Its been months since the release of the beef-igniting Mafia Music. But multi-division boxing champion Floyd Mayweather has not forgotten Rick Ross unprovoked jab at him.
While most focused on the lines aimed at Mayweather friend 50 Cent, Ross also questioned the validity of Mayweathers wealth claims, despite the boxer grossing $50 million in 2007.
(That Mayweather money looking funny in the light.)
In an exclusive multi-part interview with AllHipHop.com, Mayweather framed Ross as an unoriginal artist who appropriated the lifestyles and appearance of other individuals.
Cassidy already did Im a Hustla, [and] hes an East Coast rapper. Thats already been done. Freeway already came out with the beard look. And then the real Rick Ross was really getting it as a hustler, Mayweather explained to AllHipHop.com. I dont have to take no shots at Rick Ross. I dont think hes making $20-$30 million every time he goes out there to perform. I got my own name, Floyd Money Mayweather. Thats original. With his rap career, I wish him nothing but the best.
Regarding Ross initial flip-flopping on the corrections officer issue, Mayweather references that controversy as proof the Miami rapper is simply selling a false image.
[His] stats and credentials dont rhyme. One minute he said he wasnt a CO or cop, next minute he is, Mayweather told AllHipHop.com. He can learn how to get money from me. If hes a cop and rapping about selling drugs, I guess he was a dirty cop! You know me, Im not ducking and dodging no one, its not hard to find me. Im in Miami all the time, Atlanta, everywhere.
Although cognizant that comments like his have a history of igniting beefs, Floyd Mayweather feels Ross is simply a disgruntled fan lashing out.
Me and my manager Al Haymon were the ones that did Lil Waynes last tour. So when I seen Rick Ross in Miami on the first show, he broke his neck to speak to me, Mayweather stated.
Rap has truly changed. He was at my Hatton fight, cheering me on. I guess he got upset because Im cool with 50 Cent. But like I said, if I need someone arrested Ill call him.
Floyd Mayweather is currently preparing for his anticipated September 19 return bout against fellow pound for pound elite Juan Manuel Marquez.
A man in Detroit, Michigan has been charged with threatening to kill rapper Jay-Z, his wife Beyonce and football player Jerome Bettis.
In a complaint filed yesterday (August 5), Leon Desmond Barrett allegedly sent dozens of threatening letters between 2006 and 2009.
Some of which reportedly contained promises of violence against the famous trio.
Barrett denied the allegations and claims the letters were sent out of a legitimate, but unknown dispute with Bettis, a former star for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The United States government has cracked down on mail fraud since the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States, in addition to a spate of letters mailed with Anthrax.
In related Jay-Z news, the rapper is one of several artists who will perform during the premiere of The Jay Leno Show.
Jay-Z will join Kanye West and Rihanna as performers when Leno launches his new show on September 14 at 10:00 PM ET.
A woman from Fort Bend County, Texas is suing hip hop artists Method Man for shooting her with a pellet gun while trying to get an autograph. It is said that Method Man shot the woman while hanging outside of a window on the tour bus.
The lawsuit which was filed Thursday, July 30th by Mary Anderson claims that she was shot at least six times in the chest and torso area and required medical attention after the incident.
The conduct of the defendant was so extreme and outrageous in character and so extreme in degree as to go beyond all bounds of decency and should be regarded as atrocious conduct and utterly intolerable in a civilized society, Andersons Daniel Horowitz III of said.
