UNCUT Magazine.net

R. Kelly Saved By Judge, Trial Set For May '08

R. Kelly was dealt another break this morning (Dec. 21) with the judge ruling on keeping the singer's bond in tact.

As previously reported, Kells narrowly escaped being arrested yesterday, after missing a court appearance in his child pornography case.

Judge Vincent Gaughan had warned Kells yesterday that he'd consider revoking the singer's bond and throwing him in jail. The judge also said earlier that he was "very disappointed" that Kelly, currently on tour, missed his hearing. But today, the judge gave him another chance.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, while the judge said he didn't want to put Kelly's employees out of work during the holiday season and disappoint fans who'd already purchased tickets to his concerts, he ordered Kelly to cancel a Jan. 13 appearance in Hampton, Va., so he doesn't miss a Jan. 14 court date. Gaughan also admonished Kells for his tour bus getting pulled over for speeding through Utah, one of the reasons cited by Kell's attorney for missing his Dec. 19 hearing.

Kelly apologized and promised to fly into town for his next court date, though he has a fear of flying.

"I'd like to say I'm sorry for this whole incident, and next time, I would get a plane," he said

Gaughan also set a trial date for the singer's five year-old case for May 9. Kelly is facing 14 counts of child pornography stemming from a video tape that allegedly features him engaged in sexual acts with a teenage girl. He was charged in 2002 and has pleaded not guilty.

According to the singer's website, he's scheduled to perform in Chicago tonight.

Shooting Victim Sues Remy Ma, Universal Records

The woman who says Remy Ma shot her in the abdomen in front of a Manhattan pizzeria last July, filed suit against the rapper and Universal Records on Friday (December 21).

According to Reuters, Makeda Barnes-Joseph’s suit, filed today in Manhattan federal court, claims that Remy “wilfully, wantonly and maliciously” shot and injured her, causing “severe physical harm and mental anguish.”

The suit also names Universal Records and Sure Shot Recordings, two of the rapper’s record labels, claiming that they encouraged her to engage in violence as part of her image. Barnes-Joseph is seeking $10 million in damages.

Just yesterday, the judge in Remy’s criminal trial denied her request to travel outside of the country for a European tour.

Her attorney argued that his client desperately needed the $35-40,000 that the trip would have earned her.

Yung Berg Arrested In Miami

Yung Berg was arrested for marijuana possession.

He is being held at Dade County Correction Center, awaiting release. The writer behind the hit single "Sexy Lady," was apprehended at the "Sexy Can I" video from friend and singer Ray J.

Yung Berg is presently working on his sophomore album Look What You Made Me.

DMX Collapse Rumors "100% False," Say Reps

Rumors that rapper DMX collapsed at the Sony recording studios yesterday (Dec. 20) and was rushed to the hospital have been swirling all over the net, but his lawyer and label say the story isn't true.

"I just spoke to X the day before yesterday, he's at home in Arizona so it really doesn't make any sense to me how they're saying he was at Sony studios," said X's label rep at Bodog Music, his new label home. "It's definitely 100 percent false."

The rep added that X hasn't even been in the studio and is not scheduled to work on his debut release under the label for another week.

"He's at home with his wife for Christmas," he said.

X's entertainment lawyer, Scott Mason, also said his client has not been at Sony and he even called X this afternoon after hearing the rumors, to learn the rapper was asleep in his bed.

X's rep thinks the story was just created to go along with a sketchy video circulating around the net that, according to New York's Daily News gossip section, shows DMX "looking nervous and acting erratically while working on an album."

"This video that leaked on the net has got people thinking that he might be on something, that's what kind of made them wanna make up a story like that," he said.

Mason said the video was recorded at least two weeks ago while X was recording in Miami.


Beanie Sigel Joins Bill Cosby for Anti-Violence March in Philadelphia

Beanie Sigel teamed up with an unlikely partner for an anti-violence march in his hometown of Philadelphia on Thursday (December 20): comedian Bill Cosby.

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Sigel joined Cosby and activist Bilal Qayyum, co-chair of the Men United for a Better Philadelphia organization, for the march down Susquehanna Avenue as part of his continuing efforts to stem the rampant violence that has plagued Philly in recent months. Cosby, who has been publicly critical of the influence of Hip-Hop culture on inner city youth in the past, had positive words for the sometimes controversial MC.

“Here is a young man from the streets who came back to the streets as a man,” Cosby said of the rapper. “This is what we want from our young boys, to go from boys to men.” Beans, who shot an anti-violence public service announcement with Philly’s Fox 29 last week, believes that, as an artist who hails from the same mean streets that are now under siege, he is uniquely suited to reach at-risk youth.

“I come from these things, the streets,” Beans told the crowd outside of M. Hall Stanton School. “I’m at a time in my life where I’m trying to make the transition from something negative to something positive.”

Men United for a Better Philadelphia seek to keep the number of murders in the city this year under the 400 mark, and the march closed out their “Peace Week 2007” initiative.


Lupe Fiasco Talks Retirement

After Jay-Z declared him "a breath of fresh air" and his debut album received three Grammy nods, Lupe Fiasco went back into the studio to create his sophomore offering, The Cool.

Having just dropped his sophomore album this week, Lupe Fiasco is characteristically cool. He's not concerned with album sales and he's not making any bets. "No, no predictions," he tells reporters "I feel good though, I feel really good about it. The response from the peoples has been amazing. The reviews have been very, very good. It's a very well received album so that mission is complete. Now it's time to see if it sells what everybody is hoping it will sell. I don't really got no hopes."

Though he has no personal goals for first week sales, Lupe does agree that his album may be one of the best of 2007. "Yeah, I wouldn't say best, but good. Definitely in the running even outside of hip-hop."

