More details around the death of R&B singer Gerald Levert were released yesterday. According to an autopsy report, Levert died last fall from an accidental mix of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.Drugs found in Levert's bloodstream at the time of his death on November 10 included narcotic pain relievers Vicodin, Percocet and Darvocet; anxiety medication Xanax; and two over-the-counter antihistamines.Coroner Kevin Chartrand said his office received a report Thursday from the Cuyahoga County coroner's office, which conducted the autopsy. The official cause of death was acute intoxication, and the death was ruled accidental.The autopsy also revealed that Levert had pneumonia, he said. Andy Gibson, a family spokesman, said Levert lived with chronic pain from a lingering shoulder problem and surgery in 2005 to repair a severed Achilles tendon. "That was the main reason he was taking pain medication," Gibson said.He said Levert also took Xanax for anxiety attacks. The combination of drugs proved to be lethal and probably stopped Levert's breathing, Chartrand said.
Accidental drug mix killed Gerald Levert
More details around the death of R&B singer Gerald Levert were released yesterday. According to an autopsy report, Levert died last fall from an accidental mix of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.Drugs found in Levert's bloodstream at the time of his death on November 10 included narcotic pain relievers Vicodin, Percocet and Darvocet; anxiety medication Xanax; and two over-the-counter antihistamines.Coroner Kevin Chartrand said his office received a report Thursday from the Cuyahoga County coroner's office, which conducted the autopsy. The official cause of death was acute intoxication, and the death was ruled accidental.The autopsy also revealed that Levert had pneumonia, he said. Andy Gibson, a family spokesman, said Levert lived with chronic pain from a lingering shoulder problem and surgery in 2005 to repair a severed Achilles tendon. "That was the main reason he was taking pain medication," Gibson said.He said Levert also took Xanax for anxiety attacks. The combination of drugs proved to be lethal and probably stopped Levert's breathing, Chartrand said.
New Rich Boy..."What It Do"
Exclusive...Brand new Rich Boy track titled "What It Do" featuring Lil Jon. This one here is hot off the press...you haven't heard it yet, so don't act like you have. powered by ODEO
Jadakiss indicted on gun charges
Jadakiss has been indicted on gun and drug charges.Jason Phillips aka Jadakiss entered a not guilty plea today to charges of possessing a loaded handgun and marijuana.
He was arrested Oct. 7 with three other men in Yonkers. Police said they stopped his car after smelling marijuana and then found the gun.
"I have yet to see or hear of any evidence connecting my client to possessing this weapon," said the rapper's lawyer, Clement Patti. He said Jadakiss was in the back seat and didn't know there was a gun in the front console.
If convicted on the gun charge in Westchester County Court, the maximum sentence he would face is 16 months to seven years in prison. The law was toughened in November to provide a minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years.
Two of the other arrested men face similar charges. No indictment of the fourth was annouced.
Vote for Rich Boy
Click here to vote Rich Boy's "Throw some D's" video into the #1 slot on BET's 106 & Park countdown.Lil Mama..."Lip Gloss"
Straight out of the East New York section of Brooklyn, 16 year-old Lil Mama has been showing off her skills for 5 solid years and has grown into a triple threat excelling at rhyming, singing and dancing.Led by the James “Groove” Chambers-produced first single and new anthem “Lip Gloss,” Lil Mama is also working with producers like Swizz Beats, Green Lantern, Dame Grease, Carl Shack and Scram Jones to create an arsenal of powerful songs for her debut album coming later this year.
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or check Lil Mama out at myspace.com/lilmamaonline
Dre to produce New Line films
New Line films has signed music mogul Dr. Dre to a multi-year feature producing deal through his newly minted Crucial Films banner.
Dre, who will co-produce with longtime collaborator Phillip Atwell, (who produced and co-wrote Murder Was the Case) plans to focus first on developing dark comedies for the mini-major before moving into other areas, such as horror. He'll be heavily involved in the music side of such projects.
"This is a natural switch for me, since I've directed a lot of music videos," Dre said. "And I eventually want to get into directing."
Dre worked with New Line in the past, scoring films including "Set It Off." He credited New Line production president Toby Emmerich, who had been head of New Line's music business before moving into his current slot, with persuading him to make the move into features in a manner similar to that of other music-industry heavyweights.
"He said 'I want to be your Jimmy Iovine,' " Dre recalled. "There was nothing more he needed to say."
Emmerich first approached Dre a year ago in order to convince him that his producing and storytelling capabilities would be welcome at New Line.
"Everything Dre has worked on becomes a hit, and one of the reasons for that isthat he never put his name on anything that he doesn't really believe in. His records have always been very narrative in nature, and you can tell from his songs that he understands how to tell a story. We're excited to work with him as he branches out into the film world,"
Dre, who will co-produce with longtime collaborator Phillip Atwell, (who produced and co-wrote Murder Was the Case) plans to focus first on developing dark comedies for the mini-major before moving into other areas, such as horror. He'll be heavily involved in the music side of such projects.
"This is a natural switch for me, since I've directed a lot of music videos," Dre said. "And I eventually want to get into directing."
