JAY-Z'S NEW ALBUM HAS A "NEW" SOUND

Jay-z's forthcoming album may just have little Scottish boys throwing their diamonds up! According to reports, the CD is being produced by hitmaker Timbaland, who plans to add some flavor to the mix in the form of Scottish bagpipes.

Jay-Z and Timbaland have been in the studio recording Jigga's new sound. Timbaland insists using the bagpipes because he says it will lend the songs global appeal. He says, "We want to go to the world. Some of the songs are gonna sound like (world music artist) M.I.A. You’re gonna be like, ‘Whoa!’ That means it reaches everywhere. I’m gonna have songs with bagpipes too." Timbaland says.

This will be his third studio project since his retirement. Timbaland mentions, "The music is gonna be so worldwide, he’ll be able to tour the rest of his life, maybe, off just this one album."

ERYKAH BADU SNAPS BACK

Erykah Badu looks magnificent on the latest cover of Veg News magazine. In the issue, Erykah bares her soul, plus, snaps back at all the playa haters for criticizing her 3rd pregnancy by a 3rd baby daddy. Erykah's oldest child is her son Seven whose father is Andre 3000 of Outkast. Her second child is 5 year old Puma whom Erykah refuses to disclose the father's name. Now she is currently on her third pregancy with another unknown man.

Erykah tells it like it is in this issue of Veg magazine. In it, she quotes:

“How dare you disrespect the queendom … and my children and my intelligence. I’ve never been so disgusted in all of my life. I am a great mother and caregiver to my two children, and to this world. My children are two of the kindest and happiest people I have met … I am their doctor and their nurse, and even sometimes their mother and their father. I am an excellent mother and resent all of the negative comments and insults on my character. I put much time into having and raising my children. I’ve had the honors of having two home births and two wonderful partners by my side. Every relationship I have been in was because i loved the person dearly and was dedicated to us ‘exclusively’ for a number of years. The fathers of my children are my brothers and friends. We have a great deal of respect for one another and always will. We love our children to no end. We took our own ‘vows’ and continue to uphold them, and that is what that is. Question? What is marriage? Who is the judge? … Would it ‘look better’ to marry and divorce and marry again?”

She did admit that she may lose a few fans, but didn’t care, refusing to bite her tongue. “If I lose you as a fan because I want to continue to have children, then f*** off … who needs you … certainly not me … kick rocks … call Tyrone … pack light … bite me,” Erykah exclaims. At the end, she signs off with a big “kiss my placenta.”

Erykah is certainly taking everyone's opinion rather personal. Having 3 kids by 3 different daddys is nobody's business but her owns.

Story by K. K. Holloway

CASSIE AND P. DIDDY MIGHT JUST BE AN ITEM

Remember my earlier reports (with visuals, thanks to GStyle) that the rumor was circulating that P. Diddy was getting close to his young protege, 21 year old Cassie??

One of the first inclings that P. Diddy and Cassie are more than just working together. Cassie and Diddy seemed more than just friends in Central Park on Mother's Day

P. Diddy and Cassie snuggled up on Mother's Day in Central Park in NYC

Well more news (and yet another visual) has surfaced on the hot alleged "couple". I'm not so sure how true it is, but I might add, that they do make a cute couple and will make some pretty babies. But doesn't it seem that Puffy will never find his wifey. You notice he hasn't put a ring on anyone yet, not even the mother of his kids. J. Lo was the closest one to getting the ring, but she broke his heart.

Anyhoo, back to the topic at hand. The romance between Sean Combs and R&B singer Cassie is getting more and more out there. Though they have consistently denied the affair, (what else is new), now Cassie has allegedly made a comment at a party in New York this week.

Cassie was seen leaving the birthday celebration when she was asked to confirm rumors that she and Diddy were not an item. She said, “I will confirm that rumor.” In other words, she's confirming that the rumor, that they are not a couple is, false and that they are a couple. Unless she just misunderstood the question?? Hmm..

But wait, there’s more! A party goer reportedly told Us Weekly magazine that Cassie and Diddy were later seen “slipping out” together after the bash.

The things that make you go hmmmm...huh?

Cassie and P. Diddy getting their drink on at a Birthday Party in NYC recently

Story by K. K. Holloway

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIL' KIM - LIL KIM TURNS 33 TODAY!

Lil Kim and choreographer Laurie Ann at Club Spotlight in NYC
Lil Kim and Ne-Yo @ Club Spotlight in NYC

Today is Miss. Socialite/hiphoptress, Lil Kim's birthday! Lil Kim turns 33 today, July 11th.

