THIS WEEK’S TOPICS » T.I. spends Thanksgiving alone – Britney Spears saved by moms – Jennifer Lopez announces pregancy – Snoop Dogg fights with the police & more!
New Beatz For The Freakz
JORDIN SPARKS » USHER » M.I.A. » FERGIE
Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown » “No Air” » LISTEN » (Full) » This is a new “rumored” single, “No Air,” featuring Chris Brown from American Idol‘s own, Jordin Sparks. This is definitely a solid single, courtesy of The Underdogs, the only con I have is she oversings a tad towards the latter. Other than that I think this is a stellar pop ballad that is sure to top the charts almost effortlessly.
Usher feat. Ludacris » “Dat Girl” » LISTEN » (Full) » New material from Usher, say what? Yep, this is said to be a Rich Harrison production. The moment I heard this, I went into several mild seizures. Then it grew on me, tentatively, it’s different. My music tastes are a little weird, I know, but this may be that hit factor Usher needs. Some might disagree (or jump me), yeah, but just imagine if this came on in the club! I’m telling you, let it marinate, it will grow on you too… Look how dangerously big “Yeah” was.
M.I.A> » “Paper Planes” » LISTEN » (Full) » “Paper Planes” is said to be UK rapper M.I.A.’s next single from the critically proclaimed album Kala. Finally, I’m overzealous about how the video might turn out. “Paper Planes” is possibly one of my most songs off of the album Kala.
Fergie feat. Will.i.am » “Pick It Up” » LISTEN » (Full) » “Pick It Up” is a new track, featuring producer Will.i.am, that can be found on the Japan re-release of Fergie’s certified double platinum-selling album, The Dutchess. Ooh, I like this! Nice, mellow, guitar driven ballad. Will.i.am was also a nice touch to “Pick It Up,” as he always is.
Donda West (Kanye West’s Mother) Dies at Age 58 from Undisclosed Causes
KANYE & MRS. WEST AT A BOOK SIGNING BACK IN JUNE 2007 // PHOTO: WIRE IMAGE
Donda West, the mother of Kanye West and former chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department, passed away Saturday from undisclosed causes, according to a spokesman for the family. She was 58. According to multiple sources, West was in Los Angeles and her death may have been the result of complications from a surgical procedure; more specific information was unavailable at press time. Although widely known as the mother of Kanye, Dr. West was a noted scholar and an active college professor for 31 years; she left the profession in 2004 to assist with Kanye’s career, according to her biography on the Web site of the Kanye West Foundation, an educational nonprofit of which she was chair. She was also chief executive of West Brands, the parent company of her son’s businesses. She began her teaching career in the early 1970s at Brown College in Atlanta and began working at Chicago State University in 1980, according to the site; she was also a Fulbright Scholar, among other awards. Dr. West raised Kanye in the Chicago area along with her husband, from whom she separated when Kanye was 3.
Does Rihanna Like Girls Under her Umbrella?
These particular photos (courtesy of Rihanna Glam) have been making their rounds across the blogs and they show Rihanna in some very strange poses with other females. What’s strange is that all of a sudden she’s admitting to dating Josh Hartnett, something she’s denied in the past. Anyhow, I can’t wait to see how this all is gonna pan out once this hits the media!
“This Don’t Make No Sense!” Ja Rule » Lil Wayne » Remy Ma » Busta Rhymes
PHOTOS BY STEVEN HIRSCH FOR SPLASH NEWS » Here Jeff Atkins (Ja Rule) can be seen entering Manhattan Criminal Court for his court appearance this past Wednesday. But what’s funny is that he wasn’t the only rapper with a court date that morning! Remy Ma, Lil’ Wayne (Birdman was there to support), and Busta Rhymes all had an “appointment” with the same judge. If you were just passing through, you’d probably think it was the damn BET Hip-Hop Awards or something. Peep candids of Wayne, Remy, and Busta after the cut.
OJ Simpson Has his Day in Court
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SPLASH NEWS » The media circus welcomed OJ Simpson yesterday as he left court for the first day of his preliminary trial in Las Vegas. The ex American football star turned actor faces charges of Kidnapping and armed robbery. The star left court in a green Hummer and sped off. Peep more candids of OJ leaving court after the cut!
