Being from London myself, Leona won our version of American Idol called the X-Factor, which is also judged by Simon Cowell. Her vocal ability has been likened to an early Mariah Carey. This past month she signed a contract with Clive Davis’s J Records in America worth a reported $5 Million. With a voice like hers she is destined to do BIG things.

Check out two new songs of hers:

D/L: Loving You (Minnie Ripperton cover)

D/L: Breathe

One of our great affiliates UK Rep’s BLOG of all BLOGS has posted this cover which is supposedly for Kelly’s new album, Miss Kelly – out in June. I’m liking it alot; its gives off sophistication. Lets hope the music is just as good.
What do you think of it?
Oscar favourite, Dreamgirls, has grossed over $100 million (in the US alone) since its release in December last year, according to Boxofficemojo.com .This is a major achievement for the film and for black cinema overall; it’s the only ‘black’ film to have crossed the $100 Million barrier – The Colour Purple coming closest at $98 Million.
I really enjoyed the film and felt that the cast all put in stellar performances. Be sure to check out the Oscar ceremony this weekend to see if Dreamgirls wins BIG.

Rapper Busta Rhymes has rejected a plea-deal from Prosecutors in his assault case yesterday, 20th February. The deal would have meant that Rhymes, 34, would spend only 6 months in jail for two assault charges. The first charge is for Rhymes attacking his former driver, Eddie Hatchett, during an argument over back-pay. He is also charged for assaulting a fan who allegedly spat on his car in August. He is, however, considering a judge’s plea-bargain that would allow him to plea guilty to a lesser assault charge and remain free.
I say take the judge’s offer. It’s not often you get a judge bending over backwards to keep your behind out of jail! Seriously though, he needs to sort himself out.
In other news, the Florida beauty shop owner who was allegedly assaulted by Foxy Brown, resulting in her arrest last week, has told the New York Post “I hired a lawyer. I hope to pay off my mortgage with whatever I get”- referring to a lawsuit he is about to launch against the rapper. IMO he deserves nothing if all he wants is money instead of justice. Plus, I don’t think Foxy has any money left!


Click here for the vid of Brown being released from jail.

Mike apparently was in attendance at one of Prince’s shows at The Purple One’s 3121 club over the NBA All-Star weekend. MJ did not did perform and was said to just be there to enjoy the show.
This is kinda surprising considering their ‘history’. Though they have never ‘beefed’, they have made dodgy comments about each other over the years. Plus Prince refused Michael’s offer to appear in the Bad video all those years back (he was supposed to play Wesley Snipes role). IMO I don’t feel there ever really was a feud between the two; just the media hyping things up as they are very much from the same era.
Will i Am (who Michael is working with) was also in attendance and performed a freestyle during Prince’s Musicology. Further proof that MJ was most likely in attendance.
Maybe Mike was getting tips for his own Vegas show which has been rumoured for some time now?
Source: Housequake

This track is a Darkchild produced left-over from the B’Day album. It’s a good song. The lyrics are a kinda wtf though. Not album material but still a decent track.

What do you think?

UPDATE: Link now updated with CDQ! (Credit: Marck)
DL: World Wide Woman (FULL)

Spotted this one over at YBF:

PaPa Knowles strikes again. YBF chick LeToya Luckett was tapped to be on the Daddy’s Little Girls soundtrack along with several other artists–including Beyonce. But word has it that the reason Toya got dropped from the soundtrack was because Papa Knowles demanded she get dropped or else Beyonce’s track would be pulled. Here we go again….

Source: YBF

Not too sure about this one. I know Papa Knowles is kinda shady but I think some of the stuff written about him is over-exaggerrated. Still though, I wouldn’t put it past him…

Toni performed a medley of her classic hit Your Making Me High (remix) and Take This Ring from her most recent album, Libra. Her performance wasn’t saying too much. It’s not that it was bad, but it just wasn’t anything special.

Toni Braxton Take This Ring

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Over at Janet’s Official forum a 52 page (yes 52 page!) chat was conducted with her Creative Director and Choreogropher, Gil. The following is an overview of what he said. Many questions are answered here.

