(SCANS & EXCERPTS)- JASMINE GUY, KARYN PARSONS & SHERYL LEE RALPH IN EBONY MAGAZINE: CELEBRITY MOMMIES ON A MISSION.

When Jasmine Guy's daughter Imani, 8, questioned her mother about the name of a rock group called Guns N' Roses, she gave her an introspective answer. 'I told her that the name meant that life can be hard sometimes and lovely sometimes,' recalls Guy, now 43-year-old. Realizing that life can be more difficult for some people, Guy, who played pampered-princess Whitley Gilbert on the series A Different World (1987-1993), has supported several organizations. Among then is A Place Called Home, a community safe house that each year helps about 2,000 at-risk youth in South Central Los Angeles. Some of the other issues that the actress feels strongly about are education, violence in the community and unemployment. How do her views affect her parenting style? 'I'm more conservative,' says Guy, who grew up in Atlanta and attended public schools. 'Not Republican [conservative]. I'm more aware of what I let Imani watch on television. I also pay more attention to lyrics.'

She and her husband Terrence Duckette have been married for nine years. Guy, who is also an author, points out hat Imani, like herself, has many interests, including gymnastics, tennis and piano. 'I find that I like to do many different things. The way that I handle that is I take two things and focus on those two. I see some mothers who are on their BlackBerry, telling the kids what to do, and typing something on their computer with their toes. I can't do that.'

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Celebrity mom Karyn Parsons says she does not miss playing the self-indulgent diva Hilary Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It could be that she's too busy juggling play dates in the park for daughter Lana, 4, and son Nico, 10 months, to reminisce about her narcissistic television character. In addition to parenting, these days, Parsons is thinking about education. In fact, while she was filming The Fresh Prince, her mother would call her with Black history stories. She felt that some of the stories would be well-suited for a children's book and began working on a compilation. In 2003 Parsons married Alexander Rockwell and started a family. 'I was thinking about my own responsibilities as a parent that were coming up, and teaching my daughter about her heritage.' So, in 2004 Parsons started Sweet Blackberry, a production company based in New York, where she and her family live. She's written and produced two animated films that are available on DVD.

She says that the stories are meant to be a fun way to teach children about their history, 'especially about Black Americans who we don't hear about so much. If young people get interested early, it's something that will stay with them for a lifetime.'

CONTINUE READING MORE OF EBONY MAGAZINE'S 'CELEBRITY MOMMIES ON A MISSION' WITH ACTRESS SHERYL LEE RALPH AFTER THE JUMP!

Education is just one of the many issues that parents have to be concerned about. Another is HIV/AIDS education, a subject that some parents find too serious to discuss with their children. Not actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, who is the mother to daughter Coco, 13, and son, Etienne, 16, and who established a foundation devoted to HIV/AIDS awareness. One of the things that Ralph hopes to pass along to her children is an awareness of the issues around them. Ralph is married to Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes and commutes between Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Perhaps following in his mother's footsteps, Ralph's son, Etienne, has sponsored an orphan child in South Africa through World Vision International. Ralph recounts how her daughter Coco, who may yet be a young diva-in-training, chastised a young man for verbally disrespecting her. She and her girlfriends staged an intervention to let the boy know that his language was unacceptable. 'I was like, 'You go, girl! Mommy doesn't have to pick up the phone. You handle your business!'

Even with her hectic schedule, Ralph stays active at her children's school and tries to lead them by example. 'I try to be the best possible person that I can be,' she says. 'I try not to cuss out anybody. I believe that if you want to see change, even in your own family, you have got to be the change that you want to see.'

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

SALLI RICHARDSON WHITFIELD & NIECY NASH W/THEIR KIDS IN EBONY MAGAZINE; ACTRESSES DISH ON MOTHERHOOD IN HOLLYWOOD.

ACTRESS SALLI RICHARDSON WHITFIELD AND HER DAUGHTER, PARKER WHITFIELD.
(CLICK PIC TO VIEW IT'S ORIGINAL SIZE)

Now that 3½-year-old Parker Whitfield is in school, she can't travel as often with her mom, Salli Richardson Whitfield, when she leaves Los Angeles to film the top-rated show sci-fi show Eureka in Vancouver, Canada. And that is the problem for the actress-mother. 'It becomes really, really hard,' says Salli, who spends 15-hour days on the set. Before Parker started school, Salli would tuck her in at night, give her breakfast and get visits on the set. Now Salli will only see her daughter and husband, actor Dondre Whitfield, on weekends. 'I'm sad just thinking of leaving her.' That is a downside of success for the actress, who landed the choice role with Will Smith in the blockbuster film I Am Legend. 'No complaints, because I am busy, whereas others are not so fortunate. I'm hitting my stride. This business is about endurance, longevity.' And motherhood is about patience and love. 'I've learned that you never know how much your mother loved you until have a child,' she says,'...and you can never love anymore as much as you love your child.'

