Names and faces
■ Rapper and actor Eric B. was sentenced to a year’s probation Friday stemming from a motor vehicle stop and police chase that occurred nearly 19 years ago but wasn’t resolved because he failed to show up for his sentencing. Eric B., whose real name is Eric Barrier, spent two weeks in the Bergen County jail before his release earlier this month, after the 17-year-old bench warrant surfaced when he was returning to the U.S. from Canada. Barrier, accompanied by several friends who spoke on his behalf during the sentencing, said afterward that state Superior Court Judge James Guida was “firm but fair.” The 54-year-old New York City native apologized during a brief statement to the court. “I’m glad it’s over,” he said outside the courthouse. Eric B. and Rakim are known as one of the greatest hip-hop duos of all time. Barrier most recently has been on the CBS show Blue
Bloods. According to a police report read in court by Guida, Barrier was stopped in northern New Jersey in January 2001 when police noticed his Range Rover didn’t have front license plates or an inspection sticker. When they pulled him over, he exited his car but eventually drove away and led several officers on a chase, and hit several cars including police vehicles, according to the report.
■ Music manager Scooter Braun has broken his silence regarding his public beef with Taylor Swift. Braun wrote a lengthy post on Instagram Friday, saying his family has received “numerous death threats” since Swift called on her legion of fans last week to put pressure on Braun and Scott Borchetta — the owners of her masters — to allow her performance to go forward at today’s American Music Awards. “I came home tonight to find my wife had received a phone call threatening the safety of our children, as well as other threats seen above. I won’t go into the details of this past week. I have been at a loss,” wrote Braun, who also posted a screenshot of one of the vulgar messages he received. Braun’s Ithaca Holdings announced in June that it acquired Big Machine Label Group, the label led by Borchetta and home to Swift’s first six albums. Swift said she was sad and grossed out that her music catalog now belongs to Braun, who she accuses of subjecting her to years of incessant and manipulative bullying. Braun addressed Swift in his new post, explaining that her words carry weight and that he wants to resolve their issues. A representative for Swift didn’t immediately comment.