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May 29th, 2007 - LATEST NEWS: Jay-Z and Damon Dash sued for $15 million

Jay-Z and former business partner Damon Dash are being sued for $15 million (£7.5 million) by an author from Philadelphia, who claims the duo stole his book concept for their movie State Property. In the lawsuit filed earlier this month, Antonne Jones alleges the 2002 movie bears striking similarities to his own novel, The Family: A Philadelphia Mob Story, about four men who seek to gain money, power and notoriety. The writer claims he was in talks with Roc-A-Fella to hand over the rights of the book for use in a movie, but negotiations fell through because Jones wanted $450,000 (£225,000) more than Jay and Dash were willing to pay. It was only when the Beanie Sigel-starring State Property was released that Jones realised the similarities in the two plots. The film’s distributor, Lions Gate, is also named as a defendant in the legal papers. Moving on, and rap newcomer Mims has been hit with a $7.5 million (£3.75 million) discrimination lawsuit, after a New York promoter claimed he had backed out of a concert because of his misogynistic views towards women. Club promoter Marquitta Blair claims she paid $2,500 (£1,250) to the rapper’s agents for a gig at the Manhattan club, Eugene. But Mims failed to turn up for the show; an action Blair believes is down to his discriminatory views towards the fairer sex. The lawsuit states his supposed views are “a pattern of conduct involving the belittlement and degradation of females as ‘bitches and hoe’s’.” Blair goes on to quote several of Mims’ lyrics in the suit. Meanwhile, Young Jeezy was arrested outside a club in Atlanta, Georgia, early last Thursday (May 24). Jeezy, born Jay Jenkins, was allegedly involved in an incident outside Stoker’s strip club and was later arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Public Information Officer for Dekalb County Sherriff’s Office, Mikki Jones, said: “I do know that there was no physical altercation between them. This was a verbal confrontation.” Jeezy was eventually released on a $284 (£142) bond. News on 50 Cent now, and the Queens rapper is going ‘Straight To The Bank’, after receiving a reported $400 million (£200 million) payout. The drinks firm Glaceau, which produces the rapper’s vitaminwater energy drink range, has been taken over by The Coca-Cola Company for $4.1 billion (£2.05 billion), meaning 50’s 10 per cent share in Glaceau is now worth $400 million. In related news, the rapper has denied reports his new album ‘Curtis’ has been pushed back from June to September due to the poor feedback of his new songs. In contrast, the G-Unit general insists the delay in its release is to ensure fans across the world can get hold of the album at the same time, with a worldwide release set for September 4. He says, “I’m an international artist. My fans worldwide deserve to receive my album at the same time as my fans here in the US. Taking that into consideration moving the album to September was a necessary course of action.”


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May 23rd, 2007 - LATEST NEWS: Foxy Brown ordered to submit DNA sample

