Dear Diary: Lil’ Wayne’s Letter From Jail To His Fans

Despite the fact that Lil’ Wayne is currently behind bars, he is still managing to stay in his fans’ minds and hearts. The New Orleans-born rapper just sent his third letter to his fans since his stay at Rikers began. In it, he thanks his fans for their letters and good wishes, then goes on to individually shout out various fans that that have sent him mail.

His comments to his fans just seem so heartfelt and sincere. It’s undoubtedly comforting for Wayne to know that even while he’s in prison, people on the outside (who probably have never actually laid eyes on him) still care.

CHECK OUT WHAT WAYNE WROTE TO HIS FANS!

I hope everyone’s summer has been going well doing whatever it is you like to do. On my end, I’m alive, breathing and blessed. You already know how I’m passing the time – reading and working out.  I know I say it every letter, but thank you from the bottom of my heart for the pictures, rocking free weezy tees, and continuous  letters. They mean the world. I promise to continue to update as much as I can and answer as many questions as I can from you guys.  Shout out to my YM family for making me proud last night. Love and appreciate life. God bless.

TAKE A LOOK AT WAYNE’S THANKS TO INDIVIDUAL FANS!

I would love to thank the following fans:

Marcus Bowden – I simply appreciate you. You are the definition of strength.

Ms. Lisa Marie Newton – I’m glad I stole you away! Your pix were beautiful and hilarious. Great job on the costume.

Kritstin Stoneberg – Your cards are always perfect.

Thais Santos – Thanx for the longtime support and you are very pretty if I may correct you.

Amy Jean Godley – I appreciate it baby. I won’t stop.

Ms. Nesha Teree Liburd – Thanx for the love and I will keep my swag.

Brittany L. King – I loved the outfit with the tie. And don’t worry I won’t forget you. Thank you.

Anna Headen – I thank you for your love!

Lucife – STAY IN SCHOOL! And keep writing.

Karla Moy aka hustleGRL – I heard you’ve been holding down Drizzy for me. Your time and effort is much appreciated and doesn’t go unrecognized. I love you babe.

Anjaé – You are a jewel. Your words were so well put. And I advise you not to give up nothing but your time and thought to the pursuit of success. Nothing else! You actually made me wanna hear your lyrics by the way you write. Keep it up. Don’t sacrifice anything but time… and you’re a cutie!

Dani Gruber – I absolutely love your personality but confidence is key. I loved your letter. And say hi to Ryker for me.

April Mendoza – Just 5 minutes huh? You’re cute and funny. Thanx for putting your friends on to me.

Eshall Baukman – Keep beautifying the world. Your smile is gorgeous.

Danielle Jones-Morales – Thanx for your “honest opinion”.

Sarina Panjwani – So happy you found your iPod. And you’re a terrific artist. Loved the drawing.

Johnquisha Jones – Thanx for the words mama and I applaud your work on the school project. And you’re right; I’m not dissing Plies! And R.I.P. Cody.

Jonathan Everett David Powell (JED) – I swear to you that I almost dropped a tear reading your letter. You are my power. I thank you form the bottom of my heart. I prayed for your grandpa and I love your decision to become a radiologist. JED you are amazing. Thank you!

Alina Quinlan – I am honored to know that my words can inspire you the way they have. I wish you nothing but the best. I thank you with love. You made me feel great.

Michelle Grommer – I thank you kindly.

Saskia Nele Hartwig – Your letter was intriguing. I hope I meet you someday.

Ariel Beechum – I know you’ll be a wonderful teacher someday. Thank you.

Annette Glennon – You are very welcome and I thank you as well.

Olivia Movafaghi – You are metaphysically beautiful. Thanx babe and I loved the rap. Keep up those 4.0’s and you’ll end up wherever you please.

Nana A. from Springfield, MS – You are one beautiful black woman! Thank you for your words.

Alice Martin – Thank you sweetheart.

Walia Broadie – You are a very beautiful woman, as to was your letter. Misunderstood is good.

Nina Jacobs – Thanx for the support babe and tell your brother I said “Love.

For more check out Global Grind.

Source: Global Grind

Music News: BET 2010 Awards

Sunday night marked the 2010 BET Awards, hosted by Queen Latifah, and an all-star roster of celebrities presented, performed, and took home top honors.

Between Prince‘s Lifetime achievement award and Queen Latifah running the show, there was plenty of royalty at last night’s 10th anniversary of the BET Awards. But in the midst of the performances of accolades, the stage was also set for a few big names to make their comebacks.

Jermaine Jackson announced the first return of the evening when he introduced the tribute to his late brother, thanking everyone for their love and support over the past year. He added, “There is one tribute performance we have yet to see…here he is.”

