Bring That Week Back: Week of July 5
LeBron makes a big announcement; Beyonce involved in London car crash. More top news.
1 / 26
Lil Kim and Rihanna Collabo? - Could there be a Lil Kim-Rihanna collaboration soon? During a recent interview, the rapper hinted that the two might team up for a song. “I’m a huge Rihanna fan, and she’s a friend of mine, so I’m almost guessing, if I had to guess, I’m 90 percent sure that a song is probably in the works,” she told Lifelounge.com. But she made sure not to reveal anything concrete. “I look at it this way: if it happens, it happens. And it should be a surprise.”
2 / 26
DMX Released - After serving four months of his six-month sentence, DMX was released from an Arizona jail on Tuesday, reports XXLMag.com. The rapper was serving time since early March for violating his probation.
3 / 26
Kanye, Amber Rose Split - Kanye West and Amber Rose have officially broken up, according to reports. Apparently, the rapper is too focused on his career to be in a relationship. “Kanye is consumed with recording his comeback record in Hawaii and had to shut it all off,” a source told UsMagazine.com. “When he’s in work mode, he can’t handle a relationship. He told Amber he needs to devote everything right now to his craft.” The source also described the relationship as “off and on.”
4 / 26
McCain: Steele’s Comments Wildly Inaccurate - On Sunday, Sen. John McCain spoke out against the head of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, for his “wildly inaccurate” and inexcusable comments about the Afghanistan war. At a recent GOP fundraiser, Steele called the U.S. commitment of troops in Afghanistan a mistaken "war of Obama's choosing." The war actually began after the Sept. 11 attacks, when George W. Bush was president.
5 / 26
Drake Donates $25,000 - Drake, who shot his “Find Your Love” video in Jamaica, is donating $25,000 to a learning center in the Caribbean nation. He and dancehall star Mavado will fund the “Drake and Mavado Peace Center” in the country’s Cassava Piece neighborhood. “It's a very positive move and something I am very happy to be a part of. Education is the key to life so to be able to assist in that process is very fulfilling," he told the Jamaican Star. The center is currently under construction.
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6 / 26
Beyonce Involved in London Car Crash - While in London, Beyonce narrowly avoided being hit by a taxi as she was stepping out of a vehicle. The singer, who was with her husband Jay-Z, was about to step out of her Mercedes to do some quick shopping at an upscale department store when a taxi “came out of nowhere” and ripped the door off its hinges, a witness told The Sun. Although she was shaken, she did not sustain any injuries and the couple received another car before heading to a Japanese restaurant for dinner.
7 / 26
LeBron Makes His Pick - Ending weeks of will-he-or-won't-he speculation, two-time MVP LeBron James said Thursday night that he's decided to join the Miami Heat and leave the Cleveland Cavaliers after an unsuccessful seven-year quest for the ring he covets. "I can't say it was always in my plans, because I never thought it was possible," James said on a made-for-Lebron live show on ESPN. (AP Photo/Greenwich Time, Bob Luckey)
8 / 26
NBA Top Free Agent Moves - This was a big week for NBA free agents inking big money contracts. On Monday, the New York Knicks announced that they will sign Amar’e Stoudemire. According to his agent, he’ll sign for the maximum allowed – nearly $100 million over five years. Dwyane Wade announced he is staying put in Miami and another top free agent, Chris Bosh, will join him. Both could earn as much as $125 million over six years.
9 / 26
Russell Simmons Speaks on Blood Diamonds - After an Atlanta Post published a piece comparing his involvement with “blood diamonds” to that of Naomi Campbell (the model was recently summoned to testify in a war crimes trial against Liberia’s former president), hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons released a statement defending his stance on Africa’s diamond industry. “I am not here to defend the diamond industry, but it’s a fact that diamonds are an important natural resource for Africa, and an important industry for diamond-producing nations.”
10 / 26
Prince Says the Internet is Over - In a recent interview with the U.K.’s Daily Mirror, music legend Prince declared that the Internet is “over.” "The Internet's completely over. I don't see why I should give my new music to iTunes or anyone else,” he said. They won't pay me an advance for it and then they get angry when they can't get it. All these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can't be good for you."
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11 / 26
NBA 2K11 Cover - 2K Sports released the cover of NBA 2K11 this week, featuring Michael Jordan. The use of the NBA legend is a little unusual since most sports games use current players. No word yet on how he’ll be used in the game, which is slated for an October 5 release. "It's exciting to see it all come together," Jordan said in a statement. "I am looking forward to seeing the final product, but my kids might have to give me some lessons."
12 / 26
Obama: There’s Hope for Middle East Peace - After a meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House earlier this week, Obama says there's hope for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but that doesn't mean he's "blindly optimistic." The president made his remarks during an interview taped Wednesday for Israeli television.
