I'm sorry but this is one dumb looking couple. JD Leprachaun looks like a drunk Uncle Ralo wearing his only funeral, wedding, interview, and church suit. He's holding his champipple in his left hand.

Mystikal and Irv Gotti News
 

Mystikal Rape Case To Be Settled Soon, Lawyer Predicts
Mystikal is close to settling with the hairstylist who accused him of raping her in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in July. The rapper's lawyer, J. David Bourland, would not go into detail on Thursday (January 23), but he said the matter is being resolved in a way that satisfies both parties. "We're not making any admission of guilt," Bourland said. "Sometimes you just have to swallow a bitter pill in order to move on with your life and your career." MTV News was unable to reach lawyers for the 40-year-old woman, whose name was not released.

Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Tyler, was arrested on July 18 after his hairstylist told police he had forced her to have sex with him, allegedly threatening to turn her in for cashing unauthorized checks from his bank account if she refused. During a search of the rapper's home, authorities confiscated a video of the alleged sexual assaults, which also involved two other men, Leland Ellis and Vercy Carter. According to the arrest warrant, the tape shows all three men having sex with the woman. Detectives were originally presented an affidavit signed by the victim stating that the intercourse was consensual, though the woman later said she was tricked into signing it and still wished to pursue the case.

Mystikal was also arrested for extortion, though he has not yet been indicted on either charge. Bourland said the court has delayed formally pressing charges in order to give the two parties time to settle the issue, which he said would happen in "the very near future."

Mystikal was released on $250,000 bond and was later granted permission to leave the court's jurisdiction to record his next album. If convicted on the rape charge, he would face a mandatory life sentence. Extortion carries a prison term of one to 15 years. Tarantula, the rapper's 2001 album, is nominated for the Best Rap Album Grammy, while the single "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)" will compete for Best Male Rap Solo Performance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Irv Gotti Speaks About Probe (The last line made me laugh a lot, I'm sure you will too)
Murder Inc. founder and chief executive Irv Gotti said he and his hit-making record company have done nothing wrong, even as federal investigators probe his links to the convicted head of a Jamaica-based drug gang.

"They are investigating me because I have friends," said Gotti, who broke his silence about the investigation as Murder Inc. artists Ashanti and Ja Rule prepared to perform at halftime of yesterday's NFC Championship game. "If you're from the 'hood, then you're gonna have friends."

Federal officials began investigating Murder Inc. because of Gotti's connection to Kenneth McGriff, the convicted head of the Supreme Team drug gang.

McGriff was given a production and writing credit on Murder Inc.'s first film, "Crime Partners 2000," a drama starring Ja Rule. The film, loosely based on McGriff's life, has never been released.

Last week, the Los Angeles Times reported that federal investigators seized a number of bank accounts connected to McGriff, including one from Picture Perfect Entertainment that contained nearly $500,000 advanced by Murder Inc., money that the company said was for distribution rights to a soundtrack.

Industry insiders say federal investigators are looking for a link between McGriff and the money Gotti used to launch Murder Inc. in 1999. Earlier this month, investigators raided Murder Inc.'s Manhattan offices and seized computers and financial documents relating to the company's start.

However, industry sources say it is no secret how Gotti, a Hollis native whose real name is Irving Lorenzo, got the money to launch his company.

In 1999, Island Def Jam, the Manhattan-based subsidiary of Vivendi Universal, gave Gotti $3 million to start Murder Inc. based on his strong performance and his success at wooing rapper Jay-Z to Island Def Jam. At the time, Gotti was a mid-level talent executive at Def Jam.

Island Def Jam has been so pleased with the partnership - thanks to a stellar 2002 that featured multiplatinum hits from Ashanti and Ja Rule - that it paid Gotti an additional $4 million last year to turn Murder Inc. into a formal joint venture.

While the investigation is on Gotti's mind, he appears to be taking it in stride.

Backstage at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where Fox was taping its "NFL Saturday Night" special, Gotti spent most of his time joking around and napping in Ashanti's dressing room.

He beamed with pride at the rousing reception that greeted him after Ashanti and Ja Rule performed. After the show, "NFL Saturday Night" hosts Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long posed for photos with Gotti and the Murder Inc. crew. Bradshaw and Long flashed the three-finger Murder Inc. salute.

"That is such a good look for me," Gotti said, smiling. "I need copies of that picture in triplicate. One for me, one for the NYPD and one for the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

"Why investigate us?" Gotti said, as the cheers continued. "We're America's favorite family."

Queen Latifah
 

From MTV.com:

On Friday, two days before the Golden Globes, Will Smith and wife Jada hosted a glitzy Hollywood shindig in celebration of Queen Latifah's nomination for Best Supporting Actress The rapper, who garnered rave reviews for her role as a prison matron in "Chicago," lost the award but still has plenty of reasons to party. Like a classic musical, Latifah is peaking in her second act.

Though the Queen's career appeared royally stalled after a run of hit albums and a sitcom in the early '90s, she's back with another movie, TV show and album on the way.

When asked if she felt like she was having a moment, the humble rapper answered, "I feel like we're having a moment." Latifah shares all the credit with her business partner, Sha-Kim Compere, and their Flavor Unit Entertainment.

"There's a whole team that is making all these things happen," Latifah said in the limousine ride to her party. "It is a moment now, but the work has been put in for a while."

"Chicago," which features the Latifah/Lil' Kim/Macy Gray collaboration "Cell Block Tango" on its soundtrack has been the biggest push, although the rapper has other projects buzzing.

First up is "Bringing Down the House," a comedy she stars in as an on-the-lam criminal seeking legal help and love from a lawyer played by Steve Martin.

"There's a lot of sex," Latifah said with a raised brow. "It's celebrity, it's greed, it's reciprocity, it's what you can do with a high-priced lawyer. There's a lot of things in this movie that translate today."

"Bringing Down the House," in theaters March 7, will come complete with a Latifah single and video. The following month she'll drop a new album, First Love.

" 'Cause music is my first love," Latifah explained. "Music is the reason we got into all of this. If it wasn't for music, I don't know where we'd be right now. ... It's kind of like an ode to music. I always come back to my hip-hop roots."

The album will feature appearances from most of her Flavor Unit roster, along with Missy Elliott and Tweet.

"I don't feel like I need to grab every major rapper," Latifah said. "I'm not trying to compete with Eve or [Lil'] Kim or Foxy [Brown]. I'm just looking to carve my little niche. ... To me, it's about making records and taking chances with music."

Also in April, Latifah is producing and possibly directing a movie for Lions Gate Films called "The Cookout," with which she hopes to give other rappers a chance to act.

And later in the year, the former star of "Living Single" is returning to the small screen in a CBS drama called "Mali Anderson."

"It's Angela Lansbury/Nancy Drew meets 'Shaft,' " Latifah explained as her limo pulled up to the trendy Cicada eatery. "She's a cop who was fired because she was sexually harassed by a command officer and punched him in the face. She's real connected to the community. She knows everybody. And she's real smart. She ends up stumbling across all these cases. Let's say a bodega keeps getting robbed and she's so cool with guy who owns it, so he just asks her for help."

Right now, though, Latifah wants to set aside her busy schedule. "We're gonna enjoy this, 'cause you never know when you're going to have this again," she said as she exited the limo.

