Janet Jackson is rumored to be fuming over Beyonce's controversial 'like the Jacksons comment' a few weeks ago. Click Here For More...

Beyonce told reporters: "I grew up upper-class. Private school. My dad had a Jaguar. We’re African-American, and we work together as a family, so people assume we’re like the Jacksons."

While the first part of Beyonce's statement was accepted, the "I Am ...Sasha Fierce" singer's final statement ".. I didn’t have parents using me to get out of a bad situation" raised eyebrows and backlash.

According to sources close to Jackson, Janet is furious over the comment and is ready to set Beyonce straight.

"Janet wanted to know why Beyonce had to mention her family," the insider said.

"They're not friends and barely know each other. She feels Beyonce went out of her way to tell the world she's from the upper class and the Jacksons were like a bunch of dirty gutter rats."

"Not only is Janet telling everyone who will listen that Beyonce has a lot of growing up to do and that she needs to stop trying to impress everyone, she's planning to confront Beyonce herself and read her the riot act."





SRC: MSNBC/NE

Hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs is desperate for New Yorkers to enjoy their New Year's Eve celebrations - he's offered to pay cab fares to ensure drunken revelers get home safely. Click Here For More...


Diddy is teaming up with New York's Taxi & Limousine Commission to give away thousands of free cab rides. Street teams will hand out $15 debit cards in Times Square and Chelsea from 11 p.m. on Wednesday night through to 3 a.m. the following day or until the supply runs out.

Diddy tells the New York Daily News, "New York is the world's most iconic New Year's Eve city, so let's lead by example and show everyone that a sophisticated holiday celebration doesn't just end when the ball drops, but when everyone gets home safely."

It seems Diddy has set his sights on re-invigorating the Big Apple's New Year - last week, the star vowed to give $1 million to charity in exchange for the chance to redesign New York City's famed New Year's Eve ball.

West Coast rap star E-40 is speaking out regarding his role in a recent shooting, following a sold-out performance at a Denver, Colorado nightclub.

According to his manager, Chaz Hayes, “E-40 and his camp were uninvolved in the unfortunate incident at Club Vinyl in Denver on Dec. 27, 2008.” Click Here For More...


“Neither E40 nor anyone traveling with him was in the venue at the time. In fact, E-40 had concluded his performance and been back in the hotel room,” Hayes told AllHipHop.com via a statement as he noted the reception the rapper received from his visit.

“During his time at the venue, and in fact during the trip to Denver as a whole, he encountered nothing but love and gave nothing but love back. E-40 had a crowd pleasing and peaceful show," Hayes said.

E-40’s statement is the latest development following Saturday’s shooting, which occurred at 1:45 a.m. in front of Club Vinyl, as concertgoers were leaving the venue.

One person is currently in critical condition following the shooting, while four other people were released from the hospital after being treated for minor wounds at the Denver Health Medical Center.

At this time, police are continuing to investigate the shooting.

The Denver Post reports that no new information was made available to the public regarding a motive or suspects in the shootings.

Although E-40 “certainly regrets that this incident took place,” Hayes stated that his client and his camp are “unable to control the poor and tragic choices that other adults choose to make.”

News of the shooting comes as another mark against Club Vinyl. The club, located at 1082 Broadway in downtown Denver, has been the site of various incidents over the years.

Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting after an altercation two years ago on New Years Eve that took place across the street from Vinyl.

Denver city records reveal that 14 criminal incidents have taken place at Vinyl’s location from January to November, with three of those cases happening around closing time.







Source: Allhiphop.com

After a little more than a month on the air, MTV has canceled 50 Cent’s reality show, “50 Cent: The Money And The Power” due to low ratings, as predicted by Donald Trump. We previously reported that the billionaire said 50’s show would fail and it was a rip off of his “Apprentice” show. 50 Cent recently pushed the release of his new album “Before I Self Destruct” back to early next year. In related news, MTV plans to debut sixteen new reality shows soon. Recently the network put out “Daddy’s Girls” a spin off of their hit reality show “Runs House.” This marks the latest move by the network from the once “music television” into more reality show format.

Pictures >>> Click Here For More...

