What it is, smart people? We got the end of another week upon us. With wildfires gripping San Diego, Hillary Clinton calling Vice President Dick Cheney Darth Vader and Jackie Chan trying to sing instead of fight, it was a another week in paradise.

I gotta join Illseed in sending my congratulations to actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and her husband Michael Nilon for the birth of their twin boys. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Jennifer Lopez, whose maternal grandmother, Julia Rodriguez, died Saturday (Oct. 13). Shout out to Prince, who topped the Vanity Fair best soundtrack list with his classic album Purple Rain, and the infamous sounding boards for being they way they are with the guidance.

So here we are...the Last Word for the week ending Oct. 26, 2007.

1. Michael Jackson Recruits Akon for Thriller Upgrade
 
Finally! Some music news from Michael Jackson. The singer has gotten out of the courtroom long enough to work on a 25th Anniversary Edition of his classic album Thriller.
 
According to reports, Jackson has enlisted the likes of Akon, Kanye West and Will.i.Am to redo hit singles "Billie Jean," "The Girl Is Mine," "Wanna Be Starting Something," and "Pretty Young Thing." The updated tracks will be accompanied by commemorative artwork and four additional songs that were left off of the original Thriller LP.
 
Although the name of the previously unreleased tracks are under wraps, Jackson’s longtime producer Bruce Swedien confirmed that "Don't Be Messin' Around" is in the running to be one of the featured songs.
 
As it stands, there is no release date scheduled for the album. However, Rolling Stone and Fox News report that the project could hit stores in early 2008.

2. The Power of Prayer, According to Mariah Carey
 
Paris, Lindsay and Britney may be embroiled in one drama after another, but Mariah Carey has found a way to keep things balanced in her life.
 
"If you're not spiritually centered, you're kind of back and forth," the song bird told People.com. "But you know, not everybody is at that point, and maybe some people have to reel themselves in and get back to that point."

With her voice, Carey has gained numerous fans and awards during her career. As a result, she is well aware of the presence of a higher power as she admits to using that power as a source of strength.
 
"Prayer works for me," Carey revealed. "Reading the Bible does work for me, because knowledge is power."
 
Those praying for new music from Carey can take comfort in knowing that the singer’s album, which was originally scheduled to come out at the end of the year, will instead be released in early 2008.

3. Dionne Warwick and Sinbad Among IRS Most Wanted
 
Think celebrities pay their taxes on time? Guess again.
 
According to TMZ.com, singer Dionne Warwick and comedian Sinbad are among those featured on California’s list of the biggest tax offenders. Warwick owes the state $2.67 million dollars in back taxes, while Sinbad is $2.14 million in the hole. Although Warwick’s publicist revealed that the Grammy-winner is "aware of the tax situation," the publicist told TMZ that the debt was a result of "the negligence of previous business advisers."
 
"She and her current business management team are now working with the state of California to resolve and settle the matter with the FTB [Franchise Tax Board]." the publicist said.
 
California’s biggest tax dodger list is announced every year by the FTB as a way of shaming and embarrassing the worst dodgers into paying their debt. While Warwick has come forward to address her debt, there has been no word from Sinbad. At least the funny man can take comfort in knowing that he is in good company.
 
O.J. Simpson also made the list with $1.55 million due in back taxes. I guess being delinquent with O.J. puts you in the top tier of those who like to multi-task their law offenses as they compete for the honor of Celebrity Most Likely to Remain a Fixture in the Eyes of the Law.
 
4. Beyonce Sets Up Virtual Food Drive With Pastor
 
Although she’s out touring the world in support of her latest album, Beyonce has slowed down long enough to launch an international virtual food drive initiative to help feed the needy.
 
According to media sources, the singer has linked up with her minister Pastor Rudy Rasmus, the Global Food Banking Network and Aidmatrix to bring the venture to life. Those who use the service can select from a shopping list that is appropriate for each country.
 
Donations are also illustrated so people can visually see how many lives are being helped.
 
"Reaching out and touching lives is incredibly empowering, that's why I want my fans to experience more than my music," Beyonce said. "I want them to experience the joy of making a difference by helping someone else."
 
The joy of giving. Nuff said.
 
5. Bobby Brown, Jamie Foxx, and Sisqo Take the Country Route
 
With its slate of reality shows and behind the music episodes, VH1 may have a lock on bringing back entertainers from back in the day. But the network may have some competition as Country Music Television (CMT) branches outside its traditional demographic by recruiting Bobby Brown and former Dru Hill member Sisqo for its new show Gone Country.
 
According to CMT.com, Gone Country will center around seven celebrities who compete for a chance to reinvent themselves with a country music career. The stars will live in a Nashville mansion together and compose songs with Nashville songwriters. They will compete against each other in each episode in challenges that will test them musically and physically to adapt to a country music lifestyle, both on and off the stage.
 
John Rich of Big & Rich will chose the winner of the competition at the end of two weeks. From there the entertainer will record and release a song at the end of the six-episode series, which is currently in production in Nashville and is set to premier in January 2008.
 
In addition to Brown and Sisqo, the show will feature Wilson Phillips member Carnie Wilson, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, American Idol runner-up Diana DeGarmo, Julio Iglesias Jr. And Maureen McCormick from The Brady Bunch.
 
And if that doesn’t make you want to get that Johnny Cash or Reba McEntire CD, maybe having Jamie Foxx on board for this year’s Country Music Association (CMA) Awards will do the trick. The actor/singer will share his talent with country music fans when he joins Rascal Flatts for a duet performance of the group’s song "She Goes All the Way," for the show, which will air live from 8 to 11 p.m. Nov. 7 from the Sommet Center in Nashville on ABC.
 
Now that he’s added some country twang to his swagger, it’s only a matter of time before Foxx and country rapper Cowboy Troy give us that Best of Both Worlds release, titled Little Prairie in the Ghetto.
 
6. Music Is Therapy for Brandy
 
Let’s face it. We all have different ways of dealing with whatever life throws at us. For Brandy, the best medicine for lawsuits and possible criminal charges from a fatal four-car traffic accident is working on a new album. According to the 28-year-old singer, the project ranks high on her things to do list.
 
"I've just got to get that album out," Brandy told People. "I have to get it out, if it's the last thing I do."

The album, which will be Brandy’s fifth studio release, will be the first offering from the songstress since her 2004 album Aphrodisiac. And it couldn’t come at a better time.
 
"I've been gone for a long time," said Brandy. "I really want to give the fans something that they deserve to have. So, I'm working really hard on this. I really want to make it the best work I've done so far."
 
As it stands now, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office has yet to file charges against the singer, despite reccomendations from police investigators that she be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.
 
Nevertheless, Brandy is holding steady while working on the album.

"I think it's really finding that belief in yourself, where you just have it no matter what's going on, no matter what anyone else says," she said. "I think that's the challenge, is to really have that belief in yourself.. I'm really working on this thing. This is what I'm supposed to do. I'm destined to do it. You just keep affirming everyday, and it will just be there."