TALLAHASSEE RESIDENTS: CHECK OUT CHILLI TONIGHT @ THE MOON (10 PM-2 AM); ALSO DISHES UP AN LIVE IN-STUDIO INTERVIEW W/ TALLAHASSEE'S BLAZIN' 102.3.

For all you Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas fans, during a live in-studio interview with J.Blaze on Tallahassee's Blazin' 102.3 radio station (shout out to my sister Dree waking me up at of my sleep to let me know she was here!), the singer made an announcement stating that would be making an appearance at College Night at The Moon (located on Lafayette Street) tonight from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. If you read my girl Necole Bitchie's interview last week with the pretty and petite Southern Belle, then you know she revealed more than what folks bargained for. Subsequently, during her interview with J.Blaze, Chilli dished a tad bit more details about her personal life as well as her music. You may be surprised by what you see below in the snippets I took from her interview:

• Although she didn't mention Blaque's new reality show Blaque in the House, she did say she and T-Boz are working on television projects together as well as on each other's solo albums.
• She's still working on her solo album with help from Missy, Akon and T-Boz; although Tallahassee's own T-Pain (who she considers an 'amazing guy') wrote on her album, he will not be featured on any song on her debut cd.
• Dallas Austin, with whom she shares a son will not produce on her album. Chilli said that although they are 'cool with each other', she doesn't like blending her personal life with her professional ventures.
  
• When asked about Dallas' imprisonment on alleged drug charges in Dubai a couple of years ago, Chillii stated that Dallas never said that he had been jailed. Folks just made speculations that he was behind bars.

• When asked about what was different from going from being a group member to going solo, Chilli said the only difference is that she doesn't have to get approval or run anything by anyone else. This time around, if there's something she wants to do, all she has to do is tell her 'people.'
• Says she was the 'dumb, dumb, dumb' one for letting Marlon get away.
• She considers Dumb, Dumb, Dumb the 2008 version of No Scrubs.
• She has anointed herself as 'Supermom' and giggled a bit when folks in the studio teased her about having his picture on her purse.
• Recently parted ways with TLC manager Bill Diggins over money issues. It must've been something serious because Chilli says ol' dude packed up his wife and kids and left the country. So, I'm thinking TLC weren't the only clients he screwed over. And for those of yall wondering, yes, the ladies of TLC finances are straight. LOL!
• Here's the kicker: when asked if she would ever take Usher back Chilli just giggled and said, 'I'm not answering that.' She gave the same answer when the dj asked her if she would accept Usher's phone call if he decided to dial her up. The only difference with the second question is she paused before answering once again, 'I'm not answering that.'
• After hearing the dj refer to Usher as 'dumb, dumb, dumb' before slapping on his Confessions track, Chilli once again just.....giggled.
• When questioned about her relationship status, after she'd already stated that she was single, Chilli quickly pulled attention back onto her new single, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb.

So again, all of you fellas, fans, groupies and stans who want to see Chilli live in person, the place to be is The Moon from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. And for those doubters out there, if you listen to 102.3's live stream, you'll hear them promoting her Moon appearance.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING 'READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!'

I'm telling yall right now, Chilli is dead serious about launching her music career. I can say this now with a bit of hope because I remember her announcing she wanted to do her solo thing waaaaaaaaaaay back when she first hooked up with Usher but placed it on the back burner to record what would be TLC's last studio album. And now seven years later, after more than a couple of hit and misses, she is finally about to make things happen for herself as a solo artist. What's even better is she's launching her new music right before Usher's fourth album drops next month. Now that's what you call promoting your sh!t. And who could blame her? If it looks like she wants to milk their past relationship in order to jumpstart her solo career, more power to her. Hell he did it...and ended up with a diamond certified album. He knew that album wasn't about their break-up and yet he exploited their relationship and used it to his advantage to sell millions of records. If anything, he should've cut her a check! LOL!

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

THE SOUL TRAIN AWARDS RUNS OUT OF STEAM. SHOW HAS TOOT ITS OWN HORN FOR THE LAST TIME.

