I’ve been checking out Keri Hilson ever since my editor put a bug in my ear about her earlier this year. Now that she has emerged from behind the scenes to develop herself as an R&B artist, I’m watching her every move. Keri’s written songs for artists such as Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, and Usher. And now that she’s planning to release her own solo album, I’m curious to know what else she has to offer. Can her voice and star power reach the level of her song writing abilities? Will she make the cut and reach the level of a Rihanna or a Beyonce, or merely just fade to the waste side like Mya or Amerie? I guess time will only tell. After all, Keri Hilson seems to be getting a good response and people have good things to say about her. As a plus, Keri is a hottie – minus the wack hair cut. While her first single “Energy” is doing well, in weeks to come she will need to release a second single. And if you like Keri Hilson, like I have come to like Keri Hilson, you’re interested to know what direction she’ll head in next.So this week, I’ve selected two collaborations that she completed with two top artists. Not to say that either of these would be her next single, but let’s just say hypothetically one of them would be. Which one would you choose?One track is titled “Shake It Like A Dawg” featuring R. Kelly and the other is “Turn Off” featuring Lil Wayne. Did I mention I love a good ol’ duet this week? Wait, I just did! LOL…On “Shake It Like A Dawg” Keri sings about how she’s the sh*t and the guys go crazy for her, all while making her want to shake it like a dawg. Then R. Kelly adds insult to injury in the song, as he goes on to talk about how he’s falling in love because she shakes it like a dawg. In my opinion that’s some of the stupidest sh*t I’ve ever heard. Shake it like a dawg? Are you f**kin’ kiddin’ me? Was this all these two could come up with to express how they feel about dancing in the club? I want to say this to Keri Hilson – despite R. Kelly’s shortcomings, he is a musical genius. Don’t let today’s obsession with the female backside let you dumb down your musical creativity and let you miss the mark. In my opinion, you could have made better use of R. Kelly. That’s too much talent in one room to come up with a song like this. And furthermore, Keri, you’ve created masterpieces, but I guess this is one of those pieces of work you’ll look back and ask yourself, “What was I thinking?” In all, is song has a dope beat but zero substance.  “Shake It Like a Dawg” – Keri Hilson featuring R. Kelly

Shake It Like A Dawg (P###. By Polow Da Don) – Keri Hilson Ft. R. KellyMoving right along, let me elaborate on “Turn Off,” which is ironically what “Shake It Like A Dawg” did. In this song, Keri talks about what turns her on and off. It’s pretty simple, she puts it out there what a guy can do to make her like him and what he can do to make her turn the other way. The first time I heard Lil Wayne’s verse on this track I thought it was sub par, but when I went back to listen for a second time I just realized it was typical Lil Wayne: creative punch lines and simply swaggerdosish (yes, I made up that word).“Turn Off” – Keri Hilson featuring Lil Wayne

Turn Off (Feat Lil Wayne) – Keri HilsonSo again, hypothetically speaking, if either of these songs were to be pegged for Keri’s second single, which would you choose? I think it’s obvious what my choice is. “Turn Off” gets my vote… Until next week y’all take a listen to this week’s Sunday Selections – “Shake It Like A Dawg” and “Turn Off”

Poll Answers

What’s good, weekenders? Man, what a slow week. If it wasn’t

for the government planning a $700 billion bailout of Wall Street and the

financial system at the potential expense of us taxpayers, Obama and McCain’s

first presidential debate being in danger of cancellation because of said

financial crisis and Clay Aiken finally coming out, then this would’ve been a

week to go through the motions on. Not that I don’t. I, like everybody else

work for those two free days, but I digress…

 

Get well wishes go out to Natalie Cole, who was hospitalized

and being treated for Hepatitis C. Shout out to the sounding boards for being

available 24/7.

 

And now it’s time for…the Last Word for the week ending

Sept. 26, 2008.

 

1. Eva Mendes Finds Naked Comfort at Home

 

It’s a fact that beautiful women in Hollywood are a dime a

dozen. But beautiful women who strip in front of the camera without the aid of

a body double are rare. So don’t count Eva Mendes among those who choose to

cover up for their close up. For the right role, the movie star is willing to

bare all as she told Elle magazine that

on-screen nudity “just isn’t that big a deal.”

 

In fact, Mendes, who recently starred in a risque Secret

Obsession ad for Calvin Klein, is so comfortable with her body that she goes au

natural while in the confines of her home.

