s produced hip-hop artists who infused the music with a serious dose of hard-edged political content and social commentary. "Professor X had a foot in the black power movement and hip-hop, so when their album came out it was a very, very important record," said Jeff Chang, author of "Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation." X-Clan recorded only two albums: "To the East, Blackwards" in 1990, followed by "Xodus" in 1992. Terrence Howard disappointed with Three 6 Mafia's performance - Jawn Murray
Why didn't Howard perform the song himself on the award show, since he is who actually performs the track in the film? "Because the people who choreographed it hadn't seen the film," he answered. The 'Hustle & Flow' star also cleared up the report that he had decided once again to attempt to win his wife Lori back following this year's Oscars. "No, no, no. I'm divorced and me and her are friends," said Howard, who wouldn't elaborate on whether he was still seeing Marc Anthony's ex, Dayanna Torres.
Steve Harvey was making light of his recent divorce from wife Mary Lee while hosting NABOB's recent Communications Awards Dinner. The 'King of Comedy,' and host of the nationally syndicated 'Steve Harvey Morning Show' on radio, said he was extremely impressed with his ex-wife's divorce attorney. "I was sitting in court looking at him like, 'Jesus, where did she get him from?' His portrayal of me was outstanding," Harvey said. "He got up and said, 'He's never home! He's not there! She feels abandoned! The children don't know him!' How did he know all of this? Was he there? I just started giving away stuff in the courtroom Isaac Hayes quits "South Park"
Hayes, 63, a devoted follower of the Church of Scientology, did not mention a "South Park" episode that aired last fall poking fun at Scientology and some of its celebrity adherents, including actor Tom Cruise.Rather, Hayes said the show's parody of religion is part of what he saw as a "growing insensitivity toward personal spiritual beliefs" in the media generally, including the recent controversy over cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad. The singer, who became the first black composer to win an Oscar for best song with his theme to the film "Shaft," said he formally asked to be released from his contract with "South Park," on the Comedy Central cable channel. A spokesman for the Viacom Inc.-owned network said producers of the show and its creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, had agreed not to "enforce" Hayes' contract. "Obviously, Matt and Trey are disappointed that he's not going to be part of the show, but they're not going to make him do something he doesn't want to do," the spokesman, Tony Fox, told Reuters. However, he said Stone and Parker "feel that it's a bit disingenuous (for Hayes) to cite religious intolerance as a reason for him pulling out of the show" because the series has lampooned religion since its start, taking shots at Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Mormons, among others. Temple basketball coach, John Chaney, Retires PHILADELPHIA -- Temple University’s Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, John Chaney, announced his retirement today after 24 years at the helm of one of the most successful college basketball programs in the nation.
Said Temple President David Adamany: “Coach John Chaney’s basketball achievements are legendary. In two-dozen years at Temple, Coach Chaney did not always have the strongest recruiting classes, but he always got the most out of his players, on and off the court. John’s most exemplary accomplishment might be in the lives he transformed by providing opportunity to, and demanding excellence from, the student-athletes he recruited to Temple. His very presence restored Temple’s basketball program to one of national importance.“On behalf of his players, the entire University community and college basketball fans everywhere, I thank and congratulate Coach Chaney for his remarkable perseverance and success,” Adamany added.A search for a successor will begin immediately, said Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw.
Gordon Parks: Pioneering Director, Photographer, Gentleman, Gone at 93
"He's the godfather of Black cinema,
he made Spike Lee possible, but he's also the godfather of modern
Black photography," says culture critic Greg Tate. "He
married artistic expression and commercial success in the same way
Miles did, and you need that to make a way for future generations." Parks' photographs of Harlem's Street Gangs from the World War II era render the gangsters elegant, and his photographs of Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X are iconographic. Parks was for a long time the lone black photographer at Life; where over 300 of his photographs were published in the three decades he worked for the magazine. His 1971 book of photos, 'Born Black,' documents the resistance movement from Martin Luther King Jr. to Stokley Carmichael, but it also includes essays that are some of the most insightful on the transition from Civil Rights to Black Power. His access, be it to street gangs or to jazz greats was predicated on his long-standing dedication to community. While producing 'Half Past Autumn,' an HBO documentary about Gordon Parks, filmmaker St. Clair Bourne was moved by the upright way Parks' moved through life. In 1978 Parks buried his oldest son and namesake, a filmmaker in his own right ('Superfly' and 'Three The Hard Way'), who died in a plane crash. Married and divorced three times, Parks is survived by three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Condemned rapper Christopher "Cool C" Roney was granted a stay of execution by a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania judge on Feb. 1. he rapper was scheduled to die on Mar. 9 for the 1996 murder of police officer Lauretha Vaird. When Vaird, 43, responded to a silent alarm at a PNC Bank branch in Philadelphia, she was shot in the chest as she entered the bank, according to reports. She was not wearing a bulletproof vest that day. ool C, 36, along with rapper Warren "Steady B." McGlone and Mark Canty were convicted of first-degree murder for their role in killing Vaird, a nine-year veteran who was Philadelphia's first female officer ever killed in the line of duty. In Oct. 1996, McGlone and Mark Canty were sentenced to life in prison, while Cool C was sentenced to die by lethal injection. ast month, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed the rapper's execution warrant. But Judge Gary Glazer has issued an order to put Cool C's execution on hold until his post-conviction litigation is resolved. n early pioneer in Hip-Hop, Cool C was a member of the Philadelphia-based rap collective The Hilltop Hustlers in the late 1980s. He hit it big with "Juice Crew Dis" and the 1989 hit single, "Glamorous Life." ABC News will air an in-depth "Primetime" report Thursday evening (Feb. 9) on New York State attorney general Eliot Spitzer's investigation into the alleged participation in payola by nine of the nation's radio groups. The segment will be anchored by ABC News investigative reporter Brian Ross, who's hard-hitting reports on the music business date back to 1986, when he uncovered alleged organized crime ties to record promotion. According to a teaser report on abc.com, Spitzer says evidence clearly shows some of the radio conglomerates have accepted payments from record companies and middlemen for guaranteed airplay. "The behavior has been unethical, improper, illegal and a sanction of some severity clearly should be imposed," Spitzer told Ross. The nine radio companies receiving subpoenas from the attorney general are Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Entercom, Emmis, Citadel, Cumulus, Cox, Pamal and ABC. Spitzer says that much of the money went directly to corporate bottom lines, instead of PDs or disc jockeys, and that documents obtained from Sony BMG and Warner Music Group outline details of millions of dollars in payments, gifts and trips in exchange for airplay. WMG became the second major label to settle with Spitzer's office in November, agreeing to stop providing radio stations and their employees with financial incentives and promotional items in exchange for airplay of its recordings. The company also agreed to provide $5 million for distribution to New York State not-for-profits that fund programs aimed at music education and appreciation. Sony BMG earlier had entered into a similar $10 million settlement In statements to ABC News, five of the radio companies say they are cooperating with the attorney general's investigation and take the matter seriously. The other companies have not responded to requests for comment.
Oprah Winfrey has signed a three-year, $55 million deal with XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. to launch a new radio channel. The new channel, "Oprah & Friends," will air programming on fitness, health and self-improvement topics with personalities that appear on Winfrey's TV program, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," as well as in O, The Oprah Magazine. It will also feature a weekly radio show with Winfrey and Gayle King. The $55 million deal is a far cry from the $600 million, five-year deal that rival satellite radio broadcaster Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. has with morning shock jock Howard Stern. XM also has signed other big programming contracts, including an 11-year, $650 million deal for Major League Baseball. Winfrey's new channel on XM will feature personalities that appear on her show and in her magazine including Bob Greene, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Nate Berkus. XM and Sirius are locked in a fierce competition to sign up programming and new subscribers as they both strive to reach profitability. Each service costs about $13 a month and offers dozens of channels of commercial-free music as well as other channels of talk and news.
Miami-based record label Slip-N-Slide Records has inked a multi-million dollar deal with Def Jam, headed by rapper/mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter. While Trina, Trick Daddy and Ft. Meyers rapper Plies will remain signed as Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic artists, newcomers Rick Ross, of Miami, and Citty, of Atlanta, will record under the new Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam imprint, where a new roster of talent will be developed. "We met with every major label head across the country, but the level of respect that Def Jam showed for Slip-N-Slide was priceless," said Slip-N-Slide President Ted "Touche" Lucas. "Jay-Z saw Slip-N-Slide's vision and was willing to do everything in his power to make that vision a reality."
Rhymes' Bodyguard Killed Outside Video Shoot
Some 500 people were gathered for the video, and it was unclear how many had been outside when shots were fired. Investigators took possession of a nearby parked car that was hit by the gunfire. They were still trying to determine early Monday what led to the violence, Farrell said.
Actor and activist Al Lewis died at the age of 82. In the acting world, he was best known for playing Grandpa on the Munsters. He was also a lifelong activist. At the age of 82 he ran for New York Governor on the Green Party ticket and was a longtime radio host on Pacifica station WBAI. [includes rush transcript - partial] Today we remember actor, radio host, and political activist "Grandpa" Al Lewis. He died Friday after years of failing health. There are conflicting reports over his age at the time of his death. He was thought to be 95 years old, but according to the Associated Press, his family now says he was in fact 82. Lewis was best known for his roles on two 1960s comedy series - as "Grandpa" on the "The Munsters" and Officer Leo Schauzer on "Car 54, Where Are You." He was also a life-long political activist, and an outspoken critic of US policy at home and abroad. In 1998, he ran for Governor of New York, as the Green Party candidate against Governor George Pataki. He also took turns as a basketball scout; a restaurant owner in Greenwich Village; and a radio host on WBAI in New York.
Coretta Scott King Dies at 78 - ERRIN HAINES
The "first lady of the civil rights movement" died in her sleep during the night at an alternative medicine clinic in Mexico, her family said. Arrangements were being made to fly the body to Atlanta. She had been recovering from a serious stroke and heart attack suffered last August. Just two weeks ago, she made her first public appearance in a year on the eve of her late husband's birthday. Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, one of Martin Luther King's top aides, said Coretta Scott King's fortitude rivaled that of her husband. "She was strong if not stronger than he was," Young said. Coretta Scott King was a supportive lieutenant to her husband during the most dangerous and tumultuous days of the civil rights movement, and after his assassination in Memphis, Tenn., on April 4, 1968, she carried on his work while also raising their four children. "I'm more determined than ever that my husband's dream will become a reality," the young widow said soon after his slaying. She pushed and goaded politicians for more than a decade to have her husband's birthday observed as a national holiday, achieving success in 1986. In 1969 she founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta and used it to confront hunger, unemployment, voting rights and racism. "The center enables us to go out and struggle against the evils in our society," she often said. She also accused movie and TV companies, video arcades, gun manufacturers and toy makers of promoting violence. King became a symbol in her own right of her husband's struggle for peace and brotherhood, presiding with a quiet, stoic dignity over seminars and conferences. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was with her husband when he was assassinated, said Tuesday that she understood that every time her husband left home, there was the chance he might not come back. Jackson pronounced her a "freedom fighter." "Like all great champions she learned to function with pain and keep serving," he said, adding: "She kept marching. She did not flinch." In Washington, President Bush hailed her as "a remarkable and courageous woman and a great civil rights leader." After her stroke, King missed the annual King celebration in Atlanta two weeks ago but appeared with her children at an awards dinner a few days earlier, smiling from her wheelchair but not speaking. The crowd gave her a standing ovation. King died at Santa Monica Health Institute in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, south of San Diego, said her sister, Edythe Scott Bagley of Cheyney, Pa. She had gone to California to rest and be with family, according to Young. Coretta Scott was studying voice at the New England Conservatory of Music and planning on a singing career when a friend introduced her to King, a young Baptist minister studying at Boston University. "She said she wanted me to meet a very promising young minister from Atlanta," King once said, adding with a laugh: "I wasn't interested in meeting a young minister at that time." She recalled that on their first date he told her: "You know, you have everything I ever wanted in a woman. We ought to get married someday." Eighteen months later, in 1953, they did. The couple moved to Montgomery, Ala., where he became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church and helped lead the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott that Rosa Parks set in motion when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus. With that campaign, King began enactig his philosophy of nonviolent, direct social action. Over the years, King was with her husband in his finest hours. She was at his side as he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. She marched beside him from Selma, Ala., into Montgomery in 1965 on the triumphant drive for a voting rights law. Only days after his death, she flew to Memphis with three of her children to lead thousands marching in honor of her slain husband and to plead for his cause. "I think you rise to the occasion in a crisis," she once said. "I think the Lord gives you strength when you need it. God was using us _ and now he's using me, too." The King family, especially Coretta Scott King and her father-in-law, Martin Luther King Sr., were highly visible in 1976 when former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter ran for president. When an integration dispute at Carter's Plains church created a furor, Coretta Scott King campaigned at Carter's side the next day. She later was named by Carter to serve as part of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations, where Young was the ambassador. In 1997, she spoke out in favor of a push to grant a trial for James Earl Ray, who pleaded guilty to killing her husband and then recanted. "Even if no new light is shed on the facts concerning my husband's assassination, at least we and the nation can have the satisfaction of knowing that justice has run its course in this tragedy," she told a judge. The trial never took place; Ray died in 1998. King was born April 27, 1927, in Perry County, Ala. Her father ran a country store. To help her family during the Depression, young Coretta picked cotton. Later, she worked as a waitress to earn her way through Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. In 1994, she stepped down as head of the King Center, passing the job to son Dexter, who in turn passed the job on to her other son, Martin III, in 2004. Dexter continued to serve as the center's chief operating officer. Martin III also has served on the Fulton County (Ga.) commission and as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, co-founded by his father in 1957. Daughter Yolanda became an actress and the youngest child, Bernice, became a Baptist minister. In 1993, on the 25th anniversary of her
husband's death, King said the war in Vietnam that her husband opposed
"has been replaced by an undeclared war on our central cities,
a war being fought by gangs with guns for drugs." "The
value of life in our cities has become as cheap as the price of
a gun," she said. In London, she stood in 1969 in the same
carved pulpit in St. Paul's Cathedral where her husband preached
five years earlier. "Many
despair at all the evil and unrest and disorder in the world today,"
she preached, "but I see a new social order and I see the dawn
of a new day." Game's
Manager Jimmy Henchmen Convicted Of Assault
- Nolan Strong
Prince George's County Police started an investigation immediately after the incident was reported and issued an arrest warrant for Henchmen on misdemeanor assault charges. "The story that's leaking out there is pretty much true," Xzulu told AllHipHop.com shortly after the incident. "I was hospitalized with multiple injuries. The person that did it was very recognizable, along with his people. It definitely happened, and it happened over some nonsense. Nonsense. I'm 35, not 25, and we're all brothers in this game. But we learn some things as we go along. I think it's a shame that we are acting so primitive, on both sides. Here you have a brother that is so talented. I think he has one of the dopest albums to come out in a long time, and I think people make bad decisions. I think that night he made a bad decision." Radio One, which owns WKYS, reportedly stopped playing Game's singles on their various stations nationwide, in protest of the assault. Charges against The Game were dropped.
LOS ANGELES - It's not the first time the 39-year-old songbird has blown up like a balloon only to slim down with a drastic diet and exercise regimen, a family source says. "She has battled this problem since she was a kid. She'll go months eating whatever she can get her hands on, and then she'll go months eating just salads and fruits and drinking Evian water," said a family source. The singer has so far has dropped 15 to 20 pounds from her peak weight of about 160, the source said. Then, with Michael Jackson facing serious
financial woes, he has stopped supplying money to his family, leaving
Janet as the go-to girl for less wealthy members of the once-thriving
musical clan. She recently told [one of her brothers] she would
only pay his apartment rent for one more year. Janet said she's
tired of supporting people and in the future she would only support
her mother," said the source.
LOS ANGELES - Queen Latifah has become the first hip-hop artist crowned with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
"I think the reason I am here is to inspire African-American women who are rappers, full-figured women to know that they can do it, too," Latifah, 35, said Wednesday at the unveiling of the sidewalk's 2,298th star. Family and friends, including actor Terrence Howard, cheered for Latifah, also an actress, singer, spokeswoman and producer. "Who would have known that in the '70s, when a pink 8-pound baby girl was born, this is where she would be today. She came out screaming, 'Look out world, here I come,'" her mother, Rita Owens, said.
Born Dana Owens, Queen Latifah made her debut in 1989 with the seminal hip-hop album "All Hail the Queen." Her third album, "Black Reign," earned her a Grammy award in 1994. Her leap to television in 1993 with the sitcom "Living Single" widened her appeal. She went on to star in such films as "Set It Off," "Bringing Down the House" and 2005's "Beauty Shop," which she also produced. But it was the New Jersey native's stint as soulful prison matron Mama Morton in 2002's "Chicago" that earned her a supporting actress Oscar nomination and brought her singing acclaim. Her latest release, "The Dana Owens Album," a jazzy collection of blues, pop and soul classics, earned her a Grammy nomination last year. She is also a spokeswoman for CoverGirl and its record label, CG Vibes, among other companies. She is co-chairwoman of the Lancelot H. Owens Scholarship Foundation, named for her older brother who was killed while riding a motorcycle she had bought for him. She will play a woman with a terminal illness in the upcoming film "Last Holiday." R&B singer Ronald Isley was convicted of multiple counts of tax evasion Monday and could face up to 26 years in prison when he is sentenced. A federal jury convicted Isley, 64, of five counts of tax evasion and one count of willful failure to file a tax return, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas D. Coker said in a statement. Isley's sentencing was set for January. Prosecutors said Isley evaded the IRS by demanding case payments for millions of dollars in performance fees he earned between 1997 and 2002.He also put homes and a yacht in the names of his then-wife or corporations, and cashed royalty checks belonging to his late brother, O'Kelly Isley, according to the government. R&B newsIn response to days of gossip following an R&B singer's interview claims, Janet Jackson has publicly denied rumors that she is the mother of an 18 year old. "I do not have a child and all allegations saying so are false," the 39-year-old entertainment icon said in a statement released to "Access Hollywood." The terse statement, released Wednesday, was in response to former brother-in-law Young Debarge who claims the brief marriage of Jackson and his brother James DeBarge produced a daughter named Renee currently living with Rebbie Jackson, Janet's eldest sister. "James and the Jackson family kept everything real close, real tight," Young said in an on-air interview with New York radio station Hot 97 (WQHT). Young, 28, is currently promoting his debut album. Jackson and James DeBarge, from the family R&B group DeBarge, were married for three months in 1984, when Jackson herself was 18.
UK rapper Ms. Dynamite was charged with assaulting a female police officer outside a London nightclub on Jan. 6. The 25-year-old rapper was celebrating her birthday with her brother and another female acquaintance. Police allegedly witnessed her kicking the front door of the Paragon Lounge nightclub in West London. When police questioned her, they claim she became abusive. She was arrested in the resulting fracas, but while in custody, police claim Ms. Dynamite punched a female officer in the face, bruising the officer’s nose. Police charged the award winning rapper with assaulting a female police officer and with disorderly conduct. Her brother, 22-year-old Kingsley Daley, was charged with obstruction and another woman with the siblings was charged with public disorder. Nervous Records President Talks Comeback, Duck Down Reunion - Chris Richburg
A fixture in the New York rap scene during the ‘90s, Nervous emerged as a force in the underground rap scene with releases such as Black Moon’s Enta Da Stage, Smif-N-Wessun’s Dah Shinin and Mad Lion’s Real Ting. Despite its success, the label endured its share of trials and tribulations with the departure of rapper Buck Shot and Duck Down Records. Weiss is quick to set the record straight on the fall-out.
"Buck Shot never had any equity in Nervous…our breakup was simply a case of too much happening too soon," the New York-based attorney said. "Both parties would have probably been better off had we stayed together, but it wasn’t meant to be. "Despite all of the animosity and hostility that existed between Nervous and Duck Down during our break up, currently both entities have a solid working relationship," Overall, Weiss is confident Nervous will regain its place in hip-hop circles."We will continue to allow people to hear music as the artist wants it to be heard, the A-Alikes and their strong messages deserve that voice," Weiss said.
Soul singer known for stunning voice, charitable endeavors
Lou Rawls, whose mellifluous baritone was featured on hits ranging from his own "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" to Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me," has died. He was 72. Rawls died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He was hospitalized last month for treatment of lung and brain cancer, said his publicist, Paul Shefrin. His wife, Nina, was at his bedside when he died. The singer was as well known for his charitable activities as he was for his smooth four-octave range. He founded the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon, which raised millions of dollars for the United Negro College Fund.
"What I really loved about Lou was how his voice was so unique," Kenny Gamble, who with his partner Leon Huff wrote "You'll Never Find," told The Associated Press. "The other thing was that he had a sense of community. Thousands and thousands of young kids benefited from his celebrity." "Lou Rawls was one of the music world's most versatile vocalists," said Recording Academy President Neil Portnow in a statement from the organization, which awards the annual Grammys. "His deep, smooth, soulful style exemplified his classy elegance and made him one of the most recognizable voices anywhere. And his philanthropic efforts on behalf of many charitable causes further displayed his passion and commitment to helping others through music. We have lost a true musical pioneer, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all."He is survived by his wife Nina, as well as his three adult children, Louanna Rawls, Lou Rawls Jr. and Kendra Smith, and his infant son, Aiden.
