Forum: News & Topical Issues
ZJ Liquid. - Contributed
There are unconfirmed claims that popular radio disc jock ZJ Liquid will be returning to radio this week, after a recent suspension.
While sources close to the radio station have hinted that he will be returning later this week, a management representative, when contacted, did not confirm this claim.
On February 15, ZJ Liquid, who's real name is Michael Brissett, was suspended for playing an unedited version of Aidonia's Love It on his 'Fresh to Death' segment. While fans have been calling for his return and have even created a web page on Facebook called 'Put ZJ Liquid Back On Air', his suspension was rumoured to be 'indefinite' - with no date set for his return.
However, sources close to ZIP FM told THE STAR that ZJ Liquid will be back on air this week.
decisions to make
The DJ has been with the station for seven-and-a-half-years. When contacted a few weeks ago about the Zip jock's date of return, ZIP FM's station manager D'Adra Williams explained that there were many decisions to be made first.
She said, "this is a matter that deals with the station's licence, all decisions will have to be made dependent on our broadcasting licence."
When contacted yesterday about whether the DJ would be returning this week Williams responded, "I don't know."
When contacted, ZJ Liquid did not want to comment on the matter either.
While off air, Liquid has been busy pursuing a career as a deejay with the release of his debut song Dweet Girl on the 'Shaolin Temple' rhythm. More recently, he released Party Hard on Don Corleon's 'Gala' rhythm.
"Honestly, I have been receiving a lot of positive feedback on the song. Sometimes women come up to me and say, why you a draw card pon di artiste suh'," Ikaya related.
But according to her it's just about music and all in good vibes. Since her company Outaroad Records sent out the pre-release to the various disc jocks here in Jamaica and overseas, the song has been getting a lot of love from them.
Ikaya who shot the video for her single "Money Ova Man" two weeks ago, is now gearing up for its premiere next week.
ELEPHANT MAN , Q45 SPLIT! - ARTISTE, MANAGER END 10-YEAR RELATIONSHIP
Since last week, rumours have been circulating on the Internet that a split might have occurred since Elephant Man is no longer a regular at the Q45 headquarters. Producer/manager Q45 has been influential to Elephant Man's career since his departure from the Scare Dem Crew in 1999.
When THE STAR spoke with Q45 yesterday, he said there is no bad *lo** between himself and the colourful deejay.
TIME FOR A CHANGE
Not going into the reasons behind the split, Q45 said, "maybe it's just time for a change, but we're still good." Elephant Man could not be reached for a comment.
According to Q45, he would still be willing to do work with the deejay in the future and would still want Elephant Man to record for him, as well. As for managing other artistes and young talent, Q45 said he's always up to doing music as long as the person has good talent.
Outside of managing Elephant Man, Q45 is also the promoter of the recently started Hennessy Fridays held at 36 Burlington Avenue.
He commented, "the dance has been doing good, it's started to pick up. We just need the people to start coming earlier, 'cause we not going over the curfew time, so it's from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m."
Source: www.jamaica-star.com
Posted by Dancehallreggaeweseh.com
GOING AWAY!!! PICS OF LIL WAYNE BEING HAULED OFF TO JAIL . . . AND WEEZY LOOKS LIKE HE'S SCARED TO DEATH!!!
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Sony signs whopping $250 million deal with Jackson estate
March 17, 2010
Sony signs whopping $250 million deal with Jackson estate
LOS ANGELES, March 16, 2010 (AFP) - Sony and administrators for Michael Jacksons estate confirmed Tuesday they signed a 250-million-dollar deal that will include releasing new music the pop icon was working on before his death.
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The landmark deal would give the entertainment giant distribution rights for all of Jacksons material until 2017, a source close to the matter told AFP, adding the deal would be worth about 250 million dollars.
Thanks to the agreement, which smashes all music industry records, Sony Musics Columbia Epic Label Group and Legacy Recordings would maintain their long-held rights to Jacksons catalog of music.
They would also score distribution of new products, including never before published song albums, with some of the music now due to be released in November.
The blockbuster deal involving as many as 10 new Jackson projects, or musical items, will include computer video games as well as music and film releases, a source close to the matter said.
It could be a DVD, a stage show, music video. The creative possibilities are very open, the source added.
Jackson, who had been with the Epic Label for three decades, died suddenly on June 25 at his rented mansion in Los Angeles after an overdose of powerful prescription drugs, as he was preparing to perform a series of comeback concerts in London.
In a controversial comment after his sons death, Joe Jackson said the pop star was worth more dead than when he was alive. He may be proven right.
The King of Pop was the artist with the most record sales in the United States last year, with 8.3 million copies sold, nearly twice as much as the artist in the number two spot -- country-pop star Taylor Swift with 4.6 million album copies.
'Death Before Dishonour' - The Finale! - Promoter calls it quits after 10 years
The iconic sound clashing competition, 'Death Before Dishonour', will call it quits after its 10th anniversary this Easter Monday in Montego Bay.
Dubbed 'The Final Waarrr' and set for Monday April 5th at Pier One in Montego Bay, featuring: Tony Matterhorn, Black Kat, Mighty Crown, Bass Odyssey, Sentinel and Bredda Hype to compete for the 'final cup.'
Staged by Irish and Chin since 2001 as part of the World Clash series, Death Before Dishonour is regarded as the stage for a true, raw sound clash which makes selectors into stars.
When THE WEEKEND STAR spoke to Garfield 'Chin' Bourne, he explained that Irish and Chin haven't given up the sound clash arena but is looking to create a new generation aimed at giving young *lo**s a 'level playing field'.
According to Chin, five main selectors have dominated the sound clashing field for the last 15 years as the kings of clashing. That includes: Black Kat, Japanese sound Mighty Crown, British selector David Rodigan, Tony Matterhorn and Bass Odyssey.
Chin explained, "I feel the industry needs to go through a change, fresh ideas, new format, new attractions, new selectors, these things are necessary. I've realised that in the clash industry you have five or six sound systems that have been at the forefront, there's only been one sound to breakthrough in the last couple of years and that's Mighty Crown."
According to Chin, new patrons want to follow the young selectors rather than the older ones that they are not accustomed to.
The World Clash series started in 1998 with 'World Clash' in New York which spread to the United Kingdom, Jamaica and the Caribbean.Ten years after its inception, Irish and Chin pulled the plug in New York and the UK with Jamaica as the last standing world-class arena - until now.
The new arena, which Chin hopes to achieve soon, will feature less dubplates and based on talent, presentation and knowledge of the music. "We plan not to emphasise so much dubplates and make it easier for new sound systems to compete," he said.
According to Chin, dubplates for one song per artiste can run a sound system up to US$700 - $1000, which is too costly for young talents and sounds to compete with the veterans. The new era of clashing will also be less raw so as to attract more sponsorship.
Chin said, "We're not gonna give up Easter Monday festivities, we're not gonna walk away, there will be a sound system event but it won't be named Death Before Dishonour. We have a whole year to find out which direction we're gonna take it."
