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November 30, 2000 Body of Los Lobos Singer's Wife Found
The remains of a woman found buried in a rural canyon have been identified
as those of Sandra Rosas, the wife of Los Lobos lead singer, Cesar Rosas. As VIBE Online
previously reported, Gabriel Gomez was convicted in October for the kidnapping and murder
of his half-sister, Sandra Rosas. Rosas disappeared on October 23rd of last year while her
husband was touring in New Orleans. Her daughters told police that when they returned
home, they found the door open and broken glass from her van inside the driveway. Upon
calling Rosas' cell phone, one of the daughters claimed they heard Gomez in the background
saying, "You can never leave me. I'm going to make mad, passionate love to you. I'm
going to rape you. I'm going to strangle you." Her van was found several days later
with a mixture of blood from Rosas and Gomez, although her body was never recovered. Gomez
was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on November 16th. After
his sentencing, Gomez agreed to lead investigators to the remains, which were in shallow
grave outside of Los Angeles. After the decision last month, a tearful Cesar Rosas said,
"Gomez took away the center of my family. This helped us out a little bit. We just
kind of move on now. Gomez didn't just hurt me. He hurt hundreds of people. I felt like I
died."
Los Lobos first gained success in 1987 when they covered the music of Rock and Roll legend
Ritchie Valens in the movie La Bamba. The Grammy Award-winning band released their
box set, Mas Y Mas,on November 14th.
Ol' Dirty Bastard Captured
Hip hop star Ol' Dirty Bastard's month long stint on the run came to an end
on Monday when he was arrested trying to place an order at a McDonald's restaurant in
Philadelphia. Police had already intensified their search for him after he appeared with
his group, Wu-Tang Clan, last week at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. According to
reports, policewoman Rebecca Anderson spotted Ol' Dirty Bastard in a 1991 Mitsubishi
Galant with New Jersey license plates. Sgt. Mel Williams told the Philadelphia Daily
News, "She knew him from listening to his music, and knew he was wanted by
police. She stopped him and found out it was him." Police said the rap star did not
try to flee the arresting officer and is scheduled to appear at an extradition hearing on
Tuesday.
A bench warrant was issued for the rapper on October
17th after he ran away from a drug treatment facility. He escaped while he was being
transported from the Impact House rehabilitation facility in Pasadena, California to the
Los Angeles Criminal Courthouse to discuss his treatment program with the judge. A
"no bail" warrant was issued for the rapper, whose real name is Russell Jones.
The rapper had been living at the Impact House since June after serving six months for a
probation violation.
November 29, 2000Diana Ross and Others to Receive Heroes Award
The New York Chapter of the Recording Academy has selected B.B. King, Diana
Ross, Frank Military, Bernadette Peters, Phil Ramone, and the late Tito Puente as its 2000
Heroes Award recipients. The Heroes Awards honor outstanding individuals whose creative
talents and accomplishments cross all musical boundaries and who are integral to the
vitality of the music community. Heroes Awards are the highest honor bestowed by the New
York Chapter and recipients embody the high standards of excellence and integrity that the
Academy champions and promotes. Michael Greene, President/CEO of the Recording Academy
said, "The Heroes Awards continue to be one of the Recording Academy's most
prestigious events and is in the spirit of the New York Chapter's commitment to service
and education. We are delighted to recognize these very gifted individuals who are so
special and important to both the music community and the community at large. Each of them
have made extraordinary contributions to our culture through their endeavors and each has
recognized that their unique talents also come with responsibility to give something back
to the community."
The Heroes Awards have been given out for the past five years. This year's ceremony will
be held on December 5th at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York. Previous recipients have
included Mary J. Blige, L.L. Cool J., Salt 'N Pepa, Chuck D of Public Enemy, Michael
Bolton, and Carly Simon. For more information, call (212) 431-5227.
Mystikal to Shake Up Billboard Awards
The 2000 Billboard Music Awards will be held on December 5th at the MGM
Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Confirmed performers include Mystikal, N'SYNC, Ricky
Martin, and Destiny's Child. The awards will also feature appearances by Lil' Bow Wow,
Joe, Toni Braxton, Britney Spears, and 98º. Composer Randy Newman will be awarded
Billboard's Century Award. Newman is the ninth winner of the Century Award, an honor
bestowed annually to artists who have not been accorded the degree of serious homage their
ongoing achievements deserve. The Century Award is Billboard's highest honor. The
Billboard Music Awards are based on Billboard's definitive year-end charts and honor the
year's number one artists, albums, and songs as determined by the record-buying audience
and radio airplay statistics. The awards will also be broadcast live on Fox at 8 p.m. EST.
November 28, 2000Ossie Davis & Rubie Dee to Receive SAG Award
Veteran actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee have been selected to receive the
Life Achievement Award at the 7th annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. The award will
honor their career achievements and humanitarian accomplishments. SAG President William
Daniels said, "For more than half a century, together and individually, Ossie Davis
and Ruby Dee have enriched and transformed American life as brilliant actors, writers,
directors, producers and passionate advocates for social justice, human dignity and
creative excellence. Screen Actors Guild is proud to honor Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee's
acclaimed body of work, their philanthropic encouragement of performing artists, and their
courage to live their convictions. We are equally honored by their acceptance of this
award." The SAG Awards will be telecast live from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition
Center on Sunday, March 11, 2001, on Turner Network Television (TNT). The awards are
presented to actors by their peers for outstanding performances in motion pictures and on
primetime television. Recipients are determined by the Guild's 98,000 active members, who
cast their ballots in five film categories and eight television categories, including the
unique ensemble awards. These are the only acting awards voted entirely on by their peers.
Actors may be submitted for nomination for performances in 2000 by their producer, agent,
manager, or press representative with the actor's permission, or actors may submit
themselves. For information regarding the 7th Annual SAG Awards, call the awards office at
(323)-549-6707 or log on to www.sagawards.org. Madonna to Perform "Warm Up Show"
in the UK: Pop sensation Madonna will give a live performance on November 28th at London's
Brixton Academy. The concert will be free and is being viewed by the singer as a warm-up
show for a possible upcoming tour. Madonna said in a statement, "This is a chance for
me to get my feet wet on the stage again and a way to say thank you to an intimate group
of my fans for all their support over the years. It's a party that 3,000 people are
invited to and I am going to sing a few songs at my party." Singer Richard Ashcroft
and Scottish band Texas will open the show while Prodigy's Liam Howlett will DJ between
sets. The concert will also mark the singer's first performance in England in seven years.
