Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Diddy, Gucci Mane Tapped For Best of the Best Concert in Miamiwww.goodmoneyentertainment.com

Diddy, Gucci Mane Tapped For Best of the Best Concert in Miami
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Sean “Diddy” Combs has been tapped as host of The Best of the Best (BOTB) International Music Festival in Miami during Memorial Day weekend.

Combs will be joined by Miami’s DJ Khaled and according to organizers, Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane, who is currently finishing a year-long stint in jail for violating the terms of his probation.

Gucci Mane’s appearance will be his first major performance of the year, according to organizers of the BOTB weekend.

"Each year we plan events to give everyone journeying to Miami the experience of their life," promoter JBJ Entertainment said in a statement. “This year we are making it official by extending the festival to four days of fun in the sun. We invite everyone to Miami to come and enjoy yourselves, either at one event or better yet, all of them. We wish to make your time in Miami memorable!"

The four-day weekend starts Friday May 28th and continues until Monday, May 31st. Events include a welcome party at Opium, an all-white pool party, the official concert at Bicentennial Park on Sunday and various concerts on Monday.

Performances by a variety of Caribbean artists are also slated to take place with acts like Mavado, Bounty Killer, Mr. Vegas, Lady Saw confirmed.

Fat Joe Returns With 'The Darkside' This Summer

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E1 Music has confirmed with AllHipHop.com the signing of seasoned Bronx rapper and Terror Squad leader Fat Joe, who will drop a new album The Dark Side this summer.
Joe’s last offering with 2009’s Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 (J.O.S.E. 2), released on EMI subsidiary Imperial Records.

It has been 17 years since Fat Joe made his debut with the 1993 boom bap single “Flow Joe,” and the album Represent.
From initial humble beginnings with the critically-acclaimed Diggin’ In the Crates crew, the self-proclaimed Don Cartagena has gone on to sell over 2.5 million records.

E1 president Alan Grunblatt was one of the parties who brokered the Bronx emcee’s first deal with Relativity, and expects fans to be impressed with Joe’s latest work.
“I originally signed Fat Joe to his first record deal and was blown away by the new material Joe played me,” Grunblatt explained. “Fate has brought us back together; trust me when I tell you he’s got bangers for days!”
As an artist that’s experienced both major and indie label situations, Joe revealed his choice rested with his trust in Alan Grunblatt’s previous track record and vision.
Also, the Terror Squad founder pointed to E1’s success in marketing Hip-Hop acts with devoted fan bases.

“It’s been a long time coming. I have a long history with Alan Grunblatt and everyone at E1,” Fat Joe detailed in a statement. “Although it’s a small label, they have the best marketing and promotion staff in the hip hop game and I’m looking forward to working with them on my new album, The Dark Side.”

The first single, “Slow Down,” features Young Jeezy and will debut soon in urban radio outlets.
The Dark Side is scheduled to be released on June 29th.

Swizz Beatz To Provide Sounds For America's Best Dance Crew

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Producer Swizz Beatz has been selected to collaborate with the finalists on MTV’s reality dance competition, Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew.

Swizz worked with this season’s two final crews to create the original music for the “Last Chance Challenge,” which is the contestants’ final opportunity to impress judges JC Chasez, Lil Mama and Omarion.

Swizz will be featured working with the dancers in the studio, as they create the original compositions that will debut tomorrow (April 1st).

Over 2 million people tuned in for the January 28th season premiere of Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew.

The winners of the dance competition take home a $100,000 cash prize.

School In Philly Accused Of Doubling As Night Club


City officials in Philadelphia are outraged at a Philadelphia charter school that is being accused of doubling as a nightclub.

Club Damani has an arrangement with the Harambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter School which allowed it to operate as a club that served liquor during off hours.

The agreement came to light after WPVI-TV Channel 6 aired a segment on the school, showing liquor bottles strewn around the school, which serves 450 students.

The arrangement is under fire, because the charter school received over $3.5 million dollars in public funds.

Additionally, the liquor license the building operated in has been expired since 2008.

City Controller Alan Butkovitz told the Philadelphia Daily News that neighbors were outraged at the arrangement because of the noise from the club, which is located on N. 66th Street.

The club has until April 10 to obtain three needed business permits, or the city will shut the club down.

Faith Evans Hit With $300K Tax Bill

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Faith Evans, the widow of rapper Notorious B.I.G., is the latest artist to run afoul of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

According to reports, Evans owes more than $360,000 in taxes on income earned in the states of New York, New Jersey and Los Angeles.

Earlier this month, the IRS filed a $36,360 lien against Evans in New York and in February, a lien was filed against Evans in Los Angels in the amount of $119,821.

The bulk of the tax bill is owed in the state of New Jersey, which filed a lien against Evans for $204,000 in October.

Faith Evans is currently working on a new reality show and album titled All About Faith. The reality show will chronicle Evans’ home life and professional career as a singer.