For the final clash, Chin promises an explosive finale that is being kept a surprise. This year there will be a tribute to Bass Odyssey's recently deceased front-clash selector Squingy. The clash cup has been renamed the 'Squingy Cup' and Chin says it will be a sentimental moment for the winner. "It will be memorable."DEAR ZONE: I LIKE TO BE A BAD MOD AKA INTERNET POLICE-----------------------GAMEPUN
MY NAME IS ANDREW, AND IM A MOD ON A VERY POPULAR SITE ON THE INTERNET
EVER SINCE I WAS A BOY I LIKE TO PLAY BY THE RULES, I FEEL THAT PPL WHO DONT PLAY BY THE RULES MUST BE PUNISHED....WHEN I WAS 8.MY MOTHER WAS ENTITLED TO GIVING ME THREE MEALS A DAY AND ON DAY SHE NEVER GAVE ME LUNCH, I MADE SURE SHE WAS PUNISHED, CAUSE THE RULES STATES THAT I SHUD BE GIVING THREE MEALS A DAY
MY LIFE IS PRETTY MUCH BORING SO I LIKE TO USE PPL AND TERRORIZE DEM, AFTER 9 YEARS OF COMPLETE AND EXTREME BOREDOM, I HAD THE OPPURTUNITY TO BE A MOD, I WAKE UP IN THE MORNINGS AND I WONDER "HMM, WHO SHUD I TROUBLE TODAY, SO I LOG ON TO MY FAVORITE SITE AND COMPLAIN ON PPL FOR NO REASON
IM NOT GETTING PAID TO BE A MOD, BUT EVERYONE HAS TO BE A CLOWN SOMETIME AND THATS WHAT I AM..........I LIKE TO PRESSURE PPL, I LIKE TO BE THE GOOD GUY EVEN IF IT MEANS PUNISHING MYSELF..........I FEEL IT WILL HELP ME TO GAIN MY CONFIDENCE IN GETTING A GF SOMEDAY...SOMEONE HAS TO DO THE JOB
I JUST LIKE TO BE BAD AND THERES NO DOUBT BOUT IT,
PSSST...SOMETIMES I PLANT PORNLINKS IN PPL'S POST JUST SO ADMIN CAN BAN THEM LOL
ANYWAY I THINK IM PRETTY NORMAL....WHAT U THINK?
SINCERLY YOURS
ANDREW
-- Edited by gamepun on Monday 25th of January 2010 08:23:23 PM
-- Edited by gamepun on Monday 25th of January 2010 08:31:01 PM
Del Crooks - File
Wholesome family entertainment, inspiration and volumes of fun are just some of the things Fun in the Son is synonymous with.
However, this year inundated with local and international stars alike, the show has partnered with Protect the Environment Trust, (PET), a non-governmental organisation that seeks to improve Jamaica's environment through the collection of plastic bottles/containers and other non-biodegradable waste material for recycling.
The programme will help to lessen the devastating effects of some 40 million plastic bottles that are dumped on to our lands and waterways each month. "Take a look in the supermarkets, almost everything including liquor is being distributed in plastic," said Del Crooks, director of PET.
recycle please
The responsibility of PET at this the eighth staging of Fun in the Son is simple: collect all plastic bottles and aluminium cans at the venue and deliver them to the PET plant for recycling.
To date, PET has recovered in excess of 20 million plastic bottles and containers from beaches, streets, schools, hotels, bars, restaurants, gyms and more in Kingston and St Andrew, Portland, St Mary and Portmore. This partnership with Fun in the Son seeks to expand the enterprise. "Fun in the Son is an established event that targets so many people, the audience we will reach is extensive: both young and old and we're very excited about that," said Crooks.
Crooks also drove home the point that plastic only starts to break down approximately 700 years after being disposed, as a result, "Every and any opportunity to partner is important in putting an end to plastic bottles ending up in the garbage. So any mass production of people is ideal to this initiative. The primary focus of the partnership is to try from all avenues available to prevent plastic bottles from ending up in the dumps."
Fun in the Son will be staged this Saturday on the grounds of Jamaica College, Old Hope Road with a number of fun-filled activities inside the 'Kids Village' for families and kids starting at 10 a.m. In addition, the free concert which features artistes ranging from Young Ambassadors - SOP, Ryan Berry, JLee, Kereen Gregory, Trill X, Courtney Cooke, Kingdom SoulJazz and US-based Element starts at 2 p.m. and later on eager fans will get the opportunity to listen and worship to the music of international gospel artiste, Kirk Franklin, Jamaica's own, Papa San, Carlene Davis, DJ Nicholas, Sister Scully, Goddy Goddy, Omari, Jabez, Kimiela Isaacs and more.
Crystal Gareve, winner of the Poetry In Motion Golden Tongue Award receiving her gifts from JIIC representatives at their offices in New Kingston on Friday March 12. - Rasbert Turner
So, you didn't watch 'Poetry in Motion?' Not to worry, an anthology of speeches with a compilation of all 7 stagings of the annual speech festival is scheduled to be released within six months.
Tanoi of Yasus Afari's Edutaiment Promotions made the disclosure during the award ceremony for the 2010 'Golden Tongue' festival winner. At a short ceremony held at the Jamaica International Insurance Company (JIIC) Offices in New Kingston recently, Tanoi said the aim was to blend youth with their seniors in the business.
"We realise that a number of the youths who participate in the festival are not known in entertainment, therefore, the aim is to compile the work with the likes of Mutabaruka, Yasus Afari, Professor Mervin Morris and others so that the public can be associated with their style,'' Tanoi told THE STAR.
Crystal Gareve was presented with a laptop computer, books and a trophy by JIIC representatives who promised to continue supporting the festival.
"There was a need for persons to express themselves in an effective way, we have a proud supporter of Poetry in Motion, the entries are getting better and we are very proud of persons like Crystal,'' Elizabeth Chung, Marketing Manager of JIIC said.
The recipient said that she was glad to be recognised for her entry in the annual festival.
"I think, poetry is a good way to express yourself and that is what I have done and to be recognised is a most important step,'' The 25-year-old Gareve remarked.
In an effort to enhance the flexibility of the festival, the Golden Tongue was introduced so that young poets could express themselves through the spoken word.
( l - r ) Ding Dong, Craig 'Serani' Marsh - File
Singjay Serani is back with more party songs for the season, including a brand new collaboration with Ding Dong called Drive Out.
Can Serani and Ding Dong create musical magic once again? After tearing up the end of last year with Skip to Ma Luu featuring Ding Dong, Serani is back with his own brand of 'party songs' with Drive Out and Searching.
He told THE STAR recently, "When you do a song people can dance to, I don't like it where you telling people to move left and then right, that's played out. I love a song like Holiday where you just have fun and you have a dance to go to that song."
The formula also worked for Skip to ma Luu, which had a dance of the same name to accompany it.
calypso meets reggae
For Drive Out, a calypso-meets-reggae song with selector Biggy doing the intro once again, there is an accompanying dance of the same name which was created by Pencil Man from Ravers Clavers.
The song was officially released on Monday and is produced by DASECA.
Serani said, "Ding Dong is somebody mi rate and know from long time, so when di music good and the link good, a vibe happen like Skip to Ma Luu and now Drive Out."
Prior to the release of Drive Out, the singjay released Searching saying, "I wanted to do another party song again and a dance for it. I was writing a girls song and picturing the dance follow through and it worked." The 'follow through' dance was created by Mundo Ravers from the Ravers Clavers squad.
Coming soon, Serani and his DASECA counterparts are looking out for the release of their 'Genesis' rhythm online on March 23 as well as their other upcoming rhythm called 'Dancehall Again' with Bounty Killer, Mr Vegas, Elephant Man, Bugle and others.
Police warn party promoters - Weekly events to cut back
Senior Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight.
The police on Monday met with seven promoters in the Half-Way Tree, St Andrew area after receiving several complaints about night noise disturbances from residents.
Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, head of the St Andrew Central police, met with the dance and party promoters including deejay Junior Reid, Hennessy Friday's promoter Q45, persons from Rebel T and Winston 'Wee Pow' Powell, promoter of Weddy Weddy.
no permit
In the case of Junior Reid, Knight discussed the deejay's two-storey club called 'The View' which is located on Eastwood Park Road. The Superintendent explained that while the club has been up and running since 2008, Reid has not made an official application to the police and the resident magistrate to be operating.
