Earlier this morning Kanye tweeted “June Eighteen.” Obviously many are speculating that this could be the release date of his forthcoming album, you know, since it’s done…..it could be the day his daughter is born.
UPDATE: Rapper Chris Kelly Of Kris Kross Dead At 34
UPDATE — Taken from CBS Atlanta:
A spokeswoman with the Fulton County Police Department said unless the medical examiner finds something different, it appears Kelly died of a drug overdose. They based that off of evidence collected at the scene and witness accounts.
So So Def (along with Kelly’s mother) have released an official statement as well:
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that our beloved Chris Kelly has passed away on May 1. To millions of fans worldwide, he was the trendsetting, backwards pants-wearing one-half of Kris Kross who loved making music. But to us, he was just Chris – the kind, generous and fun-loving life of the party. Though he was only with us a short time, we feel blessed to have been able to share some incredible moments with him. His legacy will live on through his music, and we will forever love him.”
– Donna Kelly Pratte (mother) & The So So Def Family
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Chris Kelly, from the 90s rap group Kris Kross, was found unresponsive Wednesday evening inside his Atlanta home, WXIA-TV reported.
He was pronounced dead at Atlanta Medical Center around 8 p.m. eastern. The cause of his death has not been released.
UPDATE: Emmett Till Family Scoffs At Lil’ Wayne’s ‘Open Letter’
UPDATE: I saw this coming…..as nicely written as that letter (at the bottom of this post) was, no where did it have an actual apology. Apparently, Emmett Till’s family noticed that too. From TMZ:
Airickca Gordon-Taylor — Executive Director, Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation and Till Family Representative — tells TMZ the family does not view the letter as a formal apology.
“While it’s commendable that he has vowed to respect the legacy of Emmett Till and his memory to ‘not use or reference Emmett Till or the Till family in his music,’ this statement falls short of an apology, as none is mentioned.”
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The day after word got out that Emmett Till‘s family called for Lil Wayne’s Mountain Dew endorsement, Lil’ Wayne sent a letter regarding his lyric on “Karate Chop (Remix)”. On the song, Wayne rhymed, “I beat that pussy up, like Emmett Till”.
Dear Till Family:
As a recording artist, I have alway been interested in word play. My lyrics often reference people, places and events in my music, as well as the music that I create for or alongside other artists.
It has come to my attention that lyrics from my contribution to a fellow artist’s song has deeply offended your family. As a father myself, I cannot imagine the pain that your family has had to endure. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge your hurt, as well as the letter you sent to me via your attorneys.
Moving forward, I will not use or reference Emmett Till or the Till family in my music, especially in an inappropriate manner. I fully support Epic Record’s decision to take down the unauthorized version of the song and to not include the reference in the version that went to retail. I will not be performing the lyrics that contain that reference live and have removed them from my catalogue.
I have tremendous respect for those who paved the way for the liberty and opportunities that African-Americans currently enjoy. As a business owner who employs several African-American employees and gives philanthropically to organizations that help youth to pursue their dreams my ultimate intention is to uplift rather than degrade our community.
Best,
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.
Lil Wayne
Take A Look Into Beyonce’s Contract Rider
This was apparently nabbed during her tour stop in Belfast. Believe it or not, it’s really not all that said (for a rich individual, quite frankly, I believe I’ve seen worse from an artist):
- titanium straws to drink alkaline water kept at precisely 21-degrees
- all crew to wear 100% cotton only clothing
- plain off-white walls in her dressing rooms
- a new toilet seat at every event
- red toilet paper
- hand-carved ice-ball to suck after every performance<
- glass platters of almonds, oatcakes and green-only crudités
Tia Mowry Tweets About J. Cole’s ‘Cole Summer’
If you’ve been keeping up, in one of J. Cole’s latest tracks — ‘Cole Summer‘ — we hear these bars:
If i had one wish, I would fuck Tia and Tamera at the same time/And put name tags on they titties so I don’t get they name wrong/Screamin’ “Game on”
Somebody must’ve put that twin on, because we then got a humorous Twitter exchange between Tia & Cole:
So I’m hearing J Cole mentioned the sis and I in a song?Send me the link? I’m curious..
