ChasinDatPaper's Posts (48613)

Sort by

Nas Speaks On How Working With Damian Marley Has Gotten Him Through Personal Turmoil

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 10:00pm


Video After The Jump

Nas shared a brotherly bond with Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley while recording their Distant Relatives LP, which was part of the reason he has been able to get through his much-publicized personal turmoil over the past year. In April of last year, Kelis filed for divorce from Nas. Since then, the two have been embroiled in a court battle over child support.

Still, despite whatever drama the MC found himself in, it didn't blur his focus on his new project.

"Personal life is what it is," he said Monday (May 17). "Everybody goes through it. Working on this record got me through it. Rockin' with D got me through it. His whole squad, his whole team, the way he rides, his whole culture. He didn't have to push anything on me. He didn't have to say anything particular. Just, I know this is my brother right here. Rockin' with him, I kept my head clear and focused on what we was doing, so it was all good."

Their joint effort hits stores Tuesday. The two started a tour in support of the project, touching the stage in Chicago over the weekend, and they hit New York on Monday night.

"People don't know what to expect still," Nas said of their live shows. "It's a good thing the album is out. You can enjoy it, come through, anticipate certain songs. We're doing an album for the first time, so we're still getting the kinks out, but each show we do, it's just growing."

Nas promised that the duo will get "heavily" into the album at their concerts. The guest stars on Distant Relatives include K'naan, Joss Stone, Lil Wayne and Jr. Gong's brother Stephen Marley.

"He's on two tracks, his vocals, which is on 'Leaders' and 'In His Own Words,' " Damian said. "He also produced those two tracks and a track called 'Patience' on the album. For me, it's a natural thing. All of my albums prior to this was produced by my brother and myself. That's how we do music. It's another natural step for us to do music on this album also."

"It's mind-blowing, man," Nas added about being in the lab with the Marley family. "Anytime you see family, you're always taken aback and see the similarities between people. When you see Stephen, you see Julian — all the brothers. It's an amazing thing. Sometimes I think, 'What if their father was here to see all of them, how well they're doing now?' He's gotta be proud — even now. It's a beautiful thing. [My brother] Jungle definitely came through. We made it a big family affair; the Marleys and Joneses: We chillin'."

The current single from Distant Relatives is "As We Enter."

"Great fun shooting that music video," Jr. Gong said. "It's almost like, in some way, a version of the live show. We get up there, performing for the camera. It reminded me of the 'Road to Zion' video. The look of it."


Source: MTV

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper
Read more…

Mariah Carey Puts Out Stage Fire In Egypt By Herself

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 9:39pm


Mariah Carey's quick thinking saved the R&B diva from a potentially dangerous situation.

MC was in Egypt about do her thing on stage when she literally got a hot foot.

"In Egypt getting ready to go on stage and suddenly there was a surge of power and an electrical fire started under my feet! Wtf?!" she tweeted "Naturally,my emergency instincts kicked in and I put out the flames w/a towel. Lol(yet true)."

Mariah even found time to laugh about the whole situation.

"The funny thing about this ish is an ol'skool radio station in the other room started playing "aww freak out!"@that exact moment!"

Good to see you're ok MC, you might want to fire your security and stage hands though, they move way too damn slow

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper
Read more…

New Miss USA Rima Fakih Worked That Stripper Pole Before Winning Crown [Video + Pics Inside]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 5:00pm

Video After The Jump

Long before Rima Fakih was crowned Miss USA 2010, she took home top honors in a contest that would make even Donald Trump blush.

Miss Michigan, who made history Sunday night as the first Arab-American to win the Miss USA beauty pageant, won a pole dancing contest in 2007 hosted by local Detroit radio morning show Mojo in the Morning.

In a series of photos posted on the radio show's Web site, Fakih is seen provocatively working her way up and down a stripper pole while wearing a blue tank top, bottom-grazing red shorts and a pair of high heels. Another photo shows her wearing a bra stuffed with dollar bills.

