Singer/songwriter/producer Tank has the top R&B album in the country right now with Sex Love & Pain (well, until R. Kelly's Double Up numbers come out next week) and he's been in the studio lately with Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Rowland, Jamie Foxx and Chris Brown, as well as gearing up for his supergroup trio TGT with Tyrese and Ginuwine. For straight-up listening pleasure in addition to inspiration, he takes it back.

"I always listen to Jodeci, Babyface, Kim Burrell, and try to come up with new music," the man behind the hit "Please Don't Go" said. "Babyface and Jodeci are my roots. That's a lot of what created me. As well as gospel like with Fred Hammond and John P. Kee. But being really introduced and molded into R&B was [listening to] Jodeci and Babyface. That's my heart. To hear those things keeps me in tune with my direction.

"It was love, it was love songs," he continued. "Babyface did beautiful love songs and DeVante did dirty love songs. Every woman in the world wanted to hear a DeVante or Babyface song. They talked about the same thing and got the same point across but Jodeci was hard and Babyface was a little more tender."

Labels: Tank

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and his wife Siohvaughn, welcomed a son, Zion, in Chicago on Tuesday, the basketball star announced on his Web site.

"We are really happy and everyone is healthy," Wade says.

Zion was born at 8:45 p.m. and weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces. He was 21 inches long.

This is the second son for the couple, who are already parents to a 5-year-old son, Zaire.

Wade and Siohvaughn, both 25, are former high school sweethearts who reside in South Florida. They chose to deliver the baby in their home state of Illinois to be close to both of their families.

Labels: Robin Thicke

In stores July 3rd...I am anticipating a hot album!

Labels: T.I.

Fantasia and cast celebrated with the one millionth viewer!



Boy, you can take the Fanny out of High Point, but you can't take the High Point out of Fanny!

Labels: Fantasia

Beyonce takes the Beyonce Experience to Marseilles




...apparently Sasha was working overtime!




Rihanna heads to the radio station with her umbrella...ella...ella...ay...ay...ay! That just never gets old! LOL!



Spotted later leaving the hotel, and what's that in her hand? Her new CD Good Girl Gone Bad...




Mya kicked it in Vienna for the 2007 Life Ball, but I am not feeling the Donald Trump combover though!




Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony came out to the 20th Annual Childrens Fund Gala in NYC

Labels: Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Mya, Rihanna

So Usher is up in arms, still trying to prove he can get dressed without his Mama...Word is that he is calling up radio hosts telling them to stop making fun of his hag fiancee Tameka Foster...Even going as far as threatening to "whup [Tom Joyner's] ass"! Ha! I can't be bothered!

"Who's afraid of Usher?" asked Joyner, prompting laughter from ship guests. Joyner and Brown even invited anyone in the audience who knew Usher "to tell him we're not afraid of him." Usher is also said to have called WBLS host Wendy Williams and Hot-97's Angie Martinez to "ask them to lay off Tameka," a source tells us.

Labels: Usher

Uggh...My screen just caught a virus!!
Kim Hoedashian and Reggie Bush [oh how I cringe] were spotted in Las Vegas locking lips! Does that mean that they are a couple? Hell no! I have a one last shred of hope that he is smarter than that!

Labels: Reggie Bush

Miss USA, Rachel Smith, took a tumble on the stage during the Miss Universe pageant...But she got up quickly, gained her composure and kept going with much grace, I probably would have made a be-line for exit right!

Though she was booed when she placed in the top 5 over Miss Mexico, where the pageant was hosted, Rachel placed the 4th runner up to winner Miss Japan, and you can see her full profile HERE

Labels: Rachel Smith

Kelly Rowland strips down for the Wet Issue of King Magazine...



She working hard to get ready for the new album [July 3rd] , I am still thinking she should have been on the Vibe Cover, but who am I? At least she's rocking the cover flawlessly!!

Labels: Kelly Rowland

Synopsis: Brian and Tanya Diggs have always been a timid, law abiding, and somewhat nerdy couple. They’ve yearned their entire lives to just cut loose and have fun, but they don’t know how. They’ve tried everything, even therapy, and nothing seems to work. They seemed destined to live the rest of their lives in boredom and monotony.

However, late one night Brian finds himself in a challenging confrontation that causes him to finally snap, resulting in him killing someone. Brian confides in Tanya about his murderous deed. Not only has he committed murder, but surprisingly, Brian realized that he truly enjoyed it. His next attempt at murder goes awry, causing Tanya to get involved. She, too, realizes that she enjoys murder. Brian and Tanya have finally found something that gives them the thrill they’ve been seeking their entire lives… murder!

Labels: Jill Marie Jones

Rihanna performs "Umbrella" at Viva Live in Berlin

Labels: Rihanna

Nick Cannon and Selita were all over Cannes...



...flossing that ring!














Beyonce and Jay take in some shopping!




So does Kimora and Djimon Hounsou...with the kids, so it must be getting serious!





...also looking cozey at the "Ocean's Thirteen" Premiere

Labels: Eva Mendes, Jay Z, Naomi Campbell, Nick Cannon, Rosario Dawson, Selita Ebanks

A talent agent claims a chart-topping rapper was a no-show for her event in a Chelsea club just because she's a woman - and she's filed a $7.5 million civil-rights suit quoting his misogynistic lyrics to prove her case.

