Nas To Pursue His High School Diploma
March 16, 2010 11:03:00 AM CDT | by Danielle Harling
Earlier this week, rapper Nas revealed to a group of high school students that getting his high school diploma is one of his goals right now. He also expressed his resent for dropping out of school at a young age.
Pittsburgh’s the Post-Gazette reports that Nas spoke to the students at the Boys & Girls Club of America's annual National Keystone Conference in Pittsburgh.
"The reality of it is, you need to keep educating yourself, and I wish I had stayed in school," Nas revealed to the group of high school students.
Nas, who dropped out of school in eighth grade, also spoke on leadership and his personal life.
"This is an incredible message, to have someone who succeeded so much in their life, but there is still a void," said Frank Sanchez, the vice president for corporate and partner relationships for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
NBA player Bob Lanier and R&B singer/producer Ne-Yo also spoke to student’s at the annual conference.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10841/title.nas-to-pursue-his-high-school-diploma
50 Cent's Bodyguard Arrested After Attack On Photog
March 15, 2010 11:03:00 AM CDT | by Danielle Harling
A bodyguard for rapper 50 Cent has been charged with assault after allegedly attacking two photographers in Copenhagen, Denmark.
According to the New York Daily News, the incident took place while photographers were waiting for 50 Cent to leave Copenhagen’s Skt. Petri Hotel.
"I feared for my life," photographer Nikoloj Vraar explained to RadarOnline. "One of 50 Cent's bodyguards came out and told us to leave. The next thing I knew, he grabs my throat and tried to strangle me. He cut off my airway, and I couldn't breathe. He took my camera and deleted photos."
Vraar was immediately taken to the hospital to be checked out and was very clear about pressing charges against 50’s bodyguard.
"I will be going straight to the police station and complete whatever paperwork is necessary," said Vraar.
50 Cent, who was in Copenhagen for a performance, was not outside the hotel when the incident took place.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10834/title.50-cents-bodyguard-arrested-after-attack-on-photog
Lil Wayne Banned From Signing Autographs While At Rikers
March 13, 2010 03:03:00 PM CST | by Krysten Hughes
Lil Wayne, who has been incarcerated now for five days, is not expected to receive any special treatment. According to celebrity gossip site TMZ, Weezy has been banned from signing autographs while serving his one year sentence at Rikers Island.
One representative for the Correction Officer's Benevolent Association commented, "Lil Wayne is not a celebrity here." There have been no reports made that Wayne has requested anything out of the ordinary, or try to extend his freedoms.
If Lil Wayne shows good behavior he could be released after eight months at the facility.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10828/title.lil-wayne-banned-from-signing-autographs-while-at-rikers
Lil Wayne Reports To Riker's Island For Sentence
March 08, 2010 03:03:00 PM CST | by Allen Jacobs
Lil Wayne was sentenced today (March 8th) after two delayed events. The Cash Money/Young Money platinum super-star had avoided sentencing last month for a dental emergency, followed by a Manhattan courthouse fire last week. AllHipHop.com has reported that Wayne is arriving at New York's Riker's Island this afternoon.
Wayne is expected to serve eight months from a .40 caliber gun and marijuana possession conviction stemming from a tour base search in 2007 while the rapper was on tour in Manhattan. The rapper was taken in handcuffs from court room to the prison where Styles P, Foxy Brown and Shyne have all served time
Many speculate that Wayne will remain in protective custody while in the prison, though officials have yet to confirm. While he is incarcerated, Mack Maine is expected to have a controlling hand at Young Money Records. The label will release Drake's Thank Me Later during that period.
This past weekend, a video to Wayne's Eminem-assisted Rebirth track "Drop The World" released.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10790/title.lil-wayne-reports-to-rikers-island-for-sentence
The Roots Announce Release Date for How I Got Over
March 05, 2010 05:03:00 PM CST | by Andres Tardio
The Roots have announced that they will finally release How I Got Over this June on Def Jam, an album that has been heavily anticipated for quite some time.
Originally, the album was meant to be released in 2009 but it was pushed back for various reasons. It seems this release date is set, according to ?uestlove's Twitter account.
The album's first single, "How I Got Over " was originally introduced and showcased last year on The Roots' second home, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The video below is of their performance on the show.
More recently, The Roots made headlines when they announced their upcoming Picnic and when news surfaced that they would produce John Legend's next project.
Expect The Roots' How I Got Over to be released June 8 on Def Jam.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10772/title.the-roots-announce-release-date-for-how-i-got-over
News: T.I. To Be Officially Released From Halfway House This Month
Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 6:05PM
Written by Biz Jones
Rapper T.I. will reportedly be freed from criminal confinement later this month, according to the Federal Bureau of Prison records.
Reports show the rapper being officially released in late March.
The rapper announced new single "I'm Back" through a promotional Twitter account, and his lawyer confirmed to MTV News on Thursday (March 4) that Tip will be released from prison later this month. Federal Bureau of Prison records list the rapper's release date as March 26. "That date is correct," lawyer Steve Sadow said via e-mail. "T.I. is now serving the remainder of his sentence in home confinement under the supervision of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons." (MTV)
He previously made his first televised appearance after lending his support to girlfriend Tiny during a fundraiser last month.
