Queens, NY Home Of Tony Yayo's Mother Riddled With Bullets
The Queens, NY home of Tony Yayo's mother was riddled with bullets last night (Apr. 18), sources told AHH.com.
While details are still being revealed, sources said the house was shot up last night around midnight.
No shots were heard outside, indicting that silencers may have been used in the shooting.
Yayo, born Marvin Bernard, is accused of assaulting the 14-year-old son of Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond.
He was charged on Mar. 25 on one count of misdemeanor assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a minor.
Yayo was released on $5,000 bail and is scheduled to return to court on Apr. 25.
Virginia Rappers Talk Virginia Tech Tragedy
On Apr. 16, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia became the location for what has become the deadliest shooting spree in U.S. History.
Cho Seung-Hui , a 23-year-old English major armed with a 9-millimeter handgun and 22-caliber handgun, shot two students at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a dormitory on Virginia Tech’s Campus.
A little over two hours later, Seung-Hui went on to kill 30 more people, including students and professors in four different classrooms in Norris Hall, an academic building, before taking his own life.
A number of politicians and celebrities have already spoken out and given their condolences on this tragedy.
Now, various members of Virginia's Hip-Hop community are opening up about the Virginia Tech killings.
For Virginia rappers Pusha T, Fam-Lay, and Skillz the tragedy strikes close to home.
“We feel that the shooting at Virginia Tech was a terrible tragedy...definitely a shock and totally unexpected,” The Clipse’s Pusha T told AHH.com. “Random acts of violence can happen anywhere. We must come together as a community to be strong for students and families whose lives were lost.”
Norfolk, Virginia’s Fam-Lay and Richmond, Virginia’s Skillz also expressed their thoughts on the situation.
"Everyone in Virginia is feeling the effects of the shooting right now,” said Fam-Lay. “Seeing a story like this on the news is one thing, but when it happens so close to home, it really has an impact on everybody in the area. We would never wish these things on anyone, and our prayers go out to the all families who lost a child that day."
Apr. 18, Virginia police revealed that Seung-Hui mailed a package containing photographs, writings, and videos to NBC’s headquarters in New York possibly on the day of the tragedy and even more bizarre, the packages may have been mailed by Seung-Hui in between the two shooting’s.
"This may be a very new, critical component of this investigation," said Col. Steve Flaherty, superintendent of Virginia State Police. "We're in the process right now of attempting to analyze and evaluate its worth."
"It just goes to show you that you never know what's going on in someone else’s mind," Skillz told AHH.com. "Its a crazy world we living and its getting crazier every day. Last week some one calling a team 'nappy headed hoes' was the talk of the world and look at how much can change in a week."
The first funeral was held today for Liviu Librescu, Virginia Tech professor and Holocaust survivor.
SOFA COMPANY USES N-WORD TO DESCRIBE BROWN COLOR
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A black family living in Ontario, Canada had to do a double take at the label accompanying the arrival of their new chocolate-colored furniture.
Doris Moore and her husband, Douglas, had purchased a sofa, loveseat and chair in dark brown leather earlier this month from Vanaik Furniture and Mattress store. Upon its delivery, the couple’s 7-year-old daughter Olivia read the label and asked: “Mommy, what is nig…ger brown?”
“I went over and just couldn't believe my eyes," Moore told the Toronto Star, stating each furniture piece had the description “nigger brown” attached to the woven protective covering wrapped around the furniture. "In this day and age, that's totally unacceptable."
After explaining the ugly history of the N-word to their daughter, the couple called the furniture store on three separate occasions, but never received a return call.
The Toronto Star contacted Romesh Kumar, Vanaik's assistant manager, but he passed the blame to his supplier, Cosmos Furniture in Scarborough. But Kumar did say he would check similar stock and make sure other labels were removed.
"That's terrible, that's a racial ... something?" Kumar said. "This is entirely wrong, but it's not my fault. It's my job to sell good product to people."
Kumar gave Moore the telephone number of his supplier so that Moore could take her complaint directly to him. The owner of Cosmos Furniture, Paul Kumar, no relation to Romesh, said he was upset to learn packing labels on products he sold carried a racial epithet.
