Video After The Jump
Mariah Carey stopped by The Jay Leno Show Monday (October 2nd) to plug her new album "Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel" and movie "Precious". On her entrance though, she almost slipped and fell but managed to catch her balance before it became a major disaster.
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AllHipHop Reports
Despite making public appearances together in the past month, Queens rapper Nas’ divorce from his estranged wife R&B singer Kelis continues on.
According to TMZ.com, Nas lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan filed court papers Monday (November 2), seeking to block Kelis’ request for $72,728 a month in spousal support.
Nas had been ordered to pay Kelis $44,000 in child support payments in addition to a one-time payment of $45,000 to pay Rogers' attorney fees and for a forensic accountant.
In August, Kelis’ attorney Laura Wasser filed a motion seeking to increase amount to $72,728 in income based on the $240,000 the rapper earns per-month.
She also seeks $17,225 a month in child support, $72,728 in spousal support, $29,522 in back child support and finally, retro spousal support in the amount of $281,571.
Kelis gave birth to their son Knight in July of 2009. After six years of marriage, she filed for divorce from Nas in April, citing irreconcilable differences.
In September, the pair were seen together at New York hotspot Marquee and other events, sparking rumors that the reconciliation might be possible.
In October, the IRS filed a lien against Nas, because the rapper owes $2,584,206.31 to the government for unpaid taxes on income earned throughout 2006 and 2007.
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BallerStatus Reports
Radio personality, Charlamagne Tha God, was fired from his post at Philadelphia radio station 100.3 The Beat this week, following an interview with Beanie Sigel where he explained his recent Jay-Z diss track.
Charlamagne revealed the termination via Twitter (@CThaGod) on Monday (November 2) morning.
While he says the station said they wanted to "move in a different direction," many speculate whether Jay-Z may have had a hand in the matter.
"I just got fired from 100.3 The Beat in Philly. Salute to Philly I hope you all enjoyed me the past six months," Charlamagne wrote.
"#cthagodgotfired cause 100.3 The Beat said they want to move in a different direction. God bless them. Thanks for the past six months," he later added.
This isn't the first time the blunt radio personality had been let go from a radio gig. He was previously Wendy Williams sidekick on her popular "The Wendy Williams Experience" radio show, and was dumped last November.
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Lil Wayne's No Ceilings is making a serious argument for Mixtape of the Year right now. Halloween was a great day for music — heck, a bunch of great music dropped last week. This week is off to great start with the new Rihanna and Young Jeezy joints and Game is talking about releasing four mixtapes at once. Check in with us all week for some exclusives — but today, those Cookin' Soul cats bring back one of the all-time best.
Don't Sleep: Necessary NotablesMixtape: Night of the Living Dead Part II
Headliner: Tupac ShakurCo-Starring: Cookin' Soul and DJ Whoo KidKey Collaborations: "The Beyond" featuring Jay-Z; "Halloween Pt. II" featuring Notorious B.I.G.; "The Fog" featuring Notorious B.I.G.
Essential Info: Producers got in on the Halloween action, putting their latest mixtape out on Saturday along with releases from Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy and others. The Soul brothers concentrated on putting a new spin on classics from Tupac Shakur.
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Rolling Stone Reports
November 22nd’s American Music Awards are shaping up to be 2009’s hot ticket. Eminem and Lady Gaga were just added to the lineup of all-star performers at the event, which will air live from Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre at 8 p.m. on ABC.
The 37th annual show is determining its winners list based on online votes for the third time, and nominees include Taylor Swift (who leads the pack with six nominations), Michael Jackson and Eminem, who each scored five nods apiece. Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez and Adam Lambert are also scheduled to perform. Lambert’s fellow American Idol alums Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry and Kelly Clarkson will all take the stage, as well.
Lady Gaga’s most recent awards show performance at the ‘09 MTV Video Music Awards saw her hanging from the ceiling in a mock death scene complete with fake blood and and eerie, glassy stare. The singer’s re-release, The Fame Monster will hit stores two days after her AMAs performance. Eminem will be coming off his recent set at New Orleans’ Voodoo Festival, which was one of his only live appearances of the year supporting his latest LP, Relapse.
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AllHipHop Reports
Next Tuesday (November 10), the ImageNation Cinema Foundation will premiere in New York the ODB tribute film Dirty: One Word Can Change the World.
Directed by Dirty’s cousin Raison Allah, the documentary commemorates the colorful rapper’s life though personal interviews with the Wu-Tang Clan, Sunz of Man, Killarmy, the Black Knight, and the Brooklyn Zu.
