Etta James

A deadly blood infection has hospitalized blues singer Etta James Hawkins.

Reportedly, the singer is currently hospitalized at Riverside Community Hospital in Southern California. She's recovering from sepsis, a blood infection caused by a urinary tract infection. Medically speaking, Sepsis is a life-threatening illness in which the bloodstream becomes overwhelmed with bacteria.

The singer recently celebrated her 72nd birthday on January 25th. Despite historical documents revealing that the singer is actually 82 years old.

Her son Donto James has also admitted that his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's (dementia) a year ago and remains addicted to drugs (painkillers).

It is important to note that Joe Jackson (Michael Jackson's father) also suffers from Alzheimer's.



Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery
By: H. Winter Griffith, Stephen Moore, KENNETH YODER

Dame Dash

According to Byron Crawford of XXL Magazine, the producer has fallen on hard times:

Damon Dash used to have damn near as much money as Jay-Z, and now he can’t even afford the note on his Chevy Tahoe. In fact, why does he even have a Chevy Tahoe? Isn’t there some sort of luxury version of a Tahoe, targeted towards black people? Is that what the Yukon is? I know he’s got that art studio down in Tribeca, where he puts on indie rock shows and kicks it with some especially tall and skinny white woman, which is what I’d do with my house, if I had the means, but I read in an article where he’s got some sort of arrangement where he doesn’t have to pay rent. In exchange, the guy who owns the building probably now owns Mos Def’s publishing or some shit. Expect that all to come tumbling down by the end of the year. And Damon Dash is hardly the only black celebrity who couldn’t hold on to his money. Quick, name one black person with that kind of money who didn’t somehow manage to fuck it all up. See, you can’t do it. Jay-Z is damn near the only one. And I don’t think it’s because he’s just that smart. This is the same guy who shot his brother for smoking his ring and stabbed Un Rivera for bootlegging Vol. 3. Who knows what else he’s done. Someone must be protecting him.

J.D. Salinger

...has died.

It's being reported that the legendary author of "The Catcher in the Rye" died of natural causes at his home on Wednesday, January 27th.

He was 91.

For decades, he lived his life isolated from the literary world and his fans. The Neighbors of his hometown in Cornish, New Hampshire rarely saw him and throughout his career he never returned calls or letters from those who read his novels. It was reported that he haven't published a book since 1965 and many are speculating that he left at least 10 novels in his safe - I guess we'll soon find out if this is truth.



Salinger is survived by his wife Colleen, son Matt and daughter Margaret, and three grandsons as well as his ex-wife and mother of their children, Claire Douglas.

Retrospectively Speaking: Beyonce Knowles

Word is floating around the internet that a 60 minutes segment of Beyonce will air on January 31st.

Well, thought you might be interested in watching the 60 minutes segment of Beyonce from 2008:



Move fast..her camp already pulled part II from off the video streams and the "cornerofbeyonce" site from off the internet.

Beyonce is interviewed.

In 2008, she was discussed as the next big thing to hit the music industry. She talked about her music and how it's for eyes of adults. She also stressed the importance of parents teaching their daughters and monitoring the music that they listen to...because she's not a babysitter.

She goes on to share her awareness of being a celebrity and a idol. She throws the accountability wand at "parents" who allow their children to listen to her music and mimic her adult moves.

In addition "Sasha" was a name given to her the singer by her cousin. Back then, "Sasha" was a first namer...a year later "Sasha" has the last name of "Fierce" - but she doesn't discuss how "Fierce" was thought of during this interview.

Share your thoughts....

Diana Ross:

Has teamed up with Steve Madden to create a line of footwear. Representatives for the Steve Madden shoe line has decided to keep the details of Diana's style designs and prices private.

Jasmina Amena

It's being reported that the brave 6 year old has lost her battle with leukemia.

According to reports:

...the Manhattan girl whose brave battle against leukemia captivated the city and inspired thousands to become bone marrow donors, has died. She was just six years old.

Jasmina's year-long fight against an especially fatal form of the disease ended at 10:55 p.m. Wednesday night at NYU Langone Medical Center, her mother, Thea Anema, said.

Suffering from a fever and shortness of breath, Jasmina was admitted to the hospital Monday morning.

She was diagnosed with pneumonia in both of her lungs, and her condition deteriorated rapidly.

Before noon on Wednesday, doctors moved Jasmina into the ICU because her breathing had become so labored.

She only got worse.

"Jasmina's antibiotics are not working so her lungs are filling up with fluids," a friend wrote on Jasmina's blog in a message posted at 6:43 p.m. "Her situation right now is critical. The doctors are trying to get the situation under control but Thea will have to make a difficult decision if this does not work."

Jasmina passed away just a few hours later.

..Thoughts and prayers are with Jasmina's family during their time of bereavement.

Musical Selection:

Kelly Rowland:

...has launched a new website and a new charity.

Here's her recent interview with LimeLife:

LimeLife: Kelly, the first thing anyone who has ever encountered you says is, ‘Kelly Rowland is so nice.' You were part of one of the most famous girl groups of our time, and now you've got this amazing solo career happening. Can you talk about what being a kind person has done for your career?

Kelly Rowland: Wow...that's such an honor. I think being a kind person - you think about longevity and you think about treating people...like people. I think that takes you further than any award, any record sales, any tour, anywhere. What if it's somebody's first time meeting you?

