Tuf America has
filed a lawsuit against Roc-A-Fella Records, claiming the label illegally used
a sample of Trouble Funk’s 1982 song "Let’s Get Small." The lawsuit,
which was filed in Manhattan Federal Court, claims the group incorporated a portion
of the often sampled record "Let’s Get Small" on the song "Criminal
Background," taken from State Property’s 2003 album The Chain Gang Vol.
2. Tuf America is part of the Tuff City Music Group, which was a seminal Hip-Hop
label founded by Aaron Fuchs. Tuff City later expanded and transformed into a
reissue label that has released hundreds of rare blues, jazz, funk, soul and Hip-Hop
obscurities. Tuf America seeks an undisclosed amount in damages.The
twin sister of Eminem’s ex-wife Kimberly Mathers is in police custody after Kim
filed a kidnapping complaint with Detorit police. According to reports, Kim Mathers
is the legal guardian of her sister’s 7-year-old son. Police spotted Mathers’ sisters’ Lincoln Navigator at a local gas station and attempted to approach the vehicle, but Mathers’ twin sister fled. She was caught by another officer a short time later and is being held in Macomb County on probation violation
charges.Lil’
Kim is negotiating her return to reality television on the UK’s Channel 4 hit
show, Celebrity Big Brother. According to the UK’s Sun, producers
offered Lil’ Kim £255,000 ($498,640) to appear on the show, but the diva
refused, demanding over £400,000 ($782,180) to star in the hit series, which
has featured such celebrities as Dennis Rodman, Tracy Bingham, Brigitte Nielsen
and others. Celebrity Big Brother stars various celebrities living in the
"Big Brother House," attempting to avoid being evicted by a voting public,
with the goal of winning a cash prize to be donated to the winner’s charity. According
to The Sun, Lil’ Kim is also demanding: final approval of all her footage,
a personal assistant in the house, her own make-up and hairstylists, first class
travel for two from the United States and two first hotel accomadations. Additionally,
Lil’ Kim allegedly requested a two week, all expense vacation in London at the
end of the show. Celebrity Big Brother, which starts next Wednesday, currently
features football player Jason Cundy and his actress wife Lizzie. Also being considered
for the show are Jermaine Jackson, Paul Michael Glaser and others.Target
Corporation recently pulled a CD case that featured a photograph of Latin American
revolutionary, Che Guevara. Customers complained about the cover of the CD, which
was on Target-branded items being sold in the store. Guevara’s image has become
a popular fashion statement and his familiar image is seen on T-shirts and posters.
While some hold Guevara in high regards for his role in the Cuban revolution,
others criticize Guevara for his violent tactics. "What next? Hitler backpacks?
Pol Pot cookware? Pinochet pantyhose? Target gives this monster a pass, while
using common sense on almost everything else it sells," Investors Business
Daily
wrote in an editorial on Dec. 13. Target issued an apology for the Guevara/Target-brandeditems. "It is never our intent to offend any of our guests through the merchandise
we carry…We have made the decision to remove this item from our shelves and
we sincerely apologize for any discomfort this situation may have caused our guests."
