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Timbaland Denies 1st Quarter Shock Value 2 Release

Timbaland has confirmed that while there will be a follow-up to the platinum 2007 album Shock Value, fans should not expect the super producer’s third studio offering anytime soon.

 

In recent weeks, tracklistings and alleged song collaborations have littered the internet, prompting Timbaland to clarify the anticipated album’s current status.

 

“Man, I’m so in demand that people are making up albums just to try and keep up with me,” Timbaland joked. “What people are reading out there is nonsense. I’m only just starting to think about Shock Value 2, just recording and putting some ideas together, so there are definitely no song titles, release date, or any other news related to the album.”

 

The album’s delay is largely due to the massive amount of work the producer completed in 2008.

 

In just 12 months, Timbaland has worked extensively with Madonna, Keri Hilson, Brandy, Flo Rida, Jennifer Hudson, Pussycat Dolls, and various other acts spanning all genres of music.

 

The Virginia native has also mapped out much of 2009 with upcoming collaborations with former protégé Ginuwine, 50 Cent, Sean Paul, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and Letoya Luckett.

 

Even with his demanding workload, Timbaland promises fans to expect the album when the time is right.

 

“When Shock Value 2 finally does finally exist in the real world, everybody’s gonna hear it from me,” he added.

 

To date, the first Shock Value album has sold 3.5 million copies worldwide on the strength of the #1 singles “The Way I Are” and “Apologize.”

 

Timbaland’s latest project is production for Chris Cornell’s forthcoming Scream album, due out in the Spring.

Shontelle: More than the Next Rihanna

Barbados has proven to the music industry that it is more than the typical island scene, dancing natives and the amazing Grass Skirt Posse. Your favorite deejay most likely played Alison Hind’s version of “Roll” in their Caribbean set which has been a grand success since it hit the airwaves. What’s more amazing is that the songwriter behind “Roll” is the same talent singing “T-Shirt” that has gained popularity as of late.

Meet SRC Records’ newest protégé, Shontelle. She’s intelligent, driven and inspired by Ariel from The Little Mermaid. It’s even been said that she told Rihanna to drop and give her ten in Cadet Camp during their childhood. The Bajan sensation had an interesting journey between family and education, but her calling into music helped her overcome her dilemma. With her new album Shontelligence in stores now, the songstress showcases her versatility in Pop, R&B and Caribbean flavor, but don’t worry. She’s not another Rihanna.

AllHipHop.com Alternatives: How excited are you about your album being out?

Shontelle: Super excited! My album is out now and I am ecstatic!

AHHA: Let’s talk about your background for a minute. Who were some of the artists that you were influenced by coming up?

Shontelle: Oh man, so many! From local Soca and Calypso artists from home, Bob Marley, my parents listened to Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and a lot of Motown [music]. I grew up on that stuff too. I really loved The Fugees, Missy Elliot and Timbaland when I was growing up. I was into a lot of Hip-Hop when I was younger, but then I also love artists like Prince and Sting. I remember when I went through this real heavy Biggie phase. I moved on from that to Jay-Z. I listen to so many different styles of music. I’ve been influenced by a lot of different genres.

AHHA: So you have an Aunt that’s actually a famous singer in your hometown?

Shontelle: Yeah! [laughs] My aunt is Kim Derrick!

“Gimme Some” – Kim Derrick

AHHA: How influential was she in your career?

Shontelle: Very. She used to have me practicing Michael Jackson songs when I was younger and practicing the moves and everything! She was pretty much the only person in my family when I was growing up who was encouraging me to do music. My parents and the rest of my family, for the most part, were old fashioned. They didn’t think that music was a viable career and it was too risky. They were scared of all the things that I might be exposed to. They weren’t that keen on it, but [my aunt] would be the one to push me. She was really crucial as far as keeping me motivated and keeping me wanting to do music.

AHHA: How supportive is your family now that you’re signed and have an album out?

