Controversial rapper 50 Cent was left red-faced at the B.E.T. Awards on Tuesday night- after fans spotted him lip-syncing to his new single on stage.
Sources say the rapper was caught out when he mimed the lyrics to Amusement Park over an instrumental version of the track mistakenly played by his DJ Whoo Kidd.
One eagle-eyed audience member who spotted the split-second gaffe, says, “The whole thing was so embarrassing. To get caught like that in front of millions of people is almost unimaginable.” 50 Cent then prowled the stage waiting for the right song to cue - leaving many fans puzzled as to what was going on on stage.
Another fan says, “No one in the audience really knew what was going on. It just seemed like he cut the performance short… But now that I know he was lip-syncing, I think it’s hilarious.”
LOS ANGELES - Eve must wear an alcohol-detecting ankle bracelet for 45 days after pleading no contest Thursday to driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit.
The rapper-actress was not in Superior Court when her attorney entered the plea to a single misdemeanor count. Under the plea agreement, a second count of driving under the influence was dropped.
An e-mail to her publicist, Amanda Silverman, was not immediately returned.
Eve, whose real name is Eve Jihan Jeffers, was arrested early April 26 after her gold Maserati struck a center median on Hollywood Boulevard.
Eve had faced a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. After her plea, she was sentenced to 36 months of probation and a $390 fine. With fees and restitution for repairs to the median, her bill could top $1,400.
Also, besides having to wear the monitoring device, she has to attend 10 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and a three-month alcohol education program for first-time offenders.
She must appear personally in court on July 20 to show proof that she has enrolled in the alcohol program and is hooked up to the monitor, said Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the city attorney's office.
If the monitor shows Eve had alcohol during the 45-day monitoring period, that period will start over again. If she tests positive a second time, she will serve 10 days in county jail, Mateljan said.
"This was handled like any other of our DUI cases," Mateljan said. "This was an appropriate sentence, we believe, for the facts of this case."
Eve, a protege of gangsta rap trailblazer Dr. Dre, has released several solo albums and won a Grammy in 2001 for the single "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" with Gwen Stefani.
Her movie credits include "Barbershop," and she once had her own self-titled sitcom.
(This version CORRECTS Eve's full name, should be Eve Jihan Jeffers.)
The 40/40 Sports Bar in midtown Manhattan was hit with a federal lawsuit by BMI for allegedly failing to pay millions in royalties. The New York Post reports that music publishers representing Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, Kanye West, and others filed the lawsuit after 40/40 failed to license the music it uses to entertain bar patrons.
According to the lawsuit, the club and its owners are guilty of "unauthorized public performance of musical compositions." Jay-Z wasn't named in the lawsuit but his business partners, Desiree Gonzalez and Juan Perez, who handle the day-to-day operations of the bar, were.
A BMI researcher visited the night spot twice in March of 2006 and discovered that the music was being used without the appropriate licensing. BMI is seeking unspecified damages for copyright infringement.
40/40's lawyer, Michael Shen, had no comment as he hadn't receive the legal documents relative to the lawsuit yet.
Ludacris' Manager Issues Statement About Fight With T.I.
By: Yves Erwin Salomon
Ludacris'manager Chaka Zulu was involved in an altercation with rapper T.I. during a special luncheon in honor of Warner music executive Kevin Liles. According to published reports, T.I. punched Chaka Zulu in the face and a physical confrontation erupted at the event. Zulu issued the following statement in regard to the incident. He said, "It's a shame that things like this continue to happen especially with the backdrop of an event that was about benevolence and charitable works. I'm thankful that all issues have been resolved."
The beef between T.I. and Zulu stems from a longstanding rivalry between T.I. and Ludacris. The two men have dissed each other on records and recently T.I. publicly stated that he believes he should have won the album of the year Grammy for King. Ludacris took home the award earlier this year for his album, Release Therapy.
Rapper Lil Wayne has signed on to star in his own online reality show titled, Making the Next Hit! With Lil Wayne. Billboard.com reports that the rapper will travel to 27 cities in search of new producers, models, singers, comedians and rappers. The show will be hosted by veteran rapper Busy Bee and producer Pit, who crafted "Party Like A Rockstar" for the Shop Boyz.
The new reality show will air via the new web channel theNext.TV beginning in January.
David Swagga, a spokesman for theNext.TV, said, "We've created a TV and radio online program. We'll air 27 hour-long episodes because we'll be taping the talent searches in 27 cities."
The show's producer, Noel Rodriguez, added, "This is our channel's first show and we're using Lil Wayne's popularity to create a buzz. We'll begin airing the show online in January and it will culminate in a celebrity bash held in Miami."
Auditions are scheduled to begin on August 12th in Philadelphia.
Once a winner is selected, Cash Money Records has the first right of refusal.
Public Enemy hype man and reality show star Flavor Flav has been doing quite well for himself lately and now some unfinished business from his past may cost the rapper $1.8 million. The New York Post reports that Judge Dianne Renwick has ordered Flav, whose real name is William Drayton, to pay a plaintiff interest on a decade-old civil suit judgment of $850,000 which brings the grand total to $1.8 million.
Flavor Flav allegedly shot at Thelouizs English during an altercation at his Bronx apartment building, the Executive Towers, in 1993. The rapper was charged with attempted murder but he was eventually convicted of criminal possession of a weapon in 1995. Flav was sentenced to two months behind bars and three years probation.
In 1996, English filed suit against Flavor Flav but, according to Flav, he was never served notice. English maintains that a process server left the documents with Flav's doorman. In 1997, the plaintiff was awarded a default judgment of $850,000 ($350,000 in compensatory damages and $500,000 in punitive damages) for civil assault and battery.
Flavor Flav team believes the figure with interest should be closer to $1.4 million but the rapper's legal team plans to file an appeal because Judge Renwick is married to Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson who tried the rapper for the shooting several years ago. The rapper's lawyer, Charles Johnson, said, "Her actions were retaliatory because her husband lost a series of cases to Flav."
In related news, Flavor Flav will be roasted on Comedy Central on August 12th at 10 p.m.
Rapper and actor T.I. has openly shared that he can be a different person when his alter ego T.I.P. comes to the forefront. That may have been what happened on Sunday (June 24th), at a luncheon for Warner Music executive Kevin Liles in Los Angeles. MTV.com reports that Ludacris and his manager, Chaka Zulu, showed up three hours into the event, which was called Make It Happen after Liles'successful book. Shortly thereafter, T.I. allegedly punched Zulu in the face and the two got into a shoving match.
The event was also attended by Holly Robinson Peete, who was the guest of honor, Yung Joc, Musiq, Twista, Brandy, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth and Omar Epps.
This isn't the first time that the two camps have been at odds. In 2004, the beef between the two men almost came to a head when T.I. dissed Ludacris on Young Buck's "Stomp," from his platinum selling debut, Straight Outta Cashville. Buck later played the song for Ludacris, who added a verse dissing T.I. to the song. Unfortunately T.I. was later replaced by the Game on the final version of the song.
Following that incident, T.I. said the beef wasn't that deep. He said: "Me and Cris cool. We talked on the phone. You know we sat down, you know, aired it out, you know what I'm sayin'? I expressed my concerns. He expressed his concerns and we just kinda came to the agreement that it wasn't really worth it."
T.I. added: "Nobody posed a threat to the other's health or well-being, so it wasn't really no reason to be going back and forth on records or mugging each other in the club. So we're cool now. You know we plan on working together in the future."
The latest dust-up may have something to do with T.I.'s new song, "You Know What It Is" featuring Wyclef Jean, from his forthcoming album, T.I. v T.I.P., which hits stores on July 3rd. On the song, T.I. raps "had the album of the year, Grammy or not."
Dr. Benjamin Chavis Takes H3's Mission of Economic Development to BET Awards in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA, Jun 26, 2007 (Pink Sheets News Service) — MARKET WIRE)--Jun 26, 2007 -- H3's CEO and President Continues to Make HipHopSodaShop Presentations to Hip-Hop's Brightest Stars From Coast to Coast
H3 Enterprises, Inc. (Other OTC:HTRE.PK - News) newly named CEO and President Dr. Benjamin Chavis landed in Los Angeles today to attend the BET Awards and to spread H3's message of Empowerment through Investment.
"The West Coast and Los Angeles in particular are vital regions for the expansion of our HipHopSodaShops," stated Chavis. "All of the leading icons, multiplatinum selling artists, and recording industry executives will be here at the BET Awards and this is an excellent opportunity for H3 to generate widespread industry support for our efforts to promote the economic development of communities across America and throughout the world."
H3's Chavis concluded, "We are taking the investment opportunities on Wall Street quite seriously and we are focused like a laser to weld together the best business development practices with the best of Hip-Hop's entrepreneurial trend setting commitments."
Rapper 50 Cent was in a Long Island courtroom on Friday (June 22nd) to continue his ongoing child support case with Shaniqua Tompkins, the mother of his 10-year-old son, Marquise Jackson. The Associated Press reports that Tompkins is battling for an increase in the $25,000 a month the rapper currently pays in child support and household expenses. Her lawyer, Raoul Felder, said, the rapper is "worth tens and tens of millions of dollars."
50 Cent's lawyer, Brett Kimmel, described Tompkins as insatiable. He said, "Her demands keep escalating."
50 Cent and Tompkins will continue closed door meetings this week at the courthouse to resolve the issue.
According to Forbes.com, 50 Cent made over $33 million from his various businesses last year.
Marion "Suge" Knight's 8,272 square foot Malibu mansion was recently put up for sale for $6.2 million. The Associated Press reports that seven-bed, nine-bath home is on the market because Knight filed for bankruptcy protection last year to avoid a personal $107 million judgment. His record label, Death Row Records, was also placed in receivership by a federal judge.
