Saturday, July 14, 2012

Quentin Tarantino and Cast Reveal 'Django' Details at Comic-Con

The cast of Django Unchained talked about the new Quentin Tarantino film during a Comic-Con International panel on Saturday afternoon.


The film – which opens in theaters on Christmas Day 2012 – stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a slave in the Deep South who teams up with a German bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (played by Christoph Waltz), to save his wife Broomhilda von Shaft (Kerry Washington), from plantation owner Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio).

In a discussion moderated by Entertainment Weekly film writer Anthony Breznican, Tarantino said that his goal for the film was to put a new twist on the classic Spaghetti Western genre.

"To me, one of the fun things about telling the story was to take the Western genre we know so well and place it in the Antebellum South and place a black character in it," he said, according to Sports Mole.
Tarantino, who was joined on the panel by five cast members, has long been attracted to the intense violence, cool music and surreal elements of the Italian-made Spaghetti Westerns, which emerged in the mid-Sixties. He’d been thinking about doing a Western for 13 years, and said the scenes in Django Unchained aren’t nearly as bad as what life was actually like during America’s pre-Civil War years.

"You can’t be more surrealistic than it was in real life," he said. "It's unimaginable to think of the pain and the suffering that went on in this country."

When Django is introduced in the film, he’s on a chain gang being led from Mississippi to Texas. To get into character, Foxx said he drew on his experiences growing up in racially charged Texas.

"Being called a n***er as a kid by grown people was something I had to deal with," he said. "By having that done to me, I was able to grasp what was being said in the script."

As the Huffington Post reports, Waltz's Dr. King Schultz plays a Yoda-like role for Django, teaching him to be a fighter. But Waltz noted that the relationship is more reciprocal. "Dr. Schultz needs Django," he said. "This is a different relationship than someone picking up a slave and rescuing him.

The film has one week left of shooting. Last week, they finished a scene with actor Jonah Hill, who plays a member of the Regulators, a pre-KKK posse that terrorizes slaves. Tarantino said it’s one of the funniest scenes he’s ever written, comparing it to the color-coded nicknames the bandits use in Reservoir Dogs.
He also said that Django and Broomhilda are related to a well-known character in blaxploitation film: John Shaft. "[They] will have a baby, then that baby will have a baby and so on and so on," he said, "and then John Shaft will be born.

Before the panel, fans had lined up outside for hours, and one had come all the way from Malaysia, Entertainment Weekly reports.

Tarantino did not disappoint, screening an eight-minute sizzle reel that included a clip of Django getting in a shootout with a snowman, among other tidbits. Tarantino originally made the reel for industry professionals.

Write me Back.. REVIEW

R. Kelly's second consecutive throwback soul LP moves forward in time from the raw mid-Sixties-style belting of 2010's Love Letter. Write Me Back is suave, string-swathed Seventies revivalism, with tips of the hat to Barry White, Off the Wall-era Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye. It's virtuoso pastiche – but Kelly's Seventies are freakier than your dad's. The distant lover in "One Step Closer" gets play-by-play of R.'s commute home, which culminates in oral sex: "I'm going down/And I'm not coming back up!" And on "Beautiful in This Mirror," Kelly exults in the voyeuristic pleasure of reflecting glass: "Your love, so 3D/It's like I'm in the front row."

Rye Rye

Rye Rye

WHO Baltimore's Rye Rye, 21, scored a local club hit with 2006's speaker-shredding "Shake It to the Ground" – which convinced M.I.A. to sign Rye Rye to her N.E.E.T. imprint and take her on tour as a hype girl. "M.I.A. taught me everything," says the MC, born Ryeisha Berrain. "She told me, 'Don't let nobody change you.' "

SOUND For her debut LP, Go! Pop! Bang!, Rye Rye recruited Swedish House Mafia's Steve Angello, Robyn and Akon to help create a blend of glow-stick-friendly dance beats and hip-hop attitude. "The bass better be hardhitting," she says. "I can't feel music if I don't feel the bass."

BABY STEPS Go! Pop! Bang! was originally planned to come out back in 2009 – but then Rye Rye got pregnant (her daughter, Kennedi, arrived later that year). "It was the peak of my career, and I had to take time off," she says. "It was stressful, but it gave me time to mature."

HELLO, HOLLYWOOD Rye Rye landed a part in this year's 21 Jump Street after flying to L.A. for an audition with star Jonah Hill. "They wanted to see if I could keep up with him talking shit," she says. "We argued for the longest time – and everybody loved it."

