homepage

Health Care Debate: A Personal Story

A few years ago, during the early part of the 2000’s, I moved to New York City. Roughly, four months upon my arrival to the Big Apple in search of a dream, I had been laid off from a start-up urban website that I thought would be my rocket to the stars. The rocket never had any fuel.

The subsequent days, weeks and years were not without difficulty, especially from a health insurance point of view. I recall vividly stepping on a piece of glass in my small Flatbush Brooklyn apartment. I found impossible to dig the shard out of my foot at that time. On top of that, I already knew what lack of insurance produced – big medical bills. With no real source of income, I opted to live with the glass for a while. For weeks, I walked around with a painful piece of glass, for some foolish reason. I mean, I had a limp. I assumed it would heal over and I believed in those days, I was harder than the adversity life was throwing my way (I was). The skin never quite healed over the glass. In fact, my body rejected it and continued to push it out to my dismay – more pain. Eventually, my then-girlfriend, would perform a hood-surgery on my foot and remove the glassy fragment from my body. True story.

I have other stories from that period in my life like the time I ate some imitation crab meat that had me in a BK emergency room until dawn. Those doctor’s didn’t give a damn about me and ended up giving me some form of Benadryl. I could have done that. They should have called it “Been A Bill,” because that’s all it turned into. I paid that once the collection notices started to come, mainly because I forgot about it. Clearly, there are others with more dramatic, telling sagas. My life was simple, there were no “complications” like children, elderly, or more serious ailment. For those that do, change is on the way.

I was ecstatic to get the following message from President Obama, announcing the historic health care bill’s passage yesterday:

Chuck —

For the first time in our nation’s history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks to you, we are finally here.

Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:

Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.

Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.

The bill isn’t perfect and will not satisfy all, but it remains a massive positive step forward for all in dire need of health care here in America. On top of it all, President Obama now has accomplished one of his major initiatives to the dismay of his detractors. How American that, in this moment of glory, some of the ugliest, nastiest comments have been levied on those that have pushed this bill through. Hasn’t positive change always been resisted in this way though?

So, I ask, what are your thoughts about the passing of the Heath Care Bill? And what are your experiences with not having insurance? What are your reservations?

Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur is the CEO of AllHipHop.com. Still, his views are his and

do not necessarily represent the views of the entire AllHipHop.com staff. He can be found at here and here

Ludacris and Jamie Foxx Promote Increased HIV Awareness with New CDC Social Media Project

Atlanta-based rap star Ludacris is using his fame to enter a new level of raising awareness of HIV/AIDS.

The rapper, along with actor/comedian/singer Jamie Foxx have teamed up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to promote I know, a recently launched social media effort set up to encourage dialogue about the disease among African-Americans ages 18 to 24. Increased focus on HIV testing as well as condom use and ways to reduce risk of HIV infection such as abstaining from sexcompromise the focus of discussion as well as facts about HIV transmission and ways to reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

Social networking sites Facebook and Twitter will play an active role in the I know effort. The I know Facebook (www.facebook.com/iknow) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/iknow_talkhiv) pages will provide news items and opportunities for users to interact with each other and the CDC about HIV, in addition to links to information about HIV testing and prevention.

Ludacris and Foxx are among a group of celebrities and African-American leaders and organizations who will utilize their Facebook pages and Twitter feeds to increase participation in I know. Text messaging will also be used to provide updates on I know activities, information about HIV testing opportunities, and video messages from celebrities and youth advocates.

As part of the initiative, Foxx and Ludacris will emphasize the importance of talking about HIV via a series of radio and online video public service announcements.

“HIV isn’t his problem or her problem. It’s all of our problem,” the rapper stated in his PSA. “The facts are clear. African-Americans, especially young people are being devastated by HIV and AIDS. But there is something we can all do about it. We can and must talk about HIV. So break the silence by having a conversation. Send a text. Update your status. Post this video. Talk about HIV and what we can do to prevent it.” Ludacris’ involvement in the I know project comes amid troubling findings regarding African American youth and HIV. According to the CDC, African-Americans age 13 to 29 years in the United States account for half of all new HIV infections in that age group. Young black gay and bisexual men are especially affected, representing more than half (55 %) of new infections among African-Americans 13-29.For details on Act Against AIDS and I know, visit www.actagainstaids.org.

Max B Receives Appeal on Murder Conviction

Incarcerated rapper Max B (Charly Wingate) has been granted an appeal on a robbery and murder conviction last September that sentenced him to 75 years in prison.

Max was found guilty of felony murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, aggravated manslaughter, and armed robbery after his ex-girlfriend Gina Conway testified that he masterminded a 2006 heist that left one man dead.

According to Conway, the rapper and his stepbrother Kelvin Leerdam targeted two men (Allan Plowden and David Taylor) for robbery at a NJ Holiday Inn because they carried around large sums of money.

Taylor was duct-taped, and Plowden was killed instantly execution-style with a shot to the head.

