DMX Arrested on Animal Cruelty Charges and Drug Possession

Phoenix, AZ – If you might recall, last year August, DMX’s Cave Creek home was raided as Authorities apprehended several malnourished pitbulls and an unspecified amount of weapons. Apparently, after a seven month investigation, DMX was arrested at his home during an overnight raid where The Maricopa County Sheriff claimed at first he attempted to barricade himself in his room to avoid apprehension.

Maricopa County authorities executed a search warrant early Friday morning at 3:00am (May 9). During the raid, detectives were able to seize more weapons and drugs on the premises and even apprehended five more pitbull puppies from his home. DMX has been formally indicted on seven misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and four felony drug possession charges.

In this past week, this wasn’t the first time X was arrested, apparently last Tuesday (May 6) he was arrested after being caught on camera racing up and the down the Phoenix Freeway in reckless speeds of 114 mph sometime in January of this year.

The speed cameras recorded him driving a bright yellow 1966 Chevrolet Nova II with a visible DMX decal across the top front of his windshield. The Arizona State Police apprehended him at his same residence in Cave Creek without any hostility and was released on bond that Wednesday morning. He was charged with driving on a suspended license, racing on a highway, reckless driving, two counts of endangerment and three counts of criminal speed.

Keep posted to 24hourhiphop.com for updated news as this situation further develops.

I am honestly starting to believe that DMX is a habitual law breaker. What up with this dude? I mean seriously, he is an established actor, a once phenomenal rapper, and has a lot of fucking money. What is going through his head? I honestly he doesn’t get a high off of getting arrested. Either way, he enjoys spending those attorney fees and that bond money. He needs to calm his ass down and get back in the studio and do another classic album like ‘It’s Dark and Hell is Hot.’

R. Kelly Finally on Trial

Chicago, IL. – Jury selection for Kelly’s trial subsequently started last Friday, we knew this day would eventually arrive. R. Kelly stands trial on 14 counts of child pornography as Cook County Circuit Court Judge Vincent Gaughan read out the indictment charges to the 150 possible jurors that were seated in the packed courtroom. Outside the courtroom, however, a mixed crowd of supporters and protesters filled the streets. Some were fans of Kelly chanting ‘I Love You,’ while others were protesters with signs shouting ‘Kelly’s a Pedophile.’

After a six year delay, defense attorneys are now going to have to put in work in order to prove R. Kelly’s innocence after a sex tape surfaced in 2002. Prosecutors are claiming that the centerpiece of their evidence, the videotape, was produced sometime between Jan. 1, 1998, and Nov. 1 2000. They also claim that the girl starring in the video was born sometime in September of 1984, which would put her well into her 20s by now. The now 23 year old woman that was said to have been involved in the taping is claiming that wasn’t even her in the video. Last week, The Chicago Sun-Times leaked reports of a possible witness claiming to have been involved in a threesome with both Kelly and the girl.Due to the gag order that Judge Gaughan put into effect sometime last week, those reports outraged Kelly’s defense attorneys as they stated ‘someone was out to sabotage their client’s right to a fair trial.’ Defense Attorney Marc Martin requested a motion to postpone to the trial for another prolonged amount of time claiming that the selected jurors were ‘irrevocably poisoned’ by the Sun-Times reports of a potential witness. The Judge ruled against the delay, but he did state that he later rule on whether or not to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the leaks at the Sun Times: “We don’t know the effect the articles may have had, it’s premature, but we have to be flexible. If it comes up [during questioning of prospective jurors], that might be the basis for a delay.” According to NBC sketch artist, Kelly’s demeanor was relaxed, yet serious, while he rubbed his eyes a lot.

Keep posted to 24hourhiphop.com for updated news as this case is still in the developing stages.

On the real, all joking aside, this isn’t a laughing matter, if convicted Kels is looking at 15 years. I will continue to keep you posted on the proceedings in his court case throughout the next several weeks, as this is slated to go for that amount of time, maybe longer. However, they are not allowing news reporters in the courtroom, you will still receive updates.

Foxy Brown Pleads Guilty to Cell Phone Threat

New York, NY – Foxy Brown whose real name is Inga Marchand was released from prison sometime last month after serving eight months of a one year sentence for violation of probation stemming from an incident that occurred in a nail salon. However, before she was able to enjoy her full freedom, she found herself back in court again for an assault charge that dealt with a Blackberry and a neighbor.

Last Thursday, Brown pleaded guilty to menacing a Brooklyn woman with a Blackberry cell phone and causing minor injuries to her longtime friend and neighbor Arlene Raymond. Her plead admittance to the crime allowed her to avoid yet another jail sentence. The Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge John Walsh sentenced her to time already served and an order of protection. In addition with her sentencing, she was also ordered to write letter of apology.

This is what she stated:

“I apologize for the incident that occurred on July 31, 2007, in that I attempted to scare Arlene Raymond and place her in harm’s way.”

At press time, Foxy Brown’s album ‘Brooklyn Don Diva’ is scheduled to be released May 13, 2008. Her hit single, ‘When the Lights Go Out,’ is currently circulating all over radio.

Hopefully this is the last of her legal problems, that way she can promote her already leaked album. You can hear her single on 24hourhiphop.com’s On Demand section.

Rihanna Denys Rumors of Dating Jay-Z in Elle

New York, NY – Ever since the release of her single ‘Umbrella’ off the album ‘Good Girl, Gone Bad’ speculations have been flooding all across the media and the industry that Jay-Z and Rihanna had a secret relationship under wraps even while Hova was still officially dating Beyonce. The song itself rose to number status all across the world. Apparently, fans took the lyrics deeper than anticipated and rumors circulated between the two.

Rihanna recently had an interview with Elle Magazine about her current status and she discussed the rumors that have always come across her path.

This was her response to the Jay-Z fling:

“People know that it’s not true. I think it’s kinda a cliché question, so I don’t even know why it’s still addressed to this day. I get asked about it all the time and I’m like, ‘You’re asking, but you know the answer.’ I don’t even like to address it anymore.”

She also discussed the first time she recorded ‘Umbrella’ and the reaction it received across the globe:

“I remember staring into everybody’s eyes in the room while I was singing, and at that point, I was fearless. But the minute I stopped singing, I was like, Oh my God, Jay-Z is sitting right in front of me.”

“I can’t believe the kind of people that know that record. Their age, their nationality, they don’t speak English, but they all know that song.”

When confronted about a rumored relationship with R&B sensation Chris Brown, this was her response:

“We’ve always been friends, but we’re very close now.”

She’s denying everything, I believe she had something with Hov, and she got something now with Chris Brown. I mean let’s be real, she obviously loves the rumors and the news surrounding her, that attention is making her look bigger in the media. She said just come out and admit that she’s dating Chris, that way they can be the hottest couple under Jay and Beyonce.