David Letterman To Retire In 2015

From Variety:

Late night television legend David Letterman will retire in 2015.

Letterman announced his retirement decision during a taping of “The Late Show” on Thursday afternoon. CBS subsequently released a transcript of his remarks.

In a move that will complete the generational transition in latenight, David Letterman is preparing to retire from CBS next year.

Letterman, who will turn 67 on April 12, disclosed his decision during Thursday afternoon’s taping of “The Late Show.”

“The man who owns this network, Leslie Moonves, he and I have had a relationship for years and years and years, and we have had this conversation in the past, and we agreed that we would work together on this circumstance and the timing of this circumstance. And I phoned him just before the program, and I said ‘Leslie, it’s been great, you’ve been great, and the network has been great, but I’m retiring,’” Letterman said.

“I just want to reiterate my thanks for the support from the network, all of the people who have worked here, all of the people in the theater, all the people on the staff, everybody at home, thank you very much. What this means now, is that Paul and I can be married.

Soldier Kills 3 Before Turning The Gun On Himself At Ft. Hood, TX

(CNN) — Authorities have identified the man who opened fire at Fort Hood in Texas on Wednesday, killing three people before committing suicide, as Specialist Ivan Lopez.

Sixteen more people were injured Wednesday when he opened fire at Fort Hood, the sprawling Army post in Texas still on edge after a mass shooting there left 13 dead in 2009, officials said.

The gunman also died. He was engaged by military police before he fatally shot himself in the head, said the Army post’s commander, Lt. Gen. Mark A. Milley.

The suspect, a soldier who had served in Iraq, “had behavioral health and mental health” issues, Milley told reporters late Wednesday.

The general said there was no known motive for the shooting.

“There is no indication that this incident is related to terrorism, although we are not ruling anything out,” he said.

You can read more on the story here.

Wu-Tang’s ‘Once Upon A Time In Shaolin’ LP Gets $5 Million Offer

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According to RZA, he has already received offers for the secret Wu-Tang album — as high as $5 million.

“Offers came in at $2 million, somebody offered $5 million yesterday. I’ve been getting a lot of emails — some from people I know, some from people I don’t know, and they’re also emailing other members of my organization. So far, $5 million is the biggest number. I don’t know how to measure it, but it gives us an idea that what we’re doing is being understood by some. And there are some good peers of mine also, who are very high-ranking in the film business and the music business, sending me a lot of good will. It’s been real positive.”

Billboard

Hot 97 Summer Jam 2014 Lineup

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Hot 97 announced the lineup for this year’s Summer Jam concert, and 50 cent will be making his return to their stage after being banned for inciting riots and throwing chairs at fans back in 2004. Childish Gambino, Iggy Azalea, Jhené Aiko and more will kick off the Summer Jam on the Festival Stage before the big shows kicks off. Check out the full lineup below:

Hot 97 Summer Jam 2014 – Festival Stage:

Childish Gambino
Iggy Azalea
Nipsey Hussle
Chinx Jhene Aiko
Mack Wilds
August Alsina

Hot 97 Summer Jam 2014 – Main Stage:
Nicki Minaj
Lil’ Wayne & Young Money
Nas
50 Cent
Wiz Khalifa
Trey Songz
The Roots
DJ Mustard with YG and Ty Dolla $ign
Bunji Garlin
Troy Ave
Action Bronson
Kid Ink
Sevyn Streeter

Wale Releases Statement Regarding WWE Incident

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This statement was released by MTV regarding Wale’s recent incident with a heckler at a D.C. taping of WWE’s Raw:

“It was just a dude that was like, ‘I’mma kick your ass. I better not see you here. I was like, ‘Yo, is this you?’ And one thing lead to another, and I just kind of mushed him a little bit,” the rapper explained, stressing that things didn’t turn violent. “Honestly, if there wasn’t kids right there, it would have went a little bit differently, but I just wanted to be conscious of them. It’s not to say it was the right decision. But in the moment, you know.”

