HipHopHavoc News

REMY MA AND SHOOTING VICTIM FACE OFF ON RADIO: Rapper calls Hot 97 from jail during interview with Makeda Barnes-Joseph

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Sun, 18 May 2008 16:24:00 +0000

Remy Ma didn't let a fresh eight-year prison sentence keep her from squaring off against the woman she was convicted of shooting in the stomach.

According to the local New York newspapers, both the rapper and Makeda Barnes-Joseph, 24, argued about the case Wednesday morning on New York's Hot 97 radio station.

Makeda called in first to address one of the radio jocks who questioned the jury's verdict saying Remy's sentence was excessive.

"This thing makes me cry every time I talk about it," said Barnes-Joseph, who was shot in the stomach by the rapper. "I have these ugly scars. ... My stomach is crazy."

Commenting on Remy's eight-year sentence for two counts of first-degree assault, attempted coercion and criminal possession of a weapon, Barnes-Joseph said she didn't think it was too harsh.

"She's got a kid. She'll come out in eight years and see her kid," she said. "I might not be able to have kids."

Remy Ma, whose real last name is Smith, heard her victim on the radio and was able to phone in herself from Rikers Island.

"I was there. I'm not agreeing with y'all and telling you I'm wrong and I'm sorry for something I didn't do," said the artist.

Offering no apology and no remorse, Remy stated: "I don't care if 12 million say 'guilty.' The same way she was there, I was there," Remy said. "[She's] bending the truth. She's stretching it to make it seem like she did nothing wrong. ... I don't got to shoot no girls."

Remy said she was offered a plea deal that carried a three-year sentence but turned it down because she believed she would be acquitted.

"You think I would jeopardize being away from my child for five to 25 years if I even had an inkling that I was guilty of something?" she asked Miss Jones.

Barnes-Joseph pointed out that Remy fled after the shooting and did not check on her.

"This whole 10 months, my life has been like a roller coaster," Barnes-Joseph told the Daily News. "Everyone blames me like I'm a bad person and I did nothing. I did nothing at all."

Foxy disowns her own album….

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Sat, 17 May 2008 15:06:00 +0000

“BROOKLYN’S DON DIVA”, MY HIGHLY ANTICIPATED STREET ALBUM WHICH HIT STORES TUESDAY, IS, AS IT WAS ALWAYS INTENDED TO BE, A MIXTAPE STREET ALBUM - THE WARM-UP TO MY LONG-AWAITED, EPIC, 4TH STUDIO ALBUM “BLACK ROSES”.

UNFORTUNATELY, DURING MY INCARCERATION, THIS CD WAS COMPILED WITHOUT MY APPROVAL. I HEARD THIS CD IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR THE FIRST TIME JUST DAYS AGO AND WAS DEVASTATED. RIDDLED WITH GRIEF OVER AN ALBUM THAT WAS SEEMINGLY SO CARELESSLY ORCHESTRATED, I SAT DOWN WITH THE PRESIDENT OF KOCH TO COME TO A DECISION ON HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF THIS SITUATION. IN ANOTHER PHASE OF MY LIFE AND CAREER I WOULD HAVE DEALT WITH THIS SITUATION WITH LITIGATION, BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY FANS AND IN THE WAKE OF THE PROFOUND SPIRITUAL CLEANSING I RECENTLY UNDERWENT IN PRISON, I MADE THE DECISION TO SETTLE OUR CREATIVE DIFFERENCES AMICABLY. MY FANS HAVE WAITED 7 YEARS FOR AN IN-STORE RELEASE AND DESERVE MY VERY BEST.

NEXT MONTH, KOCH RECORDS AND I WILL BE RE-RELEASING “BROOKLYN’S DON DIVA” WITH 5 NEW RECORDS, VIDEOS, PUBLICITY, MASS MARKETING AND PROMOTION. I AM OF A CERTAIN PEDIGREE, AND I HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO MY FANS TO DELIVER THE LEVEL OF PRODUCT MY BRAND IS ACCUSTOMED TO. IN ORDER TO PRESERVE MY ARTISTIC INTEGRITY, THE NEW RELEASE WILL HAVE MY STAMP OF APPROVAL AND FINGERPRINTS ALL OVER IT. GOING INDEPEPENDENT WAS A GREAT BUSINESS DECISION AND I BELIEVE KOCH AND I WILL DELIVER THE BIGGEST STREET ALBUM IN FEMALE RAP HISTORY.”

