Unfinished Business: Five years after R. Kelly's indictment on child-pornography charges, there have been plenty of allegations, denials, hearings, motions and countermotions, but no sign of justice. As Kelly's wife and brother turn against him, and as his fifth year without a trial comes to a close, R. Kelly keeps dropping hits, collecting awards, touring the world, and stepping in the name of love like it's all good. VIBE investigates. Don't miss this cover story by Abdon M. Pallasch in our May 2007 issue.

Plus: Timbaland. Charles Rangel. Mike Jones. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. "Pretty Boy" Floyd. Amy Winehouse. Collie Buddz.

Deja Vu star Denzel Washington has signed on to produce and possibly star in Journal for Jordan, based on a letter written from a US soldier to his newborn son one month before being killed in Baghdad.

The film is based on an essay published in the New York Times by the soldier's fiance, Dana Canedy, detailing the 200-page diary he wrote for their son. First Sgt. Charles Monroe King left for Iraq before the child was born, and was killed in Baghdad a month before his return. In the interim, he wrote the words as a kind of instruction manual for his son on living a good life, and possibly living a life without a father.

Snoop and Diddy had to cancel British dates on their European tour after Snoop was denied visa entry to the country. Tour promoters in the UK had said the show would continue sans Snoop if such a block went down, but according to a statement, "With late notice of Snoop being denied a visa, time has run out and it is too late reconfigure the show."

In April 2006, Snoop was arrested for allegedly starting a brawl when he and five other men were denied entry to a first-class lounge at Heathrow Airport. He and five other men were arrested and spent the night in jail. British rule says foreigners may be denied entry if the country is worried about their presence.

The dates for the second annual Soul Summit, a conference dedicated to soul music, have been set for July 25-29 at the downtown Marriott in Atlanta, GA. Creator/executive producer Terry Bello christened this installment of the festival "Underground Meets Mainstream: It's Time to Connect." "Like jazz and hip-hop before us, this music is an underground movement," said Bello in a statement. "But it's poised to be the next big thing and we're ready to be the catalyst for that elevation."

The summit combines performances, panels, networking sessions, unsigned artist showcases and more in an effort to strengthen the soul music industry. For more information or to register, visit Soul Summit Online.

In this trite moment of celebrity obsession, many female actresses choose a diet of cigarettes and coffee, starving themselves in hopes of securing placement as the face for one of fashion's elite brands. But recently, some celebrities - Patti Labelle, Julianne Moore, The Rock and Pierce Brosnon - have been posing for top photographer Timothy Greenfield Sanders. Not for brand recognition with an Italian fashion house or a million-dollar contract, but as part of the Red Cross' "Hometown Heroes" Celebrity Portrait Campaign to encourage volunteerism. Vivica A. Fox, actress and television star, lent her image, too: she's become a Nation Celebrity Cabinet Member for the American Red Cross.

It's 10:11am on a Sunday morning when Vivica starts texting: "Where ya at? It's 10am luv!"

Vivica is a no-nonsense woman - you know the type - well put together, a businessperson who arrives promptly to meetings and appointments - sometimes earlier, but never, ever late.

Vivica was just arriving at The Beverly Hot Springs for a manicure and pedicure, appointment when she answered the phone in a serene tone and immediately began conversation in her joking, mama-don't-play-that demeanor. But talk got serious as the philanthropic diva chatted about her desire to give back to the community, Dancing with the Stars and the book of Revelations.

How did you get involved in the Red Cross' most recent celebrity volunteer ad campaign?
They contacted my office directly and asked if I would be involved with their volunteer campaign. And we would help to raise awareness, considering all the tragedies that have been going on, like Hurricane Katrina and the tornados that hit Miami recently. And I always just feel like it is my duty to give back. I have had such an incredibly long career and the community has supported me whether I'm on television, movies, pretty much whatever it is I do. This is my way to let them know I care about them as well.

You posing partner in the ad, Garfield Richards, has been a Red Cross Volunteer for 11 years, now that you're a celebrity cabinet member, how long will you be a volunteer for?
Gosh! I hope for a lifetime to be honest with you. I don't mind getting out there and helping out when things happen because you never know when tragedy may occur.

So you are on call for the Red Cross whenever and wherever they need you?
Absolutely. Because I never know if a tragedy may affect my family or anybody. I like helping out wherever I can and giving back.

