Heavy rockers SYSTEM OF A DOWN have dismissed reports they are seeking to replace frontman SERJ TANKIAN after bassist SHAVO ODADJIAN went public with his frustrations over the singer's solo career.   READ MORE...

  Heavy rockers SYSTEM OF A DOWN have dismissed reports they are seeking to replace frontman SERJ TANKIAN after bassist SHAVO ODADJIAN went public with his frustrations over the singer's solo career.
  The Chop Suey! hitmakers have been on a recording hiatus since the release of 2005's Mezmerize/Hypnotize album and Tankian has since embarked on a successful solo career, releasing four projects in the past eight years.
  It appears bandmate Odadjian is far from happy about the frontman's alternative career after he sparked rumours of discord in the group on Monday (20May13), when he responded to fans' questions about album plans by claiming that the vocalist was the only one refusing to commit to recording sessions with guitarist Daron Malakian, drummer John Dolmayan and himself.
  Taking to his Facebook.com page, he raged, "OK, I'll come clean. It's not us. Its Serj, who doesn't want to do a new album! So please stop harassing us about it!...We are just waiting for Serj.
  "Now, he might hate me for exposing the truth but I had to. Sorry folks! We're trying to get a new album out, it's just not passing Serj's rules! Kinda funny, since we started the band and now he's holding us back!"
  Odadjian then stated he was prepared to hire a new frontman to record and perform songs with the other members of the band, because he's sick of having to "beg" Tankian to stay with the group.
  He added, "Just remember, he's been holding us back for seven years so far. Wanna wait another five years? Or shall we release a record without Serj? You tell us... I'm furious that he let us down like this, but we gotta do something to keep this great band alive! agreed?"
  The Facebook post was removed shortly afterwards, and a statement from the whole group was released to address Odadjian's comments.
  The statement reads: "Earlier today, Shavo posted a few statements on his personal Facebook page that do not reflect the sentiments of System Of A Down as a collective band. These were misleading statements that were made during a temporary state of bad judgment on his part alone.
  "To be clear, the full band lineup of Serj, Daron, Shavo and John will be performing all scheduled tour dates. With respect to new SOAD music, although we have not agreed on a timetable for a new album, we all believe that having the four of us do it together is the way to be true to the band and our fans." (MT/FCB/KL) HIDE STORY

An arrest warrant has been issued for veteran rapper TIM DOG - three months after his alleged death.   READ MORE...

  An arrest warrant has been issued for veteran rapper TIM DOG - three months after his alleged death.
  The New York native, real name Timothy Blair, was a longtime diabetes sufferer and was widely reported to have passed away on 14 February (13), following a seizure.
  However, Mississippi prosecutor Steven Jubera claims he has yet to receive any proof confirming the 46 year old's death, so he has managed to obtain a warrant for the hip-hop star's arrest.
  Jubera says, "I need proof. I need a death certificate showing that's he's dead because, as far as I'm concerned, he's alive. Nobody said where he died, nobody said where he was buried, which is very odd for an obituary... At the bare minimum he would get arrested and sit in jail until his court hearing."
  The warrant relates to Blair's 2011 conviction for grand larceny, after he confessed to targeting Ester Pilgrim for money that he claimed would be used to resurrect his music career.
  He reached a plea deal to avoid a stint in jail, and was ordered to give $19,000 (£12,258) in restitution to his victim, but he failed to settle the debt before his passing.
  Pilgrim recently voiced her suspicions about the circumstances surrounding Blair's death, prompting Jubera to revisit the case. (MT/WNWCLX/KL) HIDE STORY

U2 rocker BONO, actress OLIVIA WILDE and tycoon RICHARD BRANSON have become the latest stars to sign up for MATT DAMON's bizarre bathroom strike in aid of a water charity.   READ MORE...

  U2 rocker BONO, actress OLIVIA WILDE and tycoon RICHARD BRANSON have become the latest stars to sign up for MATT DAMON's bizarre bathroom strike in aid of a water charity.
  The Bourne Identity star launched his odd campaign earlier this year (13), pledging not to use a restroom until everyone in the world has access to clean water.
  Celebrities including Jessica Biel and Jason Bateman threw their weight behind the drive in aid of Water.org by filming their own public service announcements to publicise the campaign.
  Now Bono, Wilde and Branson have joined in the fun and brought attention to the global sanitation crisis.
  In a joint message, the trio states, "We won't go to the bathroom until everyone in the world has access to clean water and sanitation."
  Bono then jokes, "I remember when Matt first brought up the idea, it was at a meeting of the Illuminati," and Wilde adds, "Bono was so mad. Oi! Damon! Who let you into our secret Illuminati meeting?" (ZN/WNWCPL/KL) HIDE STORY

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  NOTORIOUS B.I.G.'s teenage daughter has paid tribute to the late rap icon by releasing a clothing line named after her father. T'yanna Wallace, 19, was just a kid when her dad was gunned down in Los Angeles in 1997, and now she's honouring his legacy with her new fashion venture, Notoriouss. (MT/WNWCZM/KL) HIDE STORY