May 2009 – Page 2

Natalie Cole gains kidney but loses sister

Natalie Cole, who suffers from hepatitis C that she acquired from a previous drug addiction, recently received a liver transplant. Before the surgery, she was going to kidney dialysis three times a week. Her older sister Carol “Cookie” Cole, whose hospital bedside the singer reluctantly left to receive the transplant, died while the artist was undergoing surgery.

“Our sister Cookie hadn’t been to a doctor in 30 years, and last week she went in and they found a cancerous spot on her lung,” younger sister Timolin Cole told Page Six yesterday. “They had wanted to start chemo right away, but Cookie said no.”

The singer’s surgery was successful and she recovered at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She went home Sunday.

Kanye to perform for charity in hometown

Chicago native Kanye West will perform in the second annual “Stay in School” Benefit Concert on June 11th at the Chicago Theatre. This event will help to benefit his charity, The Kanye West Foundation, founded in 2007 by his late mother, Donda. It was formed to “help combat the severe dropout problem plaguing America’s communities,” according to a press release.

This will be the first major event for the foundation since the rapper’s mother passed in 2007. This will also be his first concert in Chicago in over a year. FUSE, a cable music network, will tape the show and air it later this summer.

“I have always had the desire to help people and make the world a better place,” said West in a press release, which also stated the rapper will waive his fees for the event. “I believe that youth are the music for creating a world filled with harmony. To create such a world, however, we must all do our part.”

Spielberg to make MLK movie

Steven Spielberg will co-produce a Dreamworks movie about slain civil rights leader, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., reports National Public Radio. The studio is touting the project as the first big screen movie authorized by King’s estate to use his intellectual property.

Dexter King, the civil rights leader’s son and chairman and chief executive officer of King Inc., signed off on the deal. His siblings, sister, Bernice and brother, Martin III, are suing because they had no input on the decision.

Ruben Studdard is ‘Together’

Ruben Studdard, the season two winner of American Idol, has dropped his first single, “Together,” from his new album, “Love Is,” that is due out this May. Check out his new video:

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Commodores reunion planned

The R&B group that created such hits as “Lady,” “Brick House” and “Nightshift” are planning to reunite soon, said Lionel Richie.

“It’s the No. 1 question we get,” Richie told Billboard. “I can honestly tell you before the end of the year, for sure, you’ll hear a rumble. I think now might be the proper time.”

Whispers record first gospel album

R&B group the Whispers are scheduled to release their first gospel album this fall, reports Billboard. Gospel singer Fred Hammond will produce several songs for the group best known for hits such as “And the Beat Goes On,” “Lady” and “It’s a Love Thing.”

“We’ve been wanting to do this for 10 years,” founding member Nick Caldwell stated in a press release announcing the project.

T.I. going to Arkansas jail

Rapper T.I. will serve his sentence of one year and one day at a low-security prison in Forrest City, Arkansas, reports the Associated Press. Born Clifford J. Harris Jr., the 28-year-old pleaded guilty to weapons charges and must turn himself in to authorities by May 26.

Tyler Perry and Oprah team up for new movie

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Tyler Perry and Oprah are flexing their muscle to help promote Lionsgate new film, “Precious,” which is based on the book “Push” by Sapphire. The movie centers on Princess, played by actress Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, an overweight and sexually abused teen who finds hope in alternative school. Mo’Nique plays her monster of a mother who is suffering from her own demons. The film also stars Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd and Lenny Kravitz.

The movie will be released Nov. 6 and was screened at Cannes Film Festival Friday.

DMX out of jail

Rapper DMX was released Thursday from a Phoenix jail after serving a 90-day sentence for drug, fraud and animal cruelty convictions.

He will return to court May 19 for an aggravated assault charge for allegedly throwing a tray of food at a prison guard in February. DMX plans to work on his new album,You’ll Fly With Me Later, and is interested in doing guest appearances on artists’ songs.

“He’s in good spirits,” DMX’s publicist told MTV. “He won’t focus on the past; he’s very optimistic about the future.”

Wanda Sykes is a new mom

On April 27, comedian Wanda Sykes welcomed twin babies, reports People. Her wife, Alex gave birth to daughter Olivia Lou weighed (6 lbs., 7 oz. and 19-inches long) and son Lucas Claude (7 lbs., 9 oz., and 20-inches long).

The couple were married last October. Sykes currently stars in the CBS comedy, “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”