News: Rick Ross Finds Ally In "Counterfeit" Controversy, "It's The Same [Tricking Out] A Rolls Royce"

Written by Danica Dow
Tue, 12 May 2009 14:00:00

A celebrity sunglass customizer has come forward to defend claims that Rick Ross ' Louis Vuitton frames are fake.
Jacob Bernstein, known as "The Sunglasses Pimp," says he added gold accents to Ross' highly questioned frames.
"It's the same thing as buying a Rolls Royce and having it tricked out; just because the product has been customized by me doesn't take away from the fact that the frames are authentic Louis Vuitton Millionaires," Bernstein said. ( AllHipHop )

A lawyer for Louis Vuitton allegedly wrote a letter to XXL Magazine claiming the glasses Ross wore on their May 2009 cover were not authentic.

"We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks. The sunglasses Mr. Ross is wearing were not made by Louis Vuitton, and in fact, are counterfeit. Louis Vuitton did not grant permission to Mr. Ross or to whoever did make the sunglasses to use our trademarks." ( XXLMag )

This isn't the first time that Ross' credibility has been questioned.

"It's sort of embarrassing to me because as you listen to his raps you would definitely believe him but... his jewelry is rented, possibly not real. His cars are being leased. It's just sad. I just want to prove the facts," his baby's mother, Tia Kemp , said in an interview with Ross' sworn enemy 50 Cent . ( ThisIs50 )

But the luxury fashion and leather goods company also has a history of targeting rappers. Last year, they prevented T.I. from releasing his video for "Swing Ya Rag."

"We did it, and it came out hot," Tip said of the video. "Louis [Vuitton] and Gucci started trippin' about it. They were saying we were infringing, in one way or another. They weren't happy about it. They didn't want it to come out. But it's hot, though." ( MTV )

News: Akon Makes Scents W/ Diddy & Jay-Z, Singer Announces Fragrance Lines

Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Tue, 12 May 2009 16:00:00

Konvict labelhead Akon has announced plans to launch his own line of fragrances, which will place him in direct competition with hip-hop moguls Diddy and Jay-Z .

The upcoming products will have the singer's personal touch.

Today (May 12) rapper-singer Akon announced the launch of two fragrances come fall. The first--and "younger"--scent is called Konvict, after his 2006 album Konvicted. The second fragrance is dubbed Aliaune, which is Akon's real first name. And in true hustler's spirit, both scents will be released through Akon's new company, Konvict Cosmetics Intl. This news come a week after Nelly announced plans to create a fragrance for his clothing company Apple Bottoms. ( Lime Life )

Interested consumers will be able to pick up the products in late summer.

Beginning in August, the fragrances will be available on the firm's Web site, but a spokeswoman said the company is approaching retailers like Macy's and Nordstrom for fall distribution. Industry sources expect the two scents to generate about $25 million in first-year retail sales. Aliaune, which is meant to target an older, more sophisticated customer, will be priced at $55 for 3.4 oz. Konvict, meant to speak to a younger consumer, will be available in a 3.4-oz. size for $35. ( WWD )
Both Jay and Kanye West secured fragrance deals last month.
Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West all got fragrance deals when Iconic Fragrances, LLC (where Jay-Z is a principal) signed an agreement with Parlux. Also part of the contract is the announcement of an upcoming scent with a "well-established female artist." Considering it's Jay-Z's deal and he's married to Beyonce , let's read between the lines on that one. ( New York Magazine )
Rapper-turned-actor Common also has his own line of cologne.
Inspired by visionary artists, icons and rebels, Only The Brave is a fragrance about seizing opportunities and making a difference. Only The Brave boasts the determination and strength to overcome adversity and make a mark. Common's song "The 6th Sense" fully embodies the spirit of Only The Brave. Exploring what motivates a man and the challenges he faces, the song and the artist behind it encompass the qualities that make a brave man--determination, perseverance and principle. ( Press Release )

News: 50 Cent Weighs In On "Relapse," "There's So Much Material"

Written by Cyrus Langhorne
Tue, 12 May 2009 13:30:00
50 Cent recently talked about the anticipation for Eminem 's upcoming Relapse release and promised fans more quality material.
Confirming Em's aim to release two projects within 2009, 50 stressed his boss' advanced lyricism on Relapse .
"I mean, it's great," Fif promised. "I think you should expect it to go up. Like, I felt like those choices were, personally, I think the first single was one of his better records lyrically. And he put it out and obviously he felt the same way. But he's got some records on this album that are way better to me 'cause there was so much material that he split it into two albums. So they get [ Relapse ] and then probably in the fourth quarter they'll hear him on the next album." ( MTV )
Em's deejay, The Alchemist , also said the project would be filled with Dr. Dre beats.
"I just got back from Detroit, was with Em for like three or four days working," Al explained. "Got a chance to listen to the whole album and man, I love my album and it's coming out in mid-June, when he played his album I wanted to throw mine away, straight up... Like when he was playing me the album, like, I didn't wanna say it 'cause I was like thinking of his whole body of work and I was like, 'This might be some of his best body of work,' in my opinion. It's 16 Dr. Dre beats, it's like Em kinda decided, I'm assuming, when was the last time you heard a full production of Dr. Dre's music through and through, minus one joint, Em did one joint. The attention Dre put on those beats is the equivalent to the attention Em put on to the writing." ( The Maguire )
Aside from music, Em will reportedly be featured on an upcoming episode of "Family Guy."
Detroit's notorious mic master is set to host Sunday night's Animation Domination lineup on Fox with wisecracking baby 'Stewie Griffin' from "Family Guy." Slim Shady will be featured in cartoon form. As part of the promotion, a special Eminem surprise with MySpace Music will be announced. For additional details about the announcement -- which won't be available until Sunday night -- visit MySpace . ( Detroit Free Press )
He will also make multiple appearances on the popular late night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live" this month.
Em will make three appearances on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" this May. The notoriously press-shy rapper will return to the late-night show three times in May. Once on Friday, May 15, a second time on his album release day, Tuesday, May 19 and again on Friday, May 22. ( Rap-Up )