Ray-J gets in two separate confrontations in one night

Someone needs to tell Ray-J to chill out because he's walking a line that I'm not even sure he's prepared for. He gets into two separate altercations in one night. MTV.com reports:

Ray J may be known for being a ladies man, but his recent throwdown was anything but romantic. According to TMZ, the singer and reality show star had a violent altercation after calling a woman a "fat bitch" at Club Nokia in LA early this Friday morning (March 22).

Eyewitness shared with TMZ that Ray J insulted the woman (who is believed to be Suge Knight's niece) which in turn, sent her in a tizzy, blasting the singer. "I'm the bitch they went to go get to whup bitches asses" and "I ain't no fake-ass n----- from Carson (Ray J's hometown)" were some of the lines she reportedly spewed. This sparked a full physical fight between Ray J and a slew of guys.

Now, rapper Bad Azz is claiming that he started the fight with Ray J. He told TMZ that he has issues because Ray J apparently told Suge Knight lies about Bad Azz which caused Suge to flip on him. The rapper says that Ray J won the fight but "it was a draw when security broke it up."

No one was arrested.

Here's the video of the altercation:


Here's Bad Azz account of what happened:


Here's Paulie's account of what happened:

Gucci Mane denied bail after turning himself in

This story is almost no even worth reporting on. Gucci Mane goes to jail almost as often as DMX. But, here you go. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Gucci Mane will be in jail longer than he anticipated. A judge denied bond for the rapper who turned himself in on an arrest warrant issued over his alleged attack on a soldier.

During his court appearance this morning bond was denied based on the many legal run-ins he has to his name. "Mr. Davis has a history, we're not going to skirt that issue, and that history made it difficult for him to get bond today," attorney, Drew Findling, said.

Gucci was charged with aggravated assault for reportedly cracking a bottle over the head of the soldier who wanted to take a picture with him at an Atlanta nightclub. The assault appears to be a growing pattern for the Atlanta native who is known to fly off the handle.  He was previously ordered to shell out $60,000 to a woman he pushed out of a moving car, turned on his longtime friend, Waka Flocka Flame, by kicking him out of the Brick squad crew.

In addition to the bottle-cracking debacle, a second victim has emerged accusing him of similar behavior. A man by the name of TJ claims to have been attacked by Gucci after asking for to take a picture with him at a Philly nightclub, last month.

Aurora theater shooter pleads guilty to avoid death penalty

I don't think there was any way he could have beat this case. So rather than drag the court proceedings on and get the death penalty, James Holmes decided to plead guilty. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Weeks after a judge entered a preliminary plea on his behalf, James Holmes pled guilty to charges stemming from opening fire inside a movie theater. Attorneys for Holmes entered the plea in a Colorado courtroom Wednesday (March 27), in hopes that he will avoid the death penalty .

Holmes faces several murder counts for opening fire on patrons during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises in an Aurora, Colo. theater.

"Prior to arraignment, Mr. Holmes made an offer to the prosecution to resolve this case by pleading guilty and spending the rest of his life in prison without any opportunity for parole," his attorney wrote in the filing. "It appears the only impediment to a resolution of this case would be if the prosecution chooses to seek the death penalty."

Prosecutors have not yet filed a response, but court proceedings could be settled as quickly as April 1, if the plea is accepted.

"Mr. Holmes is currently willing to resolve the case to bring the proceedings to a speedy and definite conclusions," the attorney added.

Holmes stands accused of killing a dozen people, and wounding more than 50. His trial date is set for Aug. 5.

Football player jacked for nearly $500K in jewlry

When I first heard this story, I immediately thought it was an insurance scam. After reading the story I have to say, if it's not a scam, this would officially make Shaun Rogers one of the dumbest simps I've ever seen in my life. Hip Hop Wired reports:

A one-night stand cost Shaun Rogers almost a half a million bucks. The New York Giants defensive tackle was robbed for nearly $500,000 worth of jewelry thanks to a woman he slept with. 

Rogers was partying with friends at Miami's LIV nightclub, where he met the woman, eventually taking her back to his room at the Fontainebleau Hotel at around 7 a.m.. It was there that she waited until he feel asleep and jacked him for the goods.

The 34-year-old awoke from his slumber at around 12:30 p.m. and  noticed that his jumpoff was gone, prompting him to go to the room's safe and retrieve the jewelry.

He couldn't get the door open.

"Hotel security was called, and after some difficulty was able to open the safe. The victim realized most of his valuables were missing," read the police report.

Although he didn't know her name, Rogers was able to give police a phone number of a woman who was in the club with the suspected thief.

The woman is alleged to have taken $440,000 from the NFL player.