Faith Evans was the first female artist signed to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records. Her husband, Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace was gunned down in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.

B.I.G.'s slaying remains unsolved.

Friday, March 26, 2010

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T.I. Probation Ends; Rapper To Begin Performing MySpace Graphics

Atlanta rapper T.I. has almost completed a one-year prison sentence for attempting to purchase machine guns and silencers in 2007.

Today, the rapper will be released from house arrest and will begin three years of federal probation, his attorney’s revealed.

Now that he is off of house arrest, T.I. must observe a strict curfew for the next 23 days.

The rapper must be in the house by 11.PM, unless he has a show, in which case he will be allowed to stay out until 1:00 AM.

“He’s been working,” T.I.‘s lawyer Steve Sadow told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He intends to continue working, which includes being in the [recording] studio and performing concerts."

T.I. was also fined $100,000 and he already completed 1,000 hours of community service prior to spending his time in prison.

In related news, T.I. has reportedly contributed a new verse to a track titled “Winner” featuring Jamie Foxx and Justin Timberlake.

The song is taken from Foxx’s new untitled album which is due in stores in June.

T.I. also premiered his own comeback track earlier in the month titled “I’m Back.”

The song is taken from an album T.I. is reportedly scheduled to release this August.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Jay Z Pays Child Support To His Secret Baby's Mother

Shenelle Scott

MediaTakeOut.com has learned that the secret child hip hop mogul Jay Z shares with Trinidadian model Shenelle Scott is about to get a lot more media attention. You see, earlier in the week, the Queen of All Media Wendy Williams, broke on her #1 rated show that Hip Hop Weekly is about to blow the lid off the story.

Word is that in an upcoming issue, the magazine will report that Jay Z has legally accepted paternity of the young child (pictured below). And that Beyonce, Jay Z's fiancé, knows all about it. But the most startling claim that the magazine makes is that, up until now, Jay Z has been paying Shenelle only $4,000 a month in child support.

But that may be about to change. According to MediaTakeOut.com's legal expert, Jay Z would likely have pay a lot more if Shenelle took him to court. Our expert explains, "If [Jay Z] is worth the $400M that Forbes magazine claims he is, then he's likely have to pay a lot more than $4,000 a month for his child." Our expert adds, "And the rules of child support are absolute. So the court would likely void any contract that Jay Z had the mother sign that limited child support."

To get an idea of what Jay Z may be in store for, take a look at some of his contemporaries. Rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was ordered by a court to pay his baby's mother Misa Hylton $19,000 per month for their child. And recently a judge ordered Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson to pay his baby's mother $15,000 per month for his child. - mediatakeout.com
Shenelle Scott

D’Angelo Arrested for Soliciting Sex from a Police Officer

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R&B crooner D’Angelo has been absent from the spotlight for years, but he reappeared this weekend in police custody.
The Grammy winner, 36, was arrested Saturday around 2:30 a.m. after allegedly offering an undercover policewoman $40 for oral sex while driving through New York City’s West Village, according to the New York Post.
D’Angelo, born Michael Archer, spotted a woman he took to be a prostitute. He was arrested and charged with solicitation after asking the woman for sex, sources report. He had $12,000 stored in his Range Rover.
The arrest comes as he is recording his third studio album, the first since 2000’s platinum-selling Voodoo. It’s been a looooong time since the “Untitled” days. Who would have ever thought D’ANGELO would have to be soliciting sex?!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Max B Receives Appeal on Murder Conviction

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Incarcerated rapper Max B (Charly Wingate) has been granted an appeal on a robbery and murder conviction last September that sentenced him to 75 years in prison.

Max was found guilty of felony murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, aggravated manslaughter, and armed robbery after his ex-girlfriend Gina Conway testified that he masterminded a 2006 heist that left one man dead.
According to Conway, the rapper and his stepbrother Kelvin Leerdam targeted two men (Allan Plowden and David Taylor) for robbery at a NJ Holiday Inn because they carried around large sums of money.
Taylor was duct-taped, and Plowden was killed instantly execution-style with a shot to the head.
Max B was not present during the crime, but was implicated based on Conway’s testimony. She received 18 years in exchange for her testimony. Leerdam also received a life sentence for his role.
Max’s manager Joli O’Shay released a statement advising that her client is going to exhaust all available options to overturn the verdict.

According to French Montana, a close friend of Max B.'s, the incarcerated rapper is keeping his spirits high.

"He [is] hanging in there," French Montana told AllHipHop.com. "You know the judge just gave him a date. He about to give him a date to go back to court, so keep prayers up, that’s all you can do. They try to sabotage rappers. You know it is what it is man. Free Max B!"


Max B has remained active despite his sentence, releasing the mixtape Wave Gang 4 earlier this year.
AllHipHop.com will post more information as it becomes avaiable.

