It was just a matter of time before someone answered Beyonce's "If I Were A Boy." Surprisingly the first man to answer the "I Am...Sasha Fierce" singer is R. Kelly! Click Here For More...











R. Kelly & Beyonce 'If I Was A Boy'

R&B/Soul singer India Aire is reportedly hooked on 'Chocolate' this winter and she's nabbed Musiq Soulchild to tell the story. Click Here For More...
Released Thursday, "Chocolate High," becomes the singer's lead single for "Testimony: Love & Politics."

"Testimony: Love & Politics" is the follow up to the "Brown Skin" singer's Gold-certified album "Testimony: Life & Relationships" which debuted in 2006.

Tapping fellow Grammy-nominated singer Musiq Soulchild, India.Arie sings "The more I consume, the more I gotta have it" followed by Musiq Soulchild who sings: "You're precious darkness got me so strung out and lovin the way that you got me so wide open, jonesin' and feinin' under my skin....baby I need you, sugar you're so delicious"

Singing about mutual love, Aire and Soulchild paint a sweet and delectable vision on the single singing: "There is something about your love, just makes me wanna open up, you're flavor is the sweetest thing in life. I'm addicted to your chocolate high."

India Aire's "Testimony: Love & Politics" hits stores and online retailers February 10, 2009.

India Aire feat. Musiq 'Chocolate High'

As he prepares to officially unveil his newest fragrance next month, Sean "Diddy" Combs is giving shoppers an up-close look at the results of its use with a new billboard on New York's Times Square. Click Here For More...

The giant ad, which features the rap mogul dressed in a sleek white tuxedo, is part of a new campaign for I Am King, Comb's latest scent.

The front lit 172 X 54 feet I Am King billboard, located at Broadway and 47th Street, will replace the current Sean John campaign image for several months.

Described as a fragrance with "an untraditional fresh fruity woody scent," I Am King follows Comb's successful Unforgivable fragrance.

According to the business executive, the new scent will resonate with men of all backgrounds.

"I am really proud of the new billboard and of the message that it conveys to everyone who gets to see it," said Combs. "I Am King is not just about me, but every man. We are all descendants of kings. And if all men believe in that, we can accomplish anything. This image pays tribute to that belief, that ideal."

In addition to Times Square, the I Am King campaign will feature billboards on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles as well as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.

The Sean John fragrance is scheduled to make its debut in December at Macy's before its nationwide release in department stores in February 2009.

Prices range from $57 for a 1.7 oz bottle to $74 for 3.4 oz bottle.

In addition to the regular bottles, Macy will carry the I Am King Limited edition.

Priced at $100, the edition which includes a 3.4 oz bottle of I Am King along with a storybook featuring I Am King visuals that comes in a signed Lucite case.

Shoppers can also look for more I Am King-related products to hit store shelves in the coming months with the arrival of an aftershave balm in February and a shower gel and deodorant in May.

Mariah Carey was ready to tell Ellen Degeneres "Bye Bye" after the Daytime host allegedly cornered the star over pregnancy rumors. Click Here For More...

According to E! Ellen pretended to let the "Stay In Love" singer off the hook after she denied the pregnancy rumors only to offer the singer a glass of champagne.

"Let's just toast with champagne," Ellen offered.

According to sources at the taping, Mariah became flustered, insisting that 3 p.m. was too early for her to start drinking.

"I can't believe you did this to me, Ellen," laughed the Grammy winner, who married Nick Cannon in April.

"This is peer pressure!" she continued, trying to avoiding drinking the champagne.

"No, let's toast to you not being pregnant," Ellen insisted.

"Why would we toast to that?," Mariah replied. "How about to the future? For both of our futures, who knows what they hold."

According to E!, Mariah then pretended to sip the bubbly only to be caught by Ellen who said "You're pregnant."

MC Breed, who burst onto the national scene with the 1991 hit "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'," has died at age 37. Click Here For More...
A Washtenaw County medical examiner's spokesman says Eric Breed was pronounced dead Saturday at a friend's home in Ypsilanti, about 30 miles southwest of Detroit.

Toxicology reports are pending, but officials say no foul play is suspected.

The Detroit News and The Flint Journal say Breed had suffered from kidney failure.

Breed had been hospitalized in September after collapsing from kidney ailments during a pickup basketball game.

Although hopeful his condition would improve, the rapper finally succumbed to kidney failure. He was 37 years old.

Despite the obvious anguish from this devastating loss, the family of Breed expressed gratitude for the love and sympathy they’ve received from the Hip-Hop community.

“We are saddened by our great loss. More than just an artist, we mourn the loss of a beloved father, son, broker, and friend,” the family revealed in a statement to AllHipHop.com. “We are overwhelmed by the tremendous outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. We are thankful and blessed to have been in his presence and want him to be remembered for his creative, caring, talented and hardworking spirit.”

Breed made an immediate impact with his 1991 debut MC Breed & DFC, which was powered by the classic, Billboard charting single “Ain’t No Future in Yo’ Frontin’.”

The Flint, Michigan native further put the Midwest on the map with his third LP The New Breed.

The album is memorable for the 1993, Billboard Top 10 single “I Gotta Get Mine,” which featured a then fast-rising young emcee named Tupac Shakur.

Breed’s management team also touched on the emcee’s passing by stating his premature death moved well beyond just losing a business partner.

“Managing Breed changed our lives for the better,” explained Darryl and Lisa Morris of Vanglorious Entertainment. “He touched so many and is credited with inspiring many of the Hip-Hop acts in music today. Word cannot express how much he will be missed.”

Funeral arrangements are pending in Breed’s hometown in Flint Michigan at the Lawrence E. Moon funeral home.

The rapper, real name Eric Breed, leaves behind 5 children ranging in age from 18 to 1 years old.

After discussing her life post "Special Delivery," the MTV special that chronicled her pregnancy with now 6-year-old daughter Sy'rai, Brandy has come forward with her reason for lying about her now much-talked-about 'marriage' to Robert Smith. Click Here For More...

"I lied," Brandy told US Magazine following her interview with Vibe earlier this week.

"I lied because of the fear of what people would think and the pressure to be a good role model."

While Brandy's confessional comes roughly six years after the deed was done the former "Cinderella" star has a point.