Chris Brown was poised behind the curtain, looking like the silhouette of Michael Jackson himself. Once he came out, there was a palpable moment of tension so strong, it could almost be felt through the TV.

Brown crotch-grabbed and moon-walked his way like a pro through the Michael Jackson songs as a supportive audience cheered him on.

But then the opening bars from “Man in the Mirror” began to play, and we all braced for the irony of the words. Brown got through about one line of the song before his voice started to quiver with tears. After a few heartfelt efforts to regain composure, Brown fell to his knees sobbing and completely gave up trying to sing as the backup track took over.

But Brown wasn’t the only one returning to the stage: Kanye West opened the show on top of a mountain – literally – as he performed his latest single, “Power.” T.I gave an upbeat performance that had the whole crowd moving, and El DeBarge was also a surprising treat as he performed a new song from his upcoming album and a medley of his R&B hits.

Queen Latifah kept the show flowing as she changed outfits about 500 times, and Alicia Keys also had a good night. She won Best Female R&B artist, Best Collaboration for her work with Jay-Z in “Empire State of Mind,” and also fit in two performances: a medley set of her own songs early on in the program, and then she joined in the Prince tribute.

But probably the best Prince performance of the night came from the one and only Patti LaBelle, who sang “Purple Rain” like we’ve never heard it before. LaBelle flicked her shoes off into the audience where Prince picked one of them up and gestured in respect to the diva.

LaBelle came back and joined Chaka Khan on stage to formally present Prince with his Lifetime Achievement Award.

Overwhelmed by the amount of praise coming from the audience, Prince asked everyone to sit down and said he was “speechless.” He started by thanking Jehovah, and then remarked on the future of music. “I do believe the future is in good hands, there is so much talent here,” he said.

Then Prince offered some words of wisdom to the young talent in the room. “I was pretty wild in my younger days and you don’t have to do what I did and you don’t have to make the mistakes I made,” he said. “Thank you for a wonderful night tonight, I’ll never forget it as long I live.”

Trey Songz took home Best Male R&B Artist and Drake won Best Male Hip Hop Artist. Nicki Minaj received the award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist and thanked the female rappers who paved the way for her.

Rihanna received the coveted Viewer’s Choice Award for “Hard,” but was not there to accept it. Also not there to accept Awards were Beyonce’ and Lady Gaga, who won Video of the Year for their collaboration in “Video Phone,” and Jay-Z was absent from the show as well.

Chris Brown had the last word, at least for the night. After his Jackson tribute, he was announced as the surprise winner of BET’s Fandemonium award, a prize determined by fan votes, beating out apparent favorites like Justin Bieber, Trey Songz and Nicki Minaj.

Stepping to the stage to receive his trophy, Brown gave a quick acceptance speech. “I let you all down before, but I won’t do it again,” he said. “I promise you.”

Here’s a breakdown of all the winners…

Winners included:

Viewers’ Choice: Rihanna (not at awards ceremony)

Best Female R&B Artist: Alicia Keys

Best Male R&B Artist: Trey Songz

Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Drake

Best New Artist: Nicki Minaj

Best Group: Young Money

Video of the Year: Beyonce and Lady Gaga for “Video Phone” (not at awards ceremony)

Best Actress: Mo’Nique

Best Actor: Idris Elba

Best Movie: Precious

Sportsman of the Year: Lebron James

Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams

Prince also won a Lifetime achievement award and John  Legend won a humanitarian award.

The show’s top performances were given by Chris Brown, who paid tribute to Michael Jackson and ended sobbing on stage during “Man In The Mirror,” and Patti LaBelle’s cover of “Purple Rain” in honor of Prince.

Below is a video from Chris Brown’s Michael Jackson Tribute:

Alicia Keys Tribute to Prince:

Source: CNN, BET, YOUTUBE

~ “Alicia Keys’ performance had me at the edge of my seat when she climbed on top of her piano. I was so nervous that she wouldn’t fall, even Prince looked nervous. As for Chris Brown, I was so excited to see him perform, and hear how the crowd cheered him on. It was one of the best performances I saw. He really knows how to break down Michael Jackson’s moves. Welcome back Chris Brown.”

Spotted: Jay-Z and Beyonce’ Spotted Leaving Club Avenue in New York

Beyonce’ was spotted baring her tummy and rocking shredded long cutoffs and heels while having a night out with Jay-Z on Thursday night. The cute couple left Club Avenue in NYC in the wee hours of the morning. And they hopped in their personal Jeep 4×4 after attending the 1 year Anniversary party of the club.

Check out more photos after the jump.

