Dr. Boyce: Russell Simmons Rants on Banks

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons seems to feel that banks are not treating the poor in a proper fashion. This week, in a rant on his site, “The Global Grind,” Simmons had this to say:
“They trick customers into doing things that are not good for them through lack of transparency, and surprise them with new fees when they can least afford it. I’m learning an important lesson about ethics or lack of ethics in this industry. In fact, I’m fighting with a bank right now that doesn’t know what kind of ass whipping they are going to get when I expose them for the abusive practices and exuberant fees they are charging the poor. What they are doing is trying to double their already outrageously high fees in exchange for providing absolutely nothing to my customers.”
Simmons went on to try to create a “movement” by adding a call to action:

“Let’s start the biggest public discussion ever about how banks treat us and expose these banks for their unequal treatment and unconscionable conduct. The time is now.”

 

Click to read.

Black News: Hip Hop Wired – 9/14/09

Lil Wayne Is A Father...Again

NEWS

» By MToussaint   Sep 13 2009, 13:33 Pm

It has been confirmed that Lil Wayne welcomed a child into the world this week. Actress Lauren London's PR people stated the child was born Wednesday, September 9th and it's a healthy baby boy. As if being born on 09-09-09 wasn't special enough, this is London's first child and Lil Wayne's third. The name of Baby Carter

Comments 0 Tags lauren london, lil wayne, movie ATL, the carter 3

LL Cool J Releases Theme Song For “NCIS: Los Angeles”

NEWS

» By Moguldom   Sep 12 2009, 10:56 Am

LL Cool J has released his latest single “NCIS: No Crew Is Superior.” The track is inspired by his new television show “NCIS: Los Angeles” which will premiere on Tuesday, September 22 at 9 p.m. on CBS.

“NCIS: Los Angeles” is about the high-stakes world of the Office of Special Projects (OSP), a division of NCIS that is charged with apprehending dangerous and elusive criminals that

Comments 0 Tags cbs, def jam, james todd smith, ll cool j,“NCIS: No Crew Is Superior”, “NCIS: Los Angeles”

Lil Jon Preps Crunk Rock With Soulja Boy, R. Kelly and Akon

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Sep 12 2009, 9:44 Am

Just when you thought crunk was dead, it looks like it might just be back. Lil Jon, the originator and arguably the leader of the south's crunk movement, is stepping back on the scene. Sans his silently dynamic partners in crime, The Eastside Boys, Jon is rolling solo for the first time and releasingCrunk Rock. The new album is set to pack a punch with features from R. Kelly, Akon and the south's current

Comments 0 Tags lil jom/ crunk rock, lil jon, lil jon "give it all u got", R. Kelly, soulja boy

Jay-Z & Will Smith Give Support To African Musical

NEWS

» By JORDAN C. ALSTON   Sep 12 2009, 9:43 Am

In a weird show of solidarity, two media titans and unlikely partners in rhyme or business have chosen to combine their numerous resources again in an effort to bring a little known but lauded musical to life. Former Crack rapper Sean Jay-Z Carter and clean, “Kiddy” rapper Will Smith, are both throwing their Herculean financial strength behind Fela, a play which documents the life and struggles of world renowned musician and activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

At the cost of $11 million dollars, the Broadway musical is

The Latest From Hip Hop Wired – 9/12/09

Jay-Z and Lil Wayne Specials Air Tonight

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Sep 10 2009, 16:43 Pm

If you haven't seen enough of Jay-Z this week, prepare for another television appearance. The man of the moment and mastermind behind The Blueprint III will be featured on a BET special titled, “Food For Thought: Conversations with Jay-Z.”  The program will touch on his meeting with Oprah in Brooklyn, a recent dinner with Barack Obama, his hush-hush marriage to Beyonce and of course, The Blueprint III. Viewers can watch

Comments 1 Tags blueprint 3, jay-z, lil wayne, vh1 behind the music, “Food For Thought: Conversations with Jay-Z.”

T.I. and Chris Brown To Star In “Takers”

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Sep 10 2009, 16:20 Pm

Although on lockdown, “The King Of The South” has no plans of slowing down and keeping his name ringing in the ears of the masses.  T.I. is set to star in the film Takers alongside Matt Dillon, Chris Brown and Idris Elba. The film is a crime thriller about a Los Angles detective that is on the verge of diffusing a

Comments 1 Tags / "takers" movie, chris brown, idris elba,rapper t.i., t.i

Play-N-Skillz Ink Label Deal With Steve Rifkind's SRC

NEWS

» By Moguldom   Sep 10 2009, 15:52 Pm

Two-time GRAMMY award winning producers and recording artists, Play-N-Skillz have announced that they have signed a record label deal with SRC/Universal Records for their own label imprint, G4 Muzik.  The deal will allow the producers the opportunity to sign, develop and market artists with distribution through SRC/Universal Records.  Play-N-Skillz have been responsible for

Comments 0 Tags chamillionaire's "ridin dirty", hurricane chris "Halle Berry", play-n-skillz, steve rifkind

Soulja Boy Reaches Out to Eminem with "The DeAndre Way"

NEWS

» By JUSTIN STEWART   Sep 10 2009, 11:37 Am

Although people have continued to place their doubt on the rapper that made everyone “Crank Dat,” Soulja Boy continues to remain relevant in Hip-Hop.  Already two albums in, he has begun preparation for his third album, The DeAndre Way.

