On Thursday, President-elect Barack Obama warned Congress that not taking “dramatic action” on his economic aid package soon could have devastating consequences:
“If nothing is done, this recession could linger for years. The unemployment rate could reach double digits. For every day we wait or point fingers or drag our feet, more Americans will lose their jobs. More families will lose their savings. More dreams will be deferred and denied. And our nation will sink deeper into a crisis that, at some point, we may not be able to reverse,” he said.
Obama is scheduled to announce Leon Panetta as CIA director and Dennis Blair as director of national intelligence. Former CIA official John Brennan will be named as White House homeland security adviser and deputy national security adviser for counterterrorism.
According to AllHipHop, Jermaine Dupri is no longer President of Island Records Urban Music.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the situation confirmed to AllHipHop.com that Dupri has in fact been terminated effective immediately.
A formal announcement of his departure from the position, which he has held for nearly two years, is expected later this week.
KID SISTER SPEAKS ON DELAYED DEBUT
Kid Sister, spotlighted over a year ago, is still waiting to release her debut album.
Tentatively titled Dream Date, the album has been pushed back several times since the original July 2008 release date. She says, though, that she’ll turn the album in when she’s ready and assign a date then.
“I turned in the record initially because I was pressured by deadlines, but I didn’t feel good about it because it wasn’t done. I found myself saying, ‘I wish I hadn’t done that or this’,” Kid Sister tells Billboard.com. “So, I petitioned the label heavily to take it back and do it the way I wanted to do it, and they were supportive of it. I want a body of work that really has my stamp on it, so, release dates be damned, I’ll turn it in when I’m ready.”
Kanye West graces the cover of the February issue of Vibe Magazine looking rather serious. The caption accompanying the picture reads “I am Rap”. Peep some snippets:
Kanye on being deemed a violent person because of his paparazzi experience…
“I haven’t done anything violent. They make it seem like I actually went and hit the paparazzi. I haven’t. I was restrained. I’m good at restraining myself from committing violent acts. I know how to control my temper. That one paparazzo made it a bigger deal. I just put my hand up and he felt like he had more right to my personal space than I did. I put my hand up to stop him from shooting me.”
Kanye on 808’s being his best album…..
“I do think it’s my best album to date. No, I actually know this is my best album to date. Do I think it will be my best album ever? No, Ill improve. Do I think there are mistakes in it? Yes. There has to be. I’m a human being. But I think it surpasses Graduation. These 12 tracks are going to resonate more than any 12 tracks of any album this year.”
In related news, Kanye’s latest album, 808s & Heartbreak jumped from the #5 spot to the #3 spot this week.
Protesters wear signs on their backs that say ‘don’t shoot’ during a demonstration at the Fruitvale BART station Wednesday in Oakland, California.
Oscar Grant was fatally shot in the back by a Bay Area Rapid Transit (B.A.R.T.) police officer early on New Year’s morning after police responded to reports of fighting on a train.
Protests, which began peacefully erupted shortly after Oscar Grant was laid to rest on Wednesday night.
According to CNN, the Oakland Police Department made 105 arrests, including a mass arrest of about 80 people at 11 p.m., said Officer Jeff Thomason. The charges include inciting a riot, vandalism, assault on a police officer and unlawful assembly, he said. One officer was injured, but not seriously, Thomason said.
Keep reading to view CNN video of the protesters in Oakland.
India.Arie’s second volume in her series of “Testimony” albums, “Love & Politics,” will arrive in stores on February 10.
We posted the lead single from the Universal Republic set, “Chocolate High,” (featuring Musiq Soulchild) a few weeks ago. And now here is the second single “Therapy” featuring Jamaican roots artist Gramps Morgan. It definitely has a nice vibe it. Hot or Not?
Naturi Naughton (who plays Lil Kim in the movie) and Jamal Woolard (who portrays Biggie) attend the premiere of “Notorious” at the AMC Lincoln Square on Wednesday night in New York City.
A lot of stars came out to this one, including: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Diddy, Tyrese, Ciara, Faith Evans and the list goes on. Peep the photos.
Notorious will hit theaters next week on January 16th.
Actress Queen Latifah (host of the event) arrives at the 35th Annual People’s Choice Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on Wednesday in Los Angeles, California. Other guests included: Jordin Sparks, Shemar Moore, Seal and more. Click here to view list of winners & nominees.
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