Thursday, January 31, 2008
Beyonce Named the Richest Woman In R&B By Forbes
Beyonce was recently named the richest woman in R&B by Forbes magazine based on her album sales, merchandising revenue and concert grosses. She was #5 over all on the Cash Queens list with an estimated $27 million in revenue. Here is the full list :
1. Madonna- $72 million
2. Barbra Streisand- $60 million
3. Celine Dion - $45 million
4. Shakira - $38 million
5. Beyonce - $27 million
6. Gwen Stefani - $26 million
7. Christina Aguilera - $20 million
8. Faith Hill - $19 million
9. Dixie Chicks - $18 million
10. Mariah Carey - $13 million
11. Hilary Duff - $12 million
12. Avril Lavigne - $12 million
13. Martina McBride - $12 million
14. Britney Spears - $8 million
15. Carrie Underwood - $7 million
16. Nelly Furtado - $7 million
17. Fergie - $6 million
18. Jennifer Lopez - $6 million
19. Sheryl Crow - $6 million
20. Norah Jones - $5.5 million
Friday, January 25, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Sean Paul's Music Causes Woman To Have Seizures
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (AP) -- Now that surgeons have operated on Stacey Gayle's brain, her favorite musician no longer makes her ill. Four years after being diagnosed with epilepsy, Gayle recently underwent brain surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center to cure a rare condition known as musicogenic epilepsy. Gayle, a 25-year-old customer service employee at a bank in Alberta, Canada, was suffering as many as 10 grand mal seizures a day, despite being treated with medications designed to control them. The condition became so bad she eventually had to quit her job and leave the church choir where she sang.
Eighteen months ago, she began to suspect that music by reggae and hip-hop artist Sean Paul was triggering some of her seizures. She recalled being at a barbecue and collapsing when the Jamaican rapper's music started playing, and then remembered having a previous seizure when she heard his music.
Her suspicions were confirmed on a visit to the Long Island medical center last February, when she played Paul's hit "Temperature" on her iPod for doctors. Soon after, she suffered three seizures.
"Being that the seizures could be triggered by the music, this was a very interesting opportunity to study Stacey's brain," said Dr. Ashesh Mehta, the hospital's director of epilepsy surgery.
During the first surgery, doctors implanted more than 100 electrodes in the right side of her brain to pinpoint the abnormal area of her brain.
The surgeons followed that procedure with a second surgery to remove the electrodes, along with parts of her brain suspected of causing the seizures.
"We used the latest techniques, including image guidance, to pinpoint the areas of abnormality, and the operating microscope to perform the procedure during a four-hour operation," Mehta said.
Within three days, the woman was released from the hospital and has not experienced a seizure since.
"I always live each day like it's my last," she said. "I want to show others that life does not end at epilepsy. I know I have what it takes to succeed."
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Marc Jacobs Makes A "Rihanna Handbag"
Marc Jacobs has designed two metallic leather handbags named after Rihanna in his upcoming collection. Both bags are pricey and are unlike Jacobs' usual designs but it is uncertain whether these bags will be a hit or not. 
Mary J Blige & Wyclef Jean Using Steroids?
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- A number of entertainers were named in connection with an Albany-based steroid investigation, but they are not part of an ongoing criminal probe, according to a published report.
The Times Union of Albany cited unidentified law enforcement officials in reporting Sunday that R&B music star Mary J. Blige, rap musicians 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean, and award-winning author and producer Tyler Perry may have received or used performance-enhancing drugs.
Law enforcement officials have said evidence does not indicate that the celebrities broke the law, but that investigators are focusing on doctors, pharmacists and clinics that provide the drugs.
Albany District Attorney P. David Soares launched the investigation into steroid trafficking last year.
Soares is "not confirming, denying or discussing any of the names" involved in the investigation, said spokeswoman Heather Streeter Orth.
A spokeswoman for Blige denied the singer had taken illegal steroids.
Ken Sunshine, a spokesman for Perry, declined to comment.
There was no response to calls Sunday and Monday seeking comment from representatives of other entertainers.
While athletes use steroids and human growth hormone to get bigger, faster and stronger, the drugs can also lure other people with their supposed anti-aging qualities.
Soares' multistate investigation has focused on Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Fla. So far, 10 defendants have pleaded guilty and news reports have linked some professional athletes to Soares' probe.
Soares has said Signature was at the center of a web of businesses and doctors that illegally wrote prescriptions for steroids. Authorities raided the company almost a year ago and its owners and operators are awaiting trial in Albany on related charges.
Records shared with the Times Union and information from several cooperating witnesses on Long Island allege the celebrities received prescribed human growth hormone or steroids, the newspaper said.
The newspaper said that Blige received the human growth hormone Jentropin and Oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid, in orders sent to her at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Her spokeswoman denounced the report. "Mary J. Blige has never taken any performance enhancing illegal steroids, or any anti-aging steroids," spokeswoman Karynne Tencer said.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Barbee Denies Being Beaten By Beenie
It is being rumored that Barbee was beaten by Beenie Man for refusing to have a threesome with him and another woman. According to the reports in the Star, Barbee has been denying such rumors and even issued this statement, "That is totally false, I was sick to the point where the doctor had to come to the house the visit me. At that time Beenie went to Miami. He wasn't here and I was sick...I just feel these rumors are something vindictive and really mean." She also expressed that the rumor was an attempt to slander her name, she said, "That's an attack on my character. There is nothing going on like that. It's just horrible and really puzzles me...They are making it seem like I'm indulging in this behavior and I'm not. "
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