Jermaine Dupri has been sued by SunTrust Bank to the tune of $1.9 million in an action that charges the music mogul defaulted on a loan.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Jermaine Dupri took out a $4.9 million loan in December 2010, but defaulted in May 2011. So So Def, Dupri’s company, was listed as the guarantor of the loan.
Dupri was given until November of 2012 to pay off the commercial loan but didn’t.
Currently, Dupri owes roughly $1.8 million in principal, $83,545 in interest, $10,083 in fees and $505 in interest as of May 21.
According to SunTrust, Dupri will not incur attorney fees if he pays the balance in full within 10 days.
In 2011, SunTrust also initiated foreclosure proceedings on Dupri’s mansion in Atlanta. but an auction was canceled.
Fabolous says “if it presents itself” and he’s ready, he’d consider marriage.
With tracks such as “Make Me Better” and “You Be Killin Em” in his discography, it’s no surprise that Fabolous has put significant thought into his romantic relationships, as well as the potential for something more serious down the line.
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In an interview with VladTV, Loso discussed his long-standing relationship with stylist Emily B, with whom the Brooklyn rapper has a son. “We got a child together. That’s my lady. We’re just raising a five-year-old boy. Simple as that, going through everything that it takes to do that. A five-year-old is a handful.”
Though he and Emily B have yet to tie the knot, Fab didn’t brush aside the idea. “If it presents itself and I’m ready to do that, I would definitely… I think marriage is a great thing,” he said, before adding, “I just think a lot of people don’t respect it in the same way that I respect it.”
“Some people just want to get married because it’s a nice thing to do. Like a way to show that you love somebody, but they don’t see all of the things that come around marriage, and the mind state it takes to be in.”
“I wouldn’t want to move forward with something that I was unsure about on that high of a level,” concluded Fabolous.
Kanye West knows that religion is a topic that always sparks conversation. Obviously, when one of Hip-Hop’s biggest stars decides to name his album Yeezus, many people are going to have an opinion.
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While there have been conflicting reports to the actual title is, No Malice of The Clipse, has added to the discussion on the representation of Jesus Christ in Hip-Hop.
“The Game’s Jesus Piece, Clipse’ Lord Willin’, Kanye’s album; before I had a personal knowledge and revelation of my Lord and Savior I was liable to do or say anything that a devout Christian may deem blasphemous,” No Malice told AllHipHop.com exclusively. “I put His head on a chain, flooded Him with diamonds then used that same chain to seduce women.”
No Malice rose in the music industry as one half of the Virginia based duo The Clipse. Along with his brother Pusha T (now a member of Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music), Clipse were best known for their vivid tales of conquering and surviving the drug game like on the classic 2002 single “Grindin’.”
At that time No Malice was simply known as Malice, but in March of last year he announced on Twitter that Malice was “dead” and No Malice was born. Since then he has been outspoken about his relationship with Christ.
While No Malice has no issue confessing his love for Jesus, he makes it clear that he does not claim to be a member of any religion or judge those who choose to live their lives different from his.
“I dare not point the finger and say who has crossed religious lines because I do not subscribe to religion. Rather I subscribe to a personal relationship with Christ the King,” says No Malice.
For No Malice the fact that Jesus Christ is being spoken about is the most important thing, not the intent of the speaker.
“Depending on how personal He is to you is indicative of what light you portray Him in,” explains No Malice. “I tend to align myself with the Apostle Paul when he says, ‘But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or in truth, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice (Philippians 1:18)’.”
No Malice will be releasing his debut solo album Hear Ye Him on July 2nd. Watch a trailer for the LP below.
Paramount Studios and their legal staff says “Gimme Some More” to Busta Rhymes.
Busta Rhymes has been in many studios in his 20-plus year career within the music industry. The Long Island, New York native emcee is currently in trouble with one, Paramount Studios. According to TMZ.com, Busta booked 375 hours in the lab, creating a sum estimated in the lawsuit at $70,300.
