March 17th, 2011 | 7:48 am by Ambika Muttoo (@missmuttoo)

Celebrities Tweet Condolences For Nate Dogg, Family Discusses Cause of Death

Yesterday we posted the extremely sad news of Nate Dogg‘s death. His passing was met with a fair amount of shock because the entertainer was only 41 years old, and no details had emerged about what caused him to die. While the official cause hasn’t yet been stated, Nate’s family is speaking out about what the possible cause could be. His manager and close friend Rod McGrew said he was, “95% recovered from the first stroke in 2007.” Nate had suffered two strokes — one in 2007 and one in 2008 — which left him partial paralyzed and with memory loss. What’s confusing about this is that McGrew revealed that Nate had “cognitively recovered,” and was functioning and alert in the days leading up to his death.

Either way, McGrew’s given a statement on the family’s (and his) behalf that reads, “We appreciate the enormous outpouring of response from all over the world. We greatly appreciate that and thank everyone for their prayers and support. We know that Nate will be hanging out with his good friend 2Pac and Biggie.” Meanwhile, the music community are pouring in tributes and condolences for their friend.

• Snoop Dogg tweeted, “We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met.” And, “I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit.”

• Ludacris tweeted, “RIP NATE DOGG!!!”

Look after the jump for more condolence messages on Twitter for Nate Dogg.
Read more…

February 10th, 2011 | 2:30 pm by Anthony Miccio

Is Rihanna Dating Travis Barker?

Rihanna and Travis Barker have been friends for a while now, with the Blink-182 drummer allegedly giving her some percussion tips for her “Rude Boy” video last year and appearing in the clip for “Rock Star 101.” But if Media TakeOut can be believed, the Rihanna and Barker’s relationship has gone beyond teacher-pupil. “They stayed in contact,” swears MTO, “And since Rihanna became single, the two HIT IT OFF.” B-dum, bum.

Since Rihanna’s reportedly set to appear in Barker’s video for his new single “Can A Drummer Get Some?” it’s possible this is just some hype to suggest that, yes, a drummer can get some. Has Travis been working a slow game on Ri-Ri? Check out a video of the pair drumming last year and tell us if you think they’ve got any serious chemistry.

Read more…

August 19th, 2010 | 5:34 am by Ambika Muttoo (@missmuttoo)

DJ AM’S Legacy Brings Music To Troubled Teens

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With so much whack stuff going on with celebrities, it’s nice to hear something quiet and heartfelt once in awhile. When DJ AM died last year the news came as quite an unexpected shock. But there’s a lot of good happening in his memory. An organisation called the DJ AM Memorial Fund was created after he passed, and it helps troubled teens who are dealing with addiction. AM aka Adam Goldstein dealt with addiction, mainly to crack, through his life. He had cleaned up, but unfortunately went back to the drugs after dealing with the stress of the plane crash he and Travis Barker were in. He died because of an accidental OD.

So it turns out that his memorial group aren’t just donating money to help these kids, they’re helping bring music into their lives. The centre is donating heaps of music and DJ’ing equipment to LA’s Phoenix House Academy in AM’s name. They’re giving them a cash donations, but also everything from turntables to laptops, so addicts can find a healthy avenue to channel their talents. We think AM would thoroughly approve, as do we.

[Photo: Getty Images]

August 29th, 2009 | 12:59 pm by Matt Muro

DJ AM Died Of An Overdose, Suspect Police

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It’s now being reported that police found a crack pipe and prescription pills in DJ AM‘s Manhattan apartment after breaking down his door yesterday. An autopsy is underway, but police suspect the cause of death was an overdose.

DJ AM was reportedly dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder after surviving a plane crash with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker last September and was “completely devasted” by his recent breakup with his American Apparel model girlfriend Hayley Wood, who’s pictured above leaving the DJ’s apartment in tears after learning of his death.

DJ AM, whose real name is was Adam Goldstein, had opened up about having serious addictions to Ecstacy and crack, but claimed he had been clean for years. The fact that DJ AM had been working on a new MTV show (“Gone Too Far”) about helping drug addicts only makes his untimely death even sadder. [Photo: Splash News Online]

Take a look at DJ AM’s life in the photos below.

June 9th, 2009 | 12:09 pm by Libby Keatinge

Shanna Won’t Have Twitter Fight With Travis

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It appears that the days of Shanna Moakler and Travis Barker dissing each other on MySpace are over. Travis has moved on to bashing Shanna through Twitter, and Shanna is – not responding!? What?! These two used to air their dirty laundry all over the internet.

Yesterday, Travis Twittered about motherhood, in a possible stab at Shanna.

Travis said, “Kids are not used as weapons. Deadbeat moms that sleep all day, seeking money, attention like to do so. Just hurts the kids in the end.”

In a second apparent diss, he said, “Giving birth 2 a child doesn’t make you a good mom. Taking care of them, loving them, waking up to them, spending time with them does.”

Shanna however, is not playing the Twitter game with her ex. “As I’ve said before Shanna is not going to play out her personal relationships in the media,” her rep said. [Photo: Getty Images]

May 15th, 2009 | 2:03 pm by Crystal Puccio (@seapeaz)

T-Mobile Launch Party A Love Fest

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Celebs were out in full force yesterday at the T-Mobile Sidekick LX launch party and love was in the air. Pink and Carey Hart arrived arm in arm, Ashlee and Pete (sans Bronx) were all smiles, and Spencer and Heidi kissed their way through the night (shocker!). Who knew a phone could be the catalyst for so much love? Check out pics of the attendees including Paris Hilton, Travis Barker, Kim Kardashian and more!

Related Content: Anna Faris Does The Unthinkable At T-Mobile Launch Party

March 17th, 2009 | 1:56 pm by Kate Spencer (@katespencer)

Crash Survivor DJ AM Wants Millions From Plane Company

DJ AM, who survived a harrowing plane crash last summer along with drummer Travis Barker, is suing Learjet (and others, apparently) for at least $20 million. The former boyfriend of Nicole Richie is demanding $10 million for “medical damages, lost earnings and profits,” and another $10 million for mental and physical pain and suffering. Seeing as his body was super burned and he lost friends in the crash, we think this seems like a reasonable request.

The defendants in the case have denied any wrongdoing, but AM’s not buying it, and neither is Barker. He and the families of his assistant and bodyguard (who both died in the crash), have filed wrongful death suits against the corporations involved, and are also suing the estates of the two deceased pilots.  [People. Photo: GettyImages]

March 6th, 2009 | 5:36 pm by Libby Keatinge

Travis Barker And Shanna Moakler Getting Married Again

Here we go again! Just a year ago their divorce was being finalized but now Shanna Moakler says she and Travis Barker are tying the knot again.

“We would like to renew our vows and have another wedding,” Shanna says. “It’s not so much about the wedding but about having a celebration of each other and getting through all the crazy things we’ve been through.”

Last September Travis and pal DJ AM survived a fatal plane crash that left four dead. Shanna was spotted at the hospital at Travis’ side and the couple has been close ever since.

“When you almost lose a loved one, it makes you appreciate things you took for granted,” Shanna says. [Photo: Getty Images]