Numerous media outlets were releasing information from Michael Jackson's supposed autopsy report, including damaging details suggesting drug abuse, the coroner's office now says is completely false. According to various sources including The Sun, Michael Jackson's bald body was filled with needle marks on his hips, thighs, and shoulders, says TMZ.
It was also being said that the fallen pop icon had several broken ribs and a stomach full of pills.
Since the arguably distasteful unveiling of the condition of Jackson's body, the Los Angeles County coroner has come forward to dismiss the claims as a complete fabrication.
"The report that is being published did not come from this office. I don't know where the information came from, or who that information came from. It is not accurate. Some of it is totally false," a statement from the coroner read.
As previously reported by Yo! Raps, Jackson passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest late last week.
Whether fans or just collectors, people have been making the trip to the store to buy Michael Jackson albums in record numbers. In the same vein as with Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the demand for Jackson's work has become so high that stores are selling out and forming waiting lists.
Music outlets like Best Buy are reporting they are completely out of Michael Jackson albums, while Amazon.com says their supply of the 25th anniversary edition of Thriller has run dry.
"This is simply unprecedented," said Bill Carr, vice president of music and video at Amazon.
"We've seen the death of Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra and many other artists, but none of them compare to what we're witnessing today," he continued. "In the last 24 hours, we've actually sold more Michael Jackson albums in our MP3 and CD stores than we have in the 11 years since the launch of our music business."
In a recent interview with XXL, 50 Cent explained why he has a lot of rappers CD's. He says his competitive nature makes him listen so he can stay in tuned with what's going on.
"A lot of different artists out there, they'd be surprised I got their CD. I play it because of the competitive nature, the art form; I don't shout it out or let 'em know I'm listening. You know, I just let it stay there because it might cause them to say something that makes me have to compete with them. You gotta kind of stay in-tune to what's going on in order to continue to be successful and when. Sometimes I lose interest in what's going on with the hood people, I just want to make what I want to make and make it from my perspective. Only way you really get a chance to do that is when you're leading. You're in the lead position and consistent, you stay there. They'll be conscious of you, but you don't have to pay them no mind."
Fif, whose never been one to shy away from controversy even commented on newcomer Drake and how Jay-Z did his own artist, Freeway dirty. In another interview with Funkmaster Flex on New York's Hot 97, the G-Unit general spoke candidly about Freeway's album and how it was a joint project between the G-Unit general and his Rocafella counterpart.
"Lil Wayne has that new kid, what's his name, Drake, the kid is coming up. I heard Jay-Z got him on his single, right? That was ill, like, that was fast! For him to put him on his single, like that's ill. I don't know if he's rhyming or singing but the fact that he's on it is hot. Like that was a fast come-up. Jay won't even rap on his own artists and be in the video with 'em. Freeway, he did Freeway dirty. In the Freeway project, we were doing something together. It was all of us together, Jay had a record with Freeway and I said if you shoot that one, I'll shoot the one that I did with him and we'll make the video.' Now tell me that ain't the perfect scenario for Freeway."
The album 50 Cent spoke about was Freeway's 2007 release Free At Last. The lead single, Rocafella Billionaires, was produced by Dame Grease and featured Jay-Z but no video was ever shot for the single. 50 Cent was also featured on the album on a song called Take It To The Top. The album was supposed to be co-executive produced by Jay-Z and 50 Cent, but only Jay's name appears in the albums credits as executive producer. Despite those features and other notable appearances by Jadakiss, Scarface, Busta Rhymes and Rick Ross the album has only sold a little over 100,000 copies despite being critically acclaimed.
If Rihanna's father, Ronald Fenty, had his way Chris Brown would be locked away in jail for the alleged assault of his daughter. According to Fenty, Brown was handed a "light" sentence of community service and probation in connection with the well publicized physical altercation with Rihanna back in February.
As previously reported, Brown was ordered by the court to complete six months of community service, in addition to five years probation and attendance at a domestic violence program.
In Fenty's opinion, however, Brown's sentence pales in comparison to the "hell" Rihanna went through and he blames what he considers a faulty U.S. justice system.
"He should be in jail," Fenty told an unknown source. "Chris should have been sent to jail for what he did to my girl. He's got off lightly. Chris put her through hell."
Rumor has is that Rihanna does not agree, as she has reportedly asked to have the restraining order, aimed to keep Chris away from her, lifted.
LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the "King of Pop" and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. He was 50. The person said Jackson died in a Los Angeles hospital. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity. The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told the newspaper. Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage. His 1982 album "Thriller" — which included the blockbuster hits "Beat It," "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" — remains the biggest-selling album of all time, with more than 26 million copies. He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched voice punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks second only to his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance. By some measures, he ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. In fact, he united two of music's biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie. As years went by, he became an increasingly freakish figure — a middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grownup life. His skin became lighter, his nose narrower, and he spoke in a breathy, girlish voice. He surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, often wore a germ mask while traveling and kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions. In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him. The case took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble. Jackson was preparing for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13. He was in rehearsals in Los Angeles for the concert, an extravaganza that was to capture the classic Jackson magic: showstopping dance moves, elaborate staging and throbbing dance beats. Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital as word of his death spread. The emergency entrance at the UCLA Medical Center, which is near Jackson's rented home, was roped off with police tape. "Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Jackson has just died," a woman boarding a Manhattan bus called out, shortly after the news was annunced. Immediately many riders reached for their cell phones. In New York's Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone. "No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow," Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend sent to his telephone. "It's like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died."
Despite steering clear of the public eye for the past few years Missy Elliott has been busy working on a movie about her life and rise to fame. Although most famous as a huge female force in a male dominated industry, Missy says she had a hard road to success.
Having endured rape at the hands of her older cousin and domestic violence at the hands of her father, Missy says her past is a big part of her journey and she is still in the process of making sure the movie stays true to that.
"It's happening; I've just got to find a great writer because I wouldn't want my story watered down," she told Elle magazine. "I went through a lot, and I accomplished a lot, and I want people to know how it all went down."