Latifah has had one stumble in her recent comeback. She was arrested in November for driving under the influence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love Latifah and while I never bougt any of her albums or tapes I always respected her as a musician, I am glad to see her returning to the musical scene.


Oh and The MALI ANDERSON are based on detective novels by Grace F. Edwards -- highly recommend her books.

Janet and Jermaine??!!
 

Is his hand on her butt??!!!:eek: :eek: :rolleyes:

CTHU, CTHU @ you girl. I just had a flashback of Sanford and Son when Redd Foxx would wear that one "good suit" for every special occassion.

Funny I tell ya, just plain funny!!! :D

If you heard a rumor over the weekend that Jay Z and 50 Cent were murdered, you can relax. The story is NOT true! It seems that some unidentified pranksters created a fake CNN Internet page with a story about Jay and 50 being found dead in the lobby of a hotel in L.A. The story claimed that police were looking for two suspects. But, it turns out this was all just a sick joke. Russell Simmons told the web site AllHipHop.com (one of the definitive sou! rces for accurate hip hop info) that Jay-Z is in Switzerland and 50 Cent was in New York (he was on the radio there over the weekend).

Cedric the Entertainer has been chosen to host the NAACP Image Awards which are set for March in L.A. Some people said Cedric was an in appropriate choice for the Image Awards because of those jokes he tells about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. in the movie “Barbershop.” But NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said that controversy was "overblown," especially since Cedric gets shouted down by other characters in the movie. When he announced that Cedric would host the Image Awards, Mfume said, quote: "Some people, and it's their right, will object and say it's not the right choice, but thank God this is America, where people can do that. We're not a monolithic community, African-Americans — never have been and never will be."

Brian McKnight helped gospel superstar Kirk Franklin pay tribute to his wife during a recent concert in L.A. Kirk is traveling with fellow gospel greats Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams on the Hopeville Tour. The concert series’ L.A. on January 18 coincided with Kirk and Tammy Franklin’s 7th wedding anniversary, and Kirk used his time onstage to honor his queen. Kirk called Tammy onto the stage toward the end of his set. The audience erupted into applause and cheers as Kirk told Tammy how deeply he loved her and how grateful he was that she permitted him to work on their anniversary. Then, Kirk said that he wished he could honor Tammy with their special wedding song. At that point, R&B sensation Brian McKnight came out and serenaded the couple with his tune, “Still In Love.” Folks were reportedly crying all over the auditorium!

India.Arie will portray jazz singer and social activist Nina Simone on an episode of “American Dreams,” the hit ABC series produced by Dick Clark that’s set in Philadelphia in the early 1960s. Miss Arie’s episode (titled “False Start”) will air on Sunday, February 16.

Authorities in Bloomfield Township, Michigan are still waiting for Aretha Franklin to respond to a notice that her $1.6-million mansion, which was gutted by a fire, violates the community's building code and must be repaired or demolished. Aretha received a letter (dated January 7) informing her she had two weeks to remove debris left from the blaze by January 22nd. Investigators believe the fire was deliberately set, but no one has been arrested and they say Aretha is not a suspect. Since 1989, the township has cited the 60-year-old singer for failing to put a fence around her swimming pool, for the open storage of unlicensed vehicles, and for debris and raw garbage scattered around her property.

DMX will team up with Eminem for the soundtrack for “Cradle the Grave,” the action flick starring DMX and Jet Li. DMX will rap alongside Eminem and Obie Trice on a track called "Go to Sleep" which was produced by Eminem. The “Cradle 2 the Grave” soundtrack is due February 18.

Suge Knight has been hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit by his former legal team. The firm of McPherson & Kalmansohn say the boss of Tha Row cheated them out of more than half a million dollars in legal fees. Last month, former Death Row Records artist Daz Dillinger and a Philadelphia based company, Organized Crime Family, won a default judgment of $25 million dollars against Knight over unpaid royalties.

Ruff Ryders Records has finalized a new distribution deal with Virgin Records. The Ruff Ryders’ former distributor, Interscope Records, will retain rights to Eve and Jadakiss’ solo material, while DMX and his Bloodline imprint will continue their affiliation with Island Def Jam.

Charles Moose, the Montgomery County Police Chief who led the D.C.-area sniper investigation has reportedly signed a deal for a book and possible movie. In addition to giving a day-by-day description of the sniper case, the book will tell how Moose rose above an impoverished childhood and worked his way up to being police chief. But Moose could have one, slight problem. Montgomery County, Maryland has a strict ethics policy which prevents police commanders from accepting money to speak publicly about the sniper shootings. But County Executive Douglas Duncan (the guy who hired Moose in 1999) said Moose should be given a pass because he played a central role in the investigation and in keeping the nation calm during the crisis. Duncan said that, if necessary, he’ll ask the County Council to pass legislation authorizing Chief Moose’s book deal.

A lot of Celeb news
 

Angie Martinez Is Having A Baby

Radio personality and rapper Angie Martinez announced on Monday (January 20) that she is five months pregnant. The child was fathered by producer and Dru Hill member Nokio, who turned 24 on Monday (January 20), according to Martinez's spokesperson at Elektra Records.

No comment was given as to how the pregnancy might effect Martinez's present work schedule, which--in addition to her duties as a DJ on WQHT--includes her Animal House production company and its new artist, Sacario, who is working on his debut album. Martinez was also hoping to release her third, as-yet-untitled album in 2003.

Angie was supposed to be one of the judges on the popular Fox Show American Idol then she suddenly gave it up, now we know why.

P. Diddy in Daddy Debate

Despite rap star P. Diddy doubting that he was the father of former lover Alicia Douvall's unborn baby, the burgeoning singer insists she feels no bitterness towards him.

The blonde bombshell, who married one of Madonna's dancers only to leave him 10 days after their wedding last year, is notorious for telling the UK tabloids of her exploits with celebrities. Her past conquests include Mick Hucknell, soccer star Dwight Yorke, singer Dane Bowers and pop guru Simon Cowell.

Multi-millionaire Diddy, real name Sean Combs, allegedly pleaded with Alicia not to tell all of her latest heartache, which culminated in her miscarriage of the baby in December. But she told her story anyway.

Alicia reveals in 'The Mail on Sunday' that P Diddy apparently told her he did not want to know about the baby until a paternity test was done to prove he was the father.

Talking of the miscarriage Douvall says, "I was nearly three months pregnant when I miscarried. I was rushed to Portland Hospital. They kept me in all that day and most of the night, and that's where I lost the baby."

Alicia, who already has a seven-year-old daughter, adds of the "Missing You" rapper's reaction, "He told me to stop talking about it, but I'm not angry at all. Whenever I think of him, I think he's just an amazing person. I just want him to get on and have a great life, the same as me."

Combs allegedly said he would deny any responsibility for the baby until a paternity test proved he was the father.


Foxy Says 'No' to Playboy

Raunchy hip-hop star Foxy Brown has turned down the chance to take it all off for Playboy because she has promised herself that only her boyfriend will see her naked.

The sexy Ill Nana star is famous for showing off her body on album covers and in magazines, but she has no plans to bare all.

She says, "I think it's a great magazine but I turned it down.

