Tupac's Writings Donated for Research

The mother of late rapper Tupac Shakur donated a collection of his writings to the Robert W. Woodruff Library at the Atlanta University Center. The items donated include rough drafts of lyrics, poems, and a photocopy of his contract with Suge Knight and Death Row Records. The items will be part of the archives at the library on the campus of the Atlanta University Center and will be available for research in the fall of 2010.

Singer Michael Jackson Holds Auction

In April, the singer Michael Jackson is set to auction off more than 2,000 of his personal possessions. This would include his American Music Award for "Thriller," a velvet cape that was given to him from his children for Father's Day in 1998, a pair of rhinestone-trimmed socks from 1981, a basketball signed by Michael Jordan, his own original artwork, platinum and gold records, a customized Harley Davidson, and a Rolls Royce limousine. The auction will last for five days and will start on April 21st.

Rap Producer Suge Knight Hospitalized

Marion "Suge" Knight, a rap producer and co-founder of Death Row Records, has been hospitalized in Arizona after being punched in the face during a hotel fight. It happed on Monday at a private party at a hotel in Scottsdale. Two men were arrested in the incident on the suspicion of assault and disorderly conduct, including one who said that he is the business manager of the singer Akon.

Charges Dropped Against Suge Knight

On Friday, a judge dropped the drug and battery charges filed against Marion "Suge" Knight, the co-founder of Death Row Records. The prosecution had discovery problems and witness problems. The district attorney's office has filed a notice showing that it might revive the charges by seeking a grand jury indictment. Knight had recently been charged with two counts of felony drug possession and one count of misdemeanor battery in the beating of a woman in August after police caught him hitting his girlfriend while holding a knife in a parking lot near the Las Vegas Strip. Police found the drugs Ecstasy and hydrocodone in his possession. The girlfriend was not stabbed but she was treated at a hospital for the injuries.

"Suge" Knight Facing Criminal Charges

Marion "Suge" Knight, the co-founder of Death Row Records, is facing criminal charges in Las Vegas that come from an incident where he had beaten his girlfriend near a busy thoroughfare in August. Police had arrested him after they saw him beating the woman while brandishing a knife in a parking lot near the Las Vegas Strip. He also had Ecstasy and hydrocodone in his possession when he was arrested. He was released from custody after posting $19,000 bail.

Knight is being charged with two counts of felony drug possession and one count of misdemeanor battery. He could face mandatory probation and up to four years in a Nevada state prison on each of the drug charges. He could also be sentenced to up to six months in jail on the battery charge.

Suge Knight Gets Bailed Out of Jail

Marion “Suge” Knight, founder of Death Row Records, was put in jail on Wednesday on assault and drug charges after being accused of beating his girlfriend while brandishing a knife near the Las Vegas Strip. He post $19,000 bail and was scheduled to be released from jail on later in the day on Wednesday with a promise to appear in Las Vegas Justice Court on September 26th.

“Suge” Knight was arrested at 6:40 A.M. in the morning after police was at the scene of a minor traffic accident and found Knight hitting a woman in a parking lot off of a busy thoroughfare. He was on top of her and in the act of violently beating her when police arrived. An officer drew a Taser stun gun as they approached him and he dropped the folding knife that he had. The woman was not stabbed but she was treated at a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening. Knight was arrested and booked into the Clark County jail on felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor charges of possession of dangerous drugs without a prescription, and domestic violence. He had Ecstasy and hydrocodone in his possession when he was arrested. It is not certain whether he or the woman had used drugs or alcohol before the arrest.

Death Row Records Auctioned

Death Row Records Company was auctioned for $24 million, which had released albums by Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Tupac Shakur in the past. On June 24^th, Global Music Group Inc. purchased the music label and its black catalog and its current artist contracts because the company had gone down due to debt and mismanagement.

Financial problems came to Death Row Records recently when a former couple, named Lydia and Michael Harris, took the company to court and stated that they had helped found the label. They won a judgment of $107 million and tried to collect it in 2006. The label was not able to pay the amount and filed bankruptcy in April of 2006 and claimed debts of over $100 million. Also in 2006, a federal judge ordered for a bankruptcy trustee to takeover Death Row Records and said that the label had gross management. The decision to file bankruptcy saved the company from the decision of the court to appoint someone to take control of the record label and its assets.

Rapper Yung Joc Arrested

The rapper Yung Joc was arrested at Cleveland Airport and charged with carrying a concealed weapon. A loaded semiautomatic handgun and ammunition was found in his carry-on bag. He was trying to go through standard security checkpoint when he was stopped and questioned. He was arrested and later released on a $50,000 bond.

Rapper Jay Z Leaving Def Jam Exec Job

The rapper Jay Z has announced that he will leave his position as president of the Def Jam Records label after his contract expires this year. He gained the position as president three years ago. He plans to still release music through his Roc-A-Fella/ Def Jam label after his contract expires on Dec 31^st.

Rapper Birdman Charged With Drug Possession

The Cash Money Records rapper Birdman, whose real name is Bryan Williams, was released on a $1,500 bond yesterday after he was charged with possession of more than a half an ounce of marijuana. Drugs were found after a RV that he and 15 other people that he was riding in was pulled over after an improper lane change.

Rapper Birdman Arrested

The rapper Birdman, whose real name is Bryan Williams, was one of 16 people arrested and charged with possession of marijuana on Tuesday after the RV they were riding in was pulled over by the police after making an improper lane change. The police said they could smell marijuana coming from the inside of the rented TV and they found nearly a pound of marijuana in a trash can in the kitchenette after getting consent to search the vehicle. Birdman, his wife, and his brother were each charged with possession of more than ½ ounce of marijuana along with 13 other passengers, who were affiliated with the rap industry and with Cash Money Records, which was founded by Birdman and his brother. All of the 16 people were jailed until Tuesday night.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is helping in the investigation because an assault rifle, a handgun, and a magazine for a .45-caliber handgun were found in the RV. There weren’t any weapons charges filed. Birdman and his group said that they were traveling from New Orleans to New York for a BET network shoot.

Damon Dash and Rachel Roy Expecting a Baby

Damon Dash, the former CEO and co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, and his wife Rachel Roy, a fashion designer, are expecting their second child this spring in 2008. They already have a daughter that was born in 1999 and Dash has a son from a previous relationship.