How a Hustler From Brooklyn Became a Billionaire

 

Jay-Z has long been known as one of the greatest rappers of all time, but now he’s known even more for his business acumen and massive wealth. Forbes recently named him Hip-Hop’s first billionaire, and with his diverse portfolio of investments, business ventures, and personal assets, it’s not hard to believe.

Despite the fact that it may seem like Jay-Z earned all of his wealth overnight, it was actually a long process that was decades in the making. Many people know the man, but few know the story.

Spotify Now Searching For Female Podcasters @Spotify

Spotify sees a clear market opportunity when it comes to this new space for content creation. Even with the success of the show, a recent study showed that only 22% of podcasts are hosted by women, and the number’s even smaller when it comes to women of color. Spotify wants to change that.

Kai-Way - Proud @KaiWay99

Atlanta-based wordsmith, musician and storyteller Kai-Way makes crafty music that blends the beat-centric groove of old-school New York City hip-hop, the poetic flow and clever rhymes of west coast rap and the smooth soul of R&B.

Jennifer Lopez's Beats $40 Million Lawsuit

 

Jennifer Lopez's production company has come out on top after being sued over the 2019 movie Hustlers.

A federal judge has dismissed a $40 million lawsuit filed by Samantha Barbash, a former adult entertainer whose life story inspired the movie about scamming strippers and the article it was based on. The lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, according to documents obtained by Entertainment Weekly.

"The Defendants’ May 29, 2020 motion to dismiss is granted. The Clerk of Court shall enter judgment for the Defendants and close the case," read the documents, which were signed Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, according to EW.

Gambino Mobster Charged With Murder

Gambino crime family associate Gennaro “Jerry” Bruno (above) was hit with racketeering charges yesterday. Authorities say Bruno was involved in the 2002 murder of a rival, narcotics trafficking, extortion, and obstruction of justice. The mobster was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, by FBI agents, and faces a long hard time behind bars if he is convicted.

The recent charges are the latest in the illustrious criminal career of 41-year-old Bruno. A career that began as a young punk on the streets of Queens, New York, when he joined a local gang called the Ozone Park Boys, which was also known as the “Liberty Posse” and “Young Guns.” They allegedly were responsible for a wide range of crimes, including car theft and chop-shop operations, drug trafficking, extortion, robbery and gambling.

Just like it was for infamous Mafiosi like former Gambino family underboss Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano and Genovese crime family boss Daniel Leo, Bruno’s start as a member of a street gang was simply a case of proving he was worthy before he was allowed to hang with the big boys of La Cosa Nostra.

“As alleged, Gennaro Bruno started his criminal career at a young age as a member of a street gang where he earned his criminal credentials. He then graduated to become an associate in the Gambino crime family, where he proved himself to be both an earner for the family and capable of murder,” stated United States Attorney Loretta E. Lynch.

When Bruno was released following a prison term from 1997 to 2000, he emerged as an associate of the Gambino crime family. Over the next 14 years, before his arrest yesterday, Bruno allegedly became a member of the crew led by Joseph “JoJo” Corozzo, a powerful Gambino mobster who had risen to become the consigliere of the family.

Together with several other Gambino wiseguys, Bruno moved large quantities of high-potency marijuana from Canada into the New York City area. In 2001, Bruno’s criminal associate Martin Bosshart began efforts to exclude one of Bruno’s coconspirators from the marijuana importation operation.

Such disloyalty had to be punished. On the night of January 2, 2002, Bruno lured Bosshart to an isolated location in Queens. When Bosshart turned his back Bruno allegedly pulled out a gun and shot him in the back of the head at point-blank range, killing him immediately. The body of Martin Bosshart, who was 30 years old at the time, was recovered at the scene.

Thereafter, Bruno evaded justice for years and, according to prosecutors, conspired with other Gambino associates to obstruct an official grand jury proceeding into the Bosshart murder, while continuing to participate in the core money-making activities of the Gambino crime family, including drug trafficking and extortion. Bruno allegedly used his position in the Gambino crime family to extort payments from the owner of a waste carting company in Queens, New York.