On The Cool Lupe touches on various taboo subjects. On "Intruder Alert" he addresses the subject of rape, and on the highly criticized "Gotta Eat" he rhymes from the perspective of a cheeseburger.

"It's called imagination," he says in defense of the songs premise. "You should use it. The song is really about health. The hook is 'My man says feed me feed me when @#*$%s gotta eat that's when sh-t gets greasy.' You look at the health situation in the hoods and it's just bad. There's no Whole Foods. There's no nutrition. Nobody is vegetarians. It's cheeseburgers and steak sandwiches. We're slowing killing ourselves of heart disease and all that. If the bullets don't get you the diabetes will. It was basically just making that statement so that people can start having the conversation."

Lupe is already looking towards the release of his third and final LP. "One more... LupEnd is what it's actually called," he said. Im'a always perform until the day I die. It's just the industry of recorded music doesn't appeal to me. That dream of getting a record deal and all that is lost. I woke up from it. But in between time, in the meantime, you'll probably get a CRS album. But yeah, one more full length solo debut LP."

CRS, which stands for Child Rebel Soldiers, refers to the group that Lupe formed with fellow rappers/producers Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.

"We had the one record," he jokes. "The US Placers record with Tom Yorke and actually my girl Vashtie just did a dope video for that. It's pretty fresh. We're about, like, no songs deep. One song deep, a lot of ideas, a lot of conversations about how we want to roll out and what we want it to look like, what we want it to feel like. So we're in discussion right now but hopefully end of 08, we'll have something proper."

With so much talk of retirement in rap these days it's easy to question whether or not LupEnd will actually be the end for Fiasco. He assures us that it will. "Nah, if I go I'ma go. I just want to make sure I leave behind a legacy."

How you look at it

When you look at the world, what is the first thing that comes to your attention? Do you zero in on the problems, the heartaches, the fears and the disappointments, or do you first take note of the beauty, the joys and the positive possibilities?

If you look at life through a lens of negativity, life will dutifully arrange itself to meet your expectations. When you approach life from a more positive perspective, your expectations will just as surely be met.

Is it unrealistic to look at the bright side, to remain generally positive, and to expect the best in life? No, because reality itself is neutral, and what you get from it depends upon how you view it and what you make of it.

The raw forces, circumstances and events are, for the most part, out of your control. Yet you can completely control the way you perceive, respond, adapt and yes, even prosper under their influence.

The control you exercise over your own perceptions, thoughts and actions will make all the difference in your life. Reality is what it is, and your own relationship to that reality is precisely whatever you choose for it to be.

There is goodness, there is beauty, there is love and joy and boundless opportunity when you choose to see it. Look realistically at the world, see the very best, and bring it joyfully to life in each moment.

-- Ralph Marston
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Joe Budden Talks Jay-Z

In a new interview with Rhapsody, New Jersey rapper Joe Budden talks about everything from being a singer-turned-rapper to his comments about Saigon. He also explains his feelings about Jay-Z that led him to record his recent diss song “Talk 2 Em” from Mood Muzik III. Check out this excerpt:

“Talk 2 Em’” seems to be getting the most attention from people that have heard Mood Muzik 3. Why did you decide to go at Jay-Z?

Joe Budden: That’s exactly how I felt. On Mood Muzik, the stage is all Joe Budden so I get to do exactly what I want. It was disrespectful, but it was a diss with a point: Stop rapping. Hang it up. You’re getting paid to be a president. Be a president. We loved you as a rapper. One of the best to ever do it. Now it’s time to do some other things.

Do you really hate “Roc Boys”?
The video is amazing. I’m just not feeling the song at all.

Do you really think the new generation is gonna remember Jay as Michael Jordan getting crossed by Allen Iverson?
If you look at it today, a lot of these younger people didn’t experience Reasonable Doubt, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, and the things that people my age have come to love Jay for. The younger generation is like, eh, f*ck it, whatever. They don’t really respect it. I don’t think he puts that fear in any artists like he once did. It’s like Shaquille O’Neal now. Shaq was one of the most dominant people to ever play. Nowadays, he’s still worth something, but it’s just not the same. Everybody is calling American Gangster a concept album. It’s a Jay-Z album. He’s talking about the same exact sh*t he’s talking about on Reasonable Doubt. Where’s the concepts? He just needed something to attach it to, which he did. He needs to be a president and start putting out some f*ck*ng artists. When I start getting into saying things about Jay-Z or Def Jam, I’m not speaking to try and get anyone to feel the way I’m feeling. Which is why I say it’s not a diss. ‘Cause I’m not trying to sway anyone’s opinion.

R. Kelly Escapes Arrest

Under the threat of an arrest warrant, R&B star R. Kelly made his court appearance this morning (Dec. 20).

According to the Associated Press, R. Kelly appeared in court in his hometown of Chicago at 9 a.m. today.

Judge Vincent Gaughan entered a warrant for Kelly's arrest that would have been effective today had he not appeared this morning, as ordered. Gaughan resorted to the warrant after Kelly missed a scheduled appearance yesterday in his child pornography case.

One of Kelly's defense lawyers, Ed Genson, said the singer was delayed by weather in Sacramento, then was further slowed after Kelly's tour bus was pulled over by police in Utah, who determined from the bus log that the driver had not rested enough.

Kelly is currently embroiled in an ongoing battle against child pornography charges, with prosecutors alleging he videotaped sexual acts with a minor. Kelly has pleaded not guilty.

The judge will likely set a trial date during today's hearing.

Rick Ross Speaks on Album Delay

Rick Ross spoke to Billboard recently about the delay of his sophomore set, Trilla. The album, which was originally due on Dec. 18 via Slip-N-Slide/Def Jam, is now set to hit shelves Feb. 19.

