April 28, 2010
Hollywood sign saved with Hefner's $900K
Playboy founder Hugh Hefner has granted a "Hollywood ending" to the campaign to save the iconic Hollywood sign, by coming up with the final $900,000 US needed to buy the site it sits on from developers.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was on hand Monday in Los Angeles to announce that the Trust for Public Land, a national conservation group, had reached its fundraising goal of $12.5 million.
It's "the Hollywood ending we hoped for," Schwarzenegger said, commenting that the sign had inspired him when he was growing up in his native Austria.
"It's a symbol of dreams and opportunity," he said. "The Hollywood sign will welcome dreamers, artists and Austrian bodybuilders for generations to come."
Hefner, 84, also cited inspiration from the famed sign, with its 14-metre-tall letters high on a rugged hillside.
"My childhood dreams and fantasies came from the movies, and the images created in Hollywood had a major influence on my life and Playboy," he said in a statement.
"As I've said before, the Hollywood sign is Hollywood's Eiffel Tower and I am pleased to help preserve such an important cultural landmark."
Hefner had also contributed to past fundraising efforts to help restore and renovate the sign.
Howard Hughes property
While the Hollywood sign itself is owned by the City of Los Angeles, it sits on a parcel of steep land that a group of Chicago-based investors purchased from the estate of tycoon Howard Hughes in 2002.
The investors had initially intended to sell the site— known as Cahuenga Peak — to luxury home developers.
However, they were persuaded by the Trust for Public Land to sell it to the conservation group for $12.5 million, provided the trust could raise the money by mid-April. At the deadline, the campaign remained $1.5 million short and was granted an extension of 16 days.
The total funds raised were a mix of public money ($2.7 million in local funds and $3.1 million from the state) and contributions totalling $6.7 million from private donors including director Steven Spielberg, actor Tom Hanks, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Tiffany and Co. Foundation and Aileen Getty, granddaughter of oil baron J. Paul Getty.
Schwarzenegger said the campaign had received donations from all 50 American states and 10 other countries.
Once the sale goes through, the trust will donate the land to the city so the parcel can be incorporated to adjacent Griffith Park
Armani hotel opens in Dubai’s Khalifa tower
Giorgio Armani and the Chairman of Emaar Properties PJSC Mohamed Alabbar are proud to bring you the Armani Hotel Dubai located inside the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in Dubai). Here are some accomadations of the 160 guest room luxury hotel:
Armani Hotel Dubai promises a “home-away from-home” experience. Each guest is assigned a personal Lifestyle Manager who serves as a personal contact from booking through the stay. The hotel restaurants offer cuisines from Japanese, Indian Mediterranean and fine-dining Italian. Leisure options include the world’s first in-hotel Armani/SPA; Armani/Galleria a haute couture boutique; Armani/Dolci, a confectionary; and Armani/Fiori, a floral boutique.
April 27, 2010
2Pac's Mother Afeni Shakur Arrested on Drug Charges
Afeni Shakur Davis, the mother of the late great Tupac Shakur is making headlines after being arrested on drug possession charges.
Afeni, 63, was arrested April 16 in Lumberton, North Carolina and charged with felony possession of marijuana, maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance and simple possession of a controlled substance.
She posted $10,000 bail and is expected to appear in court May 10.
Shakur Davis is the founder of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation established in Stone Mountain, Georgia which provides arts programs for youth.
Since her son's untimely death in 1996, she's managed the release of his unreleased music and poetry.
UFC's Tito Ortiz Denies Assaulting Girlfriend Jenna Jameson
Ultimate Fighting Championship star Tito Ortiz has denied assaulting longtime girlfriend Jenna Jameson, saying the former adult film star is addicted to pain killers and that her drug use resulted in him being arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
“Jenna Jameson has been facing and fighting a battle with OxyContin addiction for well over a year. For Tito and his family, this has been an uphill battle,” said Ortiz attorney Chip Matthews, speaking at an impromptu news conference late Monday night at an Italian restaurant in North Hollywood.
