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AHH Stray News: 50 Cent, Core DJ’s, Lawyer Faces Life, Simmons Sisters

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 6, 2009 at 12:09pmCategory: News

Rap star 50 Cent will pay homage to Michael Jackson during a charity performance at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey at the end of the month. 50 will be joined on the stage with LeAnn Rimes, Brandy, Flo Rida and Gym Class Heroes on August 31, a date that marks Michael Jacksons 51st birthday. 50 recently dropped Forever King a new mixtape that the Jamaica, Queens rapper dedicated to Jackson. A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to 50 Cents G-Unity Foundation.

The Core DJs will celebrate their 5th year anniversary and celebration of the Core DJ Retreat this September. The Core DJ Retreat XI aims to unite the top DJs from across the country, regardless of their affiliation. The event, which takes place September 25-28 in Las Vegas, as the Red Rock Casino and Resort, is described as a weekend of networking, listening sessions, pans, seminars and more. Representatives from labels like Interscope, Def Jam, Atlantic Records, J Records, So So Def, Rap-A-Lot, Bad Boy and numerous others are scheduled to participate in the annual event. For more information or to register log on to http://www.coredjs.com.

The lawyer that helped defend Irv Gotti and his Murder Inc. imprint from federal money laundering charges, is on trial himself. Robert Simels represented Kenneth Supreme McGriff, and successfully defended him against charges that he laundered drug proceeds through Irv Gottis record empire. Simels is now facing life in prison, for allegedly plotting to silence witnesses with Shaheed Roger Khan, a businessman from Guyana who is also accused of using his businesses as front to import cocaine with the notorious Phantom Squad paramilitary group. Prosecutors accuse Simels of being complicit or having knowledge of a plan to bribe or kill witnesses. “Obviously, any witness you can eliminate is a good thing,” the informant recorded Simels saying. Simels denied he was sanctioning anything illegal. It’s part of the vernacular of being a lawyer,” Simels told jurors. Simels is currently free on $3.5 million bond.

Angela and Vanessa Simmons, daughters of pioneering Run-DMC co-founder Joseph Rev Run Simmons return to MTV with the second season of their show Daddys Girls. The show features the girls exploits, mainly in Hollywood and New York. In the upcoming season, the girls move into a new house in the Hollywood Hills and attempt to open a retail store to sell their clothing line Pastry. Daddys Girls, which is executive produced by Sean Diddy Combs and Rev Run, will debut with two back-to-back episodes on MTV on August 11 at 10:00 PM.

DJ Muggs: A Mean Muggin’ Soul Assassin

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 6, 2009 at 10:52amCategory: Features

Since the inception of the Soul Assassins

movement in 1992 the artist collective has birthed clothing brands,

radio shows, records, internet ventures, and the most general parturition,

a movement. Starting in 1997 the Soul Assassins took their artistry

to the recording studio, crafting Chapter 1, which became a classic

Hip-Hop acclaimed compilation. Now, in 2009 the group has reclaimed

the spotlight with the recent, Intermission, an LP highlighting

their new school protégés and their old school roots. AllHipHop.com

sat down with their fearless leader, DJ Muggs, to pick apart the creative

brain of the Soul Assassins and to find out the future of the west coast

born collection.

AllHipHop.com: I wanted to start

with your point of view on the progression of the Soul Assassins from

the inception in the early 90s to the present year?

DJ

Muggs: Well when we first started it was a bunch of rappers and

producers/DJs as our extended family of Cypress Hill. It just grew into

a collective of artists that got together to help with our career goals

and personal goals in our lives. You see it too many times when somebody

helps someone in their career and they go and blow up and never get

back to pass that back to you. So at a certain point we decided that

weve got to look out for each other and create our own economy within

ourselves. As an artistic collective we reach out to all those artists,

everyone from Mr. Cartoon to Alchemist to myself.

AllHipHop.com: As the years

have progressed and artists grown would you describe yourself now as

more of a loose collective?

DJ

Muggs: Well everyone is pretty much a good person and everybody

keeps themselves tight. We just grow and grow and everyone is working

their hardest to do what theyve got to do so that they can contribute.

Weve all been friends for a long time so we keep pushing it.

AllHipHop.com: Speaking of present

Soul Assassins, you recently dropped Intermission. The title

isnt fitting with the previous chapters, does this serve as a break

between Chapters II and III?

DJ

Muggs: Yea, weve been working on Part III so this is actually

the bridge. We didnt want to keep people waiting until next summer

so we decided to put this out right now. I dont consider it part

of the three chapters. I consider it like an interlude and a break from

the other two. A lot of music we had sitting around on the computer

so we wanted to put that out instead of letting it go to waste while

we work on Chapter III.

AllHipHop.com: Since you dont

consider it part of the chapters catalogue, couldnt you have

released it as a mixtape? It seems that is popular for artists who have

material sitting in their computers to drop it on the net for free.

DJ

Muggs: Well thats because I dont like mixtapes. I think its

a waste of time and I think it cheapens music. I think theyre good

for new artists if you want to put your demo out though. If I wouldve

done that it would have disappeared after two or three days and be gone.

Putting it as an album it will be there forever. It will be on the shelves

of record stores and magazines take it seriously, but most important

people take it seriously. When its a mixtape, its just

a mixtape and it gets overlooked on the desk.