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ACTRESS NIECY NASH, CHILDREN DOMINIC, 16, DONIELLE, 13, AND DIA, 8, AND HER MOTHER MARGARET ENSLEY.
(CLICK PIC TO VIEW IT'S ORIGINAL SIZE)

While Niecy Nash was in control of her career with her top-rated Clean House show on the Style Network, she was losing control at home. She was working late and her children--Dominic, 16, Donielle, 13, and Dia, 8--were eating a lot of fast food. 'I thank God for my mother everyday,' she says. 'I called her crying, saying I was overwhelmed. She said, 'Baby, I'm on my way.' That was less than two years ago. Her mother, Margaret Ensley, sold her house in Northridge, California, retired from her job as TSA supervisor at the L.A. Airport and moved into Niecy's pool house. Now divorced, Nash had considered getting a nanny, but had imagined that 'folks would be selling my panties on eBay.' The actress spends a lot of time with 'each baby individually'--for instance, taking Dia to a movie, Donielle to her her nails done and Dominic to dinner. Motherhood, she says, is her greatest success, and her greatest love.
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MAG PICS & EXCERPTS: VANESSA WILLIAMS & HER KIDS IN EBONY MAGAZINE; BEAUTY TAKES THE PHRASE 'BLENDED FAMILY' TO ANOTHER LEVEL.

Singer/actress Vanessa Williams graces the cover of Ebony (read my reasons for not posting this sooner after the jump) magazine's annual Mother's Day May issue. In her heavily-detailed feature story (on stands now), the green-eyed beauty talks about her relationships with her four children (Melanie Hervey, 20, Jillian Hervey, 18, Devin Hervey, 15, and Sasha Fox,8), her two failed marriages to their fathers Ramon Hervey and former NBA baller-turned-actor Rick Fox, and how she juggles the responsibility of motherhood, a full-on dramatic career and a bi-coastal lifestyle. And if you all were like me and thought Jada and Will reigned supreme as the titleholders to the coveted blended family crown, you may want to think again. Ramon, the father of Vanessa's three oldest children, says from the beginning they devised a plan of action to care for their family. The fact that Ramon lives a mere two block away has made it easy to manage for all these years. They system stayed in place even after Vanessa remarried, had Sasha and then divorced for the second time. But now, it includes all four children and often Rick's son Kyle, 13, from a previous relationship, whom Vanessa says really acts like he's Devin's blood brother. 'The boys truly feel like they're brothers and they miss each other a lot,' she says.

Let this family tell it and they really do all get along, so much so they continue to share holiday meals together with everybody present. Jillian says, 'We've had Thanksgiving with mom and Rick and my dad. Everyone is here and it's totally fine.' That 'everyone' included all four kids, Jillian's boyfriend, Ramon, Rick, Kyle, Helen Williams (Vanessa's mother) and Chris (Vanessa's brother). So far no new love interest for Vanessa, Ramon or Rick have been added to the mix. Vanessa's brother gives his sister credit. 'Any woman who can have one ex-husband cook Thanksgiving dinner and have the other ex-husband clean up after dinner, that's pretty special...'

(CLICK PICS TO VIEW IN THEIR ORIGINAL SIZE)



THERE'S MUCH MORE TO READ ABOUT VANESSA AND HER BLENDED FAMILY. JUST CLICK ON 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP! ON THE BOTTOM LEFT.

'....My sister is an amazing cook, but she had to work and was flying in. My first brother-in-law cooked an amazing meal. We all ate at the same table together and afterwards my second brother-in-law cleaned up. She has great relationships with both her ex-husbands. They are very much involved in their children's lives and that's really important. Even if you have personal differences that lead to divorce, maintaining the family atmosphere is important.'

Vanessa trades calls and text messages with Ramon and Rick all day long--no matter where she is in the world.

