Flavor Flav has a scheduling conflict between a court date in Las Vegas and his induction with the rap group Public Enemy into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The 54-year-old former rap and reality TV star is due for arraignment Thursday on felony charges that he chased and threatened his longtime girlfriend’s 17-year-old son with a butcher knife during an argument.
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The Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony is also taking place Thursday, in Los Angeles.
Defense attorney Tony Abbatangelo has already asked a judge for a different arraignment date for his client, whose legal name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr.
Drayton faces felony assault with a weapon and child endangerment charges and a misdemeanor domestic violence battery charge.
Abbatangelo has said Drayton will plead not guilty.
In these past two weeks, Jay-Z has started a sports agency, signed Robinson Cano, began his application to become a sports agent and now has relinquished his minority stake in the Brooklyn Nets.
In a statement posted on his Life+Times website, Jay-Z gave his thanks and states he’s now focusing on “building the brands of professional athletes”. The diverse entrepreneur says an NBA mandate requires him to relinquish his stake in the Brooklyn Nets in order for Roc Nation Sports to fully flourish:
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Being a member of the Nets organization surpassed some of my greatest ambitions. It was never about an investment; it was about the NETS and Brooklyn. My job as an owner is over but as a fan it has just begun. I’m a Brooklyn Net forever. It’s been an honor to work with Mikhail Prokhorov, Dmitry Razumov, Christophe Charlier, ONEXIM Sports and Entertainment, Brett Yormark and all the wonderful people involved in making the Nets first class. My sincerest thanks goes to Bruce Ratner, who first introduced the idea of moving the Nets to Brooklyn. A thank you and deepest appreciation goes to the fans. You are the lifeblood of any team.
The Nets have made their mark on the NBA and as they enter a new era, Roc Nation does as well; as we embark on Roc Nation Sports. Our newest endeavor is committed to building the brands of professional athletes as we have done for some of today’s top music artists. For Roc Nation Sports to function at its full potential, NBA rules stipulate that I relinquish my ownership in the Brooklyn Nets. It was a tough decision but as I stated earlier, it’s not about ownership. Congratulations to The Nets on a great season and making the playoffs! I will always be a Brooklyn Net.
Rumors suggest that Mr. Carter is trying to get the sports agent application process over with in order to be able to participate in this year’s NBA draft which begins on June 27th.
The New Post is claiming they have word that Kanye West is coming back to “SNL” to play some songs this Spring.
Kanye West has been one of the more famous “SNL” guests of the last five years. Dating back to an October, 2005 appearance, ‘Ye has has been the musical guest four times, in promotion of each of his last four solo albums. After West was parodied by cast-member and impressionist Jay Pharaoh, the rapper famously criticized the show in 2010 single, “Power,” saying, “Fuck ‘SNL’ and they whole cast / Tell ’em Yeezy said they can kiss my whole ass.”
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Appearing on the show months after, West altered the lyrics during his rendition of the song.
The New York Post’s “Page Six” reported today that Kanye West will return to the show formerly known as “Saturday Night Live” for a sixth appearance on May 18. West or his Def Jam Records label have yet to confirm these reports. An NBC rep also told The Post that the show has yet to announce its lineup.
Kanye West is currently in Paris, France recording what is believed to be his sixth solo album.
It seems that Miley Cyrus’ New Years resolution was to enter Hip Hop. In his interview with MTV Hive, the Moroccan rapper confirms that the two have been in the studio together.
According to the rapper, the pair linked up at Clive Davis’ Grammy party back in February and united over shared inebriation:
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That’s my dog. That’s my peoples. We became friends at the Clive Davis Grammy party. I was sitting there with Puff. She was sitting there with Wiz [Khalifa]. She just kept looking at me laughing, I kept on looking at her laughing. I said, “What you laughing at?” She said, “I know you high like me.” After that, we became mad cool. I went over to the studio, just kicking it.
Montana also reveals that the video for his upcoming collaboration with The Weeknd, entitled “Lifted” will begin shooting next week. His collaboration with Wale, “Back to Ballin” off Wale’s Folarin mixtape will be released soon and is reportedly shot by comedy collective Funny or Die.
The MMG-affiliated MC also spoke on Reebok’s recent decision to remove Ross as their spokesman:
I feel like a lot of people did worse than that and people didn’t judge them. They could’ve taken it light on him, understanding that it was a mistake. People make mistakes; we all human. That’s about it. As far as Ross, I know him personally. I know he’s a great guy. He’s like a big brother to me and I’m a big fan of Reebok. I can’t wait for them to cut me one of them big checks.