Have they called you yet?
No. They haven't called just yet, but they've got my contact numbers!

Have you ever been affected by a natural disaster such as a Hurricane Katrina?
You know, the only natural disaster I was affected by was when we had the earthquake out here in the late '90s. I can't think of the area, but it was one of the biggest earthquakes that had hit California in a very long time.

Was your house ok?
Yes. But I went to help my girlfriend, Lela Rochon Fuqua, and I walked in her house to see it completely destroyed. I helped her clean up and it just showed me how 10 seconds can change a person's life.

Did you ever make it to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina?
No I did not.

Do you think the world is coming to an end?
Uh, no. I am not going to say that we're coming to an end because I want it to last for a bit more!

But the weather is crazy right now!
Well that's letting you know global warming is definitely in effect. If you don't believe it, look at the tsunami that came in - there are things that are happening. And also read your Bible because it says in the book of Revelations that this would happen - so you know, we have to pay attention to things.

You have very limited time on your hands, but you still find time to give back. What do you say to others to encourage more philanthropic efforts?
We, especially in the African American community, have to learn to stick together and to lift one another up and that means giving back to those who are less fortunate. [I want them] to care about generation next and that will be your nieces and nephews - our babies! We need to make sure that they have wonderful opportunities that our forefathers sacrificed so much for - they got bit by dogs, sprayed by water - to not forget those sacrifices made by others so that we have the right to vote, to sit in the front of the theater, to walk down the street, to not be discriminated against and for all of us to continue that legacy.

Your Red Cross advertisement was influenced by your stint on Dancing with the Stars; what was it like participating in that show?
Well, you know, [it's seen] by 28 million viewers every single week, twice a week. And everywhere I go now, I am shocked by the awareness that show brought back. The week that I got unfairly booted off, I landed a roll on Curb Your Enthusiasm for the 2007 season, coming out in September. It helps to keep your face on the block. A lot of people have a problem with reality shows - I don't, especially that one because it's about skills. I have a tendency to take on jobs where I have to do something very physical - Kill Bill, Independence Day, Set It Off. So I'm just a physical kind of babe!

Don't get it twisted; Steve Harvey is not corny, he's country. Take it from Wendy Raquel Robinson, who worked alongside the comedian for six years. Having taped on the set of The Steve Harvey Show from 1996 to 2002, Robinson has profound memories and closeness to a motivated individual whose candid, spontaneous personality bestowed pleasure amongst those he worked with. "Principal Regina 'Piggy' Grier" was fortunate to get to know the 'teddy bear' beneath the act, behind the voice, and before the jokes.

The Steve Harvey Show was a huge success. What was Steve like on a day-to-day set?
[Laughs] Out of control. He speaks his mind, unashamedly and unapologetically. You definitely know where he's coming from at all times. You never knew what each day was going to be like. It was very unpredictable. He had the balls, but he also had the integrity to speak out without being beat up on. Not many people can do that especially in TV. It's a genre where they will get rid of you and they'll be like 'Next!'

From your time working with him, what's something no one else knows about his personality?
How endearing he is and how much his family really means to him. I was there when he suffered the loss of his mom, as well as his father. I witnessed how hard he really took it and still he showed up for work. He came with a smile on his face when there was just so much pain behind it. He put aside emotions and just kept it moving for the sake of the show and production. And I think that's one of the authentic things that I know, like even when we suffer the lost of Merlin Santana (who played Romeo Santana on the show). So many times, with comedians, they make us laugh all the time and wear the masks. Steve is emotional and compassionate when it comes to his family, as well as his friends.

What do you think makes Harvey excel at all he's involved in?
Steve is dedicated, and he perseveres. He knows what he wants to do. He's focused and he's not afraid of doing the work. A lot of people, we want so many things but we don't want to put in the work and the time, the energy and the effort.And here's this man who stands behind all that, and he'll do what it takes to get it done. So I applaud that and I think he more than deserves for everything he's gotten and everything he's going to get.

Despite the fact that he has a very successful syndicated radio show, do you want him to go back to TV?
Of course. There are so many people that identify with his style of comedy. There's definitely a void in our audiences. Especially for the age and the demographics that he covered. A lot of things he says give a lot of young people direction. He was out there on the streets. He's not afraid to roll up his hands talk to these youngins' like they need to be talked to.

