Top Google Searches of 2005; Janet Jackson tops the list

Thanks to our friends at Google, we have the top 10 people, places and things folks were searching for in 2005. The Jackson's are dominating the list with Janet and Michael both making the top 10. But it's hard to believe more people were interested in Janet Jackson (or her weight gain) than Hurricane Katrina. Britney Spears beat out Jessica Simpson (who didn't make the list at all) for the number 8 spot and people are far more interested in Brad Pitt than Angelina Jolie who land at numbers 5 and 9 respectively.
Google News - Top Searches in 2005
1. Janet Jackson
2. Hurricane Katrina
3. tsunami
4. xbox 360
5. Brad Pitt
6. Michael Jackson
7. American Idol
8. Britney Spears
9. Angelina Jolie
10. Harry Potter

HollyhoodBuzz Ghetto Gossip 12.20.2005

DIDDY IS AT IT AGAIN!
Diddy, accompanied by his new female entourage from Making the Band 3, made a December 20 appearance on MTV's TRL to promote the new Notorious B.I.G Duets album. We have a feeling Diddy's new "band" will sell bout 5 albums and then disappear. Aubrey O'Day is definitely the break out star. (And why is she the only one dressed sexy?) Did Diddy even give this group a name yet? But we digress.We don't think B.I.G would be happy that his boy using some wack, so-called "band" to help promote his album. Plus, we were told the album is terrible and is "a bad idea that never should have happened."
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TONI BRAXTON GETS ZERO SUPPORT FROM NEW LABEL
We recently received an email from Atlanta Gossip that went a little something like this:
"After asking to be dropped from Arista Records, the singer singed with
Blackground Records, owned by Barry Hankerson, the Uncle/Manager of the late
Aaliyah. With anticipated success of her comeback album Libra, Blackground Records
has not promoted her latest album and has only released one music video to
their credit. 'Is it me or does it seem that Toni's album is not being given
a big push from her new label?' said one music insider."

Hmmmmmmmm...We love you Toni!
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RAPPERS CHARLIE BALTIMORE AND GAME GET COZY ON THE WEST COAST
Remember female rapper Charlie Baltimore? She was signed to Murder Inc and used to be in lots of Ja Rule and Ashanti videos. Then she disappeared. Well, she recently resurfaced here with her new found friend anti-50 cent rapper The Game.
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BEYONCE DISSES HER "GIRLS" KELLY AND MICHELLE
The New DC?
By now, most of you have heard Beyonce's new single Check on It from the Destiny's Child #1's CD. (The song is growing on us slowly but surely.) There isn't much substance to "Check on It," but according to our sources, there is some drama associated with the song.

We heard rumors that DC members Kelly and Michelle didn't want Bouncy's single on DC's #1's album because it's NOT a Destiny's Child song. (Hollyhood has to side with Kelly and Michelle on that one.) Bouncy didn't let her girls Kelly and Michelle sing on the track or even make a cameo appearance in the video. Yet Bouncy's Pink Panther costars, actors Steve Martin and Kevin Kline, get more than enough face time in the video. Talk about cross promotion! The entire video appears to be a promotional vehicle for Bouncy's new movie The Pink Panther which has already had its release date moved back to February 2006.

For all of our die-hard Bouncy fans, are you really going to pay to see this? The 'Hood wants to hear from you!
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GRILLZ IS NUMBER ONE RINGTONE IN AMERICA
Jermaine Dupri promised to start an epidemic with the song Grillz he produces for Nelly featuring Paul Wall and Big Gipp. And he's done just that. The song Grillz recently became the number one ringtone in the United States. We're certain Nelly is sporting his "Penny Candy Smile on the Rocks" to celebrate this historic accomplishment.

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MAXIM MAGAZINE SELECTS TOP COVERGIRLS
Maxim Magazine needs your help with selecting the top 10 women ever to appear on the cover of their magazine cover. Maxim's cover girls include the likes of Christina Aguilera, Gabrielle Union, Chilli, Paris Hilton, Melyssa Ford and Eva Longoria.

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RAPPER DMX LEAVES JAY-Z AND DEF JAM, SIGNS WITH SONY MUSIC
When DMX completes his 70-day jail sentence for probation violation, he will be one the newest artists signed to Sony Music Group.

The rapper cut all ties with his previous label Def Jam after hinting earlier this year that Jay-Z's presence as the label's president put a strain on their relationship, according to MTV.com DMX is a little "special" so, the 'Hood will be watching to see how this works out...
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NEW MUSIC WINNERS AND SINNERS
Word on the street is that Jamie Foxx's new CD entitled Unpredictable is HOT and Mary J. Blige's latest effort is NOT. That's right, Foxx's CD is a winner. "He actually has a number of collaborations with Kanye West, Common and even Mary J. Blige," our sources told us. "Maybe Mary J. should have spent more time working on her own project."
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TOOKIE'S FINAL GOODBYE
Hundreds of people converged on the South Los Angeles neighborhood where Stanley Tookie Williams co-founded the Crips to say a final goodbye. We're still not sure how we should feel about this.

