More News-Leroy from "Fame" dies

[vanda]

Originally posted by 1savvydiva
Okay, are they saying that Chip Fields, her mother, was an actress on both "Good Times" and "Living Single"? If so, what part did she play?

I remember her taking that ironing cord to Penny. That's embedded in my memory. I remember Penny pleading " Please Mama, don't, I'll be good". One of the best episodes. That's right up there with "Damn, Damn, Damn."

[FeeFee]

Originally posted by vanda
I remember her taking that ironing cord to Penny. That's embedded in my memory. I remember Penny pleading " Please Mama, don't, I'll be good". One of the best episodes. That's right up there with "Damn, Damn, Damn."

See, now I'm having flashbacks of that episode.

[CrimsonTide4]

They just refuse to grow up...

Rapper Tray Deee Arrested in California
Sun Nov 9, 9:34 AM ET


LONG BEACH, Calif. - Rapper Tray Deee, a member of the hip-hop group Tha Eastsidaz, was in custody Saturday after being arrested for allegedly shooting at people outside of a business, police said.



No one was injured and the 37-year-old rapper, whose given name is Tray Muhammad, was arrested at his Fontana home Friday several hours after the alleged shooting, said Officer Jana Blair of the Long Beach Police Department.


He was booked for felony assault with a deadly weapon and was being held in the city jail with bail set at $50,000.


There was little information on the shooting's circumstances, Blair said.


"Someone fired a handgun in the direction of individuals in front of an establishment. Someone identified him as a possible suspect," she said.


An investigation was underway and detectives expected to present evidence Wednesday to the Los Angeles district attorney's office, which will decide if charges should be filed.


Muhammad formed Tha Eastsidaz with rappers Snoop Dogg and Goldie Loc. The group has released two albums.

[1savvydiva]

VH1 Wednesday 11/12 at 11 P.M.

Lil' Kim Live$ Large!

At 4-foot-11, rapper Lil' Kim (nee' Kimberly Jones) is short on height--but big on luxury. The diminutive diva's jaw-dropping indulgences are detailed in the VH1 special The Fabulous Life of: Lil' Kim.

To match her collection of over 100 fur coats (including a $120,000 full-length chinchilla), Kim has 10 mink cellphone cases at $300 each.

Kim's manicurist charges up to $5,000 a day to wrap her tips in shredded $100 bills.

Kim's diamond bling includes $19,000 dog tags and a 12-carat $150,000 ring.

During a one-day shopping spree in Japan, Kim dropped $40,000 on clothes --and Barbie dolls.

Her white convertible Mercedes -- tricked out with imported leather, hand-applied logos and five TV monitors -- cost $135,000, plus an estimated $20,000 for the extras.

Eric Anderson

[feu_declipse]

I'm speechless - wrap her nails in shredded $100 bills???????? Why do people act so crazy. She could give that money to me or a charity and she won't miss it.

And how is she still so rich if she spends her money so quickly? I don't think any of her albums did phenomenally well but I might be wrong.

And 5 monitors in a convertible? - 2 for the people in front (which is dangerous), 2 for the backseat riders, and then the 5th for what? - the trunk?? the hood?? where else would you put one

c'est vraiment fou
es la vida loca

[toocute]

Originally posted by 1savvydiva
VH1 Wednesday 11/12 at 11 P.M.

Kim's manicurist charges up to $5,000 a day to wrap her tips in shredded $100 bills.

OK...That's freaking wasteful. How about giving back to your community? How about putting that money back in the 'hood that you came from?


Maybe P Diddy needs to teach her a few things about giving back.

[Conskeeted7]

I was really disappointed that the media made an issue of Montel Williams and his prescription. It is a known fact that the man is dealing with a chronic illness, but they are making it seem like he was just a random guy trying to smoke weed on vacation. I'd be really hurt if I were him.

Kim Fields is actually really good in her spoken word performances. I'm not sure of her singing, but she'd do well with the spoken word.

[CrimsonTide4]

Rapper Who Cannibalized Roommate Gets Life Sentence

POSTED: 10:25 PM PST November 7, 2003

COMPTON, Calif. -- An aspiring rapper convicted of killing his roommate and eating part of her lung was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the district attorney's office said.

