Breaking News - Chris Brown pleads guilty to felony assault!

Breaking News - Chris Brown pleads guilty to felony assault!

Musician Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge against him after his Grammy night skirmish with Pop Superstar Rihanna.  Due to conditions of his five year probation sentance, Brown will be forbidden from contact with Rihanna and also must perform six months of community service.  No restraining order has ever been filed, but due to his plea, Brown must stay at least 50 yards away from Rihanna, and in the event they are both attend an industry event, the distance would decrease to 10 yards.  Chris Brown will be formally sentenced on August 5th 2009.

Attorney: Rihanna will come to Chris Brown hearing

Attorney: Rihanna will come to Chris Brown hearing

Rihanna is among the witnesses whom prosecutors plan to call during a hearing in Chris Brown’s assault case, an attorney said Thursday.

Donald Etra, Rihanna’s lawyer, told reporters that prosecutors have told him the Barbados-born singer will receive a subpoena to testify at a preliminary hearing June 22. The hearing will focus on whether there is enough evidence to continue the case against Brown.

Etra said Rihanna will comply with the order. It would mark her first appearance in court since felony assault and criminal threats charges were filed against Brown in March.

If she is called to testify, the 21-year-old singer would be subject to cross-examination by Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos.

Other potential witnesses have not been named, but will likely include police investigators.

Brown was arrested in February on suspicion of hitting and choking Rihanna in a rented car hours before the couple were scheduled to appear at the Grammys.

Etra wouldn’t address their relationship now, but said Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was following the case closely.

A judge on Thursday rejected a motion by Geragos to receive police and investigative records related to the case and the apparent leak of a photo of a beaten and bruised Rihanna.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg told Geragos the motion was premature and he could file it again after the preliminary hearing.

Brown wasn’t in court Thursday, but he’s required to attend the preliminary hearing. The 20-year-old R&B singer faces possible sentences that range from probation to nearly five years in prison if convicted.

Geragos argued that he should have access to the records to properly cross-examine police witnesses during the preliminary hearing. He also said intense public interest in the case should require the records’ release.

Schnegg said Brown’s fame wasn’t an issue she was going to consider. She also called Geragos’ motion “a fishing expedition.”

She also said the records, which Geragos wants to use to search for police bias or misconduct, don’t have anything to do with Brown’s arrest. She said officers responded to a 911 call and the “Run It!” singer was arrested well before the photo of Rihanna’s battered face was posted by celebrity gossip Web site TMZ.

Singer Chris Brown says he’s ‘not a monster’

Singer Chris Brown says he’s ‘not a monster’

R&B singer Chris Brown said he is “not a monster” in a video message posted online this week ahead of a court hearing over a criminal charge that he beat pop singer Rihanna, leaving her bruised and bloodied.

Brown, who is not expected to attend the hearing set for Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, does not mention Rihanna by name in the video posted on the website www.justin.tv and circulated online on Wednesday.

But the 20-year-old singer of hits “Kiss Kiss” and “Run It” appears to address the accusations that he beat his girlfriend Rihanna in February while in a car in Los Angeles on the eve of the Grammy awards.

“I just wanna say ‘What up?’ because I ain’t been out there in a minute,” Brown said in the video, marking the only time he has seemed publicly to address the incident beyond an initial statement in February.

“Everybody that’s haters, they just been haters. All my real fans, I love you all. I ain’t a monster,” he said.

A representative for Rihanna, singer of hit songs such as “Umbrella,” was not immediately available to comment.

Brown is charged with assaulting Rihanna by “means of force likely to produce great bodily injury” and threatening to commit a crime “which would result in death and great bodily injury.” He faces up to four years in prison if convicted, and has previously pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In February, one week after the incident, he issued a statement saying “words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired.” He added that he had sought counseling.

At Thursday’s hearing, Brown’s attorney Mark Geragos is expected to contest the charges on grounds that a police photo of Rihanna, taken after she was beaten, should not have been leaked to the media. It showed Rihanna with her eyes closed and her lower lip bloodied and swollen.

Have Cassie And Rihanna’s Sales Been Affected By Nudity?