Max B was not present during the crime, but was implicated based on Conway’s testimony. She received 18 years in exchange for her testimony. Leerdam also received a life sentence for his role.

Max’s manager Joli O’Shay released a statement advising that her client is going to exhaust all available options to overturn the verdict.

According to French Montana, a close friend of Max B.’s, the incarcerated rapper is keeping his spirits high. 

“He [is] hanging in there,” French Montana told AllHipHop.com. “You know the judge just gave him a date. He about to give him a date to go back to court, so keep prayers up, that’s all you can do. They try to sabotage rappers. You know it is what it is man. Free Max B!”

Max B has remained active despite his sentence, releasing the mixtape Wave Gang 4 earlier this year.

 AllHipHop.com will post more information as it becomes avaiable.

 

 

 

Hip-Hop Rumors: Lil Wayne Gets In Jail Fight? Good News For Bone Fans!!

DISCLAIMER:

 

All content within this section is pure rumor

and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have

whispered in our ear. Read on.

SEE SOMETHING? SAY SOMETHING!!!!!

LIL WAYNE FIGHT IN JAIL?

Sounds like a BS rumor to me, because if you know anything Wayne’s got an escort (aka bodyguard) in jail. But we can entertain it. One of my readers hit me up and told me he heard that Wayne was in a squabble in jail that resulted in…a rumor? Nevertheless, Wayne is fine and seemed to garner him some respect in the BING. Not sure I believe a word of this though. I feel bad for Weezy though. Jail sucks.

BONE THUGS ARE STILL TOGETHER

Check out what Layzie Bone said to a fan online:

“No Bizzy wont be on tour mainly because he felt that the money wasnt enough for Bone Thugs. which i can understand but i think he failed to realize that we were using this run as a promo run to promote the album. its nothng new weve been rocking the house many years without him and we have Flesh which is very cool. that doesnt mean you’ll never see Bizzy with Bone. we or at least i can somewhat respect his decision.But this wasnt a money thing to the rest of us but more to connect our new music with our core and some new fans. has Krayzie Bone left the group. Cut the games myself and Kray started this whole thing. we’ve been at this our whole life doing music together. we might do solo’s and have our own dreams and aspirations but Kray with no Lay Wish and Flesh is like Melvin without his Bluenotes lol. And Tim your right again the album is being released april 27th.The Promo hasnt been great but weve made the true fans that support us wait long enough. WB will eventually catch up OR our fans will put us in high demand like they’ve done since Thuggish Ruggish Bone. cotrary to what these hatas are trying to say Bone dont make b####### music, we recorded over a hundred songs for this album and the creativity just wont stop. take dat take dat. To be continued!!!!!!!!”

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

Apparently, that kid pretending to be Scott Storch’s son is going back to obscurity. He’s not Storch’s son according to people I know. Rappers will do anything to get some attention, it seems.

Rumor has it there is another Predator coming and Laurence Fishboure is in it.

I’m hearing Cash Money is looking to continue its international run and seeks to sign an international rapper from the UK. Stay tuned.

If you are a rapper on myspace or something and a woman offers you a shot to open for Jay-Z for s lil money…don’t do it. She’s a scam artist getting rappers left and right online.

Somebody tried to tell me that Lil Wayne was not in the SUV when 40 Glocc and them were swarming around it. Anybody else heard that?

Max B has a new lease on life in the form of an appeal. Good luck, Max. I think the courts do this so people get paid more. MAX B!

WE

LOVE YOU!!!

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about

them then they should worry!

-illseed

WHO: illseed.com

WHAT: Rumors

WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed

HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].

Bizarre Returns With New Solo LP Friday Nights At. St. Andrews

(AllHipHop News) D12’s Bizarre has confirmed the completion of his third solo LP Friday Nights At St. Andrews on his new label home, AVJ Records.

The new project is Bizarre’s first offering since 2007’s Blue Cheese & Coney Island, which was released on Koch/Shady Records.

The Detroit emcee will now be on the ground floor of fledgling label AVJ Record, based out of Atlanta and also home to Nappy Roots.

“When it comes to unique creativity in music, Bizarre stands out,” says AVJ CEO Shannon Houchins. “With his success with the multi platinum-selling group D12, we felt he would make an incredible addition to our growing roster here at AVJ.”

Bizarre’s new LP derives its name from St. Andrews Hall, formerly known as hotbed in Detroit for avant-garde Hip-Hop.

“When D12 was coming up, St. Andrews was the kind of place that people would literally walk miles to get to and be a part of,” Bizarre explained. “No lie. It’s so special that in a city that is as violent as Detroit is, you could go to St. Andrews and find peace and incredible music. I’ve tried to bring that element to Friday Nights At St. Andrews.”

To complete that objective, Bizarre has enlisted guest spots from Redman, Royce da 5’9, Nipsey Hussle, D12’s Kuniva, Tech N9ne King Gordy, 7 Da General, and Nate Walka.

