09-22-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE

JAY-Z DEFENDS KANYE: Plus, rapper wants duet with Bono, Jack White; mulls yoga lessons to move like Coldplay's Chris Martin.

      *Rapper Jay-Z is sticking up for his boy Kanye West amid the firestorm of criticism that has followed the latter's behavior at last Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards.

       West jumped on stage during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech, grabbed the teen's microphone and said her award for best female video should have gone to Jay-Z's wife, Beyonce.

       Jay-Z did concede the incident had been "inappropriate at the time," but, as West's former mentor, he added: "He's just a super-passionate person."

       "Of course it was rude because it was her moment but that's the way he really felt," added the 39-year-old artist, who will support Coldplay at London's Wembley Stadium this weekend. "I think it was rude but the way they're treating him... He's on the cover of every paper. He didn't kill anybody. No one got harmed."

       Meanwhile, Jay-Z is looking beyond his current chart-topping album, "The Blueprint 3," and toward collaborations with artists from different genres – including humanitarian and rock legend Bono of U2.

       "Bono would be a great person to work with. I think he's cool He's good!," Jay-Z told Web site MusicOMH.com. "He does so many things. He's had longevity, he's made classic albums, he's still relevant right now and he does so much for the world. He's a complete human being."

       In addition to Bono, Jay-Z is interested in working with White Stripes singer Jack White, who also performs with The Raconteurs and Dead Weather.

       "I saw The Dead Weather play. I think he's brilliant. I think he's a genius," said the rapper.

      The mogul, who has already collaborated with his good friend Chris Martin of Coldplay, is now looking to mimic the crooner's onstage dance flexibility.

       "Chris hasn't tried to get me to do yoga yet but I am close to doing it. I'm envious of what he can do on stage," said Jay-Z. "Watching him is amazing, he can really move. I want to be able to move like that, get my leg behind my ear, things like that."

MYA GETS STITCHES FOR A CUT FINGER: Injury required trip to hospital hours before last night's 'DWTS' premiere.

       *The "Dancing with the Stars" curse strikes again – this time heaping its bad fortune on DC native Mya.

       The Grammy-winning R&B singer, who is paired with professional dancer Dmitry Chaplin, used her Twitter page to say she spent time in a hospital Sunday night to receive stitches for a finger gash.

       "Went 2 the hospital late last night 2 get stitches. Deep cut from glass. Only caught 2hours of sleep but feel great. Must be adrenaline," tweeted Mya at about 3 p.m. on Monday – exactly five hours before she's due to compete in tonight's "Dancing with the Stars" season premiere on ABC.

       Mya, 29, must've gotten a ton of replies from worried fans, which prompted a follow-up tweet about a half hour later. She wrote, "Nothing to worry about. Just an ugly slice on my finger-not the first time I've had stitches. I'll be just fine. Thanks4the concern."

DA BRAT THROWS PRISON TALENT SHOW: Rapper organizes 'Showtime at Alto' while doing time in Alto, GA.

      *Allhiphop.com is reporting that incarcerated rapper Da Brat is organizing a talent show for fellow inmates while serving her three-year bid at Arrendale Federal Prison in Alto, Georgia.

      The rapper, born Shawntae Harris, reportedly got permission to throw the event – labeled Showtime at Alto – after brainstorming ideas that would allow inmates to discover their talents and possibly cultivate them during their sentences.

       Brat colleague and friend DJ Nabs will handle music duties, according to the Web site. Should the effort prove successful, Brat plans to push for prison authorities to make the showcase an annual event.

       The Chicago-born rapper is in the second year of her sentence for attacking an Atlanta Falcons cheerleader in 2007.

DIDDY PREPARING TO SWITCH LABELS?: Word has it that the mogul may move Bad Boy from Atlantic to Interscope.

       *The New York Post is reporting that Sean "Diddy" Combs may be considering a label move once his five-year contract with Warner Music ends in April.

        "Diddy was supposed to release his new album, 'Last Train to Paris,' with Atlantic Records [a division of Warner] in November," a source told Page Six. "But he's holding off on releasing it until April. If he doesn't renegotiate his contract, he might end up releasing it on Interscope."

       Diddy and Interscope CEO Jimmy Iovine are reportedly close friends and are rumored to be hashing out a possible partnership.

