New Michelle Williams Photoshoot

She's killing it in them pictures. They're fresh off her Myspace page. She recently wrapped production on her new album which is scheduled for release this year.

Lost Returns Tonight!

Arguably the best show on TV, Lost is finally back with it's highly anticipated season 4 premiere which airs tonight on ABC @ 9PM Eastern. When Lost began it's third season in October of 2006, many fans and critics alike had grown tired of the series' mysteries and lack of answers. Ratings dropped, critics complained and some people just stopped watching. The first batch of episodes (six of them, to be exact) were highly criticized which was followed by a hiatus which left Lost fans with a bitter taste in their mouths. Reaction to the second half of the season, however, was extremely positive. Questions were answered, characters were killed off and the explosive shocking season finale still has fans flabbergasted. The wait is finally over. Due to the ongoing writer's strike, only eight new episodes were filmed this season, which is only half of the original 16. If the writer's strike ends soon, Lost producers said they would be able to shoot the remaining eight to complete the season. Nonetheless, it all starts tonight so get your popcorn ready!

8PM - Lost: Past, Present & Future (Recap)
A clip show recapping the first three seasons and exploring mysteries on and off the island in preparation for the fourth-season opener.
9PM - The Beginning Of The End
As the fourth season begins, the castaways await rescue by the people with whom they have made contact, but are troubled by Charlie's final warning about them and break up into camps led by Jack and Locke.

I know you're excited. Check out this trailer, just one more time.



So grab your popcorn, jump on that coach and get ready for tonight's season premiere of Lost. I'll have my review posted tomorrow.

Britney "Breaks The Ice"

Some positive Britney Spears for a change. Britney Spears has apparently scrapped her plans to release Hot As Ice as the next single and is going with the fan favorite Break The Ice instead. I don't know if the Hot As Ice video is still going to be shot, but the record label is riding with this song as of now. It reminds me of her song Stronger for some reason. Girl sure does love ice.

Britney Didn't Attempt Suicide!

OK so Britney Spears did NOT attempt suicide. She was rushed to the hospital for mental health evaluation. There are tons of different reports going around but this one pretty much sums everything up.

Troubled pop icon Britney Spears was rushed to hospital in an ambulance early Thursday for the second time this month for mental health evaluation, US media reported.

Spears was whisked to the UCLA Medical Center at about 1:30 am (0930 GMT) and was to be placed on a 5150 hold, the 72-hour confinement of a person deemed a danger to themselves or others, according to celebrity gossip website TMZ.com.

A psychiatrist treating the singer contacted Los Angeles police to set the events in motion, TMZ said, citing "law enforcement sources."

Dozens of police officers on motorcycles escorted the ambulance carrying the 26-year-old singer, and a police helicopter hovered overhead, according to a Los Angeles Times account.

The operation appeared to have been "carefully planned over a period of time," the Times said. A motorcade the length of a football field escorted the pop star and kept photographers and onlookers at bay.

Reporters camped out all night outside Spears's gated home, and news helicopters hovered overhead. News photographers and paparazzi lined the streets.

Authorities entered the hilltop home shortly after 1 am and were inside for about ten minutes before they spirited Spears away through a side entrance, a Los Angeles Times reporter told CNN.

"We know that her psychiatrist did call the Los Angeles police to her home late Wednesday," reporter Andrew Blankstein said. "We don't know exactly what prompted that call."

Spears was told of her impending confinement by her psychiatrist and did not resist when paramedics arrived and placed her on a gurney, TMZ said.

The psychiatrist told police of concerns about her reckless driving and erratic behavior, the website said.

Spears had not slept since Saturday, it said.

Trailing the ambulance was another car carrying the star's mother, Lynne Spears and her boyfriend, photographer Adnan Ghalib, US media reported.

The troubled singer was stripped of access to her two young sons at the beginning of the month after another hospital drama.

During that incident Spears was wheeled out of her home on a stretcher following a stand-off which began when she reportedly refused to release her two children, Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1, to ex-husband Kevin Federline's bodyguard.

Spears was taken to the Cedars Sinai Medical Center for mental evaluation before she discharged herself two days later.

The exact reasons for Spears' admission to hospital have not been revealed.

Spears, one of the most successful pop stars of her generation, has been locked in the custody feud with Federline since the couple separated in 2006.

A judge limited the pop star's access to her children in October after she failed to submit to random drug testing as demanded at an earlier hearing where the court ruled Spears was a "habitual and continuous drug user."