The $107 million judgment against Knight stems from a lawsuit brought by Lydia Harris, the ex-wife of convicted drug kingpin Michael "Harry O" Harris. Michael Harris allegedly provided $1.5 million in start-up cash for Death Row Records but was cheated out of his share of the label by Knight. Lydia Harris filed suit against Knight and in March 2005 a judge ordered Knight to pay her $107 million after ruling that Harris was entitled to half of the mogul's Death Row Records empire.
In related news, Knight is currently working on a reality show, titled Unfinished Business, and he continues to live lavishly. The mogul, who was interviewed at five star Beverly Hills hotel with his assistant and a personal Brazilian masseuse, explained how he was able to maintain his lifestyle to the Washington Post. He said, "Y'know, I'm a guy that did Chapter 11. I haven't been working, so people feel sorry for me."
Knight also finally opened up about the night in September 1996 when Tupac Shakur was shot while riding in his car. Knight said that Shakur was joking on his way to the hospital. According to Knight, Shakur, who had been shot in the chest and upper body, said, "Me? I mighta got shot here and I can feel it.....And I mighta got shot here and I can feel it. But you're bleeding out of your (expletive) head."
Knight's skull was grazed by a bullet and he made a complete recovery. Shakur died from his wounds six days later.
Ex-man reportedly gets friends to rob her of purse, cash and plastic; she denies it ever happened. (June 25, 2007)Email to a friend | Print Friendly *Police in Brooklyn say four women teamed up to mug rapper Foxy Brown early Saturday morning, but the artist swears that the robbery never took place.
According to the Associated Press, authorities have arrested 23-year-old Roshawn Anthony, described in reports as a stripper, and charged her with assault in connection with the robbery of a Louis Vuitton bag, $500 in cash and credit cards from Foxy early Saturday.
The suspects are rumored to be the female friends of her newly-dumped boyfriend, which may explain why Brown told reporters that no such robbery ever happened, and that she hadn't been at the location police gave, near a public housing complex.
"A lot of the time, people mistake me for someone else, or people always call in these false tips," Brown told the newspaper outside her Brooklyn brownstone Saturday. But according to an updated report from the Daily News, it was Brown who pointed out Anthony to police as her attacker before suddenly refusing to cooperate with authorities.
Anthony, Brown and her unidentified boyfriend had just attended a party at the Louis H. Pink Houses, the paper reported. Brown and her boyfriend ended up in his car at 5:30 a.m. in the East New York section of Brooklyn when she decided to dump him after finding out he was a pimp with a criminal record, sources said.
“This ex-boyfriend called some of his women, and they pounced on her,” a police source told the newspaper. “They beat her bad. They ripped out her hair weave. Her hair was a mess - and that seems to be what she cared about most."
Sources said the women also took off with her hearing aid. Police continue to search for the three others in connection with the assault, as well as Brown's ex-boyfriend.
Brown, 27, is currently on probation for assault, and faces a battery charge in a separate case.
Rapper 50 Cent has landed a role in Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino's forthcoming movie, Righteous Kill. New York's Daily News reports that 50 Cent will play a drug dealer in the movie, which isn't a stretch for the rapper who began dealing drugs on the streets of Jamaica, Queens at the age of 12. Shooting is scheduled to begin on August 6th in Connecticut. The movie is expected to hit theaters in 2008.
50 Cent has already signed on to star in another movie with Robert DeNiro, titled New Orleans, in which both he and DeNiro will play cops.
The rapper is also set to co-star opposite Nicholas Cage in the boxing movie, The Dance. The boxing film will be based on the life of Billy "The Kid" Roth, a former champion who spent almost 45 years as a volunteer boxing coach and father figure in Louisiana's state prison system. Cage will play Roth, while 50 Cent will play a boxer who is serving a life sentence.
In related news, 50 Cent's new album, Curtis, will hit stores in September. The first single from the project was "Straight To The Bank." 50 Cent explained how the song fit into the overall theme of the new album. He said: "Overall the concept was for me to make the record human. You know so I wanted to put human emotions on the record at different periods cause people might enjoy that music while they're in that actual space or mind frame. So the first song I released was 'Straight To The Bank,' and it embodied laughter and joy."
Producer-turned-rapper Swizz Beatz was initially scheduled to release his album, One Man Band Man, this spring but the set has since been pushed back to August 21st. The producer is finding it hard to stop recording because more and more of his peers have approached him about getting on the album.
Swizz Beatz told MTV.com, "I wrap up every week on my album. It's just not over till it's over. Every week my album gets more and more crazier. I started my project saying, 'I don't want no (guests) on my project.'The reason I said that is because I didn't want to beg anybody for anything. Now with my songs out, I'm getting approached from people I respect. People I thought was too busy to work on the album, they giving me stuff. ... Do I tell these people no? Now I'm just regrouping and trying to make the right decisions because there are a lot of people who liked the idea of me not doing a lot of (collaborations) on my album. I want to stick to that but still finesse it with the people that's coming in. I got a real supportive team with my fellow producers and artists."
Swizz Beatz recently added a verse from E-40 to the album and he still working in a T.I. guest spot. He explained, "The list goes on and on. It just has to make sense. I was thinking about putting E-40 on (the remix) to 'Money in the Bank'since the beat got the Bay Area movement to it. E-40 be snapping too. I like E-40."
Swizz also wanted to explain that he doesn't see himself as a rapper. He said, "My album is coming in August because I felt a lot of people get caught in the hype of the hot songs that's out for the moment. I'm not considered a rapper yet. Me, I call myself an entertainer. Rappers are Nas, Hov, Jadakiss, Cassidy. I'm just being an entertainer, saying what I feel, doing what I like and being creative. I felt the people need to hear me on more than one hit. 'He got the joint for the club, the cool joints, the vibe joints.'I didn't even get to the Coldplay joint (the group appears on the LP) or to where I'm really talking crazy."
The album will feature guest appearances by Cassidy, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, DMX, Coldplay, Kanye West, Nas, Ciara, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Swizz Beatz's wife, R&B singer Mashonda.
Beatz recently released "Money In The Bank" as the follow-up to his lead single, "It's Me Snitches."
Though speculation about the incident has died down, Akon is still wanted for questioning regarding a fan-tossing incident. Police in Fishkill, New York say they are still investigating Akon's stage-tossing of a 15-year-old boy at the June 3rd KFEST concert, though no charges have been filed. "We're just continuing the investigation," said Fishkill Detective Lt. John Berlingieri.
Cell phone video footage of the incident showed that Akon, apparently responding to an item thrown at the stage, had security bring the perpetrator on stage. Akon immediately hoisted him overhead and tossed him down into the crowd.
While the young man has not filed any complaints or been treated for injuries, a 26-year-old Delaware woman said she suffered a concussion when the teen landed on her.
Akon wraps up his national tour with two shows at the Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine, California this weekend (June 22nd and 23rd).
CHUBB ROCK & WORDSMITH SET TO RELEASE "BRIDGING THE GAP" ALBUM ON OCTOBER 30th, 2007
The legendary "Chubb Rock" & up and coming artist "Wordsmith" have teamed up to release an album called "Bridging the Gap." The project will fuse the old school Hip-Hop of the 90's with the new school Hip-Hop of today. Everything from Jazz, Blues, Step Music, Underground Hip-Hop, and Mainstream singles will accompany this album. Chubb and Word even have a two part story called "Chocolate City" that is similar to R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" series. The production is being handled by Professa, Strada, Capish, DeMo, & Street Level of Wordsmith's Nu Revolution Camp with outside production from One Condition and Daren Joseph. Mr. Joseph produced Juelz Santana's biggest hit "The Whistle Song" last year, so everyone involved in the project is excited about its possibilities in the market. Chubb and Word are 10 tracks into the project and they will officially complete the album in the next two weeks. Before I continue, I would like to give you a little info on Chubb Rock & Wordsmith individually as they both are very talented.
Chubb Rock is regarded as one of the East Coast's most dexterous rappers and his stage name fits his ample height and girth ("6 foot 4 and maybe a quarter of an inch bigger/than last year but still a unique figure" - from "Treat 'Em Right"). He often evokes images of a Hip-Hop Barry White since their duet on Chubb's "And the Winner Is" album. Born May 28, 1968 in Jamaica, Chubb Rock released several commercially successful hip hop albums dating back to 1988. His 1991 release, "The One," reached number 13 on Billboard's "Top Hip-Hop/R&B" chart in '91. Three singles from that release made it to number 1 on Billboard's "Top Rap Single" chart as well. The following year Chubb released "I Gotta Get Mine Yo," which featured guest appearances from Grand Puba (Brand Nubian), Maxwell, Poke, and Rob Swinga. This was the album that helped push up and coming music producers Trakmasterz to prominence, as they handled the bulk of the production duties on the album. Fast Forward to 1995 and you would of caught Chubb Rock rocking with O.C. and Jeru tha Damaja as an re-incarnation of the Crooklyn Dodgers. Overall, Chubb is widely known for his hit singles "Ya Bad Chubbs," "Treat 'Em Right" and "Just the Two of Us."
The Chubb Rock of today is still musically motivated to prove he still has a place in the rap game. In May of 2007 Chubb Rock released the lead single, "Ole' Flava" from his impending new album and it is currently in heavy rotation on Steve Harvey's Morning Show, The Michael Baisden Show, and XM Satellite Radio's "The City" for starters. Chubb recently did a few songs for an upcoming movie called "Seventy Five" It is produced by Magic Johnson and scored by Wyclef Jean. The soundtrack and movie should be released in August. Still, even with Chubb doing some promotion on his new album, he has taken up and coming artist Wordsmith underneath his wings for an even bigger project. I truly believe Chubb sees the future of Hip-Hop in Wordsmith, so it was a logical choice for the two to do an album.