Superior Court Judge Jack Morgan also imposed a consecutive life sentence on Antron Singleton, 27, convicted in June of murder and aggravated mayhem for the April 2002 slaying of Tynisha Ysais.

Ysais, a mother of two, was found stabbed to death in the southeast Los Angeles apartment she shared with Singleton. Testimony showed that the 21-year-old woman's chest had been cut open and her right lung, which had been removed, appeared chewed and torn.

Singleton, whose stage name was Big Lurch, was arrested after he was spotted walking naked on a street with his mouth, chest and abdomen covered in blood. He had recently moved from Texas to Los Angeles and was recording a rap album.

Singleton had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and his lawyer, Milton Grimes, argued his client was in a psychotic state induced by the drug PCP at the time of the murder. The court, however, ruled in September that Singleton's drug use at the time of the crime did not diminish his responsibility for it.

[abaici]

I remember hearing about this case last year. It was revolting to hear then, and it is revolting to hear now. JUST SICK!!!!!

[1savvydiva]

Now THAT is sick!

[AKA2D '91]

Ray Charles Donates $1M to University
1 hour, 59 minutes ago


NEW ORLEANS - Ray Charles (news) has donated $1 million to Dillard University for the creation of a program about black culture, the school announced Monday.


AP Photo



The donation will create an endowed faculty position and program devoted to the musical, culinary, artistic and linguistic contributions of black Americans, Dillard spokeswoman Maureen Larkins said.


Charles received an honorary degree in May from Dillard, a private, predominantly black school associated with the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ.


The 73-year-old singer donated the money in the name of the Robinson Foundation for Hearing Disorders, a laboratory he founded in 1987 for the treatment and research of hearing problems.

[AKA2D '91]

Slick Rick Released From Jail
Mon Nov 10,10:00 AM ET

LAUNCH Radio Networks

Rapper Slick Rick, whose real name is Ricky Walters, was finally released from a Bradenton, Florida, INS detention center on Friday (November 7) after 17 months of incarceration. Slick Rick was granted his freedom by Judge Kimba Wood of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York on Friday, October 31. Wood ruled that the Board of Immigration Appeals should never have reversed its earlier decision that the British-born rapper is a legal U.S. resident.



Slick Rick won an initial bout with the INS in 1995, which allowed him to stay in the country upon his release from prison. However, the INS overturned that decision in 1997. According to the rapper's lawyer, he was never notified of the decision.


The rapper was found guilty of second-degree attempted murder in 1991 for shooting his cousin, and he served five years and 12 days in prison. U.S. Federal law states that any non-citizen who serves more than five years in prison must be deported. This law, which hit the books in 1996, was applied retroactively in Slick Rick's case.


Slick Rick, who was born in London, was arrested on June 1, 2002, after attempting to return to the United States following a performance on a cruise hosted by popular radio host Tom Joyner.


For Slick Rick it was a long week waiting for his release following the judge's decision. The rapper told MTV.com, "There was a lot of anxiety. You don't know if it's going to be this day, this hour. It's been a week since the judge granted me permission, so there's been a lot of butterflies in my stomach, you might say."


Upon his release, the rapper drove to Fort Lauderdale with his attorney to catch a flight to his Bronx, New York home.


Slick Rick's last release was 1999's gold-certified the Art Of Storytelling. The rapper's best-seller to date was 1988's platinum-certified the Great Adventures Of Slick Rick.

[lovelyivy84]

What in the world does this have to do with rap or hip hop? THe appropriate title of this story is CRAZY MAN who cannibalized roomate gets life sentence.

Stuff like this almost makes me support the death penalty. Only rabid dogs do stuff like this, not people.

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Rapper Who Cannibalized Roommate Gets Life Sentence

POSTED: 10:25 PM PST November 7, 2003

COMPTON, Calif. -- An aspiring rapper convicted of killing his roommate and eating part of her lung was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the district attorney's office said.

Superior Court Judge Jack Morgan also imposed a consecutive life sentence on Antron Singleton, 27, convicted in June of murder and aggravated mayhem for the April 2002 slaying of Tynisha Ysais.

