Photo Credit: The Associated Press.
LAS VEGAS, NV — Floyd Mayweather is a free man today after a judge granted him a midnight release 30 days early from a 90-day domestic violence sentence.
Mayweather, who served his sentence in Las Vegas at the Clark County Detention Center, was greeted by family, rumored TMT Promotions partner 50 Cent, and Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe.
Mayweather did not speak to reporters on site before leaving.
Authorities have returned T.I. to federal custody for using a luxury bus filled with entourage members to report to a Atlanta halfway house.
T.I. (Clifford Harris) was released on Wednesday after being jailed for the past year for parole violation on weapons charges. He traveled from a federal prison in Arkansas to Atlanta in the prominent luxury vehicle, which went against the Atlanta’s emcee’s promise to use a discreet van.
According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website, T.I. will now be released on September 29.
Earlier this week, T.I. issued statement to fans via Twitter.
“Feels great to be back where I belong…Back in the arms of those who need me the most,” T.I. said. “The storm is over & da sun back out. IT’S OUR TIME TO SHINE SHAWTY!!!!! Welcome to the beginning of our Happy Ending!!!!”
Hip-Hop legend Scarface (Brad Jordan) is now a free man after spending the last year in jail for several different child support cases.
A representative for the rapper told HipHopWeekly that Scarface has started work on a new album.
“Face is home and he’s already working on releasing new material. It’s not going to take him long to fall right back into the swing of things,” the rep said.
Scarface was jailed in October 2010 after failing to pay child support in four separate cases.
His last album, 2008′s Emeritus, was billed as a retirement album.
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No matter the discipline, I almost never take an artist’s claims of retirement seriously. If you aretrue artist, that vocation is in your DNA and not something you give up. Now the “business” of art, that’s something different. In Scarface’s case, financially he has no choice but to come back to the game. While the fan in me welcomes new music, it’s far more important that he gets himself together to take care of the brood of children he’s accumulated over the last decade plus with these different women. I couldn’t help but think about that x-rated “High Note” video from a few years back. Wrap it up, gentleman.
ATLANTA, GA — Brick Squad rapper Gucci Mane is still being held in at Dekalb County jail on misdemeanor battery and parole violation charges.
Last week, Gucci Mane was arrested for allegedly pushing a woman out of his moving vehicle after offering her $150 for sex on January 28. The unidentified 36-year-old was treated for minor injuries, including back pain. The rapper had met the woman, a hair stylist, that morning
The latest parole violation is the second Gucci Mane has committed in the last 12 months. Last May, Gucci Mane was released after serving six months for a violation involving narcotics use.
“I have made some mistakes in my life that have hurt a lot of people who care about me,” Gucci said upon his May 2010 release. ”These past six months have been a difficult time but fortunately I have learned a great deal from my experience. I was able to do a great deal of soul-searching; I am coming back with a new attitude towards life… I want to continue down a positive track and truly focus on being a role model to my fans and community.”
At press time, Gucci Mane is being held on $5,700 bail.
For immediate future, DMX’s one year jail term will be under the supervision of the Flamenco Mental Health unit at Arizona’s State Prison.
Earlier this month, DMX (Earl Simmons) received his jail sentence after pleading guilty to parole violation. X violated his terms by testing positive for cocaine and oxycontin. The former multi-platinum emcee had just been released from prison in August after serving a year for a conviction on drug, fraud, and animal cruelty charges.
According to the Phoenix New Times, the mental health tests are a follow-up on the recommendation of Arizona judge Christine Mulleneaux, who stated at the rapper’s sentencing that it’s possible he suffers from bi-polar disorder, or another “undiagnosed mental condition.”
At press time, DMX’s manager Nakia Walker would not verify if her client has a mental condition. DMX will be able to have visitors beginning on January 20, 2011.
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It’s crazy (no pun intended) that after being arrested every year since 1999, Arizona has finally decided to take a look at DMX’s mental condition. For those of us in Hip-Hop, we knew from the first album that X tittered on that thin line between brilliance and insanity.
DMX needs help, and Arizona is not the place he’ll get it. In that state, he’s simply a target, and that’ll never change. DMX is a grown man, so no one can force him to get off drugs. At least in a new location, he’d have a legit chance at a fresh start. I don’t know if it’s property holdings, family, or a just a love for the area that’s kept him there. Whatever it is, those ties need to severed when he’s released next year.
