6/30/2009
MICHAEL JACKSON FANS ARE SO DISTRAUGHT … THEY'RE COMMITTING SUICIDE … 12 CONFIRMED DEAD!!!
We've just received some STUNNING news, according to the head of Michael Jackson’s largest fan site, 12 Michael Jackson fans were so distraught of Michael’s passing that the committed suicide.
And it gets worse. According to Gary Taylor, president and owner of MJJcommunity.com, he expects more fans to take their own life. Gary is quoted as saying, “I know there has been an increase, I now believe the figure is 12. I believe there may have been one Briton who has taken their life." He added, “It is a serious situation that these people are going through but Michael Jackson would never want this. He would want them to live."
And we have also learned that the number of fan suicides is likely to hit it’s peak after the funeral. Gary explained, “I think the funeral will be where the reality kicks in that he is gone and won't be coming back, there will be a huge depression in the fan community when that happens.”
This whole situation is just getting more and more sad.
Vibe Magazine Shuts Down
VIBE magazine has shut down.
The magazine was launched in 1993 by music industry legend Quincy Jones and it served as as widely revered urban magazine.
"On behalf the VIBE CONTENT staff (the best in this business), it is with great sadness, and with heads held high, that we leave the building today," said Danyel Smith, former Chief Content Officer of Vibe Media Group and Editor in Chief of Vibe.
"We were assigning and editing a Michael Jackson tribute issue when we got the news," Smith said in a statement released to AllHipHop.com. "It’s a tragic week in overall, but as the doors of VIBE Media Group close, on the eve of the magazine’s sixteenth anniversary, it’s a sad day for music, for hip hop in particular, and for the millions of readers and users who have loved and who continue to love the VIBE brand. We thank you, we have served you with joy, pride and excellence, and we will miss you."
In the 90's, VIBE experienced meteoric success as a business and an outlet for urban journalism.
It has ailed under the ownership of private equity firm Wicks Group of Companies, AOL reported.
The magazine had seen a dramatic reduction in ad pages and circulation.
Earlier this year, employees were put on a four-day workweek and other cuts were made such as scaling back to 10 issues per year.
There is speculation that the magazine will transform into an online-only entity.
Rapper Pepa, TLC's Chilli Land New Reality Shows
Rapper Sandra “Pepa” Denton of Salt-N-Pepa fame has inked a deal with VH1 to star in a new untitled reality series.
Pepa’s latest foray into the reality show genre will feature the pioneering female emcee looking for love after spending years being celibate.
According to the New York Daily News, Pepa and three of her single girlfriends will meet each week over brunch, to discuss the past week.
“The Pepa show, I think, gives us a window into the real conversations women have about their lives and relationships,” said Jeff Olde, VH1’s EVP of Original Programming and Production.
VH1 also signed former TLC star Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas to a deal to star in a reality show.
Thomas will also search for love, with the help of Brooklyn-based relationship expert Tionna Smalls to assist the singer in her search for a mate.
Pepa previously starred in two seasons of The Salt-N-Pepa show.
Her group, Salt-N-Pepa has sold over 12 million records worldwide.
As part of TLC, Chilli sold 22 million records in the United States alone.
Both shows are slated to air in 2010.
Drake Signs With Young Money
Rapper Drake has officially signed with Young Money, the label founded by rapper Lil Wayne, according to anonymous sources.
Drake, a native of Canada, has been affiliated with Lil Wayne since he emerged on the scene and has released a pair of mixtapes that have been heavily downloaded.
"Today is a definitely a comfortable day for me, having my team now that's been in place for a couple of years. It's just a great day," Drake told MTV News. "It's something new, but it feels familiar."
According to MTV, the signing is a joint venture between Young Money and Cash Money Records and that his upcoming project Thank Me Later, would be distributed by Universal Republic.
According to the report, Drake officially remains a Young Money artist.
"Independent is a funny term. I can go independent, but you need distribution, period. You need somebody to distribute your record and you need that army that a label has to really push the record," Drake said.
Drake had previously indicated that he would be making an announcement soon.
Drake performed Sunday night at the BET Awards with Lil Wayne, Baby and Young Money.
6/25/2009
BREAKING NEWS: MICHAEL JACKSON DIES
Legendary pop singer Michael Jackson was taken to the hospital, where he died today, after suffering a heart attack in Los Angeles, California today (June 25).
Paramedics administered CPR on the 50-year-singer, as he was rushed to a local Los Angeles hospital via an ambulance.
Calls from Jackson’s house were placed to 911 around 12:20 PM PT from his Holmby Hills home in Los Angeles, according to TMZ.com.
