And here we thought steroids were just for athletes! Some of music’s biggest names like Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean came up in connection with an Albany, New York based steroid investigation, The Times Union of Albany reported. They even named playwright/director Tyler Perry!

Citing unidentified sources, the report alleged that the above-mentioned music stars, along with award-winning author and producer Tyler Perry, may have received or used performance-enhancing drugs. Grammy-winning singer Blige blasted the report when reached for comment by the New York Daily News. “Mary J. Blige has never taken any performance-enhancing illegal steroids,” the singer’s spokeswoman Karynne Tencer told the News. Ken Sunshine, a spokesman for Perry, declined to comment to the Associated Press.

Law-enforcement officials have said evidence does not indicate the celebrities broke the law. For now, at least, officials are focusing on the doctors, pharmacists and clinics providing the drugs. Albany District Attorney David Soares launched his investigation into steroid trafficking last year. Soares has declined to comment on or confirm the identities of the stars who came up in the probe. His multistate investigation has focused on Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Fla. So far, 10 defendants have pleaded guilty and some professional athletes have been linked to the probe in news reports.

Records shared with the Times Union and information from several cooperating witnesses on Long Island indicate the celebrities received prescribed human growth hormone or steroids. In some cases, aliases were used for their delivery. Former Sen. George Mitchell released his report last month on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. Hearings are set to begin this month in Congress on the Mitchell report.

Well … I’ll be damned! The outcome of this will be quite interesting.

Mary J Blige is gracing Vibe’s latest issue. On the inside of the February 2008 edition of the magazine, she talks about losing some of her fans after her transition from “sad Mary” to “happy Mary.”

“When I took the chance to show people I can be happy, I lost a million of my fans. I was like ‘I’m gonna have to lose y’all in order for us to live, because if I keep going down this dark hole, we’re all gonna die together. I’m gonna slit my wrists or take some pills, and it’s gonna be over.”

Make sure you pick up this magazine, as it’s on stands now!

“Sleepwalkin’” is an extra bonus track that can be found on the Japanese (y’all get everything!) version of Mary J. Blige’s new album Growing Pains (Geffen) in stores now! Wow, Mary J never ceases to amaze me, really! I find this song single material, it’s really relative and rockable to me, I love it! Cheers MJB but if you don’t release this I’mma scream and it’s produced by Tricky! LOL. Shouts out to Chris for the new music <33.

Mary J. Blige - Sleepwalkin’ - PAGE LINK

PHOTOS: JOHNNY NUNEZ FOR WIRE IMAGE

This past Friday, it was reported that Jay-Z wouldn’t be able to celebrate the opening of his new 40/40 club in Las Vegas this weekend because of the club not passing some kind of inspection test. But obviously, everything was cleared up and the party went on as planned. But eff the party! Check out the dude behind Jay-Z. If that ain’t a piercing side-eye, I don’t know what is. Maybe someone should teach Al Sharpton the PROPER way to throw your diamonds in the sky.

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PHOTOS: WALIK GOSHORN FOR RETNA

I came across some more photos of Jay-Z’s big “New Year’s Eve” concert (even though it was this past Saturday) at The Pearl in Las Vegas. Kanye West, Mary J Blige, Ne-Yo, Memphis Bleek, and Beanie Sigel all showed up and performed with Jay live on stage. Sounds like it was a pretty good show! More flicks after the break…

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Mary J. Blige’s new album drops Tuesday, December 18th, and to celebrate its release, Think2wice is giving away a copy of the album to any Mary J. Blige fan who leaves a comment between today and Friday, December 28th! And since it is indeed the season of giving, we’re going to throw in an “iMainGo” for your iPod too! All you have to do is leave a comment with a valid e-mail address before 12:00 AM on Friday, December 28th 2007. I will then select ONE random winner on, or before, Saturday, December 29th, so be sure to check your e-mails. For more information on the contest, make sure you click below… CONTINUE READING

Queen of R&B/soul Mary J. Blige covers the December 8th edition of Billboard. In the magazine singer Blige talks about her ever growing endorsements with elites like Chevrolet and Apple. She also discusses how her new album, Growing Pains (Geffen), may be even bigger than her previous effort The Breakthrough.

CHRIS BROWN COVERS ELVIS PRESLEY “JAILHOUSE ROCK” »

So the 2007 Movies Rock! show went down last night (December 7th): a night of movies, fashion and music! Performances include Chris Brown, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Will.I.Am, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J and Eve! It looked fun, I’d say my favorite performance would have to be Fergie Ferg with “Live and Let Die” (Guns N’ Roses), she did an amazing job and did that song much justice. Ooh, I also love Usher’s performance of Gene Kelly’s “Singing in the Rain” - great show! Really they ALL did a fantastic job, I’m so proud of everyone! I’m mad I missed it y’all! Ha ha, expect more performances after the cut! CONTINUE READING

PHOTOS BY JOHNNY NUNEZ FOR WIRE IMAGE

BET’s Stephen Hill and his long standing commitment to fighting AIDS/HIV was honored with “Live Beats.” “Live Beats: A Night of Musical Mayhem and Tonal Terror Fashioned by Fun(k),” took place this past Tuesday at the Highline Ballroom in New York. Mary J. Blige performed, and Diddy, Ashanti, L.A. Reid, and more showed up at the event. Check out lots of photos after the cut!

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Mary J. Blige // Growing Pains » Growing Pains (Geffen) is the name of MJB’s new studio album which hits stores December 18 and includes the hit single “Just Fine” produced by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart. The album starts off as this big celebration with the first single “Just Fine” that kind of gave me this Jackson vibe, I still think she shoulda got them on the remix or something, that’s a hot joint right there! Anyway GP continues to mid tempo and then to some real nice downbeat, classic ol’ school joints to say it best, that’s what it sounded like to me. Guest appearances for this LP includes Ne-Yo, Ludacris, and you know Mary had to get Usher on this project — he ripped that shed! Yes you should go get this album, the arrangements and production are pretty solid and Mary delivers as always! Two thumbs up! My favorites are “Roses,” “What Love Is” and “Come To Me (Peace).” AND “WORK THAT!” <3.

Just Fine // Roses // Work That! // What Love Is CONTINUE READING