In addition to the feature film presentation, movie-goers will be treated to a live performance from ODB’s Brooklyn Zu.
Following the film, members of Brooklyn Zu, Wu-Tang, and author Terrie Williams (Black Pain: It Just Looks like We Aren’t Hurting) will chronicle Dirty’s musical legacy along with important information on mental health and substance abuse prevention.
Ol Dirty Bastard, real name Russell Jones, was one of the most popular emcees in the Wu-Tang Clan.
His unpredictable behavior, distinctive voice, and blues-influenced singing style earned him success as a solo artist, where he achieved a platinum debut (Return to the 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version) and a gold follow-up (n***a Please).
In November 2004, he died suddenly of a drug overdose.
Dirty: One Word Can Change World premiers Tuesday (November 10) at the National Black Theatre, located on 2031 5th Avenue (125th and 126th streets).
Tickets are $15 (advance) and $20 at the door.
Interested fans can purchase them online at www.imagenation.us or by calling 212-340-1874.
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Video After The JumpUK pop sensation Jay Sean talks about growing up listening to American R&B and Hip Hop and how that influenced his musical tastes growing up. Having already conquered the British market, the Cash Money artist is well on his way to doing the same here in the U.S. with his Lil Wayne assisted record "Down"
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HipHopWired Reports
“He just needs to focus because right now all of the eyes are on him.”
To think that most people felt like Jay-Z was hogging the spotlight and was unwilling to share his own experience with up and coming stars in the rap game, the rapper continues to show different sides to himself.
With the unexpected, but long overdue, diss track from his former label mate and Roc-A-Fella artist, Beanie Sigel, it feels as though Jay's push for progression in the future of his music career is being interrupted by his past dealings.
As some feel that he is at the top of his game once again, it shows his ability to stand at the top of the mountain as potential continues to rise with new artists.
One artist that stands out from the crowd is Drake whose appeal has reached peaks that no one could have ever predicted. Who would have ever thought that the kid from Degrassi would make the transition to rap and actually survive, let alone be a top contender?
Featuring the young rapper on “Off That” for The Blueprint III, Jay-Z is clearly willing to give artists a platform to showcase their skills and what better way than Jigga to provide the necessary outlet.
Artists such as Roc Nation's J. Cole have stated that every up and comer dreams that are granted the opportunity to work with Hov and hopes of being given some tutelage as it pertains to the music industry and ensuring that they are able to achieve longevity.
Two recently performed together in Toronto as Drake finally returned home. The Young Money artist may have had something to boast about as the shoe was on the other foot and Jay played the hype man as he performed “Successful.”
During an interview, the Brooklyn rapper was able to give his kudos to the Canadian sensation and shows that he admires the work that Drake has already put in so far.
“He proved that he is very talented with that mixtape, which was phenomenal…If he stays focused, he'll be fine.”
As time progresses, old warriors will be forced to lay down their swords for good so it is in the best interests of these warriors to provide guidance for those after them and make sure that they are ready for the battle ahead.
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HipHopWired Reports
The longevity of Sean “Diddy” Combs has ensured two things with one being the fact that no matter how shifty his business ethics may be, in regards to the music industry, he continues to find ways to draw in new arts to Bad Boy.
The other point is the fact that Diddy is strictly about his business and like Jay-Z, he goes to all bounds in order to claim the top position outside of the music industry.
His deal with Ciroc Vodka may have made a turn for the better, as Combs has decided to expand his deal with the world's largest liquor maker and become a 50 percent owner of the brand.
The other half of the brand belongs to Diageo who is also the owner of brands such as Smirnoff and Ketel One.
The saying goes that if it makes dollars, it must make sense as the deal between the two was able to give Diageo a little extra change by earning over $2 billion in sales during 2008. Sales have not yet begun to dwindle either as sales have catapulted from 60,000 cases back in the beginning of 2007 to 400,000 going from 2008-2009.
And everybody tries to say how bad alcohol can be.
Reports stemming from the Bloomberg News have stated that Diddy is taking his new-found partnership and using it to broaden the brand. In doing so, he intends to release new flavors such as coconut and red berry.
Known to market himself very favorably, it would only make cents for Combs to take his aggressiveness to the brand as he, along with Sean Combs Enterprises, takes responsibility and control of the management decisions within the joint effort. Duties include marketing, advertising, public relation, product placements and Diddy's specialty, events.
Now if only Diddy was able to keep artists the way he kept his other business ventures rolling in, he would definitely be in business.