Ysais, a mother of two, was found stabbed to death in the southeast Los Angeles apartment she shared with Singleton. Testimony showed that the 21-year-old woman's chest had been cut open and her right lung, which had been removed, appeared chewed and torn.

Singleton, whose stage name was Big Lurch, was arrested after he was spotted walking naked on a street with his mouth, chest and abdomen covered in blood. He had recently moved from Texas to Los Angeles and was recording a rap album.

Singleton had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and his lawyer, Milton Grimes, argued his client was in a psychotic state induced by the drug PCP at the time of the murder. The court, however, ruled in September that Singleton's drug use at the time of the crime did not diminish his responsibility for it.

[Afrochic]

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 10TH, 2003

The romance between Gerald Levert and Monique is very real. Gerald was dating singer/songwriter Kandi Buress from Xscape, but that romance has ended. Right now it's all about Monique.

Vivica A. Fox has ditched the weave! Check out Vivica on the latest cover of Jet Magazine. Vivica is sporting a new short do like Halle Berry. Vivica is currently in Baltimore filming the movie Beauty Shop. In a recent interview with celebrity journalist, Jawn Murray, Vivica talked about plastic surgery. She says she doesn't have a problem with it because she is in a business where you have to keep yourself up. Vivica is no stranger to plastic surgery. She has had work done on her face, but she won't reveal what she has had done. Vivica is also very single. She is no longer dating rapper 50 Cent. 50 says he needs a woman who is together; one that's intelligent. He says she doesn't have to be all that beautiful. Did Vivica's jealousy drive him up the wall? Was is it the age difference…he's 27, she's 39? Or was it a publicity stunt? Hmmmmmmmmm? What did he mean by intelligent? Together? Was he dissing Vivica?

Patti LaBelle is on the cover of Heart and Soul Magazine and she opens up like never before. Patti reveals that her marriage to Armstead Edwards didn't last because they were too different. She also feels she hasn't gotten her due in regards to her career, but she treasures the love of her fans. Patti says she is almost 60 and she feels blessed because her sisters never lived to the age of 45.

The new issue of Essence Magazine features Magic and Cookie Johnson on the cover. Cookie talks about why she stayed with Magic after he revealed he was HIV positive. A lot of people thought she was crazy. Many thought she was hanging in there for the money, but Cookie reveals it was her love for him.

The Jimi Hendrix Story is coming to the big screen and Andre Benjamin a.k.a. Andre 3000 of Outkast will play the legendary rocker. Actor Laurence Fishburne was also pursuing this role, but Andre won the role. In his new video for "Hey Ya" he looks like Jimi Hendrix. The Hughes Brothers will direct the movie.

Halle Berry will continue to be one of the faces of Revlon Cosmetics. She just signed a new deal. On the 21st, her new movie Gothika opens.

Usher has a new album called Confessions coming out next year, and in a recent interview with Upscale Magazine he did some confessing. In a move that even shocked his mother, who is also his manager, Usher admitted to smoking weed. He says he didn't like it and would not advise anyone to do it. Usher also talked about a relationship he was in years ago before he met Chili. Usher was involved with a girl, and while he was with her he got another girl pregnant. The girl did not have the baby, but his cheating destroyed the relationship he was in. The new album also touches on his on again/off again relationship with Chili. Usher is looking to go on tour next year and word has it Beyonce will be joining him.

The American Music Awards air on Sunday night on ABC. Jimmy Kimmell is hosting some of the performers include Ruben Studdard, Ashanti, OutKast, Justin Timberlake and Sean Paul.

American Idol judge Simon Cowell is coming out with a new book called I Don't Mean To Be Rude But…Backstage Gossip From American Idol And Secrets That Can Make You a Star. "Mr. Nasty" as he is called, dishes the dirt on American Idol contestants Trenyce, Carmen, Clay Aikens and Ryan Starr to name a few. Simon is very candid and he holds nothing back as he talks about whom he liked and whom he didn't like. He also discusses the jealousy and backstabbing of some of the contestants. Check out the American Idol Christmas Special on Fox on November 25th.

The "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin is close to settlement with Star Magazine. They published a story about her having a drinking problem and she sued them in a multi million-dollar lawsuit.

