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Henchman Hires Gerald Shargel, Statement Issued; Machine Gun Charges Unveiled

(AllHipHop News) Embattled Hip-Hop mogul James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond has been indicted for allegedly possessing a machine gun and a silencer.

The New York Post reports that assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Kaminsky unveiled the new charges yesterday (September 23rd) in court.

The machine gun and silencer was found in one of Rosemond’s properties during raids conducted by the DEA, during the investigation into his $10,000,000 a year cocaine ring.

To defend himself from the cocaine and machine gun charges, Rosemond has retained the services of high-powered attorney Gerald Shargel.

In addition to representing John Gotti and Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, Gerald Shargel successfully defended Irv and Chris “Gotti” Lorenzo against money laundering charges, when the brothers were acquitted in December of 2005.

“This is my kind of case and it is my privilege to represent Jimmy,” Gerald Shargel told AllHipHop.com, while remaining tightlipped about the defense strategy for obvious reasons.

Rosemond could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison on the machine gun charges alone, while he is facing life in prison for allegedly running a continuous criminal enterprise.

Meanwhile, the New York Post reports that during a hearing yesterday, assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Kaminsky revealed more details into how Rosemond’s drug operation managed to ship cocaine across the country, in shipping crates used to house musical equipment.

Members of the organization, including Rosemond’s older brother Kesnar Rosemond, 50, would obtain the identities of people from loan applications that were submitted to an unnamed New York car dealership.

Accounts were then opened at FedEx and Rock–It Cargo, where millions of dollars in cocaine was sent to various recording studios in New York and Los Angeles, with the proceeds being sent to drop boxes on the West coast, in vacuum sealed bags with mustard, to throw off the scent of any dogs sniffing for currency.

Last week, Rock-It Cargo issued a statement denying any knowledge of the criminal enterprise’s activities, while reassuring its customers that their shipments were secure.

Rosemond’s brother Kesnar has already pleaded guilty to the charges of distributing cocaine and he is also accused of making side deals with various suppliers, without the knowledge of his younger brother.

At its height, Rosemond’s company CZAR Entertainment handled the careers of artists like Game, Akon, Brandy, Sean Kingston, Wyclef, Mario Winans and others.

Hip-Hop Rumors: J. Cole Snags Jay-Z Feature? Confirmation!?!

J.COLE LINKS WITH JAY-Z

During the VMA’s, J. Cole tweeted the following.

“Mr. Nice Watch ft. Jay-z”

That’s what’s up! Well, it looks like the cypher is complete for his album!

You want this boy’s dreams to come true don’t you?

By the way, I have lost interest in commenting on the VMAs.

Commentary: Why Beyonce and Jay-Z’s Baby News Matters

 

I’m thinking back to a conversation I had with an old friend at an event late last week. “Bey’s pregnant,” he whispered. I replied, “I knew it,” recalling a recent picture I had seen of her performing in a shiny, red, typical Beyonce get-up. Her face was fat, her tatas were bigger, and the fringes on her outfit were covering an obviously swollen belly. Just as I prepared to ask my friend if I could run with the rumor, he read my face and said, “They’ll know soon enough.” Finally. Jay-Z had been allegedly calling for it like a crack fiend for a few years now – a child. And, as if his life couldn’t get any better, he had finally impregnated the biggest pop star on the planet. He and Beyonce revealed their joy live on the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, arguably the biggest global pop awards show, for all to see. (Remember the days when Jay-Z wouldn’t even attend the VMAs???) Everyone cheered – whites, Blacks, women, men, and in-betweens – at Jay-Z and Beyonce’s shining moment. Mrs. Carter, performing in heels and gyrating just enough to still be sexy but not worry us all, had thrown down the mic and rubbed her growing belly. The camera panned to Jay-Z as he basked in the moment and the woman. The whole world went wild, but mostly we did. And who are we? Young Black adults who are striving to hold fast to some of the values of our parents and grandparents – things like career, hard work, ambition, marriage, children, and legacy. We don’t have of a lot of these images to draw from among today’s Black pop icons. But, we were the Cosby Show generation. Perhaps that’s why we clung so tight to the beautiful Obama family in 2008, or why we collectively cringed last week at rumors of a Will and Jada breakup. We don’t have many, but we do have some. Now, before I get all Disney movie-ish, I’m reminded that Jay-Z and Beyonce are not saints with perfect lives. In fact, the tabloids have rumored trouble in the Knowles/Carter union and business dealings several times during their nearly decade long relationship. But wait. Did you catch that? Decade long. In that time, they’ve weathered storms and catapulted themselves into the King and Queen of the Pop Culture Universe. Their work ethic and talents are unquestionable, and intelligently, they surround themselves with only a trusted few. Jay-Z and Beyonce have been relatively successful at keeping their private moments private. Just think back years ago to the look on Jay-Z’s face when Ron Isley, from a podium in front of thousands, encouraged Jay to marry Bey. That was back when they were still playing coy about being together. But, against the odds and perhaps the prevailing industry cool of staying single, they got married. They traveled the world on yachts, dined with world leaders, and accomplished it all – except for fulfilling Jay’s longing to have a family. But, at the 2011 VMAs, they changed the game, and I would argue, some of the world’s perceptions about Black men and the Black family. What they may represent is a lofty, last ditch effort by the Carters to remind others that Black love still exists. The statistics may say otherwise, but there are many holding true to their pursuit of the American Dream, with a good spouse/teammate at their side. In that respect, the mega-couple is just like the rest of us. For one shining moment, the TV cameras caught a glimpse of a very private Jay-Z and Beyonce being very public about their love and what they’ve created together. It was the world’s biggest and best publicity stunt ever, outshining Lil Wayne, Lady Gaga, and all others combined. I loved that they proclaimed it at the VMAs. At that moment, I believed it, and I wanted it, too.