Ortiz stood beside Matthews, openly weeping for much of the six-minute news conference.
“Unfortunately this morning, when Jenna relapsed and Tito confronted her and asked her about the drugs he had found, she denied it and had an emotional breakdown over it . . . I want to be quite clear. Tito Ortiz never laid a hand on Jenna. Never.”
Ortiz, 35, was arrested Monday at their Huntington Beach, Calif., home. Ortiz and Jameson, a best-selling author and perhaps the world's most famous adult film star, have 13-month-old twin boys together. They have been dating since 2006.
“My parents have gone through an addiction, and I see it in the mirror again. I'm not going to let my family go through that,” said Ortiz. “I hold everything dear to my heart that Jenna will be OK.”
Matthews would not let Ortiz answer questions due to the ongoing criminal investigation.
Police on Monday received a 911 call from Jameson's father at 9:53 a.m. PT and Ortiz was arrested two hours later. He was released Monday afternoon after posting $25,000 US bail. Ortiz had left his house escorted by officers to a waiting police cruiser, wearing red fight shorts and a grey jacket with his hands cuffed behind his back.
Lt. Mike Reynolds of the Huntington Beach Police Department said the victim had “visible injuries.”
Matthews said Jameson, 36, had “a scratch on her elbow, and often times when you have people on OxyContin they don't have the best sense of balance.”
According to Matthews, Jameson's father, after making the 911 call, provided support to Ortiz and brought him clothes to change into after posting bail.
Matthews claimed Jameson has threatened suicide in the past year, but Ortiz has stood with her.
“They have two children together. They have planned on spending their lives together,” said Matthews, as Ortiz abruptly walked behind a curtain and could be heard crying loudly.
“They want nothing more than to work together.”
Ortiz is among the most popular and successful fighters in mixed-martial-arts history. Nicknamed ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy,' he held the UFC light heavyweight title from 2000-2003. Ortiz battled injuries for much of the next few years and eventually left the company in 2008 after a falling out with UFC president Dana White.
After more than a year, Ortiz and White put their differences aside and Ortiz re-signed with the company, returning at UFC 106 last November.
He is currently starring in Season 11 of The Ultimate Fighter. Ortiz was scheduled to fight again in June at UFC 115 versus Chuck Liddell, but was replaced during filming of The Ultimate Fighter by Rich Franklin. The reason for his early departure and removal from UFC 115 have not yet been made public.
What do you think?
April 24, 2010
Lil Wayne Sued By Jim Jonsin Over Royalties
Lil Wayne is behind bars, currently serving time in New York's Rikers Island, but the lawsuits keep coming his way. After being sued by Karma-Ann Swanepoel for sampling "Once" on "I Feel Like Dying," and Darius "Deezle" Harrison for royalties on "Mrs. Officer," the Young Money star is also being sued by producer Jim Jonsin for royalties from "Lollipop."
According to the New York Post, Jonsin is suing for $500,000. Jonsin is claiming he has yet to receive any royalties for work on one of Lil Wayne's biggest singles.
This isn't the first time Jonsin and Wayne have been involved in a dispute. When Weezy was sued by Swanepoel a year ago, he shifted the blame towards Jonsin for not clearing the sample.
DJ AM Set To Make Cameo In Upcoming IRON MAN 2 Film
It seems as though DJ AM had put in a lot of before his untimely death in August. In addition to the drug-intervention reality series "So Far Gone" on MTV, the celebrity DJ also filmed a cameo in the upcoming "Iron Man 2" movie.
The movie's director, Jon Favreau, explained recently that leaving AM's cameo in the movie was a difficult decision to make.
"We tried to make it respectful, and for people who know him, they'll get a kick out of it and for people who don't, it will sort of slide by without much notice," Favreau told the LA Times.
