Celebrity News

[Gina1201]

From mtv.com

More than four months after federal investigators searched the New York offices of Murder Inc. Records, an arrest has been made in connection with their findings and newly unsealed court documents have revealed just what suspicions prompted the raid.

Last week, following the stakeout of a house in Encino, California, U.S. Marshals arrested Dexter Ottley, Murder Inc.'s director of radio promotions, and charged him with possession of a firearm by a felon. Also arrested at the time was Murder Inc. artist Caddillac Tah, who was not charged and was later released.

But while Ottley may be the only person arrested from the Murder Inc. family thus far, he might not be the last. In a 32-page affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in January, an IRS special agent details some of the evidence that feds have compiled in their ongoing investigation of convicted drug lord Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff and his relationship with Murder Inc.

The document charges that McGriff, who has a storied past as the leader of infamous New York drug cartel the Supreme Team, is the "true owner" of Murder Inc., while CEO Irv Gotti is merely the "public face" of the highly successful label. Supporting that theory are allegations that McGriff was paid by Murder Inc. under a false name, that he conducted illegal activity using Murder Inc. travel funds and a Def Jam two-way pager, and that McGriff was directly involved in the 2000 shooting of rapper 50 Cent, who is described as having written "a song exposing McGriff's criminal activities."

Investigators compiled evidence ranging from Supreme's business bank records, all of his two-way messages from the past three years, travel records, surveillance and even the testimony of two confidential witnesses. One of the witnesses is said to have observed McGriff's comings and goings within the Murder Inc. offices.

The court affidavit was filed in order to get permission to freeze McGriff's business accounts. The investigation of McGriff and Murder Inc. is still ongoing and neither McGriff nor Gotti has been charged with anything (see "Drugs, Friends & Allegations: Inside The Murder Inc. Raid").

Meanwhile, the incredible scrutiny of federal agents seems to have had an effect on Murder Inc.'s music. According to Murder Inc. artist Blackchild, an apparent slip up on Ja Rule's recent anti-50 Cent track "Loose Change" was more calculated than clumsy. Blackchild insisted to MTV News that when Ja raps, "50, you gon' get shot again by the M-U-R-E-D-R Inc.," he misspells the name of his label in order to avoid making a self-incriminating statement.

—Minya Oh

Okay, this is getting out of hand! Did they not learn what happens when it goes to far, i.e. Biggie and Tupac?

[AKA2D '91]

Actress Nell Carter Died Naturally
Tue May 6, 2:36 PM ET


LOS ANGELES - Nell Carter (news), who played the sassy housekeeper on the 1980s TV sitcom "Gimme a Break!" died of natural causes, the coroner's office said Tuesday.



An autopsy and toxicological tests determined the death was natural because of probable heart disease and diabetes complications, said coroner's Capt. Deborah Peterson.


Carter died Jan. 23 at age 54 after collapsing in her Beverly Hills home. She had undergone two brain operations in 1992 to fix aneurysms.


Blessed with a big voice and a strong stage presence despite her 4-foot-11 height, she won a Tony Award in 1978 for her sultry turn in the Broadway musical "Ain't Misbehavin'" and an Emmy in 1982 for a TV broadcast of the show, which was a revue of Fats Waller songs. Her quietly soulful number "Mean to Me" was a show highlight.


Carter received two more Emmy nominations in 1982 and 1983 for "Gimme a Break!" playing a housekeeper to a family headed by a widower who was the town police chief. The show ran from 1981 to 1987.


She also played the cruel orphanage operator Miss Hannigan in the 1997 Broadway revival of "Annie" and appeared in the movies "The Grass Harp" (1995), "Modern Problems" (1981) and "Hair" (1979).

'Welcome, Back Kotter' Actor Arrested
48 minutes ago

By The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, who played Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington on the '70s sitcom "Welcome, Back Kotter," was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor domestic battery for allegedly pushing a woman to the ground during an argument, police said.



Hilton-Jacobs was roller-skating with the 42-year-old woman at Venice Beach when two officers heard a commotion about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, investigated and arrested the actor, police spokeswoman Grace Brady said. Brady said there were no visible injuries to the alleged victim, whose name was not released.


Hilton-Jacobs was booked, with bond set at $20,000, and was released from custody late Monday.


The 49-year-old didn't immediately return a call Tuesday for comment placed through his agent, Fran Tolstonog.


Hilton-Jacobs also appeared in the 1970s films "Claudine" and "Cooley High" and in the TV miniseries "Roots."

Rapper 50 Cent Sued by New York Doctor
Tue May 6, 6:44 PM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters to My Yahoo!


