Filed under: Movies, Star Quotes

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Filed under: Music, News, Celeb Updates

There are very few hip hop figures who remain as beloved in their death as they were alive, but The Notorious B.I.G. is one of those individuals.

Today (March 9) marks the 13th anniversary of the passing of the rapper, whose real name was Christopher Wallace. Since being fatally gunned down in 1997 after leaving a Vibe magazine party in Los Angeles, still, no suspects have been arrested in his murder.

Investigations into the murder of the Brooklyn-bred lyricist remain on-going and the wrongful-death lawsuit filed by his mother, Voletta Wallace and his ex-wife Faith Evans, against the city of Los Angeles and other defendants is also pending.

Speculation is widespread as to who was blamed for Biggie's murder. Fingers have been pointed at former Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight and Los Angeles Police Department cops.

Wallace declined to comment on the status of her lawsuit but issued a brief statement to MTV News: "I thank you for the opportunity to touch [my son's] fans and for the network's continued support of me and the family, but it's been 13 years, I miss my son, his children miss their father, and the murderer is still at large."

LAPD officers Rafael Perez and David Mack, who are alleged to have been on the Death Row Records payroll and had a hand in the homicide, have since gone to prison on unrelated charges. The LAPD is said to have covered up the dirty cops' involvement in the death of Wallace to keep from a large civil lawsuit payoff. In fact, it was proven in July of 2005 that a lead investigator in Wallace's murder case hid evidence, which caused the trail to be declared a mistrial.

The FBI, which at one point picked up the investigation, have now stopped its pursuit, MTV News reported.

Regardless, of the long-standing difficulty in bringing Biggie's murder to justice, people who loved the 'Mo' Money, Mo' Problems' rapper are choosing to reflect on the music that he left the world with.

Bad Boy Records founder Diddy said that he's planning to celebrate his friend on a day that he thinks should be a national hip hop holiday. The Harlem-born music mogul will head across the bridge to Brooklyn club, the Lab, where Biggie tunes will be played all night by DJ Mister Cee.

"It's a day to celebrate his life," he said. "It's a day to celebrate the life of the man. We done did the movie, the records. It's something that, I guess, as a label we're obsessed with: making sure people don't forget about this man in a positive way."

"March 9 is Biggie Day. ... Bump Biggie all day, feel good and positive," Diddy declared.

Biggie Day it is.

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Filed under: Gossip, News, Celeb Updates

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Filed under: Television, News

Respected news anchorman Ed Gordon is returning to the network where he got his start.

Today, BET announced that the former '60 Minutes' correspondent will host a variety of news programs and specials.

This year marks the network's 30th anniversary celebration and Gordon couldn't be happier about his return.

"I am excited about coming back to BET," Gordon said. "Since my departure (from BET) viewers have told me consistently that they wanted me to return to the network. Well here I am! I am elated about the plans we have to serve the viewers and cover our community and the world."

BET President Debra Lee was equally thrilled about Gordon's return.

"It brings me great joy to welcome back one of America's most prominent news personalities," she said. "Ed has always remained part of the BET family and I am sure viewers will share in our excitement to have him back."

The Emmy Award-winning broadcaster joins correspondents Jeff Johnson, Andre Showell and April Wodard.

Since graduating from Western Michigan University and working at the Detroit Free Press, Gordon has dedicated his career to providing a forum for African Americans to discuss issues that affect their community. Gordon has interviewed a who's who of international figures -- from celebrities like Halle Berry and the late Michael Jackson to controversial subjects like Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan and Nelson Mandela.

The Detroit native has contributed to NBC's Today Show and Dateline. Most recently, he hosted 'News and Notes with Ed Gordon' on National Public Radio and 'Our World with Black Enterprise' a weekly syndicated news program.

Gordon serves as the president of a multi-service production company, Ed Gordon Media.

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Filed under: Music, News, Celeb Updates

In the wee hours of the morning on March 6, Grammy award-winning R&B singer D'Angelo was arrested and charged with solicitation for allegedly sexually propositioning an undercover policewoman in New York City's West Village.

Now, D'Angelo, whose real name is Michael Archer, has issued an official statement through his spokesperson, Lindsay Guion, denying the charges.

"We would like his fans and the public at large to know that the 36 year-old has [pled] not guilty -- and is contesting the allegations made against him," Guion said.

"D'Angelo would like to personally thank all of his fans for the outpouring of concern, and appreciates if all would allow the American justice system to resolve the matter before jumping to any conclusions."

Finding this forum an opportune time to throw in a new music plug, the manager added, "Also know that, he is in good health and extremely excited about his forthcoming new album."

The 'How Does It Feel' singer is said to have offered a New York Police Officer $40 in exchange for oral sex. A police search revealed a stash of $12,000 in cash.

D'Angelo reportedly is recording new music due this summer. The long-awaited comeback effort was scheduled for release via J Records last year.

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Filed under: Television, News, Celeb Updates, Video

TV One has set a date for actress LisaRaye McCoy's upcoming reality show, 'LisaRaye: The Real McCoy.'

The eight-episode series is set to premiere April 8 at 9 p.m. EST.

As previously reported, the new show will follow the Chicago native as she raises her 19 year-old daughter Kai and provides advice to her incarcerated sister, platinum-selling rapper Da Brat - all while taking care of her ailing mother.

It's been 12 years since the 41 year-old made her feature film debut as Diamond in 'The Players Club.'

A trailer for her docu-drama shows the former 'All of Us' star meeting with acting coaches to work on her career, not to mention making time for some of her big-name friends like Jamie Foxx, Lil' Jon and the Rev. Al Sharpton, with whom she's been romantically linked.

McCoy prides herself on keeping it real is definitely doing just that in her new show.

"I cannot watch the news because it hurts my feelings," she stated. A trailer for the show finds McCoy questioning her daughter Kai about whether she used a condom, bungee jumping with her cousin/assistant Quincy, and on numerous photo shoots with stylist Joe Exclusive.

In another exclusive interview with Jaime Foster Brown, McCoy shared her frustration with her estranged husband Michael Misick, the former Premiere of Turks and Caicos.

"I'm mad because I never ran government in Turks and Caicos," she said. "I get married to become a first lady and that was not a part of my plan and I damn sure didn't want to be involved with anybody that was going to be a part of any type corruption at all at no type of level. I could have stayed right here where I'm from in the States to do that."

"What I put aside meaning my career to come help this small country bring awareness to tourism there, they don't sell coffee and they don't sell sugar, meaning they only rely on tourism to make money there, I did that and I did that well," she continued.

"So for me to be going through what I'm going through just to get my money out of this settlement and being ridiculed the way that I am. It makes me mad that I'm fighting for something that I don't have anything to do with. We agreed that we don't belong together. Let me get back to what I do and do what all you wanna do and do what you've been doing," she charged.

There's sure to be more of the no-holds-barred conversations on 'LisaRaye: The Real McCoy,' when it airs this spring..

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