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JAY-Z OPENS ONE CLUB, CLOSES ANOTHER
September
Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) and a 12-piece band will perform at the historic Hollywood Palladium when the newly-renovated venue on Sunset Blvd. reopens its doors on Oct. 15, reports Billboard. The Palladium's enhancements include an overhaul of the interior and exterior, a new dance floor, expanded concessions, upgraded restrooms and improvements to the stage infrastructure. The 4,000-capacity venue, which has been closed since last April, first opened in 1940 with a concert by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra featuring Frank Sinatra. Over the years it has hosted such acts as the Rolling Stones, James Brown, Led Zeppelin, the Who, the Police, Rod Stewart, Metallica, the Clash, the Pixies, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Public Enemy. "Just as Frank ushered in a golden era, I hope this opening will mark the beginning of a resurgence in generation-defining live music," Jay-Z said in a statement. Meanwhile, Jay-Z's troubled 40/40 Club in Las Vegas has finally expired. Less than nine months after its big New Year's Eve opening, the venue located in the Palazzo has been sold for an undisclosed amount, reports E! Online. The hotel is reportedly planning to convert the space into a sports bar. The mogul still plans to open 40/40 Clubs in Chicago, Tokyo and Macau.
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SUGE KNIGHT ARRESTED IN VEGAS
August
Police arrested rap music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight in Las Vegas on drug and assault charges after he was accused of beating his girlfriend while brandishing a knife. The 43-year-old co-founder of the hip-hop label Death Row Records. was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of dangerous drugs without a prescription and battery domestic violence. Police responding to a report of a car hitting a curb near the Las Vegas Strip say they found Knight standing over his longtime girlfriend with a knife in his hand. Police say the woman tried to run from the car, but Knight grabbed her. He's accused of having the drugs Ecstasy and hydrocodone when he was arrested. Knight's lawyers, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, declined immediate comment.
R. KELLY INVOLVED IN S.A. FRAUD CASE
August
Authorities in South Africa are looking to question R. Kelly regarding a scam in which he allegedly profited $130,000 from a tour despite failing to show up, reports WENN. Business woman Busiswe Zakwe has already been arrested and charged with swindling thousands of dollars from investors by promising ticket sale profits if they brought an R. Kelly tour to the country in 2005. Kelly never stepped foot in South Africa, but the woman claims she deposited the investors' money into his account. Local police have reportedly confirmed that the account Zakwe claims is Kelly's is authentic, but the money is nowhere to be found. Police want to question Kelly about the missing funds. R. Kelly released the following statement regarding the alleged South African swindler who used his name to bilk investors. "There is absolutely no truth to the reports that R. Kelly received money from a South African woman accused of swindling investors by convincing them to invest in a non-existent R. Kelly tour in 2005. Mr. Kelly has no knowledge of this woman, has never received any money from her, and has not been contacted by any law enforcement authorities regarding the matter. He will, of course, cooperate fully with any legitimate investigation of this matter, since he has nothing to hide."
DR. DRE'S SON FOUND DEAD
August
The 20-year-old son of hip hop producer Dr. Dre was found dead Saturday morning at his home in Woodland Hills, California. The body of Andre Romelle Young Jr. was discovered in his bed at around 10:30 a.m. by his mother, Jenita Porter. She called 911 when her efforts to wake him were unsuccessful. Paramedics arrived and were also not able to revive him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A cause of death has yet to be determined, but police said they did not suspect foul play. Young had spent the previous evening with friends. His mother told police that he'd returned home Saturday at around 5:30 a.m., and that she'd heard him in his bedroom, the coroner's spokesperson stated. However, TMZ.com is quoting a source who claims Andre, Jr. was home by 12:30 a.m., and in bed shortly thereafter. A spokesperson for Dr. Dre issued the following statement Tuesday on the rapper's behalf: "Dr. Dre is mourning the loss of his son Andre Young Jr. Please respect his family's grief and privacy at this time."
