Beyonce Splits from Dad

Can you believe it!!!! Its true Matthew Knowles no longer manages daughter Beyonce.  Others say they saw it coming, especially after the divorce of her parents, who were married for 29 years.  Just in case you didn’t know, Matthew Knowles fathered a child while still married to Tina Knowles which placed a strain on the relationship with his daughter. According to her publicist Yvette Noel-Schure, Beyonce released this statement to Us magazine, “I’ve only parted ways with my father on a business level. He is my father for life and I love my dad dearly. I am grateful for everything he has taught me.” It has been rumored that she will be under the management of Live Nation Cough Cough “Jayz, but check this out. Rihanna is also a part of Live Nation, and I heard that she won’t be too happy about Beyonce being under the same management company, being that Rihanna was the first female meaning that attention and focus would have to be divided between the successful singers. Beyonce is sat to release her 4^th solo album in June, no word on the album title.

Nate Dogg Dies at 41

The legendary voice of the G funk voice sound, Nathaniel D. Hale aka Nate Dogg was pronounced dead on Tuesday, March 15 at the age of 41. The west coast singer was well known for his deep baritone voice on catchy hooks and some of hip-hop’s most memorable songs. There are no details revealing the cause of death, but if you remember back in 2007 as well as 2008, the singer had a stroke which left one side of his body paralyzed. There are some speculations that the cause of death could be from the complications of his previous stroke. Nate Dogg’s name and reputation will not be in vain; he has had a very rewarding career. The west coast singer has worked with a variety of talented artist such as Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Ludacris, 50 cent and of course Dr. Dre. While collaborating on other projects, Nate Dogg released three solo albums, Classic vol 1 & 2, Music and Me, and a self titled album, but he was mostly known for his features on songs like Ludacris’ “Area Codes”, Dr. Dre & Snoop’s “The Next Episode”, and my favorite “Regulator”. I heard of the news late Tuesday night when I noticed on twitter different individuals tweeting RIP Nate Dogg, I didn’t want to jump to a immediate assumption, because twitter is known for killing off individuals in the past based on rumors. I waited on a more solid lead, in which I received from a number of celebrities who knew and worked alongside him. Take a look at what some of our favorite entertainers had to say via twitter.

Snoop Dogg: “We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met. I love u buddy. U will always b with me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on everybody u ever did it wit I miss u cuzz I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up with u and I will c u again n heaven cuz u know d slogan. all dogs go to heaven yo homie n baby brotha bigg snoopdogg!! RIP NATE DOGG.”

50 Cent: “I just landed Nate dog is dead damn. GOD BLESS HIM R.I.P he meant a lot to west coast hip-hop. I’ve always been a fan of it.”

Nelly: “Blessings go out to the family of ‘NATHANIEL HALE’ aka ‘NATE DOGG’ may he R.I.P! A true PIONEER N ORIGINAL talent! ‘REGULATERS’ MOUNT UP!!”

Ludacris: “There is a certain void in hip hop’s heart that can never be filled. Glad we got to make history together.”

Daz Dillinger: “R.I.P. TO MY HOMEBOY NATE DOGG DPGC DOGG POUND GANGSTA 4 LIFE”

Monica: “2 The late Nate Dogg’s Family Know The Lord is close 2 the brokenhearted & saves those who are crushed in spirit Psalm 34:18….Stay Strong”

Nas: “R.I.P. Nate Dogg!”

Erykah Badu: “Nate Dogg… freshness period. rest in beats.”

Game: “R.I.P. Nate Dogg. Why does it take Death to remind us about the importance of life??? Cherish every moment cuz tomorrow he might call your #. I lost a friend. Been here before. Tears. Memories. One day someone will lose “US” as well. LIVING until that day comes is our only option.”

Jermaine Dupri: “I dedicate my set tonight, to one of the most creative; Hip-hop has ever seen Nate do double g, RIP homie”

Wiz Khalifa: “r.i.p nate dogg”

Drake: “It’s easy to love me now. RIP Nate Dogg.”