The official single is “Believer,” with Tech N9ne and Grammy nominated Nate Walka (co-writer of Jamie Foxx’s “Blame It”).

The NorthStarz-produced street single is “Rap’s Finest,” featuring Redman, Royce da 5’9, Kuniva, and 7 Da General.

Friday Nights At St. Andrews will be released on May 18th.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Young Jeezy Changes Name? Scott Storch’s Rappin’ Son?

DISCLAIMER:

 

All content within this section is pure rumor

and generally have no factual info outside of what the streets have

whispered in our ear. Read on.

SEE SOMETHING? SAY SOMETHING!!!!!

YOUNG JEEZY CHANGES RAP NAME!

I guess when you turn 30 or something you have to change up. But, don’t rappers know they are going to get older and mature? I don’t know. Anyway, Young Jeezy is the next in a long line of smart rappers that has opted to drop age-defining monikers. He is now going to go simply by JEEZY.

LETS GET IT!!!!!!!

NO BATTLE FOR JOE BUDDEN!

You know, you have to love Twitter. I’ve never talked to Joe Budden a day in my life and yet I feel like we talk every time I do a rumor. I do a rumor and he “tells” me whether its true or not.

Here is what Buddy said:

nope, not true RT @Marvlouz yooo rumors swirling that u gonna battle loaded lux? is this truee??? if it is, i feel bad for loaded, smh

Oh well, Joe…dude… @illseed.

SCOTT STORCH’S RAPPING SON?

My readers are so talented. I love em, because they are always in the right places to get give me rumors and other free stuff. LOL! Anyway, one of them has been working with a person purporting to be Scott Storch’s son, a rapper who calls himself SK. He might be the kid whose mom was suing Mr. Storch for child support. Anyway, these guys just put out a mixtape, which he called “The Megan Fox Tape”. He didn’t want to be thought of as “Scott Storch’s kid”, but…that’s exactly what I am doing right now. Sorry, kid. But here is the mixtape for good measure.

WHY AREN’T THE RAPERS COMING TO FRANCE?

I’m not sure I FULLY understand this letter, but I thought I would throw it out there to see what you thought! US artists seem to be ducking on going to France for some reason or another. Do you know why? Peep it!

Hi IllSeed,

This is your boy Gab from France. I hollered at you on facebook to know if you

had any information regarding R. Kelly canceling his show. But i’ve got a bigger

question? Is there any super flu or something in the States right now?

I was checking concerts scheduled in the next days and Brand Nuban, B Real of

Cypress Hill, Beatnuts, Warren G, Bishop Lamont, Xzibit… all them are going to

be a no show. Do you know why? Help a brotha.

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY

So, The Smoking Gun should be called The Smoking Crackpipe or something more creative. Why? These fool published a picture of the GREAT Malcolm X after he was shot and murdered. I was sent this from one of my readers and it shocked me that they published this image of one of my heroes. So, they get the Epic Fail of the day.

The other half of this Epic Fail is WHY they published the pic. There is one person still in jail for the murder of our beloved Malcolm X and he has been granted parole. All the other men are out, those that supposedly killed him 45 years. I have my views on whether or not is was a set up and a governmental conspiracy, but that is another story. My thing is, IF they really did such a thing, why would they be getting out anyway? They all should be in jail forever! BUT, that leads me to something else…maybe they were set up. One of them vehemently denies taking part in that mess that set us back a zillion years in Black leadership. I don’t know but if he did do it, he may have some issues as he gets out even though he’s old. If he didn’t do it, he needs to speak up!

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

I don’t think Jay-Z dissed Nas after getting feedback from a bunch of people.

IS THIS FUNNY?

I’m not co-signing this! I don’t know if its funny yet. What do you think?

A FREESTYLE IS A WRITTEN RHYME?

Big Daddy Kane refutes all of this “off-the-top” rap stuff. Check it out.

TIGER WOOD’S PARODY

Is this funny too!?

KANE! WE

LOVE YOU!!!

They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about

them then they should worry!

-illseed

WHO: illseed.com

WHAT: Rumors

WHERE: AllHipHop.com, MySpace.com/TheIllseed

HOW: Send your rumors and ill pics to illseed at [email protected].

Houston Rapper Trae Tha Truth Address Radio Ban; Plans New Mixtape

(AllHipHop News) Texas rapper Trae Tha Truth continues with his career, despite a ban on commercial Hip-Hop stations in Houston according to reports.Almost 1,000 people have signed a petition circulating around the Internet requesting that KBXX 97.9 The Box lift the ban on the rapper, which was reportedly enforced after a July 2009 shooting erupted during “Trae Day.”

“I aint into making nobody famous, but at the end of the day you gotta understand one thing. I keep it too thorough for the streets, so people are going to ride or die with me,” Trae Tha Truth told AllHipHop.com. “I’m too real for that, you can’t ban me.”

