Jumping the gun

They say that love makes you feel invincible. And that’s a problem because, well, no one is ever invincible. But they make decisions based on that false feeling, and can end up feeling like fools. When you’re in the early stages of a relationship and are falling head over heels, the things you and your new mate reveal and do with each other can make and break a couple with the quickness.

7) Travel Together

If you travel together too soon, you become exposed to all of the things that could potentially bother you about that person—things you otherwise would have just slowly been exposed to over months and wouldn’t have found so annoying if you just learned them one at a time. And quick overexposure isn’t a good thing. Think about it—don’t you usually come back from trips with your family or friends significantly annoyed with somebody? You don’t want that to happen when your romantic relationship isn’t even that solid yet.

6) Meet the parents

You get excited about someone. It’s only been a couple of weeks but it’s going so well you think—what’s the harm in introducing them to my parents? The harm is that, all relationships are great in the first few weeks! But introducing the person to your parents only gets your parents hopes up. And if they like your boyfriend or girlfriend, they’ll start talking about that nearly every time you chat on the phone–and if they don’t like them, well, they won’t talk about him at all (that’s not really a good sign). And there will suddenly be more eyes and more pressure on the relationship to the point where, you might not have a clear perspective anymore on how much you actually like the person.

5) Prioritizing one another

“Oh I don’t know. I’ll have to see what plans my boyfriend has that weekend.” There is a time to say that. But, that is after a lot of time has passed. Don’t start skipping out on time with friends—or in general with other things you love—so that you can spend more time with the person you’ve only been dating for a few weeks. It makes you look silly to your friends, and you also could just be shooting yourself in the foot. Your friends will stop asking you to hang out, and you don’t even know if you and your man are really going anywhere for the long-term or if you’re going nowhere fast.

4) Get a dog together

Sharing a responsibility—like one as big as a dog—can really bond you. But sometimes it can break you because it ends up bonding two people (literally, as in forcefully since you’ll both lay claim to a living, breathing creature) who really shouldn’t be bonded. You feel closer because of the dog, meanwhile, other little things are popping up that are proving that maybe you and the person you got the dog with are not a great match. Don’t get a pup together unless you’ve been together for at least half a year. A year is better…Don’t put the poor pup at risk of losing one of its owners!

3) Have sex

Well, this isn’t necessarily something couples do too soon but something a lot of people dating do too soon. Often, when you sleep with someone—particularly when you orgasm—your body releases chemicals that make you feel bonded to them and more trusting of them. These chemicals are so powerful that, they can overpower your ability to see whether or not you’re actually compatible with someone! A lot of people sleep together within the first couple of weeks and spend months thinking they are on cloud nine when really, it’s just sex that holds them together. And they find out pretty soon that that was the case.

2) Bringing them along

To your yoga class, your pottery class, on your hiking group—whatever used to be YOUR thing. This is bad to do very soon for two reasons: One, if the two of you break up, those activities are kind of ruined for you—so you really don’t want to risk it until the relationship has shown potential for the long haul. Two, say goodbye to any chance you had at dating someone else in that class/on that hiking group—they’ll consider you taken!

1) Make it “official”

On Facebook, that is. This is a bad thing to do too soon because you often don’t realize just HOW many guys—guys that you could be potentially interested in—see that, and say to themselves, “Well, she’s off the market.” And that’s it. You run into them at a party, or at the grocery store, or at yoga class and you have a great chat but…why didn’t they ask me out?! Literally—hundreds if not thousands of people see it when you make it official on Facebook. So, make sure you want it that way. On top of that, if your new partner doesn’t have the same enthusiasm about being public on Facebook or doesn’t do when you do, that’s a whole other can of worms and drama right there for two people that aren’t even on stable footing yet.

10 albums the general public aren't looking forward to

By Hip Hop Wired

Rather than ponder over just how impressive 2012's release roster will be (new music from T.I., Rick Ross, Jay-Z, etc.), we've decided to take a different approach. Instead of hyping what has the potential to be another great year for Hip-Hop, we're going to mull over whose music is teetering on the edge of, "Who cares anymore, anyway?" Thanks to reasons like artist ambivalence and record label shenanigans, and the fact that new music drops everyday, in most cases these 10 albums missed taking advantage of striking while their mics were hot. No shots.

