Jazmine Sullivan to star in Tuskegee Airmen movie

R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan is set to appear in the movie, “Red Tails,” which tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen.  In April, she will fly to Prague to begin shooting, reports Billboard.

“I play a singer who entertains soldiers,” said Sullivan, who will appear alongside current touring partner Ne-Yo. “I’m really just entertainment for them, but I kind of get a little relationship going with one of them. So that’s very exciting.”

Sullivan has also begun thinking about songs for her next project after her debut album, “Fearless.

“I took a break (from writing). I didn’t have an inspiration or anything like that for a little while. But now it’s starting to come to me. I don’t like to force things; as they come to me, I put the ideas down and…roll from there.”

Nas and Kelis Expecting Baby Boy

In a blog entry to GlobalGrind.com, Nas, 35, confirmed that he and his wife Kelis are expecting a baby boy. 

Personally, life is good. I’m sure that y’all heard K is expecting. The internet seems to be more excited than I am. It’s crazy! I got too much to think about, and I didn’t wanna leave all my fans out the loop. But I wanted to let ya’ll know from me personally that I’m having my first SON!!!!!

I been celebrating life ya’ll. Also I want you all to know that the Nas and Damian Marley album is coming in the next few months. It’s something we have been secretly working on. Tour this summer too!

Married in 2005, this will be the first child for 29-year-old Kelis.  Nas has a 15-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Halle Berry to star in heist film

Halle Berry is set to star in the film, “Who is Dora Payne,” about a real life international jewel thief who performed heists for 50 years, reports Variety.  One of the developers of the film is Justin Berfield, who starred as Reese in the Fox series, “Malcolm in the Middle.”

Suge Knight Gets Dropped Again

Suge Knight, the former head of Death Row Records, got beat down again!  This time at a private party at the W hotel in Scottsdale, AZ during NBA All-Star weekend, reports TMZ.  Someone out of rapper Akon’s camp punched Suge twice in the head.  Police had to break out the tasers to break it up!  This is the second time he has gotten beat down in nine months.

M.I.A. Finally Delivers Baby

 

Who could forget M.I.A.’s Grammy performance of “Swagga Like Us,” with Jay-Z, T.I., Kanye West and Lil Wayne while being nine months pregnant?  On the day she was due to deliver her baby, the British- born Sri Lankan musical artist danced around in a bumble bee outfit during the performance.  Well, M.I.A. delivered a baby boy this past Wednesday, according to her My Space blog, where she writes:

SUNDAY NITE I CAME HOME FROM THE GRAMMY’S STILL IN THE MOOD TO PARTY , I COUDA EASILY GONE OUT BUT I WENT HOME INSEAD , LUCKY I DID!! COZ MY EARLY STAGE LABOUR KICKED IN AROUND 2 AM .

MY BABY WAS BORN WEDNESDAY , HE IS HEALTHY , FINE , BEAUTIFUL AND THE MOST AMZING THING EVER ON THIS PLANET, OF COURSE IM HIS MUM!!!ME AND BABY ARE PUTTING OUR TOUR DATES FOR 2010 TOGETHER AND MAKING MIX TAPES AND FIGURING OUT A WAY TO BREAK OUT OF THE HOSPITAL !

 

Obam to honor Stevie Wonder

On Feb. 26, PBS will broadcast its series, “Performance at the White House,” a concert where President Barack Obama will present Stevie Wonder with the Library of Congress award, reports the Associated Press.  Wonder’s songs such as “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” and “Higher Ground” were used throughout Obama’s presidential campaign.

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Michelle Obama Styled by Chicago Boutique Owner

Ever wonder who was behind First Lady Michelle Obama’s wardrobe for the inauguration?  Ikram Goldman, owner of a Gold Coast boutique in Chicago, managed the clothing provided by designers.  Obama’s measurements were provided by Goldman and all finished designs were sent to either Chicago or Washington.

“Mrs. Obama has shopped at Ikram’s store for years and appreciates her shared interest in working with a broad spectrum of designers, including many young and up-and-coming designers,” said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, Obama’s press secretary, to the New York Times.

Obama also spoke with Goldman about what she would wear on the cover of the March edition of Vogue magazine.

Snoop Dogg signs deal with MTV

Premiering Feb. 17, Snoop Dogg will host the weekly “Dogg After Dark”, which will feature celebrity interviews, sketch comedy and musical performances, reports Variety.  MTV will be involved in the distribution and promotion of his upcoming album, “Malice in Wonderland.”   The rapper’s music will also be featured in MTV’s “Rock Band” video game.

“I can’t even begin to imagine MTV, my tumultuous career and several raging ulcers without the Dogg being such a big part of our history,” said Van Toffler, MTV Networks Music/Films/Logo Groups president.

Nas and Damian Marley record new album together

Nas is recording an album with reggae star Damien Marley, which will be released in the spring, reports Billboard. 

“We’ve been recording in a studio, where people like Mick Jagger are recording. No one knew who we were,” said Anthony Saleh, Nas’ manager of the duo’s collaborations in Los Angeles. “We’re going to Miami this week to finish it up and we’re aiming to tour for the album this summer.”

A portion of the album’s proceeds will go toward building a school in Africa.