BEYONCE READY TO SERVE

Beyonce reveals that she rearranged her schedule to be in the states on election day.


The R&B starlet was scheduled to promote her upcoming album, I Am ... Sasha Fierce, in Japan but postponed her apperance at the last minute.

"I said, 'What am I doing? I'm completely making a bad decision. I have to go home, I'm gonna kill myself if I'm not home in America,'" she told the AP. "I knew I needed to be here."

Knowles watched the election results at home with friends and family – while wearing a blue suit and tie with matching red, white and blue stilettos. (INTERESTING.....)

"I've never been so patriotic!" she said. "I fell asleep crying and smiling at the same time ... I woke up with mascara running and a smile on my face!"

Should Obama require her services, the singer is game: "Whatever they want – if they need me to volunteer, they need me to sing, I'm there and I'm ready."

"My nephew, who is 4, when we say, 'You can do whatever, you can be whatever,' it's not cliche," she explained.

GV Says: Go girl....smartest thing this girl ever said. We literally have proof that anything is possible.

MASON BETHA STILL IN THE CHURCH

You haven't heard the last of Mason Betha

The former Bad Boy is allegedly preparing to launch a new branch of his El Elyon International Church (EEIC) in Phoenix, Arizona. The entertainer-turned-pastor says, that he picked Phoenix after making several recent trips to the city. According to Betha, the new EEIC branch falls in line with his plan to expand his ministry beyond its Atlanta location, he told AllHipHop.

“It just makes sense that we are on both coasts. Our vision has always been to plant churches all over the world, and Phoenix is the first of many. We love the city of Phoenix and look forward to making a tremendous impact.”

GV Says: I'm sorry...Mase is a scam artist. He was born again when his album flopped. Then he came back and joined forces with one of the ugliest (and I don't mean this in the physical sense but in a spiritual sense) rappers - 50 cent. Once he saw no one was checking for him, he high-tailed it back to the church....Quit playing.

JAY-Z LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK

What recession.....


Jay-Z's Rocawear has managed to stay above water and earn money for its parent company Iconix Brand Group despite a dramatic downturn in the U.S. economy.

Iconix, which bought Rocawear from Jay-Z in 2007 for $204 million, banked more than $18.3 million for the third quarter of 2008, reports Allhiphop.com.

According to Iconix CEO Neil Cole, Jay-Z’s direct involvement with Rocawear helped boost the company’s earnings, as did growing sales from the company’s London Fog brand of clothing. According to Cole, the two brands were the “two biggest standouts in the quarter.”

GV Says: He can not lose.

OBAMA'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

If you missed Obama's acceptance speech....Here it is! This is a bad man!

BARACK OBAMA IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

The inevitable has happened. BARACK OBAMA IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.





The first African-American president – named Barack Obama no less with a Kenyan father. He’s been called everything from a terrorist to an elitist. When they weren’t questioning his experience, they were scrutinizing his place of worship and the backgrounds of his associates. They even stole his slogan! Yet……He defied the odds.

Oh and he beat the bricks off McCain doing it.

The final tally so far is 349 to 169....Wow!!! And 61% of the voters were non-Blacks.

DIDDY, MJB & HOV CAMPAIGN IN MIAMI

It ain't over till it's over...Diddy, MJB, Kevin Liles and Hov hit up Miami yesterday along with Russell Simmons to host the Last Chance For Change Rally at Florida Memorial University






These students look hella happy....get your vote on!!!

Kevin Liles

NELLY CELEBRATES HIS B-DAY

Ford Flex hosted Nelly's Surprise 34th Birthday Party at the Palazzo in Vegas this weekend


Looks like someone was having fun!!



Ford hooked him up Super Sweet 16 style with a brand new Ford Flex SUV. I actually like that color.

JENNIFER HUDSON LAYS FAMILY TO REST

Jennifer Hudson lays her mother, brother and nephew to rest.


Jennifer Hudson kissed her mother goodbye during a heartfelt private service for her slain family members in Chicago on Monday.

The Oscar-winning actress spent a few moments at the caskets of her brother and nephew, and gently touched the body of her mother before leaning down to kiss her, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Toward the end of the service, American Idol's season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino sang a rousing rendition of the gospel classic "Your Grace and Mercy." During the song, she walked into the aisle where she took Hudson's hand and sang directly to her.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley both spoke at the service. After the funeral, a horse-drawn carriage led the procession to the cemetery.

The private service comes a day after a public service was held for Darnell Donerson, 57, Jason Hudson, 29, and Julian King, 7, at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church near their Chicago home.

Source: People

BARACK OBAMA'S GRANDMOTHER PASSES

Just one day before this historic election, Barack Obama's grandmother passes. She was 86.


Just a week-and-a-half ago, Obama suspended his campaign for two days to travel to Hawaii to pay a final visit to the ailing Madelyn Dunham, whom he called "Toot."

