Nina Sky not happy with their label
Mar 15, 2010 Album, Hip Hop, R&B, Record Label
It looks like the musical duo is not very happy with their label, Polo Grounds, for not releasing their first album. This is what the two sisters of Nina Sky, Nicole and Natalie Albino, said about the matter on twitter: “Starting a new campaign today..Nina Sky Doesn’t Play Polo’ .. For MONTHS we’ve had a complete album, ready for release. Y’ALL wanna know what’s REALLY goin on? Nothing + that’s the problem. We released 2 videos and singles without support from our label. All good.. Stayed positive… After months of no movement we asked to be released + still nothing. No acknowledment from the President of out label Bryan Leach..” Here’s the very interesting part: Bryan Leach is the name of the record label’s president and the album Nina Sky is trying to release is called “Starting Today”. If only the label were making some sort of secret profit from not releasing their album, that would just make all of this circle of irony perfect… but sadly, that is probably not the case. Still it is a very good coincidence of name.
Tags: Album, Hip Hop, Nina Sky, Polo Grounds, R&B
D’Angelo tries to hook up with the wrong person
Mar 9, 2010 Hip Hop
The singer was apparently arrested recently after he made the very unpleasant mistake of soliciting a forty-dollar carrot wax from an undercover policewoman. After arresting D’Angelo, she searched his car too and found twelve thousand dollars in it. It looks like he wasn’t too short on money. Maybe if he had offered a better price he wouldn’t even have been in this situation. But as it turns out, D’Angelo might very well end up doing carrot waxes himself and for much, much less.
Tags: Arrest, D’Angelo, Hip Hop, Prostitution, R&B
J-Kwon has been found
Mar 6, 2010 Hip Hop
Or rather, he has given out his location so to speak. Apparently the rapper has been missing for some time and people have started to get worried, but only recently J-Kwon contacted his label, Gracie Entertainment, to let them know he’s all hunky-dory. J-Kwon apparently didn’t want to share any official words so the label’s CEO just reported the following: “I am very happy to let everyone know that I personally spoke with J-Kwon today, and he is okay. He’d like to send a sincere apology to his friends and everyone who showed concern this week. He was taking some time to himself as he sometimes does, not realizing that people would start to worry after a while.” Yeah, but what’s friends and family worrying compared to losing the record deal, eh? It’s good that J-Kwon decided to contact the label to let them know he’s still a safe investment, a wise move.
Tags: Apology, Gracie Entertainment, Hip Hop, J-Kwon, Missing
Drake Loves the Environment
Hip hop superstar Drake is going on a college tour beginning in April and will be promoting eco-friendly technology, teaming up with The Campus Connection Tour. During the tour, the rapper/singer will be using biodegradable materials both on his tour bus and backstage as well as making sure the dressing room accommodations and meals are all environmentally-conscious. That’s a pretty good idea. Maybe other artists will follow suit. It takes one influential person to inspire others. Let’s hope Drake’s message will reach a lot of other people who will follow suit. It’s for the greater good of people and our earth.
J-Boog not a very nice player:
Jan 5, 2010 Chris Brown, Hip Hop
It seems the former B2K singer is not really the friendliest person to live with. Apparently he’s been dating the mother of his three children but recently things haven’t been too peaceful between them. It seems that J-Boog’s neighbors heard screams come from his home and only moments later the police dragged him out for domestic violence. Strange nobody thought of blaming Chris Brown for setting a bad example for his fellow rappers. After all, there must’ve been some outside force that determined J-Boog to do what he did. But the incident will probably be very easily forgotten… after all, it wasn’t Rihanna he was mopping the floor with.
Tags: Chris Brown, Domestic Violence, Hip Hop, J-Boog, R&B
Lil’ Wayne’s trademark apartment
Dec 14, 2009 Hip Hop, Lil Wayne
The rapper is apparently selling his apartment that bears distinctive marks of himself, probably like no other place anywhere. This is what a source said about Lil’ Wayne’s apartment: “Once we got there, a member of Wayne’s posse opened the door to the overwhelming smell of marijuana. Two hot, rap-video-looking girls were walking around in nothing but a bra and underwear, blasting hip-hop. We just went in and looked around and tried not to stare.” It was probably very difficult not to stare. Lil’ Wayne is probably one of those artists that likes to leave something behind for posterity… you know, something to be remembered by.