Since being released from prison, Lil Kim has been regaining her light in the spotlight as well as getting her finances back in order. In April, Lil’ Kim’s Bentley, valued at over $250,000, was repossessed because she reportedly fell four to five months behind in payments.

Currently, she's been working on her music including collaborations with Lil Wayne, Brittney Spears, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg. Also she was a guest judge on the reality tv show Pussycat Dolls. At this year's BET awards, Lil Kim made an appearance on stage during Keyshia Cole's performance.

Lil Kim was also just awarded a half-million-dollars in a lawsuite back in May. The lawsuit was filed against former Junior M.A.F.I.A. member, Lil Cease aka James Lloyd. His company Ground Zero Entertainment was accused of misusing her name and image for an unauthorized DVD.

Story by K. K. Holloway

NAS HITS HARD AT JESSE JACKSON FOR SLANDERING BARACK OBAMA

Nas is going in at Jesse Jackson after Mr. Jackson was caught insulting presidential candidate Barack Obama on live TV. The nerve of him!!

Jackson was forced to apologize to Obama on Wednesday after he was overheard accusing the politician of talking "down" to the black community and stating that he wanted to "cut his (Obama's) nuts off."

Nas says Jesse's time in the public eye is over anyhow.

"I think Jesse Jackson, he's the biggest player hater. His time is up. All you old n----s, time is up. We heard your voice, we saw your marching, we heard your sermons. We don't wanna hear that s--t no more.
It's a new day. It's a new voice. I'm here now. We don't need Jesse; I'm here. I got this. We got Barack, we got David Banners and Young Jeezys. We're the voice now. It's no more Jesse. Sorry. Goodbye. You ain't helping nobody in the 'hood. That's the bottom line. Goodbye, Jesse. Bye!"

I couldn't agree more with Nas. Preach on brother! That was a bad move by Jesse Jackson. Hands down. Please do not let Barack Obama's success be another tragic Macolm X repeat. We all know the hate, jealousy and oppression can get the best of any of us. Let's stick together people and make a difference towards change.

Most of Jesse Jackson's slandering was not aired due to the comments that he made about Senator Obama were extremely offensive.

In more Nas news, he and wife Kelis have called it quits with hopes of a reality show. Nas said, after viewing the tapes to their footage, he felt the two were too "boring" and opted out of a reality tv show.


Nas' new album Nas hits stores on July 15th.

Story by K. K. Holloway

MISSY ELLIOT'S BIRTHDAY PARTY WAS SHUT DOWN

Missy Elliot's 37th birthday party in New York came to a screeching halt when her make-up artist was arrested for allegedly assaulting a fan. What the F???

Deborah Padilla was taken into police custody after the girl fight. The fight took place at the NYC Marquee nightclub, where a waitress at the venue reportedly attempted to get close to Busta Rhymes.

An eyewitness tells the New York Post, "The waitress got into it with the make-up artist, then fists flew. The witness goes on and states, "There were people crying, bottles flying and Missy trying to get out of there. It was pandemonium."

The unnamed waitress subsequently filed charges against Padilla, claiming she had been "hit above the eye" in the incident.

Is this is a case of pure deja vu or what!? Didn't the same thing happen at DaBrat's birthday party too??

Anyhoo, representatives for Marquee nightclub refused to comment on the fight.

Story by K. K. Holloway

LAUREN LONDON & LIL WAYNE ENGAGED????

This just in.....

Rumor has that Lauren London and Lil Wayne are engaged!! When, why and how did this happen?? And where have I been? I didn't even know the two were at all a couple let alone enganged!

What in the world!!??? Sources are saying the two have been off and on for years and have this "open" relationship. Apparently Lauren is very hood and is into thugs.

Lauren London has been linked to T.I., Baron Davis, and Pharell before hooking up with Weezy.

Story by K. K. Holloway

BOW WOW'S GOT A NEW GIRLFRIEND

Move over Ciara, and move over Angela, daughter of Rev. Run. Bow Wow has his paws on a new pretty kitty.

Melody Thornton of the Pussycat Dolls is apparently purring up next to Bow Wow. Sources say Bow Wow flew Melody in from Kuwait while she was performing with the Pussycat Dolls so she could attend his birthday party.

The two looked very cute together as Melody sang to Bow Wow at this birthday party.

