Smoking Gun: Michael Jackson's Last Will

The Smoking Gun: Last Will Of Michael Joseph Jackson

Over at Hip Hop Press:
Executors Named by Michael Jackson File Last Will
in Los Angeles County Superior Court

Smoking Gun: Jay-Z's Arizona Concert Rider, Alfamega's Bust, Young Rapper's "Harebrained Scheme"

The Smoking Gun delivers a hip hop trifecta including the amended concert rider for the ill-fated University of Arizona show that lost all that money.

Hey, Jay-Z, couldn't you give a little of that money back even if they didn't let you ride in a Maybach or smoke and drink backstage?

I'm just saying.

Turns out that Alfamega was in jail when he got news that T.I. had kicked him to the curb for an ancient act of snitchcraft.

According to The Smoking Gun, cops found a stolen, loaded gun with a bullet in the chamber during a search of Alfamega's vehicle. Alfamega shrugged off mace and a police baton strike only to break his leg after jumping 25 or 30 feet off a garage wall which "resulted in an injury that appeared to be pieces of bone protruding from his ankle."

Subsequently, Alfamega was in jail when T.I. made his announcement.

That's bad luck, homie!

In an attempt to build street cred, Steven Gilmore went on a crime spree with a BB gun and a 16 year old getaway driver on a moped because he "thought the robberies would provide him the kind of reputation he apparently believes is required in the rap world."

Currently there is no word on whether or not his mixtapes are now No. 1 with a BB!

Counterfeit: Rick Ross, Louis Vuitton Shades, XXL [?]

Louis Vuitton Brand Calls Out Rick Ross for Fake Shades:

“'We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks,' stated Louis Vuitton Malletier Michael D. Pantalony."

Counterfeits = Big Money.  Just ask Rick Ross and XXL!

Update: The Bawse says they're the real thing. They're just customized!

Does this mean Rick Ross wins again?!?

Related ProHiphop Coverage:
Prison Guard Rick Ross Covers May XXL

Alfamega Outed as Member of "T.I.'s Snitch Posse"

Being outed as a snitch by The Smoking Gun is not a good look for anyone, let along someone close to T.I., especially at this particular point in time.

Then again, Alfamega is not so unique in his snitchery since "real hoods" are a key element in "Snitch Economics".

Former Clipse Manager, Anthony Gonzalez, In Jail on Major Drug Charges; Connections to The Clipse & Nah Right?

Tim McGlone of The Virginian-Pilot reports that former Clipse manager and recent booking agent, Anthony "Geezy" Gonzalez, "turned himself in to federal authorities in Miami today and will be returned to Hampton Roads to face an 82-count indictment" for "leading a $10 million drug ring" headquartered in the Encore Lounge in Virginia Beach.

At least six others are said to be involved including an "unnamed police officer...listed as an unindicted co-conspirator" and the already under arrest Raymond D. McCoy, John Lee McCoy III and Richard W. Hoggard.

Proceeds were allegedly laundered through "Soul Providers Management, Soul Providers Entertainment, D&A Trucking and the nightclub."

Soul Providers Management, one of Geezy's companies, is reported to have been listed as The Clipse' booking agent on their MySpace page which has apparently been replaced with the following:

"For bookings and/or other inquiries, please contact Sommer at DearSommerr@gmail.com
or
Caroline Yim ICM 10250 Constellation Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310)550-4341 cyim@icmtalent.com"

While connections to The Clipse will most likely be investigated one wonders about connections to Nah Right!?!

I'm joking about Nah Right but given the lyrical content of music by The Clipse and their long association with Gonzalez one would expect to see an attempt to rope them into this investigation.

T.I. Sentenced to 1 Year and a Day

Press Release from U.S. Department of Justice:

"Clifford J. Harris Jr., a.k.a. "T.I.," 27, of College Park, Ga., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. on charges of unlawfully possessing machine guns and silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced David Nahmias, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia."

"Harris was sentenced to serve one year and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also sentenced to serve 365 days of home confinement and 1,500 hours of community service, with credit for approximately 305 days of home confinement and 1,030 hours of community service that he completed before sentencing. In addition, Harris was ordered to pay a fine of $100,000. Harris has agreed to forfeit all of the firearms and ammunition involved in the offenses and to waive appeal."

Amaru Entertainment Countersues Morgan Creek, Full Copy of Legal Document Available

In late February, Afeni Shakur's Amaru Entertainment responded to the news that Morgan Creek Productions was suing them over disputes related to rights for a planned Tupac Shakur biopic.

On Monday, Amaru Entertainment filed a countersuit against Morgan Creek. They made the document available to ProHipHop and we're offering it as a downloadable .pdf so you can see what's up for yourself.