AllHipHop.com: One thing that

people may overlook on the new record is your addition of your past

musical endeavor, Dust. Why did you choose to include the Dust record

for the album?

DJ

Muggs: Man Ive got about eight or nine songs Ive never used

from Dust and I loved that record right there. I was playing it one

day in the studio for the homies and people were like, man lets

put that sh*t on the album. And others were like, na, it doesnt

fit the album. Honestly thought, it fits the album because it is

what it is and this is what it is so we put that sh*t out there. Thats

actually a four track. Its a four track demo and we actually tried

going back and recording it in a big studio and cleaning it up and separating

all the tracks but it didnt sound right so we left that sh*t as a

four track.

AllHipHop.com: Speaking of Dust

and your range in production, where do you feel you are at and will

be at with it in the near future?

DJ

Muggs: Really now this year, Im jamming s###. Im gonna start

making a little more music in a minute but for right now Im just

taking a break from music. Weve got about three quarters of Chapter

III done so Ill take a few months off and just DJ. Whats inspiring

me right now is Ive been doing a lot of shows so Ive been practicing

everyday and letting these m############ in the tight pants out there

stand at the screen and think, look at this is art form man, youve

got to put in practice, youve got respect this. You play a professional

sport you cant suck, you cant be wack. Music seems to be like

the only thing you can suck and be wack but dress up and be successful.

AllHipHop.com: Again, looking

ahead, what is in store for Chapter III

in the Soul Assassins catalogue?

DJ

Muggs: Chapter III is coming with a documentary that Im

doing right now with Soren Baker. Chapter III

will be more like the soundtrack to the documentary history of the Soul

Assassins. Weve recorded music for it and were looking for the

release next year.

AllHipHop.com: Along with the

documentary weve heard rumors of a possible memoir in the works

DJ

Muggs: No that was a mistake in print; I dont know who printed

that. Its just a lot of time and energy and it wouldnt get enough

return. Im definitely gonna do it but probably in about ten years

though. Weve got so much more to do so I want to finish up everything

first. I think some things come to early, artists put out two albums

and their already writing their life story. I think we need to go and

do a little bit more.

AllHipHop.com: Speaking of a

decade, what do you think the Soul Assassins will be seen as by then?

DJ

Muggs: Ill see Soul Assassins as the number one artistic movement

ever out of Los Angeles. We accompany any kind of artist there is; visual

artist, graphic artist, photographers, video producers, some of the

biggest rappers and rap groups. I dont see us slowing down. We own

clothing lines, international businesses, and theyre all climbing.

Well continue to grow and maximize our full potential and most importantly

continue to help each other with our personal goals and our artistic

goals. In the end, were pretty much artists that just want to create

art the way we want to create it and not have to conform to all this

commercial stuff that were not really into. We want to continue to

inspire the youth to push forward and create the kind of art they want

to create from their heart and not from their pocket book.

Man Arrested For Threatening To Kill Jay-Z, Beyonce

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 6, 2009 at 10:48amCategory: News

A man in Detroit, Michigan has been charged with threatening to kill rapper Jay-Z, his wife Beyonce and football player Jerome Bettis.

In a complaint filed yesterday (August 5), Leon Desmond Barrett allegedly sent dozens of threatening letters between 2006 and 2009.

Some of which reportedly contained promises of violence against the famous trio.

Barrett denied the allegations and claims the letters were sent out of a legitimate, but unknown dispute with Bettis, a former star for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The United States government has cracked down on mail fraud since the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States, in addition to a spate of letters mailed with Anthrax.

In related Jay-Z news, the rapper is one of several artists who will perform during the premiere of The Jay Leno Show.

Jay-Z will join Kanye West and Rihanna as performers when Leno launches his new show on September 14 at 10:00 PM ET.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Beanie Riding For Jay? 90’s Shyne Beef? A New Sex Tape?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 6, 2009 at 6:28amCategory: Rumors

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.BEANIE SIGEL STILL RIDING FOR JAY-Z?????

Whoa.

Stop the presses. I just got word that Beanie Sigel has recorded a diss towards The Game on Jay-Z behalf. Now, I am not sure how real this s, but its not unthinkable. My “sources” have heard the diss and say that is it a “Game changer” and could be “Game over.” I MUST admit, Game is a beast in the diss department so it is hard for me to theorize a diss of that magnitude. But, lest we not forget what Beanie Sigel did to Jadakiss a ways back. Ouch. That was a different time, different era. Rap wasn’t so WWE back then. Anyway, if Beanie has jumped into this fray, it would totally change the landscape. I don’t think it frees Jay up, but it certainly makes it a bit easier. We need Beanie back in rap anyway. Diss or no diss, much love to Beanie Sigel.

And shout out to The Game. I dont know how many times I have to say this, but I AM A FAN of GAME. If you dont know, look at my track recordits all in the rumors. I guess, I really want to see a battle of some sort with him and Jay-Zyou know? I want to see more! This is fun! And, I really know The Game is not to be played with. Dude will never stop dissing FOREVER!

Im not going to release the audio YET, but I got an instrumental of a song called Hail Hova and. its damn ill. The track is very avant gard and different.

TAHIRY SEX TAPE?