In the latest publication of the Jamaica Star the saying 'ol' fire stick easy fi ketch' would seem to apply to singers Sasha and Turbulence who have caused the streets to be buzzing and tongues wagging about the nature of their relationship after the two recently shot a video for their new single titled "Don't Want To Be Alone" on the 'Breeze Riddim'. The video shot last week by 'Terminal 4 Media' is set against the backdrop of a local craft market that sees the two accidentally crossing path before eventually getting intimate, hugging, wining, and even sharing a kiss. In the midst of their unveiling affection Turbulence begins to ask Sasha a lot of burning questions like "Why did you leave, when I'm use to waking up with you" as she responds "and I'm used to having you near." In the chorus the two sings, "I don't wanna be alone, want you right here by my side." However when Sasha was interviewed she expressed that presently she and Turbulence were nothing more than just good friends and the same was concurred by him. According to Turbulence they are just good friend that have great chemistry when they perform together. When asked about the kiss Sasha said she could not have kissed any other male artiste in a video and it was only because of her past with Turbulence why they kissed in the video. For Turbulence the kiss was like playing a part in a movie. In 2006 the two went through a public break up with reports that they were throwing words at each other through various recordings. Turbulence recorded a single entitled 'No Man No Perfect' and Sasha returned with 'Got What You Need' where Sasha says, 'mi know yuh a man and mi muss get bun, but sex without a condom a careless fun'. In happier times, the two had recorded two love songs together- Natty Pon Di Frontline and We've Got The Love. According to Sasha the two were not throwing words at each other then. "I don't wanna say we were throwing words, we were involved and being human... we just expressed ourselves. It wasn't a war... I said my piece, he said his piece." Adding, "I still love him as a person, he has a good heart and soul and people do tings and you make mistakes but it's hard to go back." As to whether they would ever get back together she responded, "I don't know, there's always a possibility. We see each other but this time around - proceed with caution." In the meantime Sasha is keeping herself busy, immersing herself in her role as a producer, while traveling and making more music. Sasha recently began to record songs in Spanish, like Black or White. Sasha says she wants to take the Latin American market by storm. For Turbulence, who has been off the scene for a while doing shows in Africa, he says he has a number of singles getting ready to be released. He says he has been working alongside producers like Snow Cone and King Jammys. |
This year's "Fully Loaded" wasnt anything to call home about well, only to complain, that is.
On Sunday night, though most of the sound systems including Moschino, Zero Tolerance and 360 didn't live up to the expectations of the crowd and got booed as soon as their first track fell, a few managed to give the crowd their moneys worth.
When Canadian sound system , Vertex hit the stage with a few Konshens dubs, ("Scratchy B fi stop move like fish...Code Red a di biggest p--- *u*ker") a myriad of torches were lit. Then when he pulled a dub on Kartels Trailer Load (Money Fi Spen) with lines like: Sky Juice a suffah like dawg ... Vertex had become one of the most memorable acts for the night.
Soon after, Swamp King, who had been referred to in a Konshens dub played by Vertex (Swamp King need fi go wash him locks) asked to be allowed to showcase his skills earlier than scheduled. Unfortunately, his limited and general Portmore Empire and Junior Gong dubs werent enough to slaughter an armed fly and he was booed off stage.
The sound selectors werent the only ones who failed to impress the crowd: artistes such as Macka Diamond, Harry Toddler, Voicemail, G-Whizz (as soon as he started his intro), were booed and clapped offstage or as MC Nuffy declared, When dem naw gwaan good juss say inna di beach.
Other artistes including Stacious, Nanko, Teflon, Shane O, I Octane, Lutan Fiyah, Etana, the ih goody, good, good princess, Pamputtae, Terror 3000 Andrew and Wadda *lo**, Dr. Evil, Chino and Jim Laden managed to impress the weary crowd. When Nesbeth hit the stage with songs including, Board House and others, he had the crowd roaring; however, he made a dreadful mistake it seems, when he asked television host and singer, Empress, to join him on stage for a new collaboration.At least one minute into the song, the crowds boos almost knocked the two offstage, but Empress stood firm after Nesbeth left the stage, and went into Aretha Franklyns R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to which she got even louder claps and boos.
She naw hear wi or wha? asked an irate patron, who started to boo louder at the steadfast Empress. She exited after introducing the next performer.
When the sound clashes resumed, some of the top sounds were *lo**line with their Razz and Piggy dub (no that isnt a typo error); Japanese sound system, Barrier Free, who entered in a karate outfit while Bob Marleys Natural Mystic played, Area Code 876 and Renaissance Disco.
This, however, wasnt enough to appease the crowd at 3:20 a.m. who were still looking to see acts including Matterhorn, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Busy Signal and others. Alas, because of the Noise Abatement Act, the party soon came to an end, with hardly any of those artistes performing.