Has victory changed Steve?
He's still the same Steve that I knew back then. Still treats me with the same amount of respect that he did the first day that he met me. When I see him now, he makes me feel like little Wendy. Big Daddy, Uncle Steve is going to clown you. So if you come around, you better be on point. That's why every time you see him; he's never in jeans. He's never in sweats. I've seen him in jeans, like maybe three times. Out of seven years. And he looked so uncomfortable. Poor thing.

Aside from his character, what is he like as a man?
He's classy, down to earth and a hard worker. That's one of the things that I admire about him most. The cast would be going home to chill out but Steve was already off to his third and forth job. He's a dedicated artist who loves what he does. He's a hustler all the way around. He once told me, "It's all about the ABC: Always Be Closing the deal."

Wendy Raquel Robinson has been featured in several television series, including "The Steve Harvey Show," "All of Us," "The Parkers" and "NYPD Blue." She's also starred in the motion pictures Two Can Play That Game (2001) Miss Congeniality (2000). She currently appears on CW 11's "The Game."

AJ Jamal can tell you a lot about blazing paths in the comedy industry. The hard-working comedian has appeared on Comedy Central, The Arsenio Hall Show, In Living Color and Def Comedy. He's currently working on his own TV network, Swirl TV. And he'll tell you it's the biggest thing since toilet paper.

Having built up his resume since 1989, Jamal made some friends along the way, one of whom he credits for giving him his start in stand-up: the King of morning radio, Steve Harvey. No more than 20 houses apart in their hometown of Cleveland, AJ Jamal and Steve Harvey became best friends, bonded together by a couple disastrous start-up businesses, and their shared love for laughter. Jamal had a couple things to say about Harvey, then and now.

VIBE: When did you first meet Steve Harvey?
I know he played basketball for a church; he was a superstar basketball player. That's where I probably met him. Then we ended up at Kent State together, and that's when we really started hanging out. Once we graduated, he was working at Lincoln Electric and I was working at IBM over in engineering. He called me one day and said he had to get out of there -- and [then] we started our own [carpet-cleaning] business. It was the most hilarious thing in the world. Really, we had no clue; we went out and bought some raggedy equipment, wall-to-wall carpet, and went to Sears and got some uniforms.

How did the carpet business work out?
Well, looked like UPS guys in our uniforms. None of the equipment worked right. We started getting jobs and we were tearing up people's houses and leaving water on their carpet. One time we left almost an inch of water in somebody's house because our machine wouldn't suck the water up - we didn't know you had to suck it up. We're like, "I thought that came with the machine!" When the lady called us and asked us what we were going to do with the water, Steve said, "Open the window—let it dry." After four days she called back and said, "It stinks. It smells like mildew." Steve was like, "Open some more windows."

And that was it?
We almost got lawsuits, so I told Steve, "You can have the carpet cleaning business. I'm going to try the comedy thing." Steve would tell me how the carpet cleaning business was just too hard. I told him quit it and do comedy. Just do it.
And so, I put Steve on his first show. I said, "But you gotta know how to do five minutes of comedy. You need to go out there and make sure you capture the audience. When Steve comes out, he's on stage for 40 minutes! I'm backstage yelling at him, 'You gotta get off! I mean, you can't do the whole show. You have to get off." That was his first time on stage; I ain't never seen a comic do that.

What was Steve like growing up?
Steve's always been a very good person. I hear a lot of people say things about him. If anybody talks bad about him, you don't really know Steve. I'm really proud of Steve because he's done a lot of stuff to get to where he is. I'll always love him like a brother; Steve does whatever he can to be successful. And I admire that.

Did Steve write your jokes early in your career?
Yeah, he used to. What he did was, let's say I write a joke and I don't see all the funny in it. He would make it funny and he would write some of the funnies for it and we would do that with each other. He can take a joke and make it even funnier. Now they call it "punch up."

Steve was getting 10 bucks for each joke he wrote for you? I'd have to hustle to pay him 10 bucks a joke, but we would play Pac-man and I'd take him out on the machine. I was supposed to play him ten dollars but we would play Pac-man and he owed me. Tell Steve I owe him about $70 if he wants me to pay him for his jokes. We played Pac-man and I thought I paid $70 worth of Pac-man fees because that's all we did. And Steve, I need my key back to my house in Cleveland.