"I have a mother and a father and there's certain things I won't do. I'm a very sexual person and everyone knows that from my lyrics, but my man is the only one that is privy to see me in a G-string."

:rolleyes: Haven't we all seen her a$$ anyway? Puh-leeze

Mystikal Rape Case 'Close to Being Settled'

Rapper Mystikal is close to settling out of court with the hairstylist who accused him of raping her last July.

The hip-hop star's lawyer, J. David Bourland, says the matter is being resolved in a way that satisfies both parties.

He explains, "We're not making any admission of guilt. Sometimes you just have to swallow a bitter pill in order to move on with your life and your career."

Mystikal, who's real name is Michael Tyler, was arrested on July 18 after his 40-year-old hairstylist told police he had forced her to have sex with him in Baton Rouge, allegedly threatening to report her for cashing unauthorized checks from his bank account if she refused.

During a search of the rapper's home, authorities confiscated a video of the alleged sexual assaults, which also involved two other men, Leland Ellis and Vercy Carter. According to the arrest warrant, the tape shows all three men having sex with the woman.

Detectives were originally presented an affidavit signed by the victim stating that the intercourse was consensual, though the woman later said she was tricked into signing it and still wished to pursue the case.

Mystikal was also arrested for extortion, though he has not yet been indicted on either charge.

Bourland says the court has delayed formally pressing charges in order to give the two parties time to settle the issue, which he insists would happen in "the very near future."

If convicted on the rape charge, Mystikal will face a mandatory life sentence. Extortion carries a prison term of one to 15 years.


Patty Jackson's The 411
A former rehab roomate of Diana Ross is speaking out about the Diva. The male roomate says Diana stays in trouble because she feels she doesn’t have a drinking problem. Diana feels its normal to have a little Tequila in the morning. She has been drinking for over 40 years and she doesn’t see the big deal. The roomate also revealed her troubled relationship with her daughter Tracee. Tracee Ross is one of the stars of the UPN Show Girlfriends and she is the one who forced her mother to go into rehab. Diana was not happy with this and they have been arguing a lot. Tracee just wants the best for her mom before she kills herself but Diana can’t see it.

According to published reports Whitney Houston is putting her family on a budget. Whitney’s new LP is not doing well and her dad is suing her for a 100 million dollars. Whitney is looking to save money and she has slashed the salaries of her family. Whitney used to give her mom Cissy 1600 hundred dollars a week now she gives her 550 a week. Whitney’s two brothers and sister are also feeling the budget crunch and Whitney is thinking of selling her New Jersey home and making Atlanta her permanent home.

Did Halle Berry try to commit suicide? Sources say when Halle found out her husband Eric Benet was cheating on her she tried to committ suicide. A source on the set of her James Bond Movie Die another day says Halle was very distraught at her public humilation. When Halle was married to David Justice she thought of suicide when things started to sour. Halle is determined to make her marriage to Eric work, she made him go into a sex addiction clinic and she ordered him to cut off his locks because she thought women were attracted to them. This summer check out Halle in the movie X-Men 2.

On February 17th Dateline NBC is going to devote a full hour to Michael Jacksons face. Yes Michael’s face, the skin lightning and the nose surgeries. Michael’s brother Jermaine says he is very upset with NBC. Jermaine says the network tried to trick him and his family into participating with their special. He says they were told they would be used in a documentary about the Jackson Family legacy then he found out the special was going to be about Michael’s face.

Will Smith has a new recording home. Will is now with Dreamworks Records. Will has signed a deal to do recordings, Television, films, video games and animation. Last week Will was dropped by Sony Music.

Mariah Carey says her boobs are real. On the American Music Awards Sharon Osborne proclaimed that Mariah had the best boob job she has ever seen but Mariah insists this is not true. I met Mariah a few years ago and she had a very flat chest. Mariah is also trying to revive her movie career but she is not having any luck. Apparently Mariahs reputation is doing her in. According to sources Mariah once stood up a famous director. She was supposed to meet with him at ten in the morning but she blew him off because she doesn’t awake before noon. She was also a pain on the set of the movie The Bachelor. Mariah did a cameo in this movie and she insisted on having her hairdresser, makeup artists, tour manager and chef fly with her. She also demanded 8 cars that she never used.

What’s up with Boys To Men? Wanya, Nate and Shawn are featured in the latest edition of Sister to Sister Magazine and they did Jamie Foster Brown a great diservice. Jamie interviewed them about their life and their career. Well they did not tell the truth about what is going on. Wanya is denying that he is married. HUH! Wanya is very married to a woman who lives here in Philly. Wanyas wife has a clothing shop on 4th and Bainbridge called Toieast. They also stated that Mike McCray has retired from the group. Well Mike came to the station and went on the air stating that he is still with the group. What’s going on here? Why would the guys just out and out lie to Jamie like that? Wanya is married he told me himself. He should have said no comment as for Mike why are they dissing him like that. What’s going on with this group?

What is Aretha Franklin hiding? Police in Detroit say they are getting no respect from the Queen of Soul. They want her to answer some questions about the fire that destroyed one of her homes. Police say it was arson and they know who did it. They say Aretha is not a suspect but they want to talk to her. Aretha says she’s too tired to talk. Is she protecting someone? She was touring at the time of the fire and she did not live there.

Cont'd
 

More trouble for Singer Tevin Campbell. Tevin and his mom were recently detained in Uganda for unpaid bills. Tevin was doing a show there when he got into an argument with promoters. Tevin was getting 10 thousand dollars to perform but when he saw the size of the crowd he wanted more money. When he couldn’t get the extra money he decided not to pay any bills and that’s when he couldn’t leave the country. A couple of years ago Tevin was arrested for soliciting sex from an undercover male cop. Tevin is best known for the songs ‘Can we talk’ and ‘Tomorrow’

Congratulations to Singer Deborah Cox. Deborah and her husband are expecting their first child. Deborah is currently topping the charts with the song "The Morning After." She is best known for the song "Nobody’s Supposed to be Here."

Angie Stone is in negotiations to be in the Broadway Musical Chicago. Angie would play the role of Big Mama Morton. Queen Latifah is already playing this role in the movie version of the Broadway smash.

Pop Singer Carnie Wilson is going to take it off for Playboy Magazine. Carnie was part of the popular group Wilson Philips and she lost 150 pounds via Gastric Bypass Surgery. This is the same procedure that Weatherguy Al Roker went under. Look for Carnie in the April Edition. :confused: Why Carnie why?!

I hear there could be another scandal brewing for Basketball Superstar Michael Jordan. Apparently he has an older son who is in trouble with the law. This child was born before his marriage to Juanita. Why has Michael been quiet about this and what trouble is is his son in?

The Bucs are coming to Philly but don’t look for the wife of Star Player Keyshawn Johnson. Keyshawns wife recently made headlines when she got beat up by the girlfriend of Rap Mogul Suge Knight. Apparently Keyshawns wife was cheating on him with Suge and Suge's girlfriend found out about it and beat her up at her restaurant. Keyshawn opened a popular restaurant on the West Coast and he let his wife run it. I hear Suge’s girlfriend beat the crap out of her and Keyshawn has filed for divorce.

Musiq is going to be the new spokesman for Coca Cola and Levis Jeans.

