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Representatives for David Ortiz and Jay-Z met for three hours on Monday, but failed to reach an agreement regarding the rapper's lawsuit over a nightclub controversy.

Jay-Z, the owner of the 40/40 Club in New York, sued Ortiz about a year ago on grounds that the Red Sox slugger's creation of a website to market his Forty Forty club in the Dominican Republic was an act of cybersquatting, according to the New York Post.

At the Monday meeting, it became clear that the two sides were too far away, and Judge Richard Berman said that representatives did "not have the authority to settle."

The actual figure that Jay-Z is looking for in the settlement has not been released, but Ortiz's business manager, Mark Walker, called it "way too much."

As a result, the two sides could end up in court later this month.

Source: New York Post (Written By Nick Coman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – "The King's Speech" was coronated the big winner with four Oscars on Sunday, including best film and best actor for its star Colin Firth on a night with few surprises among winners at the top movie awards.

Joining British actor Firth on Oscar's stage was the film's director Tom Hooper and its screenwriter, David Seidler.

Natalie Portman claimed the best actress Academy Award for her portrayal of a young ballerina who grows into womanhood in "Black Swan," and Melissa Leo and Christian Bale won best supporting actress and actor, respectively, for "The Fighter."

The world's top film honors from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences came packed with a lot of comedy onstage from show hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco but the attention, as always, was on awards and winners.

Portman wiped tears from her eyes onstage while cradling her gold statuette. She thanked her family, co-stars and director Darren Aronofsky.

"This is insane," she said, "and I truly, sincerely wish the prize was to get to work with my fellow nominees." Backstage, she told reporters she felt she was in a dream.

Firth won best actor for playing stammering British King George VI in "King's Speech," in which the monarch must overcome his speech impediment to lead his country.

"I have a feeling my career just peaked," Firth joked.

When Hooper was named best director, he thanked his mom for being first to suggest he make "The King's Speech." "The moral of the story is, listen to your mother," Hooper said.

Among other key winners were family comedy "Toy Story 3" for best animated feature, Wall Street meltdown movie "Inside Job" for top documentary and Denmark's "In a Better World" took the prize for foreign language film.

A NIGHT FOR FRONT-RUNNERS

Awards were split among a wide array of films. Science fiction thriller "Inception" claimed four Oscars in categories for cinematography, sound editing, sound mixing and visual effects.

Facebook film "The Social Network" claimed three awards for original score, film editing and adapted screenplay for its writer Aaron Sorkin. But left off the list of winners was the movie's director, David Fincher.

In fact, Fincher's loss to Hooper was the only mild surprise among top awards as many pundits thought the Hollywood veteran would beat relative newcomer Hooper. But when the show ended, Fincher left empty-handed.

Franco and Hathaway, the first man and woman team to host the Oscars, got the show off to a comic start in a pre-taped sequence in which they entered the "dreams" of Alec Baldwin much like the characters of "Inception" entered the dreams of other people. From there, the pair traveled back to scenes with other top movie nominees -- "True Grit," "The Social Network," "The Fighter" and "The King's Speech," cracking wise.

Back on stage, Hathaway introduced her mom in the audience, who told her to stand up straight, and Franco's grandmother exclaimed that she'd just met Marky Mark, the stage name of actor/producer Mark Wahlberg when he was a rapper.

In one off-the-cuff moment, winner Leo uttered an expletive on stage, the so-called "F-bomb," which was bleeped out.

Many sequences harkened back to Hollywood's history with film clips from "Gone With the Wind," "Titanic" and other films, and at one point, Franco came onstage in a dress and blonde wig, looking like Marilyn Monroe.

"The weird part is, I just got a text message from Charlie Sheen," Franco joked.

And top actresses dazzled on the red

Earthquake-hit New Zealand wants US talk show hosts Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman to help fundraising efforts after the disaster that devastated Christchurch, a report said Monday.

Prime Minister John Key planned to ask the influential celebrities to promote a charity drive for victims and rebuilding efforts following the tremor that killed at least 148 people, The New Zealand Herald reported.

"We are going to speak to well-known international talk show hosts, maybe Letterman or Oprah Winfrey, those kinds of people," Key told the New Zealand Herald.

He said New Zealand hoped to raise "significant cash" in the global appeal, pointing out a similar move by Australia after wildfires claimed 173 lives in 2009 raised almost Aus$390 million ($396 million).