Tickets for the performance will be given away by local radio stations. The concert will
also be webcast live at 3 p.m. EST at www.msn.co.uk. Madonna also recently performed at
similar show on November 5th at the Roseland Ballroom in New York. That show featured
opening performances by former hip hop star turned blues singer Everlast. Madonna's latest
album, Music, is certified double platinum and is currently ranked number 21on
Soundscan..
Eminem's Mom to Release Hip Hop Opus
Debbie Mathers-Briggs, the mother of hip hop star Eminem, answers her son's
public disses with her own EP, entitled ID-X. The three-song project includes a spoken
word track called "Dear Marshall" and two versions of her MCing debut, "Set
the Record Straight." The collaborative project also features rapper Lamar Weeden and
singer Jerome Frost.
The mother of the hip hop star filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit and a $1 million
civil lawsuit against the rapper. The lawsuits are based on the rapper's statements in
magazines that his mother was addicted to drugs and had a history of suing people. In
June, Eminem turned down her offer for a $2 million settlement. Fred Gibson, the attorney
representing Eminem's mother, Debbie Mathers-Briggs, told The Detroit News,
"He made it clear that he'd rather pay his attorneys $100,000 and make sure she
doesn't get a dime."
November 27, 2000DJ Screw Suffers Fatal Heart Attack
Renowned Houston, Texas turntabilist DJ Screw died on Thursday from a heart
attack at the age of 30. To those unfamiliar with DJ Screw, born Robert E. Davis, Jr.,
imagine a New York mix tape - slowed down almost to the point where it sounds like it's
dragging - with fierce scratching, chopping, and freestyles. As the pioneer and inventor
of this subculture of hip hop, DJ Screw affected many industry artists such as Spice 1,
C-Bo, Master P, U.G.K., Three-Six Mafia, and most recently Outkast. He leaves behind a
stable of artists known as the Screwed Up Click whom were raised and groomed in his home
studio called the Screw House (which was later renamed "The Screw Shop"). Big
Hawk, a veteran of the Screwed Up Click, and nationally known for his appearance on Lil
Troy's "Wanna Be a Baller," said, "Screw was a loving person and would give
his shirt to anybody. He made everything possible for upcoming Houston artists, but most
of all, Screw felt like no one owed him for his efforts."
Gameface Records recording artist Lil' O echoed the thoughts of Big Hawk and added,
"Not only was he an inventor of an era and a movement, he was a champion for the
H-town underground scene. He created an outlet for upcoming local artists who received no
support from the radio stations to be heard, and in the process made superstars out of
us." Lil' O was also formerly signed to MCA Records and had the national hit
"Can't Stop," which also featured Destiny's Child and marked their first
national appearance..
Ol' Dirty Bastard Live and Uncut: Return of ODB!
The open bar wasn't the only treat for fans and industry heads who attended
Wu-Tang Clan's album release party for The W last night at New York's Hammerstein
Ballroom. While Method Man, Inspectah Deck, RZA, GZA, U-God, Masta Killah, Ghostface
Killah, and Raekwon got the crowd open performing new material from the album such as
"The Jumpoff" and "Chamber Music," none other than Ol' Dirty Bastard
made a cameo appearance performing such classics with his brethren as "Shimmy, Shimmy
Ya," and "Shame on a Nigga." Not only was the crowd surprised, but the
members of the Wu were all in amazement as they took turns showing their love by hugging
ODB.
"I can't stay on the stage too long tonight; the cops is after me," said ODB
excitedly. "You know, the whole fuckin' world is after me. Y'all know, I'm still
surrounded."
Ol' Dirty Bastard, whose real name is Russell Jones, is wanted in California by
authorities for escaping a drug rehabilitation program that he was ordered to attend the
court's orders. The rapper also has a long history of run-ins with the law, including
being arrested with crack.
Dressed in a bright orange coat with a fur-lined hood, black jeans, Timbaland boots, and
glasses, clutching a bottle of champagne in his hand during his entire performance, he
appeared to be doing better. Unlike many of ODB's previous performances where he was
suspected of being under the influence of drugs, ODB was rather subdued and managed to
remember his lyrics. However, just as ODB brought the house down, he told the RZA that he
had to leave before the police arrived at the scene, made it known to the crowd that he
can appear anywhere without any given notice, and assured them that he was doing well .
RZA then informed the crowd that they were witnessing history in the making being that the
Clan had not all been together in one place for three years.
Despite ODB stealing the show, Ghostface got the crowd amped when he performed
"Chezchez La Ghost." Meanwhile, Raekwon took the audience back when he performed
"C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)." Other cameo appearances that
helped round out the performances last night came from Redman, who teamed up with Meth to
perform "Da Rockwilder" from their Blackout LP, and Junior Reid, who
blazed "One Nation Under W" with Masta Killah.
November 21, 2000Mary J. Blige Converses with Ed Gordon
Soulful sensation Mary J. Blige will be the featured guest on the season
premier of Converstion with Ed Gordon. Blige will candidly discuss a number of
personal issues including contemplating suicide, her battle with drugs, her music career,
and being involved in abusive relationships. During an excerpt from the interview, Blige
said, "The lowest point was during the My Life album. That was the most drugs
I had probably consumed in my body in my entire life and it was all over a
relationship, just a lack of love from my camp . . . the MY Life album was my
lowest point; around Share My World . . . it just got a little darker, darker,
darker, and then one day, you know, the light came. God sent somebody to help me, you
know, and I left everybody behind."
Converstaion with Ed Gordon will air on BET on November 21st at 10 p.m. EST/PST.
Gordon has previously conducted one-on-one interview shows with President Bill Clinton,
Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Oprah Winfrey, and Magic Johnson..
Kid Rock Sidekick Joe C Dies From Intestinal Disorder
Joe Calleja, who was better known as Joe C., a member of Kid Rock's Twisted
Brown Trucker band, passed away on Thursday night in his sleep while at home in Taylor,
Michigan. The 26-year old entertainer suffered from Celiac disease, an intestinal disorder
that was the cause of his stunted growth. He was diagnosed with the disease at birth. Joe
C. made his recording debut in 1998 on Kid Rock's multi-platinum album, Devil Without a
Cause and also made a solo performance on the soundtrack to the film, South Park:
Bigger, Longer & Uncut.