"The club is not licensed at this time," Knight said. "He is to put in the requisite application and not play the music on the roof, this is a breach. The music should be played in the club for the patrons to hear." He explained that a cease and desist order has since been issued until the irregularities have been sorted out.
Reid could not be reached for a comment.
As for Weddy Weddy, the lawman said that Wee Pow was told to downsize his boxes and to position them inward to curtail the level of noise emitted.
When contacted, Wee Pow confirmed he had spoken to Knight about the loud noise in the area. Wee Pow commented: "We've been here for many years, is just the surrounding now get festered wid music on a whole and I get caught up in the crossfire of the new promoters. I'm getting pinched in what is happening." Weddy Weddy has been held at the Stone Love Headquarters at 41 Burlington Avenue for the last seven years.
less hennessy
Hennessy Fridays, will no longer be a weekly event after the police ordered that the event only be staged every other Friday. For the promoter, Q45, he says he doesn't have a problem with keeping the event twice a month as he had originally intended to host Hennessy Fridays only once per month. He doesn't believe the new restriction will decrease the dance's growing popularity.
Since February 12, Hennessy Fridays has been held at 36 Burlington Avenue every Friday. Q45 said: "Me and Mr Knight came to an agreement and I think it's a good idea. The people can save dem money to come cause you know Hennessy isn't a cheap liquor." The event will not be held this Friday but resumes on March 25 and plans to stick to its 2 a.m. lock off time.
Junior Reid
Q45
Winston 'Wee Pow' Powell
Wada (left) and Andrew *lo**. - File
Dancehall artistes Andrew and Wada *lo** were among the thousands who experienced the 4.4 magnitude earthquake in Los Angeles, California, shortly after 4 a.m. yesterday.
"We are here and safe. I was asleep when the earthquake happened, but it woke me up. We jus' grateful and give thanks that it wasn't bigger or worse than that," said Andrew *lo** yesterday. So far there have been no reports of damage, injuries and power outages associated with the earthquake.
Andrew and Wada *lo** left the island last week for a one-month promotional tour of California to promote their new singles Find A Way and Irie and their still untitled upcoming album.
"So far the shows have been going well. We did a show at a club in Hollywood the other night and in Santa Barbara and some more and we are getting ready to do some more and mad up di place," said Wada *lo**, the other half of the recording duo known for hits including Hustle Till The Day That I Die, Money Print, Hustla For Life, (La La La) and more.
The duo returns to the island the first week in April.
Police warn party promoters - Weekly events to cut back
Senior Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight.
The police on Monday met with seven promoters in the Half-Way Tree, St Andrew area after receiving several complaints about night noise disturbances from residents.
Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight, head of the St Andrew Central police, met with the dance and party promoters including deejay Junior Reid, Hennessy Friday's promoter Q45, persons from Rebel T and Winston 'Wee Pow' Powell, promoter of Weddy Weddy.
no permit
In the case of Junior Reid, Knight discussed the deejay's two-storey club called 'The View' which is located on Eastwood Park Road. The Superintendent explained that while the club has been up and running since 2008, Reid has not made an official application to the police and the resident magistrate to be operating.
"The club is not licensed at this time," Knight said. "He is to put in the requisite application and not play the musicon the roof, this is a breach. The music should be played in the club for the patrons to hear." He explained that a cease and desist order has since been issued until the irregularities have been sorted out.
Reid could not be reached for a comment.
As for Weddy Weddy, the lawman said that Wee Pow was told to downsize his boxes and to position them inward to curtail the level of noise emitted.
When contacted, Wee Pow confirmed he had spoken to Knight about the loud noise in the area. Wee Pow commented: "We've been here for many years, is just the surrounding now get festered wid music on a whole and I get caught up in the crossfire of the new promoters. I'm getting pinched in what is happening." Weddy Weddy has been held at the Stone Love Headquarters at 41 Burlington Avenue for the last seven years.
less hennessy
Hennessy Fridays, will no longer be a weekly event after the police ordered that the event only be staged every other Friday. For the promoter, Q45, he says he doesn't have a problem with keeping the event twice a month as he had originally intended to host Hennessy Fridays only once per month. He doesn't believe the new restriction will decrease the dance's growing popularity.
Since February 12, Hennessy Fridays has been held at 36 Burlington Avenue every Friday. Q45 said: "Me and Mr Knight came to an agreement and I think it's a good idea. The people can save dem money to come cause you know Hennessy isn't a cheap liquor." The event will not be held this Friday but resumes on March 25 and plans to stick to its 2 a.m. lock off time.
Junior Reid
Q45
Winston 'Wee Pow' Powell
EXPLOSIVE!!! NFL BALLER HAS SECRET PAST . . . DUDE WAS ARRESTED FOR HAVING SEX WITH HIS 15 YEAR OLD SISTER!!!
EXPLOSIVE!!! NFL BALLER HAS SECRET PAST . . . DUDE WAS ARRESTED FOR HAVING SEX WITH HIS 15 YEAR OLD SISTER!!! (DETAILS AND PICS INSIDE)
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MediaTakeOut.com just uncovered a SHOCKING piece of information. One of the top NFL draft prospects, Tony Washington an offensive tackle from a Division II Abilene Christian college, was CONVICTED of having sex with his SISTER.
Heres what happened. In May 2003, Tony was convicted of having sex with his 15-year old biological sister. While people close to Tony are saying that the act was consensual, his sister does not wish to speak publicly on the case.
Washington was arrested in connection with the incident, he was 16 at the time, and received five years probation. Because he was a juvenile at the time, he did not have to got to jail. He is, however, required to register as a SEX OFFENDER.
Heres what dude had to say about it:
I made a mistake at the age of 16, and for that, I am deeply sorry . . . I will not try and excuse or justify anything. I have worked extremely hard to do everything right so that I might have an opportunity to give back. I only hope that someone in the NFL will give me the same opportunity that Abilene Christian and Trinity Valley gave me.
What do you think, should dude be allowed to play in the NFL????
Lil Wayne’s First Few Days in Prison [Says Some Guards have been written up for Acting like Fan
Still, according to a Rikers guard who spoke with blogger Combat Jack, Wayne has been receiving special treatment from Rikers corrections officers, two of whom have already been written up for bending the prisons rules for Weezy:
A couple of guards have been written up, only because theyve acted like fans, having more personal interaction with Wayne than is procedure, prolly acting all star struck, which, once again, the system does its best to discourage For the most part though, Wayne has been pretty quiet, staying mostly inside his jail cell. There doesnt seem to be anyone, any faction trying to get at him in any harmful way, because hes new and because he hasnt violated any of the codes customary to inmate living the prison life. As I was told, its too early to determine how the rest of his experience will be, but so far, so good. Its all in Lil Waynes hands.
The guard also said the prison has been inundated with calls from Waynes camp questioning if the prison will force Wayne to cut his dreads. Prison officials say that as long as Waynes dreads are real (and he keeps them neat and clean) they wont be chopped off. Hopefully, theyre real.
The NY prison system provides barbers and beauticians for the inmates to keep them looking presentable free of charge.
Popular radio personality DJ Sunshine is getting ready to make her local television debut, as the host of a brand new television show called Reggaelution 20. The first episode of Reggaelution 20 will be aired on CVM television Thursday March 18, 2010 at 5:30pm. This new top 20 countdown show is designed to promote good Jamaican music both locally and overseas. The show is also scheduled to begin airing on the renowned Caribbean television station Tempo in the near future.