Mag Apologies To Bey, Jay-Z Over $10 Mil 'Marriage Contract' Claim

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A writer for German magazine Neon has been fired for printing a story that claimed Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce Knowles were bound by a “marriage contract.”

The magazine admitted to doubting the credibility of a series of articles published by writer Ingo Mocek, who claimed Bey and Jay-Z had a $10 million dollar wedding contract.

The article also implied that Beyonce was not enamored with “white music producers.”

"We assume that the interview did not take place as claimed," said the magazine in a statement. "We sincerely apologize to Ms. Knowles and her management for all personal inconvenience that may have arisen due to the publication of this interview."

Interviews with rapper Snoop Dogg and singer Christina Aguilera have now been called into question by Neon as well.

According to reports, Mocek was fired over the articles.

Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys Heading To Soweto For Concert In June

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Chart topping Hip-Hop group The Black Eyed Peas will headline a concert in South Africa’s biggest black township this June, prior to the World Cup.

BEP, along with singers Alicia Keys and Shakira, will perform in Soweto on June 10th, one day before to the start of the World Cup.

Over 30,000 people are expected to attend the concert, which will also be broadcast across the world in support of the month-long tournament, which is being held in South Africa for the first time.

"We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note -- of celebration," FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said in a statement.

African groups like the Parlotones, Tinariwen, Mariam and others will also perform during the concert, which will benefit the World Cup’s 20 Centres for 2010.

The social organization is dedicated to positive change throughout Africa and is raising funds to build 20 facilities across the African continent to provide training, healthcare options and soccer instruction.

Bone Thug’s Address Bizzy Bone’s Absence From Tour

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The reunited collective of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will hit the road this month for their official reunion tour, although fans will only see four of the original members.

Krayzie, Wish, Layzie and Flesh-N-Bone will tour for the first time together in over a decade, minus original group member Bizzy Bone.

Internet rumors credited Bizzy’s absence to everything from a probation violation to a stint in rehab as potential reasons for his non-participation in the tour.

Layzie Bone told AllHipHop.com that it was simply a business decision for Bizzy Bone, who opted to remove himself from being involved with the tour, although he is prominently featured on Uni5: The World’s Enemy.

“That’s true, he has other obligations and we had a difference of opinion on how much we should get for this tour,” Layzie Bone told AllHipHop.com. “We looked at it like promo tour, he looked at it a little differently, which is cool, because his arrangement doesn’t require him to be there. He’s still a 1/5th member of Bone. We been together for 18 years now. We are all grown men, so we all have different arrangements within the Bone structure. The main thing about it, we don’t ever give up.

On March 24hth, the group is slated to launch a 34-date tour in support of their new album, which is due in stores on April 27th.

Thousands of fans who attended The Faderfort at 2010’s SXSW concert in Austin, Texas, on Saturday (March 20) caught a glimpse of the reunion, when Krayzie, Wish and Layzie performed an energetic set.

Flesh-N-Bone, who served almost 10 years in prison and was released in June 2009, was also absent from the show, simply because he missed his flight.

“Flesh came home really articulate, really rehabilitated. His vocabulary is off the hook,” Layzie Bone told AllHipHop.com. “He came home polished and he got same education when he was in there. Ten years is a long time to be studying, so he came home on polish man.”

Tour dates for Bone’s official reunion tour are listed below:

March 24: Minneapolis, Minn. First Avenue
March 25: Milwaukee, Wis. Eagles
March 26: Sauget, Ill. Pop's
March 27: Chicago, Ill. Congress
March 28: Cleveland, Ohio HOB
March 29: Indianapolis, Ind. The Vogue
March 31: Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Smalls
April 1: Columbus, Ohio Newport
April 2: Buffalo, N.Y. Town Ballroom
April 3: Lancaster, Pa. The Chameleon
April 5: Boston, Mass. Middle East
April 6: New York, N.Y. Irving Plaza
April 7: State College, Pa. Mezzanine
April 8: Baltimore, Md. Rams Head Live
April 9: Wilmington N.C. The Rox
April 10: Charlotte, N.C. Amos Southend
April 11: Charleston, S.C. The Music Farm
April 13: Athens, Ga. 40 Watt Club
April 14: Atlanta, Ga. Masquerade
April 15: Orlando, Fla. Firestone
April 16: Los Angeles, Calif. Gibson Amphitheatre
April 20: New Orleans, La. HOB
April 21: Dallas, Texas HOB
April 22: Houston, Texas HOB
April 23: San Antonio, Texas Scoutbar
April 24: Austin, Texas Emo's
April 26: Tulsa, Okla. Cain's Ballroom
April 27: Colombia, Mo. The Blue Note
April 28: Council Bluffs, Iowa Harrah's
April 29: Kansas City, Kan. Harrah's
April 30: Denver, Colo. Gothic Theatre (Englewood)
May 1: Albuquerque, N.M. Sunshine Theatre
May 2: Phoenix, Ariz. Celebrity Theatre
May 3: Tuscon, Ariz. Rialto Theatre

Eminen to release new album:Relapse

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Rating: 7 / 10

Four years after his retirement, album number five is finally here. Cutting through what is likely to be the biggest major-label marketing hype-blitz of the year, it's time to simply check out the music - and see if Eminem's return was really worth the wait.

