R. Kelly Accused Of Bribing Witness
Jury selection in the R. Kelly child pornography trial began Friday. There are also new allegations that someone inside Kelly’s camp paid an Atlanta woman to hand over an incriminating sex tape featuring Kelly. This is the same woman who’s expected to testify that she had three-way sex with Kelly and the girl in the video at the center of this case. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, last month Judge Vincent Gaughan was told in a closed-door hearing that the woman accepted an undisclosed amount of money from one of Kelly’s associates and arranged to deliver an explicit home video featuring Kelly. The Atlanta woman was granted immunity from state and federal prosecution in exchange for her testimony. Prosecutors became aware of the woman's dealings with Kelly's aide and decided to make her a witness in the case involving the initial sex tape. The Atlanta woman's testimony could prove damaging to the defense's case as she can identify the girl and testify if she was underage at the time. The girl, now in her 20s, has denied before a grand jury that she was involved in alleged act.
DMX Arrested....Twice!
DMX was arrested on drug and animal-cruelty charges after an early morning raid on his house in Phoenix, Arizona. The rapper tried to barricade himself in his bedroom when a police SWAT team entered his house around 3:00 am Friday morning, but he gave himself up peacefully after a short time. After serving a search warrant, police found weapons and drugs. Animal control officers also removed five pitbull mix puppies from DMX’s house. The dogs were taken to a jail where they will be cared by for women inmates.
Police searched DMX’s house once before, back in August, after receiving reports of dogs being abused there. Detectives seized 12 pit bull dogs and dug up remains of three others. Some of the animals had apparently gone without food and water for a long time but no evidence of dog fighting was found.
Friday morning’s raid came just two days after DMX was arrested for driving 114 mph.
Studio Fights R Rating For Will Smith New Movie
Will Smith’s upcoming movie, Hancock, has run into trouble with the movie ratings board. Hancock is an oddball action flick about a homeless, alcoholic superhero. Columbia Pictures wants to release the flick with a PG-13 rating, but the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has reviewed the picture twice and given an R rating both times! Director Peter Berg says the MPAA had issues with a scene of an adult having sex with a minor and another scene where Will Smith’s character gets drunk with a 12-year-old. That second scene has been re-shot with a 17-year-old. But Berg says the re-edited version of the movie is still "surprisingly sexual, violent and true in spirit to an original script." When the original version of the script started making the rounds in Hollywood it was dubbed “brilliant but unfilmable.”
Berg is dueling with studio execs who want to downplay the darker elements of the story to make it more marketable. Berg warns that, "the ad campaign for this movie is much friendlier than the film."
Justin Timberlake TV!
Justin Timberlake is executive producer on an MTV reality series billed as a "real life Bourne Identity. The show’s a new version of a Dutch show called The Phone in which contestants follow instructions given by a mysterious guide who talks to them over a cell phone. Each episode beings with two cell phones ringing in different parts of a major city. When a random passerby picks up the phone he or she is given five seconds to decide if they want to play the game for a chance at big money and prizes. Once two players volunteer the game begins with them competing on various missions, being guided by the voice on the phone while being tracked by a helicopter hovering above. Justin is producing the show but we don’t know if he’ll actually appear onscreen.
DMC Does PSA For Foster Kids
Rap pioneer Darryl “DMX” McDaniels of Run DMC will hold a press conference today to announce a new campaign supporting foster children called “It’s Cool To Care.” DMC, who was adopted, is teaming up with Children’s Aid and Family Services, a non-profit organization based in Paramus, New Jersey. He will appear on billboards and in public service announcements for radio and TV. DMC said, “When [children in foster care] look at me, I want them to say, ‘You’re the same as me.’ I want them to understand that there is no one more special than them in this world.”
DMC has championed foster children since 2000, when his parents revealed that he was adopted as he gathered information for his autobiography.
Tiger Attacks Trainer On Rick Ross Video Set
An animal trainer was recently attacked by a white tiger on the set for Rick Ross’ new video "Here I Am" featuring Nelly.
The unnamed trainer was bitten on the leg by the white tiger, which will be portrayed as Rick Ross’ pet in the upcoming video.
According to Miami's WVSN Channel 7’s Deco Drive, the tiger became aggravated after being entangled in chains and attacked the trainer as he attempted to coax the animal out of its cage.