The suit says Shawn Mims, who performs under just his last name, blew off the deal "because of his discriminatory attitude" toward women. He was to perform for 10 minutes for $10,000 April 5 at Eugene, on West 24th Street. Marquitta Blair, 22, said she sent him a $2,500 down payment via his agent.

Blair's suit, filed in Rockland County, says Mims "has promoted and traded upon a pattern of conduct involving the belittlement and degradation of females as 'bitches' and 'hoes.' "

Labels: MIMS

Somebody slip this chile some Popeye's chicken and biscuits!



And some flip flops, too! I can see her lungs collapsing as I type...

Labels: Nicole Ritchie

This is just not a good look, I would be scared to pick this issue up with that mug on the front...
Buy Me or Die Trying!!

50 Cents new album, Curtis, is due out September 4 and will feature collaborations with Ludacris, Jay-Z, and Justin Timberlake...



You can check out the first single, Amusement Park, HERE

Labels: 50 Cent

As remorseful as she might be, Brandy apparently doesn't think much of the lawsuits leveled against her.

In court documents filed Wednesday, the 28-year-old singer "specifically denies each and every allegation" in the wrongful death complaints filed against her by relatives of the woman who died of injuries suffered in a four-car collision that the plaintiffs claim was caused by Brandy Norwood.

The California Highway Patrol has recommended that the L.A. City Attorney's Office charge the Moesha star with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, but prosecutors have not yet decided whether to file charges. Investigators determined that Brandy wasn't under the influence of alcohol or any other substance at the time of the crash, nor was she talking on her cell phone or similarly distracted.

However, that hasn't stopped the legal floodgates from opening. Three wrongful death suits have been filed, one by Aboudihaj's parents, one representing the deceased's two children, and, earlier this month, one by Aboudihaj's husband, Maroune Hdidou, for the loss of "support, maintenance, solace, moral support, companionship and comfort" that his "faithful and dutiful" spouse provided him.

Labels: Brandy

Amy Winehouse may sing that "love is a losing game," but she's emerged a winner.

The singer, who married Blake Fielder-Civil last week, raved about her new husband Thursday at Britain's Ivor Novello songwriting awards, where she scored a best contemporary song trophy for her hit "Rehab."

"I had a lovely dress and he looked very handsome," she told reporters of her Miami wedding. "We're not planning a honeymoon. Every day is a honeymoon – I've married the best man in the world."

She admitted the wedding was sudden – she and Fielder-Civil, who inspired some of the songs on her album Back to Black after they temporarily broke up, had been engaged for less than a month – but she said, "that's the way I am."

Fielder-Civil, 23, a music-video assistant, and Winehouse, 23, first began dating two years ago and had only recently resumed their courtship.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the singer introduced "Rehab" on a recent radio appearance by saying: "Here is a song I wrote when he left me a couple years ago. I wrote the whole album about it, really. We went on our little separate ways, and then realized that we loved each other. Life's too short."

Labels: Amy Winehouse

Labels: Kanye West

T.I. vs. TIP covers a double issue of XXL mag!

Labels: T.I.

Jay-Z and Beyonce chillout in Monaco...must be so nice!

Labels: Beyonce, Jay Z

Melody: Tell everybody about who Cupid is!

Cupid: Well, basically born in Lafayette, Louisiana, I am definitely the new sound in R&B as far as R&B is concerned. I’m 24 years old, I’ve been singing for quite a while, I have a brand new single called “The Cupid Shuffle” which is taking over the clubs real organically. I am just glad to be in the situation that I’m in to kind of change the game up.

M: Definitely, so being from Southwest Louisiana, do you think the nation is ready for a little swing out?

C: I think so, I think the nation needs something. Everything is just so the same. You got Chris Brown and then you got 50 other dudes trying to be Chris Brown. Then there’s Omarion and then you got 20 other guys trying to be him. Where as for myself, I don’t imitate anybody style or anything. Also I think the world is going to be ready because of the fact that I actually sing and a lot of the guys in the R&B game they really don’t sing, like they should, they don’t respect the old singers from the past, the Sam Cookes and the Marvin Gayes. So I think that my soulful roots along with my creativity is going to be a good blend for the country.

M: So how long have you been pursuing music professionally?

C: I have been doing it for about 8 years now.

M: So when you were making “The Cupid Shuffle” did you think that it would become such a hit? It’s crossing all segments, from kids to grannies, from White to Black people, everybody’s doing the Cupid Shuffle!

C: I didn’t know it was going to be that big, but making music until…it’s like opening a door and you have a hand full of keys and you are just trying each key until it opens. I just kept putting songs out, until the Cupid Shuffle opened the door, you know what I mean.

M: Well, it’s definitely taken off, and I know you shot the video for it, so when can we expect the video to be out?

C: The video should be out in a couple of weeks, like two weeks. I just confirmed the final video edit today and the album should be released mid-July. Looking at 17th!

Check out some stills from the video:

M: Okay…Speaking of your album, describe your sound and how it’s different from anything that’s out today.

