Rap News Rundown: Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Iggy Azalea, Common
Nicki Minaj’s Ex Claims He Co-Wrote Her Lyrics
Nicki Minaj’s breakup with former boyfriend Safaree Samuels has continued to play out in the media. The Young Money rapper recently commented on a tweet from comedian Lil Duval that called Samuels’ rapping style “corny,” and he reacted in an interview with The Breakfast Club on New York’s Power 105.1, claiming that he co-wrote some of Minaj’s rhymes.
“Every time it came to writing raps and doing music, it was her, me and the beat,” Samuels said. “She doesn’t do it herself. It’s me and her. Don’t discredit me on what I’ve done for you. When you try and pull me down and discredit what I’ve done for you, that’s what’s weak to me. I would never do anything publicly to pull her down.”
Chris Brown’s Probation Revoked; Singer Fears Prison Sentence
On January 15, a Los Angeles Superior Court revoked Chris Brown’s probation for failure to complete all of his community service and for leaving the county to perform at a concert without prior permission.
Brown’s probation officer, Carlos Delgado, recommended jail time. In his report, Delgado wrote: “Though he has shown the ability to be compliant during long stretches of his probation grant, [Brown] continues a pattern of making choices that are counterproductive to his ability to be successful on probation. There is also concern that when he performs or attends some of his public events, people will get shot or seriously injured.”
Brown will return to court March 20.
Iggy Azalea Wins Minor Victory in Legal Battle with Ex
Iggy Azalea (Amethyst Amelia Kelly) scored a small win in her ongoing court battle with her onetime boyfriend Maurice Williams (a.k.a., Hefe Wine). The judge presiding over their lawsuits issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Williams from selling some of the pop star’s earlier recordings.
“In light of the obvious discrepancies in the agreement indicating that it is a fabrication, however, coupled with the many inconsistencies revealed during the court’s evidentiary hearing, the court finds that Ms. Kelly has at the very least raised ‘serious questions’ about the validity of this agreement,” wrote Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell in her ruling. The judge also pointed out that the purported contract displayed signatures in the wrong locations, several paragraphs were out of order, and one of the attorneys listed has denied any involvement.
Common, John Legend Nominated for Oscar for Selma Song ‘Glory’
Common’s song “Glory,” featuring John Legend, garnered a Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. The piano-laden track is featured on the soundtrack for Selma, a movie about Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. It already won the Golden Globe in the same category,
“I feel like, ‘Wow! I never knew that this would happen,'” said Common to SFGate. “Just thinking about creating songs in music and in hip-hop, and for me to say, ‘I’m an Oscar-nominated actor or artist. I’m an Oscar-nominated person,’ it’s incredible. I am overwhelmed and inspired and enthused. I am actually ready to do more work now.”
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Rap News Rundown: Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Iggy Azalea, Common
Nicki Minaj’s Ex Claims He Co-Wrote Her Lyrics
Nicki Minaj’s breakup with former boyfriend Safaree Samuels has continued to play out in the media. The Young Money rapper recently commented on a tweet from comedian Lil Duval that called Samuels’ rapping style “corny,” and he reacted in an interview with The Breakfast Club on New York’s Power 105.1, claiming that he co-wrote some of Minaj’s rhymes.
“Every time it came to writing raps and doing music, it was her, me and the beat,” Samuels said. “She doesn’t do it herself. It’s me and her. Don’t discredit me on what I’ve done for you. When you try and pull me down and discredit what I’ve done for you, that’s what’s weak to me. I would never do anything publicly to pull her down.”
Chris Brown’s Probation Revoked; Singer Fears Prison Sentence
On January 15, a Los Angeles Superior Court revoked Chris Brown’s probation for failure to complete all of his community service and for leaving the county to perform at a concert without prior permission.
Brown’s probation officer, Carlos Delgado, recommended jail time. In his report, Delgado wrote: “Though he has shown the ability to be compliant during long stretches of his probation grant, [Brown] continues a pattern of making choices that are counterproductive to his ability to be successful on probation. There is also concern that when he performs or attends some of his public events, people will get shot or seriously injured.”
Brown will return to court March 20.
Iggy Azalea Wins Minor Victory in Legal Battle with Ex
Iggy Azalea (Amethyst Amelia Kelly) scored a small win in her ongoing court battle with her onetime boyfriend Maurice Williams (a.k.a., Hefe Wine). The judge presiding over their lawsuits issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Williams from selling some of the pop star’s earlier recordings.
“In light of the obvious discrepancies in the agreement indicating that it is a fabrication, however, coupled with the many inconsistencies revealed during the court’s evidentiary hearing, the court finds that Ms. Kelly has at the very least raised ‘serious questions’ about the validity of this agreement,” wrote Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell in her ruling. The judge also pointed out that the purported contract displayed signatures in the wrong locations, several paragraphs were out of order, and one of the attorneys listed has denied any involvement.
Common, John Legend Nominated for Oscar for Selma Song ‘Glory’
Common’s song “Glory,” featuring John Legend, garnered a Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. The piano-laden track is featured on the soundtrack for Selma, a movie about Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. It already won the Golden Globe in the same category,
“I feel like, ‘Wow! I never knew that this would happen,'” said Common to SFGate. “Just thinking about creating songs in music and in hip-hop, and for me to say, ‘I’m an Oscar-nominated actor or artist. I’m an Oscar-nominated person,’ it’s incredible. I am overwhelmed and inspired and enthused. I am actually ready to do more work now.”