Jay Z Master Recordings Extortion Plot Investigated

Jay Z and a collection of some of his master recordings are in the middle of an extortion investigation. The masters were recorded between 1998 and 2002 are valued somewhere between fifteen and twenty million dollars. The police have already taken possession of the tapes which led to the extortion investigation. A producer named Chauncey Mahan is somehow connected and was questioned by police this past weekend.

As the story goes, Jay-Z and other artists who were signed to Roc-A-Fella Records recorded tons and tons of master recordings in the four year span. The masters went missing some time in 2002 which around the same time Mahan stopped working with the label. However, when the masters went missing everyone assumed they were lost and never thought they were stolen.

In present times, the producer Chauncey Mahan had several of the master recordings in a storage facility in Northridge, California. Mahan supposedly got in contact with Live Nation–Jay Z’s partner in Roc Nation– and told them he would put the tapes up for auction or give Live Nation the tapes for a hundred thousand dollar “storage fee.” Mahan was eventually talked down to $75,000.

Chauncey Mahan went to the storage facility to close the deal with Jay’s people, but they had called the authorities. When the LAPD showed up to the storage facility, Mahan was detained and agreed to head to the police station for questioning. Mahan also allowed the police to place the tapes in  their possession until true ownership could be determined.

Chauncey Mahan was not officially arrested. The Beverly Hills police are investigating the alleged extortion plot because rthat’s where Live Nation is based. Back in New York City, Jay Z’s camp has filed a grand larceny complaint and the NYPD is opening an investigation.

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Love & Hip Hop LA Cast Finally Officially Announced

The new cast of the next city to take part in the Mona Scott Young/VH1  Love & Hip Hop franchise has finally been announced.

We knew Teairra Marí and Princess Love were on the show because we heard they’ve already gotten into a fight over Ray J on the very first day of filming!

But for those who are not familiar with the cast and their relationships with one another,  let us break it down for you!

Ray-J: Brandy’s Brother, Actor/R&B singer

Teairra Marí: (Ray-J’s ex girlfriend)

Princess Love: (Ray-J’s current girlfriend)

Morgan Hardman (Ray-J’s assistant)

Omarion: Former B2K boyband singer/ sort of actor (we guess)

Apryl Jones :(Omarion’s baby mama)

Yung Berg: Rapper

Yesi Ortiz (Power 106 DJ)

Miss Joie (Bow Wow’s baby mama)

wow!

Mike Epps Allegedly Punches Comedienne Simone Shepherd in the Face at Movie Premiere

Mike Epps allegedly punched a woman and threw a drink in her face after she got into a heated altercation with Mike’s wife.

TMZ reports:

The incident occurred at the after-party at Lucky Strike in Downtown L.A. — law enforcement sources tell TMZ, the woman claimed she had a prior romantic relationship with Epps … and wanted to confront him about something.

According to law enforcement sources, the woman told police Epps then punched her in the face. She called cops and filed a report, but cops say there was zero sign of injury on the woman. Epps also told police he never touched her.

Sources close to Epps insist the woman was nothing more than a fan — we’re told the actor had asked for privacy because he was with his wife … and the woman allegedly grew belligerent, throwing a drink at both of them. We’re told Epps then asked security to escort her out of the party.

Law enforcement sources tell us, the case has been referred to the domestic violence division because the alleged victim claims she had a prior relationship with Epps. The investigation is ongoing.

As it turns out, the woman is comedienne Simone Shepherd and she has photo evidence of her injury.  Do I see a lawsuit coming????

REALLY??!! Stores Running Out Of Shower Rods Thanks To MiMi Faust Video

According to TMZ, the demand is going through the roof for gymnastics-strength shower rods. Thanks to “Love & Hip Hop” star MiMi Faust‘s sex tape antics, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, and Walmart are all reportedly struggling to keep up their supplies as a result!

TMZ called employees at each of the major retailers (from Georgia to Cali) and all the stores have said the same thing. It seems ever since the trailer for Mimi’s sex tape came out, people have been racing to purchase their own super-strong shower rods to recreate the porno scene.

Supplies are supposedly running out! A customer at one Home Depot in Georgia told TMZ, they were totally sold out of Mimi-strength shower rods.

And how bout this, there is even an actual Twitter search for “Mimi shower rod” which shows an endless list of people trying to get their hands on one. But even worse, there’s also a Twitter account dedicated to it (@MimiShowerRod).

And just when you thought it couldn’t get worse than that… Vine videos both the simulation and parody variety have started to rear their ugly heads now too. 

Prettiest Mugshot Ever!

Porsha turned herself in to the Atlanta authorities and was charged with misdemeanor battery. She was released after posting a $2,000 bond.

But her mugshot was gorg....yaass!!!!

OH LAWD!!!! Columbus Short’s Wife Files for Restraining Order After He Allegedly Threatened Murder-Suicide

According to reports, Columbus Short has been thrown out of his house and his wife has filed for a restraining order after he allegedly put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill both her and himself.

According to a new restraining order — obtained by TMZ — Short got into it with his wife April 7 at their Chatsworth home, where she claims he came into her room intoxicated with a wine bottle in hand, acted like he was going to hit her with the bottle and then unloaded the wine on her.

Tuere Short claims Columbus then ran to the kitchen for a knife, pinned her to the couch and began choking her.  She says he then demanded they play a game he called “Truth or Truth.”  He allegedly said if she lied he would stab her in the leg.