In Los Angeles, Sasha get to see her dad Rick daily. Sasha says, 'My dad comes over every day to do homework with me. It's great.' But there are downsides for kids having a celebrity mom. Sasha says, 'It's difficult because I never had a normal life. I wanna see what it's like for one day. Like, normal life. Like, if nobody knows my mom was famous. Just for one day.'

Also, in the article, Williams' other three children also voice the hardships they've had to endure at the end of their mother's marriage to their father. But they weren't the only ones hurting. Vanessa says, 'Divorce is the hardest thing I've ever gone through in my life, It's like death, and it doesn't get easier either time. Because it's a dream that dies, and it's heartbreaking. It takes a long time to repair and to men--and also the choice to move on or not. So listening to sad music, crying all day, not wanting to get out of bed...It's a grieving process. You have to feel the pain in order to process it. A big part of that is also forgiving the other person and forgiving yourself for feeling like you failed.'

READ MUCH MORE OF VANESSA'S INTERVIEW IN THE MAY ISSUE ON NEWSSTANDS NOW, BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, A SISTA LIKE ME IS GETTING TIRED OF TYPING!

SO WHEREVER YOU ARE AS YOU READ THIS, GOOD DAY, GOOD NIGHT AND/OR GOOD MORNING

Note: Blame BeyJayCe for this delayed blog post. I meant to serve it up to you all days ago, but with the sudden alleged nuptials of Bey & Jay's courtship, needless to say, I got a bit sidetracked. I reckoned that's my bad.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

CAST OF 'GIRLFRIENDS' TO FILE JOINT LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CW FOR UNPAID WORK.

I told myself I wouldn't post anymore bad news pertaining to the demise of Girlfriends, because just the thought of it makes my head, chest, stomach and feet ache! But reading the following article last week took my level of pisstification to new heights and made me hotter than two fat people sexing each other under a leather blanket during a hot and humid day in southern Mississippi in the middle of August! Yes, I was that mad!

Fans, like myself, of The CW's once top-rated show, Girlfriends, who thought they'd be given a glimmer of hope at seeing the cast (maybe even 'Toni Childs Garrett' a.k.a. Jill Marie Jones) together on-screen for one last time may not want to set their DVRs just yet...or perhaps never. According to AOL Blackvoices columnist Jawn Murray (Black Buzz), The CW made the cast members an offer to return for a "retrospective" episode that would feature recaps of the previous shows and cast members reflecting on those shows. The CW apparently only offered to pay the actors half of their episodic salary to shoot the makeshift finale, thus the stars collectively opted not to participate. Murray says he was told by several people close to the show that network also refused to honor the contracts of the principal cast members and does not intend to pay the actors for the nine episodes that will not be taped. Now the show stars have hired a litigator who will file a joint lawsuit on behalf of the talent, suing the network for the money they are due. An anonymous source revealed to Murray that the network upper-up told the actors "'Sue us!' After using this show to help build its name, The CW has turned their back on them and disrespected them in the most horrible way," says the source. A rep for The CW was unaware of a pending lawsuit or the latest developments with the show's finale. "To the best of our knowledge no lawsuits have been filed. Nor is there any new word on finale special," said show publicist Paul McGuire via e-mail.

Devoted and longtime fans of the show, again, such as myself, have come together to speak their piece on the abrupt cancellation of the show as well as the issue of the taping of the retrospective episode, by filing a petition to the network's brass.

AFTER THE JUMP, READ ALL ABOUT THE PETITION & WHERE YOU CAN SIGN IT.

After 8 successful seasons on UPN and now The CW, the network has abruptly decided to cancel Girlfriends leaving all the storylines hanging in the balance, and without letting it have a proper series finale. It has been a positive show that has touched the African-American community. We all know that everything will come to end, but we ask that the CW gives us closure by having a proper series finale. So sign the petition and hopefully the CW will see that the fans do care. Here is the info also to contact the network executives listed below:

President of Entertainment – CW Network
Dawn Ostroff
818-977-2525
Dawn.Ostroff@cwtv.com

President of CBS Paramount Network TV
Nancy Tellem
323-575-2380
nancy.tellem@tvc.cbs.com

SIGN THE PETITION HERE.

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ASHANTI THE AUTHOR? SINGER/ACTRESS TO RELEASE LIFE & STYLE BOOK, 'ASHANTI STYLE.'

