Ledger fans demand the Joker retired from film

via CNN

LONDON, England (CNN) — A group of Heath Ledger fans have taken their reverence for the late “The Dark Knight” star to a whole new level.

Followers of the actor, who electrified audiences with his chilling reinvention of the Joker in the second Batman blockbuster, are calling for the character to be retired from the movies permanently.

Ledger supporters at new Web site, The Ultimate Joker, launched a petition last week calling for studios to remove the Joker from any future Batman movies. The petition currently has 2,431 supporters.

“We think Heath deserves this honor,” the site’s team leader, Fer Barbella, told CNN from Buenos Aires, Argentina. “He is the ultimate Joker.

“We are Batman fans from the comics and from the movies,” he said, “After we saw ‘The Dark Knight,’ we thought this Joker was really the best. It deserves to be withdrawn from any Batman sequels.

“When Michael Jordan retired, they withdrew the number 23 jersey as an honor. It’s the same thing with Heath.”

Barbella said he thinks any new performance just won’t be able to top Ledger’s.

“He upgraded the character in a thrilling way,” he said. “Although a lot of actors would love the chance to play the Joker, as Batman fans and now Heath Ledger fans, we think no one could ever perform it as well as he did.”

Thousands of Guns Sent to Afghanistan are Missing

via CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) — More than one-third of all weapons the United States has procured for Afghanistan’s government are missing, according to a government report released Thursday.

The U.S. military failed to “maintain complete inventory records for an estimated 87,000 weapons — or about 36 percent — of the 242,000 weapons that the United States procured and shipped to Afghanistan from December 2004 through June 2008,” a U.S. Government Accountability Office report states.

“Accountability lapses occurred throughout the supply chain,” it says.

The Defense Department spent roughly $120 million during that period to acquire a range of small arms and light weapons for the Afghan National Security Forces, including rifles, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

The military also failed to properly account for an additional 135,000 weapons it obtained for the Afghan forces from 21 other countries.

“What if we had to tell families [of U.S. soldiers] not only why we are in Afghanistan but why their son or daughter died at the hands of an insurgent using a weapon purchased by the United States taxpayers? But that’s what we risk if we were to have tens of thousands of weapons we provided washing around Afghanistan, off the books,” Rep. John Tierney, D-Massachusetts, chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, said at the start of a congressional hearing on the report.

Report: 21% of Web Users Streaming Full TV Episodes

via DMW Media

Menlo Park, Calif. - One in five U.S. Internet users (21%) ages 13 to 54 now watches full-length streaming episodes of TV shows online, up from 10% in 2006, and 65% of these viewers say they expect to be able to watch their favorite shows “on the device of my choice,” according to the findings of a report from market research firm Knowledge Networks.

The report found that those who stream TV episodes still prefer networks’ own websites, but that use of third-party sites like Hulu.com has doubled in the past year, to 28%.

Of “streamers,” 87% say they watch episodes online to “watch a current episode that I missed,” compared with 40% watching “older” episodes and 18% “trying out a new program.”

“Among streamers, there is no shortage of demand for TV network content, and Internet availability of full episodes increases their appetite for both online and traditional viewing of programs,” said David Tice, vice president of client service at Knowledge Networks.

“This kind of access and control has become something streamers demand, and networks and sponsors alike reap benefits from the added engagement that full-program streaming creates.”

Global Economic Crisis Poses Top Threat to U.S., Spy Chief Warns

via NY Times

WASHINGTON — The new director of national intelligence told Congress on Thursday that global economic turmoil and the instability it could ignite had outpaced terrorism as the most urgent threat facing the United States.

The assessment underscored concern inside America’s intelligence agencies not only about the fallout from the economic crisis around the globe, but also about long-term harm to America’s reputation. The crisis that began in American markets has already “increased questioning of U.S. stewardship of the global economy,” the intelligence chief, Dennis C. Blair, said in prepared testimony.

Mr. Blair’s comments were particularly striking because they were delivered as part of a threat assessment to Congress that has customarily focused on issues like terrorism and nuclear proliferation. Mr. Blair singled out the economic downturn as “the primary near-term security concern” for the country, and he warned that if it continued to spread and deepen, it would contribute to unrest and imperil some governments.

“The longer it takes for the recovery to begin, the greater the likelihood of serious damage to U.S. strategic interests,” he said.