Foxy Brown has been ordered to submit a DNA sample to prosecutors in relation to an alleged assault at a Florida beauty store earlier this year. The Candy rapper stands accused of charges of battery, after a shop worker claimed he had been assaulted by Brown in February, when he asked her to leave because they were closing up. Brown – born Inga Marchand – is alleged to have become irate and threw a bottle of hair glue at the employee before spitting on him. She was arrested and charged with battery and obstruction of justice. She was released on $1,500 (£750,000) bond, and has already turned down a plea deal from prosecutors at Broward County Court. The rapper has proclaimed her innocence in the charges, and says, “The only crime I am guilty of committing is being a young black female celebrity in Broward County. I am the victim of an overzealous police department who engaged in police brutality and a money hungry store owner whose motives are for me to pay his mortgage on his house and his children’s tuition.” She is due in court on September 24, and could face up to a year in jail if found guilty. Moving on, and Busta Rhymes has settled a $100,000 (£50,000) lawsuit with a fan who accused the rapper of assault. The lawsuit relates to an incident last year, when Rhymes and his bodyguard Troy Green are alleged to have assaulted Melvin Smith after he asked the rapper for an autograph in a Manhattan sandwich shop. Smith claims he needed hospital treatment for a cut over his eye following the unprovoked attack, which Rhymes denies any involvement in. The details of the settlement have not been disclosed. Meanwhile, Jay-Z has been hit with a lawsuit accusing him of paying workers at his 40/40 club below the minimum wage. Former waitress at the club, Celeste Williams, filed a civil lawsuit against the rapper on behalf herself and other workers on Tuesday (May 22), claiming Jay-Z and co-owner Juan Perez were “wilfully failing and refusing to pay them at the legally required minimum wage” and overtime. The papers also allege they took a cut of the workers’ tips. However, the club’s management have dismissed the allegations, and spokesman Ron Berkowitz said, “That is certainly not true. Everyone makes the minimum wage at the club, 100%.” Williams is seeking unspecified damages. In other news, Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank are teaming up to form R&B supergroup, TGT. The trio can currently be heard on Tank’s song, ‘Please Don’t Go (Remix)’, but the new group have plans to release a new album and embark on a worldwide tour. Ginuwine says, “(TGT is) a dream come true. Basically, the world of R&B needed a change, and there were only a few chosen that could do it; R&B needed a pick up, R&B needed TGT.” Tyrese adds, “With all the support our fans have given us individually over the years for our distinct signature styles, collectively we felt our fans deserved to hear great music in a way that they could never have imagined. I’ve known these guys for years and they truly are like brothers, so it only felt right to come together as a trio to make history.”




May 14th, 2007 - LATEST NEWS: The Game arrested in police raid on LA home

The Game has been arrested in Los Angeles and charged for making criminal threats in relation to an incident which took place in February this year. The rapper, born Jayceon Taylor, had his home in Glendale raided by the Los Angeles Police Department for more than three hours on Friday (11th May) before he was taken into custody. The raid was captured on camera by an American news network, and as he was taken away by police, The Game stuck his tongue out at the camera and said, “I want to say that I’m not guilty, and I love California.” Bail has been set at $50,000 (£25,000). Meanwhile, Jermaine Dupri has spoken out to set the record straight about his recent run-in with police in West Hollywood. The producer was caught on camera on Wednesday (9th May) being stopped and briefly detained in the back of an LAPD car. He was later released and drove away in his Lamborghini. Explaining the incident, Dupri says, “I was pulled over because the police said my exhaust pipes were too loud. I had tinted windows and platinum motor plates. Nothing more, nothing less.” Moving on, and Busta Rhymes has rejected a plea deal in relation to two assault charges from last year and one count of driving under the influence stemming from his arrest earlier this month. The rapper appeared in a Manhattan, New York, court room on Tuesday (8th May) to answer the charges, but chose not to settle with prosecutors on a deal which would have seen him serve up to one year in prison and attend a drinking-and-driving programme. Rhymes, real name Trevor Smith, is accused of assaulting his former driver in December 2006 and beating up a fan who allegedly spat on his car after a performance in August. His attorney says, “Busta does have a defence to the assaults and today, we submitted a sealed affirmation to the court detailing Busta’s defence to these cases.” The case has been adjourned until 10th July. In other news, Akon has publicly apologised for an explicit dance with a 14-year-old girl last month. The singer was performing at a club in Trinidad on 12th April when he danced provocatively with the teen on stage, causing uproar among the local community. The 34-year-old says, “I want to sincerely apologise for the embarrassment and any pain I’ve caused to the young woman who joined me on stage, her family and the Trinidad community for the events at my concert.” He adds, “It was never my intention to embarrass or take advantage of my fans in any way, especially those under the age of 18. That is why we tried to make sure that the club did not admit anyone under 18 in the audience. Somehow, that standard was not met.” Finally, rapper/actor Nick Cannon is engaged to his Victoria’s Secret model girlfriend, Selita Ebanks, after four months of dating. The star proposed to Ebanks with a 12-carat diamond ring in New York’s Times Square on Monday (7th May), with the help of a large video screen which read, ‘Selita, will you marry me?’