Have Cassie And Rihanna’s Sales Been Affected By Nudity?

The adage is all publicity is good publicity, and publicity equates to sales. But according to Billboard data, this isn’t necessarily the case. When nude photos of artists Cassie and Rihanna leaked earlier this month, the numbers prove that while there was indeed a huge increase in internet buzz chatter there was no affect on sales.

On May 5, Rihanna made her first public appearance since her alleged assault the night of the Grammy Awards by ex-boyfriend/singer Chris Brown, at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala. But the 21-year-old Barbados-born singer, born Robyn Fenty, made headlines once again – this time for a series of nude photos that hit the internet just four days later.

According to Nielsen SoundScan figures, the unwanted publicity served no purpose as far as her single sales figures are concerned. On the week ending May 3rd, Rihanna had 45,000 total downloads on songs by her or with her as a guest. The week ending May 10th, her numbers dropped to 44,000.

Same thing for Cassie Ventura, better known as R&B singer Cassie. Just two days before the Rihanna pictures appeared, Cassie own computer was hacked and topless photos of her hit the net. The next day, more explicit photos leaked, this time of Cassie fully unclothed.  Still, Cassie’s numbers stayed flat with 2,000 downloads both weeks.

While sales remained essentially unchanged, buzz chatter definitely increased (see chart below).

Rihanna and Lady Gaga Didn’t Really Get ‘Silly’

Rihanna and Lady Gaga Didn’t Really Get ‘Silly’

Looks like Kanye West might be the “Silly Boy” everyone’s talking about.

On Tuesday, the “Heartless” artist posted a track on his blog claiming it was a collaboration between Rihanna and Lady Gaga. And with lyrics like “You had a good girl, good girl / But didn’t know how to treat her,” speculation that the song was a pointed statement about Chris Brown was inevitable.

However, despite the sound and a bunch of wishful thinking, “Silly Boy” doesn’t feature performances by either star.

“It’s indeed a fake,” Lady Gaga’s rep tells E! News.

Rihanna’s rep also told Us Weekly the vocalist on the track wasn’t her.

Darn. Now, we’re just waiting for West’s all-caps explanation.

Rihanna Cancels Comeback Concert

Rihanna Cancels Comeback Concert

Don’t call it a comeback…’cause it isn’t one just yet.

Just a month after Rihanna was booked for her first public performance since her alleged assault by Chris Brown, the show has been abruptly scrapped.

The 21-year-old R&B star had been scheduled to perform later this month in the United Arab Emirates. But Yassin Matbouly, of would-have-been concert organizer Vibe Entertainment Management Agency, said in a statement that she’s not yet ready to return to the stage.

“We want to share with you that Rihanna and her management will not be accepting to hold a public concert at this time as it is not appropriate timing for her,” he said.

There was no immediate comment from Rihanna, who is expected to be among the glitterati in attendance at tonight’s Costume Institue Gala in New York.

Coincidentally, the next court hearing for Brown’s double felony case is May 28, the same day the concert was scheduled to take place.

Matbouly, who said the concert would likely have taken place in Dubai or possibly Abu Dhabi, speculated that the scope of the concert may have been intimidating. Organizers were looking for a 25,000-seat venue and, he said, the media attention would have been massive (though it likely will be whenever and wherever she does stage her return).

“Rihanna’s management contacted us on Saturday and explained she was unable to come to the UAE in May, but said she is keen to still perform in the region.

“Vibe has been ready and was looking forward to putting this concert together for the crowd of the Middle East…This is very sad for us at this time knowing the concert will not happen, but we will not give up and we will continue to put our offer to Rihanna’s management for a future date.”

The concert producers are now eyeing dates for sometime this fall.

Attorney: Rihanna will get jewelry back

Attorney: Rihanna will get jewelry back

Rihanna will get back $1.4 million in borrowed jewelry she was wearing the night she was allegedly beaten by Chris Brown.

Prosecutors agreed to have the jewelry photographed for evidence if it is needed at a trial. The 21-year-old singer’s attorney had requested a judge’s order for the items’ return, but an agreement was reached Wednesday morning.