In December of 2008, Jackson’s brother Jermaine made startling claims that the King of Pop was suffering from a rare lung disease and other potentially fatal illnesses, although neither health issues were confirmed.
Jackson was currently in the middle of planning a 50-date concert series at London’s O2 Arena, as well as working on a come back album.
6/23/2009
Keri Hilson Scratches Graffiti with Chris Brown
Spraying, scratching and marking is often associated with the word Graffiti. According to Keri Hilson, Chris Brown's forthcoming album "Graffiti" will likely include her signature.
"He contacted me like four or five days ago," Hilson told E! over the weekend.
"Us working together will probably be the first project I've worked on as a songwriter in a while."
News of Hilson joining Brown's third studio album, follows the embattled star's recent work with producer and soon-to-be reality star Scott Storch. However, "Graffiti" is not the first time Brown and Hilson have joined forces.
Hilson has worked with Brown on two records, the most recent of the two "Superhuman" (on Brown's "Exclusive: The Forever Edition").
In related news, Chris Brown is due in court for an anticipated preliminary hearing Monday. Stay up to date on Chris Brown's felony assault case and album 'Graffiti'
Alicia Keys Gone A Milli for Whitney Houston, Talks Fourth Album
It's no secret that Alicia Keys is busy working on new music but a rumored collaboration with returning 'Bodyguard' vocalist Whitney Houston is creating buzz across the net.
Keys, currently working on the follow up to 2007s "As I Am," is rumored to have penned a song for the former "I Have Nothing" singer titled "Million Dollar Bill" !
Revealed by Showbiz411's Roger Friedman, "Million Dollar Bill" precedes Key's fourth studio album and a host of projects coming from music icon Clive Davis.
If the song makes the cut, "Million Dollar Bill" would join a soon to be released Diane Warren and David Foster helmed single, set to lead Houston's as-yet-untitled comeback in September.
Speaking of the single with enthusiasm, Warren says "Whitney's back big time".
But Houston is not the only one with an album coming out this fall. Alicia Keys' currently in production effort is slated for release toward the end of the year.
Reveling in progress made recently, Keys took to Twitter writing: "Just finishing at the studio.....WOW! love this one! thought 4 the day/night When we r open 2 change, a world of change opens 4 us!"
"Exploring new sounds & letting the heart lead the way," Keys went on to say.
When released, Keys' as-yet-untitled effort will become her fourth studio album to be released via J Records in nearly nine years.
The "No One" singer debuted in 2001 with the Grammy Award-winning album "Songs In A Minor".
Styles P Talks D-Block's Future, "I Would Love To Find A Hot Young Lady That Could Spit"
The Lox's Styles P recently spoke on the future plans for D-Block, which included searching for a possible female member addition to his rap group.
Focused on developing the younger emcees in D-Block, Styles said the aim for big record sales was not as important.
"Things aren't going to happen overnight," he said in an interview. "If they don't get enough then we just have to keep on working harder. But the D-Block fans are embracing them. Are we going to do big, incredible, crazy numbers? No, we're not...We're out to get people to know them and we're out for them to establish a career for longevity. We're not here to hit a homer right away...I love the team we have. I would love to find a hot young lady that could spit, that would be able to work and fit in with the team. I would love to find that...That would be the only thing we need to draft."
San Francisco aims to boost dwindling black population
A recent groundbreaking here for an affordable housing complex is aimed at stemming the decline in black residents in San Francisco, the steepest decline of African Americans in any major U.S. city, according to the Census Bureau.
Blacks accounted for 6.5 percent of the population in 2005, down from a high of 13.4 percent in 1970, says the Census. Among other factors, closure of the city's shipyard in the early 1970s caused many blacks to leave for jobs elsewhere. Activists say blacks were left out of the new service economy.
Microsoft has tapped Grammy Award winning Hip-Hop legends Naughty by Nature to help promote the newest PDA device
Software giant Microsoft has tapped Grammy Award winning Hip-Hop legends Naughty by Nature to help promote the newest PDA device to feature the Windows Mobile operating system.
The group is at the center of Microsoft’s promotion for the new HTC Touch Pro 2 Windows Mobile Device, which is scheduled to roll out later this year on all four major mobile service carriers.
The new Touch Pro2 is the latest in a series of phones to feature a fully functional touch screen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Billed as “a palm-size professional conference phone,” the Touch Pro2 features an enhanced speakerphone and noise cancelling microphone.
It also features the ability to break away from a conference call for a one-on-one conversation with one participant without disconnecting the conference.