The 24-year-old beauty did not need to remove any clothing during her show-stopping performance at the Coliseum Gentleman's Club which won her "jewelry, gift cards, adult toys and a stripper pole for home use."

According to Mojo In The Morning, radio show producers have been contacted by Miss Universe representatives requesting additional photographs and information regarding Fakih's involvement in the annual "Stripper 101" contest.

Pageant officials reportedly did not answer to inquiries regarding whether Fakih's status as Miss USA was in danger.

"It would be foolish to consider anyone other than Rima to represent the USA," radio host Mojo said. "The photos taken from our Web site are no more provocative than those on the Miss USA Web site."

Source: NY Daily News









Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper






Read more…

Mavado's Role As Gun Toting Gangster In Drake's Video "Find Your Love" Draws Criticism In Jamaica

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 4:00pm


Dancehall star Mavado has angered some in his home country of Jamaica for his appearance in Drake's new video "Find Your Love"

Some feel his portrayal as a gun toting gangster named "Puffy" promotes the wrong image of the country, while others say it depicts reality.

Jamaica's Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett protested the content of the video saying, "Care has to be taken by all, including our creative artists, in portraying images of our destination and people."

"Gun culture, while not unique to Jamaica, is not enhancing [the island's image]," he added.

The video was shot in the Jamaican cities of Kingston and St. Andrew and follows Drake as he pursues his love interest who happens to be Puffy's woman.

Mavado's manager Julian Jones-Griffith responded to the criticism:

"The concept that they came up with, where did they come up with that? If Mavado did not do it, another Jamaican actor would have done it," he said.

"There are a broad range of issues which need addressing if people from California want to portray a love story like this."

Drake's character is killed at the end of the video by gunshots from his love interest.

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper

Read more…

Diddy Covers XXL For 1st Time. Tells Mag He's The Best Ever "I Am The Champion Of Hip Hop, No One Can F*** With Me"

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 3:30pm


Diddy has never been short on confidence. In the new June issue of XXL the rap impresario breaks down why he feels he's the best.

As he preps the release of his latest album 'Last Train To Paris' Puffy takes a look back at his colorful career.

“I am the champion of hip-hop” Diddy says. “Hands down, undisputed, I’m the undisputed heavyweight champion of hip-hop. We are going to have to deal with those facts. There is nobody that can f*ck with me with what I do, which is getting busy. We are going across the board, as an entrepreneur, innovator, motivator. Who was there first? Who traveled to Europe first? The first. The first. The first. The first. I was the first.”

Diddy didn't stop there, he got on a Floyd Mayweather Jr type roll bragging on his accomplishments.

"I was the first on the jet. I was the first running the marathon. I was the first donating millions of dollars. I was the first," Diddy bragged. "I was the first with the 10 million records sold. I was the first with the label. I was the first with the renegotiations. F--- a Forbes list. I was on the cover of Forbes."

There is no doubt that Diddy has done a lot for the hip hop community and will go down as a genius when it comes to marketing and promoting. If you don't think so, just ask him yourself.

"There is going to be someone that will pass me, but as long as I'm on the court, they are not going to be badder than me, because there is too much catching up to do," he continued. "There is not one mutha----er that's here now who is going to outwork me. That is not going to happen, not right now. Maybe if I slow down, but to this day, no one can f--- with me when it comes to getting busy and working."

The June issue of XXL hits stores June 1. While Diddy's 'Last Train To Paris' is expected later this year.

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper

Read more…

Lloyd Banks Breaks Down Each Artist On "Beamer, Benz Or Bentley" Remix & Why He Chose A Different Beat For It

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 3:00pm


Lloyd Banks' "Beamer, Benz or Bentley," featuring Juelz Santana, came out of nowhere to be a smash. The song has been such a favorite that artists from Eminem to Joell Ortiz have freestyled on the beat.

Banks is grateful for the love from his peers, and last week, he dropped the official remix with a slew of teammates. "Shout-out to everybody who did the record prior to the official remix coming out," Banks said on Friday from Panama.