The development of a New York hotel rapper Jay-Z invested in is on hold because the star and his partners cannot pull in further financing for the project.

Jay-Z poured money into J Hotels, which acquired a $66 million plot to build a high-end hotel in the Big Apple. But due to the ailing economy, partners have failed to pull in investors - and there is now a $370 million shortfall in funds, as even the banks won't back the property development.

Charles Blaichman, one of Jay-Z's partners, tells The New York Times, "A year ago it would have seemed a reasonable amount. Not now. Even the banks who want to give us money can't."

It looks like Soulja Boy is having sophomore jinx with his new album. Soulja Boy’s new album “iSouljaBoyTellEm” is estimated to only sell around 35,000 copies in it’s first week. The Crank Dat rapper’s first album “SouljaBoyTellEm.com” sold nearly 3.5x the amount, racking in around 117,262 in it’s first week. Soulja Boy tried to replicate the sucess of his single “Crank Dat” by creating another dance track called “Balk” but the single hasn’t got much radio play or views online comparatively. Topping Soulja Boy will be Plies with his new album “Da Realist” as it’s set to sell more than 90,000 copies in it’s first week. In related news, Soulja Boy was featured in a new video feature from MTV on Mixtapes. Soulja Boy appears along with Rick Ross, G-Unit and other top artists to talk about the mitape game.

He's said previously that Emeritus would be his last foray as a rapper, and Scarface seems to be sticking with that mantra.

In a recent video featuring Face and 112's Slim, the rapper confirmed his retirement, or at least the retirement of his Scarface rap moniker. Click Here For More...

"Scarface is dead, yeah, he's dead," Face told Slim. "The artist formerly known as Face is going to produce some sh** on Slim's album, but it won't be Face no more, Face is dead."

Despite a long success career, both as a solo artist with classic albums like The Fix and as a member of the legendary Geto Boys, Face is adamant at stepping out of the spotlight, and putting his focus on handling things behind the scenes.

"I wanted to broaden my horizon in music, I grew up in a band, I play everything," Face added. "As influential as I am in the music industry, it would be wrong to stay in the music and not bring it back."

As far as the future, Scarface hasn't divulged his plans. But, during an interview with MTV back in September, he said he'd consider returning to rap only if he was to do a collabo album with the likes of Cube, Jay-Z, Nas and/or Beanie Sigel.

We might have forgotten about Simon Cowell's tongue lashing a few years back but Beyonce probably hasn't -- mainly because she was the subject of the 'talentless' rant. Click Here For More...

"I find the whole thing mystifying. She's not sexy, she hasn't got a great body and she's not a great singer," Cowell told Esquire.

According to the Daily Express, Simon had to eat those very words when forced to ask the "I Am...Sasha Fierce" singer to perform on the 'The X-Factor.'

In fact, Simon had at least two people to apologize to as Beyonce's father, Matthew Knowles rang in him in stating "Simon wouldn't know a hit song, image or talent if it hit him in the face."

There is no official confirmation of said apology, however, the UK's Daily Express says 'Sasha Fierce' demanded an apology before 'putting a ring' on that stage.

Knowing Cowell, the same judge who has told numerous contestants to keep their day job or worse on American Idol, DE says Cowell only backed down after producers practically demanded a big star to raise the season's ratings, especially after Britney Spears' unfavorable performance.

Insiders say the only performer with that kind of pulling power was Beyonce'.

A source close to Beyonce even admits: “It’s debatable whether she’d have agreed to the X Factor at all if she didn’t have a CD to promote.

“There’s been bad blood between her entire family and Cowell ever since his ridiculous rant in Esquire. Believe me, it took a lot of apologizing on his part to swing it. At the end of the day, she realized she has a big fan base in Britain. She’s appearing for them, not for Simon Cowell."

R&B/pop singer Christina Milian is speaking up in Rap Up magazine's winter 08/09 issue -- this time the "Us Against The World" singer is setting the record straight. Click Here For More...

Calling the publicized drop from Def Jam the most "embarrassing" point in her life, Christina Milian gets candid with Rap-Up. At one point the singer admits "I would be in my room a lot of the time crying by myself."

Milian wasn't the only one dropped during a period she says was full of budget cuts, R&B singer Tearri Mari also felt the brunt of the ax.

