Ashanti On Murder Inc/G-Unit Feud: 'I Caught Stray Bullets' (@Ashanti @50Cent)

While promoting her new album Braveheart, Ashanti talked to The Grio about music and how she was caught in between one of hip-hop's biggest beefs of the 2000's.

Ashanti says that she was guilty by association an easy target within the company of the G-Unit and Murder Inc. spectacle.

"You have the term 'guilty by association' and it's funny because I've had plenty of conversations with 'thugs' [laughs] and plenty of dudes and even with Fif, it was never aimed at [me]. [50 said 'It's just your crew.'] I caught stray bullets. ...

She also mentions that the beef was way deeper than music.

"People have to understand it wasn't just 50 and G-Unit and Murder Inc.. It was 50 and G-Unit, Murder Inc., the federal indictment, going to court. And then it was crazy because it was Irv and Ja going through issues, but it would be my picture on the cover of the [New York] Post. I didn't have anything to do with that."

The beautiful singer hasn't spoken to 50 Cent recently but says that the two did put the past behind them when Nelly asked 50 to apologize to the singer.

Source: sohh.com

Remix Session : Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Pt2 (Figub Brazlevic Remix)

Remix Session : Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Pt2 (Figub Brazlevic Remix)

Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Neighbors Upset Over Renovations (@KimKardashian)

Kanye West and fiancé Kim Kardashian aren't leaving such a good impression on their neighbors. According to Star Magazine, the couple just began renovating their Bel-Air mansion, which includes "extreme renovations" as opposed to a bit of work here and there. Apparently the excessive noise has upset the neighbors enough to complain.

According to Star, "KimYe's neighbors were annoyed enough at the idea of camera crews invading the peaceful area. Now they've got nonstop construction noise! The neighbor who sold them the property is so angry ... Everything in the house was top of the line, and they've just trashed it," the tabloid claims.

Star claims that the renovations are "pointless and wasteful" because they're "'tearing apart a house that looked great to begin with."

Source: rumorfix.com

Brooklyn Nets May Sign Openly Gay Baller Jason Collins (@jasoncollins34)

Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in the NBA, may be donning a Brooklyn Nets jersey soon, reports the New York Post. He would fill its need for reliable defensive presence in the paint, according to Nets general manager Billy King.

“We’re going to look at anybody that’s a free agent that’s big that’s out there,” King said on a conference call with the media following Thursday’s trade deadline. “We’re going to look at anybody that’s in the D-League that’s big, we’re going to look at anybody coming back from China. We’ll explore all of them.

“Jason Collins is a free agent and he’s out there, so obviously he’ll be included in the list.”

Collins, who hasn't been signed by anyone this season, has been staying in shape in California, where the Nets worked him out recently.

While signing Collins, who is the first openly gay player in the four major professional American sports, would be an historic moment, King says it wouldn't be for the publicity.

“We’re going to bring in a basketball player,” he said. “It’s not about marketing or anything like that. If we’re bringing somebody in, we’re bringing them in because we feel they can help our basketball team.

“It’s not about marketing. We’re beyond doing something for gimmicks. We’re trying to get a guy to play basketball and help us win. That’s not my focus on any of that.”

Source: nypost.com

Pharrell Ups Price on Baller Miami Penthouse to $11 Million (@pharrell)

Pharrell's Miami home is truly fit for one of the top music producers in the world, and he ain't letting it go cheap. The Grammy-winning musician recently upped the listing price by $99,000 to $10.999 million. However, that's still well below the $16.8 million listing he had on it just a couple of years ago.

The tri-level home, which sits on the 40th floor at the Bristol Tower, is full of open terraces and jaw-dropping views of the Miami skyline. An 180-degree wrap-around terrace, pool terrace, and second-level pool and terrace offer plenty of spots to soak in the fabulous south Florida weather. The mansion in the sky also boasts a summer kitchen patio and rooftop terrace.

The 9,000-square-foot crib, which Pharrell describes as an "interesting fishbowl," is enclosed by walls of floor-to-ceiling glass and features art and decor which reflects the Oscar-nominated musician's avant garde style.

Granite and hardwood flooring is found throughout the penthouse's five bedrooms and six-and-half bathrooms. There's also a home theater and library, but the showpiece has to be the huge three-level main room. When not in the mood to walk up and down all those stairs, Pharrell can just use his in-home elevator.

Check out a few photos of the baller pad up top.

Source: realtor.com

Big Boi Refuses to Pay Excessive Child Support (@BigBoi)

Big Boi of OutKast and his estranged wife Sherlita Patton are at odds over child support payments.

Not only is Big Boi challenging his ex's petition for full custody of their minor child (they also have a child over 18), but he is alo refusing to pay excess amounts of child support, citing Sherlita is fully capable of supporting their child as well.

According to TMZ, Big Boi's wife Sherlita Patton filed for divorce last year, demanding FULL custody of their minor child. Big Boi just filed a response, saying their child would be better off with JOINT physical and legal custody. As for child support, Big Boi says he's willing to pay whatever the State of Georgia deems appropriate ... no more, no less ... because Patton's young, healthy, and well-educated, which means she can support herself.

Terrence Howard to Play Hip-Hop Mogul in New Series (@Real_Terrence_H)

Terrence Howard is set to star in a new family drama entitled Empire, surrounding Howard's character, Lucious Lyon, and the clean and dirty ways he's made it as a music business bigwig.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the character is "charismatic, tough, wise and a superstar in the music industry who oversees Empire Entertainment and is about to take the company public. Raised on the streets, he has never backed away from a fight and will resort to any measures, fair or foul, to defend his beloved Empire."

Empire writer Danny Strong also wrote Lee Daniel's The Butler, in which Howard featured, and Daniel's himself is slated to make his television directorial debut with the series.