Phoenix Denies Hip-Hop Is Hoax

Joaquin Phoenix has a cleft lip to thank for his unique smile

(NEWSER) - Celebrities may look flawless, but the Huffington Post reveals that some of them were born with certain, shall we say, quirks:

• Taye Diggs: The actor was born with polydactyly; in his case, an extra digit on each of his hands. The fingers were removed surgically.

Rap group's FBI file comes to light

(NEWSER) - The notorious rap group Wu-Tang Clan has perpetrated a slew of crimes including gun running, drug dealing, and even murder, according to a recently unearthed FBI file. Among other details, the 94-page file on late Clan co-founder Ol’ Dirty Bastard—christened Russell Jones—claims the group purchased a .40-caliber Glock later used to murder a Robert "Pooh" Johnson: “Johnson was an associate of the WTC who had a falling out with the group and it is believed that his murder was ordered by someone within the WTC." More»

'Young Buck' will be sold along with other assets: trustee

(NEWSER) - Rapper Young Buck could lose more than just his stuff in his bankruptcy liquidation case—he could lose the very right to be called “Young Buck.” His trademarked name will be sold off, along with his other assets, according to the trustee administering his estate. His financial woes stem largely from a beef with onetime mentor 50 Cent ... and Fiddy’s G-Unit Records, with which Young Buck is still under contract. A comment he made in 2007 (about how touring was the only way he could make money) offended 50, who booted him from the G-Unit group but wouldn't release him from the label ... or green-light any new albums, putting his career on ice. More»

Seven others also hit; rapper Kafani denies he was filming a video

(NEWSER) - A 1-year-old boy is in critical condition after being shot in the head last night, possibly during the taping of a rap music video in Oakland. Six others also were shot, including a 24-year-old woman also in critical condition, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Police say Oakland rapper Kafani was at the scene, but Kafani denies it and says reports that he was shooting a music video at the time are untrue, according to AllHipHop . More»

Increasingly, rappers sing about brands they sell

(NEWSER) - Rappers have always name-checked alcohol in their music, but nowadays many artists are going beyond references to actually selling their own brands. From the way the Los Angeles Times describes it, Pitbull’s latest hits sound more like advertisements for Voli vodka. He’s part owner of the liquor brand, meaning he’s more than happy to rap about the low-calorie, flavored vodka as the new “it” drink. Ludacris and Snoop Dogg both push cognac, with both artists releasing mixtapes and music videos promoting the drinks. More»