Hammer Ordered to Pay for Breaking Marketing Contract
Friday, February 12, 2010 1:30 PM
By Ismael AbduSalaam
(AllHipHop News) MC Hammer has been ordered by pay on a 7-year old default judgment after failing to convince a judge of a court error.
Hammer, real name Stanley Burrell, was sued by the owners of PacketSwitch.com for defaulting on a contract to market the company.
The Oakland rapper fought the claim on the grounds that his role was never more than a shareholder. He testified to U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel that his one appearance at a shareholder meeting resulted in one of the plaintiffs, Robert Icho, allegedly flashing a gun.
Although the plaintiffs originally won a judgment in June 2003, Hammer was never made aware of the court decree because of a typo in his name.
Instead of being listed as “MC Hammer aka Stanley Burrell,” the legal documents recorded him as “MC Hammer aka Stanley Berrell.”
On these grounds, Hammer requested a dismissal since he was never served notice, which would have allowed the opportunity to contest the lawsuit.
Judge Fogel denied the request, stating the defendant “obviously had the ability to consult with counsel if he had any questions as to his legal situation.”
PacketSwith.com was also dogged by suspicion of unethical business practices. Before going out of business, the company was subjected to an investigative audit by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The amount of the default judgment against the rapper was not disclosed.
At press time, MC Hammer could not be reached for comment.
From AllHipHop.com
http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2010/02/12/22123109.aspx
B.G. Pleads Innocent To November Gun Charges
February 12, 2010 03:10:00 PM CST | by Allen Jacobs
Onetime Hot Boy member B.G. entered an innocent plea in a New Orleans court yesterday. The plea was related to November gun charges that stemmed from a traffic violation, search and seizure. B.G., a previously convicted felon, was not allowed possession of a firearm.
Four days after the arrest, B.G. explained his innocence to HipHopDX, saying, "I don’t know how the guns got in the vehicle. For all I know the police coulda put ‘em in the vehicle. But when I got in the vehicle, the guns wasn’t in there.”
The rapper was ordered to take a drug test next week. Earlier this week, B.G. was in Miami with former group-mate Lil Wayne for a pre-jail going away part.
Late last year, B.G. released Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood with E1 Entertainment/Atlantic Records, which was executive produced by T.I..
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10623/title.bg-pleads-innocent-to-november-gun-charges
News: Dr. Dre Says Death Row Not Paying "Chronic" Royalties, Files $75K Lawsuit
Friday, Feb 12, 2010 12:13AM
Written by Biz Jones
Former Death Row Records artist Dr. Dre has filed a lawsuit against his ex-label for reportedly not receiving royalty payments from his 1992 album, The Chronic.
According to reports, the Doc stopped receiving payments over a decade ago.
Dr. Dre claims it's been 14 years since he's seen a penny from his game changing record, "The Chronic" -- and he's belatedly waging a war against the new Death Row Records. Why you ask would the good Dr. wait so long? We're guessing there's a fear factor that has evaporated since Suge Knight is out of the picture. Dre filed the federal lawsuit against WIDEawake Death Row -- which was created after Death Row filed for bankruptcy last year. In the lawsuit, Dre claims he stopped getting checks from the label after he cut and ran in '96. Dre says the new Death Row has been making lots of money by selling digital copies of "Chronic," "Chronic Re-Lit" and his greatest hits album without permission. Dre is suing for $75,000 minimum. (TMZ)
Dre's album set standards in hip-hop around the early 1990's.
Dre released his first solo single, "Deep Cover," in the spring of 1992. Not only was the record the debut of his elastic G-funk sound, it also was the beginning of his collaboration with rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. Dre discovered Snoop through his stepbrother Warren G, and he immediately began working with the rapper -- Snoop was on Dre's 1992 debut, The Chronic, as much as Dre himself. Thanks to the singles "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang," "Dre Day," and "Let Me Ride," The Chronic was a multi-platinum, Top Ten smash, and the entire world of hip-hop changed with it. (All Music)
Speaking via a self-made recording, former Death Row artist Daz Dillinger said he respected the company's current CEO, Lara Lavi, last year.
"We looked around all the bullsh*t and come to find out it was John Payne," Daz explained. "And we wanna tell John Payne -- so y'all e-mail WIDEAwake and get rid of that motherf*cker man. That's who we'll go f*ck with, Lara Lavi. We won't be f*cking with them other suckers over there you know what I mean 'cause they got the game screwed. They just over there getting the motherf*cking check. You know what I mean? They ain't produce one thing, they trying to tell you something and them motherf*ckers over there in the high rise somewhere paying a h*ll of a rent to get kicked out." (Daz Dilly TV)
Lavi is reportedly aiming to release the upcoming film Sons 2 the Grave under Death Row Films.