Jay and Bey are finally having a baby and that’s a wonderful thing.

135th Street Agency 5th Annual BBQ: Atlanta Edition

NYC-based marketing/PR firm the 135th Street Agency kicked off BET Hip Hop Awards Week with its 5th Annual BBQ, this year for the first time this took place in Atlanta. The aprty took place at Piedmont Park’s Magnolia Hall, including event co-hosts Fonzworth Bentley and Kelly G (BET’s EVP, Music Programming), along with featured DJs Drama, Trauma and Traci Steele. Guests sipped complimentary Remy V cocktails and FUZE drinks and food by Ambiance Network Catering cupcakes from Cocktail Cupcakes and Tasty Cakes ATL.

The celebs ranged from French Montana, Da Brat, Ray J, Devyne Stephens, Dondria, Lil Duval, Verse Simmonds, Jovita Moore (WSB TV anchor), Kwanza Hall (Atlanta City Council), Faune Watkins, D.Woods, Shanti Das, Derek J and comedian Shawty and many others out having a great time.

Universal Pictures Where also there promoting their action-comedy Tower Heist, starring Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller. Party-goers experienced the Tower Heist in the ever-popular OMG Booth, and went home with gift bags filled with swag from Dr. Miracle’s, Carol’s Daughter, Rocksmith, Mixed Chicks, The Source and JUICY Magazine.

Mobb Deep Breaks Down “The Infamous”

Prodigy and Havoc, known to the rap world as The Infamous Mobb Deep, were the first honorary guests and performers during Red Bull Music Academy’s “Five For Five” discussion and concert series in New York this week. The Studio at Webster Hall served as the backdrop for Mobb Deep’s detailed discussion and breakdown of their classic 1995 album, The Infamous, as well as for a performance that included a number of the album’s songs along with a few of their other Hip-Hop classics.

The discussion, which was moderated by Ego-Trip co-founder Sacha Jenkins, found the Mobb offering track by track details from The Infamous, stories about their past, the language they speak, and much, much more. One of the most intriguing topics of discussion was the number of groups, including one in particular, that hailed from parts of New York and may have followed in Mobb Deep’s footsteps:

Prodigy and Havoc share the secret of how “Eye For A Eye” came together, from their initial meeting with Raekwon in Staten Island, to their recruitment of Nas for the track:

The eighth song from The Infamous, “Up North Trip,” produced by Havoc and featuring samples from The Fatback Band’s “To Be With You” and The Spinners’ “I’m Tired of Giving” also lent a great deal to the discussion:

The discussion then turned to stories and breakdowns on both “Trife Life” and the beloved “Shook Ones Pt. II”:

Host Sacha finished up the talk by asking the duo where they think they would have ended up had The Infamous not taken off and propelled them into the upper Hip-Hop echelon. Prodigy’s answer, in particular, is both interesting and surprising:

Before Mobb Deep touched the stage, fellow Queens artist Lloyd Banks opened, performing his debut album, The Hunger For More, as well as a few of his more notable mixtape songs and singles:

The grand finale was a high-energy set by The Infamous Mobb Deep:

Red Bull Music Academy Five Boroughs tribute includes performers such as Wu-Tang in Staten Island, Black Moon performing in Brooklyn, and a concert by The Diplomats in Manhattan.

For more information please visit: http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/RBMA-World-Tour-2011–New-York-Five-out-of-Five-021243089885519

T.I. Headed Home; Rapper Officially Released From Halfway House

(AllHipHop News) Rap star T.I. is officially a free man, after he was released from an Atlanta area halfway house today (September 29th).

The rapper spent a full year behind bars, for violating the terms of his probation, after he was convicted for attempting to purchase machine guns and silencers, before the BET awards in October of 2007.

In September 2010, just months after his release on the original gun charges, T.I. was stopped in Los Angeles for making an illegal U-turn, while driving his Maybach on the Sunset Strip.

A search of T.I.’s person, revealed that he was carrying ecstasy, in violation of his probation.

In October of 2010, the rapper was sentenced to another 11 months in prison.

T.I. was released from a Forrest City, Arkansas prison on August 31st, but was sent back to a federal prison in Atlanta, after authorities took issue with his mode of transportation to the halfway house.

The rapper, born Clifford Harris Jr., was sent back to the halfway house to complete his sentence on September 15th.

On Sunday (October 2nd), T.I. will host an exclusive brunch at a private location in Atlanta, to celebrate the success of his AKOO Clothing brand, as well as his release from prison.

Wyclef’s Yele Haiti Continues To Rebuild Nation; Introduces New Training Programs

(AllHipHop News) Wylcef Jean’s Yele Haiti Foundation continues to help rebuild the country of Haiti, after a devastating earthquake leveled the nation in January of 201X.

The Yele Haiti Foundation hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday (September 28th) when they opened the doors to their new vocational training program in Jacmel.

The program, which is supported by the Ministry of tourism and funded entirely by Yele Haiti, is named HEAT, short for Hospitality, Education and Training.

The pilot program will train 120 students in the hospitality and tourism trades, in hopes of accelerating job readiness in the poverty-stricken country.

The nonprofit has teamed with HVS, a leading global hospitality consulting and services firm.

The two companies will work together for the next six months to develop a curriculum that will focus on customer service, housekeeping, front desk and food and beverages.

“Yéle’s mission in Haiti has always been to help Haitians help themselves. A year ago that meant providing basic survival necessities for the people of Haiti – food, water, clothing and tents; we’ve now narrowed our focus to help rebuild lives by providing programs that offer job and career training,” said Derek Johnson, CEO of Yéle Haiti. “HEAT will do just that, by providing job training and assistance for Haitians ready, willing and able to work, but lacking the necessary skills or opportunity to do so.”

According to Johnson, over 75% of the students will land jobs in local hotels, restaurants and bars, at establishments that have already been identified as being in need of employees,

HEAT is the newest program offered by Yele Haiti, according to Johnson.