Wordsmith can claim many areas around the globe as his home. The son of a former Full Colonel in the Army, he has resided in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Delaware, Texas, Kansas and even Germany to name a few. After moving around so much, Word found rap as an outlet when he started saving his lunch money each week throughout high school to buy classic tapes from Redman, Big L, Nas, Eric B. and Rakim, Jeru the Damaja, A tribe called Quest, Da Bush Babees, Krs One, Gangstarr, Das Efx, Public Enemy, Ice Cube, and his cousin Roc Marciano. Though, Wordsmith is a versatile MC, he is also a theater trained actor graduating with a bachelor's degree in Theater Arts from Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland. Performing in plays like "All my Sons" and the Musical "1776," Word was able to translate his acting skills to his music and live shows. He refers to his stage shows as "Hip-Hop Plays" and his dream is to put together elaborate shows with scenery changes, props, and stunning movements. As the years go by, look for Wordsmith to explore his artistic side in music and acting equally. However, as he always says "I'll do one thing at a time to make sure each craft exhibits quality and gets the attention it deserves.
In Present day, Word was preparing the release of his newest Mix Album, "The Next Level Series" Volume 1. It is hosted by the number one radio personality in Baltimore, Konan. His growth as an artist has been very evident as he secured debuts of his lead single, "Mami Chula" featuring Universal Republic Recording Artist Rob G., on the number one urban stations in Canada, 103.7 FM, The Monster and Japans, Joint One Radio 76.1 FM on the same day. Germany's number one station 107.1 FM debuted "Mami Chula" next, while it finally debuted in the US on Rhode Island's Latina 100.3 FM and Charlottesville's 92.7 Kiss FM two months ago. Chubb Rock and Wordsmith's first track together, "Block Party Bonanza," made debuts on Japan's 76.1 FM and Comcast Cables Music Choice. Wordsmith continued his work with Comcast by doing a live performance for Comcast/Adelphia Cables "Backstage Pass Show" in January of 2007. Recently, Wordsmith struck a deal with DJ Pauly D of XM Satellite Radio "The City" to do weekly Freestyles and he will be accompanying Chubb Rock on the soundtrack for the film "Seventy Five." The only thing left to do was set up some shows for Chubb Rock and Wordsmith to perform at and that's exactly what Word set out to do.
50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, & Others Targeted By Chicago Church Billboards
By: Janine Coveney
50 Cent, the G-Unit, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Nelly, Fat Joe and Twista are some of the artists featured on billboards throughout Chicago which urge people to "Stop Listening to Trash." MTV.com reports that the billboards were posted by a local church, Faith Community of St. Sabina.
The church's leader Reverend Michael Pfleger said in a released statement, "If we are going to end the violence and disrespect of women, we must fight every form of negativity, including the music industry."
In related news, 50 Cent will release his new album, Curtis, in September. He shared that this album was very personal. The rapper said: "Actually the album for me is a little more personal than the last two records. I mean I used portions of my own experience to create the material that I put on the records. But this album has got a child's innocence to it on some levels like I wrote from a perspective that was earlier in my life than I did during Get Rich Or Die Tryin'."
The first single from the project was "Straight To The Bank," and 50 Cent followed that with "Amusement Park." He explained that "Amusement Park" is a more sexual song. He said: "The following record from there I released was 'Amusement Park.'It was a more sexual record. You know it's a task for me to create material that is sexual from a male perspective that isn't obscene or explicit on some level. You know it's difficult for you to make reference to a male organ in the presence of some women without being disrespectful outside of you mentioning the magic stick."
Brooklyn-based rapper Fabolous scored his highest chart debut this week when From Nothin'To Something', his latest album -- and first under his new deal with Def Jam Records -- entered the Billboard 200 albums chart at Number Two after selling 159,000 copies its first week in stores. Fabolous'previous best charting effort was 2003's Street Dreams, which peaked at Number Three.
The latest single from the new album is "Make Me Better" featuring Ne-Yo. The next single is projected to be "Don't Let Go" featuring T-Pain, which was produced Jermaine Dupri.
Fabolous explained that he's wanted to work with Dupri for some time. He told MTV.com, "We've been in the same circle, and I think we even worked together on a basketball record I did with Bow Wow a long time ago. I even went down to Atlanta to work with Jermaine one time, but we didn't come up with anything. That was early in my career, like my second album. He couldn't figure me out, figure what to give me. This time I think he kinda knew more of what I do. He said he already knew the records I became famous for. It was way easier this time. He had me in mind. I laid all three verses (to the song)."
In a recent video interview with MTV Raw, Jim Jones speaks on his feud with Cam’ron and the future of The Diplomats. The tension between Capo and Killa originated when Jimmy revealed to Hot 97’s gossip queen, Miss Info, that Dipset was “putting Cam’ron on punishment” after his alleged incident with Tru Life outside of Club Stereo. Since then, fans have wondered what the future held for Dipset now that the crew’s two bosses were beefing.
Let’s just say, brothers fight, mothers and sons fight, husband and wife fight, there’s some family things going on, ya dig,” Jones told MTV Raw. “It’s still Dipset by all means, don’t nobody get that twisted. We entitled to feud.” When questioned whether the beef was finally over with Cam, Jimmy said, “Everything is fine, everything is straight.
As far as what me and Cam got going on, that’s a little bit more personal than anything. That doesn’t reflect on our movement, doesn’t reflect on our business. Business is always business, at the end of the day. If we want to keep this boat floatin’, want to keep it like that, one of us gonna have to jump off ship, ‘cause it’s gonna float, baby.”
H3's Dr. Benjamin Chavis Set to Unveil Company's Plans for Chicago
First Publicly Traded Hip-Hop Company to Hold Chicago Media Briefing: Friday, June 22, 2007 at 11AM, The Erie Room, Sheraton Hotel and Towers
CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - June 21, 2007) - H3 Enterprises Inc. (PINKSHEETS: HTRE) -- Dr. Benjamin Chavis, newly named President and CEO of H3 Enterprises Inc. ("HTRE"), the first publicly traded Hip-Hop company, will be in Chicago on Friday, June 22, 2007 for a press briefing on initial plans to develop HipHopSodaShops in the Chicago area. Dr Chavis along with his H3 Executive Management Team will answer questions concerning the planned completion of the first HipHopSodaShop in Florida as well as in markets around the world. H3's message of "Empowerment through Community Development and Investment" will continue to be the major focal point of Dr. Ben's presentation.
Dr. Chavis will also give an update on the test marketing of H3's BG7 White Tea Energy Blast currently taking place in Chicago's finest Fitness Centers. BG7 is being marketed in conjunction with rising Bulls superstar Ben Gordon and is the first Energy Drink of its kind to be made with organic White Tea and pure Chicory Syrup.
Safe Harbor: Certain information included herein may contain statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to plans for future expansion and other business development activities. Such forward-looking information is subject to changes and variations which are not reasonably predictable and which could significantly affect future results.
HOLLYWOOD, CA - (June 2007) - Director Benny Boom will be hosting a star-studded red carpet event in Hollywood the evening before the awards show. For the past 5 years, director Benny Boom has been at the forefront of the music video industry, creating visual masterpieces for today's top artists, such as: 50 Cent, R. Kelly, Akon, Robin Thicke, Mya, Snoop Dogg, Lil' Wayne and Keyshia Cole. His cinematic style and vivid imagery can be seen daily on national networks such as BET, MTV, and VH1.
This year, Boom has garnered 4 nominations from BET including: Best Collaboration and Video Of The Year for Akon's "I Wanna Love You" featuring Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne's "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" featuring Birdman and Robin Thicke's soulful "Lost Without You" both nominated for Viewers Choice Award. Special guests will include Akon, Snoop Dogg, Robin Thicke, Lil' Wayne and Keyshia Cole.
When: Monday, June 25, 2007 Red Carpet Arrivals at 10:00pm Media Check-in at 9pm
Where: Montmartre Lounge / The Day After 6757 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood CA 90028 (Entrance on Highland)
RSVP Contact: Erica Percell E: erica@impentertainment.com (RSVP's must be received no later than 4pm Saturday, June 23rd
PLACE YOUR BETS ON THE ‘MAIN EVENT’: BET Awards '07 Announces The Ultimate Lineup!
LOS ANGELES - BET '07 AWARDS is poised for the ultimate battle royale when its all-star lineup with the biggest records of the year go all out at the Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 26.
Sparks will be flying throughout the three-hour live telecast, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CST (tape delayed in the Mountain and Pacific zones) as legends and A-listers crowd the dazzling talent roster.
Newly-added big name celebs scheduled to appear or perform include: mega-star Beyonce', hip-hop mogul Diddy, R&B divas Keyshia Cole, Kelly Rowland, and Alicia Keys, chart-topping ingénue Rihanna, legendary singers Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan, sultry crooners Robin Thicke and Mario, soul maven Erykah Badu, rap stars Nelly and Fabolous, actress Vivica A. Fox, funnyman Charlie Murphy, activist/political leader Al Sharpton, hip hop activist/rapper Chuck D, American Idol Jordin Sparks, writer/director/actor Tyler Perry, movie stars Nick Cannon, Michael Clark Duncan and Henry Simmons, and NFL superstar Reggie Bush.
