HipHopWired Reports
As Hip-Hop Wired previously reported, MC Hammer seems to be having some new issues with the IRS. Well Hammer has come out disputing reports that he owes Uncle Sam about $625,000 in back taxes and says that the money he allegedly owes is from 15 years ago when he had his initial financial problems with the government. Hammer stated,
"I paid the IRS 100 percent of their claim. In the past year or so, they decided--wrongly--that I owed them additional taxes from 15 years ago. I am contesting this claim through my tax attorneys and my case is making its way through the IRS appeal process. I hope to be successful."
Hammer is currently being featured on "Hammertime," a television show on the A&E network. He also added,
"I think the IRS claim is wrong and unfair. When there was a sum of $7 million dollars available, the IRS took the amount they said was due them. Now they want to come back for more now that it's 15 years later? That's just not right and I'm fighting that nonsense."
Hammer said that the alleged past due amount of approximately $625,000 is not related to his current successful business ventures and have no impact on them. Hammer owns or works on several businesses including Dance Jam, his own record label, production company, and musical appearances, as well as other ventures.
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HipHopWired Reports
Miami street poet Trick Daddy will be releasing his autobiography later this year called “Magic City: Trials Of A Native Son” through MTV Books. Speaking to HipHopWired exclusively about the project, Trick revealed,
“Nothing I ever say whether in music or DVD or whatever will ever get any one indicted or open any closed caskets or fuck up no appeals but this book is definitely gonna be a best seller and show Miami in a whole ‘nother light. "Cocaine Cowboys" was a good movie but it never showed the people who actually went out and sold the drugs. Niggas who toted and shot the guns. Parents who got addicted to the drugs and the babies born addicted to the drugs. They don't show and tell that part in these other documentaries and my book does all that and it also sets up a movie to follow behind that as well as a part 2 and 3 to follow.”
Trick will also be starring in the upcoming film Just Another Day co-starring members from the cast of the HBO series “The Wire” and directed by Peter Spirer. Spirer has directed numerous Hip-Hop film projects including Rhyme & Reason, Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel, Black and Blue: Legends of the Hip-Hop Cop” and Beef I and II. Breaking down the film, T-Double D said,
“The flick is a Hip-Hop gangsta flick. It's a flick about a dude that owns a record company and the other dude is a rapper with the company and they deal with a whole bunch of street shit. Just showing the real shit that we actually go through and though we're entertainers, we also have to live. I get to be me in the movie. I ain't got to play no “Broke Back Mountain” scene. I ain't got to be no rat or none of that. I was being me and doing my thug thizzle in the movie. And it was a privilege to work with these young niggas that I admire for what they do.”
Just Another Day will also feature “The Wire's” Wood Harris and Jamie Hector as well Lil Scrappy, Big Daddy Kane, Esther Baxter, Petey Pablo and Big Daddy Kane.
In regard to the music, Mr. 305 will release his eighth album on September 15th entitled Finally Famous. The album will also break new stride for Trick as this will be his first independent release on his own label Dunk Ryders since severing ties with Slip-n-Slide and Atlantic Records. Trick added,
“It's the same Trick Daddy you hear on all my albums. I'm still representing what I always have, the struggle, the streets, the thugs. It's a new game out now called “Telling” where niggas is snitching and getting their time cut and it's very contagious and I'm talking a lot about that up there. I'm doing me now. I am the boss on this project. I totally control everything now but I'm still definitely doing my thug thizzle.”
Trick is already tearing up the streets with several songs from the album including “Why They Jock” and the Rick Ross diss, “This Is The Shit That I Live.”
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CNN Reports
Police are investigating whether a North Carolina country road may have become the dumping ground for a serial killer, a man one woman believes could have given her a terrifying ride she will never forget.
Since May 2005, the remains of five women have been found near Seven Bridges Road outside Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The road snakes northeast out of town into rural Edgecombe County.
Rocky Mount Police Chief John Manley Jr. thinks the women's deaths are related.