Compared with 2004 -- which, in a tic of the calendar, had a 53-week retail year -- the market for CDs plunged more than 10 percent. Based on a 52-week year, sales were down nearly 8 percent. This crash -- the worst since 2002, which witnessed a plummet of 10.7 percent -- was all the more dizzying for retailers because the business appeared to be rebounding in 2004, when sales rose a modest but encouraging 3.8 percent.
Sadly, the writing was on the wall throughout the fourth quarter this year. In what is traditionally the critical period for stores, a parade of new titles experienced immediate and sharp sales spikes. Album sales were buoyed at year's end by some long-running titles, greatest-hits compilations and a new entry in the perennially best-selling "Now" series. In the entire fourth quarter of 2005, only one album enjoyed two consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200: Eminem's hits collection "Curtain Call." Country singer Gretchen Wilson's sophomore release "All Jacked Up," the sequel to her multiplatinum 2004 debut "Here for the Party," entered at No. 1 in early October with a 263,000-unit week, according to Nielsen SoundScan data. In its second week, sales fell by 54 percent; its third week saw a 52 percent drop. R&B luminary Alicia Keys' "Unplugged" bowed at the apex of the chart in October with 196,000 units sold. It plunged 57 percent its second week, and slid another 40 percent in its third frame.
Pop starlet Ashlee Simpson's second album "I Am Me" arrived at No. 1 in late October with 220,000 units sold. The CD saw drops of 66 percent and 25 percent in succeeding weeks.Top country performer Kenny Chesney's "The Road and the Radio" climbed to No. 1 in mid-November with a 469,000-unit debut. The title then slid 59 percent its second week, only regaining ground with a 58 percent increase in the post-Thanksgiving sales surge.
"Confessions on a Dance Floor," Madonna's much-trumpeted return to dance music, hit No. 1 in November behind a 350,000-unit debut stanza. But immediate freefall ensued: The album fell 39 percent in its second week and 49 percent in its third. The softness of the year-end titles might be reflected in the concurrent strength of a number of compilations. The farewell hits collection from disbanding R&B trio Destiny's Child, "#1's," debuted at No. 1 in late October with a modest 113,000-unit week. But the album's sales eroded rapidly, and it had fallen out of the top 10 by its fourth week.
It somehow seems appropriate that in a year of short-legged chart sprinters, the sales champ proved to be a distance runner.
Mariah Carey capped a triumphant year last week when her Island comeback album "The Emancipation of Mimi" topped rapper 50 Cent's "The Massacre" in total sales. The title, which has sold more than 4.8 million units, has been a fixture near the top of the Billboard 200 since its debut in April.
"The Massacre," which trailed Carey's title by a mere 32,000 units after last week's tally, had the biggest debut week (1.1 million units in March) and the longest run at No. 1 (five weeks). But, true to rap form, Fitty's release burned brightly yet quickly; the collection sold nearly 3 million units of its 4.8 million-unit total in those first five weeks at the top. The rapper's fourth-quarter release, the soundtrack for his starring film vehicle "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," is viewed in most quarters as a comparative disappointment. After a fast start at No. 2 in November, the album, like the film, faded quickly and has sold 1 million units to date.
In an interesting measure of consumer fickleness, both "The Emancipation of Mimi" and "The Massacre" received big chart bumps when -- taking a page from Usher's long-running hit "Confessions" -- they were re-released in enhanced editions containing fresh music and video content. Besides Carey's release, strong year-end performances by the Black Eyed Peas' six-month-old "Monkey Business" and Kelly Clarkson's year-old "Breakaway" and a resilient showing by Canadian rock act Nickelback's "All the Right Reasons" provided some solace to battle-weary retailers.
After not reporting for work, WDAS-FM PD Joe "Butterball" Tamburro sent a co-worker to the home of the DJ and he was found in a diabetic coma. He was rushed to the hospital but passed away from complications of Diabetes. Erich Coston just celebrated his 47th birthday this past September and was one of Philadelphia's favorite Saturday night fixes. He was known for playing the best of Funk and R&B on his Saturday night stint. Listeners have lost a talented and thoughtful DJ and now Philly is missing an angel. E. C. LaRock was the type of guy that would drive all the way across town to give a friend some shoes or help a young person pay his school tuition. -Lady B.
East Rutherford, N.J. - Rap history was made Thursday night at the Continental Airlines Arena when former foes rappers Jay-Z and Nas shared the stage in front of a sold out crowd at Power 105.1's Powerhouse event. "You're witnessing hip-hop history tonight," Jay-Z yelled as he brought his once rival to the stage. The two rappers embraced on the center of the stage and performed "Dead Presidents" together in front of 15,000 stunned fans. A night that was billed as Jay's "I Declare War" concert actually turned out to be an evening of hip-hop peace. However Nas made an indirect quip, when he stated "I don't understand rappers making all this money and being mad at the world. We're bringing New York back." The other artists sharing the stage with Jay-Z on this evening were kept under tight wraps which included a who's who in hip-hop and R&B.From Sean "Diddy" Combs who came out and reunited with The L.O.X. to perform 'All About the Benjamins,' to Kanye West who brought out a special guest of his own in Paul Wall, performing 'Drive Slow.' Other artists included T.I., Memphis Bleek, Ne-Yo, Tierra Marie, Young Jeezy, Akon and even a cameo appearance by Cleveland Cavaliers guard LeBron James. Throughout the evening, Jay-Z performed countless songs from his albums ranging from 'Reasonable Doubt' to the 'Black Album.' But the highlight of the show by far was the appearance of Nas who performed such classics as 'It Ain't Hard to Tell' and 'Hate me Now,' during a 20 minute set. The evening ended with Jay-Z performing 'Encore' with Nas rapping the chorus while sharing the stage with Kanye West and Diddy. "That beef s@*# is wack," Jay-Z said. "We did that, we had fun. Now let's get this money."
Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Icon Dies at 92 - BREE FOWLER , AP
Mrs. Parks died at her home during the evening of natural causes, with close friends by her side, said Gregory Reed, an attorney who represented her for the past 15 years. Mrs. Parks was 42 when she committed an act of defiance in 1955 that was to change the course of American history and earn her the title "mother of the civil rights movement." At that time, Jim Crow laws in place since the post-Civil War Reconstruction required separation of the races in buses, restaurants and public accommodations throughout the South, while legally sanctioned racial discrimination kept blacks out of many jobs and neighborhoods in the North. The Montgomery, Ala., seamstress, an active member of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was riding on a city bus Dec. 1, 1955, when a white man demanded her seat. Timeline: Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said he felt a personal tie to the civil rights icon: "She stood up by sitting down. I'm only standing here because of her." The Rev. Al Sharpton called Mrs. Parks "a gentle woman whose single act changed the most powerful nation in the world. ... One of the highlights of my life was meeting and getting to know her." Speaking in 1992, Mrs. Parks said history too often maintains "that my feet were hurting and I didn't know why I refused to stand up when they told me. But the real reason of my not standing up was I felt that I had a right to be treated as any other passenger. We had endured that kind of treatment for too long." Her arrest triggered a 381-day boycott of the bus system organized by a then little-known Baptist minister, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who later earned the Nobel Peace Prize for his work. "At the time I was arrested I had no idea it would turn into this," Mrs. Parks said 30 years later. "It was just a day like any other day. The only thing that made it significant was that the masses of the people joined in." The Montgomery bus boycott, which came one year after the Supreme Court's landmark declaration that separate schools for blacks and whites were "inherently unequal," marked the start of the modern civil rights movement. The movement culminated in the 1964 federal Civil Rights Act, which banned racial discrimination in public accommodations. Mrs. Parks said upon retiring from her job with Conyers that she wanted to devote more time to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development. The institute, incorporated in 1987, is devoted to developing leadership among Detroit's young people and initiating them into the struggle for civil rights. "Rosa Parks: My Story" was published in February 1992. In 1994 she brought out "Quiet Strength: The Faith, the Hope and the Heart of a Woman Who Changed a Nation," and in 1996 a collection of letters called "Dear Mrs. Parks: A Dialogue With Today's Youth." She was among the civil rights leaders who addressed the Million Man March in October 1995. In 1996, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded to civilians making outstanding contributions to American life. In 1999, she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor. Mrs. Parks received dozens of other awards, ranging from induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor to an NAACP Image Award for her 1999 appearance on CBS' "Touched by an Angel." The Rosa Parks Library and Museum opened in November 2000 in Montgomery. The museum features a 1955-era bus and a video that recreates the conversation that preceded Parks' arrest. "Are you going to stand up?" the bus driver asked. "No," Parks answered. "Well, by God, I'm going to have you arrested," the driver said. "You may do that," Parks responded. Looking back in 1988, Mrs. Parks said she worried that black young people took legal equality for granted. Older blacks, she said "have tried to shield young people from what we have suffered. And in so doing, we seem to have a more complacent attitude. "We must double and redouble our efforts to try to say to our youth, to try to give them an inspiration, an incentive and the will to study our heritage and to know what it means to be black in America today." At a celebration in her honor that same year, she said: "I am leaving this legacy to all of you ... to bring peace, justice, equality, love and a fulfillment of what our lives should be. Without vision, the people will perish, and without courage and inspiration, dreams will die - the dream of freedom and peace."
CamronEarly Sunday morning CEO of Diplomat Records Camron Giles aka Cam’ron, was shot outside a club in Washington, DC. According to online reports Giles was leaving club H2O on his way to Love (formerly Dream night club, where “Hey Ma” was taped) when three gunman advanced. The suspects were reportedly after Giles’ blue Lamborghini when he tried to drive away and was hit three times. He is currently being treated at Howard University hospital and his injuries are reportedly not life threatening. Jim Jones and Juelz Santana, who came to town for performances, are with their friend and fellow Harlemite. Rapeer cam’ron has returned to his New Jersey home to recuperate after he was shot in both arms, "I got shot three times and my album comes out Nov. 22," Cam’ron told press as he left Howard University Hospital. . "I bought the Lamborghini especially for New York, because we figure that we can only see stuff like this in Miami, but I am bringing it to the streets of New York." Camron told a 106 & Park. Cam'ron (real name Cameron Giles) is the head of the "The Diplomats" and CEO of Diplomat Records.
The Nation of Islam's Millions More Movement took place Saturday (Oct. 15, attracting leaders from Cornel West to Jim Jones. Buses, trains, and car loads of people from across the country descended on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 10-year commemoration of The Million Man March. Speakers like Elijah Cummings, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson Sr., Kweisi Mfume and the Reverend Tony Lee, to name a few, gave words of empowerment to the masses. The event did not exclude the feminist movement, as Dr. Dorothy Height of the National Council of Negro Women and Susan Taylor, editorial director of Essence Magazine both graced the stage before the Minister Donna Farrakhan Muhammed introduced her father, who many in the crowd had waited to hear for almost 12 hours. "This is more than a moment in time. If there is a million or less or more, the meaning of this day will be determined by what we do tomorrow to create a movement," Farrakhan said as one of his opening statements to the crowd as he stood at the bottom of the stairs of the U.S. Capitol Building. Deeply expressing gratitude for all in attendance and even acknowledging the non-black population, he urged the crowd to take action against the government for failure to adhere to promises made to the community that they have reneged on. "Look into a class action lawsuit against FEMA and National Security on behalf of citizens of New Orleans and those who have suffered," Farrakhan urged.Farrakhan also denounced the Bush Administration and called for the government to respond to the needs of the poor. He also urge the people to give back not just monetarily, but to form ministries in every city and town, including a ministry of health and human services, defense, art and culture, trade and commerce, justice, science and technology and others. In a special address to the Hip-hop community, he praised and acknowledged the impact the culture has had on people of all ethnic backgrounds around the world. Farrakhan did add, "There's a bigger purpose [in Hip-hop] than popping our fingers and shaking our you-know-what," as he made a small request for the community to be more productive through the art of Hip-hop culture. Hip-hop also had an enormous presence this year as members of Generation X showed up in large numbers. Jim Jones of The Diplomats and Wyclef Jean both entertained the audience with performances. Jadakiss and Styles P also made their presence known as they greeted the crowds and took pictures with fans. Reverend Ben Chavis introduced "the godfather of Hip-Hop," Russell Simmons, who was accompanied by Doug E. Fresh. Chuck D of Public Enemy and Jeff Johnson of BET's The Cousin Jeff Chronicles were also in attendance to take a stand with the movement. Erykah Badu and India.Arie also showed their appreciation for Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam's efforts with performances. Other attendees included Bell Biv Devoe (BBD), Conrad Worwill, Dick Gregory, Dr. Ben Chavis, The New Black Panther Party, Minister Jamel Muhammed, Dorothy Height, Essence's Susan Taylor, Ed Gordon, Tavis Smiley, and others.
Kirk Franklin may be a minister of the gospel, but the happily married father of four recently overcame an addiction to pornography. Franklin is frank in his talk about his deliverance from pornography, an obsession he'd indulge in while he traveled city to city ministering the word of God and at home when his wife Tammy was asleep. "Because sexuality is so spiritual, you have to go back to that source to recognize that it's that connection to Christ that will give you victory over addictions. You learn what that is and when you're willing to go through the process of understanding that truth. Not necessarily the acrobats of religion, but just the simplicity of the truth of the gospel and your new identity in Christ. When you become born again and you're able to understand that and to apply that to practical living, then you are able and a candidate for victory," explained Franklin, in his gruff preacher-like voice.
You can call it the "Allen Iverson rule", As younger black players become more and more popular among teenaged white fans, the NBA has been on a mission to try and control their actions, language, dress and style of play. After years of watching players such as Bill Walton (tye-dyed shirts, sandals) and front office folks like Pat Croce (T-Shirts, leather jackets) wear pretty much what they wanted, the NBA has decided that hip-hop styled clothing is not "white" enough for it's players. They now want to place controls on them that corporate America doesnt even follow. The league announced in a memo to teams on Monday that a minimum dress code will go into effect at the start of the regular season on Nov. 1. Players will be expected to wear business casual attire whenever they participate in team or league activities, including arriving at games, leaving games and making promotional or other appearances. ``If they're trying to change the image of league, that's cool,'' Suns forward Shawn Marion said. While the league may be trying to present a better image to its corporate partners, some of its players fear that they may lose out on the core fan base. ``We don't really sell to big business,'' Suns guard Raja Bell said. ``We sell to kids and people who are into the NBA hip-hop world. They may be marketing to the wrong people with this.'' Some teams already have their own dress code in place. Portland's brainwashed sellout coach Nate McMillian is known for his strict rules, including bans on headbands and on cell phones on the team bus. ``It's important that the players understand they have to respect the game,'' McMillian said in August. ``They have to respect the league. And they have to respect the fans. You must be a professional at all times.'' Players will no longer be able to wear: -- Sleveless shirts -- Shorts -- T-shirts -- Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player's clothes. -- Sunglasses while indoors -- Headphones (other than on the team bus or plane, or in the team locker room). Also jerseys and baseball caps will no longer be acceptable attire for postgame press conference. ``I think there needs to be some style improvement but at the same time it has to be within reasons,'' Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett said. Players will also now be required to wear a sport coat on the bench when they are not in uniform. The NBA already requires its coaches to wear sport coats, dress shirts, slacks and shoes on the bench. ``I think it is appropriate, definitely, on the bench,'' Marion said. ``I think you should be in a nice shirt and slacks.''However, the new dress code may not be practical for every NBA player, especially Garnett and his teammates who live in the cold Midwest. ``Not everyone lives in Minneapolis going out in 20 below,'' he said. ``Not everyone wants to be in a suit and jacket. Hopefully they can go 50-50.'' Jaguar Wright Blasts Sexually Explicit Female Singers R&B NewsR&B singer Jaguar Wright recently blasted women in the music industry for allowing their sexuality to take precedence over their talent. The outspoken vocalist who dropped her critically acclaimed debut Denials Delusions and Decisions in 2002 is now speaking out against many of her contemporaries who rely on scanty outfits to sell themselves onstage and in videos. "We have moved backward, with women in music allowing themselves to be presented as sexual objects again, and in more graphic and demeaning ways than ever." In the wake of Destiny Child's farewell tour which has included racy onstage numbers and a recent BET Awards appearance which saw them perform lap dances for several celebrity audience members, Wright cited role models such as "Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone." "These were the women I was drawn to," she continued. "Women who possessed power, poise, uncommon beauty and brash attitudes. I'm not saying their sexuality wasn't part of their appeal -- because it obviously was. However, it was their talent that was paramount." In light of the many music videos which feature artists such as industry vet Mariah Carey wearing little more than lingerie, she says class is becoming a thing of the past. "If they cannot see your beauty with your clothes on, what makes you think they will see it with your clothes off? Whatever happened to leaving something to the imagination?" Wright's latest, Divorcing Neo 2 Marry Soul, dropped in July and features the single "Free."
R&B newsMariah Carey's management has reportedly rebuffed pleas for assistance from the singer's HIV-positive prostitute sister, Alison. According to UK's Sunday Times, the 44 year-old is asking her famous sibling to ante up the lawyer costs in anticipation of her August court date. Carey's management, however, has cut off contact with the singer for fear the scandal will hurt her much lauded comeback. Alison is currently facing jail time in connection with her arrest in a Long Island bust. The long-term drug addict could face a three-month prison sentence after New York police hired a yacht for a sting operation where she was charged with a penal violation after boarding. She arrived on the boat after being contacted through a website. Once there, she accepted $252 to have sex on the Long Island marina. She agreed to the sex, but it is unclear what was performed before she was accosted. According to the report, friends have tried to bridge the gap between the sisters but have been prevented from succeeding by Carey's managers and aides, one of whom said Carey had to be "shielded" from Alison. In the past, Alison has taken credit for her younger sister's career, claiming she used to have sex for "tips" in order to dress a young aspiring Carey to impress. Alison shares custody of her son with her mother and in the past has also threatened to write an expose. This is not the first time the troubled sibling has been busted for hooking. In April she pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, and was fined $200.
25 Classical Music and Opera Critics Chosen for NEA Arts Journalism Institute at Columbia University Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism has announced that 25 critics, editors and reporters have been chosen to participate as fellows in the second annual National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera. Through the generous support of the NEA, the Institute will take place at Columbia University in New York City from October 16-27, 2005. This year, journalists from Hawaii and Alaska will participate in the Classical Music and Opera Institute for the first time.The groundbreaking program is part of a $1 million NEA initiative to offer intensive training for arts journalists and editors who work outside the country's major media markets. This year the list includes *Bobbi Booker, freelancer, various, including WRTI-FM, Philadelphia, PA Bobbi Booker is a Philadelphia-based journalist, radio personality and blogger. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications and websites, including Smooth magazine, Philadelphia Weekly, UBO.net, The Philadelphia Tribune and online at The Book Report. She is also a special projects consultant for music, media and literary events. Ms. Booker currently co-hosts "Ovations" on NPR affiliate, WRTI-Fm 90.1 Philadelphia. Bobbi I Booker : On The Web - The Book Report http://thebookreporter.blogspot.com/ : On the Radio - "Ovations" WRTI-Fm 90.1 Sundays 6-9 a.m.
The Book Report // 768 S. Harshaw Street// Philadelphia, PA 19146
R&B crooner D'Angelo, who hit fame with his '90s soul ballads only to fade after bouts with the law and drugs, was critically injured in a car wreck outside his hometown of Richmond, Va. D'Angelo, 31, born Michael Eugene Archer, was in a 2003 Hummer sport utility vehicle on Sept. 19 when it crossed the roadway and struck a fence, ejecting the singer, Virginia State Police Sgt. Kevin Barrick said Monday. Archer wasn't wearing a seat restraint, Barrick said. Another person was in the car and police couldn't say which of the two had been driving.Barrick said Archer was initially listed in critical condition, but that no further information is available. Since then, the family has asked that his condition not be released. Known for hits such as "Brown Sugar" and a cover of Smokey Robinson's "Cruisin'," Archer rode a wave of popularity that culminated with a Grammy in 2001 for best male R&B vocal performance for "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" from the album "Voodoo," which won a Grammy for best R&B album. -- Associated Press
Police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of Beanie Sigel's step-father, according to published reports. Kevin Green, 22, was charged Monday (Oct. 10) with shooting Sigel's stepfather, Samuel Derry, Jr., then setting him on fire, police said. Derry's body was discovered last Tuesday (Oct. 4) in Cedarbrook, Philadelphia. Green is currently incarcerated in Montgomery County on an unrelated charge. According to Philadelphia's Action News, police said Derry's murder was drug related and had no connection to Sigel, who was subpoenaed by a federal grand jury last week for a reportedly unrelated cause.
It's the end of the road for Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and his wife, Tracey. The couple released a statement Wednesday afternoon announcing their permanent separation following 11 years of marriage. "After being unofficially separated for quite some time, it is with deep regret that we announce our permanent separation," read the statement, sent by publicist, Raymone Bain. "We remain best friends, and will continue to work together in our companies and our various business ventures.The couple, who just marked their 11th anniversary last Sept. 5, said they will continue "to provide a loving, caring and stable environment" for their two sons, Brandon and Dylan Michael."It is for this reason, that we are requesting that you respect our privacy, and the privacy of our children," the statement said.
