The Daily Roundup for Nov 28

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GRAMMYS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO NICK ASHFORD

Valerie Simpson will pay tribute, with the help of the Grammys, to her musical partner Nick Ashford, who died earlier this year, at the announcement of the show’s nominees November 30th, as well as on the Grammy Awards big night, February 12th. The segment will feature Valerie Simpson on piano, as R&B singer Usher accompanies her with singing. Valerie says she might join in when Usher sings one of their songs, which she expects to be “You’re All I Need to Get By,” but she’s happy not to be doing most of the singing. “I get a big lump in my throat when I try to sing one of our songs right now,” said Valerie, who lost her musical and life partner Nick Ashford three months ago.

The tribute will be a change in tone for the fourth annual special, to air live Nov. 30 from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on CBS. The one-hour special hosted by LL Cool J, in past years usually focused on select nominations and performances from those likely to get nominations. Ludacris, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lupe Fiasco, and Sugarland, are among those also scheduled to participate.

No Sophmore Jinx here; Drake’s “Take Care” Is The #1 Album In The Country

Drizzy earns his second No. 1 album with his sophomore set.
After releasing his sophomore album Take Care last week, Drake has expectedly debuted at number one.
Originally predicted to sell between 675,000 to 725,000 copies, Drizzy bows at the top of the chart slightly below expectations, moving 659,190 units in its first week. The album bumps Mac Miller’s Blue Slide Park from the position, with Mac’s debut slipping down to No. 24 with an additional 24,786 copies sold.

Comparatively, Drake’s debut, Thank Me Later, also debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 with 447,000 copies sold.

Kanye West Spotted With A Brunette In The Club!

Does rapper Kanye West have a new girlfriend? Looking at some recent pictures it appears so…or at least he has a new boo.
Unsurprisingly, it’s a white chick with brunette hair.
Kanye was spotted with a blonde in Cannes just a while back so this comes as no surprise.

I’m not really sure WHO this is as of now but she is camera shy. Once she realized the camera man was taking pics, she started trying to cover her face. Can’t blame her. Perhaps she’s not ready to make that big of a commitment just yet.
On the other hand, they did appear to be having a good time while the drinks flow.
Do you think this is Kanye’s new boo or just a fling?

Jessica Alba and Jennifer Hudson pretty in white

Jessica Alba and Jennifer Hudson were the paid celebrity guests at the “The Swarovski Elements Lighting Ceremony” on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Both Alba and Hudson looked the part in crisp white outfits.

Alba wore this white Carolina Herrera A-line dress, which I love. I could do without the wavy black belt, which is a feature of the dress, but still it’s so cute. It’s perfect for a holiday event. overall it’s a great look for her.

Jennifer Hudson also looks good here, and I like the combination of that hot pink dress with the white coat. Her lipstick color matches her dress perfectly.

That coat is killer! Redcarpet-fashion awards points out that it’s Versace, and they linked to a shopping site where you can buy it – for about $5,000. I’m hoping Hudson had it comped, she probably did.

Also, doesn’t Hudson look a little Botoxy here? It could be due to her eye makeup, but her eyes are looking turned up to me. I really like her makeup though.

Speaking of getting stuff comped, look at how thrilled they are to get new iPads engraved with Swarovski Elements on the back. Lucky bitches. They probably got paid well over $10k just to show up too. Evil Beet has an article today that I found alternately infuriating and fascinating. It’s all about how much celebrities get paid for stuff. They can be paid $10,000 and up just to wear certain clothing labels, which are of course provided to them free of charge. Nice work if you can get it.

Alba and her husband Cash look like brother and sister,

don’t they?

HAVE MERCY; Nicki Minaj’s Mother To Release A Gospel Album

During her second acceptance speech at the American Music Awards, rapper Nicki Minaj revealed that her mother was going to be releasing a Gospel album. Nicki Minaj won the AMA award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album, and mentioned that her mother had already found a publicist.

Despite her racy image, Nicki Minaj did thank God for her award. No word if Nicki will make an appearance on her mother’s forthcoming project

Peter Thomas is at it AGAIN!!!! Reading folks on R.H.O.A!
His True Feelings About Apollo, Sheree and NeNe....AGAIN!