On every album, DMX says an emotional prayer. I hope his fans are keeping him in theirs.
Ja Rule has received a two-year prison sentence following a guilty plea on a 2007 gun possession charge.
Ja Rule (Jeffrey Atkins) made the plea deal earlier today in Manhattan State Supreme Court. He faced up to four years if found guilty at trial.
On July 23, 2o07, Ja Rule was stopped by police for speeding after finishing up a concert the Beacon Theater venue. Authorities searched his Maybach vehicle on suspicion of marijuana use, and found a .40 caliber, semi-automatic handgun.
Rule will be officially sentenced in February 2011. In November, the rapper had just completed a tour of Moscow, and performed in Iraq for American troops.
At press time, Ja Rule could not be reached for comment.
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Two years sounds very steep, but I’m not sure how many priors Ja Rule has either. Rappers are good for catching gun cases due to members of their entourage carrying around illegal firearms. This still seems excessive, but also keep in mind what’s happened to Prodigy, Lil Wayne, and even NFL player Plaxico Burress when they’ve caught gun charges in NY. Each and every one of them has had to serve time.
Rappers have to realize they are targets, especially when you’re riding around in a vehicle that’s worth about $250,000. We saw what happened to T.I. a few months back when he was in his Maybach in Los Angeles. Tough break for Ja.
Quite a few emcees can say they’ve celebrated the release of their album in jail. Tupac and Lil Wayne come to mind. But T.I. is one of only a handful that can lay claim to enduring multiple album drops from a prison cell. In the Grand Hustle CEO’s latest open letter to fans, he thanks each one by name for their letters and prayers. He promised to be a better man once released, and that his next album may focus heavily on his spiritual conversations with God. On the release on his No Mercy LP, T.I. referenced it as the “most honest and intimate installment of my life story.” The letter is reprinted below in its entirety.
So here it is…NO MERCY, the most honest and intimate installment of my life story as promised. Hope y’all enjoy it and it lives up to the very high standards I’ve set for myself or anyone who’s to be considered one of the best. I must admit it takes a lot to go through as much as I have and still keep the love in your heart and in your art. But at the end of the day, if that’s what it takes to produce the music that keeps the world of hip-hop evolving on it’s axis….Then even the lowest of the lows of my life was all worth it. Thanks again for your prayers, your time and attention. And remember….It does’nt matter how long it’ll be before the next time you see me. What matters is that I’ll be a better man before that time comes. The longer I sit, the smarter I get.
I’d like to give a vey special thank you to all the fans who’ve been writing me and lifting my spirits everyday. I read all of them. Although I would never be able to write you all back…I’d like to list as many of you individualy as i can and thank the others collectively. It’s a relief to know that there still are people who see a man with a life and not just another headline in the news. Most of you sound very concerned and optimistic at the same time about my situation. Let me assure you all that I am deffenitely keeping my head up. I don’t consider myself done by far. Also many of you are convinced as I am that God has a plan for me that he’s preparing me for. How do you tell God Almighty that all you wanna do is LIVE LIFE ??? What if all you wanna do is be a father to your kids, a husband to your wife, and son to your mother while providing insightful motivation through music and lending a helping hand when posible to those who need it most. Well guys…That’s the topic of discussion between me and the MOST HIGH at the moment. I’ll keep you posted on how it turns out. Who knows maybe you can look foward to hearing the dialogue between us set to music on the next album…which I’ll be announcing the official title to sooner than later. But until then, thanks again for all your understanding, love and support. Y’all take it light and be eazy.
- Love King.
Earlier today, T.I. dropped the third entry of his “A Messages From T.I.” blog series to fans. The Atlanta star is back in the jail for at least the next year for violating the terms of his parole following a September drug arrest in California.
In the short letter, T.I. speaks with anger and regret regarding his latest predicament. He explains that he now knows if he is to truly change, it has to be a decision made for himself (“I thought my motivation for continuing was for my fans…I got to do this shit for me!”). The Grand Hustle CEO also states that after various run-ins with the law for more than half his life, he’s finally “sick and motherfucking tired of going to jail.” Later, he attributes some of his issues to the male role models of his youth, who were a father and uncle deeply involved in the drug game.
