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FEEL RICH VIDEO: G-Unit’s Tony Yayo Shares How “50 Keeps Us Healthy”

By: feelrich2 Updated May 22, 2012 at 9:35amCategory: Lifestyle

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!

Even with the ripped 50 Cent by his side, Tony Yayo still struggles with making the right choices for his health. He talks to Feel Rich about quitting smoking, what life is like on the road, how 50 Cent drives G-Unit to get healthy, and getting himself back on the health tip.

To set some goals for yourself, read this:

If you’re serious about getting healthy, it’s time to set some goals. Nothing feels as good as reaching a goal you’ve set for yourself. Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, eat healthier, or just remember to take your vitamins, setting achievable goals is the first step on the journey to a healthier you.

There are many ways to set your goals. One way to do it is to ask yourself a basic line of questions: “Who, what, when, where, and why?” The answers to these questions will help you create a framework for your goal, and make it less likely for you to make impulsive decisions.

Who? When it comes to changing your habits, you want a partner in crime. Find someone who wants to make similar goals, whether it’s a boyfriend/girlfriend, cousin, friend, co-worker, etc. Their support and companionship will help you stay on track. Starting or finding a support group is a great way to have people who can not only relate to you, but also help you pull through a rough patch.

What? Set specific, achievable goals. Be realistic. An achievable goal is one you can measure. “I want to have a banging’ body” is not a good goal, because you can’t measure that. How do you know when you’ve achieved it? “I want to be able to run 5 miles without getting winded” is better, because it’s measurable.

When? Ask yourself how much time you can realistically spend working toward your goal. For example, if you work a 9-to-5 job, making a goal to do cardio four times a week for 30 minutes makes sense, where spending three hours strength training every day might not. If your goals are diet related, plan your meals ahead if possible, and try to make mealtime consistent every day.

Where? Figure out where you are going to work towards your goals. Do you have the extra money to spend on a gym membership? Are you more of an outdoorsy type? Do you need a lot of variety in your workout environment so you don’t get bored? Is there an organic supermarket that sells produce at affordable prices? Map out where you will go on your hunt for health.

Why? This is possibly the most important question of all. Why are you setting goals to improve your health? There could many reasons: overall well being, improving self-confidence, creating good habits, reducing a health issue, or training for a marathon. Guess what? They’re all totally valid! Having a clear picture of why you’re doing what you’re doing will help you to accomplish it.

Staying on Board

Sticking to your goals should be a goal in itself. Falling off the wagon is easy, especially if you are creating new habits. So reward your milestones as you go. Get a massage or treat yourself to a nice dinner. When you find yourself slacking, remember your reward, and you’ll find inspiration pronto.

Tying your reward to your milestone helps you focus better, too. For instance, if you’re trying to lose weight, reward yourself with new (smaller!) clothes that fit. Having a reward that specifically relates to your goals will help make achieving them even more fantastic.

Also, track your progress. Buy a journal or make an excel spreadsheet. Doesn’t matter; just record your advancement. Recording your progress will help prevent you from being too lenient with yourself. You will also have a record of what you did on any given day.

Preparing for the Future

As you work toward your goal, think about how you will maintain your goals. Knowing what you need to do to stay on top of your game will save yourself a lot of trouble. In general, plan ahead and your chances for success will be great! Good luck!

-Alex Zaglin

Like what you see and hear? Check out Feel Rich on Twitter and Facebook, or visit www.feelrich.com!

Daily Word: Take The First Step!!

By: seandrasims Updated May 22, 2012 at 8:58amCategory: Lifestyle

Happy Takeover Tuesday!

Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to taking the first step towards your success! If we surveyed all of the 7,014,961,850 people living in the world today, I can almost guarantee that each and every one of them (including you and me) are aspiring for something greater in life. Whether it’s the baby wanting that next bottle, the kid who wants more junk food, or the adult who is looking
for love and a great career….. Whatever the goal or aspiration, it is IMPOSSIBLE to attain any of it if you don’t take the first step!

I don’t care if you are the most talented and most skillful being on the planet – if you are not putting yourself out there, then you will NEVER be successful! What we need to realize sooner than later is that success is a process! It doesn’t happen at a blink of an eye, and there isn’t one big thing that makes someone successful! Success is the result of small steps put together over time to create a greater piece!