DJ Sunshine is a graduate of St. Andrew High School for Girls and the Miami Dade Community College; she also has degree in architecture. Sunshine has had a craving for music since she was in high school; she would rush home from school in the evenings to listen to the radio and record the latest tunes on cassette tapes. She would play back these tunes and practice mixing them on the family stereo set.
After graduating from college and returning to Jamaica she began playing out at house parties and small events at venues such as Harry's Bar in Kingston, to hone her craft. Like a ray of Sunshine she burst onto the music scene to become the "FIRST LADY" of the Dancehall, when she joined the staff of the hugely popular IRIE FM radio station in October 2001. Since then she has been flexing her musical muscles entertaining thousands of people both locally and abroad who tune in to catch her popular radio show The Jam, which airs on Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays.
Since she has been on IRIE DJ Sunshine has become as a top radio DJ and she has also branched out into other areas of the business. She has also become a very popular MC, she recently performed such duties on major events such as Rebel Salute and Follow Di Arrow. Sunshine is also a major force on the party circuit as she is heavily in demand for parties and other events.
Ele, Q45 split! - Artiste, manager end 10-year relationship
Elephant Man (left) and Q45. - File
After 10 years of working together, deejay Elephant Man and longtime manager Q45 have parted ways on good terms.
Since last week, rumours have been circulating on the Internet that a split might have occurred since Elephant Man is no longer a regular at the Q45 headquarters. Producer/manager Q45 has been influential to Elephant Man's career since his departure from the Scare Dem Crew in 1999.
When THE STAR spoke with Q45 yesterday, he said there is no bad *lo** between himself and the colourful deejay.
time for a change
Not going into the reasons behind the split, Q45 said, "maybe it's just time for a change, but we're still good." Elephant Man could not be reached for a comment.
According to Q45, he would still be willing to do work with the deejay in the future and would still want Elephant Man to record for him, as well. As for managing other artistes and young talent, Q45 said he's always up to doing music as long as the person has good talent.
Outside of managing Elephant Man, Q45 is also the promoter of the recently started Hennessy Fridays held at 36 Burlington Avenue.
He commented, "the dance has been doing good, it's started to pick up. We just need the people to start coming earlier, 'cause we not going over the curfew time, so it's from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m."
The FBI Is Spying On You: On Facebook, Twitter & Myspace Using Fake Accounts
WASHINGTON The Feds are on Facebook. And MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter, too.
U.S. law enforcement agents are following the rest of the Internet world into popular social-networking services, going undercover with false online profiles to communicate with suspects and gather private information, according to an internal Justice Department document that offers a tantalizing glimpse of issues related to privacy and crime-fighting.
Think you know who's behind that friend request? Think again. Your new friend just might be the FBI.
The document, obtained in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, makes clear that U.S. agents are already logging on surreptitiously to exchange messages with suspects, identify a target's friends or relatives and browse private information such as postings, personal photographs and video clips.
Among other purposes: Investigators can check suspects' alibis by comparing stories told to police with tweets sent at the same time about their whereabouts. Online photos from a suspicious spending spree people posing with jewelry, guns or fancy cars can link suspects or their friends to robberies or burglaries.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco-based civil liberties group, obtained the Justice Department document when it sued the agency and five others in federal court. The 33-page document underscores the importance of social networking sites to U.S. authorities. The foundation said it would publish the document on its Web site on Tuesday.
With agents going undercover, state and local police coordinate their online activities with the Secret Service, FBI and other federal agencies in a strategy known as deconfliction to keep out of each other's way.
You could really mess up someone's investigation because you're investigating the same person and maybe doing things that are counterproductive to what another agency is doing, said Detective Frank Dannahey of the Rocky Hill, Conn., Police Department, a veteran of dozens of undercover cases.
Treasure trove of leads, evidence
A decade ago, agents kept watch over AOL and MSN chat rooms to nab sexual predators. But those text-only chat services are old-school compared with today's social media, which contain mountains of personal data, photographs, videos and audio clips a potential treasure trove of evidence for cases of violent crime, financial fraud and much more.
The Justice Department document, part of a presentation given in August by top cybercrime officials, describes the value of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn and other services to government investigators. It does not describe in detail the boundaries for using them.
It doesn't really discuss any mechanisms for accountability or ensuring that government agents use those tools responsibly, said Marcia Hoffman, a senior attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
The group sued in Washington to force the government to disclose its policies for using social networking sites in investigations, data collection and surveillance.
The foundation also obtained an Internal Revenue Service document that instructs employees on how to use to use Internet tools including social networking sites to investigate taxpayers. The document states that IRS employees are barred from using deception or creating fake accounts to get information, a directive the group says is commendable.
Covert investigations on social-networking services are legal and governed by internal rules, according to Justice Department officials. But they would not say what those rules are.
The Justice Department document raises a legal question about a social-media bullying case in which U.S. prosecutors charged a Missouri woman with computer fraud for creating a fake MySpace account effectively the same activity that undercover agents are doing, although for different purposes.
The woman, Lori Drew, helped create an account for a fictitious teen boy on MySpace and sent flirtatious messages to a 13-year-old neighborhood girl in his name. The girl hanged herself in October 2006, in a St. Louis suburb, after she received a message saying the world would be better without her.
A jury in California, where MySpace has its servers, convicted Drew of three misdemeanor counts of accessing computers without authorization because she was accused of violating MySpace's rules against creating fake accounts. But last year a judge overturned the verdicts, citing the vagueness of the law.
If agents violate terms of service, is that otherwise illegal activity'? the document asks. It doesn't provide an answer.
Facebook's rules, for example, specify that users will not provide any false personal information on Facebook, or create an account for anyone other than yourself without permission. Twitter's rules prohibit its users from sending deceptive or false information. MySpace requires that information for accounts be truthful and accurate.
Just like the real world
A former U.S. cybersecurity prosecutor, Marc Zwillinger, said investigators should be able to go undercover in the online world the same way they do in the real world, even if such conduct is barred by a company's rules. But there have to be limits, he said.
In the face-to-face world, agents can't impersonate a suspect's spouse, child, parent or best friend. But online, behind the guise of a social-networking account, they can.
This new situation presents a need for careful oversight so that law enforcement does not use social networking to intrude on some of our most personal relationships, said Zwillinger, whose firm does legal work for Yahoo and MySpace.
Undercover operations aren't necessary if the suspect is reckless. Federal authorities nabbed a man wanted on bank fraud charges after he started posting Facebook updates about the fun he was having in Mexico.
Maxi Sopo, a native of Cameroon living in the Seattle area, apparently slipped across the border into Mexico in a rented car last year after learning that federal agents were investigating the alleged scheme. The agents initially could find no trace of him on social media sites, and they were unable to pin down his exact location in Mexico. But they kept checking and eventually found Sopo on Facebook.
While Sopo's online profile was private, his list of friends was not. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Scoville began going through the list and was able to learn where Sopo was living. Mexican authorities arrested Sopo in September. He is awaiting extradition to the U.S.
The Justice document describes how Facebook, MySpace and Twitter have interacted with federal investigators: Facebook is often cooperative with emergency requests, the government said. MySpace preserves information about its users indefinitely and even stores data from deleted accounts for one year. But Twitter's lawyers tell prosecutors they need a warrant or subpoena before the company turns over customer information, the document says.
Will not preserve data without legal process, the document says under the heading, Getting Info From Twitter ... the bad news.
Twitter did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
The chief security officer for MySpace, Hemanshu Nigam, said MySpace doesn't want to be the company that stands in the way of an investigation. That said, we also want to make sure that our users' privacy is protected and any data that's disclosed is done under proper legal process, Nigam said.
