SHYNE ... IS THAT YOU?

Shyne is that you? That one that on Diddy's Bad Boy label? The one that went to the slammer for 10 years for a club shooting?





Yes...that's him and he's placing his newfound Jewish faith as the motivating force behind reviving his rap career.

He legally changed his name from Jamal Michael Barrow to Moses Michael Levi before his 2009 prison release and now he’s living in Jerusalem, where he strictly observes the Jewish faith.

He also revealed he has five albums he’s preparing for release, and he’s eager to collaborate with artists ranging from young Israeli musicians to hip-hop moguls Kanye West and Jay-Z when he returns to the spotlight.

He says , “I am not ashamed of the mistakes I have made. I’m not ashamed of where I was in order to get to where I am.

“Moshe Levi has a great impact on the music that Shyne makes.”

GV Says: SMH...

NICKI GRACES V MAGAZINE

So...Nicki Minaj is gracing the cover V magazine this issue. If you're into the tribal thing that you'll love her photo shoot.

During a radio interview last summer in support of Kanye West’s new single, “Monster” – a psych-rap posse track featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, and indie-folk singer Bon Iver – West declared Minaj to be “the scariest artist in the game right now – she has the most potential to be the number two rapper of all time.” (Number one, in Kanye’s mind, being Eminem.) It was the kind of outré pronouncement we’ve come to expect from West, but nevertheless the sound bite set off serious reverberations in the rap community. Nicki Minaj…the funny face with the Day-Glo wigs, bounteous curves, and multiple personalities? Number two rapper of all time? In-old school hip hop circles the idea could be considered profane.

Now, just in the wake of her debut album, Minaj is deadly serious about not taking it all too seriously. “I’m an entertainer - I like to make people laugh,” she says. “Some will hate it and some will love it, but all will remember it. And that’s what I want: to be remembered. Even if I’m saying something hard-core or controversial, there’s always a touch of humor, and if you don’t like it, it means I’m stirring things up inside of you.” At the same time, there’s a lot going on inside the artist’s own head. “I just always want to do ‘me,’ but ‘me’ changes every day. I would crumble up and die if I had to wake up and be the same person every day. I don’t silence those voices anymore. I just let them speak.” -V

GV Says: Potential to be the number two rapper of all time.....Ye has bumped his head.

BEYONCE'S EX-PERSONAL ASSISTANT SPILLS

So ever wanted to know what it's like between Hov and B? Well Jessica LaShawn, one of Beyonce's ex-personal assistants spilled on ChicagoNow.com



During the BET Awards in 2003 I witnessed the makings of a real relationship between two overly focused individuals willing to sacrifice and make time for each other in the midst of accomplishing their personalized greatness. I was the personal assistant to Beyonce while she prepared for the debut of her new single Deja Vu. I can recall having the song on repeat throughout the duration of my flight from Chicago to LA and feeling captivated by the 808's and horns. There was something about the song that made me feel as if I were being transported to another place all in the name of love. Like most people, I soon realized that the passion hidden behind Beyonce's vocals was fueled by her devotion and love for none other than Jay Z.

I sat there in amazement as I watched Beyonce go over every step as if her life depended on it. I'd heard all the stories and rumors that she was evil and possibly the daughter of Satan but none of that surfaced. A prime example of her down-t-earth-ness was displayed when she happened to be thirsty and it was my job to get her some water but she chose to go with me in order to ease her mind. She was sweet and reminded me of that home girl we all have that no matter what she just wants to laugh at the end of the day.

Everything was going well until Beyonce was informed that Jay Z missed his flight and wouldn't be able to make it to the show and perform. Her face went sour as she took a moment to squat on the floor and pout. She wasn't sad about him not doing his verse but the fact that she wouldn't see him as soon as she'd planned. She couldn't help but mumble to her mother that she missed him. She forced herself not to cry. Stood up and yelled from the top of her lungs.... "let's take it from the top." The passion and determination in her voice echoed throughout the empty theater as she stood on top of a short ladder that served as her entrance wagon.

Frustrated about the amount of focus needed to maintain her balance walking down the stairs as they moved forward on an conveyor belt, she gasped. She looked at me in despair and I walked up to the stage to offer her a few ideas. I told her to "turn sideways and walk down on an angel" to maintain her balance. "It's an old pageant trick" that allows you to see where you're going without having to look down, she smiled and laughed as she ran to the top of the stairs, eager to try it again. She did and it worked. She leaped in the air full of excitement about overcoming her final obstacle with her performance. Then a voice rang out saying "Hey You."

Beyonce's face lit up as she buckled her knees and covered her face to hide a child like smile followed by adorable cheeks red and wet with embarrassing tears. It was HIM. He walked in calm and cool but as he got closer he couldn't help but smile and reach out to her and hold her while placing his head gently on top of hers and shaking it. He said hi to her mom and mentioned that he wanted to fake her (Beyonce) out and say he wasn't coming just to surprise her and it worked. The two clicked instantly and started rehearsing but not before a hint of comfort was relaxed on their faces as they found solace within each others arms. After Beyonce let go and slowly removed her head from the chest of the man that inspired the lyrics to the song- she ran to her place- ready to start it all over again.