LimeLife: Who's a star you've met who inspired that philosophy?

Kelly Rowland: I think about the first time I met Whitney Houston, she was over the moon about meeting me and Beyonce and Michelle [Knowles and Williams were Rowland's partners in Destiny's Child until the group split up in 2006], and I was like, ‘Oh my god, I want to be kind like her.' And when you meet her to this day, she's still the same kind person. Even sending letters, I remember something that Destiny's Child did for her niece and she sent us all personal letters. It's little things like that, that mean so much. I just think that kindness goes further than anything.

LimeLife: Would you say you were raised to be nice?

Kelly Rowland: I had great people around me [when I was] growing up as well. I remember my mom and B's mom [she's referring to Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles] would always be on us about that: ‘What if it's somebody's first time meeting you and you having [an attitude] because you woke up on the wrong side of the bed?!' (laughs) It's always important to treat people with kindness and I'm honored that you say that [about me], because I don't want to be any other way.

LimeLife: And now you're taking kindness a step further to actually help people - tell us about the charity you're launching to mentor young girls this year.

Kelly Rowland: (smiles and claps her hands excitedly) I Heart My Girlfriends! I'm so excited about it. I feel like everybody has a purpose, and my purpose is I Heart My Girlfriends. My career is one thing, but my purpose on this earth is completely another, faith-wise, for me. When I thought of I Heart My Girlfriends, I remember thinking, ‘I want women when they meet each other, not to look each other up and down first.' When they meet each other, it's about 'Hey, I'm looking you in your eye; I'm confident, you're confident too. And if you're not confident, or if you don't feel as strong, I want to be there to carry you, and I'm learning something from you as well.'

LimeLife: So what do you hope girls will get out of I Heart My Girlfriends?

Kelly Rowland: It's not just about reaching out [to help], because we can all learn so much from each other. Instead of just sizing each other up and saying, ‘I'm better than you' and being competitive - there's no purpose in that. I want I Heart My Girlfriends to go from generation to generation to generation. I see it as being this huge conference, like once a year, where women like you, and myself, and Serena Williams and Beyonce, and so many different women who have done different things to further themselves along in their careers and their personal lives. I know an extraordinary woman in New York who's a single mother and works hard and has four kids, you know what I mean? These are women who are empowered and can teach the younger kids, like inner city girls so much, and suburban girls. [It's for whoever] just wants a sister and someone they can confide in, just in case they don't have that. My conference would have small seminars in it [covering topics like] health, taking care of your body, and makeup and job interviewing skills. Those are the simple things that girls should know. They [might not] know about the four or five [clothing items] you should have in your closet, or simple makeup things. These are things that could help them...[even] psychology, just everything at once to nurture these girls from the inside out.

LimeLife: We love it, because no matter how old or young you are, we girls don't always know what we're doing - often especially with guys! It sounds like such a great idea to have a network of sisters to share with and confide in and seek advice from.

Kelly Rowland: Definitely. I'm so excited about it. I've talked to all my girlfriends and they want to be a part of it, and women I admire in the industry...different women - people who are empowering each other to just be better. I want it to be a big thing.

We want it to be a big thing too. Stay with LimeLife for updates on Kelly Rowland's I Heart My Girlfriends charity later this year...meanwhile, did you read our PokerStars Caribbean Adventure interviews with Nelly and Kenneth Cole? They helped us remember that guys can be gorgeous inside and outside too!

Let's see if Beyonce flip this charity into one of her own...

Lionel Richie:

The United Negro College Fund's 31st annual celebration of excellence in entertainment and education aired on January 23rd and 24th. The 2010 tribute was extended to Lionel Richie...

In appreciation, Lionel performed a few of his hits. Is it me? Or maybe it's just Lionel...why is he dancing around like a gay-fish in heat...?

Here's a 30 second clip:

Telethon: Jennifer Hudson

In case you missed this performance, here's Jennifer Hudson (The Academy Award Winner) performing a soulful rendition of The Beatles' Let It Be on last night's telethon for Haiti:

Sisqo:

...and Stephen Baldwin were evicted from the UK hit series Celebrity Big Brother.

The Associated Press Reports:

Big Brother favourite Vinnie Jones is celebrating after two of his rivals were booted out of the celebrity house.

Americans Stephen Baldwin and Sisqo left in a double eviction on Friday night, leading Jones to declare that the two who went against his leadership had "both bitten the dust".

The 45-year-old actor and former footballer added his time in the house was the "longest I've gone without spending any money" and, when asked if his wife would be in Harrods every day making up for it, said simply: "It's not her in a million years."

His comments came after celebrity evictee Sisqo accused Jones of having his favourites in the house and described him as "bossy".

The 31-year-old US rapper, who became famous with the Thong Song, said: "It seemed like Vinnie was the ... unofficial leader of the house and it kind of seemed like double standards when it came to rules. He had his own set of rules for whoever his favourite was."

Telethon: Justin Timberlake

According to The New York Entermainment website:

Hope For Haiti Now, the multi-channel, global, live telethon last night organized by George Clooney to benefit Haiti was an appropriately somber affair, with the focus firmly on Haitians who need our help. The biggest surprise, and arguably the best performance of the night was by Justin Timberlake, who, along with singer/songwriter Matt Morris sang a haunting interpretation of the much-covered Leonard Cohen ballad "Hallelujah."

