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AHH Stray News: Talib Kweli, I Love NY 2 Murder, Lydia Harris (Death Row)

(AllHipHop News) Brooklyn rapper Talib Kweli will head to Dublin, Ireland at the end of the month in support of his upcoming album Revolutions Per Minute. Kweli will perform at the Tripod on Harcourt St with opening acts Messiah J. & The Expert, Brian Deady and Choice Cut DJ’s. Kweli is expected to perform material from his lengthy catalog in addition to new tracks from Revolutions Per Minute. The event takes place Saturday, January 30th. Doors open at 7:30PM.

 

An aspiring rapper who was briefly featured on I Love New York 2 will go on trial for murdering a 28-year-old San Francisco man in 2007. Prosecutors accuse Jamal “Milliown” Trulove of gunning down Seu Kuka in the Sunnydale projects in the city. Prosecutors said Trulove filmed his appearance on I Love New York 2 just weeks before he murdered Kuka. Trulove was booted from the show during the first episode because of an altercation with another contestant in the house. He is charged with murder and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

 

Lydia Harris, a reported co-Founder of rap label Death Row Records with ex-husband Michael “Harry-O” Harris, has launched a Stop The Violence 2010 Initiative to help New Orleans’ youth. Harris, who is CEO of Lady Boss Ent., has partnered with college professor and motivational speaker Khalil Osiris, who did a stint in jail. The initiative aims to reverse the violence in the communities in New Orleans using “highly trained street violence interrupters and community outreach staff, public education campaigns and community mobilization.” “In order to make collective and positive change on the streets of New Orleans today, we need everyone to exert their individual voting power holding their candidates accountable and true to their platform,” Harris said in a statement. “We need everyone’s voice to be heard. We need their voice to be heard by getting out there taking care of our communities.” Harris and Osiris will appear at Montrel’s Bistro on January 31 to promote the Stop The Violence initiative.

Cornel West and Brother to Host Intergenerational ATL Dialogue on Hip-Hop

(AllHipHop News) Brothers Cornel and Clifton West will be in Atlanta this Sunday (January 17) to host Sweet Tea Ethics, an event aimed at exploring the concepts of manhood, black love, mending generation conflicts, and the transformative power of Hip-Hop.

 

The dialogue hopes to challenge the black community to look critically at why there is deep division between elders and the Hip-Hop community, and why many hold a “clichéd view” leadership and formal education.

 

The free event was organized by producer and award-winning journalist, counselor and producer Edward M. Garnes, Jr who will also serve as moderator.

 

Garnes is the founder of From Afros To Shelltoes, a community program focused on using the arts to “bridge generation gaps between youth, elders, and Hip-Hop heads.”

 

Clifton West has been a mentor to Garnes, and co-founded BMWMB (Black Men Who Mean Business) with Mike Dailey to give the musical backbone to his brother Cornel’s Hip-Hop albums.

 

“The event is all about brothers sharing a journey of courage, testament of faith, renaissance of hope and a message of love; unduly granted by a lifetime of grace,” Clifton West told AllHiphop.com. “We are excited about our collaboration with From Afros To Shelltoes.”

 

Phonte of Little Brother/Foreign Exchange praised Garnes’ community efforts, framing them as a voice for late 20s Hip-Hop fans who are starting to feel displaced in the culture.

 

 “There is no movement that epitomizes the thoughts, dreams, and disillusionment of my generation better than From Afros to Shelltoes (F.A.T.S). For every young Black person that’s closer to 30 than 25, too grown for 106 & Park, but still too young for the Tom Joyner crowd, F.A.T.S is our leading voice,” Phonte stated. “With their exciting mix of wit, insight, and just plain old ‘real talk,’ F.A.T.S gives voice to a generation that wants to build on the future, while learning from the mistakes of the past. If my kids are reading about From Afros to Shelltoes in their history books in 20 years, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

 

Stic.man of Dead Prez has worked with Garnes, and lauded his ability to symbolically unite past traditions with today’s climate.

 

“Sweet Tea Ethics is as culturally profound as the Japanese tea ceremonies because it goes back to traditions of how we were raised in the south,” he explained. “Ed Garnes’ writing, teaching, and community work with From Afros To Shelltoes is very relevant, very Hip-Hop, and a very important bridge from our past to today’s sensibilities. His brilliance is committed to the values of our people in the most warm and accessible manner.”

 

Sweet Tea Ethics will be this Sunday (January 17) at Camp Creek Market Place’s Barnes and Nobles, located at 3685 Market Place Boulevard in East Point, GA.

 

The event is free and commences at 5PM.

Bun B Founds “Houston For Haiti,” Hosts Benefit Concert

(AllHipHop News) Bun B, the UGK rapper, will host a rap concert deemed “Houston For Haiti” in an effort to raise funds for the devastated people of Haiti.