Tags: Apartment, Hip Hop, Legacy, Lil’ Wayne, Pop
Chipmunk has a hectic life
Nov 27, 2009 Chipmunk, Hip Hop
The young British rapper who recently posted disturbing messages on his twitter page apparently resorted to such extreme measures because his life was too hectic. Chipmunk related the following about the matter: “I just needed to take some time out to rest and get my head together. I try and take everything in my stride. It’s been a successful year for me. But I still haven’t had the chance to let anything sink in yet, I haven’t had a chance to think about it all. I’m just too busy. And I get followed everywhere too, it’s crazy. It’s a bit boring right now, it’s my birthday and I’m not even going to do anything.” Ok, so first it’s tragically unbearable, and now it’s boring? Chipmunk should really make up his mind… and if he needs a vacation, why not just ask for it. It might go a lot farther for Chipmunk than the suicide notes.
Lil Wayne gets sued
Nov 2, 2009 Hip Hop, Lil Wayne
No rest for the weary lawyers of Lil Wayne, it seems they just keep getting a new assignment every once in a while… just to keep the spice in their lives. This time, a man by the name of Thomas Marasciullo is suing Lil Wayne and Birdman because he claims they have used some recordings of his voice dating back to 2006 on their albums. What’s more interesting is that Thomas Marasciullo recently lost his job as a recording engineer with Cash Money Records whom he is also suing for the infringement. Well, when the well runs dry, suck the marrow from the rappers… Lil Wayne is probably going to get it all back eventually and as for Birdman… they probably have each other’s backs.
DMX has incident at charity
Oct 20, 2009 DMX, Hip Hop, Kanye West
The rapper was asked to perform at a charity event in Colorado Springs recently. Apparently, he was 90 minutes late and when he arrived the guards refused to let him it. DMX, being the wise and noble man that he is, eventually picked a fight with them and the charity participants rooted for him. Moreover, DMX actually won and did get in, but wasn’t able to dazzle anyone with his musical abilities since all of the equipment was turned off, so he was simply asked to leave. Man, this dude must be trying to get around to be as famous as Kanye West for these incidents! He definitely started out right, all he has to do now is crash the MTV Europe Music Awards and he’s in business. Kanye West might have actually started a new trend with this crashing of events.
Tags: Altercation, Charity, DMX, Hip Hop, Kanye West
T-Boz Battles Brain Tumor
Tionne Watkins, aka T-Boz from TLC, revealed to People magazine that she has secretly battled a brain tumor for 3 years. Back in 2006, the singer underwent a 7 hour surgery where the doctor peeled the tumour from the brain stem by making a cut behind her ear. When asked why the hip hop star decided to keep it a secret even while she participated on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ she said “I didn’t want pity – I was there to help sick children. I’m still here. It will take way more to stop me.” I’m amazed at the spirit that she has inside her.
Tags: Celebrity Apprentice, Hip Hop, Magazine, People, Singer, Surgery, T-Boz, TLC, Tumor
Eminem’s MTV Movie Awards experience
Jun 1, 2009 Eminem, Hip Hop, MTV
The rapper had a nasty experience at the MTV Movie Awards last night when Sacha Baron Cohen descended from the roof of the Gibson Amphiteatre, dressed as his gay alter-ego Bruno, and grabbed Eminem’s head with his legs and said “Is the real Slim Shady about to stand up?” The rapper was supposedly very upset by the whole thing and stormed out of the ceremony. It seems that the real Slim Shady did stand up. Eminem is back to his old, obnoxious self! A bottle of champagne is required under such circumstances. No more hippy logic, no more anti-gun statements, now it’s on!
Tags: Bruno, Eminem, Hip Hop, MTV Movie Awards, Sacha Baron Cohen
Russell Simmons Named UN Goodwill Ambassador
May 26, 2009 Hip Hop, Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons has been appointed be to a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in New York City last week. The hip hop impresario’s duties will include raising awareness of global slavery. A trust fund has already been launched to construct a Permanent Memorial honoring the victims of slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Russell commented on his new duties saying “My commitment in life is to be of service to the empowerment of young people living in struggle, who undoubtedly have been effected by this legacy. I look to the future with inspiration and faith as we work every day to bring freedom and equality to all young people around the world.”
Tags: Goodwill Ambassador, Hip Hop, New York City, Russell Simmons, Slavery, United Nations
Kelis Files for Divorce
May 4, 2009 Hip Hop, Kelis, Nas, Rapper
Hip hop power couple Kelis and Nas are going through a divorce. The saddest part of this story is that Kelis is actually seven months pregnant. The couple met at a 2002 MTV VMA’s after party which was thrown by Diddy. They then tied the knot in 2003. Reps for Kelis have confirmed the split, stating “I can confirm that she has filed for divorce… We request the media to respect her privacy during this very difficult time.” The singer is asking for both spousal and child support from the rapper. I wonder what brought this on. They’ve been pretty quiet up until now.