"It was a budget cut, I believe," says Milian.

"Probably got rid of projects like mine to spend the money on Rihanna."

Since 2005 Rihanna has been Def Jam's leading pop sensation, releasing several chart-topping singles including "Take A Bow" and "Umbrella," while Milian has remained nearly silent since being dropped.

Things are looking up for the former "Dip It Low" singer. She is now signed to Myspace Records and has a new single entitled "Us Against The World".

Milian says "I'm not going to let these people hold me down. It's time."

For more on Christina Milian's exclusive chat session with Rap-Up pick up the winter 08/09 issue on newsstands now.

Kanye has already made his New Year's resolution - he has promised to make his peace with the paparazzi. Click Here For More...

The Stronger hitmaker has been arrested on two different occasions after clashing with photographers.
West was detained by police in Newcastle, England last month (Nov08) after he was accused of pushing a camera into a snapper's face. He was subsequently released without charge.

West and his assistant were also arrested over a similar incident at Los Angeles' LAX airport in September (08). The pair was charged with felony vandalism after reportedly smashing a snapper's camera, but the charges were later dropped by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.

And the rapper is adamant that in 2009 he will make more of an effort to be pleasant to photographers.
He tells TMZ.com, "I love you guys. That's my New Year's resolution. Me and the paparazzi."

Houston rapper Mike Jones has announced a new venture with ProConcept Marketing Group, Inc to endorse an exclusive new line of Cognac liquor from the “House of Dobbe’.” Click Here For More...

Jones and ProConcept will together strategize promotional events and concert tours in major markets to promote the product.

Currently, both parties are planning a special Super Bowl event to dually promote Mike Jones’ new album and the Cognac line.

According to Dobbe’ CEO Joel Stohlman, partnering with Jones gives both entities visibility in markets they normally wouldn’t reach.

“We are excited that this particular product. The line of Dobbe’ cognac is a perfect fit for Mike Jones,” Stohlman told AllHipHop.com. “He is a terrific self-promoter and will do whatever is required to make this product launch is a success. We will give him the support he needs throughout the U.S., and continue marketing and promoting the products in conjunction with the record launch.”

Cognizant of the industry sales plummet in the years since his album, Jones explained that brand partnerships are essential in keeping artists visible at a time when promotional funds are limited.

“This opportunity could not have come at a better time, with the launch of my new single,” Jones detailed to AllHipHop.com. “I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do what I love; produce hot music and engage in business opportunities. The story of this product fits my life. I had to work extremely hard to be a success in the music industry, and will give the same level of commitment to House of Dobbe’.”

Former Danity Kane star Aubrey O'Day says why limit yourself. According to her, boys and girls are welcome at her dollhouse. Click Here For More...

"The only thing I'm looking for in life is incredible passion and honest love," the "Damaged" singer told US magazine.

Rumors that O'Day was a lesbian spread across Hollywood earlier this month when the singer showed up to a party where she was overheard calling another woman her girlfriend. She also brought her 'girlfriend' to a Nascar Sprint party.

"At this point in my life, I wouldn't say one way or another what my preference is sexually."

"All I really operate on is the way I feel in my heart when it comes to love."







SRC: US magazine

Part One


Click Here For More...

Part Two

Months after his Long Island home was destroyed by fire, rapper 50 Cent is speaking out on the circumstances leading up to the blaze. Click Here For More...

During an upcoming interview with Access Hollywood‘s TV One Access, the G-Unit frontman revealed his home went up in flames, just days after his ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins was ordered to leave the residence.

“The courts told her she had to leave,” 50 Cent told TV One Access correspondent Quddus. “It’s kind of more like, ‘If I can’t have you, you can’t have it.’” When asked if Tompkins set the fire in response to the order, the rapper declined to specifically name the single mother and deliberately became vague.

“Well, I don’t want to say that… don’t try to make me say something I don’t want to say,” 50 Cent stated. “But the circumstances to it might seem that way.”

The TV Once Access interview is the latest development in the aftermath of the home’s destruction, which occurred in May.

According to reports, Tompkins and 50 Cent’s son, Marquis, were among the six people taken to a hospital and later released, after suffering smoke inhalation following the incident.

