Speaking out for the first time since the burial of her mother, brother and nephew, Jennifer Hudson has thanked fans for their support via her official MySpace:

Jennifer Hudson has told fans that she takes “great comfort and strength” from their messages following the fatal shootings of her mother, brother and nephew.

The Dreamgirls actress wrote the thank you note on her MySpace page ten days after her slain family members were laid to rest.

She wrote: “I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. My sister and I take great comfort and strength from your love and concern.”

Darnell Hudson Donerson and Jason Hudson were found shot dead at the family home in Chicago on October 24. The body of Hudson’s seven-year-old nephew Julian King was discovered in an abandoned vehicle three days later. {Source}

According to a press release from 50 Cent’s label, Interscope, the rapper ‘Before Self Destruct’ LP – originally due December 16th – has been pushed back to early 2009:

Interscope says the artist was “rushing” to meet the December date but “with the deadline to secure advertising and retail placement for the album imminent,” the rapper opted to wait until next year.

The album boasts production and guest turns from mentors Dr. Dre and Eminem; producer Scott Storch helmed first single “Get Up.”

“Before I Self Destruct” will be bundled with a full-length feature film of the same name, in which 50 Cent plays a budding basketball star who becomes a criminal after his mother’s murder.

Early pressings of the album will also include a second DVD with the documentary “Two Turntables And A Microphone: The Life And Death Of Jam Master Jay,” which 50 Cent executive produced. {Source}

Is anyone actually checking for this anyway?

UK vixen Alesha Dixon performed her current smash ‘The Boy Does Nothing’ on the BBC’s Children In Need telecast last night. I really enjoyed her rousing showing. She definitely holds her own down on the live performing tip. What’s more, I’m pleased this record is taking off for her. Already in the top 10 on the Official UK Singles chart on downloads alone, the physical release of the single is currently outselling Beyonce’s ‘If I Were A Boy’. More power to her.

What do you think of the performance?

New Track / Promise

She nailed it! What’s more the new track actually sounds pretty good. Watching this definitely has me anticipating her ‘Fantasy Ride’ album all the more.

Speaking of ‘Fantasy Ride’, Ciara recently confirmed that she is still recording – revealing that she will be going into the studio with Justin Timberlake. Exciting stuff. {Source}

Your thoughts?

Peep this behind the scenes look the video for Keri Hilson’s latest single ‘Turnin Me On (ft. Lil’ Wayne). I’m really hoping this release, which is a double single with ‘Return The Favor’, catches on. Keri is really deserving of success.

Any thoughts?

Former TLC star Chilli recently sat down with Essence Magazine to talk about everything from TLC being the biggest selling female group (over Destiny’s Child) to her thoughts on Usher and wife Tameka and a whole heap more. Check out extracts from the feature, which appears in the latest issue of the magazine, below:

On TLC Being The Best Selling Female Group

Thank you for acknowledging that because everyone always credits Destiny’s Child as the biggest-selling female group, but it’s just not true. You can’t count album sales for each solo project collectively and come up with numbers.

On whether Tameka broke up her relationship with Usher

When people ask whether or not I think she is the reason we broke up, I have no clue what Usher was doing outside of our relationship. When we broke up, it was because it wasn’t working out. I later found out there was some infidelity, but he never said who that woman or who those women were, because I’m sure it was more than one. Again, I heard things, but Tameka never crossed my mind. The first time I strolled across that [infamous] beach photo I thought somebody photoshopped that. I didn’t believe it. I did wonder if she was one of the girls, but again, I never asked. My memory of her was that she was the stylist, because she dressed Usher and I for an event one time. Honestly, those are questions I never asked him, and I’vedistanced myself so much from him. We aren’t communicating at all. We broke up, had conversation a few times maybe two years after we broke up, and it was a wrap. I think what keeps it alive at all is these [blogs] speculating whether we’d get back together.

On being labelled a homewrecker while dating CNN’s T.J Holmes

…let’s clear this up right now. T.J. Holmes was divorced and had been divorced. It wasn’t a situation where he was going through a divorce and still married. I would never date a man that is legally separated or tied to another woman. We dated, but it was brief. I’m a godly person and try to do all the things that God wants me to do. I have a conscience; I could never do that. Besides, I want to get married and present a healthy wonderful relationship for myself and my 11-year-old son.

On Coping With Left Eye’s Death

I see her family every now and then. I still have my moments and probably always will. There’s not a day that goes by that she doesn’t cross my mind. When I do some interviews, I get so upset when people refer to me as “the former member of TLC.” I am always and still am a part of TLC. We are forever no matter what. As long as T-Boz and I are living, we are keeping Left Eye’s memory alive.

You can read the full interview by clicking here

On the one hand, I’m wondering why the hell she keeps getting asked and is still talking about the Usher situation. Then I remember she hasn’t really done much with herself since then. What happened to the solo career?

Your thoughts?

Rapper 50 Cent stopped by the Tyra Banks Show earlier this week for what turned out to be a real interesting interview. The G-Unit General spoke candidly about his baby momma drama, Ja Rule, Vivica Fox, of course his latest projects and much more.

As much as I still think 50 is a dwindling entity, I must say he came across really well here. Really well. It’s just a shame that he acts a fool more times than not.

Your thoughts?

The video for Rihanna’s 100th single ‘Rehab’ is set to premiere any day now. In the meanwhile, you can watch a short preview of the clip, which features Justin Timberlake, above. I keep saying it, this girl (along with Cassie) needs to take up modelling or something, as it’s clearly where her greatest talents lie. She looks great. Aside from that, I can’t see much of interest going on in the video.

Randomness: Kudos to her team for milking her ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ CD until she became a star (force fed on us anyone?), but this is becoming overkill. I say this as her 4th album is slated for release next year, hence it’ll feel like she never went anywhere. There comes a time when one must fall back…right back.

Your thoughts?

Kanye West held a listening session for his eagerly anticipated ‘808’s and Heartbreak’ here in London this week. At the event, which was was attended by select media outlets, the ‘Love Lockdown’ rapper used Beyonce and Rihanna to illustrate a point, raising an interesting point himself in the process:

After hearing listening to the album, Kanye took a Q&A session.

When asked about his single ‘Love Lockdown’, Kanye explains why he chose to make the single.

‘This is a wakeup call … people in music get comfortable … Rappers get comfortable’.

Kanye said this was the case with Beyonce.

‘Rihanna was the best thing to happen to Beyonce’, referring to Rihanna’s rise to stardom suggesting Beyonce had to set the musical bar higher.

Kanye believed that Beyonce did this with her new video ‘Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)’. He expressed his respect and love for it, while saying it was a concept that he never would have come up with. {Source}

Hmm. An interesting point, that will no doubt have Bouncy’s and Ms. Fenty’s stans squaring off – again LOL. Granted I agree Beyonce had to come differently this go around to re-affirm her place as the ‘top’ female in the industry (especially when considering Rihanna’s near 2 year dominance), I feel as though Bey was always gonna need to approach her 3rd album with a fresh concept irrespective of Rihanna. With success not being guaranteed in this current industry climate (just ask Usher and Mariah), churning out the same ol’, same ol’ would have been an own-goal IMO.

Your thoughts?