“Chicago police are investigating possible connections between the Tuesday slaying of a teen rapper, a raging Englewood gang conflict and a mocking Tweet on the account of the victim’s rap rival — rising South Side star Chief Keef, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Hours after the murder, on Chief Keef’s Twitter account, a message was posted saying, “Its Sad Cuz Dat N—- Jojo Wanted To Be Jus Like Us #LMAO.” LMAO is slang for “laughing my ass off.”
That Tweet drew angry responses among Chief Keef’s 224,000 Twitter followers. His account later carried Tweets claiming it had been hacked and saying, “If u dnt talk 2 me or dro my manager … it’s not real.”
Chicago police officers were on the street Wednesday night looking for Coleman’s killer. Police are looking to see if his murder is connected to an ongoing conflict in Englewood between the Gangster Disciples and Black Disciples street gangs that has been playing out in a series of threats on social media sites.
In Keef’s responses on his account, Chicago-born rap star Lupe Fiasco was called out, with the Keef account posting: “wen I see him I’ma smack him like da lil b—- he is #300.”
On his account, Fiasco, who recently told a radio station he was scared of the violence Chief Keef represents, replied “I cant go 4 that @ChiefKeef & i cant let the people i love, including you my n—-, go 4 that either. We kings not f—— savages and goons”
Later, Fiasco sounded despondent — and done with rap, Tweeting: “but my heart is broken and i see no comfort further along this path only more pain. I cannot participate any longer in this… My first true love was literature so i will return to that…lupe fiasco ends here.
Six years ago Dr. Dre was walking along the beach with Interscope Records chief Jimmy Iovine, pondering whether or not he should launch his own shoe line. “[Forget] sneakers,” said Iovine. “Let’s sell speakers!”
It might have been the best piece of advice the rapper-producer ever received. In 2008 he teamed with Iovine and a handful of other partners to launch Beats By Dr. Dre, which now sells more than half of the country’s premium headphones ($100 and up). That’s music to the ears of Dr. Dre, who collected $100 million pretax when handset maker HTC paid $300 million for a 51% stake in the company last year.
[Related: FX makes deal with Dr. Dre for drama pilot]
With $110 million in pretax earnings, Dr. Dre is this year’s Hip-Hop Cash King—despite the fact that his long-awaited album, Detox, remains on the shelf. He’s not the only one on the list who banks the bulk of his bucks outside the recording studio. Diddy ranks No. 2 with $45 million, thanks mostly to a share of profits from Diageo’s Ciroc vodka; Jay-Z ranks third with $38 million, pulling in more than half his annual earnings from ventures including ownership stakes in cosmetics company Carol’s Daughter, the Brookyln Nets and a joint venture with battery maker Duracell. Last year, Jay-Z topped the list with $37 million.
Jay-Z and New Jersey Nets owner Lewis Katz (photo: Johnny Nunez, WireImage)”The reality of it is, you want to do something that you own,” says frequent Jay-Z collaborator Timbaland, who ranks No. 20 on the list with $6 million. “You want to own what you put your heart into. That’s how you make money.”
Kanye West ranks fourth on the list with $35 million, fueled by his Watch the Throne album with Jay-Z and the ensuing tour, followed by Lil Wayne at $27 million. The diminutive rhymester’s latest album, Tha Carter IV, sold a million copies in its first week; he also launched clothing line Trukfit and a partnership with Pepsi’s Mountain Dew, the first major product endorsement in the veteran rapper’s career.
Lil Wayne is joined on the Cash Kings list by labelmates Drake (No. 6) and Nicki Minaj (No. 8), who banked $20.5 million and $15.5 million, respectively, thanks to new albums, tours and product endorsements with companies like Kodak and Pepsi. Their boss, Cash Money co-founder Bryan “Birdman” Williams, ranks seventh with $20 million. Even lower down on the list, artists are getting paid considerable sums to shill products.
“We’ve received a lot of income based around endorsements,” says former Def Jam President Kevin Liles, who now manages a host of artists including No. 18 Young Jeezy. “A lot of brands are saying, ‘Hey, there’s a value proposition, instead of this freewheeling spending … I have some guaranteed curators and travel agents that can help me reach the consumer in a better way.'”
Yet for a few artists, music alone is a viable path to earning millions. No. 9 Eminem sold more albums last decade than any artist in the world, and continues to cash in from his extensive back catalog and occasional tour dates, pulling in $15 million.
Ludacris rounds out the top ten with earnings of $12 million. The multihyphenate mogul’s non-musical ventures include Conjure cognac, headphone line Soul, voiceovers for RadioShack and roles in movies such as Fast Five and New Year’s Eve.
“We work so hard that we never get a real chance to stop and reflect on what we’ve done sometimes,” says Ludacris. “So the FORBES list is a great representation of, ‘You know what, wow, we are out here working as hard as hell!'”