HTC’s website also points out the phone’s one-touch functionality, allowing users to reply to emails or launch conference calls and other features with just one touch.
“As a fan of Microsoft products, I'm super pumped about Naughty's promotion with Windows Mobile,” Vin Rock told AllHipHop.com. “I'm a Windows Mobile power user and eager to educate others about the future of mobile computing. This is just the beginning.”
After a brief breakup, Naughty by Nature reunited in 2006 and returned to the forefront nearly two years later, when the group was selected as one of the recipients of the Fifth Annual VH1 Hip-Hop Honors.
Shortly before the award show, the group told AllHipHop.com that they were working on their first album featuring Treach, Vin Rock and DJ KayGee since 1999.
“The past two or three summers, we’ve started talking about it, and we started and stopped,” Vinnie said in a previous interview. “This past summer, we finally got serious about it. And as we started doing the work, then VH1 called us for the Hip-Hop Honors.”
The new album, tentatively titled Anthem, Inc., will the follow up to 2002’s IIcons, which has been the only Naughty by Nature release following KayGee’s departure from the group in 2000.
BRITISH PAPER IS REPORTING ON THE JAY Z SECRET BABY RUMORS … CLAIMS THAT BEYONCE HAS ACCEPTED THE BOY … AND THAT JIGGA BOUGHT HIS BABY MOMS A $2.5 MIL
Now can reveal that the fiercely private rapper – who’s worth an estimated $400 million – reportedly has a secret 7-year-old son who he’s amazingly managed to hide from the limelight all this time. The boy apparently bears a striking resemblance to his father and is the result of Jay-Z’s romance with Trinidadian model Shenelle Scott which ended in 2001, before he met Beyoncé.
Jay-Z has gone to great lengths to distance himself from the claims, despite reports that he’s privately admitted paternity. Beyoncé, whom he married in April 2008, is now apparently accepting of the boy and is even said to have gone on holiday with her stepson in the South of France.
Although Jay-Z’s spokesman denied that there was any truth in ‘these ridiculous rumours’, the rebuttal falls short of a denial that the rap star is the boy’s father. Despite approaching Jay-Z’s representatives repeatedly last week, they refused to comment.
Sources say that Shenelle and her son live a quiet life in Trinidad at a $2.5 million home that Jay-Z bought for them after paternity tests revealed a positive match. It’s also thought that Shenelle, 28, brings her son to see Jay-Z in New York, where he’s based, whenever she flies there for modelling assignments.
6/19/2009
Death Row Records Returns, Unreleased 2Pac Recordings Coming Soon
Development company WIDEawake, which purchased Death Row Records earlier this year, has signed a deal with music publisher EverGreen to release new music including unreleased records by the late Tupac Shakur.
The deal will allow EverGreen to administer and handle licensing for all Death Row recordings.
In addition, Death Row is expected to generate a number of new releases in the near future, like a new album of unreleased Tupac material to commemorate the rapper's June 2010 birthday. The as-yet-untitled album will be distributed by E-1 stateside and EMI overseas. Other forthcoming releases include a collector's edition re-release of The Chronic Re-Lit, slated for a September 1, 2009 street date. The album will feature four bonus tracks - all unreleased master from Death Row - plus a DVD with never before seen video footage of Dr. Dre and other artists. WIDEawake/Death Row will also release several box sets this holiday season, including a four CD collection of previously unreleased Death Row master recordings, never before seen images and video footage
Common, Queen Latifah Find Love In 'Just Wright'
Rappers/actors Common and Queen Latifah have signed on to star in a new Fox Searchlight film titled Just Wright.
Queen Latifah plays a sports trainer, who falls in love with a professional basketball player, while attempting to rehabilitate him from a career-threatening injury.
The script was written by Michael Elliot, while Latifah, long time partner Shakim Compere and Debra Martin Chase will produce the movie, with Sanaa Hamri directing.
Common, who is currently shooting Date Night, recently had a high profile role in the movie Terminator Salvation, which has raked in over $165 million dollars in box office revenue in the U.S. since being released in May.
Shooting on Just Wright is slated to begin next month, while the movie is expected to be in theaters nationwide sometime in 2010.
Plies Drops 'Goon Affiliated'; Second Album In Six Months
Less than two years after the release of his RIAA-certified gold debut The Real Testament, Florida rapper Plies is preparing for the release of his fourth studio album, Goon Affiliated.
The album, set for a September 2009 release, will mark another milestone in Plies’ career.
It will be his first album to feature collaborations with rappers, as opposed to singers.
Of course, his three previous releases have featured impressive A-List R&B guest appearances.