Kid Rock addressed the death of his friend, stating, "On behalf of myself and Twisted
Brown Trucker, family and friends are everything; without them, all of the fame and
fortune means nothing. We have lost part of our family. Joey gave us and the world his
love. He brought a smile to everyone who has ever known or seen him. In a world full of
confusion, Joey made all of us laugh. No matter what color, religion, race, or beliefs we
have, he made us all smile. He gave us the gift of joy. Joey, thank you. We will never
forget you. We love you."
November 20, 2000Jay-Z and DMX to Release 3-D Animated Music Videos
Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan's Digital Hip-Hop, a joint venture with
Brilliant Digital Entertainment, has signed a production agreement with Island Def Jam
Music Group to produce interactive, 3-D animated music videos with some of the label's
artists including Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja- Rule. Simmons, Lathan, and Brilliant Digital
Entertainment established Digital Hip Hop as a joint venture studio for the creation of
Internet content. The studio will produce and distribute full screen music content for
deployment on the Web. Brilliant Digital Entertainment also has established online
partnerships with VH-1, Yahoo!, Warner Bros., On-line, Excite@Home, Roadrunner, USA
Networks, and Lycos.
Regarding the joint venture agreement with Digital Hip-Hop, Simmons stated, "Stan and
I chose to work with Brilliant Digital because they're well established, and they're
leaders in the development of 3D animation. Marrying their technology with our creative
team will put us firmly in the center of Young American Culture. We intend to create the
animated heroes of the future."
Lathan added, "Digital Hip-Hop will offer users on the Internet a new level of
participation by allowing them to move and interact in a breathtaking 3-D environment. The
Brilliant Digital technology also allows us to render material at a quality suitable for
Broadcast Television."
Digital Hip Hop will begin production on the following soon-to-be-released Island Def Jam
titles: Ja Rule's "6 Feet Underground," DMX's "Good Girls, Bad Boys"
and Jay-Z's "You, Me, Him and Her." The format for these videos will include the
standard 3-D animation with interactivity in fluid, real-time streaming audio and video
with additional e-commerce and promotional components..
Eminem Nominated for Two AMAs
Hip hop star Eminem has been nominated for "Best Pop/Rock Favorite
Male Artist" and "Rap/Hip Hop Favorite Artist" at next year's American
Music Awards. Toni Braxton also received several nominations including "Soul/R&B
Favorite Female Artist" and "Soul/R&B Favorite Album" for her latest
project The Heat. The 28th annual American Music Awards will be held on January 8th
at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony will be broadcast on ABC
and will be hosted by pop superstar Britney Spears. Spears is also nominated for
"Pop/Rock Favorite Female Artist" and "Favorite Album" for her LP Oops! I
Did It Again. Other nominees include N'SYNC, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Price, Sisqo,
and Jagged Edge. Sisqo's Unleash the Dragon was also nominated for "Favorite
Soul/R&B Album." For more information on the American Music Awards and the
complete list of winners, log on to www.abc.go.com/primetime/ama/nominee_home.html.
November 18, 2000Scarface to Take "Last of a Dying Breed" on the Road
Hip hop veteran Scarface is scheduled to embark on a winter tour, which
will kick off on November 16th at the Ritz in Cincinnati, Ohio. The tour will also feature
stops in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago as well as several House of Blues theatres.
Scarface recently released his sixth album, Last of a Dying Breed, in October,
which features collaborations with Jay-Z, UGK, and Too Short. The album is already
certified gold and is currently ranked at number 42 on Soundscan. Scarface is also
president of Def Jam South. The record label released its first artist Ludacris last
month. Ludacris' album, Back For the First Time, features the hit single
"What's Your Fantasy" and has also been certified gold. For more information on
Scarface and Ludacris, log on to www.rapalotrecords.com or www.defjam.com. Here is
Scarface's tour itinerary:
11/18 Columbus, OH Studio 69
11/19 New York, NY SOB's
11/25 Greenville, SC The Millenium
11/26 Miami Beach, FL Crystal Nightclub
11/30 Memphis, TN TBA
12/1 St. Louis, MO TBA
12/3 Dallas, TX Club Phenomenon
12/4 New Orleans, LA TBA
12/8 San Antonio, TX TBA
12/9 Oklahoma City, OK Club 2000
12/11 Kansas City, KS TBA
12/13 Chicago, IL House of Blues
12/15 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
12/21 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues.
Smokey Robinson to Host Soul Train Christmas StarFest
The third annual Soul Train Christmas StarFest will be held on Monday,
November 20th at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in California. The star-studded event
will be hosted by Smokey Robinson, Yolanda Adams, and Shemar Moore. Aretha Franklin, Lou
Rawls, Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, Monica, and Rachelle Ferrell are some of the artists
scheduled to perform. In addition, Snoop Dogg, Peabo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborne and Donnie
McClurkin will sing some of their favorite holiday tunes. The Soul Train Christmas
StarFest will also feature a number of prominent surprise musical and non-musical guests.
Tribune Entertainment Company will broadcast the special, which will run in syndication
from December 2nd through 17th. For more information, log on to www.soultraintv.com.
November 17, 2000Snoop Dogg and Tyrese Involved in Baby Mama Drama?
Hip hop star Snoop Dogg is currently in negotiations to star in director
John Singleton's forthcoming film Baby Boy. The film has already cast R&B
singer Tyrese, Ving Rhames, and Omar Gooding and is scheduled to start production next
month in Los Angeles' Crenshaw District with a budget of $15 million. Baby Boy
tells the story of Jody (Tyrese), an unemployed young black man, who's been living with
his mother for several years, even though he's got a child of his own. Jody's matters are
further complicated as he is romantically involved with his baby's mother and a new love
interest. Gooding will play Jody's brother Sweet Pea, an ex-convict who is having a hard
time adjusting to life outside of prison. Snoop is in negotiations to play a love interest
of Jody's baby's mother. In related news, Snoop is scheduled to release his seventh album,
The Last Meal, on December 19th..
Whitney Houston to Perform at Paul Robeson Tribute
R&B superstar Whitney Houston will perform at a tribute on November
28th in memory of actor and singer Paul Robeson. Houston will pay homage to the late
trailblazer by singing "I Loves You, Porgy," from the musical "Porgy and
Bess," which also starred Robeson. The concert will be held at the New Jersey
Performing Arts Center in Newark and will also include performances by Houston's husband
Bobby Brown and her mother Cissy. Other entertainers scheduled to take part in the event
include Gregory Hines, Avery Brooks, Melba Moore, James Earl Jones, and Ossie Davis. The
multi-talented Robeson died in 1976. The Princeton graduate's accomplishments outside of
the arts include being a humanitarian and a civil rights activist. The "Voice of the
Millennium" award will also be bestowed upon the late entertainer at the ceremony,
which will be accepted by his son Paul Robeson, Jr. Tickets for the event will range from
$75 to $1,000. Proceeds from the event will benefit inner city students at Newark's
Rutgers University and Princeton and the Paul Robeson Foundation, which teaches people
about the accomplished artist. For more information call, (201) 659-4901 or (888)
466-5722.
