All Articles Tagged "40/40"
Post-Baby Fabulousness! Beyonce Makes First Appearance Since Giving Birth
We knew Bey wouldn’t stay gone long. Last night Beyonce made her post-pregnancy debut at the 40/40 club following hubby Jay Z’s Carnegie Hall performance in the city, and we have to say she looks fabulous.
Rocking a form-fitting, salmon-colored dress with gold accessories and, of course, blue nail polish, Beyonce had the glow of a new mommy—and it’s obvious she hasn’t missed a step in the gym. It’s been exactly a month since she gave birth to baby Blue Ivy Carter and I know there are plenty of women who would kill for that post-baby body. I wonder if this appearance means Bey is back on the scene for good?
What do you think about Beyonce’s first post-pregnancy look?
Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.
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She Say He Just a Friend: Adrienne Bailon Says Fabolous is a Good “Friend”
The pair hitting up the 40/40 Club re-opening.
Pictures can easily tell us things that people would rather not have us know–like if and when they’re creeping. And that’s what I’m sure a lot of people were thinking when a pic was unveiled of former 3LW singer Adrienne Bailon and rapper Fabolous (Emily Bustamante of Love & Hip Hop‘s ALWAYS discussed on and off again love) walking into the 40/40 Club in NYC together for its re-opening. It was looking pretty suspect only because the two were walking pretty close and there didn’t seem to be a big entourage around them that signaled a crew outing (date night possibly?). While that may be suspicious, what makes the prospect of an Adrienne and Fab hookup all the more suspect is the fact that Adrienne and Emily seem to be somewhat chummy. They’ve been seen taking photos together (look down), even though we’ve never really heard Emily acknowledge what those two crazy kids are. But for the most part, it seems that where Fab goes…Adrienne will be.
But in an interview with Power 105.1 personality Cherry Martinez, she said that the two are not getting it in, but are simply really good friends. Mhmmm. That’s probably what Cassie said too.
“We’re over it. We’re literally like 3 years into saying that I date Fab! Em [Emily], me and Fab … we’re over it.” She continues: “My best friend Ashley is Fab’s assistant. Like we’re literally a family, a crew, we all hang out together. And that’s totally normal guys. Like that’s normal. I actually don’t think I’ve ever hung out with Fab by myself. If ever someone can find me a picture of me and Fab alone–anywhere in life– PLEASE come forward. Come forward. Leak it to the blogs. We hang out … I’m great friends with his manager and we’re all friends.”
Once again: mhmm. Have Emily tell it on Love & Hip Hop, and it seems that Fab didn’t really want to make time to be at home with her when she wanted him there, but he sure gets snapped at all these random events with Adrienne. Not that this is an all too important life or death situation, but I’m pretty sure we were all giving her appearances around town with him the side eye after a while, because she sure spends more time with him than she does singing, acting or doing things to put her name back out there for her talents. I just wonder if I were in Emily’s shoes, if I would be so excited about someone I’m with (off and on) being seen out more with another female (who I doubt he was besties with before we got together), snapping and taking photos with her when he had me playing in the background for years–like Quasimodo–so people wouldn’t know I was his woman. But he’s grinning and cheesing with her any and everywhere? No matter what’s going on between Adrienne and Fab, that comes off a bit shady in my opinion. But hey, if Emily is cool with it and gets it, then it I guess it’s all good! That’s all that “being realistic” ish, right? (*sarcasm*)
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Warren Buffett & Other Random Celebs Grace Jay-Z’s 40/40 Re-Opening
Paparazzi was abuzz over the chance of catching a glimpse of Beyonce last night at the grand reopening of Jay-Z’s 40/40 club but it was a no show for the new mommy. While Bey was tending to Blue Ivy, her husband was mingling with his celebrity well-wishers, including random guests like Warren Buffett, who was throwing up the ROC sign, Ashanti, bestie Ty-Ty, Russell Simmons, and more. Word has it that the proud papa was sharing pics of his new bundle of joy all night. But, we do have to mention that once the clock struck 1am, Jay took the party to hotspot 1oak instead of going home to his baby girl. Hmmm…
Check out the flicks below.
Jay-Z's 40/40 Targeted by Union
(Toronto Sun) — Rap superstar Jay-Z has come under fire from members of a carpentry union after hiring a private firm to renovate his New York sports bar. The Empire State of Mind hitmaker shut down the Manhattan branch of his 40/40 Club in June to give the venue a complete design overhaul, worth an estimated $10 million. It was expected to relaunch this month, but Jay-Z and his business partner Juan Perez are now looking at a November re-opening.
Jay-Z’s 40/40 Available in 2 New Varieties: British and Charitable
(USA Today) — First there was Panera’s non-profit concept store “Panera Cares Cafe” where all profits go to charity; then high-end retailer Nordstrom announced it would test out a charity-driven business model this fall in New York City’s Soho district. And now? Rapper Jay-Z is wading into the charity space with a similar business model. Indeed, the mogul has announced plans for a new restaurant and nightclub in London in partnership with soccer star Ashley Cole (ex-husband of former X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole) with a percentage of profits going to different charities each month, according to U.K. newspaper, The Sun.
Jay-Z Plans To Put 40/40 In ATL
(Hip Hop Wired) — Co-founders of the original 40/40 Club, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Desiree Gonzalez and Juan Pérez have had their fair share of success franchising the sportsbar that first opened in Manhattan in 2003. The restaurant business is not what it once was however and due to financial troubles and label disputes, not all of the chains were able to survive. With the times changing, Jay-Z and his cohorts have decided to team up with Delaware North Companies, a hospitality and food service company, to open up 40/40 bars in airports around the country where customers commute daily.
