Suite 411 » Jay-Z

Jay-Z guest stars in cartoon series

allison — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:23:29 +0000

Jay-Z guest stars in the new animated series, “Secret Millionaires Club.” He plays a mogul promoting financial literacy to children on the special that premieres Sunday on Hub TV, E! online reports. Financial guru Warren Buffet is also featured in an episode giving financial advice to teenagers.

Kanye West and Jay-Z sued over ‘The Joy’

allison — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:41:02 +0000

A federal lawsuit was filed Friday by a Chicago producer claiming his 1967 song “Different Strokes” was illegally sampled on “The Joy,” a song by rappers Kanye West and Jay-Z that is featured on their album, “Watch the Throne.”

Veteran soul singer Syl Johnson, whose real name is Sylvester Thompson, produced, sang, and recorded the 1967 song, “Different Strokes,” which has been sampled by other artists including Michael Jackson, Kid Rock, Tupac Shakur and rap group NWA, according to a suit filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

The suit claims that Kanye West and Jay-Z did not obtain permission from Johnson’s Syl-Zel Music Company to use a composition excerpt in the “The Joy,” a song featured on their “Watch the Throne” album.

Johnson owns the copyrights of the song and claims that West initially attempted to obtain permission to use a “Different Strokes” sample in the release of his 2010 album, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” but was unable to obtain permission in time for its release, the suit said.

The “Watch the Throne” album was released about August 2011 with a song entitled “The Joy,” which featured a sample of “Different Strokes” that was not authorized, the suit said.

The five-count suit claims copyright infringement, unfair competition, and fraud. It seeks a jury trial, permanently restraining the rappers from performing the song “The Joy” in concert or distributing the recording. The suit also requests an order to impound all recordings of the song, an accounting of the revenues and a judgment for the balance due Johnson. It also seeks punitive damages, attorney fees and court costs.

So does he have a case? Take a listen.

Jay-Z sued by private jet company for unpaid bill

allison — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:10:01 +0000

Jay-Z won’t be flying the friendly skies with Air Platinum Holding anymore. The private jet company filed a lawsuit recently claiming the rapper only paid for 37 of his 55 hours of jet service, reports TMZ. He also owes Air Platinum for catering, fees and a luxury trip to England, which adds up to a total cost of $137,485.

Jay-Z discusses married life with Beyonce in Rolling Stone

allison — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:40:33 +0000

Jay-Z is on the cover of the current issue of Rolling Stone magazine. The 40-year-old rapper discusses his favorite indie rock band, Beyonce, and whether his BFF Lebron James will be playing for the Nets.

Read on for an excerpt from the article…

Below is an excerpt from the Rolling Stone article:

While Jay is notoriously private about his life with wife Beyoncé, Binelli gets the rapper to let down his guard, and Jay reveals his superstar better half vetoed a piece of artwork he’d bought for their 8,000-square-foot Tribeca penthouse. The black-and-white Laurie Simmons photograph in question depicted “a noirishly lit pistol with a pair of women’s legs emerging from the handle… Beyoncé sent it back and had it replaced with a similar Simmons piece, only depicting a perfume bottle instead of a gun.”While Jay is notoriously private about his life with wife Beyoncé, Binelli gets the rapper to let down his guard, and Jay reveals his superstar better half vetoed a piece of artwork he’d bought for their 8,000-square-foot Tribeca penthouse. The black-and-white Laurie Simmons photograph in question depicted “a noirishly lit pistol with a pair of women’s legs emerging from the handle… Beyoncé sent it back and had it replaced with a similar Simmons piece, only depicting a perfume bottle instead of a gun.”

Jay-Z and Beyonce enjoy the French Open

allison — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 03:49:21 +0000

Beyonce and Jay-Z enjoyed themselves courtside Sunday while taking in the French Open in Paris, France.

Lil Kim signs to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation

allison — Tue, 25 May 2010 01:51:05 +0000

Jay-Z will rumble with the bee..the Queen Bee Lil’Kim. He’s signed the pint-sized rapper to his Roc Nation music label, reports Source magazine. Jay-Z is also expected to executive produce her new album.

Video: Jay-Z Documentary – “NY-Z”

allison — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:01:10 +0000

Jay-Z gives viewers an inside look into his life in the 15-minute documentary, “NY-Z.” Cameras follow the rapper as he prepares for his 9/11 benefit concert last year at Madison Square Garden.

Jay-Z breaks ground in Brooklyn

allison — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:59:40 +0000

Jay-Z broke ground Thursday on the new home of the New Jersey Nets (soon to be renamed the Brooklyn Nets). The 18,000-seat Barclays Center will open in 2012 in Brooklyn Yards. Beyonce was also at the ceremony.

Jay-Z, Beyonce and Trey Songz visit the White House

allison — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:59:54 +0000

While in town Wednesday for the Blueprint 3 tour, Jay-Z, Beyonce and Trey Songz stopped by the White House to visit President Barack Obama. Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles and Kevin Liles, Trey Songz manager were also there.

Jay-Z and Lebron James host annual Two Kings dinner

allison — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:11:29 +0000

Jay-Z and Lebron James hosted their fourth annual Two Kings Dinner Saturday during NBA All-Star Weekend at the W Hotel in Dallas. Guests included Drake, Diddy and Russell Simmons.