ISAAC HAYES FAMILY PLANS LAWSUIT OVER SONGS
August
Family members of late soul legend Isaac Hayes are reportedly planning legal action to retrieve rights to his back catalog, which was sold for $30,000 by court order following his 1976 bankruptcy. The catalog, which includes such classics as "Do Your Thing" and "Theme from Shaft," is said to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in royalties. Hayes' family wants the money to go toward the financial security of his father's widow and two-year-old son. "He definitely was done wrong," his son Isaac Hayes III told WENN. "I'm very passionate about [providing security for the family]. If that means me trying to get my father's material back, I'm all for it." Lance Armstrong, president of Rondor Music, which owns the publishing rights to Hayes' songs, added: "He lost millions, and it was morally andethically wrong to take it from him. He was devastated."
JUDGE ORDERS MEDIATION IN GAME ASSAULT CASE
August
A judge has ordered rapper The Game to consider mediation in a case where he is being sued for assault by a basketball coach. The lawsuit was filed in March by pro-amateur coach Shannon Roderick, who accused Game of assault, battery, negligence and civil rights violations stemming from an altercation at a celebrity basketball game. Roderick's lawyer Portasha Moore said she will follow the judge's order to seek mediation. If Game does not respond, Roderick's lawyer will be allowed to pursue a default judgment in the case. According to the lawsuit, the rapper was playing for the City Hoops team Liteem-Up in a South Los Angeles location. Their opponent, the Blazers - coached by Roderick - had a substantial lead. Roderick alleges that after calling a time-out, The Game accosted him near the bench area. "Your team is garbage," Game is alleged to have said. "You guys are nothing but a bunch of bustas." Roderick says he turned toward the Game just before the rapper punched him in the face. Game then allegedly said: "I'm going to blast this fool," and walked to his car to get a gun from his car. Roderick said he retreated to the gym and hid until the rapper left. The Game, born Jayceon Taylor, pleaded no contest to possession of a firearm in a school zone. He was ordered to perform 150 hours of community service and sentenced to three years probation.
FORBES LISTS 50 CENT AS RICHEST RAPPER
August
Jay-Z topped Forbes.com's inaugural Hip-Hop Cash Kings list of the top-earning people in the business last year, but for 2008 he cedes the throne to Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, who raked in $150 million over the past12 months--almost twice what Jay-Z made. The one big deal that put 50 on top was the $100 million he made after taxes when his stake in VitaminWater's parent, Glacéau, was bought by Coca-Cola as part of a $4.1 billion deal. The rapper's business empire also includes the G-Unit clothing line and record label, plus films, videogames and albums. Currently in the works is a partnership with South African mining billionaire Partrice Motsepe that would bring the rapper an equity stake in the mine and then a 50 Cent-branded platinum jewelry line. For the second year in a row, Sean "Diddy" Combs finished third on the list with $35 million from his revenue streams that include his clothing line Sean John, record label Bad Boy, premium vodka Ciroc and two reality-TV shows. Kanye West is ranked at No. 4 with $30 million.
BEYONCE, MARIAH, BLIGE, OTHERS, RECORD CHARITY SONG
August
A virtual who's who of female singers from every music genre have joined together to record the upcoming single "Just Stand Up," a charity song done in support of the television special "Stand Up to Cancer." The tune features Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood. Record exec Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds joined to produce the track, which will be released to radio on Sept. 2. All 15 singers will share the stage to perform the song live on Sept. 5 during the "Stand Up to Cancer" television special, set to air simultaneously on ABC, NBC and CBS. A few of the other stars expected at the hourlong fund- and awareness-raising program include Jennifer Aniston, Lance Armstrong, Katie Couric, Sally Field, Salma Hayek, Meryl Streep, Forest Whitaker and Reese Witherspoon.
