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EXCLUSIVE: Legal Battle Breaks Out Over Playaz Circle Logo

(AllHipHop News) Ludacris’ label Disturbing Tha Peace and Island Def Jam Music Group have been hit with a civil lawsuit over the use of the name and logo for Playaz Circle, a Hip-Hop group that featured rapper 2Chainz aka Tity Boi and his partner, Dolla Boy.

Torrey Cook filed the lawsuit on August 30, in the United States District Court for the Northern Division of Atlanta.

According to the lawsuit, Torrey Cook is the owner of the Playaz Circle trademark, which marketed the group under the same name as the label.

Cook says he has been using the Playaz Circle name in commerce since 1995, as a consultant to new artists.

The lawsuit claims that Disturbing Tha Peace has released three compilations or albums that included recordings of the group Playaz Circle, the group that featured 2Chainz, prior to his rise to mainstream solo success.

Cook admits that he worked with 2Chainz, born Tauheed Epps and Dolla, born Earl Conyers, as Playaz Circle, but said he never gave the pair permission to use the name and trademark.

“Mr. Cook made it very clear to all involved, at every juncture, that the name Playaz Circle was trademarked and that it belonged exclusively to him,” the lawsuit reads. “Further Mr. Epps and Mr. Conyers confirmed that they understood that the Mark belonged to Mr. Cook.”

It appears that Cook has no issue with 2Chainz or Dolla, since neither of the rappers are named in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims that counsel for Torrey Cook attempted to contact Disturbing Tha Peace and Def Jam reps and when they finally reached an agreement, it was never executed, because the reps simply stopped replying.

Disturbing Tha Peace and Island Def Jam are accused of profiting off of the name and logo for Playaz Circle.

Disturbing Tha Peace and Island Def Jam Music Group are being sued for trademark infringement, trademark dilution by blurring and attorney fees.

Check out copies of the lawsuit below:

Hip-Hop Rumors: Nas And Kelis On A Date?

What the hell-o is going on? There is a crazy rumor going on that Nas and Kelis were recently seen on a date. Now, Nas has been doing shows like crazy recently, so I cannot call it fully. But, according to iamjasonlee.com, they did just that out in Cali. Here is what they had to say over there:

Not sure how deep the relationship is these days, but we definitely know they’re still real close. The Milkshake rapper Kelis brought the boy, Nasty Nas to the yard on Thursday night in Hollywood where the two were spotted on a date night. Hollywood Bowl played home to love music last Thursday night as the one and only Anita Baker and Esperanza Spalding gave concert goers a night of love music. Well we were there and guess who we ran into on a date. Nas & Kelis!

Kelis exited the area and came over to take the picture with me and she walked down a bit which seemed weird. Until after we took the picture. Kelis began walking out and then when I looked back, Nas pulled his fishermans hat down and tried to walk out quickly. So I yelled out, “hey Nasty Nas” and he just smiled and walked by.

MIXTAPE DOWNLOAD: “Fail Mixtape: Volume 1”

From executive producers Christopher “Play” Martin, James Bland, and Vanessa Baden comes the Fail Mixtape: Volume 1. With a range of artists including T-Pain, Diggy Simmons, and Jacob Lattimore, as well as up and comers Khleo Thomas, Ohene Savant, and Cherlise, the first installment of the music featured in and inspired by the web series is sure to be the compilation feature of the fall.

“The goal of “Fail” was for the show itself to mirror shows like Fresh Prince and Martin. Those shows had a strong Hip-Hop influence from starring rappers to having appearances by artists,” says Baden who also executive produced the mixtape. “We realize how much of an impact hip hop has on our generation so it only made sense to use music to push the storyline, then to put the music out.”

The mixtape will be the first of many to come as “Fail” continues to go into production and air bi-weekly every Thursday on at 4 PM EST on AllHipHop.com.

[Download]

Watch the latest episode of the “Fail” show here:

FEEL RICH TIP: Muscle While You Hustle!

Editor’s Note: “Feel Rich” is our partnership with QD3, the talented son of music legend Quincy Jones. “Feel Rich” is all about creating a healthy lifestyle for Hip-Hop culture – both the artists and the fans. Enjoy!

Think you don’t have time to go to work and the gym? If you’re working smart, you can keep your body fit and your bank account fat at the same time. Try some of these tips at the office, the kitchen, or the delivery van to keep your muscles moving and get paid to get cut.

After sweating through another nine-to-five grind – scrubbing tables, folding clothes, whatever – the last thing you want to do with your free time is drag yourself to the gym. There are girls to get after, homies to catch up with, and bars to get thrown out of.  You’re trying to make money, make friends, and somehow you can’t work a consistent fitness routine into your schedule. Don’t worry: we get it, and we can help.