The organization, which was founded in 2004 by Wyclef and partner Jerry ‘Wonder’ Duplessis, already offers vocational training courses in carpentry, masonry and plumbing.

Over 111 students have already graduated from a similar program in Port-au-Prince earlier this year.

Shipping Company Says Its Cleared In Government Investigation Of Jimmy Henchman

(AllHipHop News) The shipping company that James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond used to allegedly’s ship millions of dollars in cocaine and drug proceeds has issued a statement regarding the Federal government’s ongoing investigation into the drug dealing operation.

Rosemond is accused of using Rock-It Cargo to ship hundreds of kilos of cocaine per month to various recording studios and then sending the illegal proceeds back to the West Coast, in vacuum sealed bags stuffed with $20 and $50 dollar bills.

Rock-It Cargo, was founded in 1978, employs over 300 people and has 23 offices throughout the United States and the world.

“Rock-It Cargo is neither the subject of the investigation, nor implicated in any way. The Company has provided the U.S. Attorney with all the documentation it has requested,” Rock-It Cargo’s CEO told AllHipHop.com in a statement.

The company, which specializes in handling complex itineraries mainly for the global music and touring industry, assured its customers that it was committed to maintaining the highest levels of transportation security throughout the world.

“With regard to the current investigation, the company followed all of the government’s and its own required procedures and remains in compliance with all Federal and state regulations.”

James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond is facing a life sentence for allegedly heading up a cocaine dealing operation that distributed hundreds of kilos of cocaine per month and raked in over $10 million annually, since the investigation began in 2007.

Several of Rosemond’s former associates have become cooperating witnesses and have started testifying against him, including a former associate named Khalil Abdullah, while his 49-year-old brother Kesnar has already pleaded guilty.

In a statement released to AllHipHop.com a month before his capture, and during the time period that he was evading federal authorities, Rosemond accused federal prosecutors Todd Kaminski and Carolyn Pokorny of conspiring to bring him down.

“Todd Kaminsky is a 33-year-old Jewish Hip Hop head that if he weren’t a lawyer he would probably be a member of the Beastie Boys,” Rosemond wrote. “Second, Carolyn Porkony, who failed in convicting the Murder Inc. Irv Gotti brothers on trumped up charges of money laundering. Both have a personal stake in pursuing me and will stop at nothing to bring down an innocent man.”

James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond is facing 18 counts of distributing cocaine.

He faces up to life in prison if he is convicted.

Interscope Issues Statement Regarding Drug Shipments

(AllHipHop News) Interscope Records has responded to recent reports that their office was used as a drug distribution center for James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond.

Last week, TheSmokingGun.com reported that federal prosecutors had found evidence that Interscope’s Los Angeles office was used to funnel millions of dollars worth of cocaine and drug proceeds.

According to a rep for the label, the information that is being reported is very inaccurate.

While the statement stopped short of denying that the office was used by Rosemond, the rep stated that Interscope Records, nor any of their employees, were being targeted in the ongoing investigation.

“The information being reported in the press regarding Interscope Records’ involvement with the ongoing criminal prosecution of James Rosemond is both erroneous and completely unsupported,” Interscope told Billboard Magazine in a statement. “Interscope Records has been informed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York that there is no evidence that any employee of UMG or Interscope Records had any involvement in the drug trafficking ring being prosecuted by that office, nor any knowledge of the contents of any of the packages that were purportedly shipped to its offices.  Further, neither UMG nor Interscope Record are a subject or target of the investigation.  UMG and Interscope will continue to cooperate with the United States Attorney’s Office regarding this matter.”

Rosemond is currently being held without bail at the Metropolitan correctional Center in Manhattan. He is facing up to life in prison for allegedly heading up the “Rosemond Organization,” which distributed hundreds of kilos of cocaine per month.

Rosemond is accused of using music cases to ship cocaine to various recording studios and then sending millions in illegal proceeds back to Los Angeles in vacuum sealed bags filled with cash.

Rosemond pleaded not guilty to 18 felony charges.

In related news, AllHipHop.com has learned that several rappers and executives associated with James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond are now being investigated and could soon be charged, for allegedly helping Rosemond launder his drug proceeds.

Miss Chee: No Limit’s Princess

Move over boys, Miss Chee is ready to take the mic! Backed by Master P and the rest of the No Limit Forever family, the up-and-coming femcee has been grindin’ hard, perfecting her craft and waiting for her time in the spotlight. Fierce, sexy and talented, Miss Chee is pure street and isn’t afraid to show it lyrically. But besides being able to spit tight verses, the authentic Georgia girl is a multi-talented musician and a skilled producer and songwriter.

Working on tracks for her LP release, Miss Chee is lending her vocals on a variety of efforts from her No Limit family, including Master P on their latest release “Boyfriend & Girlfriend.” Not only is she a great rapper, but she’s testing her skills at acting in Mater P’s upcoming movie Get Money. Poised to be the next bad ass female in hip-hop, Miss Chee is getting’ ready to take over with the help of Master P, who’s also gearing up his No Limit crew for big things come 2012. Here’s what P had to say about his talented artist, his new ventures and No Limit Forever.

Music:
Monstah aka Master P Ft. Miss Chee and Romeo “Google Me”
Romeo Ft. Miss Chee, Ace, Oak Tree and Kay I “The Statement”

AllHipHop.com: What did you see in Miss Chee that made you want to sign her?

Master P: Miss Chee is the beat female artist in the game right now. When I first came out Mia X was one of the baddest females ever to hit the mic. Her word play, the way she articulates and the way she delivers is real it’s street, it’s relatable, and I think that’s what it’s gonna take a big female artist to blow. I mean, Nicki Minaj did it at her level and now Miss Chee has an opportunity to do it for the next generation to take the game to the next level. I think a lot of females off the street can relate to her and her struggles. It ain’t no limit to what she could do.