November 16, 2000Jazz Musician Vernel Fournier Dies
Jazz musician Vernel Fournier died last Saturday in Jackson, Mississippi
following complications from a recent stroke. The New Orleans native was considered one of
the premier brush drummers in the world and performed with such jazz greats as Charlie
Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ahmad Jamal. Brush drummers use splayed wire bristles to
create swishing sounds that are smoother than those produced by traditional wooden
drumsticks.
Alvin Fielder, an internationally recognized jazz drummer and longtime friend of Fournier,
said, "He was such a fluid player. He played beautiful brushes and with the brushes
he was totally self-taught. All the other drummers would just go by and watch him in
awe."
Fournier started playing drums at the age of 10 and took lessons in New Orleans' historic
French Quarter. He first came to national attention in 1950 as a drummer in the Ahmad
Jamal Trio. He is best remembered for his quasi-rhumba beat on the trio's hit
"Poinciana."
In the 1960s, Fournier moved to New York where he played and taught jazz for some 30 years
until a debilitating stroke damaged his spine in 1994 and left him unable to play the
drums. Fournier moved to Madison County, Mississippi, in 1998 where he worked with student
musicians. The 72-year-old musician was buried on Tuesday..
Tiger Woods Fined by SAG
The Screen Actors Guild fined golf superstar Tiger Woods $100,000 for
shooting a non-union commercial during the union's strike against the advertising
industry. The decision was rendered after a three-day trail hearing by the SAG board in
which Woods participated via telephone. However, they suspended $50,000 of the fine, which
will be reinstated if he performs any scab work during the next five years. Woods
reportedly makes $80 million a year alone endorsing Nike, so the fine shouldn't be a
problem. Woods was previously considered a hero to the union when he refused to shoot a
commercial for Nike during the strike, but later went ahead and shot a Buick car
commercial. During the time of the infraction, Woods said, "I have relationships to
uphold with my sponsors who have supported me over the years. This is no way a stance
against the union." SAG and the American Federation of Television and Radio
Artists (AFTRA) reached a tentative agreement with advertisers ending their six-month
strike in October.
November 15, 2000Life Goes On for Dawn Robinson
Songstress Dawn Robinson was replaced in the R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl
on Tuesday by R&B singer Joi. Robinson recently spoke to VIBE about her unexpected
firing and her upcoming solo album on Q Records.
"From the very beginning, I always said that I was gonna do a solo project when Lucy
Pearl kind of died down," said Robinson. "I'm not shocked about me leaving
because they all knew that, and everybody understood it. In fact, we all agreed that we
would still focus on our various solo projects. Ali was working on a compilation and
producing with Faith Evans and Raphael was gonna be working on his solo project, too. But
what I am shocked about is Joi replacing me. That one blew me away. That was a big blow to
me yesterday. And I just found out like everybody else in the press. When it happened, my
mother had read it on the website and then I just started getting calls from people, like
'what's going on? Who is Joi?' And I was like, 'Oh my god.' That blew me away because they
could have at least just called me and said that they were gonna do that."
Robinson was also hurt about not being called personally or being talked to about the
group's decision. She stated, "It's a little dirty. It's not cool at all. I'm moving
on though to do my solo thing and I'll be okay again. I really don't have anything to say
unless they have words for me. It's like your girl has someone behind your back and then
all of a sudden she wants to talk to you and tell you why she did it. What can you say to
me? You guys go ahead. More power and God bless you and I wish the best for them, and I
mean that with my heart because I would want them to feel the same way for me. If they
call me, I'll take their calls but it's not really much they can say."
She also expressed love for the group and the creative freedom it allowed her to pursue.
"Lucy Pearl gave me more credibility as an artist than being part of En Vogue,"
said Robinson. "I had credibility as a writer and it allowed me to see the freedom
that I could have as an artist."
Robinson is currently working on her solo album. She talked about her forthcoming project,
saying, "It will definitely have a lot of the same flavor that was on the Lucy Pearl
project because Jake and the Phat Man, who produced some of the work on that Lucy Pearl
project, are on the album. In fact, I brought them to the Lucy Pearl project." The
untitled set is scheduled to be released next spring. Robinson also hopes to collaborate
with Maxwell, the Neptunes, Erick Sermon, Timbaland, and Method Man on the project.
Lucy Pearl, which was comprised of Ali Shaheed Muhammad, formerly of A Tribe Called Quest,
Raphael Saadiq, formerly of Tony Tone Toni, and Robinson, the former lead singer of En
Vogue, released their gold self-titled debut in May. The new installment of the group with
Joi will shoot a video for their latest single, "You," on November 12th-13th.
The song also features Snoop Dogg and Q-Tip..
Puffy Gets New Trial Date
Sean "Puffy" Combs' trial for bribery and gun possession charges
was recently changed to January 8, 2001 from its previous scheduled date January 2, 2001.
As VIBE Online previously reported, the charges stem from the alleged shooting that
occurred when a man allegedly insulted the rap mogul and threw money in his face. Bad Boy
Records rapper Shyne, whose real name is Jamal Barrows, then allegedly opened fire hitting
three innocent victims. The entourage, which included Puffy's girlfriend Jennifer Lopez,
bodyguard Anthony "Wolf" Jones, and limousine driver Wardel Fenderson, then fled
the scene.
Puffy previously plead not guilty to charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the
second and third degree and bribing a witness for his involvement in the meleé. Shyne was
charged with attempted murder in the incident. According to New York District Attorney
Matthew Bogdanos, Puffy's bribery charge stemmed from the rapper offering Fenderson a
pinky ring, estimated to be worth between $40,000-$50,000, as collateral to take the
charge. The incident is alleged to have happened in the squad room of a police precinct
surrounded by officers. The gun charges stem from Puffy and Jones allegedly trying to
stash guns in a hidden compartment that they couldn't open when Combs tossed the guns out
of the window. No reason was given for the change.