They join previously announced show talent T.I., 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Ciara, Terrence Howard, Queen Latifah, Yolanda Adams, Tyra Banks, Katt Williams, Big Boi of Outkast and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
This year's show is justifiably being billed as "The Main Event" as the popular Mo'Nique is back to host the telecast for an unprecedented third time. With such a knock-out line up, the stage is set for a telecast that will keep viewers locked from the opening act until the final curtain falls. As always, BET can be counted on to deliver some of television's most memorable moments, including special tributes to the late James Brown and Gerald Levert as well as a not-to-be-missed opening act.
"We've built a brand by having the most dazzling opening performances in all Awards shows," said Stephen Hill, BET AWARDS '07 executive producer and BET EVP of Music Programming and Talent. "This year's open will simply and sensationally stun. Sometimes we tell you what'll stun, like last year's grand opening with Beyonce. Others we sneak on ya, like 2005's reunion performance from The Fugees. We're choosing 'sneak attack' this year, but trust me: you don't want to get to your TV at 8:02 p.m. ….. for real."
BET will also honor Diana Ross, the icon of Motown style with BET's Lifetime Achievement Award for her four decade long, accomplished career in popular music. Additionally, beloved and accomplished actor, Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle will receive the BET Humanitarian Award for his efforts in Darfur and fundraising for the African AIDS epidemic.
BET is the only award show that recognizes the achievements of music artists, entertainers and athletes in 14 categories; this year's nods for best-in-class performances go to Beyonce` with six nominations, followed by Jay-Z, Ciara, Jennifer Hudson, Akon and Gnarls Barkley among others.
Encore telecasts of the BET AWARDS '07 are set for: Friday, June 29 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT Sunday, July 1 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Wednesday, July 4 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Friday, July 6 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Sunday, July 8 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; and Saturday, July 14 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT.
Former Terror Squad member Remy Ma will release an indie album, The BX Files, through Sure Shot Recordings on August 28th. The album will feature guest appearances by Murda Mook, T-Rex, Papoose, Jae Millz, and Maino with production by the Heatmakerz and Ron Browz.
Sure Shot CEO Chris Landry said in a released statement, "Remy is an incredibly talented MC who can battle anybody, male or female. She continues to carry the legacy of Big Pun and we are excited about releasing one of the best female MCs in the game."
Remy Ma released her debut album, There's Something About Remy, last year through Terror Squad/SRC Records. But the rapper was soon on the outs with SRC and Fat Joe. She explained, "You got me in here and I'm screaming at them crazy and they don't ever see my boss (Fat Joe), who's supposed to be holding me down. It's like, if he don't care then why should we care. There was so much craziness over there at that label with the last album and I just feel like I know it wasn't me. I did 'Feels So Good'with Ne-Yo, I did the 'Conceited'joint with Scott Storch, I did the 'Whuteva'joint with Swizz Beatz. From 'Lean Back'to the Remy album it shoulda been laid out quite flat, but they was playing around."
Remy Ma has yet to resign with a major but she shared what she's looking for. The rapper said: "It's gonna be with somebody that got the same drive like me. That want to win like me. Like second is the first loser and I don't want to be that."
A suspect in the murder of Dipset rapper Stack Bundles was found shot to death in Queens, New York yesterday (June 18), the same day Bundles was laid to rest, after being ambushed and killed in Far Rockaway last week.
According to police, Charles White, 20, was found dead in a Queens home, with a pillow over his head, two bullet wounds to the head and one to the leg.
White was found by a friend, who had left the house, but returned to call police when he heard gunshots ringout.
White, also an aspiring rapper, was being eyed as a suspect in the murder of Stack Bundles, born Rayquon Elliott.
Bundles, 24, died from gunshot wounds, after being shot three times on June 11, in front of his Far Rockaway home.
No arrests have been made in either slaying, which police believe are connected.
In related news, hundreds of people, including Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Lupe Fiasco, Joe Budden, Maino and DJ Clue paid their respects to Stack Bundles during his funeral ceremonies at the J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home in Queens yesterday (June 18).
Rapper 50 Cent has been taking shots at Oprah Winfrey in the media for some time, especially after the talk-show host put together a town hall meeting to discuss the problem with rap music following the Don Imus controversy. 50 Cent recently told Spin magazine, "She doesn't ever say anything that anybody from the ghetto is gonna ID with. Take a poll. You go out and find me some young black women who ID with Oprah ... She can escape the fact that she's black because she's a billionaire."
As for the heat rap music is taking, 50 Cent said, "I think it affects people a lot more to see a film where somebody realistically gets their head blown off than to listen to somebody rapping for three minutes."
In related news, 50 Cent will release his new album, Curtis, in September. The latest single from the project is "Amusement Park."
Lil Wayne Says He's Waiting Until Next Year To Release New Album
By: Yves Erwin Salomon
While fans and Cash Money Records'distributor Universal Records may be expecting Lil Wayne to release his new album, Tha Carter Vol. 3, in November, the rapper made it clear he won't be dropping his new album this year. Lil Wayne told MTV.com, "A lot of things (are) coming out this year. My artist Currency, I don't wanna drown him. Then I'm on a lot of people's stuff. A lot of people want to use the songs I'm on as singles. That would be a quick, 'No, reject,'if my album was out. I don't like that. I want all that to be when I come out. ... Plus I was given advice by my big brother Nelly about how to do that. He said, 'You gotta make them want you.'"
Lil Wayne also explained how some of his forthcoming high-profiled collaborations will help his cause. He said, "I got a song with Enrique Iglesias and people who sell a million records on their own. Then I got songs with people from the 'hood. I got songs with everybody. Put their fans with mine, 5 million (albums sold)!"
Lil Wayne, who is the president of Cash Money Records, is also the label's biggest star following the departure of all the other Cash Money Millionaires but he's comfortable holding down the fort. He said: "But I know Wayne is here. Wayne is the president and the forecast look great. It's almost like we never had a rainy day."
"Dr. Ben" Continues to Rapidly Implement Major Restructuring Program
NEW YORK, NY--(MARKET WIRE)--Jun 18, 2007 -- Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, a longtime civil rights and empowerment leader and newly named CEO of H3 Enterprises, Inc. (Other OTC:HTRE.PK - News), has just been elected President of H3 by its new Board of Directors.
In less than two weeks on the job as H3's CEO, Chavis has successfully taken full command of revamping the Company's entire management structure, including Officers and Directors. Chavis has also placed a personal laser-like focus on the rapid completion of H3's prototype HipHopSodaShop in St. Petersburg, FL
The power shift at H3 has been truly amicable, with H3's 26-year-old co-founder and President, Brian Peters, announcing that he is proudly passing the Presidency of H3 to CEO Chavis. Peters is now taking the lead to establish the "H3Foundation," which will work directly with communities across America and existing national charities such as Jim Brown's Amer-I-Can Foundation. Current plans call for Peters to serve as CEO and President of H3's newly formed charitable services organization.
Peters and H3 co-founder Jamar McNeil are about to embark on a national college tour, trumpeting H3's and Chavis' message of "Empowerment through Investment" while passing on their enlightening award winning experience of putting together the first publicly-traded company dedicated to the Hip-Hop generation and culture.
Dr. Ben has also announced that H3's Corporate Offices have been moved to 116 John Street. All corporate and administrative activities will now flow through the Company's Wall Street area offices per H3's new contract with the CEF Executive Management Services Team, lead by Dr. Ben, which has become the cornerstone of Team H3's management and operational support structure.
Jim Jones: "Stack Bundles Was Like a Little Brother"
Jim Jones spoke to VIBE about Diplomat affiliate and Byrd Gang member Stack Bundles, the 24-year-old Jones mentored until he was gunned down in the lobby of his apartment building in Far Rockaway, Queens Monday.
Jones said he met Stack Bundles, real name Rayquon Elliott, five years ago, while he was just a burgeoning rapper on DJ Clue's Desert Storm label.
"I would see him in different places, and I was really becoming a fan of him. I told him, 'I got an offer for you, you pretty much can't refuse. I see you over there with Clue and them, but you seem smothered . . . they don't really know what they got as far as you being talented and what you got to offer as an artist.'"
Jones said that Bundles inspired him as an artist, "because he represented everything that was going on in the world - I've gotten a bit older, but he was 24, really out there."
Jones said he heard of the rapper's death the morning after the shootout. "I was sleeping, and there were people calling my phone all morning. I figured that something was wrong. I called my man Chubby, and he was like, 'Yo they killed Stack.' And it's just been downhill since then."
For Jones, coping with the reality of Stack's murder has been his greatest issue. "I'm really not coping," he says quietly. "I'm just trying to keep my mind off of certain things. But it's hard when you lose somebody who's like your little brother. I've been robbed of someone so real to me."
Before Bundles was murdered, word began to circulate that the rapper was encouraged by friends to leave his old neighborhood in Queens once his career began to take off. Throughout history, artists have been victims of the conditions they rhymed about - the late rapper Big L, for instance, was gunned down outside his home in Harlem. Jones said he was one of the main people encouraging Bundles to leave his neighborhood.
"I had penthouses and everything for Stack. It's just that, he was so stuck on . . . he can't move without the closest people he had next to him. Far Rockaway was his own little world," Jones said, emotionally, before pausing. "You don't know what I - the type of back and forth I use to go through with little bro. And all I can do is offer opportunities, you can’t make a grown man do nothing."
In regards to helping out the police - a question of particular interest after Dipset associate Cam'ron seemingly condoned "no snitching" on an Anderson Cooper CBS broadcast - Jones said he has no intentions to cooperate with the police regarding Stack's murder.
"I have nothing to say to police. I want the police to do their job when it comes to Stack, and go about their investigation the right way. But where we from, we say, 'Don't do the crime if you can't come back and bite you on your ass very hard. But everybody has their own way they deal with certain situations, and there's nothing wrong with NYPD. I show them nothing but respect."
