SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL: I don’t have any inside information, but I do know the FBI raid at the Murder Inc. offices of rap music honcho Irv Gotti has put nerves on edge all through the usually outspoken, outgoing hip-hop world. I have the cell numbers of those who might know something (I’ve interviewed many of the big rap stars), but these days no one is picking up the phone.
I’m afraid talent like Ja Rule, Ashanti and Charlie Baltimore, who all told me they credit Gotti for launching their careers, seem to be, well, “afraid.”
If the feds have their way, they will prove allegations of extortion in the rap world. They suspect that drug-related money was used to produce concerts, supply artists with luxury tour buses and even to take down a key figure in what they call “a corrupt enterprise” (the rap world).
If Gotti has his way, he’ll continue to head Murder Inc., sign new talent and further polish his existing stars to expand an empire that sources in the rap world tell me is worth too much money to count!
In the meantime, I can tell you the silence in the local rap world is scary. Stay tuned!
(P.S.: Irv Gotti, by the way, is no relation, although he did name himself after my late father.)
I WILL never forget the sensation – the way my heart was racing, skipping beats, then stopping for seconds at a time. I was dizzy, short of breath and felt death was near. I have since learned these are all classic symptoms of impending cardiac arrest. And it’s happened to me – twice.
Once was on the operating table, the other time was at my son’s Little League game. On that occasion, I was three months pregnant, and unfortunately the baby did not survive. I would not have survived, either, if not for a passing EMS worker and his portable cardiac defibrillator.
It’s bad enough that it took the sudden deaths of two students last week to prompt Mayor Bloomberg to demand that city schools be supplied with external defibrillators, but I was really riled up to learn the absence of these lifesaving machines was a violation of state law, according to State Assemblyman Steven Sanders (D-Manhattan).
The mayor should be applauded for insisting defibrillators be put in schools. I just hope he follows through with his plan as effectively as he swooped down on smokers. And he should know that if there’s anything I can do to support this campaign – and save lives – he only has to pick up the phone and call!
AS GOOD AS IT GETS: Champion womanizer Jack Nicholson is one secure man! How many other high-profile guys would admit that work and age had made sleep more appealing than sex these days? The gifted actor is just as secure about his riveting performance in “About Schmidt,” which gives him a great shot at a fourth “best actor” Oscar.
Nicholson says the film is inspiring and timely.
“When we made the film, we weren’t in the same place we are today in the world,” Nicholson said. “One of the most satisfying things about the film is it deals with universal themes and values, and there’s an optimism of reaching out to others.” Hey, as far as I’m concerned, that is as good as it gets!
NO FOUL, NO HARM: Giants running back Tiki Barber was basically lost for words as he tried to describe to me the loss to the 49ers last weekend. “Disbelief,” he said of the giant-sized fumble. “You get your emotions so high, you are so close to victory, then it’s snatched.”
Barber admits he has to shoulder blame for the loss. To add to his disappointment, his wife, Ginny, and his baby son, Antrim Jr., were in the crowd expecting a win. “At least I’ll now get some time off to spend with the family,” he said.
In keeping with that family theme, Tiki is off to Tampa to cheer on twin brother and Buccaneer cornerback Ronde as the Bucs try to nail the elusive 49ers.
VICTORIA’S SECRET: Her hard work is paying off, and despite some incorrect rumors, Lizzie Grubman’s p.r. business is booming. She just secured the highly anticipated launch of rapper Eminem’s new clothing line, “Shady,” by Nesi apparel – due in stores this summer.