Mr. Blair also used his testimony to deliver a withering critique of the Afghan government’s inability to halt the spread of the Taliban, and he said corruption in Kabul and throughout the country had bolstered support for the Taliban and warlords.

The stark assessment of the security picture in Afghanistan laid bare the obstacles facing the Obama administration as it aims to direct more American troops and attention toward quelling the violence in the country.

Mr. Blair delivered his assessment to the Senate Intelligence Committee, in what was the new administration’s first public recitation of the national security challenges facing the United States.

[audio/video] Natalie’s Rap (explicit)

OK, I’m the first to admit, I don’t know who set it off but the ongoing trend in Hollywood is after you make it big, try your hand at rapping. I don’t know if Hollywood’s elite is sitting there reading into Will Smith’s success and thinking they have to duplicate it step by step but first we had Joaquin Phoenix, now Natalie Portman (Princess Leia from Star Wars) is making her rapping debut. I think this started out as a SNL spoof, but there is a full unedited version of her “rap” floating around. Here goes…

Unedited version

Mike Tyson Shops Tell-All Memoirs to Select Publishers

via NY Post

MIKE Tyson is ready to spill the beans. But the one-time heavyweight champ doesn’t want any leaks, so his book proposal is being seen by only five publishers. “It is similar to the way the Kurt Cobain journals were sold, which went for $4 million. Just eight people were invited down to the Inn on Irving Place to view Kurt’s actual journals and hear his unreleased song,” said an insider. “The book went on to be a No. 1 best-seller.”

Tyson started writing while he was in prison. “Me and my cellmate would read to each other at night,” Tyson told one editor. “One night I would read out loud to him, the next night he would read out loud to me. And we would do that back and forth until the book was completed.”

Ironically Enough, Chris Brown, Rihanna in running for NAACP Image Awards

via Breitbart

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Despite his recently tarnished image, crooner Chris Brown may win an NAACP Image Award.

The 19-year-old singer, who’s accused in a domestic dispute that reportedly involves pop superstar Rihanna, is in the running for outstanding male artist at the 40th annual awards. The awards are being presented Thursday night at the Shrine Auditorium and airing on Fox.

Brown won the outstanding male artist trophy last year.

Rihanna, his longtime girlfriend, is up for outstanding female artist.

It’s unclear if either Brown or Rihanna will attend. Both canceled their appearances and performances at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.

Other nominees for outstanding male artist are Common, Jamie Foxx, John Legend and will.i.am. Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey are also nominated for outstanding female artist.

Over 30 awards honoring television, film, music and literature are to be handed out in categories such as outstanding reality series, literary work, jazz artist, music video and documentary.

Television shows including “The Game,” “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” “Ugly Betty,” “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Grey’s Anatomy” are nominated for multiple awards. “Cadillac Records,” “Miracle at St. Anna,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” “Seven Pounds” and “The Family That Preys” are nominated for outstanding motion picture.

The 40th annual Image Awards coincide with the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and will kick off a yearlong centennial celebration.

Elgin Baylor sues Clippers, claiming racism

via LA Times

NBA Hall of Famer and former longtime Clippers executive Elgin Baylor alleges in a civil lawsuit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles that team owner Donald Sterling has embraced a “vision of a Southern plantation-type structure” for his NBA franchise, accusing him of decades-long racist behavior.

Baylor worked for the Clippers for 22 years. The complaint against Sterling and others, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and obtained by The Times, presented Baylor’s version of an eroding relationship between Baylor and Sterling. Baylor contends, among other things, that the Clippers owner had “a pervasive and ongoing racist attitude as expressed to then-NBA player Danny Manning during contract negotiations.”

Asked about the nature of the allegations, Baylor’s lawyer Carl Douglas said in a telephone interview that “everything in the lawsuit is factual. . . . It would not be in Mr. Baylor’s best interest to disclose our trial strategy.”

There is a news conference scheduled for this morning at Douglas’ office in Beverly Hills.

Also named in the lawsuit was the team, the NBA and Clippers President Andy Roeser. Clippers officials said at their game against the Knicks on Wednesday they had not been served with the lawsuit.

“Not having seen the complaint, I cannot comment on Elgin’s specific allegations,” said Robert H. Platt, Clippers general counsel and partner at the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. “However, I can categorically state that the Clippers always treated Elgin fairly throughout his long tenure with the team. Prior to his decision to leave the team last October, Elgin never raised any claims of unfair treatment.