Jones said he's now indebted to taking care of Stack's family. And with the current discussion of hip-hop's violent and misogynistic culture, particularly after the Imus incident, Jones had this to offer: "I keep telling people, this shit is no different than the hustle on the streets," he said. "And it's not fair. It's king kills king, but we still set the precedent for all music - unfortunately, in our own little world, we can't seem to get it right at all. I'm no angel, but it's still savages and wolves, and they don't know the value of life. They at the bottom."
Jay-Z, 50 Cent & Diddy Make Forbes 'Celebrity 100' List
Forbes recently revealed their annual Celebrity 100 list, naming the most wealthy celebrities of the year and for the first time, the magazine introduced a new category called Hip-Hop Impresarios.
Among the hip-hop alumni who made the list, Jay-Z was the man at the top of the totem pole, ranking in at no. 9 on the Power Rank chart, beating out the likes of Donald Trump, Howard Stern, Kobe Bryant and even Diddy and 50 Cent.
The mag reported that Jay-Z earned a whopping $83 million in 2006, thanks to the sale of his Rocawear clothing line for a reported $204 million to Iconix. Other business ventures in his portfolio includes a small stake in NBA team, the New Jersey Nets, and two locations for this 40/40 nightclubs.
Jay-Z also ranked at no. 7 in Pay Rank.
50 Cent slided in at no. 32, with reported earnings of $33 million from his vast empire that includes a record label, clothing line, books, ringtones and videogames. His stake in Glaceau was also mentioned, but will count toward next year's rankings.
The rapper owned a 10% stake in the company, which was recently bought by Coca-Cola for a reported $4.1 billion, earning the rapper an estimated $100 million in the deal.
50 Cent also ranked at no. 26 in Pay Rank.
Bad Boy Records co-founder, Sean "Diddy" Combs, was positioned at no. 43, as Forbes reported his earnings in 2006 at $23 million, due to his Warner-backed Bad Boy Records, Sean John clothing line and Unforgivable cologne label. He landed at no. 55 in the Pay Rank list.
Others on the list included Will Smith at no. 57 with earnings of $31 million, Kobe Bryant at no. 23 with earnings of $33 million, Shaquille O'Neal at no. 25 with earnings of $32 million, Lebron James at no. 48 with earnings of $27 million, and Tyra Banks at no. 61 with earnings of $18 million among others.
Oprah Winfrey topped the list though with Tiger Woods right behind her. They had reported earnings of $260 million and $100 million respectively.
In addition to taking second, Woods also set a record, becoming the first athlete in history to earn $100 million in one year, thanks in part to a raise given by longtime endorser Nike, according to Forbes.
The power rankings were based on each celebrity's rankings in pay, presence on the web, press and TV.
50 Cent, T.I., Ne-Yo, Ciara and Yolanda Adams Throw Down at BET Awards '07 on June 26
Terrence Howard, Tyra Banks, Katt Williams, Queen Latifah, Floyd Mayweather and Big Boi are set to present
LOS ANGELES, June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- With the galaxy of stars that BET has booked for the BET '07 AWARDS there's no doubt that the fire marshal will be working overtime at the Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 26. Sparks will be flying throughout the three-hour live telecast that begins at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CDT (tape delayed in the Mountain and Pacific zones) as some of the hottest stars in music, television, movies and sports bring the heat and burn the house down! )
Joining rap royalty T.I. and 50 Cent on the performance lineup are R&B crooner Ne-Yo, sultry superstar Ciara, and gospel great Yolanda Adams. The roster of A-list celebrities handing out trophies includes Hollywood's biggest names, including Academy Award nominees Terrence Howard and Queen Latifah, television mogul and former supermodel, Tyra Banks, actor/comedian Katt Williams, Dirty-South hip-hop heavyweight, Big Boi of Outkast and five-time world champion, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. among others. BET is the only award show that recognizes the achievements of music artists, entertainers and athletes in 14 categories; this year's nods for best-in-class performances go to Beyonce with six nominations, followed by Jay-Z, Ciara, Jennifer Hudson, Akon and Gnarls Barkley among others.
Hosted by the inimitable and lovely Mo'Nique, back to host the telecast for an unprecedented third time, this year's show is being billed as "The Main Event" and it's no wonder. While viewers wait to see just how Mo'Nique will bring it, one thing's certain: you know she's going to knock it out of the ring!
Diana Ross, one of the most successful female vocalists of all time, will receive BET's coveted Lifetime Achievement Award for her distinguished career and contributions to popular music for more than four decades. Additionally, Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle will be honored with BET's Humanitarian Award for his efforts to bring awareness to the dire situation in Darfur, as well as the African AIDS epidemic.
Once again the BET AWARDS, cable's undisputed #1 awards show, has all the elements to make it pound-for-pound television's biggest night in entertainment!
Encore telecasts of the BET AWARDS'07 are set for: Friday, June 29 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Sunday, July 1 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Wednesday, July 4 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Friday, July 6 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; Sunday, July 8 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT; and Saturday, July 14 from 8 - 11 p.m. ET/PT.
Fabolous Says Getting Shot Wasn't A Good Look For Him
By: Yves Erwin Salomon
Brooklyn-based rapper Fabolous released his new album, From Nothin'To Somethin', on Tuesday (June 12th). The lead single from the project is "Make Me Better" featuring Ne-Yo. The album also features guest appearances by Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, and Junior Reid with production by Reefa, Jazze Pha, Timbaland, Just Blaze, and Steve Morales.
Last October, Fabolous was shot in the thigh while standing outside of Sean "Diddy" Combs'Justine Restaurant. On his way to the hospital, his car was stopped and officers discovered two handguns. Fabolous shared that the legal issues are almost resolved. He told New York's Daily News, "We are in the final stages. I just hope to get this one cleared and get it out of my way."
As for the actual shooting, Fabolous said, "They say people get shot and arrested for publicity, but that's not what really works for me. The kind of songs I make don't coexist with getting arrested and shot, you know what I mean? Maybe if it was 50 Cent it would be great, but for me it just doesn't work."
The rapper also shared that he sees himself as an underdog. He said, "I feel like I am the rapper that everybody likes but hates to say they like. It's one of things where if maybe one person stood up and said, 'Yo, I like him'and it was someone that people respected, then people would say, 'Okay!' People are followers sometimes, you know what I mean?"
Grammy Award winner Chamillionaire has decided to push back the release of his sophomore album, Ultimate Victory, to September 18th. The latest single from the project is "Hip Hop Police" featuring Slick Rick. In addition to the new album, Chamillionaire will be giving away his new mixtape Mixtape Messiah 3 and the Mixtape Messiah DVD for free.
The rapper said in a released statement, "I've been hard at work, putting the final touches on Ultimate Victory while my fans have remained patient and overwhelmingly supportive of me. Now that the album is finally complete and the first official single, "Hip Hop Police" featuring Slick Rick is ready for release, I'm back on the mixtape grind. In addition to giving away Mixtape Messiah 3, the release of the DVD is just an extra token to show my appreciation to the fans that have supported me over the years."
Mixtape Messiah 3 and the Mixtape Messiah DVD will be available for free download at Chamillionaire.com starting July 18th.
Ultimate Victory will feature guest appearances by Lil Wayne, Krayzie Bone, Pimp C, Lloyd, Famous and Devin the Dude.
FABOLOUS ESCAPES ILLEGAL WEAPONS CHARGES: Authorities couldn’t prove he owned two recovered handguns
Rap star Fabolous will not be charged with possession of illegal weapons after prosecutors were unable to prove that he and three co-defendants owned two loaded handguns found in a car in which they were riding.
A judge on Thursday dismissed the charges, which led to an overnight stay in jail for the Brooklyn MC last October.
"He's more relieved than happy," Fabolous’ lawyer, Alberto Ebanks, said Thursday. "He should never have been here in the first place."
The artist, whose real name is John Jackson, was arrested on Oct. 17 after being hospitalized for a minor gunshot wound following an incident at Justin's, a Manhattan restaurant and club owned by Sean "Diddy" Combs.
After someone snatched a $50,000 chain off the neck of then-Boston Celtics point guard Sebastian Telfair, gunfire broke out in a parking lot near the restaurant and Fabolous was hit in the right thigh.
He managed to escape the scene with three other men in a Dodge Magnum sport utility vehicle. While he was being treated at a hospital, police searched the vehicle and found two handguns, a .40 caliber and .380 caliber semiautomatic. Neither gun was registered and police said the serial number on the .380 had been scratched off.
"There were four guys in the car," Ebanks explained. "My client jumped in the back seat of the car after he was shot. It was not the car he came to the club in."
The G-Unit's Lloyd Banks has kept a low profile since his 2006 sophomore album, Rotten Apple, tanked, selling a mere 300,000 copies. That represented a substantial decline since his 2004 debut album, The Hunger For More, which moved over 1.5 million copies in the United States. Recently there've been some cracks in the G-Unit armor and 50 Cent allegedly blamed Banks slow sales on the rapper's laziness in a Vibe magazine interview
Former G-Unit Records president Sha Money XL, who manages Banks and Young Buck, was surprised when he heard what 50 Cent allegedly said. He told MTV.com, "He said that? I didn't read the article yet."
Money added, "His original rap name was Lazy Lloyd, so his demeanor is laid back. He's the most humble one out of all them. He does have to get with the 'time to do press'(artists'business responsibilities) and all that. You have to put your heart into it. His original (stance) was to just rap. It's more than that."
Money XL also pointed to some outside factors that may have had an impact on Banks'sales. He said, "It went from G-Unit being the hottest s**t to now n***as is nitpicking because of all the outside s**t going on. The violence, the arguing, the hate, the divide-and-conquer. All that takes away from what we need to focus on: the music."