AllHipHop.com: How did the idea for the track, “Boyfriend & Girlfriend,” come about?

Master P: I think it’s gonna be incredible. I don’t think there’s a song out at this time on the streets that men and women can relate to. She got incredible acting skills, which makes her so strong.  On the music side, she’s a beast on the mic. You have to have those delivery skills to have both men and women like you.

Miss Chee: We are showing people men and women can work together. He got my back just like I have his. We just are putting out something positive and being real at the same time.

AllHipHop.com: So what are your plans for her career?

Master P: I predict she’s gonna be the biggest female in the game. She’s a brand and opening up avenues and doors. Nicki Minaj is at the top right now and feel that with every Kobe Bryant come along a Lebron James, and Miss Chee is the next Lebron coming into the game now. With her work ethic, she’s unstoppable. Thanks to the power of the Internet she has an international fan base already. Before that was something that took you a long time to build.

AllHipHop.com: What’s it like working with Master P?

Miss Chee: Growing up, especially coming from the South and coming from the streets, all you heard was No Limit. It was like the soundtrack to my life. And now to be blessed with the opportunity to work with someone of his stature is truly a blessing. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t learn anything from him. A lot of people get titles, but the streets gave me my name and he just stamped it. I’m getting the chance to live out my dreams. What I lot of people don’t understand is it’s a business and there’s so much more behind the scenes. He’s not only teaching me that but also about life. Everyday I wake up I have to thank the man upstairs for putting me in this position.

AllHipHop.com: So who did you find out about Miss Chee’s talents?

Master P: One of my A&R guys from Atlanta had heard of her since she was grindin’ hard doing it on her own. Then Romeo rebranded the company to No Limits Forever and they got together and one thing led to the next. So this ended up being a family business and we made her a part of the family. We not running a race, we running a marathon. We want to find real artists. She was a diamond in the rough and now she’s polished to take over the game because she worked hard. We want those types of people who work out to overcome their environment and don’t mind grinding it out until it’s their time. And that’s what we did and now it’s our time. I did it once and am doing it again, but bigger ’cause of the new technology. We don’t care about who’s out there because there is enough for a lot of people.

Music is a timing thing. You gotta wait for it. She’s been doing that. We’re not in a rush. This is the next big artist of next year. She know she’s a star but she’s also humble and patiently waiting until the fans approver her. What we doing now is just hitting the road, getting music online, in the clubs on the radio then game over.

AllHipHop.com: What’s the journey been like, Miss Chee?

Miss Chee: Like he said. People don’t realize this is not something that happens overnight. I’ve been doing music since I was very young. My musical background is what really kept me out of these streets. I am from Zone 6 in Atlanta, which is a very rough neighborhood. But I made it out because I worked hard. I would do every show, all the clubs, and was grindin’ hard. I had other labels come at me but they didn’t fit me. As a female in the industry, you find people that don’t respect you. But I’m a testament that you don’t have to put yourself in an uncomfortable position to make it ahead in this game. When I finally did get contact from the No Limit family, it was a blessing. I found someone who respected me and believed in what I was doing. It’s a blessing to be with No Limit Forever.

Master P: I think what she said is also incredible too ’cause if you look good there’s a lot of males looking to take advantage of females in this business who can’t see. Here she came out of the same neighborhood as Gucci Mane and other artists and overcome the struggle. And for her to represent No Limit Forever and be the first lady of this next generation is a blessing for all of us.

AllHipHop.com: Do you have a particular musical style?

Miss Chee: I like to call my music “life music” because we’re talking about real situations that people go through everyday. I feel that things that you see on TV are not attainable and people who haven’t lived that lifestyle won’t understand that. It’s okay to talk about the struggle and everyday situations. For me, music is my medicine, what got me out. I’m just a walking testament that with my music you can really do something with yourself.

AllHipHop.com: What sets you apart from other female MCs?

Miss Chee: I’m just me, honestly. I don’t try to be anything that I’m not. I don’t talk things I haven’t seen or been through. I’m a rough diamond.

Master P: Her music is more for the streets, and I don’t hear a lot of female artists talking about that. She’s versatile, but her foundation is the streets. I’m the king of the streets and she’s the queen. Like me, she’ll always have a connection to the hood no matter how many money she makes.

AllHipHop.com: So what’s next for Miss Chee?

Master P: The main thing right now that we’re doing is we dumping sometime every week online and building that brand. You can hate us now but we gonna keep dumping on you ’til you love us. Her music speaks for itself. We got another mixtape called “Bonnie and Clyde” coming out soon. She’s all over the movie soundtrack, so you defintiley are gonna hear her on that. We’re building her fan base. 2012 is No Limit time and it’s Miss Chee time.

AllHipHop.com: Are you still working on your TV network, P?

Master P: Yup, I’ve been dealing with distribution companies lately. We in the middle of it. Music is my life and no matter how I grow, I’m always going to be looked on as a person who comes from the music world. I’ve grown to be able to see other things and know what the game is missing and want to help the next generation open doors to bigger projects. There’s not many African-American networks for us. We gonna have talk shows, videos, movies, sitcoms, health shows, finance shows and more.

AllHipHop.com: What about the new No Limit Forever Records? How is it different from before and what’s its current place in hip-hop?

Master P: It’s a new army and we ready to take over these streets because it’s our time. We have all the tools and talent to make it work and that’s when music gets to be exciting. To come from the ’90s and still be relevant in the 2000s, I feel like Benjamin Button around here and got some young legs with me here like Miss Chee. You know what I’m sayin’? I feel the game is ours. We married to the money. It’s like business and we gonna get out here and get this money. We gonna change the game again. We building a bigger fan base every week and our goal here now is to be able to reach billions of people internationally. Right now, we got our eyes on some international artists and expanding globally. We looking for new talent, too, so submit your stuff if you think you can be part of our family. Submit your stuff at nolimitforeverrecords.com. We back…the takeover!

