WHO'S NEXT? MUSICIANS FALLING INTO THE EVER GROWING CYCLE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL?

I pray for Rihanna daily!! Openly gulping alcohol and boasting about it in pictures plus openly smoking weed all day in front of Papparazzi. Above are the pics to prove it. Some industry executives were concerned about this. My dear RiRi has been partying in Canada since 19. The legal drinking age here is 19! Once she toured these parts in 2008 and Chris the Monster was with her and all I saw at the club afterparty were these American kids drinking freely in what will be underage in their own country. America's drinking age is 21. If this does not stop now, It will become a tragedy like those below. Hope you studied the photos in detail.

Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Vesta Williams (who had an enlarged heart and used a lot of drugs), Leslie Carter, Dinah Washington, DJ AM, Jimi Hendrix, Judy Garland, Rapper ODB, Janice Joplin, Rapper Pimp C, Milli Vanilli's Rob Pilatus, Elvis Presley, David Ruffin of the Temptations, Gerald Levert (accidental) and Ike Turner are just some that come to mind. Who's Next?

TRAGEDY: DAGRIN, ONE OF NIGERIA'S MOST AWESOME RAPPERS DEAD.

Olaitan Oladapo Olaonipekun was his real name and we hear DaGrin dies yesterday afternoon after a ghastly car crash. he passed away at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria where employees were on strike reducing patient care staff. Awful! Nigeria has bred so many rappers in the last decade grabbing mainstream awards like MTV Europe and MTV Africa trophies. The industry will sure miss him.

WEEK OF TRAGEDIES: RAPPER GURU WILL BE MISSED!

The family of Gang Starr rapper Guru have questioned the validity of a letter he supposedly wrote on his deathbed, in which his supposed last wishes were outlined.

The 47-year-old, real name Keith Elam, died on April 19 from cancer. He had been in a coma since February.

Elam's family released a statement to DJpremierblog.com, the website of his former Gang Starr partner DJ Premier. In it, they stated that Guru was in a coma from mid-February until his death – making it unfeasible that he could have written a letter from his deathbed. Producer Solar made the supposed Guru letter public after his death.

The letter released by Solar stated that DJ Premier should not be allowed to trade under Gang Starr's name in future. In March, Guru's nephew released a video saying Solar had "completely cut us off" [his family] from seeing the rapper.

Referring to Guru's condition before he died in their letter, the family wrote: "Guru suffered from multiple myeloma for over a year. Accrued complications from this illness led to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. As a result, Guru was in a coma from mid-February until his death and never regained consciousness."

They added: "The Elam family wishes to thank the fans of our son/brother/father/uncle/nephew/cousin Keith, aka Guru, for the outpouring of love, concern and support. Our hearts are broken by the loss of someone we loved so much. Guru was devoted to his young son, who will most keenly feel his absence."

An "all-inclusive memorial event" is being planned for the near future by Guru's family, according to the letter.

FAT JOE AFFILIATE RAPPER MIKE BECK SHOT AND KILLED IN BROOKLYN ROBBERY ATTEMPT FRIDAY NITE!!

Mike Beck, an aspiring rapper and affiliate of Fat Joe was shot and killed Friday night in Brooklyn, New York. Mike Beck was a member of the rap collective K.A.R. (Kill All Rats), which also featured group members Rob Kash, Onez and Leader. Sources told AllHipHop.com that Beck was shot and killed on Logan and Bellmar Street in Brooklyn, and that a botched robbery attempt could have been the motive.

Source

THE LATE RAPPER DOLLA HAD JUST OPENED A TWITTER ACCOUNT BEFORE HE WAS KILLED!!!

News of the shooting spread rapidly on Twitter where, ironically, the rapper had just opened an account earlier in the day.

Dolla had just arrived in Los Angeles earlier Monday, his publicist said. He was recording his first album, “Another Day, Another Dolla.”

“He had a very promising career,” Sue Vannasing said. “He was being hyped as the next Tupac [Shakur]. He chose music to get off the streets.”