November 14, 2000Patrick Ewing Offers Alonzo Mourning His Kidney
Seattle Supersonics Center Patrick Ewing has offered to donate one of his
kidneys to Alonzo Mourning if the ailing Miami Heat center ever needs a transplant. The
NBA basketball star was diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis, a common kidney disease,
which is forcing him to miss this season. The disease was discovered during a routine
physical after Mourning returned from leading the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in
Australia. The ailment will initially be treated with medication, but could eventually
require dialysis or a transplant.
Ewing stated on Tuesday as Seattle prepared to play Miami, "You know I will always be
there for him. If my kidney matches, I'll be happy to donate one. If it comes down to
that. He knows that." Ewing and Mourning both played at Georgetown University and
remain close friends despite their fierce NBA battles. They work out together during the
off season and Ewing is the godfather to Mourning's newborn daughter Myka Sydney..
Two Top Executives at BMG Resign
BMG Entertainment announced today that Strauss Zelnick will resign as the
company's President and CEO, effective December 31, 2000. He joined BMG in January 1995 as
President and CEO of the company's North American business unit and was named President
and CEO of BMG Entertainment in July 1998. In addition to Zelnick, Michael Dornemann,
executive board member in charge of BMG Entertainment, has also decided to step down from
the Bertelsmann executive board. Zelnick and Dornemann were said to be unhappy with the
company's move to restructure their positions and diminish BMG Entertainment's oversight
in the television and Internet areas.
The two were also highly criticized earlier this year when they forced Clive Davis out of
the top position at Arista Records. Rudi Gassner, former head of BMG's overseas division,
will replace both Zelnick and Dornemann and has been named chairman and chief executive.
However, Gassner is believed to be only an interim choice because he is 57 years old and
Bertelsmann has a mandatory retirement age of 60 for senior executives.
Zelnick, who held his position for five years, is expected to receive a severance package
estimated at between $20 million and $50 million. His resignation will become effective on
December 31st, 200o while Dornemann will remain in his role as chairman until the end of
BMG's fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2001. BMG 's musical roster includes such
superstars as Whitney Houston, Sean "Puffy" Combs, the Backstreet Boys, and
Santana.
November 13, 2000Master P Sued by Bank One
According to the Associted Press, a Louisiana branch of Bank One
Corporation is suing Master P, claiming the rap artist owes $739,000 on a line of credit
secured last year. The lawsuit was filed last month and claims that Master P, whose real
name is Percy Miller, has fallen behind repaying a promissory note made by the bank in May
1999. Master P allegedly took out the loan to restructure his multi-million dollar record
label, No Limit. The rapper also has investments in real estate, sports management, and
fashion. In related news, Master P is also scheduled to release his latest album, Ghetto
Postage, on November 28th. The video for the first single, "Souljas," is
also fully animated. For more information on the hip hop mogul and to see the new video,
log on to www.ghettopostage.com.
Dawn Robinson Exits Lucy Pearl
R&B songstress Dawn Robinson has left the super group Lucy Pearl. Lucy
Pearl, which was comprised of Ali Shaheed Muhammad, formerly of A Tribe Called Quest,
Raphael Saadiq, formerly of Tony Tone Toni, and the former lead singer of En Vogue,
released their self-titled debut in May. Robinson has been replaced by soulful singer Joi,
although no reason was given for the change.
Joi's critically acclaimed debut, The Pendelum Vibe, was released in 1993, while
her underground LP, Amoeba Cleansing Syndrome, surfaced in 1997. She has worked
with well-known producers such as Dallas Austin and Organized Noize and has made numerous
appearances on albums by OutKast and the Goodie Mob. She is also scheduled to release
another solo album next year on Universal Records and is married to rapper Big Gipp of the
Goodie Mob.
Lucy Pearl's album has since been certified gold. The new installment of the group will
shoot a video for their latest single, "You," on November 12th-13th. The song
also features Snoop Dogg and Q-Tip.
November 12, 2000Oprah Winfrey Continues Reign as Talk Show Queen
Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has signed a two-year contract with Viacom to
continue her daytime talk program, "The Oprah Winfrey Show." "The Oprah
Winfrey Show" has been the top-rated syndicated talk show for the past decade except
for a brief period when Jerry Springer ruled the airwaves. The show has been running for
15 years and will continue through 2004.
King World's Roger King told Reuters,"We've been talking for months and months
and really it was her decision and we proceeded from there. But she's very positive about
her show. It's very inspirational, it makes lots of money for stations, and it's a great
news lead-in. It's great television for the country."
Winfrey said, "I am finally at a point in my life where I'm doing the kind of shows
I've always wanted to do; Helping people to see themselves more clearly and to make
choices that lead to more fulfilled lives."
The Pharcyde Deliver "Plain Rap"
The Pharcyde makes their return this week with the release of third album, Plain
Rap. Although Fat Lip is no longer in the fold, Tre, Imani, and Booty Brown are
already making noise with the first single, "Trust." Imani spoke about the
latest album and Fat Lip's departure stating, "It's still The Pharcyde, it's just the
new side of the Phar.... There's a lot of doubt surrounding this group, but this album
will answer their questions. I know people want the four of us, but if they focus on the
music and not the drama, they'll be happy with it."
The Pharcyde also collaborated with Sadat X as well as Black Thought of the Roots on the
track "Network. Imani spoke of collaborating with Black Thought, stating, "It's
hella cool that we hooked up for that track because we've known him forever, and he had
been puttin' it down for a while. We were doing this show at the House of Blues and he
came through. We went to the studio at like 2 a.m. that night and recorded it, and he
laced it."
The group is also currently on tour and their schedule includes stops in New York,
California, Philadelphia, and Boston. For more information on the Pharcyde and their
upcoming tour dates, log on to www.thephaycyde.com. Here is the track listing for Plain
Rap.
1. Trust
2. Network
3. Somethin'
4. Misery
5. Blaze
6. Rush
7. Guestlist
8. Evolution
9. Frontline
10. World
11. Trust (Remix)
November 11, 2000Michael Jackson's "Thriller" Certified 26-Times Platinum
Michael Jackson's classic album Thriller was certified 26-times
platinum on Tuesday. Thriller is now tied with The Eagles' Their Greatest Hits
1971-1975 as the best-selling album of all time. In addition, Jackson's 1997 release, Blood
on the Dance Floor: History in the Mix, was certified platinum for sales of one
million copies, bringing Jackson's cumulative album sales to 56 million. Recording
Industry Association of America (RIAA) President and CEO, Hilary Rosen, said, "There
are very few records left for Michael to break and we're truly excited to continue to
reward this classic album with much deserved praise. Michael is and will always be the
'King of Pop.'" The RIAA certifies Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum, and Diamond sales
awards.
