R&B starlet Tweet says rumors about her sexuality don't even bother her anymore. While speculation about her relationship with rapper-producer Missy Elliott once annoyed her, the sultry singer admits she ignores the false gossip now.

"It's rumors. That's the whole thing. I can't sit around and get mad about that. People talked about Jesus, you know. I'm not going to sit back and try to fix it. Me and Missy are very close friends. And that's all it is. Why can't two women be friends without people saying that? So, it don't bother me. I deal with it like it's a grain of salt. We don't think about it. We're doing our music," the singer told yours truly in her cover story for Smooth magazine. In other Tweet news, while her sophomore album 'It's Me Again' is off to a dismal start, the singer is apparently hoping to fix that soon. She recently parted ways with her management company Violator (Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes) and signed with the Mathew Knowles-helmed Sanctuary Urban Management.

Weathered the Storm?

Reprise Records, a division of Warner Bros., has finally set a release date on Eric Benet's upcoming CD. The disc, titled 'Hurricane,' will hit stores June 21.

In a note attached to an advance copy of 'Hurricane,' Benet wrote, "The premise of this album is wrapped up in its title. It's about how everything I knew and loved was leveled and how something real and positive and beautiful emerged from the rubble. It's a chronicle of my life through the last several years and my coming out the other side."

"These songs are snapshots taken at different stages of a long and difficult journey. Along the way, I felt despair and hope, anger and remorse and, ultimately, a chance at a new beginning which became clear to me interestingly enough through my music," concluded Benet.

In addition to preparing for the release of 'Hurricane,' Benet recently appeared on an episode of the UPN sitcom 'Half & Half.'

Juggling Jobs

Jada Pinkett Smith had taken several years off to focus on family life -- except for the occasional role in 'The Matrix' -- but now the pint-size actress is back working harder than ever. She's the voice behind the oversized hippopotamus Gloria in the upcoming animation release 'Madagascar.'

"I was told one of the reasons they wanted me to play Gloria is 'cause Gloria had a lot of attitude," laughed Smith, during our conversation about 'Madagascar' at the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco. "We all know I can do that well. I also wanted to add that maternal element and add that love she has for her friends."

In addition to being involved in what's destined to be one of the most successful animation releases ever, Smith is also pumped about the upcoming debut CD by her band Wicked Wisdom. "The album comes out in July, and we're going to be on tour all summer," she said.

Wicked Wisdom, which toured Europe with Britney Spears more than a year ago, was just added to Ozzy Osbourne's annual Ozzfest tour.

Can't Say Names...

...Sources say that a veteran R&B diva's money may be real funny, but her musicians aren't laughing at all. Word has it that the legendary vocalist has been crying debt problems as her reason for not paying her current musicians. Apparently said singer's original band quit because she still owes them money, and now another batch of musicians is on the verge of bouncing.

Buzzworthy

...Ever wonder what happened to "Pootie Tang?" Well, not the actual character, but the guy who played him. We caught up with Chris Rock recently and asked him the burning question. "Lance Crouther, I think he's working on a new show with Wanda Sykes," answered Rock. Additionally, Crouther was a writer for Rock when he hosted this year's Academy Awards.

...Comedian Mike Epps stars in the upcoming Paramount remake of 'The Honeymooners' alongside Cedric the Entertainer, Gabrielle Union and Regina Hall. Additionally, Epps has just signed on to play Richard Pryor in the film adaptation of the legendary comic's life.

...Congratulations are in order to former R&B crooner Dave Hollister. The self-proclaimed "Ghetto Preacher" has inked a new recording contract with Gospo Centric Records, home to Kurt Carr, Dorinda Clark-Cole and J. Moss. Hollister, who is currently touring with the stage play 'Baby Mama Drama,' has yet to begin work on his debut gospel effort.

...Apparently the whole blunder with Kanye West making the ballot for the 2005 Stellar Gospel Awards and then being removed has started something. BET has now followed suit and foolishly allowed West to be nominated for Best Gospel Artist, all because of that non-gospel single 'Jesus Walks.' Now key professionals in the gospel industry are scratching their heads trying to decide what to do about it. It's unfortunate that genuinely talented real gospel stars such as J. Moss, Karen Clark-Sheard and Micah Stampley were snubbed because of West making the ballot. Calling West gospel is like calling Lil' Kim a virgin.

...BV Buzz reported two weeks ago that gospel veteran BeBe Winans was planning to exit Hidden Beach Records, which recently released his latest album 'Dream.' Now we've learned that Winans is rumored to become the president of Word Records, the Christian division of Warner Bros. Records. Winans will also release his next album on the label. Coincidentally, Winans' brother Carvin Winans was the president of Word many years ago.

...Cedric the Entertainer, Chaka Khan, The Gap Band, Regina Belle, Brian McKnight, Sommore, Kem, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Rickey Smiley and Kym E. Whitley are among those slated for Tom Joyner's 2005 Fantastic Voyage. The seven-day cruise, which raises money for historically black colleges and universities, will depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, May 29.