RAP-SODY IN BLUE
DO THE (COPY)RIGHT THING: A New York woman filed a copyright lawsuit yesterday against Jay-Z, Universal Music Group, Island Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella Records. Demme Ulloa claims that she sang the catchy chorus of the rapper's hit single, "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," but never signed a contract and hasn't seen a penny for her efforts. She's seeking a permanent injunction to stop further sales of the song, $1 million and damages relating to record sales. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 8, when a judge will decide on whether or not to honor Ulloa's request to pull the single and album, The Blueprint, from stores until the dispute is resolved. Apparently, Ulloa figures she won't get any more money from her suit if the album continues selling beyond its current total of 1.3 million units.
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE, THERE'S SNOOP: Snoop Dogg's lawyer pleaded innocent on behalf of his client, who was busted for pot after a traffic stop. The 30-year-old rapper/actor is charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of $250 and 30 days in jail. Defense attorney Jay Milano argued that the rapper's high-profile status makes him an easy target. "Sometimes Snoop Dogg's buses have been stopped just because it's Snoop Dogg's bus," Milano said. "The smoke coming out the windows is often just incense."
SERMON NOT LOOKING FOR A EULOGY: Erick Sermon Tuesday (10/30) confirmed the J Records statement that he was hospitalized after a car accident on Sept. 25. Denying a police report that claims he tried to commit suicide by jumping out of a third story apartment in New Jersey, the EPMD founder said, "I just don't get that. This is one of the best times in my life. Me jumping out the window, or trying to commit suicide, I was like 'Are y'all serious?' I'm like, 'Yo, where did they get that from?' I just want to say that what they said is not true." According to Sermon, he fell asleep while driving home from the video shoot to his latest single, "I'm Hot." Sermon also denied reports that he'd been severely injured in the crash, and we think he said he only broke his arm, but it was hard to hear him with his mouth wired shut.
ANARCHY IN THE U.K.: Two men were shot during a concert by top UK hip-hop/garage group So Solid Crew as clubbers packed a central London music venue. One of the victims was found in the hallway of the Astoria club, where band member MC Romeo was holding his 21st birthday party. The So Solid Crew--a group of at least 20 musicians, DJs and producers at the hub of the fashionable UK garage scene--condemned the violence in a statement released to the London Evening Standard. The Astoria's management said the trouble flared after a group of gatecrashers was refused entry to the club.
