What’s real, good people? Another week, another 25 cents made as the world spins with Florida feeling the effects of tropical storm Fay, anticipation running high over who Obama and McCain will pick as their running mates and world record breaking Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt catching flack from IOC president Jacques Rogge for displaying a lack of respect for other competitors after becoming the first man since Carl Lewis to win gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters at a single Olympics.

 

Condolences go out to the families of actor Julius Carey III, who was best known for playing Sho'Nuff in the classic film The Last Dragon and Dave Matthews Band saxophonist Leroi Moore. Both men died Tuesday (Aug. 19).

 

Congratulations to Gwen Stefani, who gave birth to her second child, Zuma, on Thursday (Aug. 21). Shout out to Michael Phelps, for winning eight gold medals in a single Olympics, Dara Torres, for proving you’re never too old to do big things on an Olympic stage, South Africa's Natalie du Toit, who made history as the first amputee swimmer to compete in an Olympic Games on Wednesday (Aug. 20) and the sounding boards for taking the gold in real talk.

 

Check it out...the Last Word for the week ending Aug. 22, 2008

 

1. Janet Jackson Enters the World of Lingerie; Wardrobe Malfunction Makes Dictionary

 

Leave it to Janet Jackson to find a way to bring her sexiness to the masses. The singer has made good use of her time away from music by designing a new line of lingerie called, what else, The Pleasure Principle.

 

USA Today reports the 14-design line, which is scheduled to debut in stores in November, will hit the US before arriving in Australia, Japan and Europe. The intimate clothing will be priced under $40 and include a variety of bra styles that range in size from 32A to 44G.

 

And like many women who shop for lingerie, Jackson placed high importance on comfort while mentioning that there was something for every woman. "I've always hated when lingerie is uncomfortable, so the fit and comfort was key," said the hitmaker, who added that she was hands-on during designing and sometimes worked on the line at 4 a.m.

 

News of Janet’s latest venture comes as her term describing that infamous Super Bowl halftime blunder makes the dictionary. Media sources stated that "wardrobe malfunction," has been entered into the latest Chambers English Dictionary. It is defined as "the exposure of an intimate part or parts of the body due to a defect in an article."

 

I guess if the ladies want to avoid an involuntary wardrobe malfunction with their lingerie, it’s all about "control."

 

2. Mario Reveals Former Drug Dealing Life

It’s no secret that things weren’t always good with Mario before he hit it big. Anyone who saw his MTV documentary Won't Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom knows that life became more of a challenge for Mario as he witnessed the effect of his mom’s heroin addiction. So much so that the former Dancing With the Stars contestant traded his singing dreams in for a brief stint as a drug dealer.

 

"In junior high school, I even sold drugs for a short period of time," Mario revealed in the new issue of Seventeen magazine. And while that life offered a few perks, it was the reality behind his new gig that made the singer think of going in a different direction.

 

"…after making mistakes and having friends die or end up in jail, I realized that I needed to start Mario’s Do Right Foundation," Mario explained. "It’s a program that gives kids and adults a way to talk about their problems in a group without feeling ashamed or alienated like I used to. And the foundation isn’t just about drugs – It’s about teaching kids that anything is possible."

 

3. Mariah, Miley and Beyonce Stand Up to Cancer

 

Those waiting for a Mariah Carey and Miley Cyrus collaboration will get their wish and then some. The singers are among the 15 female artists lined up for "Just Stand Up," new song produced by Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

 

Others contributing vocals include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole,Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood. "Just Stand Up" marks the first time Reid and Edmonds have worked together in nearly 20 years.

 

The tune, which was conceived by Reid, will be available for purchase exclusively on iTunes on Sept. 2. Fans will get the chance to see the vocalists perform "Just Stand Up" live when they take the stage on Sept. 5 for the Stand Up to Cancer TV special. The show is slated to air simultaneously and commercial-free on CBS, ABC and NBC. Proceeds from the track will go to the Stand Up for Cancer campaign for cancer research.

 

The Stand Up to Cancer show will also feature reports on potentially life-saving research and interviews with cancer patients and scientists from network news anchors Charles Gibson, Katie Couric and Brian Williams.

 

4. Ne-Yo Gets Animated for Cartoon Network Close Up

 

As if being a successful singer/songwriter and actor wasn’t enough. Now Ne-Yo is adding animator to his list of job titles with the creation of a new animated series for Cartoon Network. According to reports, the crooner is in talks to bring the show over to the channel.

 

"It's a cartoon for adults, like Family Guy. I've been busy developing it," Ne-Yo said about the show, titled What The Bear. "I created the characters and the world they live in. And I did the original drawings and wrote the story."

 

What the Bear will center around a rude bear that has been in jail in another dimension. In addition to helming the project, Ne-Yo will work on music for the series.

 

"It will all be original," the singer added as he admitted to choosing a job as an illustrator if he wasn’t singing or writing tunes. "I used to draw portraits and caricatures of people and get 10 or 20 dollars a time," he told Singersroom.com. "It was handy because, that way, I never needed to ask my mom for money."

