Hollyhood Breaking News: Kanye Pepsi Rumor FALSE!

The buzz about Kanye West being dropped from his Pepsi contract is undeniable. While stopped at a red light this week, we even yelled "Why did Pepsi drop Kanye? That's why we drink Coke!" at an innocent Pepsi truck driver. He looked at us like we were crazy, the light turned green and the conversation was pretty much over at that point. Then today Hollyhood found out that Kanye Chiddah is still with Pepsi! So you may want to reconsider before you officially stop drinking Pepsi products and eating Fritos (which are made by PepsiCo) because Kanye is still on Pepsi's team.

“This is to inform you that you've received an erroneous email regarding Kanye West and Pepsi. The letter said that Kanye has lost his endorsement deal with Pepsi, which is not true,” Nicole Bradley, Public Relations manager of Pepsi-Cola North America told AllHipHop.com

But they still did our boy Ludacris wrong!!!!

Pepsi Keeps Kanye Despite False Reports
By Remmie Fresh
Date: 9/27/2005 2:51 pm
AllHipHop.com

A widespread boycott of Pepsi has mistakenly detailed that rapper Kanye West has been dropped from the soft drink giant’s current marketing campaign for comments made against President George Bush.

A statement from “boycott organizer” Shondell Towns was emailed to a group list of thousands of African American professionals mostly located in California. Still, the viral nature of the content has caused the message to be forwarded across the nation.

“This is to inform you that you've received an erroneous email regarding Kanye West and Pepsi. The letter said that Kanye has lost his endorsement deal with Pepsi, which is not true,” Nicole Bradley, Public Relations manager of Pepsi-Cola North America told AllHipHop.com

The rumors emerged in the weeks after Kanye West said, “George Bush doesn't care about black people” on a nationally televised telethon for survivors of Hurricane Katrina earlier this month. While the statement created a countrywide uproar, Pepsi said their dealings with Kanye have stayed the same.

“Our relationship with Kanye has not changed and our marketing campaign is continuing as planned. In fact, his Pepsi commercial is scheduled to air several times this week,” Bradley continued.

Hip-Hop’s dealings with Pepsi haven’t always been on such stable ground.

Russell Simmons and his Hip-Hop Summit Action Network nearly boycotted Pepsi products in 2003 after the company suddenly released rapper Def Jam Ludacris from a popular ad campaign.

At the time, Bill O'Reilly branded Pepsi "immoral" for using Ludacris to promote the soft drink and, based on about 3,000 subsequent phone calls to his Fox News show, Pepsi bowed to the pressure.

Eventually, Pepsi agreed to donate $3 million to various grassroots community organizations in urban areas.

Kate Moss Cocaine update

Hollyhood recently reported that Kate Moss being super high on cocaine. Because we feel it is our obligation to keep our loyal readers up-to-date, we wanted to share this breaking news with you. Kate Moss is in rehab--SURPRISE!!! After losing her contracts with H&M, Burberry and Chanel worth millions of dollars, she's decided to check into a rehab clinic in Arizona.
Doesn't she look hungry in this ad?
The thing is, we all know most models subscribe to the cocaine diet, unfortunately the tabloids caught Moss "red-handed", or should we say "white-noseded?"....

Read on for the complete story...

Yahoo! Reports: Moss Checks Into Rehab Clinic

Thu Sep 29, 8:31 AM ET
LONDON - Two British newspapers reported Thursday that Kate Moss has checked into a rehabilitation clinic in Arizona.
Friends of the 31-year-old supermodel who was photographed apparently snorting cocaine told The Times that Moss flew to The Meadows clinic, where she will spend a month in "medical treatment and therapy."
A nurse on duty at the Wickenburg, Ariz., facility said she could not confirm or deny a patient's presence. The model's agent wasn't immediately available for comment Thursday. Several phone calls to the Storm modeling agency went unanswered.
Moss lost contracts with H&M, Burberry and Chanel worth millions of dollars after the photos were published in the Daily Mirror tabloid.
Moss issued an apology last week, taking "full responsibility for my actions." In her statement, Moss said, "I also accept that there are various personal issues that I need to address and have started taking the difficult, yet necessary, steps to resolve them."
Sarah Doukas, head of the Storm modeling agency, said Wednesday that Moss would soon sign a contract to represent a luxury perfume brand.
"She loves modeling — and she needs to be busy," Doukas said.

Lil Kim's Jail Party

Lil Kim started serving her 366-day jail sentence on September 19. According to jail insiders Kim looks a hot mess after being forced to remove all of her weave, her contacts and all of her make up when she reported to jail. (Hollyhood is working to get our hands on some photos of Kim in the big house.)
The good news is, she'll get it all back when she is released.