MySpace requires a search warrant for private messages less than six months old, according to the company.
Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes said the company has put together a handbook to help law enforcement officials understand the proper ways to request information from Facebook to aid investigations.
The Justice document includes sections about its own lawyers. For government attorneys taking cases to trial, social networks are a valuable source of info on defense witnesses, they said. Knowledge is power. ... Research all witnesses on social networking sites.
But the government warned prosecutors to advise their own witnesses not to discuss cases on social media sites and to think carefully about what they post.
It also cautioned federal law enforcement officials to think prudently before adding judges or defense counsel as friends on these services.
Social networking and the courtroom can be a dangerous combination, the government said.
Ky-Mani's book stirs controversy-Dear Dad — the story the Marley family didn’t want you to know
MIAMI, USA (AFP) -- A son of reggae legend Bob Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, has written a new book claiming he was deprived of his father's fortune for years unlike his half-brothers and half-sisters, sparking a row that could trigger legal action.
Ky-Mani Marley's Dear Dad hit booksellers' stands February 6, when the late reggae icon would have turned 65.
It has quickly become a major headache for this 34-year-old son of Marley.
The author, aware of the family squabbling it could unleash, tried to delay its release, and to tweak the content -- but he failed.
Now, there is a dispute between Ky-Mani Marley and his editor Farrah Gray, a young businessman of 24, over the veracity of content of the book. Their clash could end up in court, both told media in the United States and Jamaica in recent days.
"The book was not an attack on my family. I love my brothers and sisters more than anyone can know," Ky-Mani Marley, a Jamaican actor and musician who is a son of Bob Marley and table tennis champ Anita Belnavis, said in a statement on his MySpace page.
The book says on its cover that it contains the "story the Marley family apparently didn't want you to know".
Among other themes, the book claims its author was kept from accessing his fathers' fortune by Marley's widow Rita. It also claims Rita Marley tried to keep the money for her children with Marley while denying financial support to his children with six other women.
"I did not expect that Dr Gray would have unprofessionally and maliciously twisted my words or use things that were discussed in confidence to create controversy in an attempt to sell a book," Ky-Mani Marley added.
"During the final edit of the book, I spoke with my sister, Cedella, and I advised Dr Farrah Gray that some changes had to be made and until the changes were made, I was not willing to do any promotion for the book," the author added.
But the editor was unmoved by what he said was the younger Marley's backtracking.
"His denials have thrown me and the publishing company under the bus. I didn't write his book, I published it. This is his story; these are his words and now I have to prove it," Gray argued.
| Vybz Kartel's Pon Di Gaza at #15 on reggae iTunes |  |  |
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Vybz Kartel's latest album, Pon Di Gaza, is number 15 on the reggae iTunes chart.
Released on the Adidjahiem Records/NotNice Records label, Pon Di Gaza is a complete portrayal of the life and times of Adidja 'Vybz Kartel' Palmer. Tunes like the Billboard-charting single "Ramping Shop" featuring Spice, "Virginity" featuring Indu, and "Like a Movie" give audiences the flashy Vybz, while new singles like "Teardrops," "What You Won't Do for Love," "Can't Frame Me," and "Yea Though I Walk" gives personal testament of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of Adidja. | ||||
Nicki Minaj Plays Barbie For 'FADER' - [Photos Inside]
Pics After The Jump...
There's no denying Nicki Minaj is in the midst of a meteoric rise. The Harajuku Barbie hasn't even released her debut album yet, and already she's blowing up Twitter, sharing the stage with the major players and shaking her money maker for David Letterman.
Check Out FADER's hot new photo spread featuring the saucy diva of the Young Money crew.
and what riddim u think did it 4 09 as well
Ohio Cop Gets Jail Time for Sex Assault BWOI MI A TELL U IYAH... KMRT
T'S been five years since he shot onto the musical radar with the chart-topping and thought-provoking single Serious Times. Since then he has racked up a handful of minor hits including Mama Don't Cry, I Can Feel Your Pain and Beautiful Lady.
Now singer Gyptian and record label VP Records have thrown their muscle behind his latest hit Hold Yuh, which is currently heating up crossover radio stations stateside.
Hold Yuh, which was recorded two years ago, was produced by Ricky Blaze. "Hold Yuh is more like a vibes song. Is a natural reggae song that combines a mixture of everything," Gyptian said in an interview on the set of the video shoot for the single.
Hold Yuh is already in the top five on influential urban radio station Hot 97 FM's playlist. According to Cristy Barber, vice president for Marketing and Promotions at VP Records, the radio story for Hold Yuh has just begun. "The digital single is number two on I-tunes and the track is getting a lot of attention at crossover radio in America right now. It's a simple reggae song with that crossover vibe to it and we're getting the video done to capitalise on the potential of the song."
Not much has been heard of Gyptian in recent times; however, he remains quite active performing overseas at regular intervals as well as recording for various producers.
Asked whether he was surprised at the reception that Hold Yuh has been receiving stateside, Gyptian said, "My song dem always a tek off outside of Jamaica before getting any attention in Jamaica. So it's not a surprise to me really."
Barber pointed to the fact that locally radio stations have not supported Hold Yuh. "The song isn't getting any mileage, in Jamaica but on the other hand, its getting lots of attention in America and across the Caribbean. The song has gotten around 500 hits on YouTube within the past week."
Gyptian is already working on his third album for VP. The album is tentatively titled Hold Yuh. Jus One, FX and Ricky Blaze are the producers who have already contributed to the project. "We're looking at dropping the album around July and if everyone in Jamaica buys a copy, I am sure it can sell a million," Gyptian said jokingly.
Asked what fans can expect on the forthcoming album, Gyptian said, "More versatility, growth and the progress that Gyptian has made lyrically."
Gyptian's debut album My Name is Gyptian was released in 2006. Two years later I Can Feel Your Pain peaked at number four on Billboard's Reggae album chart.
Left: Even little boys, who were not supposed to be drinking alcohol, were seen sipping from bottles that were looted. Right: A large crowd gathers at the scene of the accident where one man was killed and another injured in St Catherine yesterday.
Left: Several bottles fall from a crate being carried by one man after the police began beating looters at the scene of the accident. Right: A policeman reaches under the truck wheels to administer his discipline on a man he suspected of looting. - Ricardo Makyn photos
Despite the tragedy that took place earlier during a motor vehicle accident, looters yesterday stormed a Heineken truck and stole its cargo.
It took a few blows from the police to stop the looting and to keep the crowd away from the burnt truck and the scene, where one man was killed and another badly burnt.
The Ford Sterling truck, laden with cases of Heineken, was travelling on the Linstead Bypass, St Catherine, about 8 a.m. when it collided with a Toyota Corolla heading in the opposite direction.
Corporal Peter Lewis of the Linstead Traffic Department said the Toyota, driven by Damion Murray, 27, from Cheesefield, St Catherine, blew a tyre and collided with the truck. The car was broken into pieces on impact while the truck was engulfed in flames which severely burnt the driver. The collision killed Murray.
But despite the wreckage, several people turned out to see what they could steal from the scene.
"A di Heineken dem mi want fi move to, although mi drink about a dozen already," said one looter with a bucket of the liquor in his hand. "The tings dem insure and all when the fire a blaze mi still a drink."
When the police began using their batons to rain blows on the looters one man was heard commenting; "Lawd, woi, di mad policeman a come wid di baton. Him nah romp wid people when him a fling the baton."
Several persons, however, still risked limbs as they desperately tried to grab a bottle or two while the police tried to get them away from the wreckage. Eventually, calm was restored.
