Akon Finally Charged In Fan-Tossing Incident

Akon is facing criminal charges after a fan said she suffered a concussion when the hip-hop star tossed a teenager off the stage and onto her in the concert crowd.

Akon, 34, is scheduled to appear in Fishkill Town Court in Fishkill, N.Y. on Monday morning for arraignment on a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree harassment, a violation, according to a news release from Police Chief Donald Williams.

Audience members said that during a June 3 show at Dutchess Stadium, a spectator lobbed something at Akon and that the singer asked the crowd to point out the culprit. A security guard picked out a 15-year-old and sent him up to the stage, where Akon hoisted him onto his shoulders and flung him into the crowd.

The boy landed on Abby Rosa, who told the Poughkeepsie Journal she was later found to have a concussion. She said she has hired a lawyer and spoken to Fishkill police.

Toby Keith Gets Southern Justice; Lawsuit Dismissed

Toby Keith has kicked some ass out of the courtroom. A lawsuit brought against the country singer by songwriter Michael McLeod has been dropped, proving that Toby Keith still is "as good as he once was".



In a 2006 suit filed in federal court in Miami, the Key West, Fla.-based McCloud, whose real name is Michael Snyder, contended that Keith's 2003 hit "I Love This Bar," written by Keith and longtime collaborator Scotty Emerick, was "strikingly similar" to his own "Tourist Town Bar," according to a Dec. 2006 story in the Miami Herald.

The suit was filed against Keith, Emerick, Keith's label at the time, DreamWorks, and his publishing company, Tokeco Tunes.

"It is an awful thing to be accused wrongfully of copyright infringement," Keith said in a statement. "It goes to the core of what you are as a man, a singer/songwriter and an artist ... I was put in the terrible position of not being able to defend myself until the trial and I just could not wait for that day to come. I knew it would take no time at all for the case to be dismissed and it was, of course, with prejudice which means: He had no case whatsoever."

Possible next move for Toby Keith, stompin' a mud-hole in someone's pansy, city-lovin' ass.

Pregnant Aguilera Still Hot; Poses For Marie Claire

Whoever said pregnant women can't be sexy sure didn't have the new cover of Marie Claire featuring an extremely pregnant Christina Aguilera in mind.



The 26-year-old singer is shown wearing a cropped jacket, hoop earrings and a ring on the cover of the January issue, on newsstands Dec. 11.

Christina became aware of her pregnancy during her latest tour.

"We were planning on starting to try after the tour. And so, I had gone off the Pill to prepare my body, because I didn't know how much time it would take. You've heard it takes some time — except with Power Egg and Super Sperm here," she says. "... I'm like, `Oh my god, can you believe it just happened?'"

Aguilera says she kept the baby news quiet for her fans' sake.

"I didn't want to make the audience uncomfortable, like, `Pregnant lady onstage! Is she going to be OK?' But I had to announce it to my band and my dancers, because I wanted to make sure they had my back," she says.

She adds: "Because I hadn't said anything, people thought I was trying to keep it this big, bad secret, and that's not the case at all. I just wasn't commenting. I'm not being like, `Hey everybody, I'm pregnant!' I'm not that girl."

Birdman Cruises High; Gets Arrested

Rapper Bryan "Birdman" Williams was among 16 people charged with possession of marijuana yesterday (Nov. 27) in Tennessee after the RV they were riding in was pulled over by police for making an improper lane change.

Kingsport Police Cpl. Tim Horne said he stopped the vehicle after seeing it force a tractor trailer into the emergency lane on Interstate 81.

Horne said he could smell marijuana from inside the rented RV and located about a pound of marijuana in a trash can in the kitchenette after obtaining consent to search the vehicle.

Williams, 38, his wife Brittany, 18, and his brother, Ronald Williams, 43, were each charged with possession of more than 1/2 ounce of marijuana as were 13 others, several of whom are also affiliated with the rap industry and Cash Money Records, which was founded by Bryan and Ronald Williams.

Kayne West and Evel Knievel Settle Lawsuit

Kanye West and Evel Knievel have made amends.

The 69-year-old iconic motorcycle daredevil said he and West met at his Clearwater condo recently. They settled a federal lawsuit over the use of Knievel's trademarked image in a popular West music video.

Knievel sued West and his record company last year. He took issue with a 2006 music video for the song "Touch the Sky," in which the rapper takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" and tries to jump a rocket-powered motorcycle over a canyon.

West's attorneys argued the video amounted to satire, covered under the First Amendment.