By Jeanne King

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York surgeon is suing rapper 50 Cent alleging he owes more than $32,000 in fees for the treatment of gunshot wounds nearly three years ago.



According to the civil complaint filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday, 50 Cent, who also is known as Curtis Jackson, and friend Charles Johnson showed up at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in the New York borough of Queens on May 24, 2000, "with multiple gunshot wounds."


No one has been arrested for that shooting and the legal document does not say how many wounds 50 Cent suffered.


The complaint alleges that the surgeon, Nader Paksima treated 50 Cent for the gunshot wounds, including the use of X-rays and post-surgical treatment both in the emergency room and hospital.


"Despite repeated requests for payment to date, the sum of $32,511.87 ... remains due and owing," said Christopher Galiardo, the surgeon's lawyer.


"My client feels that 50 Cent has prospered and moved on with his career since the shooting. Dr. Paksima found 50 Cent to be a nice, charismatic man and we are hopeful he will settle this before going to trial," the lawyer said.


The 27-year-old rapper's attorney in the civil matter, Mark Gann, did not return calls for comment.


A protege of Eminem (news - web sites) and slain hip hop pioneer Jam Master Jay, 50 Cent has bragged in interviews to promote his CD "Get Rich or Die Tryin"' that he was once a crack cocaine dealer and has been shot nine times.


In January, 50 Cent was arrested with four other men on weapons possession charges after police found two loaded guns in their car. He faces up to 15 years behind bars if convicted on the weapons charge.

[AKA2D '91]

Entertainment - E! Online

Juvenile No "Azz" Grabber
Tue May 6, 7:45 PM ET Add Entertainment - E! Online to My Yahoo!


By Marcus Errico

Juvenile's "Azz" is safe.




The hip-hopster has been cleared in federal court of swiping his signature hit, "Back that Azz Up," from a rival New Orleans rapper known as DJ Jubilee.


In a ruling handed down Monday in New Orleans, the five-man, one-woman federal jury found that Juvenile (real name: Terius Gray) had come up with the hugely popular track on his own and didn't rip-off Jubilee's like-titled "Back that Ass Up."


Jubilee, aka Jerome Temple, and his label, Positive Black Talk Inc., had filed the federal copyright-infringement suit against Juvenile, Cash Money Records and Universal Music claiming he masterminded the song in 1997 and released it on the album Take It to the St. Thomas in April 1998--seven months before Juvenile's version came out on the 400 Degreez disc.


The five-day trial played out with both rappers offering their side of the story (Juvenile said he first used the catchphrase "back that ass up" at a 1997 party attended by Jubilee) and both camps calling respective experts. Jubilee tapped a University of New Orleans professor who testified the songs were "exactly the same," while Juvenile had a Tulane University musicologist say that aside from the titles, "the songs are not that similar."


Ultimately the jury sided with the Juvenile. Jubliee, 37, is weighing an appeal.


According to New Orleans' Times-Picayune, Jubilee is a local artist known for hosting block parties and putting out "bounce" records, a New Orleans specialty combining rap, singsong and call-and-response refrains and accompanied by suggestive dance steps.


The Times-Picayune says Jubilee, who works as a high school special education teacher, has often told interviewers that his music has been regularly pilfered by others. Although popular in the Big Easy, Jubilee has never crossed over into mainstream success, like Juvenile.


On the flipside, Juvenile, the most prominent member of Louisiana's Cash Money collective, rode his "Azz" track to multiplatinum fame. His follow-up, Project English, opened at number two on the charts in 2001.


Since then, Juvenile's legal squad has been keeping plenty busy. In February, the 28-year-old rapper was sentenced to 75 hours' community service after pleading guilty to charges of aggravated battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, stemming from a 2001 incident in which he knocked a man unconscious with a Moet champagne bottle and grabbing a police officer outside a Miami comedy club.


Days earlier, Juvenile was rung up on cociane and marijuana possession charges after small amounts of the drugs were found in a car the rapper and three pals were riding in (all four men were charged). His lawyer, Morton Fry, called it a wrong-place, wrong-time situation and said Juvenile will be found innocent.


Fry also says that Juvenile will be vindicated in yet another incident, this one occurring last September and featuring the rapper allegedly slugging it out with a barber. Juvenile apparently thought the hair cutter bootlegged and sold tapes of his music. He and two pals are accused of beating up the barber and then making off with $200.


