Cash Money Records CEO’s Bryan “Birdman” Williams and his brother Ronald Williams were released from jail yesterday (November 28) in Kingsport, Tennessee on $1500 bond, after the RV they were traveling in was stopped and marijuana and guns were recovered. According to police, 16 people who were employed by Cash Money Records were arrested when police found marijuana in a trash receptacle, as well as an assault rifle, a handgun and a clip. “The people are making the situation out worse than what it is,” Baby told MTV News. “We got arrested for a misdemeanor amount of marijuana, we didn’t have no pound…the guns we had were good. I do carry a gun and I am licensed. Tennessee is one of the states I can tote in. We know the guidelines. They make you aware of everything in [marksmanship] class.” Williams also shot down reports that the 18-year-old in the RV was his wife. “I’m not married…plus, that girl was 18! I don’t get down like that! Plus, if I was married, why would I keep it a secret?”
Hip-Hop music has suffered a setback in Iran, as the government has launched a crackdown on the music, claiming that obscene words used by the rappers are illegal. According Iran’s state news agency IRNA, a number of rappers have been identified. “There is nothing wrong with this type of music in itself…but due to the use of obscene words by its singers this music has been categorized as illegal,” said Mohammad Dashtgoli, head of the Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry. “In coordination with the police, illegal studios producing this type of music will be sealed and the singers in this genre will be confronted.” Dashtgoli said that he was also searching for a solution to prevent the rappers from utilizing low-cost ways to publish their music on the Internet. While performs usually need permission from the State to release albums and hold concerts, rap music has taken hold and is flourishing on the country’s black market.
The family of rapper Freddie “The Saint” Wilson has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Chicago Police Department after police shot and killed him during a traffic stop earlier this month. According to the Associated Press, the shooting of The Saint, born Freddie Wilson underscores a pattern of police brutality by the CPD. Police officials claim Wilson was killed during a traffic stop, while witnesses claim he was shot while walking to his car after being confronted by police. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Wilson was shot 18-times, three of which struck his back. Wilson, 34, has an 8-year-old son with female Chicago rapper NewSense of the rap group Psychodrama.
Slip N Slide Records will present the 3rd Annual Florida Entertainment Summit, which takes place this weekend (Nov.29-Dec. 2) in Miami, Florida. The Florida Entertainment Summit features a variety of events that allow entertainment industry executives and professionals to network and educate themselves on current trends, while supporting various community based initiatives. The weekend kicks off tonight (Nov. 29) with an advance screening of The Perfect Holiday, and party/performance featuring John Legend and model Christine Teigen. On Friday, panel discussions will take place at the Lyric Theatre. Topics “Marketing, Endorsements, Cross Promoting, Publicity and Branding” and the importance of “Street Credibility & Online Credibility.” Slip N Slide’s Bigga Rankin, Midget Mac from I Love New York 2 and rapper Rick Ross will attend various events, including The City of Miami and the Trick Luvs Da Kids Foundation free HIV/AIDS community awareness event, which features live performances and a fashion show on Saturday from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood at NW 54th Street.