Burton moved to Atlanta when he was 5 after his father shot himself in front of the rapper and his sister.

“He was the man of the house,” Vannasing said.

His mother, Joyce Burton, still resides in Atlanta, where Dolla’s funeral will be held, Vannasing said.

Source

BREAKING NEWS: RAPPER DOLLA KILLED IN BEVERLY HILLS MALL!!

Today is a major holiday in Canada (Victoria Day) and I am not blogging but listening to fireworks outside as I listened to gunshots all last week in Toronto. This is what I hear and it's SAD! It broke on CNN an hour ago that a man was killed at the mall entrance. It is shocking to report that Konvict/Jive/La Face recording artist Dolla is said to have been fatally shot just moments ago.

Details are sketchy at the moment as it is still developing. Dolla's legal name Roderick Anthony Burton II did not survive the horrific altercation. Once again Hiphossip has learned that Rapper Dolla, the newest artist on Konvict Musik who is said to have some heavy street ties was shot and killed in front of a Beverly Hills mall this afternoon......

Story developing

Update from the L.A Times

An Atlanta rapper was fatally shot at the Beverly Center on Monday afternoon, causing mall diners to dive for cover and sparking a police dragnet for suspects.

The shooting occurred around 3:10 p.m. in the parking structure of the popular Westside mall. Dolla, a rapper whose real name is Roderick Anthony Burton II, was shot in the head while he and another rapper, D.J. Shabbazz, were waiting in the valet area, according to Dolla’s publicist, Sue Vannasing. A friend who was with the rappers at the Beverly Center as well as a Los Angeles Police Department source also confirmed his identity to The Times.

Two suspects fled from the scene, police said. About two hours later, Los Angeles police detained a “person of interest” as he attempted to board a plane out of Los Angeles International Airport. The man allegedly drove his silver Mercedes SUV from the mall to the airport, police said.

Burton, 21, arrived at LAX from Atlanta earlier in the day and went to the Beverly Center to do some shopping, Vannasing said.

He had apparently had a dispute with some people, perhaps at the airport, Vannasing said.

“They followed him to the mall because they knew he was coming,” Vannasing said. Los Angeles police officials could not immediately confirm or deny that account.

Burton was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he died, police said.

Burton was an up-and-coming rapper out of Atlanta who had recorded several singles. He was in town to work on his first album, slated to be released this summer on Jive Records, Vannasing said.

His first single, released in 2007, was “Who the [Expletive] is that?”

The shooting rattled shoppers and diners.

At a Chipotle restaurant next to the valet area, 10 people were eating when the shots rang out.

“The customers were yelling ‘close the store, close the store, because somebody is shooting,’ ” said Elsa Hernandez, general manager of the restaurant.

The center is normally quite peaceful, said Hernandez, who’s worked at the restaurant for six years.

“This is the first time this has happened here,” she said.

Newton Cacho, 31, works across the street from the Beverly Center. “I’m very surprised something like this happened here. You come to a nicer part of town and you don’t expect this,” Cacho said.

This REALLY SUX! IMAGINE, IT'S 1.22AM AND NONE OF HIS FANS EVEN KNOW YET ON MYSPACE.....EXCEPT IF THOSE COMMENTS ARE MODERATED OR SOMETHING.

LATE RAPPER ODB ON MUCHMUSIC'S RAP CITY.

Don't you miss this guy? Died of a drug overdose. The Kanye West of my time. Always jumped on stage when some undeserving rapper won "his" award. That's Wyclef tending to him at the funeral. We were allowed to take this picture by the family.

LATE RAPPER ODB MANAGER SUES BOOK PUBLISHERS.

The former manager of OL' DIRTY BASTARD is suing a U.S. publishing company over allegedly defamatory comments made about him in the late rapper's biography. Jarred Weisfeld filed a lawsuit against Macmillian Publishers and its affiliates on Tuesday (24Feb09), accusing the parties of using anti-Semitic descriptions in their 2008 book Digging For Dirt - The Life And Death Of ODB. The biography describes Weisfeld as a grinning, shady-looking white guy who slinked onstage looking like he had just been bar mitzvahed", according to the lawsuit.

