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MUSIC BITS: Etheridge guilty; Game LP; Usher’s replacement; new Legend.
*Mario Etheridge, the 28-year-old bouncer who shot and killed rapper Proof, was found guilty of carrying a concealed weapon and shooting the gun indoors during the April 11th incident at a Detroit nightclub. Etheridge allegedly fired warning shots into the ceiling to break up a fight between his cousin, Keith Bender, and Proof, whose real name was DeShaun Holton. Proof then shot Bender, causing Etheridge to fire on Proof. Bender and Proof were both killed in the exchange. "There was too much testosterone in the club, and [Etheridge] added another cupful," assistant county prosecutor Elizabeth Walker told Detroit News following the verdict. "You're not going to make a situation better by bringing a gun into it.” Etheridge remains free on bond until his sentencing. He faces up to five years in prison.
*As his beef with Ras Kass continues to simmer, The Game is looking ahead toward the release of his upcoming album, “The Doctor’s Advocate,” which will feature a who’s who of the hip hop universe. He tells Allhiphop.com: "I got Nas on a record. Busta's back on the album. I did a song with Mary (J Blige), Marsha from Floetry. I got Tha Dogg Pound on the album. I didn't have Snoop on my first album, so I had to get him on this one. I got Kanye rappin' on this album too. And we got production by Just Blaze, Kanye, Scott Storch, Will.i.am. I worked with Swizz on this album. We went and seen Timbaland. I was in with (Dr.) Dre on this album."
*When Usher takes his final bow in Broadway’s “Chicago” on Oct. 14, his role as shady lawyer Billy Flynn will be up for grabs until Nov. 20, when 80s rocker Huey Lewis returns to the part through Jan. 14, 2007. No announcement has been made regarding Usher’s replacement in the five-week span before Lewis begins. Usher currently co-stars in the musical with Bianca Marroquin (Roxie Hart), Brenda Braxton (Velma Kelly), Roz Ryan (Matron Mama Morton), Rob Bartlett (Amos Hart) and R. Lowe (Mary Sunshine).
*John Legend’s new album “Once Again,” featuring 13 tracks executive produced by the singer himself and Kanye West, is available for pre-order on JohnLegend.com and iTunes. Legend performed the set’s first single, “Save Room” and "Heaven" on Thursday’s “Oprah Winfrey Show.” Other songs on the LP include "Stereo," "Show Me," "Each Day Gets Better," "P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)," "Slow Dance," "Again," "Maxine," "Where Did My Baby Go," "Maxine's Interlude," "Another Again," and "Coming Home." West, Will.I.Am and Raphael Saadiq are among the producers on the disc.
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