-Rap legend Dr. Dre will tease fans with samples from his much anticipated new album "Detox," in new TV advertisements for soda brand Dr. Pepper. The hip-hop star fronts the drink company's new "Trust Me, I'm A Doctor," campaign, and he's using the TV spots to drum up publicity for his third album, as well as his Beats By Dre headphones.

In the ad, Dre says, "Scientific tests prove when you drink Dr. Pepper slow, the 23 flavors taste even better. For me, slow always produces a hit. "Slower is better-trust me, I'm a doctor."
Detox is expected to be released later this year (09).

-Michael Jackson is opening a 'Thriller' casino. The 50-year-old singer is reportedly planning to launch the zombie-themed gambling den in Las Vegas next year.

Also, Michael Jackson decided to go back on tour for the first time in 13 years to build a trust fund for his children, according to the organizer of his upcoming London concerts. Michael Jackson has ordered his promoters to build a replica of his former Neverland ranch when he stays in the U.K. this summer (09).

-Vivica A. Fox has been left stunned by the sudden death of her "Kill Bill," co-star David Carradine, and she's struggling to accept the possibility he committed suicide.

-Whitney Houston is officially ready to make her chart comeback-she's set to release her highly-anticipated new album "Undefeated" in September of this year.

-Irv Gotti is fuming over Vibe's decision to name Eminem the Best Rapper Alive, insisting he'd be laughed out of a hip-hop contest with stars like Jay-Z, DMX and Ja Rule.

lol @ jah rule

-Bosses at animal rights group PETA want rapper T.I. to bare all after he's released from jail; for their famous "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur," campaign.

Word on the Street

-Dexter King, son of Dr. Martin Luther King, jr, has sold the rights to his his father's biopic. word is that Steven Spielberg bought the rights for Dreamworks. Dexter King's siblings are suing because there were excluded from the decision to sell the rights, they found out via email after the sale. noise on the street is that dexter is broke

*update: production of the biopic is on hold until the King's kids sort out their legal issues...tbc

-Mariah Carey landed more than just a big pay check for a private gig in Turkey this past weekend...she was also gifted with one million dollar's worth of diamonds. The singer was paid a staggering $1.5 million for her appearance and performance at the launch of the Mardan Palace in Antalya, Europe's most expensive luxury resort.

-R&B singer Rihanna will make her acting debut in new movie "Personal Protection," later this year (09).The singer recently denied rumors she'll star in a big screen remake of Whitney Houston's 1992 classic "The Bodyguard." But Rihanna appears to have changed her mind and has signed on to the forthcoming film. She is taking her foray into the movie industry seriously...she's enrolled in acting classes in New York to prepare her for the role. A source tells the New York Daily News, "Rihanna will start filming Personal Protection later this year. "She's not ready, acting-wise, yet, so she's meeting with a coach."

give me a gd break. there are so many talented black actresses being pushed aside and good roles are going to inadequate singers and rappers. why? because of name and popularity? very lame. its a gd shame, that movie is already 'straight to dvd' imho. seriously, this is way out of control. nia long, tisha campbell and sanaa lathan must be mad as hell right about now. speaking for tisha campbell, can u believe beyawnce is set to play eartha kitt?? lol *smdh*

ridamdiculous.

Tam's Chicken Alfredo

This is a really delicious dish...I am salivating just writing this


2 chicken breasts
1 tspn montreal chicken spice
1/4 tspn paprika
1/2 tspn black pepper
1/4 tspn kosher salt

Directions: rinse and pat dry chicken breast, rub on the chicken spice, paprika, salt and pepper. Fry slowly in
frying pan, covered halfway for about 20-25 minutes. Once fried, place the chicken breast on a cutting board and
slice in strips. Place the chicken strips in the pot that will be used to blend the ingredients

3 cups penne pasta. Cook pasta in boiling water for about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain water and set aside (make
concurrently with the sauted vegetables so that it will still be hot)

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
5-6 thinly sliced mushroom caps
1 onion, sliced
2 red bell peppers, sliced semi thick
5 stalks asparagus, chopped in 1" lengths
1 cup spinach
4 slices of back bacon, chopeed in 1" lengths
2 tbsp olive oil
1 shot of vodka
3 cups of cream
1 cup grated parmisian cheese
3 tbsp butter
pinch of kosher salt
1/4 tspn white pepper


Directions: Heat the olive oil and garlic, add the bacon and vegetables and saute for 5 minutes. Add the sauted
vegetables to the chicken pot. Add the vodka, stir occasionally. After 3-4 minutes, stir in the penne. slowly add
cream and parmisian, stiring occasionally. add the butter, salt and pepper, remove from heat 1-2 minutes later.