During those years, Brandy was the quintessential black Hollywood role model for young girls, teenagers and even adults. She had starred in Rogers and Hammerstein's 'Cinderella' on ABC and she had been on the hit UPN show 'Moesha' for a number of years following runs on family shows like 'Thea'. In many eyes Brandy's unmarried status would have been controversial to say the least.

Of course today, role models or child stars gone bad are taking nude photos and using them for publicity stunts... so an unmarried mom seems to be less controversial.

Ending the interview, Brandy says "Our relationship was very real, we just weren't legally married."

Click Here For More...

Part 2


Part 3

NEW YORK (AP) - Rapper 50 Cent is facing a challenge to his street cred — from Taco Bell. Click Here For More...

Lawyers for the fast-food chain are calling his federal lawsuit, filed in Manhattan, another attempt to "burnish his gangsta rapper persona by distorting beyond all recognition a bona fide, good faith offer."

The squabble is over a fake letter sent out by Taco Bell Corp. asking 50 Cent to change his name for one day to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent to help publicize its value menu.

In return, the company offered to donate $10,000 to the charity of his choice.

The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has sued for trademark infringement.

Jackson's attorney, Peter Raymond, says he wonders why Taco Bell would use his client's name in an ad campaign.

A month after allegations were first made by 112's Michael Keith, Q.Parker becomes the latest member, following Slim to address the infamous theft allegations that caused the group to disband --- according to Q. the group disbanding is news to him ! Click Here For More...

"If 112 is broken up, its news to me," Q. Parker told Atlanta's V103 after revealing a court case that recently settled the financial dispute.

'We went to court about this topic and I was exonerated.'

Michael Keith aka Mike of 112 sat down with Singersroom in October citing trust as the reason for the break up: "I love these guys and its no love lost but as a businessman I can’t work with the guys anymore. Money and family are kind of a bad formula. You know how it is with family and money. When you do something like take money from somebody and you’re taking something away from me and my family you negate that trust."

According to the V103 interview Q responds to Mike's family association by saying : "I agree with Mike on a lot of the things he says. This group is like a marriage, a family, and when there are problems in the family, you work together to try and resolve that."

"I wish that was something Mike would do."

As previously reported on Singersroom, at least three members of 112 including Q. Parker are releasing solo albums this year. The most recent release was from Slim, who dropped "Loves Crazy" this week. There is no word as to when Parker's debut will be released.

Legendary New York supergroup, the Wu-Tang Clan, has teamed up with shoe company Fila for their latest product collaboration: the Wu-Tang Weathertech boot, which they plan to have available for the holidays. Click Here For More...

The new boots were inspired by the classic Fila boot silhouette, and features an oiled suede upper, molded rubberized vamp, d-ring lacing system, and padded ankle collars. To brand the shoe, it is also emblazoned with the legendary group's insignia on both the side and the heel tab, as well as with signature Wu-Tang yellow highlights.

The collaboration is the group's second with Fila, since 2007's special edition "C.R.E.A.M." shoe, which was a revamped version of the classic original tennis shoe.

"The partnership with Fila began during our early days, and our latest product represents the ongoing mutual respect we have for the brand today," said Oliver "Power" Grant, Wu's business partner and executive producer.

The Wu-Tang boot will retail for $100. For a list of retailers, visit Fila.com/WuTang.

"You know what they say, third time's the charm. And I believe it - it's my favorite number," says ex-Ruff Ryder 1st lady Eve Jeffers. Re-launching Fetish clothing for the third time, she looks for success in the Hip Hop clothing industry during these rough times in the US economy. Click Here For More...

Eve's Fetish clothing line is under new direction. Eve told reporters that before, she was just the face of her Fetish Hip-Hop clothing brand, where as now she will not endorse a design she can't appreciate personally. Eve also says Fetish is targeting a more mature audience that can work in versatile environments.

"I would actually wear the new Fetish collection. I actually have this in my closet," Eve said to press at the launch of her line. The rapper admits, the clothing designed before was not even something she would wear.

For the new Fetish, Eve partnered with Chris Laurita, the president and CEO of Fetish/Signature Apparel Group. They will work together in producing a Fetish collection of skinny jeans, soft burnout T-shirts, sweatshirts and sequined party dresses.

Still not the actual Fetish line designer herself, Eve did have a hand in picking designers for her new collection. Not able to do design Fetish herself, the Hip Hop artist, Hollywood actress, and model says she does make time to review what the fashion designer ideas before production. Managing the line personally, Eve says "It feels good when I see other people in it Or if my friends are like, 'Let me get that jacket.'"

"I don't want this line to be about what album is coming out, or what movie is coming out, or what single is out right now - I want it to have legs of its own," continued the multi-platinum selling recording artist. Looking to build her line for longevity, the rapper says Fetish is reborn completely and she plans to sell the designs, not her image or name.

Ciara's "Fantasy Ride" has reportedly slid to a Spring 2009 release period. Click Here For More...

"The response to "Go Girl" wasn't strong enough to ignite an album," a Zomba rep reported Tuesday.

Peaking at #78 on the Billboard Charts, "Go Girl," failed to be the single needed to propel the "Goodies" and "Promise" singer to the top.

According to Zomba there is still hope: "It's a nice setup single because the video introduces Ciara's new look and her new body, but it's not the opener."

But is hope enough ?

With stellar competition from Britney, Beyonce, and Rihanna, Ciara faces a tremendous amount of pressure to move units like her previous chart toppers "Goodies" and "Evolution," while also trying to show maturity and growth.

"Ciara opened very wide with her first album, which gave her a broad audience and crossover appeal. Her second album was a little more urban. With Fantasy Ride, they’re trying to strike a balance [between pop and urban] while looking for the right single.”

In related news, Ciara has nabbed Justin Timberlake for "Fantasy Ride." The collaboration between the two is expected to add extra 'fire' to the album that is now up in the air:

"Right now, we are anticipating it for spring 2009, but we’re not gonna put another date on it."

SRC: Ent. Weekly

America's gay hip hop community is rallying against rapper Trick Trick after he banned homosexuals from buying his new album. Click Here For More...

The star, who has collaborated with rap superstar Eminem, demanded that gay fans not buy his new LP The Villain because they wouldn't like it - and insisted he didn't want their money.