Nicole: America's Next Top Nobody

Look who we found hiding way in the back of this week's edition of In Touch Magazine: America's Next Top Model's Cycle 5 winner Nicole. Here in the Hood we affectionately call her America's Next Top Nobody, hence the title of this blog entry. If tyra thinks these photos scream "I'm a Supemodel Diva," we must be deaf like our girl Fox Boogie. Nuf said

Foxy Brown & Tyson Beckford: Hear No Evil See No Evil

Foxy Brown is deaf, and her boyfriend Tyson Beckford must be blind based on this hot red mess he wore to Foxy's news conference.



















We were so distracted by his red mess, that we almost missed Foxy's update on her hearing loss. "I ask only for your continued prayers and compassion as I embrace the blessings of my journey," Foxy, one of Hollyhood's favorite female emcees told reporters at a press conference held at BET’s New York production studio. By her side were supporters including Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons and new attorney Joseph Fleming. Is that an engagement ring on her finger? Hmmmm...As always, the folks at Getty Images have got you covered on the photos!

Diddy's Favorite Position and Ashanti's Distressed Jeans

We're not sure if the lovely young lady on the left made P. Diddy's Band, but we did find Diddy back in his favorite position at a celebrity basketball game! It reminded us of a popular photo we posted on October 19 of Diddy and designer Zac Posen. For those of you who missed it, here it is again.



Ashanti gives new meaning to 'Distressed Jeans' Ashanti's jeans are definitely distressed. Maybe it's time for her to move up a size or two or three.

HollyhoodBuzz Ghetto Gossip 12/13/2005

Mekhi Phifer's 3rd Annual Holiday Party
In case you missed it, ER star Mekhi Phifer threw his 3rd Annual Holiday Party at his LA mansion recently. Mekhi, who attended with a mystery lady, had celebs like Jamie Fox, Regina King, Paris Hilton, Don Cheadle, Gabrielle Union, Jaleel White and Shaun Robinson at the event.


There's Something About Remy: But is It Plastic Surgery?
















Happy Holidays Hood Dwellers! We had a few revelations recently after seeing Terror Squad's Remy Ma on BET's 106 & Park. First, let us say she looked fabulous, in a Lil Kim kind of way, and her new single "Conceited" is our new theme song here in the 'Hood. But the major revelation was that Remy Ma looks extremely different than we remembered her-especially her nose. Apparently, she's conceited because she is looking much better now days. We're just not sure if it's because she's on a good diet or has a good surgeon, but, in the words of Remy Ma "WHUTEVA!" Her new album: There's Something About Remy will be in stores soon, but her new look is very reminiscent of Lil Kim's transformation from cute to creepy.


Does Fergie say the N-Word in the song Humps?
We've heard rumors that Fergie said the N-word in a previous version of the Black Eyed Peas hit single "My Humps." Her verse at the beginning of the song goes something like this: I drive these brothas crazy, I do it on the daily..." in the radio version. On some radio stations they even edit the word brothas, which actually makes it sound even more like she says the N-word. Online lyrics sources claim she says brothas, fellas and even scrubbers. Well, here in the 'Hood, we think it's highly questionable that she's driving any brothas crazy other than her bandmates: will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo by stealing all their shine.

Dennis Rodman is Still Crazy

Well some things never change. In case you've been looking for former NBA star Dennis Rodman, we found him by way of Socialite's Life looking a hot mess as usual. Based on this recent photo, he's still acting a damn fool. Oh Lawd!





Congratulations Angela Bassett!

Angela, and her husband, Actor Courtney Vance will soon be parents. A surrogate mother is carrying twins for the couple, and the expected arrival is early next year. The January issue of Essence magazine celebrates beauty, and will feature Queen Latifah, Gabrielle Union and Angela Bassett on the cover.



Tevin Campbell to star in Hairspray
Is anyone surprised by this? We sure aren't! According to www.eurweb.com, R&B singer Tevin Campbell is making his Broadway debut in the eight-time Tony Award winning musical, Hairspray. The former Quincy Jones protégé, took an unplanned hiatus from the music industry after a sex scandal tarnished his image. Let us refresh your memory, back in 1999 the story went a little something like this:

R&B singer Tevin Campbell was ordered to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings and an AIDS awareness class after pleading no contest to soliciting a lewd act from an undercover policeman, according to the Associated Press.