"I import my products from overseas. I've never noticed anything like that. This is something new to me,” he told the newspaper before passing the blame onto the furniture maker in Guangzhou, China. Paul Kumar apologized to the family and said he would contact the Chinese company with demands that they remove all similar labels.
Meanwhile, Moore has had second thoughts about leaving the sofa set in her home.
"Every time I sit on it, I'll think of that," she said.
Michael Vick Donates $10,000 To Virginia Tech Victims Families
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has teamed up with the United Way to donate $10,000 to assist families affected by the massacre at Virginia Tech, his former school.
"When tragic things like this happen, families have enough to deal with, and if I can help in some small way, that's the least I can do," said Vick, who played for the Hokies before being drafted No. 1 overall by the Falcons in 2001.
The Vick Foundation is collecting donations from local communities in both Atlanta and Virginia that will be placed in the United In Caring Fund for Victims of the VA Tech Tragedy and the special fund at the United Way of Montgomery, Radford and Floyd counties, which serves the Virginia Tech area. Vick's foundation said the money will be used to provide help with funeral expenses, transportation for family members and other support services.
Superfreak lives
Rick James will be recalled with the posthumous release Deeper Still, the last studio effort he recorded before he died in August 2004. The funk master's LP — which contains 10 songs he either wrote or co-wrote, and was produced by James — will drop May 15 and is to be preceded by "Memoirs of a Super Freak," an autobiography James wrote while in California's Folsom State Prison in 1993-'95.
BEYONCE sued for covering ‘I’m Kissing You’ without permission
On the recent re-release of her album “B’Day,” Beyonce puts her spin on Des’ree’s 1998 song “I’m Kissing You.”
But according to Des’ree, who also wrote the song, the former Destiny’s Child member recorded her version, altered the title and shot a video – all without permission.
According to TMZ.com, Des’ree (of “You Gotta Be” fame) filed a lawsuit against Bey in Manhattan Federal Court Tuesday alleging that she and her record company ignored copyright laws to record her version, retitled "Still In Love (Kissing You)," after initial attempts to get proper clearance stalled.
Beyonce and her label were reportedly dissatisfied with Des’ree’s proposed terms, which forbade any change of the song title or the filming of a music video for the song. A deal to cover the tune was never reached, however, Beyonce recorded the song and shot a video for it anyway.
Des'ree is suing to stop distribution of the song, video and album, and is seeking at least $150,000 in damages.
Listen to both versions here
Des’Ree - I’m Kissing You (full) - LISTEN/DOWNLOAD
Beyonce - Still In Love (Kissing You) - LISTEN/DOWNLOAD
Chris Brown Drops "Exclusive" Album In September
Teen R&B star Chris Brown is eyeing a September release for his sophomore Jive album, "Exclusive." Brown, who has also written several songs this time around, says recording has been like "a family reunion." Among the songwriter/producers working on tracks are several from his self-titled first outing -- Bryan-Michael Cox, the Underdogs, Sean Garrett and Scott Storch -- as well as will.i.am.
Containing elements of rock and go-go ("Being from Virginia, I've got to go back to my go-go roots," says Brown), several tracks recently previewed by Billboard exhibit an edgier, more mature tone that meshes well with Brown's exuberant mix of R&B, hip-hop and pop. At deadline, a first single had yet to be chosen."I'm not trying to go grown," he told Billboard in December. "I'll be 18, but I'm not trying to go overboard and lose my fans. I'm trying to have a bit more mature songs, about sexuality and stuff like that. I'm not trying to go deep into it." One song, "Take You Down," was produced by the Underdogs. "In a sense, that's stepping over the 18, 19 boundary to get an older crowd," Brown says.
As for ongoing career comparisons to Usher, Brown says, "It's nice but I don't focus on that. I think I've strayed away from now. I'm in a lane of my own, just having fun and making it to the best of my ability."
FRAZIER VS. FRAZIER-LYDE
Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier has stepped into the legal ring with his daughter, boxer and lawyer Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde, whom he accuses of withholding business papers that could bring in some much-needed dollars.
The 63-year-old fighter is struggling financially and looking to cash in on film royalties, product endorsement fees or other income promised in the contracts, his lawyers said.