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND SAX PLAYER LEROI MOORE DIES
August
LeRoi Moore, the genious jazz and funk saxophonist overtones helped create the eclectic sound of the Dave Matthews Band, has died of complications from injuries he suffered in an all-terrain vehicle accident on June 30. He was 46. Moore died at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center according to a statement on the band's Web site. It did not specify what led to his death, and nursing supervisor Galina Shinder said the hospital could not release details. On June 30, Moore crashed his ATV on his farm outside Charlottesville, Va., but was discharged and returned to his home in Los Angeles to begin physical therapy. Complications forced him back to the hospital on July 17. The band formed in 1991 in Charlottesville, Va., when Matthews was working as a bartender. He gave a demo tape of his songs to Moore, who liked what he heard and recruited his friend and fellow jazzman Carter Beauford to play drums, and other musicians. Moore, who wore dark sunglasses on stage, had classical training but said jazz was his main musical influence. Saxophonist Jeff Coffin, who played with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, has been sitting in for Moore during the band's summer tour.
DMX ARRESTED – AGAIN
August
A lawyer for DMX says the rapper has been arrested in Miami outside a Walmart store on a warrant for failing to attend a Phoenix court hearing. The AP reports that Lawyer Charles Kozelka says DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, checked into a Miami hospital the day he was to appear in Phoenix and was planning on entering a rehab facility later but the warrant and alert Miami cops put a stop the rehab plans. Kozelka said he had been trying to arrange for DMX to turn himself in at the airport. A Phoenix judge issued the warrant for DMX after he didn't appear for a pretrial conference on four counts of possessing drug paraphernalia and one count of possession of marijuana. The case is one of several Simmons is facing in Phoenix, including several animal cruelty and drug possession counts.
SEAN PAUL ARRESTED IN SWEDEN
August
Reggae sensation Sean Paul has been arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession after cops raided a music festival in Sweden. The singer was part of the annual Uppsala Reggae Festival near Stockholm when cops stormed the grounds and took some 200-300 people into custody, including 10 performers, reports TMZ.com. Police continue to investigate the case after questioning the folks in custody and collecting evidence at the scene.
ISSAC HAYES DIES AT 65
August
Oscar-winning soul singer Isaac Hayes, the giant among black soul artists of the 1970's, died in Memphis on Sunday, his friend and former manager, Onzie Horne, said. Hayes was 65. Horne told Reuters that he had spoken to Hayes' wife, who confirmed that Hayes was found unconscious near a running treadmill at his home and rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Hayes, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, would have turned 66 on August 20. The deep-voiced performer won an Academy Award for his No. 1 hit "Theme from 'Shaft,' " in 1972. Long before he became a soul singer, Hayes collaborated with lyricist David Porter to write and produce songs for the soul duo Sam and Dave, including "Soul Man" and "Hold On! I'm a Comin'." Hayes, born Aug. 20, 1942, in Covington, Tenn., was raised by his grandparents after being orphaned. He joined Stax Records in 1963, and often subbed for the label's primary keyboardist, Booker T. Jones. Hayes broke through to megastardom in 1969 with the album "Hot Buttered Soul," which contained just four songs but sold more than a million copies.
GIRL MURDERED AT LIL' KIM BIRTHDAY PARTY
August
The body of a woman, who had been missing since attending Lil' Kim's birthday party was found inside a rooftop shed of the building where the party took place. Cops say the body of Ingrid Rivera was found on the roof of Spotlight Live, a popular club in the middle of Times Square. She had suffered a head wound and other injuries. The rap diva had celebrated her b-day with Wyclef Jean, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and other friends at the club, but Kim's rep Ronn Torossian said Kim knew nothing of the murder, issuing the following statement to TMZ: "Lil' Kim mourns the death of Ms. Rivera. She knew nothing of this incident until she heard media reports." Other sources also told TMZ that Lil' Kim knew nothing about the brutal murder and left the club without having seen a thing. NYPD soon arrested 24-year-old club employee Syed Rahman for the crime and he has now confessed to the killing, claiming he murdered Rivera by hitting her on the back of the head with a lead pipe. Police say Rivera, a huge Lil' Kim fan, paid to attend the event -- and even brought the rap diva a bouquet of flowers, but at one point in the evening she was kicked out of the club for accidentally walking into the men's room. According to Rivera's friend, Rahman found Rivera outside the club and "told her he could get her back in." Cops say Rahman took Rivera through the employee entrance and got her up to the roof in a service elevator. A rep for the club said, "We were deeply saddened to learn about the tragic death of Ingrid Rivera and our hearts go out to her family and friends. We are fully cooperating with the police in their investigation and will continue to answer any questions they may have." But this isn't the first killing associated with Spotlight Live. There was a murder that took place just outside the club in January involving people who got into a scuffle inside the club.
