LOS ANGELES – ALBUQUERQUE – HOUSTON

KANYE ANNOUNCES NEW COMPANY VIA TWITTER

On his official Twitter page, Kanye West announced plans to launch a new a design company named DONDA. Named after his late mother, Dr. Donda West, the mogul’s new venture will “galvanize amazing thinkers and put them in a creative space to bounce their dreams and ideas.” ‘Ye wrote, “DONDA will be comprised of over 22 divisions with a goal to make products and experiences that people want and can afford.” Head to his Twitter page to learn more.

T.I. CONFIRMS SECOND SEASON OF REALITY SHOW

During a recent interview, T.I. reportedly confirmed that Vh1 renewed his hit reality show, T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle, for a second season. He previously said that the show is so important to him because it helps people get a better understanding of who he really is. While it’s unknown when the second season will premiere, you can check out new episodes of T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle on Mondays nights at 9 PM on Vh1.

T.I.’s highly anticipated album, Troubleman, is due out in March.

RIHANNA SELLS MANSION FOR $5 MILLION

According to the Los Angeles Times, Rihanna recently sold her mansion in Beverly Hills. The “We Found Love” singer, who forked over 6.9-million dollars to buy the home, sold her estate for 5.03-million. The 8,520-square-foot house includes eight bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a media room, den, three fireplaces and a pool and sits on over three-quarters of an acre.

MAN STABBED FOR NOT KNOWING BEYONCE AND JAY-Z ARE MARRIED

A 48-year-old man in Ohio was reportedly stabbed by another man for not knowing that Beyonce is married to Jay-Z. The suspect, Ronald Deaver, is said to have pulled out a knife following an argument outside his apartment on December 31st. While the victim is currently in good condition, Deaver was arrested and charged with felonious assault. Wow.

ESTELLE ANNOUNCES ALL OF ME TOUR

According to her official website, Estelle has announced the dates for her upcoming All Of Me tour. The British singer will begin her 14-city outing on February 2nd in Cleveland and will wrap on February 24th in Boston. Her third album, All Of Me, arrives on February 28th.

Here’s the full list of dates:

Feb. 2 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues (Cambridge Room)

Feb. 3 – Chicago, IL – Double Door

Feb. 4 – Cincinnati, OH – Mixx Lounge

Feb. 6 – Kansas, MO – The Riot Room

Feb. 8 – San Diego, CA – Anthology (2 shows)

Feb. 9 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club

Feb. 10 – San Francisco, CA – New Parish

Feb. 14 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues (Cambridge Room)

Feb. 15 – Houston, TX – House of Blues (Peacock Room)

Feb. 16 – Austin, TX – Antones

Feb. 18 – Birmingham, AL – The Wine Loft

Feb. 19 – Atlanta, GA – CenterStage

Feb. 21 – New York, NY – Highline Ballroom

Feb. 24 – Boston, MA – Regata Bar (2 shows)

COMMON JOINS LINEUP FOR BET HONORS

According to AllHipHop.com, Common is scheduled to participate in this year’s BET Honors. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the Chicago native is expected to perform and alongside previously announced acts Patti Labelle and Aretha Franklin. The ceremony will pay tribute to Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, film director Spike Lee, legendary poet Maya Angelou and more. Be sure to tune in when the fifth annual show airs February 13th at 9 PM on BET.

Willow Smith and actors Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terrence Howard will also make appearances.

The rapper’s critically acclaimed album, The Dreamer, The Believer, is out now.

WIZ KHALIFA ACCUSED OF STEALING “BLACK & YELLOW”

According to HipHopDX.com, Wiz Khalifa is being accused of stealing his smash single, “Black & Yellow,” from another Pennsylvania artist. The rap rookie is now facing a lawsuit for allegedly stealing the concept from Max Gregory Warren’s 2007 track “Pink N Yellow.” Since the record reached triple-platinum status, Warren is seeking over 2.3-million dollars in damages for copyright infringement, civil conspiracy and unjust enrichment. We’ll keep you posted as to how this plays out.

But sources close to Wiz Khalifa claim that he did not steal the concept for “Black and Yellow” from songwriter Max Gregory Warren. According to TMZ, a source said, “Wiz has never heard of this guy … it’s just a plot that happens all the the time to rappers to get money.

This is just some no-name rapper who wants to get paid.”

Here’s the song just in case you wanna hear it… actually, if you listen to the bells and basics of the song… hmmmmm. Well, music and comedy has always “borrowed” or “taken” someone’s material and made it better and made more money, happens all the time!

UPDATE ON NICK CANNON’S HOSPITALIZATION

We recently reported that Nick Cannon was hospitalized for having kidney failure and now, Mariah Carey has updated People.com on her husband’s current condition. The diva explained, “As always, he’s in good spirits considering the situation. We are hopeful that he’ll be 100 percent as soon as possible. We really appreciate everybody’s love and support.” Cannon, who is “in a lot of pain,” shared on Twitter that he was being moved from an Aspen, Colorado hospital to one in Los Angeles. We’ll keep you posted.

THE DREAM RELEASES NEW SINGLE

According to Rap-Up.com, The Dream has issued a new song called “ROC,” which serves as the lead offering his upcoming project, The Love, IV: Diary of a Madman. You can check out the song now and you’ll be able to pick up the hitmaker’s fourth studio album later this year.

MONICA GIVES UPDATE ON NEW LIFE

During an interview with the Miami Herald, Monica spilled new details about her upcoming album, New Life. The singer said of the disc, “I’m reinventing myself in some aspects, but keeping old factors that are more engaging to the audience who have been kind enough to support me all these years.” She also said that she titled the project New Life because she’s “grown and learned.” Led by the Missy Elliot-produced first single “Anything (To Find You),” her seventh studio LP is slated to drop on February 21st. Fans can pre-order the disc on January 16th at Amazon.com.

Will you be buying the album?

QUESTLOVE NAMES TOP ALBUMS OF 2011

According to the Associated Press, Questlove recently shared his top five albums of 2011. The Roots’ bandleader felt the best projects came from The Weeknd, Adele, Wyatt Cenac, The Lonely Island and Jay-Z & Kanye West. The drummer said of the latter, “Watch the Throne is one of those records, I told people ‘You’ll be back in a month and a half. People were like, ‘Whatever.’ All of a sudden, now, it’s like ‘Oh, this is my album!’”

Do you agree with his list? What were the best albums of 2011?

RIHANNA IS THE BEST-SELLING DIGITAL ARTIST OF ALL TIME!

The 2011 music report is out and Rihanna is the top selling Digital Artist of all time selling over 47-million singles, according to Nielsen SoundScan. She tops the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne, Beyonce, Kanye West and Britney Spears.

THE TOP SELLING DIGITAL ARTISTS:

1. Rihanna – 47,571,000

2. Black Eyed Peas – 42,405,000

3. Eminem – 42,290,000

4. Lady Gaga – 42,078,000

5. Taylor Swift – 41,821,000

6. Katy Perry – 37,620,00

7. Lil Wayne – 36,788,000

8. Beyonce – 30,439,000

9. Kanye West – 30,242,000

10. Britney Spears – 28,665,000