C: Well basically it’s more than music. A lot of times, people talks about the same thing but for me I have a real fun, fun CD. I pride myself on not using vulgar language which is a real issue right now with the Imus case. I’ve always done that because I been doing this for 10 years or so and when I was younger my mom wouldn’t let me do it. Parents can go into the store and buy the CD for their kids not worry about it. But at the same time it’s still street enough and still fun enough that you can do it in the hood, do it at wedding receptions, parks, bar-b-ques, whatever! It’s real diverse and again it’s not like the [the record label] said I had to sound like this little pop guy, they let me just be me. So that’s what I been doing for 10 years and I been eating for all these years off of music. So it’s gonna be a breath of fresh air, of fun air into the game.

M: Wonderful, well I am really excited, to see how far you’ve come. I remember meeting you the day you sign with Atlantic and it’s been going lightening fast, you been so busy and working so hard, so it’s really good to see this coming into fruition! So where can people find out more about you?

C: I have a super MySpace page, it’s http://www.myspace.com/theonlycupid and anything you need to know you can look there or you can go to Atlantic Records website.

M: I know there is plenty of Cupid Shuffling going on, so what’s the funniest video you’ve seen so far?

C: The funniest is the one-eyed granny!

M: Yeah! I’ve seen that one, it’s hilarious!

C: The cutest is the one with the little girl in the pink shirt that sings the song from beginning to the end, she’s actually in the video!

M: She is? How cute is that! Well I am glad we finally the time talk and I am sure I’ll catch around somewhere! We’ll be following as you get ready for the release of your album…

C: Man, well I appreciate that a hundred, billion percent!

M: No problem, I told I got you! We’ll have everyone doing the Cupid Shuffle, working it out because you know it’s an aerobic workout!

C: [laughs]

M: Alright, I’ll holla atcha later!

CHECK OUT CUPID'S MYSPACE

OFFICIAL ATLANTIC WEBSITE

Labels: Cupid

Click to read the article!

Labels: Rihanna

Labels: Eve

Labels: Mario

Newly eloped Amy Winehouse shot the video for her new single, Tear Dry on Their Own...



Check the song in the Junkie Radio...

Labels: Amy Winehouse

Labels: Ne-Yo

Jennifer Hudson @ American Idol Finale



Anika Noni Rose @ "The Starter Wife" Premiere

Labels: Anika Noni Rose, Jennifer Hudson

Labels: American Idol, Jordin Sparks

We got to stop the madness...

Labels: Fonzworth Bentley

Janet made her way back on the cover on Us Weekly...



Read a snippet:

On keeping the weight off: “I have a great support system to keep me on track… But I still don’t like working out. It’s hard for me. I have to push myself to want to do it.”

On the fear of packing on the pounds again: “I have moments—I crave chocolate, or just want to eat. One thing that helps is getting my clothes altered to fit so I can tell when I gain or lose. I used to wear overalls all the time, and my mom said, ‘Baby, don’t do that or you won’t know how much you lose.”

On how you can look like her: “If I can do it, anybody can do it. Eating light and clean helps, but you really shouldn’t think of it as a diet, otherwise you feel like you’re depriving yourself. If you crave something, you should have a little bit of it, then let it go and move on. Do a little exercise so you’re back on track.”

On eating right: “It’s about control and it’s a balanced diet. Of course I have cheat days! Especially with my dancers, who love to eat. And after a hard day of work, they want to unwind and grab a drink, and alcohol is not good for my diet with all the extra calories. I try to have a glass of wine, but then somebody comes with a lemon drop and it’s so good. You feel like you’re drinking cough syrup or candy, and before you know it, the next day comes and you feel it. I make up for it with a few more reps when I lift weights.”

Labels: Janet Jackson

Clearly not the chicken lady...Margaret Fowler!













SEE WHO WON UNDER THE CUT!

Labels: American Idol, Jordin Sparks

Labels: Fabolous, Ne-Yo

Everyone LOVES free ish...and so I have great new music for you!!



FIRST PLACE: Gets all three of Joss Stone's albums! "The Soul Sessions," "Mind, Body, & Soul," and her latest release "Introducing Joss Stone"

SECOND PLACE: Kelly Rowland's smash single "Like This" featuring Eve

THIRD PLACE: Kelly Rowland's smash single "Like This" featuring Eve

All you have to do is enter! No gimmicks, no trivia...just enter and you're in the running!

ENTRY FORM THE CUT!

Labels: CONTEST

She's young, talented and famous, but Ciara says that doesn't necessarily mean that dating is easy.

"It's definitely tough at times," the "Like a Boy" singer, 21, tells PEOPLE. "I'm now past my year mark of being single, and I've got to say I'm a big fan of love. Being in a relationship is one of the most beautiful things, and I'm looking forward to being in a relationship."

At the same time, Ciara – who dated rapper Bow Wow for a year before they split in April 2006 – says she's in no rush to get back into something serious.

"I'm also at a place where I want to be patient and do it right," she says. "I'm one of those girls that when I date, I date to marry, so I like to take my time and really get to know a person. I do meet people and run across people, but it's all about building a friendship."

Labels: Ciara

Hey Fresh-

I am a PR consultant in New York who works with Shay "Buckeey" Johnson of VH1's Charm School. I received an e-mail from my laywer earlier today regarding a posting on another gossip site claiming my client was in a relationship with Andre 3000.