With twenty years in the game, Missy's resume boasts six platinum albums.
She has also appeared as herself in movies like Honey, Pootie Tang, and Just For Kicks.
MySpace is hosting a free concert in Hollywood this Friday featuring Fabolous, who will be in town for the BET Awards. The concert will be a celebration for Def Jam' 25th Anniversary.
Fabolous promised to bring a few surprise guests as well as label mates Ace Hood, Rick Ross, Ne-Yo, and Young Jeezy. The-Dream and Jeremih have also been confirmed to be at the show which will give Fab a chance to perform the first two singles of his new album Loso' Way, Throw It In The Bag featuring The-Dream and My Time featuring Jeremih.
The show is being held at Hollywood club Avalon and will take place at 10 p.m. Friday (June 26).
Fab' new CD Loso' Way, which contains a 30 minute DVD, will be released on July 28th. The CD will be the fifth studio album for the Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn native. The first two Ghetto Fabolous and Street Dreams both reached platinum status while Real Talk and From Nothin'o Somthin' were both certified gold.
Tracklist for Loso' Way:
1. "The Way" (Intro) 2. "Feel Like I'm Back" 3. "My Time" (featuring Jeremih) 4. "Imma Do It" (featuring Kobe) 5. "Everything, Everyday, Everywhere" (featuring Keri Hilson) 6. "Throw It In the Bag" (featuring The-Dream) 7. "When the Money Goes (Remix)" (featuring Jay-Z) 8. "Salute" (featuring Lil Wayne) 9. "There He Go" (feat. Paul Cain, Red Cafe & Freck Billionaire) 10. "The Fabolous Life" (featuring Ryan Leslie) 11. "Makin' Love" (featuring Ne-Yo) 12. "Last Time" (featuring Trey Songz) 13. "Stay" (featuring Marsha Ambrosius) 14. "Pachanga" 15. "Lullaby" 16. "I Miss My Love"
OutKast fans going through withdrawal can rest easy because Big Boi is promising three albums from the duo -- albeit two solo LPs -- within the next two years.
Big Boi says dynamic ATLiens are planning to release their highly anticipated joint project, in addition his Sir Lucious Leftfoot Son Of Chico Dusty and Andre 3000's as of yet titled solo project.
"The [solo] album is 16 cuts, everything brand new," he explained in an interview seen on iHipHop. "Featured on the record I have T.I., Too Short, George Clinton, Andre 3000 of course, Raekwon, Mary J. Blige, it's really, I use my features on the album as an extra ingredient as to different songs...We definitely planning another OutKast album. The plan right now is for me to drop my solo record, Dre is working on his solo album right now...After we put both solos out, we gonna put the OutKast album out. Soon as I turn my record in, I'll go and start doing my parts of the OutKast album as Dre is finishing his album out. Y'all gonna get three records from me and Dre in the next two years."
As previously reported, Big Boi attributed the album delays to issues with the record label he now says have been resolved.
"The push backs have just really been trying to get the situation together with the record label, and trying to learn a new system," he told Word of South. "There are some talks going on right now. I can't really release it right now. Probably within the next week or so, there will be a big announcement coming out and the album will be out this summer, believe it, it's done, it's in the can and I'm very happy with it. We got to clearing it up. It was just a new system and releasing new music in a new system that hasn't really been a part of our careers. It's been a change but I think we've reached some type of median right now which is going to lead to that big announcement that is going to come up in the next week or so. I'm just very happy about the situation right now. I can't wait to let the world know when it's coming out."
Although now expected sometime soon, there was still no sign of an exact release date for any project.
A man involved in the 2006 shooting which claimed the life of T.I.'s assistant and friend Philant Johnson has been sentenced to 17 years in jail.
According to Cincinnati News, U.S. District Judge Sandra Beckwith sentenced Padron Thomas to 17 years on conspiracy and gun charges.
As previously reported by Yo! Raps, Padron also made headlines last year when he testified against his brother, Hosea Thomas, who was sentenced to 66 years for Johnson's murder.
According to his testimony, Padron was driving the car while his brother shot at vehicles carrying Tip and his entourage.
T.I., now incarcerated on his own gun charges, also took the stand during the trial to describe what happened after the gunfire erupted.
"We called Phil's name out, Phil didn't respond," T.I. said. "... I saw blood running down his face, his shirt was wet... He had an injury wound to the left temple."
Despite initial reports of the possibility of no jail time because of his testimony against his brother, Padron still received a harsh sentence.
At press time, T.I. had issued no comment on Padron's sentence.
Rev. Run and his family are opening up about the recent arrest of JoJo Simmons on marijuana charges last month. As previously reported by Yo! Raps, JoJo was arrested after police caught him red handed buying and smoking marijuana in New York.
In a new episode of Run's House scheduled to air on Monday, June 22, JoJo reveals what happened during a conversation with his sisters, Angela and Vanessa, and speaks to his younger siblings about his alleged addiction.
"I can't be that stupid... Russy doesn't understand fully. Diggy do, but he's about to go to high school and that's where it all started for me," he says in a clip for the upcoming show.
Shortly after his arrest, Vanessa came to her brother's defense in a post to her Twitter account, saying "as humans we all make mistakes. They make up your life lessons and experiences, JoJo is ok, he just made a[n] oops."
Rev. Run is also forced to confront his son's issue as he calls on memories from his younger days with his brother Russell Simmons.
The episode of Run's House is scheduled to air on MTV on June 22.
A Manhattan club owner is crying foul over a cancelled Beyonce performance and threatening the pop diva with a million-dollar lawsuit.
In preparation for the North American leg of her I Am... Sasha Fierce tour, Beyonce was set to perform at a club called M2 in Manhattan.
The club's owner, Joey Morrissey, told the New York Post that he paid the singer her $200,000 fee and all was well until he received a call from her camp on Wednesday (June 16).
According to Morrissey, Bey's people told him that she would not be performing even though she signed a contract that stipulated he spend $100,000 in preparation for the show.
