Gunshots Fired At Waka Flockas Tour Bus In Charlotte

From TMZ:
We’re told Waka — real name Juaquin Malphurs — was on his tour bus outside a car stereo shop when two cars pulled up next to the bus and opened fire. Waka was not hit.
An eyewitness tells us Waka’s security team returned fire on the cars and hit at least one of them. Waka’s publicist confirms his security team fired shots — and says the bus was shot 4 times.
FOXCharlotte is reporting police have detained multiple people — and that one person was shot in the shoulder.
WCNC in Charlotte aired footage (above) of police on the scene with a man in handcuffs.

Tru Life Gets 10 Years In Plea Deal

Spotted on DNA info:
Rapper Tru Life was offered a plea deal Wednesday on charges related to the fatal stabbing of a man outside a Murray Hill apartment building nearly two years ago.
The rapper, whose real name is Robert Rosado, was allegedly involved in the stabbing death of Christopher Guerrero, 20, during a fight in June 2009. A second man was hospitalized, also with stab wounds, after the alleged incident.
The plea deal offered by Assistant District Attorney Linda Ford involved a 10-year sentence for the 34-year-old rapper and 12 years for his brother, Marcus Rosado. Both brothers face second-degree murder, gang assault and assault charges. The deal would require them to waive the opportunity to appeal.
The alleged fight took place at at 330 East 26th St. on June 15, 2009. Investigators said the incident was an extension of a dispute outside Pacha nightclub, at 618 West 46th St., which occurred several hours earlier, around 4 a.m.
Robert Rosado’s lawyer, Alan Abramson, said he would discuss the plea deal with his client Wednesday afternoon. If the plea deal is not accepted, the brothers will go to trial on the first Monday in March.
The rapper appeared in court Wednesday with a crew cut and neatly-groomed beard, in a dark brown suit and tie. His wife was in the courtroom.
Tru Life signed with Jay Z’s label Roc-A-Fella in 2005, according to The New York Times. Roc-A-Fella has since released him from the label.

El Debarge Checks Into Rehab

Spotted on Billboard:

R&B artist El Debarge has put his career comeback on hold by checking himself into a rehabilitation center. A press release states that the 49-year-old singer will use the rehab stint to address years of substance abuse.

“I hate to disappoint my fans but it is necessary for me to take the time to work on me so that I may continue to share my music and my story with everyone,” the singer has said in a statement. “I thank everyone in advance for their prayers and well wishes and hope that you will respect my privacy during this time.”

After El Debarge made a showstopping appearance at the BET Awards last June performing 80s hits like “Rhythm of the Night” and “All This Love,” the singer released his fifth album, “Second Chance,” on Geffen Records last November following a 16-year recording absence. The singer has had his share of legal run-ins over the past decades, including a two-year prison term following a 2008 arrest for drug possession.
To be honest, hearing someone like El Debarge continue to have substance abuse problems, even after all this time, is a very mind-jarring thing…

Who Didn’t See This Coming

To my fans:
This week the net has been a buzz of the rumor that I have been dropped from my label. At this point that rumor is false.. It is true that I have asked and I pray that my label will release me. I have had some great times and success with my label, but sometimes like all great things, its at that point where I feel we don’t share the same views on who I am as a artist. The past two albums have been very frustrating for me. At times there were songs I chose to lead a project and I was ignored!
This project, I even tried to get Gimmie Dat started I spent tens of thousands of my own money only to hear the radio pds tell me my label didn’t want the song played. I even spent more than one hundred thousand dollars out of my pocket on the video to bring my vision to it and still no label support. I do understand that some labels are not financially supporting their artists and I have become one of them. You, my fans, know that I strive to do my best to deliver to my you the best songs and creative vision I possibly can.
I’m dedicated to my music, performance and to my fans! I’ve tried to be a team player with the label only to have compromised what I truly believed.. And was not given the right opportunity to promote and inform my fans of the release of this album..I have so much of me as a artist I still want to give to the world and my fans. A release would allow me to go be creative with people who care and understand me as a artist. In a short time, I will be able to bring to you a new music energy and a visual excitement! Thank you so much for standing by me through the good, bad, and the confusion. I love you all.
Love Ciara

Bruno Mars, Wiz Khalifa & B.o.B. Cover VIBE

Hits Newstands 2.22.11. Check out an except from the issue below:
WIZ KHALIFA: Potheads and hippies, we flock. We’re peaceful as hell. You don’t hear about my concerts getting shot up or people getting beat up because they was too high and turned into a weed monster.