Here's the actual performance:

Telethon: Wyclef Jean

...Put on a symbolic performance for his hometown of Haiti during last night's telethon. It was also reported that $16M was raised in Canada during their telethon for Haiti.

Here's Wyclef Jean performance:




Powerful, Meaningful and Symbolic!

Performed for the people of Haiti by a Haitian!

Please submit your donation for the people of Haiti.

Derek Blanks

...has released additional video clips from his celebrity filled Alter Ego shoots.

This time around, it's soap opera celebrity Victoria Rowell and soul singer Musiq Soulchild:






Here are the video clips:

Musical Selection:

It's being reported that Quincy Jones has selected a few artist to re-make the hit "We Are The World" in support of the Haiti Relief efforts. The recording will take place immediately following the upcoming Grammy Award celebration.

According to Reports:

Twenty-five years after "We Are the World" became a global hit, a remake of the charity song will benefit Haiti.

Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie, who were both involved in the original, are planning a huge re-recording of the single to celebrate the milestone anniversary, according to the Hollywood Reporter blog, Showbiz 411.

The legendary musicians are pushing artists who will be in Los Angeles for Grammy weekend to stay in the city till Monday, Feb. 1 for a massive sing-along at the Nokia Theater.

The invite list so far includes Usher, Natalie Cole, and John Legend, according to Showbiz 411. But the blog predicts other acts – like Wyclef Jean, Sting, Fergie, Alicia Keys, and Justin Timberlake - will quickly hop on board as Grammy nominees, presenters and guests get word.

The anniversary was originally set to be marked on Jan. 28, but that changed when an earthquake devastated Haiti on Jan. 12. Now, proceeds from the single and video will go to Haiti relief.

"We Are the World," written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian, was released in 1985 to benefit African famine relief.

Justin Combs:

To celebrate the birthdate of his son Justin, Rapper P. Diddy is planning the ultimate birthday bash. This bash will be filmed by MTV and aired on their hit television series "My Super Sweet 16".

According to reports:

Rapper P. Diddy is hosting a 'Prince of New York'-themed 16th birthday party this weekend for his son Justin - his child with his high school sweetheart, designer Misa Hylton-Brim.

P. Diddy is hosting a 'Prince of New York'-themed 16th birthday party for his son.

The rap superstar's son Justin - his child with his high school sweetheart, designer Misa Hylton-Brim - reached the landmark age in December and now Diddy is organising him a special star-studded bash which will be filmed for MTV show 'My Super Sweet 16'. The party will take place at a New York nightclub on Saturday night (23.01.10) and Chris Brown will be performing.

A source told the New York Post newspaper: "The club will be decorated with images from the New York skyline. Diddy will perform with his band, Diddy-Dirty Money, but there will also be some big name performers taking the stage to surprise Justin."

The A-List guest list - which includes Snoop Dogg, outspoken boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and Lil' Kim - have been told not to bring a gift but make a donation to the Haiti fund to help earthquake victims.

Emory Jones:

It's being reported that Emory Jones / Jay-Z's cousin is out of Jail. Emory Jones has been incarcerated since the age of 27. He has been released after serving his sentence for drug related charges. Jay-Z was caught recently driving around in his Jeep to scoop up his cousin from a local airport in New York, City.



According to Emory:

The last 10 years of my life have been a turbulent roller coaster ride of ups and downs. But through it all, I've managed to stand strong, and not let myself drown in this cesspool of despair that we call: "THE BELLY OF THE BEAST". My body is fettered, but my mind, heart and soul run free. I've come to grips with myself, and have made a conscience decision to deal with the hand that I was dealt, because I have no one to blame but myself. I will not impugn or malevolently criticize the powers that be for my demise, nor will I deem my incarceration as some sort of "Badge of Honor," in light of keeping it real. However, what I will do is make an O.G. call out there to the young brothers lifestyle, and tell you all "to put the guns and drugs down, educate yourselves, and get on a righteous path." Because whether you know it or not, this may be the beginning to your end.

Funny - Is this standard language for newly released Prisoners?

This dude is institutionalized!

Jill Scott:

..It's being reported that Jill Scott will appear in a movie on LifeTime titled Sins of the Mother on February 21, 2010, at 8pm ET/5pm PT.

According to reports:

Famed R&B singer and actress Jill Scott (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) is set to headline the Lifetime Movie Network Original Movie Sins of the Mother, a touching story about the harsh realities of love, forgiveness and the closest of bonds between mother and daughter. Based on author Carleen Brice's moving novel, Orange Mint and Honey, the film features Scott as reformed alcoholic Nona, Nicole Beharie (American Violet) as her daughter Shay and Mimi Rogers (The Door in the Floor) as Nona's sponsor Lois. Sins of the Mother will premiere Sunday, February 21, 2010, at 8pm ET/5pm PT, on Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime's sister network and the second highest rated women's channel.

To provide insight into how Ms. Scott adjust to the demands of Hollywood, she has shared her methods of adaptations in the February 2010 issue of Essence Magazine.

Here's the actual column:

Haiti:

It's being reported that a powerful earthquake shook Haiti at 6:03am today.