       Combs started Bad Boy Records as a joint venture with Warner Music in 1993, but one insider said, "Who knows what will happen with Bad Boy if Diddy leaves?"

       Combs' rep said told Page Six, "We are unable to comment at this time."

PAULA HAS HAD IT WITH KATHY GRIFFIN: Comedian's history of blasting former 'Idol' judge came to a head during 'Divas.' Allegedly.

       *After years of being ridiculed by comedian Kathy Griffin in her standup act, Paula Abdul initially refused to co-present with her at Thursday night's VH1 Divas concert, according to reports.

       "Paula had to be coaxed onstage to present with Kathy," an insider reveals to the New York Daily News. "Kathy has made fun of her a lot in the past, and she's still pretty offended. She was leery about what Kathy might say about her in public."

       Griffin, a two-time Emmy winner for her Bravo reality series "My Life on the D List," regularly roasts Abdul for her alleged pill popping and does an imitation of the entertainer as a spaced-out, incoherent judge on her former gig, "American Idol." Paula is even mentioned in Griffin's new book, "Official Book Club Selection."

       "It's very tough for me emotionally," Griffin has joked of Abdul's departure from "Idol." "I can't imagine my life without Paula. In a way that Paula can't imagine her life without, let's say, a little Vicodin."

       At "Divas Live," Griffin said periodically, "I see you giving me the evil eye, Paula."

       Abdul fired back during the ceremony, asking Griffin, "Have you ever banged anyone? Hey, listen, Firecrotch!"

       She then asked Kathy to promise - in front of the live audience - that she won't make fun of her anymore. But unlike Paula's scripted question, Griffin went off the TelePrompTer and said, "I pinky swear I won't make fun of you ... until Kelly Clarkson comes on." That moment was about 10 seconds later.

OPRAH FAN WRANGLED IN TORONTO: Man scaled wall of Park Hyatt; taken down by security on the fifth floor.

       *While Oprah Winfrey was busy hosting a party during the Toronto Film Festival last week, one of her fans thought he could somehow crash the shindig by getting his Spider Man on outside of the hotel.

       Security at the Park Hyatt Toronto restrained a man who had scaled the walls and ended up on the fifth floor of the hotel, where Winfrey was throwing a fete for her film "Precious," reports the New York Daily News. 

        The intruder, covered in plaster particles, was apprehended as he headed toward The Roof Lounge, where Winfrey and guests - including Amanda Seyfried and Mena Suvari - were partying.

       As previously reported, "Precious" won the People's Choice award at the annual Toronto Film Festival on Saturday.

LONDONFASHION WEEK INCLUDES ALL-BLACK SHOW: PPQ designer said, 'We decided to snap up all of the best black girls' for the runway event.

       *Fashion label PPQ made history during London Fashion Week by casting the first ever all-black show in the capital, according to Web site Grazia Daily.

        "During our castings for this show one gorgeous black girl after the other turned up and they just looked so amazing, we decided to snap up all of the best black girls for the show," PPQ’s Amy Molyneaux told the Web site. "All the models today have been so great, calm, no tantrums, no hissy fits, it's been totally chilled."

       Percy Parker of PPQ added: "It’s not something we really considered. We just wanted to find the most beautiful models and those were the best ones."

       PPQ's move comes two weeks after supermodel Naomi Campbell said she thought the recession was harming black models' chances to get cast in runway shows during the various fashion weeks.

       According to Grazia Daily, reaction to the all-black show was mixed: "There were those that thought the casting was anything other than nonchalant and just a chance for PPQ to get a few extra column inches, and those that celebrated the diversity."

       Former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams, seated on the front row, was one of the latter: "I don’t want to turn this into a race issue but I know this is what people are going to talk about. And it’s great that it’s happened here. I thought they were really regal."

       Here's how UK's Telegraph reviewed the show:

       PPQ’s Amy Molyneux and Percy Parker featured an all-black cast of models, resplendent in 50s look fitted sheath-dresses, big picture hats, ruffled, off-the-shoulder, bra-bodices with pink and black spot joggers, multicoloured, striped knit dresses and an adidas T-shirt worn with pink lame MC Hammer trousers and zebra-print loafers.

KIRK FRANKLIN HEADLINES OHIO'S JOYFEST: Gospel festival to include Sapp, Aikin, Tribbett and comic Bone Hampton.