Every beat flowed effortlessly like water between the two. They stopped to acknowledge that this was their first time performing the song and even arranging choreography. The chemistry was amazing and I felt honored to have a front row seat for it all.

Theres something about having a match that makes life a little more easy. A partner in crime to act out the scenes of life with. Were born into this world a single soul or as I'd like to think.... a shoe. We're ready, willing, and waiting for the long road ahead. We're guided somehow by an overall omnipresent presence that one day, if we're lucky, will bless us with the power of being a pair. Two of the same kind made to fit opposite sides of life and travel together to represent one style, level of success heel-wise and identical straps of dependency to hold us together.

KANYE & JAY-Z RELEASE H.A.M.

Looks like the collaborative album, Watch the Throne, between Hov and Ye is coming. Just a few minutes after midnight, Kanye West and Jay-Z dropped their much-anticipated single "H.A.M." on Facebook.

JENNIFER LOPEZ SUED BY EX-HUSBAND'S GIRLFRIEND

This is crazy....

RadarOnline.com reports that Lopez, 41, is being sued for $10 million by Claudia Vazquez, the girlfriend of her ex-husband Ojani Noa.

Apparently J.Lo's ex and his new girlfriend have had plans to create a motion picture out of old home videos that Noa has of Lopez. The footage allegedly shows Lopez naked, and she understandably wants to put the kibosh on their film project. So Lopez's attorney reportedly sent Vasquez (who's listed as a co-producer on the project) a cease and desist letter regarding the tapes.

But Vazquez claims that Lopez misstated the facts to the court to obtain the restraining order that interferes with their movie project. In short, Vasquez wants to cash in on the J.Lo tapes, and she's annoyed that Lopez isn't allowing that to happen. She's rumored to be filing the lawsuit in L.A. on Wednesday.

But this isn't the first case of drama between the two women. It seems Lopez and Vaquez (who has been dating Noa for 10 years) may have had bad blood for years.

"Vazquez has met Jennifer Lopez on many occasions. They hate each other," Ed Meyer, another man involved in the film project, told RadarOnline.com. "Jennifer Lopez called her a 'whore' to a Univision reporter last year."

But Meyer also believes that it's not Lopez's desire for privacy that's motivating her to shut down their project -- but, instead, the rumored long-standing rivalry.

"We believe that this entire lawsuit against Ojani and I over the movie and the sex tape home videos centers around Jennifer Lopez's hatred for Ojani Noa dating Claudia Vazquez," he said.

This also isn't the first time Lopez has had to deal with Noa since the end of their six-month marriage. In 1997 the singer-actress was paid more than $500,000 by Noa as he "violated their marital settlement confidentiality agreement" by attempting to write a tell-all book.

TIA MOWRY EXPECTING

Tia Mowry, a star of BET's The Game, and her husband, actor Cory Hardrict, 31, are expecting their first child in July.

"This is something that they've wanted for a long time and they're thrilled," the source says.

The parents-to-be were married in 2008 in an outdoor ceremony in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Mowry, 32, starred in the 1990s sitcom Sister, Sister with her identical twin, Tamera Mowry.

According to reports, her pregnancy will be documented on a TV show on the Style Network later this year.

TED DETAINED

The man with the golden voice was visited by police after an altercation with his daughter.

Ted Williams, the former panhandler who became an overnight star because of his silky smooth radio voice, was briefly detained by the Los Angeles Police Department at a Hollywood hotel on Monday night.

Cops responded to a disturbance call at the Renaissance Hotel around 9 p.m. after Williams and his daughter got into an altercation, sources told The Los Angeles Times.

An LAPD spokesman told Gossip Cop that the two "were transferred to the Hollywood station."

Williams -- a recovering alcoholic -- was eventually released, and sources said the investigation is ongoing. No one was charged with any crime.

The 53 year old is in California to shoot a number of television appearances, including one for "Entertainment Tonight." On Monday, he visited the L.A. Lakers and met Kobe Bryant.

Williams drew national attention earlier this month after The Columbus Dispatch aired a video of him on a streetcorner holding a sign about his incredible voice.

Since then, he has received a flurry of job offers. He signed a contract with Kraft, voiced an MSNBC promo and is even being pursued by the Cleveland Cavaliers for work.

GV Says: Too much too soon.

TONI BRAXTON PROMO SHOT

Remember when I said Toni Braxton just got the green light for a reality show "Braxton Family Values". Well here's the new promo photo with her family. The show is slated to premiere April 12th at 9p on WeTV and will follow Toni, her sisters - Traci, Tamar, Towanda, Trina - and their mom as they navigate bankruptcy, life and love.

NAS GETS A DISCOUNT

According to TMZ, legal docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court, reveal that Nas must pay a tad over $5,000 a month in child support and $20,000 a month in spousal support. Relatively large, but it's half of what he was originally ordered to pay.