Enjoy with garden salad and garlic bread.

Serves 4-6

Electronic Cigarettes

Blu cigarettes are the world's first electronic cigarettes. They were created in Italy and have become a trend among upper crust society in Europe.

According to reports, "the cigarette does not contain cancerous agents, nor does it contain tobacco, tar, ash or smell." This cigarette is smokeless and comes with a blu pack that charges the cigarettes while you're on the go. These 'E-cig' cigarettes come in unique flavors and various nicotine levels ranging from: non-nicotine, to light nicotine to full flavored nicotine.

A healthy alternative than traditional cigarettes and 75% cheaper than traditional cigarettes and you can smoke these cigarettes indoors because there's no odor or second hand smoke because the cigarette is smokeless. It works with a small rechargeable battery and replaceable cartridge that contains water, propylene glycol, nicotine, a scent that emulates tobacco, plus other flavorings. When you inhale it activates the atomizer which releases simulated smoke that is actually water vapor. This makes it easy for smokers to 'smoke' the e-cig inside restricted areas.

One blu cartridge is equal to approximately 15 cigarettes, they last about 130 to 160 puffs.

This product is not being marketed as one that will help smokers quit.

Shoes Orgasm :))

Spring is here and its time to put away the winter boots and free our toes!...even if they are not so cute :( a pedi will save the day lol.

The 2009 spring shoes have arrived and although the cutest ones might hurt your pocket in this recession, its hard to resist trying on a few pairs; and window shopping is free, right?? Here is a look at some of the shoes making a statement this spring:

the ysl lola platform and the prada jeweled t-strap sandal

the nina ricci ruffle lace and the manolo blahnik zebra print pantent sandal

the dior piedra jeweled t-strap and the christian louboutin petal sandal

and the wowser, the christian louboutin dillian pump which retails for 2875.00

hm mm

- Hip-hop super producer Timbaland has landed his own beat-making video game after partnering with the team behind the "Grand Theft Auto," series.

Also, Timbaland is suing Blackground Records claiming they're jealous of his success as a producer and performer and is accusing them of contacting other labels to tell them not to hire him and stiffing him out of money; he wants out of his contract plus monetary damages.

-Female rap pioneer Yo-Yo is set to release her first album in 13 years.

The Grammy-nominated star has been largely absent from the hip-hop scene since the 1996 release of her disc "Total Control"

She's making her return with "My Journey To Fearless: The Black Butterfly," and she's brought in pal Missy Elliot and singer Keri Hilson to help her comeback appeal to younger audiences.

-Mos Def is delving into the fashion game.

The Brooklyn MC has teamed up with street wear label UNDRCRWN for its Spring 2009 campaign, set to drop on the company’s website, UNDRCRWN.com.

According to WoooHa.com, the designs are heavily inspired by the cover artwork of the 2004 Dead Prez album, Revolutionary But Gangsta.

Mos Def news, the rapper-actor will also be releasing his fourth solo, The Ecstatic, on June 9th

-SYLVESTER STALLONE has defended his decision to cast rapper 50 CENT in his forthcoming movie THE EXPENDABLES - after fans slammed the casting call in an online forum.

The Rocky veteran is currently shooting the all-star action film The Expendables in Brazil, which sees some of Tinsletown’s most notorious action stars team up, including Jet Li, Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham.

Forest Whitaker was also slated to appear in the movie as Agent Will Sands, but was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts after shooting on the Stallone’s film was pushed back. Stallone approached 50 Cent to take on the role, but the decision has come under fire from film fans who suggest the star isn’t a credible actor.
The anger of the casting of 50 Cent is understandable, but not fair.

-update: 50cent lost his role in Sylvester Stallone's new film The Expendebles. The part will be played by 'Everybody Hates Chris' dad Terry Crews instead.

-Mary J Blige has signed on to do Tyler Perry's next movie "I Can Do Bad All By My Self". She will be starring opposite Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson.