Sneaky cabbies' $8M meter rip-off went on for years
In a mind-boggling ripoff that went undetected for years, thousands of city cabbies overcharged nearly 2 million passengers by at least $8.3 million, according to a shocking disclosure yesterday by the Taxi & Limousine Commission.
Officials said 35,558 of the city's 48,300 taxi drivers -- or three-quarters of all the licensees -- were caught overcharging at least once by secretly changing the meter's rate setting.
A staggering 3,000 drivers swindled passengers more than 100 times each. A total of 1.9 million trips were overpriced.
The scale of the thievery over the last 26 months was flabbergasting even to hardened veterans of what is supposed to be a tightly regulated industry.
"Oh, my God!" exclaimed one taxi official.
"When I first heard one guy was doing this, I said there has to be more. But I really didn't expect this."
He was referring to Wasim Khalid Cheema, who lost his hack license earlier this month after authorities found he had cheated 574 passengers in just one month -- this past July -- by setting his meter to Rate Code 4, covering Westchester and Nassau counties, instead of Rate Code 1, the default setting for trips inside the five boroughs.
The suburban rate is double the in-city rate.
The remarkably simple scam netted Cheema an extra $40,000 over six months.
It came to light last year only after a suspicious passenger complained that a 12-minute trip from Manhattan to Queens cost $20.20, about double what she expected.
TLC officials then began comparing data from GPS devices in each cab with meter receipts and made the shocking discovery that the ripoffs were more rampant than anyone could have imagined.
"It would be purely speculative, but I can't believe this was organized," said one city official. "Perhaps there was some word of mouth."
Since GPS devices were only installed over the last couple of years, officials conceded that the wholesale rip-offs could date back years.
The official amount stolen came to $8,330,155 in 1,872,078 trips -- an average of $4.45 per trip.
But officials said they couldn't collect data from one of the three meter vendors that account for about 10 percent of the accounts, so the actual thefts were undoubtedly greater.
As a short-term solution, officials said that within the next two weeks, meters would be equipped with a highly visible alert when Rate Code 4 is activated.
In the long term, officials are exploring a technology to block the suburban rate from being charged within the city.
TLC spokesman Allan Fromberg said the agency is also considering whether there's a way to refund the overcharges.
Irate passengers wondered what took TLC so long to unravel the scheme.
"They're putting cameras in cabs, TVs in cabs -- why haven't they checked this?" asked Simone Simmons, 31, a marketing associate who rides cabs regularly from Manhattan to her home in the Soundview section of The Bronx.
She said the trip sometimes cost $20, sometimes $30 -- at the same time of day, with the same traffic.
"I must have lost thousands," she fumed. "I'm outraged."
Brooklyn Rapper Fatally Shot At Fabolous' NYC Concert
SOHH has learned New York rapper Gregory "GBaby" Brown was fatally shot at Fabolous' concert last night in Queens.
According to a source, the aspiring emcee was killed Friday (March 12) night.
"He was murdered last night at a Fabolous show in Jamaica, Queens," a source informed SOHH. "[It was] his show for Metro PCS/Hot 97. His name was Gregory 'G-Baby' Brown from Brooklyn, New York." (SOHH)
The incident reportedly took place at Amazura nightclub in Queens.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Gregory "Gbaby" Brown, an aspiring rapper from Brooklyn, was gunned down last night (3/12) at a Fabolous concert at theAmazura nightclub in Jamaica, Queens. (Birth Place Mag)
Additional sources have also claimed the fatal shooting took place.
Sources have told GlobalGrind, that there was a shooting last night at Fabolous' party in Queens and the victim was Gregory Brown aka GBaby, who is a Brooklyn MC. There are not many details about how it happened or who was the other party involved, but we will be reporting any news that we hear, as soon as we hear it. (Global Grind)
G-Unit's Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo paid homage to the rapper on their Twitter accounts following his passing.
"R.I.P to the homie G BABY," Banks wrote early Saturday morning. This was then followed by Yayo who Tweeted, "On to the next 1. Copenhagen Denmark. RIP 2 G Baby. . ." (Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo's Twitter)
While it is not yet clear if Fab was aware of the shooting, the rapper did, however, share his fans' post-concert reactions via Twitter.
"I'm at Amazura 2nite! #itsgoindown.. 12 o'clock ball drop!!! RT @BankBoyz_Marce: @myfabolouslife is killin it right now with his whole catilog word to mother NY rappers he in dat top10 RT @dimplessince88: @myfabolouslife shut it down... As usual RT @marisamendez: @myfabolouslife you f*ckin killed it! Best performance everrr!" (Fabolous' Twitter)
50 Cent Says He's Recording Next Album, "Black Magic"
While Fif did not confirm a title for the song, he did say that he has also recorded two others, to beats he took with him from the United States. The Southside Queens emcee did not reveal producers or additional information, but confirmed his project's name, Black Magic.
"I'm excited about it too, it has a total [sic] different vibe," revealed 50. "I won't allow myself to be placed in a box where I can only do one style, or do one kind of music. They should expect the unexpected on this one. If they can understand how I enjoy different genres of music and different styles, for the people who have various tastes in music, they'll really like it."
In the last few months, artists ranging from Lil Jonto Akon to Black Eyed Peas have experimented with making Dance music inspired by European clubs.
Vybz Kartel: "Anyone Who Does Anything to Ryno Has to Answer to Me"
Angered by today's shooting incident concerning formerPortmore Empire member,Dancehall deejay Blak Ryno in theWaterford Community of Portmore, St. Catherine,Adidjahiem Records Presidentand Portmore Empire leader Vybz Kartel condemns the attack, and issues a firm warning to those who seek to harm the artist:
"I condemn today's shooting in Waterford, and I condemn any attack made on Blak Ryno," states Kartel firmly. "Regardless of what transpires between the Portmore Empire and Blak Ryno, whether or not he is a part of the Empire, I will not tolerate any acts of violence against him. Any violent acts against him will be dealt with zero tolerance and the perpetrators will have to answer directly to me!!!"
Earlier today, the Waterford Police confirmed that shots were fired into a house believed to belong to the family of Romaine "Blak Ryno" Anderson. No one was injured. The incident is currently under investigation.
"I express my concern, sympathy, and support for the Anderson family. I urge authorities to act swiftly to deal with this situation," states Kartel.
The shooting comes on the heals of yesterday's announcement of Ryno'sdeparture from the Portmore Empire. Ryno had been a member of theEmpire since 2007, and released a number of hit singles including "Mek Di Paper," "Thug Anthem," "Real Stingers," and "Bike Back."
IN TODAY'S INSTALLMENT OF WHITE FOLKS DO THE DARNDEST THINGS CHECK OUT THE NEW 'PIERCING' THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE GETTING..
IN TODAY'S INSTALLMENT OF WHITE FOLKS DO THE DARNDEST THINGS . . . CHECK OUT THE NEW 'PIERCING' THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE GETTING!!!
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A THIS SOME A UNU ZONERZ NEED FI UNU MOUT !!! |
HE FBI RELEASES THE LIST OF THE 25 MOST DEADLY CITIES . . . AND IF YOU LIVE IN DETROIT, BALTIMORE OR ST LOUIS RUUUNNNNN
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN . . . THE FBI RELEASES THE LIST OF THE 25 MOST DEADLY CITIES . . . AND IF YOU LIVE IN DETROIT, BALTIMORE OR ST LOUIS . . . RUUUUUNNN!!!
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The FBI releases its list of most DEADLY CITIES twice a year. But the homicide numbers that they release are usually inexact. And it takes time for the statisticians to make an accurate City Homicide Rankings that are adjusted for differences in socio-economic factors.