REGINA GRACES ESSENCE & HAS A NEW BOO

Actress Regina King is on the cover of Essence and still keeping up her post divorce figure...oh and she has a new boo....



Theo aka Malcolm-Jamal Warner

“Malcolm and I have a lot in common…we’ve both been child actors and were also blessed to be raised by incredible mothers who instilled good values in us. Things are maturing nicely…”

GV Says: Who knew...

NICKI & RIHANNA ARE SO FLY

RiRi posted photos on Twitter Saturday from the set of their new music video, "Fly," with jokes about hooking up with the 26-year-old "Here I Am" singer.

"Me and Nikki in our new crib, lol! Gettin busy on set of FLY!!!" Rihanna wrote. "Its so hard to keep my hands off!"

In response, the rapper tweeted, "@rihanna lol. If we're gonna liv 2gthr and hook up u gotta learn how 2 spell my name! Lmaooooooo. ---- Gossip Gossip...just stop it! :p"

"My bad, I'll make it up to u *wink*," Rihanna tweeted.

GV Says: Somebody's got lots of time on their hands.

OLIVIA LANDS REALITY SHOW

Remember Oliva...she was supposed to be the new next Ashanti from G-Unit....except it never took off.

Well she will be featured in an upcoming reality show on VH1 focusing on women who date rappers and women who are trying to make in the music business, while maintaining a personal relationship.

VH1 will premiere an 8-part "Docu-Soap" series titled "Love & Hip Hop" this March. The series follows four women, two of whom are waiting for their boyfriends to commit.

The other two women attempt to pursue their careers, while show showing the struggle they face in their personal relationships.

Jim Jones' girlfriend Chrissy Lampkin and Fabolous' girlfriend Emily Bustamante are two of the women waiting for their boyfriends to settle down, while Olivia and recording artist Somaya Reece showcase the sacrifices they have made to pursue their careers.

"Love & Hip Hop" premieres Monday, March 21st.

GV Says: Yawn....

CEE-LO & GWYNETH HUH...

The musical alliance between Cee-Lo Green and actress Gwyneth Paltrow has become official, with the pair recording a new version of the rapper/singer’s hit song “F*** You.” Who knew that pairing was going on?

This week rag mags begain to receive confirmation of the collaboration from Green himself as he revealed that he and Paltrow were at work at studio MSR in New York this past weekend and Monday (January 3rd) afternoon.

The new version of “F*** You” comes after Green praised Paltrow’s recent performance of the clean version of the single, “Forget You,” on the hit Fox show Glee.

Prospects of the duo working together began to circulate last month when Green admitted that he and Paltrow have been “considering a few things actually.”

“It's a little too early to commit to a statement and I won't ruin the surprise because whatever we're going to do is going to be extra cool," the Goodie Mob/Gnarls Barkley member told E! Online.

Paltrow also fanned the flames on Monday (January 3rd) by telling ABC’s Good Morning America that she and Green are e-mailing each other and a duet could be on the horizon.

"We don't know where that's gonna go, but I am such a big fan of Cee Lo,” she said. “He is so gorgeous and talented and amazing. We'll see."

Green and Paltrow could unveil their collaboration with an appearance on Saturday Night Live.

Paltrow is will host the episode, which is scheduled to air January 15, while Green serves as the musical guest.

Perfect huh....

TONI WILLING TOBARE ALL

Days after her upcoming reality series, "Braxton Family Values," was announced (who knew???), singer Toni Braxton is revealing that some of her other plans for 2011 may involve Playboy.

"New Year, New opportunities," she tweeted Tuesday. "So I have been considering taking up Playboy's offer to feature me on their cover this year. What you think?"

The 43-year-old mother of two added that she "would love to pose with Hugh Hefner," who she thinks is the "the sexiest guy I know over 30."

In response to some fans wondering whether her potential pictorial for the men's mag would feature full-frontal nudity, Braxton clarified that "[They're] NOT talking that kind of spread!"

"No Susie!!!!" she explained. "Just a lil T and A."

Braxton, who said the publication has asked her to pose "about 3 times before," promised that her photos would be "tastefully done."

GV Says: Could this have anything to do with her being broke (remember this)....just asking. Wow...nudity for money.

MADE MEN

Rick Ross tapes Drake for "Made Men" which appears on his upcoming album.



Looks like Drake is getting a little swag to him since that night he and Rihanna went bowling:

"Spending tomorrow money, I call it mañana
Off the rack just ain't my style, I call a designer
One of my baddest women ever, I call her Rihanna
But that's because her name is Rihanna."

RICK ROSS - MADE MEN FT DRAKE


GV Says: Hmm....How long do you give these two before they start dating?

SHERRI SHEPPARD IS ENGAGED

The View's co-host Sherri Shepherd, 43, said yes to television writer Lamar Sally, her rep confirms.

The couple of more than a year became engaged on December 26 after returning from a San Diego trip. And the proposal was definitely a romantic one: Upon their arrival, Sally's friend had decorated the home with lights, put a Santa beard and hat on her dog, and hid the ring box in Shepherd's bowl of M&Ms.