In addition, Tupac Shakur's Greatest Hits was also certified nine-times platinum
while Toni Braxton's sophomore album, Secrets, has sold eight million copies. Her
latest album, The Heat, was also certified double-platinum. Here is a list of some
of the latest artists to achieve platinum success:
26-Times Platinum
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Nine-Times Platinum
Tupac Shakur - Greatest Hits
Eight-Times Platinum
Toni Braxton - Secrets
Quadruple Platinum
Nelly - Country Grammar
The Beatles - Hard Day's Night
Double Platinum Madonna - Music
Mary J. Blige - Mary
Toni Braxton - The Heat
George Michael - Ladies and Gentlemen, the Best of George Michael
Platinum
Mystikal - Let's Get Ready
Michael Jackson - Blood on the Dance Floor: History in the Mix
Baha Men - Who Let the Dogs Out
Snoop Dogg - Snoop Dogg Presents Tha Eastsidaz
Robbie Williams Donates Bone Marrow
British pop star Robbie Williams announced last Wednesday that he has
offered to donate his bone marrow to save the life of a fan who needs a transplant. The
singer stated that he was moved by the plight of 23-year old Johanna Mac Vicar and signed
up as a donor after discovering that a transplant from a complete stranger could save her.
He stated in a press release, "I can't believe how easy it is to join the register.
Since meeting Johanna, she explained to me the process and if I can help save
somebody's life that easily, then count me in." He also invited Mac Vicar to one of
his concerts and gave her a shirt to donate to an auction for a bone marrow charity. After
the meeting, Mac Vicar said, "Robbie is a remarkably down to earth guy with a heart
of gold, and I will be eternally grateful."
November 10, 2000Suge Knight to Be Paroled?
According to MTV News, Death Row Records' incarcerated CEO Marion
"Suge" Knight could be released from prison in April. Knight, who has been
incarcerated since 1997, has been serving nearly four years of a nine-year prison
sentence. He was sentenced for violating probation after his involvement in a 1996 brawl
in the lobby of Las Vegas' MGM Grand Hotel. Knight was videotaped kicking Orlando Anderson
during a brawl following the Bruce Selden and Mike Tyson fight. At the time of the fight,
Knight was on probation for assaulting two rappers in 1992. Rapper Tupac Shakur was also
murdered later that night in what many believe was a retaliatory act. California law makes
Knight eligible for early release after serving at least half of his sentence, but he must
exhibit good behavior and work or attend school while in prison.
In related news, Knight recently established the Prisoner Appeal Fund. The charity will
make funding available each year to allow one person within the Federal system and one
person within the State system to mount an appeal. It will also assist them in obtaining
the services of and payments for an attorney and a support system to represent his/her
case to an Appeals Board.
Knight will set aside proceeds from the sales of Death Row's latest release, Too
Gangsta for Radio, for the fund. Death Row also recently released a new Snoop Dogg
album entitled Dead Man Walkin'. For further information on the Death Row Prisoner
Appeal Fund, write to:
Death Row Prisoner Appeal Fund
8306 Wilshire Blvd. -- Suite 2569
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Taye Diggs Takes on "Ally McBeal"
Actor Taye Diggs will have a recurring role this season on Fox's comedic
drama "Ally McBeal." He will appear on six episodes of the show, although his
role has not yet been disclosed. "Ally McBeal" stars Calista Flockhart as a
young female lawyer dealing with the ironies of life, love, and the law. The program airs
on Monday nights and also stars Lisa Nicole Carson, Robert Downey, Jr., and Lucy Liu.
Diggs will begin filming his role next month and his episodes are expected to air in
January. His last film, The Way of the Gun, was released in September. He has also
appeared in such films as The Wood, The Best Man, and How Stella Got Her
Groove Back.
November 9, 2000D'Angelo Nominated for Billboard Video Music Award
The Billboard Music Video Awards will be held on November 10th at the
Universal Hilton in Universal City, California. The awards show is the grand finale of the
2000 Billboard Music Video Conference, which will be held from November 8th-10th. This
year's awards will feature ten musical categories: contemporary Christian, country, dance,
hard rock, jazz/AC, modern rock, pop, R&B, rap/hip hop, and Latin. Nominees in the
various categories include D'Angelo, Carl Thomas, Eminem, and Aaliyah. The awards will be
hosted by former NBA star John Salley. Salley also hosts BET's late night talk show,
"BET Live." For the complete list of winners, log on to www.billboard.com.
Britney Spears to Host American Music Awards
Britney Spears will host The 28th Annual American Music Awards on January
8th at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Although it is still unknown
whether Spears will perform at the show, nominees will be announced on November 13th. The
awards will also be broadcast live on ABC. Spears won "Favorite New Artist" at
last year's presentation.
In related news, Spears' sophomore album, Oops! I Did It Again, is currently
ranked at 11 on Soundscan. She is also featured on the Yuletide album, Platinum
Christmas, which is scheduled to be released on November 14th. The album will feature
Christmas songs by such artists as R. Kelly, N'SYNC, and the Backstreet Boys.
November 8, 2000Eminem Loses Notebook with D-12 Lyrics
Hip hop star Eminem lost his notebook with lyrics for his forthcoming album
with D-12 last Friday while on a Delta Airlines flight from Cincinnati, Ohio to New
Orleans, Louisiana. According to his publicist, the notebook was last seen inside an
airport shopping bag along with a Discman and several CDs. The notebook was also adorned
with a picture of his arch nemesis, pop star Britney Spears. D-12 is comprised of Eminem
and several other rappers from Detroit. Their album is scheduled to be released early next
year, while their first single, "Shit on You," is currently in stores now. The
single's B-side includes the song "I Remember," on which he disses former House
of Pain rapper-turned-bluesman Everlast. Anyone with information on the notebook is asked
to call 1-888-311-4343 or send an e-mail to found@eminem.com. The rapper is also offering
a cash reward and a chance to meet him in exchange for the return of the notebook.
Whitney Houston's Marijuana Charges May Be Dropped
According to Whitney Houston's lawyer, the pop star's marijuana possession
charges will be dismissed in three months if she meets certain probation-like conditions.
An airport employee in Hawaii seized Houston's bag in January after it allegedly contained
15.2 grams of marijuana. Since airport security doesn't have the authority to detain
people, the pop diva was not arrested. She then left the bag and boarded a flight with her
husband Bobby Brown to San Francisco, California before police arrived.