50 Cent's News Corp Deal Untrue

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Sat, 17 May 2008 15:04:00 +0000

LIL KIM WINS COURT BATTLE AGAINST LIL' CEASE: Queen B awarded half million for DVD's unauthorized use of her name and image

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:12:00 +0000

Lil Kim was awarded $500,000 Wednesday in a lawsuit accusing one of her former Junior M.A.F.I.A. members of using her name and image for an unauthorized DVD.

According to the New York Post, the rapper had originally filed a $6 million lawsuit against James Lloyd, a.k.a. Lil Cease, who had testified against her in the criminal trial that ended with her conviction for lying to a grand jury.

Manhattan federal Judge Jed Rakoff found that Cease and his company, Ground Zero Entertainment, wrongly capitalized on Lil' Kim's fame with the DVD, "The Chronicles of Junior M.A.F.I.A. Part II: Reloaded."

In July of 2005 Lil' Kim won a temporary restraining order against the entire Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Ground Zero Entertainment to stop the DVD from being sold.

Uncle Murda Arrested At Airport

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:10:00 +0000

New York rapper Uncle Murda was arrested at LAX airport last night for carrying a fake ID.

Airport security pulled the rapper (born Leonard Grant) out of line because his ID looked suspicious, according to TMZ. Then cops hauled him to the police station where he was cited and released.

The rapper is still on track for a Def Jam release this year and has put out two mixtapes with DJ Green Lantern "Uncle 2 Hard For Hip-Hop" and "Respect The Shooter."

Murda's court date is set for June 4.

As previously reported, earlier this year Murda was shot in the head while sitting in a parked car in Brooklyn. While the bullet didn't cause any major damage, it did lodge itself beneath the skin.

T-Pain Tops Nominations At The BET Awards

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:09:00 +0000

Hit-making hook man T-Pain led all artists with five nominations, as the nominees for the upcoming BET awards were announced today.

Kanye West and Keyshia Cole each got three nods, while Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys and Flo Rida received two nominations.

T-Pain is a singer in his own right, with hits like "Bartender," and "In Love Wit a Stripper," to his credit. But he's also become the go-to guy for catchy hooks and many artists have invited him to guest on their record.

"T-Pain is everywhere," BET Executive Vice President Stephen Hill told the Associated Press. "He's got five nominations, none of them for his own work."

Soul music legend Al Green will be honored with a lifetime achievement award and Quincy Jones will receive an award for his humanitarian work.

The BET Awards will be presented June 24 in Los Angeles.

ICE CUBE'S 'JACKIN' FOR BEATS' TARGET OF LAWSUIT: One of rapper's jacked beats is from two members of The Turtles

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:13:00 +0000

Two members of the 60s group The Turtles say their previous arrangement with Ice Cube, who sampled their 1972 song "Buzzsaw" for his early 90s hit "Jackin' for Beats," needs to be updated immediately.

According to TMZ.com, singers Flo & Eddie recently filed suit against Capitol Records in L.A. County Superior Court alleging that the label had signed a deal for the song but went beyond the agreement to make even more money.

Flo & Eddie are seeking $25,000 but not more than $70,000, according to TMZ.

Ludacris Honored By Former High School, Gets Gym Named After Him

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:06:00 +0000

Atlanta rapper/actor Ludacris will return to his alma mater, Benjamin Banneker High School in Atlanta, today to be honored.

The multi-platinum star is set to spend a very special day at the Fulton County school, which plans to name one of their gymnasiums the "Christopher Bridges Gym of Dreams," in honor of the MC. Luda will also take part in a tree planting ceremony at the school, which has faced tough times recently.

Spoke exclusively with one of the event organizers, Tory Edwards, who confirmed that Ludacris will be present as students take part in a ceremony to deal with difficult problems many of them have faced, including rape, gang violence, and pressure to sell drugs.

In preparation for the event, Banneker students have penned anonymous letters voicing their concerns; Luda will look on during the pep rally as these letters will be placed in a casket and buried.

The rally is scheduled to be held at 1 p.m. at Benjamin Banneker High School.

Edwards, who is producing a television documentary series following the Disturbin' Tha Peace MC, tentatively titled "Behind The Mic," said he and his production partner Malika James helped put the event together along with the help of Atlanta mentorship program Men of Destiny, not long after Luda's previous request to establish a scholarship at Banneker was denied.

