I Can't Believe This Sh!t!

I was debating with someone over the weekend about who would come out on top and I really thought that OutKast had it locked.

Danity Kane Sidesteps OutKast To Claim No. 1
August 30, 2006, 11:00 AM ET

Katie Hasty, N.Y.
In yet another big week for new albums on The Billboard 200, Danity Kane comes out on top of the crop with its self-titled debut. The set sold 234,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, giving Bad Boy Records its seventh No. 1 album and first since 2003's "Bad Boys II" soundtrack.

The winners of MTV's "Making the Band 3" in 2005, quintet Danity Kane exceeded the two other "Making the Band" debuts' opening week tallies: O-Town's self-titled began with 145,000 at No. 5 in 2001 and Da Band's "Too Hot for T.V." started with 204,000 at No. 2 in 2003.

OutKast opens at No. 2 with the its fifth effort, the soundtrack to its film "Idlewild." The LaFace release sold 196,000, a huge dropoff compared with 2003's "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," which moved 510,000 units in its first week. The film "Idlewild" opened at No. 9 at the North American box office last weekend with $5.7 million.

After debuting on top last week, Christina Aguilera's RCA album "Back to Basics" slips to No. 3 with 135,000, a sales decline of 61%.

Mexican rock group Mana breaks a new record this week with the release of "Amar Es Combatir" (Warner Latina), which becomes the highest charting and biggest debut for a Spanish-language album for a duo or group on The Billboard 200. "Amar" opened at No. 4 and sold 87,000 copies. It also crowns both the Top Rock Albums and Top Latin Albums charts.

Disney's "The Cheetah Girls 2" soundtrack holds tight at No. 5 in its second week on the big chart with 81,000 copies, a sales dip of 7%.

Paris Hilton's "Paris" becomes the highest debut for a new solo female pop artist this year with a No. 6 entry. The Warner Bros. set moved 77,000 units this week; it features the top 20 Hot 100 hit "Stars Are Blind." The BMG/Zomba/EMI/UME compilation "NOW 22" falls 6-7 in its seventh week on the chart, moving 68,000 (-18%).

Lamb Of God's Epic set "Sacrament" bows at No. 8 with 63,000, earning the hard rock group its best chart position and sales week ever. Its last set, 2004's "Ashes of the Wake," debuted and peaked at No. 27 with 35,000.

Luther Vandross' "The Ultimate Luther Vandross" debuts at No. 9 with 59,000. The set features 18 of the soul singer's greatest hits, plus a handful of previously unreleased tracks.

Kelis closes out the top tier with "Kelis Was Here" (Jive). The release bows at No. 10 with 58,000, which easily trumps her previous best charting position with 2003's "Tasty" (No. 27). Another debuting big this week is country artist Pat Green's "Cannonball" (BNA) at No. 20 with 38,000.

At 9.54 million units, overall CD sales are down less than 1% from last week's count and down 1.2% compared to the same week a year ago. Sales for 2006 are down 6% compared to 2005 at 344.61 million units.
http://billboard.com

Rihanna & Chamillionaire...

Sitting in a tree...SIKE! But, wouldn't that be something?
Anyway, they both performed at a Pre-VMA concert.
I guess I spoke too soon about Chamillionaire in my previous post.








Rihanna looks like her usual self. Good think she was wearing a bra under her outfit. There was serious potential for nipple slippage.

Ciara at Diamond Party

Ciara and a few other celebs attended a Whiteflash.com "Dripping in Diamonds" party.
As usual, she looked good. Such a step up from her earlier days in the game.





Missy was there too, looking twisted...





It's amazing what money can do for you, because I swear that Chamillionaire looks halfway decent here!

Mr. Knowles Hollers Back!

Mathew released the following statement regarding Beyonce's upcoming album:

"It is apparent that there is a consistent plan by some to create chaos around Beyonce's B'Day album release on Sept 5 in the US. First, it was a petition against the single, "Deja Vu", then a rumor regarding conflict between Beyonce and Rihanna, seizures caused by the "Ring the Alarm" video, putting out a single to compete with LeToya's album and now to add to all the ridiculous rumors, is my plan to postpone the release of her B'Day album. What will be next? Beyonce's cut off all her hair? Dyed it green? Maybe she's singing the songs in reverse with some hidden subliminal message!

Unfortunately what it shows is that anyone can go on the internet and create rumors and the media in some cases will pick up these stories and run with them which influence the consumer's perception.

Beyonce has sold over a 140 million records as an artist. Over half sold outside of America. 2500 responses for a petition on the internet (which really represents often the same people responding 2-3 times) go online with a petition regarding "Deja V u", and it's national news? Think about that for a minute. 140 million records sold versus 2500 responses about a video. Does that really equate to a major concern? The answer is No!

