Judge Summons T.I. To Appear In Court!

A federal judge signed a summons yesterday (September 16) for T.I. (real name Clifford Harris Jr.) to appear in court and explain why his probation should not be revoked in light of his recent arrest in Los Angeles.

U.S. District Judge Charles Pannel Jr., the same judge who sentenced Tip for his firearms violations last year, signed the summons but did not set a date for the hearing.

According to the order, signed by T.I.’s probation officer, he is facing three possible violations: one for being in possession of Ecstasy on September 1; another for testing positive for opiates following a urine test at the U.S. Probation Office in L.A., the day after his arrest; and lastly for associating with Cortez Thomas, a convicted felon, on September 1st without the prior approval of his probation officer Jack D. Briscoe.

One of Harris’ attorneys, Steve Sadow, declined to comment on the upcoming hearing, but Dwight Thomas, another lawyer on Tip’s legal team told TMZ that at the meeting they “will have the opportunity to present mitigating evidence or arguments on T.I.’s behalf.”

The Atlanta-based MC and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle were arrested at the beginning of the month after the Maybach he was in was pulled over for allegedly making an illegal u-turn in the Hollywood area. Authorities then searched the car after claiming they smelled Marijuana smoke and found pills that have been identified as Ecstasy on both the rapper and his wife’s persons, but not in the car.

YORAPS.COM

Kartel seeks 'Empire' recruits!

Deejay Vybz Kartel is hunting new talent for his Portmore Empire in the form of a talent search, which will take place tonight at The Building in New Kingston.

The 'Gaza Talent Search' will take the place of the recently removed 'Fresh Fridays' in The Building.

Speaking to THE STAR recently, Kartel explained how the search came about. "The teacha has always been bussing artistes, but the idea for doing an official talent search came from my Street Vybz pawdie, Corey Todd (owner of the Building)."

In a release sent to THE STAR, Corey Todd added: "The search will start this Friday and continue every Friday until January. We will be searching for selectors, deejays, singjays and female dance groups."

According to Kartel, the finals will be held in December and the winners will be announced and signed by January. An application form, Kartel said, will be made available at The Building where persons can sign up.

"The judge will ultimately be the crowd. We will be monitoring and will have the final say, though."

What is Kartel looking for in his latest additions to the Portmore Empire? He said, "I'm looking for original sounds like me and Popcaan, just be original and fresh." Todd said the talent search is a real chance for an entertainer to buss in the business. The show will be hosted by Boasy Boy Floyd and excerpts of the show will be aired on Hype TV.

cash prize

Each winner will be signed to the Portmore Empire and receive a cash prize of $250,000

Known for breaking new acts such as Gaza Slim, Popcaan, Blak Ryno, Jah Vinci, Gaza Indu, Merital Family and Lisa Hype, Kartel said young members of the Empire are doing well.

He said: "Slim is going to England this weekend, Popcaan is going to Holland and France at the end of September and Shawn Storm is doing a Japan tour in October."

THE JAMAICA STAR

Reggae's top earners-Website names artistes making the money!

Shaggy reportedly tops list of richest Reggae acts

The top 10 living Jamaican artistes have amassed some US$90 million (J$7.7 billion) in net worth, equivalent to the annual export earnings from bauxite or sugar based on data from an online media report released last week.

These artistes, more than others, sold millions of records, toured successfully and entered into successful business ventures, according to the urbanislandz.com report. It listed the net worth of:

1. Shaggy at US$22 million ($1.8 billion)

2. Jimmy Cliff at US$18 million ($1.5 billion)

3. Sean Paul at US$11 million ($944 million)

4. Ziggy Marley at US$10 million ($858 million)

5. Sean Kingston at US$7 million ($601 million)

6. Damian Marley at US$6 million ($515 million)

7. Maxi Priest at US$4.6 million ($395 million)

8. Buju Banton at US$4 million ($343 million)

9. Beenie Man at US$3.7 million ($318 million)

10. Bounty Killer at US$3 million ($258 million)

Verification of these figures are hidden within music and tour contracts, however, Urban Islandz says it has compiled its data from sources both online and offline.

"We strive to make sure the content we published is fully accurate but we cannot always guarantee this," it stated about its list. Urban Islandz, an entertainment company, said it compiled the data to highlight "that our reggae/dancehall artistes are doing well on the global scale in the face of mounting criticisms that our music is in decline".

Shaggy topped the list due to selling over 20 million copies worldwide of his 2001 album Hot Shot, but equally due to securing a lucrative royalty deal for that album better than 90 per cent of the industry, they said.

