Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
T.I. Headed Home; Rapper Officially Released From Halfway House
Rap star T.I. is officially a free man, after he was released from an Atlanta area halfway house today (September 29th).
The rapper spent a full year behind bars, for violating the terms of his probation, after he was convicted for attempting to purchase machine guns and silencers, before the BET awards in October of 2007.
In September 2010, just months after his release on the original gun charges, T.I. was stopped in Los Angeles for making an illegal U-turn, while driving his Maybach on the Sunset Strip.
A search of T.I.'s person, revealed that he was carrying ecstasy, in violation of his probation.
In October of 2010, the rapper was sentenced to another 11 months in prison.
T.I. was released from a Forrest City, Arkansas prison on August 31st, but was sent back to a federal prison in Atlanta, after authorities took issue with his mode of transportation to the halfway house.
The rapper, born Clifford Harris Jr., was sent back to the halfway house to complete his sentence on September 15th.
On Sunday (October 2nd), T.I. will host an exclusive brunch at a private location in Atlanta, to celebrate the success of his AKOO Clothing brand, as well as his release from prison.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
REEBOK HAS TO PAY $25 MILLION FOR LYING ABOUT THEIR EASY TONE SNEAKERS!
Reebok got handed some sole-killing news by the Federal Trade Commission – fork over $25 million in refunds.
The sneaker company got spanked for claiming its EasyTone and RunTone sneakers toned leg and buttock muscles, claims that the FTC ruled were backed by bogus science.
The FTC said that Reebok should never have claimed in its print and television ads that its shoes "lead to 28% more strength and tone in the buttock muscles" and "11% more strength and tone in the calf muscles than regular walking shoes."
The agency threw the hammer, saying that the company's claims that its use of charts and statistics led consumers to believe that their shoes, priced at $80 to $100, were superior to traditional sneakers.
Besides having to give back millions to dissatisfied customers, Reebok is banned from "making claims that toning shoes and other toning apparel are effective in strengthening muscles, or that using the footwear will result in a specific percentage or amount of muscle toning or strengthening, unless the claims are true and backed by scientific evidence."
Reebok hired a stable of beautiful women to hawk the shoes, including reality starlet Kim Kardashian, supermodel Helena Christenen and actress Eva Mendes.
Christenen appeared nude in ads for the sneakers in 2010, claiming "by the end of the day you can feel it in your legs almost like you have done a workout."
It's eyebrow-raising television ads showed a bevvy of fit women showing off their posteriors while wearing the scammy sneakers.
The FTC is using Reebok to send a message that using junk science to sell exercise apparel is unacceptable. Reebok agreed to pay the $25 million as part of a settlement agreement for deceptive advertising.
"The FTC wants national advertisers to understand that they must exercise some responsibility and ensure that their claims for fitness gear are supported by sound science," said David Vladeck, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a press release.
The agency provides a link to customers looking to receive a refund for their shoes.
Facebook is watching you - even when you're NOT logged in
Facebook has admitted that it monitors every single web page its members visit – even when they have logged out.
In its latest privacy blunder, the social networking site was forced to confirm that it constantly tracks its 750million users, even when they are using other sites.
Most would[..]ume that Facebook stops monitoring them after they leave, but technology bloggers have discovered this is not the case.
In fact, data is regularly sent back to the social network’s servers – helping Facebook make billions of pounds each year from advertising, as such information is highly valuable.
The website’s practices were exposed by Australian technology blogger Nik Cubrilovic and have provoked a furious response across the internet.
Mr Cubrilovic found that when you sign up to Facebook it automatically puts files known as ‘cookies’ on your computer which monitor your browsing history.
Some cookies remain on your computer after you log out, and report back when you visit a site connected to Facebook. This covers millions of websites and refers to anything with a Facebook ‘like’ or ‘recommend’ button on it.
This covers millions of websites worldwide and refers to anything with a Facebook ‘like’ or ‘recommend’ button on it.
The data that is sent back is the IP address, or unique identifier of your computer, and a log of what you have been viewing.
Mr Cubrilovic wrote: ‘Even if you are logged out, Facebook still knows and can track every page you visit.
‘The only solution is to delete every Facebook cookie in your browser, or to use a separate (web) browser for Facebook interactions.
‘This is not what ‘logout’ is supposed to mean’.
The admission is the latest in a series of privacy blunders from Facebook, which has a record of only correcting such matters when they are brought to light by other people.
Earlier this year it stopped gathering browser data from users who had never even been to Facebook.com after it was exposed by a Dutch researcher.
The site was forced into a partial climbdown over changes to privacy settings which many claimed made too much public.