In a lawsuit filed earlier this year against the rapper, Tompkins claimed the rap star had promised her a house more than a decade ago.

A war of words resulted from the suit as Tompkins’ lawyer Paul Catsandonis alluded to an “extremely dangerous incident” between “the parties in question” in his Manhattan office, just days before the fire.

Catsandonis further noted that 50 Cent signed an agreement that would give Tompkins half of all his earnings as a Hip-Hop superstar.

“Everything that’s his is hers, everything that’s hers is his. He memorialized in an e-mail that he intended to give her the house,” the attorney told the Associated Press.

TV One Access’ interview with 50 Cent is scheduled to air in its entirety at 7 p.m. on January 4.




Source: Allhiphop.com

With rumors flying around that she's pregnant, Janet Jackson has been keeping a low profile lately, but after a rumored tell-all hits shelves the iconic star may have some 'feedback' of her own.

According to MediaTakeOut, Jackson's 'rumored estranged daughter' Renee, who is now in her 20s, is contemplating a tell-all book. Click Here For More...

An insider reportedly told the website: "There's so much that nobody knows about what went on in Renee's life. She wants to come clean about everything that she's been through."

Rumors about Jackson's daughter gained traction a few years back when James Debarge told a radio station that his brother had fathered a child with the "Together Again" singer.

According to Media Take Out, a release date or book title has not been confirmed, nor has Renee confirmed whether she is indeed Jackson's daughter.

Janet Jackson denied these very claims in 2005, stating "I do not have a child and all allegations are false."

T.I. won’t be releasing his “Swing Ya Rag” due to Gucci and Louis Vuitton protesting their products being shown in the video. TIP says “We spoke to them. The video, it’s done. But I guess it’s one of those corporate things where they don’t wanna be associated or affiliated with a certain type of brand. A T.I. video ain’t the best look in their eyes right now. No harsh feelings.” TIP continued, “At the end of the day, it’s gonna be a time when somebody is gonna have to sit at my table, and we gonna have the same type of conversations. It might be something as simple as just a party or endorsement. One thing is, the world goes around and comes back. I can take it when it’s my turn.”

Brandy has received a potential blow to her livelihood via L.A. County Superior Court.

According to documents filed at the court last week, Brandy has been sued for her part in the 2006 fatal car crash that killed Awatef Abloudihaj. Click Here For More...

Donald Lite, who was reportedly involved in the accident is suing the "Human" singer and the aforementioned Abloudihaj - a married mother of two who was killed in the accident- for allegedly causing the wreck.

In the suit, Lite says their failure to keep a safe distance, mixed with their inability to travel at a safe speed, caused Brandy to rear end Abloudihaj, causing her car to smash into his.

According to TMZ, Lite says he has suffered 'serious and permanent injuries' that have resulted in a ton of medical bills.

Brandy has been sued twice for the same accident. The "Long Distance" singer was asked to pay $50 million to the victim's parents in 2007, followed by a separate lawsuit filed by the husband of the woman killed in the crash.

In recent weeks Brandy has addressed the accident, at one point stating: "Some of the things that people said about me was also very very tough. I was involved in something that was life-changing. ... I still feel the effects of that. It was a tough experience, and I don't think that's something that I could ever forget."

Singer Keyshia Cole has just blasted out another top 10 list, as she prepares for the release of her third album, A Different Me.

Earlier this week, she unveiled the 10 things that piss her off, and now, she's giving some advice to the men out that trying to court the young singer. Click Here For More...


For the guys, Keyshia gives 10 ways for "a guy to get me to like him." The list is as follows:

1. GENUINELY NICE AND PATIENT
2. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF LIFE
3. LOVING YOUR BODY UNCONDITIONALLY
4. BEING CONSISTENT; DON'T CHANGE AFTER A FEW DATES
5. BEING CONTENT WITH THE MAN YOU ARE (BE CONFIDENT)
6. LOVE THY MOTHER
7. HAVE YOUR OWN THING GOING ON
8. NICE TEETH AND LIPS
9. SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD
10. SUPPORTIVE

Also, she says pick-up lines don't work on her. Here's three of the corniest she says she's heard.