According to reports:

A powerful new earthquake struck Haiti on Wednesday, shaking rubble from damaged buildings and sending screaming people running into the streets only eight days after the country's capital was devastated by an apocalyptic quake.

The magnitude-6.1 temblor was the largest aftershock yet to the Jan. 12 quake. The extent of additional damage or injuries was not immediately clear.

Wails of terror rose from frightened survivors as the earth shuddered at 6:03 a.m. U.S. soldiers and tent city refugees alike raced for open ground, and clouds of dust rose in the capital.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of Port-au-Prince and was 13.7 miles (22 kilometers) below the surface.

Last week's magnitude-7 quake killed an estimated 200,000 people in Haiti, left 250,000 injured and made 1.5 million homeless, according to the European Union Commission.

Story Continues...

Waka Flocka Flame:

..was shot during an apparent robbery at a Carwash in Atlanta, Georgia.

According to reports:

Rising rapper WAKA FLOCKA FLAME is recovering in hospital after he was shot during an apparent robbery on Tuesday (19Jan10).

The hip-hop newcomer - who has recorded with Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane and Rick Ross - was at the Bubble Bath Carwash in Atlanta, Georgia, when he was approached by an armed man who demanded he hand over his jewellery.

Flame, real name Juaquin Malphurs, is said to have been shot in the arm during the incident. Fulton County police spokesman Sergeant Scott MCBride explains, "A scuffle broke out, then shots were fired."

Malphurs was rushed to receive emergency medical treatment, while the suspect is believed to have fled the scene.

DJ Greg Street, who spoke with Malphurs on Tuesday evening, says, "He's doing well. He's going to pull through."

Kelly Rowland:

..has teamed up with celebrity photographer Derek Blanks to transform her image into a vintage persona.

Kelly's selection: J. Howard Millers "We Can Do It" poster from World War II:

According to Wikipedia:

J. Howard Miller was an American graphic artist. He painted posters during World War II in support of the war effort, among them the famous We Can Do It! poster, frequently misidentified as Rosie the Riveter.

Here's the actual video footage:

Jay-Z:

Has covered the January 2010 issue of Pilfered Magazine.

pilfer
One entry found.

Definition

Main Entry: pil·fer
Pronunciation: \ˈpil-fər\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): pil·fered; pil·fer·ing \-f(ə-)riŋ\
Etymology: Middle French pelfrer, from pelfre booty
Date: circa 1548
intransitive verb
: steal; especially : to steal stealthily in small amounts and often again and again
transitive verb
: steal; especially : to steal in small quantities

synonyms see steal

— pil·fer·able \-f(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective
— pil·fer·age \-f(ə-)rij\ noun
— pil·fer·er \-fər-ər\ noun
— pil·fer·proof \-ˌprüf\ adjective

Click Here.

Haiti:

President Barack Obama has announced that the US stands with Haiti and has pledged $100M in aid. He also shared that this amount is expected to grow throughout the year.

According to online reports:

President Barack Obama said Thursday that "one of the largest relief efforts in our recent history" is moving toward Haiti as he continued to mobilize the U.S. response to the island's devastating earthquake.

Obama said the U.S. government is initially directing $100 million toward the relief effort, a figure he said would certainly grow over the year. "This is one of those moments that calls out for American leadership," he said.

The death of one American citizen from Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude quake was confirmed, with three others known to be missing, said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley. The State Department is not releasing the identity of the dead American, pending notification of next of kin.

Crowley said the U.S. embassy has made contact with nearly 1,000 American citizens in Haiti, only a small fraction of the estimated 45,000 Americans in the country.

The first U.S. Army infantry troops -- a little more than 100 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division -- are heading to Haiti, due to leave Fort Bragg in North Carolina later Thursday. The troops will find locations to set up tents and other essentials in preparation for the arrival of another roughly 800 personnel from the division on Friday.

They come on top of some 2,200 Marines, also to be sent, as the military ramps up what Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called "a full court press" to provide earthquake relief in the form of security, search and rescue, and the delivery of humanitarian supplies. Obama said more than a half dozen U.S. military ships also are expected to help, with the largest, the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, arriving Thursday, and the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort also deployed.

To read more, click here.

Jay-Z:

...There's truth in every lie and every liar starts off his explanation with the words, "I don't know...."

Jay-Z want you to know that he's not apart of a secret society. In addition, he want you to believe that those occult symbols displayed throughout his clothing line and music videos are merely for entertainment purposes and the reason being:

“I don’t know where it started. I don’t know where it came from. I really think it’s really silly. For the record, I of course believe in God, but I believe in one God. If people must know my religious beliefs, I believe in one God. I don’t believe in religion. I don’t believe in Christians or Muslims. I think all that separates people. I think it’s one God. I think it’s all the same God, and I don’t believe in Hell. But as far as God, of course I believe in God. Am I a part of some sec or cult? That sounds stupid to me. It’s like ignorant to even say, and umm… I guess that’ll be the last time I address that. It’s ignorant to me”

I can’t even get in a golf club in Palm Springs. I’m from Marcy Projects. Just think about that? People that control the world?

