Diddy sued over alleged assault

So what exactly does it mean to smack flames out of someone's a**? That's the big question stemming from a lawsuit filed late last week by a California man who alleges that Sean "Diddy" Combs assaulted him after trying to accost his girlfriend. The suit, filed in US District Court by 27 year old Gerard Rechnitzer, claims that he attended a post-Oscar party at the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles with his girlfriend, and after a visit to the restroom, found Diddy and his entourage surrounding his girlfriend. After additional conversation, Diddy allegedly asked Rechnitzer what the f*** he was looking at, before adding, "I'll smack flames out your a**!" At that point, Diddy allegedly assaulted the man, causing him to "fly backward several feet." Diddy and his crew then fled the scene, but not before pushing the man's girlfriend and attempting to spit on another member of Rechnitzer's group, according to the complaint. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

Combs' lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told TMZ.com that the lawsuit was "completely baseless. It is just another example of an opportunist seeking to fabricate a lawsuit based on a flat-out lie to try to take advantage of Mr. Combs' celebrity status. Mr. Combs did not hit anyone, and Mr. Rechnitzer suffered no injuries or damages whatsoever. There is no case. It is that simple."

Jay-Z's Rocawear bought for $204 million

The pile of money in which Jay-Z swims in is about to get a lot bigger. Rocawear, the urban clothing brand cofounded by the rapper/mogul, is set to be acquired for $204 million in cash by the Iconix Brand Group, the companies said today. The deal, expected to be finalized this month, allows Jay-Z to remain in his role as chief creative officer and to continue to oversee all product development, marketing, and licensing for the brand. The Rocawear senior management team will join Iconix, and Jay-Z's partners Alex Bize and Norton Cher will continue to run the operating company that is responsible for the manufacture of Rocawear apparel.

"This is the largest acquisition Iconix has made, and Rocawear is a brand that is increasing in market share and has extraordinary potential for growth," Iconix CEO Neil Cole said in a statement. "The leadership team is already in place to fulfill our mission, and we will maintain complete continuity within the business by having Jay and his team in charge of all product development, licensing, and marketing."

Mariah films Tennessee in Nashville

Mariah Carey turned some heads in Nashville while filming scenes for the upcoming movie Tennessee. The R&B diva is playing an aspiring country signer who flees her controlling husband in New Mexico by moving to Nashville with two brothers. Last week, she appeared at the downtown honky-tonk Second Fiddle, performing "Right To Dream," a song she cowrote with Willie Nelson. "People were weeping on the crew when she sang it," director Aaron Woodley told The Tennessean. "It's very moving, especially in the context of the film and her character."

Earlier, they shot on location in Dunlap, about 20 miles north of Chattanooga, and at Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville. Later, they filmed some train scenes on trips between Nashville and Lebanon. "There I am, sitting on the edge of a boxcar with Mariah Carey, breezing through town," Woodley said. "We slowed down to go over a bridge, and there were people sitting in cars. I think they did a double take: 'I swear I just saw Mariah Carey on a boxcar.'"

LL Cool J to endorse Chapstick

The most famous lip-licker in hip-hop is set to ink an endorsement deal with Chapstick. According to Brand Week magazine, LL Cool J, famed for his beefcake physique and lip-licking prowess, is in talks to become the new face of lip balm Chapstick. It's an obvious fit," Brand Week writes. "LL has been licking his lips for 20 years. They'll get to speak to people who normally would not pick up Chapstick. In addition to his possible deal with Chapstick, LL is seeking to endorse a vitamin supplement to capitalize on his popularity in the fitness/training market, since his book LL Cool J's Platinum Body hit stores last December.

Glam rock producer writes memoir

Music producer Tony Visconti, who helped bring the glam rock of such artists as David Bowie and T. Rex's Marc Bolan to the world, has written a memoir called, Tony Visconti: The Autobiography--Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy. The tome hit UK book shelves last month via Harper Collins, although a US publisher has yet to be finalized. "My memory was remarkably clear for this," Visconti told Billboard. "Friendship inevitably evolves. I just got an e-mail from Bowie. We e-mail all the time, we send each other clips from YouTube and discuss the finer points of growing old. Marc [who died in 1977] would have loved the Internet, although he was a little dyslexic. It would have been interesting to see a Marc Bolan e-mail, all misspelled words--k's instead of c's."

Visconti produced such Bowie albums as The Man Who Sold the World, Heroes, Lodger, and his 2003 release Reality. His T. Rex credits include Slider and Electric Warrior. He also helmed Morrissey's 2006 effort Ringleader of the Tormenters.