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*It’s over for Bow Wow and Ciara. After nearly a year of dating, the young lovers have announced a joint desire to move on. "Ciara and I have parted ways," Bow Wow said in a statement. "I wish her all the best." The news follows reports last week that Bow Wow was hanging out with a stripper in L.A. "I cannot comment on the reason, but can confirm that Ciara and Bow Wow have split," says Tracy Nguyen, spokesperson for Ciara.
*Lovebirds Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles ranked second on In Touch magazine’s list of best dressed celebrity couples. Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon topped the list, while Eva Longoria and Tony Parker placed 10th. Here’s 3 through 9: Ryan Gosling & Rachel McAdams (3); Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend (4);Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale (5); David and Victoria Beckham (6); Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams (7); Hilary Duff and Joel Madden (8) and Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany (9).
*Prince’s first Universal Records release, “3121,” took over the No. 1 spot on Billboard's European Top 100 Albums chart last week, giving the legendary artist his highest charting international album of the decade. Prince's overseas accomplishment was buoyed by“3121's” regional chart-surge throughout Europe, including holding down the No. 1 slot in Switzerland, and a No. 4 debut in Germany. All 12 songs on “3121” have been put into A-List rotation on the BBC's Radio 2 in the UK. Prince's previous album, 2004's Grammy nominated “Musicology,” peaked at No. 3 on the European Top Albums chart.
*Rapper B.G. signed a multi-album deal Wednesday with Atlantic Records, reports Allhiphop.com, ending months of speculation over where he would eventually end up. Under the pact, Atlantic will distribute the artist’s Chopper City record label. B.G. is currently in the studio working on his next album, which will be executive produced by rapper T.I. and due for release in the fall.
*Bishop Paul S. Morton, pastor of New Orleans-based Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Church, will record his first post-Hurricane Katrina album on May 26 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Nashville, TN, with Kurt Carr tapped as a producer. The concert album, from the Artemis Gospel label, will pay tribute to the New Orleans and Gulf Coast area and include many special guest appearances. Under Bishop Morton's leadership, Greater St. Stephen has recently become "One Church In Two States," hosting four services weekly in New Orleans and two services weekly in Atlanta.
*Destiny's Child’s "Live In Atlanta" DVD was the nation's best-selling music DVD last week following its No. 1 debut. Filmed last year during the group's farewell tour, the disc captures group members Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams performing their hits "Say My Name," "Bootylicious," "Soldier" (featuring T.I. and Lil' Wayne) and much more. Bonus features include: a video scrapbook, "Destiny's Child - A Family Affair"; fan testimonials including favorite song and favorite costumes; a preview teaser of Rowland's upcoming sophomore album; and the "Dreamgirls" movie and soundtrack trailer.
*Maurice Starr, creator of New Kids On The Block and New Edition, has announced his newest prodigy, 16-year-old singer/songwriter Ariana Stewart (a.k.a., “The One and Only ARI.”) She is currently working on collaborations with hip hop group Lords of the Underground, and co-producing additional tracks with Akon’s Konvict Muzic.