Eminem Covers Billboard Issue

Make some noise for a gentleman who's come a long way." It's a muggy, breeze-less June night in New York, and some 200 fans have pressed into Bowery Ballroom under the pretense of watching local rappers with questionable names like Kosha Dillz and Quest McCody berate each other with questionable lines, like, "You sound like a character from 'The Legend of Zelda.' " Really, though, everyone is here for Eminem.

The rap superstar was rumored to be headlining this freestyle battle event, Red Bull EmSee: The Road to 8 Mile, named after his own Detroit origins and the Academy Award-nominated 2002 movie that chronicled them. Now, the night's host has finally confirmed that Marshall Mathers will take the stage.

By billboard.com

Mom Claims She Took Pic Of 11-Month Old Baby With Bong As A Joke. Child Welfare Services Isn't Laughing

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. - A picture of a Keystone Heights baby appearing to smoke a bong has caught the attention of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Channel 4 was sent the photo and an image of the picture and comments about it taken from an unidentified Web site. It is not known how widely it was circulated.

The child-protection agency has launched an investigation on the 11-month-old baby's parents.

"We are alarmed that any parent would take pictures of their child next to what is obviously drug paraphernalia," said DCF spokesman John Harrell.

The 19-year-old mother talked to Channel 4 via Facebook. She said the pictures were a joke.

The message read, "If u look at the picture u can see that there is no bowl in the TABACCO (sic) pipe. And i took a pic to show one (expletive) person and it was a mistake. I would never ever ever let him get high."

DCF investigators said they have already been to the home twice.

"We would never leave a child in a home where there are concerns about whether or not the child is safe," Harrell said.

The mother told Channel 4 she has a drug evaluation Friday and the boy will be checked by a pediatrician. DCF said she could face serious charges if drugs were used by or around the baby.

In another message, the mother said she would never do anything to harm her child.

It read, "Do you realize how serious this is? i can go to jail and he can be taken away from me. WHY would you do something so (expletive) stupid? i know what i did was stupid but i would NEVER put by baby in harm. im (sic) so nice to everyone idk (I don't know) why you would do this to me."

No one has been charged

Source: ThisIs50

Fan Pays $1 Mllion Dollars To Appear In Lady Gaga's 'Alejandro' Video

A Lady Gaga fan reportedly paid $1 million to appear in her new music video.

A Russian billionaire gave the pop singer the huge sum for the chance to star alongside her in the nine-minute promo for 'Alejandro'.

The wealthy admirer, who is only known as Arkady, can be spotted in the video playing a cop dressed in a black leather hat and coat.

The 30 year old said: "Yes it was me in the clip, but I can't give further details."

Gaga is also said to have been sworn to secrecy about his part in the promo.

The short film has attracted criticism for its religious overtones, which include the 'Poker Face' singer swallowing rosary beads whilst dressed as a nun.

Director Steven Klein insists the themes in the video aren t meant to upset Christians, saying: It s not meant to denote anything negative. It represents the character's battle between the dark forces of this world and the spiritual salvation of the Soul.

"Thus at the end of the film, she chooses to be a nun, and the reason her mouth and eyes disappear is because she is withdrawing her senses from the world of evil and going inward towards prayer and contemplation."

Source: Music-News

50 Cent Encouraging Kids To Stay Out Of Trouble & Exercise At "Forever Young Day" Festival In Baisley Park This Saturday June 26

For rapper 50 Cent, the birth of his son meant putting fatherhood ahead of the 'hood.

"It wasn't getting shot," said the platinum-selling Queens native, who took nine bullets in a 2000 murder try. "It was my son and creating a stable life for him."

The "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" singer returns to his old South Jamaica home Saturday, encouraging kids to get active in the community and avoid the street life.

"I want to be able to go and talk to them and [have] them really feel what my experience has been," he told the Daily News Thursday.

It's an intense, one-of-a-kind experience.

The rapper survived the shooting outside his grandmother's house. The one-time drug dealer was also stabbed.

But the rap icon said kids don't set out to do wrong. "They do what they're influenced to do," said 50 Cent, who hopes to exert a more positive influence.

The 35-year-old performer, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, is hosting "Forever Young Day" in Baisley Park - a six-hour event aimed at promoting exercise for local children.

The hip-hop artist tried hosting a similar neighborhood festival last year, but it was postponed because of security concerns surrounding his plans to perform.

An NYPD spokesman confirmed they are aware of Fitty's appearance, with adequate security assigned to the area.

Still, locals don't need to fear a melee like last week's South Street Seaport show - the performer won't pick up a microphone.

Fitty said the near-riot for a free Drake concert cut his chances to sing hits like "In Da Club" or "What Up Gangsta."

"They would've said no to me immediately," said the rapper, whose son Marquise is now 14.

He said lack of guidance led him to selling crack cocaine. Now, by promoting more activities, he can help others avoid making the same mistakes.

"You don't feel the repercussions because it comes so far after the game," the drug dealer-turned-rapper said. "I had no options: It was go on welfare or go in the street."

And now kids are spending too much time on the computers and the numbers of children who are obese are skyrocketing.

"Technology is keeping them still," he said, adding that he always stayed active as a kid by playing basketball or boxing. "You don't see that anymore."

The hip-hopper said he's working hard to get back in shape after gaining back the 50 pounds he shed for a movie role.

"I put the weight back on," he said, laughing. "I'm not back in shape, but my size is back."

Source: NY Daily News

Lady Gaga Packs Heat, Bares Cheeks In New Rolling Stone

Lady Gaga is always in the middle of a controversial situation. Whether that's calculated or just happenstance you be the judge.

The woman who's carrying Interscope Records on her back, covers the new Rolling Stone wearing weapons and not much else.

She tells the mag that her new album is already finished.

"I think I'm gonna get the album title tattooed on me and put out the photo," she says. "I've been working on it for months now, and I feel very strongly that it's finished right now. It came so quickly. Some artists take years; I don't. I write music every day."

Source: paperchaser

Former NBA Star Manute Bol Dies

Manute Bol -- best known for being one of the tallest players to ever play in the NBA -- died today, according to various reports.

Bol was hospitalized in Virgina back in May after suffering acute kidney failure.

Bol played in the NBA from 1985-1994 and was one of the best shot blockers in the league. Bol was extremely involved in charities in his native Sudan -- donating an estimated $3.5 million aid Sudanese refugees.
He was 47 years old.

Source: TMZ

NBA Champions, The L.A. Lakers Interview On Jimmy Kimmel