— Tia Mowry (@TiaMowry) May 1, 2013
Noooo @tiamowryDon’t do itttttttt
— J. Cole (@JColeNC) May 1, 2013
Tyler, The Creator’s Latest Mountain Dew Commercial Gets Pulled Due To Alleged Racism
Everybody is so sensitive nowadays. Tyler, The Creator’s latest Mountain Dew commercial was shut down due to alleged racism from various groups, mainly led by Dr. Boyce Watkins, who reportedly called the ad “the most racist commercial in history”. Pepsi has also spoken on the matter through AdWeek:
“We understand how this video could be perceived by some as offensive, and we apologize to those who were offended…we have removed the video from all Mountain Dew channels and have been informed that Tyler is removing it from his channels as well.”
The ending seems to be positive, though, as Tyler has already reached out to Dr. Watkins on Twitter:
@fucktyler- let's make it happen.My daughters love your music, so I respect your brilliance and creativity.DM me. We'll talk
— Boyce Watkins (@drboycewatkins1) May 1, 2013
SNEAK PEEK: Bridget Kelly Feat. Kendrick Lamar – Street Dreamin’
Bridget Kelly gets her videoshoot on for her latest single, ‘Street Dreamin‘ featuring Kendrick Lamar, and we get to see a quick peek in the form of pics. More below.
Beyonce Surprises More Fans With Free Concert Tickets
Previously, we reported on a couple of fans in Slovakia you were pleasantly surprised with free concert tickets by none other than King Bey. Now, a couple of Newbury kids can say the same. From Necole Bitchie:
Rob was in a car park when he spotted Beyonce walking in a store with her bodyguard Julius and daughter Blue Ivy so he decided to try his luck with approaching her. Although her bodyguard was telling people that Beyonce would not be taking pictures, Rob walked up to her and told her that he was talking to her biggest fan Brandy on the phone. To his surprise, she not only stopped what she was doing, but she took the phone from him to speak to Brandy.
Just when Rob thought it could get any better, a few hours later, Beyonce’s assistant showed up at his doorstep with two tickets to the “Mrs. Carter Show.”
Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon Shut Down Disneyland For Their 5-Year Anniversary
From MTV:
Five years after secretly marrying in the Bahamas, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon pulled out all the stops for their five-year anniversary on Tuesday night by renewing their vows at Disneyland.
The pop superstar and “American Idol” judge tweeted about the lavish affair, attended by the couple’s twins, Moroccan and Monroe. Dolled up in a poofy white gown, Carey made her way to the ceremony in Cinderella’s stagecoach, where she was greeted by her groom and their son. Later, she walked down the aisle with them, as well as their daughter.
Coincidentally, the day also is a celebration of “dem babies,” who were born on April 30, two years ago. Prior to walking down the aisle, Carey wrote, “Happy 5th(!!!!!!) Anniversary to the Best Husband in All The Land & 2 years ago pon de delivery…”
Rick Ross Meets With Reebok CEO
Swizz logged onto his Instagram earlier and posted a photo of himself and Rozay alongside Reebok CEO Uli Becker.
In related news, Footwear News tweeted the following quote this morning:
“It’s unfortunate because he’s a great guy, he just has stupid advisors around him.”
9/11 Plane Wreckage Found By NYPD (Video)
Courtesy of Inside NYPD:
A Boeing Company technician confirmed to NYPD Crime Scene detectives yesterday evening that the aircraft wreckage discovered at the rear of 51 Park Place in lower Manhattan last week is a trailing edge flap actuation support structure from a Boeing 767 (see sketch and video attached). It is believed to be from one of the two aircraft destroyed on September 11, 2001, but it could not be determined which one. The NYPD continues to work with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as it prepares to sift soil at the location for human remains. When that process is completed, possibly on Wednesday, the NYPD Emergency Service Unit is expected to remove the flap support structure from behind the building to the custody of the NYPD Property Clerk. It will remain there until a decision is made concerning its final disposition. In the past , the National Transportation Safety Board has sometimes taken custody of such parts, or in the case of the 9/11 aircraft, they have been treated as historical artifacts and become part of museum collections. For example, since 2002, the New York State Museum in Albany has in its collection a large landing gear piece that went through the roof to the basement at the same location.