[pic] Mideast Saudi Secret Valentine

Can you imagine being stoned to death for a teddy bear and candy?

via Brietbart

A Saudi woman tries to choose a Valentine’s Day teddy bears at a gift shop in the Saudi capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Friday Jan 30, 2009 . Store owners know that as Feb. 14 approaches, the feared religious police begin inspecting gift shops for items that are red or in any way suggest the holiday, which is banned in this country. Such items are legal throughout the year. It’s only around Valentine’s Day that they take on a contraband status. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Investors bail on Lionsgate

via LA Times

Investors have pulled out of a multi-film financing agreement with Lionsgate, the movie and television studio behind the “Saw” and Tyler Perry film franchises.

The move, which reflects the increasingly tough environment for film financing, means that Lionsgate did not have the money it was counting on to finance the final three movies on its fiscal 2009 slate.

As a result, Lionsgate itself had to commit its own capital to pay for the already released films “The Spirit” and “My Bloody Valentine 3D,” and its upcoming Feb. 20 release “Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail.”

The loss of funding from the company’s Goldman Sachs-led Pride Pictures facility caused a “significant, unexpected shortfall of $65 million in free cash flow,” Lionsgate Chief Executive Jon Feltheimer said Tuesday.

Going forward, Lionsgate will be forced to rely more heavily on self-funding its movies and bringing in partners where it can on a film-by-film basis, as it had done in years past.

Shares of parent Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., which is based in Vancouver but runs its studio operations out of Santa Monica, fell $1.43 to $3.90 Tuesday, a 27% drop. As the stock plunged, corporate raider Carl Icahn increased his stake in the company to 10.56% from 9.2%, according to a regulatory filing.

[video] Rapper Joaquin Phoenix’s Weird Appearance on Letterman

And his album is dropping sometime in 2012 after the world is destroyed according to Mayan prophecies.

Terrance and T.I. back track on Chris Brown support

These basket heads should of just kept their mouths quiet when asked about this delicate situation. The inital Howard video is below.

via Eonline

Terrence Howard wants to take back what he said about Chris Brown and Rihanna.

When asked by paparazzi last night if he had any comment on the Chris Brown incident with Rihanna, the actor said, “It’s just life, man. Chris is a great guy. He’ll be all right. And Rihanna knows he loves her. She’ll be all right. Just everybody’s got to get out of their way.”

But now, Howard is insisting he didn’t know about the allegations made against Brown when he made his remarks.

“When they asked me about Chris Brown the other day, I was in no way aware of what he had been accused of,” Howard said in a statement. “Had I known, I would have never had said something so insensitive.”

Howard is the second high-profile celeb in as many days to retract remarks they made about Brown and Rihanna.

Rapper T.I. issued a statement yesterday regretting comments he made the night before on Last Call With Carson Daly. T.I. said he “made a mistake of commenting before understanding the situation.”

T.I. told Daly that he had spoken to Brown since the alleged incident occurred early Sunday morning. “I told him, ‘This too shall pass.’ We’re celebrities, we’re entertainers, but we’re still human—all of us,” he said. “Don’t expect us not to make mistakes because we will.”

[pics] Invitro-Mom Bares It All

This broad just looks a little off her rocker.

Source: TMZ

[video] WTF? Child smoking in China?

more about “Child smoking in China?“, posted with vodpod

Darryl Strawberry Says Mets Loved Their Cocaine and Their Women

via MLB

It seems that this week baseball has decided to play a game of “I can shock you more” with the media. First there was the news of Alex Rodriguez’s positive steroid test, which, admittedly, wasn’t all that shocking.

Then earlier this morning we got to find out about Roberto Alomar’s ex-girlfriend suing him for allegedly having unprotected sex with her while knowingly having AIDS. I don’t think anybody is going to top the Alomar bombshell, but Darryl Strawberry is going to try.

Strawberry has a new book coming out in April, and something tells me his ex-teammates aren’t going to appreciate the contents much. Strawberry’s claims about all the cocaine they did and the women they had sex with — sometimes during games — probably won’t sit well.

“We were the boys of summer. The drunk, speed-freak, sneaking-a-smoke boys of summer,” writes onetime home-run legend Darryl Strawberry in “Straw: Finding My Way,” out in April from Ecco. “[An] infamous rolling frat party . . . drinking, drugs, fights, gambling, groupies.”