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The sessions, some reportedly as long as 16 hours, were between late 2011 and early 2012. At the time, Busta Rhymes was believed to be recording Year Of The Dragon, his free album from last year. The project featured Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and Gucci Mane. Notably absent on the project was Busta’s longtime production partner and deejay, DJ Scratch. In the time since the recording, Busta Rhymes has signed with Cash Money Records, though he is believed to remain a Universal Records artist, which he has been since leaving Aftermath/Interscope Records in 2006.
Busta has not responded publicly to the lawsuit or the reports.
Run-DMC is considered one of (if not the) greatest Hip-Hop groups of all time and is often credited as the foundation of rap music crossing over to a larger audience. When you have those credentials on your résumé, your voice on the culture is seen as valuable.
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Founding member Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels spoke withAccess Atlanta, and the Hip-Hop icon provided his thoughts about where the culture is now.
“What bugs me about Hip-Hop is that we created it to go against everything that is on MTV and BET today,” said DMC. “The real gangsta rap told a story and said, ‘Shorty, you can do something better than that’.”
When asked about recent deaths and health scares involving Hip-Hop artists, DMC points out that the culture has 40 years of experience to look back on for guidance but does not do so.
“The problem is this, we don’t learn from the lessons that have been put forth to us from the generations preceding. We are not being responsible, and the people who want to be responsible are afraid because they don’t get no support,” stated the 48-year-old veteran.
DMC also addressed what he felt was a lack of respect by the Hip-Hop media when fellow legendary group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five became the first Hip-Hop act to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
“I was kind of disappointed in the culture of Hip-Hop. Grandmaster Flash was the first group to be inducted into the Rock Hall, and people did not celebrate it,” said the Rock Hall of Famer. “When the press came knocking [for our induction], I said, ‘Before you come talk to me, you need to talk to Grandmaster Flash.’ Magazines like the Source, XXL … they should have been the front cover. I’m happy that we’re in, but I’m not happy about how my people handled them.”
Lil Scrappy believes it’ll be best for him and his family to get a hold of his drug problem.
Lil Scrappy confirmed on Wednesday (May 29th) that he is headed to rehab.
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After failing a court-ordered drug test a number of weeks ago, the Atlanta rapper addressed his hopes for the experience, and looking at the situation in a positive light.
“It is my hope that my time away from my family and especially my little girl, my daughter, will make me a better man,” said Scrappy, according to WSBTV.com.
The rapper, who stars in “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” was arrested for felony gun and marijuana possession in 2008, and received a three-year probation. He failed the drug test in March, refusing to provide another sample.
Initial reports stated that the urine Scrappy provided was deemed “questionable” because it was “cold to the touch.” Scrappy later turned himself in to the police.
Last week California emcee The Game was caught on video almost getting into a wild brawl outside of Lure Nightclub. After conducting an interview with TMZ a fight broke out outside the Hollywood club, and Game tried to jump into the melee. He was ultimately restrained by members of his entourage before he could reach the fight.
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The Jesus Piece creator spoke with TMZ again recently and explained that his actions were the result of a night of too much alcohol.
“You gotta know your drinking limit,” said Game. “At that certain time I didn’t know my drinking limit.”
Either Chief Keefdoesn’t care about the law, or the law is always after Chief Keef. Chances are both options are true, but nonetheless, the 17-year-old has been arrested –yet again.
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Keef was popped a week ago in Georgia, for disorderly conduct. This time, the Chicago teen was arrested for speeding.
Chief Keef was arrested for the SECOND TIME IN 7 DAYS yesterday … when cops in Illinois say the 17-year-old rapper was doing 110mph … in a 55 zone.
Law enforcement says … cops spotted Keef’s 2011 BMW X6 M flying down Winnetka Road in Northfield, IL around 3:45 AM.
When cops pulled the car over … Keef was in the driver’s seat with 3 passengers — big problem, since Keef only has a permit which allows him to have ONE passenger.