Donald Etra said after the hearing that it will allow Rihanna to return the items to companies that lent them to her. She wore the jewelry, described as a pair of earrings and three rings, to a pre-Grammy party.

“Rihanna just wants the owners to get their goods back,” Etra said.

Brown was arrested Feb. 8 and charged nearly a month later with assault likely to produce great bodily injury and making criminal threats.

The 19-year-old “Run It!” singer wasn’t in court Wednesday, but could face a preliminary hearing in June when a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.

His attorney, Mark Geragos, told Superior Court Judge Patricia M. Schnegg that he intends to file a motion soon seeking access to Los Angeles Police Department records that may help Brown’s case.

The motion seeks access to personnel records, and Geragos told Schnegg he was looking for evidence of possible police misconduct.

The LAPD opened an investigation into the leak of a photo that appeared to show a beaten and bruised Rihanna, but hasn’t offered any updates.

Etra reiterated Wednesday that Rihanna will testify if she is called. He has said the singer would like the case to be resolved without a trial.

Rihanna seeking return of pricey jewelry

Rihanna seeking return of pricey jewelry

Rihanna is seeking the return of $1.4 million in jewelry she was wearing the night she was allegedly beaten by Chris Brown.

Donald Etra, an attorney for the “Umbrella” singer, filed a motion Tuesday asking that Los Angeles police and prosecutors return a pair of earrings and three rings, which were seized as evidence.

The motion states that Brown’s attorney, and a Los Angeles Police Department detective overseeing the case, do not object to the return of the items. They have agreed that photographs can be used if the case goes to trial, the documents state.

The filing includes a general description of the items, saying they all are made of “yellow metal” and all but one includes “white stones.” The value of the items is at least $1.4 million, the motion states. It argues that photographs of the items will satisfy the needs of attorneys and asks the court “to order the return of the property to (Rihanna) without further delay.”

A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said the agency would not comment on the motion.

The jewelry was part of the ensemble that Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was wearing when Brown allegedly beat her while driving home from a pre-Grammy party. Brown is accused of hitting, biting and choking his girlfriend as the couple drove through the upscale Hancock Park neighborhood.

The filing indicates the jewelry was loaned to the singer by four companies, which want the items back. The items are wanted for events overseas, the filing states.

Brown was arrested Feb. 8 and charged with felony assault and making criminal threats. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his case is due back in court on Wednesday, when a judge will consider the jewelry motion as well. Brown is not required to attend that hearing.

Etra has said that Rihanna would prefer prosecutors and Brown reach a plea agreement before a trial, but that the 21-year-old singer would testify if called.

Rihanna - Breaking Dishes - Soul Seekerz Club Mix

Rihanna - Breaking Dishes - Soul Seekerz Club Mix - I hadn’t even heard the original, but this remix is pretty damn good. 9/10

Click below to listen (not the original video)

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Chris Brown enters not guilty plea in beating case

Chris Brown enters not guilty plea in beating case

Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to threatening and assaulting his girlfriend, fellow music superstar Rihanna. The 19-year-old R&B singer appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday alongside his attorney, Mark Geragos. He entered his plea in a soft voice while his mother sat in the first row, red-eyed.

Brown was charged in March by Los Angeles County prosecutors with felony assault likely to cause great bodily injury and making criminal threats. He was arrested nearly a month earlier after police said he was involved in an early morning altercation with a woman who identified the “Run It!” singer as her attacker.

Court records list Brown’s victim as “Robyn F.” Rihanna’s real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

The 21-year-old “Umbrella” singer was represented by attorney Donald Etra

If convicted, Brown could be sentenced to probation or nearly five years in prison.

Neither side has publicly addressed Brown and Rihann’s relationship since the incident.

But there has been discernible fallout and backlash since Brown’s arrest.

Neither singer performed at the Grammy Awards hours after the alleged beating, and both were also no-shows for the Kids’ Choice Awards show held March 28.

Sponsors have stopped using Brown, some radio stations have stopped playing his music and some broadcasters have even started playing an anti-Chris Brown song created by the little-known dance group Smoke Jumpers.

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