Broke As A Joke: Whitney Houston Has No More Racks On Racks! (DETAILS)

By Rebecca Francois for Global Grind Staff

Say it ain't so, Whitney! Say it ain't so!

The 48-year-old singer, actress, diva, musical icon Whitney Houston is dead broke.
Reports have surfaced claiming that Ms. Houston has burned through her entire fortune – including her $100 million dollar recording deal (biggest in music history) with Arista records.

DETAILS: Tika Sumpter Says Whitney Houston "Is Family, For Real!"

Though Houston just wrapped on Sparkle – a film which she stars in with singer Jordin Sparks, and is probably set to receive a fat compensation for her service, reports are claiming that Whitney still needed the help of her record label to support her and her lifestyle until her check was signed, sealed and delivered.

VIDEO: Miley Cyrus Enters Whitney Houston Drug Rehab Program!

Houston, who has openly admitted to a previous cocaine addiction and tumultuous relationship with ex-husband Bobby Brown, has even resorted to asking friends for small loans as minor as $100.00 to help hold her down.
“She might be homeless if not for people saving her," a source said. “It’s so sad. She should have Mariah Carey money, and she’s flat broke!”
A rep for the star released a statement claiming that the reports are “ridiculous and not true," but we all know that cocaine is one hell of a drug.
SOURCE: DailyMail

NICKI MINAJ PUSHES ‘PINK FRIDAY: ROMAN RELOADED’ TO APRIL

Nicki Minaj is breaking hearts this Valentine’s Day. The “Super Bass” rapper has delayed the release of her sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. Originally scheduled to drop on February 14, it will now arrive on April 3, she announced via Twitter.
“New Album Date: April 3rd. Pink Friday: ROMAN RELOADED. But have no fear. Tons of surprises before then ;). Love Always, HB,” Nicki told her Barbz.
The album has spawned the singles “Roman in Moscow” and “Stupid Hoe,” for which a Hype Williams-directed video premiered on Friday.
Nicki hinted at a surprise guest on the follow-up to her 2010 debut Pink Friday. “Just got some heron from one of ur fave artists. In the studio shakin my fuckin head right now. WOW. Roman Reloaded,” she tweeted.
To promote the release, she will perform a new song live at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on February 12 and travel overseas to London (Feb. 19-25), Paris (Feb. 26-27), Berlin (Feb. 28), and Tokyo (March 1-4).

Kartel allegedly participated in beating death of 'Lizard'

BY PAUL HENRY

KINGSTON JAMAICA - ENTERTAINER Vybz Kartel allegedly participated in the beating death of his friend Clive 'Lizard' Williams, who, according to the prosecution, was murdered over the disappearance of two guns.
The allegation was made in the Home Circuit Court last week where Calvin Hay, one of the men charged along with the entertainer, was offered bail in the sum of $1million.

According to the prosecution, Williams was a part of a gang in Waterford, St Catherine that was headed by Kartel.
In August, the prosecution told the court, Williams and another man were entrusted with the care of two guns by Kartel. But when in mid-August the guns were discovered missing, the men were summoned to meet Kartel at his Havendale, St Andrew home to give an account of the guns. Kartel, according to the prosecution, was "angry" about the disappearance of the weapons.
On August 16, Williams and the other man — who is now the prosecution's main witness — were picked up in a taxi, reportedly by entertainer Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell and taken to the Havendale home where Kartel and other men were waiting on him.
While en route to the house, the court was told, Williams started sending text messages to a person, expressing fear that he was going to be killed and urging the receiver of the messages to call the police.
At the home, Williams and the other man were taken into a room where Kartel, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones were waiting. According to the prosecution's case, Williams was beaten to death by the men who were armed with blocks and pickaxe sticks.
After witnessing what went down, the other man who was brought to the premises, dashed from the house in an attempt to save his own life. Kartel, the prosecutor said, called out to him, saying that it was Williams whom they wanted.
During the melee, Kartel was bitten by his own dog and had to seek medical treatment. The prosecution said it was in possession of the hospital bill and record of the treatment.
Charged along with Kartel, Hay, Campbell, Jones and St John is Shane Williams.
The prosecution said, too, that it has voice recordings of Kartel and a person it believes to be Hay planning Williams' murder. However, the prosecution did not oppose bail for Hay, who is represented by Chris Tavares-Finson, because it has not confirmed that the voice on the recording was Hay's. The recording is being analysed.
The accused men will again appear in court on February 17.
Last Wednesday two men who have been charged along with Kartel for the murder of labourer Barrington 'Bossie' Bryan last year were denied bail in the Gun Court Division of the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate' (RM) Court.
The men, Nigel Thompson and Lenburgh McDonald, along with Kartel, will next appear in court on February 3 when a preliminary enquiry into Bryan's murder is scheduled to begin.
Bryan was shot dead along a street in Gregory Park, St Catherine in July.
Also Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, and fellow Portmore Empire member Vanessa 'Gaza Slim' Saddler are to appear in the RM court on February 1 on charges of conspiracy and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The charges stem from allegations that Vybz Kartel sent a text to Saddler, leading to her reporting to the police that she had been robbed by Clive 'Lizard' Williams, who had in fact been murdered before the reported robbery occurred. The prosecution is contending that the report was made in order to give the impression that Williams was not dead.
On a separate matter, Kartel is to return to the Resident Magistrate's Court on February 13 when he will be tried on a ganja possession charge.
SOURCE: jamaicaobserver.com