CHRISTINA MILIAN SUES OVER SAMPLES
August
Christina Milian is suing record producer Poli Paul and his associate, Spencer Cowlings Entertainment, claiming Paul lied to her about using samples in her hit song "Dip it Low." In 2003 Christina recorded her first U.S. album for Island Def Jam and Paul was both producer and writer of "Dip It Low." In her lawsuit filed in L.A. County Superior Court, TMZ reports that Milian claims Paul "very definitively" assured her "there were no samples whatsoever in 'Dip It Low,'" but Thomas Turino, Larry Crook and Dan Dickey sued her for that exact reason. The trio released an album in 1983 called "La Sirena" and according to Milian's suit, Paul was in a Pasadena, CA record store, liked the song, and looped a 12-second sample of it into "Dip It Low." The suit against Paul claims Christina spent more than $300,000 to defend herself in the case against her that was eventually settled and Christina's lawyer, Ed McPherson, now wants Paul and his associate to reimburse Milian the $300 grand plus pay punitive damages.
MARY J. BLIGE SUED OVER SONG
August
TMZ is reporting that Mary J. is being sued by a company that claims she pilfered their tune and turned it into her latest song, "Work That." The Drama Family Entertainment company has filed a federal court case, claiming one of it's producers created the tune that was used on Mary J.'s new album. The song is also featured in an iPod commercial. Drama Family Entertainment reportedly wants $2 million in compensation for the alledged theft.
STUDDARD, DA BRAT, OTHERS, SETTLE WITH VUITTON
August
Louis Vuitton has settled a lawsuit with Sony BMG Music Entertainment for allowing its artists Da Brat, Ruben Studdard and Britney Spears to wear its famous monogram in music videos and album covers without permission. "We believe the terms of this agreement will provide strong protection to our brand worldwide," Louis Vuitton's Nathalie Moulle-Berteaux said in a statement to the New York Daily News. In 2006, Studdard printed his album jacket for "The Return" on Louis Vuitton monogram paper. Da Brat featured a multicolored LV print beachball in a video from 2003, while Spears drove a pink Hummer with a cherry LV monogram dashboard in her 2006 video "Do Somethin'." "We don't make dashboards," a Vuitton spokeswoman quipped. Details of the agreement were not disclosed, but the settlement is estimated at more than $300,000.
GUNFIRE ERUPTS AT JERMAINE DUPRI AFTERPARTY
August
A gunshot rang out at an Atlanta nightclub, sending such celebs as Jermaine Dupri, Diddy, Usher, Nelly, Gabrielle Union and Larenz Tate running for the exit along with club goers. Dupri was hosting an afterparty at Club Dream as part of his third annual So So Def Summerfest 2008 when security guards from a private firm hired to work the gig began double charging folks to enter the VIP area. The crowd, who had already paid to get in the club, began pushing and shoving, during which a gun was fired, according to police. A security guard was grazed in the elbow. He was treated at the hospital and released hours later. As of press time, the investigation was ongoing and no celebrities or their entourages were considered suspects. So far no arrests have been made.
