*Mariah Carey’s new svelte frame has reportedly caught the eye of several fashion houses who hope to recruit her for ad campaigns. The singer has lost 20 pounds over the past several months, which has not gone unnoticed by design label Louis Vuitton. Last week, folks at the chain’s Paris store were said to have shown interest after watching her film parts of the music video for her new single “Say Somethin’.” Carey's spokeswoman tells Contact Music: "Until now [modeling] has not been something she wanted to do, but it seems the time is right. She's got quite a few fashion labels after her and we are in talks."
*Macy Gray has Natalie Cole, Outkast and Sleepy Brown making guest appearances on her upcoming album “Big,” due later this year. The set was produced by the duo Jawbreakers, comprised of Justin Timberlake and Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas. According to MTV.com, the album is currently in the mixing stage and is described by Gray as "definitely the best album I've ever made," adding that it's a blend of classic Macy and new sounds. "It's [going to have] everything: hip-hop, R&B, rock and roll ... even, like, old folk music," she said. "We managed to come up with some new beats, so it's real hot."
*Jailed rapper Shyne hit a snag in his efforts to access money he’s earned since behind bars. A conflict of interest led to the voluntary removal of Justice Howard Ruditzky from a civil lawsuit filed against Shyne by injured parties during the infamous December 1999 shootout at Club New York. According to the New York Post, Ruditzky had to step down because the Dershowitz and Dershowitz law firm that previously represented the rapper had also represented his brother-in-law. The artist’s team was hoping to challenge the “Son of Sam” law, which prevents convicts from earning money off of anything related to their crimes.
*Michael Jackson is rumored to have collaborated recently with Grammy winner John Legend in Bahrain. The news comes after G-Unit’s DJ Whoo Kid told MTV that he met with the reclusive pop star in the tiny country to discuss a possible duet with 50 Cent.
*Michael Mauldin, a 30-year veteran of the music industry – and Jermaine Dupri’s daddy – has entered the fashion world with his new line, Maudlin Apparel. The collection features vintage tees, denims, cashmere knits, hats, caps and outerwear for men and women. "Representing the fast life, Mauldin Apparel celebrates its image as the premiere international lifestyle brand infused by the subcultures of fashion, motor sports, music and the arts," said Mauldin, president of Mauldin Brand Agency and CEO of the Artistic Control Group. Mauldin's Holiday 2006 Collection will arrive in store later this year. Meanwhile, Maudlin and his company are set to produce September’s Billboard R&B Awards, an Otis Redding tribute and the Scream 5 Tour.
*India.Arie’s triumphant new single, “I Am Not My Hair,” will get new remixes courtesy of rapper Akon and producers Jazze Pha and Swizz Beats. Last week, the singer shot a new video of the Akon version, which features the Senegalese artist rapping about his own hair. The song is from Arie's forthcoming album “Testimony: Vol. 1 Life & Relationships,” due June 27 via Motown.
*Sean "Diddy" Combs’ Bad Boy South label has inked a multi-artist deal with Southern hip-hop label, Russell "Block" Spencer's Block Enterprises. The first release from the new venture," explains Harve Pierre, Executive VP and General Manager of Bad Boy Worldwide, "is solo rapper Yung Joc, whose single 'It's Goin Down,' appears on virtually every southern hip-hop mixtape. Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment and parent company Warner Music Group will be involved in the marketing, promotion and sales of several Block Enterprise artists. Upcoming releases under the new deal include new projects from Boyz N Da Hood, Big Gee, Jody Breeze, Miami's Rick Ross, and rock 'n' soul artist Jill Rock Jones.