April 1st, 2007 - LATEST NEWS: Young Buck criticises Tony Yayo for alleged assault on teen

Young Buck has distanced himself from G-Unit group member Tony Yayo, after the ‘So Seductive’ star was arrested and charged with assaulting a teenager last week. Speaking on New York radio station Hot 97, Young Buck reprimanded Yayo for the alleged attack on the 14-year-old son of rival Jimmy ‘Henchman’ Rosemond. He told presenter Angie Martinez, “I’ma be honest, I don’t respect nobody putting no hands on no kid. I got a child myself. If somebody put they hands on mine, I understand the way it goes.” He continued, “In this situation, I don’t understand the truth of it, but I don’t rock with nothing that’s under that circumstance about putting your hands on no kid. I’m a real street individual and it wouldn’t matter if it was my crew or any other crew.” Moving on, and Busta Rhymes could face jail after the judge presiding over his assault case withdrew a plea deal relating to charges from two separate incidents last year. Rhymes stands accused of assaulting his former driver Edward Hatchett in an argument over back pay and attacking a fan who spat on his car in Manhattan, New York, last August. An arrest warrant has been issued for The Game after the rapper failed to turn up at a New York court on Friday (Mar.30) to answer charges of impersonating a police officer. The incident dates back to November last year, when The Game – born Jayceon Taylor - is alleged to have posed as an undercover cop to a cab driver, forcing him to run several red lights. The warrant however, will only be activated if The Game misses his rescheduled court date on June 13. In more legal news, Taboo from The Black Eyed Peas was arrested for driving under the influence on Tuesday (Mar.27), after he was involved in a minor car crash. Los Angeles police also charged Taboo, real name Jaime Luis Gomez, with two other violations: possession of marijuana and possession of a prescribed medication without a valid prescription. He was released from custody shortly after the incident and must appear in court at an undisclosed later date. Meanwhile, Foxy Brown has pleaded not guilty to two charges relating to an alleged attack on a beauty store assistant in Florida on February 15. Brown was charged with resisting an officer without violence and simple battery following the incident at Queens Beauty Shop in Pembroke Pines. After the court hearing, the rapper told reporters she will “stand up and fight and take care of this.” The trial is due to commence in June. Sad news now, and rapper Johnny Ca$h died on Thursday (Mar.29) after being shot in the head in his apartment in Vallego, California. Ca$h, born Johnny Castaneda, was signed to Mac Dre’s Thizz Entertainment, having joined after Mac was gunned down in 2004. Authorities have yet to release details about the murder, but it is understood Ca$h suffered from multiple gunshot wounds. Finally, former Death Row Records boss Marion ‘Suge’ Knight has dismissed reports he was recently evicted from his Los Angeles home, after news spread of his alleged forced departure from his apartment earlier this month. Knight’s publicist, Jonathan Wolfson, said, “I don’t understand how his move could have been misunderstood as an eviction. He is currently living at an undisclosed location in Malibu.”


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March 12th, 2007 - LATEST NEWS: P. Diddy faces lawsuit for Oscars assault