Bembe Squad splits | |||
Selector Richie Feelings - File
The Bembe Squad, which started the hugely popular Bembe Thursdays at Weekenz, Constant Spring Road, has split. Bembe Thursdays enjoyed a successful first year after it was launched in early 2007, but has seen waning support over the last several months. The Bembe Squad comprises selectors Razz and Biggy, Jigsy, Rolex, Penny Bling and founder Richie Feelings. THE STAR understands that added to the poor attendance, there is internal conflict with the squad members. "It's been a while now since the squad is breaking up. Only that people never hear about it, because it was not publicised," a source, who wished not to be named, told THE STAR.
seeing eye to eye Feelings, however, told THE STAR that all the members are seeing eye to eye. "Everybody still good. And everybody benefits from Bembe, but everyone is trying their own individual thing," he said. He added that due to the poor economic condition, things have slowed down significantly and that competing parties are luring away some of their patrons. "There is a recession now and people always take on to new attractions. Things running slow now. If a man decide to leave the group, it's his own decision," he added. |
Vybz Kartel and Gaza Kim are seen on the poster for their song 'Teenage Pregnancy'. - Contributed
"Da song yah serious yuh know" - Teenage Pregnancy.
Deejay Vybz Kartel is yet again looking for national attention with one of his latest collaborations titled Teenage Pregnancy. In the song, the deejay takes on the sensitive issue and introduces his latest addition to the Portmore Empire - Gaza Kim.
With a one drop reggae beat, the young Gaza Kim showcases her talented vocals in the song which has already started to gain attention. The song comes in discussion form as Gaza Kim worries about what she's going to do after finding out she's pregnant, as Kartel responds that he loves her and love can carry them through. In the song, Kim sings, "Wha mi a go tell my father? Wha mi a go do, dis is a teenage pregnancy ... baby why yuh neva use a condom ... remember me go a school, mi nuh want fi drop out."
To promote the song, Kartel has released a poster, similar to the strategy used to promote his and Lisa Hype'sWine For Me, but this time less graphic and with words of advice such as 'abstinence makes sense', 'always use a condom' and 'stay in school'. The poster features Kartel and Gaza Kim dressed in school uniforms, with Gaza Kim looking pregnant in the picture, similar to the subject of the song.
pursuing music
Gaza Kim, the newest addition to the Portmore Empire, is a 17-year-old singer who hails from Christian Pen in Portmore. The youngster recently graduated from Ascot High School before pursuing music. In an interview withTHE STAR, Kartel discussed how he met the young singer: "She lives near to Shorty, my wifey, who was always telling me about this girl called Lady Bling and saying she bad and she wants to know me. I ignored her till Shorty brought a CD with her and the first song I listened I was like 'gi her di contract.' She is so talented vocally and still so young and in development stage."
According to Kartel, he decided to discuss teenage pregnancy to debut Kim's first song in an effort to get the singer heard by all of Jamaica. "A girl with such a marvellous voice should be heard by everyone and what better way to grab national attention than to talk about a national issue? She's bigger than matey songs," he said.
expects criticism
As to whether Kartel expects criticism about the subject matter, he said, "People will believe what they want. The real issue is about those facing it, not the critics. What I did was, through music, make an open statement by creating a scenario in the song between two teens going through this crisis and leave it neutral enough for the audience to decide their own ending to the story."
The two have also remade Shabba Ranks' classic song, Twice My Age, on Leftside's 'School Bell' rhythm. As for the rest of the Portmore Empire, Blak Ryno, Jah Vinci and Shawn Storm have just completed their first mini, tour of the United States over the weekend. Kartel, Lisa Hype and other members will soon be travelling for shows in Italy and Turks and Caicos Islands and will return for Champions in Action on August 15.
Part one of a five-part series
Dancehall deejay and lyricist Vybz Kartel is, perhaps, one of the most talked about entertainers on the Jamaican music scene. With sharp wits, easy humour and even sharper lyrics, Kartel has carved his way into the business from humble beginnings. Often embroiled in controversial situations, court cases, feuds, visa problems and attacks for his violent and lewd lyrical content, Vybz Kartel is also one of the most elusive entertainers in Jamaica.
