Is Atlanic Records Trying to Take Lupe's Shine?

Fans are less than satisfied with Atlantic Records' promise that "Lasers is coming soon". Since July the We Want Lasers Petition has grown to just over 30,000 signatures, in an effort to persuade Atlantic executives to release the long awaited album from Lupe Fiasco featuring the hit single "Beamin". In addition to the thousands of fans signing the online petition, they have planned a protest against Atlantic Records, giving a whole new meaning to 'popular demand'. This Fiasco Friday is intended to be a massive demonstration demanding the rappers album to be released by October 15. Even uniforms of black tees, black shoes/boots, black shades and camouflage pants will be worn by the Chicago rapper's supporters. In appreciation for his fans, Lupe has hinted at his possible appearance at the Fiasco Friday, which will take place in front of the Atlantic Records building in New York. 


He posted the following on Twitter:

Fans will meet at the statue of William Tecumseh Sherman at 59th and 5th and will then march down to Atlantic's offices on 1290 Avenue of the Americas. 


Do YOU want Lupe's Lasers Album? Sign the petition! I Want Lasers!!!


Follow Lupe's blog LupeE.N.D. for more updates!
Trend Topics: #FiascoFriday #StayPhressh #WeWantLasers

UPDATE in Fashion

Over the weekend, Lil Kim and actress Meagan Goode took part in Charlotte's "Charlotte, North Carolina Fashion Week," where she debuted her new clothing line, 24/7 Star: Goddess Collection. The line consists of embroidered dresses, cat suits and other pieces

$laughda Muzik Ent's Midas Touch

JLz, a member of $laughda Muzik Entertainment group, seems to be an a lucky charm for the group. As a triple threat, JLz is a singer/songwriter, rapper and poet. Between shows, social networking and YouTube videos, the aspiring singer has generated some buzz about $laughda Muzik Ent.

Coming out of Long Beach, JLz is not only a very talented 'girl next door', she's also very successful. Her success as a singer is growing exponentially while her personal success in life is the same. Despite a rough start in her beginnings in Lynwood, JLz has been able to shine her starlight throughout what she calls a "struggling situation". Even though she loves animals, JLz had her eyes on a more lucrative career in medicine. She enrolled herself into United Education Institute (UEI) to become a Medical Assistant at only 19 years of age. She is currently a 2010 UEI graduate finishing with a 3.38 GPA and perfect attendance.  JLz will be really busy balancing both her music and her career, but she has decided to continue her studies.

Although she has her hands full with her new career in medicine, she still has time to entertain her fans and make new ones out of all who listen. "My dream is to be famous one day, but not for the money," says JLz. She wants "to give HOPE and a clear vision to those around the world with situations like mine." JLz urges people to 'believe and dream big'. Certainly this advice has done JLz some good. Many suspect that $laughda Muzik Ent. has made a wise choice in adding JLz to the group; stardom seems inevitable.

Check out her channel on YouTube here and follow up on JLz @MsJLzQueenJazz

Phressh Events...

Check out these events!


Los Angeles/Bay Area, CA
Friday 9/24
The Collective: Act II
@ Cicada (in celebration of the 2010 Black MBA Conference)
21+, Henessy Sponsored Open Bar 9-10p
INVITE ONLY!! 
RSVP@rkentertainmentgroup.com
Contact:  kenya1914@yahoo.com


Saturday 10/2
3rd Annual J.U.I.C.E. Hip Hop Dance Festival
@Ford Amphitheater
Early Bird Special- $20 (ends 9-25)
Full Price- $25, Students and children- $12


Sunday 10/3
Life is Living celebration
feat. the Turf Feinz, Estria Invitational Grafitti Battle and more....
@ DeFemery Park in Oakland
11a-8p, FREE


New York, NY
Saturday 9/25
The Hip Hop Theatre Festival presents
2v2 Bboy/girl Battle
@ Grand Street Settlement Bacon Center [Marta Valle School]
1p-7p $10 to Battle, viewers FREE


Friday 10/1-3
The Hip Hop Theatre Festival presents
One Voice: Poetry, Pedagogy,  and New Possibilities
@New York University
For more info go to urbanwordnyc.org or call 212.352.3495

The Grapevine: Ludacris, Soulja Boy, 50Cent, Chris Brown and more...

RUMOR HAS IT THAT...

