Ted Nugent Feels That Trayvon Martin Got What He Deserved

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Aw, man. From Huffington Post:

In an interview aired on Maine’s WGAN Saturday, the 64-year-old Detriot native mentioned Martin when the discussion turned to recent protests of his New Haven, Conn., concert, according to the New Haven Register. Protests were planned in response to Nugent’s recent description of Martin as a “dope smoking, racist gangsta wannabe,” Hartford’s WFSB reported. Thousands have signed a petition asking Toad’s Place in New Haven to cancel the Aug. 6 show.

On Saturday, he doubled down on those very comments.

“Trayvon got justice,” he said, according to the Register. He reportedly added that the 17-year-old was a “gangsta wannabe” who had a “bloodthirst,” a quality he claims is supported by the fact Martin was eager to “get into fights with people.”

Last month, the “Motor City Madman” made headlines for comments he made about the Zimmerman trial in an op-ed for conservative news site, Rare.us. Nugent wrote that Zimmerman should sue Martin’s family for emotional suffering.

“Trayvon Martin’s vicious attack on George Zimmerman and Martin’s tragic death have no doubt surely dragged Mr. Zimmerman through 18 months of untold emotional hell, pain, distress, anguish, fatigue, nightmares and financial ruin,” he wrote. “Again, following the narrative of the pro-Trayvon media types and other race-baiters, if Trayvon Martin was a minor, then Trayvon Martin’s parents may be held liable for the emotional pain and suffering Mr. Zimmerman has been put through for the past 18 months, and surely for the rest of his life.”

Still, Nugent has insisted he is “anti-racist.”

UPDATE: 50 Cent Pleads Not Guilty In Domestic Violence Case

UPDATE: TMZ got some footage of 50 Cent leaving the courtroom following his hearing (among other things, he has to give up his guns)…..he was also hit with some additional papers on the way out….

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From CNN:

Rapper 50 Cent entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence and vandalism charges in a Los Angeles County court Monday.

The 37-year-old artist — whose real name is Curtis Jackson — was ordered to return to the Van Nuys, California, courtroom on September 4 for a pretrial hearing for one count of domestic violence and four counts of vandalism, according to a court spokeswoman.

Model-actress Daphne Joy, who has a child with Jackson, accused her ex-boyfriend of kicking her and ransacking the bedroom during an argument at her condo in the Toluca Lake neighborhood in Los Angeles on June 23, according to the Los Angeles city attorney. Authorities allege Jackson caused $7,100 in damage to property and left the scene before police arrived.

If convicted on all five counts, Jackson would face up to five years in jail and $46,000 in fines.

DMC Did Not Diss JAY Z & Lil Wayne (Or So He Says)

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I missed this, but apparently there are some rumors that DMC dissed Hov & Weezy (alleged quotes can be found here). DMC has since responded to those allegations by way of Illseed and AllHipHop, which you can read in full below:

I could never DISS Lil Wayne or Jay Z!

They are very good and successful at what they do! I would and could never disrespect either of these two men!

Their success is my success!

I love and respect Lil Wayne! He treats me well and is very very nice to me and my family!

And Jay Z inspired me and assured me that great Hip Hop will exist forever in all generations and eras when he dropped Hard Knock Life, which one of my favorite Hip Hop songs ever! Hard Knock is incredible to me!

After reading the negative comments coming at all of us, I had to personally apologize to my two fellow artist!

I do not like negative shit! I cannot tolerate anything that will divide us and our Hip Hop Culture!

The power is in Wayne, D and Jay standing side by side representing this sacred culture together! No matter how “different” we may be!

Now with that being said, the point I was trying to make is that Jay and Wayne(and even me when I was on radio all day) aren’t the only ones that are so called “hot” because there is a lot of talent that may be just as “hot” and even better, but they don’t get heard on the radio.