The Wayne Brady Show is in trouble. Despite the Emmy Awards and the critical praise, the show is turning out to be a ratings disappointment. Sources say the show could be replaced next year with The Tony Danza Show. Tony is best known for starring in the television shows Taxi and Who's the Boss.

Who's better Mary J. Blige miserable, or Mary J. Blige in love? Mary's new CD Love and Life is not doing well. This album has not yet sold a million copies. Despite massive publicity and a great interview with 60 Minutes, the public is not buying this album. Mary is happy now, she's in love and off drugs, but when she was unhappy and messed up, she was selling records. I think the wrong singles are being picked off the album and her new label Geffen doesn't get it. They should bring out a good ballad and see if the album sales turn around.

A few weeks ago, I told you about actress Jasmine Guy and her strange behavior on stage in the play The Violet Hour. Jasmine was let go from the production after having some sort of meltdown. Sources say she was listless, vacant and didn't know her lines. Members of the audience started walking out and those who stayed started booing. Producers for the show say she was let go for medical reasons. In an interview with Access Hollywood, Jasmine said she was sick and she shouldn't have gone on that night. Jasmine's schedule has been very hectic and she was splitting her time between the show in New York and her family in Los Angeles. Jasmine is the mother of a 4 year old and she is raising her husband's niece. Jasmine is now with her family. Next year she returns to the Showtime series Dead Like Me and she's helping Afeni Shukar write her autobiography. Afeni is the mother to the late rapper Tupac.

Doctors say it will be another year or two before singer Luther Vandross makes a full recovery from his stroke. Luther is undergoing rehabilitation right now. Doctors report he is doing some talking and singing and learning how to walk again. Luther is up for two American Music Awards. The show airs on the 16th.

Boyz II Men is making a comeback next year. In January they will be releasing the Throwback Album: Volume One. This album is going to pay homage to the music stars of the 70's and 80's such as Marvin Gaye, Debarge, The Isley Brothers, Al Green and Michael Jackson. Boyz II Men will be releasing the project on their own label and they are now a trio. Mike McCrary has retired from the group.

Saxophonist Najee has joined forces with actress Km Fields. Kim is now performing as a spoken word artists. Her latest project is called Smooth Is Spoken Here.

The Bernie Mac Show will not air during the November ratings sweep. The show has been pushed back to November 30th and it will air in its new Sunday night timeslot.

Actress Lisa Raye who plays "Neesy" on the UPN Show All of Us gives a very revealing interview in the latest edition of Sister to Sister Magazine. Lisa claims she only makes $20,000 per episode on the show because black shows don't pay a lot of money. (Afrochic's sidenote: She has no talent whatsoeva...she betta be happy she's getting that much )

Ice Cube will be replacing Vin Diesel in the next XXX movie and Samuel L. Jackson has signed on to co-star. In the meantime, Ice Cube has started filming a new movie with Nia Long. Years ago they co-starred in Boyz in the Hood, and now they are teaming up for the comedy Are We There Yet? In the movie, Ice Cube plays a guy out to win the heart of Long's character, by taking her and her children on a road trip.

[AKA2D '91]

So much info...

1. Gerald and Monique? Before that Kandee? I guess he had her 'Wide open' (LSG 2) She must have that 'slap yo momma kinda love'

2. Is weave a thing of the past? Or will the new trend include not wearing weaves?

3. Patti and hubby different? I guess so. Is his shirt dirty?

4.I'll read my Essence at the hair salon this evening. There is a story of a 34- year old virgin. Should be interesting reading.

5. The Hughes brothers haven't done alot of films recently. Should be interesting.

6. Don't want to see Gothika.

7. Usher: mmmm, mmmm, mmm.

8, 9 WTE

11. um
12. Not really a Wayne Brady fan....not interested in the show
13. Why is she on Geffen anyway?
14. Oh Whitley...what's wrong?
15. Luther's condition was really bad. He's learning to walk again. We're pulling for you Luther.
16. Not feeling BIIM anymore.
17. Whew! Spoken word.
18. Shucks, can we say "canceled"?
19. Amen, Afrochic...girllllllll!
20. Whassup with Vin not wanting to do these sequels? I like Ice Crube.