Despite her looming jail sentence, Kim managed to stay in good spirits and even had a party the weekend before. Celebs like Mary J. Blige, and Anthony Anderson celebrated with Kim. Is it normal to celebrate going to jail?

Did Suge Knight Shoot Himself?

The details behind the recent shooting of Suge Knight have taken an interesting turn. Sources close to Knight have leaked that Knight may have -get this-Shot Himself!

Yes, the industry is buzzing that SK actually may have shot himself accidentally at Kanye West's MTV Video Music Awards pre-party.

"He totally shot himself," blurted a most close crony of the rotund rapper, according to E! News Online.

If this turns out to be true, that means Knight was a felon in possession of a firearm and he could be in big trouble.

Should VH1’s Hip Hop Honors change its name to Hip Hop Has Beens?

As the Hollyhood team was watching the program here are the other 10 Questions that came to our minds:

1. Doesn't Diddy (Sean John, Puff, P. Diddy) need to let B.I.G go?
2. Did you really want to see Ice-T perform?
3. Weren't you glad they recognized the movie Boyz in the Hood?
4. Wasn't it weird watching Salt N' Peppa perform What a Man?
5. Is LL Cool J on steroids?
6. Wasn't Kanye's performance boring without Jamie Fox?
7. Isn't Ciara's hair looking better now days?
8. Doesn't Jermaine Dupri look like a troll?
9. When did VH1 get into Hip Hop?
10. Shouldn't Hip Hop Honors be on BET?

"PLEASE" Don't Sleep on New Toni Braxton album

If you haven’t heard Toni Braxton’s latest single from her new album Libra, it’s not your fault. Let’s just say Blackground Records and Universal, her new label(s), don’t have their promotion teams behind her project like they should. If they did, her new single "PLEASE" would be all over the radio by now, building a solid buzz for her album's September 27 release date. Yes that's tommorrow.
Hollyhood stumbled upon the album thanks to our inside sources. Her first single "PLEASE" is produced by Scott Storch and it is HOT! But, don’t take our word for it, listen for yourselves by copying and pasting the link:
http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/listenwatch/artist_name
If you like it, please go buy the album. Toni was on BET on 106 & Park today looking fabulous. Can you believe she was born 10/7/1968, has 2 children and is married? All the ladies at Hollyhood, myself included, want to be like Toni when we grow up!



Toni’s back and Hollyhood's got her back...


More about Toni Braxton:
Toni Braxton - Libra

With one of the most distinctive and recognizable voices in contemporary music, Toni Braxton returns to the international marketplace with the 2005 release of Libra, her sizzling debut set for Blackground/Universal Records. The eagerly-anticipated follow-up to her top-selling CD, More Than A Woman, the new album finds the multiple Grammy award-winning artist delivering material that reflects her creative maturity. With a musical nod to the kind of finely-crafted songs that first propelled her to global fame over a decade ago, Libra strikes the perfect balance between today's radio-friendly grooves (exemplified by the album's hot first single, "Please") and 'old school' flavored slow jams (such as "Stupid" and "Midnite"), giving the multi-talented entertainer a new opportunity to bring her instantly-recognizable vocal style back to the forefront.

Working with hit makers such as Scott Storch (whose credits include work with Beyonce, Lil' Kim and Snoop Dogg), Antonio Dixon (from The Underdogs stable) and Soulshock & Karlin, Toni has crafted a record that is sure to please the legion of longtime fans she began creating with her ten-million-plus selling self-titled 1993 debut, while appealing to a whole new audience, discovering the Braxton musical magic for the first time.

Buoyed by an instant radio and club response to "Please" (produced by the much in-demand keyboardist/ producer Storch), Libra finds the sultry-voiced star of Broadway hit musicals "Beauty And The Beast" and the Tony Award-winning "Aida" in a lyrically reflective mood. Tracks like "Finally" (produced by Dixon and co-written by Underdogs' principals Damon Thomas and Harvey Mason Jr. along with Eric Dawkins and Tank) and "Sposed To Be" showcase the smooth sensuality that has become Toni's musical trademark since the start of her illustrious career.

