Friday Facts

As reported previously, R&B star Usher publicly thanked the two men who saved his son after the boy's arm was caught in a pool drain. Now, the mother of one of the young men reportedly stated she's like to have Usher sing at the mans wedding. She quickly backtracked by saying that she was joking that the men were rewarded when Usher's son was saved. Rapper Ransom is firing back at Nicki Minaj over the single he released which alludes to him writing lyrics for the Young Money Barbie. He said Minaj didn't have to verbally attack him. He added that he meant that Minaj often called him to collaborate on material. Minaj has since backtracked as well. Sort of. She tweeted, "Iam protect my creditability as @All costs! #WishUDaBest".  Could Jay Z and Damon Dash have made amends with one another? Pictures have surfaced over the internet of the two hanging out together. No word if it will lead to Hova offering financial assistance to Dash. Rapper Drake responded to rumors that he'll be a part of a Big Tymers reunion built around Brian "Birdman" Williams. He said he hasn't gotten a call, but if he does, he'd do it. Birdman hasn't commented on the rumor. In the meantime, fans can pick up a copy of the new issue of XXL magazine with Drake on the cover when it hits newsstands on August 20. Singer Rihanna is denying that she didn't pay the bill for her grandmother's funeral. Celebrity web site TMZ reports that a Barbados funeral home is suing the pop star alleging that she failed to cover Clara "Dolly" Brathwaite's extravagant farewell ceremony. Brathwaite, who lived in Brooklyn, lost her battle with cancer last June. The superstar had her body flown back to Barbados for burial, racking up a $150,000 tab tributing her beloved gran gran. The bill included party tents and massive floral arrangements. According to the suit, the singer paid 25 percent ,but refused to hand over any more money. A representative for the singer told TMZ that the allegations are "completely false" and that she paid in full. Rihanna was close to her grandmother. She told Oprah Winfrey that her grandmother was  a legend. She paid tribute to her grandmother with a tattoo of the Egyptian Goddess Isis. In theaters this weekend: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters", "We're the Millers", "Elysium" and "Planes". On the tube: "Bones" on Fox, "Undercover Boss" on CBS, "Shark Tank" on ABC and "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

R&B singer Usher is speaking out about the accident that left his son in ICU. He says the boy is recovering well. He also thanked the two men who pulled the boy from the pool after his arm became stuck in the drain. Meanwhile, he and ex-wife Tameka Raymond head to court for a custody hearing today. Rapper Nicki Minaj has fired back at rapper Ransom, who claimed he ghost wrote the First Lady of Young Money's rhymes. Minaj called the man desperate and added that he will never pop. Starring in the Lee Daniels directed film "The Butler" has brought up painful childhood memories for singer Mariah Carey. During a press conference for the film, Carey revealed that she was the target of a racist encounter. She recalled being spat on like the character played by actress Yaya Alfia because of the color of her skin. "The Butler" hits theaters on August 16. Rapper Drake will grace the cover of the upcoming issue of XXL magazine. In the magazine's 150th issue, the Young Money rapper discusses his new album, tour, and the sexual tweet from actress Amanda Bynes. Regarding the tweet, Drizzy stated that it was a little weird. As for his album, Drake said he's going for being the best. His next album is due in stores on September 17. He counts rapper Kanye West among the contemporaries he admires. On the tube: "Glee" on Fox, "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "America's Got Talent" on NBC. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday Roundup

R&B star Usher's ex-wife Tameka Raymond has filed for emergency custody of the couple's two children after her son nearly drown in a pool. The children were staying with Usher's aunt at the time. The boys arm was caught in the pool drain. He was freed by two men working in the house and later given CPR. He was taken to a hospital where he is currently in ICU. Reports say he will be fine. Former Destiny's Child member Latoya Luckett graces the cover of the latest issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine. She discusses her career and what's next for her. Sister 2 Sister magazine is on newsstands now. On the tube: "MasterChef" on Fox, "Big Brother" on CBS, "The Middle" on ABC and "America's Got Talent" on NBC. Happy hump day!

