Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Terrorist Attack

Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day turned from uneventful to terror filled when Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, ignited a small explosive device on his lap during landing. The suspect was subdued by passengers and crew – as seen in the picture below.
The White House declared the incident an attempted terrorist attack. On Saturday the Department of Justice issued a federal criminal complaint, charging the suspect with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on its final approach at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The suspect was arraigned in a hospital burn unit on Saturday, according to a Justice Department official.


Passengers said the explosion sounded like a balloon popping, followed by the smell of smoke. Passenger Jasper Schuringa of Amsterdam jumped over several seats and tackled the Nigerian and put him in a headlock, while other passengers extinguished a fire that was burning the suspects pants. See photos  of the hero here.

Other passengers and crew assisted in leading the suspect to the front of the plane, where he was stripped of his clothing to ensure he didn’t have other weapons. He was described as stunned by the incident when he was placed in the front row of first class while the plane landed, some 10 to 20 minutes after the explosion.


Abdulmutallab, who initially flew into Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam from Lagos, Nigeria, did not undergo secondary security screening that might have picked up on the contraband device that was later ignited. He later told federal investigators that he had extremist ties and got the device in Yemen along with instruction on how and when to ignite the explosive.


Remains of the device have been sent to Quantico, Virginia for analysis. British counter-terrorism was searching several house in central London on Saturday, looking for a link to al-Qaeda.


The suspect was taken into custody and is hospitalized for treatment of second and third-degree burns on his thighs, according to federal law enforcement and airline security sources. He received a mechanical engineering degree in London, where he lived from 2005-2008. He is reported to be the son of former Nigerian First Bank PLC chairman Alhaji Umar Mutallab, according to CNN.


The incident is similar a bombing attempt on December 22, 2001 by terrorist Richard Reid, who was known as Abdul Raheem and Tariq Raja. He ignited explosives hidden in his shoes while aboard American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris to Miami. He was a member of al-Qaeda and was dispatched to execute the bombing mission by Khaled Shaikh Mohammed, a senior member of the organization. Reid was sentenced to life imprisonment at Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado.


Passengers and crew were questioned by the FBI in a process that took four to five hours.

Madonna Blamed for Dwindling Orphanage Donations

Earlier this year singer Madonna adopted daughter Mercy James from the Konsdanani orphanage in Malawi, Africa. Since then, adoption donations have dropped and the center is having issues raising funds.



Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper is reporting that sources close to the orphanage are blaming Madonna and say that people are under the assumption that the “Material Girl” gave them thousands and thousands or dollars.


“We find it a day-to-day struggle to survive. Some days we don’t even know if there will be enough food to feed the babies. Donors are not giving because they are under the impression that Madonna paid us vast amounts of money.”


This is the second child that Madonna adopted from Malawi, the first was David Banda, who was adopted from a different agency.

It would be interesting to know how much Madonna did pay the Konsdanani orphanage. The head of the agency, Annie Chikhwaza said, “I was never offered a penny. I did not expect any either.”

Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner Break Up

Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner have split after a short-lived romance which began on the set of “Valentine’s Day.”



The couple have been seen together frequently in the past few months, but according to a source close to Swift, there was just no chemistry and the relationship wasn’t going anywhere.


According to the source, “he liked her more than she liked him,” and they decided to officially call it quits when Lautner, 17, flew to Nashville for Swift’s 20th birthday party on December 13.

Valentine’s Day is set to premiere on February 12.

Nelly Offers $10,000 Reward To Catch Man Who Robbed His Home

The rapper Nelly is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the man who broke into his suburban St. Louis home earlier this month.


CrimeStoppers announced the reward on Monday.


Someone forced his way through a locked window at Nelly's Wildwood home in the early hours of Dec. 11 and got away with a duffel bag full of items that included electronics and other goods.


Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr., was not home at the time. Police say one of three occupants saw and confronted the intruder, a male in his 20s or 30s.

No one was injured.

Kanye West Serves Lunch To The Homeless

Kanye West showed off his charitable side by taking time out to serve a holiday lunch for homeless people on Saturday.



The Stronger rapper and his model girlfriend Amber Rose turned up at The Los Angeles Mission, where they volunteered in the kitchen and donned aprons to dish out hot meals to those in need.

