News: Rapper Method Man is one of a variety of actors featured in a new horror themed television show being executive produced by actor/comedian/musician, Jamie Foxx.
The TV horror series is titled Night Tales and will be hosted by actresses Stacy Dash and Denise Richards.
Foxx’s No-Brainer Productions is producing 26 episodes of the series, which also counts NBA star Mitch Richmond as an executive producer.
The series, which is based on the 2008 BET flick Nite Tales: The Movie, is slated to be split across two seasons, according to Variety.
Foxx and company are planning on distributing Night Tales through a variety of platforms, including television, the Internet and comic books.
In addition to Method Man, Tom Arnold and Jason Mewes star in separate episodes of Night Tales, which presently has no air date.
News: Drake has joined Singjay Mavado in building a learning center for Jamaican students. The learning center, housed in Jamaica’s Cassava Piece community, has been Mavado’s dream for quite some time and the Young Money star was happy to cooperate with a $25,000 donation towards a new library.
The location is familiar to Drizzy, who shot his latest video, “Find Your Love” there in April. Mavado’s manager, Julian Jones-Griffith, explained how it all came together as noted in The Jamaica Star.
“Basically Mavado and Drake shot some scenes in Cassava Piece and struck up an immediate rapport with the people there. He thought they showed him a lot of love and he was very down to earth with them and wanted to do something positive.”
Drake spoke to The Star about it, as well, saying the experience has been fulfilling.
“I had a great time when I was in Jamaica and the people of Cassava Piece showed me a lot of love. I just wanted to show back some love by helping out with Mavado’s project on the Gullyside. It’s a very positive move and something I am very happy to be a part of. Education is the key to life so to be able to assist in that process is very fulfilling.”
Construction for the library, tentatively titled ‘Drake and Mavado Peace Center,’ has already started. In a statement, Mavado noted that he was born and raised in Cassava Piece and always looks for ways to impact the community in a positive way, citing peace between rival communities.
“We’re grateful for his contribution, it’s a great gesture, he is not even a Jamaican, so for him to do this and help build a foundation of knowledge and learning in our community is appreciated. All the successful Jamaicans should take a leaf out of Drake’s book,” Mavado added.
News: Over the weekend, Snoop Dogg performed at the Wireless Festival in the UK. While the show received some critical praise, he also gained attention for his post-show celebration. According to a witness, the Doggfather reportedly held a women-only after party in London’s Merah.
The Sun reported that a witness noticed more than 100 women in his VIP room. “Snoop was in his element. He had his own room towards the back of the club and there must have been more than 100 women in there.” ”He had two huge security guards on the door who would not let any blokes anywhere near it. They were even turning away male staff who were ferrying all the champagne his way.” The witness also added that security guards looked around the club for women Snoop would potentially be attracted to. “Security kept their eyes open and if they saw any ladies they thought Snoop would approve of, they invited them in.” The report also claims that Snoop only drank mineral water while still raking up quite a bill for champagne. For Snoop, the trip to the UK was one that was made for his performance at the Wireless Festival. According to another witness, Snoop wasn’t too happy with “the size of his quarters,” until a few changes were made. “Snoop was good natured backstage but wasn’t chuffed at the size of his quarters. A few quick modifications were made and he was then as good as gold.” This was one of the first times the Dogg performed in the UK since he was allowed to re-enter the country earlier this year.
News: A rowdy crowd in Atlantic City, New Jersey, forced Harrah’s Resort to close surrounding nightclubs and cancel temporarily halt a pool party featuring Sean “Diddy” Combs, Floyd Mayweather and a number of other celebrities.
Over 1,800 people were forced out of the July 4th pool party shortly after midnight, when another 500 people attempted to force their way into Harrah’s venue, The Pool. The party was so crowded that Combs, who was hosting the party, could not even enter the venue and was forced to leave without entering around 1:00 AM.
Harrah’s closed down all of their bars operating in the area to avoid any more problems with the crowd. One man was arrested for fighting with police officers during the melee.
The following day, Harrah’s canceled a show that was scheduled to feature more than a dozen DJ’s, to avoid any more incidents.
News: Mogul Jay-Z, the Nets billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov, and coach Avery Johnson all made a presentation and pitch to LeBron James to woo the basketball sensation to the New Jersey Nets.
The trio, along with several other team officials, made a 90-minute pitch to the two-time NBA MVP. James officially became a free agent at 12:01 today. The Associated Press offered a detailed account of the meeting, but reports have sprouted in various media outlets.