1. I'LL GIVE YOU $100 TO RUB YOUR FEET
2. I THINK GOD PUT YOU IN MY LIFE FOR A REASON
3. I'M ON RODEO, JUST TELL ME ALL YOUR SIZES

A Different Me is slated for release December 16.


Source: Ballerstatus.com

Mr. Bad Boy, Sean Comb can't wait to attend President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony, insisting it'll be "cool" to be at the historic event. Click Here For More...

Combs was a vocal supporter of Obama leading up to his election victory last month (Nov08) and is delighted to be attending his swearing in, which will take place in Washington D.C. on 20 January (08).
And the rapper, infamous for demanding the best, doesn't even mind if he's at the back for the ceremony - because he is just happy for the invite.

He tells Access Hollywood, “If I don't have the best seat in the house, I'll be all right. As long as I am there and around the people and able to witness my fellow Americans… I'll be cool."

Music tycoon Jermaine Dupri has filed a lawsuit against a nightclub and a promoter for the unauthorized use of his name in Atlanta. Click Here For More...

According to the papers filed on Tuesday, nightclub Pure Atlanta and Binyam Yayin from the Entertainment Group, LLC had used the rapper's name to promote their "All Black Affair" in November.

Two days prior to November 20 affair, Durpi's manager Nick Leo had received a request from the promoter asking that the rapper make an appearance at the club on that particular night. Leo declined on behalf of his client, explaining that the rapper will be out of the country.

Despite declining, the nightclub still proceeded to promote the event. It was advertised through flyers, online postings, and radio ads using Dupri's name and images.

Leo contacted the defendants immediately after learning of the nightclub's promotional methods and asked them to cease using Dupri's name in connection with the affair.

Durpi accuses the nightclub and the promoter of violating his right of publicity, unfair competition, false advertising and unfair and deceptive trade practices. He is seeking permanent injunction preventing the misuse of his name, image and likeness by the promotional agency's agents.

He is also seeking unspecific punitive damages and that his legal fees be reimbursed.


Source: CNS

Keyshia Cole just blasted out her first lists, as she gears up for the release of her forthcoming third album, A Different Me.

Here's one of more lists to come, via her publicists:

This the 10 things that piss Keyshia off. Click Here For More...

1. BAD HAIR DAYS
2. LIARS
3. WHEN THINGS DON'T GO AS PLANNED
4. WHEN PEOPLE ARE MEAN, ESPECIALLY TOWARDS ANIMALS
5. STALKERS
6. WHEN PEOPLE DIE OVER NONSENSE
7. WHEN PEOPLE DON'T LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES
8. BEING DISAPPOINTED
9. RUMORS
10. GETTING UP EARLY

She's also launch an online quiz to see which of her fans is her "superfan." To take the quiz, goto ClearSpring.com/widgets.


Source: Ballerstatus.com

Rapper T.I. is determined to use his time in prison wisely - he is planning to organize his comeback from behind.Click Here For More...

T.I. is facing a one year prison sentence in March after pleading guilty to illegal possession of three machine guns and two silencers following his 2007 arrest. And T.I. is adamant that he won't be wasting any time in prison.

He tells MTV.com, "Presumably, while I'm there, I'll be able to strategize my comeback. All those days will be spent speaking to people who are interested in being in the T.I. business. Preparing myself for the days those doors open, when I put my feet back on the ground of the free world. It's just months of planning. It's just a long time to roll the project out. I ain't gonna just be sitting still doing nothing. The wheels will be turning; just the car ain't going nowhere."

And the star is even planning to make a movie before he heads to jail. He adds, "The film I'm producing over at New Line, For Sale, we're trying to put that together, and hopefully we'll be able to do that before March. We're getting offers every day, checking on our availability, on whether or not we'll be able to take advantage of certain opportunities, film-wise."

R&B singer and American Idol veteran Fantasia Barrino is facing an eviction according to recent reports. Click Here For More...
The "Hoodboy" singer is reportedly on the verge of loosing one of her homes in North Carolina due to unpaid mortgage payments.

According to US Magazine and property records, the singer's 6 bedroom mansion has been foreclosed on. Unless the star can make the necessary payments the 6, 232 square foot home will be auctioned off next month.