Dre worked with New Line in the past, scoring films including "Set It Off." He credited New Line production president Toby Emmerich, who had been head of New Line's music business before moving into his current slot, with persuading him to make the move into features in a manner similar to that of other music-industry heavyweights.
"He said 'I want to be your Jimmy Iovine,' " Dre recalled. "There was nothing more he needed to say."
Emmerich first approached Dre a year ago in order to convince him that his producing and storytelling capabilities would be welcome at New Line.
"Everything Dre has worked on becomes a hit, and one of the reasons for that isthat he never put his name on anything that he doesn't really believe in. His records have always been very narrative in nature, and you can tell from his songs that he understands how to tell a story. We're excited to work with him as he branches out into the film world,"
Paul Wall...."Get Money--Stay True"
Metal-mouthed Houston rapper Paul Wall will release his sophomore album, "Get Money -- Stay True," April 3 via SwishaHouse/Asylum/Atlantic. First single "Break 'Em Off" is at radio now and can be streamed from Wall's MySpace.com/paulwall.The artist rounded up a host stars to contribute to "Get Money -- Stay True," portions of which were recorded at Willie Nelson's studio in Austin, Texas. Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Fergie, Trina, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Keke and Jon B guest, as does (+44) drummer Travis Barker in the guise of his hip-hop side project, Expensive Taste."Get Money -- Stay True" is the follow-up to Walls's 2005 debut, "The People's Champ," which opened at No. 1 on The Bilboard 200 and has sold 834,000 copies in the United States.Wall will promote the new album via a weekly YouTube series, "Get Money TV," as well as partnerships with car accessories company Zenetti and the DUB Magazine Car Show and Concert Tour. For the latter, he will perform during nationwide events that begin March 18 in Los Angeles and stretch into October.
Marques Houston..."Veteran"
With his third solo album, "Veteran," R&B crooner Marques Houston continues to prove he's all grown up. Due March 20 via T.U.G./Universal, the set follows 2005's "Naked," which peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 13 on The Billboard 200."Veteran" features production from in-demand names such as Bryan-Michael Cox and the Underdogs, who also produced Houston's prior hit single, "Naked." Yung Joc guests on "Like This," while Mya and Shawnna team up on "Hold N' Back."
The new set's first single is "Favorite Girl," with a video directed by Chris Stokes and starring "Clueless" actress Stacey Dash. "Circle," a piano-based love song intended as the second single, also has a video directed by Stokes.
Following stints with boy groups IMX and Immature, Houston launched his solo career in 2003 with "MH," which reached No. 5 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and No. 18 on The Billboard 200.
Ne-Yo...writing for pop's biggest names
Ne-Yo's created his own share of hits. He's also managed to pen hits for other singers. With tracks and hits written for Beyonce, he's managed to tap into the world, mind and soul of a woman. How?
"I will not say that I know anything about women, nobody really does, but I may have a little more insight than the average guy...Any slight insight I might have into the mind of a woman, I owe it all to my mom...Growing up with her, dad checked out kinda early, so it was me, my mom, my sister, my grandmother and like three or four of my aunties all in the same house till I was about 16. Any experience they went through, I was right there with them. Be it breakups, meeting a new dude, I was right here listening to phone conversations".
Now, he's ready to pen songs for some of Pop's biggest names of the past.
"Some artists come to me and say, 'I love what you do, just do what you do. Try to write me a hit.' I try my best. If something comes out of it, it comes out. If it doesn't, it doesn't. It doesn't always happen. I'm about to start doing some stuff with Whitney Houston. I want to sit down and pick her brain and see where she wants to go."
Even Britney Spears sought after his help. However, her people had one request.
"One thing they told me was, 'No more songs about Kevin. She's got a 12-CD disc changer full of songs about Kevin. She don't need no more of those,' ...I was like, 'All right, cool.' It's come along nicely, I did about five or six for her so far. I don't know what she's going to keep, but it's coming along nicely. If I had to make a prediction, judging not just the stuff I've done, but the stuff I've heard she's done with other people, I think she's got a shot to come back. I really do."
SOSO DERRTY Experience
Nelly and Jermaine Dupri will host the "So SoDerrty Experience" during the NBA's All Star weekend. The pair will host a series of exclusive events along with celebrities like Bow Wow, Pharrell, TI, Carmelo Anthony, Floyd Mayweather, Akon, Lil Wayne, Chingy, & Cedric The Entertainer and others. The festivities take place at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino starting on Feb. 15 with a "Tip Off Concert" that will feature Bow Wow, Akon, Chingy, Lil Wayne Ali+Gipp, St. Lunatics and The Clipse. On Friday, Feb. 16, the pair will host the "Poker with the Stars Tournament," which will feature poker pros and amatuers competing for a cash prize. The party continues later in the evening, when Nelly, Jermaine Dupri* and Pharrell host the "Rat Pack Party." On Saturday, the "Big Ticket Party" takes place and will be hosted by Nelly, Jermaine Dupri, TI, Lil Wayne, Carmelo Anthony and Floyd Mayweather. On Sunday, Cedric The Entertainer will headline the SoSo Derrty Celebrity Comedy Brunch. For ticket prices log on to www.sosoderrty.com.
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