(From ESPN.com)
Kobe put on for his city of LA, as “The Black Mamba” brought Showtime back to the All-Star Game, scoring 37 points and tying a record with his fourth MVP award, leading the Western Conference to a 148-143 victory over the East on Sunday night.
(From Reuters.com)
Hollywood icon Denzel Washington, along with his co-stars Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson, walk the red carpet for the ”Unstoppable” premier.
(From Youtube.com)
Two hip-hop legends link up during the Hennessy Artistry Concert.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
(From MSNBC.com)
Lindsay Lohan was freed from a suburban Los Angeles jail late last night, well short of the nearly monthlong stay a judge had intended for the actress following a failed drug test. Lohan, who stayed in the same cell she occupied during her last stay, was freed at about 11:40 p.m. after posting $300,000 bail, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Steve Whitmore told NBC News.
Lohan had been a “model inmate” trying to navigate the system, Whimore said.
(Picture From E Online)
Say it ain’t so TIP…..
Not after being blessed with a rare opportunity for a second chance; a chance to reclaim that glowing crown that has been unoccupied for the nearly one year he was away. And we all know that every king needs his crown, especially as he was making his way back to his throne. His seat still might have been a little warm when he returned to lay claim to his majestic status. Although the south still had hip-hop in a full-nelson grip, it was a happy-go-lucky grip–full of candy-painted synthesizer beats and youtube dance crazes. There had been no one from the south who had been up to the task of taking Tip’s place–an intellectual country cat who could strike you three ways: charm, wordplay and swag. As we ponder what might have been T.I.’s motives on the September night he and his wife were arrested, we have to look at what T.I. has accomplished in the few months that he has been released from the halfway house where he finished serving his jail time.
After coming off starring and executive producing one of this summer’s hottest films, Takers, T.I. seemed well on his way to getting readjusted to life in the spotlight. He had just marred his long-time girlfriend, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, in July and was gearing up to release his new album, King Uncaged, later this month. But on September 1st in Los Angeles , the brilliant career of Clifford Harris seemed to be coming to an abrupt end–for the second time. Tip and Tiny were arrested in West Hollywood, after allegedly making an illegal U-turn on Sunset Blvd. L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputies pulled the couple’s Mercedes Maybach over after smelling marijuana and arrested them on suspicion of possessing methamphetamines. According to TMZ, documents filed by T.I.’s probation officer in Georgia say that deputies found codeine, marijuana and ecstasy in T.I.’s possession. The documents also states that T.I. tested positive for opiates the day after the arrest, but does not name a specific drug. Drug tests and participation in a drug and alcohol treatment program were also required as a condition of T.I.’s three-year-parole for for illegal firearms possession as a convicted felon. many though that Tiny would be able to take this recent hit for her husband. But with T.I.’s failed drug test, that seems like an unlikely possibility.
T.I. seemed like a different man once he was released from prison in March. It seems as though his stint in jail had changed him. Judging from his recent arrest, only Tip can ask himself if the change was for better or worse. Here’s hoping that the “Kang” can make his way through another court battle and, once again, come out victorious. But the odds against him this time may be too great, even for one of the most prolific entertainers of the last decade. But if anyone can make it through an ordeal such as this, it has to be Mr. Harris. God Willing, we wish T.I. and his family the best.
TheCostMag.com will keep you posted on the latest news regarding T.I. and the future of his career.
May 13th, 2010. I had just seen a young man on the cusp of attaining basketball’s greatest grandeur, once again, fall into the abyss of disappointment. Two years in a row. Only this time, his team of advisers had enough sense to let their star know that it was bad sportsmanship–or maybe, more importantly, bad PR–not to shake hands after a loss. Did this Game 6 on the floor of the Boston Gahden mark the end of a brilliant partnership between a heartbroken sports town and its native son? Would we finally see the man who has lived his entire 25 years on this earth within the corridors of Ohio leave home? The Drive. The Fumble. The Shot. Art Modell. The summer of LeBron. Is this the final act to the tragic masterpiece that will finally push the city of Cleveland to the lowest depths of sports depression? Time is ticking.
The Boston Celtics had sent the Cleveland Cavaliers home early for summer vacation–giving the franchise nearly an extra month to sit at the drawing board and ponder a future without their All-Star. If LeBron James decides to leave the only team he has played for as a pro, it may be the hottest, longest and gloomiest summer Cleveland has ever witnessed. Come July 1st, LeBron James will single-handedly change the future of the NBA; whether he stays in Cleveland or not.
It seems as if the “King James” talk should officially be dead–or, at least, temporarily suspended. To me, you can’t be a king without a crown. And by no means do I think winning a NBA title defines pedigree, because no one can tell me that players such as Elgin Baylor, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, John Stockton and Karl Malone aren’t among the greatest to ever play the game. But the anointment of “King,” without any hardware, just doesn’t cut it. As much as LeBron has accomplished during his seven years in the league–an Olympic gold medal, two MVP awards and a trip to the 2007 NBA Finals–a championship still eludes him. Some, including myself, have questioned LeBron’s true desires. I sometimes wonder what he considers more important: becoming the biggest global icon the sports world has ever seen, or becoming the greatest champion the NBA has ever seen. In an era where Kobe and his Lakers still reign supreme, and an Eastern Conference where the Celtics and Magic still look to be tough match-ups for his current Cleveland squad, it looks like LeBron has some soul searching to do.
