Jay-Z Might Need To Be Certified (WITH A College Degree) Before He Can Be A Sports Agent

robinson-cano_jay_z_550x495

New reports seem to indicate that Hov is going to be limited in his sports agent abilities until he is certified by the NFLPA (which may or may not require an undergraduate college degree). From Pro Football Talk:

An interesting wrinkle arose on Friday regarding the emerging relationship between CAA and Jay-Z’s new firm, Roc Nation. Based on rules passed by the NFLPA in 2012, Jay-Z can’t recruit players to sign with CAA unless Jay-Z becomes an NFLPA-certified agent.

The concerns emerged because rival agents see the obvious problem with having Jay-Z recruit Giants receiver Victor Cruz to sign with CAA. The NFLPA reportedly has no problem with the connection, given Jay-Z’s established friendship with Cruz.

Moving forward, however, Cruz won’t be able to help close deals with CAA unless he’s certified.

Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal reports that Jay-Z plans to become certified. And while Mullen points out that the soonest Jay-Z could take the certification test is January 2014 (we’d been told that the more realistic timetable is July 2014), she doesn’t address the requirement of a postgraduate degree, which can be waived if the NFLPA determines the applicant has had seven years of “negotiating experience.”

The situation becomes even more challenging if Jay-Z doesn’t have an undergraduate degree. It’s unclear whether any exemption is available if he lacks that credential.

While Jay-Z can handle endorsements and off-field deals for NFL players without NFLPA agent certification, he can have no involvement in recruiting players to sign with CAA for their football contracts unless he’s certified. If he’s not certified, and if every player that hires Jay-Z for off-field work also ends up hiring CAA, that could become his 100th problem.

French Montana – Excuse My French (Track List)

excuse-my-french-coverThe track list was released today without features, courtesy of Best Buy. Excuse My French hit stores on May 21st. Take a look below.

1. Once in a While
2. Trap House
3. Ain’t Worried About Nothin
4. Paranoid
5. When I Want
6. Fuck What Happens Tonight
7. Gifted
8. Ballin Out
9. I Told Em
10. Pop That
11. Freaks
12. We Go Where Ever We Want
13. Bust It Open
14. Drink Freely
15. Throw It in the Bag
16. Marble Floors
17. Ocho Cinco

Update. Now with Features

1. Once In a While feat. Max B
2. Trap House feat. Birdman & Rick Ross
3. Ain’t Worried About Nothin
4. Paranoid feat. C.A.S.H.
5. When I Want
6. Fuck What Happens Tonight feat. DJ Khaled, Mavado, Ace Hood, Snoop Dogg & Scarface
7. Gifted feat. The Weeknd
8. Ballin Out feat. Jeremih & Diddy
9. I Told Em
10. Pop That feat. Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne
11. Freaks feat. Nicki Minaj
12. We Go Where Ever We Want feat. Ne-Yo & Raekwon
13. Bust It Open
14. Drink Freely feat. Rico Love
15. Throw It In the Bag feat. Chinx Drugz
16. Marble Floors feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz
17. Ocho Cinco feat. MGK, Los, Red Cafe & Diddy
18. If I Die

Rihanna Cancels Yet Another Tour Date

Screen Shot 2013-04-15 at 10.02.44 PM

I think Rihanna might’ve partied to hard this weekend, and the illness the are stating below is probably a hangover:

The Rihanna Diamonds World Tour previously scheduled for this evening in Houston has been postponed it was confirmed today by Live Nation.

Unfortunately, as a result of illness Rihanna is unable to perform this evening at Houston’s Toyota Center. Fans are instructed to retain their tickets to this event pending rescheduled show date information.

There is currently no change to the Dallas performance scheduled for tomorrow, April 16th at American Airlines Center.

Ciara – Ciara (Artwork & Tracklist)

ciara-cover

Ciara renames her fifth album to the her name — Ciara (formerly One Woman Army). She also unravels her artwork and tracklisting below.

1. I’m Out Ft. Nicki Minaj
2. Sophmore
3. Body Party
4. Keep On Lookin’
5. Read My Lips
6. Where You Go Ft. Future
7. Super Turnt Up
8. DUI
9. Livin’ It Up
10. Overdose

Logic (@Logic301) Signs With Def Jam

Logic has taking his talents over to Def Jam. I have heard about this rumor for the last month but he has finally signed his deal. HHDX reports, The Visionary Music Group artist’s debut album will be executive produced by the legendary No I.D.