Do you believe that those sort of organizations exist?
I think there are cliques of friends that control things. I don’t if there is a devil worshiping sect. That’s a little Tom hanks. I believe there are cliques of people that control the world…but that’s just natural process. I’m sure Obama has his people and everything is good but as far as how far people are taking it…

So you don’t intentionally do this to put people in a frenzy?
I’m an entertainer at the end of the day. Maybe I’ll push your buttons but you know…

Jay-Z isn't as smart as YOU think he is. He believes that all it takes is for him to step forward and speak on this. He has a horrible habit of sending out subliminal messages. The images, reverse audio messages, occults symbols speaks for itself. It's so obvious - even a blind mind can "see" that he worships satan.

The Dominican Republic

Are you reading the February 2010 issue of Essence Magazine?

Inside this issue, there's a article written on the hidden secrets of the Caribbean sex tourism industry. Many men (and women) are flocking to Pattaya, Brasil, New Zealand and the Dominican Republic for "cheap" sex.

Here's the jist of the article:

In Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic, and the infamous seafront strip known as the Malecon is alive. Five noticeably young looking girls sit patiently on a barely lit curb as a steady stream of cars race by, salsa and meringue blasting from their speakers. A black Ford pickup truck screeches to a stop, and after some haggling the driver opens his door and drives off with two of the young women. Minutes later I’m propositioned by a woman blessed with an Olympic gold medalist track star’s build, wearing painted-on black designer jeans, a red top and midnight-black pumps. With my Yankee fashion sense-Polo shirt, khaki shorts and K-Swiss sneakers-I might as well be draped in the American flag; to these women, a man with U.S. currency is choice game. The woman moves in for the kill. “Americano”, she coos. “Good Time”?

For the 3.4 Million international tourists who flocked to the Dominican Republic in 2008-figures released by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism-the country’s allure is obvious: miles of sun-soaked beaches, numerous five-star resorts and expansive golf courses. But for many of the African-American men who travel to the D.R. each year, another attraction is on the itinerary-beautiful Dominican women who make up the thriving sex tourism industry.



“The number of our African-American clients has been growing every year,” says Mark, a VIP host as DR Nights, one of many online companies that offer adult vacation packages to the country, complete with female “companions”. Citing his company’s privacy policy, Mark won’t reveal his last name and refuses to give specific information about the number of Black men his company serves. But he chalks up the country’s popularity to the allure of the “beautiful women and their voluptuous bodies,” Says the host, “They definitely appeal to African-American man”.

There’s no shortage of Black men who’ll agree. “The girls have great bodies, beautiful faces, nice hair and good attitudes,” says Eric, a handsome 28-year old who works in sales in Los Angeles and has a long-term girlfriend back home. “The way the women treat you here, it’s like a fantasy coming true.”

Written by: Keith Murphy
Senior editor at Vibe magazine
Essence: February 2010
Page 130

Dewey Tucker

..has died.

Police officers in California are trying to figure out who fatally shot and killed the 24 year old bass player who toured the world with singer Lauryn Hill. The California Highway Patrol has stated that Dewey Tucker was found found in his vehicle Tuesday night. It's being reported that he was shot on his way to band practice in Oakland...

According to reports:

A young man who was shot and killed on Interstate Highway 80 just east of Hercules Tuesday night had no criminal record and appears to have been the victim of a random act of violence, a California Highway Patrol sergeant said today.”We believe that it’s a random act of just senseless violence at this point,” CHP Sgt. Trent Cross said, adding that the victim was a “good, upstanding citizen.”Dewey Tucker was found dead at about 9:55 p.m. on westbound Highway 80 just west of Cummings Skyway in an unincorporated part of Contra Costa County. Tucker, a 24-year-old man who was engaged to be married, was driving from his home in Vallejo to band practice in Oakland when the shooting happened, Cross said. A guitar was found in his car. Officers initially responded to reports of a single vehicle crash when a witness saw a Nissan Sentra strike the center divide and then the guardrail of westbound Highway 80. Another witness driving in the area stopped and reported that the car and its driver appeared to have been shot multiple times, CHP Sgt. Trent Cross said, A deputy with the Contra Costa County coroner’s office said investigators determined Tucker had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The CHP closed multiple lanes of the highway overnight while authorities investigated the area, Cross said, He said two shell casings were found on the highway, leading investigators to believe a semi-automatic handgun was used in the shooting. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting and Cross did not release a description of the suspect or suspect vehicle. Cross said about 35 of Tucker’s family members attended an afternoon news conference and called on the public to provide assistance in the investigation. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call (800) TELL-CHP.

Teddy Pendergrass...

..has died.

According to Music Week:

Veteran soul singer Teddy Pendergrass, whose voice graced such classics as If You Don’t Know Me By Now, has died (at) aged 59.

The one-time singer with Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes passed away at a Philadelphia hospital after what has been described as a “difficult recovery” from colon cancer surgery.

With the Blue Notes, Pendergrass was one of the leading names of the Sound of Philadelphia, which emerged in the early Seventies via CBS-affiliated label Philadelphia International run by songwriters and producers Gamble & Huff. Other acts on the label included the O’Jays and Three Degrees.

Melvin & The Blue Notes were signed to the label in 1972, scoring their first US hit that year with I Miss You. They reached number three in the States the same year with If You Don’t Know Me By Now – later a Hot 100 number one for Simply Red – which became their breakthrough UK hit in early 1973 when it reached number nine.

