CELEBS REPLACE ASHTON KUTCHER ON PUNK'D

Popular practical joke reality television series, ‘Punk’d‘ is set to make a return in 2012, after a four year hiatus - but without the show’s creator Ashton Kutcher.

In September 2011, media had reported that teen pop star Justin Bieber would take over from Kutcher but it seems like the show producers have opened the show’s anchoring to a number of other celebs too.

From March 19, celebs like Miley Cyrus, Kellan Lutz, Bam Margera and former ‘Punk’d’ cast member Dax Shepard will also have a go at hosting the show.

Kutcher, 34, created the show with Jason Goldberg. It began airing on MTV on March 7, 2003.

Last November, Kutcher and former wife Demi Moore got divorced, after the actress released a statement announcing her intention to end the six-year marriage for reasons bordering on infidelity.

BIG BROTHER AFRICA IS BACK WITH SEASON 7

Big Brother Africa is back! Viewers of the reality show across the continent are in for yet another 91 days of the drama, action and unimaginable entertainment.

The seventh edition of the reality series will be hitting the screens in May and organizers say entries for the new season opens in a few days!

‘This show is definitely a high demand property that draws and holds audiences from start to finish’, Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa Managing Director says.

Alabi also adds that viewers should expect something different from past editions as the show tries to always re-invent with each new edition.

Nigerian Karen Igho emerged winner of the last edition of Big Brother Africa in 2011 alongside Zimbabwean Wendall Parson.

JOKA JAIYESIMI LEAVES SOUNDCITY

We’ve been told, very reliably, that Joke Jaiyesimi, the producer-presenter, has quit her job at Soundcity.

Details are sketchy for now, and Ms Jaiyesimi refused to comment, but sources say she threw in the towel last December.

‘She left to go and do her own thing’ a Soundcity source told us.

Ms Jaiyesimi joined Soundcity in June 2010, shortly after resigning from her position at Hip Tv. Before Hip TV, she had worked at Music Africa and MBI.

CHIKA IKE JOINS ANGELINA JOLIE, OMOTOLA JALDE, INI EDO AS UN AMBASSADOR

Nollywood actress, Chika Ike, who recently survived an auto crash, has been made a United Nations Ambassador of Peace.

According to confirmed information available. The Nancy Fancy fashion store owner was made a Peace ambassador by the international body based on her charity work in the society and the influence her films have had on the youths in the society.

Her ambassadorial status comes with the benefit of an international ID, customized number plate, access to attend UN conferences both home
and abroad, doing humanitarian services, an award certificate, among other benefits.

Making her mind known, the sultry actress said, "I will try hard to live up to the position i have been given and i will be dedicated to the cause."

Chika Ike has joined other actors who are already UN Peace ambassadors like Angelina Jolie, Omotola Jolade, Ini Edo, among others.

CHRIS BROWN MAY NOT DO INTERVIEWS IN 2012

According to Breezy's manager, he won't be talking to the press this year.

Following a handful of dicey interviews over the past few years, Chris Brown may not talk to the press through 2012. During an interview with Billboard magazine, Brown’s manager Tina Davis said that they will not be focusing on interviews in 2012 but will instead divert attention to performing and recording.

“[The goal for 2012 is to] not have him do interviews but to concentrate on performing and recording,” said Davis. “It was something we set a while back. We’re not trying to be rude, selfish or disrespectful to anyone in any way. If people are going to judge anything, judge him for his talent. He signed up to sing and entertain. Not talk about his personal life.”

In an attempt to start 2012 fresh, Brown looks at the New Year as a way to refocus the public’s attention off his personal life and onto his music.

“We look at it as starting all over. Our grind, our choices are different than they probably would have been three years ago,” she continued. “But we are humbly trying to get back into the swing of things.”

MUSIC: DOWNLOAD KLEVER JAY's NEW SINGLES ‘SME-SME' ft. FAZE

Klever Jay who has dropped fiya singles such as Koni Koni Love and Igborotidaru along with a well received debut album Beginning in 2009 is back with a certified jam Sme Sme ft. Faze.

This is the lead single for his 3rd album, ON POINT which is currently being worked on and should be released some time in 2012 on his JAY Recordz imprint.

Sme Sme is a lovely track; not too fast or slow paced, just the right tempo for the type of song. Check it out, share your thoughts and look out for Klever Jay’s new album in a few months.

Download: Sme Sme - http://www.4shared.com/mp3/ecRYZogD/Klever_Jay_-_Sme_Sme.html

WIZ KHALIFA ACCUSED OF STEALING "BLACK AND YELLOW," SERVED LAWSUIT

Wiz Khalifa was hit with a lawsuit claiming that he stole his multiplatinum single from another Pennsylvania artist.

Wiz Khalifa's still riding off the high of his smash single "Black and Yellow" reaching triple platinum status, but that high may soon come crashing down. News broke today that Wiz has been served with a lawsuit claiming that he stole the concept behind his hit single from another Pennsylvania artist.

According to AllHipHop, songwriter Max Gregory Warren of Sharon, PA filed a suit against the Pittsburgh rapper for allegedly stealing the concept for "Black and Yellow" from his copyrighted '07 track "Pink N Yellow." Warren contends that Khalifa and company “engaged in a scheme to defraud [the] plaintiff out of the fruits of his copyright of the Subject song.”

The lawsuit also names "Black and Yellow" producers Stargate, Wiz's label Rostrum Records, Wiz’s publishing company PGH Sound, EMI Music Publishing, Warner Music Group and Atlantic Recording Corporation. The plaintiff is seeking $2,375,000 in damages for a litany of charges, including deceit, copyright infringement, civil conspiracy and unjust enrichment.

A full copy of the lawsuit can be found over at AllHipHop. DX will keep you updated on the case as more information comes to light.

JA RULE DELAYS "PAIN IS LOVE 2" TO FEBRUARY 2012

The incarcerated rapper plans on dropping his new album a month later than expected.

Ja Rule has once again delayed the upcoming release of his new album Pain is Love 2.

The LP, which was originally set for release on June 7, 2011, has now been pushed from January 17th to February 28th. According to HHNM, the delay is blamed on the lack of time for proper promotion of the album in both the U.S. and international markets.

Ja, who is currently serving a two-year bid for attempted possession of a weapon, has already released the cover art and tracklist for the project. Guests include Somong, Diddy-Dirty Money(TM)s Kalina and Leah Siegal.

MASE SUED FOR $35,000 JEWELRY TAB

 

A jeweler claims that the Harlem emcee owes it a sizable tab.

Reports have surfaced that an Atlanta jeweler is locked in an ongoing legal battle with rapper Mase over an unpaid tab.

TMZ.com reports that Aydin and Company has sued Mase for $35,000, with bills going back to 2005.

The company is suing Mase for the tab, attorneys fees, and 1.5% interest per month on the money owed.

Court filings assert that the jewelers were unable to serve Mase with legal papers after trying multiple times at his Georgia home, and have had a process server file an affidavit in the case stating Mase is "evading service."