Ms. Tibbs Bits (4/5)

Date: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 By: Ms. Tibbs of Big Park Marketing

RIP...Attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr., passed away in LA at the age of 67. Cochran had been suffering from an inoperable brain tumor for years. • Nelly's sister Jacqueline Donahue died at a St. Louis hospital after a long battle with leukemia. Donahue was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia on Mar. 29th, 2001. In June 2001, her leukemia had gone into remission. In January 2003, her leukemia relapsed. Donahue was 31. • Renee Diggs, the former lead singer of "Starpoint," has passed. Diggs was an incredible vocalist and has inspired many singers. But her career was cut short when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis during her time with Starpoint. Diggs created and was committed to running the Renee Diggs Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, until her untimely passing on Mar. 18th. Diggs age was not disclosed.

Law & Disorder...Gerald Levert pleaded innocent to felony charges of assaulting a Cleveland police officer and obstructing official police business. • Young Buck's court date in connection with the melee at the Vibe Awards was continued to Apr. 18th. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled then. • Irv and Chris Gotti appeared in federal court in Brooklyn for a pretrial hearing in the Murder Inc. money-laundering case. Their lawyers began the process of trying to sever their case from that of Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff and the other defendants in the case who are charged with more severe crimes, such as murder. Don’t run now! The judge granted them the opportunity to make such an application, which will be heard at the next hearing. The Gotti’s are due back in court on May 13th. • Eminem dropped his federal copyright law infringement suit against the Source after the judge decided Eminem deserved $131,000 in sanctions. • Ron Edwards, the former manager of Ruben Studdard, is suing Studdard for $500,000 for allegedly failing to pay management fees and not reimbursing Edwards for expenses. Ruben is broke, now if Edwards was suing for 2 for 1-dinner specials, they could reach a deal! • The wife of Detroit Pistons forward Darvin Ham was arrested on a domestic assault charge. Oakland County sheriff's deputies were called to the couple's home about 3 a.m. According to a sheriff's report, Deneitra Ham allegedly struck her husband on the head with a wine bottle during a domestic dispute. Ham, who was bleeding when deputies arrived but refused medical treatment, did not wish to press charges against his wife. But deputies took her into custody under a Michigan law allowing a police officer to make an arrest if the officer has reasonable cause to believe an assault has taken place. Deneitra Ham was arraigned on a charge of domestic abuse and was released on a personal bond. Misdemeanor domestic violence is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine. Ham, 31, has played eight NBA seasons with six teams. He is in his second season with the Pistons. Damn, she whooped his *SS!

Oh Really...Missy's rep spoke with The Daily News after Wendy Williams' report linked Missy with Eva Pigford (America’s Next Top Model 3 Winner). "Wendy Williams has basically linked all of my clients together," says Mona Scott, who manages both Elliott and Pigford. "She's a gossip-monger and does this stuff for ratings and so listeners will tune in." A Daily News spy sat near Missy and Eva at the Beacon Theater during a recent performance of "Madea Goes to Jail." "Missy kept scolding her, and Eva kept apologizing for things," laughs the snitch. "Missy told her to get her feet off the chair, and Eva was like, 'I'm sorry, babe.' Missy also told her not to sign any more autographs and to just chill." Says Scott, "I was there for all of these events, and it was basically me taking two clients out." Um, Mona needs to be fired & forced into fat camp this summer! ** Well, since I’m in the sharing mood, I’d thought I’d show you some pictures I found rather interesting. It looks like Missy & Eva are way past the “getting to know you stage.” Body language never lies! Now, it’s your turn to judge! **

Allhiphop.com reports that TI confirmed on Atlanta’s 107.9 that a physical confrontation took place between him and rival Lil’ Flip. “He was walking behind the car and I’m walking up to him trying to beg him to come out from behind the car, so we can get a square deal going,” TI stated. “He sent somebody from behind and they hit me in the back of the head, that did happen.” Apparently TI brought along a videotape of the incident, which he allowed the DJ to view, confirming that a videotape of the altercation exists. “I don’t say things, I do things. If I say things, I do things,” TI stated on the air. “I came to show my face and my tape. I showed them the tape, I showed them what happened and they’ve seen it.” During the interview, TI stated that the verbal feud boiled over into a fight while he was in Houston (TX), after Lil’ Flip allegedly threatened TI’s son on a mixtape. TI dismissed reports that he sustained serious injuries during the fight as reports have suggested, noting to on air personalities that he did not have a blemish on his body. “Ima die by mines,” TI said. “If you’re not willing to die, or kill about the things you say [and] disrespect me, my family and my loved ones, then you might as well leave me alone.” TI stated that on his end, the beef between him and Lil’ Flip is over and revealed several upcoming projects. Sounds to me that TI got his *ss kicked!

A source close to Whitney Houston's family told The Daily News that her mother Cissy Houston feared for her daughter's health and convinced her to enter rehab after Houston was hospitalized in February as a result of becoming ill on a flight from Paris. "Cissy's been extremely upset," the source said. "She's concerned for Whitney's health and wants her to see the treatment through this time." Damn, she’s so f*cked up I can’t even talk sh*t anymore! But this explains why she wasn’t at her daughter’s birthday bash!