The book also claims Weisfeld forced the rapper to film a reality show in his "dying days" and when on "the brink of suicide" - allegations Weisfeld claims link him to his former client's untimely death from a drug overdose in 2004. Weisfeld is seeking $10 million for damages to his reputation in the music industry, reports AllHipHop.com.

BTW, there's Wyclef up there tending to ODB in the casket.

WTF? LATE RAPPER PIMP C'S MOM AND KID ON STAGE AND FANS THROW MONEY TO THEM!

Not like I even knew the guy well aside from the "Players Anthem" wedding music video but why on earth did the late rapper Pimp C even drink cough syrup and even rap about it? Tussionex to be specific. I am a 3-state U.S licensed Pharmacist of 20 years you know? I know about drugs...All drugs and L'il Wayne who's still drinking Phernegan with codeine for fun are all in line for hypoxia. That's when oxygen is sucked out of your brain and then you die. May he R.I.P but the sympathy factor is controversial.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an alert March 2008 on the safe and correct use of Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended-Release Suspension in response to numerous reports of adverse events--including death--associated with the misuse and inappropriate use of this potent cough medication.

He rapped about it!

DIDDY SAYS BIGGIE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN L.A THE NIGHT HE WAS KILLED. WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN A PLANE TO LONDON, UK.

WEEKEND WRAP UP: BIGGIE'S MOM AND SON RANG OPENING BELL AT NYSE FRIDAY THE 9TH OF JANUARY.

Voletta Wallace, the mother of the late rapper Notorius B.I.G and her grandson Christopher Wallace, Jr rang the NASDAQ opening bell last Friday the 9th in anticipation of the new movie this Friday the 16th titled what else? "Notorious." Change has already come to America like Obama said when the son of a late rapper opens the stock exchange.

KEEP LISA'S LEGACY ALIVE!

LISA "LEFT EYE" LOPES FOUNDATION (LLF)

As we prepare for the 5th Anniversary Celebrity Filled Event taking place in New York City and the Release of Left Eye's New Album in January 2009,' I would like to share a recent on-line story about the foundation.

http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/704-lisa-lopes-foundation

Feel free to click on the words "Lisa Lopes Foundation," to learn more about LLF or visit www.lisalopesfoundation.org.

In Lisa's words, "I want to give back to the world, what the world has given to me."
Thanks for your continued support in keeping Lisa's legacy alive. Thanks to super Publicist Tafia L.A Pringle for letting us know this.

ALBUM RELEASE

Late rapper Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of TLC fame will have her final solo album released in Jan 2009 through Mass Appeal Entertainment.

The 12-track project, titled “Eye-Legacy,” will feature collaborations with Miss Elliot, Chamillionaire, Lil Mama, and Bobby Valentino.

The first single, “Let’s Just Do It,” featuring Missy.

The songs on “Eye-Legacy” featuring unreleased vocals from Lopes.

Previously, the TLC star released a solo album, Supernova, that was only released in Europe and a failed union with Death Row as a solo artist–under the name N.I.N.A.–resulted in no material being released.

“We hope people understand the message in Lisa’s music and appreciate her as not just a member of TLC, but as a solo artist as well. This album is Left Eye’s musical gift to her fans and adds to the beauty of her legacy,” the Lopes family commented in a statement.

The fiery rapper long hoped for a solo career as successful as her her collaborative work with TLC had become. At one point Lopes even challenged her group mates, T-Boz and Chili, to all release solo albums the same day and to determine the winner by album sales.

Lopes died in April of 2002 in Honduras during a car accident. She was only 31. A documentary on her last days wad produced by VH1 titled “The Last Days of Left Eye.”—LaTisha Robbins XXL Mag.com

Dead rapper 2Pac tops "overrated" music list in BLENDER magazine!