Interscope Records Office Used To Pick Up Millions In Coke; Cash

(AllHipHop News) The offices of Interscope Records were used to ship millions of dollars worth of cocaine and drug proceeds across the country it has been revealed in the ongoing case of James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond.

According to TheSmokingGun.com, defense lawyers for James Rosemond received detailed shipping records showing that Interscope’s Los Angeles office was used to pick up drugs and cash, stuffed in road cases used to ship musical equipment.

Prosecutors are trying to determine why and how Interscope’s offices were used, although they are aware that Rosemond manages rapper Game, who is signed to Interscope.

Investigators claim that Rosemond used Rock It Cargo, to deliver kilos of cocaine from Los Angeles to New York, where the cocaine was distributed.

The proceeds were then packed in the music cases and sent back to music studios in Los Angeles.

According to the TSG, a number of Rosemond’s former associates are cooperating and are explaining how the cash and cocaine shipped cross-country.

Investigators claim that Rosemond used his Czar Entertainment as a legitimate front, and then utilized Rock It  drugs disguised as legitimate freight.

James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond is currently being held in Metropolitan Correctional Center without bail.

Former Czar Exec To Testify Against Jimmy Henchman

(AllHipHop News) A former executive who worked for James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond Czar Entertainment has agreed to testify against the accused mogul in his upcoming federal cocaine distribution conspiracy trial.

TheSmokingGun.com reports that Czar Entertainment exec Tony Martin had been named and charged with multiple felonies in an indictment surrounding Jimmy Henchman’s cocaine dealing operation.

Last week, Martin, 30, agreed to cooperate with the government in order to gain leniency in the case.

A variety of narcotics charges will be dropped and Martin has pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, for his role in the operation.

Martin is free on a $100,000 bond, and will be sentenced for money laundering in January.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Henchman remains incarcerated with no bail, for heading up a nationwide cocaine operation, that sent hundreds of kilos of cocaine to New York from Los Angeles, shipped in road cases for music equipment.

Rapper Claims Lil Wayne’s ‘How to Love’ Beat Stolen; Files Lawsuit

(AllHipHop News) The legal actions against Young Money/Cash Money Records continue to pile up, as Lil Wayne is the subject of a new lawsuit.The latest lawsuit was filed in LA County Superior Court earlier this week, by a rapper named Rich Rick.According to Rich Rick, he originally purchased the track for “How to Love” from a production crew known as the Drummer Boyz. TMZ.com, which obtained a copy of the lawsuit, reports that Rich Rick claims he purchased the beat from the Drumma Boyz between 2006 and 2009.But in 2010, the lawsuit claims that the beat was resold to Lil Wayne for a 35% royalty agreement.Lil Wayne used the track for “How to Love,” which is the third single from his upcoming album Tha Carter IV.Rich Rick is suing Lil Wayne and the Drumma Boyz for royalties earned from the record, along with 10% interest.Last week, Cash Money Records CEO Bryan “Birdman” Williams was the subject of a lawsuit over a botched Las Vegas show, while Lil Wayne was hit with a $15,000,000 lawsuit at the beginning of the month, over the track “BedRock.

Machine Gun Kelly Busted Over Flash Mob Incident

(AllHipHop News) Cleveland rapper Machine Gun Kelly was arrested for organizing a flash mob in Strongsville, Ohio, as artists continue to experiment with the power of their twitter accounts.Machine Gun Kelly was one of hundreds of people who attended the event at Southpark Centre, which is located about 20 miles from Cleveland.The rapper, known for his energetic performances, organized a 5:00 PM event on Saturday night (August 20th) using his Twitter account.According to reports, Machine Gun Kelly was arrested for misdemeanor disorderly conduct, after he refused to get off a table.“If havin fun with my fans and bringing the rage back to my hometown means I have to be arrested…then keep pullin the cuffs out,” machine gun Kelly said on a posting on Facebook.Machine Gun Kelly recently inked a deal with Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment.The incident comes after Cleveland city Council vetoed a bill that makes it illegal to promote flash mobs using social media.Just last week, Compton California rapper game was almost charged with a crime for inciting a “telephone flash mob,” after he tweeted the number to the Compton Sheriff’s Department.

Talent Couture: In the Loop

This Sicilian born, New York Bred and Milwaukee raised

artist has been making crazy noise across the internet this summer. With songs

with Trae tha Truth, Smoke DZA, Kid Ink, Killa Kyleon, Kid Cudi and many others

Talent Couture is really taking his music to the next level by working on his

craft and doing so with a humble and confident posture that is as real as it

gets. 

With the help of the internationally known DJ Woogie and a

close circle of people working on his team, Talent has put together a string of

videos and songs that have everyone wondering if this kid is the next to

blow.  Take a look at AllHipHop.com’s exclusive sit down with one of the game’s most prominent Italian rappers ever.  Not that that matters though, when you hear the music you’ll know for yourself, the talent is there.

AllHipHop.com:  So tell me a little bit about yourself

man.

Talent Couture:

Pretty much what happened is man, I’m full-blooded Sicilian, in my family, I’m

first generation in this country. So we came from Sicily, moved to Brooklyn,

Red Hook Brooklyn, NYC and so then my family relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in my

early teens. The family business relocated, me being from NY and then moving to

the Midwest, from the mainstay artists from the Midwest like Bone to the East,

to the West, I heard it all.  So I think that had a lot to do with how diverse my music is.  I grew up around a lot of different styles of hip-hop. So I can do the “Aint Bout Money” track with Trae and then

also do some emo-electronica stuff that has other kinds of appeal

AllHipHop.com:

Talk to me about the Milwaukee hip hop scene…

Talent Couture: Ive

been on Z100 the big station out there and I didn’t go the typical route.  A lot of people are busy hating and trying to block each other and there is no unity. I never tried to pop on a local level and cats know me from the national buzz and people know me from my national buzz, but I’m not worried about bar shows, I love Milwaukee but I went right for the throat of the game to the internet. I got a lot of respect for artists out here, but I went straight to the net.