Top 5 Most Jay-Z’s Controversial Moments

 

There have been multiple instances in Jay-Z’s career where he has made headlines for the wrong reasons, either with fans, other rappers, in-laws, or even his wife.

Below, we’ve listed out the top five most controversial moments Hov has endured, ranking them from least significant to most.

Nick Cannon Joins Black Lives Matter Protest

Cannon has released a series of politically charged spoken word pieces over the past few months, occasionally appearing with beads and a head wrap. Such was the case during Thursday's actions, after which he credited past Black Hollywood activists Harry Belafonte and Dick Gregory for their influence. "I like to practice what I preach so I'm in these communities constantly and taking meetings with district attorneys about criminal justice reform and prison reform. And it's so important, I mean, I've been given the spotlight so I want to say the proper things at the proper times," he told Entertainment Tonight. Dozens were arrested for civil disobedience offenses in the New York City rallies, before attention on them was lost to news of an assault at a protest in Dallas that claimed the lives of 5 police officers and injured half a dozen others.

The streets of New York City were no exception to the numerous locales that drew nationwide protests over the police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, when on Thursday [July 7], demonstrations reared up from Union Square to Times Square. One such rally was led by America's Got Talent host Nick Cannon, who marched behind the banner of #BlackLivesMatter. Cannon is only one of scores of celebrities to speak out against police violence in the wake of Tuesday and Wednesday's shootings, turning the righteous direction he's recently set a path towards into action with thousands behind him.

TWUM Best Rap City Moments

Rap City Tha Basement was one of the top shows to be on in the early 2000's. The show originally started in 1989, helmed by Chris “The Mayor” Thomas. When Tigger took the helm, the show became Rap City: 

Fivio Foreign Unleashes “City Of Gods” Ft Kanye West and Alicia Keys

 

Brooklyn’s Fivio Foreign unleashes the “City Of Gods” on his new single featuring Kanye West and Alicia Keys.

On the drill banger, nestled with adlibs by Playboi Carti, Fivio and Ye detail the gritty side of the city that never sleeps, while Alicia Keys belts a triumphant hook which interpolates The Chainsmokers’ “New York City”.

Rakim Talks Hip-Hop, Dr. Dre, Eric B, and More

Rakim is considered one of hip-hop's greatest emcees of all time. Along with writing lyrics, he's writing his life story. He really set a standard for hip-hop MC-ing that only few have really just touched the precipice of.

Jay Z Talks Beef With Mobb Deep

 

Jay-Z has become one of the biggest legends in the history of hip-hop, but that definitely doesn’t mean everyone has to like him. He’s been no stranger to a big list of feuds, with people from Nas to Tupac. There’s a reason for that. He hasn’t always been a titan of the industry like he is now. 

South Africa’s Sharks Team Up With Roc Nation

 

The Sharks’ ground-breaking deal with American consortium MVM Holdings has been consolidated by a partnership announcement with Roc Nation, one of the world’s leading marketing companies that promotes the likes of massive singing sensations in Rihanna and Shakira.

The company was founded in 2008 by rapper legend Jay-Z and has offices in New York City, London, Nashville and Los Angeles, and it clearly has the expertise and marketing muscle to grow the Sharks into a global brand.

In the deal formalized a fortnight ago between MVM and the Sharks, New York lawyer Marco Masotti showed he has the financial clout to take the Sharks to a new level and in Roc Nation he has the tool to exhibit the Sharks on the international stage.

Teyana Taylor and Jeremih Live Performance in New York @TEYANATAYLOR @Jeremih

Teyana Taylor

New York City showed out for Harlem princess Teyana Taylor and Chi-town hitmaker Jeremih when their “Later That Night Tour” took over the Playstation Theater in Times Square. The evening’s energy was leveled up by opening act DaniLeigh, Def Jam’s latest rising artist. Rocking a flannel sweatshirt with matching pants, the viral “In My Feelings” Challenge star got the audience warmed up with her fan favorites “All I Know” and “Play.”

