Ex-Prison Guard Denies Spying On Lil Wayne In Jail

A former guard at Rikers Island may sue after she was terminated for allegedly spying on rapper Lil Wayne.

Officials at Rikers Island, the New York jail that houses the rapper, charged that Amelia Negron went into the unit where Wayne stayed without appropriate authorization.

Negron denied the charges.

“I don’t even like rap. I like rock and alternative music and didn’t know much about him when they said I tried to see him. None of it’s true,” she told the New York Daily News.

Negron admitted to going into the ward that held Wayne, but she said she was there to speak to a co-worker, not the multi-platinum artist.

“The door to the area was unlocked, and so I went in to say hello, and that officer said, ‘Hey, you can’t be here. We’ve got a celeb here.’ I said, ‘Okay, no problem,’ turned around and left.”

She said afterwards, she was subsequently threatened.

“ did nothing wrong, but [I was] threatened with criminal charges, transfers, suspensions.”

Officials in the Correction Department maintain that the firing was just.

Negron is consulting her lawyers with the expectation that she will sue.

Kelis Asks Judge To Terminate Marriage With Nas Immediately

R&B singer Kelis is seeking to make her divorce from Nas official immediately, as opposed to going through with legal proceedings.

TMZ.com reports that Kelis filed court documents last week seeking to have their marriage “terminated as soon as possible.”

Kelis told the court that she believed there is no chance of reconciliation with the rapper and is asking the court to wait until a later date to address all “other issues.”

Just last week, a judge in Los Angeles Superior Court ordered Nas to pay Kelis over $299,000 in child support costs, spousal support and also to cover her legal bills.

The rapper was ordered to pay $155,787.28 for Kelis’ lawyers, $48,549.83 in accounting bills, $47,249.42 in back child support and $40,454 in back spousal support.

Nas was cleared of a contempt of court charge last week, after he paid the entire balance of the child support bill.

"All I want to do is make music and raise my kids. Nothing else matters,” Nas said in a statement last week.

Nas also owes an estimated $3 million dollars in back taxes to the IRS.

He is currently preparing to release his highly anticipated album with Damian Marley titled Distant Relatives, which is due in stores May 18th.

Kelis' new album Flesh Tone is due in stores July 6th on the will.I.am Music Group.

Jim Jones Heading To High School To Teach Music Class

Harlem, New York rapper Jim Jones will begin teaching a 6-week high school course to educate students on the inner-working of the music business.

Jones was cleared by the Board of Education in New York to teach the class, and he will begin teaching Music Business 101 on Tuesday (April 27th) in New York.

The course is being presented by Entertainers 4 Education (E4EA), a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2005 by entertainment executive, Tonya Lewis and educator J.P. Taylor.

The rapper is on the board of the non-profit organization, which educates students on the importance of education and self development.

After Jones finishes teaching the high school students on Monday, he will head over to Fordham University, to speak to college-level students about the music industry.

At both events, Jones will specifically teach the kids about artist management, creative control over content, intellectual property, production, distribution, music operations and music business “threats.”

“Jim has been a longstanding E4EA board member,” said Tonya Lewis, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Entertainers 4 Education Alliance Inc. “He is a true hip hop talent who will teach and inspire kids about the many aspects of the music industry. We know he will have a positive impact on the kids.”

Jones’ Music Business 101 is a six-week course that starts April 27th and will be taught every subsequent Tuesday for the next six weeks.

Other members of E4EA’s board include MTV personality Sway Calloway, NBA legend John Starks, R&B singer/rapper Tyrese Gibson and others.

Remy Ma Victim Suing Rapper’s Label Over Shooting

Remy Ma shooting victim Makeda Barnes-Joseph has renewed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the jailed rapper’s label Universal Music Group.
In 2007, Barnes-Joseph was shot twice in the abdomen by her former friend Remy Ma (real name Reminisce Smith) over a financial dispute. The crime resulted in Remy being sentenced to 8 years in prison, which the she is currently serving in New York’s penal system.
Barnes-Joseph filed her suit against Universal in 2008, claiming the company encouraged Remy’s criminal behavior by allowing violence in her music and retaining her as an “employee” during the criminal investigation.
The label countered with a motion summary judgment to have the complaint dismissed, which Judge Betty Owen granted last April.
Barnes-Jospeh’s attorney, Lauren P. Raysor, filed an Appellate Brief on February 2 to appeal the decision, arguing her client’s case was not given due process as “the Court either disregarded or misunderstood the employment status of Remy Smith, aka "Remy Ma," with Universal Music Group at the time of the shooting.”
Earlier this week, opening oral arguments began in New York State Supreme Court.
Remy Ma also has an ongoing appeal regarding her conviction. If it fails, she can be eligible for release in 2013.

