Supreme Trial Update: Death Penalty Thrown Out, Preme Tells Supporters, "Don't Cry Out When Verdict Comes"
After hearing both parties closing arguments yesterday (January 24), the judge removed the possiblity of a death sentence in the double murder trial of drug lord Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff.
In a shocking turn of events yesterday, U.S. District Judge Frederic Block influenced the prosecution to phone the attorney general in Washington, D.C. to have the death penalty charges removed from the case. Block determined that Supreme did not warrant a death sentence after hearing both the proscecution and the defense' summations.
"There's just no chance that 12 jurors will vote for the death penalty in this case, and I think it is good for us to save money, if we can do that, and judicial resources," Judge Block said, according to the Associated Press.
With the death penalty officially thrown out, McGriff now faces life in prision with no parole. However, the defense is expected to ask for a mistrial today (January 25), claiming the prosecution made misleading and false statements about the merits of the testimonies of informants who they assert were receiving government benefits.
Both sides are slated to get 30 minutes apiece for rebuttals today before the judge charges the jury on how and what they should deliberate. This is expected to be a lengthy process as the jury will undoubtedly have questions and need clarification. The verdict could come at any time.
IHH has learned that Supreme has requested of his family, friends and supporters not to scream, yell or cry out when his verdict is read, but to "just roll with it."
McGriff is presently on trial for ordering the deaths of two of his rivals, Queens rapper E-Money Bags (born Eric Smith) and Troy Singleton. His escapades as a drug kingpin were featured in Queens Reigns Supreme, which graphically detailed the drug-laden streets of Queens, New York in the 80s
Though Supreme had a wish list of over 50 witnesses to attest to his legitimacy as a businessman, including Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles and Irvand Chris "Gotti" Lorenzo, none of the celebrity witnesses appeared on his behalf. When asked about the lack of support from his former "colleagues", SOHH.com sources close to the case stated that Supreme's response was simply "those dudes don't owe me anything."
J.D. to Def Jam???
Producer Jermaine Dupri is in negotiations with Universal Music Group (UMG) about joining the Island Def Jam label as an executive The New York Post reported today (Jan. 25). The deal would reunite Dupri with Island Def Jam's CEO/Chairman, Antonio "L.A." Reid. Reid enjoyed success distributing Dupri's So So Def label, when it was distributed by Arista from 2000-2005. Dupri stepped down as President of Urban Music at Virgin Records, after disappointing sales of various artists, including Janet Jackson's comeback album 20 Y.O.
Free Drama & Cannon!

The petition is already up and running. The RIAA rep who spoke for the RIAA and showed up with the SWAT team for the raid, Matthew Kilgo, is having his email floated around by the Internet community (Mkilgo@RIAA.com) and the FREE DRAMA & CANNON campaign has just begun. Lil Wayne who enjoyed much success due to the Aphilliates music group (Drama, Cannon & Sense) has spoken up about how "they were doing it wrong", T.I is featured on the cover of this month's XXL with Drama (his touring DJ) standing prominently behind him. T.I who is hard at work on his T.I vs T.I.P. album has not commented on the arrests yet. During the raid, the SWAT team discovered quite a bit of musical recording equipment, which isn't usual for bootleggers, what is usual is massive computers with advanced copying techniques.
Although the RIAA made the arrests last week, Drama's Gangsta Grillz series in still for sale on the iTunes music store.
The two DJs are facing state racketeering charges connected to alleged music piracy, but they have a new court date after their scheduled appearance on Wednesday was postponed.
Tyree Simmons (Drama) and Donald Cannon (Cannon), will have their case heard next Wednesday in Fulton County Superior Court , though officials with the county's District Attorney's Office said Wednesday that appearance might get pushed back as well.
Wednesday's session before Judge Richard Hicks was reset because a scheduling conflict prevented their lawyer from attending, court officials said.
The pair face allegations that they sold illegally produced music materials, mostly via the Internet and violated Georgia's Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Simmons (28) and Cannon (27) are free on $100,000 signature bonds.
Clipse On The Mixtape Controversy, "There's Real Crimes Out There & We're Just Making Music"

Pusha T sounded off to IHH, moments before his recent New York City performance, about the RIAA mixtape controversy, disappointing album sales and what's next for Clipse.
"It's always good to perform, it's always good to see the reaction from the crowd, the album was highly anticipated. New York has been a great place for us and we think this show is gonna be crazy," Pusha told IHH before hitting the stage.
Reflecting on Clipse' personal success on the mixtape circuit, Pusha T also spoke out about the arrests of DJ Drama and DJ Don Cannon earlier in the month.
"I feel Drama's arrest is fucked up. We ride with you Drama, we support any and everybody that's in the struggle. Once you're in the industry you think the struggle is over, but as you can see and Drama and Cannon can see, it's not. We stand by you. It's fucked up. There's real crimes out there and we're just making music. We're gonna be doing this mixtape thing until the day we die, we're gonna be throwing them joints out and it is what it is, come and get us."
While Hell Hath No Fury has been ranked by many as one of the best albums of 2006, sales have been a disappointment for the duo but the group continues to lay plans for 2007.
"We're not really watching the charts like that. We're not happy with the album sales but we have no control over that. We just keep doing what we do," Pusha said before revealing that the duo are currently laying down music for their next mixtape, "We Got It 4 Cheap Vol. 3: The Spirit of Competition." "We just think we better. We're also shooting a movie Hell Hath No Fury the movie/musical, with a soundtrack that's all Re-Up Gang music. It's gonna be a Re-Up Gang Year in 2007!"
Skyzoo, Remo Tha Rapstar and Kidz In The Hall also performed for the Bowery Ballroom crowd on Wednesday (Januaty 24), before yielding the stage for duo who ran through material from Lord Willin' and Hell Hath No Fury as well as the We Got it 4 Cheap mixtapes. They were also joined onstage by the Re-Up Gang's Ab-Liva, Sandman and Rosco P. Coldchain, who was recently released from prison.
Mystikal Still Incarcerated, Reps Clarify 'Released' Status

