By: Rizoh Despite her lawyer’s attempt to get a $120 million assault lawsuit dismissed, Janet Jackson will have to testify in court and answer questions under oath. 41-year old Leonard Salati alleges that two of Jackson‘s bodyguards grabbed and choked him when he tried to pass her a note at Club Marquee in February 2004. Jackson’s attorney argued that she and her co-defendant, Jermaine Dupri, had only one bodyguard working for them at the Chelsea hot spot that night, and he was a "Caucasian," not African-American as Salati had claimed. Yesterday, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Rolando Acosta allowed the case to go on, stating that despite Jackson‘s assertions to the contrary, the club—which was also named in the lawsuit—said she had at least three bodyguards, and two of them were African-American. “Notwithstanding counsel’s valiant effort to shield Ms. Jackson,” said Judge Acosta, “the law grants no exemptions based on celebrity status.” Ouch! Sorry Ms. Jackson, but that’s just one thing the cleavage won’t grant you access to.

By: Rizoh Snoop may not be going to the doghouse after all. The 35-year-old west coast wordsmith, born real name is Calvin Broadus Jr., was given five years probation and 800 hours of community service (400 of those will be devoted to his Youth Football League) after pleading a “no contest” to weapons and drugs charges. Snoop’s attorney Donald Etra said his client was grateful for the sentence. “He recognizes that he got a great a deal and he fully intends to make sure nothing prohibits him from keeping his part of the bargain.” Snoop basically got a slap on the wrist for toting guns and weed. I doubt a non-celebrity would receive the same courtesy. On a related note, the Dogg Father still has a pending case to answer to. He pled not guilty to possession of a deadly weapon in January after a collapsible police baton was found in his luggage as he attempted to catch a flight to San Francisco in September last year.

By: Hot Gossip Gal Yes it is true there is a NWWL in existence and it is hosted by none other than Carmen Elektra although she doesn’t actually appear in the nude. The show premiered on indemand pay per view last night and I am sure it has already got a pretty big following. take a peek here on the site NWWL Beyonce Told To Cover Up In Japan Yeah Jays girl was told to cover up her boobies in as she was about to enter a press conference on her recent tour to Japan. Wonder what Momma Tina has to say about that and to be honest B’s team should have known better than to have her flaunting her assets like that in a country that holds their women in highest regard.

By: Rizoh Pony up $23.8 million and you could be living in Russell Simmons’ home right now. The 4-acre mansion situated in Saddle River, NJ, is up for sale following Russell’s divorce from Kimora-Lee after 8 years of marriage. The estate, listed on sothebysrealty boats 10 bedrooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, Jacuzzi, cabana with bar, professional gymnasium, his and hers bathrooms, a movie theater with ticket taker and popcorn machine, among other amenities. Russell, 48, and Kimora, 30, tied the knot in 1998 and have two daughters: Ming Lee Simmons, 6, and Aoki Lee Simmons, 3. Both girls model for Baby Phat Clothing, Kimora’s offshoot of her husband’s Phat Farm clothing line.

By: Hot Gossip Gal Word on the street is Cam is looking to sign Olivia. Hmmm ok he just made dummy move number 2 if there is any truth in that. She didnt come out on G-Unit, she flopped on J Records and no matter what Duke Da God says about his label being ‘the dopest group of all time’..their boy Cam comes off a bit like the clown at my kids birthday party last week.

By: Rizoh Gather round, D-Block fans. Jadakiss recently told Hot 97 FM’s DJ Envy that The Lox’s album will be coming out this summer: “I’m trying to drop The Lox album first, anytime between May and June,” said Kiss. As for his own solo disc, Kiss said: “Then I’m trying to come right behind that with a ‘Kiss album, if it goes well. If not, I may have to come first. I’m pushing for The Lox to come first because that project is almost finished.” “It’s crazy, son. It’s been like six years since we dropped a Lox album. So it was an experience we were waiting to do again. It’s interesting to see how the songs come out after all these years,” said Jadakiss about the group’s comeback. The biggest question on the lips of fans is “What label will the new Lox album be issued on?” Jada’s response? “That’s another interview. It’s almost squared away. The deal should be done by early next week.” Fingers crossed.

By: Hot Gossip Gal Heard Gillie is signed to Interscope for a distribution deal and whispers are becoming louder about the Lox signing to Def Jam for a three album deal. Looks like we may be in for more legends in the game to fall prey to the lack of marketing for Hip-Hop at Def Jam.