Shontelle: My parents are very excited and very supportive for sure. This started even before I got signed. Before all this happened, I wrote a song called “Roll.” I was really doing well at home and at that time I had proven to them that I could still balance school and still do music. They were worried that I would drop out of school or that I wouldn’t care about school anymore, so I think they started to feel more comfortable by then. Now they understand that I made up my mind that this is what I wanted to do. They’re 200% supportive now.

AHHA: What was it about music as an artist that was so appealing to you than you staying at the University of the West Indies studying Entertainment Law and taking it somewhere?

Shontelle: I just had this thing. I had to watch Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and anything that was musical and that had singing into it.

Then I remember watching The Little Mermaid and … I could relate to how in the movie she always has to try to go against her father and it reminded me so much of my situation, or your family wanting you to do one thing and you want to do something else.

It didn’t help that she had Sebastian the Crab and he was West Indian. [laughs] I could really relate to all the songs and that’s when I really started to tell myself, “You know what? I think I want to do this. I can’t do anything else. I just can’t.”

I would find ways no matter what it took. Even all the way when I was still in school I would lie to my parents all the time. I was the opposite of other kids. Where kids would say, “I’m going to the studio” or “I’m going to study” so they could go to the club, I would tell my parents, “I’m going to the club” or “I’m going to a sleepover” and I’d be in the studio. I didn’t want them to know I was working on music because they would tell me, “No.” I just did anything, anything that I had to do. I couldn’t help it.

AHHA: Let’s talk about Shontelligence. You have your hit single “T-Shirt” which is a Pop song. It shows your diversity since you have that Caribbean element. Was that a conscious decision?

Shontelle: That was a very conscious decision. When I first met SRC, they originally wanted me because I was a songwriter. They kind of put me on the spot one day, brought out a guitar and said, “We really think you’re one talented artist.” First we couldn’t make up our minds what direction we were going. At first I was going to be a female Sean Paul or maybe be a female Collie Buddz or a female Damian Marley. It was going to be a lot more Reggae and songs from the islands, but then I started telling them, “I have more than that. Why don’t you give me a chance to just showcase everything that I can do?”

They were actually cool and they let me do it. We started working on different songs and that’s when everyone started to get really excited that I was so versatile. It made me think of some of my favorite artists that I look up to like Wyclef and Lauryn Hill where they could do the mainstream sound and they could also flip it and give you a little West Indian flavor here or there. I thought if they could do it, I could definitely do it, so why not give it a shot.

AHHA: How hands on were you on your project?

Shontelle: Oh yeah! I was really hands on with my album. Actually, there are only three songs on the album that I did not write. All the others I either wrote or co-wrote. I was very hands on for sure.

“Roll It” – Shontelle

AHHA: What do you want your audience to get out of your music?

Shontelle: What I would love for everyone to get is that my music is very real and I put a lot into it. It’s a “feel good” album. You can bet that everything you hear on the album is all my thoughts. It’s everything I’m feeling, it’s my experiences, it’s all me. I think it’s an album that’s really enjoyable because different age groups can relate to it.

There are songs on there for the club, there are songs on there for when you feel bad and you just want to mope about something, there’s feel good songs like “Battle Cry” and songs that empower women like “Superwoman” and “Roll” also. Those are the things that are real important to me and I’m glad I got the chance that I got to do all of that on my album. It’s such a versatile and dynamic album that I think it will appeal to so many people. I just know people are going to enjoy it. It’s very edgy.

AHHA: Has anyone ever told you that your style is similar to Rihanna’s?

Shontelle: I’ve heard people say that they think that our style of music is similar, but I don’t really know how to respond to that. There are so many Pop artists, R&B artists and Hip-Hop artists and you can make all the comparisons that you want. I think our music is very different. I think we are two very different artists. Our styles of delivery are very different. I think if people actually take the time to explore my music then they’ll be able to see that there’s a difference.

