George Zimmerman pulled over in North Texas

This story sickens me for a different reason than it does everyone else. I live in North Texas. And I distinctively remember a bunch of people here talking all slick about the guy a few weeks ago. Now he's in your backyard and I see people on Facebook talking about, "Hide your sons!!!" Seriously?! What happened to all that tough, revolution talk you was talking after the verdict. He's here. Anyways...CBS News has the story:

(CBS) FORNEY, Texas - George Zimmerman, the former Florida neighborhood watch leader cleared of all charges in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, was pulled over for speeding in North Texas on Sunday, CBS DFW reports.

According to the station, Zimmerman was armed when officers pulled him over on Highway 80 in Forney, east of Dallas.

The officer reportedly did not recognize Zimmerman, who was driving a Honda pickup. Zimmerman told the officer he was armed and was then told to put the weapon in his glove compartment, according to the station. The officer then told Zimmerman he could go on his way if he had no criminal issues.

The incident was captured on the officer's dashcam.

At some point during the traffic stop, Zimmerman asked the officer whether he recognized him from television and the officer said he did not, the station reports.

When asked where he was going, the 29-year-old Zimmerman reportedly told the officer, no place in particular. He was released on a warning.

Zimmerman had been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. His acquittal prompted rallies nationwide calling for a civil rights probe, and the case has sparked debate about race and self-defense laws.

George Zimmerman acquitted of all charges

Not surprised by the verdict...the writing has been on the wall for the past few weeks. So, as oppose to going on a rant about how people aren't going to do anything about it like I normally would right about now, I'm going to sit back for the next couple of weeks and give people the opportunity to prove me wrong for a chance. Liz Goodwin of Yahoo! News reports:

SANFORD, Fla--George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watchman whose trial for the killing of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin riveted viewers and sparked a national conversation about race and justice, was found not guilty on all charges Saturday.

Zimmerman, 29, was acquitted on charges of second-degree murder in the death of Martin, a 17 year old whom the defendant shot during a scuffle in a nearby gated community on Feb 26, 2012. The six-woman jury also found Zimmerman not guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The jury signaled they had reached a verdict 9:45 pm ET and filed into the courtroom around 10 pm. After the verdict was read, Judge Debra Nelson polled the jurors to make sure each agreed with the decision. She then told Zimmerman he was free to go.

Zimmerman showed little emotion as the verdict was announced.

The decision from the jury had been expected to spark outrage from Martin family supporters who say the teen's death was ignored by police and prosecutors for weeks because of his race. Martin was black, and Zimmerman is half white and half Hispanic. But more than an hour after court was adjourned, only a handful of demonstrators were outside the courthouse and they were heavily outnumbered by members of the media trying to interview them.

Estefania Galvez, a protester with the national "Justice for Trayvon" group, said protesters will hold a press conference on Sunday at the courthouse to announce a national day of protest on Monday. There were reports of some demonstrations in other cities sparking late Saturday night. Dozens of people marched in San Francisco holding signs in support of Martin, and another spontaneous rally was reported in Washington D.C.

Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, were not in the courtroom when the verdict was read. They later tweeted thanks to their supporters.

"Lord during my darkest hour I lean on you. You are all that I have. At the end of the day, GOD is still in control," Fulton tweeted. "Thank you all for your prayers and support. I will love you forever Trayvon!!! In the name of Jesus!!!"

Tracy Martin, Trayvon's father, tweeted, "Even though I am broken hearted my faith is unshattered I WILL ALWAYS LOVE MY BABY TRAY," he wrote.

The jurors deliberated 12 hours on Saturday--including a one-hour lunch during which they were allowed to discuss the case--before alerting the court that they would like the attorneys to clarify the charge of manslaughter. The attorneys on both sides told the jury that they could not speak about the charge "in general terms" but would be happy to answer a more specific question.

The jury never sent back a more specific inquiry. They only made one other request during their deliberations--for an itemized list of all the evidence presented during the trial on Friday. They reached their verdict after 16 hours of deliberating over two days. The jurors, whose identities are protected by a court order, declined an opportunity to talk to the media after the verdict.