 

“I walk around the house naked— I do!” the 34-year-old

looker shared. “One of my girlfriends always jokes, ‘I’m coming over with

someone, so please come to the door dressed.’”

 

Something tells me Eva may be getting a lot more visitors

who are just as “revealing” as she is. You know what they say. She may be

having neighbors over to borrow more than a cup of sugar.

 

2. Tyler Perry Feeds the Hungry

 

Madea and a string of hit plays and movies may have helped

Tyler Perry live the good life, but the actor/playwright/mogul hasn’t forgotten

about giving back to those in need.

 

According to The Associated Press, the entertainer spent his day (Tuesday) unloading

and packaging food he donated to feed more than 1,000 families at the Hosea

Feed the Hungry and the Homeless care center in Atlanta. The act of good will

hits home for Perry, who grew up the poor son of a carpenter in New Orleans and

was homeless before his career took off.

 

“I’ve been out on the street, I know what it’s about,” the

filmmaker told the AP, adding that he

“had to do something” after feeling pulled to visit the center after hearing

about it on the news. “I couldn’t imagine doing that with children looking at

me for food.”

 

Kudos to Tyler for feeding the needy with food and good

deeds.

 

3. Christina Milian Occupies Myspace With New Record Deal

 

Looks like all that acting hasn’t prevented Christina Milian

from going back to her day job.

 

Billboard reports the

former Def Jam artist has signed a new deal with MySpace Records to release new

music. The first single from Milian’s upcoming album, the Madd

Scientist-produced “Us Against The World,” will hit Myspace airwaves on Oct. 6.

According to the 26-year-old singer, her return has been a

long time coming.

 

“I’ve been out of the game for one-and-a-half years, and I

think I’m long overdue for a comeback, so I’m treating this album like it’s my

last chance to make an impression. I’m competing with myself and being very

detailed,” Milian said. “Before, I had a label telling me what direction to go

in. Now, it’s my choice, so I’m being very particular about it and I’m really

excited.”

 

Despite having Kanye West as the only guest on her album,

Milian has lined up a string of producers for what she describes as a “very

feminine, strong and independent album,” including T-Pain, Cool and Dre, Jim

Jonsin, Toby Gad and Danja.

 

And while things didn’t work out with Def Jam, Milian is

optimistic as she sees MySpace as the start of a new chapter in her musical

life. In fact, she is thankful she “took the time off to check out what’s going

on.”

 

“Sometimes things don’t work out the right way, but I know I

work my butt off on my end,” Milian said. “As long as you know you worked hard,

you feel accomplished.”

 

Look for Milian’s MySpace Records debut to come out next

spring. If you prefer Christina in her acting mode you can catch her alongside

Matthew McConaughey when The Ghosts of Girlfriends hits theaters in February. Gamers can check out the

singer, who is currently filming the latest installment of the Bring

It On film series, as the lead in a live

action film made for the EA video game Need for Speed, which arrives in stores Nov. 28.

 

4. Mariah Carey Makes Time for the Bible; Becomes Hunger

Ambassador

 

With her busy schedule and hectic life, Mariah Carey seems

to have little time for anything except for relaxing with husband Nick Cannon

and catching a good night’s sleep. But the songstress did admit to setting

aside quality time for the Man Upstairs.

 

“The only book I make time to read is the Bible,” Carey told

Now magazine.

 

News of Mariah’s reading pastime comes as the singer was as

the latest Hunger Ambassador for the Yum! Foundation’s World Hunger Relief, an

annual effort that is dedicated toward raising money for the United Nations

World Food Program and bringing an end to starvation around the world. E!

Online reports that Mariah’s hunger

ambassador role will involve her appearing on print ads that will be featured

in more than 100 countries and 36,000 franchises.

 

Donors can contribute to the cause by going to any Yum!

Brands restaurants, including Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver’s and

A&W restaurants. Customers who make a donation will receive a free download

of the song “Love Story” from Carey’s latest album, E=MC2.

 

This year’s Hunger Relief effort will try to top the first

annual World Hunger Relief Week, which raised roughly $16 million for hunger

relief last year.

 

5. Denzel Washington Puts Kids On Top of Priority List

 

High gas prices, the economy and housing woes are front and

center on the list of issues the presidential candidates have on their radar.

Why not kids?