Actress/Comediane Monique opens up in the new edition of Heart and Soul Magazine about her recent heartache. Monique was supposed to get married in May but she called off the engagement when she found out her Fiance had lied about his past. Marvin Dawson from Baltimore was supposed to be husband number 3 but he failed to tell her about his stint in prison for theft and his recent parole violation for having crack and heroin in his socks. We all know Monique as the wisecracking Nikki Parker on the Parkers but in this interview you feel the pain of a woman who has been hurt in love

Diana Ross has a serious drinking problem and I hear she may get Anti-Abuse pellets put in her stomach to get her to stop drinking. Diana needs help and now word is getting out about her behavior in Rehab. Diana has been in Rehab three times, and the workers at her latest rehab are going public with their story. Workers at a Connecticut Rehab where Diana was staying in early December claim that Diana terrorized the staff and made their jobs a nightmare with her abuse, temper tantrums and foul language. Diana insisted on being treated like a star, she lied about her age telling everyone she was 47 (she’s going to be 59 in a couple of months). She would throw metal trays at workers and she was always accusing workers of stealing her cigarettes. When Diana left the rehab right before Christmas, workers gave her a standing ovation as she left. Diana is unhappy with her life. Her exhusband is expecting another child with his new young wife and her career is at a standstill.

Roberta Flack reveals her latest weight loss strategy in the new issue of People Magazine. Roberta whose best known for the hits ‘Feel like making love’, The first time ever I saw your face’ and Misty has lost 32 pounds after getting injected with Mesoderm. Mesoderm breaks down fat after it is injected into the body. This weight loss method is popular overseas. Roberta says weight training and aerobics she plans on losing another 30 pounds.

Soul Train Creator Don Cornelius is being sued. In 2001 Don hit a woman head on with his Rolls Royce then fled the scene. Don confessed to the crime a month later. The woman Terri Seid says she suffered damage to her knees, neck and back.

2 Much drama....
 

My response to all of that....

"yesssssss, lawwwwwwwwd"

:rolleyes:

I didn't know Deborah Cox was married. Did anyone else know?

Re: 2 Much drama....
 

yeah her producer Laschelles Stephens.

There was so much drama up in those tidbits.

:eek: :eek: @ MJ's son. HELLO!! He is cutting the rabid azz fool because he gets no attention, recognition.

Mary J. Blige And MCA Records Hit With Lawsuit
34 minutes ago


(1/28/03, 7 a.m. ET) -- R&B superstar Mary J. Blige and her label, MCA Records, were hit with a $10 million lawsuit in United States District Court in the Southern District Of New York on Monday (January 27). The suit was filed by songwriters Kiyamma Griffin and Floyd Howard, who maintain that they were never paid any royalties for five songs they produced and wrote for the R&B diva.



The songs in question include "Sexy" by Howard and Griffin as well as Griffin's "No Happy Holiday" from Blige's 1999 set, Mary; and "Flying Away" by Howard and Griffin, "Destiny" by Griffin, and "To You" by Griffin from Blige's 2001 album, No More Drama.


Mary and No More Drama were both certified platinum for sales of 2 million copies.


Attorney Wallace Collins, who is representing Griffin and Howard, explained the details of the case. "There is a producer agreement," Collins said. "This isn't someone claiming, you know, 'You stole my songs.' This is a situation where they made a deal, and basically Mary J. and MCA just have never been responsive to their request to be paid the royalties going back to the album before last. So, you know, finally they had no choice. I mean, you know, we called and wrote to everyone there was and everyone just said, 'Wait, wait, we'll get to you.' So finally they said, 'Let's start legal action, otherwise we're never gonna get our money.'"


A trial date will be set once Mary J. Blige and MCA Records respond to the complaint. They have 20 days to respond.


-- Yves Erwin Salomon, New York

Re: Janet and Jermaine??!!
 

YUP!!!!

De'Aundre Bonds
 

Antwone Fisher Star in Prison

http://www.lockdownthemovie.com/imag...ew/d_bonds.jpg
After several successful appearances on television on such highly acclaimed shows as NYPD BLUE, CHICAGO HOPE, and THE BURNING ZONE, De'Aundre Bonds moved into feature films with ease. He has co-starred in TALES FROM THE HOOD, SUNSET PARK, GET ON THE BUS, ILL GOTTEN GAINS, THE WOOD, and the soon-to-be-released BLACK BALL.

With a promising career ahead, the life of actor De'Aundre Bonds was changed in the blink of an eye. The day after learning of his winning a starring role in Antwone Fisher, the highly touted Denzel Washington directorial debut, Bonds went to his aunt's house to share the good news with his family. An altercation ensued between Bonds and a close friend of his aunt, which resulted in the unfortunate stabbing death of that man. Bonds was soon arrested and taken into police custody, later being sentenced to eleven years imprisonment for manslaughter.

Ironically, prior to this tragedy, Bonds co-starred in the movie Lockdown, in which he and two neighborhood friends, played by Richard T. Jones (TV's Judging Amy, The Wood), and Gabriel Casseus (Get On the Bus, New Jersey Drive) are wrongly accused and imprisoned for murder. The film, a gritty, upfront and unapologetic view of prison life, explores the hardened times they experience after falling victim to the oftentimes unjust penal system.

Bond's situation is a painful, yet all too common, example of life imitating art. In a tragic, unforeseen instant, a promising life and career came to a screeching halt. Such irony that Bonds must now struggle with the "real life" violence and daunting lawlessness that his character endures in the film. Hopefully, the tragic circumstances of his life will serve as a jarring wake-up call for those that will see this motion picture. Lockdown, opens in theatres February 14, 2003 and also stars Joe Torry (Poetic Justice, Sprung), Clifton Powell (The Brothers, Dead Presidents), and Master P. See www.lockdown-themovie.com for the exclusive interview with Bonds, on his incarceration.

De'Aundre :(

Such a sad waste of talent because he plays the thug role very well. Shoot he had me scared of him in The Wood.

Sports - Reuters

Serena Is the Tiger of Tennis, Says Davenport
Wed Jan 29, 7:25 AM ET

By Alastair Himmer

TOKYO (Reuters) - Serena Williams (news - web sites) has become the Tiger Woods of tennis after achieving the game's "mission impossible," according to fellow American Lindsay Davenport (news).



Williams deserves to be considered one of the all-time greats of the game after joining an exclusive grand slam club by winning the Australian Open (news - web sites) during the weekend, Davenport said.


"People were talking about this with Tiger Woods in golf. She is remarkable, the way she has handled everything," the former world No. 1 told Reuters on Wednesday.


Serena beat big sister Venus, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, in the Melbourne final to become only the fifth woman to hold all four grand slam titles at once. The 21-year-old christened it the "Serena Slam."


Davenport, however, called it "mission impossible," arguing that it was harder to achieve now than when Steffi Graf (news) won all four major titles in 1988.


"We say this and maybe we sound a bit silly, but there is a lot more competition now than when I started 10 years ago," said Davenport, in Tokyo to play at the Pan Pacific Open.


"Not just the tennis but mentally there was so much pressure on Serena. She exudes more class now and she has become a much different person than she was three or four years ago."


Davenport declined to make comparisons between Serena and the players who won four successive grand slams before her.