French Montana’s Bad Boy debut album, Excuse My French is set to be released on May 21st.
General rule of thumb: once a couple starts buying private islands for one another it should be assumed they are obscenely wealthy. The winning streak Hip Hop’s power couple seem to be on continues as International Business Times reports that Jay-Z and Beyonce are “pop music’s first billionaire couple.”
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The couple have been constant fixtures on Forbes’ annual The World’s Highest Paid Celebrity Couples List for years, ranking at #2 and #1 in 2011 and 2012 respectively raking in $150 million in the two years combined.
Recently, Beyonce became the face of H&M’s summer bikini collection and reportedly made $116 million on that deal alone. Jay-Z, still reaping the returns of his historic 2008 $150 million deal recently signed a multi-year, worldwide partnership with Universal Music Group.
The Carters’ money is not the only asset on people’s minds these days. The co-founder of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian told Bloomberg News today (April 17th) that he is very interested in buying Jay-Z’s minority stake in the Brooklyn Nets. Jay-Z is expected to sell his share in the Brooklyn Nets in order to become a certified player agent, especially after his newly formed Roc Nation Sports signed New York Yankee superstar Robinson Cano.
The 30 year old internet entrepreneur further elaborated on why he would want to own part of a basketball team on in a post on Reddit’s NBA subreddit:
”I’m a diehard Skins (/r/nfl knows) fan, but I’ve come to terms with never getting a share out of Dan Snyder. I realize it’s a token amount. But I actually live in Brooklyn and I’m pretty good with the internet — I reckon that could be helpful.
Both Jay-Z and Beyonce are reportedly releasing albums this year and have tours scheduled with Beyonce beginning her Mrs. Carter World Tour this past Monday (April 15th) at the Kombank Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.
In order to become a certified agent, Jay-Z must first pass the NFLPA admission test and have his postgrad degree requirement waived.
According to a recent report from NBC Sports, Jay-Z’s latest business venture may be slightly more difficult than many may have initially perceived. Thanks to the rapper’s newly-launched sports management company, Roc Nation Sports, he’s expressed interest in receiving NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) certification.
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Receiving certification from the NFLPA will allow Jay-Z to actively recruit NFL players, but in order to become a certified agent he must first successfully pass the NFLPA’s admission test.
On top of passing the admission test, the Hip Hop mogul would also have to work directly with the NFLPA to somehow have the postgraduate degree requirement waived. And with the possibility of that particular requirement being waived there then arises issues of favoritism and special treatment for the rapper.
As of now, it is unclear if any of these requirements will affect Jay-Z’s decision to become a certified agent.
Among those Jay-Z is currently working with at Roc Nation Sports is New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz.
Reebok’s decision to break ties with Rick Ross is allegedly about to set the Maybach Music Group boss back between $3.5 – $5 million according to a report by TMZ.
Apparently, Ross was getting paid every time he wore apparel by Reebok, but after he and the brand started to receive significant criticism for the rapper’s controversial lyrics in Rocko’s song, “U.O.E.N.O.,” the shoe company decided to end its partnership with Ross.
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Prior to the dissolution of their business relationship, Ross did offer an apology via twitter saying, “I dont [sic] condone rape. Apologies for the lyric interpreted as rape. #BOSS.”
That statement was not enough to end the torrent of calls for Reebok to drop Ross, and on April 11 the company official announced that the deal with the Miami rapper was ending.
Several rappers including Meek Mill, Slim Thug, and Rocko came out publicly and defended Ross’ right to express himself as an artist. Rocko also suggested that Reebok owed Ross a lot of credit for making the brand relevant in Hip-Hop again.
“As far as the Reebok thing, I don’t think that was fair because what he brought to Reebok. People in my neighborhood, in my city, they’re back wearing Reeboks. It was a cardinal sin to wear Reebok before Ross started promoting ‘em. Ross stepped in and he branded ‘em and he got the urban market back in to ‘em,” Rocko told MTV recently.
Ross later offered another more detailed apology saying in part:
“I recognize that as an artist I have a voice and with that, the power of influence. To the young men who listen to my music, please know that using a substance to rob a woman of her right to make a choice is not only a crime, it’s wrong and I do not encourage it. To my fans, I also apologize if I have disappointed you. I can only hope that this sparks a healthy dialogue and that I can contribute to it.”