"This film embodies what we're trying to do with Death Row, to tell human stories that don't always have happy endings, and that allow us to learn from violence and disenfranchised lives, but not glorify it," she said in an interview. "We're looking at film properties that relate to Boyz n the Hood-type stories, and to power the films with Death Row music." (The Hollywood Reporter)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2010/02/dr_dre_says_death_row_not_paying_chronic.html
Hip Hop Reacts To Sade's Return, Soldier Of Love
February 12, 2010 08:53:00 AM CST | by Slava Kuperstein
With Sade's return coming in the form of Soldier of Love, her first album in a decade, nearly everyone had a reaction of some sort.
As such, a number of rappers recently shared their thoughts on the singer's momentous return with NYMag.com.
Legendary rapper Rakim spoke on Sade's influence on him. "I grew up on soul music, but when my pops introduced me to Sade just before Diamond Life hit, it was a revelation. That voice and her style just took out even the hardest hood at the knees. 'Smooth Operator' may have been a smash for everyone worldwide, but that was my track, and you can catch me referencing what she was trying to get across from Paid in Full up to my new album."
Both members of the Clipse also spoke in the matter. Pusha T chose to look back on his introduction to Sade's music. "I remember being turned on to Sade by an older cousin I used to break dance with ... me still being young, [I] couldn't understand why in the hell he was listening to 'old people music.' He used to cook me steak-ums and play Sade on repeat!!!!!! After a summer of that, I was hooked ... Thanks, Why!!" Malice spoke of his "favorite Sade moment," which "was when Julie Knapp brought me into her office and showed me the album cover, and I was like, "She looks better than ever, her face, complexion, the body, the hair ... " Then Julie played the single and the voice was just as melodic, soothing, and hypnotizing as I had remembered. I guess God-given talent never misses a step. Guess who's back?"
Joell Ortiz intimated his emotional reaction to Sade's music, revealing that it reminded him of difficult times. "I always think of the song 'Ordinary Love' whenever someone brings up Sade, because that song came out around the time my dad bounced. After he left, my mom used to sit in her room, getting high while listening to 'Ordinary Love' over and over again for weeks. That was saddest time of my young life. Whenever I hear that song, I well up with tears."
Others who spoke on the singer's return included Missy Elliott, Talib Kweli, Keri Hilson, and Freeway.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10617/title.hip-hop-reacts-to-sades-return-soldier-of-love
Malice Talks Internet Blogging, Upcoming Book
February 11, 2010 11:02:00 PM CST | by Salima Koroma
The Clipse recently released their third commercial album 'Til the Casket Drops,' which was somewhat of a departure from the music the duo is recognized for recording. The album pushed 62,000 units, and group member Malice explains that a lack of New Media application may have contributed to low numbers on the group’s previous effort, Hell Hath No Fury.
"It’s all about utilizing the Internet, and we really weren’t into that the first time around," he admitted. "There’s really no better way to expose yourself and get that publicity. We like to be one with the fans because they stay on the Internet. We see the bloggers—they always have something to say about the music…"
He also said that the use of his own blog is helpful in distinguishing his own life from the one he lives through his music. "Well, I’ve got a blog, MaliceOfTheClipse.com. It’s showing a lot of the intellect and food for thought behind the things we’ve seen dealing with this music game. We like to show both sides of the game. We don’t just paint the glorious picture of the game with us making a lot of money saying, ‘Everything is just great.’ You should let your fans, the younger generation and anyone aspiring to be in this game, know the full spectrum."
To better explain the relationship between his personal life and the music industry, Malice will be releasing an autobiographical book highlighting the dynamic. "So the book is definitely a very detailed look inside my life and the effects the industry has had on me. Hopefully people take something away from what I’ve learned, and it’s something to look out for."
There's no word yet on when the book will drop.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10618/title.malice-talks-internet-blogging-upcoming-book
DX News Bits: Kid Cudi
February 11, 2010 12:02:00 PM CST | by Danielle Harling
Even though “How To Make It In America,” the new HBO show starring rapper Kid Cudi, hasn’t even aired yet Cudi is already talking about eventually ending his rap career to focus on acting.
The rapper recently told New York Magazine that he plans on calling it a wrap after about four or five albums.
