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.

Read more: http://www.essence.com/2012/07/11/keyshia-cole-motherhood-and-marriage-has-changed-my-music-im-happy-now/#ixzz20PWJYs2q

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.

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.

Read more: http://www.essence.com/2012/07/11/tameka-raymond-and-family-ask-for-prayers-for-injured-son/#ixzz20NAlOxmN