Steve has come along way since wall-to-wall carpeting. What are your thoughts of him now?
I'm very proud of Steve and what he's done. He's accomplished a lot and people don't realize to get where you're at, there's just certain ways you have to do. I hope he gets on TV again. I thought he'd probably be doing film now or either making his own films or something like that. You turn on a microphone in front of him and he starts talking. He's just saying what's on his mind, that's what he's always done. Even though he is a natural at radio, that big-lipped boy should be doing films.

What about Steve makes him so appealing? I think because he's honest and he tells you what's on your mind, some people don't like that. And he's always been a family person - he's always been about his family. Steve is real; his personality comes off like that. He's not going to hold nothing back. I'll color stuff up if I want to tell somebody they have bad breath. But Steve would say, "Your breath stinks. You need a tic-tac or something." Period. Me, I'd offer them some gum.

You can see the passion in his eyes. Hear the energy in his voice. And when you ask him about his interests other than music, he'll tell you like his mother told him: Lloyd learned to sing before he could talk, learned to dance before he could walk. With his sophomore album, Street Love just dropped and his single "You" still riding high in Billboard's top 100, Lloyd is far away from the basement where he recorded that first hit single with Lil Wayne over a year ago. Despite the dramas of his label, The Inc., the "young Jermaine Jackson" (he likes to think sounds like him) is adding Executive Producer to his resume. His career is steadily going up, and maybe, just maybe, it's all in the hair. His Lion's Mane represents him. Yeah, yeah, long hair don't care.

You just turned 21 in January, how did you celebrate?
I'm not really a partier; I'd rather work. I was actually in the studio finishing the album. I had a few friends drop by. A few days later, they threw a surprise party for me at the Velvet Room Lounge in Atlanta. My friend Cee Lo Green came by, Michael Vick, TI, Lil Wayne and Jazze Pha was the host. It was a way to bring it in.

Since the release of your first album in 2004, Southside, you've missing in action.
I've been perfecting my craft. People ask me all the time where have I been. I just tell them, "Listening to Young Jeezy and Rick Ross, Lil Scrappy and 8Ball & MJG." I've been doing a lot of other projects with other people. Just trying to stay moving, always in the studio making music.

You appear to be heavy into Hip Hop.
I really think R&B influences rap a lot. And even they'll tell you. That's kind of where it all started, with R&B music. To know that they appreciate what I do is very overwhelming. I look up to a lot of these guys. The fact that they're reaching out to me and want to involve me in what they are doing is a great thing.

You're originally from New Orleans. Were you at all influenced by the culture of New Orleans?
I was there until I was the age of two years old, when my father was murdered. My mother felt like there wasn't a lot of opportunity there. Even before Hurricane Katrina, people didn't really have much down there. She decided to take me out of that and move to Atlanta. From birth I was influenced by the culture. My father is a saxophonist and my mother was in the choir. Music is very strong down there. I would go back and people would always tell me stories about how good my father was when he was around, how people loved his voice. Some of my first fans come from New Orleans.

It's been a long ways since Ntoon - describe the growth you've experienced within music?
I witnessed a lot of growth and development amongst my peers. When I was younger, people really took the time out to develop an artist. Sometimes it would take a year to make a record and you would practice, and have media training and they would really prep you. Now you have to have a following before people are interested. Today, people are taking more control of their careers and forming their own labels and companies.

I read an article a couple years back where you expressed your feelings about music; you mentioned it was in a "cornball" state. Do you still feel this way?
People are becoming more innovative these days. We're trying new things and not being afraid to take it there. My only problem was that music was just content with itself. For me, I can never be content. There's always another place to take it, always a higher level to reach. I love music period. Even when I feel like its saturated with too much of one thing, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel that pulls me back and makes me love it again.

The remix to the hit single "You" featuring Andre 3000 and Nas has received has been hitting the radio in a major way. Dre 3000 only gets on a track if he personally feels it.
I've wanted to work with Andre for a very long time. He recorded his verse on Thanksgiving Day. He called me said, "I really like this song. I don't care what anybody says, I'm going to rap on it." The first time I heard it, I was like "wow," because I grew up admiring these guys. He was the first person to put Decatur, Georgia on the map in his song "Elevators" (from the album Big Boi and Dre Present Outkast, 2001).