According to Rogers he's missing diamond earrings worth $100,000, a $60,000 gold bracelet, two watches worth a combined $160,000, a diamond Cuban necklace with a gold pendant worth $70,000, and  a gold necklace with a gold pendant, worth $50,000.

Comedians take jabs at each other

I for one don't take twitter beefs serious, especially when it involves comedians. SO I'm going to take this with a grain of salt. But, for those of you that are interested, Kevin Hart and Mike Epps threw a few shots at each other earlier this week. Hip Hop Wired reports:

There appears to be no easier way to get people to go against one another, than on Twitter. Mike Epps used the website to blast Kevin Hart over the weekend, opening the door for a truckload of insults thrown back in his direction.

Over the last year, Hart has seen his career take off. Aside from co-starring in the multi-million box office hit, Think Like A Man, the father of two has a hit show on BET, made an appearance on Modern Family, and plans to release a comedy film this summer.

Even with all those accolades, Epps doesn't believe the Philly native would be successful had Katt Williams not gone a-wall. "MAN IF KATT WILLIAMS WOULDN'T HAVE FLIPPED OUT IT WOULD NOT BE NO KEVIN HART," he wrote.

After that, he called Hart "gay," and likened his face to a "drunk pug."

Hart finally caught wind of the Twitter jabs and went in for the kill. "I just checked my twitter timeline & noticed that @TheRealMikeEpps Has been talking sh-t," he replied. "Operation destroy u is now in session."

Using the word "destroy" may have been a little ambitious on Hart's part but he did land a few punches like this quip: Yo @TheRealMikeEpps is one bad movie away from doing SCHOOL PLAYS!!!"

Radio stations pull "Karate Chop" and "YouEEnKnoIT"

Well it's about time radio stations start being a little more responsible about some of the material they are playing. Especially after all the nonsense they let these two get away with. Hip Hop Wired reports:

It hasn't been a good public relations year for Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, with both men under fire for lyrics that many say crossed the lines of decency. One radio station has responded to the popular rappers and their questionable output by pulling their music off the air.


WUVS -103.7 in Muskegon, Mich. has taken a stand against Rozay and Weezy, speaking against Wayne's ill-advised use of Emmett Till's name in a punch line for a remix of Future's “Karate Chop” single. The station also checked Ross on his alleging date r@pe on Rocko's buzzing single “YounEEnKnoIT,” as well, in a released statement.

From WUVS:

Effective immediately Muskegon's WUVSlp 103.7 the Beat has pulled ALL Lil Wayne and Rick Ross music from rotation.  We pride ourselves on playing music that is non-degrading and non-violent. While we believe in freedom of speech, creative writing and individualism, we refuse to be part of the problem by spreading messages that could harm or end someone's life.

According to a report from theGrio.com, two major petitions have been launched by activists using Change.org and RapRehab.com as their platforms. Rap Rehab founder and music rights activist Paul Porter addressed the situation in a comment.

"The problem is not only with the content and date r@pe, but the problem is that it goes through a corporate structure,” Porter told theGrio.

Several other stations are said to be following WUVS in pulling the Rocko record from playlists. Lil Wayne's verse was edited and an apology was issued by his record label.

Too $hort's run in with cops yields drugs

While the facts are still surfacing in this story, it's not looking too good for the Bay Area legend. Too $hort was recently pulled over and popped on a DUI after trying to run from the police. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Too $hort's police escape struggle has been caught on film. We estimate that Bay Area rapper runs at least a 10 second 40-yard dash.

The Bay Area Hip-Hop vet got busted for a DUI a couple of nights ago and
reportedlytried to flee on foot after authorities pulled him over. The cops also allege that $hort Dog tried to dispose of drugs on his person while he was in the back of their squad car.

Of course, the "Blow The Whistle" rapper is claiming the illicit pharmaceuticals, allegedly meth, were not his.

TMZ reports:

Two law enforcement sources tell us the drug in question is meth ... at least according to preliminary tests.  However, sources connected to the case tell TMZ ... the drug will almost certainly turn out to be Ecstasy which was possibly laced with meth.

But Short's rep, David Weintraub, tells TMZ ... the rapper was clean in the drug department, adding, "Short was diligently searched and cuffed prior to being placed in the disgustingly filthy patrol car."

And the rep goes on ... "It was 3 AM, the cop car smelled like vomit and was littered with remnants from prior arrests of the evening."  Translation: A miscreant with a penchant for meth dropped his load in the backseat.

But LAPD cops tell us ... the protocol is to thoroughly search the patrol car -- including the backseat -- after every arrest.

As for why Too Short fled on foot after he was initially suspected of DUI, the rep tells us, "In the past, Short, like many others, has been mistreated by law enforcement and these unfortunate prior incidents led to the complications after the stop." 