After speaking with Shay, we are both very confused as to where this might have come from but it's actually false information. Although I thought those two pics together looked quite nice, she's not in a relationship with Dre...at all.

Public Notice: Shay "Buckeey" Johnson of Charm School is my client and hasn't responded to the rumors of her and Andre 3000. So, we regret to inform you of this wrongful information from Nicole Price as Kim Tumey is her PR rep not Ms. Price. So, for any media concerning Shay "Buckeey" Johnson we ask that you contact us at www.KimTumeyEntertainment.com or 214-783-9453 to get the correct facts. Thank you!

"With all the support our fans have given us individually over the years for our distinct signature styles, collectively we felt our fans deserved to hear great music in a way that they could never have imagined," Tyrese aka Black Ty said. "I've known these guys for years and they truly are like brothers, so it only felt right to come together as a trio to make history"

Ginuwine labeled the new group "a dream come true" and said the group will reshape R&B music.

"Basically the world of R&B needed a change, and there were only a few chosen that could do it, R&B needed a pick up, R&B needed TGT," Ginuwine said.

TGT can be heard together on the remix to Tank's current single "Please Don't Go," but the newly formed group has new plans for TGT in the future, including an international tour.

The tour, entitled The Shirts Off Tour, will make stops in major American cities including New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami this fall.

While on tour TGT will also have auditions to find its fourth member in an American Idol type format.

TGT is currently in the studio now working on their debut album.

Labels: Ginuwine, Tank, Tyrese

Eve shot her new video for Tambourine...you can catch the premiere on BET Access Granted Thursday @ 9 pm

Labels: Eve

Labels: Lauryn Hill

Mya, who's album "Liberation" comes out June 26th, covers the June/July issue of Vibe Vixen

Labels: Mya

Video via That Grape Juice

Bow Wow and Mya were on hand to host 106 & Park...

Labels: Bow Wow, Fantasia, Mya

Jennifer Husdon - Special ft. Papoose

Love Jennifer, Not lovin' Papoose... I feel like the rhyme was real elementary, but her voice is great and I don't think this is indicative of the album!




Keyshia Cole - Left It Go ft. Missy Elliot & Lil Kim





Amy Winehouse - Rehab [Remix ft. Jay Z & Pharoahe Monch]


Ehhh....I was expecting so much more! Because I love Amy I wanted the track to get a little twist, not enough to take away the original 60's groove, just a slight twist. I don't really like when they put verses on a track and call it a remix...switch it up! I like both the verses, just not enough that I would release it as a single, it just sounds too much like someone's homemade remix...




DJ Khaled - We Takin' Over [Remix ft. Akon, R. Kelly, T-Pain, Lil' Kim, & Young Jeezy]

Labels: Amy Winehouse, DJ Kahled, Jay Z, Jennifer Hudson, Keyshia Cole, Lil Kim, Missy Elliot

Kelly Rowland, Kerry Washington, and Naomi Campbell are all doing the fabulous thing in Cannes...

Labels: Kelly Rowland, Kerry Washington, Naomi Campbell

An in-depth, unprecedented behind-the-scenes look into the gritty world of illegal Hop-Hop Mix tapes. There's a battle brewing with the Mixtape DJs, Performers, Retailers and Buyers on one side and the multi-billion dollar record labels and copyright infringement authorities (RIAA) on the other. It's a love/hate relationship and some have paid the price—jail, fines and more. Yet, mixtapes have become an important and hot part of the Hip-Hop culture, revolutionized the Hip-Hop music industry and changed the way we hear and buy Hip-Hop music.

I know I'm all late on this one...T-T-T-Totally Dude!

CLICK TO VISIT THEM ON MYSPACE

Labels: Shop Boyz

New tracks have leaked from Rihanna's third album "Good Girl Gone Bad" which comes out June 7th!


Good Girl Gone Bad



Sell Me Candy



Shut & Drive



Breakin' Dishes


You can view her performances of Break It Off, Umbrella, Unfaithful and Shut Up & Drive @ BBC's Radio One Show under the Cut!

Labels: Rihanna

What's really going on with Diddy & Laurie Ann Gibson, I thought they were totally BFFs! However New York Daily News is reporting that Laurie Ann filed a complaint with NYPD, alleging that Diddy tried to assult her with a chair while New Edition's Michael Biven had to intervene and hold her back from being hit with it...and it was all caught on MTV cameras...

In the complaint filed with Manhattan cops May 11, Gibson said she got into a heated argument with Diddy and celebrity judge Michael Bivins during the April 25 filming of the MTV show at a branch of New York Sports Clubs in Greenwich Village.

Gibson said the two men started yelling and cursing at her when she told them the dancers had been given only a day to practice in order to see what they would do in a crunch.

Bivins then allegedly grabbed her while Diddy picked up a chair and threatened her. She said she broke free, tried to run and Bivins allegedly grabbed her once again. Then she left, the complaint stated.

Sources said Diddy fired her during the angry exchange - and at one point yelled for the MTV cameras to be shut off.