"She has gone home," Obama, 47, said at a rain-soaked rally Monday on the eve of the election in Charlotte, N.C. "And she died peacefully in her sleep with my sister at her side and so there's great joy as well as tears. I'm not going to talk about it too often because it's hard to talk about."

A statement released by Obama and Maya Soetoro-Ng, 38, said Dunham died after a battle with cancer. "She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility," they say.

Republican rival John McCain and wife Cindy released a statement, saying: "We offer our deepest condolences to Barack Obama and his family as they grieve the loss of their beloved grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them as they remember and celebrate the life of someone who had such a profound impact in their lives."

In a campaign ad, Obama described his grandmother as the daughter of a Midwest oil company clerk who "taught me values straight from the Kansas heartland," and at the rally he called her "one of those quiet heroes we have all across America."

"She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances," says the family statement. "She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.

"Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes, and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to any worthy organization in search of a cure for cancer."

GV Says: Sad....My prayers go out to him

NELLY & ASHANTI SERIOUS???

Sounds like Nelly is finally keeping it 100. The rapper dished to People rag mag spies.



"That's the thing between me and her, we just like having fun," he said Sunday at Las Vegas's Lavo club, where he was celebrating his 34th birthday.

So is it serious? (Kudos to People for pressing)

"I think it's always serious,” he said, “when you can hang with a person continuously ... and [“still”] have fun." Earlier this summer, Ashanti would only call Nelly a "good friend." But, she coyly told People, an engagement could "definitely [be] in the future."

Barack Obama was spotted in Chicago on Friday spending QT with his daughter Sasha.




Reuters reports

It wasn't quite a Halloween nightmare on Obama street, but journalists on Friday drew a rare flash of anger from the normally unflappable Democratic presidential nominee.

Barack Obama had taken a break from the campaign trail for a few hours of Halloween fun at home with his family four days before the election, but ended up visibly annoyed when news crews dogged their footsteps in their Chicago neighborhood.

"That's enough. You've got a shot. Leave us alone," Obama told reporters as he walked down the block with his 7-year-old daughter Sasha in her costume on the way to a party at a neighbor's home.

Obama, usually cool in public during a campaign that has turned him into the frontrunner for the White House, did not disguise his irritation when his surprise walk caused news photographers and camera crews to scramble for position on the sidewalk.

He grew especially testy when a Polish television cameraman tried to approach them.

"Come on guys, get back on the bus," he pleaded with journalists, many of whom had accompanied him from the airport to Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Obama, wearing sunglasses but no costume, and his daughter, dressed up as what campaign aides said was a "corpse's bride," then broke into a sprint, leaving the journalists behind.

Secret Service agents and vans followed closely behind, and stunned trick-or-treaters broke into shouts of "Obama, Obama" as he rushed past.

There was no neighborhood trick-or-treating for the Obama family. "He didn't want to cause a disruption to the neighborhood," campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

Instead the family attended a Halloween party behind closed doors at a friend's home. Obama's 10-year-old daughter Malia had planned to dress up as an "evil fairy," the campaign said.

The fact that Obama took time out for Halloween showed a candidate feeling confident about his chances on Tuesday, with polls showing him leading Republican nominee John McCain.

Obama flew straight from a rally in Iowa to Chicago, where he stepped onto the airport tarmac with a pumpkin -- brought on a campaign swing through Florida -- under one arm.

DEF JAM PRESIDENT DIES

Def Jam Vice President Shakir Stewart was found dead Saturday afternoon from a self-inflicted wound.

On Sunday (November 2), his fiancée, Michelle Rivers, released a joint statement with the rest of his family.

"We would like to thank Shakir's friends for the tremendous outpouring of love and support we have received during this difficult time," the statement reads. "It has helped us to cope with our overwhelming grief and sadness. It is difficult to express or explain in words what led to the tragic occurrence on Saturday. Over the past several weeks, Shakir's behavior was inconsistent with the man we all know and love. As much as we all tried to help him, Shakir was in deep pain and largely suffering in silence. Please remember Shakir for who he was ... a wonderful father, partner, son and friend."

Stewart was 34 years old. Cobb County Police spokeswoman Cassie Reece was quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, telling the paper that his body was found in the bathroom of his home around 4 p.m. Saturday. He was taken to the Kenne Hospital with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and later pronounced dead.

The Oakland, California, native was known in the music industry for his hard work and an ear for talent. He was recently instrumental in fattening Def Jam's roster with Southern rap staples Rick Ross and Young Jeezy. Both MCs released albums that debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts.

Def Jam released a statement Saturday night in the aftermath of the tragedy.

"L.A. Reid and all of us at Island Def Jam Music Group are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Shakir Stewart," the statement reads. "Shakir was an amazing man, in every sense of the word. A truly incredible friend and father who was an inspiration to not only our artists and employees, but to his family and the many people who had the privilege of counting him as a friend. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time."