...Chris Brown and Kim Kardashian are dating
...Ludacris corresponds via texts to a 15year old porn star
...Soulja Boy is caught having relations with Sidney Star, who's been reported to be trans-gender.


---Twitter Spotlight---

50Cent and Oprah the Dog 9/20/2010

Rapper 50Cent seems to have taken the pain out of Twitter. Between following up on T.I. and Tiny's case, promoting LaLa's full court wedding and settling rumors about him trash-talking Usher and Justin Bieber (I just got off the phone [with] usher and justin little ass holes he knows i didn't say anything about him. So tweet your little hearts out) he's still making music with hit producer Swizz Beats and maintaining an interesting social network life. Just for laughs, and probably a little more harmless trouble, 50 has posted pictures of toddler boys in front of risque photos of women and making adult gestures, angering Tweeters to whom he warns "for the last time if u aint 18 quit following me. This adult entertainment!"


In a recent post, 50 shows a Twit Pic of him and his dog Oprah Winfrey. After a post about buying a chinchilla comforter he jokes: "I broke her leg cause the peta people threw paint on m coat. Fuck that!" Followers of the rapper will see his dog's Twitter posts in response to the leg incident....yes, OprahTheDog has a Twitter: "he expects me to jump through hoops for a treat! sit..lay down...get my shoes..roll over.. play dead .. FUCK THIS!"


Follow: @50cent @OprahtheDog
Trend Topics: #stayphressh #mymusic #rumorhasit

Mashonda dishes about Swizz Beat's infidelity and new marriage

Swizz Beatz's ex-wife, Mashonda, takes to a magazine to expose the details of Swizz and Alicia Keys' relationship.

Super producer Swizz Beatz's ex-wife Mashonda Tifere recently took to the pages of Sister 2 Sister Magazine to air out some of Swizz and wife Alicia Keys' family business. Mashonda told the magazine that Swizz and Keys' relationship began right after the birth of their son while she was still married to the producer. She didn't hesitate to add the one reason she continues to talk about the issue: she hopes to assist other women in the same situation and help to deal with infidelity in a more positive manner than she was able to.

"We were married," she said. "Sleeping in the same bed and having sex every night while he was seeing Alicia. Okay? It was an affair. 100 percent. I don’t know why people want to change that rule so much. We had just had a kid, for crying out loud. Our child was 8 months. I found out about Alicia two days before my son turned 1. They had been doing their thing for months before that."

She added that, "People ask me why am I still talking about this and why don’t I just leave it alone. I’m like, this is going to help somebody. My story is a universal thing. This is not just something that only happened to me; this happens to women every day. Mine was just ugly. If I can help the next woman get through and be positive, then I’m going to talk about it."

Mashonda, Swizz Beat's ex-wife

Mashonda also said that Keys has been asking her son and Swizz's other child from prior relationships to call her "umi," which is "mommy" in Arabic. Mashonda says that she has no problem with Keys wanting to act as a step-mother to her son, but she feels that having him call her by that name could be unfair and confusing to the child. She also says that he has emailed Keys about the issue, but Keys has yet to respond.

"My son told me [that she told him to call her 'umi']," she explained. "I sent [Keys] an email and asked her to please respect what I am to him and it’s not right for her to think that is okay. She never replied. She doesn’t reply to me. She has never given me that respect...It is so unfair to the child.

Mashonda went on to compare Keys with the mother of Swizz's daughter who she claims acknowledges her, unlike Keys. Mashonda explained how Keys was fully aware of Swizz's marriage to MAshonda but continued to see him. "Swizz introduced me at prior events", says Mashonda. "They were signed to the same record company. She knew. And I emailed her and asked her to stop doing what she was doing and she disregarded me. Just like she disregarded me when I asked her to not have my son thinking it was okay to call her 'umi.'You’re not his umi. You just met my son."

Russell Simmons Sports His Lawsuit

Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons has filed a $55 million breach of contract lawsuit over his "American Classics By Russell Simmons" and "Russell Simmons Argyleculture" clothing brands.

According to Simmons, this is the first lawsuit he has ever had to file against a partner.

He claims Hong Kong-based apparel licensing company Li & Fung, USA was supposed to help the mogul market and distribute his flagship Argyleculture brand. Simmons states that Li & Fung USA "expressed a false enthusiasm" for his flagship brand in order to persuade the mogul into licensing them his mass market brand, American Classics by Russell Simmons.