Jennifer Lopez Finally Admits to Her Pregnancy
JENNIFER LOPEZ & MARC ANTHONY AT THEIR CONCERT LAST NIGHT // PHOTO: WIRE IMAGE
Gee, thanks? Jennifer Lopez announced her pregnancy last night in Miami during the last show of her and her husband’s El Cantante Tour. Following her set, J.Lo surprised the audience with the news, telling them, “We always wanted to wait until the last show as to not burden our audience with the thought of anything else except the show … but Marc and I are expecting.”
Husband Marc Anthony interrupted, telling the crowd, “I did not expect her to say anything.” Lopez continued, “I felt that now that we’re ready and we’re going to go away and have a little bit of time alone it was the right time,” before turning to Anthony and adding, “I hope you don’t mind.”
I guess we wouldn’t have known had she not told us, Lol. I mean really, it’s not like the big dresses gave anything away, right? =)
Somebody Else Wants a Piece of James Brown’s Will
A Georgia woman who claims to have married James Brown in 1953 says in court papers they were never divorced and she wants to be part of his estate. 73-year-old Velma Warren Brown filed a sworn statement in Aiken County court Wednesday claiming she was never served with divorce papers and didn’t sign any agreement ending her marriage to the late soul singer. Brown died Christmas Day at age 73. However, at least two attorneys involved in disputes over Brown’s estate and trust discounted the woman’s claim, and said she had remarried.
The Augusta (Georgia) Chronicle also reported Thursday on its Web site that it had obtained court documents showing a judge had granted a divorce in 1969. A message left for Velma Brown’s attorney, David Bell, wasn’t immediately returned. Bell has said his client married the “Godfather of Soul” on June 27, 1953, had three children and lived with him for 17 years. “There was never a formal separation or a divorce,” Bell said. “They kind of went their separate ways, but he always kept in touch with her.” He said the two last saw each other in December at Brown’s home in South Carolina, just weeks before he died in a Georgia hospital. Bell said his client was coming forward now because “it’s something that she had just never thought about.”
Looks like his 4th wife (and baby-mama), Tomi Rae Hynie has a little “friendly” competition!
New Beatz For The Freakz
TIMBALAND » CHRIS BROWN » SEAN PAUL » THE-DREAM
Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson, D.O.E. + OneRepublic » “Way I Are (Remix)” » LISTEN » (Full) » Whoa! What a collaboration we got here! It seems music producer Timbaland has once again team up with OneRepublic for the “Way I Are” remix featuring Keri Hilson and D.O.E. I think I might like this more than the original, wow! I love it, this will definitely be a stellar club banger, no doubt!
Chris Brown » “Fallen Angel” » LISTEN » (FULL) » Apparently this is a UK bonus track (DAMN, they always get the good stuff!!) from Chris Brown’s late Exclusive album in stores now! The song, “Fallen Angel,” features some solid production from Mr. Bryan Michael-Cox which probably explains why I love it so much! <3. And is that a Spanish breakdown at the latter? Oh, n/m it was just reversed lol.
Sean Paul » “Hardcore (Killa Beez Riddim)” » LISTEN » (Full) » You know what? I give up on Sean Paul, I’m not feelin’ this at all. It seems he just gave up with this album, luckily his people have pushed it back ’til next year, which isn’t too bad. Hopefully they will get it right during that time with everything…
The-Dream ft. R.Kelly » “Shawty Is A Ten (Remix)” » LISTEN » (Full) » Well this song has definitely been all over the radio lately, so much, that King of R&B himself R. Kelly decided to join hitmaker The-Dream on the “Shawty Is A Ten” remix. It seems that all the material I’ve heard so far is about infidelity, lol, but I’m just not feeling anymore material after “Shawty Is A Ten” becos it’s so hott!
New DEY: “Give You The World” (Music Stream + iTunes Download)
I’m sure you guys remember me posting on multi-cultural group The DEY a few months ago! Well, they recently released their new EP, The D.E.Y. Has Come (Sony BMG), exclusively on iTunes! The new EP will feature the trio’s new single “Give You The World,” you can listen to the streaming audio links below, the song was produced by J.R.! If you guys like what you heard you can also download the EP on iTunes via the link below also!