Dead rapper Tupac "2Pac" Shakur, the hip-hop icon who sold more records after he was murdered than during his brief career, is the most overrated person in music, according to music magazine Blender. Shakur tops a tongue-in-cheek list that also includes "places, trends and other junk in rock," Blender said in its upcoming October issue, due on newsstands next week. Other overrated finalists included the Grammys at No. 7, encores at No. 12, Pink Floyd at No. 14 and "the music you loved as a teenager" at No. 23.

Shakur, a "gangsta" rapper who showed his sensitive side in movies, was killed during an unsolved drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996. More than a dozen albums have been released in the ensuing years, and his image is almost as ubiquitous as that of Che Guevara or Bob Marley. But while Shakur was a decent rapper with "insane rock-star charisma," according to Blender, he also "larded records with self-mythologizing, mediocre filler."

We hear it' not the first time Blender has slammed TuPac. Thanks to Talk Dat Ish Entertainment's Tionna Smalls for the tip. Read more at the source......

Source: Reuters

SUGE KNIGHT FORCED INMATE TO GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY?

Imprisoned former R&B singer WAYMOND 'SUAVE' ANDERSON has accused rap mogul MARION 'SUGE' KNIGHT of forcing him to give false evidence in a 2007 civil lawsuit filed by NOTORIOUS B.I.G.'s family. B.I.G. - real name Christopher Wallace - was shot dead in 1997 in Los Angeles and his murder has never been solved. Anderson, who once implicated a Los Angeles police officer in B.I.G.'s death, took to the stand in an L.A. court on Thursday (31Jul08), when he retracted his previous testimony, alleging Knight had threatened him to lie to the court over the cop's involvement in the case.

He claims former Los Angeles Times reporter Chuck Philips passed him written messages from Knight, that had been wrapped in plastic, while he was behind bars at California's Corcoran State Prison, where Anderson is serving a life sentence for murder. Anderson was in court on Thursday for a hearing examining evidence that he claims will prove his innocence in the 1993 murder he is convicted of committing. But Anderson's accusations have been dismissed by Philips, who was fired from the L.A. Times last month (Jul08). Philips has previously written numerous articles on Anderson's case, suggesting he might be innocent.

Of the allegations, Philips says, "That never happened. I'm flabbergasted by this whole thing. This is the ultimate betrayal." Earlier this year (08), Phillips' story about the 1994 shooting of Wallace's rap rival Tupac Shakur left editors and publishers with red faces after his sources proved to be inaccurate. His January (08) article suggested Sean `Diddy' Combs and rap music heavyweight Jimmy `Henchman' Rosemond were involved in a plan to ambush Shakur at a New York Recording studio in 1994. But an investigation revealed the report had been based on faked documents and Philips was subsequently 'let go'.

THE GAME PAYS MACABRE TRIBUTE TO DEAD RAP ICONS.

Rapper THE GAME has paid a macabre tribute to his hip-hop heroes TUPAC SHAKUR, EAZY-E and the NOTORIOUS B.I.G. in a new song - by stepping into their shoes for the last 10 minutes of their lives. The Los Angeles-based hitmaker claims new track Never Can Say Goodbye offers his version of the late icons' final moments. He explains, "I wanted to be in Biggie, Pac and Eazy-E's shoes the last 10 minutes of their lives, so I wrote verses as if I were. "In their last moments, they knew they were going to die, or at least felt like they might."

The Game insists he can put himself where they were before they passed because he almost died after getting shot. He tells King magazine, "I got shot and felt like it was over for me. I've got something in common with them (Shakur, Eazy-E and Notorious B.I.G.), except I didn't pass; I came back to life." Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. were both killed in shooting incidents in 1996 and 1997 respectively, and N.W.A. star Eazy-E lost his life to Aids in 1995.

ANOTHER Pioneering New Orleans Rapper Shot Dead!