Let's start by getting our check-list out. Copious alcohol and drug taking... Uber-violence... Sex rhymes... Homophobia... Comedic punchlines... Strained-vocal sung hooks... Personal and business life laid bare... Dr. Dre beats...? Yes, all present and correct. But, most importantly, do we still get some of that awesome quickfire lyricism that had the Detroit firestarter's name suddenly uttered in the same sentence as some of the culture's greatest a decade ago? Yep, we sure do.

What we have here, as you'd expect from the above - and as predicted in previous HIPHOP.COM single reviews - is everything that you'd expect from another Em album. The only oddity is the slightly different vocal cadence we hear on a few tracks, including his verses on singles 3am and Crack a Bottle. 3am is, in fact, perhaps the tightest set of lyrics we get from Marshall on this new set - his horrorcore verses really do have you reaching for the rewind button to analyse exactly how much he's packed into each line, let alone each sentence. To say he's painting a picture with his rhymes is only highlighted further by the accompanying noir slasher/psycho video; this is storytelling on a level we just don't hear very often any more.

Of a similar high quality is Same Song and Dance, a dark serial-killer tale of various lapdancers, celebrities and other rehab-frequenting "victims" that fall into Em's trap. Other high points on the album include Bagpipes from Baghdad, with a middle eastern vibe underpinning a neck-snapping beat and some solid lyricism (ignoring the Nick Cannon-baiting references to Mariah); and another horror-fest, Stay Wide Awake, with the slick opening line (and perhaps nod to EPMD's classic Headbanger), "Soon as my flow starts/I compose art like the ghost of Mozart."

However: if, like this reviewer, you'd been underwhelmed by the two official lead singles - Crack a Bottle with Dre and Fiddy (which admittedly grew after a few listens, but ultimately doesn't live up to the sum of its superstar parts), and the utterly wack We Made You - this album still does have a handful of lows. There's the alternative-leaning Beautiful, with its mournful rock guitar backdrop and supposedly heart-wrenching sung chorus, and the part on My Mum where we hear Slim screeching: "My mum is on valium and lots of drugs/That's why I'm on what I'm on." And during Insane we're subjected to more skeletons in his closet and get to listen to explicit descriptions of how he was treated by his stepfather (we're talking gay rape attempts). Similar ground has been trodden before, and as a result it barely raises eyebrows. Whether this makes him consistent or just a one-trick pony is certainly debateable, but his millions of global fans love the maniac caricature with the chainsaw, so they'll be sure to love this too - and they'll lap up all the more eagerly those Christopher Reeve jokes on Medicine Ball once they hear they're so below-the-belt that even his manager, Paul Rosenberg, is on record as questioning if he's gone too far. Another disappointing cut is Old Time's Sake, where Dre's formulaic beat and pedestrian flow slightly - but only slightly(!) - dampens expectations for Detox.

All in all, you get the feeling that coming out of his temporary rap retirement was as much therapy for Shady (he clearly still had some things to get off his rehabilitated chest) as it was to appease his fans or the paymasters at his powerhouse label. Thankfully for us, Em hasn't let himself or them down. Relapse is another worthy addition to his catalogue, but it's an album that seems devoid of any standout classics or attempts at breaking new ground.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Waka Flocka Released, Spring Bling, Lil Romeo

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Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka Flames has been released from the Houston County Jail yesterday (March 18), after being arrested for violating his probation. Sources told AllHipHop.com that the rapper was originally arrested Tuesday evening (March 16) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for smoking marijuana before a show. Waka Flocka, born Juaquin Malphurs, is an artist on Gucci Mane’s So Icey record label. He is riding the success of his single “O Let’s Do It” which is #1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart. The remix also features Bad Boy Entertainment CEO Sean “Diddy” Combs. Read AllHipHop.com’s full Q&A with Wack Flocka.

Soulja Boy, Yo Gotti, Lloyd Banks, Juelz Santana and Nicki Minaj are among the rappers attending BET’s annual Spring Bling event in Riveria Beach, Florida. Spring Bling will feature the “Beach Towel Throwdown,” “My King, My Queen” contest, a “Who Got Game?” dating show and performances by Trey Songz, Trina, Plies, Roscoe Dash, Tocarra, Terrence J. and Rocsi. BET’s Spring Bling takes place on April 10 from 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM.