During today's event, school leaders will apologize to Ludacris for their previous reluctance to accept his aid. Fellow Atlanta artists Killer Mike and Monica (who is also Ludacris' cousin) will also be in attendance. Monica is scheduled to address female students at the school, while V103's DJ Infamous is set to deejay the event.

Young Buck Speaks On "Friendship" W/ G-Unit, ''50 Cent Has Never Been To My House''

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:02:00 +0000

Young Buck hasn't spoken much about his ousting from G-Unit since 50 Cent revoked Buck's membership last month. But the Cashville emcee aired a few grievances recently, and got candid about his real relationships with Sha Money XL, The Game, Snoop Dogg, and Fif.

"A lot of this sh*t that 50's doing towards my situation, I'm just not used to," Buck said during an interview with the XM radio show "Raw With Mz. Kitti." "I'm a street n*gga, I ain't used to n*ggas just saying sh*t and just doing any of this sh*t. I'm like, 'hold up ...'"

Though Buck was kicked out of G-Unit, he's still signed to the label. The ousting changed friendships more than it may record sales.

"The minute that 50 went public and said, 'yo Buck, you kicked out of G-Unit,' Sha Money pretty much disappeared from me for like two, three weeks," he said of his long-time manager. "No contact at all. After that situation, I went to calling Sha, because he's my manager, and Sha just disappeared."

But Buck still considers Sha to be a friend.

"Sha Money was more than just a manager to me," he continued. "At the end of the day, Sha Money was, still is my friend. Sha's in a situation dealing with both of these things -- he's a friend of 50 Cent, he's my manager. Outside of that, we've growed our friendship. I'm Sha's best man on his wedding."

But he's gained a couple of alliances out of the turmoil, too. One happens to be another ousted member of G-Unit.

"I haven't gotten on no phone conversations and actually spoke to Game, but he's reached out to a few people that's around me just to show his support like, 'yo Buck, f*ck whatever's going on, I just wanna see your well being, as long as you aight,'" Buck said. "That's love and I ain't even got that call from Banks and Yayo, and we ain't got no issues with each other. The issue was from 50."

According to Buck, he and Fif were never all that tight anyway.

"50 Cent has never been to my house," he explained. "50 don't know where I live, on my child's life. I don't even think he'd know my child's first and last name if I asked him."

On the other hand, Snoop gave Buck his support personally.

"[Snoop Dogg] comes to my city, Cashville, Tennessee," he said. "This motherf*cker really showed my city more love than any motherf*cker... and that goes for anybody and everybody. He hung out in the hood and the projects - sh*t like that, you can't buy with money. Money can't buy that sh*t. I appreciate that sh*t more than anything in my life. It was so real."

Buck is currently working on establishing his new label Cashville Records and his new line, David Brown Clothing.

"I'm focused at this point and I'mma stay this way," Buck said. "I'm more happier than I've ever been in my career. I ain't lying."

Prodigy Drops ''H.N.I.C. 2'' DVD

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:58:00 +0000

Incarcerated Mobb Deep rapper Prodigy is set to drop the DVD companion to his latest album H.N.I.C. Pt. 2 next month.

H.N.I.C. Pt. 2: The DVD Collection features never-before-seen videos and exclusives for new songs like "The Dough," "Get Trapped," "Represent Me," and "When I See You" featuring Cormega, according to a press release. In addition to videos for songs that weren't on the original album version, the DVD also includes a vid for "Dirty New Yorker," featuring Havoc, from the Grand Theft Auto IV video game soundtrack.

P spent the last two months of his freedom, before going to jail, cutting videos everyday for every song on the album.

Dan the Man filmed and produced the videos for H.N.I.C. Pt. 2's "The Life," "Power Is People," "ABC," and "Sleep When I'm Dead."

"Prodigy has always been ahead of other hip-hop artists when it comes to using technology and he wanted a visual way to connect with his fans directly," Dan said.

He utilized a few different techniques to make each video unique.

"For 'The Life,' we used a really different technology. We shot most of the video on green screen and then superimposed his image on a series of photographs taken around the city. If you look at the video for 'The Life,' you'll see Prodigy over what looks like frozen moments in time," Dan said. "In the 'ABC' video, we utilized cutting edge night vision technology which enables you shoot in complete darkness."

The video for 'Power Is People' was filmed in a Queens Correctional Facility, just days before P would be confined to a cell in real life.