Fleetwood Mac is planning to reunite...

Fleetwood Mac is planning to reunite next year, Stevie Nicks said during an appearance on CBS This Morning.

 
"It's the plan," Nicks said. "Because that's what we do. I do my thing, and Lindsey [Buckingham's] out doing his thing."

Back in 2011, in a chat with Rolling Stone, guitarist Buckingham said the band was looking to reunite in 2012 for a tour and possibly an album, though he added, "Nothing is on the books right now. With Fleetwood Mac, there's a lot of landmines out there politically and it's hard to get everybody on the same page at the same time – but I think this might be one of those years where everyone will want to do the same thing."

Politics and whatnot aside, when asked on This Morning if everyone was on board, Nicks replied with a hearty, "Oh, yeah." The group's last trek together was their "Unleashed" tour back in 2009.

In the interview, Nicks also spoke about the recent suicide of former Fletwood Mac guitarist Bob Welch.

"I couldn't even imagine that anything could be so bad as to cause that," said Nicks. "And I just feel very, very bad that somebody could've been that miserable to do something that crazy. So I can't even tell you what in the world would have pushed him to do something that crazy."

Nicks is currently on tour, playing a few solo dates before starting her "Heart & Soul" tour with Rod Stewart.

Mac Miller's Label Responds to Lord Finesse Lawsuit

Mac Miller's record company has released a statement denying charges made in a lawsuit filed against the rapper over his 2010 track, "Kool Aid and Frozen Pizza."

Hip-hop veteran Lord Finesse is claiming that Miller ripped off his 1995 track "Hip 2 the Game" for the breakout hit that appeared on Miller's mixtape K.I.D.S. Finesse is suing for $10 million in federal court in Manhattan.

"There have been a lot of misstatements online and in the press, so we thought it'd be best to make some brief comments," says the statement from Rostrum Records, who is also named in Lord Finesse's suit, along with mixtape website DatPiff.com.  "First and foremost, we stand by Mac Miller in this situation and we will fight the case together with him.  

"Mac never pretended that the 'Hip 2 Da Game' beat was his, despite what's being said in the suit.  Lord Finesse was given credit on both the video and the mixtape from the very beginning.  We've never distributed 'Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza' for sale on iTunes and have consistently policed digital retailers and other sites to make sure that no pirates were ever illegally selling the song.

"Lord Finesse has known about 'Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza' for a long time and never objected to the use.  For some reason, he has very recently changed his mind."

El-P, Killer Mike Electrify New York's Irving Plaza

NYC veteran performs 'C4C' in full, ATL rapper brings out some throwbacks

Halfway through his set at New York's Irving Plaza, Killer Mike made an affirming proclamation. "I do this shit for the whole fucking world," the Atlanta rapper said, pointing to various people in the crowd with a massive grin plastered on his face. Three of the four rappers on Friday night's bill were New York City natives, but despite the homecoming for El-P's "Into The Wild" tour, the atmosphere reached beyond the birthplace of hip-hop. Of course the obligatory shout-outs were made to the five boroughs, with Killer Mike relating stories of growing up with cousins from the Bronx and El-P showing love to his hometown, but this was warm appreciation for the city, not holier-than-thou hubris.


Taking the stage after openers Despot and Universal Republic signee Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Killer Mike kicked off his 40-minute set with a calm, smooth performance of "Untitled," a track off his recent collaborative album with El-P, R.A.P. Music. After stomping through "Big Beast," the first single off R.A.P. Music, Mike recognized the intensity of the crowd and reviewed proper hyped-up show behavior, before launching into his verse on Bone Crusher's 2003 hit "Never Scared." Things took a turn for the serious when Mike introduced R.A.P. Music cut "Reagan" and brought out special guest Immortal Technique. "When you see a bold-faced lie, call that shit out," he said before thoroughly enunciating through the aggressively critical track. Though Mike visited R.A.P. Music throughout his set, playing "Butane (Champion's Anthem)" with El-P and "Anywhere But Here" with the Phenomenal Handclap Band bassist Emily Panic, he also touched on older material, ripping through PL3DGE tracks "Burn" and "Ready Set Go" and performing his verse from Outkast's "The Whole World." But the icing came with his closer: taking a special request from eXquire's mom, who names the song as her favorite, the hulking rapper ended his set with an anarchic performance of the Purple Ribbon All-Stars' 2005 smash "Kryptonite (I'm On It)."