A friend once told me that “It takes at least 10 years to become an overnight success.” Think about that for just one second, and once you truly understand that saying, you will then understand why it is imperative that you begin your journey TODAY!!! Now is the time that you begin to put the wheels in motion in order to begin living the live you have imagined! You are in total control so take what you deserve!!
-Ash’Cash

“There’s no process that guarantees success. But taking the first step ups the chances.” -Jim Tamm

“It’s always easy to do the next step, and it’s always impossible to do two steps at a time.” -Seymore Cray

“The first and most important step toward success is the feeling that we can succeed.” -Nelson Boswell

“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps – we must step up the stairs.” -Vance Havner

“Believe that it’s possible. Once you get a taste of success, you start to believe in it a little more.” -Jarome Iginla

“Making a success of the job at hand is the best step toward the kind you want.” -Bernard M. Baruch

“It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed.” -Ram Dass

“Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently.” -William Arthur Ward

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.

Today’s Hip-Hop: Does It Have To Make Sense?

By: seandrasims Updated May 22, 2012 at 8:58amCategory: MOBILE

Engaging a group of students in a conversation about today’s Hip-Hop music, I asked them to quote for me lyrics from some artists who are presently deemed hot MCs. It goes without noting that when most names were mentioned, I immediately opined, “What is he talking about”?

To which one youth responded, “Does it have to make sense?”

Truth be told, I’m becoming an old man. Now granted, I haven’t started wearing the black shoe polish in my hair to compensate for the lack thereof. Nor am I wearing super-sized headbands to hide my receding hairline (which, might I add, would look ridiculous with me dressed in a shirt and tie, standing at a chalkboard teaching Math). My oldness is appearing in other debilitating forms. My stamina isn’t what it used to be, and my memory is fading, quickly.

But probably the worst indication of prolonging the inevitable is the fact that I have not the slightest clue what many of these rappers are now talking about. I guess that wouldn’t matter if I still didn’t have an infatuation with the music that I fell in love with as child. I find it easier to fall in love than it is to fall out of it. However, I’m getting old, and I know it because I am now starting to quote the words my parents used to say to me when I was a child.

Words such as, “I don’t know what this garbage is y’all are listening to today.”

I can barely tune into the local radio station that caters to the Hip-Hop-oriented demographics, because the majority of songs sound as if they were made for a strip club compilation CD. I don’t know about other mature adults, but at this stage in my life, I only want to listen to strip club songs when I am in the strip club. Not when I’m in my car during the day, either transporting my 13-year-old daughter to or from school.

Then if I’m not listening to strip club songs, I’m being force fed songs that I literally need translation for. I understand Hip-Hop is a young man’s sport, but would it be wrong for me to suggest that it doesn’t have to be a genre of music precisely geared towards a specific age group? And would I be inherently stupid not to believe that our young folk only want to listen to strip club songs or songs about trapping?

People oftentimes will say, “There’s a lot of conscious Hip-Hop music out there. You just have to find it.”

Before we go any further, really consider that quote. If I have to seek consciousness, then what am I presently in the midst of?

It pains me that our music has drastically changed the way it has. Truth be told, it wasn’t all conscious then, but various options provided for us diversity. And due to that diversification, conscious Hip-Hop was readily available and made mainstream. Now, we know that it was for the monetary profit for corporations, but it would be remiss to say that our community didn’t profit from it as well. Arguably in a far greater capacity than just dollars and cents. Some would suggest that systematically, it was determined by the powers that be to dumb us down by over saturating our community not with the spirit of Malcolm, but instead the fictitious life of Montana. We’ve replaced the idealization of strong, Black women with only the sexuality of Foxy Brown.

Plainly speaking, we’ve been duped to believe that we don’t have much more to offer to each other than lying *ss street stories and bedroom tales that should remain inside the bedroom of consenting adults. Man, I’m getting old because I do remember the time when I would relish those same stories that are being spoken to our children, by our children today. I done spent many of nights jumping up and down at a club, screaming to the top of my lungs foolishness. I’ve been watching the movie Scarface since it came recorded on two separate VHS tapes.

