Rapper E-40 announced on Monday the closing of his Fatburger franchise in Northern California. 

E-40, who no doubt signs franchise related agreements with the name his mama gave him – Earl Stevens, explained to the LA Times music blog why he invested in a fast-food franchise. ”As any casualty of the record biz will tell you, album sales don’t pay all the bills,” he said…

Stevens said, “I’m moving on from Fatburger because it didn’t really take off like it did in Southern California.” He adds, “I’m moving on to Wing Stop … that’s where it’s at.” After a year’s worth of research and work, he and an unnamed partner will shortly open a Wing Stop in his hometown of Vallejo. [BlueMamu]

 

Ain’t that a BIT…WingStop? Seriously, I saw that go down hill earlier this year, when these Palestinian dudes tried to open a steak hut and then a wing hut and now, closed…in the most populous Black part of Chicago. E, please hold for a bit. I’d hate to see you fall off over some damn wings. Speaking of upscale, ghetto delectables failing… 

Hmm, if Fatburger is not even doing well in Cali, I wonder how, Kanye’s Chicago Fatburger franchise is doing? Hadn’t heard much from people saying, “You’re right Fatburgers ARE good..” and I’ve been touch and go in Chicago, since the news and have yet to come across any of them. Let me stop. I’ll start asking how that platinum Kanye travel agency went and then, it’ll get awkard.

[The Wall Stats]

This site does explain the military bottom line as well so you can do some research to see how it all ads up. Its pretty deep. I found it ironic that I just saw Lord of War again, this weekend too and Olov is right, people like him will always exist. If you haven’t see this movie, it will make you really evaluate your moral compass and assumption of the government, the war and your own neighborhood crime. You will understand, just a little on why I don’t get moved by elections, parties and politics. To understand money is to understand government, politics is just the pep squad for it all.

Lord of War [Buy it]
* Don’t hate yourself for understanding “why,” once you see this movie.

Sean “Diddy” Combs has acquired the Enyce brand from Liz Claiborne Inc.
While terms of the deal were not disclosed, sources said Combs’ company, Sean John, purchased the flailing urban label for $20 million. [WWD]

Just more proof, Sean John is a passion by nature, not hobby. Not only has the brand expanded, respectfully in the fashion world, the possible acquisition of Enyce could be a new branding turn for a possible stab at upscale streetwear. Enyce was a subtle competitor. Might as well not blur the line and flip Enyce into a mirror opposite of Sean John with the same high standards.

It appears Diddy is saying hell no’s to private traveling. At least $200K per round trip to LA & NY. My thing, if Diddy is feeling the pinch, imagine how much “Non” Diddy rappers are hurting, trying to front. Even more than usual, this is not the time to stunt like Diddy. Makes one think, if a rapper does not own their home and lives a Scott Storch lifestyle…making $20 mil a year might not be that big of a deal anymore…CRAZY!

Social Networking For The Wealthy [WSJ]

Usher rehires Moms drops Medina[US Weekly]

The Loss of Black icons [FresnoBeehive]

Why Your Gas Tank Needs To Care About Russia vs Georgia [Bloomberg]

Kanye West is very much on first-name terms with Louis Vuitton. “I’m here for Louis,” drawled the rapper at Paris’ Jardins de Bagatelle Friday, disclosing that he’s collaborating on a men’s shoes line for the brand. He’s obviously in a creative mood: West was dressed head to toe in his own designs, and said his women’s line will follow for fall. [Women's Wear Daily]

THANK YOU!! Do what you know dude. You got this for real. See this is why his ex fiance is a dumb dumb, like I said they should have had the dopest business relationship, a la Kimora/Russell. Regardless, this makes THE most sense. You know what else? As long as he pays his stylists and creative directors, he’ll make a bigger and respectable impact but, that’s just me.

Once again, it does raise the concern, instant hit clothing lines are not for the grassroots anymore. Its almost like he did music “just” to build the pub for his line.

Lets see, offshore drilling. The politicians say yes, we need more oil. Environmentalist say no, what about the Caribou. I say bump the damn deer and the assumption its increase in oil production….drilling offshore will spark the next big one or a series of massive earthquakes, possibility that pesky super volcano. In other words, now its not the time mess with underground. The disruption of the earth will give America a front seat of the earthquakes in China, and the magnitude of Pakistan disaster that is still in recovery. Its a bad idea all because they “think” production of oil is the problem.

Even with the all mighty savior ethanol, companies cannot afford to turn corn into oil. Yes, the prices of corn and the floods in the midwest are so costly…the companies coined to turn coil to fuel, cannot even keep up with the cost. Ain’t that a bit… So, the hurds of flexfuel cars driving around….there might not be enough gas for them…(so we can stop getting smug stares from them now right?)

So, for old school oil. They are pleading with the Saudi’s to produce more oil. Guess what, there plenty oil to around but, not enough companies to turn oil to gas. Yep, thats the problem but they want to dig for more oil cause that “might” help. Just as there is a problem to convert corn to gas, same with oil and for the most part, its always been the problem. Not enough refineries to not keep up with US demand. If your reading your wondering if it was that easy they would have done it, but, nope…its that easy to point out its obvious that this problem is by design.

“Former heavyweight boxer Mitchell Rose is planning to file an $88 million dollar copyright lawsuit against Jay-Z in Brooklyn Federal Court. According to Rose, he gave Jay-Z his demo tape on March 12, 2001, following a bout between William Joppy and Felix Trinidad.

He was shocked to discover that Jay-Z allegedly stole his style of rhyming, delivery and even certain lyrics. ‘He took the style and the delivery,’ Rose told [said]. ‘He’s using it on the regular, now Lil’ Kim is using it. All I want is justice. Jay-Z knows what I am talking about.’”[Bossip]

I guess he’s referring to the Make A Speech flow? I can’t see him winning but, Twista and Bone beef’d of that same thing. Not to say he wouldn’t have a case but, Jay-Z’s flow did change a bit around that time where he sounded like he was given a campaign speech. Usually you don’t get signed when you sound like someone but, what if you like a sound of a nobody? Usually that no name can’t sue and its hard to even prove if its on some “yo” and “ill” stuff…right? Then again, dude might have a case and the $88 Million could be from any money made from the flow since 2001. And if they play a track before and after, next to each other…dude might get Rhymefest’d and just get a record deal to make it all go away…smh

Dude, shoulda taken those legal fees and trademark’d it, back then, if he felt it was that serious….like seriously I should do that and sue both of them for the hell of it and put Obama on the Make A Speech swag, remix.