Fox News is reporting that music superstar Whitney Houston is to start the recording of her new album today.
Houston is booked for sessions with renown writer/producer/artist Johnta Austin . Austin won a Grammy for co-writing Mariah Carey’s mega hit “We Belong Together.” His other credits include work for Mary J Blige and Janet Jackson. Hopefully he can work his magic on Whitney’s project too.
Clive Davis – Whitney’s longtime mentor/label boss- has already decided on about seven songs for Houston, including those by R. Kelly, Diane Warren and other big-name producers.

Her comeback is shaping up to be BIG.

DreamWorks, the makers of the Oscar nominated movie-musical Dreamgirls, has made a public apology to legendary record label Motown; reinterating that the film is ‘work of fiction’. The apology, made this Wednesday, was in response to grumblings by the label that the movie mis-representated their history.
I say Motown, as much as I respect them, need to chill. It’s well-known what goes on in the industry, so trying to convince people otherwise won’t work. Plus the film doesn’t claim to be an exact depiction of how Motown was back then.
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.
A new song by Chilli, formerly of R&B girl group TLC, has hit the net called Straight Jack. She’s now signed to rapper Akons own label – Konvict Music; he promised her album will surprise alot of people. If this is any indication of what is to come then she should just go back to the studio. I’m not liking this one at all. Missy Elliott’s feature does nothing for the track either; I can’t stand that bogus Jamaican accent she puts on.
Anyway I’ll let you be the judge….
Grammy Award winning songstress Toni Braxton has settled her lawsuit against Barry Hankerson – her former manager and label head (of Blackground Records). Under the terms of the settlement, Toni no longer has any ties to the label or Hankerson and is free to pursue a new deal with another label. In the lawsuit – filed in January 07- Braxton alleged that Hankerson lured her away from Arista Records in 2003 by telling her that they no longer wanted her, yet telling them that she didn’t want to record for them anymore. Braxton also claims Hankerson mismanaged her first and only album for the label – Libra (which tanked upon release in 2005).
Hankerson tried to keep Braxton at Blackground by paying her an advance for a second album in December last year. Braxton returned the money and filed her suit.
Good for her! See she’s handling her own. Wonder what label she’ll sign with this time?
**