When I think something is BS, I call it just that. With that said, I got a rumor from somebody representing a songwriter called Gunhi. Now, they are claiming this dude used to date or something with Tahiry and has a tape that he expects to reveal to the world. I apparently the guy wrote a song about her too. Go figure.

THEY BEAT UP SHYNE FOR BIGGIE?

Now, that Shyne us about to get out, the rumors are on fire! And they are suggesting that after nearly 10 years, Shyne may come out with beef. This is purely rumor right now, but there is a crazy rumor about Lil Kim and Lil Cease beating up Shyne for sounding too much like Biggie Smalls. Kim let Shyne have it on her CD The Notorious K.I.M. The rumors are swirling that there was a fight at Daddy’s House Studios back in 99. The source was so detailed to say that it was the same day Kim did her photo shoot for OUT Magazine. AND, I heard that one of Bigs closest associates was arrested for shooting a gun at Shyne. Wow. I dont know how true this stuff is, but it sure paints a different picture of that period. I wonder why they werent more upset with Diddy? Anyway, they say this is why Shyne was real cool with Foxy Brown, because she showed love back.

LIL WAYNE IS VERY ALIVE!

If you heard that Lil Wayne was shot and killed in a gang problem, that would be wrong. Weezy is still alive and that is a good thing. Apparently, there was some sort of issue that Wayne and the Bloods AND Crips had a beef. They are saying that he got shot! Sheeesh…these are the worse rumors. Anyway, NO Wayne was just struck six times and NO it wasn’t a 9mm that hit him and NO it was not in his native Louisiana. He wasn’t even home when this rumor started.

JAY-Z’S NEXT VIDEO – REAL NINJAS?

Streets are talking. It looks like Jay-Z’s “We Run This Town” video is going to have some sort of martial arts theme. I am not sure where this came from, but there has been an open casting call that has requested the following for the actors in “We Run This Video.” It reads:

Non-Union Jujitsu Guys: Males, any ethnicity, 20’s-30’s for music video. You should be skilled in jujitsu. Please submit only if you are a perfect match.

I was kidding about the ninja stuff, but if you know how ninja is used in the “hood,” you would know there is a double meaning there. Shout out to anybody that’s got that martial arts thing going on.

TRIPLE C’S NOT TALKING

Check this out, there was an AllHipHop event yesterday, but nobody at AllHipHop even knew! How’d that happen? Whoa! Anyway, that’s a different conversation for a different day. The event was at SOB’s last night and Jay Rock and Triple C’s were there without Ross. I heard the show was excellent, even thought nobody on the staff knew about it. My sources were in the building though and they I was told by a person with good ears that somebody asked Gunplay about what allegedly happened down in Miami surrounding that shootout. Well, Gunplay knows the laws of the streets when its a real situation -keep your mouth shut! And that is exactly what he did, offered nothing. You can take that how you want to take it.

LADY GAGA HAS MAN PARTS?

Now, I totally ignored this when I first saw it, but now I can’t. The international rumor mill is on fire, with the notion that Lady Gaga might be a hermaphrodite. There is an image on the net that seems to show her having a bozacker coming out of her mini-dress. This would definitely affect her allure, but maybe that’s not a bad thing. I’m sure there are folks that would like her even more if she was both man and woman. Here is an alleged quote by the one they call Gaga.

“Its not something that Im ashamed of, just isnt something that i go around telling everyone. Yes. I have both male and female genitalia, but i consider myself a female. Its just a little bit of a penis and really doesnt interfere much with my life. the reason I havent talked about it is that its not a big deal to me. like come on. its not like we all go around talking about our vags. I think this is a great opportunity to make other multiple gendered people feel more comfortable with their bodies. Im sexy, Im hot. i have both a p### and a peener. big f*cking deal.

– L8d Gaga

SIGNS THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END

A mother has been arrested after she dragged her son through a store on a leash. The woman was frustrated in a cell phone store at her kid that had a tantrum. Well, she decided to take it to the gutter and dragged the kid through the store. They said that the kid had it partially around the child’s neck. Nobody quite knows all that happened, but the women must not know that people and even KIDS know to call the police when something like this happens. Anyway, she is now charged with a FELONY over it. After looking at the video, I don’t know that this warrants a felony. Check it out.

EPIC FAIL OF THE DAY

This boy is literally a fail. I just read a story in the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution sent to me by L.Nesby and it really just made me sad. A 20 year old BOY is going down for the murder of Vernon Forrest. I know this isn’t new, but the explanation in the paper is. Damario Ware is now being charged with murder, aggravated assault and armed robbery in the shooting death of Forrest. Here is the saddest fail of this fail. Yes, I meant fail of a fail. Dude, this guy has a fail inside of a fail. This guy only tried to ROB Vernon Forrest. He failed at that and ended up being chased away as Forrest followed him. He escaped at that time. When Forrest was walking back to the car, he encountered another person, not affiliated with Ware that had a gun. THAT man pulled the trigger. Ware’s failed attempt to rob Vernon Forrest was merely the catalyst to the murder. Now, he’s got a murder rap. SMH. What the Forrest family is already mad about is what seems to be the police’s desire to get Ware to “snitch” on the others in exchange for a deal. He didn’t really do the killing, but he seems to know who did. Police say more arrests are coming soon.

I have to ask: What would you do if you were Damario Ware?

SQUEEZE COCO’S ASSETS

Coco let a DJ squeeze her butt to prove that is is, in fact, read.