Her latest attempt to regain visitation rights to her two sons was rejected last week after she failed to appear for a Los Angeles court hearing, officials said. [x]

Poor Sylvia

Do you guys remember this?



Talk about being a good psychic? How are you going to fuck up on national television? lmao I tell you some people are too much. Fortunately we won't have to deal with her anymore. According to the Associated Press, the Montell Williams talk show, which has been on air for 17 seasons, will cease production this year. Is anyone saddened by this? I know I'm not. Who still watches the Montel show anyways? I know Sylvia is pissed she couldn't predict this.

New Lil Mama Video Featuring Chris Brown

Shawty Get Loose is the 3rd single off of Lil Mama's upcoming debut album, Voice Of The Young People. The video was shot by R. Malcolm Jones in Miami, Florida. Talk about imitation, this video looks an exact replica of Janet and Michael Jackson's smash hit Scream. Hm.

Danity Kane Talking Shit About Keyshia Cole

These chicks are asking to get a beat down from Keyshia Cole's crazy ass. Listen to this interview they did on Miss Jone's morning show. Pure comedy.

[Listen]

Thanks to my boy BLU for the link. ;)

Gnarls Barkley Feeling 'Odd' On New Album

Gnarls Barkley has christened its sophomore album "The Odd Couple," and will release it in April via Downtown/Atlantic. The duo of Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo is still finishing the project, having recently recorded with live musicians in Los Angeles.

There's no track list just yet, but "The Odd Couple" is confirmed to feature one song previewed for Billboard last summer that finds Cee-Lo proclaiming, "Who's gonna save my soul now?"

Another track, the peppier "Run," hit the Web last night as part of what appears to be an officially sanctioned viral campaign.

The album is the follow-up to Gnarls' runaway hit 2006 debut, "St. Elsewhere," which has sold 1.345 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. [x]

I was a big fan of St. Elsewhere. It stays in heavy rotation on my iPod and computer. I'm looking forward to their follow up album. They're a very creative group so I have no doubt that their new shit is going to be on point.

Edwards Quitting Presidential Race

Former Sen. John Edwards is dropping out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, CNN has learned.

Former Sen. John Edwards addresses a campaign rally in Springfield, Missouri, Monday.

Edwards has told top advisers about his decision. It is expected he will announce it at a speech in New Orleans, Louisiana, at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Edwards had amassed 26 delegates in the race for the Democratic nomination.

New Orleans is the same city in which Edwards declared his run to be the 2008 Democratic presidential nominee.

Edwards' campaign Web site said he was to deliver an address on poverty and work on a Habitat for Humanity project in New Orleans on Wednesday.

Edwards has trailed former first lady Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama in the early primaries, including a third-place finish in Tuesday's Florida primary, with 14 percent of the votes. He also came in third in key races in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

An Edwards aide said that he does not plan to endorse either Clinton or Obama, at this time, but he may do so in the future.

Edwards had campaigned on the message that he was standing up for the little guy, the people who are not traditionally given a voice in Washington, and that he would do more to fight special interests.

Commenting on his New Orleans trip on Tuesday, Edwards said the city symbolized why he chose to run for president.

"It's a living, breathing example of the heart of my message, what I'm talking about," Edwards said. "I mean it's the failure of government to be there when people need it. It's a perfect indication of the conditions of poverty that exist in America."

In a reaction to President Bush's State of the Union address Monday, Edwards said, "The truth is that Washington is out of touch with what's happening across the country. Between now and January of 2009, Democrats must stand up to this president, stand up for what's right, so he does not continue to forget about the middle class in this country."

One Edwards aide said he is not dropping out of the race due to his wife's health. Elizabeth Edwards announced last year that her breast cancer had returned.

Edwards was John Kerry's running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket in 2004. [x]

Wow things are starting to heat up. I wonder who he will endorse?

Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco Join Kanye West For The "Glow In The Dark" Tour

Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D. will all be joining Kanye West for his Glow In The Dark tour. No tour dates have been announced yet. I'm definitely going to be copping tickets for this.

Montel Williams "28 Soldiers Have Died And We're Talking About Heath Ledger"

I agree with him. The media has become so obsessed with celebrities that they're losing focus on the real important issues. My heart goes out to Heath Ledger's family, I was a huge fan of his. May he R.I.P. But do we really need to have round table discussions on this tragedy everyday on CNN or Fox News? People are quick to criticize tabloid magazines like People Magazine or Star Magazine or blogs for feeding into society's obsession with celebrities but don't realize that their local news stations are doing the same exact thing. You know we have a problem when our economy, the war in Iraq and shoot, even the presidential campaign are being replace as headlines by Britney Spears' drunk Saturday night and Lindsey Lohan caught smoking pot. smh

Thanks to RAW for the video link.