Related new shows that the publicized free agent release of Harlem rapper Mase may have all been just smoke and mirrors. Rumors have come about stating that Diddy is still unwilling to release his grasp on the rapper and the signature just allowed Mase to creatively express himself with other artists more freely.
Jadakiss didn't refer to it as Rape-N-U Records for nothing.
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Rap-Up Reports
Beyoncé will celebrate the one-year anniversary of her third effort I Am… Sasha Fierce by releasing a deluxe edition of her multi-platinum album, a live CD/DVD, and a new video featuring Lady Gaga.
I Am… Sasha Fierce Deluxe Edition will include five No. 1 hits and two bonus tracks including “Video Phone (Extended Remix)” featuring Lady Gaga. Also available on Monday, November 23, is I Am…Yours. An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas, a concert performance DVD and live CD that captures a never-before-seen performance from Beyoncé filmed at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas in August.
MTV will exclusively world premiere Beyoncé and Lady Gaga’s “Video Phone” video on-air and online on Thursday, November 5. “Video Phone” will premiere in the U.S. on MTV and MTV.com at 5:30 p.m. EST, while MTV channels worldwide will debut the music video in 162 countries following the airing of the MTV Europe Music Awards from Berlin where Beyoncé is scheduled to perform.
Coincidentally, Lady Gaga will re-release her own album The Fame on November 23, boasting another collaboration with Beyoncé titled “Telephone.”
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SixShot.com Reports
The cover art for Pimp C's sophomore solo album titled The Naked Soul of Sweet James Jones landed online Sunday (November 1).
The animated cover captures the late rapper in his trademark fur coat surrounded by a group of women with a red Rolls-Royce in the backdrop.
A release date for the album has not been revealed but the project will be the released via Rap-A-Lot Records.
The album was put together by Bun B who used Pimp C's unused vocals.
"We had enough vocals, But it wasn’t just about taking whatever vocals I had available; it was about constructing songs," Bun told XXL Mag earlier this year. "It wasn’t about just throwing all the Pimp C I had out there. I had to really try to make an album.
Pimp C died in late 2007 from an accidental overdose of codeine combined with the medical condition sleep apnea.
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Videos/Audio After The JumpThe General, 50 Cent called into Gomez Bros radio show yesterday (October 31) and got right down to business. He announced that "Before I Self Destruct" has a new release, date November 16th. The Beanie Sigel vs Jay-Z situation was a topic of conversation and he took a few shots at Fat Joe, Rick Ross & Ja Rule.Part OnePart TwoRead more…
People.com Reports
How could one of Hollywood's highest paid actors find himself owing $6.3 million in back taxes and deep in money troubles? The answer is easy if you believe Nicolas Cage.
In a lawsuit filed Oct. 16 in Los Angeles, the National Treasure star, 45, claims that his longtime business manager, Samuel J. Levin, duped "lined his [own] pockets with several million dollars in business management fees while sending Cage down a path toward financial ruin."
That journey began in 2001 when Cage – whose next movie is the crime drama Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans – hired Levin to oversee and manage his business interests, investments and finances. Levin did not return calls seeking comment. A rep for Cage had no comment.
On The Market
Though Cage claims it was only recently that he learned the gravity of his financial condition, the actor started selling off some of his prized possessions months ago. In April, Cage bid farewell to his Bavarian castle, selling it to his German advisor, lawyer Konrad Wilfurth.
Now he has placed other homes on the market in California, Las Vegas and New Orleans, where two of his residences – each worth at about $3.5 million – are up for auction Nov. 12, according to the that city's Times-Picayune. Regions Bank foreclosed on Hancock Park Real Estate Co., the owner of Cage's properties, for $5.5 million in unpaid mortgage debts, the newspaper reported.
Tax Trouble
Cage's home liquidation comes as earlier this month the U.S. government placed a tax lien on his vast real-estate holdings because of $6 million in unpaid taxes dating from 2007, according to court papers. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service has another lien for more than $350,000 in unpaid taxes dating from 2002 to 2004.
East West Bank also filed a breach-of-contract complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court that claims Cage had failed to repay a $2 million loan that was extended this past August.
In the lawsuit filed against his business manager, Cage says he "relied on Levin to handle his financial affairs to ensure that he and his family would have a financially secure future built on the foundation of the substantial monies Cage earned through years of hard work."