The home is reportedly worth $1.3 million.


SRC: US Magazine

Akon told MTV today, he is totally digging the current trend of rappers becoming singers. Akon thinks it's cool that artists like Lil Wayne and Kanye West are embracing melodies, and he isn't shy about taking some credit for the movement, having crossed back and forth over the singer/rapper divide for years and helped popularize the heavy use of Auto-Tune along with his "Bartender" collaborator T-Pain. Click Here For More...

"As an artist, depending on who you are, you should never be in a situation where you feel threatened by another artist," he said. "If anything, I embrace the fact that they're doing it. Music changes every year. I'm just happy [about] the fact that people are jumping on what we're already doing. I look at it like a tribute to what we're already doing, and I look at it like a compliment, really.

"I say 'you're welcome' every time I hear [rappers singing]," said Akon, who just released his new album, Freedom. "A melody has a way of describing [words], 'cause of the emotions that come with melody. Melody brings it out better than a bland vocal. It's easier to relate."

T.I. recently revealed to MTV that he plans to go on tour the "first of the year" for possibly a couple months, and one person you won't see on the road with him is fellow ATLien, Shawty Lo.Click Here For More...

If you've been under a rock for the past year, you're probably unaware that he and Shawty Lo haven't been on the best terms, and that was apparent when members of their entourages collided during last week's Dirty Awards.

On two separate occasions during the awards' ceremony, members of each rapper's crews clashed, ending with pepper sprayed being shot into the air, and individuals members being tossed out of the event.

In between the first and second incident, T.I. and Shawty Lo spoke privately, both agreeing that their differences shouldn't put a damper on the evening's event. However, the talk didn't seem to stick, and a scuffle took place anyway.

"We spoke," Tip told MTV. "I don't know what that conversation meant. Shortly after we spoke ... I felt that that conversation, those words, weren't upheld. It was just a lot of nonsense. There's no place in my life for that. There was a time in my life where I wanted no more than to indulge in that kind of activity. I went around looking for it, welcoming it. Now, I just done blown way past that. There's no place in my life for it. What I told him really was, 'I'm not trippin'.' "

T.I. means it too. According to the King of the South, the beef between him and Shawty Lo has been over for quite some time, at least in his eyes. Whether or not, Shawty Lo feels that way is another story.

"It's been over for me," the rapper said. "I'm looking way past this. I got way too much stuff that I'm involved in, that I'm looking forward to, to even be bothered with it. I wish you the best. Go do your thing. Peace unto everyone."

"I'm done," he later added. "Like I said, it's a non-issue for me. I'm cool. I'm not trippin'. I wasn't trippin' before then, and I'm not trippin' now."

After hearing rumors of a D'Angelo and Diddy partnership through Bad Boy Records, D'Angelo has come forward to clear things up. Click Here For More...
"While both gentleman hold one another in the highest regard, the stories circulating in the press are totally false," D'Angelo's manager Lindsay Guion told All Hip Hop.

D'Angelo's highly anticipated third album had been rumored to be a Bad Boy effort but his manager insists the "Brown Sugar" crooner is signed to J Records (RCA Music Group).

Ne-Yo will be playing a free concert today (Monday 8th Dec) for underunderprivileged youths in Las Vegas.

The R&B singer will perform to 1,000 youngsters as part of his non-profit organisation, The Compound Foundation, which aims to give kids from poor backgrounds the chance to get a good education by providing post-graduate training and scholarships.

This free event will see Ne-Yo perform at the 2nd Annual Holiday Giving Tour at the Doolittle Community Center.

He was crowned the 2008 Hip-Hop Cash King by Forbes just a few months ago, but not even music mogul 50 Cent is immune to the effect of the recession. Click Here For More...

The rap superstar recently admitted that with the downturn of the economy, he too has lost money ... big money.

"I lost a couple million dollars already," he said. "I sit with my investors and business managers and accountants, looking at the numbers, and I'm like, 'Yo, the values of stocks in different areas that I invested in are decreasing!' So I take the loss like everybody else."

However, despite financial losses, 50 is well aware of how to stay out of the red. In fact, his Connecticut mansion -- once owned by Mike Tyson -- is a constant reminder to him to keep a close eye on his money.