 

That’s what Denzel Washington wants people to keep in mind

as they prepare to elect a new leader of the free world. The Oscar winner

voiced his concerns in an article on CNN.com as he gave leaders a heads up on what he called “the crisis affecting

our children.”

 

“Young people account for more than 20 percent of violent

crimes in the United States, according to statistics cited by Duke University’s

Center for Child and Family Policy. Violent juvenile crime peaks between 3 and

4 pm, at the end of the school day,” said Washington, a national spokesman for

the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. “These facts are grim enough. Factor in

persistent patterns of poverty, gang activity, drug abuse and teenage

pregnancy, and you have a generation of Americans that will be unprepared

–  indeed, unable – to

meet the challenges posed by a complex world.”

 

With almost 30 percent of this year’s new high school class

dropping out before completing their education and childhood obesity rising by

300 percent since 1980, Washington is taking a stand to let people know how

important it is to personally get involved on behalf of young people.

 

“As citizens, we shouldn’t simply sit back and hope that

politicians stand up to the test,” the entertainer stated. “We can participate

in the political process, advocating for policies that will benefit the health,

education and well-being of young Americans, because we must do a better job of

preparing our youth to lead.”

 

Nuff said.

 

6. Aubrey O’Day Confesses Love of Dirty Text Messages and

P###

 

Never let it be said that Aubrey O’Day is shy. The Danity

Kane member proved to be an interesting interview subject for Complex magazine as she revealed her love of p### and all

things freaky.

 

When asked about talk of her being called a s###, O’Day

seemingly embraced the label, stating, “If I have to be ridiculed and called a

w#### and the party animal and the dumb girl for the rest of my career, I’m OK

with that. Because I love who I am. You’re going to have to interpret me however

you’re going to interpret me.”

 

And if that wasn’t enough, Aubrey expounded on her p### love

as she admitted to watching YouPorn and having one type of episode on her

favorite list.

 

“I usually watch Black guys doing White girls, that’s my

little fetish, even though in real life race isn’t a factor for me,” the diva

revealed, adding that she was quick to say that an Aubrey-featured p#### is not

on her to do list. “Really, I’m more turned on by watching the girls than the

guys. I love someone who looks like they’re really into sex.”

 

Note to the fellas: If you want to get on, O’Day’s good

side, try dirty texting.

 

“I would rather do dirty texting than have sex. I have a

shirt in my clothing line [Heart On My Sleeve] that says, ‘I Love Dirty

Texting,’” she said. “When you’re at dinner and you are listening to everybody

but you’re actually writing some dirty s**t, I love it! I’m so into that.”

 

Despite her solo escapades, O’Day stated the she is “very

dedicated to Danity Kane, and nothing I can ever do will conflict with my

respect, love, and dedication to that project.”

 

I’m so glad to hear that nothing will interfere with

Aubrey’s dedication to Danity Kane, despite rumors that she’s been kicked out.

After all, dedication is not what others expect of you. It’s what you can give

to others. Because giving is fundamental.

 

In Other Words…

 

* Deborah Cox is making her return to R&B after belting

jazz tunes last year on a Dinah Washington tribute album. The singer, who is

best known for her 1998 hit “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here,” will release her

first R&B album in six years The Promise on Nov. 11. Look for Cox to go on tour at the beginning of 2009.

 

* Can’t anybody get through a day of work without any drama?

Apparently not, as Terri Hughes, an African-American producer for the Playboy

Radio show Night Calls is taking her

suing her employer amid claims that she was asked repeatedly to “wax” the “ass”

of co-host Christy Canyon. According to TMZ.com, Hughes alleges that a hostile work environment was

created by Canyon, who was “exposing her genitals and breasts to co-workers,

making requests to guests and co-workers to touch her genitals and breasts, and

masturbating herself with her own hands as well as with various sex toys during

live broadcasts of ‘Night Calls.’”

 

In addition, Hughes alleges that she was told, “I don’t know

how to say this, and it might offend you, but I’m just going to say it anyway –

no Negro shows,” by a Playboy Radio executive producer after another Playboy

show host, who is also Black, asked for Hughes to work on her show. Hughes is

seeking unspecified damages.

 

* R&B hitmaker Avant is coming back on the scene with

his upcoming album Avant. The singer

chose to name the project after himself as a way of acknowledging his record as

a singer/songwriter, as well as the sense of creative accomplishment and

ownership that marks the project overall. Avant’s self-titled album, which

features the single, “When it Hurts,” will hit stores on Oct. 28.