D'banj apologizes to fans that came out for Koko Concert

Sean “Diddy” Combs finished 2012 as the Richest Rapper 2012 – Wealthiest Hip-Hop Artists

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Top-5 Richest Rappers Of 2012 with Diddy on top the list for the second year, Jay-Z dropped down to second after coming first in 2010.

Many of these rappers rose from rags to riches by tirelessly working simultaneously as producers, writers,musicians and businessmen. However, their hard work has quite literally paid off and has made them millions, according to Forbes.

NO .1 SEAN DIDDY COMBS

Net Worth: $550 million – As of April 2012
Earnings according to Forbes: 2011: $35 million, 2010: $30 million

Diddy’s business ventures, along with his career as a rapper, made him the richest rapper on the planet, built fortune chiefly through clothing line Sean John, record label Bad Boy and Ciroc vodka. Acting gigs, television shows and guest appearances add to coffers. He told Forbes in 1999: “I’m gonna be bigger than David Geffen.” Not there yet.

NO .2  SHAWN JAY-Z CARTER

Net Worth:$460 million – As of April 2012
Earnings according to Forbes: 2011: $37 million, 2010: $63 million

The ’99 Problems’ rapper and Beyonce’s husband sold Rocawear clothing label for $204 million in 2007; signed 10-year $150 million Live Nation deal in 2008. Now boasts an impressive portfolio, including shares in the New Jersey Nets as well as his input in fashion, music and restaurant businesses.For more on the business of hip-hop, check out Zack O’Malley Greenburg’s new Jay-Z biography, Empire State of Mind, at http://jayzbook.com

  NO. 3 ANDRE DR DRE YOUNG

Net Worth: $260 million – As of April 2012
Earnings according to Forbes: 2011: $14 million, 2010: $17 million

Superproducer/rapper,Dr. Dre may not have put out a new album in the last 10 years,but the rapper and producer has reaped the rewards from his business. He helped launch careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent. Expanded wealth with Aftermath record label, Beats headphones and HP laptop line. On 11th August 2011, Dr Dre reportedly sold 50% stake in Beats Electronics, the headphone company to Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC for £191 million ($310m).

NO. 4 BRYANS BIRDMAN WILLIAMS

Net Worth: $125 million – As of April 2012
May 2010 to May 2011 Earnings according to Forbes: $15 million

Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams,Cofounded Cash Money Records with brother Ronald and inked $30 million distribution deal with Universal in 1998; affiliated Young Money lineup now includes rappers Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. Lyrical boasts (“Richer than the richest!”) are simply not true. Bird has an estimated net worth of $110 million as of September 2011.

NO. 5 CURTIS 50 CENT JACKSON

Net Worth:$110 million – As of April 2012
Earnings according to Forbes: 2010: $6 million, 2009: $8 million

50 cent has made it to the top five particularly for his business-savvy, as the rapper got a neat nine-figure payout from the sales of Vitamin Water, when it was sold to Coca Cola; spent freely on cars, renovations to the mansion formerly owned by Mike Tyson. Cushion remains from catalog, acting gigs and 50 Cent-themed videogames, books, clothes and headphones. Future billionaire? He told Forbes in 2008: “It’s probably going to take me 10 years.”

PICTURES FROM CALARBA CANIVAL 2012

L.A. gun buyback nets 2,037 firearms, including 75 assault weapons

A one-day gun buyback event in Los Angeles on Wednesday gathered 2,037 firearms, including 75 assault weapons and a rocket launcher, officials said. The total was nearly 400 more weapons than were collected in a similar buyback earlier this year.


Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the collection at two locations was so successful that the city ran out of money for supermarket gift cards and got a private donation through the city controller to bolster the pot.

The gun buyback was moved up from its usual Mother's Day date in response to the horrific massacre Dec. 14 that claimed the lives of 26 people, including 20 students, at Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

PHOTOS: L.A. gun buyback

"As you can see to my right and left, these weren't just guns that weren't functioning any more," Villaraigosa said at a news conference Thursday morning. "These were serious gun -- semi-automatic weapons, guns that have no place on the streets of Los Angeles or any other city.

The mayor described the event as a success, but acknowledged there still many guns on the streets.

Hundreds lined up in cars to get Ralphs gift cards in exchange for different types of guns. Villaraigosa said the LAPD collected 901 handguns, 698 rifles, 363 shotguns and 75 assault weapons. The weapons will be melted down.
He said nearly three-quarters of those turning in the weapons said in an informal survey that they felt safer with the weapons off the street. 

