By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com

Being one of today's most sought out artists has led singer/songwriter T-Pain ahead of the pack with five 2008 BET Award nominations.

The Florida native is nominated for his appearances on Kanye West's 'Good Life,' Flo Rida's 'Low' and Chris Brown's 'Kiss Kiss' in the best collaboration category. He's also nominated twice for video of the year.

BET also announced on Thursday other multiple nominees such as West and Keyshia Cole who received three nods, while Mary J. Blige, and Alicia Keys both received two.

Usher, Blige, Mariah Carey, and Nelly are scheduled to perform for the June 24 event.

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com

Sexy R&B superstar Rihanna recently made history with her latest single 'Take A Bow.'

The hit song made one of the biggest jumps recorded in 'Billboard' history, moving from #53 to #1 in one week.

In addition to sliding into the Number One slot on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart, the single debuted on the 'Billboard' Hot Digital Songs Chart with a phenomenal first week of 266,696 scans.

Not bad, considering the Grammy Award winning beauty's forthcoming CD/DVD re-release of her latest album 'Good Girl Gone Bad.'

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com

Vivid Entertainment is determined to prove the authenticity of its latest release, 'Jimi Hendrix: The Sex Tape.'

So much so that they are putting their money where their porn is.

The controversial video which was released on May 6, allegedly features late rock & roll icon Jimi Hendrix involved in a sexual escapade with two unidentified brunettes.

As BlackVoices.com previously reported last week, Hendrix's estate, Experience Hendrix,LLC has publicly denied the tape and released a statement saying, "[strongly disputing] the claimed authenticity and affirmatively state that Experience Hendrix is neither involved in, nor have we authorized the distribution of this film."

However, Vivid co-chairman Steven Hirsch says the company's statement "proves nothing."

"Vivid took considerable time and spent a substantial sum of money to authenticate the footage and we are very comfortable that this is the real thing," Hirsch said.

"We believe that those who say otherwise are relying on their emotions to make unsubstantiated claims."

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com



Hip-hop soul crooners R. Kelly and Ray J aren't the only black studs whose sex videos have seeped into public consciousness.

Late rock & roll icon Jimi Hendrix has allegedly joined the fray.

On May 6, Vivid Entertainment will release 'Jimi Hendrix The Sex Tape,' featuring clips of the 'Purple Haze' superstar engaged in various sexual acts with two brunettes.

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com


Nick Cannon must have the key to women's hearts!

Following various reports of the young black Hollywood bachelor being linked to top-selling music diva Mariah Carey, it is now reported that the two are officially married.

That's right!

'Latina' magazine takes claim at breaking the story on May 1, stating that a source close to Cannon confirmed the couple held a small "impulsive" ceremony at Carey's recently purchased home in The Bahamas.

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com


Times may be getting hard for hip-hop mogul Dame Dash.

Last November, 'The New York Post' reported Dash was on the verge of going bankrupt due to owing everybody's Uncle Sam over $2 million in back taxes.

Maybe it was too much 'Big Pimpin.'

In April of last year, the former Roc-A-Fella Records honcho filed a lawsuit against his accountant, Barry Klarberg, for allegedly mismanaging his taxes over a four year period.

These days, Linda Williams, the mother of his 16-year old son Damon Dash II has filed a petition against the ex-Jay-Z compadre, stating he owes her money.

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com



Mariah Carey's strong media blitz sure did pay off in a major way last week. Appearing on 'NBC's 'Saturday Night Live,' 'MTV's 'The Hills', 'American Idol,' and 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' helped land Carey's latest album 'E=MC²' on top of the 'Billboard 200' albums chart selling 463,000 units.

The songstress also made history with her 11th studio album.

According to SoundScan, Mariah's latest effort has outsold all of her previous efforts including her 2005 critically-acclaimed album, 'The Emancipation of Mimi.'

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com


Last week Mary Ida Vandross, the mother of R&B legend Luther Vandross, died of natural causes.

She was 82.

Vandross outlived all four of her children, as well as her only grandchild.

Following Luther's sudden stroke in 2005, she spoke to 'Access Hollywood' about losing her son.

"I miss him tremendously as he was the last of my four children to pass away," she said.

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com

In the past Bill Cosby has made it quite clear that he's no fan of hip-hop music.

Now, one of the genre's formative critics is joining the frey.
Next month, the Philadelphia entertainment legend will put his 'Jello-O' pudding pops aside to release his first ever rap CD, entitled 'Cosby 'Narratives Vol. 1: State of Emergency.'

From the sounds of it, hip-hop heavyweights such as Jay-Z and Nas shouldn't have to consider it much competition.

According to published reports, the 70-year old comedian plans to blend concepts and stories that give positive messages with a hip-hop twist, leaving the rhyming to the side.

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com

With R&B kingpin R. Kelly's trial set to begin next month for child pornography charges, it is reported that the judge in the case has been meeting secretly with lawyers -- usually within the privacy of his chambers.

According to 'The Chicago Tribune,' Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan ordered a hearing for the case on April 11-- having reporters to wait down the hallway, allowing Kelly to stay in the in courtroom for the nearly two hour hearing.

To date there has been little information shared with the public regarding Kelly's case due to the lawyers being placed under a gag order causing them not to discuss any legal details.

Before closing the courtroom, Gaughan said several motions that had been placed under seal would be discussed, the newspaper reported. However, it was unclear how many motions there were and what they involved.

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com

After nine long glorious years Jasmine Guy and Terrence Mitchell Duckett finally calls it quits.

The 46-year-old actress reportedly filed for divorce on April 3 citing irreconcilable differences.

Court papers were obtained by 'TMZ' listing Guys various amount of assets that she wants to claim as her "separate property."

And she's not playing.

By Brennan Williams, Blackvoices.com



Fresh off his four year hiatus (and new family additions), Usher returns to the music scene with his forthcoming album 'Here I Stand.'

And boy, does he know how to build up anticipation.

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com

Rapper T.I. sure isn't wasting any time fulfilling his recent plea deal (which includes a one year jail sentence and 1,000 hours of community service talking to youth groups) stemming from several federal weapons charges.

The rapper (born Clifford Harris Jr.) decided to begin his community service April 4 talking to students at Atlanta's Stockbridge High School.

And apparently he didn't bite his tongue.

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com

It's another year and another arrest for Naomi Campbell.

The sultry supermodel was arrested Thursday afternoon at a 'British Airways' terminal in London for allegedly spitting in a police officer's face.

Now that's first class!

By Brennan Williams, BlackVoices.com

Despite being one of the most successful rappers in the industry, 50 Cent still has to deal with baby mama drama.

The 32-year-old Queens, New York native (real name: Curtis Jackson) is being sued by his son's mother Shaniqua Tompkins, who filed the lawsuit on April 2 claiming the rapper is trying to evict her and their 10-year-old son Marquise from their Long Island home.

Whoa.

Apparently Tompkins wasn't too thrilled to hear Fiddy (as he is known) had alternate plans of buying her a $2.4 million pad in Dix Hills, New York.

According to her lawyer, Paul Catsandonis, the 'I Get Money' rapper promised her the lavish domain only to find out he had the house put in his name.

Damn! He doesn't only "get" money, he knows how to keep it, too.

At press time, 50's camp was unavailable for comment.