In a televised three-week trial, jurors heard the defense and prosecution each paint very different pictures of the night in question. Zimmerman was an angry “wannabe cop” who was seething with anger at a rash of break-ins in his neighborhood when he pursued and shot Martin, the state has argued. The defense, meanwhile, maintained Zimmerman was within his rights to follow and question Martin, and that it was the teen who became violent, prompting Zimmerman to shoot as a way to save his own life."

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The case ignited a national debate over self-defense laws and race, prompting marches and demonstrations around the country. Local leaders have urged members of the community to remain peaceful no matter what verdict the jury hands down.

The prosecution failed to convince the jury that Zimmerman had “a depraved mind without regard for human life” when he shot Martin, which was required for second-degree murder. A lesser manslaughter conviction could have been handed down if the jury believed Zimmerman had no lawful reason to kill Martin, even if he bore Martin no ill will. The law says if Zimmerman had a “reasonable” belief that his own life was in jeopardy or that he could suffer bodily harm from Martin, he was justified in killing him.

At a press conference following the verdict, prosecutors expressed disappointment with the outcome but urged the community to remain calm.

"We have from the beginning just prayed for the truth to come out and for peace to be the result and that continues to be our prayers," prosecutor John Guy said.

But prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda insisted the fundamentals of the case should have favored the prosecution. "We respect the jury's verdict but really this is about a kid being followed by a stranger," de la Rionda said.

Benjamin Crump, a civil rights attorney advising the Martin family, echoed that plea. "For Trayvon to rest in peace, we must all be peaceful," Crump said at a press conference.

Zimmerman's defense attorney, Mark O'Mara, told reporters that he believed Zimmerman will now try to return to a normal life. O'Mara said that Zimmerman was used as a "scapegoat" by people who wanted to create a civil rights violation, and was thus overcharged in the crime. "It certainly wouldn't have happened if he was black," O'Mara said of his client being charged with murder.

O'Mara also compared the media to "mad scientists" who had turned his client into a "monster" with shoddy reporting.

O'Mara mentioned that he will vigorously defend any forthcoming civil charges against his client, and that he may seek to recoup some of Zimmerman's defense costs from the state.

Witnesses gave conflicting testimony over who was the aggressor of the fight and both Zimmerman's family and Martin's family have claimed it was their relative who could be heard screaming for help in the background of a 911 call during the fight.

Zimmerman wasn’t arrested in the shooting for weeks, after a public outcry. Bill Lee, then the police chief of Sanford, said Zimmerman was justified under Florida’s stand your ground self defense law.

Lee lost his job after the incident, and a special prosecutor was appointed to argue the case.

Obamacare delayed until 2015

Well it looks like those who oppose Obamacare have a few more years to avoid it before it goes into effect. Hip Hop Wired reports:

On Tuesday (July 3) evening, it was announced that a key portion of the Affordable Care Act that requires employers to provide health care to its employees will be pushed back until 2015.

The employer mandate, or as the White House calls it, the “shared responsibility” rules, will not require employers to cover their workers or penalize them for not doing so. The sudden change in the three-year-old law was a shock for some and gave fuel to critics of Obamacare.

Mark J. Mazur, Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, detailed the change on the Treasury Department's blog.

From Mark J. Mazur:

The Administration is announcing that it will provide an additional year before the ACA mandatory employer and insurer reporting requirements begin. This is designed to meet two goals. First, it will allow us to consider ways to simplify the new reporting requirements consistent with the law. Second, it will provide time to adapt health coverage and reporting systems while employers are moving toward making health coverage affordable and accessible for their employees.

Business owners with more than 50 workers would have been mandated by the ACA to provide health insurance starting in 2014, or pay a penalty of $2,000 per employee. The push back from employers was an extremely effective one, prompting the Obama administration to implement the pause in the law.

The owners claimed that the law would have hurt small businesses attempting to thrive in the slowly recovering economy. Let us know what you think of this new revelation in the comments.

Nelson Mandela still fighting for his life

I hate to say this, but it may be time to go ahead and take him off life support. If I was this far gone, I wouldn't want my family to keep me hooked up, but that's just me. Hip Hop Wired has more on his condition:

Nelson Mandela is in a "vegetative state," and family members were encored to remove him from life support over a week ago, according to court papers.The 94-year-old has been in and out of the hospital for the last several months.