Other hits for the group included The Love I Lost, Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back) and Wake Up Everybody, while in 1977 Pendergrass launched a solo career with a self-titled first album and the hits I Don’t Love You Anymore and The Whole Town’s Laughing At Me.

His 1978 hit Close The Door was the subject of the first of five Grammy nominations for Pendergrass, all for best male R&B vocal performance.

As the result of a car accident in March 1982, in which the brakes failed on his Rolls Royce, he was paralysed from the waist down. But he continued recording and enjoyed a string of further solo hits, including US Billboard R&B number ones Joy and It Should’ve Been Me.

In 2001 he toured for the first time since his accident, beginning that May with a concert in Atlantic City. Five years later he announced his retirement from the music business, though briefly returned in 2007 to take part in Teddy 25: A Celebration of Life, Hope & Possibilities, an awards ceremony marking 25 years since his accident.

Earthquake Rocks Haiti:

Ambassador Raymond Joseph told "Good Morning America" today that he had no way to estimate how many people may have died in the 7.0 earthquake that hit Tuesday, shortly before 5 p.m.

He pointed to the partial collapse of the presidential palace -- a sturdy, statuesque building constructed in 1918 -- as a marker of how bad the devastation will be among the country's numerous shantytowns and simple homes.

"If a building like the palace, which is very solid, collapsed, then the devastation is going to be worse since the buildings are not up to code in Port-au-Prince," Joseph said. "They are flimsy little abodes."

Haiti's Earthquake Poses Health Crisis for Impoverished NationThe Haitian president Rene Preval and his wife were in the palace at the time of the earthquake, but contacted the U.S. consulate in Florida late Tuesday night to confirm they were unijured.

Joseph said Haiti, especially it's capital, is dotted with small homes that cling to the country's hillsides and were not constructed to stand up to an earthquake of this magnitude. He told "GMA" that he remembered once flying over Port-au-Prince and musing that construction of the city's neighborhoods were a disaster waiting to happen.

"I'm sorry," he said today. "It has happened."

To read more, click here.

Terry Miller:

...has won a four year legal battle against the Rapper Jay-Z.

According to reports:

CELEBRITY chef Terry Miller has won a four-year legal battle against one of the giants of the music world.

The reality TV star was challenged over the name of his Rockafella restaurant in Newcastle by rapper Jay-Z's Rock-A-Fella Records.

Jay-Z, who founded the label in 1996, said people would think the enterprises were connected.

But Mr Miller, of Darras Hall in Ponteland, won a ruling giving him a trademark for the restaurant and food branding name Rockafella that gives him exclusive rights to use in UK eateries.

The 51-year-old launched the restaurant in Amen Corner, Newcastle, with £250,000 winnings from the cooking show, but closed the business almost two years ago due to the recession.

He said: "I'm happy with the legal win because it's a moral win as much as anything."

Monica "Danger" Leon:

...has step forward to admit that she told a fib about Ray-J having a sexual relationship with his friend "Young Buck":

According to "Danger":

..."No, it's not true...I got mad and I over-reacted. I can't get mad over little things anymore... I need to stop f*cking up. I'll be the first to say that I am wrong and I was wrong. Ray J put me on and I will always respect him and love him for that. No matter who I'm dating. I'm sorry Ray, I love you. Do you forgive me?"

Funny - Danger offers an apology to her "sponsor" because he's the reason why she gained fame on the VH1 reality show "For The Love of Ray-J". Ray-J's exposure, allowed her to met the father of her newborn child (Nick Cannon's brother).

Hey, Ray-J made Kim Kardashian famous - so - Danger HAD to retract her statement.

Sisqo:

The mother of Sisqo's son Ian has graced the cover of the Sun in the UK. Jamila has poured her heart out and is seeking the R&B singer to step forward and provide care for his son.

The Sun Reports:

THE single mum who claims she gave birth to Sisqo's secret lovechild after an illicit romp when she was FOURTEEN has demanded he face up to his responsibilities, TV Biz can reveal.

Jamila Farid, 25, said all she wants is for her ten-year-old son Ian to know his father.

But the Thong Song singer - in the BB house - denied the lad was his and refused to take a DNA test, even though a Swiss court has ruled in his absence he IS the dad.

Child support services are chasing Sisqo for £1,500 a month in payments, going back to when Ian was two. He could face a bill of £100,000.

This makes no sense at all. Despite being chased around the globe for child support payments, the judge in this case failed to file charges against Sisqo for "Child Molestation". Jamlia has admitted that she was only fourteen when she became pregnant with the R&B singer's child.

Gem Stone Creative:

After a nice nip and tuck of his nostrils, someone thought Jay-Z's image was worthy enough to transform into a portrait filled with diamonds and a few carefully sort through gem stones.

Funny - I bet Jay-Z didn't purchase this for his own display, instead it's possible that Jay-Z spent 1.3 million dollars to purchase the "Diamond Russian CZar Portrait" for one of his "Russian" business partners.

Beyonce Knowles:

January 2009 slash December 2009

...Is under fire.

According to recent reports:

American pop star Beyonce Knowles seems unable to remove herself from the Middle Eastern spotlight. The most recent incident was a private concert she gave for Libyan leader Colonel Muamar Gaddafi’s son Muatassim on New Year’s Eve. The private party has sparked some criticism for her performance.

