Friday Facts

Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky was arrested Thursday night in downtown Manhattan. The rapper got into a verbal altercation with someone when two men began snapping pictures of the incident. The rapper then turned his attention to the two photographers and a fight ensued. When police arrived on the scene, the two photographers were hurt badly by Pretty Flaco and his A$AP Mob. Rocky was taken into custody and charged with robbery, although it isn't clear he attempted to steal during the incident. This isn't the first time the rapper has gotten involved in fisticuffs. As mentioned previously, the A$AP Mob was sued by a stage manager for injuries he suffered during a brawl at the SXSW music festival in 2011. Earlier this year, the group clashed with unruly audience members. It looks like producer Swizz Beatz may not be off the hook in the matter of the file shearing firm he started. A lawsuit has been filed, yet it's been revealed that the firm can't be sued due to been outside the U.S. Meanwhile, representatives say Swizz was negotiating to become CEO of the firm. Stay tuned. It's now been revealed that the Chris Brown/Drake brawl was not over Rihanna at all. Mediatakeout.com is reporting that Brown broke up with his current girlfriend after learning she had contact with Drake. It's unclear whether it was romantic or not, however. So far, no comment from anyone involved in the melee. Although it's anyone's guess who really cares, it's been reported that reality star Kim Kardashian's first was TJ Jackson, son of singer Tito Jackson. The encounter took place when the two were only 14-years-old. Actor Michael Ealy graces the cover of the latest issue of Upscale magazine. In the article, the actor discusses his latest role, past relationships and lessons learned from them, and what's next for him. Upscale magazine is on newsstands now. In theaters this weekend: "The Dark Knight Rises". On the tube: "House" on Fox, "Undercover Boss" on CBS, "Shark Tank" on ABC and "Whitney" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

Actress Halle Berry is back at work after her recent accident. She fell and hit her head on concrete while filming a fight sequence in her latest film. If you thought that the battle over the late Michael Jackson's estate is over, you'd be wrong. Reportedly, Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, and even Janet Jackson are now saying their late brother's will is fraudulent. Meanwhile, the singer's daughter, Paris, took to Twitter to make her feelings known regarding the matter. She posted a tweet saying she will defend her grandmother with everything she has. Stay tuned. Rapper the Game and his girlfriend have called off their engagement. Now, it's unclear what will happen with the planned reality series that would follow the couple's nuptials. Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is firing back after "Today Show" co-host Kathy Lee Gifford remarked that Franklin is too old for the "American Idol" judge gig. Gifford added that the show's fan based has no idea who Franklin is. Franklin resonded by saying that she has a huge fan base that consists of all demographics and younger people know who she is. Stay tuned. On the tube: "Take Me Out" on Fox, "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, "Duets" on ABC and "The Office" on NBC. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Roundup

Actress Halle Berry was sent to a hospital after falling and hitting her head on concrete. No details on her condition are available. Rapper DMX posted a picture of himself after his recent accident. Fans will recall that his four wheeler turned over. X got a few stitches. "Real Housewives Of Atlanta" star Kandi Burruss says that she and the gentlemen she's been seen with in photos circulating are not engaged. The two are seen in the photos looking quite cozy as they enjoy their vacation together. Former B2K member Raz B hasn't missed a beat since his recent accident. He posted a statement insisting that he's doing well working in China. He went on to add that the rumors that he has a book which includes some not so kind words for Chris Brown are not true. Here's wishing him the best. The Smiths were in Washington recently. Jada, Will and Willow. Jada Pinkett Smith testified before the Senate to urge lawmakers to do more to combat child slavery in the U.S and abroad. Way to go! It looks like after a heated radio debate with Rev Jomo K. Johnson, rapper Meek Mill has had a change of heart. Fans will recall that the two got into a tense debate over Mill's single "Amen" with Mill accusing Johnson of looking for fame. During a recent appearance on "106 & Park", Mill apologized and added that he didn't intend the offend anyone. Meanwhile, Johnson has lifted his boycott on the single under the condition that the apology be made. Motown Records founder Berry Gordy has launched a nationwide video search for the Broadway bound "Motown: The Musical". Using You Tube, the legendary record producer is looking for performers to play several roles, including a pre-teen Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Gordy himself. Producers Kevin McCollum, chairman of Sony Music Entertainment, and CEO Doug Morris, along with Gordy, announced the casting search on Tuesday on the audition website. Gordy added that he's looking for people who are smart and can be themselves in their roles. The show is written by Gordy, directed by Charles Randolph-Wright and is backed by Sony. Gordy went on to put together a legendary roster of African-American talent in building the seminal music empire. On the tube: "So You Think You Can Dance" on Fox, "Big Brother" on CBS, "The Middle" on ABC and "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" on NBC. Happy hump day!