P. Diddy has been hit with a lawsuit by a man who claims the rapper assaulted him and his fiancée at an Oscar afterparty last month (Feb. 25). In the court papers filed in Los Angeles on Friday (Mar. 2), Gerald Rechnitzer claims he saw the Bad Boy CEO, born Sean Combs, flirting with his fiancée at Teddy’s nightclub at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. As Rechnitzer approached the group of men surrounding his partner, Combs is alleged to have shouted, ‘What the f**k you looking at dude? I’ll smack flames out of your ass!’ before allegedly punching him in the jaw. The lawsuit reads, ‘At no time (did the) Plaintiff ever threat(en) the Defendant. …After attacking the Plaintiff, Defendant Combs intentionally, wilfully and knowingly pushed Plaintiff’s girlfriend and attempted to spit on another female member of Plaintiff’s group.’ Rechnitzer is seeking an unspecified amount for compensation and punitive damages. However, a representative for P. Diddy issued a statement refuting the claims. It reads, “These claims are completely false and ridiculous. It is pitiful that Mr Rechnitzer is stooping so low to prey on Mr. Combs’ celebrity. Mr Combs will not stand for such ludicrous accusations.” Meanwhile, DMX is also facing legal trouble after missing a court date in relation to a traffic incident on February 2, when he was found to be driving with a suspended licence in New York. X, born Earl Simmons, escaped incarceration for failing to appear for the hearing last Wednesday (Mar. 7) when the judge turned down the prosecutor’s request for an arrest warrant. In addition, Simmons reportedly skipped another pretrial hearing on Tuesday (Mar. 6) in relation to a separate traffic charge. Moving on, and rap mogul Jay-Z has sold his Rocawear clothing company for $204 million in cash – taking him another step closer to becoming one of the most powerful businessmen in hip hop. Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter agreed to the deal with the Iconix Brand Group, which owns other design brands including Mudd, Candies and Joe Boxer. Jigga will continue to oversee the development and marketing of the Rocawear brand, which Iconix expects to bring in $43 million in royalty revenue in the first 12 months under its new ownership. News from the Soul Train Music Awards now, and Mary J. Blige and Jamie Foxx were the big winners last night, each taking home Best Album accolades for 'The Breakthrough' and 'Unpredictable' respectively. Jennifer Hudson was honoured with the Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year for her role in 'Dreamgirls', while John Legend won Best Male Single for 'Save Room' and Gnarls Barkley picked up Best Group Single for 'Crazy'. Jay-Z marked his return to rap with the Michael Jackson Award for Best Soul or Rap Video for 'Show Me What You Got' and Babyface was presented with the Stevie Wonder Award for Outstanding Career Achievement in Song Writing.



February 26th, 2007 - LATEST NEWS: Trina concert cancelled after gunshots fired

A performance by Trina in a Florida strip club was cancelled at the last minute, after gunshots were fired at the venue, wounding seven people. A fight broke out inside the Synn City nightclub early Saturday morning (Feb. 24), shortly after Trina arrived, when one gunshot went off. The shooting continued after the arguing factions were taken outside the club, where several more bullets were fired hitting two security guards and five other men. A 17-year-old suspect was arrested following the fracas and charged with using a firearm in public. Moving on, and Busta Rhymes has been charged with driving with a suspended license, after being stopped by police for running a red light early last Thursday (Feb. 22) morning. The rapper, born Trevor Smith, could face up to 15 days in jail if convicted of the charge. In related news, Rhymes has rejected a plea bargain from prosecutors in relation to the alleged assault of his former driver in December last year and another alleged attack on a fan in August 2006. He is now considering pleading to the lesser charge of third degree misdemeanour assault, after turning down the offer of serving six months in jail for the reported assaults. Meanwhile, Beanie Sigel has had his probation extended for a further few months after violating the terms of his original probation, which was due to finish this summer. However, the Philadelphia emcee failed to inform his probation officer that he had recently been stopped twice by state authorities while travelling with convicted criminals, resulting in the lengthening of his probation. The extension relates to gun and drug charges dating back to April 2003. In other news, Foxy Brown has addressed her recent arrest and subsequent charges for battery and obstruction of justice at a press conference this morning (Feb. 26) after being incarcerated for an incident at a South Florida beauty shop. Brown – born Inga Marchand – protested her innocence and confirmed that she was considering pressing charges against Florida authorities for alleged “police brutality”. She fumed, “I have been vilified in the media as assaulting a store owner. The only crime I am guilty of committing is being a young black female celebrity in Broward County.” She continued, “I am the victim of an overzealous police department who engaged in police brutality and a money hungry store owner whose motives are for me to pay his mortgage and his children’s tuition.” Finally, fallen Bad Boy rapper G-Dep is back in the studio after serving time in prison for an incident at a mobile phone store in Manhattan, New York, last month. His bail was reportedly set at $750, but having failed to produce the funds, G-Dep – born Trevell Coleman – spent almost a month behind bars. The ‘Special Delivery’ star was signed to P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records some time back on a five-album contract, but has so far only released one LP, ‘Child Of The Ghetto’ in 2001.


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