News

Pop singer seeking damages for flooding

 

Sounds like Rihanna could have used an umbrella-ella-ella big enough to cover her entire home.

The "Rude Boy" songbird filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday against Prudential California Realty and the former owner of her Beverly Hills home, alleging that they should have informed her of several construction defects that made the residence conducive to flooding -- which is exactly what ended up happening.

The singer has also named a property-inspection service in the suit.

Rihanna, born Robyn Fenty, purchased the home in July 2009 for $6.9 million.

According to the suit, during the purchase of the home she was kept in the dark about several problems with the home -- problems that came to light following a "moderate rainstorm" in January 2010.

"The rainwater pooled on the second floor balcony and seeped into numerous rooms of the house, causing extensive water intrusion into various rooms," the suit claims.

After the flood, the singer hired an engineering firm to assess the damage; during an inspection, the firm found "a host of defects in the property, including numerous waterproofing defects and evidence of water intrusion and associated damage."

Because of the defects, the suit alleges, the actual value of the home is "millions of dollars less" than the $6.9 million she paid.

Rihanna, who alleges professional negligence, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, breach of contract and breach of implied warranty, is seeking unspecified damages, plus interest, court costs and attorneys' fees.

Rapper T.I. back in federal prison after luxury bus ride

ATLANTA (Reuters) - A ride in a luxury bus from Arkansas to a halfway house in Atlanta has landed Grammy Award-winning rapper T.I. back behind bars just two days after his release from federal prison.

The Atlanta entertainer, whose real name is Clifford Harris, was scheduled to spend the last month of his sentence in a residential transition facility, prison officials said earlier in the week.

Prisons spokesman Chris Burke confirmed on Friday that T.I. had instead been incarcerated in a federal prison in Atlanta but said he did not know the reason why.

The rapper's release date from prison is September 29, Burke said.

According to Steve Sadow, T.I.'s attorney, prison officials had an "issue" with the bus the entertainer used to travel from Arkansas to Atlanta.

"We are awaiting the opportunity to quickly resolve whatever the issue may be that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has with T.I.'s method of transportation -- bus -- from Arkansas to Atlanta, so that T.I. can return to the halfway house to complete the remaining days of his sentence," Sadow said in an email to Reuters.

The entertainer was sentenced in October 2010 to 11 months in prison for violating the terms of his probation on federal gun charges after he was arrested on suspicion of possessing the drug ecstasy.

It was his second stint behind bars in three years.

T.I.'s career began as a rapper in 2001 but he then branched out into other areas of the music and film industry, finding success both as a producer and actor.

On Wednesday, cable channel VH1 said it had teamed up with the 30-year-old "Got Your Back" singer for a 10-episode series that will follow his readjustment to life outside prison and the making of a new album. The series is due to premiere on December 5.

(Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Jerry Norton)

Kelly Rowland


 

BILLBOARD LIVE Q&A

Kelly Rowland

 

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Photo by Rachel Been 

Kelly Rowland's already sizzling summer got even hotter with the release of her highly-anticipated third solo album on July 26. And one day before "Here I Am" dropped, she was here at Billboard.com answering fan tweets and chatting about the album live on camera. You had tons of burning questions about everything from working with Nelly, Lil Wayne and Big Sean on the album, to her huge single "Motivation," which already hit No. 1 on our R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

SLIDESHOW: Kelly Rowland at Billboard

 

Kelly also previewed "Here I Am" tracks, discussed her friendship with Beyonce and Michelle Williams (and those rumors about a Destiny's Child reunion), and even danced a little. Rewatch all the action in the videos below, or check our news recap.


Amy Winehouse

 

Amy Winehouse, 27, found dead at her London flat after suspected 'drug overdose'


  • Troubled singer had a long battle with drink and drugs
  • London Ambulance Service found singer at 3.54pm but unable to revive her
  • She was 'beyond help' according to Sky sources
  • Autopsy could take place 'within next 24 hours'
  • Comes after Winehouse was booed off stage after shambolic Serbian show

Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home in London.

The Back To Black singer was found at the property by emergency services at 3.54pm, and it's believed Winehouse's death was due to a suspected drug overdose.

Winehouse was apparently 'beyond help' when paramedics arrived, according to Sky sources.

Sources have also claimed Winehouse's death was due to a drug overdose.


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