Christian group targets 50 Cent

Having dubbed Jessica Simpson a "singing stripper" and called for Duke's Blue Devils name to be changed to something not offensive to the Christian community, a Christian group is now targeting 50 Cent for wearing a diamond encrusted cross. The Resistance, a group started by Mark Dice, has called 50 Cent "blasphemous" for wearing a cross as he raps about violence, sex, and drugs. "He is defaming the cross and committing blasphemy by wearing it while he raps about killing people for no reason because he's a big bad 'gangster.' Its appalling for anyone to say he believes in God and then wear a huge Christian cross while rapping about murdering people for fun."

Dice, whose Web site also features a video of girls in bikinis on a beach spouting conspiracy theories about the Sept. 11 attacks, concludes that "a large diamond studded platinum satanic pentagram would be a little more fitting for him." 50 Cent's manager Chris Lighty told AllHipHop.com, "We aren't aware of this absurd request. They should look up our charitable deeds before casting a stone. This is entertainment and no one is forcing them to listen to the music or watch any of the videos. It's an individual choice."

GNR hit with $107K logistics suit

A New Jersey company hired to provide transportation and touring services for Guns 'N Roses on its 2006 tour has sued the band and its members, claiming it is owed $107,000. The complaint, filed by Starlift Logistics in a New Jersey court, alleges that the company was hired to by Black Frog touring and LL Management, both of which arrange touring for GNR, to supply transportation, sets, stage production items, and musical instruments.

Outkast's Big Boi reportedly eyes ballet

Outkast-meets-Prohibition jazz wasn't a hit with critics, but Big Boi is hoping a pairing with the ballet will be. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the rapper is working with the Atlanta ballet in a new piece scheduled for April 10-13, 2008. Most of the details have yet to be determined, but the paper reported that Big Boi would perform on stage with the ballet and is set to collaborate with choreographer Lauri Stallings and performers from his own Purple Ribbon Entertainment.

The parties are meeting today to discuss the project. Atlanta Ballet has staged works with pop performers before. In October 2001, the ballet collaborated with the Indigo Girls on Shed Your Skin, which featured the duo performing songs onstage behind dancers. It was presented again in 2004.

Boy George arrested for kidnapping

Apparently cleaning the streets of New York under the watchful eye of a swarm of paparazzi wasn't enough humiliation for Boy George. The British singer was arrested over the weekend in east London after a male escort accused the former Culture Club frontman of "false imprisonment and common assault." The escort, 28-year-old Auden Carlsen, told The Sun that he was called to George's home to pose for photos after meeting him online.

"George said he was popping out for milk at 5 a.m.," Carlsen told the paper. "I heard him come back and I walked into his bedroom wearing just my white underpants and a T-shirt. I was jumped on by George and another man. George handcuffed me to a hook by the bed as they held me down." He said George then produced a box of whips and sex toys, telling him: "Now you'll get what you deserve." George has not yet commented on the charge. He was ordered to perform community service last year in New York City on a cocaine charge.

Source files for bankruptcy

The self-proclaimed "Hip Hop Bible" is on the ropes. Source Magazine LLC and affiliate Source Entertainment Inc., publishers of The Source magazine, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after dishonest business practices by former management caused the hip-hop media outlet's advertisers to flee, the Associated Press reported. Jeremy Miller, president and chief executive of Source Entertainment, said the company is struggling to recover from a cloud of negative publicity brought by former managers that misused company funds several years ago. Those managers, David Mays and company president Raymond "Benzino" Scott, were fired in 2006 after the magazine lost significant support from advertisers.

Newsstand sales fell after The Source published a series of "unfavorable articles" about top recording artists, including Eminem and 50 Cent. Benzino is known to have a longstanding beef with both artists. Mays and Benzino have gone on to start a new hip-hop gossip magazine called Hip Hop Weekly.