Both of our styles are really great—no, I don’t think that there are that many similarities. Maybe it’s our accent and the way we pronounce words. Pop is Pop. R&B is R&B. There’s always going to be comparisons. I guess when you’re new that’s what happens. There will always be comparisons until you solidify yourself and establish yourself. So hopefully one of these days some new artists are going to be compared to me.

 

“T-Shirt” – Shontelle

Hip-Hop Rumors: Superhead and Big Tigger go AT IT. Joe Budden Mad at Vlad!

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.

TODAY’S RUMORS!

THE DAILY TWO CENTS!

I have crazy rumors today! I am starting off slow though and am going to update more in a few! You have to peep the audio on Big Tig and Superhead! MAN…crazy!

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING[email protected].UPDATE! ASHER ROTH REFUTES PUBLICITY CLAIMS!From what I understand, Asher Roth has completely dismissed the notion that he had anything to do with the Bomb Scare on the ATL plane to Los Angeles. In fact, I have been told that he says: “Wow, so much exaggerated information – I had NOTHING to do with the bomb scare – Chris Llewellyn is a good man.” That very much supports the notion that I had on there before about his band mate being the person that actually did the heroic deed. Asher wasn’t on the same plane, I heard. So, maybe he would do something, but we’ll never know. He wasn’t there. Shout out to Chris! And shout “in” to publicity for this one. Thanks for the realness, Ashy! UPDATE: AKON AND YOUNG JEEZY ALBUM ON THE WAY!The best of both worlds? I think soooooooooo! Yep. These two are looking to do a Best of Both World’s type of album. Now, this isn’t something that’s new.  In fact, its pretty old. Many years ago, when they first started working together it all started. If my memory serves me correctly, AHH talked to Jeezy an he said it too. But now…Bu (Akon’s Brother) has confirmed that Akon and Young Jeezy working on Best of Both Worlds Album Together. Stay tuned for more on this one. I wonder when T-Wayne is coming? Pause. [:bazooka]UPDATE: FAITH HAS MAD LOVE FOR BIGGIEI might have to go and get Faith’s book! I was getting my twitter updates and I heard Faith was showing a whole bunch of love for Biggie last night at the afterparty of the movie premier. I heard the movie was great, but the after-jam was the true spectacle. There were all sorts of celebs in the house like Jadakiss, Duck Down’s Buckshot, Angela Bassett, Monie Love, Melle Mel, D-Nice, Monie Love, Diddy, Iidris Elba, Michael K. Williams and a bunch of others. But, when Faith took the stage, everything was taken to the next level. I never even met Faith, but I heard she could have been on that T-Pain song – “So Hood!” Who knew? Anyway, she was on the mic and really got it poppin’ for Big at the afterparty. It was very, very clear that she had and STILL HAS a lot of love for Mr. Biggie Smalls. UPDATE: WAS ASHER EVEN ON THAT PLANE?Asher Roth might have some questions to answer if my intel serves me right! I am hearing that Mr. Roth wasn’t even on the plane at the time of the bomb threat! Somebody specifically told me that it was the guitarist Chris Llewellyn from Asher’s band that was there at the actual time of the threat. Apparently some dude got up and started bugging out, Chris hears the Flight Attendant yelling “Help me,” so he got up and tackled the dude. The suspect who has been identified as Lawrence Johnson begins yelling “GET OFF ME, I GOT A BOMB! Now, I am not sure if Asher was supposed to be on that flight or not. Not sure. Hmmm…well, far be it from me to rain on anybody’s publicity parade. Apparently, Asher may not be able to formally talk about this, due to some FBI code of silence. But, reports say he WAS interviewed by the Feds. He’s gonna have to talk about this! I wanna know! Is he a hero or not!? [;)]

JD IS LEAVING DEF JAM TODAY…? (OH, I’M LATE!)

You know I had told yall that JD was gone a few weeks ago, but I heard today is the day for JD – his last day at Def Jam. I mean, that was a pretty safe run with some highs and some lows (think Janet and Mariah). Anyway, you know there has been no official confirmation that I know of, but I heard it’s a wrap. Here is one for the road!