Before asking for his love's hand, Sally asked permission from Shepherd's 5-year-old son, Jeffrey.

The couple is planning an August wedding in Chicago.

VIVICA FOX ENGAGED

What the sam hill....



Vivica A. Fox is engaged to Atlanta "club promoter" Omar "Slim" White.

The actress, 46, who starred in the reality show, The Cougar, received an eight-karat diamond (side eye) ring from White, 27, over the holidays.

"We did get engaged on Dec. 26," Fox told reporters. "And we are very happy!"

"She is over the moon – so excited, so in love," a source close to Vivica reveals. "She got the ring while they were staying at Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, over the holidays."

Vivica and Slim, who have been dating more than a year, spent two romantic nights at the oceanfront hotel where they dined, went to the gym and walked along the beach.

"Vivica said she has never been happier and looks forward to living part time in Atlanta where Slim works," the source tells. "She was working out in the gym and had such a look of happiness and love on her face."

According to the source, White is a great guy who wants to have kids with Fox.

"They are both eager to start their lives together and have a family," the source says. "She is so excited; it is heartwarming to be around her."

GV Says: SMH....

WATCH THE THRONE SOON??

Could the Jay-Z / Kanye West collaboration Watch The Throne be coming out soon? Ye says it could. It could drop as early as next week.

At a New Year's eve event at the Marquee nightclube in Vegas over the weekend, he reportedly said "Watch the Throne, coming in one week!"

The album is completed, according to published reports, but no release date was revealed.

More details as they're revealed.

CHRISTINA MILIAN SPEAKS

After her quicky marriage and divorce, Christina is speaking out in the latest issue of Latina.



"I’ve been to hell and back, but I survived," the singer, 29, tells the February issue of Latina of their messy split, which went public in July when the producer was photographed nuzzling his assistant in the Carribean.

Although he filed for divorce in February (days before she gave birth to their daughter Violet) she has insisted they continued to have marital relations.

"I tried to be someone I wasn’t because I wanted my marriage to work," she tells the mag. "But ultimately, if it’s not working, it’s not working."

As for the cheating scandal she admits, “I didn’t know anything. But looking back, my gut was telling me something was off. But I thought I could fix it.”

Now Christina, who says motherhood makes her "feel so much sexier than ever before," is moving on and excited for what's next.

"I feel brand new," she tells the mag. "I'm ready for the next phase of my life."

GV Says: I hope things work out for her.

DIDDY & RIHANNA BRING IN THE NEW YEAR

Diddy hosted a New Year’s Eve Celebration at LAX Nightclub in Las Vegas. Fabolous and Dallas Austin came out to party too. Ciroc of course was in full effect....and BTW....I had a little Coconut Ciroc on New Year's eve. I give it a 10/10!





Just down the street, Rihanna hosted a party at Pure Nightclub in Caesars Palace.

Now this is a pretty low-key look for her.

JAY-Z BRINGS IN THE NEW YEAR

Jay-Z in Cold Play brought in the new year with a star studded concert in Vegas.



The two power houses performed at the grand opening of The Cosmopolitan, a $3.9 billion hotel on the famous Strip.

But those two acts weren't the only ones to take the stage: Beyoncé, Kanye West and John Mayer all made surprise appearances during Jay-Z's performance.

Beyoncé joined her hubby for "Forever Young" and sang "Halo" with Chris Martin. Mayer played guitar with Jay-Z on his hit song "99 Problems."

"All the problems you were going through have been kicked out the door," Jay-Z told the crowd before a collaborative performance of West's "Homecoming," which featured Jay-Z, West and Martin.

Gwyneth Paltrow was also on hand to watch the show – and ring in the 2011 with her husband and close friends.

The intimate crowd was littered with celebrities - Cameron Diaz and Alex Rodriguez; Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony.

GV Says: I so love how Hov has evolved and opened the boundaries of hip-hop. Way to keep the checks coming Jigga...

NELLY & ASHANTI GET COZY

Because I always nibble on my FRIEND'S ear...



Hmm....these two friends were seen having a good time at the Vegas New Year's Eve party Nelly hosted at Haze nightclub Friday night.

MINORITY REPORT: TEEN MOM EARNS SIX FIGURES???

Word is "teen mom" Amber Portwood from the MTV reality show earned $280,000 in 2010. And MSNBC reports the word is true....



Portwood was asked some standard questions by the judge last week when she was arrested on domestic violence, including listing her occupation and salary.

Despite the objections of her attorney, Portwood was forced to reveal that she makes a whopping $280,000 per year for her MTV-airing shenanigans.

Broken down, Portwood told the judge that she makes $140,000 per six-month contract with the cable net, and plans on working with them for the full year.

GV Says: What the Sam Hill......Help me understand where that money is going.

KIM SPORTS BRAIDS

So Kim Kardashian just got braids in for some specific reason I'm sure. No big deal to me. She's pretty either...but I'm slightly bothered at the way non-African Americans are reacting to it.

Telling myself that perhaps people just simply don't like the style, but I really hear is that it's a black hair style so I don't like it.