10) 50 Cent "Black Magic"
If there's one thing that we know about 50 Cent, it's that he doesn't accept defeat. Nearly three years after he touted his forthcoming Black Magic album as some of his best work—first influenced by his travel's overseas—he then scratched the concept to get back to his rap roots. But constant bickering with Interscope sapped our interest in hearing this project. At least we got The Big 10.

9) Busta Rhymes E.L.E. 2: End of the World

Jumping on Chris Brown's “Look At Me Now” with a standout, speedy 16 bars, reminded us of Busta Rhymes' lingual fury, but it did little to draw excitement for a new project. In November he was announced as the newest signee to Cash Money Records, but with a roster consisting of the likes of Nicki Minaj, Tyga and Drake, the competition is so stiff for Busta's E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event) 2: End Of The World to shock the Hip-Hop globe.

8) Lil' Kim Hardcore 2: All Hail the Queen

Some rappers are able to turn beef into album sales. But the ploy has had the opposite effect on Lil' Kim. Despite attempting to cash in on her hatred for Nicki Minaj, the quality of the Queen Bee's music—as heard on her Black Friday mixtape—has been lackluster. Definitely not the type of appetizer that would make us want to digest a sequel to her classic Hardcore debut.

7) Ludacris Ludaversal

Seven albums deep and there's no denying that Ludacris is a clever wordsmith. But the first clue to a false start was the decision to delay Ludaversal in lieu of his 1.21 Gigawatts: Back to the First Time mixtape. Unfortunately, a diss record like "Bada Boom" was more of a tremor than a full grown quake.

6) Bow Wow Underrated

Bow Wow's love/hate relationship with Hip-Hop is proof that he might want to find another day job. After retiring a couple years ago, the pint-sized MC sought to reinvigorate his career by latching onto the YMCMB train. Although the alliance seemed promising, nothing coming out of Bow's music lab has connected with fans, leaving little interest for Underrated.

5) Jadakiss Top 5 Dead or Alive

As a lyricist, Jadakiss is second to none. However, when it comes to album sales, he continuously in the back of the pack. The Yonkers, N.Y. native dropped his I Love You (Dedication to my Fans) mixtape in May, but after three cracks at making a classic LP, the odds aren't in his favor for his fourth album, Top 5 Dead or Alive.

4) Jay Electronica Act II: Patents of Nobility

Jay Electronica had long been bubbling under the radar before signing to Jay-Z's Roc Nation to a great level of notoriety. The New Orleans-bred MC momentum has stalled out after after announcing the completion of Act II: Patents of Nobility' over the summer. Only a handful of people, including Hov, Bun B, and Erykah Badu, have heard the record, but the sluggishness behind releasing a proper single has dulled the excitement for his Roc Nation debut.

3) Tyga Careless World: Rise of the Last King

An early Young Money signee, Tyga has since been overshadowed by his labelmates Nicki Minaj and Drake. Even with his hit "Rack City" and with expected features from Big Sean, Drake, and Pharrell, this Young Money MC has a lot more growing to do before we can really check Careless World: Rise of the Last King.

2) Kreayshawn Untitled Debut

No matter what her YouTube numbers make you believe, Kreayshawn is not an artist to watch. The adolescent ignorance of her cringeworthy "Gucci Gucci" single is so unimportant in the grand scheme of music's landscape that landing an actual deal with Columbia Records is still a fool's bet. A falling out with the Based God and the utter wackness of her sidekick V-Nasty only hinders her cause.

1) Dr. Dre Detox

At this point, Dr. Dre's Detox album is officially a Hip-Hop urban legend. After guaranteeing a 2011 release, we only got more Beats By Dre headphones. These days Dr. Dre is “taking a break from music” and letting his perfectionism get the best of him by delaying the album, yet again. At this point, it'd be better if he just kept the whole thing to himself.

Pakistan wants to ban rap in educational institutions

Pakistan wants to ban hip-hop in educational institutions according to Allhiphop.com:

[O]n (January 24), Pakistan’s Punjab Assembly adopted five resolutions of the public’s interest, including a ban on objectionable music concerts at public and private educational institutions, a ban that includes Hip-Hop music.

After amending the original draft with the addition of word ‘objectionable’ before ‘music concerts,’ the House passed the resolution with a majority vote.

While other issues included stopping the waste of money obtained on loans from international financial institutions, curbing population growth, and passport issuance, Hip-Hop fans in Pakistan will face scrutiny for listening to the music oft deemed in poor taste and values.