DMX Suing Company for Unpaid Album Royalties

Former platinum-selling emcee DMX (Earl Simmons) has filed a lawsuit against an agency he hired for failing to retrieve his song royalties.



The case was filed yesterday (April 26) against Rich Kid Entertainment 1, who the Yonkers rapper accuses of paying him nothing from his popular multi-platinum albums while collecting the royalties themselves. In addition, X claims the company and its subsidiaries made their own side deals with his record labels to use his music.



According to representatives for DMX, the lawsuit has been in the works for the past year, but was plagued by numerous delays due to the rapper’s separate legal problems.



Currently, Simmons is serving a 6 month sentence in Phoenix for parole violation after failing a drug test. Last year, he served time in the same jurisdiction for drug possession, theft, and animal cruelty. In 2008, DMX pleaded guilty in Miami to attempted cocaine and marijuana possession.



Rich Kid Entertainment, which is based out of Englewood, New Jersey, had been employed by DMX for nearly 10 years.



From 1998-2003, X made music history by becoming the first artist to release 5 consecutive #1 albums. Of those 5, the first 3 albums were multi-platinum: It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (4X), Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (3X), …And There Was X (5X), The Great Depression (1X), and Grand Champ (1X). His last album, 2006’s Year of the Dog…Again, is his only album to debut #2, missing the #1 spot by roughly 100 copies.



At press time, representatives for Rich Kid Entertainment have not answered the complaint, nor has a court date been set.

Plies Launches Goon Affiliated Giveaway; Gears Up for New Album Release

New music won’t be the only thing in store for fans of Plies.

Sources tell AllHipHop.com the rapper will launch a new contest to coincide with the release of his forthcoming album Goon Affiliated. The Goon Affiliated 25 Giveaway will kick off Saturday May 1 and run through May 25.



Various prizes will be awarded to winners each day, including a brand new car, four-year scholarship, mortgage payments, healthcare insurance, shopping sprees and Apple iPads. The name of each winner and their state of residence will be posted on various websites on the Internet as well as an audio/video link that will be available at 3 p.m. (EST) each day on the Goon Affiliated 25 Day giveaway calendar. Participating website include www.myspace.com/Plies, www.facebook.com/Plies, www.twitter.com/GoonAffiliated, www.pliesworld.com, www.myspace.com/BigGatesRecords, www.twitter.com/ThisIsBigGates, www.youtube.com/BigGatesRecords and www.twitter.com/BigGatesRecords.



News of the giveaway comes as Plies returns on the scene with the Goon Affiliated album. The Atlantic Records offering, which includes the singles “Becky,” “Medicine” featuring Keri Hilson and “She Got It Made,” will feature cameos from Young Jeezy, Fabolous and Trey Songz as well as production from J. R. Rotem, Clinton Sparks and Polow da Don.



Although the Goon Affiliated giveaway is meant to be a tool for promoting his fourth studio album, the contest carries a deeper meaning for Plies. According to the rapper, the giveaway is a way to expand efforts to give back to fans and the community at large.



“My music is very much reflective of the plight and ills of our community and real talk, there are people out there struggling to make ends meet in this economy,” said Plies, who co-founded the Big Gates & Plies Power of Visions foundation with his brother, Big Gates, to help support educational endeavors and develop essential life skills of disenfranchised youth in urban communities as well as provide instruction and assistance for those who are affected by the negative impact of the penal system with preventative methods and societal transitioning support. “This giveaway to me is more than just a countdown to my album release, it’s about giving back to my community and anybody who knows me knows that’s what it’s all about. So for me, this giveaway is about being able to help out where help is needed.”



To qualify for the giveaway, participants can register once by sending an email to May25GoonAffiliated@gmail.com. All e-mails must include the participant’s full name, age, address, and telephone number.



For a chance to win one of the 25 gifts, registered participants must call in to Plies’ official Goon Affiliated 25 Day Giveaway telephone number (1-866-983-2111). The participants’ registration email must be submitted prior to calling. All winning participants will be contacted via information submitted.



The Goon Affiliated 25 Day Giveaway Calendar will be updated daily to highlight the items that will be given away each day. Plies will be on hand from May 1 to May 25 to answer the phone to notify the caller of the prize he or she will receive for that day.



