In "I was hoping nobody was going to notice if I borrowed a few samples" news, a Houston jury found rapper Lil' Flip and Sony BMG Music Entertainment guilty of willful copyright infringement.
Say it ain't so EbenGregory.
It is so and unfortunately the jury verdict found that Suckafree Records, Lil' Flip, his manager Estelle Douglass Hobbs, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Columbia Records, Loud Records, Lucky Publishing and Hobbs Publishing willfully violated the copyrighted music of Tommy Granville, when the Defendants included it on Lil' Flip's platinum-selling CD, Undaground Legend.
See back in Nov. 2004, Lil' Flip (real name Wesley Eric Weston) was sued by songwriter and music producer Tommy L. Granville for alleged unauthorized use of three melodies on Flip's major label debut, Undaground Legend.
While the lawsuit sought $1.5 million in damages and an unspecified amount for alleged willful infringement, the Houston jury awarded Granville $150,000, the maximum statutory damages under the law. Magistrate Judge Stacy also fined Sony $12,000 for their failure to adhere to the court's orders to turn over financial documents.
Here's Tommy Granville's lawyer, Scott Hemingway, on the verdict: We're very pleased that the jury agreed that Tommy Granville's music was illegally taken by these Defendants. Sony is one of the world's biggest enforcers of its copyright rights and it files 1000's of copyright infringement lawsuits against Internet file-sharers to protect its rights. It is nice to see the jury tell Sony and the other Defendants that they should respect the copyrights of others the same way they want their own copyright rights respected.
Here's some jewelry being dropped by EbenGregory on Lil' Flip/Sony BMG Music being found guilty of copyright infringement: Don't tell your problems to people: 80% don't care and the other 20% are glad you have them. Two words: Game Over.
Some of you won't get that last line. Pun intended.
Click here to Watch EbenGregory - Lil' Flip/Sony BMG Music Found Guilty Of Copyright Infringement
In "I wonder if I can get some of this R&B money" news, Dr. Dre signed Marsha Ambrosius, one half of the Grammy-nominated duo Floetry, to a solo recording deal. Word on the street is the invitation to work with the rapper-producer came late last year, when Ambrosius and partner Natalie Stewart were performing two Floetry shows at The Roxy in Los Angeles.
The singer-songwriter says she is thrilled at the chance to work with Dre, who has only worked on a few projects in recent years. Though Dre is not exactly known for dabbling in Floetry's brand of neo-soul, Marsha has no doubt the alliance will work.
Here's Marsha Ambrosius to MTV on working with Dr. Dre: I'm absolutely ... I'm in shock. It shows all dreams are real. It's one of those situations where I'd be a fool to pass it up. The idea was posed to my manager and he said, 'The offer is laid out on the table. What do you want to do?' I figured [I'm] 28 years old, I came over to the U.S. [from the U.K.] on a whim that something might happen, I'm already three albums deep with Floetry. That's already made its mark and is something that will remain. I would genuinely be a fool not to do it. Anybody would. Who wouldn't? It's a lifetime opportunity. It's not like he offers to do an album with everybody.
You're absolutely right. He doesn't offer to do an album with just anybody, just ask Truth Hurts, Busta Rhymes or Eve.
Here's some jewelry being dropped by EbenGregory on Floetry's Marsha Ambrosius signing a solo recording deal to Aftermath: The trouble with resisting temptation is it may never come your way again. Maybe the Soundscan gods will smile upon you.
Click here to Watch EbenGregory - Floetry's Marsha Ambrosius Signs Solo Recording Deal
In "I'm gonna try the 50 Cent route and see if it translates into album sales" news, punk pop star PINK is eagerly anticipating the backlash over her new music video. Plus, she's vowed to personally tackle the angry stars she parodies - should they dare complain.
The music video for Stupid Girls sees the singer mercilessly ridicule stars including Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan and Jessica Simpson poking fun at their fame-hungry actions.
In the Dave Meyers-directed clip for "Stupid Girls," Pink's surrounded by superficiality, and includes references to Paris Hilton's sex tape, Jessica Simpson's music videos, Mary-Kate Olsen's boho shopping sprees and Lindsay Lohan's car crashes.
Here's Pink on making fun of Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan and Jessica Simpson in her new video Stupid Girls: As of Monday, when the video's out, I'm going to have to wear a bullet-proof vest. My PR has already got so many calls from a bunch of women who think I'm slating them, but I don't care. I grab the phone myself and I'm like. 'Yeah? What do you want? It's fun stirring it all up. I'm not afraid. I don't know Paris Hilton, but I know about her porno, ONE NIGHT IN PARIS.
Oh really?
I guess this is good publicity for your new album, I'm Not Dead, being released on April 4. Let me help you promote. Click here to see pictures of PINK making fun of Stupid Girls. And speaking of stupid.