"At times it was surreal looking through the lens and seeing P walking alone through the halls of the facility knowing that he would soon find himself in one," Dan said.

As previously reported, Prodigy (born Albert Johnson) was sentenced to three-and-a-half years behind bars for weapons charges after being arrested back in October of '06.

P's second official solo album H.N.I.C. Part II debuted on the Billboard charts at No. 36, selling 13,300 copies.

H.N.I.C. Pt. 2:The DVD Collection hits stores on June 17.

REMY MA SENTENCED: Rapper gets 8 years and jail wedding is off.

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:44:00 +0000

Not that it wasn't expected, but Remy Ma got some bad news today. She has been sentenced to eight years in prison in the shooting a woman outside a Manhattan nightclub.

The 26-year-old rapper, whose real name is Remy Smith, received her sentence for assault, weapon possession and attempted coercion.

Remy Ma, who could have faced up to 25 years in prison, was teary-eyed as she heard the sentence. She claims last summer's shooting was an accident; an appeal is planned.

In other Remy Ma news, or should we say other bad news for Remy, correction officials say they called off her weekend wedding at the Rikers Island jail after the groom - fellow rapper Papoose - showed up with a handcuff key.

According to the AP, Remy Ma's lawyer, Ivan Fisher, denies the key could be used to unlock handcuffs. Fisher says the two still plan to wed.

MAN WHO SLUGGED SUGE KNIGHT SPEAKS: Also, is one-time mogul planning to retaliate? 'Rollin' With Dre' author weighs in

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:42:00 +0000

The man who claims to be behind Suge Knight's knockout punch has emerged.

According to TMZ.com, dude is a barbershop owner in Los Angeles who is friends with the man Knight was trying to defend in the now infamous altercation outside of Hollywood's Shag nightclub.

The brawler, who would not give his name, yet is pictured on TMZ, says he was playfully arguing about money with the mutual friend when the former music mogul misunderstood and thought it was serious.

When Suge tried to defend his friend, fisticuffs jumped off and the barber – all of 5'10" and 173 lbs – delivered the punch that knocked 6'3", 315 lb Knight unconscious for a good three minutes, according to the Web site.

DMX ARRESTED FOR DRUGS, ANIMAL CRUELTY: Rapper tried to barricade himself in bedroom until SWAT showed up.

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:29:00 +0000

When it rains, it pours for DMX. After months of inactivity in his camp, a sudden pair of arrests has the rapper back in serious legal trouble.

Three days after he was arrested and released on bail for a January speeding ticket, the artist was taken into custody Friday on drug and animal-cruelty charges following an overnight raid at his Cave Creek home north of Phoenix.

The 37-year-old, born Earl Simmons, had tried to barricade himself in his bedroom during the 3 a.m. raid, but came out with his hands up when a SWAT team arrived, sheriff's spokesman Capt. Paul Chagolla told the AP.

The arrest and search warrants stemmed from indictments for felony drug possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. During an August raid of his home, detectives seized 12 pit bull dogs, dug up remains of three others and found marijuana on the property. The MC made an initial court appearance Friday where bail was set at $7,500.

As previously reported, DMX was arrested Tuesday by the Arizona Department of Public Safety after speed-enforcement cameras captured him going 114 mph on a suburban Phoenix freeway.

SUGE KNIGHT GETS KNOCKED OUT AT THE CLUB: TMZ claims former Death Row mogul lost a fight Saturday night in Hollywood

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:26:00 +0000

TMZ.com says one of its spies witnessed Death Row co-founder Suge Knight getting knocked out Saturday night during a fight at Shag nightclub in Hollywood.

The Web site's account is as follows:

A source witnessed Suge talking to a guy -- and the convo was friendly enough at first. Then it turned. Suge shouted, "I want my money!" Suge then rushed the guy with the help of his posse, and began hitting and kicking him. Get this -- during the fight, Suge put a random guy in a headlock, demanding his cellphone.

People outside the club broke up the fight, and as the beatee got up, he landed a right hook to Suge's face, knocking him out cold. We're told Knight was out for nearly three minutes. His peeps then rushed him into a nearby SUV.

BTW, after Suge woke up, he began yelling for the phone he had just taken from the random guy.

TONI BRAXTON VEGAS SHOW NOW CLOSED TILL JUNE: Singer's rep still won't comment on medical condition

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:25:00 +0000

Toni Braxton's return to the Las Vegas stage has been delayed again. She'll remain sidelined from her headlining show for at least another month, reports the Associated Press.