WENDY WILLIAMS DISSES NICK CANNON

All Nick Cannon wants to do is be a good spouse. LOL.

MASE CHANGES UP FOR TMZ!

Mase is working very hard on his return to rap. I have to be honest, I don’t know that people are going to go for this one. He’s working out a deal with Diddy. Here is the clip.

MICHAEL JACKSON ON VACATION

What they are asking is, “Is that lil/ boy with him his son that is now a rapper?”

METHOD MAN COMMENTS ON “THEM MF’S”

I’m just saying…what is Meth saying? Listen up! This might start the beef again!

ILLSEED’S QUICKIES

I just want everybody to know that Foxy Brown has a spell over somebody at AHH. Anyway, she has totally debunked the rumor of her arrest.

Swine flu gets worse in the fall and the winter? Wow. If you are pregnant or young, you are more at risk. I had no idea. SMH at this man-made mess.

Shout out to Bill Clinton for being so macked out that he got Laura Ling and Euna Lee freed from North Korea. Son should call himself General Clinton. See how things can go down.

Please listen to AllHipHop Radio! https://allhiphop.com/allhiphopradio/

I’m getting people reminding me about certain rumors. One rumor from Jan. 08 just came true this year!

Ron Browz is reportedly working on new music with somebody…oh yea, Bobby V.

They are saying Shyne is getting out Oct. 6th. Bad Boy!

Ushers next album is going to come out in December of this year.

Michael Jacksons family has reportedly hired private detectives to investigate the murderor death of their son.

This is getting boring. There is another rumor that Chris Brown and Rihanna are together again. Shes tossed the restraining order.

NICKI MINAJ IS MY NEW GIRL

Shes ITWOW! YOWZA!

MY EX IS MAD!

Keri Hilson and I were short lived but she is BACK!

EPIC WIN OF THE DAY!

This lil nerd girl is dancing like one of those shakers at Carnival or something. I dont know why this is an epic winit just feels like one.

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

HI HATERS!

THE GAME, 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 al*************@***il.com.

Knockout Nation: Mayweather On Deck! Campbell-Bradley Controversy, Frazier-Foster

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 6, 2009 at 6:00amCategory: Lifestyle

Mayweather Coming to Knockout NationOne of the most polarizing figures in boxing today is coming to Knockout Nation. Floyd Mayweather is ready to sit down and discuss his upcoming fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, his alleged hit list of future opponents, and how long we can expect to see him back in the ring.

Floyd retired undefeated (39-0) atop the pound for pound heap in 2007. In his mainstream breakout year, he scored back to back wins over Oscar De La Hoya at a dangerous weight of 154 pounds (SD12), and an undefeated Ricky Hatton at 147 (TKO10). Now nearly two years later, Mayweather has returned to prove that he is still the best fighter in the world.Is it really just all about money for Mayweather? What does legacy mean to him? Does he really believe hes greater and better than Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali? All these questions and more will be covered when I sit down with Floyd Mayweather for a special multi-part interview series leading up to his September return bout. Stay tuned for the exclusive first interview later this week.

Bradley Wins TKOs Campbell in 3Before the fight (August 1), Nate The Galaxxy Warrior Campbell (33-6-1,25 KOs) had dedicated his WBO title match against Tim Bradley (25-0, 12 KOs) to the memories of Arturo Gatti and Vernon Forrest. But the result has many questioning Campbells own warrior spirit, as Bradley was awarded a 3rd round TKO stoppage after vehement proclamations from Campbell that he couldnt continue.

The younger, faster Bradley took control from the beginning; constantly beating Campbell to the punch with jabs and hooks to the body. Bradley was able to dictate the action by fighting off the backfoot. Campbell was made to look slow in ring center and found that Bradley was strong enough to not be bullied on the inside.

Ever the veteran, Campbell sought to get in the head of the 25 year old champion. After each punch in the opening rounds, Campbell would smile and hurl insults at Bradley in hopes that the champion would become unfocused. Bradley didnt bite, and by the end of round two Campbells mouth was now directed at the ref as he complained of borderline low blows, mauling, and headbutts.

In the 3rd, an accidental headbutt immediately opened a jagged cut above Campbells left eye. The veteran immediately began to complain as Bradley strafed him with hooks against the ropes. Clearly rattled, Campbell found it difficult to defend himself and was staggered by the fusillade of shots coming at him. The challenger looked close to going down, and barely made it out of the round.

In the corner, Campbell loudly protested that he could not see, even pushing away his cutman as he tried to work on the injury.

Jimmy, stop it now! Campbell stated. After a brief discussion with the ringside doctor, the fight was stopped with Campbell believing he had secured a no contest since the injury occurred before the 4th round.

However, referee David Mendoza incorrectly ruled the cut was caused by a punch, and awarded Tim Bradley a TKO victory.

Campbell was furious and yelled This is wrong! repeatedly before leaving the ring to receive medical attention.

Since Saturday, Campbell has been labeled a quitter and a hypocrite by some fans, who argue the hard-nosed vet refused to live up to his old-school mantra of fighting through any adversity. Additionally, some point out the harsh criticism he had for Juan Diaz, who he said was full of excuses after fighting through a horrible, headbutt-induced cut in their fight.

