The Big Payback. Los Angeles To Recoup From Michael Jackson Memorial

The debate over who should cover the expenses Los Angeles incurred after Michael Jackson's memorial last July has finally been settled.

The estate of Michael Jackson and AEG, the company that produced the event at the Staples Center, have agreed to pay the city $1.3 million, Councilwoman Jan Perry said Friday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The city's general fund will receive $1 million, and the remaining $300,000 will go to the Los Angeles Police Foundation, Perry added.

The general fund supports public safety and parks, and the LAPF funds will be used to cover equipment at the police department.

Perry and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa expressed gratitude for the resolution. The councilwoman described the Jackson estate and AEG as "conscientious corporate citizens." Villaraigosa echoed Perry's sentiments, calling their actions, "good corporate citizenship," CNN reported.

AEG President Timothy Leiweke said the company was glad to put the matter behind them, CNN reported.

According to CNN, $1,210,000 will be paid in cash. The foundation had already received $90,000.

"It was important to us that all parties agreed that this was not an obligation but a choice we believe was important to make at a time when thousands of city employees are being reduced," Leiweke said.

AEG worked with Jackson as the promoter and producer of the This Is It concert series planned for last July. The company also runs the Staples Center.

Jackson's posthumous film, also titled This Is It, includes concert rehearsal footage from the comeback tour and helped the Jackson estate solidify $80 million through various deals with AEG and Sony, CNN reported.

Marvin, youngest of Isley Brothers, dies at 56

Marvin Isley, the bass player who helped give R&B powerhouse the Isley Brothers their distinctive sound, has died at a Chicago hospital. He was 56.

Isley died Sunday morning at an inpatient hospice at Weiss Memorial Hospital, according to hospital spokeswoman Catherine Gianaro. She could not confirm a cause of death.

Isley stopped performing in 1996 after suffering complications from diabetes that included a stroke, high blood pressure, the loss of both legs and use of his left hand.

He joined his brothers' band in 1973. By that time, the Isley Brothers had established themselves with hits like 1959's "Shout," which sold more than 1 million records. Isley splintered off to form Isley-Jasper-Isley in the 1980s and returned to the Isley Brothers in the 1990s. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and their career has spanned six decades.

At one point there were five Isley brothers in the group, including Marvin. Today, only Ronald Isley is touring full time after a three-year stint in federal prison for tax evasion.



The group's hits included "Twist and Shout," later recorded by The Beatles, "Love The One You're With," and the Grammy-winning 1969 smash, "It's Your Thing."

In a 2001 interview, Marvin Isley told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he regretted spending decades ignoring his diabetes.

"If I would have listened, if I would have understood diabetes like I understood music, maybe these things wouldn't have happened," Isley said at the time.

In 2000, he settled a lawsuit against his older siblings stemming from a dispute over money from the estate of his deceased older brother, O'Kelly Isley, and from a $7 million plagiarism award against Michael Bolton relating to the group's 1966 song "Love Is A Wonderful Thing."

Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.

Chris Brown Denied Entrance To Britain Due To Rihanna Incident

Chris Brown's troubles are not yet over. The R&B star is being forced to postpone his British tour originally scheduled to start tomorrow (June 9) due to the highly-publicized domestic dispute that took place back in February 2009 with former girlfirend Rihanna. According to the tour's website, the Britain excursion was postponed "due to unforseen circumstances." Fans are being told to hold onto their tickets with the possibilty of the shows being rescheduled for a later date.

However, Britain's Home Office explained Chris' denial in more detailed manner. In a statement, British authorities stated, "We reserve the right to refuse entry to the UK to anyone guilty of a serious criminal offense. Public safety is one of our primary concerns. Each application to enter the UK is considered on its individual merits."

Though Chris has a right to appeal the decision, Brown's legal reps have yet to decide on how they'll move forward.

Kanye West's Porsche Stolen, Crashes Into Hawaii Mansion

Rap superstar Kanye West's Porsche Panamera was stolen and totaled over the weekend.

The luxury vehicle was taken for a joyride, but ended up crashing into a multimillion-dollar house under renovation in Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday morning (June 5). No one was injured during the crash.

Residents of the neighborhood said they heard the crash and witnessed three men running from the vehicle once it hit the house.

Kanye, who's been in Hawaii recording his new album for the past several months, wasn't around during the time of the crash. Sources say the rapper left the Porsche in the care of his cousin. The car was reported stolen.

Reps for Kanye have yet to comment on the car theft.