Take a look at NY Daily News

ALICIA KEYS IS SPEECHLESS

It's no secret that mommyhood has had Alicia Keys elated and occupied lately. But it seems like baby Egypt has inspired her enough for her latest single "Speechless" posted at hubby Swizz Beatz' Monster Monday's site

CHRIS & RAZ B GO AT IT ON TWITER

Now this is funny.....Chris Breezy & Raz B going at it on Twitter.



It all started Wednesday when out of the blue, washed up B2K singer Raz-B made a jab at Breezy.

"Im just sittin here Thinking how can n---- like @ebenet [Eric Benet] and @chrisbrown disrespect women as Intelligent as Halle Berry, Rihanna."

It didn’t take long for Breezy to fire back on his own Twitter account.

In several tweets, Breezy laced into Raz-B, essentially questioning the 25-year-old’s sexuality. Brown referenced allegations Raz-B made about being molested by several of his band's former managers, including one who was his cousin.

Raz-B responded with his own tweet that also questioned Brown’s sexuality and later added, “I luv how u resort 2 disrespectful low brow tactics when u clearly sabotaged ur (sic) own career by beating women!”

Brown eventually tried to take the high road in the digital showdown, but made sure not to back away from his comments tweeting, "I'm not homophobic! He's just disrespectful!!!"

Brown ended it by taking one last shot at Raz-B and his disbanded group writing, "When I need tips on how to demolish my career I'll call ya!!!!!"

GV Says: Too funny...

NICKI'S LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT MAN

In an interview with King Magazine set to hit the newsstands next month, the 'Pink Friday' star had a specific list for what kind of partner she was looking for.

"I look for someone who is calm, someone who is strong enough to not have to win every argument, someone who allows a woman to be her crazy self and someone with a conscience not to feel like less of a man,” she told the mag. “You know, someone who is able to honor his woman but also bring out the freak in his woman.”

When pressed exactly what that meant, she said slyly "Just being super aggressive when the time is right."

IT'S OVER FOR RIHANNA & MATT

I can't say I'm surprised...Matt Kemp & Rihanna call it quits.



Friends close to her claim "it happened over the last few weeks. She basically was just over it."

Another source claims "he just can't keep up with her crazy travel schedule."

"Matt's sick of always following after her like a puppy dog all over the world. He wants something more normal," the source adds.

Either way....it's over.

GV Says: Well all good things must come to an end. Thank goodness it didn't end with a beat down. Lets hope this doesn't get ugly.

TEENA MARIE PASSES

This is very sad news....R&B singer Teena Marie has passed at the age of 54.



CNN reports that Teen awas found dead by her daughter in her Los Angeles home on Sunday, according to her manager, Mike Gardner.

The cause of death was not immediately known but Marie's publicist, Lynn Jeter, told CNN that she suffered a grand mal seizure a month ago.

Born Marie Christine Brockert in Santa Monica, Calif., Marie released 13 studio albums over the course of her career, which spawned the 1984 hit "Lovergirl."

She was signed to Motown Records in 1976 and was one of their most successful white artists. Marie is perhaps best known for her musical collaborations with the late funk legend Rick James.

TASHA TIES THE KNOT

Who knew...

Actress Tasha Smith recently married entrepreneur Keith Douglas.

Smith and Douglas announced their engagement six months ago and decided on an intimate ceremony with just the two of them at their Los Angeles home earlier this month.

"We discussed having a small wedding with close family and friends, but instead, we decided to hold a very simple, intimate ceremony with just us and our pastor," said Smith. "We prayed about it and it just felt right for us. It was a beautiful, blessed moment that we will remember forever. We're thankful to God to end the year on such a high note. It's exciting!"

The happy couple honeymooned at the Lake Las Vegas Resort in Nevada.

LAURYN HILL TO RETURN TO THE STAGE IN 2011

If you're still a fan of Lauryn Hill, you'll be happy to know that she just announced a series of intimate performances for the winter of 2011.

Mon/Dec-27	New York, NY	High Line Ballroom
Tue/Dec-28	Brooklyn, NY	Music Hall of Williamsburg
Sat/Jan-01	New York, NY	Bowery Ballroom
Mon/Jan-03	New York, NY	The Blue Note
Tue/Jan-04	New York, NY	The Blue Note
Wed/Jan-05	New York, NY	The Blue Note
Sat/Jan-08	Charlotte, NC	Amos’ Southend
Sun/Jan-09	Asheville, NC	The Orange Peel
Wed/Jan-12	Charleston, SC	The Music Farm
Fri/Jan-14	Atlanta, GA	Centerstage
Sun/Jan-16	St. Louis, MO	The Pageant
Tue/Jan-18	Minneapolis, MN	First Avenue
Thu/Jan-20	Chicago, IL	House of Blues
Sat/Jan-22	Toronto, ON	Sound Academy
Sun/Jan-23	Montreal, QC	Metropolis
Sat/Jan-29	Atlantic City, NJ	House of Blues
Fri/Feb-04	Montclair, NJ	The Wellmont Theatre

GV Says: Good luck with that.