"The trainer went and tried to help him, but he grabbed him by the tail and the tiger didn’t like it so, he turned around and bit the trainers leg," said cast member Cesar Chacon. There was some action right there. We’ve never seen stuff like that before."
The attack happened before St. Louis rapper Nelly arrived on the set .
The trainer managed to get the tiger back into its cage, before he was treated on the set by paramedics.
Foxy Brown Pleads Guilty To Assault
Foxy Brown has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of menacing in a case where she attacked a woman with a Blackberry mobile device.
The rapper pleaded out in Brooklyn Criminal Court today (May 8) and a 2007 felony assault charge was tossed out, according to TMZ.com.
The rapper was sentenced to time served and offered letter of apology.
Arlene Raymond may attempt to sue Brown in a civil suit, but no legal action has been confirmed.
Brown was sentenced to time served and a letter of apology was submitted to the court.
Now that she’s also pled out of her Florida case, the legal radar is more or less clear Brown. Brown has no court dates in the near future.
DMX Busted In AZ For Driving Over 114 MPH
Rapper DMX’s driving continues to be a problem, as the rapper was arrested yesterday (May 6) evening by Arizona police for driving in excess of 100 MPH on a local highway with a suspended license.
On January 21, the actor/rapper was photographed driving his 1966 Chevy Nova II on the Loop 101 at a speed of 100 miles per hour in a 65 mile per hour zone.
Just a minute later, DMX, born Earl Simmons, was photographed at another camera moving at a speed of over 114 miles per hour.
Three minutes later, DMX was caught on camera driving at a speed of 101 miler per hour.
Police arrested DMX at his home in Cave Creek and charged the rapper with racing on a highway, reckless driving, two counts of endangerment, three counts of criminal speed and driving with a suspended license.
“This is an important arrest,” Roger Vanderpool Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “Criminal speeding endangers the lives of everyone on the road. Mr. Simmons wasn’t signaled out because of his notoriety, we have made several arrests in the last few months of those people who flagrantly violate the speed limit and therefore endanger the lives of everyone else on the road. The photo enforcement program on the Loop 101 is making a difference with safety out on the highway.”
DMX was booked into the Scottsdale County Jail and released earlier today (May 7).
MCP Throwback: Usher - "8701"
Usher - "8701"
Release Date: August 7, 2001 Singles
1. "U Remind Me"
2. "U Got It Bad"
3. "U Don't Have To Call"
4. "U Turn (non-US release)" "8701" Usher’s third studio album, originally titled "All About U", was slated to be released in early 2001. The first single, “Pop Ya Collar” (co-written and produced by Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs), was released in late 2000 and became a #2 hit in the UK - but underperformed in America. The album was subsequently pushed back, retooled and renamed 8701 (named for the years of his career at that point [1987-2001], and for its release date of August 7, 2001, or 8/7/01). The first two singles "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad" each topped the U.S. Hot 100 singles chart for four and six weeks respectively in the summer and fall. In early 2002, "U Don't Have to Call," also went top five pop. The albums final single, "U-Turn" was released outside of America, and became a top twenty hit in Australia and the U.K.. 8701 was certified 4x platinum, selling more than seven million copies worldwide. What do YOU think of Usher's "8701"? Is it good enough to be considered a "classic" or not? What are your favorite tracks? Let us know!
Jordin Sparks Back to Business, Insists Her Voice Was Never At Risk
American Idol star Jordin Sparks is back at work and playing down reports she almost lost her singing voice for good.
As Singersroom reported, the R&B singer was ordered to rest her voice last month after it was discovered she was suffering from an acute vocal cord hemmorhage, which, in some cases, can lead to permanent vocal damage.
She says, "They were saying I would never sing again, and I knew I could because, well, it's my throat. My career could have been in jeopardy if I hadn't done anything about it. But I knew something was wrong and that I needed to get it checked out."
The reigning American Idol champ returned to work and opened for Alicia Keyes in Minneapolis last Wednesday night -- her first show with the Grammy award winning singer on the current tour.
Then over the weekend, Jordin shot the video for her new single, "One Step At A Time."
Chris Brown ‘Grown and Sexy’ In This Month’s Issue of Ebony
R&B/Pop singer Chris Brown covers this month’s issue of Ebony where he makes no apologies for being ‘grown and sexy.’