"They said they were too busy with the launching of the tour and that they wouldn't have time to do the kickoff party," he said.
Morrissey says Beyonce then offered to come to the club "to hang out for an hour" on Sunday in an effort to make amends for the missed performance.
"I mean, we sold tables for thousands of dollars for the show, and spent $100,000 renting a soundboard and other equipment, as per their stipulations. What good does her showing up for an hour do me? They've been totally unwilling to agree to another show," Morrissey added.
Morrissey says he is now preparing to sue Beyonce for the "loss of reputation" his business has suffered as well as the money he is out.
"We had an overwhelming response from our club goers, who were lining up to buy tickets and tables. This will come as a great disappointment to all of them," he claims, adding, "If Beyonce cancels and doesn't give us a new date, this hurts our credibility in night life."
At press time, Beyonce had issued no public comment on the potential lawsuit.
As speculation and rumors abound, hip hop newcomer Drake says he is almost ready to set the record straight about what record label he will be calling his home. Although skimpy on the details during a sit down with WGGC yesterday (June 18), Drake says he plans to give up the goods in less than a weeks time.
"I'm like, maybe, five days away maybe," Drake reportedly said. "Just give me five days, I'm sorry, I can't. The burning question will be answered in five days...I'm out here in Miami working with Pharrell and I'm even realizing oh, we got so much more to give to these people. I just started working on my album pretty much a couple days ago and I'm still seeing the creativity is flowing at an amazing level."
Drake's selection of a record label has been the subject of much conversation since it was announced that several majors were engaging him in a bidding war.
Despite the rumors, some speculated he was already signed to Lil' Wayne's Young Money camp, a claim Drake has since denied.
"I'm not signed to Young Money but definitely Young Money is a family to me," he told Vibe. "I'm definitely YM affiliated, you know? I have the utmost love for everybody over there, the utmost respect. Mack Maine and Jae Millz, those are like brothers to me, you know? Nicki [Minaj]...And now that I'm in this position I'm just trying to get everything all the way straight."
Young Jeezy recently addressed rumors that members of his CTE crew got stabbed at Luckie Lounge in Atlanta on Wednesday (June 17). Jeezy did admit to being at the club but denied rumors that members of his entourage got stabbed.
"We was at the bar, I know they said something broke out, but we ain't catch nothing. We got up out of the building and we left. Headed back to the studio and kicked it. Hell no! N*ggas stab me? Ain't no one dead is it? [Laughs] Nah, we one hundred, quit playing. I'm a tell you something too man, you better quit listening to them TMZ-*ss dudes, man. Come on man. These internet gangstas... I mean, b*tches. Nah, we good man. We one hundred. Everybody we left with was good. Club pretty much closed after that. I ain't see nothing so I can't tell ya. We had a ball, man. We got up outta there."
The fight, which involved at least 10 people, broke out in the VIP area of the Luckie Food Lounge on Luckie Street in Atlanta at about 2:30am, according to reports.
Police said one man was slashed on the face and two others were stabbed in the arm. All three men were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. Police detained and questioned several people who were in the club, but officers say they are not cooperating.
New York stand up! Staten Island put one fist in the air! On Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 E1 Music is set to release Chamber Music, a brand new project from the Wu-Tang which pairs original Clan MCs with classics '90s rap veterans. The project is Executive Produced by RZA.
Chamber Music features Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, RZA, U-God and Inspectah Deck, plus affiliate Killah Priest, alongside classic Hip-Hop MCs such as AZ, Havoc, Cormega, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, Sadat X (Brand Nubian) and Sean Price.
The return-to-form sound of Chamber Music is the album hardcore Wu-Tang fans have waited years for.
Chamber Music's throw-back sound is inspired by classic soul and kung fu imagery. It features a combination of new beats and live instrumentation by Brooklyn soul band The Revelations (all supervised by RZA) shaped in a classic vibe, reminiscent of the group's 36 Chambers album but with a completely updated, modern twist.
Wu-Tang supreme architect RZA weighs in, "This album has a very live element of today's musicians playing the vibe of Wu-Tang, know what I mean? The vibe we would normally sample, the vibe of things that we would accumulate through old soul songs, jazz songs, kung fu movies whatever, now you've got musicians that can play this vibe with Wu-Tang MC's rapping over it. The goal of this album is definitely paying homage to our early sound. In the old days, we had to sample and find snares and things like that or chord changes just to make a beat. Now, this is being done it with a band. A lot of times, you hear rappers over a live band and that loses the hip-hop because a lot of those bands from the old days wasn't from the hip-hop generation. On this album, we make it sound like it was in the 36 Chambers era. To me, what also adds to this album, you've got the Wu-Tang MCs but you also got your other favorite MCs from that era like Havoc, Cormega and others. This album can be played with a live band and it will sound big."
The album's first focus track Harbor Masters featuring Ghostface, AZ and Inspectah Deck brings back that gutter real hip hop from back in the day.
For the three members of Fast Life Yungstaz aka F.L.Y., the phenomenon of Swag Surfin' that first hit in the summer of 2008 and exploded in 2009 - has been a straight shot to stardom. Newly-signed to Def Jam Recordings, a division of Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ), F.L.Y.has completed its debut album, Jamboree, which will arrive June 23rd in the physical and digital marketplace.
In the two months since Swag Surfin' impacted at Urban and Rhythmic radio in, it has grown to 11.3 million audience and sold more than 63,000 digital copies. The track jumped to #11-bullet last week on the Urban Mediabase side. Swag Surfin' has exploded on the internet to the tune of over 1.6 million audio plays on MySpace, while the combined online video plays total over 1 million. In addition, F.L.Y. has launched an online dance contest for high school and college students on their site swagsurfin.com. The contest has generated millions of votes.
"If you go on YouTube and type in Swag Surfin," says member Mook, "you'll see videos of people inside clubs going from side to side in a wavy motion, surfin'." What started in the clubs has moved into the light: "We got bands, drill teams and college basketball teams playing it before they run out for their games. The Atlanta Hawks come out to Swag Surfin' now too. It's just a whole buzz we have that's building up."