Nicole filed the papers on Friday, citing "irreconcilable differences." The couple has been married for 12 years, after tying the knot on March 18, 1993. Nicole and Eddie have five children -- Bella Zahra, Bria, Shayne Audra, Zola Ivy and Miles Mitchell. Eddie also has another son, Christian, from a previous relationship. According to a statement released to Access Hollywood, Eddie said: "The welfare of our children is our main concern and their best interests are our first priority." Eddie Murphy has had enough of his soon
to be ex-wife’s antics. He wants Nicole Murphy to honor their
prenuptial agreement. Eddie feels it is valid and fair. There is
no need for her to get half his fortune and squander it on her new
man. He has also ordered her to keep their five kids away from her
boyfriend. The boyfriend in question, Alan Daniels, has a shady
past, and Eddie is worried about his fortune. He does not want his
hard earned money in the hands of this man. Nicole wants her fair
share. After 12 years of marriage and five kids, she feels she deserves
half of his fortune. Eddie is not playing with Nicole, and the divorce
has taken another nasty turn. Nicole’s parents have been living
in a house Eddie brought in Sacramento. Eddie is now in the process
of selling the house and Nicole’s parents, who have been living
there for years, have to get out. They are devastated, and now they
have to find a new place to live. The Murphy divorce will probably
be one of the nastiest in Hollywood history.
NEW YORK (AP) -- As the "poet laureate of television," actor and comedian Nipsey Russell delivered his signature four-line verse during frequent guest appearances on TV game shows and talk shows. His impromptu lines and witty quips quickly secured his place as one of the first blacks to be a regular panelist on the shows. Russell died Oct, 4th. at Lenox Hill Hospital at age 80, said his longtime manager Joseph Rapp. He had been suffering from cancer. Although widely known for his tv career -- including appearances on "The Dean Martin Show," "Hollywood Squares," "The $50,000 Pyramid," and "Match Game" -- Russell also received critical acclaim for his role as the Tin Man in the 1978 film version of "The Wiz." He also appeared in "Nemo" in 1984, "Wildcats" in 1986 and "Posse" in 1993. Born in Atlanta, he settled in New York after graduating from the University of Cincinnati and serving as an Army captain in Europe during World War II, Rapp said. Russell launched his television career in 1961 as Officer Anderson in the television series "Car 54, Where are You?" He also appeared in the 1994 film version. But his gift for gab and timely poetry made him a national television personality.
The Roots signing to Def Jam was made it official this past Friday (Sept. 30) when they inked their names to a contract with Jay-Z's Def Jam Left imprint. Def Jam Left is a new venture headed by Jigga, who described it as "an artist-driven label with very low deals so people are not pressured by first-week SoundScan [sales], so we can build artists." The Roots have become a staple in the Hip-Hop community because of their philosophy to use live instrumentation in their records and concerts. In the last couple of months, the group has been putting the finishing touches on their next release titled Game Theory, which will feature guest spots from Saigon, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Blackstar. It is also rumored that President Carter may make a special guest appearance on the new album, but it hasn't been officially confirmed. Jay-Z made it public a few weeks ago that he had been quietly courting the group for his new imprint. Lil' Kim's Manager Pleads Guilty To Misdemeanor Charge - Shawn Lawrence James
Two other members of the rapper's entourage, Suif Jackson and Damion Butler were arrested and indicted on criminal charges in relation to a broad daylight shootout. Prosecutors claimed that Jackson and Butler were armed with guns and were involved in a confrontation with "rival group" Capone-N-Noreaga, igniting the shoot-out that left one man seriously wounded. Jackson has since pleaded guilty to the shooting and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. In fashion, Butler pleaded guilty in January and awaits sentencing.
Continuing his successful run at the box office in the last few years, actor/rapper Will Smith's latest movie "Hitch" brought in an estimated $45.3 million, debuting at No. 1 this weekend. In his first romantic comedy, Smith diverged from his typical action hero role, playing a New York City "date doctor" who helps men with relationship dilemmas win over women. Smith's character has troubles of his own when he falls in love with a woman played by Eva Mendes. Additionally, "Hitch" broke Sony's record for biggest opening for a romantic comedy, topping the $39.9 million that "50 First Dates" brought in last year. "He's one of those rare stars that just appeals to everyone, men, women and children," Sony's head of distribution, Rory Bruer, told the Associated Press. "There's no doubt he's somewhat of a king of action, but he is every bit as good in comedy." "Hitch," which may have also benefited from opening during Valentine's Day weekend, is Smith's fifth-straight No. 1 debut, after his animated movie "Shark Tale," and action films "I, Robot," "Bad Boys II" and "Men in Black II," all of which had stellar opening numbers between $46 million and $52 million
Kid Rock was arrested Feb. 16th by Nashville police on charges that he punched a disc jockey at a strip club. The 34-year-old artist was released after posting a $3,000 bond on a charge of simple assault, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. "Everything is wonderful. It was a beautiful night," Rock said as he left the Criminal Justice Center. He had appeared a few hours earlier before Night Court Commissioner Howard Taradash. Kid Rock was charged after a 3 a.m. altercation at Christie's Cabaret near downtown Nashville. "Inside the establishment there was
a squabble concerning, I guess, the selection of music," Nashville
police Sgt. James Smith told reporters. "Again there are no
major injuries but an assault did take place." Television footage
from outside the club showed the DJ, identified as Jay Campos, with
a red mark on his face and holding his broken eyeglasses. Arresting
officer Lt. Calvin Hullett said Rock surrendered at an apartment
where he had been staying. He was in town to perform at a memorial
service for songwriter Merle Kilgore yesterday at Ryman Auditorium.
Hullett described Rock as "very cooperative," despite
giving officers the slip earlier. Hullett said the artist left through
a back door of another strip club when authorities showed up to
arrest him.
Legendary Hammond B-3 organ player Jimmy Smith died Feb. 8 at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., apparently of natural causes. He was 79. Smith began playing his trademark Hammond B3 organ in the early '50s. By the '60s, he was both a workhorse and a frequent name on the Billboard album chart, thanks to such titles as "Organ Grinder Swing" and "Hobo Flats." Smith became forever linked to a new generation of listeners after the Beastie Boys sampled his "Root Down" for their track of the same name on the 1994 album "Ill Communication." The artist continued to record and tour in recent years, and recently completed an album with longtime friend Joey DeFrancesco, "Legacy," due next Tuesday via Concord. The pair were planning to begin a tour in support of the set Feb. 16 at Yoshi's in Oakland, Calif. "Jimmy was one of the greatest and most innovative musicians of our time," DeFrancesco said in a statement. "I love the man and I love the music. He was my idol, my mentor and my friend."
Singer Tyrone Davis passed away on February 9th in Chicago following complications from a stroke. The soul great was 66. Born in Greenville, Mississippi, Davis made his musical mark in Chicago. While holding down a day job (which at one point included serving as guitarist Freddy King's valet), Tyrone sang in West Side clubs at night. He was spotted by R&B performer Harold Burrage, who landed Davis a record deal. Though the handful of singles released by "Tyrone (The Wonder Boy)" went nowhere sales-wise, they did help Davis find a spot on the more prestigious Dakar Records label, then recording such stars as Jackie Wilson and Gene Chandler. Tyrone's first single for the label, 1968's "Can I Change My Mind," was an immediate hit, soaring to #1 on the R&B chart and #5 on the Pop chart on the strength of his pleading bluesy vocal. It was merely the first in a long line of hits, its success eclipsed two years later by "Turn Back The Hands Of Time." The #1 R&B/#3 Pop smash earned Davis an appearance on American Bandstand and would become Tyrone's signature song, selling more than a million copies. Rape Case Against Anderson Dropped
The accuser -- whose ex-boyfriend testified that she told him her plans to get money from the defendants on false rape claims -- was notified by letter of the prosecution's decision. Anderson recently appeared in "My Baby's Daddy," "Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London" and "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle." His other film credits include "Barbershop," "Kangaroo Jack," "Malibu's Most Wanted" and "Scary Movie 3." He next stars in the comedy "King's Ransom," which is scheduled for release in the spring.
Marion "Suge" Knight was arrested Saturday (Feb. 5) evening for suspicion of violating his parole after police found marijuana in his Ford pickup truck during a traffic stop, according to reports. Knight, 39, was arrested in Barstow, about 100 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The rap mogul is currently awaiting transfer to state prison next week, said sheriff's Cpl. Lorraine Riser. State officials will assess Knight's case to decide whether he should be held or released, Riser said. After pulling Knight over for making a dangerous U-turn, police said they searched his truck and discovered marijuana. The Death Row Records co-founder was also cited for not having insurance. A woman in the vehicle allegedly had a fake ID and was arrested for giving police false information.
Kelly Rowland has been hit by reports she's called off her engagement to Roy Williams. Rowland had been planning to walk down the aisle with the Dallas Cowboys star in March. And while invitations had already gone out, guests reportedly are being called and notified that the wedding has been canceled. A source tells Us Weekly, "[Kelly] said yes when he proposed and, after she thought about it, changed her mind." A rep for Rowland insists the wedding is still on, but the date has just been changed. An alternate date has yet to be announced but no reason has been given for the change. "God created me the way I am. Any issues you have with me, take them up with him."YAAAY!
Following a suicide attempt, Capitol Records artist Houston gouged out his eye while on an overseas performance junket. A brief statement was released today by a Capitol spokesperson, saying only, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Houston during this tragic time." According to sources, the singer first attempted to jump out of a London hotel window last Thursday (Jan. 27). Prevented from doing so by his security staff, Houston was locked in his room, at which time the injury occurred. "Houston is going through spiritual warfare right now," Houston's bodyguard Marco Powell said. "It's like good versus evil. He grew up in a Christian family, and since he's signed his record deal he's been subjected to, in his own words, 'sins and devils in the business' like drugs, alcohol and all this stuff that he's not used to. He didn't want to be around that. He just wasn't happy with management — he just wasn't happy. He didn't know which way to turn." Powell was in London with the 21-year-old singer the night Houston gouged his eye out and insists it was not a suicide attempt. "The night of the incident, we had dinner at the hotel," Powell recalled. "After dinner, he went to his room to read the Bible. He is an avid reader of the Bible. After I finished eating, I went upstairs to check on him and I noticed blood on the floor. Houston usually has really bad nose bleeds. So I asked him, 'Are you OK? Is your nose bleeding?' He said, 'Yeah, my nose is bleeding but I'm cool. I will see you in the morning. I can't wait to get back to L.A. with my family.' He was lying on the bed with a towel over his face, so something told me it was more than [just a nose bleed]. So I walked into the room to talk to him, I pulled the towel off of his face, and that's when I saw that he had gouged his eye out. "He showed no pain and he had no remorse," Powell added. "He said he had to do it. He said that that had freed him from everything. He was happy after that. He said he was changed and was ready to go. That symbolic statement basically freed him from all the pain he was in. He feels like he is closer to God now." Actor
Lamont Bentley killed in car crash Bentley died Tuesday night when his vehicle plunged off the San Diego Freeway, manager Susan Ferris said. He was the only person in the vehicle.Bentley, 31, played Hakeem Campbell, the longtime friend of pop singer Brandy's character, Moesha Mitchell, in the UPN sitcom Moesha.Bentley had appeared in a number of films, including The Wash and Tales From the Hood. He also played Tupac Shakur in the TV movie, Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story, and had appeared in guest roles on The Parkers, NYPD Blue and Clueless. The Milwaukee native and father of two daughters began his career after moving to Los Angeles with his mother, an aspiring singer."This is a big year for him," Ferris said. "We were very excited because he was coming into his own. It's like a candle being snuffed right out." A rising star, Bentley frequently visited his hometown of Milwaukee, where the mayor named a day in his honor. He was commissioned as an Ambassador of Good Will by the Governor of Arkansas, was awarded the Watts Community Image award for being a role model in Los Angeles and was named among the Top Twenty Sexiest Black Men by Sisters in Style magazine. Man
Who Assaulted Dr. Dre Claims Suge Knight Paid For Punch -
Nolan Strong
Eminem and the Source magazine have had an ongoing feud since the magazine went public last year with racist lyrics which were allegedly recorded by Eminem years ago. But on Tuesday (January 11), the situation almost took a violent turn at a Detroit radio station. Source magazine co-owner Dave Mays was doing an interview at Detroit's WDTJ-FM discussing the upcoming copyright infringement lawsuit that Eminem filed against the publication for releasing the lyrics, when Eminem and a group of approximately 10 men came to the station. MTV.com reports that there was a heated exchange of words between Mays and Eminem, but the confrontation did not escalate. Mays told MTV.com, "I wasn't expecting for him to show up; he doesn't go anywhere in public. Nobody ever sees this guy. People were like, 'Is it really him? I don't understand what his purpose was. I'm up there by myself, he had all his people." (Eminem officially is a pu#sy. I have no more respect for the coward. 10 guys for Dave Mays? He's a b#tch! - Docta Shock) Mays added that he would still like to sit down with the rapper in attempt to work out their differences. He said, "My attorneys are sending correspondence to his attorneys relating to this thing as well as the ongoing lawsuit. The point of it is that we need to have a real discussion. People in business, men, human beings, resolve differences. These people can't come to the table and discuss issues."
I'm gonna tell you such a
funny story about Halle Berry, this is some crazy shit. This was
back before my first album came out, I don't think I even had a
video out or anything. I was in L.A. on a promo tour, I just had
a CD of snippets from Who's Camron. I was wolfin', I hadn't
had a haircut for like two months. I had just got finished playing
basketball, so I ain't have no shirt on and I was sweaty. I'm getting
out of a fifteen-passenger van to go to the ATM and there's a lady
there, but I ain't payin' her no mind. I stick my ATM card in the
shit, and Jimmy and all these cats in the van just start bangin'
on the window so I turn around, like, "What?" They like,
"Yo, that's Halle Berry!" So I look up like, "Yo,
Halle, let me talk to you for a minute," and she's backin'
away like, "No, no, no, I've gotta go." I'm like, chasing
her over to the Range Rover. There's a dude in the car leaning back
in the seat. I'm like, "Yo, Halle, I rap! I"m about to
come out! Just take the CD!" She rolled down the window like,
about this much (Cam holds his fingers an inch apart to demonstrate)
and took the snippets. She rolled out and we sittin' there buggin'
out. That was probably in early 1998. Then last year, 2003, I'm
at this party in Vegas after a fight. Some boxer had a party, and
there's mad cats in there, the crazy retarded girl from Scary Movie,
everybody See the rest of the Camron interview on www.Allhiphop.com
In response to the recent discovery that Essence Communications Partners has sold its magazine, "Essence", to media giant Time Warner, many black people are wondering, "What next?" Earlier this week, Africana.COM announced its intentions to merge with AOL's BlackVoices, a decision which already had the black community scratching its head. The purchase of Essence magazine by Time Warner is just one of a number of buyouts, or mergers that have caused a rift between the companies owners and blacks across the country. However, the owners of these companies are confident that the right business decisions were made, and the future success of their products hinged on those decisions. Five years ago, BET founder Bob Johnson, sold his Black Entertainment Television network empire to Viacom. Just two years ago, Vanguarde Media halted the production of Savoy Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, and Honey Magazine. These business decisions have angered many blacks and labeled the company owners, "sell-outs". While many of these business buyouts have been coordinated in the efforts to maintain corporate and financial stability, many blacks still believe that black-owned business ventures, and the future of black businesses in America, will eventually suffer as a result. Time Warner, the largest publishing company in the world, had previously purchased 49 percent ownership in Essence Communications. Time Inc. currently publishes Time magazine, Entertainment Weekly, People, Sports Illustrated, Real Simple, InStyle, Fortune, and other magazines. One of the key social and economic impacts for this dissatisfaction by blacks, stems from the belief that African-Americans own so little, we cannot afford to sell our biggest, most profitable businesses to the highest bidder. That highest bidder is usually a white-owned business, which makes the concept sting that much more.
"The parties and their attorneys have agreed that no further comments about the matter can or will be made," the statement said. A motion for dismissal stipulating that the case can never be refiled was filed simultaneously in Denver federal court. A Los Angeles Lakers spokeswoman said Bryant had declined comment on the settlement. Bryant was in Boston for a game against the Celtics and was unavailable before the game began. The agreement probably spells out financial penalties for revealing any details, said Steve Cron, a Los Angeles attorney familiar with celebrity cases. "It's in both parties' interests to have this remain confidential," he said. "That's one of the incentives for them to settle: He didn't have to do a deposition, the lurid details wouldn't be posted on some Web site. She didn't have to face the rigors of having a deposition by his lawyers and she'll gain some privacy as well." The lawsuit, filed three weeks before the criminal case against the NBA star collapsed last summer, sought unspecified damages for mental injuries, public scorn and humiliation the woman said she has suffered since their June 2003 encounter at the Vail-area hotel where she worked. The woman, now pregnant and married, has not commented publicly on the case. Bryant, a 27-year-old married father of one, has apologized for his "behavior that night and for the consequences she has suffered," while insisting the sex was consensual. He has never been questioned under oath about what happened in his hotel room the night before he had knee surgery at a Vail clinic. Shortly after jury selection began in the criminal case, prosecutors in Eagle County dropped the single felony sexual assault count after the woman told them she could not take part in a trial. Prosecutors said they were confident they could win a conviction, but only with her cooperation. Essence
'Takes Back Rap; Nelly Replies - Houston Williams and
Clover Hope
Nelly defended his position and stated that the woman have to be held accountable for their actions as well."These are grown women…that's their choice. We're not dealing with kids. There was nobody [in "Tip Drill" that was] 16, 17, 18, 19 [years old]. "All of these girls were 21 and older, as far as I know," Nelly told AllHipHop.com. "This video had been out months before we even got to Spelman. And then to come to find out you've had certain artists perform at your school who've also had videos on that channel, it's like, wait a minute, you didn't boycott these people, you didn't say anything to these people, how am I supposed to feel. I'm supposed to feel like this is personal because it felt like it." Whether personal or not, the discussion at Spelman will continue with MC Lyte, Essence editor Michaela Angela Davis, Michael Lewellen from BET's public relations office, Brian Leach of TVT Records and activist/author Kevin Powell. Nelly said that his efforts at the college were genuine and one that affects others in the African American community. "They waited for a real, real, real serious issue, with what I was trying to do, to finally come out and say something about something they could have said something about before we even came down there," he continued. Eventually, Nelly was forced to abort his mission at Spelman, but has continued to his philanthropic efforts with tsunami relief, scholarships and activities in his St. Louis community.
A man was shot in the leg last night (Feb. 28) in the lobby of a New York radio station while 50 Cent was making an on-air appearance, police said. The rapper, who was at the station promoting the upcoming release of his Shady/Aftermath/Interscope album "The Massacre," was not harmed in the incident. Authorities have refuted early reports that a shooting victim at Hot 97 was affiliated with 50 Cent’s G-Unit. Now authorities have stated that the victim is a native of Compton, the hometown of The Game. At the time of the shooting, 50 Cent was interviewing on Hot 97 and The Game was reportedly trying to gain entrance to Hot 97. A confrontation ensued outside after the Compton-bred rapper and his camp were prevented from getting inside of the facility. According to sources, the wounded man was a 20-something African American male, but have not positively identified him as a member in The Game’s crew. 50 Cent, G-Unit and Olivia were immediately ushered out of a side exit to the building. Additionally, the offices of Violator Management were also shot up. Violator is the management home of 50 Cent, Missy Elliot and Busta Rhymes, among others. The victim was shot in his leg and taken to a Manhattan hospital for examination. Police are currently investigating both shootings and no suspects were available at press time. Yesterday 50 booted Game from his powerhouse rap outfit after the younger rap star appeared on Hot 97 with Funkmaster Flex this past Saturday and Angie Martinez this afternoon and refuted 50’s claim that he had a major hand in assisting Game with his debut, The Documentary. The Game appeared on Hot 97 at the same time as 50 Cent was on Power 105 and was unaware of the announcement. It wasn’t until a caller phoned in and asked Game his thoughts on 50 Cent dissing him that the California rapper learned the news. Game carefully avoided answering the question and responded by saying he would continue to make good music. In a recent interview with VIBE magazine, 50 stated he was brought in by Interscope Records to resurrect Game’s album, which according to 50 was on the verge of being shelved and Game being dropped from the label. On Saturday, however, The Game told Funkmaster Flex that his status was never uncertain nor was He ever close to being let go by Dr. Dre or Interscope Chairman Jimmy Iovine. “It was the truth,” an animated 50 Cent told Funkmaster Flex on Hot 97 this evening after his appearance on Power 105. “He was getting dropped. Why else would they let me be a partner on a project that [Interscope] had for two years? “I’m so disappointed,” 50 continued. “This is crazy.” Officials said the man was taken to St.
Vincent's Hospital and was listed in stable condition early today.
The shooting occurred shortly about 10 p.m. at WQHT-FM (Hot 97),
according to police spokesperson Sgt. Kevin Farrell. No arrests
had been made. Police were investigating the incident. Jamie Foxx Wins Best Actor For 'Ray' Portrayal, Freeman also a winner!