Ashanti will soon add author to her career resume. The singer/actress will not only release Declaration, her first album in four years, she also plans to release a life and style book aimed at teenagers aptly titled, Ashanti Style. Let's hope she'll tell teen girls how NOT to wear shirts as dresses....especially when you have thighs and legs, (like her little sister, 19-year-old Shi-Shi) that resemble brown cottage cheese and dimpled donuts. A poetry book is also on the horizon, with the working title of Foolish/Unfoolish: Reflections on Love. Bless her heart. She's coming back full force. Declaration, which is set to hit shelves on June 3, will be the singer's fourth solo LP and will be the follow-up to 2004's Concrete Rose. The record is being propelled by the lead single The Way I Love You, which has been gaining an increased amount of both radio and video airplay.

Producing the R&B star are Robin Thicke, Jermaine Dupri, LT Hutton, Babyface and Pharrell Williams, among others. More details are still to come, including the tracklisting.

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USHER'S OFFICIAL NEW VIDEO, 'LOVE IN THIS CLUB' TO AIR EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR ON B.E.T. ON APRIL 7th,

For all of you Usher fans, stans and haters, on Monday, April 7th, the world premiere of Usher's new video Love In This Club and first single from his fifth studio album, Here I Stand, will air throughout the day, every hour on the hour on B.E.T. beginning at 11 a.m. The video will also premiere as the New Joint of the Day on the network's top 10 countdown, 106 & Park. Due to popular demand, the release date for Here I Stand, has been moved up from June to May 27, according to Billboard magazine.

Last month, Usher reclaimed his superstar status when the single made an astonishing jump from #51 to the #1 position on both the Hot 100 Singles and Hot Digital Tracks charts for three weeks in a row before becoming the eighth #1 hit in his music career. Love In This Club currently holds the No. 2 spot on Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.

To see a 30 second clip of the video, click HERE.

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READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

PIC: REMY MA'S (JAILHOUSE) WEDDING INVITATION.

(CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE)

Since we may never see images of how beautiful of a bride Beyonce was on her wedding day, here's a spoofed picture of what rapper Remy Ma's--currently behind bars on Rikers Island while she awaits sentencing (April 23rd) on two counts of assault for shooting a former friend at an afterparty--wedding invitation....and what she may look like on her wedding day when she marries her fiancé and fellow Brooklyn rapper, Papoose, behind bars later this month. Remy and her hubby-to-be, initially made plans to become husband and wife on April 27th aboard a yacht. According Newsweek, about 200 weddings are performed each year at Rikers Island, which offers chaplains and chapels, said city Department of Correction spokesman Stephen Morello. Still, the rappers' nuptials will reflect the setting in some ways. Only two guests will be permitted, and the couple won't be allowed to wear rings with protruding gems.

In all seriousness though, Remy's charges stem from an incident last July when the rapper and Makeda Barnes-Joseph argued after leaving a mutual acquaintance's birthday party. Remy Ma (real name: Reminisce Smith) alleged Barnes-Joseph stole several thousand dollars from her purse that night; Barnes-Joseph was shot after the two struggled in her car. Remy Ma fled the scene in an SUV but crashed nearby. Neither the money nor the weapon have been found. The 26-year-old performer is being held without bail until her sentencing. She faces the possibility of up to 25 years in prison.
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'BeyJaycé' A.K.A. BEYONCE AND JAY-Z OFFICIALLY MAN & WIFE.

Sources tell Usmagazine.com that Jay-Z and Beyoncé tied the knot at the rapper's apartment in NYC's Tribeca neighborhood Friday night, although their reps will not confirm. Former Destiny's Child singers Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin were among the guests who attended the ceremony. A Reverend was also spotted. The singer donned a veil and a white dress with a low V-neck and thick straps. Her hair was in a half ponytail with ringlet curls, decorated with a white flower. The party was still going strong at 3 a.m. this morning. Beyoncé's father, Mathew Knowles, spoke about his daughter's nuptials in business meetings Friday. "Beyoncé's dad said he's sorry he couldn't have invited [more people] to the wedding, but they're keeping it small," a source close to the family tells Usmagazine.com.

Jay-Z, 38, and Beyoncé, 26, have always dodged questions about tying the knot. In 2007, the always tight-lipped rapper would only tell reporters: "One day soon - let's leave it at that." Are kids next for the couple? "One day I hope to be married with children" Beyoncé told Ellen DeGeneres in 2006. "I don't want to retire at 30, I want to relax," she said. "I still want to make albums and movies, but at a slower pace."

CONTINUE READING THIS NEVER-ENDING STORY AFTER THE JUMP!