"I am very well, very happy to be seen," said the Atlanta rapper-actor, who joined his fiancee Tameka "Tiny" Cottle on stage at the end of the "For The Love of Our Fathers" fundraiser for Alzheimer's research. Before the T.I. surprise, the audience was treated to brief performances by classic R&B group The Tams (which includes Tiny's father Charles Pope, and was led by her brother Little Redd); newcomers The OMG Girlz (which includes the daughters of both Tiny and Toya), QT Jazz and Lil Shun and New Nu (from T.I.'s Grand Hustle label); as well as established R&B singers Kandi, Jaheim and Pleasure P...T.I., on the other hand, wasn't quite done. When Tiny walked out of the Midtown nightclub, there was a blue Porsche Panamera out front - topped with a red bow brighter than the recipient's new hair. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Lawyer Steve Sadow recently said the rapper returned to his hometown, Atlanta, Georgia in December.
"He was released this morning from his place of incarceration in Arkansas," Sadow said in an interview. "As I understand it, he's on his way back to the Atlanta area. He has to report to a halfway house in Atlanta sometime this evening. And he will then spend somewhere between the next two or three months in a halfway house, ending his Buruea of Prison sentence. A halfway house is more along the lines of a residential dormitory. You live within this house that is broken into areas for living, and you are permitted to leave during the day for certain reasons of which would be employment, medical reasons, things of that nature, and you return to the halfway house in the evening. So it's a restriction on your liberty but it's a way for you to reenter into society and not be confined within a jail type institution 24-hours a day." (XXL Mag)
Producer Jim Jonsin recently confirmed T.I. is working on a new album.
"It doesn't seem like he missed a beat," Jonsin said in an interview. "He was so upbeat, his spirits were up, and he's excited to be out and working. He hasn't changed, he sounded exactly like he did when I talked to him months before he went in. He's back in the studio. I sent him some music via email. He can work during the week and not on the weekend, I believe. He's definitely working on an album for this year right now." (Rap-Up)
From SOHH.com
http://www.sohh.com/2010/03/ti_to_be_officially_released_from_halfwa.html
St. Louis Rapper J-Kwon Found, Alive & Well
March 04, 2010 02:03:00 PM CST | by Slava Kuperstein
Rapper J-Kwon has gone missing, according to a press release from the St. Louis native's label.
According to the release, the 24-year-old's label, Gracie Productions, has been unable to reach him for over a month.
Anyone with information on the matter is urged to send in tips. A Twitter account, @WhereIsJkwon, has been set up to provide updates.
“J-Kwon is a big part of the Gracie family, and we are obviously increasingly worried and want to make sure he is ok," says Gracie Productions CEO/President Tony Bucher. "We’ve already received thousands of emails from fans and supporters who are worried about J-Kwon, and we want everyone to know how much we appreciate the love and support. If anyone has seen J-Kwon or has access to him, please let him know we are worried about him, and to please let us know everything is ok.”
After his 2004 album, Hood Hop, which featured the smash hit "Tipsy," J-Kwon released two projects in 2009 on Gracie Productions: Hood Hop 2 and Hood Hop 2.5. His self-titled album is set to hit stores on March 23, 2010 via One Records.
For more information, go to www.myspace.com/jkwon and www.gracieprod.com.
UPDATE: People close to J-Kwon revealed to DX Wednesday afternoon that recently, the rapper had been reclusive, isolating himself from friends, family and business partners. Sources hint that the former So So Def artist may have been struggling with emotional issues.
UPDATE: March 4th, J-Kwon contacted his label, Gracie Entertainment. The rapper declined making a public statement, but the following comes from Dorian Washington, co-CEO of Gracie and CEO of D.Wash Management: "I am very happy to let everyone know that I personally spoke with J-Kwon today, and he is okay. He'd like to send a sincere apology to his friends and everyone who showed concern this week. He was taking some time to himself as he sometimes does, not realizing that people would start to worry after a while. A few days out of touch versus a month is quite a difference. Right now he just wants to keep doing what he's doing, and will be more available for those who care about him. We thank you again for your outreach, and we are relieved to know he'll be alright."
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10749/title.st-louis-rapper-j-kwon-found-alive-well
Plies Sued Over 2006 Shooting
March 04, 2010 12:44:00 AM CST | by Slava Kuperstein
Five victims of a 2006 Gainesville, Florida shooting are suing rapper Plies, along with his record label.
According to the Miami Herald, the suit, which was filed on Wednesday (March 3) in Alachua County Circuit Court, claims that Plies and his label have profited from the victims' suffering.
Plies was previously sued over the incident, in which members of his entourage allegedly fired into a sold-out crowd.
The rapper's brother, Ronell Lavatte, and a member of the entourage, Tory Carnegie, are said to have fired into the crowd. The two were charged with attempted murder. Levatte served three years in prison after pleading no contest to weapons charges.
More on this story as it develops.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10759/title.plies-sued-over-2006-shooting