AllHipHop.com:

What are driving forces behind you buzzing on the net?

Talent Couture: Its crazy that you guys at AllHipHop.com recognize that. A lot of artists think that you have to record in million dollar studio, and it’s a misconception about what you have to do to get in the game and get your name, you don’t have to pay $500 an hour in studio time. What I started recording on was a studio in the basement, we did it all ourselves, I have a small circle of producers that I work with. And my dude Philly who helped get my label situation going, he shoots all my videos and ever since we have been buzzin’, he’s been shooting videos for a lot of people. He’s shot videos for Lil B, to Young Berg, and I’ve worked with Smoke DZA, Trae, Kid Cudi. 

And really it’s just a difference between being “hungry” and

“thirsty”.  Like I have no problem

reaching out to anyone. Its hard work man. Pretty much.  The general rapper has the misconception that they might look a certain way trying to reach out to someone to work with them, but not me.  DJ Ill Will did my first 3 mixtapes and DJ Z did my first few mixtapes at DJBooth.net.  It took me forever to get recognized by

the big websites, and now it feels like they are chasing me and hitting me up

to drop my music exclusively. It’s pretty dope man.

AllHipHop.com:  Of your records that are buzzing, what should people be checking for if they aren’t familiar with you at this point?

Talent Couture:  The joint that we are pushing right now is produced by Cardo from Taylor Gang and it features Trae tha Truth and Mickey Factz. If you are a hip-hop head, I’m sure you heard it.  Then there is “J## Out”, it’s a term in

Milwaukee that is like spazzing out and its like going crazy. No hook, two and

half minutes of me going crazy. Remember how Peedi Crack, used to go in? Production

is by Jahlil Beatz so you already know its dope.  Both videos are done and it starts with the “Aint Bout Money” and then it flips into the “J## Out” video. My first tape was Plastic Frames and Bookbags.  I got four mixtapes over the last year and a half and you can see the progression on each tape and every mixtape is a progression. Every tape I drop you can feel me improving, its something special and I go back and listen to the material.  Just a run down…

1. Plastic Frames and Bookbags Hosted by DJ Ill Will and

Rockstar

2.  Jersey Shore

Couture

3.  First

Quarter Push –Hosted by DJ Woogie

4.  So Many Gems – We dropped that

May 4th on my birthday

5.  A New Light

– that’s hosted by Woogie as well.

AllHipHop.com: How have you been making yourself better, what do you do to work on your style? What is your mind state that helps you get better.

Talent Couture:  With me I thought as a youngin’, I thought I was always so nice that people owed me something. Every rapper says that and after people really not taking to me, I fell back and worked on every facet as an artist. I worked on beat selection, my hooks. I think that I found my niche and I am in a real comfortable zone with my music, from my hooks, bars and its more than being an MC and I think I can achieve both. I can

make hot songs and I can rap my ass off.

AllHipHop.com: Who

are you getting compared to and who is in your circle or who do you pace

yourself against?

Talent Couture:

Musically I haven’t gotten caught too many comparisons, but as a whole when I

was coming up, you know people always want to sound like their favorite rapper,

at times people would say I sound too much like Corey Gunz or Lloyd Banks or

Lil’ Wayne. I was only looking at it like, that’s dope, but now only

comparisons I get now, is Pauly D from Jersey Shore. (laughs)

AllHipHop.com:

(laughs) Yea you got the hair thing…

Talent Couture:  (laughs) Na, but now its like Talent Couture, Kid Ink, Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar and Chevy Woods. Kid Ink is the homie, but I don’t know why everyone thinks that they need to tell me when his new project drops, but I get that a lot. (laughs) I always draw a comparison to Kid Ink.

AllHipHop.com:

That must feel good though to get that attention.  Those artists are all doing well now.

Talent Couture:  I can’t believe it bro. It took so long.  So for all the artists that think that it won’t happen, I’m Italian. It was hard for me, and people would talk about my album covers and have slick comments, but when the actually

listen to the music, they think its dope and then they come back and they are

like, “Dude is nice!”

AllHipHop.com:  Your Italian heritage has come up throughout the conversation.  

How does that influence your style and how does Italian culture relate

to Hip-Hop culture?

Talent Couture: What

we have always talked about it in my family. I remember my uncles talking about

Italian culture being taken by other cultures with the mob and other stuff like

that.  When I was a kid and I remember them saying that and our culture was picked apart in a lot of ways,and I think that’s why I am accepted in hip hop, the mob movies and Godfather etc… So white dudes immediately draw comparisons to Eminem, and for one everyone thinks I am Puerto Rican and people accept me, but as a whole they accept me and I really appreciate that.

AllHipHop.com:

Not only Italian, but Sicilian.

Talent Couture: (laughs)

I always heard that, “Don’t f### wit him he Sicilian” he got the mob f######

wit him… His uncles will kill you!”

AllHipHop.com:

Just shows how worldwide Hip-Hop is these days.

Talent Couture:  There’s never been a main stream Italian artist ever and because of that a lot of people want to work with me.

AllHipHop.com:  That’s cool man

Talent Couture:  Yea I never hear anything bad about my race and everyone thinks it really cool, so I think that I am the first in a couple different facets of the Hip-Hop community.

AllHipHop.com:  So what’s up for the rest of the summer and what are you looking forward to?

Talent Couture:  Well… I will be back in NYC with DJ Woogie, he is my manager and mentor and he really helped me along the way, and he really believes in me so BIG shouts out to DJ Woogie.   W are meeting from Sal from CEG talent and he is super agent. Did you ever watch Entourage? He’s like Ari Gold and he is the agent to Pauly D the Situation and he is a booking agent and he is going to be working with Sony and he wants to work with me and Woogie and next week we are meeting and if we get that hopefully I get that good mainstream push to get my music to the fans.