Beer “was the foundation of our alcoholic lifestyle,” he writes. “We hauled around more Bud than the Clydesdales. The beer was just to get the party started and maybe take the edge off the speed and coke.”

Obama’s Legal Team Copies Bush’s ‘State Secrets’ Trick to Cover Up Torture and Renditions

via AlterNet

On Monday in San Francisco, attorneys representing the Obama administration did what many of the president’s supporters would have considered unthinkable on election day: they arrived in a federal courtroom and defended one of the most controversial practices of the Bush administration.

“Eric Holder’s Justice Department stood up in court today and said that it would continue the Bush policy of invoking state secrets to hide the reprehensible history of torture, rendition and the most grievous human rights violations committed by the American government,” Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union said in an impassioned statement. “This is not change. This is definitely more of the same.”

The case was Mohamed et al. v. Jeppesen Dataplan, a lawsuit originally brought in 2007 by the ACLU on behalf of five victims of extraordinary rendition, the notorious CIA program in which terror suspects are kidnapped, thrown on a plane and flown to another country to be tortured and interrogated.

Jeppesen Dataplan, a subsidiary of Boeing, is said to have provided the logistical support for the rendition of all five plaintiffs, among them, Binyam Mohamed, an Ethiopian national who, in July 2002, was taken from Pakistan to Morocco, where for 18 months he was imprisoned and brutally tortured, including being cut with razorblades on his testicles. Mohamed was later sent to Guantanamo Bay, where he supposedly awaits imminent plans for his release. He has never stood trial.

Under Bush, the ACLU’s lawsuit was thrown out multiple times on “state secrets” grounds — a bogus excuse according to human rights lawyers who have long argued that the real goal was to keep evidence of the sort of torture endured by Mohamed away from a courtroom.

Official: Wife pulled $15M before Madoff’s arrest

via Yahoo

BOSTON – The wife of disgraced money manager Bernard Madoff withdrew more than $15 million from a firm co-owned by her husband — including $10 million on the day their children turned her husband over to authorities for overseeing an alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme, the top securities regulator in Massachusetts said Wednesday.

Secretary of State William Galvin said Ruth Madoff, 67, withdrew $5.5 million on Nov. 25 and $10 million on Dec. 10 — the day before Bernard Madoff was arrested — from Cohmad Securities Corp., a New York firm co-owned by her husband.

The secretary cited wire transfer records produced by Cohmad as proof of the withdrawals. They came as Madoffs’ scheme was unraveling as investors filed $7 billion worth of redemption requests.

They also appeared to follow what authorities consider a disturbing trend on the part of the Madoffs to hide money that could be used to reimburse burned investors.

Prosecutors have already said investigators found 100 signed checks worth $173 million that Madoff was ready to send out to his closest family and friends at the time of his arrest in December. Two weeks later, during the Christmas holidays, Madoff sent more than $1 million in jewelry and heirlooms to family and friends.

“We’re not accusing her of anything wrong,” Galvin spokesman Brian McNiff said of Ruth Madoff. “It’s just one of the things that came out in the response, such as it was, from Cohmad” to a subpoena from Massachusetts officials. “Now, what someone in New York or the feds may think of it may be entirely different.”

A telephone number listed to Ruth Madoff in Palm Beach, Fla., rang busy and a number in New York had been disconnected. A Cohmad spokeswoman in New York said the company had no comment. Ira Sorkin, a lawyer for Bernard Madoff, said he had no comment on the withdrawals.

Facebook’s Value: $3.7 Billion and Dropping

via Gawker

What’s Facebook really worth? The fast-growing social network is adding to its 150 million users effortlessly. But revenues aren’t growing as easily. And that has Mark Zuckerberg‘s company tied up in legal and financial knots.

Last summer, the company settled a dispute with a rival social network, ConnectU, that dates back to the founding of Facebook in CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s Harvard dorm room. ConnectU’s lawyers — whom the site’s founders have since fired — revealed that the case was settled for $65 million in a newsletter bragging about their firm’s accomplishments. And now the Associated Press has obtained a court filing which shows the exact breakdown of cash and stock Facebook used to settle the case: $20 million in cash, and 1,253,326 shares of Facebook stock.

That’s no mere detail. ConnectU’s ex-lawyers at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges are pursuing legal action against ConnectU’s founders — Divya Narendra and Olympic-rower twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss — to get them to pay $13 million. In other words, a 20 percent cut of the supposed $65 million settlement. But is the settlement really worth $65 million?