Brown sat down for an exclusive interview with the magazine to discuss his musical growth, sex and the women in his life including Rihanna. When asked about dating Brown says “I date sometimes. If I ever had a girlfriend, it’d always be a problem. Fans want you to be attainable. I try to stay away from even having a girl. I go on dates, talk to a couple chicks on the phone.”
Chris Brown and Rihanna have been the subject of dating rumors for sometime now however, Brown insists they are just friends.
With the re-release of his chart-topping album Exclusive: The Forever Edition next month he says “I wanted to do something more along the lines of a grown record,” going on to say “ I wanna take her down” referring to his recent single “Take You Down.”
In other news, Chris Brown recently wrapped up a video with Hip Hop artist David Banner for their single “Get Like Me” also featuring Yung Joc and baseball star Barry Bonds.
For more on this story and to watch footage from Chris Brown’s Ebony Photoshoot visit ebonyjet.com/ebony.
Ebony’s May Issue – Black Music Month: What Does Black Sound Like is on newstands now !
Court Denies Media Motion in R. Kelly Case
The Illinois Supreme Court denied news organizations’ emergency motion seeking sealed court records and transcripts related to R. Kelly’s trial slated to begin Friday.
The court denied the motion filed by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and the Associated Press on Monday without comment.
Judge Vincent Gaughan has said he’s trying to protect Kelly’s rights and prevent information from influencing prospective jurors – jury selection is to begin Friday.
As recently reported on Singersroom, a new witness has surfaced claiming that she had a threesome with Kelly and the underage girl -- R. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to the charges that he videotaped himself having sex with the underage girl, he faces 14 counts of child pornography facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Ashanti Declares Independence
Ashanti is declaring her independence on “Declaration” and holds no punches in this month’s issue of Sister 2 Sister Magazine. The R&B songbird sat down for an exclusive interview with ‘S2S’ publisher Jamie Foster Brown to discuss her new album, her label situation, personal relationships and to set the record straight about Murder Inc.
A lot of people want to know where Ashanti stands since Murder Inc shifted to The Inc. She says she is still signed to The Inc but she is doing her project on her own. The producers, the budgets, the behind the scenes, the flying around, the creativity, is all handle by her and her team.
Discussing her relationship with Irv Gotti, Ashanti says “Sometimes, Irv—he gets very emotional. Sometimes it's a good thing and sometimes it's not a good thing. In this business there's really no room for emotion because it can mess a lot of things up.”
When ask about the track “Judas” Ja Rule addressed her on, Ashanti says the platinum rapper could have just picked up the phone and call her. In regards to the two working together again, she says “It's so expected for me and Ja to do a record, so we both kind of took control of our projects and wanted to do something very different this time. It doesn't mean that we're never going to do another record together. 'Cause you know we have an amazing chemistry.”
Lil Wayne Pleads Not Guilty To AZ Drug Charges
Cash Money Records rap star Lil Wayne appeared in Arizona Superior Court to face numerous drug charges today (May 6), AllHipHop.com has learned.
The rapper, who was hit with multiple drug charges and a weapons offense in January, entered a not guilty plea in court.
Today, Lil Wayne pled innocent to charges of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, misconduct involving weapons and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Lil Wayne was arrested on January 22, after DEA Agents stopped the rapper's tour bus near a border checkpoint in southwestern Arizona, about 75 miles East of Yuma.
A Border Patrol dog alerted officials to the presence of drugs and a subsequent search of the bus 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 Lil Wayne in Florida.
Police also confiscated $22,000 dollars in cash and two other firearms.
Out of the 11 occupants of the bus, two other men were arrested in the incident with Lil Wayne, although those men only face possession of marijuana charges.
Lil Wayne was released on $10,000 cash bond. His next court date is May 19.
Yung Joc Launches Label
Yung Joc has landed the first major label situation for his new imprint, Swagg Team Entertainment.
The Atlanta-based artist, born Jasiel Robinson, has inked a deal with Jive Records to release the debut album by Chicago trio Hotstylz, who created an online sensation with a satirical track that has since been renamed “Lookin’ Boy.”