Yesterday, Campbell released his medical report that confirmed he suffered a vitreous hemorrhage. The condition results in bleeding into the eye and caused the spots Campbell saw in his vision.

The ophthalmologist that treated me at the hospital advised me that the impairment to the vision in my left eye should clear up completely within a few days to a week at most, Campbell explained in a prepared statement. Never in my career have I had an injury like this where I simply couldnt see out of an eye. Ive had cuts 100 times worse than this that I fought through, and would have done the same in this instance, however this was something different. This was not something my cutman could have dealt with.

Of course, champion Tim Bradley feels the writing was already on the wall, and that he was on his way to a decisive victory.

“Absolutely, it didn’t matter, head-butt or no head-butt, because as the rounds kept going on, I get stronger and stronger, Bradley stated. I threw more punches as the rounds go on and I just kept feeling him getting older and older each round.”

At press time, Campbell has filed an appeal with the California State Athletic Commission. A decision is expected at their next hearing on August 24.

Witter Gives UpOn the undercard, Junior Witter (37-3-2, 22 KOs) suffered a TKO to upstart Devon Alexander (19-0, 12 KOs) after failing to answer the bell for round nine.

Witter at 35 years old had no answer for the stalking Alexander, who relentlessly walked him down round after round. Witter could maintain no offense with his switch-hitting style, and was forced to relay on wild haymakers from the outside.

Alexander looked to be the stronger man, and rocked Witter several times with counter shots. The UK fighter found himself cut in the third, and nearly dropped in the fifth.The referee warned Witter about his constant holding, and by the ninth the former Ricky Hatton nemesis had decided hed had enough.

The fans showed no mercy, taunting him with the title Quitter Witter as he made his way back to the dressing room.

My elbow went in round four and basically I couldnt keep him off with my left hand, a dejected Witter explained afterward, fighting back tears. I battled through a few rounds but the pressure kept coming on and it was like I cant keep doing it.As much as I wanted to do it, I just wasnt able to do it.

While Junior Witter has stated he wont retire, his career as a top fighter at 140 is possibly over. With two emphatic losses to young American fighters in Tim Bradley and Devon Alexander, any hopes he had of lucrative UK showdowns with Ricky Hatton or Amir Khan are out the window.

Throwback Fight of the Week: Joe Frazier vs. Bob Foster (November 18, 1970)Newly crowned heavyweight champion Joe Frazier was very confused before this bout. Having just brutally disposed of Jimmy Ellis in February, Smokin Joe couldnt understand why light-heavyweight champ Bob Foster would even consider getting in the ring with him. Up until that point, Foster had not fared well against top heavyweights (Zora Folley, Ernie Terrell). When asked by Muhammad Ali how the fight would go, Frazier promised to wreck Foster in quick fashion.

Foster, who hadnt lost in 5 years, sought to keep distance by pumping his jab. Usually, the snappy punch would keep smaller fighters in their place and set up his powerful fight hand. But the stronger, bigger Frazier swatted the shots away and dug in with hard hooks on the inside. Towards the end of the 1st, Foster got too bold throwing the right hand, and received several jarring left hooks in return.

Frazier immediately pounced in the second with a left hook that rolled Foster off the canvas. Unable to hold, Foster tried to slug his way out of trouble and was dropped emphatically with short, double left hooks against the ropes. Bob Foster could not beat the count, giving Frazier the clean KO win.

Frazier would go on to make 3 more successful defenses (most notably against Muhammad Ali) before losing the title to George Foreman in 1973. His final record stands at 32-4-1, 27 KOs.

Bob Foster would return to light-heavyweight, and make 7 more defenses of his crown before again moving up to heavyweight, this time losing by KO to Muhammad Ali. He would finally retire in 1978 with a record of 56-8-1, 46 KOs.

Floyd Mayweather Disses Rick Ross: If I Need Someone Arrested Ill Call Him

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 5, 2009 at 4:10pmCategory: News

Its been months since the release of the beef-igniting Mafia Music. But multi-division boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has not forgotten Rick Ross unprovoked jab at him.

While most focused on the lines aimed at Mayweather friend 50 Cent, Ross also questioned the validity of Mayweathers wealth claims, despite the boxer grossing $50 million in 2007.

(That Mayweather money looking funny in the light.)

In an exclusive multi-part interview with AllHipHop.com, Mayweather framed Ross as an unoriginal artist who appropriated the lifestyles and appearance of other individuals.

Cassidy already did Im a Hustla, [and] hes an East Coast rapper. Thats already been done. Freeway already came out with the beard look. And then the real Rick Ross was really getting it as a hustler, Mayweather explained to AllHipHop.com. I dont have to take no shots at Rick Ross. I dont think hes making $20-$30 million every time he goes out there to perform. I got my own name, Floyd Money Mayweather. Thats original. With his rap career, I wish him nothing but the best.

Regarding Ross initial flip-flopping on the corrections officer issue, Mayweather references that controversy as proof the Miami rapper is simply selling a false image.

[His] stats and credentials dont rhyme. One minute he said he wasnt a CO or cop, next minute he is, Mayweather told AllHipHop.com. He can learn how to get money from me. If hes a cop and rapping about selling drugs, I guess he was a dirty cop! You know me, Im not ducking and dodging no one, its not hard to find me. Im in Miami all the time, Atlanta, everywhere.