In October 2007, Microsoft paid $35.90 a share for $240 million in Facebook preferred stock, which only garnered it a 1.6 percent stake in the company. Preferred stock, the kind usually purchased by venture capitalists, have more rights and protections than common stock, which is the type owned by founders and issued to employees. And when a company is private, it’s typical for preferred shares to have a higher value than common shares.

ConnectU’s settlement was issued in common shares. And an appraisal Facebook conducted to value the shares it issued to employees valued the company at $3.7 billion, or $8.88 a share — making the stock part of ConnectU’s payment only worth $11 million, and the total $31 million.

Will Smith tops Forbes.com’s bankable stars list

via Popeater

NEW YORK -Will Smith was voted the most bankable star in Hollywood in a survey of industry professionals by Forbes.com.

The financial magazine’s Web site gives the actor a score of 10 out of 10 for his bankability in its first “star currency” list, compiled by surveying more than 150 industry professionals.

Following Smith on the list: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, who all tied for second with a score of 9.89. Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson rounded out the top 10.

Smith’s superior box-office clout has been long established. He’s known for “owning” the July Fourth weekend box office with films such as “Independence Day” and “Men in Black,” and has had few flops.

The 40-year-old actor recently topped the annual poll by Quigley Publishing Co., which has surveyed movie exhibitors since 1932 on which stars generate the most box-office revenue.

The Forbes survey, which acknowledged that it was “subjective,” also took into account a star’s ability to attract financing for a project. The list was released Tuesday.

Smith’s latest film, “Seven Pounds,” received terrible reviews, but still earned $70 million at the domestic box office. His summer superhero blockbuster “Hancock” grossed $228 million.

Marvel Comics Coming to iTunes Store

via Switched

As those who have been following the news from this week’s ComicCon event in New York City are well aware, Marvel announced that it will be selling its new “In-Motion” comic books in Apple’s iTunes Store. The comics differ from old-school physical comics by having animated panels and voice-over work from popular actors, making them well-suited to the iPhone and iPod Touch, with their sharp screens and various multimedia capabilities.

Fret not, diehard classic comic book fans — Marvel will release traditional paper copies of these comics (after the In-Motion versions are released on iTunes). No word yet on cost or availability.

Big-name Marvel aside, there’s plenty of comics to be found online (and on mobile phones) that’s optimized for the digital world. We’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of our favorite Web comics for your time-wasting, on-the-clock pleasure (after the break). Just remember to Control-Tab when your boss comes a-wandering by. [From: TUAW]

Ciroc Vodka website revamped by Diddy

via Woooha

After some early controversy, lately Diddy has been fulfilling his duties as official spokesperson for Ciroc Vodka and has been more and more involved in the overall marketing efforts. From his mini-movie, to his boastful PR stunts Diddy has been everywhere pushing Ciroc. And now, he has officially made his mark on the Ciroc website by completley redesigning it “Diddy style.”

The site now is heavily branded with Diddy’s images, ads and bio so it’s no mistake that this is HIS vodka. According to parent company Diageo’s 2008 financial reports, they have seen an 11% year over year growth in the U.S. vodka sector. A large amount of this is attributed to Ciroc. So while some where doubtful, the deal seems to be working. Let’s see how long it sustains in the new year though. Check out the revamped Ciroc site.

Michael Jordan’s Sister Accuses Father of Rape

via Thisis50

Michael Jordan’s sister, Deloris Jordan is accusing their father, James Jordan of rape in a new memoir.

Here are some excerpt’s from Deloris Jordan’s book, “In my Family’s Shadow,” according to the panachereport.com.

“Ending eight years after it first began and five years after losing my virginity to my father, it scares me to think how much longer the abuse would have went on had I not spit out the dreadful truth to my mother during one of our many heated disagreements. Disagreements that were sometimes anything but pleasant and often featured no indication of love between the two of us.

So as she ranted and raved about how no slutty daughter of hers better get pregnant and bring any bastard children into her house. I finally heard myself saying: “If I am so much of a slut, why don’t you keep your husband out of my bed?”

When I finally found the courage to let my father’s deeds tumble from my lips, I did not know what to expect, but I never in a million years would have guessed that my mother would turn on me. Her words of betrayals did far more damage to me than my father’s deeds. They spoke volumes to the fact that she really did not care about me, which my father obviously knew. It is because she was so expressive with her dislike for me that probably made my father know he could get away with violating me.