Anyway…the news dept of AHH scooped me on my own rumor! Read their story…!!!

ASHER ROTH HELPS STOP BOMB MAN

The new section burned me again! Click here for the full story!

Asher Roth allegedly helped make a citizen’s arrest of a man that made a bomb threat in ATL. He was headed to Los Angeles from the A for an appearance on the Carson Daly show. The LA Times kicked the facts like this:

“The unidentified man was aboard Delta Airlines Flight 110, which was approaching Los Angeles, when he got up and stated he had a bomb, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said.

“There was an altercation with multiple passengers, who ultimately subdued the man with plastic ties. At one point he tried to exit through one of the aircraft doors after the flight landed at LAX.”

I commend Asher’s people shamelessly promoting his do-gooding the way other rapper’s shamelessly promote BS. I put this in the rumors, because I want to know WHAT he did…publicists are always looking to spin something…hmmmmmm, Asher?!

SUPERHEAD VS BIG TIGGER

OH MY GOD. Tigger called in! Tigger said she would give her a million if she could find a dude that ran up in him and Superhead said Tyson Beckford hit.

JOE BUDDEN IS NOT HAPPY WITH DJ VLAD

Budden didn’t like Vlad taping his man’s brother getting slapped and Vlad just taping the drama. He’s got a point.

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

Here is the raw video of the execution-style slaying of Oscar Grant. I wonder if he is in Heaven talking to Sean Bell about how foul the cops are.

A home video has surfaced showing the events surrounding the shooting death of 22-year-old man Oscar Grant by police at a Bay Area Rapid Transit station in Oakland early New Year’s day.

BART officials have said Grant was unarmed and implied the shooting was an accident, saying the officer’s gun discharged while he and four other officers responded to reports that two groups of young men were fighting on a train that had come from San Francisco and was en route to the Dublin/Pleasanton station.

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY – P### WANTS TO BE BAILED OUT!

The p### industry feels they need a bailout to help them get it up in these tough financial times. Check out what CNN is stating.

Another major American industry is asking for assistance as the global financial crisis continues: Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis said Wednesday they will request that Congress allocate $5 billion for a bailout of the adult entertainment industry.

“The take here is that everyone and their mother want to be bailed out from the banks to the big three,” said Owen Moogan, spokesman for Larry Flynt. “The p### industry has been hurt by the downturn like everyone else and they are going to ask for the $5 billion. Is it the most serious thing in the world? Is it going to make the lives of Americans better if it happens? It is not for them to determine.”

Francis said in a statement that “the US government should actively support the adult industry’s survival and growth, just as it feels the need to support any other industry cherished by the American people.”

The Fail is…the p### industry isn’t suffering at all. DVD sales are down – DUH! But the internet has picked that slack up! Congress isn’t even going to pay this bailout any mind…now them getting a good flick is a different story. What a PR stinker that was.

WIZ KHALIFAH STILL DOING IT…

I remember like yesterday when I discovered Wiz. That’s when I was trying to save Hip-Hop, but now I don’t do that. Yall rappers are wild dudes, some of ya! But, Wiz is still spittin crazy bars! Check this!I just wanted to post this Obama pic again…lol…yes, you did…hahah

For more, go to illseed.com. Or just follow me at http://twitter.com/illseed

BOOGIE, 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].

– allhiphop rumors

Oakland Protest Of Police Shooting Becomes Mini Riot (Video)

A peaceful rally in protest of the New Year’s day shooting of Oscar Grant III at the hand of a Bay Area Rapid Transit officer turned violent yesterday (January 7).

 

A small group of protesters started rioting in the streets of Oakland, lighting a dumpster on fire and even attacking a police car.

 

According to community activist Charles Johnson, the rally started in the late afternoon and drew over 250 individuals to the transit station where the shooting occurred, all wanting to express their outrage over the way authorities have dealt with Grant’s death in the week since the incident.

 

Local sources told AllHipHop.com that by 5:30pm, several protesters had begun to march through the city’s streets.

