KEVIN LILES: What's Happening Now?

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Kevin Liles

After the high-ranking Warner Music executive defended hip-hop's honor during Oprah Winfrey's racially charged, nationally televised Town Hall Meeting a few months ago, all hell broke loose during an event he hosted to kick off the 2007 BET Awards.

Today, the 'New York Daily News' gossip guru Ben Widdicombe offered a spywitness account of fur-flying at Sunday afternoon's "Make It Happen Power Brunch."

I do know for a fact that in some urban centers across country the term "make it happen" actually can mean "whooping ass." But I am almost certain that when Mister Liles, who penned a self-esteem book of the same title, used the term for his star-studded event at Hollywood's Sunset Towers Hotel -- he didn't mean the latter.

The formerly obese music mogul should've been conscientious of his guest relations policy.

Platinum selling rap icon T.I. was involved in a hip-hop melee during an exclusive private Hollywood brunch on June 24. Although it may have been awkward not to invite T.I., the most prominent rapper on Liles' Atlantic Records roster, it may have been a good idea -- for better judgement.

A full-scale melee broke out when the hot-headed Atlanta-bred lyricist allegedly jumped on respected talent manager Chaka Zulu -- who works closely with T.I.'s rap rival Ludacris.

Ludacris's business partner Chaka Zulu alleges he was attacked by T.I. during Kevin Liles 'Make It Happen Power Brunch' on June 24, 2007. "First it was two guys, then it was six guys, then it was 10 guys," the Widdicombe source noted, describing how the fight escalated. "Plates were being smashed, the hotel lost a palm tree. The place got trashed ...T.I. was like a dog in a meathouse. Chaka's shirt got all torn up. As people spilled outside, [onlookers] were asking, 'Who got shot?'"

Although it's a bit silly, there is an alleged backstory between the two hot hip-hop celebrities: apparently there's been some type of beef about which one is actually 'The King of the South.'

(l-r) T.I. and Ludacris are in a bitter rap fued about who's the king of the south. Ludcacris (born Chris Bridges) is a former radio personality turned crossover rapper who has sold millions of records and garnered heavyweight acting jobs (most notably 2005s' Academy Award winning drama 'Crash'). He's sold 10 million records within the past decade; his latest opus 'Release Therapy' has sold more than 1.6 million copies.

T.I., on the other hand, languished on Arista Records before re-tooling his image and moving to Atlantic Records. His rugged rap prowess has been endeared by hood denizens across the country and has propelled him to mainstream status.

On the Hollywood front, the man (legally known as Clifford Harris) had a break-out role in last year's 'A.T.L.' and will star in 'American Gangster' with Oscar winners Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe and Cuba Gooding, Jr. Musically, he's a lyrical monster who has collaborated with the best of them, including Jay-Z, Wyclef Jean, Justin Timberlake and Destiny's Child.

Before the fame, the thin thug rap icon reportedly was closely associated with cronies who carried hammers to protect themselves -- in the lower trenches of Atlanta.

In an April 2006 interview with 'Vibe' magazine, he was quoted as saying, "I used to not give a f#$%, but I am scared of the police, 'cause they'll have you f#$%ed up. You got a gun, I got my gun. But if you got a badge, all right, you win. It's your show. You make the rules."

A spokesperson for Zulu, who is also Co-Founder/CEO of Ludacris's DTP (Disturbing Tha Peace) Records did confirm that he was "involved in a physical altercation."

Kevin Liles penned his inspirational tome 'Make It Happen' in 2006. In the mid-afternoon, Zulu was approached by rapper T.I. at the Kevin Liles hosted event and after an unprovoked attack from the rapper, was forced to defend himself, a statement obtained by The BV Newswire said. Both Zulu and T.I. escaped major injury.

"It's a shame that things like this continue to happen especially with the backdrop of an event that was about benevolence and charitable works," Zulu offered. "I'm thankful that all issues have been resolved."

Meanwhile, Cara Donatto, Atlantic Records Vice President of Media Relations (who is Liles' primary point person) said "we have no comment."

Alrightee then.

I wonder whether Oprah, and anti-hip-hop panelists Stanley Crouch and Jason Whitlock are scratching their heads about this embarrassing brawl, which reportedly had L.A.P.D. circling the area in choppers and landed Omarosa Manigault-Stalworth's mother in the hospital.

I sure am.

BV Extras:

-- Celebrate Black Music Month with Black Voices

-- Kevin Liles gets "so emotional" when talking about his late friend Gerald LeVert.

-- Check out T.I.'s video for 'What You Know' below ...

-- Check out Ludacris' Runaway Love' video, featuring Mary J. Blige below ...