By Mike Winslow
Superstar producer/rapper Swizz Beatz will speak to over 600 New York area students during the "It's Showtime: In Theatre Event Series" this Thursday (August 9) at the AMC Lincoln Square Theatre in Manhattan. MTV's Sway will co-host the event, which takes place from 6:00-8:00 pm. In addition to speaking, Swizz Beatz will perform, answer questions and sign autographs at the exclusive event. "It's an honor to be a voice that can encourage young kids to stay in school," Swizz Beatz said. "Growing up, I looked up to celebs like myself. So to be able to talk to these kids face to face and answer their questions and interact with them is great. It's going to be a great day for both the kids and myself." The "In Theatre Event Series" is designed to utilize celebrities young people admire, to encourage them to stay in school and make smart choices with their lives.
Pop singer Lily Allen is the latest artist to experience visa difficulties. United States custom and immigration officers in the United States revoked Allen's visa on Sunday (August 5), shortly after she landed at Los Angeles International Airport. Allen, who was detained in a cell and strip searched, is in the U.S. to launch a tour of the States and shoot a video with rapper/producer Kanye West. Allen was questioned about a March arrest involving a scuffle with a photographer outside a London nightclub. Allen, who was was issued a caution over the incident in June, was detained for five hours until her lawyers negotiated her release. Allen's tour is now in question, as she is awaiting a new work visa.
Over 230 people were arrested at a rap/rock concert in Karaj, Iran, that officials said violated Islamic morals. The event featured performances by female singers, who are banned from performing in the country. While security guards were reportedly hired to act as lookouts in the event of a raid, police still managed to confiscate 150 bottles of alcohol, marijuana and 800 "illegal" CD's. Various younger women were also arrested for wearing "inappropriate clothing" and police told labeled the concert as "satanist" to British newspapers.
The plight of David "Disco D" Shayman is the subject of an article in the latest issue of Penthouse magazine, which hit stores today (August 7). The article, titled "The High Life and Tragic Death of Disco D" explores the producers death (he committed suicide) and his three-year dispute over royalties earned for his work on 50 Cent's Ski Mask Way, taken from his album The Massacre, which has sold over 9 million copies. According to Penthouse, Disco D was only paid $4,250 for his contribution on the album. The issue also features an interview with Mya, who reveals her love of the 9MM handgun.