JANET JACKSON'S 'ROCK WIT YOU' TOUR OPENS TO RAVE REVIEWS.

Critics appear to be pleased with the presentation of Janet Jackson's new Rock Witchu Tour, which began Wednesday at the GM Palace in Vancouver, reports People.com. According to Canadian reports, the 42-year-old had multiple costume changes and performed 30 hit songs, including Control, Let's Wait Awhile and Rhythm Nation. She also had an S&M segment involving an audience member. The show was a "reminder that she is a trend-setter in her own right, a true diva, and a marvelous performer," noted the Vancouver Sun. "The most memorable moment of the show," writes Marsha Lederman of Canada's Globe and Mail, "came when Jackson, dressed in a gold and black glam hip hop-inspired track suit (and one gold glove) ... listened to the crowd roar its approval and became emotional – really emotional. We're talking tears. 'Thank you,' she said, seeming to really mean it, as she waved her hands, begging the audience to stop."

The Live Nation-produced tour hit the U.S. on Saturday in Oakland, Calif., and includes stops in Los Angeles, Dallas, Washington D.C., New York and Atlanta. Peep pics from Janet's show below.

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NELLY IS GIVING A LUCKY FAN FIVE NEW PAIRS OF AIR JORDANS A.K.A. 'J'Z'; FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN BE THAT LUCKY FAN.

Nelly is giving away Js. You read right. Nelly wants to give you a chance to win five, yes, five pairs of Air Jordan sneakers a.k.a. 'Jz' through his 'Stepped on My J'z' contest. All you have to do is watch the instructional video to hone your J'z skills. Then record a 30-60 second youtube video clip showing Nelly your best J'z moves. The clip MUST include audio from the Stepped on My J'z song. Upload and post the video to the 'Nelly's Stepped on My J'z Youtube Group (CLICK HERE) and label it 'Nelly Stepped on My J'z.' The hottest and most creative version will win J'z gear and FIVE brand-spanking new pairs of Jordans from the rapper. Click HERE and HERE for more information.

In other Nelly news, the rapper will embark on his Story of the Brass Knuckles tour this month in promotion of his latest cd Brass Knuckles which hits stores on September 16th. The first stop on the tour is this Saturday, September 13th at the Mezzanine in San Francisco, California. Contact your local ticketmaster outlet for ticket prices and such and such.
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USHER TO BUST HIS ASS IN AN EFFORT TO WIN BACK FEMALE FANS BY LAUNCHING A LADIES ONLY-TYPE TOUR.

In an effort to win back the hordes of female fans he lost during his moments of bitching and moaning about the lack of privacy over his personal life AND to produce more sales for his latest album, that has yet to reach platinum status after over three months on the charts, Usher is now making plans to embark on a 15-city U.S. tour aptly titled the One Night Stand tour, which is, needless to say, just for the ladies. Usher says he believes the 'intimate feeling' of his latest album, Here I Stand, is perfect for packed out venues full of women. Hmph, good luck, dude. Anyhoo, he goes on to say, "There's only a few artists that can pull that off. I feel like I've had such a connection with my audience. This album, I felt like, was definitely the type of one that was more intimate. So what better way to get up close and personal than to make it all women? The ladies like to see that masculine build. They question if I still got it." So now he wants to get 'up close and personal' with his female fans? After he made it clearly known that Here I Stand is basically a recorded testament to his wife Tameka. Somebody get this man a drink because he is truly thirsty. As far as his career is concerned, Usher is on a fast track to becoming the next Bobby Brown. And we all know that ain't a good look at all.

In related news, aside from re-releasing his lackluster album and filming a new video for what I assume will be his next single, Trading Places, this dude is also planning to launch his own line of lingerie and men underwear. Suffice it to say, the One Night Stand tour is being used as a promotional tool to endorse these endeavors.
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NEW PICS: JENNIFER HUDSON, PLIES, MARIAH CAREY & SOULJA BOY VISIT B.E.T.'S 106 & PARK.

Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, rappers Plies and Soulja Boy all stopped by B.E.T.'s 106 & Park this week to promote their upcoming projects....

When Mariah wasn't busy showing off her humongous wedding ring in front of the 106 & Park audience (if you look closely at the faces of the kids in the background, you can see that some of them had a look on their faces that said, 'If she don't sit her orange-looking ass down somewhere!'), she was mouthing off about her plans of a new tour to promote her latest platinum album E=MC2 which she promises to be packed with glitz, glamor, fireworks and fabulosity. She says, "I'm looking at November right now. But please don't hold me accountable if it turns out to be December 5 or December 7 or January 18!"

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One Jennifer Hudson fansite is reporting that the singer will portray Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott in the rapper's bio-pic. It's been said that Elliott has personally chosen Hudson for the lead movie role. The film is untitled as of now, but will reportedly be produced by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal through their company, Tribeca Films.