"I'm waking up in a room that was previously Mike Tyson's bedroom, a fighter who earned over $500 million in his actual career, and when I purchased his house from him he was in bankruptcy," 50 explained. "If that's not a strong enough reminder for you, I don't know what's going to remind you to be aware of where you are financially and make conscious decisions."

One of the decisions he's made most recently was the delay of his upcoming fourth solo album, Before I Self-Destruct. The project was originally due to hit stores in December, but decided he wanted to build more awareness for the project to avoid a disappointing sales performance.

"Pushing (the album) back was to position myself a little better. I want to make sure (buyers) hear some things before I actually get my CD physically on sale," he said.

The album is now due in stores in 2009. It will also include two bonus DVDs.

Source Ballerstatus.com

According to Marshall, Texas news reports Tyler Perry went to court this week to face allegations that he stole material for his blockbuster debut "Diary of a Mad Black Woman."Click Here For More...

Donna West is suing the actor-screenwriter for copyright infringement in U.S. District Court and wants a jury to award her family all profits made from the film.

"I can't put my play on because the stories are basically the same and nobody wants to see that again," she said.

West testified Tuesday that she developed a script titled "Fantasy of a Black Woman" based primarily on her own experiences. With her in the starring role, the play was performed in July 1991 at the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters at the Dallas Convention Center.

"The play was opened to the public. Anyone could have attended," West said.

Perry's movie, which earned some $50 million, came out in 2005. Jurors on Tuesday watched the film and listened to a reading of the script from West's play.

In her opening remarks to the jury, Perry's attorney, Veronica Lewis, said her client is an "immensely talented" individual "who has no need whatsoever" to use the materials of others.

Lewis noted that Perry had experienced considerable success before and after the film, "so why would he need to copy Ms. West's script?"

Testimony was expected to resume Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis told jurors he anticipates the case will be completed by next Tuesday.

SRC: AP

R&B singer and former Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland is rumored to be gearing up for a big New Year's surprise -- a surprise that is likely to cause Beyonce and her father/manager Matthew Knowles to "Listen" up. Click Here For More...

Reportedly tired of playing second to Beyonce, an industry insider says Kelly Rowland has plans to shelf her manager, Beyonce's father Matthew Knowles.

While Rowland's efforts "Ms. Kelly" and "Simply Kelly" failed to ignite the same success as her Destiny's Child cohort in the United States she has been very successful overseas.

Her album, "Ms. Kelly" made an impressive debut in the UK stemming from the overseas only single "Work".

Eventually "Ms. Kelly" was certified gold in the U.S., however, ended up being worthy of Platinum certification overseas as the effort moved just over 1 million copies, giving the album a total of 1.5 million copies sold worldwide.

Re-released this year in Europe and Japan only, the disc reportedly moved up the charts immediately.

Sources say Kelly Rowland's "Ms.Kelly (2007)" had been pushed back several times to accommodate Beyonce's now Grammy Award-winning album "B'Day(2006)" which resulted in the failure of the "Like This" singer's sales in the U.S.

So who is Kelly Rowland looking to for guidance ?

None other than 'So You Think You Can Dance' and 19 Entertainment mogul/manager Simon Fuller, who she is rumored to announce as her new manager at the top of the year.

Fuller will allegedly work to get Kelly Rowland's career on track in the U.S.

Kelly Rowland's biggest hit "Work" became a top five hit in Bulgaria, Poland, France and the UK. The song was not released stateside.

Akon and T-Pain have joined Nate Dogg as the Hip-Hop hook kings of all time, although Akon doesn’t think Nate Dogg compares to T-Pain and himself. Click Here For More...
“I mean it depends on what you consider to be a hook man,” Akon tells sources. “Nate, I don’t think he’s any competition to what we’re doing right now. The West Coast, which was incredibly hot, there wasn’t nobody touching Nate Dogg at that time. I was around at that time. It wasn’t no getting through them doors.” Akon did give Nate Dogg his props saying “Nate had it locked down, but I think as time started changing, I slowly took over because I came with more than just a hook. I came and gave you the song itself. When you came to Akon for a record, you’ll get the record, you’ll get the track, you’ll get the song and the concept for it.” So who’s the best of all time? Akon says that belongs to T-Pain. “If I had to give it personally to anybody, I would give it to T-Pain.”"I always looked at him as someone that can add a lot of color to someone’s record. I do it a lot of different ways, but I’m always thinking business when I’m doing it. Pain is doing it for the fun of it. I strategize differently. I do it according to what territories I need to take over. Pain does it just cause he loves to do it.”