Tuesday Tales

Rapper Remy Ma is very much alive. Rumors began swirling that the female MC, whose serving prison time, was stabbed to death. Then, her Wikipedia page was updated to say she died on July 15, 2012. Her husband took to Twitter to dispel the rumors by saying that he had just visited her and she was fine. The rapper herself also addressed the rumors by saying that people who don't have lives say things and it gets out of control.  NBA star Kris Humphries former girlfriend is now going at his soon to be ex-wife Kim Kardashian. She stated Kardashian needs to just enjoy her trip to Miami. She went on to add that it's no one's business who she decides to become friends with. So far, no response from Kardashian. Mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs posted an interesting picture recently. He posted a picture of himself and a woman with only his face visible, with his hand on the woman's private part. The woman's face is not shown. Rumors are circulating that it's Cassie, although that hasn't been confirmed or denied. Stay tuned. Harlem rap group A$AP Mob is in hot water. The group is being sued by a stage manager who claims he suffered injuries during a brawl at the South by  Southwest music festival in 2011. Stage manager Anthony Montalbano says A$AP Rocky's associates threw him to the ground and pummeled him while he was trying to rescue audio equipment. According to Courthouse News, A$AP Mob, Sony Music Entertainment and Fader Media Network are named as defendants in the suit. Montalbano says he was asked by a Faber employee to retrieve audio equipment from the stage after the Mob began destroying it and screaming obscenities in a rage. He was later grabbed by the defendants and punched in the face and head for several minutes. He was also hit in the head with a microphone. Montalbano was sent to a hospital where he required several stitches to the head. The suit argues that the defendants should have provided security given A$AP Mob's history of raucous and violent performances. The plaintive is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for negligent hiring, emotional distress, assault and battery and negligence. No response from the group so far. Fans of the group Day 26 will be sad to know that the group has announced that it is breaking up pursue solo careers. There's no word on what will become of the group's third studio album. Nas has new music in stores this week. On the tube: "Hell's Kitchen" on Fox, "NCIS" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "America's Got Talent" on NBC. Happy Tuesday!

Monday Memo

The film "Ice Age: Continental Drift" topped the weekend box office earning over $40 million dollars. "The Amazing Spiderman", "Ted", "Brave" and "Magic Mike" round out the top five films of the week. Sad news out of Hollywood. Sage Stallone, the 36-year-old son of actor Sylvester Stallone, died of an apparent drug overdose. Rumor has it that he may have been dead for some time before  he was found, and a Facebook posting caused concern as well. As to be expected, Sylvester Stallone is devastated. Thoughts and prayers go to him and his family. Rapper DMX is recovering after a freak accident. His vehicle crashed when he lost control giving him a concussion. He's reportedly doing much better now. Actor Michael Clark Duncan is recovering from a heart attack suffered over the weekend. Current girlfriend Omarosa found Duncan unresponsive and performed CPR before help arrived. Duncan is doing much better now. Will a member of Bravo's "Real Housewives Of Atlanta" be given the boot. NeNe Leakes is rumored to be leaving the show after an altercation will fellow castmember Kandi. NeNe reportedly instigated the confrontation. Bravo has a zero tolerance policy regarding physical violence. Stay tuned. Rumors continue regarding "American Idol". After the announcement that Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez will be leaving after only two seasons on the  hit show, Mariah Carey has been mentioned as a possible replacement. Now, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin as expressed interest in the gig, although no official announcement has been made as yet. Stay tuned. With the summer movie season in full swing, it's going to be interesting to see what other releases movie studios have in store for movie goers. So far, it's been a mixed bag with "Ice Age: Continental Drift" topping the box office, as mentioned earlier. There's definitely more to come, so fans should fasten their seat belts. On the tube: "Hell's Kitchen" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "The Bachelorette" on ABC and "Fear Factor" on NBC. Happy Monday!