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RAVEN SYMONE REVEALS WHY SHE INSIST ON STAYING TRUE TO HER IMAGE; ALSO CANCELS UPCOMING PROMOTIONAL TOUR.

"I have to stay true to who I am. I am not going to sing about sex, drugs and violence, that's just not who I am...When I look in the mirror and see how voluptuously fabulous I am, I can't even worry about it. My conflict in life is just making sure I remember I'm beautiful just the way I am, no matter what size I am. I am just fabulous."


--Child star-turned-entertainment mogul Raven Symone to Jet magazine on why she refuses to change for fame and why she insist on staying true to her music and staying true to her image by being comfortable with her size.

In related news, the 22-year-old actress/singer/producer has canceled her cross-country "Pajama Party" tour. Originally slated to kick off in late April (and run through mid-July), the star has decided to postpone her upcoming tour due to 'unforeseen circumstances' and apologizes to her fans for any inconvenience this may have caused. Ticket refunds will be available from the original point of purchase. How this will affect her new self-titled album (which will be released April 29th) sales remains to be seen. The announcement of the tour cancellation has tween Raven fans in an uproar to say the least. Members on one of the actress's fan sites are threatening to return their That's So Raven and Cosby Show DVD sets, they're so mad. Bless their hearts. While some fans feel Raven scrapped the tour because she grew tired of entertaining her young audience and that she now prefers to hang out with adults her own age, others have demanded the star step forth and explain the real reason as to why she backed out. Well, I say this: as long as you're getting a refund for your ticket, the 'unforeseen circumstances' reason should suffice.

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FLORIDA RAPPERS RICK ROSS & PLIES LAUNCH 'THE HYPNOTIZED TOUR' THIS MONTH; TRINA, JUVENILE, LIL BOOSIE, THE DREAM TO MAKE APPEARANCES.

Florida rappers Plies and Rick Ross have embarked on a new tour, as both artists’ prepare for their sophomore releases. The Hypnotized Tour debuted in Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday (Mar 1), and will run through 18 more dates across the country before coming to a close in Los Angeles. "I look forward to seeing all my fans on the road on the Hypnotized Tour," said Plies in a statement. "They can expect to see me in raw form. I will be on fire going into summer 2008. The Hypnotized Tour [is] an advance taste of what is to come!" Part of Plies’ schedule for this summer includes the release of his sophomore album, Definition of Real, due out on Atlantic Records on June 24. Fans have a much shorter wait for Rick Ross’s sophomore release, Trilla, which hits stores March 11. Trilla is the follow up to Ross’ RIAA-certified gold debut Port of Miami and features appearances by Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne, T-Pain, Trick Daddy and Flo-Rida, as well as production from The Runners, Cool and Dre, and 2008 Grammy Award winner DJ Toomp.

"This is a tour put together to celebrate the best and brightest Southern Hip-Hop has to offer and what is to come" explained Terrence Huggins of T.H.E. Booking Agency, the company behind the Hypnotized Tour. "These artists created something huge out of nothing and it is time to celebrate that fact. This is a way for people across the country to witness history in the making." Joining Plies and Rick Ross on the tour are Lil’ Boosie, The Dream and Pleasure P, formerly of the group Pretty Ricky. Appearances are also expected by Yo Gotti, Trina, and possibly Juvenile, all scheduled to join the tour on special dates. In addition to completing his current tour and recording Definition, Plies is in the final planning stages of a new partnership with Don Diva magazine to produce the Plies/Don Diva Prison Tour.

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OLD SCHOOL RAPPERS HEAVY D., BIG DADDY KANE AND DOUG E. FRESH PLAN 'MIC CHECK TOUR.'

Heavy D. returned to the stage last night (Jan 27) at the House of Blues in Los Angeles for his first performance as a rapper in over a decade. Heavy D., who has focused on his acting career for the past ten years, was joined on stage by veterans Doug E. Fresh and Big Daddy Kane. The rapper/actor told AllHipHop.com that the House of Blues show sold out so rapidly and generated so much interest that they are considering adding another show. The trio’s performance is also a test of sorts for a possible Mic Check Tour featuring the three Hip-Hop legends. "Right now it’s still an if," Heavy D told AllHipHop.com. "There’s no definite dates, but there’s a lot of offers. We’re just trying to make the right decision, based on everybody’s schedule. But chances are that’s what we’re gonna do."

"I haven’t performed with Heavy D since like 1989," added Big Daddy Kane, who continues to tour actively. "That makes it and the whole vibe that’s been built around it different." According to Heavy D, artists like Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane and himself can continue to perform years after releasing new material, due to a key component missing in today’s entertainment industry. "What happened is there was sort of a misstep, when the record companies started seeing the value of the dollar through Hip-Hop and stopped paying attention to building artists," Heavy D. said.