Chris Brown and Rihanna are reportedly at the center of a $1 million lawsuit filed in Florida. Click Here For More...

The R&B power duo has been named in a lawsuit filed by Luis Santana claiming the duo had his camera stolen and him beaten up after he photographed them together.

Santana is reportedly asking for $1 million in damages claiming his $3,000 camera was stolen from him after being tackled outside Chris Brown's birthday bash in St. Petersburg, Florida in May.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, Santana has alleged bodyguards for Brown and Rihanna attacked him for taking a photo of the couple through their open limo window.

NEW YORK (AP) - Chris Brown is in demand with on-demand viewers. The TV on-demand service Music Choice said Monday the soul singer was its most requested artist in a one-year period ending in September. Fans ordered free plays of Brown's videos or interviews 43 million times. Click Here For More...

Music Choice honored Brown on its first "Most Demanded" awards show that was available — logically enough — on-demand starting Monday.

Network executive Damon Williams said teenage girls were primarily responsible for Brown's win. He said fans would invite friends over to watch or show off the video on their cell phones.

The Jonas Brothers and Lil Wayne were big draws, too. Wayne's "Lollipop" video was seen 12 million times.

Despite being available in less than one-third of the nation's TV homes, Music Choice says it is behind only YouTube as a popular place for people to seek out music videos on demand.

Music Choice, perhaps better known for its suite of channels that play different genres of music, sees growth opportunity with its on-demand features, Williams said. Surveys show fewer than 10 percent of the people who have the capability of getting on-demand video actually use the service, he said.

The company just started offering music videos on-demand 2½ years ago.

The Chicago Police Department is expected to formally charge William Balfour with three counts of murder according to a release issued Monday evening. Click Here For More...

Balfour, the estranged brother-in-law of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson was arrested and will be charged with the October slayings of three of her relatives.

"We have obtained an arrest warrant for William Balfour. He was released to Chicago detectives," Chicago Police Department spokeswoman Monique Bond said, adding that Balfour would be charged with three counts of murder.

Balfour, 27, who had been married to Hudson's sister Julia, was questioned after the slayings but not charged. He was imprisoned for violating his parole on a previous attempted murder conviction, and was scheduled to have a hearing on Wednesday.

Bond would not give details about what evidence led police to charge Balfour for the shooting deaths of Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, brother, Jason Hudson, 29, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian King.

Donerson and Jason Hudson were found shot to death on October 24 in Donerson's South Side home. Four days later, King's body was found in a stolen sport utility vehicle parked on the city's West Side. A handgun used in the slayings was found nearby.

The Chicago Tribune reported investigators had evidence that Balfour had a gun matching the weapon.

SRC: Reuters/Chicago Tribune

Tyler Perry has reportedly settled the much-talked-about battle with the Writers Guild after a series of events including a picket at the grand opening of his new studio in Atlanta. Click Here For More...

The deal, announced this week, came after five months of negotiations, reports Variety.

Perry's TBS comedies 'House of Payne' and 'Meet The Browns' will push forward as planned with season premieres early next year.,

The guild had accused Perry of firing four scribes around the same time they came in contact with the WGA. Perry denied the charge, saying the four were let go because he was unhappy with the quality of their work on "House of Payne" and the upcoming "Meet The Browns" spinoff (Variety).

According to the WGA, the deal does not include the reinstatement of the four writers, three of whom were WGA members.

"With a continued focus on fostering young, diverse talent, we are eager to continue our dialogue with the WGA to dramatically increase the number of minority writers working in Hollywood today," Perry said in a statement.

Tyler Perry, who is due to release 'Madea Goes To Jail' next year, has also completed deals with SAG, DGA, Teamsters and IATSE.

Click Here For More...

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