Source: beyoncefan.com

Spotted: Rihanna and Matt Kemp’s Public PDA

Rihanna and Matt Kemp head over to an AT&T store to pick up the slugger’s new iPhone 4. Unlike the thousands who lined up for their new iPhones on Thursday, Rihanna and her LA Dodger beau Matt Kemp simply strolled into a Beverly Hills AT&T store to pick up the baseball player’s upgraded iPhone 4.

Reunited after a few months apart due to Rihanna touring in Europe, the couple, who started dating last December, indulged in some cute PDA while they waited for Kemp‘s new toy.

Check out more photos after the jump.

Still rocking the eye-catching red hairdo she debuted in Madrid earlier this month, the “Rude Boy” singer exited the shop sporting a bright blue singlet and yellow-print skirt.

Source: OMG!

Just In: Jackson Family Visit Michael’s Grave

[The Jackson Family visit Micheal Jackson grave on the 1st Anniversary of his death at Forest Lawn Memorial Park at Glendale, California.]

On the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death, Janet, Randy, Tito and Jermaine Jackson gathered at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, Calif. to pay their respects.

The group — all dressed in black — arrived around 11 a.m. PT and entered through a back entrance of the mausoleum in which Michael is interned. About 500 fans also quietly gathered, many wearing sequined jackets or white gloves, according to a witness.

Michael‘s children Prince, 13, Paris, 12, and Blanket, 8, were not in attendance. They were last publicly spotted in Hawaii Thursday with their grandmother (and legal guardian), Katherine Jackson.

“Sorry Big Bro, for not getting ur children there on the anniversary of ur last day. I tried,” Twittered Randy.

Katherine traveled to Michael‘s hometown of Gary, Ind. Friday afternoon, where she unveiled a marble memorial of her son. A cell-phone vigil was also held in broad daylight outside Michael‘s childhood home.

Joe Jackson filed a wrongful death suit against Michael‘s doctor, Conrad Murray, Friday at the federal court in downtown Los Angeles, TMZ.com reported. Joe claims Dr. Murray withheld information from doctors and EMTs that could have saved Michael‘s life, and he’s suing the doctor for unspecified damages as a result. (A federal court clerk told the site there was a “mistake” in the paperwork, though, so the lawsuit will have to be refiled.)

Source: OMG!

R.I.P. Michael Jackson, you will forever be missed.

Music News: R&B singer Ne-Yo Expecting First Child

R&B crooner Ne-Yo is trading sold-out concerts for diaper duty!

Both Monyetta Shaw and Ne-Yo have been dating for a while now and are now very happy with the news that Shaw is pregnant. Rumor has it that she’s been wanting a child for a long time now.

They are very excited to know whether they are going to have baby boy or baby girl.

The “Miss Independent” singer tells Ebony Magazine he is expecting his first child. He tells the magazine that he recently flew home to Atlanta to be with his girlfriend during her first ultrasound.

“I am 30 and I do have my first child on the way, and I am very, very, very excited about that,” Ne-Yo says, joking that his firstborn will be “stubborn.”

His girlfriend, actress Monyetta Shaw, is due to give birth in early January 2011.

“It’s a New Year’s baby,” Ne-Yo — whose new album, ‘Libra Scale’  is set for Sept. 21 release — tells the magazine. “I’m just in a really good place right now.”

Although this is his first child, Ne-Yo did get tangled in some baby drama back in 2005 when his then-girlfriend. Ne-Yo had relationship with his ex-girl friend and she gave a birth to baby boy, naming him Chimere after Ne-Yo’s middle name.  Later, that was stunning news that he is not the father of that baby boy. This caused them to split there after. He is now in litigation with the child’s mother.

“I’m not allowed to talk about it, and I’m not allowed to see [Chimere],” Ne-Yo told USA Today in 2008.

The R&B singer is most recognizable for his appearance on 50 Cent‘s 2009 hit, ‘Baby By Me.’

Source: OMG!

Congrats to Ne-Yo & Monyetta Shaw. Do you think Ne-Yo will make a good father?

Just In: Joe Jackson files wrongful death suit

Michael Jackson‘s father, Joe Jackson filed a wrongful death lawsuit Friday against the doctor charged with giving the pop superstar a lethal dose of sedatives one year ago, accusing the Nevada doctor of negligence, secrecy and poor training.

Joe Jackson sued Dr. Conrad Murray on Friday — the anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death — in federal court in Los Angeles.

The complaint, which seeks more than $75,000, accuses Murray of professional negligence for providing the singer with a mix of sedatives — including the anesthetic propofol — that authorities say killed him.

Propofol is normally administered only in hospital settings, but Murray had been providing Jackson the drug in the bedroom of the singer’s rented mansion in Los Angeles. Joe Jackson contends the physician tried to conceal his administration of the drug after Jackson’s death.

