Separating Kobe and Shaq on different teams on different coasts has done nothing to lessen the animosity between the one-time Los Angeles Laker teammates. If anything, the feud is escalating. On Wednesday, Shaq dismissed as ``ridiculous'' Kobe's allegations that Shaq had paid up to $1 million in hush money to various women and then took his own shot by saying, ``I'm not the one buying love.'' Shaq made the remark over the telephone to a staffer at ESPN, the network said, after the Los Angeles Times quoted a police report as saying Kobe told detectives in Eagle, Colo., ``he should have done what Shaq does ... that Shaq would pay his women not to say anything'' and already had paid up to $1 million ``for situations like this.'' The statement came near the end of a lengthy interrogation about a hotel employee's complaint that Kobe had raped her. The Times said it was unclear precisely what Kobe meant b y his remarks. Shaq was informed of Kobe's allegation last September, and the relationship between the two was cool throughout the 2003-04 season. Shaq was subsequently traded to the Miami Heat. ``This whole situation is ridiculous,'' Shaq told ESPN. ``I never hang out with Kobe, I never hung around him. In the seven or eight years we were together, we were never together. So how this guy can think he knows anything about me or my business is funny. And one last thing -- I'm not the one buying love. He's the one buying love.'' Shaq latter comment was an apparent reference to a ring -- reportedly costing several million dollars -- that Kobe gave his wife, Vanessa, after he was charged with felony sexual assault last summer. There have been no reports of Shaq ever being accused of any sex crimes.
Wyclef Jean was in Haiti last week, helping international aid workers clean up after massive flooding left the northern cities under mud. Over 700 people died and over 1,000 are still missing. The U.N’s World Food Program is trucking in over 40 tons of food to help the residents of the affected cities. "I came here to see my people, to see their desperation and to assess the situation and see how we can help," Jean told Reuters. "I want to be able to tell the world about the disaster I witnessed here." WFP country director Guy Gauvreau said that over 175,000 people were affected by the flooding across the entire country. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. The Red Cross is hoping to raise $3 million dollars to help the flood victims. The island was already reeling from the departure of ex-President, who was forced into exile after a violent revolt in February. Jean announced in July that he was planning a benefit concert for the country from which he hails. Jean told reporters that he would like to see 2 million of Haiti’s eight million residents attend.
'Celebrity Justice' reports that Damien Holland, the son of legendary singer Chaka Khan, was arrested for murder Friday night by Los Angeles police. Holland, 25, was taken into custody for allegedly killing a man at Holland's apartment complex. Police say Holland and the victim, an 18-year-old male, got into an argument and then struggled over a gun, described as a high-powered rifle.
Lil' Flip and his record label, Sony Music, were slapped with a copyright-infringement lawsuit by game manufacturer Namco America over Flip's hit song "Game Over." According to the complaint, Namco contends that Flip sampled sounds from the company's popular video games Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man without permission. Namco reportedly is seeking millions of dollars in damages.
Since first stepping onto the scene, Guerrilla Black's voice and appearance has prompted comparisons to the late great Notorious B.I.G.. Here, Black reveals that he wasn't always at ease with the comparisons. "I used to scream a lot on the mike and change my voice so it wouldn't be as prevalent as it does. Then, after my wife passed I didn't even wanna rap," Black explained via phone. "After a while I was just like...that's the way I talk and rap, f#@$ it. They're either gonna hate it or love it. Whenever it arises, at the end of the day, I'm doing me. I'm just here to do me. I'm not trying to stir up no feelings or cause no controversy." With his first single spinning and a video on 106 & Park's countdown, Black, alongside Aftermath's The Game are leading a West coast resurgence. Not only does Black want to bring the West back, but he plans to show a facet previously unexposed to the public. "I bring conceptive songs and music. I hope to help rewrite the West coast. I'm definitely trying to be the forefront on the frontline to bring back the West," Black offered. "It's eclectic music. It's something unusual that you usually hear from West coast artists. I'm trying to start something." In addition to the Biggie comparisons, Guerrilla's sound has also been categorized as 'East coast." On his lead cut, "Compton," Black gets assistance from Beenie Man while retaining a West coast feel. "Basically, I always wanted to do that song. Beenie Man doesn't really work with a lot of people. My A&R suggested it," Black explained. "I just wanted to do something to represent Compton. The grind, the struggle. It's still Compton. Then you add Beenie Man with the West Indian flavor and it came out crazy. It's just more universal." Guerrilla Black's Guerrilla City featuring Jazze Ph a, Nate Dogg, Beenie Man and Mario Winans is in stores now. Check out the interview on NY's Hot 97 and tell us what you think!
Vivica Fox will emcee Lifetime Television's fifth annual WomenRock! charity concert. En Vogue & Angie Stone are among the performers scheduled to rock the stage. The event, which airs Oct. 28 at 11 p.m. ET, will highlight the network's Stop Breast Cancer for Life campaign.