However, apparently that wasn’t all that I was doing. And more importantly than anything that I must stress, that was not my only alternative. Unlike today’s Hip-Hop oriented entertainment culture, I was given viable options, which lent to my balance. My greatest concern of our culture for today’s youth is that they are not getting the same balance. And what they are being fed is just as unhealthy, dangerous, and detrimental to their well being as foul food or contaminated water.

So, “does it have to make sense?”

Given the impact and influence that our youth allow the music to have on their lives, I reckon that it should.

Cornell Dews is a proud parent, classic Hip-Hop fan, and AllHipHop.com contributor.

Hip-Hop Rumors: My, Jay-Z and Beyonce, What Big Rumors You Have!

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated May 22, 2012 at 7:56amCategory: MOBILE

WILL BEYONCE SHOW UP TO JAY-Z’S FESTIVAL?

Did you see that the roll-out for the Made In America Festival? Click here to see the full line up of acts!

Pearl Jam as the headliner? Not sure about that. Nevertheless, click here for the full line up, including a bunch of related rappers. And then Odd Future. But there is more.

The rumors are running. The first one is Beyonce! I mean, this ain’t not thing to the G’z, but its certainly an attraction that will get the women taking. Definitely no confirmation on B’s inclusion, but it makes perfect sense. Beyonce is coming back with some performances at some Atlantic City thing. So, there you go with that.

The festival, while it takes place in Philly Town, is very short on Philadelphia acts. The Roots are not slated to perform. But, here is a tidbit for you. Jay-Z is rumored to play at The Roots 4th of July picnic.

And then there is the notion and rumor that Jay-Z and Beanie will mend their beef formally at the Philly festival. If it doesn’t happen there, i cannot see it happening. From what I understand, Beanie’s people have stepped up their peace offering. I hope it happens.

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

Eminem is rumored to be working on new music that will coincide with a new Wii video game. The name of the game is “Acid Ghost” and is expected to be revealed the first week in June.

I am hearing Lloyd Banks is now a solo artist. He’s still tied to G-Unit, but nothing else like management. I guess that means he’s got some work to do.

Anybody got any 2 Chainz rumors? Jeez. Oh, by the way, I heard nothing about Ludacris either.

According to the homie Gyant, Ruben Studdard is pushing 400 lbs and in poor health due to pure obesity.

I guess this is worth a mention since it was all over the blogs. Usher and Tameka Raymond’s child custody battle went crazy today. Usher says his ex tried to spit on his new girlfriend, Grace. EW!

Ray-J accuses the Houston family of having his tailbone taken from a seat at the Billboard Awards that was a bit too close to Bobbi Kristina. They deny that notion. But he was removed from the event by the police after he moved from his original seat to a seat down in the front somewhere. I don’t know who Pat Houston is, but she is taking over, they say.

Lineup For Jay-Z’s “Made In America” Fest Forms With Pearl Jam, Rick Ross

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated May 22, 2012 at 12:04amCategory: MOBILE

(AllHipHop News) The line-up for the Jay-Z Made In America Tour will offer a plethora of artists including Seattle grunge rockers Pearl Jam as the co-headliner with the Brooklyn rap mogul.

The Made festival takes place on Sept. 1-2 in Philadelphia.

Read: Jay-Z To Launch “Made In America” Music Festival

A number of other acts were added to the line up as well, including Rick Ross, indie rockers Dirty Projectors, Janelle Monae, reclusive soulster D’Angelo, Meek Mill, Santigold, Skrillex, Odd Future, electronic band Passion Pit, and Wale. The Budweiser-sponsored has more to offer with Calvin Harris, The Knocks, and Roc Nation’s Rita Ora, Brit pop act Miike Snow and Latino pop star Prince Royce.

Jay-Z and Pearl Jam will play both nights.

Tickets to the Made In America festival go on sale this Wednesday at 10 am on Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com. Ticket prices start at $99.

Ask Ash Cash: What Affects Your Credit Score?

By: seandrasims Updated May 21, 2012 at 10:48pmCategory: Lifestyle

AllHipHop.com’s resident Daily Word guru and all-around inspirational guy, Ash Cash, is back with his latest installment of “Ask Ash Cash.”

