THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS

Kanye West officially went platinum this week since his 808s & Heartbreak album debuted on the charts seven weeks ago. He has racked in a total of 1,023,900 copies sold. TI moved another 78,000 units to push his 13 week total to over 1.5 million sold, while Ludacris rang in with 58,300 units, putting him at 439,200 total after five weeks. Weezy continues to push numbers, landing at number 32 this week with a total of 2.87 million copies sold so far. On the R&B tip, Beyonce continues to control the sales charts pushing another 210,918 units sold, putting her total to almost 1.5 million, while Keyshia Cole saw “A Different Me” sale another 126,506 units sold putting her totals to near gold. And of course we couldn't forget about our boy, Soulja Boy who sold another whopping 34,370 copies pushing his two week total to just under 80,000 copies, claiming recylced paper status. He's going green ya'll.

EXCLUSIVE | JADAKISS "LETTER TO B.I.G." FEAT. FAITH EVANS

This track was floating around with Mr. Cee yelling all over it in radio quality, and he said we wouldn’t get it anytime soon, but thanks to a certain e-mail, here it is in full cd quality. This is off the Notorious Soundtrack, which is shaping up to be one of the few soundtracks worth actually buying these days. What a way to end the year. Jadakiss went in…

Download/Listen: “Jadakiss feat. Faith Evans- Letter To B.I.G”

GUESS WHO INTRODUCED BEYONCE TO DESIGNER GARETH PUGH

In case you didn't catch Beyoncé's new "Diva" video over the Christmas holiday, know that she rocks some dope designs by Gareth Pugh in it. She's gravitated to Pugh like a moth to a flame. And this just might shock you, but... it's rumored that little sister Solange introduced Beyoncé to Pugh. Yes, Solange! Though we we're leary of the randomness of Beyoncé's new avant-garde fashion choices, we are prepared to embrace them, because frankly we are kind of in love with the "Diva" video. True, it's pretty cliché minus the clothes, but it's so enjoyably ridiculous that it manages to justify the song itself. The part where she breaks out the fan made of money is one of the best things we've seen all winter. Classic. Our love knows no shame.

JAY-Z HOTELS PUT ON HOLD

The development of a New York hotel Jay-Z recently invested in, is on hold because he and his partners cannot pull in enough financing for the project. Jay ploughed money into J Hotels, which acquired a $66 million plot to build a high-end hotel in New York City. But due to the ailing economy, partners have failed to pull in investors - and there is now a $370 million shortfall in funds, as even the banks won’t back the property development. Charles Blaichman, one of Jay's partners, tells The New York Times, “A year ago it would have seemed a reasonable amount. Not now. Even the banks who want to give us money can’t.”

PEEP THE SWAG

Yeezy was spotted out and about in LA in what appears to be a Pastelle Varsity jacket.

I’m diggin it.

I cannot wait to see this entire line…

NO DEAL FOR DIDDY

Diddy is making headlines just before the year ends. He teamed up with Ciroc Vodka to make a offer to the city of New York to remake the Times Square New Year’s ball - turning it 'Ciroc Blue '- and was willing to donate $1 million to charity if the proposal had been approved. Well after all the publicity he began to set forth, the city shot him down. NO DEAL!

EVA AND LANCE ENGAGED

We just received word that actor/model Lance Gross, proposed to actress/America's Next Top Model, Eva Marcille Pigford, 24, on Christmas Eve.

They have been dating since 2006. CONGRATS TO THE HAPPY COUPLE

WORLD PREMIERE | BEYONCE "HALO" AND "DIVA" VIDEOS

Check out the newly released black-and-white music video from Beyonce. It's the Melina Matsoukas directed, “Diva”, off Bey's third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce.

The video for “Halo” was released simultaneously. And you can check that out below...

SINGLES

How It Was Supposed To Be - Ryan Leslie
How It Was Supposed To Be (rmx) - Ryan Leslie feat Jadakiss

LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS - JAZMINE SULLIVAN

IT'S YOURS - J. HOLIDAY

THIS WEEK IN CHIC | FLAUNT MAG 10TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Kanye West and Columbus Short were in high style at Flaunt Magazine’s 10th Anniversary party in L.A.

IF EVER THERE WAS A DIDDY BIOPIC, DIDDY WOULD LIKE DEREK LUKE TO PLAY HIM AGAIN

Most rappers like to say their life is like a movie, but with the Biggie movie “Notorious” hitting theaters next month, Diddy is already talking about a biopic on himself.

“Everybody always asked me who I wanted to play me if anyone ever played me, and I said Derek Luke,” Diddy said recently while on the set of “CSI: Miami,” on which he’ll be making an appearance soon.

He went on to say that he would want Derek Luke to continue his role as "Sean Combs" should a Diddy biopic ever be made.

Diddy said he's a longtime fan of Luke's work, citing his roles in "Friday Night Lights" and "Antwone Fisher."