But "he is now forced to sell major assets and investments at a significant loss and is faced with huge tax liabilities because of Levin's incompetence, misrepresentations and recklessness." (Interestingly, Cage sold off his rare comic-book collection in 2002 for more than $1.6 million, a year after hiring Levin.)
Now as the actor gets ready to hit the big screen again this fall, he faces "catastrophic losses" in upwards of $20 million. The next court hearing in the lawsuit is scheduled for February 2010.
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Video After The JumpTeam Demo, producers of 50 Cent's smash hit record "Crime Wave" take us step by step through the process of how they made the beat and got it submitted to G-Unit Records. This should put to rest once and for all any b.s. about whether or not the loop was jacked from Fabolous. 50's new album "Before I Self Desctruct" originally scheduled for release on November 23rd, has been pushed up. Tune in to Thisis50.com Monday to get the new release date !
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NY Daily News Reports
Remember "Glitter"? Mariah Carey is about to make you forget all about it.
In the past two years, the Long Island-raised superstar, 40, has revived an acting career that most critics thought was dead on arrival.
She has stepped up to the plate with risky roles. Her latest: a tough-as-nails social worker in the gritty Harlem-set drama "Precious."
The part was originally offered to Oscar winner Helen Mirren, and Carey came in to fill her shoes with determination — and without makeup.
Carey as a social worker in the gritty drama 'Precious,' about an abused teen
What's more, the film, which hits theaters this Friday and also stars Mo'Nique and Brooklyn-born newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, is being hailed as an Oscar contender.
It's a career turn no one could have envisioned for Carey back in 2001, when her semi-autobiographical star vehicle "Glitter" opened to atrocious reviews.
At the box office on its opening weekend, "Glitter" didn't even make the top 10. It disappeared from cinemas within weeks, the soundtrack sold poorly, and by the end of the year, after reports that she had suffered an emotional breakdown, Carey was dumped by Virgin Records, the company that had signed her for a whopping $80 million only months earlier.
In building herself back up, Carey has attained a unique position. She has earned recognition as a serious actress without letting go of her popular appeal. She has targeted roles in indie films while climbing back to the top of the pop charts and enchanting fans with her fairy-tale marriage, played out across the pages of the celeb glossies.
She started her rebound from "Glitter" with a baby step: a role in the 2002 comic thriller "WiseGirls," which premiered on cable, not in the multiplex. Carey, Mira Sorvino and Melora Walters played waitresses at a Staten Island restaurant run by the mob. Even though it wasn't a hit, the film dulled the pain of her performance the previous year. Wrote Fox News columnist Roger Friedman: "Even though she tends to wear skimpy outfits as usual, her line delivery is sharp and she manages to get the right laughs."
A producer of "WiseGirls," Anthony Esposito, so admired Carey's work that he announced she would appear in his next film as a boxing manager who pushes an unknown female fighter to fame. Other reports indicated that he had spoken too soon, and that Carey wasn't sold on the project. It never got made, and Carey's slow push toward screen stardom relied instead on an episode of "Ally McBeal" and cameos as herself.
In 2005, she soared back atop the pop charts when "We Belong Together," from her album "The Emancipation of Mimi," stayed at No. 1 for 14 weeks. She didn't have to wait long before she landed a supporting role in the low-budget road movie "Tennessee" after catching the eye of producer Lee Daniels, who would go on to direct "Precious."
"I never saw 'Glitter,'?" Daniels said at the time, "but I liked her work in ['WiseGirls']." Said Carey of the role: "Some people come into our lives and take a chance, someone like Lee Daniels."
The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2008. It was an especially busy month for Carey. Not only was her performance singled out as one of the best parts of "Tennessee," but she had recently broken Elvis Presley's record for chart-topping singles, and only the Beatles remained ahead of her on the list.
On top of those successes, Carey stirred up engagement rumors when she arrived at the "Tennessee" after-party with Nick Cannon, a rapper and TV personality 11 years her junior, and an enormous, sparkling ring on her hand. It was her first serious relationship since before "Glitter." She later revealed that Cannon had proposed on the rooftop of her Manhattan apartment, the 17-carat diamond hidden inside a candy ring pop.
Yes, you read that correctly — 17 carats!
On April 30, 2008, the two were married in a top-secret ceremony in the Caribbean. The next few months were an over-the-top celebration of their love. They made their first public appearance in New York at the Time 100 gala and dined afterward at the Waverly Inn. Cannon rented out a Six Flags amusement park in California and threw a Nick-and-Mariah-themed bash for their friends. The two openly discussed wanting children, and Carey has said in interviews that she is ready to be a mom.
