Benzino

Benzino (born Raymond Scott in 1964) is an African American rapper as well as the CEO and co-owner of The Source, the top-selling hip-hop magazine in the United States. Raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Benzino met The Source founder and co-owner Dave Mays while Mays was a student at Harvard University; from 1988 to 2001 Benzino served as a silent partner, finally acknowledging his ownership of the magazine in 2001. Benzino's rapping career has been relatively unsuccessful, compared to many of the star hip-hop recording artists featured in his magazine. Although infamous for his run-ins with the police, and his role at The Source, he is most famous for his ill-fated battle with multi-platinum rapper Eminem.

Is Benzino Leaving The Source?

According to Allhiphop.com, Benzino resigned from his position as co-owner of The Source. The rapper decided to exit the magazine due to the controversy surrounding his involvement and citing that a dispute between the publishers of Black Enterprises, the company that distributes the magazine alongside Eminem among many things were reasons for him to step down. Benzino may eventually start his own franchise magazine that opposite of his The Source magazine. Contary to the website that broke the story, SOHH.com, an online hip-hop magazine, claims that insiders from The Source have uncovered a blantant publicity stunt to encourage advertising in the magazine. Former editor-in-chief Kim Osorio, and many female workers filed a multi-million lawsuit against Benzino and The Source over sexual harassment and gender discrimination. Insiders at The Source state that Benzino and Mays wanted information to be leaked out so they can ease the advertisers worries about associating with The Source. As of April 10, 2005, Benzino returned to his position of The Source citing that his reason for leaving was to prevent the firing of L.A. Reid. He also cited that Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine was threatening Reid so he felt it was his duty to ease Def Jam from firing him. Benzino is currently facing numerous lawsuits from unpaid expenses after the 2004 Source Awards.

Related Topics:
Editor-in-chief - Sexual harassment - The Source - As of - April 10 - 2005 - L.A. Reid - Interscope - Jimmy Iovine

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