More Arrests Made In Boston Marathon Bombing Case
According to Time
The Boston Police Department says that three more suspects have been taken into custody with regard to the Apr. 15 bombings near the Boston Marathon finish line that killed three people and injured more than 260.
CNN is reporting that the suspects went to college with alleged 19-year-old Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who authorities say carried out the bombing with his older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
Lil’ Wayne Hospitalized Over Another Seizure
According To TMZ:
Lil Wayne was hospitalized again for a seizure ..
Sources close to Wayne tell us … the rapper was taken to Cedars-Sinai in L.A. late Tuesday night by his bodyguards. We’re told he suffered a single seizure and was treated and released early this morning.
As we first reported, 30-year-old Lil Wayne spent a week at Cedars back in March after suffering multiple severe seizures that nearly killed him. He spent 6 days in ICU.
Wayne subsequently went on the radio and explained he’s an epileptic, and has been suffering from seizures since he was a kid.
Ice Cube Is Still Working On A ‘Friday 4’….
@therealmikeepps Trying to make a deal w/ Chris. Hustling to get it done for the people. Stand by homie.
— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 28, 2013
…unfortunately, it looks like he’s still waiting for Chris Tucker to return to the fold for what will more than likely be the final Friday in the franchise. Niggas is getting to old to be waiting for this, B.
P!nk Covers Glamour Magazine
I don’t care what anybody says, P!nk is still bad (bad meaning good). Anyways, she gets the cover feature in the June issue of Glamour, which you can check out more of here. Below are some pics from the spread.
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Woman Faces Charges For Throwing Acid On Victim
From BBC News:
Naomi Oni had acid thrown in her face after getting off a bus in Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, in the early hours of 30 December.
She was on her way home from her job at a Victoria’s Secret store in Westfield, Stratford, when she was attacked.
Mary Konye, 21, has been charged with throwing or casting a corrosive fluid with intent to burn, maim, disfigure, disable or do grievous bodily harm.
Ms Konye, of Throckmorton Road, Canning Town, will appear before Redbridge Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Miss Oni suffered burns to her face and lost her hair and eyelashes. She had to undergo skin grafts.
A 28-year-old man who was arrested in February in connection with the attack has been released with no further action.
Slutty Boyz In The Studio Working With Beat Billionaire?
Sluttyboyz are in the studio right now with MMG’s go-to producer Beat Billionaire. I can’t wait to hear this crankage going on right now.
Tupac’s Former Body Guard Found Dead
According to AHH, Frank Alexander was found dead in California and the details remain sketchy. There have been early, non-official reports that he died from a self-inflicted gun wound.
On the record, Alexander said that he believed Suge Knight was involved in the death of Tupac.
In 2007, Alexander interviewed with AllHipHop.com and discussed his documentary called “Tupac Assasination.”
He did not implicate Suge in that interview but he did indicate that the night Pac died was abnormal.
“It was strange that I ended up being the only security for him and Suge. Normally Suge’s security was the head of the security firm. It was twenty three of us total, so there should have been more security,” Alexander told AllHipHop.com.
Gallery Place Metro Brawl Leads To Several Arrests (Video)
According to WJLA:
A large Metro station brawl between students from two D.C. high schools was caught on camera Friday.
It happened around 4 p.m. at the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station. Officials say it was a result of an ongoing rivalry between students from McKinley Tech and Woodrow Wilson high schools.
A Metro spokesperson says Metro Transit Police were tipped off about a possible incident during a conference call before the fight.
Because the brawl was so large, more police officers were called for backup.
About six juveniles were arrested.
Chief Keef…Beef With The GDz?
According to All Hip Hop:
Chief Keef may be the realest rapper out, depending on how you define real. I just don’t think he cares about anything. The GDs are feared just about everywhere, but Keef ain’t one to be afraid, I guess. He went back and forth on twitter for all the world to see. I guess the best thing about this is that maybe they will have a good ol’ fashioned fist fight. This guy Lil Jay has vowed to avenge the death of Lil JoJo.
Jason Collins’ Ex-Fiancee: “I Had NO IDEA He Was Gay”
Reports TMZ:
Carolyn Moos (who played a few seasons in the WNBA) dated Collins for seven years and was engaged to him until they broke up in 2009 … after Collins pulled the plug on their wedding.