"Shaggy managed to sign a sweet deal with UMG, named MCA Records at the time, where he earned (greatly on) each album sold for Hot Shot. Majority of artistes are lucky to earn $1 off each album sold. The Marley's on the other hand having their own company to work with, puts them at an advantage to earn more off album sales," stated urbanislandz in a written response to Splash's queries. "Regarding tour dates, again each artist's earnings vary according to their popularity and demands. Therefore, when artistes like Sean Paul or Sean Kingston would earn an average US$40,000 per tour date, other artists like Bounty and Beenie would be brushing an average US$10,000."

A respected musician and producer who toured with at least one the top five artistes told Splash that the data seemed credible. He spoke on condition of anonymity in order to respect private conversations with artistes.

"Sean Paul is conservative and I remember he even avoided buying a NY apartment calling it unnecessary. It is possible that Bounty Killer amassed that amount because he is also a conservative spender and has other businesses. Regarding Jimmy Cliff, definitely. He has been around from in the heyday of reggae and has been involved in music, songwriting and movies. He did songwriting for big artistes and also got his songs covered by the likes of Bruce Springsteen with Trapped. That would have been a big money earner," he said.

The combined worth at US$90 million is greater than the annual earnings from Jamaica's major exports including bauxite at US$85 million in 2009 (separate from the US$368 million earned from alumina exports) and sugar at US$72 million according to Bank of Jamaica statistics. It signifies the earning potential of the nation's music which has come under threat in recent years from international gay and government lobby groups. Consequently, all the top 10 artistes made the bulk of their income prior to the mid 2000s, but Urban Islandz has not discounted Reggae/Dancehall's future earning potential. They expect newcomers to factor on the list in the medium-term.

"Gyptian is one artiste to look out for as his career is doing exceptionally good and if this momentum takes him into next year and his album Hold Yuh sells well, he could become a strong contender. Mavado also is one to watch, something good should be happening for his career soon...Vybz Kartel is another to watch too, but may need a deal with a major label to put him there. Another reggae fusion artiste to watch is Iyaz from the Virgin Islands who is signed to Sean Kingston's label," Urban Islandz told Splash.

THE JAMAICA OBSERVER

Gaza Slim brings the 'Gaza' to London this weekend!

Even though the international press is raving over the Pope's visit to England, there is one other notable visitor to Great Britain this week, an emissary from the Gaza, the ultra-talented Gaza Slim aka Vanessa Bling. Her visit is significant because as you may well know, "the Queen of England haffi love off yardie".

"I just want to thank the Almighty for this opportunity, for without Him, none of this would be possible. I feel so proud that my career is doing so well, and I am going to England to represent for me and the whole Empire to the fullest. I am not going to let Vybz Kartel or my fans down," she told one876entertainment.com.

Gaza Slim's One Man hit #1 on several local charts over the Summer and her song is a fixture on many playlists and in clubs overseas.

"Yea, man, the ting tun up now," she said.

ONE876ENTERTAINMENT.COM

Drake Readies "It's Never Enough" For December Release!

October’s very own may now become December’s very best, with rapper Drake pushing the completion of his latest mixtape, It’s Never Enough, to around December.

Unsure of the actual release month, the Canadian-born rapper told MTV, “I'm hoping for Christmas time. I'd really love to get it out for Christmas time. Next month, I'll be on tour. I'm gonna really get to put the finishing touches on it in November and December. Because it's a mixtape, I don't have to wait for the production of it.”

With nods from his crew and label mates, Drake’s new mixtape will consist of songs that have never been heard from the Young Money artist. Much of Drake’s material has been available through multiple Internet facets over the last year, including his first mixtape So Far Gone, which was available at no cost prior to his major popularity boost.

Drake ensures fans will be surprised with the new material on It’s Never Enough, stating, “It's all new music...So all those are references. I had some references that were for Jamie Foxx, some that were for Rita Ora from Roc Nation. All the R&B stuff that recently leaked, that's not for the tape.”

Drake has not released many details about his upcoming mixtape with the exception of mentioning the first song on the project entitled I Get Lonely Too. While headlining his own tour dates, Drake will also be one of the attractions on the upcoming Welcome Home Weezy Concert along with Young Money label mate Nicki Minaj on November 5.

YORAPS.COM

Serani completes successful shows in US over the weekend!

Dancehall maestro Serani completed a very successful weekend in the United States for Labour Day weekend, starting with a benefit concert in Brooklyn for Haiti, followed by a show-stealing performance at HOT 97's On Da Reggae Tip.

"I think my performance surprised some people because I think they might not know how hard and how often I've been working," said Serani in a release. "I've been pretty much touring straight for two years, non-stop and I've worked really hard at my stage craft. We've also been focusing on markets that could be described as non-traditional for dancehall acts and really been trying to break those as well. I've been to Europe three times already this year, so we're just trying to get the music
out there on a wide scale. Every artiste did very well at On Da Reggae Tip and it was a great platform for me to showcase how far I have come."