The remix features Jadakiss, Ludacris, Yo Gotti and The-Dream. "The fans, I think they wanted to hear something new, something fresh," Banks said. "While I was on tour, the international tour, I kept in communication with all those artists. Shout out to Jada, shout out to Luda, Yo Gotti, The-Dream. I had everybody's verse except for Dream. That was the last thing that came in. Those were all people I respect and people I would like to work with outside the remix. It ain't really hard to decide who's gonna be on it."

Banks also switched up the much-rapped-on beat, making the "Beamer, Benz or Bentley" remix almost an entirely different song.

"I had about six different beats," Banks said. "Just sitting with 50 [Cent], he brought it to my attention to try and change the element a little bit. Being that already 40 or 50 artists already rapped on the [original] beat, it's kinda hard to decipher what's the real remix. If they all rapping to the same beat, you can just patch it with the other 40, 50 artists and make a mega-mix and not know what the official remix is. The beat change lets people know off the rip 'This is the official remix.' I'm pretty sure they'll be blending the original beat in with it anyway."

Here, Banks breaks down how each artist came to appear on his remix:

The-Dream: "I had spoke to couple of different R&B artists. That's an element that I think helps. Everybody wants to be a part of that record. I don't think it has to be kept to one lane. I've heard Spanish versions to [the original], Jamaican versions to it, Haitian versions to it. I got a feel of what the melodic feel would bring to the record. The-Dream, he was already doing [his own version]. Once I caught wind of it, I was like, 'Yo, let me get that. Don't put that out.' "

Yo Gotti: "Yo Gotti, I had spoke to him directly. I spoke to him a couple times, told him I wanted to get something done with him. Before that opportunity presented itself, the [song] bubbled all down south in Memphis. I was like, 'Let's get Gotti on it.' He has the street in a chokehold. We'll probably have more records come in the future also. He definitely has a lane, man, and I wish him luck."

Ludacris: "Luda, that's the homie, man. Just through that, [it] wasn't really nothing [difficult]. Luda is out there bubbling, platinum plaques and all that, #1 records, where I'm trying to take it. Shout-out to Luda and shout-out to [Disturbing Tha Peace co-founder] Chaka [Zulu] for making that happen.

Jadakiss: "That wasn't nothing. That wasn't nothing but a phone call. I spoke to him a few times about the record. I had his verse for a minute. I had his verse while I was overseas and everyone was leaking their versions. We built the beat around his verse. He adds that extra, that lyrical element, that New York City vibe to it. I didn't want to stand alone on that joint."

Purchase the Beamer, Benz Or Bentley remix from iTunes Here

Source: MTV

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper
Read more…

Eminem Is Impressed By Rapper Yelawolf [2 Videos]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 7:21am


Video After The Jump

Yelawolf has started to create a great buzz within the hip hop community. The Alabama MC can count one of the premier artists in the game as a fan now.

According to producer Jim Jonsin, Em is really digging Yela's music.

"I actually played a video of Yelawolf for Eminem, Pop The Trunk and he really liked it," explained the producer. "He (Eminem) was like 'wow,that's the sh*t. I need to do some sh*t like that.'"

Eminem and Yelawolf are now label mates at Interscope Records, so it's possible we may see a collaboration down the line.

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper


Producer Jim Jonsin Speaking On Yelawolf and Eminem


Yelawolf "Pop The Trunk" Music Video
Read more…

Shanell Loves Lil Wayne For 'Believing In Her'. The Young Money Singer Previews New Mixtape 'Shut Up & Listen'

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 6:39am


Video After The Jump

Artist: Shanell

Holding It Down For: Young Money

Mixtape: Shut Up and Listen

Real Spit: Young Money singer Shanell has been inspired by challenges almost her entire life. She grew up encouraging and battling her sister, former Danity Kane singer D. Woods, in songwriting.

"It was me, my sister, and we have an older brother," Shanell said on a recent trip to NYC. "We used to watch him. He did music before either one of us. He did television, movies, and we used to run around the house singing his songs, until we started writing our own. It was friendly competition between me and my sister, because we would always help each other and challenge each other.