As he did at his May record release show at NYC's Santos Party House, El-P chose to play through his new album Cancer For Cure in full, sparing no detail in his performance. El-P teased the crowd with the first notes of C4C single "The Full Retard," before pausing to bring out Mr. Killums, the coke-snorting, pedestrian-assaulting miscreant squirrel puppet from the track's music video. El-P hit album highlight "Oh Hail No" with particular fury, rapping alongside featured guest eXquire and initiating a rowdy call-and-response with the audience to fill in for the absent Danny Brown. Das Racist's Himanshu Suri emerged to provide vocals for "In The World," shouting the stuttering chorus with blunted vigor. El-P was particularly sharp on the anxious and paranoid "The Jig Is Up," with his jagged flow reflecting the emotional panic of the track. But while the vibe was celebratory, the underground trailblazer took a moment before album closer "$4 Vic/Nothing But You + Me (FTL)" to honor his deceased friend Camu Tao, who passed away in 2008 from cancer.

The mood didn't stay somber long though, with El-P quickly retreating and retaking the stage for a 15-minute encore, featuring I'll Sleep When You're Dead tracks "EMG" and "No Kings" and a fun-loving semi-rendition of A Tribe Called Quest's "Can I Kick It?" El-P closed his set with two fan favorites: the early Company Flow cut "Vital Nerve" and "Deep Space 9mm" from his 2002 debut solo album Fantastic Damage. Hip-hop has had quite the year so far, but there's something special about a rejuvenated El-P putting out two of 2012's most critically praised albums. "I'm having the best time of my fucking life," he admitted in the middle of his set. It must be nice a feeling.

A$AP Rocky on Weed Crimes, Lana Del Rey and the Virtues of Being Weird

A few hours after his rain-soaked performance at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago on Friday, A$AP Rocky still can't come to grips with what went down midway through his set: a few minutes after he stagedove into the poncho-clad crowd, he implored them to give him some of whatever they were smoking. Then he was handed some disappointing product.
"Somebody threw regular weed," the 23-year-old Harlem MC tells Rolling Stone, still exacerbated by the horror. "You cannot throw regular weed to the lords. Chicago don't do it like that. That's disrespectful. That's a sin. Forgive whoever did that. Forgive him. Forgive his soul."

The beauty of A$AP Rocky – one of the biggest names to emerge in hip-hop over the past year – is that whether he's actually upset about the earlier weed situation or not, the man who asserts in his mixtape cut "Wassup" that "the only thing bigger than my ego is my mirror" seems to believe everything coming out of his mouth. And it keeps coming. The next topic? His motivation for starring in fellow blog-fueled newcomer Lana Del Rey's music video for "National Anthem," a serious acting turn in which Rocky plays JFK to Del Rey's Jackie O. "I had a crush on her before I met her," he explains. "I wanted to fuck her and shit. When I met her and really found out what type of person she was, she became more of a friend. And I loved the character that she was [in the video] and the artist that she is, to the point where I don't wanna fuck her no more."

At this, Rocky's 10-deep crew, the A$AP Mob, breaks into laughter. Rocky gets upset. "Why the fuck ya'll niggas laughing? Everybody in this room would fuck her."

Things quiet down. Rocky gets to talking about the benefits of fame; on the strength of mixtapes alone (his official full-length debut, LongLiveA$AP, is due on September 11th) he signed a deal with Sony/RCA for a rumored $3 million. He's had some time now to process his rapid ascent. "It feels good,” he says of his newfound celebrity. "I ain't gonna lie to you. It's pussy all over the place, a lot of money to be made." Rocky says he's also become something of an expert at reading others. "You meet somebody for the first time and if it's genuine you know it," he says. "But when you meet a motherfucker and you can tell he's suckin' dick and he just coming around 'cause you got this shit going on and everything is looking good – especially the motherfucker that never spoke to you back in the days – those motherfuckers, you be like, 'Suck a dick.'"

Rocky leans back in his chair. "Nowadays, everybody wanna be weird," he says. "We know how to manifest being weird. We know we some weird-ass looking motherfuckers, and we know we do some weird shit." He pauses. "But at the same time, we some geniuses."

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Injustice - 15 Minutes of Gameplay EVO 2012


None other than Ed Boon shows off Injustice and gives us our first look at gameplay.

