Editor Resigns After Magazine Calls Rihanna the N-Word.

Editor Resigns After Magazine Calls Rihanna the N-Word - The Hollywood Reporter

Amid criticism over her apology, Eva Hoeke quits Dutch fashion magazine Jackie, whose publisher invites the singer to weigh in on the matter in its next issue.

CHRISTINA AGUILERA STANDS UP FOR GAY RIGHTS.

Singer CHRISTINA AGUILERA is standing up for gay rights - insisting homosexual couples should be given the freedom to marry. Same-sex marriages were legalised in California in May (08), but the legislation was reversed last week (04Nov08) when the majority of voters backed Proposition 8, a bill to reintroduce the ban. And the move has angered Aguilera - but the Beautiful hitmaker admits she isn't surprised by the recent ruling in America, because not everybody is so accepting of homosexual relationships.

She says,

"They're (gay couples) constantly pushing to be heard and given equal rights. I think there's a lot of unfairness that goes along with being gay, so the more I can do to give them a voice, then I'll do so. "But I think we'd be fooling ourselves if we thought that everywhere was accepting of gay rights and marriages. I think it's unfair there has to be some kind of standard for marriage. Marriage should be about two people celebrating their love for each other. It shouldn't have anything to do with someone's sexual preference."

Aguilera goes on to praise European nations for being more accepting of gay marriage. She adds,

"Europe is a lot more open when it comes to sexuality. I think with that the history of European culture, there is a lot more openness to being provocative."

You know, Christina said it like it is! They are human too.

ELTON JOHN URGES U.S. TO ACCEPT GAY MARRIAGES.

SIR ELTON JOHN wants America to scrap the word "marriage" - in a bid to overturn a ban on same-sex weddings. Gay marriages were legalised in California in May (08), but the legislation was reversed last week (04Nov08) when the majority of voters backed Proposition 8, a bill to reintroduce the ban.

And at an AIDS Foundation event in New York this week, the Rocket Man legend spoke of his own union to longtime partner David Furnish urging Americans to banish the word "marriage" to make gay nuptials more acceptable. He tells Access Hollywood,

"David and I have a civil partnership in England.We have complete rights between the two of us, we're protected completely. I think the word 'marriage' puts a lot of people off in this country. "If they got over the word 'marriage,' I think it would be a lot easier for gay people to get together."

AUSTRALIAN OFFICIALS RE-THINK SNOOP DOGG VISA.

LATEST: Rapper SNOOP DOGG's Australian tour has been thrown back into jeopardy - officials down under are re-considering their earlier decision to lift a ban on him visiting the country. The rapper - real name Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. - was left free to complete a planned tour with fellow hip-hop star Ice Cube in October (08) after Australia's new government lifted his ban on Tuesday (26Aug08). The Drop It Like It's Hot hitmaker was barred from obtaining a visa because of his criminal record, which include drugs and firearms offences dating back to 1990.

But public complaints received from Australian victims of crime groups have prompted immigration officials to question the clearance - initially granted for 17 days from 21 October (08). A senior immigration official says: "As a result of public concern and interest, the department has decided that in fact we will be undertaking a more thorough assessment of Mr. Broadus' character. "We've advised his tour promoter and he and Mr. Broadus will have an opportunity to respond. We clearly will look at his criminal history."

Crime victims can have a big say in some countries!!

KANYE WEST TAKES SOULJA BOY'S SIDE AND BLASTS ICE-T!

Kanye West butted into the Soulja Boy controversy with ol skool grandpa rapper ICE-T and quotes on his blog.....

"Soulja boy is fresh ass hell and is actually the true meaning of what hip hop is sposed to be. He came from the hood, made his own beats, made up a new saying, new sound and a new dance with one song. He had all of America rapping this summer. If that ain’t Hip Hop then what is? A bunch of wannabe keep it real rappers that ain’t even relevant, recycling samples trying to act like it’s 96 again and all they do is hate on new shit?

Ni*gas always talk about the golden age but for a 13 year old kid, this is the golden age!!! That song was so dope cause everything he said had a hidden meaning… that’s Nas level sh*t… he just put it over some steel drums which is also some Nas sh*t if you had the 2nd album cassette with the bonus track “Silent Murder” on it. In closing… new niggas get ya money$$$$$ Keep this sh*t fresh and original…. ain’t no fu*kin’ rules to this sh*t and that’s what real hip hop is to me."

Can someone tell Grandpa Ice-T that there was no hip-hop when he started singing and the genre was called "rap" in those days. Saying that Soulja Boy singlehandedly destroyed hip-hop is bizzare!