As far as I'm concerned, this should've been done after their 1997 broadcast. Therefore I'm now surprised one bit that the show has pulled into the station for the last time due to low attendance by African-American celebrities--even the D-list celebs--now you know that's bad especially since the show was created to celebrate and honor African-Americans! According to yahoo.com, a spokeswoman said the show would not go ahead with its 22nd annual installment this year, but a reason was not specified. At last year's event in Pasadena, most of the winners did not show up, including such A-listers as Beyonce Knowles, Mary J. Blige, John Legend and Gnarls Barkley. The show takes place a few weeks after the Grammys, the music industry's top awards. Similarly themed ceremonies like the BET Awards have also provided some competition. Perhaps more critically, the underlying syndicated dance show Soul Train ended its historic run in 2006. It was distributed by Tribune Entertainment, which exited the syndication business when billionaire Sam Zell took its Tribune Co. parent private late last year in a highly leveraged deal.

SOURCE

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP!

The Soul Train TV show has served as an important promotional springboard for black music's biggest stars since launching in national syndication in 1971. It claimed to be the longest-running show airing in first-run syndication. The franchise is the brainchild of Don Cornelius, an ambitious Chicago DJ who decided in the late '60s that there was a need for a TV show featuring young black people dancing to recorded music. Few shared his view, and he self-funded a pilot in 1969. It aired on a Chicago TV station the following year, and quickly became a hit. Cornelius, famed for an expansive afro in his younger days, hosted the show for the first 22 years. But he has kept a low public profile and rarely consents to interviews. He tearfully accepted a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2005.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

MAG EXCERPTS: SOLANGE IN SISTER 2 SISTER MAG: SINGER DISHES ON 'HADLEY STREET DREAMS', LIVING IN IDAHO, DISCIPLINING HER SON, MOTHERHOOD & MUCH MORE.

Bey-Bey's little sister, Solange conducted an in-depth interview with Sister 2 Sister magazine (May 2008) issue. The singer touched on many topics including her reasons as to why she titled her upcoming album, Hadley Street Dreams (Listen to Solange's first single, I Decided HERE), and her father's connection to it, why she hasn't been in a committed relationship and why she was 'totally down' with living in the good ole state of Idaho during her brief marriage. She also dished details on if she has ever had regrets of having a child at the age of 18, why she thinks her son is the 'coolest kid ever' and why she has a hard time disciplining him. I'll tell yall one thing: after I finished reading Solange's article, I formed a new respect for her. This girl is wise beyond her years. It may be motherhood, it may be genetics, or maybe she just has an old soul, but whatever it is, this girl has definitely got it together. Hell, if I didn't know any better, I'd think she was the oldest, and not Bey. Bless her heart. Peep the excerpts from her interview below.

Sorry for the hold-up, Fae! I'mma do better, girl, I promise!

SOLANGE ON HER ALBUM'S TITLE & HOW IT RELATES TO HER DAD: For me, my father-- a lot of people don't know that he came from a really small town, Gadsden, Alabama. He grew up very poor and he had a dream for his life and his family. He beat a lot of odds; he came from a family of 10 and just to see him--hearing the story about him starting off with nothing and building this empire, building his future; it just started off as a dream for him. That's sort of what this record has been for me. I've always wanted to do a record that was organic for me, and that was my dream from day one. I was always scared. I always had pressure from the label or from people to create a certain kind of persona. But with this record, I went to Hadley Street (which is the street where Mathew Knowles Music World organization is located) one day and I wrote this song called Heartbreak after a friend of mine passed away when I was 17. Then that next week I found out I was pregnant. I went to the studio and I just started freestyling with a jazz band, and I came up with a great record and it made me feel things in music that I had never felt before And it was on that street. This record portrays my life. This is the first piece of creative art by me that shows I am woman and I've gone through things that women do, and I've gone trhough real life situations that don't involve dancing and partying and dating: 'Boy, I like you. Do you like me too? I'm feeling you.' (laughs) So I definitely think that's portrayed through the record.