Story by K. K. Holloway

CARMELLO ANTHONY GETTING HIS CREEP ON

Rumor has it that allegedly, Carmello Anthony is cheating on his wife LaLa. Oh the nerve Carmello!!

LaLa and Carmello are married and have a baby boy together. The rumors are allegeding that Caremello Anthony has a 24-year old side chick out in San Francisco.

Allegedly, during his recent trip to San Francisco, Carmello spent three nights with his late night creep for 3 nights.

Instead of hosting the reunino shows, looks like LaLa needs to start her own reality show on VH1 where she searches for TRUE love.

Poor LaLa.

Story by K. K. Holloway

VOGUE GOES BLACK W/ JAY-Z

Jay-Z is looking mighty smooth and dapper in his own spread in the ground breaking all-Black issue of Vogue Italia.

Take a look at his amazing shots. Now that's what I call Don Juan.

For the July issue of Italian Vogue, photographer, Mr. Meisel has photographed only black models, including the first ever story spread on hip hop mogul Jay-Z.

All the faces are black, and all the feature topics are related to black women in the arts and entertainment.

The issue will be on European newsstands next Thursday and in the United States after.”

Below is a glimpse at the beautiful work of art Mr. Meisel has created in the upcoming all black issue of Vogue Italia.

Story by K. K. Holloway

BARBADOS FANS ARE PRETTY UPSET WITH MYA!

Check out these pictures of Mya seen on a beach in Barbados! The R&B singer was in Barbados for business, but opted for more pleasure instead.

The Barbados Tourism Authority allegedly paid Mya for an appearance at a in Barbados but the r&b diva stood them up!

Just a day after she was rumored to make her appearance, pictures surfaced of her on a beach in Barbados.

No word on how true the rumors are of Mya standing up her fans in Barbados. And may I add, she still looks great and we look forward to her getting back on the scene.

Maya's 4th studio album, Liberation, was released in 2007. It spawned the single "Lock you Down" ft. Lil Wayne. The album didn't get much marketing exposure, but I'm still a big fan.

Mya is also set to star in a new reality series on VH1 called "I love the New Millenium". Mya also has a new movie that is currently in post production entitled "Love for Sale".

P.S. I'm still tyring to find out who this famous producer boyfriend that broke Mya's heart by cheating on her and openly telling her about it???

Mya at a Lil Wayne concert in 2008

Story by K. K. Holloway

BREAKOUT ARTIST - KERI HILSON

Talented producer, Timbaland is known for discovering and developing hot new artists. He's continuing his streak with his newest protege, Keri Hilson.

Keri Lynn Hilson, born on October 27, 1982, in Atlanta Gerogia, is embracing the game with style and grace. She's a fresh, face multi-talented artist ready to take center stage.

Keri has been successful behind the scenes, writing and arranging music and background vocals for artists since 2001. Such artists include, Britney Spears, Toni Braxton, Crhsi Brown, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Teairra Mari, Ciara, The Pussycat Dolls, Avant, Ruben Studdard, B5, Diddy, Chingy, Letoya, Ludacris, Rich Boy, Jennifer Lopez, Shawn Desman, Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, Lloyd Banks, Tiffany Evans, and Timbaland.

Now she's ready to release her first solo album "In A Perfect World" due out later this year. Keri is currenlty signed to Timbaland's music label Zone 4/Mosley Music Group/Interscope Records. Keri gives credit and props to her wonder team Timbaland & Polow da Don, better known as "The Clutch", for believing in her talents and dreams.

Keri has been hard at work non-stop. Upon finishing her album, In a Perfect World, she was featured in Usher's new music video Love in this Club. She is also featured on Nas' new album, due out July 15th.

Keri was originally on the remix to Love in this Club, but was replaced by Beyonce. Keri did write the lyrics to the remix version but Beyonce was used to give the song more exposure. She was also featured in Nelly's new video Party People. She wore a shirt that said "Hip Hop aint Dead." A little contradictory since she just did a collaboration with the person who claims Hip Hop is Dead.

Anyhoo, Keri is one force to be reckoned with. She has proven herself to be one talented artist. And the paperflow is stacking higher and higher. Take a look at her roster of writing credits.

Babygirl is one smart sista.

