Beyonce' & Solange Set to Tour Together

The Knowles Sisters are set to hit the tour road next year; Beyonce' & Solange will be touring together.

Last week, Mathew Knowles broke the news that Beyoncé will embark on a 110-date world tour that will begin in April 2009 and trek through Canada, Europe, the U.S. (with a one-week stint in Las Vegas), Mexico, South America, Japan, Africa, and Australia.

Discussions are under way for Solange to join her big sis’ on tour. After seeing the elder Knowles rock arenas, fans would be able to go to a more intimate location and watch Solange perform at an official “after-party.” Specific details have yet to be announced.

Guess we'll hear Solange one way or the other!! However, the tour should be entertaining!!!

Lyfe Jennings News

One of my favorite singers, Lyfe Jennings, was arrested earlier this week for firing off a concealed weapon & leading cops on a high-speed chase afterwards. Lyfe, whose real name is Chester Jennings, is currently on parole. He faces charges of attempting to elude police, discharging a firearm near a public highway, and refusing to take the sobriety test. This mugshot was taken after he crashed his car.

It appears that the restraining order Lyfe's childrens' mom, Joy Bounds, filed against him may have triggered this incident. It's sad for all around because Lyfe has been on the right track & has been setting a good example. Hopefully, things will turn out well for all involved.

Jennifer Hudson's Mother & Brother Found Shot in Home

Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson's mother (Darnell Hudson Donnerson) & brother (Jason Hudson) were found shot inside Darnell's Chicago home. According to CBS2 in Chicago:

Two adults were found fatally shot at a home at 70th Street and Yale Avenue at 3 p.m. Friday, authorities said. Willie Davis, the pastor of the Hudson family's church, Progressive Baptist, confirmed that 57-year-old Darnell Hudson Donnerson was one of the victims.

A neighbor tells TMZ the other victim was Jennifer's brother Jason. A cousin who lived nearby discovered the bodies.

A Chicago police spokeswoman also said a 7-year-old boy was reported missing. Police identified him as Julian King, but they would not say whether he is a relative of the actress (Internet sources report that he's Jennifer's nephew). He is 5-foot tall, weighs 135 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

The police said that they are searching for a William Balfour as a suspect in the double homicide. They said that he is considered to be armed and dangerous and may be driving white 1994 Chevrolet Suburban with Illinois license plate No. X584859 or a teal/green Chrysler Concord four-door with a left front headlight hanging out that is scratched all along its left side. The Chrysler is displaying temporary tags of 332K823. The missing boy may be in the vehicle. According to a source, the actress' sister (Julia) reported the boy missing from the home.

Jennifer is currently on her way back home to Chicago; the investigation is ongoing. Our prayers & condolences are with the Hudson Family.

Mary, Mary's New CD: "The Sound"

For the Gospel fans out there, Mary, Mary has released their latest CD, "The Sound". According to music reviews:


The duo sticks to the same formula on the CD "The Sound." Mary Mary churns out solid songs praising Jesus Christ alongside signature uptempo hooks on songs such as "Get Up" and "Boom." Mary Mary uses trendy vocoder vocals on "God In Me," featuring Kierra Sheard. The group also teams up with rapper David Banner on the anthem-like "Superfriend."

But the CD isn't filled with just vibrant, danceable grooves. On the guitar-driven ballad "Dirt," the sisters deliver a message that could rejuvenate anyone as they both bellow in harmony, "Champions never accept defeat/You fall and get back on your feet." And on ballad "Forgive Me," the singers talk about past failings and how tribulations helped their maturation as women.







Check out their song, "Get Up":

Get Up

Victoria Rowell Engaged

Victoria Rowell (aka "Drucilla" from the Young & the Restless--who we miss tremendously on the show) announced her engagement to artist, Radcliffe Bailey, over the weekend. The couple had an engagement bash in Atlanta to celebrate the occasion. Congrats to the couple!!!!

Here are a few pics from the party:

Former "American Idol" Contestant, LaKisha Jones, Weds

For the "American Idol" fans out there, LaKisha Jones of season six, wed financial advisor, Larry Davis, on October 5th. The wedding was in Beverly Hills, CA, & fellow "American Idol" contestants were present.






LaKisha's album is to be released on October 28th. You can hear her first single, "So Glad I'm Me", on her official website

photos via essence.com

Tyra Banks & Modelville

Tyra Banks and Carol's Daughter have a new TV reality show in the works: Modelville. About the show:

It will be a show within Tyra's talk show. It began airing this week. Five past contestants of “America’s Next Top Model” will live in New York in the Modelville apartment while competing to win a beauty contract with Carol's Daughter.

Each model will be assigned a Carol's Daughter product to create, produce, and star in a 30-second commerical for the product.