Future Appearances

Janet will be at Jennifer Hudson’s pre-Oscar party held by Jamie Foxx this Wednesday, so I guess we can expect new pics soon.
Janet will be visiting the board when things are set in stone. She’s really busy right now, so that’s why she hasn’t been on here.

Tour/Business Affairs

Janet still has a manager and a publicist and once things are cleared up, she will future events will be announced.
Janet is currently in Los Angeles
Janet wants to tour for the fans and we won’t hear about a tour unless it’s coming from a PR person. When that will happen is unclear.
The tour is supposed to be worldwide, including Europe and Australia; they want to hit up everywhere.
The concepts, the choreography, the staging, setlist, costumes, etc. have already been completed for the tour.
When asked if Janet still owed Virgin anything on her contract, he said Janet doesn’t owe anyone anything, so I guess we can take it that her contract obligation is completed.
The tour is supposed to be an all out dance/artistic show.
The tour will not open nor will it end with Weekend and Just a Little While
As far as getting good seats, some people in the back might win front row seats as well as diehard fans.
The dancers are fine
The Call on Me choreography will be on the tour
There will be a Meet and Greet
Do it 2 Me and other uptempo songs off of 20 Y.O. will be performed

Future business/life

Janet is talking to another label right now, but the label she is considering is remaining confidential and she is getting offers from different labels.
She is NOT pregnant (I told yall rolleyes.gif )
It is uncertain whether or not she would release one of her old concert DVD’s
He also suggested she should release her unreleased songs and that might actually happen
Janet will make a deep album and voice her opinion
Empty will not be performed
It was Janet’s idea to have less girls; Danielle was not meant for a group thing, which is why she’s no longer there.
Some of her music will be used as a soundtrack but the time frame is unknown
There will be a new fan site
This board will probably be closed
No future promo for 20 Y.O., including performances

Miscellanous Janet information

Janet is hands on with her myspace.
She won’t be collaborating with Diana Ross
Janet’s stylist is Kim Bowen who doesn’t have a website
Janet is fine and stronger than ever
Janet respects all artists, Ciara is unfortunately included.
She is not insecure about her legs
She is always looking at possible movie roles, but none are in the imminent future
Janet has never been irate with one of her dancers
Likes to watch 20/20 and the news
Doesn’t discuss Jermaine and Latoya on reality TV shows
Invites past dancers to parties, and throws a party after a tour is finished
It was her manager’s suggestion that “S.Ex” be written on that wall during her Billboard performance.
Feelings for Madonna are unknown (thus you can interpret that how you like)
If you don’t like her sexual stuff, you don’t have to stay
Loves antiques and paintings
Never has gotten into a fight that Gil had to break up
Janet did not fight Paula; Gil claims that Paula probably fought herself.

For those of you who bothered to read all of that (lol), I am pleased that Janet is making moves to sort out her career etc.

I guess the rumours of a Whitney/Bobby reconciliation have been proven wrong. Besides Whitney’s spokesperson recently putting out a statement to deny the claims, take a look at these pics:

Still in shock about this one. This chick SHUT IT DOWN on ‘And I’m Telling You’:

Tamia is currently on tour, check out this video highlighting one of the stops:

Was gonna report on the Britney situation but I’m sure you know about that already. I also can’t be bothered with her nonesense anyway…

Flamingo Las Vegas headliner Toni Braxton helped make this an extra special Valentine’s Day for one local Las Vegas couple. During her famous love song “Unbreak My Heart,” Toni welcomed Jeff Merkle on stage where he surprised his girlfriend Monica Dyer by dropping to one knee and proposing to her in front of the sold-out crowd. She happily accepted and the couple received a standing ovation from the audience and slow danced on stage as Toni continued the ballad. Toni will be performing during the NBA All-Star game tomorrow on TNT.

Credit: The Rap-Up

Nice story. I hear about stuff like this all the time and the woman always says ‘Yes’. Imagine if the answer was a ‘No’; now that would have been awkward.

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