"They seem to have some connection," he said.
Lanessa Williams of Rocky Mount thinks she narrowly missed joining the ranks of the slain women, saying she is not sure whether a man who offered her a ride to a friend's house last year is responsible for their deaths.
The longer the two drove, the more she felt a sense of danger, said Williams, 38. The man -- whom she described as thin and African-American, with a mustache and glasses -- rarely spoke and "looked crazy."
"He kept on going, and he rode through lights, and he wouldn't let me get out," she said. Eventually, her fears were confirmed when he demanded sex. "He told me that if I didn't do what he wanted me to do, he was going to kill me and throw me in the river."
The man eventually stopped his truck in a dark wilderness area, she said. When he got out, she ran away.
"I laid in a ditch and stayed there for a while," she said. "He was riding around looking for me."
Police are talking to Williams about her experience. She told authorities she noticed something strange: The large block letters saying "Chevrolet" on the back of the man's truck appeared to be painted on.
All five of the slain women were African-American, authorities said. Four lived in Rocky Mount, about 55 miles northeast of the state capital, Raleigh.
According to the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office, they were:
• Melody Wiggins, 29, whose body was found May 29, 2005.
• Jackie Nikelia Thorpe, 35, whose body was found August 17, 2007, behind a house on Seven Bridges Road.
• Ernestine Battle, 50, whose remains were found in a wooded area on the road March 13, 2008.
• Taraha Shenice Nicholson, 28, whose remains were discovered March 7, 2009.
• Jarneice Latonya Hargrove, 31, whose skeletal remains were found June 29, 2009, in the woods off the road.
Manley said it appears that the women "suffered a similar death," but authorities are not divulging further details, including the cause of the deaths.
Edgecombe County Sheriff James L. Knight is leading the investigation, working with Rocky Mount police and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. The three agencies have created a joint task force to investigate the unsolved killings.
Knight is asking the public to be vigilant. "Watch for vehicles if they are on a path or stop along that roadway, and give us a call."
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HipHopWired Reports
The latest MC to be tapped for their own shoe line is none other than Brooklyn's finest, F-a-b-o-l-o-u-s. Fabolous, who is still riding high on the success of his #1 album Loso's Way, is releasing a Reebok tennis shoe collection exclusive to Foot Locker stores. His line from the Reebok Classic Remix collection will be jumpstarted by a Classic Remix Concert Series from Cornerstone Promotion and Footlocker. The first 100 fans at Foot Locker in select cities will be able to “buy a pair” and “get a pair,” receiving tickets for the concert after their purchase of the shoes. Fabolous will personally meet and perform for fans in New York City on August 24, New Orleans on August 26, Miami on August 28, Houston on September 1 and Atlanta on September 3.
His collection is said to have an old school look updated with fresh and modern material. The footwear will feature classic midtops with remixed color collections including the SL 7010 in cobalt blue, white, and black and the Workout Hi in black and red, and gray and black. Check out the collection below
MTVNEWS Reports
OK, so Kanye West and Lady Gaga probably have not actually gotten married, as Gaga jokingly said. However, they are apparently working on their first baby.
By "baby," we of course mean the super-ambitious set design they're collaborating on for their upcoming co-headlining tour, which, although it is yet to be officially confirmed, is reported to be kicking off on October 4 in Buffalo, New York.
In an recent interview with the BBC, Gaga said that she and Kanye have been working together on the look and feel of their tour, and, from the sound of things, it's shaping up to be a big production — if not, as she says, one of the biggest of all time.
"I love Kanye ... [he] is my very dear friend and we are creative kindreds," she said. "It's been fun to work on the design of the tour with him — we're finishing each other's sentences.
"It's going to be one of the most groundbreaking moments in touring history," she continued. "I am sure of it."
In another interview — this one in the September issue of Out magazine — Gaga made another claim.