Obama Responds To Bush's Final State Of Union Address

This man is so inspirational, I just can't help but believe what he is saying. A couple of months ago, I was completely torn up on deciding which candidate I would be voting for. See, I come from a family that has always been supporters of the Clintons. Considering this will be the first election in which I am eligible to vote, I will not vote blindly. I've done my research, I've listened to their debates, I've heard their promises and I've finally decided that my vote is going to go to Barrack Obama. It is time for a change, and not just any change, but a change we can believe in.

Disabled Lady Beat Down By Teenager

Apparently the girl and her friend were taking a shortcut that might have possibly been private property. The lady though, took matters into her own hands when she started pushing and hitting the teenager reason being that she didn't want them walking through her property causing the girl to fight back and punch the old lady. My thing is, why couldn't the lady just call the cops if she was that riled up? There are certain ways things should be handled. Going up to a teenager and hitting them isn't going to resolve anything; shit, it could get you into some serious trouble if the teens are under 18. smh

Thanks to Machete for the video.

Joe Budden Preps "Padded Room"

If all goes as planned, rapper Joe Budden will release his first album in five years, "Padded Room," in the spring.

"Padded Room" will be the follow-up to 2003's "Joe Budden," which launched the hit "Pump It Up." Three editions of his "Mood Muzik" mixtape series have followed, but Budden tells Billboard.com that he's looking forward to another proper album release.

"It's complete," Budden says of "Padded Room," which will be released by Amalgam Digital. "It basically will be in the same vein as 'Mood Muzik,' just a little more structure and the mood will probably be a little lighter. I'm definitely pleased with the direction that it's going."

He adds that the album "sounds like Joe Budden. I can't really say it sounds like the times, because the times right now I'm not too fond of. I'm not too big on how that sound is going. But Joe Budden fans will get what they're accustomed to, and there's music on there for the casual listener as opposed to 'Mood Muzik,' which is not for the casual fan."

Budden, of course, had intended to release a second album called "The Growth" in the wake of the self-titled record's success. But it was scuttled by a deteriorating relationship with Def Jam, his label at the time, and a rumored feud with outgoing CEO Jay-Z. Nowadays Budden says that "the relationship went sour over the years, not something that just happened spontaneously or instantly. It was kind of a developing process."

But he does acknowledge that Def Jam's changing of the guard in 2004, after his debut's release, was not good for his career. "The people that signed me to Def Jam and had so much faith in me and believed in me, those weren't the people who were in charge anymore," Budden explains. "If the people who are running Def Jam now were in charge in 2002, 2003, who could say if I ever would have been signed to a deal."

Once "Padded Room" is out, meanwhile, Budden hopes that there won't be as long a wait for his third album. "I'm in the studio every single day, vibing and coming up with ideas," he notes. "There's always music around to put out, so you'll hear more from me sooner than later, I hope." [x]

The guy hasn't released an album in five years, was dropped from his record company and yet he still manages to make headlines. I give him props. So now that Mr. Budden is putting the finishing touches on his follow-up album, after all the years of delays and mixtapes here and there, will it be any good? I'm hoping ole' boy has some crazy joints on his album but I'm afraid we're looking at another Fabolous; a rapper with a lot of potential with an extremely mediocre body of music.

ThatGrapeJuice Interviews Kelly Rowland

She talks about her re-release and how she'll be replacing some old songs with new ones. She also confirmed the rumors that she did shoot a video for Comeback and that it will be featured in the re-release.

Thanks to ThatGrapeJuice.

Nas On The Cover Of 100th XXL

Excerpt:

Hip-hop was very much under the microscope last year, beginning with the Don Imus situation. What’s curious about that is that, here we are, nearly a year later, Imus has his job back, and somehow hip-hop continues to be examined because of what he said.
I think Imus was just trying to be cool, trying to be down. And it was a win-win situation for him, because it wasn’t handled properly. I believe in Don Imus’ freedom of speech. Because if we don’t know what people are thinking, how can we solve any problems? If you don’t know what Nas is thinking, how do you know what the people that listen to me are thinking? People tell their kids, “Don’t listen to that.” But you can find out who your kids really are if you listen to what they’re listening to and watch what they’re watching.

