Celebrity Dish IX

[Afrochic]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Janet and her Little Leprachaun

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.

[CrimsonTide4]

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."

[CrimsonTide4]

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.

[lovele1978]

Is his hand on her butt??!!!

[FeeFee]

Originally posted by Afrochic


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.

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!!!

[Bamboozled]

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.

[Afrochic]

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."

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.

[Afrochic]

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. 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.

[AKA2D '91]

My response to all of that....

"yesssssss, lawwwwwwwwd"



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

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
My response to all of that....

"yesssssss, lawwwwwwwwd"



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

yeah her producer Laschelles Stephens.

There was so much drama up in those tidbits.

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

[AKA2D '91]

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

[kiml122]

Originally posted by lovele1978
Is his hand on her butt??!!!

YUP!!!!

[Bamboozled]

Antwone Fisher Star in Prison


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.

[CrimsonTide4]

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.

[AKA2D '91]

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.