YOUNG BUCK: 'LEAKED 50 CENT PHONE CALL IS FAKE'

Thisis50 - Full Conversation Between 50 Cent And Young Buck
by Thisis50-tv

Rapper YOUNG BUCK has slammed his former G-UNIT bandmate 50 CENT, accusing the superstar of doctoring a leaked telephone conversation between the two, in which Buck can be heard apparently breaking down in tears. The two stars first fell out last year (07), when Buck was initially axed from rap group G-Unit. Buck and 50 Cent reconciled soon afterwards, but he was kicked out of the group once and for all in April (08), after a dispute over song royalties. A new track by 50 Cent - titled The Taped Conversation - features Buck grovelling to the rapper, begging him to allow him back into the group and vowing not to betray him like another former G-Unit member The Game did.

But Young Buck's new manager, Blue Williams, claims the audio is heavily edited.
He says, "Just so that it is clear, this obviously edited and doctored recording was made from a phone conversation between Young Buck and 50 Cent recorded and leaked by 50 Cent. It was made over a year ago, the first time Buck was kicked out of G-Unit for being a man and communicating with people that 50 deemed his 'enemies.' You only hear one side of the conversation." And Williams reveals Young Buck, real name David Darnell Brown, will not be lowering himself to 50 Cent's level to fire back - because he's a "real man".

He adds, "At this time, I have convinced Buck to take the higher road and not respond to the petty back and forth with an obviously scorned and angry man. "I am sure if need be, there are plenty of explosive G-Unit secrets that he could put out there from the inner workings of the crew, but he's going to take the high road. "Everybody out here already knows what a real cat Buck is. I don't think anyone in the streets thinks Young Buck is soft. If anything, they know he's real and he's emotional. That's what makes him such a great rapper. He's a real man, thinking he was having a real conversation with 50 Cent, not someone who'd record it, doctor it up, and put it out a year later to try and build hype to sell a G-Unit compilation CD."

Listen to the video and You be the Judge. 50 is on Angie Martinez's show right now and I am gonna listen to what he's saying and then Mr Cee's show on Friday then Sudbury and Toronto.

50's BABY MAMA SHANIQUA SUED FOR DEFAMATION---BY 50!!

Rap superstar 50 CENT is to sue his ex-girlfriend for defamation after she accused him of causing the fire that burned down her New York home. The In Da Club hitmaker - real name Curtis Jackson - has been locked in a bitter court battle with Shaniqua Tompkins, the mother of his 11-year-old son Marquise, for months, after he tried to evict them from the Long Island mansion he owns. The property went up in flames last month (May08) in what police have called a "highly suspicious" inferno. Tompkins later alleged the rapper had started the fire himself in a bid to force her and their son out of the house.

Shortly after the blaze, she told the press: "He tried to kill me and his own child. I know this came from 50 Cent." But 50 Cent has slammed the claims, and his lawyers are now preparing a defamation complaint against Tompkins, reports the New York Daily News. His attorney Brett Kimmel says, "There comes a point where you can no longer sit on your hands and listen to her spread these falsehoods. Besides hurting his reputation, they have a damaging impact on their son." The star also claims Tompkins has refused him access to Marquise since the fire - while calling 50 a bad father for failing to get in touch with the boy.

In a petition filed in Suffolk County Family court, 50 alleges Tompkins has "made it practically impossible" for him to contact his son, by not notifying him of where they were staying. And, when 50 learned Marquise's cell phone had been destroyed in the accident, he sent a new one for his son, along with a bag of new clothes. However, he claims Tompkins has "failed and refused to give the cell phone to Marquise. The only way (50) can communicate with his son is to call (Tompkins') cell phone." The legal papers state Tompkins' behaviour is a "willful violation" of their custody agreement and the rapper is requesting a judge allow him access to his son. 50's attorney is due to argue the case in court on Friday (20Jun08). The star will not be in attendance for the court hearing as he is currently on location in Louisiana for new movie Microwave Park.

Where is this story going? 50 is due in Toronto Sunday night for a gig at Circa and Sudbury on Saturday. My interviews are always off limits when private lives are concerned. That may change with 50! Both of them need to slow down for Marquise's sake. It's starting to look like Brit and K-Fed!

RUSSELL SIMMONS EMPLOYEE HAS $15,000 IN GEMS STOLEN!

A spokesman for RUSSELL SIMMONS has denied reports the hip-hop mogul has had $15,000 worth of jewellery stolen, insisting it was one of his New York employees who was the unfortunate victim of thieves. The unnamed worker had a suitcase of jewels - including three diamond rings, a pendant, three sets of earrings and two bracelets from the Simmons Jewelry Company - taken from the hallway of an apartment on Bleecker Street on Saturday (07Jun08).