Tuesday Tales

While most find a way to break out of prison, singer Chris Brown recently found a clandestine way to enter prison. With the help of his attorney, Mark Geragos, he turned himself into authorities a day early to answer to hit and run charges. He was booked and released on his own recognizance a short time later. Brown avoided photographers who were in the courthouse for rapper 50 Cent's domestic violence case. Brown hasn't commented on the matter. Actor/comedian Kevin Hart has received three years probation and must attend a three month alcohol education class to answer to DUI charges from a few months back. Hart hasn't commented on the matter. Performances for the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards have been announced and rapper Kanye West will perform his single "Black Skinhead" during the telecast. It will mark West's seventh appearance on the show. West ties singer Madonna for the most appearances on the show. The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards will air on August 25, 2013 at 9 p.m. After many rumors and much speculation, actress Raven Simone has finally come out. She released a statement saying "Thank you government. Now I can get married". While there's no word on whom she's dating, the statement comes after the actress refused to address the rumors regarding her sexuality. Here's wishing her well. Sad news out of the world of R&B. Keyboard wizard George Duke died yesterday. He was 67. Known as a virtuoso in his field, he was a multifaceted musician in jazz, funk, R&B and fusion. He composed for Miles Davis, Gladys Knight, Anita Baker and Johnny Gill, among others. He also worked as music director for the 1989 Nelson Mandela tribute concert in London and for NBC's "Sunday Night". He created 30 of his own solo projects and collaborated with Jill Scott and Frank Zappa as well. His work has been sampled by several hip hop artist including Kanye West. He is survived by two sons, Rasheed and John. On DVD: "The Croods". On the tube: "So You Think You Can Dance" on Fox, "NCIS" on CBS, "Extreme Weight Loss" on ABC and "Hollywood Game Night" on NBC. Happy Tuesday!

Monday Memo

The Denzel  Washington/Mark Wahlberg film "2 Guns" topped the weekend box office, earning over $27 million. "The Wolverine", "The Smurfs 2", "The Conjuring" and "Despicable Me 2" round out the top five films of the week. Rapper Chief Keef is yet in more legal  trouble. He's being sued by a concert promoter after he reportedly skipped out on a recent appearance. He hasn't commented on the matter. Video of rapper Soulja Boy flashing thousands of dollars has surfaced. In addition, a friend of the rapper is also shown in a vehicle as well. Some can be so foolish. Soulja could learn from producer Jermaine Dupri who behaved in a similar manner years ago. It's never a good look. Celebrity web site mediatakeout.com is reporting that a model claims rapper Jay Z made advances toward her. The woman claims that she and Jigga met at a club, he asked for a number saying he'd call, but she rejected him. No comment from Jigga. Rapper 50 Cent recently plead not guilty to domestic violence charges. He's been accused of attacking the mother of his child in her Los Angeles home. He appeared in  a Los Angeles court where he was also ordered to turn in his guns, according to celebrity web site TMZ. Although he's never confirmed it, he reportedly dated and had a child with model Daphne Joy. The G-Unit CEO allegedly flipped out at Joy's Los Angeles, destroying furniture and other items. He was charge with domestic violence and property damage. The alleged assault came after damaging another damaging report about the Queens native's family life surfaced. Last month, text messages between 50 and his oldest son, Marquise, leaked online. In those messages, the "21 Questions" rapper went so far as to disown his son during the exchange. He blames the child's mother for making the story public. A representative for 50 responded with "No comment" regarding the domestic violence charge. On the tube: "Raising Hope" on Fox, "How I Met Your Mother" on CBS, "The Bachelorette" on ABC and "American Ninja Warrior" on N'BC. Happy Monday!