Keri Hilson's Writing Credits

3LW - "Feelin' You"
3LW - "Things You Never Hear a Girl Say"
ATL - "The One"
Avant - "4 Minutes"
B5 - "Heartbreak"
Britney Spears - "Gimme More"
Britney Spears - "Break the Ice"
Britney Spears - "Outta This World"
Britney Spears - "Perfect Lover"
Chingy - "Let Me Luv U"
Chris Brown - "Young Love"
Ciara - "Ooh Baby"
Crystal Kay - "I'm Not Alone"
Danity Kane - "Want It"
Danity Kane - "Right Now"
Diddy - "After Love"
Field Mob - "At the Park"
Jennifer Lopez - "Wrong When Your Gone"
Keke Palmer - "The Game Song"
LeToya Luckett - "What Love Can Do"
Lloyd Banks - "Help"
Ludacris - "Pimpin All Over the World"
Ludacris - "Runaway Love"
Mary J. Blige - "Take Me as I Am"
Mopheadz - Rub Me Up Rite
Omarion - "Ice Box"
Paula Campbell - "Hitlist"
Pussycat Dolls - "Bite the Dust"
Pussycat Dolls - "Wait a Minute"
Rich Boy - "Good Things"
Rich Boy - "Lost Girls"
Ruben Studdard - "Play Our Song"
Shawn Desman - "Red Hair"
Tank - "I Love You"
Tiffany Evans - "About a Boy"
Timbaland - "The Way I Are"
Timbaland - "Miscommunication"
Timbaland - "Scream"
Timbaland - "Hello"
Toni Braxton - "Sposed to Be"
Usher - "Red Light"
Usher - "Love in This Club, Part II" (featuring Beyoncé and Lil Wayne)
Young Twist - "Love for the Game"

Story by K. K. Holloway

WHY DO FOREIGN COUNTRIES HAVE "ODD" YET INTERESTINGLY STRANGE COMERCIALS???

What do you think of when you see a McDonald's commercial??

Big Mac, Apple Pie, French Fries or maybe you'll remember back in the day when "Calvin" got his "props" from working at Mickey D's! Remember that? Stay with me if you dont, please.

Anyhoo, which leads me to a Japanese McDonald's commerical that I oddly enough, I might add, strangely stumbled upon!

So I guess this is the new age Ronald McDonald, huh? Or shall I say Sun Lee McDonald????

Calvin would have never gotten his "props" like that!

Do you agree?

Click the link to take a look for yourself.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UKLncvGxQ8

Story by K. K. Holloway

BEYONCE AND CIARA BATTLE IT OUT!

The word is out that, just like 50 Cent and Kanye did last year, Beyonce and Ciara will be dropping their albums on the same day in November.

Who will come out on top?

This will be Beyonce's third solo project since Destiny's child. The release of her debut solo album in 2003, Dangerously In Love and in 2006, B-Day topped the charts lovely. Both albums went 3 times platinum.

Beyonce's new album that will drop on the same day as Ciara's in November, is currently untitled.

This will also be Ciara's 3rd solo album since her three times platinum certified 2004 release of Goodies, which sold 3 million in the US and 5 million worldwide. Her 2006 platinum release, Ciara: The Evolution, sold 1.3 million in the US and 2 million worldwide.

Ciara's 2008 release titled Fantasy Ride is scheduled to drop the same day as Beyonce's album is to drop in November.

TRAVIS MCCOY OF GYM CLASS HEROES ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT

Travis "Scleprok" McCoy, Lead singer of Gym Class Heroes

Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy was arrested last night at a show in St. Louis, Missouri after assaulting an audience member who yelled a derogatory statement at him.

McCoy was charged with third-degree assault and released on $500 Bond. As per Rolling Stone Magazine , the altercation occurred immediately after performing their first song "Peace Sign" when a black audience member yelled, "f*cking ignorant n*gger." I repeat, a black guy calls another black/half black guy a n*gger. ???? Isn't Travis a dead ringer for J. Holiday?

Responding to the statement as security removed the man, McCoy asked, "What did you just call me?" and followed by breaking his microphone on the man's head.

McCoy apologized to the crowd by saying, "I'm sorry, but when someone calls you something that ignorant and that offensive, you have to bash their head in with a microphone." oookay?

Gym Class Heroes is a 4 member Rock-HipHop group from New York City. Their music is a cool mixture of hip hop, rock, r&b and funk. Two original members, lead singer Travis McCoy & drummer Matt McGinley, met during gym class in high school. Later they met guitarist Milo Bonacci and bassist Ryan Giese and formed the group Gym Class Heroes.

Gym Class Heroes current single "White Girl" ft. Lil Wayne is said to be an anology for the controlled dangerous substance cocaine.