He told AllHipHop.com, "Homosexuals are probably not gonna like this album. I don't want your f----t money any Goddamn way. I don't like it. Carry that s--t somewhere else."

The comments prompted a host of gay rappers to come forward and hit back.

Deadlee tells AllHipHop, "There is still a lot of hate against gays, and Trick Trick just perpetuates the hate... so if Trick Trick really does plan on putting an AK to my head, I ain't going out like that! Trick Trick will be the only bitch that ends up dead!"

And the self-dubbed Godfather of Gay Hip Hop Tori Fixx adds, "It's most peculiar that a straight man has so much time to be focused on us other folks, yet alone a group of people he so-called hates. But I surely hope no same-gender loving person supports this record."

And Melange Lavonne, the host of gay rap reality show Urban Raiders, warns, "It is unwise for him to add fuel to an already lit fire that is getting even bigger. Trick Trick can spew all the hate he wants, but gays are not longer perceived as punks, sissies or wimps. We are fighting for equality and, if that means that our life is on the line, then so be it. We are willing and ready to die for our cause. These are not the days of sit down and shut-up anymore, but a national movement that is bigger and more motivated than his small feeble-minded thinking could've ever imagined."

T.I. will apparently be making another appearance in court soon. TIP will take the stand to testify in a Cincinnati court today to tell what happened on the night his assistant and close friend, Philant Johnson, was killed. The jury was selected on Today for the case against Hosea Thomas, one of two brothers that allegedly responsible for Johnson’s death. T.I. is scheduled to testify in court tomorrow (11/19). According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the two brothers took issue with T.I. and his entourage after they were denied access to exclusive areas at a late night party and concert. “T.I. and his group were in the VIP area,” Cincinnati Homicide Detective Tim Gormly told the Enquirer. “The suspects wanted to get in the VIP area and weren’t allowed to.” According to the paper one of T.I.’s entourage hit one of the brothers and later taunted them which led to the brothers shooting up T.I.’s vehicles later that night.

50 Cent has postponed the release of his new album until early 2009, so he can pack it with extra features. Click Here For More...

"Before I Self-Destruct" was slated to hit stores in the U.S. on 9 December - but Fiddy wants to give fans better value for their money, and will add some extras, including a DVD about the life of his late pal Jam Master Jay.

He says, "Times are hard. Everyone is trying to make the most of what they have. I want to give my fans something extra for their hard-earned dollars. They'll get a free bonus when they pick up the album."

50 Cent isn't the only rapper making fans wait - Jay-Z and Eminem have already pushed the release of their new albums back to 2009.

R&B singer/songwriter Lil' Mo, who is best known for hits like “Superwoman pt. II” and “4Ever,” has signed a two album deal with Global Music Group. Click Here For More...

Lil Mo’s critically acclaimed sophomore album, ‘Meet the Girl Next Door’, released in 2003, and collaborations such as ‘Hot Boyz’ with Missy Elliott, ‘Parking Lot Pimpin’ with Jay-Z, ‘Put It On Me’ with Ja Rule, and most recently ‘Cry’ with LL Cool J on his Exit 13 album, has established Lil' Mo as an R&B sensation.

"We are honored to have Lil’ Mo as the newest member of our Family here at GMG.” said Roland Turner, CEO of Global Music Group.

Mo released her last album “Pain & Paper” via her independent label Honeychild Entertainment in 2007. The album has sold close to one hundred thousand units.

Cologne can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Most men make the mistake of thinking they need to choose a single scent for themselves. The truth is modern colognes enhance your sartorial decisions and add dimension to the way you present yourself to the world. Therefore, just as you have more than one pair of shoes, you should have more than one scent to call upon.

Knowing cologne basics so that you choose the right scent for the right occasion is, perhaps, the most underrated of skills. If you choose wisely and apply sparingly, only a few people will know and appreciate your olfactory considerations. Choose poorly and apply liberally and you’ll saunter through the day leaving expensive contrails of eau de too much behind you as others hold their breath. Click Here For More...

Where to wear it?
Wearing cologne to work is generally acceptable, but cologne almost becomes a necessary fashion accessory when going out at night. A light citrus-based scent is perfect for an afternoon outing, but a special evening out calls for a stronger scent with spice undertones or musky notes that will mix with your own natural pheromones.

Where to spray it?
Cologne basics stipulate that applying cologne strategically is more important than you think. A little under each ear ensures that a woman leaning in close to talk will take note of your scent. Your face and chin are the obvious spots, but your chest is the best location for the cologne to mix with your own natural scent and slowly make itself known as it wafts toward your collar.

When to wear it?
You’ll need more than one cologne since what you apply for the daylight hours simply won’t meet the mood and atmosphere of the night. A light citrus scent or woods-based scent are perfect for daytime activities, like work. Nighttime, however, requires a scent with deeper mystery. Thus, you’ll want to use a cologne with spicy notes or a musk-based scent.

How much to wear?
Treat your cologne as a secret you share with only a few people -- or at least those within your close personal space. Apply a very sparse amount under each ear and on your torso. You may not think this is enough, but cologne actually mixes with your body and intensifies over time. Far too many men make the mistake of applying more because they cannot smell it when they first spray it on, or they shake out a palm full because think they need more. The truth is: A well-chosen cologne applied in small amounts will get your more attention than if you bathed in it.

Ten years ago Damon Dash was an upcoming mega mogul. His artist Jay-Z had just dropped the album, Hard Knock life, which would go on to sell 4 million records. He would organize the Hard Knock Life tour which would become one of the biggest grossing Hip Hop tours of all time and launch Roc-A-Wear clothing, which would become one of the hottest fashion labels. The sky was the limit. Click Here For More...

Dash would come to represent the unapologetic materialism of Hip Hop, epitomized by the video for Big Pimpin where he poured Chrystal on bikini clad models on a yacht to Trinidad. Dash and Jay-Z would bring materialism to a new level, gold chains were no longer good enough, now you needed platinum, it wasn’t cool to drink Hennesy anymore, now you needed Chrystal, Polo clothes? Nope you needed Versace now, that 50,00 dollar Mercedes you had, not poppin, you needed a Bentley.