Deadline to submit information and register for the contest is 11:59 PM (EST) May 25.Those who submit their registration e-mail by Friday (April 30) may qualify for pre-giveaway gifts in addition to the daily grand giveaways that will be awarded during the contest. Bonus gift winners will be randomly selected from the registration email database and are not required to be the “caller of the day”. Winners of the bonus prizes will be notified via telephone or email.



“With so many giveaways, people give away things that are not a necessity,” Plies stated while distinguishing his contest from others that have come before it. “The Goon Affiliated 25 Day giveaway gives people a chance to be given something that they really need, which could save a family’s home, grant a college education, or allow someone to see a medical professional for treatment and I feel blessed to be able to contribute. It’s so much more than a giveaway to me.”


Plies’ Goon Affiliated album is slated to hit stores on May 25.

Gucci Mane Camp Sued Again for Missed Shows

Gucci Mane (Radric Davis), his booking agent Johnnie Cabbell (Hitt Afta Hitt Entertainment), and Debra Antney (So Icey Entertainment CEO) are facing another lawsuit over alleged concert no-shows.

The latest lawsuit was filed in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania by William Marshall (Marshall Productions) and Derrick Brown (Rockstar Entertainment). The two parties allege that Gucci’s representatives took two deposits of $13, 750.00 to book him for concerts in Pittsburgh last August that were never completed.

At the time, Gucci Mane was restricted from leaving the state of Georgia due to parole violations from a 2005 felony assault, which eventually resulted in him being sent back to prison for 12 months on November 12.

According to the lawsuit, Marshall and Brown claim “the defendants' engaged in a widespread scheme scheduling concerts they knew would not take place, including the concerts involving plaintiffs that are the subject of this complaint.”

Last year, Gucci Mane’s camp was the subject of intense media scrutiny regarding similar claims from other promoters in a 10-page investigative article by Ozone magazine founder Julia Beverly.

“I am fully aware of the recent allegations which have been made about me and my company Hitt Afta Hitt Entertainment (HAH). I am a licensed and bonded entertainment booker and have been operating my company successfully for almost a decade,” Johnnie Cabbell told AllHipHop.com last December. “During my career, I have booked thousands upon thousands of shows and have worked with various promoters all over the country. I have maintained an impeccable track record and am operating within the confines of all applicable laws. I’ve always strived to do the best job I can possibly do and will continue to do that.”

The plaintiffs are seeking over $25,000 in damages.

At press time, a court date has not been set.

T.I. To Return To Miami This May For Performance

T.I. will give one of his first major performances this May when the rapper and artists on his Grand Hustle record label hit Miami during Memorial Day weekend.

Atlanta promoter Jacob York and Miami’s 99 Jamz are promoting “The Return of the King” Memorial Day Weekend Extravaganza.

T.I. and crew are lasted to the stage on Sunday, May 30th at Klutch Nightclub, formerly known as Opium/Prive.

The performances marks T.I.’s first major performance since he was released from a halfway house in March, after serving a year in prison for attempting to purchase machine guns and silencers in October of 2007.

Earlier this week, T.I. debuted the video for his single “I’m Back,” the first official off of his “comeback” album King Uncaged, which is due in stores August 17th.

LL Cool J Releasing Brand New Fitness Book

LL Cool J is planning to release his second fitness guide to inspire his fans to stay in top shape with the new book LL Cool J’s Platinum 360 Diet and Lifestyle.

The new book reveals LL Cool J’s 360-degree program that has helped him achieve his goals in the gym, which has also yielded results for LL as an actor, businesses man and musician.

LL wrote LL Cool J’s Platinum 360 Diet and Lifestyle with trainer David “Scotter” Honig, Jim Stoppani, PHD and Chris Palmer.

"Think of P360 as a guide to strengthening the three pillars that make you who you are: your mind, your body, and your soul…you cannot be strong in body without being strong in mind and spirit,” LL Cool J said of the book.

P360 is broken down into three parts and is an 8-week workout program that includes plans for men and women.

LL breaks down step-by-step instructions for 100 exercises with workout plans to keep muscles and metabolism operating at their peak.

P360 is the follow up to LL's first New York Times' best-selling fitness book LL Cool J's Platinum Workout.

Nicki Minaj Fires Waka Flocka's Mother As Her Manager

Rapper Nicki Minaj has fired her manager Debbie Antney, who is the mother of Waka Flocka.

The termination happened suddenly and came in the form of a cease and desist letter, according to Singersroom News. The notices reportedly bans Antney from conducting business for Minaj.