"I been real nice with the pen game," she added with a smile. "I was good when I started, and I got better and better and better."



While on the road with her sister during Danity Kane's tour in support of their debut LP, Shanell, who used to be a backup dancer, crossed paths with Ne-Yo. She was writing to a track, and he asked if he could use it for his album. The song turned out to be "Say It" from Ne-Yo's Because of You. Ne-Yo eventually invited the singer — who went to a performing-arts high school — to be down with his camp as a songwriter.

"It was really a great learning experience," she said. "[Ne-Yo] listens to all different types of music. I know he sat me down one time and was like, 'That's great, but try to say all that in three lines.' I was like 'a challenge.' So my writing has been influenced a lot by him."

Shanell said she decided to join Young Money because, whereas Ne-Yo's attention was on her writing skills, Wayne saw her as a performer.

"Wayne was kinda like, 'You do this. Keep your music for yourself. You have the talent, I see what you do. You can come over here with Young Money and do what you do over here,' " Shanell said. "Which was the best situation I can be in. My music is a little bit different. It's not R&B, it's not pop, it's not rock, it's not alternative. It's a fusion of everything. A lot of labels don't let you do that, but at Young Money, they let you do that."

Wayne also gave her the freedom to take several minutes from the America Most Wanted tour to showcase her skills. She had a mini-set within Wayne's set last summer.

"It was great," she said. "I brought dancers in. I did a lot of staging and choreographing. I loved that he believed in me enough to do that."

Shanell said her debut LP won't be out until sometime next year, but she did just drop the mixtape Shut Up and Listen. If you have a physical copy of the disc and look inside, you'll see a baby carriage filled with headphones and other musical items. That is a playful middle finger to the rumors that she was having Lil Wayne's baby.

"I'm trying to take a negative thing and make a positive," 'Nell said, who added that she was never romantically involved with Wayne. "That's another reason I put this mixtape out, because a lot of people haven't heard what I do. It's all these rumors flying, that's all they hear. So it's here, this [mixtape] is my baby, this is what I've been sitting in the studio every night working on. This is my baby. This is what I've been pregnant with for the past nine months. So we're just trying to take a bad rumor and turn it into something positive."

What did Weezy think of the rumors that he had knocked up his artist? "We never talked about it," the singer insisted. "Nobody ever talks about the negative stuff. We're too busy making records. We get on the stage and perform, we get in the studio, we're on the radio every day."

Joints to Check For

» "Hair Down My Back." "That is my ladies-anthem song," she explained. "It's a fun record. It's about when you go to the store, you see the 14 inches, you see the 12 inches. For women to wear it, call it out. You don't have to be ashamed. Nowadays, everybody knows girls wear weaves. Wear it as long as you want, as short as you want. I would say it's kinda pop/R&B. It's talking about extensions, but it's still a club beat. I don't think I'll hear it in Club Crucial in Atlanta, but I think it will reach a vast amount of people."

» "Tell Me" (featuring Jae Millz). "Millz actually thought about that, brought it to me, like, 'I wanna do this Groove Theory record over,' " Shanell said. "I tried to sing it just like [Amel Larrieux]. I did the verse just like her and redid the bridge. It's a feel-good record, and it's a classic. I was a young'n [when the original came out]. It reminds me of the picnics in the park, sitting on the bleachers watching the boys play basketball in the park."

» "Hear Me Calling." "The music takes you from one end of music to the next. I wanted to ease people in," she said about why she started her mixtape out with that song. "It's a chill record. It feels good. It's where I started, subject matter-wise. As the music transforms to the other side, which is the last record, that's my growth and all the different types of music I listen to. I can go from here to there — that's what I wanted to show people. [I'm singing about] life and memories, things that remind me of my 'hood where I grew up: the corner store, the duplex, the white lines on the sidewalk."

Source: MTV

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper
Read more…

Juelz Santana Throws His Support Behind Dipset Reunion

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 6:08am


Juelz Santana has announced his support for a potential Diplomats reunion with former group members Jim Jones and Cam’Ron.