I couldn't be happier with where "Deja Vu" is on the charts. It's a Top 10 song on Billboard 100 and #1 on this week's R&B charts. Mid week numbers in the UK is trending at #1 for the "Deja Vu" single for this week. Records have broken in Japan regarding ringtone sales of "Deja Vu." It is one of the most ever streamed videos at Yahoo. "Ring The Alarm" was added to TRL on its first day of airing and it is on the R&B charts this week which gives Beyonce two singles on the charts at the same time.

Our plan is to have three singles on the charts together. For this album we have a unique strategy. Rather than concern ourselves with purely chart positioning we are focusing on the combine audiences who are listening and are aware of the singles on the album. That strategy is based on the combine belief of Beyonce, SonyBMG and Music World. This is unique, creative body of work on B'Day (spelling corrected B'Day) and every song is a potential single.

After all what do we know? Some weeklies reviewed "Independent Women" and gave it a "D-" and Beyonce's first album "Dangerously in Love," a "D".

And just for the record, Beyonce's success or failure for me is not based on the number of records she sells. For me it's based on how proud I am that she is a genuine good person (Ask anyone who's worked with her). That she always has a kind word for others. That she is respectful and honest. That she gives back to her community and that she has so much love for her family. That she has grown to be such a leader. And lastly, she has the confidence not to be bothered by these planned distractions."

Yet, ANOTHER Idlewild Event...

They are doing so many promotions for this movie. This one--hosted by OutKast and Volkswagon--seems like it was a B- and C-list event.
Remy Ma came out to support the movie. Peep her outfit. Some people just can't get it right...





Miss Info was there. I don't like her outfit either.





So, were Ashy Larry and Carl Thomas

Double Your Dollars Kim!!!

Someone asked me yesterday if I'd heard about Kim Porter being preggers with twins, and at the time it was news to me. But, now I am seeing reports about her expecting twin girls. You have to respect her gangsta! What did she do, take fertility drugs or something?
AND, if the other rumors about Diddy expecting a baby with some sideline ho are true, then he has three kids on the way. He must like child support suits.

It's Not What You Know...

It's who you know. Apart from heading her own publication, Angela Simmon's Run Down, Rev. Run's daughter has also been named executive editor of Word Up! magazine, according to AllHipHop.com. Even Diggy, yes the younger brother, is getting a column in the magazine. I'm not saying that one day she won't eventually be qualified, but I just can't see how she is now. Here is an excerpt from the story:

Angela Simmons New Executive Editor Of Word Up! Launching New Teen Publication
By Chris Richburg
Date: 8/23/2006 12:40 pm




Angela Simmons, daughter of rap pioneer Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons, has hooked up with Word Up! magazine to launch a new magazine for teens.

The monthly publication, titled Angela’s Rundown, will target youths age 14-18 and cover teen issues, style, music and fashion while offering fashion tips and in-depth celebrity interviews.

Among those featured in the first issue will be Kimora Lee Simmons, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo and Bow Wow.

"It feels good. I feel empowered. I’m happy with it," Angela Simmons told AllHipHop.com. "It’s a great opportunity for me. It connects back to what I like to do, which is fashion and I want to be a fashion designer. So everything that’s in the magazine is what I love."

Angela’s Rundown is the end result of Angela’s desire to start her own full-fledged magazine, after distributing a newsletter/mini-version of the publication at her school.

Viewers got a chance to witness the magazine’s creation on MTV’s show Run’s House. The first seven issues of the publication will be packaged and sold with Word Up! as part of an agreement between Angela, Rev. Run and Word Up! founder Scott Figman.

Once the magazine gains acceptance, it will spin off as it's own full-fledged publication, according to Figman.

Additionally, Angela will become the new executive editor of Word Up!, said Figman, who embraced the opportunity to work with the young businesswoman.

"Angela showed me a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of creative ability and the willingness to work hard and join forces with us. And I was very impressed with her. She’s going to have a nice long career," Figman said.

"The exciting thing about this is she’ll be a teen that owns a teen magazine. And you don’t see many 18-year-olds who have their own magazine and taking on all this responsibility," said Rev. Run, who believes the magazine will fill the void left by recently defunct publication Teen People.

"First of all, I believe that Angela has a mindset that would service her community better than anyone," Rev. Run said. "I don’t think that there’s anyone that can talk to teens better than teens, but I don’t think people understood that...for somebody to invest this type of money into a young kid says a lot about this kid. In the state of magazines right now, it also says something. So we’re very excited over here. Me and my brother and the family. It’s just pretty unbelievable to us that we can have this going on."

In addition to Angela, Rev. Run revealed that her brother Diggy will step into the world of journalism with his own Word Up! column, titled "Diggy’s Doin’ It."

Despite pulling double duty as executive editor of Word Up! and publisher of Angela's Rundown, Angela is up for the challenge.