It was another record night for the Academy
Awards -- and it came just three years after the most recent landmark
“And I’m rap’s MVP, don’t make me remind y’all what happened in DC,” Game boasts on the remix to the 50 Cent remix of “Hate It Or Love It.” Those that monitor the Hip-Hop newswire can allude to what the Compton rapper is referring to. Even though the line isn’t specific, he could be threatening to jar people’s collective memory about an alleged confrontation that involved DJ Zxulu, formerly of 93.9 WKYS-FM in Washington D.C. Zxulu, a veteran to commercial radio, isn’t naming names in the matter and The Game has denied any wrongdoing through prepared statements. But on Jan. 21, Prince County police reported that Zxulu and another person were beaten badly from and the violent incident may have involved The Game. Zxulu was hospitalized and is still recovering from his wounds. No criminal charges were ever filed. To make matters worse for the DJ, he says he has departed his post at WKYS and old wounds have been opened up. Zxulu speaks for the first time about his beatdown and an old case that reeks of career assassination. (Read the entire interview at - http://www.allhiphop.com/features/ ) Usher Part-Owner Of Cleveland Cavaliers - Carolyn E. Davis
Goodbye, Y100; hello, The Beat - Michael Klein
The 103.9 spot eventually will become a black-gospel station, the insiders said. A loop tape will be broadcast on 103.9 to steer listeners west on their dial, to 100.3. Indications of the change began on the Preston & Steve morning show. Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison, who are bound for WMMR-FM (93.3) in the summer, were to air their Y100 finale tomorrow. But before their 10 a.m. signoff, the show turned into a sort of wake. The station's program director, Jim McGuinn, mused on the air about his own future. Y100 executives would not return messages. Meanwhile, a Web site, www.y100rocks.com, has been set up. It contains an online radio station with a Y100-style playlist as well as an online petition to save Y100. The site's source was unclear. Christina Milian Single At Center Of Law Suit Named as defendants are the Island Def Jam Music Group, Universal Music & Video Distribution and producers/writers/publishers Teedra Moses d.b.a. Ras N Taj Music, Paul Poli and Paul Poli Music. The trio is seeking damages of at least $150,000 per infringement, a declaration of rights, an accounting for all profits and attorneys' fees. Island Def Jam and Universal were not available for comment.
INDUSTRY
MUSIC GROUP PUBLIC STATEMENT: After the gunman's arrest, We witnessed people who became outraged that someone would come out to Industry Tuesdays and try to destroy it. It quickly dawned on me just how much some people really DO care. We are grateful for all of our supporters near and far. We are honored and humbled by the way in which our corporate partners and sponsors enthusiastically embrace Industry Tuesdays. Though the intentions of the gunman were unclear there is something he did not anticipate: his actions served to strengthen our team. We are happy to report that both security officers that where injured in this incident are now home with their families. Our staff has plenty to be thankful for this holiday season. We've had a stellar year with respect to the growth of Industry Tuesdays as an event but we are much more thankful to God for sparing both security guards' lives. On February 1, 2005 Industry Tuesdays
will be having our first PHILLY STOP THE VIOLENCE SHOWCASE.
We look forward to bridging the gap between all flavors of Hip Hop
- Alternative/Grassroots/Revolutionary rappers, Gospel rappers,
Hardcore Street rappers and more. On behalf of Larry Larr, Sonya
and the Industry Tuesdays staff we want to let all of our supporters
know that we will not be stopped! We will not lose! A special thanks
goes out to everyone who ever supported, continues to support and
intends to support Industry Tuesdays in the future. From all of
us to all of you, we wish you all a safe, healthy, prosperous and
happy new year. See y'all in the '05!
MIAMI (AP) - Shirley Chisholm, an advocate for minority rights who became the first black woman elected to Congress and later the first black person to seek a major party's nomination for the U.S. presidency, has died. She was 80.Chisholm, who took her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1969, was a riveting speaker who often criticized Congress as being too clubby and unresponsive. An outspoken champion of women and minorities during seven terms in the House, she also was a staunch critic of the Vietnam War. Details of her death on Saturday were not immediately available. Chisholm ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972, a campaign that was viewed as more symbolic than practical. She won 152 delegates before withdrawing from the race."I ran for the Presidency, despite hopeless odds, to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo," Chisholm said in her book "The Good Fight." "The next time a woman runs, or a black, a Jew or anyone from a group that the country is 'not ready' to elect to its highest office, I believe that he or she will be taken seriously from the start."The Rev. Jesse Jackson called her a "woman of great courage." "She was an activist and she never stopped fighting," Jackson told The Associated Press from Ohio. "She refused to accept the ordinary, and she had high expectations for herself and all people around her." Newly elected, she was assigned to the House Agriculture Committee, which she felt was irrelevant to her urban constituency. In an unheard of move, she demanded reassignment and got switched to the Veterans Affairs Committee.Not long afterward she voted for Hale Boggs, who was white, over John Conyers, who was black, for majority leader. Boggs rewarded her with a place on the prized Education and Labor Committee and she was its third ranking member when she left. "My greatest political asset, which professional politicians fear, is my mouth, out of which come all kinds of things one shouldn't always discuss for reasons of political expediency," she told voters. During her failed presidential bid, Chisholm went to the hospital to visit George Wallace, her rival candidate and ideological opposite, after he had been shot - an act that appalled her followers. "He said, 'What are your people going to say?' I said: 'I know what they're going to say. But I wouldn't want what happened to you to happen to anyone.' He cried and cried," she recalled. In her book, "Unbought and Unbossed," she recounted the campaign that brought her to Congress and wrote of her concerns about that body:. "Our representative democracy is not working because the Congress that is supposed to represent the voters does not respond to their needs. I believe the chief reason for this is that it is ruled by a small group of old men." Born Shirley St. Hill in New York City, on Nov. 30, 1924, she was the eldest of four daughters of Caribbean immigrants. She began her professional career as a nursery school teacher, eventually becoming director of a day care center, and later serving as an educational consultant with the city's child care department. She became active in local Democratic politics and ran successfully for the state Assembly in 1964. After leaving Congress, Chisholm was named to the Purington Chair at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, where she taught for four years. In later years she was a sought-after speaker on the lecture circuit. Chisholm was married twice. Her 1949 marriage to Conrad Chisholm ended in divorce in February, 1977. Later that year she wed Arthur Hardwick, Jr., who died in 1986. She had no children. Once discussing what her legacy might be, Shirley Chisholm commented, "I'd like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts. That's how I'd like to be remembered."
December 1, 2005 marks the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. We at the Rosa Parks Museum are excited that Aliza’s Cookies, Inc. manufacturer and distributors of ALIZA’S snack cookies has created a very imaginative way to help all of us remember this seminal event in Civil Rights history with “Cookies of Courage,” a Montgomery Bus Cookie Box. Cookies of Courage feature a flavorful 2 oz bag of Aliza’s delicious cookies with four flavors from which to choose. But this is much more than just a box of cookies; it is an exciting educational tool - offering a bite of history with your cookies. The bus, symbolizing the beginning of the Modern Civil Rights Movement, tells the story of the “Boycott” with a timeline on its top, and a comprehensive timeline of the struggle of African Americans for Civil Rights inside.
One of the men shot Monday is the brother of drug lord's associate. An ex-con shot outside a party hosted by Ja Rule at the LQ club early Monday morning in New York is the brother of a man implicated in the ongoing drug and murder probe involving the Inc. record label. According to reports, Troy Moore, 37, in stable condition at a New York hospital, is the older brother of Tyran "Tata" Moore, a longtime associate of notorious drug lord Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. McGriff is the target of an investigation into rap-related murders and allegations that he used drug money to help boyhood pal Irv Gotti fund Murder Inc., label home to Ja and singer Ashanti. Moore and William Clark, 39, were shot by an unknown person in a yellow jacket around 3:30 a.m. outside the Latin-themed club. Though wounded in the chest and buttocks, Clark drove himself to a local police station and was later admitted to an area hospital, where he died Monday afternoon. Both men had served time in prison, according to reports — Moore for assault and Clark for a gun charge. Neither NYPD nor FBI spokespeople would elaborate on any ties between Moore and Clark to McGriff, citing the ongoing investigation. "Tata" Moore is currently in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, awaiting sentencing on a federal gun charge. According to The Associated Press, law-enforcement sources said investigators are looking into any possible link between the shooting, the Inc. and McGriff. Monday's shooting occurred one week after a fan was shot outside a Ja Rule afterparty in Peoria, Illinois
Philly Ladies of Hip-Hop Showcase- Industry Tuesdays @Club Flow - Nov. 9th (Tuesday)
I gotta let yall know, i don't condone violence but this is Hip-Hop. If you wanna be "real" then you gotta be prepared for the results. Hip-Hop is life for many cats. If you diss someone and they are in the house, be prepared for an azzwhuppin. If you can't hold your own, then don't diss! Not that Ms Jade was right but you reap what you sow. In case you don't know anything about hip-hop, folks take it seriously...and personal. Get your weight up if you wanna go the diss route. I heard that Pretty Viscious is a really good MC, cool! Then let your talent speak for itself and do you sister. All in all, this was a history making event. if you missed it, then you need to stay tuned for the next one. Philadelphia is truly the home of the female MC. The ladies did the damn thing last night! The club was packed and Hip-Hop reigned supreem. Fellas, let me tell you. these ladies were fine, talented and totally took over the stage. So many hot MC's were in the house that it felt like an award show! Lady Merk, Nina Ross, Miss Jade, Lena Price, Tifa, Kimo, ....whew! Props to Larry Larr and Industry Tuesdays! I'm gonna get to the next one earrrrly. We really do have the best female MC's in the world. These ladies know how to put on a show!
ABC’s investigative news show “Prime Time” reported the present status of John Forte, a rapper serving 14 mandatory years in jail on drug charges. A first-time offender, Forte is trying to ease his lengthy sentence, a weighty endeavor under the current legal system. However, the rapper stated that his optimism of getting out keeps him motivated to be proactive. “I’d probably be dead without hope. Everyday I wake up and I say, 'you know what? Today is the day that something good is going to happen,’” Forte said. According to prosecutors, drug couriers were hired to haul drugs from Texas to New York. Prosecutors say they had taped conversations of Forte referring to cocaine as "ice cream," arranging to pick up almost 31 pounds at the Newark, New Jersey International Airport. Federal agents arrested him after he was handed a suitcase by two women. Forte maintains that he was attempting to deliver money, not drugs, but doesn’t admit to being completely innocent. Much of the awareness surrounding the Former Fugee’s case is related to his surrogate mother, singer Carly Simon. When he turned 13, Forte won a full scholarship to the prestigious Exeter academy, where he befriended Simon’s son Ben Taylor. From there, the Brooklyn native became a part of the family. As family, Simon defends Forte passionately and now fights for a repeal of the mandatory minimum drug laws that remove a judge’s discretion in a case. "I'm prepared to fight this until the last possibility is exercised," Simon said. Now 29, John Forte is slated to get out of jail when he is 38. Forte began his
once-illustrious career off doing A&R for Rawkus before hooking up with The
Fugess. Forte released an album, Poly Sci as well as singing backup during family
friend Carly Simon's last tour. Forte also helped in the production of The Fugee's
17 million seller The Score. Moreover, he’s worked with the likes of Michael
Jackson, Wyclef, the Black Eyed Peas and Public Enemy.
Johnny
Carson - Late-Night Legend Dies at 79 Carson died early Sunday morning, according to his nephew, Jeff Sotzing. "He was surrounded by his family, whose loss will be immeasurable," Sotzing told The Associated Press. He did not provide further details, but NBC said Carson died of emphysema at his Malibu home. The boyish-looking Nebraska native with the disarming grin, who survived every attempt to topple him from his late-night talk show throne, was a star who managed never to distance himself from his audience. His wealth, the adoration of his guests - particularly the many young comics whose careers he launched - the wry tales of multiple divorces: Carson's air of modesty made it all serve to enhance his bedtime intimacy with viewers. "Heeeeere's Johnny!" was the booming announcement from sidekick Ed McMahon that ushered Carson out to the stage. Then the formula: the topical monologue, the guests, the broadly played skits such as "Carnac the Magnificent." But America never tired of him; Carson went out on top when he retired in May 1992. McMahon said Sunday that Carson was "like a brother to me."
D'Angelo, who won two Grammy Awards in 2000, has run into trouble on the road before. In November 2002, a woman alleged the singer cut her off in a lane leading to a shopping mall and then repeatedly and recklessly switched lanes. When police came to his home to serve him with misdemeanor charges of aggressive driving, the singer refuted the allegations and was further charged with resisting arrest. D'Angelo is due in court on Tuesday to be arraigned on charges of drunken driving, marijuana possession and possession of a controlled substance.
Apparently, for the 70,000-plus fans at Miami's Orange Bowl on Tuesday night, a lip-synching Ashlee Simpson would've been preferable to the real non-singing, live thing. The dark-haired fraud was sacked with a tsunami of boos when her voice devolved into a quaky howl while singing her latest single ''La La'' during the game's halftime show, which was watched by some 22 million viewers on ABC. The vocal snag occurred as she delivered the line: ''You make me want to scream.'' Last October, Simpson was busted for using a vocal track during a Saturday Night Live appearance - a performance she cut short by performing an awkward jig, bounced around like a crackhead, then fleeing the stage. She first blamed the debacle on her band, then later on acid reflux disease. The second season of Simpson's MTV reality show premieres Jan. 26, and she kicks off a tour in support of her CD Autobiography on February 18 in Los Angeles. Let's hope she packs the Prilosec. "There was some booing that went on after the halftime show was finished," she said. "If they didn't like the performance, and that's what it was about, then sorry to them." Some have said Simpson was booed at Miami's Pro Player Stadium because the rowdy crowd of 72,000 wasn't the same age bracket as Simpson's teen audience (oh yeah, these were mostly college age students) . Others have said it was payback for "SNL," for her being a bad sport, walking off the stage and later blaming her band for. Still others have complained that she just sounded bad. But Simpson has a few theories herself about why boos were heard following the closing line of her song "La La," "I want to hear you scream!" "Maybe they were booing at me, maybe they were booing at the halftime show 'cause the whole thing sucked," she said. "I was facing [the Oklahoma Sooners], and I was rooting for USC, and they played a clip of it, so maybe it was that those people didn't like me. You never know. But I can't make everybody happy." 's new LP, projects on the horizon under the Def Jam umbrella include records from 112, Mariah Carey and Memphis Bleek.
A New York court has ruled that Aaliyah's record company cannot sue the video producer who booked the private jet that crashed in the Bahamas in 2001, killing the singer.The Manhattan appeals court reversed its June 2004 decision, which had allowed the company to file suit, saying on Thursday that only Aaliyah's parents had a right to sue for wrongful death, which they had already done in 2003 and received compensation for, according to The Associated Press. The June ruling allowed Blackground Records to file suit because Aaliyah was considered the prime "asset" of the company and not just an employee. According to the AP, Frank Penski, Blackground's appellate lawyer, said as of Thursday he had not seen the decision and did not know if his client would further pursue a lawsuit against the producer.
Although evidence in the Michael Jackson child-molestation case has been kept closely guarded, a story posted Thursday on the Web site The Smoking Gun, which the site claims is based on leaked affidavits, paints a lurid picture of alleged details of the case. The details include: that Jackson allegedly plied his then-13-year-old accuser with "wine, tequila and Skyy vodka" several times; that police allegedly found a stash of pornography in Jackson's bedroom, as well as whiskey and wine in the singer's bathroom; and that the boy allegedly told police that he was "kinda drunk" the first time the singer touched him during a "lesson" in masturbation. The story states that the case is built largely on the memories of the accuser, his mother, sister and younger brother, who is now 14. Their descriptions of details in Jackson's house — from the combination on the lock of the singer's bedroom door to the location of his multiple pornography caches — and largely consistent stories of the alleged abuses spurred the November 2003 raid on Jackson's Neverland Ranch. The allegations in the documents reportedly range from tales of the 46-year-old pop star making obscene prank calls from his private plane to more serious accusations: that Jackson licked the head of the accuser as he slept, and that the singer allegedly told the accuser and his brother that "boys have to masturbate or they go crazy." Jackson has pleaded not guilty to the charges of child molestation and supplying an intoxicating agent. Jury selection in the case is slated for late January. The boys are said to have told investigators that, as his 3-year-old son Prince Michael II (a.k.a. "Blanket") lay sleeping nearby, Jackson allegedly taught the teens how to surf pornographic Web sites on his laptop computer, saying that his son was "missing out" on the images. If asked what they had seen, Jackson reportedly told the teens to say they had been watching "The Simpsons" and that the activities were their "little secret," not to be disclosed to anyone, even if a gun was put to their heads. According to The Smoking Gun, prosecutors claim in the documents that it wasn't until after the February 3, 2003, airing of Martin Bashir's "Living With Michael Jackson" documentary — which drew immediate fire due to Jackson's statements about sharing his bed with unrelated children — that Jackson began molesting his accuser, providing him with alcohol and allegedly imprisoning the boy and his family at Neverland. At the time, Jackson is said to have told the family he was concerned for their safety and flew them to a luxury resort in Miami on comedian Chris Tucker's jet, according to the statements. It was in Miami that Jackson is said to have first provided the boy with wine — which he reportedly called "Jesus juice" — concealed in a Diet Coke can. The family told investigators that upon returning to Neverland from Miami, they were not allowed to leave the ranch until they filmed a rebuttal to Bashir's documentary, and that an unindicted co-conspirator in the case allegedly told the mother that if she went to police he would "make the kids disappear." However, when the Department of Children and Family Services interviewed the family a week after the documentary aired — spurred by a call from an official with the Los Angeles Unified School District — the mother reportedly played the investigator innocuous video of Jackson with the accuser strolling around Neverland and said the singer was "like a father" to her children, a phrase the siblings repeated to investigators. The Smoking Gun story reports that law-enforcement documents reveal that the family denied any allegations of abuse until the mother hired a lawyer in mid-2003. It also states that Jackson's defense told authorities that the family's story is inconsistent, as the family claimed the plot to silence them began two weeks before the first incident of molestation is alleged to have occurred. The Smoking Gun also posted a list of evidence allegedly seized during the Neverland raid, including four "Barely Legal" porn DVDs; the documentary "Pimps Up, Ho's Down"; a photo of the accuser on the nightstand near Jackson's bed; and a copy of fashion photographer Bruce Weber's book "The Chop Suey Club," which features photos of naked and near-naked male models. Also reportedly seized were a pair of white boys' Hanes underwear from the bathroom of Jackson's 6-year-old daughter, Paris Jackson; the same brand of underwear worn by the accuser. And, based on information supplied by the accuser's younger brother, police reportedly found a black Samsonite suitcase with Playboy and Hustler magazines in a closet below Jackson's two-story bedroom. According to The Smoking Gun, the brothers were interviewed separately by police detectives and gave similar accounts of what they saw or experienced in Jackson's home. The younger brother is alleged to have told police that he saw Jackson molesting his sleeping brother at least twice from a vantage point on the steps outside Jackson's bedroom; investigators are reported to have verified that the location would have offered a view into the bedroom. The mother of the boys — whom Jackson allegedly nicknamed "Doo Doo Head" and "Blowhole" — is said to have kept quiet about the singer licking her son's head on the plane because, she told investigators, she "thought at the moment she was seeing things." The story also said that the boys' recounting of events is occasionally vague because they claim they cannot remember dates or times when the alleged abuse and inappropriate behavior occurred, because there were no calendars or clocks at Neverland. However, the entrance to Neverland features a huge clock made from shrubs, and Jackson is reported to have given the accuser a watch with a calendar function. The watch was one of several gifts the singer gave to the child, which also included an Apple laptop computer, video-game systems and a white Ford Bronco to shuttle him to his medical appointments. Representatives for Michael Jackson had not returned calls for comment at press time.