One more thing ... Too Short's rep wants to make it clear to the easy listening crowd, "Any assertion that Short was carrying powder is ridiculous!  Every rap fan knows Short's into weed."

Too Short -- REALLY CONFUSED After DUI Arrest - Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe

Bobby Brown turn himself in and spends a whole 9 hours in jail

California is going to have to do something about how the decide who gets sentenced to jail time. Because now their sending people to jail and don't have enough room to keep them there. Which is why the "king of R&B (according to Whitney Houston)" was released within a day of turning himself in. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Being a celebrity has its perks. After Bobby Brown turned himself in yesterday to begin serving a jail sentence for his third DUI, the King of R&B (Whitney Houston (RIP) said so, okay?) was released after just 9 hours in the bing. 

TMZ reports:

Brown checked into L.A. County Jail at 9:58 AM Wednesday.  He was released at 6:58 PM.  Interesting ... an L.A. County Sheriff's spokesperson said just days ago Brown would serve 9 days ... but the jails are bursting at the seams and this is what happens ... kind of a joke, don't you think?

Brown was arrested in October after driving erratically on an L.A. street.  He pled no contest to DUI and driving on a suspended license.  It was his second DUI arrest in 7 months.

Bobby is on 4 years probation and has to attend alcohol ed classes for 18 months.

Considering Lindsay Lohan has done everything but murder someone and still isn't an inmate, we're not really surprised Brown was able to skate despite a 55 day jail sentence. Nevertheless, has he learned his lesson yet?

Virginia rappers attempts to sacrifice friend to join the Illuminati

Someone has been watching one too mant Youtube videos about the Illuminati. Apparently, this Virginia based rapper thought he could sacrifice his way into the most powerful secret society in the world. Didn't work out the way he thought it would. Hip Hop Wired reports:

A Virginia man is slated to appear in court this summer after attempting to sacrifice a friend in hopes of joining the mysterious Illuminati, a move he thought would jump-start his floundering rap hopes. Last week in Henrico County, a judge scheduled a two-day trial for 27-year old Wafeeq Sabir El-Amin to begin on June 26, for his bizarre act.

The Richmond Times Dispatch reported that El-Amin shot at his friend last December inside a home that was to become a recording studio. Aiming his firearm at the friend, El-Amin reportedly uttered the words “you are my sacrifice” before firing the gun. The man was shot in the hand as pieces of bone ricocheted into his eye, but he was able to wrestle the gun from El-Amin and shot him in the abdomen, before running off.

El-Amin overindulged in drugs that evening, and was so under the influence that he couldn't recall the events that took place. Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Thomas L. Johnson said in court that his office plans to reveal the connection between Hip-Hop culture and the secret society of the Illuminati.  Investigators on the scene, found a pound of chronic and literature that tied success in the music industry with the Illuminati. There was also mention of a book linking rapper 50 Cent to the mystical group.

El-Amin, a Richmond native, had no criminal record prior to this incident. The friend, who fired the retaliatory shot was not charged.

Milwaukee man busted for child support after bragging on Facebook

Being the voice of the people, entertaining and enlightening people isn't always an easy job. I want better for my people and I'm hoping if I post enough of these kinds of stories people will wake up. Doesn't appear to be getting through. Hip Hop Wired reports:

A deadbeat dad in Milwaukee was busted over missed child support payments, after he posted photos on Facebook, confirming his money flow.

Christopher Robinson is father of a two year old, but has yet to make a single child support payment. He told the court that he was financially strapped, and therefore unable to support the toddler.

Suspicious of his statements, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office was granted access to the 23-year-old's Facebook page, which featured several posts of him with “wads of cash and liquor.”

The photos may be incriminating enough to lead to Robinson's arrest. “It's a great investigation tool for us because it gives us a glimpse into their real lives that our targets may be living,” explained Milwaukee County Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern. “What a photograph enables us to do is if somebody has more money than maybe they are indicating they do, that allows us to apply to the court for a search warrant.

“Generally what we are trying to do is make sure that parents fulfill their responsibilities to their children.”

Robinson now faces several felony charges.

Alabama man "high on Jesus" strips naked outside of high school

I don't know what this man was high on, but I "highly" doubt it was Jesus. Stripping naked and urinating outside of a high school doesn't exactly sound very Christ-like. But, peep the the story from Hip Hop Wired:

An Alabama man was arrested for stripping naked outside a high school, Monday (March 18). The suspect was taken into custody over indecent exposure, but claimed that Jesus was his inspiration.

After taking his clothes off, Ronald Ray Fletcher began “parading himself” in front of a classroom window at Austin High School, telling a school official that he was “high on Jesus.”