“People get it misconstrued,” he went on. “Like, ‘Oh, you’re so butt-hurt.’ It’s not even that. I come from a place where when we was at the lunch table and n—as was jonesing on each other, I’ll respond. I’m gonna have something better, too. And now we’ve come to a place where, if you respond, you’re a bitch. Somebody could say ‘F— you’ 100 times, if I say ‘f— you’ back, then I’m a bitch. And people be like, ‘You’re famous, you shouldn’t care. I care what people say because I try to be a man of the people.”

“I just don’t understand, [in] society, why we champion people like that in this day and age,” he said. “I remember when people used to admire real people that stand behind their words or are stand-up men. I come from that. I had to address him as such. It wasn’t nothing really serious.”

For the record, he was later spotted at a nightclub hanging with the Washington Redskins. Go figure.

Universal Music Group Breaks Up Its Island Def Jam Division, Effectively Displacing Barry Weiss

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What should be noted is that this could also be an April Fools’ joke (but probably not). As seen on the New York Times:

Universal Music Group, the giant record company that sells almost 40 percent of the world’s music, made a series of structural changes on Tuesday, splitting up one of its major divisions and displacing Barry Weiss, the former Sony executive who was brought in three years ago to run the company’s East Coast operations.

In the reorganization, the Island Def Jam Music Group, one of the four umbrella units for Universal’s dozens of record labels, “will cease to exist,” according to a news release. Instead, its constituent labels, including Def Jam (home to superstars like Rihanna and Kanye West), Island (Bon Jovi, Justin Bieber) and Motown, will operate separately, with some changes in their leadership and operations.

Since it was created in the late 1990s through a series of label deals and consolidations, Universal has been organized in separate divisions that each include several record labels. Among these are Interscope Geffen A&M, Republic and the Capitol Music Group, which houses labels like Capitol and Virgin that Universal acquired as part of the breakup of EMI in 2011.

But the announcement on Tuesday served as an acknowledgment that Island Def Jam no longer functioned as well as it once did.

“The fact is: No matter how much we might work to build ‘IDJ’ as a brand, that brand could never be as powerful as each of IDJ’s constituent parts,” Lucian Grainge, the chairman of Universal, wrote in a note to employees on Tuesday.

The changes to Island Def Jam also confirmed what has been whispered about among music executives for months: that Mr. Weiss — a highly regarded executive who came to Universal as part of a swap that sent Universal’s former chairman, Doug Morris, to Sony — had never found a clear role at Universal. He had been hired to run the label’s New York labels, which include Republic and Island Def Jam, but that job was ill-defined, and the labels remained somewhat autonomous.

Universal’s announcement on Tuesday said that Mr. Weiss had stepped down from his position “in order to enter into discussions with U.M.G. about a new venture together.” But that venture is unclear, and many in the music industry expect that Mr. Weiss may leave the company.

“Barry is an exceptional music executive, and I’m enormously grateful for all of his invaluable contributions during a time of transition for our East Coast companies,” Mr. Grainge said in the note to employees. “He has positioned Def Jam, Island, Motown and Republic to where they are today — poised for even greater levels of success — and we’d love to keep him in the family.”

As part of the reorganization, Steve Bartels, who had been president and chief operating officer of Def Jam, will become that label’s chief executive. Island will continue under its president, David Massey. And Motown Records, which had been under the Island Def Jam umbrella for the last several years after being part of Republic, will relocate to Los Angeles and become part of the Capitol Music Group. Ethiopia Habtemariam, who had been executive vice president of Motown, will become president.

Republic, which lately has been one of the top labels in the industry with hits by Lorde, Drake and Florida Georgia Line, is unaffected by the changes.

‘Godfather of House’ Frankie Knuckles Dead At 59

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From the New York Daily News:

The “Godfather of House” has died.

Legendary DJ and music producer Frankie Knuckles passed away Monday, aged 59.

The official cause of death is currently unknown, but some reports suggest it was from complications related to Type II Diabetes.

Tributes have flooded in from fellow DJs across the world.

“A legend has fallen. All hail Frankie Knuckles an inspiration to us all,” wrote award-winning spinner Vince Lawrence on his Facebook page.