F.L.Y. - 21 year-old rapper Mook, Myko McFly (20) and Vee (22) - natives of Stone Mountain, Georgia, saw their melodic sing-song track build from a fresh sound down South less than one year ago. It didn't take long for IDJ Chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid to catch the Swag Surfin' wave and bring the guys up to New York. The phone call came in January, and F.L.Y. found themselves showcasing for Mr. Reid less than 24 hours later. "We made sure we gave L.A. Reid the best show he'd ever seen," Mook understates.
Jamboree will be available in stores on June 23.
Swag Surfin "OFFICIAL" Music Video (Before Def Jam)
Plies is releasing his newest and most anticipated single Becky this Friday (June 19) from his 4th album titled Goon Affiliated after just a short six months after releasing his third album, Da REAList, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Rap Charts, Plies just can not get himself out of the studio, having released three best selling albums since just August 2007 all featuring chart-topping singles like Shawty featuring T-Pain, Hypnotized featuring Akon and Bust It Baby Pt. 2 featuring Ne-Yo.
Plies' forth album Goon Affiliated is slated to drop in September 2009 featuring this debut single Becky. Not only are we all waiting to hear the new sound of Plies, but another big question is, who is Becky? When asked, Plies responded, "Some of you all will be mad at me for saving this, but I'm in love with Becky!"
Another mystery leaving fans anxious for the release of Goon Affiliated is that Plies is not leaking the names of the top artists who have recorded rap features on the album as this will be Plies' first album to ever include a rap feature of a different artist.
When it comes to Plies, he knows how to keep it real, fresh and always current. "I've been blessed to be able to come back with three albums in 16 months," Plies said. "I feel like it's something that hadn't been done in the new era." Now in his forth album Goon Affiliated, Plies promises yet another certified classic, full of new sounds, technology, and a new group of top notch producers that Plies himself hand-picked.
Plies forth album Goon Affiliated is anticipated to be his most celebrated album to date.
Up until now, the practice of "beefing on wax" was a characteristic exclusive to hip hop. But recently this concept has begun to gradually fuse itself into the realm of R&B.
Newcomer Keri Hilson was the first to initiate a buzz worthy R&B beef when she boldly took shots at international star, Beyonce. Then R&B lightweight, Trey Songz took this same boldness a step further when he dissed a musical heavyweight like R. Kelly. But Mariah Carey surpasses both of these valiant attempts with a true "David vs. Goliath" act of her own by going up against one of hip hop's most dangerous lyricists... Eminem!
Mariah's first single, Obsessed, from her forthcoming album features a few verses in which she pokes fun at the Detroit rapper who has repeatedly insulted the pop diva in his songs, the most recent being his 2009 hit Relapse.
Carey first takes a shot at Em's ego when she suggests that her stardom outweighs his celebrity with lyrics like, "I'm a corporation. I'm a press conference...(and) you're a conversation."
This track is a bit more daring than Mariah's 2003 "diss" track Clown because the Grammy-winning singer decides to make light of a serious subject when she regards Eminem's past issues with substance abuse as the reason why the Slim Shady star is so "obsessed" with her.
"You're delusional, boy, you're losing your mind... It must be weed, it must be the E... Why are you so obsessed with me? Lying that you're sexing me," Carey sings on the track.
The controversial single, released Tuesday (June 16), is described by Mariah as "different, but so me." The pop star's album, Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel, is set to drop August 25.
Looks like Mariah doesn't need Nick Cannon's help after all.
It was only a few months ago that Miami hip-hop artist, Jacki-O, released her successful independent sophomore album, Lil' Red Riding Hood. Now she returns on the scene with not one but two mixtapes; ready to prove that there's no harder working woman in hip-hop. For the mixtape releases, Jack Move Entertainment has teamed with Block Starz Music, www.blockstarzmusic.com, and Souleo Enterprises, Inc.
The forthcoming mixtape entitled, Ms. Pacman, finds Jacki-O ready to strike out and eat up her competition in the game with her trademark lyrical dexterity, girl-power anthems, and unapologetic sexuality. Ms. Pacman will also feature a who's who of southern hip-hop with such features as Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Gucci Mane, and more.
"I'm excited to partner with Block Starz Music and Souleo Enterprises, Inc. for this mixtape. It's a great move for Jack Move Entertainment. Right now with the industry in a tailspin there's nothing more important than delivering great music on a consistent basis. So I am very proud of the Ms. Pacman project and listeners can definitely expect that classic Jacki-O; sexy, strong, real, and sassy. After being though a lot in this business I am still hungry like Pacman so this is only the beginning of many more great things to come," says Jacki-O.
Jacki-O's eagerly awaited mixtape Ms. Pacman will be available for free download on www.blockstarzmusic.com soon.
Beyonce apparently takes her merchandising game seriously, as the singer has filed suit against a bunch of anonymous people for pushing phony goods at her concerts. According to TMZ, the signer filed paperwork in a New York court alleging that people have been selling fake CDs and merchandise in "the vicinity" of venues where she has performed around the world.
Bey reportedly filed the lawsuit in preparation for her upcoming dates at Madison Square Garden.
She is scheduled to hit the landmark venue on June 21 and 22 and is reportedly anticipating mass amounts of piracy.
She is asking the court to deem it illegal before the concerts, TMZ says.
Kernel Records, a Finland based record company, is accusing singer Nelly Furtado and super producer Timbaland of stealing elements of one of their songs for Furtado's song Do It.
The track was featured on Furtado's 2006 album Loose. Kernel Records claims the beat was original used for Acidjazzed Evening, a song originally recorded in 2000 by composer Janne Suni. According to Kernel Records, Timbaland knowingly and willfully stole the song.
In 2007, the producer was accused by several independent producers that accused him of plagiarism via YouTube, using video evidence. The production of Do It was also cited as being stolen work.