Be sure to watch the video below his response, as he offers more sound advice to readers:

Peace and blessings, family, Today’s Ask Ash Cash segment is an important lesson about how your credit score works, asked by Manny Rivera… Remember if you have any questions, please send them to Qu*******@********sh.com or ask via Twitter @IamAshCAsh using #AskAshCash.

Dear Ash Cash: What affects my credit score and what can I do to fix it?

For those who are not familiar, your credit score or F.I.C.O. is a credit reporting system started by the Fair Isaacs Corporation. It is a numerical measurement of your credit worthiness that ranges from 300 to 850. Your F.I.C.O. score is used by most lenders to determine whether or not you can obtain credit.

Your score can stop your from getting loans, renting or buying a home, purchasing a car, opening a bank account, or even getting a job. Getting a handle on your F.I.C.O. score is easy if you educate yourself on how F.I.C.O. is calculated, then discipline yourself. The five categories that are used to calculate your score are: How much debt you have or usage (30%), Your payment history (35%), Your debt usage ratio (How much you owe in relation to your credit limit) (30%),
How far back your credit history goes (15%), New credit (10%), and your mix of various types of credit (10%).

Because new credit, length of credit history, and credit mix take longer to fix, they have an immediate (6 months-one year) impact on your credit; it is important that you concentrate of paying your bills on time (35%) and bringing down your usage (30%). If you have late payments in the past, don’t fret too much because your score is damaged by the most recently reported derogatory information, so derogatory information reported prior to two years does not highly impact your score. As far as usage, just make sure that you are not spending more than 30% of your allotted credit limit, i.e. if you have a $1,000 credit card, don’t spend more than $300… If you concentrate on those two things, you will be positively affecting your score by 65%….

If your score is not good enough to obtain new credit, then apply for a secured credit card or loan.. Those are great ways to build up your score!

Congratulations!!! You are on your way to A credit! Keep staying focused, and you will get what you came for! #MindRightMoneyRight!!

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.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Did Karrine “Superhead” Steffans Have a Miscarriage?

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated May 21, 2012 at 4:46pmCategory: MOBILE

The woman known infamously as Superhead is known for telling mix of fact and fiction. But, she may be hit with a dose of reality if she is telling the truth. The vixen is charging that she and her husband suffered a miscarriage after the being pregnant. She sent the following tweet: “Thanks for all the pregnancy concerns & questions. Unfortunately, my husband & I are no longer expecting. Dealing w/ this privately.” She’s got a kid with Kool G Rap and he’s now 13-years-old. Not, G Rap, the son. I don’t know why she would lie about something as serious as this, but I guess people are skeptical. Well, assuming that they are a couple going through a tough spot, lets give them that until another tweet goes out.

It’s A Celebration, Biggie!: Notorious B.I.G.’s Top 5 Tributes To The Good Life

By: seandrasims Updated May 21, 2012 at 4:37pmCategory: Features

Today marks what would have been the 40th birthday of Brooklyn’s late, great Notorious B.I.G. Biggie’s life was cut too short too fast, but you have to admit, he did party like a rock star while he was with us.

He also left beyond some classics that always get the house rocking, especially on birthdays. Here is AllHipHop.com’s rundown of “Notorious B.I.G.’s Top 5 Tributes to the Good Life”:

1) “JUICY”: Biggie laments on his impoverished childhood, then remembers, ‘Wait, I’m rich now!’

“Birthdays was the worst days/ Now we drink champagne when we thirsty…”:

2) “PARTY AND B#######”: This is an anthem for ‘hood boys gone wild, and we all know Biggie had major love for his Brooklyn streets.

“Loungin’ black, smokin’ sacks up in Acs/ and Sidekicks with my sidekicks rockin’ fly kicks…”

3) “HYPNOTIZE”: At just 24, Biggie was already embracing his grown and sexy on this upbeat winner from Life After Death.

“Poppa been smooth since days of Underoos/ Never lose, never choose to…”

4) “SKY’S THE LIMIT”: Just check the lyrics – Biggie seemed super thankful here, and he had a lot to celebrate before his untimely passing in 1997.