Hip Hop had become a vessel for arrogant opulence, a way for people who had grown up with nothing to show off their hard earned wares. Hip Hop became influenced by the flossy gangstas such as Frank Lucas, AZ and Alpo who had to spend their dirty money someway and decided on using it to turn themselves into walking billboards for expensive European clothing companies.

Today Dash is being evicted from his house because he owes 7.3 million dollars in mortgage payments, which begs the question; where did all the money go? He can’t even make the $700 payments. According to the Daily News, A bank wants his Tribeca condos, the city is seizing his SUV and his lawyer dropped him for not paying his legal bills. As recently as 2004, Dash was claiming that he was earning 200 million annually.

Hip Hop has never been financially responsible. In 1990, Will Smith declared bankruptcy and wound up owing the IRS 2.8 million dollars. MC Hammer also managed to squander 30 million dollars he made and wound up being 14 million dollars in debt.

What lead to Smith and Hammer’s debt? Outlandish vacations, huge houses and large entourages. Luckily, after his bankruptcy Will Smith was offered a role in a new NBC sitcom and was able to vastly out earn the money he made as a rapper by turning into a movie star. Hammer was not as lucky and had to fight bankruptcy for years before joining the cast of the “Surreal Life.”

In 1995, TLC also claimed bankruptcy despite selling over 10 million records that year. Jermaine Dupri was another rapper known for his arrogant opulence, who would eventually file for bankruptcy.

These days the number of rappers in debt is at an all time high. Despite selling millions of records in the Nineties, Suge Knight and Death Row records would go bankrupt. Master P’s No Limit Label would also file for bankruptcy. Even today’s top selling, hottest rapper, Lil Wayne owes almost a million in taxes and owes 80,000 for a Bentley he bought. Young Buck had to have 50 Cent pay off his taxes, turning himself into 50’s indentured servant.

Hip Hop’s materialism and lack of fiscal responsibility does not only affect black rappers. Despite negative stereotypes about Jewish people and money, producer Scott Storch has also been a victim of Hip Hop’s lack of regard for taxes or bills. Storch owes half a million dollars in Florida property taxes and has had artwork and his Rolls Royce repossessed.

Why are rappers so bad with money? Is Hip Hop that materialistic where people can buy unnecessary luxury items without worrying about the IRS, their children or their futures?

It’s embarrassing how much money hip hop has wasted in the past 10 years. None of the money was reinvested in the community and most of it went to European luxury goods, cars, clothes and mansions. Fast cars, fast women, lavish houses, entourages and expensive liquor were the death of Hip Hop. Rappers also set a bad example for kids who were trying to be like them, outspending their means.

Record labels need to have mandatory Finance classes for rappers,. It’s a shame how much money hip hop has wasted. Money that could’ve bought real estate, businesses and been used to rebuild communities.

I guess it’s cool to have a Bentley, Rolex, and Italian luxury clothes but it’s not cool to pay your taxes and bills. It’s cooler to show something off than to actually own it. The bling bling era is over. Try watching an old episode of MTV Cribs, I bet you that rapper doesn’t live there anymore.

Cheetah Girl and former 3LW star Adrienne Bailon is reportedly close to inking a deal with Playboy, this after 'nude' photos of the singer hit the net earlier this week. Click Here For More...

In a deal documented by Page Six, Bailon will receive $100,000 if she poses for the magazine in what Hugh Hefner would call "stylish photos with full nudity in sufficient quantity and quality."

News of Bailon's deal surfaces just after the reported 'thief', who allegedly stole her laptop and posted the photos, confessed that the whole thing was a publicity stunt.

While it looks like Bailon has had the last laugh, Disney handlers have yet to release a statement concerning the singer's role in the Cheetah Girls and the ongoing tour, which happens to run through the end of the year.

Here's what the allegedly thief, Jonathan Jaxson, had to say, who by the way worked with Kim Kardashian, Bailon's boyfriend's sister and star in R&B singer Ray J's infamous sex tape:

"Purely attention," Jaxson told a CBS affiliate.

Referring to the original story about 'the cheetah girl's' laptop, Jaxson says "What better way to do that than to say that nude pictures could have been stolen from her laptop ?"

At press time Adrienne Bailon was still on tour with the Cheetah Girls.

As previously reported on Singersroom, since 2003, 'The Cheetah Girls' have become sort of a phenomenon ala' High School Musical for Disney spawning three films, three studio albums, several perfume collections, dolls, room decor lines, a book series and clothing.

The Cheetah Girls grossed over $26 million on their first two tours with over $17 million earned in revenue from merchandise and other related entities.

Bailon burst onto the scene in 2000 as 1/3 of the R&B group 3LW. The group disbanded for the most part in 2002 after the release of their album "A Girl Can Mack".

Kanye West has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a photographer as he was leaving a nightclub in Newcastle, England. Click Here For More...

The hip-hop star is said to have been involved in a scuffle with the paparazzi as he exited the Tup Tup club in the early hours of Friday morning. Photographer Terry Blackburn claimed to have suffered a cut face and bruising after West allegedly pushed his camera into his face.

Police later arrived at West's hotel in nearby Gateshead and detained him on assault charges. However, after being quizzed by cops, the star was subsequently released without charge.

The Stronger hit-maker and his assistant were arrested over a similar incident at Los Angeles' LAX airport in September. The pair was charged with felony vandalism after reportedly smashing a photographer 's camera, but the charges were later dropped by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.

A little extra lovin' goes a long way-especially when it comes to your tresses! Whether you're looking to maintain your gorgeous locks or trying to improve your overall hair health, check out these great tips and products below. Click Here For More...

1. Detox
Keeping a clean scalp is key to growing and maintaining healthy strands. Get rid of product buildup weekly by washing with a clarifying shampoo that won't dry out your hair. (Try Ouidad Clear & Gentle Shampoo, $13 for 8 ounces, ouidad.com) Also, avoid applying styling products directly to the scalp as this can block pores and also prevent hair growth. To prevent dry scalp, try using a shampoo and conditioner weekly. My scalp tends to get a little on the dry side myself and I was very surprised to find that Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky Shampoo and Conditioner ($4.99, drugstores nationwide) not only calms my itching for days, but also leaves my hair feeling soft and supple.