Last year, the United States tried to use Hip-Hop as a form of diplomacy, as it brought the FEW Collective, a group from Chicago, to Islamabad, where they danced, rapped, and recited poetry to a Westernized, educated elite audience of young Pakistanis.

Things didn’t go as planned, however, as the Chicago group was detained by Pakistani authorities for a brief period of time, due to one member unknowingly taking photos of “sensitive installations” in the city of Rawalpindi, a garrison city home to the powerful army’s headquarters.

The performances were part of a long standing tradition of diplomacy through music via the State Department. In the late 1950′s, jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Dave Brubeck toured Pakistan as part of the program, but Hip-Hop has had little breakthrough over the years as traditionalists oppose the new form of expression.

Despite the opposition, in Pakistan, traditional qawwali music and Hip-Hop have drawn many comparisons due to the complex nature of their vocals, and the improvisational component of the lyricism seen in both forms of music.

Hip-Hop artists have their work cut out for them in Pakistan, though, a country where a mere 12 percent of Pakistanis have a favorable opinion of the United States, according to a July poll by the Pew Research Center, while 73 percent have an unfavorable opinion and 16 percent don’t know according to a Reuters story last November.

The move to ban “objectionable” concerts comes amid an incident that left three students killed in a stampede at a concert in Lahore.

Pastor Troy taken to TV court over failed appearance

Remember southern rap vet, Pastor Troy? Well, he officially made his way back to TV...but possibly for the wrong reason. Allhiphop report:

An angry promoter has taken Pastor Troy to Judge Alex, on Fox television over a missed show and failure to meet the agreement.

On Judge Alex, the host/arbitrator is Judge Alex Ferrer, a former police officer, lawyer, and Florida judge who solves small claims amongst

Produced in Houston at the television studios of Fox’s KRIV (Channel 26), Troy was is brought to trial for failing to perform at what is a former best friend’s concert.

The promoter, Roderick, claims that the concert was canceled because Pastor was arrested, but Roderick also says he rescheduled the concert only to have Pastor bail on him again.

Pastor claims that he was receiving death threats and out of fear for his safety and for the audience safety, he thought it was best not to appear at the show.

According to Pastor Troy, “this club where he’s having this event is in Augusta, Georgia. This city, Augusta, Georgia and I have a history or just violence and negativity. Somebody had just got shot in that club the weekend before I was supposed to be there.

Take a look at the episode’s trailer below.

Swizz Beats' role in Megaupload wasn't official yet

Contrary to last week's reports, Swizz Beats apparently isn't the CEO of the recently shut down file sharing site, Megaupload.com. Allhiphop reports:

Ira Rothken, an attorney for Megaupload.com, made the revelation to RollingStone.com as he explained that, to his knowledge, Beatz “was never involved in any meaningful way” with Megaupload.com, but was in talks to helm the website.

“He was negotiating to become the CEO, but it was never official,” Rothken said.

The lawyer’s comments counter previous reports that listed Beatz as a silent, executive partner for Megaupload.com, which was shut down Thursday (January 19) after massive copyright infringement and racketeering charges were brought against the company and its top executives. Four of the seven defendants named in the case were arrested in New Zealand.

Other charges leveled at the Megaupload.com include money laundering and racketeering. The website stands accused of being complicit in costing copyright holders more than $500 million in damages, while raking in more than $175 million in illegal proceeds.

In protest of the Megaupload.com shut down, a number of major websites have been shut down by Internet hackers. Among those targeted were websites for the Department of Justice, the MPAA, Universal Music, and the RIAA. The FBI’s website, www.fbi.gov, is reportedly the next site on the list for Anonymous, a “hacktivist” group in Sweden that claimed responsibility for shutting down the Department of Justice website.

Megaupload.com is currently trying to get back online as it fights charges and works to recover from the situation.

New XBox on the way

It looks like the new information about the XBOX 720 is starting to surface. It it scheduled to hit the shelves in 2013. Check out the report:

Don Trip "the breath of fresh air"

Since the success of his song "Letter To My Son", Don Trip has been riding high. In an interview with Thisis50.com, Don Trip says the song has improved his relationship with the estranged mother of his child. But, he makes a bold statement about the rap music these days. Check the footage:

NYPD to start scaning people for weapons

Well it's about to start getting difficult to own a weapon in New York after the NYPD has decided to implicate a new technology that allows them to scan people for guns. Hip Hop Wired reports:

The NYPD plans to start using technology that can detect people carrying guns on their person.

