Ashanti performed the “Star Spangled Banner” at the NFL Thanksgiving game (Dallas Cowboys vs The Jets) … and it was bananas! Nah lol, it was pretty good though. I can’t hate. Sounds like she did it live though ’cause I hear a few cracks in there, but I’m not being analytical or anything =D

This man is so remarkably genius, music wise, it’s really scary. Leslie just has that musical ear, being diverse as he is, I knew he would be big once he started production on Cassie’s projects. He was the one who actually made her music digestible to say the least. In conclusion, people, do not sleep on Ryan Leslie!

Here’s another headline that fell between the cracks… The Michael Jordan divorce settlement has been crowned as king of all celebrity settlements! Like, for real! It’s been reported that Juanita Jordan will receive over $168 in cash and assets, which include their seven-acre estate in Highland Park. Word on the curb is that she’s planning to sell the estate to L.A. Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who ironically might become a Chicago Bull in the future! I guess she’s “keeping it in the family.” On top of that, home girl is supposedly dating a young banker. So yeah, she’s paid … for life. Must be nice… I mean, real talk, can I just have $100,000??? That won’t even make a dent in that $168 million!!

Baseball star Barry Bonds was indicted a couple of weeks ago on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying under oath to a federal grand jury looking into steroid use among pro athletes.

“During the criminal investigation, evidence was obtained including positive tests for the presence of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances for Bonds and other athletes,” the indictment read, according to the Associated Press.

Bonds attorney John Burris was skeptical of the investigation’s findings. “I’m surprised,” he said, “but there’s been an effort to get Barry for a long time. I’m curious what evidence they have now they didn’t have before.”

Bonds, who hit home run number 756 on August 7th of this year, surpassing Hank Aaron, told a grand jury in 2003 that he had never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs. The indictment follows a four-year investigation into steroid use by top athletes.

AIM CONVERSATION:
Friend: [gives me the link to the video]
Friend: POST THAT IMMEDIATLEY!!!!!!!!
Me: Don’t be yallin’ at me … hell wrong witcha?
Friend: LOL, I’m not yelling…
Me: [clicked on the link] omg
Friend: That’s excitement
Me: wth, no.
Friend: lol a yell would be
Friend: !!!
Friend: lol
Friend: AHAHAHA
Me: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Friend: HAHAH
Friend: He is soo ugly lmfao
Me: LMFAO
Me: Shhh!!!
Friend: Lmfao at the chair!
Me: The miicc W……..T-F.
Friend: LMFAO!
Friend: It gets better as it goes on lolll
Me: I see… Lmao… that chair… office max…. 99.99 Oh snap, BH a baller y’all!
Friend: AHHHHHHHHHHH
Friend: LMFAO … the hair … the short hair … LMFAO!!! OMG
Me: Nooo … stop spoiling! I’m not on that part yet …
Friend: LMFAO!!!!!!!!
Me: BWAHAHA – the random short wig – that’s exactly like Ciara’s “Promise!” OMG, why does he have the same build as Ciara – that’s so scary! You can’t tell me that isn’t Ciara’s body!
Friend: Lmfao!
Friend: That’s why I was laughing!
Me: _________________________.

Snoop Dogg’s longtime sidekick, Bishop Don Magic Juan, has confirmed he’s dating James Brown’s widow – and they’ve exchanged diamond rings. The colourful former pimp has revealed he became Tomi Rae Brown’s confidante earlier this year as she fought the late soul man’s estate for a share of his fortune.

He says, “She says I’m the only one to make her cry and smile at the same time.” Magic Juan admits the couple has been keeping their romance low-key because Brown’s lawyers feared a relationship with a former hustler would not help her case in court.

He adds, “They won’t let us have it that way, and I understand.” Meanwhile, Brown admits she’s close to the Bishop but she has no plans to wed him. She explains, “I gave him a ring, but it was just a gift. As far as I’m concerned, I’m the Godmother of Soul and I have no intentions of being with anybody else.”

Well I really hope she lets Don know how she feels because he thinks they’re on something serious! Looks like he’s in love all by his self lmao.

Alicia Keys took the title of the second biggest release of the year when her brand new album (just released last week) “As I Am” sold over 742,000  copies! Kanye West still holds the title of the biggest release, with over 957,000 “Graduation” albums sold in the first week. Jay-Z’s latest album, “American Gangster” dropped from #1 to #8 this week, while Chris Brown’s “Exclusive” fell 6 spots from #4 to #10.

In other AK news, it’s reported that she showed her support for Hollywood’s striking writers on Tuesday when she performed two songs at a rally they staged on Hollywood Boulevard. Thousands of protestors shut down the street as they took part in the Labour Solidarity March and rally outside the famous Graumann’s Chinese Theatre.

Talks between executives and the writers are set to restart next week in an effort to end the walk-out. The writers went out on strike on November 5after failing to secure a royalties agreement concerning material on the Internet and other new media. The strike has brought many TV shows and some movies to a standstill.

Apple debuted a new iPod / iTunes ad a few nights ago on television. The ad continues the silhouette dancer theme of Apple’s long running iPod ads and features Mary J. Blige singing “Work That” (her next single) from her new album Growing Pains, which is slated for a December 18th release. Peep the ad above. I think it’s definitely a good look for apple to start using R&B/Hip-Hop artists in their television ads!

Timbaland has been celebrating after his publicist Monique Idlett gave birth to his first child. The pair, who had secretly been dating for two years, have also announced their engagement after the music producer, real name Timothy Mosley, proposed during their baby shower last month.

A source said: “They welcomed a baby girl (Reign Mosly) into the world a couple of days ago. They’re both really happy together. They’ve known each other for years.”

Reports earlier this week revealed that a woman who works for Timbaland’s record label Mosley Music Group was expecting his baby, but it was originally stated that the pair were not in a relationship together. Timbaland and Idlett plan to marry next year.

I mean dayum! Did anyone see this coming? Talk about keeping shit under wraps! But anyhow, congratz to the two on their engagement and their newborn.