Tam's Butter Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Marinade & Ingredients

-3 chicken breasts, cut into bite sized strips/pieces

- dilute the juice of one lemon in enough water to rinse the chicken strips, then drain

Add the following ingredients:

-1 tsp paprika

-1/2 tsp cinnamon

-1/2 tsp black pepper

-1/2 tsp kosher salt

-1/2 tsp chilli powder

-1 clove garlic, finely chopped

-1 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped

-4 tsp yogurt – plain or vanilla

-4 tsp coconut milk or ½ & ½ cream

-1 tsp olive oil

Mix all the above in a bowl, cover and let sit (in or out of refrigerator) for 20 – 30 minutes.

Step 2: Preparation

-1 onion, diced or finely chopped

-1 clove garlic, finely chopped

-3 tsp margarine

-2 tbsp butter chicken curry paste

-1 can of diced tomato (preferably tomato without any added salt or special flavors)

-fresh parsley, oregano and basil – a pinch or dash of each

Add margarine, garlic and onion to sauce pan or pot and sauté for 2 – 3 minutes, then stir in the curry paste and sauté for 2 more minutes. Add the chicken, stirring constantly until all the pieces are cooked. Add the diced tomato and stir in evenly. Add the fresh parsley, oregano and basil to taste. Cover and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes on low heat.

Enjoy with basmati rice and/or naan bread

Word on the Street

-A screenplay written by rapper Tupac Shakur during a 1995 prison stint is to hit cinemas in 2010. Shakur penned "Live 2 Tell," as a starring vehicle for himself, according to Vibe magazine, but he never lived to see out his dream.

The film, which chronicles an ex-drug dealer's battle to beat his problems, was discovered by the late rapper's mother, Afeni Shakur, and sold to Insomnia Productions. Producers will start casting the film in April 2009




-Rap legends N.W.A. are to be immortalized on the big screen, a major biopic is in the works.

N.W.A, the Compton supergroup, comprised of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eazy-E, MC Ren and DJ Yella, shot to fame in the late 1980s after signing to Death Row Records, and drew attention with controversial hits like Straight Outta Compton, F**k tha Police and Gangsta Gangsta.

Ice Cube quit the band in 1989 after a dispute over royalties, and the remaining N.W.A. members parted ways in 1991.

The rappers each went on to achieve solo success, with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre garnering critical acclaim for their own projects, while Eazy-E enjoyed some popularity with his numerous discs before dying from AIDS in 1995.

Now their West Coast legacy is heading to cinemas, a project tentatively titled "Straight Outta Compton," is being developed with Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy-E's widow all on board as producers, according to Entertainment Weekly.

They are reportedly seeking a director to helm the project in a style similar to Curtis Hanson's take on Eminem's 2002 movie, "8 Mile."

-Chris Rock is assembling an all-star comedy cast for his forthcoming movie "Death At A Funeral." Both Martin Lawrence and Tracy Morgan have signed on to the project.

-Rapper Nas made a terminally ill child's dreams come true this weekend when he flew the fan out to Los Angeles to attend his concert and meet the star backstage.

(source: panachereport)

...just a thought

Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.

-Martin Luther King

Science & Technology

NASA on, Friday March 6, 2009, prepared to launch a telescope that will search our corner of the Milky Way galaxy for Earth-like planets.

The Kepler spacecraft is scheduled to blast into space on top of a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida just before 11 p.m. ET.

Kepler contains a special telescope that will stare at 100,000 stars in the Cygnus-Lyra region of the Milky Way for more than three years as it trails Earth's orbit around the Sun.

The spacecraft will look for tiny dips in a star's brightness, which can mean an orbiting planet is passing in front of it - an event called a Transit.

The instrument is so precise that it can register changes in brightness of 20 parts per million in stars that are thousands of light years away.

Once Kepler spots a planet, scientists will be able to calculate its size, mass, orbital period, distance from star and surface temperature; scientists should know by 2013 - the end of Kepler's mission - whether life in the universe could be widespread.

are we now on track to become the aliens we've always 'worried' about? I am curious to see where this leads.

Word on the Street

-Comedian Eddie Murphy has landed his dream role, portraying late, great funnyman Richard Pryor in a new biopic.

The film will be directed by Bill Condon. Fox Searchlight is reportedly picking up this $25 million project.

-Michael Jackson has recorded more than 100 songs in secret, but is refusing to release the tracks until after his death, according to a biographer.

Jackson has amassed a stack of tunes but only wants them to be heard by his children - Prince, 11, Paris Katherine, 10, and five-year-old Prince Michael II-after he dies.