The technology, similar to infrared imaging , includes a mechanism that can detect a natural energy, known as terahertz radiation, that emits from a person's body. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly announced details about the new search method and stated, “This technology has shown a great deal of promise as a way of detecting weapons without a physical search."

The new technology can only be used three to four feet away. Kelly told the New York Daily News that the technology was part of the department's continuing efforts to curb illegal guns off the street as he addressed the Police Foundation at the Regency Hotel on Park Ave. He said cops hope to install the heat-seeking devices on police vehicles in the near future. There are some questions about the device though as many feel unwarranted stops will be made if the device picks up other devices, like iPods, that it may perceive to be a weapon.

43 gang members arrested for braggin on social networking sites

In another case of "when keeping it real goes wrong", a slew of gang members in Brooklyn have been arrested for bragging about their exploits on social networking sites. Hip Hop Wired reports:

According to Reuters, the 25 accused members of the Wave Gang and 18 accused members of rival Hoodstarz have been terrorizing streets in Brooklyn with shootouts that led to the killing of three people and wounding of several others, New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

The gang members, ages 15 to 21, bragged about the shootings on the social media sites Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. The tension between the two crews began in August and apparently the gangsters never took firing classes as they missed their intended targets and so far have killed an innocent bystander and wounded a 9-year-old boy and his dad.

Wave Gang members often robbed 13 and 14-year-olds by threatening to steal their bikes and electronics to intimidate them into joining their gangs, Hynes said. The 43 gang members were indicted on Thursday on charges including murder, assault, reckless endangerment, robbery and weapon possession, with potential sentences ranging from a year to life in prison.

7 things women overreact about

Women have a tenancy to overreact to things. Men and women naturally see things differently. Some things aren't as important to men as they are to women. So, when they feel justified to react to things the way they do, we feel like they're mad about nothing; or at least nothing important. Here's a list of things overreact about.


7) He doesn't do what you expect him to do, when you expect him to do it.

Sometimes it seems like men and women operate in two time zones. When a woman asks a man to do something, she expects it to be done right away. Men do things when we feel like it or when it's convenient for us. If it's something that can wait until later, chances are when you're dealing with us, it will.

6) He is disengaged after sex

Not sure exactly what you want us to say about that. Men generally aren't into the whole cuddling thing, especially when the relationship isn't that serious yet. So, if a man decides to cuddle with you, it's a sign of intimacy. But, just like with anything else, you can't force it.

5) When he overtly express his appreciation

Men generally aren't very emotional creatures. So when we don't get excessively sensitive about a gift, a home cooked meal or a simple gesture, women tend to think we're not appreciative. We feel a simple thank you is enough for you to know we appreciate what you've done for us. But, for some women, it's not.

4) When he doesn’t invite you to come along with him to certain places

Generally, men need their space. We need to get away from our ladies sometimes and let loose. Maybe he can't do that with you around, so he doesn't want to take you everywhere we goes. Don't get offended by it, because it has nothing to do with how we feel about you.

3) When he isn't connected to you at the hip out in public

No man is his right mind will just completely abandon his woman at a party or club. But, he came with you and he's leaving with you, so chances are, he doesn't want to spend the whole time with you while he's there. You all came out so you could be around other people and women make "friends" a lot easier than men do. So, if you're at a gathering and he decides he wants to go watch the game with the guys or hop on the domino table and stick around to keep you company the whole time, don't worry; you'll see him on the ride home.

2) When he doesn't tell his friends/family everything about you

For the most part, women tend to share more about the inner goings-on of their relationship with others. Men, generally don't. Sure, we speak about our women, but, hardly go into any great detail. So, when you come around and it seems like his friends/family doesn't know everything about you or your relationship, don't take it personal. It doesn't mean you're not important to him.

1) When he doesn’t overreact

Women find some sort of validation in knowing their man is emotionally involved in their relationship. So, when something happens or she deliver some news to him, she expects him to lose it. She expects him to freak out and be overly emotional about it. But, as I said earlier, generally, men aren't very emotional creatures. Some women take their man's nonchalant attitude or the lack of a reaction as a sign that he doesn't care or he's not emotionally involved. Not true...he just rather not make the Grand Canyon out of a pot hole.

List inspired by 7 Times Women Overreact by madamenoire.com.