First it was Soulja Slim in 2003 and then this! Pioneering New Orleans rapper Sporty T, who helped define the city's rap scene in the late 80s, was found shot to death early Tuesday morning (July 15).The 41-year-old born Terrance Vine was discovered by his sister after his FEMA trailer was riddled with bullets in the pre-dawn hours. more at AHH

Source: AHH

FEMA trailer riddled with bullets? That's like getting shot in a car! Awww, so callous of the bad guys! Many people who were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina live in Federal Emergency Management Trailers (FEMA) for Canadians who don't know what that is.

REST IN PEACE STACK BUNDLES: JUNE 11th 2007---ONE YEAR LATER!

Diplomats affiliate Stack Bundles was killed early Monday morning June 11th 2007 in his Far Rockaway neighborhood in Queens, New York. Stack Bundles, born Rayquon Elliott, was shot once in the head and neck while inside a building lobby, according to authorities. Police say he was out with friends that night and returned to his home on Beach Channel Drive just before 5 a.m. At that point, one friend who was accompanying him walked off, but ran back when he heard gunshots. By then, the suspect had run off. Police are unsure of the motive behind the murder.

While he hadn’t attained mainstream popularity, mixtape fans have been aware of Stack Bundles for several years. As a one-time member of DJ Clue’s Desert Storm family, he has recorded alongside notable artists Fabolous and Joe Budden. Last year, he made a cameo on Jim Jones’ M.O.B. (Members of Byrdgang) mixtape, which featured Jones’ hit single “We Fly High.” Jim Jones had reportedly planned on releasing Stack’s solo debut, as well as highlighting him on upcoming Byrdgang releases. Stack Bundles was only 24 years old.

We do miss you Stacks! His Myspace website still lives on. A candlelight vigil is being held for him today. His alleged killer was found days later and according to police, Charles White, 20, was found dead in a Queens home, with a pillow over his head, two bullet wounds to the head and one to the leg. Suicide? What a waste of life! Young men, please leave the f-ing GUNS ALONE! View Stacks' last performance below........R.I.P bro!

LEFT EYE'S UNI STUDIOS AND EMANCIPATED TALENT PRESENT A 'SUMMER 2008 STAR SHOWCASE' FOR UNSIGNED TALENT.

The Late Left Eye's UNI Studios and Emancipated Talent announce their Worldwide 'Summer Star Search Showcase for un-signed artists only.' Auditions open from June 21, 2008 - August 9, 2008. All groups, solo artists and bands in all genres of music can enter via YouTube or live at Left Eye's UNI Studios, located at 587 Ralph McGill Boulevard, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30312. The Summer Star Search Showcase is a highly competitive event that will give talent a clear understanding of the hard work, uniqueness and professionalism that are the basic attributes of music industry success.

The Showcase runs June 21st - August 9th. Must be 16 years or older to enter. The final 12 'live' entries, along with the top 10 'YouTube' entries, will be chosen and judged by an exclusive panel of Celebrities & Industry Professionals. Contestants must pre-register online at www.summerstarsearch.com, limited registrations will be accepted.

R.I.P Lisa!!! The first picture above is so memorable and was given to me by Rita, Tamyra Gray's mom. Rita worked at a job with Lisa's brother, he introduced Tamyra to Lisa and she wanted to sing and Lisa coached her, then she entered "Idol." That is Lisa Lopes at Tamyra's high school graduation the year before she entered American Idol's Season One. Tamyra ended up in the top 3. Rita is wearing white and her brother next to her. Her aunt is in green. The other picture is me, Rita and Tamyra's brother born the same day. We always called each other yearly in August when I was in ATL......and of course the last picture is me and Tamyra at a local Walmart CD signing in 2004. You will never believe who taught her how to sing........LISA LOPES!

For all you Canadian talent and others, there is an Online Video Submission Process!!

Contestants names will be added to the website with video footage of selective performances. At the end of the 8th week, the final 10 will be chosen and posted on the website.