"We had a few clearance issues, including one song produced by DJ Toomp," said Ross. "It's called This Me and it's a real personal record for me, so I wanted to make sure it got on the album. Toomp produced White House on my first record and we made magic."'

The album's current single Speedin', which features R. Kelly, DJ Khaled and Diddy, is growing in popularity as it jumped from the 74 spot to 60 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In addition to the radio, the song has appear in a video recently, and is now making its rounds on BET and MTV.

"It's directed by Gil Green, who also directed Hustlin' and DJ Khaled's I'm So Hood," said Ross of the video. "I actually jump off a bridge in the beginning -- it's crazy."

Trilla features guest appearances by T-Pain, Lil' Wayne, Jay-Z, Akon, Trick Daddy and Marsha Ambrosius (of Floetry).


The Lox Reunite For Rare NYC Performance

The Lox are set to hit the stage in New York City next week, for the first time in over five years.

Styles P, Jadakiss and Sheek Louch haven't shared a stage since the We Are the Streets tour ended in 2000. Now the group promoting its highly anticipated reunion album, slated to drop in mid '08.

As a group, the Lox have been quiet since the very public break from Diddy's Bad Boy Records. But the individual members have each been busy working on their own projects.

Tupac's 1996 Hummer Auctioned Off On Ebay

All you Tupac fanatics out there, would you like to own one of his prized possessions? If so, you're in luck.

The Shakur family has reportedly put the rapper's 1996 Hummer H1 for sale on Ebay, with a starting bid of $200,000 and a Buy It Now price tag of $500,000.

Published reports say that the vehicle was originally raffled off in 2003 during BET's "Picture Me Rollin'" sweepstakes, but was later sold back to the family.

Now, as the Shakur family liquates assets, the vehicle is for sale.

The sale will be reportedly conducted by Candyman 187 and Yaasmyn Fula, both former friends of the late rapper, through their Havenotz Entertainment.

Via the Ebay auction, the vehicle is said to have less than 14,000 miles, runs on diesel fuel and has tan interior.

The auction can be viewed at Ebay.com.

Lupe Fiasco On Pace To Sell 160K Copies First Week

Lupe Fiasco is on pace to sell 160K copies of his new album "The Cool" during its first week in stores.

According to Hitsdailydouble.com, Lupe isn't the only Atlantic Records artist who will be debuting strong next week. Reports suggest R&B artist Jahiem will see his new album "The Makings of A Man" sell 180K during its first week in stores.

And while no one can knock Josh Groban's "Noel" off the top of the charts (the album is projected to move nearly 700K copies this week), Mary J. Blige will come close. Her new album "Growing Pains" is expected to sell around 600K copies this week looking good for a #2 chart debut next week.

Saigon Says No to Retirement

Exactly one month ago (November 19), Saigon shocked the Hip Hop community by announcing his “retirement” from rap via a MySpace blog.

Now after 30 days, a release of his new street-album The Moral of the Story, and “literally thousands of messages, many phone calls from very influential people and much support from just everyday people I may bump into on the street” he’s back.

Saigon takes the blog route again as he announces his “return”. Still feeling the same about the industry and state of Hip Hop, Sai recalls the reasons why he is into Hip Hop as a form of motivation and reasoning not to quit.

“I still feel the same way I did a month ago when I expressed how I felt about the state of Hip Hop..I still feel it needs a major makeover ..I expressed this to my team and what they said was 'If not you Saigon, then who'? Then I started to think about all the schools I went to to talk to the kids about Gang Prevention and Prison Reform. I thought about one of my closest friends mother, who is a teacher at one of the worst schools in Camden N.J. and how she rewards them by bringing me up there to talk to the kids. I thought about the 12 year old girl who told me how my song 'Pain in my Life' stopped her from being promiscuous. I thought about my song 'The Color Purple' and talking to Fab 5 Freddy about how we could start a whole movement with this song to save some of the lives of black and brown children..I thought about the kids at In Arms Reach and the example I would be ultimately setting by just quitting at something they know I love doing and have worked so hard at..I thought about alot of things...After all the messages from yall, the phone calls from the 'real' industry people, and just the thinking I did...I decided 2 things, I decided that right now quitting is not an option for me, and number 2, that if Im going to continue to make music and do this rap thing...Im playing by MY OWN RULES....” says Saigon [via blog].

Saigon continues on as he states that his album is complete and that it’s “most relevant album since …. [for]ever.” A few interesting things said were that there will be 12 features on the album from legendary artists; with the only other person rapping aside Saigon is Jay-Z (“C’mon Baby Remix”) and he allegedly has a track produced by both Kanye West & Just Blaze (together).

“I have literally 12 features on the album...All LEGENDARY artists...All of them, but I am the ONLY one rapping on my album..Oh, and Jay Z of course. Go figure. I won’t give up much more about the album, YET...Oh I will say that I have a song produced by Kanye West and Just Blaze TOGETHER, that is a first, I think..hahaha.”

Pretty Ricky Searches For New Member

R&B group Pretty Ricky are searching for a new member to replace the departing Pleasure.

The group tells MTV.com that they are actively searching for Pleasure's replacement but they have some specific qualifications they're looking for:

"We want to stay true to the sound," Baby Blue explained. "We're a hip-hop and R&B group. The three of us rap, and the fourth member has to be a singer just to keep the music consistent."

Pleasure has left the group fold to pursue a solo deal with Atlantic Records.

"There wasn't any creative difference," Baby Blue said to MTV News. "Because we're a family. Growing up, you get older and want to see what else is out there. It doesn't mean you're leaving your family; it's just exploring other opportunities. We gonna be there and support him 110 percent."

