MONICA'S BOO IS ARRESTED

Monica's boo recently got into some trouble



Rocko Hill, rapper and father of R&B singer Monica’s children, has been jailed according to Atlanta area sources. Hill, best known for the hit single “Umma Do Me,” plead ‘no contest’ to battery charges after he was accused of striking a woman at an Atlanta area nightclub. According to WSBTV, Hill pulled a woman’s hair and struck her in the face at a local nightclub in Feb. 2007. Authorities say the woman sustained injuries

to her face and eye, including a swollen, black-eye and broken blood vessels within the eye. Hill was ordered to spend 48 hours behind bars in addition to both completing an unspecified amount of community service hours and 12 months of probation Monday.

GV Says: Understanding how hood Mo is, I'm not surprised. Guess she better not get out of line or she'll get snatched up too.

JANET CANCELS JAPANESE TOUR

Poor Janet can't catch a break.


After the U.S. leg of her Rock Witchu tour was shut down, JJ has now had to cancel the Japanese leg of the trek – this time due to the sinking global economy.

JJ was due to launch five upcoming shows throughout Japan on Feb. 14 – including the major cities Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya. But concert promoter Kyodo Yokohama said the 42-year-old pop star was forced to scrap the concerts, "due to the impact of the economic crisis."

The gigs will now be rescheduled for sometime later in the year - side-eye being given.

JILL SCOTT TALKS BABY

Jill Scott recently sat down with Essence to talk about her newest addition.

ESSENCE.COM: Congrats, Ms. Scott! We are so happy for you. What was your gut reaction when you learned you were pregnant?

JILL SCOTT: Shock. I didn't think it was possible for me to have kids because I was told I couldn't conceive. I had given up hope of becoming a mother one day.

ESSENCE.COM: What a blessing—a miracle baby! After you got over the shock where did you stand emotionally?

SCOTT: I had to slow down because after I found out, I was supposed to leave for Africa the next day. I called my doctor and talked about what I needed to do, what I couldn't do and what I could do. I was just trying to take as many precautions and be as knowledgeable as I possibly could. Quite frankly, I was freaked out and everyone was asking me, "What are you going to do?" My agent was distraught, but it wasn't about anybody else other than me finding out if the baby was going to be okay, so that's what I did first—slow down.

ESSENCE.COM: Is that the sole reason that you chose to prolong the news?

SCOTT: Well, yes, that was a large part of it. Because I'm 36 and considered a high risk for pregnancy, I wanted to make sure that everything was okay. My closest friends and family knew and that was enough for me. Oddly enough, as pregnant as I am, I didn't have time to enjoy my pregnancy because I was working in Botswana for four and a half months playing someone else. It was a lot of hard work, and I'm not tripping about it because it was a wonderful opportunity and experience. So right now I'm chillin'— enjoying looking at cribs, mobiles, growing and finding maternity clothes and sleeping (laughs.)

ESSENCE.COM: So have you chosen a name yet?

SCOTT: (Chuckles.) Yes, but we want the baby to be the first to hear it.

ESSENCE.COM: We can respect that. Are you having a boy or a girl?

SCOTT: A boy. He will make his grand entrance mid-April.

KANYE & FRIENDS HIT PARIS

So Kanye and his friends including Fonzworth Bentley were spotted in Paris for Fashion Week.





GV Says: I'm not sure I know what to make of this. I'm not one to halt anyone's creativity but.....this is pretty suspect. I'm just saying. I wonder what's in those briefcases.

TOCCARA MAKES THAT PAPER

Look who has their own workout DVD.....America's Top Model, Toccara.

Interesting.....Did anyone catch Celebrity Fit Club? Wasn't Toccara adamant that she didn't need to lose weight??? I'm just saying.

LISA RAYE SPEAKS

Lisa Raye recently sat down with Essence and set the record straight on her financial status and marriage.

ESSENCE.COM: Is it difficult to go through rough times publicly, especially with a spouse.
LISARAYE: Yes. There is a law in Turks and Caicos that you must remain married for three years before you begin any kind of divorce proceedings. If you want to get a divorce before that you have to be able to prove certain things that will grant you the right to do so.