Timabaland answered those allegations saying, "That mess is so ridiculous. I can't really discuss it because it's a legal matter. But that's why people don't believe it. It's from a video game, idiot. Sample and stole is two different things. Stole is like I walked in your house, watched you make it, stole your Pro Tools, went to my house and told Nelly, 'Hey I got a great song for you.' Sample is like you heard it somewhere and you just sampled. Maybe you didn't know who it was by because it doesn't have the credits listed."
According to AllHipHop.com, Kernel Records is currently suing Mosley Music, LLC, and Geffen Records, requesting that the release, performance, reprinting, and sale of Do It be prohibited.
Timbaland has yet to comment on the latest allegations.
Westcoast rapper Daz Dillinger recently released a tribute album to the late great Tupac Shakur. The set, Dillinger & Makaveli II: Streetz Of LA Special Edition, is a group project by Daz and DJ Nik Bean and consists of new raps over a collection of beats Tupac previously used.
The album contains a song where Daz disses Suge Knight, Jermaine Dupri and Alan Grumblatt. The song, which is entitled Fuck You Roll Call - JD, Suge Knight & Alan Grumblatt, appears on the street album, which was released in celebration of Tupac's birthday June 16th.
Alan Grumblatt is the president of E1 Music (formerly Koch Records) which was once the label home of Dillinger. Daz also has history with Dupri and Suge Knight having previously recorded for So So Def and Death Row Records.
On the diss record Daz starts off by saying, "I want to say a big 'Fuck You' to Jermaine Dupri, Suge Knight, any other motherfuckers I've had business quarrels with... Alan Grumblatt from Koch, fat fucker."
Daz was reportedly the producer of a lot of Tupac's Death Row era music and although he didn't receive credit for a lot of his work he did successfully sue the label in 2001.
Tracklisting:
1. Intro 2. Goin Full Throttle 3. Tell Me What You Got Now 4. Fuk You Roll Call - JD, Suge Knight & Alan Grumblatt 5. Till The Day I Die 6. Get That Paper ft. Fratthouse 7. Daz Speaks On 1st Meeting 2Pac 8. 2Pac Songs Produced By Daz 9. Daz Speaks On New DPG LP 10. 1st 2 Bomb 11. I Ain't Got 12. She Like Datt ft. Crystal 13. It's Crazy 14. On The Real ft. Soopafly 15. So Many Tears 16. Daz Speaks On New Solo LP Public Enemiez 17. Life Stages 18. I Know U Wanna 19. Gin & Juice ft. Kurupt & Uncle Reo 20. La Brenda Got A Baby Too 21. Don't Get Caught Slippin 22. Hit Daz Up On The Internet 23. Lookin Cute 24. Party Don't Stop ft. Mac Shawn 25. I'm 2 High 26. Outro
In a shockingly candid interview with Essence, Ginuwine admitted that, at one point in his career, he battled drug addiction and contemplated suicide. Ginuwine, born Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, has endured and survived his share of turbulence and heartache. In 1999, the singer suffered the lost of his 78 year-old father (he committed suicide) and the following year, his mother lost her battle with cancer.
"After my father shot himself to death and my mother died from cancer less than a year later, I really didn't want to be here anymore, I didn't want to live and tried to commit suicide more than once", confessed the 33 year-old singer, "there was no one around that I really loved at the time, so I turned to the drinking and drugs like weed and ecstasy. I was done mentally and emotionally to the point that I had to go see a psychiatrist, but that didn't do any good because I wasn't interested. In fact, the two times I visited him I was high. I was depressed and felt like I had nobody to talk to that could relate to me".
The R&B singer's turning point came after a close friend begged him to seek help.
"I had one friend who intervened and begged me to get help. Even though I didn't continue with my therapy, I went to church and received counselling from my pastor and got straight spiritually. I was able to turn away from all those things that were destroying me and finally think clearly. I had to ask myself whether or not I wanted to go out like my dad and have my kids hurt the way I was hurting," said Ginuwine.
The Pony singer has been clean and sober for almost 7 years.
"Now, I keep all that stuff away from me, especially when I'm on the road", confessed the singer, who is married to Who Dat rapper Sole aka Tonya M. Johnston.
Ginuwine's new album, A Man's Thoughts, is set to be released on June 23, 2009.
Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum selling artist Lil Wayne headlines this summer's Young Money Presents: America's Most Wanted Music Festival. Lil Wayne will be joined by artists Young Jeezy, Soulja Boy and Drake for the twenty one city tour through the United States and Canada. Tickets for the tour will go on sale June 20th and are available via Ticketmaster, Live Nation and venue ticketing systems depending on venue.
The Young Money Presents: America's Most Wanted Music Festival will be the follow up to Lil Wayne's very successful I Am Music Tour playing a total of 47 arena dates across the US. After an opening act, Drake will perform, followed by Soulja Boy and Young Jeezy's sets with Lil Wayne closing out the show.
The tour will kick off on July 27, 2009 at the Toyota Pavilion in Scranton, Pennsylvania and end on August 23, 2009 at the Superpages.com Center in Dallas, Texas.
Incarcerated rapper Remy Ma recently took her thoughts and feelings to a pen and a pad in a letter to her fans from prison.
As previously reported by Yo! Raps, Remy Ma was sentenced to eight years in connection with shooting incident involving her former friend Makeda Barnes Joesph.
At press time, she had served just over one year.
See below for Remy's entire letter courtesy of GlobalGrind.com.
I always find myself thinking about what I was doing a year ago, two years ago, five years ago today. I never remember exactly where till I find myself imagining where I would be today. I rarely listen to the radio because it's sort of depressing. Not being able to record is stressful not because I'm a rapper but because that was my way of venting and expressing myself. So I write a lot! So much that now I have a callous on my finger from holding a pen. I guess I got used to texting my rhymes!
I get a lot of fan mail and everyone asks me how I'm doing? I say fine, the way I see it I never imagined making it this far with my sanity. Not being able to go somewhere when you want, see your family when you want (on many occasions when you need to), can't use the phone, take a shower, wear clothes, or even eat when you want - super aggravating. Whenever, which is almost everyday I get visits, a lot of kids ask for autographs. It's something that I used to do almost everyday but now it actually feels weird, I really feel like an inmate.
