AY-Z's TERM IS UP? It must be nice. There is a rumor circulating that, as Jay-Z jumps back into the recording fray with this new album/tour, he'll be quitting his position as the president of Def Jam. Three years and he's done, I heard. I'm not mad at that, because I'm anxious for a new Jigga LP. I heard he's working hard between L.A. and N.Y. with Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Dr. Dre and others for this monster project. The word is: November. RUMORS FROM THE UNDERGROUND! Rumor has it that the original horrorcore group, The Gravediggaz are coming back! Now, this rumor says that the line up will change but also include some familiar faces. Frukwan aka the Gatekeeper joins with Shabazz The Disciple, Killah Priest, Prince Paul and some other notables. I also heard Canibus and original Gravedigga The RZA will have something to do with this new project. I also heard that Canibus is doing his next project with Hooper & K.O. artist Ron Artest and his Truwarier Records. Hey, I'm still waging a Holy War in the mental so it’s all good to me. J-LO IS ABOUT TO DROP...WITH DIDDY'S PAIR? Word on the street is that Jennifer Lopez and hubby Marc Anthony are about to have a seed, but have been super-dilligent about hiding it. I hope Diddy is ready to marry Kim because rumor has it, Kim Porter might be pregnant with twins. How ironic is that? Diddy's girl and his ex are both pregnant at the same time. I just hope he’s ready to marry to Kim cause child support on twins can’t be anything nice! Oh, I forgot to mention, ‘Jenny From The Block's’ rep shot the rumor down: "She is 100% not pregnant," her rep told Us Weekly. THE COST OF MISSY The word on the street is that booking Missy for a concert is like opening a small Wal -Mart department store. First, rumor has it that she demands $133,000 in backstage perks, a rider fit for a juggernaut. The people of Bournemouth, England, who organized a show, paid for 35 first class tickets (is first class even that big?), two five-star hotel suites, 33 five-star rooms, $5,500 worth of dinners and an unlimited source of Cristal champagne ($750 a pop). But, of all the opulence, why didn't Missy get the memo that "we" no longer drink Cristal? ONE OF HEF'S GIRL'S GOES AT EMINEM AND GETS SHUTDOWN? So, I was on the blog of Hugh Hefner's gals, Kendra Wilkinson. A few days ago, she had a long, detailed, extensive rant about her encounter with Eminem. The story goes a little something like this…She's at a rap video shoot for Akon, her very first. She was extremely excited about the event as she is a huge fan of rappers like 50 Cent. On the set, there was Eminem; another rapper she loves. She said that she had a brief encounter with the rapper that was positive and she kept it moving. But, later, it wasn't so positive. But, I don't want to speculate...Guess why? The blog entry was removed! Apparently, the powers that be shut down the Playboy bunny for her controversial remarks. Needless to say, she claims this is her last attempt to be in a rap video. OH WELL! If she was on the set of a Common video, all she'd have to worry about is eating Tofu and veggie burgers. Better luck next time. WAIT - HOLD THE PRESSES! My girl Heather is the bomb. An e-pack rat like myself, she saved the blog before ol' Kendra took it down. Click here to read about the mess. QUICKIES Rumor has it, the brass in NYC is trying to stop the new race-segmented "Survivor" from hitting the air in September. "The idea of having a battle of the races is preposterous," said City Councilman John Lui. "How could anybody be so desperate for ratings?" I think its working. I love me some Keyshia Cole and now there is reason to love her even more - I think. There is a picture of her on the internet looking quite the sexpot, but her people are saying it’s not her. I don't know if that tattoo is lying, my friends. I'll take their word for it - for now. I heard that Eddie Murphy has been seen shopping for a wedding ring with a female. That's interesting on so many levels. For one, people seem to think Eddie has something going on with J. Gill and he's only recently divorced. OH YEA. Some people misunderstood that I didn't know that LeToya and Slim Thug used to be a couple back in the day. Not. Of course I knew that, but, like I said it seemed that they were back together in her new vid. Apparently, this isn't the case. A friend of mine let me know that it was a case of "H-Town love" and he was just lending his services for the video. I think it’s about time for Slim Thug to come back out again. He's extremely underrated. Rumor has it, nobody wants to buy MiJac's Neverland Ranch so he's resorted to selling the poor animals. What goes up must really come down, huh? I'm down by law. Check out DJ Tr0pikana! I thought she was Somethin’ from the "Flavor of Love." As a way of saying I’m sorry, I thought I'd put her in my Top 8.

