Major Moves: Jay-Z & Roc Nation Partners With Universal Music Group
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Via prnewswire.com
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Universal Music Group (UMG),the world's leading music company, and Roc Nation, the renowned entertainment company founded by Shawn "JAY Z" Carter, announced today that they have entered into a multi-year, worldwide partnership under which the Roc Nation music label will operate as a standalone label within the UMG family, effective immediately.Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.As part of the agreement, forthcoming albums from JAY Z, Rihanna and many others will be released through UMG worldwide.
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In making the announcement, Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO ofUMG, said,"In just five years, Roc Nation has established itself as one of the most successful brands in music with a reputation for developing some of today¹s most influential and popular talent.Not only does this agreement provide a dynamic platform for Roc Nation's exciting emerging artists, it extends our relationship with the extraordinary Rihanna and represents a homecoming for JAY Z—a brilliant artist and entrepreneur, who has been a creative cornerstone of our company.All of us at UMG are thrilled that JAY and Roc Nation chose UMG as their partners, knowing we will support their artists with a level of resources, expertise and passion that is simply unmatched in the industry."
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Shawn "JAY Z" Carter said, "We are looking forward to working with Lucian and the incredible team he's assembled at Universal. We would like to applaud Lucian for collaborating with us to strike a new age deal. This agreement presents a unique opportunity for Roc Nation's artists—being able to continue to operate as an independent label with the strength, power and reach of the best major. I look forward to a long and prosperous collaboration with UMG. It feels good to be home."
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Congrats Jay-Z and Roc Nation!!
CAN THEY LIVE: Jay-Z & Beyonce Face Questions Over Cuba Vacation
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via Rollingstone.com
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Jay-Z and Beyoncé marked their fifth wedding anniversary last week in Havana, where they ate fine food, enjoyed Cuban music, posed for pictures with fans and celebrated with large crowds. Now two Republican members of Congress are demanding to know whether the couple had obtained a license from the federal government to make the trip, which is required under a longstanding U.S. trade embargo against Cuba.
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According to Reuters, U.S. Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart – both from Florida – sent a letter last Friday to Adam Szubin, director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control for the U.S. Treasury Department. Ros-Lehtinen and Diaz-Balart wanted more "information regarding the type of license that Beyoncé and Jay-Z received, for what purpose, and who approved such travel." Because of the trade embargo, most Americans must obtain a license from the U.S. government to travel to Cuba. President Barack Obama's administration, however, has loosened travel restrictions for academic, religious or cultural exchanges.
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"Despite the clear prohibition against tourism in Cuba, numerous press reports described the couple's trip as tourism, and the Castro regime touted it as such in its propaganda," wrote Ros-Lehtinen and Diaz-Balart in the letter. "We represent a community of many who have been deeply and personally harmed by the Castro regime's atrocities, including former political prisoners and the families of murdered innocents."
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The State Department has said that it had no prior knowledge of Jay-Z and Beyoncé's trip, and a spokeswoman for the U.S. Interests Section in Havana said she didn't know whether the couple had secured a proper license for their visit. Jay-Z and Beyoncé could face a fine if they failed to complete the proper paperwork.
Nicki Minaj x Beats By Dre = New Pink ‘Pill’
04/07/2013 • 
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Hip-POP sensation Nicki Minaj teams up with Beats By Dre on a special pink edition of the company’s popular Pill portable wireless Bluetooth speaker. Inspired by Nicki’s signature color, the pink Pill is now available for purchase for $199 exclusively at AT&T retail stores nationwide and online at att.com just in time for spring. The pink Pill adds another option to AT&T’s stacked lineup of Beats headphones and speakers.
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Nicki said, "I am so excited about this product. It’s something I actually use. It’s a little tiny speaker that I can travel with yet the sound is incredibly loud and rich. I knew the barbz would not only love it, but that they'd want it in pink! So, here ya go barbz!!!! My PINK PILL!"
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AT&T and Nicki Minaj will officially launch the Beats by Dr. Dre pink Pill in a brand new commercial set to premiere during American Idol on Wednesday, April 10. The television spot will also provide audiences with a taste of what the Beats global Pill campaign will look like in 2013 with the debut of a special Pill character. Head inside to watch the behind the scenes clip of the commercial featuring comedian DeRay Davis.
Shots Fired At Rick Ross’s Rolls Royce In Ft. Lauderdale
01/28/2013 •
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According to WSVN, Several gunshots were heard in the area of 1410 E Las Olas Blvd., around 5 a.m. According to locals, they said Rapper Rick Ross was in the Floridian Restaurant celebrating his Birthday and as he left in his Rolls Royce, someone opened fire. Police have not confirmed this information. The bullets missed the Rolls Royce but the vehicle slammed into a nearby apartment building Luckily, police said no one was injured by the gunfire. Several businesses in the area were hit by bullets. The vehicle has since been towed from the scene. Police continue to investigate.
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Damn!! If you rap it, you must live it!!
Brooklyn Rapper Capital Steez Dead at 19
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According to Billboard.com
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"Capital Steez, an up-and-coming rapper in the Brooklyn-based Pro Era collective, died on Monday morning. Steez, real name Jamal Dewar, was 19.
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The rapper's friend and collaborator Joey Bada$$ announced the news on Twitter, saying, "This unfortunate xmas eve… Lost a best friend, a brother, a pro, a partner. Letting go is never easy."
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Bada$$ goes on to say that "part of me doesn't believe this." Other members of New Era to post comments include Chuck Strangers and CJ Fly. This week the rap collective released the mixtape, "PEEP: The Aprocopalypse" on Cinematic Affairs. Label CEO Johnny Shipes also confirmed the death on Twitter, writing "R.I.P. STEEZ."