And as much as I hate to admit it, I really am an inmate. I mean, it kind of grows on you when certain people go out of there way to make you feel like that.
They have this program called YAP (Youth Assistance Program) they keep asking me to join. It's a program that brings inner city kids to the prison to show them what it's like to be incarcerated. I hear that every group asks about me but I'm a little hesitant to join. They think it will give the kids a reality check that this can happen to anyone. I however feel that it'll be more of the kids wanting to see Remy Ma the rapper and because of that they won't get that I'm actually in jail. So I'm still contemplating. If I figure out a way for them to actually get it, that this is really not a place you would ever want to be whether for 8 years, 8 months, or 8 minutes then I'll do it.
Everyone in prison isn't innocent but everyone in prison isn't guilty. So whether you end up here on purpose or by accident, the pain you're feeling is still the same. And I can quote a lot "gangsters" by saying that "I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy..."
In his first interview since being found guilty on murder conspiracy charges, Max B (born Charly Wingate) talks his trial, Tupac, and the motivation behind his desire to patch things up with Jim Jones. "Shout-out to [Gerald] Saluti, he did a great job," Max said in an interview with HipHopStan. "He did a great job with the trial, you know it's unfortunate. It's Bergen County. I thought the jurors had me but they didn't, you know. Them h*es got weak at the end...I ain't even got to talk, I'ma let my music talk and fight this sh*t from in here...Sounds like I'ma get that appeal bond, appeal bail and we gonna jump out this motherf*cker like Tupac...I went so hard on my enemies this year it was pathetic...I had a dream me and T.I. came home at the same time and just ran in the studio and made a hit. Shout-out to T.I., hold your head brother...I wanna settle all the differences with my enemies, I wanna tighten this sh*t up with [Jim Jones], get this sh*t squared away so we can fall back and start getting some checks before hopefully this sh*t get outta hand and turn into a Biggie and Tupac situation and we don't need that."
Max B's peaceful and optimistic words come just days after he was found guilty of murder conspiracy charges in a Bergen County, New Jersey courtroom.
"Thank you to all my fans for the continuous love and support during my trial," Max said in a statement a day after the verdict was read. "With the advice of my attorney, family and friends I've decided to appeal my conviction, with full belief that I will be found innocent of all charges. This has been a long journey but, I have full faith that there will be a positive outcome and I will be cleared of all erroneous allegations."
Max B is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, July 30.
After accidentally shooting his friend in the leg and shattering his shin bone, Sticky Fingaz says he is committing himself to a PSA on gun safety.
As previously reported by Yo! Raps, the rapper/actor recently made headlines over the incident which left his friend, Luce, being hauled off to have emergency surgery.
Sticky was reportedly showing Luce his Desert Eagle when the weapon accidentally discharged.
Despite the unfortunate incident, Sticky says there is no bad blood between the two and that his friend is still recovering from his wounds.
"This incident was unfortunate, but could have been much worse," he reportedly told an unknown source. "I'm just happy Luce is recovering and in good condition."
As a result of the accident, Sticky is also said to be trying to work out the details behind putting together a PSA to promote gun safety.
At press time, there were no further details about the rapper's plans on that front.
As far as Onyx is concerned, however, the group is about to set off on their latest US and Canada tour called The Black Rock on July 9.
Divorces are never easy, but when you are 8 months pregnant and hard up on cash - it's even harder. Kelis claims that her soon-to-be ex-husband, Nas, has done just that-left her penniless while carrying his child.
"I have run out of money", said Kelis, "my survival is based on [Nas'] will at this time. If he does not want to pay for an expense, it does not get paid."
During her 4 year marriage to Nasir Jones, the Milkshake singer grew accustomed to a certain lifestyle. According to TMZ, the hip-hop couple shared five homes, traveled first class and dined at the finest restaurants. Since separating from Nas, Kelis no longer lives in the lap of luxury and that, she says, is problematic.
"There were many expensive pieces [of jewelry] such as a princess-cut diamond tennis bracelet that was recently appraised for $190,000. My engagement ring is an approximately nine-carat cushion-cut diamond solitaire. I have numerous watches...such as Cartier, Rolex, Frank Muller and Chopard," explained the 29 year-old songstress.
Kelis, with the aid of her legal team, is demanding from her estranged husband child support, spousal support, all pregnancy related expenses and half of all medical expenses once the baby is born.
In addition, Kelis wants 3,500$ for a baby nurse and 20,000$ for cribs, strollers and baby supplies.
On his part, Nas has denied Kelis' claims for spousal and child support.
Alchemist is all set to drop his new album Chemical Warfare on July 7th but one of the songs he recorded for the album won't make the cut.
In a recent interview with XXL, Alchemist explained how his song You Ain't Got Nuthin' ended up on Lil Wayne's Carter 3.
"I'm gonna keep it real, at first, I was angry, just the stubborn, dumb rapper/producer guy. Like, 'Nah, son, I'm making an album! You're pulling my arm out of my body! This is a finger on my body and you're making the body incomplete.' But there was an artist who shall remain nameless who was with me at the time who was like, 'Shit, if you don't wanna use that shit, I will! At first the record was done without Wayne and then we sent to Wayne to get the hook on it and it came back with his verse. At first, with the whole effect on the voice, I wasn't crazy about it - not that I'm against it, I just don't know if that's how I heard it on the record. It worked out. Hallelujah."
Although he didn't intend for the song to end up the way it did Alchemist was paid a nice chunk of change for the record.
"Universal cut me a check that was $350 grand," he said. "I'm chillin now. Thanks!"
Alchemist also explained the reasoning behind the album's title. "Basically, it's Chemical Warfare because the first album was 1st Infantry and this is a futuristic version. Chemical Warfare is the type of war that isn't fought with sticks and bats type of shit, where people start dropping. There is a power you don't see. You don't know where it is and that's basically the concept."