"We settled the lawsuit amicably," Knievel said Tuesday. "I was very satisfied and so was he."

They agreed not to publicly discuss the terms of the settlement, he said. The two had agreed to mediation in July.

Gabriel Tesoriero, a spokesman for West, confirmed the settlement of the lawsuit, in an e-mail Tuesday.

In the lawsuit, Knievel claimed the "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video damaged his reputation. And he accused the 29-year-old rapper of using the Knievel image to "promote his filth to the world."

Meeting West changed his mind, Knievel said.

"I thought he was a wonderful guy and quite a gentleman," he said.

Knievel also expressed concern for West, who is grieving the sudden death of his mother earlier this month.

"I know he's had some tough times the past few weeks, and I hope things work out," Knievel said.

Looks like Evel is a nice guy after all.

Usher Is A Daddy

Usher is now the father of a baby boy. It is not known if he is a proud father, but he is a father none the less.

Usher's wife, Tameka Foster gave birth to their son, Usher Raymond V late Monday night in Atlanta. The baby weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces. He is the couple's first child. Foster, 37, has three children from a previous marriage.

"We are so happy and proud of our beautiful son. What a blessing!" Usher said in a statement provided Tuesday night by publicist Patti Webster.

Usher, 29, wed Foster, 37, in a cermony in September after calling off their original July date due to possible complications with Foster's pregnancy.

Winehouse Cancels Tour Dates

Amy Winehouse has canceled all concerts and public appearances for the rest of the year on doctor's orders.
"The rigors involved in touring and the intense emotional strain that Amy has been under in recent weeks have taken their toll," said Winehouse representative Tracey Miller in a statement Tuesday. Miller also added,
"In the interests of her health and well-being, Amy has been ordered to take complete rest and deal with her health issues."

Insert "Rehab" comment here.

Michael Jackson and Brothers to Reunite for Tour

After several meetings (which included Michael Jackson), the Jackson 5 have reunited for a 2008 World Tour.

Jermaine Jackson confirmed the reports telling the BBC,
"We feel we have to do it one more time. We owe that to the fans and to the public."

Critics have questioned whether or not The King of Pop will be involved. To that, Jermaine has said,
"He has to be, he is a Jackson. He was at the meetings. Michael will be involved."

Early reports are that even sister Janet Jackson may join her brothers. However, no word from Tito on his involvement in the meetings or tour. More on this story as it develops.

Hawthorne Heights Guitarist Dies at 26

Casey Calvert, the 26-year-old guitarist for rock band Hawthorne Heights, was found dead on the band's tour bus outside Washington D.C. on Saturday. The cause of death is undetermined, pending an autopsy. The band released a statement on their website:

''Today is probably the worst day ever. It's with our deepest regrets that we have to write this. Casey Calvert passed away in his sleep last night. We found out this afternoon before sound-check. We've spent the entire day trying to come to grips with this and figure out as much as possible. At this time we're not sure what exactly happened. Just last night he was joking around with everyone before he went to bed. We can say with absolute certainty that he was not doing anything illegal. Please, out of respect to Casey and his family, don't contribute or succumb to any gossip you may hear. We don't want his memory to be tainted in the least. Casey was our best friend. He was quirky and awesome and there will truly be no others like him! His loss is unexplainable. As soon as we know more we will let you know. Sincerely, Hawthorne Heights: Eron, JT, Micah and Matt.'

Albums Droppin' This Week

Albums Droppin' on Tuesday, Nov. 27th/2007

Pitbull - Boatlift


Mudvayne - By The People, For The People

Quiet Riot Frontman Dead at 52

The frontman for 80's hair metal band Quiet Riot has died. Kevin DuBrow, age 52, was found dead at his home in Las Vegas on Sunday evening. Cause of death is unknown and an autopsy will be performed at a later date.

DuBrow and Quiet Riot skyrocketed to the top of the charts in the early 80's with the hugely popular song, "Cum on Feel the Noize".

Other band members are shaken up by the tragedy and have requested respect as they mourn the passing of their fellow bandmember and friend.

Not The First Time T.I. Played With Guns

On Monday, a federal prosecutor has filed documents showing that rapper T.I. has previously violated gun laws by carrying firearms and silencers while being a convicted felon.

T.I. (real name: Clifford Harris), faces federal charges stemming from allegedly purchasing unregistered firearms and silencers back on Oct. 13th. T.I. is charged with possession of unregistered firearms and silencers as well as possession of firearms by a convicted felon.