March 24, 2005

Law & Disorder...

Toni Braxton’s sister, was arrested in Gwinnett County (GA) on forgery and theft charges. • Damien Patrick Holland (Chaka Khan’s son) turned himself in after hearing he was charged with murder. Holland is being held on $2 million bail. Prosecutors allege that Holland shot Christopher Baily at a party (Sept. 2004) as the two struggled for a gun during a fight. Holland was initially taken into custody, but was released when prosecutors said they didn't have enough evidence to press charges. Detectives have since located witnesses to the murder, which led to the current charge. • Terry Howard, a longtime engineer for Ray Charles and a co-winner of three Grammy’s for his work on Genius Loves Company, is in custody after police found what they describe as 300 master tapes that belonged to Charles in Howard’s Burbank loft. • A group of copyright owners filed an infringement lawsuit over Christina Milian's, "Dip It Low." The suit was filed by Thomas Turino, Larry Crook and Dan Dickey who claim that a sample of a "central identifying melodic, harmonic and rhythmic component" of the 1983 song "La Sirena" was looped throughout "Dip It Low" without permission. Named as defendants are the Island Def Jam Music Group, Universal Music & Video Distribution and producers/writers/publishers Teedra Moses d.b.a. Ras N Taj Music , Paul Poli and Paul Poli Music. The trio is seeking damages of at least $150,000 per infringement, a declaration of rights, an accounting for all profits and attorneys' fees. • A warrant was issued for Anthony “Krayzie Bone” Henderson for failing to show up at a court hearing to secure payment of more than $40,000 in back child support. • Gerald Levert, was arrested for driving under the influence. Levert was also charged with resisting arrest, assault of a police officer, obstructing official police business. The assault charges have been dropped.. 

Bill Cosby issued an apology to the 31-year-old woman who accused him of drugging and sexually molesting her last year. "Looking back on it, I realize that words and actions can be misinterpreted by another person, and unless you're a supreme being, you can't predict what another individual will do," Cosby told the National Enquirer. "But that's all behind me now, and I'm looking only toward a bright future." He also tells the weekly, "I'm not saying that what I did was wrong, but I apologize to my loving wife, who has stood by my side for all these years, for any pain I have caused her. These allegations have caused my family great emotional stress." Cosby also used the interview to blast lawyer Tamara Green, who came forward to support his accuser and claimed he tried to assault her 30 years ago. "She is a wrecking ball," Cosby said of Green.  The Daily News reports Foxy Brown is pissed about published reports that she was ejected from downtown Manhattan 's Chung King Studios over a money dispute. A source close to Brown revealed that her attorneys are looking at allegations of defamation of character and music piracy.

Vivica A. Fox will serve as a judge on the new reality show, "The Starlet." The show gives 10 aspiring actresses an opportunity to fulfill their dreams. The show premieres Mar. 6th on the WB @ 8 p.m. • Fonzworth Bentley and Eva Pigford hosted BET's 1st Fashion Special. The show will feature some of the hottest designers and performances by T.I., Fabolous, Amerie, G-Unit, Olivia and Brooke Valentine. The show airs on Mar. 24th @ 9 p.m. • The Soul Train Music Awards is scheduled to air Mar. 12th. Check your local listings. Flicks: NBC is scheduled to produce Behind The Camera:The Unauthorized Story of 'Diff'rent Strokes' and The Unauthorized Story of  'Mork & Mindy.' I’m eagerly waiting! • Ice Cube is in talks to play Cary Grant's role in a remake of the 1948 comedy, "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House." Etc:50 Cent is hitting the airwaves. "G-Unit Radio" is about to take over Eminem's Sirius channel, Shade 45, starting in March. 50 will produce and host the show with DJ Whoo Kid.

Zab Judah, Common, Bounty Killer, Alicia Keys, Mos Def, Russell Simmons, and John Legend were spotted at The Supper Club for a taping of Def Poetry Jam. • Jay-Z, Ty Ty, and Beyonce were spotted at the NJ Nets vs. Miami Heat by my Fly Set.

Usher is now a minority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. • Halle Berry showed up to collect her Razzie Award for Worst Actress for Catwoman and was voted Worst Picture of 2004. That’s probably the only award she got this year. • Holly Robinson Peete went into labor at Ebony magazine's pre-Oscar party and gave birth to a baby boy, who weighed in at 7lbs., 1 oz. • Lil Mo gave birth to a baby girl God'iss Love Stone on Feb. 22nd. Mo will drop, Lil Mo Syndicated, in April • Contrary to previous reports, Benny Medina and Jennifer Lopez will not resume their business relationship. Lopez will stay with current manager Simon Fields.