Here's some jewelry being dropped by EbenGregory on PINK mercilessly ridiculing Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan and Jessica Simpson: No one can make you feel inferior without your consent, although I don't think this rule of thumb applies to the three stooges.
Click here to Watch EbenGregory - Pink Anticipates Backlash Over New Video
In "This is so silly, it really shouldn't be headline" news, R&B diva ASHANTI recently sought medical advice after her passion for high-heeled shoes began to cripple her feet.
Oh really Ashanti? What seems to be the problem?
The ONLY YOU hit-maker adores designer stilettos, but admits her love of the high life was affecting her ability to perform. Hmm, what did those stilettos do to your feet?
Here's Ashanti to Contact Music on the damage high heels caused her feet: I have two bones in my foot which are growing out of place from wearing pointy shoes. It really hurts, so my doctor made me custom moulds for my shoes. Your feet get damaged when you wear heels every day.
I wonder how your feet look without the boots.
On another note, Ashanti recently performed at Detroit's prom - an annual black-tie charity gala that counted Aretha Franklin and Steve Harvey among its 17,000 guests (most of whom paid $400 per ticket for the privilege of mingling amid the latest concept cars). The North American International Auto Show raised $6.8 million for 11 Detroit-based nonprofit organizations, including children's charities, education funds and police athletic leagues.
Here's some jewelry being dropped by EbenGregory on Ashanti's feet being damaged by high heels: Cheap shoes are nothing more than new wine in old skin. My feet, my feet!
Even Ashanti thought that was funny. Speaking of funny, check out this picture of a buff and oily Kanye West with his shirt off. Can you say air-brush?
Click here to Watch EbenGregory - Ashanti's Feet Damaged By High Heels
In "I'm trying to make a little movie production money on the low because at this point in my career, I'm tired of dealing with the paparazzi" news, J.Lo's company, Nuyorican Productions, has joined forces with Sony BMG to produce the film Reggaeton.
Reggaeton tells the story of 21-year-old, South Bronx-bred Rob, who believes his dreams of becoming a hip hop star will be dashed when he is forced to move to Puerto Rico. Oh really J.Lo? Talk to me about the script a little more, it sounds like it's a blockbuster.
Here's Jenny from Da Block on the new film she's producing with Sony BMG: This script is a perfect fit for us because not only is it a compelling story with great characters, but it also combines two elements that are very close to my heart - music and Puerto Rico.
Written by Albert Leon, Reggaeton will be the first feature film by Sony BMG Film and will be co-produced by J.Lo and Simon Fields on the Nuyorican side and Sondervan on the Sony BMG end. The film will shoot on location in New York and Puerto Rico and production is expected to begin in Spring 2006.
From the looks of the paparazzi picture above, this project must be stressing you something terrible. Just don't go back to doing this, this and this. By the way.
Here's some jewelry being dropped by EbenGregory on J.Lo producing a Reggaeton film: Luck and glass break easily, besides, lies walk on short legs. Figure it out.
Click here to Watch EbenGregory - J.Lo To Produce Reggaeton Film
In "Just when we thought our ticket was being punched" news, the Memphis twins (Terrell and Derrell Brittenum) from American Idol are wanted on identity-theft charges. Plus, they won't be returning to the FOX show according to their lawyer. As if.
The two 28-year-olds stand accused of using another man's identity to buy a 2005 Dodge Magnum in June. But both brothers refused extradition to Georgia, which led to further arrest warrants. I hear Terrell's been in the bing since Jan. 10 on an outstanding warrant for charges related to the illegal purchase of a car in Rockdale County, Ga., east of Atlanta.
What a sad turn of events. Another case of three steps up, four steps down.
Here's the other thing: Both twins have previous arrest jackets. Terrell previously was arrested for a traffic violation and a charge of disorderly conduct, for which he paid a $50 fine. Derrell was arrested in 1998 on charges of theft over $500 and in 2000 for contempt of court and passing bad checks, court records show.
Here's the twin's attorney Maurice Bennet on why the twins won't be back on American Idol: It was an amicable breakup. The guys understood why. It's amazing how these things work.
What?
Here's Fox Networks on why the twins won't be back on American Idol: No comment.
Here's some jewelry being dropped by EbenGregory on the Brittenum twins getting the soft shoe from American Idol front office: Isn't it surprising how many things, if not said immediately, seem not worth saying 10 minutes from now?
I as a member of the prestigious NAFAO Society; I have a fiduciary duty to reveal the facts. The Jewelry Man is all knowing.
Click here to Watch EbenGregory - American Idol Twins Wanted On Identity-Theft Charges
In "More here's my 2 cents" news, Curtis "Interscope' Jackson has weighed in on Nas signing to Def Jam. Let him tell it, the Queensbridge Cookie Monster can't believe Nas signed on the dotted line of the label run by Jay Z.
