By TRiCk-C
10/24/2007
R&B singer T-PAIN has proved sceptics at his record label wrong by releasing the best-selling ringtone of 2007.
The rapper reveals bosses at Jive Records were stunned when his single Buy U A Drank achieved the feat. He tells Billboard magazine, ''I had people at Jive tell me they didn't believe in my product and let me know that they didn't care too much, but selling 6.7 million ringtones (for Stripper and another single I'm Sprung combined) changed their minds.
"As long as someone wants to hear my music, I don't care if it's a ringtone or the album or whatever."
10/24/2007A New Orleans jeweler has sued Lil' Wayne claiming the rapper owes him $146K.
According to the Miami-Herald, jeweler Jack Sutton says Wayne purchased a $32,000 necklace and a $138,000 diamond ring from him on October 6, 2006 and to date Wayne has paid only $24,000.
Sutton said the deal was made over the phone and Wayne agreed to make monthly payments. Sutton reports receiving a check for $24,000 on October 12. He received another check for $24,000 on January 18, however when he tried to deposit it he says there was a stop payment on the check.
Sutton says he has been unable to contact anyone in Wayne's camp about the outstanding amount.
“'I've been doing business with him for at least 10 years. He's always been wonderful with paying me,” said Sutton. “He’s spent a lot of money with me. I thought we have a really good relationship. I don't know what happened, unless it's a misunderstanding.”
Sutton's lawyer confirms his client's statement.
“This is clearly a misunderstanding,” Sweeney said “If, in fact, the allegations are true, then it will be resolved. My client is very responsible.'”
10/24/2007
R&B Star AKON has spoken out in support of jailed rapper T.I., insisting the star was "set up" over a weapons deal. Twenty-seven-year-old T.I., real name Clifford Harris Jr. - is currently in custody after allegedly sending his bodyguard to buy three machine guns and two silencers from an undercover police officer who was posing as an arms dealer.
But the Lonely star believes Harris was the victim of an unfortunate situation, but adds the rapper should not rely on carrying a gun to protect himself when he could afford 'legitimate law enforcement'.
He tells MTV news, "It's obvious he was set up. But sometimes when you're in a position of that stature and you're that big ... you just don't allow that energy around you. "You have to have people around you to let you know or avoid that energy. Even if he was a (gun) collector, naturally, you get a license to collect.
That's just common sense. ... At that stage where he's at, he don't need to protect himself. You hire legitimate law enforcement, or you hire people who are licensed to carry (guns). Surround them around you and you'll be safe."
10/23/2007
50 Cent recently spoke to MTV News about his up-coming album "Before I Self Destruct."
The album, which is slated to be released in Spring 2008, is 50's last album of original material under his current contract with Interscope Records.
"On my next album, you should expect to not see features [guest appearances] like you saw on Curtis," he smiled. "Before I Self Destruct, it's totally different. That record has a whole 'nother concept. I feel like this sets up the next batch of records. It's got what I really wanna do on it. Plus, it's my fourth album — it fulfills my record obligation to Interscope Records. I'll be a free agent."
In other 50 Cent news, G-Unit will release their second album December 18. According to 50, the album is nearing completion and they are only waiting on one last feature.
"We gotta work with Em, that's it," 50 told MTV News. "Then we can be done with it. Production-wise, I captured what I needed. But I didn't want to not have Em's stamp on it. We probably won't get his vocals until he's heard the full body of work and he's excited about it. Before my work [goes to the public], it has to pass the Eminem test, the Dr. Dre test — it's a few tests before we push them to the street. That's why they can expect a higher quality of 50 Cent music than the usual artist."