"Perhaps the most honest testament to the success of yesterday's program can be seen in the 166 weapons that were surrendered for nothing," Villaraigosa said.

Police Chief Charlie Beck said it was the most successful gun buyback event since the city began the program.

"Those are weapons of war, weapons of death," Beck said, motioning to a selection of military-style weapons on a display table. "These are not hunting guns. These are not target guns. These are made to put high-velocity, extremely deadly, long-range rounds downrange as quickly as possible, and they have no place in our great city."

Beck acknowledged that the weapons would not be checked for connections to crimes before being melted down. He said the sheer number would make that difficult, and he does not want to deter people from turning in firearms.

Villaraigosa again Thursday called for a national assault weapons ban and for strengthening the California assault weapons law to close loopholes.

ALSO:

L.A. city official hands new victory to Chinatown Wal-Mart

Flowers, candles honor homeless woman set on fire in Van Nuys

Warning: Celebratory gunfire for New Year's could land you in prison

-- Richard Winton

Photo: LAPD Chief Charlie Beck shows Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa a rocket launcher turned in during Wednesday's gun buyback event. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

LONDON COMES ALIVE AGAIN, IT'S D'BANJ - DAVIDO LIVE IN CONCERT AUG 27TH

DBANJ : DAVIDO : NAETO C : IKECHUCKWU : KAY-SWITCH : SINA RAMBO : MAY7VEN & Friends (many of them) LIVE - Monday Aug 27 Sales end soon.
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MEET & GREET £500 (ONLY 20 TICKETS AVAILABLE)

James Holmes, Aurora Shooting Suspect, Faces Death Threats From Other Inmates

Inmates and prison workers are reporting unusual behavior from the 24-year-old sole suspect of the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting.

According to the New York Daily News, James Egan Holmes entered the prison dressed up like the Joker, "acting crazy" and "spitting on guards". The Daily News also reported that other inmates have threatened to kill Holmes.

“All the inmates were talking about killing him," just-released inmate Wayne Medley told the Daily News. "Everyone was looking for an opportunity. It’s all they could talk about."

Holmes is being held at the Arapahoe Detention Center in solitary confinement.

Meanwhile, authorities are still investigating and trying to disarm the suspect's apartment. A bomb squad managed to set off a controlled detonation on Saturday, but it's unclear how many booby traps he set.

According to witnesses, Holmes entered the theater during the first 30 minutes of the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises at the Century 16 theater in Aurora, Colorado. Some moviegoers thought that Holmes, who was wearing a gas mask and body armor, was part of the movie premiere.

Police said that he had planned the attack for months.

LATEST NEWS ON KATHERINE JACKSON : Police confirm 82-year-old Katherine Jackson is safe with family

The $500million fortune, the 'fake' will, and the bizarre family Twitter feud that led police to search for Michael Jackson's 'missing' mother

• Police confirm 82-year-old Katherine Jackson is safe with family
• Disappearance reported same time of family's battle over late singer's will
• Michael's mother and three children are sole beneficiaries to his estate
• Concerned grandchildren said they hadn't heard from her in a week

In the whirlwind of bizarre family allegations over Michael Jackson's will and the disappearance of his 82-year-old mother and beneficiary to his estate, police say they have now been in contact with Katherine Jackson reported missing since Saturday.

Katherine Jackson, the mother of Michael Jackson and guardian of his three children, is safe and with a family member in Arizona, authorities said late on Sunday, one day after another relative reported her missing to police.

Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Mark Pope said investigators made contact with Mrs Jackson, but he did not have specifics on her whereabouts. 

The agency previously said they believed she was with a relative and safe, but wanted to speak with her, a request that went unanswered.

'Mother is safe and well in Arizona with her daughter and our sister, Rebbie, resting up on doctor's advice, so it is beyond me how she can be reported "missing,"' her son Jermaine Jackson said in a statement late on Sunday. 

He said access to his mother is not being blocked but that her access to phones and computers was removed for her well being.

'Furthermore, it dismays me that such an alarmist "missing person" report has caused unnecessary anxiety among Michael's children who will understandably react to what they misunderstand, hear or are told,' he said.

Katherine is guardian to her son Michael's three children, Paris, Blanket and Prince, but her grandchildren reported losing contact with her for a week's time, prompted a missing person report on Saturday night by her nephew, Trent Jackson. 