He says, "It's just important (to give back) when you're very blessed. (It's nice) to spread your blessings and take time out, especially during the holidays to appreciate people who never get that appreciation. It makes me feel really good to come out here and I just thank y'all for allowing us to be apart of this."


The Los Angeles Mission is located in the downtown Skid Row district, which contains one of the largest populations of homeless people in the U.S.

The American 10 Most Disappointing Rap Albums of 2009

Though 2009 produced more duds than gems, the year still boasts an array of great albums that managed to sustain our faith in hip-hop. Grab a cold drink, pull up a chair, and join us as we take stock of 2009's best hip-hop albums. (For albums that let us down, see our 10 Most Disappointing Rap Albums of 2009)


1. Mos Def - 'The Ecstatic'

 RecordsMos Def has struggled with consistency in the past. One listen to The Ecstatic, however, and you'll forgive and forgive Mos' past transgressions. Pretty Flacco has conquered his demons, and Ecstatic finds him returning to the breath-defying, head-spinning lyricism that made him a hip-hop great.
Mos Def is hip-hop's ultimate Renaissance Man. He established himself as an avant-garde lyricist on his 1999 classic debut, Black on Both Sides. Over the past 10 years, Mos went on to garner rave reviews, not for his music, but for his screen work. His spoken word performances have been immortalized on YouTube. It was as if Mos Def was prolific at everything except hip-hop.
 
2. Raekwon - 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx'

Cuban Linx... Pt. II is indescribably new yet familiar -- a smart blend of early Wu-Tang rawness and stylishly anti-modern production. Those Wu fans who turned on the Chef for alienating RZA on Immobilarity get their recompense on Cuban Linx II, which sports two vintage RZA beats.
History has taught him  to ignore rap sequels. Blueprint 2 was a letdown. Carnival II was mediocre. And let's not forget Twista's shoddy attempt to reenact his brilliant debut on Adrenaline Rush 2. In short, he've grown to dismiss rap sequels as marketing duds feigned to trick people into buying a mediocre reincarnation of an earlier masterwork. Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II turned that argument on its head.

1995's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... was a journey through the thrills, the violence, and the rote regimen that constitute a New York drug kingpin's life. It served as a manifesto that would shape the course of mafioso rap in the 90s. Cuban Linx was so grimy it oozed dirty Timbs and sewage. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II picks up where right where Pt. I left off.

3. Brother Ali - 'US'

 Two years ago, Brother Ali teamed up with esteemed producer and Steven Seagal’s illegitimate twin (that would be Ant) to create one of the most brutally honest albums hip-hop has seen in years, Undisputed Truth. Ali’s back rapping about going from underdog status to shopping for underwear with Rakim, among other things.



. UGK - 'UGK 4 Life'

UGK's final album, UGK 4 Life, is incredibly cohesive and devoid of a boring moment. Bun B’s bassy mid-paced enunciation is almost as hypnotic as Pimp C’s high-pitched delivery. The result is a mix like night and day, and they complement each other perfectly.






5. DOOM - 'Born Like This'

After watching the rap game from the sidelines for several years, DOOM (formerly MF Doom) decided he's seen enough. The masked one returned with one goal in mind: to reinject his esoteric brand of hip-hop into the game. Born Like This is engaging from start to finish. DOOM even enjoyed cosign from strange places, as Radiohead's Thom Yorke loved the album that he ended up doing a remix for one of its songs, "Gazillion Ear." The "Gazillion Ear (Thom Yorke Remix)" appears as a bonus track on iTunes.



6. Slaughterhouse - 'Slaughterhouse'

If you've ever wanted to see four individually acclaimed wordsmiths band together for the sheer purpose of rewiring hip-hop's current disposition while staying true to the game's fundamentals, then this is your chance. 





7. Clipse - 'Til The Casket Drops'

Give the Thornton Brothers for sticking with a formula that yields quality music (Clipse + Neptunes = Success). Give them even bigger props for exploring new sounds on Til The Casket Drops, the first Clipse album that wasn't exclusively produced by Chad & Pharrell. Adding DJ Khalil and Sean C & LV to the production lineup helped breathe new life into the Clipse soundscape. It's a well-rounded, thoroughly enjoyable album, though their coke tales are nothing new.
 