"Yes, it’s definitely going to be a task, but I know that I have a lot of help there at the same time," she admitted. "It doesn’t all fall on me because I have a team there working with me. It probably will be a little bit of a challenge, but I’m up for it. It’s worth it."

The premier issue of Angela's Rundown hits newsstands next week.

The creation of Angela's Rundown comes on the heels of MTV's recent decision to renew Run's House for a third season.

Taping for the new season begins Sept. 26, stated Rev. Run, who added that the new episodes will be preceded by a Christmas special.

"It was a big deal," Rev. Run told AllHipHop.com about the renewal. "We jumped up and down because it’s not easy to get this type of show, especially on MTV, the type of show that we have. It’s like a sore thumb. Everything else looks totally different from our show on MTV. MTV has one look. Run’s House has another. So how it fits there is really pretty amazing. It’s God."

Keyshia Cole Shows her Ass?

I love Keyshia Cole, I really do. And I debated with myself on whether or not to repost this pic from Crunk's blog. The fact that this a gossip blog and that "I'm not here to make friends" (I sound like I'm on a reality show) or play favorites, made me do this.

Usher's Opening Night

The R&B crooner made his Broadway debut in "Chicago" last night. I'm hearing good things about his performance.





Usher with Marsha from Floetry; BET's Debra Lee; his brother James; and his Momager














Rosie Perez; Mario; Haylie Duff; Clive Davis; Amerie

The Game's New Video: One Blood feat. Junior Reid

Rumor Confirmed! Diddy and Kim ARE expecting...

Diddy, Kim Porter expecting second child
Rap mogul, longtime girlfriend already have 8-year-old son
The Associated Press

Updated: 12:17 a.m. ET Aug 22, 2006
NEW YORK - Diddy will be a daddy again.

Sean “Diddy” Combs and longtime girlfriend, model Kim Porter, are “happy to confirm that they are expecting their second child together,” Combs’ representative, Keesha Johnson, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

“The couple is thrilled about the news,” Johnson said.

Combs, 36, and Porter, 35, have an 8-year-old son Christian. Combs has a 12-year-old son Justin from a previous relationship.

The hip-hop mogul’s new album, “Press Play,” is slated for release in October.

K-Fed Gets Rejected

I picked up this story from the Associated Press:

Hip-hop community hoots at Federline's rap debut

August 22, 2006

NEW YORK -- Kevin Federline's TV debut as a rapper is being derided as a not-ready-for-prime-time disaster by critics in cyberspace and the hip-hop community.

On Sunday, Federline -- also known has K-Fed and Mr. Britney Spears -- performed his new single ''Lose Control'' at the eighth annual Teen Choice Awards, which aired on Fox. Introduced by his wife, Federline stalked about the stage with attitude as he rapped about his bling and his amazing rhyming skills.

It was the most anticipated performance of the night -- and the most ridiculed. By morning, videos of it were splashed on Web sites, accompanied by comments mocking both Federline and Spears.

If the Web world isn't exactly accepting of Federline's rap-star ambitions, the hip-hop community is even less so.

Elliot Wilson, of XXL magazine, hadn't seen Federline's debut. Still, he called it a ''YouTube disaster.''

''He's a joke, basically," Wilson said. "I just don't think he gets it. He doesn't get that he's Britney's man and it's hard to take him seriously.''

Federline is expected to release ''Playing With Fire'' in October.

AP

Starting to Smell Like Overkill...

Dannity Kane and Yung Joc were on TRL yesterday. Now, I am getting tired of seeing them everywhere.








Yung Joc needs some fashion tips.

More Idlewild Pics

Last night was the NY premiere of the movie.
Too Short was there with his salt-n-pepper beard.





So was this sexy-as-of-late guy...





Sway stay high...





Sleepy Brown ALWAYS looks the same.





Two of these ladies look classy. One does not. I won't name names, but...it's the one in the red dress! Work it Miss Eva and Miss Patti!











Pics of the cast.








Look what the cat dragged in! Ben Vereen and Liza Minelli...





Here is Bryan Barber, the director.




Darren Henson was there too. Something about his look is off..

Luda is the Man!

All types of mofos came out to support Ludacris at his listening party for his upcoming album "Release Therapy." Yes, that is Burt Reynolds.

Diva Wannabes Take Notes!

Lelah Hathaway, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack and Eloise Laws performed at the City of Compton SoulJam this past weekend.

Rihanna Makes Poor Fashion Decision

Here are some pics of the Bajan sensation performing at the Teen Choice Awards.

They're Dead Wrong for This One!

"Idlewild" Screening

Black Hollywood turned out for a special screening of Idlewild. I hope the movie isn't as boring as these pics.
Sam Cassell; OmaGrosa; Neicy Nash; Malinda Williams














Ludacris; Henry Simmons; David Banner; Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Dondre Whitfield