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BEYONCE'S DADDY LETS THE HATERS KNOW... OK, I have a heart! I don't publish everything I hear! Time to come clean. There have been a few bad reviews of Beyonce's B'Day album and we've all heard that Mr. Knowles is supposedly trying to get the Sept. 5 (Plug 1) pushed back. Some of these rumors even said that Mr. Knowles himself wasn't satisfied with B'Day (more plugs). I heard he tried to cancel her world tour, an assertion that's not true, and even tried to get Shakira and Chris Brown on a revised version of the opus. I even heard that he leaked the album to the internet to sabotage the effort. Well, he's come back to address all the rumors. Read below and don't forget, there's more to today's rumors. This is almost a rant, by Mr. Knowles. Matthew Knowles responds to the rumors: "It is apparent that there is a consistent plan by some to create chaos around Beyonce's B'Day album release on Sept 5 in the US. First, it was a petition against the single, "Deja Vu", then a rumor regarding conflict between Beyonce and Rihanna, seizures caused by the "Ring the Alarm" video, putting out a single to compete with LeToya's album and now to add to all the ridiculous rumors, is my plan to postpone the release of her B'Day album. What will be next? Beyonce's cut off all her hair? Dyed it green? Maybe she's singing the songs in reverse with some hidden subliminal message! Unfortunately what it shows is that anyone can go on the internet and create rumors and the media in some cases will pick up these stories and run with them which influence the consumer's perception. Beyonce has sold over a 140 million records as an artist. Over half sold outside of America. 2500 responses for a petition on the internet (which really represents often the same people responding 2-3 times) go online with a petition regarding "Deja V u", and it's national news? Think about that for a minute. 140 million records sold versus 2500 responses about a video. Does that really equate to a major concern? The answer is No! I couldn't be happier with where "Deja Vu" is on the charts. It's a Top 10 song on Billboard 100 and #1 on this week's R&B charts. Mid week numbers in the UK is trending at #1 for the "Deja Vu" single for this week. Records have broken in Japan regarding ringtone sales of "Deja Vu." It is one of the most ever streamed videos at Yahoo. "Ring The Alarm" was added to TRL on its first day of airing and it is on the R&B charts this week which gives Beyonce two singles on the charts at the same time. Our plan is to have three singles on the charts together. For this album we have a unique strategy. Rather than concern ourselves with purely chart positioning we are focusing on the combine audiences who are listening and are aware of the singles on the album. That strategy is based on the combine belief of Beyonce, SonyBMG and Music World. This is unique, creative body of work on B'Day (spelling corrected B'Day) and every song is a potential single. After all what do we know? Some weeklies reviewed "Independent Women" and gave it a "D-" and Beyonce's first album "Dangerously in Love," a "D". And just for the record, Beyonce's success or failure for me is not based on the number of records she sells. For me it's based on how proud I am that she is a genuine good person (Ask anyone who's worked with her). That she always has a kind word for others. That she is respectful and honest. That she gives back to her community and that she has so much love for her family. That she has grown to be such a leader. And lastly, she has the confidence not to be bothered by these planned distractions." Pop your collar, Mr. Knowles! That's how a father should be for his daughter! THE 2006 VMA'S ARE UPON US AND... ...50's having a party! This joint is supposed to be all the rage and he's co-hosting it with LL Cool J. Now, I heard that it has been made it very clear that Lil' Kim, Irv Gotti and others are not to be allowed inside his jam. I'm not sure why they would go, because those people have no love for 50 either. I'm not invited either, but I'm a friend of all. WITHOUT TLC, CHILLI MOVES ON My homey hit me with a bit of info that I had never heard before. I've been told that the TLC superstar has signed with Akon's Konvict Music and is all set to release her new album in the beginning of 2007. Lets get that buzz up, if this is true! LEAVE NE-YO ALONE! You know some people = I'll tell you. So, there are these pictures of Ne-Yo allegedly getting his "Mr. Wanker" done up by some video chick. But, the funny thing is some people believe it and I can't fathom why. I won't support this rumor by posting the pictures. Clearly this is a case of some dude that has a huge noggin (pause) like Ne-Yo taking pictures of himself getting serviced. It just isn't him, but it sure looks like him. Shout out to Amazing Asian, but I don't think that is the homey. I'M DOWN WITH PLUTO. You know what? Some astronomy crew up and decided that Pluto is no longer a planet. Bump that, fam. Pluto IS a planet, I aint trying to hear that, nine planets like Wu Tang. Does freakin' Saturn have a Disney character named after it? Hell to the no. Cats kill me and it is clear that they are just bored, that's all. If Pluto aint a planet, why are they trying to visit it with their lil doo-dads? Pluto never hurt anybody - stop fronting. QUICKIES Mike Tyson has decided to return to boxing, but this time he's coming to PRIDE Fighting Championship. I don't think this is real fighting, because PRIDE dudes get really brutal. Rumors are swirling that legendary producer and cultural icon Quincy Jones, 73, is dating Heba Elawadi, a 19 year-old woman. No word on what she does, only that she is from Egypt. More Jay-Z/ Beyonce rumors. I'm hearing they are planning a $3 million wedding. Let me know when there's some concrete leads. According to bossip.com, The Game is dating Kim Kardashian, daughter of the late, great attorney Robert Kardashian. You might remember the Kardashian name as he defended O.J. Simpson when he was accused of murder. I heard these two have had a thing longer than people really know. Speaking of The Game...