Harrah's Entertainment announced Friday that it now expects to resume "Toni Braxton: Revealed" at the Flamingo Las Vegas hotel on June 6.

The show has been dark since the singer was hospitalized overnight for chest pain on April 7. The Harrah's spokeswoman says she can't comment about Braxton's medical condition.

Braxton, 40, has been treated in the past for pericarditis, a viral inflammation of the heart.

Braxton's two-year run at the Flamingo Las Vegas is scheduled to end in August.

T.I. Tones Down Lyrics ''Ever So Slightly'' On Upcoming CD, Talks Bond W/ Eminem

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:51:00 +0000

Taking a break from his community service duties, T.I. recently revealed the details of his upcoming album, Paper Trail and explained how his new music will reflect the lessons he's been force to learn in the last year.

In a call to Atlanta radio station Hot 107.9, Tip spoke upon his newfound understanding which came about as a result of his recent conviction on weapons charges and the community service he's been doing dissuading kids from drugs and violence. As a result, T.I. said Paper Trail may be "ever so slightly" toned down from his last disc, T.I. Vs. T.I.P.

"Not to a great deal or an extra degree of censorship, I'm just making sure this album is much more intelligently and artistically put together," T.I. told 107.9. "I'ma still get loose now. I'ma still do me. But you know when I was living the way I was living, I was rapping the way I was rapping ... A lot of elements that were in my life no longer exist."

As previously reported, T.I. recently leaked the introspective song, "No Matter What," where he got candid about the struggles he endured throughout his federal weapons case.

T.I. said the track was penned right around his lowest point; Christmas time.

"Right after me sensing the affects of not being able to be around my family ... The hating and the rumors were real fresh on the web and on the radio and everybody was really getting their T.I. hate on," T.I. said.

And to his surprise, when he was going through tough times, T.I. said fellow emcees embraced him.

"I wasn't expecting to hear from nobody. I made a point not to reach out to people ... because I didn't want to get none of my trash in nobody else's yard."

But the rapper said Lil' Wayne, Diddy, Jay-Z and Nelly all reached out. Jeezy even came to one of his bond hearings. Yet Tip said he spoke to Busta Rhymes and Eminem the most.

"The only person I spoke to more than Busta was Eminem," he revealed. "Me and Eminem, we stayed in contact, stayed on the phone, making sure each other was doing good."

The rapper has already taken responsibility for the trouble he found himself in, but he blames a certain aspect of himself - his alterego, T.I.P.

"I kinda spoke a lot of things into existence that I should of just let lie," he said about his last album T.I. VS T.I.P. "I kind of opened up some doors and uncovered some emotions that I probably shoulda just left where they were. So now T.I. and T.I.P both got a understanding."

In related news, tomorrow (May 6) T.I. will be doing his first televised interview on BET since pleading guilty to weapons charges. The interview will be aired at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Paper Trail is due in stores in September.

LIL WAYNE PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN ARIZONA CASE: Rapper faces several drug charges stemming from raided tour bus

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:44:00 +0000

Lil Wayne pleaded not guilty in Arizona Superior Court Tuesday on various drug and weapons charges stemming from a police search of his tour bus in January.

The rapper is due back in court on May 19 to face charges of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, misconduct involving weapons and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

The traffic stop near a border checkpoint outside of Yuma went sour after a Border Patrol dog alerted officials to the presence of drugs on the bus. A subsequent search uncovered 41 grams of ecstasy, four ounces of marijuana, a little over an ounce of cocaine and a .40 caliber pistol, which is registered to Wayne in Florida.

Police also confiscated $22,000 dollars in cash and two other firearms.

COMMON LANDS ROLE IN NEW 'TERMINATOR' FILM: Rapper to play a member of John Connor's crew

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:42:00 +0000

Common's Hollywood game continues to expand with his recent casting in "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins," the latest sequel in the lucrative "Terminator" franchise.

The story will follow John Connor (Christian Bale), who is now in his 30s and leads what is left of the human race in a battle against the machines, reports Variety. Common will play a freedom fighter and member of Connor's inner circle.

McG will direct the project for Halcyon Pictures. Warner Bros will distribute the film domestically, while Sony is tapped to handle most foreign territories. The film's U.S. premiere date has been set for May 22, 2009.