Officials estimate people from around 20 nations were among the victims of last Tuesday''s earthquake, which flattened office buildings, tore up roads and left swathes of New Zealand''s second largest city in ruins.

Key said that meant the tragedy resonated around the world and New Zealand would use social media sites such as Facebook, international media and the country''s diplomatic corps to tell people how they could help.

"It''s had a devastating impact on a small country like New Zealand, we think that people around the world will open their hearts and their wallets for the people of Christchurch," he told TVNZ.

The appeal website can be found at http://www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz

As much competition as there is at the Academy Awards, Oscar night on Twitter is far more cacophonous.

Social network traffic soars during the Oscars, as viewers compare notes on the broadcast. The Academy Awards might be "movie's biggest night," but it's also social media's.

Multitasking co-host James Franco tweeted from backstage. Mark Ruffalo, nominated for best supporting actor in "The Kids Are All Right," even tweeted his acceptance speeches hours before the ceremony, listing his thank-you's since he didn't expect to win.

But Twitter is ultimately for the onlookers, outsiders and comedians. Here are 10 of the best Oscar tweets from Sunday night:

• "Is it me or does it look like James Franco would cut his arm off to get out of hosting the Oscars?" — comedian Kevin Nealon

• "Watching the Oscars. Not crazy about the womb Natalie Portman's baby chose to wear." — late-night host Conan O'Brien

• "I might switch over to the Puppy Bowl." — comedian Rob Huebel

• "And now, Gwyneth Paltrow, in a tribute to the saying `Don't Quit Your Day Job.'" — comedian Andy Borowitz

• "What I've learned so far watching the Oscars: I need to buy nicer envelopes." — "Late Night" writer Steve Young.

• "Please have the baby right now, Natalie." — comedian Michael Ian Black.

• "No African American nominees? If you're black and want to make it on Hollywood this year, you better be a swan." — TV host Bill Maher.

• "Daniel Day Lewis has the depth of commitment to the craft of acting to die just to liven up next year's death montage." — comedian Patton Oswalt

• "This night will be a waste if Anne Hathaway and James Franco don't do their hilarious `Who's On Firth" bit.' — "Late Night" writer Paul Masella

• "Stay tuned for the official Republican rebuttal to the Oscars shortly after the show." — Satirical newspaper the Onion.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Oscar's front-runners put in a strong showing at the world's top film honors on Sunday with many Academy Award favorites taking home trophies as expected, including actors Melissa Leo and Christian Bale.

Leo and Bale, playing a tough-minded mom and her drug-addicted son in boxing movie "The Fighter," won supporting actress and actor, while "The King's Speech" writer David Seidler" won for best adapted screenplay and Aaron Sorkin with "The Social Network" earned best original screenplay.

Those three movies will vie for best film when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gives out its top award at the end of the more than three-hour telecast.

Midway through awards, other top honors went to "Toy Story 3" for best animated movie, Denmark's "In A Better World" won for foreign language film and "Inside Job" for documentary.

Even though many winners were picked by Oscar watchers to claim the gold trophies ahead of the awards because they had shown success in Hollywood's season of honors, the winners were still humbled by the honor.

On stage, Leo said she was speechless and asked presenter Kirk Douglas to pinch her to make sure the moment was real, then had her voice silenced when she uttered an expletive.

"I'm just shaking in my boots here," she said, before thanking her co-stars, director and producer in "The Fighter."

Bale choked back tears when thanking his wife and family, and said of the Hollywood stars in attendance: "What a room full of inspirational and talented people, and what the hell am I doing here."

COMIC START

In other honors, "Alice in Wonderland" took home two awards for best art direction and costume design, and sci-fi adventure "Inception" claimed three trophies for cinematography, sound mixing and sound editing.

Co-hosts Franco and Hathaway got the Oscars program off to a comic start in a pre-taped video sequence in which they entered the "dreams" of Alec Baldwin much like the characters of best film nominee "Inception" entered the dreams of other people. From there, the pair traveled back to scenes of other top movie nominees -- "True Grit," "The Social Network," "The Fighter" and "The King's Speech," cracking wise.

Back on stage, Hathaway introduced her mom in the audience, who told her to stand up straight, and Franco's grandmother exclaimed that she'd just met Marky Mark, the stage name of actor/producer Mark Wahlberg when he was a rapper.