Lil Romeo has signed a deal with Outside The Box Vision to produce a new animated movie video and comic book series titled RESQ3. While details about the projects were not immediately available, the deal furthers Outside The Box’s goals of tapping into the virtual world targeting kids and adults with cutting edge 3D technology. “What makes us different is that we create product for the consumer, making a conscience effort to mix in the usual fun and excitement with a sense of wonder,” Outside The Box Vision’s CEO Olatokunbo Betiku said.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

UPDATE:Waka Flocka Flame Speaks On Fight with Young Jeezy Artist

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The public truce brokered last December between Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane appears to be compromised following a violent altercation between their affiliates in downtown Atlanta yesterday (March 4).
The brawl began around 4PM outside of the Walter’s Clothing Store in downtown Atlanta, ironically the location where Jeezy and Gucci Mane first met several years ago.
According to Patrick Morrison, an eyewitness and Walter’s Clothing employee, the animosity was renewed when Flocka’s entourage entered the store and came face to face with Slick Pulla and other Young Jeezy affiliates.
“They just started going at it,” Morrison told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
In the midst of the struggle, a security guard for Waka Flocka discharged his firearm, possibly as a warning to dispel the fighting.
Numerous sources allege that Flocka was attacked by Slick Pulla, an artist signed to Young Jeezy’s Corporate Thugz Entertainment label, and member of the group USDA (United Dope Boyz of America).
“Story has it that Waka Flocka and Slick Pulla have been beefing since an altercation that happened in Miami a few months ago,” explained celebrity photographer Freddy O. “Slick Pulla wanted to get it popping and that’s what he tried to do. After a tussle and fight throughout the entire Walter’s store, with customers, gunfire rang out. In the end Slick Pulla left the store while Waka was left with a bloody nose and eye.”
Patrick Morrison confirmed the assault as well, stating “whoever he (Waka Flocka) is he’s got a big swollen eye now.”
Slick Pulla was just released earlier this year from prison after serving a 2 year bid for parole violation. The terms of his release allowed him to leave the location on work release, which may now be violated if criminal charges are levied.
Thursday’s brawl marks the second Atlanta attack in three months on Waka Flocka Flame. In January, the young rapper was shot in the arm at a car wash on Old National Highway after refusing to give up his jewelry.

Flocka took his Twitter several hours ago, and offered a different version of earlier reports that he was left battered and bloody.

In his response, the Atlanta rapper made light of the conflict and boasted that he administered his own beating to his attacker.

"Shout out to shawty who ran up wit the lumps on his face that look like Martin Lawrence ...... lol," quipped Flocka, alluding to a memorable episode of the comedian's sitcom where Lawrence was humorously disfigured after a bout with boxer Tommy Hearns.

At press time, neither camps have released official statements.

Katt Williams Sued For $1 Mil Over Attack Dog; Assault

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Katt Williams is being sued by a recording studio owner who claims the comedian stiffed him on a $28,600 bill.

When the owner attempted to collect from the funny man, things got nasty.

Merion Powers filed the lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court, claiming Williams, of Detroit, used his studio to record his comedy routines.

Williams allegedly showed up to Powers’ studio in October 2009 with his “attack dog.”

Upon a verbal command from Williams, his dog pounced on a dog owned by Powers, causing an injury to the animal that required veterinary treatment.

In December, Williams asked Powers to meet him at the Four Seasons Hotel to discuss the incident.

When he arrived, he allegedly told Williams he was thinking of filing criminal charges over the dog attack.

Williams allegedly threatened to kill Powers in the hotel room, while his attack dog circled Powers snarling at the man.

One of Williams‘ bodyguards then restrained Powers from behind while Williams punched the man in the face, as the attack dog stood by, “apparently waiting for the attack signal.”

Powers seeks at least $1 million dollars in damages.

Ex-Wife Toya Talks Lil Wayne's Jail bid

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On Monday (March 8), Lil Wayne officially began a one-year prison sentence at Riker’s Island for gun possession charges. But with the sentencing being postponed several times prior (due to Wayne's dental work and then a courthouse fire), it was an emotional ordeal for both his ex-wife Antonia “Toya” Johnson and their 11-year-old daughter Reginae.
“It was up and down, you know. One minute we thought he was going and she’d be sad and then he don’t go,” Toya told VIBE over the phone from Atlanta. “We [were] in New York like two times and we ended up turning right back around because he didn’t go.”

On the day the New Orleans rapper was finally sentenced, Toya and Reginae spoke to him but weren’t at the courthouse to say goodbye.

“The last day he finally went in, we didn’t go, so my daughter was like, ‘I wish I would’ve went.’ It was just too much. I just didn’t want to let her see that again ’cause both times she took it real hard,” said Toya. “So I was like, I’m not gon’ let her go this last time. I’m just gon’ make sure he talk to her ’cause I didn’t know if he was really gonna go. They kept pushing back.”

Wayne and Toya were high school sweethearts who got married in 2004 and divorced two years later. In 2009, Toya and her friend, T.I.’s fiancĂ©e Tiny, debuted their BET reality series, Tiny & Toya, the second season of which premieres on April 13.