The manager added, "The industry scorned him because he's a rapper's rapper. He doesn't sit through marketing meetings and know the politics of radio -- or even the little backlash coming. When Banks came out, he had to fight a lot of hate. It wasn't based on music no more; it was the politics."
Banks is currently working on a new album and, according to Money XL, fans should expect a return to form. He said, "The album he's working on is amazing and he's coming back like Jay-Z after 'Sunshine.'(Sometimes) you get that one album that don't connect, but Banks'fans is still with him. He's still touring and doing shows like s**t is all the way right. He's coming to beat their heads in -- he on some lyrical exercise."
Banks also had to endure the murder of his father while he was promoting the Rotten Apple.
Twista And Hype Williams Hook Up In Miami For New Video
By: Yves Erwin Salomon
Chicago-based rapper Twista recently visited the South Beach section of Miami to shoot the video for his new song, "Give It Up" featuring Pharrell Williams, with director Hype Williams. The rapper told MTV.com, "(Hype) heard the song and (had) a vision. He was just like, 'After all this time, we get to work together.'And I never thought he paid much attention to my career like that. But he was telling me, 'Man, I get a chance to really bring out your lyrics -- I haven't seen other directors really bring them out the way it needs to be.'He got me real charged talking about his visual effects, the colors. He's really into this video."
Pharrell Williams explained what he was trying to capture when he produced the music for the song. He said, "The beat is definitely some booty-shaking, strip-club kind of record. And it kind of celebrates the fun things for a young boy who admires ethnicities. I just wanted to highlight it in a very different way. So you have the girl lying by something just as tasty as she looks, like candy. And the emphasizing of the beat comes from the way we cut from angle to angle versus her shaking her ass. Because I don't know about you guys, but I'm desensitized. How do you do it? Every video the girls get prettier and prettier and prettier."
Twista's new album, Adrenaline Rush 2007, will hit stores in August and will feature guest appearances by Cee-Lo, Jazze Pha, R. Kelly, Lil Wayne and the Speedknot Mobstaz.
Twista explained the difficulty of balancing pop records with music for his hardcore fans. The rapper said, "I feel like I found a niche as far as how to do music successfully, commercially and still keep my street vibe and my lyrical credibility. I feel like that's what I conquered when I did songs like 'Slow Jamz'and 'Overnight Celebrity.'"
The rapper added, "But at the same time, too, I realized I still live in Chicago. And one of the things I can't have is the people where I live feel like I'm only doing music for the masses now and I don't think about them. What drives me is when my homie in my 'hood digs my lyrics. When I go overseas and I can see this person with an accent tell me my s**t is dope, that makes me feel equally as good. But at the same time, what I'm very passionate about is my people in my 'hood and where I'm from."
Producer Timbaland was arrested and temporarily detained in Cologne, Germany on Sunday (June 10) following a violent brawl outside the Hotel Intercontinental. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the super-producer got into a heated argument with a bar patron at around 11:30 p.m. after the superstar producer allegedly flirted with the man’s girlfriend at the hotel’s bar. According to Cologne police spokesperson Juergen Goebel, eyewitnesses say the dispute soon moved outside and the 29 year-old Croatian man—identified only as Robert F.—is said to have called Timbo a racial slur. The argument then turned violent and friends of Timbaland allegedly joined in the brawl. The man was subsequently taken to the hospital, and Timbaland was arrested and questioned for approximately one hour. Website TMZ.com reports that he was released early Monday morning on 1,000 bail.
Kanye West's 30th birthday celebrations were marred when he was given a cake misspelling his name, according to reports.
The rap superstar was the center of attention at a lavish party in New York over the weekend, with Usher, Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy, Jay-Z, and Rihanna among the guests.
The evening took place at the Louis Vuitton mansion and Tenjune nightclub in New York, where he was apparently presented with the cake emblazoned with the word "Kayne."
Meanwhile, the party apparently included live performances from John Legend and Pharrell Williams.
Speaking about the anniversary, Kanye commented: "I'm in my twenties as we speak right now, but at midnight, I'll be 30. I'm already 30 in Japan and London and everywhere else."
Kanye West is due to release his new album, Graduation, in August.
Up-and-coming rapper Stack Bundles was shot dead in the lobby of his Far Rockaway building early Monday morning, police said.
The victim, whose real name is Rayquan Elliott, 24, was shot once in the head and once in the neck by someone who apparently took a medallion that was around his neck, but police said they were not immediately sure robbery was the motive.
"I don't know what happened," said his grieving aunt, Janet Howard, 58, "but I hope like hell they catch the person."
Police said Stack had been out with friends, then went to White Castle and returned to his home on Beach Channel Drive, in the Redfern Houses, just before 5 a.m.
At that point, police said, one friend still with him walked off, then ran back when he heard gunshots and found Stack shot dead in the lobby of his building.
By then, the suspect had run off. Stack's money and credit cards were still on him, but it appeared that a medallion had been stolen, police said.
The slaying cut short the life of a young man those close to him said appeared to be on the brink of rap success, an achievement his friend said would have likely meant a substantial income and ticket out of poverty.
Stack was considered an accomplished tape mixer, and worked alongside Fabolous and DJ Clue. He had recently appeared on Jim Jones' M.O.B. (Member of Byrdgang) mix tape.
Jones said in an interview last year that Stack had approached him one night in a nightclub and won him over with his audacity and his skill. Jones also said he had planned to release Stack's solo debut and to highlight him on other Byrdgang releases.
"He was doing his music," his aunt said. "Everyone was congratulating him, then this happened."
As word of his death spread Monday, mourners gathered at the building's lobby, where they set up a makeshift memorial of candles and balloons, plus his takeout White Castle meal and heartfelt words scrawled on a piece of cardboard.
Others lamented a life cut short just as he was beginning to achieve success.
Alex Fernandez, 31, a friend, said Bundles drove a black Porsche and used to be part of a dance group called the Scramblers that appeared at "Amateur Night at the Apollo" about 10 years ago.
"He wasn't like a street thug or corner hustler or stick up kid," Fernandez said.
"He was gentleman," said a neighbor who knew Bundles, Richard J., 49. "Always showed respect. They hate to see somebody trying to make it. They hate to see somebody doing good."
Another neighbor, Denise Jones, 39, remembered Stack as a little boy, sitting atop loudspeakers blasting hip-hop during summer parties at the houses. She also remembered bumping into him early Sunday night outside his building.
"I cried because I just saw him," she said. "Now he just goes down as another statistic that was gunned down."
Yandy Smith, manager for ByrdGang Records who was going to produce Stack's solo debut record, said: "Where do we begin? The Dipset/ByrdGang family is deeply saddened by our loss. Not only did we lose a member but we lost a brother and a friend.
Rayquon Elliot, aka Stack Bundles, was a joy to be around, charming, very intelligent, compassionate and concerned about the upliftment and enrichment of his community and the people in it. Unfortunately his goals and aspirations were cut short by the hands of dream stealers.
We can not stress enough that a young star's light was put out before he had a chance to shine in front of the world. We would like this to be a lesson to the rap game. ...
Too many of our talented artist are losing the battle of life before their voices have a chance to be heard. Something must change."
The Game pleads Not Guilty to Felony Weapons Charges
By: Nick Tsolkas
The Game pleaded not guilty to three felonies stemming from a fight he had during a February 24th pickup basketball game in South Los Angeles. The 27-year-old rapper, whose real name is Jayceon Terrell Taylor, is charged with three felony counts of making a criminal threat, possessing a firearm in a school zone and exhibiting a firearm in the presence of an officer.
The Game allegedly pulled a gun from his red Cadillac Escalade after punching a player on the opposing team and threatened to shoot him.
He was arrested May 11 at his Glendale home and was released on $50,000 bail.
He faces more than five years in state prison if convicted.
New York, June 09: Chart-topping Barbados singer Rihanna says she is going through a rebellious stage.
But unlike some of her celebrity peers, she has not been arrested for driving while under the influence, checked into rehab or spent time in jail. Instead the 19-year-old cut her hair -- without asking anyone first.
"I just wanted to get a little edgy and cut my hair and I didn`t really ask anybody to do it," Rihanna told reporters in a interview.
"I just did it, changed myself completely, my image and everything. I just did it like a bad girl would do it."
She said the "Good Girl Gone Bad" title of her third album, which was released this week, reflects where she is at in her life and her career and how she feels.
"I just got a little rebellious -- I think it`s about time. I just had to breakaway from that innocent girly image that I used to have," she said. "Everybody rebels in their own way and this is my way of being rebellious."
But as Paris Hilton was sent back to jail on Friday and actress Lindsay Lohan recuperates in rehab, a publicist for Rihanna stopped the singer from answering a question on what sort of example she thought they were setting for their fans.
As for her own image, Rihanna, whose single, "Umbrella" is currently No. 1 in both the United States and Britain, said, "I`m setting a great example for young girls, I just want to lead them in the right direction."
"Right now I am a very fun-loving person. I am very focused and ambitious. When I want something I get dedicated and I work towards it. I have a big work ethic," she said.
She admitted that she was still not used to all the attention that came with being a chart-topping singer.
"It`s definitely awkward, sometimes all the attention, it can be weird," she said. "But I guess it`s a great thing considering the new album `Good Girl Gone Bad` just came out. I think it`s great I am getting all the attention."
Jay-Z lands one of the covers of July's Vanity Fair
By: Yves Erwin Salomon
Hip hop mogul Jay-Z has landed one of the 20 covers for Vanity Fair's July issue, which was edited by U2's Bono. Allhiphop.com reports that the special 20-cover issue of the magazine is dedicated to focusing on the plight of Africa. Some of the other celebrities who landed their own covers are Muhammad Ali, Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, Warren Buffett, George W. Bush, Don Cheadle, George Clooney, and Bill and Melinda Gates. The covers were all shot by Annie Leibovitz.