With her three grandchildren and herself being sole beneficiaries to his estate, Mrs Jackson's disappearance occurred at the same time of a brewing battle among other family members over his will believed faked after his death in June of 2009.

Paris jackson tweeted: 

          Legal guardian: Katherine Jackson, far left, is guardian to Michael's children Blanket, third left, Prince, center and Paris, right. She and his three children are also Michael's only beneficiaries.

Worried for her grandmother's safety, Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris tweeted on early Sunday that she wanted her to return home.

‘yes, my grandmother is missing. i haven't spoken with her in a week i want her home now,' the 14-year-old tweeted adding a number to call if there was any word.

It was unclear who is taking care of the children in Mrs Jackson's absence. 

At the same time of Paris' pleas for help, her uncle Jermaine tweeted his own of assurance that his mother was safe and being taken care of during a time of medical need, naming a mini-stroke in recent months.

Status updates: Jermaine Jackson took to Twitter to issue statements on his mother's whereabouts through the weekend

That stroke was initially disputed by the teen who tweeted that ‘nothing had happened to her.’ The tweet was later deleted.

The incident demonstrated divisions in the Jackson family just days after five of the singer's siblings once again claimed that the King of Pop's will was a fake and that the executors of his lucrative estate should step down.

The undated letter, signed by Janet, Randy, Tito, Rebbie and Jermaine Jackson, claimed Katherine Jackson was being manipulated by the executors, John Branca and John McClain, her health had been affected, and she suffered a mini-stroke.

The estate has denied the accusations, which have swirled since Michael Jackson died from an overdose of a powerful anesthetic. Katherine Jackson obtained permission from a judge to investigate the will's validity, but never pursued the matter in court.

Paris later hearing her grandmother was sent away on doctor's orders did little to calm the teen, however, who expressed concern of a possibly more dangerous situation brewing.

‘the same doctor that testified on behalf of dr murray saying my father was a drug addict (a lie) is caring for my grandmother... just saying,’ she wrote.

Radar Online identified that doctor as Dr Allan Metzger, the same who wrote fraudulent prescriptions for Michael's sister Janet Jackson leading to his 2009 reprimand by the Medical Board of California.

Last fall he testified in Dr Conrad Murray's trial that Michael had come to him requesting Propofol, the drug that ended his life. Metzger said he refused Michale's request and warned him of the consequences, aiding prosecutors despite being a defense witness.

Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the June 2009 propofol overdose death of Jackson at age 50.

According to Radar Online, Metzger was called on specifically by brothers Jermaine and Randy Jackson to treat their mother last week.

Metzger is not Katherine Jackson's primary physician and her regular doctor wasn't aware of his house call until concerns about Katherine Jackson's whereabouts were raised, Jackson’s lawyer, Sandra Ribera said.

A phone message left for Metzger at his Beverly Hills practice was not immediately returned Sunday.

Earlier in the weekend he had said his mother was in Arizona resting 'on the orders of a doctor, not us,' where he reported himself being too.

He reports his mother having suffered 'a mini-stroke some months ago.

'She is fine now, but the timeline doesn't alter the fact it happened,' he tweeted.

Michael’s three children have lived with their grandmother since their father's untimely death. Not speaking to them for a week was unheard of, according to Ribera.

According to Ribera, on July 15 Jackson left her Calabasas, California, home with her daughter Rebbie to attend a Jackson brothers concert in Albuquerque, New Mexico a few days later.

It was on July 14 Metzger examined her after being brought to her Calabasas home by someone close to the family, she said.

She had been scheduled to depart on an RV trip to the Southwest to watch her sons perform. The elder Jackson never made any of the shows and Metzger apparently told her not to take the trip, Ribera said.

When Paris has called her grandmother she has been told she cannot speak to her, Ribera said.

Ribera said that Jackson 'has never gone 24 hours without talking to her kids,' and added that she was concerned the 82-year-old was not safe. 

The sheriff's homicide-missing persons unit was asked to investigate, Ribera confirmed. 

Since Michael's death his net worth has skyrocketed more than the amount when he was alive.

According to Billboard, MJ Inc has made no less than $1 billion a year thanks to his record deal with Sony Music, which is extended until 2017, as well as his concern films.

Michael's family bands The Jacksons and the Jackson 5 have sold approximately 800,000 albums according to Nielsen Soundscan while his independent albums have sold 9 million units in the U.S. alone.