"His ferociousness," he said is Luke's prime attribute. "I felt like he could really represent me well."

While Diddy hasn't quite confirmed that he's interested in a movie being made on his life, he hasn't put the idea to bed either. Luke, on the other hand, has been said in interviews for the film to be a green light.

"I would love to play Puff from scratch," he said. "I would love to play him from start to finish.

RIHANNA TO PERFORM AT BENEFIT FOR OBAMA INAUGURATION

Rihanna will perform an inaugural benefit for President-elect Barack Obama on January 20 in our nation's capitol. The Good Girl Gone Bad will hit the stage for the Recording Industry Association of America’s Presidential Inauguration Charity Ball, which benefits Feeding America — the largest hunger relief organization in America. “Rihanna’s always willing to help out — she’s a good girl,” a source reveals to People magazine. Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America, adds, “We could not be happier that Rihanna will be performing at the Inauguration charity ball to benefit Feeding America.

BURBERRY BLACK LABEL SNEAKERS

Black Label Chuck Taylors
By Burberry
Price: $327

SPOTTED | VICTORIA BECKHAM DINES WITH D&G

Swag Queen Victoria Beckham was spotted in Milan yesterday having lunch with dynamic design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Could there be a possible collabo in works?

BBC| ICE CREAM S/S 09 LOOKBOOK

Introducing the BBC ICE CREAM Spring/Summer 2009 LOOKBOOK. View a few highlights below and catch the whole look-book HERE.

VIDEO: OBSESSED TRAILER

Obsessed hits theatres on April 24. I can't front. It looks pretty good.
Do you think this will be Beyonce’s most successful film?

TAKASHI MURAKAMI x RICKY & DEE BOWTIE

Japanese artist Taskashi Murakami was spotted wearing Dee & Ricky Bow Tie at GQ’s Japan event. Dee & Ricky’s pieces are made of Legos and their most notable piece is the Heart Brooches seen worn by Kanye West. Twins Dee and Ricky are mostly known for their contributions to Marc Jacobs and being apart of the popular dance group Jackson Swinton.

PIERRE HARDY LEATHER HIGH-TOP

Check out this new Leather High-Top by Pierre Hardy. His seasonal collections have spawned a diverse range of footwear. These premium kicks are slated for a 2009 spring/summer release. Look for these to become available soon at Eliminator.

SESSILEE LOPEZ FOR BERGDORF GOODMAN

A possible romance with Kanye West has the gorgeous Sessilee Lopez plastered all over the tabloids. But this MAJOR model has been racking up quite the fashion following before the celebrity gossip. Her latest feat, this campaign for Bergdorf Goodman.

WENDELL LISSIMORE & SON IN GERMAN VANITY FAIR

Wendell Lissimore and son, Pheonix pose for German Vanity Fair. I must say, the two year old is off to a pretty impressive career......this being his third editorial with superstar dad.

photo: Robert Erdmann

stylist: Tobias Frericks

BEYONCE RECLAIMS TOP SPOT ON BILLBOARD SINGLES CHART

Beyonce snagged the top spot from T.I. this week on the Billboard “Hot 100's″ chart, pushing his current hit, “Live Your Life” down to number 2. Her “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” also sits at number one on the “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs” chart for the fifth consecutive week.

KANYE AND RIHANNA TO RECORD DUET?

Rumor has it that Kanye West has gone back into the studio to record a new version of his song “Paranoid” with current hit music princess, Rihanna. If this ends up being true, the new track will reportedly be hitting the airwaves sometime next month.

PHARRELL WILLIAMS TAPPED TO PRODUCE MUSIC THEMED MOVIE

Pharrell Williams recently signed on as a producer for an upcoming music themed filmed called "Zoom."According to Variety, Williams will compose the score for the movie, as well as its soundtrack.

"Zoom" chronicles a troubled West Virginia youth who attends a music academy and finds his voice and a place in the world.

"8 Mile" producer, Brian Grazer, has been tapped to produce the film alongside Williams, while it will be directed and written by Preston Whitmore ("This Christmas"). “Zoom” is slated to released via Universal and Imagine Entertainment however there is no word when production will begin.

THE BOOTS, because I know you were thinking it, are from Tom Ford's new collection and range in price from $4,470 to $9,240. They appeal to wealthy glam junkies and luxury ski freaks. The collection consists of three pairs of boots and a compatible fur trapper hat. Ford is famous for pushing the boundaries of luxury for men, and this collection is certainly no exception.

BRANDY'S WORST DEBUT EVER | BEYONCE GOES PLATINUM

This week on the charts: Beyonce comes in at number 3 with her latest LP I Am…Sasha Fierce selling 161,997 discs, pushing the album’s total sales to 1055,297 copies total (Platinum Plus for Status ). Kanye West's, 808’s & Heartbreak pushes 128,113 units this week landnig him at number 6, moving his total to 632K. Musiq Soulchild debuts on the charts this week at number 11 with 97,100 copies sold.