“Houston For Haiti” will occur at Warehouse Live in Houston on Monday with a ticket price of $20. All the proceeds will go to http://www.care.org/index.asp?.

The likes of Slim Thug, Trae The Truth, ESG, Lil O, Candi Redd, Just Brittany, Corey Mo, The Party Boyz and others are confirmed to perform.

Local athletes like Vince Young of the Tennesse Titans are expected to appear as well.

Bun B has been an outspoken staple in the Texas rap scene and has been at the forefront of many productive movements.

“We all need to get involved,” Bun B said in a statement. “Race, color or creed, we are all Haitians right now, and we need to help our brothers and sisters.”

Haiti: Does Hip-Hop Care?

Haiti: Does Hip-Hop Care?

The crisis in Haiti has captivated the global community, but has it mesmerized the Hip-Hop community in same manner?

The affluent seem sluggish in aiding Haiti – at least publicly. Is it me?

Hip-Hop’s activist roots have shriveled in the last couple of decades, giving way to jewels, money, apathy and other collective vices. Nevertheless, in times of extreme need, like police brutality, Sept. 11 and Hurricane Katrina, we have witnessed the Hip-Hop heavies galvanize.

Its still early, but the upper echelon of the Hip-Hop elite seems to have opted out of the relief efforts in Haiti. Brad and Angelina gave a million of their money even though Jay-Z and Beyonce were the top grossing couple of 2009. Even the New York Yankees pledged $500,000 to help the country that seemingly has the worst “luck” with natural disasters.

And then there is Wyclef Jean, one of the most powerful and talented people in music. Being a pure-blooded Haitian clearly makes this cause his passion, but his energy isn’t contagious. We haven’t witness this level of sloth from Hip-Hop in quite some time.

This isn’t to berate or to call people out by names, because that’s not productive and we all know who the influential are. However, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I didn’t issue my own minute call to action. By now, we’ve all been able to witness the earthquakes’ destruction and how it has killed, annihilated those that were already under the thumb of corruption, poverty and disaster.

To the moguls: we know there are projects to promote and money to be made, but slide a bit of that budget to the relief effort in Haiti. Then, continue with the art of entertaining. (If you are a weed carrier of a mogul or rapper, give them a nudge to help out…it will bode well with good Karma.) Hey, if you don’t care, you don’t care. If you do care, do something.

In the meantime, AllHipHop.com and other sites, activists, entities and caring people are scrambling to create Hip-Hop for Haiti. What it is exactly, we’ll let you know soon, but we know we will continue to help the nation and support people like Wyclef that are more saints than rappers these days.

And through, Clef’s organization Yele.org, the people have spoken by donating a collective $1 million to Haiti. I’m sure some of the rich ones can politic a ‘lil more, right?

Reuters, Associated Press and AFP images

Action Against Hunger, 877-777-1420Agape Flights, 941-584-8078

American Red Cross, 800-733-2767American Refugee Committee, 800-875-7060American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, 212-687-6200  American Jewish World Service, 212-792-2900AmeriCares, 800-486-4357 Beyond Borders, 866-424-8403B’nai B’rith International, 202-857-6600CARE, 800-521-2273CarmaFoundation Catholic Relief Services, 800-736-3467Childcare Worldwide, 800-553-2328Church World Services, 800-297-1516Clinton Foundation, 501-748-0471Text “HAITI” to 20222 to donate $10 to Haiti reliefConcern Worldwide, 212-557-8000Convoy of Hope, 417-823-8998 Cross International, 800-391-8545CRUDEM Foundation, 413-642-0450CRWRC, 800-55-CRWRCDirect Relief International, 805-964-4767 Doctors Without Borders, 888-392-0392Episcopal Relief and Development, 800-334-7626Feed My Starving Children, 763-504-2919 Food for the Poor, 800-427-9104Friends of WFP, 866-929-1694Friends of the Orphans, 312-386-7499Habitat for Humanity, 1-800-422-4828Haiti Children, 877-424-8454Haiti Foundation Against Poverty Haiti Marycare, 203-675-4770 Haitian Health Foundation, 860-886-4357Healing Hands for Haiti, 651-769-5846Hope for Haiti, 239-434-7183International Child Care, 800-722-4453International Medical Corps, 800-481-4462International Rescue Committee, 877-733-8433International Relief Teams, 619-284-7979Islamic Relief USA, 888-479-4968Lions Club International Foundation, 630-203-3836Lutheran World Relief, 800-597-5972