Honolulu attorney Brook Hart and attorneys from Houston's home state of New Jersey
appeared on her behalf at a hearing on Thursday in the state's district court in Kona,
Hawaii, though the singer was not present. Judge Joseph Florendo agreed to delay
acceptance of a no-contest plea on the singer's behalf until three months from now under a
process allowed by state law. Hart stated that if Houston meets certain undisclosed
conditions during that time, the case will be erased from her record. In general, to have
a case dismissed under this process, a defendant must stay out of legal trouble and abide
by other restrictions similar to probation. The marijuana possession charge is punishable
by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
November 7, 2000Viacom Buys BET
Viacom Inc. and BET Holdings II, Inc. jointly announced on last Thursday
that Viacom has agreed to acquire BET for a total of $3 billion. Robert L. Johnson,
Chairman and majority owner of BET Holdings, and founder of Black Entertainment
Television, will remain Chairman and CEO. He will report to Viacom President and Chief
Operating Officer Mel Karmazin. Debra Lee, BET President and Chief Operating Officer, will
also continue in that role following the completion of the transaction, which is expected
to occur early next year. The transaction includes such BET properties as BET on Jazz: The
Cable Jazz Channel, BET Pictures II, BET.com, and BET Books. Viacom also owns such media
outlets as MTV, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Blockbuster, and UPN.
Sumner M. Redstone, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom, said in statement,
"The addition of Black Entertainment Television and the other leading BET cable
networks and online operations, along with the extraordinary managerial talent of Bob
Johnson and his team, is a significant milestone for Viacom. This transaction will
significantly enhance our roster of leading brands, and make our already great management
team even better. I am pleased that my long relationships with Bob Johnson and John
Malone, close friends of mine and pioneers in our industry, are culminating in this very
positive and important transaction."
Man Found Guilty in the Murder of Los Lobos Singer's Wife
Gabriel Gomez was convicted on Tuesday for the kidnapping and murder of his
half-sister, Sandra Rosas. Rosas, who was also the wife of Los Lobos' lead singer Cesar
Rosas, disappeared on October 23rd of last year. Her daughters told police that when they
returned home, they found the door open and broken glass from her van inside the driveway.
Upon calling Rosas' cell phone, one of the daughters claimed they heard Gomez in the
background saying, "You can never leave me. I'm going to make mad, passionate love to
you. I'm going to rape you. I'm going to strangle you." Her van was found several
days later with a mixture of blood from Rosas and Gomez, although her body was never
recovered.
During opening arguments of the case, Los Angeles District Attorney Don Clem said,
"Sandra's generosity is what got her kidnapped and murdered." He said that Rosas
"literally moved him (Gomez) into their house. She was trying to turn him around, but
there was no payoff. He wasn't growing." He also stated that Gomez killed his
half-sister when he "saw his meal ticket slipping away."
Gomez will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on November
16th. After the decision, a tearful Cesar Rosas said, "Gomez took away the center of
my family. This helped us out a little bit. We just kind of move on now. Gomez didn't just
hurt me. He hurt hundreds of people. I felt like I died."
Los Lobos first gained success in 1987 when they covered the music of Rock and Roll legend
Ritchie Valens in the movie La Bamba. The Grammy Award-winning band is scheduled to
release their box set, Mas Y Mas,on November 14th.
November 6, 2000Luther Vandross to Serenade U.S.
R&B singer Luther Vandross will kick off a winter tour starting on
November 21st at the Auditorium Center in Rochester, New York. The tour includes stops in
Virginia, Connecticut, Michigan, and California. Luther recently finished a tour with
fellow R&B crooners Boyz II Men, whose fourth album, Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya,
was released last month and is currently ranked on Soundscan at number 43. Vandross was
awarded a star on BET's Walk of Fame earlier this month. The presentation included
performances by Gerald Levert, Tyrese, Chante Moore, and Next. Proceeds from the
presentation were donated to the United Negro College Fund. Vandross also recently signed
with Clive Davis' J Records and is working on a new album. Here is Luther Vandross' tour
itinerary:
11/21 - Rochester, NY -Auditorium Center
11/22 - Newark, NJ -Prudential Hall
11/27 - Richmond, VA -Landmark Theatre
11/28 - Hartford, CT -Bushnell Memorial Hall
11/30 - Detroit, MI -Masonic Temple
12/6 - Oakland, CA -Paramount Theatre
12/7 - San Diego, CA -Civic Theatre
12/9 - Universal City, CA -Universal Amphitheatre
12/11 - Seattle, WA -Paramount Theatre
Limp Bizkit Continues to Rock Soundscan
Limp Bizkit continued its reign over Soundscan as their latest album, Chocolate
Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water, sold another 392,540 copies. The album debuted
platinum last week. Lenny Kravitz came in second this week with his Greatest Hits
collection, followed by Nelly's Country Grammar. Ja Rule's sophomore album, Rule
3:36, placed fourth as Baha Men's Who Let the Dogs Out closed out the top five
this week, selling 117,008 units.
Creed placed sixth with their album, Human Clay followed by Ludacris at seventh.
His debut album, Back for the First Time, features UGK, Pastor Troy, Foxy Brown,
and Trina. Mystikal placed eighth this week as Let's Get Ready sold another 83,562
copies, followed by 3 Doors Down's Better Life. Madonna closed out the top ten on
Soundscan this week with her latest work of art, Music.
November 4, 2000The Beastie Boys Pose for Anthology
The Beastie Boys will release their "DVD Anthology" on November
7th. The footage will include such classic videos as "Hey Ladies" and
"Intergalactic" as well as remixes by several producers including Prince Paul,
Fatboy Slim, and Moby. The Beasties will also release a vinyl four LP box set entitled The
Sounds of Science on November 21st. The collection will include a 72-page hardcover
book containing previously unreleased photos of the group and commentary by the group on
each song featured on the album. In addition, a photo exhibition of the rap group will be
on display at New York's Gavin Brown's Enterprise gallery from November 16th though 25th.
Preview footage of "The DVD Anthology" will also be shown at the exhibition.
Proceeds from the sale of photos at the showcase will be donated to Milarepa, the Tibetan
rights organization founded by the Beastie Boys in 1994. For more information on the
group, log on to www.beastieboys.com.