"She is the inspiration for the contestants, and she has worked with Sean Combs for more than 10 years. That's why this was so unexpected," Gibson's lawyer Peter Toumbekis said.

Toumbekis said the dancer's contract is with MTV and Combs does not have the power to fire her. Toumbekis also said the NYPD was still tying to get copies of the footage that MTV shot during the dispute.

Labels: Diddy, Laurie Ann Gibson

Working with the incomparable Marsha of Floetry

Alicia Keys' third album is in the works and can be anticipated this September/October! Now that she has finished her acting endeavors, she's back to focusing on music! We won't have to wait too long...new music should be out this summer as well.

Her new movie "The Nanny Diaries" has been pushed back by the studio to the fall as well, look for that this September.

And lastly, you can also look for the DVD of her Hollywood Bowl performance which Alicia incorporated a Harlem Renaissance theme with a 64-piece Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra...that should be great!

Labels: Alicia Keys

Ciara has hooked up with Roc-A-Wear as the new spokesperson...




Beyonce doing more shopping while on tour in Paris...must be nice! Well, not so much the brown tights and open toes...



She donned a new see-through number as well on tour...




Kelly Rowland hung out at V-103 in Atlanta...




Amerie is in Tokyo promoting her Japanese release of "Because of You"

Labels: Amerie, Beyonce, Ciara, Jay Z, Kelly Rowland

Rihanna @ Z100's Zootopia in NYC, she rocked a shortened bob and a retro 80's look!

Labels: Rihanna

I guess customs snatched her lacefront glue on her way to the Bahamas, because the hair was quite a mess this past weekend...that didn't stop her from given her best impromptu Victoria Secret shot! I wonder how much gel she used on the that baby hair line?!



Well she got the glue back and is back to the lacefront action, spotted in NYC...

Labels: Tyra Banks

Jaslene is the Latin version of Janice Dickenson!





Look who showed up with the Pussycat Dolls...Asia! So who's missing, there one not here...



Speaking of Cha Cha Diva, here's her July Seventeen cover and Polaroids from Elite Modeling

Labels: ANTM, Tyra Banks

Labels: 50 Cent, T.I.

Labels: Jennifer Hudson

Robin Thicke performed @ Z100's Zootopia in NYC



Nominated for BET Award's Best Male R&B Artist, he talks with BlackTree Media about Bitches, Hoes, Music and Cocaine...



He covers the June issue of Giant Magazine and along with his wife Paula is featured in People Most Beautiful People issue!




And last but not least, here is his spread for King Magazine

Labels: Robin Thicke

"I've always said that she reminds of Janice Dickinson and she's a firecracker. I think she's amazing. She is a go-getter. She was raised by drag-queens so she knows her s&#%."

I mean if I see every beat up, broken down b#$%& on the street with high cheekbones and say you can be a model, that is not it. I've seen broke down girls, busted, broke down, tall, skinny and think they can be a model. No, you can't."

"Well my mother always hated people calling me that, but I mean hey. I meet people in the street and they aren't very comfortable with calling me that, especially for heteros ... it's just a name that was given to me because Robin was getting confused with Jay Manuel and me. Of course I walk around in panties and high heels so of course she's going to call me Miss Jay by accident."

Labels: ANTM

Lil' Wayne stopped through Miami L.I.V.E. at Santo...



Check out the latest single, You Ain't Know with Birdman

Labels: Lil Wayne

T.I. also just shot the video for his next single "You Know What It Is" ft. Wyclef Jean

Labels: T.I.

Dawn of Danity Kane @ Entertainment Weekly Upfront Party

Why Diddy won't invest in a stylist and hair dresser for these ladies! I mean the silky number 9 is not hitting with those roots looking a mess! Can I get some Motions over at Bad Boy... The dress is cute though, but I have to call it like I see it.

Labels: Danity Kane

I guess the rumors are true about Justin Timberlake and Jessica Beil!
Word is, since she is not working right now JT called her up to join him on tour and have been seen canoodling all over!

Labels: Justin Timberlake

Two big reveals in the reality competition world...

In a somewhat shocker [but not really] Melinda Doolittle was eliminated from American Idol.



Why I am not so surprised? Because I felt like though Melinda had the best singing voice, she was very mature and didn't have the "X factor" like Jordin Sparks. I knew that the two would split the "Black vote" and Jordin had the edge with her teen following. Is it all bad? Nope, because many A.I. alum that came in third are still household names, like Elliot Yamin and Kimberly Locke. So she better ride that last 2 minutes, get a new stylist and revamp her image!


However someone did win something last night...
Jaslene took home the title of America's Next Top Model!



Miss Cha Cha Diva...she feeiiirrcce!

Labels: American Idol, ANTM

New Look...


The short hair works, less silky number 12! Eyebrows under control...keep it up!

[Not so] New Man...


Serena and Jackie Long [Esquire in ATL] have been seen together since around 2005 and new pics have hit the wire of them extra cuddly and kissing...they say they are "just friends" but as you can see it looks like more than that!


On vacay in '06


@ ATL Premiere in March '06

Labels: Jackie Long, Serena Williams

After Entourage is over, where are we going to be able to catch you?