 
8. Eminem - 'Relapse'

Relapse maintains a cinematic vibe from start to finish. While Eminem's narratives are too familiar (it's another Slim Shady album, after all), his method of delivery has evolved. There are unique rhyme sequences and vocal cadences here ("Soon as the flow starts, I compose art like the ghost of Mozart"). Relapse isn't his best work (the shock value wears thin after a while), but you'd have to go back a decade to find another Eminem album this good.


9. k-os - 'Yes!'

K-os continues to show his maturity with yet another solid addition to his brilliant catalog. On his fourth go-round, the Canadian MC teeters the brink between thought-provoking stories and accessible rhymes. The incredibly polished production makes Yes! a special treat.
 
 
 
10. K'naan - 'Troubadour'

 For a guy who only learned the English Language a decade ago, Somali-Canadian MC K'naan is an outstanding lyricist. K'naan Left an indelible mark on the global hip-hop community with 2005's Dusty Foot Philosopher. He now returns with the musically rich Troubador, which features Damian "JR Gong" Marley, Chubb Rock, Mos Def, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Chali 2na and Adam Levine & James Valentine of Maroon 5. Troubadour finds K’naan assuming the role of a street griot and dishing out some of the most compelling narratives you’ll hear all year. In his own words, “My job is to write what I see/So a visual stenographer is what I be.”

Justin Timberlake And Outkast Made Decade's Best Music

Justin Timberlake's "Futuresex/Lovesounds" has been named the pop album of the decade and Outkast's "Hey Ya" the noughties' best pop song by a leading music website.
Editors at PopEater.com have gathered the best music the decade has to offer and ranked Timberlake's chart topping record top of their end-of-2009 poll.

The pop star beat out competition from Kanye West, Gorillaz, Kelly Clarkson, Scissor Sisters, Gwen Stefani, Beyonce, Outkast, Green Day and Amy Winehouse, who all made their mark on the decade.

In the top pop song category, Outkast's catchy chart topper saw off competition from Britney Spears' "Toxic", Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone", Usher's "Yeah", Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head", Rihanna's "Umbrella", Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out", Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl", Timberlake's "Cry Me a River" and Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy".

                                                            Justin  Timerlake

            

                                    

Outkast

 

Lady GaGa’s Most Interesting Looks of 2009

It’s no secret that 2009 was a huge year for her - as Lady GaGa has not only catapulted herself into the wonderful world of music but already has left an unbelievable impact.



This past year, the incredible performer - who is known for her interesting and wild ensembles - has wowed her audiences with anything from her infamous nude suit, to a giant hat button made of hair to lingerie and antlers, to wigs, wigs, and more wigs, and that’s just the start of it.


Above anything, GaGa has her fans to thank. In a recent interview with MTV, she tells, “First and foremost, my favorite artists of 2009 were my fans. They were my favorites because every song I did, they remade on their own, and every photograph that I took, they took their own version of it.”


GaGa continues, “They’re just the most brilliant fans in the world.”

Gwen Stefani’s Post-Christmas Family Stroll

 Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale were spotted out with Kingston and Zuma in London on Saturday (December 26).Enjoying a leisurely family stroll following their Christmas celebrations


The No Doubt frontwoman and her Bush rocker hubby walked along with their two adorable kiddies, bundling up for the chilly winter weather being had in the UK.

Stiggo Rose Up Again!!

A talented Tanzanian Musician Stiggo Ibrahim is came Up with His own Records, now he is in Us (New York).




He made some Albums with Tanzanians musicians like best rapper in Tanzania Sugu and Mwanafalsafa. He wants to show Americans producers that he can make it.
His Label S&S Records become among biggest Records in New York. A Tanzanian tries his best to represent Tanzanians producers in Music Industry in America, although the game is tough but he tries his best.

                                    Stiggo on His Work

D-nice blog wishes him all da best in his long journal..Keep It Brother!!

                    S&S RECORDS:(Brooklin NYC)

                         

    Mr. Two Sugu

                        

Mwana F.A

                                 Mr .Two VETO ALBUM!

S&S Record Motto "HipHop Revolutio!"