Early Friday, white checked linens were delivered, as well as boxes of white flowers. Tall silver candelabras were stacked on the street. A white tent was visible on the roof of the building.

Why wed on April 4? They're obsessed with the number! The rapper named his club 40/40 after a baseball term. (If a player hits 40 home runs and steals 40 bases in the same season, it's considered a major coup.) The couple also have matching IV tattoos on their ring fingers, and they were each born on the fourth day of a month (Beyoncé on September 4; Jay-Z, December 4).

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

*UPDATED* PICS *ADDED*: FAMILIES OF JAY-Z & BEYONCE ARRIVE AT RUMORED WEDDING LOCATION.

According to the New York Post, rumors that Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles plan to tie the knot are as omnipresent as their No. 1 hits, but this time, it looks like it's the real deal for music's most powerful couple. Not only did the duo take out a marriage license in Scarsdale, NY, this week, but today family members dressed in wedding attire began showing up at Jay-Z's Tribeca apartment. Earlier in the day, a large array of flowers and candelabras were delivered to the apartment and a tent was put up on the roof of the building. This meshes perfectly with the long-held theory that the duo would marry on 4/4/08 because both of their birthdays fall on the fourth (hers in September, his in December) and Beyonce and 40/40 Club-owner Jay-Z reportedly got 4/4/08 tattooed on their ring fingers while in Paris this past December. Also meshing with the "four" scheme, The Insider reported that the roman numeral "IV" would play a major part in the decor.

TO READ DETAILS ON THE OVERLY RAMBUNCTIOUS MEDIA & PAPARAZZI AS WELL AS RUMORS OF THE WEDDING BEING A HOAX, CLICK HERE.

Their reportedly small wedding will consist of just 30 people, keeping with the intense secrecy that has surrounded Beyonce and Jay-Z's entire courtship, since 2002. If a wedding does in fact take place today Jay-Z will barely have time to celebrate, let alone jet off on a romantic honeymoon, as is tradition. He is scheduled to perform tomorrow night with Mary J. Blige at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina. In fact, the rapper has almost nightly shows scheduled through May 8 when he concludes his mini-tour with Blige at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.

BELOW ARE IMAGES OF THE FAMILIES OF JAY-Z AND BEYONCE AS THEY ARRIVE AT THE RUMORED WEDDING.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: The Insider cameras catches a glimpse of Jay-Z covering his face with a white towel as he arrives at his rumored wedding location; Beyonce's baby sister, Solange Knowles, leaves Beyonce's apartment in a white dress to go to what might be Beyonce and Jay Z's wedding.

From left to right: Jay Z's mother, Gloria Carter heads to what might be Beyonce and Jay Z's wedding; the building where wedding might take/took place; Beyonce's father, Matthew Knowles, leaves Beyonce's apartment to go to the site of the possible wedding.

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READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

UP-TO-MINUTE DETAILS ON BEYONCE & JAY-Z'S RUMORED WEDDING TONIGHT IN NEW YORK CITY.

Entertainment Tonight is on location at the New York City building where the Beyonce and Jay-Z wedding is rumored to be taking place tonight. Here's what ET has learned so far:

Orchids are being delivered and a cake is currently being built. It will be an intimate affair with a sit-down dinner planned for just 30 people. The color scheme is off-white and the theme is, appropriately, the roman numeral four -- representing today's date. ET has also learned that Beyonce's mother TINA has already arrived. Celeb blogger Perez Hilton first broke the news that the two were marrying today.

-Beyonce's dressing room is set up in gym with a vanity and flowers.

-There are secret service everywhere inside...they swept the place.

-Fridge stocked with Jay-Z's favorite champagne.

-There was a platform - maybe for the ceremony.

-Tables were set for about 30, so the event will be intimate.

ET has also obtained what is believed to be the bouquet (see pic below) that rumored bride-to-be Beyonce will carry during her wedding to Jau-Z. The arrangement dons white roses and a white feathered fan complimented with decorative gold birds.

New photos of cream-colored flowers and oversized silver candelabras for what is presumed to be the New York City wedding for Beyonce and Jay-Z, rumored to be happening tonight.

While some say it may be a party to celebrate Jay-Z's new deal with Live Nation, The Insider has learned that preparations for a big event are being laid out right now at the Tribeca apartments in New York that could very well be for his rumored wedding to Beyonce! A box from Amy's Orchids was just delivered and CC Rental has been delivering as well. Busy workers are building an indoor tent with an all-white theme and the Roman numeral IV. We're told the event will be for about 30 people. The "magic hour" -- when all the workers need to be out -- is 3 p.m.