The key is incorporating fitness into your daily activities to make the most out of your time outside the gym. And you don’t have to turn into a carrot-juice drinking, eco-d##### to do it. By making a few small changes to the way you work, you can target and develop key muscles while on the job and get paid to workout. These tips are no substitute for a dedicated, regular exercise program, but by consciously applying them throughout your normal routine you can build your strength, improve your health, and keep fit while you hustle.

1.     Reach Across: The simplest way to sculpt your abs throughout the day. Take advantage of every opportunity to reach across your body rather than simply grabbing objects with your closest hand. Whether your stacking shelves, making sandwiches, or busing tables, reaching and pulling with your opposite arm engages your abs and can help carve out that six-pack girls go nuts for.

2.     Traffic Planks: You know that big, comfortable cushion you’re resting on in the driver’s seat? Get rid of it. By pushing the seat all the way back and supporting your own weight while you drive, you force your abs to counter the subtle jerks and lurches of stop-and-go traffic while conditioning your entire core. For the love of God, please don’t try this at high speeds or in any situation you might crash and slow up your workout.

3.     Ankle Weights: Perfect for on-the-move employees. By rocking a pair of subtle, 5-to-10 pound ankle weights under your work pants, servers, stockers, and any highly-mobile workers can add a little extra resistance for some big results in leg strength, core strength, and cardio. Try starting with a light weight and adding a couple of pounds every one to two weeks.

4.     Isometrics: Isometric exercises involve exerting force in a static position to put strain on your muscles without actually moving. Whenever you catch yourself with your hands free, try extending them forward at chest-height and pushing them against each other like you were trying to crush a peanut. Hold for 10-15 seconds. By repeating these sorts of motions frequently throughout the day, you can maintain and develop your physique without touching your schedule.

5.    Improvise: The rest is up to you. Sprint up every flight of stairs instead of using the elevator. Curl every box rather than sliding it across the floor. Park on the opposite side of the lot to force yourself to walk. After a couple of weeks of choosing the hard options, you will start to see results and staying fit will become just another part of your daily routine.

Like what you read here? Follow us on Twitter , LIKE us on Facebook, and check out www.feelrich.com.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Tyga Kicked Out Of A Casino For Possession?!

Maybe YMCMB rapper Tyga should just stay out of Las Vegas. Earlier this year, he was arrested while in Sin City on an outstanding warrant. Now, we are hearing that he was on the verge of getting arrested again after allegedly getting kicked out of a Vegas Casino for being caught with that yayo…the white horse..you know, blow. These are all rumors, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

According to Diary Of A Hollywood Street King, sources say Tyga was allegedly kicked out of the Casino after “a bag of cocaine fell out of his pocket, as he took $700 of cash out to exchange it for casino chips.” A casino employee allegedly spotted the stash on the floor and alerted security.

“When the blow hit the floor Tyga said to the casino rep ‘That’s not mine. I don’t know who’s that is, or where it came from.”

They say security let Tyga go instead of calling the police and escorted him out of the casino. I wonder if he was “Faded.”

Mickey “MempHitz” Wright Files Lawsuit Against VH1 and “Love And Hip-Hop: Atlanta” Creators

(AllHipHop News) Mickey Wright, Jr. p/k/a “MeMpHiTz”, intends to file a federal lawsuit against the creators and producers of “Love And Hip Hop: Atlanta,” according to his legal team.

“Ms. Pate has taken full advantage of society’s tendency to accept claims of domestic violence as always being true, even in the absence of proof. The only abuse that actually occurred is the malicious and calculated pattern of vicious lies Ms. Pate has assailed for the purpose of fabricating a compelling story line in an attempt to ruin my client’s name,” said attorneys Conti J. Moore and Alcide L. Honoré.

The suit includes Viacom International, Inc.; NFGTV, Inc.; and Monami Entertainment, LLC, the company owned by Mona Scott-Young.

According to the press release Wright is “suing the named Defendants for approximately one dollar per viewer per show for damages that stem from the defamatory statements and denigrating actions of cast member Kimberly Michelle Pate p/k/a ‘K. Michelle’.”

On the show, Michelle asserts vehemently that Wright violently beat her when they were in a relationship.

Alcide L. Honoré said, “Even the most ridiculous statements when repeated frequently become true in the minds of many. Ms. Pate’s preposterous claims, which include allegations that Mr. Wright mismanaged funds and caused her career to ‘flop’, have been adopted as truth by many followers of the popular VH-1 reality series.”

Wright said that he seeks compensation for the pain his family has undergone.

“My family and I have suffered tremendously while VH-1, Monami Ent., and the other companies provided a worldwide platform for K. Michelle to repeatedly assassinate my character,” he maintained. “The filing of this suit is to compensate for the irreparable damage that has been done to my reputation and to deter these companies from doing such future harm to others.”

Moore & Honore jointly said that they would defend their client in a court of law, particularly on the matters surrounding domestic violence.