In 2009 he sold 24 million units outside the U.S.

Watch the video here:

WIZKID AND WALE TO HIT THE STUDIO

                                              Wizkid's year just keeps getting better and better.


The pop star was recently tweeted by rapper Wale about hitting the studio.

The tweet suggested that the two artists will be recording a track together. According to Wale, Wizkid keeps ducking the studio. He tweeted, "Where my lil bro @wizkidayo .. He keep duckin that studio." Wizkid responded, "hahahaha...once I get in from Canada big bro!"

No confirmation has been made about the collaboration at this stage.

Rihanna Throws Karaoke Party For Staff On Her Luxury Yacht

Rihanna apparently treated the staff on her luxury yacht to a special karaoke party to say thank you for all their hard work this week.

The 'Talk That Talk' singer set sail on her Italian cruise last weekend after she was spotted in Sardinia and has been seen in Capri and Positano along the Amalfi Coast during her trip.

"It seems Rihanna and co have been trying to make it up to the yacht staff for all of the late nights and running around they’ve been doing," revealed a source to The Sun. "They had a great time. She also taught them some of her dance moves."

The publication reports that everyone was performing their best renditions of hits by the likes of Katy Perry and Whitney Houston.

The singer has been releasing a series of intimate pictures from her journey including several bikini shots as she parties with friends.The Bajan star headed on her latest vacation following a short stay at home in Barbados following the death of her grandma Dolly.

The singer was also rumored to be joined by former boyfriend and Canadian rapper Drake on the trip.

She also has been sending several cryptic messages on her Twitter account, including one to say she was missing someone in particular.

"Sorry, no phone service in the middle of the ocean! Just Internet! Call you back when I got signal boo! Miss ya," she tweeted.

LATEST GIST: from naeto c 's wedding

Top Nigeria music act, Naeto C took his lovely heartthrob Nicole Chukwueke to the altar at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy in Lekki Phase 1, last saturday in Lagos while their reception took place at the Impression Events Centre in Lekki, Lagos. In attendance from the entertainment circle in the country is top comedian Ali Baba( who compered the event), Tee A, Ikechukwu, D'banj, Asa and the HKN gang.

It would be recalled, that the couple had their introduction and traditional wedding  some couple of months back. As expected the groom performed some of his hit tracks like Kini big deal, 5&6, 10/10, while the Koko Master D'banj thrilled guests with “Scape Goat“, “Oliver Twist“, “Igwe“, “Fall in Love” and many others. Guests also enjoyed the first live performance of the duo’s recent hit collaboration, the remix of “Tony Montana“. Finally, Ikechukwu unleashed “Wind Am Well” and “Critical“

Meanwhile, the  couple received numerous gifts including a Porsche Cayenne from a family friend (not D’banj as earlier reported in the media).

GIST OF THE DAY: D'banj presents naeto c a 2012 Porsche Cayenne as wedding gift

You Da Body! Rihanna shows off her impressive derriere in a range of bikinis as she poses surrounded by girl friends

She's been inundating her fans with pictures of her luxury holiday in Sardinia and the surrounding areas this week.
And while Rihanna has so far shared a number of candid images of her in bikinis and various holiday outfits, her latest pictures could be the most revealing yet.
The Umbrella hitmaker has taken to her Instagram page to show off her impressive physique for all to see.
She poses pushing her pert derriere in the air while she wears animal print bikini bottoms with a mismatching zig-zag top.
Rihanna wears her hair in long plaits as she strikes the sultry pose.
And in another picture she wears some other floral bikini bottoms but appears to be topless as she faces her back to the camera while her friends look forward.

She is joined by six girl pals aboard her luxury boat as they continue to sail around in the sun.
The bikini clad bevy of girls all pose up for the picture, while Rihanna smoulders looking over her shoulder as she reveals her naked back.
Rihanna also showed off yet another bikini outfit this morning as she looked into the camera lens with a strapless orange bikini, while she wore white-rimmed shades.

Usher's 11-year-old stepson Kyle Glover 'dies after being taken off life support following severe jet ski accident'

Usher's 11-year-old stepson has died today.

Kyle Glover, whose name is sometimes spelled Kile, passed away this morning according to TMZ, from the injuries he obtained in a tragic jet ski accident in Georgia earlier this month.

The young boy was reportedly taken off life support by doctors, who determined that he would not recover from his injuries.