Medical Benevolence Foundation, 800-547-7627 Medical Teams International, 800-959-4325  Meds and Food for Kids, 314-420-1634Mennonite Central Committee, 888-563-4676Mercy Corps, 888-256-1900Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, 800-306-9950New Life for Haiti, 815-436-7633Operation Blessing, 800-730-2537Operation USA, 800-678-7255Oxfam, 800-776-9326Partners in Health, 617-432-5298RHEMA International, 248-652-9894 Rural Haiti Project, 347-405-5552 The Salvation Army, 800-725-2769Samaritan’s Purse, 828-262-1980Save the Children, 800-728-3843

ShelterBox

UN Central Emergency Response Fund

UNICEF, 800-367-5437United Methodist Committee on Relief, 800-554-8583World Concern, 800-755-5022World Hope International, 888-466-4673World Relief, 800-535-5433 World Vision, 888-511-6548 Yele Haiti, 212-352-0552 Wyclef Jean’s grassroots orgText Yele to 501501 to donate $5 via cellphone

Rap Moguls, Artists Call For ‘Peace Week’ In Honor Of MLK

(AllHipHop News) A number of influential hip-hop artists will join New York Governor David Patterson today (January 15), to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

 

Rap mogul Russell Simmons, Hip-Hop pioneer Eric B. of Eric B. and Rakim, Salt of female of rap’s most successful girl group Salt-N-Pepa and the real Avon Barksdale will appear in Queens with activist Erica Ford and Gov. Patterson to launch “Peace Week.”

 

The Governor and the celebrity rappers will use their influence to call for peace and unity in the streets and amongst the youth.

 

“We lost to many to senseless violence. Martin Luther King called for non-violence and peace,” Life Camp/Peace Week Founder Erica Ford told AllHipHop.com. “[It’s] time to ‘Bury Da Beefs’ and live at least a week of it in his [MLK’s] memory.”

 

“Peace Week” launches today (January 15) and ends January 22 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, a civil rights activist who encouraged non-violent protest as a means to bring forth social change.

 

Various events will take place in different boroughs throughout the week, including a celebration for MLK at Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network and a “Teen Peace Party” in Jamaica, Queens.

 

Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is being celebrated across the world today (January 15).

The Story Behind Shawty Redd’s Murder Charge

VIBE EXCLUSIVE: Two weeks after Shawty Redd fatally shot a man in his Atlanta mansion, the successful young producer faces life in prison if convicted on murder charges. As Shawty Redd claims self-defense, LINDA HOBBS uncovers new details about the deceased, a man known in the streets as “Choppo.”

Two weeks after Demetrius “Shawty Redd” Stewart was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Damon A. Martin, questions still linger, details remain sketchy, and friendships look torn.

The 28-year-old Atlanta producer behind hits like Young Jeezy‘s “Trap or Die” and Snoop Dogg‘s “Sexual Eruption” has been charged with murder and is facing life in prison if convicted. Ever since the New Year’s Day shooting, Stewart has been held in a Henry County jail without bond. At Henry County Superior Court on Tuesday, Judge Brian Amer set his bond at $200,000. Shawty Redd is now free on bail and will be allowed to make music, but must wear an ankle bracelet and stay within county limits.

Until his appearance in court, few details had been revealed about what happened inside Shawty Redd’s Ballymeade Lane mansion in the gated community of Crystal Lake. “Mr. Stewart was attacked in his own home, and he was well within his rights to defend himself with force,” Stewart’s attorney, Marcia Fuller, said during the bond hearing. “His acts are insulated by the law. It’s in the Georgia Code that you can defend your home, yourself, and even property outside of your home, with deadly force, and not be prosecuted for it.”

A day after the hearing, Fuller told VIBE: “Demetrius was absolutely defending himself during the incident,” she said. “His career will continue. At this point we are waiting for the district attorney to make a decision as to whether or not they are going to go forward on this matter or dismiss it.”

According to a source within Shawty Redd’s camp who is familiar with Tuesday’s court proceedings, two of the producers’ associates reportedly testified that Martin was “an intruder” who was shot in self-defense, although the police report refers to him as an “associate.”

But according to a source speaking exclusively to VIBE, the deceased—who has been identified as a 35-year-old father from Southfield, Michigan—was actually a close friend of Stewart’s known in the streets as “Choppo.”

In a 2008 interview with Custom Whipz TV for a cover story in Custom Whipz magazine, Stewart shouted out Choppo and his six-member posse Geto Kingz—that includes Detroit artists Doeboy Reese, Supreme, Big Mudd, Hustleboy Tony Trice, and the crew’s founder M### Man.

“So who you working with from the D?” the interviewer asked. “Geto Kingz, I know you f###### with them.”

“Aw, yeah, can’t forget about my Geto Kingz n##### out there man,” Stewart said. “They show a n#### much love man. What up big homie Choppo! What up my n####!”