Goldstein will reportedly appear as the DJ in a scene where lead character Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.) celebrates his birthday. It has not been revealed whether or not AM will have any lines in the scene, but Stark does address him at some point, saying, "Adam, I need a phat beat..."
The film is also dedicated to AM (real name: Adam Goldstein), with his name and his trademark lightning-bolt symbol in the end credits, reports the paper.
AM died in August of last year from an accidental drug overdose. He was found dead in his New York apartment. He was just 36 years old.
In addition to AM, other celebs make cameos as well, including Bill O'Reilly and comics icon Stan Lee.
6 Police Officers Killed in Ambush in Ciudad Juárez-Mexico
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — Gunmen ambushed two police vehicles at busy intersection in Ciudad Juarez on Friday, killing six officers and a 17-year-old girl who was passing by, authorities said.
Chihuahua state spokesman Enrique Torres Valadez said five of the six police officers were federal, and one was municipal. Authorities said the police officers in the vehicles were distracted by someone selling items on the street when the gunmen opened fire. The assailants then fled in three vehicles.
Investigators said they don't know why the officers were shot, although they don't believe they were targeted because of any recent arrests they had made.
No one has been arrested but police said they have recovered two of the three cars used in the shooting.
Ciudad Juarez is one of the world's deadliest cities, and a two-year turf battle between drug cartels has left more than 5,000 people dead.
April 23, 2010
100% SWAGG Approved: The 2011 Porsche Cayenne
The new generation of the Porsche Cayenne features and updated interior and exterior and will be offered in a Cayenne S Hybrid model as well. The trucks start at around $75,000 dollars.
''I'am The West''
We get a first look at the album cover for Ice Cube's 9th studio album titled ''I Am The West''. The album is scheduled to hit stores July 13.
Rev Run's Words of Wisdom
Never run away from your problems, they'll always find you!
God is Love
Rev Run
Swagg EXCLUSIVE: Ace Hood "Real Hip Hop Freestyle"
Ace Hood Real Hip Hop Freestyle
Download link:
www.mediafire.com/?zgnoovduzc2
WWW.TWITTER.COM/ACEHOOD954
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ACEHOOD
WWW.ACEHOOD-ONLINE.COM
For Drops Send Script To
MrSwaggHimself@gmail.com
For Information On: Booking, Features/Collaborations, or To Send In Beats, etc...
CONTACT: Brick Swagg at MrSwaggHimself@gmail.com
April 21, 2010
SWAGG is coming to the iPhone!
A message to ALL iPhone users: SWAGG is FOR SALE! Will hit you with the details as soon as we can,but in the mean time keep SWAGG in your life.
http://www.swaggnews.com/
Who’s Going To See 50 Cent On Tour?
50 Cent is gearing up for a string of US dates for his Invitation tour staring at the end of May…. Dates below:
May 28, 2010 – Cleveland – Wolstein Center
May 29, 2010 – Detroit – Chene Park
May 30, 2010 – Chicago – UIC Pavillion
Jun 01, 2010 – Denver – Filmore
Jun 03, 2010 – San Francisco – Warfield
Jun 04, 2010 – Los Angeles – Nokia
Jun 06, 2010 – Las Vegas – The Pearl
Jun 07, 2010 – Phoenix – Celebrity Theater
Jun 10, 2010 – Kansas – City Midland Theater
Jun 11, 2010 – Dallas – Fairpark
Jun 12, 2010 – Houston – Arena Theater
Jun 15, 2010 – Miami – Filmore
Jun 17, 2010 – Atlanta – Tabernacle
Jun 18, 2010 – Myrtle Beach – House of Blues
Jun 19, 2010 – Raleigh – Walnut Creek
Jun 22, 2010 – NYC – Hammerstein
Jun 23, 2010 – Wallingford – Oakdale Theater
Jun 24, 2010 – Boston – HOB
Jun 25, 2010 – Atlantic City – HOB
Not A Bad IDEA
The Brooklyn DA found good use for truckloads of designer knock-offs that were supposed to be destroyed: $10 million worth of counterfeit designer clothes and shoes will be sent to Haiti. Pop the hood.
