BV Entertainment Newswire Dec. 9: R. Kelly, Mekhi Phifer, Ashanti

R. Kelly Steps Out

R. Kelly knows how to shake things up -- for sure.

The multiple Grammy Award winning R&B singer-songwriter and producer apparently sang the national anthem -- in his own special way -- during last Saturday's boxing match between Bernard Hopkins and Jermain Taylor in Las Vegas, which aired on HBO Pay-Per-View.

Kelly, who always seems embroiled in controversy -- personally and professionally, reportedly was joined by Chicago steppers during his rendition of this most patriotic song.

"It was enough to make Jeff Kent turn black," ESPN.com columnist Scoop Jackson commented on the website. "When it was all over, a sea of boos could be heard following him out of the ring."

The near-40-year-old Kelly, currently battling child pornography charges, has always pushed the envelope with his live performances. During a performance at the Essence Music Festival a few years ago, the Chicago born crooner outraged organizers when the stage crew constructed a bed on the stage just before one of his steamy numbers. While songs such as "Ignition," "Bump N' Grind," "Your Body's Calling" and "Feelin' On Yo' Booty" have been explicitly suggestive in nature, a cult-like fan base has stood by him throughout his career. Most of his albums debut at the top of the charts and he's collaborated with a who's who of pop music royalty, including Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Bono from U2. The "Trapped In The Closet" singer is also in the midst of a legal battle with his former compadre, multi-platinum selling, Grammy Award winning hip-hop icon Jay-Z.

His performance at last Saturday's bout pales in comparison to some of the other incidents that he's been involved in.Yet, the criticism continues. "[As It] was so eloquently stated on 'Tom Joyner's Morning Show' on Monday: "R. Kelly has finally lost his mind," Jackson added.

According to a spokesperson at HBO, the premium cable channel will not air the evening's program in its entirety on Dec. 10 -- rather a stripped down version featuring the main event between the two fighters.

Home For The Holidays

Mekhi Phifer sure knows how to throw a party. The "ER" actor held his third annual holiday affair at his Woodland Hills mansion over the weekend in Los Angeles. And a who's who of Black Hollywood showed up, including Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Jessica Alba and reality TV/R&B star Bobby Brown. Multi-platinum selling rapper Nas and his wife Kelis were also on hand, along with Mark Wahlberg, Paris Hilton, Macaulay Culkin, Wilmer Valderrama and cast members from "ER." Last year's event -- exclusively covered by 'In Style' magazine -- drew 600 guests including Denzel Washington, Bill Maher, 50 Cent, Martin Lawrence, Tracy Bingham, and Angela Bassett. Phifer, who plans on returning home to Harlem to spend time with his family this year, has a lot to celebrate. He turns 31 on Dec. 29 and will make his directorial debut in the indie comedy 'Easier, Softer Way" in theaters next year.

Ashanti is also heading home this season. Well sort of. This week, she celebrated the release of a 'hits' CD package, titled "Collectables," on The Inc. Records. On Dec. 10, the Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter will meet and greet hundreds of lucky fans at the Sam Goody/ Broadway Mall store in Hicksville, NY - just miles away from her hometown of Glen Cove, NY in Long Island. A budding superstar -with Muppet movies and a Wal-Mart fragrance to her credit-Ashanti holds the distinction of being the first and only woman in pop music history to appear on three hit singles on the top 10 in the same week.

Marley's Float For HIV

Kertia DaCosta-Marley -- the wife of Stephen Marley -- and her mother Ingrid DaCosta recently launched the non-profit organization Float, aiming to reduce the risk of HIV positive pregnant mothers from transmitting the disease to her unborn children. "We named the organization Float because of its meaning: staying surfaced, to ascend," DaCosta-Marley said. "Many women still believe that pediatric HIV prevents infants from possibly living normal lives. I have children and it's imperative that we keep the rate of new HIV cases to a minimum for the next generation." Float has partnered with the Jamaican based organization, Center for HIV/AIDS Research Education & Services (CHARES) to increase the access to the Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) medicine (which cuts the risk of transmission in half). Float's very first benefit - 'Joy And Blues'-will be hosted by designer Cedella Marley at her Catch-A-Fire clothing studio in Miami on Dec. 10. 'Joy and Blues' is inspired by the 1993 Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers song and album of the same name.