Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
(Video) Living Proof With Sway Part 3
"In the third and final installment of Al Lindstrom’s feature with Sway, Mr. Calloway speaks on his relationship with Saigon and singer Tyrese." - Amaya
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Two boys, ages 9 & 7, rape a 2 yr. old toddler
MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Reuters) - Two Memphis boys, aged 7 and 9, alleged to have raped a 2-year-old girl last August were placed in protective custody on Monday.
Shelby County Juvenile Court Magistrate Dan Michael turned the boys over to the state's Department of Children's Services after the prosecution asked that they be put in custody for treatment rather than punishment.
The boys' attorneys, James Sanders and Samuel Jones, had both asked that the boys be allowed to receive rehabilitative services from the state while in their own homes.
Sanders, who represents the 9-year-old, said there were "clearly no winners" in the situation.
"You've got a victim who certainly is going to probably bear the scars of this incident for years to come," he said.
"And you've got two young, alleged perpetrators who are going to have to carry the burden of this offense with them for years to come. And you've got a family structure that is at least disrupted from this point on."
Jones, who represents the 7-year-old, said that it was "an emotional day for the families" and he didn't dispute the ruling. "I have high respect for the judge and this is a very tough case for everybody," Jones said.
(Writing and reporting by Tim Ghianni; With additional reporting by Richard Cotton in Memphis; Editing by Mary Wisniewski and Peter Bohan)
Is Apple Delaying the Release of iPhone 5?
Apple could be delaying the release of its unannounced generation iPhone from its typical summer debut to sometime in the fall due to the Verizon iPhone 4.
For the last four years, Apple has released a new version of the iPhone in June or July. And for the last three years, Apple has unveiled the phone at its Wordwide Developers Conference (WWDC), held sometime in June each year.
Earlier today, Apple announced the dates for the next WWDC. The announcement was unusual though. Apple’s SVP of marketing didn’t say anything about new hardware; in fact, it was all about software. “At this year’s conference we are going to unveil the future of iOS and Mac OS,” he said in the company’s press release, making it sound as if a new iPhone wasn’t high on the company’s agenda for WWDC.
The Loop chimed in, claiming it has heard that WWDC will be “a software show in 2011, not a hardware event.” Adding fuel to the fire is a new report that claims Apple has yet to order components for the iPhone 5. Apple typically orders the parts for its phones six months in advance, so if this rumor is true, then Apple won’t have enough time to assemble enough iPhones for a June or July 2011 release, even if it started ordering parts tomorrow.
Instead, Apple may wait until September or October to release the iPhone 5, after its 2012 fiscal year begins. Apple’s current fiscal year ends on September 24. The upcoming smartphone is rumored to include a a bigger screen and better cameras and could feature NFC chip technology and a metal back.
The reason Apple may be waiting to launch the iPhone 5 could be the Verizon iPhone 4, which it announced in January and launched in February. The CDMA-version of the iPhone has given Apple more than 100 million potential customers, so the company could be avoiding a scenario where it shoots itself in the foot by releasing a new iPhone too early.
By delaying the iPhone 5′s launch, Apple can focus on acquiring new CDMA customers. A delayed release would also give Mas OS X Lion a more prominent role at this year’s WWDC.
Amazon Cloud Player: Play Your Music From Anywhere
Amazon has just entered the streaming music business with the launch of Cloud Player, a music player that lets anyone upload their music to Amazon’s servers and play them via the web or Android.
The new Cloud Player service adds a new “Save to Amazon Cloud Drive” button for saving MP3s to the cloud, as well as an option to upload music from a hard drive to a user’s Cloud Drive. Users are given 5 GB of free storage but can get 20 GB if they purchase an album through Amazon. It’s $1 per GB after that.
Cloud Player comes in two flavors: an app for the web and an Android app counterpart. Both players allow users to upload their music, create playlists and organize their music. And because it’s a cloud-based platform, users can access their music and settings from any compatible computer or Android device.
The most comparable service to Cloud Drive is probably Grooveshark, which also lets you upload your music, though Amazon has several major advantages in its MP3 store, its longstanding payment system and its stronger brand recognition.
Google and Apple have been rumored to be hard at work on their own cloud-based players, but it looks like Amazon beat them to the punch. Amazon’s Cloud Player will certainly face stiff competition when Google and Apple launch their own streaming music services, especially given Google’s control over Android and Apple’s control over iPhone and iTunes.
