Wednesday, November 21, 2007

PICS FROM DONDA WEST'S FUNERAL; KANYE GIVE 'EMOTIONAL', 'HUMOR-FILLED,' HEARTBREAKING' EULOGY.

SPENCER, OKLA. - Kanye West fought back tears as he paid tribute to his mother Tuesday at a funeral service sprinkled with music industry celebrities. The prolific hip-hop artist told a crowd of more than 1,500 mourners, including rap moguls Jay-Z and Beyoncé, he still couldn't believe his mother was gone. "You gotta grow up now," the 30-year-old West said softly of his reaction to getting word his mom had died while he was on tour in Europe. West said he remained abroad for a few days because it was what his mother would have wanted. "She had her hands on me," he said. The rapper and record producer, whose climb to super-stardom began just four years ago, said, "I didn't expect this to happen this year." A single mother and accomplished academic who rose to head the English Department at Chicago State University, Donda West became her son's first manager, closest adviser and "my biggest fan," West said in an impromptu eulogy that was both humor-filled and heartbreaking. Before stepping off the stage, he said simply, "I love you, Mom."

R&B songstress Anita Baker sang Donda's favorite song Summertime before being greeted and thanked by Kanye.

Kanye's fans lined the streets to catch a glimpse of those who attended the service which took place at the True Vine Ministries Church in the suburb of Spencer. The media and general public were not allowed into the service or onto church property, but news cameras set up across the street showed Kanye West, as well as friends and fellow stars Jay-Z and Beyonce, emerging from vehicles. After the service Donda’s casket was placed onto a horse drawn carriage and taken to a nearby cemetery.




MORE PICS OF KANYE, BEYONCE AND JAY-Z AT DONDA WEST'S FUNERAL AFER THE JUMP! (click 'MORE AFTER THE JUMP!' below on bottom left)


Meanwhile, Dr. Jan Adams made a bizarre one-minute appearance on "Larry King Live" last night during which he removed his earpiece and walked off the set as King was trying to ask him questions. Apparently West's family threatened to seek his decertification from the Medical Board of California if he went through with the interview. "I had come here to talk about things in the press that aren't accurate about me, but I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for the West family, and they've asked me not to go on," Adams told King.


READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

NEW PICS: KIMORA LEE SIMMONS WITH HER DAUGHTERS, MING LEE & AOKI LEE @ ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL.

Supermodel-turned-fashion mogul, Kimora Lee Simmons made a special visit to St. Vincent's Hospital along with her 2 adorable daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee on Monday to read to and spend time with the little hospitalized kids and whatnot. Check out the pics below and after the jump!






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KANYE COMES CLEAN; RAPPER SAYS BEEF WITH THE GOR-REE-RAH a.k.a 50 CENT WAS JUST A PUBLICITY STUNT.

Well touch me in the morning, then just walk away. Who would have ever thought Kanye would once again tell us something we already knew?

Kanye West has revealed his chart battle with rap rival 50 Cent was a publicity stunt he dreamed up to sell records. The pair went head to head in September (07) when both of their albums were released on the same day. West won after a frenzied media battle he now claims he created.

The multi-platinum hitmaker comes clean to GQ (December '07 issue) magazine, stating, "It was a complete publicity stunt. It was my idea. I knew it was going to take off as soon as we were going to come out on the same date. Think about it - you got the two biggest shit-talkers in rap history. There's no-one in rap history known for talking more shit than me and 50. That's something I will stand on." He adds of 50 Cent's vow to retire if he lost the battle: "Oh man, he sold so many more records by saying that. Man, 50 is really one of my favorite rappers, too. I almost feel bad (about beating him)." Although, West hammered 50 with sales in the U.S., it was 50 sold more albums worldwide than his play-play rival.

Also in the cover story, West, who GQ magazine has named as one of their 2007 Men of the Year, does not discuss the sudden tragic passing of his mother Donda in the article, but he does speak on his impending marriage to designer Alexis Phifer. “I’m just going to go and get married — I’m not going to make a big deal out of it. It’s not to prove anything to anyone — it’s for me, for stability in my life, and I’m so happy that I found someone that I really love, that challenges me, that keeps my life interesting, that’s just as crazy as I am.”

The issue hits newsstands on November 27.

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CHRIS BROWN TO APPEAR IN & PRODUCE NEW NICKELODEON SHOW BASED UPON HIS 2 PRE-TEEN DANCERS.

Chris Brown is allowing Nickelodeon cameras full access to his upcoming Exclusive tour for a new reality pilot revolving around his two pre-teen backup dancers. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the half-hour project will follow 11-year-old Scooter and 9-year-old Miles as they roam the country with Brown, who is also producing the pilot and will appear from time to time on-camera.

The effort marks Brown's first foray into producing and is his first television deal. As an actor, Brown made his feature debut in Stomp the Yard and next appears on the big screen in This Christmas, which opens today (Nov. 21).

Nickelodeon has yet to release an airdate for the pilot, which its scheduled to premiere as a special.

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CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR TIMBALAND; PRODUCER WELCOMES BABY GIRL; GETS ENGAGED.

Producer Timbaland is engaged to his girlfriend and publicist, Monique Idlett – and the pair have just welcomed a baby girl, a source close to the rapper tells PEOPLE. Idlett, 33, gave birth to their daughter just a couple of days ago, according to the source. Timbaland and Idlett have been dating for two years, and "they're both really happy together," says the source. "They've known each other for years."

The music producer (and pal of Justin Timberlake) proposed at the couple's baby shower in October. This will be the first marriage for both; Timbaland and Idlett plan to tie the knot within the next year.

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NE-YO ON HIS REACTION TO BEING DROPPED FROM R. KELLY'S 'DOUBLE UP' TOUR; SINGER APOLOGIZES TO FANS.

Ne-Yo was informed Monday that he was being permanently removed from his supporting slot on R. Kelly's current Double Up tour, despite overwhelmingly positive reviews received from "entertainment reporters, music critics, bloggers, fans, and concert goers," read a statement from Ne-Yo's rep. A contractual dispute is the tour's official reason for Ne-Yo's departure. But according to camp Ne-Yo, Kelly fired the singer because he "brought too much heat" for Kelly to compete against. He's written hit songs for Beyonce (Irreplaceable) and Rihanna (Unfaithful), spending a combined 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100," said Ne-Yo's business partner and manager, Tango, in a statement. "…The fans were really feeling his performances. He's good; maybe he's too good – that's the problem."

Ne-Yo adds: "I don't understand their actions because I was rehearsing, doing media, promoting the tour, and performing. In my opinion, I was doing everything possible to make the tour a success. I love being on stage in front of fans because of the immediate feedback you get. You know right away if they are feeling you; and they were really feeling our show. …To my fans and ticket holders – I apologize if you are disappointed," he said.

R. Kelly's rep, Allan Mayer, said the singer played no role in firing Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Smith: "Ne-Yo's departure from the 'Double Up' tour was the result of a contractual issue between him and the tour promoter. R. Kelly had nothing to do with it."

After a shaky start in Columbus, Georgia last week – during which Ne-Yo had to take over Keyshia Cole's opening slot when she failed to perform following J. Holliday – the tour continued with all three opening acts in Atlanta and continued through the south with scheduled stops in Greensboro, Birmingham and Charlotte.

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