Tell us about Street Love.
I try not to limit myself, and to hit every angle. I wrote one of the songs on the album, "My Valentine" when I was 16 years old. At the time, people would tell me, "It's too grown, too old for your sound." Now that I'm 21 I decided to revamp it. It's timeless.

What's your relationship like with The Inc.?
The Inc is one of the first labels to believe in me. At one point in time things kind of slowed down and I just got really frustrated. The most frustrating thing to me is sitting on the sideline and watching the game knowing that I should be apart of it. I just had this music lying around and I didn't know what to do with it. I just took my career into my own hands. The whole Inc is like a big family. The thing about the family is you don't always get along, you don't always see eye-to-eye. But at the end of the day, that's what makes you closer, what makes you stronger. I've just been so focused lately I had to separate myself from everyone in order to find my zone.

When did you realize performing is your destiny?
I had this Michael Jackson movie called Moonwalker (1988). I would watch it back to back. Everyone was chasing Michael, and he was just invincible. I wanted to be like that when I was a kid. I remember going to my first concert and I would just witness the energy that was on the stage and their ability to really touch people. I always thought that was the coolest thing in the world, to be able to showcase your gift.

Acting is on the to-do list for many artists who dominate R&B and Hip Hop genres. Is it something you plan on checking off?

Well if you dabble in it again, do you have a dream role you'd like to play?
I always wanted to play Jackie Wilson; he's a very entertaining guy.

What keeps you moving in an industry so cutthroat and growing?
I do music because I love music. I don't do it for the money, fame and notoriety. Dreams come true. And I encourage everyone to follow them. I'm a living testament of that.

Oprah's Angel Network opened its second school for poor South African youth today in Shayamoya, following the January opening of Johannesburg's Leadership Academy for Girls. The talk show host/ philanthropist attended the opening and spoke with teachers and students. The $1.6 million dollar school is fully equipped, and has a rainwater-recycling water system which pumps using seesaws and merry-go-rounds.

Meanwhile, Tyrese Gibson - the singer, the model, the actor, the rapper - issued a statement defending Oprah against her critics. "There is a staggering amount of millionaires and billionaires out in the world that do nothing to effect positive change within society," read the statement. "The fact that Oprah Winfrey took a monumental step to create a school in South Africa for the betterment of African children rather then just speak of change is commendable. The bible says, 'No good deed shall go unpunished,' and there are many critics out in the world turning up negative stones to find a flaw in this wonderful gift donated to South Africa by Oprah Winfrey. I stand with Oprah in the fight for change and positive world reform and I hope that people realize there will always be struggle and without struggle there is no progression. Please leave her alone and let the blessings she is offering outshine the public scrutiny she is facing."

Akon's second album, Konvicted, was certified double platinum by the RIAA. In addition, he was named Cingular's best-selling ringtone artist of all time, with two double-platinum ringtones in "Smack That" and "I Wanna Love You."

Meanwhile, "Don’t Matter," the third single from Konvicted, continues to ride high, placing at No. 2 on the Billboard "Hot 10" chart, the Billboard Rhythmic "Top 40" chart and the Billboard "Hot Digital Songs" chart, all simultaneously.

Akon heads up the latest issue of VIBE, which lands on your newsstand March 20. Keep vibe.com locked for outtakes from the magazine and behind-the-scenes info from our Akon cover story

Wyclef Jean testified - and rapped - before Congress yesterday, hoping to motivate the Bush Administration to export more from his home nation of Haiti. Before the Western Hemisphere subcommittee of the House Foreign Relations Committee, Wyclef rapped about the poverty and lack of education in Haiti before delivering a speech detailing the issues, arguing for more money to be spent by the US in the country.

Before the committee, Wyclef made the case for job creation, support of Haitian arts and advocated inclusion of the Haitian diaspora in the mix. He argued for the passing of the HOPE Act, which would allow Haiti to export more to the US. "After some 200 years of neglect, almost everything is a priority in Haiti: health, education, infrastructure, jobs, security, justice - all that's needed to achieve a healthy economy and a stable, vibrant society," said Wyclef. "One is overwhelmed as to where to begin. It makes me think of a story I was told about a man who said, 'I am so hungry I could eat an elephant!' Someone asked: 'How would you do that?' He responded: 'Bite by bite!'