BRUNO MARS: I’m a fan of young Elvis. And I’m a fan of the story, how he freaked out white America by doing this Black rock’n’roll. He would go onstage shaking his hips, and people were freaking out. They said, “You can’t film him from the waist down.” To me, that’s fucking awesome.

B.o.B: My loyalty is not to any corporation, my loyalty is to the music. That doesn’t mean that I don’t work with corporations, it doesn’t mean that I don’t sell music—it just means that first I’m an artist regardless of anything.

Chace Infinite (Of Self Scientific) – Africa

Check out some info on his exclusive project as well after the jump.


The project aims to promote change and education in the world’s global water and sanitation crisis. The unique collaborative pack will release at 7PM on February 11th, 2011. Limited to 65 pieces total and only available on the Akomplice and Good Wood NYC websites. The collaboration package (retail $69.99) consists of an exclusive track from Chace Infinite which is a flip on D’Angelo’s song “Africa,” a handcrafted box set containing an intricately carved Africa necklace from Good Wood, and an original t-shirt from the fellas at Akomplice. 

100% of the package’s profits will be donated to Pump Aid, an organization which has developed a cost-efficient water pump for sustainable water production in impoverished African communities. Akomplice’s Africa t-shirt will also be offered alone later this month. The T-shirt will be available in red, white, green and black. The design features a text-formed image of Africa on its front, enumerating sociopolitical issues affecting the continent; its back is brandished by each collaborator and reads “Donate 2 Africa.” The shirt is more than a fashion statement – it represents courage, cohesion, and change. It is a tangible symbol of this project’s support for Africa.

Every year millions of people in developing countries die from a lack of clean water, and hundreds of millions more are susceptible to parallel fates. Take a moment to look at the hard facts. Unsafe water and poor sanitation create health, educational, environmental, and social problems which could easily be prevented with the right tools.

In alignment with Black History Month it is not only appropriate but entirely essential to remember our historical roots in Africa and reflect on this month’s core celebrated values – struggle, strength, ability and action. This project honors those who must endure a daily struggle for survival by taking action and giving them access to clean drinking water, sanitary plumbing, and most importantly greater opportunities in life.

Cory Gunz MTV Docu-series Cease & Desisted

Last week, we reported Cory Gunz and executive producer Nick Cannon finalizing their deal with MTV to air the docu-serious “Son of a Gun”. The series set to debut in April would follow the Bronx native, son of 1990s rapper Peter Gunz, through recent years to his rising stardom.

According to TMZ.com reports Johnny Fratto, son to mafia boss Louis Fratto, has served MTV and Nick Cannon with a cease and desist letter over the series. Fratto claims that he had a series, also called Son of a Gun in development, and that themes used in MTV’s trailer, takes from his own.

Drake Is Cancelling R&B Project….

Probably in his best interest. Taken from October’s Very Own:
I am truly enjoying my life right now. Its been so long since I have wrote anything on here because I feel like for a while I was trying to digest it all and save it for the music. But its finally set in that I am living my dreams and doing with all my closest friends from Toronto. I wake up and never know what to expect from any given day but good or bad I always learn something from it. I have decided that I am going to push “It’s Never Enough” and focus completely on delivering Take Care to you all. I feel like my mind is truly ready to make this next album NOW and I don’t want that feeling to escape me. My mother is doing well for all who have been asking. She went to her first swimming class the other day and won gold…not really but you know what I mean. OVO gang is all smiles and 40 is making some of the best music I have heard in my entire career. I am in the airport right now headed to LA to meet up with Boi 1da tonight. Its all feeling right. Its truly been a pleasure to speak again. Thank you for all your energy. Soon. Guidance.

A luxury once enjoyed becomes a necessity. I need it to last until I’m part of the past.

Most ANTICIPATED Albums of 2011

          We can all say that 2010 was a great year. We ended the year off right when Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Drake, Lil Wayne, Rihanna and others dropped their albums. Now that its a new year, there are new projects that everyone can’t wait for.

