Posted 10/1/08 9:30 am EST by Gil Kaufman in Barack-Obama, Jay-Z
We already know that Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama is a fan of hip-hop. Now Jay-Z, one of the artists he's given a shout-out to on the campaign trail, will return the favor this weekend by putting on two free shows encouraging young voters to get out and support Obama in Detroit and Miami.
Read more about Jay-Z's concerts for Obama here.
Posted 8/7/08 3:11 pm EST by MTV News in Jay-Z, Kanye West
By Kelly Erickson
I could not think of a better way to end my three months of interning with MTV News and living in NYC than being in the fifth row at the second night of the Glow in the Dark Tour at Madison Square Garden. It made me realize that half of making things happen in life is simply showing up.
See, I was strolling by Madison Square Garden last night at around 9:45 p.m., and I ran into a familiar face. There was a nice young gentleman sitting at the "media" entrance who remembered me from earlier in the day, when I'd run an MTV errand to MSG. (Note to all interns: Making runs pays off!!!) Long story short, within moments of him spotting me, I was walking through the backstage area with an all-access pass, feeling at a loss for words.
Posted 7/2/08 3:03 pm EST by Gil Kaufman in Jay-Z, Lawsuit
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A New York federal judge approved a class-action suit against the 40/40 Club in Manhattan on Tuesday, after a lawyer for a group of waiters at the restaurant argued that the nightclub, which is co-owned by Jay-Z, had violated federal minimum-wage laws by withholding paychecks from the workers.
According to the suit, some former and current 40/40 employees claim they were not paid for overtime, were forced to pay for bottle breakages out of their own pockets and were told they had to pick up the tab on patrons who walked out without paying.
There are currently 20 workers involved in the suit, but their lawyer, Maimon Kirschenbaum, told MTV News that Manhattan Federal Judge Loretta Preska's ruling on Tuesday could open the door for potentially "hundreds" of others to join the suit.
By Danielle Beavers
Rants from the Gallagher brothers don't exactly ripple through the States the way they used to. But when Noel Gallagher — guitarist and chief songwriter for Oasis — sounded off on Jay-Z back in April, he was definitely heard ... even by Jay himself.
Gallagher was unhappy that Jay-Z would be performing at this year's Glastonbury festival, saying that the fest was "built on the tradition of guitar music." Once upon a time, in 1995 and 2004, Oasis headlined the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, playing to sold-out crowds. The 40-year-old Gallagher pointed to Jay-Z's spot on the bill as the reason the festival has not yet sold out. This year, 100,000 tickets were sold on the first day, but in past years, the tickets have sold out in a matter of hours.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," Gallagher complained back in April. "If you start to break it, then people aren't going to go. I'm sorry, but Jay-Z? No chance." Read More...
Yesterday we had some wedding present suggestions for Pete and Ashlee, today it's a gift that's already landed on the doorstep of newlyweds Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
PETA has protested B's furry outfits for years, but those days are over. In a press release, the animal-rights group announced that they've been carefully monitoring the singer's wardrobe and, having not seen a single critter all winter, they've decided to call a truce. (PETA Senior VP Lisa Lange even went as far as to call her "a real 'dreamgirl' for fur-bearing animals.") As a peace offering, the group sent the couple a wedding gift, along with a note: "From all of us at PETA, we wish you much happiness in your life together. Please accept this faux-fur throw with many good wishes and a hope from us that together, you'll be a fur-free couple!"
Everyone's favorite kind of present — the one that comes with a good dose of guilt and an ethical obligation. But hey, it beats a face full of red paint, right?