"Almost 20 years ago I pioneered a space that enabled an entire generation of minority designers and entrepreneurs to redefine the landscape of fashion," Simmons said of the lawsuit. "Similarly today, there is an enormous void in the market to fulfill the aspirations of the Urban Graduate, who has grown out of this urban fashion trend but isn't represented by the mainstream brands…"

Simmons, after  reportedly waiting two years, Li & Fung USA failed to execute and offered no development or support for either of the brands, which brought about the legal maneuver.

"I have taken this action to protect my partnerships with retailers and recover millions in damages on behalf of my brands and to protect my name and reputation in the industry," Simmons said. "Over the last 30 years and with the help of numerous partners, I've built successful groundbreaking businesses in music, apparel, television, film, jewelry, games and multiple charities and causes. Not once have I ever had to file a lawsuit. For the first time in my career I found myself with a partner in Li & Fung, which had executives who willfully and repeatedly put the integrity of my brands at risk."

Palestinian Hip-Hop Artist Harassed At Airport

Saturday, September 4, 2010, in Ben Gurion Airport, Israel British-born Palestinian Hip Hop artist, Shadia Mansour was surrounded by airport security and "intelligence officers" armed with guns.

Ms. Mansour was told to return to her luggage after the usual baggage xray and multiple searches, when eight agents ran towards her, weapons drawn and pointed. As they aggressively kicked away her bags they surrounded her, with each of their guns pointed. Ms. Mansour was forced to stand in the same position for one hour in suspicion of a bomb being planted in her microphone which they had already had in their possession.

Ms. Mansour assured the agents the microphone was used for recording music and was then asked by an officer to sing her lyrics to him. The agents continued the "protocol" by asking who she worked for, who bought the microphone, and what does she sing about. Ms. Mansour was told, "We have found something planted in the microphone." All of this happened in front of bystanders in the airport.

Although standard for Palestinians to be strip searched upon departure of Israel, Ms Mansour was forced to lay down on her back as female agents aggressively searched her. Once the search was complete and fruitless, her the microphone was returned and Ms. Mansour was directed to her flight en route to London.

Ms. Mansour stated, "For a few minutes I really thought they were going to take my life, the way they handled the situation literally made me feel like I was an attempted suicide bomber that had just been captured or something". No legal action has yet been taken.

WTF Moment

Via Twitter: the new platform rappers use to harmlessly beef with each other

Soulja Boy: I wish that fab would quit copying my swag damn he a nut rider i swear man
(quickly deletes post)

Fabolous: Yooooo!!! Jus had another crazy dream @Souljaboy was talkin shit bout me on twitter but then i woke up & went to his page, its nothin there

Soulja Boy: I tell you what fabolous get yo weak ass on wax and spit them weak ass bars so I can shit on you boy

I will murder that nigga fab in a freestyle battle he garbage compared to soulja boy

WTF??? 

Does anyone notice that Soulja Boy referred to himself in the third person??

Willow Smith - Lil' Rhi-Rhi

Willow Smith is on her grown-up status with her new track “Whip My Hair.” Willkow's introduction to the music scene is a chic, club hit encouraging her fellow gals to snap their heads back and forth and to brush the haters off. Rhianna may be her fashion idol, but her sound initially is comparable to the icon herself. Despite this, the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith shows that she has style may have what it takes to rumble with the big girls—and her diamond swagger hasn’t gone unnoticed.

She’s already received a co-sign from Solange Knowles, known for her own experimental hairstyles.

“WIllow Smith make me wanna whip some haiiirrr in this house. Ummm kill em girl. Kill em!” she tweeted.


Download: Willow Smith – “Whip My Hair”

Big Bad 40 bka 40 Glocc Claims Crip Connections Are for Show

Rapper 40 Glocc has officially been banned from the Arbor Terrace Apartments in Colton, California.

The G-Unit affiliate testified in court in May, where he denied promoting gang activity or being a member of the Colton City Crips, which allegedly operates in "The Zoo", better known as the Arbor Terrace Apartments. The rapper argued his connection to the Colton City Crips was just for show.

The District Attorney's office claimed that crime increased in the area whenever 40 Glocc was present, because he was a "senior member of the gang who has been a rap star." The court agreed with three police officers who testified White was a gang member and loitered with other members as they packaged and sold drugs at the Apartments. Apparently, police officers investigated the rapper's influence on the area prior to the arrest.