Megaupload shut down today

Who knew hip-hop producer Swizz Beats was the CEO of Megaupload.com. We certainly didn't. Now, not only is the secret out, but the site has been shut down by the feds. Fox reports:

Federal prosecutors have shut down one of the world's largest file-sharing sites, Megaupload.com, on charges of violating piracy laws -- a day after a 24-hour blackout of popular websites such as Wikipedia drew national attention to the issue.

"This action is among the largest criminal copyright cases ever brought by the United States," the Justice department said in a statement about the indictment.

The indictment accuses seven individuals and two corporations -- Megaupload Limited and Vestor Limited -- of costing copyright holders more than $500 million in lost revenue from pirated films and other content. It was unsealed on Thursday, and claims that at one point Megaupload was the 13th most popular website in the world.

Megaupload was unique not only because of its massive size and the volume of downloaded content, but also because it had high-profile support from celebrities, musicians and other content producers who are most often the victims of copyright infringement and piracy. Before the website was taken down, it contained endorsements from Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys and Kanye West, among others.

The Hong Kong-based company listed Swizz Beatz, a musician who married Keys in 2010, as its CEO. Beatz declined to comment through a representative.

The individuals in the criminal enterprise each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on racketeering charges, five years for conspiracy to commit copyright infringement, 20 years on money laundering charges and five years on related charges.

Megaupload was led by colorful Australian Kim Dotcom -- aka Kim Schmitz, or Kim Tim Jim Vestor. He is a a resident of both Hong Kong and New Zealand, and a dual citizen of Finland and Germany, who legally changed his last name to "Dotcom."

The website's founder and "chief innovation officer" was once convicted of a felony but has repeatedly denied engaging in piracy, according to CNET.com -- and he made more than $42 million from the conspiracy in 2010 alone, according to the indictment.

The indictment comes the day after a 24-hour "blackout" of Wikipedia, a protest doodle on the homepage of Google, and numerous other protests across the Internet against proposed anti-piracy legislation that many leading websites -- including Reddit, Google, Facebook, Amazon and others -- contend will make it challenging if not impossible for them to operate.

The Protect Intellectual Property Act under consideration in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House are bills backed by the motion picture and recording industries intended to eliminate theft online once and for all. S. 968 and H.R. 3261 would require ISPs to block access to foreign websites that infringe on copyrights.

Online piracy from China and elsewhere is a massive problem for the media industry, one that costs as much as $250 billion per year and costs the industry 750,000 jobs, according to a 2008 statement by Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/01/19/feds-shut-down-file-sharing-website/#ixzz1jx4vnbER

Yung Joc and Block Entertainment sued over breach of contract

For the second time in as many months, Yung Joc has landed in our news section. This time, Joc looks as if he may be heading to court over a dispute between him and an Atlanta based entertainment company. Hip Hop Wired reports:

An Atlanta music company called Master Mind Music filed a lawsuit against Yung Joc and Block Enterprises in United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia on January 17. AllHipHop reports that the lawsuit claims that Yung Joc allegedly signed an artist development and exclusive recording agreement with Master Mind Music in February of 2005. Under the deal, each record that was created by the rapper during the duration of the deal, was to be the property of Master Mind Music.

Master Mind Music contends it also reserved the exclusive right to copyright the recordings of Yung Joc in its own name. The lawsuit also states that Master Mind was entitled to co-ownership of all of Yung Joc recordings, in addition to a 50% share of Yung Joc's publishing during the term of the agreement.

According to the suit, Block Entertainment made a deal with Bad Boy/Atlantic under false pretenses that they held the exclusive rights to Joc thus cutting Master Mind Music out of the deal.

“Block knew or should have known that he did not have the rights to the artists' exclusive recording services which he purportedly granted to Bad Boy/Atlantic,” the complaint reads. “Further, Block never subsequently acquired those rights from Master Mind.”

Master Mind Music is suing for copyright infringement, breach of contract, torturous interference with contractual relations, fraudulent misrepresentation, and fraud.

Adult film actors will now have to use condoms in Los Angeles

In a case of "color me confused", adult film actors will now have to use condoms in their scenes. The reason for the confusion, why this wasn't on the books before now. But, oh well, Hip Hop Wired reports:

[L]os Angeles City Council has approved an ordinance that will require actors in adult films to use condoms.