Also making his debut on the charts this week is Common landing the number 12 spot with 84,764 copies sold. Brandy returns to the billboard charts with her fifth studio album to a dissapointing start. Her latest LP, “Human” comes in at number 15 with only 74,092 copies sold. Making it her worst debut ever!

NEW MUSIC | JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE "IF" FEAT. T.I.

The duo is back with some more heat. After “My Love” and “Dead And Gone” you really didnt think they were done did you? Timbaland on the boards.. You already know this will have the radio waves blazing. Even with that hint-of-autotune, sung bridge.. bring the hook backk.

DOWNLOAD/LISTEN: Justin Timberlake - If I (Feat. T.I.) (Produced by Timbaland)

NEW VIDEO | N.E.R.D. "SOONER OR LATER"

Check out the video for N.E.R.D. "Sooner Or Later" off of Seeing Sounds, in stores now.

NAOMI DOES VOGUE CHINA

Hate her or love her, Naomi Campbell is still one of the hardest working women in the game. Here she is on the January 2009 issue of Vogue China (in Louis Vuitton), lensed by Mario Sorrenti. She looks a little different in the face, don't you think? Hmm..

CIARA IN ELLE MAGAZINE- JANUARY 2009

Beyonce may have landed the cover but Ciara definitely got the more interesting, and much more avant-garde spread inside January's issue of ELLE magazine. It seemed a bit strange that the issue featured both pop/r&b divas but I guess ELLE wanted to kill two birds with one stone, without actually having to resort to hiring a black model. Poor Ci Ci didn't even merit a mention on the cover. Here she models pieces from MaxMara's new collection.

Click images to enlarge:

LOUIS VUITTON DAMIER GEANT PETIT MESSENGER

Damier Géant Petit Messenger
By Louis Vuitton
Price: $970.00

COAT SWAG

Atlanta’s Philips Arena was filled with some of the city’s biggest celebrities, including Ciara, Polow Da Don, Young Jeezy, and Kevin Liles, who all watched court side as the Atlanta Hawks took on the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday night. While Polow & Jeezy have been just slightly overdressed for the occassion, we couldn't deny the Coat Swag that was in the building.

FUNNY SH*T

Watch as President George W. Bush ducks two shoes thrown at him by an Iraqi reporter during a press conference in the Iraqi prime minister’s office to mark the signing of a security agreement.

“This is the farewell kiss, you dog,” the man shouted in Arabic.

Bush wasn’t hit, and announced “I’m okay” after the incident. He added, “All I can report is it is a size 10.”

According to CNN, Hurling shoes at someone, or sitting so that the bottom of a shoe faces another person, is considered an insult among Muslims.

FENDI PATENT HIGH-TOP SNEAKER

Patent High Top Sneaker
By Fendi
Price:$570.00

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Yeezy did Heartless and Pinocchio Story Live on SNL.

USHER A DADDY AGAIN!

Usher has become a father for the second time.

The 30-year-old singer and his wife Tameka Foster, 38, welcomed their son into the world at around 3am on Wednesday (10.12.08).

The couple - who already have one-year-old Usher Raymond V. The baby is named Naviyd Ely Raymond. He weighs in at 5 pounds, 13 ounces..

Usher and Tameka confirmed they were expecting their second child together last month, with the star revealing the impending arrival would make the festive period even more special.

He said: "We're actually expecting, if you didn't hear, in December. One of the best Christmas gifts there is to have!"

TEYANA TAYLOR TRANSFORMS FOR 18TH BIRTHDAY BASH

Last night Teyana Taylor celebrated her 18th birthday at Kush in NYC. I know you're all asking yourselves why I found this worthy of posting. However what I found noteworthy was the transformation that the Star Trak recording artist and Pharrell protege, underwent for her entrance into womanhood. Instead the regular retro-tomboy-BBC look she normally shoots for, she donned a form fitting Herve Leger dress and pumps. Hmmm. Maybe next she release another single. Dare I say... she cleans up quite nicely.

KEEPS GETTING BETTER

Naomi Campbell for the cover of the 2008 issue of Mixte Magazine.

PHARRELL GOES GREEN

Pharrell Williams has entered into a partnership with Bionic Yarn, a two-year-old textile firm based in New York dedicated to developing environmentally sustainable fabrics. In this new role, Williams is both an owner and investor in the company, as well as an ambassador/spokesman for the brand. Williams has been on an acquisition spree lately: last week, he was spotted at Art Basel Miami, where sources said he snapped up a work by Takashi Murakami.

JENNIFER HUDSON RETURNS TO WORK

It's back to work for Jennifer Hudson, just six weeks after the her mom, brother, and nephew were brutally murdered in Chicago. Hudson's record label says she'll be working on a new video for her single "If This Isn't Love," as early as next week. -- ironically, the same video she was supposed to film in L.A. when she found out her family had been killed at her childhood home. The song is the follow-up to Hudson’s Grammy-nominated single Spotlight.

Her estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the case.