Suge Knight Victim of Felony Aggravated Assault in the VIP

I know. I know. ProHipHop should rise to a higher standard but "Suge Knight Beat Down -- Again!!!"!!!

Hey, I'm posting this for all the artists whose careers he ruined.

Yeah, I'm doing it for them!

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Suge Knight: Failed Music Mogul Loses His Last Card

Rick Ross: Smoking Gun Gives 50 Cent More Ammo

I haven't been keeping up with the details of Rick Ross Vs. 50 cent but it's clearly 50's game to lose. And why should he?

Not that he needed it but The Smoking Gun has more legal research magic for 50 to use or not:

"The rapper Rick Ross would have his fans believe that he made millions trafficking cocaine while running with one of Miami's violent street gangs...Now, records show that Ross's own lawyer last year disputed reports that the performer has ever been affiliated with any gang. Ross's purported hoodlum connections were explored last April during a deposition of Officer Rey Hernandez...As seen in the below transcript excerpts, Ross's lawyer, Allan Zamren, asked Hernandez why Ross's case was assigned to the gang task force."

"'Because your client claims affiliation with Carol City Cartel and other known gang members,' Hernandez replied. The cop then directed Zamren to 'some literature or video on U-Tube that you can pull up for yourself.' Zamren then proceeded to press Hernandez on Ross's supposed gang ties. 'Do you have anybody from a Carol City gang that you have information on or basis of any knowledge that says he is affiliated with them?' Hernandez answered, 'No.' Zamren then asked, 'Do you have anything that shows you he was affiliated with any gang?' Hernandez replied, 'No, I do not.'

Rick Ross should have found a way to keep things chill but maybe that just wasn't possible for the YouTube gangster.

Death Row Assets Back On Sale Jan. 15th

Pool your penies.  This time the assets include unreleased recordings:
Death Row Goes Back On The Auction Block

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
TMZ Claims to Have Suge Knight/Death Row Assets Inventory
Curse of Death Row Records Plagues Global Music Group
Death Row Auctioned, TMZ Breaks News?

Suge Sues Kanye, So Where's Suge's Real Money?

Wages Of Crime - R. T. Naylor

So Suge Knight's suing a bunch of people including Kanye West that didn't keep guns out of that party where he got served (oops, wrong party!) and where he supposedly lost his pretty, expensive earring.

Do you think Suge would have called "PUNK" on anybody pulling such a move back when he was Mr. Bigtime?

Be that as it may, I've been reading Wages Of Crime: Black Markets, Illegal Finance, and the Underworld Economy and I started thinking about Suge and how, in his world, stashing loot would be the norm, something any good businessman would do.

So people saying that Suge Knight's bankruptcy means he's broke are basically saying he was bad at what he was doing.

Show some respect!  That fat criminal who ruined so many artist's career deserves better.  Right?

TMZ Claims to Have Suge Knight/Death Row Assets Inventory

TMZ is claiming to have a list of Death Row assets that are being liquidated.

You can download the list here and then decide for yourself if they had an intern create it from some old xeroxed office forms.

Though, I have to admit, it's just boring enough to be real.

Kanye West Arrested for G'ing Up on Paparazzi

Kanye West and his bodyguard were busted for a scrape up with paparazzi today.  But you knew that already.

I bet I'm the last person to hear about that.

DJ Vlad Sues Rick Ross for Beatdown

DJ Vlad is suing Rick Ross for the widely documented beatdown he [allegedly] received by Rick Ross' crew the afternoon of the Ozone Awards.

I'm quite interested in this suit for a couple of reasons.

It brings interpersonal violence in hip hop into a different light and potentially enacts a price for violence that steps away from the sick, inbred nonsense that passes for "street justice".

Since the suit is framing the assault as an attempt to "stifle [Vlad's] journalistic reporting and freedom of expression", it also begins to address the longstanding issue of hip hop artists' assaults on journalists.

Kidz In The Hall's Management Issues Statement

Here's the statement being circulated by Kidz In The Hall's management regarding recent events that have been making the news:

"Double O from the hip hop group Kidz In The Hall was assaulted by several bouncers early Saturday morning, July 26, while inside a nightclub in Tempe, AZ following a Kidz In The Hall performance. Group member and friend Naledge, who did not witness the assault on Double O, was arrested outside of the club. Naledge's attempt to get medical assistance for Double O was misconstrued as a hinderence to the investigation."

"Reports that no injuries were sustained are false as Double O was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries from the excessive force used by club security. On Sunday morning Double O underwent surgery for one of his injuries. He is still in the hospital, but in stable condition."

"In the last 2 years, Kidz In The Hall have traveled to over 10 countries, have done 200+ shows and never before been involved in any altercation, big or small,  with club or concert security, or police officers."

ProHipHop joins so many others in wishing Kidz In The Hall the best during this difficult period.