According to Martin’s best friend—a Detroit producer and engineer who goes by the name Beatz by Squeak—Martin was not an intruder to Stewart’s home, and the relationship between the two was much deeper than most people suspect. “He damn near made Shawty Redd,” says Squeak, who picked out Martin’s funeral outfit. “It’s way more to it.”

In his first interview since the shooting, Squeak shed new light on the man Shawty Redd is alleged to have murdered. “Damon wasn’t the kind of guy that was all for the fame and the ‘shouting out’ and all of that. Cause it was almost obvious what he was doing. And people around seen and knew. Gucci Mane knows Choppo personally. Jeezy knows Choppo personally. They know the relationship of Shawty Redd and the Geto Kingz family. Shawty Redd calls Damon ‘big homie.’ I mean, you don’t call somebody ‘big homie’ if they’re not your big homie.”

Squeak says he met Damon Martin around 1986. “We were like 8 or 9-years-old,” he says. “We were next-door neighbors actually. We grew up in Southfield, Michigan so it was the suburbs, it was a nice neighborhood. We went to Southfield High School. He was really into sports, and was actually a professional speed skater. He was a quarterback football player in high school. He was real popular.”

Squeak says he was the one who inspired Martin to get into the music industry. “I’ve been making music pretty much all my life and I started building my own studio,” says Squeak. “When he heard my stuff, he really gained interest and that’s what really inspired him to try to find a way to get my beats heard. This was maybe ’99 or 2000.” Describing his friend as “a hustler,” Squeak says, “He was selling our CDs and really just trying to get the production part of it off. He was pushing our music.”

According to Squeak, Martin met Shawty Redd in 2004 in an Atlanta strip joint called Club Blaze. He remembers Martin calling him to say he bumped into a producer working on Young Jeezy’s new album. Martin’s goal became introducing his crew, Geto Kingz, to Stewart, who at the time was attempting to cement his own credentials in the music industry. According to Squeak, Martin paid Shawty Redd to make beats for Geto Kingz, and also lavishly supplied the producer with money for other expenses.

“Damon was there for him,” Squeak told VIBE. “Back then, Shawty Redd wasn’t really that financially stable. [So] Damon helped Shawty Redd out a lot. A whole lot. Car payments, house payments…just anything he needed, all the way down to groceries and cigarettes. Even when he got into his car accident [in 2007], my man paid for the Benz to get out the shop. It was times Shawty Redd didn’t have anything and Damon was always there through the years. He told me that him and Shawty ripped a dollar bill in half and Shawty promised that when he got on, he would be there for Damon, because he respected him being there for him. And Damon always kept that half of the dollar bill in his wallet, and Shawty Redd did as well.”

Snoop Dogg Signs Cypress Hill To Priority

(AllHipHop News)Snoop Dogg’s goal of uniting the West Coast rap scene is one step closer to fruition, as the rapper has announced Cypress Hill as his first singing, since taking over as Creative Chairman of Priority Records.

 

Cypress Hill (B-Real, Sen Dog and Eric BoBo) recorded for Columbia/Sony the majority of their career.

 

Today (January 15), the group announced a worldwide exclusive deal with Priority/EMI and will release Rise Up, their first studio album of all new material, in six years.

 

“My role as Creative Chairman of Priority Records has put me in the driver’s seat to help revive the most important west coast Hip-Hop label,” Snoop told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “As such, I’m excited to announce my first signing as Cypress Hill. Cypress Hill is undeniably one of the most important Hip-Hop groups in music history, not only are they incredibly talented and the first Latino Hip-Hop group to go platinum, they are also from the west coast-so this signing is the perfect marriage.”

 

Although the group hasn’t released an album in six years, they remained active in the recording studio.

 

Rise Up was recorded over the past three years at B-Real’s Los Angeles based recording studio, The Temple.

 

“We took a little break after the last record to work on individual projects,” B-Real stated. “Both Sen Dog and I wanted to put out our own solo records, which we had been working on for some time. And though we were doing other things, we each kept ideas in mind for Cypress Hill and would go into the studio periodically to record. It was great to work at our own pace and without a deadline hanging over us. We’d get together at my studio and record whenever we felt that burst of creativity. It was an amazing way to work and resulted in what I think is our best record yet.”

 

The self-titled lead single from Rise Up features Rage Against The Machine/Street Sweeper Social Club group member Tom Morello, who also appears on a track titled “Shut ‘Em Down.”

 

“It was great to work with my longtime friends and comrades Cypress Hill on these two monster rock tracks,” said Morello. “Cypress are back with a vengeance!”

 

Cypress Hill’s Rise Up is the follow-up to the group’s 2004 album Till Death Do Us Part.