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As a member of Heavy D. and The Boyz, Heavy, born Dwight Errington, released several classic Hip-Hop albums, including Livin’ Large (1987), Big Time (1989), Peaceful Journey (1991), Blue Funk (1993) and others.

In addition to releasing hit singles like Mr. Big Stuff, We Got Our Own Thing, and Now That We Found Love, Heavy D. has had a successful career as an actor as well, appearing in films like The Cider House Rules, New Jersey Drive, and Life and television show like Boston Public and The Tracy Morgan Show. The rapper has also appeared in several plays, including Riff Raff and Medal of Honor Rag, which was executive produced by Will Smith and enjoyed a six month, sold out run in Los Angeles.

Taking an involuntary break from the acting world, prompted by the ongoing writer’s strike, Heavy D. is now working on a Reggae album. "I’ve always been involved with the Reggae scene, underground; and it was always something I was always involved in." As of now, there is no release date for Heavy D.’s album.

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RUMOR OR REAL: JERMAINE DUPRI NOT TOO KEEN ON JANET JOINING HER FAMILY ON NEW WORLD TOUR.

The bolded text in the following next paragraph is from the New York Post's Page Six gossip column. I'm having a hard time believing its contents for a couple of reasons: 1. Janet and Jermaine Dupri aren't engaged unless someone forgot to email me the official memo! 2. JD would never ask Janet, nor would she ever agree, to disassociate herself from Michael, bad press or not.

Ever member of the Jackson family - Michael included - is trying to put together a 40-city world tour. Except, that is, for Janet Jackson. A music industry insider told Page Six, "Janet said she would be willing to participate in a few select shows next year, but [her fiancé?] Jermaine Dupri is holding her out of it. He wants Janet to go back in the studio and record another album, and he's also wary of having her be associated with Michael because he's gotten such bad press and is just freaky."

As previously reported, Jermaine Jackson confirmed a reunion tour during an interview last week with the BBC in London. At the time, Jermaine said his sisters and brothers, including Michael, are in the planning stages of a 40-city world tour. "Michael will be involved. He has to be...He is a Jackson. He was at the meetings," the singer/guitarist said. "We feel we have to do it one more time. We owe that to the fans and to the public." The group has not performed live together since the 1984 Victory tour, which took place in the wake of MJ's mega-platinum solo album, Thriller. The band, which officially broke up in 1990, released a final album in 1989, 2300 Jackson Street, which only featured Michael on the title track. Jermaine also stated that there might be some new songs to go along with the tour, saying the band is "in the studio at the moment."

The Jackson 5 featured the five eldest Jackson sons: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. Beginning in the late 1960s and through the mid-'70s, they scored a series of huge hits for Motown, including I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save and I'll Be There, mostly propelled by preternaturally talented pre-teen Michael's thrilling falsetto vocals and stunning dance moves. The group later added brother Randy to the mix and was renamed the Jacksons.

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NEW PICS: CIARA CELEBRATES HER 22nd BIRTHDAY

Ciara will celebrated her 22nd birthday this year with a major - market celebration tour. Ciara and her management team, TPF Management, have teamed up with the hottest nightlife venues in the country along with her celebrity friends and industry executives to celebrate her advancement to the next level. Launching the tour on her born day, October 25th, Ciara plans to approach each city with a birthday celebration incorporating the area’s natural flavor and mixing in surprise elements guaranteed to leave everyone talking. The hit-making singer, who will star in her first major movie role of an adaptation of the musical Mama, I Want to Sing! and as the new face of Rocawear, has a lot to celebrate.

Tour Dates:
10/25 Ciara’s 22nd Birthday/Dinner at private location /NYC
10/26 Birthday Party @ Runway/NYC
10/27 Birthday Party @ H2O Restaurant and Lounge/Washington, DC
10/28 Birthday Party @ Velvet Room/Atlanta
10/29 Birthday Party @ Cameo/Miami
10/30 Birthday Dinner @ Nobu/Bahamas
10/31 Birthday Party/Bahamas

In related news, as she accepted numerous birthday gifts at her party, Ciara was once again asked about her relationship with rapper 50 Cent. “He’s a really great friend, and great friends think of really great [birthday presents],” Ciara told PEOPLE at her 22nd birthday party at Manhattan’s Nikki Midtown on Thursday night, though she wouldn’t reveal what he gave her. “For some reason, with this friend, everybody turns everything into something else!” No doubt that dating as a celebrity can be tough –“You want to go out like normal people but you can’t. If you do, automatically you’re together or messing around,” Ciara confesses. But, she adds, she knows what she wants in a man.

Check out the pics from Ciara's birthday party at Nikki Beach Midtown in New York City. There's more after the jump!

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