SOLANGE ON LIVING IN IDAHO WITH HER EX-HUBBY: My ex-husband was finishing school there and I was totally down! I loved the thought of going to the country, and it was such a good move for me as a mom because the very first year of my son's life I had to sit down and focus and not have any distractions--not from work, not from aunts, not from nannies, not from babysitters. So we have a bond that I don't think could have been there as much maybe if I was in Houston with a thousand aunts and Mom and Dad and everyone there wanting to pitch in. Idaho made me realize that I can be in any environment and survive. (laughs) And I didn't realize this, as a woman--that I would step up that much to the plate. I literally cooked and cleaned. I definitely was able to be secure in myself with just staying home and doing whatever I needed to do to be a wife and mommy. And in Idaho that's all I had time to do 'cause there's nothing else to do.

SOLANGE ON IF SHE REGRETS HAVING A CHILD AT THE AGE OF 18: Oh, absolutely.....

CONTINUE READING MORE EXCERPTS FROM SOLANGE'S INTERVIEW AFTER THE JUMP!

..... not. I have been so blessed, number one, that my son is the coolest kid ever. Of course, that first year of 'non-sleeping' and just being dedicated to him had tough parts. But as far as motherhood goes, it's been a blast for me. A lot of people hear that answer and they have doubts, but when you have a child, I think it takes a really unemotional person not to--no matter what age. And I think that emotional attachment, there's nothing out of it that someone could regret. I haven't had an experience where I've been blue. I think just the fact that I have so much family and the fact that my son's father is still involved in his life...I don't know how (being blue) feels so I can't really give any advice other than that, as a mother, your goal is always to make sure that your child is the happiest.

SOLANGE ON IF SHE'LL HAVE ANY MORE KIDS AND WHY SHE HAS TO WORK MORE ON DISCIPLINING HER SON: Absolutely! Motherhood has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. It's the most important job/project that I ever have had. It's so enjoyable! My son is at the funniest age ever right now; he's 3. But, the one thing that I definitely have to work on as a parent is discipline because sometimes he's just so funny that it takes me off guard. But I'm noticing I can't laugh at the things that he does because then he repeats them to other people and expects the same reaction. When he was younger, his Grandma and Auntie used to get him to say silly stuff and then they'd look all lost and confused when he would say it in church. He is such a ham! I'm hoping he doesn't want to be in this industry, but he is in love with music and he has a little drum set and piano and he really tries to put things together. He only wants to do it when he wants to do it though. I've been places, like for instance TRL and he's not supposed to be out there with me, but he notices the cameras and he's like, 'I want to be there!'

SOLANGE ON HOW SHE'S ABLE TO KEEP HER PERSONAL BUSINESS (I.E. HER QUICK DIVORCE) OUT OF THE LIMELIGHT: You don't hear my sister really speaking about her relationship, and I never really spoke about mine. And I still don't go into detail about anything, just because I feel like music is definitely our lives--and all of the other career choices that we've made. And of course it comes along with the territory, but our personal lives don't have anything to do with our careers. Just like if anyone worked at a job as a marketing director at a firm, it wouldn't be in their qualifications to share their personal life, so I don't feel like I should have to. And that's something my parents have been really big on instilling in us. I just always try to keep a positive take on life, and I think that's how I was able to keep my divorce quiet, (laughs) because I was positive and there wasn't any bitterness and I wasn't going around badmouthing or trash-talking anyone. I live a very, very low key life. In Idaho, there wasn't any paparazzi walking around there. And then in Houston it's the same thing, I go to drop my son off at school at about 10 every day and go to the studio from 10 till 4, and go to dinner or make dinner at home. And that's pretty much it. I'm going to have to adjust to being back out there when this record comes out.

SOLANGE ON HER CURRENT RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Actually, I have friends but nothing more. I'm so focused now on my son and my career--and I know that's such a typical answer. Really, I could make time if I wanted to, but right now, I'm in such a hustler spirit. I'm 21, so I'm still figuring out exactly what I want in a relationship.