Fletcher arrived on campus first attempting to check a student out of class, at around 2 p.m.
When he was turned away, Fletcher got inside his vehicle—which had the word “Blessed” on the license plate—and started causing trouble. “He got into his car, drove onto the grass, and began driving around and around in circles, on the grass, on the school property,” police spokesman, Lt. John Crough, said.

Fletcher threw hub caps at the school building, before being confronted by assistant principal, Will Green. “He got out his car, pulled his shirt off and raised his hands over his head,” Green said.
The 27-year-old asked Green about the student he was trying to check out, before disrobing.
“He came through the courtyard and he was dressed, but right outside our widow, the pants came off,” said senior, Morgan Hampton, who saw Fletcher from the window of her math class. “He was completely naked. His shirt was on the ground. His pants were on the ground. He was not ashamed of anything.”

Teachers put classes on lockdown, and closed all blinds.

Meanwhile, Fletcher urinated on the side of a car asking Green, “You want to watch? It's just water.”

School principal, Don Snow, tried to keep Fletcher out of students' view. “He kept trying to come out, and I would push him back between the cars,” Fletcher said. “He didn't try to fight me. He had a couple of comments about me putting my hands on him, and I told him I wouldn't have to put my hands on him if he did what I told him.”

Police arrested Fletcher and found no weapons in his possession, or inside the vehicle.

After the incident, the safety supervisor sent out an alert, mistaking Fletcher for another man who went up  to the school last March, and threatened to kill students.

Brooklyn teen shot 7 times by NYPD, details emerge after rioting

Brooklyn stand-up. It's time for people to start standing up against the violence coming from the police, who were sworn to protect and serve the community. So salute my people in BK. Hip Hop Wire reports:

New details surrounding the killing of 16-year-old Kimani 'Kiki' Gray have emerged, just two days after a candlelight vigil for the slain youth in Brooklyn erupted into a riot. The New York Times reports that Gray was hit with seven bullets in a hail of gunfire, according to the findings of an autopsy investigation. 

The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner revealed that three of the seven bullets struck Gray in the back. A total of 11 shots were fired last Saturday (March 9) night after NYPD officials say Gray pointed a .38-caliber revolver in their direction.  The boy was hit in his shoulder, forearm, ribs, thighs, left side, and back. Two plainclothes officers fired the shots although the examiner did not determine which bullet was the one that ended Gray's life.  The teenager's recovered gun was loaded and authorities found four bullets in the chamber.

Police say Gray was on the street with a group but went off on his own around 11:30 p.m. The plainclothes officers took notice, and said they saw Gray adjusting his waistband suspiciously. After being ordered to stop, Gray reportedly pulled out the handgun which prompted the response from the officers. John C. Cerar, the former commanding officer for firearms training at the Police Department, feels the shooting was done in a just manner.

“Most of the time, it's the person making a turn, or the position of the officers,” Cerar said regarding the shots to the back of Gray. Commissioner Ray Kelly also supported the officers' actions and Cerar referred to the incident as a “good shooting.”

Although police are sticking to their story, one witness has come forth and said Gray did not aim a gun at cops.  Tishana King told the New York Daily News that she got a good look at the incident from a third-story window.

"'I'm certain he didn't have anything in his hands," said King to the Daily News. King's son called 911 after the shooting took place, and police interviewed the woman for eight minutes. During the talk, King never mentioned anything about a gun in Gray's hands. "His (Gray's) hands were down,” she continued. “I couldn't believe he let off (fired) his gun. There was no reason. No false move."

As reported earlier, Gray was a suspected member of the Bloods street gang. Police obtained evidence that the boy was involved in gang activity based on videos discovered on the Internet.
East Flatbush residents, where Gray lived, carried out a second candlelight vigil last night (March 12) but the second gathering was peaceful after Monday's violent outburst. There will be another vigil held later tonight as well.

Sweet Brown seeks a $15 million pay day from Apple

After everybody had a big laugh last spring at the expense of Ms. Sweet Brown, she may be the one who gets the last laugh. She is apparently suing Apple for the "I Got Bronchitis" song. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Ever since Sweet Brown's uttered the words "Ain't nobody got time for that," she's been an Internet star. Tons of people have made reference to her "Lord Jesus it's a fire," craziness, and now she's firing back at Apple for using her image without paying up.

Brown, real name, Kimberly Wilkins, filed suit targeting the tech giant's iTunes imprint  for putting up a song that samples her voice, and not sending her a check.
Business Insider reports:

Sweet Brown is suing Apple, a radio program called The Bob Rivers Show, and a handful of other parties for unauthorized use of her likeness, according to court documents. 