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Tuesday - August 29, 2006 by Janeé Bolden Dem Franchize Boyz Dem Franchize Boyz member Parlae, and six others appeared in a Fulton County courtroom yesterday for a plea hearing, only to have their charges reduced. As SOHH previously reported, Parlae (whose real name is Maurice Gleaton) was arrested along with seven other men at an Atlanta recording studio this June when police searched Making Big Moves Entertainment and discovered several pounds of marijuana. Yesterday, August 28th Parlae appeared before Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore at his plea hearing, which had previously been rescheduled from an earlier date. When the defendants' charges were read they had been reduced from drug trafficking to the charge of possession with the intent to distribute. "The crime lab responsible for weighing the drugs has determined the amount of drugs recovered was below ten pounds," Parlae's attorney Ash Joshi told SOHH. "The change in the charge is significant because trafficking carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years but the new charge of possession with the intent to distribute carries no minimum sentence." The case will also be moved to a new judge (Judge Craig Shwall) because fellow defendant, Making Moves Entertainment CEO Anthony Blalock (who was the target of the June 13th police search warrant) has another open trafficking case from a previous arrest. Joshi told SOHH that it's possible the courts may decide to charge Blalock separately from the other six defendants but either way Parlae probably will not have to report back to court for another three to four weeks. Joshi expects the case will go to trial within the next month and a half. Parlae will be returning to tour with the rest of Dem Franchize Boyz on their Up Close and Personal Tour this Friday, September 1 in Virginia Beach, VA. The remaining dates of the tour are listed below: 9/1 Verizon WirelessVAVirginia Beach,VA 9/3 Alltel Pavilion Raleigh, NC 9/4 Boutwell Auditorium Birmingham, AL 9/7 American Airlines Arena Miami, FL 9/8/ Ford Amphitheatre Tampa, FL 9/9 ChastainParkAmpitheater Atlanta, GA 9/10 Verizon WirelessNCCharlotte, NC 9/12 Germain Ampitheater Columbus, OH 9/14 FedEx Forum Memphis, TN 9/15 UMB Bank PavilionMOMaryland Heights, MO 9/16 DTE Energy Music Theatre Clarkston, MI 9/17 Charter One Pavilion Chicago, IL 9/21 Verizon WirelessTXSelma, TX 9/22 Cynthia Woods Pavilion The Woodlands, TX 9/23 Smirnoff Music Centre Dallas, TX 9/24 Verizon WirelessKSBonner Springs, KS 9/28 Gibson Amphitheatre Universal City, CA 09/29 Verizon WirelessCAIrvine,CA 9/30 Cricket Pavilion Phoenix, AZ 10/1 Journal Pavilion Albuquerque, NM 10/6 Sleep Train/Chronicle Pavilion Concord, CA 10/8 Sleep Train Amph. (Marysville) Marysville, CA

