After reports that “Tipsy” rapper J-Kwon was missing were issued this week and pleas to find him hit the media, J-Kwon popped up today and is just fine. Apparently he just wanted to “take some time out” and didn’t mean to worry anyone. According to MTV News:

A few of Kwon’s business associates were even going door to door Wednesday in hopes of locating their missing friend. The 24-year-old must have seen the news, because he reached out to his loved ones. According to his rep, the rapper sent his apologies to anyone he worried.

Kwon’s manager and co-CEO of Gracie, Dorian Washington, issued a statement Thursday afternoon (March 4): “I am very happy to let everyone know that I personally spoke with J-Kwon today, and he is OK. He’d like to send a sincere apology to his friends and everyone who showed concern this week. He was taking some time to himself as he sometimes does, not realizing that people would start to worry after a while. A few days out of touch versus a month is quite a difference. Right now, he just wants to keep doing what he’s doing and will be more available for those who care about him. We thank you again for your outreach, and we are relieved to know he’ll be all right.”

Mystery solved.  Carry on kids…

No really…people are looking for him.  The rapper J-Kwon (“Tipsy”, “Hood Hop”) has been missing for the past 30 days, according to his label. The St. Louis rapper was supposed to be releasing a new album at the end of this month, but now his label and production team are worried about him as they have not heard from him at all. According to MTV:

“J-Kwon is a big part of the Gracie family, and we are obviously increasingly worried and want to make sure he is OK,” Gracie Productions CEO/President Tony Bucher said in the statement. “We’ve already received thousands of e-mails from fans and supporters who are worried about J-Kwon, and we want everyone to know how much we appreciate the love and support. If anyone has seen J-Kwon or has access to him, please let him know we are worried about him, and to please let us know everything is ok.”

Bucher and Gracie Productions have also gone as far as setting up a Twitter page @WhereIsJKwon so fans can write with any info they may have.

Crazy news.

The death toll has risen to 214 after the 8.8 Chilean earthquake this morning.  The Chilean President put out a statement saying the devastated country is not yet in need of outside help.  Reportedly, many people are stranded in the streets and lacking essentials like water, but they are making do.  The major airport is said to be closed for the next 72 hours.

Due to the earthquake, the Pacific state of Hawaii was hit with major, but anticipated, tsunamis this afternoon.  Three people have been killed by massive waves.  Hawaii officials have put out word that they and the citizens are taking all necessary precautions.  CNN has all updates on both situations.

Be safe Pacific Islanders!

A massive 8.8 earthquake hit Chile early this morning. And after shocks of up to 6.6 followed this morning as well. Over 100 people have been counted in the death toll. And the number could rise. There are also massive tsunami warnings for all of the Pacific areas–including Hawaii, Alaska, and parts of California–because of this earthquake. Here’s the report from CNN:

Sirens sounded at 6 a.m. Friday across Hawaii, warning people of a possible tsunami and telling people in coastal areas to evacuate.

“They’re going to sound the sirens to air on the side of caution and make sure there’s enough time to get people out of the evacuation zones, which are the coastal areas that may be affected,” Brian Shiro of the Pacific Tsuanmi Warning Center said.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said she expected the death toll in her country to rise.

“We are taking all the necessary measures at this time,” she said.

“I would like to offer my condolences to the families of the 122 people who lost their lives during the earthquake,” said Chilean President-Elect Sebastian Pinera. “And by the way, the number of victims could get higher.”

Officials did not give any information on the number of those injured. The full extent of the damage was not yet known, although there were reports of collapsed buildings and hundreds of people in the streets.

The capital of Santiago lost electricity and basic services including water and telephones. Bachelet said regional hospitals had suffered damage; some were evacuated. A major bridge connecting northern and southern Chile was rendered inoperable, and the Santiago airport was shut down for at least the next 24 hours.

Wow. Definitely an extremely scary situation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Chile.