The group, who hope to have a new album turned into Atlantic by February, are shopping a reality series based on their search for a new member to various networks.


Bow Wow & Omarion Outshine The Birdman, While Mario Is Good To Go

In this week's Hip-Hop and R&B charts, Bow Wow & Omarion, Birdman, Mario, Wu-Tang Clan, The-Dream and Beanie Sigel all debut in the Top 50, while Alicia Keys maintains her stronghold at No. 2.

Alicia Keys continues to stand strong on the charts, maintaining her No. 2 spot with her third album, As I Am, according to Neilsen SoundScan. After selling 292,300 copies this week, the album is hovering near double platinum status with a five-week total of 1,876,200.

Bow Wow & Omarion score this week's highest debut with their collabo album, Face Off, which checked in at No. 11, selling 107,000 copies in its first week out.

One spot down is teen phenom Chris Brown, whose sophomore album Exclusive sold 106,500 copies this week for a six-week total of 788,400. Brown's No. 12 spot is up one from last week as the single ''Kiss Kiss,'' featuring computerized crooner T-Pain, remains in heavy rotation.

Birdman swoops in at No. 18 this week with his latest album, 5 * Stunna, which sold 86,000 copies in its first go-round. The Cash Money CEO got some lyrical assistance from guests including Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Fat Joe and surrogate son Lil' Wayne .

Three spots down is R&B singer Mario, who debuts at No. 21 with his third album, Go!, which sold 77,000 copies this week. The disc features guest appearances from Juelz Santana and Rich Boy.

Staten Island stalwarts Wu-Tang Clan bust in at No. 26 this week, pushing 68,000 of their long-awaited comeback album, 8 Diagrams.

Two spots down is Fergie, who continues to reign on the charts with her solo debut, The Dutchess, climbing six spots to No. 28 and selling 60,600 copies this week, a 32 percent spike in sales. After 65 weeks, the The Black Eyed Pea front lady has amassed a sales tally of 3,130,900.

Soulja Boy also cranks up the charts this week, jumping 8 spots to No. 30 with his debut disc Souljaboytellem.com, which pushed 59,200 copies. After 11 weeks, the teen rapper has moved 517,700 units.

Two spots down at No. 32 is The-Dream, the Def Jam artist best known for penning hits including Rihanna's ''Umbrella'' and J. Holiday's ''Bed.'' The solo debut from the ''Shawty Is A Ten'' singer, Love/Hate, pushed 58,800 copies in its first go-round.

Roc-A-Fella's own Beanie Sigel clocks in at No. 42 with his fourth album, The Solution, which moved 49,300 copies in its first week out. The South Philly rapper, who recently taped an anti-violence PSA for a Philadelphia TV station, got help from R. Kelly, Scarface, Ghostface and Styles P on his latest release.

Four spots down at No. 46 is Sigel's boss, Jay-Z, who falls 11spots this week with 43,500 sold of his concept album, American Gangster. After six weeks, the God MC has hustled 783,900 discs.

A-Town rapper Gucci Mane strolls in at No. 64 this week with his major label debut, Back to the Traphouse, which moved 31,700 copies in its first week out. The album features guest spots from Lil' Kim, Ludacris, Rich Boy, Trey Songz, Shawnna and the late Pimp C.

Next week look for Chingy, Mary J. Blige, Jaheim and Lupe Fiasco to make an appearance on the Hip-Hop and R&B Charts.

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TeleFlip Launches Free Mobile Email Service

Today TeleFlip announced the availability of its free email-to-cell phone service called flipMail.

Users must sign up at TeleFlip's web site, where they create a white list of people they'd like to receive email from. When those people send them an email, the email is converted into a text message and forwarded to the user's phone. Users can also send emails.

The service is carrier, device, and email provider agnostic, and does not require any additional software nor a data plan. Users don't have to pay TeleFlip anything, but should expect to be billed for the text messages sent and received on their phones.


(L note: This is pretty good, if you are like me and get 1,000 emails a day, and dont have a reliable phone with email, like a blackberry.) Read more here

(L note: I really haven't been posting the American Gangster remix albums, Mostly because they have been wack. That's just real talk, But DJ Skee manages to pull off an excellent complementary piece to the original album, My only issue is Hov says the album is suppose to play out like a movie, The Genesis, the rise and the fall, when you move the tracks around it loses the whole movie angle, its like watching Carlito's way out of order.With that being said This So far is The Best American Gangster remix album out)

"American Godfather"
DJ Skee
Mixtape Tracks
1. Introduction
2. Say hello
3. Hello brooklyn
4. American dreamin'
5. Blue magic
6. Dead presidents interlude
7. I know
8. Party life
9. No hook
10. Pray
11. Politics as usual interlude
12. Ignorant shit
13. Success
14. Roc boys
15. Fallin'
16. Sweet
17. American gangster

Beyond the pain

Resentment is a useless pursuit. It does not help you, it does not help the situation, and it does not help the people you resent.

Resentment expands the damage that has been done and prolongs the pain that has been inflicted. And resentment often leads to new instances of hurtful behavior on the part of everyone involved.

The way to end the downward spiral of resentment is with forgiveness. Forgiveness frees you to move forward, unfettered by the burden of past wrongdoing.

Forgiveness does not mean that what happened was acceptable. Forgiveness simply enables you to completely, once and for all, let it go.

In every life, there are numerous and continuing opportunities for deep, abiding and destructive resentment. But there is nothing at all to be gained by spending your life filling up a mental warehouse with those painful resentments.