Dame Dash’s ex-girlfriend Linda Williams filed a complaint with the New York Police Department, alleging the mogul roughed her up over the weekend. Williams said she went to pick up their 12-year-old son in Harlem over the weekend. Dash allegedly refused to let the boy leave. When Williams attempted to take the boy, Dash and a bodyguard allegedly knocked her to the ground and took the boy away in a limousine. Police are investigating and no charges have been filed. According to the New York Daily News, the incident may lead to a court appearance for Dash, as Williams is going to court today seeking custody of the boy. A lawyer for Williams stated frankly that Williams wanted custody of the child and that she was going to court today to regain custody of the 12-year-old because of the incident. According to published reports, Dash has hired a video crew to follow Williams, in hopes of gaining information for the ir upcoming custody battle. It was not immediately known if any videotape of the alleged incident exists. Dash was awarded custody of the boy in September of 2002. Dash and Williams have been fighting over visitation rights.
Despite the serene, soulful vibe the singer gives off in most of her music, Jill Scott tells MTV News you don't want to get on her bad side. If pushed, she just might flash back to her younger days and be tempted to whoop your ass right there on the spot. "I've done a lot of fighting in my time, and I'm down to do some more," the Grammy-nominated artist said, reflecting on growing up in the projects of North Philadelphia. "I don't want to, but you know, there's just certain things that you can't sit down and take. I'm better with my tongue now than I used to be. Before, it would just take a few words and fists were flying."
Beyonce is among the artists who are set to headline this year's Carousel of Hope gala. The event, which benefits the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, is set for Oct. 23 in Beverly Hills, Calif. Halle Berry will be honored with the Brass Ring Award, to be presented by Oprah Winfrey. For more on the event,go to: Children's Diabetes Foundation
Mos Def & Vivica Fox will host VH1's first annual Hip-Hop Honors set to air on October 12. The celebration will include tributes to DJ Hollywood, KRS-One, Public Enemy, Rock Steady Crew, Run DMC, Sugarhill Gang, Tupac Shakur and The Graffiti Movement. The evening will also feature performances by Nas, Beastie Boys, Fat Joe, Kid Rock, Public Enemy, The Sugarhill Gang, Chic, MC Hammer and Grandmaster Flash. The music and influence of each honoree will be acknowledged through performances featuring classic artists in collaboration with contemporary emcees. Ice-T, Kid Rock and Afeni Shakur will also be on hand as presenters. The ceremony will be filmed at The Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC on October 3 and air on Tuesday, October 12.
STAR Jones, queen of the freebies, could make a mint off her Nov. 13 wedding by charging hairstylists and makeup artists for the privilege of working on her and her bridesmaids. In a contract sent to a beauty company obtained by PAGE SIX, an outfit called SPArty, which claims to represent Jones, demands $4,500 from companies that want to be her wedding "sponsor" and $1,500 from ones that simply want to have products in Jones' gift bags. On wedding day, a tent will be put up outside the Waldorf Astoria, where Jones and 45 guests can spend all day getting beautified. Jones guarantees anyone buying into her gift bag will get coverage from In Style, In Touch, People, Us Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, W, "The View," "and many more!" According to the contract, in addition to ponying up money, "all participants must wear white . . . there must be eight hairstylists . . . six make-up artists . . . skin care products for 11 r ooms . . . 10 manicurists." One company asked to provide services scoffed: "That would cost thousands and it is not worth it. It's unbearably tacky to ask us to pay." But Jones told us: "I have received several proposals for a spa day and I have not signed off on any of them. I did not authorize [SPArty] to do this or solicit funds. I have not decided what I am going to do."
50 will make his first feature film debut in Paramount Pictures and MTV films' Locked and Loaded. Interscope/Geffen chairman Jimmy Iovine and Eminem's manager Paul Rosenberg will handle the project. In the semi-autobiographical picture, 50 will play a drug dealer who gives up hustling to pursue a rap career. The Sopranos writer/executive producer Terence Winter is presently writing the flick's screenplay, which is expected to hit theaters in 2005 or 2006. Iovine and Rosenberg also served as producers on 2002's autobiographical 8 Mile. To date, the film has grossed $117 million at the box office according to Nielsen EDI. The 8 Mile Soundtrack reached number one on Billboard's Hot 100 and its first single "Lose Yourself" won an Academy Award for best original song and a Grammy for Best Rap Song. Sour ces say the Locked And Loaded soundtrack will be released through Shady Records.
P. Diddy is being asked to testify a fourth time about the Club New York shooting five years after the incident. Though he's been acquitted in criminal and civil cases in which he had to testify several times, Diddy must now take the stand in response to seven people claiming they were injured after the shooting and stampede in club New York. Diddy, former girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and former Bad Boy artist Shyne were all on hand the night of the shooting. Shyne was eventually convicted to a 10-year sentence for gun possession and reckless endangerment.