According to a McClatchy report, Wyclef admitted, "I always get nervous when I'm talking." But his presentation impressed several Congresspeople from both parties. New Jersey Dem Donald Payne said, "We need more people like you, you are an example," and Indiana Republican Dan Burton exclaimed, "My gosh, you've got some great ideas."

Wyclef is the founder of the non-profit Yele Haiti, which uses music to bring development to Haiti.

Formerly beleagueured superdiva Whitney Houston graced an LA recording studio yesterday to begin work on her first record in five years. She was accompanied by songwriter Johnta Austin, who's no stranger to penning anthems for R&B goddesses - he wrote "We Belong Together" for Mariah Carey, "Miss You" for Aaliyah, and "Just Be a Man About It" for Toni Braxton.
BMG mogul Clive Davis is cosigning Houston's comeback and helping her choose songwriters - so far seven tracks have been picked up, from scribes including R. Kelly, John Legend, Ne-Yo, and Diane Warren. Could be a hit.

Teddy Pendergrass is holding "Teddy 25," a star-studded celebration of his legacy June 10 in Philadelphia, with proceeds going to The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, a non-profit which helps people with spinal cord injuries continue their lives. Twenty-five years ago, Pendergrass suffered spinal cord injuries after a car accident, and formed the organization to help others with the same.

The evening, held at Philly's Kimmel Center, will be hosted by Mo'Nique. Confirmed performers include Patti La Belle, Ruben Studdard and Stephanie Mills, and Teddy, who will debut a new song written especially for the event. The Alliance will honor Whitney Houston, Arsenio Hall, Regis Philbin, Ashford & Simpson, Cathy Hughes (CEO & founder of TV One/Radio One), Mark P. May (CEO, Clear Channel), Donald Trump, Daniel Markus & Shep Gordon (managers), Bob Krasnow (CEO of Elektra/Asylum Records), and his longtime publicist Lisa Barbaris for their friendship and assistance through the years. Invited celebrity guests include Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Eddie LeVert, Kindred, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jill Scott, Musiq, Vivian Green, Jaheim, and Usher. Proceeds will be donated to The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance.

In a press release, Pendergrass said, "From personal experience I recognize a strong need for a coordinated outreach to individuals with SCI that will encourage them to reach their maximum potential and that’s the mission of The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance. It is important that those of us with SCI continue to LIVE and are given the right to LIVE as individuals in the way that we choose and that society recognizes that people with SCI are people, not conditions or diseases. We all have challenges; a disability does not mean inability."

Mario Vazquez, the "American Idol" finalist who dropped out in February 2005 for vague personal reasons, has just been named in a sexual harrassment lawsuit related to the show. According to a suit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Vazquez is being accused of sexually harrassing Magdaleno Olmos, an accountant at Idol, in late February 2005.

The lawsuit alleges that "Vazquez stared lasciviously, smiled lasciviously ... and on one occasion followed him into a bathroom ... knocked on the door of the plaintiff's stall and made eye contact through the space in the stall door." The suit then alleges that Vazquez pushed Olmos "further into the stall and continued masturbating with one hand and trying to pull down Olmos' pants with another hand," and that Vazquez touched his "chest and stomach underneath his shirt, and Olmos' "genitals" while attempting "to unzip" Olmos' pants. When Olmos tried to leave the situation, Vazquez allegedly "stood in the bathroom with his pants still down."

The lawsuit also names FOX Entertainment and Fremantle Media as defendants in a wrongful termination suit. Olmos says that when he reported the incident, his superior allegedly told him "he was crazy" and "repeatedly threatened to fire him." In May of 2005, Olmos alleges he was terminated.

Snoop Dogg was pulled over in Sweden at 1:30 am Monday morning and held overnight after police alleged he showed signs of drug abuse. He was questioned, administered a drug test, and released. If the test comes back dirty, he could be fined, according to the country's narcotics laws.

Snoop was en route to a party in Stockholm, where he had just finished a concert on his European tour with Diddy, when police pulled over the car he was riding in and suspected the rapper and a female companion of drug abuse. They searched the car and found a small amount of unidentified narcotics, but they were unable to determine if the drugs belonged to Snoop. After being held at a Stockholm jail, he was released shortly after 5 am.