All I’m saying is a DJ should be able to discover an incredible ass rapper in any city state or country today, and be able to come on the air tomorrow, and play that song…but he or she can’t…because of programming!

Alex Rodriguez Suspended Through 2014 Season; Other Players Suspended

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Damn….baseball is really messed up right now, but I’d imagine that this would be a step in the right direction for the sport. From ESPN:

Major League Baseball came down heavy Monday on the players it found to have been involved with the South Florida clinic Biogenesis, suspending Alex Rodriguez through the end of the 2014 season and banning 12 others for 50 games, including three All-Stars Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers, Everth Cabrera of the San Diego Padres and Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers.

Rodriguez is expected to appeal the suspension, equivalent to 211 regular-season games, and will be allowed to play until his appeal is heard, sources told ESPN’s T.J. Quinn.

The players’ union made a late appeal to MLB for a deal for Rodriguez but was told there would be no more negotiations, sources said. He was punished under the Joint Drug Agreement and other areas of the league’s collective-bargaining agreement but will be allowed to play while he appeals.

The 12 other players agreed to deals for their suspensions in which they gave up the right to appeals. The other nine are:

• Antonio Bastardo, Phillies reliever
• Francisco Cervelli, Yankees catcher (on DL)
• Jordany Valdespin, Mets outfielder (minors)
• Jesus Montero, Mariners catcher (minors)
• Cesar Puello, Mets outfielder (minors)
• Sergio Escalona, Astros pitcher (minors)
• Fernando Martinez, Yankees outfielder (minors)
• Fautino De Los Santos, free-agent pitcher
• Jordan Norberto, free-agent pitcher

Beyond Rodriguez, the suspensions come with potentially stiff consequences for at least two of the players and their teams. Cruz, Cabrera and Peralta were each All-Stars this season, with Cruz’s Rangers and Peralta’s Detroit Tigers contending for playoff berths.

Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun was the first player to reach an agreement with MLB on a suspension for his connection to the Biogenesis case. The 2011 NL MVP accepted a season-ending 65-game suspension last month.

The Yankees have said they expected Rodriguez to be accused of recruiting other athletes for the clinic, attempting to obstruct MLB’s investigation and not being truthful with MLB in the past when he discussed his relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, who pleaded guilty two years ago to a federal charge of bringing unapproved drugs into the United States from Canada.

The Yankees also expected Rodriguez to be eligible to play Monday night, sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney, because they expected his suspension to be tied solely to a drug-policy violation and thus eligible to be appealed.

ARTWORK/TRACKLISTING: Ariana Grande – Yours Truly (UPDATE)

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UPDATE: We previously posted the below artwork as the official one, but — perhaps in response to it’s release — Ariana Grande and her team have change their minds. The new one, above, should serve as the official cover for the album that drops September 3rd.

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Check out Ariana Grande’s artwork for the upcoming Yours Truly, due September 3rd….tracklisting below.

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1. Baby, I
2. Honeymoon Avenue
3. Voodoo Love
4. My Piano
5. The Way (feat. Mac Miller)
6. Tatooed Heart
7. You Will Never Know
8. Right There (feat. Big Sean)
9. Almost Is Never Enough (feat. Nathan Skyes)
10. Boyfriend Material
11. Pink Champagne
12. Lovin It

Bonus Tracks:
13. The Way (Remix) (ft. Fabolous)
14. Supervised (feat. Justin Bieber)
15. Direct Contact (feat. Demi Lovato)

Chicago Spends $1 Million To Hire Ex-Gang Members In Violence Prevention Program

Above is Al Jazeera’s video on the story, which is trippy in itself. From ThisIs50:

At least 252 people have been killed in Chicago so far in 2013. In 2012 there were 506 murders in the Windy City. Most of the deaths can be attributed to gang violence.

The city has spent $1 million to hire CeaseFire, a violence prevention program consisting of ex-gang members with the hope they can broker truces between gangs.