Many sequences harkened back to Hollywood's history with film clips from "Gone With the Wind," "Titanic" and other films, and at one point, Franco came onstage in a dress and blonde wig, looking like Marilyn Monroe.

"The weird part is, I just got a text message from Charlie Sheen," Franco joked.

Ahead of the show, top stars began their annual parade up the red carpet and into the Oscars. Hathaway, the youngest host ever for the show, arrived in a strapless, red Valentino gown.

Hailee Steinfeld, nominated for supporting actress in "True Grit," was fashioned by Marchesa in a blush-colored dress that designer Randolph Duke said showed "the perfect balance between being a young girl and a young woman."

Colin Firth, in the starring role of King George VI in "King's Speech," is expected to win best actor because he has claimed most honors from both critics and industry groups.

The race for best actress is close between "Black Swan" ballerina Natalie Portman and A-lister Annette Bening playing a lesbian mother with family issues in "The Kids Are All Right."

New Orleans rapper Juvenile was arrested on a drug charge and released from a northern Louisiana jail after posting bond, police said Sunday.

Sterlington Police Sgt. Jacob Greer said that Juvenile, whose real name is Terius Gray, was charged with simple possession of marijuana and driving on a suspended license.

Greer said he pulled over Gray's car about 10:55 p.m. Saturday after clocking it at 75 mph in a 65 mph zone and for passing in the right lane, which is illegal in Louisiana. He was released a short time later after posting a $750 cash bond.

Greer said after he stopped the 35-year-old rapper, he smelled marijuana and Gray handed over small bag of it when asked.

Greer said the suspended license appeared when police checked his name with law enforcement records. Both charges are misdemeanors.

"He was very courteous and respectful as he could be. He asked me if I recognized him, and I said `No. Now if you were George Strait I'll probably have recognized you,'" Greer said.

There was no phone listing for Gray in New Orleans. Greer said he did not know whether Gray had an attorney.

The rapper has an April 1 court date in Sterlington, located north of Monroe in northern Louisiana.

Juvenile, best known for the song "Back That Thing Up," has been arrested at least five times on charges ranging from failure to pay child support to resisting an officer at a Florida mall in 1999. Most of the charges have been dismissed. In 2003, he was sentenced to community service for hitting a man on the head with a champagne bottle.

In August 2010, he pleaded guilty in Saint Bernard Parish to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge. He received a suspended sentence of three months in jail and was given six months probation and paid a $250 fine and court costs.

Urban Audio is the boutique production library for that urban sound. http://www.urbanaudiotracks.com

Bellwood, IL (PRWEB) February 27, 2011

Urban Audio announces the $10 lease. All tracks from urban audio can now be leased for just $10. Urban Audio is the production music library that focuses on the urban sound.

With this new $10 royalty free license fee all Urban Audio tracks will be available to the masses. Urban Audio produces music in the styles of Hip hop, R&B , Neo soul , Funk , Pop, Techno, house , Alternative, Easy Listen , Jazz and Soul. These tracks are for any project that requires Urban Music.

Artists working on their Albums, movies producers, video game producers, commercial and advertising or anyone seeking Urban Music can find an affordable alternative with Urban Audio tracks. All tracks are mixed and produced to the highest quality, they are royalty free and can be previewed before purchase. This makes tracks from Urban Audio Risk free.

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Hiram KirkendallUrban Digital630-69708882Email Information

Stay Focused Entertainment Presents J Rich’s Latest Mixtape Entitled “Independently Major II,” Hosted by DJ Drama and Available for Free Download From Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) February 26, 2011

Rapper J Rich recently released his latest project, “Independently Major II.” Presented in association with Stay Focused Ent. and hosted by DJ Drama, the mixtape is available from Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes at http://www.coast2coastmixtapes.com for free download. “Independently Major II” features J Rich on tracks with Honest Bob, L Mac, Gucci Mane, Short Dawg, D Sco, 2.0.6., Quis, and Majah Swag.

J Rich, is a Bay Area born and bred emcee who has rubbed elbows with some of the industry’s biggest and toughest heavyweights. After two separate moves which took him to New York and Miami, J Rich was able to hook up and do business with Keyshia Cole, The Game, Fabolous, Glasses Malone, and many more. After pondering which label offer to accept, J Rich began his brand with the hard-working independent record label, Stay Focused Ent., even after discussing with Lil Wayne and his Young Money Records outfit.