“I am devastated to write that my dear friend Frankie Knuckles has passed away today. Can’t write any more than this at the moment. I’m sorry,” wrote David Morales on Twitter.

Mendeecees Harris Free On $600K Bail

HipHopWired reports:

With VH1 cameras waiting outside of federal court Monday, as Love & Hip Hop NY films for its next season, U.S. District Judge Frank Geraci Jr. agreed to release Harris on a $600,000 bond package — half of which was provided in court.

He was released later from the Yates County Jail, where he has been held. Harris, 35, is accused of a role in a New York City-based drug ring that included his brother, Tyrus Harris, and another man, Ronald Walker. Tyrus Harris pleaded guilty before Geraci Monday, and Walker pleaded guilty last year.

The drug ring transported cocaine to the Rochester region, federal authorities allege. Tyrus Harris faces a sentence of about five to seven years, under federal sentencing recommendations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Sherman and Mendeecees Harris’ lawyer, Donald Thompson, said in court Monday that they’ve been working toward a resolution with the case.

The bail agreement, Sherman said, is expected to be substantial enough to ensure Harris returns for future court dates. Smith, who is engaged to Harris and who is one of the bigger stars of the show, said after court that she has no worries about the $200,000 pledge.

“Mendeecees is a very good guy,” said Smith, who was once on the list of Billboard Magazine’s “Top 30 Executives under 30.” Despite rumors that Harris was already free, he has been in jail since January 2013. Those are hefty charges Harris is facing, which will know doubt only increase chatter that he is cooperating with authorities.

However, any such claims are strictly speculation. Watch Smith speak on Harris’ release below and pics of Harris walking the streets a free man on the following pages.

Kanye West Postpones Australian Tour To Work On Album

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Tonight, Kanye West put his Australian tour dates on hold in order to finish his forthcoming album. Let’s hope we get this album by the Summer.

A statement released to Live Nation Australia reads:

”Due to unexpected timing requirements to finish his highly anticipated new studio album, scheduled for a 2014 release, Kanye West regretfully announces the postponement of his upcoming tour dates in Australia.”

Wale Punches A Heckler In The Face At WWE Event In DC

UPDATE: Miss Info is reporting that the fight started when the fan trolled Wale via twitter. You can scroll through the tweets above.

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TMZ reports:

Rap star Wale PUNCHED A GUY IN THE FACE at a WWE event Monday night — and judging by the way security rushed in to break it up, it appeared to be 100% REAL.

It all went down at “Raw” in Washington D.C. — TMZ spoke with eyewitness Jawn Murray from AlwaysAlist.com who says Wale was sitting right behind the announcers enjoying the show … when some fan seated nearby began taunting the rapper.

Murray says Wale eventually got up out of his seat and “the next thing I know Wale is putting the smackdown on dude. Punched him dead in his face. It was a full fight.”

Security rushed over and broke up the fight — and took everyone involved into a hallway. Moments later, Wale returned to his seat and began snacking on popcorn like nothing happened.

We’re told the other guy is also back in his seat.

Pharrell To Join ‘The Voice’ As A Judge

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Today it was announced that Pharrell will be joining the judges panel for the next season of The Voice. Last year, he appeared on the NBC talent show as a mentor. Some quotes from the executives below:

“He has already made a considerable impact as a mentor, drawing on an impressive track record as both a producer and performer. It is a perfect fit for The Voice as we evolve and reach for new heights with this franchise. It feels like we are welcoming an existing family member home.”NBC President Paul Telegdy

“I am thrilled to have Pharrell come back to The Voice family, and this time…as a coach. Continuing in The Voice tradition of having the biggest and most current music stars as coaches, Pharrell fits perfectly.”Executive producer Mark Burnett

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Amy Winehouse Hologram Isn’t Happening; Family Blocks Bid To Sell Handwritten Lyrics

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There was growing rumors that Amy Winehouse would be touring the world hologram style…..those rumors were shot down by Amy’s father. From Huffington Post:

On March 28, UK newspaper The Sun reported that billionaire entrepreneur Alki David had purchased a patent for the 3D technology used to construct Tupac’s hologram, and was planning a posthumous world tour for Amy Winehouse’s image.

