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*Ja Rule is suing an associate for $125,000 in damages claiming the defendant illegally signed a performance contract on his behalf. According to Allhiphop.com, Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, alleges that Fred "Nickels" Moore misrepresented himself and signed a performance contract on behalf of the artist for a gig in Korea. The lawsuit was filed in New York County Court.
*Sean "Diddy" Combs has joined The Firm, a Los Angeles-based management company which also represents David Banner, Ice Cube, Jennifer Lopez, Jermaine Dupri, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tayler Hicks and others. Diddy will be represented by manager Jeff Kwatinetz in the areas of music, film, TV and branding efforts in the entertainment business. The Firm will also put its muscle behind the October 17 release of Diddy’s latest solo CD, “Press Play.”
*You knew this was coming… Someone has started a petition to stop “Me & U” singer Cassie from releasing another record. “We give her respect for trying, but her existence and presence to the music industry is becoming very annoying and pointless,” begins the document at petitiononline.com addressed to her label, Bad Boy Records. “If you don't want Bad Boy to fall off, we suggest you drop Cassie ASAP, and suggest that she audition for ‘Top Model’ or something,” the petition continues. “This chick is taking up space for true talent in the music industry.” View the entire petition here: http://www.petitiononline.com/Shamond/petition.html.
*In the new August/September issue of Complex, Russell Simmons speaks out about politics, fashion and his break-up with wife Kimora Lee Simmons. “We have to be best friends, we have businesses together, we have children. We have to spend lots of hours together every day,” he says. “People always make you want to go back. We’ve been together 14 years. As much as we work together and have things together, we have things that are different. That’s gonna happen no matter what.” The new issue of Complex is on newsstands now.
*Cash Money Records CEOs (and brothers) Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams donated $3,000 to New York City’s Morningside Park Soccer Program, reports Allhiphop.com. The donation, made last Monday on behalf of the label's foundation, "Cash Money For Kids," will go toward the purchase of new equipment. "It's important for young kids to be able to play safe and have fun. Hopefully this will help the children of Morningside Park enjoy their day a little more," said Birdman.
*Ice Cube continues his political rant, this time downplaying the historical importance of ever having a black president. "It doesn't matter who's in the White House, you've still got to get up and got to work in the morning. All that s**t doesn't concern me or the people in the inner cities,” Cube said, according to Contact Music. "Ok, it matters because if the significance in history, but life is still painful right now and we've got black people in positions of power right by the side of the President. Just because the President's black doesn't mean he's going to make the change."
*Lil’ Kim is still on the hunt for a new record deal. As previously reported, the Brooklyn rapper set up a little workspace in the office of her attorney L. Londell McMillan to handle business following her release from a federal prison in Philadelphia, where she served 10 months for perjury. McMillan said Thursday that Kim is “having discussions” with her label Atlantic Records about ending her run there. "We do wish Atlantic would release and simply free Kim," stated McMillan, adding that he "cannot confirm the details at this time" regarding Kim’s desire to bow out.