What is really going on with the Queen Of Soul? Relatives are saying Aretha Franklin is suffering from pancreatic cancer. This is the same cancer that claimed the life of actor Patrick Swayze. Franklin, 68, had surgery a couple of weeks ago and a prayer vigil was held in her hometown of Detroit. There was speculation of her health that her spokespeople wouldn’t confirm at the time. One of Franklin’s most recent performances was a summertime concert with former Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice and surprise guest Ron Isley for a fundraiser at Philadelphia’s MannMusicCenter. All tour dates and appearances for most of next year had already been cancelled for Franklin per doctors’ orders. In a statement following last week’s surgery, the soul music legend says God’s still in control and she thanked her fans for all their prayers.
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards take place February 13th. Kem, Sade, Fantasia, Jaheim, Usher and El DeBarge are all up for awards.
Speaking of El DeBarge, he’s on the cover of Jet magazine. In a very revealing interview, he talks about his latest CD, Second Chance, and his second chance at his life and career. DeBarge, 52, says his career revitalization is wonderful, but he wants to reconnect with his children. DeBarge is the father of 12 children ranging in ages from 3 to 31. DeBarge says his years of drug abuse and brief prison stint cost him valuable time with his children, and he wants this second chance to develop a better relationship with them.
Singer Will Downing is battling health issues again. Downing has cancelled all tour dates for the rest of the year. Back in 2007, Downing was diagnosed a muscular disorder called polymyositis. Apparently he has suffered a setback, and doctors have ordered him to rest. In September, he released his latest CD Love, Lust And Lies.
HalleBerry is headed to Broadway. She is set to star in the production mountaintop with Samuel L. Jackson. Her new movie about a woman with multiple personality disorder, Frankie And Alice, opens in theatres in February. She also has a new fragrance, Reveal, coming out this winter. Berry’s baby daddy, Model Gabriel Aubry, recently ended his publicity stunt with Reality Star Kim Kardashian. The stunt made Berry very angry, and sources say she ordered Aubry to end it and not have thier daughter around Kardashian. No sweat for Kim K. She has moved on with a new man: 6’9 Kris Humphries of the New Jersey Nets.
Wesley Snipes says he is not a tax protestor. He says his tax problems are the results of bad advice, and he blamed the media for his tax problems. Snipes has been ordered to prison to start a three-year sentence for tax evasion. Snipes had many of his celebrity friends come to bat for him, but it was not enough to save him. According to published reports, some women who dated Snipes before he married Korean Painter Nikki Snipes are talking. Apparently, Snipes likes barbeque sauce…..as in pouring it on women’s feet … and licking it off!!!!!!!! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Jermaine Jackson had his driver’s license taken away for non-payment of child support.Jackson is being taken to court by his ex-wife Alejandra Jackson. She has two kids by Jermaine, and she also has two older kids by his brother Randy. Alejandra has been ordered out of the Jackson family compound in Encino, California. Alejandra has to fend for herself and her children, and now she is going after the Jackson brothers to survive. Jermaine had no comment. He is currency dating a rich Arabian woman, so I wonder why he won’t give his ex any money.
Steve Harvey’s book, Straight Talk No Chaser is in stores. It’s a follow up to the book Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. Steve will be in Philly Tuesday, January 18th at the Borders Bookstore on Broad and Chestnut Streets. Also, check him out nightly on the Centric network with The Steve Harvey Project. Steve is also going on tour with Kirk Franklin. It’s a gospel and comedy tour which kicks off next March. Harvey is also on the cover of the new issue of Essence magazine and is doing very well with his latest job as the new host of the game show Family Feud.
Ne-Yo is known for his singing and dancing. Now he’s ready to put his acing hat on. The singer/songwriter is scheduled to appear on CSI: New York as a hit man.
Get well wishes go out to Soul Legend Bobby Womack. The 66-year old singer/songwriter recently revealed he’s battling prostate cancer.
A divorce is coming to The Real Housewives Of Atlanta. NeNe Leakes has filed for divorce from her real estate hubby Greg Leakes. The Leakes have been having problems for a while all stemming from Greg struggling with his real estate business. NeNe is striking out on her own. Next month, she will be appearing on Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice.
ESPN is detailing how NBA Superstar Allen Iverson blew through his $200 million dollar fortune. Sources say reckless living was the cause of his downfall. A cocktail waitress is being talked about as Iverson’s main jumpoff. She’s been telling friends about the private jets and gambling where he blew thousands of dollars at a time. She also talked about a six bedroom house he brought her along with a Mercedes Benz.
Rapper Doug E. Fresh is the latest celeb in trouble with the I.R.S. Apparently, he owes them over $2 million.
Is Singer Trey Songz dating Actress Lauren London? Hmmmmmmmm!
D.L. Hughley is returning to TV in a new sitcom for the TBS network called Rabbit Factory.
Mike Tyson has been selected for the Boxing Hall Of Fame.
WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This female Singer used to sing in a girl group. Her solo career never took off, and now she has taken to dating rich men to survive.
Did this R&B Darling get snubbed by the Grammys because of her affair with a married man? They did eventually get married, but did the affair cost her recognition on music’s biggest night.
My prayers go out to Ms. Franklin and her family, and I pray that she gets well soon. As she stated, God is still in control, so I know that she will be okay.
Good to see those who have come back onto the music scene with Grammy nominations. Go head on El Debarge and Sade! Coming back into the game after at LEAST a 10-year hiatus, and knocking folks out the box! And speaking of El, I hope he's able to rekindle his relationship with his children.
Prayers are also going up for Will Downing. One of the BEST in the business hands...down!
I'm so sick of Halle Berry. That woman has some serious issues and she really needs to go and talk to somebody about it. Who are you to try and regulate your child's father's personal life? BUT! If he ALLOWS you to do so, then that's on him.
I'm sick of this whole Wesley Snipes saga also. Just do your time already. Gosh! You've been stalling for nearly five years now.
Jermaine Jackson and his ex-wife.....no comment. Just because they are ALL a bunch of nasty MFers. He broke the almighty unwritten rule. SMDH.
I'm tired of Steve Harvey too. Next!
Prayers going up for Bobby Womack also. Oh boy. Our soul singers are battling some serious health issues nowadays. May God bless them all.
Well....we're all seeing the NeNe/Greg marriage unfold before our eyes on TV so it was just a matter of time before filing was confirmed.
C'mon now AI. A cocktail waitress??? And she's (allegedly) telling ALL of your business. Um, um, um is all I can say. I really hope he didn't blow ALL of that $200 Mil as they are claiming. I KNOW for a FACT that he blew SOME of that money in the casinos cause uh....well...I don't need to discuss that lol. Anywhoo...I just hope that he didn't blow ALL of it!
Lawd, how many more celebs are gonna be in trouble with the I.R.S? They can have that bs cause it ain't cute by any means!
I want that new Ron Isley CD! So, if anyone knows when it's coming out, let a sista know please and thank you.
As far as the Underground Buzz is concerned, that first one could be ANY woman from an old 90s group.
The second one has to be Alicia Keys! Her shit appears to be catching up with her in the worst kind of way: through her music, i.e., her livelyhood. I ain't wishing nothing bad on her but she has gotten away with her foolery for too long. I'm still tripping at how people didn't have anything to say about her homewrecking skills, yet when Fantasia went through her shit, niggas chopped her ass up and spit her out. Then these mofos out here had the AUDACITY to justify A Keys' actions by saying "she married Swizz though". SMDH at the these females type from their keyboards. Shit is straight from their brains.