Choose instead to quickly forgive, and to move forward, beyond the pain and into a world filled with positive possibilities. Don't waste your life on resentment when there is so very much beauty, life and love to experience.

-- Ralph Marston
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Jim Jones & Cassidy's Entourages Clash, Prevent Perfect Grandopening

Members of Dipset's Jim Jone's entourage and Full Surface's Cassidy's entourage prevented the grand opening of the HipHopSodaShop yesterday, December 18th in Tampa, Florida from going off without a hitch.

According to reports, a brief altercation broke out early in the night as Jim Jones and Juelz Santana exited a VIP area of the club--crossing paths with Cassidy and members of his entourage who were entering the area.

When three members of Jone's crew tried to return to the VIP area, they were stopped by one of Cassidy's security guards igniting a verbal altercation.

According to published reports, the men returned 10 minutes later along with the Harlem rapper (Jones) who had his own exchange of words with the security guard.

The guard was then struck in the head with a full bottle of champagne, knocking him out cold and causing a cut on his face.

Def Jam recording artist Sterling Simms, who was featured on Jay Z's Dig A Hole , is also rumored to have been injured in the melee.

The HipHopSodaShop is a hip hop driven restaurant and night club created by H3 Enterprises Inc., the first publicly traded Hip-Hop company.

R. Kelly Issued Arrest Warrant

A judge has issued a warrant for R. Kelly's arrest after the pied piper failed to show up in court today (Dec. 19) for his child pornography case.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Judge Vincent Gaughan entered a warrant for the R&B star's arrest, but won't put it into effect until tomorrow (Dec. 20), when Kells is ordered to appear in court at 9 a.m.

One of R. Kelly's defense lawyers, Ed Genson, said the singer had performed in Sacramento and was "detained because of some snow."

Then, according to Genson, state police pulled over Kelly's tour bus in Utah to check the bus log and ordered the bus to stop for eight hours because the log was not properly filled out.

Genson said the bus went to the nearest motel, and with the help of a lawyer, was able to resume traveling after about three to four hours.

Prosecutors said Judge Gaughan has already been lenient with Kelly, letting him travel outside Illinois and continue with his tour while the trial proceeds, though Kelly has to get permission for every trip."This is just an abuse of the process," said AssistantState's Attorney Shauna Bolicker. "It's disrespectful of your honor."

Kelly is facing 14 counts of child pornography stemming from a video tape that allegedly features the R&B crooner engaged in sexual acts with a teenage girl. He was charged in 2002 and has pleaded not guilty.


Judge Dismisses Notorious B.I.G. Wrongful Death Suit, Trial Postponed

The family of slain MC The Notorious B.I.G. were dealt a blow in their ongoing legal battle with the city of Los Angeles on Tuesday (December 18).

According to LA’s Fox 11, a judge today dismissed a secondary wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family in April. U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper ruled that the family had not filed a claim within the required timeframe. She then granted a request made by the city and imprisoned former cop Rafael Perez to dismiss the case. Perez, a corrupt former cop, has been accused of conspiring with his former partner David Mack to murder the rapper.

In 2005 Judge Cooper declared a mistrial in the trial that arose from the original suit filed by Biggie’s family. Fox 11 also reports that the parties involved in the still pending primary suit agreed last week to enter into mediation. As a result, the trial, scheduled for February, will be postponed indefinitely.

ALICIA KEYS TO STAR IN LENA HORNE BIOPIC

PageSix.com is reporting that Oprah Winfrey has taken control of the long-gestating Lena Horne biopic and has cast Alicia Keys in the title role.

“We’re going to start filming next year, and we've got Alicia,” Oprah reportedly told the New York Post column during an interview for her film "The Great Debaters."

The announcement comes as a final blow for Janet Jackson, who for years has expressed interest in playing the legendary entertainer on screen, and was actually in serious consideration when the project was set up as a TV movie at ABC.

But her dream role was all but snatched away in 2004, when Mrs. Horne herself famously asked Jackson to step away from the role following her Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction."

Atlanta Woman Claims Damon Dash Made Her Schizophrenic

Hip-hop mogul, Damon Dash, is driving the ladies crazy -- literally.

According to the New York Post, an Atlanta woman has filed a lawsuit against Dash, claiming that a meeting with him in 2004 resulted in her being diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

In the bizarre suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court recently, 24-year-old Jamie Roberts accuses Dash of exposing himself to her during their time spent together in Miami in 2004.

She claims that she met Dash at a Miami club in March of that year, in which he told her his name was "Jeremy McIntyre," before they left to go to a nearby marina. Once there, he showed her "his genital area" in an "offensive manner" and tried to force her into performing oral sex, the suit claims.

Nine months after the incident, Roberts said she "began to hear defendant's voice in her ear, giving her certain directions to follow."

Although at the time she was unaware of whom the man was, she came to realize later that it was Dash when she saw him in early 2005 during an episode of "The Chapelle Show."

The woman is seeking $30,000 and punitive damages, according to the paper.

Despite the accusations, Dash responded to the paper by claiming he was not aware of the suit, but dismissed the claims all together.

"We know nothing about it," he said in a statement to The Post. "It's quite obvious this is a false allegation."


DMX Signs to Bodog Music

Veteran MC DMX has inked a new recording deal with the music division of online gaming and entertainment powerhouse Bodog.

Through the agreement, X will release his next LP, called Walk With Me Now and You’ll Fly With Me Later, through the label in 2008. “I’m thankful for the fact that Bodog believes in me, that we share the same vision and the fact that they see in me the same thing I see,” the Yonkers born rapper said in a statement. “I’ll show you [Bodog Music] how it’s supposed to be done, and we’ll get to where we’re supposed to be. You got a dog for life.”