       *Kirk Franklin has been tapped to headline the JoyFest Gospel Music Festival on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the amusement park/resort Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.

      The performance lineup includes Dr. Marvin Sapp, the 2008 Best Gospel Artist award winner;  Crystal Aikin, winner of BET's "Sunday Best" gospel competition and Tye Tribbett, 2006 Grammy nominee for his "Victory Life!" album.

       Comedian Bone Hampton, who has appeared on BET's "Comic View," will emcee the festival, to be held from 4-9:30 p.m. in the Soak City parking lot. (Admission to Cedar Point is required.)

       Combo tickets to Cedar Point and the concert will be available online until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 and at Cedar Point on the day of the show. Concert only tickets for season passholders and deals for groups of 15 or more are also available. For more information and a link to purchase tickets, please visit www.cedarpoint.com. 

'PULLING A KANYE' WAS HOTTEST EMMY JOKE: Applegate, Probst, Giuliana use term on red carpet.

      *Kanye West's name has officially become a catch phrase, thanks to his VMA faux pas.

       Several celebs at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday took to the red carpet armed with jokes about "pulling a Kanye," or storming the stage -- as West did during Taylor Swift's speech – to announce that someone else should've won the award.

       Christina Applegate -- nominated for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for "Samantha Who" -- quipped to Ryan Seacrest on the E! pre-show, "I just have to wonder: Who's gonna pull a Kanye?"

       A few minutes later "Survivor" host Jeff Probst made a similar joke to Seacrest. Both were nominated in the outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program category. 

       "If Ryan wins...I'm pulling a Kanye!" said Probst, who later won the category.

       E!'s Giuliana Rancic asked Alec Baldwin, who later won outstanding lead actor for "30 Rock," what he'd do if somebody "pulled a Kanye."

       Said Baldwin: "Only if it's Tracy Morgan ... I'm sure there will be a lot of Kanye jokes in the opening. We don't want to screw that up."

QUINCYJONES AND SON JOIN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN: Tyrese also teams with organization to promote financial literacy among teen students.

       *Quincy Jones, his producer son QD3 and singer-actor Tyrese are teaming with Operation HOPE to launch the 5 Million Kids National Education Campaign, which aims to get 5 million students excited about education by showing how they can get rich, legally.

       "Operation HOPE believes the best way to break the high-school drop-out epidemic is to tie education to aspiration in life, showing young people how they can get rich, or simply how to do well in life, legally," said the group's Web site. "That’s financial literacy, the language of money, that’s teaching them 'silver rights' and the rules of free enterprise and capitalism, and how to become entrepreneurs and self-employment projects too."

       The initiative is seeking 25,000 volunteers for classrooms across the country and the opening of 50,000 new bank accounts for the “unbanked” and “under banked” using the proceeds of the EITC benefits.

       Jones, QDIII and Tyrese will also attempt to secure $50 million dollars in Earned Income Tax Credits for parents, teachers and adults.

        “It takes 20 years to change a culture,” said Jones in a statement. “We’ve spent the last 20 years making dumb sexy.”

       The 5 Million Kids Campaign is scheduled to launch Sept.29 at a private event in South Central Los Angeles.  Jones, his son and Tyrese will be joined by 200 community leaders, educators, businessmen and entertainment leaders and celebrities, including Ambassador Andrew Young, LAUSD School Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines and John Hope Bryant, Operation Hope Founder and CEO.

MTV SPECIAL FOLLOWS JANET'S 'VMA' PERFORMANCE: Behind-the-scenes look chronicles 'Scream' tribute to late brother.

      *MTV is currently airing the half-hour special "The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance," which features the artist discussing rehearsals for her singing/dancing ode to her late brother Michael.

      Before Kanye West jumped on stage and into pop culture history, a Michael Jackson tribute segment opened the show and was capped by Janet's live performance of the dance routine she did with her brother in their 1995 single "Scream."

       According to Janet, "Scream" was a turning point for Michael, who used the video to express frustration over his legal troubles.

       "'Scream,' there was so much going on at that time," Jackson recalled. "That's when the — I hate to say this but — the first allegations [of child molestation] came out and the whole bit. He was very upset and very angry and he had so much pent up in him that he wanted to get out and say. And when you listen to the lyrics, that's what it's about."

