Saigon-Don't Do That
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
News For 5-22-07
Busta Settles in Assault Suit
On Monday (May 21), Busta Rhymes reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed against him by a man who says he was assaulted by the rapper and his bodyguard in a Manhattan deli in 2005. According to the New York Post, Busta reached the agreement just one day before he was due in Manhattan Supreme Court to defend himself to Justice Emily Jane Goodman against a default judgment that was handed down in the case last year. Melvin Smith, who claims to have been beaten by the controversial rapper, was awarded $100,000 after Busta failed to respond to the suit. The rapper explained that he was unaware of the case because he did not reside at the Long Island home where a process server delivered the related legal papers. “While I own the property, I have no access to it,” Busta said in an affidavit filed recently. He explained that the Baldwin, Long Island home is a residence that he provides for his three children and their mother. He also asserted that he did not assault Smith. The details of the settlement were not revealed.
Two Companies Representing Eminem’s Management Sue Aftermath, Interscope over Digital Download Revenue
On Monday (May 21), two management companies that represent Eminem filed suit against Aftermath Records, Interscope Records, Universal Music Group Recordings and ARY Inc. claiming they are owed revenue from digital downloads of the rapper’s music. According to The Tennessean, Detroit based F.B.T. Productions LLC and Em2M LLC say they are entitled to a 50% share of any revenue generated from downloads of Em’s music, but are currently receiving only a 12% cut. An audit that was completed in February estimates that the two companies were owed $650,000, and that amount has now reached $1 million. “We are bringing this action based upon the specific language of our contracts with UMG,” said attorney Richard Busch of Nashville law firm King & Ballow, who are representing Em’s management team. According to the suit, which was filed in Los Angeles federal court, the parties are seeking a court order confirming their right to 50% of money earned from digital downloads and ringtone sales, as well as compensation for lost revenue.
Kanye speaks on new tour, other projects
No dates have been set yet, but according to MTV, superstar rapper Kanye West’s new tour will be called “Glow In The Dark”. As the follow-up to his successful Touch the sky tour, Ye plans to go outside the box once again.
He also plans to change it up graphically as well, as he’s been seen hanging with Japanese art legend Takashi Murakami. Takashi, most well known for his Louis Vuitton rainbow design, will be handling the bulk of designs for Kanye’s upcoming album, and has done the cover for Ye’s latest single, “Can’t Tell Me Nothin”. Apparently, Murakami is also the mind behind Wests new chain-charm as well.
“He did a three-minute animated piece for one of the songs.” said Kanye. “Murakami, his work has been stunning to me because pop art is really expressive, representative and expressive and emotional, and it looks like something you can do yourself. [But] you cannot do no Murakami shit yourself. You cannot do this at home. He has this studio out in Japan that has 30 artists working at one time. I love Japanese culture and I was always into art, and Murakami is really a god in the art world.”
“I’ve heard people come up to him and say, ‘You’re becoming more godlike every day,’ ” added West. “Every single that’s coming out for my album, he did the artwork for the covers. ... And all the merchandising for the new album is Murakami.”
West is not only working on finishing “Graduation”, but he is also collaborating with New Orleans artist Lil Wayne for his next Lp “Tha Carter 3”.
“I’m making beats. The dude is the hottest rapper,” ‘Ye said of Weezy. “We already made some songs that are incredible. I’m not going to tell you who’s on them, but I can talk my sh—, ‘cause we already got a couple of bangers under the belt. Hopefully I can deliver some product with him to push it to MTV even more, where hopefully he’ll be opening up some award shows and getting his rightful spot.
“Right now he’s ripping down every mixtape, going crazy with it. It’s unabashed, raw lyrics. I think it’s the realest form of hip-hop right now.”
On Monday (May 21), Busta Rhymes reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed against him by a man who says he was assaulted by the rapper and his bodyguard in a Manhattan deli in 2005. According to the New York Post, Busta reached the agreement just one day before he was due in Manhattan Supreme Court to defend himself to Justice Emily Jane Goodman against a default judgment that was handed down in the case last year. Melvin Smith, who claims to have been beaten by the controversial rapper, was awarded $100,000 after Busta failed to respond to the suit. The rapper explained that he was unaware of the case because he did not reside at the Long Island home where a process server delivered the related legal papers. “While I own the property, I have no access to it,” Busta said in an affidavit filed recently. He explained that the Baldwin, Long Island home is a residence that he provides for his three children and their mother. He also asserted that he did not assault Smith. The details of the settlement were not revealed.
Two Companies Representing Eminem’s Management Sue Aftermath, Interscope over Digital Download Revenue
On Monday (May 21), two management companies that represent Eminem filed suit against Aftermath Records, Interscope Records, Universal Music Group Recordings and ARY Inc. claiming they are owed revenue from digital downloads of the rapper’s music. According to The Tennessean, Detroit based F.B.T. Productions LLC and Em2M LLC say they are entitled to a 50% share of any revenue generated from downloads of Em’s music, but are currently receiving only a 12% cut. An audit that was completed in February estimates that the two companies were owed $650,000, and that amount has now reached $1 million. “We are bringing this action based upon the specific language of our contracts with UMG,” said attorney Richard Busch of Nashville law firm King & Ballow, who are representing Em’s management team. According to the suit, which was filed in Los Angeles federal court, the parties are seeking a court order confirming their right to 50% of money earned from digital downloads and ringtone sales, as well as compensation for lost revenue.
Kanye speaks on new tour, other projects
No dates have been set yet, but according to MTV, superstar rapper Kanye West’s new tour will be called “Glow In The Dark”. As the follow-up to his successful Touch the sky tour, Ye plans to go outside the box once again.
He also plans to change it up graphically as well, as he’s been seen hanging with Japanese art legend Takashi Murakami. Takashi, most well known for his Louis Vuitton rainbow design, will be handling the bulk of designs for Kanye’s upcoming album, and has done the cover for Ye’s latest single, “Can’t Tell Me Nothin”. Apparently, Murakami is also the mind behind Wests new chain-charm as well.
“He did a three-minute animated piece for one of the songs.” said Kanye. “Murakami, his work has been stunning to me because pop art is really expressive, representative and expressive and emotional, and it looks like something you can do yourself. [But] you cannot do no Murakami shit yourself. You cannot do this at home. He has this studio out in Japan that has 30 artists working at one time. I love Japanese culture and I was always into art, and Murakami is really a god in the art world.”
“I’ve heard people come up to him and say, ‘You’re becoming more godlike every day,’ ” added West. “Every single that’s coming out for my album, he did the artwork for the covers. ... And all the merchandising for the new album is Murakami.”
West is not only working on finishing “Graduation”, but he is also collaborating with New Orleans artist Lil Wayne for his next Lp “Tha Carter 3”.
“I’m making beats. The dude is the hottest rapper,” ‘Ye said of Weezy. “We already made some songs that are incredible. I’m not going to tell you who’s on them, but I can talk my sh—, ‘cause we already got a couple of bangers under the belt. Hopefully I can deliver some product with him to push it to MTV even more, where hopefully he’ll be opening up some award shows and getting his rightful spot.
“Right now he’s ripping down every mixtape, going crazy with it. It’s unabashed, raw lyrics. I think it’s the realest form of hip-hop right now.”
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