The basis of the lawsuit stems from a song called "I Got Bronchitis." The Bob Rivers Show, according to Sweet Brown's complaint, produced the song with samples from Wilkins' interview with the local TV-news station. The song sampled phrases like, "Ain't nobody got time for that," "Ran for my life," and "Oh, Lord Jesus it's a fire." 

The suit claims that in April 2012, the defendants started selling the song on iTunes for profit. It also claims the radio program and its owner falsely advertised that Sweet Brown had given her consent for the radio station to use her voice and likeness in the song.

Filed last June in the District Court of Oklahoma County, the suit has been moved to the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. In addition to  attempting to recoup a massive amount of money in damages, Brown is having to represent herself since both her lawyers petitioned to be removed from the case. Her co-defendant, and alleged manager, Sparkle Adams, will represent herself as well.

Another issue plaguing her fight is the fact that Apple removed the song, and thanks to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act--which protects companies from similar lawsuits so long as the content in questions is taken down expeditiously--they may not be legally required to give her anything.

So it looks like Sweet Brown might want to stick to depending on TV appearances and local commercials to generate income.

2 men were arrested for weed found in their ice cream truck

If I had never seen Friday or never lived in the hood, this would come as a shock to me. But, neither is true, so I'm this comes as no surprise. Two men were arrested for selling weed out of an ice cream truck. Hip Hop Wired reports:

An El Paso duo was busted with greenery in their purple ice cream truck.

Elijah Sanchez and Anthony Arellano were pulled over Saturday (March 9) for having a cracked windshield, and expired registration, near a local high school. Further inspection uncovered much more than damage to the vehicle, causing a slow-thinking Sanchez to try to escape the scene on foot. He was still caught by police.

Police found two Tupperware bowls containing “a green leafy substance” on Sanchez, 19.  Arellano and Sanchez were both charged with possession of under 2 ounces, after more chronic was found inside the truck.

Running from cops added to charges against Sanchez, which now include evading arrest.
Arellano, 29, has been arrested on numerous occasions for felony charges, and has a possession of mar1juana charge stemming from 2006.

Ray Lewis officially joins ESPN a month after winning the Superbowl

You had to know that after announcing his retirement Ray Lewis wouldn't be able to stay away from sports and it wouldn't be long before Ray Lewis found something to occupy himself. Sports journalism at ESPN was the most obvious progression. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and 12-time Pro Bowler for the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Lewis, will officially join ESPN as a NFL studio analyst.

Lewis ended his legendary career after leading his Ravens to winning the Super Bowl in his final NFL game. He will join Stuart Scott, Steve Young, & Trent Dilfer by traveling to the site of each week's Monday Night Football game where he will offer analysis during the pre-game Countdown and post-game SportsCenter. Lewis will contribute to Sunday NFL Countdown throughout the season and make a weekly appearance on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning.

“ESPN is such a big part of how fans watch and experience sports, especially the NFL, so I'm excited to join their team," Lewis said in a press release. "I'm ready to bring the same level of passion to this next phase of my life as I brought to the field during my years as a player. I can't wait to work with my new teammates, many of whom I've already known for years.”

The 17-year NFL veteran will also have the opportunity to host specials similar to Jon Gruden's QB Camp series. He is expected to start on August 1.

FAMU hazing death suspect will plead guilty to charges

When parents send their children off to college, I'm sure none of them suspect they'd be sending their child off to die. In this case, they did and now the suspect behind the hazing death will be pleading guilty. Hip Hop Wired reports:

One of the suspects charged in the hazing death of Florida A&M student, Robert Champion has entered a guilty plea. According to his lawyer's announcement Friday (March 8), Caleb Jackson will take responsibility for his role in the death of the drum major. 

Jackson is expected to plead guilty to felony manslaughter charges as early as next month. “He has two hopes, the first being able to help the state with respect to understanding and getting a clearer picture of what happened the night Robert Champion died,” Jackson's attorney, Chuck Hobbs, said at a hearing at the Orange County Courthouse. “He is hopeful that he can play some small part in bringing closure to the family.”

According to Hobbs, prosecutors have not made any promises of leniency in exchange for his cooperation, but he's optimistic. “It would be his hope that by cooperating, such would bode well when it comes time for his sentencing,” Hobbs explained.

Jackson is currently incarcerated on a parole violation, and remains at the Leon County Jail.
Last week, it was announced that 12 former students would face felony manslaughter charges for Champion's 2010 death, which came by way of a vicious beating to the point of unconsciousness.
Champion's family members have since filed suit against the college.