The second mea culpa came after Reebok chose to move on without Ross. The company issued its own statement saying in part:
“Reebok holds our partners to a high standard, and we expect them to live up to the values of our brand. Unfortunately, Rick Ross has failed to do so.”
Pittsburgh native Wiz Khalifa recently spoke with Esquire magazine about the biggest moment of his career, what Hip-Hop tracks he’s listening to right now, and the business advice he gain from associates of Donald Trump.
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“Right now, I’m learning to sue people and get my money,” said Wiz. “After talking to people who work for Donald Trump — smart, successful people — I’ve realized I gotta go after all that. That’s what I’m going to do that I didn’t last year.”
Wiz has been involved in a couple of lawsuits in recent months. The “Work Hard, Play Hard” rapper was the one being sued in one case, and the plaintiff in another.
AllHipHop.com broke the story that songwriter Max Gregory Warren filed a lawsuit against Wiz claiming the rapper stole the his song “Pink N Yellow” and rehashed it as the #1 hit “Black & Yellow.” Warren asked for $2,375,000 in punitive and actual damages.
At the beginning of this month reports circulated that Wiz was suing a concert promotion company for $1 million. That case stemmed from a last-minute concert cancellation last December.
In the Esquire Music/Fashion spread, Wiz also reveals that his Taylor Gang comrade Juicy J’s strip club anthem “Bandz A Make Her Dance” is one of his favorite songs of the moment. He names Chief Keef’s “I Don’t Like” as another track getting regular play.
With the recent release of his second major label LP, O.N.I.F.C., Wiz returned to the more marijuana-inspired sound of his earlier mixtapes like Kush & Orange Juice and Burn After Rolling.
“I’m about partying, so my songs are usually just about smoking weed and having fun. When somebody isn’t having a great day, I like to be the guy that takes that load off your back,” said Wiz.
Wiz also showed love to fellow weed aficionado Snoop Dogg stating that being on stage with the west coast legend at Coachella 2012 was a highlight of his career.
“Not only did he bring me out that night, he brought out Dr. Dre and freakin’ hologram Tupac. To be in that sentence is pretty amazing,” says Wiz.
The Wiz Khalifa feature will appear in the May 2013 issue of Esquire available on newsstands on April 23.
Watch Wiz Khalifa’s recent video “Let It Go” featuring Akon below.
Trick Daddy and Lil Wayne are far from friends. Reportedly, Da Mayor of Dade County rolled up to the King Of Diamonds strip club while Weezy was hosting a party to check the rapper over the comments he said about the city of Miami during his infamous anti-Miami Heat rant.
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Vlad TV reports that on Monday night (April 8), Trick Daddy walked 4o t0 50 deep into the newly renovated gentleman’s club looking for Young Money’s Mack Maine and Weezy. The “Take It To The House” rapper eventually confronted Tunechi and a witness said the Miami rapper tossed a cigarette at the YMCMB rapper’s face. With the ish about to hit the fan, Wayne was allegedly escorted out of the club.
Back in late February, Trick Daddy called out Wayne for his remarks about Miami during an interview on 99 Jamz. “If nobody likes it, they can die tonight. I don’t care who gets offended by what I say, I rep my city and I don’t care who disrespects it. When they lease is up, they can leave,” said Trick. “We have to stick together as radio, as artists, as DJs and as fans of the music as a whole.”
Has Lil Wayne’s Miami pass been revoked? Let us know what you think in the comments. Check out flicks of Weezy in KOD in the gallery.
After three albums with Cash Money Records, Tyga told Power 105’s The Breakfast Club that all he received was a signing bonus.
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Last week, Tyga released his third album through Cash Money/Young Money Records in Hotel California. Following 2012’s Careless World: Rise Of The Last Kingalbum and 2008’s independent No Introduction, the Los Angeles, California native has sold over 350,000 albums to date in the United States alone. However, the veteran artist recently stated to Power 105’s The Breakfast Club, that he’s never received a royalty from the label Birdman co-founded.
“I never got a check from Young Money/Cash Money,” Tyga said in the interview, as reported by HipHopBlog.com. “But by me saying that, I’ve always treated my career like independent and everything that I got is because of myself, my own endorsements, me touring, myself. I think I got a signing bonus when I first signed but that was it.”
Artists including Juvenile and Mannie Fresh have previously left Cash Money, citing financial disputes for their departure.
Tyga however, did not appear to be completely complaining, “At a certain time, you get your money but at the same time, they pay for your videos and all that other stuff. But I never really was dependent on the label like that.”
Tyga’s third solo album, Hotel California is projected to receive a Top 10 debut tomorrow.