Mandela's sickness has not stopped the battle between family members that resulted in the remains of the ex-South African president's two children being moved to another grave site.

From the New York Times:

Nelson Mandela's eldest grandson on Thursday ended his fight over where to bury the remains of the ailing former president's three deceased children, but the family's messy and highly public feud grew more acrimonious.

At a news conference in the village of Mvezo in Eastern Cape province, Mandla Mandela said he would not challenge a court ruling ordering the exhumation of the remains, which he had secretly taken to Mvezo two years ago, allegedly to ensure that his grandfather would be buried there. The 94-year-old anti-apartheid hero has said that he wants to be buried next to his children, but in Qunu, the village where he grew up.

The remains were reburied Thursday at their original site in Qunu following forensic tests to determine the children's identities and a solemn ceremony that family members and elders of Mandela's clan attended.

“I was denied the right to be heard,” Mandla Mandela said. “I will not challenge this further; it will serve no purpose.”

But he lashed out at his relatives, accusing them of seeking to claim Mandela's legacy for ulterior motives.

“This is the very family who has taken their own grandfather to court for his money,” Mandla Mandela said, referring to legal efforts by his aunts to take control of companies set up by Nelson Mandela to manage royalties from the sale of his art.

Officials have not confirmed new reports that Mandela is on life support. The elderly leader has been in the hospital for nearly a month, for a recurring lung infection. His daughters are currently fighting his lawyer for control of the Mandela estate, estimated at over $1 million.

74 people shot is Chicago over holiday weekend

Once again, I'm hoping if I post about this enough, someone will do something about the war going on in the streets of Chicago. This is insane. Hip Hop Wired has the story:

Seriously, how long before Chicago is officially named a federal disaster area? At least 74 people were shot in Chicago over the holiday weekend beginning Wednesday, July 3.

The Chicago Tribune reports:

One man was killed and six other people wounded in two South Side shootings Sunday, authorities said.

In the latest incident, five people were shot in the 11300 block of South Forest Avenue in Roseland about 8:10 p.m. in what was believed to be a landlord-tenant dispute, officials said.

Sunday's attacks brought to at least 74 the number of people shot since Wednesday afternoon in Chicago, with 12 of those victims killed.

Four people were transported in serious-to-critical condition from the Forest Avenue shooting by Chicago Fire Department ambulances, fire department spokesman Chief Juan Hernandez said. A fifth person was taken to Roseland Hospital in good-to-fair condition, Hernandez said.

These aren't just gang members offing each other. Two young boys, ages five and seven, were shot on July 4 and are in critical condition.

San Francisco plane crash leaves 2 dead and 181 injured

You never want to hear about someone dying like this but there are some dangers to flying. Two passengers are now dead and more than 100 more injured after a plane crash in California. Hip Hop Wired reports:

An Asiana Airlines aircraft crash landed at San Francisco International Airport Saturday (July 6) killing two people, and injuring 181. The plane was returning from South Korea.

One passenger happened to be Samsung Executive Davi Eun, who tweeted about the crash writing "Tail ripped off. most everyone seems fine. i'm ok. Surreal."

From USA Today:

There were 307 on board, including 16 crew. Officials said 123 escaped without injury and 181 were hospitalized or treated for injuries. Among the injured, 49 are in serious condition and five at San Francisco General Hospital, including a child, remain in critical condition. Among the 47 others at San Francisco General, several were treated for minor injuries, including fractures and abrasions, and were released Saturday night.

"It was all over in 10 seconds," says Vedpa Singh, who suffered a fractured collarbone. "We heard a big bang, and it was over."

The cause of the crash has not been determined, but the FBI has ruled out terrorism. The Boeing 777 appeared to have touched down tail-first and short of the runway. A sheered off tail section rested several hundred feet from the main body of the aircraft, and debris from the plane littered the runway. Passenger Janghyung Lee told USA TODAY that the aircraft rattled wildly before landing.

The two people who died in the crash were found outside the heavily damaged jetliner. Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said late Saturday that she did not know the ages or genders of the victims.

Authorities from the National Tranpsortation Safety Board, and the Federal Aviation Administration are looking for the cause of the crash. The plane's "black box," which records conversations in the cockpit, has been recovered. "Everything is still on the table," NTSB Chariman Deborah Hersman said on Sunday's Meet the Press. "It's really important to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together."

