The Boombox Music Blog

Bow Wow Lawsuit: Rapper Ordered Pay to Limo Company Nearly $4K

Kenneth Partridge — 2012-05-27T15:30:00 00:00

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Compared to the $90,000 he spent earlier this year to settle a lawsuit stemming from an unpaid tour bus bill, this is pocket change, but even so, Bow Wow can't be happy about the nearly $4,000 he's just been ordered to pay a limo company.

As TMZ reports, the rapper and actor failed to show up for a recent court date in Georgia, prompting a default judgment in favor of the chauffeur company he'd supposedly stiffed. The 25-year-old "Sweat" MC must now fork over $3,594.87.

Nas, 'Daughters' Video: Rapper's Real-Life Daughter Stars in Heartfelt Clip

Kenneth Partridge — 2012-05-27T12:45:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Hip-Hop Videos

Getty Images

Under the best of circumstances, raising a daughter ain't easy, but when you're a famous rapper with a demanding career and a reputation for player behavior, it's ten times harder. Such is the dilemma facing Nas, but if nothing else, he got a great song -- and now a great video -- out of it.

In the newly released "Daughters" clip, which features a cameo from Nas' real-life little girl, Destiny Jones, the Queensbridge rhymer struggles with watching his "princess" grow up. We see her go from infancy to early adulthood -- with a scandalous Twitter episode in between -- and in the final seconds, Nas disappears in the rearview mirror as the young woman drives off in her car.

The track comes from Nas' 10th album, Life is Good, due out July 17.

Mary J. Blige, Charity Lawsuit: Singer's Foundation Sued for Failing to Repay $250K Loan

Kenneth Partridge — 2012-05-27T11:45:00 00:00

Filed under: Soul/R&B, R&B News

jpistudios.com

Mary J. Blige's charity is being sued by TD Bank for failure to repay a $250,000 loan, TMZ reports. As per the gossip site, Blige's foundation borrowed the quarter-mil back in June 2011 and has thus far only returned $368.33.

While the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now had promised to fork over the full sum by December 2011, they missed the deadline, prompting a pair of written demands earlier this year.

As a rep for the R&B singer tells TMZ, there's a perfectly good explanation: The foundation is "presently transitioning its management and headquarters."

Beyonce Sings of Pleasure and Pain During Revel Comeback Concert

Georgette Cline — 2012-05-26T12:45:00 00:00

Filed under: Soul/R&B, R&B News

WireImage

Beyonce is incomparable in her performance abilities and she drove that point home Friday night (May 24) at Revel Ovation Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. The songstress returned to the stage for a two-hour set commencing at 10PM, bouncing back gracefully less than five months after giving birth to daughter Blue Ivy Carter.

The first of four concerts over Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the opening of the $2.4 billion Revel Resort & Casino, Beyonce kicked off the night with the driving force of "End of Time," a track off her fourth studio LP 4. The Houston native glowed in a champagne-colored fringe ensemble paired with neon-pink heels. Her presence onstage was electrifying as she flirted with the audience, danced with choreographed vigor and equally touched on pleasure and pain through her lyrics.

Flavor Flav, Child Support: Rapper Faces 180 Days in Jail

Kenneth Partridge — 2012-05-26T12:15:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

After failing to appear in court earlier this week and answer to charges he's fallen behind on child support payments, rapper and reality TV star Flavor Flav faces 180 days in jail, TMZ reports.

The Public Enemy legend reportedly owes $111,186 to Albany, N.Y., resident Angie Parker, who gave birth to three of his children. Flav has a total of seven kids, and in 2009, another of his baby mamas, Karen Ross-Fortunate, made similar claims, telling the press that she'd been shortchanged on support payments.

Flav, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., is under court orders to pay Parker $837.72 per week. When he didn't show up earlier this week, a judge recommended taking away his driver's license and throwing him in the slammer for 180 days.

'Watch the Throne' Sequel: Jay-Z and Kanye West Plotting Another Album, Producer Says

Kenneth Partridge — 2012-05-26T11:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News

WireImage

Who's ready for "N----s in Paris II" or a second helping of "H.A.M.?" As the NME reports, producer Mike Dean recently told Quiet Lunch that Jay-Z and Kanye West are plotting a sequel to their Watch the Throne collaborative album.