"I received a letter, which was (a) suspension," Antney said in a recent interview. "The next letter that came in was a cease and desist in doing all business with Nicki Minaj from Nicki's attorney."

Antney said there was no reason for the termination given.

She also indicated that she harbored no ill feelings towards her former client.

"I love Nicki. I wish her the most success. It's not about the music, she's like one of my children," she said. "I wish her no harm, only much success."

Nicki Minaj recently dropped off a tour with Rihanna to work on her own album.

Nas Ordered To Pay Kelis Over $250K In Support/Bills

Nas was ordered to pay his estranged wife Kelis over $250,000 in spousal, child support and legal bills in their ongoing divorce case.

According to TMZ.com, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered Nas to pay Kelis $47,249.42 in back child support, $40,454 in back spousal support and 90% of her legal bills in the amount of $155,787.28.

Additionally, Nas was ordered to pay $10,000 a month towards the $299,015 the rapper owes his former wife in spousal support.

Also, the judge ruled that the rapper must pay $48,549.83 Kelis’ accounting expenses.

The news comes as Nas is preparing to drop his highly anticipated album Distant Relatives with Damien Marley on May 18th.

Kelis prepares to release her new album Flesh Tone, which lands in stores July 6th.

Nicki Minaj Disappointed Over Rihanna Tour; Sets Fall Release For Debut Album

Rapper Nicki Minaj has expressed disappointment for having to drop off of Rihanna's highly anticipated “Last Girl on Earth Tour.”

Shortly after an announcement was made about her involvement with Rihanna’s tour, she broke the news to her fans via Twitter that she would sit the tour out to focus on her upcoming debut solo album.

According to Nicki Minaj, the album will hit stores in Fall of 2010 on Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown.

“When I first heard about the possibility of touring with Rihanna, I was thrilled to be included on the ticket," Nicki Minaj stated. “ I admire Rihanna as an artist and I know it would’ve been a killer line up. I’m disappointed that the timing won’t work, but I hope we’ll be able to revisit the opportunity in the future."

Nicki is currently in the recording studio working on new material for the album. The first single is titled “Massive Attack” and features Sean Garrett.

“I don’t want to do anything that sounds like what any other female rapper has done,” said Nicki Minaj. “I want to start a new lane that one day, 10 years from now, girls will say, ‘I’m more of a Nicki Minaj type.’”

Drake Shoots Down Olivia Collabo Reports; Apologizes To Fans

Rapper Drake has shot down reports that he collaborated with former G-Unit “first lady” Olivia on a recently leaked track titled “Control.”

Olivia apologized for the leak via Twitter and stated that the collaboration record was taken off of her upcoming mixtape, which will precede her new album Show The World.

According to Canadian rapper Drake, he never authorized any songs to be released, nor has he recorded with Olivia.

“I support artist collaborations and sampling music that inspires you but I don’t support taking unauthorized recordings and marketing them as features,” Drake told AllHipHop.com. “I’ve never worked with Olivia and I apologize to any fan who was duped into thinking that ‘Control’ was a collaboration of mine.”

Drake, who recently released the video for his single “Over” taken from his major label debut Thank Me Later, also announced he will tour Europe.

The rapper will perform 10 dates, starting at the Hove Festival in Norway beginning on July 2nd. He will then perform in Denmark, Paris, the UK, Belgium, Scotland and will wind up the tour July 13th in Manchester.

Full tour dates are listed below:

July 2 Hove Festival, Norway

July 3 Roskilde Festival, Denmark

July 4 Wireless Festival, UK

July 5 La Cigale, Paris

July 7 Paradiso, Amsterdam

July 8 Les Ardentes Festival, Belgium

July 9 Oxygen Festival, Dublin

July 10 T In The Park, Scotland

July 12 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

July 13 Academy, Manchester

Shaq Fights Wife Shaunie's Reality Show 'Basketball Wives'

Shaquille O’Neal has sent a letter to executives at VH1, demanding that they shut down production of his wife’s reality show, “Basket Ball Wives.”

According to lawyers for Shaq, certain episodes of the show violate confidentiality agreements between Shaq and his former wife Shaunie, who are in the process of divorcing.

The second episode of the show will reportedly focus on their broken relationship, something Shaq and his lawyers are challenging.

Shaq’s lawyer Michael J. Kump demanded that VH1 remove all references of Shaq from the show, or risk violating the court-ordered agreement.

Kump stated that Shaunie’s reality series amounted to nothing more than “televised revenge.”