A tent on the roof of the building where Jay-Z owns an apartment in New York

From People.com: For Beyoncé and Jay-Z, April showers brought flowers – and a possible wedding. On a rainy Friday in New York City, crews delivered floral arrangements, video equipment and a tent into Jay-Z's Tribeca apartment building. The wedding buzz began when the couple went to get a marriage license at a village hall in Scarsdale, N.Y., on Tuesday. "It's [happening] tonight," says a source. "A lot of their friends are booking hotel rooms." Early Friday morning, workers erected a white tent atop the building, where Jay-Z owns a penthouse apartment. Not long after, an SUV carrying photo and video equipment arrived, followed by floral deliveries.

More evidence of an impending wedding? Likely guests have been gathering in New York. Producer Rodney Jerkins, who is working on Beyoncée's new album and is a friend of Jay-Z's, zipped into town a couple of days ago. Beyoncé's former Destiny's Child bandmates, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, are also here, coyly divulging in a YouTube video that they are camped out at The Four Seasons Hotel, giggling about "sisters" getting together.

And of course, there's Jay-Z, who was spotted hopping a flight from Boston, where he performed last night, to New York this morning. Friends of the couple say they are very eager for the nuptials to happen. "It's about time," says producer Dallas Austin. "I think it's great that they're getting married."

MORE UPDATES

FROM YBF.COM: YBF New York correspondents are currently on the scene around 195 Hudson St. (Jay-Z’s place) which is the rumored place Beyonce & Jay-Z wedding festivities are going down today. It’s a paparazzi and media zoo to the utmost power down there and we’ve definitely found out some interesting tidbits. Here’s what YBF has seen and heard so far while on the scene:

* Around 5p est today, a black SUV with full tinted windows flew through the crowd of media to enter the building’s garage. Only one paparazzo landed a pic of the unconfirmed woman inside. But she was by herself and purposely covering her face with a black and silver “Dereon like” hoodie.
* Another person was spotted entering the building who resembled Irv Gotti.
* 20 minutes later 8 black SUVs of the same kind exited the garage one right after the other. All SUVs were empty.
* Word on the street (from an unreliable source) was that the wedding was over and had taken place in a different location.
* But another word on the street (from a more reliable source) is that the wedding is actually taking place tonight. This would make more sense if that was indeed Bey in the first SUV.
* Word has it the SUVs all left to pick up guests and transport them back to Jay-Z’s place for a possible reception/party.
* Ironically, Dame Dash lives on the same street.
* Jay bought the penthouse for approx. $6 mill even though the building looks like crap from the outside.
* People were spotted setting up for “what looks like a party” under that white tent on the roof.

FROM THE INSIDER ONLINE: "The Insider"'s sources just spotted a man who might be JAY-Z entering the rapper's Tribeca residence through the garage in a black Cadillac Escalade. The man was dressed up and was holding a white cloth over his face. A neighbor of Jay-Z's told our sources that he was aware of the wedding, and that preparations for it have been in the works since Tuesday. He added that he's seen Jay-Z and BEYONCE a few times since they moved in to the apartment a week ago, and that they've been ideal neighbors.
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READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

PICS: EDDIE MURPHY CELEBRATES HIS 47th BIRTHDAY WITH HIS MAMA & QUINCY JONES.

Look at this old monkey-dog. Ol' funky-ass Eddie Murphy celebrated his 47th birthday among family and friends last night at STK restaurant in Los Angeles. Or should I say family and 'friend' considering the only 'friend' in attendance was Quincy Jones. Johnny Gill nor Barry Bonds weren't anywhere in sight. And instead of 'family' I should have just said 'a family member' because the only family member I saw (as far as these pics are concerned) was his meddling mama Lillian. But you know what's really messed up? It's the fact that Eddie and the adorable innocent daughter (who didn't ask to be here) he refuses to have anything to do with unless it involves money, also celebrated her 1-year birthday yesterday...the same day as her old mangy, mutt-face, mountain goat-looking father. Lonely bastard.

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SNOOP DOG ACCUSES BARACK OBAMA OF TAKING MONEY FROM THE KU KLUX KLAN.