“Prokhorov left with a few members of the Nets’ entourage at 12:43 p.m. Lagging a few minutes behind them was Jay-Z, a close friend of James, who was sitting in the back seat of a black sedan leaving the garage as the Knicks’ motorcade - 2 sedans and 2 SUVs - pulled in,” the AP wrote.
Sources with AllHipHop.com revealed that Jay-Z may have had a private, albeit brief, meeting with James. Avery Johnson reportedly stated the meeting “went well.” The sentiment echoed the New York Knicks views of their meeting right after the Nets.
“I think it went well,” New York coach Mike D’Antoni told The Associated Press. “But obviously everyone that gets the chance to talk to him will probably say same the same thing.” James is expected to meet with the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers tomorrow.
News: Rapper Drake has been forced to cancel the European leg of his Home Away From Home tour due to a family emergency. The situation involved his mother, who needed surgery and the cancellations could not be avoided, according to the rapper.
“Despite my best hopes, it is apparent that my mother will need surgery earlier than anticipated. In light of this news, I have made the difficult decision to cancel my European tour in order to support her during her recovery, just as she supported me through the years,” Drake said in a statement. “I cannot thank my European fans enough and look forward to performing abroad soon. I ask everyone to please respect my family’s privacy during this time.”
Drake has canceled a total of 10 dates on the European run of the Home Away From Home tour, which was supposed to start the July 2nd in Norway. Shows in Paris, Amsterdam and London are already being scheduled for November 2010, where tickets will be honored for the rescheduled date. Drake will hit the road again on July 16th, when he resume’s the Home Away From Home tour at Ottawa Bluesfest.
News: Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather is opening his Las Vegas gym and his wallet starting Monday (July 5th) when he sponsors the Mayweather Boxing Club Summer Camp.
Mayweather’s Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation (TFMJF) will host three sessions over a six-week period to teach 150 children aged 5-18 the skills it takes to make it in boxing, while participating in teamwork, training and fitness exercises. Sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“Giving back to this community and providing opportunities for youth to stay active and gain new skills is very important to me,” said Mayweather. It is also one of the goals of The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation. The Mayweather Boxing Club Summer Camp is a chance for these kids to learn the fundamentals of boxing, as well as the important life lessons that come with participation in sports.” For more information on Mayweather Boxing Club Summer Camp visit TFMJF.org.
Rap-A-Lot Records will release a new album by late legendary UGK founding member, Pimp C. According to reports, The Naked Soul of Sweet James Jones is due in stores on September 21. Rap-A-Lot will release The Naked Soul under a recently inked deal with Fontana/Universal Records. Pimp C., born Chad Butler, was found dead in his hotel room in Los Angeles on December 4, 2007. Surviving UGK member Bun B. is also planning a new solo release when his album Trill O.G. lands in stores on August 3rd.
The 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (BHF) announced today (July 2nd) that DJ Premier, Pete Rock and The Large Professor will perform a special set together on one stage. The event is scheduled to go down Monday (July 5th) at Brooklyn Bowl during the BHF 10’ How and Prove Super Bowl, where six acts will compete for an opening slot of the BHF. According to BHF organizers, the three legendary producers have only united onstage one before, in Japan. They have never performed one set on stage together in the United States. The BHF takes place from July 5th –10th, from Williamsburg to DUMBO in Brooklyn.
News: Rapper Nas has teamed with guitar legend Carlos Santana on a remake of AC/DC’s classic track Back in Black.
Other artists featured on Santana’s upcoming album include Chris Cornell, who remakes Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin and Joe Cocker, who takes on Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing.
Ray Manzarek of The Doors covers the group’s song Riders on the Storm.
“I paid special attention to the groove so the females would get completely aroused,” Santana told Rolling Stone in an interview.
Santana has experienced success with his collaborations with rappers.
In 1999, Wyclef and The Product G&B hit big with Santana on the song Maria, Maria from the album Supernatural.
Other collaborations include Do You Like the Way featuring Lauryn Hill and Cee-Lo.
Additionally, former Rhyme Syndicate/House of Pain member Everlast experienced success with Santana on the track Put Your Lights On from Supernatural, which has sold over 15 million copies.
News: Rapper 50 Cent is celebrating his 35th birthday today (July 6th) and according to the 50, he will take it light. The rapper, who is preparing to tour Brazil, will spend quality time with his family, in addition to taking out the time to do something nice for others, most notably his grandparents.