After a dance break set to 6ix9ine’s “FEFE,” Dani closed the short set with her growing new club track “Lil BeBe.”

Scheduled as the supporting act, it was Teyana Taylor who much of the crowd was there to see, and she delivered a routine filled with hype energy, provocative sexuality, and heartwarming emotion. Well-know for her choreography, Taylor showed off to her greatest inspiration with an outstanding dance routine to Janet Jackson’s “I Get Lonely.”

Jeremih was the show’s headliner but he brought some friends along to turn-up the NYC crowd. The hitmaker took the stage with his breakout smash single “Birthday Sex,” but then asked the fans what they wanted. “I need to know if you want to hear some new shit or some old shit,” he questioned. They screamed, “Old!,” setting up the 50 Cent-featured track “Down On Me.”

Jeremih

“This feels like my second home. You mind if I bring one of my homies from out here?” Jeremih then asked. Controversial rapper 6ix9ine hit the stage making a feverish entry and ran through some of his latest hits. Jeremih used his popular single “Planez” to transition into an appearance from Dipset boss Jim Jones who had the crowd in antics over the “We Fly High (Remix).”

Top 5 Hottest Photos Of Kerry Washington

The Wrap Up Magazine has released the top 5 hottest photos online of kerry Washington star of Scandal t.v. show. Washington has starred on the ABC drama Scandal, a Shonda Rhimes series in which Washington plays Olivia Pope, a crisis management expert to the President.

Thieves Steal $6 Million

A building worker explained the likelihood of the robbery being an inside job to The Post. “It’s weird to me that they randomly tried that floor in the building. How would somebody know to come here? That’s real fishy,” the building worker said. “It definitely seems like an inside job. The timing is weird too.” Another building worker said the robbers might have had someone leave the freight entrance open for them since it could only be accessed with a key. The store was not being guarded at the time of the heist. The store’s owner is currently in India and hasn’t publicly commented on the manner as of Tuesday.

Three burglars took advantage of mass police distraction on New Year's Eve and were able to lift over $6 million in jewelry from a 36th Avenue New York City store.

NY Law enforcement told the New York Post that the heist taking place at midnight was intentional. Just as the ball dropped in Times Square, the three men wearing hoodies and masks ripped off Greg Ruth, a commercial jewelry store known for its yellow and pink diamonds. One of the robbers faces can be seen in the surveillance footage. Police believe the heist was an inside job and surmised that the robbers entered the store through a freight entrance. Jewels including 18-karat gold bracelets, earrings and emeralds were taken from safes that the burglars appeared to have known the combination to or had left open for them from someone on the inside. The safes were temporary for the jeweler who had planned to acquire a more secure vault sometime in the near future.

The Insane Lifestyle of Paul Stanley

 

Paul Stanley is an American singer, songwriter and painter, best known for being the co-founder, frontman, rhythm guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's highest-charting hits.

He lives in Beverly Hills with his wife Erin and their 3 children; Emily, Sarah and Colin. Paul's oldest son Evan is a music major graduate of the Tisch Music Program at NYU.

Kiss is an American rock and roll band that has a net worth of $300 million. Kiss formed in New York City, New York in January 1973. The band is known for their face paint stage outfits, as well as their elaborate live performances.

Jennifer Lopez Named New Face Of Coach

Fresh after being named new face of Versace, Jennifer Lopez does it again by being named new face of Coach also. Jennifer will appear in Coach's global advertising campaigns for leather goods, apparel and footwear, starting with the spring 2020 season.

The hitmaker shared the news with her 110 million Instagram followers on Tuesday, January 21. 2019 was a huge year for Jennifer Lopez but 2020’s looking to be just as iconic!

Immo DTS - "Paint The Town" @Immo_DTS @xo_major

Brooklyn, New York rapper Immo DTS presents the music video for his new single "Paint The Town", produced by XO Major. Immo DTS and DigitalDaxn worked together to help direct the video. DigitalDaxn also was the camera man involved and Immo DTS edited the video. This is actually the first video that Immo DTS has ever directed or edited.