Although cognizant that comments like his have a history of igniting beefs, Floyd Mayweather feels Ross is simply a disgruntled fan lashing out.

Me and my manager Al Haymon were the ones that did Lil Waynes last tour. So when I seen Rick Ross in Miami on the first show, he broke his neck to speak to me, Mayweather stated.

Rap has truly changed. He was at my Hatton fight, cheering me on. I guess he got upset because Im cool with 50 Cent. But like I said, if I need someone arrested Ill call him.

Floyd Mayweather is currently preparing for his anticipated September 19 return bout against fellow pound for pound elite Juan Manuel Marquez.

The first installment of Floyd Mayweathers exclusive interview series with AllHipHop.com will debut later this week.

Adam “MCA” Yauch Surgery A Success; More Treatment Needed

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 5, 2009 at 1:28pmCategory: News

Beastie Boys member Adam MCA Yauch is recovering from a recent surgery that removed a cancerous tumor in his parotid (salivary) gland.

Yauch released a statement revealing that the lengthy surgery took place last week, to remove the tumor from his left gland was a success.

“I’m pretty well detoxed from the anesthesia that they pumped me up with to keep me under for all that time,” Yauch stated. “That took several days to get out of my system. My neck and jaw are still pretty stiff from the surgery, but it gets better everyday.”

The Beastie Boys announced that they were postponing the release of their new album Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 1 as well as canceling a tour to promote the new record.

Group member Yauch needs time to heal, as he just had the stitches removed from his neck on Monday (August 3).

The rapper must now undergo radiation treatment.

Things are moving along, Yauch stated. The next line of treatment will be radiation. that involves blasting you with some kind of beam for a few minutes a day, 5 days a week, for about 7 weeks.

According to Yauch, his radiation treatment is slated to begin in a few weeks.

Fabolous Hits #1 For First Time, Headlining ‘Hip-Hop Week’

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 5, 2009 at 12:48pmCategory: News

Brooklyn rapper Fabolous has claimed the top position on the Billboard Top 200 album chart for the first time in his career.

Fabolous latest album Losos Way moved almost 99,000 copies in its first week in stores, giving him his first #1 pop album.

His highest charting album was From Nothin to Somethin, which debuted at #2 upon its release in 2007.

On his twitter page, Fabolous addressed critics who had panned the album in reviews.

Those who matter dont judge, those who judge dont matter, Fabolous Tweeted. I appreciate my supporters.. Thank u much! Loso’s Way #1 album in the country!

In related news, Fabolous will headline the annual Hip-Hop week at Central Michigan University.

The chart-topping rapper will perform at Rose Arena on September 19.

Footage Fa Dayz – Outkast – 1998

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 5, 2009 at 12:00pmCategory: Features

The year was 1998 and Big Boi and Andre 3000 had just released their hit album, Aquemeni. In this clip, the guys are in front of Shatiniques Music, on the Eastside of Detroit.

The pair seem a bit antsy during the interview, as Aquemeni had just been certified platinum. The extra-animated pair reveal their future plans, including Big Bois Pitfall Kennels as well as Dres art business.

In the beginning of the interview, Outkast reveals their humble origins and how they made it into the rap business via a deal with Antonio LA Reid and Kenneth Babyface Edmonds La Face Records.

We met in High School, we was about to shoot some pool down at East Point, Andre 3000 revealed in the interview. We hooked up with Organized Noize, producers of the first album, through a female, a mutual friend. They liked us. We dropped the album, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, platinum, ATLiens, platinum.

The groups third album, Aquemeni, hit stores September 29, 1998. The album hit #2 on the Billboard charts, powered by singles like the controversial Rosa Parks, “Skew it on the Bar-B” and others.

Outkast has since ceased releasing albums together, although Big Boi has confirmed that the pair are planning a new album together.

Andre 3000 has an untitled solo album in the works, as does Big Boi.

And while Andre 3000 continues to pepper the rap landscape with stand-out cameo appearances, Big Bois career is coming full circle with Reid, as he is finalizing a deal with Island Def Jam Music Group.

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Melody Ehsani: Couture Hip-Hop

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 5, 2009 at 12:00pmCategory: Uncategorized

One could easily dismiss Melody Ehsani as an exotic fashionista…if one is the sort to judge books by covers. However, upon further review and acquaintance, it is apparent that there are several layers to Melody. She is of Persian decent, but born and reared in L.A. She’s oddly, b-girlish yet unapologetically couture. One that deals in the seedy world of music and fashion, yet very spiritual. Cassie’s shaved sides were old news to Melody. That was years ago. The rapidly rising designer has successfully carved out a niche that began with unique women’s shoes to accessories that evoke old school Hip-Hop. Melody is a true original and her stylings have been embraced by the likes of Erykah Badu, Musiq Soulchild, Keri Hilson, Vanessa and Angela Simmons and so many others, she can hardly remember.