The Real Testament’s success was powered by the T-Pain assisted “Shawty,” as well as “Hypnotized,” featuring Akon.
On his sophomore effort, Definition of Real, Plies scored a hit with “Bust It Baby pt. 2” featuring Ne-Yo, which would become the Ft. Myers, Florida native’s first single to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
On his third album, Da Realist, Plies sought the support of Ashanti, singer/songwriter Sean Garrett, and newcomer Chris J, who lent his voice to the album’s debut single “Put It On Ya.”
“I’ve been blessed to be able to come back with three albums in 16 months,” said the Big Gates/Slip-n-Slide/Atlantic recording artist of his success. “I feel like it’s something that hadn’t been done in the new era.”
On his next album, Plies is promising new sounds, new technology and a new batch of hand-picked top notch producers.
And he has already departed from his traditional formula by presenting his first feature-free single.
“Becky,” the first official single from Goon Affiliated makes its debut today (June 19).
As to the topic of the song, fans will have to hear it to figure it out.
Plies does offer one hint, however: “Some of you all will be mad at me for saying this,” he offers, “but I’m in love with Becky!”
The rapper most recently made a return to the forefront with the radio single “Plenty Money,” which is currently in heavy rotation across the Southeast.
6/18/2009
Willie D. Out Of Prison, Banned From The Internet
Legendary Houston rapper Willie D quietly posted bail two weeks ago, evading the high level of attention his recent fraud case has received.
The 42-year-old born William James Dennis was released from a Houston area correctional facility on May 20 under a bond agreement that limits his travel and use of the internet.
Under the terms of his bond, Willie D has surrendered his passport and has been forbidden from travelling beyond Harris and surrounding counties.
In addition, the Geto Boys star is being monitored by an active GPS system.
Due to the nature of his crimes, Willie D has also been forbidden from using the internet.
On May 13, the gangsta rap pioneer was arrested at Houston’s Bush International Airport and accused of running an elaborate iPhone scam.
He allegedly used a front company named Texas One Wireless to solicit international customers on eBay.
Willie D reportedly processed several orders for iPhones and other electronics, requesting the funds for the goods be transferred to his bank account. None of the orders were ever filled, however.
Two weeks ago, his attorney filed a motion requesting that both the travel and internet restrictions be lifted, as both are needed in Dennis’s career as a rapper.
The court documents indicated that he had already missed a scheduled performance in Cleveland, Ohio due to his arrest.
On June 9, a grand jury indicted Willie on 15 counts of wire fraud.
If convicted, he will face up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000. His arraignment has yet to be scheduled.
A Houston-based booking and promotions company has planned a tribute to Willie D set for tonight (June 18).
Smash The Mic has announced that it’s Pre-Juneteenth Concert and Party at Bar-Rio, showcasing new Hip-Hop talent, will also be a celebration of “the man who helped put Houston on the map.”
No word as to whether Willie D himself will be present at the event, although he is expected to make an appearance.
LUPE FIASCO REACTS TO ALBUM LEAK, "I WAS ABOUT TO FIRE MY ENTIRE STAFF
Lupe Fiasco has reacted to his new song "Shining Down" leaking online earlier this week and described the drastic measures he was willing to take in order to find out who was responsible.
Writing via his blog, the Chi-town rapper broke down what happened with his alleged first single from the upcoming album Lasers.
"I DON'T LEAK MY OWN RECORD!!!!," he wrote in all caps. "I'M NOT A FAN OF LEAKING RECORDS OR OF DOWNLOADING!!!! My entire first album leaked and possibly cost me from going platinum my first time out as the final estimates of how many people actually downloaded that album illegally was well over half a million...Someone hacked my email. I was about to fire my entire staff and cut off relationships over shining down leaking last night. Bun B hit me and was like 'the records dope' and i was like 'what record?' nobody even has it. the only possible explanation is my email chain with the mix studio (which is air tight...the studio that is) was hacked and thats where the record came from. Lastly, the album is f*cking ridiculous. I dont like to brag or sh*t like that but the album is sooo f*cking crazy at this point 95% done.
6/16/2009
WE BACK!!!!!!
SORRY FOLKS WE HAVEN'T BEEN POSTING LATELY WE HAVE MAKING MOVES BUT WE ARE BACK IN ACTION
6/03/2009
KANYE WEST RETURNS TO RAP, "IT'S TIME FOR ME TO BUST ANOTHER RAP ALBUM"
Kanye West has announced a return to rap form after releasing his R&B-based 808s & Heartbreak LP last year and promised his new lyrics were "awes-mazing."