But Frazier-Lyde controls those documents because she served as her father's lawyer and business adviser from 1989-2004, according to the lawsuit.
According to the suit, Frazier-Lyde won’t give her father the records, has failed to explain where the records are now and refused to accept a certified March 2 letter demanding their return. Frazier has no idea why his child might be keeping the records.
"I don't talk to her," Frazier told AP. "All I'm asking is for the papers, that's all. …I wouldn't want to harass her, my daughter. I brought her here in this world and gave her the best of everything. I love her."
BET unveils massive lineup
BET has unveiled the most ambitious lineup of originals in the network's 26-year history -- a slate of 16 new series that includes projects from Will Smith, Vin Diesel, D.L. Hughley and Orlando Jones.
Speaking to an audience of media buyers and industry execs at BET's upfront presentation in Gotham on Wednesday night, Reginald Hudlin, prexy of entertainment for the Viacom-owned BET Networks, touted "the diverse array of programming about black culture, ranging from reality shows, scripted comedies, gameshows, sports roundtables, music specials and primetime animation."
One highlight of the schedule is BET's first original sitcom, "Somebodies," adapted from the indie movie of the same name that preemed at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. Written and directed by Hadjii, the 10 half-hour episodes, which premiere in the fall, will explore a group of U. of Georgia graduates who are trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Exec producers are Pete Aronson and Warren Hutcherson, two of the executive producers on "The Bernie Mac Show."
Orlando Jones' series, "Bufu," is an animated sketch-comedy half-hour created and voiced by Jones and Ali LeRoi ("Everybody Hates Chris"). It, too, premieres in the fall.
Hughley's series, "S.O.B.," kicking off in July, is a reality show that'll "use hidden cameras to test the value systems of people," said Hudlin. One scene shows the reaction of the staff and patrons of a segregated restaurant when a black couple try to get served.
"Hannibal," the previously announced series exec produced by Diesel, is an animated half-hour about the life and times of the ancient African king. It's scheduled for 2008.
From Will Smith's Overlook Entertainment comes "Cipha," an animated sci-fi series "set in a future world where hip-hop is outlawed ... to shut down the voices of youth," according to BET.
The most ambitious reality series on BET's schedule, "Baldwin Hills," focuses on the lives of 11 upper-middle-class black teens in suburban L.A. whose parents are professional athletes, TV personalities, doctors, lawyers and engineers. The first of the 10 weekly hours bows in July.
Other series include the reality show "College Hill Interns," a spinoff of BET's most popular series; "Iron Ring," a mixed-martial-arts competition; "Hell Date," a five-a-week relationship series; "Judge Mooney," a sendup of courtshows featuring comedian Paul Mooney; and "Exalted," a series of biographical documentaries of practicing ministers.
DJ Quik & AMG Set On "Fixing" The Game, "You'll Be Dancing Before You Even Realize You Like It"
After forging formidable solo careers West Coast veterans, Quik (formerly DJ Quik) and partner in rhyme AMG have come together to form The Fixxers. In this exclusive interview, the duo break down what they call "Fixxers music" and why they're a breath of fresh air for the LeftCoast hip-hop scene.
"It was a no-brainer," said Quik of the two solo artists forming to create the new group. "It was a meeting of the minds. We agree on some things and we disagree on others but we see eye to eye on this. We had talked about doing a production company, and once we were head set on being a team, the record was [basically] in the wings. A team yields higher results than individuals."
The record that the Compton-bred Quik is referring to is the tentatively titled The Midnite Life, which as of yet, has no release date. The two have however been hard at work on the record's material, releasing their first single "Can U Werk Wit Dat?" which has been receiving positive feedback as well as being featured on the popular HBO series "Entourage."
The video, which is scheduled to be MTV's "Jam Of The Week" next week displays what the group feels is a grown up approach to making videos.
"We wanna chill in Barbados, so we made a record that was just about that. It's not the typical West Coast video," utters Quik. " We shot it in Hollywood which a lot of people don't do, and we're giving L.A. another look. It's maturity." AMG, the more quiet of the two, also offers his take on the new clip.
"It's some grown man shit. We ain't doing too much and we ain't doing too little."
