My 411

Dr. Conrad Murray has been arraigned on involuntary manslaughter charges. Dr. Murray pleaded not guilty in the death of Michael Jackson, and was released on $75,000 bail. Dr. Murray can no longer administer anesthesia, and now he awaits his next court appearance. A possible trial could begin a year from now. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison. The Jackson Family is outraged and feels that there is a conspiracy involved.

Matthew Knowles is a new dad….. maybe. The DNA tests are forthcoming, but word has it Knowles mistress/jumpoff, Alexsandra Wright, has given birth to a baby boy named Nixon. Wright says she had been seeing Knowles for almost two years, but now he acts as though he doesn’t know who she is. Papa Knowles says the child isn’t his, but we will find out once the DNA is released.

Usher has fired his mother….. again! The long awaited album, Raymond vs. Raymond, has been delayed because the record company wants Usher to have a manager. This is the second time that Usher has fired his mother. The first time Usher fired his mom as his manager, it was when he was married to his first wife Tameka. Usher’s mom, Johnetta Patton, didn’t like Tameka, and it caused a major rift in his relationship with his mom. Johnetta sees his new love, Record Exec Grace Miguel, as a threat once again. She felt Miguel had too much say in the recording of his latest CD. So far, three singles have been released off the project to a lukewarm response. The relationship with Usher and his mom is very strange because she doesn’t like any woman in his life, but, every time Usher breaks away from his mom, his career suffers.

El DeBarge is on the road to recovery. The former lead singer of the Motown family group DeBarge is out of jail and off drugs. In the 80’s, El ruled the music charts with his family. His trademark falsetto voice and good looks had many hearts swooning. But, when the hits dried up, he fell into a life of drugs and despair. The drug abuses of the DeBarge Family have been well chronicled, but El was always the one who stayed out of trouble. It was in his later years that he would succumb to the family history of drug use and violence. He is currently working on a new album and doing a TV project with the TV One cable network.

Is there a Dancing With The Stars sports star curse. Over the past weekend, two former NFLers landed in hot water. Former Dallas Cowboy star Michael Irvin was fired from his job at ESPN as a sports analyst over a rape charge. The woman claims the rape occurred in 2007. Irvin says the charge is false, and he is currently countersuing the woman for $100 million. Irvin was a standout last year on Dancing With The Stars. Warren Sapp was arrested last weekend for choking a woman in his hotel room. Sapp was a fan favorite on Dancing With The Stars, and he has lost his job as a NFL analyst. Sapp says he wanted the woman out of his hotel room because he was expecting company. The woman claims she had been dating Sapp for the past two years. Reps for Sapp say that he is very sorry about the events of this past weekend.

Brenda Richie may be headed to TV. Richie is the adoptive mother of Nicole Richie and the ex-wife of Lionel Richie. Richie is rumored to be joining the cast of the Bravo network’s Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills. The marriage between Brenda and Lionel ended violently with Brenda beating up Lionel and his then mistress but soon to be second wife. Brenda is well known in the music industry for nurturing singers. She helped launch the career of Singer Tamia.

Congrats to Football Greats Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, they are both headed to the NFL Hall Of Fame.

It’s The Real McCoy, as in LisaRaye McCoy on the latest edition of Today’s Black Woman. The former First Lady Of The Turks And Caicos Islands is gearing up for her new TV One reality show The Real McCoy. During the show LisaRaye promises to tell all, including the girlfriends who betrayed her (Star Jones and Vivica A. Fox).

Get ready for the brother and sister duo of Brandy and Ray-J. The Norwood siblings are getting their own reality show. Brandy and Ray-J: A Family Business debuts Sunday, April 11th on VH1.

Singer Trey Songz graces the new issue of Jet magazine. The magazine is sporting a new look and a new logo, and Trey Songz talks about his exciting career.

Oscar Nominee Gabby Sidibe is the March cover girl for Ebony magazine.

Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri may no longer be a couple, but he is still helping her out with her new music project. A new album by Janet Jackson should be out later this year.

Vogue Editor At Large Andre Leon Talley is set to make his debut as a judge on the 14th cycle of America’s Next Top Model. Talley will be replacing Miss J. The new season kicks off March 10th.

Hot new couple alert: Author and CSI:New York Actor Hill Harper and Singer Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls.