13 / 26
Music Producer Harvey Fuqua Dies - Singer, songwriter and record producer Harvey Fuqua, an early mentor of Marvin Gaye, has died. Fuqua was 80. Ron Brewington of the Motown Alumni Association says Fuqua died of a heart attack Tuesday at a Detroit hospital. In 1958, Fuqua added Gaye and others to a group called Harvey and the Moonglows, which scored the hit, "Ten Commandments of Love" that same year. Motown Records founder Berry Gordy later hired Fuqua to develop recording talent.
14 / 26
Vick Won’t Be Charged - Eagles QB Michael Vick won’t be charged for a shooting that occurred after his birthday celebration in Virginia June 25. Vick was not the shooter and there are no suspects other than the shooter, police spokesman Adam Bernstein said. Police said Tuesday they know who was responsible for shooting another man following Michael Vick's birthday celebration, but the shooter will not be charged "at this time" because the victim has not cooperated with investigators.
15 / 26
Jamaica Probes Robbery at Official’s Home - Jamaican police are investigating if Wednesday’s armed robbery at a Cabinet minister's estate could be linked to an effort by political leaders to wean themselves from their decades-old alliances with criminals. Gunmen held up workers at Industry Minister Karl Samuda's 100-acre (40-hectare) property in St. Catherine parish. Some have alleged that recently captured drug kingpin Christopher “Dudus” Coke had an alliance with a political party.
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16 / 26
Ex Raiders QB Arrested For “Sizzurp” - Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was arrested Monday on a drug charge in Alabama. Russell was arrested at his home during an undercover investigation. He’s charged with possession of a controlled substance – codeine syrup. He was released after posting a $2,500 bond.
17 / 26
The Obamas Celebrate 4th of July - On Sunday, President Obama and First Lady Michelle celebrated the Fourth of July at a barbeque with service members on the White House’s South Lawn. The estimated 1,200 guests included active-duty members of the military and their families, wounded troops, people with family members overseas, and families of troops who have died. Singer Brandi Carlile, rock band The Killers, comedian Cedric the Entertainer and the U.S. Marine Band performed for the gathering.
18 / 26
Civil Rights Lawyer William Taylor Dies - William L. Taylor, a Washington lawyer and civil rights activist who fought in courts and in government to desegregate schools, has died. He was 78. His oldest daughter, Lauren Taylor, says he died Monday of complications from a fall.Taylor began advocating for civil rights while working for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund alongside Thurgood Marshall. He led research that contributed to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the 1968 Fair Housing Act.
19 / 26
ABC Pulls the Plug on Drake Outdoor Concert - For the second time this summer, an outdoor NYC concert featuring Drake has been canceled, reports the NY Daily News. ABC recently decided they wouldn’t book the rapper for a July 16 performance in Central Park. According to police sources, the show was cancelled when the Parks Department could not provide adequate security for the event. Drake’s other free outdoor concert at South Street Seaport in June was cancelled when fans got out of control.
20 / 26
Snoop Dogg Volunteers in England - Snoop Dogg painted walls with volunteers Thursday at the Ordsall Community Center in Manchester, England. In exchange for their service, the volunteers will get a ticket to a concert featuring the rapper at the Manchester Apollo.
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21 / 26
Guru Tribute Announced - Family members of Guru, the late legendary MC and Gang Starr founder, have announced plans for a memorial to take place on July 18 – one day after his birthday – reports AllHipHop. Friends and family members will be invited to the event, which will take place on the University of Massachusetts-Boston campus. There will also be a concert tribute in the future. The Elam family has also launched a tribute site: www.gurutributes.com.
22 / 26
First Lady to the Gulf Region - First lady Michelle Obama plans to visit the Gulf oil spill region soon, according to the White House. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs did not release the exact date, but the trip is expected to take place around mid-July. Mrs. Obama's visit would follow President Barack Obama's four visits to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
23 / 26
Frankie Will Be on Celebrity Rehab - Keyshia Cole’s mother, Frankie, is set to participate in Dr. Drew’s Celebrity Rehab. She confirmed it during an interview with the Rickey Smiley Show. “I had really started overdoing it with my drinking. It’s really taking its toll because sometimes I wake up and don’t remember nothing. Basically I’m hiding stuff from myself and that means that I need help,” she said.
24 / 26
Serena: Common Didn’t Want the Responsibility - Tennis star Serena Williams recently opened up about her relationship with rapper Common. The two had been reportedly dated for a couple of years, before breaking up in April. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar magazine, Williams says their busy schedules were partly to blame. “His schedule is actually worse than mine,” she said. “He didn’t want the responsibility. It’s really tough.”
25 / 26
Shakira Will Headline World Cup Closing - World Cup organizers promise a high-tech closing ceremony featuring pop star Shakira, compared to the more traditionally African ceremony that opened the tournament. The show will be held at Soccer City on Sunday, two hours before the final match kicks off. The Colombian star will perform the official tournament anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”