Apr
13
50 Cent, Yayo Named in ‘Gangsta’ Lawsuit
A New York City mother and her 14-year-old son filed a civil lawsuit against 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, Violator Management and the Universal Music Group labels Interscope, G-Unit and Shady Records on Wednesday. The teen is the son of the Game’s manager, Jimmy “Henchman” Rosemond, and he claims Yayo and three other men jumped him on a Manhattan sidewalk in March of 2007 when they saw him wearing a Czar Entertainment shirt. (Czar is the Game’s management company, and the Game hasn’t been on good terms with G-Unit since a feud in 2005.)
In one of the strangest record label partnerships of the past few years, Island Def Jam Music Group and TAG body spray have announced a joint hip-hop venture headed up by Jermaine Dupri.
Blondie has announced a series of shows in support of Parallel Lines’ 30th anniversary. The tour starts on June 5 in Baltimore and winds down at Milwaukee’s Summerfest on June 28. More dates are also expected soon.
Alison Sudol, the 22-year-old songbird behind A Fine Frenzy, isn’t afraid to flaunt her soft spot for the sentimental. Her debut album, One Cell In The Sea, finds Sudol’s fragile vocals and diary lyrics entwining with haunting piano, to craft ballads of love and heartbreak. Last year these poignant compositions struck an empathetic chord with music fans around the world, resulting in international chart activity for her first single “Almost Lover,” and earning her an opening slot on tour with Rufus Wainwright.
Bacardi and Groove Armada have signed a one-year partnership that covers recordings, touring, and audiovisual content. As the liquor company’s global experiential manager, Sarah Tinsley, explained it to Billboard.com, “Essentially we are taking over the role of a record label—producing the music, promoting new music, and the artist is playing at our events.”