Campbell, 22, was also fined $1,080 Monday for the misdemeanor conviction stemming from his July 8 arrest. He was ordered to return to court February 7 with proof that he has completed the drug rehabilitation and AIDS education requirements of his sentence.

The singer was arrested in a police sting outside of Van Nuys Elementary School in Los Angeles.

Campbell made his debut at the age of twelve when he sang on "Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me)," from Quincy Jones' 1989 album, "Back On The Block." Soon after that, the artist then known as Prince invited Campbell to sing on the 1990 "Graffiti Bridge" soundtrack; Campbell contributed "Round And Round." In 1991, Campbell released his debut album, "T.E.V.I.N."

We Still Love Aretha

This photo of Aretha came to us by way of Perez Hilton and for once, we're at a loss of words.






'Don't Cha' want the Pussycat Dolls to Break Up!
Dear Santa, we only have one wish for Christmas. Please make the Pussycat Dolls breakup. It's obvious the lead singer Nicole wants to go solo and leave the Dolls in the dust. Come to think of it, we don't even know if the other girls can sing. We just don't want any more cheesy songs like 'Don't Cha' and 'Stickwitu.'

Nelly's Mouth Jewelry is out of Control
It's just not fair that Nelly is walking around with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gold and diamond teeth in his mouth when we're over here in the 'Hood eating Oodles of Noodles. That ain't right!




Top 5 Holiday Gifts for Celebrities
What an exciting year! As we look back at 2005, we've been able to identify some great gift ideas for our favorite celebrities:
1. Marriage Counseling (great gift for Nick and Jessica, Denzel, Morris Chesnut and Gabrielle Union)

2. Grillz (perfect for Nelly, Mike Jones, Paul Wall and most rappers)

3. Plastic Surgery (wonderful gift idea for any celebrity)

4. Cocaine and/or Crack (perfect for Whitney Houston and/or Bobby Brown and Kate Moss)

5. Talent (the Pussycat Dolls could use a lot of this, and D4L -who sing that friggin Laffy Taffy song- could use a ton)

America's Next Top Model Cycle 5 Theory

ANTM Cycle 5 winner Nicole
We've been getting lots of emails and people are upset about last night's ANTM finale. Yes Nicole is the official winner of ANTM's Cycle 5. We loved Bre and Nik, but Tyra obviously didn't since she sent them packing. We hate to say it but everything we predicted about the season finale happened. It's sad, but it seems to us that, like everything in life, some politics were involved with the show.

We knew Bre was going to get eliminated, in addition to her being the underdog, the show couldn't have two African Americans (Bre and Nik) as the final two. We're certain producers felt an African American and a white person would secure a broader viewership and higher ratings than two little black girls. And Nik was by far the strongest of the two. So Bye bye Bre, we'll miss you girl!
Furthermore, although Naima, with her boring self, won the last cycle she hasn't gotten nearly as much publicity as Eva the Diva. But since the last two winners were models of color (Eva and Naima), Tyra had to let a white person win this cycle. But that's just our theory here in the Hood...Below are the previous winners in order (Adrianne, Yoanna, Eva and Naima).

What's MISSING from this Picture? Hollyhood's Open Letter to Denzel

These Hollywood divorce rumors are officially out of control. Now, Morris Chesnut is saying he is NOT getting divorced and that the rumors are completely FALSE. And YES, we've been hearing the rumors about Denzel getting divorced and his love child with Sanaa Lathan for more than a month now. Like you, we don't want it to be true. But, we recently stumbled across this photo of Denzel (sans his wedding ring) that leads us to believe it may be true. This rumor has yet to be confirmed, so we'll keep our ears and eyes peeled. In the meantime,we decided to write our favorite actor a short piece of fan mail:
Dear Denzel, We know its "Boyz Night Out" and all, but put your friggin wedding ring on! Don't you know that's how those nasty divorce rumors get started? Yeah, you know, like the one about you and Actress Sanaa Lathan and the love child...hmmm....

Disappearing Acts: Rapper Eve Looks Hungry!

Too Skinny
Normal
Oh Lawd! Somebody please order this child a Number Three Value Meal. And make sure you Super Size that! Now that Eve, the First Lady of Ruff Ryders, has successfully transitioned into acting with roles in the Barbershop movies and her own UPN sitcom, is she on Hollywood's "Nicole Richie" diet? Lately, she's got a lot of collar bone and skinny-arm action going on. This child looks hungry! Eve, come on down to HollyHood for the holidays and we'll put some meat back on those bones.

Too Skinny
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Here's how Eve looked when she used to eat. No collar bones or rail thin arms in sight!