Friday Facts

Rapper Beanie Sigal will have to spend the next two years of his life in prison. He's failed to file income taxes from 1999-2005. Meanwhile, Sigal says his money was mismanaged while he served time for gun and drug possession. No word on when he'll be sentenced. Singer Mariah Carey has been mentioned as a possible replacement on "American Idol", although she hasn't spoken publicly about the matter. Steven Tyler has indicated that he won't return next season, while it's unclear whether Jennifer Lopez will return as well. Stay tuned. Singer Rihanna and rapper Lil Wayne made Forbes magazine's  list of top youngsters. They are among the top money makers under 30. Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber made the list as well. Rapper Meek Mill and a Philadelphia pastor recently got into a heated discussion on QDeezy's Hot 107.9 radio show in response to Pastor Jomo K. Johnson's intention to organize a radio ban of the Maybach Music Group rapper's single "Amen". With Johnson in the studio and Meek Mill calling in by phone, the conversation grew tense as Mill questioned Johnson's intentions. Mill asked the pastor if he wanted to be famous or money for his church. He went on the mention his work in the community. Pastor Johnson believes Mill's sin far outweighs his good. Needless to say, nothing was resolved during the conversation, and the pastor will continue on his mission calling for a boycott of Mill's Drake assisted single "Amen". In the meantime, Pastor Johnson has released an e-book titled "Amen: Why Boycotting Meek Mill Will Help Save Hip Hop". Legendary rapper 8Ball of the iconic Memphis TN duo 8Ball &MJG is preparing to release a new solo album, and also looking back at his legacy while starting a new one. He'll release "Life's Quest" next week on eOne Music/Push Management LLC and says it's about time. He also mentioned that rapper Drake sent some material, but it didn't make the Canadian MC's album. Singer Frank Ocean hasn't missed a beat since the news of retail chain Target refusing to carry his digital release, "Channel Orange", in its stores broke. Regarding his album, he stated during an interview with bet.com that he wanted to channel what Kanye West and Jay Z did with "Watch The Throne", and let the music speak for itself. He also touched on the fact that he's keeping his North American tour at a relatively limited 15 dates. For Ocean, it's about putting on the best show possible. "Channel Orange" will arrive in stores, except Target, on July 17. In theaters this weekend: "Ice Age: Continental Drift". On the tube: "House" on Fox, "Undercover Boss" on CBS, "Shark Tank" on ABC and "Whitney" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

Fans who intend to purchase a hard copy of Odd Future member Frank Ocean's new CD won't be able to find it there. That's because the retail chain says it can't carry the item due to the CD being pushed up a week, and being available as an iTunes exclusive. Frank Ocean's manager sees things differently. He believes the snub is due to Ocean revealing that he had a relationship with another man. The manager took to Twitter to make his feelings regarding the matter known, then later deleted the item. He posted another tweet apologizing for his remarks. Meanwhile, Target says it supports diversity, and it's decision was made solely upon customer demand. Rapper Game must be extremely foolish. He says he intends to release video of rapper 40 Glock being attacked by members of his entourage. The two had a physical confrontation some time back, but Game says he left before anything else happened. Meanwhile, 40 Glock hasn't indicated that he'll press any charges for the assault. I say it's time for everyone to grow up. In my humble opinion, it's foolish to risk a possible jail sentence over foolish pride. Get it together guys.  Chris Brown is certainly making waves in the industry. He new album "Fortune" hit the top of the Billboard charts selling over 134,000 copies.  Rockie Fresh, a 21-year-old upstart from Chicago, has signed with Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group. The announcement was made via Twitter. CEO Rick Ross replied to Fresh's comment. Shortly after, Fresh became a trending topic worldwide. Fresh's most recent mixtape, "Driving 88" was released in January. No word on when his debut album will be released. Actor/comedian Steve Harvey graces the cover of the latest issue of Ebony magazine. In the article, he discusses wealth building in addition to his career and what's next for him. Harvey host "Family Feud" currently. The latest issue of Ebony magazine is on newsstands now. On the tube: "Take Me Out" on Fox, "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, "Duets" on ABC and "The Office" on NBC. Happy Thursday !