SOLANGE ON TAKING OVER HER FATHER'S EMPIRE IN 5 YEARS: My father has always wanted Music World to stay in the family. This was something he started from in an extra bedroom in our house, and now, on Hadley Street, he has 30 employees all over the United States and London. It's very important for him to keep that legacy within, and I've always been the one out of all us girls wanting to go to the office, wanting to sit in A&R meetings, wanting to research marketing and keep up with the industry, so naturally my father has always said, 'When I want to retire, you'd better run my company well.' I'd love, love to run Music World one day. My only fear is that is it's really hard to run a label when you have such an artistic ear...My father thinks he's going to retire at 60, which is where the five years come into play, but I seriously doubt it. I respect him so much.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

NBA BALLER DAMON JONES RESPONDS TO THE 'I'M EVERY WOMAN DREAM' COMMENTS.

"I get negative comments, I get positive comments, but I don't think anything I said in the article was derogatory toward women so I don't know why everybody's flaming up or so upset about the comments that I made. If I don't think I look good, who else will?"

Cleveland Cavalier basketball baller Damon Jones, who shares a child with WNBA player Tina Thompson, comments on the backlash he received as a result of his previous statement in an issue of (Sister 2 Sister magazine) declaring the reasons as to why he's 'every woman's dream' and why he absolutely refuses to pursue any female.

But, umm, I'mma need someone to send a memo to Jamie Foster Brown to let her know that the Internet is much faster than tidbits published in magazines, therefore her remarks claiming folks were damn near busting her door down to use her as Ms. Matchmaker in order to get closer to Mr. Jones is bananas. After all, I was the first blogger (yeah, I said it!) to post the excerpt that I'm sure would have gone unnoticed and/or unread by anyone had I not mentioned it here on Real Gossip 101 first. I ain't gonna even mentioned the 'Oh, no that n!ggah didn't just say that sh!t!!' attention the excerpt received when bigger blogs like Crunk & Disorderly (shout out to Fresh), Bossip picked it up and linked it back here. So, if folks did knock your door down, Ms. Jamie, it was because they read it/heard about it through Real Gossip 101 and the rest of the blogosphere first.

But we thank you so very kindly though, for supplying it and whatnot, but it really wasn't all about you, ma. :) This lady swear she knows everybody!
.....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

BRANDY SIGNS NEW RECORD DEAL WITH EPIC RECORDS + CANDID PICS OF BRANDY & KEISHA SPIVEY-EPPS W/HER SON AMIR IN BEVERLY HILLS.

Good news for you Brandy fans. The R&B singer/actress has put her legal woes behind her and has left Atlantic Records, where she has been signed on to since the beginning of her music career, to join the Epic Records family. Brandy--real name Brandy Norwood--plans to release a new album by the end of the year--four years after her final Atlantic release, Afrodisiac. The news is a big boost for Brandy, who spent much of 2007 fighting potential vehicular manslaughter charges following a 2006 fatal car accident. The singer was cleared of all charges last December (2007). And just last month (March 2008), the single mother of one was hit with a lawsuit from a landscaping company, which alleged the singer owed her gardener over $3,500 in expenses for work carried out at her home, according to Billboard.com. But the 29-year-old claimed she was never notified of the outstanding amount owed because the bills were sent to the wrong address. Her representative Courtney Barnes says, "Brandy's business manager moved offices and never received any of the bills in question. The landscaper has now been paid and we expect that the lawsuit will be immediately dropped."

However, a trial date has been set for April 22, 2008.

In related news, the singer was seen yesterday leaving Fred Segal in Beverly Hills with former 90s girlband Total member Keisha Spivey with her 4-month-old son Amir (which she shares with her husband actor Omar Epps). Peep the pics, courtesy of Concrete Loop, below. For those who don't remember, last November, Brandy hosted a co-ed baby shower for Keisha and Omar.

.....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

ACTOR GARY DOURDAN TO LEAVE CSI AS 'CSI WARRICK BROWN' AFTER EIGHT SEASONS.