The DEY – “GIVE YOU THE WORLD”
Windows Media (96k) | QuickTime Player (195k) | MacroMedia
Jay-Z’s “American Gangster” Banned from iTunes
PHOTO: WIRE IMAGE
Jay-Z took the initiative and banned his latest LP, “American Gangster,” from iTunes because he wants his fans to listen to the album in its entirety, rather than downloading a track here, and a track there, which iTunes lets you do for only $0.99 per song.
As movies are not sold scene by scene, this collection will not be sold as individual singles.
If American Gangster, which is in competition with Chris Brown’s “Exclusive,” charts #1, Jay-Z will tie Elvis for the most number one albums in history. Only the Beatles have more, with 19.
In other Jigga news, word on the block is that he’s also infiltrated Sirius radio, where he is taking over the satellite station for the week. Jay-Z will be in charge of Hip-Hop Nation channel 40, playing songs from his albums as well as other artists of his choosing.
And on top of that, 106 & Park will be doing Friday’s show at a top secret location in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York for a free mini-concert. He’s doing it up big!! To be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime free event, please email audience106@bet.com for tickets and more information. Brought to you by BET, tune into 106 & Park on Friday, November 9th at 6:00 P.M. ET/PT to see it all go down.
Shia LaBeouf Arrested at a Chicago Walgreen’s
Transformers star Shia LaBeouf was arrested in a Chicago drug store early Sunday morning, reports CBS News. A security guard in a downtown Walgreens repeatedly told the 21-year-old actor that he was to leave the store because he appeared intoxicated (at least he was legal, lol), say police.
When LaBeouf refused, the guard alerted police. The arrest occurred at around 2:30 A.M. Following his arrest, LaBeouf was described by authorities as “very courteous and polite.”
Bond was posted before 7 A.M. police said. What’s up with these folks getting arrested at Walgreen’s?? And judging by that mugshot, yes, homeboy did look a little tipsy.
CNN’s Nancy Grace Gives Birth to Twins
CNN’s Nancy Grace is now the proud mother of a set of twins. The host of CNN Headline News’ legal affairs talk show “Nancy Grace” gave birth Sunday to a boy and a girl, CNN spokeswoman Janine Iamunno said. John David weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce, and Lucy Elizabeth weighed 2 pounds, 15 ounces at birth. The babies weren’t due for another two months but doctors decided to induce labor early after Grace, 48, developed pulmonary edema — fluid in the lungs, Iammuno said.
“Lucy Elizabeth, John David, and their proud parents are now resting comfortably,” said a statement posted on the show’s Web site.
Congratz to Nancy and her husband, David Linch. I wonder if having babies will tone her down a bit. Nah, probably not! Lol…
Venus Williams Presents UNESCO-Sony Ericsson Gender Equality Campaign
Venus, is that you? Lol. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, the world’s leading global sport for women, announced today the selection and funding of women’s leadership programs in Cameroon, Liberia, China, Jordan and the Dominican Republic, along with a new global advertising campaign designed to raise awareness and promote the goal of gender equality. Venus Williams (pictured above) is a part of the advertising campaign, elevision spots as well as a print ad, is expected to be run by a number of international and national broadcasters, including Eurosport, Zee Sports in India, NTV in Russia and the Tennis Channel in the USA. The ads are designed to raise awareness and promote the goal of gender equality and women’s leadership. They are also designed to introduce the Tour’s rising star players as global role models for women’s leadership in their role as Promoters of Gender Equality. The television spots and print advertisements can be viewed on the Tour’s official website.
In addition, Venus Williams’ clothing line, “Eleven,” and her retail partner Steve & Barry’s, announced today that they have created a special Venus Williams/UNESCO tee shirt that will be sold at Steve & Barry’s retail outlets, online at the Tour’s official website and at select Tour tournaments, with the net proceeds from sales to be donated to the UNESCO-Sony Ericsson WTA Tour partnership.
Is it just me, or does homegirl look like a straight up dude? I really hope this get-up was just for this event Lol, since it is about gender equality and what-not…