GREG LEAKES SPEAKS OUT.....AGAIN

Recently Nene's husband from the Real Housewives of ATL - Greg Leakes - sat down with Kelson and KiKi Brown at 92Q in Baltimore to talk about Nene and his future on RHOA. 'm not sure he's needs to be doing press. This is how he ended up in the first mess.

DIDDY VACATIONS

Diddy and the boys - Quincy Jones Brown, Justin Dior and Christian Casey were spotted at the beaches of St Barths, France for the holiday.




GV Says: Must be nice.

THINGS LOOKING GOOD FOR FANTASIA

Things are looking good for Fanny...



RadarOnline.com reports that a North Carolina judge ruled in favor of Antwaun Cook in his divorce proceeding against ex-wife Paula saying the pair’s separation date was September 14, 2009 and not June, 2010, as Paula had claimed.

I'm sure this is a good thing for the pending lawsuit which claims she bust up their marriage.

WACKA FLOCKA TALKS HOME RAID

In a recent interview, rapper Wacka Flocka talks about his recent home raid

G DEP ADMITS TO KILLING A MAN

The New York Post reports that former Bad Boy MC G. Dep admitted this week to fatally shooting a man nearly 20 years ago.

On Wednesday, the 36-year-old rapper, born Trevell Coleman, walked into the 25th precinct in Harlem and confessed to killing a man way back in 1993.

"I shot and killed someone 17 years ago," he reportedly told an officer at the precinct.

According to the Post report, Dep told police that he was riding a bike when he approached his victim, 32-year-old John Henkel, on Park Avenue and East 114th street near the James Weldon Johnson housing projects. Dep, just 18 years old at the time, was planning to rob Henkel, but when he resisted, shot him three times in the chest with a .40-caliber hand gun. He then fled from the crime scene and threw the gun into the East River. Henkel was pronounced dead at St. Luke's hospital.

The crime took place in the 23rd precinct, so investigators from that station house were contacted. William Dunn, a detective at the 23rd precinct, reportedly reviewed the case, which had gone cold, and found that the rapper's story went hand-in-hand with what was on file.

G. Dep was charged with murder for the 1993 shooting, and is being held without bail.

A police source, in an attempt to explain why Dep would suddenly confess to the crime, said "It was just eating away at him."

"My client is presumed innocent, and the case is going to grand jury," said G-Dep's lawyer, Michael Alperstein.

NICKI'S FORMER MANAGER GIVES SOME REAL TALK

Hard feelings or real talk? Either way, Nicki's former manager shares her feelings on Pink Friday with VIBE.com

It's terrible. I like some stuff, but she went too left. I don't think people were ready for her to come [out with pop]. When I had Nicki, I really wanted her to sing. That's why I took her for training cause Nicki loves singing, but she kept saying to me, 'Deb, I can't do it yet because people won't understand.' And that's why the [rap] mixture was done to introduce them to all of Nicki. I think [Pink Friday] was very disappointing to a lot of her fans. She didn't need a lot of [the] features. That was one of the biggest things like... you gave people so many features, give them you now. Nicki could be so much better because—outside of anything that people say—she's very multi-talented. I really wish that she would learn to be more of an artist.

I didn't particularly care for ["Roman's Revenge"], but when Eminem came in I liked it. He made the song. [Nicki] didn't have to go there with [Lil' Kim]. My views on that is that she came too far to go back that route. And Kim does not even have to go there. There are no comparisons to them. Some things are best left unsaid. The whole things is stupid. I'm very disappointed that she would go that route. 'Cause I know all that she was taught. She don't have to go there with anybody. That was the stuff we always discussed. People had to learn to love Nicki— that's how the door opened up. It wasn't about Kim or Foxy or any of the rest of them. So I was just a little disappointed [by her album], but If she likes it, I love it.

LIL KIM STILL GOING AT NICKI

So Lil is not letting up....


The Queen Bee hit up Angie Martinez on Hot 97 to discuss her new single "Black Friday."

GV Says: This pic says it all. Point made....

THE KARDASHIANS GET JIGGY

I don't care how much you don't like them, the Kardashian Christmas card is the hotness!!!!

"Christmas cards have always been a REALLY big deal in my family," Khloe blogged. "For as long as I can remember, my mom has made it a point to go all out, whether it was a ninja turtles themed card, or bringing a Santa into the mix, each year she always managed to top the year before. "I'd have to say though that our card this year might be my favorite."

MARIAH EXPECTING TWINS

Mimi is carrying twins....well that explains a lot.




On Thursday, Cannon himself put rumors to rest on his radio show, telling listeners, "We are having twins." The two have been cautious about revealing too many details since they've had a "long journey" to parenthood, which included a miscarriage in 2008. But when President Barack Obama happened to ask about her pregnancy, Carey just couldn't keep a secret.

While performing at TNT's Christmas in Washington 2010 on Sunday, Carey ran into President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama backstage. "They, ironically enough, questioned my wife about, you know, 'So, what are you having, are you having twins?' " Cannon said Thursday morning on his 92.3 Rollin' With Nick Cannon radio show. "And at this point she hadn't told anybody anything because doctors advised us to keep it to ourselves until we get further along," he said. "And because of the excitement, because of the emotion, she was overwhelmed [and] she shared with the President and First Lady that we are having twins."

