“OUT HERE GRINDIN.COM” – The #1 Source for Hip Hop

“Who’s New York’s biggest star, Jay-Z right?,” Maino asked in an interview. “So you mean to tell me that there is no one capable of becoming a Jay-Z? The problem with New York is that we don’t produce stars no more we still stuck on the old stars. I don’t think that it’s just that n*ggas can’t make good music. Take me for example. I have proved hands down that I make good music right? But when Jay-Z puts out a record its gone be like, the biggest thing since the steering wheel…I’m glad Diddy signed Red Cafe cause nowhere [else] is opening up an avenue for a new n*gga. Instead of concentrating so much on his self, he opening it up for a new n*gga. Murda was signed nothing came out of that…The OG’s school you…So it being no camaraderie and no connection it makes it that much harder for a n*gga to make it to that point to be a Jay-Z.” (Rap Radar) – Maino, New York City Rapper

New York……Is there any truth to this? Yes and No. Yes, New York has lost it’s luster lately but, this point doesn’t seem validated coming from someone as unaccomplished as Maino. He is a okay rapper but, who is he to question the Legends. When Jay-Z, Nas & Biggie came in the game, they didnt beg Kool G. Rap & Rakim to step out of the limelight & help them make moves. They made their force known individually; as the new generation of rappers should do as well. But, as stated above, there is SOME truth to this. Back in 1994, there were no stars on the level of Jay-Z or P.Diddy’s current status. No rapper before them had sold millions of records, sold out concerts & national tours, acquired half a billion dollars in personal net worth or created hundred million dollar incorporations. So Yes, the New York rappers of today have a much tougher fight in stealing attention from Today’s stars than yesteryear’s rookies.

When I listen to music from the south, I always hear Legends/Veterans collaborating with & endorsing artists on the come-up. From Scarface to Andre 3000 to Trick Daddy. Many correlate this as reasoning for their lengthly musical dominance. I can’t say the same for the rappers out of the East Coast. The Rap scene in New York City is at it’s most dismal point in hip hop history; with the stars aging quickly & no heirs in sight. The saddest of which is that with the snap of the finger, New York could be re-born. With ease The Legends could help breathe life back into the culture. The New York Powers That Be (Jay-Z, Diddy & 50 Cent) COULD & SHOULD help out more but, they aren’t OBLIGATED to. They COULD do songs with rising stars, they COULD let some regional acts have more cameos in videos, they COULD actually endorse their own before they do acts from the south, they SHOULD do this as this would only be a betterment for NY hip hop; as all these people had the same treatment early on in their career. As Big/Big Daddy Kane did Jay, as Rakim/MC Serch did Nas & as Jam Master Jay/Nas did 50 Cent. Sadly, we dont live in a fair world. So, oh well.

My only advice to the newcomers in NYC is to do it yourselves. Fuck em, gather who you can & create your own buzz/scene again. All of yall are grown men & should not depend on anyone, nor blame anyone for your lack of success. To those that make it out of this new crop, dont do the same to the next generation. As for now, stop bullshitting & get New York back to it’s rightful position.

We can talk all day about how bad New York is, how good New York was or how underserving The South is. However, the topic should be, how can we move New York forward?

NEW YORK – Bernard Madoff would be stripped of all his possessions under a $171 billion forfeiture order handed down only days before prosecutors seek to put the disgraced financier away in prison for the rest of his life.

U.S. District Judge Denny Chin entered the preliminary order Friday, ruling that Madoff must give up his interests in all property, including real estate, investments, cars and boats.

The forfeiture represents the total amount that could be connected to Madoff’s fraud, not the amount stolen or lost, and the order made clear that nothing prevents other departments or entities from seeking to recover additional funds.

A call to Madoff’s lawyer, Ira Sorkin, after hours Friday was not immediately returned. In a court filing in March, Sorkin said the government’s forfeiture demand of $177 billion was “grossly overstated — and misleading — even for a case of this magnitude.”

The 71-year-old Madoff pleaded guilty in March to charges that his exclusive investment advisory business was actually a massive Ponzi scheme. Federal prosecutors say Madoff orchestrated perhaps the largest financial swindle in history.

Acting U.S. Attorney Lev Dassin, who released a copy of the order Friday night, plans to seek a 150-year prison term at Madoff’s sentencing Monday. Sorkin has argued in court papers for a 12-year term.

According to Friday’s order, the government also settled claims against Madoff’s wife. Under the arrangement, the government obtained Ruth Madoff’s interest in all property, including more than $80 million-worth that she had claimed was hers, prosecutors said. The order left her $2.5 million in assets.

The agreements strip the Madoffs of all their interest in properties belonging to them, including homes in Manhattan, Montauk, N.Y., and Palm Beach, Fla., worth a total of nearly $22 million. The Madoff’s must also forfeit all insured or salable personal property contained in the homes.

