(AllHipHop News) Troubled rap star DMX was admitted to a mental health unit in an Arizona prison facility on December 20th. According to reports, the rapper, born Earl Simmons, was sent to the  Flamenco Mental Health Unit inside the Alahambra Prison complex. The rapper was transferred to the mental-health unit on December 20th, after serving over a month in the infamous Tent City jail, run by Sheriff Joe Arpaio. According to reports, DMX is barred from having visitors for 30 days while he is inside the mental-health unit. When the rapper was being sentenced to a year in prison for violating his probation on December 16th, Judge Christine Mulleneaux noted that the rapper may suffer from bi-polar disorder or some sort of mental affliction. DMX is serving the year in prison for violating his probation by drinking alcohol during a concert in November.He later tested positive for cocaine, Oxycontin, driving with a suspended license and other infractions.

(AllHipHop News) Trick Daddy is the latest artist to run into trouble with the IRS, as the Miami rapper owes hundreds-of-thousands of dollars to the government. According to the Detroit News, Trick Daddy owes the feds over $157,000 in back taxes for monies he earned as far back as 2002. In addition to the tax troubles, Trick’s $320,000 home in Miami was sold last October, after a bank foreclosed on it in May.The government has placed several liens against the rapper, who recently released his autobiography Magic City: Trials of a Native Son. A lien was filed against Trick and his wife in September for $85,366 for money he earned in 2007, 2008 and 2009, while another one in July was filed in $16,709 for revenue earned in 2006.Trick was hit with a separate lien in July as well for $54,979, for income taxes owed in 2002. In July of 2010, it was revealed that a special undercover unit had been formed to investigate rappers and athletes and their earnings over the years.Since then, rappers like Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Obie Trice, Method Man, Eve, DMX, Nas, Swizz Beatz, Doug E. Fresh, Mos Def, Beanie Sigel, Wyclef, MC Hammer, Lil Kim, Big Boi, Fat Joe, D12, Young Buck,  are among the rappers who owe the IRS since they began the unit several years ago.

(AllHipHop News) The step-brother of a man murdered 17-years-ago by G-Dep has labeled the rapper an “idiot” for inadvertently turning himself in for the homicide. G-Dep confessed to shooting 32-year-old John Henkel three times in the chest, killing him on October 19, 1993 during a botched robbery attempt. On December 15th, G-Dep, born Trevell Coleman, went to police in Manhattan and admitted to the shooting, although he did not know Henkel had died from his gunshot wounds.”I think he’s an idiot,” John Henkel’s step-brother Robert Henkel told The New York Post. “He has three kids and a wife. It was years and years and years ago,” Robert said. “Finally, we’re not always thinking about it…and now it has to be dug up all again.” Last week, a grand jury indicted the rapper for murder. According to G-Dep’s lawyer, he confessed to the crime as part of a 12-step anti-drug addiction program. “I’ve got mixed emotions about this whole thing,” Robert told The Post. “[Coleman] might have made something of his life.”

(AllHipHop News) R&B legend Teena Marie has died, her manager confirmed today (December 26th). Although no cause of death has been released as of press time, Teena Marie’s publicist revealed that the singer had suffered a grand mal seizure last month in Los Angeles. Teena Marie, 54, was born Mary Christine Brockert. She recorded a number of hit singles in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and the 2000’s. Teena Marie was known for classic songs like “I’m A Sucker For Your Love” featuring Rick James, “Fire and Desire” featuring Rick James, “Behind the Groove,” “Portuguese Love,” “Dear Lover,” “Out on A Limb” and “Square Biz,” which featured her rapping. Teena Marie originally signed with Motown in 1976 and was a protege of James, who took her under his wing shortly after she signed with the label.Throughout the years, Teena Marie’s was regularly sampled by a variety of rappers. Artists like The Fugees (“Fu-Gee-La”), The Firm “Firm Biz” Jadakiss “By My Side featuring Ne-Yo” and numerous others have all incorporated Tina Marie’s music into their own. At one point, Teena Marie was also signed to Cash Money Records, where she released two albums for the label. La Dona (2004) produced the single “I’m Still In Love,” while her final album for Cash Money titled Sapphire (2007) produced the Top 40 single “Ooh Wee.”Bryan Williams paid tribute to Teena Marie via his official Twitter page. “R.I.P. Tina  Marie,” Birdman said.“We’re shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Teena Marie,” said Philadelphia International Records’ founders, Gamble & Huff, who honored Teena Marie in Philadelphia in 2008, during the R&B Foundation’s Hall of Fame Induction ceremony for the singer. “She was one of the most memorable, soulful and unique R&B vocalists to come out of Motown. We send or condolences to Teena’s family, the entire Motown family and of course, our dear friend Berry Gordy,” Gamble & Huff said.

(AllHipHop News) Funeral arrangements and a memorial party have been announced for veteran New Orleans rapper Magnolia Shorty, who was gunned down in a double homicide last week. Tonight (December 26th), a variety of performers from New Orleans will gather to host a memorial show and benefit at Club Red Velvet for Magnolia Shorty, born Renetta Lowe. Rappers like 5th Ward Weebie, Cheeky Black, Rude Jude, 10th Ward Buck and singer Kourtney Heart, along with others, will hit the stage to raise money for Magnolia Shorty’s family.Final services for Magnolia Shorty, 28, will take place on Thursday, December 30th at the 5th African Baptist Church. Meanwhile, police are still looking for a motivation into the slayings of Magnolia Shorty and a man who was slain the car with a 25-year-old associate named Jerome “Man Man” Hampton.According to sources, the shooters drove a white Crown Victoria with tinted windows, although police have no suspects in custody as of press time. Magnolia Shorty was the second female artist signed to legendary New Orleans Cash Money Records, home to rap stars like Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake and others. “Please stop the violence, It hurts that every time I call I have to hear that we lost someone else to crime,” said rapper Turk, who was introduced to Bryan “Birdman” Williams by Magnolia Shorty. Turk, who is finishing a 12-year prison sentence, went on to join the Cash Money roster as a member of The Hot Boys, which featured Lil Wayne, Juvenile and B.G.In February of 2010, Turk also lost a family member, when his younger brother Ronald “Rilo” Smith was shot and killed in New Orleans. “This past February 2010 I lost my little brother Ronald “Rilo” Smith to crime, this must stop. I’m trying to do something positive to help New Orleans and bring us together. The killing must end,” Turk said. Donations to the Renetta Lowe Memorial Fund may be made at Capital One banks, account #5626134485.