ESSENCE.COM: What evidence did you provide that helped you in your case?
LISARAYE: I can’t be specific right now. I will say that there are things that happen within a marriage which can disrespect the union and actions can be taken against those things. As an actress, I have put myself out there as an independent Black woman, a single mom, a go-getter, a hustler who isn’t afraid to survive. If you get with a man who goes against who you are or what you believe in, people who know you begin to say, “Hey, that’s not the LisaRaye I know.” As his wife, my name has been associated with things that I have nothing to do with, and I have to fight to clear my name.

ESSENCE.COM: When you say you have to “fight for your name” are you referring to the British investigation into the government of Turks and Caicos and its leader, your estranged husband?
LISARAYE: Yes. I have been summoned to the hearing for questioning from the commission regarding the corruption inquiry into my husband’s government.

ESSENCE.COM: Do you believe your husband is innocent or guilty of those allegations?
LISARAYE: That’s not for me to decide.

ESSENCE.COM: Do you think that you and your husband could have avoided such a public war?
LISARAYE: Honestly, I hoped our divorce could be amicable. I’m saying to him, “Let’s get it over with so we can move on with our lives. It’s not fair to keep me involved in all this mess that I know nothing about… I’m human and enough is enough.” I’m going through some things, but I’ve been quiet and haven’t spoken to my country. I was trying to bow out gracefully, but after a while the Southside [of Chicago] had to come forward and finally say, “Hold on! Wait a minute!”

ESSENCE.COM: Many balked at your whirlwind romance and marriage and accused you of being an opportunist. How do you feel about that assessment of your character?
LISARAYE: First of all, I’m a fan of love and partnership. I would say this to my critics: If a man comes to you there obviously has to be a connection. I had a man who’s smart and powerful and who I fell in love with. He’s embracing my family. Add the fact that I have an opportunity to bring tourism to his country and be involved in something historical. Who in the hell would say no? But what scared me was the idea of being First Lady?

ESSENCE.COM: Bloggers have often said that you’re too “ghetto” to be a First Lady. How does that make you feel?
LISARAYE: I am not and never grew up in the ghetto. People need to get it right. I grew up on the Southside of Chicago. What people don’t realize is that my father was a multimillionaire who owned 12 hotels, motels, a steel mill, a radio station, a club, nursing home, and a law office. So I think it’s safe to say I’m a little above middle class and I’m a daddy’s girl. I make no apologies for loving the finer things in life or the men I choose to date. I don’t feel bad about the person I am. Now, I do have an edge, rawness and realness, and I can tell you I’m going to keep that. I’m one of those women who’s not to be messed with. I’m very opinionated and boisterous at times. I’m also kind and humble. I know when to fold and when to hold and that’s important. If my edge scares you, then you have a choice to remove yourself. Other than that, I’m very approachable, and when people meet me they always say, “You are so down to earth and nothing like I thought you were.”

GV Says: Did you peep Lisa's description of her upbringing....Interesting. I'm not mad....She's a little rough around the edges but I like her.

KIMORA SHOWS AND TELLS

For all those who didn't believe the hype that Kiki was pregnant...

Perhaps that baby bump helps. The happy family was spotted out and about this weekend.

T.I., JAY-Z, MARY J BLIGE HIT THE CLUB

Celebs kept the party going at Club Love

Tip came through looking his normal sexy self

Akon and Tracey Edmonds

Bow Wow

Kevin Liles and Tracey


Jay-Z held his official afterparty at D.C.’s Ibiza nightclub Monday night where he and MJB performed....we turn every event into a party don't we....I love my peopele

MORE BALLS

More balls were in affect last night.

Colin Powel and his wife Alma hit up the BET Inaugural Ball

Hov was there too....seriously, what's up with the glasses. I like to think Im an open person - esp when it comes to fashion , but those glasses are hideous
Look who took the stage with Wyclef....Colin Powel....interesting

T.I. and MC Lyte hit up the Hip-Hop Summit Action Inaugural Ball

Ashanti and others hit the Hip-Hop Summit Action Inaugural Ball

Bow Weezy was there

BARACK & MICHELLE HIT THE TOWN

After the official swearing in and Inauguration Parade, Michelle and President Barack Obama finished the night by attending TEN balls.