“I like this young man. When he came out, he went from ashy to classy…”:

5) “F*CKING YOU TONIGHT” – Ever the mack, B.I.G. knew that no night of partying should end up with your homies still around.

“Skip the wine and the candlelight/ No Cristal tonight/ If it’s alright with you/ We f*ckin’ (that’s cool)…”

Happy birthday and R.I.P. to The Notorious B.I.G.! (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997) Tell us your favorites in the comment section!

Justin Beiber Goes Hip-Hop Feature-Heavy For New Album “Believe”

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta) Updated May 21, 2012 at 4:29pmCategory: MOBILE

(AllHipHop News) Justin Beiber, who won an award for Top Social Artist at last night’s (May 20) Billboard Music Awards, has revealed a number of intriguing Hip-Hop collaborations for his upcoming third studio album, Believe.

The album’s tracklisting was revealed by Beiber via Twitter, prior to him taking the stage last night where he performed the Believe’s first single, “Boyfriend“, produced by Mike Posner.

As for the Hip-Hop talent Bieber has gathered, Ludacris will be featured on the album’s opening track, “All Around the World,” while Nicki Minaj and Drake will appear separately on the tracks, “Beauty and the Beat” and “Right Here.” G.O.O.D. Music’s Big Sean will appear on the Hit-Boy-produced “As Long As You Love Me”.

The 18-year-old singer and pop star has also enlisted producers such as Hit-Boy, Diplo, Kanye West, Timbaland, and Rodney Jerkins for Believe, to be released on June 19.

Image from GQ.

Smoke DZA’s “Rugby Thompson” To Feature Curren$y, Sean Price, Action Bronson and Many More

By: JP DelaCuesta (@JPdelacuesta) Updated May 21, 2012 at 3:28pmCategory: MOBILE

(AllHipHop News) Smoke DZA has revealed the tracklisting for his upcoming third album, Rugby Thompson, which will be released via High Times Records on June 19.

The Harlem MC has enlisted Curren$y, Sean Price, Action Bronson, Domo Genesis, Schoolboy Q, and more for his 12-track album that follows April’s Cuz I Felt Like It EP.

DZA spoke on his Harry Fraud produced album with AllHipHop.com: “It’s always a pleasure to work with somebody as talented as Harry, you know, I’m blessed to be able to work with him and put out a whole project with him. Harry Fraud is one of the best producers out, and that’s my brother man.”

“We’ve got an ill chemistry,” he said, “and we knock out a lot of records quick and they’re really hot. I got the same feeling from him that I got from Ski [Beatz] when I worked on George Kush Da Button. When me and Harry are in the studio, we just push each other. We’ve got big, big records on there. I’m just excited for the next chapter”

Rugby Thompson can be pre-ordered now at HighTimes.com.

Check out the tracklisting for Rugby Thompson below:

01. Rugby Thompson
02. New Jack
03. Baleedat ft. Curren$y
04. Playground Legend
05. Ashtray ft. Domo Genesis & ScHoolboy Q
06. F*ck Ya Mother ft. Sean Price
07. Game 7 ft. A$AP Twelvyy
08. Kenny Powers
09. Turnbuckle Music ft. Action Bronson
10. Rivermonts
11. Lo Horsemen ft. NYM LO, Meyhem Lauren & Thirstin Howl III
12. The Prelude To Judgement Day

Image by Steve-Ography.

Fully Appreciating Hip-Hop: Where Do We Begin?

By: seandrasims Updated May 21, 2012 at 3:21pmCategory: Uncategorized

Although it’s not an officially recognized holiday, this month marked a special occasion (Hip-Hop Appreciation Week) for the millions of people who have been influenced by a culture born out of the plight of American, urban poverty and ancestrally-rooted in creativity at its best.

Since its birth nearly 40 years ago in The Bronx, Hip-Hop has been embraced, adored, and imitated by the masses. It has been borrowed from rampantly by the mainstream over time, becoming the sentiment that defines everything cool and trendy, the sought-after sound that moves most crowds, and the dictionary that defines pop culture slang.

But what is it?

Well. It’s much more than music and jive talk. Over time, Hip-Hop and Rap have become nearly and incorrectly synonymous. But certainly, to those of us who have been raised by it and have it pulsing through our veins, we know it goes far beyond speaker systems and studio booths.