To compile the Cash Kings list, which charts pretax earnings for all living artists whose work is primarily classified as hip-hop or rap, we looked at income from touring, record sales, publishing, films, merchandise sales, endorsements and other ventures. Management, agent and attorney fees are not deducted; earnings are tabulated from May 2011 to May 2012 and based on data from Pollstar, the Recording Industry Association of America and Nielsen SoundScan, and from interviews with numerous managers, lawyers, record executives and some of the artists themselves.
All in all, hip-hop’s top 20 earners pulled in $415 million last year, the most since 2008’s $515 million. The more recent total got a heavy boost from Dr. Dre’s impressive haul, but it doesn’t mean he’s resting on his financial laurels. Earlier this summer, he and his partners bought back half of the 51% stake in Beats that they sold to HTC nearly a year ago—meaning that fans waiting for his new album might have to hold out a little longer.
“I understand why Dre didn’t finish Detox,” says Liles, with a laugh. “It’s called Beats.”
Yet for a few artists, music alone is a viable path to earning millions. No. 9 Eminem sold more albums last decade than any artist in the world, and continues to cash in from his extensive back catalog and occasional tour dates, pulling in $15 million.
Ludacris rounds out the top ten with earnings of $12 million. The multihyphenate mogul’s non-musical ventures include Conjure cognac, headphone line Soul, voiceovers for RadioShack and roles in movies such as Fast Five and New Year’s Eve.
“We work so hard that we never get a real chance to stop and reflect on what we’ve done sometimes,” says Ludacris. “So the FORBES list is a great representation of, ‘You know what, wow, we are out here working as hard as hell!'”
[Video: Big K.R.I.T. names top 3 rapper-producers]
To compile the Cash Kings list, which charts pretax earnings for all living artists whose work is primarily classified as hip-hop or rap, we looked at income from touring, record sales, publishing, films, merchandise sales, endorsements and other ventures. Management, agent and attorney fees are not deducted; earnings are tabulated from May 2011 to May 2012 and based on data from Pollstar, the Recording Industry Association of America and Nielsen SoundScan, and from interviews with numerous managers, lawyers, record executives and some of the artists themselves.
All in all, hip-hop’s top 20 earners pulled in $415 million last year, the most since 2008’s $515 million. The more recent total got a heavy boost from Dr. Dre’s impressive haul, but it doesn’t mean he’s resting on his financial laurels. Earlier this summer, he and his partners bought back half of the 51% stake in Beats that they sold to HTC nearly a year ago—meaning that fans waiting for his new album might have to hold out a little longer.
“I understand why Dre didn’t finish Detox,” says Liles, with a laugh. “It’s called Beats.”
R.I.P. Tyrone “Tall-T” Franklin 1988-2012
Northern California rapper Tall T was shot and killed on Tuesday (June 12) while sitting on a park bench in broad daylight, said reports. He was just 23.
According to local News 10, the rap up-and-comer (real name: Tyrone Franklin) was with his girlfriend at the Long Park in Stockton, Calif. when he was approached by the assailant and tapped on the shoulder. When Tall T turned around, the man shot and killed him.
Police have no suspect or motive for the murder as of press time.
His friends and family gathered at Sherwood Forest Park to mourn the late rapper, talking to news cameras about his aspirations as a rapper and friendly demeanor.
“There was never a moment when he wasn’t smiling or laughing,” friend Courtney McBride told News 10. “Tall stood out because of his style: Hollister clothing all the time, 80’s style cardigans, the flat top.”
Tall T’s friends said that while he was mischievous growing up, he became a focused musician and devoted father; and had no connections to gangs or violent behavior.
“Everyone knew Tall and they all loved him,” childhood friend Adrian AB Hogish said. “So, I don’t know why someone would want to do this to him.”
Tall T was planning the release of a new album this summer. His friends told News 10 they will make sure the LP is completed and subsequently released. The rapper was also known around the battle rap circuit, competing in various events, many of which can be seen on Youtube.
hiphopmovie.com AND BallerStatus.com sends its condolences to Tall T’s family and friends.
Sad day in music. According to NY Daily News, legendary executive Chris Lighty was found dead in his Bronx apartment this morning from an apparent suicide. He was 44.
Lighty first got his break working with Kool DJ Red Alert. He founded Violator Management in 1989 and helped mold the careers of BDP, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent and many others.
Hip-hop mogul Chris Lighty died Thursday morning after he shot himself after an argument with his estranged wife at his Bronx apartment, sources told the Daily News.
Lighty, 44 — a longtime manager of 50 Cent, Diddy, Ja Rule and Mariah Carey — stepped outside his South Riverdale apartment about 11:30 a.m., after a spat with his wife, Veronica, police sources said.
Suddenly, a gun shot was heard and Lighty was found lying faceup with a 9-mm. pistol next to his body, sources said.
Law enforcement sources said Lighty — whose wife filed for divorce last year — may have been dealing with financial struggles, including owing about $5 million to the IRS.
Lighty, founder of Violator Management, merged with another talent company to form Primary Violator around the time of his divorce.