By Quibian Salazar-Moreno Snoop Dogg was charged with gun possession by a felon and a marijuana-related drug violation yesterday according to Los Angeles prosecutors. Snoop is expected to be formally charged with the crimes early today, where he could face up to four years in prison. The charges stem from his October arrest at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank where he was taken into custody on suspicion of transportation of a controlled substance. Burbank police then executed a search warrant on Snoop house where they found a gun. He was arrested again on November 28 after an appearance on the Jay Leno show. Snoop was convicted on felony drug possession and possession for sale in 1990. If he is convicted of all the current charges, he could face four years in a state prison.

By: Quibian Salazar-Moreno Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds has been making hits for years as a producer, more recently with Katherine McPhee, Fallout Boy, Nelly, Keyshia Cole and Ashanti. But as a solo artist he really hasn’t had a radio hit since the late 80’s and early 90’s. Now he’s trying to change that. Babyface has signed with Universal Music Publishing and is currently recording an album to be released on Def Jam Records later this year. "I am pleased to be working with Universal Music Publishing," Babyface said. "The team has demonstrated their appreciation of my music, and their commitment to my career as an artist, producer and songwriter." Babyface has won 10 Grammys for his solo work, his artist production work and movie soundtrack production work. There’s no word who will be on Babyface’s new project. "Babyface has long been one of our industry’s leading lights as a writer, artist, producer and entrepreneur,” said David Renzer, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group. “He has written, produced and in many cases performed many of our modern day ‘classic’ songs. We are sure that the story of hitmaking will continue for him, and are thrilled to welcome him to the UMPG family."

By: Hot Gossip Gal OK so she may have been officially released for her Terror Squad/SRC situation but will someone PLEASE show Ms Ma just how to dress. Here is a brief look back at some of her fashion f**k-ups in the last few years.

By: Hot Gossip Gal Well that is what I heard from one of my West Coasties. Since this situation has developed between Czar and G the ‘big boys’ are now in talks to squash all the beef in order to avoid anymore unnecessary attention. Now how true this may be who knows but I know for a fact that Game wasn’t up at the mansion in CT for 50′s Easter Party this past weekend. And to be honest I am not holding my breath.. But keeping it on a 50 tip for those that stupidly speculated that the rapper was thinking of adopting a baby from Angola after a recent trip, Curtis just laughed it off saying "Black folks, we have kids." Aww and there i was thinking Marquis was going to have a lil baby brother or sister and his Daddy would compare notes with Angelina and Madonna.

By: Rizoh Is Halle Berry the most influential African-American of 2007? Ebony magazine thinks so. Berry came it at No.1 on this year’s Ebony Power 150: The Most Influential Blacks In America. The Oscar-winner told Ebony that she has reached a point in her life where she feels more powerful than ever. Although Berry makes a killing for her film roles, she’s shifted her attention to production roles lately. Her current projects in the works include "Mixed," a TV comedy about a mixed-race woman; and "Compositions In Black And White" with Alicia Keys. Ebony launched the annual Power 150 was launched in 1963 as "100+ Most Influential Black Americans." This year’s list also includes Sen. Barack Obama, actor-director Tyler Perry, and Oprah-wannabe Tyra Banks. What’s next? Halle Berry for President?

By: Rizoh Whatever Jay-Z has been using to entice former Roc-A-Fella signees back to the roster has been effective so far, as Omillio Sparks is now indicating that he’s open to re-signing with the ROC. “My major focus right now is getting my situation right wherever it may be; I have a few situations on the table. The good thing about it now is I am older now, and understand the business a lot more than when I was a young boi and just happy to be on TV with a nigga. I am about my paper now and most importantly ME… when the album drops this summer everyone will know who the f**k I am.” Sparks lashed out against Jay—who he called a “prophet of false hope”—three weeks ago and accused him of placing an embargo on the release of his album The Payback. He also disclosed through sources that he’s been in talks with his State Property vanguard Beanie Sigel. Rumors of a State Property 3 Album have been swirling ever since Sigel rejoined Roc-A-Fella, following a brief exit from the label. Are we witnessing the resurgence of Roc-A-Fella? How many more weeks before Dame Dash (former Roc-A-Fella CEO) starts throwing up the Roc again?