Rocki Fresh Signs with MMG



Earlier today, it was announced that rising Chicago rapper Rockie Fresh signed a deal with Rick Ross’ MMG. Back in January, Fresh released his mixtape, Driving 88  which helped him created a bigger buzz along with the viral videos he dropped. Fresh was also signed to Roc Nation management. Peep the series of tweets from Rick Ross below:


Everyone Welcome @rockiefresh to the @MaybachMusicGrpFamily!!!!

It’s Official @RockieFresh Is Apart Of The Maybach Empire@rickyrozay @iamguccipucci http://instagr.am/p/M-YXwXlkq6/
#Chicago‬ much Luv. @rockiefresh

Follow Official @MaybachMusicGrp Recording Artist @RockieFreshNow!! RT
Rockie Fresh Tweets:

Salute to @RickyRozay for seeing my vision. We #RichForever#MMG
Blessed

Don Bleek Speaking: Congrats on your new deal Rockie Fresh! Welcome to the music industry, give it all you have and take your talents pass the stars.

Rockie Fresh “Into The Future”

Summer Music Festivals

Break out your bikinis and Daisy Dukes because festival season is in full swing, and there’s plenty more to look forward to. 


Here's some hot selects for the hot season...

Camp Bisco Eleven, Mariaville, NY, July 12-14
The 11th annual Camp Bisco brings together electronic giants Bassnectar and Skrillex alongside more alternative fare like Crystal Castles, Simian Mobile Disco, and YACHT. Side stages are presented by Skrillex’s label OWSLA and A-Trak’s Fool’s Gold Records.

Pitchfork Music Festival, Chicago, July 13-15
Pitchfork’s hometown festival in Chicago features a diverse lineup of cutting-edge acts, from A$AP Rocky to Hot Chip to Clams Casino to Vampire Weekend. It’s the quintessenti
al indie lineup from the publication defining quintessential indie.

Lollapalooza, Chicago, August 3-5
If you’re in Chicago later in the summer, Lollapalooza boasts its usual assortment of names both big and small. With headlining sets from Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Black Keys, acts including Calvin Harris, Star Slinger, Anamanaguchi
, and Little Dragon are also on the bill.

Global Dance Festival, July
Taking place in Detroit; Minneapolis; Kansas City, MO; and Morrison, CO, this festival takes acts like Dillon Francis, Knife Party, and AC Slater on a whirlwind tour of the US.

Hard Summer, LA, August 3-4
One of dance music’s biggest events is set to take over LA again. The Lineup is bumpin' with acts such as Bloc Party, Boys Noize, Chromeo + more on Day 1, then Skrillex, Nero and A-Trak + more on Day 2.

http://youtu.be/Rq2yeaUKdb8

Nas Rips Set at 2012 ESPN ESPY Awards

Nas performs cuts off his Life Is Good album, which drops next Tuesday (July 17)…


God’s Son rips through records like “Nasty,” “The Don,” and the Swizz Beatz-assisted “Summer On Smash” live before all the star pro athletes at the ESPY’s.

“Nasty”, “The Don” and “Summer On Smash” with Swizzy

Beanie Sigel Sentenced to Two Years in Prison For Failure to Pay Taxes

Beanie Sigel was sentenced to two years in prison for a failure to file federal income-tax returns at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in his hometown of Philadelphia on Thursday morning (July 12). He will begin the 24-month sentence on Sept. 12.
 

Today’s sentencing came after Sigel pled guilty earlier this year for failing to file his federal income-tax returns from 2003-2005. Considering that federal prosecutors were pushing for the maximum allowable sentence of three years, Sigel’s attorney Fortunato N. Perri, Jr. expressed content that his client will be doing less time.

“We’re pleased with the sentence,” Perri told XXLMag.com. “It’s well-below the recommended range. [Sigel] has accepted his responsibility for a failure to file his tax returns.”

Sigel, real name Dwight Grant, earned in excess of $1 million in net income from 2003 through 2005 and owed the IRS approximately $348,077 in taxes during that time period. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, prosecutors say Sigel still owes the IRS $728,536 for tax years 1999 through 2005.

In the time leading up to Sigel’s sentencing, the Philly rhyme slinger and former member of Jay-Z’s Rocafella crew, expressed excitement about working on a joint album with Scarface.

Facemob even told XXLMag.com last month the name for their proposed project.

“I think the name of the album’s gon be The First 48,” ‘Face told XXLMag.com. “We gon do a double album. First 48, Second 48. Beanie came up with that shit. It’s dope. The minute that everything is a go, we gon put our lives on camera and we gon record the first one in 48 hours.”

