Another week has gone by and more incidents have developed into intriguing and might I add, humorous news stories that tickle our sense and stimulate our minds……..Enough of that crap, allow me to inform all those inquiring minds about what’s been going on in the hip hop industry for this past week.

Miss Jones has been suspended from Hot 97 for two weeks for opening fire with that hot mouth of hers to Tina Knowles. Apparently Tina and the beautiful B stormed into the Hot 97 office and where Tina thanked Miss Jones for talking about her and her daughter everyday. She was quoted saying, “It just boosts her [Beyonce] ratings up.” Miss Jones couldn’t let that comment fly in her studio, she instructed Tina to thank M.A.C. makeup for hiding all the oldness on her face. She was quoted saying, “Now you look like the joker.” C’mon now Tina, you should know better than to fight fire with engine fluid!

While we’re on the subject of the Knowles clan, In case you missed it- Matthew, beloved father, husband and manager had issued a statement to us last week to address what he calls, “planned distractions” aimed to interfere with his daughter’s album success. “It is apparent that there is a consistent plan by some to create chaos around Beyonce’s B-Day album,” stated Matthew. “Unfortunately, what it shows is that anyone can go on the internet and create rumors, and the media in some cases will pick up these stories and run with them, which influence the consumer’s perception.” He directly addresses the rumor about postponing the release of Beyonce’s album, stating that fact is indeed fiction. He also addresses the rumor that Beyonce’s new single, “Ring the Alarm” has nothing to do about the rumored affair between Jay-Z and Rihanna. He adds “…for the record- Beyonce’s success or failure for me is not based on the number of records she sells. It’s based on how proud I am that she is a genuine good person…that she has confidence not to be bothered by these planned distractions.” Well one thing is for sure, the Knowles sure hold each other down. They are indeed survivors! Beyonce didn’t just make that song for the females, it applies to herself and her family apparently.

In other news, it has been confirmed that Ne-Yo is NOT gay although some pictures that I found of him are a bit questionable. What do you think?

Everybody is a rapper nowadays! P. Diddy’s nutty butler, Fonzworth Bentley has signed with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D music label and plans on releasing his debut album, titled C.O.L.O.U.R.S. The album is due out early 2007.
Featured on the album are Andre 3000 and label mate trio Sa-Ra. Can’t wait to hear the first single on that LP!!!

Speaking of rappers, newcomer Papoose hit the jackpot signing $1.5 million dollar deal with Jive Records!! This heavenly gift came through DJ Kayslay’s Streetsweepers Entertainment. The album, titled The Nacirema Dream, is expected to “hit the world in a couple of months,” according to DJ Kayslay. In the meantime Papoose is completing his sixteenth mixtape, Second Place, which is scheduled to drop in two weeks. The bidding war over the hottest unsigned rapper is definitely over. Can Papoose survive the game?? The streets will be the judges of that outcome.

Foxy Brown can’t seem to keep herself out the headlines now can she?? She pleaded guilty for punching and kicking a pair of Chelsea manicurists. Prior to the plea, she denied attacking the women and refused to accept a plea bargain last year. She reportedly beat two of the staff members of the nail shop and threw a cell phone at one. It wasn’t enough that she has been previously accused of stealing two $400 belts from a Greenwich Village boutique. Not to mention that she faces legal trouble in New Jersey for skipping a civil hearing on accusations that she stiffed an assistant out of a week’s wages and harassed her. So what’s next?? A countdown to lockdown for the Ill Na Na??

Poor Michael Jackson; he is going through tough times nowadays. He is facing financial hardships and has opted to sell his collection of Zoo animals from his Neverland Ranch to pay back massive loans. His asking price for his giraffes are $35,000 a pair. Better call Cirque de Sol and see if they needs any new acts!!!

It is official you all. Danity Kane’s album is number one on the Bill Board Charts!!! They have the number one album in the country right now. I bet P. Diddy is jumping for Jehovah at this very moment. Let’s see how long these rookies keep up the good work before Diddy expedites them and keeps all their publishing rights! Yikes!

That’s all for now folks. Next week should include more interesting stories about these industry heads we love to hear about so much. Check back next week for the inside scoop on what’s what in hip hop.

Until next week…..Holla!!!!
Natalie Hinds