My father confessed his actions on the same day that I disclosed them to my mother. And on that frightful day of admission, I watched my mother, looking for a sign, any sign that she cared about me.

The memory of my father whispering in my ear during the wee hours of the night about the beauty of my body has played over and over in my head for many years. And as if that has not been incapacitating enough by itself, having to comprehend the fact that more often than not, he had just gotten out of the bed he shared with my mother to find his way to my bedroom has just added to the realization of the painful situation.”

T-Pain to release Auto-Tune app for iPhone

via Woooha

Another reason to buy the iPhone, so you can sound JUST like T-Pain. Mr. Pain is teaming up with the famed Auto-Tune designer Antares to develop an iPhone app that lets you speak and record your voice with the signature Auto-Tune sound.

According to the LA Times, the app won’t let you alter your voice on actual phone calls but instead you will be able to record your Auto-Tuned voice over the beats of T-Pain and listen to them on your iPhone. Under the deal with Antares, T-Pain will do the majority of marketing and publicity for the app and will receive an undisclosed royalty for each app sold. More details to come as the deal continues to develop.

T-Pain’s other business deals included a Pepsi ad campaign and a promotional deal with auto manufacturer Hyundai.

TMZ Alerts – Asians Want $4 Billion From Miley Cyrus for Slant Eye Photo-Op

Source: TMZ

A Los Angeles woman has filed a class action suit against Miley Cyrus, claiming she mocked Asians in a recent photo by slanting her eyes. Price tag: $4 billion.

Lucie J. Kim claims to represent more than 1 million Asian Pacific Islanders who live in L.A. County. Kim claims when Cyrus posed for the photo, she “knew or should have known that her image would be publicly disseminated via the media, which Cyrus knew focused on her private life, specifically TMZ.”

Kim says in the suit, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, that each Asian Pacific Islander is entitled to the minimum damages for a civil rights violation — $4,000. Add it up — $4 billion!

Kim says Miley’s “just a kid” defense doesn’t fly. She says it’s like Paris Hilton claiming to be just a kid. Ouch.

Miley’s peeps could not immediately be reached for comment

Rick Ross To Release ‘Before I Self Destruct’ Mixtape, Russell Simmons, LA Reid Comment On Beef

Somebodies f*cking with the bottom line cuz the Big Boys is speaking out

via Def Sounds

Rick Ross, the Miami, self proclaimed ‘Boss’, is stepping up the stakes this month when he will be releasing a mixtape with the same name as 50 Cent’s upcoming LP, ‘Before I Self Destruct’. The results of doing this could indeed mess up the promotional plans for Fiddy’s team, as they would both bear the same title and cause confusion for some unfamiliar with the ongoing beef between the two. Ross has just finished up production on the mixtape so it should be available soon.

L.A. Reid, the Chairman of Island Def Jam, Ross’ label, says he is not at all pleased with this whole beef scenario. “I love Rick Ross,” he said. “I consider 50 a friend. I don’t encourage anything that represents ignorance and nonsense. I just hope these two guys are smart enough, mature enough and rich enough that this shouldn’t last. I haven’t been following it, honestly, but Rick Ross is my artist. I support him. I support his artistic beliefs and dreams. 50 is my friend and a fellow superstar in our business. I respect him and his legacy. I hope they work it out.”

Russell Simmons also had some words to say about this too and they were very similar. “If it’s like pro wrestling, if that’s how they view themselves, then it’s part of the entertainment,” Simmons said. “It’s not something I would advise still. I always like to play high notes. I’ve gotten older. I see that is usually where I’ve had the longest, most stable impression — doing something that’s higher and more inspired. There’s a lot of talks about the beefs that’s going on, particularly the 50 Cent [vs. Rick Ross feud]. They’re both very talented. Neither one of them needs that to be hot. … It’s always a little edgy. I worry about them. I haven’t gotten involved. I hope they settle it, and it goes away.”

[video] Brand New ANGELS & DEMONS Trailer!

Cool, a movie about the Illuminati vs. the Vatican, this is right on time, granted!

A full trailer for Ron Howard’s Angels & Demons has spilled on to the web and is ready for you to check out below. The anticipated film opens in May and stars Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, Pierfrancesco Favino, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Armin Mueller-Stahl and Stellan Skarsgard.