“I wanted to put together a team of artists and opportunists to change the pace of music as we know it right now, as far as Hip-Hop and R&B is concerned,” Joc told AllHipHop.com. “So I went through a lot of different mediums as far as open mics in Atlanta, I went through mediums as far as getting on the radio and telling people to bring their CDs to certain places. All types of efforts to find new talent.”
All concerted efforts aside, Joc discovered Hotstylz quite accidentally, when he was introduced to them by radio and club DJ Hershey, who had downloaded the audio from the group’s YouTube video.
“He gave me a copy of it,” recounts the Block Entertainment/Bad Boy South artist. “My assistant got on the internet, she found them, got in touch with them, flew ‘em down three days after that. I talked to them, we re-did the record. Three days after we re-did the record, we had a deal on the table from Jive.”
The more radio and consumer-friendly version of “Lookin’ Boy,” which features Joc himself, created a bit of a bidding war, the artist says.
He is counting on the interest generated by the song to not only help him garner a larger label situation for Swagg Team, but to also establish the imprint as a front runner for a new wave in urban music.
“With a group like Hot Stylz, there isn’t a lane for what they do,” Joc says. “They’re creating their own lane right now. It’s like taking [Comedian] ‘Weird’ Al Yankovic and putting him in the hood. These cats are from the Southside of Chicago. Don’t get it twisted: although they make funny ass records and they silly, these ni**as is still from the hood.”
The new video for “Lookin’ Boy,” which Joc says closely follows Hotstylz’ original clip, is set to hit airwaves on May 12.
In an effort to let the group’s popularity develop organically, a release date has not been set for their debut album.
“I talked to the label,” Joc explains, “and I said, ‘Look, if possible, don’t hit me with the standard. Don’t give me a album date and make me work towards that date. Let’s look at the growth of their record and their brand, and then let’s put a date.”
Yung Joc’s entrepreneurial aspirations go well beyond the world of entertainment.
The 25-year-old rapper also owns two automobile related businesses and is in the process of launching a new line of sunglasses called Claudio St. James.
Joc is partnering with his father to release the new collection of shades independently of any existing fashion or eyewear line.
Rapper Common Lands Role In New Terminator Flick
Chicago rapper Common has landed a high-profile role in an upcoming new installment of The Terminator franchise of movies.
Common, born Lonnie Rashid Lynn, will star in Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins, which is being produced by Halcyon Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. and Sony.
The fourth installment of The Terminator focuses on John Connor, who leads the human race in an epic battle against the machines.
Common will star in the movie as a freedom fighter alongside the central character, John Connor, who is being played by actor Christian Bale.
Others starring in the movie include Sam Worthington, Derek Anderson, Jeanne Allgood, Dan Lin, Mortiz Borman, Victor Kubicek, Jeff Silver and others.
The original Terminator movie was released in 1984 and starred current California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The movie’s sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day was released in 1991 and earned four Oscar Awards.
In 2003, Schwarzenegger reprised his role for Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, which has grossed almost $450,000,000 dollars worldwide, since its original release.
With his latest album Invincible Summer due in stores this summer, the rapper made it clear that he isn’t the typical rapper who turns to acting in order to boost his career, although he has his eyes set on a prestigious prize.
“I'm not a hip-hop dude who wants to act. I'm an artist," Common recently told the Chicago-Sun Times, adding that he has his eyes set on an Oscar Award.
"The Oscar seems very prestigious,” Common said. “With all due respect to the Grammys, there are more music categories and it's easier to get a ticket to the show. Also if you look at it as someone coming from Chicago, there are only so many black artists who receive Oscars."
Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins is slated to hit theaters in May of 2009.
Bench Warrant For Foxy Brown Was Court Error
A bench warrant for the arrest of Foxy Brown was rescinded after a court mix-up called for the arrest of the rapper who was recently released from New York’s Rikers Island.
Laura Dilimetin, Browns lawyer, said that the date was rescheduled with all parties but the change was not updated on the official court calendar. The court did issue a bench warrant, but it was recalled later in the day Monday, according to tmz.com.
Foxy Brown’s court date for May 6 was rescheduled for May 8.
Brown faces assault and weapons charges, stemming from an altercation with a Brooklyn neighbor. The NYPD accused Brown of striking her 25-year-old neighbor in the face with a mobile device and caused the woman to have a swollen lip, loose teeth and swelling in her right eye.
Brown was released from prison on April 18.