It also came under attack for launching a ‘stalker button’ which allowed users to track another person’s every move in a list which was constantly being updated.
Soulja Boy's Life Chronicled In Upcoming Documentary 'Soulja Boy - The Movie'
Atlanta rapper Soulja Boy will be the subject of a new documentary being released this October, by Academy Award nominated director Peter Spirer.
"Soulja Boy - The Movie," is being released through a deal with Image Entertainment and One Village Entertainment.
The documentary will focus on the life and back story of the Atlanta rapper and his sudden rise to success starting in 2004, when he began recording in his father's home studio in Mississippi.
"Soulja Boy is undoubtedly one of the most creative, entrepreneurial Hip Hop artists I have ever dealt with," Peter Spirer said. "His ability to monetize the internet and his grasp of social media is unparalleled."
According to Spirer, Soulja Boy's enterprising ways, along with his understanding of the Internet world, has opened him up to criticism and even jealousy, from various rappers.
"I think sometimes the press, the public and his peers dismiss him due to lack of understanding or jealousy, and that’s where I hope my film comes in -- a straight forward intimate look at a talented young man," Spirer said.
"Soulja Boy - The Movie" is slated to be released to a variety of media platforms on October 18th.
Peter Spirer is known for directing a number of award-winning documentaries, including “Rhyme and Reason,” “Beef I-III," “Tupac" Thug Angel,” and "Notorious B.I.G.: Bigger Than Life."
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
ANGELA SIMMONS POSES NUDE FOR PETA
Pastry co-founder Angela Simmons is the next celebrity to bare it all for PETA's latest campaign. The 24 year-old daughter of Run DMC's Rev. Run, posed for the non-profit's latest vegetarianism spread with the message of "Eating Meat Is a Sin: Go Vegetarian".
N.C. Rapper Petey Pablo Pleads Guilty to Gun Charges, Faces Three Years in Federal Prison
Rapper Petey Pablo was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison today after pleading guilty to possessing a stolen firearm.
The North Carolina rapper, who is widely known for his hit songs “Raise Up” and “Freek-a-Leek," was arrested last year while passing through security at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
In 2010, Pablo attempted to clear security for a flight from Raleigh-Durham to Los Angeles with a loaded gun in his bag;it was identified in an X-ray
machine by airport authorities.
While it is unclear about how Petey Pablo received the gun, authorities have determined that the gun was stolen during a home
burglary in Gardena, California in 2005.
Petey Pablo's last album came out in 2004, and recently he released a single this month entitled "Get Low" ft. Wizz Dumb.
DMC Helps Raise Money For Children By Auctioning Himself Off
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels continues his work raising money for homeless and foster children, by taking part in charitybuzz' latest online auction.
DMC has partnered with charitybuzz.com, to raise funds for The New York Foundling.
One lucky winner can bid for lunch with the legendary rap star, who is a founding member of seminal hip-hop Run–DMC.
In addition to lunch with DMC, the winning bidder will also receive for VIP backstage tickets to the DMC show of their choice.
Fans of Run-DMC should not take this portion of the deal lightly.
Although there are no plans for a Run-DMC reunion as of press time, sources close to the situation told AllHipHop.com that a real possibility of a reunion between the legendary group in the very near future, exists.
Run-DMC retired shortly after the death of Jam Master Jay in 2002, but a reunion is possible, as the group continues to works out minor business details.
The New York Foundling is an organization that has been saving children and helping preserve families, while rebuilding communities since 1969.
The bidding opened today (September 27th) and is available until October 4th. The dealis valued at $10,000.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Extravagant Party Planned For T.I.'s Homecoming #MONEYTEAM
T.I.'s family and friends have lavish party set up for the Kang's homecoming. The star rapper is due to be released from a halfway house later this week.
According to TMZ, Tip along with his family and close friends will celebrate his return with a six figure brunch. The event is reportedly costing $100,000 with nearly $30,000 spent on food and deserts alone.
Diddy will reportedly be catering the alcoholic beverages, supplying 150 bottles of Ciroc. Custom AKKOO gear will be handed out to VIP guests.
The affair will reportedly take place October 2, following T.I.'s September 29 release from a halfway house.
G-Dep Possibly Facing 15 Years-To-Life Over Confessed Murder
After losing a bid to get his charges from a nearly two decade old murder reduced to manslaughter, former Bad Boy rapper G-Dep is expected to be facing a possible sentence of 15 years-to-life.
Dep's attorney Anthony Ricco had been trying to convince prosecutors to lessen the former rapper's sentence do to the fact that his client turned himself in. The prosecution wasn't buying it, giving Dep, born Travell Coleman, a minimum of 15 years if convicted at trial.