FOXY BROWN' SUED BY PUBLISHER
July
Simon and Shuster is suing Foxy Brown for breach of contract but her lawyer says the suit has no merit because they were the ones who cancelled her book deal. The publisher is suing Foxy, claiming they paid her a $75,000 advance in 2005 to write "Broken Silence," but never received the autobiography from her in return. Laura Dilimetin, Foxy's attorney, said the publishers actually allowed her to postpone the project after she was diagnosed with sudden hearing loss that same year. "With Simon and Schuster's blessings, Foxy Brown underwent extensive surgical procedures and a lengthy recovery time, fighting to restore her hearing," Dilimetin told AllHipHop.com in a statement. But after the artist finished her treatment, "Simon and Schuster decided not to go forward with the project," Dilimetin claimed. "Many attempts were made by Foxy Brown's agents to resurrect the deal, to no avail," she added. "I find it suspect that after all of these years of silence, Simon and Shuster pick now to bring this meritless action when they were the ones to halt the project," Dilimetin said. Simon and Shuster also filed a lawsuit against rapper Lil Kim for failing to produce a novel after receiving a $40,000 advance in 2003. Her autobiography was supposed to be completed in 2004.
ALICIA KEYS, JACK WHITE TEAM FOR 'BOND' THEME
July
It's official - rumors of Alicia Keys being considered to record the theme song for the next James Bond film have proven true. The Grammy winner has teamed with White Stripes singer Jack White for the collaboration, titled "Another Way to Die." The first duet in Bond soundtrack history - written and produced by White, who also played drums - will be released Oct. 28 via Keys' J Records label as part of the soundtrack for "Quantum of Solace," the 22nd film in the James Bond franchise. The movie will be released in North America on Nov. 7.
CHUCK BERRY A NO SHOW
July
The health of rock legend Chuck Berry has been called in to question after he pulled out of two concerts in Spain at the last minute and without explanation. Berry was scheduled to perform in Estepona on Spain's Mediterranean coast and in the northern city of Leon a day later. The 81-year-old had already been paid for the gigs when his agent called the promoters just one hour before his gig in Estepona to inform them that Berry had left the country, leaving behind over 4,000 disappointed fans. Organizers have already discussed a possible lawsuit against the entertainer. While they said no explanation was given for his no-show, British newspaper Daily Mail quoted an unnamed source close to the entertainer in Paris as saying ill health may have been the cause. "There were rumors that he's not been feeling well during his current tour, and suffered pain on stage at a concert. We are not sure of Chuck's exact whereabouts at the moment," the source said. But Berry's rep told TMZ.com that Berry's health is fine and the sudden cancellation had to do with "contractual and financial problems" with the presenters of the shows. Berry will be playing the Long Beach Blues Festival on August 31 as planned. Berry turns 82 in October.
LIL WAYNE SUED OVER ROLLING STONE LYRICS
July
Abkco Music Inc, a musical publishing company that owns the rights to the Rolling Stones' song "Play With Fire" and they are suing Lil Wayne in Manhattan federal court, saying he released an altered version of the song without permission. The company is suing Lil Wayne, his guest artists and his record company, a unit of Universal Music Group, of copyright infringement and unfair competition. Abkco also said that Lil Wayne's version uses "explicit, sexist and offensive language" and could lead the public to believe the company and the Rolling Stones approved of and authorized the new version.
20 YEARS OF LITTLE RICHARD
JULY
Singer, songwriter, pianist, Little Richard (Richard Wayne Penniman), one of the premiere pioneers of rock and roll, introduced music fans to a string of groundbreaking hit singles such as Tutti Frutti, “Lucille,” and Long Tall Sally. The pounding piano, the high voice and trills, and Little Richard’s sexually suggestive lyrics catapulted him to the top of the charts and to legendary status. Music fans can purchase The Very Best of Little Richard, a comprehensive 25-track compilation, and the first in 20 years to showcase all the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer’s Specialty hits. The collection features an original pre-rock ‘n’ roll demo, 1955’s “Baby,” plus a rousing live medley of “Ain’t That a Shame/I Got a Woman”/”Tutti Frutti” recorded in Paris in 1964, and a rehearsal take of “Hound Dog” (1956). Billy Vera, himself a rock ‘n’ roll and R&B veteran.