How elusive can Vybz Kartel be?
The STAR got a taste when we scheduled to meet Kartel by the studio of producer, Not Nice, to conduct a five-part interview. After waiting for five hours, Kartel remained a no-show. After days of calling and texting, reporter Krista Henry finally spoke to an apologetic Kartel on the telephone. Here is the first of five instalments with Vybz Kartel as he speaks candidly, and often humorously, about his beginnings, influences, religion, women and clashes.
Also known as Adidja Palmer, Kartel was born in Kingston, the third child for his mother and the second for his father. He is originally from the Waterhouse Community, in Kingston, but he has moved to Portmore.
KH: What were you like growing up? Did you grow up in Portmore?
VK: "I grew up in Portmore, Waterford, Gaza. Kartel was an outspoken child, always have sumting to seh, always very energetic."
KH: Was music something you were always interested in?
VK: "Yeah man! We grow up inna music. Mi fadda used to have a likkle juke box wid beer record, mi madda's brothers used to deejay a mi yaad."
KH: On a sound system?
VK: "No man just round di yaad, round di sound."
KH: Where did you go to school?
VK: "Waterford Infant, Waterford Primary, Calabar High and Tutorial College."
KH: Is it true that you got kicked out of school?
VK: "That's why I went to Tutorial, mi get expel, for being unruly. I 'was' unruly. Mi go Technical and get subjects: English, geo, history and literature."
KH: What subject was your favourite?
VK: "Mi love reading and writing history mostly or literature."
KH: OK, what did you do after leaving Tutorial?
VK: "Just lef school and start tek music seriously. Mi just used to deh at every studio, stage show and event. It's not like I lef school and did barbering (laughs)."
KH: What about allegations that you used to be a jerk chicken man?
(In the clash of lyrical swords between deejays Mavado and Kartel, Mavado has accused Kartel of once selling jerk chicken for a living)
VK: "B-t! Ask anyone from Waterhouse. A just di barber seh dat to get back at me."
KH: Where did you record your first song?
VK: "Di first song was at Penthouse Studio for Alvin Reid, a song call Fat Woman. Nobody did know mi then, only mi madda. Afta dat mi start work on mi craft."
(This was in Kartel's early teens under the name Adi Banton, the song was a tribute to Buju Banton, a musical idol of the deejay)
KH: Does anyone know this song?
VK: "No sah! Di song wasn't released 'cause di vocals wasn't all dat at di time."
KH: When did you really start becoming an artiste?
VK: "I was born an artiste, yuh mean when mi start become professional and dats when mi start lock Portmore, dat was even before Vybz Kartel, which was the three of us as a crew. Yuh had Rettis Crew wid Shaun Storm, Dosa Medicine and his crew doing his ting. Portmore is like a country in itself. It's huge and wi lock that long time, so is like mi reach quote and quote stardom from long time."
KH: The early Vybz Kartel was actually three people, what happened to dat? (This consisted of Mr Lee and a singer called Escobar).
VK: "Yuh done know each level you go up and not everyone has di same skill to go to each level, so wi disban di group and mi get di name."
KH: Why did you get to keep the name?
VK: "I invented di name. Like every other name controversy despite what anyone haffi seh."
KH: How did you meet Bounty?
VK: "Mi second manager Rohan Butler introduce me to Bounty in 2000 and mi start write for him."
KH: You started to link from there?
VK: "Yeah! We did a song together Gal Clown and Girls Like Mine."
(Vybz Kartel soon became known as Bounty Killer's musical prodigy, becoming a ghost writer for Bounty Killer, Elephant Man and the Scare Dem Crew.)
KH: Would you say your career started to kick off in Kingston from there?
VK: "Yeah man! In 2000 wi lock down Irie FM."
Look out for Monday's STAR where Kartel discusses Bounty Killer's influence on his career and forming the Portmore Empire.