 

5. Bobby Brown and R. Kelly Make Courtroom Encores

 

Sitting in on a courtroom case can be boring at times, but with entertainers like Bobby Brown and R. Kelly, it’s always something to see. As if we don’t get enough of them outside the courts, it looks like the Kings of R&B and New Jack Swing will once again be the headliners in front of an honorable judge…but for different reasons.

 

E! Online reports that Brown’s former divorce attorneys are suing him for allegedly failing to pay a $90,217 legal tab. The bill reportedly covers expenses related to the crooner’s divorce from ex-wife Whitney Houston.

 

The complaint, which was filed Aug. 15 in Los Angeles Superior Court by the law firm Phillips, Lerner, Lauzon & Jamra, alleges that Brown was notified several times by the lawyers that he was past due in paying the balance plus interest on legal services rendered during the dissolution of his marriage. The singer did not respond to any of the requests, according to the suit, which wants a court order to force Brown to enter into binding arbitration with either the Beverly Hills or Los Angeles bar association to settle the bill.

 

As for Kells, his legal drama doesn’t involve any doing on his part (imagine that). The Grammy-winner is reportedly heated at two nightclub promoters for using his name and face without his permission. According to TMZ, a lawsuit filed last Friday alleges that promoters for the Sugar nightclub featured Kelly’s name and face on fliers "falsely advertising" that the vocalist would host one of their parties. The event was news to Kells, who says he didn’t know anything about it.

 

Although no specific amount is listed in the suit, the vocalist is seeking what he deems to be enough relief (cash) to "stop defendants'...disgorgement of ill-gotten gains."

 

With these court episodes, maybe Bobby and Kelly can earn a buck or two by hitting studio to record their first collaboration, titled "Best of Both Cases." Look for it to hit stores before the holidays with a special discount for anyone else slated to appear before a jury of their peers.

 

6. Berry Gordy Helps New Yorkers Celebrate Michael Jackson

 

Within his first 50 years, Michael Jackson has achieved a lifetime of notoriety. From having the best-selling album of all time to groundbreaking music videos and performances to multiple Grammys and tabloid controversy, it will be interesting to see what the next 50 holds for the King of Pop.

 

And as fans around the world celebrate Jackson’s upcoming 50th birthday, New Yorkers will get an added treat when Motown Records founder Berry Gordy makes an appearance at the Michael Jackson 50th birthday and Thriller 25th anniversary celebration in New York.

 

The event will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday (Aug. 23) at New York University in the Franklin H. Williams Caribbean Cultural Center, 408 W. 58th Street. Performers, Michael Jackson karaoke and an MJ impersonator are among the things partygoers will see and experience at the celebration, in addition to rare MJ music and videos, food, dancing and memorabilia. Fans will also acknowledge the Thriller anniversary with a special sing and dance along to the video for the title track.

 

Gordy will be on hand to celebrate his most famous discovery as well as be honored for his contribution to Jackson's career and to music. The event comes as Motown celebrates 50 years of existence in the music world. Other celebrity guests include Debarge member Bunny Debarge, best-selling author and Fox reporter Aphrodite Jones and world-class sprinter and Michael Walton Foundation founder Michael Walton. Michael Jackson himself is also an invited guest.

 

Admission to the celebration is $25. Visit www.paypal.com to order tickets.

 

7. Solange Enforces Her Grown Woman Status; Parties for Tracks

 

Being on top of the music game is a constant challenge for anyone willing to go all out to get that stardom. And while I’ve heard talk of people "f**king for tracks," I was surprised to find a twist on that with Solange Knowles.

 

It seems like the singer snagged contributions on her forthcoming album, Sol-Angel and the Hadley St Dreams, from producers Mark Ronson and Cee-Lo Green, by showing them how much of a party girl she is. According to NME, Solange convinced the guys to produce tracks off the project after cornering them earlier this year at an after show for this year’s Grammy awards.

 

Despite Ronson agreeing to help her, Solange initially thought he was trying to get rid of her as they talked at the party. "He said, 'Just because I've won this Grammy it doesn't mean I won't work on your record'. I had to party with Cee-Lo too to get him to work on the record."

 

Sounds like Solange is stepping up to play like the grown folks. At least that’s how it may come across on "ChampagneChronicNightcap," a Lil Wayne assisted Sol-Angel track that finds the vocalist talking about marijuana and making love. According to her, all the album’s tracks are written from personal experience.

 

"I am unapologetic; I don't write about things unless they're true. I'm a grown-ass woman and I've experienced grown-ass things."

 

Well go on, with your grown-ass.

 

In Other Words…

 

* R&B collective Full Force is making a return to music with its forthcoming greatest hits album Legendary. The release will include classic hits "Ain’t My Type of Hype" and "All Cried Out" as well as several brand new tracks. The group will also release an online album with classics and more new songs titled Full Force of Course.

 

* The new album from Brandy, Human, is slated to hit stores on Nov. 11. Among the tracks featured will be the recently leaked first single "Right Here (Departed)."