After becoming the biggest name in basketball by playing in a small market such as Cleveland, the icon thing is pretty much a wrap. The question is: Can LeBron win a championship in his home state of Ohio? That remains to be seen. He has led the Cavaliers to two straight 60-win seasons, but has come up short when it counts the most. The sexier pastures and warmer climates might be calling his name. But if James bolts without redeeming that painful loss on May 13th that removed his name even further from that elusive championship echelon, that would be a very tough pill for the Buckeye State to swallow.
The lure of the brightest lights shining in the biggest cities might be too tempting for LeBron to pass up. In a legendary free agent class that includes Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson and Carlos Boozer, the opportunity to build a team of “Super Friends” may be the chance of a lifetime. But whatever decision is made, it will fall on the nimble shoulders of James. He’ll listen intently to his best friend and business partner, Maverick Carter. He’ll entertain all of the possible scenarios that NBA inside man, William “World Wide Wes” Wesley, can concoct to bring James more fame, more fortune and multiple championships. He’ll take note of the pitches from his idol and mentor, Jay-Z–as Jigga and Russian billionaire, Mikhail Prokhorov, will try to sell the idea of LeBron building a legacy that will have Brooklyn, China and the globe in the palm of his hand.
He’ll look at the possibility of building a dynasty with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah in Chicago; a city where Michael Jordan’s bequest and statue still looms large outside of the United Center. He’ll dissect the young nucleus of the Los Angeles Clippers and the possibility of challenging Kobe for the sovereignty of the west; but only if Hollywood mogul David Geffen buys the team from Donald Sterling. The possibilities are truly endless, but this decision will be made by LeBron and Lebron only. Can “The Chosen One” leave Cleveland with the night of May 13th at the forefront of his conscious? I don’t know.
But one thing is for sure. If LeBron wants to keep the title of “King,” he has to win a couple of those glorious crowns. And on July 1st, when the clock strikes 12 midnight, the world will find out what city he will make his throne.
Hip-Hop giants The Roots and Mos Def give a special performance before the Grammys.
Photo Credit: TheInsider.com
Los Angeles, CA–The week of Christmas 2009 started off to a distressing start with the death of Brittany Murphy. According to The Associated Press, the 32-year-old actress of films such as “Clueless,” “8 Mile” and “Little Black Book,” died Sunday morning after collapsing at her home in Los Angeles. Paramedics on the scene tried to revive her, but she was later pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Mrs. Murphy’s family has reported that the actress had experienced flu-like symptoms in the days prior to her death.
Los Angeles Coroner Ed Winter has reported that Mrs. Murphy’s death appears to be from natural causes, but an autopsy will be performed today and toxicology tests will follow soon after.
Winter also stated that officials will contact Mrs. Murphy’s personal physician to get a better sense of her medical history. Mrs. Murphy leaves behind her parents–who divorced when she was young–, a brother and her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack.
“The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy,” Mrs. Murphy’s family wrote in a statement. “She was our daughter, our wife, our love, and a shinning star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
Funeral arrangements have not been announced at this time.
2010 will mark a new direction in the career of the singer, dancer, songwriter, record executive and filmmaker known as Omarion. The Los Angeles-bred Omari Grandberry has witnessed the entertainment business firsthand, as he saw hordes of talent come and go in a city whose avenues are paved with the debris of broken dreams. But after starting his career under the tutelage of Chris Stokes in the R&B group B2K, and having deals fall through with mega-producer Timbaland and the world-renowned hip-hop star Lil’ Wayne, the 25-year-old maestro is looking to benefit creatively and financially with the January 2010 release of his third solo album, “Ollusion.”
For his new album, Omarion penned all of the material, and even directed the video for his first single, “I Get It In,” which features Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane. Call it a coincidence, but just as the young mogul decides to personally explore the trials and tribulations of the music business on this album, it will be the first release under his StarWorld Entertainment imprint with EMI. This perfect mixture of circumstances should make for an exciting and emotional project, but it won’t stray far away from Omarion’s core– and that’s entertainment.
With the passing of Michael Jackson this summer, Omarion was one of the artists that I thought would be greatly affected by the legend’s death. He even confessed that if there was a bloodline of performers, he would definitely come from Jackson’s. But his artistic DNA would also incorporate the genetics of Sammy Davis Jr., Fred Astaire, James Brown and The Nicholas Brothers, entertainers whose music and fluid movement created a unique harmony of innovation.
As the bright beginnings of the New Year dawns upon us, and his album release date swiftly approaches, Omarion now sees the love of music continuing to trickle down his family tree. During his down time, he occasionally observes his one-year-old niece move to the beat of music whenever it’s in her earshot–bringing back the memories of when he first fell in love with entertainment. As her star power continues to grow in its infancy, Omarion’s should shine brighter with each definitive leap he takes from this album forward.