“His decision [to confess] was made for all the right reasons,” said Ricco. “The DA should ask themselves whether they made their decision for the right reasons.”
Last December Dep walked into a NYC police station and confessed to the 1993 shooting of John Henkel.
Lauryn Hill Faces Lawsuit For Allegedly Keeping Clothes From 2007 Euro Tour
Lauryn Hill is being sued by a fashion consultant for allegedly keeping clothes that she was supposed to return from her 2007 European tour.
According to TMZ, Viva Davia Vintage outfitted Hill with “an entire wardrobe of high fashion items,” for her tour. VDV says in the lawsuit that Hill made an agreement to pay a weekly fee for a month, but kept the clothes for three months and only paid a small amount of the fee. The suit also alleged that the singer only returned 30 percent of the clothing she was given.
As previously reported, a member of the former Fugee front woman's band filed suit with her last month, claiming that he was shorted thousands of dollars during the same tour. The guitarist, Jay Gore, also claimed Hill verbally abused him and other band members
Sunday, September 25, 2011
CATCH THE LATEST EPISODE OF @3045_TV W/ GUEST @ASIADOLL2 HERE!
Watch live streaming video from 3045enterprisetv at livestream.com
Saturday, September 24, 2011
3045 TV COMMERCIAL: THE FIGHT AFTER THE MAYWEATHER FIGHT/ BECKET VS VENNYDAPADON
#BOUTIQUELIFE #MONEYTEAM
Friday, September 23, 2011
Vesta Williams Found Dead In Her Hotel Room #RIP
Vesta Williams, the singer that was known for her powerful voice when she hit the scene in the 1980s, was found dead in her hotel room in California.
The 48-year-old singer who stated she was 53 in an interview passed away with no details given at this point to the cause of her death. Williams lost her recording contract due to her weight gain, but years later she lost over 100 pounds and was able to release new music.
Friends like Bowlegged Lou, Jackee Harry and Shanice have began to express their sentiment and Vesta has an upcoming feature on TV One's Unsung.
Williams rose to fame in the 1980s with a number of hits including "Congratulations" and "Sweet, Sweet Love." Check out the moving video for "Congratulations" below.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
G. Dep Has Second Thoughts On The Whole Guilty Conscience Thing
So last winter G. Dep walked into a NYPDs 25th Precinct and confessed to an unsolved murder that occurred in 1993. While G. Dep claimed he could no longer deal with the guilt of his crime, now that the consequences of his actions are setting in he will plead Not Guilty to the crime. Interesting. I guess we will have to see how this pans out. According to dnainfo:
Despite confessing, Coleman (G. Dep) will not be pleading guilty to murder because prosecutors do not plan to give him a break, Ricco said after a court hearing Thursday at which Coleman did not appear.
The DAs office said it would only offer a plea to the top count, murder in the second degree, which carries a maximum prison term of 25 years to life.
It is my understanding that the parties have not been able to reach an agreement, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus said after a brief conference with Ricco and Assistant District Attorney David Drucker.
The people are not willing to offer anything other than a plea to the [top count], the judge added.
Prosecutors said its common that plea deals are not made in murder cases.
Ricco told reporters after the hearing that he did not understand why prosecutors would not cut a deal, adding that the case would have remained ice cold, had Coleman not turned himself in.
A trial date was set for Nov. 10.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Russell Simmons Planning To Buy Television Network
Following in the footsteps of Oprah Winfrey, Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons is planning to buy his own television network.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Uncle Russell is looking into purchasing a TV network that focuses on diversity, unlike the Black Entertainment Television network, which focuses on bad television programming.
“I am going to buy a TV network,” Mr. Simmons said during an interview at a charity event in Hong Kong.
Simmons is also looking to start a network that crosses ethnic lines saying that mainstream television's idea of "diversity," actually means that “they mean segregation. ‘Let's do some more black TV.' Instead, there's all these cultures that should be more integrated properly.”
“Instead of giving Paris Hilton a show, for example, you could do one with Amber Rose,” he said.
“You'd be better off. One is hot, the other is not. Networks are a little slow in how mainstream culture is shifting. There's a lack of integration in Hollywood, and I want to address that.”
An Amber Rose TV show isn't exactly what we have in mind, but lesser names on major networks have been handed a reality show.
Simmons, who is teaming up with Brian Grazer, producer of the films 8 Mile and American Gangster, and Ron Howard who worked with Grazer on films A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13, insists his network is on the way, and “hopefully soon,” he said.
“Now you've heard about it. It's going to happen.”