A source tells the New York Post's gossip column PageSix, "Crime-scene investigators were swarming the area." New York City police have confirmed they are investigating a theft.
Initial reports claimed Simmons had been targeted by the assailants, but the rap entrepreneur's representative claims the jewels belonged to the employee.

COOLIO BLAMES 'RACISM' FOR CLUB DENIAL WHICH LED TO ARREST!

Rapper COOLIO blames his arrest on Tuesday (10Jun08) on the "racist" doormen at Hollywood's One Sunset venue - insisting he wouldn't have been caught by police if he had been let into the club. The Gangsta's Paradise hitmaker - real name Artist Leon Ivey, Jr. - was pulled over by cops in the early hours of Tuesday for a minor traffic violation, just moments after he had been denied entry to One Sunset. However, when officers ran a background check on Coolio and his 1996 Hummer, they realised there was a warrant out for his arrest and he was taken into custody for driving on a suspended license. But the hip-hop star, 44, who was released from jail hours later, also claims the arrest was a big mix-up - because he'd only recently gotten his driving licence back. And he is convinced he is innocent - claiming the warrant, which was issued in San Bernadino, California is a "mistake".

He tells website TMZ.com, "That's life (not being let into the club). I think it's 'cos I'm too dark. I know quite a few people that didn't get into One Sunset. If I'd been let in, maybe I wouldn't have gone to jail. So I'm pissed off about that. But it is what it is. Black people gotta go through a lot of adversity, so I'm used to it. I'm from Compton." "I had a warrant I didn't even know I had. I just got my licence back a few days ago, so how the hell I got a warrant from 2001? But this from San Bernadino; they make a few mistakes out there..." What kinda daytime club is that anyway? Must be the early hours of today....

The 50 Cent/Shaniqua house a week later!!!

Charred to the bone......even the pool is f-ing BLACK! As far as I am concerned, they are all NUTS over there. No one is thinking about Marquise!

KUDOS BROTHA! : NAS DITCHES PROVOCATIVE TITLE OF NEW ALBUM!

Rapper NAS has ditched the controversial title of his new album just weeks before its release.
The I Can hitmaker had planned to name his new release N***er, incurring the wrath of many fellow hip-hop heavyweights and concerning bosses at his label Def Jam. But insiders insist Nas has dumped the provocative title six weeks before the album hits stores on 1 July (08).

Nas hinted the title could change during an MTV News article last week. He said, "Everybody is trying to stop the title. Record stores are gonna have a problem in this day and time selling a record with that title. Who knows what's gonna turn out and be on that title?" The album will now be an eponymous release. Meanwhile seems like every paper in this town has interviewed NAS last week except me. Why? I have been running around after other interview clashes last week. Kreesha Turner, Estelle, Jayde Nicole, Playboy Playmate all came to town and there was David Lowery from Vegas plus my prep for Al. B Sure and Bobby Brown's 20th anniversary in music! NAS will be performing in Toronto this Friday 24th. I will try and catch up with him sometimes in the next few days.

YAWN!: JAY-Z SPEAKS OUT OVER GLASTONBURY FURORE AND HYPE!

Rapper SHAWN 'JAY-Z' CARTER has defended his headline slot at legendary English music festival Glastonbury next month (Jun08) The star's billing has attracted controversy because of the event's traditionally rock-orientated line-up, and was even blamed for the festival's slow ticket sales. Last month (Apr08), Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher criticised Carter's appearance at Glastonbury, saying, "I'm not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It's wrong." But now the hip-hop star has spoken out about his headline slot - and has urged Gallagher to "respect" his musical genre.

Carter says, "We don't play guitars, Noel, but hip-hop has put in its work like any other form of music. This headline show is just a natural progression. Rap music is still evolving. "We just have to respect each other's genre of music and move forward." And Carter admits he's excited about playing Glastonbury, because it'll be the most controversial performance of his career. He adds, "I've never ever had a show that's caused this much of a stir so I'm really looking forward to it. I've never been involved in anything this controversial. What's the big deal about doing a show? "I guess it's heritage and people hold that dear to their heart and see it one way but that's how the world is. The world has to change. It just can't be one thing - and that's the beautiful thing. That's why people feel so passionate about an event."

RACISM LOOMING? : British Home Office FILES appeal to keep Snoop Dogg out!---AGAIN!

LATEST: The British government has launched a new bid in order to prevent rapper SNOOP DOGG from entering the country - after a judge overturned two previous attempts to ban him from the U.K. The star - real name Calvin Broadus Jr. - was prohibited from entering Britain after he was involved in a brawl at Heathrow Airport in April 2006. The ruling was overturned earlier this year (Jan08) and Britain's Border Agency had a subsequent appeal against the ruling turned down by an immigration judge last month (Apr08). However, the British Home Office has now filed a second appeal to challenge the decision - putting the star's proposed U.K tour later this year (08) into jeopardy.