Well the researchers from Improving Crime Data just finished up their info. And here are the UNLUCKY cities:
Detroit (MI) 1
Baltimore (MD) 2
St. Louis (MO) 3
Newark (NJ) 4
Oakland (CA) 5
Kansas City (MO) 6
Cleveland (OH) 7 (tie)
Washington, DC 7 (tie)
Philadelphia (PA) 9
Memphis (TN) 10
Cincinnati (OH) 11
Atlanta (GA) 12
Tulsa (OK) 13
Miami (FL) 14
Chicago (IL) 15
Houston (TX) 16
Dallas (TX) 17
Pittsburgh (PA) 18
Milwaukee (WI) 19
Louisville-Jefferson County (KY) 20
Nashville-Davidson County (TN) 21
Long Beach (CA) 22
Oklahoma City (OK) 23
Santa Ana (CA) 24
Jacksonville (FL) 25
Boys Tragic Death Could Have Happened To Any Family With 20-Foot Pet Python
Police provide update on West Kingston shooting
It was earlier reported that three men were shot and killed while three policemen were injured.
The police say the woman has since been hospitalized in stable condition.
Its not clear who shot her.
The Denham Town Police Station and several police service vehicles were also shot-up during the incident yesterday.
In the meantime, one of the two men who were killed has been identified.
He s Marvin Sylvester Kelly, otherwise called Top Man.
The police say hes a known member of the Colombia gang, which operates in Olympic Gardens and was also featured on the most wanted list for the St. Andrew South Police Division.
They say he was also wanted for several murders including the recent murder of a two-year-old boy on White Wing Walk during an arson attack.
The police say a team was conducting an operation to capture Kelly and his cronies on the border of Hannah Town and Denham Town when they were shot at by men locked in a house and several others on rooftops.
After the shootout Kelly and the unidentified man were reportedly found injured in the house.
The police say Kelly was found dressed in a ballistic vest and was cl**tching a Glock 19 pistol containing a magazine with 12 rounds of ammunition.
The police high command also says police personnel have received death threats since yesterdays incident and are taking them seriously.
MICHAEL JACKSON'S ESTATE SIGNS $250 MILLION RECORDING DEAL
NEW YORK - Even in death, Michael Jackson is breaking new records.
The King of Pop's estate has signed the biggest recording deal in history: a $200 million guaranteed contract with Sony Music Entertainment for 10 projects over seven years, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The record-breaking contract through 2017 could be worth up to $250 million if certain conditions are met. One of the albums will be of never-before-released Jackson recordings that will come out in November, the person said.spoke on condition of anonymity because the official announcement is expected later Tuesday.
Future projects may also include a video game, a DVD compilation of videos and a rerelease of "Off the Wall," Jackson's fifth studio album, which first came out in 1979, accompanied by some unreleased material. Before his sudden death in June at age 50, the pop star had wanted to reissue the album, people familiar with the deal said.
One of the projects already counted in the contract was the two-disc album that accompanied "This Is It," the film based on footage of concert rehearsals for what was to have been Jackson's comeback at London's O2 arena.
Including the more than 5 million copies of that special release, Jackson has sold some 31 million albums since his death, about two-thirds of them outside the United States.
"During his life, Michael's contracts set the standard for the industry," said John Branca, the co-administrator of the Jackson estate, in a statement prepared for release Tuesday. "By all objective criteria, this agreement with Sony Music demonstrates the lasting power of Michael's music by exceeding all previous industry benchmarks."
Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music's Columbia Epic Label Group, said in prepared remarks, "We're dedicated to protecting this icon's legacy and we're thrilled that we can continue to bring his music to the world for the foreseeable future."
The landmark deal is worth more than all other benchmarks, such as the all-encompassing rights deals that concert promoter and ticket-seller Live Nation Entertainment Inc. had previously signed with Madonna at $120 million and Jay-Z for $150 million.
Jackson's deal is even more remarkable because it does not include royalties from merchandise.
The contract shows the value of legacy artists. It also comes at a time of decline for the music industry, with sales down about half from their peak in 2000 mainly due to free file-swapping.
The money will go a long way to settling Jackson's debts, estimated at around $400 million when he died. But the singer whose life was plagued with scandal has had a resurgence in popularity in death.
Distribution rights for "This Is It" were sold to Sony Pictures, another unit of Sony Corp., for $60 million and the movie went on to gross $252 million worldwide, the most of any concert film ever.
Revenue from that, song sales and merchandising agreements brought into the estate revenues of about $100 million, lawyers for the estate's administrators told a Los Angeles Superior Court judge in December, when they sought a percentage as an administration fee.
The Walt Disney Co. even brought back the 17-minute Jackson movie "Captain EO" to its Disneyland theme park in Anaheim last month. The original began running at the park in 1986 but was pulled in 1997.
MAN KILLED FOR DEER MEAT - Uncommon animal causes dispute in Portland
One man is now dead and another in police custody following a fatal dispute in Mount Pleasant, Portland, yesterday, over what some say started because of the alleged theft of a deer and the sale of its meat.
Initial information reaching THE STAR is that sometime after 9:15 a.m., the now deceased and the other man were locked in a heated argument, with one accusing the other of stealing a deer and selling the meat.
Reports say the argument developed to the point where weapons were drawn and one man was stabbed in the left side of the neck.
An investigator said that the injured man was taken to hospital for medical attention, but succumbed to his injuries. The policeman said the man was pronounced dead some time after arriving at the doctor. He noted that the other party is currently in police custody.
no confirmation
The investigator said that while he has heard talks that the death of the man may have come as a result of a dispute over the theft and sale of deer meat, he could not immediately confirm that claim as the police are still at the information-gathering stage of the investigation.
Information reaching this newspaper is that deer have been sighted in the area since the 1988 passing of Hurricane Gilbert, when some of the animals escaped from a park in Somerset, Portland, following damage to the facility. The animals were being kept there as an attraction. Since then, it is said that people have often hunted and slaughtered the deer, selling the meat for as much as $500 per pound.Ludacris Talks Sex and Fantasies On The Kenny Burns Show
Lisa Hyper Forms New Group (Lisa Hype & 21 Bad Gal)
Only months after being booted from the Vybz Kartel-led Portmore Empire, Lisa Hyper has formed her own group, 21 Bad Gal.
"Yuh going to have Lisa Hyper and 21 Bad Gal. Seven young females, a mi artistes dem," she told THE STAR.
The group members include Mercedes, Stylish, Tu Cute, Ski, Platinum, Princess Natisha and Lisa Hyper. The leader says there is a mix of cultural singers, R&B crooners and hard-core dancehall artistes.
She said she decided to start the group in mid-February in order to help other upcoming female artistes.
ability to help them
"I have a lot of young female artistes who look up to me and I have the ability to help them. I am going to use my resources to put them out there," Lisa Hyper said, noting that she has a publicist and access to a studio.
"A whole heap a young female artistes have ability and mi waan help dem. Same reason Addi buss mi, mi waan buss dem 'cause mi nuh all fi miself," Lisa Hyper told THE STAR.
Although relatively new to the entertainment game, she is confident that the job will be done and it does not depend on the number of years she has been in the business.
simple mathematics
"Once the person have good talent, it nuh matta if mi big enough. Yuh just haffi have the talent and somebody fi push and guide you," she told THE STAR.
Lisa Hyper's current manager, MC Nuffy, said he believes she can make the group work.
"With Nuffy with her, she can do anything. A simple mathematics how yuh deal with things. Mi prefer deal with the ladies. Dem easier fi deal wid and dem listen to yuh. Lisa Hyper a good artiste, she just need somebody fi guide her. I can mek she reach Lady Saw (level)," he said.