Bono selected Jay-Z because he toured Africa last year and went out of his way to bring attention to the water crisis. The rapper's journey was captured in the MTV documentary, titled The Diary of Jay-Z : Water for Life.
Following the trip to Africa, Jay-Z said, "In my business, we like to say we're from the hood, we're not in the hood. By no means. Not even close."
The Vanity Fair issue also features the debut of a new print advertising campaign for Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons'non-profit Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.). The organization's goal is to raise money for educational programs to uplift the people and communities of Africa.
Vanity Fair has pledged to donate $5 to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS for everyone who purchases a subscription online to Vanity Fair during the month of June.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Takes Command of First Publicly Traded Hip-Hop Company
New CEO of H3 Enterprises, Inc. has Excellent Hip-Hop, Civil Rights, and Community Empowerment Credentials
NEW YORK, June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- H3 Enterprises, Inc. (OTCBB: "HTRE"), the first publicly traded Hip-Hop company, announced today the unanimous decision of its Board of Directors to appoint Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis as the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Over the past 40 years, Dr. Chavis has become one of the world's most effective leaders and strategists, having served previously as the Executive Director and CEO of the NAACP and currently working with Russell Simmons as Co-founder and President of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), the worlds largest coalition of Hip-Hop artists and recording industry executives.
Dr. Chavis comes to the leadership of H3 Enterprises, Inc., as part of an executive management services contract between H3 Enterprises, Inc. and CEF Management, LLC (CEF), a New York City based management firm, in which Dr. Chavis is a principal, along with New York attorney and developer Joseph Fleming, and entrepreneur and restauranteur Leon Ellis. One of CEF's major roles will be the future development and international roll out of HipHopSodaShops.
H3 has developed a unique niche in the fastest growing and most profitable segments in three of today's exploding youth related markets: Hip-Hop music, video gaming, and energy drinks. These high margin sectors have all been vertically integrated into the award winning HipHopSodaShops franchise concept that may well become the leading destination point for today's Hip-Hop Generation, the most sought after demographic in the world.
H3 Enterprise's primary revenue stream will emanate from the HipHopSodaShops, a cutting edge concept featuring a unique combination of healthy foods and beverages, competitive cyber-gaming, and a wide array of celebrity merchandising, as well as giant high definition flat screen entertainment. "The HipHopSodaShops can quickly become one of the single greatest forces for job creation, inner city revitalization, and equal access to quality education. It also will provide investment opportunities for every generation, and a productive combination of entrepreneurship, cyber entertainment, and youth leadership development the world over," stated Dr. Chavis.
While Dr. Chavis continues to champion the plight of inner city youth, he has emerged as one of the strongest advocates of the positive attributes of Hip-Hop culture. "H3 and the development of HipHopSodaShops will be the culmination of what I hope will be remembered as a lifetime of service to the betterment of our communities," said Chavis. "I feel truly blessed to be given the opportunity to create concrete avenues for equal access and economic empowerment for all of our youth and for generations to come."
"My vision for H3 is to lead the company forward to become the most profitable, community conscious brand in the world," continued Chavis. "We will utilize the magnificent talents of some of our greatest athletes, artists, and entertainers to fulfill the economic aspirations of the Hip-Hop Generation. We will educate our youth about the benefits and power of investment and ownership, and about the tremendous economic opportunities that lie ahead for all of us." "Everything that Dr. Ben stands for and every cause that he undertakes is amazingly similar to what H3 Enterprises is all about," said Keith Chutjian, H3's Chairman. "With our first HipHopSodaShop under construction in St. Petersburg, Florida, and our new energy drink, Ben Gordon's BG7 White Tea Energy Blast, being successfully test marketed in Chicago, the timing for bringing in Dr. Ben and his talented CEF executive management team, couldn't be better."
"The fact that we are all truly united in cause and purpose will make the execution of our business model that much more rewarding and fulfilling," said H3's Founder, Brian Peters. "Dr. Ben's lifelong dedication to the growth of business and social opportunities within the inner cities and throughout the Hip-Hop community falls into perfect alignment with H3's mission, and I am very excited about our future as we ascend to new levels with such a universally respected leader in command."
For information concerning H3 Enterprises, HipHopSodaShops, purchase of H3 (OTBB: "HTRE") stock and BG7 Energy Drink, contact H3 Enterprises, Inc.,
Since Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles hooked up in 2002 rumors have surfaced routinely that the two were getting engaged and planning a wedding. Last December when Beyonce planned a special Caribbean getaway for Jay-Z's birthday, people began to speculate that the birthday party was really just a cover for a wedding. The latest report from a UK tabloid is that Jay-Z proposed to Beyonce in France last week and that the two will be wed in Hawaii this fall.
According to the New of the World, Jay-Z promised Beyonce "the biggest diamond she can fit on her finger" once she picks out the design.
In related news, Beyonce will launch her North American tour on July 6th at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Police Consider Charges Against Akon For Tossing Teen Off Stage
Police in Fishkill , New York may question Akon and file charges against the R&B singer after footage surfaced of the singer tossing a fan into the crowd surfaced on the Internet.
The incident took place at Dutchess stadium in Fishkill, during the annual KFEST concert sponsored by radio station WSPK 104.7, after an unidentified fan tossed an object on the stage, narrowly missing the chart-topping Senegalese-American singer.
A young male who looks to be in his teens was called to the stage, after Akon queried the crowd to find out who threw the object.
As soon as the male steps on the stage, Akon quickly scooped him up and literally threw him into the crowd.
Footage of the incident didn't capture the teen getting up, but he refused medical treatment and was not hurt as a result of the incident.
Police in Fishkill are still searching for the teen, to determine if he would like to file charges against Akon.
"If and when they [police] determine that something has occurred, they will forward the case to us and we will review that," Dutchess County Senior District Attorney Edward McLoughlin told the Poughkeepsie Journal.
Akon was already embroiled in controversy, after footage of an April 12 concert in Trinidad surfaced, in which he simulated sex with a girl on teen.
It was later revealed that the girl was 14 and had illegally entered the club.
Still, the incident caused Verizon to drop Akon as a spokesman for the company.
50 Cent plans to take a break from recording to ‘build anticipation'.
In an interview with MTV News, 50 Cent said he may follow in the footsteps of his mentor Eminem and take an extended break from recording following the release of his next two albums.
“Em ain't put out an album in five years,” the rapper said. “It builds anticipation because he's away. And he really doesn't enjoy what comes with the success. He likes to just be away a lot more, just be shy toward people. And then the less common you appear, the bigger your celebrity. So then he isolates himself, [and] he becomes more popular. People are more excited.”
The Queens native says he would begin the time out following his next two projects, including the September release of his third album, “Curtis.”
"For me, right now, I feel like I love music, so [fans] should expect me to make music afterwards," 50 explained. "But I'll make it organically, like [Dr.] Dre makes a record. It may take five or seven years. ... They'll be looking for my record, like, 'Yo, come on, when you making a record?' "
Fans won’t have to wait long for a follow up to “Curtis.” The rapper says he is just five songs away from completing his fourth album, “Before I Self Destruct,” which was originally going to be a follow-up to his sophomore release, “The Massacre.”
"I recorded 10 records to the concept of ‘Before I Self Destruct,’ but I put them aside when I started to create ‘Curtis,’" said 50. "’Before I Self Destruct’ is scheduled to be released February 4, which is the anniversary of ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin'. And it'll be my final studio recording for where I'm at, for my deal. I did a five-album deal, and the fifth album is a greatest-hits CD."
Rapper and former Entourage co-star Saigon is growing tired of waiting for Atlantic Records to release his debut album, The Greatest Story Never Told. The rapper said on his MySpace blog, "Please don't believe that the hold up of my album has anything to do with me or my work ethic or my rate of producing great music. If you go to Youtube and type in JBTV Saigon you will hear snippets of my album that Atlantic doesn't seem to have the desire to release."
The rapper added, "I just think the once great Atlantic Records has been belittled down to a home of ringtone making artists, like they sign the great jingle writers and real artists like myself don't get a chance to showcase my musical abilities. I feel like Tupac now...It's me against the world. Thank God artists such as Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin (Atlantic artists) weren't signed in this day in time; they would've never seen the light of day."
Saigon also vowed that the album will be released one way or the other. He said, "Not to worry though, my fans will hear my entire album very soon whether they put it out or not. If they don't I will and let y'all be the judge if the music is great or not. I'm beginning to think that being my album is geared toward the betterment and not the destruction of my people the powers that be don't wanna release it...cause I know its not the skills...I am the most relevant rapper in the world by far when it comes to my people. Unfortunately they only care about $$$$...Oh well. Welcome to America... Greatest Story Never Told coming this summer...regardless."
The album was initially set for release last year but has been pushed back several times.
Kanye West vows to maintain quality control at G.O.O.D music
By: Yves Erwin Salomon
Rapper and producer Kanye West recently released a new mixtape, titled Can't Tell Me Nothing, to build anticipation for his new album, Graduation, which hits stores in late August. West recently released the first single and video from the project which is also titled, "Can't Tell Me Nothing."
The producer shared that with a new album dropping soon from Common and Consequence's new album already in stores, he plans to make sure that his G.O.O.D. Music label lives up to its name.
West told MTV.com, "John Legend is killing them worldwide. He's got great reviews at his shows. You got the Common album (Finding Forever) about to drop. Consequence has the new video 'Don't Forget 'Em.'The Sa-Ra movement, it's already been jumping off, but now that they're off Sony maybe we'll be able to do a video for them and get them out properly. I'm still 100 percent behind any artists I ever messed with before."