Last year, celebrity guests joined host Toccara during a one-hour look back at the TOP 12 MOMENTS of the BET Awards. It’s only natural that the most incredible awards show on TV has brought about some of the most memorable, outrageous, jaw-dropping and show-stopping moments in BET history.





TOP 12 MOMENTS of the BET Awards featured a unique blend of familiar Black American entertainment voices who shared their reflections on the moments that have made the past eight years of watching and participating in the BET Awards so incredibly memorable.

Now that it’s a new year, here is another list of top moments with 2009 included. Did your favorite moment make the countdown?

1. Janet Jackson speaks out on the death of her brother, Michael Jackson, just days after his untimely passing.

2. Jamie Foxx and Ne-Yo perform MJ’s “I’ll Be There” in honor of the late, great pop icon.

3. Mo'Nique does the Beyoncé dance.

4. Michael Jackson and James Brown perform.

5. Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holliday perform.

6. Alicia Keys performs with SWV, En Vogue and TLC.

7. Fugees reunion.

8. Chaka Khan tribute.

9. Teena Marie and Rick James perform.

10. Jamie Foxx and Fantasia kiss.

11. Janet Jackson reunites with the "Good Times" cast.

12. Sheneneh (Martin Lawrence) and Wanda (Jamie Foxx) in “Skank Robbers” skit.

Beyonce Sued for Trespassing During Filming of Music Video

According to the Associated Press, songstress Beyonce is being sued for allegedly trespassing in a Hollywood Hills neighborhood during the filming of her "Why Don't You Love Me" visual.

Philip Markowitz, the resident that filed the suit, claims Beyonce and her film crew invaded his privacy and provoked unnecessary noise and crowds.

Markowitz, who filed the suit on Friday (May 28), is asking for $25,000 in compensation.

Beyonce has yet to respond to the lawsuit.

50 Cent Teaming Up With VH1 For "50's Roots" Documentary

50 Cent is bringing his family roots to the TV screen. The Queens native is in the process of filming a VH1 documentary titled "50's Roots" where he will trace his roots on camera with the help of his aunt, Gladys Simpkins.

The rapper, who just wrapped production on a new flim, "Things Fall Apart," is currently filming scenes for the documentary in Edgefield County, South Carolina. On Tuesday (May 25), Fif mingled with residents of Johnston County, but maintained a more lowkey profile while eating lunch with his aunt the next day.

He dined at the Old Edgefield Grill where front house manager, Mary Turner revealed that the G-Unit general ordered a cheeseburger with french fries and apple juice. She explained of her encounter with the megastar, "He was a real gentleman."

In related news, Fif recently lost 54 pounds for his role as a football star battling cancer in the aforementioned "Things Fall Apart."

VH1 has yet to set an air date for "50's Roots."

Rihanna Files Countersuit Against Personal Trainer

Rihanna isn't going down without a fight. Last year, Cindy Percival, RiRi's personal trainer, sued the pop star for allegedly failing to pay fees and travel expenses totaling a whopping $26,144.

But now, the tables have turned as Rihanna has filed a countersuit. According to TMZ.com, the Def Jam princess filed a claim in L.A. Superior County Court, stating that Percival owes her $26,244.63.

Rihanna's claim stems from the singer fronting Percival the large amount for her fitness services. But when Rihanna and Percival severed ties late last year, Rihanna claims Percival never returned the cash.

Reps from Rihanna's camp have yet to comment on the countersuit.

Killer of Atlanta Rapper Acquitted of All Charges

On Friday (May 21) an L.A. jury acquitted the killer of Atlanta rapper Dolla during a fatal shooting at the Beverly Hills Center in Los Angeles in May 2009.

Aubrey Louis Berry had been accused of shooting and killing Dolla (born Roderick Anthony Burton II), but the the juror didn't think the killing of Burton was an apparent act of revenge.

Berry's attorney noted that their client's act was self-defense due to Burton's gangster lifestyle and the lyrics glorified in his songs and videos.

Dolla was signed to Akon's Konvict Music imprint.

Erykah Badu, Nas & Talib Kweli Speak on Jay Electronica

With Drake and Nicki Minaj now signed and readying to release debut LPs, Jay Electronica is arguably hip-hop's hottest free agent.

A rookie by no means, he's been cultivating a rapidly growing fan base through mixtapes for quite some time. High off his guest appearance on Reflection Eternal's "Just Begun" alongside Mos Def and J. Cole, his own "Exhibit C" produced by Just Blaze and the recently released "The Ghost of Christopher Wallace" featuring Diddy, his stock is presently at an all time high.