"I’m trying to evenly balance them out right now, but eventually I want to leave behind music and just do acting," Kid Cudi revealed. "I only got into the music business to tell my story and inspire some people. I think four albums will do it, and when I’m done with my four, five albums, I’ll switch it up. Once the story is told [musically], there’s nothing else to say."
“How To Make It In America” will air on HBO on Sunday, February 14 at 10 p.m.
In other Kid Cudi news, Cudi is claiming that alcohol may have played a major role in an attack on a fan that happened back in December.
According to TMZ.com Cudi called Michael Sharpe, the man he punched at his show, to apologize. He also told Sharpe that his actions that night were brought on by alcohol.
TMZ attempted to reach out to Cudi in regards to his phone call to Sharpe, but they did not receive a response.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10609/title.dx-news-bits-kid-cudi
DX News Bits: The Wu-Tang Clan Edition
February 11, 2010 12:02:00 PM CST | by Jake Paine
February 25th will see the release of the DVD Wu-Tang Saga. Directed by Jeremy Mack, the documentary explores the recent years of the Wu-Tang Clan, including the 8 Diagrams Tour, as well as the 2008 inner-conflicts of the group involving Raekwon and RZA. Unlike previous documentaries, the film features the eight living members of the group, both narrating and on camera, as well as appearnces from major influence Slick Rick, and Wu disciples Cappadonna, Mathematics, Prodigical Sunn, Papa Wu and True Master.
The documentary also features a guided Staten Island tour, freestyles and behind-the-scenes footage.
In related news, Raekwon, Method Man and Ghostface Killah will join Shade 45's Angela Yee in hosting a concert event on February 18 at New York's Club Imperial at 17 West 19th Street. With music by DJ Envy, the public can enjoy performances and appearances from invited guests such as Jadakiss, Beanie Sigel, Ice-T and Coco, and Red Cafe.
Ladies are free before midnight.
The event is set to promote both the Wu trio's first group effort, Three, The Hard Way, coming March 9 on Def Jam Records, as well as Capone-N-Noreaga's signing to H20 Water Records, Raekwon's label. Raekwon will be executive producing their forthcoming War Report 2 album.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10608/title.dx-news-bits-the-wu-tang-clan-edition
Lil Wayne Records Four Videos In One Weekend
February 11, 2010 09:02:00 AM CST | by Slava Kuperstein
Although Lil Wayne will spend a year in prison, fans will get to see plenty of the rapper, as he recorded four music videos this past weekend.
According to MTV News, Cash Money heads Ronald "Slim" Williams and Brian "Baby" Williams entlisted the servies of video director David Rousseau to shoot nine videos. Production reportedly began at 9:00 AM on Friday (Feb 5), and finished around 8:00 AM on Sunday (Feb 7). [Editor's Note: HipHopDX learned Thursday morning that Wayne in fact shot four weekend videos, to add to five already finished shoots.]
"We shot some shit from the [We Are Young Money compilation] album, we shot something from [Wayne's forthcoming] Tha Carter IV. Some stuff from [Wayne's recent LP] Rebirth," said the director. "We knew what our deadline was. We're trying to get maximum coverage for Wayne. Most of the time we only shot Wayne's verses — we'll finish the rest of the videos off in the next couple of weeks."
Rousseau elaborated, explaining the magnitude of the task at hand. "Cash Money said, 'This is our deadline. This is a hard deadline.' It was basically a Mission: Impossible [scenario]: This is your mission if you choose to accept it. Everybody is onboard because everybody knows what's at stake. Unlike T.I. and some of these other guys that's disappeared while they were in, the point is to keep Wayne [visible] on TV and everything for whatever time he's in. There was a plan in action. Slim and Baby really could foresee that. He's at the height of his career, you can't let that momentum slip."
Among the videos that were recorded were "Da Da Da," "Knockout" and "Get a Life" from Rebirth, and an unnamed "complete secret" track from Carter IV.
UPDATE: HipHopDX learned that Houston veteran and ABN (Asshole By Nature) alum Trae Tha Truth was involved in Wayne's shoots. While in Miami for the Wayne-related festivities, Trae shot three videos of his own. One of those videos was "Inkredible," which features Wayne and Rick Ross.
The song is said to be the single from Tha Truth, do on Universal/Fontana later this year. Other videos included Young Buck and Trae's brother Jay'Ton.
The former Rap-A-Lot artist also attended Wayne's going away party, alongside Drake, Nicki Minaj and Juelz Santana.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10605/title.lil-wayne-records-four-videos-in-one-weekend