KEREEN GREGORY UNLEASHES HER PASSION FOR GOSPEL

Creative, talented and inspiring are a few of the adjectives that readily comes to mind when describing Kereen Gregory, a gospel singer whose musical mission is centered on bringing souls to Christ.

From as early as she can recall, Kereen had a passion for singing and she knew that her footsteps would ultimately lead her to the international stage. But she also knew that the stage would not be a secular one, because from the outset, she had totally dedicated herself to the Lord.

Hailing from Central Village in the old capital, Spanish Town, Kereen grew up in the church, where her talent was recognized at an early age and she was given much encouragement from her church family, her parents and siblings. Her father, too, had been blessed with the gift of song and it was often felt that Kereen would be the one to take over from him and fly the musical banner high for her family.

With this background it was inevitable that young Kereen, who now uses the moniker KG, would eagerly embrace every opportunity to let her voice be heard. Kereen had a special talent for turning even the most mundane sentence into a song and somehow, that song would end up being quite infectious. During her teens, she became involved in singing groups and while attending Tarrant High, Kereen was quite a popular choice to sing at school functions.

In 2008, Kereen, with much encouragement from family and friends, made a dramatic step from the church pew onto the stage of the highly competitive JCDC Gospel Song Contest, as a solo act. As expected, this vocal powerhouse proved a strong contender and her song, God Is, exposed her to a much wider audience who started to take keen interest in this compelling gospel singer.

Although KG did not win the competition, this signaled the start of her music ministry on the world stage. The doors were flung wide open and soon KG was travelling overseas for shows, and was also featured on major gospel events in Jamaica, including Fun in the Son, Heal the Nation, Freedom Fest and events for evangelist Jim Whittingham. She has also performed back-up duties for international gospel artiste, Carlene Davis.
Currently under the management of Butterfly Muzik Limited, KG is preparing for yet another milestone event in her gospel career – the launch of her debut album in the first half of 2012. For this offering, she has worked with producers Gifton Smith, Alex Blanken and Radikal Yaad.

The talented singer/song-writer has also formed an alliance with dancehall’s favourite gospel singer, Prodigal Son, for whose Radikal Yaad label, she has done two out-of-the-box singles. With these songs, Lord Do Me Again and Who Me U Mad Kereen stepped out of her usual comfort zone of traditional gospel songs and entered the realm of dancehall gospel, with much success and a bit of controversy.

That situation, however, has only served to spike the popularity of this gospel singer who names Shirley Caesar, Carlene Davis and Chevelle Franklyn as her favourite artistes.
“Whatever the genre – traditional gospel, gospel reggae or dancehall gospel – it’s all about giving praise to the Lord,” a confident Kereen declares.
With her immense talent, charming persona and God by her side, the sky’s the limit for Kereen ‘KG’ Gregory.

CHECK OUT HER LATEST MUSIC VIDEO


MANAGEMENT AND BOOKINGS
Butterfly Muzik Limited
38-42 Molynes Road
Kingston 10
Tele# 382 3209
Email: butterflymuzikk@gmail.com