She said she told Kanye, "I just want to be clear before we decide to do this together: I'm gay. My music is gay. My show is gay. And I love that it's gay," she told the magazine. "And I love my gay fans and they're all going to be coming to our show. And it's going to remain gay."
Before Gaga hits the road with West, she'll get the chance to work out the live show kinks at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. She's up for nine Moonmen, and earlier this week, it was announced that she'll also be performing at the big show, alongside the likes of Jay-Z, Green Day, Taylor Swift, Pink and Muse.
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Vivian Blake
AllHipHop Reports
The leader of a notorious Jamaican drug gang recently sent a message to Michael S. Lynton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
In the video, Vivian Blake, former head of the notorious Shower Posse, urges the studio boss to hire The Inc.’s Irv Gotti to direct a bio-pic about the murderous gang.
Vivian Blake was the leader and head of the Jamaican gang, which authorities claim was responsible for over 1,400 drug-related murders.
Blake was the subject of an episode of American Gangster, which aired on BET and was produced by filmmaker Curtis Scoon.
Blake was originally sentenced to 28 years in prison for his role as head of the gang, but was recently returned to Jamaica, when he reached a plea deal with prosecutors after serving nine years in federal prison.
“Mr. Michael Lynton, I am glad to have this opportunity to speak to you via videotape. We want to talk to you about The Shower Posse movie,” Blake said on the videotape. “I spoke with Irv Gotti, Curtis Scoon. Irv Gotti is a young man where I think he’ll bring the best out in this movie, show the rawness of this movie. This movie’s not just about gangsta and drug dealing, it’s about a culture that nobody has ever seen. I have the utmost confidence in Irv Gotti, I know he can get the job done.”
During the 1980’s The Shower Posse controlled a drug and gunning running business that stretched from Jamaica to American cities like New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, Washington, DC, Miami and others.
Blake’s organization originated in Tivoli Gardens in Kingston.
The Shower Posse smuggled tons of marijuana and cocaine from the Bahamas into the United States, using the profit to buy arms and ammunition, which was sent back to Jamaica in support of the Jamaican Labor Party.
“This movie is a winner all the way and anything raw that you need, we’re talking about things that are real, it will be in the movie, ” Blake stated. “I can make sure rawness come into the movie, because I am out of prison now.”
No word yet if or when The Shower Posse movie will land in theaters.
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The Ledger Reports
CAPE CORAL | Authorities say a patient at a Cape Coral doctor’s office bit part of the doctor’s finger off after being denied a prescription.
Cape Coral police report that 45-year-old Gregory S. Powell went to see Dr. Paul Arnold Wednesday morning, and Powell became upset about not receiving prescription medication.
Police say Arnold turned his back and Powell attacked the doctor. Powell reportedly bit Arnold several times, taking off the doctor’s finger tip with one bite.
The finger tip was recovered at the scene and Arnold was taken to a nearby hospital.
Police have put out a warrant for Powell’s arrest on a charge of aggravated battery.
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ESPN Reports
Quarterback Michael Vick has signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, his agent, Joel Segal, confirmed to ESPN.com.
Vick arrived in Philadelphia Tuesday morning and remained there Wednesday evening. The Eagles will hold a news conference on Friday morning to announce his signing. The first year of the deal is for $1.6 million deal with an option for the second year at $5.2 million, FoxSports.com reports.
Vick was the No. 1 draft pick in 2001, and once the highest-paid player in football. But he has not played since 2006 when his career came tumbling down. He was convicted in August 2007 of conspiracy and running a dogfighting operation, sentenced to 23 months in federal prison and suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
But after serving his time and being released from home confinement July 20, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally lifted Vick's suspension, allowing him to sign with a team.
Vick can immediately take part in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games.
Once the season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19) at the latest.
Vick filed for bankruptcy protection last July, listing assets of about $16 million and debts of more than $20 million.
Vick pleaded guilty after his three co-defendants had already done so. They told of how Vick participated in the killing of dogs that didn't perform well in test fights by shooting, hanging, drowning or slamming them to the ground.