WorldStarHipHop EXPOSED: The Truth Behind The Controversial Site
Tuesday nights are cracking at Greenhouse, a club on the west side of lower Manhattan. The establishment was featured in Fabolous’ video for “Lights Out,” and this evening patrons re-create the ambiance. Beneath a sea of crystalline rods that hang from the ceiling, a swarm of rappers, athletes, hustlers and hot girls toast Rosé and bounce to DJ Clue’s sound selections. Of course Fabolous is there, along with players from the Memphis Grizzlies, New York Giants and New York Jets. Then there are the others blending in among the highfliers, the people who lurk in the shadows of celebrity. Characters like Lee “Q” O’Denat, the man behind controversial video site WorldStarHipHop.com, has two tables stocked with champagne, Patrón and women. When an argument between two girls breaks out nearby, Q’s bodyguard leaps in the way, while Q parties on, unfazed. Later in the evening, a member of the G-Unit camp—a tough-looking customer with gold teeth and an impassive face—whispers in Q’s ear. When the G-Unit soldier departs, Q recounts the conversation. “He wanted me to come by the G-Unit office,” he says with an incredulous laugh. “Fuck that! We’ll meet at a Starbucks or something.”
Q has a good reason to proceed with caution. Tension between 50 Cent and Q had been simmering since the previous day. After WorldStarHipHop (commonly referred to as WorldStar) had gone temporarily offline, 50 Cent claimed responsibility on Twitter. “I put Worldstar to bed, you don’t believe try me I will shut your shit down,” he wrote. It seemed plausible, since 50 had sued Q for trademark infringement in 2009 (Q believes the lawsuit was retribution for posting Rick Ross’ diss songs against 50 Cent). The news burned across the Web like a brush fire, and both World Star and 50’s Web site ThisIs50 became trending topics on Twitter. A few hours later, Angie Martinez, of New York’s Hot 97, interviewed 50 Cent on-air. He played it coy, neglecting to say World Star’s issues were specifically his handiwork. Eventually, Q was patched into the conversation, and 50 snapped into attack mode: “I should black ya eye,” he snarled. “Tell ’em how you were on my tour bus in 2003, you punk! And you created a area where everybody could try to hate on me!” Q stammered to get out a word, but was mostly quiet.
In truth, 50 Cent had nothing to do with World Star’s technical difficulties. The real culprit was an Internet video creator who calls himself IShatOnU. After WorldStar refused to add attribution to one of his videos, which showed ChatRoulette reactions to a faked suicide, IShatOnU filed a copyright complaint with the site’s server, a complaint Q says he never received. When WorldStar neglected to remove the offending video, the server took action. Some furious fans learned IShatOnU’s identity, and bombarded him with threatening e-mails and phone calls. One wrote, “Y da fuk u took down worldstar for? If I knew where you lived id murk u.” Another read, “Snich ass white faggot. fuck you in your fat face.” IShatOnU says it was only bored kids lashing out, but takes exception to World Star’s policies. “It’s a grimy site, man,” he says via phone from Chicago. “They’re making a shitload of money off other motherfuckers without compensation.”
To be sure, World Star’s poaching of content is not unique: The Huffington Post, a Web site purchased in February by AOL for $315 million, has faced similar criticism for its use of aggregating content. But Q’s approach is notably brazen. When a video goes up, it’s plastered with the WSHH logo, shoehorned into a media player and stripped of links to the source. Eric and Jeff Rosenthal, brothers who create online comedy sketches to ItsTheReal.com, have seen several of their videos uploaded to World Star without credit. The only identifying text on the video read “Courtesy of Mahad,” a World Star employee. “I don’t know who Mahad is or what he does, but I do know that he’s not a Rosenthal,” says Jeff in an e-mail. “World Star absolutely violates rules of Internet connectivity.”
According to Q, his strategy pays off with “roughly” 2 million unique visitors a day. Alexa, a Web analytics company, ranks the site 225th in site traffic in the United States and the 900th in the world. By comparison, MTV.com notches 222nd and Travelocity.com at 232nd. Alexa says World Star’s visitors tend to be Black males under the age of 35 who are “moderately educated.” As a result of all this activity, Q says the site is valued “in the millions.”