I don't know what's worse: Diddy detailing his bitchassness-like thoughts on marriage or Snoops displays of pure jackassery-ness when talking about female singers or public figures. This dude has catapulted himself into a ranting rampant attack on presidential candidate Barack Obama accusing him of gleaning support from a race hate group. The rapper, real name Calvin Broadus Jr., insists the Democratic candidate has received funding from historically anti-black organization the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). He says, "The KKK gave Obama money. They was (sic) one of his biggest supporters...Why wouldn't they be? The media won't tell you that. They don't want you to know that. They just want you to know that this n*gger befriended this other n*gger who be (sic) threatening your values. But we all know all presidents lie to get into f*cking office. That's they (sic) job."

But Dogg insists Obama will still emerge victorious in the October (08) elections. He adds, "In America's eyes, that muthaf*cker's gonna be president 'cos (John) MCCain can't f*ck with him. Hillary (Clinton) can't f*ck with him. He's winning over white people, white ladies."

Well, where's the proof Snoop?
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WHITNEY HOUSTON ANGIRLY RESPONDS TO BOBBY'S ACCUSATIONS IN HIS NEW TELL-ALL BOOK.

Bobby Brown is dishing on his rocky marriage to Whitney Houston in a new tell-all autobiography – but she's not letting his accusations affect her. In this, the latest installment of the couple's long-running marital feud, Brown says of his ex, "I never used cocaine until after I met Whitney." Details from the 39-year-old pop star's book, Bobby Brown: The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But, began surfacing Thursday in the New York Post. Before Whitney, Brown writes: "I had experimented with other drugs, but marijuana was my drug of choice." Whitney's rep responded in a statement to PEOPLE: "Miss Houston is sad that Bobby feels he need to say such things but she choses to take the high road and will not speak badly about the father of her child even if it's to set the record straight."

Brown also describes his 14-year marriage as "doomed from the very beginning." "I think we got married for all the wrong reasons," he says in the book. "Now, I realize Whitney had a different agenda than I did when we got married ... I believe her agenda was to clean up her image." In addition, Brown also claims to have dated Janet Jackson and Madonna before hooking up with Houston. Chapter titles from the book include "Whitney Houston – The Untold Truth," "The Press, More Problems, and Passion for Drugs," and "The Bad Boy Of Boston ... Straight From The Hood."

The couple, who have a 15-year-old daughter, Bobbi Kristina, split in September 2006.

SOURCE: People.com

And I don't have a problem telling yall that I will be copping that joint when it hits the bookstores.
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AL B. SURE, BOBBY BROWN & MC HAMMER'S SEEDS MAKE THEIR SHODY DEBUT ON MTV'S 'ROCK THE CRADLE.'

(CLICK ON PICS TO ENLARGE)

A couple of weeks ago, I made a post telling you all about MTV's new reality live musical competition show, Rock the Cradle. The show features the offspring from yesteryear's top music artists in rock & roll, R&B and hip-hop (read more about the show by clicking HERE) as they strive to reach an imaginary status that their parents once held at the height of their careers. Well, needless to say, I was only interested in watching the performances of MC Hammer's daughter, Akeiba, Al B. Sure's son, Lil B. Sure! and Lil B. Sure's B.F.F. and son of Bobby Brown, Landon (from a previous relationship). Now if any of you watched last night's debut then you know that not only is this season going to be laugh out loud-able. Compared to their parents, damn near every kid who hit that stage was whack. And I know I wasn't the only person who thought so after watching the camera pan over to their parents sitting in the VIP section. Their expressionless faces said it all: 'Someone please remind me to sue Mother Nature for malpractice of my child's vocal chords.' I didn't see a proud face in the bunch. Although it was hard trying to gauge the look on Bobby's face because of...well, yall know. Imagine the difficult task of having to sit and listen to your off-key offspring attempt to sing as they could really could sing?! Those poor parents gave the phrase 'just grin and bear it' a new meaning.