Peter Thomas, the husband of "RHOA" star Cynthia Bailey is lashing out against his wife's co-stars...again...in a follow-up interview with "UPTOWN" Magazine. See the highlights and get his opinions about episode three and what he really thinks about Apollo, Phaedra, NeNe and Sheree.

If Bravo ever creates a "Real Husbands Of Anytown, USA" I think we all agree Peter Thomas should be cast because he is good for bringing the drama. The fiery Jamaican never minces his words and seems to have an opinion about everything and everyone (just the way we like our housewives!)

Now Peter is dishing to UPTOWN Magazine again (his first interview was a big part of Sunday night's episode) and he gives MORE thoughts on loving his wife...and what he thinks of her co-stars.

On clashing with Apollo:
What people see is what it is. I don’t really know Apollo. Apollo felt like he was defending his wife [regarding] the UPTOWN article that I did ..... the article wasn’t about them. The article was about how I felt about what my wife said and what people were saying about, you know, UPTOWN Restaurant and Lounge and that she gave me money to do it and I wanted to set the record straight by saying yes she made a contribution but I didn’t take her wallet to do it.

The real problem with Sheree:
She talks about everybody f****ed up all the time, especially my wife. She said my wife is spineless. She said my wife has no backbone. She said my wife follows around NeNe like some little puppy. She says a lot of really f****ed up things and my wife is too much of a classy chick to even go in on that so, when they ask me what I think, because me and my wife is one, I’m gone say how I feel. She thinks she’s cute but I don’t think she’s cute. If she thinks she’s cute, then that’s on her. It’s like when I watched [the show Sunday] night and she said ‘well, I know I’m cute’ and my answer was ‘really.’ It didn’t change how I feel. But all of that was at the top of the year. I just saw Sheree recently after the Soul Train Awards. She came through to bar One and maybe she forgave me or I forgave her. We don’t know. Let’s see what happens next.

About NeNe and her mouth:
When I say NeNe is loud, it’s because NeNe got a big ass mouth but I love her. I love her to death. I love her. She’s cool as hell. She’s the realest as far as I’m concerned.

About Kim and her mouth:
When I say Kim is crazy as hell, it’s because her mouth is so reckless. All kinds of s**t come out of her mouth. I don’t think they have ever shot Kim without beeping, without beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep, because she talks crazy. That’s how she talks.

Why he loves his wife and other people can’t stand it:
My wife is not just beautiful. She’s extremely beautiful. I’m not just talking about the exterior and what everybody sees. I’m talking about her make-up–her honesty, her softness, her caring ways. She’s an angel. I’m a lucky man. I’m the luckiest man on the planet. I will do nothing ever to disappoint her. I live for her. When a man and a woman say I do in front of God and family and friends they’re basically saying it’s a ride-or-die type situation. I’m old school so that’s the way I think and I believe that’s the way my wife thinks also. This is not for the moment. So, when people were saying they didn’t think we would last a year, we were actually laughing at them because they didn’t put this together; God put this together. It didn’t come together because of materialistic things. It came together because of how we truly feel for each other. We’re in love with each other and a lot of people hate that because they might not have that in their life. But guess what? That’s their f***ing problem.

Read the full article over at UPTOWN.

POOR BABY..THE MOTHER DID IT! Missing five-year-old girl 'was kept in closet and beaten in days before she vanished'

The teenage sister of a missing five-year-old Arizona girl told police their mother instructed her to lie about the girl's disappearance, kept the girl in a closet, and that the girl had black eyes, cuts and bruises before she was reported missing, according to a court document released today.

The document was released minutes after Jhessye Shockley's mother, Jerice Hunter, had her first court appearance, during which she proclaimed her innocence.
Hunter was held on a $100,000 bond because of her history of child abuse and the seriousness of the charge against her.
Hunter was arrested on a felony count of child abuse on Monday, more than five weeks after she reported Jhessye missing. Police said at a news conference that they received new information in the case that led to her arrest and to a second search of her apartment in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale.

Investigators declined to say what that information was. But the court document details a recent interview they conducted with Hunter's 13-year-old daughter, who was removed from the home last month by state Child Protective Services.