With Reginae so accustomed to Wayne being available, even despite his busy schedule, Toya said the time away will be difficult, but that the rapper reassured them before going in.

“He just told me to be strong and don’t really trip. Don’t let her see me down,” said Toya. “At first my daughter would see me a little sad and you know kids they react off of your feelings sometimes, so he was just like, ‘Be strong, make sure you take care of her. Make sure she straight and keep her phone on all the times so I can call her. The time is gonna fly by.’

“The whole point of him being in jail is just not good for her—to say her dad’s in jail,” Toya continued. “But at this point it is what it is, and we just gotta make the best of it. I’ma take her to visit him and talk to him and she’ll get through this eight months. It’ll fly by. I tell her all the time, 'Just call daddy and tell him you love him,' and he’ll be home soon.” —Clover Hope

Teen Arrested For Waka Flocka Concert Shooting; Also Charged With Murder

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Waka Flocka Flame Graphics & Waka Flocka Flame Pictures


A 17-year-old from Gary, Indiana faces multiple charges after being arrested in connection with a shooting after a Waka Flocka Flames concert at a local skating rink on March 5th.

Devontius Hutcherson, 17, was arrested and charged with multiple felonies for his role in the shooting last Friday.

He was also hit with murder and attempted murder charges for a separate shooting on January 19th in Miller, Indiana.

In that incident, Hutcherson allegedly shot and killed a 22-year-old and wounded the man’s cousin, after the two men refused to give Hutcherson $5 dollars to attend a rap concert.

Hutcherson then stole money and jewelry from both victims.

Police confiscated a rifle Hutcherson allegedly used in the March 5th shooting after the Waka Flocka Flames concert.

Hutcherson is being held without bail while police investigate the latest shooting and prepare to file more charges related to the incident.

Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival Set For July

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Grafity Every Were Graphics & Brooklyn Pictures

Brooklyn Bodega, producers of the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (BHF) have announced the 2010 event will take place this July.

Today (March 18), organizers announced that this year's BHF event will span an entire week, featuring panels, films, theater and independent performances by national and international Hip-Hop talent.

According to West Jackson, the executive director of the BHF, this year's event will return to the Brooklyn waterfront.

"We have been fortunate enough to host the Festival along the beautiful Brooklyn coast line since our second year [2006],” Jackson told AllHipHop.com. “When the word came down that our home, Empire Fulton Ferry State Park was being closed for renovation we began to work closely with Regina Meyer and the good people at The Brooklyn Bridge Development Corporation. I am excited that not only are we returning to the Tobacco Warehouse for our Main Day, July 10th but have also added Brooklyn Bridge Plaza and New Dock Street. This increased space will allow us to produce two separate stages as well as build a large marketplace for our vendors."

The dates for the 2010 Brooklyn hip hop Festival are July 5th- 11th, 2010.

More details and performers will be announced over the coming months.

A tentative schedule is listed below:

(MON. 7/5) Show and Prove - Showcase of independent local, national and international talent. Public Assembly, 70 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. · Bodega Education Initiative

(TUES. 7/6) - Day of panel discussions and seminars. · Hip-Hop Theater

(WED. 7/7) · Classic Hip-Hop Film Night

(THURS. 7/8) - Screening of classic Hip-Hop film "Beat Street" as well as shorts from local filmmakers. · Kickoff Party

(FRI. 7/9) - Party to formally welcome Festival goers, past and current artists and community leaders. · Performance Day

(SAT. 7/10) - Culmination of the 2010 programming. Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, New Dock Street and The Tobacco Warehouse - DUMBO, Brooklyn. · Family Day

(SUN. 7/11) - Closing BHF event is a classically, Brooklyn Block party, which focuses on improving the lives of our youth.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

LLOYD BANKS x JUELZ SANTANA "Beamer, Benz Or Bentley" NEW VIDEO

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Juelz Graphics & Juelz Santana Pictures

Lloyd Banks and Juelz Santana come together for a fun and flashy video for their hit Beamers, Benz or Bentley. The video is a video filled with girls, cars and bling in front of a very basic background, but it's still easy on the eyes. Juelz Santana makes his signature wild fun faces while Lloyd Banks is draped in women and designer names. Overall I love the video

Waka Flocka Flames Sent To Jail For Probation Violation

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Wacka Flocka And Gucci Graphics & Wacka Flocka Pictures


Atlanta rapper, Waka Flocka Flames was locked up in Georgia last night (March 16) for violating his probation.

Sources told AllHipHop.com the rapper, who is signed to incarcerated rapper Gucci Mane’s label So Icey Ent., was on probation for carrying a shotgun.

He was locked up for leaving the state around 4:00 PM yesterday, which was a violation of his probation.

Over the past weeks, Waka Flocka, born Juaquin Malphurs, has been seen in New York, in addition to a controversial appearance in Gary, Indiana, where eight teens were shot after his show at the World of Skates skating rink on March 5th.