Phil
Spector, who has testified that actress Lana Clarkson shot herself in his home
in 2003, initially told police that he shot her by "accident," according
to recently released grand-jury transcripts. In
the five volumes documenting secret Spector has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Clarkson at his Alhambra, California, home on February 3, 2003. In a 2003 interview with Esquire magazine, Spector suggested that Clarkson may have committed suicide. The producer is free on $1 million bail; if convicted of murder, he could face life in prison. According to the Times — which reported on the contents of the transcripts on Friday after several media organizations, including the Times and The Associated Press, won a legal battle to unseal the documents — the transcripts show that Spector allegedly implicated himself in the crime. Spector's driver, Adriano Desouza, reportedly testified that he heard a shot while he waited outside the house, and three minutes later saw Spector emerge holding a revolver. Desouza said that Spector then told him, "I think I killed somebody," but that when he pressed the producer for further details, Spector shrugged his shoulders and remained silent. Spector himself did not testify before the grand jury, but jurors did hear the testimonies of three women who each said that Spector had separately threatened them with a gun in the past. According to the transcripts, Deputy Los Angeles County District Attorney Doug Sortino told the grand jury that the testimonies of those women showed that Spector was guilty of implied malice and that he acted in an "inherently dangerous" way, which proved he could be responsible for murder. Two women who dated Spector in the 1990s testified that Spector had threatened them, separately, with a gun to keep them from leaving his home and a New York hotel room. Another woman, Deborah Strand, testified that at a 1999 party she saw a man she later found out was Spector flicking cigar ash on top of her boyfriend's dog after it jumped on him. Strand said she told Spector he could leave, and the producer turned, pointed a gun at her right cheek and said, "What are you going to say now?" Several of Clarkson's friends also testified in the trial, saying she was looking forward to getting married and starting a family. The order sealing the grand-jury transcripts was lifted on Wednesday. Acs that my mother and I shared." Update: Ashlee Simpson azz out on 'SNL', Gaffe Blamed On Acid Reflux "The whole situation was a bummer," Ashlee said in an interview on MTV's "Total Request Live." Simpson had performed her hit single "Pieces of Me" without incident earlier on "SNL." When she came back a second time, her band started playing and the first lines of her singing "Pieces of Me" could be heard again. She was holding her microphone at her waist at the time. Simpson looked momentarily confused as the band plowed ahead with the song and the vocal was quickly silenced. A flustered Simpson made some exaggerated hopping dance moves, then walked off the stage. She told "TRL" that she and her band didn't know what to do. "I think all of us went into a state of shock," she said. The incident exposed what many consider an obvious secret: that some singers who appear onstage aren't singing live at all, or at least have their voices augmented by backing tracks. "If she were a more seasoned performer then I think that she would've taken charge and said, 'No, let's start this over again.' The message board on Ashlee's official Web site has become a battleground where her staunch fans are fighting to defend her from an onslaught of thousands of negative, even vicious posts. Amidst the often-vulgar posts in the site's "open forum" is a quote lifted from a Lucky magazine interview where she was asked about lip-synching. "I'm totally against it and offended by it," she said. "I'm going out to let my real talent show, not to just stand there and dance around. Personally, I'd never lip-synch. It's just not me." (busted! - next time your throat is "hurting" how about keeping your non-singin azz home!)
TROY, MICHIGAN, Kmart Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: KMRT) today announced the appointment of Aylwin Lewis as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Lewis will also join the Kmart Board of Directors. Mr. Lewis joins Kmart from YUM! Brands, Inc., where he was President, Chief Multi-Branding and Operating Officer. Aylwin Lewis is a 13-year veteran of YUM! Brands, and has been in the restaurant industry for 26 years, beginning his career as a Restaurant General Manager and rising through the ranks to his most recent position at YUM!, the world's largest restaurant company with over $8 billion in annual revenue. Mr. Lewis has been responsible for executing YUM!'s global operating platform, multi-branding expansion, and Restaurant Information Systems. He was also responsible for the operation of 2600 multi-branded restaurants and the company's 1,250 Long John Silver's and 900 A&W All-American Food restaurants. Edward S. Lampert, Chairman of Kmart, said, "We are excited to have Aylwin Lewis join us as our President and CEO. He brings a strong record of successful operating performance. Under his leadership, we expect that Kmart will build further on its financial strength to become a truly great company." Mr. Lampert added, "Aylwin Lewis
brings to Kmart a wealth of retail operating experience, a track
record of personal and corporate success, tremendous people skills
and a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence. He is the
ideal leader and agent of change for Kmart at this time, and we
are pleased that he has embraced this challenge with his characteristic
passion. Along with the other members of the Board, I welcome the
opportunity to work in partnership with Aylwin to lead Kmart in
the next exciting phase of our company's development." Mr.
Lewis said, "I am very enthusiastic about working with Eddie
Lampert and the Board of Directors to drive the operating excellence
and cultural change that are the hallmarks of great companies. Kmart
has made considerable strides under the leadership of Julian Day
and the Board. I am joining an organization with a strong executive
team, financial stability, and increasing profitability. I look
forward to working with the company's management team and all of
Kmart's associates to build on that success." - I noticed
that on the website there was no photo of him and no mention that
he was an African-American , hmmm - Shock
Ronald Isley, lead singer of the legendary R&B act the Isley Brothers, has been indicted on tax evasion charges, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).The 63-year-old artist, who suffered a minor stroke in August, was named in a six-count indictment returned Wednesday (Oct. 13) by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles. He is charged with five counts of tax evasion for failing to report income from royalties and performances by the band and one count of failing to file an income tax return. No figure was given for the amount of the alleged tax evasion but the charges carry a maximum penalty of 26 years in prison. Isley could not immediately be reached for comment. The Isley Brothers formed in the early 1950s and enjoyed their biggest success in the 1960s and 1970s with hits like their cover of "Twist and Shout," "This Old Heart of Mine" and "Who's That Lady." Members came and went, but in 1990 Ronald and his younger brothers Ernie and Marvin reunited and produced several new albums. The indictment against Ronald Isley covers 1997-2002 and alleges that he evaded payment by depositing and using for his own benefit royalty checks issued to other Isley Brothers-related entities and members of the band, including his brother O'Kelly, who died in 1986. While on tour, Isley required that half his fee be paid in cash on each tour date and that he paid his musicians and performances in cash, the IRS said. Isley is alleged to have controlled several bank accounts, and to have told his booking agent to send part of his tour performance fees directly to third parties for his own benefit. The IRS said Isley used some of the money from his various accounts to buy a yacht, a $1.8-million house in St. Louis in 1997 and a 100-acre estate in Missouri for approximately $1 million. An IRS spokesperson said Isley had not filed an income tax return between 1997 and 2001, which made it difficult for authorities to determine either his income or how much tax may have been avoided. Isley is expected to make his first court appearance regarding the charges early next month.
Quote from the Truth Page "Check the origin! "Because of it's origin and what Hip Hop originally represented in it's earlier stages, we cannot embrace it as Christians. Their can be no Holy Hip Hoppers or no Christian Hip Hop because the culture cannot lend itself to the direction of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we do have very powerful Christian rap groups that preach the word of God through rap, but we must not get confused and call what they are doing Hip Hop. You have to understand that God does not embrace anything that has a corrupt origin. The very word "Hip Hop" was created by Afrikka Bambatta, the pioneer of the culture and professed Zulu Nation god. He created the term to describe the parties that he was hosting in clubs across New York in the early 70's. Since then, he has developed a religion that rested upon the Hip Hop culture. The term is not from God, therefore, it should not be used to describe anything from God!" They go on to deliver even more clueless dribble on http://www.exministries.com/truth.html (they also cowardly claim that they won't read negative e-mails. What a crock - Send then anyway!) Docta Shock's response - Before any black person speaks out about any aspect of our culture, I suggest he think, research and be informed first. I can go on all day destroying their stand against Hip-Hop but I'll try to be brief. I'll attempt to explain to this clueless "Christian" brother how much he and so many of our people have been used and brainwashed like house slaves by the mainstream to help us to divide and conquer ourselves. First of all Hip-Hop is not a religion. Hip-Hop is a subculture of the African culture. The origin? hip-Hop was created to stop the killing and gang warfare in New York by replacing it with a safer and more creative outlet for youth. This was done in the middle of oppression and deception from the government disguised as 'economic recession". the Hip-Hop culture gave rise to Rap music which has become the unofficial "voice" of the culture. In his statements he contradicts himself by stating that "rap music is not hip-hop" but goes on to use all of the aspects of rap music to describe hip-hop. The founders of hip-hop support free speech but do not condone the "prostituting" of hip-hop for the "other man's" monetary gain. Mr. Lewis, if you had even minimal knowledge of the culture, you would know that what you see in the media has nothing to do with hip-hop. Like I said with Bill Cosby,you cannot judge a culture of it's people by the images and information you read or see in the racist and prejudiced media of the United States. What you see and hear is selected by old white men in offices that rise into the sky. They have an agenda. Their agenda is to make as much money as they can by attempting to destroy the African-American culture. They promote the negative images, they promote the stereotypes, they pick what is played on the radio, they choose what is seen in the videos, they select what is written and how it is written in the media, they are in control of what groups get signed, they are the ones that you should be chastising. It's easy to pick on Hip-Hop, don't you see that's part of the plan? Use your brain and read between the lines! You mock the fashion but each generation has its own fashion and most are based on "bad guys". Think about it, pinstriped suits and baggy pants of the forties(based on the Al Capone type gangsters), Leather jackets, T-shirts and jeans of the fifties (based on the motorcycle gangs), tie-dyed clothing of the sixties (based on the drug culture emulating the colors seen during acid and LSD trips), bell bottom pants, big hats with feathers, fur collars and platform shoes of the seventies, (based on the pimps and drug pushers), this was changed with Hip-Hop. Hip- Hop strived to declare its freedom from the constraints of mindless fashions by creating its own style, air brushed shirts, name belts, Kangol hats (paying tribute to the older generation), etc. This has changed and I agree that there are some very negative images that are associated with and even at times perpetuated in Hip-hop but let's put the blame where it belongs. There's plenty of it to go around. Blame the politicians who allow drugs to freely come into our country, allow guns to become so accessible, take away our jobs, raise costs, decrease health care and increase the inmate population through unfair justice. Blame the men of our (and your) generation for not being there for our families and not providing our young men with a positive role model while guiding our young women to understand the virtue of being a lady. Also its time to start blaming the churches for not becoming involved with the younger generation and instead of embracing and becoming involved in their lives.....attacking them. If Hip-Hop can bring young people into the church, then use it as a tool and teach them the positive virtues of it and the power of individuality. Is the Hip-Hop culture blameless ? No, there's much more we can do but to do it we need all of our people behind us. We need support when we try to change things, we need help to get our word out and we need to be able to sustain our culture by ourselves! What we don't need and what we have much too much of, is our own misinformed and media brainwashed people steadidly betraying us. Well I tried to be brief.
Female rap pioneers Salt-N-Pepa may not have a hit record on the charts at the moment, but the two veterans are busy with other ventures, including a new sitcom that they are developing together. “We are developing the sitcom together,” Pepa told AllHipHop.com. “It’s going to be based on our lives.” Both Salt and Pepa will star in the untitled television show, which they are taking their time to develop. In 1994, they did a pilot for a show titled “On Our Own,” which didn’t pan out. “We are taking our time. The people involved have a lot of energy and are ready to go,” Salt said. Everything happens in time and timing is everything.”After becoming a born-again Christian almost two years ago, Salt teamed with former Kid-N-Play rapper Christopher “Play” Martin, who also left secular music for gospel and created “Rise,” a Hip-Hop gospel stage musical. Salt will continue exploring her spiritual side and plans on dropping an introspective album chronicling her life. “I’m going to bring out [the album] under my own label with my husband,” Salt said. “I don’t even want to say that it’s a gospel album. “It’s more of my testimony, it's what I been through in life until now what god had has taught me.”
The Source and Russell Simmons continue to feud. The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network recently pulled out of an event scheduled to take place over the weekend before The Source Awards. Simmons and The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) pulled out of speaking duties at Saturday’s (October 9th) "Join the SIPHA: Hip-Hop Voter Education Rally." "Russell Simmons has been exploiting Hip-Hop for years,” The Source’s Dave Mays and Ray Benzino said in a statement. “We invited, and expected him to participate in the largest annual Hip-Hop weekend of the year, and he bailed from the event because he is afraid of the authenticity and influence of The Source Magazine, and our weekend. “Russell is further from Hip-Hop, the community and the struggle it represents than he has ever been. Russell is a serious threat to the advancement of the black community, and Hip-Hop culture because he exploits the perception in corporate America that he represents the views of the Hip-Hop community when he does not."Mays and Benzino said Simmons’ call for unity with Eminem after the magazine produced a tape of the rapper using racial slurs against black women, downplayed the seriousness of the issue. "The true cause of disunity in Hip-Hop is the lack of open dialogue regarding the state of the Hip-Hop music industry, and the role of corporate interests in the destruction of black owned companies and black artists. We invite Russell, Jimmy Iovine, Eminem and Paul Rosenberg to a debate to discuss the future of Hip-Hop and those things that divide us. The Hip-Hop Summit, and Russell Simmons may represent the Hamptons and his rich friends, but they don't represent the Hip-Hop Community.” Thousands are expected to attend the rally, which takes place at the Miami Arena on October 9th. Minister Louis Farrakhan, Al Sharpton, Ja Rule, Ludacris, Fat Joe and other are expected to speak. Simmons reply to The Source’s comments and allegations were simple: “God bless them,” the mogul told AllHipHop.com. pecial Thanks to all those who came out to the 4th Annual Philly Urban Legend Awards The honorees -Lady B , Mimi Brown, DJ Miz, Three Times Dope, Crazy D
Backstage at the Legends of Hip-Hop Concert (Dec. 20th-Electric Factory) Wow! Sweet T looking good---Whodini & Mimi----------Pat Jackson,Mimi&Lady B--Sugarhill Gang on stage-kickin it!-------Kurtis Blow accepts suprise award
Mmmm....... Mc Lyte--------Biz Markie spins
Photos courtesy of Docta Shock
Veteran music executive Sylvia Rhone has been named president of Motown Records and Executive VP of Universal Records. The appointment, announced late Thursday, had long been expected. Rhone's arrival at the storied black music label had been rumored since the July departure of former Motown president and CEO Kedar Massenburg. Rhone will have direct responsibility
for the Motown label, whose roster includes Stevie Wonder, Erykah
Badu, Michael McDonald and India.Arie. In her role at Universal,
"she will be involved in a number of musical projects,"
according to the company. For a decade, Rhone was chairman and CEO
of Elektra Records and helped elevate the careers of icons like
Missy Elliot and Busta Rhymes. She exited that post in March during
a wide-ranging reorganization at the Warner Music Group labels.Ms
Rhone guided the delicate merger of Elektra, EastWest, (of which
she was formerly CEO) and Sire Records into the Warner Music Group's
premiere boutique label. She was directly involved in the launch
of several new artists at EEG, including Better Than Ezra, Adina
Howard, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Kut Klose. Long known throughout the
industry as a keen developer of musical talent, she was also instrumental
in the continuing success of platinum plus artists like the Rembrandts
and the tremendous solo debut of Natalie Merchant.
The Firm's - "Urban Nights" Marty Gibbs, the F.I.R.M. (Family of Independent Record Merchants) and Larry Larr sponsored a stellar event last night (10/6/04). Their Urban Night Event, hosted by UX's Keith frum up da Blok,brought out some of Philly's music industry notables including Charlie Mack, Bruce Webb, Big Bob, Docta Shock, Big Phil, Hilltop Records, DJ Ran, PR expert Courtney Omega, Rampage (Flipmode Squad) and the rapper they call the "female Twista", Lena Price. Besides the bevy of beauties and fine food and drink, the performers included Philly's own NAAM Brigade, former Cash Money artist - TQ and an impromptu appearance by Brooklyn Zoo featuring none other than ODB a/k/a Dirt McGirt, Baby Jesus, Old Dirty Bastard himself, who led the adoring yet initially stunned crowd through some of his biggest hits. What a night!
RICK JAMES had nine drugs in his body including cocaine, valium, vicodin and methamphetamine when he died in his sleep on August, according to a coroner’s report. The funk legend passed away in his Los Angeles home of a heart attack aged 56, but the report released yesterday (September 16) said that the drugs in his system most likely contributed to the organ’s failure. A diabetes sufferer, James had a pacemaker and had been in fragile health following a stroke in 1998. According to Reuters, the coroner listed nine drugs, including prescription medications for anxiety, pain relief and heart failure, along with cocaine and methamphetamine that were found in James’ body. An autopsy failed to establish the cause of death, and toxicology tests were ordered after a Los Angeles County coroner took over the case because James had not seen a doctor in recent weeks. The report said: "None of the drugs or drug combinations were found to be at levels that were life-threatening in and of themselves." The singer’s family attributed his death to natural causes, and the coroner said the cause was a heart attack and ruled the death as accidental. Before his death James had finished recording an album and was in talks with studios in Hollywood for a movie about his life.
In the report, which aired Friday night, a retired Santa Barbara County sheriff explained how his office uncovered a 1990 payoff to the 12-year-old son of a Neverland Ranch employee while investigating a 1993 molestation case in which the singer paid between $15 and $20 million in an out-of-court settlement Jackson, who currently faces child molestation charges stemming from several alleged incidents in early 2003, called the press' reporting on this latest twist "untruths and sensationalism." "These people wanted to exploit my concern for children by threatening to destroy what I believe in and what I do," he explained in a statement on his official news site. "I have been a vulnerable target for those who want money. "I have spent my entire life helping millions of children across the world," the 46-year-old singer added. "I would never harm a child. It is unfortunate that some individuals have seen fit to come forward and make a complaint that is completely false. Quite frankly, I question the timing and motive of this report." (Do you still believe he's totally innocent? He's got serious problems. Think people!)
What she "did" was publicly speak out against her brother, back in 1993 when he was first facing accusations of child molestation. She drove a wedge between herself and the entire Jackson clan when she accused Michael of paying hush money to the parents of his accusers, and charged that he would stay in his room for days on end with young boys. Her then-husband and manager, Jack Gordon, drove the wedge even deeper when he claimed that Michael had threatened LaToya for speaking out against him, going so far as to claim that Michael would pay to have LaToya killed if she ever returned to California. But slowly, she began writing new songs and going out to clubs, watching people dance and creating an alter-ego for herself. "I was at a club and I kind of disguised myself. I wore a suit and a moustache and a goatee. And the character development didn't end with dress-up. LaToya began answering to the name "Toy," her childhood nickname. And she kept the moniker when she sent her first new song, "Just Wanna Dance," to club DJs. Club DJs began playing the song. Jackson was so inspired by the song's success (it reached as high as #13 on the Billboard Hot Dance/ Club Music chart) that she began recording an entire album, much of it based on her divorce, the reuniting of her family and her returning confidence.
A plastic surgeon who worked on Michael Jackson says he had to slice off a piece of the singer's ear to repair his disappearing nose. Professor Werner Mang, an expert in nose reconstruction, said he got a distress call from Jackson's regular plastic surgeon after it was discovered that the skin on his face was stretched to the limit and the tip of his nose "became unstable." Meanwhile, Jackson, 45, still maintains he's only had two plastic surgery operations in his life - to help him breathe easier and improve his singing.
As growing controversy mounts worldwide around the lyrics of dancehall artist Buju Banton and from an incident where he allegedly took part in assaulting a group of gay men, reps for Banton said he was recently banned from the United States. “Buju Banton has been unjustly banned from the United States because of an absurd conviction in April for possession and cultivation of marijuana,” a spokesperson reported in a statement. According to reps, on December 3, 2003, police raided Banton’s Kingston, Jamaica recording studio and claimed to have found a marijuana plant that belonged to Banton. “We can confirm that Amnesty International has received information from reputable national and international human rights organizations concerning reports that Buju Banton was involved in a homophobic attack,” the organization said. “These reports take the form of statements that allege that on June 24 2004, six men were driven from their home and beaten by a group of armed men, and that the alleged assailants included Buju Banton.” The report said that the attack was motivated by hatred of gay men. The victims said the assailants called them “battymen,” a derogatory term for a homosexual. Banton said the charges were “completely untrue and wholly unfounded.” Banton’s song “Boom Bye Bye” is well known for the violence it calls for against homosexuals. Banton has said he recorded the song in 1992 and has not made another song in that vein since. “Buju Banton has never repudiated the sentiments of the song ‘Boom Bye Bye’,” the organization countered. “Furthermore, it is reported that Buju Banton continues to perform the song.”Opposition against the singer is mounting. In Germany, Banton's September appearance at the Reggae Jam Festival in Saarbruecken was cancelled. (So let me get this straight, you can rap about killing men, beating women, shooting kids and suckin d*ck but do a song about poppin gays and they deport you? There must be a hell of a lot of undercover Jim. McGreeveys in our government) ' (CNN) -- Singer Rick James, a musical icon of the 1980s who helped define the "punk funk" style of that decade, was found dead in his home Friday morning by his caretaker, a Los Angeles police Department spokesman said. He was 56.James' personal physician signed his death certificate, and said his death was the result of "existing medical conditions," police spokesman Jason Lee said. One of James' producers told CNN that the singer died of a heart attack. "Today the world mourns
a musician and performer of the funkiest kind," said Neil Portow,
president of the Recording Academy, which is responsible for the
Grammy Awards. "The 'Super Freak' will be missed."James
became an instant icon in 1981 with his album "Street Songs,"
a funk maste, he penned such hits as "Super Freak," "You
and I", "Give it To Me Baby," "Mary Jane"and
"Fire and Desire.""I'm trying to change the root
of funk, trying to make it more progressive, more melodic and more
lyrically structured," James once said."Street Songs"
went triple-platinum and catapulted James into the forefront of
the funk movement.. Born James Johnson Jr. in Buffalo, New York, James was the third of eight children of an autoworker and a former dancer.At age 15 he joined the Naval Reserve, but he began missing weekend training when it interfered with his musical career.James was reported AWOL, and he fled to Canada, where he continued his musical career. The charges came back to haunt him when his success brought him back to the United States, and eventually he served time. After his release, James went to work with Motown Records, first as a songwriter, then as a singer and producer. Despite his meteoric rise and recording success, James won only a single Grammy, for "co-writing" M.C. Hammer's monster hit "U Can't Touch This," a song sampled from James' "Super Freak." Goodbye Rick, you will sorely be missed - Shock
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Soul veteran Ronald Isley, the lead singer with the Isley Brothers, has suffered a minor stroke, but hopes to resume performing as soon as possible, a spokeswoman for his record label said on Thursday. Isley, 63, felt unwell while walking along a street in London last Friday, checked into a local hospital for a few days, and has since returned to his home in St. Louis, Mo., said the spokeswoman at Def Soul Classics. She said his speech did not appear to be affected, and he had assured the label that he would be fine and wanted to get back on the road quickly.
