By Rudy West
Jay-Z's 40/40 Club has been hit with a lawsuit by a woman who claims she was fired because she was pregnant. The lawsuit, which was filed in New York County Court, claims that she was fired by managers who said her pregnancy didn't fit the club's "sexy image." The woman seeks an unknown amount in damages. In May, Jay-Z and the 40/40 Club were hit with a class action lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court. In that lawsuit, a woman accused the club of not paying minimum wage and making waiters and waitresses work for tips only.
Rappers Remy Ma, Jadakiss and Styles P will be among the celebrities on hand for Deal Me In 2007, a celebrity spades tournament presented by Power Moves, Inc. The third annual event, which will take place Nov. 15 at Club Strata in New York, NY, will feature entertainment personalities as well as industry executives who will compete for charity. Others slated to appear include Jamie "Marlo" Hector and Felicia "Snoop" Pearson of HBO's The Wire, NBA players Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter, BET's 106 and Park hosts Terrence J and Rocsi, Keenan Thompson of Saturday Night Live, video director Chris Robinson, NaShawn
Kearse of Desperate Housewives and last year's celebrity spades champion, rapper Joe Budden.
Virginia rap duo The Clipse have ended their deal with Jive and the Neptunes' Star Trak Entertainment and have inked a new deal with Columbia Records, Billboard reports. Under the terms of the deal, the group's label Re-Up Gang Records will have a 50/50 profit sharing agreement with Columbia, in addition to owning the master recordings for their roster of artists. The group will release a Re-Up Gang compilation and a new album, which will include production from Timbaland, Dame Grease and Danjahandz. "I can honestly say that we were all friends before the music and will be friends to the end," Malice told Billboard. "Everything is business. If we had our way, we would always be on Star Trak. But it's what's working for you and what's not. We just want good energy, and Columbia has both the urgency and the muscle."
Philadelphia rapper Freeway has announced that his new album Free At Last will arrive in stores in November. The album was executive produced by Jay-Z and 50 Cent and features guest appearances from Paul Wall, Rick Ross, Scarface, Lil' Wayne, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes and others. Free At Last, which was originally due in stores October 9, has now been given a release date of November 20.