Sources initially told AllHipHop.com the rapper was supposed to perform at a club in Virginia Beach, VA last night, but was allegedly arrested for smoking marijuana before the show, although this information has not been confirmed.

The rapper is best known for his current hit single "O Let's Do It" is due in court this month and will remain incarcerated until his hearing.

T.I. Accused Of Illegally Using AKOO Name For Clothing Line

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TI Graphics & Ti Pics Pictures


Rapper T.I. could end up in court again to defend himself against trademark allegations levied against his Akoo Clothing line.

Akoo International bills itself as the world’s largest social music television network. The company filed a complaint against T.I. and Akoo in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, claiming trademark infringement.

According to the lawsuit, Akoo International has held the trademark for “Akoo” for years.

The federally registered trademark is sued by Akoo International, which delivers video programming to over 86 million monthly customers, via the Internet, shopping malls and universities in over 30 states.

Akoo International’s technology allows viewers to interact with programming on large screen, networked HDTV’s, using their mobile phones.

"Akoo has been recognized as a leading social TV platform for connecting brand advertisers with millions of our engaged viewers," said Akoo CEO Niko Drakoulis. "Our primary obligation and goal is to prevent confusion among our consumers, which is among the most basic objectives of trademark law. At the same time, Akoo has invested nearly a decade of effort and substantial capital to deploy its network and will do everything in its power to protect its brand."

Akoo International claims T.I.’s use of the name Akoo has mislead, deceived and confused consumers and potential clients.

The company also took action to defend their Akoo trademark when T.I.’s clothing line ran a controversial billboard advertisement in Newark, NJ, which was condemned by residents, as well as Mayor Cory Booker.

Court Issues Bench Warant on Lil Wayne for 2008 Case

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Lil Wayne Graphics & Lil Wayne Pictures


Despite currently serving a 1 year jail sentence in New York, Lil Wayne has been hit with a bench warrant for failing to appear in Arizona to face drug and weapon charges.

The warrant was issued by Superior Court Judge Mark Wayne Reeves this morning due to the superstar rapper not appearing for the court’s final trial management conference.

Wayne had previously pleaded not guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia, misconduct with weapons, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, and possession of dangerous drugs.

The case stems from a 2008 arrest when authorities claimed to have found cocaine, ecstasy, and a handgun on Wayne’s tour bus during a routine border check.

Wayne’s attorney James Tilson attempted to have the proposed March trial date delayed for the next 12 months, arguing there’s no feasible way his client can attend while incarcerated in another state.

"Mr. Carter is being detained involuntarily in another jurisdiction,” Tilson told the Yuma Sun. “It does not appear that a trial will be occurring anytime within the next 8 to 12 months.”

Lil Wayne is currently in protective custody to serve out his 1 year sentence in New York City for a guilty plea on attempted criminal possession of a weapon (.40 caliber semi-automatic pistol).

He is eligible for release in 8 months due to good behavior. If Wayne were free, the bench warrant would allow authorities to apprehend and bring him back to the issuing court to face any outstanding charges.

At press time, the prosecutor’s office in Yuma County has raised Lil Wayne’s bond from $10,000 to $150,000.

A new trial date has not been decided.

Gucci Mane Preps 'Burrprint 2'; New Album 'The Appeal' Due In Summer

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Gucci Mane Graphics & Gucci Mane Pictures



Incarcerated rapper Gucci Mane continues to release music despite being locked up in the Fulton County Jail for a year.

Gucci and DJ Holiday will release all-new material titled The Burrprint 2, a 24-track mixtape that features appearances by Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled Jim Jones, Yo Gotti, Lil’ Kim Trey Songz, Waka Flocka Flames, OJ Da Juice Man and others.

"Many of my fans know me from the massive amounts of mixtapes I’ve released over the years," Gucci Mane told AllHipHop.com in a statement released today (March 17). “The Burrprint 2 mixtape is just something I wanted to put out there as a thank you for all those who have stuck by me through my incarceration, all those who have written letters, this is for you… I will be home soon," Gucci Mane promised.

The Burrprint 2 was recorded prior to Gucci’s year-long bid for violating his probation, while the opening song on the album “Live From Fulton County Jail,” was recorded over the phone during his incarceration.

“Gucci called me from Fulton County and told me to start recording,” DJ Holiday told AllHipHop.com. “He busted a hot verse right there on the phone and that’s what you hear on the record, with the 1-minute automated warning and all, ‘you have one minute remaining’, it’s so real.”

Gucci Mane is already planning the follow-up to his hit album The State Vs. Radric Davis, with a new album titled The Appeal, which is slated to land in stores this Summer

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

DMX Sentenced To Six Months; Could Be Released To Rehab

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DMX Graphics & Dmx Pictures

Rapper DMX appeared in a Phoenix, Arizona courtroom today (March 16) to face charges that he violated his probation last week, by using cocaine.