Dean is well positioned to have the inside scoop. He worked on the Kanye albums Graduation and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, as well as the original Throne. At the moment, he's putting the finishing touches on Cruel Summer, the much-anticipated posse album from Yeezy's G.O.O.D. Music label.

"I'm working on the G.O.O.D. Music album, of course and 'Watch The Throne 2' -- it's not started yet, but it's coming," Dean said.

Pusha T, 'Exodus 23:1': MC Discusses Rumored Drake Diss, Calls The-Dream His 'Teacher'

Theo Bark — 2012-05-25T16:50:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Soul/R&B, Songs

In an interview with MTV, Pusha T discussed his new track "Exodus 23:1," which was produced by RicoBeats, and features hit-making crooner The-Dream.

"It really started with this beat [from] Rico. We were like, 'Yo, Dream would just sound amazing on the record, period.' So we sent it out and it came back so quick. Dream was like, 'Man this is one of the ones,'" Pusha explained. "Personally, I never thought the record was going to come back that quickly. I was in New Orleans somewhere and Rico was like, 'Aye! Dream did it -- he on the phone!' I thought, 'OK, wait a minute this might really be something.'"

Though Pusha did not reveal whether the song is, as many have surmised, a diss aimed at Young Money rapper Drake, he did praise Dream's musicality, claiming he's learned "so much about song structure" from the singer/producer.

Jay-Z Signs On For 'Annie,' 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar OK With Gay Marriage & More

Theo Bark — 2012-05-25T15:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Soul/R&B, R&B News, Soul/R&B Videos

Will Smith has confirmed that he will produce the remake of Annie, which will feature new songs and musical direction by Jay-Z, and star Willow Smith. It's a hard knock life. [Spin]

Before his May 22 arrest in a New York City airport, for alleged possession of brass knuckle jewelry, 2 Chainz sat down with Rickey Smiley (while rocking the jewelry in question) to discuss his shoe fetish, and the belief that his name change helped him build his buzz. [RickeySmiley]

Guess who's O.K. with same-sex marriage? 50 Cent, who thinks "everyone should be happy," and Kendrick Lamar, who said "I don't give a fuck about people doing what they gotta do. That's your lifestyle." About time. [TheDailySwarm]

Beyonce Revel Concert: Singer Is Nervous for First Show Since Giving Birth -- Video

Georgette Cline — 2012-05-25T13:40:00 00:00

Filed under: Soul/R&B, R&B News, Soul/R&B Videos

BeyonceOnline

Beyonce will hit the stage tonight (May 25) in Atlantic City, N.J., for a set of Memorial Day weekend concerts, which marks the first time the R&B songstress is performing since giving birth to Blue Ivy Carter. The 4 creator is giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how she prepared for the grand show.

Before the curtains raise at Revel Resort & Casino, Bey invites supporters into her world to see the magic that happens behind the cameras. Husband Jay-Z makes an appearance in the clip, going over set lists with his wife and mother of his baby girl.

"I feel a little nervous," the 30-year-old entertainer admits. "I'm enjoying being a mother so this is like going back to my old job. It's a little strange but it's important that you don't lose yourself and still have your own passions."

Rap Genius Lines of the Week from Lupe Fiasco, Birdman, Ludacris & MF Doom

BoomBox Staff — 2012-05-25T10:45:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Exclusive

Getty Images

Rap Genius is supplying The BoomBox with the top lyrics of the week and serving a meaning behind the raps in the process. This past week was a good one for politically engaged rap. Lupe Fiasco returned with "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)," taking on everything from the war in Iraq to the framing of Leonard Peltier, and El-P's Cancer for Cure prepared us for the dystopian future. It was a fantastic week in other areas, too. Birdman engaged in reincarnation, Ludacris claimed a new landing strip, Maffew Ragazino gave us a geometry lesson and the always amusing MF DOOM told us a little more than we ever wanted to know about his underwear.

5. "Uptown swagger life, live it like we live it twice/ Point blank aim, n---- -- give a fuck about the price," -- Birdman, "Dark Shades" Lyrics

Bryan "Birdman" Williams has had a long and storied career in the rap game. He's turned Cash Money Records from a label only known in New Orleans to an international pop powerhouse. While we prefer the earlier stuff (we're big fans of his "lost" -- read: just do some Googling -- 1993 album, I Need a Bag of Dope), his output over the years has contained more than a few gems. On this tune, he sounds engaged and amused, nowhere more so than on this verse-ending couplet.