Jay Z´s 40/40 Club Flies High
(Network Journal) — It is no secret the 40/40 Clubs, founded by rapper/entrepreneur Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Desiree Gonzalez and Juan Pérez has had the typical share of troubles for a restaurant chain, such as labor disputes and the closing of unsuccessful locales ( i.e. 40/40 Las Vegas), but the sports bar has weathered the storm. According to a study in 2009 done by an Ohio State University business professor, 59% of new restaurants closed within three years. Given this, the 40/40 chain has beat the odds. And overall, the chain, which first opened in New York in 2003 and is now in not only in Manhattan, but Atlantic City with plans to open during 2011 in Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Tokyo and Macau, has been fairly successful. So much so that Jay-Z and his partners have announced they will expand and open locations in various airports across the country.
Jay-Z Lands Deal To Bring 40/40 Clubs To U.S. Airports
(AllHipHop) — Hip-Hop star Jay-Z is expanding his business empire with a new deal that will bring his popular 40/40 Club to select airports across the United States. The rap mogul and his partners Juan and Desiree Perez have struck a deal with Delaware North Companies, one of the world’s leading and hospitality service providers. Additionally, Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the U.S., with annual revenues exceeding $2 billion dollars. ”The 40/40 Club is all about creating first-class experiences for guests who want to relax and watch their favorite games,” said Desiree Perez. “We want to see our club grow, and to bring those experiences to travelers. A partnership with Delaware North will do just that.”
Trademarks and The Business of Securing An Artist's Brand Name
by Sheryl Nance-Nash
What’s the value of a name? Maybe millions. For rappers and other artists, trademarking a name is one of the savviest business moves he can make. Unfortunately, many rappers don’t make that move. “They don’t think it’s necessary,” says Robert Scott, managing partner of intellectual property law firm Scott & Scott.
That could prove to be the mother of all miscalculations. If you don’t trademark your own name, or infringe on someone else’s you’re wading in dangerous waters. “In March, Rapper T.I. was sued by Akoo International, Inc. a social music television network for his clothing line called Akoo Clothing. The lawsuit alleges trademark infringement of the Akoo International name,” says Scott. “T.I. might have avoided the lawsuit if he attempted to file a trademark for the Akoo Clothing line specifying that his use would be limited to clothing,” he adds.
Similarly, David Ortiz of the Red Sox opened a club in the Dominican Republic called “Forty-Forty”, after he had visited and became aware of Jay-Z’s 40/40 club, points out attorney Erik Pelton, who specializes in intellectual property. “Ortiz quickly agreed to change the name after a lawsuit was filed.”
What then are the first steps to take in trademarking a name? For starters, says Michael Steger, an attorney specializing in entertainment and trademarks, the rapper or manager should have searches performed to see if there is a registered trademark or pending application that would conflict with the proposed stage name, and whether anyone is using a similar name in public in a way that may conflict with the proposed stage name. Clear that hurdle, which can be difficult. “I recall a story about how SKG Dreamworks spent some $40 million clearing its mark, and was sued a week after the name was announced,” says Michael Risch, an associate professor of law at Villanova University School of Law.
Once you’re sure that your name is free and clear, file it with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (you can file even before you have begun to use the name), says Pelton. He advises using an attorney for the search and the application. The U.S. Patent Trade Office has online search (but only of their records) and application process. The USPTO filing fee is typically about $275. The application process can take 12-18 months. The application should cover the anticipated uses of the name, including music performances, recorded music and merchandising, for example.
It’s worth the wait. A trademark registration allows the owner to prevent competitors from using a confusingly similar name for competing services or goods. If you are not protected, stopping an infringer is likely to be more difficult and more expensive, says Pelton. If you do not properly clear the name before using it, you may be infringing on someone else’s trademark, which could force you to change names later, he adds. Simply put, protect your brand. “Obtaining a trademark gives you a superior legal right to everyone else to a brand name used in connection with your use of the name.
The trademark registration also gives you the exclusive right to license use of the mark,” explains Scott. Be aware, however, that if a rapper is well known, then common law rights that protect unregistered marks might apply. It would allow a rapper with a national reputation to sue a later appearing rapper using the same name. “This might not undo damage already done to reputation, but it might allow for an injunction against future use,” says Risch.
Like elsewhere in the business side of music, there are plenty of ways to make mistakes. When it comes to trademarks, three to avoid are “failing to use an original and creative name, failing to do a clearance search for a name before using it and failing to register the artist’s name properly, says Pelton.
Scott would add to that list the importance of making sure your trademark registration accurately covers your uses of the name. It’s not hard to do right, it just has to be on the to-do list. “Those with business experience, such as Jay-Z and P. Diddy understand the value of branding and the significance. Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella own multiple trademark registrations,” says Pelton. A rapper doesn’t want anybody snatching the mike nor should he want anyone snatching his name.
Jay-Z Puts Heat on ‘Big Papi’
(NY Post) — Red Sox slugger David Ortiz’s own brand of hot sauce may put a chill on his plan to crush a $5 million trademark suit filed against him by Jay-Z. Lawyers for the hip-hop mogul yesterday won permission to grill “Big Papi” under oath about his business ties to New York as part of the Manhattan federal court case. Ortiz is being sued here for allegedly ripping off the name of Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club for Ortiz’s family-owned nightclub in the Dominican Republic.