Do you think people like Cosby, Oprah, Sharpton or Bill O’Reilly have ever actually listened to a Nas album all the way through?
Hell no!

Issue is in stores now.

Ashanti "The Way That I Love You"

I assume most of you have heard the song by now, which is Ashanti's first single off The Declaration. If you haven't, check it out:



I've never been into Ashanti's music but I'm feeling this joint. According to Ashanti Daily, a video is in the works. The song was produced by L.T Hutton. Can she make a comeback after that disastrous third album? I think so.

Beyonce To Play Etta James

Having achieved major success on the stage and screen as a singer and as an actress, Beyonce, who starred in 'Dreamgirls', will be singing again on the big screen for her next big role. While speaking to Cedric the Entertainer on his latest film, 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins', he mentioned to blackfilm.com that Beyonce has been cast to play famed singer Etta James on his next film, 'Cadillac Records'.



The story is about Leonard Chess, the legendary founder of the South Side Chicago blues label Chess Records. The period piece follows the rise and fall of Chess Records, which launched the careers of such R&B greats as Muddy Waters, Etta James and Chuck Berry. Chess, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, scoured the South, checking out the various blues scenes and selling records from the back of his Cadillac. Cedric the Entertainer will play Willie Dixon, who wrote most of the hits records and was part of the famous company. One of his most famous songs was "Hoochie Coochie Man".

Oscar winner Adrien Brody has also joined the cast to replace Matt Dillon as Leonard Chess, the founder of Chess Records. Dillon had to drop out of the project due to a scheduling conflict.

As previously reported, Jeffrey Wright will portray Muddy Waters in the film set in 1950s Chicago. Also new to the cast are Emmanuelle Chriqui, Columbus Short and Tammy Blanchard.

Darnell Martin ("Their Eyes Were Watching God") penned the script and is directing. Sony/BMG's Sofia Sondervan and Andrew Lack are producing.

According to Allmusicguide.com, James landed at Chicago's Chess Records in 1960, signing with their Argo subsidiary. Immediately, her recording career kicked into high gear; not only did a pair of duets with her then-boyfriend (Moonglows lead singer Harvey Fuqua) chart, her own sides (beginning with the tortured ballad "All I Could Do Was Cry") chased each other up the R&B lists as well. Leonard Chess viewed James as a classy ballad singer with pop crossover potential, backing her with lush violin orchestrations for 1961's luscious "At Last" and "Trust in Me." But James' rougher side wasn't forsaken -- the gospel-charged "Something's Got a Hold on Me" in 1962, a kinetic 1963 live LP (Etta James Rocks the House) cut at Nashville's New Era Club, and a blues-soaked 1966 duet with childhood pal Sugar Pie De Santo, "In the Basement," ensured that. [x]

If this is true, congratulations to Beyonce for landing the role. Yes, it is another singing role but, like Dreamgirls, this movie has all the ingredients of a critical acclaimed film. Darnell Martin, the director was the director and writer of the 2001 film Prison Song, which is one of my favorite films of all time.

Let's see if Beyonce can work some of that magic and kill this shit. Who knows, maybe she can get that Oscar nomination she's been feening for.

Kelly Rowland Interview With Choice FM

This interview is about a month old, but it hasn't really been posted anywhere. She talks about her re-release, working with Danja ("Gimme More"), her new song "Broken" produced by Stargate ("Irreplaceable") and being on her own. Check it out.

[Download]

Thanks to Becky (Pulsemusic) for the link.

New Music By Alicia Keys, Keyshia Cole

So I've received word that Alicia Keys is going with Wreckless Love as the third single off her already 3x platinum album, As I Am. Good choice Ms. Keys.

[Download]



In other R&B news, while Keyshia Cole's third single I Remember is just getting started at radio, Fallin Out has already been announced as the fourth single and a video is in the works. I assume Benny Boom is going to direct. This is my favorite song on the album so I hope they do it justice.

[Download]

Hillary Clinton Answers Facebook Questions

She seems really sincere and genuine, for once. To be honest with you, I have no idea who I'm going to be voting for come November. On one side you have Obama, who has a very likeable personality and is a fresh face in politics who has a lot of potential and on the other side you have Hillary, who has the experience to back her shit up and has more realistic goals, imo. If anyone can accomplish ANY of their promises and goals, in my opinion, it would be Hillary. That being said, I'm not sure as to who I'll be voting for yet so till then I'll keep doing my research and following the elections and debates.