Just what we need.....
 

Ludacris, Lil' Kim To Star In Animated 'Pimp' Movie

Luda plays foul-mouthed gerbil; Kim voices working girl named Sweet Chiffon.

by Corey Moss

Lil' Pimp and Sweet Chiffon
Revolution Studios

It's not quite "Luda & Stitch" or "The Lil' Mermaid," but Ludacris and Lil' Kim are taking on roles not usually reserved for rappers.

Luda and Kim will star in the cartoon comedy "Lil' Pimp," due in theaters in October, according to a Columbia Pictures spokesperson who described the movie as "South Park" meets hip-hop.

Mystikal also provides a voice in the movie, which is based on an Internet cartoon series created by former journalists Mark Brooks and Peter Gilstrap.

Brooks voices the title character, whose only friend is a foul-mouthed gerbil named Weathers (Ludacris).

Lil' Pimp is an outcast living in suburbia until he meets working girl Sweet Chiffon (Lil' Kim), who takes him to the hip-hop club Playground to meet master pimp Fruit Juice, voiced by Bernie Mac.

The youngster excels in the world of pimping, but his new life is threatened by the city's scheming mayor, Tony Gold (William Shatner).

Carmen Electra, Jennifer Tilly ("Liar Liar"), John C. McGinley ("Scrubs") and Gilstrap also provide voices in "Lil' Pimp."

Ludacris, who debuted on the big screen in a small role in "The Wash," recently wrapped "The Fast and the Furious 2" (see "Ludacris Will Rule Road In 'Fast And The Furious 2'") and has committed to a comedy he's producing called "Skip Day" and another called "Radio" (see "Ludacris Tapped To Star In 'Radio' Flick"). His third album, Chicken and Beer, is due in the spring.

Lil' Kim has appeared in "She's All That" and "Juwanna Mann" (see "Lil' Kim Headed To Big Screen For 'Juwanna Mann'") and has roles in "This Girl's Life" and "Guns and Roses" in her future.

Mystikal starred alongside Snoop Dogg in Master P's 1999 thriller, "Hot Boyz."

This report is from MTV News

:rolleyes: ... and that's all I gotta say about that.

Lil' Pimp
 

I'm surprised that Bernie Mac would do such a role. Yes, I know his non-sitcom comedy is rough, but this still has me shaking his head.

I wonder who the fools were who green-lighted this. I saw some info on this on the Internet, and I highly doubt that black people created the show. Then again, considering that we sometimes act a fool, IMO, it gives "others" license to do isht like this.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/art2/icanfly1.jpg

Despite R. Kelly's second arrest on kiddie porn charges, a Chicago firm is going ahead with plans to republish a 32-page illustrated children's book about the R&B singer's supposedly inspirational life story. First published in 1998, "I Can Fly," is about Kelly's rags-to-riches tale and "having dreams," according to publisher Kim Dulaney, whose company, Unique Expressions, will release the $12.95 title in March. The book follows Kelly from his childhood, when he dreamed of stardom, to the pre-arrest days of the late-90s. Kelly, the book reports, credits his mother for pushing him to succeed. The slim volume ends with a drawing of a singing Kelly surrounded by young female admirers, whose cartoon ages are hard to determine.

Look at those little children around him....Chester Chester

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/art2/icanfly4.jpg

I saw that book on BV.com...lol

Now, I didn't realize this girl was 17! :eek: :oThursday, January 30, 2003

From Fox news.com
MIAMI — O. J. Simpson's 17-year-old daughter Sydney called 911 earlier this month after what she said was an argument with her dad, police said.





Police said she was crying, and asked them to help in what she called "an abuse thing."

The police report says when officers arrived at Simpson's Miami home, the girl said she and her dad had argued over "family issues."

O.J. Simpson's lawyer said his client was listed in the report only because he's the home owner. He said Simpson wasn't even there when police arrived.

I forgot to mention:

Last night on the local news, Juvenile was arrested yesterday morning. He and others were at an insurance checkpoint in New Orleans. He had his insurance, BUT when the truck pulled away, the police smelled somethin burning. It was marijuana. Then, when the vehicle was searched, they also found cocaine.
:rolleyes:

I heard on Inside Edition that Nell Carter was in debt. At the time of her death, even though she lived in Beverly Hills, she only had 200 in a bank account.:confused: :eek:

That's why Ohhhhjjjjenthal needs to find some young, stupid y-t chick to drop the hammer on and make a baby with real quicklike.
:rolleyes:

Florida has a law where the head of household's wage can't be garnished to pay creditors -- that's why he's down there in the first place. Sydney and Justin (14) are creeping towards the age where they may not be considered dependents.

This reality TV isht is just going too far...
 

Magic Johnson bounces back into TV
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Posted: 10:54 AM EST (1554 GMT)

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Basketball great Earvin "Magic" Johnson is getting back into the TV game after fouling out in 1998 with his talk show.

Johnson said Wednesday he will produce and occasionally appear in the MTV reality show "Who's Got Game," documenting the lives of 12 street basketball players competing for fame and a $100,000 prize.

Johnson said he's trying to play to his strengths as an athlete after the ill-advised attempt to be a comedian-interviewer on his own late-night talk show, which was pummeled by critics and canceled after two months.

"This is what I'm all about: basketball. I grew up playing street basketball. I wasn't myself in 'The Magic Hour,' " said Johnson, who will visit neighborhoods in cities such as Washington, New York, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles in the next two months scouting for contestants.

"I want the guys who are just street ballplayers," he said. "They're not as famous as guys in college and the NBA, but they're famous in their own neighborhoods or playgrounds."

Contestants will be limited to men over 18, but Johnson said he would consider a new version with women if the show succeeds.

Set to debut this summer, the show would include 10 episodes showcasing the history of the players, their interactions with each other off the court and ending with a basketball game.

Players would be eliminated from the teams after each show and the final episode would be a one-on-one competition, Johnson said. Besides the money, the winner will get his neighborhood court refurbished and renamed in his honor.

Johnson said he will be "in and out" of the show in a background role.

"It's not about me," he said. "It's about the street ballplayers. ... This is their shot for everybody around the world to finally get to know them."

Johnson, who announced he was HIV-positive in 1991, helped the Los Angeles Lakers win five championships during his National Basketball Association career. Subsequently, he's built a business empire including movie theaters, restaurants, shopping centers and a bank. Last year, he was named one of Fortune magazine's 50 "Most Powerful Black Executives."

Unlike Fox's "American Idol," in which amateur singers aspire to win a recording contract, "Who's Got Game" makes no professional promises.

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - It might be cool to guest star on FOX's "The Bernie Mac Show," but it looks like Wesley Snipes can use the cash as well.

For the second time in two years, the actor is being sued by Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corp., which claims that he has not paid the mortgage on his 10,000 square foot mansion since October, reports the AP.

The house was originally bought in 1993 for more than $1 million and is located in the gated community of Isleworth, where Snipes' neighbors include Ken Griffey Jr., Shaquille O'Neal and Tiger Woods.

The actor was sued in February 2001 for $640,700 in missed mortgage payments, but the case was dropped a month later after the balance was paid in full. The bank alleges that he currently owes $609,000.