Bodog made headlines earlier this year when they inked a deal with the Wu-Tang Clan for the European distribution of their latest project, 8 Diagrams. The company, which made it’s name in the online poker and sportsbook arenas, also sponsors the Battle of the Bands competition, in which artists compete for a $1 million recording contract with Bodog Music.

“Bodog Music is rapidly becoming a big dog in the music biz,” said Bodog Entertainment founder Calvin Ayre. “Between the successes of Bodog Battle, great artist developments and now some major signings, look for Bodog Music to be an even larger presence on the music scene in 2008.”

Irv Gotti & Wife Talk Marriage In First Joint Interview

The Inc. CEO Irv Gotti is set to address his unique relationship with his wife on "The Gayle King Show" later today (Dec. 19) for the first time since the series finale of his VH1 reality show, "Gotti's Way."

In "Gotti's Way," VH1 detailed the music moguls battle between both his family and professional life and his struggle to find a balance. Oprah Winfrey associate Gayle King will be talking to Gotti and his wife, Deb Lorenzo, on King's XM radio program, for the couple's first ever media interview together.

The couple became popular for their numerous on-camera disputes concerning marriage, family and raising their three children. Gotti particularly made waves on the show when he admitted, "I love my wife to death, but not enough to stop f**king!" The two are expected to discuss the inner workings of their non-traditional marriage.

"The Gayle King Show" featuring Irv Gotti and Deb will premiere today at 8 a.m. EST, with encore broadcasts at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. exclusively on XM Radio's "Oprah and Friends" channel.


Amy Winehouse Follows In Hubby's Shoes, Arrested For "Perverting The Course Of Justice"

The woes just keep on coming for British soul singer Amy Winehouse, who was arrested yesterday (December 18) in connection with her husband's assault case.

According to a press release issued by the London Metropolitan Police, the 24 year-old crooner voluntarily turned her self in to an East London police station, where she was arrested in connection with an investigation of her husband, who is being charged with "perverting the course of justice."

"She has not been charged with anything and arrests are commonplace for British law," Winehouse's rep explained in a press release. "Unlike the States, Brits are arrested before they're questioned." Winehouse was released on bail and ordered to return to a London police station in early March, police said.

Winehouse's hubby, Blake Civil-Fielder is currently incarcerated, awaiting trial for allegedly attempting to manipulate a witness connected to his 2006 assault charge.

The couple has had various public meltdowns and run-ins with the law. Many speculate that the singer and her husband's troubles are at least partly due to their reported abuse of drugs, for which the singer's mother has issued a public outcry.

Despite the singer's tumultuous year, there is a bright spot for Winehouse, having been nominated for six Grammy awards at February's upcoming ceremony, including record of the year and album of the year for her breakout disc, Back To Black.

Lupe Fiasco Hosts Skateboard Deck Design Contest

Lupe Fiasco is teaming up with the music social networking website imeem.com, Element Skateboards and Vapors magazine to host a skateboard deck design contest based on his sophomore concept album The Cool. Winners will receive copies of the deck as well as what Lupe calls "other top secret things" if their design is chosen.

"It's gonna be a duel...a battle to the death," says Lupe. "It'll be some elements and different things from the album. You can put those together or [use] your own ideas starting from a blank canvas, centered around my album and everything within."

The contest capitalizes off of the skateboarding themed song "Kick Push," from Lupe's Food & Liquor album, while also incorporating concepts from The Cool and the logos of the contests sponsors. Further details, entry information and a .zip file containing available graphics, for those in need of a creative boost, are all available at Lupe's imeem profile or at http://lupesboard.imeem.com/.

J Records Drops Ruben Studdard

After a promising start as winner of the second season of "American Idol," Studdard seems to have fallen short of expectations and has been dropped from J. A rep from his label has confirmed the artist's departure.

Studdard's first J Record release Soulful, released in 2003, went RIAA certified platinum. His 2004 gospel follow up, I Need An Angel also fared well - reaching gold status, however sales of his 2006 project The Return have been unable to match his previous success, moving barely 235,000 copies.

Studdard has been putting in work to strengthen other aspects of his career. In November, he spent time touring alongside Robin Givens in a play called "Heaven I Need a Hug" and according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he is currently preparing to play jazz great Fats Waller in a national theatre tour of "Ain't Misbehavin'."

Theater has proven to be a popular career move for many "American Idol" standouts, most notably Fantasia, who has starred as Celie in the Broadway version of "The Color Purple." Diana DeGarmo has appeared in "Hairspray," Frenchie Davis was featured in "Rent" and Tamyra Gray won roles in both "Rent" and "Bombay Dreams."

Studdard is also scheduled to make a holiday appearance in his hometown Birmingham, Alabama this weekend, performing with his old band Just a Few Cats at the WorkPlay soundstage.


Bow Wow & Omarion Debut Strong; Wu-Tang Falters

Bow Wow & Omarion's new album "Face Off" debuted strong on the charts this week while Wu-Tang's reunion album "8 Diagrams" disappoints in its first week.

According to Billboard, "Face Off" sold 107,000 copies this week to debut at No. 11.

Wu-Tang's reunion album "8 Diagrams" sold a disappointing 68,000 copies to debut at No. 25. Also debuting low were The Dream with his debut album selling 59,000 (No. 30) and Beanie Sigel's latest release "The Solution" moving only 49,000 copies during its first week in stores to debut at No. 37.

Cash Money's Birdman AKA Baby made a strong showing on the charts with his new album "5*Stunna" selling 86,000 to come in at No. 18. Mario saw his latest release "Go" sell 77,000 copies during its first week in stores to debut at No. 21.