New information reveals that earlier this month Coolio was busted. His latest legal troubles include reported allegations that he punched his girlfriend in the face and ran over her with his car.
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Los Angeles, California rapper Coolio is the latest artist to find himself on the wrong side of the law. The former WC & The M.A.A.D. Circle member and longtime Tommy Boy Records solo artist was arrested earlier this month, as now reported by TMZ.
Coolio is reportedly accused of assaulting his girlfriend, Anabella Chatman, after he pushed her to the ground and struck her in the face. Further information led police to believe that the rapper further assaulted Chatman with a car, after tire marks were discovered on her legs. Per the story, Coolio has alleged that he acted in defense, though no official statements have been made.
50 Cent remembers not understanding that his mother passed away, and says he doesn’t yearn for a connection with his father.50 Cent doesn’t often speak on the topic of his parents. In an interview on “Larry King Now,” the Queens emcee opened up, first talking about his deceased mother.
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“I don’t think I really dealt with it in the early stages,” said Fif of the loss of his mother. “I lost my mom when I was eight, so I didn’t really understand at that point.”
50 explained that as a child, he didn’t understand that he had lost his mother at first. “Later, they would consistently say, ‘She’s not coming back,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah she is.’ My grandfather would look at me like, ‘He doesn’t understand.’ Later, you grow and start to understand.”
Fif also spoke about his father, though the attitude towards him was decidedly less warm. “I never knew my father. I never actually met him. Some people have that thing where they want that parent that they haven’t had in their lives. I have no interest in it.”
“The mistakes I made early on… he could’ve been here to help me not make those mistakes,” he added.
You can not judge a book by its cover but you can make a pretty good attempt based off a rapper’s name. Brett Scipio, better known as New Orleans rapper Weedy was arrested on April 3rd for possession of five pounds of marijuana.
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The massive mount of marijuana was discovered by St. Bernard police after it was delivered from Oakland, California to a home in Chalmette , Louisiana. Weedy was one of five people arrested in connection to the drug bust.
Weedy was arrested after the police requested he pull over his vehicle. His two children and a handgun were also present at the time of his arrest.
The head of the St. Bernard Police Sheriff’s Special Investigations Division Chad Clark says the five men were preparing to run a marijuana shop out of the Chalmette home.
The unemployed Weedy was released on a $37,000 bond St. Bernard Parish Prison. He is charged with possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm while in possession of the marijuana and possession of a controlled, dangerous substance in the presence of juveniles.
Check out a video of Weedy’s concert at Club Republic in New Orleans with his Stick Tight Entertainment:
Last week Drake promised two new tracks featuring the Canadian rapper/singer would be coming soon, and over the past 24 hours the Young Money member kept his word.
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Last week Drake promised two new tracks featuring the Canadian rapper/singer would be coming soon, and over the past 24 hours the Young Money member kept his word.
Yesterday (March 15) the DJ Khaled led “No New Friends” featuring Drake, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Future debuted, and early this morning Drizzy kept the new music coming when his latest song “Girls Love Beyoncé” hit the net.
The ode to Mrs. Carter contains the hook from Destiny’s Child “Say Me Name” sung by singer-songwriter James Fauntleroy of the production team The Y’s and No I.D.’s Cocaine 80s collective. Fauntleroy is a Roc Nation signee who previously worked on G.O.O.D. Music’s Cruel Summer album.
This time around Fauntleroy partners with Drake to craft a tune reminiscent of the 90′s R&B sound produced by acts like an early Destiny’s Child.
Drake has shown love to the girl group’s “Say My Name” before. He covered the Grammy-winning 1999 hit song on tour in the past.
Listen to Drake’s new song “Girls Love Beyoncé” featuring James Fauntleroy and check out a video of Drake performing “Say My Name” at a concert in 2011.
Today (April 15th) a terrorist attack struck the city of Boston on Patriot’s Day during the Boston Marathon.
As of 6 p.m. EST, 2 people are confirmed dead, 6 are in critical condition and more than 100 were injured in two reported explosions.
While the city has no confirmed suspects, the governor of Massachusetts has been vigilant in informing the public to stay at home as the there has been heightened security nationwide.
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All federal and state officials are in investigation mode at this point and a third bomb has been dismantled.
As of the time of print there were no threats made to the city of Boston prior to the attacks.
According to the Boston police commissioner, intelligence indicates that mobile bombs were placed in trash cans causing shrapnel related injuries causing some to lose limbs.
Coolio ✔ @coolio
