Marion ‘Suge’ Knight loses Death Row Records for good
Run DMC inducted
Iconic rappers Run DMC, famed for tracks such as Walk this Way, My Adidas and Peter Piper are being honored this year in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The trio made up of Joseph “Reverend Run†Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C.†McDaniels and the late Jason “Jam-Master Jay†Mizell were the first rap collective to be nominated for a Grammy and release a platinum selling album.
Inducted for their influence on pop culture in general, Run DMC were known for their sneakers and gold chains which became their trademark. The ceremony will take place at the Rock and Roll Museum in Cleveland Ohio on April 4th. Also being inducted this year are Metallica and Bobby Womack.
Death Row Auction
After facing bankruptcy in 2005, Death Row records founded by Marion ‘Suge’ Knight is to be auctioned off later this month.
However it has now come to light that there will be in fact a chance for the general public to buy a piece of rap history when everything from promotional material to furniture to awards and discs go up under the hammer.
The auction is set for Sunday January 25th with a preview next Friday. Death Row Records was home to Dr. Dre, Tupac and Snoop Dogg and sold over 60 million records worldwide.
An owner has yet to be found for the actual label after rumors have circulated that former owner Suge Knight has intimidated prospective owners.
Rick Ross in Court
Florida rapper Rick Ross, famed for records such as Hustlin appeared in a family court in Florida yesterday after failing to pay child support.
The mother of his three year old son, Tiallondra Kemp, says the rapper even though he has taken care of medical bills etc has failed to make the required payments and was left with no other option but to take him to court. This is not the first time the two have visited family court as Kemp has filed charges against the Boss of Miami for domestic violence abuse.
In other Rick Ross news, the rapper has recently severed ties with Slip N Slide records, opting to put his third album out on his own Maybach label. Deeper than Rap is expected in stores in April.
Babies everywhere
It has been confirmed this week that rapper Nas and his wife Kelis are expecting their first child together.
The couple who married back in 2005 are said to be ecstatic about the news. Nas already has a child with former ‘tell all’ girlfriend Carmen Bryan, Destiny who is 14 years old.
Also expecting her first child is R&B singer Mya, the father of her child is Jared Najjar, son of a super real estate developer in Atlanta Lee Najjar.
It has also been rumored that another high profile Hip-Hop and R&B couple, Nelly and Ashanti are also expecting their first child, however that has yet to be confirmed by the couples publicists.
Jermaine moves to Sony
After the sudden death of Shakir Stewart more commonly known as
Shake in November of last year.
Def Jam have appointed their new Executive Vice President. Former VP of Atlantic Records Chris Hicks will be taking over Stewarts position. Hicks has worked with a variety of big names in the music world including Lil Wayne and Mary J Blige.
Also as reported earlier this week, Jermaine Dupri who is no longer part of Island Def Jam is taking his So So Def label over to Sony yet it is still unclear what will happen to his new TAG label which was started under the Def Jam umbrella.
Melanie Cornish