Read the rest after the jump.

          The biggest one would be the Kanye and Jay-Z collab, “Watch the Throne”. When these two get in the booth they kill every song. On their own, they are hot, but put them both on one song, one album, they’re two times better. “Watch the Throne” is looking to be released on March 1st. Not only are people anxious for the Jay and Kanye collab, but also Lil Wayne’s “Carter IV”. In 2008 “The Carter III” sold over a million its first week. While behind bars at Riker’s Island, Lil Wayne’s album “I Am Not a Human Being” sold over 250,000 copies, making it a success in 2010. “The Carter IV” is expected to drop sometime this year. Collabs with Drake and Rick Ross and help from producers T-Minus and Bangledesh.

          Now we all know Travis Barker from Blink-182, an amazing drummer, and made many appearances in music videos with other artist, including award shows, such as the MTV awards. This year Barker is releasing his first solo album called “Give the Drummer Some”. I have to say his collab list looks pretty serious. Features from Raekwon, Lupe Fiasco, Swizz Beatz, Lil Wayne and more. “Give the Drummer Some” will be released on February 22. While keeping his fans interested by dropping mixtapes like “Villematic” and “Friday Night Lights”, J. Cole is finally releasing his debut album “Cole World”. Working with Jay-Z and producers like Elite and No I.D. Cole’s album is to be released in March.

          Pittsburgh’s own, Wiz Khalifa makes his way into the Hip Hop spotlight. Ever since his mixtape “Kush and OJ”, Wiz has taken the music media by storm, including working with artists like Snoop Dogg, Diddy, Rick Ross and more. By doing sold out shows, his fan base expanded tremendously, now everyone is Taylor Gang. The release of his hit single “Black and Yellow”, Wiz Khalifa landed the #5 spot on The Billboard Hot 100. After notifying his fans of the name of his upcoming album called “Rolling Papers”, Wiz leaked two new songs “Roll Up”, “Taylor gang”and “On my Level” which is getting a lot of buzz. “Rolling Papers” is going to be released on March 29. Affiliated with Wiz Khalifa, Currensy started off 2011 the right way by releasing “Return to the Winners Circle” mixtape, and is now releasing not one, but three new albums this year, “Muscle Car Chronicle, Pilot Talk 3, and Covert Coupe”.

          The man who walked into Hip Hop without a label, but by one mixtape is coming back with a new album. Toronto’s own, Drake. “Take Care” is suppose to be released in March or April, which features Justin Timberlake, T-Pain, Lil Wayne and others. With the success of his sophomore album “Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr.Rager” Kid Cudi is coming back with a new album. This time it will be a little different. Cudi says his desire for rap is gone, but not music itself. Cudi is working with Dot Da Genius on an alternative album called “Wizard” which is suppose to be coming out sometime this year.

          Lupe’s album “Lasers” is expected to be released on March 8. Dr.Dre’s “Detox” has been on the anticipation list for quite sometime and is finally being released in between this month and March. Collaborations from Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Skylar Grey, Nas and many more. Rick Ross’s “Teflon Don” did very well in 2010. Also his mixtapes has kept his fans on their feet. Now Ross returns with a new album “God Forgives, I Don’t”, expected to drop very soon. Ross already dropped a hot record with Drake called “Made Men”. Wale is currently working on a new album “Attention Deficit 2” which is going to be released in the summer of 2011. Wale recently released two new songs called “Break Up Song” and “The MC”.

          After dominating the charts with her pop singles, Lady Gaga is coming back with another album called “Born This Way”. Her little monsters can’t wait to hear her new album which it to be released May 23. Chris Brown is also coming back with his new album called “F.A.M.E”, Forgiving All My Enemies. Chris has already dropped a single from the album “Yeah x3” and “Beautiful People”. There is not a release date as yet, but will be dropping this year. After hinting his affiliation with Kanye’s G.O.O.D Music team, Pusha T who has made many appearances such as BET’s 2010 cypher, Saturday Night Live and the MTV Video Music Awards with Kanye West, Pusha T is most likely to release his debut album some time this year. Also a part of Kanye’s G.O.O.D Music label, Big Sean released a mixtape called “Finally Famous Vol. 3”. Collaborating with Drake, Currensy, Chiddy Bang others is releasing his debut album “Finally Famous” some time this year.