First up. Lil B. Sure!. The other son of Al blew me away as he sung his own soulful rendition of Leon Russell's A Song for You. Although his voice sounds better than his father's (at least to me) and his B.F.F. and he scored really high with the judges, I still had a hard time looking at him. I'm sorry. But I did. Dude just looks difficult in the face. Bless his heart. I've always wondered what his mother looked like (click and peep the picture on the right). When you think of someone named Lil B. Sure, you're thinking this person is going to at least favor his father a little bit, right? At least enough to take you back to the days of watching Video Soul where you could see Al's tall, beige and handsome self in one of his videos as he sang in his tight-ass stonewashed denim jeans and matching jacket while doing the Alf. But as I watched Lil B. last night, I sat and waited and waited for that nostalgia to hit me, but it never did. Maybe his nickname and his slot on the show should've been offered to Al and Kim's son, Quincy. And (sarcastically speaking) I still have a hard time believing Quincy is Kim's biological son because he looks so much like his daddy. But I'll digress. All that aside, I can definitely see Lil B. going far in this competition, maybe even winning it. Maybe.

AFTER THE JUMP, CONTINUE READING MY REVIEW ON LANDON'S PISS POOR PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS AKEIBA'S HIGH-SCORING PERFORMANCE ON 'ROCK THE CRADLE.'

Mark my words: sooner or later if Bobby's boy Landon don't get his singing chops up to par, chances are he's going to either get his feelings hurt (and believe me after watching that hour and a half episode, he will not be the only one) or he won't last in this competition. This dude had the nerve to come out singing and wasn't 2 bars into his song before he tried to coerce the audience into helping him sing the song along with him! Waving his hands in the air talking 'bout, 'Yall, come on!' I'm looking at him like, 'Niggah, we ain't the ones competing to become a star-ruh. That's you! The first episode and you already trying to cheat!' I'm convinced Landon snagged his place on the show because of his looks and of course, his father. A father who he shares no physical resemblance to whatsoever. We viewers should all be thankful.

Last but definitely not least, along came MC Hammer's baby girl Akeiba. In the pre-recorded footage of her performance we saw a quick snippet of her father's rise and fall to fame (that too took me back, yall) which happened around the time when she was barely knee high. But as the cameras showed her rehearsing her song of the night, Love You I Do (from the Dreamgirls movie soundtrack), an homage to Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Hudson, it was blatantly apparent that she's grown into a full-size, beautiful grown woman. And even though we saw her struggle to hit that high note in the song, once she hit the stage everything flowed nicely including her high note. Now, I won't say perfectly because then I'd be lying. But out of all the nine performances of the night, I enjoyed hers the most. And my sentiments were mirrored by the judge's scores. Akeiba scored one of the highest shows of the night including a perfect 10.

But this is just the first airing. There's going to be plenty more. The question is, what star's offspring will have what it takes to make it to the end. I'm putting my money on Akeiba. To all of you teenage girls, grown women, groupies (male and female) and cougars, feast your eyes on Landon while you can because if his Thursday night performance is any indication of what's to come....

And for all of you who missed the show, you can watch the full episodes and/or clips from the show by clicking HERE.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

JAY-Z CELEBRATES THE END OF HIS SINGLE LIFE @ PRIVATE BACHELOR PARTY; WILL HE & BEY JUMP THE BROOM TODAY?

More details have surfaced surrounding Beyonce and Jay-Z's alleged impending nuptials. And I must say that this time around the reports are more believable simply because well...there has been more than one legitimate report. The trip to the courthouse last Tuesday to obtain their marriage license is the first real indication that the pair – who first started dating in 2002 – will soon make things official. One witness told People magazine, "It was just the two of them. They were very polite and smiling as they filled out the paperwork. They were holding hands for a while. They looked really happy." Add to that the fact that the only comments coming from Bey and Jay's camps are the standardized 'no comment.' While in the past, they're publicist would quickly shoot any rumors down as just that: rumors. As of now and according to numerous reports, Jay will finally make Bey Mrs. Shawn Carter today (April 4, 2008).

Currently on tour with Mary J. Blige, Jay has reportedly (dammit, if I have to use the word reportedly one more time, I'm going to scream) cleared his busy schedule for the big day. In addition, Beyonce's mother Tina and Destiny's Child member, Michelle Williams have landed in the Big Apple for the event. It's been a busy week for Jay to say the least. On Wednesday, he hosted a private party under the disguise of a bachelor party in Toronto, Canada. Another source told People magazine, "It looked like a bachelor party because soon the doors closed to all but the immediate guests. Jay-Z was laughing and happy and talking to everyone around him. It was amazing how many girls were flirting with him, but he was just being nice to everyone."

It has been rumored that Jay-Z, 38, proposed to Beyonce, 26, during a luxury holiday in Cannes, France, last May. The couple has 60 days from the original date of the signing of their marriage license to exchange vows - before the paperwork deadline expires.

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READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!