In 2007, Dipset disintegrated amid disputes over money and creative differences. The rumored tensions culminated in a public split when Jones and Santana sided with 50 Cent during his battle with Dipset leader Cam’Ron

Last month, Jones and Cam’Ron revealed that they mended their differences in a 3-way phone call with media personality Miss Info, and promised to work together this year on Diplomatic Immunity 3. The talk marked the first conversation between the former best friends in 3 years.

In 2009, Juelz Santana criticized Cam’Ron for denying several song clearances while he was under contract, which Santana believed stalled his career. But the Skull Gang leader is willing to dismiss past grievances and welcomed calls for an official reunion.

“Me and Jim have talked about putting the past and everything behind us. I never had no reason to have personal grudges,” he told Hot 97’s Angie Martinez. “I was always willing to move forward. I just have to worry about my future now.”

Santana clarified that he is still grateful to Cam’Ron for the initial opportunity he received, and believes they can all come back to the table as established, wiser artists.

“I respect the fact he extended that arm and that’s something I can never take back,” he explained. “The blueprint was drawn up and Cam definitely drew it. But I laid down bricks on top of bricks to help that building be what it was…But we’re all bosses now. I’m all grown up now and I’ve always respected other people’s positions.”

Juelz Santana will perform at Hot 97’s Summer Jam 2010 on June 6. At press time, Santana would not commit to a Dipset reunion at the event.

Source: AllHipHop

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper
Read more…

Georgia Rapper Yung Hott Shot & Killed While Shooting His First Video [2 Videos]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 5:30am

Rapper Yung Hot


Video After The Jump

Up and coming rapper Yung Hott was and killed Saturday (May 15) while shooting his very first video in his hometown of Griffin, Georgia according to WSB-TV.

The rapper who's real name is Jerode Paige died from a gunshot to the head.

He was shooting the video for his first single "Any Competition" on a residential street with about 150 people in attendance when the incident occurred.

"I saw them," witness Virginia Berry said. "They just shot him like this; pump, pump, shoot, pump, shoot, pump."

Three others were injured during the shooting, including Berry's five year old granddaughter Taylor who had been playing with a toy car near the scene.

"She crawled from (the toy car) to the porch," said Virginia. "She says, 'Grandma, I've been hit.'"

The young girl was shot in the foot and is expected to be ok.

Yung Hott had been trying to turn his life around after a stint in prison according to his family.

"He got out [of prison] and he said he wasn't going to let anybody stop him from getting his career," his uncle Gary Paige said. "He wanted to give his grandmother a lot. He was really into his music and he wanted to show his grandmother he had the ability to be somebody."

He added that he believed Jerode was targeted, but he doesn't know why.

Four men, Bahir Howard, 22-years-old, 21-year-old Corderra Walker, 21-year-old Terry Fuller and 23-year-old Terrance Jones all face murder, aggravated battery, child cruelty and weapons charges.

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper


Rapper Yung Hott Killed


Young Hott Performing "Any Competition"



Read more…

Lebanon-Born Miss Michigan Rima Fakih Becomes 1st Arab-American To Win Miss USA Pageant

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 17, 2010 at 4:32am


Miss Michigan Rima Fakih was crowned Miss USA on Sunday night, becoming the first Arab-American to ever win the pageant.

Fakih, 24, a former New Yorker who was raised in Dearborn, Mich., beat out 50 other contestants, including runner-up Miss Oklahoma, for the grand prize.

When asked on stage how she felt about the big win, the petite brunette quipped, "Ask me after I've had a pizza."

"I feel great. Thanks for hiring me, Donald Trump," she said of the co-owner of the Miss USA pageant.

Fakih accepted her crown from Kristen Dalton, the outgoing Miss USA, at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Born in Lebonon, she emigrated with her parents to the United States as a baby and attended Catholic school in New York City until her family moved to Michigan in 2003.

She is a graduate the University of Michigan-Dearborn with degrees in economics and business management. She plans to begin law school after her year-long reign.