Seventy-six days after his death, the Godfather of Soul was finally laid to rest on Beech Island, South Carolina. He was buried in a crypt at the home of his daughter, Deanna Brown Thomas. The Rev. Al Sharpton presided over the burial: among those present were Brown's six adult children, his partner Tomi Rae Hynie, and their five-year-old son. According to Reverend Sharpton, the burial was paid for by the adult children since disputes over Brown's estate were still being debated in the courts. There is a possibility that Brown's body will be moved later to a public mausoleum and memorial garden, depending on the outcome of that dispute, as arrangements were made by trustees for Brown's body to rest in a public garden in Augusta. But for now, the Godfather of Soul is finally buried peacefully.

Looks like all of Jennifer Hudson's dreams are coming true these days. As if the success of Dreamgirls wasn't enough, the Academy Award-winning breakthrough star has recently been announced as the exclusive spokeswoman for Avon's 20-year-old, number-one selling fragrance brand, Imari. In a press conference, Hudson said that her partnership with Avon "is really a dream come true for me."

Jennifer will be appearing on the brochures for Imari's brand, as well as its new scent, Imari Seduction, due out in August.

Signing Hudson must have been a no-brainer for Avon executive vice president Liz Smith, who said in a statement: "We believe that our Avon representatives and their customers will be truly inspired by Jennifer's dream-come-true success story."

Jennifer made her first Avon appearance at the United Nations on Wednesday at the Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow, presented by the Virtue Foundation in partnership with Avon. The event, showcasing women's rights issues throughout the world, symbolized the beginning of Avon's Hello Tomorrow Fund, which offers support to women who have made positive contributions in their communities.

Jermaine Dupri is riding high for - oh, about the 28th or 29th year in a row. The production mastermind and don for life, recently crowned CEO of Island Urban Music under LA Reid, is set to be honored in two upcoming awards ceremonies. On March 10, Dupri will receive the Quincy Jones Lifetime Achievement Award at the Soul Train Music Awards. On April 18, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor Dupri as the Songwriter of the Year - his sixth such accolade.

At Thursday's kick-off for Michael Jackson's "fan appreciation events" series in Tokyo, the King of Pop posed for photos and read a thank-you note reflecting on his career. He also dropped what may well be his most lucid quote yet: "I've been in the entertainment industry since I was six years old. As Charles Dickens says, 'It's been the best of times, the worst of times.' But I would not change my career."

Tokyo fans paid 400,000 yen (around $3200 US) to attend the event, though 100 orphans were allowed to come for free. Partygoers were regaled for six hours by Japanese MJ impersonators and a buffet dinner, though Jackson himself did not perform. He did, however, address the country's consistent enthusiasm for his work: "Japan is one of my favorite places to visit in the world," he said. "I want to thank all of you for making me the biggest-selling artist in Japan."

MJ is currently working on a new album and living in Las Vegas after a post-trial sabbatical in Bahrain.

Will Smith's film production company has optioned Cooked: From the Streets to the Stove, from Cocaine to Foie Gras, Jeff Henderson's redemption memoir about his transition from drug dealer to executive chef at the swanky Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Overbrook Entertainment, along with Columbia Pictures, will produce the film with the same team that turned Pursuit of Happyness into a Best Actor-nominated, $288 million phenomenon.

Cooked was released only a few weeks ago, on Feb. 20, by William Morrow. It chronicles the trials of Henderson, aka "Chef Jeff," who learned to cook gourmet meals while serving time for dealing crack cocaine. No word yet on whether Smith will star. The actor is currently filming I Am Legend in New York, a thriller in which he plays the last man alive in NYC after a virus has destroyed the world's population.

In the latest installment of Jay-Z the Cakemaker, your man Shawn Carter has sold his popular urban apparel line, Rocawear, for $204 million in cash money. The purchasing company, Iconix, also manufactures Candie's and Joe Boxer and bought Rocawear to diversify their stock portfolio. In the deal, Carter will remain Rocawear's chief creative officer, retaining his stake in the company and heading up all product development, marketing and licensing. Further, Iconix and Carter will establish a new brand management and licensing company to identify brands to be acquired or developed. Their first brand is a luxury line, the Shawn Carter Collection, out next year.

The purchase also includes payments of an additional $35 million in Iconix stock if the brand surpasses performance threshholds over the next three to five years. Iconix's last purchase was Danskin, Inc., the people who make tights and leotards.

"Swift with the lyrical gift," as the verse goes. Check for the Biggie tribute vSessions March 9, 2007 - RIP BIG.
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