A group of skinheads in Russia were handed stiff jail sentences yesterday, after they attacked a group of people and killed a police officer following a Public Enemy concert. The Moscow City Court sentenced six defendants anywhere from four to 18 years in prison. One was banished to a mental institution.A brawl broke out in a Moscow subway last summer when the men attacked a group of people returning home from the Public Enemy concert that took place in DK Gorbunova. Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported that the men were not pleased with Public Enemy's ‘black nationalist attitude” and waited for fans of the rap group after the concert shouting "Russia is for Russian's!"When two officers intervened to stop the ensuing fight, one of the officers was struck on the head with a broken bottle and died a short time later. A separate group of men were also arrested at another subway station causing havoc, breaking glass and attacking people passing by.
And just as Brandy had claimed that she
wasn't in love with Smith when the couple split up last year, Smith
said he never loved Brandy in a romantic way, but that he continues
to love her as a friend. In early 2002, at the same time Brandy
announced she was pregnant, she broke the news that she and Smith
had gotten married in the summer of 2001. Before he began his relationship
with Brandy, Smith was involved with another woman, a film producer,
and initially had sustained relationships with both women. When
Brandy became pregnant, the decision was made to tell people they
were married.
Earlier this year, Jay-Z became the first rapper to hold interest in an NBA team when he took part-ownership of the New Jersey Nets (see "Nets Accept Bid From Jay-Z Group; Brooklyn Move Closer"). Now Nelly has joined the ownership group of Bobcats Basketball Holdings, LLC, which owns and operates NBA expansion team the Charlotte Bobcats.
Rap Renaissance man Mos Def has been nominated for an Emmy Award, an honor which is bestowed to the finest actors in the profession.The rapper stands poised to win the Actor, Miniseries or a Movie category for his role in "Something the Lord Made," a series on HBO. Mos played Vivien Thomas, an African-American man who was a pioneer in the field of heart surgery despite never attending medical school. "This is the biggest role I've had in film to date," Mos said in a recent interview. "But, you know, I try not to think about that sort of thing...I just want to do the best work I can, and hopefully that helps tell the story in the best way and stays true to the spirit and the dignity of the story and the people in it."
Entertainment news mag host Pat O'Brien has officially left NancyO'Dell's side on NBC Universal's Access Hollywood in order to host the new Paramount series The Insider. He has reportedly taken ten Accessstaffers with him. That group does not include reporter Shaun Robinson (pictured below), the topic of a scathing e-mail by O'Brien obtained late last month by the New York Post's Page Six. Although O'Brien later apologized, there is obviously no love lost here, as per these excerpted comments:
The "Godfather" is gone, actor Marlon Brando passes away LOS ANGELES (July 2) - Marlon Brando, who revolutionized American acting with his Method performances in ''A Streetcar Named Desire'' and ''On the Waterfront'' and went on to create the iconic character of Don Vito Corleone in ''The Godfather,'' has died. He was 80. Brando died of lung failure Thursday evening at UCLA Medical Center, said Roxanne Moster, a spokeswoman for the medical center. She didn't give details. Jackson
Says $25M Settlement Is Not An Admission Of Guilt-by
Jennifer Vineyard
Because of the settlement, the criminal case wasn't able to proceed. In September 1994, the district attorneys of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties announced that, in the absence of victims willing to testify, they would not file criminal charges against Jackson, despite finding what they said were other allegations of sexual misconduct with two other boys. The case was considered suspended, but information regarding the 1993 molestation allegations continues to surface as the 2003 allegations get closer to coming to trial, causing speculation over whether or not the previous case will have any relevance. Jackson called the leaks "attacks."(ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,....whew!) T-Boz Files
For Divorce From Mack-10 - By Remmie
Fresh
R&B singer Jaheim has pleaded not guilty to drug charges in Somerville, N.J., after authorities say a police officer stopped him on an outstanding traffic warrant and found 25 plastic bags of marijuana in his car. The 27-year-old posted bail and was released.While awaiting his arraignment, the singer told his lawyer that he was the victim of police harassment, the Star-Ledger of Newark reported. "I've got to file this lawsuit today, I'm serious," Jaheim said. "I just want them to leave me alone. They really violated me this time." (He got cought with about 25 bags of weed, his friends are saying he has a serious drug problem...come on, get it together brother)
Last year 50 put Ja Rule on blast, and this year he had more in store for his longtime foe, introducing the "Grannie Awards," a pre-taped mock awards show. After announcing the nominees for Wackest Rapper — Ja, Joe Budden and Murder Inc.'s Black Child — 50 said it was a three-way tie. Other Grannies went to Lil' Kim for having the most plastic surgery, The Source for being the worst hip-hop magazine, and Beyoncé for being the sexiest. Tony Yayo, who was making his first public appearance since being released from jail (see "Tony Yayo's Back — And Spending Like A Fiend"), came out with enough energy to make Busta Rhymes look sedate, yelling, "I'm Tony Yayo, the talk of New York!" The rest of the Unit (with the exception of the absent Game) came out on four-wheel bikes. With the drama coming from the speakers, tensions started spewing from the crowd when members of the audience began throwing chairs at the G-Unit. According to witnesses, the chair tossers wore Silver Back Guerilla T-shirts, a crew whose members have had a long-running feud with 50. Although it seemed like fans were rocking with the G-Unit, the response apparently wasn't what 50 had hoped for. He told the people they shouldn't be frontin' and standing still. "I want y'all to know I know you love me," he said sarcastically. 50 also asked the audience if it was ready to see R. Kelly, and when the crowd screamed, he mocked Kelly's step dance and his sex-tape scandal. Later, after G-Unit DJ Whoo Kid said their time was up and they had to leave, 50 dared the police to come get him. The grand finale of "Stunt 101" wasn't so grand. After 50 performed his verse, he cut Banks off as his friend began to spit. Still unhappy with the crowd, 50 huffed, threw his mic down and left. The legendary Ray Charles passes away
Blind by age 7 and an orphan at 15, Charles spent his life shattering any notion of musical boundaries and defying easy definition. A gifted pianist and saxophonist, he dabbled in country, jazz, big band and blues, and put his stamp on it all with a deep, warm voice roughened by heartbreak from a hardscrabble childhood in the segregated South. "His sound was stunning -- it was the blues, it was R&B, it was gospel, it was swing -- it was all the stuff I was listening to before that but rolled into one amazing, soulful thing," singer Van Morrison told Rolling Stone magazine in April. Charles won nine of his 12 Grammy Awards between 1960 and 1966, including the best R&B recording three consecutive years ("Hit the Road Jack," "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "Busted"). His versions of other songs are also well known, including "Makin' Whoopee" and a stirring "America the Beautiful." Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell wrote "Georgia on My Mind" in 1931 but it didn't become Georgia's official state song until 1979, long after Charles turned it into an American standard. Poochman fired...fires back this just in...host of the
power 99 hot boyz night show (#1 with a 20+ share for 4 years straight)
POOCHMAN...has been fired...just goes to show if u ain't tossin
your boss's salad at clear channel, they WILL get rid of you and
replace you with somebody who will...(ooooh, sounds personal) Jonesy fired from 103.9
Other artists looking to follow in the Purple One's footsteps toward inflated album sales had better think twice, however. Both SoundScan, the company that tracks record sales, and music industry trade Billboard are putting their foot down and revising their policy of allowing album sales to be piggybacked with concert tickets. Protected by a grandfather clause, Musicology will be allowed to continue counting albums sold through concert tickets toward its total, since Mayfield said it would be unfair to "change horses in the middle of the stream," but other artists who may have been eyeing Prince's strategy might be impeded."The new policy states that customers 'must be given an option to either add the CD to the ticket purchase or forgo the CD for a reduced ticket-only price,' with the CD price 'comparable to reasonable and customary retail pricing,' " wrote Billboard's Mayfied, announcing the revised rule in the magazine's June 5 edition. Prince was able to do it because he recorded Musicology with his own money before he struck a major-label distribution deal, and he owns the copyright. "This is his puppy," Mayfield said. "It was already produced clean on his credit before he signed with Sony.
Gene McFadden, who was Whitehead's partner in the singing group McFadden & Whitehead, went to the scene of the shooting in the city's West Oak Lane neighborhood and stood there trembling, WPVI-TV reported. The two men formed a group called the Epsilons in their youth and were discovered by Otis Redding. The duo wrote several hit songs performed by others in the 1970s, including "Back Stabbers," "For the Love of Money," "I'll Always Love My Mamma," "Bad Luck," "Wake Up Everybody," "Where Are All My Friends," "The More I Want," and "Cold, Cold World." "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" went to No. 1 on the R&B chart and reached No. 13 on the pop chart. The song became an unofficial anthem for the Phillies as they charged to a World Series championship in 1980 and the Eagles as they reached the Super Bowl in 1981. Update - Whitehead not target of gunmen, police say, Music legend John Whitehead likely was not the intended target of gunmen who shot and killed him and wounded a close family friend behind Whitehead's West Oak Lane home, police said yesterday. "At this time, we do believe that Mr. Whitehead was not the intended target, and that he was just there," said Police Capt. Richard Ross, commander of the Homicide Unit. "I certainly don't want to say he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, because he was outside his home." Investigators have identified the other victim as Oemidd Johnson, 20, of the 5800 block of Stockton Road in East Germantown, who they said might have been a nephew of Whitehead's. Investigators believe that Johnson, who was in stable condition yesterday at Albert Einstein Medical Center with gunshot wounds to the buttocks, "may have been the intended target," Ross said.
Judges' favorite Fantasia Barrino wins 'Idol'by margin of just over 1 percent. by Corey Moss
Suge Knight's Death Row Records was ordered to pay $162,000 to a man that claimed Knight and a crew of bodyguards attacked him at a recording studio three years ago. The verdict was issued last Tuesday by a Jury in Los Angeles that did not hold Knight personally liable for the attack, but ruled that Death Row was accountable for the actions of the security guards they employ. Baudy said he became involved in an altercation with Knight's head of security, Reggie Wright Jr. At the Con Am studios in November of 2001. As a result of the altercation, Baudy suffered a ruptured disc and now walks with a cane. Wright claimed Baudy and a friend of his flashed guns after they were prevented from entering a restricted area of the recording studio. Knight testified he was not present at the studio during the altercation. Death Row was ordered to pay almost $60,000 in hospital bills and over $100,000 for Baudy’s pain and suffering and lost income. Knight was freed from prison last month, after serving 10 months in prison for violating his probation. Sources have stated that Knight and Wright had a falling out since the altercation occurred.
Usher told MTV News he never
anticipated people would be talking this much about his new album.
But there is one thing that has been lost in the sauce of the chatter:
He's nobody's daddy. "The rumors started shortly after we did
a few listening parties [for my album]," Usher said. "The
word kinda got out that I had a baby. I did a song, 'Confessions
Part II', about a gentleman, a cat that has to confess to his girl
that he's got a baby and he hopes she gives him another chance.
But I don't have a child [in real life]."
Lil' Kim was indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice Wednesday by a grand jury in a New York federal courtroom. The charge stems from the rapper's alleged involvement in a three-year-old shootout that occurred outside the offices of New York radio station Hot 97. The 28-year-old MC, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, is charged with conspiracy to commit perjury, make false statements and obstruct justice; perjury before the grand jury; the making of false statements; and obstruction of justice, according to court documents.
As expected, rapper Beanie Sigel pled guilty to federal drug and weapons charges. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the Philadelphia-based rapper faces about three years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 8. The charges stemmed from a 2002 traffic stop when authorities said Sigel (real name: Dwight Grant) ditched his sport utility vehicle and a loaded handgun while fleeing from police. Investigators said they found drugs in the vehicle, including codeine, Oxycodone and marijuana. The 30-year-old artist pled guilty in federal court to a drug count, and a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was convicted on narcotics charges in 1995. In a separate case involving the rapper, jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday on a state charge of attempted murder. Prosecutors say Sigel shot and seriously wounded a man outside a Philadelphia bar last July. He is also awaiting trial on charges that he fractured a 53-year-old man's eye socket.
You have got to check out www.AwfulPlasticSurgery.com and take a look at the Before and After pictures of Lil' Kim. She's looking a hot mess. She's been bleaching her skin to get lighter and lighter. Come on baby, you were a tasty sweet caramel-chocolate treat and now you're lookin like a sun drenched manikin. Please girl, stop listening to whoever's in your ear. You a beautiful sister already! Please stop destroying yourself. Black is beautiful!
Don't look for the women of Spelman College to toast Nelly with Pimp Juice anytime soon. Upset over the way he portrays women in his videos, the historically black women's college in Atlanta has pressured the rapper and his foundation, 4 Sho 4 Kids, to cancel a bone-marrow drive on campus. When it was announced that Nelly's foundation was sponsoring the drive and that Nelly himself would be showing up on campus Friday, several students raised objections, according to Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Zenobia Hikes."Spelman is concerned about the negative images of women in popular culture," Hikes explained, "particularly the misogynistic lyrics and images that constantly portray women in a sexual nature."Specifically, many students objected to the unrated video for Nelly's song "Tip Drill," which is being distributed on the Internet and broadcast only on local rap video shows. Among the many sexually suggestive scenes in the video is one showing the rapper swiping his credit card down a woman's backside.
Rapper Chad "Ra-Tek" Johnson and Jimmy Brown were convicted yesterday in Philadelphia in connection with a failed drug grab which took place in April 2002. The two attempted to carjack a pair of Mercedes-Benzes that held more than $850,000 in drug profits which led to a shootout with FBI agents posing as tow truck drivers. The jurors deliberated about five hours before returning a verdict convicting them of armed carjacking and conspiracy. Brown was also convicted on firearms charges. No sentencing date was set.
DMX announced at a press conference that he was refusing to deliver any more recordings to Def Jam, the label he is signed to. DMX said that over the years, he has made the label almost $50 million dollars, but received an amount in return that he called "a loan." "The highest paid artist gets paid is 18 cents on the dollar, it's straight robbery," DMX said. "They still own your music and they ask for maybe 27 songs each album and they only use about 16 and give the rest away. I recorded 25 songs each album. You know how many songs actually go on the album? Sixteen. They keep the rest of those songs. Now they got songs to put on the greatest-hits album and soundtracks. They've given away some of my best songs for soundtracks and people don't even hear soundtracks.It's straight robbery man, I can't be a part of it anymore."DMX added that record labels also tie artists up in unfair contracts that last too long. He also lashed out at the radio industry."All the radio stations are bought and paid for, it all comes from the heads of the record companies. It's not about talent anymore." "Yes, I'm done with the music because I refuse to have something that I hold that dear to me be taken so lightly," he barked. "I'm being paid like a slave. All artists are. The record company advances you money. You pay for every aspect: promotion, distribution, recording, everything, everybody. Once your [album] comes out, they get their money back — the product should be mine! It's like getting a loan from a bank to buy a house, and once you pay them back, they still own your house. - AMEN!
Charges against the man accused of murdering New Orleans, Louisiana rapper James "Soulja Slim" Tapp have been refused by prosecutors, who claim there was insufficient evidence to prove the crime. Detectives said Garelle Smith had been paid $10,000 to kill the rapper and claimed that his murder had something to do with the record industry and a rival record label. Prosecutors claim they dropped the murder charges against Smith as they strengthen their evidence. Smith is still behind bars, charged with another murder, that took place in December. Detectives also posthumously accused Tapp of the murder of Robert Lee Paige Jr., 30, in September. Paige was shot and thrown into a lagoon, with his body weighted down with cinder blocks.Third District Police Capt. James Scott said his department was looking into Tapp as a possible suspect in other shootings as well."We had a known credible witness who came in and gave us circumstances of the murder which substantiated information that, through our investigation, only we had," Scott told the The Times-Picayune. "There would be no other reason for a person to come in and name Soulja Slim as a perpetrator after the fact. There would be nothing for that person to gain."
,Tyra Banks gripes that Campbell has treated her so badly at times that she's almost given up the runway. "She did so many hateful things, like getting me thrown off shows because she was more famous. The feud was revealed last year in the unauthorized biography about Campbell, "Naomi: The Rise and Fall of the Girl From Nowhere." Tyra is so pissed by Naomi’s fits that she can't even bring herself to utter her name. "It got so bad that I called my mother and told her I wanted to just give up." Campbell's catty conduct is no big surprise in the world of jet-setting fashionistas. Naomi is known for making demands like being the first and last to appear on the runway at fashion shows. Meeting Tyra, a Catholic high school graduate who has been the goody-goody of the fashion world, said she's not about to let the likes of Naomi deter her from being the next Oprah Winfrey. "I want to be successful across the board," said Banks. "I want an empire like Oprah's," said Banks, who also is trying to launch a singing career. "I may do it with a little more cleavage, but I plan to get there."
Do you wanna know what Janet Jackson thinks about sex? Sure ya do. How about how she feels about being in love and liking it rough? Well, if that type of thing tickles your fancy then you should pick up the latest issue of Upscale Magazine. She spoke candidly about her relationship with producer Jermaine Dupri and the sexually charged new album, which includes a song describing a female orgasm and introduces a "character" named Strawberry, who likes it rough. "Beginning with the earlier albums, exploring -- and liberating -- my sexuality has been an ongoing discovery and theme. With 'Damita Jo' I push the envelope a little further ... A songwriter is like a novelist. You invent characters. Because they're born out of your brain, they reflect you. But good characters are independent of you and live lives of their own. I hope Strawberry is a good character. Sexually she's on fire. She doesn't mince words. She has to have it and doesn't care who knows it. 'RUFF' is her song. Ruff is her style ... her sexual adventures are exciting..." Oh, and "Ruff" isn't just the name of a song, Janet likes it rough too ... well, sometimes. "It's not an everyday indulgence. Not even every week. But every now and then I like playing around in that mode ... I call it role-playing with a twist." Lo' hamercy!
Prosecutors in Polk County, Florida, have dropped their charges against R. Kelly after deciding not to appeal a judge's decision to suppress evidence in the singer's child pornography case there. Kelly had faced 12 counts of child pornography in Florida. Judge Dennis Maloney ruled on Thursday that the prosecution could not introduce as evidence photos found on a digital camera, which police say show the singer having sex with an underage girl, due to a lack of probable cause for the search warrants (see "Judge Rules R. Kelly Photos Seized In Florida Can't Be Used To Try Him"). The camera was found during a June 2002 raid of Kelly's rented Davenport, Florida, home. Thulberry said he didn't anticipate the Florida case — or lack thereof — would impact the one facing Kelly in Chicago, where he remains charged with 14 counts of child pornography "Even if we had gone forward with the charges, I doubt our evidence would have been used in Chicago," Thulberry said. ( So the photos of child pornography that they found in his camera can't be used in court- I guess it's hooray for child molesters in Florida!)
Redman has signed on to star in "Seed of Chucky," the fifth installment of the "Chucky" horror series. The movie started production on March 15th in Romania. Redman will star as himself in the film, which centers around Glen, the orphan doll offspring of Chucky and his bride Tiffany. The flick is scheduled to open in theaters October 29.
The Herald exposes the Miami Police Department's tactics of spying on hip-hop celebrities and their entourages when they descend onto South Beach to live, vacation or party. Officers admitted in the report that they regularly photograph rappers as they arrive at Miami International Airport, tap hotel and club workers for information on the celebs' comings and goings, and stake out hotspots and video shoots."A lot [of], if not most, rappers belong to some sort of gang. We keep track of their arrests and associates," Miami police Sergeant Rafael Tapanes is quoted as saying. The training session allegedly outlined the information kept in the binder and trained officers on what radio stations to monitor for information on new rivalries and what to look for in rap lyrics. Artists profiled in the binder include 50 Cent, Eminem, P. Diddy, Jay-Z and Ja Rule. Some consider the tactics used by Miami police to be a form of racial profiling, but officials say they're concerned that since their city is a popular destination for rap celebrities, their citizens might get caught in the crossfire of emerging rap beefs. "We have to keep an eye on these rivalries," Miami Beach Assistant Police Chief Charles Press told the paper. 5 Ft of Black Moon convicted of drug sale Five FT of Black Moon was convicted yesterday for the alleged sale of less than 5 ounces of cocaine, stemming from a 2002 incident. The rapper faces 4-9 years based on police testimony. "I would bet if a college kid was convicted for the sale of a pound of weed, they wouldn't face 4-9 years," Duck Down CEO Dru Ha told AllHipHop.com. "They were able to convict him as an alleged accomplice to the individual who made the sale."