The website reports that Glover's mother and Usher's ex-wife Tameka Foster is said to have grappled with the difficult decision to disconnect the life support, and is said to be understandably 'devastated.'Kyle was struck in the head during a jet ski collision while riding an inner tube on Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month.

According to authorities, a family friend who was riding a jet ski behind the pontoon lost control and collided with Glover's tube.

Kyle was with an unidentified 15-year-old girl at the time and both children were airlifted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.

JAY-Z boast about blue ivy's socks in"3 Kings," a new single off the Maybach Music Group boss' Rick Ross ft DR Dre too

Listen to track ; http://soundcloud.com/defjam


Rick Ross continues to build anticipation for God Forgives I Don't, his upcoming studio album (or, as it's known on Twitter, #GFID). But now he's not just demanding people change their Twitter photos to his album art: He's dropping tracks with Jay-Z and Dr. Dre.

"3 Kings," a new single off the Maybach Music Group boss' album, begins with Dre boasting that listeners are about to be treated to some "classic hip-hop sh-t." It's not an oversell: With a beat that's not afraid to sound like it is made by real instruments (take note, Lex Luger) and a Jay-Z verse that sounds like he found his late-'90s self, the song is a likely hit with old school hip-hop heads.

Added bonus: You get to hear Jay boast about Blue Ivy's socks.

Jake One (De La Soul, 50 Cent, Rakim) produced the song, which Funkmaster Flex premiered Thursday night (bombs and all). #GFID hits stores July 31.

Dark Knight Rises Director Christopher Nolan Comments On 'Dark Knight Rises' Shooting

"Dark Knight Rises" director Christopher Nolan has broken his silence on the shooting that took place at a screening of his film in Aurora, Co. In a statement which Nolan says is on behalf of the cast and crew of the film, the famed director expresses "profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy" and explains that "the movie theatre is my home."

Here's his full statement:

Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises, I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community. I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me. Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families.

Louie Gohmert: Aurora Shootings Result Of 'Ongoing Attacks On Judeo-Christian Beliefs'

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said Friday that the shootings that took place in an Aurora, Colo. movie theater hours earlier were a result of "ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs" and questioned why nobody else in the theater had a gun to take down the shooter.

During a radio interview on The Heritage Foundation's "Istook Live!" show, Gohmert was asked why he believes such senseless acts of violence take place. Gohmert responded by talking about the weakening of Christian values in the country.

"You know what really gets me, as a Christian, is to see the ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs, and then some senseless crazy act of terror like this takes place," Gohmert said.

"Some of us happen to believe that when our founders talked about guarding our virtue and freedom, that that was important," he said. "Whether it's John Adams saying our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people ... Ben Franklin, only a virtuous people are capable of freedom, as nations become corrupt and vicious they have more need of masters ... We have been at war with the very pillars, the very foundation of this country."

Ernest Istook, the host of the show and a former Oklahoma congressman, jumped in to clarify that nobody knows the motivation of the alleged Aurora gunman. Gohmert said that may be true, but suggested the shootings were still "a terrorist act" that could have been avoided if the country placed a higher value on God.

"People say ... where was God in all of this?" Gohmert said. "We've threatened high school graduation participations, if they use God's name, they're going to be jailed ... I mean that kind of stuff. Where was God? What have we done with God? We don't want him around. I kind of like his protective hand being present."

Gohmert also said the tragedy could have been lessened if someone else in the movie theater had been carrying a gun and took down the lone shooter. Istook noted that Colorado laws allow people to carry concealed guns.

"It does make me wonder, with all those people in the theater, was there nobody that was carrying a gun that could have stopped this guy more quickly?" he asked.

Patience Jonathan wants presidents' wives roles included in the constitution

Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan, has canvassed for the inclusion of roles of presidents’ wives in the Constitution.
This, according to her would enable them get retirement benefits along with their spouses when they leave office.
Mrs. Jonathan made the plea in a chat with journalists shortly after she was sworn-in as Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service along with 18 others by Governor Seriake Dickson on Friday afternoon.
She lamented that the office of the First Lady is not currently recognised because it is not in the Constitution, saying its inclusion will “enable the occupier of that position to enjoy benefits of the office like their husbands on retirement.”
She recalled a situation when the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN)   prevailed on the president to call her to order because the role of the first lady is not in the Constitution.
She tasked the Constitution Amendment Committee to look into the issue with a view to including it in the next constitution.
“We the wives of political office holders, if our names are not in the constitution and our husbands retire with benefits, the Constitution amendment committee should also look into the issue of wives of political appointees.
“We should be included in the Constitution so that we too can retire with benefits. With that we can enjoy our career, “Mrs. Jonathan added.
In his address, Governor Dickson, warned the new permanent secretaries against involvement in politics, saying “we don’t want your involvement in politics; we don’t want to hear that any permanent secretary is involved in the act of politicising our People.”