Aside from stepping their video game up, Quik and AMG are dead set on bringing fans back to a place of good music and hope that the masses will be able to appreciate what they feel is a new sound.
"It's not hip-hop, it's not R&B or jazz, it's Fixxers music. I'm having a ball watching [AMG] write to these crazy dope tracks," Quik offers. "People play music to get away from shit. The Fixxers, we're just here to do good music. You'll be dancing to it before you even realize you like it. I've seen it happen. We're doing it for our love of music."
And for those of you who may be entertaining the thought of this just being a vanity project before the two West Coast legends head back to their respective solo careers, think again. The two firmly agree that the newly formed union is here to stay.
"Our aim and sound is a team effort," says AMG. "It's not just about one guy. We want to show people that you can do stuff as a team."
Piggy-backing off of his partner's comments, Quik reaffirms his sentiments.
"This is it. You don't break up the Beatles after they form the band. This is the type of situation that you want to be in. We're a good look for L.A."
NINO BROWN VS. STRINGER BELL
British actor Idris Elba still has love for his character Russell “Stringer” Bell from HBO’s “The Wire.”
The character may have been second in command to Avon Barksdale during the first three seasons of the critically-acclaimed series, but Elba says the role itself is the most convincing portrayal of a black top-tier drug lord in cinematic history; even better than Wesley Snipes’ performance as Nino Brown in the 1991 film “New Jack City.”
“Not to brag, but he has been the best depiction of a high-level black gangster I know of,” Elba said of Stringer. "No disrespect to Wesley Snipes but Nino Brown was too over the top. Our writers created a character that was real, multi-layered and convincing."
During a recent interview, Elba addressed the lack of quality roles for black male actors and admitted he’s had to turn down parts that threatened to pigeonhole him into the gangster genre.
He said: "It's hard to turn down parts, which I have had to do a lot. I've said no to a lot of money in the process but I really don't want to go backwards in my career. Russell 'Stringer' Bell was a one-off.”
50 Cent Ordered To Pay $15 K A Month In Child Support
Earlier this week 50 Cent was been ordered to make some pretty hefty child support payments to the mother of his 10-year-old son.
According to New York Post reports, this past Monday (April 16) 50, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, was told he'd be required to immediately pay $10,000 for the support of his son Marquise Diamond Jackson. Suffolk County Support Magistrate Aletha V. Fields-Ferraro also awarded $15,000 in monthly expenses to Shaniqua Tompkins, 50's former girlfriend and mother to Marquise.
Four friends accompanied 50 to court Monday, where he reportedly caused a commotion over not receiving VIP treatment and being required to go through metal detectors.
As previously reported, 50 filed papers with Family Court in February, seeking to arrange an official agreement with Tompkins. Prior to Fields-Ferraro's decision, the two lacked a specific arrangement, and sources speculated that 50 filed with Family Court in order to avoid overzealous demands from Tompkins.
50 and Tompkins next court meeting is scheduled for June 11.
Mario Doesn't Need Ne-Yo on New CD, "He Didn't Really Come With Anything For Me"
As Mario prepares Go, his third studio album, the J Records crooner spoke about switching up his style and re-teaming with singer/songwriter Ne-Yo.
"He didn't really come with anything for me in the direction we were going in. We got that 'How Do I Breathe' song, which is more like the style of writing that you would hear from Ne-Yo," Mario said.
Ne-Yo co-wrote Mario's big hit "Let Me Love You" from his double platinum sophomore CD, Turning Point, which Mario admitted went to the top of the charts in every country that it was released in. Since then, Ne-Yo has not only penned hits for Rihanna, Beyonce, Usher and Mary J. Blige but has also released his own multi-platinum CD.
Although Mario applauds the work that he has done with Ne-Yo, the singer is looking forward to taking his music in a new direction.
"Ne-Yo is very versatile, but we already got what I needed from him. Hopefully we'll be able to do some stuff together in the future," admits Mario.
"[This album] is sexier and more passionate," says Mario who does more of his own songwriting on Go. "I feel like I've grown to a point where I'm comfortable in my own skin, and this album truly reflects that."
Go which features production by The Neptunes, Timbaland, Polow da Don, Stargate, Scott Storch and Akon is due in stores July 31.