Monday, March 28, 2011
New LP: Big K.R.I.T "ReturnOf4Eva"
1. Dreamin (clean version)
2. Dreamin (dirty version)
3. American Rapstar (clean version)
4. American Rapstar (dirty version)
5. R4 Intro
6. Rise and Shine
7. R4 Theme Song
8. Dreamin’
9. Rotation
10. My Sub
11. Sookie Now (feat. David Banner)
12. American Rapstar
13. Highs & Lows
14. Shake It (feat. Joi)
15. Made Alot (feat. BIg Sant)
16. Lions and Lambs
17. King’s Blues
18. Time Machine (feat. Chamillionaire)
19. Get Right
20. Amtrak
21. Players Ballad (feat. Raheem Devaughn)
22. Another Naive Individual Glorifying Greed and Ecouraging Racism
23. Free My Soul
24. The Vent
Paris Hilton Interviews Lil Wayne
Lil WAYNE
TITLES ARE TITLES, AND NAMES ARE NAMES. AS LONG AS PEOPLE REMEMBER ME FOREVER, THAT WILL BE ENOUGH FOR ME.—LIL WAYNE
DIMITRI EHRLICH: How are you guys doing? This is Dimitri. You can just let the interview roll if you want, Paris, but I have one question for both of you to start. Paris, you first: When did you first meet Wayne or what was your first thought about him?
PARIS HILTON: I actually met him when he had a Grammy party in L.A. They called me to host it, and I met him there. But I always thought he was such an incredible artist and so talented. He really has this charisma. When he walks into a room, he just has this power that's exciting to be around.
EHRLICH: And what about you, Wayne? What was your first memory of meeting Paris?
LIL WAYNE: That was the first time-at that same party. I remember meeting her, and then I think it was, like, 10 minutes later, I looked up and she was deejaying. She was at the dance, she had the mic. It was really nice. She has fun, and I like that. I like people that enjoy life, 'cause I do the same.
HILTON: So what do you like to be called, Wayne or Lil Wayne?
WAYNE: Actually, Wayne is better.
HILTON: I know that you grew up in New Orleans. Did you always know you were going to be a rapper?
WAYNE: I starting rapping when I was 8 years old, so I think when you're into something at such a young age like that . . . I mean, nobody in the world could have told me I wasn't gonna be a rapper. So, yeah, I always knew I was gonna be one.
EHRLICH: Who did you look up to when you were 8 years old? Who inspired you to want to be a rapper?
WAYNE: The guys I'm with right now, Cash Money Records. They were pretty big locally in New Orleans and so I always just looked up to them. I mean, they were Cash Money Records way before everybody knew their name, and what I mean by that is that the power they have now, they had then, but just locally in the city. So they were always big. I listened to all their music. That's probably why I wanted to be with them.
HILTON: And now you're being called the new king of hip-hop. What do you think of that? Is it something that's hard to live up to? Or is it exciting to have people say that?
WAYNE: It's very exciting. I love pressure, so I guess if that brings forth pressure, then I'm up for it. But, you know, titles are titles, and names are names. As long as people remember me forever, that will be enough for me.
HILTON: Do you ever read your own press, or google yourself?
WAYNE: Um, never. I don't think I've ever googled myself. [laughs] But I do read some things that . . . I mean, if I know that I was with an interviewer and I kind of figure that he or she got something bad or something good from the interview, then I'll read the piece when it comes out. But other than that, I'd have to have a reason to read it-and, usually, I don't have a reason. So, no, I don't really read too much, because I know you know that they word things the way they want to word them when they put it on paper.
HILTON: What's the most bizarre thing that you've ever read about yourself?
WAYNE: The most bizarre thing I've ever read about myself is that I was dead. That was kind of weird to read that I'm dead-mostly because I was reading it. [both laugh]
HILTON: I read that about myself once, too. It's pretty bizarre. So what about paparazzi? Have they ever tried to get aggressive with you? Has there ever been an incident where one of them just set you off?
WAYNE: Because I don't live in L.A., there's not a lot of that. But when I've gone to L.A. and been in the hotel or wherever, I've seen how serious the paparazzi is out there-like, they park across the street from the hotel and as soon as you walk out the front door, they jump out and start snapping. I live in Miami, so I really don't have to deal with that on the same level. The only time I ever really witnessed some crazy paparazzi was during my court experiences. Every time I rode up to court, as soon as I jumped out of the truck, they were there to snap, and all in our way to where we couldn't walk. It's nowhere near like that around here. But maybe I'm just not that caliber of person that they want to take pictures of me like that. [laughs]
EHRLICH: So you're saying that you don't get that hassled by paparazzi in Miami?