Ciara VS Vibe
Sep 23, 2008 Ciara, Hip Hop, R&B
Ciara is taking the one two steps to have Vibe magazine meet her in court because, according to her, t he shady publication airbrushed all the clothes off of her in a recent cover photo. The R&B/hip hop singer appears to be naked on the cover of the magazine’s October issue but sources are saying that she did not pose due and that she’s suing Vibe for making it as such. If Ciara’s claims are true, Vibe should really be ashamed. They’re really stupid if they think that the singer or her management isn’t going to notice the big difference especially if Ciara never agreed to posing nude in the first place.
50 Cent Clears Up Shady Business
Reports that said that 50 Cent was uninterested in speaking with officials about the fire that engulfed his home turned out to be a little on the inaccurate side. The rapper’s reps issued a statement last week about the reports saying “50 and his attorneys met yesterday (Wednesday) with Suffolk County authorities regarding the fire that destroyed 50’s house. The meeting had been arranged weeks ago. 50 is eager to review the findings of the investigation, when it is concluded.” I’m eager to find out what’s up with the investigation too. Maybe then the drama around 50 can stop and I can stop writing about his crazy baby mama.
Hip Hopping Rich
Aug 25, 2008 50 Cent, Diddy, Hip Hop, Jay-Z, Kanye West
Hip hop is one rich industry. According to Forbes, in the last year alone, Jay-Z released a platinum album and signed a $150 million deal with Live Nation for a 10-year contract. But that pales in comparison to 50 Cent who, after taxes, took in over $100 million when his stake in the high-calorie Vitamin Water was bought by Coca-Cola. In total, 50 raked in over $150 million in just 12 months – double what Jay-Z made last year. So 50 comes in first on the list of richest hip hop artists for 2008. Jay-Z comes in second. Diddy comes in third for the second year in a row after raking in $35 million from all his revenue streams. Kanye West came in fourth with $30 million.
Akon No Show
Aug 14, 2008 Akon, Hip Hop, Music Festivals
Akon was due in court last week to face criminal charges which stem from an incident last year when a crazed Akon threw a 15-year old fan off stage at the 2007 KFEST concert in June. However, the hip hop artist did not show for his court date which left the judge to order him to appear in court on September 3rd for a possible deposition. If no deposition is needed, then Akon’s case will be put on the trial calendar. Akon was last in court in December 200 when he pleaded not guilty to the charges of second degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a minor.
Dr. Dre Hot on Diddy’s Tail
Aug 10, 2008 Diddy, Dr. Dre, Hip Hop, Rapper
Diddy is no longer going to be the only hip hop mogul with his own line of drinks. Diddy may have his Ciroc vodka but Dr. Dre is about to catch up to him. Drinks America Holdings Ltd. is partnering up with Dre to produce his own line of liquor. The company has done the same with the likes of Willie Nelson’s Old Whiskey River Bourbon and Trump Super Premium Vodka. Dr. Dre is coming out with 2 items, Aftermath Cognac will be released first which will then be followed by a line of 80-proof flavored and unflavored sparkling vodka. Now that is something that will seriously knock your block off. It’s being said that his liquors will be hitting the shelves in the next 60 days.
Usher gets mum back on payroll
Aug 7, 2008 Famous People, Hip Hop, Records Sale, Usher
Usher has re-hired his mother just over a year after he fired her. The ‘Love In This Club’ singer – who ditched his manager mom Jonetta Patton in May 2007 – has now employed her for a second time in a bid to kickstart the success of his latest record ‘Here I Stand’.
The pair released a statement saying: “Usher has dissolved his management arrangement with Benny Medina and has re-engaged Jonetta Patton as his manager.”
Usher’s decision to get rid of Jonetta last year was reportedly due to a rift between Jonetta and Usher’s wife Tameka Foster.
At the time, Usher said: “This is great for me because it means I now get to have my mother strictly as my mother, with no added pressure.”
However, executives at Usher’s label, Jive Records, were said to be concerned about Jonetta’s sacking. A source said: “They think Jonetta’s done an incredible job with his career.”
‘Here I Stand’ sold just 433,000 copies in its first week, compared to Usher’s 2004 album ‘Confessions’ which sold 1.1 million.
Rappers United – Jay-Z
Aug 4, 2008 Album Release, Hip Hop, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rapper, Timbaland
The divas of hip hop are reuniting as reports say that Jay-Z is set to work with both Kanye West and Timbaland on sessions for his new album. And here you thought he was retiring already. Early reports say that Jay-Z’s new stuff was going to be produced solely by Timbo but the hip hop star has revealed that the sessions are more of a musical competition between his peers. Jay says “I’m a person that works off music. If Timbaland makes 10 great tracks then he produces the album, if Kanye West makes 10 great tracks then he produces the album; if he makes three, I’ll take three. I let the music dictate the direction. You know I love Timbaland, he is like a brother to me, but until the music is done it’s premature.”