2. Moisturize
Treat your strands to weekly deep conditioning treatments. If you're too busy to make it to the hairdresser, do it in the shower. As soon as you get in, wet hair and apply a deep conditioning masque. Go through hair with a wide tooth comb and immediately apply a shower cap. Leave on and when you're ready to get out, remove the shower cap, rinse and voilà! You'll have soft, manageable and healthy-looking locks. (Try PhytoSpecific Intense Nutrition Mask, $26, phyto-usa.com.)

3. Tool Time
Don't fry your hair. Invest in some top-notch tools that will evenly disperse heat through your strands and cut your styling time in half.
A great new tool to hit the beauty market is the InStyler ($119, getinstyler.com). It has three heat levels, precision-aligned bristles, and features a rotating heated cylinder that can straighten, curl, flip and even create volume. Most importantly, it won't damage hair and leaves it shiny and smooth.

According to Kanye West Rihanna caused Beyonce to step her game up.. Click Here For More...


"This is a wake up call...people in music get comfortable."

"Rihanna was the best thing to happen to Beyonce," says the 808's & Heartbreak star.

In today's highly competitive music industry Kanye's point is all too real. If anyone slacks in their approach now more than ever it could be disastrous.

Since her debut in 2006, Rihanna has clearly given many pop stars a run for their money so to speak. The singer's last three hits have broken Billboard Hot 100 records, all while the Def Jam star rides through countless tours including Kanye West's highly anticipated "Glow In The Dark" tour.

According to Kanye, Beyonce has stepped her game up with "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)."

At a recent listening session for his new album, Kanye expressed his respect and love for the record, saying it was a concept that he never would have come up with...

Janet Jackson has revealed the final straw that ended her relationship with Def Jam -- 'Sade'.. Click Here For More...

While the legendary singer Sade has nothing to do with the split, Janet says "They wanted me to sound more like Sade."

That is when Janet says she gave them the final "feedback": "I'm not ready for that just yet."

"I love doing dance songs and I think my fans expect that of me."

Jackson recently canceled her tour after months of disastrous cancellations, postponements and the departure of her leading man LL Cool J.

Moving forward with her career, Jackson told Sister 2 Sister Magazine " I have been getting more behind the scenes with film and television. I will probably continue to do music and acting is still a strong passion of mine."

Jackson, now without a recording contract, is rumored to be considering a Live Nation deal, following in the footsteps of Jay-Z, who inked a deal with the touring company earlier this year.

Kanye West may not be loving his significant other the way he wants, but he's got to be loving the Nike shoes he wears today. Nike and Kanye West have worked togethor to produce a new shoe collection entitled the "Nike Air Yeezys" which has already stirred quite a hype. Click Here For More...

"Its going to happen. This sneaker is going to be huge. Everyone will want it. Jay-Z did it huge with Reebok and Kanye West will lateral or surpass that success. The Nike Air Yeezys is a crazy design with a premium make, style and comfort. Owning Nike Air Yeezys on-line, I keep up with Wests moves and recently touched with Nike. From everything I understand, March 2009 is going to be owned by Nike and Kanye West," says NikeAirYeezy.com owner Rodrick Rainey.

An international celebrity, Kanye West has been courted by many brands for endorsement. He insists anything attached to his image must impress his tastes first. A very outward person, he is known for voicing himself. West voiced himself with Nike to the point every feature of the Nike Air Yeezy shoe was demanded to be about catering to the desires of a champion. The best footwear for the best entertainer.

Teens living and mocking the fashion flamboyant lifestyle like Kanye West are thoroughly impressed by the rapper's shoe. An unspoken but easily seen society of people called 'sneaker culture' or 'sneaker heads', are fully aware of the coming Nike Air Yeezys, flocking to sneaker blogs for information.

Bow Wow 'Point of View'

When Avant said he wanted to come back with something different, the R&B singer neglected to mention his "Out of Character" vision of 'going both ways'. Click Here For More...
"I had a dream about this situation and I thought about writing about it," says Avant, referring to a song on his upcoming album that asks his woman to experiment with 'going both ways'.

"Everybody has crazy dreams; sometimes you might feel like you're in a hotel and then all of a sudden you're in a barn" the star told Sister 2 Sister Magazine.

While Avant sings about having a threesome on his self titled Capitol Records debut, he admits to being a 'one woman's man'.

"I want to be fair to whoever I'm with. I write about it [Relationships] all the time because that's my desire -- to have a healthy relationship."

And ladies, according to Sister 2 Sister Avant is single.

Avant's anticipated self titled album featuring the single "When It Hurts" is due in stores Dec. 9.

Adrienne Bailon, known for her original stint as part of the R&B group 3LW and most recently the star of Disney's runaway hit "The Cheetah Girls" has a lot of explaining to do this week. Click Here For More...

Bailon, 25 is the victim of an extortion plot involving nude pictures she took of herself for boyfriend, Rob Kardashian -- Kim Kardashian's brother.

According to reports Bailon was at JFK airport when her laptop was stolen. After forking over $1,000, the laptop was returned, but not before the thief copied the racy photos.

Reportedly Adrienne took the photos as a gift for her boyfriend, Robert Kardashian.

"The photos that have surfaced of Adrienne Bailon were stolen from her laptop over a week ago at an airport in NY and sent to several media outlets. These photos were taken in private. Adrienne will be pursuing legal action against the person or person's sending these private photos out.

Adrienne is deeply sorry for any pain this may have caused to her fans."

After G-Unit album flopped, 50 Cent is still looking to get help from the good Dr. Dre. “I did a song produced by Dr. Dre,” 50 said. “I got the production from Detroit, because Dre was working with Em right before I got out there. I just missed him. I went through Em’s computer and found what I needed. Yes, I did. I got me the record I needed. I was like, ‘Wait till they hear this.’ I wrote it; Em heard it. He was like, ‘You gotta keep that for yourself. This is too crazy.’ First, I think he was gonna take it from me, then he was like, ‘He gotta use that for himself.’ “

Rap mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs was reportedly left fuming after a young designer failed to decorate New York club Mansion NYC to his specifications for his recent birthday celebrations. Click Here For More...