A movie called This Christmas. It’s a family Christmas movie, it should be out in November. But it was with an amazing, amazing cast. It’s part of the reason I took on the part. It’s with Regina King, Chris Brown, Columbus Short, Idris Elba, Mekhi Phifer. It’s a really good, black cast. It’s six siblings, I play the youngest of the two girls. It’s a very respectful role. Very different from New New.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW

Labels: Lauren London

Yolanda King, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eldest child who pursued her father's dream of racial harmony through drama and motivational speaking, collapsed and died after making a speech. She was 51.

King died late Tuesday in Santa Monica, Calif., said Steve Klein, a spokesman for the King Center. The family did not know the cause of death, but relatives think it might have been a heart problem, he said.

"She was an actress, author, producer, advocate for peace and nonviolence, who was known and loved for her motivational and inspirational contributions to society," the King family said in a statement.

Here are a few shots of Rihanna in a shoot for Essence Magazine in her native Barbados...I must say the asymmetrical bob is really working for her!







Her new album, Good Girl Gone Bad hits in about 3 week...I am surprised she is on number 3 already but honestly I thought her second album was her first, they were so close together I didn't realize they were two different albums for a while!

Labels: Rihanna

T.I. ft. Wyclef Jean - You Know What It Is


This is a fresh track from the upcoming album, T.I. vs. TIP coming this June...this is definitely heat!




Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothing [Radio Rip]


This is first taste of Kanye's third Def Jam album, Graduation...The fourth will be "The Masters Degree"? The album's title track will feature Coldplay's Chris Martin. While not working on his own album, he's been laying beats for Lil' Wayne's next record...maybe one of those tracks will end up on Kanye's album as well, which he plans to release this September.




Cassie ft. Ryan Leslie - Sometimes


Cassie dropped off a new song on her MySpace...she also says she's working on the sophomore album, though this may not make the cut...it's definitely not all that grand, it has that classic R-Les synthesized production. Oh and post-note to Ryan, less rapping, more producing...




Amerie - All Roads


This is a track from her upcoming album, Because I Love It, and the good news is I love the song, the bad news is I don't lke her singing it. It's way too big for her voice and it sounds like she's straining the whole chorus. Nonetheless, it's a stretch from her normal house sound so I'll give credit for trying...her album will be released in the US this summer, but if you look hard enough you can find the import *wink*

Labels: Amerie, Cassie, Kanye West, T.I.

Chris showin' off his skin...for the ladies in ATL!

"It's that transition from being a teenager to a man. We're talking about more mature things, but not too mature. He's singing, dancing, he's only getting better. He's more focused than he's ever been. Chris is very competitive and his competitive sprit motivates the people around him. His competitive spirit motivated me to make nine records in seven days. I think all nine are going to make it. We're trying to create a creative synergy." — Bryan-Michael Cox

Labels: Chris Brown

Stooooppp...

Labels: Lil Mama, Ne-Yo

Kelly Rowland worked 3 wardrobe changes and performed...I like the yellow the best, not feeling the lace up purple number that much



Mya was there as well and performed...



However, I need Mya to leave the beehive to Amy Wineouse...

Labels: Kelly Rowland, Mya

Usher enjoying his post-Broadway run and some time off from recording...


Jay taking in a game as well...loving the grown man casual look


Bobby V. performed and Magic Johnson took in the game as well...

Labels: Bobby Valentino, Jay Z, Usher

Labels: Fergie

Police were called last week in Brooklyn after a young mother claimed Foxy Brown, in a silver Range Rover, almost ran her down along with her baby in a stroller.

But the rapper shouldn't even be behind the wheel: The DMV confirms her driver's license has been revoked for failing to respond to summonses.

The alleged incident occurred Wednesday evening at the intersection of Underhill Ave. and Prospect Place. The young woman, who requested anonymity, said Brown cut her off on a crosswalk.

"I jumped back, pulling the stroller, and yelled at the driver, 'You should watch where you're going!'" she said. "She cursed at me and proceeded to drive down Prospect Place.

"I called the police, but they said that they couldn't do anything because she didn't actually hit me."

Labels: Foxy Brown

Labels: Dreamgirls

Everyone's buzzing about how Reggie Bush has been seen canoodling and more with Kim Ho-dashian...You should know it's bad when they were introduced by the future jailbird Paris Hilton!

Self-pornographer/celebupal Kim Kardashian has moved on from Nick Cannon and is onto a former Heisman Trophy winner, Reggie Bush, according to Us. Kardashian and Bush were spotted late last week at Teddy's in L.A., grinding and making out on the dance floor all night. If that weren't public exposure enough, the pair then went out to dinner at that bastion of Hollywood privacy, The Ivy, on Saturday night. The pair were introduced by none other than Kim K's pal Paris Hilton, who had dated Bush's teammate at USC, Matt Leinart.

Labels: Reggie Bush

Apparently the rumored MySpace message about Selita saying "No" to Nick's proposal wasn't from her real page... You can check the original page and there is no mention of the proposal or lack of acceptance. So looks like Selita was hit by a MySpace hater...Lucky for Nick, though I am not convinced they will make it passed the alter?!

Labels: Nick Cannon, Selita Ebanks

Labels: Mary J Blige

Labels: Ciara, Jennifer Hudson

Lil Daniel loves his Aunt Beyonce!! I'm loving both dresses...

