Last night, Rihanna’s ”Diamonds” world tour hit Atlanta. So of course, afterward she hit the strip club, in this it was ATL mainstay Magic City. Rih Rih entered the establishment with Def Jam exec Bu Thiam. That would be the Akon looking dude next to her who is actually Akon’s younger brother. Also on hand, since this was “The A,” were T.I. and his wife Tiny as well as Grand Hustle artist B.o.B.
A year ago this month, Joie Manda was appointed Def Jam President. But today, he announced his resignation and new position as President of Urban Music at Interscope Records. No word as to his successor, but in statement he said the following.
“Despite having to move back to Los Angeles for personal reasons, I am truly grateful to Barry, John and Jimmy Iovine (Chairman & CEO, Interscope Geffen A&M) for this exciting new opportunity. I’ve learned a lot from Barry in the last year and am very appreciative of everything he has done for me. I am now looking forward to being part of the Interscope family, a company uniquely positioned for success despite this challenging marketplace.”
via:rapradar.com
Young Jeezy is responding to allegations that he owes his former friend $5 million, by disputing the claim. Ellerbee Demetrius filed a lawsuit against Jeezy last year, claiming that he is owed back pay from a minimum of four of his albums. Demetrius (who also goes by “Kinky B”) asserts that he deserves pay for projects including 2006′s The Inspiration, and The Recession, released in 2008. Stating that he’s been friends with the Atlanta native since 1995, after meeting at boot camp. The duo started a two record companies together, dropped mixtapes, and worked to build Jeezy’s career. After signing to Def Jam, Demtetrius says that he was still involved in Jeezy’s recording process, executive producing the albums. Unfortunately for Demetrius, Jeezy says he’s lying. The 35-year-old filed legal documents denying that they founded any companies together, never entered into any business agreements with him, and therefore owes him nothing. Of course Jeezy isn’t the only person to be sued by a “former friend,” but time will tell what will happen here. The case is still pending.
via:hiphopwired.com
Ace Hood has confirmed his departure from Def Jam and is currently with DJ Khaled‘s We The Best Music via Cash Money Records.
During an interview with Power 105′s The Breakfast Club, the Southern rapper said that he signed a three-album deal with Def Jam at the onset of his career. After fulfilling his contract with Gutta, Ruthless and Blood, Sweat & Tears, Ace explained that he wanted to take his label situation elsewhere and that he has nothing but love for his former imprint. “The situation was over with Def Jam. What I have with them? I had three albums with them. My situation with them was up,” he said. “We chose to take the label situation to another place, to another home. It’s no knock to Def Jam, shout out to Def Jam. I will always be forever grateful to Def Jam for supporting my career and being there. I’m definitely a lot more happy with the situation I got now, in all honesty, because I’m able to do me. There’s no pressure. Nobody’s calling me, forcing an album on me or forcing this on me. It’s what’s your vision? What do you want to do? We’re willing to do what you want to do.” Ace, who recently released his single “Bugatti” featuring Rick Ross and Future, debuted in 2008 with Gutta, which entered the charts at No. 36 with 25,000 copies sold. The following year, he dropped Ruthless, which bowed at No. 23, and in 2011, he released Blood, Sweat & Tears that topped at No. 8 with 26,000 copies sold. He is currently gearing up for his fourth album Trials & Tribulations, releasing this summer.
via:hiphopdx.com
For the second time in her career, Rihanna snags the cover of the illustrious Rolling Stone magazine.
In this issue, she talks as candidly as ever about her rekindled relationship with the volatile Chris Brown. This comes nearly four years to the day that the Fortune Pop star left the Bajan singer battered and bloodied inside of a luxury vehicle the night of the 2009 Grammy Awards. Brown pleaded guilty to assault and performed community service, but he remains on probation. “I decided it was more important for me to be happy. I wasn’t going to let anybody’s opinion get in the way of that. Even if it’s a mistake, it’s my mistake,” the Pop princess told Rolling Stone. ”After being tormented for so many years, being angry and dark, I’d rather just live my truth and take the backlash. I can handle it.” The backlash she speaks of comes from not only her fans, but from Brown himself. The Def Jam starlet says without qualms that she is ready to walk away from him again if he even displays the slightest hint of his past behavior towards her.
“When you add up the pieces from the outside, it’s not the cutest puzzle in the world,” she said. “You see us walking somewhere, driving somewhere, in the studio, in the club, and you think you know. But it’s different now. We don’t have those types of arguments anymore. We talk about sh-t. We value each other. We know exactly what we have now, and we don’t want to lose that. He doesn’t have the luxury of f**king up again. That’s just not an option. I can’t say that nothing else will ever go wrong. But I’m pretty solid in the knowing that he’s disgusted by that. And I wouldn’t have gone this far if I ever thought that was a possibility.” Check out the cover and photos shot by Terry Richardson.
Gunplay has apparently been doing a lot of learning as of late. The Maybach Music Group emcee, who was released from house arrest recently, spoke about new perspective in an interview with XXL. ”The industry is so made-up and smoke-and-mirrors,” explained the Def Jam rapper when asked about lessons learned from being signed to a major label. “You just have to be yourself and let them know that you’re not perfect. Because a lot of people aren’t perfect; nobody’s perfect.” ”Niggas fart and shit. [Laughs] I’m that voice–that’s me right there,” he added. “I’ll let the perfect people do what they do. They’re good at it. They’re good at being perfect, they’re good at having their life look spotless to the media. I don’t have that luxury or luck.” Gunplay also discussed advice from his boss, Rick Ross, regarding his house arrest. “‘Man fuck all these n*ggas, man. Fuck ‘em. Get your shit, man. Fuck everybody. Don’t love none of these niggas–do you with a cold heart.’ That was his advice.”
via: hiphopdx.com
Russell Simmons and his brother, Reverend Run, are likely facing legal action. Lawyers for Rasheed Young, president of Run Athletics, sent the brothers a letter in November accusing them of funneling millions in revenue from their Pastry brand of footwear into a company Young had no part in, reportsTMZ. Young claims that Rush and Run have stolen tens of millions, and that the duo hasn’t responded at all to Young’s letter or demands. Young demands changes in the company’s structure and his share of the shoe profits, or he says he will sue.
via: hiphopdx