WAYNE: Well, obviously sometimes, because I go out. There's this thing out here that publishes pictures of people out and about. So when I go out, I do see pictures of myself. I don't know where those pictures come from-I mean, I don't see the cameras. But I guess I'm just not looking for them.
HILTON: What's your favorite club in Miami?
WAYNE: My favorite club in Miami is a club called LIV. It's in the Fontainebleau Hotel.
HILTON: Oh, I love that club.
WAYNE: Mm-hmm.
[Video] The Daily Ticker: Jay-Z's Business Empire
"On the Yahoo series The Daily Ticker, author Zack O’Malley Greenburg, speaks on Jay-Z transitioning from the street corner to the corner office. Zack’s book on the matter, Empire State Of Mind is out now. B. Dot recommends it." - Amaya
(Video) Nate Dogg Remembered At DUB Show
Nate Dogg and Eazy-E’s legacies lived on last night at the 2011 DUB car show at the L.A. Convention Center. Guests included Game, Lupe Fiasco, Layzie Bone, Don Magic Juan, and DJ Quik, who introduced Nate’s son, Nigel for a performance of “Regulate”. - Big Homie
The Best Places to Vacation in April
April is a great time to plan a vacation – in many locations, the weather is mild if not warm, and it isn't yet peak season, so big crowds and high prices are easy to avoid. For some lucky travelers, spring break or the Good Friday/Easter holiday even allows for some real time off to take a trip. But while those occasions do provide the vacation days, it's important to consider that Easter (especially in predominately Catholic countries) can have a big impact on crowds, costs, and travel plans.
So where should you go during the fourth month of the year? Here's our roundup of some of the best places to visit in April:
So where should you go during the fourth month of the year? Here's our roundup of some of the best places to visit in April:
Spain
Spain has a wide range of terrain and climates, but it's safe to say that the weather in April is lovely throughout the country, before summer really brings the heat. Average temperatures on the southern coast in Barcelona or Seville are in the 60s and 70s, and in Madrid, April gives lots of sunshine and daily highs in the 60s. Pack a light jacket, because evening temperatures can get chilly. Note also that the northern end of Spain does get some wet weather in April. Regardless, travelers won't be lacking in things to do: From visiting any of the number of top tier museums in Spain, to experiencing the rich historical and cultural sites, or just enjoying some wine and tapas at a cafe (a Jamón serrano and Queso Manchego plate is a must). Check our Madridand Barcelona city guides for even more suggestions, and beware of crowd surges, higher prices and businesses staying closed around Easter.
Stay: In Barcelona, book a room at AOL Travel favorite Hotel Soho, where rates start at $170 a night. Madrid offers its fair share of deals as well: Rooms at the luxurious Hotel de las Letras in Puerta del Sol are about $160 a night, and a stay at the chic ME Madrid Reina Victoria at Plaza de Santa Ana runs around $170 a night.
Madrid Travel Deals | Barcelona Travel Deals | Seville Travel Deals
Spain has a wide range of terrain and climates, but it's safe to say that the weather in April is lovely throughout the country, before summer really brings the heat. Average temperatures on the southern coast in Barcelona or Seville are in the 60s and 70s, and in Madrid, April gives lots of sunshine and daily highs in the 60s. Pack a light jacket, because evening temperatures can get chilly. Note also that the northern end of Spain does get some wet weather in April. Regardless, travelers won't be lacking in things to do: From visiting any of the number of top tier museums in Spain, to experiencing the rich historical and cultural sites, or just enjoying some wine and tapas at a cafe (a Jamón serrano and Queso Manchego plate is a must). Check our Madridand Barcelona city guides for even more suggestions, and beware of crowd surges, higher prices and businesses staying closed around Easter.
Stay: In Barcelona, book a room at AOL Travel favorite Hotel Soho, where rates start at $170 a night. Madrid offers its fair share of deals as well: Rooms at the luxurious Hotel de las Letras in Puerta del Sol are about $160 a night, and a stay at the chic ME Madrid Reina Victoria at Plaza de Santa Ana runs around $170 a night.