 

Rise Up is due in stores April 6.

Wyclef Clears Dead Bodies In Haiti, Raises A Million

(AllHipHop News) Activist/Hip-Hip artist Wyclef has committed to helping his brethren in Haiti, even clearing bodies of the nation’s desolate streets.

The rapper said that the scene in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, an “apocalypse” and that more are soon to die without sufficient aid.

“The count is not 100,000 there’s at least, has to be four to five hundred thousand people that is about to die,” he told the Associated Press.

On Thursday, the rapper spent the entire day moving bodies and said that chaos is near, unless there is emergency and governmental intervention.

Though his Yele Haiti charity, he has helped to raise $1 million from supporters texting monetary support in $5 increments. But, Wyclef said that he wants to do more.

“We have to raise a million dollars a day. In four or five days, this whole country is going to be in chaos. We are calling for a state of emergency,” he said.

He desperately requested that President Barack Obama and other global powers impose a state of emergency and increase aid to those in need of basic water and food.

Friday Fashion Feature – Video: adidas Originals Star Wars Collection

Check out David Beckham, Snoop Dogg and more in the new video for the adidas Originals Star Wars collection. Also, check out the kicks in the collection below, featuring inspiration from Star Wars characters like Yoda, Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia. Set to be released throughout January and February.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your thoughts? See more adidas gear available now on DrJays.com:

 

ZX 500 by adidas

 

 Medallion Tee by adidas

 

Greeley Mid by adidas

 

Images: HypeBeast

The Last Word: Kelis Ethers PETA, Gary Coleman’s Peen Probs, Jill Scott Returns!

 

What’s the word, smart people? I can’t even say it’s been an uninteresting five days. A lot has happened since I last checked in. From hundreds of thousands of people dead or wounded amid that devastating earthquake in Haiti to Mark McGwire finally admitting to using steroids to Simon Cowell leaving American Idol after this season, this week has given us a lot to talk about. Add to that NBC screwing Conan O’Brien out of his shot of making his Tonight Show a success as well as Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst dropping out of the fourth Spider-Man movie amid drama over the movie’s script and there was no shortage of people moving on to bigger and better things. For better or worse. (Note to Sony and NBC: You know you both done f****d up, right?)

 

Thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends of those who have lost loved ones in Haiti or are trying to get in touch with those who are over there. Prayers and thoughts also go out to friends and family of legendary R&B pioneer Teddy Pendergrass, who died on Wednesday (Jan. 13) from colon cancer at the age of 59.

 

Shout out to everybody who has made or will make donations or contributed whatever they are able to (financial or otherwise) to help those living in Haiti, and the sounding boards, who always find a way to stay connected to old friends.

 

Once again, it’s time for…the Last Word for the week ending January 15, 2010.

 

 

1.       Kelis Voices Love of Meat and Fur to PETA

 

Kelis may have split from Nas and signed to a new record label in 2009, but the singer is continuing to make waves as she kicks off the New Year with a written shot fired at PETA.

In a post on her MySpace blog, Kelis blasts the animal rights organization, which wrote a “personalized letter” criticizing her choice of clothing after seeing a photograph that turned up earlier this week of her wearing a noticeable amount of fur to an event.

 

As a result, Kelis proudly boasted her love of meat (“I eat meat, and in fact my mouth salivates as I type the word meat!”) while labeling PETA President Ingrid Newkirk as “completely batty” after “doing a very minimal amount of research.”

 

 “I had a feeling but she far exceeded my expectations,” Kelis wrote. “I mean certifiably insane! Lol this chicks will is nuts, google it – it’s a riot!

 

Although she said she believes in the preservation of endangered species, the singer admitted that chinchilla and mink are the exception as she highlighted the upside to sporting fur.

 

“…it’s not just the look of fur. It’s warm as hell and feels glorious, ever rubbed faux fur on your body? Nothing luxurious about that,” said Kelis. “Quite honestly [chinchilla and mink] are rodents, and if it weren’t in the form of a coat, I would demand they be put to death anyway.”

As she wrapped up her letter, Kelis suggested that PETA focus its energy on more worthwhile causes such as “women being maimed in these Middle Eastern countries. Or female circumcision. Or women’s rights here in America, we still get paid less for doing the same jobs as men.”

 

“If u want to preach do it about something worthwhile don’t waste my time trying to save the dang chipmunk,” she said.

 

 

2.       Jill Scott Plots Musical Return and Movie and TV Takeover for 2010

 

Jill Scott’s 2010 looks to be a busy one. The songstress is set to appear in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too, which hits theaters on April 2 as well as the Lifetime movie, Sins of the Mother. The film, which will air Feb. 7 on the channel, finds Scott playing an abusive, alcoholic mother who reunites with her daughter after sobering up.