Sean Kingston: “Wowowowow life is short man… R.I.P to the legend nate dogg wow man this is crazzy ;(”

Melody Thornton: “Wow… Nate Dogg R.I.P. U will be missed. I used 2 love the song ‘Regulate’ cuz they said ‘chords, strings we brings MELODY’ very sad day! R.I.P. Nate Dogg a mil thx 4 the grt music!”

Cassie: “RIP Nate Dogg”

Bow Wow: “RIP Nate Dogg. I had the pleasure to be around him in my younger days when I was running with Snoop & The Dogg Pound in 93 #WestcoastLegend”

Trey Songz: “RIP Nate Dogg – much love! If you had Nate on ya hook it was certified g

Fat Joe: “Rest in Peace Nate Dogg We’ll Always Love You!!!!!”

Ciara: “R.I.P Nate Dogg

Rihanna says “No” to Bodyguard remake

There have been rumors floating around that Rihanna will be the chosen one to play the role of Rachel Morrow, in the remake of the 1992 film “The Bodyguard”. The 23 years old singer told ok magazine that she’s not interested in the role, once played by the legendary  singer Whitney Houston, because it wouldn’t offer her enough of a challenge, being that she is a singer as well.  “I want to separate the two, I hate when singers do singing movies all the time, because you can never look at them as anybody else”, says the Barbadian Princess, “I want to play a character, My whole life is playing Rihanna, so playing a singer won’t be a stretch for me”. I wonder if Beyonce had a similar response when she was offered to play the role of Etta James in Cadillac Records, or Deena Jones in Dreamgirls, and don’t forget about Lilly from “The fighting Temptations”.  In my opinion, I think playing the role that was once dominated by Whitney Houston in her prime, would be too much of a challenge for Rihanna.  I won’t say why I believe this but, I will say Whitney Houston used her original vocals in the film, so did Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson, who also played the role of a singer. Writers Jeremiah Friedman and Nick Palmer have already been selected to begin the writing on the film, which grossed a total of $121,945,720 in the US alone, but no word on who will be selected to play Rachel Morrow.

She’s Back!!!

Da Brat aka Shuntae Harris was officially released from prison on Feb 28 for aggravated assault. Back in 2007, charges were filed against the female MC for attacking a waitress in an Atlanta nightclub. She served 3 years, in a Georgia state prison and is currently on house arrest for the next 3 to 6 months. Alot of rumors surfaced once the Da Brat entered into the correctional facility. One of the rumors was that Jermaine Dupri, her friend/ Mentor, didn’t come visit her at all, while she was incarcerated.   Da Brat sat down with Vibe magazine to talk about her experience in prison, her most surprising guest, and to clear up some of the rumors about her stay in prison.

How were your nights resting in a cell?
I didn’t call my room a cell. That was my suite. I had to lay my head there so I made the best of it. It was comfortable for me. Once they do inspection you gotta have it clean, but when that’s done I had posters on there, everything.

You mentioned writing a book and back when I spoke with your sister LisaRaye she mentioned it but wanted you to explain it once you got out. So now the stage is all yours.
Ha, it starts off talking about my life and growing up. How I was selling dope for a hot second, was in a gang for a hot second. My father was a gangster. Just different things. I was in a church playing drums. I want people to know there isn’t just one side of Brat. I’m not just a rapper. It goes through my whole life story and could possible be a movie. So I’m just putting the finishing touches on it now.

Who else came out to visit you?
Of course my sister, JD couldn’t take it… He said he didn’t want to see me in that light. But he was very supportive and wrote me all the time. People talked shit but he was very supportive. Gave me everything I needed. Kat Williams came to see me. All my family and friends.

Who was most surprising visitor?
Mariah and Nick surprised me! I saw someone from their crew and said ‘Oh shit!’ I would’ve never thought that she would’ve came, she’s so girly! But that’s what real friends do

So So Def Artist Dondria

 

Where were you Saturday night? The Black Affair at the M Lounge was the place to be. Tha Gents hosted an event with a variety of local undiscovered, talented artist from the Birmingham Area, but the most anticipated artist of the night was none other than So So Def’s artist Dondria. Dondria is definitely a rising star, she released her first album, Dondria vs. Phatfffat, with the hit single, You’re The One, and recently released her 2nd mixtape, Dondria Duets, which can be found on Global14.com; she was also featured on the Passion, Pain, and Pleasure tour as the opening act for Monica and Trey Songz. This particular artist is bringing us true, raw talent, no reverb, no autotune; what you hear is, what you get, and she definitely illustrated that as she performed for us Saturday night. Dondria is no stranger to Birmingham but this particular night was just a little bit special. Opening for Dondria, were unsigned artist who shared the stage as well as a similar dream of being discovered. Before hitting the stage, I was able to sit with her for a quick interview and we talked about the success of her career, the tour, how she was discovered and what advice she would give to others who wanted to follow in her footsteps.