 

An hour later, a small group broke off from the larger gathering and proceeded to light the dumpster fire and surround a police vehicle, rocking the car violently.

 

Police responded in riot gear. At press time there has been no official word of any arrests or injuries.

 

A group of close to 100 people continued to march peacefully, despite the commotion.

 

“People are fed up,” Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B., told AllHipHop.com F.A.B. also spoke at the rally and witnessed the rioting. “Why the officers [involved in the shooting] on paid leave? Why aren’t they being prosecuted as murderers? “I mean, we’re talking about a police officer who has five murders on his hands,” he added, referring to the officer who shot Grant.

 

A video of the incident has brought the shooting to the nation’s attention.

 

It shows Grant and other individuals sitting on the platform following an altercation on the train.

 

Dozens of passengers witnessed an exchange between Grant and one officer turn surprisingly physical.

 

Moments later, as some say Grant was pleading for his life in the name of his daughter, he was shot once in the back.

 

He died hours later.

 

According to the medical examiner’s report upon exiting the victim’s body, the bullet ricocheted off the ground and re-entered, puncturing his lung.

 

Sources told AllHipHop.com that Grant’s family is now preparing a $25 million dollar lawsit against BART and the city of Oakland.  (shooting occurs at 3:03…exclusive video with the young lady who taped this angle included)

Jermaine Dupri Out As Island Urban President

AllHipHop.com has received an exclusive report that Atlanta-based producer Jermaine Dupri’s tenure as President of Island Records Urban Music has come to an end.A formal announcement of his departure from the position, which he has held for nearly two years, may come as early as Thursday (January 8).Speaking the condition of anonymity, a source close to the situation confirmed to AllHipHop.com that Dupri has in fact been terminated effective immediately.The Island Records Urban division was created within the Island Def Jam Music Group shortly prior to Dupri’s hiring in February 2007.In the position, he oversaw the label’s entire urban music operations, reporting directly to label Chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Steve Bartells, President of Island Music and COO of the Island Def Jam Music Group.Having enjoyed tremendous success with Island Records songbird Mariah Carey’s The Emancipation of Mimi album, Dupri’s duties also included providing production for the Music Group’s entire roster.In April 2008, Island/Def Jam announced the creation of TAG Records, a new venture with Procter & Gamble’s TAG brand to be helmed by Dupri.The partnership created a new marketing module that allowed for new talent, like So So Def/TAG artist Q, to be cross-promoted in conjunction with TAG body sprays through print, television, radio, and digital advertising.No word on how Dupri’s departure will affect TAG Records, nor the roster of artists on So So Def, which has been distributed through Island Urban since 2007.

Jermaine Dupri Out As Head Of Island Records Urban Division

AllHipHop.com has received an exclusive report that Atlanta-based

producer Jermaine Dupri’s tenure as President of Island Records Urban Music has

come to an end. A formal announcement of his departure from the position, which

he has held for nearly two years, may come as early as Thursday (Jan

8).

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the situation

confirmed to AllHipHop.com that Dupri has in fact been terminated effective

immediately.

The

Island Records Urban Division was created within the Island Def Jam Music Group

a short time prior to Dupri’s hiring in February 2007. In the position, he oversaw

the label’s entire urban music operations, reporting directly to label Chairman

Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Steve Bartells, President of Island Music and COO of the

Island Def Jam Music Group.

 Having enjoyed

tremendous success with Island Records songbird Mariah Carey on The Emancipation of Mimi, Dupri’s duties

also included providing production for the Music Group’s entire

roster.

In

April 2008, Island/Def Jam announced the creation of TAG Records, a new venture

with Procter & Gamble’s TAG brand to be helmed by Dupri. The partnership

created a new marketing module that allowed for new talent, like So So Def/TAG

artist Q, to be cross-promoted in conjunction with TAG body sprays through

print, television, radio, and digital advertising.

No

word on how Dupri’s departure will affect TAG Records, nor the roster of artists

on So So Def, which has been distributed through Island Urban since

2007.