Carolyn tells TMZ, she never once suspected he was gay, so the news is shocking. She says Collins eventually revealed everything last weekend — just days before his big announcement — and said that his homosexuality was the real reason he ended things with her.
At the time of their breakup, Carolyn says Jason gave a bunch of BS reasons for calling it quits … and she could never understand what went wrong, until now.
Carolyn — who’s back on the hunt for Mr. Right — tells us, “It’s very emotional for me as a woman to have invested 8 years in my dream to have a husband, soul mate, and best friend in him. So this is all hard to understand.”
She adds, “I care about [Jason] tremendously and only want the best for him. I want Jason to be happy for a lifetime and stay true to who he really is, inside and out.”
Pusha T Reveals Second Album Title
Pusha T’s debut album hasn’t even dropped and he’s already planning his next album. In an interview with Ask Men, he says that his sophomore album will be named King Push:
K: What else is on the horizon for you? Another G.O.O.D. Music compilation album?
PT: I really don’t know. I’m really on My Name Is My Name, and then my next album after that. I already got the whole mentality of it. I see it. It’s titled King Push. I don’t even think there’s going to be anybody on King Push.SK: I like that. No features.
PT: Zero.
TLC Announces Reunion Tour & New Album
Reportedly, there are already 5 major cities locked in for the reunion tour. From Hollywood Reporter:
In honor of the 20th anniversary of TLC, surviving members Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas have a new album, a VH1 made-for-TV movie series and a reunion tour in the works. A reunion tour may seem unfathomable without the group’s late third member, Lisa “Left-Eye” Lopes, which is why the duo has decided to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Dre and his revolutionary Coachella performance with Tupac Shakur’s visual resurrections.
Today marks the 10th anniversary of Left-Eye’s tragic and untimely death. T-Boz and Chilli have announced that in celebration of their anniversary, Left-Eye will be gracing the reunion tour stage through image projections on a big screen — however, the duo intends to use archival footage, not a newly generated digital performance.
“The word anniversary means a celebration. For us, her death will never be a celebration, it’s still something that hurts,” Watkins said in a statement, with Thomas adding, “Lisa is our sister. You never get over losing a family member. We love her and we miss her and that isn’t ever going to change.”
Snoop Lion Returns Fire To Bunny Wailer Over Rastafari ‘Fraud’ Comments
If you recall, Bunny Wailer was pretty brutal as far as his feelings on Snoop Dogg’s recent reincarnation to Rastafari, not only calling him a fraud, but also demanding financial support and an apology. We had since posted Snoop Lion speaking on his relationship with Bunny (which was obviously done prior to the shots sent in his direction)…now, in a recent interview with Rolling Stone (read the full monty here), Snoop lets his feelings out in high definition:
The people I visited at the Nyabinghi Temple aren’t speaking negative on me. They’re real Rastas. I went in there and filmed them, showed their whole get-down. Nobody did that before. If anyone, they should have complained – “He exploited us!” Why aren’t they saying that? To me, they have the most gripe to make. How did I exploit Bunny? I gave you a chance to be in my movie. My movie gonna be the shit with or without you. I’m gonna be the sh*t with or without you. I’m Snoop Dogg. Relevant right now.
It’s like, people take my kindness for weakness. In the Nineties, he could have never tried that because I’d have slapped the dog shit out of his old ass. How dare you? After all I’ve done for you? How dare you? You wasn’t the sh*t in the Wailers. You was just one of them: Bob, Peter Tosh, then you. They dead mean more than you do alive. You get the energy? When it should have been, ‘Hey, this brother is putting me back in the light; I could possibly get on the road with him, be on his album, eat again. Let me get in line. This is Snoop Dogg; he’s already a star.’ It should have been, play along with me as opposed to stick me up. I’m gonna give you what you worth, but you not gonna stick me up.
But guess who stood up in my defense? Rohan, Rita, Stephen, Damian Marley. Rohan went public. He called him Phony Wailer, or whatever he called him. I can’t call him that; I don’t know him like that. But they do. They know what he after and they love me. If Bob’s kids and his wife welcome they arms and say, “You one of the Marleys,” then who is Bunny Wailer to say anything?
Thoughts?