“Trae Day” took place at Texas Southern University. A variety of celebrity rappers and local politicians attended the event, to honor Trae Tha Truth’s work in the Houston community.

As “Trae Day” was winding down, Albert “A Walk” Mondane and several associates fired into a crowd filled with thousands of teenagers, striking and wounding eight people.

Mondane was eventually charged with engaging in organized crime and sent to the Harris County Jail.

Trae will address the ban on his new mixtape, Can’t Ban Tha Truth, the follow-up to his street album, The Incredible Truth.

Additionally Trae has finished work on his upcoming album Tha Truth which features the single “Incredible,” featuring Lil Wayne and Rick Ross.

A video for “Incredible” will be released next week.

Ice Cube Doc ‘Straight Outta LA’ Hits TV This May

(AllHipHop News) Los Angeles rap veteran ice cube’s new documentary Straight Outta L.A. will make its worldwide debut at Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival this April.

The movie chronicles the origins of The Raiders from their time as an Oakland-based team, until 1982 when a court decision allowed the team to move to Los Angeles.

Ice Cube and the hip-hop super group N.W.A. helped popularize The Raiders’ merchandise, by wearing the teams’ signature black and silver clothing.

Straight Outta L.A. will be screened on April 23rd, while the documentary will make its television debut on May 11th on ESPN.

“We are thrilled to launch this year’s Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival with a film that shows how sports are intertwined in so many other cultural arenas,” ESPN senior VP for content development Keith Clinkscales said. In a statement. “All of the sports documentaries in this year’s festival truly illustrate that the reach of sports in society extends far past solely athletics and into such disciplines as music, language, art and of course, film.” In a previous interview about Straight Outta L.A., Ice Cube told AllHipHop.com that the group he founded, N.W.A., helped popularize the football team.

“The music, lyrics and images that I created with N.W.A as a solo artist and as an actor helped turn the Raiders into something more than a football team,” Ice Cube said. “To this day, kids all over the world buy Raiders gear, imitate the ‘Gangster Rap’ style and try to connect with the South Central L.A. vibe that we brought to the masses.”

Knockout Nation: The Blood Testing for Mayweather-Mosley Detailed, Where Does This Leave Manny Pacquiao?

Roughly two months ago, the biggest fight in boxing history did not happen due to arguments regarding the testing for performance enhancing drugs. And now, the fallout from that decision continues to affect and possibly change the future of boxing as we know it.

Over the past week, representatives for Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley, and Golden Boy Promotions have begun a media offensive to reveal the benefits of Olympic style drug testing for the May 1 superfight. The Mayweather-Mosley fight itself is the result of an act of God and a clash of superstar egos.

Mosley was originally supposed to fight Andre Berto on January 30, but the young Haitian fighter pulled out after losing several family members in the Haiti earthquake. Mayweather was scheduled to face Manny Pacquiao on March 13, but the Filipino icon balked and eventually walked over Mayweather’s insistence that they both undergo random, Olympic drug testing no later than 14 days prior to fight night.

On the call was USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) CEO Travis Tygart, who explained that he was contacted by Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions about his organization’s services in December 2009. Regarding the actual testing, Tygart laid out the USADA’s credentials for this fight.

“Today more than 400 individual sport bodies around the world and over 125 governments have signed on to follow the anti-doping program,” he reviewed. “That program includes testing for a full menu for prohibited substances and methods. It provides the best protocol for the collection of samples to ensure maximum comforts of athletes while ensuring the integrity of the samples collected. There’s a system of accredited laboratories, so that only the best and specific sport accredited labs are analyzing samples using the best and most advanced techniques available.”

 

Mayweather-Pacquiao was not the first time that one party of a superfight has requested stringent drug testing. Preceding their first bout in 1996, Mike Tyson requested that Evander Holyfield undergo blood testing, which he passed. In 2007, news broke that Holyfield had allegedly been using steroids for years, obtaining them under the name Evan Fields.

Mayweather and Golden Boy had initiated fight talks with Pacquiao from the beginning with the blood testing clause included. The Filipino fighter had his own contract requests, such as penalizing Mayweather $10 million for every pound he came in that was over the welterweight limit of 147 pounds, and having a glove size of 8 ounces (a benefit for punchers), over the standard 10 oz. gloves.

The Nevada boxing commission did not get involved, advising that the stipulations for both sides were contract issues that were left up to the fighters.

Mayweather agreed to all of his opponent’s demands, but Pacquiao’s camp began to have issue with Floyd’s testing request. When the impasse first hit the media, Pacquiao himself allowed representatives from his camp (including Bob Arum and trainer Freddie Roach) to speak for him. This resulted in conflicting information as to why the testing was a problem. Initially, it was said that Pacquiao had a phobia of needles, which was quickly discarded after critics pointed out the fighter’s numerous tattoos. Then it was cited that Pacquiao held a superstitious belief that giving blood close to a fight weakened him. Proof of this was an interview given after his loss to Erik Morales in 2005, where Pacquiao blamed his defeat on giving blood several days before the bout.