In accordance with Ehsani’s fresh designs, AllHipHop decided to break our own mold and interview Melody over Instant Messenger, even after an in-person meeting. The conversation was took place as Jigsaw was in a boring panel discussion and Melody was at her Los Angeles home working on designs while watching Will Smith on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Observe what transpired and see what Melody Ehsani has to offer your world and beyond.

jigsaw: U there?

melody_ehsani: yessur

jigsaw: Wnna do this now??

melody_ehsani: yessur

melody_ehsani: how goes it?

jigsaw: Good! Trying to catch u

melody_ehsani: do we need a vid cam?

jigsaw: Oh wait

melody_ehsani: cuz i dont have one on this comp

jigsaw: I’m sorry, I thought u wanted to do it on ichat

melody_ehsani: yeah thats fine

melody_ehsani: thats better

jigsaw: Ok great…ready?

melody_ehsani: yes i am

jigsaw: Ok…so, tell me about your company, give me a basic

overview.

melody_ehsani: basically i strive to create fashion products that are cutting

edge, yes still affordable for women

melody_ehsani: im trying to bring back originality to the design game

jigsaw: Can you describe your style?

melody_ehsani: where everything doesnt look the same…thats why I work twice

as hard to offer the general public customizable options

melody_ehsani: my style is ever advancing…at the moment becoming more

simple and sophisticated

melody_ehsani: very influenced by music and culture

jigsaw: I’ve noticed a hip hop flair, but its not over the

top…care to explain hip hop’s affect in particular?

——————————– 7:45 pm

——————————–

melody_ehsani: hip hop was integral in my upbringing…it helped me define

who I was in the world…and made me aware of what authenticity and

passion looked like at a young age…I looked up to hip hop artists

because they went up against inertia to create something new in the

world that had never existed before…and despite how hard it was to

create that position, it felt like it was effortless, cuz it was meant

to be…and they were always on 10 with outshining each other…but back

then as opposed to now, it was who can be more creative and different.

So naturally my asthetic was affected by this love..

jigsaw: What artists/artist style do you recollect as influential

that have transcended the times?

melody_ehsani: big daddy kane, slick rick, salt n pepa, ll cool j, run

dmc….all of them really, but kane and salt n pepa were my fave.

melody_ehsani: the pop world back then was also doing big things…there was

def influence there too with janet, mj, prince, paula abdul even!

jigsaw: What is hip hop doing right or wrong from a fashion point

of view, in your opinion?

jigsaw: (Love paula abdul, straight up..lol)

melody_ehsani: haha me too

——————————– 7:52 pm

——————————–

melody_ehsani: Hip hop now seems to have turned into a sort of conformist

culture as far as fashion is concerned ,every now and then you’ll see

something inventive, but nothing memorable…instead of whos more

creative, it seems like everyone wants to know who has more…who has

more diamonds around their neck, who has the bigger sneaker

collection… and everyones wearing the same items..it looks very

uniform. Personality doesnt come thru like it used to.

jigsaw: What about folks like Kanye, Lupe…?

——————————– 7:56 pm

——————————–

melody_ehsani: I love that Kanye is trying to break the mold and that hes

bringing fashion to the hood….but i feel like it was better when

fashion started in the hood and then got taken to the runway.

Nevertheless, their style in particular is very classic and safe. I love

it….but Id love it more if there was some more diversity in artists

wardrobe, more vintage pieces, more custom items, mix it up

jigsaw: Nice answer!

melody_ehsani: [:D]

jigsaw: You style accessorize for several artists. Can you run

some down?

melody_ehsani: run the artists?

jigsaw: Like, saul, badu…

jigsaw: Tell me the artists u work with

melody_ehsani: In the last year Ive worked with/for Rihanna, Erykah Badu,

Ciara, Musiq Soulchild, Alicia Keys, Neyo

melody_ehsani: just to name a few….i cant really remember them all lol

jigsaw: Well, excuse me! What is it about you that you feel is

attractive to them?

——————————– 8:05 pm

——————————–

melody_ehsani: I think that its different, theres nobody else thats really

doing anything like what I do…and its very bold and defining. I think

its important for artists to be able to convey who they are and what

they’re about using their wardrobe, and my items do that. They stand

out….I think I have a good understanding of knowing how to blend

different elements to create something special that speaks to them and

in turn to their audience.

jigsaw: what artist do you enjoy working with the most if you have

a favorite…

——————————– 8:09 pm

——————————–

melody_ehsani: On a personal level, I really love working with Erykah

Badu…she gets fashion…and she allows me to design from a very free

place. I think shes such a free artist…if that makes sense… I never

second guess what I make her because I feel like she really sees me for

who I am, and trusts my eye.

jigsaw: What about men? There are a few names, but not much there

for the guys!

——————————– 8:13 pm

——————————–

melody_ehsani: Yes…most of the stuff Ive made for men are custom pieces,

Nas started wearing a custom 3 finger ring and that made it okay for the

rest of the men to jump on the bandwagon, lol. I dont think men are

ready for what I make…Im not sure if they’re secure enough to rock

bold colorful pieces that are made out of acrylic. This is not a dis in

any way…Im just not confident that they’re ready for me from a fashion

standpoint. Im waiting for a male muse to inspire me in that

department.

jigsaw: we’ve talked past and present. give me the future for melody ehsani.

melody_ehsani: The next step is retail stores, i look forward to expanding the collection into clothing and homeware…I see it authentically growing into a strong lifestyle brand.

MELODY EHSANI: HER DESIGNS, HER WAYFor more: www.melodyehsani.com/

The many shoes of Melody Ehsani.

Tight Skinny Jeans: Do We Need Fashion Police?

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 5, 2009 at 11:34amCategory: Uncategorized

Lubna al-Hussein is facing 40 lashes for wearing tight jeans.