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Tuesday - August 29, 2006 by Janeé Bolden Master P New Orleans native, Master P, has recently penned "Uncle Willy's Family" a hip-hop gospel comedy play about one family's post Hurricane Katrina experience. The play stars comedian Terry Miles as Vietnam veteran Uncle Willy, who takes in several members of his extended family when their home is destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. "The moral of the play is put your trust in God, believe in your family. Nothing is impossible. Use hard times as an opportunity to grow," Master P told Yahoo!Music. Clearly the rapper, who was raised in New Orleans' 3rd Ward Calliope Projects, is putting this belief to practice. Master P, whose real name is Percy Miller, appears as an actor in the play, as does his son Romeo and his brother Silkk the Shocker who both rap as well. Master P also credited the success of Tyler Perry's Madea franchise for building up the gospel theater audience. "Madea opened the door, and there hasn't been another character who could stand on his own. This is a great opportunity to open up a lot more doors for other people to have a play based around a character," Master P told Yahoo!Music. "Uncle Willy's Family" is scheduled to go on the road touring the Gulf region during early September. The play is scheduled to visit Meridien, Jackson and Greenwood, Mississippi in addition to Beaumont, Texas. Additional performances are expected in New Orleans, Houston, Baton Rouge, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. For more information about "Uncle Willy's Family" please visit: www.unclewilly.com. In related news, Master P is also planning to begin casting his reality TV series next month. The show "America's Next Hip-Hop Stars". Snoop Dogg, Romeo, Paul Wall and former BET personality Free have been tapped to judge the competition on the TV show. Those interested in trying out can register at the official website for the series.

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By Nolan Strong
Date: 9/2/2006 5:00 pm

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Ludacris and Disturbing Tha Peace will face 50 Cent and G-Unit on the basketball court during Ludacris' Labor Day weekend celebration titled Luda Day Weekend.

Ludacris will coach his DTP team against 50 Cent's G-Unit squad during the celebrity basketball game, which also features NBA ball players Ron Artest and Kevin Garnett.

"This weekend is a celebration and a release (Release Therapy) - pun intended - for me, my friends and my fans," Ludacris told AllHipHop.com. "I am getting ready to start promo tour for my album Release Therapy on September 26 and I am gonna let my hair down. So for all who can make it come ready to let go. If u can't make it you will hear about it or read about it."

Luda Day Weekend features various friends the rapper/actor celebrating the Labor Day weekend holiday in the Atlanta.

Luda Day Weekend kicked off last night (Sept. 1) with a "Black Hollywood" event hosted by actor Terrence Howard, who starred along side Ludacris in Hustle & Flow as well as Crash

Today (Sept. 2) the events continue with The Aphilliates Block Party featuring Ludacris, DJ Drama, Cannon, DJ Sence and Sticks Malone.

The Block Party is hosted by the Clark Atlanta University Student Government Association at the CAU Promenade.

Later in the evening, an invitation-only event titled "We are the Champions" is being hosted by Jerome Bettis and Ludacris at Hotel 12.

Tomorrow (Sept. 3) actress Gabrielle Union will host an "All White Party" at Club 1150.

On Monday (Sept. 4), Luda Day Weekend culminates with the celebrity basketball game at Clark Atlanta's Epps Gymnasium.