Fakih nearly tripped on the train of her long, strapless gown during the evening-wear portion of Sunday night's the competition, broadcast live on NBC.

In the interview segment of the event, she was asked whether she thought birth control should be paid for by health insurance. She said yes.

"I believe that birth control is just like every other medication even though it's a controlled substance," said Fakih, who was raised in a household that celebrates both Christian and Muslim faiths.

She told reporters she sold her 1998 Ford Taurus to pay the $800 entry fee for the Miss Michigan pageant.

In addition to winning scholarships and a wardrobe fit for a queen, Fakih will be given a luxury New York City apartment to live in while she's Miss USA.

Fakih, an advocate for breast and ovarian cancer awareness, will compete for the Miss Universe title later this year.

She is already bracing for questions about her roots.

"I think it would prove that Arabs don't always try to separate themselves, but instead are integrated into American culture," she recently told the Global Arab Network.

"It would show the world that yes, there are Arabs that are beautiful not only in looks, but also on the inside," she said. "There are Arabs that are caring, that are good people, and who love the country they live in. I think it would make the Arab image a more positive one."


Source: NY Daily News

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper
Read more…

Drake Says He Didn't Make His New Album For 'Commercial Purposes'. Does He Smell A Flop Coming?

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 16, 2010 at 11:30am


Drake's debut album 'Thank Me Later' has been one of the most anticipated for over a year now. He is not only expected to carry Young Money/Cash Money on his back while Lil Wayne is in prison, he's expected to do it in a big way.

So why is he talking like a guy who is a little nervous?

He's quoted on Rap-Up as saying:

“I didn’t make this album for commercial purposes. A lot of the verses are extremely long. I just made it to share with people. I hope they can enjoy.”

If Drake just wanted to "share" his music, he could have just released another mixtape like 'So Far Gone'.

Universal Motown is the big machine pushing the album. They have already released two singles with videos, "Over" and "Find Your Love". Both are performing reasonably well on iTunes at #'28 and #16 respectively, but neither is a runaway smash hit

Given the buzz Drake had when they signed him to their roster it's reasonable to think that they are expecting the album to do big numbers.

Is it possible Drake is trying to use reverse psychology by downplaying his own expectations thinking fans will respond by buying an album he made to "share" with them?

Bottom line is, consumers are fickle and what was hot yesterday fades quickly.

For Drake's sake, he better hope they are still interested.

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper
Read more…

O Lawd No, There's Two Of Them: Kat Stacks Introduces Her Mom [Video]

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 16, 2010 at 9:00am


Video After The Jump

Ok, we're moving into unchartered waters right now with this one.

Groupie freaks sometimes travel in packs, but those packs don't usually include their moms.

We've heard Kat Stacks' mom hollering and screaming at Chopper City about his drama with her daughter. Now we get the visuals.

All I can say is the apple fell right next to the tree with this pair.

Mama Stacks says she can be. "Freddy Krueger, Jason or Scarface if you mess with her daughter".

I guess in Mama Stacks' bizarre world it's ok if her daughter messes with other people's lives. SMH



Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper
Read more…

Jay-Z's Empire Taking Some Hits As Losses Mount In His Business Portfolio

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 16, 2010 at 8:30am


Jay-Z is on his A game right now. Everything the rap superstar touches turns to gold. At least on the surface that's how it appears.

Take a peek beneath the surface and there you will see a few flaws in that Roc diamond.

The New York Post is reporting the rapper's business portfolio has take some hard hits recently.

Jay-Z's 40/40 Club franchise has suffered during this economic downturn. Hov had big hopes he would be able to expand into other markets successfully. However, expansion isn't going well.

A Chicago club that was supposed to open in 2009, hasn't. And the 80,000 square-foot Las Vegas club complete with 80 plasma TV's totally flopped. Closing in 2008 after only being in business eight months because people in the 'City That Never Sleeps' just weren't interested in it.

Jigga, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett invested $1 million into the Broadway music 'Felal' which has yet to turn a profit.