 

The two parties failed to reconcile the issue, with Pacquiao not willing to go lower than blood testing 24 days before the fight, and Mayweather insisting on 14 days. In his recent March 13 bout against Joshua Clottey, Pacquiao gave required blood 19 days before the fight.

Aware of these issues, Tygart argued that Olympic style blood testing should be more than just a contract stipulation. For him, it has huge social ramifications.

“Sport has and will always be more than just entertainment. It’s a vehicle by which our communities come together, and our fans put hopes and dreams on our athletes’ performances,” Tygart began. “Like it or not, our athletes are role models, athletes inspire our youth to be like them. Their performances confirm that hard work, dedication, and playing by the rules will lead to success, and there are no shortcuts. That’s why today [Mayweather-Mosley] is another watershed moment in the anti-doping efforts that have happened over the last several years.”

Mayweather-Mosley is the first time that boxers have reached out to any agency to have an anti-doping program in place. Under the USADA, both fighters will be subjected to unannounced, unlimited blood and urine samples through fight night (May 1) and several days afterward. Mayweather and Mosley must make the USADA aware of their locations at all times. If either man tests positive to any banned substances, the findings would be made public following legal proceedings. The guilty fighter would be subject to criminal charges, fines, and a two year suspension from boxing.

 

Shane Mosley admitted under federal testimony that he had used the Clear, a banned substance supplied by BALCO head Victor Conte, before his rematch with Oscar De La Hoya in 2003. To date, Mosley is suing Conte for defamation, claiming that he took the substance not knowing it was a performance enhancing drug. Conte denies this, stating that Mosley was fully aware of the product.

The Nevada state boxing commission threw out Mosley’s urine and blood samples after the fight, resulting in no further testing or Mosley possibly facing suspensions or fines. Under the USADA, samples will be kept for eight years following the fight.

When asked if a competent steroid testing plan can only include random urine testing, Travis Tygart gave an emphatic no, and criticized the boxing commission that was over Mosley at the time of his steroid controversy.

“There are at least four potent performance enhancing drugs that are not detected in urine, including Human Growth Hormone (HGH), Homologous Blood Transfusion (HBT),  [and] HBOC which is synthetic hemoglobin…The sport has allowed cheating to take over the culture…They (the boxing commission) did not bring any discipline on those allegations or any others. Honestly, all athletes are entitled to a full legal process prior to be accused of cheating. But if those allegations are proven to be true, he would have certainly served time like any of the other BALCO athletes that were disciplined at the time.”

Mosley attorney Judd Berstein stated that his client is now completely clean, and would not subject himself to this type of testing if he had anything to hide.

“Shane would not be doing this [if he were guilty]; it’s a very rigorous program. He would not be doing this if there was any doubt in his mind that he wasn’t a clean athlete,” Berstein stated.

Several prominent boxers have tested positive for banned substances in the past, including Roy Jones Jr., James Toney, and Fernando Vargas. But the issue of how widespread steroid use is in boxing remains disputed amongst experts.

 

Late last year, Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Roger Mayweather publicly accused Manny Pacquiao of being on performance enhancing drugs. Pacquiao has never tested positive for any banned substances, and launched a multi-million dollar defamation suit against the Mayweathers (including Floyd Jr.) and Golden Boy.

In a statement, Pacquiao used religious imagery to paint the defendants as morally bankrupt.

“Liars go to hell. They should be man enough to own up to their words,” blasted Pacquiao, a devout Catholic. “For including my country in the picture, claiming that we are the producers of the best performance enhancing drugs, Mayweather and those who are guilty need to get punished, the sooner, the better, whether it be in the courts or in the ring. Last week, I told Floyd Jr. to shut his big, pretty mouth and that we should fight so that the world will get to see who is the best fighter on the planet.”

Before the Pacquiao fallout, Floyd Mayweather had never requested this style of blood testing for an opponent. When pressed about why Olympic style drug testing would be enacted now, Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe countered that Floyd’s stance is long overdue for the sport.

“Why not? With Floyd being the face of boxing, this is something that he’s wanted to clean up the sport of boxing,” he said. “Every fighter [who fights Mayweather] from this point on is going to be subjected to this. This is great with USADA being the gold standard. This can do nothing but benefit the sport of boxing.”

With Mayweather-Mosley appearing to have no issues, the question moves onto if Mayweather should win, would Manny Pacquiao be willing to subject himself to the same testing as Mosley?

HBO commentator Max Kellerman broached the subject to Pacquaio trainer Freddie Roach following the Joshua Clottey fight. Roach was firm in arguing the state boxing commissions should handle blood/urine testing while the fighters focus on what goes on between the ropes.