Puffy spoke with The Daily News about the new production deal he has with MTV. One project is an urban heist picture for which he will be producer and star for MTV Films. "I was watching 'Ocean's 11,' and I just couldn't relate to it," Puff said. "You have all these black icons. Chris Rock or Chris Tucker in comedy, Denzel and Jamie Foxx in acting, me and Jay-Z in music, what about us? It's about time to put the greatest black icons in a film together. We're not running around in 'do-rags and low riders anymore." Did anybody see Monsters Ball? I rest my case!

MTV News reported on one of Roc-A-Fella's former groups, State Property, and their current status now that the label has been through some changes. Many of the guys expressed dissatisfaction with Dame Dash, with Peedi Crakk being the most vocal, saying: "He don't listen. He's so smart, he's dumb. He's got so much money, he thinks he's the sh**. A cloud just hovers over his head so much, it fu**s with his common sense. That's why he's losing. He don't know how to pick music, what song to do a video for, how to shoot a video. If you tell him this, he feels disrespected because he's got so many people kissing his ass. When you talk to him on a man-to-man level, on a regular level, he feels disrespected. He's got three, four, five assistants holding his two-way, holding his money, holding his phone. All this super Hollywood sh**." Nuff said! - The Post reports that Dame Dash is about to be evicted from the London house he rented last year for $37,000 a month. Dash threw a party in the Chelsea mansion last November for the British premiere of his movie, "The Woodsman." The landlord went to court when Dash failed to move out at the expiration of his lease in January. The Evening Standard reports that after Dash ignored a court hearing, the judge ordered him to pay $100,000 in back rent, plus $1,200 a day until he vacates the house and $10,000 in legal costs. Landlord Grahame Bond was also given the right to retake possession on Mar. 29th. He told the paper, "I find it absolutely ridiculous that someone who openly boasts that he is worth a fortune should behave like this." A spokeswoman for Dash said it was all a misunderstanding: "He hasn't been there in five months. He left behind some stuff, but nothing he cared about." The landlord should have gone in and thrown his stuff out, she said. I guess Peedi had a point about Dame not being too bright!

50 Cent has accused the media of focusing too much on his violent past - insisting he is a good role model for children. On his way to the top, the star made much of his drug dealing past and the occasion he was hit with nine bullets in a drive-by shooting. But 50 wants the press to now concentrate on his achievements, insisting he can be a good example. He told MTV, "I see myself as a role model because I've been taking advantage of all the options and opportunities that have been created for me. "They may not consider me as a role model because I write about harsh realities - the things that actually go on in the environment that I came up in - and I ain't going to change that. But what I say to the kids is, 'Watch what I do, not what I say.'" First off, all he talks about is being shot up and that 3 second bid he did, get the f*ck outta here with that! Who’s the real Wanksta?

Despite Pharrell Williams comments to Radio 1 the other day that "N*E*R*D is dead", Williams' rep told The Daily News, "They're definitely not broken up; they're performing in Japan in a couple of weeks." The rep added, "He said those things out of frustration." But the Daily News hears that Pharrell's "frustration" is enough that he and Chad Hugo are seeking any way possible out of their deal with Virgin Records. Pharrell told Radio 1: " I don't agree with the management at Virgin Records so we're done," Pharrell said. "Me and Chad still do what we do in the studio, Shay is still our best friend, you know, perhaps we'll do some music for our fans and leak it to the internet or something, who knows? I've been very quiet about it for the last two years. I'm not here to slander or throw dirt, I'm just not happy so therefore N*E*R*D is expired." Pharrell is just talking sh*t to push old units!

Music World/Bizz Updates/Ventures...The Bizz: Puffy signed a yearlong production agreement with MTV to develop and executive produce projects for the network. In addition to “Borrow My Crew” and “Making The Band” Puff will also develop a special called “The Show,” which takes viewers behind the scenes at the launch of the Sean John women’s line in September. Nobody cares about that line! Puff has also teamed up with Russell Simmons to produce a reality show titled “Run’s House,” based on the life of Rev. Run. Puff is OD’ing with the reality shows! The Buzz: Usher is in talks to launch his own fragrance line through Sephora. Fruit Loops, aisle 4! The Ventures: Puffy has linked up with Kansas City’s Weld Wheel Industries to produce a new line of rims for luxury SUVs. Enough with the Puffy!

Upcoming Projects/TV Shows/Movies Etc...Shows: Sony Pictures Television has pulled the plug on Life & Style. Good! Stay tuned next week for the Kimora Lee files. • NBC has given Third Watch the axe. Nia f*cks up everything! I joke, but is she bad luck? • Former American Idol contestant Kimberly Locke is shooting a reality pilot that follows her around as she works on a new album and prepares to get married. Locke's manager, Jerry Sharell, developed the idea — and is meeting with VH1, UPN, BET, Lifetime and Oxygen about potentially airing the series, which follows Locke preparing her follow- up album and planning her wedding to high school sweetheart Don Campbell (a barber). The working title is "Aren't You That Girl?" More like Aren’t You that Pressed B*tch! Why did this heifer propose to him? That’s never a good sign! Flicks:Anthony Anderson is in talks to join the cast of The Departed. Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson are already on board for the Martin Scorsese flick. Good shit!