Common can next be seen onscreen in "Wanted," starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy. Later this summer, he is set to release his eighth album, "Invincible Summer."

RUSSELL SIMMONS WANTS JOINT CUSTODY OF KIDS: Impresario files response to Kimora Lee's request for sole custody of two daughters

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:41:00 +0000

Russell Simmons is now asking for joint custody of his two daughters in his divorce from estranged wife Kimora Lee, reports CelebTV.com.

In documents filed Tuesday in Los Angeles court, the hip-hop mogul is seeking joint physical and legal custody of his children Ming, 8, and Aoki, 5.

Kimora Lee asked for sole custody in her March divorce filing, requesting that Russell get only "reasonable child visitation ... to be accompanied at all times by the children's nanny and security personnel." Also, both parties are seeking to deny spousal support for the other.

Russell, 50, and Kimora Lee, 33, were married in 1998 and separated in 2006. She is currently dating actor Djimon Hounsou.

'T.I. SPEAKS' TONIGHT ON BET: Rapper talks to Toure in first televised interview since plea bargain on weapon charges

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:58:00 +0000

Rapper T.I. is interviewed by BET personality Toure about his life and future beyond incarceration in the half-hour special "T.I. Speaks," premiering tonight at 7:30 EST.

The artist, born Clifford Harris, Jr., was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to federal weapons charges. During the special, he discusses his best friend's murder in 2006 and explains how being a celebrity has its drawbacks and "ignites a certain paranoia."

"Every one knew me and I knew no one ... you can't tell if a person is a fan or not until the (car) window winds down," he says during the program.

Claiming a new understanding for life and its meaning, T.I. delivers a strong message about decision-making to a group of at-risk students and reveals his thoughts about going back to jail and his career's future.

"I must be a man and stand up and accept responsibility," he says. "I exercised extremely poor judgment, and for that, I must be willing to pay whatever price that comes before me."

Duke Da God Comments On Car Accident, Preps Dipset Radio

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:44:00 +0000

After escaping serious injury from a car accident in Manhattan on Friday (May 2), Diplomat Records A&R Duke Da God is recovering from minor injuries and has turned his attention to focusing on upcoming Dipset projects.

According to hip-hop personality Miss Info, while sitting at a red light in his R500 Mercedes Benz at 135th street and 5th Ave in Harlem, at 3 p.m., Duke witnessed two cars drag racing. One driver lost control of the vehicle and spun out of control, smashing into the front of the Dipset's executive car. Duke walked away with minor injuries but his Benz was wrecked.

"Ni**as have gone out and copped the new 'Grand Theft Auto IV' and they have lost their damn minds," Duke told exclusively.

Although, the Dipset executive escaped serious injury and potential death, he seemed unaffected by the crash, as Duke continues plans to rebuild the Dipset brand.

"More Than Music 3 is coming soon," he said. "[And] tune into the premiere of Dipset Radio on XM's Channel 66 Raw over Memorial Day Weekend."

In related news, in an ironic twist of fate, Duke's Dipset cohort Freaky Zekey escaped death last month, as he was involved in a near fatal three-car collision. The Harlem-bred rapper escaped with minor injuries but his white S550 Benz was totaled.

The Game Follows 50 Cent's Lead W/ New Site, Plans Retirement

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:43:00 +0000

The Game is eyeing retirement after he drops his third album, L.A.X. in July. In this exclusive the west coast emcee reveals his post-rap plans and the motivation behind his 50 Cent-inspired website, ThisIzGame.com

Despite his well documented conflict with G-Unit, The Game can admit when 50 does something smart. In fact, the former G-Unit member was so impressed with 50 Cent's website, ThisIs50.com that he decided to launch a similar site called ThisIzGame.com.

"I wanted to create a website and I wanted to use that name because I thought what 50 did was pretty creative," he told. "I think that Garth Brooks should have ThisIsGarthBrooks and maybe Oprah should have ThisIsOprah because we are who we are. If you're looking at me, this is Game so [put] dot com behind it and you got a hit."

In addition to his new foray into the web game, the rapper plans to spend his retirement time developing the artists and producers signed to his label, Black Wall Street. Also, "dive head first into scripts" since he had such a good experience on the set of the movie Street Kings, which starred Forrest Whittaker and Keanu Reeves.