Little Richard Audio Streams :
“Jenny Jenny”
“The Girl That Can’t Help It”
YouTube page:
http://youtube.com/concordrecords
50 CENT SUES TACO BELL
July
50 Cent is suing Taco Bell, claiming the fast-food restaurant chain is using his name without permission in an advertising campaign. The Associated Press reports that the rapper (Curtis Jackson) filed a federal lawsuit claiming the Mexican-themed chain features him in a print ad that asks him to change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent as part of Taco Bell's "Why Pay More?" campaign. The lawsuit also claims the Irvine, Calif.-based company sent a bogus letter to the media requesting 50 change his name for a day in exchange for a charitable donation. Taco Bell Corp. spokesman Rob Poetsch issued a statement saying: "We made a good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his name to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order at a Taco Bell, and we would have been very pleased to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice." But the rapper's lawyer, Peter D. Raymond, said his client never received such a letter and didn't learn about it or that he was featured in the ad campaign until he saw a news report about it. Raymond said his client is seeking $4 million in damages. This isn't the first time 50 Cent has sued over his name or image. In July 2007, he filed a $1 million lawsuit accusing an Internet ad company of using his image without permission in a game called "Shoot the Rapper," in which players pretended to shoot him.
JANET'S 'MALFUNCTION' FINE OVERTURNED
July
The FCC's $550,000 indecency fine against CBS Corp. and its CBS stations for Janet Jackson's infamous 2004 "wardrobe malfunction" have been overturned by a U.S. appeals court. The three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Federal Communications Commission "acted arbitrarily and capriciously" in issuing the fine for the fleeting image of nudity. The judges also ruled that the FCC deviated from its long-held approach of applying identical standards to words and images when reviewing complaints of indecency, reports the Associated Press. In a statement, CBS said it hoped the decision "will lead the FCC to return to the policy of restrained indecency enforcement it followed for decades." "This is an important win for the entire broadcasting industry because it recognizes that there are rare instances, particularly during live programming, when it may not be possible to block unfortunate fleeting material, despite best efforts," the network said.
TUPAC'S JAGUAR ON EBAY
July
Tupac Shakur's 1995 green convertible Jaguar, which was featured in his video, "To Live & Die in L.A.," is being auctioned on the Web site eBay, with bids starting at $40,000, reports WENN. The seller, known only as gloluv0504, claims the vehicle has 16,055 miles. The winning bidder will receive the car's original papers complete with Pac's name and signature. The Jaguar XLS is currently located in Atlanta, Georgia - the city where Shakur's mother, Afeni, lives.
DMX INDICTED BY GRAND JURY
July
An Arizona grand jury has indicted rapper DMX on two felony counts that include theft and stealing someone's identity. He allegedly used a false name and social security number to get out of paying a $7,500 hospital bill in April, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. The 37-year-old, whose real name is Earl Simmons, is said to have tried to pass himself off as "Troy Jones" while undergoing treatment for pneumonia at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. In addition to the indictment, DMX was also recently arrested on an outstanding warrant at the Metrocenter mall in Phoenix, which makes the sixth arrest in three months for the Cradle 2 the Grave star.
NATALIE COLE DIAGNOSED WITH HEP C
July
There's sad news from Natalie Cole. E! reports that the second-generation Grammy winner has revealed that she was diagnosed with hepatitis C during a routine visit to the doctor, a disease she most likely contracted, her doctors say, as a result of past drug use. "I've been so fortunate to have learned so much from my past experiences," Cole said. "I am embraced by the love and support of my family and friends; I am committed to my belief in myself and in abiding faith to meet this challenge with a heartfelt optimism and determination. "This is how I intend to deal with this current challenge in my life." If that doesn't work, she can always lean on the shoulders of Pamela Anderson, Steven Tyler, Natasha Lyonne and Naomi Judd, all of whom have gone public, confirming they are afflicted with the liver disease typically spread through infected blood. Cole's doctors, meanwhile, say the 58-year-old is responding well to treatment, though she has "suffered significant side effects" including fatigue, muscle aches and dehydration. But, Dr. Graham Woolf, said, "she is recovering from these."