Despite today’s news, Perri thinks B. Sig will rebound well.

“He’s been through a lot,” his longtime lawyer of about 15 years said. “I think he’s going to rebound well. He’s been spending a lot of time with his family. He’s matured. He will try to make his way to the top of the industry again.”

Coach Mike Woodson Looking to Keep Jeremy Lin in New York

Coach Mike Woodson has confirmed the New York Knicks plan to match the offer given to Jeremy Lin by the Houston Rockets.

Last week, it was reported the Rockets offered Lin a $28.8 million deal over a four-year period. However, according to Woodson, he didn’t give the offer a second thought and says the Knicks are looking to keep Lin in New York.

“Never once,” said Woodson in Las Vegas where the Knicks are participating in summer league. “Jeremy Lin has always been a big part of what we’re trying to do as we move forward with our franchise.”
He’s expressed same sentiment at the end of the season as well stating the “future’s very bright for him.”
Woodson also has plans for Lin and the newly acquired Jason Kidd to work together as well during the next season. According to ESPN NY, he feels the veteran baller will be a “perfect fit” for Lin.

“Jason’s a veteran guy that brings leadership,” he said. “He’ll be able to tutor (Lin) as he grows as a point guard for our franchise. And Jason can still play and run a ballclub, so that’s important I think as we move forward and get ready for (training) camp and start the upcoming season.”

This week, Jeremy Lin refuted a report made by the New York Daily News stating he was upset the Knicks haven’t matched the Rocket’s offer as of yet. He took to his Twitter page to refute the claims, posting “Lol why do u guys believe everything? No quotes from me = probably not true.”

During the regular season, Lin averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists per game. While Linsantiy as bubbling, he was leading the team to a 6-1 stretch directly after Woodson took over for former coach Mike D’Antoni.

Dry The River Announce Additional US Tour + Festival Dates

Last time UK folk-rockers Dry The River toured the US, they found more than just a laundry-list of stateside surprises — they found an onslaught of critical acclaim and nearly sold-out crowds at their shows. With so many reasons to return, it's no surprise that they've announced additional US tour dates for the summer and fall. Aside from their stops at a handful of major cities, they'll also be playing at this year's Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza festivals. 

Check out the dates and details below, grab your tickets here, and prep yourself on their tunes by grabbing their new album, Shallow Bed, via iTunes.

July 31: Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue (w/Alabama Shakes)
August 1: Chicago, IL @ Metro (Lolla party w/Alabama Shakes and First Aid Kit)
August 2: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue (w/Alabama Shakes)
August 3: Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza (BMI Stage, 3:15 pm)
August 5: Nashville, TN @ 3rd & Lindsley (WRLT show)
August 8: Boulder, CO @ AAA Radio Summit
September 19: Washington, DC @ Black Cat
September 20: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
September 22: Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
September 23: Montreal @ Petit Campus
September 25: Toronto @ Garrison
September 27: Evanston, IL @ SPACE
September 28: Chicago, IL @ Schubas
September 29: Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
October 2: Vancouver @ Biltmore Cabaret
October 3: Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
October 5: San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
October 6: Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
October 9: Tucson, AZ @ Hotel Congress
October 12: Austin, TX @ ACL Festival
October 13: Austin, TX @ ACL Festival
October14: Austin, TX @ ACL Festival

Fun Fun Fun Fest Announces Full 2012 Lineup

The makers of the Fun Fun Fun Fest clearly practice what they preach, as is indicated by their newly unveiled 2012 lineup. We're talking punk legends, indie greats, hip-hop visionaries, and a slew of today's most exciting newcomers. 

Want a taste? We'll give you a mouthful. 

Feast on this — headliners like Run DMC, A$AP Rocky, Girl Talk, Explosions In The Sky, The Head and the Heart, and Against Me!, and support acts like Kreayshawn, Minus The Bear, The Promise Ring, Cursive, Refused, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Santigold, Superchunk, Real Estate, Givers, Deerhoof, Japandroids, and Joyce Manor. That's not even the half of it, so head to the festival's official page to view the full lineup and mark your calendars for November 2-4 — we have a feeling you'll want to make the trek to Austin, TX to take part in the festivities.

Keyshia Cole: Motherhood and Marriage Has Changed My Music, I'm Happy Now


If you're expecting an album full of sad songs from Keyshia Cole you may be a little disappointed. The ESSENCE Music Festival performer revealed she's not in a dark place anymore. In fact, she's happy.