Mary J and Rap Exec Steve Stoute Launch Women's Support Network
Hip-Hop soul queen Mary J. Blige is joining forces with music executive Steve Stoute to motivate women to reach their goals.
The pair will officially launch their new organization, FFAWN: the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now, Inc. this Friday (May 9) during a press conference at Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, New York.
Founded by Blige, FFAWN is dedicated towards inspiring women to reach their individual potential through scholarships, grants, and programs that foster strong self-esteem, career development and personal growth, while gaining the confidence and skills needed to achieve success.
In addition to Blige, the organization’s board of directors will include Stoute, Kendu Isaacs, Jada Pinkett Smith, Charles Wright, Lisa Price and Samantha Fink.
Although it will initially focus its efforts in Blige's hometown of Yonkers and surrounding communities in Westchester, FFAWN will ultimately expand to the Greater New York area as well as the rest of the country.
News of the organization’s launch comes as Blige was recently named one of People magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People.
Stoute, an accomplished executive in the music business, has worked with a number of Hip-Hop artists throughout his career.
In February, Translation Advertising, an advertising agency that is part of Stoute's Translation Consultation and Brand Imaging, named rap mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter as its chairman.
As a result of the action, Stoute and Jay-Z jointly own 51 percent of the company, while Translation's parent company, the Interpublic Group of Companies owns the remaining 49 percent.
Remy Ma Talks From Rikers Island Jail
Incarcerated rapper Remy Ma granted DJ Kay Slay an exclusive interview from New York jail Rikers Island for his satellite radio show on Eminem’s Shade 45.
“Its nothing. I’m in here chillin’ – eating mad mackerel,” the rapper joked, quickly changing tone to a more serious nature. “I’m in the cell 23 hours a day – max security. It’s real crazy over here. You got certain officers that are extra nice and you got the ones that are extra not nice. I be telling them it’s not my fault that my commissary is more than their salary.”
The rapper appeared to be in good spirits and energetic in her conversation with Kay Slay and his Streetsweeper Radio team and again proclaimed her innocence after being convicted in March of four counts of assault and weapon possession for shooting a former friend.
“Just because 12 people say something, who weren’t there, does not mean nothing. I’m not even mad at people. I’m mad at money or what lack of does to people. Its really sad,” she stated over the phone. “Ain’t nothing changed, because I’m on the Island…[I'm] still the Queen of NY.”
A New York judge pushed back Remy Ma's sentencing in late April so that her lawyer Ivan Fisher could craft an argument against the maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
The rapper felt her trial and subsequent conviction were unjust and unfair.
“Don’t be mistaken about a jury that was not my peers. There was no tan [or] dark brown, Black – nothing - on that jury. It’s a whole conspiracy against rappers right now so I already knew what it was,” she said.
On the musical front, Remy also stated that she has a new mixtape coming called “6 Minutes Remy Ma You’re On.”
The rapper insisted she would return for another interview, because she has “wild phone time.” It appeared that her fiancé rapper Papoose was on the call as well.
The rapper’s next court appearance is May 13 in New York.
According to Sirius Kay Slay's Streetsweeper Radio transmits Wednesdays at 8 pm with a rebroadcast Sundays 8 pm.
Alicia Keys Looking For Background Singer!
Alicia Keys is looking for a background singer to travel the world with her. Check out the link below where you can see her chatting about what she's looking for.
http://www.aliciakeys.com/tourtheworld
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET YOUR BIG BREAK AND SEE THE WORLTEN TIME GRAMMY WINNER ALICIA KEYS IS LOOKING FOR A BACKGROUND SINGER TO JOIN HER ON THE AS I AM TOUR.
Entering Instructions:
Submit a video of yourself singing acapella for at least 30 seconds. (Original Compositions Only. / No Cover Songs Allowed).
Once your video has been submitted, enter your MySpace URL and video URL in the forum to the right.
Make sure to review the rules and regulations before entering.
Qualifications:
Must be female between the ages of 21-30.
Have a valid Passport.
Immediately able to Travel.
By entering, you agree to the full set of rules and regulations
Winner:
The winner will be chosen on or around May 15th. One (1) Performer, selected at the sole discretion of the Sponsors/Judges, will be given the opportunity to perform in at least one (1) show as a back-up singer for Alicia Keys!!
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