However, Winehouse’s father Mitch denied the story on Twitter, calling it “utter rubbish.” Mitch Winehouse owns the rights to his daughter’s likeness, so unless his mind changes, the world tour is unlikely to come about.

In related news, there was also apparently an attempt to put the fallen singer’s handwritten lyrics up for sale. The family shot that all the way down as well….from the New Zealand Herald:

The handwritten lyrics of one of Amy Winehouse’s most famous songs have been pulled from auction amid a row over ownership.

Papers bearing the lyrics of Love Is A Losing Game and a Valentine’s card were set to make thousands under the hammer at Bonhams.

However, following intervention from the family of the singer, who died from alcohol poisoning in 2011, the lots were withdrawn.

The song is thought to be about her husband Blake Fielder-Civil and is considered by critics to be her most touching work. The lyrics are inscribed with their names and a heart, to read ‘Amy hearts Blake’.

The seller’s identity is not known but the listing said the lyrics were given to a friend by Amy before her album Back To Black launched in 2006. The guide price was £5,000.

The second lot, expected to fetch £2,000, was a Valentine’s card sent from St Lucia to Blake in prison. Signed ‘Gemma’, a code name, it shows Charlie Brown from Peanuts and her note reads, ‘Our Day Will Come’, later the title of a song.

Blake’s mother, Georgette, said the seller is neither her or her son.

Yandy Smith, Juelz Santana & More Push Obamacare (PICS)

Good to know: for those that do not have insurance, today is the deadline to apply for the Affordable Care Act without getting hit with a fee (you can do so here). Above, Yandy Smith, Jennifer Williams, Tionna Smalls, Juelz Santana and more went how to push New York to apply (Juelz even enrolled on the spot). You can checkout pics above as well as some excerpts below.

We put so much focus on being fly on the outside, that we forget to take care of what counts on the inside and that is our health. I’m not here today as an expert, but to sign-up for the Affordable Care Act and to let my story serve as motivation. – Juelz Santana

It’s no secret that my son was born with a preexisting kidney condition. As a mom, my first priority was to put his health first. However, when I discovered my health insurance had been cancelled, I immediately went into panic mode to find the best solution. The Affordable Care Act provided my family and, most importantly my son, affordable coverage we could count on. – Yandy Smith

Bang Radio CEO Launches London’s First Legal Reggae Music Station

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Spotted on Mad News UK, where you can read more on the story:

Founder and CEO of BANG Radio, Jennifer Ogole, officially launches Riddim Radio on 103.6 FM across London, and online via www.weareriddim.com, becoming the first legal reggae and dancehall music station in the capital.

April marks what would have been BANG Radio’s 5th birthday, yet with the saturation of urban music in the British market, the team behind the community station brand have been working on bringing Caribbean sister station Riddim Radio to the UK.

Jennifer Ogole confirms:

“We are proud to announce a change in what was BANG Radio’s licence. We have been granted permission by Ofcom to amend our remit and champion reggae and dancehall from our home in Harlesden, North West London, finally shining a light on and representing a worldwide culture which has been gradually disappearing from British radio and deserves to have its own media platform in the UK.”

Jennifer Ogole and Zak Esau founded online radio station Riddim Radio in Trinidad in April 2013 and a year on, the expansion of broadcasting on FM in London will be taking place at midnight of 1st April 2014.

Krayzie Bone Plans To Sell Munchies At Weed Dispensaries

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Truth be told, a girl scout has already thought of this. From TMZ:

Krayzie Bone may have concocted the smartest business plan of all time — sell munchies to stoners WHILE THEY BUY WEED.

The Bone Thugs-n-Harmony rapper says a fan gifted him a personalized vending machine … and it inspired him.

Krayzie says he’s in talks to put the machines in a few L.A. stores — including weed dispensaries.

He’s really serious about it. He’s already ordered more vending machines for the launch.

Of course the machines will be filled with stoner favorites — Funyuns, Pop Tarts, Twinkies.