"We are finally gonna have the long awaited battle between DTP and G-Unit," Ludacris told AllHipHop.com. "They have been talking so much s**t about playing us in ball, that we had to bring it to the test. We sent the challenge and they accepted it, so its on and yall will see what DTP can do. Yall don't wanna miss this Luda Day Weekend."'

G-Unit member Tony Yayo shrugged off Ludacris' challenge with a friendly taunt. "I heard Ludacris is going to be the coach. Why don't he play some ball?" said.

On Monday, Luda Day Weekend ends on Sept. 5 with Martinis Monday's at Justin's with DJ Red Alert and Ludacris.

"Luda Day Weekend is a celebration with Luda and his friends from music, TV, and film. He brings that star power and everything that he received back to the ATL, so that his hometown can enjoy," said DTP CEO Chaka Zulu.

Ludacris' latest album Release Therapy is slated to hit stores Sept. 26.

Tickets to the basketball game can be purchased at the CAU Student Center.

Below is a full schedule of events:

Sat. Sept. 2nd- Aphilliates Block Party @ Clark Atlanta University w/DTP, DJ Drama, Cannon, DJ Sence, Sticks Malone. 2pm-7pm

Sat. Sept. 2nd- Champions Party @ Hotel 12 w/ Jerome Bettis and Ludacris. 8pm-1am.

Sun. Sept. 3rd- All White Party @ Club 1150 w/ Ludacris and Gabrielle Union . 10pm-3pm

Mon. Sept. 4th- DTP vs. G-Unit Basketball Game @ Clark Atlanta University w/ DTP and G-Unit 4pm-7pm

Mon. Sept. 4th- Martini Mondays @ Justin's w/ DJ Red Alert and Ludacris.

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By Jamile Karout
Date: 9/1/2006 5:30 pm

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The 2006 MTV Video Music Awards took place last night (Aug. 31) in New York.

Radio City Music Hall became center stage for unpredictable wins and performances during last nights awards.

Jay-Z got the show started from the top of Rockefeller Center's historic observation deck, to usher in Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" performance.

Host Jack Black was nothing short of unpredictable himself, as he came on stage dressed in his own Moonman rendition.

Lil' Kim shocked the audience as she suited up in her orange jumpsuit and cuffs one last time, for her first major appearance since her July 3rd prison release.

"Your girl is back," she told her fans as she traded in her one piece suit, for a much sexier alternative.

Wyclef kept the crowd busy as Shakira did a sexy hip-shaking version of "Hips Don't Lie."

Ludacris and Pharrell got on the stage for "Money Maker," as the Pussy Cat Dolls strolled in to join their act.

The night continued with Beyonce's fiery performance, which began with a sixty-five-foot decent on to the stage, as sirens blazed for her new single "Ring the Alarm."

The self proclaimed King of the South T.I, got together with Young Dro to do an energy packed performance of their hits "Shoulders Lean" and "What You Know."

T.I., who was nominated for two awards, was joined on stage by a chorus of children.

Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes came out to do a tribute to Hype Williams, with renditions of "Supa Dupa Fly" and "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See," which Williams directed.

Hype was the recipient of the Video Vanguard Award for his innovative contributions to the music video world.

Kanye West presented the award, calling Williams "one of the greatest filmmakers of all time," citing "they're not just videos they're movies, the music that we make is a soundtrack to our lives and these are the visuals."

Amongst the other big winners of the night was a surprised Chamillionaire, who took home an award for Best Rap Video "Ridin Dirty."

"I'm tryna' do my thing. I'm up here nominated for best rap video. I really don't expect to win, but it's all good. I'm glad to be here and I'm glad to be nominated," he told AllHipHop.com prior to winning his award.

Beyonce and Slim Thug had a big win for H-Town, bringing home Moonmen for Best R&B Video with "Check on It."

The Best Hip-Hop Video award went to the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps."

They took the category over Common for "Testify," Daddy Yankee's "Rompe," Kanye West and Jamie Foxx's "Gold Digger," and Three Six Mafia featuring Eightball and MJG's "Stay Fly."

This was the first year that viewers were able to vote on all of the award categories. For more about the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards visit www.MTV.com.

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