Despite the fickle nature of other groups, Lisa Hyper says 21 Bad Gal will be around for a long time.
"We nah go have any issues 'cause we done build a relationship. It ago come in like the whole a wi a sisters and me a di mumma. Once there is respect, love and unity inna di thing, nutten caan mash up dat," she said, noting that there are plans to do songs and videos with all the group members when she returns from Canada in May.
EEEK!!! FRENCH PRESIDENT SARKOZY'S NEW WIFE GOT SOME TERRIBLE PLASTIC SURGERY . . . NOW SHE LOOKS SCARY!!!
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A St Catherine mother has been charged with several counts of negligence after the police claimed that her underage daughter, who has not gone to school since January, was allowed to be in a relationship.
Police reports are that the woman's 15-year-old daughter was seen by the police about 7:30 a.m. Sunday, along Williams Street in Spanish Town in the company of a man. The man reportedly ran when the lawmen approached the girl.
The girl was taken into custody and the mother subsequently summoned to the station. There, she produced documents which showed that the child was underage.
It is further alleged that checks revealed that the child was not under control or attending school. It is said that she received permission to go out with her boyfriend.
The woman, who is a 46-year-old labourer, was charged by Detective Corporal Kirk Roache of the Spanish Town Police Station following investigations.At least two inmates at the Bog Walk Police lock-up have been placed under quarantine after an outbreak of chicken pox at the facility yesterday.
While at the lock-up, THE STAR observed police personnel from the station feverishly taking prisoners to get treatment. Of the 14 prisoners being held, only two have been placed under quarantine.
Persons with relatives at the facility expressed concern about the situation.
The disease is one that can be easily transmitted from one person to the next, which means even the police personnel are at risk.
Attempts by THE STAR to get further information on the situation proved unsuccessful as Super-intendent Assan Thompson, officer in charge of the St Catherine North Division, was out of office.
MARKETING FAIL!!! AKON LAUNCHES A NEW COLOGNE . . . BUT UMMMM . . . SOMEHOW WE CAN'T SEE IT BEING A SUCCESS!!!
MARKETING FAIL!!! AKON LAUNCHES A NEW COLOGNE . . . BUT UMMMM . . . SOMEHOW WE CAN'T SEE IT BEING A SUCCESS!!!
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POPULAR BLACK UK ARTIST SAYS HE'LL NEVER PUT BLACK GIRLS IN HIS MUSIC VIDEOS!!!
POPULAR BLACK UK ARTIST SAYS HE'LL NEVER PUT BLACK GIRLS IN HIS MUSIC VIDEOS!!!
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MediaTakeOut.com just received some DISTURBING news. According to reports, British star Taio Cruzis saying that he may NEVER feature Black women in his videos - EVER. Taio Cruz had a hit song in the UK called Come On Girl. But in recent days, he's come under criticism for not having Black girls in any of his videos. Well dude is UNAPOLOGETIC about it. Here's his official quote:
I like to put girls in my video that I think are hot. If a really hot black girl came to a casting, shed be in my video.
He added:
I think that people even focusing on the race issue in my videos is a problem. And I would almost react by never putting black girls in my video, because Im that type of person rebellious. Id be like, If thats how youre gonna be, Im never gonna put black girls in my videos.
Soooo . . . let's get this straight. In ALL THE Castings, there hasn't been EVEN ONE Black girl who showed up that was "really hot"??? We would BOYCOTT his azz if we even knew who he was . . .
Too Funny: Gringo Goes Bezerk & Whoops On Man For Stealing His Cookies! "Gimme my Cookies. Them Cookies Cost $1 Homie.
Too Funny: Gringo Goes Bezerk & Whoops On Man For Stealing His Cookies! "Gimme my Cookies. Them Cookies Cost $1 Homie. Im Out Here Hustling" (Raw Footage)
Not A Good Look: Wendy Williams Calls Stacey Dash Out For Lying About Her Vh1 Reality Show!
CONGRATS!!! ACTRESS SANAA LATHAN IS REPORTEDLY ENGAGED . . . AND HER NEW FIANCE IS KINDA A CELEB!!!
CONGRATS!!! ACTRESS SANAA LATHAN IS REPORTEDLY ENGAGED . . . AND HER NEW FIANCE IS KINDA A CELEB!!!
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MediaTakeOut.com just spoke with an entertainment insider (a minor celebrity who is usually DEAD ON with their scoops) who told us that actress Sanaa Lathan is claiming to be engaged.
According to our insider, Sanaa told her that she was "planning her wedding." And the lucky groom . . . music mogul Steve Rifkind.
Congrats Sanaa . . .
Jamaicans To PROTEST The Sale Of AIR JAMAICA . . . To A NON-JAMAICAN Company!!
| Jamaicans To Protest Sale Of Air Jamaica In NYC | |||||||||
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SPRING BREAK . . . OF DEATH!!! An UPTICK In Mexican Drug Violence Means Vacationing Students Are BEING MURDERED
"I said, 'don't worry, I didn't even bring my passport,'" Magennis said, surrounded by several thousand like-minded spring breakers on the beach Monday.
Whether it was grisly murders of three people with ties to the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, over the weekend or months of reports about the *lo**y drug war south of the border, students at the popular spot just off the southern tip of Texas said they were avoiding the short drive to Mexico. For many, parents' admonitions short circuited spring break plans before they began.
"Parents should not allow their children to visit these Mexican (border) cities because their safety cannot be guaranteed," Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw said in a warning issued March 4.
The alert applied specifically to border towns and did not include other popular Mexican destinations such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, but University of North Texas student Katie-Ross Ward said the strong warning closed the deal for her parents.
"My parents wouldn't let me go (to Mexico) because I have blonde hair and blue eyes," said Ward, 18. "They said I'd get kidnapped."
The U.S. State Department issued its own warning Sunday, a day after an American consulate employee, her husband and the husband of a Mexican employee were gunned down in separate incidents in Juarez. Suspected drug gangsters chased down and opened fire on two SUVs carrying the families from a children's party, killing the adults and injuring two children.
"Drug cartels and associated criminal elements have retaliated violently against individuals who speak out against them or whom they otherwise view as a threat to their organizations," the government warning said. Families of U.S. government employees in several northern Mexico cities were authorized to leave the country until April 12.
Dan Quandt, executive director of the South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Texas week the biggest week of the collegiate vacation season on the island was packed and he couldn't tell if the violence in Mexico was impacting the island's business one way or another.
Once advertised heavily as the home of the "Two Nation Vacation," South Padre Island has worked in recent years to offer everything students want on the island so they don't feel the need to head to Mexico.
Still, Quandt said it's sad that students now are less likely to get even that brief taste of another culture. While some were just seeking a lower drinking age, some from other parts of the country sought out a new experience. "A lot of it is just to say you did it (went to Mexico)," he said.
But this year, students appear to have received the message about the risks of cross-border travel, Quandt said. "It's just not happening."
HOMEWRECKER FAIL!!! FANTASIA'S BOYFRIEND WAS WITH HIS WIFE THIS WEEKEND . . . AND THIS TIME WE GOT PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE
HOMEWRECKER FAIL!!! FANTASIA'S BOYFRIEND WAS WITH HIS WIFE THIS WEEKEND . . . AND THIS TIME WE GOT PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE!!!
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MediaTakeOut.com just received word that Antwaun and his wife Paula Cook are trying to work things out. According to a snitch, Antwaun attended a party thrown by Paula's brother, and the couple were reportedly trying to "work through" the whole Fantasia drama issue.
Our insider wasn't able to snap any photos of the two together. But Fanny, it looks like your homewrecking days are numbered . . .
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