Nicki Minaj Grants Wish for 5-Year-Old Cancer Patient

A few weeks back, John Wall posted a video on his Instagram of 5-year-old cancer patient Miyah, who wished to meet Nicki Minaj and receive one of the Nicki’s famous pink wigs. The wish came true: Minaj spent time with the young girl on Sunday and happily obliged to her pink wig request. Check out some of the pictures in our gallery above (along with the below Instagram clip).

Why Was Benzino Shot By His Nephew At His Mother’s Funeral?

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For the last couple of days, we have been revealing reports pertaining to a recent shooting involving Benzino and his nephew at his mother’s funeral, as well as it’s aftermath. Apparently, Media Takeout now has the entire story that lead up to the incident:

Benzino’s mom Mary Scott was born in Cape Verde, a small island country located off the west coast of Africa. She moved to the South End of Boston with her mother when she was a little girl. She lived in Boston her whole life and was a beautiful and wonderful person who had love in her heart and was loved by many, especially her youngest child and only son Raymond (Benzino).

She had two daughters who are both about 8 to 10 years older and had a different father from Raymond.

Mary Scott died last week at the age of 79 while sleeping at her home in the Dorchester section of Boston that Benzino had helped her and her older sister, Maureen Scott, buy in 1996. The house had a mortgage. Benzino was unhappy about thisand later purchased his mother her own nice home in a nice suburban neighborhood.

Meanwhile the original house was purchased for $180,000. Maureen insisted on moving her mother into the attic bedroom on the third floor, while Mary continued to pay her half of that up in value to over $600,000. Around 2004, Maureen Scott and her son, Benzino’s nephew Gai Scott, took out mortgages on the home for over $300,000, an d allegedly forfeited Mary’s signature to do this without her knowledge. They never gave Mary a penny of the money. Benzino discovered this a few years l ater but his mom did not want him to cause a riff within the family and asked him to let it go. Shortly thereafter, his mom had a stroke and could no longer live alone, so she moved back into the original house in Dorchester. Benzino’s sisters and their family began to keep Mary from seeing her son. As he r health worsened it became harder and harder for Benzino to keep a normal relationship with his mother as his sisters exploited her bad health to further keep her from him.

Last week, when Benzino got the phone call about his mother’s death he was at home in Atlanta where he has lived for the past few years. There was no specific reason given to him as to how she passed. He ordered a toxicology report to have his mother’s blood tested and he began to look into her life insurance policy, on which he discovered Maureen Scott was named as the sole beneficiary. Benzino’s lawyer Marty Leppo began to look in to things earlier this week.

Benzino quietly visited his mother on Friday at the funeral home prior to the public viewing that took place later that day. He woke up Saturday unsure of whether he would attend the funeral as he wanted to mournin private away from his sisters and their family. His friend and brother Stevie J surprised him a few minutes later with a phone call, letting him know he was in Plymouth Massachusetts at the site of his mother’s mass service.

Benzino was excited that Stevie had come and immediately jumped into his car to drive to Plymouth. He was en route to meet Stevie J when he encountered the funeral procession and the incident then occurred.

His nephew shot multiple times at him and he was hit twice, once in the arm with another bullet grazing his back. His nephew chased after him in his car and Benzino sped away trying to evade him. He finally jumped out of his car and tried to find someone who could drive him to the hospital. He ran towards the hearse carrying his mother, bleeding profusely.

His sister and her family locked the doors and had the hearse pull off. Fortunately, one of Benzino’s aunts was driving with her daughter and took Benzino into their car, and drove him int o the nearest city, Duxboro, where police and fire personnel transported him to the nearest hospital, South Shore hospital in Weymouth, MA.

He lost a very large amount of blood, suffered a broken scapula bone and the bullet that entered his arm had shattered and remains in his arm. The bullet that grazed his back left an abrasion that was treated. The extraordinary staff at South Shore hospital took great care of him. He is expected to be released later on Sunday or by Monday morning.

Time will tell whether these detail are true or not….they definitely should credible, if anything.