Albums Etc...On the eve of the 10-year anniversary of Eazy-E's death, Eazy’s label will re-release Eternal E: The Best of Eazy-E with the addition of a DVD of videos. The Gangsta Memorial Edition hits stores Aug. 30th. • Bow Wow has launched a contest to find his biggest fan; his fans are being asked to create 30-second video clips about why they love him for possible inclusion on the DVD portion of his upcoming CD/DVD release, Wanted, which drops Jun. 28th. For more info log on to www.bowwowwanted.com • Tyler Perry has linked up with Dallas Austin to release the soundtrack to "Diary of a Mad Black Woman." The album features India.Arie, Monica, Patti LaBelle, Tamia, and Heather Headley. The album hits stores Apr. 19th. • Fat Joe will drop All or Nothing on May 24th. His camp blamed "sample clearance issues" for the delay. • Kanye West will release the "Kanye West Video Anthology" on Apr. 22nd. In addition to his videos, the DVD will feature retooled versions of previously released material, as well as a couple of songs that have never hit shelves. in driest voice possible More Kayne, great. yawn

Spottings...Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Common, Jean Grae, Pharoahe Monch, Dres, Miri Ben-Ari, the Alchemist, Eva Pigford, Yaya and Toccara were spotted at Farnsworth Bentley birthday bash at Cielo in NYC. • Malik Rose, Jerome Williams and Stephon Marbury were spotted at Sia Bayiokos' party at Baraonda. • Mobb Deep, Mr. Cheeks, and Prodigy were spotted at the 2005 Latin Hip-Hop Convention at Caribe Hilton in San Juan, PR. • Hassan Johnson, Welsey Jonathan, Tyson Beckford were spotted at Blu Cantrell's 2005 Birthday Party at Shelter in LA. • Wyclef Jean, Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris, and Lauryn Hill were spotted leaving The Force of Nature Concertto Benefit Tsunami Aid hosted by Malaysia Airlines in Newark. • Kelis and Nas were spotted at Damon Peruzzi's Birthday bash at Lotus in NYC.

Quickies...The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers will present Jermaine Dupri with the ASCAP Golden Note Award during the 22nd Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards gala on May 16th. • Ben Harper plans to release a live concert DVD featuring his band and the Blind Boys of Alabama performing at the Apollo. • In recognition of Jam Master Jay, NYC honored the Jam Master Jay Foundation for Youth and the "J-Whip" project during a special ceremony at City Hall on March 23rd. • After 25 years, BET founder Robert Johnson may leave the cable channel. His five-year deal to remain BET’s CEO following the channel’s sale to Viacom expires this year. Johnson, who also owns the Charlotte Bobcats, several hotels and a jazz label, reportedly has his interests other than BET on his mind, having told Newsweek recently, “I don’t plan to continue in my current capacity.” • Joss Stone will replace Sarah Jessica Parker as the Gap's celebrity spokesperson for its summer ad campaign.

AlleyChat...'AI' fans are buzzing about a man seeking man profile on Blackplanet and the photos resemblance Anwar Robinson. The official Idols on fox profile lists Robinson from East Orange (NJ), while the Blackplanet profile shows he resides in the neighboring Elizabeth (NJ). The last login is Jan. 1st, well before the new 'Idol' season started airing. Why did it take Blackplanet for folks to notice? • So the word outta the ATL is that Monica is about to drop one. I’m unsure who the dad is but the baby shower invites have been sent and should happen any day now. My guess is everyone on GGGG-Unit Buck, 50, Banks, Yayo, & Olivia! • The Mirror reports that Nas was dragged from the Brixton Academy stage in London after shots were fired at his concert. Nas was screaming: "No motherfu**er's going to stop my show," even injuring himself trying to find out what was happening. A source revealed, "Nas twisted his ankle leaping into the crowd." Next time don’t try that white dude sh*t! • The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that courtside ticket holders for the Cleveland Cavaliers are upset with Usher. They claim Usher is disrespectful for not removing his headwear for the national anthem before the game, and once the action gets underway, he won't sit down, blocking the views of others in the $400 seats. White folks always tell on themselves! • Kelly Rowland fears some of Destiny Child’s deepest secrets will be exposed, because a scandalous ten-hour chat with her bandmates was captured on tape. Kelly,Beyonce and Michelle were so eager to trade gossip when they reunited in the studio last year, they put the music on hold to fully catch up as friends first. However, Rowland admits their revealing conversation was captured on tape - and she's hoping it never finds its way into the public domain. She says, "The first three days we were in the studio all we did was talk. We suddenly realized we were telling some good gossip so made sure our mics got turned off. "I think there's ten hours of us talking and, man, there's some good scandal on there - I hope no one gets a hold of that tape!" Huh? Now I really hope something does come out! Like Mathew is really Kelly’s daddy and they really don’t feed Michelle because she’s a robot!