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Michael Jackson estate has signed the biggest deal ever in music. The deal for 225 million dollars was done with Sony Music. There will be 10 projects in seven years. The first project is due by November. There will be never before released recordings. Jackson had enough material for three albums. There is also a deal in the works for a Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas-style show. In other Jackson news what’s going on with Jermaine’s son Jaafar? Jafaar has a fascination with guns and there is a home video with Jafaar pretending to pistol whip his brother Jermajesty. Jafaar was involved in an incident a few weeks ago when he ordered a stun gun online and threatened to use it on his cousins. An investigation is currently underway to find out what is going on with the Jackson kids and Jafaar.

Oprah is coming to Philly!
Defending herself in a defamation suit from former South African school headmistress, Nomvuyo Mzamane. The trial is set to start March 29th in Philly. Mzamane held a leadership post at Germantown Friends School. She came back to the area after her contract with Oprah’s school wasn’t renewed. She claims she cannot find work because of Oprah’s comments when she suspended her. Published reports quote Oprah as saying, she’s lost confidence and was cleaning house. Will Oprah bring her show to Philly? She has already rearranged her schedule for the trial. Remember she moved her show to Texas when she was on trial for her comments about mad cow disease?

The divorce is official between Shaquille O’Neal and his wife Shaunie and now Shaunie is talking. In the new issue of Essence magazine Shaunie reveals she and Shaq have reached an agreement with the terms of their divorce including property, custody and support. Shaunie also talks about life with Shaq and his cheating. When confronted he would deny it and he told her she wasn’t going anywhere. Shaunie says she was a good girl while she was married to Shaq. She says reports of her cheating with her personal trainer and hiding money were not true. Shaunie says Shaq couldn’t resist the temptation of the groupies. The girls would practically show up in their bras and panties at the games, and Shaq couldn’t say no. Shaunie says she and Shaq are working at being friends. Shaunie O’Neal’s new reality show "Basketball Wives" debuts April 11th on VH1.

He’s been dead for years, but controversy still surrounds The Godfather of Soul, James Brown. The latest drama involves Brown's daughter Larhonda Petit. Petit claims that someone stole her dad’s body. She wants the body to have a full autopsy to find out how he really died. Brown’s body is in a crypt at the South Carolina home of another Brown sibling. Sources say Petit is looking for money and that’s why she made the charge someone stole Brown’s body. Petit found out she was a Brown sibling a year after The Godfather died. She was one of 12 people who came forward claiming Brown was their father.

R. Kelly has been ordered to rest his vocal chords. Kelly had to postpone his European tour, but his new album and book on his life is still set for release this summer and next year.

Usher’s long awaited album Raymond Vs Raymond is coming out at the end of the month. In the meantime Usher’s ex, Tameka Foster, is trying to get back with her ex-husband Ryan Glover. This is the man she dumped when she met Usher. She left Glover and their three kids to be with Usher. She then married Usher and had two kids with him. Tameka reportedly showed up at her ex’s birthday celebration with a cake and presents and made sure she was photographed in all photos with him.

Diana Ross is going on tour. Ross will tour with her More Today Than Yesterday tour thru the Spring and Summer. Ross will be at Caesar's in Atlantic City May 21st. I hear you can expect extravagant costumes and stage designs.

The Ray Charles musical "Unchain My Heart" is set to make its Broadway debut this Fall. No word on who is starring in the musical.

Are congratulations in store for actress Sanaa Lathan? Word has it she’s engaged to music mogul Steve Rifkind.

Paula Abdul is going to be the new host of "Star Search". The show debuts this summer. In the 80’s Ed McMahon hosted the popular show. In the meantime message boards are going crazy with fans admitting they miss Abdul on "American Idol" They feel Ellen DeGeneres is not fitting in.

On May 14th it’s Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton, and Pam Grier in the movie Just Wright. Philadelphia native Mike Elliott directs the comedy about finding love when you least expect it.