The document, a probable cause statement, said the teenager recently began to talk to her foster mother about Jhessye, telling her 'she was told by her mother, Jerice, to lie to police about Jhessye being missing.'
Police then interviewed the teen, who told them she did not see Jhessye the day she disappeared, reversing her previous story to authorities that she had seen the girl.
Arrested: Jerice Hunter was taken in on child abuse charges 'directly related' to Jhessye's disappearance
She also said that several weeks ago Hunter became angry when she returned home to find Jhessye wearing a long T-shirt while watching TV with a neighbour boy, telling the girl that she was a 'ho' before taking her into a bedroom, according to the document.
The teen said she could hear her sister screaming and crying in the room, the document said.
She also told police that Hunter kept Jhessye in a bedroom closet and deprived her of food and water, and that she had seen the girl in there with black eyes and bruises and cuts to her face and body, according to the document.
'(She) reported that Jhessye's hair had been pulled out and described Jhessye as not looking alive and that she looked like a zombie,' the document said. '(She) said that the closet where Jhessye had been looked like a grave and smelled like dead people.'

The teen said Hunter placed incense in a container to conceal the odor.
She also said that a few days before Jhessye disappeared, her mother spent the entire day cleaning the apartment and cleaning her shoes from the closet with soap and bleach. Police said they found a receipt that showed Hunter bought food and a bottle of bleach two days before she reported her daughter missing.
Jhessye was last seen October 11 after Hunter said she went out for an errand and left the girl in the care of three older siblings at their apartment.
As AZCentral.com reports, the sister said the last time she saw Jhessye was September 12. The report says school records indicate Jhessy'e last day at school was September 22.
School records also indicated Hunter reported Jhessye had ringworm and later pink eye, though the report says the conditions were not confirmed by a doctor at the time, according to the website.
At a news conference on Monday, Glendale Police Sergeant Brent Coombs said authorities do not expect to find Jhessye alive, but he did not explain why. He also said Hunter is the 'number one focus' in the investigation.

Hunter, meanwhile, has maintained her innocence, insisting she had nothing to do with her daughter's disappearance. She also has criticised the Glendale Police Department's investigation.
'We feel that law enforcement is not active in finding Jhessye and that they're more active in persecuting me instead of finding out where she is,' Hunter said last month.
State Child Protective Services removed Hunter's other children, including a newborn, from her apartment last month but declined to say why. Glendale police said they had no part in the decision to remove the children.

TWILIGHT: BELLA SWAN WEDDING DRESS ON SALE AT STORES NATIONWIDE!!!

You too can look like Bella Swan on her wedding day now that the official replica of the elegant gown Kristen Stewart wore in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" is available in stores. The Carolina Herrera-designed dress that Stewart wears when she and Robert Pattinson trade vows onscreen arrived in stores on Monday, priced at $799, according to The Wall Street Journal.

In addition to the movie's much ballyhooed sex scene, fans eagerly anticipated the wedding scene, where Bella dons the glorious long-sleeve lace bridal gown. Though the film's version of the dress was designed by Herrera, bridal retailer Alfred Angelo handled the replication and has been working with Summit Entertainment since May to get the item in stores in time for the film's premiere. The dresses are available at Alfred Angelo stores nationwide.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five Inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame

The greatest Hip-Hop song ever recorded and still the Blueprint... "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five will be inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame.

Been a long time coming.... Salute!!!
The 54th Grammy Awards ceremony will take place February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles

RIHANNA FOR EMPORIO ARMANI

She often takes to the stage in raunchy outfits and fishnet stockings.
But for her debut fashion collection, Rihanna has gone for a more modest look.
The 23-year-old designed a capsule collection for Emporio Armani including lingerie, jeans and t-shirts.
The collection includes two T-shirts, two pairs of jeans, a black leather biker jacket and a bag.
One of the T-shirts feature an emblem that combines Rihanna's 'R' logo with the Emporio Armani eagle.
The other, in a looser fit, features the outline of the singer's face over an animal print background.
The same mottled effect is repeated on the bucket-backpack in canvas with eco leather trim and pendant charm in branded metal.
The jeans are available in two cuts, skinny or Rihanna's favourite – a ‘boyfriend’ style but with a tight leg.

Both come in blue stretch and washed black denim.

To complete the look, the bandana belt the singer loves to wear on occasions as a hair band.
The underwear is ultra feminine, for everyday wear and very reasonably priced.
The lace sets are available in two colours – cobalt blue and pearl grey.
Lightweight brasieres or more constructed bras sculpt the body perfectly.