J.Lo's 'Flashdance' Prompts Letter From Paramount
Wed May 7,12:00 AM ET

LAUNCH Radio Networks

If you noticed that Jennifer Lopez's video for "I'm Glad" looked an awful lot like the '80s movie Flashdance, you're not alone. The lawyers at Paramount Pictures, the studio behind the Jennifer Beals (news) film, thought so too--so much so that Paramount sent Sony a legal letter, alleging copyright infringement. The two companies are settling out of court.

[Steeltrap]

Why is this happening? Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Justin Timberlake?


Timberlake Takes Broadcast Job With TNT
Wed May 7, 9:57 AM ET

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Justin Timberlake (news) is going from center stage to the sidelines as a special correspondent for Turner Sports.


The 'N Sync (news - web sites) singer will report from several sports events for TNT, including the NBA playoffs, NASCAR (news - web sites) races and the PGA championship (news - web sites). For TBS, he'll appear at major league baseball games and Big 12 and Pac-10 college football games.

"We are excited at what this unique marriage between the world of sports and entertainment can bring to our high-profile sports properties," Mike Pearl, executive producer for Turner Sports, said Tuesday. "Justin's interest and enthusiasm not only in the NBA, but in all sports should help provide our broadcasts with a new, fresh approach."

The 22-year-old pop star has played in the celebrity basketball game during the NBA All-Star Weekend the past two years. Last year, he hit a long-range jumper over fellow TNT analyst Kenny Smith, who won two championships with the Houston Rockets.

Timberlake's debut solo album, "Justified," has sold more than 2 million copies.

[narcolept]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AKA2D '91
[B]Entertainment - E! Online




Jubilee, who works as a high school special education teacher,


OK, I'm mad that a teacher is coming out with songs called "Back That Ass Up". I see that as a problem.

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
J.Lo's 'Flashdance' Prompts Letter From Paramount
Wed May 7,12:00 AM ET

LAUNCH Radio Networks

If you noticed that Jennifer Lopez's video for "I'm Glad" looked an awful lot like the '80s movie Flashdance, you're not alone. The lawyers at Paramount Pictures, the studio behind the Jennifer Beals (news) film, thought so too--so much so that Paramount sent Sony a legal letter, alleging copyright infringement. The two companies are settling out of court.

Now, I can't BELIEVE that they didn't ask about all this first!!! DUH!!

[Afrochic]

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 5, 2003

Actress Malinda Williams who plays Bird on the Showtime Series Soul Food opens up about her recent divorce in Honey Magazine. Malinda was married to Actor Mekhi Phifer and they have a young child. Malinda says they got divorced in 2000 because he wouldn’t stop cheating on her. Mekhi currently stars on the TV Show ‘ER’ and he was in ‘8 Mile’ with Eminem. Mekhi says he was unfaithful because he was not happy. He described Malinda as too domineering. He says she’s a great mom but they were not made for each other.

The romance is over between Rocker Tommy lee and Dancer Mayte Garcia. Tommy Lee dumped Mayte weeks before their wedding. Tommy Lee used to be married to Pamela Anderson and Mayte used to be married to Prince. He’s 40, she’s 29 and sources say she is shocked and devastated by the breakup. Tommy and Mayte’s wedding was scheduled for July 4th. The wedding was going to take place at his Malibu Home then they changed it to her Castle in Spain. When Mayte was married to Prince he gave her a castle.

Mr. T is suing the Best Buy store. Mr. T claims the retail giant used his image in advertising without his permission.

Steve Harvey will be hosting the Essence Awards on June 27th. Mary J Blige, Tom Joyner and Queen Latifah will be among the Honorees.

Guess whose dating, NFL Star Keyshawn Johnson of the Tampa Bay Bucs and Tennis Sensation Serena Williams. Keyshawn is getting his love life in order now that he’s divorcing his wife. Keyshawn’s wife is dating rap Mogul, Suge Knight. (Sidenote: I thought Serena and Chris Tucker were dating.

Tracee Ellis Ross of the UPN Show ‘Girlfriends,’ the daughter of Diana Ross is now dating Corey Clark of American Idol Fame. Corey was the curly haired guy who got booted off the show when it was discovered he was arrested for beating up his kid sister. (Sidenote: Huh? What?

Singer Billy Paul recently sued Philly International Records and got a big settlement. Back in 1973 Billy topped the charts with the song ‘Me and Mrs. Jones’ and he recently sued for back royalties. He was awarded a half a million dollars.

Jennifer Lopez is the focus of a new TV documentary airing in the U.K. The documentary is called ‘Behind the Behind’ and they feature former acquaintances of J-Lo and her first husband who claims Jennifer never hung with people from the Bronx.