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Further details on the cause of death have not been disclosed, however there is speculation that the rapper may have committed suicide as his final message on Twitter reads, simply, "The end."
The end.."
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SMH
Chris Brown Signs Modeling Contract With Wilhelmina International
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According to Billboard.com
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The R&B singer has signed with Wilhelmina International, becoming the latest star to nab a modeling contract with the agency that reps stars like Fergie and Natasha Bedingfield.
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"Art and style has always played a significant role in my life," Brown told Women's Wear Daily. "I'm so happy to join the Wilhelmina team, which has countless successes in the industry, to explore this new avenue."
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Taylor Hendrich, director of Wilhelmina Men, shares Brown's optimism for the new relationship, telling WWD that his company is "excited to translate and extend [Brown's] brand."
Brown is already turning heads in the fashion world. The R&B singer revealed his latest venture -- an urban line of street wear through his new wardrobe brand, Black Pyramid -- in Los Angeles last week.
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While Brown has proven himself successful in the fashion industry, do you think he will be able to see the same success as a model?
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Great move for Breezy, nice to see him moving forward within his career!
Presidential Love: The Carters Raise 4 Million For Obama Campaign
09/19/2012 • 
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Hip-Hop power couple Beyonce’ and Jay-z helped raise $4 million for POTUS’ Presidential campaign at the $40,000/ticket fundraising dinner The dinner took place at Jay-z’s NYC 40/40 Club on Tuesday. The $40,000 per-ticket event brought in 100 wealthy donors, as well as a Pennsylvania couple who won the campaign’s “NYC With Barack, Jay-Z and Beyonce” fundraising contest.
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In a form-fitting red cocktail dress, Beyonce kept her comments brief as she introduced the President.
“I can’t tell you how proud we are to host tonight’s event with President Obama,” she said. “We believe in his vision.”
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The President Thanked the couple:
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“To Jay and Bey, thank you so much for your friendship,” expressed Obama.
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He noted Beyonce as a role model for his daughters and gushed about her class, poise and talent. The POTUS also recognized the similarities between him and the Brooklyn-bred rapper.
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“We both have daughters and our wives are more popular than we are. So, you know, we’ve got a little bond there,” Obama joked. “It’s hard but it’s okay.”
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Proceeds from Tuesday’s fundraiser, which raised $4 million, will reportedly go to the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee of Obama for America, the Democratic National Committee and several state Democratic parties.
Alicia Keys Reveals New Album Title ‘Girl on Fire’
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Alicia Keys is BACK and she is on FIRE!! The R&B superstar has announced the official title of her anticipated fifth studio album … “Girl On Fire.”
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Alicia took to her website to reveal the exciting news to her fans,
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Hey…
I’m in the studio right now working away on my new album and I am SO excited!!! I’m ignited!!! I’m like a match to a flame! I’ve had the title of this album in my mind for a long time….It’s been hard to hold it back and now I’m not holding it back anymore! It is called Girl on Fire!!! And that’s exactly how I feel!!! You’ll be learning more about it soon… but let me just say before making this record, in some ways I felt like a lion locked in a cage…I felt like a girl misunderstood that no one really knew, I felt like it was time to stop making excuses for any part of my life that I wanted to change. Once I made that choice I became a Girl on Fire, the lion broke free!!
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During the recording process, I mostly stayed in NY but on some cool and memorable occasions, I traveled to different places, and worked with many collaborators, (some old friends, some new). I discovered so many beautiful sounds, and meanings and a lot about the power of a song. I can’t wait to share this album with you. I promise when you hear it, it’s a new me, I gave it my all: powerful, soulful, honesty and heart… With Girl on Fire, I want to move you and surprise you.
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Girl on Fire is about new beginnings, new perspectives and fresh starts… stripping away all the bad energy in your life and taking full control of the reigns and how you want to live. There is something really empowering about finding yourself and your own inner strength. On one song, One of the lines I wrote says, “I’ll never be perfect, but at least now I’m brave!”
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Here’s to finding your power! Your FIRE!! Stay tuned for more.
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In the meantime, thank you for all your love, strength and support.
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-Alicia
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A Girl On Fire!!!!
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“The #girlonfire movement begins NOW!” tweeted Alicia via her twitter account.
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She will debut a new song off the album at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on September 6. Can't wait! AK BANGS!!
Young Buck Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison, Will Serve 18 Months
07/16/2012 • 
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According to MSNBC
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Multi-platinum rapper Young Buck was sentenced Friday to three years in prison after he was convicted on weapons charges.
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Young Buck, a Nashville native whose real name is David Darnell Brown, was arrested for possessing weapons despite being a convicted felon following a stabbing several years prior.
Another Day Another Come Out: Frank Ocean Admits To Being Gay
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Damn another brother! This week CNN anchor Anderson Cooper came out which I am sure many of us already suspected him of being gay. Now singer/songwriter Frank Ocean comes out via his tubmlr. The Odd Future member shared a letter that he had written back in December 27, 2011 regarding being in love with a man.
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“4 summers ago, I met somebody.” He writes. “I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I’d see him, and his smile. Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping, no negotiating to the women I had been with, the ones I cared for and thought I was in love with.”
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Since homophobia is huge in the hip-hop and the black communities. I wonder if this will affect his album sales. I hope not because he is DOPE. I’m happy that his fellow Odd Future member Tyler the Creator embraced him and went on twitter to say he was proud of him in a odd/rude way. But hey that's him. LMAO.
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Channel Orange set to drop July 17th. Support that man regardless of his sexual orientation.