“Domestic violence is an issue of serious nature, often having grave consequences for true victims with whom we all sympathize. However, it is unconscionable for one to play on the sympathies of the masses by levying false accusations of such heinous acts against an innocent party, simply for the sake of entertainment or for purported career advancement. After reviewing the evidence in this matter, we are prepared to litigate this case to the fullest extent of the law to seek justice for our client and to restore his name and professional reputation.”

Lloyd and Wale Aim for Another Hit Collabo on “All of Me”

R&B singer Lloyd must live in the studio, because even if there’s no new album in sight, he remains relevant by releasing music directly to his fans.

This time, the 26-year-old releases “All of Me”, a slow jam featuring MMG rapper – and sometimes poet – Wale. Listen to the track here:

Is this better than their previous collabos?

“West Side Story” Goes Hip-Hop In The Animated “Central Park Tale” Film

(AllHipHop News) Hip-Hop will soon be the voice of yet another generation – the indigenous Black Squirrel. From the animation director of Happy Feet, Daniel Jeannette, and the choreographer of “Step Up 1-4”, Jamal Sims, comes a rollicking new Hip-Hop animated film – Central Park Tale.

Some of the top animation professionals in entertainment are embarking on new territory with the first Hip-Hop driven, full-feature film in animation.

Central Park Tale is a fresh twist on West Side Story. This timeless story of star-crossed lovers will be set against the backdrop of a squirrel turf battle in New York City’s Central Park. Featuring riveting dance numbers, and the voices and songs of top urban and Hip-Hop artists, Central Park Tale offers a hip, contemporary take on a classic story that will appeal to children and adults alike.

Inspired by real life events, in 2006, Peter Cooper Village, the last bastion of middle-income housing in NYC, was sold by Met Life for a whopping $5.4 billion – one of the largest real estate transactions in the history of the U.S. Not only were innocent families displaced, but in our story a small community of Black Squirrels (who, in reality, do inhabit Peter Cooper Village) suddenly find themselves homeless.

With winter approaching and their food supply decimated, the Black Squirrels must find new digs, and fast! They migrate to Central Park, only to discover hostile natives, Grey Squirrels, who jealously defend their turf. Mistrust and fear quickly escalate into a parkland feud – which plays out in the classic Hip-Hop battle arena of song and dance.

Dance – and specifically Hip-Hop street battles – is a vital component to the story. World-class choreographer Jamal Sims will be hand-picking some of the best and brightest Hip-Hop dancers on the global stage today. From lockers and poppers to trickers and gymnasts, Sims will be recruit cutting-edge talent that will showcase the latest Hip-Hop dance moves and B-boy stylings. The dancers’ movements will be recorded and used as a visual reference to animate the squirrel characters.

The project is still in its development stage and has started a Kickstarter page to raise the funds for the completion of the teaser, which is needed to get the green-light for the animated feature film. The film’s writer and producer, Jacqui Barcos, explains why they chose to use Kickstarter and why help from the general public is needed to create history in animation,

“Frankly, because we want to preserve the original vision of this story, our project’s a little edgy. It takes on Hip-Hop, street battles, urban design, graffiti…we want it to be more than just for five-year-olds. We want to make the kind of animated movie you’d want to see and that we’d want to see,” said Barcos.

Sims shares his feelings about breaking new ground in Hip-Hop and animation in the video below:

There is a three week deadline to support the film. Fans can show support for this project by contributing on the official Kickstarter page.

Daily Word: Overcome Defeat!!!

Happy Tuesday, my soldiers and survivors!

Welcome to the day that you finally say enough is enough! Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to
overcoming defeat! Defeat is defined as Having been beaten in a battle or Demoralized and overcome by adversity. Life is a challenge, but in no way should you ever let it beat you or demoralize you! Every single thing you go or are going through is designed to simply make you
stronger! No circumstance is ever permanent unless you give up!

I know there may be a lot going on in your life, but by all means IT’S ALWAYS TOO EARLY TO QUIT!! In life, you will never be given more than you can handle! If your obstacles are seeming too much for you to bear, then you have not fully recognized your power!

OVERCOME DEFEAT!! Recognize your power, and use it to make you situation better! When all else fails, take a step back from the situation, relax, breathe, and start over! Sometimes taking a step back can help you take a step forward! You are more powerful than you even realize! Don’t let your power go to waste! Stay strong and Tell life you are not Having it! Nothing can stop you but you!!
-Ash’Cash

“Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering.” -Santosh Kalwar

“Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.” -Ralph Ellison

“When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal.” -Napoleon Hill

“When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” -Roger Crawford

“A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.” -Richard M. Nixon

“No matter how often you are defeated, you are born to victory.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.” -Marcus Garvey

TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE DAILY WORD – CLICK HERE.

Ash’Cash is a Business Consultant, Motivational Speaker, Financial Expert and the author of Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom. For more information, please visit his website, www.IamAshCash.com.