Lauryn Hill Birthday: 12 Facts About the Singer on Her 37th Birthday

Theo Bark — 2012-05-25T10:05:00 00:00

Filed under: Soul/R&B, R&B News, Exclusive

Getty Images for Rock & Roll Hall

Lauryn Hill, one of hip-hop's greatest vocalists, turns 37 today (May 25).

Hill's musical career began in the early '90's, when she was recruited to join the Fugees by Prakazrel "Pras" Michel and his cousin, Wyclef Jean. As an MC, Hill's talents were formidable -- she was a natural rapper with a smooth, effortless flow and sharp lyrical skills.

It was on the Fugees' multi-platinum, Grammy-winning second (and final) release The Score, however, that Hill revealed her astounding singing voice, on her chart-topping, poignant cover of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly."

Hill went into a self-imposed exile after releasing her wildly popular solo debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and her poorly received MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 follow-up in 2002, firing her management, making controversial remarks and disappearing from public view for several years, amongst allegations that she had fallen under the control of a "cult leader."

The Fugees reunited in 2004, to perform at Dave Chappelle's Block Party in Brooklyn, N.Y., followed by a short-lived reunion tour. Though her record label, Sony Records, claims that Hill has several albums worth of unreleased material, recorded over the better part of the last decade, she has yet to release a new album.

The BoomBox marks Hill's 37th birthday by presenting 12 facts about the insanely talented, erratic "Ex-Factor" singer, whose career has, thus far, provides moments of incredible beauty, followed by a decade of question marks.

Pete Rock, Tony Dofat Remember Heavy D on His 45th Birthday

Theo Bark — 2012-05-24T18:35:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, R.I.P.

Chris McKay, Getty Images

On what would have been his 45th birthday (May 24), two of fallen rapper Heavy D's frequent collaborators, Pete Rock and Tony Dofat, spoke to The Urban Daily about his legacy, and his unexpected passing, remembering him fondly.

"He was an entertainer from when I was 9. He would come in the room and we would play Kraftwerk's 'Numbers' and he would start popping to it. Pop locking to Kraftwerk," said Dofat. "He was still chubby at 11 so when he'd dance his stomach would move under his T-shirt. We would just sit back and look at him and go 'do it again, do it again.' Every time he came over I'd ask him to dance to that record."

Lauryn Hill to Azealia Banks: 10 'Oh No She Didn't!' Moments in Female Rap

Charley Rogulewski — 2012-05-24T16:35:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Exclusive

Getty Images

For the longest time it was testosterone running hip-hop's beefs and feuds. However, in recent years, estrogen has been proving itself a vicious antagonist. With the female rap pool constantly expanding, and Twitter allowing these ladies to immediately voice their opinions to large fanbases, many femcees are known more for their outrageous actions and 140-character tweets rather than their stellar verses.

From veterans like Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown to newcomers Nicki Minaj and Azealia Banks, The BoomBox looks at 10 shocking moments where raptresses have thrown the term "ladylike" out the door and left us saying "Oh no she didn't!"

Will Smith Pressed by 'Men in Black 3' Co-Star Tommy Lee Jones About Reporter Kiss

Associated Press — 2012-05-24T14:55:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News

NEW YORK (AP) - Will Smith may not want to talk about what happened last week in Moscow, but Tommy Lee Jones sure does.

The actors met on the black carpet at the premiere of "Men in Black 3" Wednesday night, with Jones twice asking Smith, "How's life in Moscow?"

Representatives from Sony Pictures and Smith's publicity team repeatedly told members of the media the star wouldn't be talking about the incident, but someone forgot to tell Jones.

Chaka Khan's 'American Idol' Skin-Tight Catsuit: Hit or Miss -- Photo, Poll

Georgette Cline — 2012-05-24T13:40:00 00:00

Filed under: Soul/R&B, R&B News

Getty Images

Soul singer Chaka Khan's slimmer figure was on full display during Wednesday night's (May 23) "American Idol," where Philipp Philipps was crowned the Season 11 winner. The 59-year-old, who recently shed 60 pounds, wore a brown, body-hugging catsuit as she commanded the stage, which can be seen in The BoomBox gallery below.