Q&A: Snoop Dogg On 'Malice N Wonderland,' His Longevity In Music, Family And Much More !!

Hip-Hop entertainer Snoop Dogg is a changed man. But then, given his longevity in the Hip-Hop game, as part of a chosen selected few an evolution would be evident in Snoop's musical journey. One thing that has remained consistent, however, is the fact that as a rapper Snoop has remained a pivotal force within the music industry since his debut in 1992.

The occasion is marked this week with the release of his tenth studio album, Malice N Wonderland. It solidifies Snoop as an entertainer who has come full circle, confident in himself as a performer and as a recognized recording entertainer world-wide.

Qn:Your tenth studio release Malice N Wonderland, was released last week. What was your thought process and inspirational approach that went into recording your new release?


Snoop Dogg: Being myself. A lot of the times, I go into the studio, I don't even write about it. It's just whatever comes out of my mouth. It is what it is and expression of what has happened in my life in someway. A lot of the things I do, rap, or say, is a visual picture of what I want it to be, because it turns to life because it is what it is. The gift that we've been given, the chosen few, when we write and say it, it's weird. It gonna be what's it's gonna be. I try to take my time to make sure I have a positive light at the end of my verse.

Qn:How did you choose the title of your latest release?

Dogg: After I met Lalo Schifrin, the composer of Mission Impossible, he composed a track for me called "Malice In Wonderland" from which the title of the album is inspired.

Qn: Was there any added pressure to surpass the acclaim of all your previous releases?

Dogg: No major concerns. It's all about people, how love moves. As long as there's awareness people will support the craft reverently.

Qn: How about images presented in your past music?

Dogg: I've got a lot of records that I've done. This many songs with no bone, no initiative, just me doing me. I listen to those, some of those songs are real real good, and some of them don't fit who I am right now. I don't have an image to protect. I am who I am. In certain phases of my life those songs were practical for where I was in my life. I am at the stage of my life where I'm trying to become a full grown man, mentor, a model, and positive inspiration.
The music scene has changed tremendoulsy since your debut. For example, major music retailers have shut down. How has this affected how you promote your music, and if so, in what way?
When I make records, I like people to feel the record. I'm saying to myself what can I do differently to where I can get people to understand this is a hot record, where I came up with the idea to make a mini-movie and take five songs off my album and make them all come together to represent what the movie is about and what this record is about, to give people a visual picture of who I am.

Qn: How do you keep up with changing trends in music?

Dogg: Well, I'm thankful I've got kids first of all. I've got some hip kids. They listen to everything from Joss Stone, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift. So, with hip kids at home, I tend to want to stay in contact with them and find out what gets them going, then I want to figure out how I can get on their ipods, and what I have to do to stay relevant. Then I'v got my football league. I've got over 5,000 kids in my league, and they're always dancin' and rockin' out to new music, letting me know what's hip and hot.

Qn: Speaking of your football league, what impact has coaching a football league team has had in your life?



Dogg: To me when I couch these kids in football and see them go to high school and take a high school football team that wasn't winning and become winners because of the kids in my league, that were coached by me, inspired by me, that to me is bigger than any award because I'm saving lives, I'm changing lives giving hope to some kids who basically could've been another gang member, another drug dealer, becoming young men, becoming disciplined and doing the right things with their lives, making their mothers and fathers proud, breaking the chain, trying to give back I do it for the result. That means the world to know that kid has a chance to become a young man and something in life.


Qn: Is there a particular listening audience that you are aiming for when you create your music?


Dogg: I always make a little bit for everybody. I always manage to put a song on there for the fans my age, and for a little bit older, old school Snoop for them too. I know that my fans have grown with me. A lot of my fans are 40, 50, 60 years old. I had to make those toned down records to where your mother and grandmother could say "I like Snoop Dogg too."

Qn: Do you have any particular #1 rule, or, work ethic when it comes to music?



Dogg: Make songs that make sense. Got to make songs that make sense. That's like my number one rule. I really strive at that to make sure that my songs have clarity and understanding to what I'm trying to say to the people.


Qn: Who, or, what is your biggest enemy to date?


Dogg: Death, cause he's waiting on me.

Qn: Any particular views on music retirement?