Says Logic:

“I’m excited to take this next step in my career. It’s incredible for Def Jam [Records] and Visionary Music Group to work together and the opportunity to collaborate with a living legend like No I.D. is priceless. I’m very humbled to be apart of the most iconic hip hop label of all time.”

No I.D. also spoke on the matter:

“Logic has a great future ahead and we are happy to have him at Def Jam. He has the talent to be a great artist and make a strong presence in our industry.”

Logic is set to release his new mixtape Young Sinatra: Welcome To Forever on May 7th. I always thought this kid was special when I first seen him perform live.

Lauryn Hill Begs The Court For A Break On Tax Sentencing

120629-biz-lauryn-hill-1230p.photoblog600

From TMZ:

Lauryn just filed legal docs asking for mercy before her sentencing later this month, claiming there was a good reason she failed to file tax returns for 2005, ’06 and ’07 … when she earned a total of more than $1.8 million. She already pled guilty and faces several years in prison.

According to docs … Lauryn stopped paying taxes “when she withdrew from society at large due to what she perceived as manipulation and very real threats to herself and her family.”

She’s not specific about the threats — but it’s a new explanation for her mysterious disappearance from the music scene after her rise to fame in the ’90s.

Lauryn previously claimed she went underground to get back in touch with her musical roots.

Lauryn’s asking the court to consider a bunch of other factors before her sentencing — including her claim that she can pay off the debt much faster if she’s not behind bars.

Lauryn is begging for probation. A judge will be merciful — or not — on April 22.

Talib Kweli – Prisoner Of Conscious (Tracklisting)

prisoner-of-concious-tracklist-revealed

Talib Kweli’s Prisoner Of Conscious drops May 7th and, in edition to the below features, boasts production from J. Cole, RZA, Harry Fraud, Symbolic One and more.

How the hell did Nelly score a feature?

1. Intro
2. Human Mic
3. Turnt Up
4. Come Here (feat. Miguel)
5. High Life (feat. Rubix and Bajah)
6. Ready Set Go (feat. Melanie Fiona)
7. Hold It Now
8. Push Thru (feat. Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar and Glen “Grey” Reynolds)
9. Hamster Wheel
10. Delicate Flowers
11. Rocketships (feat. Busta Rhymes)
12. Before He Walked (feat. Nelly and Abby Dobson)
13. Upper Echelon
14. Favela Love (feat. Seu Jorge)
15. Only Gets Better (feat. Marsha Ambrosius)

UPDATE: Kevin Hart Arrested For DUI

UPDATE: In the above video, Kevin Hart pretty much confirms to TMZ that he was drunk and was resisting arrest, while denying the gas tanker near-accident and more. Could’ve been worse.

**************************************

kh

Hope he doesn’t lose that Ford money for something like this. Taken from TMZ:

According to the California Highway Patrol, officers spotted the comedian driving in a black Mercedes on the 101 Freeway at around 4:30 AM PT. The CHP says he was “driving erratic,” “going 90 MPH” and “almost collided with a gas tanker truck.”

The CHP says when they pulled Hart over, he showed “objective signs of intoxication” and was “unable to perform field sobriety tests.”

He was booked into a local jail for misdemeanor DUI just before 6:00 AM PT and posted a $5,000 bond.

Daft Punk Will (Probably) Appear On Kanye West’s Upcoming Album

crop

The below excerpt was taken from a recent interview with Rolling Stone. Can’t wait to hear the final product:

At their Paris studio, they laid down a combination of live and programmed drums while Kanye worked out rough vocals on the fly. “It was very raw: he was rapping – kind of screaming primally, actually,” Thomas says. “Kanye doesn’t give a fuck,” Guy-Manuel adds. “He’s a good friend.” Director (and longtime Daft Punk compatriot) Michel Gondry says that Kanye recently played him “two songs” that sprang from the session. “One of them, I told him it sounded solid and powerful – I envisioned a cube when I heard it,” Gondry says. “He told me, Chris Cunningham’s already directing the video!”