Danity Kane On Cover Of King Magazine

Credit to The YBF:





I think Aubrey is fucking gorgeous. <3 I'm surprised they didn't give her own cover.

Beyonce and Tina Turner Duet For Grammys

According to People Magazine, Beyonce Knowles and legendary singer Tina Turner are scheduled to perform together at this year's Grammy Awards, February 10th.

News of the A-list duet comes just one day after the Writers Guild of America announced it will not picket the awards show – clearing the way for stars to attend the Los Angeles ceremony.

Beyonce has paid tribute to Tina many times before. Her most notable performance took place in 2005 at the Kennedy Center where she performed Turner's smash Rolling On The River. Check it out below:




I can't wait to see what these two divas will do on stage together.

God Hates Fags Group To Picket Ledger's Funeral

How Christian of them. Plain sickening. I don't even know what to say. I'm tempted to call that phone number.

Lost Season 4 Promo

Tell me that shit doesn't look hot. The wait is killing me. January 31st can't come soon enough.

Britney Announces 3rd Single

Hot As Ice

"She is working on the choreography for her song 'Hot as Ice.' She rehearsed an amazing routine with a chair."

At Saturday's champagne party, Brit revealed to our two photogs that she's preparing to shoot a new video for her next single, Hot as Ice and that she wants it to be "something new" and fresh!

"I don't like the Piece of Me video," Brit said to our photogs. "The stuff they show of me on TV looks old."

Brit's displeasure with how her last video came off could be one of the reasons she's decided to take control and go back into the dance studio Sunday.

"I wanna do something new, something really cool," Britney said. [x]

What do you guys think of the single choice? To be honest with you I'm surprised they're even given her a third single. I mean, is it worth at this point? I actually like the song but I don't think it'll do anything for her album.

Actor Heath Ledger Found Dead

Actor Heath Ledger, known mostly for his role in the Oscar winning film Brokeback Mountain, was found dead earlier this afternoon in his Manhattan apartment, apparently from an overdose. According to sources [x], Heath's body was surrounded by pills and it is believed that the death is drug-related. He was set to star as the Joker in the upcoming Batman movie, The Dark Knight, and was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Brokeback Mountain. What a talented actor we have lost.

May he R.I.P. My heart goes out to Michelle Williams (his ex-wife) and his two year old daughter Matilda.

Don't Drive While Gay?

OK, so what is the meaning of this commercial? Don't drive while gay? Don't smoke while driving because you'll kiss your own brother? Quite disturbing, isn't it? I swear MTV airs the weirdest commercials.

B2K Confronts Raz-B

Can someone explain this shit to me? I mean, just a month ago, Raz-B accused (videos: pt.1, pt.2) his former manager Chris Stokes of sexual abuse and then apologized and claimed the allegations were false. Who does that? Who would accuse someone of molestation and then retract their allegations a day later? How are you going to make such serious statements, release not one but two videos, mentioning specifically who and what happened and then the next day release a 30 second apology and think everything is going to be all good and dandy? I think it's fucked up, first of all, that Raz-B had the audacity to make up false accusations like that and second of all, if the accusations are true, it's even more fucked up how he just took all his statements back and punked out of the whole thing. If you were indeed molested, I can't begin to understand why you would apologize to anybody about anything.



As the drama unfolds things are slowly starting to heat up, unfortunately. What do you guys make of this video?

P!nk On Conan Talking About Rats, Horses and PETA

Pink was on Conan a couple of days ago talking about her love for animals (rats specifically) and how she supports PETA. I wonder if she's a vegetarian? Anyways, her album I'm Not Dead recently went platinum, which is huge for her considering her previous effort Try This barely sold 700,000 copies. She recently told BBC Radio that she is about to commence work on her 5th album.

I told you I'd be back...didn't I?

I'm back bitches! Miss me? I didn't think so. Well, I was in the beautiful Dominican Republic for a whole month enjoying a much needed vacation. I had an amazing time and took a lot of pictures, which I'll be posting later this week. ;)

A lot has happened since I last posted. A load of interesting new songs, videos and movies have been released; the writer's strike shows no signs of stopping; the presidential race is heating up and Jamie Lynn Spears (not Britney, for once) is the one making the headlines. What else is new?

As the blog grows I plan on adding more features and sections. In the meantime, stay put: the oO itz sant0 blog is definitely back in effect.