Police foil bomb attack on Abuja Catholic school

The men of the bomb disposal units of the Nigeria Police on Thursday foiled a bomb attack on St. Alloysius Schools, Area 3, Garki, Abuja.
A security man, who briefed the Head Teacher of the schools, Sister Philomena Akem, said the item was planted under a mango tree near where pupils buy biscuits and other items after school.
According to the security man, a woman who saw the bag became curious and called the attention of the church security personnel to the strange item.
He said when the security personnel found the object they in turn called the policemen on duty at the St. Alloysius Catholic Arch Diocese to the bomb.
He added that the policemen alerted the bomb disposal unit which came in to defuse the device.
It was learnt that the incident caused a serious panic among parents, residents and passersby around the area while the police team cordoned off the road to prevent access to the device during the operation to defuse it.
The head teacher of the school, who was just arriving the school from a meeting confirmed the disturbing incident to our correspondent.
She said one of her members of staff called her during to tell her about the incident.
She said the management of the school had alerted the Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory on the need to close a portion of the road where the vast Catholic Church and the schools are located.
She said the development had sent some of its personnel to the school to take a look at the road in response to the school’s petition on Wednesday.
Also, the Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association of the Schoool, Dr. James Agbonhese confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
He said the PTA and the Security Committee which comprises security operatives were taking measures to strengthen security in the schools.
He was full of thanks to God that the device was discovered by the woman who quickly called attention to it.

M.I & NAETO C Headline HENNESSY ARTISTRY 2012

Dark Knight Rises Tragedy (PHOTOS): Can violence in Dark Knight Rises or Batman video games be blamed for this?

I am shocked by the movie theater tragedy in Colorado. Can violence in Dark Knight Rises or Batman video games be blamed for this?
—M.C., South Carolina, via the inbox
You've touched on a argument that has been raging for decades on a much larger scale, a discussion that encompasses gun violence in entertainment, cartoon violence and everything in between.
Details are still emerging on the alleged shooter, James Holmes, so it's too soon to say what, if any, exposure he himself had to violence as a child, or whether mental illness or any other factors played a bigger role. Let's not jump to conclusions just yet.
However, here's what I can tell you...
MORE:
Some heavy-hitting organizations suggest that media violence may have an impact on society, particularly on its young people—though how that influence is playing out is a matter of ongoing study and debate.
A 2007 report released by the American Medical Association cites research indicating that children under 10 may display more aggressive behavior if they play violent video games.

(The Batman franchise includes a slew of beat-em-up-style video games such as 2011's Arkham City, which has a "T" for teen rating.)
But "in spite of the research on the relationship of video game exposure and aggressive behavior, there is little evidence of a substantial link between exposure to violent interactive video games and serious violence or crime," the study notes. Instead, media violence, at least, in video games, probably does have adverse effects on normal social behavior.
That said, psychiatrist Carole Lieberman tells me, "there are thousands of studies" linking media violence and real violence.


MORE: Obama and Celebrities React
The studies "all show the same thing," says Lieberman, former head of the National Coalition on TV Violence, "which is that violent media causes people to become more aggressive proportional to the amount of violent media that the person consumes."
Of course, that doesn't mean we should blame Dark Knight Rises director Christopher Nolan for the death of a dozen innocent people in Colorado, or any other gun-related death, for that matter. The subject is simply too complicated, with too many other potential factors in play, Lieberman says.
"There are some people who are going to be more vulnerable to the impact of violent media than others," says Lieberman, who notes that some forms of mental illness manifest in a victim's early 20s.
The alleged shooter, Holmes, is 24.
One other detail of note: E! News has confirmed that New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said, "It clearly looks like a deranged individual. He has his hair painted red. He said he was the Joker, obviously the enemy of Batman."
Lieberman said she wouldn't be surprised at a Batman-inspired connection to this tragedy
"I think that's true," Lieberman said. "Maybe this man was identifying with one of the evil characters."