Musicians began Tweeting about Lighty soon after news of his death spread.
“R.I.P CHRIS LIGHTY THE MAN THAT SAVED MY LIFE!!!” Bronx rapper Fat Joe posted on Twitter. “I Would Be Nothing Without YOU!!! My Kids Appreciate YOU God Bless Chris Lighty.”
Early Wednesday morning, LL Cool J busted a burglary suspect who had broken into his Los Angeles home. The actor-rapper, whose real name is James Todd Smith, discovered the man just before 1 a.m., when the alarm system in his Studio City residence was tripped. A scuffle ensued, but the “NCIS: Los Angeles” star — whose arms (and abs!) are legendary in Hollywood — took down the trespasser and detained him while one of his daughters called 911.
When officers arrived, they took the man — whose name has not been released — into custody. The suspect, who will be arrested on suspicion of burglary, had minor bruises.
It’s really no surprise tough guy LL Cool J — who has shared his fitness secrets in books including “LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout” and has one of the most chiseled bodies in the biz — was uninjured during the fracas. Further, nothing was taken from the home, which he shares with his wife, Simone, and four children: a son Najee, 22, and daughters Italia, 21, Samaria, 17, and Nina, 11.
When reached for comment about the incident, a rep for LL Cool J told omg!: “LL Cool J and his family are safe and thank everyone for their thoughts and concern. As a father, husband, and citizen, he is committed to keeping his family safe and is cooperating with authorities on this private matter.”
Floyd (Money) Mayweather was greeted by family and friends, including 50 cent, as he was released from jail last Friday night.
Floyd is happy for his friend 50 Cent on his movie success. “It’s always great to have your freedom, of course, I’m happy to be back home and I’m always going to support my friend 50 cent. He’s a great guy. In the movie industry, he’s done some very, very, record-breaking things.”
Prodigy responded on Twitter. Somehow those tweets went under the radar, but we have them for you.
“jealousy, n*ggas want bullets in my head envy, n*ggas wanna catch me slippin’, but never that… he tweeted July 28th.
“RT #Scorpios are intensely loyal to those they love and care about”
“i love the 90?s. but i aint stuck in that mu’f*cka.”
“we aint really wit that talkin’ b*tch we bout that action… “
“S/O to all my followers and infamous lifers who bought that #HNIC3 let em know!
“S/O to the ppl part of #HNIC3 @mobettabrown @Willie_Day26 @DarealEsther @realwizkhalifa @tip @VaughnAnthony1 @BoogzBoogetz @plaintruthent”
The Former 5-Time World Champion In Talks With 50 Cent
Zab Judah’s next fight is supposed to be for a junior welterweight world title because he is a mandatory challenger, and when he has it his promoter probably will be 50 Cent’s newly formed TMT Promotions. Judah told ESPN.com on Tuesday that he had meetings in New York with 50 Cent — Curtis Jackson is the real name of the rap star — on Monday and Tuesday as they continued to negotiate a deal.
“I just left 50,” Judah said. “He’s a very interesting person. I’ve spent a lot of time with him when he was in (Las) Vegas (where Judah lives). We’ve been friends. I’ve been knowing 50 for a long time. His brain for business is phenomenal. We met Monday and (Tuesday). When you’re doing big things it takes time. Anything that comes fast is not worth it. We’re planning on doing it big.
“I like what 50 brings to the table. It’s a great game plan. I think it will be a very good situation that will play out in boxing. It’ll be something new and fresh.” 50 Cent recently received a promoters license in New York for TMT Promotions — “The Money Team,” named after what his partner and pal Floyd Mayweather Jr. calls his crew — and is in the application process in Nevada.
Judah said his contract with Main Events had run out and that he was a free agent. So will he be joining 50 Cent? “Why not? I’m a free agent and I’m hearing my options, but TMT is the ideal place,” Judah said. “I know it’s a good place.”
TMT Promotions is either in discussionswith or has already signed fighters such as former featherweight titlist Yuriorkis Gamboa following his contract settlement with Top Rank, super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell and featherweight titleholder Billy Dib of Australia.
And there is, of course, Mayweather, whois scheduled to be released from jail on Friday following a domestic abuse conviction. Whether Mayweather will have TMT, which he is part owner of, promote his fights or he will continue to work with Golden Boy Promotions remains to be seen. Golden Boy has promoted all of Mayweather’s fights since 2007 even though there was never a long-term contract between them.
“The team is phenomenal,” Judah said.”It’s gonna be a dream team to have Zab Judah, Floyd Mayweather, Dirrell, Gamboa, Dib all in one circle.”
Judah declined to go into any specifics related to 50 Cent’s plans.
“I don’t know if can tell that. I can’tlet it out of the bag,” Judah said. “But 50 is a boxing promoter. It’s 100 percent real and he’s got big plans.”
Of his own impending deal with the company, Judah said, “It’ll be done. In the coming days. We’re just waiting on ‘Money May’ to come home (from jail).”
Espn Sports