The Showcase Winner will receive:
• An Exclusive Guest Artist spot on Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes 'Collectors' Album, being released late 2008.'
• Artist Development by R&B Superstar T-Boz of TLC
• One Year Management Contract with Emancipated Talent (www.emancipatedtalent.com)
• Three - Five song demo package professionally recorded at UNI Studios (www.unimusicstudios.com)
• Professional Media Kit by TLAPR Agency, LLC (www.tlapr.com)

The winner's package will be shopped to major and indie labels with worldwide distribution, including digital downloads. The First and Second Runner up will receive 1st Runner Up: $1000.00, 2nd Runner Up: $500.00.

Left Eye's UNI Studios
In 1998, the late Lisa 'Left Eye Lopes created UNI Studios. Her goal was to have a high-end studio in her house, to record her first Solo Album. She designed her studio around Sony's DMX R100. It is the 'Baby Oxford' of digital mixing consoles. Lisa recorded numerous songs in her studio that are set to be releases late 2008.'

Lisa's family decided to open this wonderful studio to the public at affordable rates. With an array of new equipment, software upgrades, Pro Tools HD 2, the fast and powerful Apple Mac Pro computer and a beautiful dance/rehearsal room, UNI Studios is more powerful than ever. It is destined to be a favorite amongst recording artists and performers.

Emancipated Talent
Emancipated Talent is a full service entertainment company that specializes and focuses on personal management and consulting. Our management division provides honest and earnest career advice, guidance and nurturing to our client. From musicians, commercial and theatrical artists to athletes, we represent the best in quality professionals and are selective in creating alliances. Our clients include Faith Evans, Ashanti, Charlie Murphy, Ginuwine, Keith Sweat, to name a few.

Contact info@summerstarsearch.com or visit summerstarsearch.com, for contest details. For media inquiries contact Tafia L. Allah-Pringle, TLAR Agency, LLC at 202.575.7774 or tafia@tlapr.com.

Family Of Notorious B.I.G. Moves Ahead With Wrongful Death Lawsuit.

A judge has reinstated a wrongful-death lawsuit brought by the family of slain rapper Notorious B.I.G., reversing an earlier decision to dismiss the case. U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper threw out the lawsuit March 21 after determining the family missed a state deadline for bringing a claim against the city and two former police officers. The lawsuit was originally filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, then moved to federal court. Above is Biggie's son Christopher Wallace Jr, who was just months old when his dad was gunned down. Mom is Singer Faith Evans and we just spotted them at the airport the other day.

SENSELESS: R.I.P Remembering BIG HAWK 2 years later........

John Edward Hawkins (November 15, 1969 – May 1, 2006), better known as Big Hawk or H.A.W.K was a rapper from Houston, Texas and a founding member of the late DJ Screw's rap group the Screwed Up Click. He was also the older brother of Fat Pat, who was killed in 1998. Hawk, 36, was married before his death and had two young sons.

He was respected in the Houston underground rap scene and appeared on numerous mixtapes from artists such as Paul Wall, Lil' Flip, Z-Ro, E.S.G., Lil' Keke and Big Pokey. Hawk was featured on the popular single "Swang" by Trae that included a tribute to Fat Pat in 2005. In 2006, Hawk, along with Clint Dempsey of the U.S. National Soccer team recorded a song for Nike's "Joga Bonito" World Cup soccer promotion called "Don't Tread". He was part of Pepsi's Yahoo! "Houston Mic Pass" with Lil' Flip, Chamillionaire, Trae, Chingo Bling, Bun B.

He married Meshah Writa Ayana Henderson in April 2006 (almost a Month prior to his murder) with whom he had 2 young sons. The couple had been together nearly ten years. Most people did not realize that Big Hawk worked for American General Insurance for at least 12 years and was well known and respected within the corporate organization.

At the age of 36, Big Hawk was gunned down on the night of Monday May 1, 2006 at about 10:30pm in Houston. People heard shots but no one saw a thing. As of January 2008, no witness has come forward. It is rumored that Hawkins was killed over a debt that his brother, Fat Pat, owed. But this has not been confirmed. ABSOLUTELY SENSELESS!!