Holding strong this week was Alicia Keys whose latest album "As I Am" came in at No. 2 for a second week selling 292,000 copies (a 24% sales increase).

The week's #1 album was once again Josh Groban. His Christmas album "Noel" has now sold 2.77 million making it the year's best selling release.

According to Billboard, sales this week (17.98 million units) are down 23.1% compared to the same week last year (23.39 million). This week's sum is up 24.4% from last week's.

"Us Placers"
CRS (Lupe, Pharrell & Kanye)
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Here is the trailer to Will Smith's new movie, Hancock, scheduled for release next summer. It looks aight.
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Positive experience

The best response to a negative experience is to create a positive experience. Instead of fighting against life's misfortunes, transform them into useful and worthwhile value.

When things go wrong, you have a choice. You can wallow in self pity or you can seize the opportunity for self improvement.

In every disappointment there is the seed of fulfillment. In every weakness there is the seed of strength.

Problems and difficulties provide reliable pathways to achievement. There is value to be gained from every experience when you choose to see that value and to bring it about.

You never have to be the victim of random circumstance, or of any other circumstance for that matter. For instead of choosing to be the victim, you can always choose to make a positive difference.

Life is often unfair, and comes to you in ups and downs, but that doesn't really matter. For you are free to make of it whatever you choose.

-- Ralph Marston
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"I Won’t Tell"
Fat Joe ft. J.Holiday
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Jay Z: "I have one album left."

With a depart from his Def Jam presidency looming over his head, Hip Hop power player Jay Z says he still has one more album to do before he completely parts ways with the historic music label.

"I have one album left, right? If I'm inspired to make that album, then my contract is done and I'm not in the music business anymore as far as being an artist." Said Hov in a recent interview with Billboard.com.

The rapper, who will be opening a new 40/40 club in Las Vegas on December 30th, says his career will come full circle with his last contractual album dropping under Def Jam,.

"I can still make music. But how I reach people with that music ... I can do anything with it at that point. It's kind of exciting in a way. I'm not in the music business so I can drop a single every month. Who knows? The possibilities are endless -- and without any pressure to sell anything.

I could make whatever and do whatever with my music. Maybe the songs would just play in 40/40."

As far as who the next front runner of hip hop will be after his depart, Jay Z gave the obvious answer--Lil Wayne.

"The obvious choice would be Lil' Wayne. That's on the front of everyone's mind unless you don't include Kanye in the equation. I think everyone would agree that Wayne is the closest."



Fabolous Speaks On Associates Death

Nearly a month after the murder of his child hood friend, Brooklyn rapper Fabolous has broken his silence to clear up speculations placing him at the scene.

On Friday November 23rd, twenty five year old Shamel Mckinney was stabbed and killed at a New York City hotspot as he allegedly tried to steal $10,000 worth of chains from another clubgoer, Anthony Taylor, 26.

While many news reports placed Fabolous at the scene, the "You Make Me Better" hit maker insists he was nowhere in sight.

In a recent interview with the New York Daily News, Fabolous continues his affirmation saying he barely left the house on the day of the incident.

"On Thanksgiving, I think I came out of the house one time - to go get eggnog." Said Fab who wasn't aware of Mckinney's murder until the following morning.

"It was very much a shock to me," he continued.

"When you hear stuff happened to bad guys, you're like, 'Okay, yeah, it was coming to them.' Shamel's not that kind of person. I was waiting to hear more of the story. Unfortunately, when I heard the story, I ended up being in it."

According to reports, Mckinney's muderer, AnthonyTaylor, was arrested in Georgia on Dec. 4 and has been brought back to the city to face second-degree murder charges.


Prodigy Warns Rappers In Midst Of Prison Bid, "It's Time To Really Wake Up... We Actin' Like Clowns"

As a solo rapper and one-half of the Queensbridge duo Mobb Deep, Prodigy has built his career on street savvy and true-to-life rhymes. In this SOHH exclusive, we talk to Albert Johnson about dirty cops, his upcoming jail sentence and why rap buffoonery needs to stop.

On January 9, Prodigy will begin serving a three-and-a-half year jail sentence for weapons charges , a result of police pulling the rapper's vehicle over last October and finding a gun inside. Prodigy says the time in lockup will actually help him re-focus after working nonstop for the past 15 years.

"I've never, ever had a vacation in my life," he told SOHH. "I've never stopped and said aight I'm gonna take a break today ... So by me goin' to jail right now, it's just givin' me a chance to stop, relax and just really get myself together ... I'm goin on a little vacation, that's all."

Although he's found the silver lining in his prison sentence, Prodigy has hardly made peace with the cops who he said illegally searched his car and asked him to set up G-Unit boss 50 Cent.

"The cops did something illegal man, it needs to be known," Prodigy said. "In my case, they just searched my car without asking because they felt like they had the power to do that I guess. And they did it. They found a little gun in my car and they locked us up, locked me and (Alchemist) up."

"And then, on top of that," he added, "while I'm in there they're tellin' me 'We'll rip up your arrest sheet, we'll rip up the arrest report and let you and your friend walk right now and forget this ever happened if you help us set 50 Cent up.'"

He said cops later lied on the stand to cover up the fact that their search was illegal, forcing P to cop a plea rather than go away for 15 years.

"These @#*$%s is foul man, they real foul," he said. "They'll make up @#!* and make their case stick. Then it's your word against the cop's word. Who's the grand jury gonna believe? Some rapper that raps about guns and violent stuff that they don't understand ... or are they gonna believe the friendly neighborhood officer?"

He said he believes dirty cops are responsible for the unsolved murders of 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G., and that it's time to stop flashing ice grills and start thinking about self-protection and survival.