Chemical Warfare features guest appearances from Fabolous, Mobb Deep, Dilated Peoples, Kool G Rap, Pusha T, Jadakiss, Snoop Dogg, Twista, Maxwell, Three 6 Mafia, Juvenile, Eminem and many more.
Drake was in Brooklyn recently shooting scenes for the video for his first official single Best I Ever Had and the director was none other than Kanye West. The video features cameo appearances from Fabolous, Lil Wayne, and Common. Also on the set of the video were Amber Rose and Jay-Z. Jay, whose first single of Blueprint 3 is rumored to feature Drake, was at the video shoot but it was unclear whether or not he would be featured in the video.
According to XXL, the video will have a Degrassi theme. Drake starred on the popular series before he began pursuing his musical ambitions. A rough draft for the video is expected to be finished in two weeks.
Drake's album, Thank Me Later, is set to be released this year even though he has yet to sign a contract with a major label. Drake began releasing music in 2006 when he put out a free mixtape, Room For Improvement through his MySpace page. In 2007 he released Comeback Season and in 2008 he put out Heartbreak Drake. His latest mixtape effort So Far Gone was released February 13th of this year and was downloaded 8,000 times in the first two hours.
In light of the recent news regarding the departure of Ashanti and Lloyd, Murder Inc. former flagship artist Ja Rule is speaking out on his status with Irv and the label. Although no longer signed to Murder Inc., Ja says he and Irv are still moving as a unit.
"I'm working, I'm not in a rush," he told MTV about his upcoming album. "I'm in the studio working every day. I'm about to go in the studio and work right now and finish up on the album. The album's coming out incredible. It's very different. I wanted to make it special. I wanted the album to be out of this world, and it's definitely shaping up to that. I'm not in a rush. I got a new situation -- my Empire Music Group. Gotti's got Murder Inc. We're both still together -- there's no separation. We're both together doing what we do, but I got my own situation and I got new artists. We're putting it together."
Ja's words about his former label situation come less than a week after R&B artist Lloyd dropped the bomb that he wanted out of his situation with Murder Inc.
"I'm ready for a change," Lloyd wrote in a statement. "There's no bad blood. I just feel I need to take more control over my career and get a fresh start. Hopefully Irv can understand my position."
At press time, there was still no word on when Ja's new project would be released.
After "accidentally" shooting his friend in the leg with a Desert Eagle, Sticky Fingaz (of Onyx fame) says his comrade is "alive and good." During the incident that reportedly took place last week, Sticky was showing his friend Luce his gun when it accidentally went off, striking him in the leg.
Although he was rushed off to surgery to repair the shattered bone in his shin, Luce is said to be doing well now.
Despite his injuries, even Luce is calling his run in with the wrong side of Sticky's bullet a "freak accident.
"Sh*t happens," Sticky told TMZ. "Accidents happen. It's as simple as that, it was an accident and sh*t happens. He's good. He's good. He's alive."
According to Fox News, Sticky was previously arrest on gun charges back in 2005.
At press time, there were no new charges filed against him in connection with the incident involving Luce.
How old is my favorite rapper? That's the questions a lot of people ask themselves. Website NappyAfro.com put together a list of major rappers and their birthdays... see below!
50 Cent seems to be doing more acting than rapping these days, as he is set to appear in the upcoming season of HBO's Entourage. Although the full scope of his contribution to the show is still unknown, 50 will join Bow Wow as one of the many rappers the appear on the show.
50 was spotted on the set of the show with Jerry Ferrara, Adrian Grenier, and Doug Ellin driving down the streets of Los Angeles in a white convertible, says The Insider.
50's appearance seems to be adding to the hip hop flavor of the show, as they have also hosted the likes of Snoop Dogg, Saigon, T.I., and Kanye West.
The episodes featuring 50 Cent are said to be a part of the show's fifth season set to air in August.
Murder Inc. head Irv Gotti has officially responded to Lloyd's request to split from the label and the commercial failure of his last album.
Although he said he is unclear about why Lloyd wants the separation, Irv says he will take his request "into consideration."
"He is still signed with Murder Inc. and I will make a decision shortly on what I am gonna do with him," Gotti wrote in a statement. "His last record didn't sell well at all. And, once again, he had his CREATIVE freedom to do whatever he wanted to do. But for some reason the people did not respond to the album or to him. But I will decide what I wanna do! As always when it comes to me, it's Murder For Life! And anyone who doesn't wanna be apart of that, I will take into consideration."
Yo! Raps previously reported on Lloyd's plea for a change late last week.
"I'm ready for a change," he said in a statement. "There's no bad blood. I just feel I need to take more control over my career and get a fresh start. Hopefully Irv can understand that."
Earlier this week, Trey Songz released a spin-off to Jay Z's D.O.A. entitled Death of Kellz. The remix was actually a diss track in which the crooner unleashed a barrage of insults directed at R&B hitmaker, R. Kelly.
When asked about the reason behind his actions, Trey responded, "I just want the king back." Seems like the producer turned singer will get his wish because Kellz is indeed coming back... to his roots.
R. Kelly is set to embark on a multi-city tour of Africa this month that spans South Africa, Nigeria, and London. The songwriter's decision to tour the African continent was prompted by his participation in the ARISE African Fashion Awards which takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa on June 20.
According to AllHipHop.com, this will be Kellz's first trip to Africa as a world-renowned performer and as a descendent of the Motherland. The Pied Piper also speaks about his anticipation surrounding his dream-turned-reality on both a personal and professional level.
"I'm very excited about my first visit to Africa, I've dreamed about this for a long time and it's finally here," Kellz told AllHipHop.com. "It will be one of the highlights of not only my career but my life. I can't wait to perform in front of my fans in Africa - who have been some of the best in the world."
Africa tour dates:
Saturday, June 27th at the Superbowl in Sun City Monday, June 29th at the Grand West Casino in Cape Town Friday, July 3rd at the THISDAY Dome in Abuja, Nigeria Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th in Lagos, Nigeria Wednesday, July 8th at Wembley Arena in London, UK
R. Kelly is set to drop his new album, Untitled in September 2009.
Mary J. Blige also jumps in on the use of the vocal enhancement style Auto-Tune.