“It’s a fight the world wants to see. Me and Manny want to see it. Floyd, let the commission do their jobs, let them run the rules, you don’t run this sport,” Roach taunted. “Get in the ring and fight us! Manny is disappointed in Floyd’s accusations, so he makes fun of him in the gym and shows me how he would crush that defense.”

Manny himself ignored the blood testing issue, simply shrugging his shoulders and stating it’s up to Mayweather if he wants the superfight.

“I want that fight. The people want that fight. But it’s up to him if he’s going to fight with me,” he explained. “For me it’s no problem, I don’t think he’s ready now. He should win against Mosley. If not me and Mosley should fight.”

 

The boxing commissions around the U.S. may soon change their regulations as the negative attention from the Mayweather-Pacquiao failure has shed light on the inadequate and antiquated methods used to test for performance enhancing drugs.

According to the NY Post, the New York State Athletic Commission is reviewing their regulations in hopes of an upgrade.

“We’re in the process of doing research now. We have been for several weeks. We’re going to upgrade our testing policies,” detailed Melvina Lathan, chairwoman of the NYSAC. “As soon as my medical advisor board gets back to me with their findings, we’re going to look over their recommendations. We’re tossing around a lot of policies. We’re trying to find out which ones work better for our state, for our boxers, and for boxing. We’re trying to get what works, and once we get all of those things together, then we’ll come out with a statement about our findings.”

Much of the USADA testing is expected to be covered further during HBO’s 24/7 series for Mayweather-Mosley. The winner is expected to enter immediate negotiations with Manny Pacquiao for a fight before the end of 2010.

Ismael AbduSalaam is a senior staff writer for AllHipHop.com, freelance journalist, and the creator of Beats, Boxing and Mayhem, a website specializing in boxing and Hip-Hop coverage. He can be followed on Twitter @Allahschild

QuestionsView Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AHH Stray News: Waka Flocka Released, Spring Bling, Lil Romeo

(AllHipHop News) Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka Flames has been released from the Houston County Jail yesterday (March 18), after being arrested for violating his probation. Sources told AllHipHop.com that the rapper was originally arrested Tuesday evening (March 16) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for smoking marijuana before a show. Waka Flocka, born Juaquin Malphurs, is an artist on Gucci Mane’s So Icey record label. He is riding the success of his single “O Let’s Do It” which is #1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart. The remix also features Bad Boy Entertainment CEO Sean “Diddy” Combs. Read AllHipHop.com’s full Q&A with Wack Flocka. Soulja Boy, Yo Gotti, Lloyd Banks, Juelz Santana and Nicki Minaj are among the rappers attending BET’s annual Spring Bling event in Riveria Beach, Florida. Spring Bling will feature the “Beach Towel Throwdown,” “My King, My Queen” contest, a “Who Got Game?” dating show and performances by Trey Songz, Trina, Plies, Roscoe Dash, Tocarra, Terrence J. and Rocsi. BET’s Spring Bling takes place on April 10 from 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM. Lil Romeo has signed a deal with Outside The Box Vision to produce a new animated movie video and comic book series titled RESQ3. While details about the projects were not immediately available, the deal furthers Outside The Box’s goals of tapping into the virtual world targeting kids and adults with cutting edge 3D technology. “What makes us different is that we create product for the consumer, making a conscience effort to mix in the usual fun and excitement with a sense of wonder,” Outside The Box Vision’s CEO Olatokunbo Betiku said.

JD: “You Haven’t Heard Janet Sound Like This In a Long Time”

(AllHipHop News) So So Def CEO Jermaine Dupri announced a deal with director Tyler Perry today (March 19) for the release of the soundtrack to Why Did I Get Married Too?

The first single from the soundtrack is titled “Nothing” and features Dupri’s ex-girlfriend, Janet Jackson.

The track was produced by Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox.

“You haven’t heard Janet sound like this in a long time and I think the song is perfect for the movie,” Dupri said. “It’s a really good record.”

“Nothing” will hit the Internet via iTunes on March 30th, while Why Did I Get Married Too? is due in theaters April 2nd.

Dupri is currently at work producing for his latest project with his newest artist, Dondria.

Find Out Why Rihanna & More Rep For Kerin Rose

Yesterday, I got a chance to check out Kerin Rose‘s new A-Morir eyewear collection with DJPremium.com buyer, Jamila. The appointment took place in Kerin’s eccentric Manhattan apartment, where she currently creates her edgy sunglasses by hand. As we featured in this previous post, Kerin Rose has quickly become a must-have for the hottest ladies in the game, like Rihanna, Amber Rose, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and more, in just under two years. Her latest collection is definitely more out there than what we’ve seen so far, with big jewels, lots of rhinestones and various frame shapes. Kerin is taking eyewear to another level — these are the sunglasses you’ll even want to wear at night. Check out highlights below, and expect most of these to drop on DJPremium.com very soon! Jamila’s pictured rocking a pair of spiked-out shades, that can also double as a headband — see below as Kerin herself demonstrates: I tried on of the more subtle pairs in the collection — aviators lined with rhinestones. One of Kerin’s sunglass stations, littered with sparkles, jewels and other sunglass accessories.  Kerin’s “intern” rockes a pair of dope rhinestone-encrusted aviators. Your thoughts? Get more Kerin Rose shades, like the studded pair that Rihanna can’t seem to get enough of, by clicking HERE.