While the estranged couple reached a divorce settlement last month, the decision has not been finalized by Florida courts.

The new episode of the show is slated to run April 18th. As of press time, VH1 executives have not made a comment.

Shaq is still facing a cyber stalking lawsuit filed against him by Orlando, Florida model Vanessa Lopez, who claims the basketball star harassed her after their relationship ended in September of 2009.

Lopez claims Shaq spoofed her cellphone in order to gain access to her voicemail without using a password.

Shaq, who owns the Deja 34 Hip-Hop label, has denied all charges and labeled the accusations a “fanciful tale that has absolutely no basis in fact or law.”

The case is still pending.

Jay-Z Sues Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz Over 40/40 Club Name

Jay-Z is going to bat against Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz for naming a club in the Dominican Republic after the rapper’s 40/40 Club.

According to Reuters, Ortiz is illegally operating a Forty/Forty club on the island, in addition to running the domain name www.fortyforty.net.

Ortiz' club opened in October of this year, while Jay-Z's first 40/40 location in New York opened in June of 2003.

Jay-Z and his business partner Juan Perez own and operate 40/40 Clubs in New York, Atlantic City and Las Vegas, with plans to open more clubs in Tokyo and Macau.

The superstar rapper claims Ortiz is capitalizing on the fame and value of the club, by using the name according to a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Federal Court earlier today (April 15th).

Ortiz is aware of the club's name, because he has patronized Jay-Z's famous flagship location in Manhattan in the past.

At press time, neither Jay-Z or David Ortiz have commented on the lawsuit.

B.I.G. Lawsuit Against Los Angeles, LAPD Dismissed

A federal has judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the mother of the later rapper Notorious B.I.G., which blamed the city of Los Angeles and the LAPD for her son’s death.

On Monday April 5th, Judge Jacqueline Nguyen dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice, after an eight-year wrongful death lawsuit in federal court.

Notorious B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace, was gunned down in March of 1997, after attending an after party during the Soul Train Awards in Los Angeles.

Although it has never been proven, the wrongful death lawsuit claimed that Marion “Suge” Knight conspired with Amir Muhammad, the alleged triggerman and LAPD officers Rafael Perez and David Mack, to murder Notorious B.I.G.

B.I.G. had been feuding with Tupac Shakur, who was gunned down on the Las Vegas strip six months earlier, in September of 1996.

In March of 2006, U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper ruled in favor of B.I.G., awarding the family a $1.1 million dollar judgment against the city.

In May of 2006, Judge Cooper dismissed the previous ruling in the case, after discovering the family had information they told the court they did not have access to.

In June of 2006, the city of Los Angeles claimed B.I.G.‘s attorneys went to “absurd lengths” to "satisfy their ambition to extract hundreds of millions of dollars from the city.”

Rick Ross Claims Victory in DJ Vlad Assault Case Decision

Rick Ross is proclaiming victory over a verdict where he was ordered to pay $300,000 in punitive and compensatory damages to DJ Vlad (Vlad Lyubovni).

The case was resulted in a August 2008 incident where members of Ross’ entourage assaulted DJ Vlad at the Ozone Awards over the deejay posting comedic images of Ross dressed as a correctional officer.
The attack left Vlad with 7 stitches below the eye, fractures to the face, a corneal abrasion, broken nose, and nerve damage.
Court documents from Vlad’s complaint stated that Ross sent text messages preceding the attack, although Vlad believed they were meeting to discuss an exclusive story.
“n***as will learn…trillaaa,” Ross is alleged to have sent to Vlad. “I’m hearing things about me on your website. We gonna make a story. We gonna see each other. We going to talk. Where are you?”
Ross referenced the ruling as a proof of his John Gotti-inspired nickname.
“The Teflon Don strikes again!” Ross told MTV News. “I’ve been fighting a $4 million dollar lawsuit for the past 2 years. My defense was a success. I have to salute my attorney Xavier Donaldson. “
Even though he will pay out a 6 figure judgment, Ross is relieved the sum is far lower than the original $4 million case filing.
“Whenever an artist or anybody is put in a position such as a lawsuit where so much evidence is presented [with] tapes etcetera etcetera, and giving the plaintiff less than 10 percent of what they requested, I consider my defense a success. God bless America,” he explained.
DJ Vlad was satisfied with the judgment, stating he was simply reporting and continuing the discussion on the Smoking Gun website’s original expose that revealed Ross once worked as a correctional officer.
"As an individual that covers breaking news in the Hip-Hop world, I am grateful that the jury punished Rick Ross for setting me up," Vlad disclosed in a statement. "All I was doing was covering the news and making commentary."
Rick Ross latest album Teflon Don is expected to be released this summer.