Check it out!!!!   http://www.mediafire.com/?4je2921uwpcfhkb

Hey this is Kihanna for Urbanham.com and I’m sitting her with So So Def’s artist Dondria. Hey Dondria

 Dondria: Hi

 Kihanna: Welcome to Birmingham

 Dondria: Thank You

 Kihanna: Well first off I would like to congratulate you on your success, 2010 was big for you, your first album came out, Dondria vs. Phatttfat, you also released a mixtape that just came out recently, and also what I want to talk to you about is the tour with Monica and Trey Songz, the Passion, Pain and Pleasure Tour, Can you tell me about that experience?

Dondria: Yes touring with Monica and Trey Songz, It was a great experience, I really didn’t know what to expect coming in opening up for them, I was just honored you know so, but the love that I received was great, I learned a lot I watched Trey and I watched Monica and I took stuff in and I put it in my show. It was a great experience.

Kihanna: Ok of course I know those opportunities didn’t come right off the back and I know that you have been asked this question a million times. How were you discovered?

 Dondria: I was discovered off You Tube, I started putting videos up in 2006, and a year later it seemed like the buzz grew throughout the year, but it just like skyrocketed after a year, One of the biggest names Jermaine Dupri, he hit me up, said he saw my videos and he signed me, I didn’t think it was him at first, but I was convinced that it was him finally, and I’m glad that he took interest in me because now I’m living my dream.

Kihanna: Also, you know before you are performing, there are local artist “speaking of the local performers”, specifically the one you hear in the background I want to know what advice do you have for them, others that are trying to get where you are today?

Dondria: I definitely would tell them to keep it up, don’t ever stop working, even being signed there are times where you are discouraged, so I know people that aren’t signed, I know all to well how that feels too, but no matter what, stay persistent, keep working, use every avenue, I love this, like open mic nights, and opportunities to perform in your city and your state; but also use the internet because that is definitely the way to go, as years come and time progresses technology is gonna be amazing, so just use every single avenue that you can.

Kihanna: With the success of your career, this is a personal question, how does it affect your personal like your friends, your significant other, basically people that knew you before your deal?

Dondria: Its very trying at times, I am in a four year relationship, so, sigh, the time that we were spending together you know we don’t have that much time to do it now , so its like the time we have, we got to make sure we take advantage of it, My friends I miss them, I’m missing out, on all kinds of stuff, my friends having babies, graduating from college, you know all the big stuff, but they know I love they love me they support me, so its all good ,and when I come home we party.

Kihanna: So how do you deal with the ones that changed, like you know instead of supporting you, they kind of as you want to say hating, they were friends before but now you know….  How do you deal with that?

Dondria: Well, the people that I know are my true friends, they remained the same, everybody else I already expected that they would act differently, they been played to the left, but I know who my real friends are, so that is what you have to figure out who the real ones are and who the fake ones are.

Kihanna: Exactly, One thing that I noticed about you by watching your Ustreams, and how you interact with your fans, you are very humble, you have a beautiful personality, its like talking to someone next door or whatever, so how do you remain so humble?

Dondria: People ask me that all the time, and I don’t know how to be anything else, my life has changed, when I go places I get stopped and they say ,oooh Phatfffatt can I take a picture, and I love it. I don’t understand how people let that type of stuff change them, If I’m being anything else I’m being fake, so I just remember where I came from and remind myself to stay real regardless, because that will be appreciated far more than me being fake

Kihanna: Well I only had a short amount of time so I want to thank you

Dondria: No problem

Kihanna: I wish you much Success

 Dondria: Thank You

www. twitter.com/Dondria

http://global14.com/dondria-mixtape