• Bianca Golden, Cycle 9: Carol’s Daughter Candy Paint in Razz-Berry Beret, Cranberry Kiss, and Wild Berry


• Renee Alway, Cycle 8: Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie


• Lauren Utter, Cycle 10: Carol’s Daughter Love Butter


• Dominique Reighard, Cycle 10: Carol’s Daughter Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar


• Fatima Siad, Cycle 10: Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk

Atleast we now know what some of the former "Top Model" contestants are up to.

Tyra is definitely doing her thing and letting her presence be known out there!!

Halle Berry's "Esquire Magazine's" Sexiest Woman Alive

Halle is Esquire Magazine's "Sexiest Woman Alive". Great pics for someone who just had a baby 7 months ago! Go Halle!!!

Halle's boyfriend, Gabriel Aubry, spills-the-beans to Usmagazine.com that he and the 41-year-old actress are trying to have another baby. “Yeah, we are working on that!” he told Us at Elle magazine’s 15th Annual Women in Hollywood event in Beverly Hills, where Berry was honored on Monday. Despite wanting to expand their family, Aubry said, “We have no plans for marriage. We are more married than ever, really.”

Paris Bennett Gives Birth

Former American Idol contestant, Paris Bennett (20), gave birth to her daughter, Egypt, on Monday. Egypt weighed 5 pounds 15 ounces.

"I'm so excited to finally see my little angel – and man, does she have lungs on her," the first-time mom said. "I guess she's gearing up to be the next American Idol."

Paris' Christmas CD, "A Royal Christmas", will be released on Oct. 14th.

Congrats to the new mom.

Tyler Perry's Grand Opening

The stars were out this past weekend celebrating the opening of Tyler Perry's new movie and TV studio in Atlanta. What a grand event!!

Eva & Lance, Will Smith, Oprah, Sidney Poitier, The Kodjoes, Kirk Franklin, & more were in attendance!!!!!

Congrats Tyler!!

Baby Couture Double Covers: Kim Porter & Sean Combs

Kim & Diddy will appear on double covers for Baby Couture magazine for the Oct-Nov. issue with twins Jessie James & D'Lila Star. We've seen these twins more than all the other children put together.

Cute covers!!!

Tameka's Showing

Usher's wife, Tameka, was out at Tyler Perry's event this past weekend showing & glowing. Rumor has it that she's due in December. It's her 5th child & Usher's 2nd. Congrats to them.

Beyonce's Essence Cover

Beyonce' will be on the next cover of Essence due out October 12th! The article entitled, "I Am Legend" is supposed to discuss her wedding to Jay-Z. We'll have to check this one out because on one prior cover she was to discuss whey Jay was the love of her life & it was never in the article.

This cover is just in time for her album release in November!

Your Black Celebs: Andre 3000 clothes coming soon!

This Fall, Outkast's Andre 3000 (Andre Benjamin) will launch his Benjamin Bixby line which consists of 70 pieces, ranging from wide-brimmed fedora hats to pink sweatshirts, all of which he sketched himself. Benjamin hopes to see his clothes soon in stores like Barneys.

(From NYmag.com)

"Tearing pages out of magazines as a kid left Benjamin with a reverence for English style: He fetishizes “timeless” clothes, name-checks old-school brands like Turnbull & Asser, and calls his own style “classic spontaneity” or “rebel gentleman.” What this means, in effect, is doing a little remix. “There has to be something inventive about it,” he says. “But not so inventive that it’s a turnoff. So that some of the greats, like Beau Brummell or the Duke of Windsor, would nod and say, ‘Well done.’ Those guys killed it.” Now, that’s hip-hop."

"The Secret Life of Bees"

"The Secret Life of Bees" is on the list of my next must-see movies. It stars Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, & Sophie Okonedo. What a talented cast!! The release date is October 17th.

The movie's synopsis is: "The moving tale of Lily Owens, a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna."

The movie trailer:

Beyonce's Next Album

Beyonce' recently performed that the Bermuda Music Festival and issued this statement about her upcoming album:

“I wanted to address my fans about my upcoming album.

I have worked on this album for close to one year. I have taken the time so I can create my sound. Something that says who I am at this stage in my life. I have poured my heart and soul into it. It is my baby. It is the most time I have spent on any project since my first records as a member of Destiny’s Child when I was 15 years old. I have recorded over 70 songs and have created a sound that reveals all of me. I am in a different place right now and I wanted people to see the many sides of me. The music is upbeat for the dance, fun side and it is reflective, passionate and serious for the personal side. I have taken risks here. I am not afraid and my music will explain it all. There is no label or tag on my sound. It’s me and I am so excited to share it with the world on November 18.”

Love, Beyoncé

Good luck on the album, Bey!! We want to see the growth you're talking about in this one for sure :) We miss the old Destiny's Child sound!