On July 3, Sudanese morality police

burst into a restaurant arresting 18 women, and al-Hussein, for wearing

what they morally deemed to be inappropriate clothes. A journalist and

former employee of the U.N, al-Hussein is making her case public in

hopes of bring attention to the plight of women in Sudan. In

preparation of her sentencing, she even sent out 500 invitations

encouraging people to come see her flogging for a crime people here

would laugh at.

Im not trying to make light of the

situation in Sudan or any other religious country were such drastic

measures are taken to ensure that women are hidden, but where is our

Fashion Police?

There have been times when Ive walked

down the street behind young men who have their entire ass out (usually

covered thinly by some boxers) for all the world to see. They waddle

like ducks in order to keep their jeans from falling down or resort to

holding the waist. Lets face it, fellas you look a hot mess. I

applauded when the baggy jeans went out of style but the skinny jeans

are just as bad if not worse.

Men arent the only ones in need of the

fashion police. Women, some of you walk out with more flesh exposed

than a butchers shop. There is no reason why I should be seeing your

ass crack and belly roll.

Here in our community, we dress this way because the opposite sex deems it acceptable.

In Muslim countries, like al-Husseins,

women dress covered up because men deem that the only acceptable style.

There, men also deem what is acceptable for men as well. Go figure.

If all women collective stopped talking

to men whose behinds were out of their jeans men would start to cover

them. If every man told women their dunlaps and overflowing boobs

werent sexy women would cover them up.

There is a way to be enticing to suitors and there is a way to not walk around looking like a fool.

Seriously, there are some great social

repercussions from seeing men and women dress the way they do here in

America. What message about body image and self-worth are we sending to

our peers and the younger generation?

Back in Sudan, al-Hussein has become

the poster child for a womans right to fashion freedom. She quit her

job with the U.N., which would have granted her immunity, in order to

have her day in court. Protesters support her and some are calling for

revisions to the Muslim governments public order law.

Re-writing the law is just a step but

perhaps the bigger issues is changing peoples minds about the womans

body. Lets face it, Al-Hussein isnt being punished for what she was

wearing but rather how she would make others feel.

Women often get punished for evoking a

feeling in men. Weve all heard if she didnt want to get raped she

shouldnt have been wearing that mini-skirt. Its as if people really

believe that the only purpose of the womans body is to serve the needs

of men.

This same sentiment dressing the

please, is why women in America resort to showing the most skin to feel

sexy and get attention. Is this the same reason why men walk around

with their butts out? Ironically, we live in such a homophobic society

yet we think nothing about young men walking around showing their a####

to the masses.

Somewhere between women like al-Hussein

being whipped for their attire and people here being encouraged to wear

less material on their bodies, there needs to be a middle ground. I

dont honestly think law should enforce your personal style but

dressing for the extreme (covered from head to toe vs bucky naked)

isnt working either.Fashion police…help!

– CH

The X Fact(her) is a weekly column that appears on 99problems.org.

Started on Inauguration Day 2009 by the League of Young Voter’s

Education Fund, 99problems.org is a non-profit initiative that aims to

keep young people engaged in the political process through activism and

community involvement. Please visit 99problems.org to find out how you

can get involved right now! For more on Chloé A. Hilliard

visit www.chloehilliard.com.

Pitbull Selling Millions; Announces Rebelution

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Aug 5, 2009 at 10:46amCategory: News

Riding a wave of momentum with two hit singles, rapper Pitbull is setting the stage for an official return to music at the end of the month with his forthcoming album, Rebelution.

The release, which features the popular tunes I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) and Hotel Room Service, will include appearances from T-Pain, Akon, Lil Jon, Trick Daddy and Slim of 112.

Production for Rebelution will be handled by Play N Skillz, Clinton Sparks and Jim Jonsin.

Anticipation for the album comes amid the success of I Know You Want Me, a top 10 hit that peaked at No. 2 on Billboards Hot 100 chart and sold 1.6 million digital singles.

Hotel Room Service, Rebelution’s first official single, currently occupies the No. 6 spot on the Rhythmic charts. The songs David Rousseau-directed video, premiered Monday (Aug. 3) on MTV Hits. Rebelution is the follow-up to Pitbull’s 2007 album The Boatlift.

The album, which included cameos from Lil Jon, Lloyd, Trick Daddy, Trina, Jim Jones, Twista and Don Omar, spawned the singles “Sticky Icky”, “Secret Admirer”, “Go Girl” and “The Anthem.

Pitbulls current good fortune on the Billboard, iTunes Hot 100 and iTunes Latino Hot 100 charts isnt the only thing happening to the rapper, who recently performed for the first time on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

The rapper also won the Billboard Latin Music Award for Latin Digital Download Artist of the Year for his hit single Krazy and he has garnered three Teen Choice Award nominations for Best Rap Artist, Best Rap/Hip Hop Track and Best Summer Song for I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho).

In the coming weeks, fans can look for the rapper to hit the road for his upcoming Rebelution tour. The outing is scheduled to kick off September 18 at the Harrahs Casino in Valley Center, CA .

After the tour’s last show at the Fillmore in Charlotte, NC on October 23, Pitbull will head overseas for stops in Canada and Europe through the end of November.

Pitbulls Rebelution is slated to hit stores on August 31