Snipes will guest star on "The Bernie Mac Show" as Wanda's boss Duke when the comedy premieres in its new time slot at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Jay-Z's last CD and a book 2
 

Jay-Z's Future Plans
Jay-Z is to quit the music business following the release of his next album, the rap star has revealed.

Jay-Z stated that he felt it was time for a new challenge, which is why his next album, 'The Black Album', will be his last. "My plan is to make the next album my last. There comes a time when you've got to go and challenge yourself with other areas, you know what I'm saying? Take myself out of my comfort zone. Take the safety blanket off," he explained.

"I'll make 'The Black Album' and release a book with it at the same time," the rap star continued. "It'll be autobiographical. I'll be working on writing it. Writing's tough, though. I've done basically everything and it's time to take on new and different channels. I feel that I'm at that point in my career."

Jay-Z also said he may have a crack at movies, perhaps following in the footsteps of Eminem. "A feature length film would be cool," Jay said. "I haven't seen '8 Mile' yet. Maybe not the same storyline but maybe something. It's a natural evolution for artists... I've done pretty much everything in hip-hop, you know what I'm saying?"

Meanwhile, Jay-Z's new single '03 Bonnie And Clyde', a duet with his 'friend' Beyonce Knowles, is on course to debut in Sunday's chart at No 2.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Paperwork Scotches Neptunes' Grammy Chances
Fans may have been rightly surprised by the fact that the ubiquitous Neptunes weren't nominated for producer of the year, non-classical, for the upcoming 45th annual Grammy Awards. But it turns out that the Neptunes' name was never submitted for consideration.

"We're disappointed by the Neptunes' omission," says Angelia Bibbs-Sanders, the regional VP and executive director for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which presents the Grammys. "However, being members of our New York chapter, they should certainly be aware of this process. Members have the right to enter product themselves. It's hard to put the onus on one label here, as we're talking about submitting a specific body of work. It's about relying on someone who has knowledge of what the Neptunes have done. That's one reason why managers and attorneys join [NARAS], to make sure their clients are covered."

In the nominations process, academy members and record companies submit entries (from June 1 to Sept. 30) that are screened for eligibility (this year, it was Oct. 1, 2001-Sept. 30, 2002) and category placement by 150 music business professionals. This year's 15,000 entries were narrowed down to about 10,000 on the first-round ballot. It was sent in mid-November to the 13,000 voting members, who can nominate in the four major categories (best new artist, plus record, album, and song of the year) and nine out of 28 fields. Special committees determine final nominations in such categories as producer of the year.

"It's one thing to join and another to vote. Anyone who is a member could have entered the Neptunes," says Bibb-Sanders, who adds that Nelly and Eminem's major-category nods "directly reflect on the outreach and work we've done on a national level. I see a tremendous amount of growth in the urban membership.

"It's not perfect by any means. But we've seen a major increase from this community, especially on the elected-leadership side. Jermaine Dupri is our Atlanta chapter president and attends the trustee meetings. Jimmy Jam, Rodney Jerkins, and Nile Rodgers are also very involved. You can't affect anything without becoming involved and active."

Having staged previous urban music forums on women in power and the state of R&B music, NARAS -- in association with Def Jam -- is presenting an "Up Close and Personal" session with Russell Simmons Feb. 6 in New York.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
50 Cent and Wu-Tang To Do A Track?
For the past few years, 50 Cent & Wu-Tang Clan have been going back and forth with beef. It all started with 50 Cent's controversial track "How To Rob (An Industry Nigga)" which included disses to Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, RZA, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. After a response from Raekwon on the skit track "Clyde Smith," released on Ghostface Killah’s album "Supreme Clientele", 50 Cent came back with another freestyle that basically shitted on Ghostface and the rest of the Wu. The beef came back on several tracks, like "One Blood" released on "The W" and several other subliminal disses on different tracks but eventually it died out. Since 50 has now stepped into the spotlight, people are treating this beef as if it presently happened. However, Raekwon makes a clear statement that the beef with 50 Cent is over, and appears on a freestyle with him and Stumic over the "In Da Club" instrumental. You can find it and listen to it on www.wutangdynasty.com and see for yourself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nelly And Kelly Announced As Grammy Performers
This year's Grammy Awards may have a "Dilemma," but don't worry, it's a good thing.

Grammy organizers revealed on Monday that Nelly and Destiny's Child's Kelly Rowland will hit the stage together as performers at the 45th annual Grammy Awards. Grammy reps would not say which song or songs the two will perform, but the pair's duet, "Dilemma," which is nominated for Record of the Year, seems to be a good bet.

Nelly and Kelly are the first performers confirmed by the Recording Academy for this year's ceremony, which will be held at New York's Madison Square Garden on February 23. Nelly and seven other artists are heading into the show at the front of the Grammy pack, tied with five nominations apiece. Nelly will vie for Album of the Year, Best Male Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Album and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in addition to Record of the Year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fabolous And Lil' Mo Buddy Up Again In Two New Videos
Fabolous' "Can't Let You Go" and Lil' Mo's "4Ever" are both about touchin' and squeezin', but their titles also sum up the special bond the two seemingly inseparable artists share.

They've repeatedly worked on one another's records, and last week the rapper and pint-sized R&B star traveled from coast to coast together to appear on each other's videos. Lil' Mo's video for "4Ever" was shot in Brooklyn, New York, on January 19 and 20 and directed by Benny Boom, who has also recently worked with Nas, Fat Joe and LL Cool J. In the video, Mo reminisces about her relationship with her boyfriend as she climbs the stairs of her apartment building. Each flight of steps brings up a new flashback, one of which features Fabolous.

When shooting was wrapped up for "4Ever," Mo and Fabolous flew to Los Angeles to work on the Fab's lustful tune, "Can't Let You Go." The video was shot on February 21 and 22 and directed by Erik White, who has worked on clips for Ludacris and B2K.

The footage captures the MC getting busy with, first one twin sister, then the other. The clip reveals the qualities Fabolous admires in both the ladies, one of whom is more refined than her raunchy sibling. Lil' Mo appears in the chorus, breaking up the various romantic set-ups, and the video ends with Fab dancing with three hot babes who are holding up giant letters that spell out the word "damn."

Fabolous' new album, Street Dreams, comes out March 7 and Lil' Mo's The Girl Next Door drops April 29.
-----------
Keith Sweat, Big Tigger & Bounty Killer Join Swizz Beatz’s Full Surface Records
R&B veteran Keith Sweat, reggae kingpin Bounty Killer, and radio and television personality Big Tigger are all recent signings of Swizz Beatz. The superproducer--who has helmed hits by DMX, Jay-Z, Nas, Eve, the Lox, and Jermaine Dupri--has a label deal for his Full Surface Records through Clive Davis's J Records, which recently merged with RCA Records to form the RCA Music Group.

The Full Surface roster also includes R&B singer Mashonda, Atlanta-based rapper Yung Won, and Philadelphia-based rapper Cassidy. Swizz Beatz recently shared his thoughts on Cassidy in a statement, saying, "Cassidy offers the industry a young and fearless approach to hip-hop. Not only can he battle with the best but he has uncanny songwriting abilities."