Stewart succeed rapper Jay-Z at Def Jam.

GV Says: I wounder what happened here.....Depression is a real thing.

MOURNERS REMEMBER JENNIFER HUDSON'S FAMILY

Tonight, friends and family paid their respects to Jennifer Hudson's slain mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian Hudson in a public memorial service at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church near their Chicago home.



Flanked by three of her students, Carmen Williams, Julian's second grade teacher, spoke poignantly about the bubbly 7-year-old, and read a few comments from students' journals.

"I'm sad he didn't get to be President," one child lamented, while others remembered a generous and funny boy who loved to tell knock-knock jokes and play Power Rangers.

"Julian was a role model, an academic whiz and a best friend," Williams added. "You could look into his eyes and you knew he always had the right answer."

Shari Sweat, a cousin, focused on Darnell, remembering a woman who was proud of her academic background and loved the song, "From Out of Nowhere, Jesus Found Me."

"She was gentle, special and loving," Sweat said.

Another relative, Rev. Quentin Washington, recalled Jason as a caring, churchgoing man who encouraged him to pursue his career as a minister.

"They are all in Heaven having a 'hallelujah good time,' " he said. "Their lives … were not in vain. Their legacies live on."

Police discovered the bodies of Hudson's mother, 57, and brother, 29, on Oct. 24, and her nephew's three days later. Though no one has been charged, police have classified Jennifer's brother-in-law, William Balfour, as "a person of interest."

Meanwhile, Jennifer and her sister, Julian's mother Julia Hudson, have established the Hudson King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims in honor of their loved ones.

"The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime," according to Jennifer's MySpace page."Thank you for your continued support."

Source: People

BEYONCE REVEALS PROMO SHOTS

Beyonce unveils promo shots for her "Sasha" persona





GV Says: I must admit....I love the fresh face.

CHECK OUT BARAK OBAMA'S 30 MIN

If you missed Barack's 30 minute ad that aired on TV last night, you have another chance....Very well done, and moving.

BRANDY HITS TRL

Brandy performs on MTV’s “TRL” at MTV studios on October 29, 2008 in New York City.

JENNIFER HUDSON ANNOUNCES FOUNDATION

Jennifer Hudson's family announced Thursday a new foundation for families of murder victims.



The Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims is named in honor of the singer-actress's slain mother Darnell Hudson Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian King.

"The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime," the family says in a statement. "This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling."

Donations to the Hudson-King Foundation can be sent:
c/o Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP
Attn: William L. Abrams, Esq.
237 West 35th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001

LIL WAYNE DISHES ON NEWBORN SON

Lil Wayne caught up with Free this week and dropped some pearls on his recent birth...



"I delivered him. I held the left leg the whole time. It was nasty, very nasty, but it was wonderful. Oct. 22, 9:25 a.m., 7 lbs., 12 oz. He's the best thing to ever happen to me, next to my daughter.”

Catch Weezy HERE

POLICE BELIEVE MORE THAN ONE MAY HAVE HELPED IN HUDSON MURDERS

Although Chicago police have only one known suspect in the slayings of three relatives of actress Jennifer Hudson, some evidence suggests that more than one person may have been involved, law-enforcement sources said today.



According to the Chicago Tribune,

Investigators have focused on suspect William Balfour's movements on Friday, the day of the murders, as well as his conflicts with his estranged wife, Julia Hudson, and other members of the family. They are trying to determine whether another person drove Balfour to the West Side after the killings at the Hudsons' South Side home, sources said.

Witnesses said Balfour drove his teal Chrysler to the Hudsons' block Friday, arriving about 7 a.m. But later the vehicle was discovered by police parked about a mile away outside Robeson High School. Balfour's girlfriend told police that he was at her West Side home not long after the slayings of Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and the Oscar-winning actress' brother, Jason, at their Englewood home, sources said.

The body of Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was discovered Monday morning in the back of Jason Hudson's Chevy Suburban, parked on a West Side street.

Balfour has not been charged in connection with the murders but is held on a parole violation after being arrested and questioned in the case over the weekend.

Security video at the South Side high school showed someone parking the Chrysler on Friday, but investigators have not been able to determine the person's identity from the images, the sources said. A time stamp on the video showed the car was left there at 12:30 p.m. Friday, but it was unclear whether the stamp was accurate, sources said.

Meanwhile, cell phone records placed Balfour on the West Side at that hour, sources said. If the time stamp is accurate, it would suggest another person may have driven the Chrysler from the Hudson home to Robeson, sources said. In any event, Balfour did not use his own car to travel from the Hudson's Englewood house to his girlfriend's home near 19th Street and Spaulding Avenue on the West Side, police said.

T.I. DROPS SOME DIRT

So T.I. hit up Tyra....and drop some interesting tidbits



Like he lost his virginity at 11 to.........TINY!!!!