AllHipHop.com:  Anything else you want to tell the

readers?

Talent Couture:  It’s pretty much to the fans. It’s the Loop Troop. I keep the fans in the loop and if you in my loop, you f##### wit me.  I got some die hard fans.

Anytime someone says something slick, they got my back, so salute the fans

because they don’t let no haters breath. New Light, DJ Woogie did the intro,

there’s no drops no yelling on the tape, so A New Light is brought to you by DJ

Woogie, It features Trae, Mickey Factz, Killa Kyleon, Esso from Harlem, Lil

Chuckee that drops late July, early August, find me on Twitter stay updated and

stay loopy.

AllHipHop.com:

Well thanks man, that great info for the fans.

Talent Couture:

Man I appreciate you man. I been checking for AllHipHop and Breeding Ground

forever. I’m talking about middle school, early high school, so for a site like

y’all to give me the shine it lets me know I am doing something right. Whatever

I am doing it’s working, my whole interview. I win! Thanks man. 

AllHipHop.com: No

doubt, keep up the good work bro.

DMX Released From Prison Today

(AllHipHop News) Rap star DMX is officially a free man, as the rapper was released from prison in Yuma, Arizona today (July 19th).

The rapper was greeted by a small group of friends and family upon his release today.Sources close to DMX told AllHipHop.com that his first stop would be a visit to his probation officer, followed by a shopping trip.Then, DMX is slated to take up residency in an unknown area of the state.

“I spoke to my daughter, I just got off the phone with my wife,” DMX told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview. “I’m going to go see my daughter while the sun is up then I’m going to be in the studio man.”

DMX, born Earl Simmons, was originally sentenced to one year in prison in December of 2010, after he violated his probation by refusing to submit to a drug test and other minor infractions.

He served seven months of the prison sentence, after being given credit for the 100 days he spent incarcerated awaiting trial.“

Our goal is to keep DMX on the right track, and get him back to work,” a member of DMX’s inner circle told AllHipHop.com.According to sources, DMX is currently lining up a number of shows and fielding offers for television, movie and recording projects.

Reps for DMX confirmed that he was in serious negotiations with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, although an official offer has yet to be made.DMX is being managed/booked by  Carl “Blacksmif” Smith.

Feds Seek To Remove Jimmy Henchman’s Counsel From Drug Case

(AllHipHop News)  James “”Jimmy Henchman”” Rosemond’s legal defense could become complicated, if federal prosecutors have their way.

Prosecutors are seeking to remove his counsel Jeffrey Lichtman from the case, claiming the defense lawyer presents numerous conflicts of interests in representing Rosemond.

Rosemond, who was accused of running a $10 million per year cocaine operation, is facing life in prison.

Federal prosecutors have not charged Lichtman with any crime, but they believe that his close affiliation to several suspects could compromise his role as defense attorney for Rosemond.

According to federal prosecutors, the Hip-Hop mogul, who handled the careers of Akon, Brandy, rapper Game, and others, paid Lichtman $150,000 in cash for legal services.

Lichtman denied a number of allegations that prosecutors presented in court, including a claim that the lawyer tried to find out if a man involved in the cocaine operation was cooperating with federal agents.

Lichtman has denied any wrongdoing and has offered to take a lie detector test.

He is still Rosemond attorney.

Rosemond is currently indicted for his role in a massive cocaine conspiracy ring, which allegedly shipped hundreds of kilos of cocaine to studios in New York and sent tens of millions in proceeds to the West coast.

Feds Seek to Confiscate Millions In Property From Jimmy Henchman

(AllHipHop News) Former rap manager/mogul James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond has been hit with 13 charges related to his role in a drug dealing operation that the government claims earned more than $10 million annually, in drug proceeds.

According to reports, the 46-year-old has been charged with maintaining a “supervisory and management position” in a continuing criminal enterprise that began trafficking large amounts of cocaine in 2007.

Rosemond was arraigned yesterday (July 6th), along with other men, including his brothers Kesner and another brother named Mario.Also named on the indictment are Jason Williams, Tony Martin, and a man named Dennis Graham a.k.a. “Mark Black.”

Federal authorities are seeking to confiscate Rosemond’s $1 million-dollar condominium on the Hudson River in Manhattan, as well as a luxury condo in BelTell loss in Brooklyn worth almost $3 million.

While Rosemond was indicted for his role in the drug viewing operation, he was not charged with the murder of 50 Cent’s associate Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher, a crime he can legally still be charged with.

Fletcher was allegedly gunned down by two associates within the Rosemond drug dealing organization.

The slaying was allegedly in retaliation for Tony Yayo’s assault on Rosemond’s young son, as he walked to the offices of Czar Entertainment, one of the companies Rosemond used as a front for his drug dealing operation.

Rosemond faces up to life in prison if he is convicted on the drug charges, alone.

Feds Offer Jimmy Henchman Informant A Plea In Return For Missing $100K

(AllHipHop News) A key witness against former rap manager/mogul James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond is close to striking a plea deal with prosecutors, according to reports.

According to TheSmokingGun.com, Khalil Abdullah, one of Rosemond’s associates and top members in the collective known as the Rosemond organization, is close to making the deal, if he returns a missing $100,000 to the government.

Abdullah allegedly entrusted the $100,000 to an unnamed associate, whom he cannot locate.

In order to receive the plea deal with prosecutors, Abdullah must forfeit the $100,000, which Abdullah allegedly stole from the Rosemond organization, which helped trigger the current federal investigation.According to an indictment, Abdullah’s thieving helped lead to a bigger investigation into the Rosemond organization’s trafficking conspiracy.