Seven truckloads of confiscated counterfeit designer duds and shoes — Ed Hardy, Nike and Diesel among the imitation brands — are headed to earthquake victims in Haiti.
The 125,000 tons of clothing and shoes, valued at $10 million, were seized by New York police and would normally be destroyed, but in this case, the contraband will go to good use.
“Permission was obtained from manufacturers, including Nike, Timberland, Antik Denim Jeans, Black Label and Christian Audigier, to allow the knockoffs to be donated to charity,” Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes told CNN affiliate WPIX.
Hynes’ office came up the idea. It was decided the goods, warehoused for a while, would come to better use in Haiti.
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The international charity World Vision has agreed to deliver the items donated by the Brooklyn authorities.
But there’s one catch: All brand identifiers like labels and logos will be removed in order to avoid trademark issues.
100% Swagg APPROVED: BALMAIN Black Zip Riders
The Black Zip Riders jacket comes with several pockets on the outer and features all zippers and hardware in black.
April 17, 2010
Swagg A-lo OF THE DAY
Swagg was in Toronto this week and we happen ta' drive by some real WAIST dooowwwnn sh?t. The pic. above should say it all. IF NOT, then may I remind you! SWAGG is with 2gg's DUuuMMmmyyy.
April 16, 2010
Nate Walker GOT SWAGG
Song writer “Nate Walker” is an' up & coming talent who's resume has got off to one hell of a START “Blame It” for Jamie Fox and “Say Ahh” for Trey Songz. Be sure to pick up your copy of SWAGG for that exclusive interview.
DJ SPREE & SWAGG NEWS Present: SWAGG Radio VOL 2
DOWNLOAD LINK: http://www.mediafire.com/?1yzz2vzzgzn
1.COUNTIN MONEY BUN B YO GOTTI
2.BOUT THAT-GRAFH FT JIM JONES
3.GOAT-J.R WRITER FT CASSIDY
4.THE POETS TOPLESS FREESTYLE
5.ITS OVER-FAT JOE
6.MASSIVE ATTACK-NICKI MANAJ FT SEAN GARRET
7.GOOD SHOE-MAINO
8.WHAT ABOUT ME ROCKZ
9.LLOYD BANKS GOT EM LIKE
10.CHOOSING ME-FREEWAY FT MARIO
11.BOY BACK UP DMX FT MOBB DEEP
12.BET I BUST B.O.B TI PLAYBOY
13.EUROGANG N HOOLIGANG-SAS
14.MY CLICK-Paul D & Jimmy Dee
15.WHO’S WINNING- YOUNG BUCK
16.WESTSIDE ROLLIN’-SNOOP & NIPSEY
17.MONEY ON MY MIND-Jim Jones Ft. Sandman & Young Handsome
18.I JUST WANNA-SHEEK FT TREY SONGZ
19.RAINING IN HARLEM-FRENCH MONTANA
20.HARD-Jim Jones Ft. Shoota
21.DOING IT MAJOR-BRAVO RED CAFE FABOLOUS
22.TIME-Lil Shaw feat Fedarro
April 15, 2010
Nipsey Hussle Inks Deal With BMI
Up and comming Los Angeles rapper Nipsey Hussle has recently signed a deal with BMI. BMI is home to other big stars like Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera. With the new deal BMI will now manage and licence his music for play on tv, radio, movies and more and will collect all royalties due to Nipsey.
Nipsey has been making a name for himself after been a XXL Frehsmen and pefroming at BET Hip Hop Awards with Snoop Dogg. He also appeared on Snoop's last album on the song Upside Down and on the huge project We Are the World 25 for Haiti song.
Currently Nipsey Hussle is working on his highly anticipated debut album called South Central State of Mind which features his first single called "Feelin Myself" featuring Lloyd. Which is due out later this year.
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