Labels: Beyonce, Solange

Labels: Solange

At this point as the America's Next Top Model Finale is this week, I am really thinking Jaslene has the most potential, since my girl Dionne is gone. I really think she looks like Janice too...but she can take a damn good pic!





The final four are working a spread in the May 21st Us Weekly...

Labels: ANTM

An interview about Loud.com with legendary hip hop head Steve Rifkind, founder of Loud Records and Grammy-nominated artist David Banner as they both stop through 97.9 The Beat in Dallas, TX. Aspiring rappers can submit their songs to Loud.com over beats from hitmakers like Akon, DJ Khaled, Cool & Dre, Sha Money XL and many other high profile producers and have fans vote to determine who is the best emcee. The winner earns $100,000 and a record deal with SRC, where Rifkind is President. For more info, to check out beats or upload your songs, get over to http://www.loud.com/

Tell me she doesn't look like she's scheming!

Labels: Usher

Janet Jackson rocked a special performance for the Grand Opening of The Cove Atlantis on Paradise Island in The Bahamas





It was a celeb filled weekend...

Labels: Janet Jackson

Labels: T.I.

Good News: A new track has leaked from Kelly's new album Miss Kelly, it's a Scott Storch produced track called Comeback...



Bad News: Kelly's sophomore effort has been pushed back yet again, this time by a week to July 3rd.

Labels: Kelly Rowland

T-Pain ft. Kanye West - Buy U A Drink [Remix]





Rihanna - Shut & Drive [Radio Rip]





Fergie - Barracuda


This is a new song for the Shrek the Third Soundrack out next week...very rocker-esque, it's a remake of the band Heart...




Amy Winehouse - Hey Little Rich Girl

Labels: Amy Winehouse, Fergie, Kanye West, Rihanna, T-Pain

But so funny!



This is the aftermath of Amy busting that ass in a drunken stooper...not a good look!

Source: Pretty on the Outside

Labels: Amy Winehouse

“Me and O have been trying to put this together for so many years, and now we’ve got the opportunity to do it… Me and him are coming up with ideas daily, so the process is gonna go real smooth. We’re anxious to get in the studio together and make this whole thing happen,” Bow Wow says.

“It’s gonna be a special event. It’s gonna be crazy, something the people have been waiting on. He’s (Omarion) one of my best friends, so any time you get a chance to work with somebody you’re best friends with, it’s not even gonna be like work. It’s gonna be like working with family.”

Labels: Bow Wow, Omarion

Jay-Z's mother honored for outstanding contributions to the community...I mean she did raise one of the hottest rappers and businessmen too! So kudos to her.

Gloria Carter, Jay-Z's mother, was honored in New York yesterday for her oversight of the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund, which mentors students and helps disadvantaged youth with college tuition. Queens Councilman Thomas White Jr. sponsored the ceremony at City Hall, where the award for "outstanding contributions from the community" was presented among a crowd of councilpeople and Carter's son, Jay-Z.

Labels: Jay Z

The Don Imus-fueled controversy over misogynistic rap lyrics surrounds Ebony magazine’s recent decision to pull rapper Ludacris from the cover of its June issue on “the New Black Fathers” and replace him with actor, Boris Kodjoe, reports Journal-isms. “Something has changed in America in the last few weeks,” Bryan Monroe, editorial director of Ebony and Jet magazines, told Journal-isms, without disclosing the identity of the rapper. As president of the National Association of Black Journalists, Monroe led the movement to have Imus fired. “I think the media is being called to account in these areas,” Monroe said.

Labels: Boris Kojoe, Ludacris

I HAVE TO CLEAR UP SOMETHING…..SELITA ENGAGED? NO WAY I must tell you, everyone thinks Nick and I are engaged but yet we are really not…I had to talk to him after the proposal because I felt he didn’t really do it for the right reasons…it was like a publicity stunt and all..I didn’t to much care for it at all…all I did was hug him and whispered in his ear “We truely need to talk for sure!…Which we did and this is why I’m not engaged right now! Thanks to you all for the blessings but I’m sorry the media had lead you astray! Don’t believe the hype of the media!

Labels: Nick Cannon, Selita Ebanks

Hooking-up with his old buddy Snoop, the two do their thang on the title track. With a kick of killer bass, this song is bound to have folks house party sweating. Still, experimenting with his personal style of rap-singing, “Pull Your Hair” will have women across the country smiling sexily while tightening their weaves. Later on the record, Kelly shares the mic with hometown boy Kayne West on the amazing “Hook It Up.”

Yet, for anyone who might think that the pied piper of soul has turned his back on ballads has another think coming. “To me, rap and R&B are like two hands holding one another,” says R. Kelly. “Double Up is about 70% hip-hop, but, that being said, I’m always going to make songs for the ladies.”

On Double Up, R. Kelly gives his fans not only want they want, he gives them twice as much.

Labels: R Kelly

Here's the tracklisting...

Labels: Tank

First, and most important to me, I want to sincerely apologize for the embarrassment and any pain I've caused to the young woman who joined me on-stage, her family and the Trinidad community for the events at my concert in Port of Spain on April 12th.