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Ruff Ryders Owes $1 Million In Taxes #IRSGANGSTA
The Ruff Ryders, the iconic 90's rap imprint, owes more than $1 million in taxes to New York City.
The monies due stems from charges associated with stickers and promotional posters pushing the labels artists.
The financial commissioner of New York City said he intended to collect from the company for reportedly posting up 3,400 illegal posters.
RR will release a new compilation album this October, according to reports. Ruff Ryders spawned the careers of DMX, The Lox, Eve, Swizz Beatz and others.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Massive birth control pill recall; 1.4 million packages yanked due to packaging error
Women who take birth control pills be aware: 1.4 million packages are being recalled.
Qualitest Pharmaceuticals has ordered a recall of several varieties of birth control pills due to a packaging error that can monkey with users' dosage schedules, according to a statement released by the Food and Drug Administration.
"Select blisters were rotated 180 degrees within the card, reversing the weekly tablet orientation and making the lot number and expiry date no longer visible," the FDA statement said.
In the affected packs, the card used to track dosage is misaligned and may result in women taking the hormone-free dummy pills on days when they should be taking active pills.
Taking the wrong pills on the wrong day could result in unwanted pregnancy.
The recall affected the following products: Cyclafem, Emoquette, Gildess, Orsythia, Previferm and Tri-Verifem. Affected lot numbers can be found here.
Qualitest Pharmaceuticals offered 1-877-300-6153 as a hotline for customers to answer questions, arrange to return their pills or report problems.
"These packaging defects do not pose any immediate health risks," according to the statement. "Consumers exposed to affected packaging should begin using a non-hormonal form of contraception immediately and consult their health care provider or pharmacist."
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Rappers React To Mayweather Fight (Do You Think It Was Dirty?)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated opponent Victor Ortiz last night in Las Vegas in a fight that controversially allowed him to keep his undefeated record.
Ortiz attempted a headbutt on Mayweather and the fight was briefly stopped by referee Joe Cortez, but when Ortiz went to apologize a second time to Floyd, Flyod caught him off guard and knocked him out.
Mayweather discussed the controversial knockout after the fight.
"I got hit with a dirty shot and it's protect yourself at all times," Mayweather told commentator Larry Merchant after the fight. "He does something dirty. If he wants a rematch, he can get it."
While many fight viewers had their own opinion about the knockout, a number of rappers on twitter made sure their voices were heard over the controversy.
"Victor wasn't ready for the big lights why he put his hands down. Stupid move fighting Money Mayweather,” G-Unit affiliate Tony Yayo said.
Big Sean weighed in on the fight as well.
“If Floyd cheated then y he got the belt. That n***a Floyd was attentive and smart. If it's legal u can't hate. Ortiz did him. If anything.”
In Birdman like fashion, the CEO of Cash Money, bragged about his cash in from the fight:
"YMCMB. BORN 2 Win. Milly n***a. We Tha Busine$$,"
Nelly like many, took a comedic route by saying if you do something dirty, than karma will always return.
THOUGHTS???
Women's 'sex strike' ends war in Mindanao villages
MANILA, Philippines - Women ended armed clashes in 2 Mindanao villages by not having sex with their husbands unless the men laid down their weapons, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The success of the "sex strike" allowed families to start rebuilding their communities, the UN's refugee agency said.
The success of the "sex strike" allowed families to start rebuilding their communities, the UN's refugee agency said.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Dame Dash Settles Bootlegging Charges
Looks like Dame can now pop them bottles again. Yesterday, a Lower Manhattan judge agreed to settle the restraining order which the city placed on his establishment DD172 for selling and distributing alcohol without a permit. Let’s have a drink and celebrate.
Dash’s lawyer Joshua Seidman told us that the city had never served his client any papers and that “selling liquor was never a part of the business model of that location.” (Two police documents from April and May obtained by the Voice list Dash by name on reports of an illegal bottle club/alcohol warehousing.) Seidman added that “the company hasn’t operated out of that premises since the beginning of summer.”
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Justin Bieber Says He Wears Women’s Jeans Because They "Fit" Him
Justin Bieber wears what's comfortable -- it's as simple as that. The pop sensation rocked the red carpet at Dolce & Gabbana's Fashion's Night Out event in New York City, where he spoke about his own fashion choices, including women's jeans.
Bieber spoke to Life & Style magazine about his affinity for ladies' jeans. "I've worn women's jeans before because they fit me. It's not a trend; it's just, whatever works, works." Again, Justin says this isn't a trend, so if everybody starts wearing Not Your Daughter's Jeans, don't blame him.
Bieber was responding to a question about Kanye West's decision to wear a women's sweater. "It wasn't (so he'd) look like a woman in a sweater; it was just a regular sweater that happened to be a woman's.".