The Last Word: Precious and Weight Loss, Todd Bridges Kills Willis, Karrine Steffans Divorced!

What’s good , good Wordists? It’s been a news-filled week with President Obama postponing a trip overseas to make one last push for health care reform, Tiger Woods announces his return to golf at this year’s Masters on April 8, Michael Jordan makes it official as the new owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and the Red River expected to reach near-record flood levels this weekend. Couple that with John Edwards’ mistress having second thoughts on pictures she took for GQ magazine, Michael Jackson’s estate signing the biggest recording deal in history and Sandra Bullock being caught by surprise by her cheating husband and there was more than enough of something to talk about. Shout out to reggae legend Jimmy Cliff for being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday (March 15) and the sounding boards for never forgetting to bring a co-pilot while being up in the air. So let’s get to it with …the Last Word for the week ending March 19, 2010.   1.       Precious Star Gabourey Sidibe Becomes a Target of Concern for Weight Loss Company For someone who didn’t win an Oscar, Gabourey Sidibe is on a lot of people’s mind. Or rather her weight. From Howard Stern (“She is enormous…she’s never going to be in another movie”) to Jamie Foxx  (“I hear they’re doing the remake [to ‘Precious’], it’s called The Notorious Precious.Where Gabby does Biggie Smalls with Precious…”), it seems like size does matter when it comes to the Hollywood rookie and the impact her weight will have on her professional future. Now you can Acai Supply to the mix. The weight loss company is taking it upon itself to show some tough love to Sidibe wit a letter it wrote to the actress that urged her to shift her focus from her image to her health.”The only way you can reach your goal of someday winning that Oscar is by being active, fit, and most of all, healthy!,” wrote Acai Supply’s CEO. To further drive its point home, the company is offering a one-year’s supply of their product to Sidibe to help her lose weight. According to an Acai Supply publicist, the diet pill company is already feeling the effects of its act of goodwill. “We have seen a large increase in sales today, but we have not yet heard from Ms. Sidibe. We are really hoping to,” he told Popeater.com. “We want to help her maintain a healthy lifestyle. She has amazing potential, Oprah believes in her, and she could someday be on that stage accepting an Oscar. We can only put it out there for her, we hope she takes us up on our offer.” Although this reeks of a publicity stunt, it does raise an eyebrow. The big question is will Gabourey accept the offer or continue to do her. As talented as she is, I would hate for Gabby to leave us so soon. Obesity has already claimed one gifted star (the late, great Big Pun).Hopefully, Gabourey will make the best decision for her and continue living her life.    2.       Todd Bridges Kills Willis with Memories of Sexual Abuse and Diaper Rehab Corey Haim’s death last week is the latest in a tragic string of child stars who achieve fame only to crash and burn. And while Todd Bridges is among those who are still around, he is no exception. As he promotes his the book Killing Willis, Bridges comes clean about bad things really got after the hit show was cancelled. To hear him tell it, things got so bad that he became a drug dealer in Hollywood in an effort to pay off the $280,000 in back taxes he owed after being wiped out by his accountants. “There were four different hotels and I had about five girls that worked in the streets,” the former Diff’rent Strokes star shared with Access Hollywood. As for how he spun out of control, the answer can be found years earlier as Bridges confessed to being molested by his former publicist. “His journey with me was to always try to convince me that girls were not what they lived up to be in that you could get that same feeling with a boy,” the actor said.  “At 12-years-old when you’ve never experienced that you have no idea. And eventually, he got what he wanted. It happened three times but I was very confused because I knew how I felt about girls.” The experience with the publicist left a mark on Bridges, whose mother believed her son while his father sided with the publicist. It wasn’t until Bridges had his first sexual experience with his Diff’rent Strokes co-star Dana Plato that he started to feel like a normal teenage boy. Nevertheless, the damage was done as Bridges’ encounters with the law resulted in a stint in rehab after pleading guilty to drug possession in 1993. It was at this point, the actor, who often used the drugs he sold, hit rock bottom. “When I got in there I got really angry and I got really mad at the hospital [staff].  And they strapped me at four points and I was in there for three days,” Bridges explained during an appearance on Fox & Friends as he detailed the moment he decided to make a change. “When you’re in your 20’s and you have a big diaper on and you were on a hit show, there has to be a change in your life.” Although he is clean and sober now, Bridges is quick to say he has no one to blame for his past troubles but himself. “What I try to always explain to people is that we can’t blame Hollywood, it’s not Hollywood,” he says. “I made some stupid personal choices. But I can’t blame Hollywood.” “No one ever goes into addiction thinking that you’re going to get addicted to drugs. You do it to cover the pain up,” Bridges continued. “But then when I got caught up in addiction, Hollywood didn’t throw me away, I threw Hollywood away.”   3.       