“It’s more fun for me to just not have to do anything and turn the phone off,” 50 Cent told DJ Whoo Kid on G-Unit Radio. “When my birthday comes, instead of buying stuff for myself, I’ll buy stuff for them and wait until the occasion comes to give it to them.”
50 has made millions of dollars through his various business ventures, which includes G-Unit Records, G-Unit Radio, a G-Unit clothing line and a stake in Vitaminwater, which earned the rapper an estimated $100 million when Coca-Cola bought the company in 2007.
“I got what I want,” said 50 Cent. “When you achieve more than you anticipate and if you’re blessed with having a long enough career, you’ll get over a lot of different things. And I think we are all conditioned to want things we don’t need. After you acquire them and you get comfortable with them, you realize, you never really needed that stuff.”
News: Rapper DMX could be a free man later today, after serving six months in an Arizona jail for violating the terms of his previous probation.
In March, DMX was sentenced to six months in jail, after the rapper tested positive for having cocaine in his system, a violation of his previous probation. According to a tweet from longtime producer Dame Grease, DMX is slated for an early release today, almost two months earlier than anticipated.
Multiple sources said that DMX would be hitting the road for spot dates shortly after he is released. DMX may also join the cast of Dr. Drew’s Celebrity Rehab as well, as producers are still scrambling to find troubled stars to participate in the show.
News: Eminem’s Recovery to hit platinum in second week.
Anyone with doubts regarding Eminem’s bankability in 2010 can allay them, as the many-times-over platinum artist is projected to add another platinum plaque to his wall this week.
According to hitsdailydouble.com, Shady’s Recovery is projected to move anywhere between 320-340k, putting him easily in the #1 spot for the second week in a row, as well as pushing him over the platinum mark.
Other projections for the week include Drake’s Thank Me Later at 115-125k, as well as The-Dream’s Love King at 55-60k. Other projections for the week are The Roots at 21-24k, and Usher at approximately the same figures.
News: One man was shot and injured by police officers last night (July 4th) during a “Mac Dre Day” celebration in Vallejo, California, that drew over 1,500 people.
Thousands of people were gathered at the North Vallejo Park last night around 10:30 PM, to celebrate the life of the rapper, who was born on July 5th, 1970 and was gunned down on November 1, 2004, in Kansas City. According to reports, police were responding to reports of gunfire in the park when they spotted a man with a gun fleeing the scene.
Two officers gave chase and in the ensuing chaos, shot the armed man multiple times. At press time, it was not known if the victim fired at police first. According to sources, the man who was is in stable condition at a local hospital.
Mac Dre, born Andre Hicks. Would have turned 40-years-old tomorrow.
News: Fayetteville, North Carolina rapper J. Cole has come under fire for a video that features students from Fayetteville State University and a local high school.
Students from FSU and EE Smith High School, along with band members, are featured in J. Cole’s latest video “Who Dat.”
Officials are so outraged over the language and sexually explicit themes in the video that they are attempting to have the video pulled from the Internet, claiming J. Cole illegally used their high school/college logos.
“I think it shows the school and the city in a negative light,” Superintendent Frank Till Jr. said in a statement. “I think it was a legitimate mistake on the school’s part.”
Till claimed that E.E. Smith’s Principal Clinton Robinson and the school’s music director signed waivers allowing the students to participate, but the decision was not cleared with higher-ups in the school system.
Administrators hoped that the appearances in the local rapper’s video would help bring new members to the school, but due to the video’s explicit themes, Superintendent Till believes it will have opposite effect.
“There will be some people who see this video and they won’t see past the language used by that young man,” Till told the Fayetteville Observer. “And they’ll see it as a reflection of the students at E.E. Smith. Their test scores were out of this world this year, but this hangs over that. I think it’s a shame.”
J. Cole is signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label. His debut album October 26th.
News: Producer Ervin “EP” Pope filed a lawsuit against rapper Mack 10 and his record label Hoo Bangin’ Entertainment, claiming he is owed hundreds-of-thousands of dollars in unpaid royalties. EP claims he was never compensated for production work on two tracks featured on Mack 10’s album Soft White.
According to the lawsuit, EP claims Mack 10 orally agreed to pay a total of $60,000, for producing the songs “It’s Your Life” and “Big Balla.”
EP is seeking at least $100,000 from Mack 10 in addition to his share of unpaid royalties from sales of the album Soft White and the two songs in question. Pope has produced tracks for a number of established artists, including Jay-Z, Twista, Kanye West Snoop Dogg, The Game and others.