Fellow songstress Fantasia Barrino also stepped to the "American Idol" stage in a catsuit, however, Khan glowed in her more covered, glittering get-up compared to Barrino's thigh-revealing ensemble.

Wiz Khalifa 'Work Hard Play Hard' Video: Rapper Rages in a Bar, Celebrates Daily Grind

Georgette Cline — 2012-05-24T12:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Hip-Hop Videos

Getty Images for ABC

Wiz Khalifa proves that hard work is to be celebrated in the video for his new single, "Word Hard Play Hard." The Bill Paladino-directed visual was set in the Taylor Gang rapper's hometown of Pittsburgh.

In the clip, Wiz, dressed in his modern-day hippie attire of a leather jacket and bandana under his hat, walks around town, giving a glimpse into the lives of the residents that live there. A ballerina, a construction worker and an athlete are showcased in their respective elements, striving to live their dreams.

Like with any long day at work, there's always the light at the end of the tunnel with a happy hour, which the Atlantic Records signee takes much joy in participating in along with his entourage. The bartender serves up drinks, the rapper and his crew are doused in a liquid we hope is water and a raging good time seems to be had by all.

Janet Jackson, Diabetes Scare: Singer's Weight Gain Caused Major Health Concerns

Contessa Gayles — 2012-05-24T11:55:00 00:00

Filed under: Soul/R&B, R&B News

Kristina Bumphrey, AP

As reported by AOL Music, these days, Janet Jackson is looking and feeling the best she has in years. The NutriSystem spokesperson has dropped some serious lbs. thanks to a disciplined diet and exercise routine. But there was a time, not too long ago, when Janet's lifestyle was much less healthy ... and those bad habits and extra weight took a toll on the singer's health.

The icon was at her heaviest back in 2005, and the extra pounds effected more than just her physical appearance. "Health was always a concern," Jackson told Prevention magazine. "When I gained weight in 2005, my nutritionist was very worried. I was close to having diabetes. Even when I lost it and then gained quite a bit back, there was always the thought of heart disease."

Lil Wayne Fires Back at Pusha T for Aiming at Drake on 'Exodus 23:1' Track

Georgette Cline — 2012-05-24T11:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News

Getty Images

A new Pusha T song is the cause of a budding rap beef between the G.O.O.D. Music signee and the YMCMB camp. "Exodus 23:1," released by the Clipse member Wednesday (May 23), finds the rhymer throwing subliminal shots at Drake and his Young Money boss Lil Wayne.

As a result, Tha Carter IV creator voiced his opinion of Pusha T and his supporters via Twitter. "Fuk pusha t and anybody that love em," Wayne tweeted on the social networking site.

T-Boz, Honda: Car Company Sues Singer, May Repossess 2005 Vehicle

Cameron Matthews — 2012-05-24T10:40:00 00:00

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, R&B News, Busted

Don Emmert, AFP, Getty Images

As The BoomBox previously reported, T-Boz hasn't had much luck with her creditors lately. After neglecting to file all the necessary paperwork to declare bankruptcy, the TLC singer was denied federal protection.

Honda is now entering the mix. According to TMZ, the car company has filed a lawsuit in Georgia requesting to repossess Tionne Watkins' 2005 Honda Civic. She has reportedly not been making timely payments on the vehicle.

T-Boz is currently over $700,000 in debt. Since her failed attempt to declare bankruptcy back in February, the singer has been at the mercy of her creditors. She can re-file after 180 days, but until July, companies she owes are free to pursue T-Boz's assets.

Fantasia's 'American Idol' Shocking Catsuit: Hit or Miss -- Photo, Poll

Georgette Cline — 2012-05-24T10:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Soul/R&B, R&B News, Television

Getty Images

Fantasia returned to her "American Idol" roots Wednesday night (May 23), showing up on the music competition reality show to perform a duet with contestant Joshua Ledet. While her appearance on the show was a welcomed surprise, it was Fantasia's outfit choices for the evening that shocked viewers.

The 27-year-old North Carolina native graced the red carpet in a purple sequined gown, which didn't flatter her figure. While the dress did hug her curves, it looked to be too big around her neckline and shoulders.