In addition to his duties as a label head, Swizz Beatz has been busy touting his own solo album, Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories, which is Number 93 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
Swizz Beatz has also written scores for the forthcoming movies Bad Boys 2 and Charlie's Angels 2. He also wrote the score for Any Given Sunday, and he recently told New York's Daily News that he's upgraded his techniques. "I have a new way of scoring," Swizz Beatz said. "I take my equipment, and while I watch the movie I make my beat right to it. Rather than taking in a 100-piece orchestra, I do it myself."

ABC to Air Jacko Show

NEW YORK (AP) -- ABC won a network bidding war to acquire the rights to a documentary on Michael Jackson and immediately scheduled it for prime time on Feb. 7.

The documentary, "Living with Michael Jackson," features "unprecedented and exclusive access to Jackson's private life," ABC promised.

British journalist Martin Bashir spent eight months with Jackson and was with him when Jackson horrified onlookers by dangling his baby from a hotel balcony in Berlin, the network said.

Jackson is no longer, as he calls himself, the king of pop music. But he has a proven track record as a television draw.

Some 25.7 million viewers tuned into "Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special" on CBS in November 2001; viewership increased every half-hour for the program, culled from tapes of a Madison Square Garden tribute concert appearance. Previous interviews with Oprah Winfrey and Diane Sawyer also attracted big audiences.

CBS, NBC and Fox were also reportedly interested in the documentary, which was produced by Britain's Granada Television, but the bidding battle came down to ABC and NBC.

"At some point, the dollars just don't make sense," NBC News spokeswoman Allison Gollust said, "especially when you have stories you report and produce yourself to rely on."

"Dateline NBC" has been producing its own hour about Jackson. That's scheduled to air on Feb. 17, although ABC's announcement of an air date may cause NBC to move it up.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider would not say how much the network paid for rights to broadcast the documentary. The New York Daily News, quoting unidentified television executives, estimated ABC paid $4 million to $5 million.

"We have a long history of working with Granada," Schneider said. "They produce excellent documentaries, and ABC News felt this was a win-win situation editorially and it clearly makes financial sense. That's why there was such aggressive bidding on it."

The Jackson interview will air as part of a two-hour edition of "20/20," anchored by Barbara Walters.
************************************************** **
Olsen Twins Web Hoax

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Ohio colleges were inundated with calls after a fake Web site reported that twin teenage actresses Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen had applied for admission.

"We'd be happy to give them a tour if they want to stop by, and we might even buy them lunch," University of Cincinnati spokesman Greg Hand said Wednesday.

"There's no truth to it. They didn't apply. And Britney Spears isn't coming either," said University of Dayton spokeswoman Teri Rizvi
************************************************** **
Spike Lee Criticizes BET

BERMUDA (AP) -- Urging blacks to step into "gatekeeper" roles, Spike Lee criticized Black Entertainment Television, saying it lacks serious entertainment and that rap music promotes ignorance.

The director and producer of such films as "Do the Right Thing," "Malcolm X" and "25th Hour" spoke Thursday to a crowd of about 500 people, including students and Bermuda Premier Jennifer Smith. The lecture was sponsored by Bermuda College.

"I was told BET was big here and I shook my head," Lee said, referring to the cable channel that billionaire Robert Johnson founded in 1980. "If you get everything from BET you are getting the wrong thing."

Spokespeople for the channel were not immediately available for comment Friday.

Lee, 45, said black films were often dumbed down or pigeonholed into comedies or gangster movies. Striving for decision-making positions in the media would give blacks more control, Lee told the mostly black audience.

Bermuda, a British territory, is 62 percent black.
************************************************** **

Alicia Keys Celebrates Birthday, LP Sales

Jan 30, 10:42 PM EST

Some people celebrate their birthday with a cake. Alicia Keys celebrated with a plaque recognizing 10 million in sales of her debut disc, "Songs in A Minor."

The five-time Grammy winner marked both milestones with a party hosted by her mentor, J Records founder Clive Davis.

Though she turned 22 on Saturday, the crowd of well-wishers sang "Happy Birthday" to her Wednesday night as she received the plaque from Davis.

With her long hair flowing from beneath a brown fedora, it appeared that Keys had taken out her signature braids. But when she removed the hat, the singer revealed the top of her hair — still in cornrows.

"They're always in there," she laughed.

Keys is busy in the studio working on her sophomore album.

"Everything is going to be from my heart, which is how it always is going to be," she told The Associated Press. "The basis of it is definitely going to be the same, but me as an evolving person, it's always going to be new and different because I'm new and different."

'Disturbing' Jacko Unmasked in British Documentary

Mon Feb 3, 7:19 AM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters to My Yahoo!


By Paul Majendie

LONDON (Reuters) - Michael Jackson (news) is a "disturbing individual" with a love of multi-million-dollar shopping sprees and a desire to live forever, according to a journalist granted unrivalled access to the pop star.


Martin Bashir, who spent eight months making a documentary on the normally reclusive singer, said 44-year-old Jackson truly is the Peter Pan of pop who is obsessed by the idea of childhood being frozen in time.


Plastic surgery, child abuse allegations and his father's cruelty all feature in a warts-and-all British television documentary being aired in Britain Monday evening.


The ITV program is the result of the unprecedented access Jackson granted Bashir, famed for a historic interview with the late Princess Diana in which she confessed to being unfaithful to Prince Charles.


Bashir revealed snippets from it during the weekend in an article for the Sunday Times newspaper, while the television company -- which is expected to sell the show worldwide -- is guarding the secrets ahead of Monday's screening.


Jackson, said Bashir, thinks nothing of spending a fortune on shopping sprees and is surrounded by an entourage who would never dream of telling him that to dangle his baby from a hotel balcony is ludicrous and dangerous.


He went with Jackson on a shopping trip to Las Vegas in which the star spent $6 million without once glancing at any price tags.


"It was more like a multi-national corporation buying furniture for all its worldwide premises," Bashir said. "He is a disturbing individual whose financial power enables him to do what he wants."


The singer's Neverland ranch "is populated by more statues of Peter Pan than people. Jackson is obsessed by the notion of frozen childhood," he wrote.


He paints a portrait of a superstar cocooned from reality since childhood. "How many 12-year-olds receive royalty checks of $200,000?" Bashir asked.


Bashir arrived at Jackson's Berlin hotel last November just 30 minutes after he had dangled his youngest child from the balcony to show fans below.


"Not one of his entourage was prepared to tell him that what he had done was ludicrous and dangerous," Bashir said.


Jackson spoke openly of his childhood in the Jackson Five and told how his father would choreograph the brothers for shows.


"He practiced us with a belt in his hand," Jackson told Bashir. "I remember hearing my mother scream, 'Joe, you gonna kill him, you're gonna kill him."' Jackson was just 7 years old at the time.


But Jackson was far more reticent when Bashir raised the issue of plastic surgery, asking about rumors that he had implants in his cheeks, a dimple put in his chin, his lips altered and his nose re-constructed.


Each time, Jackson's response was the same: "Oh, please ..." Then he exclaimed: "It's stupid."


Jackson was accused in 1993 by one of his young friends of sexual abuse, although no charges were ever brought.

In May the following year he married Lisa Marie Presley (news), in what was widely interpreted as an attempt to rebuild his image but the union collapsed 19 months later.

Bashir asks Jackson about the allegations and writes: "Our relationship almost collapsed at this point."