Lloyd Banks Replies To Shyne Diss

G-Unit member Lloyd Banks has responded to a diss record released earlier this week, that features Brooklyn rapper Shyne dissing G-Unit boss, 50 Cent.

On a recently released a track titled “Unthinkable,” Shyne goes hard at 50 Cent on the track, calling the Queens rapper out by name in a verse.

Shyne continued a feud that has been brewing since 2004 when he rapped: “I need a couple million, F**k 50 Cent” on the track.

Lloyd Banks recently addressed the matter on Hot 97 with Miss Info.

“I’ll be the first to tell you and the world. He’s very, very wack right now. Very wack,” Lloyd Banks told Miss Info.

Banks implied that Shyne’s eight-year stint in federal prison for a 1999 shootout inside a New York nightclub had left him rusty.

“It was something in the food, it was something,” Lloyd Banks said. “He’s a D-class rapper to me right now. You know, the dude that just wakes up and says ‘I’ma rap now?’ What kind of style does he got right now? I’m not diggin’ that. There’s no reason to hate him, I’m doing good. That ni**as wack. His whole slang changed up. He’s wack. (laughs).”

Lloyd Banks is putting the finishing touches on his new mixtape, Hunger for More 2.

Rapper Nicki Minaj Drops Off Of Rihanna's Tour

Nicki Minaj will not be heading out on the road with R&B singer Rihanna’s “Last Girl On Earth Tour,” the rapper revealed today (April 7th).

On Monday, organizers of Rihanna’s “Last Girl On Earth Tour” announced that Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha were opening acts on the 25-date tour, which kicks off on July 2nd in Seattle, Washington.

According to Nicki, she is going to use the time to finish completing her upcoming debut full-length album.

Barbz I'm sorry 2 say I will not be going out on RiRi's tour. I've decided 2 use that time 4 the completion of my album. Hope u understand,” Nicki Minaj Tweeted today. “Barbz, Thx 4 understanding. And Thanks to Rihanna 4 being a sweetheart and extending this great opportunity 2 me. Support the show! Luv, HB.”

Nicki Minaj recently debuted “Massive Attack,” the first single from her album

Remy Ma Gets Good News On Second Appeal

Incarcerated female rapper Remy Ma recently won a second appeal in an attempt to gain her freedom, after being sentenced to eight years in prison for shooting a friend in 2007.

Remy Ma was convicted of shooting her friend Makeda Barnes-Joseph in the stomach after $3,000 went missing from the rapper’s purse after a night of partying in Manhattan in July of 2007.

The rapper was sentenced to eight years in prison for her role in the shooting in March of 2008.

According to reports, one appeal has already been denied, but Remy recently received good news, when she was given good news about her second appeal.

Her husband, rapper Papoose, told Vibe.com that he was confident Remy Ma would be sprung from Rikers Island early.

"I can't speak about it in detail due to legal reasons, but we recently got some great news concerning her second appeal,” Papoose said. “Let's just say that she's blessed. I highly doubt that she will have to serve the full time. If justice is served, then she will come home now. My plan is to see her walk out of that hellhole and get a breath of fresh air, so we can enjoy life."

Drake Hired A Vocal Coach For 'Away From Home' Tour, Says Producer

Two weeks ago, the Internet lit up at the sight of a leaked track from Drake’s anticipated debut, Thank Me Later. “Shut It Down,” a So Far Gone-lite record featuring The-Dream, was reported in September as Drake’s official lead single before any word of “Over” had surfaced.

While the overall response to “Shut It Down” was more than favorable, Stadiumred producer Omen, who worked on the track with Drake’s right-hand 40, told VIBE that version heard on the Net had a few elements absent.

“['Shut It Down'] is still missing some ingredients. It’s missing a full Dream verse and a full rap verse from Drake,” he says. “The leaked version wasn’t the way it was supposed to be presented. It was just something that caught on so quickly… I don’t know how the hell radio got it. Drake’s [rap verse is] basically playing around with the song’s concept more, not really telling a story, but just talking to the ladies.”

Omen also revealed that “Shut It Down” was the first song Drake recorded for Thank Me Later in the early fall. Though he’s still unsure whether other tracks he co-produced with 40 made the final cut, from what Omen’s heard of the album, he says fans can expect more hip-hop than heard on the mixtape that made Drake famous.