50 Cent commented on being shut out at the Grammy Awards, and his reaction after Evanescence got the Best New Artist award. "I feel like I got jerked at the Grammy’s because I'm aggressive," he told MuchMusic in an interview in London. "I don't understand how [Evanescence] get best new artist. I will never go back to the Grammy Awards ever in my career." (We'll see, I hope he doesn't. I'm sure that all of the rest of the spineless fake azz so-called MC's will continue to go after this smack in the face. This year's Grammy awards told hip-hop to kiss its azz and I'll bet you next year most of the hip-hop nominees will still be sittin in those souled out seats!-Shock)
How 'bout a hip hip hooray for Beyonce's band one time?! Yep, the boys in the band showed their good samaritan side. Lead guitarist Shaun Carrington, bass guitarist Kern Brantley and drummer Nisan Stewart, in town to rehearse for a tour with Beyonce, came to the aid of a 91-year-old driver by chasing and holding down a suspected carjacker. Police said Reynold Caleen, a great -grandfather of nine, tried to fight off a knife -wielding suspect when he grabbed the elderly man's wallet in the parking lot of a Walgreen's store Tuesday — knocking the suspect's knife out of his hands and kicking him several times as the pair wrestled to the ground. The AP reports that the two band mates pulled in front of the suspected carjacker as he tried to drive the elderly man's car out of the parking lot — and chased him on foot when he got out and ran. The suspect was charged with armed carjacking and battery of a person over 65, a felony in Florida. That's what's up!L
Young Gunz's Tough Luv sells more than 127,000 copies its first week out! We still have to support these Philly phenoms. Let's see if we can help push their debut CD to #1 with Tough Luv, their first shot at the Billboard albums chart. They came in at #3. Wow! Young Chris and Neef's marksmanship is on point. The duo, whose hit "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" was a highlight of last year's State Property LP, The Chain Gang Vol. II, sold more than 127,000 copies of their debut album in its first week, according to SoundScan. A remix of that song featuring Chingy appears on Tough Luv, along with the single "No Better Love."
A lawyer for rapper Turk and a suspected gang leader were charged with numerous offenses after authorities allege the men tried to influence the rapper's attempted murder case. Attorney Scott Crawford and Jeffery Holliday, alleged leader of the Gangster Disciples, were charged with weapons, bribery and conspiracy charges. The FBI claims the pair attempted to bribe Lt. Jeff Clark to ensure that Turk was not indicted on attempted murder charges. (What the hell is this, My cousin Vinny?)
Damien Andre Gates was convicted of the first-degree murder of actor Merlin Santana. Gates was sentenced to two 25-year-to- life terms, plus 20 years, plus another life sentence. The sentences will run consecutively, which means it’s unlikely he’ll be paroled. The jury found he used a rifle to commit the crime. A second defendant, Brandon Douglas Byrnes, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon. Byrnes will be sentenced to a 23-year prison term on 3/11. Jury selection is under way for the final defendant, 17-year-old Monique King. Like Gates and Byrnes, she is charged with one count each of murder and attempted murder. Because she was 15 at the time the crime occurred, her case first went to juvenile court, where a judge found her unfit to be tried as a juvenile. King turned 17 on 2/11. I hope they all get lengthy sentences!
Warner Music Group announcing
plans to cut cut 1,000 jobs over the next month, a day after the
company was bought by former Universal Music chief Edgar Bronfman
Jr.. Bronfman Jr.'s is attempting to save $250 million dollars annually.
The restructuring plan was a result in the departure of Val Azzoli,
co-CEO of Atlantic, Ron Shapiro, co-President of Atlantic and Sylvia
Rhone, chairman and CEO of Elektra. Sources stated that Rhone is
already in talks with Universal to head up her own record label.
From the IDGAF Dept -
The AP reports Solange Knowles, 17, wed Daniel Smith in a ceremony
in the Bahamas over the weekend, according to her record label,
Columbia. Beyonce and Kelly joined Mathew and Tina Knowles in attendance.
Either she is pregnant or not as young as she claims to be, or she
really needs some attention.
The Walt Disney Co. has quietly mothballed a life-size statue of Mickey Mouse inspired by singer Janet Jackson, who was roundly criticized for a risque Super Bowl halftime performance. The 6-foot, 700-pound statue was one of 75 unveiled at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., last fall to celebrate the 75th birthday of Mickey Mouse. " It was replaced by a spare statue designed by Luis Fernandez, an in-house Disney artist. "Considering all the controversy it drew, we talked it over for a couple of days and decided it would be best to replace hers with a new one," a Disney spokesperson told the Orlando Sentinel.
Pop boy band B2K has signed former Bone Thugs-n-Harmony member Bizzy Bone to their new label, Super Fam Records. While there is no release date for the new Bizzy Bone album, the untitled CD is expected in stores in 2005. The group has also signed a rapper by the name of Sike, who was one of the first acts on Michael Jackson's MJJ Records. J-Boog confirmed that singer Ray J was signed to their label as an artist and not as a member of B2K.
Claiming his movie commitment creates scheduling conflict, . Justin Timberlake is no longer scheduled to tell the story of Motown. Thanks to your many emails and phone calls, the pop star has pulled out of ABC's upcoming special. The network said that the change of hosts is not a reaction to the protests, but rather the result of a scheduling conflict. (bulls#it,lol) However, ABC said that the protests weren't the cause of Timberlake's decision to pull out of the show, but that he was unavailable as a result of signing on to do a movie. (Here we go ...again)
After watching Janet Jackson bare her breast on national television, 86 year old legendary crooner Lena Horne herself, called ABC and requested that Janet not portray her in an upcoming made for TV movie based on her life. A timeless and talented beauty, Ms Horne did not want to be linked to Ms. Jackson after her "display" at the Super Bowl. No replacement has been cast at this time.
Philly's own Theresa Rossi a former music executive at Def Jam filed a $22 million dollar lawsuit, claiming that Def Jam hired marketing company Giaco Entertainment to help manipulate Soundscan results, in an attempt to distort music charts. The lawsuit claims that Giaco, owned by Joe Giaco, forced merchants to repeatedly swipe free CD's of DJ artists, in an attempt to inflate the number of units scanned. Retailers were allegedly threatened with album delays if they did not participate. Universal allegedly severed their ties with Giaco in 2001 after a LA Times article, focusing on the inflation of sales data by independent retailers. The lawsuit also claims that Kevin Liles and Giaco created a new company, Entertainment Mktg. Srvs with Rossi as principal, in an attempt to allegedly conceal the relationship from other Universal executives. The lawsuit was filed after Giaco refused to show the company's earnings and withholding Rossi's share of the profits. Universal, Def Jam, Joe Giaco and DJ execs Kevin Liles and Mignon Espy are named in the lawsuit.
Master P quietly filed for bankruptcy on 12/17. Now suspicions abound about his move to Koch Distribution, since Koch is known as the final resting spot for failing artists. But, the documents show Master P’s army is suffering heavy casualties.
One of three people accused in the 2002 shooting death of Merlin Santana (pictured left) pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon. Brandon Bynes entered the plea as jury selection was under way for a co-defendant, a 21-year-old man. A third suspect, a 16 yr old girl, is still awaiting trial as an adult. He faces 23 years. Santana was shot in the head 11/9/02, while sitting in the passenger seat of a car in Crenshaw.
A major motion picture is being produced by Radar Pictures, titled "Hip-Hop Cops." The movie is based on the real-life division of the New York Police Department that focuses on the Hip-Hop industry. The NYPD denies the existence of the department.
At the Rock The Vote Lippert Awards when Sean 'P-Diddy Combs' Combs came to the stage to recieve an award and gave a rousing 15 minute speech dissing President George Bush. "What we have to do, is Get His Ass out of Office", P-Diddy told the packed house who cheered wildly at hiswords. P-Diddy stopped midway and quieted the crowd. He stated that he wanted to make sure that people in the audience clearly understood that he was being serious. 'This is no joke', he said. "We have to get George Bush's ass out of Office..."He doesn't care about Black people. he doesn't care about young people and he certainly doesn't care about all those mothers who have lost their sons in this war in Iraq... Let's register everyone to vote-Let's take the 20 million who register and 'Get him out of office". He concluded by noting that he would be doing everything in his power to unseat GW. - Hooray for Puffy! Puffy cleared P. Diddy was cleared of all wrongdoing by a Detroit jury late Monday in a lawsuit brought by a television interviewer who alleges he was assaulted by the rap mogul's bodyguards.
One day after
Janet's shocking Super Bowl halftime performance, she took responsibility
for the breast-baring incident saying "The decision
to have a costume reveal at the end of my halftime show performance
was made after final rehearsals," Jackson said in a statement
released Monday (February 2). "MTV was completely unaware of
it. It was not my intention that it go as far as it did. I apologize
to anyone offended — including the audience, MTV, CBS and the
NFL." Timberlake issued his own apology. "I am sorry if anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance (ha,ha,ha,ha - wardrobe malfunction, whew, yall killin me!),at the Super Bowl," he said. "It was not intentional and is |
Yesssssss!!!
Barry Bonds is the new Home Run king!!!
Timbaland
Arrested In Germany After Brawl
Rihanna
Lands 'Celebrity Legs of a Goddess' Award
After
embarassment from National outrage, LA judge sends a screaming Paris
Hilton back to jail
Friday
a court spokesman announced that she would be allowed to participate
by telephone, which is common in misdemeanor cases. Then, in a reversal,
the spokesman said the judge had ordered the Sheriff's Department
to pick her up and bring her to court.
Bail
set for Power 99 DJ on alleged gun incident
Paris
Hilton's money gets her released From Jail after serving only 3
days, for undisclosed "illness"
MARLEY
MARL Suffers Heart Attack
The
Game Hit With Felony Charges After L.A. Melee
Hi-Five's
Tony Thompson dead at 31
HBO
Chief Takes Leave After Assault Arrest - JACQUES
STEINBERG
50
Cent, T.I. Speak On Lyric Censorship - Gail Mitchell
ourselves.
To blame hip-hop when they should be looking in the mirror and blaming
themselves ... you know, how much more time could I have been there
for my child? I'm on CD. He [the child] listens to me but I can't
listen back. I don't know what he's getting from it. You do. You
know when you wake up and see him dressed in a shirt you've never
seen him in before, and you figure this could be the beginning of
something, why don't you stop and talk to him about it. Ask where
he got the shirt from. If you don't do that, it will grow into something
bigger and bigger."
Broadcasting
Company Takes Stand -
JIM SALTER 
Will
Downing Diagnosed With Debilitating Muscle Disorder
BLACK
FAMILY CHANNEL TO SHUT DOWN: 
U.S.
album sales tumble, digital sales surge, fewer big names issue releases
- ALEX VEIGA 
Gladys
Knight To Receive ELLA Award
Suspect
Named In Jam Master Jay Murder
Gerald
Levert died of an accidental overdose
Fulton
County District Attorney Paul Howard will seek criminal charges,
including felony murder, against three Atlanta narcotics officers
involved in a botched drug raid that resulted in the shooting death
of an elderly woman, according to a proposed indictment. The proposed
indictment drawn up by the prosecutor's office names officers Gregg
Junnier, Jason R. Smith and Arthur Tesler. Howard accuses them of
felony murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, burglary,
making false statements and violation of oath. Defense attorney
Rand Csehy, who is representing Junnier, said he received an e-mail
from Howard's office Wednesday including the proposed indictment
and saying the prosecutor would go before a grand jury Feb. 26 to
seek charges against his client. Those three officers were involved
in securing a search warrant on Nov. 21 for the home of Kathryn
Johnston. Shortly before the raid, Smith told a magistrate he and
Tesler had a confidential informant buy $50 worth of crack at 933
Neal Street from a man named "Sam."
Anna
Nichole Smith has died according to her attorney Ronald Rale. She
was taken to hospital after collapsing in a Hollywood, Florida motel
and was later pronounced dead. Unconfirmed reports indicate that
Smith was discovered unconscious and unresponsive in her hotel room
earlier Thursday.
Gillie
Da Kid, aka Nasir Fard, 30, once a member of the local rap group
"Major Figgas." The group ruled the streets with their
CD a few years ago and then split up. Since then, police say, Fard
has become a major figure in his own right - with his mix CDs ...and
allegedly,the local drug trade. Fard and five of his associates
were locked up in Oxford Circle Tuesday night, after authorities
discovered that Fard was running two drug stash houses on Passmore
Street near Algon Avenue. Narcotics Capt. Chris Werner said investigators
combed through the properties and confiscated 89 pounds of marijuana
worth $404,000. Cops also got four pounds of marijuana from a Lexis
driven by one of Fard's friends. "They were supplying numerous
drug dealers all over the city, not just in the Northeast,"
said Sgt. Robert Friel of Narcotics Field Unit 2. Werner said FBI
agents were in Oxford Circle Tuesday interviewing residents about
another stash house, on Levick Street near Trotter, where cops confiscated
$6 million in cocaine in November.
Warner
Music Quarterly Profit Drops
MELBOURNE,
Australia -- Serena Williams answered her critics with an overpowering
victory in the Australian Open final.
NIA
LONG IN STREET BRAWL: Actress' new guy and former one duke
it out.
Milan
Williams, a founding member of the Commodores, died July 9 at MD
Anderson Hospital in Houston following a bout with cancer. He was
58. Williams played keyboards for the R&B/funk outfit, whose
members initially met as students at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee,
Alabama. Originally comprised of seven members, the Commodores'
lineup eventually included Thomas McClary (guitar), Lionel Richie
(saxophone), Walter "Clyde" Orange (drums), William King
(trumpet) and Ronald LaPread (bass). After touring as the warm-up
band for the Jackson Five, the Commodores signed to Motown subsidiary
MoWest in 1972.
Singer-songwriter
Billy Preston dies at 59
- Thor Christensen
Syndicated
untalented radio jock, Star, arrested for making on-air threats
against rival's daughter
LARK
VOORHIES SUES NATIONAL ENQUIRER: Actress upset over story claiming
she had a cocaine problem.
Rapper
Beanie Sigel Shot During Robbery Attempt
Halle
Berry Clashes With Disc Jockey
Heatwave
Frontman Johnnie Wilder Jr. Dies
Singer/songwriter
Soraya, one of the first artists to write and record in both English
and Spanish, has died, Billboard has learned. She was 37.
Source
Founder Dave Mays Files For Bankruptcy Protection, Majority Stake
In Mag To Hit Auction Block - Fawn
Renee
LOS
ANGELES (AP) -- Chaka Khan's son was acquitted of murder Friday
in the shooting death of a teenager during a party at her home two
years ago. A Superior Court jury deliberated two and a half days
before finding Damien Patrick Holland not guilty of murder, voluntary
manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.
*A
scuffle during an afterparty for T.I. led to gunfire on a Cincinnati
highway and a member of the rapper's crew being killed early Wednesday
morning in yet another shooting-related incident linked to a hip
hop artist.The incident occurred during an after-hours party at
Club Ritz, which is located near Bogart's nightclub, where T.I.
and rapper Yung Joc performed earlier in the evening. A dispute
with some local residents prompted T.I. and his group to exit the
party, but they were followed by two sport utility vehicles, police
said. The opposing parties fired upon each other while traveling
down the highway. Officers responding to the scene found four people
with gunshot wounds. T.I.'s personal assistant, 26-year-old Philant
Johnson, was pronounced dead at a hospital.
TIGER
WOODS' FATHER DIES OF CANCER: Earl Woods, 74, has battled the disease
since 1998.
Michelle
Rodriguez Chooses Jail Over Service
LOS
ANGELES -- Grammy-winning singer-producer Kenneth "Babyface"
Edmonds has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against singer Anita
Baker, claiming she owes him more than $250,000. According
to the lawsuit, filed Thursday in Superior Court, Baker broke two
oral agreements with Edmonds, who co-wrote, produced and performed
on the song "Like You Used to Do" on Baker's 2004 album
"My Everything." The lawsuit claims Baker refused to pay
Edmonds producer's royalties equaling at least $100,000 from an
estimated more than 500,000 albums sold. Edmonds, 47, also alleges
that he and Baker had an agreement to play four concerts together,
but that Baker canceled two shows and refused to pay $150,000 for
those dates. Spokesman Cem Kurosman from Baker's label, Blue Note,
declined to comment Friday, saying the label had no knowledge of
the lawsuit.
June
Pointer dies of Cancer-- youngest sister of famed Pointer Sisters
Proof,
a member of the rap group D12 and a close friend of Eminem, was
killed in a shooting at a nightclub along Eight Mile Road early
Tuesday. He was shot after shooting
another patron, who later died also. The death of Proof - whose
real name is Deshaun Holton - was confirmed by Dennis Dennehy, the
publicist for D12's label, Interscope Records.Proof was the best
man at Eminem's wedding in January and often appeared alongside
the superstar rapper at concerts and public appearances. Proof also
appeared in the film "8 Mile." 
The
saga of Death Row Records continues as the label's founder Marion
"Suge" Knight is seeking bankruptcy protection for himself
and the pioneering record label. Knight's lawyer Laurence Strick
told the Associated Press that the mogul was filing bankruptcy protection
in an attempt to reorganize his financial affairs.
Black
Rob Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison - Nolan Strong
DRE
OF COOL & DRE RESPONDS TO MILIAN DEBACLE:
RACE
AT THE ROOT OF STAR-ROSIE FEUD: During 2004 'View' visit,
O'Donnell said blacks backed O.J. because they have 'so few role
models.'
Rapper
Gillie Da Kid Shot Three Times In Philadelphia - Nolan Strong
Koch
adding three new labels - David Greenwald,
L.A.
Nelly
and the St. Lunatics Open New Restaurant in August
MySpace
Restricting Adults' Access To Teen Users
Russell
and Kimora Lee file for divorce
A
revealing article set to appear in next week's issue of The National
Enquirer claims that pop diva Whitney Houston spends much of her
time abusing drugs in her bedroom and pleasuring herself with sex
toys. Although the Enquirer is known for it's outlandish sensationalism,
rumours and fictitious reports, the story apparently comes from
Houston's sister-in-law Tina Brown who also supplied photos to the
Enquirer of Houston's bathroom. The photos supposedly show scattered
empty beer bottles, pipes, rolling papers and powder-covered spoons
and lighters. 
Brother
of R. Kelly claims singer is a wife-beater, molester and bisexual.
Judge
Rules In Favor Of Black Enterprise, The Source Gets New Owners -
Christine S. Kim
Lumumba
Carson, 49; aka 'Professor X' of X-Clan dies - Jocelyn
Y. Stewart
Oscar
nominee Terrence Howard was honored last week at the National Association
of Black Owned Broadcasters' 22nd Annual Communications Awards Dinner
at the Marriott Wardman Park in D.C., where he was presented an
Entertainer of the Year Award. Backstage he said that the look of
shock on his face when rap collective Three 6 Mafia won the Academy
Award for Best Original Song was definitely authentic. I was extremely
surprised! I thought 'In the Deep' would win from 'Crash.'"
Howard confessed, however, that he wasn't happy about Three 6 Mafia's
overall performance during the Oscar broadcast. "Just seeing
the way they performed, it kind of broke my heart though. Not the
way Three 6 Mafia did it, but everything I tried to escape in my
portrayal of that role, it seems that they went right to the stereotype
that I wanted to assassinate. The people who had choreographed it
apparently hadn't seen the film," he said.
Steve
Harvey comments on his recent divorce
Veteran
soul singer Isaac Hayes, voice of the libidinous character "Chef"
on the satiric cable TV cartoon "South Park," said on
Monday he was quitting the show, citing its "inappropriate
ridicule" of religion. "There is a place in this world
for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance
and bigotry toward religious beliefs ... begins," Hayes said
in a statement.
“I
have said all along that I would know when it would be time to step
down, and now is that time,” said Chaney. “I want to thank
Temple University, its fans and community for allowing me to do
what I love for so long. It has never been a job for me, but a passion.
When I look back, it will not be the wins and losses – but
the people who influenced me and touched me greatly, and especially
the men’s and women’s coaches and players who have made
this University and my time here so special.” 
The
youngest of fifteen children raised in segregation and poverty,
Parks' life was one of firsts. He was the first African American
photographer to work at Life and Vogue magazines, the first African
American to work for the Office of War Information and the Farm
Security Administration, the first African American to write, direct,
and produce a film, 'The Learning Tree,' for a major Hollywood studio.
The film was among the first 25 American movies to be placed in
the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.
Rapper
Cool C Granted Temporary Stay Of Execution - Nolan Strong
Payola
Probe Shifts To Radio - Chuck Taylor, N.Y.
XM
Signs Oprah To 55 Million dollar Deal
Slip-N-Slide
Inks Multi-Million Dollar Deal With Def Jam
- Mike Winslow and Kye Stephenson
NEW
YORK - A star-studded music video shoot was interrupted by gunfire
that killed a bodyguard for rapper Busta Rhymes, police said. Missy
Elliot, Busta Rhymes and G-Unit members including Lloyd Banks were
scheduled to be filming on a ninth-floor soundstage when violence
erupted outside the Brooklyn building early Sunday, said police
Sgt. Kevin Farrell. Israel Ramirez, 29, was killed with a single
shot to the chest, Farrell said.
"Grandpa"
Al Lewis 1923-2006: Actor, Dead at 82
ATLANTA
- Coretta Scott King, who worked to keep her husband's dream alive
with a chin-held-high grace and serenity that made her a powerful
symbol of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s creed of brotherhood
and nonviolence, died Tuesday. She was 78.