Hip-Hop is a notion, an ideal, a state of being, a way of walking and talking, an against the grain attitude, the spirit of the underdog, a spray painted tag on a wall, and much more. It’s gargantuan – possibly too huge to be defined properly – so instead we’ve interpreted it…through our gear, hairstyles, slang, bop, and other expressions of love.

And while a large chunk of the majority still portrays many of us Hip-Hop heads as hoodied hooligans, we, the wiser, know we’ve been onto something good for years now. Just turn on the TV and the radio, look up at the billboards, ponder the protests, and peek into the closets and iPods of kids from Tallahassee to Toronto to Taiwan.

What we’ve amassed in 40 years is worth celebrating and preserving, as our multi-generational status has now cemented our staying power. Now, it’s time to pop bottles, innovate musically, and inspire the youth with our positivity and political power.

Little old us? We (still) out’chea.

Hip-Hop rules.

All week long, AllHipHop.com is paying respects Hip-Hop. Check back in for our love letter to the culture!

EXCLUSIVE: Jimmy Henchman Trial Day 5 – Rapper Game’s Accountant Admits Criminal Activity

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated May 21, 2012 at 2:07pmCategory: MOBILE

(AllHipHop News) Today (May 21), marked the fifth day of testimony in the federal cocaine distribution trial of mogul James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond, who is accused of masterminding a massive cocaine distribution organization from 1995 until 2010.

The operation allegedly imported hundreds of kilos of the drug from the West Coast using overnight courier services and then sold them into the New York area.

The government claims the proceeds were sent to the West Coast, and then laundered through various companies controlled by Rosemond.

Today, Czar Entertainment’s former business manager, John Dash, took the stand to testify for the prosecution.

Dash is also currently the business manager for rapper Game and has handled the rapper’s finances since about 2005.

Dash testified that he regularly deposited money orders into Czar’s accounts and paid for expenses that he claimed he was told “was income derived from studio rental time.”

According to Dash, Rosemond earned most of his money through management commission checks issued to Czar Entertainment.

Dash said that in 2006-2007, Czar handled the careers of Mario Winans, Guerilla Black, and Game.

Dash said promoters often paid Game through wires, while smaller promoters often paid the rapper in cash.

Prosecutors for the government focused on Game’s tour revenue in the United States and overseas in 2007.

According to Dash, around this time about 80 percent of Game’s income was made from touring derived from overseas, which Czar would also get a piece of.

Dash said that around 2007, checks for as much as $100,000 would mysteriously arrive at the Czar offices, with no invoices or sender attached to them.

Dash revealed that Rosemond was also in business with a company named Flava Foods, which was a money losing venture that owned a chain of Fat Burger restaurants.

He said that Rosemond would make capital investments in the company, and also received one royalty check from a $200,000 investment in the movie, Cookout 2.

Dash claimed that although Rosemond’s income decreased starting in 2007, he was still making payments for a variety of expenses for his clients, including Game, Mike Tyson, and others.

Things came crashing down for Dash in 2010, when two IRS agents showed up to his house and began questioning him about his bank account records and his book keeping for companies owned by Rosemond.

But Dash’s reputation and credibility were severely damaged by James Rosemond’s attorney, Gerald Shargel.

Dash admitted that he was “relieved” that agents did not seize his own books during the initial raid, because he had already committed numerous bank fraud crimes, which had nothing to do with Rosemond or Czar Entertainment.

“I created fake W-2s, fake pay stubs, and mortgage loan applications for myself and some clients,” John Dash admitted on the stand.

He also admitted to several other crimes, including writing off over $1 million in business expenses, without Rosemond’s knowledge.

But, the most shocking information came when Dash admitted that he had no legal certification, educational background, or any other formal training to represent himself as an accountant for a variety of entertainers.

Shargel also made Dash admit that it was his idea to deposit cash payments in increments of less than $10,000, which is a crime called “structuring.”

Like other witnesses the prosecution has presented, Dash has a cooperation agreement with authorities to cover crimes he committed from 2004 until present.

Testimony continues today.