I thought that we'd seen it all with T-Pain's "Big Ass Chain", but Soulja Boy has got a diamond encrusted Lambo which is also a remote control car! I dont even have health insurance. Bitch. Peep the video of Soulja Boy showing off his new chain and playing with it after the jump. Waste of money?
On Wednesday night, as he introduced Beenie Man at the launch of the deejay's Sizzle concert, Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart emphasised the dancehall doctor's strength by referring to the numerous public travails he has endured.
And the first thing he brought up was the separation from D'Angel. Beenie Man grinned as the audience at Pure Plush, New Kingston, chuckled.
And when he spoke, Beenie Man addressed the date Sizzle will be held at the National Stadium, August 22, by referring to D'Angel.
me still love me wife
"Everybody a ask if me still love me wife," Beenie Man said, then paused briefly. "Ya! Twenty-second of August is our three-year anniversary. Me no business wha nobody waan say, is still me wife."
There was applause and Beenie Man would have moved on, but Ragashanti moved in, saying "all dem a clap them want to know if you still burning calories." There were whoops of laughter and Beenie Man said "we are still burning candles, not calories."
"Ragga, why yu do me dat? Me a bawl now," Beenie Man said, before continuing with details of Sizzle.
Later, Beenie Man again referred to candles burning between himself and D'Angel, who will perform on Sizzle, singing a snatch of Marley's Turn Your Lights Down Low.South Australia Police say the 30-year-old man drove the Audi convertible into an automatic car wash in the early hours of Monday morning, and then apparently nodded off.
A service station attendant called the police at 3 a.m. when he noticed the car hadn't moved for an hour.
The police said in a statement that the car had two different license plates, and that police discovered it had been reported stolen in July.
They woke the man and arrested him on charges of illegal use and theft of the car. He has been released on bail and will face court in September.
With T.I.s girlfriend and Lil Waynes ex scoring their own reality TV shows, their daughters are following their motherss footsteps.
The two girlsWaynes 10-year-old daughter, Reginae Carter, and Zonnique Pullins, the 13-year-old daughter of T.I.s girlfriend, Tinyare looking to land a reality series as one-half of preteen-singing group, the OMG Girls.
According to the New York Post, the starlets in the making have linked with Ish Entertainment, which produced T.I.s MTV series Road to Redemption, to pitch the show about their singing group.
The girls will joining Bahjah and Lourdes Rodriguez (11- and 10-years-old, respectively), both daughters of Silk singer Jonathen John-John Rasboro.
T.I.s longtime girlfriend Tameka Tiny Cottle and Weezys daughters mom Antonia Toya Carter, joined forces earlier this summer for their own show on BET, Tiny & Toya. John Kennedy
The rapper ditched his traditional spoken words in favor of singing on his track Sensual Seduction, and insists he has a much better vocal range than Combs, who was last heard singing on Last Night, his collaboration with Keyshia Cole.
The star - real name Calvin Broadus - says, "I think Puffy can just sing alto and tenor. But I can sing alto, tenor and soprano. I can sing any note."
There was once a boy who got a letter in the mail. He opened it and the contents of it was in French. The boy asked his mother what it was and she looked it over. She didn't understand French, so she suggested to the boy to ask the French teacher at his school.
The next day before school, the boy walked up to the French teacher and asked her to read and translate the letter. The teacher agreed and began to read the Letter. The pleasant appearance on her face turned to anger as she continued reading the letter. She looked at the boy and said, "Don't even think about coming within five miles near me or I swear I will kill you!" And with that she! sent the boy to the principal's office.
The principal was a little confused by the French teacher's reasons for sending the child to his office and asked the boy what happened. The boy explained how he gave her a note to translate and that she threw a fit. The principal nodded and asked to see the note and said that he knew French and would check out the letter. The boy reluctantly gave the letter and the principal read it. After reading the letter, the principal lowered the letter and revealed an angered face. "You're suspended. Come within five feet of this school and I swear I'll kill you!"
The boys parents were surprised to see him home early later that day. His mom asked him what happened and the boy explained what had happened. The boy's father said that he knew french and asked to read the letter and find out what could have been so bad that the boy had to be suspended.