James
"Jimmy Henchmen" Rosemond was recently found guilty of
beating a Washington D.C. disc jockey during an appearance with
The Game, who Henchmen manages. A
jury found Henchmen guilty of assaulting on-air personality Xzulu
"The Big Lipped Bandit" at 93.9 WKYS-FM in Lanham, Maryland.
The Game and an entourage of
20-plus people appeared on Xzulu's radio show on Jan. 21, 2005,
weeks before the rapper's G-Unit/Aftermath debut, The Documentary,
topped Billboard's Top 200 album chart. During
an interview, Xzulu allegedly made an off-color remark about Henchmen's
cell-phone headset. Police said
a group of men, including The Game, confronted the DJ shortly afterwards
and kicked and beat him, sending him to an area hospital with serious
internal injuries. On Feb. 14,
2005, The Game was formally charged with assault and battery.
Janet
Jackson blows up - MICHELLE CARUSO
Queen
Latifah Gets Hollywood Star
Ron
Isley Convicted Of Tax Evasion 
Janet
Jackson: 'I do not have a child...
Ms.
Dynamite Charged With Assaulting Police Officer
- Mike Winslow
Lou
Rawls dead at 72
Music
retailers suffered their steepest sales decline in three years during
2005.
Popular
WDAS-fm DJ, E. C. LaRock passes away
Jay-Z
and Nas Declare Rap Truce at Concert
- Marcus W. Vanderberg, Special to AOL Black Voices
DETROIT
(Oct. 24) - Rosa Lee Parks, whose refusal to give up her bus seat
to a white man sparked the modern civil rights movement, died Monday
evening. She was 92.
Cam'ron
Giles Shot in DC - Michael Ivey
Farrakhan
Addresses Hip-Hop Community At Millions More Movement
- Candace R. Jones
Kirk
Franklin admits porn addiction -
Jawn Murray, AOL Black Voices columnist
In
their ongoing attempt to curb black culture's influence, the NBA
introduces new dress code 
Mariah
Carey 'Shielded' From Prostitute Sister's Scandal 
Congrats
to our own Bobbi Booker!
Crash
critically hurts singer D'Angelo
Man
Arrested For Beanie Sigel Step-Father Murder -by Alice
Clarke
BABYFACE
AND TRACEY EDMONDS ANNOUNCE SEPARATION: Couple vows to
continue business relationship.
Eddie
Murphy and his wife, Nicole, are divorcing. 
Comedian
Nipsey Russell, known as "the poet laureate of television,"
passes away Oct, 4th
The
Roots Officially Sign With Def Jam Left
- Stephenson and Eben Gregory
Hillary
Weston, long time business adviser for Queen Bee/Atlantic recording
artist Lil' Kim pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, stemming
from a federal investigation involving the infamous shooting outside
Hot 97. Her lawyer, Michael Bachner, stated yesterday that Weston
agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of passport fraud
as part of a plea to avoid more serious charges, which included
an alleged destruction of records that were sought by federal authorities.
"She admitted that she made a reservation for Damion Butler
to travel outside the country knowing that he had an illegal passport,"
Bachner stated to Newsday. "She understood what she did was
wrong." The recent plea will narrow Lil Kim's co-defendants
to only her personal assistant, Monique Dopwell who are both expected
to begin the trial on February 28.
Will
Smith's 'Hitch' Tops Box Office, Sets Record For Sony
- Clover Hope
Kid
Rock Arrested On Assault Charge
Organ
Legend Jimmy Smith Dies
Tyrone
Davis Dead at 66
LOS
ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Comedian Anthony Anderson's good name will
remain intact. After a judge dismissed rape charges against the
actor and another man in October 2004, the prosecution reviewed
its case and announced that it would not pursue a grand jury criminal
indictment, reports the AP. In
July 2004, a 25-year-old woman who was working as an extra on Anderson's
latest movie "Hustle & Flow" claimed she was lured
into a film trailer by the film's assistant director Wayne Witherspoon,
who then exposed himself to her. He and Anderson then allegedly
removed the victim's clothes, "assaulted her with their hands
and took pictures of her while she was nude." In
her testimony, the woman added that she had previous, forced sexual
relations with the two men, but never reported them. Anderson has
maintained his innocence from the beginning. 
Actor
Ossie Davis Found Dead in Hotel
Kelly
Rowland calls off engagement
R&B
singer Houston Gouges Out Eye After Suicide Attempt 
Lamont
Bentley, who was a regular in the 1990s sitcom Moesha and appeared
frequently in television and movies, was killed in a car crash,
his manager said Wednesday.
Eminem
goes out like a true beeyach At Detroit Radio Station
Camron
gives up tapes on actor Lorenz Tate & Halle Berry
from
mainstream America was like, "Camron, we love you, man!"
So we chillin' with Tyrese and Larenz Tate and they like, "Ah,
Cam, we love you, B," and Larenz pulls me off to the side.
He's like, "Yo, I f#cks with you, dawg." So I'm like,
"Good lookin', it's all good." He was like, "Remember
that day when you slid that CD in Halle's car? That was me, when
I was f#ckin' her, and ain't nobody know. We was on the low. Yo,
Cam, that was me in that passenger seat. That's how long I been
f#ckin' with you, dawg." I popped bottles with him after that,
cause he was keepin' it too funky! There's only a few cats who know
that whole story, fam. The first thing I was thinkin' was, whoever
in that passenger seat is pimpin', yo! He got Halle goin' to the
ATM! 
Johnny
Cochran Dead at 67 
Jamie
Foxx answers Larry Elder
hard."
According to Foxx, Elder, a self-professed "firebrand libertarian,"
voiced concern about Foxx labeling the film 'Ray' a "black"
movie. Foxx began, "Larry Elder said something very interesting.
(Imitating Elder's voice) 'Why must Jamie Foxx say black? Black
movies, black films, black, black, black, black. Why does he have
to say that?'"
Funds
From Shyne's Record Deal Frozen 
Micky
D's to pay rappers for song mentions 
Jadakiss
Gets Three Months Probation 
Nelly's
Sister Loses Her Battle With Leukemia 
R&B
sensation Ciara just wants everyone to know: She's all woman
Whitney
Houston Enters Rehab Again
Chuck
D apologizes for Flava Flav's TV Exploits -
Houston Williams
State
Property Members Stress speak out about "Breakup"
Lil'
Kim, Convicted Of Perjury, Preps for jail
Essence
Magazine Sells Out To Time Warner
Billy
Joel back in rehab
Soul
Singer Lyn Collins Passes Away
FBI
Closes Notorious B.I.G Investigation 
Kobe
Bryant holds up his end, Settles Civil Lawsuit Filed by Accuser
after she dropped case - JON SARCHE, AP Sports
Essence
magazine has continued its campaign against the misogyny and sexism
in rap music with a recent town hall meeting at Spelman College,
a historically black school for women. The crusade also began at
Spelman when rapper Nelly went to the school for a benefit related
to registration and awareness of bone marrow donation. The St. Louis
rapper and his sister Jackie Donohue started Jes Us 4 Jackie out
of their search for a suitable bone marrow donor after she was diagnosed
with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in 2003.But, the campus of the school
rebelled against the rapper's appearance and his charity, because
of the imagery in an "uncut" video "Tip Drill."
The video is full of strippers and ends with Nelly swiping a credit
card between a woman's buttocks.
Jamie
Foxx was crowned best actor at the 77th Academy Awards last night
(Feb. 27) in Los Angeles for his portrayal of late music legend
Ray Charles in the hit film "Ray." Also veteran actor
Morgan Freeman received a long overdue Academy Award for his work
in "Million Dollar Baby." "Give
it up for Ray Charles and his beautiful legacy. And thank you Ray
Charles for living," Foxx said during his acceptance speech,
which found him choking back tears and paying tribute to his late
grandmother. Jamie Foxx says his daughter told him just before the
best actor Oscar was announced that she thought he was good -- even
if he lost. But in the end, she and the Academy Award voters were
in agreement. Foxx captured the best actor honors for his portrayal
of Ray Charles in the movie "Ray." Foxx has been considered
a favorite for the award since the movie came out and he has been
receiving a series of awards for the role. But he still had enough
to put together an acceptance speech that was both funny and touching.
Among those he thanked was his late grandmother, who used to tell
him to act right. He tearfully told the audience now that his grandma's
gone, the only time he hears her voice is in his dreams. He then
added that he couldn't wait to go to sleep because they now had
a lot to talk about.
night for the Oscars. In addition to Jamie Foxx's win for best actor,
Morgan Freeman captured the best supporting actor Oscar for his
work in "Million Dollar Baby." The achievement didn't
go unnoticed by Freeman. He says his win, coupled with Foxx's triumph,
"means that Hollywood is continuing to make history" and
the film industry is "evolving with the rest of the world."
Last night is only the 2nd time
in the 77-year history of the Oscars that blacks earned two of the
four top acting awards. In 2002, Denzel Washington won for lead
actor for "Training Day," while Halle Berry won for her
work in "Monster's Ball." All told this year, there were
five blacks nominated in the 20 major acting categories -- most
of any year. In addition to his best-actor nomination, Foxx was
also up for best supporting actor for his work in "Collateral."
He's the first black actor to compete in two categories in the same
year. In addition, Don Cheadle was nominated as best actor and Sophe
Okonedo as best supporting actress for their work in "Hotel
Rwanda."
Former
Philly Air Personality Xzulu, speaks out on beatdown, Child Molestation
They
don't call him Mr. Entertainment for nothing. After dominating the
music world in '04, Usher's recently been stepping up his acting
game, and now he's about to move into pro sports. The R&B crooner
is part of an ownership group on the verge of purchasing the NBA's
Cleveland Cavaliers, his reps confirmed, but specifics of the deal
won't be revealed until next week. ESPN has said that the group,
of which Usher is a minor part, will seal the deal for $375 million.
Signs
are pointing to the imminent death of radio station Y100 after nearly
12 years. The modern-rock station, WPLY-FM (100.3), stopped using
live disc jockeys at noon today when midday host Bret Hamilton signed
off. Y100's Web site, www.y100.com, was changed to read "under
construction." Sister station
WPHI-FM (The Beat) will move from 103.9 to use the stronger signal
of 100.3, according to station insiders who spoke on condition of
anonymity. The changeover is scheduled for midnight.
Official
Statement from Industry Tuesdays after Shooting at Club Flow
Shirley
Chisholm, first black woman elected to U.S. Congress and who sought presidency
in 1972, dies at 80
African-American
Cookie company celebrates 50th anniversary of Montgomery Bus Boycott
Cookies
of Courage make a great fundraiser, and are available to schools, school systems,
museums, organizations, etc. through Aliza’s Cookies, Inc. The Montgomery
Bus Box Of Cookies will be available by February 1, 2005 (Start Of Black History
Month). Go to 
Police
Looking Into Supreme Link In Ja Rule Party Shooting -
by Gil Kaufmanne 
I'm
sure u heard about it by now. If not, let me tell u how it really went down. First
props to Larry Larr for trying to squash the beef. A young female MC by the name
of Pretty Viscious has a mix CD out where she disses Ms Jade. As Larry was on
stage with Pretty Viscious, Ms Jade, standing on the side of the stage came running
out and gave the upstart MC a Philly beatdown, swinging on her like a buzzsaw
and pulling out her weave and tossing it (along with her shoes) into the crowd.
After leaving the venue for a minute, Ms Jade came back and apologized to the
crowd. (Big ups to Ms Jade!) 
John
Forte Fights Drug Laws- Remmie Fresh
LOS ANGELES (Jan.
23) - Johnny Carson, the quick-witted "Tonight Show" host who became
a national institution putting his viewers to bed for 30 years with a smooth nightcap
of celebrity banter and heartland charm, died Sunday. He was 79.
Once
again untalented Ashlee Simpson embarrasses herself in public 
Aaliyah's
Label Can't Sue Video Producer Who Booked Ill-Fated Flight
Reportedly
Leaked Documents Provide Lurid Details Of Michael Jackson Case-
Gil Kaufman
Phil
Spector Told Police He Shot Actress By 'Accident,' - Alyssa Rashbaum
If
Ashlee Simpson's stomach was upset Saturday night, imagine how she's
feeling now. Busted for a "Saturday Night Live" lip-synch
gone awry, her manager-father said today (Oct. 25) his 19-year-old
daughter used the extra help because acid reflux disease had made
her voice hoarse."Just like any artist in America, she has
a backing track that she pushes so you don't have to hear her croak
through a song on national television," Joe Simpson told Ryan
Seacrest on Los Angeles radio station KIIS-FM. "No one wants
to hear that." (how would we know the diffewrence?)
KMART
APPOINTS AYLWIN LEWIS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 
Ronald
Isley Indicted For Tax Evasion 
Clueless
EX Ministry Website attacks Hip-Hop
Salt-N-Pepa
Working On Sitcom, Other Ventures
- Nolan Strong and Jigsaw
Russell
Simmons Pulls Out Of Source Event, Mag Owners Comment - Nolan
Strong
Guests
included - Larry Larr, Malika Love, Yvette Money, Tiffany
Bacon, Disco C, DJ Ahli Love, Parry P, Supreem, Cosmic Kev, Colby Colb, Bruce
Webb, C-Knowlwdge (Digable Planets), Charlie Mack, Miss Jade, Big Bob, Keen, Legendary
WDAS-FM DJ-Carl Helm, E.C. LaRock, Tamlin Henry, Kid Destroy, Snook Chaos, Grand
Wizzard Rasheen, DJ X-Zotic-D, Ronnie Ron, DJ Cash Money (Absolutely tore the
turntables a new A#$!), Noel Ramos (IMX 2003), MC Breeze, Captain Boogie (The
man, the myth, the legend), Steve Green (Breakwater), Bobbie Booker (Tribune),
The Original Blue Notes, The Crown Rulers, filmmaker Mike Dennis, singer Tyra
Kirkland (You killed'em girl!), Dat Baw Dave ( U got Ballz) & MC Mechanizm....whew!
It was the best awards yet! (Check the Photos)
Sylvia
Rhone Becomes Dual VP
CAUSE
OF RICK JAMES' DEATH REVEALED
Michael
Jackson Admits He Paid Off another Accuser
LaToya
Jackson tries new careeer with Dance music success 
JACKSON'S
Doctor blabs on surgery
Buju
Banton Banned From The U.S., Opposition Mounts Worldwide
Punk
Funk Maestro, singer Rick James dies
R&B
Singer Ronald Isley Has Minor Stroke
Russian
Skinheads Sentenced For Attacks After P.E. Concert -
Mike Winslow
Brandy
and 'Ex-Husband' Never Really Married
- by Joe D'Angelo
Nelly
Joins The NBA As Charlotte Bobcats minority Owner
-by Alyssa Rashbaum
Mos
Def Nominated For An Emmy Award - Remmie Fresh
Pat
O'Brien blasts co-host Shaun Robinson as he exits Access Hollywood
'Shaun
... Your behavior to me over the past few years has been a sickening
joke. From the day you called [former NBC Enterprises president]
Ed Wilson and said I was creating a hostile situation . . .to last
week when you went postal on my friend and accused me of an affair
. . . and talked to me like a five-year-old gang member . I have
never known anybody so disliked in a newsroom and it's well deserved.
You push people to the limits and you are so needy and demanding
... it is scary.' 'You have the worst reputation I've ever seen
in the business ... and your constant attempt to get me fired was
such a joke to everybody it was hard to contain the laughter. ..
But now I am gone ... and you made my departure so easy ... I've
never worked with anybody so conflicted and sad and insecure and
so needy. They all know it ... and it must be sad for you to realize
that you are literally hated by most ... People laugh at you. But
they are afraid of your always taking the race card ...' 'You cannot
believe how much you are disliked. Try and repair it ... or you'll
be back in local news before you know it ... with no wardrobe people
to yell at every day ... And have a great, miserable life. Pat.'......Damn!
Isabel
Sanford, 'Jeffersons' star, dies
One
of Philly's Hip-Hop Pioneers, Grand Tone Passess Away
Michael
Jackson insisted Thursday that his 1993 out-of-court settlement
with Jordan Chandler, the boy who first accused him of molestation,
was not an admission of guilt. "I have always maintained my
innocence," Jackson said in a statement, "and vehemently
denied that these events ever took place. I reluctantly chose to
settle the false claims only to end the terrible publicity and to
continue with my life and career." Confidential documents were
leaked to the press earlier this week and revealed that the singer
paid Chandler, his family and their lawyer a total of $25 million.
In
the suprise move of the year, R&B singer T-Boz of TLC has filed
for divorce from West Coast rapper Mack 10 and, in the windfall,
made a series of sensational allegations including death threats.
According to the Associated
Press, T-Boz (Tionne Tenese Watkins Rolison) said that Mack 10 (Dedrick
D-Mon Rolison) cheated on her in addition to threatening her life.
Subsequently, she has received a restraining order from the rapper,
where he is unable to come within 100 yards of her. Moreover, she
wants full custody of the pair’s 3-year-old daughter. In Atlanta
papers, Mack 10 denied the accusations and charged that T-Boz only
made such allegations in a strategic move to keep him from seeing
their daughter. 
Jaheim
Pleads Not Guilty To Drug Charges 
50
Disses Headliner R. Kelly, Storms Off Summer Jam Stage
-by Shaheem Reid
Ray
Charles, the Grammy-winning crooner who blended gospel and blues
in such crowd-pleasers as "What'd I Say" and heartfelt
ballads like "Georgia on My Mind," died Thursday, a spokesman
said. He was 73. Charles died
at his Beverly Hills home surrounded by family and friends, said
spokesman Jerry Digney. Charles'
last public appearance was alongside Clint Eastwood on April 30,
when the city of Los Angeles designated the singer's studios, built
40 years ago in central Los Angeles, as a historic landmark.
Miss
Jones was fired yesterday (June 2nd) from her morning post at Philly's
103.9fm. No reason was given but her ratings have been slipping
since her stirring deebut and rise from the bottom to one of the
top shows in her time slot 6am-10am. After being fired Miss Jones
drove home to New York and did an interview with Wendy Williams
which aired on rival station Power 99fm. In the interview Miss Jones
hinted that progran director Colby Colb had it in for her and that
was the reason she was fired. (Colby currently occupies her morning
slot). This morning Golden Girl also agreed that Colby hated on
her when he was at Power 99fm and said that it would be an even
bigger pleasure to"beat his ass" in the morning (arbitron
ratings). Miss Jones says she's fine and now has many opportunities.
She wished her fans well and wanted to let them all know that she
really appreciates their support and all their love. She wanted
her fans to also know that she was not given an opportunity
to say goodbye to her listeners by the station. Exclusive
to UBM - Colby Colb responds - "As a manager you just can't
comment on a firing of an employee. Usually when someone gets fired
they blame the company but 9 out of 10 times its them who is at
fault. There were several un truths in her statements on
99. It just wasn't working and we needed to make a change."
Billboard
Sours On Prince's Musicology Sales Experiment- by Joe
D'Angelo
R&B
legend John Whitehead shot dead in Philadelphia-"Not
intended target"- Police say
HOLLYWOOD
— Simon Cowell called Fantasia Barrino's final performance
during Tuesday's "American Idol" competition her "acceptance
speech," but it was her actual acceptance speech Wednesday
that will forever be remembered. After
a long embrace with runner-up
Diana DeGarmo, and with tears rushing down her face, the raspy 19-year-old
singer looked at host Ryan Seacrest and declared, "I broke
my shoe!''
Knight Ordered To Pay for beatdown
Usher
says"I'm nobody's daddy"
Lil'
Kim Indicted For Lying About Hot 97 Shootout With Capone Crew-by
Joe D'Angelo
William
Hung Makes Top-40 Debut - Joe
D'Angelo
Beans
Pleads Guilty To Drug Charges 
Lil
Kim doing a MJ?
'Idol'
reject Hung gets record deal
Nelly
Cancels Appearance Due To Protest Over His Videos
Two
more members of Ram Squad convicted 
DMX
refuses to record for Def Jam
Prosecutors
Refuse Charges Againts Man Accused Of Killing Soulja Slim
Tyra
Banks vs Naomi Campbell
JANET
LIKES IT ROUGH: Upscale has the story. 
Charges
dsropped against R. Kelly in Florida
Redman
meets Chucky
Newspaper:
NYPD Training Other Cities How To Spy On Rappers
50
Cent blasts Grammys
Beyonce's
Band Members Thwart Car-Jacking
Congrats
to Young Gunz, Debut hits #3
Now
Turk's lawyer in some hot ish
Life
sentence for Merlin Santana murderer
Warner
Music Group cutting jobs
Solange
gets married
Tyra
Banks Models Debut Dance Track 
Seven
Of R. Kelly's 21 Counts Of Child-Pornography Tossed
B2K
News
We
Did It!.......Justin
Timberlake Pulls Out Of Motown Special In Wake Of Protests 
Janet
dropped from Lena Horne project
Def
Jam faking record sales?
Master
P files for bankruptcy
Puffy
speaks out against President Bush
Janet
apologizes for halftime slippage