After a five year break, it’s the return of Singer Faith Evans. Evans is working on a new reality show and a new album. The reality show will focus on Evans, her husband and four kids.

Gary Coleman has pleaded guilty in a domestic abuse case. The 42-year old former child actor will now have to attend domestic violence classes and pay a fine of $525 to stay out of jail.

The world premiere video of We Are The World Part II for Haiti relief debuts February 12th during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics on NBC. Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones assembled a who’s who of superstars including Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Barbara Streisand, Kanye West, Usher, Celine Dion, Mary Mary, Carlos Santana, Pink, LL Cool J, Snoop, Lil’ Wayne, Janet Jackson (doing her brother Michael’s part), Toni Braxton, Gladys Knight, Tyrese and Natalie Cole, to name a few.

Jill Scott is being sued by her record label Hidden Beach. The suit claims Scott left Hidden Beach before completing the three albums left on her contract. Scott recently released a statement regarding her lawsuit saying it is without merit and her contract had expired. The news is better on the acting front for Jill from Philly. Her new Lifetime movie, Sins Of The Mother, airs February 27th. She’s also starring in Tyler Perry new movie Why Did I Get Married Too with Janet Jackson, which hits theatres April 2nd.

Sade’s new album, Soldier Of Love, is out. She’ll be announcing her US tour dates soon.

The Academy Awards air March 7th on ABC. The Lee Daniels movie Precious is up for six awards. Gabby Sidibe, who plays “Precious, is up for Best Actress. Mo’Nique, who has already won Golden Globe and SAG Awards, is up for Best Supporting Actress. Can she make it a three-peat? Precious is up for Best Picture and Lee Daniels is nominated for Best Director. In other Academy news, Morgan Freeman is up for his lead role in Invictus where he played Nelson Mandela.

Alicia Keys, Usher and Shakira are set to perform at the 2010 NBA All-Star Game in Dallas.

Get ready for the return of Dru Hill. Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz and newcomer Tao. Their new album, IndDRUpendence, arrives in stores April 13th. Dru Hill is also ready to debut their new reality show Sweats Platinum House, which will be produced by Keith Sweat and air on BET’s Centric channel.

At the movies this week, it’s Valentine’s Day. The movie stars Jamie Foxx, George Lopez, Jessica Alba, Queen Latifah and Julia Roberts, to name a few, and Benicio Del Toro stars as The Wolfman, which also opens this week.

On February 26th, it’s Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan in the movie Cop Out.

Nicole Murphy, the ex-wife of Eddie Murphy, has launched her jewelry line Friendship, Love And Peace. Murphy says she’s been a wife, mother and girlfriend, and now she’s ready to be a businesswoman. Murphy is set to marry retired NFL Star Michael Strahan this June. Her line of jewelry is available at Friendshiplovepeace.com

Toni Braxton has pushed back the date of her latest album Pulse. The album’s new release date is March 2nd.

On February 11th, at 8pm PBS presents A Celebration Of Music From The Civil Rights Movement. John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Seal, Smokey Robinson and The Blind Boys Of Alabama will join President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for a special from The White House during Black History Month. The show will be hosted by Oscar Winner Morgan Freeman and Queen Latifah.

Will Celebrity Apprentice help this funny man get out of debt? Actor/Comedian Sinbad is having serious financial problems, and he is going to be a part of the new season of Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice. The show will also feature Holly Robinson Peete, and kicks off March 14th on NBC.

Big Daddy Aaron McCargo, Jr. from the Food Network is working on a cookbook. The book is due out this fall. You can catch Big Daddy’s House on the Food Network every Sunday at 1:30pm.

The NAACP Image Awards air on February 26th on FOX. The Lee Daniels’ movie Precious is leading the pack with 8 nominations. Singer Maxwell leads all entertainers with five nominations.

Get ready for the DVD release February 16th for Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair. The Lee Daniels movie Precious is coming out on DVD March 9th, and the basketball documentary about LeBron James, More Than A Game, is already out on DVD.

Philadelphia’s own Bill Cosby will be the 2010 recipient of the Marian Anderson Award. The Marian Anderson Award is an honor that salutes artists whose leadership benefits society. The awards ceremony takes place April 6th at the Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce. Past winners include Danny Glover, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier and Quincy Jones.