Lil' Kim's bodyguard was sentenced to 12 years in prison after confessing to firing at least 20 shots in front of New York's Hot 97. U.S District judge Gerard Lynch ordered Kim's bodyguard, Suif Jackson to finish a prison term that ends on Aug. 7, 2006 before he begins his 12-year federal term. The previous sentence was for an unrelated crime. Lynch also mentioned that Jackson deserved the harsh sentence considering that he had formerly been convicted of five crimes, including three for violent offenses. The shooting incident stems from an altercation that took place between Kim's entourage and Capone and Noreaga's crew in front of Hot 97 in 2001. Gunshots eventually rang out and one man was wounded. The Queen Bee is presently facing perjury charges after allegedly lying to a grand jury investigating the shooting. Kim's perjury trial is scheduled to begin in Feb. 2005.
While Eminem's first LPs were soaked in shock value, his latest album promises to showcase a socially and politically aware Eminem. Word is that much of the content on Eminem's forthcoming Encore deals with social commentary and political observations. Slim reportedly even bashes President George W. Bush on several songs. After announcing his plan to keep the LP away from bootleggers, a cut from Encore leaked earlier this week. The LP is scheduled to hit stores on November 16 and will include a bonus CD featuring a collection of songs that have been leaked in the past year.
With the release of Sweat and Suit, Nelly became the first solo artist to debut with Billboard Hot 100s number 1 and number 2 slots simultaneously. After only a week of release, the two LPs have registered over a million sales worldwide. With this feat, Nelly joins The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Simon & Garfunkel and Guns N' Roses, who have all held the number 1 and number 2 spots previously. While the aforementioned groups have all held the top spots, only Guns N' Roses has debuted with the number 1 and number 2 albums in the same week.
As they prepare to drop their seventh LP, De La Soul have been hitting the lab with Damon Albarn and will appear on alternative group, The Gorillaz's forthcoming album. High off their recent The Grind Date mixtape, De La is scheduled to drop an album of the same name in two weeks. The LP features guest appearances from Ghostface, Common, Flava Flav and film director Spike Lee with production from De La, 9th Wonder and Jay Dilla.
For those fans disgruntled that Mase missed his “Welcome Back” concert on September 25, the Bad Boy has a very good reason, albeit a tiny one. His wife Twyla Betha has given birth to a baby boy. According to sources with Bad Boy Records, the baby was born about 2 weeks ago and he cancelled a number of dates, including the "Welcome Back" show. Mase, real name Mason Betha, is very tightlipped about his personal life, but his DJ, Craig sent his congrats to his friend. The DJ told sources, “First of all congrats to Mase and the whole Betha family on the new baby boy. I don't have kids to know how it feels but it must be a great feeling to bring a new born in the world [but], as his DJ [I say its time to] Get back to work.” Mase’s absence fueled unfounded rumors that the rapper retired again. Promoters from the ‘Welcome Back” show have stated th at they plan to sue Mase to recover funds lost on the concert, which reportedly undersold tickets. Perhaps, this news is cause for a change of heart.
Jermaine Dupri is expanding his So So Def empire and the mogul is working on several new business ventures to expand the So So Def brand name. Dupri, 32, is working to open the “Def Cafe,” which will be a 24-hour cafe in Atlanta, Georgia’s Buckhead section. In addition to the eatery, Dupri’s So So Def TV is working on a television pilot that Dupri described as his version of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” And last but not least, the mogul will try his hand in the toy world, as he is developing replicas of himself, Da Brat, Bone Crusher and the So So Def “Afro Man” logo. In an interview with The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Dupri likened himself to a young Berry Gordy. “When I got into this business, it was to have the biggest record company ever," Dupri said. &q uot;The business of records has and always will be my first love. And youthfully, I'm trying to build my company just like Berry Gordy's, where it is all about the young artists coming with new records and singles."
Usher phoned into the Tom Joyner Morning Show last Wednesday to talk about the re-release of his 'Confessions' album, which includes a few new confessions. They also talked about his World Music Awards three wins, his American Music Awards nominations, and the credit card. He also discussed his relationship with Chilli -- they're not back together and he denied talk of faking a breakup with the TLC star, and he denied having a romance with Alicia Keys. He previewed the latest gossip about Naomi Campbell explaining he was working with her on the Fashion Rocks show.
IS there trouble in paradise for Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey? A pal of the famously married duo says: "Nick is very upset right now. He feels like he is trying to have his own career and Jessica's parents give him no respect. They don't treat him well. The MTV cameras [for the show 'Newlyweds'] are going to go away soon and when they do, Nick wants a break." When asked if that means Lachey will separate from Simpson, the spy countered: "He needs some alone time." A rep for Lachey said, "That's completely false!" Meanwhile, Simpson's dad, minister Joe Simpson just signed a management deal with Geffen Records.
Spottings...Cam'ron, Chingy, DJ Clue, Ja Rule, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Swizz Beatz were amongst the rappers partying at Cherry Lounge on Saturday (September 25) in New York City. Halle Berry and boyfriend Michael Ealy had lunch at Vento.... Paris Hilton Pole dancing and smoking cigars at Jermaine Dupri's birthday party at Onda Lounge thrown by Janet Jackson. also in attendance were Quincy Jones, Kanye West, Shaq, Bow Wow, Ludacris, L.A. Reid and Usher and Naomi Campbell were seen being extra friendly in the kitchen...Tara Reid and Mekhi Phifer getting cozy at Spider Club in L.A.