GV Says: Good....I rarely say that's because it's somewhat rude, but she is big. Twins explains it.

LIL KIM TOPS TWITTER

Lil Kim hasn't dropped an album in over five years, but it seems Twitter has kept her current. So current that she was the only rap artist to place on Twitter's "2010 Trends on Twitter" People list.

Behind her is Mel Gibson (#4). Pop singer Justin Bieber landed at #1 on the list, which also includes Lady Gaga (#3) and Wikileaks founder Julian Assange (#4). Other top trends on Twitter in 2010 included the Gulf oil spill, the Haiti earthquake, the conflict's between the Koreas, "Cablegate," Lebron James, Mike Vick, Google Android, Apple IOS and others.

Rappers Drake, Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Rihanna all landed on Twitter's "Top 10 Most Retweeted Tweets" list as well.

JAY-Z HITS UP OPRAH AGAIN

It seems Hov made a stop at the Sydney Opera House yesterday to tape 1 of 2 episodes of "The Oprah Show"



Hov has been seen around Aussie land touring with U2

BEANIE SIGEL BLAMES DAME NOW

First Hov, now Dame Dash is the one to blame for Beans' drop to the bottom...

In a recent interview with Star & Bucwild he revealed that Dame owes him a whopping $11 million and that he hasn't spoken to Dame in nearly 6 years. He also claims that Dame helping him out during his court case was just a PR stunt.

Here's the full interview:

GV Says: Here's a thought....get a job. And you know full well Dame does not owe him $11M Primarily because Beans never did anything valued at that amount. Keep it 100....

JA RULE SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS

He's not making music, but he's managed to get in the news....for some foolishness though....

Ja Rule is headed to prison for two years after pleading guilty today to driving with a loaded gun after a 2007 concert.

"This isn't a good day, fellas," he said grimly as he left Manhattan Supreme Court.

The plea to attempted weapon possession in the second degree, a violent felony, came just before his trial was scheduled to start.

Ja Rule, 34, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, was busted with a loaded .40-caliber Taurus pistol inside his Maybach as he and two pals left the Beacon Theater on the upper West Side following a Lil Wayne & Friends concert in July 2007.

Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Carter, was also arrested for gun possession that night. He took the same plea as Ja Rule but received only one year in jail. He was released from Rikers recently after an eight-month stint.

He will get a similar prison time to the one accepted by Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who shot himself in the leg inside a night club.

Ja Rule faced 3 1/2 to 15 years in prison had he been convicted for the top charge in trial.

Ja Rule's road manager, Dennis Cherry, is expected to cop a no-jail plea by the end of the month, a source said. The other man who was arrested in the rapper's car, driver Mohamed Gamal, has died of cancer.

Ja is due back in court Feb. 9 to schedule a sentencing date. Justice Richard Carruthers instructed him to make his next court appearance and stay out of trouble until he's sent Upstate for two years to be followed by a year and a half of post-release supervision.

"If you fulfill all of these conditions, I will sentence you as I have indicated," the judge told him.

BEYONCE KEEPS HER MAN TIGHT

Just in case you wondered, Beyonce showed just how much she loves her husband Jay-Z by reportedly presenting him with a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, on his birthday.

The rap mogul turned 41 on Dec. 4 and to celebrate, The Sun reports his better half bought him one of the world's fastest and most expensive production cars ever built.

The Veyron Grand Sport is powered by a 16.4-liter engine that produces 1,000 horsepower with a top speed of 253 mph and a 0-60 mph time of just 2.7 seconds. And the price for all that speed and power: a cool $2 million.Beyonce can certainly afford it. According to Forbes, she made $87 million this year. Jay-Z is no slouch in the earnings department either, he has a business empire and a fortune estimated at $450 million.

The Veyron will add to Jay-Z's impressive car collection which according to The Sun includes a Maybach 62S, Ferrari F430 Spider and a Pagani Zonda Roadster.

SWIZZ & ALICIA KEYS ADOPTED A VILLAGE

Alicia and Swizz have been giving back



It seems he and his new wifey have been keeping busy by adopting a village.

KHLOE IN HOT WATER

Khloe, Khloe, Khloe....

Like so many, she is outraged over the TSA's new security measures.

Appearing on Monday's episode of "Lopez Tonight," the reality star compared the invasive pat-downs and X-ray scans to being sexually assaulted.

"They basically are just raping you in public," the 26-year-old Kardashian told comedian George Lopez. "I don't want that X-ray to see everything, honey!"

Unfortunately, the comparison has drawn the ire of groups like the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center as well as high-profile attorney, Gloria Allred.

Jazmin Robles, a community education coordinator at the center, told RadarOnline.com that Kardashian's comment "was an ill-informed thing for her to say."

"It was a very strong comment to make because rape is defined as 'forceful penetration,'" Robles said. "And a lot of young women look up to celebrities like the Kardashians."