They started the night attending the Neighborhood Ball

Beyonce's dream of serenading the President came true when she sang "At Last" for their first dance of the night.

Hubby Hov was there of course

As were Stevie Wonder and MJB

Kanye West hit up the youth ball aka the MTV Ball

Along with Bill Bellamy, Usher and Sway

ASHTON & DEMI CALL FOR UNITY

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore will release a film featuring more than 50 Hollywood stars pledging to support President Barack Obama's call for unity across America.

Eva Longoria Parker and Lucy Liu are among a host of celebrities who filmed segments in which they promise to help out their local community. The footage premiered Monday on MySpace.com.

Kutcher is calling on all U.S. citizens to take heed and help Obama to make the changes he has promised.

"There's an assumption that this one man is going to take on his new job full-time and somehow wave a magic wand of change, and I don't believe that to be true," he says. "I think that we have to be the leaders, and that's not celebrities -- I think that we as citizens have to be leaders of the movement that we want to create."

IT'S OFFICIAL

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a new US President! YES WE DID!!!


They came from all corners of the world, braved fiercely cold temperatures and stood together on the Mall in Washington to share in one historic moment -- when Barack Obama became the 44th president and the first African-American elected to the post.

Literally….Millions of people packed the DC Mall early Tuesday to watch Obama's inauguration and later hit the parade route to catch a glimpse of the new president. For many, the inauguration was the realization of a dream they never thought could be fulfilled.
MORE

D-WADE PUT ON BLAST

Looks like D Wade's high school sweetheart and wife, Siohvaughn, is putting him on blast.


In legal papers, she alleges he abandoned his children, committed adultery, and infected her with an unspecified sexually transmitted disease. She wants the names of ''all of his sexual partners'' during their six-year marriage.

Dwyane petitioned for the divorce last May in Cook County, Ill. They wed in Chicago on May 18, 2002.

Dwyane's Windy City attorney, James Pritikin, issued a statement: "These malicious allegations are absolutely false and we look forward to the opportunity to dispute them in court.''

Siohvaughn went to maintain: "Dwyane has dissipated substantial sums of marital property including . . . buying his mother a $2 million church; placing substantial sums of money in an account with another woman; providing numerous friends and family members with unfettered access to accounts with hundreds of thousands of dollars of marital funds from which they made substantial withdrawals . . .''

Meanwhile, she says, he cut her off financially.

Dwyane, named a ''Father of the Year'' in 2007 by the National Father's Day Committee, has gone ''months'' without seeing his boys, Siohvaughn says. His ''failure to spend time with them . . . has resulted in the children at times being afraid of him; in fact, Zion . . . does not recognize or know Dwyane.'' She wants sole custody, and support.

She also says she has suffered ''grievous physical, emotional and mental injury'' from the STD, diagnosed in the fall of '07. (The infection is not HIV or a ''killer thing,'' sources say.) Dwyane and his ''paramour or paramours'' are liable, she alleges.

'Dwyane must disclose the identity of all of his sexual partners during the parties' marriage,'' says her counter-petition, prepared by attorney Michael J. Berger of Chicago. Siohvaughn has another Chicago lawyer, Dorene Marcus.

Says Pritikin: "It is sad that an obviously angry and bitter woman will go to any lengths to publicly damage Mr. Wade.''

Siohvaughn speaks the truth, Marcus insists. ''A person's public persona does not necessarily reflect his behavior in private,'' Marcus adds. ``Mrs. Wade is prepared to prove everything she alleges. And, medical records don't lie.''

Source

GV Says: D-Wade as fine as you are I have to say...you brought this on yourself homeboy. Always, always, always take care of home first. You have been out here booed up with Gabrielle like you're single. I know it's been a long road to divorce but never forget that you are NOT single. He's reaping what he's sown. Deal w/ it homeboy.