To team with thongs, briefs and camisoles also come in microfibre and lace.
‘Rihanna for Emporio Armani’ is scripted on the straps and a small cameo of her face, the label and embossed logo feature on the fastening at the back.
The line will available in shops worldwide from the middle of November.
Rihanna was announced as the global new face of Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans back in July.

Before Rihanna, it was sexy Transformers star Megan Fox who was stripping down to model the brand's lingerie.
Tennis ace Rafal Nadal also featured in the campaign for the designer's jeans wear range, with a picture which shows off his toned torso.

He replaced Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, who was the face of Armani men's underwear.
A spokesperson said: 'Hugely talented and extremely feminine, Rihanna is known for her amazing verve and incredible energy – qualities which make her the perfect choice to project and interpret the youthful, modern and captivating spirit of Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans.'
'Positive with a slightly rock feel, fabulously sexy with a strong masculine edge.'

PATTI LABELLE COVERS JET MAGAZINE

Patti Labelle graces the current issue of Jet Magazine, she is celebrating 50 years in the entertainment business. In the cover story she shares her secrets of music longevity, style and skill success and talks about her culinary beginnings, the next steps for Patti’s brand and much more. Patti said, “there is always a song of inspiration, joy and love in my heart.” Patti’s star continues to shine and there looks to be no slowing down for the 67-year-old diva. Read a few excerpts from the article, “Celebrating 50 Years of Shows and Stilettos” after the click:

Culinary Beginnings:
“I started out making hot sauce in my garage. My parents used to cook their faces off and I watched. I just put in garlic, cayenne pepper and ketchup. I was about 7. I was playing with cats and lightning bugs and making hot sauce. Everybody said the like it so I had to believe them.”

On Her Growth In the Kitchen:
“I would have parties at my house and people would say, ‘Where is the food? So it was a natural progression. There were companies interested in what I could do besides sing… and then all of a sudden, there was a Patti LaBelle brand. It grew from there.”

Next Steps For Patti’s Brand:
“I have bedding. I will be coming out with china and different things like that for Macy’s. I’m doing it, boo. I love decorating as well as I do cooking and singing. That was a natural.”

Touches on Labelle breakup:
“It was challenging when Labelle broke up for the right reason, because we didn’t want to do it together anymore, and I felt like people looked at me as the leader who wanted to do it on her own. It was never like that. The three of us decided together.”

Kicking Off Her Shoes On Her Current Tour:
“We’re in venues that hold maybe 5,000 people. Most of the time, we’re sold out. You can expect a great show. I go out there, look at the audience and I freestyle. It makes me feel great. I’m still kicking my stilettos off.”

Now of she can stop throwing water bottles and having soldiers attacked….She be more cool….LOL!

FAMU Band Suspended Following Death of Drum Major

*Florida A&M President Dr. James Ammons announced today that the university has suspended band performances indefinitely following the death of drum major Robert Champion.

Dr. Ammons also announced the school would form an independent task force to investigate Champion’s death, along with any “unauthorized activities” association with the school’s band, The Marching 100, reports Atlanta’s NBC affiliate 11 Alive.
The school’s “band, staff, students and history” will all be subject to investigation, Dr. Ammons said in a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
Since Champion’s death Saturday, blogs and social media sites have been flooded with posts speculating that Champion’s death may be connected with hazing. Dr. Ammons addressed those claims, asking people to stop engaging in rumors, but also acknowledging that several band members have been released from the band this semester because of possible participation in hazing.

“Hazing is illegal and it’s something that should not happen,” he said. “I am committed to making certain that we end this practice” at the university.

Champion, 27, died suddenly following the Florida Classic Saturday. The Atlanta native had just returned to the FAMU marching band’s hotel, in Orlando, FL, when he became sick and complained of being unable to breathe.
Friends of the victim called 911. He was transported to Doctor Phillips Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities do not suspect foul-play.
Champion, a 2004 graduate of Southwest Dekalb High School, was a member of the famed FAMU Marching 100.

11Alive News contacted a relative who said the family is in a state of shock and unable to speak about the death. He went on to say they know very little at this time.
In a statement released by FAMU, Band Director Julian White said, “He was a very fine drum major who was of excellent character…I had not told him yet, but he was slated to be the head drum major next year.”
The university is preparing to provide grief counseling for band members and students.
An autopsy was performed Monday and results are pending.