“It’s more rapping than So Far Gone… a lot more rapping. Even if he is singing it’s just the chorus. 'Shut It Down' has probably the most singing on the album and then he has another one with a Sade vibe that’s dope,” he says. “He’s definitely improving his singing too. He just hired a vocal coach that he’s working with during The Away From Home Tour. This is going to be one of the top hip-hop/R&B albums out this year. I can feel it.”

The 33-year-old Harlem producer added that he spoke too soon about “Shut It Down” being Drake’s first single.

“I jumped the gun [Laughs]. What happened is everyone was real excited and saying this is the single, but you know how the industry works, when an album’s being recorded there’s always going to be other producers that bring something different,” he continues. “It still was a very good song to be in the single contention. It could be second, could be third. I’m not sure which, but I’m sure it’s going to be a single."

Omen first worked with Drake in 2008 on the track, “Overdose On Life,” off Drake’s second mixtape, Comeback Season. Drake’s major label debut, Thank Me Later is scheduled for release on June 15. —Tracy Garraud

Oprah Taps Jay-Z, Lady Gaga To Help Launch OWN

Oprah Winfrey is attracting big name talent that will be featured in various shows on her new TV network, OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network).

According to The Wall Street Journal, Jay-Z and Condoleezza Rice will be featured on the premiere episode of a new series titled Master Class, that features celebrities and politicians relaying real life stories into the camera.

Jay-Z told The Wall Street Journal he immediately accepted Winfrey’s offer to be included on a show on OWN, which will launch on January 1st as a joint venture between Winfrey’s Harpo Inc. and The Discovery Network.

"I didn't even think about it," Jay-Z said. "I just said 'yes.'"

Master Class is part of a new slate of programming being produced by OWN for the upcoming launch of the network.

Other shows include Life Is Not a Straight Line, Note to Self, Swell and Visionaries: Inside the Creative Mind, which will spotlight Lady Gaga and Avatar director James Cameron.


Winfrey announced she will host a new evening hour-long show on OWN titled Oprah’s Next Chapter, which will air two to three times a week and will feature Winfrey taking celebrities and politicians around the world, as she interviews them.

50 Cent's Associate Ordered To Pay For Beating Woman At Mansion

A woman who was beaten by an associate of 50 Cent’s at his Connecticut mansion won a judgment yesterday (April 8) in court.

Shana Chin, 24, claimed that Dwayne McKenzie, a member of 50 Cent’s entourage who lives in the mansion, beat her during a Memorial Day party in 2008.

McKenzie and Chin had been dating since 2007, but the relationship went sour when she found out McKenzie was allegedly cheating on her.

A fight between the two took place in McKenzie’s bedroom in on Memorial Day in May of 2008 and McKenzie allegedly chocked and slapped Chin.

A Waterbury Superior Court ruled in favor of Chin after the judge presiding over the case ruled that there was enough evidence to support Chin’s claims of assault.

McKenzie has been ordered to pay $30,000 and has already taken a violence education program.

McKenzie is a member of 50 Cent’s entourage who has had several encounters with police in Connecticut.

In August of 2007, he was arrested for firing a gun at a man who attempted to steal his chain outside of a Hartford nightclub.

McKenzie was rearrested in October of 2007, after he allegedly pistol-whipped a promoter, after the man failed to announce an after party taking place at 50 Cent’s mansion.

In August of 2009, he was arrested again for allegedly brawling with a woman who refused to give him oral sex at the mansion.

During her testimony, Chin made the shocking allegations that McKenzie was the culprit who firebombed 50 Cent’s mansion Dix Hills, Long Island mansion in May of 2008.

No one was been arrested for the fire, which police have already deemed suspicious.

Nicki Minaj Tapped For Rihanna's 'Last Girl On Earth' Tour

Rapper Nicki Minaj will head out on the road as an opening act for Rihanna’s 2010 Last Girl On Earth tour of North America.

The 25-date tour begins July 2nd at the White River Amphitheater in Seattle, Washington and ends August 25th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

The tour will be a “visual spectacle on a scale unlike anything she has accomplished in her already legendary career,” a representative for Rihanna said in a press release today (April 5th).

At press time, Rihanna, who was discovered by Jay-Z, is the only female artist in the past decade to have six #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

"We've never done a tour to this capacity. The production is unbelievable and the costumes, we just took it to a whole new level,” Rihanna said in a recent interview. “Visually and sonically it's going to be a big step up from the last time. We just keep growing and this time it is a massive production that I cannot wait for."