The entire, unedited letter can be read below.
This experience is truly a pain I have never felt before and that’s saying a lot for a nigga who’s been down locked up as many times as I have. I see this as a real ass whoopin’. The kind you don’t just go back outside to play afterwards. You take ya ass to bed and don’t come out of your room until it’s time to go to school. I don’ t know what effect this will have on my life moving forward but I’m certainly sick and mother fucking tired of going to jail, juve, prison, the pen, correctional facilities or whatever else you want to call it. I’d have been better off doing a 5-10 year bid one time than going in time and time again for days, weeks and months for the last 15 years of my life.
Even though it’s been a long road, I’m still standing, barely but nevertheless still standing. At one time I thought my motivation for continuing was for my fans, my partna Philant, my pops, my grandmama, even for the haters or the people I let down. But nah… I got to do this shit for me!!! I’ll be God damned if I’ve come all this way and made it through so much hell to let it go down like this! Fuck that! If an hour in the dark is worth a second in the sun then pass me my mother fuckin’ shades cause I’m ready to cash my darkest hours in…ASAP!!!
A lot of folks had fathers or father figures in the house to raise them into manhood. I’m not trying to make any excuses for my situation but my father was a hustler that lived in New York. My uncle was a local big time dope boy turned 10 year federal inmate. My mother and grandparents did the best they could but I found my manhood in the trap and in prison systems. But I found it. And nan one of mine will ever have to feel the cold tight grip of a handcuff or grace the presence of a jail cell if I can help it. Over my dead body! So if you can’t respect that you ain’t rocking with my movement then Fuck you dog! I know a bunch of mother fuckers who are…..
- Love KING
A Las Vegas judge issued a temporary restraining order for Jose Harris against Floyd Mayweather until his next court date on January 24.
Mayweather was not present for his hearing today in front of Las Vegas judge Diana Sullivan. He is facing four felony and four misdemeanor charges for an alleged September attack of his ex-girlfriend Josie Harris, stealing her cell phone, and threatening their two sons for attempting to call 911. Sullivan advised Mayweather’s legal team that his bail bond had increased from $28,000 to $31,000. She ruled that the boxer has until next Monday (November 15) to pay the outstanding balance.
While Sullivan conceded that Mayweather was not a flight risk, she ordered that he have no contact with Josie Harris.
Family court will make a ruling on if Mayweather will be able to resume contact with his sons. The decision is required due to Mayweather having pending charges of harassment against the children.
If convicted,Floyd Mayweather faces up to 34 years in prison.
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One thing I noticed right off the bat is that Roger Mayweather’s assault trial was also rescheduled for January. Don’t know if it’s just a coincidence, or if the Mayweathers are trying to just push their issues away until the new year.
Like I said before, it’s quite amazing to see Mayweather’s reputation fall after being on top of the world in the immediate aftermath of defeating Shane Mosley.
No matter the charges, celebrities can damn near get away with murder (and some have). So when Roger and Floyd get their probation and community service, I’ll at least be happy to see the focus back on their boxing careers..
Lil Wayne is a free man after serving eight months of a one year jail sentence on gun possession charges.
Wayne (Dwayne Carter), completed his time earlier today at 8:35 AM. He began his sentence on March 8.
Wayne’s release date had been the subject of conflicting information throughout the week. The November 4 date was said by a prison official to have been delayed until Friday (November 5). However, Wayne’s original release date was upheld.
Wayne’s time in jail was marked by several infractions ranging from smuggling in headphones to meeting secretly with a prison guard. Both violations resulted in Wayne being sent to solitary confinement, and the guard being suspended for a week without pay.
This weekend, Wayne is rumored to make a guest appearance at Drake’s Las Vegas concert. (November 6). He will have a welcome home celebration on Sunday (November 7) at a strip club.
At press time, Lil Wayne has not delivered his first public statement.
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Here comes the real challenge. Has Lil Wayne and his crew learned anything since his time away from jail? Only time will tell.
In recent years, Lil Wayne has been prolific is his music output. I expect him to hit the ground running again. He doesn’t have his hand in as many outside ventures as T.I., so I don’t think he’ll struggle with his music like Tip did during this last run.
Are you happy Lil Wayne’s back?
