What’s good, folks? We have arrived at the end of another week. From the New Yorker catching heat over running a controversial cartoon cover of Barack and Michelle Obama to Anheuser-Busch being sold to a Belgian company to baseball fans taking in this year’s all-star game, it was another active five days.
 
Congratulations to Black Eyed Peas member Taboo, who tied the knot Saturday (July 12) with his fiancé Jaymie Dizon and Angelina Jolie, who finally gave birth to twins Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline. Shout out to the US Postal Service for releasing a set of postage stamps honoring vintage Black cinema, my cousin Jerome, who will jump the broom this weekend when he marries his girlfriend Na’Kisha and the sounding boards for staying cool as the summer heats up.
 
For your information...the Last Word for the week ending July 18, 2008.
 
1. Keri Hilson, Solange and Teyana Taylor Ponder L-Boogie, Dating Mentors and That Other Knowles
 
R&B may have its issues, but Keri Hilson, Solange Knowles and Teyana Taylor are out to blaze their own unique path in a crowded genre. One that doesn’t include intimate episodes with mentors like Timbaland and Polow Da Don.
 
“Oh hell no. I never considered them for a second,” said Hilson regarding the possibility of “shacking up” with her production partners. Hilson graces the cover of Rap-Up Magazine’s Summer 2008 issue with fellow “Brave New Girls” Knowles and Taylor. “Firstly, because I never mix business with pleasure. I’ve never dated anybody I had to work with ever. So you’ll never see that. Not now, not in the past, not in the future.”
 
With Taylor, the inspiration to succeed comes from Lauryn Hill, as she cites the revered diva's confidence and voice among the things she admires most. “From her being a rapper and a singer to the stuff she talks about,” said the entertainer, who is aware of those who compare her to Lauryn as she admitted that she tends to “get so happy and start blushing when people say that I am like her.”
 
Although she loves her big sister dearly, Solange feels that her association with Beyonce and her family is, at this point, “starting to hurt me more than help me because my family is sort of known as the new age Huxtables.”
 
“We’re the clean-cut girls. But I got married at 17, had a kid at 17, the singer shared. “Ever since I was younger, I always considered myself to be into more artistic things than [Beyoncé]. People just hear the [Knowles] name and they just put a stamp on it automatically.”

Rap-Up's Summer 2008 issue is on newsstands now and online at Rap-Up.com.
 
2. Chris Brown has a Bone to Pick With T.I.
 
Chris Brown may be thought of as a good guy in the music world, but the 19-year-old crooner is turning over a new leaf for a new movie.
 
Brown, who was last seen alongside Lauren London in This Christmas, is in final negotiations to star with rapper T.I., Matt Dillon and the Wire’s Idris Elba in the film Bone Deep.
 
The John Lussenhop-directed thriller centers around a group of criminals who plan a major heist at a money depot as they are pursued by two detectives. Brown, who is also in talks to executive produce the feature, will play one of the members of the heist crew.
 
In addition to Bone Deep, fans can also check for the 19-year-old crooner in the sports drama Phenom. Brown will portray a basketball star that turns pro after high school who later finds out he is the illegitimate son of an aging NBA star.

Both films are scheduled to be released in 2009.
 
3. J.Lo Channels Diddy for Triathlon
 
Never let it be said that a new baby will keep Jennifer Lopez down. The singer/actress is taking a page out of ex-beau Sean “Diddy” Combs’ book as she trains for a triathlon. The move comes eight months after J. Lo gave birth to twins Max and Emme. According to husband Marc Anthony, J. Lo is going all out for the event by biking, running and swimming.
 
Although he supports her fully, don’t expect Anthony to be running with his famous spouse in October as he told Extra, “I'll be on my Segway (encouraging her).”
 
With Jennifer prepping for the triathlon, it makes me think of what might’ve been. It could’ve been a sight to see Jennifer and Diddy running together in that marathon the mogul ran a few years back if they would’ve stayed together. One small step for us, one giant sprint for Hip-Hop.
 
4. Michael Jackson Hips the New Kids to His Comeback
 
The New Kids on the Block are making sure people know that they are back on the scene, as media sources report that the ‘80s boy band has been secretly meeting with that other music phenomenon, Michael Jackson, at his home in Las Vegas. The two have been in talks to record a song for NKOTB’s forthcoming comeback album as well as Jackson’s own long-awaited comeback disc.
 
“He has been in the studio for months. He wants to create an amazing album and won't release anything until he is totally satisfied,” a source told The Daily Mirror about Jackson. “He's a musical genius and record bosses want to leave him to develop his magic. It will be down to him when it is released.”
 
NKOTB’s meeting with Michael comes after news leaked that the group hit the studio with New Edition to record a track for the forthcoming New Kids album. The five man collective – who are set to work with Timbaland and want collaborate with Madonna – join Kanye West, will.i.am, Ne-Yo and Akon, as those rumored to be working with the King of Pop.
 
Looks like the ‘80s are on the way back. Still, with being dogged by child abuse charges over years ago, you would think that Michael would steer clear of anything with the name “kids” attached to it. Guess not. Don’t be surprised if Donnie, Joey and the boys start dropping revelations about those “private” recording sessions that were supposed to be between them and Mike. Stay tuned to see who had the right stuff.

5. Rihanna Gets Tatted for Charity
 
Fresh from opening for Kanye West, Rihanna is making good news as the new face of Gucci’s new Tattoo Heart ad campaign. The venture will feature the 20-year-old vocalist wearing limited-edition Gucci tattoo-heart-motif products, according to WWD, which added that 25 percent of sales from the products will be donated to UNICEF.
 
And while she’s doing her thing for charity and music, Rihanna recently added a new tattoo to her person. The Insider reports that the marking is actually the birth date of her best friend and assistant, Melissa Forde, in Roman numerals.
 
“Me and my best friend got the same thing,” Rihanna told the women of The View as she added that Forde returned the gesture by getting her famous friend’s birth date in Roman numerals tattooed on her. “I love her so much. More than some of my family. She’s a blood sister.”
 
Blood sister, ha? If that’s the case with her best friends, makes you wonder what show of loyalty she’s got for Chris Brown. Nevertheless, how about a standing ovation for RiRi’s positive endeavors?
 
In Other Words…
 
* Madame Tussauds has struck again. More than a week after announcing it will unveil a wax figure of singer Amy Winehouse, the museum has now come out with a wax figure of Beyonce that will reside at Madame Tussauds’ Hollywood Boulevard location with a new figure of actor Jamie Foxx. The new museum is slated to open in 2009.
 
* Bob Marley fans can get more of the singer to enjoy, as rare concert footage is now available for download purchase at http://www.wolfgangsvault.com, a music and memorabilia site.
 
* Looks like whatever doesn’t land you in jail or six feet under attracts more work. Although she’s not in a “frame of mind” to make music these days, Amy Winehouse is being sought after by rapper Busta Rhymes, who has expressed a desire to get in the studio with the embattled diva.
 
* Natalie Cole has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. According to reports, she discovered she had the disease during a routine doctor’s visit. Doctor’s suspect that Cole, who they say is responding good to her medication and is now virus negative, may have gotten Hepatitis C from her past drug use.

* Earth, Wind and Fire will release its first album of original tunes in four years. The three-disc collection will be comprised of a CD of original material, a live CD and a concert DVD. The group will begin work in October on the project, which they hope to release in 2009.