-Actor/director Tyler Perry is gearing up for his best birthday ever; he plans to celebrate turning 40 by buying his own private island.

-So, Coolio had a gig in Stoke-on-Trent, England when he decided stage dive into the crowd. Too bad the audience parted, sending Coolio crashing to the floor. The crowd then reportedly mobbed the rapper, stealing his bandana, jewellery and shoes before he could be rescued by the venue's security team.

lmao @ the visual of coolio free-falling

Word on the Street

-Samuel L. Jackson, who had a 31 second cameo as S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Nick Fury, in last year's Iron Man, has just signed an unprecedented nine-picture deal with Marvel Studios to reprise the role.

The Hollywood Reporter says: The movies include "Iron Man 2," "Thor," "Captain America," "The Avengers" and its sequels. Also on the table is the possibility of toplining a "S.H.I.E.L.D." movie, which is in development.

The actor, repped by ICM and Anonymous Content, made a surprise appearance as Fury at the end of the first "Iron Man," throwing geeks into a tizzy and showing the first glimpse of Marvel's plan to link all their slate of movies into one filmic universe.

-Late actress/singer Eartha Kitt's former publicist has lashed out at Oscar producers for omitting her from a segment paying tribute to stars who had passed away over the past year.

lame indeed.

R.I.P Eartha

***

-Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman was drinking alcohol in the hours leading up to his serious car crash last summer- August 2008, according to a lawsuit filed by the female passenger who was with him at the time of the accident. She is also denying being his mistress.

*hmm mm - giving u both the side-eye

Scientific Breakthrough

Two Montreal researchers have proposed a new theory for a question that has long vexed evolutionary biologists: How did a mechanism thought to help build life self-assemble?

Sergey Steinberg, a biochemistry professor at the University of Montreal, found the answer in the ribosome, a relatively large mechanism within the cell that takes RNA instruction and builds proteins.

Steinberg and Bokov's theory fills in a critical step in how life got started four billion years ago, said Stephen Michnick, the Canada Research Chair in Integrative Genomics at the University of Montreal.

A key breakthrough came when Steinberg found that chemicals could spontaneously come together and form something as complex as a ribosome. Previous theories had suggested only simple proteins could form spontaneously.

Steinberg found the ribosome was put together using relatively simple structural rules, a bit like a three-dimensional puzzle.

For critics who ask why spontaneous formation didn't lead to something other than the ribosome, Steinberg used mathematical models to show there was no other possibility. The ribosome simply wouldn't hold together if it were constructed any other way.

His discovery, made with student Konstantin Bokov, has been published in the scientific journal Nature.

Poetry

Where beauty is, then there is ugliness;

where right is, also there is wrong.

Knowledge and ignorance are interdependent;

delusion and enlightenment condition each other.

Since olden times it has been so.

How could it be otherwise now?

Wanting to get rid of one and grab the other

is merely realizing a scene of stupidity.

Even if you speak of the wonder in it all,

how do you deal with each thing changing?

-Ryokan

Irish Coffee

...for cold days like today you just might want a 'special' coffee

Irish Coffee

Ingredients:
1 cup of strong hot coffee.
1 tablespoon of Irish whiskey.
1 tablespoon of cream.
1 tablespoon of sugar.

Instructions: Make coffee as normal. Once the coffee is ready, add the whiskey, sugar and cream. Serve.

so simple. enjoy

Ninja vs Beenie

Desmond Balentine aka Ninja Man is a Jamaican reggae artist. He is controversial and talented; he has been through a lot of hardship in his life but he seems to be on solid ground now. He speaks his mind and takes no prisoners. Ninja Man is my first crush, I still love this man (I can still here my mom say: eehee him ugly sah) but to me, he’s the man!

Ninja man-the original gold-teeth, front-teeth, don gorgon had some choice words for betweenie bwoy, ahem I mean beenie man….

Ninja says: Beenie Man a di biggest hypocrite, laugh an’ skin teeth wid man like him an’ dem a fren wen him in front a dem, but chat a bag tings behine dem back.

Ninja on Sting: A dun Beenie Man era dun now. Him fi jus gwaan record music fi him gran’ pickney listen to. A Mavado an’ Vybz Kartel a di new generation an him cyaan accept that suh him haffi fine a way fi get in a dem ting. Him jus deh pon one stage…dancehall, all afta him get di Grammy.