When asked if motherhood and marriage has changed what she sings about, Cole told ESSENCE.com exclusively, "It has because I'm in a happy place now. However, some of my fans are not. So I brought on a bunch of writers this time around… obviously I'm not in that place to write those kinds of songs."

Cole says she hates to say how this album, Woman to Woman, will differ from the previous four, but says she has evolved. "I think that I've grown vocally and I think a lot of the songs are touching to me."

As for her upcoming reality show, Family First, the singer warns it won't be anything like her previous show, The Way It Is. "I'm a little nervous because it's different. It's me, my husband, my son and my mother, Frankie. My mother's been in rehab for a while. I'm really proud of her. It's just a different view of me and what I've been through. You won't see Neffe on the show. However, I wish you would have."

Woman to Woman is set to hit stores this fall while Family First has yet to receive a premiere date.


Justin Bieber Should Be Arrested, Los Angeles Politician Says

A Los Angeles politician who saw Justin Bieber allegedly reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour on a busy city freeway last week said he believes the pop heartthrob should be arrested. 

 "As I watched, I was anticipating a crash," Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine told ABC News of the Friday incident. "It was chaos. Total willful disregard for people on the roadway."

On his morning commute to City Hall, Zine, who spent 33 years as a police officer, said he saw Bieber's sports car drive up behind him and zoom around him, weaving wildly in and out of traffic while five or six other cars gave chase.

Zine estimated the chase exceeded 100 mph as paparazzi engaged in wild maneuvers to keep up with Bieber, including driving on the shoulder and cutting off other vehicles.

Zine called 911.

Police stopped the "Boyfriend" singer in his sports car - a $100,000 Fisker Karma he reportedly received from manager Scooter Braun for his 18th birthday - and gave him a ticket for driving more than 65 miles per hour.

Bieber said he was being chased by aggressive paparazzi and he filed a complaint against one photographer, TMZ reported.

Officials reportedly showed up at Bieber's video shoot to continue their investigation. The same photographer who had been accused of chasing Bieber earlier in the day was also at the shoot, camera in hand.

"It's hard to blame solely the paparazzi," attorney Mark Geragos, who is not connected to this case, told "Good Morning America." "Bieber drives a car that attracts quite a bit of attention. Pictures of that will bring money to paparazzi if they see it and sell the pictures, especially of him in the car."

Bieber has had run-ins with the paparazzi before. Los Angeles prosecutors are still contemplating whether to file charges against the singer from an incident in May in which Bieber allegedly scuffled with a photographer who was trying to snap pictures of the singer and his girlfriend, actress Selena Gomez.

Bieber has also been in trouble on the road before. He has been pulled over multiple times in his customized "Batmobile" Cadillac CTS-V for infractions including making a left turn from a middle lane and speeding through a construction zone.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Ask for Prayers for Injured Son

Tameka Raymond and family continue to ask for your prayers for her 11-year-old son, Kile Glover, who was critically injured in a jet ski crash on Friday.

"We know God's in control, and are leaning on our faith in Him and His word at this most difficult time," said the family in a statement to CNN. "We firmly believe in the power of prayer and ask that you all continue to pray and lift Kile up, as it's the best way we can all support him."

Glover and a 15-year-old girl, whose condition is not known, were struck by a family friend, Jeffrey Hubbard, while being pulled by a pontoon boat on Lake Lanier in north Georgia when the incident occurred. Kile suffered a serious head injury and was flown by helicopter to Children's Healthcare at Egleston Hospital in Atlanta.

According to reports, Kile is now brain dead.

Kile is the son of Tameka and ex-husband Ryan Glover.

Usher visited the hospital sometime on Saturday according to a family friend. Tameka and Usher are currently ironing out their custody issues in court over their two children Usher Raymond V and Nayvid.

Power 105 Radio Host CHARLAMAGNE The God Attacked!

Our friends at TheRundown.tv got their hands on the video of NY's Power 105, The Breakfast Club host, Charlamagne the God being attacked by multiple dudes as he tries to enter the station. He's approached for a video drop, for what seems like a mixtape or show, but as he questions the request a fist comes flying from over his right shoulder, hitting him square on the ear. The blow takes C by surprise and makes him stumble for a second. Once he gains his balance, he retreats and starts to run up the block away from the attackers in a weird slow motion jog. The street toughs don't know if they should full speed chase him or not. 



