Jay-Z on Brown & Rihanna: This Is a Real Situation

February 15, 2009 | Today's Top Stories
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Rapper Jay-Z discovered Rihanna in 2004 -- and now the hip-hop mogul is breaking his silence on reports that his protégé has been the victim of abuse at the hands of her R&B beau, Chris Brown.

"This is a real situation," Jay-Z tells Hollyscoop.com. "You have to have compassion for others. Just imagine it being your sister or mom and then think about how we should talk about that." The rapper didn't comment on the allegations against Brown, but rather voiced his support for the "Disturbia" singer. "I just think we should all support her. She's going through a tough time. You have to realize she's a young girl, as well. She's very young."

The father of her Barbados-born singer, Ronald Fenty, has also helped shed a little light on the reported altercation -- and what went down. "She's doing okay," he revealed to Us Weekly. "She has support from both sides of the family, and I think she'll come out and represent women and be a heroine. In the end, she'll speak out."

While Fenty refused to divulge where his daughter was, he confirmed that he hadn't seen Rihanna since the alleged attack. "No, I haven't seen her. I haven't seen her bruises."

Rihanna's father then turned his attention to 19-year-old Brown, who was arrested for making felony criminal threats but has yet to be charged by the district attorney. "I was really shocked because he's such a talented person. He's a little immature, yeah."

He added, "I hope he learned his lesson, and that this will never happen to another woman."

comments

i am glad she is doing ok

keke
February 22, 2009

If this was a normal guy who had done this to his wife or girl friend. He would be punished to the full extent. Just because Chris Brown is a Celebrity he should not be shown any special treatment. I hope he gets what he deserves. That was a very traumatic event and she will always remember it.

Emily
February 20, 2009

WHAT’S SO WRONG WITH THE TERM BAJANS?ARE THEY HEATHENS OR WHAT?

WHAT'S SO WRONG WITH THE TERM BAJANS?ARE THEY HEATHENS OR WHAT?
February 19, 2009

Lawyer: Religion not an issue in NY beheading case


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Feb 18, 7:11 PM (ET)

By CAROLYN THOMPSON

(AP) Muzzammil Hassan is confined to the backseat of an Erie County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle entering…
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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - A Muslim-American television executive accused of decapitating his wife remained jailed without bail Wednesday as his lawyer dismissed suggestions that culture played a role in the crime.

Muzzammil “Mo” Hassan, 44, appeared subdued during a brief appearance Wednesday in Orchard Park Village Court, where his lawyer waived his right to a felony hearing.

The beheaded body of Aasiya Hassan, 37, was found last week at the offices of Bridges TV, the Muslim-American television network the couple started to promote understanding between cultures. Hassan was arrested after walking into the police station in this Buffalo suburb Feb. 12 and telling officers his wife was dead.

Orchard Park Police Chief Andrew Benz said his officers had responded to domestic incidents involving the couple in the past. Aasiya Hassan had her husband served with divorce papers a week before her death.

“Culture, religion doesn’t play a role,” said defense attorney James Harrington, reacting to speculation that the crime may have been an “honor killing.” Experts say such killings are still accepted among fanatical Muslim men, including in the couple’s native Pakistan, who feel betrayed by their wives.

“It’s not an issue in this case,” said Harrington, who described the burly businessman as almost in shock.

“He has an almost blunted affect. He’s having difficulty coping with this,” the lawyer said.

The Islamic Society of North America issued a statement of condolence to Buffalo’s Muslim community and urged leaders to take a strong stand against domestic violence.

“Women who seek divorce from their spouses because of physical abuse should get full support from the community and should not be viewed as someone who has brought shame to herself or her family,” the statement by Imam Mohamed Hagmagid Ali said.

Erie County Assistant District Attorney Colleen Curtin Gable said Hassan is being held without bail pending possible grand jury action. He is charged with second-degree murder.

Security was tightened at the courthouse, with officers explaining that emotions had the potential to run high.

Bridges TV operated on television providers across the U.S. and Canada, but it stopped broadcasting after the killing. On Wednesday, the station’s interim general manager, Hunaid Baliwala, issued a statement saying the staff did not have access to its facilities. Baliwala indicated the station would return to the air, however, in honor of Aasiya Hassan, who got the idea to start it while listening to post-Sept. 11 media reports.

“The two biggest issues that we currently face at Bridges TV are the negative publicity generated by this domestic violence incident and the ongoing funding constraint,” Baliwala’s statement said.

Nancy Sanders, a former news director at the station, said Aasiya Hassan “didn’t want her children to be brought up in a world where every mention of a Muslim had some sort of terrorist connotation to it.”

“This woman in particular fought so hard to change the image of Muslims in America,” she said, “and how does she die? This brutal act at the hand of her husband. It just stuns me

Anonymous
February 18, 2009

There is a major point here, he should not have hit her, regardless of his career, his age, no excuse period. Good, Chris get help but you should be held responsible for your mindless actions.

celest
February 18, 2009

Apparently that text message posed a threat to the relationship. I just thank GOD!!!that Rihanna did not have her Cutlass.

Anonymous
February 18, 2009

Re: Anonymous,

First of all, get it right…its BAJAN!

And 2nd, you should try exposing yourself to the country and its culture first hand before you start making blanket statements about the nature of male-female relationships.

In the islands the reality is that societies, espeically Barbados, are largely matrifocal in nature - that creates an environment for incredibly strong women who are not afraid of standing on their own feet! We hope that Rihanna is one of them.
Anonymous, too!