Yeezy promised an upcoming album and revealed his ability to go paperless with lyrics.
"I'm always working, just talking to people like I've already got some lines that might make it to the album just from having a conversation," Ye said in an interview. "I haven't written down lyrics in like six years, but as far as rapping goes though, uh, how do we word this? [Michael] Jordan, Michael Jackson of it, that's what I do. It's time for me to bust another rap album... I kill that rap sh*t, that's what I do. I'm working on stuff, lyrics right now and they're awes-mazing, they're basically untouchable and I'm about to take it to a whole 'nother level and I would be scared if I was not me."
DRAKE’S GOING TO ATLANTIC!!!!!
Well, well all know that Universal and Atlantic Records have been in a bidding war for the artist known as Drake. Well, I have news for you…or a rumor rather. From what I understand Drake is now listed as getting down with Atlantic Records. I can’t reveal how I obtained this information, because it will compromise my source. Nevertheless, I am here to let you fiends know that Drake is reportedly looking for beats for his upcoming album and he is already working with artists like Jay-Z. I also heard that he is at the top of the list on their releases. I am not sure how exactly…perhaps it’s alphabetical order or something. Drake was listed as a release on ATF Records/Atlantic Records, but had no planned release. Also in Rumor Land, Drake officially started on his album as of June 1. By the way, ATF stands for All Things Fresh. There are a couple other ATF Records out there.
THE KING OF R & B IS BACK WITH A NEW MIXTAPE "THE DEMO TAPE"
THE KING OF R & B IS BACK WITH "THE DEMO TAPE" HIS VERY FIRST MIXTAPE TO BUILD HYPE AROUND HIS UPCOMING ALBUM "UNTITLED" I GIVE THIS MIXTAPE 10 STARS....TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.....
http://www.sendspace.com/file/zlv9e7
6/01/2009
Jay-Z Inks Chinese Expansion Deal for Rocawear
Mogul Jay-Z and partnering company Iconix China have secured an expansion deal to bring the Rocawear brand to the country of China.
The deal was finalized with Bosideng International Holdings, who will manufacture the brand’s Spring 2010 lines.
Additionally, the company has forecasted a timetable to break ground on over 300 Rocawear stores throughout Greater China by 2012.
As an original founder of Rocawear, Jay-Z stated that making the brand an international product was one of his main goals since selling the company’s rights to Iconix for $204 million.
"When Iconix purchased the Rocawear trademark two years ago, Neil Cole and I made a commitment to building Rocawear into a global lifestyle brand,” Jay explained in a prepared statement. “Our expansion into China is a validation of our joint efforts to bring an authentic interpretation of American fashion to young people around the world."
The deal is reported to be a 50-50 split venture with Iconix Brand Group and Novel Fashion Holding Limited.
Last year, the Rocawear brand remained strong despite the ailing U.S. economy, grossing sales of 18.3 million dollars in the third quarter alone.
At press time, Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 LP is tentatively aimed for a September release.
Bryan "Baby" Williams Sued Over 'Birdman' Royalties
Finnish business man Jari Kuosma has filed a lawsuit against Cash Money Records, demanding over $200,000 in owed royalties in connection with Bryan “Birdman” Williams’ partnership with Lugz, Inc.
Kuosma owns the trademark for the name “Birdman.”
His company, Birdman OY, Inc. – founded in Helsinki in 1999 and currently operating in Omaha, Nebraska – sells wing suits, skydiving apparel and equipment, and street wear inspired by the skydiving lifestyle.
The company’s website says it is “the most well-known skydiving brand and the leading wing suit manufacturer in the world.”
In early 2004, Kuosma granted a nonexclusive license to use the “Birdman” name for Baby’s Lugz footwear line.
In exchange, Kuosma was to receive 35% of the royalties paid to Cash Money for footwear sold.
The license agreement was terminated three years later when Kuosma decided he did not want to extend the terms of the license.
In February 2008, Cash Money Records and Lugz confirmed that the New Orleans-based label earned a total of $522, 835.40 in royalties.
Thus, Kuosma and his company were owed $217, 992.39.
On February 13, 2008 Kuosma and Cash Money settled on a payment arrangement whereby the defendant would receive his royalties in six monthly payments of $36, 332.05.
However, as of the filing of the lawsuit on Friday (May 29), not a single payment has been made.
Kuosma and his attorney’s have requested that the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska grant him a judgment against Cash Money records in the amount of the owed royalties, “plus interest, costs and fees as allowed by law.”
The Lugz Birdman line has been discontinued for over a year.
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