DMX, 39, was sentenced to six months in prison for failing a drug test last June according to prosecutor. He was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.

The troubled rapper could be released in as little as six months, since he's already been accepted by Dr. Drew Pinsky's Pasadena Recovery Center, although he's not expected to be featured on the show.

DMX has been held without bond in the 4th Avenue jail since last Tuesday (March 9), after he was arrested by probate officers for regularly using the drug over the past nine months.

Simmons had been isolated from other inmates since being incarcerated in a Phoenix jail overseen by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who bills himself the toughest sheriff in America.

Arpaio called for DMX to serve time in prison, because the rapper has been arrested five times in Arizona, on charges ranging from drug possession and identity theft to animal cruelty.

“Rappers seem to go to jail quite frequently,” Arpaio stated. “Why is he treated different, because he's DMX and made some movies? If he stays in the jail long enough I'll decide whether or not to put him in the drug prevention education program."

The rapper spent 90 days in Arpaio’s Phoenix based "Tent City" prison, where inmates are forced to wear pink-stripped prison outfits.

Arpaio himself is under intense scrutiny and faces at least a dozen civil lawsuits for abusing his power against citizens, Hispanics and even Superior Court judges in the state.

Video: MSN Gossip Editor 'Feared For His Life' During 50 Bodyguard Attack

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50 Cent Graphics & 50 Cent Pictures


The editor-in-chief for MSN’s Star Lounge was one of the men allegedly assaulted by a member of 50 Cent’s security team in Copenhagen.

Nikoloj Vraa was one of six members of the press waiting for 50 Cent outside of his hotel room at the Skt. Petri Hotel when an angry bodyguard attacked Vraa and a photographer.

Vraa, who helps run the popular gossip/celebrity news website, said he feared for his life during the attack, which took place as 50 Cent left his hotel to perform in Copenhagen.

"One of 50 Cent's bodyguards came out and told us to leave," Vraar told RadarOnline.com "The next thing I knew, he grabs my throat and tried to strangle me. He cut off my airway, and I couldn't breathe. He took my camera and deleted photos.”

Police were called to the scene, where the bodyguard was immediately arrested. He could be charged with assault, making threats and robbery.

According to Vraar, one of the bodyguards told him that Danish law did not apply to them, because they were “Americans.”

At press time, representatives for 50 Cent have not released a statement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwx0BpNbtys

Lil Wayne's 'Rebirth' Strikes Gold

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Lil Wayne Graphics & Lil Wayne Pictures


Lil Wayne’s seventh studio album Rebirth has officially been certified Gold (500,000 copies) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Despite numerous delays, the album managed to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Rap Album chart upon its release in February.

“I have evolved both lyrically and musically as an artist and I want everyone to hear my growing pains," Lil Wayne said of the album, which he labeled his “best work yet."

The latest singles from Rebirth are “Drop the World” featuring Universal label mate Eminem and “Knock Out” featuring his Young Money artist, Nicki Minaj.

Lil Wayne is currently serving a year-long prison sentence on Rikers Island, for attempted possession of a weapon in New York.

French Montana Lands Lady Gaga For 'Excuse My French'

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French Montana Graphics & French Montana Pictures


Konvict artist French Montana will receive a boost from his Konvict label mate Lady Gaga, the rapper revealed to AllHipHop.com.

The Moroccan-born, South Bronx raised rapper, who released the popular Cocaine City DVD series, has been signed to Akon’s Konvict imprint since 2009.

French Montana met up with Lady Gaga during her headline grabbing New Year’s Eve party at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, which he attended with label boss, Akon.

The pair hit it off and the result was an official collaboration for his album.

“That’s going to be one of the singles, you know,” French Montana told AllHipHop.com. “I mean you talking about Gaga, you talking about a mil and a half a show. Like, that’s other kind of money. Gaga’s that new. Gaga’s that other money, you know, like you can’t compare her to nobody. You talk about Madonna this and that, like, Gaga’s that new talent.”

French Montana recently released a new single with UGK co-founder Bun B. titled “Bad Habits,” which is taken from his upcoming Mac & Cheese Part 2 mixtape with DJ Drama.

The collaboration with pop superstar lady Gaga will be on his debut album for Konvict titled Excuse My French.

“That’s gonna be out real soon in summer, probably late summer it’s supposed to be dropping. We gonna keep cleaning the streets, man, give them what they need,” French Montana told AllHipHop.com.

Floyd Mayweather Speaks On The Beef He Had With Rick Ross

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Floyd Mayweather Graphics & Floyd Mayweather Pictures
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Rick Ross Graphics & Rick Ross Pictures


Floyd Mayweather recollects how the beef with Rick Ross started and ended, he says Rick Ross fell back during their Vegas confrontation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dKDXS8CPA4

Saturday, March 13, 2010

juelz santana april 2nd