Nicki Minaj: Barbie Doll a 'Very Major Moment' for Me
Nicki Minaj is both thrilled and proud that toy giant Mattel has crafted a Barbie Doll in her likeness for charity, telling Billboard that it's a "major moment" in her career and a special one for her fans, a dedicated bunch she refers to as Barbies or Barbz.
"It's just a one of a kind, limited edition for charity, and so I never thought Mattel would even pay attention to me," she beamed on the red carpet atBillboard's Women in Music event in NYC on Friday (Dec. 2). "For me this is a very major moment, because it just shows that you can come from nothing and still be a force in the main world, a business woman, and hopefully a mogul one day."
As we first reported, Mattel will make a make a one-of-a-kind Nicki Minaj Barbie doll available for auction at CharityBuzz.com on Wednesday (Dec. 7), to be showcased at Divine Design's five-day event and gala at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Bids will be received through Dec. 19 and will start at $1,000. All proceeds will benefit Project Angel Food, which provides food for men, woman and children affected by HIV and AIDS.
The Barbie itself is a pink explosion, with mini-Minaj decked out in towering boots, signature long hair and an outfit made of sparkly toule and "diamonds."
"Barbie is obviously a pop culture icon. She's been in the spotlight for over 50 years, and strikes that chord with girls of all ages in terms of being representative of the times. And Nicki is a big part of pop culture and also huge within the fashion industry, as well as a big Barbie fan," says Stefani Yocky, a Barbie spokeswoman.
For Minaj, who was awarded the Rising Star award at Billboard's Women in Music bash, her Barbie moment in the sun is also a win for her fans. "It shows that my Barbz are special, and everyone loves them as much as I love them, so I want to thank them most importantly," she said.
Young Jeezy Denies Beef With Rick Ross
While visiting MTV’s RapFix Live to talk about his upcoming fourth solo album, Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition, Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy explained that although there were subliminal and apparent friction between Rick Ross and him, there was never actual beef.
“With rap, it’s a funny thing. You can say things, and people can take ‘em the way they wanna take ‘em,” Jeezy said, addressing “Death B4 Dishonor,” the 2010 cover of Rick Ross’ “B.M.F.” track that is noted for including subliminal jabs towards the Miami rapper.
“But in my mind, in my heart, I just killed the verse. If I killed the verse and you took it personally, then that’s on you.”
Rick Ross also took offense to the video clip that went viral, where there more perceived jabs at the rapper.
“I feel like the whole started thing from a clip on WorldStarHipHop, and my thing was, if I’m a boss and you a boss, let’s sit down and be bosses,” he said.
“You take a clip that somebody edited and run with that? What part of the game is that? If you felt like that, hit me up, let’s chop it up, we bosses.”
After coming into contact with Ross at the BET Hip Hop Awards, Jeezy said he didn’t take the Miami rapper’s decline to exchange words personal.
“I felt like it was about selling records,” Jeezy said. “It’ not about you about me. We could’ve stepped in the corner and chopped it up. So right then and there, I knew it was about records, so I was cool with it.”
Buju Banton returning to Miami following Texas prison stay
Embattled Reggae superstar, Mark Myrie, more popularly known as Buju Banton, will call another prison home as he serves his ten-year prison sentence on drug-related charges.
The Grammy-winning singjay has been in transit several times since his sentencing this past June on three drug charges stemming from a December 2009 incident in Florida. Buju initially started his sentencing in Miami, where his trial and eventual conviction occurred. However, the popular Reggae singer was transferred from the Pinellas County Jail in Tampa, Florida to the Federal Holding Centre in Oklahoma City, where he spent a month, before finally being moved to the Limestone County Correctional Institution in Groesbeck, Texas.
However, a South Florida newspaper reports that Buju’s prison adventure will come full circle as the internationally acclaimed artiste faces a move, en-route, to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Miami, Florida. According to Buju’s lawyer, David Markus, Buju endured several hardships during two month stay in the Texas facility; describing the environment as one of a violent and unhealthy nature that made the singjay rather uncomfortable.
Vybz Kartel Prison Escape ‘A Rumor’
Early this morning it was reported that dancehall star Vybz Kartel (born, Adidja Palmer) escaped from the Horizon Adult Remand Centre in Jamaica with other inmates, after holding officers at gunpoint. Now the Jamaican Observer reports that the story was only a rumor, with Jamaican police claiming no knowledge of the incident.
According to the Observer, The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Les Green, said that the reports are false. “I know nothing about that. If that had taken place I would would certainly have known,” he said. Another unnamed police officer added, “It may be an attempt by his cronies to keep him in the news but they don’t need to spread rumours to do that because he will be in the news for quite some time.”
Earlier, it was said that Kartel and the other prisoners used a maintenance pickup truck to escape from the facility around 1:45am, after swiping keys and clothing from officers to divert attention from themselves. One officer was said to be dead after suffering from a heart attack during the escape, while two others had been shot.
The 35-year-old performer was arrested at a New Kingston hotel on October 1, for possession of marijuana and he was being held on suspicion of two separate murders charges in the July 12 death of promoter Barrington “Bossie” Burton and the August 16 death Clive “Lizard” Williams.
Christian Tavares-Finson, a member of Kartel’s defense team, told MTV Iggy that the first murder charge was only a conspiracy count, based on charges that Kartel “[told] people that they should go and kill an individual who was shot in an area of Portmore [where Burton was killed].”
Trina, X & Rockwilder Search For “America’s Next Top Rapper” With New Show
Trina, X and Rockwilder team up for new television series, “America’s Next Top Rapper.”
Miami’s Trina is getting ready to begin a search for America’s Next Top Rapper. The former Slip-N-Slide artist is joining forces with Rockwilder and X (formerly known as Little X) to judge this new reality television series.
The three judges will search for up and coming talent in different cities and the winner will receive several prizes. Those prizes include a video shoot with X, a track produced by Rockwilder and a Universal Music distribution deal. The winner is also going to receive a photo shoot, clothing and a national tour as well as $20,000 in prize money.
Those who register can compete in Baltimore, Raleigh, Tampa, Houston, Little Rock, Detroit, Oakland and Cleveland. There is a $200 fee to register and fans will need to stay tuned for all audition dates. According to the program’s site, “The first date will be Boston, MA on December 3rd, 2011. This will be the pilot for the television series. The pilot will be used to expand the distribution from 6 million to 20+ million and secure major sponsors. We will shop throughout the winter and release additional city dates for early spring 2012 with the finals scheduled for late spring / early summer time frame.”
The competition is for solo acts only and the age limit is 16 years of age. For more information and to register, check www.americasnexttoprapper.net.