Soulja must be aiming for the fences this time around as he has voiced that he is looking to have heavy hitters such as Em

Comments 0 Tags kanye west, snoop dogg, soulja boy,soulja boy wants to work wit eminem, the DeAndre Way

Mary J. Blige To Receive HBA Award, Not Performing At MJ Tribute

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Sep 10 2009, 11:20 Am

Hip-Hop's queen of soul will be able to add another honor to her stellar award lineup.  Mary J. Blige, the nine time Grammy award singer/songwriter extraordinaire, will receive the first annual “Positively Beautiful” award during the Health & Beauty America (HBA) Global Expo. She will be deemed the honor at the expo on September 15 at New York's Javit Center. The “Positively Beautiful” award is used to honor

Comments 0 Tags chris brown, health and beauty america expo, jay-z, mary j. blige, Michael Jackson, michael jackson tribute concert

Your News from Hip Hop Wired – 8/25/09

Juelz Santana Arrested for “Threatening To Kill His Wife”

NEWS

» by JUSTIN STEWART   Aug 25 2009, 14:40 pm

Member of the Diplomats and Leader of the Skull Gang, rapper Juelz Santana was arrested today for domestic abuse.  According to reports, Santana allegedly threatened to kill his wife.

Reports show that a 911 call was placed by his wife early this morning during an altercation between the two in their home in Teaneck, New Jersey.  Whatever was said in the phone call clearly did the trick as the rapper was arrested on domestic battery charges, although she was not in need of any

Comments 0 Tags dipset, juelz santana, juelz santana arrested for domestic abuse, juelz santana arrested for domestic violence

Lil Wayne feat. Eminem, Kanye West and Drake Coming Soon?

NEWS

» by JUSTIN STEWART   Aug 25 2009, 13:29 pm

In anticipation for the documentary film More Than A Game, the stakes may have risen to a boiling point as a dream collaboration may be in the works for the soundtrack.

There have been rumors circulating that a song featuring Wayne, Drake, Kanye West and Eminem is in the process and will be featured for the film.  Reports have even taken it as far as stating that the track will be available Friday on iTunes.

For Louisiana bred Lil Wayne, the self proclaimed rapper eater has stated that one of his musical dreams came in the form of actually working alongside the Detroit rapper and even issued a challenge to bring Eminem out of hiding to do a track with him.

The actual film, being disturbed by Lionsgate, surrounds the upbringing of basketball player Lebron James, who was

Comments 0 Tags lil wayne/ drake/ eminem and kanye west collaborate for lebron james movie, more than game/ lebron james movie

Juror for C-Murder Trial Says Voting Process Was Foul

NEWS

» by JUSTIN STEWART   Aug 25 2009, 12:50 pm

Now that the trial is over and Corey “C-Murder” Miller has been convicted for murder, a juror now steps up to state that foul play happened in casting the votes and declaring that Miller was indeed guilty.

Mary Jacob, who had a hand on two occasions in having the deciding vote for the murder trial, has now come forth to admit that one juror did not fully believe that Miller was indeed guilty of the crime he was being accused of, but her vote was tainted by other jurors who ultimately made her decide in their

Comments 0 Tags c-murder gets another 10 years for seperate shooting, c-murder sentenced to life in prison, c-murder trial tainted, juror harrasement in c-murder trial

G-Unit Employee Due In Court For Assault Charge

NEWS

» by DANIELLE CANADA   Aug 25 2009, 12:19 pm

An employee of 50 Cent's G-Unit empire is due in court today for his second assault charge in three months. 27-year old Dwayne Mckenzie is facing criminal charges for attacking an unidentified woman and holding her down so another woman could beat her.

The incident happened August 16 at 50's 50,000 square foot mansion in Connecticut. According to the unidentified woman, he asked her for oral sex. When she refused, one of her friends jumped to her defense and began to argue with him. When the woman and her friend tried to leave, they were attacked by 21-year old

BET Plans To Cancel Rap CIty

Effective by the end of this month BET network plans to cancel its long-running Hip-Hop series Rap City.