The Bad Boy Records boss turned 39 on Tuesday but decided to turn his party into a joint celebration to mark Barack Obama becoming the new U.S. President-elect. But according to the New York Post's PageSix, he became infuriated with a designer hired to deck out the Chelsea club - and allegedly demanded a refund.

A source tells the publication, "He was given a budget of $7,000 and 12 hours to create an all-white decor, including 1,000 white roses, blow-ups (large pictures) of Diddy and Barack Obama, and $2,000 of white fabric. Diddy declared it dreadful and went into a major hissy fit, screaming, 'Show me the receipts!' and 'Get the money back!' to his assistant. "Then he began ripping the fabric off the walls saying he hated it. He berated the poor young decorator to the point that the guy gave back $2,000 of the money he had spent."

Shawty Lo talks about beef with T.I., D4L, Fabo and more. Click Here For More...

St. James: What’s up LO?

Shawty Lo: I feel real good right now. Coming off 2 awards my man just hit the White House, so I’m feeling good right now.

S: I think we all are right now. Go Barack! We are beaming!

Lo: We needed that one.

S: What do you want to tell the readers of Streetcred.com about the situation with you and T.I.?

Publicist: I’m just going to interject here. We were asked to do the interview and we are not really coming here to “clear the air”. Pretty much everything has been said and if people want to research the history of what is going on they may do so. We are really just trying to move forward to more positive things. We want to talk about his mix tape, etc.

S: Well I am asking the questions of what the people want to know. A lot of people thought the beef was deaded and over. The world wants to know though.

Lo: Well you know I was going to let it go. His people reached out to me. “We want to dead it” they say but they still put the video ("What's Up, What's Haapnin’") out there. They said it was already done and they had no control of it. They said they weren’t tyring to push the video and to not respond. So I sat down for a minute and didn’t respond. But then I heard him talking in an interview. I said f*ck it I’m not just about to let anybody say anything. When I speak I speak the truth. I give the real. I live it for real man.

S: So are there plans to dead it or as long as they go you go?

Lo: As long as they keep it poppin’ I’m going to keep it poppin’. It ain’t no real beef. It ain’t like he want to tussle. It ain’t nothing to me. I’m making my music, I’m not really going to waste my time on it. I’m making my music and I guess he wants to kill me musically. He doesn’t want Shawty Lo to exist. But I do exist and I’m not going anywhere. I exist.

S: So you got the new mix tape, I’m Da Man 2K9 with DJ Scream. What’s the direction and what’s on the mix tape?

Lo: Yeah you know this is my 3rd mix tape with Scream. We are just working hard man. I f*ck with that n*gga Scream.

S: So you’re gearing up for the new album with this mixtape?

Lo: I’m gearing up for my new album "Carlos." It’s on the way at the end of February or the end of March. The album is not done yet. I’m still working on the album. I’m just still doing songs right now. I have all kinds of producers, a couple of features and I’m just working. It’ll probably be done by the end of this month or December and ready to turn in.

S: So tell me about your experience with Diabetes and the projects you’ve done to support that movement.

Lo: I was diagnosed in 2001. First I was in denial. But I kept getting sick and kept getting sick and my family got on me. So I had to get there and I had to get right.

S: So what are some of the things you’ve done to help people with the disease?

Lo : I do a lot with it. A lot of private events. I’ve joined a network called thediabetesdestroyers.com. We are going to launch that sometime next month. We don’t have an exact date. It’ll be a network where people can come on, share stories, and there will be a place on it to raise money as well as help the association we did the walk with.

S: What was the walk?

Lo: The walk was a drive for Diabetes. A lot of people came out and supported. That 3 miles almost killed me but we got it in.

S: So you won the BET Hip Hop Award for “Rookie of the Year”. How did that feel and what doors have opened up?

Lo : It was very unexpected but they called my name and it was a blessing. It let me know I made my mark and I’m here. I’m going to continue to work hard. No one is going to give you anything so I’m just going to continue to keep working hard.

St: Did it make you feel like you’ve arrived? A lot of people have been in the game 20+ years and never gotten a BET award.

Lo: I know it. It was a blessing. I won because of everybody and all my people got to come up on stage. I mean I’ve only been a rapper 3 years... solo artist myself.

S: So how did you get started rappin’?

Lo: I was just the money behind the group (D4L) when we first started. I formed the group in 2003 and got locked up in 2004. I came home and people were telling my other artists that we were nothing without Fabo. That’s when I came with the hit “I’m Da Man”. Everybody loved it. It was something that somebody from the real Bankhead and Atlanta could relate to. So I just kept making songs until it turned into the mixtape. And everybody was like “you da one”.

S: So you’ve kind of taken the forefront for D4L, it was Fabo when you all first dropped. How has that been coming from the background to the forefront?

Lo: It’s crazy ya know. It’s God. I was trying to get up out of there. I was really living the life at first.

S: So we haven’t seen Fabo. Is everything cool with him?

Lo: Everything is cool. He’s trying to come up with it but everything is cool.

S: Is there plans for a new D4L album?

Lo: He do what he do. I just don’t do that type of music no more. I’ll still push it for him though. If he has an album we are going to put it out. It just ain’t a group thing.

S: So is there anything outside of the music that you are using to brand Shawty Lo?

Lo: It’s a movie I’m working on called “Black Bags”. That’s supposed to be coming out next year some time. It’s for an independent company out of California. I’m in it, that’s what I know. We also are trying to get the clothing line going. I also got my other group with Front St. They are real good.

S: You and Front St. were on “Don’t I” with Stuntman. What was the deal for that video and shooting it in front of Club Crucial?

Lo: It was just to let people know. That’s what he went and did, we can do it too. They are trying to paint the picture like he’s (T.I.) the "King" and he doing videos in front of my hood. But sh*t when you come to the front of Bowen Homes with 30 police, I can’t do nothing about that. When they shot their video that’s what was going down.

S: Who is your inspiration in the game and what you are trying to become?

Lo: Jay-Z is my inspiration in this game. He came a long way. He was always my favorite rapper because that’s how I was coming up. I mean I just feel like he reminds me of me so much. I feel like before I was even a rapper, the stuff he was talking about that’s what I was living. He’s come to be the most successful rapper ever to do it. I look at myself trying to get to the top as well.

S: So what are you trying to accomplish with the music and bring to the people?