A well-known studio rat, J Rich is clearly up next from the Bay, which has already given the West Coast’s Mac Dre, Too $hort, E-40, and more.

The creator of the “Gangsta Grillz” mixtape and album series, Atlanta’s DJ Drama became well known amongst industry tastemakers as one whose soulful, eclectic style and ear for new talent provides entertainment outside of the mainstream. Keeping the names of megastars like Lil Wayne and T.I. sizzling between albums and helping to jumpstart careers of countless platinum rappers like Def Jam’s Young Jeezy, Drama consistently keeps blocks fed and has forever set mixtape standards.

“Independently Major II” is available for free streaming and download at http://coast2coastmixtapes.com/mixtapes/mixtapedetail.aspx/j-rich-independently-major-ll-hosted-by-dj-drama

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Katie KervinCoast 2 Coast Mixtapes786-953-6522Email Information

Eight Entertainment Industry Leaders Continue to Grow Rock Prodigy Brand

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 25, 2011

The Way of H, Inc., creators of interactive music education application Rock Prodigy, today publically announced the names of the advisory team that has helped guide the creation and launch of Rock Prodigy. Since the January 2011 release for Apple’s ® iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® Touch, Rock Prodigy is a 2011 finalist for an Appy Award in education, a 2011 Top Five Finalist for About.com’s Readers Choice Award for best free iPhone/iPad app, and was featured as “What’s Hot” in Apple’s App Store.

“The initial release of Rock Prodigy would not have been possible without the support and guidance of the enormously talented members of our Advisory Board,” said Harold Lee, co-founder of Rock Prodigy and CEO of The Way of H, Inc. “They continue to play an important and active role in shaping our company’s future plans.”

Advisory Board Members include (full biographies follow):

Rob Cavallo: Currently chairman of Warner Bros. Records and one of the top-selling producers in the world, Cavallo produced or had creative involvement in albums that have sold more than 125 million units. In 1998, Cavallo was awarded the “Producer of the Year” Grammy and was nominated for the same award in 1999, 2004 and 2010. Cavallo has also won Grammys for his producing work with Green Day, including “Best Rock Album” for American Idiot in 2004 and, in 2005, “Record of the Year” for Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Cavallo’s work has amassed six Grammy awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe and numerous nominations.

Roger Danneberg, PhD: An associate research professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science, Dannenberg leads the University’s world-renowned Computer Music Project, is an accomplished researcher published in numerous books, articles, technical journals and holds several patents in the field of music technology. Dannenberg is co-inventor of Rock Prodigy’s revolutionary patent-pending polyphonic pitch recognition software, an innovative music technology which can tell musicians when a correct note or chord is played.

Steve Moir: An entertainment executive with more than 30 years experience and the founder of Moir Entertainment and co-founder of Moir Borman Entertainment, Moir has co-managed top artists including The Rolling Stones, Garbage and Kenny Loggins, as well as Grammy-winning record producers and mixing engineers like Brendan O’Brien.

Robert M. Breech: A seven-time Emmy award winning producer and vice president of development, David E. Kelley Productions, in one hour dramatic television, documentaries and as a consultant in motion pictures, Breech’s credits also include executive producer, The Practice; consulting producer, Boston Legal; co-producer, Ally McBeal; and producer, L.A. Law.

Gary Borman: Borman is a manager and marketer of musical artist's careers and the founder of Borman Entertainment and co-founder of Moir Borman Entertainment. Borman, over the course of 34 years, has guided the careers of a wide variety of artists including James Taylor, The Violent Femmes, Alison Krauss and The Bee Gees. Borman has also developed many artists from the ground up such as Faith Hill, Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum. Currently under Gary's company's direction are My Morning Jacket, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Keith Urban, Alison Krauss and Lady Antebellum.

Patrick Bennett: Bennett is an award-winning filmmaker and IT executive recognized by IT Today as one of “IT World’

New York's top court has upheld the conviction of rapper Remy Ma in the shooting of a friend in 2007.

In a ruling Thursday, the Court of Appeals rejected arguments that a judge didn't properly inform jurors before they rendered a guilty verdict.

The rapper's real name is Remy Smith. She's serving eight years in prison for criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of assault stemming from the struggle in which a friend was shot.

Smith had accused the friend of stealing $3,000 from her pocketbook.

Smith was nominated for a Grammy as part of Terror Squad for the 2004 smash "Lean Back." She has also performed with Busta Rhymes and Eminem.