Dogg: I never contemplate retirement. Musicians shouldn't retire. Look at B.B. King. I will do music till the day I die!


Qn: Are there any future work collaborations that you may be interested in?


Dogg: Anita Baker called recently, working on that. Another would be Mick Jagger, because the b****es love it.


Qn: What's the most important thing to you.


Dogg: My wife and my kids. I love my wife and my kids.

Qn: To date, what has been your most favorite place to visit of unique experience?


Dogg: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and Amsterdam, Holland (both of self explanatory).


Qn: What will you be doing in twenty years?


Dogg: Vegas


Qn: Anything last thing that you may want to share with future performers?


Dogg: Be classy, be willing to learn.


Snoop Dogg's latest "Malice N Wonderland"  is now available everywhere. Make sure to pick up a copy!!!!

'American Idol' Returns Jan. 12 For 9th Season

"American Idol" will return next month with a two-night, four-hour premiere featuring auditions in Boston and Atlanta, the Fox network says.

Boston auditions will air Jan. 12 and the Atlanta auditions will air Jan. 13, the network announced Wednesday. Auditions for the ninth season of the popular singing competition will also be held in Chicago; Orlando, Fla.; Dallas; Los Angeles and Denver.

This year's big change: Ellen DeGeneres is replacing Paula Abdul as judge. DeGeneres will join the show in February, after the tryout rounds, Fox says.
Guest judges joining Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara Dioguardi include Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain.
Abdul announced she was quitting amid a contract dispute earlier this year.
Twelve male and 12 female semifinalizts will be announced Feb. 17, with voting to begin Feb. 23. Last season, "American Idol" brought 36 men and women to Hollywood to compete, compared with two dozen in previous seasons.

Brittany Murphy Laid To Rest In Los Angeles; Family Asks Fans To Light Candles In Remembrance

Brittany Murphy's friends and family gathered at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Hollywood Hills cemetery on Christmas Eve as the actress was laid to rest.

"Today a wife, a daughter, a niece, a cousin, a family member and dear friend to thousands was laid to rest," the family said in a statement released to Access Hollywood following the service. "Brittany was an incredibly loving and passionate person and an artist to her core -- she loved acting, singing, dancing, and performing. There are no words that can truly express the devastation felt by Brittany's husband, mother, and everyone who attended the intimate service."
Among those who gathered at the service were Brittany's widower, Simon Monjack, and actor and a former bandmate of Brittany's - Eric Balfour. Eric's brother Simon also served as a pallbearer, the Web site reported.

"At the funeral, Simon described his loving relationship with Brittany and how she was his best friend and soul mate. He went on to say that mystery is the nature of love, and you never know when or where it will strike or how quickly it will be taken from you. He also said that he knows the closeness and beauty of their love will live on forever," the family's statement continued.

The burial service for Brittany, who tragically passed away at the age of 32 after collapsing at her Los Angeles home on Sunday, was held at twilight "with a reading of the Kaddish and the singing of 'Amazing Grace," according to the family's statement.

According to the family, Christmas was Brittany's favorite holiday. The family has asked that those wishing to honor the late actress "light a candle and remember the beautiful angel that entertained, enlightened, and made the world a better place."

"Tragic. She was so talented and so young, and had so much more to offer this world. Heartbreaking. My thoughts are with her loved ones this holiday season," May the Lord Rest Her soil in Peace.Amen

Michael Jackson's Doctor Lands TV Role

The doctor embroiled in the investigation into Michael Jackson's death is set for a starring role on TV. The late superstar's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, quit private practice to work with the Thriller hit-maker until his untimely death this summer.

Investigators probing Jackson's passing have focused their case on the cardiologist, who stands accused of administering powerful prescription drug Propofol to the superstar prior to his death on June 25th. And it's now been revealed Murray struck a deal with a British documentary crew to film his first day back at work in his Houston, Texas clinic last month.


Cameramen followed Murray for the entire day to gather footage for a one-off TV special which will air once the investigation into Jackson's death is completed.


A representative for Murray tells TMZ.com that the production company was "interested in the reaction of patients to his return."

The website reports that Murray has not been paid for his involvement in the show, but will receive an unspecified amount once the documentary airs.