Jury selection began Monday in Tampa, Florida for the retrial of Jamaican reggae artist Buju Banton who faces up to life in prison for federal drug trafficking charges.
Banton, 37, whose hit songs include “Champion” and “Boom Bye Bye,” claims he was set up by a man while trying to impress the confidential informant who claimed that he could help Banton’s career.
Continue reading “Reggae star Buju Banton faces life in prison”
A Rikers prison guard claims she was fired after being falsely accused of sneaking a peek at rapper Lil Wayne, reports the NY Daily News.
“I don’t even like rap,” said Amelia Negron, 33. “I like rock and alternative music and didn’t know much about him when they said I tried to see him. None of it’s true.
“The door to the area was unlocked, and so I went in to say hello, and that officer said, ‘Hey, you can’t be here. We’ve got a celeb here.’ I said, ‘Okay, no problem,’ turned around and left,” Negron said about the March 10th incident.
Negron plans to file a federal suit, claiming she was the victim of discrimination and harassment.
Janet Jackson, her brothers Randy and Jermaine and their parents were at a Los Angeles courthouse Monday for the hearing of Dr. Conrad Murray. Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of Michael Jackson. At the hearing, the judge postponed a decision on Dr. Murray’s medical license in the state of California.
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Erykah Badu was charged with disorderly conduct for filming her “Window Seat” video, where she removes her clothing while walking in downtown Dallas. She eventually is nude in front of Dealey Plaza where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The charge is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500. Check an earlier Suite 411 post of the video here.
Badu appeared on The Wanda Sykes Show this weekend and discussed the video. Check out Sykes hilarious parody named “Middle Seat” around the 3:36 mark.
New Orleans rapper Mystikal was released from prison Thursday after serving a six-year prison sentence for sexual assault and battery. Born Michael Lawrence Tyler, the rapper was accused of forcing his hair stylist (who he believed stole $80,000 in checks from him) to perform sexual acts while his two bodyguards videotaped it.
Known for chart-topping hits in 2000 and 2001 such as “Shake It Fast” and “Danger (Been So Long),” Mystikal conducted a phone interview with New Orleans’ radio station Q93 FM soon after his release.
“I’m back! I’m still tryin’ to feel this reality. It still almost feels like a dream,” he said. “Six years off the scene, for most rappers it’d be over with. Man, it’s gon’ be the beginning for me and I’m finna get my reparations.”
To hear the complete interview… Continue reading “Rapper Mystikal released from prison”
Teddy Riley, producer and member of R&B groups Guy and Blackstreet is accused of beating his daughters with a Rock Band video game guitar, reports TMZ.com. His 18-year-old daughter Taja Riley was granted a temporary restraining order that requires him to stay 100 yards away from her. She also claims that she suffered several injuries when the 43-year-old musical artist began “stomping, punching and bashing them in his L.A.home on December 23.”
Rapper T.I. was released Tuesday morning from a Forrest City, Ark. prison, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After serving seven months, the rapper whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., will serve the rest of his one year and one day sentence in a correctional center near Fulton County Airport in Atlanta.
After serving nearly nine years in jail for a New York nightclub shooting for which Diddy was acquitted for, rapper Shyne was deported to his native country of Belize, where his father, Dean Barrow, is currently prime minister. The rapper was raised in the U.S. by his mother and is estranged from his father, reports MTV. Shyne’s lawyer said he would continue to fight for the rapper’s return to the States so he can resume his rap career.
Chris Brown issues an official apology.
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Chris Brown pleaded guilty Monday to a felony charge of assault against Rihanna. He is expected to receive five years of probation and six months of community service when he is formally sentenced Aug. 5. The judge also ordered that the pair stay 50 yards away from each other. When they are both at the same event, they must stay at least 10 yards away.
