Diddy Tops Forbes' Wealthiest Hip-Hop Artists

Diddy** is 2012's top-earning hip-hop mogul, according to Forbes.

The artist born Sean Combs is worth $550 million, according to the magazine, which includes his stakes in Ciroc Vodka, Sean John and Enyce clothing, Blue Flame marketing and his label, Bad Boy Records.

The entrepreneurial musician could reach new financial heights next year with the launch of his own cable channel, Revolt.

He's followed by Jay-Z**, at $460 million -- which includes earnings from the "Watch the Throne" tour in addition to his Live Nation deal and business holdings including the New Jersey Nets and his 40/40 Club chain, among others.

The rest of the top five includes Dr. Dre** ($270 million), Birdman** ($125 million) and 50 Cent** ($110 million). Dr. Dre's worth has doubled in the last year thanks to the sale of Beats Electronics, the producers of the popular Beats by Dre headphones line. HTC bought 51% of the company in August for $300 million, with the recent Coachella headliner reportedly taking home $85 million after taxes.


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Mystikal Headed Back to Jail

It seems Mystikal just can't get it right.

The recent Cash Money signee, who was released from state prison in 2012 after serving six years for sexual battery and extortion, will be returning to jail May 14 for three months, according to the Associated Press. This time, for violating his five-year probation following an arrest for domestic abuse.

On Monday (April 16), state District Judge Tony Marabella imposed the time on the New Orleans rapper, born Michael Tyler, 41, for the arrest back February on a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse battery. The five-probation is a result of the extortion case, and called for him to remain arrest and conviction-fee.

Mystikal's attorney said although the rhymeslinger was ordered to spend another 90 days in jail, judge Marabella is giving him credit for the nine days he was detained after his February 22 arrest.

In related news, Mystikal recently chopped it up with XXLMag.com about his upcoming YMCMB debut and what it's like working with Cash Money vs. No Limit.

"It's coming out this year," the MC said about the project. "Original is gonna be the title. When Stunna came up with the title for that song, that **** fitted, man. This [is] where that **** came from, as far as being from New Orleans. We the founders of that music, that rap game."

As far as the difference between his former label home and the present one, Mystikal said there isn't much difference, stating, "The times are different, first of all. It's like oranges and apples. The formula is still the same. It's the Take Over The World formula and Don't Give A **** Show them what it is, don't tell them. It's just on another level. This is a new day and a new time for real."

Nicki Minaj Launching Perfume This Fall

Nicki Minaj** will be the latest pop start to hit the fragrance market, according to WWD.

The "Beez in the Trap" rapper will debut her scene this fall, with help from Give Back Brands LLC, who also worked on Justin Bieber**'s fragrance, "Someday."

"I have always been a huge fan of great fragrances," Minaj said. "This is yet another extension of my creative expression and I can't wait to share it with the world. I designed this scent and bottle with my Barbz in mind; I know they will love it!"

Her scent will join recent offerings from Rihanna** and "Give Me All Your Luvin'" partner Madonna**, among others, with a scent from Lady Gaga** also expected later this year.

If her record sales are any indication, Minaj's latest venture should be another hit with her Barbz: sophomore album "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" bowed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 last week, moving 253,000 copies.

Opinion: The Problem with the Tupac Hologram

If you haven't heard, Tupac** was at Coachella on Sunday night! No, the rumors of the rapper being alive and in hiding aren't true; the rumors that Dr. Dre** and Snoop Dogg were going to re-create Pac as a hologram during their headlining performance on Sunday night were accurate, though, as the West Coast titans unveiled the radical visual midway through their set and let Faux-Pac perform "Hail Mary" and "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" before drifting back into the ether.