Friday Facts

The friendship between singers Katy Perry and Rihanna may be over. Although Perry didn't mention Rihanna by name, she stated that some are surrounded by destructive entourages. She added that she's done playing save others. Rihanna hasn't commented on the remarks. Likewise, the friendship between teen sensation Justin Bieber and rapper Lil Twist may be about over. Twist has been accused of battering a woman in Bieber's home. Twist denies the allegations saying that security escorted the woman off the property after she became disruptive. This is the latest of several runs with the law that Twist has had. He was pulled over for speeding in Bieber's car in his gated community. He was later pulled over and charged with DUI. Neighbors haven't exactly welcomed the two with open arms, and this latest incident doesn't help. In the meantime, Bieber is currently touring. Reportedly Black Eyed Peas front man Will.i.am is in talks to become a judge on Fox's "American Idol". Country crooner Keith Urban will return to the show next season. Singer Jennifer Lopez is rumored to be in talks to return, although nothing's been confirmed. Former "American Idol" contestant Jennifer Hudson is also rumored to be in talks to join the show as a judge. Could there been trouble in Young Money paradise? Mediatakeout.com is reporting that Drake and Lil Wayne got into a physical altercation at a Miami hotel recently. Rumors had been swirling about Wayne's current girlfriend spending time with Drake. So far, neither artist has commented on the matter. Actor Nick Cannon has reportedly reached out to "All That" co-star Amanda Bynes via an open letter. Cannon offered his assistance to Bynes, who's been in the news for recent troubles. No word on a response from Bynes. In theaters this weekend: "2 Guns" and "The Smurfs 2". On the tube: "Bones" on Fox, "Undercover Boss" on CBS, "Shark Tank" on ABC and "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" on NBC. Make it a weekend!

Thursday Dish

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has finally responded to actress Rae Dong Chong's verbal attack by saying young people today don't know history and that she thinks of those who heard the N word before being lynched. Chong went on the attack some time ago saying that decades ago, Winfrey would have been a house N. She later released a statement via video apologizing for the remarks. She's made no further comments on the matter. The late Whitney Houston's mother Cissy, has tried reconnecting with granddaughter Bobbi Kristina in an open letter in which she tells the teen how much she misses her. She goes on to add that she thinks Bobbi Kristina is too young to marry boyfriend Nick Gordon. Here's hoping that the two reconnect soon.  "Real  Housewives Of Atlanta" star Ne Ne Leakes is being sued by a wedding planner. The wedding planner claims Leakes only paid her half of what's owed for planning her upcoming nuptials. Leakes, however, claims the fee was paid; the planner just didn't do as good a job as expected. No word on a court date. Rapper T.I. made his feelings on the George Zimmerman verdict known on a recent visit to radio station Power 98 FM in North Carolina. The Grand Hustle leader, who was in town for the America's Most Wanted Tour, first went on to praise the Martin family for their non-violent reaction to the verdict before adding that had he been in a similar situation he would have been on trial. The father of six added that the Martins are more level-headed thinkers than he is. The controversial acquittal has drawn ire from many in the entertainment industry, including Jay Z and Beyoncé, who attended a New York City rally alongside Trayvon Martin's mother Sabrina Fulton. Singers Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan have decided to boycott the Sunshine state in protest. Zimmerman hasn't been seen publicly since the trial. Over the weekend, he was pulled over for speeding in Texas. He told authorities that he was carrying a registered fire arm. He was let go with a warning. Fans thinking that DJ/producer DJ Khaled and rapper Nicki Minaj are busy planning their nuptials would be wrong. Khaled told Richmond VA's iPower 92.1 that the recent marriage proposal to Minaj was a joke. He was promoting his upcoming album "Suffering From Success", due out September 24. Minaj got a good laugh out of it and Khaled says  he's been getting calls for acting gigs. No word on when we'll see him on the big screen. On the tube: "Glee" on Fox, "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS, "Wipeout" on ABC and "America's Got Talent" on NBC. Happy Thursday!