Asher Roth Helps End Airplane Bomb Threat

Asher Roth made his first headline outside of music today (January 7), as the rookie sensation helped subdue a man claiming to have a bomb.The incident happened during an early morning, 230-passenger Delta flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles.Before the descent into LAX airport, a male flight attendant began screaming from the plane’s rear for help with an unruly passenger.Roth and Chris Llewellyn, bassist for the rapper’s band, immediately rushed to the attendant’s aid along with several other passengers.”The suspect was yelling, ‘Don’t come near me, I have a bomb, I have a bomb!” Llewellyn later told the Los Angeles Times.With that proclamation, the suspect then allegedly lunged for the plane’s rear emergency exit door.From there, Roth and the rest of the passengers tackled the man and restrained him until authorities arrived.”We all jumped him,” Llewellyn stated. “He was struggling hardcore. I was holding down his arm. Somebody had a foot on his head. Everyone was holding down a different body part. He was going nuts. I was telling him to chill because he’s not going anyplace.”At press time, the suspect is expected to be charged with assaulting a flight attendant, and possibly for making terroristic threats.Asher Roth and his band are in Los Angeles to perform on “Last Call with Carson Daly.”Roth’s still untitled debut album is tentatively scheduled for a March release.

Tale Of The (Mix)Tape: Banks Cools Down, Busta Still Handling His Biz

Guess who’s back?  Its no question, The Honorable One is here once again to get TALE OF THE TAPE roaring into 2009. Haters take a deep breath, the column that snatches your eyes for a bit of time each week is prepped and ready to deliver the best in mixtape analysis across the board.

 

This week, we headline with the third entry of Lloyd Banks’ Return Of The PLK series with The Cold Corner. After giving new life into his career late in 2008 with the mixtape hustle, we see if the third time was the charm. Stat Quo tries for the same magic as he gives a tour of QuoCity. Blacksmith Music’s muscle, Strong Arm Steady, delivers some Gang Mentality, Termanology wonders If Heaven Was A Mile Away, finally criminally underrated Busta gets Back. Let’s welcome 2009 with a bang.

 

Lloyd Banks

The Cold Corner

Peep It

 

Fans, haters, and stans can agree Banks was no where near his 2005 status of the punch line dominator as recent as nine months ago. However, something lit a fire under him, starting with his Return Of The PLK mixtape, as he started putting together music to climb back into Hip-Hop’s punch line elite. Although The Cold Corner is pretty solid (“Cold Corner”, “Do It For This Block“), it just not as hot as both of the previous two entries. After running out the gate, he could be losing his breath.

 

Stat Quo

QuoCity

Heavy Rotation

 

Stat Quo keeps getting better. After The South Got Something To Say series started dancing on mediocrity, the The Bailout showed just why Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine signed him. QuoCity shows off a slightly more polished Stat Quo dropping jewels on the recording situation (“In California“), some funnier skits by J Newt (“J Newt Speaks“) and up tempo anthems (“QuoCity”). This isn’t a classic on the mixtape scale yet, but Stat has unquestionably positioned himself quite nicely.

 

Strong Arm Steady

Gang Mentality

Peep It

 

People tend to think that Blacksmith is a Dirty Apple-centric record label that’s a prisoner of its own consciousness. West Coast underground titans Strong Arm Steady have pretty much been down with Talib since the label’s inception, killing that misconception. Affion Crockett hosts Gang Mentality and as long as you can ignore him, you’re given a good dose of that Westside mentality (“Sunny C.A”, “Don’t You Remember”). Next time, more SAS, less impersonation mess. Seriously, Affion Crockett isn’t fun or funny.

 

Termanology

If Heaven Was A Mile Away (A Tribute To J Dilla)

Peep It

 

After teasing the world with being a major player in the mixtape game, Term’s actual album went through with little fanfare. I thought that the rapper lost his edge. It seems that going on J Dilla (R.I.P) beats gives him a boost. He seems to go off at times (“Circulate“), while getting together with some good talent (“Pay Jay”, “Say It”) to deliver a tape that is worth a download. It probably wont stay on your hard drive for too long however.