Nas: The Tupac Hologram Was 'Genius' // Coachella 2012: 10 Things Seen & Heard Sunday

The crowd had no idea what to do with the hologram. For one, its arrival came after Dre and Snoop tag-teamed "California Love," so it seemed like the opportunity for the rumored hologram use had already passed. When the shirtless 2Pac re-creation shouted "What the fuck is up, Coachella!" -- mind you, the real Tupac would have never yelled this, since he died three years before the Coachella festival even existed -- the crowd yelled back at him... but there were also a lot more uneasy looks than blissfully excited super-fans. On Twitter hours after, the general consensus on the stunt seemed to be, "The Tupac hologram made me uncomfortable, and I'm not sure why." The Juice's Erika Ramirez joked to me, "I can't believe we got a Tupac hologram before 'Detox.'" Maybe that's the harshest reality of all.



Tupac Hologram Live at Coachella 2012

My problem with the Tupac hologram is not with the actual appearance of the ghostly visage; AV Concepts, who engineered the rapper's likeness, deserves kudos for getting as close to the real thing as possible. Nor does it involve the moral implications of resurrecting a long-dead artist in hologram form -- although it's understandable why a lot of people could be terrified by what it means. If Tupac can make an appearance with Dre and Snoop at Coachella, why can't John Lennon stop by a Paul McCartney show, or Kurt Cobain** perform on a *shudder* Hologram Nirvana tour? Maybe the future of live music isn't live at all, but in many ways, the trend has already begun. After all, Cirque du Soleil is currently presenting Michael Jackson's music to sold-out shows, Sublime** reformed and toured behind their classic songs with a singer that sort of sounded like Bradley Nowell, and Elvis impersonators are still putting food on the table. If Tupac's lovable scowl is the face that launched a thousand holograms, then the art of profiting off of live re-creations of dead artists' music has simply progressed one step further. And if people want to shell out money to see these technological experiences, that's nothing that should be questioned or scolded.

The Tupac hologram seems to have touched a more personal nerve for me, as a hip-hop fan who still blasts "All Eyez on Me" at every opportunity, as someone who both loves Tupac's music and has accepted the fact that its creator is gone. As much as we still lament Tupac's untimely death nearly 16 years later and yearn for his presence in the current landscape of hip-hop -- oh, what it would have been like to hear him trade verses with Eminem**, or watch him guide a young California MC like Kendrick Lamar**! -- there exists a token of beauty in letting Pac's music speak for itself, and not grafting a false image onto his classic sounds simply because we missed Tupac perform when he was alive and want to see him now. Make no mistake, Tupac's Coachella appearance came from a place of love and appreciation, with Dre reportedly receiving the blessing of the rapper's mother before the concept was unveiled. But watching a visual re-creation of the rapper traipse around the stage in choreographed movements felt incorrect, as if trying to capture the energy that Tupac exhibited in his life and rhymes was a fool's errand. The hologram made me uncomfortable because Pac's life was special, and that unique flame has been extinguished. Why do we need to watch an imitation of Tupac when we have an incomparable plethora of his own art at our disposal?

If nothing else, the Tupac hologram felt unnecessary as a set piece in a Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg set that was already slaying the Coachella crowd. When you've got songs like "Nuthin But a 'G' Thang" and guests like Eminem, 50 Cent** and Wiz Khalifa** in your back pocket, you don't REALLY need to bring a rapper back from the dead to entertain your audience, right? "That Tupac hologram was unreal!" was the phrase on everyone's lips as they headed for the exits on Sunday night, but it easily could have been, "I can't believe Em came out for 'Forgot About Dre'!" or "Wow, that blunt that Snoop shared with Wiz Khalifa was enormous!" Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg killed it at their long-awaited West Coast homecoming, but that seems to have been bumped down to the second line of the story.

What do you think of the Tupac hologram? Sound off in the comments section below.

Deltans Thank Uk Judiciary Over 13 Years Sentence For ‘Petty Thief’ James Onanafe Ibori

Members of a group, Liberate – Delta Peoples Movement, representing over 15,000 citizens of Delta State across the world; have today selected out the UK Judiciary for special thanks, following the extradition, trial, guilty plea and sentencing of the former Governor of the State, James Onanefe Ibori to 13 years in prison for embezzling the State’s funds and laundering it in the United kingdom.  The sentencing was reported live on the group’s facebook page, followed by thousands of Deltans across the world.  There was an explosion of emotions on the Breaking News that the judge had pronounced a 13 years sentence, achieving what the Nigerian Judiciary had failed woefully to achieve.