RECAP: Drake’s Club Paradise Tour Rocks ATL With T.I., 2 Chainz and Waka Flocka

By: seandrasims Updated May 21, 2012 at 1:24pmCategory: Features

Photo credits: Derrick Johnson and Grassroot Media

Mid-way through his “Club Paradise” tour, Drizzy Drake rocked Atlanta with a star-studded and long-anticipated show. The YMCMB phenom told the audience, “They been trying to keep us apart for about a year and a half now,” alluding to the last time Drake performed in Atlanta, which was October 2010.

Taking the stage to “Lord Knows”, his song with Rick Ross from Take Care, and then launching into snippets of his many hits, Drake got the crowd of almost 17,000 to their feet and kept them there. It was a cool night in Atlanta, and the audience at the outdoor amphitheater endured brief rainshowers during the opening acts, which included French Montana, Meek Mill, Waka Flocka Flame, and 2 Chainz.

The nearly two-hour Drake set had a theatrical feel, with black and white screens and dozens of solo spotlights bringing back out 2 Chainz. The duo performed “No Lie”, and surprisingly, T.I., came out and performed “What You Know”, after being persuaded by Drake, who said, “I ain’t much of a favor asker, but since we are in the A, and you are The King, can we take ‘em back on some classic sh*t?”

Drake also brought Waka Flocka Flame back out during his set, and he was officially dubbed “The King of the Club,” performing his banger, “Round of Applause”. Future made an appearance as well, and he and Drake rocked “Tony Montana”, followed by another appearance from Bad Boy/MMG’s French Montana.

During “Marvin’s Room,” the amphitheater sounded like it was hosting choir rehearsal, as all you could hear were women’s voices. The diverse crowd was largely women, yet every nationality was represented, which is true to Drake’s fan base. He cleverly made the audience a part of his act by turning up the house lights and individually shouting out people in the crowd. The move demonstrated that this tour is a defining moment for Aubrey Drake Graham, one where he distinguishes himself as more than just the artist of the moment, but one who is here to stay.

“Until next time Atlanta… Take Care.”

Drake’s “Club Paradise” tour runs through June 17.

Black Thought of The Roots To Host The Lyricist Lounge’s 20-Year Reunion Party

By: Jake Crates Updated May 21, 2012 at 12:23pmCategory: MOBILE

(AllHipHop News) Black Thought, lead MC from The Roots and a member of Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night Show Band, is set to host the “Lyricist Lounge’s 20 Year Anniversary” All-Star Reunion Party this Wednesday (May 23) at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City.

Sponsored by AllHipHop.com, Rocksmith, Real Talk NYC, and Fusicology, the party will bring together performances from Bush Babies and Homeboy Sandman, along with several surprise performances in a legendary “ALL-STAR Cypher.”

Beyond Wednesday, the “Lyricist Lounge 20 Year Anniversary” celebration will continue with several commemorative events throughout New York following the kickoff party, including outdoor concerts in city parks in partnership with Summerstage and Celebrate Brooklyn.

Paying homage to the pioneers of Hip-Hop culture since 1991, the Lyricist Lounge has sought to promote up-and-coming raw artists, and in doing so, has facilitated three albums, seven domestic tours, two seasons of an MTV sketch comedy, called “The Lyricist Lounge Show“, and two DVD releases.

Mos Def, Invincible, Wordsworth, & Thirstin Howl III – “Lyricist Lounge Show Freestyle”

Over the years, the Lyricist Lounge has produced events for a host of stars, featuring Mos Def, Eminem, Notorious B.I.G, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, The Roots, Common, MOP, Foxy Brown, Black Eyed Peas, and many more.

The “Lyricist Lounge 20 Year Anniversary” All-Star Reunion is open to the public – Hip-Hop fans, documentary filmmakers, and Lyricist Lounge alumni can expect a host of surprise guest appearances.

For more information on the All Star Reunion Party (to be held at Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St, NY, NY 10012), visit HERE.

R&B’s Emanny On The “Blessing” Of Being Signed Under “Living Legend” Jadakiss

By: @KareemTaylor Updated May 21, 2012 at 12:11pmCategory: Alternatives

Over the past few years, R&B singer Emanny has meshed well with Hip-Hop, appearing on rapper’s Joe Budden’s mixtapes and beyond. Now, he’s officially signed to New York artist and industry vet, Jadakiss, and is prepping his latest mixtape, Songs About HER.