6 month old baby shot 5 times in Chicago as father changed her diaper

Just yesterday I was talking to a guy from Chicago and he was telling me how rough it is in the city. We here at The Urban Advocate have been reporting on the on-going violence in the Windy City. Though it's hard to really feel their pain because I'm not in the city, my heart sinks when I hear stories like this baby who has been shot. Hip Hop Wired reports:

A six-month-old baby succumbed to wounds sustained from being shot alongside her father in Chicago. Little Jonylah Watkins was struck while her father changed her diaper, and passed away overnight, according to a family spokesperson. 

Watkins was rushed to Comer Children's Hospital at Chicago University Monday, and listed under serious-to-critical condition. Her father remains in the hospital, and has been notified of her death.  She sustained wounds to the liver, lung, shoulder, leg, and intestine.

Police are said to be searching for the suspect in the Woodlawn neighborhood, located on the city's South Side.

In a sad and ironic twist, Watkins' mother was shot in the knee while she was pregnant with the baby. "This mother is really hurt. We need everyone in Chicago praying for this family right now," said Rev. Cory Books, who is speaking on behalf of the family, and lives blocks away from where the shooting occurred. "For a baby to get shot is despicable. Whenever anyone shoots a baby, that's a cowardly act."

Jonathon Watkins, 28, is the child's father. He was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital under serious-to-critical condition. He is said to be a member of the gang, Gangster Disciples.
Witnesses stated that a gunman approached Jonathon at around 1 p.m. Monday and opened fire. He was hit in the buttocks, on his side, and had a bullet graze his face. "There's too much shooting over there," said the baby's grandmother, Mary Young. "She's nothing but 6 months old. How could anybody -- what kind of heart?"

The baby's death is perhaps the saddest of many tragic shootings in Chicago that have taken the lives of so many children. At the end of 2012, the Windy City closed out the year with over 500 homicides, and had more than 40 shooting deaths for the month of January.

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick found guilty on corruption charges

Corruption in government is nothing new. It's been going on since forever. But, of course, the Black Mayor is the one who gets his name in all the headlines for it. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was convicted of several corruption charges in federal court Monday (March 11) morning. While on trial for the past five months, Kilpatrick was the centerpiece of a scandal that highlighted a staggering abuse of power.

Kilpatrick, friend and business associate Bobby Ferguson, and the ex-mayor's father, Bernard Kilpatrick, were involved in a conspiracy by way of rigging city contracts in their favor and other various scams. The younger Kilpatrick faced the heaviest charges, as jurors found him guilty on 24 of 30 counts which included racketeering, extortion, bribery, and tax fraud.

Ferguson, a city contractor, was found guilty of 9 of the 11 counts he faced. The elder Kilpatrick was relatively unscathed, after being found guilty on just one of four charges. At 1:30 p.m., the men will face judge U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds for a detention hearing. The U.S. Attorney's Office is demanding that the trio be held.

This latest blow to the 42-year-old Kilpatrick adds to a legacy of controversy that spans well over a decade. In April 2003, exotic dancer Tamara Greene was shot and killed in what investigators said was a planned hit. Greene and Kilpatrick's wife were allegedly involved in an altercation during a 2002 party inside the mayor's mansion. It was reported that the gun used in the slaying was the same firearm issued by officers on Detroit's police force.

The current trial focused on a series of secret deals  helmed by the Kilpatricks and Ferguson,  involving a monopoly of city contracts and bullying of competition. Prosecutors dubbed the scam, the “Kilpatrick Enterprise.”

The criminal organization was taken down through a series of audio and video surveillance, 80 government witnesses and other records. Current Detroit Mayor and former NBA star Dave Bing offered a statement on the case. “I am pleased that this long trial has ended and we can finally put this negative chapter in Detroit's history behind us,”   he said. “It is time for all of us to move forward with a renewed commitment to transparency and high ethical standards in our City government.”

2 altercations between Consequence and Joe Budden on the same day

Man with each passing day it becomes more and more evident the rap game is just like WWE...a bunch of characters. And it disappoints me to see a lyricist as talented as Consequence behaving like a broad. A month after Joe Budden approaches him like a man to ask if there was an issue that needed to be resolved, Consequence tries to hit Budden with a sneak attack. XXLmag. com has more on the story:

The set of the “Love and Hip-Hop: New York” reunion show looked more like a WWE cage match yesterday, as Joe Budden and Consequence exchanged blows two times in the same night.

The on-going beef between the two emcees spilled over into yesterday’s taping of the show’s reunion episode when Cons reportedly “smacked the shit” out of Budden in response to last month’s heated exchange at Hot 97′s offices. The Slaughterhouse rapper rebuked the claims, saying the former G.O.O.D. Music rapper sucker-punched him from behind while on a smoke break with ex-girlfriend Tahiry Jose.