Hova and B hosted a Pre-Inauguration party at Love in D.C.

BEYONCE TO SING FIRST DANCE

Beyonce will sing for Barack and Michelle Obama's first dance on inauguration night according to the Associated Press.

What she will belt has been kept hush by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

"It is our hope that we can keep the song secret until the moment," spokeswoman Linda Douglass told The AP.

B will also perform at Tuesday night's Neighborhood Ball (to air on ABC), along with her husband Jay-Z, will.i.am, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder and Maroon 5.

KIMORA LEE EXPECTING?

That's what a "close source" has told US magazine.

Simmons, 33, has two daughters, Ming Lee, 8, and Aoki Lee, 6, with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, whom she divorced in 2008 after nearly 10 years of marriage.
"I have a lot of hang-ups in life with men. I'm not very trusting," she told Harper's Bazaar last year. "After my breakup, I thought, 'I don't need anything.'"

But after meeting Hounsou in February 2007, she said, "I have someone who has the heart, the soul, and the hotness."
Added Hounsou , "My first impression has always been the same, that she's a very beautiful lady, very capable

GV Says: Hmm....good for them. They seem to work.

FAITH TO APPEAR IN A SITCOM

According to the rumor mill we could be seing Faith as a regular on TV.

"I developed a synopsis for a sitcom which is based loosely on my life," Evans told VH1."The show alludes to the fact that I was married and lost my husband."

Ensuring the as-yet-untitled series is not about her husband Biggie being an artist Evans says "It's about that I took a break from the music business when I lost my husband, then I went back after I got offered [a gig performing] at a five-star hotel and casino. Then my kids are starting to sneak into my shows."

RAVEN STANDS STRONG

After enduring much criticism of her weight, Raven-Symone has decided to help other girls gain the self-esteem they need to face opposition.

On Thursday, the singer-actress helped to boost some of her young fans' confidence when she hosted a hundred 11- and 12-year-old girls at a Dove-sponsored self-esteem workshop in Cape May, N.J.

"People come up to me and have certain words for me, but you know what I do? I say, 'I'm healthy, I exercise, I believe in myself, and I think I’m beautiful,' " she says. "You just have to learn how to transform the pressures into something that doesn’t soak into you on a personal level. You see it, you breathe past it, you don’t let it sink into your self-esteem."

GV Says: Go girl. You look good.

PLANE CRASHES IN NEW YORK

A US Airways jet made an emergency landing in the Hudson River off midtown Manhattan Thursday afternoon, but all passengers and crew members – more than 150 people – are believed to have escaped.

US Airways flight 1549 took off at 3:26 p.m. from LaGuardia Airport bound for Charlotte, N.C., when they flew into a flock of geese, according to Federal Aviation Administration.

The pilot tried to return to the airport before bringing the Airbus A320 jet smoothly into the river near Manhattan's West side. "It was pretty scary, man," said passenger Jeff Kolodjay, interveiwed by reporters on the Hudson River waterfront after being rescued. "[The pilot] goes, 'just brace for impact.' " Kolodjay was unharmed but said other passengers had serious leg injuries. "I'm sitting on the couch and I see I see a jet airliner," 911-caller Neil Lasher, who saw the amazing landing from his 27th floor apartment, told WNBC TV. "He was a on a glide downward, like a controlled landing ... I thought, 'Oh my God, this guy is going to land in the river.' I go to my window and I watched the entire landing." Several commuter ferries and a Coast Guard Cutter quickly arrived on the scene, and New York Police Department divers, dropped from helicopters, began rescuing passengers. Many passengers could be seen standing on a wing, awaiting rescue. Witness Barbara Sambriski, a researcher at the Associated Press, said, "I just thought, 'Why is it so low?' And, splash, it hit the water."

The temperature in New York City was 20 degrees at the time. CNN reported that passengers were being treated at multiple hospitals.

GV Says: Everytime you hear that a plane has crashed you immediately expect the worst. What a blessing that these passengers survived - and I sincerely mean that in a literal way. Taking nothing away from the pilot but giving all glory to God.