Madrid Travel Deals | Barcelona Travel Deals | Seville Travel Deals
Jamaica
The Caribbean is a wonderful April destination. Although mid-spring isn't yet low season for popular resorts and towns in Jamaica, cheaper flights and stays are possible. June through November means hurricane season, so hitting Jamaica while it's warm and sunny (but not yet muggy) makes April a good time to travel down. Fans of water sports – especially snorkeling and scuba diving – will also find the water warm and clear, and it's easy to find time for a trip to Dunn's River Falls or to explore the beauty of the Blue Mountains. Bacchanal Jamaica, the island's Carnival, runs through April, and is chock full of steel drums, festive parades, dancing, competitions and a whirlwind of island spirit.
Stay: Rates at the mountaintop Strawberry Hill/Island Outpost luxury resort outside of Kingston start at $230 a night. Or indulge in some beachfront ease by booking at one of Jamaica's prime all-inclusives, like the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach in Montego Bay ($345 a night) or Breezes Grand Resort & Spa in Negril (starting at $480 a night).
Montego Bay Travel Deals | Negril Travel Deals | Kingston Travel Deals
The Caribbean is a wonderful April destination. Although mid-spring isn't yet low season for popular resorts and towns in Jamaica, cheaper flights and stays are possible. June through November means hurricane season, so hitting Jamaica while it's warm and sunny (but not yet muggy) makes April a good time to travel down. Fans of water sports – especially snorkeling and scuba diving – will also find the water warm and clear, and it's easy to find time for a trip to Dunn's River Falls or to explore the beauty of the Blue Mountains. Bacchanal Jamaica, the island's Carnival, runs through April, and is chock full of steel drums, festive parades, dancing, competitions and a whirlwind of island spirit.
Stay: Rates at the mountaintop Strawberry Hill/Island Outpost luxury resort outside of Kingston start at $230 a night. Or indulge in some beachfront ease by booking at one of Jamaica's prime all-inclusives, like the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach in Montego Bay ($345 a night) or Breezes Grand Resort & Spa in Negril (starting at $480 a night).
Montego Bay Travel Deals | Negril Travel Deals | Kingston Travel Deals
New Orleans
If you missed New Orleans and Mardis Gras in the wintertime, consider making a trip down in April. NOLA's springtime weather is very pleasant, with highs hovering in the upper 70s and low 80s, and rain and humidity at a minimum. Beyond the southern charm and party-town flair, the French Quarter Festival is a must-do. It's a four day music festival, the largest in Louisiana, that celebrates all things Cajun: Food, live jazz, parties and more.
Stay: The four star Royal Sonesta New Orleans is in the heart of the French Quarter, and rates start at $230.
New Orleans Travel Deals
If you missed New Orleans and Mardis Gras in the wintertime, consider making a trip down in April. NOLA's springtime weather is very pleasant, with highs hovering in the upper 70s and low 80s, and rain and humidity at a minimum. Beyond the southern charm and party-town flair, the French Quarter Festival is a must-do. It's a four day music festival, the largest in Louisiana, that celebrates all things Cajun: Food, live jazz, parties and more.
Stay: The four star Royal Sonesta New Orleans is in the heart of the French Quarter, and rates start at $230.
New Orleans Travel Deals
Washington, D.C.
Visiting the capital city in April is a fine idea, especially if you can get there early in the month for the world-famous Cherry Blossom Festival and parade. Other highlights include the White House Spring Gardens Tours and Easter Egg Roll. While April isn't the cheapest month for travel rates in D.C., it also isn't peak, so deals can be uncovered. Temperatures tend to be mild (average highs in the 60s), but be sure to pack an umbrella in case you hit an occasional April shower while you museum-hop, explore, shop and take in the array of culture in D.C.
Stay: The hip Hotel Helix offers rooms in April in the $200 range, or catch an affordable night's sleep at the Washington Hilton for around $100 a night. Cherry Blossom packages are also available at certain hotels.
Washington D.C. Travel Deals
Visiting the capital city in April is a fine idea, especially if you can get there early in the month for the world-famous Cherry Blossom Festival and parade. Other highlights include the White House Spring Gardens Tours and Easter Egg Roll. While April isn't the cheapest month for travel rates in D.C., it also isn't peak, so deals can be uncovered. Temperatures tend to be mild (average highs in the 60s), but be sure to pack an umbrella in case you hit an occasional April shower while you museum-hop, explore, shop and take in the array of culture in D.C.
Stay: The hip Hotel Helix offers rooms in April in the $200 range, or catch an affordable night's sleep at the Washington Hilton for around $100 a night. Cherry Blossom packages are also available at certain hotels.
Washington D.C. Travel Deals
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