Budden went on to say that Tahiry  even managed to land a punch on Consequence before he could run away.

Tensions between the two didn’t end there, as Budden apparently made good on his promise to Angie Martinez to “go in the bathroom” and shoot the fair one with Consequence. After shooting wrapped, Budden intimated on Twitter that he and Cons duked it out for second time that night.




Consequence later responded to Budden’s taunts, saying that he won’t be pressing charges against the New Jersey rapper because, “Tahiry hit me harder” than Budden.

As previously mentioned, the feud began at Hot 97 after Budden approached Consequence over alleged comments that he and his girlfriend Jen the Pen made about Budden on the show.

WWE's Paul Bearer passes away at age 58

Man, how could it be? Paul Bearer is gone? So who's gonna bring The Undertaker and Kane back to life after they get buried in their next "Buried Alive Match"? Oh, well. LA Times reports:

Bill Moody, 58, who entertained WWE fans for years as the spooky manager "Paul Bearer," died Tuesday evening.

Moody debuted in the WWE as Bearer in 1991, managing the supernatural Undertaker. Bearer was a former funeral director who guided Undertaker to the WWE title, until turning on him to start managing Undertaker's brother, Kane.

Moody left WWE as a full-time perfomer in 2002, but had returned sporadically since then. The cause of his death was not immediately known.

"WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of William Moody, a.k.a. Paul Bearer," the company said in a statement.

"Moody made his WWE debut in 1991 as the manager of The Undertaker and went on to become a memorable part of WWE over the course of the next 20 years. Our deepest condolences go out to Moody’s family, friends and fans."

Before coming to WWE, Moody was well known as wrestling manager Percy Pringle.
Moody is survived by two sons, Michael and Daniel.

New York man wanted for infecting over 200 people with HIV

I keep telling people, it ain't safe in these streets. News broke they cured a baby with HIV...but chances are the baby was born with it and the disease was already in remission. It happens. But, please believe me, AIDS/HIV is real and it still kills. Just ask the 200 people in New York that have all been infected by this one man. So, ya'll either need to wrap it up or stay out these streets. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Police are looking for a 31-year-old man, wanted for purposely infecting hundreds of men and women with the HIV virus. Isaac Don Burks saw it as his duty to "infect as many people as possible" with HIV, a quest which he has been on for a decade.

Burks, of West New York, is facing indictments on eight counts of criminal transmission of HIV. Upon making their announcement about the suspect, prosecutors warned that Burks targets victims via popular gay websites, and apps like Grindr and Adam4Adam.

Additionally, the New York Health Department, has urged potential victims to get tested. "We want to make sure that anyone who may have injected drugs with, who may have had s-x with him, does come forward and get tested," said NYCHD spokeswoman, Kate Caraway. "We want to make sure that they're not spreading the virus to anyone else.

"This is the first time we've seen someone deliberately trying to spread HIV to so many."

While the exact number of those infected may be never known, one of Burks' victims described him as "sick in the head," saying that he alluded to passing the virus on to at least 300 people. According to the unidentified source, Burks used drugs and alcohol to bring the "guard down," of his conquests.
He is believed to have been infecting people in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, since 2003. The death of his mother has been cited as the source of his "downward spiral."

Burks is known to go by several aliases including Stephawn Burks, Isaac Levine, Stefan Burks,  Stefan Levine,, and Walter Brooks.

Anyone with information behind Burks' whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-CRIMESC (888-274-6372), and stands to earn a $100,000 reward.

Calls can be made anonymously.

 

Nick Cannon to portray Freeway Ricky Ross in biopic

When I first heard about this I must admit I was a little perplexed. I mean, with his squeaky clean image why would Nick want to portray a gangster? Does Ricky Ross approve of it? Yes, he does. Apparently, he's been wanting Cannon to portray him for over a decade now. For those of you who think Nick Cannon can't do it, just take into consideration that no one thought Jamie Foxx could portray the founder of the Crips, Tookie Williams...but, he did it and did it well. Hip Hop Wired reports:

All "Freeway" Ricky Ross has ever wanted was for his story to be told. Thanks to Nick Cannon, it looks like that will soon become a reality. 
According to the former drug kingpin, Cannon has signed on to portray him in an upcoming biopic. "It's time to tell the Story of C*caine, Contras and America. This is the story of the real Scarface!" Freeway posted on his Facebook page.
"I've been wanting him to play my role since '96. We got hooked up, I met him I love his personality, know what I'm saying?" said Freeway in a YouTube clip.
 