Still, though he owes Decon Records a project, Jay Elect is essentially a free agent. As the world impatiently awaits his freshman LP, three of his biggest cosigners sang his praise to BET.com.

"Jay Electronica is a free agent, but Control Freaq Records is a label that allows artists to use its and my brand, Erykah Badu’s platform to move in the direction that they wanna move in," Badu told BET.com. "So my label is not a binding contract, but it’s another statement and our statement is freeing the slaves from the slave masters, meaning the music slaves from the masters, they convert back to the artists. They belong to them, so that’s what Control Freaq Records is about and yea, he’s a part of that movement."

Jay's made such an impression on Nas that the Queens MC had him produce "Queens Get the Money" on his 2008 "Untitled" album.

"I like Jay Electronica," Nas offered. "He seems to be a little bit older than a lot of the new guys so he’s gon come with a lot more information. Where his head’s at is in a great place and the music that he’s making is gon bring a lot to the table, a lot of good energy."

Talib Kweli shared Nas' sentiment.

Nas Says He Can't Afford Kelis

Nas is coming up short. As previously reported, a judge ordered the Queens lyricist to immediately pay $87,000 to Kelis in back spousal and child support. He was also ordered to fork over $10,000 per month in spousal support until he makes up the $299,015.50 he owes.

The judge reportedly set the amount based on the $152,031 per month that Nas earns; but according to new documents obtained by TMZ, the rapper claims he makes "substantially less than that amount."

Nas' attorney, Marc Vincent Kaplan, is asking the judge to reconsider and lower the monthly amount.

In related news, Nas spoke about his much criticized beat selection. "Well I have a wish list sometimes or I have a dream list of who I would love to work with and wish they would want to get in the studio and do records or whatever. Then I have my own ideas of being a producer. And what happens is a lot of time goes by with me being indecisive so it winds up with me kind of like doing what I have to do really fast because I played around for so long. Then, the deadlines come."

Exclusive: Black Rob Released From Prison, No Longer Signed to Bad Boy

Black Rob is back. After being sentenced to seven years in prison back in 2006 for failing to show up to a previous sentence hearing for a grand larceny charge, the rapper is now a free man.

In an exclusive interview with BET News, two hours after being released from prison, Black Rob (born Robert Ross) details life behind bars and his mystery status with Bad Boy Records.

"You had people in there man who felt like groupies every time they said hi to me," Rob told BET News correspondent Samson Styles. "‘Why you saying hi to him? You’re a groupie.’ You got certain brothers man, real dudes got pride. They’re going to approach me regardless. ‘What’s up man? How are you doing?’ Basically me, I had a couple of problems. But it never resulted into anything physical."

"It wasn’t just inmates, officers…no one is above jealousy in there," he continued. "You had officers in there being real disrespectful ripping pictures of my family off the wall and doing disrespectful things."

Leaving harsher times behind, BR is ready to hit the music circuit again. But there are many questions to be answered. Is Bad Boy still his home? Did Diddy support him while he was locked up?

"Nah. Well, I mean, you know I’m from the streets so if you tell me you love me and you tell me you my man, I’m going to take that and run with that, feel me?" he explained. "When something happens to me and you turn your back on me, regardless of the situation, regardless of what we been through, I mean I don’t appreciate that…I don’t respect that. If you my man, I’m going to always be your man unless you flip on me. I was under the assumption that I was family.”

And don't look for any diss records towards Diddy and the Bad Boy family, Rob is accepting responsiblity for his own actions.

"If you follow Black Rob career, you know I’ve been through a whole bunch," he offered. "When the album is ready to come out, I’m either in jail or somewhere I’m not supposed to be. I’m not blaming Bad Boy. Let’s set the record straight. I’m not blaming P. Diddy, I’m not blaming Harve Pierre for my situation. That was me. I did that. I have no hatred in my heart. I don’t want to retaliate and I don’t want to make any records about Bad Boy."

Diddy has yet to comment on Black Rob's release.

Trina Preps "Amazin'" Cosmetics Line

Trina is not only gearing up to release her new album, "Amazin'," but she's also launching a new cosmetics line of the same name.

The Slip-N-Slide spitter will introduce the new line by releasing a vibrant lip gloss which will be followed by a unique set of eye lashes. She plans to roll these products out in May.

The self-proclaimed "baddest chick" hopes the sex appeal and uniqueness of "Amazin'" will empower and guide women all across the country to feel better about themselves.

Trina's fifth studio album, "Amazin'," hit the streets on May 4th and will include guest appearances by Diddy, Nicki Minaj, Lyfe Jennings, Keri Hilson and many more.