Michael Jordan may be leaving the front office of the Washington Wizards. Michael recently retired from Basketball and now it appears he is leaving his executive position with the Wizards. Sources say he doesn’t get along with the players and his work ethic as an executive was being questioned.

[kiml122]

Ok, has anyone heard the song that Busta and 50 Cent have done that really disses Ja Rule to know end. I finally heard it yesterday, and really listened to it, and man I didn't know that there was beef like that between Busta and Ja. I hope another death doesn't come from this.

[AKA2D '91]

I've heard it....

[skeeliteful]

I've heard it a couple of times. Busta had A LOT to get off his chest.

*In the voice from the turle in the upcoming movie "Finding Nemo" ...

"At first, I was like WHOOOOOAAAAA. And then, I was like WHOOOOA. And then, I went WHOA"

[FeeFee]

Originally posted by skeeliteful
I've heard it a couple of times. Busta had A LOT to get off his chest.

*In the voice from the turle in the upcoming movie "Finding Nemo" ...

"At first, I was like WHOOOOOAAAAA. And then, I was like WHOOOOA. And then, I went WHOA"

HC my daughter just loves to recite that line over and over? She can't wait for the movie to come out in theaters (I wanna see it too!! )

Anyway, Ja Fool should know better than to come against Busta, 50 and Em.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by Afrochic
4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 5, 2003
Tracee Ellis Ross of the UPN Show ‘Girlfriends,’ the daughter of Diana Ross is now dating Corey Clark of American Idol Fame. Corey was the curly haired guy who got booted off the show when it was discovered he was arrested for beating up his kid sister. (Sidenote: Huh? What?

GTF outta town! WTH?!!?

Tracee, girlfriend, sistah-girl....you can do WAAYYYYYY better!

[RedefinedDiva]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by narcolept
[B]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Jubilee, who works as a high school special education teacher,


OK, I'm mad that a teacher is coming out with songs called "Back That Ass Up". I see that as a problem.

I don't see the problem because the situation is not how it seems. Jubilee has always been a DJ. He has not always been a teacher. He attended Grambling (2D's alma mater ) and DJed. He makes some of the best bounce/party songs in N.O. He later became a teacher (he used to just be a sub).

I don't see the problem with him making his songs. Jubilee's song "Back That Azz Up" is nothing like Juvenile's. Jubilee's song came out a long time before Juvenile's. Jubilee doesn't make songs that are out the way like Juvenile's because he knows that children listen to his music. He makes fun songs. It's just dance music. I hope he makes another song for the summer....

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally posted by kiml122
Ok, has anyone heard the song that Busta and 50 Cent have done that really disses Ja Rule to know end. I finally heard it yesterday, and really listened to it, and man I didn't know that there was beef like that between Busta and Ja. I hope another death doesn't come from this.

The only death that will result is JaRule's self-esteem and image because Em, 50, and Busta KILLED JaRule on that song! There is no way Ja can make a comeback for that song!!

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally posted by Afrochic
Actress Malinda Williams who plays Bird on the Showtime Series Soul Food opens up about her recent divorce in Honey Magazine. Malinda was married to Actor Mekhi Phifer and they have a young child. Malinda says they got divorced in 2000 because he wouldn’t stop cheating on her. Mekhi currently stars on the TV Show ‘ER’ and he was in ‘8 Mile’ with Eminem. Mekhi says he was unfaithful because he was not happy. He described Malinda as too domineering. He says she’s a great mom but they were not made for each other.

She is a little bit wacky on "Soul Food." Mekhi knows that there still isn't any excuse to cheat on the woman. He is down bad for that.

Guess whose dating, NFL Star Keyshawn Johnson of the Tampa Bay Bucs and Tennis Sensation Serena Williams. Keyshawn is getting his love life in order now that he’s divorcing his wife. Keyshawn’s wife is dating rap Mogul, Suge Knight. (Sidenote: I thought Serena and Chris Tucker were dating.

That's what I'm saying. What's the deal? I hope she doesn't get like J-Ho....

Tracee Ellis Ross of the UPN Show ‘Girlfriends,’ the daughter of Diana Ross is now dating Corey Clark of American Idol Fame. Corey was the curly haired guy who got booted off the show when it was discovered he was arrested for beating up his kid sister. (Sidenote: Huh? What?

Isn't she a little bit elderly to be with him....?

Jennifer Lopez is the focus of a new TV documentary airing in the U.K. The documentary is called ‘Behind the Behind’ and they feature former acquaintances of J-Lo and her first husband who claims Jennifer never hung with people from the Bronx.

"Behind the Behind"? Jenny never hung on the block? I would have never guessed....