       When Michael asked Janet for her help with the song, there was no way she could say no.

       "I played the role that I've always played in his life: his little sister that was there by his side, that had his back no matter what," she said. "That's what 'Scream' was for me."

       "The Making of Janet Jackson's VMA Tribute Performance" airs again Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV.

BUSTA PAYS TRIBUTE TO ROC RAIDA: DJ died on Saturday following spinal injury during mixed martial arts practice.

       *Busta Rhymes used Twitter Saturday to express grief over the sudden death of X-Ecutioners spinner DJ Roc Raida.

       Born Anthony Williams, Roc Raida had been hospitalized last week after suffering a spinal injury while practicing mixed martial arts. He underwent two successful back surgeries and was reported to be making steps towards recovery.

       However, the DJ encountered health complications in the early hours of Saturday and was pronounced dead at the age of 37.

       Busta took to his Twitter page to honor Raida and vowed to keep his memory alive.

       "I am sorry 2 say that on this day at 2:05 Sept 19th we lost another incredible life...Dj Roc Raida died 2day my personal Dj is gone... I just wanna thank everyone 4 ur love and support and ur prayers ...We will never let ur  name die Roc...We love u and will 4ever miss u...RIP."

       Roc Raida, was one of the original members of turntable crew the X-Men, who later became known as The X-Ecutioners. He rose to international stardom after landing the DMC World DJ Championship title in 1995 and went on to produce tracks for artists including Fat Joe, Ghostface Killah, Linkin Park and Pink.

       Williams is survived by his wife, mother and three daughters.

AUTHOR 'HUMBLED' BY OPRAH BOOK CLUB PICK: Uwem Akpan's short stories were chosen on Friday's episode.

       *Nigerian author Uwem Akpan says he's "very, very humbled" by the choice of his collection of short stories for Oprah Winfrey's book club, reports Entertainment Weekly.

       Akpan, a Jesuit priest, penned "Say You're One Of Them," a set of five separate stories from the perspective of an African child that were described as capturing the resilience of children growing up in the face of unimaginable devastation.

       In announcing the work Friday as the 63rd selection of her popular book club, Winfrey said Akpan's stories "left me stunned and profoundly moved."

       Uwem Akpan, who runs a parish in Lagos, studied philosophy and English at Creighton and Gonzaga universities then studied theology for three years at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 2003 and received his master's degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan in 2006.

       His story collection was first published last year by Little Brown & Co, which is part of the Hachette Book Group that is owned by French publishing company Largardere.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S FERRIS WHEEL ON TOUR: Amusement company bought it during liquidation for its traveling carnival.

       *The Ferris wheel that once spun on Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch is now touring the Midwest with a Missouri amusement company that bought it only because it needed another one for its stable of rides.

      Archway Amusements Corp got its hands on the wheel in a liquidation sale of Jackson's property.  "We ourselves really didn't advertise it," said Theresa Noerper, co-owner of the company. "When he died, it kind of blew up. There's no keeping secrets then."

       The ride offers no reference of Jackson to casual passers-by; a metal stamp shows it was made by the Eli Bridge Co. of Jacksonville, Ill. However, metal molding around the seats remains a very specific color, supposedly specified by Jackson when he ordered it from the manufacturer — pinot noir red.

       Archway Amusements doesn't go out of its way to publicize the Ferris wheel's ties to Jackson; it leaves it up to local fair organizers to decide whether to make them known. But word of mouth has gotten to some hardcore Jackson fans.

       Jackson reportedly purchased the Ferris wheel for $215,000 in 1990 and took the first ride on it when workers installed it at Neverland. It stayed there as Jackson was accused of molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor at the ranch in 2003. He was acquitted two years later, but the scandal drove him from Neverland forever. Over the next four years, the property fell into disrepair, and at one point it was weeks from being sold at a public auction.

       Noerper said Archway Amusements bought the 65-foot-tall Ferris wheel last year. The company repainted its supporting arms green and began taking it on the company's seasonal fair and carnival circuit. Then Jackson died June 25, raising concerns among local police that the ride might be mobbed by mourners. That didn't happen.

       "They come to take pictures, a couple tears and everybody likes to ride it," Noerper said.

       The Ferris wheel made an appearance last week at the annual Baxter County Fair in Arkansas. It will move on to the Northeast Arkansas District Fair in Jonesboro this week.