Former child star Todd Bridges reveals all in his new book Killing Willis. Bridges is best known for his role as Willis on the TV show "Diff'rent Strokes". Bridges, along with Gary Coleman and Dana Plato, became instant stars with the TV show. Conrad Bain played the adopted father of Bridges and Coleman. Fame took its toll on the cast with Plato dying from drug abuse and Bridges battling demons which almost wrecked his life. In his new book Bridges talks about being molested by his manager, succumbing to drugs, and the reckless behavior that landed him in jail. Bridges has turned his life around and has written an amazing book about how you can fall down and turn your life around.

Mike Tyson is getting his own reality show. Tyson has signed a deal with the Animal Planet network to do a show where he trains pigeons for competition.

Season three of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" is just around the corner. Some of the cast members will look different. I’m talking weight loss, butt implants, and lip implants hmmmmmmmmmm.

Tiger Woods makes his return to golf on April 8th with the Masters Golf Tournament. Will his wife Elin be by his side?

Former Olympic darling Marion Jones has joined the WNBA. The 34-year-old sports superstar lost three gold medals when it was revealed she lied to authorities about using steroids. Jones has been trying to rebuild her life and career after her six month jail term. Jones has joined the Tulsa Shock and will start playing in the summer.

Jennifer Hudson will make history as the first women to sing the national anthem for the final game of the NCAA Basketball tournament later this month.

It will be the reunion of Run DMC at the 3rd annual Roots Picnic. The event is happening June 5th at Penns Landing. This will be their first performance since the death of Jam Master Jay, who was murdered in 2002.

Get ready for two new reality shows on April 8th. It's Lisa Raye’s "The Real McCoy" on TV One. The eight-episode series will air at 9pm and shows Lisa Raye’s life as the former First Lady of The Turks and Caicos Islands, a mother to a 19-year-old daughter, dealing with her incarcerated sister, Rapper Da Brat, and caring for her ailing mother. We’ll also see Lisa Raye with her celebrity friends, and she will reveal the celebrity women who have betrayed her. On April 11th, it’s Chilli from TLC in her reality show "What Chilli Wants" airing on VH1. Chilli says she wants a man who is gorgeous, sensitive, and charming but he can’t drink, smoke, or eat pork.

The BET network is celebrating its 30th anniversary by bringing back one of its favorite sons. Newsman Ed Gordon is returning to the network after stints at MSNBC and 60 Minutes II. Gordon will be hosting BET’s special news programs.

Oscar winner Forest Whitaker of Our Family Wedding has announced plans to star and direct a movie based on the life of Louis Armstrong. Filming starts next year. Whitaker is already practicing the trumpet. He says he plans to cover all aspects of Armstrong’s life, including musical legend’s love for marijuana, which he smoked every day.

Another music bio in the works is the life story of jazz great Miles Davis. Don Cheadle plans to star and direct with Herbie Hancock doing the score.

Babyface is doing a tour that will bring him to the Borgata in Atlantic City on September 3rd.

The hippest trip in America is coming to DVD. "The Best of Soul Train" is a nine-disc DVD box set, which features performances from The O’Jays, Sly Stone, Michael Jackson & The Jacksons, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Teddy Pendergrass, James Brown and Ike & Tina Turner, just to name a few. The box set comes out March 29th.

Maxwell and Jill Scott are going on a 21-city tour. They will be in Philadelphia June 19th at the Wachovia Center.

Sade is the April cover girl for Ebony magazine, and actress Zoe Saldana of Avatar is the cover girl for the April issue of Essence. Speaking of Zoe, she teams up with Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence for the comedy Death at a Funeral. The movie opens in theatres April 16th and also stars Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Luke Wilson, and Danny Glover.

Season number ten of "Dancing With The Stars" kicks off March 22nd. This season’s cast features an interesting bunch — including Niecy Nash ("The Insider", "Reno 911") Pamela Anderson, Olympic Gold medalist Evan Lysacek, Chad Ochocinco of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Kate Gosselin ("Jon and Kate Plus 8"), just to name a few.