"The Hip-Hop Project" Hits Theaters Nationwide May 11th
"The Hip-Hop Project", from Executive Producers Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, Hits Theaters Nationwide May 11th.
The Hip Hop Project is the compelling story of Kazi, a formerly homeless teenager who inspired a group of New York City teens to transform their life stories into powerful works of art, using hip hop as a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery.
Kazi challenges these young people to write music about real issues affecting their lives as they strive to overcome daunting obstacles to produce a collaborative album. Russell Simmons, hip hop mogul and long-time supporter of the project, partners with Bruce Willis to donate a recording studio to the Hip Hop Project. After four years of collaboration, the group produces a powerful and thought-provoking CD filled with moving personal narratives and sharp social commentary. In contrast to all of the negative attention focused on hip hop and rap music, this is a story of hope, healing and the realization of dreams.
Inspired by Kazi’s work, 100% of the net profits from this film are being donated to organizations working with youth.
X-Clan Gears Up For Tour With Insane Clown Posse
The legendary X-Clan has announced that they will hit the road with the Insane Clown Posse on Thursday (April 26) for "The Tempest" tour, which will feature Twiztid.
The tour brings together three of the underground's most popular acts. It is slated to kick-off April 26 in Grand Rapids, MI and stretch through June 8th in Fargo.
"This tour is a perfect proof that real hip-hop reaches all barriers. ICP and X-Clan would have been the furthest thing from anybody's mind as a tour combination," says X-Clan front man Brotha J. "I am excited to make history with one of the wildest crews in the game. I've seen some of the Juggalos at our previous tours, and now we are stepping into their house as a guest of ICP. We are looking forward to tearing it down."
X-Clan will be touring in support of their recently released Return From Mecca album, which finds the group re-introducing their ancestral wisdom, culture and a signature lyrical style.
The album features a vast array of collaborators include Damian Marley, Jurassic 5's Chali 2NA, KRS-One, Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, RBX, Abstract Rude, YZ, DJ Quik, DJ Khalil, Jake One and Bean One, among others."
I think the fans will be excited to see a different side of X-Clan. We are planning an exciting show for this specific sub-culture of hip-hop," explains Brotha J. "We understand ICP's crowd enjoys freedom of speech to the fullest, and that is what X-Clan has always been about. A lot of the icon groups in hip-hop have done this tour before -- Ice Cube, Bone Thugs, Tech N9ne, and Kottonmouth Kings -- so we are honored to travel that same path. We appreciate ICP's invitation to be the special guest on their tour, and it's gonna be dope."
The tour announcement comes on the heels of X-Clan's back-to-back sold out tours supporting Public Enemy, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and Jurassic 5. The band's highly conscious hip-hop has won them a barrage of critical acclaim from MTV, The Source, Scratch, Murder Dog and prompted Spin magazine to proclaim, "Brother J's voice remains a forceful instrument."
Confirmed dates are as follows, according to a spokesperson for the group:
04/26 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Room
04/27 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
04/28 - Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
04/29 - Maplewood, MN @ Myth
05/01 - West Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
05/02 - Sauget, IL @ Pop's
05/03 - Wichita, KS @ The Cotillion
05/04 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
05/05 - Magna, UT @ The Great Saltair
05/08 - Spokane, WA @ Big Easy
05/09 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
05/11 - Chico, CA @ Senator Theater
05/12 - Sparks, NV @ New Oasis
05/13 - Las Vegas, NV @ Fort Cheyenne Casino
05/14 - Anaheim, CA @ Grove Of Anaheim
05/15 - Anaheim, CA @ Grove Of Anaheim
05/16 - Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee Theatre
05/18 - Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom
05/19 - Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom
05/21 - Saint Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Landing
05/22 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
05/23 - Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall / The Casbah
05/25 - Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
05/26 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
05/27 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
05/29 - Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
05/30 - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
05/31 - Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
06/02 - Louisville, KY @ Expo Five
06/04 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre
06/05 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Sioux Empire Fairgrounds
06/08 - Fargo, ND @ Playmaker's Entertainment Complex
New Music
Crooked I - Vibe Wit A Bo$$ / Take You There (Freestyle)
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