Sanaa Lathan, Bow Wow, Solange, Chilli, Shaun Robinson, Chris Brown, Alegbra, Tyler Perry, J.Holiday, Kanye West, and Rihanna were just some of the known folks spotted at this year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Be sure to visit ESSENCE.COM for a live stream from the festival. Random tidbit: Solange worked with Bow Wow via this video treatment. Courtesy of Ultimate-Rihanna, the "Disturbia" singer has a new Cover Girl Wet Slicks AD campaign and a new commerical. So far, Rihanna has three Cover Girl Ads in total...



Photos: WIREIMAGE/ULTIMATE-RIHANNA

Labels: Bow Wow, Chilli, J.Holiday, Kanye West, Music Hoopla, Newsstand Snapshots, Out and About, Sanaa Lathan, Shaun Robinson, Solange

At New York City's Soho Grand, Mary J Blige held her album release party for her 8th studio effort, "Growing Pains". Celebrity guests like Patti LaBelle, Chingy, Tank, Melyssa Ford, and J. Holiday came out to support Geffen Records reigning R&B/soul songbird. Kendu Isaacs, Mary J Blige's husband and manager, was on hand.

While shopping for Christmas cards and stamps, I listened to Mary J Blige's new record and I'm impressed by how much she grown vocally and lyrically since "The Breakthrough". "Grown Woman", "Work That", "Just Fine", "Shakedown" and "Roses" all have meaningful thoughts in delivery and lyrics thanks in part to the production team- The Neptunes, Bryan-Michael Cox, The Dream & Tricky Stewart, Jazze Pha and Stargate. If I had to pick a favorite, it'll be a tie behind "Just Fine" and "Grown Woman". Target currently has the album and a bonus DVD which I recommend you getting.

Photos: wireimage, whatsthe411.net

[urban-hoopla]

Labels: J.Holiday, Melyssa Ford, MJB, Out and About, Patti LaBelle

The video treatment for Fat Joe's new single, "I Won't Tell" featuring J. Holiday has cames by couple Christian Milian and Dre of producing duo, Cool & Dre, Bow Wow, Diddy, LeToya Luckett, Slim Thugg, and DJ Khaled. "I Won't Tell" is featuring Fat Joe's upcoming record, "The Elephant in the Room".

Keep up to date on all things Fat Joe via his official myspace: http://www.myspace.com/fatjoe

[urban-hoopla]

Labels: Bow Wow, Christina Milian, Diddy, J.Holiday, LeToya Luckett, New Music

The 40th birthday celebration of Oscar winner Jamie Foxx bought out Sean Paul, Busta Rhymes, Timbaland, Lisa Raye, Pharrell Williams, and Fat Joe. Jamie's birthday bash was held at The Florida Room in Miami Beach.

Melanie Brown (in a gray Roland Mouret dress and Christian Louboutin heels) took a brief break from touring with her Spice Girls counterparts to get into the holiday mood via a Christmas Singalong at Sienna Cafe at Selfridges. Proceeds from the event went towards the Make A Wish Foundation. Her husband, Stephen Belafonte, was right by her side.


Lupe Fiasco and J. Holiday dropped by MTV's "TRL" to promote their albums, "The Cool" and "Back of My Lac" respectively.

Overseas at London's Wembley Arena, Ciara joined her good friend Rihanna on the international leg of her tour, "Good Girl Gone Bad"


Photos: wireimage, celebutopia, sincerelyciara

[obsessed-hoopla]

Labels: Ciara, J.Holiday, LisaRaye, Lupe Fiasco, Melanie Brown, Out and About, Pharrell Williams, Timbaland

The video treatment for J.Holiday single, "Suffocate" premiered on BET's '106 & Park'. Jennifer Gordon, the same model from the "Bed" video, is in the video which was shot in Paris, France.

Things are looking good for the 23-year old Washington, DC native. His single, 'Bed' remained at the No.1 position in the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart for four weeks and his new album 'Back to My Lac' debuted at No.1.

[urban-hoopla]

Labels: J.Holiday, New Music

J. Holiday of the summer smash, "Bed" was spotted leaving a New York City restaurant with model, Jessica White.

Here's the story behind the pictures according to CL:

J. and Jessica were all hugged up and he was feeding her. They kept laughing and he kept caressing the side of her face.

And in related news, Chris Brown admitted in a recent interview with "VIBE" tghat "Bed" was meant for him but it felt the song wouldn't sit right with his fan base and public persona.

[urban-hoopla]

Labels: J.Holiday, Jessica White, New Couple