According to reports, the private party took place at a nightclub on the island of St. Barts in the Caribbean and allegedly the American superstar was paid some $2 million for her appearance at the club, which also saw Usher, Lindsay Lohan and the young Gaddafi.

Speaking on CNN, Marc Lamont Hill, a Columbia University media professor, said “Beyonce’s handlers usually make really good decisions about where she’s going to perform.”

Her performance comes only months after much anger and frustration manifested itself in Egypt during her concert in the North African nation. Conservative Islamists condemned the performance, calling it a “sex party” and one that should not have been held. Despite the criticism, the concert went ahead in the Red Sea resort of Port Ghalib for some 20,000 fans, many of whom spent hundreds of dollars to see the American diva.

“So it seems to me that someone was asleep at the wheel, or the money was so overwhelming that they said: “Screw the public image, we’re going to take the cash,” added the professor.

Meanwhile, the dictator's son is still out searching for blondes and creating sex parties as he continue to celebrate the New Year....

Update: Young Buck

...Funny - Young Buck has stepped forward to reveal that he's not the "Young Buck" that "Danger" accused Ray-J of sleeping with.

According to the rapper Young Buck:



Here's a picture of Ray-J's friend. Ray-J calls him "Young Buck":

Monica "Danger" Leon:

...is reporting that Ray-J is gay.

According to her recent rant:

"Ray J’s gay, I’ll tell you why on this show...Ray I love you, I respect you but after the two years of Danger ’smashed the homie’ t-shirts — what I had to go through first season, me being pregnant by Gabriel [Cannon], you claiming it was you everywhere on earth… you are selling me everywhere, listen n*gga I’m not a pimp hoe, you’re not going to pimp me, I’m not Kim Kardashian...Ray J’s lover of years is Young Buck....I’m really mad too.. Young Buck and Ray J.. going strong f*cking with each other for years, and Young Buck does not have 1 percent of what Ray J has and it’s like Ray J, you’re not looking out for your boy?...he likes d*ck too...he likes the boys in the baaand, he says that Young Buck’s his all time favoriteeee!"

Paula Sladewski

...has died.

According to online reports:

The burning body of the 26 year-old Paula Sladewski, who once appeared in a 2003 video “Playboy: The Ultimate Playmate Search,” was identified by North Miami police officers on Wednesday, January 6, through dental records.

Police said that they have found a burning trash bin near a propane business on Sunday night. When they put out the fire, they saw a body. North Miami police spokesman Lt. Neal Cuevas said that they couldn’t even recognized it whether it was a man or a woman or even its race.

Sladewski is a model from Michigan and police are trying to figured out how she ended up burned beyond recognition inside the trash bin. Her boyfriend named Kevin Klym, 34, who resided in both Michigan and California, is the main suspect right now because he was the last one to see her. Police said that they would consider whoever was the last known person to see her alive a person of interest. Though he was a person of interest, no arrest has been made yet.

Sladewski and Klym traveled to Florida to watch Lady Gaga’s concert and enjoy the new year by night of bar hopping and clubbing. She was last seen in early morning hours at Club Space where she’d gotten into a fight with Klym. Klym said that Sladewski was too drunk that moment and he convinced her to leave the bar. After a vehement quarrel, the bouncers tossed him out. Klym said that he went back to their Miami Beach hotel.

Klym’s attorney, Marc Beginin, said that he filed a missing person’s report and hired a private investigator when Sladewski failed to return.

Klym called on Monday morning to Sladewski’s sister, Kelly Farris, to informed her that Sladewski is missing. Kelly said that she doesn’t know the intention of the killer(s) and she also pleaded with anyone who saw her sister to call the police because her sister did not deserve to die in that way.

Police are still investigating the case. Like Kelly, they are encouraging anyone who knows anything about the murder to come forward to put Sladewski’s killer behind bars.

Beyonce Knowles:

...has signed a three-year endorsement deal with Vizio, the top LCD HDTV company in the U.S.

This deal will grant Vizio the opportunity to market Beyonce's name and likeness for advertising, product packaging, internet, promotions, public relations and point-of-sale materials.

This endorsement deals will give the singer premission to submit design ideas and performance characteristics of new products from Vizio's line of audio, visual and web-enabled products.

Funny - This endorsement deal comes a day (not even 48 hours) after pop star Lady Gaga signed on to become creative director of a specialty line of imaging products for Polaroid.

According to Beyonce:

“What I love about VIZIO is how committed they have been to customers and their focus on delivering tremendous performance at a great value,” Knowles-Carter said in a statement. “As a performer, I can relate to that, because my fans spend their hard-earned money to see me perform, and I give everything I can to make sure I exceed their expectations."

Jennifer Hudson:

..John Legend, Seal, Smokey Robinson and the Blind Boys of Alabama will entertain The President and First Lady in a musical commemoration of the Civil Rights Movement called "A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement".

These performances will transition into a hour long special that's scheduled to air on PBS come February 11th @ 8pm.

Morgan Freeman:

...Following the death of Walter Cronkite, CBS has been searching for someone to fill his vocal spot.

The CBS Evening News has selected Morgan Freeman. Morgan Freeman will lend his vocals to introduce anchor "Katie Couric" during the start of most newscasts.

Llyod Banks:

..was arrested in Kitchener, Ontario on January 8th. He is being held by police for attacking a local promoter. It's being reported that Banks and his crew were engaged in a dispute at a hotel in Kitchener over a performance fee.