Ninja had a few words for dancehall artist Merciless: Merciless jus a come back an’ a try fi put together some lyrics fi eat a food, wah dem waan mi kill him off agen fah wen mi kill him so much time aready. Mi nuh haffi have nuh lyrics fi test Leonard. Mi jus look pon how di audience a respond an’ fine di right thing weh fi conneck an’ kill people.

Ninja goes for the jugular: Since Beenie Man feel like sey Merciless a deejay, Merciless dead a Jam World, bury a Negril a Spring Break and tomb inna him own birthday bash a Clarendon. Like how him come back now as the seven golden vampires, yuh Beenie Man remember say that I am Peter Cushing…a gwain peg him inna him heart wid a silver cross. Him muss bun up,”

Again to the jugular: Hey bwoy Beenie Man, if yuh bad like mi boot heel, yuh and Merciless step inna Follow Di Arrow meck a peg him an kill yuh. If mi nuh ketch yuh a Follow Di Arrow, anyway yuh deh I am coming to get yuh. Waste time a meck mischief and fight fi bi number one at all time. Yuh badmind thru yuh cyaan teck mi title like how yuh teck Yellow Man own ‘bout yuh a ‘king a the dancehall’

Ninja have a question: Mi waan fi ask Beenie Man couple questions. If yuh feel like sey mi doan have a career and tunes fi face Merciless, why when mi tell the public sey mi want him Beenie Man, Bounty Killa, Mavado and Vybz Kartel one time, why him nevva push up him chest like how yuh feel me nuh have nuh career?

Warning: when he said 'kill' he doesn't mean to literally kill somebody....its a reggae dancehall clash term which means to lyrically get the upperhand and be the crowd favorite.

This language is called Patois aka broken english.

Is this the new fashion trend? At the 2009 mercedes benz fashion week in new york, isaac mizrahi's models took to the catwalk with purse hats atop their heads.

The dresses were beautiful but i dont know if i would rock a purse hat. are u brave enough?

JT's Bacon Brussels Sprout Delight

This recipe is so delicious. Even if you don't eat or enjoy brussel sprouts, just give this recipe a try, it will certainly change your mind. If you don't enjoy this brussels sprout dish, then it really is not for u.

½ lb back bacon

1 lb brussels sprout, cut in halves with excess stem and outer leaves removed

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

2 tbsp olive oil

Fry the bacon until half-way cooked then remove from frying pan and set aside (in microwave to keep warm). Heat olive oil and sauté the chopped garlic for 2 minutes, add the brussel sprouts and cover, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick, cook over low heat for 5 minutes or until tender. Cut the bacon in bit size pieces and add to the pot, stir fry for about 2-5 minutes or until bacon is at your desired preference.

Do not overcook the brussels sprouts as this will release the sulpher smelling glucosinolate and sinigrin, which will give them a sharp taste; good news is however, the bacon and garlic add such great flavor and taste, u probably wont notice :)

serves 4-6

Yaad News

-Ida Louise Gordon, affectionately known as Miss Ida of Devon in Lime Tree Garden, St Ann, is officially 112 years old, according to the Registrar General's Department (RGD), the country's registrar of births, marriages and deaths.

However, Miss Ida insists she was born 10 years earlier on November 5, 1886, the date she has been holding on to ever since The Gleaner first published an article about her in 2003.

"We have gone through the records and we found that this family is a cultivating family. Miss Ida is from the second generation of newly freed slaves," said Holness.

However, even at 112, Miss Ida is one of the oldest persons in Jamaica. According to Holness, she is the second-oldest person on record locally.

-King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain visited Spanish Town, St Catherine - Jamaica on February 19, 2009.

Spanish Town once served as Jamaica's capital from 1655 to 1872.

During Wednesday's tour, the king and queen were presented with the keys to the old capital by Mayor Andrew Wheatley.

-A 16-year-old student of the Petersfield High School was stabbed to death yesterday, during an argument over a boy in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland - Jamaica.

The 16 year old was stabbed and killed with a scissors by a 15-year-old, who is now in police custody.

sad.

No Words....

Simply put, GoGirl is the way to stand up to crowded, disgusting, distant or non-existent bathrooms. It’s a female urination device (sometimes called a FUD) that allows you to urinate while standing up. It’s neat. It’s discrete. It’s hygienic. GoGirl is easy to use. Just lower your panties, and put GoGirl against your body, forming a seal. Aim and, well, pee. Pretty simple, huh?

yep, no words. smdh