The lawsuit also names medical clinics that Murray operates in Las Vegas and Houston, claiming they did not properly train or supervise the doctor. The lawsuit was filed in federal court because Murray‘s clinics are in other states and the doctor lives in Nevada.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge filed in February. His attorneys have said that he did not give Jackson anything that “should have” killed him.

His civil attorney, Charles Peckham, repeated that assertion Friday.

“We’d like to remind people that Dr. Murray has not been found guilty of anything and we believe his innocence will be proven in a court of law,” Peckham said in a statement. “We’ve been told we were going to be sued for months so today’s filing is no surprise to us.”

Joe Jackson’s attorney, Brian Oxman said there’s a one-year deadline after a death to sue doctors in the state of California.

“It’s an important thing for Joseph Jackson,” Oxman said of the lawsuit after he personally filed it. “He wants justice for his son Michael.”

Also Friday, a court official in Nevada approved what a prosecutor called a reprieve of efforts to revoke Murray‘s medical license in that state.

Prosecutor Gerard Costantian said Murray‘s attorneys paid about $5,000 toward Murray‘s $15,000 back child support obligation, and the rest will be paid in coming months. Murray’s lawyer Kristine Brewer said later the money came from an anonymous benefactor whose name she didn’t know.

Murray owes the money to the mother of his 12-year-old son in California. He didn’t have to appear in court Friday. Nevada law allows for the suspension of professional licenses for nonpayment of child support.

The lawsuit came on a day when fans around the world were mourning Jackson. Joe Jackson was not seen at two of the marquee locations — the unveiling of a statue in the family’s hometown of Gary, Ind., and the Glendale, Calif., cemetery where his son is interred.

Joe Jackson‘s lawsuit claims Murray repeatedly lied to paramedics and doctors about giving Jackson propofol. Using hospital records obtained earlier this year, the lawsuit claims Murray told an emergency room doctor that he had only provided Jackson two medications, Valium and Flomax.

It also claims the doctor changed his story to police. Murray‘s attorneys have said detectives misinterpreted parts of Murray‘s statements, and their official timeline differs from what he says happened.

The lawsuit faults Murray for not keeping adequate medical records. It also says Murray used his clinics in Nevada and Texas to obtain drugs that were then given to Michael Jackson.

The Jackson family patriarch is seeking damages for a variety of issues, including loss of income and support, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.

It is unclear what money, if any, he’ll be able to collect if he wins. Even before Jackson‘s death, Murray faced mounting debts and adverse judgments in several courts for unpaid bills and child support. His $150,000 a month contract to be Jackson‘s personal physician while the singer performed in a series of comeback London concerts was never signed, and his attorneys have said he is barely hanging on financially.

The complaint leaves the door open to additional defendants being added.

“Mr. Jackson believes there are other parties responsible for Michael Jackson’s death, but has not yet gathered sufficient information regarding their potential liability or responsibility,” the complaint states.

Jackson has filed a complaint against concert promoter AEG Live with the California Medical Board, alleging it was engaged in the illegal practice of medicine by allegedly guiding Murray‘s treatments of the singer.

Steve Cron, a criminal defense attorney who also handles civil matters, including wrongful cases, said the case will likely benefit from the criminal prosecution of Murray.

He said Joe Jackson‘s attorney will now have access to evidence presented in that case, and could have the case strengthened if Murray is convicted.

“Hopefully from his point of view, Murray gets convicted,” Cron said. “If he’s convicted, that pretty much makes it a done deal that he’s liable.”

But Cron said there are disadvantages to filing the case in federal court, rather than state court where most wrongful death actions are heard. He said the case will likely move faster through the federal system than it would a state court, and the makeup of the jury will become a greater factor.

Cron said a civil jury would have to unanimously find Murray is liable; in state court only nine jurors would have to find him guilty in the civil case.

Source: OMG!

Your Thoughts?

Music News: Alicia Keys Performs On Good Morning America showing off her Baby Bump!

Alicia Keys, who also revealed she is “right about” five months pregnant proudly showed off her baby bump Friday morning (June 25), while performing on ABC’s Good Morning America. She performed a collection of her new material including her latest single, ‘Unthinkable (I’m Ready)’

In May, UsMagazine.com confirmed that the singer, 29, is expecting and engaged to producer Swizz Beatz. See more photos of the baby bump below.

“They are very happy,” a pal told Us Magazine.

“[Alicia] is with the man who has inspired so much of her music and her album [The Element of Freedom],” another friend told Us of Beatz.

Check out more photos & videos after the jump.

Source: OMG!

“She looks so happy and she’s even glowing. I’m truly happy for her.”