"We family now, we are going to get this thing right. However long it takes, his story has got to be told," Cannon added.
Rick Ross the rapper, real name William Roberts, has been publicly condemned by Freeway Rick despite losing a court case that allowed the Maybach Music Group CEO to keep the stage name.
Last year, Freeway Ricky Ross was ordered to pay $500,000 of Rozay's legal fees. The minor setback didn't stop him from pursuing his case, stating shortly after that he intended on deposing Lyor Cohen, Todd Moskowitz and Sean "Diddy" Combs.

County locks down all schools because of the Fresh Prince theme song

Apparently there are people in this world that are threatened by lyrics by one of the least threatening rappers in the history of Hip-Hop. It was threatening enough that a whole county in Pennsylvania lockdown all of their schools behind it. Allhiphop.com reports:

The theme song to legendary 1990′s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” caused panic in a Western Pennsylvania town earlier this week.

All schools in Beaver County in Ambridge, Pennsylvania were locked down on Thursday (February 28), after a line from the sitcom’s theme song was mistaken as a threat.

The bizarre incident began when a receptionist for a local eye doctor’s office called a 19-year-old student’s phone.

Travis Clawson’s greeting featured him imitating the line from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme that says “shooting some B-ball outside of school.”

The receptionist thought Clawson said “shooting people outside of the school.”

The receptionist called local police, who contacted administrators at Ambridge High School.

When Clawson could not be located, local police issued a countywide lockdown of all schools in the district.

Clawson was later found in the guidance a guidance counselor’s office in Ambridge High School.

Police “swarmed” Clawson and took him into custody. The teen said he meant no harm when he was imitating Will Smith.

Local District Attorney Anthony Berosh confirmed that Clawson was imitating the rap song, and was released without being charged.

Clawson was however, encouraged to change his message.

Another fast food chain has used horse meat in their food

A few weeks ago we reported that Burger King admitted to possibly serving meat that contained horse meat. Now, it's being reported that Taco Bell has also used horse meat in their food. Hip Hop Wired reports:

First Ikea, and now Taco Bell is the latest company to have used horse meat in their products, in the U.K. A test conducted by Britain's Food Standards Agency concluded that the fast food restaurant was using more than just beef and chicken in their burritos, tacos, and whatever other concoctions they offer.

After conducting their own test, Taco Bell found that there were in fact traces of horse DNA in the meat. The company released a statement apologizing to its customers, and blamed the incident on their European supplier. “Based on that testing, we learned ingredients supplied to us from one supplier in Europe tested positive for horse meat,” the statement said. “We immediately withdrew it from sale, and discontinued purchase of that meat and contacted the Food Standards Agency with this information.”

The horse meat has since been pulled from all three Taco Bell locations in Britain.
Taco Bell wants to make it clear that their domestic locations are not involved in the horse meat scandal.  “Our domestic restaurants have not been, and will not be, impacted because we do not use any meat from Europe,” the company said in a statement to Hip-Hop Wired.  “We stand for quality and we use 100% premium beef.  Like all beef in the United States, ours is USDA inspected and then passes our own 20 quality checkpoints.”

Horse meat being passed off as something else, seems to be a growing trend. In addition to Ikea's Swedish meatballs being made of horse, Burger King admitted to using the animal meat in their burger patties.

No Limit artists react to Magic passing

Yesterday while on air for The Vincent Tucker Radio Show, we were alerted that former No Limit artist Magic passed away. Magic was actually one of my favorite artists from the No Limit era...so I have to send a R.I.P. shout out to him and his wife. Allhiphop.com got reactions from his No Limit family:

Former No Limit Records rapper Mr. Magic perished in a car crash on Friday (March 1), in Mississippi.

According to reports, the tragedy happened in Hattiesburg, where the deadly car crash claimed the lives of Mr. Magic, born Awood Johnson and his wife, Chastity.

The couple’s 12-year-old daughter survived the crash, according to the Times-Picayune.
A number of artists associated with No Limit Records tweeted out condolences to Mr. Magic and his family.

“RIP to my brother, Mr. Magic and his wife,” Mystikal tweeted. “God bless their families.”
Mia X was supposed to perform with Mr. Magic on Friday, when she received the tragic news.

Silkk the Shocker also tweeted, "Prayers goes to the Family and Friends of Mr. Magic. him and Wife died in a car accident last night.."

“I looked forward tp performing and laughing with you on friday but God chose you to be with him,” Mia X said. Chasity was the LOVE of your life so God decided that she should join you. I know yall are in a better place but all of us who loved yall are shocked and hurt.”

Magic released three albums for No Limit Records, before leaving the label and forming the Body Headbangaz featuring Roy Jones Jr.

In 2004, the group hit the charts with the single “I Smoke, I Drank” which also featured Atlanta rap artists YoungBloodZ on the remix.