"Maybe Khloe Kardashian is not educated enough on this subject to be talking about it in the context of airport security," she added.

And while Kardashian did say she found the security agents she dealt with to be "aggressive," Allred countered to Radar that "rape is a crime of violence."

"I believe that the word should not be used loosely to describe security measures at airports or at any other place," she said. "I think that many victims of sexual assault who have been the true victims of men who committed that violent crime against them and who have been forced to suffer the physical and emotional harm that results from that crime would be insulted that the term would be used in the way that Ms. Kardashian used it."

Allred added that, "Words matter and the word 'rape' should be used with caution and with great respect for the victims who have been forced to endure it. It is completely inappropriate to use that word for scans or pat-downs at airports."

Jessica M. Cavey, a communications specialist at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, echoed those sentiments.

"We do take exception to the use of the word 'rape' to describe airport security procedures, because that is both unfair to security personnel who have a different purpose for touching people," she said, "and it also minimizes the experience of an actual rape, which is a very severe and traumatic form of violence."

ARETHA FRANKLIN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin has cancer, her family announced on Wednesday.

Her relatives and sources close to her confirmed the sad news to Detroit's Fox 2 station and The Detroit News, adding they are deeply worried about the icon's health.

Franklin, 68, underwent a mysterious surgery last Thursday at a Detroit hospital for an undisclosed condition.

She released a statement after the procedure to reassure her fans, but did not specify the reason for her operation.

"The surgery was highly successful," she said. "God is still in control. I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country. God bless you all for your prayers!"

The day after her surgery, Franklin visited with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who said she was making an impressive recovery.

"She's doing very well," Jackson told The Detroit News. "She's very prayerful. She's a woman of deep religious faith."

Speculation about Franklin's poor health has been brewing since November, when the singer canceled all of her upcoming concerts due to "medical reasons."

The National Enquirer claimed Wednesday that Franklin was actually diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer months ago.

The Enquirer "claims doctors made the glum diagnosis after Aretha broke her ribs in a shower fall over the summer," reports Popcrunch, which obtained the report.

T.I. PENS LETTER

This time last year, T.I. was counting down the days to his release to a halfway house after winding down a prison term on gun possession charges. But another Christmas is about to pass and the King of the South will again celebrate from behind prison bars in an Arkansas lockup, where he's in the midst of an 11-month sentence for violating his probation.

Looks like he's penned another letter letting fans know where his head is at:



"So here it is...NO MERCY, the most honest and intimate installment of my life story as promised," he wrote of the album, recorded earlier this year as he was preparing to leave the halfway house and get back to his career after nine months behind bars.

"Hope y'all enjoy it and it lives up to the very high standards I've set for myself or anyone who's to be considered one of the best. I must admit it takes a lot to go through as much as I have and still keep the love in your heart and in your art. But at the end of the day, if that's what it takes to produce the music that keeps the world of hip-hop evolving on it's axis....Then even the lowest of the lows of my life was all worth it. Thanks again for your prayers, your time and attention. And remember....It doesn't matter how long it'll be before the next time you see me. What matters is that I'll be a better man before that time comes. The longer I sit, the smarter I get."

Last month, he penned a note in which he admitted he was tired of being in and out of prison. In this one, T.I. thanked fans who've been writing to him and lifting his spirits every day; he assured them he reads all of their missives and cherishes their kind words. And while he admitted he could never write them all back (though, at the end of the post, he included a long list of people who'd sent him letters), he gave them a collective shout-out.

"It's a relief to know that there still are people who see a man with a life and not just another headline in the news," he said. "Most of you sound very concerned and optimistic at the same time about my situation. Let me assure you all that I am definitely keeping my head up. I don't consider myself done by far. Also many of you are convinced as I am that God has a plan for me that he's preparing me for. How do you tell God Almighty that all you wanna do is LIVE LIFE ??? What if all you wanna do is be a father to your kids, a husband to your wife, and son to your mother while providing insightful motivation through music and lending a helping hand when possible to those who need it most. Well guys...That's the topic of discussion between me and the MOST HIGH at the moment. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out."

THE DEAD HAS RISEN

Our favorite celebrities have officially been digitally resurrected!

After six days of being "Digitially Dead," celebs like Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake are free to Tweet and Facebook to their heart's content, since $1 million was raised for "Keep a Child Alive." (According to TMZ, billionaire pharmaceutical mogul Stewart Rahr was instrumental in helping the campaign reach its goal, donating $500,000 to the campaign Tuesday.)

Khloe Kardashian blogged:

"Hi dolls! I’m soooooo happy to be digitally alive again LOL. Thank you so much to everyone who donated and bought my life back, it was for a truly worthy cause and it was an honor to participate. As you all know, I’m quite the blogaholic, tweetaholic and facebookaholic LOL. Basically, I love the internet, and it was no easy feat staying away for this long. I had to keep myself entertained somehow! So while I was digitally dead, I had quite a few crazy adventures. I hear Kim had had a few of her own, head over to her blog to see what she was up to!"