Lo: I’m trying to take care of my family and talk to the people. Work hard and do what I do.

S: So let me get your reaction to the election. What do you think it has in store for the country and our people?

Lo: I think it’s going to be big. I think it’s definitely going to be a difference. I think Obama is going to make us one. We made history and I think he’s going to make us one. He’s going to finish what he started and I think he’s going to be a good President for us.

S: Tell the people something they don’t know about L-O.

Lo: One thing they need to know, I’m one Hundred. I’m not just a rapper. I did this, I lived it. I’ve been arrested 28 times. Convicted 4 times. I’m here because God blessed me to be here. And I’m here for a reason. I went to rap man from dope man. I come from the hood and if I can do it anybody can do it. Ain’t nobody going to give you nothing. You have to give 110% and work hard. You have to show that you want it in order for others to help you.

S: So anything else you want to tell the people?

Lo: Yeah check out the new single with me and Gucci Mane called “Dope Boy Knot”. You can find it on my myspace.com/therealshawtylo. I want to tell the world to come down to Atlanta and see the real and what’s going on and they will know what L-O is all about.

Interview conducted by: Streetcred.com
Go check them out!!!

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has issued a warrant for the arrest of Brooklyn rapper/actor Mos Def yesterday evening (November 5). Click Here For More...

Mos, born Dante Smith, was allegedly involved in an altercation with a professional photographer at the most recent MAGIC showing in August.

While attending an event during the fashion trade convention, photographer Volker Corell claims the Be Kind Rewind star assaulted him, allegedly ripping away his camera, and throwing the equipment to the ground before walking away with it.

Corell, who was an official photographer for the MAGIC convention says he suffered a cut on his left hand as a result of the confrontation.

Mos, who made an appearance at Vegas nightclub Prive on October 20, now faces charges of felony robbery and malicious destruction of property.

R&B superstar Chris Brown has officially taken his next step in music by launching his own record label. Click Here For More...

After great success with two multi-platinum albums and several chart topping singles including this year's "Forever" and "With You" the R&B phenom has inked a distribution deal with Interscope to release future projects under the imprint CBE Records.

According to sources, Brown's CBE Records will release a project from Scooter Smiff who is currently in the studio working with the "Superhuman" singer and Polow Da Don.

Smiff's album is currently titled "Head of My Class.'

With the launch of CBE Records, Chris Brown caps off a phenomenal year that has included the re-release of his hit album "Exclusive," several Grammy nominations, a BET Award for Best Male R&B Artist, two 2008 MOBO Awards for Best R&B/Soul and Best International Act in addition to securing a number of films to be released through Screen Gems in 2009.

BARACK OBAMA DID IT YA'LL
BARACK WILL BE OUR FIRST AFRICAN PRESIDENT!!!!

Fellas, you think you know everything there is to know about having sex with women? That erotic encyclopedia you carry around in your head may contain a lot of basic errors and omissions about women's sexuality -- errors that can lead to sex mistakes. Click Here For More...

That's because -- after learning the facts of life -- most of us are left to figure out sex for ourselves. Guys tend to take a lot of cues from adult movies, and we all know how true-to-life those are. Experience may help, but many women can be shy when talking about what they like.

To help us with some sex tips, ParkerBoyz.com asked two acclaimed sex educators, Tristan Taormino and Lou Paget, to tell us what they think are the most common sex mistakes men make with women.

Taormino is a prolific author, lecturer, and video producer. Her latest project is the Expert Guide educational video series from Vivid Ed.

Paget is author of The Great Lover Playbook and other sex manuals, and she gives seminars nationwide.

Sex Mistake No.1: You Know What She Wants
Men often make assumptions about what a woman wants based upon what they've done with other women. But women aren't all the same.

"You develop a repertoire as you mature sexually, but you should never assume that what worked for the last person is going to work for this person," Taormino says.

That applies not only to sexual predilections, but also to relationships, she says. "There are women who can have no-strings-attached sex, and women who can get attached very easily, and then everyone in between."

Sex Mistake No. 2: You Have All She Needs
Some women can't have an orgasm with less than 3,000 rpm. No human tongue or fingers can generate that kind of vibration. But men typically think something is wrong if a woman needs a vibrator.

"If the only way that a woman can achieve orgasm is with a vibrator, she's not broken," Taormino says.

Think of a vibrator as your assistant, not your substitute. Many couples use vibrators together. "While you're doing one thing, or two things, the vibrator can be doing something else," Taormino says.

Sex Mistake No. 3: Sex Feels the Same for Men and Women
Paget says there tends to be a "huge disconnect" between men and women in the ways that sex feels good.

"When a man has intercourse with a woman, and his penis goes into her body, that sensation is so off the charts for most men, they cannot imagine that it isn't feeling the same way for her," Paget says. "It couldn't be further from the truth."

The inside of the vagina is probably less sensitive than the outer parts for most women. Also, deep thrusting may not feel so nice on the receiving end. If the penis is too long, "it feels like you're getting punched in the stomach," Paget says. "It makes you feel nauseous."

Sex Mistake No. 4: You Know Your Way Around a Woman's Anatomy
Most guys know generally what a clitoris is and where to find it. That's not to say that they really understand it.

More than 30 years ago, at the start of the "sexual revolution," a best-selling book called the Joy of Sex got Americans hip to the orgasmic importance of the clitoris. But the belief that women must be able to orgasm from vaginal penetration stubbornly persists.

"I still get letters from people who say things like, my wife can't [orgasm] from intercourse unless she has clitoral stimulation -- please help," Taormino says. "I want to write back and say, 'OK, what's the problem?'"

"For the majority of women, it's not going to happen that way," Paget says.

Men also lack information about how to touch it and how sensitive it is, Taormino says.

A touch that's bliss for one woman may feel like nothing special, or may even be painful for someone else. Some prefer indirect stimulation.

How can you find out how she likes to be touched? Try asking her.

Sex Mistake No. 5: Wet = Turned On
Guys sometimes get hung up if a woman doesn't get slippery enough for easy penetration. Don't worry about it.

"I think there's a myth that if you're turned on, you're wet," Taormino says. Not necessarily.