They are being charged with robbery, forceful Confinement and Assault.

The rapper and his associates are being held at the local police station in Kitchener, Ontario.

Lloyd Banks and his crew allegedly beat Canadian road manager Chris Hines of Chris Hines/Ultimate Entertainment and the manager suffered lacerations to his face. He had a bruised eye and possible trauma to the head. Following the attack, Hines was rushed to the hospital.

Here's a picture of Hines following the alleged assault:

Beyonce Knowles:

There's controversy surrounding Beyonce's upcoming concert at the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival on February 18. The two day concert is scheduled to take place after the Carnival wraps up.

Other performers, promoters and bandleaders are outraged because it's being reported that Beyonce will be paid up to $30 million for her performance.

LeToya Luckett:

A film starring singer LeToya Luckett and singer slash songwriter Tank titled 'The Preacher's Kid' will hit theaters this month:

This movie also stars stars Clifton Powell, Gregory Alan Williams, Kiki Sheard, Trey Songz, and Sharif Atkins.

Sisqo:

The singer has become a housemate on the UK hit show "Celebrity Big Brother". During a recent show, Sisqo stripped down and slid into a "thong" - for men it's called a mankini.

Here's the jist of what took place on the show:

Sisqo has been crowned Celebrity Big Brother Hunk of 2010 after winning the admiration of his female housemates.

Sisqo was questioned by contest host Vinnie Jones on how to achieve a healthy mind and body. “I believe that a healthy mind is an open mind… and body follows,” Sisqo replied, pinging his mankini straps in the process.

“I’ve got a question,” Nicola shouted from the audience. “Have you got socks in there?”

Housemates were awarded some alcohol by Big Brother after all the men took part in the task, while Sisqo was also presented with a crown and sash.

To read more, click here...

Retrospectively Speaking: Damon Dash

...interviewed with New York Magazine in 2006 and shared insight into the day he was fired and the ways in which Jay-Z pushed him out of his business endeavors:

In 2002, there were rumors in the hip-hop press about a rift between Dash and Jay-Z. One factor was Dash’s giving the rapper Cam’ron, a childhood friend and somebody Jay-Z had never been fond of, his own imprint at their record label, behind Jay-Z’s back. Subsequent tension allegedly involved the conflicts of interest posed by each man’s side projects. Dash made a small, satirical movie, Death of a Dynasty, about the rumors, and it turned out to be prophetic.

“At a certain point, I got ready to depend on my other artists,” Dash recalls. “I started putting together an army—Kanye, Cam’ron, Beanie, the Diplomats. I figured Jay gave me time to prepare.” But in December 2004, Jay-Z invited Dash to dinner to discuss the offer from Def Jam. They met at Da Silvano. “I said, ‘Go ahead and take the money and the job, but don’t take the name—don’t take Roc-A-Fella with you,’ ” Dash recalls. “I didn’t say please, but I might as well have.”

Jay-Z offered that Dash could keep the Roc-A-Fella name if in return he relinquished possession of the master recordings for Reasonable Doubt. Dash wouldn’t agree to it.

“He said, ‘It’s business,’ ” Dash says. “But we were always supposed to be about more than business, Jay especially.” Dash saw his own role as the executive’s so that Jay-Z could remain an artist at all times. “I did everything I possibly could so that he didn’t have to raise his voice. He just had to whisper something in my ear and I’d take care of it. The people I fought with to make money for him, Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles”—executives at Def Jam—“he’s made friends with. He hangs out with Puff now. It’s like if your brother leaves you.”

Many of the most successful artists in Roc-A-Fella’s stable (Kanye West, Memphis Bleek, Peedi Crakk) remained with Jay-Z rather than sign with Dash. Cam’ron, whose full name is Cameron Giles, left Roc-A-Fella after the buyout and went to Warner Music, though in January 2006 he made it clear where his loyalties stood by recording a song called “You Gotta Love It,” a full-fledged attempt to humiliate Jay-Z. It begins by listing his reasons for writing the song: “First, you stole Roc-A-Fella from Dame / Second, you stole Kanye from Dame / Third, you stole Rocawear from Dame.” Then, Cam’ron raps, “It was Rocawear when Dame had it / Now you got it, call it Cock-A-Wear.”

Meanwhile, Jay-Z had rapped on the remix of “Diamonds Are Forever,” a single by Kanye West, “I took the name, I take the blame.” Another verse goes, “I’m not a businessman / I’m a business, man / So let me handle my business, damn!”

***

In Dash’s view, he’s the one who brought a kind of smart-set varnish to Jay-Z’s appeal anyway. “I designed Rocawear; I brought the lifestyle upscale,” he says. “Like getting Naomi Campbell and Victoria Beckham to wear it, going to Sundance to promote it. I had an ad campaign planned with Naomi and Kevin Bacon. It was so fly it could be in Vogue.” But Jay-Z and their two silent partners, a couple of Russian businessmen from Delancey Street, were skeptical of the campaign, which would cost on the order of $3 million to produce. “They just wanted Jay in there and to let some cheap photographer do it. All of a sudden, Jay’s voting with those two. I had to go to Mario Testino and say, ‘I can’t do this because my partners are too cheap.’ I felt ghetto.”

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