While the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that New Orleans rapper Mystikal was "released"vlast week, fans of the rapper may be disappointed. Sources close to Mystikal told AHH.com that his "released" status is correct, but that it is related to a federal misdemeanor tax conviction last year. A representative with Jive Records confirmed that Mystikal, born Michael L. Tyler, is still incarcerated and serving a six-year sentence at Louisiana state prison, Elayne Hunt Correctional Facility. Mystikal is serving the time after pleading guilty to extortion and sexual battery charges. The charges stem from an incident in which the 36-year-old rapper forced a woman to perform oral sex on camera, after he caught her writing $80,000 in bogus checks. Yesterday (Jan. 25), a representative with the FBP confirmed with AHH.com that Mystikal was "released," because he served one year of a different sentence concurrently, after he was convicted in Jan. of 2006 for two misdemeanor tax violations. He was sentenced to the additional year for failing to report almost $2 million in earnings from 1998-1999. Jive Records released Mystikal's best selling album to date, 2000's Let's Get Ready. The album spawned the No. 1 singles "Danger" and "Shake Ya Ass." Mystikal remains a hot commodity. As news of his alleged release started to spread last week, radio stations in the South began reporting the news. Representatives for the rapper said they have been bombarded with phone calls for show and interview requests.
Young Buck's Sophomore Set Pushed Back... Again

An official release date for Young Buck's highly anticipated sophomore album, Buck The World, has been confirmed.
The album, which was originally due in stores last year, was slated to be released next month.
According to an Interscope representative, Buck The World will now hit stores on March 20. The album features production from Hi-Tek, Dr. Dre, Lil Jon, Jazze Pha, Jake One and Needlz, among others. T.I., UGK, Lyfe Jennings and members of the G-Unit family will also make appearances on the project.
The Nashville bred rapper will be heading on a short club tour to promote the album. Following are his scheduled dates:
Jan 28 8:00 p.m. Platinum Night Club Birmingham, Alabama
Jan 31 8:00 p.m. City Auditorium Colorado Springs, Colorado
Feb 9 8:00 p.m. Crocodile Rock Café Allentown, Pennsylvania
Feb 10 8:00 p.m. Sharky's Round Lake, Illinois
Capitol Records Merges With Virgin
Capitol Records recently merged with Virgin Records In the U.S. as a part of a massive restructuring by parent company, EMI.
The newly formed record label, known as the Capitol Music Group, will be headed by Virgin's chief executive Jason Flom, who's been promoted to Chairman and CEO. Flom will report directly to EMI Group CEO Eric Nicoli.
"The music business shows exciting growth potential, but the environment remains extremely challenging," said Nicoli via a statement. "In order to thrive and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving and dynamic music market, we must re-think our operations, not only to make them efficient, but also more effective and focused on creative excellence. By bringing Capitol and Virgin into one label group, we will be better equipped than ever to promote and nurture artistic talent. We remain strongly committed to developing artists in America in all genres as this is a key repertoire source for the world, and to that end, we will maintain our A&R focus and keep a presence in both LA and New York. This structure will also allow us to further build our digital capability."
Capitol Records' chief executive Andy Slater stepped down following earlier announcements that company would begin a $217 million restructuring which also led to the departure of both former president Alain Levy and vice chairman David Munns.
R&B and hip-hop acts affected by the merger include Faith Evans, Corrine Bailey Rae, LeToya Luckett, Chingy, Purple Ribbon Allstars, Sleepy Brown, Beenie Man and Bizzy Bone among others.
REV. RUN’S WIFE PENS CHILDREN’S BOOK

Justine Simmons, the wife of Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons of Run DMC fame, has written a new book that encourages children to carve out their own relationships with God.
Titled “God Can You hear Me?” the 32-page book for kids ages 5-10 aims to pique the interest of readers with questions and answers that encourage them to seek their own spiritual enlightenment.
"We teach our children to write letters to God as we do ourselves," Simmons told AHH.com. "I felt like children need to know at an early age that they can go to God and speak to him. I tried to get some things that I felt that children may have problems with and they may need answers to. If you really talk to him or write to him he will show up."
Simmons, whose family life is chronicled in MTV’s reality series “Run’s House” said that writing the book was a therapeutic experience following the recent death of her newborn daughter, Victoria.
"Being as though I write to God, I had to really write to God during my loss," Simmons said. "Not until you really have that problem in your face where you need that peace and strength, do you really know if it works. The peace I had almost scared me. I guess you just really have to have a situation, to know the strength of God or the peace of the Lord really works. It's just amazing."
Read more here