Here's 50 Cent to Juize.FM on Nas signing to Def Jam: I don't understand that. To be honest with you, I think Nas won the battle and lost the war cause now he's signed to Jay-Z. What [it] tells any hip-hop artist or anybody that's involved that enjoys the music [is] that they gotta stay involved in the business end also. Creatively Nas did a good job with "Ether" and then cause he wasn't handling his business, he gotta go work with Jay-Z. I can't understand because Jay-Z slept with his baby's mother. It's a difference between writing a punchline, disliking an artist from afar, being competitive and writing lines to say something about it and going as far as running into this artist's daughter's mother and having sex with her. For the rest of his life, every time he looks at his daughter, his daughter is a product of the relationship between Nas and Carmen. Now when he looks at her face, he has to see Jay-Z.
Oh really 50 Cent?
Speaking of making bad business decisions, Mobb Deep recently talked to MTV about their new lease on life and what it's like to be on G-Unit.
Here's Mobb Deep to MTV on signing to G-Unit: It made me feel good 'cause people is talking. Now they waiting to hear what we coming with. If they thought that [we'd sound different], it's not gonna be that. It's gonna be the Mobb. When we was having the meetings with Fif initially [about signing to G-Unit], he was like, 'Just do what y'all do and I'll do what I do,' as far as the marketing and promotion, getting us into the spotlight. He never tried to change us. We never worried about trying to change to fit our new team. That would have never happened. Even before we signed, when [our signing was just] up in the air, he sent us two tracks, which happened to be 'Outta Control' and the other one was 'A Party.' We knocked those out. It was an ill feeling, 'cause we hadn't signed yet and he sent us songs and we was bangin' them out.
I know that's right. I'd be feeling ill to if 50 sent me two new Porsches as soon as the ink dried on my contract like he did for you two. I just don't understand why Prodigy has the words "G-Unit" tattooed on his right hand and 50 has "Mobb Deep" tatted on his wrist. What's that all about?
Looking for some jewelry? Keep looking cause the Jewelry Man has left the building.
Ah, what the h*ll.
Here's some jewelry being dropped by EbenGregory on 50 Cent weighing in on Nas signing to Def Jam: Nothing brings people together more than mutual hatred, love is as love does. Remember, 50 will do you like Jay did Mobb Deep.
Click here to Watch EbenGregory - 50 Cent Talks Nas and Mobb Deep
In "I'm mad" news, Benzino speaks publicly for the first time since being ousted from The Source magazine. And boy did he have a lot to say. In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop.com, Benzino touches on everything from "Coming back to The Source on a f*cking horse" to "Funk Master Flex slipping on a banana peel." Please excuse Benzino as he digresses.
Here's Benzino to AllHipHop.com on coming back to The Source on a f*cking horse: I'm just saying you got a situation where you got a whole bunch of people trying to basically give their, I mean it's a situation where Black Enterprises is a [company of] Black uppity-ass n***as, okay? Who don't know about Hip-Hop, you got a whole culture of these writers or these people just stay in the f**king house don't even know what it is to be in f**king society as a f**king normal human being. Who basically just want to see me and Dave [Mays] fall. Like this Jeremy Miller, that's like Dave's "son," just like Elliott Wilson [of XXL magazine] and Mimi [Valdes of VIBE magazine], they all came up through The Source magazine. But, guess what, I'm coming back, yo. I'm coming back and I might come back on a f**king horse.
Here's Benzino to AllHipHop.com on nothing in particular: I put my first record out in 1987, 88, you know. I was on the cover holding a gun with a f**king Adidas sweatsuit with some Cazals on, cuz. I had a hit record with "Rock The Party. I been on Motown Records, I been across the country performing, cuz. I done f**ked some of the baddest b**ches in the industry, cuz.
Here's Benzino to AllHipHop.com on his relationship with Trina: Let me tell you something. That's like Trina's cool, I got nothing bad to say about Trina, but that's just one of them. So it, cuz, it's nothing. And Trina can still f**k with anybody and give n***as time and converse with anybody. I don't put myself over people.
Here's Benzino to AllHipHop.com on Funk Master Flex slipping on a banana peel: Funk Master Flex is responsible for making New York a special city that birthed Hip-Hop to just another city that is just playing everything from Down South or Mid-West now. So he can say what he wants behind those heavily guarded walls. There's a lot of banana peels out there, homey. Lot of banana peels, yo. I hope Ashton doesn't slip on one. And, if he's so hot, why did his album come out and only do 11,000 in the first week? And the car shows are starting to get wack. What does he have now?
Whew, Zino's got a lot on his mind. And that's only the half of it. Check out the rest of his verbal tirade here.
I would drop some jewelry but I'm out of the second hand stuff and nobody wants fugazi. So I'll holla.
Click here to Watch EbenGregory - Benzino Vows To Reclaim The Source Magazine
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