After Keef was taken into custody, the BMW was released to one of the passengers … who left the scene with the vehicle.
Keef was cited for speeding and having too many people in the car. He’s due back in court on June 17.
Making his legal struggle even more ironic/sad is the fact that Keef was just released from custody in March. The “I Don’t Like” rapper did 30 days in a juvenile facility for probation violation, and allegedly vowed to change his life once freedom was attained.
Clearly, he’s having trouble keeping that promise.
Chief Keef has lashed back at weed allegations from a hotel security guard that got him arrested, claiming the guard gave him a “racist look.”
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Last week, Keef, 17, was arrested at the Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter Hotel and charged with disorderly conduct when the security guard caught Keef and his crew smoking marijuana in a room.
“So me and my homie Tray Savage was in the hotel room chillin’ when some fat ass security guard started knocking on the door talking about he needed to fix a water leak.”
“So his ass walked in and started looking around at us and immediately gave me the racist look then started talking sh*t to me.”
“I told him, ‘I thought you wanted to fix a water leak?’ Which he obviously lied ’cause there was no water leaking.”
“Then he immediately started talking sh*t to us. He told me that he was going to call the police on me so I called him a bitch.”
“He kept saying how the police about to be on their way to lock me up so I blew smoke in his face and pulled out 30 racks (white person translation: $30,000) and said I got the bond money — there is more where this come from.”
Keef says he felt the security guard was “racist from the moment he walked in the room. The way he looked at us was a racist look.”
The city of Baltimore claims that Kanye West didn’t have the proper permits for the screening of his newest song.
Kanye West’s multi-city screenings of his song “New Slaves” on buildings across the United States hit another hitch.
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Two days after the Houston Police Department ended multiple screenings of the video, The Baltimore Sun reports that the city of Baltimore canceled the event.
Baltimore Police Department page announced the cancellation via Twitter:
Baltimore Police ✔ @BaltimorePolice
NOTICE – The Kanye West album release events in Baltimore have been cancelled tonight.
Reports indicate that the cancellation was on the city’s part because the organizers did not have proper permits, citing the use of electricity and the anticipated crowds.
Still, a projection may have occurred elsewhere in the city, per Def Jam’s Twitter account:
Def Jam Recordings ✔ @DefJamRecords
Leave the Baltimore Emerson Tower and lets head to 2925 Hudson Street – 11pm!
Baltimore and Houston were both to be part of a second wave of screenings after Kanye debuted the track on 66 buildings around the US.
In Houston however, the Rothko Chapel screening came to an early end as police were not feeling the situation and shut down the event. According to the Houston Chronicle police shut down the visual scheduled to show on the Rothko Chapel, Central Library downtown.
Despite an apparently respectful crowd police pulled up onto the grass, flashed lights and sirens and told everyone to leave before they were to be arrested; people then cleared.
The library screening was canceled at its scheduled time due to technical difficulties. It was rescheduled at a later time that night until police showed up..
Kanye announced that his latest video was to be projected at 24 new locations on Friday. Among the other cities in the United States that was to be projected were Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Diego, and Austin.
50 Cent opened up his wallet to help with the funeral expenses for a child slain in his native Jamaica, Queens.
D’aja Robinson, 14, was murdered last weekend as she rode the bus. Police suspect that the gunman was aiming to murder another teenage girl and hit D’aja, known as Asia, instead.
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The shooter pumped nine rounds into the bus, one of which hit Asia in the head.
On Friday, she was laid to rest and several rappers like Lil Cease and Juelz Santana paid their respects in social media.
50 Cent paid for the teen’s funeral procession, including a horse-drawn carriage and her coffin. About 2,500 people came out to the funeral and procession.
One person of interest was questioned by police and then released earlier in the week.
It was an extended family affair as Will Smith and his son were joined by DJ Jazzy Jeff on “The Graham Norton Show.”