DELTHE FUNKEE HOMOSAPIEN INJURED IN CAR CRASH: Rapper rear-ended by drunk driver en route to gig.

       *California underground rapper Del Tha Funkee Homosapien had to pull out of a concert in Denver Friday (Sept. 18) night after he was involved in a car accident with a drunk driver.

       Denver's Westword music blog Backbeat reported that the emcee was travelling on I-25 from Colorado Springs to Denver for a scheduled show at the Larimer Lounge when the vehicle was rear-ended by an Escalade driven by a drunk driver.

       Although Del and company escaped major injuries, Del, who was sleeping at the time of impact, suffered whiplash, as did another member of his crew," the blog stated.

       The rap artist has reportedly scheduled a makeup show in Denver for Nov. 6

BET TEAMS WITH LIVE NATION FOR TOURS: '106 & Park' outing to feature Songz, Mario, Day 26 and Sean Garrett.

      *In an effort to attract more urban audiences, concert promoter Live Nation struck a partnership with BET Networks to produce a series of U.S. club and theater tours, beginning with the Sept. 29 launch of the "106 & Park Tour" at House of Blues in Los Angeles.

      The tour, which runs through November, will be co-headlined by R&B singer Trey Songz, whose Atlantic album "Ready" sits in the top 10 on Billboard, and J Records urban star Mario.

      Also on the bill: Day 26, Sean Garrett, and new act RydazNRtist.

      Plans call for tour stops in New York, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.

ITTY BITTY BITS: Latifah throws party for 'trainer'; Ida Tarbell correction; Rev. Chris Brown?; Swayze's mark in hip hop; Wyclef loses father-in-law; Cudi & Bynes?

       *Queen Latifah reportedly threw a birthday bash for her personal trainer-slash-rumored girlfriend Jeanette Jenkins at Nobu in West Hollywood. According to gossip blogger Janet Charlton, the singer/actress/rapper held a private dinner party for about 30 people. "Outside the restaurant, a fully loaded shiny black Prius was waiting to surprise Jeanette," Charlton wrote. "…Two years ago Latifah gave Jeanette a new Range Rover."

      *A previous story about a forthcoming HBO miniseries from Harpo Films about famed journalist Ida Tarbell mistakenly listed her as black, when in fact, she was Caucasian. According to Variety, Oprah Winfrey's production shingle is developing the project that will follow her investigation of John D. Rockefeller and the unfair practices of his Standard Oil monopoly. Tarbell's work was a contributing factor in the government's eventual breakup of the company in 1911.       

       *Word has it that Chris Brown is looking to become a man of the cloth. Charlton also reported that a friend of the singer leaked news of his plans to become an ordained minister so that he can prove to the world he's a changed man since beating his ex-girlfriend Rihanna. A source said: “He’s become more religious since the February incident and he’s found God again. He wants to become a minister – at least part time.”

      *Patrick Swayze's influence on hip hop is examined in a posting at the blog site Hip Hop Is Read. Blogger Ivan writes: "The term 'Swayze' (and, as a nod to his film, 'going "Ghost") became popular in the early ‘90’s, employed as a synonym for 'leaving,' 'going' or 'disappearing.' Like much of the slang to emerge from pop culture of the last twenty years or so, this term originated from the hip hop lexicon, featured within the rhymes of notable emcees." Read the entire article – as well as a list of songs that name check the late actor – here: http://hiphopisread.blogspot.com/2009/09/patrick-swayze-hip-hop-icon.html.

       *Rapper Wyclef Jean is mourning the death of his father-in-law Eric D. Pierre, who passed away last week of a cause yet to be disclosed. The artist announced the news on his Twitter page, stating, "I will be off my twitter due to the passing of my father in law. Eric D Pierre RIP. For death is not greater than eternal life."  Pierre was the father of Jean's fashion designer wife Claudinette. He was able to watch his daughter renew her wedding vows to Clef during their 15th wedding anniversary in August.

       *The New York Daily News is reporting that "Day and Nite" singer Kid Cudi was bragging about his "new girlfriend" Amanda Bynes at New York's Jane Hotel last Tuesday. However, sources say that the starlet isn't ready to go public with their relationship, as it might harm her good-girl image. Bynes' rep says the two are "just friends."