          With all of these new albums coming out this year, people will really be pleased. Personally, I am really excited for Wiz Khalifa and J. Cole’s album. Not just because I’ve been a huge fan of Wiz Khalifa since 2006, but this is this is his debut album from Atlantic Records! Take Wiz Khalifa back to “Prince Of the City” to Wiz now, you will see a huge change, not just lyrically but as an artist. I love how Wiz is loyal to all of his fans. He even has a clothing line apparel, where his fans can rock the latest clothes. Now J.Cole is Roc Nation’s rising star. J.Cole makes music that everyone and I mean everyone can relate to. I was very pleased with his last mixtape “Friday Night Lights”. He speaks on things that are happening in the world today and people’s everyday situations. I feel that his album will be an absolute success. He came a long way. Well are you satisfied with the list? Who will have the top selling album? We’ll have to see as the year goes on. I love, we love Hip-Hop.

T-Pain Set To Leak RevolveR

T-Pain is tired of waiting so he is about to leak his upcoming album. Check out below what he had to say via twitter:

Since nobody wants to respect this form of art that you all say we “love” so much, I’m just gonna go ahead and start leakin the album myself tonight. well maybe I shouldn’t rant but everybody was lookin at me strange when I said I didn’t wanna drop my album, it’s not that album sales weren’t doin good for hip hop and rnb, it just felt like no one respected “music” anymore.


You know what, you guys enjoy the post game and I’ll find my own ways to take care of my family. Oh and bty the “I Am T-Pain” Toy Microphone is comin in June (google that). To all the hackers and leakers thanks for showin interest in my music but I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of when I’m just tryin to let ppl know what’s goin on with my music and then you audio highjack it for your own amusement I would have been happier if you would have just waited to get a better quality version of the song but it’s cool its pretty much my fault anyways, so for the most part y’all can suck a fart out of a homeless mans ass.


And to the fans, I know I talk a lot of shit but I’m a cool dude and I wanna say that without y’all and Tallahassee and Akon and Bu and the nappy headz and the team that I have now, I wouldn’t be half the guy I am today so thank you as well. Here we go again YASIMELIKE

Fashion Firm – Trends: Not For Everyone

Trends: Not For Everyone

Admit it! We’ve all seen at least one person in public whom we wanted to issue a fashion citation(s). Yes, fashion is about self expression and wearing what you feel comfortable in, but let’s be honest, just because we like it and its available in our size, does NOT mean it will look great on us.

As you may know, this month will be a fashion extravaganza – due to the many fashion weeks taking place around the world. These weeks will be filled with fashion shows, in which you’ll notice several new and re-occurring trends for the Fall/Winter 2011/12 season. But let’s face it!… What looks good on fabulous runway models will not necessarily look good on the average person.

Miss E., a Senior Customer Service Representative in Las Vegas, NV enjoys checking out the latest trends at the many shopping malls that “Sin City” has to offer. When asked about keeping up with current trends and knowing what’s appropriate for her body, Miss E. said, “I’ll try it, and if it doesn’t fit, I’ll move to the rack on the left and keep it pushing…it just wasn’t meant to be…you have to be tasteful, not tacky.”

When embracing a trend that may not live up to its expectations, a fashionista will have the ability to take it and make it their own, in a tasteful manor. According to @Busythebee, a Fashion Assistant in Las Vegas, NV, “That’s what fashion’s about. When you find something you like, embrace it, and make it your own…your wardrobe becomes a walking mural.” When in doubt about an outfit selection, “look at blogs and websites to see how others dress it up, then try it for yourself.” says @Busythebee. On the flip side, Miss E. says, “If you’re not sure, ask for a second opinion from a stranger or someone of the opposite sex.”

The best way to make whatever you’re wearing a knockout; know your best assets and enhance them, and vice versa. No one’s perfect, but if you’re aware of what you’re working with, you can sure get pretty close or appear to be.

Regardless of the trend you’re trying to rock, if you’re not mindful of your body – or denial about your true size – your outfit can be a #FAIL! So remember, “Fashion is architecture: It is a matter of proportions.” – Coco Chanel

Love, Peace & FASHION,
Fashion Firm