Liberate has written to the UK Crown Prosecution Service, the Metropolitan Police and the Department for International Development for their commitment to tackling corruption in Nigeria and ensuring that the UK was no longer a safe haven for corrupt leaders who neglect their duty to create opportunities for the people and instead, extract as much money as they can for themselves, their families and friends.  They have also expressed grave disappointment with the Nigerian Judiciary and the broader Nigerian government for their failure to bring Ibori to justice after so many years of looting the State treasury and setting the State on a path of prolonged decline.  The group’s spokesman, Mr Cadre Drake said that:

“Ibori’s crimes were not a simple case of theft, they were crimes against the people of Delta State who have been robbed of their chance to build much needed infrastructure, and develop employment for the youths.  His victims are numerous.  However, Ibori did not act alone, he was aided by others who are known to the authorities; they must now be brought to justice too”.

The Group has today called for the following:

1. The Delta State House of Assembly should hold an emergency session to discuss the implications of the sentence for the State, in particular, the failure of Uduaghan to carry-out an audit of the States accounts so that the fraud Ibori pleaded guilty to can be identified.

2. Failing that they should all consider their positions and resign with immediate effect

3. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, cousin and protégé of Ibori should resign as governor of Delta State with immediate effect for his complicity in the looting of Delta State funds and his failure to carry out an audit of the State’s finances.

4. Amos Utuama, Deputy Governor of Delta State should resign with immediate effect for aiding and abetting Ibori in the looting of Delta State Treasury

5. Justice Marcel Awokulehin, Federal High Court Asaba should resign with immediate effect for failure to act in accordance with the rule of law and in the interest of justice, acquitting Ibori of 170 counts of corruption charges thereby bringing the Nigerian Judiciary and the nation into disrepute

6. John Fashanu should be dismissed by the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, as a Sports Ambassador for Nigeria for bringing Nigerian Sport and our nation into disrepute, acting as a character witness for Ibori and peddling blatant lies about how Ibori had revolutionised sports in Delta State.

7. That James Onanefe Ibori having been convicted of a fraud in the United Kingdom prior to becoming a Governor had obtained that position fraudulently and should be stricken off the public records.  The constitution of Nigeria states clearly in section 182. (1) (d) that an individual cannot stand as governor if “he is under a sentence of death imposed by any competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria or a sentence of imprisonment for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) or any other offence imposed on him by any court or tribunal or substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him by such a court or tribunal”  As it has been clarified by the UK courts that Ibori was indeed a convict, the President of Nigeria, the National House of Assembly and the Delta State House of Assembly must work from the same hymn sheet in ensuring the Ibori’s name is stricken from the public records such that he was never a Governor; and that all benefits to which he is entitled as an Ex-governor be stopped with effect from the date he pleaded guilty.  If possible, that he should be asked to refund all salaries earned during his period of Governorship.

Deltans do not have any faith or confidence in the current Governor, Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan given his apparent involvement in the Ibori criminal enterprise and his ongoing inability to introduce good governance, transparency and accountability to the State.  IN this regard, Liberate – Delta People’s Movement have committed to fight the repatriation of confiscated proceeds of Ibori’s crimes back to the Delta State Treasury.  Liberate will be writing to the UK authorities to make representations that the funds be held in Trust until such a time as a Governor, duly elected by the people and enjoying their trust and confidence is in place.

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END

LIBERATE was established in 2011 with the following declaration, 

“The people of Delta State hereby proclaim their right to freedom, security, justice and good governance.  We proclaim our opposition to corruption, nepotism and autocracy.  We have suffered enough.  Delta must be FREE.  We make a solemn commitment to prosperity for all - one Delta, one People, one Future.  Arise!”   The group now has more than 15,200 members.