The track comes on the heels of the recent release of his "Follow The Leader" single stream. Immo DTS states that the song “Paint The Town, is about being a tourist in your own city and putting on for your city as much as you can.

Although the lyrics of the song sounds like I’m talking about going to another place, I was actually inspired by events that have happened here at home. A lot of the time New York natives don’t enjoy our city as much as other people do and it’s a shame because we have everything right here. People travel from near and far to visit where we live. I see New Yorkers travel to LA and South Beach to things that they could do right across the bridge and they could have saved money on the flight.

Follow Immo DTS on Facebook

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Bobby Shmurda Pleads Not Guilty

Up-and-coming rapper Bobby Shmurda appeared in a New York City court on Thursday (Dec. 18) to face charges he moonlighted as a gun-toting member of a street gang that was behind several shootings, one fatal, during turf wars over drug trafficking.

Shmurda (real name: Ackquille Pollard) pleaded not guilty and was ordered held on $2 million bail at a hearing in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

Bobby Shmurda Arrested After Long-Term NYPD Investigation

The Brooklyn-born Pollard is best known for the hit song “Hot Boy.” He also put out a music video that popularized a dance craze called the “Shmoney dance,” and reportedly signed a lucrative record deal.

His attorney, Howard Greenberg, said his client had been falsely accused.

“Does it make sense that he would resort to committing crimes when he has the world in the palm of his hand?” the lawyer said outside court. “It’s ridiculous.”

Police arrested Pollard on conspiracy, reckless endangerment and gun possession on Wednesday after he left a recording studio near Radio City Music Hall in midtown Manhattan. Police found two handguns and a small amount of crack cocaine in a car in which he was riding, authorities said.

Anatomy of a Hit: How Bobby Shmurda’s ‘Hot Boy’ Came to Life

An indictment naming Pollard charges more than 15 defendants with a variety of crimes including murder, attempted murder, assault and drug dealing. Police seized 21 guns during the investigation, 10 of them while making arrests on Wednesday.

The court papers allege that Pollard fired a gun toward a crowd of people outside a barber shop in Brooklyn earlier this year. They also say he was present last year during a confrontation between rival drug gangs outside a Brooklyn courthouse where shots were fired.

The evidence includes several recorded phone conversations, including some between Pollard and gang members serving time on Rikers Island, the indictment says. The gang used code words, referring to firearms as “tone” and “socks,” narcotics as “crills,” and shootings as “sun tan,” it says.

During a conversation on April 28, Pollard bragged, “I am two socks Bobby right now,” the indictment says.

A “Hot Boy” video posted on YouTube in August has been viewed tens of millions of times, and Pollard performed the song for a national television audience this month on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

“My music is straight facts,” Pollard recently told New York magazine. “There are a lot of gangsters in my ‘hood.”

Pollard’s criminal history included two arrests for gun and drug possession, authorities said.

Teyana Taylor Top 5 Hottest Photos

+Teyana Taylor has been featured in The Wrap-Up Magazine's Top 5 Hottest Photos. Teyana Taylor (born December 10, 1990), is an American recording artist and actress from Harlem, New York. In 2007.

 Teyana Taylor, the star of Kanye West's “Fade” music video, is revealing the secret to her rocking body – and it's not what you'd think. A recent article being shared on Facebook claims that rapper Eric Lynn Wright, aka Eazy-E, is Teyana Taylor's father. The article is incorrect, Teyana is not Eazy-E's daughter.

 Teyana Taylor was born and raised in Harlem, New York City. She is of African-American and Afro-Trinidadian descent. Taylor is an only child on her mother's side. On her father's side she has two brothers and one sister.

 Teyana Taylor is a vocalist, rap artist, and performer who has approximately net worth of $3 million bucks. In 2012, Taylor was signed by The Island Def Jam Music.