Based on the novel by Dan Brown, a prequel to his best-selling The Da Vinci Code, Demons follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Hanks) as he works to solve a murder and prevent a terrorist act against the Vatican. Head here to watch the trailer in HD.

[video] Havoc – Heart Of The Grind

more about “Havoc – Heart Of The Grind“, posted with vodpod

Cookie Monster Rap vs. Jay Z “99 Problems” (Blue Album)

spotted at Illseed’s Blog

Shepard Fairey Strikes Back, Sues AP Over ‘Hope’ Image

via Alternet

Monday Shepard Fairey’s attorneys–the Stanford’s Fair Use Project and a San Francisco law firm–wasted no time, filing suit against the Associated Press over the artitst’s re-purposing of a photograph taken by Mannie Garcia while on assignment for the news agency. Garcia has said:

I would see the artwork, I would photograph it, and think what is with this image? But it didn’t snap. It never occurred to me it was my picture. I thought, ‘that’s familiar.’ …

The San Jose Mercury New reports that Garcia says he never signed an explicit photography contract with the AP and that they hired him for just one month. He adds:

I feel very proud that I made the photograph. I never would have imagined that it became what it is, and it’s pretty cool. The AP is being very aggressive with Fairey, and I don’t want to be a part of that. My last conversation with the AP was that I own the copyright, and that’s what I’m maintaining.

Last week the Associated Press issued a statement saying they had determined that the photograph used in the poster is an AP photo and that its use required permission.

The news agency sought credit and compensation (duh) for the use of the image. Hundreds of thousands of the “Hope” version were given away for free by Fairey’s studio as part of grassroots campaigning, while other versions became official Presidential Inaugural Committee merchandise and fine art prints. A different version of Fairey’s image was used on the cover of TIME magazine and a large print hangs in the National Gallery. Fairey received a thank you letter from Barack Obama during the campaign.

Eminem’s ‘Bottle’ Breaks Digital Record

50 was smart to also snatch this for his album too.

via Billboard

The rap triumvirate of Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent will soar 78-1 on The Billboard Hot 100 to be posted tomorrow morning (Feb. 12) with “Crack a Bottle,” which sets a Nielsen SoundScan record for opening week download sales (418,000).

The first-week sum outpaces the prior mark of 335,000 downloads shifted by T.I. featuring Rihanna in the Oct. 18, 2008, issue. Among all weekly totals, “Bottle” ranks third behind Flo Rida’s “Low” (467,000 on Jan, 12, 2008) and Lady GaGa’s “Just Dance” (419,000 on Jan, 10, 2009).

“Bottle” is the second Hot 100 No. 1 for both Eminem and Dr. Dre. Slim Shady’s only leader was 2002′s “Lose Yourself,” which spent 12 weeks at the summit, while Dre last led in 1996 as a featured artist on Blackstreet’s “No Diggity.” 50 Cent ups his No. 1 take to four, having last topped the list with “Candy Shop” (9 weeks in 2005).

The trio, each with highly anticipated albums on the way, previously collaborated on “Encore,” which peaked at No. 25 on the Hot 100 in January 2005.

[audio] YOUNG JEEZY- BANG, BANG

YOUNG JEEZY- BANG, BANG

CLICK [HERE] FOR DOWNLOAD

Jeezy’s throwin” warning shots at someone…BANG, BANG!!

Wire Tap: If Rappers Were Characters From The Wire

via TSS

It’s been a year and I still miss The Wire and all its characters. We said our final goodbyes in 2008 but recent endless viewings of the DVD box set had me feeling sentimental and inspired. It’s the “Who would play me in a movie?” game further realized and repurposed, i.e. which rappers would play characters on The Wire? So, without further adieu…

Charles Hamilton as Duquan “Dukie” Weems — These two have more of an uncanny physical resemblance than Blu and Bubbles. Besides their connection as look-alikes and being coincidentally homeless at different points in life, both are bright, yet can’t seem to get the formula quite right to move on to a higher level of success. Coincidentally, and both lived in the streets.

Nas as Avon Barksdale — Okay, so maybe Nas isn’t really a hustler or a gangster. But he is an older figure who has seen more dominant days, finding his way in an environment that may/may not be suited to his tastes any longer. Oh, and he evolved as the opposite of…

Jay-Z as Stringer Bell — The intelligent hustler. Does/did anyone so knee deep in their respective field have a more savvy business sense than these two?