I'd probably be a bit blue at reporting the following story, but since my favorite CSI series is CSI: Miami, I really could care less. Anyhoo, word around Tinseltown is that Gary Dourdan, the actor who plays 'CSI Warrick Brown' on the famed CBS series, has chosen not to renew his contract with the show. Sources claim Dourdan will most likely make his last appearance on the show's May 15th finale. According to TV Guide, Dourdan has informed producers that he will not renew his contract for a ninth season. No timetable for his exit has been announced, but his contract is set to expire next month. TV Guide also claim producers are already looking to replace Dourdan. A recent casting notice sought a male in his late 20s to early 30s to take on the role of Ray Santoro, a "handsome, smart and athletic" CSI who works the graveyard shift at the crime lab. CBS, meanwhile refuses to discuss the situation. A network rep told E! News: "We can't confirm or deny this information." As long as CBS keep my Puerto Rican Pretty Boy Adam Rodriguez, who plays Eric Delko on CSI: Miami, on its payroll, it's all good.

Of course some of you may remember Dourdan as Janet Jackson's lead man in her Again video from her janet album as well as the character, Shazza Zulu he played on A Different World back in the day.

.....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

WESLEY SNIPES COULD SUFFER THE SAME FATE AS RONALD ISLEY; PROSECUTORS RECOMMEND 3 YR. PRISON TERM & $5 MILLION FINE ON TAX CHARGES.

You would think some folks would learn a thing or two after witnessing Ronald 'Mr. Bigs' Isley's take a involuntary extended vacation to the federal big house last year. And dude is older than an average senior citizen! Not only that, but last January, his appeal to be released early was denied. So, why in the hell do folks, specifically Wesley Snipes, seem to think he's untouchable when it comes to copping a bid? Will someone please tell him the Feds don't play? He'll learn though. U.S. prosecutors have recommended Snipes serve a maximum three-year prison sentence and pay a $5 million fine for failing to file his income taxes, according to a tax-season court filing. U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill of Florida says his goal is to deter other potential tax dodgers by making an example of Snipes, who after years of "brazen defiance" of U.S. tax laws cheated the government of $41 million. "This case cries out for the statutory maximum term of imprisonment, as well as a substantial fine, because of the seriousness of defendant Snipes' crimes and because of the singular opportunity this case presents to deter tax crime nationwide," O'Neill wrote.

Snipes was convicted in February on three misdemeanor counts of willfully failing to file federal tax returns for 1999-2001. Each count comes with a maximum sentence of one year. The actor was acquitted on two felony charges of filing false claims and fraud in seeking millions of dollars of refunds in other tax years.

Damn. So when dude does bounce from the joint, he'll have to make movies just to pay that $5 million fine.

......

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

FOXY BROWN REQUESTS THE ATTENDANCE OF ALL OF HER FANS TO GREET HER (UPROARIOUSLY) UPON HER EXIT FROM PRISON THIS WEEK.

Leave it up to Foxy Brown to arrange a grand exit for her departure from Rikers Island this Friday (April 18, 2008). The rapper is calling on her fans to give her a rapturous greeting when she leaves New York's Riker's Island Prison this week. Brown--real name Inga Marchand--has served eight months of a 12-month sentence for violating her probation by manhandling two manicurists. She will be set free this week and wants fans waving banners and wearing Foxy Brown T-shirts to be waiting for her in the parking lot of the notorious correctional facility. She better stop playing!!! Marchand plans to capture the scenes on film, to use in her forthcoming reality VH1 TV show, which will show her adjusting to life as a free woman. Am I the only person wondering if she's made arrangements with the warden to have her glam squad hook-up her hair and make-up before her grand exit? I wouldn't be surprised if she has. Yall know she don't like to leave the house without her Velvet Remi Yaki #10and her tube of Wet 'N Wild mood lipstick. Am I lying? With her extra ass. LOL!

She also has a new album, Brooklyn's Don Diva, due for release on May 13, 2008. Her manager Chaz Williams says, "She's going to get on top of her career again."
....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

RUMOR OR REAL? BEYONCE TO CALL IT QUITS AFTER THE RELEASE OF HER NEXT ALBUM?

