Raekwon Pays Homage to ODB at SXSW [Video]

The Chef pays homage to the late Wu-Tang member while performing at SXSW (Props to RubyHornet)…

Former Jay-Z Business Partner Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

Kareem “Biggs” Burke, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, will be sentenced on May 18 and faces five to 40 years in prison
Kareem “Biggs” Burke, former business partner of Jay-Z and co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, has pled guilty to drug charges, reports NorthJersey.com.
Burke, who was allegedly part of a massive pot trafficking ring, spoke before U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain in Manhattan on Thursday (March 16) and pled guilty to a single count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.
As a result of the plea, the 38-year-old rap mogul, who helped launched the career of Jay-Z, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison when he returns to court on May 18. Under his plea agreement, Burke is also required to forfeit $660,000, his residence, $15,000 in cash that was seized from his home when he was arrested last year, and his 2010 BMW.
Burke was one of more than 50 people arrested in late 2010 for their connection to a marijuana trafficking ring that distributed drugs from South Florida to New York. The 18-month investigation, dubbed “Operation Green Venom,” was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from police agencies in New Jersey, New York, Florida, Maryland and North Carolina.
Authorities seized nearly $2 million and more than 260 pounds of marijuana during the bust. A raid on Burke’s residence in New Jersey reportedly produced the remains of a marijuana growing operation and $15,000 in cash.
Burke started Roc-A-Fella Records with Jay-Z and Damon Dash in the 1990s. The trio parted ways in 2004

The Top 10 Most Popular Hip Hop Singles The Week Of 3/12/2012

An MMG posse cut takes the crown, while Nas and Machine Gun Kelly jump in, plus Can'Ron, Obie Trice, and more.

There is no doubt about it; a lot of well-rounded singles dropped this week. It was a playground for the new jacks, veterans, and indie kings. However, it's also indicative of the fast turnaround for top singles. Take last week for example. Snoop Dogg sat at the top of the hill with his "Stoner's Anthem," Joell Ortiz came in second with "The Motto Freestyle," and J.Cole had "Visionz Of Home." While people like J.Cole, Wiz Khalifa, and Tyga still showed up for the party this week, there are many new faces. It's amazing what a difference a week makes.

Rick Ross Gets Another Round, Nas Is The Don, Both Play Doubles

Rick Ross was the winner this week with his MMG cut "Another Round Rmx." He's joined by Wale and Stalley, and the cut skyrocketed to the top of the list. So that hit at #1. Second place? Nas' "The Don." The Heavy D, Salaam Remi, and Da Internz-produced track leaked toward the end of the week, and within hours became one of the top tracks on the site. Both Rawse and Nas showed up as cameos too. At #6, Rick Ross jumps on Wiz Khalifa's "Never Been Part II" featuring Wiz's fiance Amber Rose. Did the track make the list because of Wiz, Rozay, or Rose? You decide. As for Nas, he's been quite the fixture on the list thanks to the Tyga track "Kings & Queens." Wale was on that one too and it shows up at #9 on the list. J.Cole closed the list out at #10 with "Grew Up Fast." While "Visionz Of Home" leaked after this track, the fans have spoken and they know which they liked best.

Machine Gun Kelly Has Alot of Friends, Cam'Ron Has a Message

There's no doubt about it. Machine Gun Kelly is a wild boy. He's so wild that he enlisted six friends for the remix to "Wild Boy" which hit the #3 spot this week. MGK brought out Steve-O, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Mystikal, French Montana, and Yo Gotti. That's alot of people. The Bad Boy young gun can stand on his own two when it comes to tracks, but it's always good to have some strong back up. Meanwhile, Cam'Ron has quite the profane message: "F**k You." While Cam gears for another round of Killa Season, this new track came out for Killa Cam fans. That one reached #5. In between was a Statik Selektah-produced snippet from Obie Trice. While Trice just dropped Watch the Chrome, the probable cause of such a successful snippet as "Richard" was the cameo from Eminem. Wait until this track surfaces in its entirety.

The Top 10 Most Popular Hip Hop Singles The Week Of 3/12/2012

1. Rick Ross, Wale, and Stalley - Another Round Remix
2. Nas - The Don
3. Machine Gun Kelly f. Steve-O, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Mystikal, French Montana, and Yo Gotti - Wild Boy Remix
4. Obie Trice f. Eminem - Richard (Snippet)
5. Cam'Ron - F**k You
6. Wiz Khalifa f. Amber Rose and Rick Ross - Never Been Part II
7. Hopsin - Hop Madness
8. Kid Cudi - The Ruler & The Killer
9. Tyga f. Nas and Wale - Kings & Queens
10. J.Cole - Grew Up Fast

Cash Money Records Sued For Not Paying Royalties

Cash Money Records is under fire for shady business dealings. Again.

Cash Money records is, once again, under fire for not paying royalties.
According to Courthouse News Service via Soul Culture, music giant EMI is suing Cash Money because the label simply ceased quarterly royalty payments they had agreed to make as part of a 2009 settlement between the parties.
Cash Money allegedly owes $491,000 in royalties for samples from EMI's catalog.

“Because Defendant has ignored numerous communications from EMI regarding Defendant’s contractual obligations, EMI once more is being forced to commence a lawsuit against Defendant to recover royalty payments,” the complaint states. “The sales of Defendant’s products have far exceeded the payments that EMI has received.”

“It is clear from Defendant’s conduct that it has no intention of honoring the Agreement,” the complaint continues

“Because Defendant has ignored numerous communications from EMI regarding Defendant’s contractual obligations, EMI once more is being forced to commence a lawsuit against Defendant to recover royalty payments,” states the complaint. “The sales of Defendant’s products have far exceeded the payments that EMI has received.”
“It is clear from Defendant’s conduct that it has no intention of honoring the Agreement.”
The turn of events is somewhat less than shocking, as the house that Slim and Birdman built has been a near-constant target for lawsuits over the past several years. Plaintiffs in previous cases have included Bangladesh, producer T-Mix, Done Deal Enterprises, producer David Kirkwood, Bridgeport Music, "Lollipop" producer Deezle, and many, many more. Also of note are high-profile controversies with Mannie Fresh and Wendy Day over money.

Lil Wayne Cited For Not Maintaining His Louisiana Mansion, On Sale For $1.7 Million

The Code Enforcement Department of Kenner, Louisiana, has cited Lil Wayne for not taking taking care of his yard work.

Lil Wayne has been cited for high grass and weeds at his 10,000 square-foot mansion by the Code Enforcement Department of Kenner, Louisiana.
According to nola.com, the rapper's mansion, which has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two half baths, is on sale for $1.7 million.
"It's an immaculate property," said listing agent Lincoy Moliere. "It's in great condition. It's going to make somebody very happy."
This isn't Wayne's first code violation. In 2007 and 2008, the city put liens totalling $3,635 against his property for previous citations for "grass, weeds, litter and stagnant pool."