By: William Ketchum III With his journey from being an independent artist to landing a deal with Atlantic Records that still allows him to hustle on his own, Slim Thug has made a career of making the music industry work for him, not the other way around. Recently, the Houston MC has expanded his hustle with Serve and Collect, an album with his group Bo$$ Hogg Outlawz that’s jointly released on KOCH and his Boss Hogg label. In an interview with HipHopCrack, Slim Thug schools readers on the politics of working with a group, the independent hustle, and weighing in on The Apphiliates’ court case. HHC: Tell me about how the group came together. Slim Thug: We’ve all been rapping together since Swishahouse, you know what I’m saying. It was through Big Pokey, you know what I’m saying, we was all doing underground shit and he saw what we was doing. We exchanged game, became cool and it became a family thing. We started doing records together. Killa came through and Young Black, shit started to fall in place. Rob Smallz is an R&B. We weren’t even looking for an R&B dude. He made it fit in with what we were doing. The music was good. He had gangsta hooks, party shit, so we just made it happen. HHC: On your last album, Already Platinum, was largely a solo album. This album is almost like a group album/compilation. So, how was it to record with a group, as opposed to doing it solo? Slim Thug: It was much easier. When you work with a lot of different dudes, you have different minds working. Whereas, if you’re solo, you’re doing the majority of the work by yourself. So, it’s easier to work with a group. Everyone sounds different, no one sounds like me. That’s why I kind of wanted to put them on a CD and do solo songs, so they can get their own standout shine. I don’t want it to where people say, “Boss Hogg Outlawz,” and just think about me. I don’t want that. I want my artists to be able to do their own shows. Because if these dudes don’t have the same talent that I got, they got more. I’m just trying to display the shit. HHC: On the single, you guys have a lot of chemistry. How difficult is it to have people to be on the same page for a song, much less a whole album? Slim Thug: It ain’t new to us. We’ve been doing underground and independent albums together. We’ve been doing this for years. As long as I’ve been rapping, they’ve been rapping with me. So, we like a group already. At the end of day, regardless of the public, people know us. Houston knows what’s up. They know who they are, but it’s like the crew hasn’t ever got any solo shine like that. The people at the office and at the labels, all they know is the computers and what they tell ‘em. So when they see me featured on people’s albums, that’s all they know. Like when Master P came through with his soldiers, you know, I’m just trying to bring my soldiers through the door and make this a movement. HHC: You’re only on twelve songs on the album. Five of the album songs don’t have you on them. So, the songs that you weren’t on, did you personally oversee those songs or did you let them do you their thing? Slim Thug: How I did it was I did my records and if I loved the beat, I’d get on it. Or when they called me to feature on a track, then I’d hop on it, too. But when people were doing their solo record, it wasn’t like I had to be on there. But if they felt better with me on there, then I was definitely going to do that. But being on twelve songs is being a major part of the album. It’s not like I just wrote “Slim Thug Presents…” and have the artist rapping on the album. I’m rapping on every song, damn near, so it’s a real project for me. HHC: Were you there in the studio during the recording process of the other artists? Slim Thug: I seen everything. I saw all the songs. I watched over the whole shit. A lot of times, they’d feel like I need to be on the song, but I feel like that I’m getting in they lane, that I’m jammin’ like a muhfucka. So, I don’t want to get on there. It’s an everyday thing. Just like you do what you do, this is my job. I come to the studio, so, when they rapping, I’m watching. At the end of the day, I’ll see what’s going on. HHC: In a lot of groups, the most popular rapper who brought the group in ends up being the only one really known. So, how do you plan on changing that? Slim Thug: I really think that that’s going to be out of the question. These dudes are talented, these dudes are undeniable. I’m not as serious about this as they are, honestly. They in the studio rapping more than me. They take this shit more serious. I don’t know, maybe it’s because I done got paid off of this, that makes me move slower now. But these dudes are still as hungry as they ever been. Especially, since they have the opportunity to use me to get through the door. I’m just trying to let them do it; if I have to fall back to let them shine, whatever. … I don’t think what happens with other groups is going to happen with us. It’s like when P was doing his shit and Mystikal came through and got his shine. He had a lot of talent. I think a lot of the problem is that a lot of the different artists that bring