Al Jazeera’s John Hendren reports from Chicago.

Justin Bieber Gets In Bloody Brawl At Nightclub?

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4umf Reports:

Super-brat Bieber, wearing sunglasses and a backwards hat, showed up around 2 a.m. at the South Pointe nightclub with an entourage and took over the VIP section.

Multiple sources told us he was accompanied by four “intimidating” and “overbearing” bodyguards. Partygoers trying to take photos of the 19-year-old had flashlights shined in their faces by Biebs’ security team. “They were heavy-handed in their protection of him,” said one person who was at the club.

A tall blond attempted to enter the VIP area but returned to her friends a few minutes later, saying, “They wouldn’t let me talk to Justin.”

A short time after that, a source tells us, a female clubgoer tried to chat up the “Baby” singer, and her male friend and Bieber had a heated exchange.

“He (Bieber) ripped his shirt off and went nuts. He was screaming,” says the source. Security moved in, and Bieber was taken from the club out to the parking lot, where his SUVs were waiting.

Sources tell us that at this point the earlier altercation reignited and club patrons, Bieber’s friends and the star’s security team were involved in a fight; one witness reported seeing blood.

This latest saga caps off a week of typically obnoxious behavior from the pop star and his entourage. On Friday, Confidenti@l reported that Bieber’s tour bus driver was seen driving from one door of the singer’s hotel to another to torment the young fans who had been waiting.

Last Tuesday, Bieber stuck a fan’s iPhone down his pants during his concert in Newark. That came days after pictures emerged that appeared to show Bieber spitting on fans from his hotel balcony in Toronto.

Chief Keef Ordered To Pay 230,000 To Team Major For London No-Show

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TMZ reports:

The 17-year-old rapper was sued by a concert promotion company called Team Major back in March … which claimed Keef screwed ‘em over by bailing on a London gig — set to go down Dec. 29th 2012.

TM claimed Keef’s stunt cost them OVER $75,000, including his advance.

Now the lesson part: according to docs, Chief NEVER bothered to respond to TM’s suit. After FOUR months of radio silence a judge ruled in favor of Team Major … simply by default.

Then the judge stuck it to Keef … ordering him to cough up $230,019 for damages, loss of earnings, and reputational harm.

So McD’s might not take his money, but we’re sure these guys will … lesson over.

Big Sean – Hall Of Fame (Tracklisting)

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Big Sean is set to release his sophomore album Hall Of Fame, and today here’s the track list (below) which features collaborations with Nas, Kid Cudi, Nicki Minaj, Juicy J, Jeezy, James Fauntleroy & Miguel. You can pre-order now on Amazon.

Track list:

1. Nothing Is Stopping You
2. Fire
3. 10 2 10
4. Toyota Music
5. You Don’t Know
6. Beware (Feat. Lil Wayne & Jhené Aiko)
7. First Chain (Feat. Nas & Kid Cudi)
8. Mona Lisa
9. Freaky
10. Milf (Feat. Nicki Minaj & Juicy J)
11. Sierra Leone / Greedy Ho’s
12. It’s Time (Feat. Jeezy & Payroll)
13. World Ablaze (Feat. James Fauntleroy)
14. Ashley (Feat. Miguel)
15. All Figured Out

Jermaine Dupri Fires Back At SunTrust Back With Countersuit

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From TMZ:

Hip Hop mogul Jermaine Dupri says his bank wined-and-dined him, then treated him like an uneducated idiot in a plot to snatch millions of dollars from him … TMZ has learned.

We broke the story … Sun Trust Bank sued the So So Def founder first, claiming he defaulted on a $5 million loan. The bank wanted $2 million for the balance plus interest … AND his entire EMI music catalog.

Now, Dupri is firing back with a counter lawsuit … and in the docs, he says he secured a $5 million loan in 2009 with his ST personal banker — a man he’d worked with for years, who was lenient on loan payments and hooked him up with swag: ATL Falcons tickets, dinners, and more.