She says he then started naming men he believed she was having affairs with.  She denied them all but he allegedly then put the knife to her throat and threatened murder/suicide.  As she tried escaping she says he slashed her tire.

The restraining order requires Columbus to move out of the house.  We’ve learned cops were there today to ensure the peace as he moved out.  

Tuere also filed for divorce Tuesday, citing irreconcilable differences and asking for sole custody of their 2-year-old daughter.  

In addition to the incident April 7th, Short has been charged with criminal domestic violence and child abuse for allegedly abusing Tuere while their child and his son were in the house.  He pled not guilty.  And he was arrested for yet another alleged domestic violence incident a few weeks earlier.

Columbus better get it together he has an amazing role on television!  Don't mess that up Columbus!!

Great News!!! Kanye & Common Team Up To Bring 20,000 Jobs To Chicago!

They put on for their city! Rappers and Chicago natives, Kanye West and Common have joined forces to bring over 20,000 jobs to their hometown.

Common recently announced during a press conference that his Common Ground Foundation will be working with Kanye West’s Donda’s House, Inc. and the Chicago Urban League in an initiative to bring employment opportunities through The Chicago Youth Jobs Collaborative. 92 percent of the Black youth in Chicago is unemployed, which means that many of these kids are on the streets. And we’ve all read the gruesome headlines about Chicago’s cruel streets. But what’s worse is Chicago has become the center of the national gun debate, and the city’s youth has taken the hardest hit from gun violence.

In the first eight weeks of 2013, there were 52 homicides, with 15 victims between the ages of 13 and 19, according to a RedEye analysis of preliminary crime data.

Common told Poppin Lines, “Obviously, one of the biggest reasons our kids are going through what they’re going through is because of poverty. I was doing an event in the neighborhood and there were some kids from Englewood and I said, ‘Man, what do y’all really need? What’s gonna stop this?’ And they were like, ‘We need money. Man, if we could work.’ They want a chance.”

And it’s a beautiful thing that Common and Kanye will be giving them this chance. Not only will this initiative bring long-term jobs to the youth of Chicago, but it will also bring a music festival that will act as a yearly fundraiser to raise money for the jobs and other programs. It will be held on September 20-21 behind the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park.

“It’s one thing to provide summer jobs for these kids, but we’re trying to provide year-round jobs,” saidAndrea Zopp, CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “We’ve had hearings and the kids have told us that they need jobs year-round.”

Isn’t it wonderful to see stars like Kanye and Common raising awareness to current social issues, like education and poverty?

Uh Oh!!! T.I. Buys New Bachelor Pad in Atlanta

The "Hip Hop Huxtables" are in Rumor Mill again...Today, TMZ reports that T.I. has purchased a new home right by his studio so that he doesn’t have to drive home after long nights of recording.

“Atlanta sources tell TMZ … Tip just leased a 4 BR, European estate in the exclusive Buckhead neighborhood — even though he and his wife Tiny already have a house in A-Town. We’re told … the rapper’s real estate motivation is simple. The place is just two minutes from his studio — erasing his usual 40 minute drive home after a night of recording.”

The site also goes on to say that there is a pool, entertainment area, and outdoor kitchen which – let’s be honest – will probably all service for a little more than a crash pad.

This sounds all too familiar, as it didn’t take long for Bruce and Kris Jenner to formally announce their separation after the Olympic gold medalist moved out and got comfy in a new Malibu spot.

We hope T.I. and Tiny and their adorable family are ok....?

Lamar Odom Reportedly Set To Sign With The NY Knicks This Week....

Lamar Odom is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.....we hope!

Despite being in the middle of a divorce with wife Khloe Kardashian and spending much of the last year battling addiction, 

Lamar is reportedly back healthy and on track to sign with the New York Knicks.

via ESPN

Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks are progressing toward a deal to sign veteran free agent Lamar Odom before the NBA regular season ends Wednesday, according to sources briefed on the situation.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Knicks are on course, barring an unforeseen snag, to formally sign Odom this week in a move that would put him on their roster immediately and, more importantly, include an unguaranteed second year for next season.
Structuring the deal this way, after a tumultuous 12 months for one of Jackson’s favorite players when they worked together with the Los Angeles Lakers, would give the Knicks two months before free agency begins July 1 to get the 34-year-old into their program and start working with him.
The Knicks, sources say, would want to use the extra time to see if they can get Odom to the point, physically and mentally, where the talented but enigmatic lefty is worthy of a roster spot next season.
Still recovering from a back injury that curtailed his recent stint in the Spanish League after just two games, Odom is not believed to be healthy enough to play in the Knicks’ season finale Wednesday night in Toronto even if he signs Wednesday.

Hopefully Lamar can make this work!

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Beyoncé & Jay Z to Go On Tour Together This Summer

Get your coin ready! Beyoncé and Jay Z are going on tour together this Summer.

Today Page Six has confirmed the news.

Sources exclusively tell Page Six that hip hop’s royal couple plans to announce a 20-stadium US tour that will start in late June — and that it’s possible the couple could perform in New York on July 4.

The two recently wrapped individual tours that supported their latest albums: Jay closed out 52 dates for his “Magna Carta…Holy Grail” in January, while Bey wrapped her “Mrs. Carter Show” tour in March.

The couple has performed their hit single, “Drunk in Love,” together at a string of high-profile shows, including this year’s Grammy Awards, a DirecTV Super Bowl party and Beyoncé’s O2 Arena gig in London on Feb. 28.

Are you ready???