"It's time to really, really wake up man," he said. "These @#*$%s is murderin' us out here. They lockin' us up forever out here and we runnin' out buyin' jewelry, actin' like clowns in videos ... Like how can you be a @#*$ing buffoon in a video when this @#!* is goin' on in the world? It's time to @#*$ing snap out of that @#!*."

P does get a little revenge against dirty cops in his new video, "ABC," off his forthcoming album HNIC2.

Lil Wayne: "I'll be Pimp C Forever"

Lil Wayne stepped out of the booth this past week to pay his condolences to fallen UGK rapper Pimp C.

"Pimp C helped me be who I am to this day. He was a mentor--told me what he liked, what he didn't like. Everything he said, I executed and the same goes for Bun B." Said Lil Wayne in a recent radio interview with Port Arthur's 97.9 The Box.

"I am their younger brother..and just so he [Bun B] knows and everybody else knows-- I know there'll never be another Pimp C but I know that UGK will never die, Bun if you need a partner blood, I am that!..My last name's Carter, I'll be Pimp C Forever" Wayne said in a somber tone.

When asked if Pimp C ever gave him any advice, Wayne simply said he just told him to just make sure to know what he was doing.

LL Cool J: "Have I Made a Garbage Album? Yes."

The self-proclaimed greatest of all time LL Cool J spoke recently in a video interview about the quality of his music in recent years, among other topics.

On his body of work: "Have I ever made a garbage album? Yes. But you know what, when you make 13 albums, it's pretty hard not to make a couple....3, 4, 5... pieces of shit! If it's not, who else is doin' it? It's pretty hard not to make some bullshit. If it's 10 records an album, that's 130 records released to the public...it's pretty hard not to make some garbage in there. You can't make any shot."

LL has made it no secret that he hasn't been happy with the promotion at Def Jam - or how Jay-Z has handled his presidential position.

On Jay-Z and Def Jam: "All I want them to do is promote my records. I'm not interested at going at nobody. If I could double Jay-Z's success right now and snap my fingers, why not? I could care less, because you know why? Like my grandmother said, what he eat don't make me shit...one way or another, if he does well, he ain't gonna call me up and give me a steak, and if he doesn't do well, he ain't gonna call me and ask me for a steak."

On his upcoming album and level of effort: "The album is serious; it's called Exit 13. I remember where I came from, and basically what I'm doing is taking it back to my roots. You know, back to the cats in the barbershop for that one guy who's been arguing about me for years...what people don't know is that sometimes when I make albums I just coast, and I'm just being creative and artistic...everything you hear me say on the mic is not always me trying to be the best emcee. People think that everything that comes out of your mouth is your most potent lyrical effort."

Eddie Murphy Signs Karrine Steffans To Record Deal

Eddie Murphy has launched a new recording label and Karrine 'Superhead" Steffans is the actor’s flagship artist, according to a recent report.

Murphy Entertainment is the latest venture for the actor and he is expected to debut Steffans’ album in March of 2008, according to Asian News International.

While the nature of Steffans’ artistry hasn’t been disclosed, the video model-turned-author has recently started rapping.

She released a mixtape earlier this year, where she performed a freestyle rap.

No title for the Steffans album has been revealed at presstime.

Steffans entered into prominence to the mainstream media when she released a book, after rising to fame as a Hip-Hop video actress.

The legend of her sexual prowess was already urban lore in many rap circles.

Steffans became well known when she published her autobiography, a tell-all called Confessions of a Video Vixen.

In the book, she unveiled some of her sexual encounters with several Hip-Hop and sports figures.

The book created a firestorm of controversy in the entertainment world.

WILL SMITH'S 'LEGEND' RULES BOX OFFICE

Warner Bros hoped that its Will Smith blockbuster "I Am Legend" would take in at least $40 million or so at the box office this weekend. It ended up banking $76.5 million - giving the studio the biggest December opening of any film in history.

The previous December title was held by "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," which set a record of $72.6 million during its first weekend in 2003.

"Legend's" weekend box office is also Smith's biggest opening since "I, Robot's" $52 million in July 2004. It crushes the debut of second-place film "Alvin and the Chipmunks," which earned $45 million this weekend.

Smith, 39, plays a military virologist who appears to be the only survivor of a human-made virus that has wiped out civilization. The role was originally adapted from Richard Matheson's 1954 novel as a starring vehicle for Arnold Schwarzenegger and director Ridley Scott in the early 1990s.

During press tours for "I Am Legend," Smith has been asked repeatedly about his ties to Scientology – the belief practiced by his good friend Tom Cruise. The actor has said that he agrees with some of its principles, one of them being its insistence on home-schooling children.

Fox.com columnist Roger Freidman says Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett, donated $20,000 to Scientology’s literacy campaign, called HELP (The Hollywood Education and Literacy Program), which is the basis for Scientology’s home-schooling system.

The 2005 contribution is listed in the federal filing for The Will Smith Foundation for the previous year, reports Friedman. Since that time, Smith’s children have been home-schooled. Also, Smith has recently discussed plans to launch his own private school in the way Oprah Winfrey started her Academy for girls in South Africa.

HELP isn't the only recipient of Smith's money. According to Freidman, his foundation "has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to local civic organizations in the Baltimore and Philadelphia areas. Last year he was even one of the few clients of Creative Artists Agency to give money to the talent agency’s own tax-free fund ($2,500)."

Smith's top donation in 2005 was $140,000 to Yesha Ministries of Philadelphia, a Florida organization that teaches Christian-based martial arts. He gave them another $125,000 last year, according to Freidman.

"Among his other charitable donations in 2006, Smith gave $7,500 to a group called Partners for Educating Actors, Composers and Entertainers, or PEACE," Freidman reported.