 

Lifetime isn’t the only network to showcase Miss Jill. The singer/actress will grace BET with voice work for the upcoming Marvel Animation mini-series, The Black Panther. Scott, who will provide the voice for X-Men superheroine Storm, stars alongside Kerry Washington, Alfre Woodard and Djimon Hounsou on the show. Look for The Black Panther to arrive in mid 2010 on BET.

 

Musically, fans will be happy to know that Scott hasn’t forgotten what brought her to the table. The vocalist, who garnered an NAACP Image Award nomination for outstanding actress in a drama series for her starring role in HBO’s The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, is gearing up to release her fifth studio album ‘Light of the Sun,’ in the spring or summer. To coincide with the album’s release, Scott will usher in the return of Lilith Fair, by joining the tour’s founder, Sarah McLachlan, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow and Erykah Badu for the outing.

 

 

3.       Gary Coleman Upset Over Full-Frontal Exposure in New Film

 

A full month hasn’t even passed and Gary Coleman has managed to start 2010 with a now public “private” situation.

 

Just last week, the former Diff’rent Strokes star was hospitalized after suffering a seizure during a phone interview. Now, he wants fans to boycott his latest movie, Midgets vs. Mascots, amid claims that the film’s producers used an “ugly” body double in a full-frontal nude scene he did.

 

E! Online reports that Coleman is threatening to sue to prevent further DVD sales of Midgets vs. Mascots. The actor is said to be furious that the scene appears to show him au natural. Coleman claims he never agreed to have his private parts shown in the final cut of the feature. And oh yeah, Gary also made it known that that the guy who stood in for him wasn’t up for the job

 

“I wanted all my fans to protest my penis being in the movie, because I didn’t want that. It’s a body double, I believe, because I certainly was not gonna do this,” the entertainer said. “And I heard that the body double is ugly, and is unattractive, and does not make me look good.”

Oookaaay. Here’s proof that there really are different strokes for different folks.  On to the next item.

 

 

4.       Shirley Murdock Returns to R&B with “Something to Say”

 

After a long hiatus, Shirley Murdock is making a return to R&B. The folks at BV Buzz state that Murdock is gearing up to record her first R&B CD in almost 20 years.

 

Prior to this, the songstress became a fixture on the gospel music scene with her last gospel CD being 2007’s SoulFood. The last R&B CD Murdock released was Let There Be Love! in 1991.

 

While folks may think she’s doing a “flip-flop” between gospel and R&B, Murdock is quick to say that isn’t the case.

 

“I’ve got something to say again,” said the singer, who is best known for her hit “As We Lay.” “It’s still going to have substance and be faith-filled. So I’m not changing who I am, but its just time to encourage a different audience.”

 

Murdock’s return to R&B has been steadily building after a positive reception from R&B fans to her single ‘I Love Me Better Than That on Urban Adult Contemporary radio formats. In addition, Murdock collaborated with Teen Marie on “Soldier,” a track off Marie’s CD Congo Square.

 

 

5.       Heroes Star Tracks Down Parents in Haiti

Life is a little better now for Jimmy Jean-Louis, now that he’s heard from his parents in Haiti.

The actor, who is best known for playing “The Haitian” on the NBC show Heroes, had been searching for his parents ever since a powerful earthquake struck Haiti. His worries were amplified after he received word that several of his relatives were killed after the house he grew up in collapsed during the disaster.

 

Jean-Louis’ mind was put at ease on Thursday (Jan. 14) when he talked to his mom on the phone.

 

“I got a phone call from my sister who said she was able to reach home,” the Haitian native told CNN. “So I picked up the phone and my mom answered. The first reaction from both of us was simply to cry.”

 

Jean-Louis,  who returned from Haiti a couple of weeks ago after spending the holidays with his folks, is already set to come back to Haiti to provide relief aid to his fellow Haitians. The actor returned While his parents are safe, the actor still wonders about the relatives and friends he hasn’t heard from who are in Haiti. With the current state of his homeland, Jean-Louis has changed the focus of his nonprofit organization Hollywood Unites for Haiti, to help mobilize and offer as much aid as possible for earthquake victims.

 

“I am very, very happy that there is unity,” said the entertainer, who is grateful for all the support Haiti has received from everyone near and far. “Only through unity will we be able to overcome the catastrophe.”

 

 

In Other Words…

 

Previously unreleased songs by Jimi Hendrix are coming to stores, courtesy of a new album of material. USA Today reports the album, will include the legendary guitarist’s earliest sessions with bassist Billy Cos, his Experience trio’s final studio recordings and the long shelved song Mr. Bad Luck. In addition, fans can enjoy a frenzied rendition of Fire, a cover of Cream’s Sunshine of Your Love and retooled original tunes such as Lover Man, Red House and Crying Blue Rain.