Chris Brown splashes out $1.5m on new bachelor pad

The 22-year-old singer's chic, three-bedroom, three-bathroom property is just eight miles away from Rihanna's neighbourhood, according to the real estate website Zillow.com.
Where the magic happens: This is the 22-year-old singer's bedroom in his new home
He infamously pleaded guilty to assaulting her as the former couple was en route to the 2009 Grammy Awards.

He won't have to worry about a run-in for long, however: she's moving out and has put her Beverly Crest mansion on the market for $4.5 million.
Brown managed to land a great deal on his new pad, which was listed at $2,669,000 just two years ago.

The 2,473 square-foot unit features an elevator that will deposit him directly at his door, glass walls, hi-tech touch screen systems and a massive swimming pool.

With its all white and chrome decor, the house simply screams 'bachelor pad.'
The R&B singer was forced to move out of his previous West Hollywood home because his allocated spots were all marked as handicapped, causing him to accrue thousands of dollars in tickets.

Despite being temporarily located close to his Bajan ex, the new place is a much better fit for Brown.
'He won't have to deal with pesky nosy neighbours or parking issues. Chris is much happier at his new house,'says a source.

He will be even happier once Rihanna, 23, is no longer his neighbour. I’m sure!

Wow! Look What Reverend Zach Tims Said 5 Days Before His Death!
At the beginning of the clip, Zachary Tims seems encouraging for a split second and even laughs before he states the next shocking words. He told a story about how he was going through a storm and was speaking with a counselor about it. (We are assuming he was speaking of the scandal and the divorce he went through with his wife, Riva Tims).
He stated things were never going to end and he didn’t know how he was going to make it or get through it. This is followed up by him saying he’s being attacked in the media, and sadly goes on to state what he admits was a ‘stupid’ thought:

“As soon as this Casey lady’s trial is over, I’m going to be the next thing on the news”.

He says “its been three and a half years since the Casey Anthony trial has not only dominated the Florida and Orlando area but its consumed us for just that long.” It’s ironic that Pastor Zach would state this only five days before his death. It sounds like this is during the time of his counseling sessions. He felt despair and didn’t know how to overcome it. Now, it’s 3 years or so later after the dram of Casey Anthony and the weight of pastoring his flock has come full circle and he mentions that he will soon be in the newspapers.
This is all said less than one week before his actual death.Was he stating he was still in despair and not knowing how to overcome it? Did he actually predict his death with words that may have shown us he still could not cope?

Our friends over at A Toast To Wealth pointed this out. Now, that we are still waiting for the Medical Examiner’s report, one must really contemplate why Pastor Zach was left alone.

He should have taken his own advice. Watch his sermon below:
Video: 

Lets just hope the Man of God made PEACE with God!

ASCAPs Rhythm & Soul Team Presents 3rd Annual Women Behind The Music Series
Features

After successful events in NYC and LA, the women empowerment series made its third stop at Straits in Atlanta on November 18th to honor women who have made great contributions to the music industry.
The series is designed to encourage and recognize women in the music community, highlighting not only women songwriters and artists, but women working in all facets of the business, including managers, attorneys, label executives and music publishers.

In Atlanta, those honored were Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, Janelle Monáe; Entertainment Attorney, Uwonda Carter; and renowned vocal coach Jan Smith.
The evening was sponsored by Pharrell's new liqueur Qream.

• JANELLE MONÁE – Grammy nominated singer/songwriter and 2010 ASCAP Vanguard winner signed to Bad Boy and Atlantic Records. She has worked with artists such as Outkast, Bruno Mars and recently wrapped touring with Katy Perry on her California Dreams Tour.

• UWONDA CARTER – Atlanta based entertainment attorney, Uwonda Carter has represented the likes of Crystal (Cri$tyle) Nicole, DJ Drama, and 2 Chainz.

• JAN SMITH – Most recognized for her vocal work with Justin Bieber and Usher, Smith has also worked with Drake, Keri HIlson and Rob Thomas.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Swan Dive”

Turns out that sex scene between the Black Swan and the White Swan somehow managed to produce an offspring, whom we shall refer to as Grey Swan. Unfortunately, she manages to look nothing like Natalie Portman or Mila Kunis so really this movie just took a turn to uninteresting town. Total letdown.

MAY YOU AND YOURS HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD!!
EFREM