DEA agents claim that the organization used Federal Express and other overnight couriers to send millions of dollars worth of narcotics and proceeds from New York to the West Coast, and back.

Abdullah, who knew that he was in the process of being indicted for his role in the cocaine distribution conspiracy, was the original person to contact lead prosecutor Todd Kaminsky, with information on the conspiracy.

Abdullah allegedly faxed a letter to prosecutors from a Kinko’s on April 25th, where he told agents about of a shipment that was being sent to a recording studio in New York, in a “road case” for music equipment.

When agents seized the road case they found $790,000 in $20 bills, which helped lead Kaminsky to indict the investigation’s main target, James Rosemond.Abdullah, who is facing at least 10 years in prison for his role in distributing the cocaine, is seeking to receive a lesser sentence by testifying.

James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond was apprehended by authorities in New York on June 20th, after being on the run for nearly 2 weeks.

The following day, he appeared in Brooklyn federal court, where he pleaded not guilty to intentionally conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice.

Police are also investigating Rosemond involvement in a murder for hire plot that resulted in the death of an associate of 50 Cent named Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher, who was killed last year, for allegedly smacking Rosemond’s son during a dispute in March of 2007.

Exclusive: Former LA Times Writer Chuck Philip’s Demands Apology From Newspaper Over Henchman Retraction

(AllHipHop News) Former Los Angeles Times reporter Chuck Philips is demanding an apology from his former employer, after the paper published a retraction in relation to a March 17th, 2008 article involving the robbery of rapper Tupac Shakur.

Philips was the author of an article titled “An Attack on Tupac Shakur Launched a Hip-Hop War.” In the days after the story was published, the Los Angeles Times initially supported Philips reporting that Rosemond hired unknown gunmen to rob Shakur.

But shortly afterwards, thesmokinggun.com revealed that certain documents within Philip’s article had been forged by a known con man named James Sabatino, who is in prison until 2013, on fraud charges.

The Los Angeles Times eventually published a front-page retraction to James Rosemond and Sean “Diddy” Combs, while Rosemond later filed a $100 million lawsuit against the paper that was settled out of court for $200,000 in Rosemond’s favor.

Philips was eventually let go by the Los Angeles Times during a round of layoffs that was attributed to budget constraints at the time.But Philips, who is a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, told the Los Angeles Weekly, that the Los Angeles Times’ lack of support and the front page retraction ruined his career and credibility.

“I told the LA Times that Henchman was a criminal trying to extort the newspaper,” Chuck Philips told AllHipHop.com. “He was, I said, ‘laughing at them.’ I said ‘you got [to] fight fire with fire. I wanted to take him on in court. If he sued, I could subpoena witness testimony from the assailants and solve the Quad case in a court of law. I could put him on the stand and question him about the Quad and other alleged crimes his ex-friends had told me about. But the LA Times believed Henchman’s blowhard lawyer instead of me. My editors and lawyers didn’t believe a word I spoke.”

To make matters worse, a source told AllHipHop.com that James Sabatino had been bribed to place the forged “302 Documents” in question into the federal court system known as the Automated Case Support database, which is used by investigators to search the FBI’s database.

While Sabatino’s father is allegedly a made member of the Gambino crime family (and not the Colombo family as previously reported), his son was just a hanger on and teenager at the time of the Quad incident in 1994.

“In April 2008, the LA Times published a searing front-page retraction trashing my story, my sources, my reporting and myself. I was pressured for days to accept the way the paper wanted to phrase the retraction,” Philips told AllHipHop.com. “But it was not accurate. My sources were solid. My reporting was solid. Unfortunately, the documents turned out to be fakes — and the guy who fabricated them a liar. The retraction made me sound like Jayson Blair or Janet Cooke. It was worded as though I had made up the entire story and snuck it into print behind management’s back, without the knowledge, consent or guidance of senior editors and lawyers directly involved in its publication.

On June 15th, accounts in Philips’s original 2008 story were bolstered when a convicted murderer/contract killer named Dexter Isaac came forward and admitted to his role in robbing Tupac Shakur, along with two other men on November 30th, 1994.

Dexter Isaac, long considered a suspect in the robbery, released a statement to AllHipHop.com and finally admitted to his role in the robbery, which was allegedly masterminded by James Rosemond for a mere $2,500 dollars.

“That’s a lot less than the $200,000 the LA Times paid Henchman to back off,” Chuck Philips told AllHipHop.com. “Moreover, I was laid off the afternoon Henchman signed the out-of-court settlement – presumably as a silent unwritten clause in the deal to satisfy Henchman’’s calls for my firing on MTV and other media outlets.”

On Tuesday (June 21st), Rosemond was apprehended by DEA agents in Manhattan, after being on the run for over two weeks, over a federal indictment accusing him of dealing massive amounts of cocaine and making millions of dollars in illegal proceeds.

Additionally two men who have been connected to Rosemond are accused of participating in a murder-for-hire plot involving the shooting death of an associate of 50 Cent’s G-Unit imprint.

Rodney Johnson, 37 and Brian McLeod, 40, have been accused of shooting and killing Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher, who was gunned down in the Bronx in September of 2009.

Fletcher had been out of prison for only two weeks, when the two men killed him in return for kilos of cocaine, allegedly at Rosemond’s orders.

Fletcher was in prison for his role in assaulting Rosemond’s young son in March of 2007.

Rosemond has pleaded not guilty to a variety of drug distribution and money laundering charges. If convicted he faces up to life in prison.

Philips is not losing any sleep over Rosemond’s predicament, but he is calling on the Los Angeles Times to publish a front page retraction in order to clear his name as a journalist.

“I am calling on the lawyers and editors at the Los Angeles Times –  some of whom I used to think were friends – to please do the right thing,” Chuck Philips told AllHipHop.com. “The newspaper must publish a new front-page retraction vindicating me – one the exact same size with the exact same placement as they gave the false retraction that destroyed my reputation.