 

The new Jimi Hendrix album is slated to hit stores March 9.

 

 

The success of Avatar has opened a sweet smelling door for Zoe Saldana. People reports the actress has been named the newest face of the new Avon fragrance, Eternal Magic. In addition to Eternal Magic, Saldana will be featured in Avon’s brochure as a face of the company’s color cosmetics collection.

 

“It means so much to me to be associated with a company that shares my values and believes in empowering women,” the actress said about the fragrance, which “takes inspiration from the rare Princess Monaco Rose,” according to an Avon release. Look for Eternal Magic to debut in April.

 

 

A little more than year since Kelly Rowland said goodbye to Matthew Knowles as her manager, Michelle Williams is following in her Destiny Child partner’s footsteps. Media sources report that Williams has parted ways Knowles and Music World Entertainment Entertainment in an effort to explore “a new direction” as it pertained to her career.

 

“I have decided to part ways from my management team, Mathew Knowles and Music World Entertainment,” the songbird said via a statement. “From my time in Destiny’s Child to my solo career, I am grateful for everything Mathew and his team has done for me. We’ve shared great success together. However, as I move in a new direction in my career, I felt it was time. I wish Mathew Knowles and the Music World Entertainment family all the best,”

 

Williams’ split with Knowles comes as she makes her theatrical return as Roxie Hart in the play Chicago. Williams will start her stint in the Broadway musical on Feb. 8.

 

 

Three years after the he detailed the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and its affect on New Orleans and its residents, Spike Lee is going back to the Big Easy. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the veteran filmmaker with will start shooting a follow-up to his Emmy Award winning 2006 documentary, When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, today (Jan. 15).

 

The untitled film will offer a look at the progress and (and lack thereof) in education, housing and population relocation in the years since Katrina, both in the city and devastated Gulf Coast region.

 

The new Spike Lee documentary is set to debut this summer on HBO, the fifth anniversary of Katrina.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Kelis Sex Tape MC? Maia Campbell Gets A Show? Another Trey Songz Rumor!

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.

FREE MYSTIKAL!!!!!!

 

Oh…he is free. Read about it here.

 

JOE BUDDEN WASN’T ATTACKED

 

That’s it. He wasn’t attacked as rumored yesterday.

 

On to the next one…

 

KELIS SEX TAPE STILL OUT THERE?

 

I thought the Kelis sex tape was proven to be wrong, but it would seem like that rumor is resurrected now that the new year is here.

 

You can say I have some ties with [a NY record label] and I heard they are working on a deal with a rapper named Infared who use to be a Ruff Ryder with DMX and his crew. From what I heard he use to ghost write for Swizz Beats and wrote the hook for Jadakiss and Lil Wayne “Pop Bottles.” This is the same guy that made the sex tape with Kelis, that caused all of the turmoil between her and Nas. But a deal has not been confirmed yet, but they are talking about.

 There has been no word on this, but “they” say Nas and Kelis really broke up over this alleged sex tape. I want to know when we are gonna stop using the term “tape” as if people still use VCRs.

TREY SONGZ – NOT SO BI

 

My homey Cole hit me up on the Trey Songz being “bi” rumor and sort of set the record straight. I never like to leave a rumor hanging if it may not be true.

 

Just saw your Trey Songz bisexual rumor and can tell you for a fact that it is patently untrue (at least the Brandon Hines part although Trey being gay sounds ridiculous as well). Brandon Hines is actually a songwriter and artist who is signed to my label, and I know for a fact he is straight (dude hooks up with the finest super model broads you could imagine and was actually with the famous model Chanel Iman for a little while). Trey was one of the first industry artists he got to work with and is a good friend/collaborator. They co-write and collab together upon occasion, and they roll with the same people (if you see videos online, Brandon has also recently been down in Atlanta working with Jermaine Dupri and Brian Michael Cox). Funny stuff though, we’re all having a good laugh about it but figured it should be corrected on the site. Thanks man.

 

MAIA CAMPBELL TO GET REALITY SHOW?

 

Looks like the networks are about to exploit another person, according to missjia.com. Maia Campbell is reportedly in the process of doing a reality show to chronicle her comeback.

 

Former child star turned vixen turned You Tube trainwreck, Maia Campbell has teamed up with Reality TV producer Jaysen “Av Action” Accius to start filming the pilot for a reality series that follows her journey as she attempts to pick up the pieces of a once beautiful life while dealing with her addictions and Bi Polar disorder. Maia and the producers of the show are hoping that this show will aid in giving a voice to the thousands of people diagnosed with Bi Polar Disorder every year and the families, friends and communities that struggle to support them.