"He hangs all his being on the fact that ... he has never been found guilty of any form of child abuse."

Jackson also revealed to Bashir that he was thinking of re-releasing "Thriller," his most successful album, and even re-shooting the famous video for the title song.

The reporter was full of admiration for Jackson's musical genius but kept being brought up short by the superstar's surreal outlook on life.

Jackson even confessed that he did not want to be buried, telling Bashir: "I would like to live forever."


(Reporting by Paul Majendie, editing by Steve Addison; Reuters

Putting in his 2 cents

Mariah Carey has another rapper panting for her.

Hip-hop star 50 Cent says he's mad at his buddy Eminem, because Slim Shady promised to introduce him to the "Charmbracelet" singer.

"I wanted to hit that," 50 Cent said of Carey in an AOL online chat the other day. "[Eminem] said he was finished [with her] so ... I just thought he was gonna hook me up."

The half-dollar star also dissed his former friend Ja Rule, saying he's "on the down spiral."

As to hip-hop princess Ashanti, he asked, "Am I trippin' or is her sideburns thick like Eddie Munster? Get her groomed and get her a choreographer."

With a mouth like that, it's no wonder New York cops said they found two loaded guns in his car on New Year's Eve.
:eek: :p :o

Negro, say what??
 

WHO IN THE HEESEY IS FIFTY CENTS TO TALK ABOUT SOMEBODY'S LOOKS??:mad: :rolleyes: I am not the biggest Ashanti fan, but before he goes around commenting on her side burns, he needs to check that grill of his.....CAN WE SAY "ORTHODONTIST? And I can't even BEGAN to comment on HIS looks!

I may have thought that Mariah was "less than moral" back in the day. However, what in the FEEZEE makes Emimem AND 50 Cent think that they both can "hook up" with Mariah? I mean, why would she put herself out there like that? I know that some people do it, but come on.....

As for the Ashanti comment, that saber tooth animal needs not talk about anyone. (Even though her sideburns are a tad bit bushy :D )

One of my students cannot wait to marry 50 cent. They are going to have gold and cream as their colors and honeymoon in the "bahama's" and have the time of their "lifes". :eek:

I know I was pissed this morning when Russ turned off IN DA CLUB while I was in my closet dancing while deciding what to wear today. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HISSS.

Whitney Houston's father dies
 

Whitney Houston's father dies
By The Associated Press

(2/3/03 - NEWARK, N.J.) — John Houston, the father of singer Whitney Houston and a theatrical manager since the early days of rhythm and blues, died Sunday after a long battle with diabetes and heart disease. He was 82.
Houston died at a New York hospital, family spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer said Monday. She said Houston's health had been deteriorating for several years.

Well before his daughter's rise to fame, Houston managed the career of her mother and his ex-wife, Cissy Houston. She sang with The Sweet Inspirations, a backing vocal group to artists including Aretha Franklin.

Relations between Houston and his daughter, who has acknowledged having drug problems, took an especially awkward turn recently when his company, John Houston Entertainment LLC, sued hers for $100 million.

The suit sought compensation for helping to get a marijuana charge against her dismissed and for getting her a new record contract.

Houston even made a public appeal to his daughter in an interview with the syndicated news magazine "Celebrity Justice" in December: "You get your act together, honey, and you pay me the money that you owe me."

Houston was born in Trenton on Sept. 13, 1920, and was living in Fort Lee when he died, Seltzer said. His theatrical management agency was based in Newark, the city where his daughter was born.

In addition to his daughter and wife, Peggy, Houston is survived by three sons.

I can believe it. If Janet is with JD, I can believe anything. ANYTHING.

Soror Allsmiles, I know you got somethin' to say! :p

LMAO
 

I saw your name on the topic and then I read the new replies. When I saw RedefinedDiva's post, I already knew what you wrote.

People know what's up. Some things are just ludicrous.

I am a die hard Mariah fan. I swear I KNOW this woman. Yes, she may get naked on tv one too many times, but she would never hook up with Eminem. Peep "Clown" on Charmbracelet, it's hilarious. I'm still waiting on a response from Janet about the claims her "Leprechaun" is making.

Clowns especially midgets always lying about something, trying to be somebody. They make me mad.

Soul Train Awards
 

It seems like Ashanti's been nominated for just about every music award this year, and she might have the chance to add even more trophies to her mantle soon. The Murder Inc. princess was at the head of the pack when the list of nominees for the Soul Train Awards were announced Tuesday morning (February 4) in Beverly Hills.

The singer is up for Best R&B/ Soul Single - Female, Best R&B/Soul Album - Female and R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year. And while Ashanti's props probably don't come as a shock to most, people may be surprised to see who she's running neck and neck with for nominations: newcomer Amerie.

Amerie is against Ashanti in the female-only soul categories and will square off against Heather Headley, Nappy Roots and Tweet for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist.

Other notable nominees include Maxwell's "This Woman's Work," Musiq's "Dontchange," Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You" and Usher's "U Don't Have to Call," which are all up for Best R&B/Soul Single - Male.

Busta Rhymes' "Pass the Courvoisier Pt. 2," Missy Elliott's "Work It," Nelly and Kelly Rowland's "Dilemma" and 50 Cent's "Wanksta" are all nominated for the Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video.

While 50 Cent did get love from the folks at Soul Train, the man who signed him to a record contract didn't. Eminem isn't up for any awards this year, despite having the biggest hip-hop album of 2002.

There will be no surprises for LL Cool J and Nelly, at least when they are handed one award. They have been named recipients of the 2003 Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements in the Field of Entertainment - Male (Dionne Warwick gets the female award) and the 2003 Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year, respectively.

The Soul Train Awards will air in syndication on March 1. Arsenio Hall and Queen Latifah will host.


Personally, I like Amerie better!

Re: LMAO
 

:o :p :D Have you kissed YOUR MIDGET today? ;) :p

WWWWHHHHYYYY Lord WWWWHHHHYYYY
 

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:


That's ok :( , I'm gonna b r right.

I heard today on the radio that Nell Carter's 2 young adoptive sons will be rasied by her "girlfriend". Did anyone hear this? I didn't know she was gay. As Sienfled use to say...not that theres anything wrong with it.:p

from EUR WEB:

Baby Boom: Sources say that Claudette Ortiz, a member of the Wyclef Jean-produced trio City High, is pregnant. Reps for the singer confirm that she is pregnant, but won’t disclose who the father of the child is. Sources proclaim that they are certain that Ortiz is not pregnant by Jean, however, I do recall that the singer once dated one of her City High cohorts.


“The Parker’s” co-star Countess Vaughn is expecting her first child too. The actress is just starting to show and is approximately four and five months. Vaughn is also a newlywed – she married a Los Angles-based electrician named Joseph last July. In other news, “The Parkers” just closed their syndication deal. It was a multiple network deal, with one of the networks being BET. So let’s just say that with the syndication checks Vaughn receives from both “Moesha” and now “The Parkers,” this baby will be spoiled rotten!


Talk about fireworks, Deborah Cox’s due date for her first child is on the 4th of July. That’s right; Canadian-bred Cox is slated to have her baby on Independence Day.

Re: LMAO
 

;) *snickering* ;)