The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is getting help from Actor Billy Dee Williams for her latest album. Williams will be performing spoken word on the album, A Woman Falling Out of Love, which is due out this month. Franklin says the album is based on a past relationship she had.

Congrats to Aja and Fatin Dantzler, a.k.a. Kindred The Family Soul. Baby number six is a son named Deen, and they say "This Is It", which is the name of their new web-based reality show. It’s a bi-weekly series detailing their family life, six kids and their marriage. I often ask them how they do it. They do it with lots of love and you can check out the series for yourself at kindredthefamilysoul.com.

The new season of TV One’s music documentary show "Unsung" kicks off March 22nd with Rose Royce. Then March 29th, it’s Sylvester; April 12th, it’s Stacy Lattisaw; and, April 19th, it’s The Bar-Kays.

Toni Braxton’s new album, Pulse, has a new release date: May 4th. The album has undergone some changes, including appearances by Mo’Nique and Robin Thicke.

Janet Jackson is gearing up for the promo tour for the latest Tyler Perry movie Why Did I Get Married Too. She is doing a song called "Nothing" for the soundtrack. Jermaine Dupri produced it. Janet will hit the road to promote the movie, which also stars Jill Scott and Tasha Smith, and, of course, Tyler Perry. Oscar Winner Louis Gossett, Jr. is also in the movie. Gossett recently revealed that he has been battling prostate cancer. He says early detection saved his life. Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too opens in theatres Easter weekend (April 2nd). Look for Tyler and Janet on "Oprah" later this month.

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.

Jet Magazine has exclusive coverage of Oscar winning comedienne Mo’Nique at the Academy Awards. That issue hits newsstands March 29th. Also check out the issue with Jill Scott on the cover as she talks about motherhood and touring with Maxwell. Speaking of Mo, what has life been like for Mo’Nique since winning an Academy Award? I hear the BET network has given her a raise and a new set for her late night talk show and more A list stars want to be on her show. Monique is coming to Philly on May 21st with a comedy show at the Liacouras Center.

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 this 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 to May 2nd at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

The 7th Annual West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts festival is going to an all jazz theme this year. Mark your calendar for June 18-20. Three days, two stages and it is all free. Al Jarreau, George Duke, David Sanborn, Diane Reeves, and Joey DeFrancesco to name a few. This year will have a New Orleans theme. The location is 7100-74 blocks of Ogontz Avenue. For more info go to westoaklanefestival.com

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 famous female celebrity has a new movie coming out where she plays the romantic lead. If the movie does well it could lead to more romantic roles. She has been having problems getting romantic comedies because she doesn’t have any chemistry with men. In the next few weeks look for her to be photographed in the company of men. Her poor girlfriend is going to have to lay low.

She is a major star and the baddest chick in the game. She is married to a very powerful man. He wants children but she’s hesitant because if she gains weight she knows he will lose interest in her.
Check out who’s coming to town:

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

This Friday, March 19th: En Vogue in concert at the House of Blues in Atlantic City.

This Saturday and Sunday, March 20th-21st: "Why Women Cheat" at the 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



March 26th: Mint Condition and Ledisi in concert at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside. For more info call 215-572-7650.

April 10th & 11th: "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

April 11th: Fourplay in concert at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside. For more info call 215-572-7650.

April 16th: Angie Stone and Leela James in concert at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside for more info call 215-572-7650.

April 24th: Steve Harvey and Nephew Tommy at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

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

May 1st: Corrine Bailey Rae in concert at the TLA, 3rd and South.

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.

Friday, May 21st: Mo’Nique’s Spread The Love comedy show at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery.

Friday, May 21st: Diana Ross at Caesars in Atlantic City

Saturday, June 19th: Maxwell/Jill Scott at the Wachovia Center.

Friday, September 3rd: Babyface in concert at the Borgata in Atlantic Cit.

If you would like more info, please email me at pattyj1053@aol.com or check me out with my Midday reports at 10:35am, 12:35 and 2:35pm during the day.