After rocking a Spanish club in Queens after Friday night's Reggae Tip show, Serani made the dash from New York to Orlando for the inaugural staging of Reggae Fest at the prestigious Hard Rock Café inside Universal Studios. Performing alongside Shaggy, Rupee, Barrington Levy, Gyptian and others, Serani gave another performance that had the packed venue singing along to his songs.

Trekking back to New York on the Sunday, Serani appeared at BB Kings for Bobby Konders and Jabba, before demolishing Webstar Hall for a show hosted by HOT 97's Mr Cee.

Serani then joined a host of Jamaican acts on Monday's West Indian Labour Day Parade through the streets of Brooklyn, that attracts a crowd estimated to be in excess of one million people.

Serani leaves for the United Kingdom and Europe this month for several shows, before appearing at Miami Carnival in October.

THE JAMAICA STAR

Kartel being targeted? - Says police or someone else trying to set him up!

Deejay Vybz Kartel feels targeted. He strongly believes that there are some persons who are conspiring to see him behind bars once again.

Speaking to THE WEEKEND STAR, the deejay, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, said: "I feel like someone, or a group of people are conspiring to try to get me arrested. On Monday, I got a call from a friend who works at Greater Portmore Police Station telling me that there's a rumour over there that I put out a hit on a police over there and that I should try clear my name. I immediately called my lawyer and informed her of the news and she said she was going to call the station to query the matter."

The deejay further said; "Somebody trying to set me up but that don't hold no water because whether it is a routine check on the road, traffic violation or even question and answer, the cops and I have never had a bad encounter."

don't sling guns

He continued, "I sing songs, I don't sling guns so I would like to go to the public because this is set up business that someone is obviously trying."

Checks by THE WEEKEND STAR to verify the artiste's claims were unsuccessful as all questions were directed to the top cop for the St Catherine South Division. However, several calls to his office and cellular phone went unanswered up to press time last night.

"I don't know if it's true or not, I'm not in the capacity to comment. It's best you speak to the boss," a corporal at the Greater Portmore Police Station said when THE WEEKEND STAR contacted there yesterday.

In June, Kartel was among a list of six men who were described as a 'major person of interest' and asked to turn themselves into police custody. On June 29, Kartel turned himself into police custody, during the time of the imposed state of emergency. He was released two weeks later.

In making reference to that arrest Kartel said yesterday, "this is not the first time someone tried to accuse me. While I was detained during the state of emergency, police came to me in the cell and said they received statement that I threatened a policeman's life. When they contacted the policeman who was allegedly threatened, he said he didn't know anything about that and that he and I were good friends from primary school days, we grew up together."

THE JAMAICA STAR

Jay-Z, Will Smith Comment On Willow Smith's Deal With Roc Nation!

Jay-Z has confirmed that he has signed Will Smith's daughter Willow to a new deal on his label, Roc Nation.

The rapper/mogul appeared on Ryan Seacrest's show this morning and confirmed rumors that he snatched up Willow, whose song "Whip My Hair" has generated an instant buzz.

"We at Roc Nation are excited to work with Willow," Jay-Z told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "She has an energy and enthusiasm about her music that is truly infectious. It's rare to find an artist with such innate talent and creativity at such a young age. Willow is about to embark on an incredible journey and we look forward to joining her as she grows in all aspects of her career."

Willow, 9, already has a career, having landed roles in I Am Legend and in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

"After meeting with several record companies, it was clear that Jay-Z, Ty Ty, Jay Brown and the Roc Nation staff was the unquestionable choice," Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "Their passion for Willow combined with their boundless vision and artistic integrity made Roc Nation the perfect home for our little girl."

According to Jay-Z, Willow's advanced beyond her years and has a vision for her career in the music industry, despite only being nine. He noted that superstars like Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder started their careers off young.

“I heard the record first before I knew that it was recorded by a nine year old and I was like man that record's a smash,” Jay-Z told Ryan Seacrest. “I believe in superstars. I believe on big records on superstars and I think she has both."

Rap runs in the family's blood.

In 1985, Will Smith started off as a rapper in known as The Fresh Prince, from the streets of Philadelphia, along with his partner DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Willow's 12-year-old brother Jaden also raps on a song called "Never Say Never" with teen idol, Justin Bieber.

And their mother, Jada Pinkett-Smith, front a hard rock band, Wicked Wisdom.

A release date for Willow Smith's Roc Nation debut was not available as of press time.

ALLHIPHOP.COM