Dream to Open for N'SYNC
Dream, Sean "Puffy" Combs latest protégés, is scheduled to
embark on a winter tour with N'SYNC starting November 10th at the Nassau Coliseum in Long
Island, New York. The female quartet will open for pop's reigning kings, performing tracks
from their forthcoming album, It Was All a Dream. Their current single, "He
Loves You Not," is currently ranked at number 42 on Billboard's hot 100 Chart. The
concert will also include stops in Canada, Pennsylvania, California, and Washington, D.C.
In addition, Dream will perform live on the Nickelodeon program "Slimetime Live"
on November 2nd in Orlando, Florida. Their debut album is scheduled to be released in
January on Bad Boy Records. Here are the tour dates that Dream will open for N'SYNC:
11/10 Long Island, NY Nassau Coliseum
11/11 Washington DC MCI Center
11/12 Philadelphia, PA TBA
11/14 Toronto, Canada Sky Dome
11/16 Toronto, Canada Sky Dome
11/18 Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center
11/19 St. Louis, MO Kiel Center
11/20 St. Louis, MO Kiel Center
11/24 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden
11/25 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden
11/26 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
11/27 Los Angeles, CA Great Western Forum
11/28 Los Angeles, CA Great Western Forum
11/30 San Diego, CA Sports Arena
12/1 San Diego, CA Sports Arena
November 3, 2000Napster and Bertelsmann Make Amends
Napster has entered into a strategic alliance with international media
conglomerate Bertelsmann's Commerce Group (BeCG) to create a new regulated version of the
music file-sharing service. BeCG, which also owns the entertainment company, BMG, will
loan Napster the money to develop the new program. Once the task is completed, BeCG will
become part owner of Napster and will also drop their copyright infringement lawsuit
against the file swapping company. A royalty payment system will also be established under
the new system, while BMG's catalog will become available for trade as well.
Thomas Middelhoff, Bertelsmann's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said
"Person-to-person file sharing has captured the imagination of millions of people
worldwide with its ease of use, global selection of content, and community features.
Napster has pointed the way for a new direction for music distribution, and we believe it
will form the basis of important and exciting new business models for the future of the
music industry. We invite other record and publishing companies, artists and other
industry members to participate in the development of a secure and membership-based
service." For more information on the agreement, log on to www.napster.com.
President Clinton Signs Work for Hire Law
President Clinton signed the controversial Work for Hire and Copyright
Corrections Act of 2000 into law on Friday. The U.S.
Senate passed the Work for Hire and Copyright Corrections Act of 2000 in a unanimous vote
on October 12th. The passing of the act now removes "sound recordings" from the
list of "works made for hire" under 1976's Copyright Act.
Musicians from various organizations including the Artist Coalition, The National Academy
of Recording Arts & Sciences, and the American Federation of Musicians, started a
campaign before Congress in May to thwart efforts to change copyright laws from allowing
them to reclaim their master recordings after 35 years. In 1999, the Recording Industry of
America (RIAA) inserted provisions in the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act passed by
Congress that made sound recordings, which are classified as "works for hire,"
the property of the employer (record company), instead of the employee (artist). The
artists claimed that the amendment would prevent them from reclaiming their master tapes
beginning in 2013 and would have cost them millions.
The RIAA and representatives from the various artist groups came to an agreement over the
reclaiming of ownership of master tapes in August. Both sides agreed upon "neutral
language" that will "resolve the issue without prejudice." The RIAA then
recommended that sound recordings be excluded as one of the categories in "works for
hire" or delete the original amendment all together. The bill was awaiting Clinton's
approval.
November 2, 2000Prince and the NPG "Hit and Run"
Prince and the New Power Generation are gearing to hit the road on a four
date mini-tour entitled "Hit and Run." The shows will be held on sporadic dates
in North Carolina, Nevada, Michigan, and Ohio throughout November and December. Prince is
also scheduled to release "Rave Un2 the Year 2000," a concert videotape of his
New Year's Eve performance last year, on Tuesday. "The Artist" recently severed
his ties with Arista Records when Antonio "L.A." Reid replaced Clive Davis as
president of the company. Prince's last album, Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic, was
released on Arista in November of last year. For more information on Prince and the New
Power Generation's upcoming shows, log on to www.npgonlineltd.com. Here is the itinerary
for the "Hit and Run" tour:
11/12 - Cleveland, OH - CSU Convocation Center
11/19 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena
11/26 - Charlotte, NC - Independence Arena
12/9 - Las Vegas, NV - Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts
Elton John Sues Accountants
Elton John took his top accountants to court on Monday to recoup $29
million that he claims is missing from his account. The 53-year-old singer and pianist is
suing PricewaterhouseCoopers and Andrew Haydon, former managing director of John Reid
Enterprises (JREL) for negligence, breach of trust, contract, and fiduciary duty. Both
companies looked after his business interests for nearly 12 years and are denying any
wrongdoing. John claims that both companies showed negligence by allowing JREL to charge
him tour expenses, including booking agents, accountants, and producers. According to
John's lawyers, JREL was responsible for meeting those costs. The singer is scheduled to
be called as a witness during the trial, which is expected to last eight weeks. He is also
scheduled to release his live album, One Night Only, on November 14th.
November 1, 2000Dr. Dre and Rakim Form Hip Hop Dream Team
Two titanic forces in hip hop are finally coming together as Dr. Dre
recently announced that he signed renowned lyricist Rakim to his Aftermath label. Dr. Dre
told MTV, "We just signed Rakim to our label, straight up. Rakim is on Aftermath and
the name of the album is going to be Oh My God. This is going to be the biggest hip
hop record ever, straight up and coming at you from Aftermath baby, so fuck all of
y'all."
Rakim and former partner Eric B recorded four albums together and created such classics as
"Follow the Leader," "Don't Sweat the Technique," "Paid in
Full," and "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em." Rakim also went on to record two solo
albums, The 18th Letter/The Book of Life (1997) and the highly slept-on The
Master in 1998. Oh My God is scheduled to be released next spring and will
feature production by Dre, DJ Premier, and Mel Man.
MTV2 Merges with The Box
MTV Networks has announced that it will merge MTV2 with the Box Music
Network. The decision was made after executives came to the conclusion that neither would
achieve mass success on their own. The Box Music Network and MTV2 are interactive 24-hour
music channels. The Box boasts over 18 million subscribers, while MTV2 has about 12
million. David Cohn, general manager of MTV2 said, "It made sense. The Box and MTV2
had both found that distribution in this day and age is extremely difficult. We didn't see
the potential that either would gain considerable mass in the immediate future." The
merger will officially take place on January 1st and will try to appeal to both existing
audiences.
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