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, used her social media platform to share that she was supposed to be on the plane, but changed flights at the last minute. The website, Gawker.com accused Sandberg of using "disaster as publicity."

Brazilian rapper shot and killed on stage

Wow, we all know entertainers receive death threats, but I've never seen one shot and killed in public. Brazil isn't all beaches and big butts. R.I.P. to MC Daleste. Hip Hop Wired has more on his death:

A rapper named MC Daleste was shot and killed while performing while performing Saturday night in Campinas, a town near Sao Paulo.

The Los Angeles Times reports:

The 20-year-old, whose birth name was Daniel Pellegrine, was rapping to a crowd at a public housing complex when he was attacked, according to Billboard, which cited local news sources. After the incident, he was rushed to an area hospital, where he died, the publication said.

No information has been released on arrests or potential suspects in the case.

Video of the shooting shows the musician breezing through a mid-tempo hip-hop track before the crowd when he suddenly collapses and falls to the ground.

Last week in northern Brazil, a referee stabbed and killed a soccer player after an argument over a call. It led to the ref being decapitated by the dead player's fans.

As for the killing of Daleste, there is extremely graphic video footage of the shooting (it presently has more than 4oo million views) on the next page.

50 Cent's tumultuous week

50 Cent is one of the smartest business men in Hip Hop history, but as of late he's come up on some hard times in his personal life. Hip Hop Wired reports:

The trend of rappers losing endorsement deals and gigs because of their suspect behavior continues. Thanks to domestic violence charges that were recently levied against him, 50 Cent has been dropped from performing at Major League Baseball's All-Star Bash part/concert in NYC this weekend.

TMZ reports:

TMZ broke the story ... 50 was charged with domestic violence last week following the alleged domestic dispute at his baby mama's house in California in June, during which he allegedly kicked her and destroyed a bunch of her property (more than $7,000 worth).

50 was supposed to perform at the MLB party on July 14th along with Kaskade, but sources tell TMZ, MLB officials decided not to move forward with the alleged GF-kicker.

50's name appeared on the original flyer for the event ... but the event's Facebook page is now updated, and advertises 2 "surprise performances" for the party.

MLB hasn't returned our calls to confirm 50 was cut as a direct result of the domestic violence charges.

50's people haven't gotten back to us either.

50 denies that he assaulted his baby mama Daphne Jay, The is is just the latest in bad publicity for Fif, whose latest LP, Street King Immortal, has been stuck in album push back limbo for a couple of years now. Recently, an ugly text exchange between the Queens rapper and his 16-year-old son was made public.

Lauryn Hill turns herself in for her 3 month prison sentence

The days of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill are long gone. Despite her turbulent road since 1998, I never want to see a great artist go to prison, for any reason short of physically causing harm to people. Ms. Hill has officially turned herself in to prison. Hip Hop Wired reports:

Uncle Sam doesn't care who you are. If you try to front on his dough, you either pay up or go to jail, or even both. The latter is the case for Lauryn Hill, who started her three-month prison sentence for tax evasion today. 

TMZ reports: 

Ready or not ... Lauryn Hill has just reported to federal prison in Connecticut, where she will begin her 3 month sentence for tax evasion, TMZ has learned.

Officials tell TMZ ... the former Fugees singer was booked into the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury at 11:15 AM EST.

We're told the FCI is a "minimum security type facility" where inmates live in "barracks type" housing.

We're also told 38-year-old Hill will not be isolated in the facility -- and will be housed with the general population.

As we previously reported, Hill pled guilty last year to three counts of tax evasion for failing to file returns on $1.8 million she earned from 2005 to 2007.

This entire saga has been struggle for Ms. Hill. She did pay the IRS back, while also partially blaming her failure to pay her taxes on slavery. Hill also signed a label deal with Columbia Records to help raise the funds to pay the back taxes.

Our thoughts are with Lauryn Hill's children during this tumultuous time.

Review: Jay-Z- Magna Carta Holy Grail

Grade:

C

When it was first announced that Jay would be dropping a new album on Independence Day through Samsung, I think the world was ready to come to a screeching halt. I mean we haven't heard a solo Jay-Z album in years. But, since it's release on the 4th of July, the reactions to Magna Carta... Holy Grail have varied. I can sum this album up with a statement I heard someone say about Jay on MTV years ago: Even on his worse day, he's still better than half these other rappers out here.