"Everybody was real professional and respected me and I was always punctual, on time, respected everybody and didn't bring my rapping ego over to the film side," said Game. "I did my thing and they appreciated me and I appreciated them. And Street Kings movie was pretty dope"

Even though Game is planning to take the acting world by storm, he doesn't plan on taking any classes. "I'm just a natural," he says. "I don't really need no classes. I want to be like the guy that never took classes and won and Oscar."

The Game's third album, L.A.X. will be released on July 8th. It features production by Kanye West, Cool and Dre, Just Blaze and appearances by Common, Ludacris, Ne-Yo, Raekwon, Busta Rhymes, Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry.

Remy Ma Blames Bias Jury On Guilty Verdict, "There Was No Tan, Dark Brown, Black, Nothing"

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:40:00 +0000

Incarcerated Bronx rapper Remy Ma phoned into DJ Kay Slay's Shade 45 radio from Rikers Island to give her first interview from behind bars.

As previously reported, the rapper (born Reminisce Smith) is currently locked up and awaiting sentencing after being convicted of first degree assault, among other charges, for shooting her former friend, Makeda Barnes-Joseph, in the abdomen over the rapper's missing $3,000. Her sentencing hearing, which was originally scheduled for last month, was pushed back to May 13.

During the interview, a jovial Remy blamed the guilty verdict on a bias jury and stuck to her plea of innocence.

"Don't be mistaken by a jury that was not my peers," she said. "There was no tan, dark brown, black, nothing on that jury," she said. "It's a whole conspiracy against rappers right now, so I already knew what it was." [Listen here]

Rem's defense attorney Ivan Fisher feared the same thing.

"I was concerned throughout the case that there is a substantial part of the population who correlate rap with violence," Fisher told. "And I always had a concern that that worked to our disadvantage and would make it difficult to be fair to Remy at the trial."

Although Remy seemed upset by the verdict, she was in good spirits throughout the call, joking around with the self proclaimed Drama King.

"It's nothin'," she said about her current situation. "I'm in here chillin', eatin' mad mackerel."

Spending most of her time alone in a cell, Remy says she has more contact with guards than anyone else.

"It's real crazy over here," she explained. "You got certain officers that are extra nice and then you got certain officers that are extra not nice. It's not my fault that my commissary is more than they salaries."

Rem chatted on the line with Slay for about five and a half minutes and promised she'd call up again.

"I got wild phone time, son!" She boasted. "They ain't built bars yet that can stop my flow."

She said her new mixtape, "Six Minutes Remy Ma You're On" - which she recorded behind bars - is coming soon and asked that her fans come out and support her on May 13th, when the rapper is due back in court to hear her fate. She faces up to 25 years.

Kanye: You'll Never "Michael Jackson" Me

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:30:00 +0000

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Kanye made headlines after his big fuss over technical glitches at a recent Houston concert, but on his blog, he tells fans: "Don't believe the hype!"

The man is not a prima donna, he says. He's not even a Madonna. And he's certainly no Michael Jackson:

"Unfortunately for certain media outlets, you will never be able 2 'Michael Jackson' me. That means 2 make it seem like everything I do is so weird or out of place...they always try 2 make it seem like everything is about my ego! That joke is getting old."Thanks for clarifying, Kanye. For a minute there we thought "Michael Jacksoning" someone meant wrapping them in a blanket and dangling them out a hotel window. (How's that for a joke getting old?)

Lil' Kim's Bentley Repossessed?

noreply@blogger.com (HipHopHavoc) — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:43:00 +0000

Brooklyn rapper Lil' Kim recently received an unexpected visit from two repossession men for months of delinquent car payments.

According to New York City's CW11 News, the Brooklyn-bred rapper (born Kimberly Jones) had an unexpected visit at her home from two repo men who had to come to swipe her silver Bentley. Valued at $250-300,000, it was reported that Kim was around four to five months behind in payments.

Apparently, when Kim was asked to turnover the keys to the vehicle, the rapper told the repo men that her accountant would handle the situation. When, CW11 attempted to receive comment from Kim on the falling economy and raising tide or repossession in auto, the disgruntled rapper began to curse at the reporter, telling him to leave her estate.

"Oh please," she responded. "Get the f*ck out of here. You're so f*cking ridiculous."

"Apparently she didn't want to cooperate," said the repo man to CW11. "She basically told us to get off the property. We were hoping she would give us the keys, being that it was the right thing to do. It's not her vehicle!"

Update: "The car was a gift, given 4 years ago," a rep for Kim told. "This matter is currently being resolved and is completely out of Kim's hands."