their artists through, they artists don’t have much talent. Like Lloyd Banks and Young Buck, they shine too. They may not sell like 50, but they still have a big name out there. HHC: What would you say sets each member apart from one another? Slim Thug: Killa Kyleon is lyrical. He’s going to say some shit that you won’t believe, some shit that’s crazy. J-Dawg is more a hood dude. He’s going to tell you some real good hood shit. PJ is going to keep it simple, but fly. He’s going to talk his shit. Chris Ward is the fly guy from the South Side. He got the fly slang. He’s going to say that new fly word. Rob Smallz is the R&B guy. He writes all of his shit. He can get on his gangsta shit. Or he can do it up for the ladies. Young Black is lyrical, straight out the hood, grimy dude. Sir Daily got that drawl. It’s kind of like a Pimp C accent. Everyone have their own quality that they bring to the table. HHC: That’s dope how you didn’t have to think it through to decide which artist had what qualities, that really shows how seriously you’re taking this. Slim Thug: It ain’t new though. This isn’t a gang of Slim Thugs. You sometimes have a group who comes out sounding alike. When you hear us together, that’s not what you hear. I can admit when they’ve gone harder than me on a song. That’s why I really want to put them out and let them shine; maybe they can take me farther. HHC: Your album had a lot of all-star features, but this album doesn’t have those names. So, how do you think the group handled that? Slim Thug: It wasn’t a Slim decision to do that, it was their decision to do that. On this album, they have solo songs. They had a decision to make. If they really wanted to get some show money, they either had to feature all these guys or get they own shine. We’re trying to showcase talent amongst eight dudes. So, we gave everyone a good song, then we got ones together, so there wasn’t any room for any other features. It wasn’t a Slim Thug call, this is more so the set-up record. Just let everyone shine by themselves and make it work from there. I think that sometimes it handicaps a ma’fucka when they get so many features on the shit. Even with myself… I didn’t want my album to turn out like that. But my shit was to the fucked up point, these were the records that were cleared, so that’s how it all turned out. HHC: What made you go with Koch instead of going through a major label? Slim Thug: We do have a major label deal with Geffen. But when I signed the deal, I made sure that I could still do independent. I had this plan from the jump… to let Interscope market me around the country, to make me a star. Then use what they do over here to make me some more money independent. It wouldn’t make sense to go through a collect-o hits at this point, when there’s KOCH out there. They have chart topping songs at Koch. “Walk It Out” and “Ballin’” are some chart topping songs, so it ain’t like they can’t do it. So, I’m using Geffen/Interscope to make money and still work with them. After Serve & Collect, comes my album, Boss of All Bosses, then we’ll drop this Boyz ‘N Blue” album. Then Killa’s album or whoever else is ready will come next. HHC: You’ve made most of your reputation independently. Why do you think the independent hustle is getting more respect these days? Slim Thug: Really, it just makes more sense right now. I’m glad I worked that out before I signed that deal. It ain’t nothing like being independent. Mothafuckas try to say that KOCH ain’t a good look, but at the end of the day, if you can really sell a lot of records on KOCH, you’re gonna get a whole lot of paper. And with how the sales are dropping nowadays, it makes more sense. So that’s what I’m looking at it like. HHC: What’s been the most difficult part of running your own label? Slim Thug: You’re new to it, just like any business. It’s taking chances. You win some, you lose some, and that’s just how it go. You’re the head dude, that makes people look at you and depend on you, and me being who I am, and the success I get, it kind of confuses people. It’s just a lot of shit with it. But it’s just like any other business. HHC: You’ve done a lot of work in the mixtape scene. What do you think of the situation with the RIAA and The Apphiliates? Slim Thug: That’s fucked up. I think they did what they wanted to. They got news involved—that wasn’t important, they ain’t have to do all that, it’s just CDs. Trying to make it look real serious, with racketeering and all this other bullshit, trying to make it look like they’re on organized crime shit, when really it’s just music. Really, they’re just trying to shake up the industry. They know they can’t go out and get everybody, so they try to scare the motherfuckers who buy ‘em. They did a good job with that.

By: Hot Gossip Gal America what are you thinking? How can this dude beat out my home boy JL Cotter, who actually had true talent and charisma. Now KFC are trying to coax Sanjaya into sporting a ‘bowl’ haircut to promote the nasty KFC Famous Bowl. In return they will pay him 5gs cash and give him a role in a KFC commercial…no please no more Sanjaya.