Then there's his stake in the lowly New Jersey Nets. Jay-Z was among a group of investors that bought the club in 2004 for $300 million. As it stands now six years later the club is worth only $269 million.

His portfolio took another big hit when he lost $50 million in bad hotel development projects, one in Chelsea and the other in New York's Meatpacking District.

He also found himself caught up in a potentially messy scandal involving New York Governor David Paterson. Jay-Z's friendship with the Governor came into question after he invested $2 million through his company Gain Global Investments Network LLC, into the development of a "racino" at the Aqueduct Racetrack.

The Feds started to investigate after rumors started to circulate that Jay-Z was given special favor by Aqueduct Entertainment Group, the company picked by Governor Paterson to turn the aging track into a slick gaming venue. Jay-Z eventually walked away from the investment completely.

Unfortunately, Jay-Z's bad investments didn't end there according to the Post.

He had two additional real estate deals go bad. Both in 2007, one in which he and his partners defaulted on a $24 million dollar mortgage.

Things aren't all bad for Jay-Z though, he still controls a reported billion dollar empire. His deal with Roc Nation has been a winner and Roc-A-Fella clothing line is still doing well.

Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper
Read more…

Boxing: Amir Khan Dominates Paulie Malignaggi; Fight Stopped In 11th Round

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 16, 2010 at 7:16am


NEW YORK (AP) — It took junior welterweight champion Amir Khan a trip to Canada and nearly two weeks of turmoil just to secure a visa to make his highly anticipated debut in the United States.
It was well worth the wait.

The former British Olympian used crisp right hands and incredible speed to stop former titleholder Paulie Malignaggi in the 11th round Saturday night, a brutally efficient display of boxing that is certain to catapult him into the upper echelon of a deep 140-pound division.

"I think with my speed I can catch any fighter," Khan said. "I knew I was going to catch him and I could see him getting his head knocked back. I could see him get frustrated."

Khan made good on his promise to quiet the flamboyant Malignaggi, who was fighting just across the river from his home in Brooklyn. Malignaggi's face was red and swollen from the middle rounds on, and he had to lobby the ringside doctor before the 11th just to let him continue.

It wound up being a bad idea.

Khan (23-1, 17 KOs) backed Malignaggi against the ropes and threw a series of unanswered blows before referee Steve Smoger finally stepped between them at 1:25 of the round. Malignaggi (27-4) didn't argue with the decision, tapping his chest and congratulating Khan on the victory.

"He knows how to win rounds, man," Malignaggi said. "He has a lot of ability."

Khan signed with Golden Boy Promotions in an attempt to raise his profile in America, where he can land the biggest fights and the biggest paydays. But just getting permission to fight in the U.S. took a lot more work than he anticipated.

Khan had been preparing with trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles under a tourist visa, but his application for one that would have allowed him to work was held up by red tape. Khan went to the British consulate in Vancouver, British Columbia, to expedite the process, but he was given the run-around by the Department of Homeland Security.

The visa was granted a little more than a week ago, without any reason given for the delay. Khan assumes it had something to do with his Pakistani heritage and possibly the investigation linking the Pakistani Taliban to the recent failed Times Square bombing.

"My head was all over the place," Khan said. "It did get to me, but I was still training hard."

Khan has certainly come a long way since his stunning loss to Breidis Prescott two years ago, which is beginning to look more like an aberration with each passing fight. And much of the credit belongs to Roach, who also trains pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

Roach changed Khan's diet and workout regimen to redistribute muscle mass from his upper body to his legs, which seemed to improve his quickness and stamina.

Their work together showed throughout the fight Saturday night, Khan repeatedly beating Malignaggi to the punch. His straight right hands and sharp jabs created heavy swelling under both of Malignaggi's eyes, and Khan seemed to relish every blow that connected.

"I remember going back to the corner in round 10, and Freddie said, 'Go and send a statement to the world and send this guy off,'" Khan said. "And I sent him off."

The two fighters had a genuine distaste for each other that was evident before the contracts were even signed. They argued through Twitter and traded verbal jabs at news conferences, and tempers finally boiled over during the weigh-in Friday inside a hotel ballroom.