 Before she gets a show, lets get her health back.

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY

 

Check out this dude…he cussed Mary J. Blige and American Idol up and down. FAIL.

 

 

“I got mad luv for you man.” – Randy Jackson.

 

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

 

Swizz Beatz is working on the new Jay-Z CD. Oh boy! He wants to bring and “international” sound to the album.

 

Rumors of Black Rob’s release from jail may be exaggerated. I’m hearing homey has a few months to go.

 

I heard a nutty rumor about Bang ‘Em Smurf…that he overruled his deportation and will be back this year.

 

How does Bang ‘Em Smurf get on the rumors page so much? Go figure! 

 

Rumor has it, Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas owned or owns several hundred guns.

 

The chick going around talking about how she gave people AIDS has been identified and caught. Not sure if charges were pressed. She’s a sick puppy.

 

LOL @ Fantasian. (Yes, I meant to say Fantasian for Fantasia.) She covered the tattoo of that married man with a heart tattoo. People need to think more about what they do.

 

I love how Omarion told people to give to Haiti instead of buying his album. Now, he’s got a “good” reason when he flops.

 

Tiger Woods is giving $3 million and a cargo plane to Haiti. Props to him!

 

Clef has raised over $1million for Haiti! Keep giving people!

 

 

 

In big ol’  a##hole news, Rush Limbaugh reportedly told his audience not to give money to Haiti. Dude is a racist swine.

 

EPIC WIN OF THE DAY

 

Keith Olbermann is my homeboy. He rips those two bums, Robertson and Rush Bumbaugh.

 

 

HAITI EARTHQUAKE CAUGHT ON TAPE

 

 

PANTS ON THE GROUND REMIX!

 

I love it! Lets get the “Pants On The Ground” remixes going!

 

 

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AND END

 

This dude wasn’t ready to be yelling out of his car to anybody. Dude was ready to get beat down. If you are ready to put hands on somebody, you better be ready to knock somebody out.

 

 

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY

 

This fool got some damn sunglasses tattooed on his face! DUDE…FAIL!

 

 

 

[seen at thisis50.com]

 

RUSH AND ROBERTSON, WE LOVE YOU AND YOU GET THE SHAQ FACE, FOOLS!

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].

Mystikal Released From Prison, Wants “Reparations”

(AllHipHop News)New Orleans rapper Mystikal has officially been released from prison and seeks to reestablish his career as a Hip-Hop artist.

“I’m back. It almost feels like a dream,” he said in an interview with New Orleans’ radio station Q93 FM. “Six years off the scene for most rappers, it would be over with, but it’s a new beginning for me.”

“Now that he has been released from prison, Mystikal is looking forward to getting back in the game,” a source close to the rapper told AllHipHop.com “He’s laying low for now, but he’s definitely happy to be out and looking forward to working with everyone.”

The rapper, born Michael Lawrence Tyler, was released from prison late yesterday evening (January 14) after serving a six-year sentence for sexual assault and battery.

Mystikal had always maintained his innocence and said that his spirituality helped him maintain.

“It had to be God [that got me through jail]. Going through it, it was tough. I had to get outta my way and let God handle that,” he stated. “He had his arms wrapped around me tight.”

Mystikal also commented on the slew of rappers that are going to jail or recently returning home from jail. He said that rappers aren’t necessarily targeted wrongly, even though he feels falsely imprisoned.

“We gotta pay more attention to what we’re doing our self. That’s an easy excuse,” he said on air. “We gotta take responsibility for what we do. We cant be foolish especially when you are blessed and successful. We gotta tighten up”

Mystikal’s lengthy prison sentence stemmed from an incident in which he forced his hairstylist to perform sexual acts on him and his bodyguard.

He initially denied the charges, but accepted a plea in 2003, when a videotape of the incident was presented during his trial.

Because he taped the sexual assault, both men were charged with extortion.

Prior to his stint in prison, Mystikal was a chart topping rapper who have collaborated with artists like The Neptunes, Scott Storch, Juvenile, Outkast, Da Brat.

He didn’t indicate particulars on what he would be doing with his musical career, but said he had been writing significantly during his stay in jail.

Mystikal also plans to mentor kids to help them avoid the pitfalls that he was unable to avoid.

“I’m gonna let these knuckle head kids know…that dog that’s barking at them…he bit me,” he said. “I’m gonna be doing a lot of positive stuff.”

He said it hurt to be in jail for the death of his sister and Soulja Slim, as well as not being able to help his hometown during the Hurricane Katrina tragedy.

Sounding excited, he further indicated that he had been wronged, but moreover that he was prepared to reenter the music game a star.

“Wait ‘til I shake the world up now. I want reparations.”

Mystikal Q93 FM Interview