The news comes as Rihanna begins her sold out tour of Europe, which starts on April 16th in Antwerp, Belgium, to promote her album Rated R.

Rihanna’s tour dates are listed below:

Jul 02
Seattle
White River Amphitheatre

Jul 04
Vancouver
General Motors Place

Jul 06
Calgary
Pengrowth Saddeldome

Jul 09
Sacramento
ARCO Arena

Jul 10
Mountain View
Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View

Jul 14
Albuquerque
Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque presents The Pavilion

Jul 15
Denver
Comfort Dental Amphitheatre

Jul 17
Las Vegas
Mandalay Bay Events Center

Jul 21

Los Angeles
Staples Center
Jul 22

Phoenix
Cricket Wireless Pavilion

Jul 28
Atlanta
Philips Arena

Jul 30
Tampa
Ford Amphitheatre

Jul 31
Miami
American Airlines Center

Aug 03
Indianapolis
Verizon Wireless Music Center Indianapolis

Aug 05
Toronto
Molson Canadian Amphitheatre

Aug 07
Montreal
Bell Centre

Aug 08
Boston
Comcast Center

Aug 11
Uncasville
Mohegan Sun Arena

Aug 12
New York
Madison Square Garden

Aug 15
Wantagh
Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

Aug 18
Camden
Susquehanna Bank Center

Aug 20
Bristow
Jiffy Lube Live

Aug 21
Hershey
Hersheypark Stadium

Aug 22
Detroit
DTE Energy Music Theatre

Aug 25
Chicago
United Center

Styles P. Announces New Release 'Ghost Dub Dime'

Yonkers, New York rapper and Lox member Styles P. has announced he is releasing a new mixtape with E1 Music this May.

The mixtape, titled The Ghost Dub-Dime, is the latest project from the rapper, who also recently inked a book deal with Random House to release a fictional novel titled Invincible.

In addition to the book, Styles P. will drop a soundtrack for the novel, which is due in stores and on StylesP.net on June 1st.


“I am staying in tune with the streets and providing bars that most rappers won’t,” Styles said of The Ghost Dub-Dime.

The first single from the mixtape is titled “That Street Life,” which features Raleigh, North Carolina singer Tyler Woods.

Styles P. is also in the recording studio working on a new solo album, in addition to a new album from his group The Lox.

“I’m proud to be operating as an independent where I have total control of my project,” Styles P. said of his independence.

Wyclef Raises Almost $10 Mil For Haiti; Ambassador Defends Rapper

Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti non-profit organization has raised almost $10 million dollars in donations since an earthquake struck the nation in January.

According to recent filings, Yele has taken in a total of $9,139,324 in donations since a 7.0 earthquake leveled Port-Au-Prince, leaving over #,000,000 dead and millions wounded and displaced.

The organization has been under scrutiny since it began soliciting donations on behalf of Haiti and has been accused mismanaging funds in the past.

Last month, TheSmokingGun.com posted Yele’s 2008 tax returns, revealing a $105,000 payment to the rapper’s personal assistant Zakiya Khatou-Chevassus, who he was rumored to be having an affair with.

Those allegations come in the midst of rumors that Jean was also sleeping with his former manager, Lisa Ellis, former VP of Urban at Sony Music.

According to The New York Post, Ellis has contacted the FBI over a nude photograph from an upcoming art book that leaked on the Internet.

Both women have denied being romantically involved with Wyclef Jean, as did Wyclef Jean via his Twitter page.

“If you Ride with me you are on the Right side or you can follow your slave master and believe what he tells you. Yele Haiti 4 life. Since some of you like to believe everything you read with out having Facts pass this around! Wyclef is A Alien from out of space.I have been spending money n my country since I was a Fugees! why is it now after the Quake I am being Excuse! They fear I’m gaining ground.”

A number of organizations are also under scrutiny, as over $2 billion in relief effort has been collected, although the Haitian government has only seen around $10 million of the money.

During a visit to Nashville's Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville Tennessee, Haitian Ambassador Raymond Alcide Joseph addressed the allegations against Jean, who is also his nephew.

He claimed the rumors were being started by rival non-profits, who were angry at the amount of money being directed towards Jean’s Yele Haiti.

"I'm not a financial accountant, I haven't seen everything, but I think they had people go through the books and they did find some irregularities that were repaired, but as far as wholesale corruption--I say 'no,'“ Joseph stated. “It's not because Wyclef Jean is my nephew and I'm defending him but I know his heart is good and he's been doing good work in Haiti long, long before these people who have appeared on the scene. "