Some women tend to get wetter than others, and how much natural lubrication a woman has can change from day to day. It varies by the phase of her menstrual cycle, and it's subject to influences like stress and medications.

Sex Mistake No. 6: Silence Is Golden
A lot of guys think they should be silent during sex, but unless you speak up, your partner has to guess what's doing it for you and what isn't.

If you're respectful about it, a woman who wants to please you will probably appreciate some directions.

"I'm not saying push her head in your lap," Taormino says. "I think that, 'this is how I like it,' is a very useful conversation to have."

Rumours of a sex tape featuring married hip hop star KELIS have taken a twist - the man alleged to have filmed her naked has confirmed he once slept with the singer. Click Here For More...

New York radio presenter Wendy Williams first sparked rumours of a tape, claiming on her show that she has a copy of the explicit footage.

Other sources claim it shows a man - identified as rapper/songwriter Infared - filming Kelis as she slept after they had a sexual encounter.

The man is even rumoured to goad Nas - who married Kelis in 2005 - boasting into the camera, "Handle your mother f**king business. I got your b**ch here, she (sic) getting naked.

Infared, who has worked with a number of stars including Jadakiss and Eve, confirms in an interview with Hip Hop Weekly that he enjoyed an "encounter" with Kelis.

But the New Yorker refuses to confirm he videotaped his meeting with the star - rumoured to have taken place in January 2007 - and he claims it could have happened before she married Nas.

He tells the magazine, "I knew Kelis in the hip hop world, and from clubbin', hanging out.

"I heard that (sex tape) rumour. I don't know (if she was married). She wasn't wearing a wedding ring."

Infared goes on to insist he has not been confronted by Nas over the allegations.

Pregnant soul star Erykah Badu has lashed out at critics who slammed her decision to have a third child out of wedlock. Click Here For More...

The singer, who has kids by Outkast star Andre Benjamin and The D.O.C., was appalled when she read online comments about her decision to have another baby - reportedly fathered by Jay Electronica - and decided to fire back with a post on her own website.

She rages, "How dare you disrespect the queendom? I've never been so disgusted in all of my life... (You can) kiss my black placenta. Every relationship I've ever been in was because I loved the person dearly and was dedicated to us exclusively for a number of years.

"The fathers of my children are my brothers and friends. We have a great deal of respect for one another and always will... Would it look better to marry and divorce and marry again? Would that be morally correct?

Nine lower ranking members of the Black Mafia Family (BMF) were sentenced to prison on Wednesday (October 29), for their part in a criminal organization that distributed cocaine nationwide. Click Here For More...

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the day in court took almost nine hours, in which members of BMF were handed down sentences one-by-one by U.S. District Judge Orinda Evans.

Before receiving their sentences each member apologized to their families, and most accepted responsibility for their actions. Some even teared up.

Each got prison time -- ranging from four years to more than 16 1/2 years for drug conspiracy, and will receive probation after being released.

To help reduce their sentences, they each asked the judge to recommend them for an intensive drug program in prison.

Rapper Bleu DaVinci (real name: Barima P. McKnight), who was the flagship artist for the BMF record label, was sentenced to just over five years.

"Eighty thousand sorries won't work, and I know that," the rapper said. "I have to own up to my actions."

DaVinci, originally from Carson, California, was indicted on drug conspiracy charges last year, one month before BMF heads, Big Meech and Southwest T, were found guilty of running the criminal organization.

The Black Mafia Family was started by two brothers -- Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory and Terry "Southwest T" Flenory -- who sold crack cocaine in Detroit high schools during the mid-1980s. Within a few years, their BMF organization had moved into 11 states, making money through distribution rather than direct street sales.

Their organization generated hundreds of millions of dollars from 1990 to 2005, affording them luxurious homes, cars, boats, and jewelry. Some of their money was filtered through legitimate business such as their BMF Entertainment record label.

In August, the Flenory brothers were handed down a 30 year sentences for running their large scale cocaine trafficking ring.

After they pleaded guilty, others followed. Sixteen were indicted in Atlanta.

Samuel L. Jackson had a treat in store on the set of his new movie Soul Men - his favorite porn icon was among his co-stars. Click Here For More...

The actor was thrilled when he discovered Vanessa Del Rio would be joining him in the film, which also stars the late Bernie Mac.

He says, "I was shocked the day we had Vanessa Del Rio on set. I'm sure a lot of kids don't have a clue who she is but I was excited about her because she was the first porn star who really enjoyed sex. When I was on set with her and Bernie he said, 'Man, she's about to kill me! She's jumping up and down. She's just butt wild.' She was having a good time. It'll be interesting to see how many people recognize who she is."

If John McCain manages to pull off the election Akon and Seal will be the first to 'jet' overseas. Click Here For More...

"I can't even envision how bad it's gonna be," says Akon.

The "Freedom" star says he will return to Senegal in the event that Barack Obama fails to capture the white house.

"If he doesn't get into office, I'm gonna change my citizenship. You can hold me to that, I'm afraid to live here if McCain is President. The decisions he makes scare me: he's making selfish decisions, he's doing whatever it takes to get into office."

The "I'm So Paid" singer who recently teamed up with Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy for the music video to his new single had harsh words for Sarah Palin who he seems to fear most.

"I don't think he's going to last eight years," he said, referring to McCain, "so she's definitely going to be president. Oh my goodness - that's scarier. And who would be her running mate? .....Joe the Plumber?"

"I'm very afraid."

November 2, 2008, the music industry was saddened with the news that Def Jam's Executive Vice President Shakir Stewart committed suicide. Though the details of this story are sketchy, some sources are saying that Stewart was found in New York with a gunshot wound to the head. The news of his death was first reported over the airwaves in Atlanta by WVEE deejay Greg Street. Click Here For More...

Shakir Stewart was appointed to his position at Def Jam by L.A. Reid back in June after the post was vacated by Jay-Z. Stewart was responsible for signing such acts as Rick Ross, Karina Parisian and Young Jeezy. Stewart also served as the Co-Executive Producer of BET's upcoming reality show, Brother to Brutha, as well as the Executive Producer on Brutha's soon-to-be-released debut album.

The Oakland, California-native graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta before going on to sign Ciara and Beyonce to Hitco Publishing, where he worked before leaving for Def Jam in 2004.