This next story falls under the category of what I like to call 'I'll believe it when I see it.' The New York Daily News is reporting that Beyonce will retire from the music industry after releasing her next and allegedly last album. The singer's cousin and personal assistant, Angelica Knowles tells the publication her superstar relative plans to spend her days scouting talent for new husband Jay-Z's upcoming label, The Carter Music Group. Beyoncé's first protégé is rumored to be R&B artist Chelsea Thomas.

Beyonce give up the music industry? Please. I can't even see it happening....whether she's a newlywed or not. Scouting talent for Jay-Z's new label? I highly doubt it. As soon as she 'discovers' the next 'big thing' who looks like they can give her a run for her money in the vocal and stage performance departments, yall can best believe, just like her husband has done in the past, that girl will announce her un-retirement so fast, it will surely make us nauseous. That girl will lose her mind if she had to give up the lacefront wigs, hideous concert costumes, the god-awful choreography and her infamous wind-blowing machines. If she really wants to retire from something, please God, let it be the acting! And that's real talk too, yall. I know somebody out there agrees with me.

.....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

NICK CANNON AND HIS COUGAR, MARIAH CAREY STIR UP MORE ATTENTION TO THEIR NEW 'RELATIONSHIP.'

If these two don't sit their asses down somewhere, I know something. If the rumors about Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon dating are true, I swear I will crown them as the corniest celebrity couple of 2008. I swear to God I will. Last week, I made a post about the two hooking up after starring as the number one boy in her upcoming video. And although her folks denied the dating allegations, Nick Cannon and his cougar were spotted looking all cuddly and cozy and whatnot at a party last Monday night in Las Vegas. According to PEOPLE.com, after landing by private jet, the pair headed straight to Privé Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood, where Cannon was scheduled to deejay. Making their way to a VIP table, the pop diva whispered into Cannon's ear just before he took to the turntables.

With her BFF Da Brat by her side, Carey – wearing over-sized sunglasses and dressed in all-black – danced to the music as she sipped water and white wine, then feasted on hamburgers, chicken fingers and French fries. Witnesses also said that Nick may have given Mimi a secret shout out from the DJ booth. When he played Jay-Z's song Public Service Announcement, Carey stood up in the VIP section and yelled along to the line: I got the hottest chick in the game wearing my chain.

Oh, Lord.

....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

CHRIS ROCK AND JACKIE CHAN TO FILM FOURTH MOVIE TOGETHER.

I don't know about yall, but anytime I hear the names Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan in the same sentence, the first thing that comes to mind is their Rush Hour movies. Well, the dynamic duo are set to reunite for a new movie...unfortunately for you Rush Hour fanatics, it will not be Rush Hour 4. The comedian and martial arts expert have starred together in three instalments of the Rush Hour series - which sees them playing two policemen. Chan tells MTV: "We've just agreed to do it. It's like two days ago when Chris Tucker called me. We sat down and decided we want to do another movie. Not a Rush Hour - something new. Now we're looking for the writer." Chan also stated that he is keen for things to move forward quickly as he felt frustrated by the long time lapses between the Rush Hour films. Previously, Chan admitted that he did not fully understand the humor behind the Rush Hour films, saying it was "too Americanized" on his blog.

Chan will soon be hitting the big screen in The Forbidden Kingdom, which also stars Jet Li.

....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

NEW PICS: LAUREN LONDON ON THE SET OF 'I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER.'

Adorable actress Lauren London was spotted looking casually comfortable donning Juicy sweatpants, a Dooney & Burke handbag and a can of Coca-Cola while in between scenes on the set of her newest movie, I Love You, Beth Cooper in Vancouver, Canada last Monday (3.14.2008). The movie, which also stars Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust and Jack Carpenter follows the adventures of a geeky high school valedictorian (Rust) who decides he has nothing to lose by making a play for the popular cheerleader (Panettiere) and declares his love for her during his graduation speech. The film is based on a book (of the same name) written by Larry Doyle.

This sounds like another one of those standard teen movies. I've also learned that London's role in the movie is quite small...so small that her character's name isn't even mentioned on the Internet Movie Database website. But, hey, at least she's working. Peep the pics below.

....

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!