Thinking that his father had some sense in him not to ground him or threaten him because of the letter, the boy allowed the father to read it. Suddenly, a low voice came from his dad that turned into a frightening yell, "You get out of this house now! If you come within five feet of us, I swear I'll kill you!!"
A few years later, the boy was successful in an army with several badges and many many adoring friends. One night he was asked why he ended up in the army. Th! e young man spoke of his life before he received the letter, then the effects that it had on his life. His friends in the army listened to him very intently then asked if he had the letter with him after so many years. The young man nodded and everyone asked him to let them read it. Feeling that these were his friends and that since this was all in the past, the young man thought it would be okay to read it. So he took out the letter that had ruined his life and gave it to his friends who all gathered around it and read. After they had read it, they all stripped him from his badges and awards and yelled at him for not being worthy enough to stay in the army. He was banned from the premesis and was told, "If you come within five feet of this place, we swear we'll kill you!"
The young man, feeling deprived of anything good in! life, walked along a high bridge and looked down. This was his only answer left in life. There was no longer anything he could do to make anything better and his life was torn to shreds because of that letter. Before he was about to jump, the young man saw a little kid walking across the bridge, too. "Excuse me," the young man asked the little kid. "Do you speak french by any chance?" "Of course," said the little kid. "Who doesn't?" "Well, could you please tell me what my letter says and promise not to theaten me or get angry like anyone else? This is very important and I'll even pay you to just tell me what it means and not say a word about this to anyone else. Could you please please help me?" asked the young man. The little kid smiled and nodded. "Okay."
Happy that the secret of his ruined life would be revealed, the boy eagerl! y searched for the letter in his pockets. The little kid getting quite a bit impatient hurried the young man saying that he needed to get home soon. "Oh, SHOOT!" yelled the young man. What?" asked the little kid. "I left the letter in my army camp!"
The duo, Paul and Patrick Gaynor, said they were prevented from entering the venue and were turned back by security at the entrance. The brothers had a pair of complimentary tickets.
The twins believe they were barred from entering because of comments on their hot new CD, Stir It Up Vol 8 - Trials and Crosses, about Fully Loaded promoter Sharon Burke.
The twins have been known to draw the ire of many people through their albums, which poke fun at issues and people in dancehall.
Patrick saidthat while they were engaged in a confrontation with security at the gate, a phone call between Burke and another security personnel resulted in them being turned away.
"We go and when we reach at the gate, a phone call was made by one of the security, saying 'Twin of Twins are making their way' and later direct orders from Sharon said 'They should not enter in no way or form'," Patrick said.
Burke, however, said she gave no such instructions as she did not even have a radio on her. She said her staff at the gate acted on their own.
"I know that my staff members were very upset with the way they disrespected me on their album, so I guess they decided not to let them in," she said.
"I didn't even have a radio on me, so why would they want to say that," she added.
Model will play an actress in the third series
Tyra Banks will make a cameo in US TV show Gossip Girl, her rep confirms.
The America's Next Top Model host will play actress Ursula Nyquist in the upcoming third series, to be screened in the States in October.
Hilary Duff has also been signed up to make a guest appearance, reports Us Weekly.
Shell play a movie star who enrols at NYU and shares a rooms with Jessica Szohr's character, Vanessa.
Couple exchange vows at ceremony in London
Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Rachel Stevens tied the knot with Alex Bourne yesterday.
The couple, both 31, married at Claridge's Hotel in Mayfair.
Former Coronation Street star Kate Ford, 32, was among the 184 guests.
It's thought none of Rachel's S Club 7 bandmates were present.
An insider says the couple, who split in June after four months, are back together.
They are definitely happy again, a source tells Us Weekly.
Doug further fuelled speculation with posts on micro-blogging site Twitter.Actor makes things official with Rhea Durham
Mark Wahlberg tied the knot with partner Rhea Durham on Saturday.
The couple exchanged vows at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills.
Mark, 38, and Rhea have been dating since 2001.
They have kids Ella Rae, 5, Michael, 3, and baby Brendan Joseph.