A spokesperson for the agency insist they will not give up the fight to keep Broadus out of the country, saying, "We will continue to oppose entry to the U.K. of individuals where we believe there may be a risk to the public." Snoop, a risk to the public? What about their own Jack the Ripper? They couldn't even catch that----or the kids that went out bombing the trains and subways in 2005 killing 50 including my cousin going to work? Get real guys! He's only an entertainer!

Rapper T.I responds to the leaked track "Hunt them down."

You know that song by T.I. called "Hunt Em Down". Well T.I. has a message for you about that song. He wants to make it clear, that song is not from his upcoming album "Paper Trail" as some have suggested. Listen to his whole statement now. Listen to his response here...

Controversies of the Day to address!

• "I've lost my sweet helping hand, I've got myself to blame." Did she know her husband was abusing drugs? This was the song playing at Corinne Bailey Rae's website when you enter it and click news! Many of you e-mailed me yesterday on Corinne Bailey Rae's husband's death from a drug overdose. You complained that EVERY blog reported it and I didn't and some of you even questioned my Journalism experience. Well, I attended the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland and I was a NEWS major and I have been in broadcasting for 12 years (1996). I consider myself a "professional" blogger and not just a "blogger." I don't write excessive gossip, curse, use ghetto slangs or have a comment field which has been abused three times in the past as a competitive arena. People writing 1st! 2nd! and all that mess. This is a news site!

• I don't report what everyone reports. Some bloggers simply go to every blogroll and see what others have. I gather news. A process called "news gathering" in the newsroom which is extremely time consuming and filled with research. I have been a TV, Radio, Entertainment, Traffic, Internet Reporter in the Atlanta market. Pls visit my media website and look on the right column for those credits. I determine what is RELEVANT as you see up here on my header.

• Was Corinne Bailey Rae's husband's death relevant to this site? NO! Her music is not hip-hop nor R&B and is more like folk-pop music. Secondly As a reporter writing for myself, I am exhausted with stories of excessive drug use. There is a post in this blog somewhere where I criticized Rapper L'il Wayne for drinking Phenergan cough syrup like Kool Aid and also the late Rapper Pimp C for rapping about Tussi-Ornex a super strong narcotic cough syrup he drank like liquor which eventually killed him causing hypoxia in his brain (sucking oxygen out!) Some of you know I started my career in 1988 as a Registered Pharmacist in the USA. This May 4th 2008 after 20 years, I will be retiring as a part-time Pharmacist, I stopped full time prescription filling 5 years ago. I intend to only work as a fill in Pharmacist 1-3 times a month. I graduated at 23 and started work at 25 because I had my babies first. Those two are adults now....and yes I am 45. Nothing to hide! Journalism is my passion now and everything is not all about $$$. Back to the point. Brad Renfro, Heath Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith and all those who use Rx drugs like candy should be prepared for their own demise! See how Renfro was omitted from the Oscar tribute? It was sad ! Of course Whoopi Goldberg was too in the montage and it was all in error. You would think a dead person will be remembered! I don't like reporting these stories anymore. To me, Jason Rae's death was not newsworthy on this site because of his wife's music genre---SIMPLE as that. May he R.I.P

• To the 13 year old kid (name withheld) who called me and left a message on Easter Sunday almost in tears talking about how good you can freestyle and has no money to buy tracks but rapping is what you wanna do because it keeps you out of trouble, Ludacris' site is for you. Get your voice recorded and go to that website WeMix.com and go make your music with Ludacris! Because you are a minor, your parents have to be on the line before I can even talk to you. You may call me again if you like but an identifiable adult must be on that line. This should help though. Remember, I do not know anyone in the music industry or how they do their core business! All I do is interview the artists. I cannot link you or anyone to an artist simply because we know them or interviewed them. It is NOT professional. They also deserve their PRIVACY. I suggest you search the internet for resources like producers. Go to Word Ink PR's Client page in Atlanta and click a guy on there called Jazze Pha. (Pronounced Jazzy Fay) Jazze is a top Producer and he always wants to hear new talent. Find out how you can get him and send your stuff. Call Tamiko Hope, the CEO and ask her how to reach Jazze. Jazze produced Ciara before she became famous. Ciara's PR person at the time hooked up my interview with her at Jazze's studio. It was only a venue but from what I saw and heard in there, the guy is damn GOOD! Hope this helps! DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK ME QUESTIONS EVERYONE.