I simply can't imagine this. I'm already sketchy on flying.

RUN-DMC INDUCTED

Run-DMC will be among the artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Run-DMC is only the second Hip-Hop group to be selected in the organization’s 24-year history. The group will be honored this year alongside performers Jeff Beck, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Metallica, and Bobby Womack.

"This year's class of inductees truly represents what the Hall of Fame is all about. From classic artists that began their careers in the 50's and 60's to those that have defined the modern sound of rock and roll," Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation President & CEO Joel Peresman said in a statement. "These artists demonstrate the rich diversity of rock and roll itself. We are proud to honor these artists and celebrate their contribution to rock and roll's place in our culture."

Founded by Joseph “Reverend Run” Simmons, Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, and the late Jason “Jam-Master Jay” Mizell, Run-D.M.C. is being recognized for its influence on pop culture in general, as the first group to bring Hip-Hop music to a mainstream audience.

Read More...

GV Says: Congrats to them. I remember when that was the only rap they would play on FM radio.

USHER CLOSES HIS DOORS

Looks like it’s a wrap on Usher’s latest business venture - The Grape.



According to Access Atlanta, Usher’s much-publicized bar, which opened in late 2006, has closed.

The Grape at Inman Park — a bistro, wine bar and wine retailer — did not reopen for the New Year and did not renew its liquor license with Georgia’s Department of Revenue.

No word as to whether Usher’s closure is related to the economic crisis.

NAS & KELIS EXPECTING?

According to the rumor mill, Kelis & Nas may be expecting a little one.

"It's all they are talking about. She is carrying hip-hop royalty!" says the insider, who adds Kelis -- currently in her first trimester -- already has a little bump. "They are so excited."

Nas (35) and Kelis (29) tied the knot in Atlanta in January 2005.

GV Says: Congrats to the young couple

According to the rumor mill, ATL Housewife DaShawn Snow is being replaced by....get ready....Tameka Foster aka Mrs. Usher.

So before you read on I have to reveal even I don't believe that one....but I put it out there because it's already in the mill.

Allegedly, DaShawn was a little too boring. Guess I could see that.

TK RESPONDS

After Angela Simmons revealed that her relationship with skate boarder TK (Terry Kennedy) ended because she wanted to save herself for marriage, he feels compelled to tell his side of the story.




GV Says: That's not what I heard TK. I heard you got busted cheating....but I suppose you only know for sure.

MICHELLE RESPONDS TO HATERS

Apparently, Michell has had enough. After reading one too many hateful posts, she has responded.

RAY J GETS HIS OWN SHOW

The ish has hit the fan....Ray J has his own show.



Ray-J’s new reality show is officially official. It’s called “For The Love Of Ray-J” and premieres Feb. 2nd at 10:30/9:30pm cst. Although Ray-J insists that his show is the un-Flavor of Love and he respects his girls we know better!

GV Says: I'm so disappointed in VH-1. Ray J has no morals or values....I said it. Everything he does these days is sexual in nature. I wonder what his fam thinks of him and the decisions he makes.

RIHANNA DON'T PLAY THAT

Rihanna don't play that




Word has it that she shut down any meeting between the winner of UK’s “X-Factor” (their version of American Idol) Alexandra Burke. Apparently Alexandra messed up when she made her "thing" for Chris Brown public. And now that she won, Rihanna is putting the brakes Alexandra getting anywhere near Chris... and any chick for that matter.

Sources say she has banned any females in his entourage from being alone with Chris while he’s out performing in different cities. And she even changed her whole schedule around to go “visit” Chris at his “Freeze” video shoot.

GV Says: I'm not mad at you girl. You know how these groupies do....but be easy you're on the brink of being crazy.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Looks like Kanye is pulling a Mary J. Blige over his latest VIBE cover



The rapper recently blogged:

"I don’t have grey in my beard in real life!!! “I’m all down with being in my 30’s but daaaaaaaamn!!!! This is some Benjamin Button’s s**t!."

GV Says: I must admit this isn't the greatest cover but it's still a little better than mary's cover