Then, in 2010 Dupri claims his personal banker took advantage of his lack of education (he didn’t finish high school) and told him he had to quickly sign a NEW loan agreement, assuring him it was for his benefit.

But Dupri says in fact the new terms increased his loan payments without his knowledge. As a result … he defaulted, and had to sell off his music catalog and his studio to settle with the bank.

This ain’t chump change on the line — according to JD his studio was worth $2.5 million, and his catalog … $20 million!

20th Anniversary Of Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’ Announced

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From Rolling Stone:

Now there’s a release date and additional information on the 20th-anniversary reissue of Nirvana’s third and final studio album, In Utero. In addition to the original album, the expanded re-release will feature previously unreleased demos, B sides and live tracks, including a complete live performance from 1993 featuring the final touring lineup of the band, and will be released on September 24th.

The “super deluxe” reissue will span three CDs and one DVD. The reissue will also be available in two-CD and three-LP packages, and the “Live and Loud” concert film from December 13th, 1993, will be available as a standalone DVD.

In Utero was the studio follow-up to to band’s 1991 breakthrough, Nevermind, and would go on to define the voice of a conflicted and disenchanted grunge generation.

Freddie Mercury/Michael Jackson 1983 Collaborations To Be Released This Fall

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From The London Times:

Duets between Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury will be released officially in time for the autumn after a wait of three decades, Mercury’s bandmates have declared.

Brian May and Roger Taylor, the guitarist and drummer who played with Mercury in Queen, promised “something for folks to hear” in two months.

The two singers recorded three tracks at Jackson’s home studio in Encino, California, in 1983, but a project to release them foundered because the pair were unable to arrange a second session.

Rolling Stone also reported that the songs — ‘There Must Be More to Life Than This’, ‘State of Shock’ and ‘Victory’ — were recorded but weren’t cleared for release until 2011.

When asked more about the songs in question, Queen’s Brian May said that the music is “exciting, challenging, emotionally taxing. But cool.”

Not the best description I was hoping for, but oh well.

JoJo Sues Da Family & Blackground Records; Says Her Contract Was Up Two Years Ago

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From NY Daily News:

The tween sensation is suing the record label that made her famous, saying they have no hold on her now that her seven years of service are up.

Joanna Noelle Blagden Levesque says in a lawsuit against Da Family Records and Blackground Records that under New York State law, minors cannot sign contracts that last more than seven years.

JoJo, now 22, and her parents signed a contract with company subsidiaries in 2004 when she was 12 and has sold 5 million records. Therefore, she argues, her contract was up in March 2011.

Universal Music, which distributes JoJo’s recordings, did not return calls seeking comment.

Raven-Symoné (Probably) Comes Out Of The Closet

Side-note: I’m getting OLD. From People:

On Friday, the actress, 27, sent out a Tweet putting to rest long-held rumors about her sexual orientation.

“I can finally get married! Yay government! So proud of you,” the That’s So Raven star wrote, presumably referring to the Supreme Court’s June decision to overturn The Defense of Marriage Act.

This marks the first time the actress has insinuated her sexual orientation publicly, although she defended her right to remain private in May of last year.

“I’m living my PERSONAL life the way I’m happiest. I’m not one, in my 25-year career to disclose who I’m dating. And I shall not start now,” she wrote among rumors she was living with AzMarie Livingston, an openly gay former America’s Next Top Model contestant.

“My sexual orientation is mine, and the person I’m dating to know. I’m not one for a public display of my life.”

Billboard Will Count Lady Gaga’s Upcoming Phone App Sales (But Not JAY Z’s?)