Wendy Williams: Red Carpet Drama at VH1 Hip Hop Honors

It's never a surprise when gossip diva Wendy Williams has drama. But on the red carpet at the 2005 VH1 Hip Hop Honors, Williams couldn't keep her hubby Kevin Hunter happy.
According to SOHH.com, Williams and her man had drama before the show began inside the Hammerstein Ballroom. Word on the street is that Wendy Williams was in the midst of filming celebrity interviews for her VH1 show “Wendy Williams Is On Fire” (which we love here at Hollyhood!) when her husband, apparently unable to get inside, walked back out toward Wendy and demanded that they leave.
"Oh... Kevin's mad because I think he had problems getting in," one of Wendy’s bewildered TV crew was overheard saying.
A SOHH.com witness said that the radio diva was working on the red carpet when her 6 ft., 250 pound husband, Kevin Hunter, barreled through the crowd imploring that they leave at once.
"Yo... we leaving now! I can't believe this bullsh*t," Hunter was heard yelling. "Give [your co-worker] the mic and get your sh*t! We're leaving now!"
Wendy reportedly “got her sh*t” and left as instructed, leaving her camera crew on the crowded red carpet with no shenanigans to shoot.
Come on Wendy! Tell your hubby to calm down and whip him into shape just like you do all those celebrities!!!!

Oprah's on Broadway

Oprah is bringing one of Hollyhood's favorite books and movies, The Color Purple, to Broadway.
Yes in addition to the television show, the magazine, Stedman, Gale and her new puppies, Oprah is adding Broadway producer to her resume with the Broadway-bound musical, The Color Purple. Winfrey's substantial contribution earns the daytime diva her first Broadway credit as well as marquee privileges: The production will now be listed as Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Color Purple.

Check it out...

Oprah: The Musical

by Gina Serpe
Sep 26, 2005
E! News Online

It all comes full circle for "O."

The hostess with the mostess has invested more than $1 million to become the prime producer of the Broadway-bound musical, The Color Purple. Winfrey's substantial contribution earns the daytime diva her first Broadway credit as well as marquee privileges: The production will now be listed as Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Color Purple.
"It's been a secret dream of mine to be part of Broadway," Winfrey told the New York Times. "I hope to be able to do for this production some of what I've been able to do for books—that is, to open the door to the possibilities for a world of people who have never been or even thought of going to a Broadway show."
Winfrey's involvement is no doubt a dream for those involved in the production as well, as the hostess' association all but guarantees a built-in audience and the show's success. Winfrey is wasting no time in using her considerable sway to promote the show, already taking the liberty of announcing the cast as guests on her daytime chatfest.

Oprah herself may be hoping the second time's a charm: Winfrey reaped her first mainstream success, as well as a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination, for her work in Steven Spielberg's 1985 big screen adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Color Purple begins previews at the Broadway Theater on Nov. 1 and opens Dec. 1.
But the hostess' first foray into the Great White Way isn't her only new project in the works.
Winfrey, 51, may be giving Donald Trump a run for his money with the expansion of her already-considerable property in Hawaii.
Hana Ranch Partners announced it is selling 63 acres near Maui's Hamoa Beach to the media mogul, who, along with former trainer and good friend Bob Greene, already owns 102 acres on the island.
The property's purchase price was not disclosed, but the deal also includes a joint conservation project between Winfrey and the Maui Coastal Land Trust.
In a letter to the area's residents, the company said the arrangement with the multi-Emmy'd hostess would be "one of the most important private conservation efforts to occur on Maui."
But Winfrey's do-gooder deeds haven't stopped there. The Angel Network founder recently donated $10 million to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, as well as announced her own home-rebuilding efforts for the ravaged community.

Supermodel Kate Moss says No to Crack, does Coke Instead

Supermodel Kate Moss is Superhigh. At least she knows crack is wack. That's why her drug of choice is cocaine...Surprised? Hollyhood isn't and you shouldn't be either. We wouldn't be surprised if she was starving herself either. Just looking at her makes us hungry. Speaking of food, we're going to hunt down a Big Mac and fries right now. But our friends over at E! News Online have the complete story...



Kate Moss' Drug Mess

by Sarah Hall
Sep 19, 2005, 3:30 PM PT


Hell hath no fury like a tabloid scorned.
Just two months ago, Kate Moss won a substantial settlement from London's Daily Mirror after it published a story alleging that she had collapsed in a cocaine-fueled coma in Spain in 2001.

Last week, the Mirror struck back, publishing images of the supermodel doing a sizable amount of cocaine at a recent late-night recording session for her boyfriend, Pete Doherty's band, Babyshambles.
The tabloid claimed it took the images two weeks ago during an undercover investigation into Moss' activities.

"As the white powder induces a sudden rush to her brain, she rocks back in her seat and laughs hysterically. The coke is kicking in," the paper reported.
"Within seconds she leans forward and again sniffs into a tightly rolled-up £5 note, hoovering up every last grain of the Class A drug."
Over the weekend, Moss admitted to the Hennes & Mauritz clothing chain that the allegations of her drug use were true, an H&M spokeswoman said.

Moss was slated to model one of the Swedish company's upcoming lines. After she agreed in writing to abide by H&M's policy that its models be "healthy, wholesome and sound," the company decided to keep her on, spokeswoman Liv Asarnoj said.
"We strongly disapprove of her action," Asarnoj said in a statement. "We feel that this is very unfortunate. We have strict policies for engaging models.