Join Us – on Facebook:  LiBERATE - DELTA PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_105147526227353&ap=1

Court insists Lagos must pay N7 million to suspect detained 10 years

An Ikeja High court on Wednesday ruled that it was wrong for the Lagos state government to have detained a Nigerien, Mamman Keita in prison for over 10 years without trial and that the government must pay a compensation of N7 million to the detainee.

The presiding judge, of the case between the detainee and the state government, Justice Habeeb Abiru gave this ruling in response to an application the Lagos state Attorney General, Ade Ipaye had filed asking the court for a stay of execution its earlier judgement on the case.



Hundreds of inmates are being detained illegally in prisons across Nigeria.

Justice Abiru had in an earlier judgment delivered on December 16, 2011, ordered the Lagos state Attorney General to pay the sum of N7 million to Mr Keita to compensate him for his continuous detention in prison for over 10 years without trial.

The court had held that Mr Keita’s detention without proper arraignment and trial in court was a violation of his fundamental human rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He had also ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and Mr Ipaye to tender an apology to the 43-years old ram seller for detaining him unjustly for murder.

The judge while dismissing the application held that it lacked merit because Mr Keita was unjustly detained for over 10 years and deserved the compensation.

The court also faulted Mr Ipaye’s claim that Mr Keita was remanded in prison by the Police without forwarding the case to the office of the Attorney General.

The judge added that both the Police and the Attorney General was responsible for ensuring that people were given justice, which was denied Keita in this case.

“The criminal justice administration law was proposed by the ministry of justice and we have a duty to uphold its provisions”, Justice Abiru said.

Mr Ipaye had filed an appeal at the Appeal Court, Lagos against the judgment and had asked the High Court to stay execution of its judgment pending the determination of the appeal.

In the application filed on his behalf by Olabisi Ogungbesan, Director, Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Lagos state Attorney General had faulted Justice Abiru’s judgment which necessitated the appeal.

The Mr Ipaye had argued that the issues raised in the grounds of appeal are obscure and clearly touches on the powers of the Attorney General and the police under the relevant laws of the land.

He had claimed that the judgment debt, if granted would be paid from the taxes paid by Lagosians which would impose an increased burden on the state government.

Mr Keita’s lawyer, Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem had urged the court to dismiss the application, arguing that it lacks merit and would deprive his client the fruits of litigation.

The matter was adjourned to May 2 for hearing of the garnishee application filed by Mr Adetola-Kazeem

EXcLusive: French Montana talks Ma$e collaboration, "Sounds like he never left".

Hip-hop fans were left buzzing after seeing a picture (left) of French Montana, Rick Ross, Omarion, producer Rico Love and none other than Ma$e that hit the net on Tuesday night (April 17).

'Is Ma$e back for another go around?' was the common reaction to the flick.

Well, XXLMag.com reached out to French Montana on Wednesday (April 17) to give fans a back story of the picture that got everyone talking.

"We were in a Miami studio last night and Ma$e just stopped by," Montana exclusively told XXL. "We were just working on my album. We recorded two songs together--me, Ross and Ma$e. You might hear [Ma$e] on either my album [Excuse My French] or Ross' [God Forgives, I Don't] or both."

Although the current 2012 XXL Freshman wouldn't divulge any further details of the songs, he did mention that Ma$e is sounding pretty sharp and this collaboration with him, Rozay and the former Bad Boy has been in the works.

"We been planning it," French said. "Ma$e sounds good, sound like he never left. His flow is crazy. We're going to let the world hear soon enough. Stay tuned. Just stay tuned."

French and Ma$e are far from strangers. The Harlemite jumped on the remix to French's buzzworthy record, "New York Minute" back in 2009.

Maybach Music Group rapper Gunplay confirmed with XXL that he bumped into Ma$e in Miami last night and is looking forward to whatever collaboration is heard.

"I've been a fan of Ma$e," Gunplay said, "since the Children of the Corn.