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If you recall, JAY Z’s million-sold app sales for Magna Carta… Holy Grail weren’t accepted by Billboard (they even wrote a letter about why that was). What makes this mind-boggling is that Lady Gaga will apparently be employing a similar technique for her upcoming album ARTPOP…..and she will get a pass. The reasoning? According to Bill Werde (the same one who wrote the aforementioned letter), it’s all about selling the album over a free download:

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The problem I have with it is, JAY Z didn’t give away the album; Samsung purchased the copies in advance. So I don’t really understand or believe that these guys are too fair on the matter.

Kat Dahlia Arrested For DUI, Resisting Arrest

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Not the best way to start your career, but hey……from TMZ:

According to the report, Dahlia was pulled over for speeding at roughly 3AM — and when the officer approached her 2013 Nissan, a strong odor of alcohol emanated from the vehicle.

The officer claims Dahlia’s speech was heavily slurred as well, so the officer asked her to exit her vehicle — at which point, Dahlia allegedly began to grow belligerent.

The report says the officer asked Dahlia to complete a field sobriety test, and she refused, cussing at the officer instead. The report doesn’t specify what cusses she used, but safe bet … she shouldn’t have used any.

Dahlia was then placed under arrest, but allegedly resisted by refusing to put her hands behind her back. The officer had to force Dahlia’s hands in order to cuff her.

Dahlia was subsequently transported to a nearby police station and booked for misdemeanor DUI and resisting arrest — but hey, at least her song’s catchy.

DMX Files For Bankruptcy

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From the Wall Street Journal:

The rapper DMX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, court records show, days after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Filed Monday in the Manhattan bankruptcy court, the Chapter 11 petition of Earl Simmons, aka DMX, lists less than $50,000 in assets and $1 million to $10 million in debt. The rapper said in court papers that he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which is available to both businesses and consumers, “to enable me to reorganize my financial affairs.”

The New York native and current South Carolina resident owes $1.24 million in child support and more than $21,000 on an auto lease, among other obligations. His principal asset is a 50% stake in property in Mount Kisco, N.Y.

A rep for DMX has since spoke on the matter as well:

“DMX’s financial strains have been inhibiting his career for several years. Poor financial management by prior representation have caused him to be ineligible to retain a passport. The purpose of this bankruptcy filing is for reorganization so he can perform for his fans oversees [sic]. We are currently planning a tour in Europe and Africa for the fall of 2013.”

NEW LOW? Ciara Turns To Selling Album On Groupon To Boost Sales

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Spotted on Mashable:

Ciara Princess Harris — better known as Ciara — is trying to revive her slagging album sales by offering it as a deal with Groupon. Groupon is known as the industry leader in selling-you-things-you-don’t-really-want-at-a-steep-discount. The Groupon deal offers her new album (aptly titled Ciara) alongside Ciara’s Greatest Hits for a super-low price.

It’s a shame, actually, because the album isn’t terrible. It even features pop rapper Nicki Minaj on a couple of impressive verses.

As for Ciara, her album has been performing better than expected — more than 60,000 copies were sold in its first week of release. It appears, though, that this Groupon deal is just to juice the numbers at a faster rate.

Kelly Rowland Covers ESSENCE Magazine

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You can check out more of the actual feature over at ESSENCE.

In the revealing interview, Rowland, 32, explains the meaning behind those much-discussed references to Bey on “Dirty Laundry,” the lead single from her fourth solo album Talk a Good Game. “For a long time I wasn’t happy, but that had nothing to do with Beyoncé,” Rowland says. “That had to do with me trying to get my life in order and make better decisions for myself. I’m seeing all these wonderful things happen for her and I am happy for her. But I want a path. I want things to pop off for me, too. Not on her level but whatever my level is supposed to be.”

Finding her strength — literally — has been key to blazing new trails, the X-Factor judge tells ESSENCE. Through workouts with trainer Jeanette Jenkins and sparring sessions with former boxer Martin Snow, she’s finding her power. “I see the beauty in boxing,” she says. “It teaches me strength, physically but mostly mentally. I had to learn my strength, because for so long I could have been tougher than I was.”