The Grammy Award winner added, "Everything doesn't always happen overnight. I don't think GOOD Music ever had the leeway of dropping bad music. We always had the responsibility of delivering good music. You hear about it was times where people's brand was so strong they could put out music back-to-back and sell records. It's a different day and age. My responsibility is to deliver (a) really good product."
The Game was charged with making a criminal threat and possessing a firearm in a school zone on Monday (June 4). The charges against the 27-year-old rapper, whose real name is Jayceon Terrell Taylor, stem from a fight during a February 24 pickup basketball game in South Los Angeles, the district attorney's office said.
The Game reportedly pulled a gun from his red Cadillac Escalade after punching a player on the opposing team and threatened to shoot him.
He 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.
He faces more than five years in state prison if convicted.
Sean "Diddy" Combs built his dynasty on music and showmanship before entering into the world of fashion. The mogul proved why he's definitely earned his stop amongst hip hop's elite on Sunday (June 3rd) at WQHT-FM's annual Summer Jam. MTV.com reports that Diddy turned back the hands of time by performing "It's All About the Benjamins" with the Lox before inviting Lil Kim out for her first public performance since her release from prison last year. T.I., Young Dro, Keyshia Cole, Elephant Man and Yung Joc also joined Diddy during his set.
The evening also featured performances by T-Pain, Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Juelz Santana, Akon, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Ciara, Young Jeezy, Rich Boy, and Mims. Ludacris brought Bobby Valentino for a performance of his hit, "Anonymous," while Akon brought out DJ Khaled, T.I., Wayne, Baby, Fat Joe and Rick Ross for a performance of their hit, "We Taking Over."
Another of the evening's highlights was a performance of "Make Me Better" by Fabolous and Ne-Yo and a beat battle between Swizz Beatz and Kanye West. Beatz, who was recently hospitalized with meningitis, rolled onto the stage in a wheelchair before ripping off his hospital gown and starting his set. He was later interrupted by West and the two began to go track for track to the crowd's amusement. Swizz ended the battle by saying, "That's real cute. But you ain't make no hits till you made some s**t like this," before launching into his new single, "Money in the Bank."
Lupe Fiasco's business partner sentenced to 44 years
By: Yves Erwin Salomon
Lupe Fiasco's 1st & 15th Records business partner Charles "Chilly" Patton was sentenced to 44 years behind bars after being found guilty of dealing heroin. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Patton was sentenced last month by Cook County Judge Dennis Porter despite several letters by record company executives on his behalf. Fiasco, who was at the Patton's home when he was initially arrested, wrote in his letter to the judge, "I love Charles . . . I am deeply saddened by his circumstances and will stand by him and his family no matter what occurs."
Patton and his wife, Inita, were arrested in 2003 after police discovered six kilos of heroin he had stored in a suburban storage locker. According to authorities, Patton began dealing drugs in the 1980s and he hooked up with Fiasco in 2000 to start the 1st & 15th label.
Assistant State's Attorney Patrick Coughlin told the paper, "There is a large amount of money that he received from the sales of heroin. And he was able to start up a record company."
Fiasco was called to the stand to testify during the trial because of several taped conversation he had with Patton where he discussed splitting up "whole yellow''and "whole red''ones. The rapper said that the two men were discussing mixing and prepping music tracks but a prosecution witness testified that colors referred to the mixing and prepping of $10 heroin packets.
Prosecutors were unable to establish a link between the 1st & 15th label and Patton's drug profits.
In related news, Fiasco is currently working on a new album, The Cool, which he plans to release on Halloween. The rapper shared that he's earned the respect of his fellow rappers. He said: "I get respect from both sides of the fence. I get a lot of love, you know, from Bun B from UGK all the way to Talib Kweli to Jay-Z all the way down to the basic basement rapper that you will never hear about, you know. So I get love and appreciation from all around."
The rapper added: "A lot of rappers be like, 'Man that's dope that you have the courage to even do that, you know what I'm sayin? To go out there and push your agenda, you know your little weird nerdy little agenda.' But it works, you know, and I think they respect that too. The business behind it and everything that we did and took it. It worked."
M-1 and Stic.man of Dead Prez have been keeping busy. The duo recently spent some time in the studio with Nas. M-1 told MTV.com, "We've done quite a few songs with Nas. We have had a relationship for years. Stic had did a song with just him on it. And I did a song with just me and Nas on it. I don't know when it'll surface yet."
The group is currently between labels but they've recorded with KRS-One and Dr. Cornell West. M-1 shared the duo's stance on some recent controversies, such as the Sean Bell shooting and the Don Imus firing. He said, "People don't have political clarity. And young people are not clear on their positions and not able to speak. I don't know if you consider me young or not. I can tell you my position comes from an informed political stand. ... A lot of positions are ambiguous. ... The leadership has not emerged to be present enough to speak out ... I'd be interested to see who does have a position that could give clarity to what is happening now."
The rapper added, "Al (Sharpton) and Russell (Simmons). I think they are more into ambulance-chasing than actually grinding out (a) position that makes sense. I think it'll take some sincere forces that don't have any interest in anything other than changing our community and making things better."
M-1 is currently working on a multi-media project titled, Birth of a Nation, while Stic.man puts the finishing touches on his solo debut.
Queens-based rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga released their debut album, The War Report, in 1997. The duo released their sophomore project, The Reunion, in 2000 on Tommy Boy Records but following a label change to Def Jam Records, the group decided to go on hiatus when their third album was shelved. According to group member NORE, the duo will reconvene next month for two weeks to complete their third album.
The rapper told MTV.com, "It looks like the C-N-N thing is gonna happen. At first it seemed straight on, then it was a little shaky in the middle; now it seems like it's right. So we're gonna drop two albums this year, C-N-N and the N.O.R.E. project."
NORE explained how he and Capone were able to work out their differences. He said, "It was really like we was doing separate things. Out of sight, out of mind. The more you do separate things, the more you grow apart. So we sat down and was like, 'Let's do this thing. The people are begging for it. It's in high demand.'... We're starting the album in the middle of June and by the end of June we'll be done. I work pretty fast. I already picked the beats. So we're going to record it together and in two weeks we'll be done. I wanna keep it gutter. I wanna keep it straight street, but I do wanna have one single."
In related news, NORE will release his new solo album, Global Warming 11368, this summer. The first single from the project is "Dear Noriega," a song NORE created as letter to his namesake, Manuel Noriega. The rapper went by the name Noreaga until he changed it to NORE a few years ago.
Last year, DMX left Def Jam Records for Sony Music and released his first album, Year of The Dog, Again, that didn't enter the Billboard 200 albums chart at Number One. Prior to that release, he was the only artist in history to have his first five albums each debut at Number One on the Billboard 200 charts. Def Jam Records has decided to release a 20-song greatest hits set, titled The Definition of X: Pick of The Litter, which will hit stores on June 12th.
The set will include "Ruff Ryders'Anthem," "Get At Me Dog," "Stop Being Greedy," "How's It Going Down," "What These B**ches Want," "Blackout," "What's My Name?," "Who We Be," "X Gon'Give It To Ya," "Where the Hood At," and several other songs.
Last year as he was parting ways with Def Jam, DMX explained that he always wanted to be signed to the label. He said: "When I first went to Def Jam, it was like a dream come true. At 14 years old, I remember watching the movie Krush Groove. I was so naive that I thought that all I'd have to do was meet him (Simmons) and rhyme for him and I'd be just like, you know, Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and all that, you know?"
The rapper added: "It was a blessing, you know? Because I was invited to a home, you know? Then they sold the house on me."
Producer and rapper Swizz Beatz has been working on-stop for the past few months promoting his forthcoming album, One Man Band Man, while still producing songs for the likes of 50 Cent, Madonna, Chris Brown, and Usher. Unfortunately the hectic schedule caught up to him and last week the producer was hospitalized for four days with meningitis. MTV.com reports that doctors have ordered Beatz to stay in bed until Friday.
The producer explained, "I (was) up for four days straight. I was paralyzed from my legs down. I was twisted. I was f***ed up! ... N***as call me 'The Monster'because how I work in the studio so hard. I can't do it no more. I gotta be on the schedule but still be able to do what I have to do. I just gotta invest in my health right now. That day I went in the hospital changed my whole life. I could have came out in a wheelchair."
He added, "My immune system was low from not eating right. But I wasn't paying no attention. I'm going to the crib and I had a hard time getting out of my truck. I get out of the seat and I'm damn near limping. I was barely making it up my steps. I damn near fell in the bed and my wife was like, 'You have to go to the doctor immediately.'They had to carry me downstairs ... got to the hospital, they stuck a needle in my spine. I escaped some s**t. That changed my life, trust me. I'm happy to be able to run around with my son. Imagine I couldn't even run around with my kids? God gave me one more chance to get my s**t right."
As soon as he's off bed rest this weekend, Swizz Beatz plans to shoot the video for his next single, "Here Comes Big Money" featuring Kanye West. Beatz explained that West went out of his way to get on the project. The producer explained, "Kanye went out his way to give me a verse. He called me about it. I didn't have to bug him. It was cool. (Turning him down), I think that would have been rude. If Coldplay could have been on the album, Kanye could be on the album. I'm honored to know he felt my s**t is hot to even wanna rock with me like that. He could have made it competition, but he's like, 'Yo, Swizzy, I got you, let's get 'em.' " .
One Man Band Man, which hits stores next month, will feature guest appearances by Cassidy, Mashonda, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, T.I., Eve, Busta Rhymes, DMX, Coldplay, Ciara, Nas, Jim Jones, and Juelz Santana.