OK,I apologize, Bajan. However, it is interesting that you point out the domineering (matrifocal)aspects that could have possibly arose in this whole ordeal. Is this about record sales? Did her domineering upbringing deceive her into believing that she had to compete with the young man that obviously doted on her in a very lavish way? Did she not realize that they are equally talented in their own ways? CONTROL!CONTROL!CONTROL! I think that someone wanted a little more of the SPOTLIGHT! so so SAD and Triffeling!!! Sometimes we have to wait in line my darling no matter what our status or level of success. This is just one of the fattest sympathy cards that I have ever seen played in my life! Stop it please!this is insane!!! I am sure that if chris brown’s family enviornment was going to affect him at any point, he sure had a lot of time from the age of seven to join a gang or become a schoolyard bully etc….and it is clear that he found his escape and channeled his energies positively in entertaining, before Rihanna(narcissistic) came along.

Anonymous
February 18, 2009

I didn’t think chris would hit any1…but he did….I don’t think any1 would think that 2 but u guys don’t have 2 be hard on him damn leave him alone I still like him and Brittney spears did worse things and they we not hard on him like damn hop off and find some1 else 2 bother!!!!!!!!!on the otha hand rhianna is kinda kool and I like her musci 2 but 4real like chill the worlds not gonna end!!!!!!YOU GO CHRIS it waz a mistake and everybody makes mastakes!!!!

some1
February 18, 2009

I THNK wiil smith is right about what he said about both of them.and the both of them have good talented.rihanna sh
ould take chrisbrown aplogyzed

STUDENTS IN BOSTON

Anonymous
February 18, 2009

I WISH U TWO ALL THE BEST R AND C I WILL NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I HAVE MY LIFE TO LIVE AND I AM AN YOUNG GIRL TOO OK BYE HOPE U TWO SITE AND TALK THING OVER IF U TOO GUYS CAN MAKE IT WILL THAT IS LIFE I WISH U GUYS ALL THE BEST

michelle
February 18, 2009

chris brown i still luv u

Anonymous
February 17, 2009

This is an unfortunate situation that is playing out in the media. Let’s face it guys if they were not celebrities no one would even care. Doesn’t it make you made that celebrities have to be involved in foolishness in order for us as a society to realize that DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS WRONG. Get help if you have a problem of hitting, threatening or known to verbally abuse individuals (women or men. This is serious. Sorry that Rhianna had to have gone through this for anyone to have a opinion about it. Because the RAPPERS CALL WOMEN ABUSIVE NAMES IN THEIR MUSIC. WHAT ABOUT THEIR MOTHERS AND SISTERS? DO THEY CARE? In their lyrics it is all about street credibility.

Lilly
February 17, 2009

god what the hell what could be so bad that you got to bang her up.she could tell him what the worst,he has not right to hit her no mater how mad you get violence is never the way. angered him so much, he had options like walking away and talking about it later .

me
February 17, 2009

Get a reality check. People who are abusers can hide it very well… My dad beat my mom but played the perfect father, husband in front of everyone. And I saw him do this to her and she never deserved it. But there are a lot of people who didn’t see it who think my dad would never do such a thing… well he did. and so did chris brown. I do not care what a person does. LEAVE!!! he did not have to let it get that far. He had a choice. if she did something to irritate him, he could have left. you think she actually deserves a busted lip, nose, two gashes in her head, bite marks and bruises down her leg? what if it were you or someone close to you? as for the stupid rumors such as he got a booty call, she has herpes. get real. look at where you are getting your sources. some rumorville places who just like to set people off.

Jenna
February 17, 2009

I think people are out of their minds! Give Chris another chance? She must have done something? Are you people listening to yourselves? First of all domestic violence can happen anywhere to anyone, but no matter what she did he had NO right to hit her. Just because he is a celebrity and a good singer this does not make him any different from all the other guys who beat their wives or girlfriends. Even if she provoked him with words that is not justification for beating what kind of person would think it is? I was a fan of Chris Brown but I also see that he has huge issues. She shouldn’t give him another chance she should get a restraining order. And all these celebrities who are saying “We don’t know all the facts” are in serious denial and ignorance about Domestic Violence. GET INFORMATION PEOPLE!

sara
February 17, 2009

ok, the story is Rihanna was Abused.
I don’t agree with that. i actually think rihanna did something to make him hit her , because i dont think chris would ever hit a girl for no reason. He even said it himself he said he is more careful around girls(something like that) . Yes so i think she must have done something to make him do that, But thats probably wrong i dont know But i wish it would all end .. Because rumours are forming and turning it into a bigger story.

selina
February 17, 2009

omg der iz more too da story. i think sumthing lead to one thing den too anotha bt it jus wasnt all on hem.

swagg
February 17, 2009

Anyone who truly believes there are two sides to this story is in denial. No matter what Rihanna did or said a man beating a woman is always wrong and totally unacceptable. Women who are posting this bull about it being Rihanna’s fault clearly don’t value themselves as women.

Anonymous
February 17, 2009

I THINK THERE IS ANOTHER SIDE TO THE STORY, cHRIS WOULD NEVER PUT HIS HANDS ON ANYONE HE LOVES, UNLESS HE WAS ROVOKED, RIHANNA IS A BOSSY, MANUPILATING. SHE WANTS THE SPOT LIGHT TO BE ONLY ON HER.

Anonymous
February 17, 2009

I used to love Chris Brown but now i see him as a coward. I think its pathetic that he wants to use his childhood as an excuse.. you would think that he would learn from his past and try to be a better man. Ithink that as of this incident Christopher Maurice Brown has become a fallen star. I am definitely not a fan of his any longer!

ex- chris brown fan
February 17, 2009
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