SEAN PAUL SAYS "GUH SUCK YOU MOTHER WITH STRAW" TO JAMAICANS WEH NUH LIKE NOR RATE HIM

KINGSTON JAMAICA - Internationally acclaimed Dancehall/Reggae superstar, Sean Paul appears to have run out with patience regarding staunch critics of his music back home in Jamaica.
The Grammy-winning deejay, currently in the island celebrating his 39th birthday, has long been criticized by Jamaican music fans for not putting out "authentic" Dancehall songs since unveiling his Dutty Rock in 2002. Known for doing several successful Dancehall/Reggae singles with a crossover vibe, including the recently released Got 2 Luv U featuring American singer, Alexis Jordan, Sean Paul has copped mass criticism from locals yearning for him to produce a more original Dancehall sound.
However, the We Be Burning deejay took to official Twitter account to sharply address said critics; suggesting the work he does should be appreciated more by Jamaicans.
"RRR! ALL JAMAICANS WEH NO LIKE NOR RATE MI OR MY MUSIC GO S*CK U MADA WIT STRAW!!! A ME A REPRESENT U! RRR!!!” he tweeted.
Shortly thereafter, fans called out Sean Paul for his tough talk. Upon reading fan retorts, Sean Paul further clarified his stance.
“IF MI SEH IT AN U FEEL OFFENDED DEN DAT MEAN MI CATCH U! IF U RATE MI U WI DIFFEN MI CAH MI NAH CHAT2 U!BUT NOW MI KNO U NO WIT MI,” he said.
He added, "BLESSINGS SAME WAY!!!BEEN FLYING THE FLAG 4 JACANS 2 B TREATED AS EQUALS!!!SO WHEN A 1 DOE RATE DAT IT MEK I WANDA WHY MI A DWEET."
Meanwhile, Sean Paul continues to promote his latest project, The Material Riddim which features several top names such as Voicemail, Raine Seville and Mr. Vegas amongst others.
Additionally, the prominent deejay held a birthday party on Wednesday at the Fiction Lounge in Kingston as part of his party series, Brand New Machine.
Source: outaroad

RIHANNA KICKS IT AT CLIPPERS GAME

After bringing the Lakers some good luck earlier in the week, Rihanna worked her magic for the Clippers. RiRi was courtside at the Staples Center as the L.A. team took on the Miami heat, defeating them 95-89.
Keeping it casual in a camouflage snapback hat, black Trapstar hoodie, and torn jeans, the “You Da One” singer—who won Favorite R&B Artist at last night’s People’s Choice Awards—enjoyed a beer and popcorn as she cheered with her friends.
Other celebrity sightings included Aziz Ansari, Chris Rock, Gabrielle Union, and Tyga with his girlfriend Blac Chyna.
Source:rap-up.com

I-Octane “Buzzworthy Newcomer” (NPR) Kicks 2012 Into High Gear

Debut Album Crying To The Nation out Feb 14

Signs on as Digicel’s Brand Ambassador for Second Year in a Row

“Puff It” Makes NPR’s End-of-Year Countdown for Top 5 Dancehall Tracks

I-Octane will release his debut album Crying To The Nation onFeb 14, 2012. The 16-track opus is a joint venture deal with reggae powerhouse VP Records and Scikron, which is owned and operated by Robert Livingston, former long-time manager of multi-platinum artist Shaggy. On I-Octane's first full-length LP, he will reinvigorate the feeling of roots and dancehall at its purest. I-Octane has already proven himself as a powerful lyricist and unveils his uncanny ability to sing romantic ballads and socially aware tunes on this traditional reggae album.

I-Octane’s “Puff It,” which is featured on Crying To The Nation,is chosen as one of National Public Radio's Top 5 Dancehall Tracks for 2011. NPR's Baz Dreisinger describes I-Octane as “2011's buzzworthy newcomer: a Rastafarian DJ in the vein of Sizzla or Capleton, comfortable moving from conscious music to hardcore dancehall and back again.” The year’s favorite anthem showcases his “signature style: rapid-fire rhyming skills, haunting vocals and simple, singalong hooks,” Dreisinger adds.

I-Octane also renews his Digicel sponsorship deal for 2012. This is second year he will serve as the sole Brand Ambassador for the Caribbean’s largest mobile communications provider. Shelly-Ann Curran, Digicel's Sponsorship and Activations Manager, recently told the Jamaica Observer that I-Octane’s “unique style of music mirrors the youthful vibrancy and positive energy that is Digicel.”

Crying To The Nation Track Listing:
1. Rules Of Life
2. Help I Please
3. Vanity Will Come
4. Nuh Love Inna Dem
5. Puff It
6. No More Violence
7. System A Beat Dem
8. Zion Awaits
9. L.O.V.E. Y.O.U.
10. Missing You ft. Agent Sasco
11. Once More
12. The Master's Plan
13. Lose A Friend
14. All We Need Is Love ft. Tarrus Riley
15. Space For All Of Us ft. Alborosie
16. Crying To The Nation


TAKE A LISTENING TO THE TRACK BELOW

I-Octane - L.O.V.E. Y.O.U.