According to LA Weekly, the council adopted the ordinance on an 9-1 vote. The move is being brought about to prevent the

spread of HIV in the multi-billion-dollar adult film industry which is centered in L.A.

The Free Speech Coalition, the trade association for the porn industry, argue that condoms are not needed since adult film actors are constantly tested for STDs and say there hasn't been a confirmed case of HIV in their industry in the past five years. The ruling however applies only to scenes shot on location and excludes scenes shot at studios. Most scenes are shot on location, though, and the bill is just waiting on the mayor's signature to go into effect.

Rumors spread about a fight between Lil Wayne and Dez Bryant

Rumor has it, Dallas Cowboy wide receiver Dez Bryant and YMCMB rapper Lil Wayne got into a little bit of a fight over the weekend in Miami. Hip Hop Wired reports:

According to the Miami Herald's David Smiley, a Miami Beach Police Department source says that Weezy is the “famous rapper” that was previously reported to have gotten into it with Bryant at the luxurious night club this past weekend.

The Dallas Morning News reports that the altercation started when someone mocked both Bryant's performance on the field and his recent financial woes. Last December, the Endurance Capital Fund threatened to sue Bryant claiming the former Oklahoma State standout failed to repay a $100,000 loan. According to the star receiver's mentor, David Wells, Bryant and his crew were detained but not arrested by MBPD after what he described as a verbal altercation.

MBPD sources told the Miami New Times that there is no record of Bryant being detained but did confirm that there was “a bit of a melee outside LIV that night with a drunk patron striking a security guard.”

Shyne and Diddy finally on good terms after 10 years

Remember back in 2000 when Shyne and Diddy were on trial for the shooting at Club New York in 1999? It was the trial that sent Shyne to prison for assault and gun possession and allowed Diddy to walk free. Every since then, the two had been at odds and never really settled their differences. That is until recently when the two finally reconciled. Shyne had a chance to speak with MTV news about it:

Get More: Music News

FBI files on Ol' Dirty Bastard and Wu-Tang leaked

Almost 8 years after his death, FBI files on Ol' Dirty Bastard were leaked recently. Here's an excerpt:

"The WTC is heavily involved in the sale of drugs, illegal guns, weapons possession, murder, carjacking and other types of violent crime." [p5]

Connections to the murder of Robert "Pooh" Johnson and Jerome "Boo Boo" Estrella. [p6]

Connection to murder of Ishamael "Hoody" Kourma. [p13]

A shoot-out with the NYPD. [p15]

Arrest for felony possession of body armour. [p16]

Connections to the Bloods Gang. [p17]

Found in possession of large bags full of paper currency. [p40]

Details of his being robbed and shot while staying in the Kingston projects. [p45]"

Snoop Dogg arrested in Texas over marijuana possession

Snoop Dogg was arrested in Texas over marijuana possession thanks to some drug hounds. Hip Hop Wired reports:

The veteran rapper/actor/football coach was arrested this past weekend in Texas for marijuana possession, reports TMZ.

Snoop was travelling in his tour bus when it was stopped by border patrol officials in Sierra Blanca, TX. A drug sniffing dog was part of the inspection and alerted officials of something sticky icky in a trash basket in the back of the bus. Upon closer inspection, the authorities found Snoop's stash--a prescription bottle with a few joints inside.

The "I Wanna Rock" rapper, who has a prescription for medical marijuana in Califiornia, admitted the weed was his and was cited for misdemeanor drug possession before his release. If convicted, Snoop could face up to six months in jail.

Jermaine Dupri gets taxed over owed taxes

Jermaine Dupri ends up paying double over his unpaid taxes from 2007. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Jermaine Dupri has been rumored to have had tax troubles over the years and it looks like his late payments caught up with him. TMZ reports, J.D. paid nearly double for his most recent tax lien.

According to Georgia records, the super-producer owed $493,818.75 after failing to pay taxes for the year 2007. However, the principal was only $254,782.64. Extra fines included $91,721.75 in interest, a $64,969.57 penalty fee and a collection fee of $82,294.70.

The latest shot fired in the Common saga

The Common/Drake continues. This time Common decided to add a verse to the same song Drake used to respond to Common. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Chi-Town's finest didn't waste anytime and has already returned fire in Drizzy's direction.

"I heard you say, you wasn't a b*tch cuz you sing/You a b*tch cuz you cling, like a b*tch that's 18!

...Make no mistake, I'm talkin' to Drake."