It was never my intention to embarrass or take advantage of my fans in any way, especially those under the age of 18. That is why we tried to make sure that the club did not admit anyone under 18 in the audience. Somehow, that standard was not met.

Again, I apologize to those concerned and to all my fans and I pledge to all that we will strive to make sure this type of incident does not happen again."

Labels: Akon

Labels: Ciara, MIMS, Rihanna

Jawn Murray gave the low down on the Tameka-Usher-Mother Patton Soap Opera on The Tom Joyner Morning show saying that many are surprised the Usher and Tameka are dating because she supposedly had a restraining order placed on her by Mother Patton...plus Usher and his mothers "break-up" is the first one caused by Tameka, she may also be the reason he and Chilli called it quits...and on top of all that, she was know to be a stalker of Usher and hotel staff were put on alert one year at the Kentucky Derby...

Labels: Usher

Hip-hop finally has its own version of successful online communities like YouTube, MySpace and various game sites with the debut of Battle Rap, a contest which will be launched on the legendary www.loud.com site as well as www.battlerap.com. The project is a Joint venture with SRC Records and Pure Games. Entrepreneur Joseph Safina, along with hip-hop legend Steve Rifkind and Rich Isaacson will spearhead the site.

LOUD.COM is a free competition open to all registered users that offers the ability to download professional beats from some of today's leading hip-hop producers at 99 cents apiece and overlay rap tracks while going head-to-head with other DJs and MCs from around the world. The series of battles will be judged by celebrity hip-hop producers such as Cool and Dre, Zukhan Bey, DJ Khaled and Teflon, with the ultimate winner of the Showdown given $100,000 in cash and a recording deal with SRC Records, Steve Rifkind's Universal Music Group-distributed label that is home to such platinum-plus, Grammy-nominated superstars as Akon and David Banner.

Labels: Beyonce

Kelly Rowland's album Ms Kelly is hitting stores June 26th!


[+]

Here is the official cover...for real for real this time...I think!
I actually don't like it that much! I like her but not the fonts they chose or the layout...

Labels: Kelly Rowland

Labels: Common, Joss Stone

Labels: Daddy Yankee, Fergie

R. Kelly in studio recording "Rise Up"

R. Kelly has written a song, "Rise Up," about healing in the aftermath of the April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech. A gunman killed 32 people and himself on the university's campus in Blacksburg, Va.

"Rise Up" will be available digitally May 15, and 100 percent of the net proceeds from its sale will go to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, said Jive Records, Kelly's record label.

Kelly, 40, wrote the inspirational ballad after watching the events unfold on television while he was on route to a performance, Jive said.

The lyrics include the lines: "Rise up, when you feel you can't go on, rise up, and all of your hope is gone, rise up, when you're weak and you can't be strong."

The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund was created to provide assistance to the victims of the families, as well as grief counseling and other needs for those affected by the shootings.

Labels: R Kelly

Labels: Kelis, Nas

"She and I are on great terms and support each other in our life's endeavors. We are both very happy but are now working in different areas of the business," he said in a statement to The Associated Press. "This is great for me because it means I now get to have my mother strictly as my mother with no added pressure."

"At this time in my life, I am simply more interested in building the strength of my family. And in order to do that, I feel it's best to separate my business life from my personal life," he said.

"She has no aspirations of becoming my manager or any other artist's manager."

Labels: Usher

The actor got on one knee with a 12-carat diamond ring immediately after they left the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Gala, when they were chauffeured in a Rolls Royce to Times Square, according to the rep. Projected on a giant MTV jumbotron were the words, "Selita will you marry me?"

"They got engaged last night," Ebanks's agent, Chris Gay of Women Model Management told PEOPLE Tuesday. "He took her to Times Square last night and did it in the center of Times Square. Then they had a party after the Met Gala to celebrate. The two of them flew to L.A. late last night because both are working."

The couple celebrated at the New York nightclub Butter, with Cannon surprising Ebanks by flying in his mother, both her parents and best friends into town. As the couple made their way through the crowd holding hands, Ebanks was smiling from ear to ear. Upon coming up to one man, she exclaimed, "Nick! Have you met my brother?"

The couple left the party at 3 a.m. and caught a private plane back to L.A., where Cannon is working on his new film, American Son, the rep said.

Labels: Nick Cannon, Selita Ebanks

Labels: T.I.

The girl thought she had won a dance contest, but instead got a simulated rape, which was caught on video.

"This week the partnership ended," Verizon said in a statement sent to FOX News. "We have music services on our cellphone service and we were promoting him as one of the artists. The other part of the sponsorship was the Gwen Stefani tour, of which he was an opening act. We are no longer sponsoring the tour."

Patrick Manning, the prime minister of Trinidad, called for a formal investigation of the explicit April 12 performance at Trinidad's Club Zen, which has since been closed by authorities, according to WorldNet Daily.

Labels: Akon

• She drove drunk
• She got a light sentence of probation, suspended license, community service and driving class
• She didn't do the service or class
• She was pulled over again with the suspended license
• The judge said..."Heffa, you going to jail!" and she will not be allowed any work release, furloughs, use of an alternative jail or electronic monitoring in lieu of jail

Labels: Paris Hilton