But even as she was cavorting with Prince Charming and considering a family, Carey proved she had edge. Her feud with rapper Eminem, which has dragged on for years as he mines an alleged tryst with Carey to generate scathing lyrics, flared up again early this year. His track "Bagpipes From Baghdad" called Carey a "whore" and lashed out at her new husband.
Cannon defended Carey on his blog, a digital knight in shining armor, but she — in her inimitable style — had her own ways of getting even. Her chart-topper "Obsessed" — the first single from her latest album, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" — asked why a certain drug-addled dude with a "Napoleon complex" wouldn't stop telling lies about her. Carey even dressed in drag in the music video, appearing as an Eminem-esque figure with a goatee and a hooded sweatshirt.
Eminem retaliated with "The Warning," which contained graphic allegations about sex with the singer. Even that failed to fluster Carey. Comparing the two tracks, she has said, "See, the difference is, my song is on the radio and his, you have to search for it."
But the trump card in the real-life emancipation of Mimi is "Precious," in which she plays a role so transformative that some critics have said it is impossible to recognize the diva.
Carey's welfare caseworker is flat-haired and tired, with just the hint of a mustache. "I looked so damn ugly!" she has said of shooting the film. "I just kept away from mirrors." But she told People magazine when the film hit the festival circuit, "There's a creative side of me that needs to do work like this."
Mirren, another of Daniels' past collaborators, had turned the role down because of a scheduling conflict. Carey was ready to follow Daniels' vision — he helped create the play-against-type performance that won Halle Berry an Oscar for "Monster's Ball" — and she sang at a "Precious" fund-raiser to help secure financing.
The film has impressed audiences at the Sundance, Toronto and Cannes film festivals and won the support of Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry. It was the centerpiece of the New York Film Festival in October. Carey's red-carpet opportunities are multiplying, but to do her best film work yet she had to push aside that glamorous pop-princess image, at least temporarily. For Carey, "range" is no longer only about octaves.
"I basically told her, 'I want to see the Mariah I see when I'm in your house and we're kickin' it, watching TV and eating popcorn,'?" Daniels has said. "I knew she had it in her."
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Video After The JumpJay-Z gave fans in Toronto,Canada a special Halloween treat as he brought out Young Money's Drake who performed his hit single "Successful". Jigga played hype man, much to the crowd's delight. Hova is touring in support of his album The Blueprint 3.
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BallerStatus Reports
Gucci Mane may be one of the "Hottest MCs in the Game", according to MTV, but some of past decisions are keeping him from capitalizing off his fame with various shows outside his home state of Georgia.
The Atlanta rapper was scheduled to headline the North Carolina A&T University homecoming concert on Saturday (October 31) at the Greensboro Coliseum, but pulled out of the show, due to a "recent legal ruling that prohibits him from traveling out of his home state," said promoters.
His name already caused problems for the show prior, after A&T withdrew its name and financial support from the concert after receiving complaints about Gucci Mane's reported ties to gangs.
Student body leaders have apologized for booking rappers Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman, which caused controversy, reports local news station WXII12.
Student body president Syene Jasmin and his chief of staff, Gary Brown, said they should have done a better job screening the performers scheduled for the Saturday concert.
The concert went on as planned, with acts such as Nicki Minaj, Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, Fabolous, Mario, GS Boyz and FLY picking up the slack.
Aside from his inability to perform outside Georgia, Gucci is gearing up for the release of his first major label album, The State Vs. Radric Davis, which is due to hit stores December 8.
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HipHopWired Reports
DJ Drama will be among the participants in CNN's upcoming panel discussion, “Black Men In The Age Of President Obama.” The one-hour special – presented by CNN and Essence Magazine – premieres this tonight, Saturday, October 31st, at 10:00 PM ET, with additional airings slated throughout the weekend (check local listings).
“Black Men In The Age Of President Obama” is hosted by CNN's Don Lemon, with panelists to include Bishop Eddie Long, Steve Perry and Farrah Gray – a diverse roundtable from the worlds of faith, business, and academia.
ATL-based DJ Drama was invited to represent the perspective of the Hip-Hop community, as well as his own unique biracial point of view. The panel discussion – taped earlier this month at Morehouse College's King Chapel – marks next week's one-year anniversary of President Obama's historic election.
Meanwhile, DJ Drama continues work on his hugely anticipated new album, Gangsta Grillz: The Album Vol. 3. Drama is also in the lab putting together mixtapes with Wyclef Jean and Lil Wayne.
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