Magna Carta... Holy Grail features production from Timbaland, Swizz Beats, Pharrell, Hit-Boy and Boi-1da and appearances from Nas, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce. In my humble opinion, the album rests more on the producers shoulders than on the lyricism that Jay-Z is known for. One track where Jay doesn't get out shined by the production is on the title track featuring Justin Timberlake, "Holy Grail". This is probably one of the most sonically pleasing tracks on the album, Justin smashes the hook and while Jay is able to deliver his classic reflective lyrics and manages to not get left behind with this track. Next on "Picasso Baby", Jay treats fans to another classic Jay-Z/Timbaland collaboration that sounds reminiscent of Life and Times of S. Carter Vol. 3. "Somewhere in America" produced by Hit-Boy is a track that shows both Jay and Hit-Boy at their finest. A song that might sound slightly out of place on this album but still may be one of the more memorable songs is "BBC" featuring Nas produced by Timbaland and Pharrell. Another high point on the album comes with "Jay-Z Blue" where you start to see little glimpses into Jay-Z's "daddy issues" and how it not only affects his confidence as a father but his marriage. That type of transparency is refreshing coming from Jay who is normally pretty tight lipped about his private life.

Overall, Magna Carta... Holy Grail is solid. Listening to this album it becomes profoundly apparent the "old" Jay-Z is gone. His latest effort is reflective of where he is in life at this point; he's achieved the type of success most people fantasize about while dealing with the pitfalls that come with that success. But again, at some points during this album, Jay gets outdone by the production; especially on tracks when it sounds like he's trying to emulate the sound and flows that dominate current radio hits as oppose to staying in his lane. I encourage people to listen to this album on their own; I may be a little bias because I prefer the "old" Jay-Z compared to this new "I'm in my 40s trying to stay relevant with people half my age" Jay-Z. Some of the songs sounded better upon a second listen and may grow on me after a while after the hype around it dies down. But for now, I'm underwhelmed by Magna Carta... But again I say, listen to it and judge for yourself.

Review: J. Cole- Born Sinner

Grade:
B

There are very few artists from the new generation of rappers that I cosign. J. Cole is one of the few that makes the cut. Though honestly I'm not familiar with his entire catalog, when I do hear the Carolina representative spit, he rarely disappoints me. So after hearing the solid first single"Power Trip" featuring Miguel and found out he was set to release his second effort on the same day as Kanye, I was wondering if he would be able to avoid the sophomore slump while competing with one of the biggest names in the business. And BOY did he!

Born Sinner was produced by J. Cole almost in it's entirety. Which is refreshing for two reason: first because that means the tracks weren't produced by the producers that does everyone else tracks these days so sonically it sounds different. Secondly, because it shows J. Cole's has range. The album opens up with a tongue and cheek track entitled, "Villuminati", where Cole puts to rest any rumors that he's down with the New World Order since joining the Roc. Then, Cole redoes an Outkast classic on "LAnd of the Snakes" where he flexes his own story telling ability. Later in the album, Cole  taps into his inspirational side with the album's second single featuring the surviving members of TLC, "Crooked Smile". On "Crooked Smile" Cole encourages people to embrace their flaws and allow their inner beauty to outshine their physical shortcomings. Next, was "Let Nas Down" the most talked about non-single song on the album, where Cole tells the story of how he felt he disappointed his idol with some of his career steps. He closes the album with the very soulful and introspective "Born Sinner" featuring James Fauntleroy. Cole digs deep and reflects on his journey to success in the music business.

Overall, Born Sinner is a good album and is possibly one of the best rap albums released in 2013. Other stand out tracks on the album "Chaining Day" and "Rich N****z". If you are looking for a bunch of radio hits and club bangers, you won't get them with this album. This is an album for hip-hop heads so ride in the car with the windows down. Again, J. Cole has yet to disappoint me. Wouldn't go as far as calling myself a fan, but I can definitely appreciate his music and definitely see the potential. As long as he continues to grow artistically, he'll never let Nas down again.

~ Remon