The event at the Essex House was supposed to be closed to the public, but close to 100 supports for Khan showed up wearing "Khan's Army" shirts. When the fighters began pushing, the crowd rushed toward the stage and Malignaggi was jostled around. Several people received bumps and bruises, though no punches were thrown and nobody was seriously injured.

It's unclear whether the state athletic commission will levy any fines or suspensions.

The crowd of about 5,000 inside Madison Square Garden was just as revved up before the fight, when a contingent of fans in the middle of the arena stood up and began waving two British flags flanking a Pakistani flag.

A few scuffles broke out during the fight and several fans were escorted from the Garden.

"I've fought all around the world but today I was a little nervous," Khan said. "I was walking in and I could hear a lot of boos, but at the end of the fight a lot of people were cheering for Amir Khan, because I know I have a style that people will like."

Source: USA Today
Read more…

MMA: Alistair Overeem Demolishes Brett Rogers To Defend Strikeforce Belt

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 16, 2010 at 7:00am


Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem lived up to his moniker on Saturday by crushing Brett Rogers in less than four minutes.

Overeem, nicknamed "The Demolition Man," retained his title with a technical knockout of Rogers 3:40 into the main event of Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery in St. Louis. The champion was in his first title defense since winning the belt in November 2007.

It was a one-sided affair from the start. Overeem (33-11, 1 no contest) exhibited the savvy, calmness and technical polish that comes with 45 bouts in mixed martial arts and 10 fights in K-1, kickboxing's top circuit, while Rogers (10-2) appeared tentative and willing to let his opponent attack first with low kicks.

When Rogers -- normally an aggressive, powerful striker -- tried to clinch barely a minute into the bout, Overeem easily threw him to the canvas and started throwing punches to his downed foe. Rogers never got off the ground again until the fight was over.

Overeem had Rogers trapped near the fence and kept up the pressure with bursts of offense until a flurry of hooks with 1:40 left in the round had Rogers turning away. The ground and pound assault continued with Rogers offering little resistance until referee John McCarthy halted the bout.

Statistics compiled by Compustrike showed Overeem landing all five of his leg strikes before the fight hit the mat. The champion battered Rogers on the ground with 49 strikes that included elbows and punches to the head, along with knees to the body.

Compustrike saw Rogers landing one of 14 strikes attempted.

Rogers and Overeem are No. 8 and No. 9 in the USA TODAY/SB Nation consensus heavyweight rankings.

After the bout, Overeem called for a bout with consensus No. 1 Fedor Emelianenko, who is already scheduled to face No. 10 Fabricio Werdum on Strikeforce's June 26 show.

"His management declined for him to fight me tonight," Overeem said. "Respect for Brett, because he stood up and he wanted to fight me like a man. I think now it's Fedor's turn."

Source: USA Today
Read more…

Desperate Times: Ohio's Governor, Senator & Others Make "We Are Lebron" Video Begging Lebron James To Stay In Cleveland

Posted by ChasinDatPaper on May 15, 2010 at 7:30pm

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland are among those pleading with LeBron James to remain a Cleveland Cavalier.

Video After The Jump

There's a lot of very nervous people in the state of Ohio right now. Seems as if everything they have is riding on the decision of one man.

Lebron James, one of the most prized NBA free agents in the history of the league is weighing his options on whether to remain in Cleveland or bolt for what he hope are greener pastures somewhere else.

The fact that his team lost to the Boston Celtics in the playoffs when they were expected to go to the NBA Championship might be the deciding factor for Lebron to play for another team next year.

So all the powers that be in Ohio put a "We Are The World" type song together titled "We Are Lebron" begging the 6'8 forward to stay.

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Gov. Ted Strickland are seen in the video with other former players, lawyers and fans looking downright pitiful.

I doubt this video will sway Lebron's decision one way or another, but I guess it was worth a try.



Follow Me @ChasinMoPaper
Read more…
} Facebook Login JavaScript Example