GAME SUED BY COUSIN OVER FUNERAL FIGHT
July
The Game has not only been accused of going back on a promise to pay for part of his cousin's funeral, but the rapper also allegedly got into a fight with another cousin following the actual service. Robert "Kirky" Kirkwood says his cousin The Game agreed to pay half of the $14,000 tab to bury Kirky's sister. But when it was time to pay up, Game was nowhere to be found - that is until the day of the funeral, when the rap star showed up to speak. Kirky said he stepped to The Game after the service to discuss the money situation. An altercation ensued and, according to TMZ, Kirky claims in a police report that the Compton M.C. punched him in the face.
NATE DOGG FACES FELONY CHARGES
July
Nate Dogg, 38, will face several felony charges in connection with the alleged stalking of his estranged wife, which included a car chase down a Los Angeles freeway. The singer, born Nathaniel Dwayne Hale, will be arraigned July 16 on felony counts of making criminal threats, stalking and a misdemeanor charge of driving while his license was suspended for a drunken driving violation. The charges stem from an incident where a woman identifying herself as Nate Dogg's wife called 911 from her vehicle to report that she was being chased by her husband on the 405 freeway. California Highway Patrol arrested and booked the singer on June 23. He was later released from the Twin Towers jail after posting a $50,000 bond. His attorney, Mark Geragos, said Tuesday he looked forward to defending his client in court. "Unfortunately he's had a tough year and we look forward to getting him through it," Geragos said, according to the Associated Press.
ANGER MANAGEMENT ADVISED FOR KANYE
July
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker says the team behind Kanye West has suggested he take anger management classes to become more attractive to potential advertisers. "A West insider tells me the entertainer's own management team dreamed up the idea, for two reasons: to help his personal psychological well-being and relationship with friends - and to aid him in snaring lucrative endorsement deals," Zwecker wrote in Thursday's edition. He said two major corporations (a cosmetics/fragrance firm and an automotive manufacturer) have shown interest in the rapper/producer as a spokesman, but they're worried about "how easy he'll be to work with." The source tells Zwecker: "Not only has Kanye estranged himself from some pretty important people in the music business, but his temper has driven away a number of longtime friends."
NICK AND MARIAH MARRIAGE TROUBLE?
July
OK! magazine is quoting an unnamed source who swears the two-month-old marriage of Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey is already in shambles, mostly due to arguments over her diva behavior. Word has it that Nick is not only running himself ragged trying to meet all of her demands, but she's reportedly put some restrictions on the kinds of jobs he can take. According to the source, Nick is no longer allowed to accept D-list jobs. In fact, she reportedly made him cancel his scheduled performance at a sweet sixteen party that he had booked before they got married. "Mariah needs to oversee and approve his career moves," said the source. "There are no more silly small-time gigs. She wants him to do big venues and projects. She definitely wears the pants in the relationship."
JAY-Z'S 40/40 IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
July
Some 20 workers for Jay-Z's 40/40 club in Manhattan are part of a class action lawsuit accusing the venue of forcing them to work for tips only, cheating them out of overtime and making them pay for breaks and spills as well as "walkouts." According to the New York Daily News, the lawsuit from past and present servers, bartenders and other workers was certified as "class action" Tuesday by Manhattan Federal Judge Loretta Preska. Hundreds of former 40/40 employees could also be eligible to collect if the current workers' win the trial, their attorney says. Preska said the workers' lawyers have made a "minimal" showing that the owners have violated federal wage and labor laws. "The record contains corroborating evidence of the allegations," Preska wrote.
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