Shots confirmed. MTV Rap Fix debuted the song (which is Common tagging a verse to the end of the song) along with artwork that features Drizzy's name replaced with "That hoe @ss ni**a."

Check Common's verse below:

Big Meech blocks "BMF Wives"

After the success of the "Mafia Wives" someone thought it would be a good idea to do a similar show involving Black Mafia Family spouses. Only one problem with that...none of the BMF leaders were ever married. So one could imagine why Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory decided to block this new show. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Big Meech lets it be known from behind the wall that the BMF Wives reality show being shopped is a fraud and that he and his team have nothing to do with it.

The head of The Black Mafia Family is currently locked up for running a drug cartel and is shutting this mess down before it starts. His mother hit up Twitter and voiced her son's opinions.

also conducted an interview with CEO of BMF Entertainment, Tammy Cowins, who further voiced Meech's words and Tonesa Welch's claims of being "First Lady Of BMF" since she was the former girlfriend of one of BMF's leaders, and Big Meech's brother, Terry Flenory.

"She [Welch] can say whatever she wants about her relationship with Terry [Flenory - Meech's Brother] in California… but she CANNOT corroborate or say ANYTHING about BMF.

All these rumors about she's a “wife”… she's a “first lady”… this and that… no. She's not.

I OWN BMF Entertainment… “I” Tammy Cowins! And we're not trying to have our brand associated with a reality show.

Meech's mom wants to talk to you so she can get it out there and I want to get it out there that you've talked to the owner of BMF entertainment and the movie is in full swing ahead and we're not sure where these fictitious rumors are coming from.

Meech has never been married… Terry has never been married. There's never been a woman to be a FLENOOY besides Miss. Lucille and their kids.

So at the end of that day, that's who gets the recognition as being the “First Lady” of BMF.

It's almost funny, but it needs to be told."

Floyd Mayweather's sentence pushed back until June

I'm sure all of you sports fans out there have heard the news by now, but here's the situation as it stands...Hip Hop Wired reports:

A judge in Las Vegas Friday gave Floyd Mayweather Jr. until June 1 to turn himself in to serve a 90-day jail sentence for his guilty plea in a domestic violence case, allowing the boxer to meet contractual obligations for a Cinco de Mayo fight (May 5).

"Daddy's Little Girls" apparently owe the IRS

According to Allhiphop.com, Angela and Vanessa Simmons have both been in some hot water with the IRS. Here's what they're saying:

Detroit News, which says that several liens were filed against the Pastry owners. Check out the laundry list of liens filed against them below:

* The IRS filed a $26,658 tax lien against Angela Simmons on Dec. 22 with the New York City Register.

* The IRS filed a $22,528 tax lien against Vanessa Simmons on Dec. 22 in New York.

* The IRS filed a $157,787 tax lien against Vanessa Simmons on Nov. 10 in New York.

* The IRS filed a $27,248 tax lien against Angela Simmons on May 20 in New York.

* The IRS filed a $132,466 tax lien against Angela Simmons on April 1 in New York.

* The state of California filed a $44,253 tax lien against Vanessa Simmons on March 23 in Sacramento County Court.

* The state of California filed a $39,538 tax lien against Angela Simmons on March 23 in Sacramento.

Nick Cannon Hospitalized

Nick Cannon was hospitalized this week after what has been reported as "mild kidney failure". Hip Hop Wired reports:

[Mariah] Carey also released a statement on her official MariahCarey.com website. "This is us in the hospital - role reversal," begins Carey's post. "Last year it was me attached to the machines (after having dembabies) and Nick was there with me through it, and now here we are."

The message continues, "We're trying to be as festive as possible under the circumstances but please keep Nick in your thoughts because this is very painful. They tried to kick me out of the hospital but here I am pon de bed with Mr. C."

The couple and their twins (Moroccan and Monroe) were in Aspen for the holidays. Carey also asked fans to keep the family in their prayers.

Pill says he was never signed to MMG

Last week we reported Pill aired out his "label" Maybach Music Group. Well now according to Pill, he was never officially signed to MMG. Pill had this to say to MTV:

“I never signed any paperwork with Ross. It was just my deal was over at Warner already…I ain’t really got too much to say to somebody that ain’t got too much to say to me. I’m not a brownnose, I ain’t a punk ass nigga and I’m not finna go trying to chase behind somebody that ain’t sayin’ nothing to me.”