UPDATE: JoJo Simmons Getting Bitched By Goon Over Juelz Santana Diss (More Pics)

UPDATE: Found more on World Star (of course)....this is hilarious to the point where is damn near looks staged.

***********************

I don't know if this is a joke, or what.....but it looks like 'what':

jojo-gets-jammed-up-by-juelz-am

Spotted on Illseed's Rumor Mill (read: RUMOR....I don't care if it's a picture or not), it was also said that he was forced to apologize to Juelz over the phone. Damn, homie (if this is true).

UPDATE: The goon in question Tweeted about the matter:

Rick Ross Gives More Formal Apology Over Rape Lyric Controversy

rpss

Rick Ross has given side apologies in recent past but has now given the world a truly sincere ‘my bad’ for what really is an example in scapegoating (let’s be real, Ross definitely doesn’t compare to other famous artists as far as lyrics are concerned). Too bad he didn’t send this one out before he got dropped by Reebok. Check out the full message below.

Before I am an artist, I am a father, a son, and a brother to some of the most cherished women in the world. So for me to suggest in any way that harm and violation be brought to a woman is one of my biggest mistakes and regrets.As an artist, one of the most liberating things is being able to paint pictures with my words. But with that comes a great responsibility. And most recently, my choice of words was not only offensive, it does not reflect my true heart. And for this, I apologize.

To every woman that has felt the sting of abuse, I apologize. I recognize that as an artist I have a voice and with that, the power of influence. To the young men who listen to my music, please know that using a substance to rob a woman of her right to make a choice is not only a crime, it’s wrong and I do not encourage it. To my fans, I also apologize if I have disappointed you. I can only hope that this sparks a healthy dialogue and that I can contribute to it.”

He also thanked Reebok on Twitter for the opportunity to work for them.

I want to thank Reebok Classics for their hard work and dedication over this past year. Good partners, good shoe. Continued success.

Azealia Banks Goes Back & Forth With A$AP Nast On Twitter

Next up in Azealia Banks trajectory, the A$AP Mob. Apparently, A$AP Rocky said something about lipstick and Azealia Banks felt that it was a diss to her style.

Anyways, the feud spilled over to A$AP Nast, and the two have been at it on Twitter since…..you can check out their personal pages for yourself, but below are a few of the haymakers:

 

Flavor Flav Faces 12 Years In Jail Over Threatening 17-Year-Old With Butcher Knife

Flavor-Flav-mugshot

It takes a nation of millions to hold us back…..or just one crazy act, really. Taken from the Las Vegas Sun:

The 54-year-old former rap and reality TV star, whose legal name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., didn’t testify during a Wednesday evidence hearing in Las Vegas Justice Court.

But the teen did. He pointed from the witness stand toward Drayton at the defendant’s table, identified him as the man wearing a clock around his neck, and told Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson that Drayton chased him to a bedroom and stabbed the knife through the door during the argument early Oct. 17.

The teen quoted the obscenity he says Drayton used as the rapper threatened to kill him. Drayton was standing 2 feet away with the knife still in his hand, the boy said.

The argument began when Drayton woke the boy during a 3 a.m. argument with the boy’s mother, Elizabeth Trujillo, with whom he has lived for about eight years. It escalated when the teen, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound high school football and basketball player, wrestled the 5-foot-6 Drayton into a head lock in the kitchen.

“I told him, ‘You’re not going to talk to my mom like that,'” he testified. “He pushed me. … I pushed him.”

Defense attorney Tony Abbatangelo later told the judge he believed Drayton may have been acting in self-defense when he allegedly grabbed the butcher knife, a steak knife and a pizza cutter during the scuffle.

Abbatangelo noted that a police report didn’t include the quote the teen recalled Wednesday.

Andress-Tobiasson said the evidence was enough to bind Drayton over to state court for trial.

She set arraignment for April 18 on felony charges of assault with a weapon and child endangerment that could get Drayton up to 12 years in prison if he’s convicted. Drayton also faces a misdemeanor domestic violence battery charge.

Abbatangelo said he’ll seek to postpone arraignment because Drayton will be out of town April 18 while he and other members of the rap group Public Enemy are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Abbatangelo said Drayton plans to plead not guilty.