C The God addressed the episode on his radio show yesterday and knew the video would be leaked on the internet. He admitted to running from the "5 dudes" that approached him as well. Do you think the radio war he has going on with Funkmaster Flex of rival station Hot 97 has anything to do with this? We hope that it doesn't get to a dirtier level where people get hurt. Seriously.

Watch the footage below.

http://www.therundown.tv/videos/wtf-files/captured-on-tape-goons-ask-charlamagne-for-a-radio-drop-and-hit-him-up-side-his-head/

Deron Williams Signs To Brooklyn Nets

Deron Williams is an official member of the Nets once again.

After the NBA free agent signing moratorium ended at midnight, the three-time All-Star player tweeted out a picture of himself signing his contract at 12:01 this morning saying, "Officially a Brooklyn Net! Signed my contract on an iPad Just thank God for this wonderful Opportunity #HelloBrooklyn"

According to New York Post, Williams’ contract is roughly worth $100 million over a five year period.
“We are obviously thrilled that Deron will lead the Nets into our new home in Brooklyn,”Billy King, Nets general manager, said in a statement. “Deron is in my opinion the top point guard in the NBA. With his leadership and guidance on and off the court, the fans of Brooklyn should be proud.”

After tweeting out his excitement earlier this morning, the new point guard had this to say in a following statement:

"I am really excited to be able to officially say that Brooklyn is home. It is an incredible time to play in Brooklyn and to be a part of this organization, the first sports team to call Brooklyn home in over 50 years. I believe in the team and what we are going to be able to accomplish on the court, as well as in the community. My family and I have come to know New York and the more we do, the more we love it. I look forward to going to London to represent the United States in the Olympics and then coming back to Brooklyn to open Barclays Center."

Welcome to Brooklyn!

Online Branding Stardom in Five Steps

From the professionals looking to solidify entrepreneurial or consultant ventures to those who want to distinguish themselves in the job pool, online branding is the perfect venue for you. Fast Company reports that this year, smart social networking is essential to gaining control over your professional life. As you undertake a new online strategy, there are five key steps that you must fulfill effectively to reach your personal online branding success.

As important as it is to incorporate Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn into your personal brand, make sure you have your own personal website as your base. Your website doesn’t have to be extravagant, it can be a simple page created on Squarespace, webs.com or WordPress. Make sure to use a real professional headshot on your site to give make it stand out. Once you’ve established your website, don’t forget to use social media tools to drive traffic to your site to get people interested in what you are doing or hope to do.

The next step is to blog! While you don’t have to create a deeply introspective blog with posts every few hours or every day, a blog with a post a week that includes simple text and a bit of multimedia can make a difference. You can then use the blog to drive traffic back to your website.

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Once you’ve got your website and blog established, never underestimate the power of 140 characters. One bad Twitter status can ruin your reputation or a potential job opportunity. Make sure you keep your most outrageous comments to yourself and double check your wording before sending your thoughts into the universe.

Although it’s not necessary to jump on every social media platform as soon as they come out, pick a few new platforms to boost your personal brand. For instance, Fast Company observes that Google+ is a great way to build your personal brand and so it the app Path, which allows you to network with people on a professional level. One quick thing to note about Path: you’re only allowed 150 friends, so choose wisely!

The last piece of advice is to network, network, network!!!! Networking is a never ending process so to continue to expand into the online realm, try to find new people to connect with or follow every day. Make sure you actively engage with your followers and friends by saying hello and responding to posts and messages.

From The Desk of..

 

Make Old-School Networking Work for You

Social networking isn’t a bad way to meet new colleagues, clients and customers. But here’s an even fresher way: retro-networking.

Retro-networking is all about meeting and greeting people face to face—and finding new and interesting ways to forge professional connections with people who can further your career or business. And, because retro-networking doesn’t get as much buzz as social networking does, it’s surprisingly effective.
Here are six ways to work it into your routine:

1. Philanthropize

Meet well-connected people by getting involved with nonprofit organizations, art and history museums, historical societies, or botanical gardens, to name a few. Volunteer for a core committee, such as fund-raising or events planning.
Your good deeds will get noticed and could ultimately lead to new client and customer referrals. You’ll also have a chance to polish new skills and attend great parties. That’s a win-win-win-win.