Other seized assets include accounts at Cohmad Securities Corp., valued at almost $50 million, and at Wachovia Bank, valued at just over $13 million, and tens of millions of dollars in loans extended by Madoff to family, employees and friends.

The judge’s order also authorized the U.S. Marshals Service to sell the Manhattan co-op, properties in Montauk and Palm Beach and certain cars and boats.

At the time of Madoff’s arrest, fictitious account statements showed thousands of clients had $65 billion. But investigators say he never traded securities, and instead used money from new investors to pay returns to existing clients.

Prosecutors said the total losses, which span decades, haven’t been calculated. But 1,341 accounts opened since December 1995 alone suffered loses of $13.2 billion, they said.

“The sheer scale of the fraud calls for severe punishment,” the prosecutors wrote in response to the defense motion seeking lighter punishment.

Prosecutors said federal sentencing guidelines allow for the 150-year term, and any lesser sentence should still be long enough to send a forceful message and “assure that Madoff will remain in prison for life.”

The government’s papers quoted from letters to Chin written by victims of the scheme who are suffering severe hardships. Madoff “ruined lives,” one letter said. “He deserves no mercy.”

But Sorkin argued in filings that his client deserved credit for his voluntary surrender, full acceptance of responsibility and meaningful cooperation efforts.

“We seek neither mercy nor sympathy,” Sorkin wrote.

He urged the judge to “set aside the emotion and hysteria attendant to this case” as he determines the sentence.

The popular 1990’s rapper was able to have two charges dropped against him after appearing in court Friday afternoon.

He pleaded guilty today to one felony count of possession of a controlled substance, cocaine. Ivey, 45, will enter an 18-month drug rehabilitation program, known as Deferred Entry of Judgment, said Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Inda. If he successfully completes the program, he can request that the judge dismiss his case at the end of 18 months. He is scheduled to return September 28 at LAX Superior Court for a progress report. (Los Angeles Daily News)

A judge reportedly urged Coolio to accept a plea deal last month.

The case involving Coolio was extended until June 26 in a Los Angeles court Friday. At Friday’s court session, which lasted about 20 minutes, the judge told the rapper he should strongly consider a plea bargain. The rapper did not wear his Sunday best for the proceeding, clad in a multi-colored sport coat, jeans and tennis shoes, with his trademark crazy hair. RadarOnline.com has learned he was accompanied by his girlfriend and six supporters. (Radar Online)

He recently pleaded his innocence in a video earlier this year.

“Everybody got a family member or a friend that’s into something that you can’t control those types of situations,” Coolio explained. “I just happened to get caught up in the scene…It was just a situation I had no control of, something was in my bag and I didn’t even know it was in my bag. They could have did DNA and all kinds of stuff to find out if it was mine but they didn’t. They just got the bag and assumed it was mine…If you do bring drugs to the airport, you don’t put ‘em in your bag you put ‘em in your pocket. I used to smoke marijuana and I traveled with it for years, never put it in my bag. I always had it in my pocket. I’m not dumb like that but you know…That was some bullsh*t. The unfortuante thing about this is when my name is cleared, more people are not gonna hear about it than heard about it. That’s life in the city, that’s life of a celebrity. My family and friends know it’s not me. God knows it’s not me. In essence I don’t give a f*ck.” (TMZ)

His publicized arrest took place at LAX

The Grammy-winning performer, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey, was taken into custody at the airport on Friday after authorities said they found the drug and a crack pipe in his luggage. The battery charge was included because the performer grabbed an airport screener’s arm to prevent the search of his luggage, said Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney. He faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison if convicted and is scheduled to appear in court on April 3.

Everyone was shocked Thursday (June 25) when news of Michael Jackson’s heart attack was reported, followed by reports of his death.

While some were sadden, others were outraged when blogger Perez Hilton posted an entry on his website, claiming Jackson’s hospital admission was fake, so the King of Pop could bail on concert commitments.

However, upon learning the heart attack was very much real and that MJ had died hours later, Hilton edited his post, removing the insensitive comments.

But, the damage was done though. A trending topic appeared on Twitter called #unfollowperezz, where users unfollowed his account and expressed his distaste for his comments.

Rocker Pete Wentz blasted Hilton as well, and the two exchanged words numerous times throughout the day over the blogger’s insensitivity.

Comedienne Sarah Silverman tweeted an ill-timed joke about MJ’s death as well: “Did you hear Michael Jackson’s kids are free? That’s not nice. I’m sorry. Ugh, I feel bad for saying that. LOOK A BLUE CAR!”

Being the hypocrite he is, Hilton immediately chastised her: “I love you, but that’s low!”

Support the Twitter movement: #unfollowperez