AllHipHop.com caught up with Emanny, and he talks his new game plan, working with Joe Budden and Jadakiss and reintroducing himself to the game.

“Some of the records most might know me for are “Hold You Down” and “Cuz We Paid” by Jadakiss, “One Last Time” by Emilio Rojas and “All Of Me” and “Dreamerz” by Joe Budden, but my debut project [Songs About HER] is what I want people who have no clue who I am to base me off of, and also a way of reintroducing myself to people who are aware of my work.”

Not just a performer, Emanny is an all-around musician, operating as a vocalist, songwriter, and arranger. Not just singing songs, Emanny reveals this project is more than just music, it’s personal:

“This project will give people insight to who I am personally as well, being that the music is based off my life experiences with loving and living.”

On working with Jadakiss, Emanny reveals it’s the best thing that’s happened in his career, saying:

“It’s been one of the most reassuring things to have happen in my career so far. When a guy who has hits, worked with the best in the business and has lasted this long, and keeps himself relevant calls upon and believes in my talents, it only lets me know that my gift is truly appreciated, and that I’m viewed to be equally as talented and promising as any other big name in the game.

“Jadakiss is a living legend, and for him to not only see the potential in me and my music, but to also want to be a part of it and invest in my gift, is a blessing,” he added.

Songs About HER drops May 23 on www.emannymusic.com.

Daily Word: Say NO To The Negative!!

By: seandrasims Updated May 21, 2012 at 11:02amCategory: Lifestyle

Happy Monday, my blessed and highly favored!

Welcome to the start of the best week of your life! Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to saying
no to negative thoughts! In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay away from negativity! It’s in the news, movies, music, at work, and unfortunately, sometimes at home! We battle daily trying to keep it at bay, but somehow it seems to seep in and take control!

Despite the difficulty and what may seem out of our control, we have more power than we are using! Positive or Negative is not a fact! It is an opinion based solely on perception! You can view a hater as a hater, or you can appreciate the misguided admiration! You can complain about the critic, or you can rejoice that you are doing something worth criticizing!

No matter what happens in your life, you can choose at any moment to think positive and move in the right direction! If you only knew the power of positive thoughts, you would stop the act of thinking negative IMMEDIATELY!!! Everything you need to live a great life is already in your control! Use it to your advantage!! NOTHING CAN STOP YOU BUT YOU!! Take back your mind and live life great!!
-Ash’Cash

“Positive thoughts have positive results. Negative thoughts produce negative results.” -Peter McWilliams

“Once our minds are ‘tattooed’ with negative thinking, our chances for long-term success diminish.” -John Maxwell

“If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought again.” -Peace Pilgrim

“Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power.” -Shirley MacLaine

“We can be negative and cynical or we can be charged and hot wired to find a way through it, over it, around it under it.” -Unknown

“Negative thinking destroys your brain cells and causes global warming. Source: The Scientific Institute of GetOverIt!” -Dodinsky

“The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful.” -Tenzin Gyatso

“Be the light in the dark, be the calm in the storm and be at peace while at war.” -Mike Dolan

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.

Hip-Hop Rumors: A$AP Rocky Says Azealia Banks Needs To “Chill Out With The Beefin”

By: ginatorres27 Updated May 21, 2012 at 10:06amCategory: MOBILE

Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky sat down with Fuse over the weekend at the Jersey Shore, where he performed at the Bamboozle Festival. The rapper, who is rumored to be dating Grand Hustle rapstress Iggy Azalea, came to her defense during the interview and said that her nemesis Azealia Banks needs to chill out with trying to diss her and her label head, T.I. Check out what he said below:

“I like her for what she’s worth. I do think she gotta chill out with the beefin’ and all that other stuff and disrespecting the O.G.s. She the homegirl, so it ain’t nothin’ but a little talk to her. I think if she stays out of trouble, she’ll have longevity.”

I think Azealia should take A$AP’s advice. A$AP also spoke out the rumors that he only likes white woman..which I’m guessing stems from his rumored romance with Australian Iggy Azalea.