 

Busta Rhymes

Back On My S**tHeavy Rotation

 

Busta Rhymes somehow slides under the radar. I never understood why as he has given the world critically acclaimed records, street anthems, and singles that still get a party jumping. That isn’t even mentioning the way he takes over almost every remix he has ever appeared on.  Much like he makes a statement on any given track, he shows the world he Back On His S**t with the music. He still got the music down (“Conglomerate“), and brings the same energy (“Arab Money”) and emotion (“Black President”) that all his fans are used too.  Don’t miss this one.

 

TALE OF THE TAPE

Tale Of The Tape 01.07.09

Dr. Jan Adams Sent To Prison For A Year

The controversial Los Angeles plastic surgeon who came under fire for his possible role in the death of rapper Kanye West’s mother Dr. Donda West, has been sentenced to a year-long prison term in California.Dr. Jan Adams will report to the Solano County jail in Vallejo, CA on February 6 to serve time for a June 2008 DUI arrest.According to Bay Area Fox affiliate KTVU, Adams was arrested on June 26 in Benicia, CA after several drivers witnessed him driving his 2004 Jaguar XJ8 in the wrong direction on Highway 680.The California Highway Patrol was alerted by several other drivers who saw 54-year-old Adams driving south on the highway’s northbound lanes.Upon his arrest, he was found to have a blood-alcohol level of .20, more than double the legal limit in California.According to his defense attorney Michael Cardoza, Adams chose jail time over a probationary term so that he can get his physician’s license back upon his release.Cardoza said that his client’s drinking was the result of high stress levels created by the controversy surrounding Dr. West’s death.Dr. West passed away on November 10, 2007, one day after undergoing a tummy tuck and breast reduction procedure at Adams’ Beverly Hills practice.Two months later, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office determined she died of “coronary artery disease and multiple post operative factors due to or as a consequence of liposuction and mammoplasty,” but stated that the final cause of death could not be determined.While Adams avoided any criminal charges, he did come under fire for failing to recognize the possible complications Dr. West would face.On August 15, the California Senate passed the Donda West Law, which requires any person wishing to undergo elective cosmetic surgery to obtain a medical clearance from a licensed physician.Dr. Adams has two prior DUI convictions in Los Angeles County.

Snoop Dogg Headphones Arriving in Stores This Year

West Coast rap star Snoop Dogg is giving fans more to look forward to this year with the release of his new line of headphones.

 

The rapper’s headphones will feature amplified bass for consumers.

 

In addition to Snoop Dogg, famed turntablist Mix Master Mike and Super Natural will market their own line of headphones for DJs. Park City, Utah-based music accessory company Skullcandy will make both headphone lines, which are slated to hit stores later this year.

 

With the Skullcandy alliance, Snoop Dogg and Mix Master Mike join mega producer Dr. Dre, who expanded his business endeavors last year by working with Interscope Geffen A&M chairman Jimmy Iovine and audio accessory maker Monster Cable to create his Beats by Dr. Dre headphones.

 

The beatmaker’s headphones are priced at $350. Snoop Dogg and Mix Master Mike will capitalize on their new partnership with Skullcandy by taking the stage later this month at the Snowsports Industries America trade show.

 

“At Skullcandy, we’re always looking for events that bring a unique energy to the action sports and music industry,” stated Rick Alden, CEO and founder of Skullcandy. “Bringing a mainstream and talented crew of folks like Snoop Dogg, Mix Master Mike and Super Natural to SIA for the show’s last year in Vegas is our way of going out with a bang. We’re thrilled to bring top-notch musicians to our party as a way of thanking our collaborating partners and core dealers—it’s going to be a great.”

 

Skullcandy will have a booth at the event, which will take place from January 27 to 30 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

 

Snoop Dogg and Mixmaster Mike are set to perform on January 28.