Check out the video:

Get More: Music News

Flesh-n-Bone avoids jail time with plea deal

Ohio native Flesh-n-Bone reaches a plea deal in a domestic violence case. AllHipHop reports:

Flesh was charged with inflicting corporal injury on his spouse, threatening her and falsley imprisoning her during a January altercation.

Flesh, born Stanley Howse, decided to plead guilty to false imprisonment after the January arrest.

In return, the prosecution dropped the counts of threatening and false imprisonment.

Flesh was sentenced to three years probation, time served in jail and 100 hours of community service.

In addition, Flesh will participate in a domestic violence program and donate $400 to a battered women’s shelter.

“Flesh has always maintained his innocence of these charges, but it was best for his family and Bone Thugs to put this case behind him,” his attorney Shepard Kopp told TMZ.com.

50 Cent lands a distribution deal for Street King

50 Cent has landed what could potentially become another blockbuster deal; but, this time with Pepsi Co. AllHipHop reports:

“I did a deal with Pepsi to distribute streetking its gonna be every were [sic] buy a bottle feed some one in need,” 50 revealed on Twitter.

50 Cent launched the Street King energy shot, in order to fight world hunger.

Everytime a shot is purchased, a meal is provided for a child in need.

According to 50, his goal is to serve over 1 billion meals, via the Street King energy drink initiative.

Street King is expected to expand its distribution nationally under the deal with Pepsi.

[A] media representative from Pepsi told Hip-Hop Wired that 50 Cent's deal is actually with the Honickman Group, one of the beverage company's independent bottlers.

Along with soft drinks that include Canada Dry, Honickman also distributes beer throughout the northeastern region of the United States.

Bevnet has also confirmed the distribution deal with Honickman via Chris Clarke, a co-founder of Pure Growth Partners, Street King's parent company. Besides already being stocked in GNC and 7-Eleven, the energy shot billed as "1 Shot = 1 Meal for a Child" is on course to be added to two nationwide drug chains by February. Part of the proceeds from each sale of a Street King energy shot is donated to the United Nations World Food Program.

New Birth Christian Academy Closes

It looks like Bishop Eddie Long's New Birth Organization has taken another blow. Huffington Post reports:

More than 200 Georgia students are in search of a new school following the announcement of New Birth Christian Academy closing its doors after 18 years of establishment.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the school's founder, Bishop Eddie Long, notified parents via a December 22 letter signed by the board's vice-chairman, Carlton Donald stating that funding and low enrollment "are the main issues" for the school's "temporarily closing."

"Funding estimates fall far short of our projected needs. It is a very sad occasion, as the NBCA board has made the tough decision to temporarily close the school," Donald stated in the letter. "We have operated New Birth Christian Academy for several years with substantial deficits in hopes that the national economic climate would change, however, that change never materialized."

According to the private institution's website, tuition at the pre-K-12 school ranged from $5,253 for New Birth members to $6,198 for non-members with more than $1,000 in non-refundable fees.

Though Donald went on to say that the academy's staff will assist in helping students find new schools, parents are outraged by the timing of the announcement. One parent spoke to local Atlanta news outlet WSBTV Channel 2 expressing that; "It's almost like they purposely waited for the holiday before they sent out this letter. I mean, a letter (that says) my daughter basically does not have a school to go to on January 4."

Housed inside Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, the unidentified parent also believes that the abrupt closing is a result of Long's much publicized sex abuse allegations."I believe that this last straw with the divorce, the sealed settlement, it just does not look good," said the parent.

A spokesperson for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church says that the school's closure has nothing to do with Long, according to the outlet.

The Urban Advocate's Top 5 Moments of 2011!!!

The Urban Advocate had some great moments this year. Met a lot of people, did a lot of things and covered a lot of ground. We want to take this moment to give you all our Top 5 moments of 2011! Enjoy!

5) Centre: The Locals Edition


4) Industry Basketball Game: Team Q Got Jokes vs. Team K104


3) Countdown to the Rapture: Vincent "Young Heartbreak" Tucker & Big Suave "The Mayor of Oak Cliff, TX"


2) The Vincent Tucker Radio Show featuring Tae Heckard


1) TXSMC- Big Suave interviews Dee-1



Honorable mentions:

Big Suave interviews Freddie Gibbs


THEURBANADVOCATE.COM presents The Underground Access: Do Yourself A Favor (Behind The Scenes)- Drama The King