Salma Hayek Creates Her Own Detox with Cooler Cleanse There’s nothing like a good detox.  Unlike many of us who are still waiting for Dr. Dre to deliver a musical version of this, Salma Hayek is very up on the aftermath of a worthwhile detox of the body. Which is why the sexy star has aligned with Juice Generation’s Eric Helms to create Cooler Cleanse, a new line of “organic, locally sourced, hydraulically pressed juices.” Media sources report the cleanse is available in five flavors —  a green juice, a grapefruit mint, a red juice with beets and apples, young coconut water, and nut milk sweetened with dates. Hayek knows firsthand the effects of the detox as she has been using the product for years.  Although none of the Cooler Cleanse programs (the 3-Day Cleanse, the 5-Day Cleanse, the Raw Cooler) target weight loss, the official site for the product states it concentrates more on a total and complete cleanse of the body to allow it to be fully “operational” afterwards.  Price for Cooler Cleanse totals $58 a day for the juices and $62 a day for the raw food program. Simply stated,  Salma Hayek is now The Sh*t oops Shiznit.   4.       Love Divorces Darius McCary and Karrine Steffans; Beats Up Ex CSI Star Gary Dourdan First Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jamie Kennedy. Now, Darius McCrary and Karrine Steffans.Love must obviously be on vacation this week because McCrary and the former video vixen known as Superhead are no longer happily married. The National Enquirer reports that McCrary filed for divorce on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles County Court after almost one year of marriage and an on and off relationship full of ups and drama. Despite the split, the former Family Matters and current Young and the Restlessstar still showed loved to his ex-squeeze by reportedly sending Steffans  a bouquet of flowers with her divorce papers. “I will always love Karrine and her son, but we are not good together. It was just time for us to go our separate ways,” McCrary told NE reporter Patricia Shipp. The divorce marks the end of McCrary’s third marriage and Steffans’ second marriage. The best-selling author was hitched to veteran rhymesayer Koo G. Rap before her union with McCrary. Despite McCrary’s attempt to gently call it quits, Steffans wasn’t as sentimental  as she believes her ex was unfaithful during their time together. “He cheated on me,” Steffans told the Enquirer. “You can’t cover that up with a bouquet of flowers.”   Ah, love. There’s nothing like it. It brings you up and, as Gary Dourdan found out, beats you down. The 43-year-old former CSI star became a real life victim of domestic violence at the hands of his 21-year-old girlfriend, Maria Asis del Alamo, who was arrested for allegedly attacking him on Tuesday (March 16) afternoon. The folks at E! spoke to the LAPD, which stated that authorities responded to a domestic disturbance call at Doudan’s Venice, Calif. Home. Del Alamo was later handcuffed and taken in to custody on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge after police questioned her and Dourdan and noticed scratches and bruises on him. Next on the agenda for Del Alamo is a court date set for April 6. She was booked and released on  $20,000 bail. At this time, there is no word on when Dourdan will receive his next dose of “tough love.”    In Other Words… After giving us an earful  of personal and professional triumphs and heartaches through her music, Mary J. Blige is utilizing a different way to touch fans . According to BV Buzz, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul is thinking of brining her life story to the printed page with her first book. “I think its time,” said Blige, who plans to use the page-turner as a vehicle to inspire aspiring female entertainers who dream of making it big. “It’s imperative for me to help all of the younger singers who come up behind me because I don’t want anyone to suffer through what I suffered through. I almost ended up with nothing; meaning dead, broke and whatever you want to call it. I was given this position not just for myself but to be an example to them because they are me!”  The late Ray Charles will get the Broadway treatment with an upcoming musical. The Sheldon Epps-helmed play, titled Unchain My Heart, will be a celebration of the music legend’s life and music.Unchain My Heart is slated to open Nov. 7 on Broadway, with preview performances beginning Oct. 8.   Things look to be quite lovely for Vivian Green this year. The singer is gearing up for the release of her forthcoming album Beautiful. The offering, which includes the hit title track, is slated to hit stores April 6.  In last week’s Word, I mentioned Akon’s plans of invading Bollywood. The theme of domination looks like shows no signs of disappearing from the hitmaker’s priorities as he increases his chances of financial security with a new fragrance. The recently launched Konvict Cosmetics scent, appropriately named Konvict, is currently available online at akonfragrances.com. Ten percent of all proceeds will be donated to the Konfidence Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising public awareness of conditions in Africa as well as providing access to learning, recreational environments and wellness services to underprivileged African youth. How’s this for an ad?  Konvict — The felonious fragrance made for the criminal in you!!! (Do not wear this behind bars)  It may cause unwanted attention.