An article from the Yahoo! Contributor Network points out that Justin and Kanye aren't the only male stars to wear women's duds. Actress Liv Tyler has caught her dad, Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler, wearing her threads. Same deal with Zoe Kravitz of "X-Men: First Class" fame. Her papa, Lenny Kravitz, has been known to raid her closet. .
The Biebs is no stranger to nontraditional styles, though he's not going to cross into Lady Gaga "meat dress" territory. At the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, Justin rocked an Elvis-like glittery gold dinner jacket. He's worn leopard-print shoes, oddly oversized glasses, and white leather with rhinestones (always a bold choice). And don't forget the women's jeans. You got a problem with that? .
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
GUCCI MANE IS GOING BACK TO JAIL AGAIN!
Gucci Mane is set to return behind bars after the Atlanta rapper pleaded guilty today to battery.
According to The Associated Press, Mane pleaded guilty to two counts of battery, two counts of reckless conduct and one count of disorderly conduct.
He will spend six months in jail.
As previously reported, Gucci was accused of throwing an Atlanta woman, 36-year-old Diana Graham, out of his moving Hummer on Jan. 28.
He has since been ordered to pay her $5,091 in restitution for her medical bills and a $3,000 fine.
He will also attend 12 weeks of anger management classes.
He was previously released from jail in July.
R.I.P.: 34-Year-Old French Hip-Hop Producer DJ Mehdi Dies In Freak Accident
Reports are still sketchy, but the story coming out of Paris is that producer DJ Mehdi died overnight on Monday following the most random of accidents.
The story at this time seems to be that Medhi and some friends were partying on the roof of his house when either the roof collapsed or he fell off a mezzanine to his death. Two or three others also fell and were hospitalized.
DJ Medhi, born Mehdi Favéris-Essadi, was 34 years old.
After working his way up to premier producer status, Mehdi linked up with French electro-house DJ/producer Pedro Winter (a.k.a. Busy P), whose label, Ed Banger Records, rose to international prominence with acts like Mr. Oizo, and SebastiAn and Justice. Mehdi’s 2007 single “I Am Somebody,” featuring Chromeo, enjoyed Stateside success, including placement in a commercial for XM Radio.
But Mehdi was equally well-known for his remixes, memorably reworking tracks by Architecture in Helsinki, New Young Pony Club and Miike Snow, among many others.
On Tuesday morning, his fans, friends and collaborators took to Twitter to express their condolences. The Bloody Beetroots’ Bob Cornelius Rifo tweeted, “R.I.P. Dj MEHDI. The void he has left behind is unbearable. Love you, Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo.”
Just Blaze was in shock, writing, “I’m literally shaking right now. We just played together last week. Heart goes out to his family and loved ones. RIP mehdi.”
Steve Aoki tweeted that he was “devastated,” before following that up with a simple message: “Rest in peace to my brother forever here and in the after life djmehdi. i love u and miss u.”
Monday, September 12, 2011
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS COULD BE ROTTING YA KIDS BRAINS!
Absorbent and yellow and porous he may be, but a new study suggests "Spongebob Squarepants" is also rotting your 4-year-old's brains.
Children of that age who watch just 9 minutes of the wildly popular Nickelodeon animated series may suffer short-term attention and learning problems, according to a study published in the medical journal, Pediatrics.
The study included just 60 kids, who were randomly chosen to watch 9 minutes of "Spongebob Squarepants," or the PBS series "Caillou," or simply draw pictures. They were then given mental function tests, and those who were tasked with watching the undersea fry cook did far worse than the other children.
"What kids watch matters, it's not just how much they watch," said Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a child development specialist at Seattle Children's Hospital who wrote an editorial that was published in the Pediatrics journal along with the study.
"Spongebob," and other similar shows, can cause problems in toddlers because of their fast pace, argued the study's lead author, Angeline Lillard, a psychology professor at the University of Virginia.
"I wouldn't advise watching such shows on the way to school or any time they're expected to pay attention and learn," she said, according to The Associated Press.
A spokesman for Nickelodeon quickly dismissed the study, which he argued was flawed.
"Having 60 non-diverse kids, who are not part of the show's targeted [audience], watch 9 minutes of programming is questionable methodology and could not possibly provide the basis for any valid findings that parents could trust," he told AP, adding that "Spongebob Squarepants" is a show meant for kids 6 to 11, not 4.
Lillard admitted that the study only focuses on 4-year-old children, and could not be used as a basis to say if the same effect would be seen in older kids. The children were also not tested prior to the study, so it is unclear how they would have scored before watching the programs.
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