The R&B queen used Auto-Tune on her new single The One, featuring Canadian rapper Drake, but fans shouldn't expect more of it on her upcoming album.
"This whole album I've done is Mary," Blige told Angie Martinez on her New York radio show.
The One was just an introduction to the "Crazy Mary," according to the singer.
"It was for effect," Mary said of using Auto-Tune. "I wanted 'Crazy Mary' to get her shine on. She couldn't get her shine with my regular voice. I used the effect. I used it as a telephone effect or reverb."
When asked about the whole debate using Auto-Tune, she said "I won't say that it bothers me, because people do what they have to do. I can't pass judgment. Everyone else does what they do, and everyone has their own opinion. To each his own. Do what you do, because I do what I do."
Mary's new album is scheduled to hit stores in November and one of the hottest up-b-coming artists, Drake, is one of her collaborators.
"I'm actually a fan. Drake is incredible," she said of her track guest. "I met him at Summer Jam, very respectable. That was the first time I met him. Really nice kid. I love the record [Best I Ever Had]. Every woman in the world should love that record. He's very innocent and humble. He's like, 'I'm just doing what I do and happy to be doing it.'"
After Jay-Z recently criticized the overuse of Auto-Tune with his song D.O.A., the "inventor" T-Pain said that he will still be using the vocal enhancement style on his new album.
"Oh yeah," he said about whether he'll still use Auto-Tune. "Definitely now. Jay-Z said something ... I gotta do it now. It's nothing outta the ordinary, so I'm ready."
"D.O.A. is the best song I've heard in a couple years," T-Pain said on his Twitter page. "Watch me get back out here and do my thang."
The singer also revealed that he plans to push up the release of his new album from next year to this November.
"I'm droppin a new album called UBER," T-Pain wrote.
"The album just got pushed up," he told MTV News on Sunday (June 7). "It was gonna come out September next year. [The record label], they're making me come out November this year. It makes the label look straight. I was gonna chill, because it was so many people that do what I do - now Jay-Z done dropped the Death of Auto-Tune and it's time for me to come back."
Hova's anti Auto-Tune song was debuted last week on New York's Hot 97 and caused lots of controversy. Although he exhibited his power to shift trends in the game, the rapper insists he was merely trying to protect the love of his life -- music.
Jay called in to Philadelphia's Power 99 and spoke on Auto-tune's "gimmick" status. Pointing to a recent commercial for a fast food restaurant, Jay says the excessive use of the singing aid has turned it into a joke.
"There was a Wendy's commercial where they were playing around and some singers were singing in Auto-tune. That's the day you gotta get rid of it... Like Wendy's? Come on, man" Jay said.
"You need to have some type of talent for making music. If it's just a gimmick then you're doing music a disservice. I love music," he added. "This is the thing that saved me, so I feel like I have to protect it."
Brian McKnight is back with his first set of all-new material after a hiatus of three years. His first single What I've Been Waiting For will "go to radio in the next two weeks," he predicts.
"If the deadline was today, I'd be perfectly comfortable putting a record out," McKnight told Billboard.com. "But I didn't want to rush and push anything. I wanted to let the ideas grow and evolve, naturally. As the deadline approaches I'm getting more and more creative; I wrote two songs today before I even sat down at the piano."
The as-yet-untitled album is his first set since 2006's Ten and will be released via a joint venture between his own label and E1 Music, formerly KOCH Records.
McKnight says that he has "taken some different directions" on the upcoming album
The singer's album features duets with Stevie Wonder on a song called Without You and with Jill Scott on More Than Just A Thing.
From the first time the record spinned, Jay-Z's Death Of Auto-Tune had the hip hop world buzzing. Although he exhibited his power to shift trends in the game, the rapper insists he was merely trying to protect the love of his life -- music. In an effort to share his motivation for the record (and speak on his upcoming album Blueprint 3), Jay called in to Philadelphia's Power 99 and spoke on Auto-tune's "gimmick" status.
Pointing to a recent commercial for a fast food restaurant, Jay says the excessive use of the singing aid has turned it into a joke.
"There was a Wendy's commercial where they were playing around and some singers were singing in Auto-tune. That's the day you gotta get rid of it... Like Wendy's? Come on, man" Jay said.
"You need to have some type of talent for making music. If it's just a gimmick then you're doing music a disservice. I love music," he continued. "This is the thing that saved me, so I feel like I have to protect it."
Jay went on to discuss how he has managed to remain relevant in a game where most rappers see few good years, attributing his success to steering clear of age categories.
"I don't chase new generations or things like that. What is consistent in my music is truth. It's emotion and a truth in my music, and that's why I've been able to have 11 albums," he said. "People should follow a point of view and not an age. A point of view is ageless and timeless. When you dialed into an age group, that's when you're only around for two years."
At press time, there was still no release date for Jay's Blueprint 3.
In spite of his plans to bring The Inc out of the relevancy grave, Irv Gotti is seeing another one of his artists asking to be let out of their obligations to the label. Although proven to be The Inc's most loyal artist, R&B singer Lloyd has decided to part ways with his home for the past five years.
"I'm ready for a change," he said in a press release. "There's no bad blood. I just feel I need to take more control over my career and get a fresh start. Hopefully Irv can understand my position."
Lloyd's decision comes in sharp contrast to the image portrayed on Gotti's VH1 reality show, which the singer has been featured on.
A seperate statement released by Lloyd's manager went into detail about the singer's motivation to leave saying, "We find ourselves in limbo for the second time in three years. It's frustrating to know that opportunities to advance Lloyd's career are out there but we can't exploit them due to our current situation. Even though Lloyd is very appreciative of the opportunity that has been afforded him by the Inc, he feels it's time for him to move on and seek opportunities that will allow him to build and enhance his brand."
Despite his situation, Lloyd is said to be working on his fourth album.
As of now, Gotti had issued no statement on Lloyd's decision to leave the label.
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