Rich Guys Jay-Z & Lebron James To Host 3rd Annual Two Kings Event!

via TLF

According to the press release:

Two kings – Jay-Z, “King of Entertainment” and LeBron James, “King of Sports” will co-host a private “power dinner” sponsored by Sprite Green that will consist of a veritable who’s who in the entertainment and sports industries, including many of the CEOs and CMOs from Fortune 500 companies who will be in town for the NBA All-Star Weekend. Following the exclusive dinner, guests will be joined by 500 stars and athletes at the Two Kings After-party…

The release goes on to mention some stuff about location, time, secret entrance to get in…stuff you guys wouldn’t really be interested in anyway.  While in town the fellas will also do some good deeds and drop off 150 instruments at the Mesa Arts Academy in Phoenix.

Who’s braving the grouplins to enjoy the NBA All Star Festivities?

[UPDATE] Eight arrested in Michael Phelps case

via WISTV

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – New details have emerged about a party where Olympic champion Michael Phelps was spotted.

On Feb. 2, a British tabloid published a picture of the 14-time Olympic gold medalist using a water pipe to smoke marijuana. The picture was taken at a party in Columbia back in November when Phelps was here for a visit.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has been taking a lot of heat from people in this country and all over the world.

They want to know why Sheriff Leon Lott is going after Michael Phelps.

Many are saying the sheriff should concentrate on more serious crimes, or at the very least, not focus solely on the Olympic champion when there were others at the party who were also breaking the law.

Now it appears the case has expanded beyond Phelps’ activities.

The party took place in November at a house on Blossom Street near Five Points.

It was at that house where someone snapped the photo of Phelps taking a hit on a marijuana pipe called a bong.

Lott says the picture indicated a law was being broken in his jurisdiction. He said he couldn’t ignore the violation just because Phelps is rich and famous.

We’ve now learned that since investigators began trying to build a case, they’ve made eight arrests: seven for drug possession and one for distribution. These are arrests that resulted as the sheriff’s department served search warrants.

[pic] Coco Spreads Her Love

Just a lil’ something to get you over your “hump” day…Coco posted this new picture on her myspace page along with the quote below.

I love Funky outfits!!! This shot was taken in Arizona…(people are asking what my height and weight is. I’m 5′2 130 pounds.)

spotted @ TLF

[video]Lil Cease – Letter To Big

I actually think this joint is better than the Jadakiss version. The video and all. Great job.

Christina Milian On The Cover Of King Magazine’s 50th Issue

Spotted at Real Talk NY

Didn’t she just drop a single recently that no one paid attention too? Anyway she looks good and this issue will move some units.

Sirius XM Prepares Bankruptcy Filing

I think the downfall of this company started when they gave Howard Stern $500 million dollars before they even made a profit.

via NYTIMES

Sirius XM Satellite Radio has been working with advisers to prepare for a possible bankruptcy filing in a move that could put pressure on the satellite company EchoStar, which owns a substantial amount of the company’s debt.

Sirius has been working with the restructuring expert Joseph A. Bondi of Alvarez & Marsal and the bankruptcy lawyer Mark Thompson of Simpson, Thatcher & Bartlett to help prepare a Chapter 11 filing, people close to the company said. The documents and analysis are close to being completed and a filing could come within days, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Sirius, whose radio stars include the popular shock jock Howard Stern, has also been working with the investment bank Evercore Partners.

Charles Ergen, who controls a satellite-television empire including the Dish Network Corporation and EchoStar, recently acquired the majority of a $300 million tranche of Sirius debt that matures next Tuesday.

Since the news about the debt purchase has emerged, questions have surfaced over whether Mr. Ergen will make a bid to purchase Sirius. The threat of a possible bankruptcy filing could force Mr. Ergen to make a formal offer for the company now if he doesn’t want to go through an auction in bankruptcy court.

It could also compel Mr. Ergen to agree to convert his debt into an ownership stake in Sirius at a higher price than he originally considered.

With more than $5 billion in assets, Sirius would be second-largest company to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection so far this year, according to the research firm Capital IQ’s database. The Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, which had more than $7 billion in assets when it filed in late January, was the biggest so fa

[video] Q Da Kid – Letter To Shakir

[video] Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen [HD Quality]

Platforms: PC, WII, Nintendo DS, PS3, PSP, XBOX 360

Release Date: December 31, 2009