The new version of the Karate Kid hits theatres next summer with Jaden Smith, Taraji P. Henson and Jackie Chan.

Get ready for Sarah Jessica Parker and the girls in Sex And The City II coming out next May.

Tyler Perry is going to be in Philadelphia with his latest stage production, Madea’s Big Happy Family. Tix are on sale for the show, which runs April 29th- May 2nd at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

Chris Rock teams up with Martin Lawrence for the comedy Death At A Funeral. The movie opens in theatres April 16th. The comedy also stars Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Zoe Saldana, Luke Wilson and Danny Glover. I have the trailer on my page, Patty’s page, at wdasfm.com. Check it out. It’s very funny.

Idris Elba, Michael Ealy and Rapper T.I. will be starring in the new movie Takers, which opens in theatres February 19th, 2010. Elba has also signed on for the movie Thor, where he will play a superhero.

It’s going to be a night of elegance and celebration this Friday, February 12th as the African American Museum honors Phillies Shortstop Jimmy Rollins and PECO President & CEO Denis O’Brien. The 5th Annual Heritage Gala is happening at the Lowe’s Hotel, 12th and Market. For more info call 215-574-0380, extension 246, or go online at HYPERLINK "http://aampmuseum.org" http://aampmuseum.org. Speaking of Jimmy Rollins, congrats to him and his new bride, Mount Airy native Johari Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Rollins had a beautiful wedding ceremony in the Cayman Islands.

The 18th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair is happening Saturday, February 27th at Community College Of Philadelphia, 17th and Spring Garden. The event is free, and the hours are 1pm to 3pm. Authors and illustrators will be on hand to autograph and read from their books. For more info call 215-878-BOOK.

The Bynum Brothers are back with a new venture. They own Warmdaddy’s on Columbus Boulevard and had the old Zanzibar Blue in Center City. Their latest project is called RELISH at 7152 Ogontz Avenue. It replaces Sadiki’s. RELISH features live jazz music Thursday through Sunday. For more info go to relishphiladelphia.com or call 215-276-0170. Join WDAS’ Mimi Brown on Wednesday nights for The Rising Star Talent Search. They are looking for up and coming musicians and singers to showcase their talent. For more info and to schedule an audition call 215-927-5455. The winner will get $5,000.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This R&B Singer is divorcing her husband, and she’s about to release a new album. In the meantime, she’s making a fool out of herself with a variety of young men. She comes across as a desperate cougar.
Wednesday 02-10-2010 9:02am ET



This Friday, February 12th- Valentine’s Friday Comedy Scorcher & After Party with Gerald Kelly, Suga Bear, Kool Bubba Ice, Charles Walden & G-Force Gregg Evans at the Brandywine River Ballroom, 1408 Clifford Brown Walk, Wilmington, DE. For more information call 302-427-8601.

This Sunday, February 14th- Valentine’s Day Soul Jam with The Stylistics; The Emotions; Ray, Goodman & Brown; The Persuaders; Blue Magic and New Birth at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

February 20th - George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at the Keswick Theatre. For more information: 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

February 27th- The Freshfest-Old School Reunion with Whodini, Salt N Pepa, Rob Base, Biz Markie, Slick Rick and the Force MD’s at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

February 28th- Laura Izibor and Chrisette Michele in concert at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside.

March 6th & 7th– Diary Of A Black Man starring Clifton Powell & Darrin Dewitt Henson at the
Merriam Theatre on Broad Street’s Avenue Of The Arts. For more information: Kimmelcenter.org

March 19th- The Royal Comedy Tour- Sommore, D.L. Hughley, George Wilborn, Aries Spears and Turae at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

March 20th- March 21st– Why Women Cheat- DuPont Theatre, 11 South Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware. Priest Tyaire is the Writer/Director and for more info call 302-762-4776 or 1-800-338-0881 or go to showtimeproductions.org

April 11th – Fourplay in concert at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside. For more info call 215-572-7656.

April 24th- Steve Harvey at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

May 1st- Bill Cosby at the Keswick Theatre for more info call 215-572 -7650.

Saturday, May 8th- The Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley, Teena Marie and The Whispers in a Mothers’ Day concert at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Saturday, May 8th- A Mothers’ Day Gospel Celebration with Kirk Franklin, The Mighty Clouds Of Joy and Fred Hammond at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.