She has lucrative deals with Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, Burberry, Rimmel and Christian Dior, among others, but it is not yet clear whether the companies will continue to employ her.

CRACK IS WACK: Jodeci's Extreme Makeover

Obviously 90's boy band Jodeci didn't listen to Whitney Houston when she said "Crack is Wack" a few years ago during her infamous television interview. As a preteen and teenager I loved Dalvin, Devante, Jo-Jo and KC (in that order), who made up the group Jodeci.

Most extreme makeovers allow people to improve their appearance, unfortunately Jodeci's makeover, which apparently was sponsored by Crack, works in reverse. And Hollyhood has the pictures to prove it! You may recall that Crack has sponsored similar celebrity makeovers for Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston.

Jodeci, Common, the Ying Yang Twins, E40, Keyshia Cole, Kanye West, Talib Kweli, and Goapele performed as part of KMEL Summer Jam 2005 at Shoreline Amphitheatre on August 21st in Mountain View California. Our West Coast correspondents tell us that Jodeci was a sight for sore eyes, literally. But don't take it from them, see for yourself.

If you are missing the Jodeci that sang Forever My Lady and Come and Talk to Me, log onto www.jodecimusic.com and reminisce about life before ready rock.

Kanye's Lady Friend

A few days ago I posted a blog about industry insiders whispering that Kanye West may be gay. Then today I get photos of Kanye West and a mystery lady delivered directly into my email box....Talk about timing. Although, I've heard Kanye and his PR people are regular Hollyhood readers, I had no idea they'd send these photos so quickly!

But we're not so convinced. Afterall, where did Ye's mystery lady come from? We're guessing that she was stuck in the late registration line at an HBCU or maybe she's a "Super Senior" since Kanye is a "College Dropout"...At press time our sources were still investigating those leads.

But that's neither here nor there. Being the responsible bloggers that we are, the Hollyhood team feels it is our duty to share these photos with our readers. Enjoy...

Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

Toni Braxton's back. Can you believe she's the mother of two? Wow.


Lyfe Jennings. He plays the guitar. Must Be Nice....


Borris is my baby's daddy but this outfit sucks.

Amerie has that "One Thing"...

Mariah's A Mess: But We Still Love Her

After completely bombing during her performance at the BET Awards, we gave Mariah Carey a chance to redeem herself on the MTV Video Music Awards. That was a bad idea. Once again she bombed. She has NO stage presence and has proven that again and again on both award shows.

Everyone at Hollyhood agrees that Mariah is a victim: Beautiful Voice, Bad Stylist.

Mariah is not a dancer, she is a singer and we know and appreciate that fact. Unfortunately, in today's music industry a good dancer with an average voice (think Ciara's Goodies, Jennifer Lopez's Get Right and Britney Spears' Toxic) can sell billions of records and win many accolades. On the other hand, an awesome voice with two left feet (think Mariah) just can't cut it in today's music world.

Don't get us wrong, Hollyhood loves Mariah's latest CD. And we love her voice. We just hate her stylist. Enough is enough. The Hollyhood team agrees not only does she need a new stylist, the woman needs a STYLE-period. Her hair is never quite right and her outfits just don't do it for the Hollyhood fashion critics. Mariah is fabulous and we want her to know it. But, it's time to start covering up and wearing more clothes. Don't you agree?

Is Kanye Gay?

By now we all know how Kanye West (aka Ye)feels about George Bush. But according to our inside sources, his sexual preference isn't as crystal clear. According to USA Today, West told MTV that hip-hop was always about "speaking your mind and about breaking down barriers, but everyone in hip-hop discriminates against gay people." He adds that in slang, gay is "the opposite, the exact opposite word of hip-hop."
Kanye's message: "Not just hip-hop, but America just discriminates. And I wanna just, to come on TV and just tell my rappers, just tell my friends, 'Yo, stop it.'"

During the interview Ye also said that in high school he questioned his sexuality...Our inside sources say that we would be shocked to learn all of the famous hip hop stars that are on the down low....But ....Things that make you go Hmmmmm...

Sexuality aside, Ye's sophomore album Late Registration is a must have! If you don't have it, get it!

Welcome to Hollyhood!

Welcome to our fabulous neighborhood. It's a great day in Hollyhood-not to be confused with Hollywood.

Hollyhood is a unique place where Hollywood, Hip Hop, Celebrity Status and the unstoppable rumormill collide. Hollyhood isn't as glamorous as Rodeo Drive, but we're not nearly as ghetto as last year's Vibe Awards or as trashy as Courtney Love.

Somehow we've managed to find the perfect balance. Welcome to our world...