In May, the rapper released a single and video titled “F**k The Police,” in response to the injunction, which was originally filed in 2008. 40 Glocc called out Colton police Cpl. Shawn McFarland and Colton police Sgt. Eric Miller by name on the track.

40 Glocc has repeatedly denied participating in gang activity and has stated that his videos are only meant for entertainment, in spite of the real life run-ins or disputes with rappers like Lil Wayne, Game and Plies.

Bonnie and Clyde?

T.I. and Tiny face conviction for possession

Will the popular newlyweds T.I. and Tameka "Tiny" Cottle spend the first year of marriage behind bars?

Police confirmed they found ecstasy on rapper T.I. when he was stopped in Los Angeles Wednesday, September 2.

After making an illegal U-turn on the Sunset Strip, T.I. was pulled over by the police, who said they found several pills directly on the rapper and his wife.

No drugs were found in the Maybch T.I. was driving according to police.

T.I. is currently in Atlanta, where he is expected to meet with his probation officer and the judge who sentenced him to a year in prison, for attempting to purchase machine guns and silencers prior to the BET Awards in 2007. His probation does not allow him to using or possessing illegal substances. It even rules against associating with anyone engaged in criminal activity.

Many in the hip hop world say that only Tiny should take the rap for him, which is more than likely just fans wanting to keep T.I. out of jail and out of trouble. Even 50 Cent has some questionable advice for the couple, delivered via Twitter. "Man TI and tiny done got picked up agin for methamphetamines and ecstacy," he wrote. "Dam manTiny gotta take that charge. Say it was yoursBaby."

T.I. and Tiny have been charged with possession of a controlled substance.

They were released early Thursday morning on $10,000 bail each. If convicted, both face up to a year in state prison.

NEW MUSIC!!

CHECK OUT THESE SINGLES!!!

*Lil Scrappy f. Pharrell: "The Grustle"

*K. Michelle f. Jim Jones & Meek Mill: "I Just Can't Do It" 

*Chris Brown f. Maino: "Deuces Rmx" 

*Fabolous: "Funkmaster Flex Freestyle " 

*Jean Grae: "Love Song Pt. 4" 

*Drag-On f. Terra Da Dude, Mr. Limp, KNS: "Ready Ready" 

*Big Sean f. Bun B: "Money & Sex" 

*Triple C's f. Rick Ross: "Walking on Water" 

*Cee-Lo: "ChamPain"

*Wiz Khalifa: "Black and Yellow [Prod. Stargate]"

* Lil Wayne f. Drake: "Right Above It"

*Kanye West f. Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz: "Power Rmx"

*Kid Cudi: "Mr. Rager"

*Lupe Fiasco: "Go To Sleep"

*Andre 3000: "I Do"

and here's....KANYE!! Busting out with new singles.

1. Kanye West f. Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross & Bon Iver: Monster
2. Kanye West f. Beyonce & Uncle Charlie Wilson: See Me Now
3. Kanye West f. Kid Cudi: Wylin' Cuz I'm Young

 

Go, Go Jerkin' Ranger$!!!

The #1 Jerk Dance Crew Has Resurfaced The Ranger$ With New Moves on Comcast’s How-To Series ‘Get Up And Dance’

The Ranger$ are making moves! Now on Comcast On Demand homes nationwide, The Ranger$ highlight their latetest moves in the “Get Up and Dance” instructional series, Jerkin’.  The L.A. born teens, 17 year-old Julian, and Day Day, Langston and Spotlight, all 16 years-old, have become number one, racking up over 36,000,000 video views and 150,000 followers via videos on YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and their own website.  The group has been featured with Snoop Dogg, Jay Z , New Boyz, The Bangs,  Baby Dollaz and Ciara.

Fans can now sneak a peek and learn the fantastic new choreography soon to be premiered in their upcoming tour.  These latest techniques, from the hot streets of L.A. , are broken down step-by-step by the Ranger$ themselves.  You can check them out here: Ranger$ on YouTube.

On Demand viewers will be able to learn The Spotty Shuffle with Spotlight, how to bring the love with Julian’s They Luv Me Dougie and even an ‘experts only’ dance Flip It Learn It.  Each of these high-energy videos feature unique moves and since each one is On Demand, viewers can go at their own pace and learn the moves anytime.  The service will be available free to Comcast’s more than 19 million Digital Cable homes across the country under Music > “Get Up and Dance” > Jerkin’.