While doing press abroad for his movie After Earth, Will Smith and his son (and co-star) Jaden Smith stopped by BBC One’s “The Graham Norton Show.” At the conclusion of the interview, Will and Jaden grabbed mics to put on a brief show for the audience.
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While Will Smith beatboxed, Jaden treated the crowd to a short freestyle. Will followed in suit, rhyming: “Last time I was here, I did my ‘Fresh Prince’ rap / Eight million YouTube hits was on that / I can see your face, you like, ‘What has he left?’ / Well, this time I brought my DJ Jazzy Jeff!”
And with that, Jazzy Jeff and the Smiths performed a medley of Will’s 2005 single “Switch,” and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s ubiquitous “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
If that weren’t enough, Alfonso Ribeiro, known for playing Carlton Banks on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” TV show came on stage to do a number of trademark dances from the show.
Decensae White was the leading scorer on San Francisco State University’s basketball team, the former roommate of NFL player Michael Crabtree at Texas Tech University, and the star of a viral video that eventually made it’s way onto SportsCenter. The 25-year-old Pacifica, California native is now a murder suspect as well.
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NBC Bay Area is reporting that Smith has been extradited from San Mateo County to Fulton County, Georgia to face charges related to the murder of rapper Lil Phat (real name Melvin Vernell III).
Phat was killed in Sandy Springs, Georgia on June 7, 2012. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Houston called Phat’s killing “an assassination.”
White is one of five individuals who have been indicted on various charges including felony murder, aggravated assault, criminal participation in gang activity, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. One of the other suspects is an alleged member of the Russian mafia named Mani Chulayev.
According to Fulton County officials, White, Chulayev, DeAndre Washington, Gary Bradford, and Maurice Conner hired hit men to kill Phat over drug related issues.
White is believed to have moved to Georgia in 2009. He apparently was seeking to start a rap career in Atlanta.
White later returned to the Bay Area and enrolled at SFSU where he started on the school’s basketball team for the entire 2012-2013 season. He also briefly attended Texas Tech and Santa Clara University.
“We are in total shock right now,” said Decensae’s father David White. “He is the most non-violent person I’ve ever known in my life. This is beyond anyone’s comprehension.”
White was booked on May 17 and will appear in a Fulton County court on May 31.
“Death To Molly,” are the final words on the screen at the end of Kendrick Lamar’s latest video for “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.” Now the West Coast emcee is explaining the meaning behind his metaphorical killing of the present drug of choice for many in Hip Hop.
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“When everybody consciously now uses this term or this phrase and putting it in lyrics, it waters the culture down,” Kendrick tells MTV’s Sway in a recent interview. “So it’s really just time to move on.”
References to Molly (a powdered or crystallized form of MDMA) has seen a rise in rap songs in recent years. The drug has also seen greater usage among young people.
According to a 2012 study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2% of eighth graders, 5% of 10th graders, and 7% of 12 graders reported to have tried MDMA throughout their lifetime. Nearly 12% of respondents between the ages of 18-25 admitted to using the drug at one point.
Molly became part of a huge news story recently when rapper Rick Ross lost an endorsement deal with Reebok because of his controversial lyrics on Rocko’s “U.O.E.N.O.”
On the track Ross raps, “Put Molly all in her champagne/she ain’t even know it/I took her home and I enjoyed that/she ain’t even know it.” The lyrics were viewed by some as supporting or glorifying date rape leading to protests from women’s groups.
“Sometimes you have the trends that’s not that cool,” says Kendrick speaking in general about the overuse of Molly mentions in rap music. “You may have certain artists portraying these trends and don’t really have that lifestyle and then it gives off the wrong thing. And it becomes kinda corny after a while.”
Kendrick’s ceremonial burial of the party drug is his way of pushing the culture forward past the “Molly Era.”
Baltimore Police ✔ @BaltimorePolice
Def Jam Recordings ✔ @DefJamRecords
