openentrance – What's Really Going OnWhat's Really Going On

 

Yesterday, openentrance reported on the burial of the N-word at a ceremony being held at the National Convention for the NAACP in Detroit. At the opening of the convention Chairman Julian Bond referenced Jay-Z during a news conference:

“We don’t believe it’s a violation of the First Amendment to say to somebody you ought not to talk that way, you ought not denigrate women, you ought not condemn people because of the color of their skin. I heard somebody say that when Jay-Z talks about ho’s, he gets a gold record. When Don Imus talks about ho’s, he gets fired. We believe in equal justice and equal justice for everyone.”

Cmon Julian….not Jay-Z! There are many other rappers that you could have used in this situation that would have “made sense of you statements. I am not saying Jay is excused or has not used these terms before, but his lyrical content has changed so much + he is one of the only rappers who gives back to the community in large ways (i.e- $1 million to Katrina Victims, while also donating to various charities and agencies as well). I appreciate the NAACP and all that they have done and will continue to do for the black community, but Julian, using Jay Z to help your opening was not a good example!

 

R. Kelly, Michael Jackson and several other music publishers have filed a federal lawsuit against Jay’s 40/40 Club stating that it is engaged in copyright infringement.

A BMI researcher made a surprise visit to the Club in 2006 and found several “unlicensed” songs being played through the sound system. Some of these songs included MJ’s “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop,” Kelly’s “Thoia Thoing,” Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” and Omarian’s “Touch.”

Though Jay is not named in the lawsuit, co owner-Desiree Gonzales and Juan Perez are accused of ignoring licensing rules to avoid paying royalties on  several songs.

People will sue for anything these days. The royalties off these song selections can’t really be that significant. I could be wrong, GET MONEY

…Holla at me!

It must be nice!! Jay-Z and Beyonce spent some time this week on a yacht while vacationing in the South of France.  

There is quite a bit of speculation around the blogosphere, that the kid in the pictures is Jay-Z kid.

As he said, “Billionaire Hov, I’m on a pace to make it.”

Jay-Z got a lot closer today as he signed a deal to sell his Rocawear Clothing line for $204 million to Iconix Brand Group, a company that licenses and markets such popular brands as Candies, Joe Boxer, Mudd, London Fog, Ocean Pacific and others.

Jay-Z $35 million in Iconix stock, if the Rocawear brand meets certain performance requirements over the next three-five years.

Jay-Z will continue to be in charge of all product development, marketing and licensing for Rocawear, which boasts annual retail sales of over $700 million.

The rapper will retain his stake in the operating company the manufactures all of the Rocawear men’s apparel line, and the mogul’s two partners, Alex Bize and Norton will continue to run the manufacturing company.
This is the largest acquisition Iconix has made and Rocawear is a brand that is increasing in market share and has extraordinary potential for growth,” said Neil Cole, Chairman and CEO of Iconix Brand Group commented.

“The leadership team is already in place to fulfill our mission and we will maintain complete continuity within the business by having Jay and his team in charge of all product development, licensing and marketing. Jay and his partners in the operating company that manufactures all of the Rocawear men’s apparel, Alex Bize and Norton Cher, will become our licensee for the core business.

 Iconix will add talent and resources that I believe will help make Rocawear a billion dollar global brand. This acquisition will be transformative for Iconix in terms of its scale, the diversification it brings to our portfolio of brands as well as having someone as talented as Jay-Z joining our company and the many synergies that could bring.

Iconix is forecasting that Rocawear, which was founded in 1995, will generate almost $43 million in royalty revenue during the first 12 months of the agreement.

Iconix and Jay-Z have also reached a deal to form a new brand management/licensing company that will debut a new luxury brand titled The Shawn Carter Collection, which is due in stores in 2008.

Damn!

Source

New Video for Upgrade You” from Beyonce featuring Jay-Z. This is clearly a video that was only made to ramp up the sales of the album because the video has no creativity.

The song is hot, but we have been listening to that for months. The video at best gets a yawn.

Am I being too hard on this video?

Also see Beyonce’s New Video with Shakira – Beautiful Liar, that also premiered yesterday.

Bossip has pictures of a kid that is allegedly Jay-Z’s!

The story goes Jay-Z’s paid his mother, a model name Shenelle from Trinidad, $1 million to keep him off the birth certificate.

There are also photos of Jay and the model at Carnival in 2000. The story was originally from Sandra Rose who says this is confirmed and Beyonce knows all about it.

Either way, my question is why the secret? At age 37, a kid should not be that big a deal. I find it worst to hide the kid if that is the truth. Take a look at the pics of the kid here and tell me what you think.