2. Leave home

Travel opens up fabulous business networking opportunities. Buy an airline club membership (or even just a one-day pass) and strike up a conversation in the airport club lounge with a bored-looking businessperson.
Hotel lounges are also easy spots to meet someone new; scope out someone sitting alone and ask if you can join him. Before your trip, book a golf game at your destination with fellow business travelers using an online golf club.

3. Plug in to a “connector”

At your next party or gathering, look around and locate the man or woman who seems super confident, is surrounded by people jostling for his or her attention, and seems to know them all by name. That’s the connector.
The connector is masterful at winning friends, introducing people and networking. Find a way to introduce yourself to the connector and you’ll gain access to a whole new community.

4. Link up from LinkedIn

If your name appears as “Anonymous” on LinkedIn when you check out someone else’s profile, they won’t know you stopped by. That’s a lost opportunity.
Instead, set your profile so your name shows up when you look people up. If you have a repeat visitor, view it as a professional compliment and get in touch. The invitation to meet face-to-face is a meaningful gesture that can generate a new professional contact.

5. Break bread with others

Everybody has to eat, so why waste a great networking opportunity by noshing at home or alone? Invite colleagues to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with you. They’ll value the one-on-one time and attention, and you’ll at least make a new friend.

6. Make dates with schoolmates

Getting back in touch with your fellow alumni is smart. Sign up for the alumni newsletter from your high school, college, or business school. Here you’ll learn about networking events nearby and in cities where you travel for business. At these events, you won’t be a stranger once you introduce yourself as a fellow alumna/us.

Not a Fan of Self-Promotion? Here’s How to Advance Anyway

Even if you shy away from the limelight, it's good to be on the radar


In many industries, if you can’t communicate your best skills and market yourself, you won’t even be on the radar for the top deals, projects and clients. The element of self-promotion and tooting one’s own horn can mean the difference between getting a promotion or a new opportunity or remaining stagnant.

Writer Josh Fox details the importance of marketing oneself, no matter what profession, and how you can do that even if you like to shy away from the limelight:

It’s common in a lot of professions. Farmers know the other farmers in the district. They help each other, and each neighbor has a reputation, for better or worse. Owners of local businesses have Rotary Clubs, which helps them figure out exactly who to trust to make a deal. Doctors recommend specialists to their patients.
But we software developers, project managers and technical writers have next to none of this. Bosses make decisions about our futures, not other professionals.

It seems to me that we could stand to be a little more like doctors and lawyers — professionals who rule their industries.

Co-workers know who’s good. This social capital can and should become the core of our virtual CVs.
And it starts with collegiality.

'Amazing Spider-Man' Hits $400M in Worldwide Box Office

"The Amazing Spider-Man" will pass the $400 million mark in worldwide box office Wednesday, Sony announced.

The franchise reboot took in $8.6 million Tuesday in North America for a domestic gross to date of $153.2 million. Through Tuesday, the film had made $231.8 million overseas for a worldwide total of $385 million.


"Spider-Man" made $65 million over the July 4 weekend, on its way to $140 million for the six-day holiday frame in the United States. it opened on the last weekend in June overseas and took in $50 million in its first three days of release abroad.

In all, the "Spider-Man" franchise has brought in $2.8 billion since the first film debuted in 2002. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone star in the latest film, directed by Marc Webb.

Sandra Bullock movie set stabbing follows bus crash

The Boston, MA, set of crime comedy "The Heat," starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, has been no laughing matter these past few days.


First, 15 people were injured in a bus accident on Monday that involved a collision with a truck associated with the movie. And on Tuesday there was a fatal stabbing near the set in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood.

Boston police say one man was killed and two others were injured after a fight ensued just one block from where "The Heat" was filming. One officer working on the set actually helped chase down a suspect. All of the victims were between the ages of 17 and 21. The survivors injuries are said to not be life threatening.
 
Onlooker Cara Lisa Berg Powers recounted the reaction of those working on the film [via The Christian Post]: "The director took the bullhorn and called everyone together... He said three people were stabbed and one of them had died. People were stunned and then the crowd broke up."

Another onlooker, Bradley Fuller, says he saw one of the victims [via Boston Herald]: "...a young guy on the ground and people giving him CPR. They were pumping his chest. It looked like he was only about 14 years old. It's so sad, he's just a baby."

Just a day before the deadly scuffle, a city bus rammed into a parked production truck that was being used for film, causing minor injuries in 15 passengers.

In "The Heat," due in theaters next April, Bullock plays an uptight cop who teams up with an FBI Agent to take down a mob boss.