Vick's appearances at federal court in Richmond, Va., prompted large groups of protesters to gather outside. Many were with PETA and held signs depicting photographs of pit bulls ravaged in dogfights.
Still, there were supporters who wore his No. 7 jersey.
The Eagles travel to meet Vick's former team, the Atlanta Falcons, in Week 13 on Dec. 6.
The Eagles went to the playoffs last season under quarterback Donovan McNabb, and are still looking for their elusive first Super Bowl win.
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HipHopWired Reports
Snoop Dogg's “Snoop Crusher” headphones are now available in Europe. Big Snoop Dogg partnered with the action sports head phone company Skullcandy for the bass thumping music devices that feature bas with 30mm neodymium magnetic speakers. The speakers retail for about $115 (£64.99 / 79.95Euros).
The Doggfather spoke about his headphones stating, “The Snoop Dogg Skullcrusher is the hottest headphone comin' to a hood near you. I've been a fan of Skullcandy products for years and I decided it was time to break bread with them. Our headphones are fly, affordable, and most importantly – bangin' like Niggaracci beats. Make sure to scoop a pair and be on the lookout for more Snoop Dogg/Skullcandy products, ya dig.”
“The Snoop Crusher” headphones are also available at snoopdogg.com. Rick Alden, CEO and founder of Skullcandy also added, “Skullcandy has been Snoop fans since the beginning. We're psyched to have the opportunity to bring our Skullcrusher, a hip-hop specific headphone, to Snoop Dogg fans everywhere. It's exciting to work with such a talented artist and be a part of creating his own line of headphones. This is a collaboration that both Snoop Dogg and Skullcandy fans will be anxious for.”
Getting his technology on, Snoop Dogg also has a partnership with Apple and has his own application for the iPhone called iFizzle.
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HipHopWired Reports
Chicago rapper Kanye West has had one of his music videos turned into a short film and is set to be released in September on iTunes.
Spike Jonze, who was also responsible for the “Flashing Lights” video will be the manpower behind the film titled, We Were Once A Fairytale. Originally the film was set to be the music video for West's single, “See You In My Nightmare” featuring Lil Wayne off his last album, 808s and Heartbreak. The 15-minute short has already premiered as it was featured at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June. According to Jonze, the film was made in the course of 24 hours.
The actual story shows Kanye playing himself, which is more character than any role he could be given, in a club drunk basically boasting about how great he is. He engages a woman whom he later has sex with before passing out. When he comes to, he realizes that the woman was actually a hallucination and he was actually getting it in with a pillow.
As with the “Flashing Lights” video, it does become weird, or creative, as he goes to vomit and rose petals come out. While in the restroom, West finds a knife and digs into his stomach which revealed more petals and as he digs deeps he uses his hands to pull out a rodent that has resemblance to a demon. Realizing the demon is attached to him through an umbilical cord, he rips the two apart then hands the demon the knife who then stabs itself through the stomach.
Yea, that's some trippy shit.
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AllHipHop Reports
50 Cent recently commented on his motivation for hosting a benefit concert at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, where the rapper will bus hundreds of children from his former neighborhood.
50’s G-Unity Foundation will host the concert at the Northern Star Arena at the end of this month, as part of Six Flags’ Summer Concert Series.
"I am constantly searching for ways to give back to the community that helped create me and contributed to my success," 50 Cent said "I can think of no better way to do this than to help improve the lives of the young people that reside there through programs created by my foundation."
The G-Unity Foundation was created to improve the quality of life for children living in poverty.
In addition to the benefit concert, 50’s organization donated $150,000 to restore Baisley Park in Jamaica, Queens, and another $60,000 to Queensboro Community College in support of ten incoming students.
Transportation to the concert will be provided by Vitaminwater and proceeds from the concert will go to establishing an academic program to benefit children in Northern New Jersey.
The G-Unity Foundation Benefit concert takes place at August 29 at 7:00 PM.
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